Taken By The Hitman IV by Amber Adams

Chapter 5: Bianca

 

I sit on the couch and watch as Jason sits at his usual post and studies the monitors, his jaw clenched.

It’s been a week since he’s been injured, and each day he tries to stretch his body to the limits a bit more, stating it’s the only way that he will heal.

I’ve tried to get him to slow down, but I can also understand his need to feel in control of the situation. A few nights, I have woken to find him gone, sitting in front of those banks of monitors and constantly watching for danger.

“Mike’s here,” Jason says, pushing away from the monitors and standing.

I unfurl my legs from my perch on the couch and stand as Jason opens the door, a gun resting against his thigh, his finger on the trigger. He’s not taking any chances for our safety, and while there have been no new attacks so far, he knows like I do that they are coming.

Mike walks in, a casual smile on his face. “Bianca,” he says. “Good to see you.”

“You too Mike,” I say with a smile on my face. I like the doctor.

“And you,” he tells Jason, giving him a once-over. “How do you feel?”

“Good,” Jason says, shutting the door and placing the gun on the table.

Mike places his bag on the couch, and avoiding direct eye contact with Jason and says, “I’ve, uh, heard some rumbles about your contract.”

My ears perk. “Like what?” I ask before Jason can.

Mike looks at me. “There’s some hesitation to take Jason’s contract amongst the community. They all know what sort of hit man he is, and no one likes the fact that he’s on the block.”

Jason laughs harshly. “They don’t like it? I figured they would be itching at a chance to take out some competition. And there’s good money to boot.”

Mike shoots Jason a look. “There’s a lot of respect for you amongst the community. You know that.”

Jason doesn’t reply, but I see the war raging on his face. “Then we are a bit safer for now.”

Mike nods. “For now. I have seen some of Murdock’s handiwork in town. The guys are definitely there and doing their thing.”

Jason nods slowly. “Murdock told me that they were reporting ‘sightings’ of us in various places to throw those on the trail off the trail.”

“Good, that gives you more time to heal, then,” the doctor said. “C’mon, take off your shirt. Let me see how it looks.”

I watch as Jason arches a brow, reaching for the hem.

“Dude, are you trying to get me naked? I’ve told you before, I only like you as a friend.”

Mike rolls his eyes. “And I’ve told you before you aren’t as funny as you think you are.”

The banter eases the tension around Jason’s eyes and I smile, glad that he’s able to relax at least around Mike.

We’ve fallen into an easy routine now at the cabin, almost like we are an old married couple. Jason constantly watches the monitors and listens to the radio scanners he has, and I make sure that we have meals to eat.

At night, we entertain ourselves with the board games I found in the closet, surprised that they were even there. Jason says that they came with the cabin, but he has been enjoying beating me soundly no matter what we play.

“Wound looks good,” Mike states as he presses the small bandage back onto Jason’s side.

We have graduated from the bandage around his torso to just one to cover the remaining puckered and stitched wound.

“Everything looks good.”

“Thanks,” Jason says, shrugging his shirt back on, casting a look over at me.

“Bianca has been taking care of me pretty well.”

I smile at his appreciation, just glad that he’s starting to act like himself again.

“He’s finally listening to me.”

Mike chuckles. “Well, that’s something for the record books, Jason Corben listening to someone other than himself. Oh, before I head out, I brought some groceries for you. They’re in the car. Gretchen told me what to get, I hope it’s okay...”

Jason runs a hand through his hair. “Thanks man. I appreciate it. I’ll help you get them out and let you get out of here. The exercise will do me good.”

I watch as the two men walk out of the cabin before reaching for one of the burner phones that Jason has cleared me to use. This isolation has kept us alive, but it’s also made me miss my life, my friends, my work back in the city.

Dialing a familiar number, I wait for the line to pick up. “Hello?”

“Deja,” I breathe, the sound of my friend’s voice bringing tears to my eyes.

“Bee?” she asks. “Oh my god! When are you getting back? You still haven’t told me where you are. Are you okay? Is he holding you hostage?”

“No, things are good,” I allow, wishing I could tell her the truth and not put her in danger.

“Everything’s great, really. Don’t be so mellow dramatic. I’m just, we are really enjoying our time together.”

“Are you sure?” she counters.

“Because this is so unlike you to just leave everything hanging and take a spontaneous and mysterious vacation. I mean he’s hot and all, but I’m worried about you.”

“Seriously,” I reiterate. “I’m fine.”

The men walk back in and I retreat to the bedroom, giving myself some privacy.

“I think this is what I needed in my life.”

“So,” Deja says after a moment, “is the sex that good?”

I laugh. Only my bestie would question the sex. Too bad Jason has been injured and we have done nothing but sleep next to each other at night. I’ve wanted to touch him many times, to feel his arms around me but I know it would lead to other encounters that he’s not ready for.

“I’m not going to kiss and tell, Deja, not even for you. But ya, it’s good, all right?”

“I mean anything is good to you when you’ve had a dry spell like you’ve had, Bee,” she teases.

“It was more like a drought of epic proportions. So, I guess it makes sense that you aren’t in a rush to get back home after all!”

“That’s so not true,” I play-argue.

“Anyway, I miss you and I will call you soon, all right? Don’t worry about me?”

“I miss your face too,” she answers. “And it’s my job as your best friend to worry, got it?”

I end the call before the tears fall, sinking onto the bed with the phone in my hand.

I didn’t realize until I actually heard her voice that I missed her that badly.

It’s crazy to think about my life before Jason and everything that has happened since we met. Talking with Deja has made my old life feel so far away even though it’s only been a matter of weeks.

So much has changed. And yet, as insane and messed up as this whole thing is, Jason… he feels so… perfect.

“Are you alright?”

I look up and dash the tears away from my cheeks, noting the concern filtering through Jason’s handsome face.

“I’m fine. I was just checking in with Deja.”

“And she made you cry?” he presses, leaning against the doorway.

I give him a watery smile. “It’s hard, you know? Lying to her like that? We don’t lie to each other.”

Jason’s expression softens. “Yeah, that sucks. I’m sorry, Bianca.”

I stand and hand him the phone. “There’s nothing to apologize for. Did Mike bring some good food? Mmm, I hope so.”

He smiles, his hand reaching out to brush the hair away from my face. I shiver at his touch, the heat spiraling from my cheek all the way down to my core.

“Yeah, he did. You want to come see what he brought?”

“That would be nice,” I answer.

Jason nods and his hand drops from my face and reaches for my hand.

Moving out of the doorway, he gives me a wink and says through his smile,

“Then come on.”