by Tigris Eden
“Neither can I. Can we just sleep now?”
Jackson ran his nose up the column of her neck.
“No baby, we can’t. They’ll find our cooked bodies inside this shed, and that’s not an image I want anyone to see. And put some damn panties on. If I could tell you were bare under there, so can everyone else.”
“No one saw, they didn’t get a chance, I walked out of the room, and you were all over me. But, yeah, I’ll go do that, if you let me.”
He’d try real hard.
Anna fell forward, face-first into his chest, then grumbled something he didn’t understand and slowly rose off his body. She grabbed her dress that was lying on the workbench and pulled it over her head.
“You know; I’m enjoying our time here.”
He was, too. They were finding new and interesting ways to connect.
“I know, baby. I’m glad. I think Ava is having a blast, too. I saw her playing with the water hose with some of the kids the other day. It’s good to see her playing and not worrying about getting in trouble for being dirty.”
“Yeah, well, scolding your child for being a child, is well…stupid.”
She was not wrong about that. Anna and Ava had become close, and as they got closer and closer to the wedding, it seemed their bond only grew stronger. The entire time they’d been at Bear’s, Vivian hadn’t called. Not even once. It was like she’d checked out permanently. She hadn’t even put up a fight when the lawyer contacted her about Treat keeping Ava for the duration of Anna and Jackson’s honeymoon. The woman wasn’t right in the head. Something was seriously off about her. She’d tried to contact him, but each time she did, and he answered, she’d start going on about them being a family, and he’d hang up.
He didn’t have time for her antics, and he’d told her as much.
Jackson was finally able to stand, but barely. Anna laughed at him and walked out of the shed the moment he had his pants zipped up. When they walked into the house, everyone looked their way. Joey smiled at Anna, Treat grunted, and little Ava sat in a chair next to Joey, holding Xavier.
“Daddy, you’re all wet, did you play in the water, too?
Anna tried—and failed—to hold in her laughter, while Joey coughed.
“Yeah, Ladybug, Daddy was playing in the water. How’s little Xavier?”
“Oh, Savior is doing just fine, Daddy. He’s sleeping now. Auntie Joey said when he wakes up, I can help her feed him.”
“That’s good, baby.” Jackson turned to Anna. “I’m gonna go jump in the shower.”
“All right, I’ll be up there in a minute.”
Damn that gold dress. He wanted inside her again. Jackson took the stairs two at a time and decided a cold shower was the best cure he could have for that dress. It was either that or he was going to steal Anna away, and this time, he’d take her to a hotel where he could love her properly. Hard and dirty.
Two Days Later
“I hear you’re looking for me,” the voice over the phone said in Jackson’s ear. He wasn’t going to answer it at first, but he was glad he had.
“Yeah, the information you gave me was taken.”
“Yeah, I heard about that. You’re not as bright as I thought you were, Jackson.”
This guy was seriously pushing his luck.
“I need more information. Something linking a known associate to Peretti and Fabiano.”
There was silence over the line for a long time before the man finally said something. But he wasn’t talking to Jackson, he was talking to someone in the background.
“Baby, we gotta do this, or things are always gonna be fucked.”
Baby?
Who the hell was this guy talking to?
“You there?” Jackson called.
“Yeah, I’m here. Look, I have something, or should I say someone, that can help. But it’s on her terms, and it’s whatever she wants. Deal?”
“I don’t make deals.”
He didn’t have that kind of authority.
“Then we can’t help you.”
“Wait…”
“You just said you don’t make deals.”
“And I don’t, but if you don’t want things to be fucked, let me help you. Let me help you, help her.”
“I’ll call you back. Wait by the phone.”
The line went dead, and Jackson cursed. He just needed one thing to go right. One motherfucking thing.
Until Her: Chapter 21
He hadn’t wanted Anna to meet Catcher or Dorian, but it couldn’t be avoided. They were all over at Bear’s in the backyard, the men out back, discussing the latest developments while Lo, Joey, Anna, and India were in the kitchen with Ava, making cupcakes and cookies.
“This fucker going to produce the evidence?”
“Yeah, he called late yesterday. He wants to meet somewhere off the beaten path. The thing is, we gotta get Morales to come down, too. I don’t think it will be a hardship,” Jackson said.
“Yeah, my brothers-in-law are going to throw Jackson here a bachelor party,” Bear told the group.
It wasn’t the greatest idea, but it was the only one they could come up with at such short notice. Oliver was flying in with Morales this evening, and tomorrow night, they were going over to Harry’s Juke Joint.
“Tiny will be there, and so will Harry. They’ve all been informed as much as they can be, and they’re all too willing to help us put this case to bed.”
“Who’s staying with the girls?” Treat asked.
“Catch has two guys on the house with Ryland; all of them will be here inside with the girls,” Jackson answered.
“Who? Anyone we know?”
“Wilson, and some guy named Riley. I’ve only worked with Wilson before, and that was when I was first starting out. He’s a decent guy. All of them are. They’ve all been vetted by Catch and Dorian.”
“Ryland won’t let anything happen to the girls, and neither will the other two knuckleheads. They’re good with kids, too, so it’s a plus. Both men are happily married. Wilson is expecting kid number five in three months,” Dorian said.
“Good, then they know what’s at stake.”
“Only reason I have them on the job. I’m hoping that Fabiano will follow Morales and not scope out the house.”
“I say we move the girls. Last thing we need is someone coming up in our neighborhood. Too many drive-bys in the past. Let’s not have history repeat itself,” Skrilla said as he took a pull from his Black & Mild cigar.
“We can always drop them back over at Lester’s. I think it may be better that way actually,” Bear said, looking for Jackson to back him up.
“I don’t agree,” Catch commented.
“How so?”
“Fabiano isn’t a shooter for one, and two, he doesn’t want to come in a neighborhood, making a scene where people can I.D him. If he comes in, it will be in the night, when we’re all here, and he thinks he’s caught us off guard.”
“Even worse,” Treat muttered. “Xavier’s here, I don’t want my son having that kind of stench soiling his life.”
“Then let’s make it to where he has no choice but to follow Morales,” Jackson tossed out. He wasn’t in total agreement with Treat, but he understood where the man was coming from. He wanted to protect Ava from this shit just as much as Treat did. But time was running out. Things were moving too fast, and another girl had gone missing just yesterday afternoon. Gaines’s boss was all over the case. The parents were threatening to go public. That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it wasn’t a good thing either. If they played their cards right, they could gather enough information from their informant and whoever he was bringing with him and possibly save the girl who’d gone missing. They knew the lay of the operation and how it worked, but after Inara had given up the details, Peretti had changed things up. This informant was holding the very lifeline they needed to get things done and done right.
“We will make Fabiano an offer he can’t refuse,” Catcher joked.
No one laughe
d.
Not even Jackson.
Catch had a wicked sense of humor, but right now wasn’t the time. No one was looking forward to tomorrow. It could go either way. Hit or miss. But he was hoping they’d hit this bitch out of the ballpark. Peretti needed to be locked up, Fabiano dealt with. Everyone was in play on this one, and only the Gaines brothers, Treat, Jackson, Bear, and his brothers-in-law were privy to what was really happening. Oliver had told his boss he was coming to Louisiana to gather some more intel on the case, and then soon after, he and Morales were going off to enjoy a night of debauchery at Jackson’s bachelor party.
“Y’all think you’re going to be the only ones partying it up tomorrow night?” Lola yelled from the back porch.
Everyone turned in her direction. Bear, her husband, did not look happy.
“Lola Mae Danvers, if you even think about doing what I think you think you’re thinking about doing, we’re gonna have a problem, girl.”
“And if you think I’m going to let some skank-ass dancer flap her snatch in your face, and have you come home smelling like stripper booty and baby powder, well, all I can say is… You better miss me with that shit, Pooh Bear.”
“Lola,” Bear growled, walking towards his wife. The guys all looked in Bear’s direction, and Jackson had to give it to the other man. He handled his woman. Made sure she stayed calm as much as anyone could keep Lola calm.
“Man, I have nothing but respect for that man. His woman is out of control.”
“I heard that!” Lola screeched from the back door.
“Shut up, Dorian,” Catch grumbled to his brother. “I do not want her coming over here and starting trouble. This is serious shit.”
“Yeah, fool, you don’t want my sister coming over here. She’s liable to haul off and slap you right in the face, and then I’d have to get involved, and as much as I think my sister deserves a beat down, it won’t happen while I’m around.”
Trill was serious.
Dead serious.
Catch just shook his head and grinned.
“If you didn’t have so many damn priors, I’d love to have you on my team.”
“I’m right where I need to be, bruh. Don’t want to work for a government that doesn’t give a care about my people. Cops killing kids and ain’t shit being done about it. Y’all are barely getting a taste of what life is like for the not-so-rich-or-well-off. We’ve been fighting this battle for a while. Men coming down here with offers for a better life. Hell, have you seen some of the houses on this block? Half of them would jump at the chance to be taken away with the promise of a big payload. They don’t think about the consequences of their actions. They don’t understand that nothing in this world comes without a price tag attached to it.”
“I don’t know about being rich and famous, but my family struggled, as well.” Dorian’s face is a mask of fury.
“Really,” Pookie said.
“Yeah, man, really. My father worked himself ragged. Two jobs, and still made time for us on the weekends. My mother cleaned houses and worked a double shift at the diner. I know all about struggle. The same people who you feel exploit you, exploited us, too.”
Now the conversation was going to a place that made Jackson uncomfortable. Not in a way that he couldn’t relate to because, honestly, he could, but it made him uncomfortable because he’d seen too many times when conversations like these led to misunderstandings, and those misunderstandings between men, ended up in a tussle.
“Well, your father was afforded the luxury of getting a job. My father was a good man, he wasn’t like what America has tried to paint us African American males. He tried to work, even took odd jobs here and there, but the color of his skin stopped him from doing that. You know, we have a saying down here… If you’re white, it’s all right.”
“What the hell does that even mean?” Catch said, placing his arms across his chest.
“It means,” Skrilla said, taking a step in front of Pookie, “that you basically have things handed to you. Or your boss or manager will turn the other cheek before accusing you, but they aren’t afraid to blame one of us, even if we weren’t in the office that day.”
“Bullshit,” Dorian said.
“Bullshit is right, which is why I’ll never go and work for the man. I own my place of business. No bills due, and did it the honest way. Was I a knucklehead? Yes. But I learned. We all did, and that’s what we try and teach the kids here in the neighborhood. We will not live up to their lowly expectations of us. Fuck them. I say who gets hired and fired in my establishment, and I’m fair about it. Skin don’t matter. I don’t see color, I see people.”
“It’s the same for us.”
“Yeah, okay, you say that. But you can’t really say that unless you witnessed it.”
“How about we just change the fucking subject?” Jackson suggested.
“Yeah, okay, Sheriff.” Trill said, cracking a grin.
Anna did not look happy at all. She was pissed. There was no mistaking it. Since their last conversation regarding the case, he’d promised open honesty. It wasn’t because she was being nosy, or mean about it, it was because she wanted to be better prepared.
“I don’t see how you going to Harry’s for a,”—she did air quotes—“bachelor party is going to make any difference at all, Jackson.”
“I don’t need shit happening in the neighborhood. Ava is here. Xavier.”
“I get that, but I don’t feel safe knowing you’re out there while I’m here.”
“Well, you can’t come with me.”
She threw her hands up in the air and was getting angrier by the second.
“God! Jackson, don’t you think I know that! I know I can’t go out there. I would distract you and be in the way. Allow me a moment to freak out. Shit could go bad. You could…” He watched as her eyes watered, and her throat worked. Her face was getting red. “What if something happens, and you don’t come back? There is no Anna without Jackson. I came back for you.”
“You came back for me?”
“Yeah, I came back for you.”
“How do you figure?”
“Never mind. Forget I even said anything.”
Well, that wouldn’t work.
“You can’t say shit like that and not think I don’t want to know more.”
Jackson tried pulling her into a hug. He wanted to comfort her. He never had to be concerned about someone worrying about him. He knew his family worried, but for Anna, it was different. She depended on him, just like he depended on her. She was right. Without her, there was no him.
“Baby, come here. Let me hold you.”
“No, I can’t handle you touching me right now. I won’t let you go if you do.”
“Anna, baby, you’re being crazy.”
“No,” she said sternly. “You’re being crazy.”
“Baby, everything is going to work out fine. No casualties, no injuries. Easy in, easy out. We’re just getting some information.”
“That’s what you say, but then you leave men behind to watch over the house. I find out you had someone following me all along when you weren’t around, and…” She huffed out a breath.
“Yes?” Jackson said with a singsong voice.
“Yes? Yes? Is that what you have to say after everything I just laid out for you?”
“Okay, Anna, what do you want me to say? That tonight could potentially be dangerous for everyone involved? But Oliver and I, along with his brothers, your cousin’s man, and your three hardheaded cousins, are going to do everything in our power to ensure we make it back unscathed and in one peace.”
“You bet your ass you will.”
She was starting to hyperventilate, and he didn’t want her to get too excited. It wasn’t necessary. They had everything planned right down to the last letter. Oliver had already texted to tell him they were en route to Harry’s. Oliver had checked them into the hotel late yesterday, and had taken Morales on a wild goose chase for most of the afternoon. They’d gone
over everything a million times. It was going to be fine. He just needed her to see that. Trust his ability to do what needed to be done.
“Baby, I need you to come to me and give me a hug. Let me help calm you down.”
“I don’t want to be calm. I want assurances, Jackson. Promise me you’ll come back?”
“Yeah, baby, promise.”
“Fine.”
“That’s it, just fine?” he asked.
“Yup, that’s all you’re getting. I’m not going to you, I’m not gonna hug you because I need to make sure you miss me like crazy so you do come home.”
“That makes no sense, but I’ll let you have that if it makes you feel better.”
“It will.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
Harry’s was closed for Jackson’s bachelor party, which really wasn’t a bachelor party at all. But rather a means to an end. He wanted the case closed, and he wanted it done yesterday. Bear had been able to provide the entertainment by way of two undercover cops posing as dancers. They were dressed for the most part but were walking around in silk robes that wouldn’t come off. Unless, of course, they had to pull their weapons. Their informant was due to arrive right after Oliver and Morales showed up. Jackson hoped it would be the perfect setup.
“I would have given you a real bachelor party if you’d asked,” Treat said conversationally. He knew his brother-in-law was trying to make light of their situation, but there was nothing light about it. A trusted member of their inner circle had tried to have him killed, and they’d extended the branch of destruction towards his Anna. Unacceptable. He’d trusted Morales with his life. Apparently, too much. They’d even been bunkmates during the academy. What could have turned Morales against him? Against his duty? Jackson wasn’t sure… Temptation was all around and came in the form of opportunity often. But Jackson never once thought to succumb to it. He knew the system didn’t always work. There were men in his department that often spoke of going off-grid and doing their own thing, meting out their own form of justice to those who deserved it? But never once had they followed through with it. Well, you can’t know that for sure. That was true. Peretti had a lot of people in high places in his pocket.
