Page 123 of Never Started
Chapter sixty-three
Jett
November 2025
The agonizing thoughts of what could have been plague my mind to the point of torment.
I wasn’t there.I was robbed of the privilege of being a part of any of it. If I had known. If I had only fucking known. Izzy took that from me.
Knowing Izzy’s heart, I’m not blind to the fact that her intentions were pure. She endured everything on her own for the sake of protecting me from more pain and loss.
I can choose to stay angry with her. I have that right. Or, I can decide on peace.She loves me. There’s no act of love greater than what she sacrificed. Yes, she hid this from me for all of these years, but she did itfor me. I have no doubt about that. She suffered in the darkness by herselffor me.
I can’t imagine what it was like going through that alone while also looking out for everyone around her. I respect her strength, but when it comes to me, she doesn’t have to be strong. I want to carry the weight of it all.
Fuck, I’m angry, but when I think of everything she went through—most likely terrified—the anger dissipates, replaced by love.
It’s always been like that. Every negative emotion I’ve ever felt towards Izzy always circles back to love.
This situation isn’t any different.
Where I can hold anger at her for keeping all of this from me, I would rather attempt to hold grace.
Sighing deeply, with my decision made, I turn back in the direction of home. I breathe easier when I notice Izzy’s car is still here, but it doesn’t last long—she’s nowhere to be found in or around my house. I don’t blame her. I should have stayed and talked to her. If I want this to work, I can’t just bow out when shit gets hard and messy.
At the same time, I can’t blame myself either. I’ve never been in this situation before.
Walking out, frustrated and determined to find her, I pass by her car on my way to a nearby trail, thinking she went out to try to clear her own head. But something off catches my eye—all of her tires are flat.
No, fuck.Slashed.
Not today. Not after the barn. Not after the baby. Not fucking today.
This was them. There’s no question in my mind that this is another one of their fucking warnings, and I’ve had enough.
I do not need this shit. Not now.
The phone rings twice before there’s an answer. No words are spoken from the other side, but I know he’s listening.
“Point. Fucking. Made,” I growl out in frustration. I probably shouldn’t be pushing this guy, but I couldn’t give a shit less. “But if you want anything from me, she stays out of it. They all do!”
“Oh, Jett,” he says, hissing my name with a laugh. “You act like you have a fucking say. I’m sure it’s nice to pretend that youdo. It must bring you comfort.” His tone is condescending, and anger tinged with slight fear bubbles up in the form of a lump in my throat.
“How much more money could you want? I’ve given you all I have to give. There’s nothing left. You’ve drained me dry. We are done!”
His laughter stops abruptly. “We are done when I say we’re done!” he shouts, all signs of amusement abandoned in his words.”You know what I want, what I need from you. It’s a shame we have to show you how vulnerable you and your friends are to get you to comply.”
“Bullshit, “ I instantly retort, not giving a fuck about who he is and what he has over me. “I’m not fucking doing it.”
“Oh, yes, you will, if she means anything to you, like we think she does. You will. But, it’s comical that you think you have a choice.” He laughs, which only boils my blood to hot molten lava in my veins.
I take a breath, steadying myself, looking around at my surroundings.
This ranch is everything my parents have worked for. It was their dream, which they shaped into a reality through hard work and dedication. They’ll never forgive me if I agree to this. This place and its integrity means everything to them. It means everything to all of us. However, to me,she means more—so much more.
“I’ll call you when I’m free,” I say, hanging up abruptly before he can get in another word.
“Fuck!”I shout, loud and enraged.
