Poison Me

by Checketts, Cami

  Chanel leaned closer. “About what? Badgering me all the time and prying into my life?”

  Jake’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, all of that. But I’m mostly sorry you found out about Angela.”

  She bristled. “Well, I’m sorry I told you about Ace.”

  “I’m sure you are, and I’m sorry,” Jake threw his hands in the air, “that I badgered you into sharing something personal with me. You obviously didn’t want me to know anything about you. Wouldn’t want to get too intimate and shatter your protective bubble.”

  Chanel brushed past him. “I don’t need this.”

  Jake let her go. You need someone, and I wish it could be me. He exhaled. She probably didn’t wish it could be her after the way he’d just acted. He dug his fingertips into his palms and tried to picture Angela. All he could see was the dark-haired beauty stomping away. Chanel. The woman he really wanted. Could he ever drop his pride and self-loathing enough to let her know?

  He noticed several elderly women watching him and whispering loudly. He strode out the back door and through the gardens. Maybe he’d find Grandma Ruby in her favorite spot in the forest, or maybe he’d find some peace. The beauty of the gardens was lost on him as he stormed down the chipped-wood path. All he could think about was Chanel saying, “I wish it could be me.”

  “Jake?”

  Seated on a bench ten yards ahead, Ruby and Michael beamed at him. His grandparents. Jake passed a hand over his eyes. It was still a bit strange. They rose as one.

  Jake strode forward. “Grandma.” He kissed her cheek. He looked at Michael uncertainly and stuck out his hand. “Mr. Trapper.”

  Michael shook the hand firmly. “I think I asked you before to call me Michael.”

  Jake clung to his grandfather’s fingers with a smile, grateful Michael understood he wasn’t ready to call him Grandpa yet. “I could do that.” He turned to Ruby. “Where’s Trevor?”

  “We took him back to Brinley. She checked out of the hospital this morning.”

  “Oh, yeah, I’d forgotten,” Jake said. “Why didn’t you stay with her?”

  “We’ll go back this afternoon.” Ruby looked at Michael. “Baby Michael’s other grandmother showed up.”

  Jake gasped. “Mom?”

  His grandma shook her head quickly. “No, sweetie, I’m sorry. Not your mom.”

  Everything ached, like a flu that wouldn’t go away until his mom finally came home. Jake looked up at the leaves forming a canopy above his head. “I should’ve known they wouldn’t leave whatever corner of the world they’re saving this month.” He sighed. “You’d think at least Mom would want to see her new grandchild.”

  “They’ll get here when they can, sweetheart.” Ruby paused. “It was Michael’s other grandmother, Marlene James.” Ruby giggled, sharing a significant look with Michael. “She couldn’t stop gawking at Michael.”

  “She has a lot in common with most of the women at the center then.” Jake leaned against the trunk of a maple tree. He wished his mother would come see her grandchildren—and her children. He missed her.

  Ruby smiled. “Yes, there are many women here with a crush on Michael.”

  Michael rolled his eyes.

  Ruby studied her grandson and said, “You look tired, sweetie.”

  “I am.” Tired was as good an excuse as anything for the way he felt.

  “Are you hungry?” she asked.

  Jake shrugged. “A little.” This was the opening he needed. Grandma couldn’t stand the thought of him being malnourished.

  Ruby started away from the two men. “It’s too late for breakfast, but I’ll run and see what the chef has. He’s always great to throw something together. I think it’s Philly steak and cheese sandwiches for lunch today. You like those, don’t you Jake?”

  He nodded.

  “The chef’s Philly steak and cheese are the best, right, Michael?”

  He smiled. “That’s right, love.”

  Ruby giggled again, squeezing Michael’s hand. The look they shared wasn’t lost on Jake. “I’ll be right back,” she said.

  Jake watched her walk away, dodging trees and almost skipping. She tripped on some undergrowth, and Michael started towards her. She righted herself quickly and turned back to them, grinning. “I’m fine.” She looked twenty years younger than her actual age.

  Jake turned to Michael, who couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of Ruby’s retreating back. Jake cleared his throat, and his newly found grandfather turned to him. “So, I’d really like to hear the whole story of when you and Grandma were younger,” Jake said.

  Michael smiled. “I can share parts of it.”

  Jake arched an eyebrow. “Some of it is too much for an innocent—”

  Ruby’s scream cut him off. He whirled away from Michael and sprinted toward the sound, dashing through the trees and trampling flowers. Michael followed him. In a small clearing ringed with poplar trees, Grandpa Don had one hand wrapped solidly around Ruby’s chest. The other hand pointed a pistol at her throat. Her face was full of disgust and anger.

  Jake felt his world crashing down around him. “Grandpa, no!”

  “Don,” Michael shouted, “let go of her!”

  “Stay back,” Don warned. “I don’t want to hurt Ruby, but I—I will. I’ll hurt her.” Perspiration shone on Don’s broad forehead.

  Jake and Michael stopped mere feet from Don and Ruby.

  “What do you want?” Jake asked.

  “We’ll give you anything,” Michael said.

  Don nodded. “Knew you would.”

  “Don’t you dare,” Ruby said. “He’s a thief and a loser. Don’t you give him one cent. You know that’s all he’s after.”

  “Shut up,” Don yelled, shoving the gun into the thin skin of her throat.

  Ruby cried out, and Michael and Jake each took an involuntary step forward.

  “Get back!” Don pushed the pistol deeper.

  Ruby grimaced, but clamped her mouth shut. Jake held up his hands, backing away. Michael retreated half a step, his gaze locked onto Ruby’s.

  “Here’s the deal,” Don said, oblivious to the pain he was causing his wife. “Ruby’s right. I do need money. That’s the reason I came back. I tried to be civil about it yesterday and you all chased me away like a virus.” He moved the gun up and down on Ruby’s throat. “Your mistake.”

  “Grandpa!” Jake said, starting toward them.

  “Stay back,” he yelled.

  Jake stopped. “Only if you’ll stop pushing the gun so hard against Grandma’s neck. You’re hurting her.”

  “Oh.” Don pulled the gun back slightly but kept it pointed at Ruby’s throat. “That better?”

  “Yes. What do you want?” Jake said.

  “Money.” Don smiled grimly. “A lot of money. I know you both have it. Michael, I expect $500,000 from you. Jake, I want a million from you.” He paused, sweat glistening on his bald spot. “Don’t think I hold any grudge against you, son. I’ve always cared for you, despite where you came from. But your father owes me, and I know you manage his money.”

  Jake wanted to scream that if Grandpa Don cared for his grandson, he wouldn’t be threatening Ruby. Not that the money was an issue; Jake’s father’s investment and savings accounts were bulging. Thanks to an efficient financial manager, they were doing better than anyone but Jake and his parents knew. But what about Michael? How was a retired schoolteacher going to come up with half a million dollars? He lowered his hands. “Grandpa Don.”

  Don flinched. Ruby looked mad enough to spit.

  “I don’t think Michael has that kind of money,” Jake said.

  Don’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, he does. Word is, his wife’s parents were loaded and Michael was the sole recipient of their estate.”

  Everyone looked at Michael.

  “I can get the money,” he said.

  Jake nodded. “I can get the money too, Grandpa Don.”

  Ruby scowled. “Don’t call him that.”

  “He can ca
ll me what he wants,” Don growled.

  “Why don’t you let Grandma go and we’ll transfer the money at my house?” Jake said quickly. “All I need is my computer.”

  Don’s fingers trembled on the gun. Clearly he hadn’t expected this to be so easy.

  Chanel rounded the corner of the wooded path. Jake’s stomach lurched. He gestured with his head, trying to signal for her to run before Don saw her.

  She stopped, slowly looking at each person as though she couldn’t comprehend the surreal picture in front of her. Her eyes zoned in on Ruby and her captor. “Don?”

  Oh, no. Jake released a long breath.

  Don turned with Ruby pinned to his side. His eyes widened. “Chanel. Hey, you look great.” He grinned. “Better than great.” He acted as if they were old friends. “So, you took my advice and moved to Preston. Are you recovering from that mess? Are you doing okay now?”

  Chanel blinked. “Doing better than you.” She shook her head, pointing at him and Ruby. “What are you doing?”

  “Oh, this? I’m just working some things out with my wife. It’s not as bad as it looks. I need a little cash, and I had to make sure they would give it to me. I’m going to let her go as soon as these two transfer some money to me.”

  Chanel’s gaze connected with Jake’s.

  “You know my grandpa?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  Everything was making sense to Jake now. The story she’d told him about the old guy named Don. It was his grandpa. Jake’s stomach twisted. His former Grandpa, who was acting like a nutso. Jake prayed Don wouldn’t threaten Chanel.

  “I have a computer in my office,” Chanel said to Don. “Couldn’t they transfer the money there?”

  Jake shut his eyes. No, he wanted to scream. He wanted Don to release Ruby and go to Jake’s house.

  Don smiled and tugged Ruby forward. “That will work perfectly. We’ll follow you, Chanel.”

  She hurried ahead. “Let me go get the Internet running. It’s dial-up and kind of slow.”

  Jake knew that was a lie, but hopefully Don didn’t. The Retirement Palace had state-of-the-art everything, including their computer systems. Chanel sprinted in front of them. There was no way Don’s aged legs could keep up, especially since he had to almost carry Ruby along. Jake was grateful she wasn’t cooperating. He hoped Chanel was planning to get to her office first and call the police.

  Michael and Jake fell into line behind Don. The thick trees blocked Chanel from their view. With any luck, she’d reached the building and the police would be on their way soon.

  “Hey, Grandpa,” Jake said to Don’s back. “You’ve got the gun. You know we’re good for the money. Why don’t you let Grandma go and—”

  Suddenly, a tall, blond man jumped from behind a tree and yanked Ruby and the pistol from Don’s grip. The intruder dug the pistol into Ruby’s temple, restraining her with a wiry forearm.

  “So, old Don doesn’t have any money, but it looks like you two do.”

  “Sure,” Jake said, trying to remain calm. Who is this guy? Squaring his shoulders, he prayed like he had never prayed before. “How much?”

  The man smiled. “A few million should do it.”

  Grandpa Don and Michael watched in silence, their eyes filled with fear. Michael leaned toward Ruby and her captor as if ready to spring to her rescue at any moment. Don’s entire frame shook. He obviously knew this character.

  Jake swallowed, nodding slowly. He clenched his clammy palms to stop the trembling. “No problem. I just need you to release her and we’ll go find a computer.”

  The man laughed. “Right. I’ll just hold on to this,” he poked Ruby like she was a toy, “until we’re through with our business.”

  Jake shook his head. “You let her go or there is no deal.” He congratulated himself for keeping his voice steady.

  The man studied Jake as if trying to determine if he was serious about his threat. Seconds ticked by, and nobody moved or spoke.

  Chanel materialized from behind a stand of lilac bushes and stood in front of Ruby and her abductor.

  What is she doing? What if this man hurts her? “Chanel, get back!” Jake ordered.

  She ignored him, studying Ruby’s captor.

  The man’s mouth dropped open and he stared at Chanel. Jake already hated the man for touching Ruby. He wanted to kill him for looking at Chanel like that.

  “Take me instead of her,” she said.

  “No, Chanel. Get out of here,” Ruby cried out.

  “Chanel, no,” Jake begged. “What are you doing?”

  She didn’t look at them, but spoke to the man. “Do it, Ace. Jake loves me. Trade me for her and you’ll get even more money.”

  Ace? Jake swayed, finally understanding the abductor’s possessive look. Jake crept a step closer, ready to pounce if Ace decided to make the switch.

  “Chanel…” Ace cleared his throat. “Oh, girl, you look really good.”

  Jake clenched his fists.

  “Trade me for her,” Chanel demanded.

  Ace shook his head. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Don’t say anything.” Chanel glared into her ex-fiancé’s confused gaze. “Just move the gun from my friend’s head and take me in her place. You owe me that much.”

  He nodded. “I owe you a lot more than that.”

  “Then do it,” Chanel said.

  Without warning, Ace flung Ruby away from him. She caught herself against the trunk of a tree and ran to the safety of Michael’s arms. Chanel stepped closer to Ace. Jake ran towards them.

  Ace aimed his gun at Jake’s chest. “Don’t try it.”

  “Jake,” Chanel screamed.

  He froze in midstride.

  “Don’t,” Chanel whispered.

  “That’s right,” Ace sneered, holding the gun level. “Don’t. You’re obviously trying to steal my girl. Don’t think I’d hesitate to take you out.” His eyes trailed up and down Chanel, lingering on her face. “Oh, baby, look at you. I’ve missed you. If you only knew how sorry I was.”

  Jake’s stomach roiled. No one had the right to call Chanel “baby” but him. What if Ace hurt her? He couldn’t stand to watch another woman he loved die.

  Chanel’s eyes flickered to Jake, then back to Ace. Jake wished he knew what she was thinking. He prayed for some way to save her.

  “You’re not sorry,” Chanel said.

  “Yes, I am.” Ace’s head bobbed several times. “I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. The whole mess was Willy’s fault. I’ve been miserable, worrying about you, missing you. I love you.” His eyes roved her frame again. “I know you’re mad at me, but we can work this out. I still love you.”

  Chanel covered the distance separating her from Ace with two long steps. Jake felt as if his insides had been shredded. Chanel had never confirmed his hope that she didn’t love Ace anymore. She’d written Jake off half an hour ago. What if she succumbed to Ace? How would Jake survive without her?

  Jake shifted onto the balls of his feet.

  “Don’t move, Jake.” Ace tightened his finger on the trigger, though he still stared at Chanel.

  She placed her hands on Ace’s shoulders, not even glancing in Jake’s direction. Ace smiled, keeping the gun trained on Jake with one hand. With the other hand, Ace tenderly traced the contour of Chanel’s cheek. Jake couldn’t stand this.

  “You’re sorry?” she asked.

  “Oh, baby, you don’t know how sorry.” Ace kissed her softly.

  Chanel leaned into him.

  Jake was going to rip Chanel from Ace’s arms and pummel him.

  Ace cupped the back of her head with his hand. He pulled her closer and whispered roughly against her mouth, “I’m more sorry than you could ever—”

  Pressing her hands into Ace’s shoulders, Chanel simultaneously brought her knee into his crotch and jammed her elbow down on his forearm. Ace dropped the gun, screeching in surprise and pain. Jake sprinted for them. Chanel stomped on Ace’s foot. A st
rong jab to the abdomen doubled him over. Jake plowed Ace to the ground and leaped on top of him.

  “Now you’re sorry,” Chanel yelled.

  Ace arched to free himself, but Jake dug his shoulder into the man’s abdomen, not letting him move more than a few inches. Jake looked up from his struggle with Ace. “You okay?”

  Chanel smiled tremulously. “Yes.”

  Jake grinned at her. “Great acting.”

  Ace thrashed against Jake’s grasp, so Jake dug his shoulder blade into Ace’s chest, pushing against a tree for more leverage. He gestured to Chanel with his head. “Get his gun.”

  “Jake!” Ruby cried out.

  A huge man had lumbered into the clearing. Michael ushered Ruby behind him and moved to confront the threat.

  Chanel scurried to retrieve the gun. Polish sausage fingers swept it from the grass before she could grasp it. The gun pressed against her forehead. She straightened, hands splayed. “Willy?”

  “No,” Jake screamed.

  Ace strained against Jake. “About time.”

  “Get back,” the man ordered Michael.

  Michael advanced a step.

  “Get back unless you want her dead!”

  Michael glanced at Jake. Jake nodded. Michael retreated several feet, planting himself in front of Ruby.

  “Good to see you, Chanel,” the large man said, ogling her. “Told you I’d come for you.”

  She shuddered. The man’s eyes flitted to Jake pinning Ace to the dirt. “Let him up.”

  Reluctantly lifting his weight off his enemy, Jake got to his feet. Ace sprang up after him and jammed his fist into Jake’s lower back. Jake stumbled forward, pain radiating through his body.

  “Jake!” Chanel and Ruby both screamed.

  He righted himself, flipping around to challenge Ace to a fair fight.

  “Don’t try it, hero,” Willy muttered.

  Ace stomped around Jake to his partner’s side. Willy handed Ace his gun and drew another from his pocket. He swung it around the group. Don had moved into the trees.

  “Get back here, Don,” Willy ordered. “The rest of you, don’t even think about moving.”

  Don reluctantly complied.

  Ace focused in on Chanel. “How could you betray me like that?”

  “Ha.” Chanel’s eyes narrowed. “Do you think you have any right to talk about betrayal?” She shook her head and released a short laugh. “The funny thing is that you’re so pathetic I’m not even mad at you. I just feel bad for you.”