"You're scaring her, Xax." I heard Tanner's voice distinctively.
"Jasamina McCully. You are the one I came for before I found my brother," he said, his voice harsh and cold. Hearing him utter my full name sent shivers down my spine and filled me with a deep sense of dread. I felt as though I were staring into the face of death itself.
Confused and scared, I took another step back, while Tanner seemed just as perplexed as I was. "Jasamina McCully? How did you know her name?" he asked, clearly confused.
"She's the runaway wife of Billionaire Baron, and I'm here to take her back," the man growled, his eyes still fixed on me.
It finally dawned on me what was happening. My husband had sent this man to bring me back to him. I couldn't let that happen. I had to protect myself and Jaimie!
"I'm not going back! I'd rather die!" I cried out, the words coming from deep within my soul. I turned and bolted back into the house, my heart racing, my breaths coming in short gasps. I felt as though I were being chased by the devil himself.
As I ran through the house, a wave of betrayal and hurt washed over me. Had Tanner betrayed me by telling his brother where I was? But even as the thought crossed my mind, I dismissed it. Tanner would never do that to me. But how had this man found me? Who was he?
As I gathered my things and prepared to leave, I knew that it didn't matter. I was determined to never let this man take me back, even if it meant risking everything. I'd rather die!
XAZIX
The girl bolted towards the house, I tried to follow her, but Tanner stopped me with his hand.
"Jesus! Stop it, Xax. Wait, don't tell me that you're here as a bounty hunter to take his girl back from who she has been running from?" Tanner asked, his voice filled with surprise and confusion.
I turned to face my long-lost brother, taking in his gaunt appearance and wondering how he had managed to survive all these years. But now was not the time for questions.
"That's why I'm here. Her husband, Billionaire Baron, hired me to bring her back, and that's exactly what I'm going to do," I replied curtly.
"Wait, her husband is the COO of PetroLion!? So, the bastard of a man was Billionaire Baron!?" Tanner exclaimed in disbelief.
"I never thought Mr. McCully was a swine and a monster, but he is. Funny how all bad men hide under the veil of nice clothes and high ranks," Tanner muttered, his voice filled with bitter sarcasm.
Then it hit me. "Wait. You're the man who took her from the motel? You're the man who has been helping her in hiding!? The man she's been sleeping with?" I asked, the pieces finally falling into place. No wonder Tanner was here.
Tanner snorted, his anger palpable. "Sleeping with Jasamina? I've been helping the girl, Xax, but we sure as hell haven't been sleeping together. That son of a bitch did a number on that girl, and now she's so afraid of men that I'm the only one she'll come close to."
My confusion grew. "Did a number on who? The girl has been feeding you lies. She ran away from home with the poor man's child. She's crazy in the head."
But Tanner shook his head vehemently. Without another word, he rushed towards the house, with me following close behind.
As we entered the house, we saw the girl rushing out of her room, a plump sleeping child on her shoulder and a small box hanging from the other shoulder. Her teary eyes widened in fear as we entered the house.
"I'm not going back! I'd rather die!" she cried again, making a beeline for the door. But Tanner blocked her way.
"Look at me, hey, look at me. No one is taking you back. No one at all!" Tanner said softly but firmly, forcing the girl's haunted eyes to meet his.
"You shouldn't make promises like that, Tan," I said warily, watching them both.
The girl whimpered in fear and rushed behind Tanner to hide. I could only see her hand, which Tanner held gently.
"You will only take her over my dead body, Xax," Tanner whispered firmly, his eyes locked on mine.
"Hell, Tan. Don't do this. You are making this job harder for me." I couldn't believe he was protecting the girl. Why she wasn't behaving like a crazy person as she had been described?
But instead of an answer, all I heard was her soft weeping behind Tanner, followed by the cries of her child.
"Tan, you can't cover for her. I have a job to do," I insisted, growing increasingly frustrated.
"You won't be doing it," Tan said matter-of-factly. "Not until you know the real truth."
What truth?" I asked, tilting my head in confusion.