Stone: The Ties that Bind (The Forbidden Love Series Book 4)

by Angel Rose

  “So, are you proud of your Uncle Jacks?”

  “I am.”

  “Good. I want to be in your life Alyssa.”

  “I want you to be in your life, too.”

  He grabbed my hand.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t’ know what happened, uncle Jacks.” A slow grin formed on his lips.

  “I was a terrible person Alyssa. Gen changed all of that. I’m not the man I was before.”

  He kissed my forehead and I blushed. I was embarrassed but it actually felt okay.

  The dinner party ended and I was full of lavish desserts and champagne. I could barely breathe. We called an Uber and headed straight home. Gen looked a little light headed. She giggled alot but I think she was just high on love. Daniel was drunk and was talking a mile a minute with Jackson. Momma and grandma were silent. Momma stared out the window, pensive as usual. I had wondered what she was thinking. It broke my heart to see her so sad.

  We arrived at Jackson’s apartment building. We walked into the building and I waved at the doorman as he held the door open for us. This was luxury living. We waited for the elevator to arrive. I watched as the numbers blinked as the elevator came down. Daniel kept on talking and talking to Jackson. I was eager to get upstairs to look at the blueprint of the loft. I was so excited we were moving. Manhattan was a whole new world. I was grateful to Jackson for what he had done for us and I hoped that we would all finally be happy.

  Chapter 30

  Jackson

  I opened my eyes and woke up to the most beautiful woman who was snuggled underneath my arm. Gen, my wife to be. I couldn’t believe I got up enough nerve to ask her to marry me. Damn, I loved her. Her beautiful black hair covered her breasts. I moved her hair away and stared at the angel by my side. I couldn’t help but want to devour her again and again, but I knew I couldn’t with all of them in the apartment. Today that would all change. We were going to the loft to get them settle in. Gen and I would finally be alone and Madison and her family would finally be at peace. A knock on my bedroom door startled me. I lifted my arm and gen moaned.

  “No, don’t leave me.” She whispered.

  I grabbed my pajama pants that laid on the floor near the bed. A reminder of a night filled with love and passion.

  “I’ll be right there.” I shouted.

  Gen sat on the bed.

  “I’ll get dressed and make breakfast for everyone.” She smiled.

  I opened the door. It was Annette.

  “Morning Annette. Everything okay?” I asked.

  “Yes, I was wondering if you had fresh linens. We’d like to change the sheets.” She said.

  I walked to the linen closet and gave Annette some fresh linens when my cell phone rang. Gen walked out of the room.

  “Baby, can you get that for me? It’s on the kitchen counter.”

  Gen walked over and grabbed the phone from the counter.

  “Hello?” she asked. “Yes, one moment.”

  She walked over to me and handed me the phone.

  “It’s someone named Vincent.”

  I grabbed the phone from her.

  “Vincent, how are you?”

  “It’s special agent Vincent McGuire.”

  “Yes, I know. How can I help you?”

  “I’ve received clearance from the department for Madison to meet Mr. McGuiness.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked nervously.

  “Yes. It’s been set up for this afternoon at one.”

  My heart began to race against my chest. I didn’t know if this was a trap to kill Madison. I knew Jacob was dead but I also knew he had tons of friends who admired him and were very displeased with his death.

  “I’ll be accompanying Madison.”

  “That’s fine Agent Turner. You’re more than welcomed to escort Madison.”

  I hung up the phone and turned around to walk into the living room. Madison looked exceptionally beautiful today. Her hair was done and her gray blue eyes were gleaming.

  “Morning,” I said.

  “Morning,” she said softly.

  “You look different this morning.”

  “Do i?” she giggled.

  “Yes, vibrant and beautiful.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m not hitting on you. You just…”

  “I had a dream.”

  “I guess it was a great one.”

  “It was. I felt like Stone came back to me last night. I haven’t had a dream with him in years. Last night, he came to me.”

  I swallowed hard. I was hoping and praying this wasn’t a trap and Stone was going to be waiting for her when we got there.

  “We have to go to the court house today.”

  “Really? Why?”

  “Some unfinished paperwork. Then, we can go to the new loft. They’re waiting for us to pick out new colors for the wall.”

  “Daniel and Alyssa are going to be excited. I can’t thank you enough. I’m glad they are going to start a new life…with you.” She hugged me and I didn’t know what to do.

  I wrapped my arms around her slowly, then held her in my arms for a moment.

  “Hey, go get dressed so we can go to court and get back right away. Annette and Gen can stay with Daniel and Alyssa.”

  “Sure.”

  “Where something nice.”

  “I don’t have anything nice.”

  “What you wore yesterday. That was very pretty.”

  “Do you think that’s appropriate?” she asked.

  “Well, I don’t think it’s inappropriate? Just wear a sweater over it.” I added.

  “Okay. I’ll start getting ready.”

  I tried to make her feel like she had nothing to worry about. I didn’t know if she was getting dressed up to meet the love of her life or getting dressed for her funeral. I knew I had no choice but to take her to the disclosed location. They would find me and kill everyone I loved. If this was a trap, we would both die and I was prepared to die for Gen and Alyssa and I knew Madison was prepared to die for her children.

  Gen made brunch and as each passing hour slowly crept by, I became anxious and uneasy. We all sat at the table, ate and spoke about the loft and how Alyssa was going to decorate her room. I’ve never seen her so smile so much. I knew she had nothing to be happy about, she had been through so much. I was happy to see all of us sitting together and happy for once.

  *****

  It was time for us to leave. My hands were clammy. Gen knew there was something wrong.

  “What is it Jacks?” she stared into my eyes.

  “I love you, you know that right?”

  “Yes, of course, what is it? What’s wrong?”

  “I want you to text me at exactly two o’clock. If I don’t text you back, you know something is wrong.”

  “Jacks, you’re scaring me.”

  “It’s all part of the job, baby.”

  “Come back to me, jacks. I need you. I love you.” She blinked and a tear fell from her eye.

  “I promise you. I’m coming home baby. I’m coming home.”

  Madison walked out of the bedroom. She looked beautiful. She was a woman now. Not a nineteen year old girl anymore.

  “Hey, ready?”

  “Yeah, let’s get this over with. Alyssa is bugging me to get home right away.”

  I put on my suit jacket and grabbed my wallet. Gen walked over to me.

  “I’m worried. I won’t rest until your home with me.” She whispered.

  “Keep the bed warm and keep Alyssa from driving everyone crazy.” I chuckled. “I love you, gen.”

  “I love you, Jacks.” She whispered and kissed me on the lips.

  I grabbed her by the waist and held her tight. I kissed her passionately until I heard Madison clear her throat.

  “I think we need to leave?” she smiled.

  “See you later Madison.” Gen said.

  We walked out of the Apartment and headed towards the disclosed location that was sent to my
email address. A black car with tinted windows pulled up in front of us. The window slid down and the driver appeared.

  “Agent turner?” he said.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m here to take you to the location.” He shouted.

  “Yes, of course you are.” I hesitated for a moment but then I opened the door for Madison and she stepped in.

  “What’s going on, Jacks?” she asked nervously.

  I grabbed her hand.

  “Nothing to worry about.”

  The driver drove and Madison held my hand throughout the entire ride.

  “Annette is leaving today. I hope we get back in time.” She said anxiously.

  “Oh I’m sure we’ll be home in no time.”

  “Good. We don’t get to see her much. I like it when she’s around. She looks so much like Stone.”

  “You really loved him, didn’t you?”

  She smiled.

  “I still love him.”

  We drove for what like seemed hours. The driver finally pulled up to a house near the Dutchess county airport. It was a small home, secluded, the only one on the road near the airport.

  “We’re here Agent Turner.”

  I stepped out of the car and opened Madison’s door. I wasn’t familiar with my surroundings. I perused the area. I had to get a feel of where we were going to run in case we needed to, if we had the opportunity to.

  “Ah, Agent Turner. Nice to see you again. You must be Madison.” Vincent said turning to Madison.

  “Hello.” She said apprehensively.

  “Come on in.”

  We walked in to the small house. There was hardly any furniture and the living room was the only place furnished.

  “Please have a seat here. I’ll be right back.” Vincent said.

  “Jacks, I thought we had a court appearance?”

  “I thought so, too. I didn’t think it was so informal. We are definitely overdressed for the occasion.”

  I stood up and paced back and forth in the living room with one hand in my pocket and the other with my hand on my holster. I was getting anxious. I didn’t know what was going to happen. I heard footsteps and turned towards the door. It was Vincent.

  “Madison,” He said. “I don’t want to scare you.”

  “What is it? Are the kids okay?” she said popping up from her seat when another man appeared in the doorway.

  She heard music playing in the background, A Thousand Years by Christina Perri. She stopped and glanced over at the door. Her pink cheeks were drained of their color. She covered her mouth with her hands. Stone walked in wearing a dark blue suit, light blue shirt and a black tie. His hands were at his sides. He held a bouquet of red roses in his hand. Madison took a step back. He stood in the doorway staring at Madison. He didn’t say a word. His lips parted slightly. He seemed as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t.

  “Stone?” she whispered.

  I swallowed hard.

  “Maddie?” he replied.

  “Stone?” she walked towards him.

  She reached out to touch him with her hand and he touched the tips of her fingers lightly.

  “Maddie, Maddie…” he said handing her the roses. She grabbed them and stared at him. He cupped her face in his hands. “Maddie, my beautiful Maddie.”

  “How?” the tears fell from her from her gray blue eyes. “You died in my arms.” She cried.

  She grabbed his hands from her face and placed them to his sides.

  “Stone? Is it really you?” she whispered nervously. Her hands began to tremble.

  “It’s me Maddie. It’s me.” He said grabbing her hands and kissing her fingertips.

  “I’m afraid. I’m afraid. This can’t be.” She said as she turned to me. “Jacks” she reached out for me.

  I ran towards her.

  “Jacks, is this true?” she whispered.

  “Madison, it’s Stone. He’s alive and well.” She shook her head and placed her face against my chest.

  “This is too much for her.” Stone said softly. “It’s too much for me.”

  “Why didn’t you contact me?” she cried into my chest.

  “I couldn’t. I couldn’t reach out to anyone. I was in protective custody. The witness protection program. They had to protect me. They had to protect us.”

  “My God…I’ve suffered so much. How can you be here?” she shrieked. “Oh my God! Oh my God!” she cried.

  “Maddie, Maddie, It’s okay. Everything is going to be okay.” Stone walked towards us. He grabbed Madison from me.

  “Maddie…It’s me, remember. I’ve loved you since you were eleven years old and I was thirteen going on fourteen. It’s me Maddie.” He held her in her arms and she wept against his chest.

  “I’ve missed you so much.” She cried.

  “I’ve been away from you for such a long time. I knew you were alive. I knew someday I would see you again.” He let her go and walked over to a box on the table and opened it. “I wrote one letter a month. One letter to you. One letter to Daniel and One letter to Alyssa every month for the last five years. All about my life without you and how much I missed you. But, I knew this day would come, Maddie. They had to make sure none of us were in danger. I waited for you Maddie. I waited for you. I would’ve waited a thousand years…” His tears spilled over onto his cheeks. He lifted her chin and stared into her eyes.

  I wanted to leave them alone. I began to walk away when Madison grabbed my hand.

  “No, don’t leave us.” She pleaded.

  “Maddie, Jackson tried to kill you. do you trust him?” Stone asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Madison, I think I should leave you two alone.” I said.

  “We have all the time in the world to be alone, now. Please don’t leave me.” She begged.

  “Maddie, the kids. How are they? How’s my little Frankenstein?” Stone asked frantically.

  “She’s nineteen and Daniel is twenty-two. He graduates from college this year.”

  He cupped her face in his hands and stared into her eyes.

  “Maddie, kiss me… please?” He pleaded.

  Madison looked up at him; analyzed his face and slid her fingertips across his lips. She looked at him as if he wasn’t real. Her eyes squinted as if she were seeing things. She grabbed his face gently with her hands and kissed his lips. She closed her eyes as the tears pushed through her eyelashes. I nearly cried myself just looking at them when my cell phone vibrated in my suit jacket. I glanced at the time on the phone. It was two o’clock.

  Are you coming home to me, Jacks?

  It was a text message from Gen.

  You’re damn right I am.

  I replied.

  I love you Jacks.

  “I love you so much, Stone” I heard Madison whisper.

  “I love you, Maddie. I’ve always loved you.” Stone said kissing her again.

  The two agents walked in.

  “Mr. McGuiness, these are your papers to be released from the witness protection program.” He handed the paperwork to Stone.

  “Will he be able to go home with me?” Madison asked as Stone signed the papers.

  “Yes. It’s over Madison. You’re not in danger anymore. Neither is Stone. Thank God you were still planning to kill Madison and recover Alyssa, right Jacks?” Vincent chuckled.

  “That’s not funny. Those were my plans, but…it was the wrong thing to do. I realize that now. But, you’re right, if I didn’t start asking for birth certificates, none of this would’ve happened.”

  “It’s a shame about Jacob. Who would’ve thought he was such a crooked agent and a sick fuck.”

  “He was my best friend Vincent.”

  “He was a serial killer, Jackson.”

  “I’m not having this discussion with you. You didn’t know him.” I barked.

  “I did know him. We worked undercover. The same time he met Madison’s mother.”

  “I think we’re done here.” I said through gritted teeth.
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  “Well, you can all go home now.” Vincent shook my hand.

  “Thanks.” I said as I left his hand in the air and walked away from him.

  “You’re welcome. I think.”

  Madison, Stone and I walked out of the small house near the airport.

  “Are you ready, Sir?” The driver asked.

  “Yes, we are.” I motioned with my hand for Stone and Madison to get into the car.

  They sat next to each other and held hands.

  “I found something out Maddie.” Stone said.

  “What?” she asked.

  “My last name is McGuiness and I met my real father. I look like him Maddie. He was in a federal prison for a couple of years because of Andrew, now he’s out. He wants to meet you.” He smiled.

  “I’m so happy for you, Tiny.” She giggled.

  “Wow…I haven’t heard that name in years.” He chuckled.

  “I met my father too. He tried to kill me.”

  “What?”

  “He killed Mel and Jordania. He tried to kill Alyssa.” she whispered.

  “Alyssa?” he said angrily. “Jordania? Who the hell is Jordania?”

  “The woman Andrew was with when he was with me.”

  “And Mel? Your grandmother? What are you talking about, Maddie?”

  “This last month was the worst Stone.” She gasped for air. “I killed my father. I shot him right in the head.” She busted out in tears and held her hand over her mouth. “I killed my own father.” She whispered.

  “Maddie, there had to be a reason. I know you. If you had to, you had to. You had no choice.” Stone wrapped his arms around her. “I don’t care who you had to kill to protect yourself and the kids. It doesn’t change who you are, Maddie. We’ve had nothing but heartache growing up, we can put all of that behind us now.”

  “I can’t imagine what you’ve gone through, Stone.” She dried her tears with her hands.

  “Maddie, it doesn’t matter. I love you, that’s all that matters.” They held each other tightly. “We’re together. We’re a family. We can have children now. We can raise the kids, together. I love you Maddie. I love you.” He kissed her passionately and she melted right into him. I turned my face away from them. The scene was straight out of a romance novel.

  I remembered when they were young. I was sad to see them like this after so many years. Madison was Alyssa’s age and Stone was Daniel’s age when I met them. I didn’t know what to expect when we returned to the apartment. Daniel, Alyssa and Annette are in for the biggest surprise of their lives.