“I own you, Ally,” he hissed as he stepped closer to me. “Never forget that. I would rather die than let someone else have you, and I will kill any man that puts a hand on you.”
“Jacob, please,” I cried once more. “Please let me go.”
He opened his mouth to speak, but a cough from behind me stopped him dead, and he quickly released me from his grasp.
“I’m sorry, Sir,” Thatcher said, looking like he wished he was anywhere but there. “But your car is here.”
“Thank you, Thatcher,” Jacob said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, quickly wiping my blood from his hand. Then he glanced at me once more before he turned and walked towards the door, leaving without saying another word.
Instantly, hot tears pooled in my eyes. I could feel Thatcher watching me, and I’d never felt more embarrassed in my life. I quickly glanced down at the puncture hole that was now on my wrist with blood oozing from it.
“Ally,” Thatcher said, surprising me that he used my first name. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I said, covering the wound with my other hand as I blinked back the tears before turning to look at this stranger. When I did, all I found was kindness and pity, staring at me from his eyes. “It’s just a scratch.”
“You’re not fine,” he said as he stepped forward, taking hold of my arm, lifting my hand away. “You’re bleeding, and it looks deep.”
As much as I fought them, I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore.
“Let me take you to the emergency room,” Thatcher said, giving me a pleading look. “You need to have a doctor check your wrist.”
“I’m fine,” I repeated once more with a quiet sob, shaking my head. “I’ll be okay.”
“Then let me ring Jaxson,” he said, almost flooring me with his comment.
“Why would you ring him?” I asked, surprised he would even offer to do that.
“Because I promised him that I would tell him if you needed help,” Thatcher said, giving me a sad smile. “Jaxson is my friend, Ally. Let me call him.”
I stared at him for a moment and wondered if I should let him. But then the thought occurred to me, what if this was a test. What if this was Jacob using this man to test me.
I knew I was being ridiculous, but I knew, right at that moment, I really couldn’t trust anyone.
“It’s okay,” I said, pulling my arm from his hold. “Can you just let Lynn know that I don’t feel well, and I’m just going to lie down.”
“Ally…” he said but stopped as if he realised that I was not going to change my mind. “I’ll let her know.”
I didn’t reply. Instead, I hurried up the stairs, heading straight to my room. By the time I reached it, I could barely see through the tears that were now flowing freely. Still, I didn’t slow down; I didn’t stop until I reached the bathroom, and turned on the faucet in my sink before putting my wrist beneath the water, letting it wash away the blood, as I continued to let my tears flow.
How had this become my life?
“Thank you all for coming here this evening,” Jacob said as he stood at the head of the table, as everyone finished dessert. “I’m incredibly thankful to have such an amazing family, amazing friends to be sharing the holidays with.”
I was sitting directly to his left playing the part of the dutiful wife, despite the fact all I wanted to do was run away. He glanced down at me, giving me a smile that actually made my stomach heave. I realised right at that moment. I hated him. I hated everything about him. But more than that, I hated myself. I hated I allowed myself to become this weak, pathetic person who accepted whatever Jacob did to me.
I wanted to stand up and scream at the top of my lungs that I was married to a monster; that I hated him with every fibre of my body. But being the master of faking it, I returned his smile, before I looked across the table at his mother, whose eyes were fixed on her golden boy, as was everyone else’s.
I knew right then that no one would ever believe what a monster Jacob was, and tonight just showed me that he was only going to get worse, just like I knew he would never let me simply walk away. I felt so trapped.
“There was another reason why I’ve invited you all here this evening,” Jacob continued as he beamed with pride. “I know some of you have heard some whispers. Some of you have even talked to me about what I’m about to tell you. But now, I would like to make it official and share my news with the most important people in my life. Tomorrow, I will be officially announcing my campaign to run for Senate in next year’s election.”
A loud cheer rang out as everyone around the table began to clap and talk excitedly. I glanced over at Jacob’s mother once more, and she beamed with pride as her eyes met mine. She smiled at me but then gave me a look that confused me. Like she was telling me something. That perhaps she knew what a monster her son was, and she knew how unhappy I was. She almost looked sorry, but then she smiled once more and nodded her head.
Suddenly Jacob grabbed my hand, pulling me to my feet, and from my thoughts, then he kissed me before handing me a glass of champagne as his father began to make a speech, followed by a toast.
As I sipped my champagne, Elizabeth, Jacob's mom, appeared beside me.
“This is very exciting,” she began, her eyes searching my face, but for what I didn’t know. “This is all he’s ever dreamed of.”
“I know,” I replied weakly, unable to find the strength inside me to give anymore.
“You’re very quiet tonight, Dear,” she said, giving me a genuine smile. Despite everything, I did like Elizabeth. I just hated that she allowed Jacob to believe that he could behave; however, he liked; that he is the most important man on the planet.
“It’s Jacob’s night,” I said, trying to appear as normal as possible. “I want him to have all the spotlight.”
“You’re such a sweet girl,” she said, kissing my cheek, but as she pulled away, she looked down at my arm.
Instinctively, I tried to cover the dressing on my arm with my other hand.
“Darling, what happened to your arm?” she said, taking hold of my hand. “I noticed the dressing beneath your bangles during dinner.”
“It’s nothing,” I insisted, pulling my hand free. “I had a stupid accident. You know how clumsy I can be.”
“Are you sure?” She said, once more giving me a worried look, completely surprising me with her comment. “You know you can talk to me; about anything.”
I glanced over at Jacob, and I wasn’t surprised to see him watching me closely. I quickly turned back to Elizabeth and gave her a smile.
“It’s no big deal, honestly,” I assured her once more, knowing she wasn’t buying what I said. But I also knew that there was no chance she would ever go up against Jacob for me, so there was no point in me confiding in her. “Would you please excuse me. I need to use the bathroom.”
Before she could say another word, I turned and headed towards the door, but before I could reach it, Jacob took hold of my arm.
“Is everything okay?” He whispered, giving me a worried look. “With my mom, I mean.”
“Yeah,” I replied, giving him a smile. “everything is fine. I just need to use the bathroom.”
He stared at me for a moment, deciding whether or not to believe me. He released my arm, then softly pressed his lips to mine.
“Okay,” he said, giving me a relieved looking smile. “I’m going to take the guys down to the den. I’ve asked Lynn to put some glasses and chilled wine in the living room for you and the other ladies.”
“Great,” I smiled, resisting the urge I had to roll my eyes and groan. A night in the living room with the rest of the ‘little women,’ while the lord and master took his cronies down to his mancave, was not my idea of a good time. It was a room Jacob had in the basement of the house. It was overly masculine, and I found the decoration ugly and boring.
I turned and headed out of the room, making a beeline straight for the guest bathroom. Once inside, I wal
ked to the wash hand basin and stared at my reflection.
It took everything I had inside me not to break down there and then.
“You need to keep your shit together, AL!” I whispered to my reflection before I backed up and sat down on the closed toilet lid, giving myself a moment to gather my thoughts.
I recalled how Elizabeth looked at me. Did she really know what Jacob was truly like? Would she understand how trapped I felt if I did confide in her? Would she help me?
Could anyone help me?
Jaxson instantly jumped into my mind. Could I turn to him? Could I really ask him to help me after how I behaved the night in that kitchen?
I released a long breath as I pushed up from the toilet. I knew I couldn’t delay going back any longer.
I opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. As I walked across the hall, I could hear the sound of the men talking over each other, drifting up from the den, as the excited chatter from the ladies drifted out from the living room.
I stopped just before I reached the door, knowing I really couldn’t face spending the evening with these women, whom I had nothing in common with. My head was already banging.
I turned and headed for the kitchen, deciding I needed painkillers before I could face the mindless conversation of these brainless women.
When I walked into the kitchen, I stopped when I saw Lynn and Thatcher huddled at the kitchen table, deep in conversation. The moment Thatcher saw me walking in, he bolted up from his seat, looking like he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t.
“Mrs. Wallace!” He said, giving me a worried look. “Is everything okay?”
“I’ve got a headache,” I said, looking from him to Lynn. I knew that Lynn was Jacob’s little spy, and now I couldn’t help but wonder if that meant Thatcher was too.
“I’ll get you some painkillers,” Lynn said, jumping up from her seat, hurrying towards the kitchen cupboards.
“Thanks,” I said, as I cautiously stepped further into the room. As I did, Thatcher watched me closely, and I had no clue what he was thinking.
“Here you go,” Lynn said, turning to look at me as she handed me the painkillers. As she did, she gave me a look of sadness that surprised me. “Ally, are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m sure,” I replied, but to my surprise, she took hold of my hand.
“I think there is something you should know,” Lynn said, giving me a worried look. “But first I think you should let Thatcher take you to Jaxson’s. Go now, while Jacob is busy. Once you’re safe, he will tell you everything.”
Chapter 20
Jaxson
“You’ve barely touched your food,” Travis said, peering at me from across the table. “You know, empty sacks don’t stand.”
“I know, Mom,” I sighed, balling up my napkin and throwing it at him. “I’m just not hungry.”
Travis was actually supposed to be working today, but when I arrived home three days earlier and said I’d quit my job, he insisted there was no way he was leaving me alone for Thanksgiving. At the time, I was touched that he seemed so determined to be there for me, but now I kind of wished he had actually gone to work and left me to wallow in my misery.
“Why don’t you call her?” Travis shrugged as he set his knife and fork down next to his plate. “Because anything has to be better than seeing you this miserable.”
“Sure, I’ll ring her,” I replied sarcastically as I rolled my eyes. “And what do you suggest I tell her?”
“I don’t know,” he sighed, then gave me a smile. “But I’m sure she would just be happy to hear from you, Jax. You know that girl thinks the world of you.”
“Not anymore,” I sighed as I reached for the bottle of beer, I had open on the table in front of me and took a long sip. I remembered how she looked at me the last time I saw her; the sadness in her eyes almost shattered my heart. Still, I knew that walking away was the right thing to do. “She’s better off without me making her life harder…”
“That’s bullshit!” Travis exclaimed, sounding almost angry. “She isn’t better off with that… that animal? You are worth a thousand of him, and you could make her happy; happier than she is with him.”
“I CAN’T MAKE ANYONE HAPPY!” I shouted, slamming down my bottle of beer on the table.
“OH MY GOD!” Travis exclaimed, jumping up from the table. “Are you actually listening to yourself. This is about what happened with Christina. Why are you still punishing yourself over that?”
Instantly the girl I had once thought I would spend the rest of my life with crashed into my head. I thought of the nights she held me after I woke in a cold sweat after a dream or how I would beg her for forgiveness when I would lash out in my sleep, leaving her terrified and broken.
“Because I don’t want to hurt anyone else,” I sighed, trying to push Christina from my thoughts as I watched Travis pace up and down next to the table. “I broke Christina. She was so emotionally destroyed by everything I put her through…”
“Jax, that was a long time ago,” Travis tried to reason. “You’d been through hell and back, but you’re better now. You can’t keep punishing yourself for something that wasn’t your fault.”
“It doesn’t matter anyway,” I replied, releasing a long sigh. “I’ve destroyed any chance I had of a future with Ally. Even if she left Jacob, I’m fairly sure that there is no way she will ever let me close to her again. She’s never going to be able to trust me again because I let her down so badly.”
“You don’t know that,” Travis sighed as he retook his seat at the table.
“But I do,” I said, bringing my bottle to my lips once more, but before I could take a sip, the buzzer for the front door sounded. I instantly set my bottle back down and looked over at Travis. “Are you expecting anyone?”
“Me?” He replied, looking almost as surprised as I did. “No, I’m not expecting anyone. Not unless it’s one of my many adoring ladies…”
I rolled my eyes as I pushed up from my chair and made my way across my apartment. I just stepped into the hallway when the buzzer sounded once more.
“I’m coming,” I mutter to myself as I pick up my speed.
The moment I reached the intercom next to the front door, I reached up and pressed down on the speaker button.
“Hello?” I said into the box, having no clue who it could be.”
“Jax, it’s me!” Thatcher Jones’ voice came through the speaker, completely throwing me. “Can you let us in, like now!”
Without thinking, I reached up and pressed down on the release button to open the front door.
“Come on up,” I said back into the speaker, but there was no response.
“Who’s Thatcher?” Travis said from behind me, almost killing me with fright as I stood staring at the door.
“He’s a good friend of mine,” I explained as I turned to look at him, having no clue why he would even be here. Then I remembered, he said us. Didn’t he? “He replaced me in looking after Ally.”
“Why would he come here tonight?” Travis asked, giving me a worried look as if he was reading my mind. “And did he say us?”
“He did say that, didn’t he,” I nodded as my mind raced. “He said, ‘can you let us up.’”
“Who do you think is with him?” Travis asked, and I could hear the tension in his voice. “Do you think something happened with Ally?”
“I don’t know,” I replied just as there was a knock on the apartment door. “But we’re about to find out.”
I hurried to the door once more, my heartbeat now racing in my chest. I needed to know Ally was okay, so I opened it without even check through the peephole.
My heart slams into my chest the moment I saw Ally standing there, looking beyond terrified and completely confused. I knew her being here, especially on Thanksgiving, couldn’t mean anything good.
“What’s happened,” I blurted out, but where the words came from, I had no clue. My eyes quickly surveyed her, checking that
she at least appeared, at a glance, in one piece.
The moment Ally saw me, tears filled her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Everything inside me longed to take her in my arms, but I didn’t know if that would be something that she would want me to do. I couldn’t read her at all, which was something I usually found so easy to do, but not this time. So, I just stared at her, still shocked to find her standing there.
“Can we come in?” Thatcher asked as he gently pressed his hand on Ally’s back before guiding her in through the door, not even waiting for me to reply.
“Sure,” I replied, as I step back into the hallway, my eyes still not leaving Ally.
“Ally,” Travis exclaimed as we walked down the hallway. Without missing a beat, Travis stepped forward and hugged her tightly. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know,” she replied, her voice cracking with unshed tears before she pulls back from Travis’s embrace then turned to face me, just as a single tear trickled down her cheek. She quickly reached up and brushed it away, before rubbing her eyes, still so determined not to cry. “I’m sorry for just showing up like this…”
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” I said, unable to hold back any longer. I hurried towards her, wrapping my arms around her tightly. To my relief, she didn’t pull away. Instead, she melted into my arms as she finally let go of her tears. Instinctively I kiss the top of her head. “Please don’t cry.”
After a few moments, I release her from my embrace but then reach for her hand, leading her into the living room, followed closely by Thatcher and Travis.
I lead Ally straight to the sofa, guiding her to sit down before I kneeled in front of her. Taking hold of her hands, I looked up into her face and gave her a broad smile as she continued to sob.
“Do you want to tell me what happened?” I asked, but my question wasn’t just for her, I glance over at Thatcher, who is sitting across from Ally. “How bad is it?”
“It’s bad,” Thatcher sighed as he leaned forward in his seat. “Wallace is a bigger problem than you thought.”
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