“Easy, brother. Dean looks lost. Probably outta his mind,” I told him. I heard a car drive up next to us and I turned to see Harlow get out with fear in her eyes. I met her halfway and pulled her into my arms. “Hey, sweetheart,” I whispered, holding her close to my body. She didn’t say a word, instead, she hugged me tighter, letting me know that she was scared.
“It’s okay. They’ll take care of him. I’ll take you home where you’re safe.” Harlow shook her head at my plan and backed up so she could get a glimpse of the diner.
“Frankie is in there,” she said and gazed up at Jagger. “He needs to get out of there. Everyone needs to get out of there!” Her voice grew louder, and I could tell by the shaking in her voice that she was about to cry.
“We got it under control, Low. Go home with Hunter,” Jagger told her and kept his eyes on Dean.
“Shit,” Drew mumbled while keeping the binoculars he was now looking through directed on the diner.
“We gotta get in there. He’s got a gun,” he added and then looked at Bennett with a nod.
“Take her home!” Jagger roared at me and I grabbed Harlow’s wrist to pull her to my car. She didn’t move and tried to free herself from my grip.
“Harlow, get in the fucking car,” I said in a calm but harsh voice which didn’t seem to bother her at all. She kept on struggling and tried to get my hand off her with her free hand.
“Hunter, now!” Jagger shouted, and just like Bennett and Drew, he grabbed his gun and unlocked it so he was ready to shoot if necessary.
“Harlow,” I warned again but she kept on resisting, tears now rolling down her face.
“I can’t just leave!” she argued, and I was about to lose my patience. Bennett and Drew were already walking up to the diner and Jagger turned to us, wrapping his hand around Harlow’s neck so she had to look up at him. He looked mad and I was damn close to telling him not to lay a hand on her like that. But then, Harlow was being stubborn in a dangerous situation and I wasn’t having it, just like Jagger.
“I got this under control, goddammit! You need to listen to me and go with Hunter.” His words were full of anger and I knew he wasn’t just about to get Dean arrested. Jagger had other things in mind.
“I can’t leave!” Harlow was clearly shocked by the way her brother was treating her at that very moment, but she wasn’t letting loose. She wanted to stay. And just as I expected, she would witness bad things if she’d stay.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Harlow
I winced at the sound of a gun being fired. Jagger’s grip around my neck immediately loosened and he and Hunter quickly stepped in front of me. I heard shouting and screaming coming from the diner and even without seeing what was really happening, I knew it was chaos.
“Stay with her,” Jagger ordered Hunter, and then he ran toward the diner, where people were running out from the door. Luckily, not many people were inside, but the ones who were able to escape the dramatic scene on the inside.
“Get in the car,” Hunter told me, now his voice sounding even harder than before. I couldn’t move, even though I was trying to. I couldn’t keep my eyes off Dean, who was standing in the middle of the diner, his left arm around Nixon’s neck holding him locked beside him, and his other hand pointing his gun right against Nixon’s temple, ready to shoot an innocent young man.
The sight of that was terrifying and seeing Jagger walk in on that scene was making me feel sick to my stomach. I saw Bennet and Drew standing some feet away from Dean, holding their guns in his direction and it looked like they were talking to him calmly. But the two of them didn’t matter to Dean since his eyes were fixed on Jagger, who stepped next to Drew, his gun in his hand next to his side.
“Harlow,” I heard Hunter’s voice in the distance, and I shook off his hands from my shoulders. I wasn’t going to listen. What I was seeing was making my heart race faster than ever and the pain pulling my chest together was a sign of fear I was feeling.
Yet, I couldn’t look away.
***
Hunter
The first gunshot hit a lamp on the ceiling, which caused the lightbulb to break. Dean clearly didn’t think this through, since he was holding an innocent man as some kind of hostage right in front of everyone. I knew Bennett and Drew were wearing bulletproof vests underneath, but Jagger didn’t, and I was scared that idiot was going to get hurt, or worse, killed by his own fucking father right in front of his sister’s eyes.
I knew Jagger wanted revenge, but this wasn’t going to end well. Dean was crazy and he wasn’t afraid to use that gun. He wasn’t thinking straight and knowing his son was standing right there, he might as well just take a chance.
They were talking, Dean still holding poor Nixon in his headlock with a gun to his head. Bennett and Drew kept their guns on Dean, and I knew that if Dean was going to shoot Nixon, or anyone else, they’d shoot back with no hesitation.
That’s when I saw someone move in the back, slowly walking toward Dean. Frankie. He was sneaking up on him and that was the biggest mistake he could’ve made.
“Shit,” I mumbled and grabbed Harlow’s hand, ready to open the car door and push her inside. She didn’t need to see all that.
But I was too late. As Frankie stepped closer to Dean and reached for his gun, Dean let go of Nixon, making him hit the floor hard. Dean then turned to fight Frankie off, holding his gun tightly in his hand. It all happened too fast and suddenly, another gunshot rang through my ears and Harlow let out a loud cry, calling Frankie’s name.
That’s when I saw Frankie drop to the floor with blood coming out of his chest.
“No!” Harlow cried out, and the way her body shook made my heart ache terribly. As sad as it was, I couldn’t just stand there and watch it all go down in misery. I had to help, or else more people would get hurt. So, I swung open the door of my car and grabbed Harlow by the shoulders, pushing her inside.
“This will be over soon,” I assured her, and before she could fight back, I locked her in and ran toward the diner, making my way to the back entrance. I could hear Harlow scream from inside the car but I couldn’t let another man get shot in there unless it was Dean himself.
So I ignored the pain that was growing inside my chest and turned into the cold-blooded killer who killed people who caused bad things in the world. I needed Dean to be gone. Out of Harlow’s life and out of Jagger’s too.
When I entered through the back, I could finally hear what was really going on. I heard Nixon cry, asking his uncle to wake up and telling him that everything will be all right soon. I didn’t think so, seeing that bullet go right through Frankie’s chest.
“Who’s next, huh?” Dean growled, and I finally reached the front, stopping right by the kitchen where I could see them all. Jagger’s eyes were on Dean’s, not taking them off of him. He wanted more to happen. He was ready to fight but I wouldn’t let it get that far. Harlow needed him. Hell, I needed him. So, my goal was to stop Dean’s gun from going off again.
“Let’s put the gun down, Dean. You’ve done enough damage already,” Bennett said, sounding too damn calm for my liking. Did he really think he could make this all better by asking Dean to put down his gun? Jesus Christ.
Why isn’t Bennett shooting him already? But then, having Dean suffer for the rest of his life and rot in prison sounded more appealing than having him killed instantly.
Dean shook his head at Bennett, turning his head to look at Jagger. A slow grin appeared on Dean’s face while he raised his gun, pointing it directly at Jagger. Fucking hell, just shoot him already!
“Don’t you have anything to say to your good ol’ dad, son?” Dean slurred his words and I was suddenly unsure as to why I was just standing there, not helping out. Jagger’s eyes were filled with unshed tears and the trembling of his bottom lip was a sign of sadness suddenly developing inside of him.
“Speechless, huh?” Dean chuckled and then clenched his jaw, his hand holding the gun starting to shake. “Always knew
you’re a fucking weak piece of shit. You’ve never spoken up to me and always ran like a scared little shit. Why don’t you show me how fucking tough you are now! Show me that you’ve grown some balls in all these years!” Dean’s voice was loud, and I saw Jagger hurting from his father’s words. Jagger knew whatever he was saying wasn’t true. He was strong. Made sure his little sister was safe and he cared for her more than he cared about his own damn life.
“FUCKING TALK TO ME!” Dean roared, and I saw Jagger wince, almost as if he were scared of his father. But he kept quiet and stared at Dean. “That’s what I thought.” Dean laughed and shook his head.
“Not even one word. I came here just to see you and that little cunt and all I fucking get is fucking silence,” he exclaimed in an almost humorous tone. That’s when it was over for Jagger. He wasn’t taking anymore of Dean’s bullshit. And thank fuck, I was waiting on that moment.
With one quick lift of his gun, Jagger pointed it directly at his father, his finger on the trigger and ready to pull. “Rest easy, Pa,” Jagger whispered, pulling the trigger with no mercy.
Epilogue
October 3rd, 3:37 AM
Harlow
On the night of Dean’s death, October 3rd, Jagger and I couldn’t stop holding each other. On the couch, I cuddled up to him and he wrapped his arms around me tight, kissing my forehead over and over again. We sat there in silence and we both let out all of the tension that had built up through all those years, thanks to our father, who didn’t take his role as a leading and protecting figure as serious as he should’ve.
Hunter was sitting there on the recliner, his elbows propped up on his knees and his hands rubbing against each other from time to time. His eyes stayed mainly on the small table in front of us but he wasn’t talking either. It was late, but I knew he wasn’t going to leave until he was sure that he could leave the two of us alone. I didn’t want him to leave. He was part of me and I felt just as safe around him as Jagger.
I knew Hunter only wanted to protect me back at the diner by locking me inside his car, but from where I was sitting, I had the perfect view of my brother killing Dean. It wasn’t the bullet burying itself through Dean’s head that made me scream, but Jagger’s face filled with anger and fear that I worried about the most. I saw the hurt in his eyes from the distance and I knew that very moment would change his life forever.
It wasn’t easy growing up with an abusive father and then having to take care of a younger sibling from a very young age, but Jagger lived through hell and he made it out alive, saving me too. My love couldn’t grow any bigger for him and all I wished for was that Jagger to not have any regrets after what happened some hours ago.
We were lucky the cops weren’t involved in that drama. Bennet and Drew promised us to take care of the situation and get rid of Dean’s body so no one would think he was killed by someone. I didn’t want to know any more details about how they would get rid of his body. All I really cared about was Frankie. He was innocent, yet he was the victim of a brutal murder, caused by someone crazy enough to shoot a man who had no bad intentions.
Frankie was a great man. He cared about me and treated me like a daughter. He supported my choices about school and work, even if they weren’t the right ones. He also grew on Hunter and Hunter started to grow on Frankie too. I thought about how it all could’ve been avoided. Frankie’s death was worse than my own father’s and I didn’t’ feel guilt at all.
Nixon was lost after Bennett and Drew covered both corpses with big sheets, so we wouldn’t have to look at them anymore. I hugged Nixon tight, hoping he someday could forgive us for what happened to Frankie. Surprisingly enough, he hugged me back, crying into my shoulder. That’s when I couldn’t help my sobs from escaping.
Eventually, Drew drove Nixon home to his family and I made sure I had his phone number to reach him as soon as we knew more about his funeral. I wanted to be there. For Frankie.
The thought of Dean’s funeral didn’t even cross my mind and that was okay. I just wanted them to get rid of him. I was done with him and I knew Jagger was too.
In all honesty, there was not much more to say about Dean. He didn’t deserve it. It felt like a heavy weight was lifted from my shoulders and I could finally move on.
“It’s over,” Jagger whispered against my head, giving me one more kiss and running his hand through my hair. I opened my eyes to look up at him and nodded.
“It’s over.” I repeated his words with a smile that I wondered was even visible. I doubted it. But it felt good to say those words.
***
October 18th
Fifteen days had passed since Frankie was killed, and I visited his grave every day since his funeral ten days ago. It was a beautiful ceremony. Jagger, Hunter, and I got to meet Frankie’s lovely family, and Nixon introduced us to his mother, who was Frankie’s sister. One thing was bothering me, though. They all thought Frankie died from a heart attack. The bullet wound on his chest wasn’t visible thanks to the suit he was wearing, and it covered up all the lies about his death.
I could see how hard it was for Nixon to not tell anyone about the true cause of Frankie’s death, yet, he had to keep quiet.
I held Hunter and Jagger’s hands throughout the whole ceremony, receiving all their strength and love.
Before we left, Nixon handed me a note with my name on it, signed by Frankie. “I found this while going through his stuff in his office. I didn’t read it. There was one for me too.” Nixon smiled and pulled me into his embrace. “Stay safe,” he whispered, and I nodded.
“You too.”
He stepped back and nodded once, looking at Hunter and Jagger before walking back to his mother, who was standing in front of Frankie’s gravestone.
I still hadn’t opened the note, but I was about to read it out loud in front of Jagger, Hunter, and Bliss. We were all sitting in our living room, Jagger on the recliner, Hunter next to me on one couch, and Bliss on the other.
I unfolded the note and started reading it.
Dear Low,
I know this seems a little too forward, but I also know that I would never be brave enough to say this to you. I’m not good with words, but I hope it’s enough for you to understand what I’m trying to tell you. I was lucky enough to get to meet a strong and kind-hearted young woman like you and even if I’m not a father, I know that I would’ve wished for my daughter to be just like you. You’ve helped around the diner a lot and I hope you stay for many more years. If that is the case, I want you to have the diner. Take over. Make it the best diner in this goddamn town.
Now, I know it’s a little much for me to ask from you, but you’re the only one I want to keep my diner up for as long as possible. If you say no, then I guess I’ll have to ask Nixon. (Please, don’t let that happen.) And if you do say yes, then I also wouldn’t mind for your wannabe badass boyfriend to help you out in the kitchen. Again, don’t feel pressured. Take your time.
- Frankie
“Oh, wow,” Bliss said in awe and I looked up at her with tears in my eyes.
“He probably wanted to give me this someday,” I pointed out and looked over at Hunter. He was watching me closely.
“So, what do you think?” he asked, surprising me with his lighthearted tone.
“I…I don’t know,” I said in all honesty. “I mean, isn’t that…” I stopped, wondering why I couldn’t get myself to just take the offer and start all over again.
“What about Gunner?” I asked Hunter. He shrugged. “My contract with him is over. I would love to stay here with you. We could renovate the diner. Clean up a bit and start over.”
That sounded nice. I didn’t want to leave Hastings. Not yet. So, maybe taking over Frankie’s diner wasn’t a bad idea. I would be doing it for Frankie, in the end.
***
Hunter
January 17th
Life was good. Harlow made me move in with her after Jagger left Hastings. I had a long talk with him before he explained to Harlow why he
wanted to leave town. He told me about the demons following him around. Even though he knew Dean was gone, he didn’t feel like Hastings was the right place for him to heal from all the shit that happened. He needed a fresh start and wanted to get out of Hastings to clear his mind.
Jagger gave us his new address and told us to go visit him whenever we felt like seeing him, so I made sure we headed over to his new home once a week.
Harlow and I were busy with the diner. We renovated it slightly, making sure everything was running smoothly for the re-opening of Frankie’s diner. Harlow kept the name and also made sure everyone remembered Frankie’s the way it was with the first owner running it.
People still liked to eat at the diner, and I was able to hire some more cooks and waiters. I knew Frankie was struggling with paying his employees and that was why no one wanted to work for him, but since I didn’t have anything better to do with my money, I made sure everyone got enough at the end of the month.
What was most important to me was Harlow’s happiness. She didn’t like the fact that Jagger wasn’t close anymore, but they called and texted almost daily. Bliss was also still around, still working at the diner on the highway and visiting us as much as possible. She barely talked about Jagger and I wondered if they were still a thing. But then, that wasn’t my business.
“Are you ready to go home?” Harlow’s voice broke through my thoughts and I turned to look at her. Her tired smile was a sign of a hard day working in the front while I was in the office doing all the paperwork. “Jaci and Aggie will take over for the last hour and make sure the doors are locked when they go home.”
The Hastings Series Page 30