Page 60 of Anything For This Love

I smile. “Don’t worry about that. I know just the thing to ease the tension out of those tight muscles.” I pull her toward me, kneading her back as I press her chest to mine. Her gaze heats and settles on my mouth. Hoping to make her forget her troubles for a little while, I lean in and seal my mouth over hers. The tip of my tongue slides against her lips and she opens for me. She deepens the kiss, her hand going to the back of my head to hold me against her. I lift her into my arms, carry her to the bed, and make good on my promise.

My security teamis in place. Everyone knows their role and is prepared for any situation that may arise. The roadside diner is nearly empty, only a couple patrons lingering about as they finish a late lunch. We chose this place and time for a reason. It’s the least busy time of day, but there are just enough people around to keep these assholes from trying something stupid. I sit at the counter, my back to the booths where Raven agreed to meet with the men. What they don’t know is that Raven isn’t coming. They’re getting their money and nothing else. They’re not going to harass or threaten her anymore or try to convince her to go back and work for their boss. They’re cutting ties with her completely. She’s not going back to Michigan, not now, not ever.

Two men in black leather jackets, one with a toboggan pulled low over his ears and the other with a baseball cap covering his shaggy dark hair stroll in. I watch from the corner of my eye as they take their seats. One sits at the booth in the farthest corner while the other takes a seat at the bar several stools down from me, both ordering a drink and nothing else. I continue sipping my coffee and pretend to read the newspaper sprawled across the counter.

On cue, my guy enters, the bell above the door signaling his entrance. Giving nothing away, he strolls casually past me and stops at the booth with toboggan guy. Wordlessly, he takes the seat across from him and waits. I can just make out what’s happening from my peripheral vision. I don’t want to raise any suspicion by openly watching them, so I keep my gaze focused on the paper in front of me, trying to peer at their reflection in the stainless-steel napkin holder on the counter.

My guy, Shawn, equal to me in height and build, waits for the other man to acknowledge him. “Can I help you?” the man finally asks.

“Are you Max?”

“Who the fuck are you?”

“I’m here as a representative of Mrs. Harris. I’ve brought what you requested, and before you think about making a scene or trying to leave, you should know there are three other men with eyes on this location, ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice.”

Max’s eyes narrow and his jaw ticks, but he remains silent. Shawn continues. “Now, before we make this exchange, you should know that you and your associates will no longer be in contact with Mrs. Harris once her debt is paid. If you or any of your associates attempt to contact her or any member of her family, all evidence of illegal activities that you and any of your associates, including your employer are involved in, will be turned over to the authorities.”

Max’s nostrils flare and he opens his mouth, but Shawn cuts him off. “I should warn you that any retaliation that you’re thinking of pursuing will be met with swift and precise intervention. I advise you to return to your employer with the money owed and leave Mrs. Harris in the past.”

Max hesitates, weighing his options. Finally, he speaks. “I’ll relay your message to my boss. That skank really ain’t worth any more of our trouble, so once we have our money, we’ll gladly leave this shithole town. However, we will count every bill and if it’s short even by a dollar, we’ll be forced to collect the rest by any means necessary.”

His attempted flex is met with Shawn’s laughter.

“Would you like me to count it for you? We can do it right now.” I see Max’s scowl in the napkin holder, obviously unamused. “It won’t take long at all. It’s all in one hundred-dollar bills, so you won’t have to worry about being short by that pesky little dollar.”

These goons may not realize who’s behind this, but Max obviously recognizes that Raven has a powerful ally in her corner. He finally relents and instructs Shawn to leave the money in his seat and leave. Shawn complies and sets a gift bag next to him before standing. To the average person, it looks like a birthday gift meant for an old friend, the bag decorated in masculine blues and browns with pale blue tissue paper.

Not wishing to draw attention to myself or raise suspicion, I stay rooted to my seat as Shawn exits the diner. The man at the bar slides into the booth, taking the seat Shawn vacated, and takes possession of the bag. They wait a few minutes before throwing a few bills onto the table to cover their drinks and leave. I watch as they get into a black sedan and take off, ensuring they’re gone before making my exit. One of Shawn’s guys follows them, later reporting they checked out of their motel and left town.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Abby

So many changeshappen once Mom’s debt is paid and her drug dealer cronies leave town. As promised, she packs what few belongings she has and climbs into the passenger seat of my grandmother’s car. Jacob asks if I want to take her to the rehabilitation and aftercare facility in Charleston, even offering to drive, but I just don’t have it in me. I’m glad she’s safe and getting help, but I can’t be around her right now. The pain she’s inflicted on me once again is a fresh wound. Being in her presence will only make it ache that much more.

That morning, while we were waiting for the meeting to happen with Max and the goons, Jacob contacted the facility my mother is headed to and set up her admission. He wanted to make sure she had somewhere to go once the whole debacle was over and didn't want to give her a chance to back out. This opportunity is exactly what she needs. I wish we’d had these resources years ago when she first began falling apart. Jacob helped us apply for programs that will help cover the cost of her treatment and even offered to fund what’s not covered. He truly is a Godsend.

Even through all the hurt and anger, I don’t wish ill upon my mother. I want her to get better, but it will be a while before I can forgive her.

Shortly after Mom checks in for treatment, Ethan is given a clean bill of health and ordered to attend physical therapy twice a week. Since his band’s second album is due to be completed soon, he decides to head back to Nashville and complete therapy there. Sadness fills me at his departure and I wish he would stay home, but alas, he has dreams to chase. Their first album did well but didn’t make it onto the charts. They have a highly renowned song writer penning what they hope to be a couple chart toppers this time. Their label is forking out big bucks for this one in the hopes that it takes off.

Life returns somewhat to normal. Without my mother feeding information to the media, their interest in Jacob’s personal life wanes. It helps that one of the candidates Art is running against in the primaries gets caught red handed in a scandalous affair with his campaign manager and drops out of the race. It’s all anyone can talk about for weeks. The whole thing is rather dramatic, with witnesses claiming that his wife of thirty years slapped the girl when she confronted them.

Tiff and I talk nearly every day, just like old times. Jacob’s company signs several contracts for the new year that keep him rather busy at work, but he always carves out time for Chloe and me. He talks to us every evening and comes back for visits when he can. I always feel safer when he’s here. I still have the uneasy feeling of being watched, something I thought would disappear after the men who’d been harassing my mom left town. It must be a lingering side effect of having my privacy violated by the media. Having someone take your picture without your knowledge or consent leaves you feeling unsettled, like you always have to be looking over your shoulder.

Every weekend I’m not working, Chloe and I get Jacob all to ourselves. Despite my growing affinity for Arlington, we decide it’s best for him to come to us for the time being. Even though the stories written on the gossip sites about us have died down, we agree it’s best to avoid being near D.C. as Arthur prepares for his first debate.

On the night of the debate, I watch as he expertly navigates the moderator’s questions, the crowd cheering with every answer he provides. By the time it’s over, he looks like a rock star. Only a few other candidates seem to be doing well, their popularity roughly on par with his.

“He’s certainly gaining steam,” Jacob imparts when I relay my thoughts to him later that night. “Younger voters seem to like Governor Fineman better, though.”

“What about the senator from Oregon?”

“Mariana De Luis? She’ll be his biggest competition. A veteran with an impeccable record, she’s well known for reaching across the aisle to get important legislation passed. Hell, I may even like her better than my own father for the job,”he jokes.

“Looks like Arthur has some stiff competition.”

“He sure does.”

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