It had been a few days since our town adventure and today was the day we were heading back home to settle things. Lisa and I didnt have much luck in finding a place, so we decided to take Hunter up on his offer to stay. Lisa was more than eager to start her new job, and to be honest, I wasn't complaining.

Hunter gave me a soft, saddened, smile as I came out of the bathroom.

"I'm not going away forever." I teased. "We should be back within a week."

He rolled his eyes playfully, winding his arm around my waist and pulling me to him. "Are you sure I can't send a couple of the guys with you?"

My arms wound around his neck. "I appreciate the offer, but I don't want to disrupt their work. Arthur's got his computer stuff, Mak has work, Ace and Jai are trying check more on the bar, and you have a stack of papers on your desk you've been eyeing for days. We can handle a few boxes."

"Jackson doesn't have plans." He offered. I let out a snort.

"Jackson likes to blow things up." I reminded.

He gave me a lopsided smile. "You never know when his talent might come in handy."

My lips twitched into a small smile. "Alright. We can ask Jackson, but only if he wants to go."

He sent me a beaming grin before dipping his head and locking our lips in a heated kiss.

A few hours, and many breathless kisses, later we were loaded up and on our way.

"So, what's your alls thoughts on snacks. Because this guy is hungry." Jackson's head popped up in between our seats.

"We literally just ate lunch before we left." I reminded him.

"And, I can still see the house in the rearview mirror." Lisa added.

"Car rides make me hungry." He said with a goofy grin and a shrug.

I let out a laugh, glancing over at Lisa. "It probably wouldn't hurt to go ahead and fill up the car. We can grab some snacks from the gas station."

Lisa glanced over at Jackson, whose head was now perched on the shoulder of her seat. Her mouth pulled into a grin at his pleading face. "Oh, alright."

By the time we pulled into the gas station, I was grateful for Jackson's snack craving. Apparently drinking two glasses of sweat tea before we left hadn't been my best decision.

Lisa stayed in the car as Jackson and I went inside. Jackson was quick to start grabbing things, his arms half full before I even made it to the restroom door. I giggled as I watched a little girl stare at him with wide eyes.

I noticed Jackson was no longer in the store when I came out, so I quickly grabbed a few drinks and paid for the gas.

As I pushed the door open to step outside, an arm latched onto my own and jerked my body to the side of the building. The drinks fell from my hands at the movement.

My vision blurred for a moment as the hand spun me around quickly, my back slammed into the side of the brick wall. My body froze as murky brown eyes met my own.

Jacob. He was here. I quickly tried to pull my arm from his hold, my feet turning to run back in the direction of the gas pumps.

The thought to yell for Jackson crossed my mind, but as I opened my mouth Jacob's hand slammed over it roughly.

"I have the right mind to gut you right here." He hissed, his body looming over mine. My heart was beating loudly in my ears. "Here's what's going to happen. You're going to come with me, without putting up a fight. If you don't cooperate, I'll shoot everyone here. Do you understand?"

My eyes squeezed shut as I thought of all the people in the parking lot, and the little girl that had been in the store. I nodded, my breathing coming out faster. My eyes popped open as footsteps sounded near us. Jacob's hand moved from my mouth to 'cup' my neck.

An older man came around the corner, pausing for a moment when he noticed us, before shaking his head and walking back towards the front of the store.

I felt my heart drop as his footsteps receded. I felt nauseous as I realized he probably thought we were in this position on purpose.

The scariest thing about Jacob was that he looked like the poster child for 'America's Sweetheart'. He was tall, muscular, had brown hair, brown eyes, a charming smile with dimples and he dressed well. At first glance you wouldn't imagine that he was capable of all of the horrible things he has done.

He stepped back and ran his gaze over me, letting out a harsh breath. "Come on." He tightened his hold on my arm as he began leading me towards the back of the building.

"You don't have to do this." I tried to reason, tripping slightly as he jerked my arm forward.

He didn't respond, making my heart beat faster. Normal Jacob was scary, but quiet Jacob was terrifying.

My feet froze as his car came into view, aside from it the back lot was completely empty. He let out a rough exhale before pulling on my arm again. My feet dug into the ground and I pulled back.

He turned towards me, his eyes blazing. "Get in the car." I shook my head, causing his grip to tighten. "We can do this the easy way, and maybe I won't be as rough on you as I planned. Or we can do it the hard way, and I'll make you regret the moment escaping crossed your mind."

"No." I quickly swung my right hand up, a small smile forming on my face as it made contact with his eye.

"Fuck." He growled, his hold on my hand faltering for a moment. But a moment was all I needed. I quickly twisted out of his hold and started running towards the front of the gas station.

I made it a few steps before a body slammed into mine. I winced as my face scratched against the pavement before I was flipped over onto my back.

"Hard way it is." He hissed, his body straddling mine as his hands latching on my throat. I grabbed at his arms, attempting to relieve some of the pressure and allow air into my lungs.

Just as my vision began to fade he let go, I quickly inhaled gulps of air. "Now look what you made me do." He scolded. "This could have been a lot easier if you had just cooperated."

"Fuck you." I croaked out. He gripped my arms, hauling my body up and began pulling us toward the car again. "Oh trust me, I plan to." He sneered.

"That's no way to talk to a lady." Relief filled my body at Jackson's voice. Jacob paused, his grip tightening as he let out a huff before turning us around.

My brows furrowed slightly as I noticed Jackson swaggering towards us, his hands in his pockets.

"And you are?" Jacob asked roughly. Jackson's eyes widened in mock confusion, glancing around the empty parking area.

"Who me?" He asked, one of his hands coming up to point to his chest. "No one important. Just the guy whose gonna break your nose in about two minutes." He shrugged casually.

Jacob let out a harsh laugh, glancing at me with an incredulous look. Wrong move on his part, because when he turned back around Jackson was already beside us, a fist flying. A satisfying crunch sounded as Jacob fell to the ground, his hand releasing my arm.

Jackson quickly grabbed onto my hand, giving my body a once over, and began pulling me back towards the side of the building.

Just as we were about to round the corner a gunshot rang out in our direction, causing our steps to falter. My gaze snapped to Jackson, my heart dropping as I noticed a pool of red forming on his abdomen. He sent me a sad smile as his body crumpled to the ground, taking my own with it.

"No." I whispered. "No, no, no, no." Tears filled my eyes as I moved my hands over the wound, attempting to apply pressure.

Jackson let out a soft groan, one of his hands coming to cover mine. "Fuck that hurts." He rasped out. "Don't ever let someone tell you a gunshot doesn't hurt that bad, giggles. If they do they're a fucking liar." He groaned with a hoarse laugh.

I let out a sob as hands gripped my shoulder, pulling my body up and away from Jackson's.

"Let- let her go." Jackson's voice was weak, his arms trembled as he tried to push his body up before falling harshly onto the pavement. "I'll kill yo-" his voice trailed off at the end, his eyes fluttering close.

My legs buckled as a gut wrenching sob fell from my lips. "No! Jackson. Open your eyes! Jackson!" My screams raised as the sobs came out harder.

I quickly turned to the body holding me, my vision blurred with tears, and began raining punches wherever I could. "You killed him. You fucking asshole."

The grip on my arms loosened for a moment, before pain blossomed on the back of my head and my vision went black.