Page 106 of Jump or Fall
“Why did you keep this from us?” Gordon asked, his voice barely concealing his irritation.
“Because no one would help if they knew! She needs to get away from him, even if she’s too dumb to see it.”
Mara crossed her arms and dug her fingers into her sleeves. “I have a hard time feeling sympathy for her.”
Kimmie’s eyes were brimming with tears. “Everyone makes mistakes.” She wiped her face roughly. “I’m sorry for not being upfront. But she’s still my sister. I can’t just stop caring about her.”
Mara ground her teeth together. “How are we supposed to trade Jasper for someone who doesn’t want to leave?”
“He’ll have to give her up,” she said. “He must care more about family than her.”
Mara couldn’t say either way. She had received a stripe just for punching Jasper, so her assumption could be true. Regardless, the omission of information still hurt, and she had no desire to be near Kimmie right now.
“And if she won't leave?” Mara asked. “Then what?”
“Then we fuck him up so she won’t have a choice.”
Mara closed her eyes and shook her head.
Before she could say anything else, Millon spoke up. “Where is Jasper, anyway?”
“We built a holding cell in one of the safe houses in the tunnels,” Kimmie replied.
Millon stuck his hands in his pockets. “Well then, let’s go see him and give our nemesis a call. We won’t know anything until we try.”
***
Jasper’s holding cell was deeper in the tunnels than Crux, hidden behind a barricade with a faded sign warning of a cave-in. He sat hunched over on a cot, his elbows resting on his knees. His stubble was thick and made him resemble a younger Dawson. The hate in his eyes burned as he watched them approach.
“When the fuck are you going to let me out?”
Kimmie responded, “Soon.”
Jasper eyed Mara, the corner of his mouth curling up. “You’ve definitely looked better, Silver bitch. My uncle do that?”
She ignored him as Gordon connected Millon’s tablet to the wall display and placed a call to Dawson.
After a few chimes, Dawson’s face appeared on the screen.
“Hirono.” His steely eyes gleamed with amusement. “Good to see you’re alive, doll. You always were a fighter.”
“Dawson! Get me out of here!” Jasper yelled.
Millon folded his arms. “We’ve called to arrange a little trade. As you can see, we have your nephew, and you have someone we want.”
Dawson chuckled. “Judging by the blondie next to you, I’m going to assume you want my Nella. The thing is, she likes it here with me. I can provide so much more for her than an enforcer in the Outskirts.”
“I want my sister,” Kimmie gritted out, her cheeks red.
“Come on!” Jasper snapped. “Just give up one of your whores!”
Dawson’s expression darkened. “You’ll pay for the tone you’re taking with me, but I’ll agree to a trade. Nella for Jasper… and Mara.”
Mara’s breath caught in her throat.
Gordon stepped forward immediately. “Not fucking likely.”
Dawson rested his chin on his hand, smirking. “So, this is the boyfriend. Paul really did a number on you, if that’s his work. Not many lefties who go for the mouth.”
