by L A Cotton
“What the hell are those?” Laughter bubbled up and I shook my head as her cheeks pinked.
“They’re socks. It’s cold.”
I extended my arm, beckoning her to me, and she stalked toward me. “They are not socks; you have a sheep on your feet.”
V and Otis’ laughter rang out around us, and I cursed, forgetting we had company. But that was how much she affected me—everything else paled in comparison whenever Ana was near.
“Sit, sit, Ana. Tuck in, honey. This food won’t eat itself.”
Ana took the seat next to me and loaded her plate with bacon and pancakes. “This looks amazing, thank you.”
“It was nothing. Jackson, honey, I need to run a basket over to Mrs. Gunnings. It’s her first year alone, and I don’t want her starving. You can take me after we get cleaned up?”
Yes, ma’am. I smiled, nodding, taking another mouthful of food.
“Can I help with anything, Velma?”
V made a disapproving clicking sound in her throat. “You will not. Ana, girl, you’re our guest.”
Ana ducked her head, blushing. She was so fucking cute, and I reached out and laid my hand on hers, squeezing gently. “You’ll be okay while I run V into town?”
Her eyes darted to Otis and back again. “Hmm, sure. I can shower and finish unpacking. I need to call Aunt Betsy, too.”
“I’ll keep her company. Don’t you worry, boy.” Otis huffed from his chair.
After we had finished breakfast, I led Ana back to our room, closing the door behind us. “I have something for you. Sit.”
Searching through my bag, my hand found the small blue box. I kneeled down in front of her and she gasped.
And then I realized.
“Shit. It’s not what you think.” My heart pounded in my chest, so hard I felt a little winded.
Ana smiled, shaking her head at me acting all crazy.
“Merry Christmas, Ana. I’m so glad you’re here with me.” I placed the box in her hand and closed her fingers around it.
Opening the box carefully, Ana’s eyes widened and I swear I saw a tear form.
“This… wow, this is too much.”
“Here, let me." I carefully picked out the silver ring and bent out Ana's middle finger, sliding the ring down. "See. Perfect."
She stared down at the ring, her eyes glistening. "It’s so beautiful, and it matches my bracelet."
It did. The plain band split into two separate coils, winding around each other and merging back into one on the other side. I had been in Portland running an errand for Uncle Marcus when I spotted in the window. It was perfect, infinite. Because this time I wasn't leaving her. This time we were in it together, and if I had my way, it would be for a long fucking time.
Jumping up like she was startled, Ana hurried to her bag. “I have something for you, too. I hope you like it.” Her voice trailed off. She was too cute, all flustered and embarrassed.
I moved to sit on the edge of the bed, welcoming her into my arms, pulling her down to perch on my knee. Her hands fumbled with the small bag as she rooted for its contents, and she handed me the small parcel wrapped in simple brown paper. My heart lodged in my throat. It wasn’t that I was unused to receiving gifts—Braiden, Briony, and Marcus flaunted their money all the time—but this was different. It could have contained a bag of Hershey’s for all I cared, but the fact that she had picked something out for me made me feel something deep down in my gut.
“Well, open it.” Ana smiled and I tore into the paper.
My eyes fell on the silver chain. And then widened. Attached to the chain were two dog tags inscribed with something. JMP, my initials were etched into the first tag, and on the second was the town’s crest. The winged leaf.
I could feel Ana’s eye on me, waiting for me to say something. But I was too choked up. It was like she had packaged up her absolute acceptance of me, of my history, and handed it to me on a silver platter.
My hands were trembling as I slipped the chain over my neck. I reached over, buried them in her hair, and brought her lips to mine. Ana moaned softly into my mouth as I held onto her tightly, trying to tell her how much this meant to me.
She broke away from me and palmed my cheek. “Is that your way of telling me that you like it?”
My lips curled up in a grin. “I don’t just like it, I fucking love it. You are amazing. You amaze me more and more every day, and I am completely in love with you, Savanah Parry. ”
~
I promised to run V into town before dinner, and after tearing myself away from Ana, we headed out. Ana promised that she was fine staying with Otis, and I knew the old man would take care of her. He adored her; I saw it every time he looked at her. But it didn’t surprise me. Ana had that about her. She didn’t want the attention or ask for it, but something about her drew you in, if you looked hard enough, past her cool exterior.
“I like that girl, Jax. You make sure you be treating her right.” V’s voice cut through the comfortable silence as I turned off the main road onto Mrs. Gunning’s street.
“Yes, ma’am. She’s amazing.” My free hand clutched the tags buried in my jacket. I’d never take them off. Ever.
V tutted, and I knew there was more to come. Knew it the minute she demanded I drive her into town.
“Are you going to explain what happened this last year? Why it’s only the second time we’re seeing Ana in a year? What happened over there?”
My hand left my chest and ran up over my head. “It’s a long story, and come on, do you really want to know so the old man back there can badger you for truth? What he doesn’t know can’t hurt him. How is he, anyway?”
I’d known for some time that Otis was sick. He hadn’t told me himself yet. V slipped it out a couple months back.
“Don’t go changing the subject. Otis is as tough as the best of them. I want to know about Ana. About what they did to get between the two of you. This old lady isn't stupid; don’t think I don’t know why you’ve been coming around less the last few months.”
V always knew when something was up. Even when I was younger, after Dad died, she would call me out on my bullshit. But she had been the best mom anyone who had lost their own mom and dad could wish for.
“Fine. You asked for it. Just don’t breathe a word to Otis. They threatened her, V. Said if I didn’t end things, Ana would be in danger. I couldn’t take that risk, so I walked away.”
The words filled the cab, thickening the air until it was hard to swallow. I risked glancing over at V. She sat unmoving, eyes narrowed in front of her, and said, “I see.”
“That’s it? No third degree?”
“Oh, I’m just getting started, boy, but we’re here.”
Relieved, I sunk back into the seat and I pulled into the driveway outside Mrs. Gunning’s.
“You wait here, I won’t be long.”
I nodded and watched V climb out of the car and pad up the icy path holding the basket of baked goods. Most people would have visited Christmas Eve or the day after Christmas, but not V. She had a good heart. But when she was wronged she could be a formidable woman…and there was little doubt that she would lose her shit when she knew the whole story about Ana and the Donohues.
Twenty minutes passed before the door opened and V tiptoed back down the path to the car.
“Start her up. It’s freezing out there.”
“Mrs. G okay?”
The car roared to life and I reversed out of the street.
“As well as anyone in her situation. She’s finding it hard to let go of Victor. And her family all moved out of state so she’s alone.”
“Well, it’s good she has you.”
V pursed her lips and forced a smile. Typical V; never satisfied with her efforts.
“So, where were we? Ahh, yes, you were going to tell me what that sorry excuse for a father and his son did to keep you from Ana?”
And…there she is.
“V,” my voice warned.
“J
ackson Michael Pierce, that girl waiting for you at home is one of a kind. She’s not one of these little hussies only after your money or good looks. She’s a good girl. I see it in her eyes. To think that they treated her like that…” Her voice was laced with bitterness. “…threatened her. It’s not right.”
Silence fell over us, and I could sense V’s hostility. It rolled off her in waves. I knew it wasn’t at me so much, but more at the life I’d fallen into. She rarely spoke out against the Donohues; I think she preferred to try to support me, and avoid riling up Otis, but she had a soft spot for Ana.
“I’m out.”
V’s head whipped around and I could feel her big old eyes staring right through me. “Out?” she choked out. “Like free o-of them?”
I gave her some time to digest things. Keeping my eyes on the road, waiting.
And then it came.
She gasped, clasping a hand over her mouth. “They didn’t just let you walk away, Marcus would nev-”
“He doesn’t know. Not yet. I think Braiden wants it that way.”
“Oh, honey, what will you do? And Ana? Sweet, sweet Ana. Does she know?”
I bobbed my head, my grip on the wheel tightening. Ana. It would always come back to Ana.
V muttered something to herself, and then said, “You can stay as long as you need to. Our home is yours, it always has been.”
Chapter 21
~ANA~
After finally getting Aunt Betsy off the phone, I went in search of Otis. Aunt Betsy had been pissed that I wasn't going home to spend Christmas with them, but after a summer of me living in my room for the whole time, I think she had finally accepted that Fort Pierce was no longer my home.
“Hmm, Otis, can I join you?” I asked from my position in the doorjamb, rubbing my clammy hands against my jeans.
Otis’ eyes flickered opened and he gurgled something. I didn’t like disturbing him; he’d fallen asleep in his chair pretty much the second Jackson and Velma left, but I needed to talk to him.
“Sure thing, come in.” He rubbed a hand over his tired eyes, shuffling straighter, eyeing me as I sat in the chair opposite from him and rubbed nervously at my wrist. Just feeling the smooth outline of the bracelet soothed me. “I’m not really sure how to ask this, but, hmm, I wanted to ask if, hmm, if—”
“Spit it out, girl.” He laughed, clearly amused by my discomfort.
Sucking in a long breath, I managed to find the words. “What do you think happened to Michael Pierce?”
Otis frowned, sitting forward a little. His mouth opened and then closed like a fish, and I could see he was hesitating.
“He died in an accident.”
I narrowed my eyes at him and something passed over his face. It was subtle but I saw it, the flash in his eyes. He wanted to say more. Maybe he just needed a little push.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I rushed out. "I've been digging up information on them, the Donohues. Nothing adds up about Michael's death. If it was just an accident, there would be police reports, an autopsy report, witnesses, something." I took a breath, letting my words sink in. Otis didn't give anything away, though. He just remained still and silent, watching me.
Frustrated, I continued. "There's nothing. Not one trace of evidence. It's like he was wiped off the face of the earth. Erased. Or covered up. I think—"
Otis' hand shot out, silencing me. "Miss Parry, think very carefully about what you say next. It might be something you can't ever take back."
It was too late. The seed was planted, and I wouldn't rest until I knew the truth. It was just the way I was wired. But I needed to hear Otis confirm it.
With a big breath, I said, "I don't think there was an accident at all. I think Marcus Donohue killed Jackson's dad because he found out that he wanted out." My breath was ragged, but I managed to get out. "He wanted out of that life and it got him killed."
Otis' eyes filled with unshed tears and I watched him age in front of me, like the weight of my words was a burden too much to shoulder.
"Miss Parry." He coughed, clearing his throat and I prepared myself for him to dismiss me. But as he scrubbed a hand over his jaw his eyes softened. "It was a couple of months before the accident and Mick came to me. I knew what he was involved with. I'd watched for years as he became more and more sucked into their world. And then Lucille died and it was like he had nothing tethering him to all that was good in this world."
Otis dabbled the corner of his eye, but I didn't flinch, too eager to hear the rest of the story.
The truth.
"Except Jax. But working for Donohue had its perks and Mick wanted Jax to have everything he never did. I tried telling him there were better ways. But he always was a stubborn ass.
“Anyhow, one day he came to me. I'd already noticed the cracks. Mick was starting to get tired of it all. And Marcus had taken a shining to Jax, favored him over his own. I think that was the final straw. He wanted something better for his son. He had it all planned out, their way out. Even had a house all picked out on the East Coast." Otis paused, lost in the memories.
"Wh-what happened?"
"Mick knew Donohue would never let him walk; you didn’t just up and walk out on Marcus Donohue. So, his plan was to run. Cut loose and head across the state. But a week before he was all set to do it, he went out running a job with Marcus and never came back."
It wasn't quite the confirmation I'd hoped for, but it was too much of a coincidence. Marcus Donohue must have discovered Michael's plan and killed him. But one thing still seemed unclear.
"Michael was his best friend. It doesn't make sense."
"Girl, someone like Marcus Donohue doesn't just let people walk away. Especially not his inner circle. People say they won't talk, but they always do. Even if they don't mean to.
“The moment Mick wanted out, he became a risk. And in Donohue's world, risks have to be exterminated."
A shudder ran through me. Otis made it all sound so normal. But it was crazy talk. Even though I had witnessed—even experienced firsthand—the sick minds of Braiden and Briony, I couldn't really imagining them killing Jackson. Extinguishing his life.
Panic surged up through me, clawing at my insides. "Otis, Jackson has no idea, does he? Does he know the lengths his family will go to protect their secrets? What if the same thing happens to him? Oh God, I couldn't—I can't, I can't even..." Tears stifled my words, and I gripped my bracelet, finding little solace in the smooth metal rubbing against my scarred skin.
"Now there, girl. Calm dow—"
"We're back." Velma's voice boomed through the small house and my eyes widened with horror. Jackson couldn't know about this. Not yet. Not until I knew what it all meant.
"This is between us, for now. Jax isn't ready to know," Otis whispered gruffly, nodding his head at me.
I nodded, gulping back more tears, rubbing my eyes frantically with the back of my sleeve.
"He didn't bore you with his stories too much, did he?" Jackson bounded into the room, dropping a kiss on my head before taking the seat next to me.
I ducked my head, trying to avoid looking at him. "He was just telling me about when you were a boy getting into all kinds of trouble." The slight tremor in my voice rang out in my head, and I shifted uncomfortably in the chair.
"I hope you didn't break out the albums, old man. No one needs to see me half-naked running around in just a diaper."
Otis let out a gruff laugh and Jackson joined him. I breathed a sigh of relief. If Jackson caught on to my mood, he wouldn't let it go, and I wasn't sure I could keep this secret if he asked.
"No time for sitting around. This dinner won't cook itself," Velma’s voice called from the kitchen.
Clasping his hands onto his knees, Otis rose from the chair and bellowed, "I'm coming, woman."
Jackson's hands entwined with mine and my body hummed, sinking back into the chair.
"I missed you."
"You were only gone an hour." I laughed, but it was strained,
and I hoped Jackson didn't notice.
He grunted something under his breath and twisted in the seat so that his body was turned to me. "Any time away from you is too long. In fact, I've been thinking..." His eyes were speaking to me, pulling me into their ocean. "Maybe I should stay with you more when we get back."
I blinked, and then blinked again. "Like move in? To my dorm? With me?"
His hand reached out for a loose strand of my hair and tucked it behind my ear, lingering near my cheek, his fingers barely brushing my skin. "Well, not move in. But yeah, maybe I should have some of my things there, and I’ll have to speak to student housing about getting a dorm room or something. I don't know what to expect when we get back. Things could be…things might turn to shit for a while. I'd feel better if you're not alone."
My mouth gaped and I tilted my head to the side. "I'm not alone, I have Elena."
I didn't know why I was fighting him on this; it was what I wanted—to see him more. To be closer to him. But I didn't want it under these circumstances when he was being forced to protect me.
As if he could hear my thoughts, he said, "Why are you fighting me on this? Elena rarely sleeps in the dorm and I thought you'd like having me all to yourself." His brow arched and my breath faltered as Jackson inched closer to my face, his eyes zeroing in on my lips, desire shining in his eyes.
“I do,” I murmured into his mouth as his lips slanted over mine.
Any thoughts of what awaited us back at Chastity Falls as I melted into Jackson’s kiss.
~
“I can’t believe it’s already time to leave.” My eyes swept over the house one more time, and I let Velma envelop me in a hug.
“Don’t be a stranger, and you keep safe, honey.” She squeezed tighter. “Stay safe.”
The sad tone of her voice sent shudders vibrating through me. Although we had avoided talking about the Donohues, I knew Jackson had probably filled them in on some of what was going on.
“Get over here, boy.” Otis threw his arms wide, wrapping Jackson into them. It was an amusing sight watching a frail old man hug a guy a foot taller and a whole lot wider than himself. “You look after Miss Parry…”
