Page 19 of Jacked and Jaded

Officer McMillen stepped out. “You heard?”

“Yeah.” Jackson’s voice cracked. He cleared his throat. “I heard. You guys going to arrest that bastard?”

“I believe with her statement and the pictures we took of her last night when she came into the ER, there’s enough evidence to issue a warrant for his arrest.”

“Now, I need to know, what is your relationship with Miss Reynolds?” Officer Daniels asked.

“She’s mine and if I’d accepted that fact a long time ago, she wouldn’t be lying in there beat half to death. When she leaves here, she’s coming home with me so I can protect her.”

“That’s good because this thing with Maxwell isn’t over by a long shot and he’s got a lot of connections with some very bad people. He won’t go down easy. Keep her close. Keep her safe. We’ll be in touch.”

Jackson watched as the two officers disappeared down the hall before he went back inside Calliope’s room. She was asleep once again. He arranged the chair so that he could slide down into it and prop his feet up on the end of her bed. He needed to catch a little sleep before Maureen got there. He was going to have a fight on his hands when he announced that Calliope was his woman and he was taking her to his house to protect.

One thing he knew for sure was that the Reynolds women were fucking bull-headed.

7

Jackson stepped out into the hallway to phone his parents. It was a little early yet, but they’d be up. Ryker would make sure of that. He smiled at the thought of his little boy keeping his parents on their toes. The phone rang twice before his dad answered.

“Jackson.”

“Hey, Dad. How’s Ryke doing? Was he upset that I wasn’t there when he got up?” He hated to be away when it was his time to have his son. He and Ryker’s mom had agreed to each having him for a week at a time, switching every other week. They got along very well together, no animosity on either side. They based all their decisions on what was best for their son.

“He’s doing great. We told him you got called away on an emergency and had to help a friend. He was okay with that. He’s helping your mom make pancakes right now. I swear there’s more pancake mix on the counter than in the bowl.” His dad laughed, making Jackson laugh, picturing it in his mind. “How’s Calliope?”

At first, he couldn’t get the words past the lump in his throat. “Fuck me, Dad. The bastard worked her over good. I don’t know how she survived and then walked down the road, calling for an Uber to pick her up.” He ran a hand down his face. “I’ve seen grown men that couldn’t take what she did.”

“Who is it and where can we find him?” his dad growled. All Jackson had to do was say the word and the Sons of Redemption would be on their way to Boulder, no questions asked. If he needed them, they’d be here.

“We’ll talk about that later. Promise. For now, can you bring Maureen’s car here and a change of clothes for me? Once Maureen gets here, I’m going to give them some time alone and go get a room somewhere so I can take a shower and get something to eat.” Before he did that, he wanted to find out where Clint Maxwell lived and run by his house, check things out. He wouldn’t touch him yet. He wanted to let the police do their job first. After the fucker was arrested and released, he’d be free to take care of it his way.

“Sure. Not a problem. I think we have a spare key to her car at the house. I’ll swing by and get it. See you in a few, then you can fill me in on what’s going on.”

“Sounds like a plan. See you then. Can I talk to Ryker for a minute?” Jackson scratched the top of his head and stared out the window as he waited for his son to come on the phone.

“Sure. Hold on.”

“Daddy?”

“Yeah, buddy, it’s me. Sorry I wasn’t there when you woke up this morning. You being good for Grandma and Grandpa?”

“Yes. I’m makin’ pancakes with Gwandma. And she said we can put chocolate chips in ’em.”

Jackson chuckled. The kid sometimes had trouble with his Rs and Ls when he was talking. Jackson’s mom was concerned about it, but he wasn’t. He figured it would work itself out with age. “Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I hate to tell you, but I won’t be home for a few days.”

“Because of you fwend?”

“Yes. My friend needs my help right now. I’ll be home in a few days. In the mean time, you’ll be staying with Grandma and Grandpa. I want you to be good for them, okay?” He wasn’t even sure Ryker heard what he was saying. It sounded like he’d taken the phone away from his face, his voice distant as he told Grandma to put more chocolate chips in the mix.

“He’s occupied with the pancakes. Or maybe just the chocolate chips going in the mix. He keeps sneaking them when he thinks your mom’s not looking.”

Jackson laughed. The kid was goofball and he loved the hell out of him. “That’s fine. I should get off the phone anyway. I want to check on Calliope again.”

“Hang tight and I’ll be there soon.”

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