by HJ Bellus
Out of nowhere, Jaco erupts in manic laughter. “Dude, you should see the look on your face. Priceless. Naw, man, set the cunt up after I found out she was leaving me. Had the entire town eating out of the palm of my hand. They all felt sorry for the distraught husband when he found out how big of a monster he was married to. The meals didn’t stop for months, and the number of women willing to spread their legs to soothe my sorrow via their pussies was endless.”
“Don’t you ever worry about getting caught?” The man in the passenger seat stiffens.
“It’s all a façade I’ve perfected over the years. It’s a talent I mastered at a young age. I’ve got my shit on a tight lockdown. Don’t you worry about me.”
The car takes a swift turn into a well-lit parking lot. I recognize the building from when I encouraged Layla to bail out Boss only mere hours ago. Ironic. I’m yanked from the backseat without warning. Warm streams of blood run down my wrists. Jaco slams me against the harsh metal of the car.
He chuckles like the genuine maniac he is. People always warn you about the wolf in sheep’s clothing. Some believe it to be an old wives’ tale, and I did too, until I married the man tossing me around like a rag doll.
“Quit resisting,” Jaco seethes in my ear.
Not one muscle in my body has protested his harsh jerks. It hasn’t stopped him from yanking me around. I glance up at the other man who stands back with his cellphone in his hand. He’s immersed in whatever social media site he’s scrolling.
“Didn’t think you’d see me, now did you, wifey?” Jaco’s palm stings the tender skin on my cheek. “Bitch, I’ll follow you and whatever other scum crosses my path. Nothing will stop me. Can’t believe you had the nerve to rape another little boy and possibly a toddler, you monster.”
Jaco whirls me around and plants a palm between my shoulder blades. I sail forward with the asphalt in view. I turn my face in time so my cheek, jawline, and temple catch the brunt of the fall.
“Quit resisting an officer.” Jaco rips me up by a fistful of hair. “Told you to never think about leaving me, you cunt! And what did you do? File for divorce! Big mistake making me look like a damn fool in our hometown.”
I glance over to the other man, hoping to plead for help. He’s still obsessed with his phone. I barely catch it out of one eye since the other has nearly swollen shut.
“Gonna be on every front page and big news channels in the morning, Sasha. Smile real pretty for the camera in that mug shot.” Jaco slaps his hand over my crotch, cupping my core and pressing me back into his chest. “Should fuck you before I put you back where you belong. Cock is getting hard thinking about it. Thank hell I’ve been paying off the night guard. Going to pay you a little visit tonight. Miss that tight little ass.”
“Why?” The simple word escapes my lips, and I don’t stop. “Why me? You loved me at one point and then snapped. I’ve never done one damn thing to you or anyone.”
My head snaps back as fire blazes across the back of my skull. Jaco grips onto another chunk of my hair, ripping me in whatever direction he pleases.
“You crossed me. Worked too many hours in your salon and was packing to leave me. You knew fucking better. You saw firsthand how powerful I was and the game I was playing. I could pin anyone for any crime of my choice. You’re a loser, and that’s why I married you. Nobody cares about you, Sasha. You have no family who’d come to your rescue. You will forever be my pawn. The gift that keeps on giving.”
“I have a family,” I whisper.
“Excuse me, cunt?” I’m shoved to the ground again. The same side of my face crashes into the unforgiving surface. The old familiar sound of bones cracking crescendos in my skull. My tongue is trapped between my teeth, causing blood to pool in my mouth.
Jaco is a maniac determined to take me down. He’s winning and always will.
“Tomorrow your lover boy will be down here along with your new friends. It seems they’ve found some bruises on their daughter. I generously planted a seed of how it could’ve come about.”
“Fuck you!” Blood spits out between my lips.
“Yeah, Sasha, you’re about to be fucked. That sweet little girl of theirs will make the perfect poster child to pin you with a crime that will put you behind bars for life. Nobody will be on your side once I frame you up nice and good for raping a toddler, you fucking monster.”
This time, I keep my mouth shut. I’m numb. He’s won. The worst part is knowing he’s charming enough to convince the nation I hurt Bella. I’m processed and stripped of my rights and tossed in a stale, cold cell. I find comfort in the bars and pray Jaco stays away when the sun goes to sleep.
The side of my face throbs with a steady rhythm of pain. I close my eyes and pray upon a deaf God for Jag to come save me. I know it won’t happen. The hurt and pain reflected back in his once caring and loving eyes told me everything I needed to know. He fell for Jaco’s bullshit. The tears never come. They’re useless when your future days are filled with nothing but darkness.
Chapter 25
Sunni
“Tell us again about Bella and the time you spent with her,” Jaco says as he hovers behind me.
The dim, flickering light in the interrogation room stirs up a massive migraine that throbs between my eardrums. Jaco has been at this for hours, tugging and prying a fake story from me.
I’m not a scared and frightened young woman living in a small town with no family like I used to be. Back in Iowa, Jaco is revered as a local hero. He’s bluffed everyone, never showing his cold, black heart in public. I, on the other hand, was the small-town success story. The orphan who was never adopted and bounced around in the foster system only to fall in love with the local hero.
It was a modern-day fairytale when Jaco swept me off my feet. Prince Charming never showed up to the game. The fire-breathing dragon appeared every night. It started with a slap followed up by an apology that would make anyone feel special and loved. It escalated from there until Jaco found out I was leaving him. That’s when he punched the final nail in my coffin.
I’m numb from head to toe with the exception of my burning cheek. The fight I had built up over the years on the run has faded into emptiness. The cold pads of Jaco’s fingers wrap around my neck and pinch to a near painful point.
“Sasha, you can make this easy or difficult, doesn’t matter to me. Unfortunately, the cameras in this interrogation room are out of commission. Crazy how little things like that happen. My partner here will be taking all the notes.” He thrusts my face forward until my face is mere inches from the table. “Ball’s in your court, Sasha. What’s your poison?”
I remain silent, refusing to answer. I used to squeal like a pig when under Jaco’s torture. Not anymore. This fact must irritate the devil, because next thing I know, my battered cheek is bouncing off the tabletop. Everything goes black.
“Jaco, you’re going too far this time.” Papers shuffle around the voices. “We’ve picked her up, and you’ve ruined her life. Let’s head back home.”
“Not a chance. I’m not leaving until she’s convicted and put away for life.”
“Was she that shitty of a wife? I wasn’t around when you were married to her.”
“The cunt had the nerve to think she could up and leave me. Made sure that shit never happened. Sasha is nothing but trash. I wasn’t going to let someone like her ruin my reputation. Divorces always get messy, and secrets come out, so I took her down before she could ruin me.”
The steady heartbeat of throbbing pain in my cheek burns throughout my body. The room spins out of control when I lift my head. My tongue is thick in my mouth, emphasizing the dryness.
“Look who’s back with us,” Jaco taunts. “Sasha Brown, did or didn’t you spend time alone with Bella?”
“Yes, I did.” I’m exhausted and want away from this man. He’s done his job and broken me down to a place where I’ll say whatever he wants and he knows it.
“Did you hurt her while she was in your care?” H
e plants his palms on the table and stares me down. Victory dances over his features. How one person can be so damn evil is beyond me.
“No. I’ve never hurt a child in my life,” I repeat over and over.
Jaco is behind me in two long steps, his fist clutching a chunk of my hair. Tiny jolts of pain spread throughout my skull as my head is ripped back.
“Don’t fucking lie to me, Sasha.”
“I’m not. I’ve never hurt a soul. I’m telling the truth.” My words grow more frantic and determined. “You know this. You’ve set me up for everything and ruined my life.”
“You whore.” He leans down and hisses in my ear. “I should fuck you so hard right now just to remind you who is in charge. I’ll break every bone in your face until you get your story correct.”
“Enough.” The other man drops his phone and yanks Jaco off me. “You’re losing your mind. Enough.”
The man’s long arm extends out, shoving Jaco back. A sliver of hope shines in on the situation. A possible good guy who will stand up for what’s right.
“I’ve got enough evidence recorded. We can dictate her confession to fit our needs. You need to cool your shit, man.”
Fool. That’s what I am for even allowing myself to think someone associated with Jaco would have a shred of decency in them. This is still my victory. They can turn in whatever evidence they want, but they will not get a fake confession out of me. Unlike last time, Jaco can beat me until the last beat of my heart, but I’ll never confess to a crime I didn’t commit. Not again.
Jaco’s partner pulls me up by my linked wrists resting behind my back. He’s gentle when he moves me around, unlike my ex-husband who takes any opportunity to toss me around.
He reaches in front of me, swinging the door wide open. The bustle of a police station slams me in the face. I wince, knowing the throbbing in my face has to match the nasty wounds on it. I refuse to drop my head. I keep it held high as I’m led down a hall with dozens of prying eyes judging me.
Rich, loving, whiskey-colored eyes stop me in my tracks. The officer slams into my back and grunts. The metal cuffs nip and bite at the tender flesh on my wrists. It’s nothing compared to the pain of seeing Jag. His family steps up behind him.
I open my mouth to speak his name. Nothing comes out. The dried parched skin on my lips cracks. The tangy taste of blood floods my taste buds. Disgust and hurt stream off Jag. He crosses his arms over his chest as I near him.
I try again to say something. Each word clogs in my throat as I stand in front of Jag. The man who was once on top of the world stands before me, destroyed.
“Come on, Jag. You don’t need this right now.” Trick grabs Jag only to be elbowed by him. Cruz and Boss step up as reinforcements, pulling Jag away from me.
Layla’s eyes are swollen and red. She drops her head and turns away from me. Once Jag turns away from me, he never looks back.
“We got a full admission.” I hear Jaco’s voice as I’m led away from the conversation.
I plant my feet on the tile and struggle with my remaining strength in the officer’s hands. “Jag, I didn’t do it. Jaco is a monster. Please listen to me. Think about it, Jag! You told me you’d never leave me. Please listen to me.”
My voice carries throughout the station, drawing everyone’s attention to me. I don’t give a shit and struggle to get back to Jag. He has to believe me. I know he does. All I need is five minutes alone with him. Jag appears from around the corner, anger boiling and raging from his tightly strung shoulders. He’s livid and in the mood to take someone down. I’ve never feared him until now. Jaco won. He’s brainwashed Jag, turning him against me.
My face cracks with defeat as I slump and finally drop my head.
“You, Sasha, lied to me. It was all lies. I gave you the benefit of the doubt. You wormed your way in and brought this shit in my life. Tell me one thing.”
I look up through the greasy hair cascading over my face. “Did you ever really love me, or am I just another victim in your scheme of chaos?”
“I love you more than you’ll ever know, Jag. He’s the monster, not me,” I mumble, not able to put much effort behind my words.
Jag nods and squeezes the back of his neck. “Got it. I gotcha. Well played, Sasha.”
The venom and hatred in Jag’s voice will haunt me for the rest of my nights. The way he so easily turns from me and strides away will always be the center of my memory. The officers ease me in a cell and lock it without a word or backward look. I’m treated like the animal Jaco has portrayed. A life sentence will be a blessing at this point. I don’t have it in me to live any longer.
I glance up at the ceiling. An exposed pipe sprawls across the ceiling of the cell. The sheet on my bed is the only thing I need to make everything disappear. I tear it from the mattress and begin looping it into a circle. Relief floods through my veins. I won’t be a sitting duck when Jaco visits me tonight as he threatened.
Chapter 26
Jag
Unfuckingbelievable. The sight of Sunni or Sasha made me sick, tore me up inside until I felt like I was bleeding in front of everyone at the police station. I never saw this coming. Wouldn’t have guessed it.
Layla hasn’t spoken a word between her sobs. Each one rubs me raw to the point I’m about to lose my fucking shit.
“Like I said, we have a full confession from Sasha. Your cooperation has been priceless bringing her in. This time she won’t see the light of the day.” Jaco holds out his hand to me.
Boss nudges me in the back, snapping me into action. I jet out my hand and shake his. “Thank you for everything.”
I have to get out of this stifling office before I lose my mind. Everything is all too consuming, causing me to suffocate. I’m pissed I didn’t drive my truck and had to be surrounded by people in Boss’ Escalade. Once the doors shut and Boss fires up the engine, I send my fist into the dashboard. Not once but three times until blood oozes from my knuckles and the entire surface is shattered.
I throw my head back and roar in anger. “This is fucking bullshit.”
I punch the dashboard again, leaving behind crimson red smudges. My cell phone rings on cue.
“You better have some damn answers,” I roar.
“Jag, you did good. I know that wasn’t easy,” Ruddick responds.
“I’m two seconds away from storming back into that station and laying out that smug bastard. I need answers, or it’s happening.”
“I can meet you in twenty minutes at your apartment. Jaco has a date he will be distracted with.”
“One minute late and I’m hunting him down. It won’t be pretty.” I end the call and toss the cellphone into the dash. The screen shatters on contact. Once it lands on the floorboard, I stomp the shit out of it.
“Calm down.” Boss keeps his attention focused on the road ahead. “This shit ain’t helping a thing.”
“Did you see her?” I roar. “Her face. She’s been beaten. Sunni fucking pleaded with me, and I turned my back. Do you know how fucking hard that was?”
“Can’t imagine, son.” He flicks on the blinker. “Beating the shit out of my car isn’t going to solve a damn thing. Keep yelling and get it out. Trust what Ruddick has in place.”
Hands wrap around me. Layla lies her head on my shoulder from the backseat. Her cries are softer, and her tears soak my t-shirt. The bomb that was dropped on us when Sunni was arrested shattered us. Ruddick turned everything upside down hours later. Still can’t wrap my fucking head around it.
“I want you guys to stay.” I drop my head back on the headrest. “There’s no way I’m going to be able to control myself.”
I slam three beers by the time Detective Ruddick shows up. Boss knocked me on my ass when I went for the fourth one. Layla’s tears dried up, and now we sit in silence. When the doorbell rings, I’m up and off the couch and fly to the door. Ruddick doesn’t wait to be welcomed in before walking into my home. He cuts the bullshit, sensing the impending temper I’ve had to keep tampe
d down. I pace back and forth while he updates us.
“We need four more days.” He holds a hand up to me. “Before you blow, Jag, listen to me. Jaco trusts me. He’s been feeding me all sorts of details about all the shit he’s done. It’s like he’s bragging about it. Sasha…”
“Her name is Sunni,” I correct him. She picked that name for a reason while she was hiding. She’ll always be my Sunni.
He nods his head and continues. “Sunni is just skimming the surface of how crooked Jaco is. I have enough evidence to set her free but just need a bit more time to get access to his laptop to put him away for life.”
“Then fucking get it,” I blurt.
“Jaco isn’t dumb. Someone like him has played his cards well over the years. He’s smart and calculating. Like I said before, he’s enjoying bragging to me. The more intel I collect, the longer the list, ensuring there’s no way he can get his way out of it.
“Why four days?” Boss stands, folding his arms over his chest.
“He’s training local officers here before we go back to Iowa. He’ll have his work laptop with him. It’s his personal one I need to get my hands on. Jaco will be distracted, giving me the perfect opportunity to grab it and download files.”
“So, my woman sits in fucking jail until then? Did she get medical treatment for her face? She doesn’t belong in there.”
“Give me four days, Jag, to get my hands on his laptop. I caught everything on camera. Jaco assumes I’m a slacker and let him run the show. It plays right into his over-the-top ego.”
“What do you mean video?” I quit pacing and grip my hair, ready to pull it out.
“I think it’s best you don’t know.”
I eat up the distance between us in three long strides, grab his tie, and slam him against a wall. It takes everything inside of me not to butt his face with mine.
“Talk.”
