Jason led them through the doors to the grand ballroom where many of his associates stood watching them. Jack was beaming at all the lights, but Jess was standing too still for his liking. Taking their time to descend the stairwell, Jack was taken to the other children where he saw Darcy playing alone. Returning to the main floor, he was always a half step in front of her while they interacted with others around them.
Several men came up to Jason, shaking his hands in an eager manner confusing Jess.
"Mr. Marshall, it is lovely to see you and what a beautiful family you have. I saw your daughter earlier too," the man exclaimed, his black hair swept to the side. His eyes lingered on Jess, before he smiled back at Jason, clearly not realizing who she was. "You have grown within the— company over recently months. You oversee a larger part yourself; I hear."
"Yes. I know what's expected. Father still handled many of the top issues," said Jason with a force smile.
The two of them continued to talk for a bit as Jess began to feel everyone's eyes on her or at least she felt that way. They were taken to a separate hall where everyone was seated for dinner. Before they took their seats, Jason was asked to step outside a moment with his father. Looking back, he whispered he would be right back, but it left a sour taste in her mouth. All around her, Jess felt eyes on her as she laid the napkin on her lap and tried to remember the placement of the silverware in front of her. Gently asking the woman beside her, she asked which was the salad fork.
"Miss Billings?" asked a voice behind her. Putting on a smile, she turned to find a taller Hispanic man had taken Jason's seat.
"Hello, Sir," she said not recognizing the man before her. He like so many, Jess didn't know, but something in his expression was like Betty's.
"Are you enjoying your evening tonight?" he asked picking up the dessert fork with ease and beginning to reach for a small piece of cheesecake.
Nodding, Jess tried to remember who this man was but couldn't place a name.
"I admit, your name is escaping me," she smiled kindly hoping she wasn't insulting him. "Are you Mr. Martinez?"
The man smiled as he paused to nibble the dessert.
"I am indeed he," he said setting down the fork and gracefully turning toward her. "Pleasure is all mine. I must add my Elizabeth failed to inform of your attendance. Mr. Marshall ensured your plate was covered at his expense as it was last minute."
"I thought Jason had everything planned for us. I'm sorry if it caused an inconvenience for planning."
"Not at all my dear."
Mr. Martinez and Jess ate quietly as those around them spoke, sometimes answering a question or statement nearby. The conversation was had around many subjects, such as the cradle of civilizations, the arts in the Italian Renaissance, or literature of the 1900s. It was actual interesting and something she possessed a fair amount of knowledge in. Piping up, she heard someone say Greece making remember the time with Phil.
"Ancient Greece is also considered to be the cradle of Westen civilization through active pursues of today's ideas in democracy, art, theatre, philosophy, as well science advancements we see now. A rather interest time in history to be as a society."
Those near stopped and paused to look at her, some even appearing to agree with, including Mr. Martinez. He turned smiling at her, making her blush at her proclamation.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your conversation—" she stammered out, looking down, feeling her cheeks becoming flush in embarrassment. "I've visited Greece before, and I was extremely interested in the ancient world and how it's viewed is a favorite subject of mine."
"Jason Marshall is keeping her away from us all!" said Mr. Martinez clapping happily to the group. "Cultured young woman you are Ms. Billings! Like myself, you possess a keen sense of understanding in how the world we inherited. But those who don't understand how to get to the top are those who do not understand how the world works."
"I would disagree Sir. Although Maslow would argue that everyone has the potential in self-actualization, not every person has the means or resources to get there. In contrast, those in positions of power or privilege are more likely to achieve this because the resources are less scarce."
Mr. Martinez smirked as she spoke it felt oddly strange because she was holding the conversation against him rather than the group.
"I am a cultured man my dear," he said taking her hand and holding it firmly, in a tight grip that made her knuckle nearly white. "Mr. Marshall must be proud to know his significant other has such insight into history and psychology. Whatever would be do if he were to marry you?"
"Oh, we aren't married—"
"Correction, my dear, John Marshall must be proud to know his son found a woman who has cultivated interest in the arts and literature. I must say that my Elizabeth isn't so inspired by those things. She's more a modern type of woman I believe I heard her say."
"Thank you," agreed Jess, unsure if it was a complaint or compliment. "I've read and explored much while I was a student with a friend of mine. He is knowledgeable about literature and could explain it with ease—"
"Oh, the teacher friend? Yes Mr. Wenneck, I believe I overheard Jason say one time," said Mr. Martinez, a curled smiled forming in his face. The blood rushed out of her body, it felt as the man mentioned Phil. "You were very close to him until recently."
Jess felt her cheeks redden from anger as he spoke and suddenly, she stared in the older man's eyes.
"I don't know what you mean."
Jess quietly eyed the man before her, knowing his real for sitting beside her. Looking around, she spotted Jason seated beside Betty, a scowl on his face. His eyes plead a sorry aimed at Jess, but there was nothing he would do except sit there.
"You should step away from him. Jason Marshall knows what is expected of him and no matter how much you fight it, my Elizabeth will also come before you," said Mr. Martinez as he stood up wiping his mouth. Also standing, Jess reached out a hand to stop him. It caused quite the scene as those around them gasped.
"The relationship between your daughter and Jason, is in the past. Please refrain your comments about me when I never asked for them," she said firmly waiting for the man's retort. A moment later she watched the man's hands clench by his side clearly insulted.
"You need to understand your place!" snapped Mr. Martinez. "No one puts their hands on me!"
"I'm sorry Sir, but I make the conditions of my relationships. Excuse me," and with a quick turn, she walked off feeling hurt and ashamed. Here was the she devil's father berating her over a person that had abandoned his daughter. It was horrid and this feeling was brought out with nearly every person she came across at the party.
*dot*
Apparently as everyone saw, it was the talk among the attendees that Jess laying a hand on Mr. Martinez's arm had causing quite the stir. Trying hard to keep himself in check, she looked around franticly, he still beside Betty, who was trying her absolute hardest to keep his attention. However, he watched from afar as she engaged in conversation with Mr. Martinez with ease. He heard something about Ancient Greece, and that surprised him as they had never talked about things like that. Her insight in it was delightful, but probably something she had gained from time with Phil.
Betty was chatting aimlessly about anything and when she took hold of his hands, he stiffened knowing it was looking bad but didn't care. This was right when Mr. Martinez and Jess stood up when the hush spread across the table.
A few hours later though, he thought she was clear until someone tapped her on the back, breaking the silence in the grand ballroom. From his distance, he saw her shattered as Betty walked up to her, a smirk well placed on her face. Appearing taller when she stood in six-inch heels, she took aim at talking to Jess, with crossed arms holding her stance longer. Betty was anything but friendly. Slowly, while twirling her hair, she smirked at Jess, who felt powerless, he was sure.
"I thought I told you to not fucking show up," she snapped out at Jess. She tightened her arms as Jason's hands rested on her shoulder. "I didn't want you here."
"You really thought I would not bring my girlfriend here," he said taking a step closer sizing her up.
"You know you loved my little gift the other day. I was the first—" Jason's eyes snapped at Betty as the girl's smirk widened while smiling broadly in Jess' direction. "Besides we know what happens to spares—"
"Fuck off Elizabeth," he hissed, pulling Jess with him.
This seemed to set something off in her because she took several steps back and turned slowly away. Grabbing another champagne glass from a passing server, he stood tall against the only person he could right now and beside him was Jess, feeling the anger radiating off. Betty had walked away before Jason realized the quietness around him. A few minutes later, his father interrupted her and forced himself into her conversation causing the downcast look of insult to spread across her face. Jason watched angrily seeing Jess be disrespect numerous times over by everyone here.
They expected him to return to Betty and be the best damn man of the company. Mr. Martinez expected him to marry his daughter, but he had a moment of weakness as a seventeen-year-old resulting in conceiving Darcy. Even now, a light tapping echoed in the room and silence grew across the room.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," started his father tapping his glass gently. Everyone's eyes were on him as he extended a hand in Jason's direction. "Thank you for attending this evening's events. I wanted to announce the future of our business. May we be blessed Jason Marshall and Elizabeth Martinez, as they take the reins in continuing our business. My boy has already taken a senior leadership role these last few years and I'm sure with Elizabeth by his side, they will continue to grow!" Everyone already seemed to know and let out a laugh, whether for happiness or as a joke, neither Jason could figure out standing too still against the stairwell.
"For my beautiful Elizabeth," commented Mr. Martinez as every rose their glasses.
"And to my son, Jason," said Mr. Marshall, one last arm raising a glass.
Jason looked around the room with Betty beside him, knowing now the business was in his hands. The woman beside him though grabbed his hand and turned him giving him a big kiss in front of everyone. There was a collective gasp as everyone witnessed this, but one by one people began turning toward Jess. Her hands were curled against her glass as she tried her hardest to shield her emotions at seeing Jason and Betty kiss, though forced.
Jason had a hold of her shoulders and was actively trying to get out the embrace and once he did, he scowled at her and walked away, a red blush crossing his face. He gathered Jess and Jack to the door, seeing the tears forming on her face, and the upset manner the young boy was behaving. Getting the car brought around, he took them home. Jess dealt with Jack solely before locking herself in the bathroom. He swore he heard her throwing up, but he didn't assume anything since it was overwhelming the entire evening. It pained him greatly to hear her suffering at the hands of the business, but she was also crying he could hear.
After nearly an hour, he went to check on her seeing she had fallen asleep on the floor. Picking her up, he carried her to bed, and carefully removed the earrings and high heels so they wouldn't get tangled in the pillow or blanket. Returning to the bathroom, he took his toothbrush and scrubbed his teeth harshly seeing the blood drip into the porcelain sink. He felt his tears coming and nearly shallowed the mouthwash. Spitting it out, he choked back his tears trying to not wake the others.
Jason's heart was quenched with rage and the internal screaming was not helping any. Rooted deep down from within, he knew the depression in his situation, but knew it would take a lot to overthrow his father. Now everyone would know he called the shots, but he could not make sudden changes when his dad still made the calls behind the scenes. Getting up, he went to check on them before grabbing his coat and hat. Leaving for a bit, he hoped to clear his head and ignore the problems.
He was now the leader of the Marshall family, which meant he was now the mob boss. A criminal mastermind, twenty-six years in the making. His hair curled under his hat, but green eyes wandered to everyone around as he walked around the power and light district taking in the sights and people enjoying their pre-New Year's parties. Finding a cocktail bar, he ordered gin and juice trying to calm himself. It was extraordinary to think he oversaw such, but from the same space as the depression, grew a maniacal emotion he hadn't realized he owned. He drank his drink watching a pair of girls across the bar, they seeming to catch he was watching them. Blushing, one walked over after several more drinks were had.
"Hey," the woman said, her brunette hair flowing down her back. "Names Debbie. Yours?"
"Jason. You look cute in your dress. Must be cold though," he smirked nodding at her short dress resting neatly under her bottom.
"Oh, you like my dress? Yeah, I'm a little cold. Could I sit with you and warm up a bit?"
Shrugging his shoulders, he threw back the small remainder of his glass before facing the woman. "Why not."
He and the girls left the bar and walked around the district, clearly drunk in their efforts to convince Jason to return to their house. An hour had passed, when he noticed in the corner of his eyes, a black car following him. Crossing the street, the two girls followed him into a side street where the car couldn't track him. Eyeing around the building, they seemed to realize he was suddenly watching his back.
"Hey are you okay?" asked the brunette of the two. "Let's head out to my place. Over in Overland Park."
Agreeing, they got a taxi and here, Jason sat beside the girls feeling very comfortable. Arriving to a rundown apartment, he stepped out of the taxi and took in his surroundings, seeing he wasn't followed. The brunette lead him and the second girl to the second floor, opening the door quietly and flooding the studio apartment with light.
"Sorry, it's only us in this little place. We barely have heat," admitted the brunette seductively taking off her coat and shoes near the armchair. Setting down their stuff, the girls went to get into more comfortable clothes as Jason closed the door behind him. There was a sinister thought in his mind, and he was glad to safely remove the designer watch on his wrist, hiding it in the inner pocket zipping it up carefully to not draw attention to himself. He took off his coat and shoved his shoes, holding his wallet, phone, and hat, into the body shell before turning around. Both women had removed their clothes and were laying on the bed. They were both drunk off their ass, but Jason took the opportunity to enjoy himself as the newest minted mob boss he was.
Smiling, he was certain that his efforts would be rewarded as he gave these women probably the best night they ever experienced. They screamed his name several times over, as he pleasured them into the night.
*dot*
On the morning of Jack's birthday, they were traveling back to California. The short flight was exhausting but Jason's temper hadn't improved either from the party. There was cockiness that he had suddenly possessed, and it greatly concerned her. It was hard enough sitting waiting for the airplane when they returned from Missouri. Having spent most of the ride in the airplane's lavatory, she held onto Jason's hands as they exited the airport. He walked with a sort of swagger as others were staring at him like he was a movie star. Only Jack it seemed appeared to get him out of the dazed manner he behaved in. But in two days' time he had to leave for Mexico again for work leaving Jess alone with a toddler Jack in the house, throwing up. Cursing her lucky, she started cleaning up some boxes in the garage when she came across some of her things tucked away. Putting Jack down for quick nap, she started going through the box when a small white card fell out of a stack of photos of her and guys.
EP Thomas, business manager for hire
+33 6 5555….
Wasn't that Mr. Thomas, the French Interpol agent Mali spoke about? Taking the change, she called the number on the card, and it rang for three rings before someone picked up.
"Bonjour," said the caller. "Oui?"
"Mr. Thomas?" she breathed softly staring at the man's card.
"Oui. Qui êtes-vous?"
"What? I don't speak French?"
"Who is dis?" asked the man kindly.
"My name is Jessica Billings. You gave me this card when I was in Bangkok."
"Bonjour, Madam Billings?" asked Mr. Thomas suddenly lowering his voice and there was some movement in the background. "Are you zafe? Are youz alone?
"I am but, I was wondering if I could ask a favor."
There was short pause as Mr. Thomas confirmed he could talk a moment. "What can I do tu 'elp?"
"I was wondering if you could help me understand what business Jason Marshall does for his family. He is always going off to Mexico lately and he never explains anything other than business. It concerns me because he recently became the CEO or president of his family business. It confused me greatly."
Jess was pacing in the kitchen, holding her phone to her ear, listening in case Jason came in, which was unlikely because he said he wouldn't be back till tomorrow. Her whole being was worried as she spoke to him, explain the concerns and she assumed that being who Mr. Thomas was it could help her understand better.
"Jezzica, you need to know one very import'ant detail. Youz cannot mention diz to any'one. Unless I sayz. You needz to know youz is in danger. Monsieur Marshall 'idez from us. 'is actions are being watched though. Pleaze know youz are in danger."
Danger?
"I don't understand. What kind of danger?" she asked unsure what he was getting at.
"Youz said he was the CEO or prezident? Oh, ce n'est pas bon."
"Yes. I was at this business party at Christmas, and it was announced he was taking over from his dad, but I don't know anything about what it was bout. Jason and Elizabeth Martinez are now in charge."
There was silent from him, and this worried her greatly. "Mr. Thomas?"
"Theres are changes in ziss world and 'e is in the zis middle of it all. If you need zee means to leave, pleaze call me again. I can offer zee means for you."
"You aren't telling me something!" she said in a snappy tone.
"Marshall et Martinez ont laissé les opérations à leurs enfants. Ce n'est pas bon du tout. Nous devons agir rapidement," he spoke quickly to someone on his end before a hushed amount of noise took over the call. "Pleaze, und'rstand, right now, for youz safety and youz little boy. Zee Marshallz and Martinez familiez are mobsters. They are criminals, like Chow is. We never 'magine that we would 'ave direct con'tact gettin' in. Pleaze, will you help us on'ce more?"
"Wait, Jason's a criminal!" she screamed, her eyes wide in fright. "A criminal?"
"Oui! 'e is and we've been trying tu get a link in, but ne'er could. Is zere anything elze you can remember from zee party."
Thinking back on everything she could, she was surprised that in Jason's frequent absence that this was the reason why. It just couldn't be, but Mr. Thomas was an Interpol agent, he wasn't the one who lied to get Chow. Something made her believe him, but his goodbye request left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Au revoir pour le moment Madam Billings he had said before hanging up the phone. He had asked her to search the house for evidence that could be used against him or give plans for the Marshall's criminal activities, past or present. Suddenly, again she found herself in the bathroom, throwing up at the revelations of Jason's lies.
When he came home after three days, he spent the next two weeks staying without much noise from his phone. It seemed he was laying low to avoid something, and on more than one occasion Jess spotted the safe open. He went out to take Jack to the park, when she seized her change to look through it. With nimble fingers, she pulled out everything including several documents of identities from his real name to fake personas under the name Mark or Steven Johnson. There were accounts hit lists, and offshore accounts listing himself or his father as the recipients. Underneath most of the papers hidden under the fake bottom lay a small stack of papers that took her attention after nudging it gently. Setting her phone down after taking endless photos, she looked over her shoulder for good measure.
Fearful of Jason finding her, her hands were shaking as she took the folder out and thought she heard a door opening. Readjusting the fake bottom, she tried to set everything back in the same, before hiding the stack in her closed laptop. Taking the laptop, she put it in her backpack and set it in the closet behind a large box of winter blankets they never used. Ten minutes later, Jason returned with Jack who was fighting him for sleep. Taking the boy, she thought anxiously if he would realize she went through his things. She prayed he didn't look for her backpack.
That evening, he sat across the table in a hostile mood and after sending Jack to bed, he rounded on her suddenly, pushing her against the wall, his fingers curled in her hair.
"Were you in my stuff?" he demanded holding her down. "In my safe?!"
"No," she screamed trying to hold herself up against the wall but a felt his body pressed on hers. "It was open and some of the papers fell out. I was cleaning up and put them back!"
He gripped her neck harder and squeezed her wrists which were held above her head. There was smirk on his lips and a dark color to his green eyes. This wasn't the same Jason, she remembered. Whatever happened recently had changed him in the last several months. She managed to knee him aiming for his groin and he dropped her causing her to run to Jack's room. Groaning, Jess threw open the door and prayed she had enough time to get the boy and run but right as she stepped back onto the first level, Jason stood there, red in his face as he stepped forward trying to grab for them.
Jack was crying as he fell out of her arms, Jess told him to hide which he did. A moment later, Jason took aim at her, a bat in his hands. He struck her in the stomach twice before Jack's screams carried through the room. The harsh noise stopped him in his track right as it would have hit her another time.
"Mama," Jack's voice broke out quivering. He stayed fixed to his hiding spot behind the sofa staring at his father's hunched figure over his mother. "MAMA!"
The name alone made Jason take several steps back and he threw the bat down on the floor abandoning Jess there who was gasping for air reaching for Jack. Jason left the house, and she took the chance to grab her backpack, throwing in everything important into it in such a rush the poor thing was nearly double in size. Grabbing Jack's tiger plush, she threw the backpack and other items into her SUV before putting Jack in and handing him a blanket.
Holding her side, she winced in pain as the sudden urge to throw up again came. Letting it out on the kitchen floor, she went back in to grab the bat slamming it against the large photo of the three of them, striking Jason in a manner she could not in real life. Crying at the understanding of where she was, she paused realizing how much in danger she currently was. Racing out of the garage, she fled north not stopping until she reached a quiet place off the main road to stop and cry silently. Exiting the car seeing Jack was asleep again, her heart was still beating against her rib cage. High-pitched screams erupted from her as she collapsed against the side of her car pulling her phone out trying to find the number to call Mr. Thomas through blurred vision. Cradling her ribs, she feared one was broken with how much pain she was in.
Desperately, she fumbled with it until seeing the +33 and stabbed the phone, praying, he would answer. She didn't even hear him respond but begged him to come save her, because Jason had attacked her for going into the safe. She was scared and cried until she could no longer speak. In the distance, she thought she saw black cars pulling up around her and prayed it wasn't Jason but the rush of several men approaching her, caused her to shriek and get back into her car in alacrity. She covered her head and begged God to not die but nothing came except the sound of a concerned Mr. Thomas called her name. He walked up, a few agents standing behind him, and knocked on the window softly.
"Madam Billings," he said calmly. "Pleaze let me 'elp."
Having sat up and seeing him, she unlocked the car long enough for him to open the door, before she gasped for breath and blacked out from exhaustion in the driver's seat.
*dot*