Stranded with My Stepbrother Chapter 168

Will

The estate was just as we’d left it. Large. Full of every amenity one could think of.

Oppressive.

It was a prison. It might have a pool, a chef, and even its own tennis court, but it was a prison nonetheless.

Dolly and McKenzie got the still-woozy Jacey out of the Escalade. Horacio took his gun out and pointed it at us, gesturing for us to go into our gilded cage.

“What’s the latest on Caleb and Shep?” I asked, going over to the women and offering my arms.

Jacey stumbled, and I caught her. By silent agreement between Dolly, McKenzie, and I, I scooped the woman who’d given birth to me up in my arms and began carrying her into the mansion.

“Milton is out of surgery. It’s touch and go for now. They’re still working on Caleb,” Ike said.

Dolly gave a relieved sigh. “As long as he’s out of surgery, my Shep’ll make it.”

“We’ll see. I’m hoping for a Hail Mary from the universe for Caleb. Mr. Masterson will be so angry if he dies.” Ike bemoaned his situation.

“Maybe we’ll get really lucky, and he’ll kill you,” I said darkly, walking through the front door with a sense of dread.

“Now, Will. No need to be petty,” he replied with a sniff. He followed us in, Horacio pulling up the rear, keeping his gun trained on the four of us. Not on Ike, of course. But McKenzie, Dolly, Jacey, and me, we were all in danger.

Dolly gave a low whistle. “Too bad your granddad’s such an asshole. This looks like it could be a nice place to live.”

“It’s a bit lonely, but yes. It’s got all the furnishings,” I said.

“Well, it won’t be lonely anymore. You’ve got company.” Ike grinned.

“All things being equal, I wish they were free, and I was here alone,” I muttered.

McKenzie waited until I put Jacey down in a lounger out on the patio before swatting my arm. “We talked about this!”

“I know. And I’m always going to wish I could have kept you safe,” I said quietly.

“It’s so delicious seeing you taken down to the level where you belong,” Ike crowed. “I swear, seeing you so humbled is my favorite dessert.”

“Did you ever have a soul?!” McKenzie snapped.

Ike pretended to think about it. “No, can’t say that I did. A soul doesn’t keep me in the lifestyle to which I’ve become accustomed.” He sat down in a patio chair.

Horacio waved his gun, and we all took seats.

“Now, Jacey, I’m going to need you to get it together by tomorrow,” Ike said pleasantly. “Even, and especially, if he dies. I’m sure you are worried about Dolly and Shep’s wellbeing as well. Not to mention McKenzie’s. Mr. Masterson is only so indulgent. Ask Will.”

I ground my teeth but didn’t rise to the bait.

Jacey just stared at him. “You’re unbelievable,” she whispered.

“So I’m told.” He smirked. “Be that as it may, I do need you to be the smiling, doting mother tomorrow. Whatever happens is Caleb’s own fault for being terminally stupid. Life goes marching on.”

“I think we get the point, Ike,” I said angrily. “There’s no need to be cruel.”

“I know. I just enjoy it. You have been a real pain in the ass. All of you have.” He gestured to his wounded arm.

“Boo-hoo,” Dolly snarked.

Ike scowled at her. “When Mr. Masterson gets tired of you, you’re going to be ‘disappeared’ first.”

“I’d like to see you try,” she shot back.

“And we can let this one go for now. We get the point. Everyone’s pissed off at everyone else. We need to be on our best behavior tomorrow. Yes, fine. We’ll be perfect. The perfect couple. The perfect family. You make sure Shep and Caleb get the best possible care,” I said.

“I am. Your grandfather just didn’t have the heart to kill them all, since they’re such good friends of yours,” Ike sighed. “Pity.”

“Before I meet my maker, I’m sending you to hell.” Dolly snarled.

McKenzie put a hand on her shoulder. “Please, Dolly. Let it go for now.”

Dolly’s jaw worked. She glared death at Ike. But she finally agreed. “For now.”

“Great,” Ike said. “Now that we all know what the score is, I think we can get you all settled. Polly?”

The housekeeper came out of the shadows. “Yes, Mr. Freeborn?”

“Please make sure Miss Pringle and Mrs. Killeen are given comfortable accommodations. They’ve had a difficult day.” He smiled at Polly.

She nodded. “Yes, sir. Two guest rooms have been made up per your earlier request.”

“Perfect. I knew I could count on you.” He turned back to us. “All right. Off you go.”

I stood and took McKenzie’s hand. She turned to her mother. “Mom, are you going to be okay?”

“I’ll get her where she’s goin’. She needs to rest,” Dolly said, gently taking Jacey’s arm and pulling her out of the lounger. She paused. “How we gonna find out how Shep and Caleb are doing?”

“Ah, yes.” Ike reached into his pocket…

… And handed me a cell phone.

“What?” I asked, confused.

“Don’t get excited. There are only a few numbers that are allowed to dial or text out or in. I figured I’ve got you by the balls, so I don’t need to worry about you having one of these. Plus, your grandfather would like to talk to you. Soon. I’d suggest when the prison comes up on caller ID, you answer,” he said.

I stared at the phone for a moment. Then I shook myself. “Are you going to keep me updated?”

“Horacio or I will keep you abreast of the situation, yes. Oh!” He rattled off a six-digit passcode. “Memorize that.”

“It’s my birthday,” I replied.

“Then you won’t forget it, will you?” He rolled his neck and straightened his jacket with one hand. “All right, Horacio. I think we’re done here. Polly will let you know the details about the engagement party. Make your grandfather proud!”

“Wouldn’t dream of doing anything else,” I muttered.

He nodded and stalked off, taking Horacio with him.

“Are you ready to be shown to your rooms?” Polly asked politely.

Dolly looked at her as though she’d sprouted a third arm. “You know we’re bein’ held prisoner here, right?”

“Yes. Are you ready to see your rooms?” Polly asked again, completely unfazed.

Dolly shook her head slowly. “Will, I gotta say, you’re surrounded by the most horrible people I’ve ever had the misfortune to meet. I don’t know why you didn’t run off sooner.”

“Habit,” I admitted. “Polly, we’ll come along. We need to see which rooms they’re in so I can keep them apprised of things.”

“They are in the rooms directly across the hall from you, sir,” she responded with a shrug. “You may retire as well for an afternoon rest. I imagine you have not eaten in a while. I will bring you something from the kitchen.”

I considered arguing that we could all sit out on the patio to eat. That way, we wouldn’t be apart. However, looking at Jacey, Dolly, and McKenzie, I realized we’d all been through the wringer and needed some down time. “All right.”

“Excellent. Follow me, please.” She led us all to the wing where McKenzie and my room was, and, sure enough, opened one of the doors directly across the hall. “Miss Pringle, this is your room. Please use the intercom on the wall if you need anything. Most unfortunately, I am to lock you in your room. Mr. Freeborn thinks you might cause trouble, regardless of your son’s condition.”

“I would never do anything that would hurt my son,” Dolly objected.

“I’m sorry. Mr. Freeborn’s orders were clear. I will come with something to eat shortly,” Polly said.

Dolly turned to me. “I don’t suppose you get a say in this.”

I sighed and raked a hand through my hair. “Not even a tiny one.”

“Figures. I’m gonna give your grandfather a punch in the nose one of these days.” She stomped into the room and slammed the door shut.

True to her word, Polly locked her in.

Jacey went shakily into her room. I let go of McKenzie’s hand to go lift her mother into bed. “If anyone can survive what happened, it’s Caleb,” I assured her.

“Yes. I am told he is very hard to kill,” Polly chimed in.

“No one asked you.” McKenzie hissed at her.

Polly shrugged. “I’m simply stating facts.”

“Caleb will be fine,” Jacey said, her voice only trembling slightly. “He always is. He wouldn’t leave me.”

I nodded. “I believe that.”

She suddenly gripped my hand. “Promise me you’ll tell me right away if there’s any news. Any news. E-either way.”

I squeezed her hand between both of mine. “I promise.”

Jacey nodded and laid back against the pillows. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep, but Caleb will want me strong. So, I’m going to try.”

“We’ll watch the phone around the clock, Mom,” McKenzie said.

“I know you will, my darling girl.” Jacey closed her eyes.

McKenzie smoothed back her mother’s hair and kissed her forehead. “It’ll be okay, Mom. We’re going to make it okay.”

Jacey smiled sadly. “We used to say that, too.”

Eyes shimmering, McKenzie turned to me. “Will?”

I wrapped her in my arms then guided her across the hall to our room. I saw Polly lock Jacey in and was not the least bit surprised when a skeleton key turned in our lock as well once the bedroom door was closed.

“I guess we’re all troublemakers.” McKenzie sniffled, trying to smile.

I held her more tightly and kissed her hair. “You can cry, honeybee. There’s no one here but you and me.”

“And assorted cameras.” She choked back a sob. “I don’t want to give them the satisfaction.”

“Okay. I understand.” I rubbed her back, trying to comfort her.

“Will?” she said softly after a while.

I’d been wondering where Polly was with our food, but my attention snapped right back to McKenzie. “Yes, honeybee?”

“Make love to me?” she asked. “Make me feel good?”

I looked into her tear-filled eyes. My heart broke. There wasn’t a lot I could do for her, but I could do that. I leaned down and kissed her. “Of course, honeybee.”