Jackson...Where had I heard that name before? Have we met? Are we rivals? I let out a frustrated cry and shoved my fingers through my hair. I shouldn't be worrying about this. I should be figuring out where Asher was. There was no way he'd run off with the children. He last called me saying he was at the hospital with the children. That was two days ago.
I paced the length of my bedroom in fear. I've gotten no texts since then. No calls. I haven't seen him since I handed them over. Were they all okay? Did something happen to them? I called Asher once more thinking he was going to pick up. He had to. I didn't want to file multiple missing persons reports. Or even accuse him of kidnapping.
The phone rang a few times before someone picked up. I was too excited. They were okay! I could stop worrying about where he had been and pick them up. Isabella would stop calling me and accusing me of selling them.
"Asher, are you guys okay?" I demanded. "Where are you? I can pick you up if you want."
"Well, well, well," a male voice spoke up. "It's a pleasure to hear from you personally."
"Jackson?" I scratched my head. What was he doing with Asher's phone?
"No greeting?" He asked. "So rude. That could get you and your family killed, Luca."
"Don't lay a finger on any of them. I'll hunt you down and--"
"Kill me? I've heard that too many times but I'm still alive. It's getting a little old."
I was too shocked to say anything. Who would dare to say something like that? I tightened my grip on the phone. Who was he to throw aside my threats? I'd surely kill him the moment we met. I wanted my kids back.
"Hellooo? Are you still there?" He asked.
"I'm going to murder you!" I screamed.
"Daddy, I wanna go home!" Jasmine cried in the background.
How dare he use my daughter against me. "Leave her alone. Don't touch a single hair on her body!"
"What could I possibly do to her, Luca?"
"Do not touch her!"
"Too late." Before he hung up Jasmine let out the loudest ear ringing scream. I had to get to her.
⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕
I barged into Adrien's office searching for answers. He was typing away on his computer. He looked up when the door slammed against the wall.
"What's up with you?" He asked.
"Is this one of those drills?" I demanded. "Why are my kids in the hands of some lunatic!"
"Could you repeat that?"
"Asher had my kids for the weekend. He went missing and when I called his phone someone else picked up. They have my kids and I want them back."
Adrien sat there for a moment and sighed. What? I really want them back. Forget Asher and his kid. I didn't ask for them to be put in this mess. Lexi and I forbade this from happening.
"Send me the recorded call," He said.
"Sent. If you need anything before I leave I'm picking up something from my office." I shoved my phone in my pocket.
"...Okay." Adrien gestured for me to get out.
My office was on the second floor of the building. I wanted it on the sixth, but apparently that's where all the new agents were. I heard it was more quiet. A lot of the agents on the second floor annoyed the crap out of me. Especially Lewis. Sometimes I find myself wishing Wayne had shot him in the head. Or I could do it myself.
I stepped into the metal deathtrap and sighed. I sincerely hated my life at this point. I got disturbing news about Lexi. If this kept happening I was going to have to prepare the funeral earlier than expected. I thought I was the only one wanting her dead, but no, there's a lot more people who are willing to do it for me.
Just as the elevator was about to close a hand pushed the doors back. My eyes raked over the unkempt figure of Lewis. His eyes glared angrily at me. Was he crying? Maybe upon hearing the news about Lexi? I hadn't seen him since Wayne shot him, so how was I supposed to know how he was feeling both physically and mentally?
My nails dug into my palm as I tried to ignore him. He was muttering something to himself. What the heck! Was he going crazy? Sheesh, I didn't think Wayne could do that to anybody.
"Dude, are you okay?" I asked.
"Why do you care?" He snapped.
"It makes sense to worry about my fellow co-workers," I mocked. "Not unless you really don't care for me to care about your wellbeing. Wayne can make a person go crazy."
"...Shut up."
"Hmm, you must really be out of it today. No one tells me to shut up."
Lewis didn't say anything else. The elevator dinged and he bolted before the doors opened all the way. I scoffed and exited it myself.
I struggled against the ropes bounding me. A gag cut into my cheeks. There was no use in trying to call out when I knew no one could hear me. I recognized this place almost immediately. Just because the room was dark didn't mean the smell went away. I used to come here when Cameron would show me new upgrades. The holding cells always had a weird smell to it. I guess to make the person inside go crazy.
Time was endless. I knew it couldn't have been more than a few hours. The reporters outside the house would be wondering where I was if I suddenly didn't come out of the house. Plus, my car wasn't home making them assume I was getting into something I was supposed to. With the news about Lexi, I doubt they'd actually care that much.
My head fell forward and sweat dropped from my forehead onto the floor. It's that hot in here? I suddenly had to pee and the urge to get out of the ropes was strong. When the door opened behind me I was too excited. For a second I couldn't decide whether it was probably the Jackson guy or someone was going to take off the ropes so I could use the bathroom.
"Looks like you've had enough already." Lewis walked around my chair and removed the gag. He leaned the chair back. My head fell backwards. "Your daughter reminds me of someone I've seen before. How you haven't noticed is a true mystery."
I stared at the ceiling in amazement. Was that a swinging lightbulb? I haven't seen those in a minute. Does it even work? Eh, who cares? I felt a stinging sensation in my left cheek. He slapped me, didn't he? I turned my head to look at him and smirked. Did he really just try to hurt me? I didn't feel a thing!
"Don't you have anything to say!"
"She...is...my child," I said and laughed.
"...That's surprising." He laughed with me. "Considering how many men she's been with--and I know she has been with more than ten, I'm truly surprised she hasn't caught anything."
"Lexi isn't like that. She's only been with me. You want to include yourself to make yourself feel better. She never liked you just like everyone at the Agency."
"What!" Lexi slapped me again.
I held my tongue refusing to speak again. Of course I knew Lexi cheated on me at least once. That was enough for her. I don't care about that. Brad paid me to marry her only because he hated Asher. I was to keep her happy and out of the tabloids. It's sad she put herself in them.
"You don't care, do you?" He asked. "Because you have your weekend whores..." Lewis put my chair back down and took out a pocket knife. I didn't flinch as he cut the ropes around my wrists and ankles. It was like taking off a pair of handcuffs. Extremely refreshing.
"You'll have company later, but don't dwell on it too much. Jackson wants to speak with you face to face." He yanked me from the chair and dragged me to the door. I was more than surprised knowing he was strong enough to do this to me. I was two times his size and he was almost three years older than me. "Don't try anything stupid or I'd be happy to kill you."
I ignored him and tried to keep my balance. After a few minutes of walking, we stopped in front of huge, French doors. I always thought this part of the building was too extravagant. Everything around it looked like a dump. That's how you knew you were about to be in the presence of a leader. After a struggle to get them open, Lewis pushed me inside pulling the doors shut behind me.
"...I guess I could say I'm excited to see you again, Luca." The man was facing the window, so all I could see was the top of his head. "But, I haven't gotten what I asked for three weeks ago."
He turned around. It took me a moment to realize who I was looking at. Wow, I didn't think this Jackson was behind it! It's a small world after all.
"Jackson," I greeted.
"Yes, it is I." He smiled.
"Jackson Wilder. The same Jackson who worked at the AOC?" I shook my head in disbelief. He was always smoking something when I talked to him. How had so much changed in three weeks?
"Yes..."
"Jamless Jackson." I walked up to his desk.
"You didn't have to go that far, Luca," He muttered.
"Well, have I got a little somethin' for you." I punched him in his jaw. "That's for messing with my family."
Jackson rubbed his jaw. "I guess kind of deserve that. Have the police found out who dropped Wayne off yet, brother?"
"You don't deserve to call me brother," I snarled.
After a slight moment of silence, I sat down and proceeded to glare at him. Jackson and I--a very long time ago--used to be good friends. Everything we did together was to pass the time and confuse the people we worked for or with. At the time, we both were hopping from job to job and I'd just started working for Adrien. I don't know what happened to us.
Jackson seemed to be studying me. I stared back, my glare easing off a little. He tsked and shook his head. Was there something wrong with me? We were going to have to fight?
"I expected more from you, Luca," He said. "Why haven't I gotten the things I asked for?"
"I thought Jordan was on it. I saw him two weeks ago. Seemed like he was enjoying his time taking care of Lexi." I shrugged.
"...I'll call him about it. Want to go out to dinner?"
"Sure. Where're we going?" I asked.
"Somewhere. I want to tell you some things."
He stood up and stretched. I followed, but stopped before we got to the doors. If my children were here, then I would need them back. But...Asher wouldn't need to know that.
"My kids," I said.
"They're safe with your parents. Shall we go now?" Jackson opened the doors.
"Who's telling Asher?"
"Hahaha. Not me."
"I'm not either."