Shots Fired

***PROLOGUE***

My chest hurts, and the pain is unbearable, but I will smile, lying here in her arms dying. All I can do is smile. She loves me. I can see it on her face. I am dying a happy man. I hope she survives this, and I know if anyone can help her, it is Jackson. I will never know how I managed to fall in love with my brother's wife, but I did, and she loves me. Not enough to walk away from Jackson, but she loves me and right now, that is comforting.

I can still hear her screams, her cries of pain as my life slips away. I wish I could tell her that I would be fine. I can’t, though, slowly the darkness creeps over me, and my mind flies back to the past, to before I met her, and before all this had begun. Why Don't I feel like I am dying, just dreaming of the past?

*Now*

“Marcus.”

Turning, I face my wife, beautiful as ever. We have been married for nearly ten years, but I always want more, and she knows it, so we agreed we would keep our relationship open.  It comes with its difficulties, but we make it work.

“Yes, darling.” Looking at her, I smile.

“What time are you leaving?”

Turning, I glance at the clock. I should have left already, but I haven’t. I should leave. I am meeting the team. We always meet before we go on a mission, and then afterwards, I meet Rebecca.

“I am setting off now. I should have left ages ago. Hopefully, I am not late.” Kissing Maria goodbye, I walk out the door. I am looking forward to meeting up with the team at the club. It has been ages since I saw them. My last mission was over a month ago. 

Since that mission, I have been on holiday and spent most of my time between home with Maria and with my brat Rebecca. 

Jackson has been quiet for most of the time as well, his new woman keeping him busy apparently. Getting into the club, I am glad to see Jackson isn’t here yet. It means I am not the last one here. Troy, Alexander, and Joel all sit at the table, waiting. Grabbing my drink, I walk over to sit down.

“About time. Are you ever going to meet us on time?”

Laughing, I face Troy. “I am not late. Jackson isn’t here, so technically, he is the one that is late.” Having a drink, Troy points towards the door.

“Jackson is here now and with a sidekick.” Turning around, I see him walking towards us, the redhead by his side. Who is she?

“Here he is, Jacko late as always.” standing up, I look at Jackson, my eyes fluttering to the woman by his side. Her eyes are on me, skimming across my body. 

“Hey, lads, sorry, I got a little delayed. I am never usually late. This is Alena”

I smile at her, I know I will like her, and I now remember her from not that long ago, from when we had to search for Jackson’s brother and somehow found Alena.

“Hi Alena, I am Marcus.” Looking at Jackson, I smile. It’s about time he finally got back out there. “I see you have a new sub.” Smiling at Jackson, he shakes his head, well who the hell is she?

“Not a sub, not this one, although she might be in time.” Now that sounds good. Why he would want someone who isn’t a submissive, I will never know. Sitting down, the team introduce themselves. I can’t seem to keep my eyes off her.

What is it? Her hair is wild and red, like a fire spreading its heat, and her height is short, which I love, maybe it is her innocent look, yet you just know she isn’t as innocent as her face portrays.

“So, Alena, can you keep this one in check? He likes wild ones.” I chuckle at Jackson's glare because of my words. I smile at her. Her face looks shocked, but I love it.

“I can try, but then again, he is a bit rogue and well, to be honest, I would rather he keep me in check.”

Now that is something I love. On the other hand, maybe she is a brat, in which case Jackson has his work cut out for him.

“Fuck Jackson, you better watch your back with this one, she bites.” I can’t help but laugh at his reaction. He is so easy to wind up, and let’s be honest, Alena can give it back clearly.

“No, Jackson does the biting. I take the bites.”

My eyes widen at her words, wow, I love her. I can’t hold in my howls of laughter. Jackson covers his face, then grabs her. I watch as he lifts her over him, swapping seats. So, now she is no longer next to me. I think he is taking the banter worse than her.

“You sit next to Troy.” His words only make me laugh more. Is he really trying to hide her from me?

“You talk to someone else before you turn her into a brat as you do with a lot of the subs and women you meet.” Jackson looks at me. Well, I could, but to be honest, I would rather talk to Alena. I am just glad he has finally got on board and is saying something back.

It isn’t like Jackson to miss a chance to throw digs at me. Leaning back, I reach my arm reaches around Jacksons' back, tapping her on the shoulder.

“Brats are the best, Alena, don’t let him tame you, be a brat.” Winking at her, I smile. She seems so innocent. Jackson's hand grips my shirt pulling me forward, almost knocking my drink over.

“Fuck’s sake, Marcus, behave. Seriously, she isn’t even a submissive, and you’re on about her being a brat.” At least he is laughing, yet he seems serious about her, and his reaction just has the whole team laughing at him as well.

“Sorry, just a bit of banter, or is it?” Looking around Jackson, I wink at Alena. I love that she fights back with words. Sitting we talk, Alena hardly says much at all, just observing us, yet I keep seeing her eyes flick towards me. With a small smile on her face, watching her, she whispers in Jackson's ear before leaving the table.

Why do I feel so drawn to her? Maybe it is her brat attitude, as she certainly has one of them. Jackson gets up, leaving the table as well. Sitting, we carry on talking. A few minutes later, I get up and go for a drink, walking towards the bar, I see Jackson and Alena.  Her tiny body is pinned against the wall by his, and you can see in her eyes she loves it.

“Well, this looks like fun, space for another one?” I stand smiling. Jackson turns to look at me. Cocking my brow. I smile at him.

“Fuck off, Marcus.”

Harsh, but I will let him have it. He is laughing, which is amazing to see. He has not laughed in so long.

“Hey, worth a try. I love the redhead ones just as much as you, Jackson.” Oh, now that I like. Her face is bright red, my words making her cheeks turn crimson red, walking off, I can’t help but laugh, but also smile that Jackson has finally found someone. Getting back to the table, Jackson and Alena are sitting down. I can’t help but keep trying to tease her and Jackson.

“Alena.” My word is quiet, yet I know Jackson hears me.

She turns to look at me, smiling.

“I taught him everything he knows.”

Laughing, she shakes her head and turns back to Troy. She doesn’t believe me.

“I mean it, ask him where he learnt all his tricks from.”

She laughs, turning to face me. “Really? Maybe you could teach me something right now?”

Jackson's head turns to her, shocked, and I laugh.

“Like what? I will teach you anything.”

She sits looking at me, considering what I have just said. Is she really going to? I look at Jackson, shocked. He doesn’t look happy.

“I would love to learn how he gets those sides so clean that you can see your reflection in them while moaning.” Jackson is howling. Heck, I thought she meant it then. I honestly thought she was going to ask me to show her something.

“She got you there, Marcus.” Jackson laughs, kissing Alena.

“Be careful little girl. You might get stung playing with the big boys.” I shake my head, still trying to sort out my mind after that, and that was the best comeback I have right now. They look at Alena now, waiting for her reply. Jackson is glaring at me. Okay, maybe that was too far?

“I think I can take the sting, thank you, but I don’t think your cocky nature could take much more comebacks from this little girl.” Her words slapped me hard.

Heck, I quit. Nodding my head, I leave her alone, for now anyway, everyone laughing at me rendered speechless. I can see it is getting to Jackson, yet I can’t help but say things. Sitting we talk a lot, every now and then I make a joke towards Alena, and like a big girl, she takes them.

Where did he find her? She is truly unique. I can hear her faintly whispering to Jackson about leaving his hand grasping hers and pulling her back. He doesn’t want her to go, I don’t blame him either, yet he tells her to wait to dance, which is mean.

“I will dance, come on.” Looking at her, I turn to Jackson. “If Jackson agrees, it is okay, that is.” Looking at him, I wait for his reply. I am no fool she is taken. You don’t dance with another man's woman without his and her permission.

“Yes, just try to behave and not turn her into a brat, please.” He is laughing and nodding at me. He agrees. However, she now looks unsure, like she is considering if she should dance with me.

I am not giving her a chance to change her mind. Getting up, I walk over to her, reaching my hand out. She looks at me, deciding if she should take it. Finally taking my hand, she stands up, my arms wrapping around her, pulling her and throwing her over my shoulder, her scream making me laugh.

Jackson looks mad, typical. But it was just a bit of fun.

“Just giving her a ride to the dance floor.” Laughing, I put her back down. At least she is now laughing and seeing the humour in it. Walking to the dance floor, we start dancing. She is amazing, and it is a shame Jackson met her first.