Redemption(103)

I saw a whip suddenly lash out, and Dean lifted his head with the pain. I could see he was trying his best not to cry out. I knew he would never want to give that fucker the satisfaction.

“I will make you scream, even if it’s the last thing I do. There is only so much a man can take, Dean. Maybe I should have kidnapped your lady friend and had a little fun with her whilst you watched. Would you have screamed then, ha?”

“Fuck you,” he growled through gritted teeth. He was a broken man, but his spirit failed to give up.

I moved forward a little more, trying to see who else was in the room. Dean looked up, his swollen eyes trying to stare back at me. It looked like Mike Tyson had been in the room and was on his twelfth round with him. All it did was make my anger rise even further. Dean was my boss, yes, but in the last couple years, we had become closer. And it was all because of one lady in his life he could never lose hope on. I couldn’t stand there any longer and watch him get tortured. He had only just found Tyler again. I had to save him. I had to make sure he chased his happily ever after.

Without a moment’s thought, I stepped into the room, having only a second to take everything in. Apart from Pinzano, there were two other men in the room. Both had guns and both aimed them right at me. They were quick, but I was quicker.

“What the fuck?” Pinzano screamed. I lunged and got behind one man as quickly as possible. Shots were fired and the man I stood behind took a direct hit. Within an instant, I lifted the gun out of the dead man’s hand and fired it back at the other one. He was down within an instant, and there we stood, Pinzano and me in a face-off. I had a gun now, but so did he.

“What took you so fucking long?” Dean mumbled, trying to laugh in an attempt to let me know he was okay.

“Sorry I’m so late, honey. Traffic was appalling.” I smiled at him.

“Shut the fuck up!” Pinzano yelled.

I sighed. “It’s too late. Your time is up. The police are here and it won’t take them long to find us.”

He growled and mumbled something under his breath. “What was that, sweetie? I didn’t quite catch it.” I turned to Dean. “I think he may be having a hard time getting his words out.”

Just then, we heard shouting above us. Pinzano looked up and I scooted to Dean, trying my best to untie at least one hand whilst aiming the gun at Pinzano. He flicked his gaze back at me just as I managed to loosen the rope.

“Leave him!” he growled but, although he tried his best to look bad, his voice was shaky. Even his hands were starting to tremble a little.

I made a tutting sound. “I don’t think you quite get it, Pinzano. You’re outnumbered. By now, all your men must either be dead or in police custody. You’re just the last little worm they have to pick from the dirt from which you came.”

Everything then seemed to happen in slow motion. Dean managed to get untied at the moment the police came running in. Pinzano roared, running at Dean. I was quick, shooting the gun out of his hand, but Pinzano swung and stabbed Dean in the chest with what looked like an ice pick in his other hand. Shots rang out as Pinzano and Dean both slumped to the floor.

In a panic, I ran to Dean, grabbing his hand as the police radioed for an ambulance. Cursing myself for not being more alert, I gripped my eyes shut for a moment before meeting Dean’s stare.

“You hang in there, Dean. We’re getting you help.”

He gave me a small smile. “We must be getting old, Jimmy. We were both a bit slow there.”

I laughed. “My reflexes aren’t what they used to be.”

“Be honest with me.” I nodded. “Do you think Tyler will like my new tattoos?” He grinned again, then winced in pain.

I looked down at his markings. “Probably not. I’d get your fucking money back if I were you. One of the letters is all lopsided.”

Dean tried to laugh, but he inhaled sharply. Calming, he looked at me. “Do you think I’ll be accepted?”

Confused, I thought he was delusional. “Accepted where, Dean?”

He grimaced with the pain. “The pearly gates. Do you think my sins will be washed away now that Jeremy is safe? Please tell me they’re safe.”

I nodded and for the second time in my life, I felt the tears brimming. “They’re safe, Dean, but you’re not going to get to those pearly gates just yet. Do you hear me? You have to fight, Dean. Fight for Tyler. Fight for your son.” He closed his eyes and I squeezed his hand. “Don’t fucking go to sleep on me, Dean. Stay awake.”

“It’s funny. I thought I would feel cold, but I don’t. Maybe I’m going to hell.”