Chapter 17
17
F or the next several weeks, Mackenna and Jobe settled into a routine. She still divided her time between New Beginnings and her DSS office, but spent more and more time trying to find extended funding. Even with the new security at the shelter, she felt as though they would all be safer if they were away from the area that gangs were near. Of course the more she learned about gangs, the more she realized that they were everywhere—even in suburbia.
Penny was getting out more, utilizing the pool for exercise and visiting with the Delaros and other friends. She only had the home nurse come once a week for about an hour and her speech therapy sessions were only twice a week. She now traveled by taxi to the physical therapist and loved her new independence.
Matt and Shane had kept Tony’s group in the loop about what was going on in the city. The police were keeping up their vigilance and on the surface, things had cooled down. But they also knew it was only a front.
Meeting one morning, they all gathered around to find out what intelligence Lily and BJ had been able to ferret out.
Lily smiled as she reported, “It didn’t take much. These guys aren’t very sophisticated when it comes to their money. Tito Montalvo himself has a rather meager bank account. But he does move money through it to his uncle’s grocery store business. Then there are withdrawals from that account into various others, including Waldron Perkins and Thomas Jazine.”
“Waldo and Jazzie,” Shane said. At Lily’s lifted eyebrow, he added, “That’s the street names of the Sixer’s officers under Tito.”
“But knowing who did the drive-by shooting at Mackenna’s place should make a difference, doesn’t it?” Jobe asked in frustration.
“We got Poco in jail. Of course, he admits to everything but won’t roll on anyone else.”
“He admitted?” Vinny asked. “He didn’t try to punk out?”
Matt shook his head. “Nah, man. It’s their creed. They can’t deny the gang.”
Tony’s men stared at the two detectives in disbelief. “So, if they’re doing gang work and get caught, they admit to it and go down. No pleas, no bargaining.”
“If you’re in a gang and took their oath—it’s thicker than anything. You get caught, you openly admit you’re in the gang. To deny the gang is to disrespect it.”
“So you got this Poco kid and nothin’ else on Mackenna’s drive-by?” Jobe asked.
Shane nodded, “Sorry, man. He confessed to the spray painting, the driving, the shooting…says it was all him.”
“That’s bullshit,” Jobe muttered, running his hands through his hair.
“Agreed,” Matt said. “It’s only one more off the street, but at least it’s one.”
“Well, I don’t have to worry about her and her mom not being safe in their beds now since they’re in my building, but, it’s just the rest of the time.”
Turning back to BJ and Lily, they continued to discuss their findings.
“ATF and FBI are working on the case as well since the transportation of guns has both of them nervous.”
BJ said, “Well, while Lily was following the money, it looks like the cameras have given us a bit more of a clue as to where they hide out. For the Sixers, Tito’s uncle’s grocery holds some kind of importance. Our cameras pick up guys going into the building across the street in groups of two or three. That building is an old apartment complex, but a quick look inside shows that they are heading to the basement.”
“Underground tunnel over to the grocery basement,” Matt surmised.
“We saw that with another case,” Tony added. “Seems like old-town Richmond is full of steam tunnels between various buildings.”
“The chief will be glad to get that intel,” Shane said. He and Matt stood to leave as the meeting came to a conclusion. As they were walking out of the door, Shane turned his attention back to Jobe. “Hate like hell to remind you, but we’re still considering Mackenna to be at risk. Take care, man.”
Jobe’s jaw ticked with anger as he nodded toward the detectives. The others were silent for a moment, knowing that nothing they said would have any effect on Jobe’s mood. Or loss of control.
* * *
Mackenna made her way into New Beginnings after waving goodbye to Terrance, who had dropped her off. Planning on working with the women today, she told him that she would text him when she was ready to leave.
Rose came by her small office an hour later to find Mackenna slumped back in her chair. “Are you all right?”
“I’m exhausted. I feel tired, sleepy, kind of nauseous…just generally yucky. And I don’t have time to get sick!” she complained. “For the past three weeks I have worked on the new grant proposals and I may have stumbled onto a real deal.”
“Girl, you’re working too hard,” Rose admonished.
“Yeah, well, there’s so much to do.”
“If you get sick, then none of this will matter.”
Just then Carla stuck her head in and said, “Hey, Ms. Dunn. I’m packed.”
Inwardly wincing, Mackenna had forgotten that Carla was graduating from the program today and was moving out. Standing, she embraced the girl tightly. Pulling away, she felt the sting of tears in her eyes, always loving it when the girls left while acknowledging that a part of her went with them as they moved out into their new circumstances.
The three walked into the kitchen, where the other women had made lunch. Gabby had been in the kitchen, whipping up her specialties and as Mackenna approached the table, her stomach lurched. She broke out into a sweat and tried to discreetly wipe her brow. Pretending that her phone was vibrating, she left the room and headed to the bathroom.
A bit later she returned, having dry heaved for several minutes. Begging off of the meal, she sat with the others as they laughed and talked about what life would be like for Carla and for Jenita, who would be leaving the next week. Finally, it was time to say goodbye. Mackenna had arranged for one of Tony’s men to escort Carla to her new apartment across town. She stood on the stoop waving as the official SUV left the road.
Rose walked up behind her and said, “You do good work here, you know?” Mackenna just nodded, unable to speak over the lump in her throat. “You fight an enemy that hides and attempts to overtake everything, but you never give up. And girl, one by one those women who leave here to a better life, do so because of you.”
Taking a shaky breath, Mackenna returned the hug and said, “Carla makes nineteen and then when Jenita leaves next week, that’ll be twenty who’ve made it through.”
“We should celebrate,” Rose enthused. “But first,” she stopped as she looked at Mackenna’s pale face, “you need to take care of yourself.”
“I think I’ll call Terrence to pick me up and head home. I just feel so drained,” Mackenna admitted.
Her mother came by Mackenna and Jobe’s apartment an hour later, just as Jobe was getting off of the elevator. “Ah came ta check on her. She did na come to see me,” Penny explained as Jobe let her into the apartment.
They found Mackenna asleep on the couch. Touching her daughter’s forehead out of motherly habit, she was pleased to see that there was no fever.
Mackenna stirred, opening her eyes slowly. “Oh mom, I’m sorry. I meant to come straight to your place. Not come up here and fall asleep.”
“You shou see a doc-ta,” Penny said.
Jobe moved to sit next to Mackenna on the sofa, pulling her into his arms. “Absolutely,” he agreed, concern showing on his face.
Mackenna snuggled up close to him, pushing her long, thick hair out of her face. “She’ll probably tell me it’s stress or not enough sleep.” She looked into her mother’s worried face and realized that as much as she hated the idea of anything happening to her mom, Penny felt the same way about her. “I’ll go. I promise. I’ll go tomorrow.”
Placated, Penny kissed her daughter and patted Jobe’s shoulder as she walked out.
Yeah, it’s probably just stress, Mackenna thought. What else could it be?
* * *
Doug had driven her to the doctor’s office since Jobe was out on an installation job and eyed her carefully when she came out. She appeared pale and distracted when she left the building. Seeing her almost knocked over by others on the sidewalk, he jumped out of the SUV and moved to her side. She looked up at him, a slightly confused expression on her face.
“Mackenna?”
“Oh, yes, Doug. I’m sorry, I was…um…not thinking.”
He assisted her into the vehicle and turned to ask, “Where to?”
Mackenna’s thoughts were in a whirl, thinking of all she had to do. I’ve got a gang after me, trying to find a new home for the center, still helping mom, and a new relationship to work on. And now this?
“Home, if you don’t mind. I’d like to go home now.”
* * *
Jobe was inside one of the larger estates in a new subdivision in Richmond. The owners had hired Alvarez Security and he was working with Gabe and BJ to get the system correct. The installation was taking forever because the owner’s bored wife had been salivating over the three gorgeous men inside of her house all day.
Finally finished, they packed up and left to head back to the office. “Jesus, I feel like I’ve got to take a shower,” Gabe complained while the others laughed.
After a few minutes of companionable silence, Gabe said, “You know, before Jennifer came into my life, I would’ve thought of tapping that. Wouldn’t have done it because she’s a client, but I would’ve been thinking about it.”
BJ laughed, “Yeah, I hear you. And now?”
“Oh, hell no,” Gabe growled. “I see that and all I can think of is how glad I am that that part of my life is over.” He glanced at Jobe driving and said, “And now that shit’s over for all of us.”
Jobe grinned, admitting, “Thank fuck! I was running out of places to hide from that cougar. Now I get to go home to my own tiger.”
The men laughed as a call came in. Gabe answered it, saying, “Yeah, he’s right here. Okay, got it. I’ll tell him.”
Jobe looked over at Gabe, his eyebrow lifted in silent question.
“Doug just got back from taking Mackenna home. Said he escorted her to the doctor’s today and then she wanted to go home.”
Jobe glanced sharply at his friends, worry immediately creasing his brow. “Fuck, I knew she was going to the doctor’s today but I fuckin’ forgot to check on her afterward. Goddamnit!”
“What’s going on?” BJ asked from the back seat.
“She’s been tired, no energy. Kind of pale.” Jobe gripped the steering wheel tighter. “I know it’s fucked, but with her father having died from cancer and her mom having had a stroke, I can’t help but worry. It’s kind of like her family is a walking medical risk.”
“Head to your place. We’ll take the company van back and one of us will drop your truck off,” Gabe ordered.
“Thanks, man,” Jobe nodded.
In a few minutes, they pulled up to the front of his building. Hopping out, he glanced back at his two friends. Silent communication all that was needed. With a head jerk to both of them, he dashed through the doors.
Once inside of their apartment, he found Mackenna standing in front of the bank of windows in the living room. A solitary figure, she stood quietly looking out at the park near the apartment building. His fears of earlier began to build. Whatever this is, we can do this he silently vowed.
Crossing over, he startled her when he approached.
Jumping, she placed her hand over her pounding heart. “Oh, honey. I didn’t hear you come in,” she said, with a smile.
He watched her carefully, studying her face for signs of concern. “I’m sorry, doll.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and continued to peer deeply, looking for whatever had been on her mind. “Um, are you okay?” he asked. “You seemed really lost in thought.”
“Yeah,” she said, leaning into his embrace. She felt his arms wrap around her tightly, enveloping her completely. Safe. Here, I’m safe.
She leaned back and held his gaze, a nervous look now filling her face. “Jobe? We need to talk.”
His heart began to pound as his control shook, making it hard to steady his breathing. “Sure,” he managed to choke out, inwardly cursing that his voice was betraying his fear. “Whatever it is, we can deal,” he promised.
Keeping his arm around her shoulders, he turned them and walked to the sofa. Sitting down, he carefully pulled her in close to his body.
“You know I went to the doctor today and—”
Before she could continue, he blurted, “Baby, whatever it is, I’ll be here. Whatever is going on, we can face this together.”
Her eyes widened in surprise at his outburst and then slowly understanding filled her expression. “Oh no, honey. I’m not sick.”
His eyes closed in relief as he pulled her in closer, pressing her face into his chest. Thank God!
“Mmm pena,” she said, her face still held firmly planted against his chest.
He felt her hands move from around his neck to his shoulders where she pushed away. She was smiling as he said, “What did you say? I couldn’t understand you.”
She licked her lips nervously, forcing herself to hold his gaze. “I said that I’m pregnant.”
* * *
The light from the full moon beamed down on the bed, illuminating Mackenna’s sleeping form. She was curled on her side with one hand tucked under her cheek and her long mane streaming behind her across the pillow. Jobe had rolled to his side facing her, but sleep did not come. The events of the evening filled his thoughts.
He had sat dumbly as the words that had left her mouth slowly managed to penetrate his foggy mind. Pregnant? He stupidly said the first thing that came into his head. “How?” he blundered.
“Um, the usual way, I’m sure. You know…sperm, egg, all that stuff we learned a long time ago?”
Then he managed to blurt out, “Are you sure?”
The smile on her face began to drop as she answered, “Yes. The doctor is sure.”
He saw the doubt move over her face, and cursed in regret that he had put that fear in her. “Shit, doll. This is amazing. I know it’s unexpected, but baby…this is everything.” Suddenly realizing that she might not be well, he jumped in, “Are you okay? Is the baby okay?”
She giggled as she moved her hands up to cup his face as well. Leaning in she kissed his lips gently. “Yeah, I'm all right. It’s too early to know about the baby, but,” she said with a little shrug, “I’m good.”
After the words she had gifted him with finally sunk in, he pulled her closely once again, holding her right against his chest. Thoughts swirled through his head. Gotta tell our parents. Gotta turn the spare bedroom into a nursery. Oh fuck, we need to go ahead and get married. And her job—Jesus Christ, I need to get her out of—
His anticipations were interrupted by her cupping his face once again.
“Jobe, I can practically hear those thoughts as they fly through your mind. And I know because they’ve been flying through my mind also. But honey, we can deal with them one at a time.”
With that, he pulled her in for a kiss once again. One that he hoped poured all of his love into her, desperately wanting her to know what she and this child meant to him. Healing. Hope. New life. Forever.
Now he lay, quietly watching her as she slept. And he vowed once more to keep her safe always.