The Jack & Jill Series

by Ann, Jewel E

  Anyway, he bet me that I wouldn’t be able to fight him off if he tried to fuck me. He didn’t say rape, but it was implied. I asked what I got if I won. He said he’d take me back home instead of finishing our last few days of ‘training,’ because I would have proven myself to him.”

  “What was in it for him?” Luke asked.

  Jessica locked her gaze to his. “He got to fuck me.”

  He drew in a slow breath.

  “After I agreed, he said there was just one stipulation … he wasn’t going to tell me when it would happen. That night I stayed up until three o’clock in the morning, standing guard over my virginity. He slept six feet away in a sleeping bag on the concrete floor. Eventually, I let go … I just couldn’t hold on any longer. I awoke to a tapping on my foot. He stood over me, completely naked. It was the first time I’d ever seen a grown man naked. I couldn’t move … I could barely breathe as he just stood there stroking himself. I’d been expecting him to come after me—clothed with wild eyes. But that wasn’t his game. He had a point to prove and it was that I was, in fact, young, weak, and naive. He asked if I was a virgin. I nodded. Then he said, “Run, bitch.”

  “Jess … you don’t have to tell me—”

  “I do.” She gave him a sad smile. “It’s time.”

  Luke nodded.

  “So I ran, or at least I tried. He grabbed my ankle, and I fell face-first onto the concrete. It bloodied my nose and busted open one of the cuts on my lip. He pressed his naked body to my back then reached between us to shove down my pants.”

  Luke watched her stare into the sunset, but not a single tear formed in her eyes. She looked drained of all emotion.

  “I was scared. I thought about my time waiting for Trigger to return and kill me, but not even then was I as scared as I was when Mick’s cock pressed to my ass. I got it … I really did. It’s a different type of fear, and looking back perhaps I can understand a little why Claire’s parents were so relieved that she hadn’t been raped. It meant she didn’t have that fear. It’s paralyzing, especially for someone who hadn’t ever experienced sex. As if the fear of the unknown mixed with the sheer weight of his body on mine wasn’t enough, he slid his finger over my clit. As he rubbed me off, he asked me how it felt to be so fucking weak. I couldn’t speak, let alone scream or beg for him to stop. It was this painful fear mixed with unwanted pleasure as I climaxed from his touch.”

  She took several big gulps of her wine then rubbed her lips together and looked at Luke. He didn’t want her to look at him. He didn’t want her to see the look of complete horror in his eyes.

  “He smeared my arousal back … all the way. Then he gave me one last out as he teased the head of his cock against my ass hole. He said, ‘tell me your friend died because you were too fucking weak to save her and this all ends right now.’”

  Luke clenched the arms of the chair, willing himself to not look away.

  Jessica shrugged. “But I’m my father’s daughter—stubborn to the point of my own demise. So I took a deep breath, braced myself, then I told him to go to hell.”

  “Jesus, Jessica …” Luke flinched. He couldn’t help it, even though he knew how it ended.

  There was no possible way to react as anyone but the man who loved her. Dr. Jones was nowhere to be found, and Luke couldn’t find any words that conveyed his … shock? Anger? Disappointment?

  She continued. “I don’t think our humanity is on some switch. I think it’s more like candles on a cake. It takes a lot to blow them all out at once. I know Mick blew a few out that morning, and I think it allowed enough of my soul to stay hidden in the shadows to allow me to kill Four a few weeks later.” She scrunched her nose. “Does that sound like an accurate assessment?”

  Luke didn’t have an accurate assessment. He didn’t have any assessment. “Did you tell anyone?”

  “No. That’s why I could somewhat relate to my student. He’d pleasured me and I felt angry, but I also felt guilty. But for me it was more than that. I made a deal with the Devil and I lost, but we shook on it. And even when he gave me the chance to stop it, I didn’t. So to this day I’m not sure how I feel about any of it.”

  “You were seventeen, Jessica. It’s not about the pleasure. It was at the very least statutory rape. Your first sexual experience was traumatic. Do you understand how much that itself may have affected your life?”

  She shook her head. “Not really. Every part of my life has been extreme. It’s been a world away from normal, even before what happened to Claire or any of my sexual experiences. The day Jude and I were enlisted into this “nonexistent” army of sorts was the day I became someone else. Jude was never raped, and he never watched his best friend die in front of him, but he’s far from normal. He’s a dysfunctional recluse who spends his evenings trolling for quick fucks then goes home to his stupid computer. How do you explain that?”

  “I don’t know enough about this “nonexistent” army, but as far as you and your brother are concerned, I think they stole your childhood innocence. I think you missed out on vital time in your teenage years. But they didn’t steal your humanity. That’s just a weak excuse for justifying immoral behavior.”

  Jessica frowned. His words may have carried an edge of accusation, but he didn’t regret them.

  “Come here.” He pulled her onto his lap and cradled her face. “That stubbornness that you admit to? I think it prevents you from seeing the whole picture of your past. I think you’d rather die than consider yourself a victim. All you see is the monster inside, but that monster is something you’ve created to protect yourself from the pain. I think that’s why you feel the need for revenge. You think it proves you’re a monster and no longer the victim.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “Monsters are strong … victims are weak.”

  “Oh, baby, that’s where you’re wrong. Monsters prey on others because they have no self-control … they’re the weak ones. And you’re not just a victim, Jess, you’re a survivor and there’s no one stronger than a survivor.”

  With one blink of her tear-filled eyes, she released a little more of that pain that she’d been holding onto for so long.

  “I did it to him too.” Her lip quivered as much as her voice.

  “Did what?”

  “I got my revenge and maybe…” she sniffed “…maybe you’re right. Because afterwards I didn’t feel like the victim anymore.”

  Luke wiped her tears. “What did you do?”

  “By ten the next morning Mick was being hauled out on a stretcher with a broken nose, two missing teeth, and a punctured lung from three fractured ribs. His biggest mistake has always been forgetting that he was only one of the men who trained me.”

  Luke gave her a slight nod of understanding. He didn’t want to condone the behavior that he just told her was so counterproductive to her progress, but Mick deserved everything she gave him and so much more.

  “What?” she asked as he continued to look at her, contemplating everything she’d just confessed.

  “The blood?”

  She nodded, brushing the pads of her fingers over her lips, a glassy look in her eyes. “Before they loaded Mick into the ambulance, he whispered, ‘Come here,’ through his weak breaths. I leaned down close to his face and he touched my lips with his bloodied finger. ‘Taste that?’ he asked. I slid the tip of my tongue over my bottom lip. ‘That’s power, sweetheart. And that power will keep you alive.’”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Knight

  “Dr. Jones?”

  Luke jerked from the strong ammonia infiltrating his nose.

  “Welcome back.”

  It took a moment to adjust to the light as everything came back into focus. He began to move his hand to rub the back of his head that pulsed with pain, but metal gripped his wrists. Then an aching burn flared along his shoulders, and he realized his hands were cuffed behind the chair.

  “I see the connection now between you and Ms. Day. You’re both stubborn, impulsive, and have
little regard for your well-being. It’s touching really.” Knox grinned from across the table, with the steam from a fresh cup of coffee spiraling into the air.

  “You raped her.”

  Knox’s smile faded. He motioned with his head and the three other men standing guard in the room exited.

  “You’re an educated man, Dr. Jones. I’m sure had you taken the time to remove your dick from the equation, you would have come to the only conclusion there is: Jessica Day is certifiably insane. She should have been committed. But you wanted to keep her as your little pet instead. You thought as long as you had her on a leash she wouldn’t be a threat to anyone.”

  Knox took a sip of his coffee then stood, pacing the room. “What do you know about her training and what we do here?”

  “I know you take innocent children and train them to be killers.”

  “Killers?” Knox laughed. “Is that what Ms. Day told you? Or is that your own assessment? Because the whole purpose of what we do is to prevent innocent people from being killed. That’s why you’re no longer with your beloved. The day her parents were murdered, her name moved to the top of a list. Do you know what list that was?”

  Luke glared at him.

  “It was the Next List. As in, she was next on the list to be killed. That’s where we came in to save her life.”

  “Witness Protection?”

  Knox smirked. “Sort of … but more efficient. Members of our group don’t have to jump through hoops and pray that a bullet doesn’t land in their head before they reach the end. We protect our own at all cost, no questions asked.”

  “Who killed her parents?”

  “Someone who realized her father was not who he claimed to be. People in the drug trafficking business tend to be a little unforgiving when they find out an undercover DEA agent has infiltrated their circle.”

  “If her parents were dead, why would they come after her?”

  “Now you’re asking me to think like a drug lord.” Knox shrugged, lighting up a cigar. “I suppose it’s like going to a buffet. Some people keep eating until they’re full, others keep going until they feel they’ve gotten their money’s worth. These kingpins always get their money’s worth, and they have ferocious appetites.”

  Luke grimaced as he tried to roll his shoulders.

  “Sorry, Dr. Jones. I’d let you go, but I can’t trust you, and I’m not sure how many more of your attacks my patience can tolerate without actually killing you. And your absence in this world would get back to Ms. Day and her unpredictability would most likely bring about the apocalypse. Now, if you don’t mind, it’s time to tell me what the two of you discussed at the hotel.”

  Luke shook his head. “Nothing.”

  “Nothing?” Knox laughed. “You just saw the woman whose grave you visit every Saturday morning with your mammoth dog and a to-go cup of Samovar tea, yet you expect me to believe you said nothing?”

  The metal cut into Luke’s wrists as he glowered at Knox.

  “Don’t give me that look. You’ve been the biggest waste of man hours, but you and that dumb dog of yours have had an angel looking out for you per Ms. Day’s request, or should I say per her threat.”

  “I said nothing. She said … thank you.” His words mirrored the defeat in his heart. The only thing worse than losing her once was losing her twice. He’d had closure, but he would never have it again. Every day would be filled with worry and the permanent heartache of knowing that she looked broken and miserable and there was nothing he could do.

  “Why did she say thank you if you didn’t say anything?”

  Luke’s lip twitched into the hint of a smile. “‘God gave you a gift of 84,600 seconds today. Have you used one of them to say thank you?’ William Arthur Ward,” he whispered.

  *

  Day

  “This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever done,” Luke declared.

  Jessica giggled. “Really? More than skinny dipping with your parents?”

  “That was insane. This is just ridiculous.”

  “I’d help, babe, but I have long, painted fingernails for the first time in nearly fifteen years and I don’t want to chip them.”

  “Dammit, Jones … hold still.” Luke grumbled as he stood and slipped off his jacket. “Hold this, I’m going to have dog hair all over my suit.”

  “Maybe I should see if your dad can help. He’s more patient with Jones than you are.”

  “There’s no time. Besides, they’ve already been ushered to their seats.”

  Jones tilted his head at Jessica and she blew him a kiss. Luke rolled his eyes.

  “He’s a black and white dog. I don’t see the point of dressing him in a goddamn black and white dog tuxedo.” Luke lay down under Jones like a mechanic under a car, to button up the custom made dog tuxedo.

  “Millie’s wearing a dress, so Jones has to wear a tux. Besides this is Kelly’s day and the bride gets whatever she wants.”

  “You mean it’s Gabe and Kelly’s day.”

  “Yeah, yeah that’s what I meant.”

  Luke rolled out from under Jones and lumbered to standing, brushing off his pants and re-tucking his shirt.

  “Thanks, man, for being such a fucking idiot.” Gabe came into the room and smacked Luke on the back just as he slid his arm into his black jacket. “‘I’m going to the rescue shelter to get Jess a dog. You should get one for Kelly.’ Dumbest. Idea. Ever. The church is filled to capacity and my bride-to-be is having a breakdown because her four-legged bridesmaid’s dress has shit on the back. Who the hell buys a dog a dress with a train on the back?”

  Jessica grimaced, backing up toward the door. “Sounds like I’d better help defuse the bride.”

  Luke gave her a pointed look.

  She shrugged. “Don’t give me that look. That’s why I had Jones’s tux made without tails.”

  He rolled his eyes as she shut the door behind her.

  “My apologies. Admittedly, the dogs were a moment of insanity. At least Millie fits in a kennel and doesn’t shit logs the size of Redwoods.”

  Jones tilted his head at Luke.

  “You know it’s true.” Luke narrowed his eyes at Jones.

  Gabe laughed. “How did you end up with a dog that’s bigger than your girlfriend?”

  Luke chuckled. “So are you nervous?”

  Gabe wiped his brow and showed Luke his sweaty fingers. “I’m scared shitless. Half of all marriages end in divorce. But I’m so fucking crazy about her and I want her to be mine in every way possible. I’m just as big a dog as Jones when it comes to her. I want to mark her—lay claim to her—so the whole world knows she’s mine and I’m so fucking protective of her it’s ludicrous.”

  “Please tell me those aren’t your wedding vows.”

  Gabe laughed. “You have no room to make fun, man. For the past two years I’ve watched you worship the ground Jessica walks on.”

  “Touché. Now get your ass to the altar.”

  *

  Millie the bulldog and her dress, minus the shat-on train, walked down the aisle with Jessica. Luke’s heart ached as he and Jones watched her move with elegance and breathtaking beauty—flowing black hair over her sun-kissed shoulders and a floor-length strapless, champagne dress. He absolutely worshiped everything about her.

  As if she could read his mind, her grin doubled when their eyes met. “I love you,” she mouthed. He pressed his hand to his heart. It was ready to burst. He wanted it to be him standing closest to the altar and her meeting him there to start their forever. Someday.

  There was a bride, some scripture, a poem, an exchange of vows, and a kiss, but all he saw was Jessica and all he heard was the beat of his heart. Gabe and Kelly walked down the aisle as husband and wife as the guests clapped and cheered. He and Jones met Jessica and Millie at the altar to walk out next.

  “I can’t breathe … you’re so beautiful,” he whispered in her ear as he offered his arm.

  “Luke …” she shook her head.

 
Jessica dabbed her eyes as they exited the church. He wasn’t trying to make her cry. It was just something that had to be said.

  Luke’s parents took the canines back to their house on the way to the reception lodge by the lake while Luke and Jessica drove the bride and groom in the GTO, tin cans, and a “Just Married” sign in the back window because Luke wouldn’t let them write anything on the actual window.

  “I’m driving home,” she whispered in his ear as he helped her out.

  “Ahem, enough canoodling, you two. Help me out of the back. I think my groom is lost in the sea of my dress.” Kelly laughed.

  Luke helped her out and sure enough, there was a groom buried under a million layers of chiffon and tulle.

  “That dress has got to go,” Gabe declared as he crawled out of the backseat.

  “Five hours, baby, and you can take it all off.” Kelly fisted his lapels and kissed him.

  “Enough canoodling, you two. Your guests await.”

  Kelly pushed away and elbowed Jessica with a grin as they made their way to the lodge. Toasts, dinner, cake, and dancing filled the late summer evening along the banks of Lake Tahoe. Luke stood on the sidelines with a cold beer, watching Jessica float around the room, throwing her head back in laughter as she talked with family and friends or danced like a young girl born of innocence and blooming with hope. Not another soul in the room would ever imagine that she carried a hundred lifetimes of pain inside those amber eyes.

  “Luke … dance with me!” She held out her hands from the edge of the dance floor.

  He grinned and waited a few seconds, needing to let that image of her find its perfect spot in his memory. Then he set his beer on the table and weaved his way through the crowd to those open arms.

  “I love you, babe.” She threw her arms around his neck as he lifted her off the ground, kissing her like they were the only two people in the room.