Текст книги "Cassie"

Автор книги: Jennifer Foor

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Copying this title is a crime.

Don’t be a thief

A Mitchell-Healy Book #7

Copyright © 2015 Jennifer Foor

All Rights Reserved

Cover Art: Wicked Cool Designs

This book is a written act of fiction. Any places, characters, or similarities are purely coincidence. If certain places or characters are referenced it is for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. This book is not allowed to be offered for sale, discounted, or free on any sites by anyone other than JENNIFER FOOR. To reiterate: This book may ONLY be distributed by Jennifer Foor, the owner and Author of this series.

DOWNLOADING EPUB COPIES IS A FRADULENT ACT.

Acknowledgements: It’s no secret how much family means to me. I come from a huge clan. One side of my family is referred to as THE WORST FAMILY EVER, (#TWFE). We’re really the best family, so it’s obviously a big silly joke. We vacation together, and when we travel we have shirts made. People stop us and ask what #TWFE means. They’re shocked to learn the truth. Some even take pictures and become friendly each time we run into one another. I look forward to many more adventures with my crazy family. So, this book is for #TWFE. You know who you are, and I’ll know if you bought this book because you’ll mention being recognized. We are the coolest. I love you. If you don’t buy this book I will Vaseline your car door handles. BEWARE. Don’t forget I love you.          

Preface

“Are you sure this is what you want to do, Cassie? I know how much your family means to you,” my boyfriend Brant asked for the third time in ten minutes. We’d been sneaking around again in order to see each other, because my family didn’t approve.

“Yes. I’m positive. The sooner the better, Brant. The longer we stay here the worse it will get.”

“It’s settled then. I’ll make some calls and see if I can find a job somewhere else. I don’t even care what I’ll be doing. As long as I’m with you we’ll make it work.” He smiled, a tiny dimple forming on his cheek. “You know I love you, right?”

“I do. I love you too. Leaving is going to be hard, but it’s our only choice. I want a future with you, no matter who we have to cross to make it happen.”

Brant dropped me off on the main road leading to my parent’s house. We lived on a large ranch, so his vehicle would be undetected, even if they were waiting up for me. I’d lied about where I was going, only because I wanted to spend some quality alone time with my boyfriend.

When I walked in the door, I found both of them waiting for me. Maybe I should have known to expect it. If they could make my life hell they would do it, until they knew I’d given up on Brant for good.

It was never going to happen.

We’d been arguing about it for the past two hours. You’d think since I was in my twenties they’d lay off about my boyfriend. I’d been paying rent to my parents since I turned eighteen; something they said would teach responsibility. Seven days a week I worked at my family’s huge produce distribution office managing shipments. I went to church, like every good girl was supposed to. I gave back to my community, and helped others whenever I was given the chance.

Why couldn’t they let me be with the man I loved? “Daddy, please. I’m sorry for coming in so late, but we went to a concert. It was three hours away. I was quiet coming in, and didn’t wake anyone. Why are you making a big deal out of it?” They’d been on me since I came home with my first tattoo at sixteen. Sure, I’d done it without their permission, but it was my body to modify however I wanted.

Had he not been waiting in the recliner, gun in hand, I would have probably gotten away with it, but ever since I’d started dating Brant my dad had been irrational. He claimed he knew what kind of man Brant was and if I knew better I’d steer clear of him and anyone he associated with. He said the whole town knew of his criminal record, and that I’d be a disgrace to our family name if I was seen associating with him.

Little did he know I’d met Brant at a time where I felt lost. He’d made me feel good about myself, which is something every teenager struggles with. The moment my dad learned his name, he was forbidden from coming onto our property. They’d tried to make it impossible for us to be together, though we’d been finding ways for a while right under their noses. Who were they to tell me who I could and couldn’t love?

With my mother standing behind him, he snarled and leaned forward in the chair. “Young lady, you live under this roof. I’m not having this kind of behavior for your brother and sisters to see. You need to set a better example. That boy is nothing but trouble. He’s going to end up spending the rest of his life in jail. Don’t let him drag you down.”

“Drag me down? Are you serious? Like I said before, I’m not a kid. I can be with whoever I choose.”

“Not while you’re living in this house. I want you to stop seeing him. I’m not messing around either, Cassie. The relationship is over! This is the last time I’m going to say it.”

I shook my head, hot tears pouring out of my eyes. “I love him. You can’t keep us apart. I’ll leave if I have to.”

I’d never threatened my father before. I’d never dared backtalk him, or go against his final decision. I watched as his eyes widen and then finally closed. I’d crossed a line I couldn’t come back from. He knew I was choosing my forbidden relationship over our family.

My mother interrupted before my father blew a gasket. “Cassie, please. We’re doing this for your own good. Brant is a bad person. We don’t want you to get into trouble. You’re a good girl. Please reconsider. I know you don’t understand, but we’re doing this to protect you. Guys like him will only bring you down.”

I threw my hands in the air. “I’m too tired to argue with the both of you. I’m going to bed.”

“Cassie, don’t you dare walk away from us,” my father ordered.

I continued until my bedroom door was preventing them from coming after me. I made sure the door was locked before falling onto my comfortable mattress and bawling my eyes out.

Why couldn’t they understand how being with Brant made me happier than I’d ever been? All they saw was what other people gossiped about. He wasn’t the guy they’d pegged him out to be. He was so much more than meets the eye, and I refused to give him up because they couldn’t look beyond the surface.

I didn’t sleep at all. I couldn’t.

My mind was a disarray of thoughts. I imagined breaking it off with Brant, and how hard it would be to get over such a love. He’d been my first, my only. It wasn’t just saying the words and holding hands. We wanted a future, the whole kit and caboodle. His rough demeanor was a façade. I knew the man inside of those rough walls. I’d watched him fall apart a month ago when his grandmother fell ill. I’d witness firsthand how her death took a hold of him, destroying all that was precious. Without me, I was afraid of what he would become. We were good for each other; a light at the end of two tunnels, coming together for a common interest. I needed him, just as much as he needed me.

That’s when I knew what had to happen. There was no other way, none that would work. I had to leave, and I’d do it before my father was able to stop me.

By the time the following week rolled around, Brant had made his plans.

I stayed calm, letting my parents think I’d stayed away from my boyfriend, so they’d be unsuspecting. I couldn’t let on, because I knew they would find a way to intervene.

My father was the biggest hurdle. I waited for him to go to work. My bags had been packed for hours, and I’d conveniently hid them in the bush out front of my bedroom window. My mother was in the laundry room, and I was fully prepared to go without a goodbye until she caught me heading toward the door.

Her words caused anger to fill me. “Where do you think you’re going?”

I turned, nonchalantly giving her a half-witted smile. “I think you already know the answer, don’t you? We discussed this last night. Please don’t make a big deal out of it.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

My brow raised. I was done trying to appease my parents. It was time I lived for me instead of everyone else. “I would. I’m tired of living by your rules. It’s time I take what I want in life.”

“Oh,” she replied sarcastically. “And I suppose this has something to do with Brant?”

I didn’t falter. “It has everything to do with him.”

“You’re making a terrible mistake, Cassie. If you leave out that door you’re not going to be welcome back, not if your plans are to run away with him. We’ve been patient with you, but enough is enough. I’m tired of trying to convince you how bad of a person that boy is. If you want to run to him now, it’s going to be forever,” she threatened.

I snickered, almost getting a kick out of her gall. She certainly believed I’d back down because she was warning me I wouldn’t be welcome back. “Don’t be overdramatic, Mom. I know you’re full of shit. You don’t have to worry though, I won’t be returning to this hellhole anyway. I’m done being treated like your little slave. You can’t control me, and you never will.” I headed for the door, taking the knob into my grasp. “Oh, and don’t think you can call Daddy and come after me. We’re leaving this God forsaken state and never coming back.” I was bidding goodbye to North Carolina, no matter how much it hurt.

She pulled me by the hair, desperate to keep me from leaving. I heard the sound of a loud motor and knew it was Brant. My ride had arrived and losing a bit of scalp wasn’t going to stop me from running after him. “No! I won’t let you do this to your life,” she struggled to say while pulling me back. “Please Cassie.”

I twirled around, shifting my weight to have the upper hand, finally pushing her off me. She fell down to the floor, shocked and emotionally pained. I was breaking her heart by the second. “Don’t come looking. I’m done with this family. The more you search, the further I’ll go. Goodbye, Mom. I hope you have better luck with your other children, because you failed terribly with me.”

She got up and rushed in my direction, holding me from moving. I jerked my arms out of her reach and she slapped me. “How dare you?”

“How dare me?” I sighed. “You know, I get why your first husband beat you. You’re weak, and I’ll never be anything like you. You’re so fake. You say you live by God’s rules, but you’re a hypocrite. You were married to someone with a criminal record.”

“I didn’t know.”

“He was a horrible man. You could have left at any time, but you were afraid. I’m nothing like you. I won’t be afraid to take what’s mine, and do whatever I have to do to be happy.”

“This isn’t you.” She noticed the vehicle waiting outside for me. “Cassie, there’s things you don’t know about him – about his parents.”

I pointed in her direction. This was her last attempt to get my attention, and it wasn’t going to work. “Nothing you say will prevent me from walking out this door. I love him and he loves me. Have a nice life. Keep in mind this could have been easier had you just given him a chance. You pushed me away. You and Dad did this to me.”

In my defense I was talking out of my ass. I needed her to stay vulnerable so I could get a head start. In no time at all she’d be on the phone with my father, hopping in their vehicle to hunt us down. This had to be brutal. It had to hurt, or else I’d never get away. I needed to force myself to sever ties, so I could finally be free.

Chapter 1

Cassie

“Stop crying, Cassie,” Brant ordered for the second time in five minutes. We hadn’t even gotten an hour away from my uncle’s farm in Kentucky before I lost it. We’d run to their house first, mostly because I needed to see if I could gain some more funds from my rich family before we continued on to our destination.

Since that time, my boyfriend hadn’t been very sympathetic. Brant couldn’t understand what it was like to leave everything behind. My parents, my siblings, and the rest of our kin, which happened to spread between two states, were all worried about me. Little did they know I’d probably never see any of them again. Brant had made me promise I wouldn’t contact them, not even my closest cousins. This decision had to be final, probably because he knew the pull they’d always had with my emotions. It was obvious he’d never been part of a group of blood relatives who’d do anything for each other. Faith – family – love, it’s what we were raised to value. God was first, and afterwards it was our devotion to be good people. Though I couldn’t always understand, I did what I was told, like every good little country girl was taught to do.

When Brant came into my life things got a bit crazy. The more drawn to him I became, the further from my values I ended up. My parents were the first to see it, forbidding me from being around someone with such low standards.

Brant wasn’t like any of them. His heart was hidden under a slew of tattoos and criminal acts. Even though they couldn’t see past what was on the outside, I fell in love with the whole package. His bad boy image made me want to fight for his attention, and once I had it, I refused to back down.

I didn’t know the first thing about being bad, but I did a fine job fitting in with his crowd, dressing and doing the things they’d do for fun. I’d dabbled in drugs, only recreational, and later been caught by my parents. My father, having gone through his own stint of living on the bad side, years ago, was the first to freak out and promise to do everything in his power to keep me from going down a path I’d regret.

Mostly it meant keeping me away from Brant.

The more he tried to severe ties between myself and my boyfriend, the harder I had to fight to find ways to keep him in my life. I became deceitful, desperate, and a cold-hearted bitch. I’d chose to follow my heart, instead of the values and opinions of my family members. I’d sacrificed stability to throw caution to the wind and be with the crazy man I couldn’t get enough of.

He was my greatest addiction, and I gladly welcomed the high he brought me when we were together.

Even though my choice was made, I still had hope in the back of my mind that I’d be able to change everyone’s opinions and have a happy life. I’d hoped when we stopped in Kentucky to see my cousins, Brant would like it so much he’d want to stay there, instead of carrying on with his plan to tear me away from all of them. After all, without the constant badgering from my parents, I assumed he’d see the good in the rest of them, settling for new scenery over the unknown.

I’d always been close with my cousins. We spent our summers in Kentucky, and every other holiday. My father was raised on that ranch, and learned everything from living there. Growing up, I could envision settling down in one of the small homes on the property and starting a family, like many of my relatives had done. Brant could work the cattle with the men, while I took care of our two point five children and dog.

The truth, it was always a dream. Even if I wasn’t with Brant, no man would give up his aspirations of a better life to work with animal shit and family drama in the name of love. Nowadays couples struggled to remain together. When you add that with the parents I had, there was no hope for resolution. It was Hell or high water. I felt like I was living both at the same time.

This plan wasn’t only the two of us running away to live in sin. It was our opportunity to start a life, free of ridicule and hate. It was our chance to be two new strangers in a large town. We were going to be free; free from scrutiny and free from judgment.

I knew I couldn’t have both scenarios. It was my family, or my boyfriend, and as bad as it sounds, I’d had a lot of time to make my decision. They’d kept me from him too many times to keep track of. They’d threatened my happiness, and I was tired of fighting. The bickering and whispers had to stop. I wanted a new life – a new start where I could be a responsible adult.

One call changed it all for me.  The moment Brant got word, I knew our future was set. For months we’d been planning our getaway, but Brant stayed focused, seeking out opportunities elsewhere. The call was one he’d been waiting days for; a call offering him a job he said he couldn’t refuse – one that could give us more money than we’d ever need to get started on our life together. It would last for a month or two, and then we’d be set.

Sure, it was good he’d made arrangements, and certainly Las Vegas was going to be an exciting place to start over, but I’d be doing it without the support I’d had my whole life. I’d essentially be alone in a huge city known for crime and sins. It wasn’t exactly a small town safe haven, like I’d been brought up in.

Brant thought it was a good idea to break contact with everyone, on account of my parents having gone to extremes to keep us apart. My dad had called in favors with friends and even told the cops where they could find Brant when he knew he’d violated probation. He wouldn’t stop. He knew if he kept interfering Brant would go to jail, and I’d be forced to stay away from him. They claimed he was bad news, but in the time we’d spent together he’d only ever made me happy. He’d been gentle, supportive, and above all, my only best friend. If they could only see past the tattoos and criminal record they’d see what I was able to – a kind soul who only wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. Sure, he was rough around the edges, but everyone deserved a chance at happiness, especially a hopeless romantic like me.

He was loyal to his friends, even though most were a bunch of high school dropout hoodlums. They all congregated in a double wide on the outskirts of town. Most couldn’t hold a job, and some were so hopped up on drugs they weren’t even able to carry on conversations. I never asked how they paid their bills, or managed to afford the drugs and cars they drove. I knew better than to open that can of worms.

Brant seemed better than them. He did what he was able to impress me, using his charm to take me places and win me over. He never had to work hard. Even when I was angry, he found some way to distract me until I forgot what we were fighting about. He’d been good at something else too. His ability to think ahead made me feel like our plan to be together could work.

I just feared it  would backfire. My father was a relentless man. People didn’t cross him. He meant business, and when he said he was going to do something, he did it. Much like Brant, he wouldn’t back down. The two of them had that in common at least. They’d fight to the death for me, and it scared the shit out of me to think about losing either of them.

“Why do you keep looking back there?”

Keeping watch out of the rear car window wasn’t my idea of a good time, especially after what I was giving up to be with him. Brant seemed to think we were in the clear, but ditching our phones wasn’t going to stop them from seeking another way to hunt us down. “I’m afraid they’re going to find us,” I admitted. “Dad is probably already coming after us.”

“Baby, chill the fuck out. We’re good.” He took my hand and raised it to his lips. My tolerance level was wearing thin. “I love you. Don’t be such a downer. If I wanted to feel like shit I’ll do it on my own terms.” He smiled, displaying a dimple in the corner of his creamed toned skin. His dark hair was blowing with the breeze coming in the open window. “When we get to Vegas I’m going to buy you something nice. I know this is hard. I get it. Just give us a chance, Cass. We’ve planned this for a long time. Don’t back out on me now. I need you.”

Like my father, Brant always felt his way was the right way. I however, had a different opinion, though I hadn’t yet voiced it. Now he was making me feel guilty. The idea of slipping away to Vegas seemed exciting, but in hindsight I knew it was a terrible idea. Nothing good was going to come from it, but I didn’t have the gall to go against what my boyfriend had already decided. He wasn’t keen on someone standing in his way, and he’d planned this move for far too long to reconsider. He’d made plans, found us a place to stay, and arranged for a job. He’d kill me if I ruined it because of being homesick, not to mention how many hoops he’d gone through to convince a stranger to give him a chance. It wasn’t like he had fantastic references.

“Sorry,” I whispered under my breath. While looking in the upright mirror at my reddened green eyes, I wondered if I’d ever be the same carefree girl again, or if this crazy move would change me. “I know this is what I want. You’re right, Brant. I can’t wait to see what life has in store for us.” In the pit of my stomach I felt a need to continue to worry. This was new for me – all of it. I’d never lived anywhere else than my family home. I didn’t know the first thing about being independent enough to start a whole new life, and Brant hadn’t yet been forthcoming about his new job, which had me a bit concerned. He wasn’t exactly the poster boy for employment opportunities. Since he was being so secretive, I was worried if what he was going to be doing would even be legal. If it wasn’t I didn’t know what I’d be able to do. He wouldn’t listen to me, and I couldn’t exactly call the cops on the only person who was taking care of me.

I’d have to get my own job, and since the only experience I had was working on a ranch, I knew I’d have a hard time finding something I was good at.

Maybe I should have finished college. A few night courses didn’t exactly leave me with a degree in anything. For the life of me I couldn’t ever remember wanting to be anything more than a housewife, much like my mother. Sure, she had a hair salon with my aunt, and both my sisters enjoyed working there in the past, but it wasn’t for me. I pictured having a bunch of kids and homeschooling so I could spend all my time with them. I’d been raised to love and appreciate my relatives. Us children were taught nothing is stronger than the bond between family.

Turning my back on them was excruciatingly hard, especially not having any clue what we were getting involved in.

This was the choice I made, and I couldn’t turn back now. I wasn’t willing to give up my relationship with Brant, and I certainly didn’t want him leaving me behind. This was our future. Like it or not, we’d made the decision to leave and I wasn’t going back.

I thought about my family as I stared out the car window. The faithful group of people who raised me and taught me right from wrong were probably freaking out. I knew they were frantic by now. I was sure they contacted the authorities, or at least my great-uncle who’d been the sheriff in Kentucky for many years. There was little he could do now, since we’d exited the state hours before.

Then there was someone else who filled my mind. I’d treated her terribly. I’d taken out my frustrations on her, knowing it was crushing her heart. I’d said things I’d been taught to never say to someone. My mother didn’t deserve to be told off in her own home, nor did she appreciate watching me walk out the door with no intentions of ever returning. I regretted our last moments together, and I wouldn’t blame her if she never wanted to see me again. If my father had been there things would have gone down differently. He probably would have got out his rifle and sent Brant to heaven with no regard for how it would affect me. He hated him with a passion, and it showed. He was quite open regarding his feelings for my boyfriend. Maybe it’s why I was determined to be with him. Maybe my rebellious ways led me right into his arms. Maybe I didn’t deserve a surreal life in the country. Perhaps I was bound for bigger and better things, or maybe I was in way over my head.

The mere thought of that made my stomach feel queasy. I came from something good. Most people would do anything to be raised by two loving parents under the same roof. It wasn’t just my mom and dad who took care of us kids either. We lived on a large piece of property in North Carolina, where my father and my uncle ran a cattle ranch. Sure, we also had a few chicken houses, and even grew produce for the local grocers, but we mostly were known for raising the best steeds around.

I’d grown up with chores and responsibilities. I’d been taught to mind my manners when in public, and thank the Lord for every blessing we’d been given. Before kids came alone, my parents had struggled, both with their own personal demons. Finding each other brought out the best in each of them. They were happy together, and extremely settled.

It’s part of the reason I couldn’t understand why they refused to relate to my situation. Why couldn’t they see I was in love with Brant Moxin? It was either their way or none at all. I think being the troublemaker made me more prone to get the brunt of their reprimands. They were obviously trying to set an example for my siblings, by throwing my relationship under the bus.

At any rate, they hated Brant from the first time they laid eyes on him. Nothing would change their opinions, and I knew with my latest decision, now more than ever before, they’d do whatever they found necessary to bring me home. That’s why I had to go to extreme  measures. It wasn’t like they would have allowed me to move out with my boyfriend.

“I think we shouldn’t stop. We need to keep going. The city never sleeps, so when we arrive we can get some grub and party.”

I tried to focus on our new journey. “Whatever you think. I can’t wait to see the lights.”

“Baby, you have no idea how awesome it is. Just wait.”

Brant lit up a cigarette and took a long drag. I glanced over and watched the smoke escaping from his lips and traveling into each nostril. His firm grip on the steering wheel showed off the tattoos he’d gotten just above his knuckles. He told me the words meant something to him, although I found them sexy and didn’t care. Nobody else would question them, or why he’d put Dead Life across the back of his hands, because they always hated approaching him.

To me, Brant was attractive, a bad boy, rough on the edges with his own sort of style. He was intimidating, and it made me feel safe and protected. He’d always been in control, and I liked it at first. Women were always hitting on him, and before I could go into bars, I was jealous imagining him being with someone other than me.

Now I worried about the consequences if my parents had been right about him. He’d pretty much threatened our relationship for me to come with him, and now that I’d run away, I knew I’d disappointed all the people who could potentially save me if things went sour.

Brant’s plan didn’t include me going anywhere without him. He’d promised we would get married, and we’d start a new life together. Each time I fought with my parents, he’d reassure me something better was out there waiting for us. The more miles that separated myself from my family, I reconsidered my selfish decision.

Things would have been easier if my parents would have given Brant a chance. I could only pray his criminal ways were a thing of the past. He’d changed. He’d changed for me – so we could be together. We were running away to have a life, not like some Bonnie and Clyde scenario. It was about love and nothing else. We’d prove them wrong. Somehow, someway we’d prove our feelings were genuine and they’d finally accept us. He’d be a part of our family, and we could have the future we both had been dreaming of. I’d taken the risk, throwing caution to the wind. I only had myself to blame for whatever happened next.

“Baby, you need to chill the fuck out. We’re not being followed, and they sure as shit ain’t going to catch up to us. We’re free. Ain’t that what you want? This is our chance.”

I watched as one of his hands came over and massaged my thigh. My hand fell down over his and I lightly squeezed. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. It’s going to be great. Just wait. We’re going to have it all. Anything you could want, I’ll give it to you.”

I forced a smile and then stared into the passenger side mirror. “I believe you.” But did I? My reluctance made me nervous. “About this job. What will you be doing?”

He ran his hand through the back of my hair and glanced in my direction. “That’s for me to know and you to find out. Don’t worry. All you’ve got to do is stand around and look pretty.”

My eyes widened as I noted what he was saying. “What do I have to do with the job?”

“You’re going to be my partner, baby. Don’t fret. I’ll do the heavy lifting.”

I already knew what it implied without asking further. By heavy lifting he meant stealing. Maybe I should have asked to get out of the car and found a way home right then. Maybe it was my out I’d silently been looking for. Except, I didn’t take it. In my head I thought I could still change his mind. I wouldn’t give up, at least not yet. If he thought I was going to break the law for us to be together, he was dead wrong.