chapter 2.33
Jackson
“Dad? What the hell? What’s going on?”
Mr. Hammed put his arm around Dad and said, “It’s just like old times around here, right, Lashes? Your dad is making sure Lana doesn’t get away with anything. And he saved Luci.”
“Dad? What the hell? What’s going on?”
Mr. Hammed put his arm around Dad and said, “It’s just like old times around here, right, Lashes? Your dad is making sure Lana doesn’t get away with anything. And he saved Luci.”
“Where is Luci?”
Dad threw up his arms. “Jackson, it’s not time to talk. You need to get the hell gone. If Lana knows you’re here, it could compromise the whole sting.”
“Lana already knows. She tried to keep me from coming down.”
“What? Shit.” Taking off the wig, glasses, and fake beard, Dad pulled me over toward the cell door. “What did she say?”
“She said if I went down into the house of horrors that I wasn’t coming out.”
“Why did you do it, Jackson? We could have been a couple of bad dudes, ready to kick you’re ass and lock you up! You have no business being here.”
“Hey, Lashes, it’s showtime. If Lana knows Jackson is down here, the bird might fly.”
“Damn. You’re right. I’ll call Marco.”
As Dad spoke to Pop’s best friend and chief of police, Marco Bello, Mr. Hammed said, “Don’t worry, Jackson, Lana won’t get away with what she was planning to do to your friend. Lucky thing your dad called me when he did. I contacted Lana and what do you know? She needed my services. She had her own thug, Hugo, shadow me when I went to pick up Luci. I had to make it look good for him. Scared the shit out of her, but after we were alone, I told her what was up. She was so happy to see your dad, too.” He laughed. “She’s one tough girl. A catch.” He winked. “Don’t let her get away, Jackson.”
My face warmed at his words about Luci. I didn’t plan on letting her get away.
Dad tapped his phone and said, “Hammed, let’s go. Marco and his team will be here any moment. We need to do containment.”
Grabbing his gun, Mr. Hammed said, “On it, Lashes.”
Shooting bullets at me with his eyes, Dad ordered, “Do NOT come up until I tell you to. Understand, son? I mean it. If you disobey me, you will regret it.”
“Okay, okay, geeze,” I said, digging my hands in my pockets.
They both hurried up the stairs before I could say anything else.
Pulling on the cellblock door, it opened with a loud creak. Instantly, Luci cried when she saw me and barreled into me, squeezing me in a nice hug. “Oh, I’m so glad to see you, Jackson! Is it over? Is Lana in jail?”
Overcome by emotion, I didn’t realize I’d been so worried about her until I saw her. Taking her hand, I put my head on her shoulder. “They’re bringing Lana down right now. God, Luci. I’m so glad you’re okay. You don’t know how worried I was.”
“I’m okay, Jackson. I’m sorry this happened. But it was for the best.”
I desperately wanted to kiss her. Bringing my face close to hers, I searched for her lips when she blocked me with her hand.
“No, Jackson. Don’t.”
Waves of embarrassment shot through me and I said, “Oh, um...sorry.”
“You don’t need to be.” She took my hand and led me over to one of the beds. “Let’s talk.”
As I sank into the cushion, Luci explained, “Your dad is so amazing. He’s been teaching me how to do undercover work the whole time I’ve been here. I even know how to defend myself. No one will be able to pull a knife on me now.”
“Someone pulled a knife on you?”
She giggled. “Yeah. Khalid did. But he would have never hurt me. I was really scared when he got me in my apartment, though.”
I nodded and then realized Luci was dressed in the most freakish jumpsuit. “What the heck are you wearing?”
She looked down at her clothes. “Oh, this? Your dad had it in his car since I didn’t bring any of my things with me. It’s a costume from one of his characters in his new movie. Don’t you recognize it?”
“Yeah, I guess it looks like that android, Zip’s, outfit. You don’t have her pink hair, though.”
“Yeah,” she said, smiling.
Remembering about the last time I saw Luci at the party, I asked, “So, what gives? Why did you leave me like that the other night? Are you mad at me or something?”
Her face fell as she stared at the wall. “Um...no, Jackson, I’m not mad.”
“Then what gives? We’ve been having such a fun time together. I was beginning to think you liked me. We were on a date, and you just bolted.”
Shrugging, she said, “I’ve been thinking a lot about that...I really have. I do like you and I’d love for us to go out, but we can’t. Our lives are just too different. After this, you’ll be the billionaire’s kid, and I’ll be...well, just plain Luci Mueller who’s whole life’s mission is to make sure people aren’t bulldozed by the wealthy. I’m sorry.”
I flipped my hands in the air. “What? How can you say that? I’m not some evil rich kid. I can’t believe you’d judge me for something I can’t even control.”
Eyes watering, Luci whispered, “I-I don’t see myself with you, Jackson. I could never lead the lifestyle you do. Ever.”
Shaking my head, I said, “Just because I have money doesn’t mean I’m going to take advantage of people. But whatever. You’ve made up your mind.”
“I’m sorry.”
We both sat together, neither one of us talking. I wanted to get the hell out of there but needed to wait on my dad’s orders.
This sucked.