Tribulation and Truths

by L A Cotton

  Briony.

  I knew it. She might not have been the one firing the gun, but she was the one loading the barrel.

  Like a veil lifting, everything slotted into place. Mari had been acting weird for all these weeks because she was Briony's puppet. The texts, the party, the photos, all part of Briony's elaborate plan to drive Jackson and me apart. But instead of coming at us directly, she'd infiltrated one of us.

  “What does she have on you?”

  Mari blinked away the tears in her eyes, shock registering on her face, but it didn’t take a genius to work out she’d been blackmailed

  “She saw me with my ex.”

  This was news to me; I didn't even know Mari had an ex.

  “Joe, he, hmm, he kissed me. I kissed him back. We kissed,” she rushed out the tears coming harder. “Please, don't tell Paul. You can't tell Paul; he would never forgive me.”

  “You did all of this because of one kiss?” I asked unable to comprehend what she was telling me. “I got hurt, Mari. Lewis tried to hurt me.”

  “He... it wasn't supposed to go that far. He was just supposed to make Jackson jealous.”

  “And the photos?”

  “Briony sent them to me; I was just to forward them on to you. I am so sorry, Ana. You have to believe me.”

  “Is this why you’ve been drinking a lot?”

  Mari sniffled as she nodded her head up and down. I moved to the bed and perched on the end, trying to make sense of everything. I thought Briony had backed away after the dinner with her and Marcus; I thought I’d finally put her in her place. But obviously the bitch was crazy and had no desire to let me and Jackson live our lives.

  I could just imagine how smug she felt now. After everything.

  “Why are you telling me all of this now?” I glared at Mari.

  “It’s been eating me up, and since, well, you know, since you aren’t with Jackson anymore, her efforts to keep you apart are wasted.”

  “Get out.” The words came out cold and definitive.

  “Ana, please, I’m sor-”

  “Leave. Get out. Just go, Mari.” I glared at her, the betrayal I felt burning in my eyes.

  Mari sobbed again before turning and fleeing from the dorm room, slamming the door shut behind her.

  I didn’t know what hurt worse; that Mari had been my mystery texter… or that Briony was probably walking around thinking she had finally won.

  ~

  Two days later, after spending the evening at Tyson’s house with Elena, him, and the rest of the guys, I left to head back to the dorm. Elena had insisted I get out, especially since Mari’s admission. Everyone was surprised to say the least, but no one was as shocked—and embarrassed—as Paul. The barrage of texts and missed calls I received from him after Mari left went unanswered, even though I knew I would have to face him eventually.

  That day came quicker than I wanted. The morning after, I left the dorm to find a sullen looking Paul lying in wait. He’d wrapped me into a huge bear hug and apologized over and over. As soon as Mari told him the truth, he had called things off and hadn’t seen her since. Part of me, a very tiny part, felt sorry for Mari. The girl was clearly insecure and Briony had manipulated her, but I was too jaded to try to understand her motives.

  Walking along the sidewalk, I watched the people around me. Couples strolling hand in hand, friends huddled together sharing their day with one another, guys goofing around. Lately, watching others was all I did. It was a distraction. I could make up their stories; pretend I knew what they laughed about and whispered to one another. If my mind was busy imagining their lives, then it focused less on my own. There was less room to think about him.

  Refusing to go there, I picked out a couple seated on one of the benches lining the sidewalk. The guy’s arm hung protectively around her neck as she leaned into him. They were laughing about something, happiness radiating from them, creating a bubble around them. So lost in them, I didn’t notice the red blur heading straight for me.

  Briony slammed straight into me, knocking the wind out of me. “Watch it, bitch.”

  “Fuck you, Briony,” I seethed. Just because she thought she had the upper hand didn’t mean I was going to cower in her presence. Briony Donohue didn’t scare me anymore—I’d survived far worse, and where she was concerned, I had nothing left to lose.

  “I’m surprised you’re not off cutting yourself up after recent events. The sad pathetic girl no one wants.”

  An explosion of emotions rushed through me, and I felt my cheeks heat as I replied in a shaky voice. “You know nothing about me.”

  “Wrong. I know the important things. Like how Jackson finally realized what a damaged weak little bitch you really are. Took him a while, but he’s back home where he belongs… with me.” Briony’s eyes narrowed at me, hatred rolling off her.

  Refusing to let her intimidate me, I stood tall and rolled back my shoulders. “He might be home, but he’ll never want you. Jackson has more class than that. He isn’t attracted to psycho bitches.”

  Briony was on me before I could move. Her fingernails clawed at my face and my cheek burned with pain.

  “You fucking bitch, who the fuck do you think you are?” she yelled maniacally while pulling fistfuls of my hair and trying to pull me to the ground. “I hate you, I hate you!”

  “Get the hell off me,” I shrieked trying to hook my fingers into her arm enough to yank myself free or, at least, shrug her off.

  “You ruined everything, everything.”

  I managed to buck her off me a little, enough to pull my arm back and send it flying into her face. Heat exploded across my palm where it had connected with Briony’s face, and she shrieked, tightening her hold on me.

  “I’ll fucking kill yo-”

  “Get the fuck off her,” a voice boomed, and relief swept through me as Elena and Tyson ran up to us and attempted to tear Briony away from me.

  “I will fucking kill you for touching my girl.” Elena’s hand came between me and Briony, scratching and grabbing. Briony screamed and loosened her hold on me allowing Tyson to hook his arm around her waist and hoist her off me.

  “You, don’t move.” He held Briony back as she fought against his strength, kicking and screaming like a crazy person. Elena wasn’t much better, trying to slap Briony across Tyson’s arm. Nate rushed in to help Tyson, and Lydia wrapped her arm around me, pulling me away from the fracas.

  We had gathered quite the crowd, and students stood gawking at the scene unfolding in front of them. I’d always just been the quiet girl who liked to keep to herself. Even when I was by Jackson’s side, I still preferred the sidelines to the spotlight. Now I was the girl everyone felt sorry for, and I hated it.

  I hated it all.

  ~

  “Dios mio, chica, has anyone ever told you that trouble follows you around like a bad smell?”

  I smiled weakly at Elena’s attempt to be funny and shrugged, wincing as Lydia cleaned the claw marks marring my face.

  “She really did a number on your cheek.”

  “Crazy bitch, you should have let me take her.” Elena scowled at Tyson as he leaned against the doorjamb, arms folded over his solid chest.

  “You got a couple of good hits in, baby.”

  Elena tipped her head in the air and muttered, “Damn right, I did.”

  “There, all done. You’ll be as good as new in no time.” Lydia collected up the cotton balls and leftover gauze in the bowl she’d used to clean my face.

  “Thanks.”

  “You want me to stay here tonight?” Elena nudged me, but I had checked out. I just wanted to sleep.

  “No, I just want to sleep.”

  “Okay.” Elena wrapped her arm around my neck and laid her head on my shoulder. “We’ll go and let you be, but if you need anything, anything at all, call, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  I waved my friends out and changed into my pajamas. It wasn’t even dark out yet, but I just wanted the day to be over. As I ex
ited the small bathroom, there was a quiet knock on the door. Assuming it was Elena back to force her company on me for the night, I moved to the door to open it.

  “Hey, I heard what happened.” Cassie half smiled at me.

  “Yeah. You missed out on all the fun.”

  “Can I come in?”

  I looked down at my pajamas. “I was just going to bed.”

  Cassie’s hand reached out for mine, and she squeezed it gently. “Please, I won’t be long.”

  I nodded and let her in. It was awkward. Cassie had been avoiding me, and I’d been avoiding having this conversation with her, especially since the semester started back. But it didn’t take a genius to work out she wasn’t here to extend her condolences over Briony’s attack, and from the sadness in her eyes, I guessed she wasn’t here to revel in her new relationship either.

  “How did you do it?”

  “Do what?” I asked confused.

  “The secrets, lies, all of it?”

  “Oh, that. I didn’t have a choice, I guess.”

  Cassie grabbed a cushion off the bed and dropped to the floor, crossing her legs in front of her and hugging the pillow to her. “Didn’t have a choice?”

  “Jackson was it for me; I knew that pretty early on.” I swallowed the thick lump forming at the back of my throat. “Even when I found out who he was, I didn’t want to walk away. How he made me feel, after everything I’d been through, was more important than who he or his family was.”

  “But you got hurt.” It came out a statement although I knew what she was asking.

  “I can’t explain it, but when you meet the right person, you’ll just know, and nothing or no one will keep you apart.”

  “I’m in love with him.”

  “I know.”

  My friend’s eyes widened and she sputtered, “What? How?”

  “Because I know you, and I know you wouldn’t be involved with someone like Dennis unless it was serious.”

  “What do I do?”

  I sighed deeply. “I can’t tell you that. Relationships are personal, Cass, but if you look into your future and see Dennis then don’t just give up on that. Fight for it and never let go.”

  “And if we want different things? If we’re too different?”

  I looked at Cassie, seeing myself in her eyes two and a half years ago, when I’d met a guy who breathed life back into me. Who made me want to love again. A guy who stole my heart so completely that I knew I would never be the same.

  And it all started with Shakespeare.

  “The course of true love never did run smooth.”

  I said the words to Cassie, but deep down, I knew they were meant for myself.

  Chapter 30

  ~ JACKSON ~

  The four-wheel drive navigated the dirt track with ease and soon the cabin appeared in the shadows up ahead. Marcus leaned forward slightly, straining to see in the dusk’s light. I knew when he’d found what he was looking for because his whole body stiffened.

  “The meet is here?” he asked confused.

  “Yeah, O’Connor said his guy wanted somewhere discreet. Gave me coordinates to this place.”

  “We could have done it somewhere a little more comfortable.” Marcus loosened his collar, and I knew that if I could get a look at his forehead there would have been beads of moisture rolling down his skin.

  He was nervous.

  And all I could think was revenge is sweet.

  “That must be him,” I said, pointing to the figure standing just to the side of the steps leading up to the cabin’s door.

  The Jeep came to a halt and I switched off the engine. Marcus had slipped back into his cool façade and climbed out and around the vehicle.

  “Who’s there?” the figure called out.

  “It’s Pierce.”

  “You’re O’Connor’s guy?” Denny Raine stepped forward illuminating his face.

  If Marcus was shocked, he didn’t show it. His poised face gave nothing away.

  “Raine, Marcus Donohue. Marcus, Denny Raine, the guy O’Connor told us about.”

  Marcus extended his hand, but Raine faltered, clearly taken aback at the situation. “Raine, good to meet you. O’Connor seems to think we might be able to do some business.”

  Raine cleared his throat. “Depends on what you’re looking for, but yeah, I’m your guy.”

  Adrenaline surged through me, my eyes glancing at the seemingly unattended cabin.

  “We’re looking to expand,” I said looking at Raine. “Our current supplier can’t fulfill demand, so that’s where you come in.”

  Raine kept looking at Marcus as if he was waiting for instructions on how to play this whole thing. To an outsider, it might have looked harmless—an awkward behavior—but to me, it was the look of a man pretending to meet someone for the first time. Someone they had been doing business with for months.

  The wind howled around us, rustling the firs towering over us while the three of us stood engaged in a meeting of secrets and lies. The wind dropped suddenly and silence fell over the forest. The calm before the storm. I’d spotted Marcus’ gun strapped in a holster underneath his jacket, and after learning about Raine’s less than stellar background, I knew he was probably carrying a switchblade or pistol.

  Things could turn to shit very quickly.

  I paced backward a couple of steps, putting some distance between me and Marcus and Raine, anticipating the moment, relief washing over me when I heard it.

  Clap, clap, clap.

  Footsteps sounded on the balcony wrapping around three-quarters of the cabin, and Frankie stepped into the remaining light clapping his hands together.

  “I have to say that I have never met such excellent actors. If it wasn’t for the way Raine keeps eye fucking you, Marcus, I’d have never guessed that you two actually know each other.”

  “What? I don’t know-”

  Frankie raised his hand and held it up. “I suggest you keep yer fucking mouth shut.”

  Alarm spread over Raine’s face as the severity of the situation sunk in, and he reached behind his back. But he was too slow. The barrel of the gun aimed at his head clicked, and one of Frankie’s men said, “Don’t move.”

  Marcus glanced from me to Frankie and back again, the pieces falling into place.

  “You son of a bitch, you played me.”

  Marcus had balls. The gun pressed to the back of his head garnered no reaction. Not even a flinch, but I could see the fury raging in his eyes at my betrayal.

  “It’s more than you deserve.” I stepped up to Marcus, toe to toe. Face to face with the man who killed my father. “I should put you in the ground for what you did.”

  His head dropped back, and he laughed. A chaotic, maniacal laugh. “You can’t do it. You’ve had enough chances. It’s not in you, Jax.”

  My fist connected with hard bone and pain shattered through my knuckles. Marcus’ head snapped back and a mist of blood sprayed everywhere. But still Marcus remained his cool, collected self. I pulled back my arm again, only seeing red.

  He had to pay.

  He had to suffer.

  “Jackson, enough,” Frankie’s voice coaxed me out from the blind rage consuming me. Defeated, I dropped my arm.

  Unexpectedly, Frankie started toward us. This was supposed to be my show, for now, but Frankie stepped up beside me and I shot him a confused look.

  “I always knew it would come to this,” he said to Marcus, ignoring my presence.

  “What can I say, O’Connor? We are who we are.”

  I watched their exchange. Two acquaintances—friends once upon a time—conversing like this was a friendly spat, not life or death.

  “Why, Marcus? Why Mikey? He deserved better.”

  Marcus’ face hardened and he glanced to me and back again. “Things change. Change isn’t always good. You should know that, Frankie.”

  Something cold and heavy pressed against my hand and I looked down. Frankie was pressing his gun into my hand. He didn’
t say anything as I wrapped my fingers around the cool steel. In one fluid movement, I yanked my arm up and pointed the pistol at Marcus. He showed no sign of fear or remorse.

  Nothing.

  He had murdered my father in cold blood, and he couldn’t even look me in the eye and give me an explanation or an apology.

  I clicked off the safety and hovered my finger over the trigger. I’d held a gun before on the couple of occasions Braiden and I had been to target practice, but it wasn’t something I particularly enjoyed. It felt heavy in my hand, unfamiliar. Adrenaline coursed through me and my heart pounded against my chest so hard I felt every beat.

  All I had to do was squeeze the trigger.

  One click and Marcus would be gone. Just like Dad. The small object in my hand had the power to extinguish his life.

  One click.

  I inhaled deeply trying to center myself. My eyes closed and I tensed the muscle in the finger poised over the trigger.

  Faces flashed before my eyes.

  Ana. Dad. Otis.

  I opened my eyes and stared into the two voids watching me.

  He deserved death. He deserved to rot in hell.

  But I couldn’t do it.

  Exhaling, I dropped my arm and the gun clattered to the ground.

  Marcus barked a laugh. “See, I told you, you can’t do it. You’re soft, Jackson. You always were, but people like that about you. It makes them gravitate to you. Command their respect. But you’re not cut out for this life.” Regret passed over his face. “You’re just like your old man.”

  He hadn’t even finished his sentence and my fist connected with his cheek. Marcus had swayed slightly before his eyes rolled up into his head and he went down. Thick arms wrapped around my shoulders from behind and yanked me away. I didn’t resist. The momentary adrenaline had left my body and now I was sinking fast.

  “Hold him up, Dan. He looks a little pale.”

  My tether on reality started to slip and everything spun. The cabin, the trees, people all swirled into one moving picture whirling around in my head.

  “Dan, don’t let him-”