As she worked on that, Ginger thought about what her father had said when he’d gone to get the kids. Sissy had been keeping them under lock and key for the last two nights. Also, he’d found out that they got breakfast at the inn, but there was no lunch. Sissy had tried to make them something on the first day and had made such a mess of the kitchen that Mrs. Apple had ordered her to clean it up. The kids had ended up doing that as well. Then there was the accusations that her sister was making about her. How she was making it so that she—
“Are you all right?” Ginger nodded at Rogen. “Don’t let it bother you about the kids, Gin. Your dad is having a good time with them, and they’re getting a good meal. Jonas is going there to pick them up when they’re done and bring them back here for you to cuddle and love on.”
“I feel like I’ve failed them in some way.” Allie said she felt like that on a daily basis since becoming a mom. “I suppose all parents do. Dad was so upset when he left here. I thought for sure he was going to beat my sister when he got there. I don’t understand her anymore. She was never like this before. How much longer will she be in surgery, do you think?”
“Thatcher said it would be at least another hour. Not only did she break her back, but her ankle is shattered as well. Mrs. Apple said that Sissy was—is that her real name?” Ginger laughed and said it was Cecilia. “All right. Then why Sissy?”
“The kids at the preschool couldn’t say it. Cecilia had always been my sissy when we were together at home, so they started calling her that as well. It stuck. I personally think she’s outgrown the name, but I can’t get her to change it to her real name. Ginger isn’t my first name either. It’s Brooke. But my mom’s name was Brooke too, so I was called Ginger.” They all asked her if she wanted to be called Brooke. “I don’t care. I suppose if you want, but don’t be offended if I don’t answer right away. I forget it’s my name too at times.”
Rogen put up her hand, and they all waited. She’d been giving them all updates on the things that were going on in the operating room. Holding her breath, Ginger wondered what kind of prognosis her sister was going to have when Rogen looked at her.
“I’m so sorry, Brooke, but her spine isn’t repairable. When she took the tumble down the stairs, she hit it so many times that her spine was severed in several places. Thatcher said he’d talk to you when he got back, but they’re awaiting her head CT to come back now. She hit her head again too.” Sissy had already lost the baby, and if she was going to be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life, Ginger…Brooke didn’t know how she’d take that.
Looking at the monitor again to give herself time, Brooke thought of the long conversation she and Jonas had had last night. They were going to adopt the children as soon as they could, and then they were going to make sure they were getting all the help they needed. The money that the government gave them—fifty-thousand dollars each for the drugs and another seventy-five-grand for the guns—was going to be put in an account for them to use for college, just as they’d wanted. Her dad was going to match it for them to make sure they never had to work while trying to improve their lives with a higher education.
They were even going to help her sister in her recovery. When Jonas had left her earlier today, taking her dad to find him a home nearby, he’d told her that Sissy was going to need some help. Not just now that she’d been hurt so badly, but with finances as well. The house that she had owned with Benny was being held, as was her checking account. Rogen had told her that it was because of the drug money and the other things they were finding out about Benny and his sister.
“Lately, it seems as if I ask you this a great deal, but are you all right?” Turning to look at Jonas, she smiled at him. “I just heard about Sissy. I’m so sorry.”
“I don’t know what to think about it right now. I do know, I’m glad we’re going to help her. No matter what sort of things she blames me for.” Jonas picked her up out of the chair she was in and put her on his lap. “This is where I needed to be all day. How did the house closing go with Dad gone?”
“Very well. He put his other house on the market this morning and sold it within the hour. He said there was a great need for large antebellum houses like the one you grew up in. And he got more than the asking price too.” Ginger told him how they were going to start calling her Brooke as she thought about the home she’d grown up in. When Jonas stiffened a little, she knew something else had gone wrong.
“Tell me.” He nodded but took her hand into his and kissed the back of it. “My dad or Sissy? Just tell me what is happening.”
“When your sister was knocked down at her home, she hit her head on something hard. While the hospital there had taken X-rays, Thatcher said they must not have gone over them a second time. She has a hairline crack that goes from temple to temple around her skull.” She nodded, knowing there was much more. “Her brain was swollen, pressing up against her eyes as well as her temporal lobe. Thatcher said they’re going to have to cut away a part of her skull to let the swelling expand enough so she can heal. I’m so sorry, honey. He also thinks this might be the reason for the sudden change in her. The pressure has been building up for some time now.”
“Christ.” Jonas held her while she thought about what he was telling her. “Does my dad know yet?”
“No. Thatcher said he’d speak to you both when he was finished up. He thought you knowing now will help with your dad finding out. He seems to think it might be easier on him if you had a heads up.”
“Yes, of course.” She leaned on Jonas in more ways than one. Her back to his chest and her dependence on him as her mate was all that was keeping her from rushing to the hospital to see what she could do for Sissy. “Let’s go and find the kids. Hang out with them and see about getting their rooms set up now that we have them. Rogen filed the paperwork today for them to be ours. I hope that’s all right.”
“It’s better than just all right. I’m happy as I can be about it.” As they were moving to the upper floor, she heard the kids coming into the house. Thomas was telling someone about how much pizza he’d eaten, and Hailey was talking about how she’d drank some water without having it in a bottle. “There you are. I was beginning to think your grandpa here kidnapped you or something.”
The kids looked at Jonas, then at her dad. “Are you really our grandpa, Mr. Heath?” Dad got down on his knees and hugged Bobby to him, telling the four of them that it was his greatest honor to be their grandpa. “Are we gonna get hugs from you a lot? I have to tell you, I think that’ll be the best thing ever for us. I sure did miss them, Grandpa.”
Dad was trying his best to be stoic about the kids calling him Grandpa, but he finally broke down. He looked like he’d been given a great gift today and was happier than she’d ever seen him. Brooke—as she was trying to think of herself—hugged the kids and her dad as well. She didn’t want to tell him about Sissy just now.
Jonas was telling her dad about the house closing as she took the kids to the kitchen. They weren’t hungry, but she did manage to get them cleaned up a little better, and Sarah’s diaper and clothing changed. She was going to have to get her more little dresses, as she looked adorable in them.
Dad joined them on their trip to town. There was little they could do at the hospital, and Thatcher was keeping Jonas informed about anything that came up. To think that a hard blow to the head could change a person so dramatically you didn’t know them was astounding to her. Besides, she didn’t want the children upset any more than she did her dad. He had been spitting mad when he’d gone after them today.
Getting warmer clothing for the children was a great deal easier than she thought it would have been. They weren’t at all picky but excited to have a warm coat that had only ever belonged to them. Gloves too that matched their coats. There were boots to be gotten, as well as pants and shirts. Dad got them each a sled and promised them they’d play in the snow as much as they wanted.
> “Did your father talk to you about changing him?” She told Jonas he’d mentioned it, but she hadn’t had any time to speak to him since. “He’s not getting any better, and making these promises to the kids, I think he’s hoping you’ll see it in your heart to help him make good on them.”
“Really?” She kept an eye on her dad after that. He was making outrageous promises, silly ones, along with ones that were long-off in the future. “I don’t have an issue with him being changed. If you do it while this is all going on with Sissy, perhaps it’ll be the perfect time for him to not worry about her so much. I’m going to talk to him tonight about her and what’s happened.”
“I think he knows it’s bad.” She had already figured that out. The way he’d be teary when he thought no one was looking. “If you’d like, I’ll tell him. With Thatcher in my ear, I can answer as many questions as he might have.”
“Thank you. I’ll be there, but you doing it will make it so I can hold him if I need it.” She knew she was going to need it too. Seeing her dad break down, it was going to hurt her in ways she didn’t want to think about.
~*~
Jonas made a couple of phone calls as he was waiting on Hailey and Brooke in the changing room. Bobby had long since gone home with his grandpa, and because Thomas looked about as exhausted as his brother did, he sent him along too. Now it was just him and Sarah sitting on a bench. Shifting her heavily asleep body to his other shoulder, he reached out to Rogen so he could pull out the notes he’d made. If anyone could find out the information he needed, it would be her.
How is everyone holding up? Jonas told her what they’d decided to do with her dad. More than likely the best thing for now. Thatcher told me she’s going to need constant care. She’ll likely end up in a nursing home that can care for her needs. Anyway, what can I do you for? Before I forget again, several letters came here addressed to you. I’ve had them checked, and there isn’t much in them but people wanting you to—
There is a man I think is following us around. That shut her up. She asked him where he was. Inside Kohls by the ladies’ dressing room. If he works for you, he’s not very good if I can notice him.
If he worked for me, you’d better not be able to see him. What is he wearing? After telling her what he was wearing and how he’d changed twice now from a coat to a jacket, then put on a ball cap, she found him. Okay, I’m going to do a search for him in the face program. In the meantime, you’re going to have a couple of men make their way to you. Don’t engage, Jonas. I can see you have the baby there.
I won’t. Also, you should know that he’s been following us since before we came to the shopping center. I think. I’ve not told Gin—Brooke, but I think she’s aware of him as well. She has sent the boys home with their grandda. Can you send someone there as well? She said she was doing that now. Thank you for this. I’m not sure what he wants, but I just don’t want to have to deal with this now. He looked at the stands in front of him and saw Tru. Did you send Tru here?
She was there already. Something about getting some shit for a dinner. I don’t know. She’s like me. Close-mouthed. He didn’t think any of the women were close-mouthed when they had plenty to say, but Tru hugged him, and he felt the gun she put in the back of his pants. She also took the baby from him. She’s going to take Sarah to someone you can trust, so she’s not hurt. Also, Tru will arm Brooke and have Hailey follow her out.
Then Rogen started cursing. Fluently and loudly in his head.
I’m assuming you’ve found out who the man is. She said he wasn’t going to like it. More than likely not any more than I do being followed. Who is he, and what do you think he’s doing following us around?
It’s a flunky of Westing’s. He’s there to snatch the kids. Just do what I tell you, and this will be done today without much in the way of bloodshed. He asked her if he would shed any. Not if you do exactly what I tell you when I tell you. Jonas, you get hurt, and I’ll hurt you worse. Your mother will then have a crack at you.
I understand. I might be a numbers guy, but I know enough to hang onto my own ass when it’s necessary. Tru disappeared into the fitting room, then came out with Brooke and Hailey following her to the front of the store. They were told to just act natural and to pay for their things like they would normally have done. This was fun up until about four minutes ago. Way to rain on our parade, Rogen.
He was kidding, and she apparently caught that. Telling him that he’d called her first made them both laugh. It was exactly what he needed to make himself feel less stressed.
As they were headed out the door toward their car, the man jerked Brooke from him and put a gun to her belly.
“Do what I say, and no one gets hurt.” Jonas didn’t even look at Tru as she walked up behind the man and put her gun to his head. “What the fuck? You’re supposed to be easy.”
“Not so much, as you can see. Let go of my wife, and we’ll talk reasonably before my sister there kills you.” He asked if he meant to let go so she wouldn’t kill him. “No. I’m reasonably sure you’re going to be a dead man. If she doesn’t kill you, I will. Now, let Brooke go and tell us what the fuck you’re doing here.”
He’d never been one to use compulsion and was glad that it worked. The man, whoever he was, tried hard to resist him, but in the end, he not only spilled what he knew but more than they thought he would.
“I’m to get the kids. Barring that, I’m to take one of you so you’ll turn them over.” He let Brooke go, and she turned around and punched the man in the face. “Christ. This is going nothing like I was told.”
“Who sent you?” He looked up at Tru when she smiled at him. “I’m not going to ask you again, moron. Who sent you?”
“Westing. He’s going to fucking kill me. I hope you know that.” Tru said he had nothing to worry about. “You going to give me some protection for telling you what I know?”
“No. I’m going to kill you before he gets the chance. Where is Westing?” The man said he didn’t know at the moment. “Then how were you to contact him when this job went south? You should have known you’d not be able to touch the kids as long as they’re with us.”
He searched the man for weapons and found, in addition to the gun he’d held on Brooke, two more, as well as a vial and syringe of some kind of clear liquid. He told him it was heroin, enough to kill an elephant. The cell phone was ringing when he pulled it from his jacket pocket.
After making him answer it, Dale, his name, put it on speaker and said the job was done. That he had not just the boys, but the wife as well. Tru was feeding him the information he was to say in his other ear. Westing, he thought, on the other end told him to bring them to the house.
“I’ll do that right now.” Westing told him they’d better not be hurt. “No. They came along with me easily, just as you said they would. That man, Jonas, he didn’t even put up a fight when I took his missus from him.”
“Good to know that one thing is going right.” Westing laughed, then spoke again. “If the wife gives you any trouble, kill her. I don’t need her so much as I need those brats. When I get them here, they’re going to regret ever fucking with my merchandise. I tell you, Dale, no one has respect for the working man anymore. None at all.”
When the connection was closed, Tru took the syringe from him and shoved it into Dale’s throat. He was dead before she was finished injecting him with it. Leaving his body where it lay, they were headed to the car she’d come in when he saw three men get out of a van and pick Dale up and toss him into the back of it. Christ, he never wanted to get on any of the women’s bad side. Not even in a joking manner, he thought.
The drive to the house was punctuated by Tru telling them what was going on in short bursts of information. There were patrols there to back her up. And no matter what they saw when she was working, they were to stay in the car. He was all right with that, but Brooke had an objection.
“He was just going to have that fucking man kill me. And take my children. I want to at least confront him.” Tru turned to look at Brooke, and she smiled. “That won’t work on me. You might be able to stare down men that piss you off, but I have kids. It just won’t work.”
“I can’t, Brooke. I have orders, and they’re not going to work if I have to keep an eye on you and the idiots that think we’re just going to let this ride. I love you to pieces, but if you so much as break a nail, seriously, Rogen will have my ass. And I don’t know about you, but I kind of like my butt just how it is.” Tru smiled again. “I’m good at this. Very good. I’ll be in and out in record time. I won’t be if I have to babysit your ass too.”
“You could have been nicer about this.” Tru said she thought she had been. “You need to work on that a little. All right. You do it, but I want to go with you sometime. Or hang out more. I think I could learn a great deal from the three of you.”
“Deal.”
Tru slipped out of the car and moved toward the sidewalk that ran in front of the house. When she went up to the door of the neighbor’s house, she was let in without any trouble. While he didn’t see who had let her in, he had a feeling the people that owned the house were being well compensated for their trouble.
Less than ten minutes passed before she came back out of the house and headed for the car. Several men—he counted about a dozen of them—moved out of the house too and into Westing’s home. They were wearing body armor, as well as head gear that made him think they were the cleanup crew.
Without saying a word, Tru drove them home and let them off. Brooke stopped before getting out of the car.
“You killed him. Just like that.” Tru asked her if she was upset about it. “No. Not at all, but I think whatever you’re getting paid, it’s not nearly enough. I’m also thinking that should anyone go into that house, they’re not going to find a single thing to link him to, not just the guns and drugs, but you either. Right?”
Jonas: Robinson Destruction – Paranormal Tiger Shifter Romance Page 7
