Stone: The Ties that Bind (The Forbidden Love Series Book 4) Read online

  Daniel stood quiet for a moment. He was thinking how he was going to respond to Jackson. I knew Danny. Either he thought things through or he used his fists to fix it.

  “I want my family to be safe, Special Agent Turner. You don’t seem to be the one who can do that for them.” Danny said angrily.

  “Son, you have to believe me. I don’t want my niece to die. I need to protect her.”

  “I’m not your son. Your niece? Since when?” Danny barked.

  I knew the storm was brewing in Danny. I didn’t know what he was going to do.

  “Danny. Lyssa. We have to leave. Whoever tried to kidnap Lyssa, came back for her. She’s in danger. We have to go with Jackson.” Momma said as she walked in with Jacob.

  I glanced over at Danny who was about to explode.

  “Danny, we need to do this. It’s dangerous.” I said.

  Danny walked to his room as Jackson made a phone call.

  “This is special agent Jackson Turner. My location needs to be opened; this is an emergency. I need a van at 214 Rochambeau court. There are six people being escorted to the location. Bring others. There are five dead men outside the front and back of the house, more may be coming.”

  We packed our belongings and headed downstairs. Everyone sat silently staring at each other. Jackson stared at me.

  “What?” I asked.

  “You look a lot like Sylvester.” He said.

  “Thank you, I think.” I answered nervously.

  Momma stared at Jackson. You could feel the hate between them.

  “I think you look like Ana.” She sneered.

  “She doesn’t look like a junkie to me.” Jackson snapped.

  “Fuck you.” Momma barked.

  “I don’t think this is necessary.” Jacob intervened. “You’re acting like children.”

  “I was a child back then, taking care of three kids alone. I’m all grown up now and I’m not taking shit from this asshole who tried to kill me.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “I didn’t try to kill you.” Jackson said through gritted teeth.

  “You did.” Momma whispered.

  I didn’t know what to do next, thankfully someone rang the doorbell. Jackson and Jacob both drew their guns at the same time and walked towards the door slowly.

  “Special Agent Turner?” A tall man in a blue suit asked.

  “Yes.”

  “The van is here, Sir.” He pulled out his identification and showed Jackson.

  Jackson pulled out his cell phone from his suit pocket.

  “This is special agent turner. I have a driver, Mr. Tom Bennet, is this the agent assigned to take us to the location?” He eyed the agent. “I see. Thank you.”

  “Everything okay, Sir?” The agent asked.

  “Yes. Let’s go.” He said as he turned around and walked up the stairs.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To get Gen. I’ll be right back.” Jackson said.

  “I heard her in the bathroom crying. She never came out again.” Danny whispered.

  A few minutes later, Jackson returned downstairs with Gen. She was a mess. Her eyes were swollen, and her face was flushed. She slid her hair up into a ponytail and took a deep breath.

  “Are we all ready, Sir?”

  “Yeah, let’s go.” Jackson said.

  “This way.” The agent said.

  Jackson walked in front of all of us then turned around and drew his gun, pointing it to the driver’s head.

  “Don’t move,” The agent stood with his hands up, then drew his gun when someone else walked in and distracted me.

  “Well, it’s been a long time, Madison.” I heard a familiar voice. My heart sank to the floor.

  Momma went to grab me by the arm.

  “Don’t.” the woman said.

  “What are you doing here Jordania?” Momma said angrily.

  “There’s so much to talk about, Madison.” She walked behind me and placed her hands on my shoulder.

  “There’s nothing to talk about.”

  “Oh, but there is, like murder. You killed my Andrew. I’ve waited a long time for you to show up somewhere. Lucky for me, Jackson opened the door.”

  “What do you mean?” Momma asked.

  “Well, he’s been stalking Alyssa and fell upon some interesting information. Isn’t that right, Jackson?”

  “Stalking?” momma stared at Jackson.

  “More like…revenge. Isn’t that right Jackson?” Jordania giggled.

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about?” Jackson sneered.

  “You’re a liar. You were a liar back then and you’re a liar now.” Jordania moved closer.

  “If you’re going to make a move do it, otherwise, shut the fuck the up and get the fuck out of here.” Jackson shouted.

  “He has a clear shot at Alyssa’s heart, should I tell him to take it?” Jordania raised an eyebrow to Jackson.

  “What do you want?” Jackson said through gritted teeth.

  “I want to teach you a lesson.” She whispered.

  “I won’t let you kill her,” He stared at Jacob and in the blink of an eye, Jacob shot the driver in the side of the head and Jackson shot Jordania in the arm, wounding her. She fell back against the wall, stunned, then fell to the floor.

  “Get them in the Van, now.” Jackson shouted.

  Momma, Gen and Daniel ran as fast as they could while Jacob ran to open the door to the car. I couldn’t move. It was as if my feet were glued to the floor.

  “You’re going to let me die here, aren’t you?” Jordania whispered.

  “If I wanted you to die, I would’ve killed you. It’s over Jordania. Go back to where you came from and take your business elsewhere. I couldn’t save my brother. He’s dead. Move on.” He stood up and saw me standing at the door. “What are you doing here?” he asked me.

  “I was waiting for you.” I responded.

  I don’t know why I stood there waiting for him. I knew in my heart we were related. He was the only real family I had. I didn’t want anyone to hurt him.

  “Go in the car Alyssa,” he said.

  “You want her, don’t you? I see the way you look at her, you dirty old man.” Jackson turned to her/

  “You’re a sick bitch, you know, that right?” he whispered.

  I stared at her as Jackson walked towards me. He grabbed me gently by the arm as I began to tremble and cry.

  “I don’t want you, you know that right? You’re my niece. She’s a sick person.” I grabbed onto him tightly. “I should’ve killed her.” He whispered against my hair. “come on,”

  I walked towards the van as he placed his arm around me. I saw momma storm out of the van and run towards us.

  “Don’t you touch her!” momma shouted.

  “Momma, please, I’m okay.” I stopped her from grabbing me.

  “Lyssa, he’s dangerous,”

  “Momma, please, just stop.” I held her hands. “We have to end this already.” I wiped my tears with my hands. “He’s trying to protect us and he’s…family.”

  “Like hell he is. He’s the enemy.” Momma shouted.

  “Momma, please, he’s my family.” I insisted.

  I walked away from her knowing I broke her heart. I entered the van and sat next to Danny and Gen. Jackson sat in the front with Jacob. Momma got in the car and slammed the door.

  “What happened in there?” Jacob asked Jackson.

  “He shot her,” I said.

  “Is she going to bleed out Jackson?” Jacob barked.

  “He was protecting me. He just barely shot her in the arm.” I swallowed hard.

  I wanted to cry so badly but I just couldn’t.

  “Are you okay, Lyssa?” Momma asked.

  “Yes, thanks to him.”

  “I’m sorry. Thank you for saving her, Jacks.” Momma said coldly.

  Jacob drove as fast as he could. I didn’t know where we were headed, but I knew we were never going to see Syracuse again. Ou
r lives were going to change forever. A new chapter would open, and our future will be no longer what we thought it would be.

  Chapter 22

  Jackson

  Jacob drove and used his free hand to make a phone call on his cell. He spoke to Special Agent Avery at the agency about what had happened at the house. He was able to get a few men out there and deal with the situation without question. Jacob was my superior. I didn’t know that Jacob had that much power. He also had the power to destroy lives and because of him, everyone in this van was paying the price. He was my best friend and he never told me anything about Madison. All of this became real. All of this became my nightmare.

  We finally arrived in New York City. Jacob drove to my apartment and parked in front of the building. The presence of government agents scared Alyssa. I could see it in her eyes. They were wide like saucers. Daniel grabbed Madison’s hand and reassured her she made the right decision. I grabbed Gen’s hand and kissed her forehead. She smiled at me and I melted when she stared into my green eyes.

  We exited the car and walked towards the building. Daniel grabbed on to Madison and to my surprise, Alyssa walked over to me and grabbed my arm. I glanced down at her and she smiled. Gen squeezed my hand to remind me why I was here and doing all of this. There were agents in front of the building as we entered; Agents as we walked into the elevator and, agents when we stepped out of the elevator and walked towards the apartment.

  “Good evening, Sir.” One of the agents said.

  I nodded my head and opened the door. Everyone stepped inside, then I closed the door behind me.

  Jacob walked towards the kitchen. I could tell by the expression on his face that he felt uncomfortable. He grabbed a beer from the fridge and walked towards me.

  “Why don’t you get them settled, then bring them back here. We need to talk.”

  “Maybe the kids should go to sleep.” Gen interjected.

  “They’re not kids, and they need to hear what I have to say.” Jacob demanded.

  “Let me show where you’ll be sleeping. Madison and Alyssa can stay in this room. Daniel, follow me.” I said as Daniel followed me.

  Daniel followed me to the next guest room.

  “Wow, you must have a ton of money.” He whispered.

  “nah, I just work all day long, twenty-four hours a day.” I chuckled.

  He smiled. The first smile I got out of him since I met him. I knew that there was no reason to be happy but at least he was satisfied with the living arrangements for now. I left his room and walked back into the living room and sat with Gen.

  “I’m tired, do you mind if I turn in?” Gen whispered in my ear.

  “Do you mind if I join you when we get through with this talk we need to have?” I gave her my sexiest look and she giggled.

  “Jacks, you’re not getting any.” She kissed me on the lips. “I’m going to excuse myself, Jacob. Good night,” she waved at Jacob and Jacob nodded his head.

  “You okay?” I asked him.

  “I’m about to lay one on Madison right now, what do you think?”

  I stood up as Madison, Alyssa and Daniel entered the living room.

  “Please, sit.” Jacob told Madison.

  “What’s this all about?” She asked.

  She looked so tired and overwhelmed. I didn’t think this was the right time to tell her that he was her father. For some reason, Alyssa and Daniel were very calm. They didn’t seem as nervous as Madison.

  “Does he need to be here?” Madison said staring at me.

  “Momma?” Alyssa barked.

  “Madison. I need to tell you something.” Jacob said.

  Alyssa stood up and walked over to Madison. Daniel sat on the floor near her.

  “I’m listening.” She said concerned.

  “Madison, I was undercover when I met your mother Ana. I was…trying to find the person who was selling drugs to the small-time drug dealers in your town.” He cleared his throat. “I…had to play the part, you know, get to know her.” He glanced over at me. Alyssa’s eyes teared up. I felt as if she already knew what he was going to say. “Anyway, I slept with Ana and nine months later…you were born.”

  Madison’s mouth parted slightly. She just stared at Jacob as if he had something growing out of the side of his head. She inhaled deeply and with that one breath, the tears poured from her eyes. She didn’t even blink. The tears flowed endlessly. I thought she would drown. I got up quickly and walked towards the bathroom to grab a box of tissues from the cabinet underneath the sink. I walked back towards the living room and handed her the tissues.

  “Momma?” Daniel said as he grabbed her hand.

  “I’m okay.” She replied wiping her face with the tissues I handed her.

  “Momma?” Alyssa said.

  “You took advantage…of Ana?” she asked.

  “No. I paid her like everyone else.” Jacob said sternly.

  He sat back against the sofa, then leaned in and folded his hand between his legs.

  “So, I was an accident, right?” she said as her voice trembled.

  “Something like that. She had a lot of men you know that.”

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  “I want to make it right. I want to protect you.”

  “You mean, Stone’s father is not my father?”

  “No…I’m your father.”

  “Then, we weren’t related…at all?” The tears continued to flow.

  Madison stood up and paced back and forth.

  “Who?”

  “Stone. Were we related at all?” she barked.

  “No,” Jacob stood up and walked towards her.

  I stood up and walked between Jacob and Madison. Daniel and Alyssa stood up.

  “But…” I glanced at Madison then Alyssa.

  Alyssa was just about to say something when Madison closed her eyes and hit the floor.

  “Momma!” Alyssa yelled.

  I ran to Madison. She hit the side of her head on the floor. I grabbed my cell phone from my pocket.

  “This is Special Agent Turner. I need a medic at my apartment at…” Suddenly the phone was snatched right out of my hand.

  “Stop using your fucking phone, Jackson!” Jacob shouted. “You’re going to get us killed.” He threw the phone across the room.

  Madison was waking up. I heard her moan and ran to her side.

  “Momma!” Alyssa cried.

  Madison sat up slowly. Daniel ran to the kitchen and entered with a paper towel and some ice.

  “Madison are you okay?” I asked.

  “Get away from me,” she whispered and pushed me against my chest.

  “Momma, are you okay? Momma?” Alyssa cried.

  Her tears broke my heart.

  “Here momma,” Daniel said as he placed the ice wrapped in the paper towel against the side of her head.

  “Get a medic up here, Jacob.” I shouted.

  “I’ll be right back.” Jacob stood up and walked out of the apartment.

  “You…You did this. Didn’t you?” Madison whispered staring at me.

  “I wanted you dead Madison. You killed my little brother. I followed you and your family for years, but I never acted on it. Alyssa is my niece and whether you believe me or not, I love her. She’s the only good thing that has come out of this. I didn’t know that you and…Stone were not related until now. I maybe an asshole, but I’m not heartless. I knew how much you loved him and how much he loved these kids. I know you’re angry, but I’m not the bad guy… anymore.” I stared into her eyes, then stood up and walked over to the sofa.

  Jacob returned with an agent who apparently was a medic.

  “She’s there. Check her out for me.” Jacob said pointing at Madison. He stood up standing behind the medic glaring at me.

  The medic checked Madison out thoroughly. She moaned and groaned a little.

  “She’s going to be fine. Agent Lewis, she needs to rest. Perhaps on a bed. Keep her up for at least the next eight hours.
” He smiled at Madison and rubbed her cheek with his fingers. “Hey, you’re going to be okay.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  For a moment, I wanted to twist that Medic’s fingers off his hands. I felt guilty for the thought, but I didn’t want him to touch her. I just didn’t trust anyone. My mind began to wander.

  “This is for pain. Take one every twelve hours.” He handed her the pills and I snatched them out of her hands.

  “I’ll be in charge of administering those pills.” Madison glanced up at me. She nodded her head and smiled.

  “I think we’re done here.” Jacob said sternly.

  The medic stood up and walk towards the door, then turned and shook Jacob’s hand.

  “Sir,” he said.

  “Thank you,” Jacob added.

  I walked Madison to her bedroom and helped her into bed.

  “Good night,” I said softly.

  “Jackson?” she called.

  “Yeah?” I answered.

  “I loved him. I loved him more than I loved myself. He was all I had besides the kids. He was all I had in the world.” She said as she began to cry.

  “Madison, I’m sorry and I know that’s not enough. It will never be enough. Maybe I didn’t believe you back then when you told me Sly tried to rape you, but I knew in my heart it was true. He was a criminal and a drug addict. I can’t change the past, but I can change the future. I’m not going to let Jordania hurt you Madison.”

  “Did you know Jacob was my father?”

  “No, I just found out.”

  “Swear to me.” She cried.

  “I swear. I didn’t know. I was shocked, and I have just as many questions to ask as you do.”

  “Why do you have questions?” she asked nervously.

  “Because he’s my best friend and he never told me. I could’ve killed you and that secret would’ve went to the grave with him. I don’t understand why he would keep a secret like that all these years knowing I wanted revenge for my brothers.” I found myself getting angry.

  It was true. He knew I was planning to kill Madison, yet, he never told me she was his daughter until now. What triggered this confession? Why now? Though I never wanted to question Jacob’s intentions with Madison, I knew something was wrong. He was cold, almost heartless when he told her he was her father. I had to get to the bottom of this, but I couldn’t make him suspicious about our friendship.