Her Defender (MacLachlan Security Group Book 2) Read online

  Makenna nodded, lip quivering, tears streaming down her face and Janie smiled, opening her arms. It was all the invitation her sister needed and a second later Makenna was hugging her tightly and crying on her shoulder.

  “Here,” Alexandra said, holding out a glass of wine to Makenna. Makenna looked at it for a long moment before taking it. She took a small, tentative sip and swallowed.

  “That’s pretty good,” she said, smiling.

  “Welcome to the club,” Alexandra said, raising her own glass in toast.

  “What club?” Makenna said, bewildered.

  “The grown women who still don’t have their shit together club,” Janie explained.

  “Requirements include but are not limited to: past trauma, current trauma, childhood tragedy and family dysfunction,” Alexandra added with a wink.

  “Thanks,” Makenna replied with a sad laugh.

  Janie’s cell phone rang and she sighed, knowing precisely who it was without having to look. Makenna looked at her in sheer terror. Janie held up a hand to let her know it was going to be okay.

  “Hi, Dad,” Janie answered.

  “Janie, honey, have you heard from Makenna? We went to her room to get her for dinner and she wasn’t there.”

  “Yeah, Dad. She’s here.”

  “Thank God,” he said, relieved. He muttered something to someone, most likely Nancy, and she heard a woman’s shrill voice drifting through the speaker. It stopped suddenly, and her father continued. “We’ll be right over to pick her up.”

  “No,” Janie said sternly. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. It’s late. Makenna can stay the night here and we’ll all get together for lunch tomorrow.”

  “Oh,” her father said. For once his apathy came in handy. He wasn’t about to argue the point. “Alright. Call me in the morning.”

  “Okay,” Janie said.

  “Night, Pumpkin.”

  Janie hung up the phone and Makenna sagged visibly with relief.

  “Thanks, Janie,” Makenna said.

  “Don’t thank me yet. All I did was buy us time.”

  “Time for what?” Angel asked.

  “Time to strategize,” Alexandra said with a wicked smile. Janie was surprised she wasn’t actually rubbing her hands together in glee. Strategy was Alexandra’s middle name. She lived for it.

  “I’ll get another bottle of wine.” Angel nodded, hopping up and heading for the kitchen.

  “Pen and paper?” Alexandra asked, rolling up the sleeves of her blouse and pulling her hair back into a ponytail.

  “Drawer of the desk,” Janie pointed, picking up the phone and dialing a number she knew by heart.

  “Who are you calling?” Makenna asked.

  “We’re going to need food,” Janie said, covering the receiver with her hand.

  “Chinese?” Alexandra said hopefully.

  “Chinese,” Janie confirmed with a smile.

  ✽✽✽

  It was way too early in the morning for his phone to be ringing. Jackson opened one eye and glanced at the clock. It was after ten, but considering he hadn’t gotten home until after three and it had taken him nearly two hours to fall asleep, it was still too early.

  He checked the caller ID and answered the call.

  “Good morning, Mami,” Jackson mumbled.

  “Are you sick, Mijo?” his mother said instantly. “Your voice sounds scratchy. Do you have a fever?”

  “I’m fine, Mami,” Jackson groaned. “I had to work late last night. I just woke up.”

  “Poor baby. You work so hard,” his mother cooed.

  “I’m fine,” he repeated. “How are you?”

  “Fine, fine, Mijo,” his mother replied. She sounded slightly nervous, like maybe something was wrong but she didn’t want to tell him.

  “What’s going on?” Jackson asked, sitting up. He was instantly wide awake.

  “Nothing.”

  “Mami…” Jackson said sternly.

  “Don’t you take that tone with me, Jackson Manuel.”

  “Mami, if something wrong-” Jackson replied, trying to remind himself he was a grown man and he shouldn’t still be wincing when his mother used his middle name.

  “Nothing is wrong, Jackson,” she said sharply. “Everything is fine. But I did want to talk to you about something.”

  I knew it…

  “Which one is it?” Jackson asked, scrubbing a hand over his face and getting out of bed. He had a feeling he was going to need coffee for this conversation.

  “What do you mean?” his mother asked.

  “The boys, which one of them is it and what did they do?” Jackson clarified.

  “Nada. Your brothers are fine, even if they don’t visit enough,” his mother muttered.

  “Then what is it?” Jackson asked, exasperated.

  “I got an invitation to your friend’s wedding. You know this?” his mother asked.

  “Yeah, I know. But if you can’t make it, I’m sure they’ll understand.”

  “No, Mijo. That’s no problem. I’ll take any excuse to come visit my boys,” his mother replied. “But there’s something I should tell you before.”

  “What is it?” Jackson asked, dread building in his gut. Was she sick? Had she hurt herself and didn’t tell him? Was she going to show up bald from chemo or wearing a cast? The silence seemed to stretch on forever.

  “I’m seeing someone, Jackson,” his mother finally said.

  “Like a doctor?” he asked, afraid his suspicions were about to be confirmed.

  “No!” His mother laughed. “I mean I see my doctor for a physical, but your mami is perfectly healthy. No, I meant a man, Mijo. I’m dating someone.”

  Jackson was stunned. In the thirteen years since his father died, his mother had never dated, at least not that he was aware of. And he’d never even considered the possibility that she might want to date again.

  His father hadn’t been the best husband in the world, but they’d loved each other. Then again, his mother was still pretty young. She hadn’t even been forty yet when his father died.

  “Who?” was all he could think to ask.

  “His name is Michael,” his mother said cheerfully. “He’s retired. We met at Salsa class last year.”

  “Last year?” Jackson said, surprised. “How long have you been dating?”

  “Six months next week,” his mother said.

  “Six months?” Jackson shouted. He took a breath and moderated his tone. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “It wasn’t any of your business. And before you ask, I didn’t tell your brothers either until a couple weeks ago.”

  “Is he nice?” Jackson asked, lamely.

  “Sí, he’s very nice.”

  “Does he treat you well?”

  “Oh, yes. With the three of you, who would dare treat me poorly,” his mother laughed.

  “I’m serious, Mami,” Jackson growled.

  “I know, Mijo,” She said calmly. “But believe it or not, I can take care of myself.”

  “Mami-”

  “No, Jackson,” she said, interrupting him. “I know you think it’s your job to look after us since your papi died, but it’s not. It never was.”

  “What are you talking about? I’ve been looking after you and the boys for years. What about their education? And the money for the house?”

  “What are you talking about?” his mother asked.

  “All the money I sent home,” Jackson replied, running a frustrated hand through his hair. “For Trent and Justin’s tuition and the mortgage payments.”

  “Oh, Mijo,” she said sadly. “We didn’t need your money. Your father had life insurance. We never needed the money. Is that why you joined the military? You thought you needed to provide for the family?”

  “Well…” He thought about it for a long moment. Honestly, that was part of it, but it hadn’t been the only reason. He’d been lost after his father died. He hadn’t been the best student and he didn’t have any part
icular ambition. He’d never dreamed of a career and even if he’d gone to college he didn’t know what he would have majored in.

  He might have made the decision based on misinformation, but he’d never once regretted it.

  “Partly, I guess,” he said, shrugging even though his mother couldn’t see it. “But I was happy with my choice. And I’m happy now.”

  “Ah, Jackson. My sweet boy.”

  Jackson’s throat tightened up and a bit of the burden he hadn’t realized he was carrying lifted off of his shoulders.

  “Wait a second,” Jackson said suddenly as realization struck him. “Then what happened to all the money I sent home.”

  “I put it in your account for you,” his mother said as if the answer should have been obvious. “I thought that’s why you sent it home.”

  “What account?” Jackson asked.

  “Your savings account. The one your father and I set up for you before he died.”

  “You mean my college fund? The one we opened when I was sixteen? The one dad used to make me deposit ten percent of my paycheck into when I got my first job?

  “Sí, of course,” his mother replied.

  “Mami,” Jackson said slowly. I haven’t touched that account since I enlisted. Do you still get statements?”

  “Once a month,” she confirmed.

  “And you never thought to send them to me?”

  “I thought you got them too. Both of our names are on the account, so I thought they sent one to both of us.”

  “How much is in that account?” Jackson asked, bewildered.

  “I don’t know, Mijo. I stopped checking the statements after you came home. It was your money,” his mother replied. “Hold on. I keep them in my file box. I’ll go look.”

  Jackson tapped his foot anxiously as he listened to the rustle of papers and his mother speaking quietly to herself as she searched through her papers.

  Her “file box” was nothing more than a large plastic box stuffed with receipts and bills and statements. There was no rhyme or reason to it. It was a wonder she managed to pay the bills on time.

  “Ah, here’s one. From… February.”

  “Close enough,” Jackson said. “What’s the balance?”

  “Uh… ah, here it is. $179,086.50,” his mother said calmly. Jackson was anything but calm. His heart was racing.

  “You’re telling me you didn’t spend any of the money I sent home?”

  “No, of course not. I didn’t need it.”

  “And it’s been sitting in the bank ever since?”

  “Sí.”

  “And there’s almost 180 grand in my account?”

  “Yes,” his mother sighed impatiently.

  Jackson couldn’t even begin to process this information. His mother hadn’t needed him to take care of her after all. All the blood, sweat and tears- quite literally- that he’d poured into his service had never been necessary. He could have done anything.

  What might he have done if he’d known all those years ago that he didn’t need to take responsibility for his family? He had no clue.

  And on top of that, he now had a small fortune tucked away in a savings bank in Texas. What the hell was he going to do with that much money? It would be enough for a hefty down payment on a nice house back home in Texas. But if his mother didn’t need him there… was Texas even still home?

  It wasn’t even close to enough for a house in the city, or anywhere close to the city, for that matter. He didn’t need a car, thought it might be nice to get that motorcycle he’d always dreamed about. What else was there?

  He had everything he needed. His job covered his bills with enough to spare for most things he enjoyed doing in his free time, which wasn’t a lot.

  He could travel, but after eight years in the corps, he’d done more traveling than he’d ever wanted. Sure, he could choose a more scenic destination and have some fun while he was at it, but it still wasn’t very appealing, especially when he thought about doing it alone.

  He thought about Janie in that moment. Now, that would be a different story. It was a lot easier to picture whisking her away to the mountains or the beach for a long weekend. Or taking her back to Texas with him next time he went and showing her around. Maybe taking a trip down to Mexico to visit some of the cousins.

  That idea had some appeal, but he tucked it away for further consideration when he wasn’t on the phone with his mother. He’d already been quiet for too long.

  “Okay then,” Jackson finally said.

  “Okay?” his mother said. “What does this mean, ‘okay’?”

  “It means… ‘okay.’ I know where it is if I want it.”

  “You don’t want it now?” she asked.

  “No.” Jackson shook his head even though his mother couldn’t see it. “I’ll just leave it where it is for now.

  “Alright, Mijo,” she agreed. “You just let me know and I can go down to the bank and have them send it to you if you need it.”

  “Thanks, Mami,” Jackson said quietly. His mother paused and then spoke hesitantly.

  “I’m so proud of you, Jackson,” she said, her voice wavering. “You’re a good man. Your papi, God rest his soul, would be so proud of you, too. But you don’t need to worry about us. I’m fine, your brothers would test the patience of a saint, but they’re adults now and need to figure things out on their own. It’s your turn, Mijo. Go, live your life.”

  Jackson didn’t trust his voice enough to reply.

  “And please, please, do me a favor?”

  “Anything, Mami,” Jackson replied.

  “Find a nice girl and get married?” she said with a hint of mischief in her voice. “I would like to be an abuelita before I’m too old to remember my own name.”

  “I’ll do my best, Mami,” Jackson chuckled.

  “That’s all I ask,” she said casually.

  If he was honest with himself, he was already trying his best. Speaking of…

  “I have to go now, Mami,” Jackson said. “Te quiero.”

  “Te quiero, Mijo,” his mother replied, making kissing noises into the phone before hanging up.

  Jackson ended the call and finished his coffee while he planned his next move.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Janie was a wreck getting ready for work. After the drama of the night before, the last thing she wanted to do was go to lunch with her father and step-monster to explain why their daughter had run away rather than talk to them.

  But, what else could she do? She couldn’t just say ‘tough luck’ and send her sister back to the hell that was her parents’ house. Sure, she was technically an adult, but she’d never been allowed any experience of the world beyond high school.

  She was emotionally stunted. She didn’t have the coping skills to deal with this situation on her own, and she never would if things didn’t change. Who knows how much more damage Nancy might do before Makenna found another opportunity to escape.

  No, she had to do this for her sister. No one had done it for her and she’d had to make her way on her own. She’d been lucky enough not to end up on the street, but it had taken years of therapy to get to where she was now, which was still pretty far from normal.

  Janie had one thing that Makenna seemed to be missing, though. She was scrappy and resourceful. She didn’t know if Makenna had enough pluck to do it on her own.

  Janie arrived perfectly on time, four lattes in hand, and settled in at her desk. Alexandra came to collect hers last and hovered, giving Janie anxious, concerned looks.

  “Can I help you with something?” Janie asked exasperated.

  “I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” Alexandra said, leaning against Janie’s desk.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Oh, really?” Alexandra asked, raising an eyebrow. “So, you don’t want to talk about all that drama from last night? Which sounded to me like it’s been going on since you were a child?”

  “Not really, no,” Janie said, clicking through
her emails as if it was just a normal Wednesday.

  “As a wise woman once told me, and I quote, ‘That’s bullshit, and you know it.’” Alexandra replied, throwing her own words from months ago back at her.

  “Look, it’s different-” Janie sighed, rubbing her forehead.

  “How?” Alexandra asked, crossing her arms over her chest. “Because it’s you? Because if I recall correctly, and I usually do, you were furious with me for thinking that keeping the truth to myself would somehow protect those around me. You were furious because I didn’t give you the opportunity to be there for me because I thought by keeping it to myself I could somehow make it less real.”

  “That may be true,” Janie began. “But at the time, if you’ll recall, your life was very much in danger at the time, and by keeping it to yourself you were potentially increasing the risk to yourself.”

  Alexandra gave her a narrow eyed stare, the lawyer in her formulating the perfect response. Janie decided to cut her off at the pass.

  “My sad, tragic childhood has no bearing on anyone’s present safety and therefore is not relevant.” Janie argued. “And I’m not not talking about it to protect you. I’m not talking about it to protect myself.”

  Alexandra considered her for a moment longer, frowning, then nodded.

  “I’ll concede the point… for now,” she said. “But as your friend, I’m letting you know that I’m here if you want to talk about it.”

  “Thank you,” Janie replied, trying to smile.

  “And, to offer moral and possibly legal support at lunch today. If you want it.”

  “I appreciate the offer, but I really don’t think it’ll help.” Janie did smile now. “But I promise I’ll let you know how it goes.”

  “Okay.” Alexandra gave her a quick hug before she picked up her coffee cup and retreated to her office.

  Janie reminded herself of one more reason she had to love her life. Alexandra was her best friend and that was pretty amazing. She would go to the mat for anyone she cared about, and Janie was lucky to be one of those people.

  Noon rolled around far too soon and she found Makenna waiting for her in the lobby as planned. The restaurant where she'd arranged lunch for them was right around the corner, so they didn’t have far to go.