The Carrero Effect Trilogy

Chapter 19

Sophie spends a half-hour in the room with my mother as we wait in the hall. Jake has asked me a dozen times if I'm sure about not going in, and I glare at him coldly. He clamps his mouth shut and looks away. His jaw tenses in agitation, but he leaves it alone.

He just doesn't get it at all; he has no way of understanding my relationship with her when his mother is everything you could want in a parent: kind, caring, protective, and loyal. She would move mountains for her sons and is an advocate for abused children across all states. He wouldn't understand.

My mother is the polar opposite. I spent my childhood being her carer, protector, and mother and fighting off the aggressive men she brought home. When I was eleven, I bought my baseball bat with money from a paper route, and I used it more than once to shield her from overly violent arguments with her current boyfriend. Even at such an early age, my fire and rage were uncontrollable. It saved me from advances often from men who pushed the line into perversion, but I fought back, said 'no,' and erupted. I have been hit many times but would lash back for each strike. It was never worth their while to pursue me, a crazy little fireball of spitting rage, wielding fists at them. On the other hand, Ray was truly a monster, and the fighting back only turned him on. He pushed the boundaries and showed me that I was still just a weak little girl at the end of the day.

Sophie finally emerges, her eyes wet and her nose running. I'm hit with a bite of anger. My mother always knows how to break you down and make you feel guilty. It is just one of the many reasons I can't walk into that room today or ever again.

"She's asking to see you," Sophie says softly, touching my hand gently. I say nothing, shake my head and turn on my heel, indicating they should follow. Jake doesn't, however; he stands his ground and regards me with narrowed eyes before turning and walking into my mother's room with a frown. I freeze, my breath catching in my throat, and gawp after him.

I snap around and run after him, ready to haul him back out as my anxiety peaks; he knows nothing about why she's in here, and one look will tell him everything. I'm too late; his long strides have him past the curtain around her bed as I enter the room. My mother has the good grace at least to sit up and fix her hair at his sudden entrance.

Well, who wouldn't? Look at him!

Her eyes are confused as she takes in his appearance: casual jeans, leather jacket, trademark tight T-shirt, and shades nestled in that spiked hair. He is definitely not a doctor, although he looks like he would make a gorgeous one. He's appraising her face, his eyes moving to her broken arm, the bruised, swollen chaos. I slide up beside him, glaring coldly, but he only raises an eyebrow at me, and I know what he's thinking. He knows this was no accident; he knows I've been keeping this from him, and somewhere in that quick brain, he's wondering if Ray is involved. I can bet he's already figured it is Ray who did this. I crumble under his scrutiny as my mother grabs my hand, taking full advantage of my distraction.

"Emma, I'm so glad you changed your mind," she wells up, sounding pitiful and childish. I force down the wave of guilt and emotion. I won't let her get under my skin this time.

"I never had a choice." I glare at Jake again, who at least has the sense to step back and shove his hands in his pockets. His eyes rest on me, but his face is blank.

"Hey, Mrs. … Ummm, Jocelyn?" He pulls a hand free again and waves awkwardly at her. "I'm Jake Carrero. Emma's …umm, boss." His eyebrows twitch as though he feels stupid introducing himself that way. My anger simmers. I don't see shy and awkward from him very often; in fact, I have never seen shy or awkward from him. It is so at odds with who he is.

"It's lovely to meet you, Jake. I'm sure Emma told you about my car accident," she lies easily, and I roll my eyes and clench my teeth.

Mother, he's not a fucking moron.

She's still gripping my hand forcefully, but I tug it free and move away from her so she can't try to touch me again. My mother never showed affection through touching as I grew up; she never cuddled or sat me on her knee. This little scene is for Jake's benefit, much like yesterday was for Sophie's.

"I came to say goodbye, Mother. The doctors informed me your injuries are not life-threatening; you'll be home in a couple of days." Cool and distant. Jake's gaze is on me, studying my tone of voice and controlled manner. I know he's trying to analyze the relationship; I wish he would stop watching us so closely.

"I will be, yes. I hoped you would stay a few days," she whines, blinking wistfully, big eyes fluttering up at me childishly, trying to give me her most needy look through the swelling and bruises. I turn my face away to inspect the tubes hanging by her bedside. Avoidance always works a treat.

"I have work, a life," I mumble; a minefield of emotions and thoughts is rushing through me. I hate how she always reduces me to this over-emotional, erratic mess, so I never know which way is up. I made the best decision years ago when I walked out on her. I needed my mind free of this trauma and tugging to find myself and gain some inner peace. I need it again now.

"Emma, you're my child," she whines quietly, putting on a show for Jake. I snort involuntarily, causing Jake to narrow his eyes at me. My mother carries on unhindered, used to this aggressive, insolent Emma, used to my coldness toward her. "Regardless of how you behave, I know you love me. Somewhere deep inside the icy exterior is a heart. It's why you came at all," she continues. A tear tugs at my eye involuntarily, and I storm away from the bed in response to her. I won't do this again; every time she's near me, this is how she gets to me.

"We have a plane to catch, Mother. Jake's arranged for home help until you're healed, so she'll be there for your release and won't leave until the cast comes off," I throw back flatly, "Appreciate it, and sort your life out." I stalk out of the room, my heart pounding with many sensations and trembling hands. I walk past Sophie, who's staring out of a window in the stark hall; she turns and follows as we start heading toward the main floor exit. I keep a fast pace.

Jake catches up in a jog moments later, coming to walk beside me. He reaches down and takes my hand in his, entwining our fingers softly. He opens his mouth to say something, but my cold, 'back off' glare makes him clamp it shut again. He looks away, that familiar tension in his jaw as he quells his annoyance. We know each other too well. He slides his arm against mine as he thinks better of pursuing it. My body relaxes as the calming effect he always has on me kicks in, enjoying his hand enveloping mine securely. After all, I'm grateful he's here saying nothing and holding my hand. We leave the hospital wordlessly.

***

Everything Sophie owns is in the car with our bags, which isn't much, just one grubby and torn rucksack that's so full the zipper is coming undone. She is, after all, a runaway from a poor town and impoverished parents.

The trip to the airfield is short and silent as we all mull things over in our heads. Jake has glanced down at his cell many times, and I know he's been waiting for his mother to call back with more definite plans for Sophie. In the meantime, we have agreed that we'll stay with her at his Manhattan apartment until she's placed in a safe environment through the proper channels. He has more than enough room for all of us. Jake feels she needs me there to feel safe, as having her with him alone doesn't feel right to him, considering her back story; it's not appropriate.

Sophie is sitting with eyes as wide as saucers. All of this is so overwhelming to her, and I think the realization is finally dawning that this is the start of her new beginning. I remember feeling that way on the coach out of Chicago with Sarah by my side. Finally free, running far away from all of it and running from my mother's influence. Running from a lifetime of terror and fear.

She reaches out and takes my hand as she sits between Jake and me on the rear seat, this small motion bringing up an internal feeling I had for her before, a maternal protective instinct. This girl will have the chance I should have had at her age. I'll ensure she has a far-removed life from where she came from. In a way, I know my reasons are partially for myself, as though adult Emma is somehow reaching into the past and pulling teen Emma to freedom, saving her in a way I could not save myself so many years ago.

***

Sophie looks around Jake's apartment with the same saucer eyes and gaping mouth as she did at entering his private jet. This whole thing is like a fairy tale dream to her. I know the feeling well, as I remember my first time facing the glamour of the Carrero empire so many years ago when entering the Executive House to be interviewed. Girls like us were so unused to refinery and wealth, a completely different life from where we had come.

It is incredible how, in the years that followed, I stopped noticing it and became so unphased by the expensive furnishings and, more recently, how Jake is always surrounded by it. I stopped seeing his expensive clothes and accessories and stopped looking at the luxuries and five-star hotels as anything abnormal. They are just a part of who Jake is. He never makes a show of it or makes you feel in awe of it. To him, it is normal.

I show Sophie to the guest room that's never used. It's beside the room I use when I stay here; Jake thought she might like my closeness. It is furnished like a modern hotel room, but the bed is laden with bags and boxes. I frown and walk over to open one, and I'm hit with a tug of warmth as Donna's perfume rises from the bag, her scent over everything. Inside are clothes, shoes, toiletries, everything a fourteen-year-old girl would ever need to start a new life. Jake, with his ever-attentive nature, surpasses my expectations again.

"These are all for you, courtesy of Jake," I say, smiling and nodding to them. "When you go, you'll take all this with you." I pull a bag toward the edge of the bed and nod again, giving her permission to look through them. Her eyes are almost popping out of her head. "I'll leave you to get settled; your bathroom is through that door," I continue, pointing at another door in the room. "If you want a bath or shower, go ahead. Jake is having his housekeeper, Nora, cook for us, so you have an hour before we eat, okay?" I smile widely at her, her face displaying her overwhelming gratitude and shock. She looks like she needs to pinch herself and get back to reality. Time alone to adjust is precisely what she needs right now-processing time.

"It's all too much." A tear rolls down her cheek, and I quickly embrace her. Her eyes are enormous and damp, her cheeks flushed. I can't express how much it tugs at me.

"We all deserve better lives, Sophie; this is just your beginning." She hugs me tightly before I leave her to absorb all of this and get herself acquainted with her temporary room. A swelling of happiness rises inside me now that we have her here, away from Chicago, from the likes of Ray Vanquis and my mother.

Jake is in the large, open-plan living room using his cell when he sees me approach; he grins and motions me to come over. I obey and close the gap between us smoothly.

"That's great, Mamma … Yep … Completely … Ti amo anch'io … Until tomorrow then … U-huh." He repeats his goodbyes and hangs up, beaming at me like an excited child.

"My mother has found Sophie a place to stay with a family friend, someone she trusts. I trust too. A long-term foster arrangement while Sophie goes through the legal process, then a forever home if she likes living with them." He's grinning at me in a way that makes me equally ecstatic for her; the Carreros work fast.

"That's amazing, Jake, really brilliant news! So, what happens now?" I gush, throwing myself into him for a quick celebratory squeeze. He hugs me briefly, then releases me, sighing lightly, keeping a hand on my shoulder as we face each other, holding me closer than before.

"Sophie will need to be interviewed as she'll have to tell the child services her story. Everything will be video documented so they can put her under the protective services umbrella. My mom is taking a special interest in this. Sophie will be helped at every step, Emma."

I frown and look away nervously; that will be agony for her.

If she's anything like me, the thought of telling people everything will be the hardest thing she will ever do. She's strong, and if I explain that this will help her secure a happy future, I'm sure I can assure her it's the best thing to do.

"She'll do it; she wants to start over again so badly." I look back at him with determination, already formulating my speech for Sophie in my head for when I break this news.

"That's what she'll get. The Huntsbergers are a lovely family; they have grown children, all of whom they adopted. They have experience with troubled kids. She'll get a loving home and a good education with them." He's watching me closely, his emerald eyes sparkling with happiness.

"You know them well?" I ask nervously, suddenly afraid that this won't fit my precious little Sophie. I don't want her life to be out of her control, unable to break free if it's not right for her.

"Very. My friend, Leila, is their youngest daughter. Since she arrived at age seven, she's been my friend since they adopted her. They live relatively close to my parents, so my mother will be able to keep tabs for both of us, Emma." He rests his forehead against mine, reassuringly bringing both hands to my shoulders. "It's the fairy tale ending she deserves, I promise. This is a good thing. Trust me on this; I know these people well enough." He focuses intently on me and moves intimately closer, igniting the fluttering in my stomach again.

Damn. I thought I had this under control.

"If you think so, then I trust you, Jake. I just want her to be safe."

"I promise you, Emma, this is the best outcome I could have ever hoped for." He kisses my forehead gently, leaving his lips against me as we stand motionless, lost in thought. My skin warms, and my stomach flips at his touch. My inner worries and stress drain away.

Jake would move mountains to make things right when it's something he's invested in emotionally. I know Sophie will never want for anything again, and he'll have the best legal team he can buy to guide her through cutting all ties with her birth parents. He'll be able to bring her perverted father to justice, and I want to be there to hold her hand through it all. I want to watch her rise like a phoenix from the ashes.

Leaving my mother in her dust.