“I need you to gather your things and go straight home. Right now. The alarm is set in the house so just punch in the code.”
Gather my things? Leave now? Go home? My mind was spiraling with questions, and now fear. Why did I need to leave work?
Still two hours left, I wasn’t done making changes on William’s letter and he was already cranky as hell.
“Now? Why? Do you need me to do something for Hartley?”
“Fucking Christ, Layla,” he snapped. “For once, just please do what I say without asking a shitload of questions. Get your things and go home. I can’t be worrying about you right now. Fuck that job. You don’t need it.”
My heart sank at the panic in his voice. What the hell was going on? I didn’t know what to say.
“Okay. Whatever you need me to do, Jackson. I love you, baby.”
William’s expression gave nothing away. He said it was fine to leave but I knew he was pissed. An unforeseen personal emergency my excuse, it was the only thing I could think of. I was shaking. Scared. Something was happening and I wondered if Jackson would be honest. I knew he was big on protecting me and I loved him for that, but I had a nagging feeling stabbing at me that maybe he was the one who needed protection.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Jackson
Seeing Justin this way felt like a punch in the gut, harsh bitter guilt trickling a long ugly passageway through me. His voice cracked. “She’s still in the OR. They aren’t telling me a damn thing, other than she’s lost the baby.” I counted to ten, trying to appease my own anger … and remorse.
“God fucking damn, Jackson!” Beside himself, dread washed over me as I watched him tugging at his hair, pacing the tiled floor and fighting to keep a grip on his willpower. “Somebody fucking attacked her, Jackson! Who the hell gets assaulted in a motherfucking church parking lot?”
“Sonofabitch,” I muttered under my breath, shaken to the core.
I knew just exactly who hurt Hartley. This was fucking personal.
Only hours ago, John Bennett had called me with a family crisis. His daughter had fallen and broken her arm. Of course I told him it was okay to go take care of his personal business, assuming Hartley would be okay for a few simple hours.
A few hours was all this monster needed. This was my fucking fault!
Thursday mornings were one of the days she took Noah and Derek to daycare. And I knew this. I goddamned knew!
So did Carlos Agli.
I’d let my motherfucking guard down. Everything I normally didn’t do.
The bastard was a dead man. Justice would prevail, motions inside me feeling illogical, but necessary to end this travesty. One way or another, I’d find a way to ruin his pathetic life. Right before I’d called Layla, the text had come over my phone with an attached video.
You’re getting slow at your job Jackson.
The video showed Hartley pulling up to the side of the church building, parking and opening the door to unstrap both boys, taking their hands and walking them inside the building.
Why the fuck hadn’t she parked in the front with the rest of the parents?
Why, Coco?
Minutes later, she was standing in the same doorway she’d entered, speaking to someone and smiling like the happy person she was. Then she closed the door and walked back toward the Audi SUV. An unidentifiable man approached her, holding a baseball bat and giving her one quick, hard hit across the lower abdomen. Dropping to the ground instantly, she clutched her stomach while the mysterious man walked away. That’s when the video shut off.
Fuck! Fuck!
A nurse walked into the waiting room.
“My wife! Tell me my wife’s okay.”
“Mr. Wisely, we’re just getting Hartley settled. Why don’t you go get some coffee and give us another few minutes? She’s going to be sleeping for at least another hour.”
“Coffee? I don’t want any goddamn coffee. I want to see my wife.”
“Justin, come on. Let them do their job. Let’s get some fresh air.”
He stared at me for long seconds before diverting his glassy eyes to an empty wall. “It was a fucking girl, Jackson. She wanted that baby so goddamn bad.” He tugged at his hair again. “What am I supposed to do with all the baby shit she’s bought? Get it all out of the house before she comes home?”
“I don’t know, man. I’m sorry. I need you to see something though. Come on. Let’s walk outside for a minute.”
I was the big brother who my baby sister always looked up to. Always the person who had her back, the man who fought for his family no matter what. Now, I was responsible for two innocent deaths, one being my own kin. An act that was unforgiveable. My last conversation with Agli had been short and to the point.
“We haven’t been able to find the right person to blame for the shooting. It takes time. I can’t just have someone arrested without sufficient evidence.”
“Twenty-four hours, Shipman.”
“What the fuck, Jackson? I need to be there for Hartley. It’s a fucking freezer in there and she likes the temperature nice and boiling. I know she’s cold. I know she’s cold,” he uttered again, scrubbing at his jaw.
I cringed, my gut grinding. I couldn’t show him the video. He’d lose every bit of his shit. I didn’t have the heart. “Remember when I called you a couple of weeks ago and told you I may need your help?” I slipped my cellphone back inside my pocket, knowing for sure it wasn’t the time to show Justin the video.
“Again … what in fuck’s name are you trying to say, Jackson? What does any of this have to do with my wife? I just thought you may need my help in a business sense. How does this concern Hartley?”
“I know you were responsible for the death of my mother’s piece of shit husband. I’ve always known, Justin. And I also know you have contacts … for something like that.”
“Something like fucking what?”
I glanced at a group of approaching nurses, hesitating for a quick minute. “I’ve been having Hartley followed for years, avoiding something like this. I called you wanting your hired gun’s name. After we started talking, I decided to keep you out of all this and handle it solo. I fucked up, Justin.”
“Come on, goddammit, just tell me what you’re trying to say.” I glanced up at the perfectly cloud-free blue sky. What should be a beautiful day was nothing but a dark, bleak, wake-up call to my life.
“It’s my fucking fault that Coco was attacked.” I blurted out my confession, Justin’s jaw dropping. “It goes way back to when I had my automobile accident. The girl that was killed was the daughter of Carlos Agli. Ring a bell?”
Impossible to overlook the furor behind his glare, it only strengthened my determination to end something before it ended another one of my loved ones. “Fucking hell! Fuck! Goddamn you, Jackson. What kind of shit have you gotten my family involved in? Tell me who did this! I’ll have his goddamn throat sliced before he sees another light of fucking day.”
On me in three seconds flat, Justin’s fist flew into the right side of my jaw.
“You fucking sick bastard. Hartley could have been killed. And my family? They’ve been in danger all this time and you never had the motherfucking balls to tell me? I should kill you right here.” I rubbed my jaw as his fist landed against my nose this time, anger boiling off of him. I didn’t bother fighting back.
“I’ll never forgive you, you piece of lowly shit. Not for this. I’ve hated you since I first met you. I’ve only put up with you for one obvious reason.” His eyes were filled with a deserved outright rage as he reached for me again, this time missing as I caught his wrist. The light in his eyes dimmed, his knuckles red and bruised.
“You’re exactly right, Justin. I deserve every bit of that, but we need to focus on Hartley right now. You can finish kicking my ass when she’s up and well.” Fuck, I was crying. Justin was crying, a gut reaction telling me this was far less forgivable than what I had in mind for Agli. We sat down on the hospital stairs, both stari
ng straight ahead, both sensing what needed and had to happen, and trying to get our shit back together before either of us faced Hartley.
There was no way I could live like this any longer. No way I would. The damage had been done. Now there was only retaliation. I squeezed at my temples, making a clear-cut decision. Agli always got what he wanted. Now, he’d taken a step too fucking far.
I swiped at the trickle of blood from my nose, thankful as hell the cops hadn’t been called. Even more relieved the press hadn’t shown their nosy faces and plastered me all over the evening news.
“How the fuck are we going to get you out of this, Jackson? Before someone else loses their goddamn life?”
I gave his shoulder a squeeze, looking into his distraught gaze.
I knew just exactly what had to done.
“Let’s get Coco taken care of first. Then I’ll tell you exactly what I’m going to do.”
With that comment, not another word was spoken as we looked at each other for a long minute, both understanding precisely what I’d just meant and what the next step involved.
And the deep-seated seriousness behind that.
Chapter Thirty
Layla
My mood was flip-flopping all over the place. I hadn’t felt this kind of worry since my dad was arrested. My hands trembling, I closed the door to Jackson’s house, shutting off the blaring security system. No word other than hours earlier, I was beside myself.
No explanation why he insisted I leave work, he’d sounded frantic. Hartley had been attacked. Not robbed, but assaulted. A gut feeling told me this wasn’t random. Someone had hurt her, fully intending on taking her baby’s life. It all screamed spite and venom.
And personal.
Smothering a shiver, I stared out the patio door, cold, even though the temperature outside was somewhere in the range of eighty degrees. My eyes glued to the winding road leading to the house, I hoped to see Jackson’s car soon, even though I knew I wouldn’t anytime soon.
Joslyn called earlier, wanting to get together for the conversation I dreaded. I considered sending Jackson a text, wondering if he’d be gone all night. And if it would be okay, or appropriate, for Joslyn to come over. I’d only just met Hartley but wished I was closer to her, really wanting to be there for her in the hospital. I liked her, but then again this was a family matter and I was far from family. Jackson never really spoke about his parents, but I assumed their mother was either in town or on her way.
There were still so many things I didn’t know about him.
Hey baby. Worrying about you. How’s Hartley? Is there anything I can do to help?
My stare unwaveringly on my phone, I walked out the patio door, sitting down on the outdoor sectional. The sun starting to set, I jumped straight up at the sound of the pool lights clicking to life. Jesus, I was edgy. Staring at the square-shaped spa and wishing for better times, I wondered if Jackson ever relaxed in the large hot tub. Maybe one day we’d be there, together. My phone dinged with a text.
It’s not good. I’m going to be late.
Jesus. Who would do this? And why? In my head I wanted to text back. Ask questions. But for logical and obvious reasons, I wouldn’t. One thing I’d learned about Jackson was that if he didn’t want to talk, no words would be shared.
Nothing but silence, I wondered if maybe I should start unpacking some of my things, if not to break up the sick feeling I sensed, then for the sake of knowing Jackson didn’t like clutter. Tomorrow being a work day, I needed my things in some kind of order so I could even get myself together for another day at work. Then again, screw work. I lifted my phone and called Joslyn.
****
It was seven-thirty when I opened the front door to a wide-eyed Joslyn holding a bottle of Chardonnay.
“Holy shit, Layla. This house already. Are you sure he doesn’t mind you having a friend over? Especially, well, you know.”
I knew way too well.
I rubbed at my temples, willing away the uneasy feeling that comment left me with. Would I ever get used to the fact that Jackson was once my best friend’s Dom?
“He doesn’t mind you coming over.” I was lying through my teeth. I hadn’t asked him if he minded, even though I considered it. Jackson knew Joslyn was my best friend. He also knew she’d helped me plan for the auction and so-called game. It was going to take some time for him to be comfortable with this entire scenario.
I felt exactly the same way.
“Wine?” Joslyn raised her eyebrows, jiggling the bottle of wine. “It’s not the cheap, headachy stuff, either. It was a gift.”
I knew that look. Her ‘gift’ was from a man. Quite possibly someone that Jackson knew from Venture. I didn’t want to ask though. I walked toward the kitchen, Joslyn on my heels.
“Wow. This kitchen is supernacular,” she teased. Have you baked any of your specialties for our kinky DA yet?” I set two wine glasses down on the counter, opening up three drawers until I found a corkscrew. She peeled the label from the wine bottle, opening and pouring us both a much-needed glass, her stab at being funny only making my stomach ache.
“You didn’t answer me about this fab-ass kitchen. Surely, by now, you’ve broken in this room and baked for Jackson? Of course, knowing Jackson, you’ve probably broken in just about every room in the house, haven’t you?” More wagging of her eyebrows and what I used to consider her funny, slut-minded grin, I could barely force a smile, taking a longer than usual drink of the chilled wine.
Shit. This sucked.
“What’s up, Layla? You’re acting creepy.” She took a sip of wine, wiping the corners of her lips. “Is he treating you badly? Fuck, Layla, has he hurt you?”
I considered her questions for several seconds. “No! He’s not hurting me, Joslyn.” I bit down hard on my lip, balling my fists together in my lap, the strange tension between us thick enough to cut through.
Friendliness returned to her eyes. “Spill, Layla. This is me. Your best friend forever. Tell me what’s going on with you and our DA.” I reached for the bottle of better-than-usual Chardonnay, topping off both glasses as I fought screaming at her referral to Jackson as our DA.
“It’s not Jackson. It’s Hartley, his sister.”
“What? You’ve met his family? You’re shitting me!”
“His sister and two nephews showed up one morning unexpectedly. She was pregnant … and nice. She was attacked this morning. She lost her baby.”
“Oh fuck, Layla. That sucks. Is she okay otherwise?”
“I don’t know. Jackson just told me to come straight home. He made me leave work early. Something’s up.”
“I know this is premature and probably a waste of time, but I know a very good private investigator.” Joslyn gave me a strange look that I clearly understood. He was probably a member of Venture or someone involved in the lifestyle. Maybe even an acquaintance of Jackson.
“I appreciate that Jos, but you know Jackson. He wouldn’t want anyone that he hadn’t picked himself.”
Joslyn gave me an encouraging smile. “You’re probably right.”
“Now that that’s done, I need to tell you the real reason I asked you over.” I leaned my head back, nervous acid rising up my chest.
“What is it, Layla? You’re acting so freaky.” I looked at the best friend that was more of a sister, attempting a smile before staring down at my hands and getting my nerve up. My eyes burned with building tears, wondering if this would end a friendship and if I could cope with that. So much was wrong with this scenario, yet so much right at the same time.
“Are you trying to tell me what I think you are?”
Freaking awkward!
“I’m moving in with Jackson. There. I said it.” I swirled my glass of wine, lifting it toward my mouth, but suddenly not sure I could get it down. My stomach buzzed with nerves.
Joslyn was looking at me like I’d just admitted to being abducted by giant, hairy, green aliens. She turned toward the same spot I’d stared at a million ti
mes—the awesome view of the pool and spa with downtown Dallas bright in the distance. “I didn’t think it could be done,” she whispered, turning back to see me fighting tears. “But you did it. You broke through the hard, controlling Jackson Shipman.”
“Joslyn.” My heart was thundering with emotion. “Can I explain? I can’t stand the thought of you being upset.”
A small smile returned. “No need, Layla. If anyone ever had what it takes to grab his heart, it’s you. I’m really not all that surprised.”
“You’re not?” I asked.
“Nah, not really.” Joslyn lifted her hair, twirling it up over her head before dropping it back down. “Is this gonna come between us?” she asked. “I mean … well, you know.”
I could tell she was a little hurt, but there was no way in hell I was going to let anything come between us. She was the sister I’d never had. She was family. “Hell to the no!” I shouted. “I think we both need to put on our big girl panties and keep this thing from getting too weird. Our friendship means everything.”
“Sisters forever!” Joslyn held up her wine glass and we toasted like we’d done a million times. “To happiness and everlasting friendship,” she said with a compassionate smile.
“To happiness,” I repeated. “And everlasting friendship.”
****
The evening proving to be one of the strangest of my life, at 10:30, I walked downstairs to get some water. Jackson was standing at the patio door, staring outside.
“Jackson.” I burst into tears as I saw the look of the dire situation all over his face. His arms opened up, his expression full of grief as he pulled me against his chest. His body seemed to fall against mine, needing me, a feeling I sensed through my spine and down into my belly.
“I’m so sorry, baby,” I whispered, the grip he had around my body tightening as we stood, unmoving and silent for long minutes.
“Do you feel like talking about it?” I asked, easing out of his arms.
He stared at me, his glare far away and reserved. “Not really. This is all…” His voice waned into silence, his hands balling up into tight fists to match the tension in his body.
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