Chapter 14 #2
Though Bramblewood was not far from Willowbrook—about an hour drive—Jake had been determined to live the “college life.” It was an opportunity he hadn’t even known was an option as a child, but one the Liens helped him achieve in pushing him toward college.
Thao and Gia were supposed to be right there with him, but he’d end up going alone. It had been a bittersweet experience. He tried to make the most of the situation while he could. He made new friends and even had a girlfriend or two, but something always held him back.
Willowbrook kept calling him back.
His heart was never fully committed, nor did he feel the same pull as when he was home.
Despite the negative memories, the positives always seemed to outweigh them.
The Lien family took him in with open arms, offering a sense of belonging, normalcy, and safety his neglectful parents had failed to provide.
Each member of the Lien household contributed to his success.
If not for their unwavering support and friendship, he would likely have turned down a dark path and become another drain on society.
Despite their best efforts, Jake felt an unshakable need for structure and stability in his life. Thao’s death and Gia’s departure, two events that amplified his need for control, eventually led him to pursue his career as a lawyer.
Laws and rules were logical. It was routine. Precise. And, most importantly, emotionless. Things he thrived on.
Jake had no intention of being a corporate lawyer. His goal was always to represent people like him. Kids like him who had unfortunate circumstances, like neglectful or abusive parents.
It was how Marley came into his life. He’d recognized himself in her.
The boy inside of him only wanted to be loved and worthy of his parents’ attention.
Though it had been nerve-racking to become the sole guardian for another human being, he opened his home up to Marley as the Liens had done for him.
Jake was quickly approaching Raven Rock, which was a remote location on the opposite end of Willowbrook. Only locals knew it. Its name was derived from its shape, which resembled a raven about to take flight over Moonshadow Falls.
Parking his truck in the small lot, Jake grabbed his raincoat before heading up Shadowvale Trail.
He sensed Kenji’s news was serious, lending to an extra air of privacy by having them meet on the seedier side of town.
Recruiting Kenji to help with his mission was foolish and likely broke laws, but it didn’t matter.
Not when it came to Gia. There was no doubt in his mind he would do anything for her and her family, even at the expense of his own career and livelihood.
He would protect the only family he had left with everything in his arsenal.
This included rubbing shoulders with suspected criminals. Though it could never be proven, rumors had it Kenji was part of an organized crime organization. Which one was indeterminable. One thing Kenji was good at was covering up his tracks. It kept him out of prison.
The fall foliage parted ways as he approached the peak. As he suspected, Kenji was already waiting for him. Glancing at his watch, he saw that he was a few minutes early for their meeting, but Kenji still beat him.
There was no use in hiding his presence. Kenji probably clocked his approach from a mile away. Whatever skill set Kenji possessed made him both a scary opponent and a useful ally.
With footsteps crunching on the fallen leaves, Jake left the dirt-packed trail and stepped hesitantly onto the large boulder where Kenji stood precariously close to the edge.
It made him feel uneasy, reminding him of how Thao lost his footing.
Fingers tapping against his thigh, Jake cleared his throat.
Kenji turned around after a moment, a scowl on his face.
“Jake, nice of you to finally show up.”
He didn’t bother to argue that he was early. “Thanks for meeting with me. What did you want to tell me?”
“What?” Kenji raised his arms out to his sides. “No small talk? Not even a hug ‘hello’ for an old friend?”
Jake crossed his arms. Friends? They were far from it, but he was too worked up for friendly banter.
Kenji dropped his arms down to his sides. His expression changed to the cold demeanor Jake was familiar with. “I don’t know if you should get involved. This is some serious shit.”
Jake tensed, brows furrowed. “Who is it?” Who is dangerous enough to make Kenji hesitant to share?
“Is this about the girl?” Kenji’s sharp tone cut through him. Jake could only manage a small nod.
Kenji let out a low whistle, shaking his head. “You’re in over your head with this one.”
“Just spit it out, Kenji,” Jake said through gritted teeth.
A hard glint reflected in Kenji’s dark eyes, his voice low. “We’re even after this, you hear me?”
As far as he was concerned, Jake couldn’t wait to have all ties with Kenji gone. “Yeah, I hear you.”
Shaking his head, Kenji reached inside his jacket and pulled out a brown envelope. With steady hands, he handed it over to Jake. “This girl better be worth it.”
Jake reached for the envelope. “She’s worth it,” he muttered.
“This guy’s dangerous, Jake. Don’t tangle with him.” Kenji’s tone was serious, almost as if he was worried about Jake getting in too deep.
Heedless of his warning, Jake ripped open the envelope and pulled out a photograph, a name scrawled at the bottom. Eyes wide in shock and horror, he stared at the person staring back at him.
“Told you you were way over your head.”
His ears were ringing at the implications of the face staring back up at him. There was nothing he could do to help Gia if this was her attacker.
“Fuck.” He’d never felt so helpless until this moment.
“My thoughts exactly.” Kenji shoved his tattooed hands into the front pockets of his dark denim pants. “Want me to take care of him for you? Keep your golden boy image clean?”
Groaning, Jake shoved the photo back into the envelope and tucked it into his back pocket. He ran trembling hands through his hair. Jake knew the information Kenji provided him was good. He didn’t know what he could do with it now.
He hadn’t thought whoever left those marks on Gia’s body would be virtually untouchable. No wonder she had finally fled LA and returned to Willowbrook. She probably didn’t know what else to do.
Despite the circumstances, a small part of him was pleased that being here made her feel safe. She was unknowingly seeking comfort and protection. Maybe a small part of her recognized Jake would let nothing happen to her.
“No, I’ll figure something out,” Jake finally answered Kenji’s question. He didn’t know the extent of Kenji’s business, but he knew enough to know involving Kenji and his “friends” would be more trouble than it was worth.
“I’ve dealt with guys like him before. He’s not as untouchable as he thinks he is. Word of advice, yeah? Keep the girl away from him. If he catches wind of someone looking into him, your girl is collateral.”
Panic seized Jake like a hand squeezing his heart.
“Thanks, man. How’s Hiro doing?”
At his brother’s name, Kenji’s hard demeanor dropped for a brief second before returning.
Hiro had gotten in over his head with a deal gone wrong when he was a teenager.
Hiro got it into his head he could handle life as a criminal, except he got set up to take the fall by the dealer he was meant to meet up with.
When the cops showed up, having received an anonymous tip, it left Hiro holding the bag.
Jake stepped in to get him the help he needed and got him out on misdemeanor charges, instead of the felony they had been trying to slap on his case. It would have meant Hiro being charged as an adult instead of a juvenile.
“He’s better. Trying to get out of the family business, like you suggested.” Kenji’s lips quirked up in a smile. “It’s nice this time of year. I miss this place.”
“Yeah… It’s…” Jake offered a fist, which was ignored as Kenji walked past him and bumped his shoulder. Jake turned around and stared at the space where Kenji should have been. He was nowhere in sight, as if he’d somehow vanished. “Nice.”
Taking a moment to glance around, Jake reassured himself he was alone.
The sound of the rushing water as it fell over the edge helped to soothe his frayed nerves.
On one hand, he was glad to know the person who hurt Gia.
On the other hand, it was almost as if his hands were literally tied behind his back.
What could a small-town lawyer like himself do to someone like him?
Staring at the waterfall strengthened his resolve in his goal to keep Gia safe. He’d have to keep his investigation quiet, formulate a plan that wouldn’t lead people to Gia.
No doubt this information would cause a massive scandal if word ever got out.
Jake stood with his hands on his hips and inhaled deeply. The damp air filled his lungs as swirls of mist floated above where the waterfall met with Crystal Hollow Lake. It would be an otherwise breathtaking view if not for his heart hammering in his chest.
What the fuck was he going to do?