Page 29 of Vengeful Reign

They’ve been gone for an hour and I’m on pins and needles, wondering what’s next. My home suddenly feels like it’s closing in on me. John has been easy to get ready, but I had no idea where to start. The past six plus years of my life have been in this house. How am I supposed to just decide what I need and want to take with?

I think to myself that this is just temporary because I’m paying for the time John was taken. Will it be the length of time John was gone? I’m guessing so.

While they’re gone, I remember that I need to make an important call. I have to clean out everything at the school. Rebecca has keys and can let me in, so I give her a call and ask her to meet me at the school. There are things I need, plus I can’t just walk out without some explanation. She’s going to flip, but I have to give her some sort of truth. Rebecca deserves it.

I have John dressed for the day, so I slide him into his car seat without any trouble, taking a couple of toys for the car ride.

“Hey, what’s going on? This can’t wait until Monday?”

“No. It’s kind of important.”

“Girl, you’re freaking me out. Is this about what happened at the mall? I know you had a rough time, but you seem like yourself.” I hug her as I send John to his little play area.

“No. It’s not like that at all, and I wish I could explain more, except to say that the woman who left John in my care lied about who he is and how he ended up in her care. He wasn’ther ward, and his parents aren’t both dead. He was kidnapped, and his brother has been on the hunt for him ever since. It was a lucky twist of fate that I was at the mall and I was spotted. They came for him, and they want him back.”

“You do have legal custody, right?”

“The documents are forged. Everything in there was faked, and, well, he’s not going to press charges, but he’s demanding that I accompany him to help look after John as repayment for the fourteen months that his brother was taken.”

“Oh my God.”

“I know. It’s crazy.”

“No.” She points behind me, and standing in the doorframe, leaning against it and looking sexy as hell, is Jack MacNamara.

“Hello, little felon. Didn’t I tell you to stay at the house?”

“Yes, but I needed to clear out my things and let my boss know I was leaving.”

“That could have been done in writing, and your things could have been sent.” He shakes his head. When I look back at Rebecca, she’s practically panting in heat.

“Whatever. I didn’t want to leave her in the lurch as it is.”

“We have so many things to do in a short time, Nora.”

“Not if you took a day or two.”

“I’ve waited long enough. I’d say, fourteen months now,” he adds, giving me a knowing look. My eyes widen because he’s not even the least bit afraid to mention our situation.

“I’m confused,” Rebecca says, playing innocent.

“Oh. Ms. Harrison forgot to mention that my brother was stolen from me,” he answers with an air of annoyance.

“Oh, my goodness. I wasn’t aware of his abduction—only the legal adoption.”

“Yeah. Like I told you, Jack and I’ve straightened it out.” I huff, glaring at him.

“Even though she doesn’t like me.”

“I can’t see what there’s not to like,” Rebecca purrs. I’m about to kick her in the shins.

“Sorry, I’m taken.” He sneers and takes my hand.

John finally notices his big brother and shouts his name. “Jack, Jack.” He grabs his hand and pulls him over to his play area.

Jack tilts his head with a devilish grin that reaches his blue eyes and says, “Well, since I’m preoccupied, pack your things. You have twenty minutes, my pretty little fiancée.”

Rebecca mouths, “Wow, he’s so hot,” as Jack drops to the floor in his impeccably tailored suit.

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