Redemption(100)

“Gentlemen. How the devil are we this evening?”

The guy pointing the gun at me suddenly started waving it about. He was sweating already. Not a good sign. “Put your fucking hands up and get out of the car!”

I laughed, but obeyed his command. “Whoa, boys. Steady there. No need to get your knickers in a twist. I’ll be good.”

The other guy searched the car as I stood there with my hands up. Once he was satisfied, he took out my phone and handed it to the sweaty guy in front of me.

“Search him.”

I sighed, but let the man go about his job. I just wanted to get in that house as soon as fucking humanly possible. I had to make sure Jeremy was okay.

Once the man was satisfied I wasn’t wearing any wires or had any weapons, sweaty guy motioned towards the house with his gun. I was only too eager to do as he instructed. There had only ever been two times in my life when I have been scared. Once was when I thought I had lost Tyler for good…and now. Not because I feared for my own life, but because I feared for the safety of the boy who had stolen my heart. I was just fucking gutted that I wouldn’t ever be able to tell him that now.

As I walked through the door, my hands still up, I noticed Jeremy sitting on the sofa chair in the middle of the room. His eyes were swollen and puffy from crying and his cheeks were red, no doubt from him constantly rubbing the tears away.

Jeremy looked up and, probably for the first time since this morning, his face lit up. He jumped up and came rushing towards me. “Dean!” he screamed, running into my arms.

I picked him up and kissed him on the cheek. “You okay, grown-up?”

He nodded. “I’m okay now.” He snuggled his head into my neck and I inhaled like it was my last breath.

“Well, would you look at that? How sweet to see a father and son bonding.”

My head shot up to find Pinzano smirking. If it wasn’t for the fact I held Jeremy in my arms, I would have rushed to him. But he probably knew that and, no doubt, planned for my attack. He had all the control now and he knew it.

“I kept my side of the bargain. Now I expect you to keep yours.”

He nodded and paced between the two men between him. “Yes, I am a man of my word. Jeremy will be delivered back to his mum safely, as long as you give me your full cooperation.”

I nodded my agreement. “Of course. It goes without saying.”

Pinzano smirked at me. “Very well then.” He nodded to one of his men who came over and tried to take Jeremy from my arms.

“No!” he screamed, holding on as tight as ever to me. “I’m not leaving without you now. Not now that I’ve found you. Don’t make me leave! You have to come with me. You have to!”

The man struggled to get him out of my arms, but all that did was make Jeremy scream even louder.

“You leave him alone!” I screamed. I bellowed so loud, even Jeremy stopped struggling. The whole room turned deathly silent. Taking two deep breaths, I stared the man down. “I got this.”

The man looked at Pinzano and he nodded. Once he saw the nod, he moved back to give me some space.

Kneeling down, I placed Jeremy on his feet and tried to pry him from me. When he knew he had to let go, I cupped his head in my hands and wiped away his tears. “I can’t go with you, Jeremy.” He opened his mouth to speak, but I stopped him. “Jeremy, you have to go to your mother. She is worried sick about you.”

“But I don’t want to leave you.” He said it with such a soft voice, I almost broke down.

“I know, Jeremy, but you have to. Your mum is expecting you and I have to make sure you get to her safely.”

Jeremy frowned. “And then you can come home?”

“Don’t—”

I put my hand up to stop Pinzano from talking any further. I gritted my teeth and glared at him before looking at Jeremy again. “I will do my best to get to you, but I can’t unless I know you’re with your mummy, okay?”

Jeremy nodded and I wiped away the remaining tear on his face. “Now, you have to go with this man and he will take you to see your mum. I’ll be fine here, Jeremy. Don’t worry about me.” I smiled tenderly and kissed his hand just before the guy stepped forward again to grab him from me.

He made a move to walk out the door just as two men put me in handcuffs. “And another thing…” The man stood still and turned so that Jeremy was facing me. “I’m so glad you found me, too, grown-up.” With probably the last smile I would ever offer, I winked at him. I knew the minute that door closed, my life was closing with it.

Only a miracle could help me now.





Chapter 20



Jimmy