“Well, hell yeah, doll. It is our place,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes. Looking around, his mom was running the show from the kitchen, bustling around and giving orders. And smiling so wide, Jobe thought his mother’s face would break.
The group pitched in and the food was laid out on the table so that everyone could grab a paper plate and get what they wanted before settling down anywhere they could. Conversation flowed as old friends and new friends mingled.
Mackenna studied the gathering as she sat on the floor with her plate on the coffee table. She had not been with this many friends since her father became ill. As her eyes moved around the room, they landed on Jobe sitting a few feet away, his gaze on hers. Smiling, she realized that she was home.
That evening, she knelt over a box of clothes that she was placing in drawers as Jobe lounged on the bed. He loved seeing her things in his drawers and closet. As she reached in, her fingers touched the packet of letters that she had thrown in the bottom of the box when packing up her old house. Looking down, she saw the familiar bundle, tied with a ribbon. Letters from the past. Letters that had represented what she had…and what she lost. Now as she wrapped her fingers around them, they no longer gripped her in misery.
He noticed that she had stilled, wondering what she was pondering. Her gaze lifted slowly to his as her hand raised out of the box. She was holding the packet of letters that he had discovered weeks ago. His breath caught in his throat, fearful of what those memories might do to the relationship they were forging now. The cold dread wrapped around his heart as surely as her fingers around the evidence of their past love that he had thrown away.
“It’s okay,” she whispered, seeing the fear and anguish written on his face. “I’m not afraid of these anymore.”
He rose from the bed, walked to the closet and knelt at his locker in the corner. She watched him with curiosity, then her heart pounded as she saw him moving back toward her with his own small packet of letters in his hand. He saw the confusion on her face, knowing that he had confessed to shredding all of her letters.
Kneeling down before her, he said, “These I kept. After…I foolishly destroyed the others. These were the ones you sent me afterward.”
She honestly could not think of a response as her eyes gazed at the worn envelopes, wrapped in a rubber band. Licking her lips, she lifted her gaze to his. “What should we do with these? Mine represent who we were, but we’re no longer are those two people. And yours,” she said, once more staring at the envelopes in hand, “represent the bitter end of what we were.”
He shook his head slowly, “I don’t know, doll. You tell me what you want to do with them? I kept these because they were my constant reminder of what a desperate dumb-ass I’d been to throw away the most important person in my life out of fear. I honestly don’t need them anymore, now that I have you again.”
Sucking her lips in as she moved her gaze down to the ribbon bound, tear-stained letters in her hand. “I think I’d like to keep them, just because they are a part of our journey.” She quickly amended, “But if they bother you then we can get rid of them.”
He took her hands in his as he stood, helping her up from the floor. Placing the small sheaf of letters in his hand onto the stack that were in hers, he wrapped both of their hands around the entire packet. Holding her gaze, he said, “These represent who we were. We can keep them to remember another time and as a reminder of what we never want to be again…and that is apart from each other.”
Offering him a small smile through teary eyes, she nodded. “I think that’s a good idea. We can get rid of them sometime in the future.” She allowed him to gently take the stack from her fingers and watched as he placed them in the footlocker in the back of the closet.
He walked back, stopping long enough to wrap his arms around her, pulling her in for a sweet kiss. One of promises of the future. Then he settled back on the bed as she grinned and moved on to the next box, continuing to hang her clothes next to his.
*
Miles away near the river, the Sixers brought in their first load of guns, delivered from Miami. The gun runners slipped in unnoticed and docked at the back of an old, unused pier. Jazzie, Waldo, Tank, and a few others were there, along with some of the River Street Kings. Tension ran as high as the distrust among the two gangs.
The ones delivering the firearms stepped off of the boat looking for the one in charge. “Jazzie?” one of them called out.
Jazzie swaggered forward, making a sign. He nodded toward the men behind him and they moved to begin unloading the boat. The wooden crates were opened as Jazzie was allowed to inspect. Smiling, he jerked his head to the Kings standing back and they hustled over to take possession of one of the crates. The others were for the Sixers and with another jerk of Jazzie’s head, his men moved to quickly load those into the vans parked nearby.
The payoff made, the Sixers jumped into the two vans and drove away. As they headed back to the rendezvous point, Waldo looked over at Jazzie.
“What the fuck you staring at?” Jazzie barked.
“You think that girl’s got Tito’s head?”
Jazzie warred between being pissed at a fellow officer questioning the leader and knowing that he felt the same. After a few tense, quiet moments, he asked, “What’s got you thinking?”
“Tonight. Tito seemed…I don’t know. Distracted. When I was about to ask if it was about the delivery tonight, he said something really random and it shocked the shit outta me.”
Jazzie spared him a glance, not saying anything.
Waldo shook his head. “Probably nothing. But he suddenly said that he wondered how far along that Gabby bitch was and when he’d know if it was a boy or not.”
“Goddamnit!” Jazzie cursed, his hand slapping the steering wheel. Trying to negotiate a deal with an international organization at the same time as having to work with the Kings and moving into a new venture was not the time for their leader to be distracted with some pregnant pussy.
They continued driving for a few more minutes in silence. Finally, Jazzie said, “Keep your goddamn eyes open and your mouth shut. Don’t say nothin’ to nobody.” He glanced over, seeing Waldo nod. “Good. I’m workin’ on how to get rid of that skank so that we get our leader back to thinking with the head on his shoulders and not on the end of his dick.”
As they pulled into the secure rendezvous location, Jazzie knew that it was time to take on Gabby…and that white bitch as well. But only when the opportunity came along. He had to play this smart.
Chapter 17
For the next several weeks, Mackenna and Jobe settled into a routine. She still divided her time between New Beginnings and her DSS office, but spent more and more time trying to find extended funding. Even with the new security at the shelter, she felt as though they would all be safer if they were away from the area that gangs were near. Of course the more she learned about gangs, the more she realized that they were everywhere—even in suburbia.
Penny was getting out more, utilizing the pool for exercise and visiting with the Delaros and other friends. She only had the home nurse come once a week for about an hour and her speech therapy sessions were only twice a week. She now traveled by taxi to the physical therapist and loved her new independence.
Matt and Shane had kept Tony’s group in the loop about what was going on in the city. The police were keeping up their vigilance and on the surface, things had cooled down. But they also knew it was only a front.
Meeting one morning, they all gathered around to find out what intelligence Lily and BJ had been able to ferret out.
Lily smiled as she reported, “It didn’t take much. These guys aren’t very sophisticated when it comes to their money. Tito Montalvo himself has a rather meager bank account. But he does move money through it to his uncle’s grocery store business. Then there are withdrawals from that account into various others, including Waldron Perkins and Thomas Jazine.”
“Waldo and Jazzie,” Shane said. At Lily�
�s lifted eyebrow, he added, “That’s the street names of the Sixer’s officers under Tito.”
“But knowing who did the drive-by shooting at Mackenna’s place should make a difference, doesn’t it?” Jobe asked in frustration.
“We got Poco in jail. Of course, he admits to everything but won’t roll on anyone else.”
“He admitted?” Vinny asked. “He didn’t try to punk out?”
Matt shook his head. “Nah, man. It’s their creed. They can’t deny the gang.”
Tony’s men stared at the two detectives in disbelief. “So, if they’re doing gang work and get caught, they admit to it and go down. No pleas, no bargaining.”
“If you’re in a gang and took their oath—it’s thicker than anything. You get caught, you openly admit you’re in the gang. To deny the gang is to disrespect it.”
“So you got this Poco kid and nothin’ else on Mackenna’s drive-by?” Jobe asked.
Shane nodded, “Sorry, man. He confessed to the spray painting, the driving, the shooting…says it was all him.”
“That’s bullshit,” Jobe muttered, running his hands through his hair.
“Agreed,” Matt said. “It’s only one more off the street, but at least it’s one.”
“Well, I don’t have to worry about her and her mom not being safe in their beds now since they’re in my building, but, it’s just the rest of the time.”
Turning back to BJ and Lily, they continued to discuss their findings.
“ATF and FBI are working on the case as well since the transportation of guns has both of them nervous.”
BJ said, “Well, while Lily was following the money, it looks like the cameras have given us a bit more of a clue as to where they hide out. For the Sixers, Tito’s uncle’s grocery holds some kind of importance. Our cameras pick up guys going into the building across the street in groups of two or three. That building is an old apartment complex, but a quick look inside shows that they are heading to the basement.”
“Underground tunnel over to the grocery basement,” Matt surmised.
“We saw that with another case,” Tony added. “Seems like old-town Richland is full of steam tunnels between various buildings.”
“The chief will be glad to get that intel,” Shane said. He and Matt stood to leave as the meeting came to a conclusion. As they were walking out of the door, Shane turned his attention back to Jobe. “Hate like hell to remind you, but we’re still considering Mackenna to be at risk. Take care, man.”
Jobe’s jaw ticked with anger as he nodded toward the detectives. The others were silent for a moment, knowing that nothing they said would have any effect on Jobe’s mood. Or loss of control.
*
Mackenna made her way into New Beginnings after waving goodbye to Terrance, who had dropped her off. Planning on working with the women today, she told him that she would text him when she was ready to leave.
Rose came by her small office an hour later to find Mackenna slumped back in her chair. “Are you all right?”
“I’m exhausted. I feel tired, sleepy, kind of nauseous…just generally yucky. And I don’t have time to get sick!” she complained. “For the past three weeks I have worked on the new grant proposals and I may have stumbled onto a real deal.”
“Girl, you’re working too hard,” Rose admonished.
“Yeah, well, there’s so much to do.”
“If you get sick, then none of this will matter.”
Just then Carla stuck her head in and said, “Hey, Ms. Dunn. I’m packed.”
Inwardly wincing, Mackenna had forgotten that Carla was graduating from the program today and was moving out. Standing, she embraced the girl tightly. Pulling away, she felt the sting of tears in her eyes, always loving it when the girls left while acknowledging that a part of her went with them as they moved out into their new circumstances.
The three walked into the kitchen, where the other women had made lunch. Gabby had been in the kitchen, whipping up her specialties and as Mackenna approached the table, her stomach lurched. She broke out into a sweat and tried to discreetly wipe her brow. Pretending that her phone was vibrating, she left the room and headed to the bathroom.
A bit later she returned, having dry heaved for several minutes. Begging off of the meal, she sat with the others as they laughed and talked about what life would be like for Carla and for Jenita, who would be leaving the next week. Finally, it was time to say goodbye. Mackenna had arranged for one of Tony’s men to escort Carla to her new apartment across town. She stood on the stoop waving as the official SUV left the road.
Rose walked up behind her and said, “You do good work here, you know?” Mackenna just nodded, unable to speak over the lump in her throat. “You fight an enemy that hides and attempts to overtake everything, but you never give up. And girl, one by one those women who leave here to a better life, do so because of you.”
Taking a shaky breath, Mackenna returned the hug and said, “Carla makes nineteen and then when Jenita leaves next week, that’ll be twenty who’ve made it through.”
“We should celebrate,” Rose enthused. “But first,” she stopped as she looked at Mackenna’s pale face, “you need to take care of yourself.”
“I think I’ll call Terrence to pick me up and head home. I just feel so drained,” Mackenna admitted.
Her mother came by Mackenna and Jobe’s apartment an hour later, just as Jobe was getting off of the elevator. “Ah came ta check on her. She did na come to see me,” Penny explained as Jobe let her into the apartment.
They found Mackenna asleep on the couch. Touching her daughter’s forehead out of motherly habit, she was pleased to see that there was no fever.
Mackenna stirred, opening her eyes slowly. “Oh mom, I’m sorry. I meant to come straight to your place. Not come up here and fall asleep.”
“You shou see a doc-ta,” Penny said.
Jobe moved to sit next to Mackenna on the sofa, pulling her into his arms. “Absolutely,” he agreed, concern showing on his face.
Mackenna snuggled up close to him, pushing her long, thick hair out of her face. “She’ll probably tell me it’s stress or not enough sleep.” She looked into her mother’s worried face and realized that as much as she hated the idea of anything happening to her mom, Penny felt the same way about her. “I’ll go. I promise. I’ll go tomorrow.”
Placated, Penny kissed her daughter and patted Jobe’s shoulder as she walked out.
Yeah, it’s probably just stress, Mackenna thought. What else could it be?
*
Doug had driven her to the doctor’s office since Jobe was out on an installation job and eyed her carefully when she came out. She appeared pale and distracted when she left the building. Seeing her almost knocked over by others on the sidewalk, he jumped out of the SUV and moved to her side. She looked up at him, a slightly confused expression on her face.
“Mackenna?”
“Oh, yes, Doug. I’m sorry, I was…um…not thinking.”
He assisted her into the vehicle and turned to ask, “Where to?”
Mackenna’s thoughts were in a whirl, thinking of all she had to do. I’ve got a gang after me, trying to find a new home for the center, still helping mom, and a new relationship to work on. And now this?
“Home, if you don’t mind. I’d like to go home now.”
*
Jobe was inside one of the larger estates in a new subdivision in Richland. The owners had hired Alvarez Security and he was working with Gabe and BJ to get the system correct. The installation was taking forever because the owner’s bored wife had been salivating over the three gorgeous men inside of her house all day.
Finally finished, they packed up and left to head back to the office. “Jesus, I feel like I’ve got to take a shower,” Gabe complained while the others laughed.
After a few minutes of companionable silence, Gabe said, “You know, before Jennifer came into my life, I would’ve thought of tapping that. Wouldn’t have done it because she’
s a client, but I would’ve been thinking about it.”
BJ laughed, “Yeah, I hear you. And now?”
“Oh, hell no,” Gabe growled. “I see that and all I can think of is how glad I am that that part of my life is over.” He glanced at Jobe driving and said, “And now that shit’s over for all of us.”
Jobe grinned, admitting, “Thank fuck! I was running out of places to hide from that cougar. Now I get to go home to my own tiger.”
The men laughed as a call came in. Gabe answered it, saying, “Yeah, he’s right here. Okay, got it. I’ll tell him.”
Jobe looked over at Gabe, his eyebrow lifted in silent question.
“Doug just got back from taking Mackenna home. Said he escorted her to the doctor’s today and then she wanted to go home.”
Jobe glanced sharply at his friends, worry immediately creasing his brow. “Fuck, I knew she was going to the doctor’s today but I fuckin’ forgot to check on her afterward. Goddamnit!”
“What’s going on?” BJ asked from the back seat.
“She’s been tired, no energy. Kind of pale.” Jobe gripped the steering wheel tighter. “I know it’s fucked, but with her father having died from cancer and her mom having had a stroke, I can’t help but worry. It’s kind of like her family is a walking medical risk.”
“Head to your place. We’ll take the company van back and one of us will drop your truck off,” Gabe ordered.
“Thanks, man,” Jobe nodded.
In a few minutes, they pulled up to the front of his building. Hopping out, he glanced back at his two friends. Silent communication all that was needed. With a head jerk to both of them, he dashed through the doors.
Once inside of their apartment, he found Mackenna standing in front of the bank of windows in the living room. A solitary figure, she stood quietly looking out at the park near the apartment building. His fears of earlier began to build. Whatever this is, we can do this he silently vowed.
Crossing over, he startled her when he approached.
Jumping, she placed her hand over her pounding heart. “Oh, honey. I didn’t hear you come in,” she said, with a smile.
Jobe: Alvarez Security Series Page 17