Page 70 of Mutual Obsession (Rivals of Blackthorn #2)

A s I walk out of the warehouse into the carpark, constantly scanning for any danger, I can’t help but feel a sigh of relief now that we have a plan in place.

We’re going to find that fucker, Gregg, and he’ll lead us to The Count.

Once we’ve taken them down, there’s no reason for Indie to ever have to run again.

The idea of settling down with her, knowing she’s safe, fills me with more joy and satisfaction than I thought possible. And adding Jacob into the mix too… I finally feel whole in a way I never expected.

As soon as I open the car door, Indie climbs in. Jacob and Marcus are on the other side of the car, saying goodbye to the Doughtys. I close the door and make my way back around the car, standing beside them as they finish their conversation.

BANG BANG!!

As soon as I hear the gunshots, I react without thinking, and everything seems to move in slow motion. My heart stutters as my brain whirls with the knowledge that someone is shooting at us.

I take in as much of the scene as I can, but there’s barely any time to think. My body just moves of its own accord.

I reach out and grab hold of Jacob, throwing my body in front of his as I pull him to the ground, using myself to shield him from the gunshots. At the same time, I reach into my jacket and pull out my gun.

Once I’m sure Jake is down on the ground, hidden by the car, I look around and see Marcus dropping beside me, his own gun out as he scans the area.

For just a moment, his penetrating gaze lands on me, and if I had more time, I’d analyse the intense way he’s looking at me, but as another two shots ring loud, it pulls our attention back to the gunfire.

I rise slowly, using the car as cover, scanning the surroundings as I try to find where the shots are coming from. Before I’m able to take it all in, I hear Kian’s loud voice. “Both shooters are down.”

Still, I don’t put my weapon away as I continue to take in the carnage. Two male bodies are on the floor a few feet away, blood pooling beneath them. They were obviously hiding behind a large cargo container, and had sprung out when they saw us.

Bree is standing to the side with her gun raised, looking even more fucking terrifying than she usually does with her fiery red hair blowing in the breeze. Liam is beside her, half of his body turned in front of her, as though he’s trying to shield her, whilst pointing his own gun at the dead men.

Kellan is on the floor, his laptop bag in his hands, looking as furious as the rest of us, while Kian is over by the bodies, no doubt making sure they’re very much dead.

“What the fuck?” Kellan grumbles as he stands up, dusting himself off. “Who is shooting at us?”

Kian kicks one of the bodies, then the other, before walking back to his family. “Looks like two men from the Pileson family we dealt with yesterday. Doesn’t appear they took our threats well.”

Bree takes a menacing step forward, looking murderous. “We will have to take them all down now. Call whoever you need to.” She turns to look at us, her expression softening. “Is everyone okay? Nobody was injured?”

I look back at the closed car door—very fucking pleased there’s an automatic lock on the backdoors, so she can’t get out without someone opening it for her—making sure Indie is still safe in the backseat.

She’s staring out of the window, tears in her wide eyes, as her body trembles with fear, but at least she’s not fucking injured.

I check both Marcus and Jacob, and when I see they too are uninjured, I tell her as such.

“I’m sorry you were caught up in our mess,” Liam says, looking more angry than apologetic.

I know the feeling well. They may not have been aiming for us, but those fuckers still shot at my family. It’s a bloody good job they’re dead, as if they were alive, they wouldn’t be for much longer.

Marcus clears his throat, dusting down his suit as he puts his gun away. His expression is as blank, as usual, giving nothing away, but I can see the maelstrom of emotions in his eyes. “It’s not your fault. Go home to your family.”

The Doughtys leave quickly, and as soon as their car pulls away, I click the button and open the car doors. Indie is quick to rush out, tears streaming down her cheeks as she drags her gaze over both me and Jake, making sure for herself that we’re not injured.

Jake pulls her into his arms, hugging her tight as she cries, and my heart aches as I want nothing more than to wrap my arms around them both. While Jake comforts her, Marcus stomps around to the passenger side and climbs in, slamming the door behind him.

After I help Jake and Indie into the car, pleased that she has him to hold and comfort her until she’s able to calm down, I climb into the driver’s side and start the car.

We’ve not been in the car for long when Indie falls asleep, breathing softly as she rests her head on Jacob’s shoulder. He keeps his arms wrapped around her protectively, and I watch the two of them through the rearview mirror, my stomach flipping that I can’t be the one to comfort her.

We make the journey in silence, and it’s not until we reach Blackthorn that Marcus finally breaks it. He doesn’t even look at me as he says, “Drop Jake and Indie off at his house, and then we can go back to mine.”

“But, I?—”

I start to argue, to tell him it would be a good idea for me to stay with them to make sure Indie is okay, but Marcus glares at me, cutting me off.

“We have work that needs discussing.” The tone Marcus uses leaves no room for discussion, so I don’t bother.

I drop Jake and Indie off as discussed, a pit forming in my stomach when I have to leave them. I want to be there for them both, to hold them and make sure they’re okay. But Marcus’ expression makes it clear I have a job to do.

As soon as we reach his house, Marcus is still oddly silent, and his posture is stiffer than usual. He strides out of the lift, down the hallway, and into his office without saying a word, making it clear he expects me to follow.

For a moment, I wonder where Chloe is, but he doesn’t seek her out the way he usually does, so I’m assuming he knows she’s not here. He slams the door to his office open with more force than is necessary, leaving it wide for me to follow behind him.

As soon as I’m inside, he kicks the door closed, the loud crash reverberating around us, as the mask Marcus has been wearing since the gunshot finally slips. He stares at me with his piercing blue eyes, his nose wrinkling as his brow pulls, his lips twisting into a scowl.

To say he looks angry would be a fucking understatement.

“What the fuck happened back there?” he shouts, glaring at me with a dangerous venom I’m not used to seeing aimed at me.

Is he implying I didn’t do my job properly? That I should have seen the shooters? Or…maybe it’s something else, something I was rather hoping he’d missed.

“What do you mean?” I ask, hoping it’s one of the other questions, not the latter.

Marcus’ eyes flare with anger as he takes a menacing step towards me, clearly not happy with my response. “Don’t fucking lie to me, Miles. Tell me what the fuck is going on!”

He’s yelling so loud, my ears are ringing. Then again, the shots from earlier probably haven’t helped with that either.

Before I can respond, the office door flies open and Chloe comes rushing in. She’s wearing black leggings and a baggy T-shirt that looks like it belongs to Marcus, with blotches of flour covering her.

Her long dark hair has been pulled up onto the top of her head into a messy bun, with rogue strands flying all around her face.

Her eyes are wide, and she looks terrified as her gaze flicks around the room. She’s desperately trying to take in and understand the scene in front of her.

Marcus must be pissed if he knew Chloe was home and came into his office first without greeting her.

“What’s going on in here?” she asks frantically. “Why are you yelling?”

Marcus’ expression doesn’t soften, even from hearing Chloe’s voice, and that instantly has me on edge. If she’s not able to dampen his anger, I’m really fucked.

He takes a small step forward, raising his finger to point at me as he scowls, his voice taking on a dangerous edge.

“I’m asking my best friend, the man who I trust above all others to protect my life, why, when shots were fired at us earlier today, did he throw himself in front of Jacob, leaving me to take care of myself. ”

Fuck! Of course, he noticed, and is pissed at me.

My stomach flips and my nerves prickle as I try to think of some explanation that will be good enough. When really, there isn’t one.

Any similar situation in the past, and I wouldn’t have hesitated to save Marcus first. It’s my job, and he’s my best friend. But somewhere along the way, Jacob became important to me, and my only thought earlier was to make sure he was safe.

I knew Indie was safe, but Jake wasn’t, and the thought of him getting shot was an all-consuming fear I couldn’t deal with. All I knew was that I needed to protect him, and I acted without thought.

Honestly, Marcus has every right to be pissed. I didn’t do my job, and it could have had serious consequences.

As I’m trying to think of something to say, Chloe gasps loudly as she rushes over to Marcus. “Oh, my God. Is everyone okay? Was anyone hurt?”

Marcus softens as Chloe wraps her arms around him, and he sees the fear in her eyes at the mention of someone shooting at us and her brother. He places his hand softly on her cheek, rubbing his thumb over it as he comforts her.

“No, Mio. We’re all fine.”

She breathes a sigh of relief as she steps back, lacing their fingers together so she doesn’t have to let go of him completely. She turns and casts her eyes over me, no doubt checking for herself that I’m not injured.