Johnnie isn’t the typical woman. I know I’m dealing with deeper issues when it comes to her. I’m walking a fine line, a razor’s edge I’m willing to walk for her and only her. It’s the first time in my life that I’m willingly going through issues with a woman. Before her, I would have considered the RAD unnecessary drama that I didn’t have time for. It’s odd because when it comes to her, it isn’t an inconvenience or a hassle. It’s just a mere bump in the road that I am more than willing to navigate.
Johnnie
I bounce down the hallway and make my way into the office. The look on Cash’s face immediately lets me know that something is up.
“I need you to listen to something and tell me if you recognize this voice.”
I watch as he pushes an app on his phone and my mouth falls open in astonishment as I listen.
My name is Rhonda Bayne and I believe you have ties to my little sister, Johnnie Bayne.
My husband’s name is Steven Taggart and he is involved in organized crime. He faked my death four years ago and I am now being held against my will, along with my four year old daughter.
I believe our lives are in danger. My husband lost a large amount of drugs he was transporting for the Colombian Cartel. They have given him three days to come up with their money or they are going to take matters into their own hands.
“I have a niece? That’s Rhonda’s voice!”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive! I would know her voice anywhere.”
“Well, young lady, it looks like we’re going on a job tonight and we’ll need all the guys to do it.”
“That’s what he has been using against her to make her stay. The sick bastard has been using their daughter as leverage. If I know my sister the way I think I do, she threatened to leave and he wouldn’t let her. Once he stole her identity by staging her death, it just made things more complicated for her.”
Suddenly, I start to panic, “Oh my God, she could be killed by the fucking gangsters he ripped off. I can’t lose her again. I just can’t.”
Cash pulls me into his arms and rubs his fingers lightly over my back as he speaks. “I will do everything I can to return them to you safely. You couldn’t have a better team of men working to get that girl out of there. I need you to keep your head together, girl. Do you want to just let us go on this job?”
“No, I want to go.”
“Then you’re going to have to turn your emotions off and do this like it’s any other job. Can you do that?”
“I can do whatever I need to do to rescue my sister and niece.”
Rhonda
I purposely go to bed earlier than usual to try and avoid my husband. It isn’t like he would be home anytime soon anyway. I’m certain he has a mistress and, some nights, he doesn’t even bother coming home. Judging by the way he is always dressed in a fresh suit the next day, he must be keeping clothes at her place. He is probably keeping the bitch up in an apartment somewhere, paying her bills, paying for her groceries, and buying her clothes and make-up. I am sure if she exists, like I suspect she does, she is driving around in one of his luxury cars too.
“Mommy, can I sleep in here?”
I look up to see my little angel, rubbing her eyes, dressed in a nightgown, and holding her favorite doll. She is so innocent, so precious, and she deserves more than all of this. Steven hates it when she sleeps with us but I really don’t give a shit what he likes or dislikes.
“I would love nothing more than to have you sleep with me.” Her smile lights up the darkened room and I hold her as we both drift off to sleep.
Johnnie
I sit in Cash’s office with six guys, some of whom I’m meeting for the first time. I push away feelings of doubt, worrying about whether or not they’ll reject the idea of me being on the team. Cash’s voice ends the uncomfortable silence as he makes introductions.
“This is Thorn. We call him that because he’s a prickly motherfucker. I guess you could say he’s a little rough around the edges. He has offended clients and criminals on more than one occasion. He’s loyal, a badass, and there’s nobody I’d rather have on my side or in my corner when the chips are down.
I reach my hand out to shake his as he blatantly studies me with his hazel eyes. “Can you carry your weight, girl?”
“I’m committed to this team. I probably think more like a man than you do. I’ll damn sure pull my weight and if there’s a burning building, I’ll pull yours too when I drag your ass out.”
“Huh,” he grunts. “I like her, Cash. It’s a good thing you got to her first or I’d be trying to fuck her.”