Chapter 91
Alejandra met Tico and the guys at the door and they could tell something was wrong.
Tico greeted his wife with a kiss. "What's up?"
"The court date has been set for this Thursday."
"Yeah, we know but how did you find out?" asked Jon.
"Jesse was served papers today," answered Alejandra. "Along with Tic, Richie, Ashley, Carly, and Tony. The papers are on the counter."
"Where's Stevie...and Jess?" asked Richie. He could tell something else was wrong by the look on her face.
Alejandra hesitated and Tico asked, "There's more, isn't there?"
"Dorothea and I went to town to get some things for dinner When we got back, there were two deputies and Kevin here. Stevie and Dakota had just gotten off the bus and Jesse was in tears....Kevin left with Stevie."
"Where's Jesse?" asked Jon.
"In her room....hopefully asleep."
Richie rushed by here and into the house. His mind was racing, remembering that she'd had a bad feeling that morning after a bad dream and he'd accused her of being clingy. Now, Stevie was gone...again. He'd known Kevin was playing a game but it didn't make it easier.
Reaching the bedroom, he found Jesse, curled up on the bed clutching his pillow to her chest and tear stains on her cheeks. She'd cried herself to sleep. He kicked his boots off and joined her, gathering her in his arms.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here, baby," he whispered against her skin.
Jesse had woken when she'd felt the bed shift with his weight. Her head ached but the warmth of his body holding her and his breath on her skin eased it. She put her hands on his arms and the tears began again. "He came...tried to get me into bed...when I slapped him, he got pissed and told me he'd never intended to drop the suit. You were right."
"I didn't want to be, Jess. What excuse did he use this time to take Stevie?"
"I..." she shook her head to remember. "Something about my lifestyle...too many people staying in my house."
"He's grasping at straw." Richie hesitated before asking, "What did he try?"
"I was in here, taking a nap. He came in, sat on the bed, and put his hand on my stomach as he leaned over to kiss me. I thought it was you and pulled him closer as he deepened the kiss. He ran his hand under my shirt to play with my breasts."
"When did you realize it wasn't me?"
"When I ran my hand across his and felt his wedding band." Jesse rolled over to face Richie and put her hand on his chest. "I'm sorry, Richie. If I hadn't been asleep, I'd have known it wasn't you by the touch."
Richie brushed her hair back and wiped her tears. "It's okay, baby."
"Richie, I'm really scared...Kevin isn't going to play fair...he hasn't all along. There's so much that he can turn around and use against me."
"He's going to use my past against you too."
"I don't know why! It's not like he hasn't gotten drunk. Hell, there are pictures of him flipping the photographer off."
"But does he have two DUIs and a child endangerment charge that he had to go to rehab because of?"
"No."
"That's why."
"We can use what he did today...coming in here while I was asleep."
"Who saw him?"
"I was alone but the deputies showed up before he left."
"Baby, it's your word against his and the fact that you had a baby by a married man is NOT going to help your credibility."
Jesse closed her eyes. "I have worked my ass off for five years...didn't date, didn't do go out partying with my friends....to raise our son. I'd do it all again too but why am I being punished for it?"
Richie held her close as she cried, his anger building with each tear that fell. Kevin had jerked her around for the last two weeks and he was using Stevie as a pawn. Things weren't looking good for Jesse keeping Stevie and he couldn't take this any more. He had to do something and it had to be now.
"Jess, stay here."
"Where are you going?"
Getting up, Richie said, "I'm going to take care of this NOW."
Jesse watched as Richie pulled his boots back on. "Richie, you can't confront Kevin now."
"Why not? I've had enough of him jerking you around and using Stevie as a pawn."
"I'll lose Stevie for sure if you confront Kevin," reminded Jesse as she got up.
"Jesse, I can't let Kevin get away with his. He took advantage of you being asleep....not to mention what he did to get you pregnant! I'm NOT going to let it go. Stay here and I'll be back."
Jesse watched Richie leave as she considered what he said. Richie....Kevin....really how could it go wrong? It would be Kevin's word against Richie's.
She scrambled off the bed and rushed after him. "Richie....WAIT!" she called.
Reaching the kitchen, Jesse saw everyone gathered but no Richie.
"Where is he?"
"Richie?" questioned Jon.
"Yeah."
"He left."
"And you didn't stop him?"
"He said he had something to take care of."
"What's wrong, Jess?" asked Tico as Jesse rolled her eyes and threw her hands in the air.
"He's going after Kevin."
"You're kidding?" questioned Jack.
"No, I'm not."
"This is NOT good. Why didn't you stop him?"
"Because he was pissed and wouldn't listen to me."
"You need to do something to stop him."
Jesse grabbed the phone and dialed. When the person on the other end answered, she said, "Hey, Clay. I need a favor. My fiancé is headed into town to Stevie's father's house....No, I don't want him arrested, just stall him....I need enough time to come the other way into town.....Black Ford Excursion with thirty-day tags....Thank you."
When she hung up, Tico asked, "What are you going to do?"
"I'm going after him. Wanna come with me?"
"Let's go."
"Let me grab my jeans and shoes."
