Page 21 of Jobe

“I get it! I know it was stupid, but I was just so angry that I reacted. Which is really crazy because I never let myself get that angry.” She glanced over at her mother and the realization of what could have happened swept over her. Pushing against Jobe again he stepped back so that she could move, gathering her mom in her arms. In a moment, she felt her mom’s right hand soothing her back. As the adrenaline wore off, her cuts began to hurt, and she tried valiantly to not cry in front of the group of men.

“Who di thi?” her mom asked, looking up at the men in her kitchen.

Mackenna noticed the glances between the others before Shane answered. “Ma’am, there was a painted sign on your front walk. Sixers.”

Penny appeared confused as she heard Mackenna’s sharp intake of breath.

“Gabby’s gang,” Mackenna said. Turning to look at her mom, she said, “I’m sorry. My work has brought this to our door.”

“Ms. Dunn, we’re going to need the information you have on all of the girls that you serve at your center. We need to know which gangs they’re from and anything else you can provide. But we can get that tomorrow,” Matt explained.

Shane spoke up, “You can’t stay here tonight. The police will be processing the crime scene for a while and it’s not safe.”

“We’ve got them,” Tony said. “They’re under Alvarez Security protection as well as yours.”

Shane and Matt nodded appreciatively. Looking back down at Penny, Shane said, “Then ma’am, you couldn’t be in better hands.”

Tony and Jobe shared a look, silently communicating who was taking charge. Tony nodded and turned to Gabe. “Call Vinny. We’ll meet at the agency first thing in the morning. Jobe can bring Mackenna in later.”

Jennifer gave Penny a hug before walking over to her Gabe. She looked up, whispering, “Can they come home with us?”

Gabe gave his wife a gentle squeeze as he whispered back, “Jobe’s got it. Why don’t you take Penny to put some things in a suitcase? Check to see if she has any meds she needs.”

Jennifer smiled at Mackenna as she hugged her and then walked down the short hall with Penny.

Numb from the evening’s events, Mackenna just stared wordlessly as she watched her friend leave the kitchen with her mom.

“Mackenna?” Jobe stepped in her line of vision bringing her attention to him. “Can you walk? Did you cut the bottom of your feet?” He watched her slowly shake her head and he pulled her up from her seat. “Come on, show me your room. We need to pack some things for you since you can’t stay here tonight.”

She moved silently to the bedroom just down the hall from the kitchen and walked inside. Her eyes took in the room.Was it only an hour ago I was here?

Jobe walked to her closet and pulled down a small suitcase. He knew she could come back for her belongings but wanted to make sure to get what she needed for a day or so. He grabbed a pair of jeans and a few tops from hangers and placed them in the suitcase. Seeing her still numbly standing in the middle of the small room, he walked over, putting his hands on her shoulders.

“Mackenna, why don’t you go to the bathroom and get whatever you and your mom need from there. I’ll grab a few more things here to last you a day or two.” He watched her nod, shock still evident on her face as she walked across the hall to the bathroom.

Wanting to be out of the house as soon as possible, he turned to her dresser and opened a few drawers. He grabbed a few pairs of socks and in the next drawer found some panties and bras. Trying not to think of her in only those items, he shoved them in the suitcase as well. Kneeling to the bottom drawer, he found a few sweaters and pushed them to the side.

His fingers touched a thick sheaf of papers and he glanced down to see what it was. Letters. A bundle of letters. His heart began to pound as he slid them forward. Letters from an APO box return address.My letters. My fucking letters. Jesus Christ, she kept my letters.

Hearing her steps in the hall coming from the bathroom, he shoved the letters to the back of the drawer and pushed a sweater in front of them. Standing quickly, he was just putting the last of her things in the suitcase when she came in, arms full of toiletries.

Making their way out of the house, Gabe and Tony assisted Penny while Jennifer moved back to check on Mackenna. They got them settled in Jobe’s pickup and all pulled out about the same time.

* * *

Twenty minutes later, they parked in an underground garage. Mackenna, who had been focusing on her mother, glanced around in surprise.

“Do Gabe and Jennifer live here?” she asked.

“Gabe used to, but they now have a house.”

“So who lives here?”

“I do. Well, Vinny and his fiancé live here also, but we’re heading to my place.” He hopped out of the truck and walked to the passenger side where he assisted Penny from the vehicle.

“Why are we here at your place?” Mackenna asked sharply, the numbness wearing off, being replaced by anger.

Jobe speared her with his gaze. “I’ve got a spare room. This building is secure. If you won’t think of yourself, think of your mom.”

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