The Irrevocable Series Boxed Set

by Samantha Jacobey

  “No,” Luis countered, “We have one of theirs,” he indicated the young woman who had been quietly sitting to his left on the leather sofa, “An’ we’ve taken back quite a bit of our supplies.”

  “An’ their helicopter,” Devon chimed in with pride at his part.

  “Yeah, an’ that,” Luis continued. “They’ll want to make a trade.”

  “And what if they don’t want to make a trade?” the girl demanded forcefully, stepping out of Caleb’s grasp and moving into the center of the room. “It’s my brothers’ lives you’re toying with, and I don’t like it!”

  Seeing the glares from the older members of the community, the girl drew herself up to her full height, ready to make a stand, “Look, you guys never have given me a fair shake around here! I know I’m not the one you wanted, and you would just as soon I had been taken care of and was gone already,” she paused, seeing a few of them look away, “Yeah, I know all about that shit!”

  Cutting an icy glare over at Luis, she continued, “You shouldn’t have left them! They are the youngest members here, and the least able to look out for themselves. It wasn’t right, and you know it!”

  “Bailey,” her uncle soothed, “We didn’t have a choice. We couldn’t locate them, and we had to get out of there while we could.”

  “What do you mean, you couldn’t locate them?” her eyes darted around the group accusingly, “You don’t know where they are?”

  “Tha’s right,” Devon agreed, “We got no idea where they took ‘em. An’ we had to git, but we won’ leave ‘em there. We have this meetin’ so we can decide how we’re gonna get ‘em back.”

  Bailey stared at his large brown eyes, noticing the way his new wife held onto his hand firmly. “Ok, what do you have in mind?”

  “First, we get situated here,” Michael intervened, “We got the gate up, and that’s the main thing. Then, we can send someone over to act as our representative; negotiate for their return.”

  “And who the hell would take on such a task?” she demanded incredulously.

  A lengthy silence followed, each of them casting eyes around the group, waiting for one of them to volunteer. When no one appeared eager to take on the job, Connie spoke up, “I’ll go.”

  Peter stared at their oldest female, wanting to choose his words carefully. “Mom, that’s a hell of an offer, an’ we all appreciate your sacrifice,” he began, “But you’re not a negotiator.”

  The elderly woman gave him a toothy grin, “Don’ like what I have t’ say, now do ya? Well tha’s tough! I’m the one that means the least aroun’ here. Old I am, an’ not got many years left as it is. If they kill me, we ain’ lost much.”

  Bailey audibly gasped, “You would do that for them, knowing you might not come back?”

  “Oh, child,” she shook her head at the girl, “I ain’ doin’ it for them. It’d be for all o’ us. So you can go on an’ have your future. Besides, if my negotiations don’ go well, then it gets nasty. I know there’s more o’ them than us, but if they cain’t leave us alone, they don’ leave us much choice.”

  “I could talk to them,” Bonny spoke up, her green eyes wide with fear. “Maybe they’ll listen to me.” When no one responded, she stood, walking slowly to the door and lifting her coat off of the rack. After she exited, an audible gasp filled the room, as if several had been holding their breaths.

  “I’ll take her with me,” Connie announced. “I’ll give her back t’ them as a peace offerin’. One hostage don’ do us much good anyways, an’ maybe it’ll buy us some time.”

  “Then I’ll go, too,” Luis volunteered, “If you’ll let me.” No one responded to his offer, he leaned back into the couch, his arms across his chest, “Or not.”

  “When you goin’?” John demanded, having held his tongue long enough. “My wife’s among the missin’, an’ I’d sure like t’ have her back.”

  “A few days, John,” the old woman nodded. “Get us situated, an’ I’ll go in three days.” Leaving it at that, she returned to her chores, allowing the rest of the group to go about their business.

  Glancing over at Caleb, Bailey could tell he was tired, and probably in pain. Following Connie into the kitchen, she inquired, “Would there be any chance Caleb and I could take our dinner back to the house? I think he needs to rest now.”

  Without a sound, Connie’s hands began to prepare two plates, covering them, and offering them to the girl. When Bailey reached to take them, her wrinkled lips spoke in a hushed voice, “You take care o’ that boy.”

  “Yes, ma’am, I intend to,” Bailey grinned shyly.

  “No,” she tried again, “I ain’ talkin’ ‘bout right now. He’s picked you. Why, I don’ know. There’s much better choices ‘mong the girls that was raised here. Still, he’s laid his stock in you.”

  Bailey glared at her sharp blue orbs, holding her denial in check. After a long moment, she swallowed and agreed, “I will do my best to deserve him.”

  “Good. I will do my best t’ git yur brothers back.” Turning her back on her, she dismissed the girl.

  Exiting the kitchen, she found Caleb seated on the bottom few steps, looking more beaten than ever. Arriving with their dinner in hand, she used a quiet tone, “Do you need help getting into the car?”

  “No,” he grimaced, getting to his feet, “I can make it.” His eyes dropping to their portions, he nodded, “Thanks. I really am looking forward to getting home.”

  His gaze unconsciously flittered over to her uncle, and the girl wondered what they had been discussing while she was in the kitchen retrieving the meal. Deciding to let it go, she put down the items long enough to get her jacket on, as well as help Caleb into his. Then retrieving the food, the couple said their goodnights and headed out the door.

  Girl Talk

  Arriving back at the Cross house, Bailey exited the vehicle, and retrieved their plates from the back seat. Inside, she kicked on the oven and placed them inside to warm while Caleb sank down into one of the straight back chairs with a loud moan, “Oh my God, that feels good.”

  A wall at his back, the nest of pups lay to his left, where the proud momma had jumped up to greet him affectionately. Giving her a few strokes, he grinned, “I think she’s really taken t’ bein’ here. An’ I think she needs a trip outdoors.”

  Letting Patches out to do her business, the girl kneeled down next to the pups wrapped in the blanket, adjusting them inside their bed. Retrieving one, she held it up so that he could reach it easier, commenting quietly, “So, when do we give them names?”

  “Oh,” he gave the small canine a once over while holding it suspended in front of him, “I think they’re gonna be alright. You can name ‘em if you want.”

  “I’ve never had a pet before,” she reminded him with a wry grin, “I have no idea what we should call them.”

  “Well, we can wait, an’ see what their personalities turn out like.”

  Bailey replaced the pup he had been inspecting next to the others and let their mother back inside. Putting their dinner on the table, she sat beside him with a small grin, “Did I do better tonight?”

  “Do better?”

  “During the meeting, I let you put your arm around me,” she shifted her eyes over at him anxiously, hoping that he had been pleased.

  “Yeah,” he nodded, “That was a start. When you can do that, an’ it’s not an effort or sumthin’ you gotta think about, we’ll be ready for th’ next step.”

  At that, the back door opened, and Carson came bounding in, “Hey guys!”

  “Hey, Cars,” Caleb shot back, “Where’s dad?”

  “He’s comin’,” the boy shook out his red hair and hung up his outer wear. “Glad I get to be home tonight,” he tossed over his shoulder as he dashed out of the room.

  Entering a few minutes later, John frowned at the couple. Pulling off his own winter protection, he commanded, “Make some coffee, girl.”

  Bailey froze in mid bite, cutting her eyes over at Caleb and whispering
loudly, “Is he serious?” The slap to the side of her head came without warning, and she dropped the fork with a sharp yelp, “What the hell did you do that for?” A searing pain shot through her ear as she spoke, and she covered her cartilage, her fingers detecting the warmth of the wounded flesh.

  Taking an empty seat, the older man glared across the table at his son, daring him to protest, “My house, my rules. Make me some damn coffee!”

  Sliding the chair back, Bailey rubbed the bruised spot on her head, pulling out the pot and glaring at the back of his while she filled it, momentarily wishing she could use the vessel to return the blow.

  The machine set, she tentatively reclaimed her chair at the table, where Caleb continued to eat as if nothing had happened. Staring at her plate for a moment, the girl’s appetite had vanished, so she excused herself and made her way to the bathroom wearing a small pout.

  As soon as the door closed, John began to laugh, “Nice to see you gettin’ a handle on things, son,” he pointed in her direction with a thumb, “Jus’ try t’ keep it down tonight.”

  “We’re not sleepin’ together,” Caleb informed him coolly.

  “You’s in bed with ‘er this mornin’,” John grinned, “Course I think you shoulda waited ‘til you’s married, but I know how kids are these days.”

  Running his fingers through his blond spikes, he grimaced, “If I wasn’t hurt, we wouldn’t be havin’ this conversation.”

  “Wha’s that supposed t’ mean?” the older man’s expression darkened.

  “You ever touch her again, an’ you will find out,” Caleb pushed back his empty plate and glared at the man across from him. “She ain’t mom, an’ she don’ belong t’ you. You got no business layin’ a hand on ‘er. Don’t do it again.” Standing, he allowed his threat to fall flat across the table and worked his way to the bathroom, where he knocked lightly on the door, “Bailey, you ok in there?”

  “Yes,” her voice came from the other side, “I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

  He could hear the water begin to run, and turned to the living room to help get their sleeping arrangements lined out. Ignoring his father, who ambled up the stairs, Caleb moved back to the kitchen, scraping the remnants into the bowl for the dog before washing the plates.

  “I would have done that,” she startled him when she spoke.

  “It’s ok, I’m not totally helpless,” he grinned, stacking the items to return to the ranch house on their next trip. “I’m sorry he acted that way. He won’t do it again.”

  “Does he beat your mom?” she asked in a shaky voice.

  Giving his left shoulder a shrug, he looked at her squarely, “Not like he used to. I guess she learned how to keep him happy, an’ he don’ lay into her so much anymore.”

  Blinking slowly, she glared at him through her swollen eyes. He could see she had been crying, the bright red ear poking out through the hair she used in an attempt to cover it. “That’s why Uncle Pete always thinks you’re going to hurt me. Because of your dad.”

  Leaning on the counter, Caleb could feel the warm flush of shame rising from his chest, “I need to lie down,” he made the excuse.

  Her hands firm, she grasped him and allowed him to lean on her while she guided him to the couch, where he caught her fingers and held her there once he was seated. “I would never raise a hand to you, little bit. I want you t’ know that. An’ he won’t ever touch you again. If he does, you let me know, an’ I’ll take care of it.”

  Giving his digits a small shake, she sighed loudly, “Are you sleeping on the couch?”

  “Yeah,” he wafted his free hand at the mattress, “You stay down there, an’ I’ll leave you alone.” Tugging on her appendage gently, he grinned up at her, and she slid onto his lap, as she had before.

  Leaning her forehead against his, she emitted a small sigh, “Everything has been so up and down; I feel exhausted.”

  “I know, baby,” he massaged her back, lifting his face and planting a small, deliberate kiss on her lips. “Get some rest, an’ I’ll see you in th’ mornin’.”

  Climbing off of him, Bailey obeyed, removing her boots and stretching out across the makeshift bed. Covering herself with the blankets and closing her lids firmly, she listened to him breathe in the darkness until she fell asleep. Waking to bright light and the sound of voices the following morning, she laid her forearm over her eyes for a moment before summoning the strength to get up.

  Her fingers finding her freshly wounded anatomy, she could tell it still felt swollen, but hoped at least the color had waned. Making her way into the bathroom, she changed clothes and prepared to face the day, her uncertainty about the future reigning supreme.

  Upon exiting, she discovered the mattress no longer lay in the living room floor. Scowling at the empty space, she heard John laugh, so she cut the angry look over to him, “What’s going on?”

  “I tol’ you, my house, my rules. You can either get in bed with Caleb, an’ be a good wife; or you can go home,” he wafted a hand towards the ranch house over the sink where he stood. “Either way makes no nevermind t’ me.” Turning his back on her, he pulled on his coat and gloves, “Breakfast is down the road. Carson!” he hollered loudly, “Le’s go boy! We got snow t’ shovel.”

  “Down the road!” she pulled her hands to her hips, watching the door close behind him, “You have no business traipsing back and forth just to eat,” she informed Caleb firmly.

  “Well, then I guess we pack up and move to the ranch house, or you can go an’ bring me back some food. But I definitely think you need t’ take the dogs an’ get outta here,” his voice sounded listless.

  “Why, what’s wrong with the dogs?”

  Holding up a hand, he leaned against the chair in front of him, “Trust me, my ol’ man’s a stubborn son of a bitch, an’ he don’ really like you. Or women in general I guess I should say. It’d be better if you didn’ stay here anymore.”

  “Then I’ll pack your things and take you with me,” she stated firmly. “I have no idea how we’re going to work it out, but there’s a couch there, and the boys’ bunk beds to boot. And he doesn’t like the dog? I think your dad’s an asshole, Caleb!”

  “He is not,” Carson defended from the doorway, anger coloring his face.

  “Carson!” she clipped in shock, “I’m so sorry, I thought you were outside with your father!”

  “Obviously not,” he quipped, pointing his finger at her, while addressing Caleb, “I tol’ you we shoulda got rid o’ her. Now she’s splittin’ us up, an’ turnin’ you against us!”

  “No, she’s not,” the older boy shook his head, “You don’t understand, that’s all. Go help dad before he comes back in here lookin’ for you. An’ don’t worry about us. It’s time for me t’ make my own way, Cars; that’s all.”

  Glaring at the girl as he passed by, the boy covered his red shocks of hair with a stocking cap, and pulled on his coat and gloves. Exiting with a loud slam of the door, his opinion of the situation remained glaringly obvious.

  “I’ll help you pack my stuff,” Caleb grimaced at the girl.

  “No, you sit and rest,” she commanded, angry that she was having to move the people from the house who needed to stay put most, “I’ll pack a nice bag for you and load the Jeep. You want coffee while you wait?” she eyed the empty pot.

  “Sure, baby,” he smiled, taking a seat in the chair closest to the pups so he could mess with them. “You’re such a kind-hearted person,” he commented when she placed his cup before him. “I’m not sure I deserve you.”

  She tousled his hair, grinning from ear to ear, “Well, you don’t have me yet,” she teased, dropping her face next to his before she kissed him. After a brief exchange of moist tongues, she giggled, “But I’m beginning to really like the idea of it.” Standing up straight, her long tresses bounced as she mounted the stairs and headed to his room to retrieve his essentials.

  Arriving at their destination a short while later, Bailey helped the injured man
into the kitchen, where she put him at the table and served him a plate. “Where can we put the dogs?” she asked Connie point blank.

  Stopping in mid motion, the older woman turned from her sink of dishes, “What dogs?”

  “The one the Small’s had, I think,” she explained, “I’m not really sure. Caleb and I found her after we got here, and she had three puppies. Preferably here in the kitchen, so they can be warm, and she can get in and out easy, but where ever you say is fine.”

  Continuing with her chore, Connie chuckled, “Decided to move back down here?”

  “Yes,” Bailey spit, taking the exit to retrieve the animals. Returning shortly, she placed the blanket in the corner, opposite the back door and behind the table. “There we go,” she patted the dog generously while her stomach emitted a loud growl. Standing, she then moved to make her plate from what remained of the food, “I guess I should have gotten here sooner. Can we save the scraps for the dog?”

  “I suppose we can,” her wrinkled lips pursed for a moment, “Is that boy stayin’ here with you?” she spoke of Caleb as if he weren’t even present.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he chimed in, “I’d like t’ take one o’ the bunks in the boys’ room, until they return, if that would be ok.”

  “That’d be fine,” the matriarch finished the dishes and allowed the pair to eat. When they had finished, she laid down her own rules, “You won’ be sleepin’ together in my house, you got that? Sex is for married couples. I think it’s disgraceful, what that girl done!” her reference unmistakable.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Bailey agreed, exhaling a sigh of relief when the other woman left the room. Dropping her voice, she whispered, “She really is remarkable.”

  “She’s one of a kind,” the blond agreed, getting to his feet, “I’m gonna go lay down, little bit.”

  Rising, the girl followed, hauling his bag up the stairs for him, and placing it in the room where he would sleep. Closing the door behind her when she left, she allowed him to stretch out on the bottom bunk to get some rest. Hearing the faint sound of a baby crying up the stairs, she moved towards her own floor to investigate.