Just Another Job

Desperate Measures

Alright, we're starting to get into the good stuff. We're beginning the descent to the big finale, the end! There are going to be several more chapters, so don't worry too much yet. I don't konw if I will write another installment, but probably not. I like it where I'm going to leave it, so I'll probably move on to something else. 

"I don't want to get up," I murmured the next morning. The blankets had been ripped from the bed and were strewn around the room with our clothes. 

"Then don't," Jo said practically, kissing my bare shoulder. 

"I like the way you think," I said, wrapping my arm around her and pulling her closer. It felt so good to have a reprieve, a break from the stress of the journey. A time to just enjoy each other. 

At that moment, my phone rang from the nightstand, blaring Macklemore's "Can't Hold Us" into our ears.  

"Don't answer that," Jo mumbled, running her hand down my chest. When I made a move to sit up, she pressed down more forcefully, keeping me pinned next to her. 

I laughed at her possessiveness. "Can I at least check the caller ID?" 

"I suppose. Anything to turn off that horrible song," she sighed, taking her hand off of my chest and smashing a pillow down over her head. 

 Groaning, I sat up, reaching for the insistent device. "It's Jasper," I said as soon as I looked at the screen. I felt Jo sit up next to me as I pressed the answer button. 

"Hello?" 

"Cobalt." My blood ran cold as the familiar voice greeted me. "I was beginning to be afraid that you wouldn't answer. And that wouldn't bode well for Jasper." 

Jo's face was frozen in fear as she mouthed, "Harting." 

I couldn't bring myself to nod, but she knew it as well as I did. Harting was calling me, and he was calling me from my brother's phone. 

"Where is Jasper?" I asked, my voice sounding strange and wooden. 

"Jasper is right in front of me, handcuffed, gagged, and glaring at me quite venomously between two of my men. I don't know why he feels the need to bestow his hatred on me. After all, I think I've dealt generously with him."

"You're bluffing," I challenged. "Jasper is too smart to be captured by someone like you." Harting had to be lying. I knew my older brother, and he would never let himself be taken. 

"What about Cassie?" Jo whispered. I waved my hand at her, concentrating on Harting's answer. 

"Am I?" Harting asked. "Gentlemen, my contact here requires proof." 

I heard a short scuffle followed by the sound of a punch and a cry of pain that definitely belonged to my brother. I closed my eyes, the sound taking me back to the house where my dead parents were lying, when I had taken out my anguish on Jasper.

I lowered my head, feeling Jo's burning gaze on me. She slipped her hand onto my shoulder, trying to comfort me. 

"How?" I asked hoarsely. "Jasper is smarter than that." 

"I would love for him to explain the truly noble reason himself, but I can't risk taking off the gag and having him alert Cassie, who is just outside, completely unaware of our presence." 

I felt my upper lip curling in a snarl when he spoke of Jasper being gagged. It seemed so wrong, so perverse, that someone as strong and noble as Jasper could be rendered helpless and mute by someone as evil as Harting. 

"The reason is simple, Cobalt. You would be surprised what a man can be persuaded to sacrifice, especially if it means sparing his pregnant mate."