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Chapter Fifteen
Loud pounding on my door brought me awake. The clock on my nightstand said that it was one in the morning. I sat up as the knocking grew louder.
“Jonna!” Mack’s voice boomed. “I know you’re home. Open the door.” With a groan, I shrank back under the covers. Maybe if I ignored him he would go away. I’d been avoiding Mack ever since I talked to Woody. There was no way I could look at him and not spill everything. I was powerless to stop my brother from cooperating with Detective Rollins, and I knew that Mack would hate me for what Woody was doing. So I decided to suffer in my heartache alone.
I hadn’t even been to work. I told my mother that I quit a few days ago, and I hadn’t left my apartment since. I turned off my phone and refused to answer the door except to tell my parents to go away. Daddy was having none of it, though, and used his key to come in. Once he was satisfied that I was physically fine, he didn’t push me for more. It was one of the things I loved about him. He was fiercely protective, but also understanding. He knew when to back off and give me space whereas Mama was like a dog with a bone and determined to figure out what was bothering me. When she started in with questions, Daddy gently guided her out as he gave me a small smile before shutting the door behind them.
Four days. It had been four days since I’d seen Mack. Since his mouth was on mine and his hands on my body. He’d called every day, but I’d ignored him. This wasn’t the first time he’d shown up on my doorstep. Two nights ago he knocked on my door, but must have been convinced I wasn’t home so he went away.
I shut my eyes tight and remained completely still under the covers, hoping he would give up.
“Damn it, Jonna. Open the door!” he yelled. “Just tell me you’re okay.”
“I’m okay,” I yelled back.
“Fuck. Open the door!” He rattled the doorknob. “Talk to me.”
“No.”
“Why the fuck not?”
“Please go, Mack.” The anguish in my voice was hard to mask.
“Why? Can you at least tell me that? ’Cause I have no fuckin’ clue.”
I had no idea what to say to him. I hadn’t thought that far ahead when I decided to cut ties with him, and I definitely didn’t think about what I’d say if he refused to go away. I didn’t know he would come after me.
Every day I thought about him being arrested by Rollins and the possibility that it could happen at any time, any day. Maybe even this very minute. I just couldn’t be there when it did.
“Mack?.?.?.” I found myself at the door with my palms pressed against the cold wood. I didn’t even remember walking the distance. All I wanted to do was open the door and throw myself around him. “I’m sorry,” I whispered brokenly. There was silence for a long while and what sounded like the thud of Mack’s head against the door. A tear ran down my cheek as I listened to his heavy footsteps descending the stairs. My legs gave out, and I slid down to the floor and covered my face with my hands.
Loud voices from downstairs caused me to lift my head and listen. It sounded like angry men yelling. My heart went to my throat, and I threw open the door fully expecting to see squad cars and blue lights flashing, except the area was dark and only light from the street lamps illuminated the sidewalk. At the bottom of the staircase, I saw Mack, Drew, and Woody in the middle of a heated argument with Harley standing just behind my brothers, glaring angrily at Mack.
“Get the fuck out of my way,” Mack said through gritted teeth.
“What are you doing leaving my sister’s apartment?”
“None of your fuckin’ business,” Mack growled as Drew stepped forward and opened his mouth to speak.
“You heard him. It’s none of your fucking business, Drew,” I yelled from
the top of the stairs, interrupting the angry exchange, and all at once everyone turned their heads to me, but my eyes immediately went to Mack. The look he gave me made my chest ache. There was relief and longing there, and I felt tears stinging my eyes.
“Jonna, why is this asshole leaving your apartment at one in the morning?” Woody pointed a finger at Mack.
“Asshole?” Mack roared and took a step toward Woody.
“Don’t,” Harley shrieked as she stepped between all three men.
“Oh give me a break, both of you. And just so we’re clear, I don’t need anyone’s permission nor do I want your input on who I fuck,” I hollered over the commotion.
Drew’s face grew bright red, and it looked as if his head would pop off his shoulders.
“Who you fuck?.?.?.?” His words came out choked as he turned a hard glare to Mack. “So you are fucking my sister? I’d heard the rumors but didn’t believe them. I was convinced you wouldn’t be that stupid.” Mack snorted as he puffed up his chest and widened his stance.
“Explain to me how that’s stupid and what you plan to do about it, pretty boy?” Mack taunted and clenched his fists at his sides. Woody stepped forward, shouting a bunch of obscenities, while Drew was fighting Harley’s grip on his arm as she tried to hold him back.
“No, I can’t let him take advantage of my sister, Harley,” Drew said as he tried to step past her.
