Author's Note-Well, well, well, I finally update on this one! Sorry about the delays. Finals are fast approaching along with a million other commitments. Anyways, thanks for the sweet reviews and encouragement from everyone!
"Hello, Lisa." Jackson's voice was cold, impatient, irritable. Lisa's stomach knotted up in her usual manner. What had she done now?
"Jackson. Listen, I swear Adella doesn't know anything."
"First of all, don't lie to me. You suck at it. Second of all, I'm not calling about you, I'm calling about the brat with the same hereditary as you."
"Don't hurt her. Whatever she-"
"You know, you two really are so much alike," he mused. "Guess what Kat did? She tried to run away. But unlike you, she did not succeed. Don't worry, I gave her due penance."
"Please don't hurt her," Lisa begged frantically. "She's just a baby."
"I beg to differ," Jackson snorted. "You wouldn't think so highly of her either if you heard what names she called me or how she threw those hits at me, Jesus."
"Whatever, Jack," Lisa snapped. "Let me talk to her."
"No," he snarled back. "I'm getting sick of this, as fun as your kid is. Are you meeting me tonight at the Cristoff Hotel in Orange Grove or what? Midnight. Room 4080."
Lisa stalled. "4080?"
"It seemed appropriate."
Lisa swallowed. It was early. And she was scared. But she needed to rescue Katie. "Fine."
"And bring the brat's friend with you."
Lisa licked her lips. "No, Jackson, please. She doesn't know anything."
"Stop with the fucking lying. I'm not going to kill her or anything. I just don't want to risk anything. Got it? You don't bring her, you don't get your daughter. Simple as that."
"Fine," Lisa snapped. "I'll see you tonight." And then she hung up on him.
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Kat heard the phone click and grinned. Jackson scowled as he began pulling away from the shabby motel.
"Aw, poor baby," she crooned. "Did the mean lady hang up on you?"
"Shut up."
"Get some guts, Jack, god." His hand flew to her throat as soon as he halted the car.
"I have some. But maybe I need more. Where do you think I ought to get them? You?" he snarled, tightening his grip. She choked but glared at him.
"I'm sick of your empty threats," she hacked out. "You want to kill me, fine. I don't care anymore. Go ahead, do it, I dare you. But stop saying you are when you know you aren't. I'm not scared anymore. You aren't going to rape me, or kill me. So stop acting like such a poltician."
Jackson slowly let her go, shaking his head. He didn't saying anything for at least half an hour as he quietly pulled back onto the road. Later, he finally spoke.
"You know what, Kat? I think you just grew up."
