Powdered Retribution
Jessica sat in her home, mind reeling; she had just watched Dan's live and what she saw had her sick and worried. Amber Ann suddenly seemed to fit with Dan. She seemed to be his perfect complement—as if she had been born to be by his side.
She forced herself to calm, actually thinking about the life that resided within her—for a change—and the money sent by Christopher every week. She was not just doing this for his money; yes, Christopher would forever be her safety net now, but the more she felt the twins move within her, the more she began to understand they were actual life.
Not just a commodity.
From time to time she had a hint of pain twist in her heart whenever she actually admitted that they would always be commodities to her—but it was always only for the slightest moment.
There was a knock at the door. She casually looked at her phone and saw that a courier stood at the door. At the same time, a text came in from Anthony:
Anthony Shaw: "The package has arrived, love. Remember the instructions. Come see me before you give birth. I know you need a few spa days."
Jessica smiled at the text. Anthony knew her so well. She paused; he had always known her. It was like all he needed was one look and he had known all.
Jessica: "Thank you, Anthony. And I do need a spa day. I will see you soon."
Anthony Shaw: "❤️🤗"
Jessica smiled as she stood to answer the door—her back sore. Anthony was also too sentimental for her. He was such a hard man, but his heart seemed so soft to her—she would never understand that it was only when it came to her.
She opened the door with a wide smile. The courier blinked a few times then schooled his expression. "Ms. Jessica Lance?"
"I am she." She took the clipboard and signed for the small envelope and then exchanged the clipboard for the parcel. Of course, it was all a ruse. Anthony Shaw would never send this to her by courier. He used his network of henchmen to get the parcel to her.
She casually walked back to the sitting room and looked out at the Carson City skyline. She had been rubbed raw about exchanging the house her grandfather gifted her for this place, but now the solitude and beauty was too comforting to her. She smiled, her fingers slowly roving over the small parcel in her hands.
Her smile dropped as her mind went back to the videos she had been watching. She could see that Dan and Amber Ann were getting closer. Their chemistry changing and becoming more and more simpatico—and it was unnerving for her. She frowned and looked down at the parcel, her conversation with Anthony replaying in her mind.
"Remember, love. Only use one capsule. It will cause him to become paralyzed almost instantly, then he will sleep for a few hours. When he wakes, he will not only have lost 18 hours of memory, but he will also be pliable to suggestion."
Anthony had looked at the small white capsule in his hand—pride and something rather sinister in his eyes. "It took my boys quite some time to come up with this concoction." He looked to her with a smile. "It is quite safe—now. I would never wish harm upon your Dan Trace. No matter how jealous I am."
The last he had said under his breath, but she had heard it. A shiver had run down her spine as she had remembered how dangerous he could be. And it ran down her spine again now. He never really showed her that side, but she was seeing it more now. Now that her own yearning had become desperation.
She placed the parcel in the wall safe and began to think things through. She had already returned to her mother's good graces. They had gone shopping yesterday for things for Jessica and the babies. Her mother was back in line with her and her desires for Dan.
"I understand, darling. It is so hard not to have what you want, especially when you deserve all that you want in this life, but trying to have your sister killed is a bit much." She had sighed and touched those damnable earrings Amber Ann had bought her. It was all Jessica could do not to sneer.
She had just looked at her mother and forced a smile. "But you know he loved me from the start, mother. He had always wanted to be with me, but his parents never approved."
Her mother's expression had gone dark and Jessica had smiled inwardly. She looked to a small tan onesie with a stylized sun embroidered on the front and sighed. "They are both different from us, dear. They always were rebellious in their own ways and it became worse after they had children. Liberal education corrupts wholly."
Her mother had smiled after that. "Once Dan understands how much he truly loves you, Amber Ann will step aside—just as she did before." Her face became stern. "You simply blundered when your emotions got the better of you." She had shaken her head. "Pregnancy can truly wreak havoc on the hormones—and hormones wreak havoc on us. You must be more careful, dear."
Jessica smiled like a predator finally spotting the most vulnerable prey—her mind's eye frozen to her mother's expression and those last words. She would definitely be more careful and smarter—and she knew she had her mother's full support again.
Dan would be hers.