Blood is Thicker Than Water

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

 Nash cursed as he finally ended the call. “God dammit Jackie.”

Axel’s ears pricked up at her name. “Jackie, where’s Jackie?” He had woken up this morning and wouldn’t stop asking where she was, when she was coming back, and if she was okay.

“Yeah, Jackie. I’m gonna go get her. Dean will you stay here with Axel?”

The tall brunette was about to protest but Axel beat him to it. “I want to go.”

Nash was about to tell him no when he thought of what Jackie had said so softly “hurry”. “Fine come on, Batman and Robin.” Axel grinned up at Dean as he patted him on the back. “C’mon Robin.”

The three boys clambered into Dean’s truck, “Okay. Where are we going?”

“We’re going to her house.” Dean grimaced but started the vehicle with a rumble as he pulled out of the driveway. Axel was not happy, “Why? Why did she go back? I told her not to.”

Nash softly grinned at Axel’s mummers, in that moment it seemed as if Jackie was the 12 year old and Axel was the adult. “I know, but we’re going to get her. She’ll never go back.”

Axel’s hazel eyes scrutinized Nash as he crossed his arms, “Don’t treat me like a child.” Dean snorted in the front of the cab. The truck picked up speed as they got closer.

“Stop here.”

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Jackie breathed heavily as she heard screeching tires on the pavement, finally. “They’re here.” Mandy, the maid, helped her up and got her outside and started walking towards the truck.

Jackie scanned the area for anything unusual before continuing towards the rusty vehicle. Dean opened the back door for her and took her from Mandy. “Don’t touch her back, Sir.”

Dean’s eyebrows scrunched together but he nodded and lifted her into the truck. “Why are you here? I thought I called Nash.”

“You did, they wouldn’t stay at home.” Nash mumbled from the driver’s seat. “Oh, Jackie.”

Her eyes were fluttering as they moved around her. “Axel. Where’s Axel?”

Smaller, warmer hands grasped hers, “I’m right here. I’m here Jackie.”

She smiled at him through the pain. Her sweet Axel. “I think you should sit up here, buddy. Let Dean take care of Jackie.” Axel didn’t let go of his sister’s hand as he climbed into the passenger’s seat.

Dean shuffled in next to her careful not to touch her. She smiled at him weakly before she looked out the window and thanked Mandy.

“Here, this should be enough for you to stop working for them.” Jackie handed the maid a wad of cash and kissed her hand. Tears filled Mandy’s eyes as she nodded.

“Thank you. Thank you. God bless you, Miss. Jacqueline.”

As they drove away Jacqueline’s eyes shut completely and her head came to rest on Batman’s chest. Axel let go of her hand as he too fell asleep, so Dean took her hand and rubbed circles over her skin.

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Jackie tossed and turned in her slumber as night terrors haunted her. She was glad Nash had cleared space in some of the upstairs rooms for her and Axel. Axel was in his own room not to be awoken by his sister’s nightmares.