Reckless Discoveries

 

It was a new beginning at the Jackson house now that the babies had arrived.  When everyone in the house was finally awake and Drew's absence was discovered, no one knew what to think.  Alex was the first to react.  "What do you mean he's gone to a horse auction?"  

"He's gone to a horse auction," Michelle said.

  

It was easier for all of them to believe that Drew was at a horse auction instead of a dismal place like northern Idaho where he was attempting to save Ricky from his brother Mario.  Alex reacted in anger.  She knew her dad would not leave his sons after their first night home to go to a horse auction.  There was something wrong.  Alex felt as if she wanted to put her fist through the wall or destroy the furniture.  She remembered the day in the restaurant when her dad had confessed to being the son of a Mafia kingpin.  Their life changed drastically after that day.  "I'm leaving," Alex said.  She turned and left before Michelle or anyone else could stop her.  Everyone could hear her car drive away.  Alex knew that her dad would be angry, but she didn't care.  

Joey was speechless after Alex walked out.  "Dad's gonna kill her when he gets back.  She's not supposed to leave like that." 

Things were rising to a whole new level for all of them.  Alex's actions were a reflection of how she dealt with things.  Alex liked to run away from trouble.  “She'll be back after she settles down,” Lizzie said, but Lizzie wasn't sure that was the case.  Alex seemed fed up with a lot of things lately, and it concerned Lizzie.  

Michelle expected to feel upset when Alex stomred out, but she didn't.  She was numb and she turned her attention to the babies.  She let out a big sigh and then went to the bedroom to lie down.  Amelia was on her heels so that she could help her.    

“Dad's not at a horse auction,” Maddie said.  It was as if this was just dawning on her.    

Lizzie looked at Maddie with sympathy.  “Dad wouldn't leave his two newborn sons this soon unless there was something pressing that he had to do.  I doubt a horse auction is that urgent.  Alex feels the same way, which is why she stormed out of here.” 

“What could be so important for him to leave like that?” Maddie asked.  

Lizzie shrugged.  “I don't think that's a question you want to know the answer to.” 

Joey frowned.  “He probably left because there is trouble headed our way Maddie.  He only does this sort of thing if it's a matter of life or death.” 

Maddie suddenly became aware that they were in danger and that Drew might be in more danger than the rest of them.  Maddie's stomach suddenly hurt.  Maddie had exposure to the Mafia through Carlo and the stories her mother and grandmother told her, but the reality of it being life and death had never hit her the way it did at that moment.  The attitude and behavior of those around her unnerved Maddie.  She wished she could turn the clock back five minutes to when she didn't know anything about what was going on.  “Is he going to be alright?”  

Joey shrugged and then turned and went up to his room.  Joey suddenly wanted to call Kat and maybe go see her.  

“I hope he's going to be OK Maddie,” Lizzie said with as much comfort as she could muster.  

Maddie swallowed.  “What if something happens to him?”

Lizzie choked back her tears.  “I can't talk about this right now, I have to take Jasper out.”  Lizzie took off outside with Jasper.  

Maddie sat alone in the kitchen realizing that she might never see her adopted father again.  Drew had rescued her from  her mother and from foster care.  He had searched for her until he found her when she ran away with Gil.  He was hard on her and he made her work hard.  She resented him for the way he was until that very moment when she realized how much he took care of her.  Maddie felt safe with Drew around and that was something she had never felt before she came to live with him.  She put her head down on the table and silent tears rolled down her face and fell onto the floor.  She didn't know what she would do if something bad happened to Drew. 

***

Drew had studied stage makeup when he was a teenager so that he could make horror films, and those skills served him well when he needed them.  He knew how to blend in and change his appearance.  He had studied that extensively.  It was midday when he arrived in the town where his brother Ricky was in rehab.  Drew's senses were sharp and he had trained his mind a long time ago not to let himself be distracted.  He refused to allow thoughts of Michelle or the children to enter his mind.  His focus was completely on the task at hand.  He had to be focused like this if he wanted to survive.    

Drew had already planned out what he needed to purchase.  He went shopping at several stores and one of the outfits he purchased consisted of khaki pants and a polo shirt.  His jeans, tee shirt, and leather jacket were stored in the saddle bags of his Harley.  He had several fake ID's and he used one to rent a storage unit for his bike, and one to purchase a truck.  Drew appeared average to the salesman who sold him the truck because he was without his Harley and he was wearing his khaki pants.  He knew how to play the role of an ignorant guy with too much money.  The car salesman quickly assessed him to be a gullible guy who knew nothing about trucks.  

Drew hated the khaki pants and polo shirt, but it couldn't be helped.  He had no intention of calling any attention to himself, but he noticed that the loafers on his feet were beginning to pinch.  Drew checked into a motel room and quickly changed into another set of clothing.  This time he wore the outfit of a hunter with a long sleeve shirt and camoflage pants.  He had hunting boots and a rifle.  He used the truck he purchased to drive into the mountains above the rehab center.  He then hiked down the mountain to where he could get a good view of the back of the rehab center.  He knew from his vast experience what the layout of the rehab center was probably like.  He looked through the scope of the rifle and used it for a telescope.  He wondered if Ricky was still alive and inside.  Drew hadn't noticed any suspicious activity in town, but he wasn't about to charge into some sort of trap by knocking on the front door of the rehab clinic.  

Drew was grateful that the rehab center was located in the mountains with nothing much around it.  This made it easy for him to hike back and forth and survey the entire complex.  Drew was also hypervigilent about the woods he was hiding in.  He searched the aread thoroughly.  When it was getting near dusk, Drew noticed four men leaving the rehab center to get into a car.  Drew was at least 500 yards away, but thanks to the echo of the woods he heard the words “tomorrow” and “he won't know what hit him.”  Drew noticed two larger men dressed in casual clothing, and a skinny sleazy man drewsed in out of date clothes, looking like a reject from the 70's. Drew recognized the skinny man, but he did not recognize the two larger men.  The fourth man was of average build and height.  Drew knew instantly that the fourth man was the one calling the shots.  

It was Mario's style to send messengers to do his dirty work.  Mario probably wasn't anywhere near Idaho.  Drew realized that he was fortunate.  He had arrived before the men made their move to kill Ricky.  Drew took some food out of his pack and began eating it.  He was hungry.  While he ate he watched the rehab center using some binoculars he had in his bag.  Faint sounds of voices could be heard when the back door was opened, along with the distinct sound of dishes.  Drew realized the clients were probably eating dinner.  Drew took mental notes about the layout of the facility and kept hoping he would get lucky and figure out where his brother Ricky's room was.  

Drew had studied the security cameras surrounding the building.  He had purchased a few odds and ends that he knew might be useful in this situation.  One of his tools had a thin metal shiv on it that he would use to short out the security cameras.  There were also security guards on the outside of the  rehab center, but in Drew's experience, security guards seldom paid much attention to anything.  Drew noticed that in some areas of the building the windows were barred.  He knew that Ricky would not be in one of the rooms with barred windows since Ricky had checked himself into the clinic voluntarily.    

It began getting dark around 9:30 p.m., and the lights in the facility were turned on.  Some of the rooms had the blinds open.  Drew looked in every window.  He noticed a few male residents gathering in one of the rooms and he felt like the luckiest man on earth because one of them was Ricky.  Things were going better than he expected.  This was too easy, and Drew felt there must be a catch somewhere that he had missed.  Now that Drew had spotted Ricky it would be easier for him to track him through the facility.  Drew kept his binoculars focused on Ricky and it appeared that he was joking around with the other men.  When the men turned to look in the same direction, Drew knew that a staff member was likely telling them to go to their rooms for the night.  

Drew figured out which room was Ricky's when the light was turned on.  Ricky was alone in his room and when Drew looked through the scope of his rifle he noticed that Ricky's joking expression was completely gone.  Drew thought for a split second about firing his rifle and putting a bullet in Ricky's forehead.  It would be a quick death and this would solve a lot of problems for Drew.  Drew knew that wasn't acceptable and so he quickly crushed the idea of killing Ricky.  He moved a bit closer to the facility and he knew where the blind side of the security camera was.  If he was stealthy, he could disable the camera without any part of his body showing.  He moved quickly and made a clean cut of the wire on the security camera.  

Drew then crept along the base of the building beneath the windows until he was beneath Ricky's window.  Drew could hear the faint sound of music coming from Ricky's room.  Aerosmith was singing “Dream On.”  Drew thought of what a fitting song it was.  He listened to the words.  “Everybody's got their dues to pay” “I know nobody knows where it comes and where it goes...”  There was a part of Drew that wanted to relax and listen to the music and forget about what he was doing.  It wasn't like him to lose focus like that, even for a few seconds.  “All the things come back to you...”  

Drew stood up and peeked inside the window.  Ricky was curled on his bed in the fetal position.  Drew lightly tapped on Ricky's window.  Ricky lay very still, not daring to look up.  “Dreams until your dreams come true, dream on, dream on...”  Ricky thought his life was over and he slowly lifted his head and looked at the window.  He wasn't prepared to see Drew and he dropped his head in relief before standing up and walking over to the window.  “Andy,” Ricky's eyes filled with tears.  

Drew put his finger up to his lips to signal for Ricky to be quiet.  Drew motioned for Ricky to open the window.  Ricky slid the window up as far as it would go, which was a whole six inches.  Drew realized that Ricky would never be able to squeeze through that opening.  Drew whispered for Ricky to get his wallet and anything else he needed, and to shut the window.   

Ricky followed Drew's instructions without question.  Drew worked quickly.  He lifted two suction cups out of his pack and fastened them to the glass and then he used a glass cutter to cut a large square out of the window.  He tugged lightly and carefully until he was able to remove the square piece of glass from the window and place it on the ground.  Drew took out a sharp razor and cut the screen in the same shape as he had cut the glass.  Drew made sure the security guard wasn't around and that all of the other alarms and necessary cameras were out.  Ricky knew that Drew thought of everything so he wasn't concerned that something would be triggered.  As Ricky watched Drew work the song “Sweet Emotion” by Aerosmith began playing next.    

Drew helped Ricky climb out of the window.  Drew put duct tape around the edges of the window so that Ricky would not cut himself.  Ricky was very thin, so it wasn't difficult for him to climb out of the window.  Drew was thankful that the facility was ground level.  Ricky hugged Drew, but Drew was all business.  Drew pulled some dark hunting clothes out of his pack and shoved them at Ricky.  “Put these clothes on.”  

Ricky did as Drew instructed and got dressed in the clothes Drew gave him right down to the gortex leather hiking boots.  Ricky was grateful that Drew appreciated quality.  After they were both in dark clothing they took off together.  They hiked for two hours before finally reaching Drew's truck.  

“Nothing like parking nearby.” Ricky noted saractically.  

“Sorry, all of handicapped spots were reserved,” Drew said.  

They had not talked much since they left the rehab facility because Drew was focused on getting back to the truck.  “Thanks for coming after me bro,” Ricky said.  

Drew sighed.  “You can thank Carlo.  If he hadn't shown you where I live, I'm not sure I would have come to get you.”  

“I know,” Ricky said.  He looked down.  “You could have just as easily killed me to make sure I never talked.” 

“I thought about it,” Drew said. 

Ricky took a deep breath.“I figured it was a matter of time before either you, Carlo, or Mario killed me.  I had a visit from four men this afternoon who lied to the workers at the rehab center and said they were my relatives.  They told me that Carlo sent them, but I didn't believe them.”  

“I think they planned to visit you again tomorrow.  Do you know why they would wait until tomorrow to make a move?” Drew asked. 

Ricky laughed.  “It's family day tomorrow and there is a big picnic.”  

Drew nodded.  “They were sent by Mario and not Carlo.”  Drew said.  

Ricky nodded.  “I know Andy.  I've had a lot of time to think about things over the past few weeks.  I'm a big coward, otherwise I would suggest you kill me.  That would be the best thing for you to do.” 

Drew was silent for a minute as he drove.  “You know that one of us had to be a coward,” Drew said.  “Someone needed to express the emotions that the other three of us felt but couldn't express.”  

Ricky swallowed.  “Do you mean that?” 

Drew had a long time to think as well.  “You cried and cowered in fear.  When you did that you expressed what the rest of us felt and I think the fact that you did that somehow kept me sane.”  

Ricky laughed.  “I'm glad to have been of service.” 

Drew drove to the storage unit where his Harley was stored and loaded it in the back of the truck.  He drove several blocks to the motel where he was staying and parked the Harley in the covered parking lot beneath the motel.  He made sure to rent a motel with covered parking for that very reason.  He looked at Ricky and handed him the keys to the truck.  “This is where my trust in you comes in brother.”

Ricky swallowed.  “You should kill me Drew.  I'll give you away somehow, I always screw up like that.” 

Drew ignored Ricky's words.  “I drew a map and I want you to follow it without deviating from it.  I also made you a fake ID that matches the fake name on the registration of this truck.  If you get pulled over by a cop don't get antsy.  Hand over your identification and proof of insurance, it's all in the truck.  Follow the exact route I have outlined and you will end up at the ranch.  I will meet you at the ranch, but I plan to take a different route.”

“I won't let you down Andy.”  Ricky swallowed.  

“One last thing.  I know you have issues with drugs, but I'm asking you not to take any drugs or even drink so much as a beer until you are safely at the ranch.”  Drew placed the rifle behind the seat of the truck.  “If anyone asks, you're a hunter.  Look at your cap.”  

Ricky took off the cap Drew had given him and looked at it.  It was camoflauge with stitching on the front that read “Born to Kill” beneath a large moose.  Ricky chuckled and raised his eyebrows as he took the Aerosmith CD he had snatched from the CD player before leaving.  He shoved the disc into the CD player and selected the number he wanted.  “I'm back in the saddle” by Aerosmith blared from the speakers of the truck.  Ricky grinned at Drew.  “See you soon.”  

Drew chuckled as he watched Ricky drive away.  He was exhausted.  He went back to his motel room and flung himself down on the bed.  He knew he should not take time to sleep, but he wouldn't make it if he didn't sleep.  He was a lot like a trained soldier when he was in this mode.  He could sleep, eat, shit, and stay awake for however long he needed to.  In the morning he would put on his Khaki clothing and get on his Harley and ride.  He regretted bringing his Harley with him since it made him stick out like a sore thumb.  It was the one mistake he had made, but he was in a hurry when he left home and he didn't have time to think that part through.  

After getting some sleep he would ride the Harley like an amateur while dressed in his khaki's and polo shirt until he got far enough away to change clothes and ride like a pro.    

Drew had taken a big risk by trusting Ricky because Ricky had proven in the past that he was untrustworthy and weak.  The best thing for Drew's safety would have been to kill Ricky, but he had shed enough blood in his life, and he was determined to try and help Ricky.  

***  

Alex drove straight to Barrett's house and after she knocked on the front door, Barrett didn't ask questions, he just welcomed her inside with open arms.  Barrett's family lived in a very large house.  There was plenty of space for recreational activies when Alex and Barrett weren't having sex.  Alex pretended she didn't have a family.  She was tired of worrying about her dad's safety and everything else.    

Joey got permission from Michelle first, but he also left the house.  Joey drove to see Kat.  She didn't come from wealth.  Kat lived in an average house with average parents.  Kat's room was decorated with posters of anime, gaming posters, and other things that Joey liked.  Kat and Joey could talk for hours about gaming, and they did.  Kat rolled over on her back.  “When are you going to kiss me?”    

Joey grinned and then he leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips.  

“What the fuck was that?” Kat asked playfully. 

Joey's face turned red.  “It was a kiss.”   

“This is a kiss,” Kat said and she planted a hard wet kiss on Joey's lips.  Joey's dick became erect and he wiggled uncomfortably.  Kat laughed and kissed him again.  Kat's bedroom door was locked and before Joey knew what was happening his clothing was on the floor next to Kat's.  Kat had condoms and Joey made certain to use one.  As he entered her, Joey realized that she felt a bit different from Alex, not in a bad way, but different.  Joey felt like releasing immediately, but he attempted to hold back.  He made sure he did not think of spanking or anything else that made him horny.  It wasn't easy for him to hold back.  

“Oh God,” Kat smiled.  “You have a bigger dick than I thought you would.” 

Joey began to move in and out more vigorously.  “Fuck,” Joey cursed.  He could not hold back.  

Kat laughed when he released his load.  “It's OK Joey,” she whispered.  

Joey was embarrassed.  “It's not OK, I didn't mean to finish so fast.”  

Kat smiled.  “I'll take it as a compliment that you find me attractive, but don't leave me hanging.”

“Oh,” Joey pulled out of her and put his mouth between her legs, following her instructions until she climaxed.  She smiled and kissed him after it was over and he lay beside her.  

They didn't dare lay around naked in Kat's room, so they quickly got dressed and began looking at comic books.  It didn't take long for Kat's mother to knock on the door.  “We're going to the Elks Lodge, we'll be back around 11.  There's a frozen pizza in the kitchen that you can cook for dinner if you want.”  

“OK thanks mom.  Have fun.” Kat called.   

“We're alone,” Joey grinned wickedly when he heard their vehicle drive away.  

Kat smiled slyly.  “Yes we are.”  She looked at the comic book and then turned to Joey.  “What do you think of these illustrations?  I think they're great.”  

Joey stared at the illustrated picture of a naked woman with her breasts hanging out and a man in the background with a whip.  He blinked his eyes.  If he would have been at home he would be jerking off, but he was with Kat.  

“I wonder what that's like,” Kat said in a timid voice.  

Joey grinned.  “You wonder what it would be like to be tied up and whipped?”

Kat rolled her eyes.  “Yes.” 

Joey liked where this was going, even though he felt awkward. “I should have brought my whip.”   

Kat looked at him without a smile.  “You have a whip?”

“No of course not.  We have a horse though and a lot of gear to go with it.”  Joey said.  “I guess the only thing I have that is close to a whip is my belt.” 

Kat laughed uncomfortably.  “Maybe that would work.” 

Joey thought he had died and gone to heaven.  Thoughts of Alex or anyone else were far away.  He knew it was time to make his move.  “Well do you have anything that I can use to tie you up with?”  

Kat's eyes lit up.  She left the room to go get one of her father's old neckties.  “We can use this,” she said when she returned.  She handed it to him, and then she nervously slipped her shirt and bra off and put her wrists together.  “I'm ready.”  

Joey thought he was going to explode from the excitement.  Sweat was rolling down his face as he tied her wrists together.  He wasn't sure what to do next, but Kat had already figured it out.  She had a clothes hook inside her closet door and she opened the door and slipped her hands over the hook.  “OK, I'm ready.”  Her voice was playful, but at the same time Joey knew she was serious.  

Joey took his belt in his hand and stared at her naked back.  He was sweating profusely so he took off his shirt.  Kat turned around and looked at him.  “Aren't you going to force me to get all the way naked?”

Joey was on his way to Nirvana.  “Take off your pants.” He attempted to sound stern.    

“I can't,” Kat answered.  “I'm tied up.” 

Joey snapped the belt.  “Then I'll do it for you.” 

“I'm a bad girl,” Kat laughed as Joey yanked her pants and panties down.  Joey could hardly stand it.  He was so aroused he couldn't stand it.  He picked up his belt and held it like a whip.  He wasn't sure he could hit her, but she taunted him by wiggling her bottom and pretending to be in distress.  

Joey held the leather in his hand and struck her on the back lightly with the belt.  “Ow,” Kat said, even though it hadn't hurt that much.  Joey noticed that she almost seemed disappointed that it wasn't hurting.  Joey struck her across the back again a little bit harder.  She winced a little, but she almost seemed bored by the sensation.  “Does it hurt?”  Joey asked. 

“Not really,” Kat grinned, but it sort of turns me on.  

Joey looked down between Kat's legs and saw that she was wet.  He felt his body jerk as he came in his pants.  He was disappointed in himself again.  This was what he had been waiting for, and he had blown it again.  He doubled the belt and snapped it and then changed positions so that he could strike her buttocks.  He didn't tell her that he came.  He struck her buttocks hard, and although she cried out with pain, she followed the cry of pain with a moan of pleasure and Joey he saw a bead of liquid run down her leg.  He wasn't the only one who came.  

Kat wiggled and absorbed the pain of the belt strokes as Joey hit her several more times.  She thought she was going to die from this new sensation of pleasure.  Joey lost it.  He ripped down his pants and grabbed her from the hook and threw her on the bed.  He was inside of her immediately, stopping only long enough to put a condom on.  He couldn't release right away because he had just released, but he was hard and he fucked her hard.  Kat squirmed beneath him and he smiled when he felt her orgasm.  She hot and sticky and he finally was able to reach another climax.  It was the most intense orgasm Joey had ever had.  

“Holy shit,” Joey said when it was over and he began to return to his senses. 

Kat was trying to catch her breath, and she had wriggled out of the tie so that she could feel the welts on her bottom.  “Oh my god,” she said.  Her voice was full of pleasure.  

“That was the best thing that ever happened to me,” Joey said.  

“Me too,” Kat grinned.  She didn't know until she saw Joey's reaction to the illustration with the whip, but when she saw his face, somehow she knew.  

Joey thought he was in heaven.  He had found a soulmate.  This was not like what he felt for Alex at all.  His feelings went far beyond that.  He had found a girl who liked the same things he liked, and his life was forever changed.

  

***

Ricky arrived at the ranch before Drew did and everyone was home except Alex who hadn't returned home since she had stormed out.  Michelle was happy to see Ricky.  “It's good to see you,” she said.  

Ricky walked over and gave Michelle a hug.  “It's good to see you too Misha.” Ricky then looked at the babies.  “They're adorable.  Thank God they look like their mother.” 

Michelle relaxed a little.  “Where is Drew?”

“He sent me ahead.  I'm sure he'll be here soon.”  Ricky didn't know what else to say.  He knew Michelle suspected that Drew had risked his family to save his own brother and he felt guilty.  “I better go clean up.” 

Bob Tibbits had brought the trailer full of horses back to the ranch.  When Drew wasn't there he took the liberty of getting the horses settled and he hoped that Drew wouldn't mind.  He was unable to reach Drew by cell phone, so after he purchased the horses, he drove  Drew's truck to his ranch and unloaded them.  Bob didn't want to keep the horses confined in the trailer because he wasn't certain when Drew would return, and it wasn't good for the horses.  

Lizzie was fascinated by the horses and she and Maddie watched Bob and a couple of helpers get the horses into the corral and clean out some extra stalls for them.  Guthrie seemed a little annoyed that his private barn was being invaded, but he had little choice.  

Drew finally drove up the long driveway on his Harley.  It had been a long ride and the first stop he made was to see Michelle.  She was still in bed recovering and he kissed her passionately.  He wanted to fuck her, that was what he always wanted to do after a grueling task like the one he had just undertaken, but Michelle was in no condition to be fucked.  She knew what he wanted.  “Come on,” she whispered.  

Drew didn't know what she meant until she knelt in front of him.  “Oh Lord have  mercy,” Drew said as his wife put her lips around his penis.  It wasn't what he wanted, because he would have preferred to put his dick inside of her and fuck her for hours, but it was nice.  It helped Drew release a lot of his tension as he finished inside her mouth.  He was still hard after he came and he cursed his Italian blood.  A long time ago he would have found a whore to help him out, but he couldn't do that anymore.  It would be cheating on Michelle.    

Michelle realized he was still feeling aroused.  She helped him take off clothes and pushed him down on the bed.  She pleasured him again and her lips had the magic touch.  He squirted into her mouth a second time and then after that he seemed to relax.  He took a short nap beside his wife, and after his nap, he took a shower and held his sons.  His emotions were still detached, but not as much as they were when he was away from his family and focused on getting Ricky.  

Amelia prepared dinner for all of them and as they sat down to eat, Drew noticed that Alex wasn't there.  “Where is Alex?”

Everyone looked at each other wondering which one of them would tell him.  “She left the morning you did and we haven't seen her since,” Michelle said.   

Drew's blood began to boil and he called Alex's cell phone and there was no answer.  “You better get your ass home right now young lady.”  That was the extent of his voicemail message.  

Maddie wondered if Alex would come home, but what choice did she have?  Drew would hunt her down if she tried to run away and then things would be worse.  Alex came to the same conclusion Maddie had when she listened to her dad's message.  Part of her was relieved that her dad was home safe and another part of her was afraid to go home and face him.  Barrett asked her what was wrong and she explained to him that she had to go.  

Barrett's parents didn't know that Alex was staying over because Barrett hid her from them, and it was rather easy given the size of their house.  Alex had slept over at Barrett's house for two nights.  “Is your dad going to be pissed?”

Alex sat on Barrett's bed and pulled on her boots.  “He's going to be a lot more than pissed.  He's going to kill me.”  

Barrett could tell she was worried.  “Do you want me to go home with you and maybe try to talk to him?”

Alex glared at him as if he was out of his mind.  “It's best if you stay away from my dad for a while.”  

Barrett was sad to see her go, but he knew she needed to go home.    

Alex shook with fear as she pulled into the driveway and got out of her car.  She was nauseated and she rushed to the bushes and vomited.  Drew watched from the window of his office, and he was relieved that she had come home on her own.  He had been reading his mail and doing some other tasks.  Alex's hands were shaking so much that she could hardly open the door.  She finally entered the house and Drew came  out of his office and leaned against the door frame of his office with his arms folded.  

“Welcome home.” 

Alex was petrified.  “I'm sorry.”  The words caught in her throat. 

Drew motioned for her to enter his office.  Alex walked slowly into his office with chills running up and down her spine.  Drew called the other children to his office, and Alex wondered why he didn't just kill her right then and there.  When the others arrived Drew spoke to all four of them.  “I'm sure you've guessed that your uncle Ricky is going to stay with us.”  The children nodded.  “I've got some new horses and I've asked Bill Tibbits if he will find me a good man to help on the ranch.  Ricky will be working with the horses along with Bill.  We're going to turn this place into a ranch even if it kills me.”  

“Can we help with the horses?” Lizzie asked.  

“Absolutely,” Drew said.  

For a minute Alex almost forgot how much trouble she was in listening to Drew talk to them about the ranch.  Drew continued talking.  “I appreciate the fact that Maddie and Lizzie stayed here and were helpful to Michelle while I was away.”  

Lizzie and Maddie grinned.  

“As a reward, you can have that guitar you wanted Maddie.  I'll take you into town tomorrow morning and we will buy it.”  Drew then handed Lizzie some cash.  “Here is your reward Lizzie, spend it on whatever you want.” 

Alex looked at the money and her jaw tightened.  Drew had never handed her a wad of cash like that.  Drew looked at Alex and he could tell what she was thinking.  “Joey, I appreciate you sticking around here too, but I also understand that you were at your friend's house a lot.  Plus, I read the mail and you are failing almost all of your classes, so I'm sorry but there is not going to be a reward for you this time.” 

Joey swallowed.  He had let his life get out of control by letting his feelings for Alex run wild.  His grades had dropped way too much.  “I'm failing?”  Drew handed Joey the note he had received in the mail, and Joey swallowed.  

Drew looked at Maddie and Lizzie. “You can both go, but I still need to speak to Joey and Alex.”  

Maddie could hardly believe that she was one of the ones walking away when she and Lizzie left.  

“W-what are you going to do to me?” Joey stammered when Maddie and Lizzie were gone. 

“I'm going to take your part-time job at the garage away from you,” Drew said.  “I'm going to make Alex work that job for a while.  You're restricted to the house until your grades improve.  I expect them to dramatically improve in the very near future, is that clear?”  Drew asked. 

“Yes sir,” Joey said.  He thought it was terrible that he had finally found a reason for a social life and now he was restricted to the house.   

“I'm also going to blister your backside Joey.  Do you want the paddle or the belt?” Drew asked. 

Joey was surprised that he was being given a choice.  “The belt,” Joey said nervously.  “Is there any way you can give me another punishment besides a whipping?”

Drew nodded.  “Yes.  I have restricted you to the house.  You can either take a whipping for the remainder of you punishment or you can give me your cell phone, comic books, computer games, and I will take away all of your other entertainments.”

“I'll take the belt,” Joey said. 

Drew nodded and unbuckled his belt.  “Bend over the back of the couch and pull down your pants.”  

Joey quickly complied.  “Yes sir.” 

Drew gave Joey twenty-five hard licks with the belt and Joey was bawling before it was over.  It hurt like hell and even though he had been turned on by what he and Kat had done, this was not the same thing at all.  He felt bad for disappointing Drew.  “I want to see those grades come up,” Drew said as Joey stood on his feet and pulled up his pants. 

“Yes sir,” Joey said amid his tears.  

Drew looked at Joey and Alex.  “Is there anything we need to talk about when it comes to the two of you?”

“No sir,” Joey quickly answered.

“No,” Alex said.  She was sullen and more afraid than she was because she had watched Drew punish Joey.  

“OK,” Drew said.  “You can go now Joey.”  

Joey quickly left the room and Alex and Drew stood face to face.  “What do you have to say for yourself young lady?”

Alex looked down.  “Nothing.  I broke the rules.” 

Drew reached out and lifted her chin so that she was looking at him.  “You definitely broke the rules.” 

Alex wished the floor would open up and swallow her.   

“I know why you ran away Alex,” Drew said.  “You were angry and that's always the way you deal with your anger.” 

Alex wondered why he felt the need to point this out since they both knew this was a problem for her.  

“Why didn't you ask permission from Michelle to leave?” Drew asked. 

Alex shook her head.  “Michelle wouldn't have given me permission, and you were gone.  I wasn't sure you were...” her voice trailed off. 

“You weren't sure I was coming back?”  Drew asked. 

“I knew you weren't at any Goddamn cattle auction.” 

Drew laughed despite his anger.  “I know you were upset that I left Alex, but you need to rely on Michelle when I'm not here.  You should have asked her if you could leave.” 

“Why?”  Alex looked at him.  “You've made it pretty clear that I can't go anywhere or do anything as long as I live here.”

Drew stifled his irritation.  “I'm such a bad guy.” 

Alex couldn't stop tears from forming in her eyes and falling down her cheeks.  “It's not like I can ask if I can date or go hang out with my friends.  You and Michelle don't trust me enough, and you've made that very clear.” 

“How do you know we wouldn't allow you to go be with your friends when you have never asked?”  Drew waited for an answer. 

Alex hated this back and forth bullshit.  “Are you ever going to get to the fucking point?”  She demanded.  She was goading him so that he would punish her and she could get it over with.  She wanted to have it over and done with already.

“Alex,”  Drew said.  

Alex tensed up and balled her fists.  “Stop it!  Stop acting like your not about to beat the shit out of me.”  

“Alex,” Drew said.  “You need to calm down for a minute.”  

Alex looked at him.  She wanted to kill him.  Why was he torturing her with all of these questions?   She had come home like he told her and she knew he was going to beat her butt for what she had done.   “I am calm,” she said. 

Drew laughed.  

Alex looked at him because he couldn't stop laughing.  “I guess I'm not very calm,” she said.  Then she began laughing with him because she couldn't help it.  She saw the father she loved behind his laughter.  

“Come here,” Drew said and he reached out and took her in his arms.  “You're right.  I'm going to punish you for what you did, but I also realize that you're getting older and that you want to be with your friends.  From now on I want you to get used to asking permission before you go out with your friends.  I don't want you to sneak around.”  

“If I ask you'll only say 'no'.” Alex looked away. 

“Believe it or not Alex, despite what happened I'm going to allow you to have more freedom.  You will be a senior in high school next year and I'm very proud of you.  You turned out OK for having my genes.”  He smirked.  “I want you to learn one last thing and that's to ask for what you want.” Drew said and he let go of her and watched as she stepped away from him. 

“I don't know why you're talking about freedom.  I'm sure you won't let me out of the house until I turn thirty.” Alex said sarcastically.    

Drew looked at her for a long time.  “You always have to make things so difficult.  We've been through a lot together Alex.  I predicted that you would do something spontaneous when I left, but I had no idea what it would be.  In the scheme of things it doesn't seem all that bad.  You're making better choices.  You didn't get drunk or stoned and you didn't hurt yourself or try to drive across the country in order to run away.  You went to a friend and stayed with him for comfort.” 

“Well if it was the right thing, then why am I being punished?” Alex asked sarcastically.

“I didn't say it was the right thing,” Drew said. “I said it was not as bad as some of the other things you could have chosen to do.  That doesn't erase the fact that you broke the rules.  You didn't ask permission and you didn't let anyone know where you were.  Just to be clear, it will never be alright for you to spend the night with your boyfriend while you are living under my roof.” Drew said. 

Alex looked away.  

Drew knew it was time to quit postponing the inevitable.  “The punishment I am giving you is for breaking the rules.  From now on, you need to ask permission if you want to leave.  I'm working on trying to be more understanding, so let's work together for once.” 

Alex nodded.  

“Working at the garage and doing the accouting job that Joey was doing is not much of a punishment  since I will be paying you.  I wouldn't ask, but I need your help.” Drew said. 

Alex nodded.  “I don't mind working at the garage I guess.” 

Now came the moment of truth.  “Do you want me to use my belt or the paddle?”    

Before he could finish his sentence she blurted out, “belt.” 

Drew informed her that she could take similar restrictions to those he offered Joey if she didn't want to take a whipping.  She declined.  She hated spankings, but they were over quickly and then she could go on with her life.  He told her to bend over the back of the couch.  “Pull down your pants.”  

Alex bent over and waited for her punishment.  It was humiliating.  Drew had thought a lot about Alex on his drive home.  He considered her upbringing a success.  She worked hard in school because she wanted to work hard, and not because he made her.  She did her chores around the house without argument, and she no longer took drugs.  She was responsible most of the time and he felt that she was not at all like the girl he picked up from the juvenile detention center almost two years ago.  She deserved a normal life like any other teenager, and he realized it.  

Alex's legs shook as she waited with her bottom exposed.  Drew did not go easy on her.  He gave her fifty very hard licks with his belt, and he made sure that every one of them burned her backside.  She was unable to keep her composure and she screamed and cursed at him as he punished her.  When he was finished whipping her he waited for her to pull up her pants.  “I'm sorry Alex, but you broke the rules.” 

Alex felt a sense of relief knowing that her punishment was over, even though her bottom was on fire.  She looked up at her dad and instead of storming away angry she threw her arms around him.  “I know I broke the rules.  I'm sorry.” 

“It's OK Alex, it's part of life to mess up.”  Drew said softly as he rubbed her back and embraced her as she sobbed.  

“Dad,” Alex looked up at him as her tears began to subside.  “I'm worried about what's going to happen to you.”

“Nothing is going to happen to me.  Don't worry about me Alex, it distracts me and it makes me lose concentration on what I need to do to keep us safe.”  

Alex hugged him with all of her might.  “I'll try not to worry.” 

Drew rested his chin on the top of her head.  “It's the past again Alex.  I'm going away in a day or so again to put it to rest once and for all.” 

Alex didn't want to hear that he was leaving again.  “Don't go.” 

“I have to Alex,” Drew said.  “If I had a choice, I would stay here.” 

Alex sat with him a little while longer and then she went up to her bedroom and fell asleep.  Drew went back to working in his office.  He was doing research on his computer.  He had a lot to do before he rested.      

~*~

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 The Jacksons 30