Free Handcuffs and Lace 24 - Balls and Chain by Mia Watts Page A

Matilda. “What can we do to convince you that you’re safe? Do you want anything? A trade? I can get the sector on the phone and we can have a little chat.”
“Your little office is nothing to me,” Winston said. “I have people everywhere. You’re just an inconvenience.”
“Derek, think about what you’re doing,” Jude cautioned.
“I’ve thought about it. I’ve thought it through two point six million times, and I’ve decided that Mr. Winston has every right to be as secure as he wants.”
“So, you see, Agent Cheney, there’s nothing further to discuss.” Winston motioned at Derek. “Take care of it.”
“Yes, sir.” Derek waved his gun. “Go stand over there. I want you about five feet away.”
“I’m not going to make this easy for you. If you want it to look like suicide by hanging, then you can’t shoot me.”
“Don’t think I can’t use it to my advantage,” Derek argued. “I could always claim that I followed you back here, got a shot off, but was too late. Hanging you was just a suggestion. I can make just about anything work to my advantage. Put your hands on your head and keep them there. Where’s your firearm?”
“In the bag,” Jude told him, tipping his chin toward the duffle. He glanced briefly for the toiletries kit that had fallen on the ground. He didn’t see it.
Sam continued to gently shush the child, whispering calm words and sending her small smiles. The little girl suddenly broke free.
“Mister,” she said, looking up at Jude. Her lips trembled and she looked terrified. “Please take care of Boodle-jinx for me.” Her tiny hands covered his eyes, as though she protected him from seeing.
“Honey, you should hang on to him,” Jude told her gently.
She shook her head wildly. “No! I don’t want him to see.” Her huge blue eyes watered.
Jude looked to Derek and Winston for permission. “Seeing her parents die freaked her out enough. Do you mind?”
“Make it quick,” Winston barked.
Jude took the bear from her shaking hands, careful to put his hands over the bear’s eyes like she had. “I’ll make sure he’s okay,” he told her.
The bear’s little backpack was heavy. He shot a quick look at Sam. Sam gave him an almost imperceptible nod. The gun.
Matilda ran back to Sam’s outstretched arms and huddled there. Jude left one hand over the bear’s eyes. Then, not giving himself time to over-think it, he reached into the tiny pack and grabbed the gun. Its comfortable weight settled in his palm. Peace washed over him. This was his talent. These moments were made for him.
With the stuffed bear pressed to his chest, the other two men didn’t know yet what Jude knew. Another gun had just joined the fray. There was a guy outside keeping watch. He’d hear the gun when it fired. There was Derek with a firearm of his own, he’d be first. Winston wouldn’t want to dirty his hands.
In one swift move, Jude stepped between Derek and Sam, pulling the gun free. He got off a shot, nicking Derek’s upper arm and rendering his hand useless. Derek bellowed, reeling backward, his gun flying into the wall and dropping behind the bedside table.
Winston ran for the door.
“Don’t,” Jude warned him.
The door opened anyway. The assistant was blocking Winston’s path. Jude leaped across the distance grabbing Winston by the collar and hauling him backward, gun at the base of his skull.
“Stay right where you are.”
The assistant backed into the room. At least Jude could count on the pencil pusher to be unarmed.
“Go hang out with Derek over there. Sam, get my cell. Hit the one key and call this in. I’ll keep them busy.”
Behind him Jude heard the rushed exchange between Sam and the person on the other end of the phone. Calm under pressure. Pride in Sam swelled in Jude’s chest. Any doubt he’d had that Sam was his, evaporated. He was perfect, and as soon as this mess was over Jude was going to dedicate himself to proving it to Sam until he agreed.
* * * *
Sam