Sean

“It’s going to be okay,” I said to Jess as I reached across the car’s console and gripped her hand.

She didn’t respond, but she squeezed mine in return, which was answer enough.

Jess and I were going alone, though my brothers were close if I needed them. We’d also put several men on Walker’s associates, so our bases were covered.

Still, I felt some measure of trepidation, but I chalked it up to anxiety about what was happening. I was also worried that Misty might force my hand and I’d have to deal with the fallout. I’d kept my cool for Jess, but I was more than ready for this to be over and for Jake to be back home.

But if nothing else good came out of this, at least Misty’s claws were out of Jess once and for all. It sucked that it had to happen this way, but the days of Jess standing up for Misty and making excuses for her were over.

That was a gift, even if Jess didn’t see that now.

“What is this place?” Jess asked.

“The place you go if you don’t want any witnesses,” I responded.

Jess looked at me, alarmed, and I shook my head.

“You heard me on the phone. I asked to meet at the park,” I said.

Jess narrowed her eyes. “And Misty suggested this place. This has Walker’s fingerprints all over it,” Jess said.

“I agree with you on that. Now let’s get this done,” I said, feeling grim but trying not to show it.

I parked, got out, and walked to the passenger side door.

Jess had also gotten out. I didn’t like that, but I didn’t push the point. In truth, I hadn’t even wanted her to come with me. I didn’t know what we were walking into, and I didn’t want Jess anywhere near it. But she’d reminded me that Jake would want to see her, and I’d had no argument against that. Still, I was even more anxious with her here and even more ready for this to be over.

“I can’t believe this,” she whispered, her voice breaking. But just as quickly, she recovered, that sadness I’d seen seconds ago overtaken by anger.

She crossed her arms under her breasts and leaned against the car, trying to keep her expression neutral though I could see the fury that boiled insider her.

As angry as she was, I was angrier, ready to explode the instant I saw Misty. But I didn’t. Instead, I kept a tight grip on the duffel bag that held Misty’s money, the last dime she would ever get from me.

A small sedan, probably stolen, though I had no concrete evidence of that, pulled up. I looked past Walker in the driver seat, and Misty on the passenger side to the back.

I didn’t see Jake.

My heart dropped, but I kept control of my emotions and reached over to squeeze Jess’s hand. Not once did I take my eyes off the car, hoping, praying that I might see him. Certain now that I wouldn’t.

The car came to a stop about fifty feet away from us and Misty got out.

She walked over on her heels, her skintight jeans barely giving her enough space to move.

“Where’s Jake?” Jess asked without preamble.

“Where’s my money?” Misty didn’t look at Jess, though. Instead she looked at me.

“Misty!”

At the sound of Jessica’s roughly insistent voice, Misty turned, her expression showing her surprise before she quickly covered it.

“Where is Jake?”

The hurt and sadness that had been Jess’s constant companion even moments ago was gone. In its place was unadulterated anger. Given the expression on her face now, I worried she was seconds away from clawing Misty’s eyes out.

“Let’s calm down,” I said, trying to be the voice of reason even though I was seconds from snapping too.

“I’m really sick of her trying to tell me what to do with my kid,” Misty said. The words were dismissive, almost mean, but I didn’t miss the undercurrent of fear and shame in them. I knew Jess didn’t either.

“Where is he?” I asked, sounding calm, almost nonchalant, a far cry from what I actually felt.

“You too, Sean?” Misty asked, a false, empty smile on her face. “He’s safe. Now where’s the money?”

I extended my arm. “Here’s the money,” I said.

She took the bag, stumbling a little on her heels. “This is heavy.”

She regained her balance, her expression one of wonder. She smiled, looked at Jess. “I guess this much money would be heavy,” she said.

Jess looked at Misty with a level of disgust I’d never seen from her, but Misty was too amused to notice.

“Misty, where’s Jake?” I said.

Something in my voice must have gotten her attention because she finally stilled and looked at me. “You can see him, later,” she said.

“You’d better not be serious,” Jess said. She started toward Misty but I grabbed her shoulder and stopped her.

“I’m not going to tolerate this game you’re playing, Misty,” I said.

She had the good sense to look afraid, but she shook her head and recovered. “It’s not a game, Sean. You’ll see him later.”

Then she toddled off, and I kept Jess in place with a tight hold.

“We have to stop her,” she whispered urgently.

“Just calm down, Jess,” I whispered.

I hadn’t wanted this to happen, but I had expected it.

This was a test. Misty and Walker were trying to see how hard and how far they could push me. And now that I’d given them the money, there would be no end to this game.

Though I had anticipated this, it still saddened me and made my heart break for Jess.

I watched as Misty walked the rest of the way to the car and opened the door. She threw the bag on the backseat, her face alight with glee as she went to get in.

Walker had watched her the entire way to the car, but he turned to look at me. Then, his stringy hair and scruffy beard hiding his face, he looked back at Misty.

Lifted his gun and shot her.