The Darkest Danger (Shattered Series Book 2) (25 page)

     “Does that mean we’re getting close to being a real family?” the little girl probed, and again, the hope flared in her green eyes. “Like real soon?”

     “Like real soon,” she smiled, kissing her forehead. “I don’t want you to keep worrying about that, okay? It is going to happen---I promise. Now, close your little pretty eyes and get some beauty sleep.”

     “Well, I won’t be sleep for long because I’m already beautiful,” Meghan giggled.

     “That you are, silly,” she laughed, tapping her nose playfully. “Now, go to sleep.”

     When she reached the kitchen where Rosa was, her troubled thoughts had returned.

     With a concerned frown, she joined her at the kitchen’s island.

     “Rosa, you said that we would talk when Jarrod wasn’t here. He texted me earlier saying that he might be a little late getting in. So, we have all the time in the world to talk.”

     “Where’s Meggie?” Rosa asked, stiffening, but still continued to chop the vegetables.

     “She’s upstairs asleep. So, she won’t hear what we’re about to discuss.”

     “We can’t talk here. Let’s go to the study.”

     “Alright,” she nodded. “That sounds like a good place for us to talk.”

     A few minutes later, they were sitting on the plush sofa in the study.

     “I promised myself that I wouldn’t interfere in Jarrod’s business ever again, especially because of my dishonesty before,” Rosa said, grabbing her hand in hers. “But, I feel justified in my actions this time, and I don’t plan on making the same mistake of keeping secrets.”

     “I went back to the place that I told you about. I saw the ruins and the tombstones,” she admitted, blinking back the tears. “There was a horrible fire, and Jarrod’s wife died there, didn’t she?”

     “No. Caitlyn didn’t die inside the house.”

     “She didn’t?” she asked, surprised. “Then, how did she die?”

     “Often times, I wonder if you’re not blessed in not remembering things that have happened, especially the things that are so horrible that you can’t live with yourself,” Rosa asserted, releasing her hand, and turned to her fully. “The things that happened that night---Jarrod will never forget, God bless his soul.”

     “If she didn’t die in the house, she had to have passed away from complications of the fumes or smoke,” she mulled aloud. “Or was her death was due to natural causes?”

     “Her death was hardly the result of that. If it had, it certainly would’ve been a much kinder fate,” Rosa said, showing a hint of bitterness for the first time. “The way Caitlyn died was hard and tragic, and there’s no justification for her suffering.”

     The trepidation played in her voice. “What happened to her, Rosa?”

     “This longstanding feud between Jarrod and Matt Addison is a result of Caitlyn’s death and someone else’s.” A pained look crossed her face, one that she tried to erase. “It’s the venom that’s poisoned Jarrod’s soul for so long, and even after all this time, he hasn’t fully healed.” She sighed with hopefulness. “But, with you, he has the chance to be whole again.”

     “You once told me that Jarrod had personal demons, and now, I fully understand what they are. This tragedy, it explains so much and why he was reluctant to let me in his life. Oh Rosa, how could this have happened to him?”

     Rosa’s voice shook. “Matthew Addison and his father are responsible for everything.”

     “Please, tell me what happened,” she implored, catching her hand. “Maybe there’s something that I can do to help Jarrod deal with things.”

     “It’s a horrible tale to relate, and not only that, it’s painful.” A faraway look crossed Rosa’s face. “It happened late one summer evening. A, and as a matter of fact, it was around this time of the year. The day started off like any day would in a typical household---family breakfast, Jarrod off to work, and Caitlyn handling things around the house.” She paused before starting again. “It just so happened that Jarrod called and said that he’d be late coming home. I was making dinner, Caitlyn was upstairs putting the children to bed, and suddenly there was this awful noise. I can remember wandering from the kitchen and when I reached the foyer, Caitlyn was already there.”

     Listening intently, she didn’t interrupt.

     “The intruders---they entered by way of the terrace,” Rosa continued, clenching her hand tightly, and, it was as if she were reliving things. “I’d never been so terrified in my life, and until the day I die, I’ll never forget the pure look of terror on Caitlyn’s face. I’ll carry the memory of it to my grave.” Her voice shook. “We didn’t have time to think. We just reacted. The only thing that we could think about was saving the children. We charged up the stairs like the devil was after us. But, the time we made it there, the strangers were there, too.”

     “Oh, Rosa, I know it had to be terrifying.”

     “Meghan was asleep in the other room. So, they forced us into the other,” Rosa whispered, letting the tears fall, and her words caught on a sob. “I don’t know how to say the words.”

     She hugged her. “I understand that this is difficult for you. If you want, we can finish discussing this when you’re ready.”

     “No,” Rosa insisted firmly, pulling back, and wiped at the tears. “This is the time. It’s just that dredging up these painful memories is making me overcome with emotions.” Taking in an unsteady breath, she started talking again. “The two strangers, I didn’t recognize them, I’d never seen them before. It wasn’t long after that Matt and his father arrived. But, I did know who they were, and it wasn’t long before their nastiness spewed from them.”

     “Dear heavens, they truly are monsters,” she said with disgust. “They don’t deserve any forgiveness.”

     “I don’t whose worse, a spineless coward out to prove something or a cruel lifeless human being that only thirsts for power,” Rosa added with a dazed look. “They were both evil.”

     “Caitlyn---did she know of them?”

     “She knew that Jarrod had done business with them, but that was all that she knew. But, it didn’t take long for her to realize that they were cruel and sadistic. One of the strangers, he gagged me and tied me before tossing me in a corner.” She shuddered violently. “After that, Matt’s father instructed the goons to go downstairs so that they could be on the watch out.”

     As Rosa struggled to go on, she squeezed her hand, but still, she didn’t voice a single word.

     “Matt beat her, and then, sexually assaulted her. The whole time he just kept taunting her about Jarrod, and his father just stood there and watched the whole time,” Rosa said, and disgust seized her brown features. Then, her face crumpled in tears. “I couldn’t help her. I couldn’t block out her screams. So, I just closed my eyes as tight as I could to block out the sight of what was happening. It became too much for Caitlyn. She blacked out, and it was the last time that I ever saw her alive.”

     Hugging Rosa tight, she wept.

     “I prayed for something to happen, anything to wake me from the nightmare that plagued me. Matt and his father were in deep conversation, casually discussing their next steps of revenge against Jarrod,” Rosa went on. “And Caitlyn just laid there with her cold, dead eyes. She was breathing, but yet she wasn’t alive. They killed what life she had in her with their unspeakable violence.”

     “They deserve to die,” she vowed angrily. “They’re going to pay for what they’ve done.”

     “Things were crazy after that. Matt and his father went back and forth about how to get rid of us. Both of them were against leaving any physical evidence behind. So, they decided to torch the place, send it up in flames.”

     “They were going to burn you alive,” she said with amazement, taken aback by their level of cruelty. “Just more indication of how inhuman they are.”

     “But, they forgot one thing---the children.”

     She frowned in confusion. “You keep saying, ‘the children’. But, it’s only Meghan---”

     “No,” Rosa blurted, meeting her gaze. “It’s not only Meghan. Jarrod had another child.”

     “What?” she gasped, stunned. “Jarrod had another child?”

     “Yes. Jarrod and Caitlyn had a son, and his name was Colin. He is the one that died in the house fire.”

Chapter 14

     “No,” she whispered, and her lips trembled from crying so hard. “Please tell me that Jarrod didn’t lose a child as well.”

     “If only I could utter those words, but I can’t. Colin died in that house.”

     “What kind of person kills an innocent child and is able to live with it?” she asked, feeling her anger stir. “It’s unconscionable.”

     “We were in Colin’s bedroom, but he wasn’t there. Earlier, he’d been playing in Meghan’s room and fallen asleep. But, at some point, he awakened,” Rosa disclosed, closing her eyes against the tears. “All I can remember is praying that he wouldn’t return. But, he did.”

     “No,” she whispered.

     “The door hadn’t been locked, and I don’t know who was more stunned when Colin pushed the door open. I’ll never forget the horror of the moment. When he saw his mother on the floor he screamed and bolted as fast as he could. They took off after him.” She shook from the violent sobs. “All I can remember hearing is a violent scream, Colin’s scream. Then, it was nothing.”

     “They murdered him.”

     “They pushed him down the stairs, and it broke his neck. Colin died instantly. Matt’s father was the only one that returned, and all he did was look at us with his dead eyes. He was completely heartless. All he said in the end was ‘welcome to the afterlife’.”

     “Meghan,” she said, feeling the pain squeeze her chest. “Did they hurt her?”

      Rosa shook her head. “No. They simply decided to let her perish in the fire.”

     “It wasn’t long until I smelled fire. The smoke and the fumes were too much to take. I blacked out. The next thing that I remember is waking up in a hospital bed. Rescuers were able to get everyone out of the house except Colin. Caitlyn died from injuries she sustained during the beatings.” She cried again. “And Jarrod, he was there when I woke up, and I’d never seen a man so broken. They nearly destroyed him.”

     “It’d make anyone go after someone with a deadly vengeance, and that’s what Jarrod did,” she said, finally understanding the roots of his undying rage. “He wants them to pay for what they’ve done, and I don’t blame him at all.”

     “I don’t want you to think for one minute that I’m justifying the lies that he told you. But, at least now, I hope that you can understand where he’s coming from.”

     “That kind of tragedy would drive anyone to such lengths,” she said in his defense. “And I do understand why.” Tearing up again, she hugged her tightly. “I’d do anything to take your pain away. Anytime that you want to talk, Rosa, I’m here for you. I love you.”

     “I love you, too, good friend,” Rosa murmured, squeezing her tight. “It’s a blessing that you’ve come into our lives. We all needed you.”

     “And I needed you all. Together, we’ll all be whole.”

     She frowned. “But, there’s one thing that I don’t get. You were an actual witness to the crime. Why weren’t they placed in jail?”

     “When you have half the city on your payroll, it’s fairly easy to twist things in your favor. Their alibis were tight, and because of the lack of physical evidence it couldn’t be proven that they were there. Basically, it was my word against theirs, and unfortunately, they didn’t believe me.”

     “That’s all so wrong. It shouldn’t have happened that way. They deserve to pay for what they’ve done.”

     “Tomorrow’s going to be a difficult day for Jarrod,” Rosa added, several minutes later, and faced her on the sofa. “Colin’s birthday is tomorrow, and he struggles when it rolls around each year. You’ve probably noticed that he’s been a little distant these past few days.”

     “I have noticed, and I’ve been pondering as to the reasons why.” She studied her closely. “I know that you don’t want to get involved, and I don’t want it to seem that I’m betraying your confidence. But, these are the kinds of things that can’t be kept secret. I have to talk to Jarrod about this. I hope that you understand.”

     “Of course, I understand. It’s time to put these ghosts to rest so that we can all move on and live happier lives,” Rosa added. “But, when you get ready to talk with him, proceed with caution. It’s a rather touchy and difficult subject for him.”

     “I know that you’re right. But, I have to help him, regardless of how he’ll react.”

      Rosa stood up. “Stay here. I want to show you something.”

      “Ok,” she said, staying put, and watched as Rosa scurried across the room. When she returned, she had a large photo album in her arms. “Jarrod keeps this one hidden. Inside of it, there are photos of Caitlyn, Meghan, and Colin. It may be a good idea for you to take it upstairs and get it back to me as soon as you can.”

     “I’d love to see Jarrod’s family. He’s been so secretive about them. As soon as I’m finished, I’ll leave it in your room.”

     A few minutes later, after checking on Meghan and ensuring that she was fast asleep, she moved to her own room. Dragging the photo album along with her, she climbed onto the bed. Falling back against the pillows, she began perusing the family photo album.

     After a little while, she glanced at the clock.

     There was still time before Jarrod would get home, she mulled, flipping through the pages faster. But, soon, her head gave one nod, and then another.

     The photo album tumbled to the bed unknowingly as she slept. But, then, she was awakened sometime later by a violent curse.

      Yawning, sitting up on the bed slowly, still confused, she rubbed the sleep from eyes. Yet, at the sight of Jarrod leaning over her with an irate expression, she snapped awake.

     “What the hell is this?” he snapped, snatching the photo album off the bed, and glared at her from the bedside. Then, as if disgusted, he turned away from her. “How did you get this?”

     “Jarrod, please, don’t be upset. I can explain,” she stammered, seeing that he was upset, and crawled off the bed. She stared at the back of his tensed form. “We need to talk about what---”

     “In your haste to save my damaged soul, you decided to go through my private things?” he said sarcastically, turning to face her. “What gives you the fucking right to do that?”

     “The fact that I care about you gives me the right. “Things have been going on for days now. You’ve been shutting me out,” she said, softening her tone. “Why?”

     “We’re not talking about me. We’re talking about you and what you’ve done,” he snapped, releasing a frustrated breath. “How did you get your hands on this?”

     “Rosa and I were in the study talking.” Her face flushed red with guilt. “We didn’t think that it’d be any harm if I saw their pictures---”

     “Are the two of you partners in crime now or something?” he asked, and his sharp words lashed like a whip. “I should’ve known something was up, you’ve both been whispering behind my back for days. Don’t think that I haven’t noticed.”

     “It’s not a conspiracy, Jarrod. We love you, and we are both concerned---”

      “And that gives you the right to invade my privacy?” he asked in disbelief.

     “I’m not trying to invade your privacy,” she whispered, tearing up. “I just want to you to share your life with me. I’m sorry if you think that I was trying to be sneaky or to hurt you. I wasn’t. I’m just trying to understand.”

     He stiffened as he turned his back to her. “Understand what?

     She walked around him so that they were face to face. “Why you haven’t said anything about Caitlyn and how she died. Do you realize that this is the first time that I’ve learned your wife’s name? You never told me.” She glanced at his hands, noticed their violent trembling, and then closed hers on his. “You don’t have to be afraid anymore, baby. You’re not alone.”

     “So, I’m supposed to unburden my problems and place them on your shoulders, right? Well, guess what, sweetheart, I don’t need shrinking,” he bit back, struggling to hide his pain, but it was too visible. “I’m not going to talk about this.”

     “How can we not talk about it? It was your life at one time, and suddenly, it was taken away from you by tragic events.” She paused. “I saw the ruins and the tombstones. I know that they’re buried here.”

     Again, the shock played on his face. “You went there?” he asked in disbelief, and couldn’t disguise his hurt and anger. “The entire area is off limits. No one is allowed out there.”

     “When Meghan and I went riding out, I discovered it by accident. The other day, I went out alone,” she said, and her eyes swam with tears. “I couldn’t understand why the area hadn’t been cleaned off. It didn’t make any sense to me. I wanted to find out---”

     “Maybe it’s not your place to understand,” he said coldly. “Did you ever think about that?”

     “But, I want to understand.” The tears swam in her eyes. “Jarrod, you can’t keep holding onto that place. You have to let them rest. By doing that, it doesn’t mean that you’ll forget them or stop loving---”

     “Don’t you even dare stand there and tell me that you know what I’m thinking or feeling,” he accused, and the pain flashed along his handsome visage. “You could never understand what I’m going through.”

     She reached out to him. “Jarrod---”

     But, his inner rage finally broke free.

     Releasing a loud curse, he hurled the photo album across the room, and it landed on the other side of the bed somewhere on the floor. “I’m going out,” he said sharply, turning for the door. “I’ll be back sometime later. Don’t wait up for me.”

     She grabbed his arm. “No, we have to talk about this.”

     “I don’t want to fucking talk,” he bit back, jerking free of her hold. “As a matter of fact, I can’t even stand to look at you right now.”

     She blinked at the tears. “You don’t mean that, Jarrod. You’re just hurt and upset, and you need someone to lash out at,” she murmured, finally caving in to the tears. “And I know why you’re running now. Tomorrow is Colin’s birthday, isn’t it?”

     “What?” he rasped, looking as if he’d lost his breath.

     “Your son, Colin. I know that you lost him.”

     She looked at him, and as she did, the stark pain on his face resonated down deep in her soul.

     The hard tears filled his green eyes. “How did you know about my son---”

     Unable to finish his words, he strode away from her and towards the door.

     “Jarrod, wait,” she pleaded, scurrying after him. “Please---”

     “Stay the hell away from me!”

     He snatched the door open hard, and luckily, it didn’t fall from its hinges at his force. In angry strides, he tore across the landing.

     “Jarrod, wait,” she cried out, running after him.

     But, he was much faster than her, she realized as she reached the balustrade. Already, he was crossing the reception hall and heading out the door.

     When she reached the bottom, Rosa stormed from the living area with a concerned expression. “What’s going on? I thought I heard raised voices.”

     “It’s Jarrod,” she cried, breathless from both exertion and tears, and clasped the hand rail. “He saw that I had the family album and flipped. Oh, Rosa, I’ve never seen him this upset before.” Sobbing, she sank down on the bottom step. “I love him. I just want to help him.”

     “I know you do,” Rosa soothed, grasping her arm. “Come on, get up. We don’t need Meghan to awaken and witness any of this.”

     Nodding tearfully, she allowed herself to be led away. “He thinks that I’m trying to invade his privacy,” she sobbed, staring at Rosa with swollen, reddened eyes when they reached the kitchen. “But, that isn’t my intention at all. I was just looking at the album because I wanted to learn about that part of him. I only want to help him.”

     “I know you do,” Rosa soothed, passing her a cup. “And he will, too. He’s just upset and emotional right now. Drink up, you need to settle your nerves.”

      She took a sip of the mixture of whiskey, honey, and sweet milk, and then pushed it away. “Rosa, I’m sorry. But, I can’t just sit here drinking a toddy while Jarrod’s whole life is falling apart,” she said, leaving the stool. “I’m going to find him, and if my instincts aren’t wrong, I think that I know where to find him.”

***

     The starry heavens were heavy with the full moon, and white light spilled across the grassy ground. Riding sans saddle, gripping the reigns tightly, Jarrod rode the black stallion hard across the wide open spread. The horse sensed his naked fury and charged ahead across the land at breakneck speed. Yet, the awful truth still chased his thoughts relentlessly.

     A few minutes later, he reached his destination.

     The no-trespassing sign had faded with the ages, he thought, climbing off the stallion’s back. But, it was obviously a useless barrier. Leading the horse forward, he then stopped at the fence before tying a rope around it to secure the horse.

     Along the way, earlier at the stables, he’d discarded the suit jacket and tie. Now, his white dress shirt stood open, baring his chest, and the dark trousers were marred with dirt and debris.