Past Enemies by Dawn Viloria at Inkitt

Chapter 1

Prologue:

Peter and Isa had decided to go on a little bit of a road trip. Peter had been on a rather tough case for the last few months and just wanted to get away. He had been getting threats against this family nothing new there but this time there was something that was different about it. The defendant that he was prosecuting was rather evil and his poor kids would probably turn out just like him. He needed to go and see his daughter Jenny. Just to see that she was okay. That he hadn’t found her like he said that he would. He just wanted his girls to be safe. He knew the twins were since they were at camp for the week. So it was just Jenny that they needed to check on. She was somewhere up in The Mountains shooting her latest blockbuster. At a very young age she had hit stardom and yet it hadn’t changed her in the least bit. She was the same caring young woman that she had always been. He was so proud of her for that. He didn’t want this mess that he was in right now to even come close to touching her. Or anything that she had built for herself. She didn’t deserve that. He hadn’t even told Isa about what was going on. But he knew that sooner or later he was going to have to. He chose to tell her later. He would give her this one weekend without any worries. And then after that he would tell her that they were in danger. And together like always they would decide what to do and how to handle this.

Three months earlier:

He was sitting there reading through a few cases that he was working on. Trying to figure out how he was going to proceed when an email came across his desk. He knew that there was a new case in the works and from what he had been reading it was a rather bad one. He didn’t know if he wanted to take it or not because if something happened to his family he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself. But it was going to be a big case and then maybe the partners would finally see him for the brilliant lawyer that he was. He opened the email and was shocked to see what was in it.

Mr. Peter Santos,

You are to take on the new case and lose it. Majorly bomb the case and let Domick Zone walk free. If you don’t your family will be the ones to pay. Don’t tell anyone about this and just let it be. If you do this correctly your family will be just fine. If not then your three daughters and that wife of yours will be dead and it will be your entire fault.

Peter’s heart fell to the floor. This is what he didn’t want. He knew that this man was dangerous and had killed before so what would prevent him from doing it again. And this time it was his family on the line. But he couldn’t just let this man walk free to kill again. That was against his nature and his wife would say the same thing. But then again if he didn’t lose this case and his girls were hurt or killed or his wife he would never forgive him for it. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He knew what Isa was going to say. She wouldn’t want him to give up on a very important case. But this was the lives of his family that he was messing with. He put it out of his head as he pulled up to the house where Jenny was staying. It wasn’t anything to blink an eye at. It was a beautiful cabin that she had rented while she was up here. He knew that it was a vacation paradise and wondered where she had found it so cheap. He helped his wife out of the car and took their bags up to the house. Never knowing that they were being watched from inside the house. The man that was in the house smiled. He knew what he was supposed to do this weekend. He just didn’t know if he could do it or not. He had been watching Jenny for quite some time now. She was as beautiful as her posters made her out to be. She was a rare beauty.

He shook his head he was going to have to go through with this. He would take out the parents first and over the years get rid of the rest of the line. That way it didn’t look suspicious. He would be free of the curse that was his father once and for all. Maybe he would even be able to be seen as his father’s son instead of just a secret weapon he liked to use now and then. His brothers would know of him. But he had so much to do first before he could do this. He had to find a way to get into their lives so he could do this quietly and it wouldn’t come back on him. He already had his brothers in position to take out the other girls. This was going to have to get him in the good graces of his father for once. Then he wouldn’t be the bastard child that he was labeled. He would actually belong to someone and be able to be acknowledged by his brothers.

He would wait till tonight and then when everyone was asleep he would somehow get to the car and make it seem like an accident when they went home. He wasn’t sure how long they were staying but he would get this part over with and then over the years he would get rid of the rest of the family like his father would want him to. A smile sprung on his face as he thought about what was going to happen. He had giddiness about him that he didn’t quite understand. He didn’t like killing people but these were people that deserved it. They were trying to take his dad away from him. And that just wasn’t right. He needed his dad. His dad wasn’t a bad man just took extreme measures. They wouldn’t know what hit them when he got through with them. The years that this was going to take was going to be well worth it. Maybe he could get the help from his brothers in the end when the girls were old enough.

Peter was on edge all weekend and he just didn’t understand why. He knew that there was something off with everything. But his daughter was happy and that was all that mattered. They were able to be on a few of her shoots and he was amazed at how wonderful she was. Once she got into character she made you feel like you were in a story. She completely transformed herself. In this movie she was the shy bullied high school student trying to make it through the year. But she had hidden talents that nobody knew about. And now she was at the point where the high school jock was starting to notice her. He knew that she was going to go far in this business. There was just no way that she couldn’t. And he had a feeling that Jordan was going to follow in her footsteps. He wasn’t too sure about his Jerrica. She was too shy for this sort of thing she was more of a behind the scenes type of person. He was so proud of his girls. A tinge of guilt once again hit him. Because of him their lives might be short lived. He had to tell Isa on the way home today about what was going on and see what she thought that he should do. She was always good with that. Maybe then they could come up with a plan that would save his family that he wanted to keep alive. To see the grandkids that they were going to have one day. To watch those boys that grew up next door to see what they would turn out like. They had a rough patch when their parents died. He remembered that day. He had lost his best friend and so had Isa and even his girls when their little friend was in the car. The boys had been saved because they had been at a football camp. They had taken them in while they finished school. He had a feeling that his little girl Jordan had a thing for Caleb but he was far from ready to start any kind of relationship. He was in the police academy while Brent was going to start college in the fall and his little girl was only sixteen and Caleb was in his twenties. Sometimes he wondered if Jenny and Brent would ever have anything. And right now Jerrica was going through something with her boyfriend. To be a father of girls was nerve racking. But it was so worth it. He loved his girls with all of his life.

They were out at breakfast thanks to Jenny. He watched as people came up and wanted her autograph. She would introduce them as her parents. Yes most definitely proud of his little girl. After breakfast they were leaving to go home and get there before the girls got there. And he would have time to talk to Isa about what was going on. It was just this feeling of unease that had him concerned. He didn’t want to worry his wife or his daughters. The talk over the breakfast was light and fun. He loved to watch his girls talk about anything and everything. It made his heart a little lighter and made him thing that things were actually going to be okay.

They finally made their goodbyes to Jenny promising that they would be back up here soon and bring her sisters to see her. They climbed in the car and drove off. Isa was so excited to see this new movie that she was doing. She couldn’t help but bubble about their daughter. He smiled at that. And he regretted that he was going to have to take that away from her and let her know that this family was in danger. He listened for her for a few minutes before he would burst her bubble. He noticed that he was going downhill and he was going too fast. He tried to push on the brakes but it was like they weren’t there. He knew this was bad. He heard Isa stop talking and looked over at her and saw the fear in her eyes. He knew that she knew that there was trouble coming for them. They were picking up speed and there was nothing that he could do. In the back of his mind he knew that this was it for them. They would never see their girls again. And Domick wins. He looks at his wife and sees the knowledge in her eyes that this is it for them. He tried to drive the car as best as he could to get them to safety but the cliff that leads to a valley is coming up fast. He couldn’t do anything to stop the car or take the turn at the incredible speed that they were going. He looked over at Isa and saw the tears running down her face as she knew that this was it for them. He grabbed her hand and the last thing that he is able to say is that he loved her, before the car went over the cliff. It was like watching a movie on the big screen as the ground came up towards them in slow motion. He couldn’t close his eyes. He just heard the soft gasp of Isa next to him. His last thought was of his girls. Then everything is black. All the plans that they had had about the grandkids that they would someday have is taken away from them. Their girls in a split second would only have each other to rely on. They were orphans now. Never again would he hear about their day or hold them close.

He watched from high up. And the moment the car went over the cliff he knew that what he set in motion couldn’t be reversed. He was sad because he had met the Santos a few times and they seemed to be good people but this was for his family. A family that had always kept him secret. This was going to be the only way for him to get some status in the family. Now he needed to keep on track to get this job finished.

Chapter One

Jenny sighed as she finally made it home after a long drive. It gave her time to think over the decisions that she had made. She knew that her manager wouldn’t understand but, she knew that she needed to be home. When she was away she longed for it. Even though the one person that she wanted more than her next breath was here. The Hollywood scene was no longer for her. She wanted to be with her family. They had been through so much the last six years and it had brought them even closer. And now with two more additions to the family she wanted to be around to watch them grow. She had her designing career that she could focus on. Even though that would put her close to Brent. That was just a dream that she was going to have to let die and give up the fantasy of having kids and growing old with him. Something she had held onto since she was a kid. She would just have to give up on loving Brent and hope that the love she had for him would at some point fade away.

She parked the car and just sat there for a moment and closed her eyes. She should have told someone that she was coming home but she needed some time to think about the next steps in life that she was going to take. She would call Jo first thing in the morning. If anyone would understand it would be her sister. She had gone through the same thing with Caleb for years the only difference was that Caleb had come around to her way of thinking. Even though Jordan was worse than a bulldog when she got an idea in her mind. Brent would never do that. He was stubborn. Worse than his brother. She could see that now. There was something that just scared him and he could never get over it. He had never told her about it. She didn’t know if he had told anyone about it. Maybe he would never get over it. She was going to have to move on some point in her life and try to be happy.

She shook her head. She would be able to work it out just because it was who she was. But it didn’t mean that it didn’t hurt. Some part of her was dying on the inside. But it was something that you just put away and moved on. She had done this more times than she wanted to think about. She walked up the stairs to her porch then decided that she was going to walk around for a while give her some time to think. She didn’t want to go in that dark and lonely house just yet. She walked back down the stairs and around the back. She was halfway across the back yard when the house went up in flames. The blast sent her flying backwards and knocked her out. The last thing she was thinking of was she should have told someone that she was here.

He waited patiently in the shadows. It was about time that she was coming home. He had been waiting for her to come home. To finally have this done and over with. Something that should have already been started with her sisters but his brothers was stupid. Now it was left to him to finish the task and take out the Santos clan. He had to think about the little ones. They were innocent. He wasn’t sure that he could take them out. But the sisters had taken all his family from him so it was time that he paid them back. And this time he was going to start with Jenny. He cleared the little debris that had fallen on her and looked down at her. She was a beautiful creature. This didn’t surprise him. He knew what had caught his brother’s eyes. They were a beautiful mix of evil. But he wasn’t going to let himself get caught up in this little fantasy. But that didn’t mean that he wasn’t going to have a little fun with her before he killed her. And then it was going to be her sister’s turn to die. He gently put a piece of paper on her shirt he knew that Brent would find it. And it would send him over the edge. As he put everything back in place he thought about how the Watson brothers were going to take this. He couldn’t wait to see the look on the face of Caleb when he found out who he was. That was going to be another perk to what he was doing. His family would be able to rest in peace and he would be able to get on with his life because nobody would ever find him again. He took one more look at the beauty that laid there in front of him. Soon she would be with him and at his mercy. Then the fun would begin. He laughed as he heard the sirens in the background. It was time to put his mask back on before his ploy was up.

Chapter Two

Brent sat at his desk looking over some of the proofs that he had taken today. Jordan was getting ready to put her wedding collection together. A project that had been in the making for the last six years. He was so proud of his sister in law. She had been through so much but she had come out on top. Both of them had. Jerrica finally found love and someone that would make her stay in one place and feel safe. Then his mind went to Jenny. He always saw the hurt in her eyes every time he refused the love that she so freely gave him. But he just wasn’t ready. Now he was starting to see what kind of jerk he was being. He missed her so much when she was gone. He wished that she would come home so they could try again. He knew that he could do right by her. He was no longer going into danger to be a photographer. He let that go after Jerrica. Now he ran S&W with Jordan and Jenny when she was in town. He knew that she wanted to do movies again and the first one that she did had been a hit. Now she was on another one that from the looks of it was going to be another hit. He knew that she was talented. But he still worried. He knew that the threat to the girls was far from over. He just didn’t know when it was going to pop up again. And with her being in L.A by herself wasn’t good. But what could he say. As far as she thought she didn’t mean anything to him.

That could change all he had to do was picking up the phone and let her know what he felt. What he had been scared to feel all of these years. The only problem, would she be able to forgive him for the stupid reason he had run from her. Maybe first thing in the morning he would call and talk to her see what she thought about it. But for now he needed to go home and get some sleep. He had been looking at the same pose for the last fifteen minutes. He grabbed his keys and jacket and headed out the door. He heard all the sirens as he went to the car but thought nothing about it. There was probably a grass fire or something that needed attention. It had been a dry and hot summer. He got into his car and headed towards Jenny’s a nightly ritual. As he got closer to it there was a strange glow to the horizon. Something in his stomach started to turn to lead. Even before he got over the hill he knew that it was Jenny’s house that was on fire. He was just glad that she wasn’t here to see this. At least she was safe in L.A. he pulled up to the house as close as he could just as his brother was stepping out of his car.

“Brent have you heard from Jenny?” Caleb asked.

“No why would I? What’s going on? What happened here?” Brent said not liking this one little bit.

“I don’t know I just got the call but from the looks of it her house is gone. I was going to get a hold of her and let her know but she’s not answering.”

“Maybe she is sleeping or working.” Brent said knowing that it wasn’t true.

“I know something just seems off. I don’t know what though.” Caleb said.

“Well your gut usually doesn’t fail you.” Brent said looking at the house. He was having the same feelings that his brother was having.

He looked around trying to see what was out of place. He knew this property like the back of his hand. Then he saw it. Jenny’s car was right out front. That meant she was here at the house.

“Oh my God Caleb. Look! Jenny’s car is here!” Brent said pushing his hands through his hair.

Caleb didn’t say anything back to Brent just ran down to the command post and the officer in charge. “Has anyone checked the house?” He demanded.

“No sir we haven’t. I didn’t think that Ms. Santos was home.”

“That’s her car sitting right over there. Have someone check inside the house for her.” Caleb said desperately.

“Cal, if anyone was still in that house they wouldn’t have survived it. The house is gone.” Carl explained to his former boss.

“NO! She’s not gone look for her.” Brent said coming up behind them.

“Brent they are going to look for her. She wasn’t in the house she couldn’t be. That would just be too easy.” Caleb said trying to keep his calm demeanor. He scanned the front of the house but he saw nothing there.

He motioned for Brent to follow him and they went around back. He knew that she liked to take a walk so maybe to stretch out after a long day she would have walked around her gardens in the back. They went around the back but at first glance there was nothing there but debris everywhere. He looked closer and under some of that debris he thought that he saw a small hand. He ran over there with Brent on his heels and gently dug through it. Jenny lay at the bottom of it.

“Carl! We need the medics over here.” Caleb yelled as Brent knelt next to her to take a pulse.

“Cal, her pulse is strong. Her head is bleeding though.”

“Here take this. Gently put it on her head.” Caleb said taking off his jacket and handing it to his brother.

“Jen, baby look at me.” Brent begged her.

“Keep talking to her Brent.” Caleb said pulling out his phone. Brent knew he was going to be circling around the wagons.

“Jenny what did you do to yourself. Why didn’t you let someone know that you were home?” Brent asked checking to see if there was something else that they had missed when he found the paper. He gently pulled it away from her.

Three sisters

Of the Santos clan

Will one by one

Die by my hand.

You don’t know me.

You never will.

But you will know what I felt.

You took from me

Now I take from you

Now sit back and watch what I do.

Brent wanted to wrap his hand around this person’s neck. He didn’t understand what was going on. What had happened to make the girls hated like they were? He looked up to see Caleb standing there looking down at him with the same grave look that he was feeling. Brent was careful not to handle the note too much so he handed it over to Caleb and looked back down at Jenny. This was the last time this family was going to be in danger. They were going to make a statement. Nobody messes with this family and gets away with it.

Jenny’s head felt like someone was hammering away on it with a hammer. She didn’t understand what was going on. She knew that she had come home but why did it smell like fire. Maybe she had been dreaming. She opened her eyes and the pain worsened. Along with the ringing. After everything started coming into focus she saw Brent’s handsome face marred with worry. What was he doing in her house? She didn’t even know that he was in town. She tried to move but everything hurt.

“Baby please don’t move. It’s ok.” Brent said glad to see she was awake.

“Brent what happened? Why are you here?” Jenny asked confused. She looked around and saw all the police and firemen.

“Something happened to your house sweetheart.” Brent tried to explain while he was being pulled out of the way.

Brent hated the confusion on her face as she looked around. But at least she was awake and alive. But he knew that if this manic was to get his hands on her that could change in a blink of an eye. And no matter what kind of precautions they took he could get to her. Just like they had with Jerrica and Jordan. But he looked at them now and they were flourishing. With their kids. They only had a few reminders of what had happened to them years before. They were a strong bunch of women. And he knew that Jenny was the strongest but from the sounds of it this man was getting desperate to get rid of them. But the same question is why? What had this family done that been so bad that they deserved total extinction? That was the question that still needed to be answered.

Brent followed the medics as they put Jenny in the ambulance. They didn’t argue when he got in behind them and he was thankful for that. Right now he wasn’t sure that he could leave her side. He had done that too many times before. Now he was going to have to show her that he was done with that. From the looks of everything she was lucky she wasn’t hurt worse. She had a cut on her head and some bumps and bruises but they wanted to make sure that there wasn’t any internal damage done to her. When they got to the hospital she was whisked away and they wouldn’t let him go with them. So he was left in the waiting room. He hated to wait. He looked up to see Caleb coming through the doors the phone on his ear. Likely talking to Jordan or Jerrica. He waved at Caleb when he looked up. He quickly got off the phone and went over to his brother.

“Anything yet?” Caleb asked.

“No they took her back and I haven’t heard anything. Do you think it’s starting again?” Brent asked the question that he knew would be on all their minds.

“Yes as much as I don’t want it to be.” Caleb said

“This almost feels like the final show down. What if we’re not that lucky this time?” Brent said afraid that they might lose.

“I’m not losing Jordan. Jake won’t lose Jerrica. He’s not taking Jenny. He’s messing with the wrong family Brent. He should get it in his head that he’s not going to take us down. We’ll take him down first.” Caleb said with deadly steel in his voice.

“Have you talked to Jo?” Brent asked.

“Yes she should be here any time now. She’s not too happy that Jenny didn’t tell anyone that she was coming home. She knows better than that.”

“I know. I wonder if the movie took a break.”

“I don’t know.” Caleb said calmly.

Brent couldn’t sit down anymore. He needed something to do. He wanted to rush into the back and see Jenny. To make sure that she was really okay. He wanted to do so much to make up for the time that he had wasted running from the feelings that he had for her. He looked up and saw that Jordan was rushing through the doors with Candy in her arms. She ran to Caleb and he gently took her in his arms. Brent always loved how Caleb took such good care of Jordan. Even before he gave into his feelings for her. He listened as Caleb explained what had happened to Jenny. Brent walked over there and took Candy out of Jordan’s arms needing something to do and so he could distract the little girl from what was going on. She was only three but she was smart.

“Santos family?”

“Right here. How is she? Is she okay?” Jordan said taking the lead

“She’s good. She’s awake. Bumps and bruises for the most part. She has a concussion but I don’t think it’s too serious.” The doctor explained.

“Can we go see her?”

“Only two at a time right now. We are going to keep her overnight just as a precaution.”

“Brent you and Jo go in. I’ll stay out here with Candy. I got a few more calls to make anyway.” Caleb said kissing Jo on the head.

Chapter Three

He followed the doctor and Jordan down the hallway. He didn’t know what to expect when he walked into the room. She was lying on the bed. She was so pale but at least she was awake. He could see some of the scratches that was on her face and knew that it could be much worse. There was a white bandage on her forehead where she had been bleeding and he could see the bruising around it. It killed him that someone had hurt her and he wasn’t there to protect her. There was also a shielded look in her eyes. Something that he had hoped he would never see there but he knew that he deserved it. After all that he had put her through he was surprised that she was even talking to him still.

“Stop it Brent.” Jenny said pulling him from his thoughts

“Stop what Jen?” he smiled at her.

“I can hear your thoughts all the way over here. This wasn’t your fault. It’s not like you made my house blow up did you. Or anyone for that matter. Was probably a gas leak.” Jenny said then looked at the Brent’s face and her heart dropped. Knowing the answer before anyone said anything. “Wasn’t a gas leak was it?”

“No, it was intently.” Brent said not able to look at her. Knowing that she would put two and two together.

“He’s back isn’t he?” Jenny asked knowing the truth without it being spoken.

“Yes he’s back.”

“Jerrica? Where is she? She could be in danger? And little Edward. What about Candy? And you Jordan?” Jenny was worried about everyone else but herself.

“Honey we are safe. Cal has Candy and I’m sure that he’s talking to Jerrica right now. You’re the one that he has come after first. So it’s you are in danger. How are you feeling? Better yet why didn’t you tell anyone that you were coming home? I thought that you were working on a movie.”

“I quit.”

“You quit? Why? What happened?” Jordan asked sitting on the bed next to her sister.

“I just couldn’t do it anymore. I wanted to be with my family. There is more than making movies. It just wasn’t for me anymore.” Jenny said with downcast eyes.

“I still don’t understand why you didn’t tell anyone. You know the danger that is out there for us.” Jordan said mad and scared.

“I know Jo, I honestly didn’t think of it.”

“Okay I’m sorry Jen, I just worry about you. And now this is happening.” Jordan said getting up to pace.

“Little sister I’m the one who’s supposed to worry. I’m fine. He didn’t get to me. I’ll be careful now that we know what he’s up to again.” Jenny assured her sister.

“Jen that’s not enough. He’s after this family I have no idea what for but he thinks that we all deserve to die.” Jordan said afraid for her sister.

“I know that Jo and I’m not going to make it easy for him. Nor am I going to stick my head in the sand and try to hide from him. He will not rule my life.” Jenny said with a stubbornness Jordan had never heard from her.

“Jen that’s not the point. The point is you need to be careful. Your family needs you Jen. Every one of us.” Jordan said looking at Brent pointy.

“She’s right Jen; you can’t take chances like that again. As much as we would like to think he won’t get past us his brothers have twice before and almost killed your sisters. We don’t want a third time to be a charm. Your sisters need you and if you will let me I need you.” Brent said.

Jenny didn’t know what she had just heard. Brent didn’t need anyone but himself he had always been that way so why say something like that to her now knowing how she felt for him. She didn’t dare let herself start dreaming of weddings and kids and growing old. She had done that too many times before to let herself fall that fast once again. She was going to make him work for it this time. She knew what her sister was thinking looking at her. Brent had always been her weakness. But this time she was damned if she was going to let him get too close to her and hurt her again. She smiled at her sister letting her know she wasn’t going to make this easy for him. This time she was going to be prepared for him to let her down. That’s what he did.

Brent knew there was some kind of unspoken sister talk. He knew it was him that was going to have to pay and to tell you the truth he deserved it. He had been horrible to Jenny. He deserved to be made to grovel a little. A lot if he wanted to be honest. She was a smart woman and wouldn’t let him come back that easy again. She didn’t have a reason too. But he was going to prove to her that he deserved another chance this time. That he had seen the error of his ways. He smiled down at her. She smiled back but it was strained. She was keeping herself guarded. She was going to be surprised at what the end was going to be.

Something had changed in Brent. She could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. The fact that he was even in town surprised her. He was usually in some other country taking amazing pictures to show the world what was going on. But it was more to run from her and whatever it was that made him scared. But she couldn’t think about that right now. She had other things to handle. This monster was after her family again and this time he came after the wrong sister. She wasn’t going to let him get to her other two sisters. They had been through too much already and they were mothers. She would take him out first even if that meant that she would die in the process. This time was going to be the end of it. She just had to figure out how she was going to do this and keep her family safe.

“Ms. Santos.” The doctor came through the door.

“Hello.”

“Well it looks like for as bad as the house explosion sounds you made it out good. We just want to keep you over night to watch you. You do have a concussion but we just want to make sure there‘s nothing more serious.” the doctor explained.

“Okay, not that I want to.” Jenny said.

“It will just be a night I’m sure of it Ms. Santos. We just want to make sure that you didn’t do more damage than it looks. But I’m positive that you haven’t and you will be out of here tomorrow. Right now how about you try and get some rest. You guys need to go home and rest too.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to stay here in this chair if it’s all the same to you.” Brent said with no room for argument.

“Okay. But Jordan you need to go home and get some rest.”

Jordan nodded her head. She said goodnight to Jenny and headed out the door to find Caleb. She knew that the doctor had been with this family through everything. He knew what this family went through. And now that they were going through it again he was afraid for them. Brent just sat silent in the chair while the doctor looked her over one more time. And the nurse came in and gave her something to help her with the pain. Jenny was sometimes so stubborn and didn’t tell people that she was in pain. But he could tell that her head was hurting her something bad. He smiled at her knowing that she was still trying to figure him out. But that was going to have to be another problem for another day. He watched her drift off to sleep as the pills took effect and soon he followed her.

Chapter Four

As she looked around she noticed that there was seven chairs sitting around a table and her family was in each of those chairs. None of them moving though their eyes were open and accusing her. She knew that they were dead. Even the little ones. All of them dead because she couldn’t protect them. It was her job to protect them. And she had failed miserably. Tears were streaming down her face. Tears of sadness and rage. Why had they come after her family? What had they done that was so awful? Questions she wanted answered but knew they would never be. She knew that there was someone behind her. When she turned she saw a faceless man. He had a knife dripping with blood. And she knew it was her turn to die. She was ready. She didn’t want to live without her family. Everyone was gone now. She closed her eyes as her rushed to her. She welcomed death. She wanted to be with her family. The ones that she had so miserably failed.

Brent heard Jenny crying out in her sleep. He woke up and was at her side in an instant. Gently he took her in his arms and tried to wake her up. Whatever it was had to be something bad. She was shaking and crying uncontrollably. Something she never did. He didn’t like it one bit. He shook her gently trying to get her to wake up out of whatever night mare she was in. He didn’t want to see her scared like this. She was the strongest woman that he knew.

“Jen, honey come on wake up.” Brent said calmly. “It’s okay, you’re safe now. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

“Brent?” Jenny asked confused.

“Yes baby. You’re okay it was just a bad dream.” Brent said looking down into her eyes.

“Where is everyone? Are they okay? Are you okay?” Jenny said looking him over.

“Honey I’m fine. Do you want to talk about it?” Brent asked laying her back down but keeping her hand in his.

“I was in a room with a table and all of you guys were sitting there. You were dead but I could see it in your eyes that you blamed me. I couldn’t protect you. I turned around and a man was coming at me his blade was dripping with blood. I welcomed it. I wanted to die because he had taken everything else from me and there was nothing more to live for.” Jenny said her voice thick with tears.

“Oh baby that was just a dream. We are all okay and were not going to let anything happen to this family.” Brent said crawling into the bed with her and just holding onto her.

She knew it was true but the nightmare still had her a little on edge. She was going to have to be more careful. This wasn’t going to be how this family ended. She would make sure of that. She would take down this man and keep him far away from her family. He would never hurt them gain. If he thought that she was just going to lay there and take it without fighting back this man was stupid. She wasn’t some puppy dog that he had just kicked. This was her family and their future. She wasn’t about to let that get taken away for anyone. Even if that meant that she would have to give up her own life. But that would have to be a last resort. She was glad Brent moved in and lay down beside her. It felt nice to be held by him. It felt like home to her. She slowly fell back to sleep with the sound of his heartbeat.

Brent smiled when he felt her relaxing next to him. He knew that she was afraid and he didn’t blame her. But maybe she wouldn’t be so afraid of him from now on. This was where he belonged. Always had but he wasn’t too sure that he could make her happy. He was stupid. Something that he was going to have to make up for. But he had the rest of their lives for that. He cuddled closer to her and soon he was drifting off to sleep also.

What a cute couple these two made. He stood over them wanting to just end it right there but something stopped him. Even though she was covered in bruises and scratches. Once again her beauty called to him. He didn’t know why she was calling to him like this. He wanted to end Brent for being in the same bed as her but he knew that would be useless. Brent didn’t know what kind of people the whole Santos clan was. It wasn’t his fault they were all users. Caleb and Jake had fallen under their spell and he was going to help them out of it. The way he saw it he was doing a favor to them. And those poor kids, having mothers like that. They would be twisted and deceitful if he didn’t destroy them. So all around him was doing a good deed for everyone. In time they would forgive him and thank him for what he was doing. But for now he had to let things happen as they would. He couldn’t give his cover away just yet. There was still so much more that he needed to do. Brent started to stir so that was his queue to get out of there and fast. One last look and he quietly went out the door. There was still so much planning to do.

Brent had the oddest feeling that he was being watched. He woke up to an empty room. He got up and looked around. Once he was satisfied that there was no one else in the room. He looked at his watch and noticed that it was almost seven o’clock. He needed some coffee. Maybe Caleb would bring him some up. He didn’t want to leave Jenny. He knew that she was scared and she needed to know that he was there for her this time. He was going to do everything in his power to make sure that she knew that he was there for her this time.

He went and looked out the window over his small town. He had grown up here. When he was gone he wanted nothing more than to come back home and when he was home he wanted nothing more than to leave. But now he just wanted to stay here and spend the rest of his life with Jenny. Raising a family. Having family dinners with Caleb and Jordan and even Jake and Jerrica when they were in town. This was what he was missing; this was what he should have been running towards not away from all of those years. He had been a fool to run from all of this.

He looked over at Jenny. She looked like a sleeping angel laying there. She still had cuts and bruises but he was so thankful that it hadn’t been any worse that it was. She could have been killed in that blast if she hadn’t decided to take a walk. And her house should have been her safe haven not somewhere that would be part of a killing plan for her. He was going to get his hands on the person that had done this. Jail would be too good for him. She started to stir and he was beside her in an instant. He knew that she had been having bad dreams last night.

Jenny knew the instant that Brent had left her. She felt the warmth of him leave her. She wanted him to come back and hold her again. That was the first time in a very long time that she was able to sleep without having to worry that someone might hurt her. She knew in the back of her mind that someone was out to get her.

“Good Morning.” he smiled down at her.

“Morning.” she said trying to move and winced at the effort.

“Are you okay?” Brent asked not knowing what to do for her.

“I’m just sore. I think that’s to be expected especially the day after. I’m thankful that that’s all I am and not dead.” she gave him half a smile.

“Yes we are thankful for that.” Brent said kissing her on the forehead just as Caleb came in.

“Good Morning all I come bearing gifts.”

“Oh thank God. I need an IV of this stuff set up right now.” Brent gladly took the cup that Caleb offered.

“I brought you one Jen, but we should get it okay from the doc first. I’m not too sure if he would want you drinking this just yet.”

“Please just give it to me Cal. Please. I need something to help me stay awake.” Jenny begged knowing that he couldn’t say no to her.

“Jenny…..”

“I’ll take full responsibility for this. I need caffeine.”

He just shook his head and handed it over to her. If there was one thing that he had learned over the years of being married to her sister it was that when they wanted something there was no telling them no. Now he could see full well where Jordan had gotten her stubbornness from. He just hoped that Jenny would be able to keep ahold of that stubbornness until this was over. She was going to need it.

“When are Jake and Jerrica getting here?” she asked taking a sip and sighing out loud.

“They should be here anytime. I know they left early this morning. About four a.m. it’s now what almost seven. They should land any time now.” Caleb explained.

“You have to promise me something. And this is more important than anything. You have to promise that you will keep my sisters safe and those little ones also. They are far more important than me. Their safety comes first.” Jenny said making sure that she was heard.

“Jenny you know that’s not up for debate. Each one of your safety is important to us. Not one above the other. Nothing is going to happen to those little ones. They are too innocent.” Brent said a little bit of temper coming to the surface.

“I just don’t want you guys letting something happen to Jordan and Jerrica cause your too busy trying to keep me safe. It’s not fair. They have families that need them.” Jenny explained

“And you have this family that’s needs you. No matter what you think.” Brent said.

“How’s the patient this morning.” the doctor came in stopping whatever argument was going to come from Jenny.

“I’m fine considering. I’m sore.” Jenny smiled at the doctor.

“That’s good considering the other options. I’m going to let you go home Jenny but you need to take it easy. You’re still sore. And you have to give yourself some time to heal.”

“Don’t worry Doc. She’s going to take it easy and let us take care of her for the first time.” Brent said not letting Jenny argue with the doctor.

“Okay I’ll send a nurse in with the discharge papers and instructions.” The doctor smiled and made his way to the hall. As Jordan came in

“Good Morning I heard the good news. You’re coming home with us?” Jordan smiled as Jerrica came in the room also.

“Jerrica, you made it.” Jenny said as relief spread through her.

“Of course I did. I can’t believe that someone was stupid enough to go after my sister.” Jerrica said gently hugging her.

“Yea, well they didn’t get what they wanted. I’m still here and I plan on staying around. Now I’m ready to go home. Jordan did you bring me some new clothes.” Jenny asked starting to get out of bed.

“Of course I did.”

“Can you help me get ready?” Jenny said trying to get out of bed.

“Here let me help you.” Brent said rushing to her side.

Jenny loved him with his arms around her. She was so stiff and sore. She allowed him to help her to the rest room. She looked up into his eyes and saw the love swirling in his eyes. Something she had yearned to see for so long. And now it was finally there. She wasn’t sure she could trust it though. She shut the door and turned to look at herself in the mirror. She looked like she had just walked through a war. Her hair was matted with blood and debris still. Her face had cuts. There on one big cut across her forehead. That was going to be a nice scar. She opened the bag and was glad that her sister had thought of everything. She got changed and then started to work on her hair. It was going to take a while for her to get the knots out of this. Sometimes she wondered why she kept her hair this long.

She decided to wash her face a little. She was getting tired already. Yeah she knew that her body had to heal like everyone had said but she didn’t have to like being side lined. She slowly walked back out where everyone was and opted for the chair instead of the bed. It hurt too much to get into bed. How pathetic was that. She started brushing her hair while everyone went over what was going to happen or should happen. She was so tired of hearing about this. The last six years had been like this. Trying to plan on keeping someone safe and then almost losing them. Could this family go through something like this again? And what if they lost someone this time? That might be the last straw that breaks them. And these poor little ones that was caught up in the middle of this. She wanted to know why this was happening to her family. Something she had been putting off until now. She was going to find out the reason behind their parents death. She knew that it had always seemed like more than just an accident. But she never thought she could handle the truth. But now it almost seemed as important that she did know the truth. Then maybe this could be put to rest.

She smiled up at Jordan when she came over and took the brush from her. She loved it when Jordan brushed her hair. She used to always do it when they were kids. So much had changed since then. So much had been taken away from them and yet here they were standing together like they had always done. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all. Maybe. But who knew.

She just wanted to get out of here and be able to relax and not have to worry about if there was someone coming into the hospital room that could kill her. Or her sisters. Waiting around just wasn’t her style and she was going to have to turn this up a little. She just couldn’t let Brent, Jake, and Caleb know what she was up to. They wouldn’t approve. She was relieved when she saw the nurse come in with the papers that she needed. She listened as the nurse gave her instructions. Once she signed the papers she was turned over to her family. She knew once they got her home that they would suffocate her. But she would love every minute of it.

She tried to listen to everyone as they talked about their days and what they were planning. What was going on at the studio? On and on. This is how life should be. Not worrying when the next shoe was going to drop and someone was going to get hurt. Could it ever be that simple again? Was things ever going to be okay again? She had to pull herself out of this. She had to be strong if she was going to survive this and put a stop to it once and for all. She knew that she was going to have to dive into her dad’s things and see what had happened in the past. She knew that this had something to do with one of his past cases. She had to think where all of that stuff was from daddy’s office. Her heart stopped for a minute when she thought she had left it in her house. If it was in her house it was gone now. But it couldn’t have been. She knew that they had used it to help find Jordan and Jerrica.

“Jen you okay?” Brent asked with concern.

“Yeah just thinking. Caleb what happened to all of daddy’s old files?” Jenny asked.

“I think that we still have them at the station. I know Jake was in the process of getting it all on his computer.” Caleb said wondering what was going through that head of hers.

“I’d like to look over this. Something has got to be in there about why this is happening to us.”

“I was thinking the same thing. Even the journals that we found. Though all of those have disappeared. And I don’t know if Jake was able to get them in the computer or not. Do you know Jerrica?” Caleb asked.

“I have no idea what that husband of mine does. He tends to work faster than I can keep up with him. He’s at the house with little Ed. Going over the security changes that we’re going to have to do. You how he is with all of his tech things.” Jerrica said.

“I know. But I think Jenny is onto something. It’s just not adding up. I’ve been thinking over a few things too. But I would rather talk about it when we get home and get Jenny settled in. Too many people here can be lurking around.” Caleb explained.

They all nodded. They had been through this before. They knew the drill. There were just some people that they couldn’t trust. But the problem with that they just weren’t sure about who they all were. Jenny looked over at Brent and found him watching her. There was just so much that had changed about him. She wondered if she could trust him with her heart this time. She wasn’t sure she would be able to survive a broken heart while trying to stay alive. She needed to be at her top game right now. She felt Jordan squeeze her shoulder knowing what she was thinking. She had so much to think about and get straightened out. But first all she could think about was getting somewhere safe. Not for just herself but for all of them.

Chapter Five

The next few weeks were filled with trying to come up with a plan to keep everyone safe. Going through old files trying to put this puzzle together. Something was starting to point to the fact that her parent’s accident wasn’t even an accident. But someone killed them on purpose. But that didn’t make any sense to Jenny. She knew her father. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body. He was one of those people that you wanted on your side when you were going into a battle. He would back you up no matter what. But then again he wouldn’t be the person you wanted to go against you either. He would tear you up in court if you were on the wrong side of the law. Something was starting to make sense to her. This had to be about an old case of his. Something that he had to put a father behind bars for.

She had an idea but she didn’t want to get the rest of their hopes up. She called her daddy’s old secretary she knew that this woman never got rid of anything. If she had something about one of daddy’s cases that was about to go terribly wrong it would be her. She called her up and was so glad that she was still living where they had last seen her. They got over the small chat and Jenny was ready to get to the real reason she had called.

“Kelly I know that this was a long time ago. But we’ve been going over some of daddy’s older cases. Do you remember anything that would have gotten him in trouble with a defendant? Anything that would put his life in danger?”

“Jenny dear that was such a long time ago. But there were a few cases that were like that. I worried about your daddy so much.”

“Was there any cases where there was any children involved? Boys particularly?” Jenny asked.

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People

Dawn Mosman Peter and Isa Santos- parents of the girls Domick Zone- Dad of the brothers Prologue: Peter and Isa had decided to go on a little bit of a road trip. Peter had been on a rather tough case for the last

Dawn Viloria

Sep 14 at 6:35 PM

Reply, Reply All or Forward | More

Dawn Viloria

Sep 14 at 6:35 PM

Peter and Isa Santos- parents of the girls

Domick Zone- Dad of the brothers