The Irrevocable Series Boxed Set

by Samantha Jacobey

  “After your graduation, when we return t’ The Ranch. That should give me plenty o’ time t’ prove she’s lyin’ an’ get out of it.”

  “You sound pretty confident that you will; are you sure that it isn’t yours?” her tone continued to drop, her anger giving way to pain; he’s been with her...

  Caleb tightened his jaw, knowing it would be no use trying to explain; “I am,” he replied softly, and left it at that.

  With a deep sigh, Bailey looked over her shoulder to give him a sidelong stare, “I want to get my brothers away from them. That’s what matters most.”

  “Yeah,” he tossed his arms across his chest, “I can see why. An’ I’ll help you if I can. I don’t expect you t’ trust me, little bit. But I hope I can rebuild your faith in me.” Unfolding his limbs, he turned his palms to the ceiling, “You’ve been a true friend t’ me, Bailey. Better than I deserve. I swear to you, I will make this right.”

  She could feel herself grow tense, being forced to admit she couldn’t reach her goal alone. She needed him; liar or not. Damn. “I would like for you to train me. I want to know it all. The fighting, the guns, everything,” she clenched her teeth, her rage tinting her skin.

  “We got about nine months,” he grinned slightly, having seen the chink in her armor, “I’m sure I can teach you quite a bit by then.”

  She grimaced at his smile, balling her fists to avoid striking him. She wanted to berate him; to punish him for the pain her family had endured. “Goodnight, Caleb,” she refused to share her thoughts. Entering her chamber, she closed her door firmly behind her.

  “Goodnight, Bailey,” he stared at the portal, a heavy sigh escaping him before turned away, shutting his own.

  The following morning, both were out of bed and in the kitchen early, each wearing their workout clothes. “When do they open the gym?” she demanded curtly.

  “At five,” he flicked his watch to take a peek, “We’re good.”

  Making their way across the compound, they spent almost an hour going through what she had already learned and refreshing her assignment of moves to practice. He could feel her tension, aware that her mood had not improved. Walking back to the house, he quietly observed, “You’ve already been working out, haven’t you.”

  “Yes. I told you, I want my brothers back.”

  “An’ you didn’t think about… jus’ callin’ the police an’ askin’ for help?”

  Arriving at their home, she decided to make breakfast before she bothered with a shower. Pulling out a skillet and putting eggs and bacon on the counter, she sighed, “I don’t think they would be that helpful. You have to know that a bunch of people living in the desert, preparing for the end of the world sounds crazy; saying that they murdered your parents to steal your little brothers, even more so.”

  “We didn’t hurt your parents,” he defended, holding up a hand. “Jus’ throwin’ that out there. They died in an accident, little bit.”

  “You say that,” she exhaled loudly, “But you know it doesn’t end there. You can’t tell me it wouldn’t have happened the next year. I’m sure that’s what all the you would’ve been in college business is about.”

  He shook his head, “I can’t say either way. We had only started pokin’ around when it happened.” Reaching for plates, he sat the table and made the toast.

  “So,” she returned to the subject when they were seated, “No, I don’t plan on enlisting the help of the police. Mainly because, as soon as I open my mouth and they start asking questions, the boys get hurt. I can’t risk that.”

  “Is that why you didn’ take off?” He waited, but she didn’t respond, so he elaborated, “After our talk two weeks ago, I figured you’d run.”

  “There wasn’t any point, and again, they would be hurt if I did. But at the same time, I wondered the same thing about you. Why you didn’t go home, since you obviously love it there. I can take care of myself; you could leave me here alone. Or are you really here to keep tabs on me?”

  “I don’t love it there,” his tone held disgust, “It’s my home. The only real life I’ve ever known. That bein’ said, I can also admit, it’s a little messed up. An’ no, I’m not keepin’ tabs.” He stared at her, his features grim as he grew quiet, “I really am lookin’ out for you.”

  Bailey lifted her gaze, glaring with wide green eyes, “So… what? You’ve just been getting by? Not really a part of them?”

  He looked away, breaking her hold on him. “Don’t you see how hard this is for me?” his voice cracked, and he cleared his throat. “I don’ know how long it’s been this way. I only know that there’s things I would change if I could. I’m tired o’ bein’ the pawn. I tol’ you, I will make this right. I’ll help you train, an’ I’ll help you try t’ get ‘em back. It won’ be easy, but we’ll do whatever we can do.”

  Reaching for the remote, he switched on the news, allowing it to play quietly in the background while he finished his meal, officially ending their uncomfortable conversation.

  Eye on the Prize

  The following morning during her bus ride to school, Bailey thought about the goals she had previously held, when her parents were alive. None of it is going to happen, she sniffed slightly while frowning at the cars passing by her window. She had accepted that her old life was gone forever, but it still hurt. Getting Jase and Jess back; that’s what I have to do.

  She exited the transport and muddled through her day, her mind distracted by the idea and returning to it often. By the time she sat back in her seat headed for home, she felt confident that freeing her siblings held top rank on her list of priorities, with getting her diploma only a close second.

  Making her way into the apartment to change, she envisioned completing the year, and immediately after graduation doing precisely that. I’m not sure how yet, but I’ll figure it out. Caleb had said he would help her, and that gave her at least some hope that it could be done.

  Stepping into the gym, she mentally planned her workout. Setting the treadmill for a warm-up run, her thoughts turned to the muscular man who shared her space. You still can’t trust him, she informed herself, tersely. Not yet, if ever. He had claimed the night before that he was going to make everything right, but she found that hard to believe, especially since his dishonesty continued to be a major concern.

  At the same time, she knew she would have to put up a front, as her mother called it, and at least behave civilly towards him. Otherwise, he won’t help you, she sighed, climbing off the machine and setting up a weight bar for a few sets of lifting. Her thoughts continued to churn while she drove herself to exhaustion, and decided she had had enough for the day; both of exercise and of men.

  Back at the house a short time later, she showered and donned her uniform, making her way to the shop and taking a seat in the lobby until time to clock in. Staring up at the large screen, her foul mood continued as she read the captions on the silent set, her nose wrinkled at the mundane program. I can’t believe they installed a television while I was gone; it’s pathetic, people can’t even eat without being entertained.

  Rising, she made her way to the back, “Hey, Mark,” she addressed her boss tentatively, “Would you mind if I changed the program out front?”

  “Naw, the remotes under the counter. But remember, if a customer requests a different station, you’ll have to keep them happy,” he informed her with a grin.

  Returning the small smile, she replied crisply, “I always do, right? So yes, I will, and thanks.” Locating the tuner, she flipped through until she located a national news program. Retaking her seat, she stared up at the flickering screen, while the anchor ranted about stocks and money matters.

  Glancing around at the lobby, none of the few patrons that were dining at the early hour even seemed to notice the switch. When the time came to take her place at the register, she returned the remote, prepared to make the adjustment should the need arise as the evening wore on.

  No one ever asked, so the girl picked up the habi
t of making the change every night when she came in. It appeared that the customers paid little attention to what was on the set, or simply watched it anyways. On a rare occasion, one would, but for the most part, the girl kept it there, able to view what was going on in the world between running the register and on her break.

  In this way, her days soon ran together, as each one felt incredibly like the last. Driven by what lay ahead, Bailey wouldn’t have described her life as happy; far from it. She merely grew comfortable with her arrangement, and pushed herself each day, doing what was necessary to reach the next step. By the end of September, she had become fully absorbed in her goals and routine; content to tackle each day as it came at her, while keeping her eye on the prize.

  Caleb on the other hand, fought constantly with his inner demons, and had been since he met her. Living with her as his only companion did nothing to relieve the stress it had caused. He worked with her each morning, teaching her, and watching her grow and change in her slow transformation. He saw her in the evenings and although everything appeared fine between them, he could sense her tolerance, and missed her friendship.

  Throwing himself headlong into his studies, he pushed to finish the course by Thanksgiving, knowing they would have more time afterwards to further her understanding of weapons and their uses. Keeping himself busy gave him something to do as well, and helped to alleviate some of the emptiness he felt since she had backed away.

  Before they had fled The Ranch, he had thought they might have had a future and built a life together. But since their return to Midland; since his role in things had been revealed, he had grown certain he would never be more to her than he had been. She will never get past the part I have played; or I won’t. He would help her get her family back, and see to it she would have a chance to have a good life; to find her Mr. Right.

  At the beginning of October, Caleb decided it was time to take Bailey to the next step; in her training at least. Choosing a bookstore, he pulled into the parking lot after work and made his way inside. Grinning to himself while recalling her progress, he located a selection of texts filled with detailed pictures and explanations of pistols and rifles. Purchasing the lot, he dropped them into a saddlebag and weaved his way home through the typical traffic. Taking in the gym, he prepared his meal after his shower, turning on the television as usual.

  After cleaning up his mess, he stretched out in the recliner end of the sofa, flipping through the glossy pages of one of the new books he intended to present to her when she arrived home. You should be studying, he reprimanded himself, quickly dismissing the idea. I’ve been workin’ my ass off for weeks; one night o’ rest ain’t gonna kill me.

  The news on in the background, his eyes shot up to stare at the screen, did they say earthquake? He soon discovered the disaster had taken place on the west coast only a few hours before, and relief groups were already taking care of the situation. Setting the book aside, he used the remote, increasing the volume to pick up the details, and remained glued to the screen until Bailey bolted through the door at the end of her shift.

  “Did you hear?” she sounded breathless, tossing her purse on the ottoman and turning to lock the door behind her.

  “About that?” he wafted the controller towards the screen, “Yeah, I heard.”

  Perching on the opposite end of the sectional, the girl leaned on her arm, chewing lightly on her finger, “I’ve been watching it down at the shop all night. It happened about five-thirty, our time.”

  “Yeah,” he glanced over at her agitated state, “Relax, little bit. It’s only an earthquake. They get ‘em all the time, an’ they know what t’ do. See? They already have the emergency response in full swing.”

  “I know,” she breathed, “But they were talking about a tsunami hitting some place as a result, and all the damage and loss of life that will result. Maybe California really is going to fall off into the ocean,” she teased, recalling the volcano that had opened up south of the state only a few months prior.

  “I doubt it,” he laughed at her, “It ain’t that serious, trust me. Here. I got you somethin’,” he leaned over and pushed the stack towards her across the cushion. “Maybe it’ll take your mind off o’ global disaster.”

  Tearing her eyes away from the screen, she slid down and retrieved the pile, “What’s all this?”

  “Books,” he replied crisply, as if she couldn’t tell, “About weapons. You said you wanted t’ learn it all. Or have you changed your mind about that?”

  “Oh, no,” she shook her head, opening one of the large flat texts, “I do want to learn.”

  “Good, cause I think you’re ready for th’ next step.”

  “Am I?” she glanced at him, noting his serious expression. “Then I guess so. I’ll have to do it here though,” she grimaced at the size of it. “I can’t take it to school or someone might turn me in as a nutcase,” she giggled at the idea of gleaning such a label.

  “Yeah,” he shared in her amusement, “If they only knew.”

  Cutting her eyes over at him, she held the smile, her mind turning what he might have meant. Perusing the rest, she nodded, “Well, thank you. They appear very informative. I really like the pictures, too,” she ran her fingers over a shiny revolver. “I’ll do my best to get through them quickly. Without all the college prep stuff, school has turned into a breeze.”

  “Whadda you mean?” he gasped slightly, sitting up straighter, “What happened to all your college prep courses? You’re still goin’, aren’t you?”

  Bailey gaped at him with her jaw hanging; crap. “Oh, I don’t know,” her face crinkled, “I’ve been thinking about that. After I get the boys away from Uncle Pete, I’ll have to keep working, and maybe get a better job. Or two jobs, even, to support us. But it’s ok; I can still go to college without those courses, even if I have to wait until the twins are grown to do it.” She forced a nervous smile, not comfortable discussing her plans for the future with him, “It’ll work out.”

  Tossing the books aside, she returned her eyes to the screen, ready to steer the conversation in a more suitable direction. “That’s kind of ironic,” she indicated the newscast with an extended digit, “We have a post going about natural disasters. I wonder if the girls have seen this yet.”

  “A post goin’,” he feigned ignorance, “With who?”

  “The girls from The Ranch silly!” she cut herself off before she referred to them as the nice list.

  “Oh, yeah, them,” he exaggerated the words, teasing her about her growing comfort with the community members. “Maybe you should point it out to ‘em, in case they missed it,” he grinned while she got to her feet to do precisely that.

  Exiting the boys’ room a few minutes later, she returned to gather her books, noting he still seemed engrossed in the drama playing out before them. “No one had mentioned it, so I made a new post and tagged everyone.”

  “Nice,” he stood, cutting off the announcer abruptly, “Well, I gotta get t’ bed. I gotta be in at six tomorrow for an early job, so you’re on your own in th’ mornin’.”

  “Aww, another one?” she teased, entering her room. She hated to admit it, but she was becoming comfortable with him again, despite her efforts to keep him at bay. Placing the books on her desk, she caressed the edge of one; he can be so thoughtful.

  Slipping off her shoes, she noticed a large black spot on the wall above the head of her bed and announced loudly, “Damn, I have a spider.” Lifting one of the sneakers, she prepared to deal with the beast, “Wow, it’s funny looking. All bumpy… err fuzzy…” her voice trailed away.

  “Bumpy?” Caleb called from the room across the hall, realizing what it meant at the same instant he heard the scream. Closing the distance between them in a dash, he caught the girl in mid spasm. Whacking at the arachnid had caused it to fall, and a spray of tiny spider replicas had scattered across her pillow and bedding.

  Caleb guided her out of the way while Bailey waved her hands about wildly. Her auburn hair
flew around her head as she flailed and cried out, “Oh, God, get them off! Get them off!”

  “I don’ think they’re on you,” he laughed, trotting into the kitchen to retrieve the insecticide from under the sink. Back in her room, he doused the covers as best he could while she inspected herself in the bathroom mirror, checking for bugs.

  “I can feel them, Caleb!” she whined loudly, oblivious to the neighbors she more than likely had disturbed.

  “Prolly not,” he corrected, “You’re worked up, tha’s all,” he moved in beside her, taking a look for himself. Standing still, she allowed him to part some of the long strands and view her scalp, “Why did you hit it?” he demanded sternly, holding his snickers in check.

  “Because,” she snapped, “I didn’t know it was covered in babies!”

  “Well, now you know. Bumpy an’ fuzzy mean don’t touch,” he reprimanded while trying not to laugh. Pushing her head back, he peered down into her face. His thumb grazed her flushed cheek, her green eyes wide with adrenaline. “Get in th’ shower, little bit,” he breathed softly. “Wash your hair. I don’ think there’s any in there, but it’ll put your mind at ease.”

  In silent agreement, the girl reached over and turned on the tap, returning to her room to gather her sleeping attire and glare at the bed. “I guess it’s the sofa for me tonight,” she announced loudly, closing the bathroom door behind her.

  Exiting with a puff of steam a few minutes later, Bailey dried her dripping hair with a towel. Prepared to slumber on the sectional, she discovered Caleb seated upon it, “I thought you were going to bed!”

  “Me too, but some shrieking woman has got me all excited,” he grinned at her deviously. Having quieted his spasms of laughter while she bathed, his breathing had returned to normal, and he hoped he passed for concerned. “You can share with me.”

  He stood, indicating the room at the end of the hall, “It’s a king, an’ there’s no reason I can’t stay on my half an’ you on yours, at least for one night,” he nodded, guiding her to the entrance of his chamber, “You can wash your sheets an’ stuff tomorrow.”