Page 30 of You’re Mine

When I was a kid, someone like him intimidated me, and it felt impossible to stand up to the likes of Herb Jones. But now, I have perspective. No matter what he tries, Herb can’t stop me and Haley from leaving.

“I’m going to call you an ambulance. After that, Haley and I are leaving and we’re not coming back.”

“You sonofabitch!” Herb rushes me, but I simply step out of the way, and he tumbles over. Glancing over, I can see he isn’t too injured, so there’s no use in helping the old man up.

I take out my phone and dial 911. Kneeling down, I deliver a few more words before making the call.

“I want you to know you’re just a little man. You might have money, you might have status, but that all means nothing in the end because your family doesn’t love you and they don’t respect you. But today, whether you like it or not, your daughter and grandson are saying goodbye. If you bother us in any way, I promise I can make your life a living hell. You can bet on that,” I spit.

I don’t wait for his response, standing back up and calling emergency services.

“911, what’s your emergency?”

“I’d like to report an accident off the road down from the Jones Estate. There’s a car flipped over. The driver seems to have gotten out and he looks intact.”

“Can I get your name, sir?”

“I’m sorry, I have to go.”

“Please, it would be better –” I hang up, not wanting to stay on the line and wait for the ambulance to come by. I look back one more time as I head towards my car, and Herb’s sat up, looking up at the sky with a dazed look. I don’t know what he’s feeling, and I don’t care.

I get back in my car, and Haley’s eyes are filled with fear.

“Is he okay?”

“He will be. Do you need to go talk to him?” I won’t try to stop her if she says yes, but she is his daughter. She’s been living under his roof for more than two decades, and that’s a difficult bond to break.

There’s silence for a second and then a deep inhale.

“No, we should go.” The resolve in her voice is definite, and I don’t need to be told twice.

I restart the car, continuing our drive to my private jet. The rest of the ride is quiet and uneventful. We’re all coming down from dealing with that literal car wreck, and a moment to process is needed. However, I’m hoping that once we’re on the plane, Haley will talk to me a little bit more. After all, we’ve just been through horrific circumstances, one after another, and we can’t keep it inside forever.

The interior of the hangar is calm, with just a few staff doing their jobs. Good. Peace and quiet are needed at this time.

I shut off the car.

“I have to go get in touch with my pilot. Can you two wait in here while I make some calls?” Haley nods. I can see the questions brimming in her mind, but she doesn’t ask any of them.

I step out of the car and make the call. Edward answers on the first ring.

“Sir?”

“There’s been a significant change in plans. We need to leave as soon as possible. Also, I have two other people with me. That won’t be a problem?”

“No, sir. I should be able get everything settled so we can takeoff in an hour.” Great, that’s lot sooner than expected. I make sure to only hire the best, and clearly, it’s worth the money.

“Thanks, Edward. We’ll see you soon.”

I hang up. Looking back at the car, I catch glimpses of Haley and Jamie through the window. She’s stroking the boy’s hair, and I’m sure she’s reassuring him about our upcoming journey. They probably need a moment together alone because ever since I walked back into her life, it’s been one foot on the accelerator.

Giving them their privacy, I turn around and stare blindly around the hangar while thinking to myself. In my memory, Herb was big, he was intimidating, and someone to be feared because that’s what he demanded. In my mind, he was one of the most powerful men in the world, with the power to ruin my life. Dating Haley against his wishes was a crazy thing to do because no one went against him in Lenville.

But today, he seemed really small and pathetic. The thought of punching him, even after all the failed swings he took at me, didn’t appeal because he simply wasn’t worth it. I guess, in reality, he was never worth it. The change is in me, and not Herb.

“Jace!” Haley’s voice floats over to me. I twist my body to look back at her. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, the pilot should be here in an hour. We can wait in the plane if you like.” She nods, and I return to the vehicle. After getting the bags out of the trunk, I show them the way to the plane.

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