CHAPTER TWENTY SEVENJackson was awoken by the sound of his phone, thrilling incessantly.He groaned, turning around to pick it up before the third beep.“Hello” he muttered into the receiver “I cannot believe you are still asleep. Where are you? We need to talk ” Liam’s voice rang out.Liam was a long time friend and someone he had not told about his journey.“We cannot meet right now… I am not in the country”“You are kidding” “I wish I was” Jackson muttered, climbing out of the bedThe day before had been a hectic one and after he and Amelia had gotten to the club, he had rang for food for her, drawn up a bath and had woken her up so she could eat before going back to sleep.“And you did not think to tell me that you were leaving the country? I hear it from you now?” Liam’s shock was evident in his voice “I am sorry, it totally slipped my mind and I have been dealing with some things; I will make it up to you so tell me what is the matter? Why have you called so early and is i
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT“I know that I should probably not be saying this but I overheard your phone call with your father and it seems you both are in a really bad place” Amelia finally said on their way back to the hospital.She had placed a phone call to her mother and there was nothing for her to worry about because her father was fine and the doctors said he was definitely going to be better.“They say he is out of the worst of it” she told them“I will be back this morning, is there anything you would like me to get for you? You have been there throughout the night and if you would like to take a break…”“That is not necessary… you can just get me a change of clothes and I will figure out the rest when you are here” her mother responded.Amelia hung up with her mind on how suddenly changed her mother had become because of what had happened. She wasn’t sure what to make of this new version of her but she wasn’t going to push her luck with her.“It is nothing to worry yourself about
CHAPTER TWENTY NINEJackson was on his way back to the club when he received a phone call from an unknown number; he thought about ignoring it since there wasn’t a caller ID on it but decided against that and proceeded to pick it up“Long time no see” Sophia’s soft voice filtered through.He took a deep breath, unsure of how to react seeing that they hadn’t spoken in years… ever since their relationship ended and she had threatened to ruin him if they ever did cross paths again“Sophia…” he started“I know you must be shocked to hear from me seeing as we haven’t spoken ever since the… anyways… I need us to meet” she told him.He chuckled bitterly at the sheer audacity of her calling him when she had almost ruined his life… no, she had ruined his life.“You have some nerve calling me after all that has happened between us” he growled, angry at how worked up he was getting.He had thought he was over the fact that she had almost allowed him go to jail for something that had been totally
CHAPTER THIRTY“You invited him” Sophia sniffed in disdain as soon as she sighted both men at the bar.She was never one to get along with Liam and he liked nothing about her too. They were like the proverbial cat and dog and there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do to get him as far away from Jackson as possible.She was sure he had a hand in Jackson not running back to her the first chance she made available to him and that was simply not acceptable in her books.“It is good to see you too” Liam responded, his words dripping with sarcasm.He hated that he could do nothing but respect his friend’s wishes when all he wanted to do was kick her out and make sure she is never anywhere close to him.“I wanted us to have this conversation alone” she whined, drawing closer to Jackson who did not back away as he observed her.He felt betrayed at his body’s reaction towards her when all he had done for the past years was hate her in his head and heart. She still looked exactly the same as she di
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE“What are we going to do about this?” Liam asked as soon as Sophia sashayed away into her car after promising they were going to see her soon.He did not doubt her for one minute and although he did not want to believe that she was back in their lives causing chaos again… he had to accept the fact.And there was also Jackson to think about who had not said anything since Sophia left.“What do you mean?” He asked“What are we going to do about Sophia and do not pretend you do not know what I am talking about right now, Jackson. She is back and we have to face that and she has begun spinning her tales…”“You also think she is lying about my father,. Don’t you?” Jackson interrupted Liam’s tirade “I do not think she is lying… you know that too and it is something that your father is capable of but I do not want her to turn you into that person you were years ago.” Liam told him “She is not turning me into anything and I am not going to believe a word she says”“But?”
CHAPTER THIRTY TWOJackson stepped out of the car with Liam following directly behind him and walked to where Amelia stood. She had not yet noticed his presence because she was in a very lively discussion with Sophia.He cleared his throat as soon as he neared them and watched her jolt “Hey” she smiled at him, her eyes moving to survey Liam.He could see the recognition in her gaze but he was unsure of whether it was because she knew him as a celebrity or there was something Sophia had told her.“Hey” Jackson responded, not taking his eyes off her“Meet Sophia, she is my mother’s best friend and a sister to me” she introduced, turning to Sophia“Meet my boss, Jackson; he has been a tremendous help” she introduced “I am sure he has” Sophia purred, putting out a hand towards JacksonHe made no move to take it… ignored it totally even as he turned towards Liam“Meet Amelia… Amelia, this is Liam” “Yes, I know… he is quite popular” She laughed, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment Lia
CHAPTER THIRTY THREEAmelia excused herself the following day to visit her father or at least that is what she had told Jackson who offered to drive her and was pretty stunned by her refusal “I do not want you to have to drive me everywhere and I am not going to take long” she told himHe nodded, not arguing although Amelia could tell that he did not think it was a bother to him.She wanted to have a conversation with her mother and then Sophia about what she had been told and she needed to know the exact reason Sophia was here.“We will be leaving tomorrow, I hope that is okay?” He asked her“It is perfect, I will see you soon”Liam waited until she was gone before he asked the question that had been plaguing him since they got back to the club and he had excused them “So?” He asked“So what?” Jackson shot backHe knew exactly what he was asking but did not want to hear his friend’s voice of reason right now“What did she say about being with Sophia?” Liam asked pointedly “You hea
CHAPTER THIRTY FOURAmelia walked into the club with her heart beating frantically in her chestShe knew she looked weird but who wouldn’t with the information she had just received about Jackson.The club was silent when she walked in and she hoped he was in so she could figure out a way to broach the subject with him. She did not want him to think she had no belief in him but truth be told he was hardly someone she knew and Sophia was a friend.She did not think Sophia was lying and she also did not think Jackson thought he was lying too.It might be a case of misunderstanding and she wanted to clear the air before she went entirely crazy.She heard shuffling of feet and then Jackson’s angry voice permeate the air as she stopped in front of the room door.“Father, you cannot tell me that after all these years … you fucking paid Sophia to stay away from me” he bellowedShe could hear the anger in his voice and made no move to go in, in face she knew that she should not be listening
CHAPTER HUNDRED AND TWELVE“He sent an address… we have to go” Jackson declared, reaching for the gun on the table.Liam and Simon got up with him wondering what the fuck he was on about “What are you talking about?” Liam asked“I was on the phone with Damien, he wants us to meet. Just me and I know it is a trap but there is no way I am going to allow him make good on his threat of sending me Amelia in pieces”“We cannot… I understand what you are saying but we cannot go there alone” Simon told himIt was the first time he and Liam were agreeing on anything “You are right, we aren’t going there alone… I am going on my own. I cannot let anything happen to her”“Nothing will but we have to figure this all out , come up with a plan. We are going to his own turf and he might as well kill the both of you.” Simon argued“He is right” Liam muttered. “We are going to go in with a plan, Jackson if we are going to have any chance of reaching the both of you alive.”Liam made a couple of phone
CHAPTER HUNDRED AND ELEVENDamien stared at the television in front of him, his teeth grating against themselves as he watched the news. It would seem that the man he had asked to do a good job of keeping Jackson off his scent was doing a rather poor one because why the hell was his picture in the fucking news.The fucker had put a bounty on my head, Damien thought as he stared incredulously as the voice of the news presenter droned on. He was hot topic at the moment and he did not need that for his business. It would seem that he had underestimated Jackson. He wasn’t going to let him go scot free; it only meant that he had to kill the guy and the one way to do that was to lure him here to his own tuff.It was going to be easy once he dangled Amelia in front of him like a fucking worm on a hook. He knew the man would come running because he loved her.Damien laughed at this; he was going to enjoy killing Jackson and it was one way to take Amelia if he did it in front of her. She had
CHAPTER HUNDRED AND TEN“How could I have let this happen?” Jackson asked for the hundredth time, beating his hand on his thigh.He had contacted the cops about the kidnap and although Liam had spoken to one of them, he had sounded super vague which Jackson found suspicious“You could not have known what kind of asshole he was, Jackson. It is not your fault and the only thing we can do now is figure out a way to make sure we rescue her unharmed.” Liam told himThey were sitting at the table in a bunch with Natalie supplying snacks as they plotted. She had come along with Simon whom Liam still had not taken a shining to but she had said they had been together when he called so she could not refuse when he asked to accompany her.He wasn’t saying anything but he looked contrite as they tried to figure out what was going on and Jackson could not deny that he needed all hands on deck if he was ever going to see Amelia again.“I don’t think the detective is telling us everything we should
CHAPTER HUNDRED AND NINEDamien opened the car door and helped Amelia out who was still unbelievably silent even after all he had told her about Jackson and how he was going to make sure he wiped the bastard from this earth for daring to touch her.She had grown he had to give her that but she had to be aware that he was no longer the man she used to know. The one that tolerated indiscipline and had allowed her enjoy her years while she was running from him.He guessed he had Jackson to thank for making that open proposal. It has made him see his baby again and realized how much he wanted her back for himself.Oh, the things he planned to teach her and make her do to him. By the time he was done, she would never think of fleeing again.He escorted her into the house and straight for the den where he pushed her inside. She collapsed unto the floor, her eyes widening as they happened upon a portrait of her on the wall.He had had it made on the night he had seen the proposal by Jackson
CHAPTER HUNDRED AND EIGHTAmelia remained silent as the car moved, her head buzzing with thoughts and my mind far away. She was unexpectedly calmer than she had thought she would be and she made no move even as Damien touched a hand to her thigh, grinning at her.She had no idea where they were headed and tried to regulate her breathing as much as possible so she did not behind panicking.She knew by now that Jackson would be aware of what had happened and would come for her. She only hoped it wasn’t too late.“You have been specially quiet; aren’t you going to rave and ask me questions?” Damien questioned herHe was surprised at her level of calmness; nay, he was disgusted by it.He wanted her to scream and he wanted to enjoy the terror in her eyes but she wasn’t giving him the satisfaction he craved.She was nothing like the fiery girl he used to know who would scream and curse even as he hit he countlessly.“I promised to do whatever you want; do you want me to ask you questions?”
CHAPTER HUNDRED AND SEVENAnna could the loud screams that was hers as she watched the car drive away with Amelia.Her heart pounded violently against her chest as she clutched the phone, her trembling fingers struggling to dial the numbers. Fear and panic gripped her as she attempted to call Liam. She was finding it hard to breathe and unable to form coherent thoughts as she waited for him to pick up “God please” she muttered to herself.She wasn’t much of a prayer person but at the moment, she hoped Amelia would be safe and they find her before Damien did something to her or worse killed her.The phone rang once, twice, and on the third ring, Liam's voice finally filled the line. "Hey, Anna, what's up?" he asked casually, unaware of the turmoil brewing on the other end.Anna's breath hitched, her voice barely a whisper, "L-Liam, it's Amelia. She's... she has been kidnapped. Damien came and he… oh my God, I am sorry for leaving her all alone in the house but I had to. I don’t know
CHAPTER HUNDRED AND SIX“You don’t have to keep watch over me like a hawk, Anna. I will be fine and you did say that the meeting is quite important for work; do not let me be the one to keep you here” Amelia declared“I know you will be fine on your own but I still think I should stay back and maybe reschedule the meeting for…”“For when? Whenever Damien is not chasing after me? Don’t think about doing that and just go for your meeting. I will be fine and he has absolutely no idea that I am here so what could go wrong” she interrupted“Fine, I will be back in a jiffy so don’t go anywhere” Anna warned, taking the stairs in twos so she could prepare for the meeting.It was impromptu but it was important and although she wanted to stay home to watch over Amelia, she also had to consider her job and it is as Amelia had said. Damien had no idea where she was and even if he was looking for her, he would have eyes on either her house or Jackson’s and definitely not hersShe soon was ready an
CHAPTER HUNDRED AND FIVE“I need all the information you can get on him” Jackson told Liam when they were alone.“I have already done some digging on him. I started looking into his operations, and it wasn't easy. He is elusive, leaving no traces behind, but I managed to uncover some crucial information."Jackson's eyes widened with surprise. "You investigated Damien already? Why didn't you tell me?" he asked“Of course I investigated him; how would you think I would after hearing all he had to say that evening. I needed to know what we were up against and how best to address the situation” Liam told him“So? What are we up against?” Jackson questioned. “What did you find out?” His curiosity now piquedLiam leaned forward, his voice hushed.“His full name is Damien Lodge and he is a well known drug dealer. It wasn’t hard getting information on him because he is wanted in about nineteen states for different crimes and no one has been able to pin him to any of the crimes. His empire is
CHAPTER HUNDRED AND FOUR“You look really sick, Amelia. Is there anything I can get you?” Anna asked as she opened the door to her friend’s room who had not come out in days “I don’t need anything; thank you for asking” Amelia muttered, her eyes drowsing from sleeping too much “I know you don’t but is there not a way or anything I can do to get you out of that bed? You have been like this for days and it is scaring me; when was the last time you had a fucking bath” She questioned, her eyebrows shooting up in concern.Amelia groaned. She did not want to talk about what was bothering her, only that she wanted to be left alone to her misery and fears but if there was one person who would understand seeing as she had accommodated her when she had run out on Damien then it was going to be Anna.Amelia could see that she was waiting for an explanation or a lifeline but she did not know how exactly to begin talking about it without falling apart and she wanted no one to tell her she was e