Page 63 of Blackstone's Heart
"Busy. I'm stuck in court for the next few weeks on a murder trial. Allyssa has her hands full with the girls and school starting up last month. She swears the kids get worse every year. I just tell her that she was the one who wanted to be a principal. That usually earns me a slap to the back of the head."
Ethan laughed as he entered the living room. "Sounds like I'd like your wife."
"Screw you, asshole."Jax chuckled."I'm serious though, how is Krista?"
Ethan knew what his best friend was asking. He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "She's being strong. I think she's finally got it through that thick Jamison head of hers that she's not carrying this weight alone anymore. I won't let her. Despite that, she's taking everything day by day. This fucker screwed up when he killed Jerry. Krista wants his blood and I'm going to do everything I can to get him."
Jax was silent on the other end for several moments. Ethan heard the other man let out a long breath."I need to know something here, Ethan. Look, you and I go way back and you have a history with my sister. What are your intentions?"
"Jackson, I love her. I think I always have. When Nick came to me and told me what was going on, fuck my blood froze and boiled at the same time. She and I aren't kids anymore and I'm not saying I love her lightly man. I mean it. I want her with me. By my side, in my house, in my bed, hell I'm even thinking kids! You know me, I never even considered kids. Then I saw Krista again and bam. I don't know how else to lay it out."
"Then all I can tell you is take care of my baby sister Ethan. That's all I want. As long as you treat her right you and I are good."Jax then laughed."But you may want to keep the whole wanting Krista in your bed to yourself when you tell this shit to Hayden."
Ethan frowned. "What do you mean? He was the first one of you guys that knew me and Krista were dating back in the day and he was fine with it."
"I know that, but since Kathy had Julie he's become the overbearing brother. Which is comical in and of itself."
"Well that's a switch. Thought that was your job?"
"It was. Kathy had a rough labor with Julie and the doctors thought we were gonna lose her. Then last year some asshole tried to carjack her while she was getting gas. Julie was asleep in her car seat. Kathy however isn't a woman to mess with. Kathy's a cop and had her weapon on her, so when the fucker pulled out a puny .22 she whipped out her .40 and told him to beat it."
"Damn. No wonder Hayden's changed. Sounds like Kathy is a good fit for him." Ethan hissed and laughed at the same time.
"She is. While Hayden was flipping out about it she just rolled her eyes, shoved Julie into his arms and went on making dinner like nothing happened. Then again, she was a Navy MP for four years, joined HPD after her service in the Navy ended. Plus, her parents were both HPD. Not much rattles her, let alone a punk trying to take her car."Jax replied with a chuckle.
The two friends talked for a little longer before hanging up. Ethan headed back upstairs and slid back into bed with Krista. Holding her close he finally drifted off to sleep himself.
***
Krista looked up from her laptop and saw her dad and Ethan talking in the back of the jet. That morning Ethan had confided in her about his feeling that something was wrong. He also told her he had hoped it was just the whole funeral deal but he had woken up with that feeling still gnawing at his gut. So after breakfast with Tessa and Carl, they had grabbed their bags and were currently headed back to Austin.
"What is it honey?" Debbie asked, closing her book.
"Ethan's worried about what's waiting back in Austin. He seems agitated." Krista answered.
Debbie nodded. "Yes, he told me that yesterday. You're not mad he waited till this morning to tell you are you? Your dad and I both thought it was for the best he waited till after to tell you."
"No, I'm glad he waited. Yesterday I don't think I would have handled it well. I just wish we had some kind of clue." Krista grumbled. She let out a breath and started nibbling her lip. "Um, mom?"
"Uh oh. I know that look."
"When we get home I want you to go stay with Hayden."
Debbie narrowed her eyes. "Pardon me?"
Krista sat her laptop aside and moved to sit next to her mother. "Mom, hear me out. Look, this jackass has already killed to try get to me. He went after Jerry. I couldn't stand it if he targeted you and dad."
"He's already targeting your dad."
"But he hasn't gone after YOU yet. He's escalating mom. I would never forgive myself if you got caught in the crossfire. Please, go to Hayden's, or better yet go to Jax. I know with his trial and school starting he and Lyssa are busy. Plus, you've been saying how you need to go see them." Krista pleaded.
Debbie studied her only daughter and saw the one thing she hated seeing on any of her children's faces. Fear. "Will that really put your mind at ease honey?"
"Yes. If I could I'd get daddy to go with you but he's got court himself and can't leave." Krista nodded.
"Alright baby, alright. I'll call Jax now and see about going to visit for let's say two weeks. I won't miss your book reveal. Nothing could keep me from that, not even this psycho sonofabitch. Will that work?" Debbie agreed.
Krista threw her arms around her mom. "Thank you mama. Thank you."
