Victor’s eyes narrowed and his lips pursed. “As much as I hate the idea of not seeing you, it may not be a bad idea. I need to take care of this situation. I don’t know why he all of a sudden turned up here but I plan on finding out. I have contacts who may help.”
She nodded. “It’s a great plan, Heather. I think we’ll take you up on the offer. We can leave in a few days and stay right up to Christmas. I hated the thought of not seeing you this year for the holiday.”
Victor frowned. “But it means I won’t see my grandson for Christmas. I don’t like that.”
“But we’ll be safe, which is more important. If everything gets resolved, then we can visit you right after.”
He nodded then patted Jonathan’s shoulder. “You’re right, my dear. Jonathan always does get a bit exuberant with all the presents. I can have someone drop them off at your house before you go. That way he can enjoy them while you’re away.”
Of course Jonathan got exuberant with presents. He was a young child. Had Victor treated Angelo this way when he was a boy? The thought of Jonathan growing up under the influence of Victor Cabrini made her stomach churn.
“I’ll contact you once we get back. Maybe you’ll have a better handle on why that man was here tonight. Hopefully you’ll have the situation under control.” Or maybe Jack would have found a way to get Victor out of their lives for good.
As they walked out, Callie’s eyes darted around the parking lot. Was Jack still here? Would he show up at the house later? Parts of her longed for his presence again while the sensible parts of her wanted him to stay far away. He was dangerous. And not only to their physical well-being but also to her heart.
* * * *
Jack pulled the collar of his jacket up higher as he did a last check of the construction supplies. They had a lot of work to finish before Christmas in two weeks. But it would be easier now since the college students had gone home for the holidays. He breathed in the scent of sawdust, not hating it as much as he used to.
It was the smell he associated with his father. When he was young and visited his dad on the job site, the smell always made him remember his dad was there more than home. Never, he’d vowed, would he put his job before his family. Like that had been working out for him so far. Compared to him, his dad had been Father of the Year. He’d give anything to see Jonathan even for an hour each day. And to be able to sleep next to Callie every night…the idea was heaven.
The few months they’d had togetherhadbeen heaven, at least to him. More than likely she regretted it. Not that she’d regret their son, she loved him devotedly, but if he ever got out of this mess, would she still want him in her life? She’d never keep him from Jonathan, she was too sweet and caring for that, but maybe she wouldn’t want him around permanently, warming her bed. Did she have someone else in mind for the job? Was it the reason she’d suggested he stay away? There was someone waiting in the queue.
The thought made bile rise in his throat. The image of Callie in bed with someone else was something he couldn’t even fathom. But she deserved someone to care for her and take care of her. Someone who could be a real father to Jonathan. Maybe if he backed off, she might finally be able to do that.
Could he give up seeing his son? Allow Jonathan to think he didn’t care and be raised by someone else? It would kill him, no doubt. But danger seemed to follow him wherever he went so maybe it was best. Having Pascucci see him last week hadn’t been good. Callie had let him know it’d worked to her advantage, but still he hated that he’d put her in a bad position. He would do whatever was necessary to protect his son and if staying away, never seeing him again, was what was best, he should do it.
A crunching noise brought Jack’s attention back to the present. No one should be around right now. The students were all gone for winter break and the crew had gone home for the night. He was the only one here, or should be. Maybe it was an animal looking for some scraps of food.
The noise sounded again and Jack moved closer to the large stack of lumber they would use tomorrow. He tugged on the rope holding it together and frowned when he found it loose. Who’d been careless enough to overlook this? It needed to be tied tighter or someone could get hurt.
As he walked around the stack to see where the rope had come undone, he reached to tie the ends tighter but the creaking sound grew louder. He looked up and the planks tilted in his direction. Before he could get out of the way, they completely toppled over and blackness enfolded him.
