It all folded back into Briony. Jackson remembered the lunches where Brianna had told him stories about Briony and her spending habits. Shopping sprees on Fifth Avenue and Rodeo Drive. Private jets to fly to Aspen, where Christopher's parents had a small house and Vail, where Brianna's parents had a chalet. Like the serpent eating its own tail, everything circled back to Brianna's sister. "You didn't know it was a different contract?"
"I did not. Willoughby, my attorney, and I had gone through the original with a fine-tooth comb, so when it was time to sign, I just signed. I didn't re-read anything. The other attorneys assumed Reginald had my blessing to alter it since he sat in on the original draft and made suggestions. And because he was the go-to person on any changes they recommended. To top that off, Reginald gave me a signed copy of the original contract so I was none the wiser."
"Jesus." Jackson couldn't believe Brianna's own father would go to these lengths. He snorted softly. Why shouldn't you believe that? Look at how your parents used you as a paycheck. Needing every bit of information, he leaned forward to peer around Brianna and look at Evelynn. "I want to know every detail in that contract. I don't want us blindsided by anything Reginald may pull."
"Here are copies of the contract and the NDA." Evelynn pushed a thick sheaf of papers held together by a binder clip toward Jackson.
His eyes widened as he grabbed the pages that would answer everything. "Thank you."
Evelynn's tear-filled gaze tangled with his. "I trusted my son, and he screwed all of us but especially Brianna. And for allowing that to happen, I'll never be able to forgive myself."
Brianna wrapped her arms around her grandmother. "I forgive you. I should have known you wouldn't shove me into Briony's skin indefinitely."
With the pages in his hand, the last of the doubt he had about Brianna and her role crumbled to dust. If there had been anything damaging in it, Evelynn never would have passed the information along.
He respected the group for not only protecting Brianna but the sanctuary she'd built as well. And he appreciated them handling the explanation this way as it would save both of them if something happened. He prayed Reginald wouldn't be that cold-blooded, but Jackson would prepare for the worst just in case.
Evelynn patted Brianna's shoulder. "Well, not for much longer." The woman swiped a hand across her eyes and then leaned down and grabbed a folded piece of notebook paper from her purse. "I told your father about your Fourth of July plans, and then I negotiated for you to be free from everything by next Saturday."
Jackson smiled at Brianna's happy squeal next to him. "Next Saturday?" She jerked away from her grandmother a frown replacing the smile. "What's the catch?"
"You'll need to attend all seven events this week."
"Seven?" Brianna whimpered. "I only planned on attending two—"
"All of them. If you miss any, he won't release you, and he will not allow you to go to Ray's for the Fourth of July."
Jackson narrowed his gaze. "Can he do that? Demand dates Brianna has to attend?"
"Oh, yes. The Fourth of July is specified within the contract as is the company Christmas party and several others of those events."
Brianna unfolded the paper her grandmother passed her, and Jackson scooted closer to her so he could see it. It contained a list of times, places, dates, and dress code along with a brief description of what was taking place.
"And Brianna," her grandmother said, drawing Brianna's attention from the list. "Christopher is confirmed at every one of these events. I called to check."
Anger flared in Jackson. "Then, I'm going to them too."
Brianna's gaze flew to his. "Jackson, these aren't evening events. Two are brunches, one is lunch, and two more are afternoon tea. Not including the two evening events we had already talked about attending."
He shrugged. "I don't care. I'll talk to Brigston and get it sorted. I've covered for every one of those other deputies for their personal stuff like kids' ball games and anniversaries. They can cover for me while I do this."
Brianna slid onto his lap. "Okay, then."
He hugged her. "I'll work my schedule around the events so I can still have off the week of the Fourth."
She kissed him. He forced himself not to claim her lips like he wanted. No way did he want commentary from Callie on his technique, and knowing her, she would rate them too.
Brianna leaned back and smiled. "Sounds like we have a plan."
They spent the afternoon working out the logistics as Jackson alone wouldn't be able to protect Brianna. Every event they planned to attend was sit down, which meant two chairs on either side of Brianna were empty. If Jackson took one, then the other needed to be filled to prevent Christopher from whatever endgame he was planning. So they hammered out who would attend what with Jackson and Brianna with Evelynn shouldering the majority of the events and Callie taking the rest.
It would all end after they attended her parents' anniversary dinner Saturday night. By Sunday, this piece of Brianna's life would be over, and they could focus on their future. One Jackson wanted more every day.
Chapter Twelve
Jackson groaned as the phone on Brianna's side of the bed clattered again with a loud ring. She moaned and snatched up the landline with a muffled curse.
"I hate you, Callie. You've interrupted my day after where I can get morning sex twice now—" Brianna abruptly sat up, jarring Jackson from his light doze. "What? No, hang on."
She turned to him, her eyes a glistening pool of black in the dark room. "Did you know there would be a raid this morning?"
Jackson rubbed his eyes. "No, I mean, I heard an agent was investigating an illegal animal fighting ring. But it never touched our county, or Brigston would have given us a heads up."
Brianna lifted the phone to her ear again. "Tell them I'll be there in an hour. When is the raid taking place?"
She mouthed thirty minutes to Jackson. He just nodded already distracted by the love bites and beard burn marking Brianna as his. Two marks she wouldn't be able to conceal unless she left her hair down. When she hung the phone up and scrambled out of bed, Jackson groaned as his own cell began to ring.
She leaned out of the bathroom with a foamy toothbrush in her hand. "You're gonna want to get that," she said before disappearing back into the bathroom.
He yanked his cellphone from the nightstand and growled into it. "I'm not on call, dammit."
"No, I know," Andy said hesitantly. "Sheriff Brigston wants you on the call Brianna just got dragged into."
Jackson's brows rose at that. He wasn't due in until late today, and then he would work a double, so he could have Saturday night off to attend the first of the seven functions with Brianna. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Jackson rolled out of bed and flipped the lamp on to dress. "Why's Brigston want me on that call specifically? You do know it's not in our county, right?"
"A few pieces of it are straddling our county and Talladega. But also…" Andy trailed off for several seconds as if choosing his words. "Well, I don't know if he's talked to you or not, but … umm … hewantsyoutorunforsheriff."
The last part ran together as if Andy had to rush the words out as a case of nerves gripped him. "I know he wants me to run for Sheriff, Andy. I just don't know if I want to run."
A puff of breath passed over the line as Jackson bent over and yanked his socks on.
"Well, me and everyone here think you're the best choice—"
"Meyers is a good choice too." And the man could be a good choice. He'd lived in this area longer than Jackson, knew the people, and had a solid rapport with the other deputies. Taciturnity was Meyers's primary downfall. He would talk when prodded but rarely started a conversation.
"Oh, yeah, well, he doesn't want the responsibility. You know he's moving to Mobile, right?"
"Yes." Jackson sat on the corner of the bed, waiting for Brianna. He remembered it the second he had put the man's name out there. "Why do you guys want me? I'm not from around here. I've only been a dep
uty a few years—"
"I can tell you why I think you're the best for the job. It's because you have patience and don't jerk me around. Especially on calls."
Taken aback, Jackson's voice deepened in anger. "Someone on our squad isn't giving you all the information on a call?"
"What?! No, not here. I worked in Birmingham before transferring back here. I thought it would be a good learning experience." A sigh. "Turns out they screw with the newbies which put me on edge. Here it's different, but I still have so much to learn, and you take time to explain why you're doing things a certain way. Whether it's because of a specific law or because it keeps not only us safe but the public … " Andy trailed off. "Anyway, that's why I'm okay with you running. Even as Sheriff, you'll be there to help me."
"I will." Jackson straightened as Brianna hurried into the room, her hair in a ponytail and half-dressed. It hit him then. Brianna was entrenched here. Jackson hadn't formed many ties to this area outside of Brigston and Shirley. But Brianna loved it here, and after everything she had been through to keep this dream, he would not be the one to suggest moving. He already looked after the guys in the department, helping them understand procedure and the whys of things. Shit! I'm going to run for Sheriff.
"Are you coming with me?" Brianna asked, slipping on a pair of thick white socks.
"Yes. Seems the Sheriff's Department is part of whatever is going on, and Brigston wants me to be on point."
Brianna nodded. "Let's go then."
He stopped her and pressed a light kiss to her lips. "Good morning."
She gave him a shy smile. "Morning."
Grabbing his hand, she tugged him to the stairs.
"Do you know what's going on exactly?" Jackson asked, tugging on his shoes.
"Talladega Sheriff's Department in concert with a few other agencies had an undercover sting last night regarding a dog fighting ring. They followed the leader back to his farm and finally arrested him. However, when the guy went in, he found out they're fighting more than dogs."
"What else are they fighting? And why did Callie call and not them?"
"They're fighting exotics. Callie said coyotes versus a pack of dogs. But if there's more, I don't know yet and won't until the guys raid it." She paused on the porch fiddling with her keys. "Callie called because Derrick's already on his way out to help since he was on call last night, and he's brought Erica and Callen with him."
"To the raid?"
"Not the place the fight happened but another farm. It's closer than the other place she mentioned. They're hitting it, and we'll need to be there to take what animals we can."
That was unusual calling civies in before the raid had taken place. But if they were fighting exotic animals, maybe they had decided to take precautions just in case. But Jackson knew Brianna, she wouldn't be nervous over just coyotes and wild dogs. There was something else. "What else did she say?"
She shook her head as she snapped the deadbolt into place. When Brianna didn't respond, he linked their fingers, stopping her until she met his gaze. "Brianna?"
"Callie swears Derrick said a lion, but that's just not possible. I mean, I don't want to doubt him, but maybe the agent saw a large cougar or bobcat and assumed it was a lion. I don't know. It wasn't in the fight but in a cage in a corner."
A lion? No fucking way was a lion being used in illegal fighting in Alabama. "Let's go."
She nodded, and they raced down the porch stairs. Her finger pointed towards the barn. "We need to take the truck with the camper on the back. It's our secondary ambulance."
Jackson headed to it, their boots crunching across the gravel and dirt. Clambering into the passenger seat, Jackson snapped on his seat belt.
"Here's the address," Brianna said, passing him a piece of paper before starting the truck.
Jackson entered the address into the navigation system set in the front of the truck and settled in for the ride. "It says forty-five minutes. Are you sure they said the raid was set for Talladega?"
"Yes, but I also said they followed someone to a farm, and they're raiding it."
"Has to be a secondary ring location then," Jackson replied. The address was too far from Talladega to be the central location where they kept the animals.
Brianna gunned the engine and took off toward the county road.
They arrived in what felt like a flash, and an eternity all at once. Jackson's stomach churned as he tried to keep from throwing up. He released his death grip on the oh-shit-handle. "Jesus, Brianna, who the hell taught you to drive like that?"
She grinned maniacally. "Callie and Frank, who else? It's a rush, right?"
Jackson all but fell from the truck. "I thought it was just the car the last time you shaved years off my life, but no. And no, it's not a rush."
"I don't know why you're complaining, you have to be used to it being a cop and all. That's how y'all drive."
"No, it's really not. Also, if we are in a high-speed chase, our cruisers aren't barely held together trucks."
Brianna waved a hand, not bothered in the least as she walked to the command post.
It looked like random chaos unless you were a cop. To Jackson, it was a well-oiled machine. Men sat in the back of Talladega Sheriff's cars, ready to be transported to a holding cell for interrogation. SWAT fanned out along the perimeter mixing with several other law enforcement moving from the large barn to various vehicles. Not there in an official law enforcement capacity, but there to lend assistance if needed. Jackson followed Brianna.
"See, I timed it perfectly." She pointed as they entered the barn. "The raid is done."
Jackson refrained from rolling his eyes. The raid wasn't done as he'd seen several teams sweeping the surrounding area. Command had secured this area, or he and Brianna would never have made it this far.
"So they're in the back?" she asked a law enforcement officer seated behind the table just inside the barn.
The sign-in sheet, to record who was coming and going at their active crime scene, lay in front of him on a clipboard. Brianna scrawled her signature on one of the empty lines before carefully printing it on another.
"Yes, we're not sure why they have the cats, … lions—"
Jackson fumbled the pen Brianna passed him before signing in too. But his mind spun.
Holy shit Callie wasn't screwing with us. I'm about to see a lion up close. He wasn't sure if he was excited or terrified.
"There's more than one?" she asked her gaze bouncing around the inside of the barn.
"No, but … You know what it's easier just to show you." The man behind the desk stood. It was then Jackson saw the ATF badge and became more confused.
"How does the ATF get involved with a dog fighting ring?"
"And you are?"
"Jackson McCord. I'm with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department."
"I heard about you. You're running for Sheriff this term."
"I am."
The man smiled and held out his hand. "Good to meet local law enforcement." His smile slid into a frown. "But, I'm not sure why you're here as this is in Talladega."
"He's with me," Brianna chimed in.
Jackson tipped his chin. "I am with her, but also, the farm straddles Shelby and Talladega counties and someone, probably a deputy from Shelby county, called Sheriff Brigston."
"Shit," the agent's gaze darted to the back. "I need to let my supervisor know."
"I'm here now if he needs to touch base with me, but you all seem to have everything in hand."
The agent's smile returned. "Much appreciated, most don't have that kind of attitude."
Jackson shrugged. "I'm not most. And I'm ready to see this lion."
Brianna cleared her throat. "Sorry to interrupt, but I need to talk with Jackson for just a sec. And if you are serious, that there really is a lion, then I'll need to make a quick call."
"There is a lion. I'm not making that up. But you two go coordinate what you need."
Before the man stepped away, Jackson s
topped him. "Wait. I didn't get your name."
The man's face reddened and dropped in embarrassment. "Sorry, I'm Agent Robins. And tell Brianna that there's not only a lion, but a bobcat that seems to have been a pet at some point, a mountain lion, and two cougars." Holding his hand out toward Jackson, the man smiled.
"Will do." Jackson pumped the agent's hand, relieved to have a few more contacts that were willing to work with state and local law enforcement. Most on the federal level came into a department and took it over. He appreciated that Agent Robins and his team included the locals.
Brianna wrapped her arms around him and leaned back to meet his gaze. "Sheriff? When were you going to tell me?"
He pressed a kiss to her lips. "Soon. I didn't decide for sure until after Andy said the other guys accepted me being their boss." That and he knew now why they were okay with it. Because Jackson didn't want to get the position, and there be hidden resentment that bubbled to the surface later.
But based on what Andy said, that wasn't the case. Though Jackson would touch base with the other deputies to be sure.
"I'm so proud of you," she said, dragging him from his thoughts. "And you know you've got several in your corner who'll vote for you. You should put Callie on it as well because she's amazing at coordinating those kinds of things."
Jackson winced at the thought of vote for Deputy Delish signs plastered around the county.
Brianna laughed. "She wouldn't post Deputy Delish anywhere because that's a joke for family."
"How'd you—"
"I know you, and you wrinkle your nose like you're smelling something foul when you're called Deputy Delish."
He chuckled. "I didn't know I did that." Taking one last hug, he stepped back and told her what Agent Robbins had said.
"Okay, then I really need to make a call so we can get these guys taken care of." Brianna stepped away with her cell in her hand.
Robins stepped next to Jackson. "I've got one of our guys in the back waiting on you. Just ask for Isaac."
"So, are you going to answer my question?" Jackson asked, turning to the man while Brianna discussed the rescue on her cellphone.
The Twin Contract (The Contract Series Book 1) Page 22
