I don’t. I’m not breaking the law. I am the law for Christ’s sake. Regardless of what Zeek thinks.
Zeek opens the truck, and looks under the floor mat, searching for a key I’m assuming. Looking defeated he jumps in the driver’s seat and stares straight at the dash, as if he’s going to hotwire it. Glancing up, he pulls the visor down, and a set of keys fall into his lap. He smiles wickedly.
Shit!
“Get in,” he orders, sticking the keys in the ignition.
I stand there, looking out over the desert. The moon is bright and casting a soft glow amongst the open land. I should run. I need to run. I can’t be here, not with him. Something isn’t adding up, I don’t trust him. I swallow as the last thought gets stuck in my throat. My inner deputy telling me to whip around and handcuff his ass.
“Jillian!”
I sprint in the opposite direction of Zeek and the truck.
I run into the night, not caring where it takes me.
My heart slams in my chest wildly.
My fear wanting me to look over my shoulder.
Tears spring from my eyes, because I know by doing this, I’ve shown Zeek I don’t trust him. I’m declaring us officially over. But that’s because we are.
A loud grunt sounds closely behind me. I close my eyes, preparing myself for the impact when hands suddenly clutch my shoulders throwing me onto the desert ground. I fall hard, a loud scream escaping my mouth. Zeek pants as his weight anchors me to the ground forcefully, knocking the wind from my lungs, my mouth doing this open and close thing as I gasp for air. He lifts his weight off my back when he stands up, and warm air sweeps into my chest. My eyes nearly roll into the back of my head when I finally regain my composure.
“I’ve had enough of this shit.” Zeek pants behind me, his tone angry.
My head throbs rapidly, my vision blurring from the amount of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I’m a goddamn deputy, I have had training from some of the best. Zeek is about to learn I’m not one he can just push around. This ends now!
Twisting my body I kick the back of his knee hard, and he drops to the ground. Snapping upright, I deliver a fist right to his jaw, a loud crack vibrating through my hand from the contact. He yells, and tries to grab at my hand, but misses. Jumping to my feet I raise a foot ready to kick him in the chest and he grabs it, twisting it, causing me to flip and fall on my chest, hands first. I roll, and fish for my gun. I should have grabbed it long before this, and ordered him to pull the fucking car over. I didn’t because it hadn’t occurred to me until now that he wasn’t going to let me go.
Freeing my gun as I come to my feet, I lift my arm and aim it the same time Zeek aims his at me. Feet apart we stand with our guns aimed at one another, both of us out of breath.
“Just go, just leave me behind.” I breathe heavily.
“Not happening,” he replies.
Lowering my weapon I fire a warning round into the ground, right next to his feet. He doesn’t seem fazed.
“I swear to God, I’ll shoot you.” My voice cracks, and my hand begins to shake as I palm the cold steel.
“No, you won’t, or you would have done it already.” He steps forward, and I focus my gun on him once more trying to reaffirm my shaking hand. What is wrong with me?
“Don’t test me!” I push through clenched teeth, a tear slipping across the bridge of my nose.
He chuckles, throwing his head back, he fucking laughs!
Taking the opportunity, I drop, and side kick his ankle, making him lose his balance and fall hard. Before he can snap back, I crawl on top of him and I aim my gun at his neck, tears falling from my eyes so freely I can barely see.
“Just because you have balls, doesn’t mean mine aren’t bigger.”
He inhales a large breath, his dark eyes piercing through my bravery as one of my tears fall on his cheek. “You got thirty seconds to lower your gun, Rookie,” Zeek states, his voice low and gravelly.
“I’m going to get up, and I’m going to walk away and you’re going to let me.” I warn, ignoring his demand. My heart pounds against my chest, because I don’t want to walk away from him. I have no choice though, I have to head back to Vegas. My mother needs me, and I have to set my department straight before I’m killed on sight.
Slowly I stand, pressing my gun in the underside of Zeek’s chin forcing him to stand with me. Just as I’m about to pull my gun away from him, he drives his elbow right into the crook of my arm causing me to drop my gun. He shoves me out of the way. I land on my back with a thud, my shoulder blades biting into the hard ground unforgivingly.
Grabbing my dropped weapon, Zeek aims both guns at me. I’m fucked.