by Elise Whyles
“So what are my options then? I don’t expect I’m ever going to get the money back.”
“It’s unlikely.” Rick leaned forward, a frown on his face as he looked from Gillian to Jack and back. “Due to the recent intelligence we were able to obtain, your car accident was brought under the umbrella of this investigation.”
“Why?” Jack demanded. “Granted the car was in good shape, but why would that have any bearing on a fraud case?”
“We got a call from an informant just before your accident, several weeks ago. He advised us he’d been contacted on the inside by a fellow inmate to do a job. The person who contacted us was fresh from prison, on parole, and feared he’d be sent back for his involvement. We set things up so one of our undercover officers could meet with the persons looking for a killer for hire.”
Cold terror gripped Gillian as she gaped at the cop. “Why kill me?”
“Because, Miss Hilliard, you’re worth more dead than alive.” Rick sighed. “At the present moment, you’re worth almost two million dollars, even with what your mother stole.”
Gillian gasped, her heart stumbling in her chest as she gaped at Rick. “Two million … oh my. I, uh, I don’t know…”
“The money’s yours. We will be releasing a bit of it for you to live on.”
“That’s a lot of money, which would explain why they’d want to kill her, but it doesn’t answer my question. Who arranged for the hit?” Jack’s grip tightened around her fingers.
Gillian ignored the question and sank deeper into her chair. Bile rose, scalding the back of her throat, bitter and acidic on her tongue as she strove to keep the meager contents of her stomach down.
“Don’t answer that,” Gillian pleaded. “I think we all know who. I just don’t understand why? Was my car tampered with?”
“No. It hadn’t been tampered with. Your accident was caused when you swerved in the road. There were no indications of foul play involved. We had several experts go over the car, just to be certain.”
“At least the deer got away.” Gillian’s laughter sounded forced to her own ears. She exhaled slowly. “Is there still a danger to me or Jack?”
“No. Mister Kilpatrick has been remanded in custody on a rather extensive list of charges. He’ll be transferred to a federal maximum security facility within the next couple of days. He’s telling everything he knows in hopes of getting a lighter sentence.”
“And Barbara?”
“She’ll be held until the judge either grants her bail or her trial date. She hasn’t said anything at this point, not that we needed her to. Do you wish to see her?”
“No.” Gillian shook her head. “I have no desire to see her ever again. It won’t solve any problem.”
“I would like you to write up a statement on all this. Think of it as a victim impact statement. We’ll enter it into evidence and let you know. I expect you’ll be hearing from the prosecutor within the next few weeks.”
“Thank you.” Gillian made to get up. She paused, her gaze darting between the two men. “Is there any way I could access some of my money? I need to get a few things I just don’t have the funds for at the moment.”
“I’m not sure if you could. I can certainly ask for you.”
“What do you need, baby?” Jack rubbed her back. “Whatever it is we’ll get it.”
“Just things.”
“We’ll get them. Come on. If there’s nothing left, Rick, we’re going to head home.”
“Nope, nothing here. If I need anything more, I’ll be in contact.”
Snuggling into Jack’s side, Gillian allowed him to guide her back through the station. The warmth of his embrace eased the chill clinging to her as they walked. She shivered, her eyes burning. No matter how she thought, she just didn’t get why. Somehow she doubted she ever would.
“You okay?” Jack asked as he held the truck door open for her.
Gillian nodded quickly. “Yes, just shocked. Never thought I’d see the day when someone would hate me so much.”
“I don’t hate you.” Jack cupped her cheek with his palm and pulled her close for a slow, hot kiss. His tongue slipped past her lips to tease hers before withdrawing. “Let’s go home.”
Nodding, Gillian watched him circle the truck and hop in before she slid over to sit against him. She soaked up the warmth, the love in his smile, and curled against him, her palm on his thigh as they pulled out of the parking lot.
Chapter 28
Five weeks later
“You look tired.”
Jack’s soft voice pulled Gillian from the contemplative state she’d fallen into. Her drive back from the clinic had been slow, a nagging weight hanging around her neck as the doctor’s words echoed in her head. Glancing up at him from where she’d sought comfort, she offered a tired smile. “Hey, did you talk to Lenny?”
Jack nodded, a pensive look on his face. “Yes, I did. He said he was sorry for being a raving ass. Said he didn’t want to believe something like this could happen. Asked if I wanted my old job back. I told him no, I was looking at other options. How’d it go with the lawyers?” He squeezed her shoulder before heading for the kitchen.
“Fine. The trial’s going to last another week.” Gillian rose from the couch, followed Jack into the kitchen, and leaned against the counter. Her heart galloping in her chest, she transferred her weight, her mind racing over the hectic pace of the day. Thank God he only knew about her meeting with the lawyers. Deciding to go the safest route, she fiddled with a loose thread on her shirt. “Mom wants to see me.”
“What do you want to do?”
Gillian chewed on her lip and stared at him. Mixed emotions swirled, dragging her into a quagmire of indecision. She knew what she wanted to do, but it wasn’t a healthy option. Doctor Reimer had suggested it might be a good idea. The closure she’d get would be unrivaled. It wasn’t the situation with her mother, however, that had her on pins and needles.
The looks Jack got when they went out said it all. Sooner or later, he’d realize she wasn’t the woman for him. No matter how hot the sex was, there wasn’t enough to hold him. Resolve stiffened her spine as she stared at Jack for a moment before shrugging. “With the trial coming to a close and Michael being transferred out of province, I was thinking maybe I should find another place to live. I can’t live off you forever, and—”
“What in the hell are you talking about? I thought this was settled?” Jack gaped at her.
“I don’t doubt you love me, but we both know I’m not what you need.”
“Says who?”
“I’m not stupid, Jack. I see the pity, the doubt in everyone’s gaze when they see us together. That woman nearly choked on her gum when she saw you take my hand.”
“Shelli’s just a bitch.”
“But she’s pretty! She’s the kind of woman you wanted.” Cursing her own self-confidence issues, she plucked at her shirt. “I can’t, no I won’t, compete with that. I know you think you—”
“She’s the kind of woman I used to sleep with. Doesn’t mean I want her now.” Jack sighed. “Why are you throwing up road blocks now?”
Road blocks? She wasn’t throwing up road blocks. Rather she was trying to keep the small shreds of pride she had left. Sooner or later, she knew, she just knew where this was going even if he wasn’t willing to face it.
“Gilli, answer me. What did I do?” The pain in his eyes ripped at her heart. Guilt settled like a worn old cloak around her as she licked her lips.
“Nothing. It’s me.”
“Catchphrase for everyone who wants to dump someone. What, now things are settled down you want out? I’m not good enough for you? What is it, Gillian? Maybe I don’t treat you like shit so therefore—”
“I can’t give you anything!” Gillian screamed, tears choking her. “Don’t you understand? Can’t you see what’s right in front of you?”
“No, I can’t. All I see is you trying to find a way out of this relationship like it’s suddenly too small
for you. Damn it, Gillian, I love you. What do I have to do to make you see, make you believe me? Damn it, I’m not that guy anymore. I’m not out for a random fuck. I love you. You, not anyone else, and I’m willing to fight for us.”
Gillian sobbed and shook her head. “I do believe you.”
“Then tell me what the hell is going on. Be honest with me for fuck’s sake. I’m not your ex, nor am I your mother.”
Paling, Gillian stared at him, her heart in her throat. With a sickening sensation, she realized she’d projected her fear of them onto him. Dealing with the lawyers, the trial, and her mother, coupled with the news from the doctor, and she’d cracked, broken like a glass doll without anyone to catch her. Only there was: Jack would catch her because he loved her.
“Oh God.” She held a hand to her lips and rocked back and forth. “No, no, I didn’t. Please, I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
“Stop apologizing for everything. Just talk to me, baby. Please.”
“How can I explain?”
“Trust me.” Jack pleaded as he pulled her into his arms. “Just let go. No matter what, I’m gonna catch you. I won’t let you fall.”
“You deserve someone whole, someone who can give you things I can’t.”
“Like what?” Rocking back and forth, Jack held her close.
“A future.”
“We’ll have one. I love you, and I know you love me, Gillian.”
Wrapped in the warmth of his arms, Gillian could feel the doubt ease, the weight slip from her shoulders. “She said I can’t have babies.” She cringed at the words, waiting for the explosion, the fury to lash at her like a whip.
“And?” Jack tensed against her.
“Isn’t that enough?”
Jack pressed a kiss to her head and then pushed her away. “Beyond your inability to have a baby, what else happened? Did you talk to your mother already? Did she say something to upset you? Because I think you need to. I’ll be right there with you, but I think you need to face her. You’re not the weakling you think you are. If you were, you’d have given in a long time ago.”
“No, but isn’t the lack of children—”
“So you can’t have a baby. Yes, it hurts. I’d like to see you grow round with our child, but it’s not the end all. We can always adopt. As long as I have you, I’ve got more than I ever thought possible.”
His fingers trailed down her body, tracing a path as familiar to her as his eye color. She shivered with arousal as he painted her scars, tender, loving, the caress reaching deep into her soul.
“Maybe you’re right.” Gillian frowned. “Maybe I’ve gotten so used to acting spineless that I came to think of myself as such. I’ve grown. I’m not the mouse I was.”
“No you’re not.”
“You’ll be there?”
“Right next to you if you want me.”
Inhaling, she smiled, his promise enough to ease the worry, the stress. “I think I need to see her. I want you with me, but I think I need to talk to her alone, just her and I. I want to do this my way. It’s best that way.”
Pain flashed through his eyes, but he nodded. “All right.”
“I need to show her I’m not the coward she thinks I am. Can you understand that, Jack? I need you, but I need to do this too.”
Jack nodded with a slight smile. “Yeah, I get it.”
“I will need a ride if you’re not busy.” Gillian smoothed his shirt down his chest. “Please.”
“You’ve got it. When do you want to go?”
“Now. Get it out of the way and then I’m free.”
Jack nodded, grabbing his leather jacket. “Come on, I’ll take you. Then we can go for dinner.”
“Sounds good.” Gillian slid her feet into her shoes before she followed him out the door, his fingers locked with hers. Silence filled the cab as they headed for the jail, her mind already racing ahead to the questions she needed and wanted answered. Would her mother tell her the truth or lie?
“I’m right here.” Jack squeezed her hand as they got out of the cab. She shuddered when he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and wrapped her in an embrace before striding toward the doors.
Gillian left Jack in the foyer and stepped through the doors into the small, enclosed little room. Barbara sat at a small table, her fashionable clothing gone, her face scrubbed of all traces of makeup. A baggy orange jumpsuit covered her body.
“You asked to see me?” Gillian settled in the small chair across from her.
“My lawyer figured we should talk.”
“What about?” Cold, hard, the seat of her chair bit into her legs, into her ass. Still it wasn’t as cold as her mother’s penetrating stare. “We’ve nothing to discuss. You stole from me, more than just money.”
“Does it matter? Such an ungrateful little snot. Always so certain you were above me.” Barbara leaned forward. “But you’re not, are you? Where’s your fireman now, Gillian Rebecca? Probably in some hot little number’s bed getting fucked like he should be. What man wants you? He was too good for you and you knew it. Mike may be out of the picture, but you’ll never get another one stupid enough to fall for you.”
“Tell me why?” Gillian ignored her words and focused on the wall behind Barbara’s head. She wouldn’t be broken in half by her mother’s cruelty. “Why would you do it? Did it give you a good feeling to steal from me, from your own flesh and blood?”
“You were an accident.” Barbara sniffed and sat back. “One if I’d been able to, I’d have fixed, before anyone knew about it. Don’t know why your father had to stay home that summer; should have just gone off like he normally did on his business trips.”
“Pity that. How like you to just brush it off like it was nothing. Still, doesn’t answer the question. I think you owe me that much, Mother, don’t you? I mean, really, did you think you’d just walk in and bam, I’d forgive and forget.”
“What was the question again?”
“You care for nothing but yourself. No wonder you and Mike get along so well. Both of you are useless.”
“Not that useless. Just ask lover-boy. He enjoyed what I have to offer far more than you ever would. Right in your hospital room.”
“Liar.” Her voice dropped dangerously. “Jack wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole. He loves me.”
“Loves you? Ha.” Barbara shrugged. “Whatever. Are we done? I have things to do.”
“Yeah, we’re done.” Gillian rose to her feet and turned. “Oh, before I forget, Mother.” She paused, her hand on the door. “I took my house off the market. You’re just going to have to figure some other way to pay your lawyer. We’re done. As far as I’m concerned they could lock you away in some dank little hole and I’d just continue living my life.”
“That’s my house! You can’t touch it.” Leaping to her feet, Barbara glared at Gillian.
“No. It isn’t. Like your car, your clothes, your personal effects, it all belongs to me, bought with my money.”
“That was my money. I earned it. You cost me more than you were worth, you snot nose whore! I was going to send you off to a private school, far away from me, but I couldn’t. Your father fixed that. Still, it was mine. It belonged to me. My only regret is Mike didn’t finish the job when he had the chance years ago.”
Flinching at her mother’s irate words, Gillian straightened and offered a grateful smile to the guard who opened the door. “Thank you.”
“It’s mine! Do you hear me?” Barbara’s voice filled the waiting room before the door clicked shut.
“You know she’s full of shit, right?” Jack lounged against the wall, his face a dark mask. “Don’t let her try and convince you otherwise. You up for dinner?”
“Yes.” Gillian glanced behind her before following him from the room. There was no changing the past, but it didn’t mean she had to let it control her. She slipped her hand into his, smiling at him as they left the jail.
* * * *
“I couldn’t eat another bite.” Gillian
pushed her plate away and leaned back. “I say it’s a tossup between Don’s and here.”
“Oh that’s easy.” Jack leaned over, his shoulder brushing hers as his hand slid under the tablecloth along her thigh. “Here.”
Giggling, she bent her head to his. “Oh, and why is that?”
“’Cause the best dessert is at this table.” Jack pressed a kiss to her neck. “Hidden by denim and lace.” She gasped as he palmed her crotch, the heel of his hand pressing against her clit. Already she could feel herself growing wet.
Heavy, full, her breasts pressed against the slinky lace of her bra. Each breath pulled on the material, rasping over her nipples until they’d hardened into aching peaks. Catching his eye, she licked her top lip, a smile tugging on one side of her mouth. “Mm, delicious.”
“Yeah.” Jack switched hands, one going around her shoulders to dangle against the top of her right breast. With each subtle move of his body, his fingertips brushed against her, teasing until she was panting. The rasp of the zipper on her jeans drew a gasp. Grabbing his hand, she caught his smirk.
“Get the check,” she whispered into his ear, her palm cupping his cock. Rolling her palm, she caught the strangled groan that escaped him and giggled. “Turnabout is fair play and tonight it’s mine.”
Jack nodded and eased away, a pained look crossing his face as his jeans brushed against his shaft. He slid from the booth and leaned toward her. “And just what do you have in mind, my dearest?”
“You’ll just have to wait and see.” Gillian giggled as he slipped away in the semi-darkness to take care of the bill. She adjusted her zipper, gathered her coat, and slid across the bench. Straightening, she turned, almost bumping into a tall, statuesque blonde.
“Excuse me.”
“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing.” The blonde snarled and her eyes narrowed. Scarlet-tipped nails tapped an ugly beat on her upper arm.
“Pardon me?” Gillian eyed the woman before her with care. It wasn’t the first time the woman had popped up, and she wasn’t in the mood to listen to her venomous ranting.
“You think he wants you? Acting all coy and schmoozy. Makes me sick. Soon as he’s done with you he’ll be back with—”