A Jar of Hearts Read Free

appears to be Michael Elizondo, the guy who really runs it is the mayor of San Diego, Trent Harvey.”
    “What’s all this got to do with me?” Eric asked impatiently. Was he here for a crash course on gangs or did they want him to do something?
    Mark sighed and sat on the edge of a desk. “We want you to join The Pachecos. And once you’ve gained their trust, we want you to take a hit on Trent Harvey.”
    “Sounds easy on paper. But how can you be sure I’d be able to do that?”
    “The Pachecos are impressed with anyone who can handle a gun. An accurate sharpshooter such as you wouldn’t have trouble rising through their ranks.” He leaned forward. “Until this is over, Eric, you cannot contact Anne or your family. We can promise to protect them so long as you listen to instructions. If you decide to have it your way, we would have to deny any associations with you. Are we clear?”
    Eric felt his nerves tensing again. Did he have a choice? He could try escaping again.
    “Are we clear, Eric?” Mark stressed again.
    “Yes.”
    Mark picked up a file and flung it over to Eric. “Get acquainted with the facts. This is an entire new life and you need to know it like you had lived it. From here on, your name is James Connelly.”

CHAPTER 2

 
 
 
 
 
    Two years later
     
     
     
    Anne stood in the backyard of her new house. She heard the waves crashing onto the beach. Seagulls squawked in the distance, their cackling melding with the roar of the waves. A breeze blew over her and a strong whiff of the salt and the sea filled her nostrils.
    The air was certainly different from the one in Boston. It was fresh. It was alluring. Perhaps, her father was right. A change would ease some of that torturous pain in her heart. A pain she had bound inside her since Eric had died.
    “Miss Anne?” Julia said from behind her.
    She turned and made a mouth at her. “Just Anne, Julia. Do you see my father here to chastise you about that?”
    “Sorry, Miss… um… Anne. It’s a habit. But why don’t you come inside. The breeze is a little too strong here.”
    “It’s nice, Julia. Besides, isn’t it why we came to San Diego in the first place? To breathe this beautiful ocean breeze?”
    Her housekeeper threaded her arm around her elbow gently and stood beside her. “Not when it is as strong as this. And I do wish you had chosen to go to another place other than San Diego.”
    “And what is wrong with San Diego?” Anne said stubbornly. “It is a beautiful place, is it not?”
    “Yes… I suppose,” the housekeeper answered somewhat unsurely.
    Anne rubbed the side of her arm to comfort her. “Describe it to me. Tell me how the sands and the sea look today.”
    Julia sighed. “Well, you’re right. It is beautiful. The sea is blue. A very beautiful sky blue. The waves are big, but not threatening. In fact, they’re perfect for surfing. There are actually a small group of people out further into the waters, catching those beautiful waves…”
    Her voice began to fade into the air as Anne began to recall Eric’s words, drowning her thoughts with his voice.
    “Tell me what it looks like,” she whispered. She was filled with awe of all the happy sounds in the party.
    “There are Chinese lanterns strung above us,” Eric whispered back. “There are children on the far left playing with balloon s …”
    “Anne, are you okay?” Julia’s voice came booming through her thoughts and whirling her back to reality.
    “Yes.” She nodded and began to turn back towards the house. “I think I need to just lay down a bit. I’m not feeling too well.”
     
     
     
     
    Julia watched her mistress stumble towards the house. She wouldn’t have wanted her help even if she had offered it. Anne could be stubborn that way. She missed the cheery young woman she had met almost fifteen years ago. She had always marveled at the way Anne would continue to face the world with so much positivity despite her disability. But in the