Jail Bird. by Em. Z. (good book recommendations .TXT) 📖

not." He said.

I smacked him on the back of the head, making him duck and grimace. "Ouch."

"You're a jerk." I muttered sullenly.

He raised his eyebrows in question. "How am I a jerk?"

"I'm trying to protect you, okay? Ike sees us and that's it, you're on his list. To him, I'm his property, and he doesn't like anyone touching or even encroaching on his property. I just wish you'd let me go and make my job a whole lot easier." I grumbled.

He sighed heavily. "Jane, I'm not afraid of Ike. I've got eyes everywhere, twenty four seven, watching out for even a sign of him. Most likely, since he wants you so badly, and he doesn't like anyone else touching you, he's going to head in himself, and try to take you. I won't let that happen. I'm going to stay close to you, every second of every day until we catch him." He promised, tightening his grip on my hip.

I pushed him away. "You don't know Ike, Victor. He has connections that not even my father knows about! I can't just...risk your life like that! I'm sorry, but it won't happen." He caught my arm as I turned to leave.

"Jane, I'm never going to give up. I don't care about Ike, I love you, and that's how it's going to stay." He growled.

So you can see how this would turn out from here. The entire table was in an awkward silence for the next hour. Kent and I, being mind readers, didn't even have to talk our problems out. Once we were forced into a family situation together, we were alright. Victor took my mother's seat beside me, and I gave up pushing his hand off of my leg after the tenth try. My mother seemed pleased with the seating arrangement, not noticing the stony silent treatment I was giving him. Logan was oblivious, eating his food like it was made by Gods.

By the time we headed home, everyone was full, and only half happy. I was happy that Kent was speaking to me again. He knew I regretted what I did, and I knew he loves me too much to ignore me forever. But the other half of me was frustrated and ready to pounce. Mom made up a pretense that there was no room in her car because the leftovers had to take up a seat, so I was to ride with Victor. I loved my mother, but sometimes I wanted to throttle her.

But I rode with Victor non the less. It was silent, except for the radio playing classic rock. Damn, he even liked my kind of music. The Eagles, Those Shoes came on, and I smiled reaching over to turn it up. 

"Tell us what you're gonna do tonight, mama!" I sang.

"There must be some place you can go!" Victor sang, his melodic voice making shivers run down my spine.

Well maybe Victor wasn't such a jerk. I mean, he liked the Eagles, no man is a bad guy when he likes The Eagles.

We passed by Mom, Kent and Logan, and I noticed them looking at us as we sang to each other. I was laughing so hard, but I tried to contain myself as we sang my favorite part.

"They're lookin' at you, leanin' on you, tell you everything you want to hear."

"They give you tablets of love." He grinned at me.

"They're waiting for you, got to score you, handy with a shovel and so sincere." I hardly contained my laughter, smiling hugely.

"Ooh, they got the kid glove."

He pulled into the driveway, and we waited for the song to end before turning the car off. We laughed as we got out. I was laughing so much, that I tripped on a rock in the driveway, making me yelp. He caught me as I stumbled, and I laughed harder, pressing my face in his chest.

Victor, chuckling, leaned down to whisper, "This is why I love you."

And all my happiness flew right out the window. Frustration back in full force. God, I was practically leading him on! He pressed a kiss to my temple, before letting me go, turning, and entering the house with a wink in my direction.

***

So here I was. Lying on the bed, staring up at the ceiling in frustration. He knew exactly how to ease me into a good mood. He also knew exactly how to get under my skin. I couldn't understand what the hell it was about Victor that I absolutely loved, and hated. He was my complete opposite. He was mature, and a clear thinker, and the chief of police. I was an immature jail bird, daughter of a man who's robbed more banks than Bonnie and Clyde, and I most certainly did not think clearly. Especially when I was around him.

Ugh.

I couldn't think straight. I needed to get out of here for a while.

In fact...

I needed to leave. For good. Victor obviously wasn't going to give up. I would leave some kind of note to make sure they knew I wasn't going on another suicide mission. I was a grown woman. I should start acting like it.

With my mind made up, I stood up, and grabbed my backpack. 

Falling Apart.

 

crept down stairs, my backpack over my shoulder. I crept up to Victors door, opening it slightly and peeking in. He slept soundly, but he didn't snore. His shirtless form was stretched out on his stomach, forearms by his head. He looked almost boyish. I read through the letter one more time before setting it on the door.

Victor.

Yes, I'm in love with you. That's the problem. I'm madly in love with you. So in love with you that I can't think straight when you touch my hand. My hand for christ sake!

That's why I have to leave you. If Ike found out about this...he'd be livid. He wants to take everything I love to show me dominence. He likes to scare his prey before he consumes it. He wants my complete, roll on my back, and show my stomach submission. Of course, that won't work because I'm not a bitch. Well...not that kind of bitch.

Listen, I'm sorry. I want to protect you, and I want to be with you at the same time, it's a maddening war in my own head. But if you died because of my selfishness, I couldn't live with myself. I love you. I'll say it a thousand times while I'm away, but it won't change the fact that I can't be with you.

It'll just replay a thousand times in my head. I love you...I love you...I love you...

And with each time, I'll go crazier and crazier. 

I'm sorry. I really am. Please don't try to find me, because that would kind of defeat the purpose of this entire thing.

With love pouring from my heart and all that sappy crap, Jane.

I sighed. He was going to kill me. Literally track me down, and murder me.

Love sucks.

I bit my lip for a moment, before walking over to Victor and leaning down, pressing my lips to his. He didn't stir, just as I assumed he wouldn't. I put my hands on the bed to stand, and my hand hit something cold, smooth, and plastic. I lifted the little figurine with confusion. Blue Gingerbread man? He...kept him? Why did that break my heart even more? I noticed the bottom of it, and more tears escaped. 

There was a small piece of paper, taped to the platform, and he wrote:

Keep her safe.

I stood with haste, rushing from the room before I could burst into tears. I composed myself as quickly as I could, but pain still radiated from my heart. I pulled out my note for the others.

I took it out and stuck it on the door. I was apologizing for leaving, and explaining the other reason why I left.

Dear Mom, and Kent.

I'm sorry I left, but I had to. Ike has threatened both of you too much. Don't worry, this isn't another suicide mission, I promised I wouldn't go on one of those again. This is, however, a goodbye. For as long as it takes to find Ike and make you all safe, I'm going into my own form of hiding. I hope you understand, and I'm sorry if this upsets you. My only intention is to protect you - all of you.

Kent, take care of yourself. I'm taking Green with me for protection, we're good friends now. I hope you understand that I love you, no matter how little we talk these days. I understand why you resent Dad, but I also understand Dad's struggle. I promise to call. Remember, blood is always thicker than water. I love you.

Mom. No matter how much you insult me, or how much we fight, I know you love me. I love you, and I hope you can somehow get over what Dad did and love someone else. Not every man is going to turn to robbing banks for a living. I know you can't understand why I left, and are probably taking it out on Kent, and probably won't even read this letter until weeks later, but if you somehow change in the next ten minutes, I just want you to know that I'm sorry. I'm a child most of the time, and I don't think things through. I know you were just trying to protect me all those years ago, when our family was torn apart, but I'm like you. I won't listen. I'm stubborn. Yadda yadda yadda. Although you probably won't want to talk to me, I'll ask for you, every time. I love you, and I hope you can forgive me.

Love, Jane.

It was a long note,stained with tears, and with a lot of mistakes, but it was the best I could do under the circumstances. I opened the door, stepping into the night air. I took a deep breath. Well, here we go.

My rental sat at the curb, and I sighed a breath of relief. Finally. I was afraid it wouldn't get here. I threw  my bag in the back, and opened the front. The keys sat on the dash, and I sighed heavily. Was I really going to do this?

I picked up the keys. Yes, yes I was. I started the car. Letting it purr to life underneath me. Pulling away from the curb, I said my last goodbye to the summer home, before turning around, and heading out.

A single tear rolled down my cheek. Just one of the million to come.

***

Victor's POV.

I cracked my eyes open, looking over at the clock. Five. Just like every night that I don't have her in my arms. I sat up, rubbing my face in my hands tiredly. I checked my phone for any messages, to see it completely massage free. Damn. No Ike.

I sighed. The overhead air conditioner kicked on, and I heard the rustle of paper.

"Huh?" I mumbled to myself, looking up to find where the noise came from.

A note.

Somehow, this one little piece of paper taped to the door sent dread zinging through me. I jumped up, yawning and stretching as I walked over. I grabbed the note from the door, scratching the back of my head. Reading it, I could feel my blood run cold. My entire