48. Who?

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Crystal's POV

"I will say," Jackson started as he turned to look at me. "I did not feel badly for what I did to you." He waved a hand dismissively. "And I'm not talking about after you stepped on my yacht. I'm talking about before when we first met. You were a means to get back at your father and well, I despise the man. He took away everything from me. So, ruining his life and by extension yours, seemed like a good start."

He looked down at me and I noticed his eyes softened. "Although," He said. "You . . . are nothing like your father. That much has been made abundantly clear. So forgive me," He said as he gazed back at me. "For what I did to you then."

I stared at him with a small smile on my face. I could see the sincerity on his face. In his eyes. Knew that he was truly sorry. And yet I decided to screw with him anyway.

I crossed my arms over my chest and pretended to look thoughtful. "You know," I said. "I didn't actually hear an apology."

He threw his head back and laughed. He shook his head and then looked down at me once more, a look of amusement and a smile on his face. He took a step toward me. "I'm sorry, Crystal Carver," He said softly. "Truly, I am."

I let out an overexaggerate sigh. "I mean," I started. "As far as apologies go that was . . . acceptable."

"Acceptable?" He questioned as he took another step toward me.

"Yeah," I replied with a smile as I took a step toward him.

"Oh really?"

"I think if it was louder and if there were more witnesses . . ."

He reached out and tapped me on the nose. "Smartass," He said.

I looked at him. "How did you beat Sarah?" I asked him.

A sly smile crossed over his face. "I may have had a rag soaked in chloroform shoved in my pocket."

I shook my head with a smile on my face. "You really are ridiculous."

"Babe, I was not going to win that fight," He said. "You and I both know it." He threw his arm over my shoulders and pulled me into his side. "And I really do hate getting drugged."

"So do I," A familiar voice spoke up.

Jackson pulled away from me and in one quick movement, I was shoved behind him as he stood between me and Sarah.

She watched him with curious eyes. She wasn't smiling. She didn't appear to be angry. She was just . . . calm.

"You know," Jackson started conversationally. Though as he spoke he kept his eyes on her every move. "I'm pretty sure I made sure you inhaled enough chloroform to knock out a horse."

She shrugged as she stood on the wooden steps, one hand holding a leather notebook, the other on the railing beside her. "I've developed somewhat of an immunity to most drugs."

Jackson nodded. "Judging by your background, I would believe that was true."

She looked out over to the rocks in the distance. "I take it Kurt's dead," She said.

"My condolences," Jackson said as he watched her. "Not really."

She shrugged again before looking over her shoulder. "FBI's showed up." She locked eyes with Jackson. "I think it's time for The Storm to blow out of here."

Jackson continued to watch her closely, as did I. Though she wasn't making any threatening moves. Wasn't making any threats period. She was just standing there on the steps talking to Jackson calmly as if they were discussing the weather.

"I can take care of myself," Jackson said as he looked her up and down.

Sarah's gaze moved to me for a moment, and Jackson moved in front of me completely, blocking her from my gaze.

Sarah laughed, but it wasn't malicious. It was just . . . a laugh. "You dislocated my shoulder," She said to Jackson. "That was a bitch to put back into place by myself."

Jackson shrugged. "It was personal."

I noticed he flashed her a smile as I moved so I was standing sort of next to him. Still slightly behind him, but I could see the side of his face now.

She smiled at him. "So's this," She said as she tossed him the leather notebook.

He caught it out of reflex but didn't open it. Didn't even look down at it. He just kept his eyes on her.

"And this is?" Jackson questioned.

"What Kurt was getting for me before you . . . interrupted him."

"Killed, I believe is the word you're looking for."

She shrugged and waved a hand dismissively. "Now you're going to get me what I want."

Jackson laughed. "And why would I do that?"

She smiled again, tilted her head to the side. "Because if you don't I kill her."

My heart sped up and I took a step back unconsciously.

Jackson positioned himself completely in front of me once more and I noticed his whole body had gone tense.

"It could be right now," Sarah said. "if you refuse. Or it could be in a couple of months, if you haven't gotten me what I want." I could hear her footsteps on the wooden steps as she walked toward him. "And if you think running and hiding will solve all your problems just know that I will find her, and when I do, her death will be so gruesome, it'll make world news."

"You come closer," Jackson's venomous voice drawled. "And we'll see who kills who."

There was that laugh again, light and airy. "Instructions are the in the book, as well as everything that Branson got me. He wasn't finished though. Finish it, return it to me, and nobody dies."

I peered around Jackson as she turned and began walking back up the steps.

"And just how am I supposed to return this to you?" Jackson questioned, his voice full of anger.

She shot a finger wave over her shoulder. "Don't worry about that," She called out. "I'll find you."

Neither one of us said anything or made any move until she was completely out of sight.

"I hate her," I muttered, finally letting a shudder go through my body.

Jackson stared at the spot she'd disappeared from view. "I'm not her biggest fan either," He muttered before turning back to me. He tucked the leather notebook into his jacket.

His hand reached out and took mine, but Jackson's gaze was elsewhere. I was pretty sure he hadn't even realized he'd reached out, let alone that he was now playing with my hand in his.

"If she's telling the truth about the FBI being here now," I said. "You should really get going."

He turned his gaze to mine, before looking down at my hand in his. "I'll manage," He said. "Though, you should probably get back up there," He said. "I'm sure Damien will have everyone looking for you."

I let out a long sigh. "Yeah," I muttered and then I frowned at him. "Did I hear Noah mention something about a yacht?"

Jackson smiled, still looking down at our hands. "I got another one."

"Legally?"

Jackson laughed. "Babe, don't ask questions you don't want to know the answer to."

I shook my head and watched him. There was something on his face. Something in his eyes. There was something he wanted to say. The reason he hadn't walked away yet.

"Say it," I said.

He looked up at me wordlessly, still running his hands along mine. But he didn't say anything. I could see on his face that he knew exactly what I meant, but he still said nothing.

"Say what's on your mind," I told him.

He looked back down at our hands. At his fingers interlaced between mine and there was a sadness in his eyes. A brokenness.

He shook his head. "No," He whispered.

"Why not?" I asked him.

He shook his head again, and his free hand began playing with a certain golden chain around his neck.

I looked at the gold chain in his hand. Looked at the rings hanging from the end of it and then shook my head. "She really broke you. Didn't she?" I said though I wasn't actually expecting a reply.

He let out a soft laugh. "Broke doesn't even begin to cover it. I'm beyond that. Beyond saving." He locked eyes with me. "And you deserve far, far better than me, Crystal Carver." He brought my hand to up to his lips before letting go and stepping back.

"You're leaving then?" I asked him.

He nodded. "First thing tomorrow morning." He turned and began up the wooden steps, walking away from everything. From me.

He stopped when he was about ten steps up. "You're the first one, you know," He said.

I frowned at him. "First one, what?" I asked.

He turned and looked down at me. "The first one I've ever told of my past." He looked down and shook his head. "Anyone else in my life who knows, they know because they knew me from before. You're the first one I've told."

I looked up at him and smiled. I didn't say anything though.

He cleared his throat. "I will forever deny ever having this conversation, however."

I rolled my eyes. "How very Jackson Storm of you," I said.

He laughed. "Is that the word you've come up with to describe me?"

I smiled back at him. "I figured it fit."

He nodded to me. "Farewell, Crystal." He said before turning and walking away.

I watched him go. Watched him until his figure disappeared over the top of the cliffside and only then did I start up the steps.

I didn't know what I wanted. Didn't know if I wanted to stop him. To call him back. To run after him. Or if I just wanted to let him walk away. To let him leave. To end the chapter of Jackson Storm in my life once and for all.

I suppose, I didn't actually have that choice. He'd made it for me. I understood why, of course. Why he'd chosen to walk away. Though part of me had wished he'd stay.

True to Sarah's word, there were FBI agents swarming all over. Including, Special Agent Damien North.

It took a minute for me to find him though. But I was pointed in the right direction by another FBI agent and I managed to find Agent North at the front of the house.

I walked up to him and when he noticed me coming, he met me halfway.

"Took you long enough," I muttered as I shoved my hands into the pockets of my shorts.

He looked me up and down. "You look like you've been through hell."

I shrugged and then winced when the movement caused me pain. "Pretty sure I'll survive," I said.

He nodded. "Your father's in custody," He told me as he looked over his shoulder. "So is your mother." He shrugged. "Though I don't know if we're going to be able to get any of the charges on her to stick."

I nodded. "Well," I said. "You got my father."

Damien nodded back. "That we did." He looked at me. "You alright?"

I shrugged again and tried not to think too much about it. If I did, I was sure I'd break down. Yes, my father was a horrible, evil man, but in the end, he was still my father.

"Honestly, I'm trying not to think about it too much," I replied.

He nodded. "Understandable. You did a great thing though." He smiled at me. "A very brave thing."

I blew out a sigh. "I don't think I feel very brave," I muttered.

"You're alive, thank god!" A voice shouted from behind me and then I was practically tackled by Julie.

"Ow!" I cried out and pushed her off of me.

She grimaced. "Sorry," She muttered before throwing her arms around me once more. Only this time she didn't have her death grip.

Damien looked at her in annoyance. "Didn't I tell you to wait in the car until I came and got you?"

Julie just flipped him off.

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Very classy," He told her before turning back to me. "We didn't find Branson," He told me. "We're still looking."

I shook my head. "Don't bother," I replied. "He's dead."

Damien raised his eyebrows at me. "Do I want to know?" He asked me.

I smiled at him. "It was self-defense," I said to him. "I promise."

Damien just shook his head and pinched at the bridge of his nose.

"Where is she?" I heard another familiar voice shout.

I turned my head just in time to see Damien's partner, FBI Special Agent Ryder Stevenson, turn his head in my direction.

He came strolling up and stopped when he stood in front of me. I watched as he crossed his hands over his chest, looking down at me through his mirrored sunglasses.

"Jackson Storm," Agent Stevenson said without any greeting. "Where is he?"

I stared up at him, but then my gaze drifted away, off to his left, because while there were several FBI agents wandering about, there was one man in the distance standing right next to the cliff's edge.

He was wearing an FBI windbreaker, a bulletproof vest, and a pair of mirrored sunglasses. He was watching me. He was too far away for me to get a clear look at his face, but I didn't need one.

I watched as Jackson Storm raised his hand, gave me a mock salute, and then turned and walked off, right through all the FBI agents. And no one stopped him.

"Well?" I heard Agent Stevenson asked.

I looked down at the ground to hide my smile and shook my head. Then, with my mind made up, I looked up at Agent Ryder Stevenson blankly.

"Who?" I questioned.

Damien blew out a sigh and shook his head. He didn't say anything, but I knew he really wanted to.

A muscle in Agent Stevenson's jaw ticked as he removed his sunglasses and fixed me with a glare.

When I still made no indication that I was actually going to answer him-or even stop pretending I didn't know what he was talking about-he turned to Julie.

"Miss Owens," He said as he looked at her. "Jackson Storm, where is he?"

Julie looked at me out of the corner of her eye before turning her focus back to him. She shrugged, shook her head. "I've never heard that name before in my life," She said.

I looked at her. "It sounds awfully made-up," I said.

She nodded as she looked back at me. "Like something right out of a movie. Maybe some kind of superhero?"

I smiled. "Or a villain," I said.

Damien groaned and rubbed a hand down his face.

Agent Stevenson looked between the two of us. "Is that really how you want to play this?"

I let out a sigh like I was truly remorseful. "Agent Stevenson," I said. "I've been through a lot these past few days." I touched my fingertips lightly to my head like I had a headache. "I've taken several blows to the head. If I knew this man, I don't remember. But I'll be sure to call you if anything comes back to me."

He looked less than amused as he stared down at me.

"That's really how you're going to play it," He stated.

I smiled at him innocently even though he knew better. "I don't know what you're talking about." I turned to Julie. "I could use a drink, you?"

She nodded overenthusiastically. "Of course," She held out her arm and I looped mine through hers.

"Jackson Storm is a criminal!" Agent Stevenson shouted to us as we walked away.

Julie winked at me and bumped her hip against mine as we both stopped to turn to him.

"Who?" We both repeated.

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