Chapter 21 Try me, bitch

Adam

“Happy birthday”, I knew that lovely voice straight away; Jennifer. It had been a few days since we had come back to Paris. Jennifer kept me bedridden, I was getting stronger but not strong enough for sex as Dr. Pellegrini and Jennifer kept telling me.

I felt good now better than before the poisoning, maybe because Jennifer was here.

She traced soft kisses down my jaw and throat,” Keep going down south, love,” I said opening my eyes to see her.

“Are you going somewhere?” She was wearing a two piece red dress, off the shoulder with ties at the ends. The top had buttons and she had left the first few undone. The skirt started just above her belly button and stopped just above her knees. Her hair was in soft cascading curls and her makeup was done lightly with red lips. She looked sexy as hell.

“I have something better than that for you,” she kissed me lightly and turned to the night stand.

“Happy Birthday!” She exclaimed. Jennifer gave me two presents wrapped perfectly with ribbons and a card.

I normally didn’t celebrate my birthday, anything I wanted I got all year round so the idea of other people going out of their way to get me something I can buy on my own always seemed stupid. Until Jenifer came into my life she made me see a different side to celebrating it. In her eyes it was about celebrating the person, all your accomplishments and everything that makes you special. To her birthdays were to appreciate someone and making them feel loved more than usual. I know my mother liked that, Michael was the only one she still threw parties for so now she had an excuse to spoil me again.

“Come down stairs for part two!” She said pulling me out of our bed. Ok, I’ll play along. I didn’t have to come downstairs to know she had put a lot of effort to make today special for me.

I got up and put on some long pajama pants and a zip up jacket. I grabbed the gifts Jennifer had given me and followed her down to the dining room.

She swung opened the double doors beaming with joy.

“Surprise!” She beamed revealing a completely decorated room with balloons with notes on them, a cake, streamers, wine, and a full spread of breakfast food.

“Wow, you went all in this year,” I looking around more. She dimmed the lights to show a lot of lit tea light candles. They reflected on something filling the room with twinkling lights, it reminded me of the stargazing room in Galway.

“Yep, we missed last year because of my amnesia and the year before that we just went to a restaurant. You didn’t even tell me it was your birthday until that night,” she said taking my hand and leading me to the chair at the head of the table.

“It was still a good night,” St. Louis doesn’t have a lot to offer to an outsider but Jennifer always found something for us to do that summer. She had just graduated, and we had all the time in the world, every day we did something new. The only thing I complained about was her love for baseball. Jennifer and Nate are really into baseball, so we went to every home game – its the world’s longest game ever. Jennifer enjoyed it and so did everyone we ran into. Jennifer would watch “soccer” with me so that did even things out. I love my wife but she has the same taste in sports as Rodger; which in Rodger’s eyes makes her, his favorite child.

I sat down and set the gifts on the floor beside me. Jennifer had made all of my favorites: strawberry breakfast cake, bacon, eggs, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, sweet potato coffee cake, milk and coffee. Not to mention the huge 3 tier birthday cake.

“This is way too much, love”. I was shocked the last time I had a party like this I was eight year old?

“Absolutely not!” Michael said walking into the room with only his boxer briefs on, “You started without me!” He sat on the chair to the right of me.

“You wouldn’t get up, you were too busy… Appreciating yourself” Jennifer said servicing me big helpings of everything.

“If you could learn to knock, this wouldn’t be a problem! Take your hand, make a fist and bang it on the door, because I’m not coming out of my room until—“

“Until you’ve cum out of your room?” Jennifer said slapping Michaels hand away from the cake,” That’s for tonight… No touching!”

“Honestly, I’ve always wanted to ask what the hell happens between you two in the morning but actually I don’t think I want to know,” I said content with just eating.

“I’ve thought the same thing”, Brandon said walking into the room and sitting to my left side. “Even Kairi doesn’t make as much of a fuss in the morning as you two”.

“I’m trying to enjoy a nice wank but someone has made it—“

“Enough Michael, we all knew something was wrong with you when mom had to duct tape your clothes on,” Brandon said laughing.

I laughed too, remembering that,” Yeah, because you wanted to get naked every time mom took us out.”

“Not just get naked in the middle of Macy’s but violently start jerking it, ” Brandon added. “The rent a cop that finally caught up to you wanted to call Child Protective Services,” Jennifer serviced Michael and Brandon.

“No way, I vaguely remember the naked part,” I said.

“I was like two years old! Let it go!” Michael said getting embarrassed. This is one of those rare times he actually felt shame.

“And I was 15? I laughed so hard I was crying, bent over. I don’t think either one of you remember the incident in Chloe. Mom was shopping and she had to have given Michael a gin rubdown–“

“What’s a gin rubdown?” Jennifer said handing Brandon a plate. She was about to go sit next to Brandon but I pulled her by her waist so she sat on my lap.

She tried to get up, but I whispered in her ear,” It is my birthday,” giving in she decided to make herself comfortable.

“Mom will deny this but I’ve seen her do it. She would take two fingers and dip them in gin then she’d rub her fingers on Michael’s gums, a few minutes later he would be knocked out,” Brandon explained.

“I believe it, that would also explain a lot,” Jennifer said laughing.

“No way! You lie!” Michael looked like he just had a truth bomb dropped on him,” Is that why I like gin?”

“Anyway… When Adam was four or five he became a real clinger, he wouldn’t let go ofmom, he would literally hang off her legs. One day Mom had Michael running around streaking and Adam holding her leg and I was just playing on my GameBoy. So mom shook Adam off and ran after Michael; I don’t know what made you run so fast but it was impossible to catch you. It got to the point where I was actively trying to find you as well. Long story short we did find Michael but we had left Adam with the stroller. Mom started freaking out, until we found a group of women crowded around something. It was Adam holding a mannequin leg, in tears.”

“O aawww,” Jennifer said holding her heart, she then kissed my cheek,” That’s so adorable and sad”.

“So we never went back to Chloe,” Brandon said,” So when you two start having kids. You could end up with a clinger, streakier, alcoholic or a flight risk baby.”

“I’m sure you were no prize we just don’t know about it,” I countered back.

“Yeah just cuz you’re older and you remember stuff, I don’t think any of that even happened”, Michael said in a huff.

“The naked part did happen there’s no hiding that – some things never change,” I said.

“Oh. My. God. Open your gifts! Let this go,” Michael said.

Jennifer went to stand but I kept my arm around her waist,” Where are you going?”

“To get the rest of your gifts”, she said.

“Nope, Michael get up and get the gifts”, I said.

“No,” Michael said throwing a tantrum,” This is her idea… So you do the–“

“You were serviced like a god damn king on your birthday – every birthday. Now get up, before I send you to Somalia,” I threatened.

“Fine!” Michael said throwing his napkin down and walking into the hallway a few minutes later he returned with two more boxes. These were not wrapped so they were definitely from my brothers.

I started to open the gift when Jennifer yelled,” Wait! I want pictures,” she raced out the room and soon came back with her phone. “Ok, go”

“The big one is from Brandon,” Jennifer said ecstatically.

I opened the box and found a drone.

“Why?” I said bemused, “Did you buy this for yourself?”

“A little, but it’s a cool toy. You can watch anyone from above, and once I get done with it you can fly anywhere in France”. I pushed the drone over to Brandon.

“Go wild, I don’t want it.” Next, I opened the smaller box and found nothing inside. I looked to Michael puzzled, he stood up and said,” I know you’re confused but hear me out picture this… You want to get to the airport but not in the normal fashion you want to make a scene; a statement. You don’t arrive in a helicopter or God forbid a Taxi. No you’re traveling by air. Hot air! A hot air balloon!”

Feeling a headache coming on, I turned to Michael and said, “Please don’t tell me you bought a hot air balloon. Of all the things to get! Why?”

“She said we had to bring a gift, so I brought a gift!” Michael explained pointing to Jennifer. “I didn’t know what to get you so I just got you something you don’t have. I figured you wouldn’t be buying any hot air balloons anytime soon. So now you are the proud owner of a hot air balloon.”

“Where the fuck is that even at?”

“On Brandon’s lawn,” Michael said quickly.

“Wait, what?!”

“Well this is a not what I planned,” Jennifer said losing her smile, “You all didn’t even try!”

“I did!” Michael said in a fit,” He has everything! Cars, money, boats, power, houses anything he wants. So no I couldn’t find a conventional gift for the guy who literally has everything!”

“You could have tried a thoughtful gift. You could have found an old picture and put it in a nice picture frame; thoughtful and considerate,” She said.

“More like crap, he would just throw away. I’d like to see you throw away a hot air balloon”, Michael said crossing his arms with a smile.

“Get that shit off my lawn, if Kairi sees that, I will never hear the end of it. It’s got to go.”

“Ungrateful! Do you know how hard it is to—” Michael started to say but Jennifer cut him off.

“Open Nate’s and Josh’s gift, it’s the big one I gave you first thing.” I picked up the two gifts from the floor and opened the big one. It was a framed landscape picture of the property in Galway. I opened the card.

My first award-winning landscape, Thanks to you.

Have a wonderful birthday! We got to get drinks.

-Josh

It’s worth 12 million. So you’re welcome.

-Nate

“Dose that’s say 12 million? For a picture!” Michael said in disbelief

“See that’s sweet! And thoughtful,” Jennifer said.

“Okay Missy I’d like to see you do better than a hot air balloon! What did you get him a sex coupon book?” Michael said. I was going to have to use the hot air balloon once or I would never hear the end of it.

“I know I did better,” Jennifer said proudly.

I opened Jennifer’s gift and found a keychain… Michael died of laughter.

“Stop it! It’s not over!” She said frustrated, “Prepare to be amazed, follow me.” Michael followed closely behind her.

“I guess we follow?” Brandon said to me.

“Come on!” Jennifer yelled back to us.

Brandon and I follow Jennifer voice.

“Over here,” She called out.

The ballroom?

Jennifer and Michael were so competitive but would never admit it. We found Jennifer

“Where did Michael go?” I ask looking around.

“Oh don’t mind him, close your eyes,” Jennifer was ready to explode from excitement. I did and she led me into the ballroom.

“Holy shit!” I heard Brandon say.

“Ok open them” she said.

My breath gasped,” No way! How did? When?”

I rushed down the double curved staircase to find a black W Motors Lykan Hypersport. Michael was lying on the floor as if he had fainted. I was about to join him.

“Do you like it?” Jennifer said standing by the overlook on top of the balcony stairs.

“How did you get this in the house?” Brandon said standing next to me.

“Through the servant’s door,” she said smiling.

“How?” Michael said sitting up he crawled to the car and touch the rims,” There only seven in the world!”

“Even I couldn’t find one,” I said aloud. I thought about stealing one but decided against it.

I don’t remember the last time I was this excited for a gift. I went around to the driver’s seat and sat in awe of the car. I found the keys in the ignition and heard the beautiful roar of the car come to life. Michael jumped in the passenger seat as I rolled down the windows.

“I know a guy,” she said walking down the stairs to open the balcony doors,” go drive, before you gas us out of a house.”

Brandon jumped in the car pushing Michael basically into the trunk. Like a kid in a candy store I hit the gas on car feeling the jump from 0 to 68 in less than 2 seconds. I push the car as hard as it could we skidded down the servants quarters and out the door to the road.

“You have the best wife ever!” Michael said crouching in the back,” Can I drive next?”

“Don’t even think about it. I will fight you,” I said speeding down the road.

“Try me, bitch… I still can’t believe you got this!”

“Me too!” Now I’m thinking about it how could she even afford to buy this? Brandon had started to keep a closer eye on everyone spending and there was nothing out of the ordinary on any of her accounts.

I’ll ask her later.

Right now, I just wanted to drive.

Chapter 22 Hustler Not a Hussy

Jennifer

Wow….

That actually worked.

Give a man 3.4 million dollar car and he’ll leave the house. I was feeling bad that I had kept Adam bedridden for longer than he needed just so he would jump at the first chance to leave. I planned this out down to the last detail, and thankfully all the boys were awe struck by the car. I knew they would drive until it ran out of gas or got a ticket.

Using my phone I set off a small EMP so Brandon couldn’t come back and see what was about to happen.

I walked upstairs to my office, but first I knocked on my old bed room door,” They’re gone,” I yelled and Rodger opened the door.

“About time, kid” he said.

“I told you, you could have come down stairs and had birthday breakfast with us,” I said leading Rodger to my office.

“Yeah, yeah, you would be the only one that would be okay with that,” Rodger said. True to his words of,’ anything you need you come find me,’ Rodger was my champion. I told Rodger one horrible night, about what happen with the man in black and that Adam wanted to be “patient” with trying to find this son of a bitch on the phone. He always helped me, when I was in panic mode. Rodger always said I was like the daughter he never had.

Brandon was getting nowhere trying to track this guy, Adam was okay with being patient and I wanted results.

It’s only been two week and a half weeks and I was losing my mind. I couldn’t sleep at night even with Adam by my side and on the rare occasion that I did sleep I always had nightmares. The ringing sound of a cell phone now puts me in high alert, the stress of knowing this person was out in the world walking freely drove me mad. He could literally attack at any point and I would be right back in the same terrible situation. Except this time, I would have no hope of escaping, this family would be dead.

I opened the door to my office and found everyone here; Nate, Alejandro and Gamila.

Gamila works for me now, after I saved her life, I used that as an olive branch to say,’ Sorry for choking you and killing your Dad’. I picked up very quickly that Gamila was lonely. Years of being away from society, losing the love of her life, her mother and father had broken something inside of her. Something she was now trying to fill with money and things. So when Adam told her he would pick me over her, she must have realized how alone she really was.

I gave her the same the speech I gave Alejandro in Mexico. Follow me and I’ll make you a king/Queen. Adam had Gamila sleeping around with the promise of introducing her to some billionaire. I convinced her that didn’t make sense; she was doing all this work with the hopes that she may be able to seduce this one man; if she could, but then what? She ends up with a man who will only appreciate her for sex. She would be nothing but a trophy wife and before I got to know her I thought she would be okay with that.

Gamila is not your average housewife, or just your average person, she’s insanely intelligent. I asked her what she wanted in life.

“I don’t want to be poor, plenty of money would be ideal, “Gamila said. We had tea on the terrace overlooking the lake. It had been such a peaceful day.

“No one wants to be poor, it just happens,” I said pouring her a cup,” Pick something and I’ll help you be great at it”.

“I really don’t know; I always thought I would marry young be rich so I never had to think ahead to the future,” she said lost.

I poured myself a cup of tea and said,” What were you going to do when you ran away with …” I didn’t know the man she eloped with. Even Dani didn’t have a name.

“Logan… Logan Kristoff,” she said smiling sadly, “the world’s forgotten him but I haven’t. We were going to run away to Thessaloniki”.

“Greece,” I said surprised.

“In a way I guess it’s a good thing we didn’t go. This was before the mass unemployment problem and refugee crisis,” she said nonchalantly. I didn’t know anything about the economic state of Greece, so I just took her word on it.”Even now they’re heading into another economic crisis, so not the best place to put down roots for financial stability”.

“Yes, but what would you have been doing; in a perfect world,” I said.

“Maybe fashion or design? I don’t know…”

“No, no, no this is good. I like your fashion its extra and statement heavy. Here,” I said writing down Josh’s number,” This guy is a world-renowned photographer. His work is going for millions. Let him help you guild you through the art world, and when you’re ready to launch a line or open a store let me know. This way it doesn’t feel like work if you like it and you don’t have to put up with anyone because you’re the boss”.

Gamila is smart, there’s no denying that. A dumb person can’t convince someone to give them $25,000 a month for doing absolutely nothing. A stupid person couldn’t show up in California with only $25,000 and buy a mansion in Pebble Beach worth 41.8 million in a month. Gamila was a hustler not a hussy and I respected the hell out of that. I wanted her on my team. I never had really close girl friends, besides Sara, but I can see that happing with Gamila. She’s not the home-wrecker I pictured her to be.

Plus, she gave me this outfit and I was absolutely loving it.

“Anything new?” I asked the room going to sit at my desk.

“Nothing on my end,” Nate said. I had told Nate why we just stopped talking for a little bit. He understood, and every night since I got back to Paris, we would talk on the phone until I fell asleep and if I didn’t sleep he didn’t sleep. This was Nate’s way of making sure I was ok. He also promised to be nicer to Adam.

“Nothing from me, Adam has no new leads and the ones he did give me are all dead ends,” Gamila said.

“Terry is still working on it, he says two maybe three days and we’ll have a location,” Rodger said.

“And your team is ready to move when we have a location?” I asked Alejandro who was eating some of the leftover breakfast I had made.

“Yes, I’ve been itching for a fight since Croatia.” I had already told Alejandro how I wanted it done. I wanted him to suffer and I wanted to watch. My soul cried out for this mysterious person to be in agony for days. I wanted revenge and I was going to have it. He had gotten bored living like a king. He had men ready to die for him, some of the most beautiful women in the world in his bed and an army ready to back him up. But most importantly he had the support of the Caffery house.

“Great, now that we know what everyone looks like and where we are all at here is phase two,”I said.

Chapter 23 Why, Judas!?

Adam

“So fucking worth it,” Michael said as I pulled into the garage. We got three tickets once I let the police catch us.

This was fun; I don’t remember the last time Michael, Brandon and I just hung out just as brothers. I was so caught up in the moment that I forgot my phone back at the house.

I should have taken Jennifer for a ride; she did get me the car after all.

Tomorrow for sure.

It was late – Michael had told me mom was coming into town today so most likely I had kept her waiting.

We exited the car and I went in search of Jennifer. I started with the dining room the three tier cake was half eaten. I heard laughter coming from the back balcony.

Oh.

I didn’t know this was supposed to be a party. Jennifer’s parents, my parents, Nate and Josh were here and I was still in my pajamas. Michael walked up next to me still in his boxers.

“Look who came home,” Jennifer said leaving her parents to come to me. “How was the car?” She briefly kissed me.

“Well, we got three tickets so, she’s a show stopper”, Michael said.

My mother came to hug me, and wished me a happy birthday.

“I heard about the car, congratulations”, Mom said. I zipped up my jacket, “I’m sure Ken and Rodger would love to see it too”.

“And Josh”, Jennifer said.

Excited about that idea Jennifer went and got her father and Rodger. Ken hated me and he had every right too. I had blackmailed him into selling me pharmaceutical drugs, kidnapped his daughter and forced her to marry me. I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with Jennifer, but I did and she did with me. I wanted to do right by her and let her go, but just thinking about that time; a part still hurts my chest. Needless to say, Ken hasn’t forgotten how Jennifer and I met or the danger that comes with being in this world. Yvonne on the other hand, likes me, just as long as Jennifer is happy she is happy.

And just fuck Rodger.

Leading the crowd towards me, Jennifer said,” Lead the way, everyone wants to see”. Taking her hand we walked down to the car garage.

Michael disappeared with Brandon, hopefully, to find some clothes. When we arrived in the garage, there were audible ooh’s and aahh’s.

“There she is”, I announced.

“I know nothing about cars” Nate said texting,” but, good lord you have like a hundred cars down here”.

Vvvvzzzzztttt vvvvvzzzztttt

That was Jennifer’s phone.

“One second,” she kissed my cheek and excused herself.

Strange… I know I’ve answered my phone literally inside of her telling James and Ross to shoot someone. Or how many times have we been at dinner and I’ve said something not dinner table appropriate on the phone. Perhaps it was another surprise…

I started to walk over to her when Nate and Josh jumped in front of me, “Happy birthday, man”, Josh said.

“Same”, Nate said putting away his phone.

“Is that a Ferrari F60?” Josh said excited.

“Yeah”, I said turning to face the car,” It’s Jennifer’s along with the Phantom”, Josh was just as excited about cars as me. We kept talking and I lost track of time afterended up going for a drive in my Aston Martin One-77. Josh was a speed demon just like me.

I know I should have stayed behind and entertained the other guess, but I was so sick of being in the house it’s my birthday after all. We finally made it back to the house around two in the morning.

Walking through the basement, I heard the party was still going. Everyone was now in the music room. The only reason we have this room was because Kairi said she wanted to play the piano, then the flute, then the cello, the violin only lasted for about a week, then it was drums, and then the harp. She finally settled on dance and since Brandon was here 99.9% of the time, anything Kairi wanted I got her.

The room was big enough for all of the instruments and a few chairs so Kairi could have had an audience.

“Oh Adam come join us”, Yvonne said,” Jennifer was just about to play for us”.

“I said, ‘no’ but she’s–” Jennifer started to say something only to be interrupted by Yvonne.

“Ten years of violin practice wouldn’t you love to hear it? She was so good when she was a child”.

“Really?” I said sitting down next to Yvonne.

“Yeah, really? Since, when were you musically inclined? “Nate asked. This would be a first; Nate doesn’t know something about Jennifer.

“They made me”, Jennifer pointed to her parents

“I didn’t”, Ken said,” Your mother did. I was fine with you climbing and falling out of trees. But, –” Yvonne gave him a dirty look and he immediately stop talking.

“She broke her arm!” Yvonne said with a distasteful frown.

“And she still wanted to climb, just because you threw a violin and her it didn’t mean she stopped. If anything she was climbing more until she fell on the roof and got stuck”, Ken said. I liked hearing stories about Jennifer’s childhood. She basically grew up an only child which was a dream for me but, the more I heard the more I realized she was kind of a weird kid.

Putting her hands to her face Jennifer said,” Oh my god! I told you both we had Snowy Owl nesting in our tree. I pointed at it and it flapped its wings and that’s why I fell”.

“The first time”, Ken corrected her.

“Anyway, Adam wouldn’t you like to hear it? It is your birthday”, Yvonne said trying to convince me my mother joined her in agreement, so I went along with it. Even if Jennifer was bad now she tried and that will appease both our mothers.

“Please, love? Show me inner Wolfgang,” I said getting comfortable. Jennifer wouldn’t turn down a challenge.

“Yes, but Beriot” Nate said.

“Unless you can’t do it,” Michael said challenging her further.

Smiling she said, “You really want to lose two times in one day? There’s a giant hot air balloon on Brandon’s lawn that was supposed to be better than my gift,” Jennifer said picking up the violin.

“Fifty bucks”, Michael took out his wallet and slammed the money on the piano behind Jennifer and said, “Fifty bucks says you can’t do it”.

“Fine, but if I impress you, you have to go up in the hot air balloon with me”, Jennifer said.

“Done deal, if I win, I want the name of the person you know that got the Lykan Hyperspor”, Michael said.

“Be prepared to be disappointed, take a seat,” Jennifer lightly pushed Michael in to a seat.

She took a straightened stance and held the violin in between her shoulder and neck, making straight eye contact with Michael,”Niccolo Paganini’s Caprice no. 5 from his 24 caprices”.

She began to play.

Damn.

She was good, like inspiringly good. She played the violin like a weapon. Years of training and hard work were personified in her playing, but there was a disconnect that was haunting. She played so intensely and wildly it made me feel uneasy the more the song went on, She started doing more jerking tight movements her perfect posture was now at hunchback level and her eyes.

The deadness.

The more erratic the song became the more I could see it in Jennifer. She was unhinged; the song might as well have been a cry for help. She played faster and faster her hair fell in strands over her face.

I looked over to Nate; surely he could see something was wrong. He didn’t seem to mind, but Josh picked up on it and mouthed to me,’ What the fuck?’ I looked over to Brandon, Michael, her parents, and mine was no one else was picking up on this? Did they think this was part of the performance.

Her phone vibrated.

With a devilish smile she abruptly ended taking a bow and dropping the violin into the ground. Jennifer clapped her hands and said, “You all are under house arrest”.

Michael laughed and said, “Fine you win, I can’t do Sunday—“

“Everybody on the fucking ground!” I turned my head and saw Alejandro and ten other men file into the room guns pointed at us.

Yvonne and my mother screamed and knelt down, Josh was freaking out too.

Hopping up to sit on the piano Jennifer said, “Don’t point those at my mother… I’m sorry to ruin a great evening but I’ve been left with no choice. I’m done being patient… Take their phones.” They listened to her.

“Love? What are you going?” I said confused.

Has she lost her mind?

“They will hurt you if you try to fight back,” Alejandro forced Michael, Brandon and I to the floor and driving his knee in my back he handcuff me and zip-tied my feet.

Yes. Yes, she has.

One of the men took Brandon’s phone and tossed it to Jennifer she caught it with one hand. Everyone else’s phones were destroyed.

“What are you doing?” Yvonne said scared to Jennifer.

“Taking control back”, she sat crossed legged.

My mother begged Rodger to get down but he and Nate stood unaffected. Nate went to Jennifer’s side and announced to the room,” Okay listen up. This is a temporary coup, you know we’re not going to hurt you but we can’t let you leave either. So for the next seven days get comfortable, because no one’s going anywhere until we find out who is threatening us”.

My face was being shoved into the floor, but I heard my mother’s voice angrily say,”You said you would help her! Not get us all killed Rodger, Rodger!”

That fucker!

“Celine this is the right thing, the boys gone soft, you know what they did to her. They’ll be coming for all of us next. You want us to sit and do nothing? This is our best chance of survival”, Rodger pleaded with my mother. I heard the heartbreak in her voice.

“What is going on?” Josh yelled.

“Lock down the room”, Jennifer commanded she hopped off of the piano and headed for the door,” Wait! Don’t do this!” I said finally able to lift up my head, she ignored me.

“Kairi and Jemma are a sleep up stairs; your security isn’t coming because I dismiss them for the week. They think we’re in Scotland for your birthday. Now that I have your phones they can ping us there. But just to be on the safe side I set off an EMP so none of your electronics work”.

“Why, Judas?!” Michael screamed.

“Don’t act like I’m betraying you, they’re not going to hurt you if you don’t give them a reason to. You spent all day at Main House anyway, what’s a week in the long run?”

“That doesn’t explain why though”, I said.

“I’m done waiting, I’m sick of being patient I’m not putting my life on hold anymore. For seven months I was his bitch. Well, not anymore, We’ve got a location”.

She found where our mystery person was.

I push myself up so I was on my knees, “That’s great, love. I’m on your side you don’t have to do this”, I said motioning to the guards.

“No, you’re not,” she walked over to me and knelt down so we there eye level. “If you were on my side you would have tried just as hard as I have been to find this son of a bitch. You would have been the aggressor. You would have handled the situation, you didn’t do anything”. There was pain in her voice, “when I needed you to be a monster to show up for me, fight for me, you’re never there. I needed you to be the man I first saw when I came to Main House “. She hung her head”I…I won’t let him win”.

She stood up.

“Stop! You have no idea what you’re up against, you…” Alejandro shoved a needle in my neck.

No! I was going to pass out.

“If you won’t be the monster I will”, Jennifer said as my world started to turn blurry and slow down.

“See…reason…let…me help,” I couldn’t fight anymore my world faded in to black. I just hoped she was still alive when I woke up.

Chapter 24 What the Fuck Do You Know?

Adam

I bolted up.

“Jennifer!” I yelled.

“Oh, god!” Gamila said scared.

I was on the couch in the living room; everyone was here except Jennifer, Nate and Rodger.

“Calm down,” my Mother said rushing to my side,”You’ll scare the children”.

Ignoring my Mother I moved past her and kicked over the coffee table to find my Beretta 9mm gun.

“Where is Rodger?” I yelled. No one said anything; I knew I was being irrational. I was pissed. Jennifer thought I didn’t care, that I wasn’t trying just as hard as she was to find this SOB. I’m the original terror, my word is fucking law! She wants a monster wait until I find her.

“What are you going to do to him? Shoot your father,” Ken said stepping in front of Yvonne who was holding Jemma.

“No!” Kairi said running full force at me banging her fist on me.

Brandon pulled Kairi aside and told her to go play upstairs in her room with Jemma. Yvonne reluctantly let go of Jemma and told her to go play. Once the girls we’re upstairs Brandon came very close to me and said in a threatening low voice,” Don’t you ever pull a gun out around my daughter”.

I glared at him and although he wanted to make a stand I could tell he half regretted standing up to me. “Let’s calm down guys”, Michael said separating us, “we all kind of knew she was crazy after she stabbed that a guy bunch of times. Lesson learned”.

“What?” Ken and Yvonne said horrified, “When did this happen?”

“Shut the fuck up, Michael she’s not crazy!”

“That’s for damn sure”, Gamila commented.

“Wake up! She played you like that fucking violin!” Brandon yelled, “You don’t get to get pissed now because you ignored every warning sign”.

“Did I? Did I really ignore every warning sign!? When I was fucking poisoned” I yelled.

“Maybe we should keep a calm head about this”, Josh said trying to be a peacekeeper with Michael.

“You did….You should have went with your first instinct and kept her out of it, but no, you caved in to her and now she’s trying to go head-to-head with a guy who’s always been three steps ahead of us. You let her put this family in danger! And now when she fails we will have to deal with the fallout!”

Brandon was really starting to piss me off. He doesn’t get to lecture me about protecting this family. “At least she found where he is, what the fuck have you been doing? Hiding in the basement?”

“Boys, please Stop!” My mother cried out.

“Apparently, listening to a pussy whipped man. Who forgot his duty is to his family,” laughing bitterly he said, “Who knows maybe you’ll luck out here too, maybe, the hacker will kill her and Alejandro’s men. Then call it even–“

I had had enough of Brandon’s mouth Jennifer took care of Kairi when he couldn’t move his fucking pinky finger. She protected this house when none of us could when it would have been easier to just walk away.

I punched Brandon with all my might square in the jaw, he hit me right in the rib causing me to go down, but I brought him down with me. We wrestled on the floorexchanging blow-for-blow, I wasn’t going to stop. Brandon of all people doesn’t get the judge me or Jennifer. He couldn’t last one day in my shoes.

I had Brandon pinned down to the ground, gun in one hand his throat in my other I choked him fighting off Michael and Josh.

‘Don’t‘, a sweet voice said.

Why?

‘Because he’s your brother and he’s just scared about a real threat, he’s thinking about the ramifications this could have on Kairi,’ the voice said.

Oh shit, that was Jennifer voice. Right now, she is the last person that should be my voice of reason.

‘But I’m right‘, she said.

I let go of Brandon and stood up, my mother rushed to his side to make sure Brandon was okay. Then she put herself in the middle of us and said,” We are family! We are one and we’re only going to get through this together as one,” my mother slapped Brandon and me,” Now apologize to each other!”

With no sincerity we did as we were told.I made a mental note to deal with Brandon another time we may be brothers but I am the boss and he needs to be reminded of this.

“I will not have you two tear this family apart,” my Mother said sternly.

“Jennifer is a part of this family!” I yelled. She is a part of this family, she’s my wife and I didn’t put her first. I was thinking big picture long-term. Not how hurt she was now or the suffering she was going through.

Frustrated I asked,” Does anyone have a working phone?” I looked around the room; everyone shook their head no, until my eyes landed on Gamila.

“You weren’t here during the EMP. Give me your phone,” I said stalking towards her.

She moved away from me.

“What?” I said annoyed.

“No, you don’t own me, I don’t work you any more”, she said.

“Any more? Since when? You seem to have no problems taking my money”.

She pulled a check out from her purse and handed it to me,” Since you told me I was worthless in the hotel. I am worth saving and one person seems to think the same thing too”, Gamila said standing and leaving the living room.

I chased after her stopping her in the foyer, “Listen Gamila, Jennifer is in danger, she’s not thinking straight and that’s going to get her killed. This guy has been–“

“I know”, Gamila cut me off, “I just don’t understand why you’re not being proactive. There was a time when you would kill someone if they looked at you wrong. What happened to you? “

“I grew up and realize that my actions have long lasting consequences. Gamila if you know where Jennifer is please, tell me she has no idea what she’s up against”.

For a second I thought Gamila was going to tell me, until Nate walked in the foyer,” Good to see your up”, Nate said sarcastically.

“Where’s Rodger?” I asked.

“Gone with Jen”, Nate said dismissively.

I needed to calm down; Nate already hated me I wasn’t going to get any information from him if I stayed this way. I tried to appease to Nate’s rational self, “You know this is crazy. Jennifer is in way over her head, I know you’re trying to help her but this Rambo approach is just going to get her killed”.

“It’s not crazy,” Nate said, “This is a very well-thought-out and calculated plan, just because it’s not your plan doesn’t mean it’s not going to work. Jennifer needs this closure because you’re not going to give it to her”.

“Let’s just drop it”, Gamila said.

“I know you hate me, fine hate me but you’re hurting Jennifer. Have you thought about what happens if this guy on the phone was just a puppet in some bigger plan? If we haven’t been able to find him; why now? When he has hid so perfectly from us up till now? This could be a trap, and since this guy is always one step ahead of us you don’t think he has some kind of master plan for her”. Nate thought it over for a second.

“You love Jennifer just as much as I do. She’s falling apart, we can help her. Just not this way I don’t want Jennifer to suffer I want closure for her as well but I am not blinded by revenge and I don’t want to lose her in the process”.

“Nathaniel Appleton Henry!” Yvonne said storming into the foyer,” Where is my daughter!?”

“Mrs. Faust, I–” Nate started to say, Gamila used this opportunity to disappear.

“I want to know where!” Yvonne said forcefully.

“Nate”, Ken said in his business voice,” we took you in when you had nothing. You know Jennifer’s history and you encouraged her down this dark path”.

“Whatever she’s done we can fix it but we have to find her first. If she has hurt someone we need to get in front of this before the police do”, Yvonne added.

“You don’t need to worry about the stabbing, it’s been handled,” I said. Ken looked like he was ready to strangle me. He was going to blame this on me and ultimately he would be right she wouldn’t have been caught up in this world if it wasn’t for me, but I never made her stay with me so on some level Jennifer was ok with it.

“I don’t know anything about a stabbing; I swear. The only thing I know was somebody was constantly watching her. It made her paranoid and Adam couldn’t find the person so she decided to take action”.

She didn’t tell him about the man in black? She played Nate too.

‘No, I didn’t I’m on a warpath‘, the voice said in my head.

“Nate so much more has happened that you should sit down”. I filled him and Jennifer’s parents in on everything I knew. Once I had finish everyone had a different reaction; Yvonne looked sick to her stomach, Ken was angry looking like he wanted to kill someone – me, and Nate looked lost. Nate and Jennifer prided in themselves on not keeping secrets from one another; she had broken the golden rule.

“I don’t know where they are, I’m not lying. Only she and Rodger knew the full plan. The plan she told me was we were going to get everyone together, put the house on lockdown and I was going to stay to make sure no one left. Meanwhile, Jennifer, Rodger and Alejandro would go take care of the problem”.

“Why is Gamila here?” I asked.

“Gamila sold you out, anything you told her to do she told Jennifer”, Nate said.

‘Information is power‘, the voice in my head said.

“How? How did she find this person?” Yvonne said, “If you don’t know. Who does?”

“Rodger has this guy; Terry?”

Of course Rodger would use his old connections. Nate continued to answer Ken and Yvonne’s questions. I walked back into the living to find my mother. She was rubbing Brandon’s back as he sat on the floor.

“Mom, I need to know what you know”, I said sitting next to her on the couch.

“All I know is they started talking, Rodger was helping her with the nightmares and stress. He’s done it before so I thought nothing of it”.

“Jennifer is his favorite”, Brandon added, “If she went to him mad and hurt I can only imagine what he told her they could do”.

“Your father loves you all, he just doesn’t always know how to show it” Celine tried to stand up for Rodger.

“Bullshit, he never liked us. Let alone loved us”, Michael said standing by the fireplace watching the flames.

“For every bad thing he said or done there’s a thousand good things you will never know about. Rodger loves this family; he would die for this family, since you three have shut him out, he’s overly protective of Kairi and Jennifer”.

“He beat us!” I yelled, “If I had my way he would never step foot in this house. He would have been dead a long time ago”.

“And if we shut him out or killed him, we would be shutting you out. Mom, Rodger has never been a good person. You just refuse to see it,” Michael said turning his head to us.

“Now, is not the time… Mom, do you know a Terry?” I asked.

“Yes, he did computer stuff for your father once upon a time”, she said.

Great, now I need to find Terry and go fuck him up until he tells me where Jennifer is.

I kicked Brandon lightly, “You may be still pissed at me but there is work to be done.”

” You want me to find Terry?”

“Yes, and quickly”, I said standing.

Brandon stood toe to toe with me,” I don’t regret a damn thing I said. If she puts us in danger, I hope she finds a bullet” Brandon walked away.

I’m starting to remember why I hated Brandon, He was always selfish. He tries to act wise, but as soon as he’s put in a difficult situation he caves. That’s why he left home. He couldn’t handle the business or this world. Brandon has no idea, how fucked up this world can make you. He has never had to kill someone, or had to make a hard call. He never had to step into a room where everyone would gladly kill you for sport or money. Rodger never abused Brandon the way he did Michael and me. Not to say he wasn’t abusive with Brandon but it was more physical. Rodger made sure he broke Michael and me down on every level imaginable. His comment is meaningless because what the fuck does he know?

Nothing.

I went up stairs to shower and change clothes.

I understood how Jennifer felt, she was alone and scared in her own house. Forced to do something she could never had imagined herself doing to protect this family.

Yeah, I knew what she was feeling– trapped.

When I found this person I was going to show him what a real monster looks like.

Chapter 25 Silence

Adam

“Find anything?” I asked Brandon standing in 404 House.

“Yeah”, he was keeping the conversion short. Good. I didn’t want to talk either I wanted answers, “It looks like Terry stayed close to his roots; his last location was in Moa, Cuba”.

That’s too fucking far, I would never make it to Jennifer in time.

“Anything else?” I asked.

“Team Hermes and your security guard personnel are all on their way back to Main House. Eventually, all the men Alejandro put outside to watch us will be gone”, I walked away not satisfied with that answer, but there was nothing else I could do. She truly felt like she had to do this on her own she shut me out and now I was on the back foot. I made my way back to our bedroom.

Even when our security teams get here it wouldn’t matter because I had no idea where she was. No one was close enough to Cuba to make Terry talk.

I sat on our bed and lay back looking at the ceiling hopeless. If I didn’t find Jennifer soon she could end up dead.

I called her phone one more time and to my surprise she picked up. I shot up off the bed, “Love?”

There was dead silence on her side; I had to use this moment to convince her to let me help her to not just run blindly into a trap.”Jennifer, I know you’re hurting, please let me help you, love. Together we can—“

She hung up.

Damn it!

Ok new plan, I need to think like Jennifer. If she wasn’t by my bedside then where was she these past few days? Her room or in her office I figured I would ransack both hoping to find any clues she had left behind.

I started with her old room first.

As I open the door I saw, Kairi and Jemma were playing in here, more like making a mess; makeup was thrown everywhere, clothes littered the floor, perfume bottles were poured out and all of Jennifer jewelry was on the two girls.

“Kairi!” I said in disbelief, “How? And why?”

“I’m sorry”, Kairi said giving me big puppy dog eyes.

“Sorry”, Jemma repeated as best as she could.

Not having time for the hurricane mess that is this room I said,” Since you’ve destroy the place while you were doing it did you find anything that doesn’t belong in here like a map or notebook? Something new?”

Kairi nodded and ran into Jennifer’s closet she came back with a suitcase bigger than her and dropped it at my feet.

This isn’t one of Jennifer’s.

I looked at the tag it was one of Rogers. Why was Rodger in Jennifer’s room, when he and Mom both had their own master suites? I looked around the room, wishing I could look through it more thoroughly but seeing the chaos that was here, it would be a waste of time.

I took the rolling luggage with me and headed up to Jennifer’s office. I threw the suitcase on her coffee table and went through the bag and found nothing but some of Roger’s clothes and medicine. I looked around her office.

Think like Jennifer.

She meticulously planned this out but how would she start? Recruit Rodger, then Nate, she already had Alejandro, and then she got Gamila.

Knock knock

I turned to see Nate at the door.

“I don’t have time to fight with you”, I was going through her desk.

“Great because I don’t either… Yesterday while you are out driving, we had a meeting here to discuss phase two of the plan. I was only here for the first half then I went and got supplies so that we could live in lockdown for 7 days here. Rodger and Alejandro were the only two people that got to see the second half. She showed everything to us on the Smart board. Now, I don’t think she’s dumb enough to just leave her whole plan up on the screen but Brandon could maybe backtrack what was shown on the screen… Oh and thinking about it the soldiers were dress for warmer weather. I’m guessing they’re going to some tropical climate”.

“Why do you say that?” I asked.

“Just a guess, if you’re going to somewhere with a lot of sand you try and blend in with the sand. If you go somewhere with a lot of trees and greenery you would try and blend in with that atmosphere. I’m only going off of what Alejandro had on”, Nate admitted.

I sat back in Jennifer chair, “Where was Gamila? When you left? Was Gamila still here when you left”.

“Possibly, she was supposed to help me get food and supply but she didn’t follow behind me. So it’s possible she stayed for the whole meeting”, Nate said.

I stood up.

I have to get Gamila to tell me where Jennifer is going. Making my way to the door I said Thank you to Nate.

“Nothing has changed between us; I still think you’re bad for Jennifer. I just don’t want to see her get hurt because of some bullshit you’re involved in. These are your enemies”, Nate stated.

“I know that, I never said this world wasn’t dangerous, I warned her long before any of this started to happen. She chose to stay with me knowing the risk. I would do anything to keep her safe. If I had known what was happening to her it would have never had gone on for as long as it did, and if she doesn’t kill him before I get to him, he’ll be all to lucky”.

“How are you going to get Gamila to talk?” Nate asked.

“Whatever it takes”, I said bluntly.

“I’m going to ask Brandon to see what he can pull up if anything on the Smart board. I’ll let you know if he does”, he turned and walked away while I went to find Gamila.

I walked past Jennifer’s old room and heard something break. I decided to ignore it I have more pressing issues. I finally found Gamila in the music room, sitting alone at the piano playing a couple of keys.

“You hate the piano”, I said making her jump.

“Doesn’t matter if I hate it, a lady has to know how to play an instrument”, she said echoing the words her mother always told her.”What do you want?” She said suspiciously.

“A location – Jennifer’s location…” Nate said you may have stayed for whatever meeting Jennifer had yesterday. Did you happen to stay for the part where they discussed the location?” I crossed the room to sit next to her at the piano stool and she started to playStevie Nick’s, Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You.

I spoke over the slow melodic music… “Please, Gamila, you could save her life”.

She was silent for a long while, “Jennifer is more than able to take care of herself, you don’t give her enough credit, she did just best you”, Gamila said still not looking at me focusing on her playing.

“What is she promising you? Money? Cars? Houses? Power? I can give you those things too”, I said trying to figure out what angle Gamila was playing.

“Fulfillment and happiness.” OK I was not expecting that so I asked her to elaborate,” Adam, when have you ever cared about the happiness of others? Truly cared, you care about your family because you are duty bound to them. When have you ever given a damn about me? And don’t you dare say Logan because that was just a problem you had to fix”, there was bitter tone to her voice.

“Ok”, I thought back to my favorite memory of Gamila,” You’re right. I was not exactly the best person to be around when we were together. I take responsibility for that; if we did end up married you know I would have taken care of you until my dying day, and before I met Jennifer that would have been me caring for you. In the heat of the moment, I said I wouldn’t pick you. Well in the end I did, I picked the person that’s been by my side the longest. My friend… Gamila you’ve seen me at my absolute worst and you’ve never disavowed or betrayed me. The only reason you fell in with Logan was because I wasn’t doing right by you. I’m sorry for the way I treated you in a way it was no better than the way Rodger used to treat me”, she turned to face me there was a hint of a tear in her eyes but I knew Gamila would never cry in front of me.

“Since when do you apologize?” She asked.

“Since I met Jennifer”, I admitted.

“A fashion business”, Gamila said abruptly, “I want to start over, pick up my life where it ended. I’m more than just a pretty face”, she said.

“I always thought your goal was to marry rich”, I questioned.

“It was when I had nothing else, but someone’s willing to take a chance on me and it made me think, I could do something more than being someone’s wife”.

I nodded… Yeah Gamila could do anything she wanted. I just never thought she would actually want something substantial. I guess I always thought of her as another version of me. People like us don’t get happy marriages or dream jobs. We do what our parents have told us we would always do. For me it was taking over the family’s business and whatever it meant to run the business. For Gamila it was marrying me and being what I needed. I didn’t care about her then, but I could make it right now.

I took Gamila’s hands in mine, “I know Jennifer caused this change in you, I’m glad she did. Whether you tell me where she is or not you’ll have my support, No strings attached. It’s your time to be put first”. It’s time I stop acting like a child around Gamila. We aren’t teenagers anymore I stood up and headed for the door.

I will find Jennifer.

“Fiji, Viti Levu but you didn’t hear it from me. The coordinates are -17.83, 178.00, she took 60 men and stole one of your planes”, Gamila said.

“Thank–“

“Don’t say it again, you’re welcome. Just…be safe”, Gamila said.

Smiling I rushed out of the room, I’ve found you, love! I’m coming!

Chapter 26 O No

Jennifer

Why did I pick up?

Vvvvvzzzzttt vvvvvzzzzttttt

I went back to my seat on the plane next to Rodger. A lot of stuff had to happen very quickly, I stole the biggest plane Adam had. It was the only thing that could accommodate all of Alejandro men (about 60 soldiers) on such short notice. I know Adam had probably found Terry by now, but we had a jump start. We would reach Fiji a day before him and by then Alejandro and his men will have found the compound and destroyed it, whoever the hacker is will be dead or wishing for it under extreme torture.

“Ready, kid?” Rodger asked. We had our plan; each of us knew what role we were going to play. Rodger and I had already done the hard part finding the hacker. Now it was up to Alejandro.

“More that you know”, I changed into my battle ready armor. Long cargo military black pants, tank top, tactical boots, gun, the knife Thomas had given me strapped to my leg and of course body armor from head to toe. Rodger didn’t need any armor he was going to stay on the plane until we got back.

Bing!

The pilot came on and told us we were about to begin our descent into Nadi. Once we landed it would be a four and a half hour drive to Viti Levu. Then another 2-hour hike to the GPS location.

We landed.

Showtime.

“Give him hell”, Rodger said patting me on the back. I got up and exited the plane. Once I was in the Humvee like car next to Alejandro I gave him the go ahead to lead. We started our journey. I was lost in thoughts for most of the drive. Was it fair to be mad at Adam for wanting to play it safe? No, I knew that. I just needed this to end. Once this guy is dead and done I can move on… Right?

Right.

By the time we made it to the trekking portion of the journey it was night and the perfect time to strike. Between my heavy backpack and assault rifle I was exhausted when we finally made it to our stop point but I didn’t say a word. Alejandro and everyone else seemed to be just fine with the hike. They were smoking and laughing like they were going away on a camping vacation.

We were less than a mile away from where the hacker’s location when Alejandro came up to me and said, “Hang back, on this last part”, blowing out a puff of smoke. “We’ll go in smoke them out and find who needs to be found and then we’ll call you in”, he flicked his cigarette to the ground and stomped it out.

“Fine by me”, I completely agreed with that plan because I am not a soldier. I would just be getting in the way. I was physically and emotionally tired and I knew Alejandro was the best just from what he had done in Croatia. Whatever his grand plan was it would be fine just as long as it ended with the voice on the phone dead; then I would be happy.

Once everyone had their night gear on they headed further up the inclined leaving me behind at camp. This jungle was no different than any other forest or woods I had ever been in. Still a lot of trees and dirt, but way more animal sounds.

I looked down at my wedding ring and felt immediate guilt and regret. Adam was doing everything he could think of to make the situation right. I just needed him to do it faster I couldn’t use his poisoning to slow me down that what the caller would have expected. I hope he will forgive me. I really did pull the rug out from underneath him the look he gave me before Alejandro knocked him out was pure disbelief and betrayal.

Snap!

I jerked my head in the direction of the sound. Alejandro’s men had gone up the incline and this sound was from down hill. I stood up and looked for my night vision goggles.

Snap! Snap!

Ok run! I lost track of how long Alejandro has been gone for. I didn’t hear any gunshots go off. That could be a good thing or bad thing, I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. Once I had the night vision goggles out of my backpack I dropped them only taking the assault rifle with me. As soon as I hit the steep incline I slowed down tremendously. I could see people were coming.

Keep moving!

“Get back here!”a voice yelled from behind me. No fucking way that was going to happen. I was almost up the hill when I saw Alejandro’s men lining up ready to shoot anything that came over the top.

“Don’t shoot me!” I yelled. Too late bullets rang out and I dropped to the ground covering my head.

“STOP!” A voice cried out.

Oh no.

The people downhill stopped firing I stood up and raised my hand telling my men to not shoot. I didn’t need my night vision goggles to know who was coming.

I stood and waited, “How the hell did you get here so fast?” I yelled.

Adam stood in front me, I have no idea how he made it up the mountain in a suit; it doesn’t even look like he broke a sweat,” Jets and helicopters where as you use planes and cars. Are you ok?” He picked a leaf out of my hair.

“Just peachy, so who sold me out?” I questioned.

“We figured it out, if you had just given us some more time, we could—“

“Boss!” A man yelled up the hill.

We both directed our heads in his direction and said, “Yes”.

“We’re ready for you”, he yelled.

I turned my head back to Adam,” You have your team and I have mine. You don’t call the shots with them and I won’t do the same with yours”, if we were going to play together we had to have rules.

Not happy at all with that he said, “Fine”.

I yelled back to my men and said,” Don’t shoot them, they’re friendly’s”, Adam said the same thing to his men and we slowly made our way up the hill. He held out his hand to help me move faster,” I have to be seen as competent, an equal not as your wife”. I rejected his hand. Did I want to take it? Hell Yes, the hill was a bitch.

“Yeah, we need to talk about your little coup after this”, Adam whispered in my ear.

“Little? Successful, would be a much better word… Uummm what else? Well executed. Auspicious—“

“Don’t push it”, Adam grabbed my arm, “You had me and everyone else worried. I was sure I was going to find you dead”. I reached the top of the hill.

“Later”, I said as we walked further into to the small compound. It had everything to live off the grid solar powered generator panels, small water tanks; the container house was modern with lots of windows.

“This way”, the man said leading us behind the house he lifted up a shelter door leading down into a dark abyss. I started to walk down the stairs when Adam grabbed my arm again.

“What the hell is down there?” Adam said not sure.

“Don’t worry”, I shook him off, “I’ve got you”, I held up my gun. He did the same with his Beretta. We made our descent down further than what I expected. The walls were dirt and there was only one dimly lit light at the very end of the hall.

Creepy.

Raising my gun up I made my way down the hall, Adam stepped in front of me and took lead and this time I let him.

“AAAAAAA, STOP! PLEASE”.

Was that the man on the phone? I all but ran past Adam, ready to face the son of a bitch.

“Jennifer! Stay behind me, Jennifer! Love!” Adam said.

Too late I busted into the small hut of a room like my life depended on it.

There was a small stage light in the corner of the room, Alejandro stood next to a man tied down to a chair with a mask over his head. Four other men stood in the room guns aimed at the man in the chair.

“Take off his mask”, Adam commanded from behind me. Alejandro looked to me for confirmation and I nodded my head yes.

I was ready to face him.

Alejandro ripped off the mask revealing a man I’ve never seen before. He was young in his early twenties with a long snake tattoo across his arms and from the hatred in his eyes it looked like Alejandro had already set to work on his face as he had black eyes, bruises and cracked bleeding lips.

He’s just a kid.

I turned to Adam and said, “Do you know him?”

“No”, he walked over to the man and pulled the gag out of his mouth, “Don’t look at her, Look at me”he said darkly.

“Let me go man, I didn’t want to do any of this I swear. The guy on the phone made me. Please, don’t kill me”, he pleaded.

“That’s the same story I got”, Alejandro said lighting a cigarette.

“Prove it”, I said finding my voice. If he was forced to watch me he was innocent then. He didn’t deserve to die if he had no say in the matter just like me. You do what you have to do to survive.

“How? I’ll do anything. Please he has my sister Rosa, she’s only a baby. I’m all she has. PLEASE—” Adam shoved the gag back into his mouth.

“Strange, what are the odds that we find you of all people here? Do you know who we are?” Adam asked. He shook his head yes…” So you know what will happen if you lie to us?” Again, he shook his head yes.

Adam pulled out his gun, and shot it into the ground, he took the hot barrel and pressed it to the man’s head. The smell of burning flesh filled the room as the man grunted in pain,” I’m only going to ask once, understood?” Tears in his eyes he shook his head yes.

“Who’s been watching us?” He roughly took the gag off.

“I don’t know”, Adam was going to shoot him.

“Do you know how we find them? Is there a way to lure them out? Help us find this person, surely you’ve been looking too”, I said stepping closer to Adam.

“Yes I have, since I live off grid I’ve been able to go undetected for years but then this guy just shows up, making demands. I took a real interest–” Adam cocked the gun.

“Names and locations, get to the point”, Adam said threateningly.

“The Langham hotel in Chicago USA, every phone call every email comes from there then, it bounces all over the world. I only found that out by pure chance. I swear that’s all I know”, Adam lowered his gun.

“We can work with that”, I said turning around to call Terry. At least now we have an exact location now we just need to find out who’s been staying at that hotel for at least eight month’s.

“Roll out”, I told Alejandro, “Make him understand what will happen if he betrays us”.

Once the call was made, I walked out of the storm house and Adam called Brandon.

“I have an idea, love”, Adam said.

“I’m listening”, I said turning to face him.

“Leave your war dogs here to watch over our new friend and you come to the states with me to find this SOB?”

“That all depends are we actually going to Chicago or are you going to kidnap me once I get into your helicopter”, I stared at him looking for the truth.

“My days of kidnapping are long behind me, the plane ride will give us time to talk too”, Adam said walking next to me.

“We are talking”, I said.

“Not by a long shot Mrs. Caffery. You staged a coup, putting both our families on lockdown, lied to me, stole a plane and Humvees, put yourself and every man here at risk and finally risked exposing us to the world”.

He was pissed, but, also holding something back.

“What else?” I said as we made our way down hill.

“You doubt my loyalty to you but have I ever lied to you, love? Given you any reason not to trust me; especially, with something as big as this”.

“I don’t doubt you, I just couldn’t wait anymore. You kept saying be patient, be patient, be patient! I was done with waiting, action was what I needed, besides, we both know Brandon didn’t find this place”.

I don’t know who told Adam but it definitely wasn’t Brandon, he was having trouble just getting past firewalls. What Terry did for me was a literal work of art.

“Fine, but you know he was trying–“

“Trying isn’t enough, Mr. Caffery. Not when it’s …” This personal? I wanted to say.”I will come”.

“Good”, Adam said.

I texted Alejandro to let him know what was happening. Less than two minutes later I was in a helicopter with Adam and Liam heading back to the airport.

Chapter 27 Sorry

Jennifer

Sixteen hours later we were sitting in front of The Langham hotel in Chicago in the back of one of Adam’s SUVs. I got to shower and change on the plane. Adam gave me a lightweight red dress with spaghetti straps that crisscrossed at back into a high apron neckline it was fitted at the waist and had a flirty skater skirt.

“Sir, I don’t think it’s wise to be this close, if we’re spotted he could disappear”, Liam said from the drivers seat.

“The windows are tinted, the car is off and it’s okay to park here, we’re fine. Besides, he’s not expecting us, if he’s even here!” I was more than a little cranky. I didn’t sleep on the plane and ever since we landed in O’Hare I had been more aware of my surroundings. Any one of the people that passed by us could be the mystery person on the phone.

“It’s been four hours love let’s call it a day. If Brandon finds anything we’ll be the first to know”, Adam said bored in his seat.

“Fine”, if they wanted to give up today fine. Tomorrow I’ll get a rental car and I’ll stay here all dam day if I have to.

“Where would you like to go?” Liam asked.

At the same time Adam and I both said different hotels, “Waldorf Astoria”, I said.

“Four Seasons”, Adam said.

We stared at each other.

“The Four Seasons is safer and closer”, Adam stated.

“They’re the same distance from here and the Waldorf Astoria is smaller and more intimate. The hotel staff know my Dad and would know if someone who didn’t belong got to close. How many people can fit into your giant skyscraper?” I asked.

“Exactly, it would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack”, He said.

“Well have fun in your giant I’m-a-tourist trap”, I turned to Liam and said, “He’s going to the Four Seasons I’m going to the Waldorf Astoria”.

Not wanting to fight Adam rolled his eyes and said, “Waldorf Astoria it is then”. We fought a lot on the plane, which I knew was going to happen. Now we were just being passive aggressive with each other. Liam typed in the address and we started to make our way to the hotel.

Vvvvzzzttt vvvvvzzzztttt

Adam got a text.

I continued to look out my window.

“Call your mother, she’s worried about you”, Adam said.

I knew both my parents were worried about me. I sent them a quick text saying that I was okay and that I will explain everything as soon as all this was over.

Liam dropped us off at the front door then went to find a parking spot.

We walked to the front reception desk, the lobby was very modern, but it instantly had a timeless sense of glamour as soon as you walked in the door.

With a warm smile the receptionist welcomed us.

Before I could say anything Adam took the lead, “Hi, I’m Adam and this is my wife, Jennifer. We’re hoping to get a room for at least a week. We would also like another room right next door to ours too”, Adam was being business formal.

“Of course, sir, and what name would you like to put the room under?” The woman asked.

Beating Adam to the punch I said,” Bellefonte”, I could practically hear Adam screaming on the inside.

“The Gold Coast Suite and the Luxury Suite, for both it will run around $1,500 a day. Is that okay, sir?” The woman said.

Jesus Christ! Now, I want the Day Inn.

“That’s prefect”, Adam said handing her his black credit card. She took down the number and handed it back to him, “Would you let our friend Liam know our room numbers, he’ll be in shortly”.

“Of course, sir. Please enjoy your stay with us”, the woman said ever so politely.

“I know we will” he took our key card and out of nowhere Adam picked me up bridal style and headed towards the elevator, “Newlyweds, the misses is still shy about it”, Adam said to the receptionist.

“Put me down! I’m not playing! Adam!” I said trying to wiggle out of his arms.

“Congratulations!” The woman too enthusiasticly.

We rode to the top floor.

“Let go, Adam!” I demanded.

“Never”, he said with a sexy grin. We made it to our door and he all but kicked it in. The room had a fireplace, separate bedroom with king-sized bed, an elegant living room with dining table and queen-sized sofa bed, private outdoor terrace, full-sized master bath with a soaking tub, as well as a separate powder room.

Kicking the door shut Adam looked down at me and said, “Shall we Mrs. Bellefonte?”

“What! No!” I said.

He walked into the master bedroom and dropped me on the bed,” Are you out of your mind? I’m not having sex with you”, I said sitting up.

“Hopefully, that will change”, he said undoing his tie,”Why Bellefonte?”

“Because whoever is at The Langham will be looking for our names; Faust and Caffery are off limits”, I said.

“Smart”, he took off his jacket; I have no idea how he could wear a full suit when it was 80 degrees outside. “How long are we going to be like this?” He sounded defeated like I broke something in him.

“Like what?” I said.

“Cold, that’s not us? I’m sorry about the plane ride, I got carried away. Jennifer, I love you, you know that. When you left I thought you were running head first into a trap. You could have been killed. I dropped the ball on this–“

“Stop! I’m sorry for what I said at Main House. Can you tell I’m kind of obsessed with finding this guy”. I stood in front of Adam on my tiptoes I pressed our foreheads together,” I love you, and none of this is your fault, I just want this to be over”, my voice started to break. “I can’t move on until he’s dead”.

“I know, I promise you we will find him”, he pulled my waist close and walked forwards pushing me against the wall,” He will pay for everything he did to you, I swear it”. In this moment I knew he was telling the truth. I was so close to Adam lips, and as if he reading my mind he picked me up so I was straddling him against the wall.

“Have you changed your mind, love?” Adam said with a deep husk to his voice, I could see desire in his eyes.

“Maybe”, he chuckled and lowered his head to my neck running his tongue for my shoulder back up to my chin. He pulled my dress up and slid his hand deep in my folds making me gasp for air.

“You’re wet like you have”, he started playing with my clit.

Knock knock.

“Ignore it”, Adam urged me.

Vvvzzzztttt vvvvzzztttt

Both of our phones when off…”Of course, now everyone wants us”, Adam said banging his fist above my head. He set me down, I kissed him and went to the bed to get my phone.

Elliott was calling me.

“Michael needs me”, Adam said.

“I’ll get the door”, I straighten my dress and walked to the door while answering my phone too.

“Hey, what’s up?” I said to Elliott.

“I’m getting a limo for next Friday; do you want to ride together?”

What? For what?

I opened the door, when did Adam order wine and strawberries? The bell boy rolled a cart in the room; there was note on the sliver cart:

We are so honored you have chosen the Waldorf Astoria to celebrate your honeymoon.

Please enjoy your stay!

“Hello?!” Elliott yelled.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about”, I admitted.

I grabbed the bell boy wanting him to wait. I mouthed,’ one second’. I walked back into the bedroom.

“Flores, The party? You said you were coming”, Shit.

Adam was on the terrace, I found my wristlet in Adam’s jacket and pulled out the only cash I had for a tip.

“I don’t know something has come up”, I said.

I handed the twenty dollar bill to the bell boy and said thank you. With a smile on his face the bell boy left.

“What!”

“Elliott you know why”, I said pulling the cart to the bedroom and knocking on the glass terrace door. I held the card up so Adam could read it.”This is more important!” Elliott complained.

“No, it really isn’t. I will explain when I get back to New York”, I could hear his eyes rolling.

“Where are you? Paris still?” Elliott asked.

“Chicago”, I said.

“You and these dangerous places, why what’s there?”

“I can’t say over the phone, if you want to know you’ll have to fly out here to the Waldorf Astoria”, I said lying down on the bed.

Elliott doesn’t care enough about me or anyone to actually come here. I turned my head and watched Adam paced out on the terrace, he waved at me and I sat up.

I have an idea.

“Maybe I will… I still don’t understand how this happened”.

“I’ll see you here” and I hung up.

I started to run my hands slowly up and down my body; that got Adam’s attention. Doing my best to seduce him I rolled over on to my stomach letting my hair fall lazily around my face. I reached out my hand beckoning him to come inside. Adam put his hand on the door looking longingly at me and I took my dress off and slowly walked to the door. I put my hand on top of his, I liked Adams lingering stare.

Vvvvvzzzzttttt vvvvvzzztttt

Now I was getting frustrated with all the constant interruptions.

I went back to the where I had thrown my phone. I answering it and heard exactly what I wanted to hear, “I found him”.

Chapter 28 Cajun

Adam

Terry had managed to get a blurred picture of the man he thinks is the guy. We still didn’t have a name or any concrete proof and not only was the picture blurry he was in a coat, with sunglasses and a baseball cap. “Listen, love we need more to go on the photo changes nothing we’re still no closer in figuring out the identify of this mystery person is. Who knows this person may not even be the top of the chain just like we found out in Fiji”.

“But, what if this is him and he gets away”, she was getting dressed faster than Superman in a phone booth. Two more minutes and we could have fucking each other’s brains out.

“He’s not going to get away, if we’re going to get him we have to get the right guy. We have to be sure it is the person calling the shots”, taking her face in my hand, to make sure I had her attention I said, “Please, have patience we could just as easily lose him by chasing a pointless lead. Let Terry get more information, give Brandon more time and I swear on our unborn children’s lives he will regret and suffer for the day he first called you”. I could feel her heart beating fast, Jennifer closed her eyes and let out a defeated sigh, “Okay”.

“Neither one of us has slept in the last 48 hours, first thing tomorrow morning if you want to sit in the car and watch the building; I’ll be there right next to you. Before we take any action and possibly give our position away we need all of the facts”, I said.

“Okay, let’s try this your way”, I let go of her face. I wanted to trust her word, but I would definitely be sleeping lightly, just to be on the safe side. We took off our clothes and got into bed. I hit the bed ready for sleep it was only 8pm but I was exhausted. . Jennifer was sitting up on her phone so I scooted closer to her resting my head on her lap, wrapping my arm around her. She ran her fingers through my hair gently with a methodic pace.

“Go to bed, love… He’s not going to magically pop out of your phone”, I said burying myself in her lap.

“I know”, she showed me her phone.

“Dress shopping?” I said not expecting that.

“For Dr. Flores’s party, Elliott just reminded me about it”, she tossed her phone on the nightstand,” I don’t even know why I’m looking I am not going”.

I sat up.

“Why? This is a huge deal for you; your name gets to be linked with the greatness and all that. You’re going”, she looked at me with big eyes. I could tell she didn’t think we would find our mysterious person before the party.” You can’t stop living, love… If you do he wins, you’ve got to have a life”.

“I know just as soon—“

“No. No! Not just as soon anything, you’re going or I’ll carry you into the party kicking and screaming,” she laughed at that.”Besides, we still have Josh’s photography show”. I pulled Jennifer down so she was under me.

“I had no idea art had such a profound effect on you”, she said feeling my erection.

“Only when the subject is you”, I started kissing her neck, she arched her back pressing herself closer to me… I was ready to rip her panties off.

“Don’t”, she said reading my mind, “I only have the clothes I have on, no ripping”, and she slid them off leaving nothing between me and paradise. I kissed her roughly taking in all of her, abruptly she pulled back breathless and said, “Condom?”

Shit!

“No”, Damn it! And after the stargazing room we almost had a pregnancy scare because I forgot about the Plan B and so did she. By the look in her eyes I could tell she wasn’t on the pill too.

Damn, damn, damn!

I rolled off of her more frustrated than I’ve ever been in my life.

Jennifer took off her bra, “Why torture me?” I said ready to rip somebody’s head off.

“You know there are other ways to have sex,” she straddled my waist” Tell me your ultimate fantasy.”

“Anything?” I asked.

She nodded tracing her fingers over my chest.

“You’re not going to like it”, I admitted.

“Well now I have to know, do you have some kind of Oedipus complex? Or you want me to speak Cajun?” She asked starting to move her hips.

“Cajun?” I asked never hearing that before.

“Mon amour,laissez les bon temps rouler”, she said bending down to kiss me.

“French? Broken French, love?”

Laughing she said,” Don’t let anyone from Mississippi hear you say that. It’s Cajun French. What did I say?”she asked.

“I got the love part. I love?”

“My love, let the good times roll”, she started to move her hip faster. I held her hips still, “What?”

“Don’t make learning sexy; student teacher isn’t the fantasy. But now your broken French is”, she pulled my ear and climbed off of me snuggling against me.

“Tell me or I’ll be guessing all day, No shame between us”.

I took her hand and kissed it;”it’s nothing against you just–“

“Oh my God just tell me!”

“Housewife”, I said looking down at her.

“That’s not even weird; you made me think you wanted something weird like butter shoved up your ass or something. I can do the homemaker thing”, she said.

What. The. Fuck?

“I don’t even want to know where that came from… so I told you mine, it’s your turn”.

“You already know mine”, she said moving her hand further down south,” I like it when your rough with me”, I still wasn’t comfortable with that.” Close your eyes and picture this”, she slowly started to pump me, I did as she said,” You’ve just arrived home at our beautiful home that you’ve built for us. The twins went to sleep hours ago so it’s just you and me”, there was a low husk in her voice. Jennifer rubbed her breasts against me. “I greet you at the door and we fall into each other’s arms”. She started to pump a little fast and I slid my hand in between her legs and into her wet folds.

“You work so hard for us, but now it’s time for Mommy to take care of Daddy. You’re the king of our castle”, this was working for me on every level, “What would my king like from me?” She started trailing kisses down my stomach until she finally reached my cock. She licked the head, And then looked up at me with her bedroom eyes and a light grin.

Fuck it. I’ll remember in the morning.

I pulled Jennifer up and put her on her back, “What are you doing?”

“You asked what I wanted; I want you on your back, screaming my name until you cum. I want you tied to this bed taking every inch of me in mercilessly over and over again. I want to show my queen pleasure like she’s never had before”, I found my tie on the floor and a robe belt and I tied Jennifer down. I kissed her deeply and said, “All you have to say is stop and I’ll untie you”.

She nodded and said, “Okay”.

That’s was all the confirmation I needed.

I buried myself deep in her, pounding and pushing, faster, harder, faster, faster, and harder. I made her beg and shake; she closed her eyes screaming my name. Adam, Adam, Adam. We were both close to cumming.

She opened her eyes and ran her teeth over my jaw line, “I love you”, she whispered in my ear; I came hard.

“AAAAA”, I kissed her deeply drowning out her cries.

“STOP, STOP!” she cried, I jerked back off of her.

“What? What?” I went to untie her… Before I knew it I was hit over the head knocking me out.

“Adam! ADAM!” Was the last thing I heard before darkness consumed me.

Chapter 29 Help

Jennifer

“Liam!!! HELP, Help!” Someone was in the room and they hit Adam. The person was dragging Adam away. I wrapped my legs around Adam trying to keep him close to me.

Damn it! Why did I let him tie me down!

“ADAM GET UP! ADAM!” I pulled harder on my restraints. The man threw Adam on the floor and gagged me. I was having bad déjà vu

This man had a gun and was dressed in all black with a black ski mask. He sat on the edge of the bed and tried to run his hand up my leg. I kicked and twisted.

“We’re both on the same team”, the man took off his mask.

No.

“Help me and I’ll help you”.

I nodded.

Chapter 30 I Remembered

Adam

My vision was blurry, “Adam Baby, wake up”, Jennifer sounded so far away. What had happened? I tried to focus my eyes on her face, that sweet, beautiful face.

“Liam, can you go get the doctor, he’s waking up”.

“Yes ma’am”, I tried to sit up but, Jennifer pushed me back down on to the bed. I think I’m lying in her lap.

“No, try not to move a lot, baby you got hit really hard in the back of the head. Dr. Cartter is going to look at you and send his finding to Dr. Pellegrini. Just relax, you’re okay”. She had dressed me.

I shot up, my heart started to race. I remembered everything,” What happened?” I said jumping off of the bed and looking around the room for my gun. Someone had been here, had knocked me out. I found my Beretta on the nightstand next to Jennifer. I checked the chamber; I still had 15 rounds, so she didn’t get to use it.

“Adam you shouldn’t be up. Come lay back down—“

Closing the chamber up I said, “What happened, you were tied to the bed and someone hit me…. Jennifer—” I was cut off by Dr. Cartter he was an old slow boring monotone man. We would be here all day!

Wetting his lips the Doc said, “I see your’e awake”, he slowly made his way into the room. Liam followed closely behind him. Every time I had the misfortune of seeing this doctor his glasses got thicker, his hair thinner, and his Hunchback more pronounced.

Let me fucking die then spent the day with him.

I marched over to the bedroom double doors yelling, “Not now!” and I slammed the doors closed, plunging the room into darkness.

“Have you lost your mind?” Jennifer said getting off of the bed to open the curtains. She tried to move past me to open the door.

“I am not fucking kidding Jennifer. What the hell happened”, I shouted.

“Don’t you dare raise your voice to me”, she said defiantly crossing her arms, “I’m fine, your fine and I will explain everything at dinner tonight. Now sit down and let the doctor look at you”, she wasn’t playing. I don’t know how she turned the tables on me, but I felt like a naughty child who was just sent to time out. She moved past me and opened the door so I went and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Dr. Cartter I am so sorry for Adam’s behavior, it’s the stress of the situation. We really do appreciate you coming all the way here from Texas to treat him”. Oh God, not the school teacher voice! I needed and wanted answers not to be coddled and treated like a God damn child.

“Yes, yes it could be a concussion”, he paused to lick his lips…”I would feel more comfortable if he got a CAT scan”, Doc said still trying to make his way to me. Raising his voice a little he said, “How are you feeling”, he stopped at the doorway.

Was he catching his breath?

“Ok, I’m good Doctor, thanks for coming all this way but I don’t need any head scans; I’ve been thrown down two flights of steps before and I’m still here”, I said standing up.

Horrified Jennifer turned to me and said, “Who threw you downstairs?”

“Brandon, it’s all fun and games until it’s not”, or until you break the only copy we had of the Rugrats in Paris. I don’t even think I broke it; I think I was just the last one to touch it.

One of the joys of having brothers.

I looked to Jennifer who genuinely seemed disgusted and shocked, she probably wouldn’t be too happy to hear about our most recent disagreement then.

Oh shit.

I walked pasted the Doc and grabbed Jennifer’s hand, “Liam, with me”.

“Hey! Adam, what are you doing let Dr. Cartter look at you, you’re being rude”, she tried to yank her hand away but I kept pulling her forward.

“How long have I been out?” I shouted back to Liam, as we took the stairs down to the main lobby.

“About a day, sir”, Liam said.

We have time then, like right now.

“Adam!” I just need to find a convenience store and then everything will be fine. That shouldn’t be too hard to find in Chicago. Right?

We made it to the street and I quickly started to look around.

“What are you doing?” Jennifer demanded.

“Pharmacy… Where do you normally get medicine from in-state?” I asked.

“We have a doctor upstairs! If you’re in pain tell him and we’ll get you medicine. If you keep acting like this, I’m going to have to agree with Dr Cartter on the CAT scan… Adam please–“

“It’s not for me; I’m fine. It’s for you”, I said, “Liam, bring the car around”, I said.

“Please”, Jennifer added. Liam disappeared around the corner.

Everything’s going to be fine, she’s not pregnant, I didn’t forget.

“Why do I need medicine?” Jennifer questioned.

“Morning after pill, love, I didn’t forget this time”, she wiggled away from me.

“Is the idea of us having a child is that unappealing that you would literally rather suffer from a concussion then have a baby?”

I shook my head yes but I really meant to say no, her mouth dropped open in disbelief. That was the wrong reaction in hindsight.

“No! It’s really not the right time, there couldn’t be a worse time Love, be reasonable. You know I would love any child you gave me. It’s just—“

“Just what? A few seconds ago it looked like you were running from a fate worse than death”.

I’m not sure what to say to recover from this…”I’m sorry?”

“No, that’s not going to work Adam. At least now I know how you truly feel”.

The SUV pulled around.

I knocked on the window and told Liam to give us a second.

Sheepishly, I walked back over to Jennifer,” I know I fucked up; I shouldn’t have panicked as much as I did. Love I’m not ready to be a parent, I don’t know how to be a Dad. It comes natural to you; I know you would be an amazing Mom. You’re an incredible caregiver and you would be able to give and teach them so much. I don’t know, I guess I’m afraid you’ll finally see that you don’t need me”, I knew deep down inside of myself that’s why I didn’t want her to work, or go to school. Every step towards her independence was a step away from me and that killed me on the inside that I could be the one holding her back.

Jennifer walked over to me and hugged me then slightly kissed me. I took both of her hands in mine and held them towards my heart.”I’m always going to need you, I love you Adam. No one knows how to be a parent until they are one. You just figure it out as you go, you don’t give yourself enough credit you’re a remarkable caregiver too. You took care of Michael when you were just a child yourself. You take care of all of us now, you’re not like Rodger. You’ll try and you’ll be there for our family, help each other be better and do better”.

I couldn’t love her more then what I did in this moment, I kissed her hands.

“Besides in a couple years, we can take a parenting class together”, she said then gave me a quick kiss. “When it happens you’ll know what to do, you’ve built an empire off of having good instincts”.

We have.

I opened the car door for Jennifer and she slid into the back and I followed suit.

“Liam, can you take us to the nearest Walgreens or CVS store please?” Jennifer asked. He agreed and we took off down the street.

“We need to get clothes for tonight too, we’re having dinner at Everest”, Jennifer said resting her head on my shoulder.

“And who are we meeting? You never did say”, I said.

“If I tell you now you won’t go”, she paused uneasy.”Just promise you’ll hear him out and keep an open mind about what he has to say”. “We’ll see”, I said intrigued and worried.