Retributed

Chapter 13

Retributed: Chapter 13

*Just as a reminder, the books that take place in the future are capricious and can always change based on the current main book as I don't use future books to map out the story line of the current main book. Does that make sense?*

~Ivanna P.O.V.~

There was really something just genuinely special when it came to me waking up this morning still entwined in Jonathan's arms left as securely as I remembered falling asleep in. His soft snores filled my ears as the rest of the room remained cool and silent. I couldn't help but smile to myself while I pulled the soft red blanket higher up over my shoulders. I rested my arm over his and snuggled more comfortably into the pillow and stared up at the ceiling becoming lost in my thoughts.

This is the most normal I've ever felt... and I love it. I actually feel like I'm just another regular individual learning the ropes of life and experiencing new things that most others do. Instead of running around a trap with a gun in hand over hearing someone was beheaded in the back room over a failed payment; I was cuddled up with a guy I've grown especially fond of over the past couple of months that we've known each other. It was peaceful and made me feel extremely good and confident about myself.

As much as I never wanted this morning to end, ultimately my little fantasy came to a startling abrupt end when I heard Nala's chain swishing as she ran past my room and her nails scraping against the wood floors as she continued down the stairs. She began to bark when I heard the sound of a car door close and my eyes shot open wide, sitting up, I got off the bed and ran to my window to see the white Escalade parked next to the Audi and Mom fishing around in her large purse for most likely the house key. Jonathan stirred around under the covers before sitting up, looking over at me confused as he was rubbing his eyes.

"What's wrong?" He asked in a husky tired voice. "Ivanna?"

"So my Mom is home and we need to get you out without her knowing." I scrambled to switch my shorts for sweats and he slid out of my bed, reaching down to put on his slides. "If we hurry down now, I can get you out the back door since the big gate will be open for another three minutes before it automatically closes." I said to him and he nodded, reaching over to the nightstand to grab his keys and phone.

Following me out of the room, we hurried down the stairs but froze at the moment the lock was turned and the door was pushed open. In walked Mom, fending off Nala who was excitedly jumping up on her before finally managing to set her things down on the table next to the door, she looked up at me and then at Jonathan close behind... then back to me.

"What's going on? Who's this?" She asked as she continued to glare at the both of us- well more specifically me. Her tone wasn't harsh or mad, she was calm but confused. Confusion is the shared feeling of the morning among all of us, even Nala didn't seem like she understood what was going on since she was looking among all of us for a cue of some kind.

"Mom." I began as I cleared my throat. "This is my friend Jonathan and Jonathan this is my Mom. It's not what you think, he just came to drop off a movie he's letting me borrow and I needed some help setting up the player in my room so he quickly helped me out and now he was on his way out." I said, keeping my eyes steady with hers and trying not to breathe so heavily. "I didn't think much of it, just a drop off and setting up, I'm sorry."

"No, that's okay. Nice to meet you, Jonathan." She said as she extended her hand out for him to shake, which he gladly did.

"Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Salazarez. I apologize for just dropping by like this and then going up to her room-" He was cut off by her holding up her hand indicating to pause.