Saving Her (Blackstone, #3): Blackstone, #3

By Nickie Nalley Seidler

Agent Jack Blackstone's life explodes out of control when secrets from the past unravel. Committing to personally solve a case out of the bureau's eyes, leads to many questionable events. 

Jack fights to keep Stacy safe, amid the destructive path their life has taken. 
When you think the impossible can't happen, boom! His world is rocked. 
Jack will be fighting to save her.

This book contains mature content. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nickie Seidler
• Release date: Oct 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393768104

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Stacy

Watching Jack and Jessi hug was one of the most powerful images I have ever experienced in my life. Shock, was a word that described the way someone felt in an intense situation, whether it be good or bad. The dictionary would portray it as a cause of disturbance. My explanation of the definition would be utter relief being released from the body and pure magic residing in your heart. That was the expression on Jack's face. Pure happiness to see his sister, who is in fact, not dead. But also mixed with agony, questions, answers, a daring warning to why Jessi stood in his arms in the middle of a battered women’s shelter. My shelter. The word coincidence didn’t exist in my brain as I stood there watching them. What were the odds?

Jessi shook from head to toe. Practically skin and bones, badly beaten with fresh bruises mixed with old ones. An array of colors I was all too familiar with. Bloody from some cuts, Katie hurried over with the first aid kit. Her dark sinister hair washed out her pale complexion. She wore jeans that hugged her bony hips and the petite dirty stained tank top clung to her skin. Her ripped leather jacket dropped to the floor as she lunged for Jack. Words were not exchanged between the two and they still haven’t let each other go. For what seemed like an eternity, was actually only a few minutes in time. It was enough however, for me to gather an opinion. She looked horrific and my guess was it was from something bad, worse than we could even imagine. I wanted to wrap her up in a warm blanket and keep her safe. My heart ached for Jack in a way that was unexplainable. So much needed to be discussed. How was she standing in front of him and not buried in a grave in California? How ten years later she popped up in Chicago and why she hadn’t contacted her family sooner? The complexity of what happened had a million other questions attached and it was going to make for one extremely long night.

I can’t believe I’m hugging you right now. Jack whispered as he held her at arm’s length and looked at her like he was holding a packaged superhero, checking it out.

I’m in trouble, Jack. She sobbed.

Hey, come on, we have a room in the back. Let’s go warm up and sit down? I offered.

Yeah, good idea. He gently took Jessi’s hand and led her back to the guest area. I followed like I was nonexistent between the two.

She sat on the leather couch clutching her hands together nervously. Jack and I sat across from her, staring at her like police officers investigating a murder. Her hands rubbed up and down her arms to get the chill out while her body wouldn’t stop shaking.

I’m not even sure where to start. And I know I owe you ten years of explanations, but there’s something more important.

What is it? He asked.

My son has been kidnapped.

Jack’s eyes blinked rapidly, rendered speechless.

How old is your son? What is his name? Do you know who took him? I added helping Jack question the important things.

Are you a friend of Jack’s? She narrowed her angel eyes at me like she was intrigued to know why I was asking such personal questions.

This is Stacy, she’s my girlfriend and owner of this shelter, Jack added. This is my sister, Jessi. This is crazy. Jack lounged back in the opposite couch and rubbed his hand over his tired face.

I’m sorry, it’s nice to meet you. She smiled weakly. My son is nine. His name is Alex and I know exactly who took him.

Who took him? Jack’s brow furrowed.

His father.

Jack’s an FBI Agent, sweetie, he can help you.

Oh my God. I can’t have cops involved.

Jessi, I’m your brother. I will help you, nobody has to know.

Is everything ok? Do you want me to get the paperwork, Miss Watters? Katie peeked her head into the doorway.

Everything is ok, thank you, Katie, it won’t be necessary.

Won’t be necessary? Jack glared at me.

Well, she’s family, she won’t be staying here. I said.

Can I speak with you for a moment in private babe? He swallowed hard.

I stood up and smiled as I stepped out into the hallway with Jack right behind me.

Are you nuts? He whispered harshly.

Jack, that’s your sister right?

She’s been dead for ten years and is now alive, beaten to shit and her son is missing! She’s not staying with you. You know I don’t have the room! So, where does that leave her exactly? The shelter.

Seriously? My eyes widened.

Something is really wrong. She’s my sister and all, we still need to take precautions. She needs to fill out the paperwork. She’s been dead ten years and now she’s sitting here with a wild story of a son who has been kidnapped!

Jack, that’s embarrassing.

No, it’s not. It’s your business. You have rules to stick to no matter who it is.

"It’s your sister! Do you not realize that? I know you’re in shock, but she’s your sister."

I should go, I shouldn’t have come. Jessi popped up in the hallway and ambled toward the front.

No! Jessi wait. Jack jogged after her.

Look, I know I’m a ghost for you and you have every question under the sun and in due time I will explain it all, but I need to get Alex back with or without you.

Let’s calm down. I can help you. Can you give me more details?

Like what?

Like where you were when he was taken? What was he wearing? Do you have a picture of him? Is the kidnapper the same man who gave you those bruises? The more I know the better I can help, sis.

She shifted on her feet, staring at us in the hallway of the shelter. You could see her scared eyes while she contemplated whether or not to say anymore. It fascinated me to know she didn’t trust her own brother. Her flesh and blood. If she went through all she did, alone for the last ten years, I guess it wouldn’t be easy to trust anybody. Jack looked like a lost puppy unsure of whether to invite the lost soul inside his heart or put his guard up shielding it from any more hurt. I wouldn’t blame him either way. She dug into the only worn bag she carried with her and fidgeted with her shaky hands until she took a small piece of paper out handing it to Jack. He brought the paper closer to him and a warm smile spread over his face.

He looks just like you.

Alex and I were here in Chicago staying at an apartment on the south side. He was wearing jeans and a black Metallica T-shirt, and red gym shoes.

What happened with your apartment?

It wasn’t mine. After he disappeared the guy I stayed with kicked me out. Didn’t want the trouble. I had nowhere else to go until I came here. I looked up the nearest shelter and this one came up.

What’s the father’s name?

Nikolai Popolu, he goes by Niko.

I’m going to do everything I can to look into him. I’ll fly under the radar, nobody else will be involved. You can stay here to keep safe.

Thank you. I just want my son back.

I’ll get him back, Jessi. And I’m so glad I got my sister back.

I need some air. She excused herself and stepped outside.

Jack rubbed his eyes and cleared his throat.

Did this just happen?

Yeah, babe. It did. Are you ok? I slung my arm around him and nestled into his embrace.

Honestly, I have no fucking clue what to take on this. I want to know everything. I do know I need to get her son back in her care. One focus at a time. We should go home and get some rest.

Or out of these Halloween clothes, I winked.

That too.

I squeezed my fingers that were linked with Jack’s, and we said goodbye to Katie letting her know that Jessi would be staying at the shelter tonight. We hold off on the paperwork since it was so late.

Outside, the city slept. A buzz from the light poles gave way to the only sound you heard, occasionally a CTA bus came to a squeaky halt. Jessi was off to the corner puffing on a cancer stick. Dragging our feet cautiously, we approached her. Her head turned letting out the smoke from her long drag.

We’re going to head home. You can stay here tonight and we’ll be back tomorrow to start the process of getting Alex back. You have my word, Jessi.

She inhaled another drag of her cigarette, eyes trained on us before exhaling the smoke through her nose. See you tomorrow then.

It was really nice meeting you, Jessi. I shoved my hand out waiting for her to shake it. When she didn’t, I awkwardly brought my hand back down to my sides. Jack looked at me before looking back at Jessi confused by her cold remark. Knowing how Jack was, I whispered drop it before tugging on his arm, motioning for us to go back to the car.

Goodnight, He said.

When we walked up to the car, Jack turned to face me. His jaw ticked and his hands balled into fists. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to deal with this. To deal with her. Why the hell is she acting this way?

Babe, she’s been through hell and back. She doesn’t know who she can trust. Give her some time to open up.

He unlocked the car and we climbed in. The ride back to my apartment was silent except for the wind whirling outside our closed windows. It was nearing one AM and I was shocked that we had been there so late. Then again, I anticipated it being a longer night once we discovered the mysterious woman known as Jessi. So many unanswered questions and the way she was acting, it seemed we would have to pull teeth to get anything out of her. I swiped open my phone and decided to text Liam.

Me: Literally saw a ghost tonight. You won’t believe who it was.

My phone pinged back almost immediately, expecting him to be fast asleep, he wasn’t apparently.

Liam: Who?

Me: Jack’s sister...she’s alive and walked into the shelter tonight.

Liam: Holy shit! Didn’t she die like many years ago?

Me: Yeah, they just honored her ten year death-versary. Jack’s in shock and it’s going to be interesting hearing what the hell happened.

Liam: Wow. That’s insane.

Me: Why are you still awake?

Liam: Couldn’t sleep. A lot on my mind.

Me: Anything you want to talk about?

Liam: Nah, night sis. Keep me updated on the infamous Jack’s sister.

Swiping again, my phone went dark. Jack pulled the car into a parking spot and cut the engine. He leaned back into the seat and let out a huge breath. Running my hand up his leg, I tried desperately to calm him. Knowing how much he needed me now more than ever.

Can you believe you have a nephew?

It excites me more than you can imagine. I have to get him back, I’ll do whatever it takes.

We just need sleep. I patted his knee.

Yeah, I want to wake up just once with no nightmares.

I knew what he meant and he wasn’t speaking figuratively. Jessi was his nightmare because as much as it was wonderful to see her alive standing before him, she held a lot of secrets and at this very moment, some I wasn’t sure we’d ever know. There were a lot of skeletons in her closet, and she asked the one person unintentionally to hold her hand, and solve her madness. Jack was without a doubt the man for the job. That wasn’t what I was worried about. I was sick over the fact that I wasn’t sure if what we found out was something he could mentally handle. Call it a hunch, or a gut feeling. Whatever wandered in the dark corners of Jessi’s life, was going to haunt us, and tear every little heart string Jack held onto, and the blame in his gut for her death. Well, her visibly fake death. Now it was going to hit him harder if he really couldn’t save her.

CHAPTER 2

Jack

The window was cracked open in Stacy’s bedroom as the breeze that blew in kept my body cool from the night sweats that ate me alive. Sleep wasn’t in my damn vocabulary, after I lay there minute after minute restless, thinking of all the possibilities that could have happened with Jessi. My mind raced, full internet browser while I searched over and over turning from one side to the other trying hard not to wake my sleeping beauty. Stacy was my rock and she held me together like a mold. She was my glue, the only thing keeping me from breaking.

My sister, my dead sister, stood before me battered, and desperate in finding her son. And the one person she could trust, she questioned. Stacy said she probably doesn’t trust anyone still, I was her older brother. Always, I stayed on her side and stuck up for her, even when she was wrong. Holding her on a pedestal above any person in the world and there she stood, not trusting me. Through all of her addiction, I was right there brushing her hair and keeping her calm from our parents blow outs.  Now, she didn’t trust me.

Something terrible happened. My line of work made my heart scream that it was more than a kidnapping. Jessi was my sister although surprisingly, I wasn’t really trusting her either. Something was off. Not being able to pinpoint what that was, it was just a feeling in my gut. I had every right to be skeptical. What right did Jessi have? Who knew? My thoughts were endless. I dug into the search engine on my phone and started to research anything, if anything would pop up. I wasn’t having much success. Plans needed to be created, if I couldn’t sleep, I’d plan.

Babe? Stacy shifted under the covers, her groggy voice was like an angel to my ears.

Shh, go back to sleep. I tucked the covers around her, and slung my arm around her body, holding her tightly to mine. Maybe my cuddle would help her sleep. I knew nightmares still plagued Stacy. I had two broken women now to try to heal.

Cuddling must have helped me, because the alarm on Stacy’s phone woke us both out of a slumber. Fuck. Why was her alarm set for the weekend?

She slapped her phone hitting the alarm button ceasing the blaring tone back to a silent room. Her leg twisted over mine and my morning wood heightened at her touch. Mushing her face into the pillow she snuggled against me. I let out an exasperated breath, and held my overwhelmed heart, praying it would slow leveling out the heartbeat. Closing my eyes, negotiating with the evil voice in me to let me sleep a little longer, knowing the little sleep I did get wasn’t much. My wishes disintegrated when Stacy sat up right in the bed.

Morning. She yawned. Sorry, must have forgot to turn my alarm off.

Jessi stays at the shelter. She fills out the paperwork and this gets processed like anyone else.

She rolled off the bed planting her feet on the ground. She shimmied up her pj pants and her hands flew to her hips.

You’re going to argue about this right now? She yawned.

I’m not arguing. I don’t trust the situation and for me to keep you safe, she stays there.

Fine. When she holds it against you, just remember whose decision it was.

My phone startled me and I reached to see who the intruding caller was. When Olivia’s name appeared on my screen my heart sank.

Hello? I answered.

Jack, it’s Olivia. Greta is not doing well. I’m not sure she’ll make it much longer.

How much time?

Well, I’m not God, my guess would sadly put her under an hour, sweetie.

I’ll be right there.

I ended the call and looked at Stacy’s pleading eyes. My world was rocked and my atlas was realigned.  Knowing Greta’s grim fate, my heart shattered in two. Memories danced in my mind like a tease of the reality of what happened hit home. One where Greta was happy and very much alive. Providing me the best day possible.

What happened? Stacy interrupted my thoughts and brought me back down to Earth.

Greta’s not good. I have to go now.

I’m coming with you. The pj pants she just put on were already off and jeans replaced them with a white long sleeve T-shirt. She gathered her hair and piled it into a mop on her head. I felt paralyzed as I sat on the bed not wanting to move and face what would be, the second worst moment of my life. The first was burying my sister and now it was watching the mother I loved fade away into a heaven I faithfully believed in.

Dragging my feet over to the edge of the bed, Stacy bent at the knee, eye level with me. I won’t let you go through this alone. I’m here. She took my hand in hers and squeezed it hard before pressing her pink lips to the top of my hand.

I wasn’t sure what willed my feet to move but they forced me to dress and Stacy led me to the car. The quick drive down the block felt like tiny knives carrying me to a small death. My mom described Jessi’s death as not only mourning her daughter but as losing a piece of me that went with her. Truthfully, I felt that a chunk of my heart was chiseled off on the way over to my apartment. The fall rain pelted down on the windshield covering my broken heart with just enough water to make me feel like I was drowning. Stacy forced me out of the car and Olivia met us at the door. My eyes reached hers and she offered me a sympathetic smile.

I’ve made her comfortable, Jack. She won’t feel anything. Go be with her.

I breathed in and out tracing my steps to the back bedroom where Greta was. Stacy held my hand and followed closely by my side. Once we reached the doorway I looked at the woman before me resting peacefully, with her big brown eyes watering as she looked me over.

Come here, son. Her voice broke.

I wasn’t expecting her to be coherent, and I was hoping I wouldn’t have to speak. But there she was and it took everything in me not to break. Stacy nudged me forward and I knelt down at her bed, Greta’s hand reached for mine. Her touch was cold as ice, and sent shivers through my body.

I need you to know that my love for you was as real as love can get, Jack.

You don’t need to tell me, I know and I’m grateful for everything.

Take this. She opened her hand and released a key into mine. There are secrets I’ll take to my grave. But the one that holds the most regret is right here. Do what is right in your heart. Her breath hitched and before I could ask questions or respond, her chest stopped moving. An ugly cry escaped my mouth and tears I didn’t know I had existed watered my face as I watched the woman who raised me, very much a mother to me, pass away right before me. Stacy’s arms embraced me and my body wracked with sobs while the grown ass man I was, let out a roaring release. The last time I cried was ten years ago, and now I was crying because I lost a special person to me, while I spent my whole life living. Saving people I knew would never bring back my sister, and now there she was. I would save the world to have kept Greta here.

I’m so sorry, baby. Stacy kissed the top of my head. I stood up and pushed her away slowing back up from the scene that played in front of me.

I need air. I shoved past her and Olivia while I stormed out the front door.

They said there were five stages of grief. 1. Denial and isolation; 2. Anger; 3. Bargaining; 4. Depression; 5. Acceptance. I was skipping straight to anger and I wasn’t sure how long it was going to last, but I wanted to hurt something and the only thing that flashed through my mind was