I hid Don Gato under Reed's jacket when I got on the bus. I looked like I was six-months pregnant, but there was no way I could walk the entire way. It was now a little more than an hour after Jon and Bitsy had left for school. Don Gato was still alive when I knocked on Reed's door.During the entire trip, I swore I wouldn't cry. Reed answered the door with bedhead, no shirt, low-slung sweatpants, and a sleepy adorable look on his face."I need your help and-and I'll sleep with you to get it."Anger quickly replaced the sleepy look and, for a moment, I thought he would close the door in my face."What. The. Fuck, Jaycee?"I started crying. It wasn't soft or delicate, pretty, or feminine. It just poured out. I unzipped the jacket and uncovered Don Gato."I don't want him to suffer, but I couldn't kill him. I don't have the money to have him put down and I couldn't do it." I was repeating myself and blubbering like a fool."Christ."His arms closed around Don Gato and me at the s
Reed didn't care about my mood disorder; he just started pumping me for information. "Tell me about your classes?" he asked after we placed our orders.Someday I'd get the unsociable girl attitude down properly. I gave in with a small puff of air, which moved a few flighty strands of hair from my face. "There are only two this semestermath and English. At the rate I'm going, I'll graduate from college in ten years.""You're taking an advanced math course.""I tested out of basic, took two math courses last semester, and decided to push myself a little this time. I know it's weird, but I like anything to do with numbers. ""Do you ever play Sudoku?"I rolled my eyes. "Not anymore. They're too easy.""Prove it." He stood up and walked to the diner's front counter, grabbing a newspaper.I used to play the puzzles from the newspapers at the library, but seriously, they became too easy. He went through the paper and folded it before placing it in front of me."Are you going to time
Bitsy's smile disappeared when she saw I didn't have Don Gato and her lips started quivering. Jon looked resigned."He's at the vet, Bitsy. They think he has an infection and they're keeping him overnight for fluids and medicine." I turned to Jon so he would understand. "Reed gave me a ride to the vet's office."Jon's eyes narrowed. "Is he paying for it?"I looked back at Bitsy and smiled at her. "No, the doctor said he would take the bunny money as payment in full." If I was going to start a lifetime of lying, I might as well make it good.There was no chance Jon believed me, but he would keep quiet with Bitsy within earshot.I cooked dinner and had just enough time to make it to my evening class. I only had to go to the community college once a week because I used a computer at the library and took most of the course online. It was easier to work around my schedule this way. I turned in my assignment, did my lab, and walked outside to catch the bus.Several guys stood about ten
Bitsy was already asleep when I got inside. Jon was on the couch holding tightly to his phone. "Are we keeping them?"He knew me too well. Hell, maybe he didn't, because it had never occurred to him that I'd commit a felony for money. It was a good thing that he didn't know to what extent I'd go to in order to keep my siblings safe, or my sister's cat from suffering."I don't know how long Reed's good intentions will last, but we can keep them until he stops paying for the service."Jon gave me one of his rare smiles. "We have unlimited everything, including the internet. Reed says the phones can be used as hotspots and we can connect to the internet on a laptop.""Did you tell him we don't have a laptop?" I already knew the answer."I may have.""This is not good, Jon. Nothing is free.""You seemed to think stealing those baseballs was free. You could have gone to prison, Jaycee. What would we have done if it was someone other than Reed who caught you? Just because Big Jim said
The pizza place had games with flashing lights, screaming kids, and harassed-looking parents. Reed, who seemed overwhelmed by Bitsy's earlier questions, had no problem playing games like a kid and putting tokens in the machines as fast as they could use them. Jon mostly stayed back watching Bitsy closely. He watched Reed too, and I knew he was having just as much trouble trying to figure him out as I did."This is the best pizza in the whole wide world," Bitsy said after she finished her first slice, sauce smeared across her mouth and pure joy in every word.After we finished eating, I watched her and Reed play more games. It started getting late and I hated to ruin the fun, but we still had homework to finish."Play a round of foosball with me and then we'll go." There was a gleam in Reed's eye, the carefree kid in him evident.I had to fight rolling my eyes. "I don't know how to play foosball and I thought you were the baseball man.""Come on, I'll show you." He took my hand, pu
Jon wasn't happy. "So we're moving in?""I'm planning to work for Reed. We need to be at his house when he's out of town and it's easier if we live there. I'll be sharing a room with Bitsy so you can have your own room to yourself without having to sleep on a couch." Reed had discussed Jon moving into the main house, but I put my foot down. My brother would remain with Bitsy and me. "You think I'm stupid. I know exactly the kind of work he wants from you."I had to tighten my fingers to keep from slapping his face. "It's a job, Jon. I'm not having sex with Reed and I don't plan on it." That was the biggest lie of my life. I sighed loudly and looked straight into my brother's eyes. He deserved honesty even if my face flushed bright red. "Okay, I might have sex with him, but it's not your business. I promise it won't be in exchange for anything he gives us."Jon looked away, but his voice carried his concern, "I like him, Jaycee, but I don't want him hurting you.""I'm not our moth
He didn't give me a chance to say anything else. He opened the door and literally jogged around his car and opened mine. When I tried to stand, he swung me up in his arms and I had no choice but to wrap my arms around his neck. I'm not sure how he managed to unlock the door and enter the security code on his alarm system, but he did.He carried me up the stairs. I finally decided I needed to say something because the last statement I made in the car got me pressed against his warm hard chest and had left me temporarily speechless. "What are you doing?""I'm getting something out of the way.""Umm, I need a shower if your plans include us both naked in your bed." I so hoped that's what he planned.His grumble made me smile, but he didn't say anything, just carried me through his bedroom into a bathroom that was bigger than my entire trailer. Muted light came from some kind of lighting system that blew my mind. It was a bathroom for god's sake. He hit a switch on the wall and the lig
"Was it good?" Reed asked carefully.Oh, God, how could he ask? It was the most humiliating experience of my life. The guy was a complete jerk.He moved my hair out of my eyes and palmed my cheeks, moving me back from his chest until we looked at each other."Tell me." His voice was as low as mine, but there was steel behind it. The serious look in his eyes gave me courage."It was in the backseat of his carquick, ugly, and demeaning." I tried to glance away, but he wouldn't let me."We didn't even undress all the way. He got mad because I told him he had to use a condom. He told me before we started that he had one. It ended up being an old ratty thing in his wallet that he didn't think he would really need. The experience was awful and I was mad at myself that I gave it up to him."So much sympathy showed on Reed's face. "I promise this will be good. I'll make it good."I couldn't even smile; I needed him so badly. "Then hurry before I chicken out.""No, baby, there's no way
I hid in Italy for three weeks. Greg came with me and kicked my ass on the court. He actually made a great practice partner. I was back to clean eating and drinking only water. It surprised me when Greg brought a bottle of wine to my room one night."What's this for?" I asked when he gave me one of his golly-gee smiles. Greg was cute. And, married to a lovely woman who worshipped him."I've been your coach for three months now and I have no idea what makes you tick. It's time for a come to daddy talk. Or in your case, come to coach. I figured the alcohol might make it easier.""You'll need more than one bottle," I told him. He came back to my room ten minutes later with two more bottles in his hands. "Does your wife know you're getting drunk with a slutty tennis star tonight?" I smiled to take the sting out of calling myself a slut."She suggested it. We've had many long conversations about you.""How romantic."He poured our first glasses and tilted the edge of his glass against
I never returned to the hospital, which was entirely unfair of me. My anger at my father carried over to Brack. I was horrible. The man I loved hadn't fully recovered and I left him at the hospital alone. Okay, he had his parents and his team. But, bottom lineI was horrible and a coward. I ignored the calls from Brack and my father. Again- coward.I needed complete control of my life. It took me two weeks to come up with a plan. During those two weeks, I hired a new coach and trained until I could barely walk. I trained with a purpose. I'd had my own money. Not just from tennis but from my mother. I'd never used it. That was the way I punished her and myself. Now, for the first time, I paid for my own coach.I liked him. I could actually smile over the fact that my father paid for Jerry all those years while the two of them hated each other. Greg, my new coach, kicked my ass. I had no idea if I had a chance this season. But, winning the Grand Slam was in my peripheral vision and not
Two days later, the doctors discontinued the medication that kept Brack in a coma. My father showed up the morning after surgery and made me go home, shower, and change clothes. Brack's parents were staying in shifts. His mom promised she wouldn't leave his side until I returned. I hadn't really spoken to them. We stayed relatively quiet in Brack's room. I whispered encouragement and told him I was there. They gave us privacy, too. That's when I told him I loved him. Again and again, I whispered the words.My father and Senator Jacobs were cordial. Brack's mother treated my dad like a family friend. Apparently she'd been friends with my mom. I tried not to think about the ramifications of our two families tied together through me and Brack. It was too much to take right now.Brack still had the ventilator. The doctor reviewed best and worst case scenarios with us. I refused to listen to brain damage, paralysis, learning to walk and talk again, and so on. My focus was full recovery. I
Four hours later, I was passed out against Mack's shoulder when his cell rang. My brain registered the noise and I was pulled quickly from sleep."Yeah," he answered quietly. He listened for several minutes before responding. "I have her here with me. We'll be there in a minute." He slid his phone back in his pocket and looked at me. "He's in recovery. It was touch and go, but he pulled through. They have him in a sedated coma. He has a stent in his skull to relieve swelling. The doctor told his parents he came to before surgery and demanded to see you. His mom wants you up there if you think you can handle it."I was up and walking out of the emergency room before he finished, my heart pounding a hundred miles an hour. "What floor? I'm not waiting for you to waddle behind me."Snickers came from several of the guys. "I've got her," Molly said."Second floor."The elevator took so long I almost turned to the stairs. I'd do anything to get to him. Brack asked for me and I had to se
I ran toward Brack, who had fallen to the floor. There was so much blood and I tried wiping it off his face. My hands turned dark red."You did it, baby," he whispered before his body went completely limp.Sander and a woman who must be Molly ran into the enclosure with guns drawn. I could barely hear them. Echoed gunshots continued ringing in my ears."Call an ambulance and please someone check on my father. He's in the van," I said as I held Brack's head in my lap. Blood soaked my panties and covered my legs. Head wounds bleed, I kept saying to myself. Sander practically jumped over us and went straight to Ty's body. He turned back when he had assured himself Ty was no longer a threat."Where were you?" I asked softly. I didn't want Brack to hear me yelling at his team.Sander sat down next to me and took Brack's arm checking his pulse. "The bastard used some kind of scrambler. It took us a while to figure out the van didn't leave the premises. We recovered the phones. Brack had
Kids laughed. A mother scolded a young child for attempting to go under the bar and get closer to one of the cages. Brack and I stood in the center of the primate exhibit. My phone chirped. It didn't startle me this time; I was too numb. "Yes.""Walk over to the primate exhibit sign and you'll find another cell phone behind it. Exchange it for the one you're using. Have Mr. Jacobs leave his phone behind, too."Brack followed me to the sign and I did exactly as told. The phone was there. I picked it up and lay mine down. "He said to leave yours, too." Brack took his from his jeans pocket and placed it beside mine. Thankfully, no one paid attention to us. I had no idea what we needed to do next. The phone in my hand vibrated. This time I clicked the call button without saying a word."Go to your left and keep walking on the path. Did you bring my present?" I carried a bag with the dress inside so both of Brack's arms would be free. He carried a gun in a hidden leg holster."Yes, it's
The inside of my father's home was a crime scene. We sat on the couch in the front room away from the forensic team that arrived a few minutes before. The media camped at the gates added to the growing chaos.Even knowing Ty would eventually call, I jumped when my cell phone chirped. The display read "Unknown." My fingers trembled as I picked it up and answered, "Hello, Ty, or should I call you Leo?"His husky laugh sent goose bumps across my arms. "I told you not to call the police. You wouldn't listen and you'll pay for disobedience."My voice remained steady. "It wasn't me. You killed your mother, so what exactly did you expect? She worked for my dad for over thirty years. One plus one equals two, Leo." Fuller and Brack told me not to push him too hard. I had to make him believe I hadn't gone to the police, though."My mother had cancer and it was eating away at her. I did her a favor. She didn't walk in God's light. By making her repent and then killing her God may show mercy."
My heart stopped. Dread and terror filled me. Colors danced before my eyes making it hard to see. The whoosh of blood traveling into my head made it hard to hear. I had to get control of myself. I gulped in air. "You goddamn son of a bitch. If you hurt my father I'll kill you.""He that blasphemeth the name of the LORD shall be put to death and stoned. Remember that when you feel the pain of my hand, Olivia."Brack startled me by gathering me close and placing his head against mine so we both listened. "Where's my father?" I demanded."That's better. I have instructions for you, Olivia. You will follow them to the letter. Please bring that man with you. The one you've been with lately." His voice took on an eerie quality. "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death." He breathed heavily and then gave a sadistic laugh. "You may choose your father or lover to pay for your sins. One shall die and the other walks away.""But-"He
I don't know what I expected love to be like. Violins playing, little cupids flying around with bow and arrows, hell maybe just cuddles in bed for hours. That wasn't what happened the following morning. Brack paced across the carpet of my living room with his cell to his ear listening to one of his men on the other end. He cast a glance or two my way. I could tell before the call ended that he would try his non-communication shit with me again.I was right."What's the news?" I asked the second he lowered the phone.He came over and sat beside me. "Nothing to worry about."I gave him my I'm-about-to-slam-you-with-a-tennis-racquet look. "Bullshit." I was beginning to notice his tells. The fingers traveling through his hair was a sign that he didn't want to enlighten me. I waited.He breathed out a slow and steady breath of air. "Mack didn't see his attacker, but he heard him before he lost consciousness."My heartbeat accelerated. "Okay. Spill it.""Mack told Herman that most of