Chapter Eight #5
Jackson had reached his limit, and instinct took over.
The second those awful words about Henry were out of Keith’s mouth, he couldn’t stop himself.
He drove his fist into the man’s stomach causing him to cry out and double over.
Jackson pulled him upright so that he could do it again.
Then he reached down, grabbed him by both upper arms, then slammed him against the wall.
He leaned close to Keith. “I’ve been in the military for a long time, and I’ve learned a lot of interesting things.
If you ever even think about fucking with Henry again, I will be showing you every single one of them.
” He pushed away from him to return to Henry’s side.
“My baby,” Charlotte exclaimed, rushing to him. “What have you done?” she screeched at Jackson. “I’m calling the police.”
“By all means, call them. But keep in mind that Henry’s office has surveillance.” Jackson put a hard edge in his voice. He’d gone from concerned boyfriend to commanding officer the second they had stepped into the kitchen.
“Henry, how could you bring such a violent man into my home?” Charlotte had Keith’s head on her shoulder while she rubbed his back.
“How did I not see this?” Ray shook his head.
“Exactly,” Charlotte said. “I didn’t pick up on it either. Now make those degenerates leave.”
“There will definitely be two degenerates leaving my life.” Ray walked over to stand right in front of his wife.
“We’ve been married for thirty-six years, and we had a good life together.
I thought you were a wonderful housewife, and a great mother.
” He shook his head. “I always wondered why the younger boys seemed so distant, why I would have to ask them to spend time with me and not the other way around. I should have paid more attention to what was going on at home, but I truly believed that you had it under control.” Ray took her hand.
“I’ve loved you for most of my life. I thought you were a good and loving woman.
” Tears formed in the man’s eyes. “But you abused my children and made them think that I didn’t care. How could you do that?”
Charlotte rolled her eyes, shook her head, and blew out frustrated breath. “Those boys were not abused, Ray. We have four of them, fights and roughhousing are bound to happen. It’s a completely normal part of growing up with so many brothers.”
“I’ve only heard a tiny bit of what my sons went through, and it breaks my heart. What you allowed Keith to do to them was most definitely abuse.”
“He always apologized,” she insisted. “Besides, it was their fault. They know Keith has a bit of a temper; they should have just given him what he wanted.”
“Why should they have to do that?” Ray shook his head.
“He almost died, Ray. Died, like gone forever. They should have been grateful that they still had their brother around.”
“Charlotte,” he whispered, stroking her face.
Then he shook his head and dropped his hand.
He looked around the house, eyes filling with tears.
“I always thought we’d spend our golden years here, with our handsome sons bringing their families over for barbecues.
The boys would share childhood stories and pranks, while you and I were covered in grandkids.
” The poor guy’s voice broke at the end.
He had to wipe his eyes and clear his throat before he could continue.
“But that’s never going to happen.” Jackson kept his eyes on Henry’s father.
The man looked shaky and pale. Suddenly he went down, and Jackson was barely able to catch his arm before his knees hit the floor. “Thank you, Son.”
Damn, he felt sorry for Ray. His entire world just imploded. Jackson pulled him back to where Henry was standing. Henry put his arm around his father’s waist. “Breathe in deep then let it out slowly,” Jackson instructed.
“You’re being so dramatic, Dad. I guess we know where Henry gets his obnoxious attitude from.” Keith laughed. “You sound just as annoying as he usually does.”
Keith’s words seemed to spark a fire in Ray. “It all makes sense now. I understand why the boys never wanted to be home, and when they were, they were locked in their rooms.”
“Okay.” Charlotte clapped her hands as if she was trying to get the attention of a preschool class.
“I’m tired of this conversation. Keith isn’t perfect, but none of us are.
Yes, he’s made some mistakes, but he always takes responsibility for his actions.
Not once in all these years has he failed to tell them he was sorry.
This is done. Keith settled this the way we always do, so it’s over and we don’t need to speak of it again.
” She turned to Henry. “You and your brother need some one-on-one bonding time, so you are going to give him that job, like you should have to begin with. This whole mess was entirely avoidable.”
“It will be over my dead body that Henry is ever alone with that bastard again,” Jackson got out through clenched teeth.
“My son is done giving Keith anything.” Ray’s voice was cold. “After what you put them through, I wouldn’t blame him if he was done with you as well.”
“I told you to stop with this nonsense. Of course Henry is going to help his brother.”
“I’m leaving.” Ray shook his head, “I need to get my boys together so I can find out the truth about their lives. Then tomorrow I’m getting a lawyer.”
“Why do you feel the need to dredge up the past? I dealt with and solved every problem that occurred.”
“Yes, I have a clear understanding of your parenting style.”
“See, that’s settled.” Charlotte sounded exasperated. “And just what do you think you need a lawyer for?”
Ray sighed heavily. “Our divorce.”