UNBREAKABLE (ABLE SERIES) (14 page)

Giving her complete control will help her to trust me, and finally after feeling like crap for the past couple of days, I feel relaxed enough to sleep. I wake up alone, hearing people talking and laughing as I walk toward the living room. Nothing could have prepared me for seeing Trish and Amber sitting next to each other. Standing in the hallway, leaning against the wall, I watch and listen to my girl proudly, happy that she accepts Amber.

“I want to let you know Jake acted like a perfect gentleman. Actually, he told me the first night, he’s very happy, the happiest he’s been in his life because of you. He loves you, Trish; you’re one lucky girl,” Amber sincerely tells my girl.

“Thank you for telling me Jake behaved like a good boy,” Trish smiles when she says that, then her smile fades away when she begins to talk again. “I understand completely what you’re going through. I lost my boyfriend too, and I know how loneliness can make a person feel empty inside, but don’t lose hope because it’ll get better. You’ll meet someone who can take all the pain away. That’s what Jake has done for me. His love healed my heart, and I’m even happier than before. That’s why I pray each day for God to give us forever to be together because I don’t know what I’d do if I lost him.”

Hearing Trish say she’s happier with me and how I healed her heart makes me ridiculously happy, but her fear of losing me makes my heart ache. I don’t want her to feel fear…I want her to believe that if she wakes up one morning and everything looks bleak, I’ll be right beside her…we’ll be together, always.

Trish notices me first, tilting her head to the side, silently asking me to join them. I can’t describe the satisfaction that fills my heart. This is good…we’re finally on the same page. We’ve both finally let go of our pasts to venture to our future, together.

Chapter 15

Jake

I don’t know why I feel so tired. I’ve been feeling this way since Tahoe, and it has gotten worse. I keep on telling myself, it’s just my body rebelling against lack of sleep, but I can feel it’s more than that. There’s no way I’ll tell Trish. I can’t. I don’t want her to worry.

“Babe, are you sleepy already?” She asks, anxiety oozing out of her voice.

“I’m just tired; working the graveyard shift kicked my ass.”

I tell her without looking at her for fear she’ll see I’m lying through my teeth. If I tell her, she’ll only force me to go to the doctor, and there’s no time for that.

She scoots closer to me. “Why don’t you take the day off tomorrow and go get yourself checked. I’ll go with you.”

“No, Trish. I’m fine,” I answer her in a clip tone, hoping she’ll drop it.

Of course, she doesn’t. “But, you don’t look good, Jake. Something’s wrong.”

Losing my patience, I turn to face her. “I didn’t know you’re a doctor now, Trish.” I immediately regret being short with her. “I’m sorry, okay. I’m fine. Just let me sleep, and if by tomorrow I still feel like crap, I promise I’ll go to the doctor, okay?” I have to throw that promise in there to appease her.

She angrily gets off the bed and slams the bathroom door. Great. This is the last thing I need when I feel like crap. I hate fighting with her, but I don’t have the energy to go after her, either. She comes out a couple of minutes later, totally ignoring me.

“So, you’re going to act like a spoiled child. It’s my body, Trish. I’m telling you, I’m fine.”

She shakes her head and glares at me. “No you’re not fine, and you’re lying to me. I know what I see, but since no one can tell you what to do, then whatever.”

I turn to face her, preparing for a long discussion. “It’s not whatever, Trish. You’re making something out of nothing. Please, I don’t want to fight with you, so just drop it. Now, come over here and give me my kisses.”

She ignores me and turns the other way, but this is her usual MO when she’s mad at me. She likes to give me the silent treatment, but that’s her and not me, so I move closer to her, pull her gently toward me with my hand over her stomach.

I whisper, “I know you’re mad. So, I’ll let you shut me out, but I don’t want to close my eyes and let callous words be the last thing that leaves my mouth. I love you, Trish.” I kiss her tenderly on her cheek and snuggle closer.

She remains quiet and that’s okay, as long as she’s next to me. As long as I tell her those three important words, I can sleep peacefully.

***

“Jake, wake up. Hey, you’re gonna be late.” I wake up with Trish shaking me like crazy.

Damn, I can’t believe I didn’t hear the alarm. “I’m up. Relax on the shaking.” I sit up waiting for her to give me my morning kiss.

She gives me a peck on the cheek. “I’m sorry about last night.” She looks at me sheepishly. “It looks like you feel better, today.”

I hug her tight and kiss her forehead. “You’re forgiven. I do feel better as a matter of fact. So your little tantrum last night was for nothing.” I stand and turn to walk away, but not before smacking her ass.

She giggles and tells me she loves me, then leaves. I hit the shower, grab breakfast and drive with Brian to work.

“You look better today, man.” Brian slaps my shoulder playfully.

“Thank God. I think Trish nagging me scared the damn germs away.” I chuckle at that thought.

“Well, I’m glad you pick today to get your ass straight since the meeting with your uncle is scheduled for today. I don’t think your dad wants to deal with him by himself.”

The mere mention of my uncle gives me an unsettling feeling. I hate talking to him, but he’s family, and not talking to him isn’t an option. I just have to keep this on the down low from the girls. “Brian, you know not to mention anything to the girls, right? You know Roxy and my uncle’s relationship is like a ticking time bomb.”

He nods his head. “Yeah, we’re good. It’s just a consult, right?”

I let out a loud sigh. “As far as I know, yes, he’s just here for a consult, that’s all.”

Brian sighs heavily. “I know your dad keeps tabs on him for Roxy’s sake. Isn’t he married to someone whose family fronts a couple of legit import and export businesses, but really does illegal shit? Do you think it could be more?”

Pinching my nose, I finally admit one of my suspicions. “I think we’re up shit creek on this one. We haven’t heard from him in what, ten years, and all of a sudden he’s here wanting a meeting. It’s all too shady. I don’t trust him as far as I could throw him, and don’t even mention the bitch he’s married to.”

Cody walks in my office, dumping a folder on my desk and shoving one to Brian which earns a frown from us.

“Your dad wants to start the meeting ASAP since your Uncle John is here. By the way, I overheard your dad talking about hiring a new guy. Do you guys know who it is?”

Brian’s brows shoot up. “A new guy? First I’ve heard of it. Jake, do you know anything about this?”

There’s no sense keeping this info from them. “Yeah, we need a fresh sets of eyes to help us with this case. I haven’t been privy with some info, I think, because Dad doesn’t want us to go ape shit which makes me think it’s not only Roxy who’s gonna be affected, it’s all of us.”

“Well then, let’s get on with it.” Brian stands up and leaves followed by Cody.

Knowing the little bit of info I have, my mind is running different scenarios, all of which result in a cluster fuck since anything that involves my Uncle John translates to one. Walking in the room and seeing my dad’s rigid stance, his arms folded over his chest screams tension. Shit, this is not good.

My dad starts. “Here’s what we have, John received a threat aimed specifically toward Roxy and the girls, including everyone here.”

Even knowing what I know, it still shocked the shit out of me hearing Trish is in the middle of this shit storm. “How credible is the threat? Who is it?” I blurt out, my stress level goes up ten notches.

My dad continues. “The threat is very credible. It’s from a drug cartel in Mexico.” My dad tosses a bunch of pictures across the table. Every single picture of every single guy reeks of danger, but what gets my attention and makes me see red is the picture of the girls all alone, leaving them vulnerable. One of Roxy at the store, Trish at the grocery store, Tami getting in her car, and my mom going out of her house. Clearly, whoever wants to harm them has been eyeing them for a while now, under our noses. Motherfuckers! My stress level skyrockets through the heavens.

Something clicks in my brain and fear spreads throughout my entire body. “When did you find out about the threat? Dad, the girls are all over the place today, unprotected! Trish is out there exposed!”

My dad stares me down. “Do you think I’d leave them open like that? I only heard about it early this morning, and as soon as I found out, I ordered someone to tail them, including Trish’s mom. As a matter of fact, I just got a sit rep from everyone before you guys got here. Roxy’s at the shop, Trish and Tami are at home, your mom’s at home, and Trish’s mom’s at the range.” Then, he looks at me. “This is why I didn’t tell you. Get your head in the game, lock that emotion tight, I need you squared away, Jake.”

I nod, but I know that won’t be enough. “I’m good.” Even though I’m not. How could I be? Anything that can harm Trish is not a good fucking thing.

“Listen up, ears open, eyeballs here.” He points at the board that has the top echelon of the drug cartel. “John has been involved with shady fuckers who, as I mentioned earlier, are a part of a drug cartel in Mexico. He tried to cut loose, but not clean, which caused the threats. For now, he bought us some time. John cut a deal with the FBI, the bureau will use him as bait to get the bigger fish in exchange for something he doesn’t want to disclose. My brother not disclosing everything doesn’t sit well with me; therefore, I put a plan in place. That’s why I’m bringing in a new guy. I want to keep this tight; everything that happens here stays here.” My dad then sits for the first time, looking a little bit relieved.

Brian asks, leaning toward the table, “How do you know we can trust this guy?”

“He’s being vetted as we speak. He’s highly recommended by my connections in the Corps,” My dad answers confidently.

My uncle stands up and speaks for the first time. “I can’t disclose anything because I was instructed not to do so. I know this is all my doing, unfortunately, I can’t undo anything. The cartel knows to get to me, they need to use every single person that is related to me. Even with my strained relationship with my daughter, I care for her deeply.”

“You deeply care for her? Kicking her out because of your selfish fucked up ambition is not caring for her. If something happens to her, I’ll kill you myself.” Cody’s nose flares and fists clench more than likely controlling himself from reaching out and punching my uncle.

No one tries to pacify Cody. In fact, we all sneer at my uncle’s declaration of his love for Roxy. Who is he trying to fool? He doesn’t care about Roxy; he only cares about getting elected. Either he ignored our reaction or he doesn’t care because he continues on.

“I don’t have to answer to you. I stayed away from her for fifteen years to avoid this. However, the FBI assures me everything will be done within the five months’ time frame. That’s the best I can offer, believe me, I’d do more if I could. I’ll keep in touch, Jack.” Uncle John tries to shake my dad’s hand, but he swivels his chair away from him.

Once he’s out, everyone remain silent waiting for my dad’s lead.

He swivels his chair back facing us. “The FBI advises to put security on all the girls. We can’t go public on this because that’ll tip the cartel. The girls can’t hear a word about this, especially Roxy. Until I get a clear picture of who the players are, put a lid on this…I want it air tight. Do I need to make it clear which package belongs to which eyes?” He looks at Cody and Brian, challenging them to finally own up.

Cody doesn’t skip a beat. “Roxy’s mine, Gunny.”

My dad swings his gaze to Brian pinning him where he sits. “You gonna have my girl?”

“Yes, sir,” Brian answers with conviction.

“Outstanding.” He stares at Brian for a second and nods.

I ask, “Dad, if the cartel is involved, we need more than us. Can’t we put the girls in protective custody? Ask the FBI to put them in a safe house for the time being?”

My dad shakes his head. “We can’t do that, like I said, it’ll tip them off. If they get wind that John cut a deal with the FBI, the cartel might strike and we don’t know who they’ll target first? For now, let’s do maximum security on the girls.”

“If you want max security, we have to be on them twenty four seven, they’ll figure it out. We have to tell them,” Cody says while glancing between me and my dad.

I take a deep breath clearing my thoughts. “We’ll proceed as usual, making them think we’re out doing our regular, but we’re really tailing them. We’ll split our days off, and they won’t know any better.”

Everyone nods their heads in agreement. Cody asks the question I’ve been dying to ask, “When are we going to meet him?”

“I’ll meet him today. He just got back stateside a couple of months ago. I need to see where his head’s at, I don’t know if he’ll even accept the job. I don’t know him personally, but looking at his specs I’ll trust this guy with the life of our girls. His integrity is solid. As of today, both your assignments will be given to someone else,” He said looking at Cody and Brian.

My dad stands up, places both palms flat on the table. “One last thing, the new guy I’m bringing on board is solid. He’s the real deal boys. He’s a Marine Recon special ops. I’m sure you all know what it takes to be an operator in that field. It requires one to know his shit in direct action, close quarters battle, special reconnaissance, survival and evasion tactics, tactical casualty care, weapons tactics, and SERE training. He knows how to plan urban and non-urban contact. I’m sure we’re all on the same page with him being an asset. Make sure your gears are good to go. We’re done here boys, and Jake, I need to talk to you.”

As Cody and Brian leave, dad closes the door behind them. I remain seated, waiting anxiously to what he has to tell me. If he’s going to drop another atomic bomb on me, I might just lose it.