Page 50 of Fighting Jacob

“What would you prefer, time behind bars or fighting for me?”

I peer up from the papers I’m scrutinizing. “Is neither an option?”

With an arrogant smirk, Isaac shakes his head.

“I don’t want to go to jail.” Who will protect Lola if I’m locked away?

Isaac hands me a pen. “Then I suggest you accept my offer. Sign a contract stating you'll fight exclusively for me, and I'll ensure you don't do any time.”

Isaac is a man of his word. Within an hour of me agreeing to be his fighter, I’m walking out of the police station on bail. While driving me home, he advises his lawyer will work on a plea to ensure I’ll avoid jail. I’ll most likely have a conviction on my criminal record and be placed on probation, but I’ll be a free man.

I doubt that would be the case if Isaac hadn’t agreed to compensate Callum. It seriously pisses me the off that Callum can put his hands on a woman, then get a payout. It doesn’t make any sense. Where’s the justice? I would have put a stop to it if Isaac didn’t say it was the only way I’d avoid time behind bars.

“I’ll contact you as soon as I know anything.”

Nodding, I slid out of Isaac’s top of the line BMW. He’s so swanky, he doesn’t even drive himself around. He has a fancy-schmancy driver, although he’s not wearing a chauffeur’s hat.

“Thanks for your help.”

Isaac smirks. “The pleasure will be all mine.”

I wait for his taillights to disappear down the driveway before entering my home. The first person I spot is Noah sitting in the living room. When his eyes lock with mine, he leaps off the sofa and spans the distance between us. I’m shocked when he slings his arms around my shoulders to give me a brief man hug. He’s not a touchy-feely type.

“Does Dad know?” I ask while returning his embrace.

“No. I didn’t think you’d want me to tell him.”

His answer coincides with my dad sauntering into the room. He has a book in one hand and a glass of lemonade in the other. Feeling our stare, he stops reading to peer at us. “Jacob, Noah.”

After a final glare warning us to behave, he continues his trek to his favorite recliner in the corner of the room. He places his drink on a side table before returning his eyes to us, still frozen in the middle of the living room.

“What are you two up to?”

“Nothing.”

Our mirrored reply increases his suspicion. His eyes slit as his lips purse. He appears two seconds away from giving us one of his infamous hour-long lectures.

“I’m going to take a shower, but...uh...Noah wants your advice on something. He’s just started dating someone, and he’s not sure if he’s treating her right.”

Ignoring Noah’s ticking jaw that warns I’m about to be murdered, I bolt for the hallway, leaving him defenseless against an old romantic who loves teaching men how to treat a lady right.

I’m drying my shaggy hair with a towel when Noah enters my room. He’s clearly pissed, but there’s a bit of amusement behind his dark eyes. “Thanks for that, asshole. Now my ears are bleeding.”

“Sorry.” I try my hardest not to laugh but miserably fail. “Did he give you any good advice?”

Noah gags. “Only to wrap it before I tap it.”

When I throw my head back and laugh, he tries to maintain his serious expression. It doesn’t last long. Within seconds, he’s laughing right along with me. “It wasn’t fucking funny at the time. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever have sex again.”

We laugh for several more minutes before the humor on his face recedes for anxiousness. “What happened today, Jake? I’ve never seen you snap like that before.”

I run my hand down my face as I flop onto my bed. “Have you ever asked my dad how he met my mom?”

Noah cocks his brow as if to say do I look like a sucker for punishment?

“You should ask him one day. It’s an interesting story.” I roll over to face the ceiling before giving him a recap of the events. “My mom moved into my dad’s neighborhood when he was fifteen. He claims she was the most beautiful, carefree girl he had ever laid eyes on. What he didn’t know was that she was raised by an abusive, alcoholic father.”

Noah sucks in a sharp breath, the similarities between his childhood and my mom’s too similar for him to ignore.

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