We drop Stephanie and Charlene off at their houses before heading home. Stephanie is bringing her husband and Charlene is bringing a date. Finally, we pull up to the house and rush in to find Jeffrey and Tyler directing the caterers and servers. The house looks amazing and the food smells delicious. I didn’t want anyone busy tonight, so I hired a catering company to handle the food, but I had April make the desserts. The woman is a master of her craft, making different pastries and sweet treats of sugary goodness that melt in your mouth. The buzz of the evening is still in the air and I’m feeling my second wind as we all head upstairs to change.
The dinner party is in full swing and Jackson is on his way. I mingle with everyone and make sure they’re having a great time. The champagne is flowing and celebrating this evening with my friends makes my heart full. I know he’s here before I see him and suddenly, strong arms hold me from behind and a soft kiss to my neck makes me shiver.
“Hello beautiful, how are you,” he whispers.
I turn in his arms and look up into those mesmerizing green eyes.
“I’m better now that you’re here.”
Jackson kisses me and all is right with my world. I pull back and grab him by the hand.
“I want to introduce you to the rest of my friends,” I say.
We head outside to the pool area and everyone is gathered around the bar, talking, laughing, and just having a great time. Nothing could ruin this evening.
Chapter 19
Jackson
Crystal looks stunning and I can’t wait to get her alone later to show her how much I missed her today. She’s been wanting me to meet her friends for a while and it’s finally happening. I know how important they are to her and her wanting me to be a part of their lives says so much about her feelings for me.
“Hey guys, I want you to meet my boyfriend Jackson, Jackson this is Stephanie, her husband Daniel, you’ve met April and Chassity, and this is Charlene and her boyfriend Quinn.”
I feel the blood drain from my face and my heart starts beating so fast that it feels like it’s going to explode out of my chest. Her hair is different, and her eyes are not the color I remember, but the woman I know as Mina, the one who threatened my Crystal is standing in front of me, being introduced as Charlene. Charlene, the woman that Crystal said she hired permanently because she was the perfect fit at the office is smiling and extending her hand.
“Finally, we meet the famous Jackson,” she says.
My words are stuck in my throat and I’m failing to comprehend what the fuck is happening. Crystal lightly slaps my arm and says,
“Jackson, don’t be rude, say hi!”
“Oh sorry, hi, nice to meet you all.”
Penetrating, mocking eyes stare at me and I’m frozen in place. How in the hell did she manage to do this without me knowing? I think back to the times I’ve visited Crystal at the office, and I don’t recall ever seeing her there, but obviously she’s been there. All of this fucking time, my Crystal has been in danger and once again, I’ve failed to protect someone that I love. I feel sick to my stomach, so I excuse myself and head to the restroom. I’ve underestimated who this woman is, and I make it a priority to call my old partner in Chicago and find out just who and what I’m up against. I’ve been so focused on bringing Mike’s killers to justice, that I failed at protecting the one person that means everything to me. Looking at myself in the mirror, I try to think of a way to get rid of her. I can’t allow her to hurt Crystal and I for damn sure will not let her wreck my life. I open the door and run smack into the woman who can ruin everything. If looks could kill, she’d be dead. The instant hatred I have for her is flowing through my veins and before I have another thought, my hands are wrapped around her throat. Her eyes bulge with the intense pressure and she’s gasping for breath. The only thing that saves her, is Javi grabbing me and dislodging my hands.
“Man, what the fuck is wrong with you?”
He’s whispering, half yelling at me as I see Mina fall against the wall, coughing.
“This is the bitch I was telling you about that’s stalking me. She’s working in Crystal’s office and she’s been here all of this time, pretending to be someone named Charlene. Crystal has no idea that this piece of shit is the one that hit her over the head in the parking garage.”
Javi looks from me to her and back at me.
“Are you sure, it’s her,” he asks.
“I’m more than sure!”
Mina, the Oscar winning actress that she is says that she’s not the person I think she is and says that I attacked her for no reason. I lunge for her again and Javi quickly puts me in a bear hold. I’m so angry that I’m vibrating.
“Get your shit together before Crystal comes looking for you Jackson.”
That instantly brings me back from the edge and I tell Javi that I’m okay. He releases me and I slump against the wall, feeling as though the weight of the world has taken a seat on my shoulders.
“I can prove who she is?”
I pull out my wallet and grab the paper I have, folded, and tucked inside. I open it and show Javi the mugshot from when I had her arrested back in Chicago. When she sees that Javi knows it’s her, her demeanor changes, and like Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde, her true nature shines through.
“I told you that this wasn’t over, and I would get my revenge for losing everything. Now the fun can really begin.”
At that moment Crystal comes into the hall and my heart starts racing again.
“Jackson, are you ok?”
“Yes, baby, I’m good. I was just introducing Charlene to Javi and then coming to find you.”
I grab her and kiss her like my life depends on it. She feels so good and the thought of losing her, losing what we have scares me. Clearing her throat, Charlene says,
“Well, I better get back to Quinn.”
Crystal slaps my arm again.
“Jackson, what has gotten into you? That is so rude! I’m sorry Char, apparently Mr. Romantic here missed me today and can’t keep his hands to himself.”
“No worries at all girlfriend. There’s nothing like a man who has no problem with PDA.”
I stare after her as she walks off and make a personal vow to find a way to put a stop to this madness. I can’t allow Mina to ruin what I have with Crystal.
The party stretches on and I’m ready to have my girl to myself. I just need to feel her and consume her. She gets rid of the darkness and quiets the noise in my head. We’re so close to bringing down this drug ring and I don’t need another thing worrying me. This Mina situation couldn’t have come at a worse time. I may need Javi’s help on this. With his connections, I can find out what is driving this woman and why she has shown up after so long.
Mina
16 years old
I come home from school and hear my parents before I see them. This is my life and although my father doesn’t abuse me, he uses my mother as a punching bag. Today is no different. I’ve had a bad day and I don’t know if I can take this anymore. I slam my bedroom door to let them know that I’m home and I immediately go to my stash of razors. They numb me in ways that bring relief and help me forget the disaster that’s my life. The bullying has gotten worse and I couldn’t take it anymore. I threatened to kill my nemesis and he told the Principal. Now I’ve been suspended for 7 days. When they called my parents and didn’t get an answer, I knew they were fighting again. I need to give them the letter that the principal sent home, but I need to do this first. I need that calmness to wash over me before I face them. The blood trickles down the back of my leg and the sharp pain from the blade immediately settles my soul. I clean and dress my wounds before sliding back into my jeans. I grab the letter and head to their bedroom. An ear-piercing scream stops me in my tracks. I’ve never heard my mother scream this way and at first I’m scared, but my fear soon turns into rage. My father isn’t an alcoholic or a drug abuser, he’s just a pure asshole that is mean and loves hitting on my mother. I slowly inch toward their door and another scream rips from my mother’s throat and makes me jump. I bust through the door and my mother is tied to the bed while my father is beating her. He’s breathing hard and his hands are stained with blood, her blood. I run from the room and head straight to the kitchen. I can hear my father’s footsteps behind me, but I can’t stop. I don’t want to hear the excuses anymore. I want him gone, out of our lives for good! I find what I’m looking for easily and as soon as he turns me around to face him and give me, yet another bullshit excuse, I plunge the knife deep, raise my hand up, and gut him like a fish. The look of surprise on his face is priceless and I smile at him as he stumbles backwards, hitting the table before he falls dead. I stare at him, void of any emotion, not feeling anything toward the man who has tortured my mother all of these years. His eyes are still open and fixated on me, as if he’s staring, looking at the person who ended his miserable life. His blood is spilling everywhere, and I’m mesmerized by the color, the thickness of it as it hits my foot. My mother calling my name brings me out of my trance and I run to her.