In The Safety Of A Lie - COMPLETED!

Chapter 16

CONTENT WARNING!: Language, Intense Scenarios

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Joey walked out to his vehicle, hating the idea of leaving Evelina behind. It felt like his only option. The less he was around her the safer she'd be. He should have thought about that more when he had been with her.

He pulled himself into the driver's seat and shut the door, looking over the blood-covered passenger's seat. His heart leapt into his throat as he just stared. A tear dripped down his face, he didn't bother wiping it away.

He was doing everything he could to keep from breaking down. She had already lost so much blood before he had gotten to her; seeing this mess in his car reminded him of how weak she would have had to be. How could she possibly survive this?

He nearly jumped out of his skin as a pounding on his window pulled him back into reality. He half expected to see a security guard ready to drag him back in, but his hopes dropped fast as the realization of who it was hit him.

Jimmy stood at his door shaking his head, disappointment and irritation flooding his face. He turned around, stalking toward the hospital. His steps had a purpose and Joey couldn't help but notice the shape of a revolver protruding from his waistband under his leather jacket. An untrained eye wouldn't have noticed it, but he was too skilled not to notice.

Joey got out of the vehicle without hesitation. He stepped fast, grabbing Jimmy by the back of his leather jacket and flinging him back against his car hard. He could hear him gasp from the impact, but ignored it.

"What are you doing?" He growled, swallowing the panic trying to build within him. He was a loaded weapon ready to break. There was no stopping him from doing whatever he had to do. He had nothing left to lose and that made him lethal. There was no way he would let Jimmy get near Evelina. No damn way.

Jimmy pushed him off of him. "Finishing the job." He spat out, tapping Joey's forehead. "I knew you had something hiding in that brain of yours. You were way too damn quiet on the ride back." He said grimly, pulling his hand back and standing tall.

"You try to touch her and I will kill you." Joey was breathing hard, barely able to keep himself in check. He was shaking from anxiety and anger.

"You wouldn't. You don't have the guts." Jimmy reminded him, the spite reverberating from his eyes. The challenge couldn't be denied.

Joey pulled out a revolver from the small of his back and slid it up into Jimmy's throat. "Don't test me." He gave Jimmy a look — a plead — not to make this worse then what it already was. "I don't want to kill you, but I will if I have to."

Jimmy looked away then looked back at Joey with a clenched jaw. "I'd be disobeying a direct order from Downs and would be just as done as you will be if you do this." He sighed, his expression softening up. "Joey, we've known each other for years. You watched my back, as I have yours. You are the closest thing I have to a brother and I'm warning you not to do this. Don't make me choose sides."

"I'm making you choose, Jimmy. Just as she made me choose. I'm not letting you hurt her again. If she makes it through this, I won't let anyone get to her. I will lay down my life for her and I won't hesitate to kill you if it means that she will live. Do I make myself clear, Valdez?"

Jimmy stepped forward, cocking his head at a slight angle, anger lighting up his eyes. "So that's how it is, Joey? You're going to throw our friendship away because of some girl."

Joey took a step back, leaving some space between them. Keeping his gun just out of his friend's reach. He swallowed hard, but didn't say a word.

Shaking his head, Jimmy's fists were balled at his side, hurt flashed through his eyes briefly. "I have spent far too long protecting you, Joey, to let you throw everything away like this. You know Downs will just send someone else to take care of business. Someone who will kill you. Does that mean nothing to you?"