Salvation and Secrets (26 page)

My eyes fluttered shut as I panted, overwhelmed by the feel of Jackson moving inside of me. One of his hands skimmed down to my hip, pulling me closer, fixing us together.

And all thoughts of Marcus Donohue melted away.

~

Jackson's hand brushed mine across the seats as he continued up the driveway. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I felt his touch, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from the huge house at the end of the road. No, house didn't do justice to the small mansion standing proud against a backdrop of Douglas firs.

After spending the afternoon wrapped in each other, Jackson finally persuaded me to get ready to go meet with Marcus. My stomach felt queasy but not for the reasons Jackson suspected. He thought I was just feeling uneasy about meeting the infamous Marcus Donohue. But it was more than that. I was about to face the man who killed Jackson's father.

On the short ride over, I had to swallow down the urge to gag. What was I thinking coming here?

"Hey, you okay over there? You look a little white."

Pursing my lips and biting back another wave of nausea, I forced a smile.

You can do this.

Jackson parked to the side of the house, next to a brand new sleek black SUV and a silver sports car. The slither of sun cutting through the clouds reflected off the metallic paintwork almost blinding me as I climbed out of the car on unsteady legs.

Jackson came around to take my hand and I took a deep breath trying to calm the nerves churning my stomach.

"Come on, we're late."

The inside of the house was just as grand as the outside. A huge deep stained wooden staircase filled the foyer with a crystal chandelier hanging from the high ceiling. Jackson chuckled at my gasp.

"It's impressive, right? This house has been in the family for years."

I nodded unable to form words. The place reeked of money. Something you'd expect to see in an old mafia movie. Now I knew why Fallen House was so grand. It was modeled after this house.

The town's crest was everywhere—carved into the huge wooden doors off to the left of us, painted onto plaques hanging on the wall, even woven into the pattern on the thick luxurious curtains covering the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"Ahh, there you two are." Marcus Donohue appeared from one of the corridors off to the side of the staircase. He looked like the epitome of refinement in his tailored black suit and slicked back hair.

"Good to see you, Jackson, Miss Parry." He extended his hand and I took it meekly, unsure of what to say or do.

My mind was screaming
murderer, murderer
, and I blinked, trying to force out the thoughts. I had to hold it together.

Jackson frowned slightly and I silently cursed, wishing he couldn't read me so well, and hoping he just suspected that Marcus intimidated me.

"Hello, Mr. Donohue." The words almost choked me, but if he noticed, he didn't let on.

"Shall we?" Marcus swept his arm out and motioned for us to follow him. Jackson held onto my hand, running his thumb over the curve of my skin, and I was thankful for his touch. It usually grounded me, but it did little to quell the tremor vibrating through my whole body.

Marcus led us to a living room. The rich claret leather sofas were big enough to seat four or five people. Jackson dropped onto one like there was nothing odd about the whole scenario and my heart ached for him. Because whatever was coming wouldn't be the news Jackson wanted. I didn't need to listen to the hollow in my stomach to know that.

Tugging me down next to him, Jackson accepted the drink offered by Marcus, but I refused. Preparing myself.

"Thank you for agreeing to come, Miss Parry. Jackson has told me a lot about you. About what you've been through. And for that, I'm truly sorry. Jackson has also assured me that you can be trusted, and that is good enough for me.

“I can't speak for Cole Calder, but I can speak for my son, Braiden, and what he and my daughter did to you last year was inexcusable..."

Marcus' lips continued to move, but I heard nothing past his apology. Marcus Donohue was allowing me into the fold? Apologizing to me? It threw me for a loop.

Jackson squeezed my hand, bringing me back to the moment.

"...anyway, as I was saying, I wanted you here as I think what I have to say also affects you.

“I'm not sure how much Jackson has told you, but as you are aware, Braiden was arrested that night. He almost killed Cole Calder. I did not sanction his actions. He was acting on his impulses and his alone. I do not have room, in my line of business, for the kind of hotheadedness my son displays. That is why I have taken the difficult decision to ensure he serves a punishment appropriate for his actions.”

My mouth dropped open, shocked by Marcus’ statement. Jackson had implied that he didn’t know what would happen to Braiden, but like most of the student population at CFA, we both doubted that he would ever see the inside of a prison cell. Marcus had money, power, and most of the local law enforcement in his pocket. The look of confusion on his face suggested this was an unexpected turn of events.

“Wha-what do you mean serve appropriate punishment?” Jackson asked, rubbing his forehead harshly.

“Exactly what it sounds like. After consulting with Derek.” Marcus cleared his throat and looked at me. “Sorry, Miss Parry, let me clarify. Derek Petrelli is our family lawyer.” His eyes moved back to Jackson, and he continued. “Derek was concerned about the damage this would do to the family should we let Braiden walk away with just a slap on the wrist. It was decided that he won’t face charges for attempted murder, but he will stand trial for aggravated assault.”

Jackson moved to speak, but Marcus silenced him with a simple look. A hardness of his eyes sent chills rippling down my spine. And I could see why he earned the reputation he had in Chastity Falls. There was just something about him. His calmness was unnerving. Calculated.

“Anyway, I have not brought you both here to discuss my son. Braiden will face the consequences of his actions in time. His absence does, however, leave me with a quandary. I’m sure you are not unaware of my son’s extracurricular activities on and off campus, Miss Parry. Well, with Braiden gone, I need someone to step up to the plate and continue the business side of things.” Marcus took a sip from his tumbler and rose from the leather armchair he was seated at, moving over to the window.

“It comes quite timely that events have played out as they have. Maconey is now running things in Reibeckitt and this serves to secure business for us. A renewed partnership and Maconey agrees, as do I, that Jackson should fill Braiden’s place. For the foreseeable future.”

Jackson leaped up from the couch and started pacing up and down, the tension in his face evident. “You wa-want me to run things? Me? Is this a fucking joke? I thought I was coming here to get your blessing to get out. I want out, Uncle Marcus. Ana has been dragged through enough.”

Marcus regarded Jackson with stern eyes but gave nothing away. His jaw ticked the way I’d seen Braiden’s do whenever he was pissed, and I realized I was getting a glimpse of that side of him. And the thought terrified me.

“Jackson, you’re good with people. You’re level headed, you know the business, you know Maconey. His guy Perkins speaks highly of you. I need someone like you around. I won’t be around forever; I need people I can trust. I want you on my side. I’ve always wanted you to take the reins. You.”

Jackson froze on the spot and whipped his head up to meet Marcus’ eyes. I felt like a voyeur watching a conversation I had no place witnessing. But something about the whole thing nagged at me. What did Marcus stand to gain by having me here? Surely, he knew I wouldn’t support Jackson taking over for Braiden. No, there was something bigger at play.

“How long have you been planning this? You have, haven’t you? When you said you had something to talk to me about… it was this? Before Braiden even put Calder in the hospital. You were planning this all along, waiting for him to fuck up.”

“Jackso-” Marcus moved toward Jackson, but he cut his uncle off. “Don’t. I don’t want to hear it.” He raised his head to look Marcus directly in the eye. “And I don’t want the job.”

Jackson didn’t say another word as he stalked straight past me and out of the room. I sat there unable to move. Things clicking into place. This was Marcus’ way of hanging on to Jackson, of keeping him in the family. He never intended to let him walk. And me? I was the leverage. Marcus had invited me here to witness this conversation because he thought I’d talk Jackson around.

Because no one said no to Marcus Donohue.

Without consequences.

Rising from the sofa, I tried to avoid making eye contact with Marcus, but just as I turned to leave the room, his voice halted me.

“Miss Parry, it would be in Jackson’s best interest,
everyone’s
best interest, if he agrees to this. I trust you’ll help him make the right decision.”

Our eyes met as the veiled threat sunk in.

We were not free.

Not by a long shot.

Chapter 28

~JACKSON~

“Jackson, calm down,” Ana pleaded from the passenger seat.

Calm down? How in the hell was I supposed to calm the fuck down when Marcus pulled that kind of bullshit on me?

I pushed my foot harder on the gas and the car flew down the road. What I really needed was to get in the gym and hit the weights or the punch the shit out of the bag. Marcus was selling out his own son to let me take the reins. It was ten shades of fucked up.

The whole time—over the last month—Uncle Marcus had given me a sympathetic ear; letting me vent about all the crap Braiden and Briony had pulled on me. He even had it out with Briony demanding answers. And I’d fallen for it. It was all a ruse. The interest in Ana; telling me that if she was really as important to me as I said, he would bend the rules. He was just trying to win me over to his way of thinking.

“Please, talk to me.” Ana’s voice cracked and I sighed in frustration.

I knew I was probably scaring the shit out of her, but I was too wound up to think straight.
He played me.

“Jackson.”

“What? What in the hell do you want me to say? You heard him; he wants me in for good. It was all a game to him. Getting me on his side, playing the ‘I understand your pain’ card. I thought he really understood. I’m fucking stupid.” My fist came down on the wheel hard and Ana flinched beside me and sniffled.

Fuck, I’d made her cry.

Easing my foot off of the gas, I reached across the car and linked our fingers. “Sorry. I’m just…fuck, I don’t know what I am anymore. I thought this was it. Our out.”

Ana brushed her glassy eyes with her sleeve and smiled, but I could see it was forced. “We’re never getting an out, are we? If it’s not Braiden, it’s Marcus, or Calder, or the next Calder. There’ll always be someone waiting to take their place.”

I didn’t answer—I couldn’t. She was right. Marcus was our last hope at having a normal life in Chastity Falls. We needed his blessing…and the only way we were going to get it was if I agreed to sell my soul to him.

“I can’t do it.” The words rushed out of my mouth. “I’m sorry.”

She stared straight out in front of her, never once glancing in my direction. Nothing. Something felt off. My girl was shutting down in front of me, when I expected more fight from her.

“Ana…”

She closed her eyes and turned her head away from me and my chest cracked in two. How was I supposed to fix this? Did she want me to agree to Marcus?

I’d do anything for her—she knew that.

But I couldn’t do that.

~

“Shall I come up?”

The words hung between us. For the rest of the journey, the distance had grown and grown like a cavern. I could understand her frustration—even her disappointment, but surely she didn’t want me to say yes. To give myself over to Marcus.

It made no sense.

“I need some time.” Ana’s eyes were downcast as we stood in the parking lot of McGinley and her hands fidgeted with the hem of her sweater.

Everything had gone to shit. Just like that. All in the space of a few hours.

“Ana, don’t do this… don’t pull away, please.” My voice cracked and I gulped down the tears pooling in my eyes.

Couldn’t she see what she was doing to me? I needed her in this with me. Not pulling away from me.

“I just need some time. Please.” Her voice pleaded and I lifted my head in a slight nod as she turned away from me. Taking my heart with her.

Fuck.
I slammed my fist on the hood of the car as she disappeared around the corner. Fumbling in my pocket, I grabbed my cell phone and dialed Dennis’ number.

“What’s up, man?”

“I need to hit the gym. You in?” I asked.

“Sure, meet you at the gym in ten?”

“Make it five.”

I pocketed my cell and climbed back into the car, glancing up at McGinley. Ana wanted time, so I’d give it to her. But I needed to hit something.

Five minutes later, I was parked at the gymnasium watching Dennis stroll up to the doors.

“You okay? You sounded off.”

“Weights first, then I’ll talk.”

He followed me into the locker room and we stuffed our hoodies, keys, and cell phones into a locker. I wasted no time in heading straight over to the bench press. While I got situated, Dennis loaded the weights.

“More,” I barked, flexing my forearms to warm up.

Dennis cocked his eyebrow. “Are you sure? There’s already three-ten on here.”

“More.”

He shrugged, adding another two weights to either end of the bar. “You’re all set.”

I rolled back my shoulders, gripping my hand on the bar at an even distance. Taking three deep breaths, I waited for some of the anger to dissipate. Once I felt centered, I tightened my grip and inhaled, pushing up on the bar. It rolled off the brackets and Dennis’ hands appeared in my peripheral view as he spotted me.

The burn from the extra pounds was exactly what I needed, and the force of the weights caused my whole upper body to tremble. But I welcomed it. The focus I needed to steady the bar meant I had to block out everything—all the shit storming through my mind. If I didn’t, three hundred and fifty pounds of steel would decapitate me.

“You got it, man. Push.” Dennis’ steady voice perforated my concentration, but not enough to be a distraction.

My arms resisted the weight, but I pushed through the pain demanding they extend until I was holding the weight at arm’s length.

“Slowly now.”

The reverse movement was even harder to control and I had to give it all my strength to hold the bar steady. Dennis’ hands eased down either side of the bar, as it dropped back into the bracket.

“Fuck, that was awesome. Want to go again?”

Drawing in a long breath, I shook my head, testing my body’s strength to pull myself up. Once I was seated on the bench, I said, “Marcus wants me in.”

Dennis frowned. “What do you mean in?”

“He wants me on point, running things. He wants me to replace Braiden.”

“Fuck.” His hands scrubbed at his jaw. “And what happens to Braiden?”

“He stands trial.”

“Fuck. And you had no idea this was coming?”

“None. I mean, I knew Marcus had changed when he returned; he was more interested in me, my life… Ana. He didn’t flip when I told him about everything between Braiden and me. I thought it was just regret over Braiden or something. But now that I think about it, he seemed almost pleased. Like he was waiting, waiting for me to walk and Braiden to fuck up enough to hand me the reins. It’s so fucked up.”

Dennis blew out a breath like he couldn’t believe my words. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m not doing it. I won’t. I can’t. I wanted out, and I meant it.”

“What’s Ana have to say about all of this? You took her down to the house, right?”

“She won’t talk to me about it.”

“So, go make her.”

Was he right? Was that the right move here?

When I didn’t answer, he added, “Seriously, what are you doing here with me when you could be over there talking this through with your girl? She’s stuck by you this far, what makes you think she’s going to walk away now? That girl has balls of steel.”

“I have to go,” I said rising from the bench.

“Yeah, you do.” He smirked and I rolled my eyes at him. He was like the motherfucking guru when it came to this kind of shit.

“I’ll catch you later. And listen, man, thank you. I owe you. More than you’ll ever know.”

~

“Ana, open up. It’s me.” I banged on the door again, my frustration levels growing. “Ana.”

The door rattled and then opened. Ana rubbed her red eyes and I immediately felt like a dick. She had been crying.

Without thinking, I backed her into the room and cupped her face in my hands. “What’s wrong? Talk to me. Please.”

Her eyes fluttered shut and her fingers gripped onto me like I was the air she breathed. “I-I can’t.”

“What do you mean you can’t? You can tell me anything.” I gathered her into me and wrapped my arms around her. I shouldn’t have let her walk away from me. I was always fucking things up.

She sobbed into my hoodie and I wanted to push her to tell me what was wrong because my gut was telling me it had to do with more than just Marcus earlier.

“Shh, I got you, Ana. I have always got you.”

Ana stilled in my arms and pulled back, sniffling back her tears. “We-we need to talk.”

Shit. She was really going to end things. The air left my lungs and I gasped, “Don’t. Fuck, please don’t do this. I need you. You can’t do this.” I looked down at her, begging her to see how much I needed her.

“Jackson, wait, I’m not breaking up with you. This isn’t about that.”

It isn’t?

“Then what is it?” I guided us to the bed and sat down, scooping her onto my lap. “Please, this is killing me.”

“I- I don’t know how to say this… if it’s even the right thing to say.”

“Ana, please.”

“You have to say yes to Marcus,” she rushed out.

The fuck?
My mouth opened and then closed. She thought I should say yes?

“What the fu-”

“Let me explain. I found something out about them, about Marcus.”

I was completely lost. What did she mean she had found something out?

“Found what?”

Her eyes softened and flashed with something. Sadness. Regret. It was hard to place the emotion when her whole face was a red swollen mess.

“It’s about the accident that killed your father…” The room closed in around me sucking every last ounce of air out of my lungs. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t do anything. “I thi- I think that Marcus discovered your father wanted out and he killed him.”

Laughter bubbled up and tumbled out of my mouth. “You’re joking, right. This is some sick kind of joke.” I shoved her off me and started to pace.

“Jackson, please. Let me explain.”

“You’ve been digging into Marcus? And you didn’t tell me?” I accused, the hurt in my voice obvious.

“Jackson,” she whispered the sadness from earlier returning to her face. “You are missing the point. I have reason to believe Marcus killed your father and you’re going to make this about us?”

“How long have you known?”

We weren’t really having this conversation—it wasn’t real. It couldn’t be. The girl I loved wasn’t really ripping my heart to shreds. It wasn’t possible.

“For certain? Since Christmas.”

Fuck.

Fuck.

Double fuck.

“Jackson, are you listening to me?” Ana was off the bed and standing in front of me, looking at me with her soulful eyes. “Marcus Donohue killed your father. The man who raised you, who wants you to take his son’s place killed. Your. Father.”

Her words hit me, finally penetrating my walls.

My world shattered.

I dropped to my knees and a strangled cry escaped my lips. Ana joined me on the floor her slim arms pulling me into her while she soothed me.

I hadn’t wanted to believe her. To accept what was staring me in the face, but now things were starting to click into place.

“I’ll kill that bastard.”

Ana’s grip tightened on me and she cried, “Jackson, you can’t. You can’t.”

“Shh, shh.” I buried my hands deep in her hair and pulled her face to mine. “I can’t just do nothing, Ana. My dad, fuck… Dad.”

“What are we going to do?”

And like an epiphany, it came to me.

I knew exactly what I needed to do. Marcus was smart. Calculated. And he wanted me on his side.

Well, he was going to get me.

I would be the snake in his lair—I would find out every ounce of dirt I could use against him.

And then I would take him down.

“What are you doing?” Ana asked as I fumbled in my pocket.

“What needs to be done.” I drew the phone between us and scrolled down to his number and hit call.