JENNIE

—Gosh Darn Traitor Paul—

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"What's going on with my sister?"

Yap! Yap!

"What does that mean, lost his gosh darn location?"

Yap! Yap!

"Is Aunt Lisa in trouble?"

Yap! Yap!

"STOP!" Everyone goes from talking all at once to complete silence to stare at Mr. Death. "Stop. I need to think."

Chaeng ignores his threatening tone and walks up to me, taking my hand into hers. "While he's thinking, what happened? I heard you yelling."

I blink away the tears still falling. "Well, Vincent over here is not only a monster who kidnaps people, but also my father. And obviously has been alive this whole time."

Chaeng glares over at him, and he stares at her right back.

"That's not the case," Mr. Death snaps.

"Oh how is it not? Are you really dead? Are we standing here talking to a ghost?"

Cala starts running around the room, making ghost sounds. Mr. Death throws his hands through his thick graying hair and eyes me with both annoyance and guilt.

Chaeng takes aim at him next. "How could you, Vinnie?"

"What'd you do, Pappa Death?" Cala chimes in.

"Boss…"

"Cala, honey, I had to do what—"

"Boss…"

"I had to do what I had to do to keep the ones I love very much—"

"Boss—"

"Jesus, WHAT!?" He throws his weight around to address the man. He holds up a phone for him and when he grabs it assessing the screen, he growls, his facial expression transforming into another level of anger.

"What? What is it?" I forgo my battle with him. "Is it about Lisa? Did you get more news?"

"Sonofabitch!" Mr. Death roars, looking at whatever just came through.

Chaeng steps toward him. "If you don't spit out what you know, I swear to God, I'm going to—"

"Rossi has Paul and Lisa."

"Who's Rossi?"

That's when I step in. "Rossi is a bad man who Lisa crossed, but it was kind of by accident. And we dodged them a bunch of times while making our way across the country. It was quite exciting. Lots of gunshots and getaway driving. You should have seen—"

"Enough!" he interrupts. He comes straight at me, his eyes quickly going from angry to concerned. "Jennie, honey—"

"It's just Jennie."

"Jennie, I know you're upset and this is a lot to take in. I never wanted you to find out this way. I also never wanted you to fall in love with your goddamn handler—ouch!" He growls, staring at Chaeng, who just hit him. Back to me. "But this is not good. I won't give Rossi what he wants."

"What does he want?" I demand.

"You."

I inhale gustily. My eyes find Cala, who's now sitting on the floor playing with some dolls, while Chaeng regards me with despair. Rossi has her sister. And Lisa's all they have. Without Lisa, she and Cala will be lost. "Then let's give him me," I reply.

A loud thunder cracks in the air as my dad takes a small piece of furniture and tosses it across the room, shattering it. Cala starts to cry and Chaeng scoops her into her arms for safety.

"I said no," he snarls. "I will not discuss this further. I've sacrificed everything to keep you safe. I sure as hell don't plan on making all my sacrifices be for nothing to just hand you over."

"So, you're gonna let them kill my sister?" Chaeng's voice is laced with dread. Tears pool in her green eyes. She turns with Cala in her arms and runs out of the room. Mr. Death takes a step to go after her, but my voice stops him.

"Dad."

He halts, his eyes wide when he faces me at my choice words. His entire demeanor changes and he takes a step toward me. "It's been forever since I've heard that. Probably never since you were just babbling when I left."

"Well, it feels strange to say it. But it's who you are. Even though Daddy Death has a better ring to it." My shoulders rise and fall, inhaling a deep breath for strength. I brush my hands down my yellow dress, before bringing my eyes back to him. "I love her. She loves me. I don't know if you love me, because you've been fake dead my whole life. But if you want to prove to me you do, help me get Lisa back. Help Chaeng get her sister back."

His nose twitches. "It's not that easy."

"It is. Make it or I'll take matters into my own hands." A threatening step has him closer, but I don't back down. I match him and take two. "So, what's it gonna be, Daddy Death?"

"It's Dad now. You've already said it," he growls.

"And I'll take it back just as fast. Wanna be my dad? Earn it. Show me you do love me." His mouth opens to reply, but I cut him off. "Do it, or it's triple D."

"What does that even mean?"

"Dr. Daddy Death—"

"It's Mister!"

"Not to me. Not until I have Lisa back. You know…Momma never talked about you. She couldn't. It hurt too much. But on rare occasions when she did, she would tell me stories. How kind you were. How safe she always felt with you. She told me I was almost born in Miss Russet, but you had your special way, which makes sense now because you're a mobster and probably shot out each stop light to get to the hospital faster. But she never stopped telling me what a big heart you had. Right now, I don't believe that. Prove it."

I keep eye contact with him, until I see the white flag go up. His shoulders slump and he eliminates the space between us. I squeal when he snatches me up in his arms and pulls me to his chest. My face smashes into him and his head dips, pressing his chin to the top of my head.

"I've loved you every single day since the day you were born. It's been from afar and I'm a shit father."

"Yes, you are."

He squeezes me tighter, threatening my insides to explode. "This is where you tell me I'm not a horrible father and you love me."

"Can't do that, Dr.—you're going to crush my insides!"

I feel his mouth press to the top of my head.

"It's just Dad. Okay? If I can hear you just say that, I'll give in and save your shit gp wife, which we then need to have a discussion about because you're way too young to be married, which we can have annulled and you can go to college—ouch! Now that hurts!" he yelps as I smash my shoe onto his toe.

I pull away.

Our eyes meet. I want to say something rude or mean. Battle him. But somewhere deep inside I can't. My momma's words float in my head. The last thing she said to me. One day there would come a time when I would be hurt by someone, and when that time comes, I need to forgive in order to move on and find peace.

It allows me to wave my own white flag. Because to be honest, we need each other to make this work. So instead of opening my mouth to continue this battle, I switch routes. "Miss Russet died on our way here."

"I know."

"I didn't want to leave her, but we didn't have a choice. Momma loved that car. She would have been upset to see her left."

His hand reaches out to graze my cheek. "I had my men go back for her. She's in the city. Paul gave word of what happened, and I couldn't leave her behind either."

Okay. He's earning his dad points back and fast. I fight the urge to start all over with the tears, but I hold them back. "Momma would be happy to know that."

"Thank you for being there for her. When I couldn't." Okay gosh darn it, is he turning the tables on me. The tears break through my barrier and start to fall. I'm back in his arms, me hugging him this time. If we weren't in the middle of a kidnapping and life or death situation, I'd stand here forever. Accept his embrace and all the years I missed out on his touch, his smell, his love. The way I feel safe in his arms. "You look just as beautiful as she did in this dress."

Okay, hug time is over. I pull away looking down at Momma's yellow dress. "How do you…"

"The same day I bought your momma this dress was when she told me she was pregnant with you." He clutches my shoulders as he looks over my appearance in an almost wistful way. "We'd been on the road, no destination in mind. We wanted to, as she would always say, 'Let the country roads take you home.' It led us here. There'd been a flea market in the small town and the moment I saw this dress, I knew I had to have it. For her." My eyes aren't the only ones shedding tears. He wipes at his stubbled face. "She was the most beautiful woman in this dress. She shone brighter than the sun. She stole my heart, the day I met her." He takes a step back, gathering himself. "You look exactly like her. When she was your age, wearing this."

"I do?"

"Even down to your beautiful smile and fiery attitude." It's then I run back into his arms. I cry on his shoulder as he holds me tightly to his chest. "I love you, Nini. I always have."

"I love you too, Dad."

"Everything okay in here?" We break apart at Chaeng's presence. I wipe away the wetness from my cheeks as does he.

"Yeah, Dr.—Dad said he's willing to do what it takes to get Lisa back." He opens his mouth to argue, since he didn't officially agree, and I put my hand up to stop him and continue. "And he's gonna let me do it my way."

Chaeng looks relieved but not sold. "Great. But, Jennie, how are you going to get them back? Vincent is a mob boss. I think he may have stronger connections."

"Stronger connections? Not as strong as my connections." Placing my hands on my hips, with all the confidence in the world, I say, "Have you ever met a goat slayer, an ex-military romantic, the best romance book recommender, and a grumpy old best friend with the biggest chip on her shoulder?"

Didn't think so.

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"You're WHERE?"

"Jesus, child, I'm old not deaf, no need to shout. I said we're in Nevada! This place is gonna blind me it's so damn bright."

I swipe my hand down my face. "Why again are you in Nevada, Bea?"

"Oh, well… We just thought—I swear, woman! You're about to be dead to me—"

Scuffling.

"Nini?"

My heart swells at Mabel's voice. "Hey there, Mabel!" Then it hits me. "Why are you also in a car heading to Nevada?"

"Hi, Jen!"

"Henry? Gee willikers, what are you three up to?" Here I am going against my mob boss father to do it my way and my reinforcements are on their way to Vegas! I shake my head, dreading to have to go back downstairs and explain that maybe my way isn't the best way.

Mabel doesn't answer my question, but continues, "It doesn't matter. Jen, I need to tell you something. And you're not gonna be happy."

I dig my fingers into my eyeball sockets, exhaling a long sigh. "I'm sure whatever it is, Mabel, it's fine. Nothing really can beat the news I found out today anyhow."

"I knew Vincent was alive."

Okay, that might top it. "Excuse me, WHAT?"

"Jesus!—you're pulling my hair!"

Scuffling.

Bea's voice takes the stage. "Nini, it's me again. I didn't know nothin' about this," she huffs. "My wretched sister filled us in on the way here. Don't be mad at me. I love ya, girl. It's all her. Let's get rid of her in the desert—Hag!"

"Nini, listen to me," Mabel pleads. "I had my reasons for not telling you. Please understand. It was for your safety."

"And your snatch!" Bea yells from the background. "Oh, Paul, touch me in so many dirty ways!—Jesus, you bit me!"

I hear the phone drop and more scuffling. "That's to shut you up. Nini, you still there?" Mabel asks, breathless.

"Regretfully." Because this can't get any worse.

"Your daddy came to me. I threatened to rip his balls off and feed them to him through his ass, but he explained why he was doing what he was doing. He didn't want your momma to know because she would obsess over it and when I'd spoken to him. It was just to make sure you were safe. For what it's worth, it was only through Paul."

Gosh darn traitor Paul.

"How? When?"

There's a bit of silence before she answers. "Well, when I said I had them bridge lessons."

I gasp. Because it's impossible not to. "You had bridge lessons once a month!" And it also sinks in. "And you were always so cheery after them." Ew! I want to cry right now. Everyone I love is betraying me. Not that I loved Paul. He was getting there on my list for saving us, but still. Bad Paul.

"I enjoyed bridge. And his foreign accent. We're getting off track here. Listen, we can talk about all this later, but we're headed to you."

Now that perks my mood. "You are? How do you know where I am?" Okay, stupid question. Actually, I don't care. I need them and they're coming to me. That's all that matters. "About time you said something I need to hear. Listen, you're right. I do need you guys. I have a plan and it won't work without you."

"Honey, whatever it is, we're in. You tell us what you need us to do and dammit, we're all over it like shit on flies!"

Ew. "I think it's flies on shhhh—you know what I mean!" I blush at the unladylike word of choice.

"Oh, hell, whatever. Count us in!"

God, I hope this works.

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After the most bizarre call, I came back downstairs and told everyone my plan. Chaeng looked skeptical. Dad's third man in charge looked confused. Dad looked ready to tie me up and hold me hostage, so I don't attempt to go through with my plan. Kuma yapped in agreement and Cala clapped ready to catch bad guys while holding a night crawler net.

I reassured Chaeng with a hug. Gave my dad a look that said remember our deal or else. Kuma got a bone because he was a major player in the game and Cala a bunch of sugar, because unfortunately, she was going to Gordon's to wait this one out.

After we go over the plan for a third time, everyone goes their separate ways to gather their thoughts and prepare. Mabel and crew are still a few hours out, so we have some time before we have to head out. I bypassed lunch because my stomach was in knots. I can't eat knowing Lisa's in danger. Not to mention those frozen logs of French toast are still sitting in my stomach. Darn those things.

Before I know it, Chaeng's sticking her head in my room. "They're here."

It's now or never.

Time to go save my Clyde.

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