Author's Note: Probably a pretty short chapter, I'm sorry. Also sorry for taking two months to get this written. I got sidetracked with watching anime, writing for my alternate account and drawing.
Song for this chapter is Fallout by Mariana's Trench.
Trudes, in response to all you said on the last chapter, you'll have to wait and see. Jackson has one plan, Blake has another and poor Lisa's stuck in the middle. As far as the ending I meant that specific chapter. For the story in general I have five to ten ends I'm thinking about. All but one end in someone dying. On a separate note, get well soon.
Once Jackson was out of sight Lisa got into her car, immediately locking the doors. She spent several minutes sitting there, processing what had happened. She'd expected he would approach her, but she didn't think he would just let her go. Of course he hadn't let her go completely. She had two weeks to divorce Blake or he'd do something. Although Jackson hadn't said it outright, Lisa could assume that he would kill Blake if she didn't divorce him.
Besides that she was bothered by the way he was acting. Jackson had said he didn't want to hurt he, yet he did anyway. He treated her like a possession, even when he said he didn't see her as such. His actions were contradicting his words. Lisa couldn't help but think her comment about him being insane was truer than he'd admit, or even maybe knew.
Lisa was pulled from her thoughts by her phone ringing. She answered the call and put the phone to her ear. "Hello?"
"Hey, I know you said you'd call when you got home but like you said he left after so I was worried." Cynthia said.
Lisa sighed and leaned her head on the steering wheel. "I'm fine Cynthia. He didn't try to kidnap me." she said, attempting to calm herself and her friend.
"You sound pretty upset." Cynthia commented, not believing that Lisa was fine.
"I'm just, I have a lot on my mind. He uh, he did talk to me, so I've got a lot to deal with." Lisa said.
Cynthia gasped "What did he say?"
"I'll tell you later. I need to talk to John." Lisa said, finally moving to start her car.
"Okay. I'll wait for you to call me." Cynthia said.
Lisa nodded. "Alright. Bye."
"Bye." Cynthia said before hanging up.
Lisa sighed again and started her car. She drove home, keeping an eye out for Jackson but didn't see him. When she got home she found Blake at the computer. "John, we need to talk." She said, trying to keep her voice from trembling.
He looked over when he heard her. Automatically noticing she was upset he stood up and walked over to her. Blake wrapped his arms around her, "Hey Leese, what's wrong? You're not supposed to get off until five."
For a minute Lisa just buried her head in Blake's shirt. She could feel Blake gently rubbing her back. When she pulled away slightly she had tears running down her face. "Jack-Jackson showed up at the hotel. I had to leave."
Blake tensed as soon as she mentioned Jackson. "You're not hurt are you?"
Lisa shook her head "No, he didn't hurt me," she subconsciously rubbed her wrist. "he just talked to me. John I-we need a divorce."
"What?!" Blake exclaimed, pulling away slightly. "Leese! That's the last thing we need!"
"John please, I don't want to do this! I just want you to be safe and if we're together you're at risk!" Lisa rushed to say.
"Lisa, you're stressed. Calm down." he said, trying to calm her. "There's no need for a divorce."
"John please listen to me. You are NOT safe. Jackson is going to rip everything I love away from me. You need to get away from me. Please John!" Lisa begged.
Blake sighed and put a hand against Lisa's cheek. "What if I just move out?"
Lisa shook her head. "That's not enough. As long as you're part of my life he will be after you."
"Leese, please. I've got this handled. Trust me."
Lisa's expression changed from concern to confusion. "What did you do?"
He sighed again. "Just trust me. Please?"
Lisa pulled away from him. "John. Did you go outside the law?"
Blake sighed and nodded, looking at the ground. "I know you told me not to but you're right about him. There's a reason we never caught him."
"John! What did you do?" Lisa nearly yelled.
He ran a hand through his hair "It doesn't matter Leese. Just trust me."
Lisa clenched her hands into fists. "No! You're stooping to his level! I can't trust you any more than I can trust Jackson!"
Blake blinked a few times, shocked at what Lisa had said. "Leese, I'm sorry. I'm just trying to keep you safe."
Lisa shook her head "Don't. I don't need you to protect me, and I know you don't need me to protect you. But get away from this situation. For your own good we need a divorce."
Blake rubbed both hands over his face. "Is he forcing you to do this?" Lisa you don't have to listen to him."
She shook her head "No, he's not forcing me to do anything. I'm just confused and I don't want you hurt." she said, trying to calm down.
Blake tried to put a hand on her shoulder but she stepped away. "Leese. Why are you doing this?"
Lisa looked away. "I told you yesterday. I still..."
Blake frowned. "You still love him. But that doesn't mean we have to get a divorce."
Lisa shook her head and wrapped her arms around herself. "John, that's exactly why we do. I feel like I'm lying to you if I'm with you while I love him."
Again Blake tried to put a hand on her cheek but she pulled away. "Leese, you've been nothing but honest. For the past five years you never hesitated to tell me the truth."
"John, I've loved him for five years and never told you. How is that being honest?"
"You're scared, it makes sense. Jackson's done a lot to you. You have every reason to be scared." John said.
Lisa looked at him, her gaze a mix of anger and disgust. "Why do you, and dad, and Cynthia, and Ryean all think I'm trying to run because I'm scared? I am scared, but at this point I'm scared of you just as much as I'm scared of him!" she yelled.
"Leese I'm sorry. You don't need to be scared." Blake apologized.
Lisa shook her head and stepped away "I told you what would happen if you went outside the law. I said you would lose me. So this is what's happening. You did something outside the law and now you're losing me." She said before walking out of the room. She grabbed her purse and walked out to the garage. Once she was on the road she pulled out her phone and called Cynthia. She didn't know where she was driving but she needed away from Blake.
"You had to fall in love with a cop's wife didn't you Jackson?" Caraline asked.
Jackson smirked slightly. "I'm not in love and he's barely a cop."
Caraline shook her head. "He is a cop, a bad cap but a cop. He's better than come cops."
"How's that? From what I see he's emotionally driven. Emotions have no place in work. How can someone so reckless be a good cop?" he asked.
"Remember me mentioned my ex Danny? He grew up with Blake. They both were criminals as teenagers. Supposedly they both got cleaned up, but Danny never really quit crime. He just hid it better. If he's still in crime there's every chance Blake could be in it." she explained.
Jackson nodded, taking a drink from his cup. "You think Blake might go back to being a criminal?" he asked.
Caraline nodded. "I know he will. Danny's got a new job, Blake hired him."
Jackson nearly laughed "Are you implying Blake hired your ex to kill me?"
"I'm not implying it Jack, Danny flat-out told me." Caraline said.
"Why should I be worried? I've been the best manager for years. That's not about to change." Jackson said, refusing to think he could be in danger. Even if he was in danger he was about to go undercover for a job. Soon Jackson Rippner wouldn't exist.
"Jack, you've been gone for five years. You're a legend who's died out. Danny's taken your place and he's coming after you." Caraline said.
Jackson shrugged "If you insist. I don't foresee him causing me any trouble." He said, standing up. "Thanks for the drink." He added before leaving the café.
During the drive back to his house he thought about his plan. He had no doubt Lisa would try to get away from him. When she did try he'd have to prove that he's serious. Jackson didn't care one way or another if Blake died, however his well-being did matter to Lisa. He had threatened to kill Blake but that might make Lisa less inclined to help.
On the other hand she might not fight. She could be so in love with Blake that she'd try to keep him safe. No doubt the good cop would say they could make it together. However Lisa could make a convincing argument and didn't easily back down.
Jackson knew that either could happen, and made a plan according to both options. What he didn't know was that Lisa had already told Blake she still loves Jackson. He was counting on having to force her into working with him.