“Hey, Jay, don’t stress it. I would be as equally eager if it were the roles reversed. Why don’t we get in and have a look at the surveillance videos,” Trenton says calmly, then starts walking in the direction we needed to go.
“Danger and Jake, go look in the banquet room they were in,” Jason said, while the rest of us walked into the security room.
After a little conversation the video during that time was brought up and I watched in horror as three guys walk into the room.
“Yes, that’s my fucking wife!” Carson cheers.
“You’re married to that?” Keith asks shocked.
“Will be soon. We waited until after our daughter was born. Damn, she may be better than me,” he said proudly.
We all watch as Mary grabs her stomach screaming while Shannon struggles in the big guys arms. Then I watch in horror as he hits her over the head and her body hangs limp in his arms as he carries her right out of the room. My heart was racing in my chest as I turn to the security guard with rage rolling through me.
“You just let him walk out with her?” I hissed.
“He said she had too much to drink and he was taking her home. I didn’t know,” he said wide eyed.
“Roll back, let’s see if we can get a picture of their faces.” Trenton state sternly.
To my horror, I sat here watching over and over again, my heart, my essence be pulled away from me. Suddenly Jason yells, “Stop there!” Jason points at the screen. “I know who they are!”
“How?” Trenton asks, focused.
“Right before I took the rape case, I was assigned to this undercover case trying to bring down crime boss, Hector Maloney. We had a guy on the inside. These guys are Hector’s three main men; Ceo Martin, Daryl and Cameron Hayes. We thought we had him many years ago, but he had a cover and the woman was solid. We couldn’t crack her or find one in her alibi. So the case hit a dead end and shortly after that I switched my case to the rape case.”
“Wait, I remember that case,” Danger says from the doorway. “The girl said he was her uncle and he was celebrating with her. She had just got a job or something.”
I watch as Jason pales and he stares at me. “What?” I ask on edge and standing quickly.
“Her name was Rachael Clark.”
My blood ran cold. My head began to spin and I dropped to my knees. Bracing myself on my hands as I fell forward, my head sagged between my arms as I tried to catch my breath.
“Fuck!” I choked out.
Anger built in me hard and fast. It took over me like a wave to the sand. A rock settled deep in the pit of my stomach. Shooting up to my feet, I roared knocking things to the floor.
“Jackson! You can’t lose it now!” Colt said with his hand to my chest.
“It’s my fucking fault! I brought Rachael to her! I caused this!”
“You didn’t do this!”
We are all turned shocked to find a man that none of us knew. I’ve saw him before but never actually met him. The place I saw him were pictures on Shannon’s wall. Moving toward him quickly, I shoved him out into the hall and pinned him against the wall.
“I know who you are. Shannon has told me about you. You’ve hurt her for too long. She blames herself for what happened to her parents and what you guys lost. Fuck! You lost a sister you asshole! She lost a mother, a father, and her whole fucking family,” I roared slamming him against the wall. “What the fuck are you doing here?” I hissed.
“I know where she’s being held,” he forces out through my choke hold.
My hands let him go of him so fast, like I had been shocked. He fell to the floor in a heap, gasping for air.
“Who are you?” I say quietly. “I know you’re her Uncle, but what’s your name and how the hell do you know where she’s being held?”
“My name is Rodney,” he starts to stand, but I stop him by holding my hand out.
“You might want to stay down there. I have a feeling before you finish answering my questions you’re going to be down there again. Save me the hassle,” I sneered.
“Fair enough. Like you said, I’m her uncle. I’ve had my problems over the years and my sister has helped me try and keep my life from falling apart. When she died, well, my life fell apart. I blamed her. I hated her. Then…long story none of it matters. Point is, I was called by a woman for my phone number-”
“You were the one tormenting her from her mom’s number,” I punched him. “You’re a fucking prick!”
“I was angry and felt abandoned. In the beginning I tried to have faith that she’d be like her mom, but she wasn’t. So when this woman called, I sold the number to her,” he shrugs, like this was no big fucking deal.
“You better get to the point real fucking quick before I start beating the shit out of you to burn through this hatred I have building,” I growled.
“She asked me if I wanted any payback. I told her damn straight I did! When she got her, Rachael called me, said that I was to meet her for my revenge. I didn’t realize what she had planned, but I couldn’t stop from doing it.”
Lifting him by his throat, I held him to the wall. My face inches from his. “What did you do you little puke?” I shook him a bit when he didn’t answer. “Tell me or I’ll kill you right now!”
His eyes moved in the direction of the detectives behind me. With my other hand, I yanked his hair to gain the attention of his eyes again. “Don’t look at them for help. Right now I don’t see anyone stopping me this far. Do you?”
“Far as I can see, there’s no reason to stop you yet, but if you don’t start getting answers I may help you,” says Danger from behind me.
“I had to whip her,” he choked out.
My face contorted in confusion, “As in with a belt?”
“No,” barked a man from end of the hall.
“You need to leave this is a private matter,” Danger tried to usher him away.
“You’re right it is. I want to find Rachael just as much as you fools do,” he glares at me. “You fucking her?”
My eyes widen in shock, I let go of Rodney and walk toward the strange man. “I don’t know who the hell you are, but I wouldn’t touch that woman with someone else’s dick. The bitch has my fiancée!”
“Fuck,” he breathed paling. “You’re Jackson.” He stated.
“Yeah, why?” Suddenly I’m not feeling too steady.
“Let me introduce myself. My name is Michael. Rachael is my wife. We met many years ago at this little bar and grill that a friend of hers ran. I thought she was in love with me the same as I was her. She said yes to marrying me, even married me. We’ve had two kids. I was happy…”
“I’m sorry to interrupt you here, but my fiancée is in the hands of some very ugly men. I’ve wasted enough time. If you wish to tell me her story after, then whatever, but I need her safe before I listen to anyone else’s pity parties.” I growl.
Danger turned to Rodney. “Where’s she being held?”
With address in hand, we all bolt from the restaurant. Danger jumps in my car. Not bothering to question him, I take off. He’s on his radio with police for back-up. My mind was only focused on getting to Shannon before she was hurt. My heart was telling me that I was already too late for no harm to have been done to her, but I couldn’t quit from hoping anyway.
“You need to prepare yourself…” Danger started.
“I know. You don’t think I know,” I snapped.
He sighs. “I know. Look, Jason is family to me. His family is my family. I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”
It was my turn to sigh. “I know. Jason is a great man and perfect for my sister, but I wish he would have stayed with her. If anyone else gets hurt because of me…” I trailed off.
“This isn’t your fault. The woman is obviously neurotic. She’s seriously unbalanced if she’s chasing after you like this when she’s married and has two kids of her own. Listen, I want you only focusing on getting to Shannon. Don’t look for Rachael. Don’t look for the m
en. Let us handle that. You focus on Shannon,” He said compassionately.
“You don’t have to tell me twice, but I want a piece of anyone that put their hands on her,” I said darkly.
“I promise. I’ll give it to you, one way or another. You’ll have your moment with them.”
Only nodding my head, I whipped the streets of downtown. Ten minutes later, we pulled in front of the building and my heart starts hammering in my chest. We all gather just off to the side of the door we were told to use. Everyone was talking fast and no one could agree on what to do.
“Listen,” I practically yelled. “I’m going to go in here. I’m going to try and reason with them to get her. Then you can all ambush when I have Shannon.”
There was more talk about signals and where to stand, but I gave up listening. I started moving in the door. There was no way another minute was passing before I got my girl. Now I know what Carson was going through that day. When he wanted to go in guns blazing, we had to stop him. No one was stopping me. For the most part there was a plan intact. I had my role which really didn’t depend on them.
Just as we reached the door that separated me from Shannon, the door opposite of it opened and two of the guys that took her came walking out. I started to lunge for them when Danger pushed me out of the way and told me to go get Shannon. Turning, I ran into the door. My heart dropped in my chest at the sight before me. There she was hanging like she was some kind of human letter. Blood covered her naked body, it was then I saw a man’s hands running over her body. Anger burned me from the inside out.
“Get your fucking hands off her!” I growled, my voice echoing off the empty walls.
“What the fuck!” The man peaks out from behind Shannon.
“Who the fuck are you and how did you get here?”
Just then a woman came out squealing flinging her arms around my neck. “My Jackson. You shouldn’t be here. I was-”
Shoving her to the ground, I glared at her before turning my attention back to the man. My fists clench at my sides.
“I said get the fuck away from my fiancée,” I hissed yet again.
“Your fiancée, huh? She’s a fine piece of ass, but isn’t that your fiancée?” He points to Rachael.
“Hell no!” I glare at her in disgust. “I wouldn’t touch her with your dick. Of course I’m sure her husband would love to hear what the mother of his children and love of his life has been up to lately. I know how you work Ceo,” I lied about the last part. “I swear if you’ve touched what’s mine…”
“Jackson, how could you turn on me?” Rachael gasped.
Not taking my eyes off Ceo, I bit out, “I was never with you to begin with. Stay the fuck away from me.”
Ceo was now standing out from behind Shannon. My heart started hammering in my chest. He was shirtless and his pants were undone. My mind wanted to race off in all the things he could have done to her, but I gritted my teeth tighter to keep focus. He stepped closer a smirk forming on his face.
Ceo stood now about three feet from me. My body was rigid with tension and the need to kill the son of a bitch in front of me shot through me like a bullet through the air. Stepping forward, I would die to protect Shannon.
“If you want her let free,” Rachael said stepping in front of me. “Then you’ll come to me, be with me. Forget about Shannon,” She sneered her name.
My mind suddenly snapped into play. “You will release her? Never bother her again?”
She nodded her head eagerly. I shrugged my shoulders tossing my hands in the air and looked longing at Shannon. My heart ached, but I’d do anything for her. Even if it meant breaking my own heart to keep her safe and happy, I’d do it.
Rachael smiles, clapping her hands excitedly just as the doors burst open and in storm the troops so to speak. What shocked me the most was when I saw Kylee run in with them. When did she get here?
“Get your girl man,” Danger said the minute he started in on Ceo.
I hurried to her side and couldn’t see a way to get her down. My name was called and keys were tossed to me when I turned in the direction of the voice. Hurriedly, I started with her ankles first then her wrists. Once she was free, I cradled her in my arms. Honestly, I was afraid to touch her. She was cut up all over. The marks that covered her body were all similar, but the ones on her face were different. Reaching up carefully, I felt for a pulse. There was a weak one, but not enough to steady my racing heart and shaking hands. Laying her down, I saw her scraps of clothing lying around. Reaching over I grabbed some and began tying them around her wrists and ankles.
Gathering her in my arms, I stood. When I looked around the room, I was shocked to find Kylee beating the living shit out of Rachael. Rachael then fell to the ground in a bloodied heap. Kylee stood over her panting. That girl was going to get whatever she wanted for that. I’d give her the moon right now for doing the one thing that I couldn’t do. Thanking her as I ran past, I rushed her out to the awaiting ambulance. Police cars blocked exits. Lights flashed like a disco globe in a dance club.
My heart raced as I boarded the back of the ambulance and started telling them everything. We were soon rushing down the streets back to the hospital. The EMTs were trying to assure me that the worst part of her condition would be the emotional state. Looking at her, I just couldn’t see that. The medical part of my brain was telling me that it was true, but the man that loved this woman with everything I had couldn’t believe it.
When we arrived at the hospital they pulled her back into a room and made me wait outside. After a few crazy long minutes, a nurse comes out and tells me that I can do the stitches since I’m the best plastic surgeon in the surrounding area. I wanted to give this to her. As much as it will pain me to see her like that again, I know it will hurt her worse if she has that constant reminder every day.
I lost count of how long I was in there or how many stitches I put in, but I was finally done. There were several moments that I had to wipe tears from my eyes to keep them clear so I could see what I was doing. Now they were taking her back for x-rays and scans to make sure there were no other damages. They suggested I go get some fresh air and they’d call me if anything came up.
Walking outside, I saw Nate leaning against the wall putting his sunglasses on. Even though he put them on, I could still clearly see his tear stained cheeks. Walking over to him slowly, I placed my hand on his shoulder in silent support.
“That should be my son. That should be me in that hospital bed with her holding our baby,” he said quietly never looking up at me. “What have I done so wrong that I fall in love with an amazing woman and she only sees me as a friend?”
“I wish I had an answer for you, but I can say that I don’t think it’s something you’ve done wrong.”
Just as I was about to say more, I was interrupted. “Nate?”
Nate’s head snaps up and he stared at Tobey. A bit of envy crossed his face before he blanked it.
“What?”
Tobey steps closer. “I want to tell you that you don’t have to feel like you can’t be around Mary because of me.”
“What?” He said confused.
“Look, I know you love her,” when Nate’s eyes widened Tobey pushed forward. “I saw the way you were with her when we first met and the way you look at her now. I’m not a stupid man. She loves you too, Nate.”
Nate scoffs, “Yeah, as a friend.”
“But isn’t that enough? To have any love from Mary would be enough for me. I’m lucky to have her love for the rest of my life and be able to show and express that love whenever I want, but Nate,” He steps closer putting his hand on Nate’s shoulder. “You’re pushing you chances away to be involved in her life. If you keep going you’re going to regret it for the rest of your life.”
Nate stood tall, pulled his glasses off, and I could see the tears falling down his cheeks again. “I have never fallen in love with anyone before. I can’t eat, sleep, or even breathe without thinking of her. What is it that you ha
ve that I don’t? Why did she choose to fall in love with you over me?”
“She didn’t choose Nate. Everyone has the one person we are meant to be with either for a short time or the long haul. We all have someone’s. You see you played a big role in her life. You saved her when she needed it. You cared for her when she needed it. Hell, you were the one that started her believing she deserved more than what she was giving herself.”
“Yeah so she could find you! She’s breaking my heart!” He yelled.
“And you’re breaking hers!” Tobey roared back in his face.
“What?” Nate asked leaning back some.
“You’re her best friend,” I said to Nate.
“She’s losing her best friend because you can’t love her enough to be her best friend and be happy for her happiness,” Tobey added.
“But she can’t handle the way I look at her and I can’t control that.”
“Look, she’s wanting some real food. I’m heading out to get her some. Why don’t you go up and visit with Mary and our son. She wants to ask you something,” Tobey said before walking away.
“Don’t miss the chance. Wouldn’t you rather have her in your life a little than not have her there at all?”
He shrugged, but still headed inside. My only guess was that he was going to go up and see Mary and my nephew. I stood outside a minute longer before walking back in. It wasn’t like I had any other place to be. The only place I wanted to be was with Shannon, but she wasn’t…
“Dr. Williams?”
Whirling around at whoever called me, “What? What’s wrong?”
“She’s awake and she’s asking for you,” the nurse smiled.
My heart soared. I felt like I was floating as if wind could carry me away and I hurried behind the nurse, cursing her slow pace in my head. When we finally reached her room, my hands began to sweat and my pulse pounded rapidly in my neck. With a shaking and sweating hand, I reached up opening the door. The nurse smiled at me, then walked away.
When I opened the door, I saw Shannon struggling with a couple nurses and a doctor.
“I need Jackson. I need to know he’s okay. He needs to know the truth.”
Tough Love (Hidden Secrets) Page 23
