by Jaxon, Lynn
Our moment is interrupted when Gage crashes into Nash’s legs, wrapping his arms around them. “Naaaash, you’re finally here! I’ve been waiting forever.”
“Forever, huh? I just saw you yesterday.” Nash laughs and tousles Gage’s hair.
Gage pouts. “Well, it feels like it’s been forever.”
“Are you ready to go for a swim?” Gage energetically nods. “Run upstairs to change and meet me at the pool. Mom will join us when she’s finished helping Sean.” He runs up the stairs.
“Gage was so disappointed when Sean showed up because it wasn’t you. He’s been driving me crazy all day, asking if it was time for you to get here. That boy is absolutely crazy about you.”
“The feeling is mutual. I’m crazy about Gage and his momma.”
“Okay, break up the love fest. We’ve got work to do,” Sean teases.
I know the sooner we get started, the sooner we can find something to use against Frankie. God, please let us find something. I’m done letting that man ruin my life. “You’re right. Let’s get busy. I’ll see you in a bit, Nash.”
Nash heads out back to wait for Gage, and I lead Sean into the office. “Here you go. I sure hope you find something.”
He sits behind the desk and turns on the desktop. “I’ll do my best. What’s the password to log on?”
“Jackpot777.” At his raised brow, I hold up my hands. “His idea, not mine.”
“I can do this without you if you want to spend time with Gage and Nash.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I’ll come out if I need you.”
“That sounds wonderful. Thank you.”
* * *
An hour later, Sean walks out to the pool. “Do you mind if I take the computer to my office? This is going to take longer than I thought. I have no question he’s trying to hide something. Give me a few days and I’ll find it.”
“Yeah, take it. I just want answers.”
“I’ll give you a call as soon as I have something useful.”
“Thank you so much.”
Nash shakes Sean’s hand and slaps him on the back. “Thanks, man. I’m counting on you. More than you know.”
Sean waves to Gage as he walks back to the house. “I can show myself out. Have fun.”
Nash pulls me into his arms. “It’s going to be okay. I promise,” he says, but I detect a note of uncertainty in his voice that hasn’t been there before.
“Nash, what’s wrong? You don’t sound so sure.”
“Nothing is wrong, baby. I’ve just had a long day.” He kisses me, taking my mind off everything except his lips and the bulge in his trunks that is quickly making itself known.
“Down boy. Gage is liable to get out of the pool any minute. We wouldn’t want him to see just how much you like me.”
“Baby, I fucking love you.” He gives me one more kiss, then jumps into the pool to cool down.
We spend the rest of our evening talking and enjoying each other’s company. If Sean doesn’t find something on that damn computer, I can’t help but fear this may be one of the last carefree days we have. Nash remains a little preoccupied, but is still present for both Gage and me.
I don’t want him to leave, but I know he has work tomorrow, and we’re doing our best to be good in front of Gage. An overwhelming sadness hits me when Gage hugs him before climbing into bed.
“I’m going to walk Nash to the door. You can watch one more episode of PJ Masks, then I’ll be up to read you your bedtime story.”
“Okay, Momma. Bye, Nash. I love you.”
“I love you, too, buddy. Sleep well. I’ll see you soon.”
As we walk down the stairs, I fight back tears I can’t hide from Nash.
“Baby, it’s going to be okay. I’ll move heaven and earth to make sure of it.” He reaches up and wipes away the tears from under my eyes.
“Hold me, Nash. Don’t ever let me go.”
His long arms wrap around me, cocooning me in his warmth. He rubs his hands up and down my back in a soothing motion as he peppers my lips with kisses. Those light kisses soon turn hungry, and I devour his mouth like a starving woman. I guess that’s what I am. A woman who’s been in a loveless desert for so long that she craves what once seemed like a mirage. Only this isn’t a mirage. Nash is real and is here, loving me.
“I love you so much,” I say against his mouth.
“I love you, too.” He brushes my blonde curls back, then cups my face in his hands, gazing into my eyes.
“What are you thinking?” I ask.
“I’m thinking that no matter what, I’ll never regret meeting you at that club.”
I furrow my brows. “What makes you say that? Has something happened?” Did Frankie threaten Nash, too? Surely Nash wouldn’t keep that from me.
“No, sweetheart. Nothing has happened. I just want you to know how much I believe fate brought us together.” He gives me a small smile. “Who are we to question fate? Everything is going to be fine. I love you.”
Nash tilts his head toward the staircase and smiles. “I guess we’ve been lost in each other for longer than we thought. Gage is yelling for you.”
“That he is. His program must be over. I love you. Please text me and let me know you made it home. I’ll text you back after Gage falls asleep.”
“I will. Bye, babe.” He leans in and gives me one more kiss before walking out the door.
Chapter 20
~Frankie~
“Why do I get the feeling you’re going to double-cross me, Roxy? I should know better than to trust an addict to get something done right.”
She frowns. “What are you talking about? I did what you told me to do. I’ve been doing what you’ve told me to for the past three years. I was so happy when you signed those divorce papers, yet here I am, doing your dirty work to try and get that bitch back. I followed her, just like you asked. I’ve given you all the information I have. What more do you want? Can I please have the pills you promised? You owe me. You know I need them.”
“You’ll get the damn pills when I say, not a second before. My son starts school on Monday. I need to know if Meredith is still seeing that man. If you want to keep up the lifestyle I’ve afforded you, and the speed you take like candy, I suggest you help me get Meredith back. The money is almost gone. You know I can’t fulfill that shipment unless we get some cash, and soon.”
“What the hell, Frankie?! You use me whenever you want to get your rocks off, but now you’re holding the pills over my head and accusing me of double-crossing you?”
“I just get the feeling you’re interested in that man, too. I’d better be wrong. You belong to me, and I’m not sharing you or my wife with another man.”
“Do you hear yourself? One, she’s not your wife anymore, and two, why should I be okay with sharing you with her and all your other whores?”
“You know I have no feelings for her. She does nothing for me. I just need her for her money. You know how much I love fucking you.
“I want you to get close enough to your boss to keep an eye out, but I better not find out you have other plans. You don’t want to piss me off.”
“Don’t threaten me,” she grinds out. “You seem to forget that I know all your secrets.”
I narrow my eyes, my voice a deadly whisper. “That wasn’t very smart.”
Who does this bitch think she is? I don’t need her. She’s become more of a liability than a help.
I touch my weapon at my side, wrapping my fingers around the grip. Without further thought, I pull it out and take care of the problem.
“Guess you won’t be threatening anybody anymore.”
Thank goodness this bitch lives on a dead-end road. I quickly toss the contents of her purse onto the floor and take her wallet to make it look like a robbery, then wipe down the doorknobs and head out the door. She was too needy anyway.
I smirk as I walk to my car, pulling out my phone to give Meredith a call.
After four rings
, her voicemail picks up. I growl. Why isn’t she answering? Am I also going to have to take care of her? Let her know who she’s dealing with?
I sigh. Shit, I can’t do that. Her daddy will make sure I don’t see a dime of her money. That man has been a pain in my ass from day one.
Maybe I should pay Meredith a visit. Give her a reminder of what she needs to do. I won’t be ignored.
Just as I turn onto Meredith’s road, I see a black Jeep backing out of her driveway. I fume, hand gripping the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white.
I take a deep breath, hand relaxing. Actually, her little boy toy leaving works out good for me.
When I pull into the driveway and get out, the bitch obviously thinks it’s him pulling back up because Meredith opens the door just as I step up to it. Face falling, she tries to slam the door shut, but I’m too fast, slapping a hand against it and shoving it open.
“You expecting someone else?” I sneer.
“You aren’t welcome here, Frankie. Get off my property or I’ll call the cops.”
“I don’t think you want to do that. Someone else just learned what happens when you threaten me.” My fingers twitch, itching to pull out the gun and shoot. I take a deep breath and remember what my endgame is. Money.
She sucks in a breath. “What did you do?” Then holds up a hand. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. Just please leave before you wake Gage.”
Hearing something behind her, I look over her shoulder, smirking. “Well, lookie here, you lying bitch. Gage isn’t even asleep.” The snot-nosed brat stands on the stairs, eyes wide, phone in his hand.
“Come back. Momma needs help. Please…”
I shove Meredith out of the way. “Give me that phone, you little shit.” I rip the phone out of his hands and shove him, making him stumble on the stairs.
“No! Keep your hands off him!” Meredith yells.
I turn and slap her. She falls, hitting her head on the marble staircase, lying still. “Do you really want to fuck with me?”
I stare at her for a minute, then turn to Gage, smiling when he cowers away. At least he knows who the boss is. “Come on, Gage. Your momma can’t take care of you right now.”
“No! Momma! Momma! Wake up!”
“You are such a titty baby,” I say as I pull him out the door.
I throw him into the Hummer and take off. If she wants her little boy, she’s going to have to pay. I never wanted him anyway. She’ll do anything to protect this little shit.
Gage cries hysterically in the back seat. “Help me, Nash! I want my Momma! I wish you weren’t my daddy.”
“Shut your stupid little trap before I shut it for you. I don’t want to be your daddy, either, so just be quiet or you’ll never see your stupid whore of a mother again. Nobody is going to save you, especially not your Momma and Nash.”
I pick up my phone and shoot off a text, telling Roscoe to meet me at the warehouse.
Chapter 21
~Nash~
When my phone rings, I smile, hitting the hands-free button on my steering wheel. “You missing me already, baby?”
What I hear on the other end of the line has my blood running cold and me screeching into a U-turn in the middle of the road. Gage begs me to come back, a loud commotion sounding before the line goes dead. My heart beating out of my chest, I try and call back, but it goes to voicemail.
“Shit!” I scream and hit my steering wheel, willing my Jeep to go faster.
When I pull into the drive, squealing to a stop, I see the front door wide open. I rush into the house and fall to my knees next to Meredith lying on the floor with what appears to be blood in her hair. She moans out Gage’s name. I have never felt more helpless in my life.
“Baby, it’s me. I’m here. I’m going to call 911 and get you an ambulance.”
Her eyes open to slits. “No, I don’t want an ambulance,” she begs. “And no police. I don’t know what he’ll do.”
I furrow my brow. “Who, Meredith?”
Tears form in her eyes. “Frankie hit me, then took Gage. Oh god, Nash.”
“Motherfucker!” I scream. “I have to at least call Sean. He’ll know what we should do.” I carefully pick Meredith up and carry her to the couch.
“Okay, maybe he’s found something.” She places a hand on her head, groaning. “I don’t believe Frankie will hurt Gage. He just wants to hurt me and make my life a living hell. He told me I’d pay for leaving him.”
I call Sean, who answers on the first ring. “Hey, man. I was just about to call you. That Frankie is a bad dude. He’s mixed up in all kinds of bad shit, mostly drug trafficking.”
“He’s taken off with Gage, Sean. I got a call from Meredith’s phone, Gage pleading for me to help, then the phone went dead. When I got here, Meredith was lying on the floor, head bleeding. She won’t let me call 911. She’s afraid of what he might do to Gage.”
“Listen, I think I might know where they may be going. I found a warehouse in Biloxi, which is where he runs his drug operation. Nash, he owes a lot of money to his supplier, who is eager to get it. I’d hate to think what might happen if he finds out he has a son. We need to get to Gage before they do. I’m going to get all my men on it.”
“But—”
“No, Nash. You and Meredith need to let me handle it. He’s very dangerous. I have reason to believe he may have even been involved in some murders.”
I shove my hand through my hair. “How the hell do you expect me to sit here and just do nothing?”
When I hear Meredith’s landline start to ring, I look over at her, seeing her eyes widen in fear. I hold up my finger, signaling her to wait to answer the phone.
“Sean, that may be Frankie calling now. Stay on the line. I’m going to get closer so I can hear what’s going on.”
I nod at her. Meredith answers and immediately starts crying, pleading with Frankie. “Please, bring my baby back. I’ll do anything. Just don’t hurt him.”
I point at the speaker button. I do the same with my cell, so Sean can hear what’s going on.
“Listen up, bitch. I’m done playing nice. If you want to see your son again, I suggest you bring five million dollars to my apartment. Gage won’t be there, so no funny business. If you involve the cops, you will never see him again. I know people who’d pay good money for him.”
“You sick bastard. How could you do this? He is your son. Does that mean nothing to you?”
“I only agreed to have a child with you because I thought it would be a way to keep me tied to your name, money, and connections, but you had to go and fuck that up. So, the way I see it, you owe me. You want the kid, you can pay.”
“Frankie, you know I can’t just pull five million dollars out of my ass. It’ll take me at least a day to get you that kind of money. Please, bring Gage home. I promise, I’ll get you the money.”
“Your promise means nothing to me!” he yells. “You have twenty-four hours to get me the cash or you’ll never see Gage again.” The line goes dead.
“No,” Meredith sobs.
I place a hand on her shoulder before turning back to my phone. “Did you hear all that, Sean?”
“Yes. He’s one sick motherfucker. I’m going to take great pleasure in bringing him down. I’ll call you when we’ve located them.”
“Thanks, man. I really appreciate it.”
Meredith clutches the phone in her hand like it’s a lifeline. I have to pry it from her grip, then gently pick her up off the couch. I carry her to the bathroom to clean her wound. It’s no longer bleeding, but she has a big goose egg on her forehead. She doesn’t appear to have a concussion, but I’m no expert. I check her eyes. Her pupils are both equal and reactive. Even so, I wish she’d let me take her to be checked out. Tears flow down her cheeks, and my heart breaks right along with hers.
After cleaning Meredith up as best I can, I take her to her room and lay her in bed. I kiss the top of her head, telling her I’m going to go and lock up really quick. While
downstairs, I pick her cell up off the floor. The screen is cracked, but it still works. Luckily it’s not password protected and I find Amy in her contacts, letting her know what is going on. She becomes almost as frantic as Meredith when she hears what happened. She promises to call Jill and Katy and let them know, then will come over. I grab my own phone and send Ms. Bailey a text, letting her know I won’t be at school tomorrow due to personal reasons. I lock up everything and head back upstairs.
Meredith seems almost catatonic when I enter her bedroom. “Please tell me everything is going to be okay,” she almost begs in a monotone voice. “I have to get my baby back.”
“I promise you, we’ll get Gage back. Sean is the best at what he does. He was an excellent detective and knows his stuff. I let Amy know what’s happened. She is going to call Katy and Jill, then come over. Do you want me to call your mom and dad?”
She gives me a small smile. “Thank you, Nash. My friends will help keep me calm. I’m not ready to call my parents yet. I’m afraid it will give my dad a heart attack. I will call them tomorrow.”
“Okay, baby. I’ll do whatever you need.”
She looks so lost and broken. All I want to do is hold her in my arms and make everything better, but the only thing that will make her better is Gage being home. And I’m going to make damn sure that happens.
I climb into bed with Meredith and wrap my arms around her, not caring about the endless tears streaming down her face and soaking my shirt.
We’re both startled by the sound of the door opening. I jump out of bed, vowing to do everything to protect her.
Meredith reaches for me and whispers, “They have a key.”
As soon as she says this, Amy yells, “Meredith, are you up there?”
“We’re in her bedroom,” I yell back.
Amy runs into the room and gently pulls Meredith into her arms, rocking and soothing her.
“I’m going to give you two some time. I’ll just be downstairs if you need anything.” I lean down and softly kiss Meredith. “I love you, baby.”