Shades of Resolution (Distortion #3) Read online

  “I love you forever, Alex,” Lexie whispered before she set the bottle down next to the gravestone. “And I will never forget the sacrifice you made for me.”

  Lexie caught up to Evan and wrapped his arm over her shoulder to help support him. “I can’t go home like this, Lexie. I was hoping I could crash with you at your apartment.”

  “Yeah, of course, but I think we would be more comfortable at Mom’s place.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I need to feel close to her right now,” Lexie insisted. “And there is far more room there than my tiny little apartment. You can’t go home anyway because your parents think you’re in rehab.”

  Evan looked up at her with a raised brow.

  “We needed to tell them something other than you can’t be contacted because you’re being held prisoner by a criminal threatening to kill you. It was the most believable story, anyway,” Lexie defended.

  Evan just offered her a sad smile.

  Lexie look up into the intense gaze of Jackson as they neared. Those beautiful dark eyes were locked on her and the emotion that took center stage was shame. She wanted more than anything to wrap her arms around him and press her lips to his but she didn’t have the right to be that person for him anymore. She couldn’t pretend because the hope she had held onto by not knowing was gone. She couldn’t carry on selfishly and deceive him. She knew she would have to tell him because it would only be a matter of time before he discovered it for himself. She feared the moment he looked upon her with hatred. She knew without a doubt it could break her.

  Lexie looked at Cherry when she rubbed her hands together excitedly. “And I thought this little town was going to be boring,” Cherry said.

  Lexie couldn’t help but smile. “Hello, I’m Lexie.” She could feel Jackson’s eyes on her but she couldn’t bring herself to acknowledge him. The truth hung heavy over her head and she was nervous he could see it just by looking at her.

  Cherry was a surprise, to say the least. It wasn’t until she was close that Lexie could see the subtle indications that Cherry was not your average girl. Her underlying masculine qualities were discreet, but still very much a part of who she was.

  “Oh, I know who you are. I’m Cherry.” Cherry held out her hand. “Between Country’s loose lips and Duke’s brooding, I knew there was going to be a pretty face to go with this story.”

  Evan sprinted away from them to a row of bushes just off the path and threw up. He clutched his knees as he took deep breaths. “I’m good,” he mumbled with a wave before he continued to expel the entire contents of his stomach.

  “Country and Duke?” Lexie asked with a smile.

  “They earned themselves some nick names along the way,” Cherry responded. “Stories for another time.” She winked.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Cherry,” Lexie said over the sound of Evan’s heaving. “Circumstances could be better.”

  “Nonsense, life is full of ugly with a few bits of beautiful thrown in. I learned to roll with it long ago. Come on, doll, Jackson can help Country to the car.”

  “Lexie?” Jackson questioned.

  Lexie looked up at Jackson. He looked uncertain as he waited for her to say something. She felt bad giving him the cold shoulder. She felt a force inside her pull toward him. She was aware of him on every level, and denying it seemed to go against nature. She needed to find a way to put some distance between them until she could think properly and figure out how to approach it. “We should get Evan to my mother’s place.” It felt like the best option to approach this slowly.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Jackson

  Other than stolen glances, Lexie seemed to be avoiding Jackson. She was so quiet on the drive and Jackson couldn’t find the words that seemed appropriate. Cherry sat beside him, throwing curious glances his way. He knew she could feel the tension rolling off him and he was grateful that for once she remained quiet. Evan was lying down in the backseat with his head in Lexie’s lap. Jackson glanced back at her and noticed she was running her fingers through Evan’s hair. Jackson hated the fact she was touching him. He hated how easy they were with each other. He would never admit the fact that he was jealous of Evan, not even to himself as he shoved the very thought deep inside.

  Whatever was going through Lexie’s head that was keeping her distant from him, he wanted her to be able to talk to him. He couldn’t take her silence for long because it was terrifying.

  Jackson pulled up to a stop in front of Lexie’s apartment. “That’s Molly’s car,” she said, sitting up straighter. Evan pushed himself up and leaned against the seat with a moan of discomfort.

  “Who’s Molly?” Jackson asked.

  “My mom’s best friend. She works at the diner,” Lexie said sadly as she grabbed the handle of the door. “I’ll be as quick as I can.” Lexie patted Evan on the shoulder gently before she stepped out of the car.

  “I’m gonna help Lexie,” Jackson said, opening his door.

  “Um hmm.” Cherry raised her brow.

  Teddy and Dane pulled up behind Jackson in Cherry’s car. “Lexie is just grabbing some things,” Jackson called to them.

  He followed Lexie up the stairs toward her apartment. Unbeknownst to Lexie, Jackson had already been in her apartment and knew exactly where it was. A lot had changed since then. He would never have thought things would have turned out this way.

  When they got to the top of the staircase, a woman with fiery red hair was headed toward them. “Lexie!” she called out. “I heard you were back and I’ve been trying to find you. You weren’t answering your phone. I have been out of my mind.” The woman grabbed Lexie up in her arms. She looked up at Jackson, just noticing him for the first time. “Who’s this?”

  Lexie brushed her hair back from her face as she pulled away from Molly’s tight embrace. “Molly, this is Jackson,” Lexie introduced nervously.

  Jackson looked at Lexie for a moment, trying to read her face. “Her boyfriend. Nice to meet you, Molly.”

  “You as well. I wish it could be under better circumstances, but I’m so glad to see that she has someone to help her through this painful time,” Molly said, taking Jackson’s hand.

  “Sorry about not answering my phone, Molly. I’ve been getting a lot of calls about Mom and I’m not ready to face it all yet,” Lexie confessed. Jackson could feel her pain because it reached deep inside him and became his own.

  “Let me take care of it, sweetheart. You don’t worry about a thing. You’ve been through enough. Your mother always did so much for me, it’s the least I could do,” Molly said, placing her hand against her chest. Tears welled in her eyes. “I can make all the arrangements.” Molly gently placed her hands on Lexie’s shoulders.

  “I’m going to be staying at Mom’s,” Lexie said quietly.

  “Okay, dear.” Molly leaned in and kissed her gently on the cheek. “You call me if you need anything. I’ll stop by with some of your favorite pie later.”

  “Take care of her,” Molly said to Jackson as she walked past him. She placed her hand on his arm. “She needs your strength.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Jackson said. Molly seemed like a very genuine person and Jackson appreciated the fact that Lexie had people like her in her life. He could tell Lexie cared for her.

  Lexie watched Molly disappear down the stairs before she continued to her door. “This is a small town, Jackson. You can’t tell people things like that or it will become front page news.

  “That I’m your boyfriend?”

  Lexie nodded as she slid the key into the lock.

  “Are you worried people are gonna judge you for moving on? Or is it that you don’t want people to know?”

  Lexie didn’t answer as she swung the door open and walked inside hesitantly. Jackson knew it was the first time she had been home since before she had been taken and her mother’s death. Her view of the world was different now and she was probably realizing how different it would feel.

  “I actually like the way
it sounds. I’ve never been someone’s boyfriend before…” Jackson trailed off when he noticed how terrified she looked.

  “Lexie, what’s wrong?”

  “I think someone has been here,” Lexie whispered.

  Jackson looked around the main area and made sure the window were secure. Nothing raised any flags. He pulled out his gun and kicked the bathroom door open to make sure it was clear before he walked into the bedroom Lexie had set up as a studio. Everything looked to be in order to him.

  “No one’s here, Lexie.” Jackson tucked his gun away.

  “Some of my pictures have been moved,” Lexie said, walking into the main living area. She picked up one of the frames sitting on a small table beside her sofa.

  “This was in my studio,” Lexie said, holding it up. “And this…” Lexie looked down at a picture of her and her mother. Jackson wasn’t sure if it was the aftermath of what she had been through or if her fears were legitimate. He would never put it past John to play games with someone’s head. She picked the picture up and ran her finger over the glass. “Do you think John will leave me alone now that she’s gone?” Lexie asked sadly.

  “I’m going to stop him, Lexie,” Jackson assured her.

  “I can’t shake the feeling I’m being watched.” Lexie set the picture back down on the table. “He told me that he owns me.”

  “Listen, Lexie.” Jackson placed his hand on her shoulder and turned her toward him. “I’m here. I promise to do whatever I can to keep you safe.” Jackson leaned his forehead against hers and pulled her close. “John will never own you.”

  “Too many people have been hurt because of me.”

  “Because of John, not you. Don’t blame yourself for any of this. You are innocent,” Jackson insisted.

  Lexie tried to pull away but Jackson grabbed hold of her waist. “Don’t push me away, please.”

  Lexie placed her hands on either side of Jackson’s face and he could feel himself want to melt in her hold. She gently pressed her lips against his and he savored the taste of her, not wanting the moment to end. He wanted more, he was desperate for her affections, especially now, but he knew he had to follow her lead. He had never given someone control over him before and he was not used to feeling vulnerable…though on some levels he found it empowering to give part of himself to her, becoming something bigger than himself. He would do anything to protect her. He had a purpose that now gave him hope.

  “I’ll go get my things,” she whispered as she dropped her hands and stepped back. She had built a wall between them. He could feel it and he wanted to find a way to knock it down.

  Lexie only took a moment to pack a bag and she was ready to leave. She walked over to the table and picked up the picture of her and her mother, tucking it inside her purse.

  He could tell she was anxious to get out of her apartment. She felt unsettled since she walked in and noticed things seemed different. Jackson gave one last look around before he shut the door behind them. Jackson knew he would do whatever it took to make her feel safe again. No one should feel fear in the place they call home. He knew too well how devastating it could be.

  Evan was sitting on the sidewalk next to the car when they exited the building. His head was between his knees as he took long, deep breaths. “Thank god,” Cherry said when she noticed them. “We need to get him somewhere soon. He’s about ready to fall apart.”

  “I thought that stuff you got was gonna help? He doesn’t look any better than when we weaned him,” Jackson asked.

  “Yeah, when he’s in bed. He can’t be up walking around and shit.” Cherry waved her hands in exasperation. “He needs to be sleeping.”

  “Let’s go.” Jackson waved toward Teddy and Dane.

  Jackson’s phone started buzzing in his pocket. He pulled it out and noticed an unknown caller.

  “Hello?”

  “Jackson, it’s Giles. I’m calling from a secure line. My phones were tapped.”

  “Shit.” Jackson rubbed his hand down his face. “Rosh. How much does he know?”

  “He knows we suspect him of his involvement. Though, the tape is not enough to convict him. Any judge is gonna throw it out because there’s no way to prove it was him.”

  “Where’s Rosh now?” Jackson asked.

  “No one has seen him since yesterday. I sent a couple of officers to his place this morning and they said it looked like he left in a hurry. I’d say he knows what Mary had on him and he’s lying low for now. Any idea where Mary would have stashed the evidence?”

  “No.” Jackson sighed. “I’ll call on this number when I have something.”

  “Good…Jackson?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Be careful how close you get to that girl. This might not end well for anyone,” Giles said solemnly.

  “Too late, Giles.” Jackson ended the call.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Lexie

  When Jackson pulled up in front of her mother’s house, Lexie didn’t move. She saw her grey Honda Civic parked in the driveway and remembered when she had parked there. It was just when everything was beginning to fall out beneath her. Her mother was still alive then. It was the first time being here knowing that her mother would never be again. It made her body feel heavy and her heart swell with emotion until it felt as if it would burst. She felt as if she could cry for the rest of her life and it would not lesson the pain of loss.

  Jackson opened her door for her and she looked up at the grey sky that reflected her thoughts. The air was heavy with moisture, ready to start falling to the dry earth. Jackson held out his hand and Lexie looked up into his face. She wished she could throw herself into his arms and forever stay in his embrace where she would be safe, but she needed to stand on her own feet. She needed to face what had become her life. Hiding would not change the fact that John Stodden was her father or the doom she felt inside. Her life was forever thrown off course and she had no idea what direction she was headed.

  When Lexie approached the door, she noticed yellow tape across it from when the police investigated the break-in. Lexie ripped it off and hastily threw it aside. Walking inside was just as painful as she imagined it would be. John’s men had torn everything apart. All of her mother’s belongings were scattered on the floor. Lexie covered her mouth with a gasp as she looked at all the things her mother loved strewn around carelessly.

  “It looks like they really wanted to find what your mother had hidden,” Jackson said despondently.

  “Shit, sorry, Lexie,” Teddy said, walking behind them, supporting Evan.

  Lexie walked over toward the kitchen island. Broken dishes crunched under her shoes as she set her purse on the counter.

  “Bring Evan into the guest room,” Lexie said, waving for Teddy to follow her. She headed toward the hall off the living area to the bedroom. Other than the furniture, the room had mainly been bare, so it looked better than the rest of the house. Lexie straightened the sheets for Evan to lie down. She grabbed the bathroom garbage bin that had been lying in the hall and set it beside Evan’s bed.

  Evan collapsed on the bed and Lexie pulled the sheets up over him. He was shaking now as chills began to rack his body.

  “Dr. Cherry is coming!” Cherry called out as she came into the room with a bag in her hand. She smiled brightly at Lexie. “I’ll get him comfortable enough to sleep in no time.”

  “What’s all this?” Lexie asked when Cherry began taking out the contents of the bag and setting it on the night stand.

  “It’s a do-it-yourself weaning kit, doll. It’s gonna get him through the next couple of days without him wishing he was dead.”

  “I wish I was dead now,” Evan mumbled into the pillow.

  Cherry shrugged. “Well, you get what you pay for.”

  “Thank you for your help, Cherry. Evan told me you took a risk helping them. I just wanted to let you know I appreciate it,” Lexie said sincerely. She walked up to Cherry and wrapped her arms around her.

  “Oh,” Cherry r
eplied. She seemed taken back by Lexie’s show of appreciation. “Of course.” Cherry patted her arm. “I’m not used to having people hug me. Maybe you could throw in an insult so I don’t think the world is ending.”

  Lexie laughed and shook her head.

  “Okay, fine, I’ll just take some wine. This girl needs it after taking care of this big baby,” Cherry said.

  “Sure, I’ll see what I can find,” Lexie said with a smile.

  When Lexie walked into the main area, Jackson was sweeping the broken dishes into a pile on the kitchen floor. The ones that had survived where piled up on the counter. He had already righted most of the furniture in the living room and replaced the chairs around the dining table.

  “I didn’t know where the dishes go,” Jackson said. “None of the dishes look the same to put together.”

  Lexie laughed half-heartedly. “Mom didn’t like sets. I don’t think anything actually does match.”

  “That explains it,” Jackson said as he bent down to pick up another plate and set it on the stack he made.

  Lexie reached down and picked up a wooden carving her mother had kept on the mantle and placed it back into position. “Thank you, Jackson, but you really don’t have to clean up.”

  She could hear him stop moving. She knew he was watching her as she stood staring at the piece of wood like it would bring her mother back.

  “I want to help,” he insisted. “It’s the least I could do.”

  “Where are Teddy and Dane?” She looked up at him and knew he was trying to read her.

  “I sent them to pick up some food.” Jackson set the broom against the counter and walked toward her. She fought the urge to open her arms and seek his comfort. When he stopped, he was so close to her, she could feel the heat of him against her back. She found herself leaning back; wanting to close the distance.

  “I’m here for you.” Jackson wrapped his arms around her stomach and Lexie didn’t resist anymore.