A Kiss Good-Bye Series

Chapter 6

Em

I walked to the fridge to make me a turkey sandwich and felt Jax watching me. It was a little annoying. I’ve been nervous this entire trip because of Jones. He’s a friend and if he finds out that I’m helping Jax to kill him, then I have a target on my back.

I turned around and met his dark eyes piercing through mine. What’s with this guy, and what did Sara see in him?

“So, Sawyer?” he asked.

“It’s an alias,” I said, finishing my sandwich. “I use it to not just keep myself safe, but Sara as well.”

“Where did Sawyer come from?”

I raised my eyebrows in shock. I would have thought he would know. He should know. “What?” he asked.

“How long have you and Sara been together?” I asked curiously.

“Six months.”

“Don’t you know her last name?” He shook his head. “It’s Sawyer. Sara Sawyer and Em Sawyer. Wow. You’ve been with my sister for half a year and don’t know her last name. What have you both been doing all that time?”

He gave a small grin and his eyes twinkled. “Never mind, I think I know.”

“How do you know Jones?” he asked as I took a bite of my sandwich. That’s something I can’t answer.

“So, how did you meet Sara?” I asked, avoiding his question.

“I was in Jersey doing a job when we met in a bar. She was with a group of her friends when I saw her. She was so beautiful.”

His eyes went off in the distance like he’s remembering their first encounter. There was a hint of smile on his lips. If Sara’s happy, then I guess it doesn’t matter who she loves, and I have to fight my attraction for the guy.

“So, did you meet her before or after you became a biker?” I asked, eyeing him. I know he had another life before becoming a biker. I want to know who he was.

“Why?” he asked.

“Because you don’t fit the profile of a biker. You don’t dress like them, you’re too clean-cut and the way you hold yourself is more powerful than any biker. And you’re way too good-looking,” I say bluntly. “You also look more of a loner, someone who likes doing jobs alone and is used to it. You’re more like a hitman or an assassin.”

“You’re very observant, aren’t you?” he asks.

“Have to be in my line of work. So, am I right?”

He was quiet for a moment. He studied me, his face giving nothing away, and finally he answered. “Yes, you’re right. I was a hitman before.”

“What changed?”

“Vanessa,” he says. Huh, a killer with a conscience. “I don’t kill women. I was taught to respect women and never lay a hand on them. I didn’t know that Jones was even seeing a woman. When I was hired to kill him, I was given his profile and his home address. There was no intel about Vanessa. I didn’t even see her in the house. I only had a clear shot of him and just as I pulled the trigger, she stepped right in front of him-the bullet hitting her back. I watched her fall to the ground as Jones hovered over her, trying to wake her up. Then he slowly raised his head and saw me, then I shot him in the chest. I thought I killed him. I was wrong.”

There was so much emotion in his voice that I felt bad for him. His voice even cracked when he said he shot Vanessa. His eyes even shine a little. Such a pity that I’m about to give him information that he didn’t know.

“Whoever hired you knew about Vanessa,” I said. His eyes blazed at me and his face became scary-looking, but I didn’t flinch. If he’s trying to scare me, then he needs to think again. I faced scarier people than him and I will not be fazed.

“What?” he growled.

“Well, I didn’t stutter,” I said. “Besides, it’s also your fault.”

“How is it my fault?”

“You should have investigated further,” I growled at him. This time he flinched. I know he can see the anger in my eyes and the ferocity in my voice. “You should have searched his home for any signs of her. You should have followed him and know his routine. You should have also known that shooting Jones in the chest won’t kill him.”

“Why?” he asked softly. “What do you know?”

I shouldn’t tell him. It's a betrayal, but my emotions got the better of me.

“He wears a bulletproof vest that is custom-made to fit him perfectly and is well-hidden beneath his clothes. You should have been more thorough.”

I turned my back on him and leaned my back on the kitchen island facing the stove. I need to control my emotions. That’s never happened before. I have never let my feelings get loose before, certainly not in front of somebody. Next thing I know, I continued talking.

“The reason you were sent to kill Jones was because he was going to retire. Some of the mob bosses weren’t happy about it and found out about Vanessa. Jones fell in love with her and wanted to settle down with her. He knew he couldn’t continue killing while putting her in harm’s way. The mob was angry. That’s where you come in. They kept Vanessa a secret and only told you about Jones. And now Jones is still alive, and you put Sara in harm’s way. You should have investigated further.”

Without another word, I left. I could feel my eyes sting with tears. I remember that night. I remember Jones coming here to my own home in tears, telling me that Vanessa died. I held him as he cried himself to sleep.