JACKSON

by Davis, Siobhan

  “You don’t have to,” Abby says, fixing him with a fake sugary smile. “Shandra and I will hang out with her. We’ll keep her safe.”

  “See, that there. That’s what I have an issue with.” Anderson grips her chin in his fingers. “I won’t have you hurt because of her.”

  Abby slaps his hand away. “You’re almost as bad as him now.” She jerks her head at me for a nanosecond before turning back to her husband. “You don’t get to tell me what to do or who to hang out with. How can you turn your back on a girl in danger? I know that’s not who you are. I need you to be okay with this, Kai, because I’m not backing down. Nessa needs a friend, and there’s no way in hell I’m stepping aside if that bastard Montgomery has her in his sights.”

  Fire burns in her eyes, and it’s familiar. There is no point trying to reason with Abigail Anderson when she gets something into her head. This is a foregone conclusion. She’s not walking away, and that makes things much more difficult for me.

  “We should go check on her,” Abby says to Shandra. “Make sure she’s okay.” She glances at her watch, looking up at Anderson. “We can squeeze in a quick visit before dinner.”

  “I don’t think that’s wise,” Hunt pipes up. “I checked the camera feed when I got home. She’s not in a good place. She’ll be embarrassed if you see her like that.” He glances at me, conveying everything he’s not saying with the disgusted expression on his face.

  Good. I’m glad she’s hurting. Bitch fucking deserves it. No one gets to treat me like an idiot without suffering the consequences. And I’ve barely even begun. By the time I’m through with her, she’ll wish she’d never been born.

  “I’m going to grab some food and head over there in a while. I’ll look after her, I promise,” Hunt reassures Abby.

  I flip him off ’cause I’m immature like that.

  The piranha’s teeth sharpen. “Fuck you, Jackson,” Abby hisses. “This is all your Goddamned fault.”

  “She brought it on herself,” I snap back, tamping down the guilt churning in my gut. Anderson growls again, but I ignore him. “She’s been lying to me as much as I’ve been lying to her. She deserves everything coming her way.”

  Shandra places her hand on my arm, much to Drew’s obvious displeasure. Shit is bad between them right now, but there was a time they seemed pretty loved up. I suspect Jane Ford is the reason Drew has backed off. Stupid, weak fucker. Those two women have him by the balls, and he’s letting them.

  I smirk as he eyes Shandra’s hand like it’s an explosive. His gaze narrows on mine, silently warning me. If I thought Shandra would be up for a roll in the sack, I’d be all over that shit. Pissing Nessa and Drew off would be like scoring the ultimate two for one. But Shandra’s not that type of girl, and I wouldn’t even waste my time trying. Guess I’ll have to find other ways to wind Drew up.

  Dude really gets under my skin these days. Things had been okay between us, and it was Hunt who had an issue with Abby’s twin until the douche brought up the night Anderson and Abby let me into their bedroom. It was a onetime thing, the night of the anniversary of Dani’s death. I was in a bad place, and my friend recognized that. I didn’t touch Abby. No way in hell would Anderson allow that, but I did jerk off watching them fuck from a chair by their bed. Hands down, it was one of the hottest nights of my life, and I didn’t even get laid.

  Anderson is a lucky man.

  Anyway, I won’t go into all the details, but Drew was aware of that night, and it must’ve been brewing in his head, because he verbally attacked me one night last May, warning me to butt out of their relationship and to back off his sister. I didn’t appreciate his tone or his condemnation, and things have been frosty between us since.

  Now, I get my rocks off riling the dude up any chance I get. Case in point.

  “Please don’t do this,” Shandra pleads, dragging me back into the conversation. “You don’t have to do it.”

  I move her hand off my arm. “Butt out, Shandra. Haven’t you got enough problems of your own to worry about?” I purposely stare at Drew.

  “Fuck off, Lauder,” Drew snaps. “Don’t try to deflect from the mess you’ve created by throwing shade elsewhere.”

  I flip him the bird. “Why are you even here? Let’s not pretend we like one another.”

  “Shut. Up. Jackson.” Abby’s gaze dances between me and her brother. “You’re both giving me a headache. Sort your shit out because we’ve bigger problems to deal with. Like this issue with Nessa and the impending elite vote to elect a new president.”

  Anderson frowns. “Can we not talk about that. I’m already in a foul fucking mood, and that will turn me psychotic.”

  I know Kai and Rick are worried about their younger brothers, Joaquin and Harley. They have done everything to keep them protected and away from all the elite shit. Pressure is mounting now that the organization is restructuring, and a new president is close to being elected. None of us know what will happen or how it will impact us, so to say things are a little tense is an understatement.

  I also know this new elite shit is the reason why Kai and Rick have stopped actively searching for their missing brothers. Atticus Anderson put their two youngest brothers up for adoption after their mom passed, and no one knows where they are. Anderson is desperate to find them, but he’s holding back now out of fear they’ll fall into the elite’s clutches if they reconnect.

  He’s walking a tightrope, and the strain is obvious on his face.

  It’s another reason I didn’t want to pull him into this shit.

  Abby kisses Anderson softly before turning her attention to me. “We’ve got to go. Mom’s expecting us for dinner. I’ve just one thing left to say.” Her brows knit together. “Actually, two.”

  I roll my eyes and cross my arms, preparing for whatever misguided wisdom she’s about to unleash on me. She fixes me with a stern, disapproving look that has me slumping a little in my chair. I feel the oppressive weight of her displeasure sitting on my chest like it’s a tangible thing.

  “First. Belinda is not welcome at our table. Don’t invite her again.”

  I smirk. My plan worked. She got to Nessa. To Abby and Shandra too if I’m reading the vibes correct. Awesome. And I know just how to up the ante, so I nod, as if it’s no biggie. If that’s how she wants to play it, fine. I’m gonna have fun with this. “What else?” I ask, ignoring the daggers Anderson is sending my way.

  “I know you feel something for Nessa. You can deny it till the cows come home, and I still won’t believe you.” She drops the glare, compassion filling her eyes as she leans across the table at me. “How will you feel if he hurts her? If he kidnaps her and takes her away from you? If he tortures her, abuses her, ra—”

  “Enough!” I jump up, knocking my chair over in the process. I can’t think about that shit. “You’ve made your point.”

  “At least this way, Abby and Shandra will know if anything is going on,” Hunt supplies, doing his best to defuse the tension in the air.

  “We’re not spying for you,” Shandra huffs. “You can get that idea out of your head.”

  “We’re going to be her friend,” Abby says, glancing at me again. “Because we want to be, and because I will not sit back and watch anyone hurt another woman. Not Christian Montgomery. Not those bastard elite.” She pokes her finger at me. “And especially not you.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Vanessa

  AS I STARE at the pic on my cell that Jackson sent me last night, I’m hoping if I look at it enough times it will numb me to all emotions. I can make out his arm and the side of his head, but most of the image is centered on the blonde sleeping in his bed. She’s lying on her stomach, hair spread across her face, so I can’t tell if she was awake or asleep when he took the photo. Sheets are draped casually at her waist, confirming she’s naked.

  Pain rips through me, making a mockery of my stupid hope. I seriously contemplate getting back into bed and sleeping my hangover off, but fuck Jackson Lauder
. Chloe is right—he isn’t worthy of my time or my headspace, and he’s certainly not worth tossing my dream aside for. I’m glad I called my bestie last night for advice. She was fuming when I told her what’d gone down, and she helped set me straight.

  Fuck him to the high heavens. He is not ruining this opportunity for me.

  Sometime during the night, when my overwrought brain dissected everything, I realized I have the control here. Jackson wants to hurt me. That much is evident, but he can only hurt me if I let him. And I’m done letting men destroy me. I’m not convinced I’m strong enough to do this, but I’m going to try. Compared to what Aaron did to me, this is a cakewalk. If I could pull myself back from the brink that time, I can do it again.

  Walking into my bathroom, I switch on the shower, chanting a silent battle cry in my head as I step under the warm water. I will show that asshole that he meant as little to me as I meant to him. Doesn’t matter that it’s all lies. He won’t know that. Tipping my head back, I close my eyes as water cascades down my face, mapping out a strategy in my head.

  I spent years wearing a mask to disguise the things happening in my bedroom at night. Now, I’ll just wear a different mask to hide my heartbreak and pretend like I’m a fully functioning member of society. I need to shut off my emotions again, but I need to do it without relying on alcohol or drugs because that’s a one-way ticket to hell, and it’s a destination I’ve no desire to revisit. It won’t be easy, especially if I’ve lost Abby and Shandra’s friendship, but I owe it to myself to fight for my future.

  No man is going to hold me back.

  Especially not Jackson Lauder.

  _______________

  “How’s the head?” Hunt asks, handing me a bottle of water when I reach Manning Hall.

  “Not good. It’s like someone has taken a hammer to my skull, but I’ll survive.”

  “These will help.” Hunt offers me some pain pills, but I shake my head.

  “No thanks. I try not to use medication if I can help it.” I open the water, greedily drinking it.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” he adds.

  “You were expecting me to be a no-show,” I surmise.

  He nods. “I’m happy I was wrong. For what it’s worth, I don’t approve of how Jackson is treating you.”

  “Jackson who?” I attempt a lighthearted tone, but I’m not sure I’ve quite pulled it off.

  “You’re going to be fine.” Leaning in, he kisses my cheek, surprising me. “You are stronger than you think.”

  “Thank you.” My nose scrunches. “I think.”

  “I meant what I said last night. I’m still your friend, and I’m here if you need anything.”

  “Thank you, and you’re forgiven. I appreciate you stopping by last night to check up on me. No one usually cares.”

  “I’m not the only one who cares.” Looking over my shoulder, he smiles, relief blatant on his face. “The cavalry has arrived. My work here is done.” He winks at me. “Try to stay out of trouble.” He brushes past me as all the tiny hairs rise on my arms. “Ladies,” he says behind me.

  “Sawyer,” Abby says, and panic bubbles up my throat. “See you at lunch.”

  Forcing my panic to one side, I slowly turn around, ready to face the music.

  “Hey, Nessa.” Shandra darts in, giving me a quick hug. “How are you feeling today?”

  “Like I have a jackhammer in my head,” I blurt the truth.

  “That jackass is not worth a hangover,” Abby says, looping her arm in mine. “But I get it.”

  “I owe you an apology,” I blurt again because I have zero filter. It’s even worse at times when I’m drunk where I literally spew the thoughts in my head like I’m thinking them out loud. “I’m so sorry I didn’t say anything. I didn’t know how.”

  “No apology is necessary, Nessa,” Abby says, as we walk up the steps. “I’m not going to hold something that happened between you and my husband years ago, before I was even on the scene, over your head or let it ruin our friendship. Although, I’d prefer you keep the deets to yourself.”

  My cheeks flare up. “I would never say anything like that! God, I’d be happy if we never ever mentioned it again.” Especially the part where I pathetically followed his ass around, desperately craving his attention.

  Shandra opens the door, and we step into the building.

  “Sounds perfect to me.” Abby smiles, and there’s no hint of ill will on her face. A layer of stress lifts from my shoulders and I let out a shuddering breath. “Jackson is the biggest jerk for blabbing that.”

  “Boy’s got issues,” Shandra murmurs.

  “I honestly didn’t think you’d speak to me again,” I admit as we make our way along the hallway. It’s busy again, and noisy chatter swirls around us.

  “I have had enough of men’s interference to last me a lifetime,” Abby replies. “I make decisions for myself, and no man is going to take away that control. We’re here for you. That hasn’t changed.”

  “So, you better get used to us,” Shandra jokes. “Because we’re going nowhere.”

  _______________

  “I feel sick,” I blurt as we line up to pay for our lunch in the food court after our morning classes have ended.

  “I’ve banned Belinda from our table, and I doubt Jackson will risk being nasty to you in front of us, so don’t worry. It will be fine,” Abby reassures me.

  Except it’s not fine.

  “You have got to be kidding me.” Abby shoots daggers at the back of Jackson’s head as we approach our table.

  Belinda is gone, all right. But she’s already been replaced by a skinny blonde with an unnatural rack. Barbie is on his lap, arms wrapped around him, fake tits smushed into his face, and I want to yank her up by her bleached head and drag my nails down her face. The image of the photo he sent me flashes unhelpfully across my retinas. Obviously, she’s the blonde who shared his bed last night. Agony slams into me at the thought of her having sex with my boyfriend.

  Not your boyfriend, you sap. Ex-boyfriend. Get with the program.

  Thanking my snarly inner voice for reminding me of my agenda, I tug my steel walls up, securing them around me as I rally my resolve. I don’t care. He’s a petty, juvenile prick and someone who is completely undeserving of my love and my attention.

  Ignoring him and his latest fuck buddy, I sink onto the empty chair beside Sawyer. I press a kiss to his cheek. “How’s your day been?” I inquire.

  “Better now you’re here.”

  I laugh, nudging his shoulder. “Liar.”

  Snaking his arm around my shoulder, he presses a soft kiss to my temple. “I’m not lying.” Placing his mouth by my ear, keeping me under his arm, he adds, “I’m offering my services if you want to use me to rile him up.”

  “Why would you do that?” I ask, peering into his earnest hazel eyes. “He’s your best friend.”

  Grinning, he shrugs. “Take your pick. He’s acting like an ass. I want to prove a point. And I owe him payback. He’s been pissing me off for weeks.”

  I think about it, seriously considering it for a few seconds before I dismiss it. I wriggle out from under his arm. “Thanks for the offer, and I might take you up on it down the road, but, for now, I’m taking the moral high ground.”

  His eyes shine with pride. “You are way too good for him, Van. Don’t ever sell yourself short.”

  A throat clearing on my other side claims my attention. Turning my head, I come face to face with Kaiden Anderson, and my stomach dips to my toes. Shandra is seated in between us, and Abby is on Kai’s other side.

  “I want to apologize if I was less than welcoming yesterday,” Kaiden says, startling me. I was ready for him to rip me a new one. It’s what the old Camden would’ve done.

  “You don’t have anything to apologize for, but I appreciate it.” If anything, I’m the one who should be apologizing to him for my past behavior, but I promised Abby I wouldn’t bring it up again, so I don’t broach the subject.


  Abby elbows her husband none too subtly, and Sawyer chuckles.

  “I have no issue with you being here,” Kaiden adds, glancing between me and Abby. “Or being friends with my wife. You’re welcome at our house anytime.”

  “Pussywhipped.” Sawyer coughs, murmuring under his breath, and Kai flips him off.

  I pretend I haven’t heard. “Thank you. And congratulations on your marriage. I wholeheartedly approve of your choice. Abby is amazing, and one of the kindest people I’ve ever met.”

  His features soften as he slides his arm around her waist. “She is. My wife is all kinds of wonderful.”

  Jackson makes a gagging sound from the top of the table, accompanied by more female titters.

  “Where does he find these women?” I mumble. “And can any of them think for themselves?”

  “You don’t want to know,” Sawyer replies. “And doubtful.”

  “You look like shit, Nessa,” Jackson hollers. “Rough night?”

  “What makes you think I want to talk to you?” I ask, purposely looking at him, working hard to keep my features cold and impassive. I’m not cowering anymore.

  His eyes skim my face while his hand glides to the blonde’s hip. She runs her fingers through his hair, and I want to rip her hands off him.

  I don’t care. He means nothing. He’s a prick. She’s welcome to him. I bolster my walls, promising myself I’m strong enough to do this and survive.

  “You might want to start using makeup, sweetheart,” Jackson says, smirking at me as he rubs circles on the blonde’s hip with his fingers. “Unless you were going for the washed-out junkie-whore look on purpose.”

  “Eat shit and die, asshole,” I reply, pleased when my voice comes out level even though my stomach has dropped to my toes and my left leg has started shaking of its own volition.

  Blondie sticks her tongue in his ear, grinding on his lap, and I look away before my mask drops, revealing my hurt. I’m aware how easily women fall into Jackson’s lap; otherwise, I’d think he paid her to act as obnoxious as possible. Has she no pride? We’re in the middle of a packed food court. No one wants to see that when they’re trying to eat.