Mated To A Convict (Book Two)

Chapter 7: Leverage

Chapter 7: Leverage

Taylor's POV:

"You should sleep, Nick." I tell him, watching him stress out over everything. He hasn't slept in a few days, he's constantly trying to track Soren, obsessing over it. It's almost twelve at night and I have to be at the Cafe at one in the morning.

"Even if I do lay down," He sighs, "I won't sleep." He has bags under his eyes and I can feel his pain. He feels like he failed.

"Dominic, I've f***ed up a lot in my life, but this has got to be the worst." He try's to interrupt my but I hold up my hand, signaling for him to stop, and I continue, "This isn't your fault. I've lost a lot Dominic, and you're all I have left. I don't want to lose you too... So, just, give me a piece of sanity and go to sleep because you're driving yourself over the edge." I beg him.

"Ok." He mumbles with a sigh of exhaustion, closing his laptop and turning off the light. He grabs my hand and leads me to our bedroom. Grant is probably already asleep.

Pulling off his shirt and jeans, he lays down and gets under the covers. I repeat his actions, leaving my shirt, and get in with him. He wraps his arms around me and guilt begins to claw at me in the back of my mind.

"You know I love you, right?" I ask, grateful for the darkness making it harder for him to see my distress.

"Of course." He say's, sleep evident in his voice.

"And that I'll do anything for you and Xander?" I ask, tears threatening to fall. If only he knew...

He sits up and lays on his side facing me, propped up on his elbow, "Of course I do, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to make sure you knew." I reply. He wraps his arms around me and lays his head on my chest.

"I love you." He say's.

"I love you, too." I reply, a lone tear falling. A few minutes later and I hear soft snores coming from him. I silently let my tears fall as I shift him off of me, replacing myself with my pillow so he won't notice my absence. He's to exhausted to notice.

I retrieve the letter I wrote from my jacket pocket and lay it on top of his phone. I retrieve my phone and attach a knife holder to my ankle, putting a silver blade in it. I slip on a pair of jeans and a light grey jacket.

After tying a on a pair of black combat boots, I take one last look at Nick. For once he looks peaceful. I walk up to him and softly kiss him on his forehead, and walk away. I silently shut the door and make my way to the living room.

On my way out I notice Xander's guitar. I grab it and put it on the stand beside the door.

I take Grant's keys from the hook and step outside, getting in his red Jeep. I drive off with one last look at the house. I push the accelerator harder and reach the Cafe about ten minutes later, and notice it's surprisingly still open.

I park and look around. Out front are a few tables, the seats littered with snow. Everyone is inside trying to escape the harsh cold. He's not here yet, I have about thirty minutes to spare. I sit in the Jeep, being sure to stay a good ways away.

I lean my head back, thinking about the day Nick and I met. About everything that's happened. All the way down to the smallest details. I smile at the good parts and frown on the bad ones.

I notice the familiar truck pull in and I quickly straighten up my face, sinking in the seat a little so I won't be seen. I watch as the guy who is "friends" with Lincon step out and head into the shop. After buying a drink, he steps back outside and sits on one of the benches.

He has on a light jacket, meaning he's more than likely a Wolf. The cold doesn't bother us as bad as humans. I can't sense him from here because, like I said, snow makes a good scent cover.

I pick up my cell phone and dial the number that called me yesterday night. I watch the man pick up his phone and answer.

"Taylor, I hope you're not standing me up." He say's, the cockiness clear in his voice. Well, at least one of us is finding this amusing.

"I want to see him first." I growl in irritation.

I watch him as he glances around, trying to spot me. He then walks to his truck and opens the back door to reveal an unconscious Xander.

"Don't worry, he's just sleeping." He say's, slamming the door and probably causing Xander to wake.

"Let him out and send him into the Cafe. I'll give him my phone and I'll leave with you." I sigh in defeat.

He then hangs up and sends a second man, who I didn't know was in the front seat, to take Xander inside.

I open up the note's app on my Android and type:

Xander, I want you to call your dad and tell him where you are and to come get you. I love you very much and I want you to tell your dad and Lincon the same.

-Mom

I lock the screen and step out. I watch as whoever this man is, I still don't know his name, watches me walk into the Cafe.

Xander is all the way in the back corner with the man who got out of the truck. He try's to run to me but the larger man keeps a firm grip on his arm.

I jog up to him and he finally lets him come to me. He wraps his arms around me and cry's into my shirt, something I haven't seen him do in years. I pull him back and I notice his busted lip and bruised cheek.

"Who did this?" I ask, taking his face in my hands, tracing over his wound.

He looks back at the man behind him and hugs me again. I hand him my phone and sit him in a booth.

"Where are you going?" He ask's, latching onto my arm. My heart breaks as I pull him into my arms.

"I have to go, but I want you to do what's written on hear," I point to my phone in his shaking hand, "Your dad will be here, ok?"

"Where are you going?" He repeats, determined to know.

"Wrap it up." The man say's.

"I'm going to go visit an old friend. Your dad will tell you the story, ok? I love you so much Xander, but I have to go. I promise I won't let this happen again, I promise I'll be back home. I love you so much." I reply, tears brimming my eyes. I kiss his forehead and stand up.

He watches me with tears in his eyes. I stand and the man takes my arm, escorting me away. I lip the words to Xander, 'Don't watch.' I get one last glance at him, watching him dial his dad's number, as we walk through the door.

"When I get out of this," I growl to the man, "I'll kick your a** for putting your hands on my son."

His grip on my arm tightens and he shoves me forward and into the man.

'Where are you?!' Dominic growls in my head.

"I don't think so." The man say's as he shoves a needle in my arm, causing me to wince. It feels like he's injecting liquid ice into my arm. In seconds my mind-link is shut off. As I'm being ushered into the truck, I look to the Cafe and see Xander crying and on the phone as he watches.

"You're lucky I didn't tell Soren about us trading your Son. Xander would be dead if I told Soren what, well, more like who, we had for leverage." The man smirks.

The feeling to fight back suddenly kicks in, but I don't get the chance. He shoves a cloth to my face, the strong scent of chloroform invading my nose. The last thing I remember seeing is the cold, cloud covered night sky as snow falls.

I'll be fine... As long as I know that the two people I love most are safe.