Chapter 11 Monsters

Jennifer

Where am I?

I remember singing, then darkness.

I looked around the Edwardian style room. It wasn’t my hotel room and I wasn’t at Nate’s apartment.

I looked at the nightstand and saw my phone.

Who to call?

Nate or Adam? I didn’t like either option, seeing that they now hated each other.

Elliott is neutral.

I got out of bed to see someone had undressed me and put me in a baggy hoodie. By the furniture alone I could tell I was in a hotel. The room had a connecting white marble bathroom. After all of the drinking last night, I was sweaty and gross. I decided to take a quick shower and wipe away yesterday. I felt better letting the warm water run across my body.

Today will be different. Today will be new. Only I can define me.

I finished in the shower and put back on the hoodie. I called Elliott’s cell.

I walked down a hallway and found a living room, kitchen, dining room, and waiting area.

Vvvvvzzzttt Vvvvzzzttt vvvvvzzzzttt

I heard a phone going off in the living room as I walked towards it I found Elliott lying on a couch, in his boxers, ignoring my call.

Has he always had abs? It’s like they were chiseled out of stone.

“Hey, you’re alive,” he said.

“Morning, Yep, I’m still here. Where is here?” I asked.

“The Savoy… Nate and your husband fought over where to go. Nate didn’t want to leave you but Adam wasn’t going anywhere. Finally Josh mentioned this place and here we all are. My dad owns the property so we got to stay here free. Pretty nice of him.” Elliott said sitting up, there was a clear edge to his voice.

“Bitter about it?” I said coming to sit next to him.

“He’s not worth it,” he said.

“That doesn’t mean the bitterness is not there. What happened between—” just then the front door slammed open and Nate walked in.

“You’re up,” Nate said walking in with coffee and muffins. Nate sat in the middle of Elliott and me.

I said,” Good morning, thanks for staying with me when I was 13 levels of crazy.”

“More like a hundred,” Nate said,” Do you feel any better?”

“My world is crumbling around me but I will be fine. Elliott your world is falling apart too. How are you?”

“Never been better,” Elliott said sarcastically.

“We still have that meeting tonight,” I said.

“Greatness calls,” Elliott said.

“Dr.Giovanni’s recommendation does not define us,” determination filled my veins.

“No, it’ll just determine which residency program you get accepted into,” Elliott said.

“We don’t want just any residency program we want Columbia”.

“Florida always needs geriatric doctors, I think Utah’s number one for kids,” Elliott said cynically.

I got up and stood in front of Elliott he looked me in the eyes. In this one moment, Elliott understood me better than anyone, he understood the work the struggles and the sleepless nights.”You’re still going to find the cure for cancer, I believe that. This isn’t over I’m not done fighting, which means you can’t too.”

We may have fought like rabid animals in the past but, now is the time to put that aside. We could be great… We will be great.

Looking down at the floor Elliott said,” Sure and you’ll open your hospital. If you’re ever hiring look me up.”

“What? Since when?” Nate said… I had forgotten he was here.

“Yeah, since when?” My head shot up and I saw Adam dressed in his pajamas; a white shirt and long black sweatpants.

Adam still made my heart race; he always looked good in the morning he didn’t like his curly hair flopping everywhere but I did it made him look younger – Innocent.

Today we would talk.

I shrugged my shoulders and grabbed one of the coffees that Nate had brought in.

“It’s just an idea, a fantasy really,” I said looking around. There was a balcony, we could talk there.

“Do you have a second?” I said walking to the balcony I tossed a glance back at Adam and he followed me outside.

It was colder than I expected, the wind alone was beating me up.

Adam shut the door behind him. We had gorgeous view of London; we stood outside for a long time not saying anything just taking in the landscape. We didn’t even look at each other.

Who goes first?

This was awkward…

“Since, when have you wanted to open up a hospital? I thought you just wanted to be a doctor?” Adam said.

“Like I said inside it’s a fantasy, a pipe dream. It doesn’t mean anything,” I said. Why was I putting down my dream it was what I wanted? Elliott could find the cure for cancer. But, I couldn’t even say what my big dream was It was my ultimate goal in life or maybe I didn’t want to face the reality I couldn’t have that and be with Adam. I felt small.

“How was Afghanistan?” I asked abruptly.

“You mean the Taliban? You know they’ve basically disbanded since the dead of–“

“Please, I don’t want to know.” I sipped my coffee trying to warm up.

“Fair enough, but you did ask – you can’t be mad at me for telling you,” Adam said softly.

“Sometimes, I wonder if you’re all there in your head! It’s not about them, it’s about you. You knowing sold to them! Is any amount money worth…” I didn’t know what to say,” Shit anything. Don’t you have a conscience? Or sense of ethics?”

“Listen, love I know this is hard for you to understand but it is truly just business. If a kid drives drunk and gets himself killed in an accident you would go after the alcohol company,” Adam.

“So in your argument is just because he dies we don’t have to hold the alcohol company to a standard? If you drive drunk and you get caught, you go to jail! You get a DUI it fucks up your life. As for the alcohol company, they have to put more labels on the bottle. They have to warn you about the effects of drinking, so your argument doesn’t work.” I looked at Adam, really looked at him. Did he truly not see a problem? Could he really separate himself that much from the situation and just see it as a business transaction?

Frustrated Adam looked up to the sky, “We are two beasts of the same kind. How many people have you killed? When you made the decision to kill all the Bellefonte’s, that was business. When you shot that woman at Main House that also was business.”

“No that was self-defense! I didn’t make a dime off of that. That was for the protection of our families!”

“And how I handle our business protects us – Money protects us. I don’t care where I have to get it from to keep that protection. Dress it up however you want, whatever helps you get through the day. In the end, you may think I’m a monster, but so are you. I never wanted you to see this, to be a part of this you pushed and pushed; well now you know.”

“I’m… I’m not a monster,” I said.

“No, you’re not love. You’re something far worse you’re a monster with a heart”, Adam said,” I love you because of that”.

I walked to him, shocked by what he had said. Before Adam I was never a violent person today I could kill so I settled on slapping him.

“You don’t get to judge me for what I did to stay alive.”

“And you don’t get to judge me for doing the same, for my family” Adam said walking past me to the edge of the balcony.

I stared forward completely lost,” I’m moving out.”

“Don’t be over dramatic the apartment is in your name–” Adam started to say.

“But, paid for with your money,” I continued.

“I was too honest with you I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No, you should say what you really feel,” the more I kept talking to Adam the smaller I kept feeling. “I can’t make you have morals; I can’t make you be anything other than who you are… You said it best: you are a monster and by trying to see the good in you I become one.”

“Don’t say that, I went too far that’s all,” I could feel Adam standing behind me.

“I never should have taken that contract, OK I messed up.” I turned to face him,” All of this was a mistake”.

I love Adam, don’t I?

I turned to walk away from Adam heading back inside; he didn’t stop me or say anything.

“Everything okay?” Elliott said still sitting on the couch.

“Yeah,” I felt numb. I wasn’t sure if it was from the cold or from what just happened. Did we just break up?

“Are you sure?” Nate said.

I walked back into my room and shut my door; I sat on my bed staring up at the ceiling.

Like Yvonne you will regret this.

My grandmother’s words were playing on repeat in my head I feared she was right.

Knock knock

I didn’t say anything I continued to look up at the ceiling. I saw Elliott come into view. He looked down not saying anything; he lied down next to me and looked up at the ceiling with me. We didn’t say anything we didn’t even look at each other. Somehow that made me feel better, nothing needed to be said right now. We were just being and that was enough from me.

Chapter 12 You Are Mine

Jennifer

“No, the Bronx is dangerous, plus the place is falling apart!” Elliott said. We were sitting on the floor in the living room with our laptops.

“It’s a bit of a fixer upper but the rent is affordable and I can always put more locks on the door,” I said. Elliott was helping me find a new place to live. I had eventually told Elliott that Adam and I had separated. I didn’t tell my parents or Nate, I just didn’t want to hear I told you so from each of them. I felt like crap already I don’t need it rubbed in I just want to focus on myself and my studies.

Elliott and I met with Dr. Flores – he was really impressed with us and wants us to work in a lab with him. Dr. Giovanni really went above and beyond for Elliott and me for setting up the meeting. How many people get to work with a world-renowned protégée like Dr. Flores.

“How about this one? East Harlem isn’t that bad, plus its rent controlled.” We were staying at The Savoy until the day before Thanksgiving so that gave me five days to find a place.

I looked at the place Elliott found it was an adorable beginners apartment. The listing said it was newly renovated and furnished apartment. It was a ground level Studio with a high-end finish throughout. The bathroom was decorated with polished quartz floors, slate stone shower and glass-clad rainforest shower. The kitchen would be fully equipped containing all stainless steel appliances, marble countertops, multiple burner stove, full-size dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave and separate washer / dryer.

This is perfect!

It’s only twenty minutes away from school and fifteen from work. The rent was a little high at $1,700 but I still have money left over for my scholarships, I could make this work.

“It’s perfect! Where did you find this? It’s going to be a madhouse trying to get it,” I said. Elliott pointed to the Winter’s logo.

“One of the perks of being a Winter’s; you get to see all the best housing options first,” he said.

“Can you send me the link? I’ll e-mail them and fingers crossed I’ll get it,” I said excitedly. I was really doing this, moving out and moving on.

“You will, the post has only been up for 5 minutes so the chances are you’re the first person to see it. Most of the elite’s don’t want to live anywhere other than Manhattan or Brooklyn,” Elliott said sending me over the link.

“Thank you I really do appreciate this, I owe you,” I said.

“Damn right. When we step foot in Flores’s lab I’m sure a lot of people will be pissed off that we just joined out of nowhere. So the best thing for both of us would be to work together,” Elliott said pondering the worst things that could happen.

“Redo?” I asked.

“Hi, I’m Elliott,” he said extending his hand.

Smiling I shook his hand and said ,”Nice to meet you, Elliott. I’m Jennifer.”

Vvvvzzzttt vvvzzzttt

I looked down at my phone. It was an unknown number.

Ignore.

Vvvvvzzzztt vvvvzzzztt

Same number, ignore again.

The number kept calling so I finally decided to answer it. I told Elliott I’d be right back and stepped out on the balcony to take it.

“Hello?” I said.

The voice was distorted, “Nice of you to finally pick up!”

“Excuse me? I don’t know you; I think you have the wrong number.” Why the hell was I talking to this person? I was about to hang up when I heard him say.

“Don’t you dare fucking hang up,” the voice boomed.

I had a sense I was being watched. I looked around; we’re at the top level of the hotel surrounded by building windows this person could be in any one of them. Paranoid I turned to go back inside.

“Don’t move,” the voice said.

Do I stay or do I go?

Run! He could have a gun.

“Check your messages,” the voice said snapping me back to reality. I did.

I saw a live feed of Jemma sleeping in her room. This person was watching her on her baby monitor.

I put the phone to ear, horrified,” What do you want?”

“Go to the middle of Waterloo Bridge and wait for my phone call. You have five minutes, if you attempt to alert anyone to this call and my presents, let’s just say Jemma doesn’t look like she will put up much of a fight.,” they ended the call.

Fuck!

I needed to call the police or Adam.

No time for that! You have five minutes or they could take Jemma or worse. Good thing I was dressed for a run with my leggings and a hoodie.

Go!

I ran back inside and through on my shoes.

“Hey, you OK? Are you going somewhere?” Elliott asked.

“Yeah fine, I just need some air, I’ll be back.” I said not knowing if I truly would be back. I didn’t even know where the Waterloo Bridge was. I ran down the stairs and my phone vibrated I checked it and it said two right turns out of the building.

Got it… I ran fast and hard. I ran into some people but I didn’t have time to be polite. It was dark, I was scared and I had no idea what’s the person on the phone wanted or what they was going to do to me when I got to the bridge.

My lungs hurt, my legs ached but I pushed forward. I wasn’t going to make it in time. Why come after me? Why not Adam? This person had clearly been watching us; they must then know Adam went back to Paris.

I made it!I looked around the bridge.

Call me, call me! I’m here!

Vvvzzztttt

I picked up the phone immediately,” I’m here.”

“I know, now walk to Jubilee Gardens and sit on the bench. Don’t try anything stupid, I’ll be watching you the entire way,” the phone went dead again.

I quickly walked down the Southbank to the park Thank God for the signs pointing me in the right direction. I knew this was a very touristy part of town; there are people everywhere even though it was ten at night. Any one of them could be the person on the phone.

Not liking that idea I jogged on to the park it was only 8 minutes away. I found a bench and sat down. It was very open and public the London Eye was less than a hundred feet away. Why did they pick here?

My phone rang again and I immediately picked it up,” Trade phones with a man in a black coat with a red scarf” and the line went dead.

I wanted to pace and scream, I settled on tapping my foot, I looked down the street for the man he described.

Nothing…

After 40 minutes of waiting I was starting to get really nervous. What if this person didn’t come? What would happen to Jemma? What would happen to me? It was stupid to come out here alone. No one knew where I was at; I should have told Elliott to call the police or to do something. Why did I just go along with it?

I need help; I need Brandon’s computer skills to find out who this person was? I need Michael to back me up, but most of all I wanted Adam to make everything right.

Fat chance in hell that would happen.

I didn’t even have my hallucination of Adam to coax me through.

“Mrs. Caffery?” A voice said from behind me making me jump. This was the man his face was covered with sunglasses a hat and the scarf. He handed me the flip phone and I gave him my cell. Then he disappeared just as quickly as he showed up. I opened the phone; there was one unread text message.

Do I dare open it?

Yes.

The text read:

When I call you answer. If you don’t I won’t just kill poor little Jemma, I’ll go after Kairi too. Your parents would also be easy targets. Then Nate or maybe Josh? So many people you care about I’ll kill them all. So from now on make no mistake You. Are. Mine.

I’ll be watching you, I control you

Congratulations, on the new apartment. I’ll be seeing you soon.

A shiver ran down my spine that chilled me to the bone. I was up against someone who knew everything about me. I had no idea who they were or what they wanted. They pulled all the strings and I was just a puppet. What was there end game?

If I’m going to survive this without getting everyone I love killed, I’m going to have to be smarter than this person. Most importantly, I’m going to prove Adam right.

I’m going to have to be a monster.

When I find this person, I’ll show them who is really in control.

Chapter 13 Clue

Adam

“You go and get Belle back!” Michael yelled,” She will not be a child of divorce!”

“What does divorce mean?” Kairi asked, she was playing with a doll on the floor.

“Calm down, I’ll get you another bloody cat,” I said sitting in my office in Main House.

I hadn’t seen Jennifer since London.

Why the fuck did I say those things to her? Of all people to call a monster, I had to pick her? I was way out of line but once I said it, it was too late. I could never take my words back. Jennifer was no monster; I was for trying to pull her down to my level. I know she wrestled with her conscience with some of the things she had done but she had done it all for me, our families safety.

True to her word she did move out, the only thing she took with her was her wedding ring. That gave me a glimmer of hope that maybe she could forgive me one day.

“Belle is special!” Michael was acting as if someone had taken his only child away from him. Then again he did treat Belle like she was his child with a full wardrobe, stylist, jeweler, cook and groomer. That cat was treated better than most children, but Belle was Jennifer’s cat and her new apartment allowed animals.

“Not today, Michael”.

“It’s been seven months!” He yelled

“What dose divorce mean?” Kairi asked again.

“Why are you asking?” Celine asked walking into my office. My mother had moved back into Main House as she was convinced I was depressed.

Maybe I was, but I had plenty of work to distract me. I was still no closer to figuring out who the mysterious 9th member was. But he made sure I knew he was watching us, whether it was pictures, emails or videos this person was everywhere.

They keyed in on Jennifer.

“Kairi go find your Papa, its bed time” my mother said putting on her glasses and holding out her phone. My mother wasn’t the best with technology but she was trying.

“Ok,” begrudgingly Kairi got up took her dolls and left.

Once Kairi was out of earshot Celine said, “look what Brandon found,” she said holding up her phone to show the YouTube app.

“He discovered YouTube?” Michael said.

“No, make it pull up the last screen,” mom said holding the phone out to Michael.

He did and said,” Ooooo, fun I’ll be there,” Michael said turning to leave the room.

“Look sweetie,” my mom handed me her phone. Sweetie! This was going to hurt.

It was a picture of Jennifer and fucking Elliott with a group of people. They look like the stereotypical scientists with their white coats.

The article was about a therapy for Alzheimer’s disease using a gene-editing technique called CRISPR. I guess they’re curing Alzheimer’s? The actual article made no sense to me.

Jennifer is smart if anyone is going to cure diseases it’s going to be her.

“She’s doing amazingly well, I knew she would is that what you wanted to show me?” I handed my mother back her phone.

“No, you didn’t read the bottom… This Dr. Flores is having a party thrown for him. Jennifer will be there, as she’s part of the team. You should go, maybe you two could work things out”.

Doubtful.

Jennifer cut me off completely, God I missed her. Thomas checked in on her a few times a month but that’s the only contact we’re had.

“This is her event, I don’t want to take that from her,” Nate always reminded me that I had ruined her graduation by showing up. If she wanted me there she would have asked herself.

“Yes, but still try. If you let things continue on this way it will never get better. Sometimes space is good, you two have been through so much. I just don’t want to see you hurting don’t leave things with regrets.”

“I’ll think about it,” pleased with that answer my mother left.

I looked down at my desk.

How many times had we made love on this desk, or any other surface in here?

I missed waking up next to her and hearing good morning, every morning. I missed her smile.

It wasn’t even late I was just tired but I didn’t want to go to sleep because I kept having the same reoccurring dream over and over again. Not only did I kick myself when I was awake, but my dreams wanted a piece of the action too.

“God, you look like hell,” my head popped up to see Gamila standing in my door way.

It’s been a fucking parade in my office today.

“What do you want? Wait, let me guess money? New car? House?” I said despairingly. I really wasn’t in the mood to deal with Gamila.

“You, silly,” Gamila said walking over to me. She was wearing a tight short black dress. She leaned over my desk showing off her chest, she was doing the baby I’m still here act. She ran her hands over her body trying to seduce me.

“That’s not going to work, you know that,” Gamila knew I didn’t want her and that I wanted Jennifer and that drove Gamila crazy. She was used to people throwing themselves at her. Hell, I know I did at one point but that was before Jennifer.

“Why? Why are you pining over her, she’s not even worth–” I gave Gamila a deathly stare and she immediately shut up.

“She’s my wife,” I said harshly.

Standing up with her hands on her hips Gamila said,” Well she’s not here when you need her.” With sadness and pain in her voice she continued,” I know I’ve made mistakes, but I would never leave you. We could make this work if you gave me a chance.”

Gamila is just the type of girl I feared I would end up with. She is the girl I should be with: selfish, needy, manipulative, but knows her place. She would stay with me until I ran out of money or went to jail, and then she would move on to the next billionaire.

“Get out!”

“I’ll make you deal, then,” Gamila said,” You make some small introductions for me and I’ll help you get your wife back.”

I laughed she didn’t last five seconds and she had already moved on.

“No, I have enough problems as it is, I don’t need you adding to them. Go husband shopping somewhere else.”

“I would but someone blacklisted my name. I can’t live off of $25,000 a month,” Gamila was pouting.

“I could cut you off completely,” I said ready to do just that.

“I want more,” she said.

“Then get a job, that’s all you’re getting from me.” I was starting to regret giving her that much. Jennifer was right Gamila needs to learn to stand on her own two feet. It would be one thing if she was grateful for her allowance but she always demanded more. I was done.

Then it hit me.

“Come work for me,” I said.

“Doing?” She said interested.

“I have a problem someone is trying to push their way into my business. Find out who and I’ll make sure you’re well compensated.”

“How much?” She said.

“Deacon Welcocks.”

Her eyes went big,” Done,” I reached in my desk, pulled out a burner phone and tossed it to her.

“When you find something text me.”

I knew greedy Gamila couldn’t turn down oil money. The Welcocks we’re on a different level of wealth completely. They had Rockefeller money, hell they outdid the Rockefeller’s. I would have to ask Daniel’s father to make the introduction but it was doable.”Get to work, Gamila.”

Vvvvzzztttt vvvvzzzzttt

“After this, I’ll never have to hear those filthy words again,” Gamila said running her hands through her hair.

“Get out,” I stood and shoved Gamila to the door and slammed it behind her.

Vvvvzzzzttttt vvvvvzzzzzttttt

I looked down at my phone and saw Brandon was calling me.

“What?” I snapped tired of dealing with people.

“Pissy much?” Brandon said.

“What do you need?” I said.

“Are you meeting someone tonight?” Brandon said.

Walking back to my desk and sitting down I said, “Who the fuck else would I be meeting?”

My day was supposed to be over and he knew that.

“I just figured I’d ask, your credit cards may be compromised,” I could hear Brandon typing away at his computer.

“Really? You call me for that – just sort it out?” I said annoyed.

“Well, I figured it’s better to ask, this seems like something Michael would do,” Brandon said.

“What did they buy? A car or something?” I said rubbing my temples.

“You’re in that price range but it looks like a hotel room. It’s just came in, it’s probably some amateur”.

“Where?” I asked.

“The Hotel Plaza Athénée,” that got my attention.

I think I briefly brought up The Plaza Athénée with Jennifer. I think?

“Who’s card is it on?” I asked.

“That would be….,” he paused.

“Well?” I had no patience today.

“Got it, it’s Jennifer’s. This doesn’t seem like her; $26,000 on a hotel room, a grand on alcohol, another $13,000 shopping in different stores. The card has to be compromised, I’ll cancel it out”.

What are the odds of a random hacker picking a hotel that I wanted to take Jennifer to?

Very low.

I would expect that kind of spending from Michael or Gamila, but not Jennifer. She made it very clear she didn’t want my money and she has done everything in her power to prove she doesn’t want or need my money. So why start spending it now? Why not bleed me dry when we first separated? Why now? Something felt off, more than just a compromised credit card. The Hotel Plaza Athénée was nine minutes away.

“Can you get into the hotels cameras? Look around in the Royal Suite,” I said.

“Yeah, no problem. Do you think the hacker is going to be there?” Brandon said.

“No, I don’t know how to describe it but I think something’s going on with Jennifer. It could be nothing but I still want to check it out,” I said standing up.”Can you check on Jennifer too? Nothing invasive, just making sure she’s okay.”

“Yeah, I’ll call you back when I have something,” Brandon promised. I hung up the phone.

There’s no harm in checking, plus a quick drive will do me some good.

I headed towards the garage. I don’t know why, but I had a bad feeling a apprehension feeling that was growing I needed eyes on her. She must be OK Thomas still checked in on her, and he didn’t say anything was wrong or out of the ordinary.

But if something was wrong, Jennifer would take care of it herself. No one would necessarily know.

With that thought, I decided to carry a gun.

Walking in the garage I passed the two cars I got for Jennifer: the Phantom Rolls Royce and her Christmas gift the Ferrari F60.

I went with my Aston Martin One-77. Now that I controlled all of Paris I didn’t need security everywhere I went. There was no one to oppose me so I didn’t need to bother with bringing anyone with me. I turned on my engine and felt the car roar to life. With my foot all the way down on the gas pedal I sped out of the garage and onto the open road.

I made it to the hotel in no time and parked my car on the street and walked in. The building was beautiful with its red geranium plants that adorned the majestic hotel façade. I started walk into to the building.

Vvvzzzztttt vvvvzzzztttt

“Yeah?” I said still looking up at the building.

“We have a bit of a problem,” Brandon sounded stressed, welcome to my world brother.

“Which is?” I said.

“I tried to check in on Jennifer and I can’t. Her phone, tablet, laptop, even the hallway camera in her apartment I can’t get in to it. Someone has gone through a lot of trouble to make sure no one can her. I can’t do anything without disturbing the firewall, then they’ll see me coming. If I had more time maybe but this isn’t something I can just do on-the-fly.”

Shit.

I was ready to storm into the building; I was convinced Jennifer needed me. Who knows how long this person had been watching her.

“Don’t do anything stupid, she must be here because I can’t get into the cameras in the hotel. Stay out of sight, give me some more time to figure out what we’re going up against,” Brandon said it’s so calmly like he didn’t even fucking care.

“Fuck that, I’m bringing her home.”

“Adam stop! I’ve just told you someone has bested me. When has that ever happened?” Brandon had a point. Since the time he started working for me he’s never had a problem with anything like this.” We need to play this smart; there are a hundred and one things that could be happening in that room right now. None of which you can stop on your own. This person is everywhere Jennifer is: Columbia, Asteriks, her apartment, street cameras.”

I walked back to my car; Jennifer would have to come out eventually. When I saw her on the street I would grab her and take her back to Main House.

“How long has this person been watching” I asked slamming the car door closed behind me.

“Around seven months,” Brandon said.

“Shit Seven months! How are we just realizing this now? What the fuck have you been doing?” I shouted. Jennifer’s been alone for seven months dealing with this fucker!

“I’ve been trying every magic trick I know to find this mystery 9th member my focus has been on that. Jennifer’s your wife, why did you never callor stopby to check in on her? You sent Thomas who’s probably sleep deprived because of the new baby. Don’t get mad at me because you dropped the ball—” I hung up on him.

Yes, I fucked up! I needed answers now not a lecture. This person waited until Jennifer and I separated and then they dug their claws into her.

I called Brandon back with an idea,” Shut off the electricity on Avenue Montaigne. Everything switches off – a complete black out.”

“That’s even harder than the camera! I need time—“

“We don’t fucking have time! I’m seven months late as is. Do it! I don’t care who you have to call, just get it done,” I wasn’t playing I was ready to fight, no kill for her.

“I need 30 minutes, I can make the electric go out, but you’ll only have around 10 minutes of complete darkness. If the lights come on and the person watching Jennifer will see you, it could them be game over for both of you. You understand that risk right? You might be putting us all in danger.”

” I’m not leaving without her she used that card on purpose to get our attention. She did it now because there’s a window of opportunity. I’m not leaving her she’s been alone for 7 months!”

“I know, I know. You want to save her, but this could be a trap. You keep saying 7 months, yes for 7 months she’s been alone but you have to think about it from her point of view. Why? Why didn’t she go to the police or call us? Because this person is powerful enough that it scares her. Or they have–“

“Taken a hostage? That’s what I would do. Do we have eyes on her family? Nate and Josh too?” I said.

“One moment,” I heard typing and a slew of cuss words from Brandon’s mouth.”Adam I can’t see any of them”.

“That’s how their controlling her. Turn off the lights Brandon, I’m going in. Send a team to get Jennifer’s family and Nate and Josh.”

I’m coming, love.

“Hang on I think I have found something… So I can’t get into Jennifer’s computer but I can get into the card she used for all these big transactions. I think she’s sent us a clue,” Brandon said.

“She’s a smart girl… How and what’s the message?” I asked eagerly.

“That’s what I’m trying to find out,” he was quiet for a long moment. It made me nervous, how do you send a message through bank statements? I got the online banking app on my phone and scrolled down the lists of purchases.

I got it!

“Look at the names of the stores,” I said.

“I am they’re all random? I’ve checked in on those cameras, but there’s nothing to see. Nothing…”

“No, if someone were watching her she couldn’t leave a note,” I said. Okay, think like Jennifer for a second. She has to know this person is watching her. She can’t call the police and she can’t call me. She starts spending, to get my attention, but why these particular stores?

“Read the stores off to me,” I demanded.

“Let’s see we got: Hammacher Schlemmer, El Mundo, Liberty Department Stores, Peoples Department Store, Marshalls, E & N Pet Paradise Shop, Macy’s, E. Braun & Co., E. Vogel, Trinity Place Department Store and lastly Plaza Athénée. It’s all random and they’re all in different neighborhoods.”

I got a piece of paper of paper and pen out of my glove compartment and told Brandon to read the names again. This time I wrote them all down:

Hammacher Schlemmer

El Mundo

Liberty Department Stores

Peoples Department Store

Marshalls

E & N Pet Paradise Shop

Macy’s

E. Braun & Co

E. Vogel

Trinity Place Department Store

Plaza Athénée

They stores have nothing in common they are not even close to where she lives. So what is it that she trying to tell me. I looked down at my list, lost for a moment.

If you were going to send me a message it would have to be simple but not too obvious.

“I’ve got it!”

“Really? How? What did you find?”

“She had to make it simple so that we could figure it out but not too simple that the hacker would notice . Jennifer never uses that card, but this “watcher” doesn’t no that and probably didn’t this to check. So to us she made it blatantly obvious because we were looking. It’s the first letter of each store; HELP ME, MEET PLAZA ATHÉNÉE.”

“Wow, I was about to waste a time looking into–“.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah this is our window… How are you getting on with the lights?” I said abruptly.

“Still working on it, but I have the key code for the room 1-2-2-6,” Brandon said.

Clever, she’s used our anniversary.

“You’ll have to have the code typed in before the lights go out. I wouldn’t use elevator because I can’t see you in there. Use the stairway its clear. Once you get to the suite floor, I can’t help you. Remember you, only have ten minutes so make them count.

“Have an extraction team ready to pick us up. I want distance between us and whoever this is.” I stressed.

“Got it, be safe, I’ll see you shortly,” Brandon said. I hung up my phone and exited the car. I kept my head down not wanting any cameras to see my face.

I walk through the swivel doors into the grand reception with a brushed oak desk and showy flower arrangements in silver cones mounted on pillars circling a mosaic marble floor. There was a mix of European and Middle Eastern, tourists and business people still milling about even though it was late.

I continued walking to the staircase, once I made it to suite floor I typed in the code and held the door open, waiting for the lights to go dead. Propping the door open with my foot I decided to fake tie my shoes so if seen I would avoid suspicion.

Come on, Brandon! What’s taking so long?

As soon as I had that thought I was plunged into darkness.

Good.

I pulled out my gun and went into the room to find Jennifer.

Chapter 14 Blackout

Jennifer

I can’t keep doing this.

This will be the 34th person I was supposed to lure to a hotel. These men knew Adam, knew what he would do if he found out. They had to know Adam would never share his wife with someone, Adam doesn’t share period.

It should be understood that if someone walks up to you and strongly implies sex. You don’t follow that person up to a hotel room alone. Each man that followed me only found death. There was a man, waiting in the room that killed anyone that entered. He always wore a black ski mask and never talked. He watched me too intently, I couldn’t prove it but I always felt someone was watching me at night. Someone would just sit in the edge of my bed and watch me; I was too scared to do anything so I just pretended to be asleep but I imagined it to be him. The nights that I felt his presence in my apartment resulted in a long restless night I would stay up. No sleep, only fear behind closed eyelids.

My first assignment from the voice happened two days after I got back to New York. I had just moved into my apartment and the flip phone rang. I had to answer.

“Nice to see you’re settling in,” the distorted voice said,” Go to the Mark Hotel. A car is waiting downstairs.” They ended the call.

I knew the person was watching me inside my apartment. I got this place to easily and the price was cut in half. The person on the phone wanted me here. I calmly got my wristlet and walked outside and looked for the car. A black sedan pulled up next to me and I got in. The driver handed me a box.

“What am I supposed to do with this?”

My phone rang again and I answered, ” Inside the box you’ll find a dress and heels – put them on and a picture of a man, his name is Benjamin Ash. Get him into the penthouse use key code 8823″ and they hung up. Forgetting modesty I stripped out of my jeans and t-shirt and into the skin tight black tube dress with black heels. I looked at the picture and recognized the man. He had tried to do business with Adam before. Surely he wouldn’t be stupid enough to try and screw me. I quickly reminded myself, he had better be stupid enough, or the voice would go after Jemma.

Whatever it takes, I will do.

I memorized the man’s face he was an older man with white hair and a wrinkly face. The first time I saw him he reminded me of the stereotypical Grandpa. Except this Grandpa made his billions in sex trafficking. I knew Adam didn’t mess with the sex trade.

We arrived at the hotel and the driver took the box with the picture and told me to get out. I did and I walked inside and made a beeline for the bar. That had to be where he was.

Bingo!

I found him at the chic, lively Mark Bar. The bar area was designed with specially made furniture, any other day it would be a stylish meeting spot. Benjamin was sitting at a table by himself.

Okay, how do I play this off?

I’ll make a lot of eye contact maybe he’ll remember me. I stared at him, but he was more interested in his steak than me. I walked pass him and sat at the bar. I need to get his attention.

“Good evening, what can I get you?” The bartender said.

I don’t need a drink I need a plan.

Wait a minute, that’s it!

“I want your most expensive bottle of wine sent to that man,” that’s how I’ll get his attention. Thank God for Adam’s black card. I handed over the credit card and watched my plan fall into action.

The Lounge area was almost empty. The waiter brought him the bottle and pointed to me. I gave him my best smile and he waved me over.

At least he acknowledged my existence.

I walked over to Benjamin, ready to flirt.

“Hi, Mr. Ash what a small world, I had no idea you were in town,” I touched his arm lovingly.

“Mrs. Caffery, thank you for the bottle, but a little sweet for my taste” he said not interested in me in the slightest. I sat next him quickly before he completely dismissed me.

“How is business? I always felt Adam missed a big opportunity not working with you.” He didn’t. Benjamin Ash was trash; I tried hard not to choke on my lies.

This got his attention “I feel the same. Is your husband joining you tonight?”

Running my finger through my hair and leaning forward to show off my chest I said,” He doesn’t have time for me,” I reached for his arm and lightly ran my hand up down,” It’s been so long since anyone paid me any attention.”

Benjamin took my bait, he was wide-eyed staring. I scooted closer to him,” maybe, you can keep me company? Unless you have other plans for tonight?”

“I’m never too busy for a beautiful, smart, woman, Mrs. Caffery.”

“Please, call me Jennifer,” I said,” If you have time perhaps you could join me in my penthouse suite? We could finish that bottle in a more private setting,” I put my hand on his leg and gave him my bedroom eyes. I ever so slightly let my breast run up against his arm. I whispered,” The code is 8823.”

Let him chase you now.

Standing I said,” I hope you will consider popping by.” Benjamin looked like a kid in a candy store.

I walked to the elevator and typed in the code, I didn’t take a breath until the doors shut.

My phone rang.

“Yes?” I knew it was the voice.

“You have failed,” the distorted Jigsaw voice said.

“No I haven’t, he’s going to follow me up. Give him a little time,” I said.

“For Jemma’s sake he had better. A man will finish what you have started. Once Benjamin is in the room leave, a man will finish what you have started.” He hung up.

I knew this would end badly, someone was going to die, but it wasn’t going to be my sister.

I reached the penthouse,” Hello?” I cried out stepping off the elevator,” Mr. Ash is coming. It’s just me now.”

The man in all black with a black mask appeared around a corner he didn’t talk. He was about 6’5 easily and had tired eyes.

This man made me think of Alejandro, he could easily kill me, but he just stared like he was looking in my soul.

I hear the elevator kick on and turned my head, Benjamin was coming. I looked back to the man and he had disappeared.

Showtime.

I ran to the bedroom, if I can get Benjamin in here I can sneak out using the staircase.

Ding!

He was here.

“Jennifer?” Benjamin yelled.

“In here,” I said sweetly. I was on autopilot now; Benjamin is a disgusting human being but does he deserve to die this way? Does anyone deserve to die like this?

Don’t. How many people’s lives has he ruined? He’s not worth it. Focus on the task at hand.

I saw Benjamin at the end of the hallway slowly making his way to me.

Get him already.

Benjamin made it to the bedroom and undid his tie,” Why don’t we skip the wine and get right to it. Shall we?”

I didn’t want to sleep with him, but I nodded my head yes.

He took off his shoes and walked to me.

‘Don’t you dare cry’, I told myself.

Benjamin pushed me back on the bed and started to undo his pants.

Just breathe. How far would this go was this a test of my obedience?

“If I were forty years younger, the things I would do to you. That bastard has no idea how lucky—” the man from before had wrapped a rope around Benjamin’s throat and was squeezing. Breathless, I watched Benjamin tried to fight back with such confusion in his face, but the man was stronger. Horrified I watched him turn purple, with his veins protruding out until finally, the man broke Benjamin’s neck.

I turned my head away unable to look anymore. Tears ran down my face.

It was either him or Jemma I repeated to myself inside.

The mystery man walked over to me and traced his fingers over my lips. I could tell he was erect too. Suddenly, he grabbed my hair pulling me to my feet and threw me to the ground. I was seeing stars as my head hit the ground. I crawled backwards as he walked towards me, until he got on top of me and started rubbing against me.

“No! Get off,” I cried,” Stop!” He didn’t stop until his phone rang. Roughly, he covered my mouth making it hard to breathe I could taste blood. I don’t know how long he stayed on the phone but it was long enough to make me want to blackout.

His mood completely changed after he finished the call, he got off of me and I ran for the stairs. When I made it to the streets I ran all the way home. I don’t know how long I cried for I just remember the empty alone feeling.

This happened every time, I would lure people in and he would kill them, then he would rub himself up against me. It was gross and disgusted me to my core. I endured it knowing that I had protected my sister. It only lasted for about five minutes but they were the longest five of my life.

Seven months and I still had no idea who the person on the phone was or who the man in the room was. I tried to reach out to Adam with no luck, either he had wiped his hands clean of me or he just wasn’t paying attention to my credit card spending.

Ding!

The man I seduced downstairs was here, I had a drink at the bar to calm my nerves. I had never seen this man before. I didn’t know if he was good or bad, all I knew was he was going to die tonight.

I laid back on the bed and accepted what was going to happen. The short tube dress dug into my skin.

“Hey? You still here, Lana?” After the first night, I started to use a different name; my name was one of the few things I still had control of.

“In here,” I said staring at the ceiling wishing it would fall in on me, with that thought the lights when out.

It was a complete blackout. The only light that came through was from the moonlight.

“Steven?” I yelled sitting up, there was a moment of silence then all hell broke loose.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Someone was shooting. I got down on all fours and crawled to the back stairs.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Just get out of here!

I made it to the stairwell and kicked off my shoes. I ran down the spiral staircase, someone was coming down after me. Once I made it to the reception area I realized the whole hotel had gone dark. I made it to the street and my phone rang.

“What do I do? Someone was shooting up stairs?” I said winded and panicked.

“Go left,” I did.

“Do not let them take you. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” I said scared. Who was going to take me?

“Get to the airport by whatever means necessary,” He hung up.

The more I walked the more I realized the whole street was in a complete blackout. The person on the phone couldn’t see me.

Now would be the perfect time to run. I quickly reminded myself that running would only get my family killed.

I blended into the crowd, I just needed to think. In the blink of an eye, someone had covered up my face and mouth. I was being picked up off the ground by two people.

No!

I kicked and thrashed back. If they got me in the car my odds of escaping we’re almost zero. I twist and turn and bucked it didn’t matter they were stronger they put me in the back seat of a van and my hands and feet were zipped tied together.

Not the pedophile van!

After all the fighting I was breathing hard and my muscles ached with fatigue.

“We got her, boss” a man said.

“Who’s your boss?!” I shouted; I got no answer.

Fifteen minutes later, the car stopped and I heard the door slide open and I was cut free. I took the bag off of my eyes and bum rushed the door.

We were in underground car park.

“Where are we?” I asked.

“Home,” I jerked my head to the sound of the familiar voice.

“Adam?” I said not believing my eyes. He had found me! Was all this just a dream?

Chapter 15 What Happened?

Adam

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jennifer this upset. Not in Rome, the basement, or the shootout at Henry-Faust. I wanted to take her pain away, but all I could do was hold her.

“They are going to kill my family,” she said defeated.

“No, I’ve moved them and put security around them,” I wanted her to look me in the eyes. I closed the distance between us, to tilt her chin so I could see her but she immediately separated from me, as if my touch burned her.

“No!” She shouted, her voice echoed in the car park.

Holding my hands up I said,” Ok, I’m sorry,” something had happened to her for that level of aggression. I walked to her but she backed up, “love, you know I would never hurt you. What happened? Tell me and I–“

A phone rang.

Jennifer pull out a flip phone and was about to answer it.

“Don’t,” I took the phone away from her,” Is thishow they communicate with you?”

She nodded.

I put the phone in my pocket,” Brandon may be able to track them using it”.

“They were watching your family too, Kairi in particular. If Brandon messes up for even a second we will all pay the price,” she said shell shocked.

“It’s over, they can’t hurt you anymore,” I could tell she was cold so I took off my suit jacket and handed it to her. She stared at it trying to decide if she really wanted it, she wouldn’t take it.

What have they done to you, love?

“Did you come in to the hotel room?” she questioned.

“Yes, Brandon caused the blackout, we figured out your–” she cut me off.

“Did you kill the man dressed in all black?” She said.

“I shot him a few times, but I don’t know if he’s dead. Why?” What did he do? I fucking swear to God if he touched her I would kill him. A car came screeching in to the car park it was one of my SUVs, the cleanup crew. Jennifer was standing in the middle of the garage she quickly moved to the other side and the cars sped past us.

Maybe it was the distance that made me really step back and look at her, but I was now only really seeing her and not the situation. Her eyes were big with worry, her face stained by tears, she held her arms across her body as if she was trying to hold herself up and she was paper thin.

Once the car past I walked over to her. Her eyes followed the cars,” Clean up?” She asked.

“Yes,” I said, she started to walk towards the SUV.

“Hey!” She shouted to the cleaners,” How many dead on site?”

I started to follow behind her when my phone vibrated; I took it out and answer the call but still kept a close eye on Jennifer.

“Yeah?” I said. Jennifer was talking to one of the cleaners.

“You’re alive so I’ll take that as a good thing. Did you find Jen?” Brandon asked.

“Yes, she’s here with me at Mom’s old apartment,” I watched Jennifer open up the trunk of the car. The cleaners pulled out a body bag and laid it on the ground. Jennifer knelt down and unziped the bag. She shook her head no.

“Can you come around? Jennifer had a phone that the kidnapper gave her. It’s an old flip phone, I was thinking maybe you could track them using it?” Jennifer was pacing now, “Maybe bring mom too? I think Jennifer could use the support”.

“Yeah, no problem, we’ll be there shortly,” he hung up.

I shoved the phone into my back pocket, I looked back over to Jennifer and she was gone.

What the fuck?

Confused about how she disappeared so quickly, I walked up to one of my security members and said, “Do you know where my wife went?” Jennifer was way too unhinged to be alone right now.

“She took the elevator upstairs, sir,” with that said I made my way upstairs into the apartment.

This was the first apartment I ever designed. So it had its flaws, but it was still impressive. The whole place was designed with Buckingham Palace in mind. From the crown molding, to the curved archways, to the carpets on the floor; it was built to be extravagant and lavish. Gold, cream, and red were the main colors I had used. All the rooms had high ceilings, with opulent chandeliers. On the 2nd floor there was an entrance gallery that led into a large living room, a dining room, 4 master suites each with in-suite bathrooms and dressing rooms, a large professional kitchen and two staff apartments on the same floor. On the first floor, there was a double living room opening onto a terrace, a dining room and three large bedrooms with their own bathrooms. The whole was adored with gold foils, mosaics, and marble.

Once I finish it I seriously considered burning it down, but my mother said that would be a crime. So I gifted it to her, she deserves a better palace but she insisted that this is the one she wanted.

Once I made it inside the foyer, I saw team Hermes was here and for some unforeseen reason Alejandro was here too. I chose to ignore Alejandro’s presence and went talk to Liam. He had become head of security at Main House while Thomas was watching Jennifer in New York. He was good at his job.

“Liam have you seen, Jennifer?” I asked.

“The last time I saw her she was talking to Alejandro,” I turned to face Alejandro, of-fucking-course she went to him.

“Sir, is everything ok?” Liam asked.

“Yes, why do you ask?” Did he see something was wrong with Jennifer as well?

“It just Mrs. Caffery didn’t seem like herself, she demanded a–” Liam said.

“Darling, you’re trying to make things right with Jennifer,” My mother said in a cheery voice. Brandon was right behind her,” Now, it’s going to be a long road but that’s okay in the end it’ll be worth it,” she stroked my face with a warm smile.

“Do you still have the phone?” Brandon asked. I reached in my pocket and tossed it to him.”Jesus, this thing is antiquated. I’ll get to work on it,” he disappeared upstairs.

“Now, let’s go find Jennifer,” my mother said hooking arms with me,” I am so proud of you for taking the first step, it’s the hardest—“

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

I pushed my mother down to the ground covering her head. Liam and all the other security team and members jumped into action, all except Alejandro who stood laughing.

Alejandro was laughing so hard he was almost in tears,” That’s one way, to handle a problem”. He walked into the living room.

“Stay down, mom. I’m going to check on Jennifer,” I snapped at one of the security personnel to take my mother to safety.

I ran into the living room.

Who the fuck was shooting in my goddamn house?

No one here, so I checked the kitchen, dining room and made my way back to the bedrooms.

Holy shit.

The first bedroom I came to was covered in blood and in the middle of the white room was Jennifer, stabbing a body over and over again with a steak knife. There were a few security team members watching her and Alejandro walked in and sat in one of the chairs amused by what was happening.

“Get out! Everyone out!” They all listened except for Alejandro. I rushed for Jennifer she had to stop. I tried to pull her away from the body but she raised a gun to my face.

“I have one bullet left, touch me again and I’ll use it on you!” She pushed me away and went back to stabbing the body.

She was soaked in blood.

What had happened?

“You want another gun or another body,” Alejandro said lighting a cigarette.

Shit.

I needed her to stop… I grabbed the gun and tossed it across the room, I then knocked the knife out of her hand “Hey! Stop it!” This time I was ready for her to fight me and like a hellcat she did; headbutts, kicks, punches, scratches you name it she did it. I finally pinned her down on her back.

How the fuck was she so strong?

I was actually struggling to keep her down. “Stop! Stop! Have you lost your mind?” She wasn’t listening to me, she only thrashed about more. Then she screamed, it was the mostly inhuman sound I had ever heard. She bit me on the hand and for a second I let go of her. Jennifer was on her feet and running for the door. I got up and tackled her to the ground, we went down hard. I didn’t want to hurt her, but she was leaving me no choice.

I put all my weight on her back and she still was fighting, I was out of breath at this point.

“You want to fucking help!” I yelled to Alejandro.

“Nope. Let her work out her issues it’s better than keeping it bottled up inside,” He crossing his legs and continued to enjoying his cigarette.

Jennifer was showing no signs of giving up.

How!?

“Love, I need you to stop! Calm down! Just–” she kicked me right in the balls.

I rolled in pain on the floor and Jennifer ran out the door picking up the gun as she left. All I heard was Alejandro’s laughter, as he followed out behind Jennifer. I tried to recompose myself pushing through the pain even though I wanted to vomit. I stood on shaky legs and made my way back to the living room, where I found Jennifer arguing.

“NO! It’s not over!” Jennifer cried,” You’ll get us all killed! I can handle this!” She was yelling at Brandon and Liam pointing the gun at them.

“Love, stop,” I could barely stand I fell to my knees.

“Mrs. Caffery, let’s talk this all out, you don’t want to do this. We can help you,” Liam said trying to negotiate with her.

“Give me my fucking phone!” She demanded..

“Jen, he can’t hurt you anymore, stop this!” Brandon said with his hands held up. She was so on edge, unpredictable there was a high possibility she would actually shoot them.

“Ok, I’ve seen enough,” Alejandro said he walked right up to Jennifer ignoring the gun and punched her hard in the face. She was down and out for the count.

Strain in my voice I said,” What the hell just happened?”

“I don’t know but we should probably inject her with something or tie her up,” Brandon said.

“Whoa! What happened here,” Michael said walking into the room holding Kairi. Luckily she was fast asleep in his arms.

Good. No one really needs to see this.

I couldn’t take the pain anymore I finally doubled over.

“Get the cleanup crew,” I said speaking into the carpet,” I want to know exactly who that guy was and whoever was calling the shots on the phone. I want to know everything she’s been doing in the past seven months. Now!”

“It’s kind of hard to sound threatening when you’re doubled over in pain,” Michael said being a smart-ass.

“Do not fuck with me today! Do it!” I yelled.

“What about her?” Brandon said.

I truly didn’t know what to do with Jennifer right now.

“I’ll take care of her… Find out who’s been contacting her,” I said finally able to stand up. Everyone disbursed trying to execute my demands. Alejandro stayed seated on the couch.

I looked down to Jennifer, as she lay passed out on the ground.

“What has happened to you?” I said wishing the sky would open up with answers.

“Hell,” Alejandro said simply.

“Yet you still gave her a gun,” I said going into the kitchen to get a wet towel and a bowl of water. I can wipe off the majority of the blood down here before I took her upstairs.

“She pulled a knife on me, and she is still my boss. Whatever he did to her he won’t be doing to anyone else again. When she wakes up she’ll feel much better,” Alejandro said dryly.

Coming back into the living room I knelt down and started wiping the blood off of Jennifer, “Nothing quite satisfies you like murder.”

“Revenge, that was personal, it was thought out and premeditated,” he said.

“I just hope she can live with it,” every time you take a life it changes something inside of you. It makes you a little bit darker and twisted each time it happens, things Jennifer just wasn’t.

“Oh I have a feeling she’s had to do a lot worse since the last time I’ve seen her.” Alejandro stood and stretched making his way into the foyer and disappearing out of sight.

Once I was satisfied with the blood removal I carried Jennifer upstairs to one of the master bedrooms. I put her in the over sized marble tub ready to get the dry blood out of her hair.

Knock knock

I was rolling up my sleeves when I saw my mother standing in the bathroom doorway.

“You may need this,” she said handing me a syringe. I stripped off my tie, and shook my head no.

“For me or for her,” I asked sarcastically. My mother pulled my ear and I injected the needle into Jennifer’s neck.

Kneeling down she said, “Let me”.

“No, I can do it,” this was my fault after all. I should have checked on her I should have tried to make things better. Instead I pulled a Rodger and ignored the problem completely.

Like father like son.

I found a pair of scissors and cut the tight dress off of Jennifer. How was she able to breathe in this?

“I know you can. We need you to be focused on finding out who did this, so let me help you where I can,” my mother said with sadness in her eyes.

I turned on the water and sat Jennifer up so she wouldn’t drown in two feet of water. “I can’t she could wake up, and she’s not exactly in the right state of mind”. Jennifer likes Brandon and Liam but she was ready to shoot them, what chance did my fifty-year-old year old mother have against her.

I lathered the soap and water together and turned off the water once the bath was full.

My mother rubbed my back like she did when I was a child. I rested my head on the edge of the tub.

“This is my fault, I did this,” I said trying to control my anger and sadness.

“You didn’t,” she paused and said, “We will find who did this, and when we do they will pay”.

Sitting back up I started to wash the blood away,” You don’t think she’ll be…” I didn’t know what to say. From the few minutes we were together, I could already tell she had changed.

“Different? Yes, but still the same woman you love. There will have to be adjustments made. You two will survive this just like you survived the plane crash and the coma. Have some patience, darling.”

I’ve never had much patience.

I finished cleaning Jennifer up and drained the tub; now she didn’t look like a horror show. Carefully, picking her up I carried her to the king size plush bed, the room was dimly lit. I kept her bra and panties on; she didn’t want me touching her face. So I’m pretty sure she didn’t want me touching those places.

My mother found some pajamas for her a silk nightgown and after I dressed her I tucked her into bed.

“Now we wait,” I pray all she needs is rest and sleep. I sat on the edge of the bed waiting for her to wake up. I didn’t want to face the reality that she could have been abused not only mentally but physically, and for seven months, I did nothing.

“Drink this,” my mother passed me a full glass of Brandy.

“Thank you,” I said.

“That’s new,” my mother said sitting down in a chair close to the bed.

“What,” I said taking a big slip of my drink.

“Thank you? I could never get you to say those words; you would rather jump off a building then say, ‘please’, ‘thank you’.”

“It took 25 years to learn that thank you goes a long way,” I remembered Galway. It feels so long ago, I looked to Jennifer sleeping. I don’t want to face what happened to her but I will, it’s not about me I have to support Jennifer.

She’s had to be strong these past 7 months, now it was my turn. Come what may, I’ll be.

Chapter 16 My Own Hero

Jennifer

What happened?

My face hurts.

Was I hit by a truck?

I was in a dark room, unable to move my head. I looked around the room it was filled with Victorian styled furniture with lots of gold and red decoration. I rolled on to my side, and fear hit me.

The man in black was here! My heart jumped and I fell off the bed screaming. I hit my head on the nightstand. There’s nowhere to hide and he definitely saw me. I rolled under the bed and curled into a fetal of position. My cheek was cold on the hardwood floor.

I killed him, I know I did, I shot him and stabbed him. Didn’t I?

“Hey, love. You’re safe, it’s over,” That was Adam’s voice… Right he kidnapped me off the street. I didn’t have the strength to move from under the bed.

“Hey,” I said softly. Adam didn’t tell me to come out from under the bed; he just laid on the floor on his back and looked over to me.

“Celine is here too,” He said.

“Hi Celine,” I said.

“Hi sweetie,” she said, “I’m going to make us some food, would you like anything special,” she said.

“No,” silent tears ran down my face Adam just watched me and I heard Celine leave the room I stared at Adam…Why am I scared of him? Haven’t I been waiting for him to come and save me?

“You got my message then?” I said in a small voice.

“Yes, just yesterday,” Adam said bitterly. He turned his head to stare up at the ceiling.

I had to know I didn’t dream up killing the man in black.

“Is he dead?” I asked.

“Yes,” Adam paused as if afraid to say more.

Relief washed over me, it’s over.

I reached out my hand to Adam but I was just out of reach.

“What happened, love” he turned his head to me.

I didn’t want to say; to say it out loud would be to admit that I couldn’t save myself. I just let things happen to me, I didn’t fight back, I wasn’t strong enough. I couldn’t tell him the truth but I didn’t want to lie. So I just remained silent. Looking for an answer, I wasn’t ready to give.

“Has the phone rang?” I asked.

Adam looked to my stretched out hand, he gingerly placed his hand on top of mine.

“Once, Brandon is still working on it but he’s–“

“Having no luck? I had a guy in Ibiza look in to tracking him. No luck.”

“You’ve been working on finding them? How? When you were being watched?”

“Completely old school… Books in the library, snail mail and…” the men I lured into the hotel rooms. They were going to die anyway I figured they could help me escape.

What am I doing on the floor? I need to get up, this isn’t over. The worst part is over, but the person on the phone is still out there. I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself. I can feel sorry and sad once this person was dead and gone. I needed to be my own hero and the first step was to get off the floor.

I rolled from underneath the bed and stood up. I had no doubt in my mind that the person who wanted to be the mysterious 9th member was this same mystery person who was on the phone. I didn’t know much about the person but I did figure out it had to be a man who had to have some kind of military backgrounds with his computer skills. Even with the distorted voice, I could tell he was American by the slang he used and the intimate knowledge of New York. In 7 months those were the only things I could come up with: man, American, possibly ex-military and computer science knowledge that wouldn’t shorten the list of possible suspects.

Adam sat up, he was worried about me I could see it in his eyes.

“I’m fine I just need a plan and fast. If I go dark for too long, I’ll miss the window of opportunity to strike,” I walked to the door and swung it open, now is not the time to be hiding under the bed..

“Wait,” Adam called out,” Where are you going? You’re sick and we need–“

“What? We need to put me on medicine – that will make me crazier? No…I had a small mental breakdown but believe me he deserved it and so much more. Where is Brandon?” I didn’t get far down the hall before Adam grabbed my arm.

“Please just lie back down. Please I’m worried for you.”

I know he was, I could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. “I have to finish this,” I turned to him and brought his forehead to mine. He needed to hear this even if I didn’t want to admit it,” I am a monster just like you.” I stopped my voice was breaking,” I understand now”. I closed my eyes,” You don’t know what despicable things you’ll do until you doing them”. I moved my hands to Adam neck, “This isn’t over, and not by a long shot but together perhaps we can end this. I will make it my life’s mission to make my tormentor suffer. Come hell or high water, I will end this”.

Adam pulled me into his arms and we hugged each other for a long while. It was calming being in his arms again. I wanted to get lost in this moment it felt like we were the only two people in the world.

“How crazy are you today? I don’t want to get shot again!”Michael announced while coming up the stairs.

I separated from Adam and turned to face Michael, “I could always spider Exorcist walk down the stairs if you like?”

That thoroughly creeped Michael out, “Nightmare fuel”.

“Do you know where Brandon is?”

Still shaking off the idea that I put in his head Michael said, “Living room”.

I grabbed Adam and Michael by their hands and pull them towards the living room. I had no idea how long I had been out but I knew the voice on the phone would be upset. I would have to gain back their trust. Except this time, I wouldn’t be alone.

Once we finally reached the living room I waved to Brandon and told Michael and Adam to sit down.

“OK, we need a plan and we need it fast… The next time the phone rings I have to pick it up, I’ve gone dark for too long, and it may be the only chance I still have to get this guy. All my cards on the table now… All I know is the voice on the phone is always a man, he’s American possibly ex-military and has a strong computer background. I’ve had several people look into tracking the phone with no luck and all of them are dead now.”

“Whoa! Whoa! Hang on back track – you killed someone mob-style earlier you’re just brushing past that? You stabbed him like 40 times!” Michael said interrupting me.

“Yep I did and I’ll do it again if I need to,” I said giving Michael crazy eyes.

“Brandon have you had any luck finding a location on the phone?” I asked. He really had set up shop there were four computers running software. A mess of wires littered the floor, tablets were thrown around and he had metal parts askew across the room.

Brandon looked to Adam on the couch, they exchanged glances but Adam eventually nodded his head in approval. “No, the only way I could track him would be if he was on the phone talking to one of us, I would need two or three minutes tops to pinpoint a location”.

“Great, when can you be ready?” I asked now anxiously pacing.

“I can do it now,” Brandon said scratching the back of his neck.

“Give me the phone, and I’ll call him,” I said reaching for the phone. Brandon tossed it to Adam who caught it with one hand.

“Absolutely not you’re out you’re not getting involved in this anymore,” Adam said putting the phone in his pocket.

“Yes, I am,” they all looked at me like I was crazy;” I have to go back”.

A glass bowl dropped in the kitchen, shattering into a thousand pieces, we all turned to see Celine.

“W-w-why?,” Celine said clearly in shock. I was going to walk to her but Michael held up his hand and went to his mother.

“Mom, don’t listen to crazy she’s out of her mind. Don’t worry we’ll get her a room with nice soft walls. We can visit–“

“I’m not crazy!” If anything a little mentally unfit would be better. “You all have no leads on this mystery person but I have a direct line. If we work together on this we can get him. He will think I’ve been kidnapped but he has no idea it was by Adam. We can play this to our advantage. This time I know what I am up against, I can be the aggressor”. I looked to Adam pleading with him to see reason. “For seven months, I have been working on dead end after dead end of trying to figure out who this person is. Don’t shut me out.”

“No, you can’t entertain that line of thinking, sweetie. She could get hurt and the danger….” Celine was pleading with Adam. The world faded out…

Think, what is your value right here, why should they let me be a part of this?

Why?

Why?

Why?

Everyone was arguing, we don’t need this right now if anything we need to be a team now more than ever.

Vvvzzztt vvvzzzttt

The room fell into silence… The phone.

“I have 34 names that are connected back to the voice on the phone. Either I’m a part of this or I just walked out the door with your best lead,” I said staring at Adam. “You said he’s already called once after this he won’t call again”.

Vvvvvzzzzttt vvvvvzzzzttt

“I’m good to go,” Brandon said sitting with a laptop.

Time is running out, “Let me do this, we can do this together.”

Frustrated Adam reach into his pocket and tossed me the phone.

“Three minutes?” I asked Brandon.

He nodded yes.

I flipped the phone open and said,” Yes?”

“Where the hell have you been?” The distorted voice said.

“Knocked out and kidnapped but, I got away,” Adam came close to me so he could hear the conversation Michael did the same. Celine stood motionless to the side of the room.

“Where are you?”

“I don’t know, I’ve broken into an apartment, the owners aren’t home,” I said. Michael had an idea because he rushed out of the room into the kitchen.

There was silence on his end.

“What do I do next?” I asked. I looked to Brandon who was trying to work a miracle. He mouthed’ keep him going’.

“Are you still in Paris?” Michael reappeared with a dry erase board.

Smart.

I looked to Adam my eyes willed him to tell me what to do -Do I tell him I’m still here?

He nodded yes

“Yes, I think I am,”

“You’re compromised,” he was about to hang up but I needed to keep him talking.

“No I am not. I’m not going to risk my family’s life trying to outsmart you. I know what will happen,” I said

Michael was scribbling something on the Whiteboard he held it up for me to read.

“I could have gone home to Main House, I could have run back to my husband or the police but I didn’t. I know the risks and that’s why I picked up the phone,” Michael gave me a thumbs up and erased the board.

“Go to the Eiffel Tower someone will meet you there,” he was winding down the conversation again but Brandon still didn’t have his location. Adam took the dry erase board and I read what he wrote,” I killed the man in the hotel.”

What? I mouthed.

Adam held his hand up to me.

“Pity… Couldn’t take anymore of his games? You’ll have to do his job then, congratulations, you’ve been promoted. Now get moving”.

Adam wrote something else, I read it out load, “It’s too far away to walk”. I looked over to Brandon who looked like he wanted to pull out his hair.

“You’re a resourceful girl, figure it out. I’ll make contact when I see you on the cameras. Remember, I am still watching,” he ended the call.

“How did we do?” We all turned to look to Brandon.

“Five minutes, and I still couldn’t find him! He was bouncing off so many location points he could be in India, Tokyo, Portland, Houston or DC.

“Well, we can eliminate India and Tokyo,” I said throwing myself on the couch.

“You said you have names?” Brandon said.

“Yes,” I reached for the white broad and wrote them down. “Some of these men tried to do business with you, others I have no idea who they are. They share two things in common, the mysterious person on the phone knew about their businesses and secondly they’re now all dead.” I handed Adam the Whiteboard.

“I only recognize a few of the names…We’ll find out who the others are and go from there,” Adam took a picture of the Whiteboard with his phone.

“Where is the Eiffel Tower from here? I probably bought myself maybe 30 minutes,” I said standing back up.

“You could end up killed,” Celine said horrified.

“She’s right we know virtually nothing about this person. Are you sure?” Adam closed the distance between us and tilted my head up. “I can’t protect you against someone I don’t know. You will be alone again, do you understand that?”

Just above a whisper I said, “Yes”.

I know it pained him to hear it but I wasn’t going to let this go and he knew that.

“Ok,” he said defeated. Looking over me to Brandon he said, “What can we give her?”

“Uumm… A tracker, phone, gun?” Brandon asked unsure about the last one.

“Hell no!” Michael yelled.

“I don’t need a gun when I have,” I undid my bra and from the back strap pulled out the knife Thomas gave me.

“This is new I’ve never been turned on and scared at the same time,” Michael said.

“Where did you get a switchblade from?” Adam said taking the knife from me and admiring the hilt.

“Thomas gave it to me,” I said.

“Son of a bitch, I would have never guessed he would be into the ivory trade, it’s beautiful. He placed the knife back in my hand and looked down at me with a smile.

“What?” I asked.

With a hungry look in his eyes he said softly,” It must be cold in here” Adam draped his jacket around me and pulling me in close. Adam whispered in my ear,” You just took off your bra, love”.

Ooooo

“Can you get that stuff ready in ten?” Adam said to Brandon.

“Yep, “Brandon said.

“Michael, go find Jennifer some clothes… Not to nice, it has to look stolen,” Happy about that Michael left the room still flushed from my exposure.

“We need to talk before you go,” Adam took my hand and led me to one of the bedrooms on the main level. He shut the door and I sat on the bed.

“Are you sure?” Adam said leaning against the door.

“Yes, every phone call will get us closer, and maybe, just maybe we can smoke him out,” I said with conviction.

“I love you, you know that,” He walked over to me with his normal swagger and knelt down to kiss my hands.

“I love you too,” I sat on the floor next to him.

“Nothing you did will change how I feel about you. I don’t care that you killed that guy. I care why? You’re about to put a lot of people at risk. I have to know that you can do this.” He held my cheek.

“I can do this,” his touch relaxed me.

“I can’t lose you,” he pulled me in close and kissed me hard. Adam settled me on his lap. I ran my hands feverishly over his body as he roughly ran kisses down my neck.

Knock knock

Adam rested his head on my breast. He then looked up to me and said, “I love you”. He quickly kissed me and stood with me. Adam went to the door.

“I’ve got everything ready,” it was Brandon. I walked to the door and opened it all the way. Brandon held a plastic bag up to me.

“Thank you,” I took the bag into the bathroom. Brandon and Adam continued to talk.

What the hell!

I open the bag and found a Green Day crop top, shorts three times to big, a belt, a huge zip up jacket and Converse tennis shoes. I look like a hybrid mix of a homeless man and a cheap hooker.

It’ll have to do.

I walked back into the bedroom to find everyone was here. Adam stood by the window looking down at the street, Michael had made himself comfortable on the bed and Brandon was at the small desk in the corner.

“Remember this?” Brandon said pulling a necklace out of his pocket.

“Yeah, a GPS necklace,” I said.

“Good, this one is supercharged it’ll last for a week. I’ll be able to track you with the necklace. If you need help just press down on the necklace until it clicks and we will come,” Brandon said holding out the small circular necklace to me.

” You look like you’ve been on a drug binge,” Michael said playfully while on his phone.

I took the necklace and put it on,” You picked this clown outfit.”

“How did you get to Paris?” Adam said stepping away from the window.

“A box,” I said looking for my knife. I found it on the floor and started to push it back into place. Adam came and helped me.

“What do you mean?” Michael said sitting up.

“A sliver box with padding in for want of a better word it was like a coffin. The box would be delivered to my apartment; I would have to inject myself with something that slows down my heart rate ultimately knocking me out. I had to get inside the box first and seal it up before I fell asleep. I would normally wake up five- eight hours later. The box won’t open until the guy on the phone unlocks it”. Adam quietly growled, he finished tucking the knife into my back bra strap.

“Jesus,” Brandon said,” Break your neck much?” He tossed me the flip phone.

“Not yet,” I slid the phone into my front jean pocket. I turned to face Adam,” Keep in touch?”

“Of course, you’ll know it when it’s happening,” Adam said. I wanted to fall in to his arms and stay there forever. It would be easier to just give up but I just couldn’t. Overtime I would beat myself up, I have to finish this.

Stepping away from Adam I asked,” Where is the Eiffel Tower?”

“Once you get on the street you can’t miss it; it’s about a mile from here,” Michael said.

“You can take my car,” Adam said.

“Can’t, I already know how this is going to play out. He’ll tell me to go to the Eiffel Tower then to some unknown restaurant a few blocks down then somewhere else until I’m completely lost. Its smart on his part but a pain in the ass for me,” rolling my eyes I continued, “That’ll be my punishment for getting taken tonight.” Walking to the door I said,” Thank you”. Walking back down to the garage I passed Celine who gave me a worried look. I knew where she was coming from and her heart was in the right place, but, I was going to do this. I am doing this. I made it down to the street and found the Eiffel Tower. Standing outside of the white brick building I looked up and saw Adam peeking out of a window, we made eye contact and he nodded back.

I tore my eyes away from him, and set my eyes on the bigger goal… Finding the man on the phone.

I can do this; I repeated that over to myself, as a gentle reminder. I have to do this.

Chapter 17 Overnight Me

Jennifer

When I finally made it back to the states I was exhausted. I crawled into bed and Belle hopped up on the bed to cuddle with me.

That asshole made me walk at least six miles around Paris. I guess a small sacrifice? At least Adam knows about this person and I don’t feel so alone.

Just as I was about to drift off to sleep my phone rang, begrudgingly I answered.

No rest for the wicked. “Go to the Plaza Hotel, You know what to do,” he ended the call.

I went to my closet to find something to wear. I have no idea what happened to the black dress; I normally wore.

“Meow,” Belle rubbed against my ankle forcing me to look down at her. I knelt down to pick her up,” I know mama’s been busy,” I said petting her and picking her,” I love you”.

“Meoww,” Belle said.

What’s this? There was a long box on the floor. I pulled it out and saw it was Versace.

What in the world?

I carried the box and Bella back to my bed. I placed Belle on my pillow and went to examine the box content. I opened the box to find a beautiful black dress. It had off the shoulders straps and the back was cut in to bandage strips, it had a low V neckline. Combined with the shortness the dress was made for sex. There was a note in the box too.

To replace the one I cut. -A

When did he cut my dress? Never mind, I don’t want to know. I put on the dress, I felt sexy.

Femme fatale.

I grabbed my phone and headed downstairs to the car. As usual the driver gave me a box and remained silence. I memorized the face and name; Kevin Dayton.

Got it.

Since the man in black is dead I’ll be the one to kill tonight, that made my stomach churn.

Whatever it takes.

We arrived and I walked into The Plaza it was the definition of sophistication a very stylish hotel. I walked in to the bar and sited Kevin; he was sitting at the bar next to some girl in a tight red dress. This could be a challenge, I’ve never had to pull someone away from a date before.

I sat at the other end of the bar and ordered a drink. I couldn’t see Kevin’s face as the woman was completely blocking me. I could hear her fake laughter all the way across the room.

I casually sipped on my rum on ice.

“I’ll have what she’s having;”a familiar voice said. Holding my waist and whispering in my ear Adam said,” You don’t need me to tell you you’re the most beautiful woman in the room,” he lent in to kiss me but I pulled back.

Not facing him I said,” What are you doing?”

“I’ve come to apologize, it’s been seven months and I miss you,” he winked at me. He kissed me deeply.

Tilting my head away, trying to catch my breath. Adam stepped in between my legs and leant down for another kiss but again I blocked him. I whispered lonely so only he could hear me,” What are you doing?”

“Apologizing,” he said putting his hand on my upper thigh, I slapped his hand away.

“And this is me pissed off, from the way we left things in London,” I lightly pushed him back. Laughing he sat down next to me, we didn’t face each other. Holding my glass up to my mouth so no cameras could see movement I said, “Tonight’s already going to be hard enough, you showing up only makes this harder”.

“I’m here to help you, love. What’s the name?” Adam said.

“Kevin Dayton, he with the girl in the red dress,” I turned to look back over to Kevin.

Not her. Anyone but her.

Gamila stood next to Kevin running a dainty hand a long his shoulders. I looked to Adam,” I see you still haven’t let her go”. I said standing up.

Blocking me in Adam protested, “She works for me now, nothing is going on between us.”

My phone rang.

“Yes?”

“Get rid of him,” the voice said. I backed away from Adam, he followed me.

“Got it,” and I hung up.

“You have to go,” I said.

“He can’t hear us, this place is too loud,” Adam said.

“And what if someone is listening?” I walked to the bathroom hallway, it was empty and private. Abruptly Adam pushed me into the women’s bathroom and locked the door behind us. He checked each stall while I leant against a sink.

“Clear… It’s been three days, and your necklace wasn’t working,” Adam said closing the distance between us.

Three days?

I ignored the fact that the guy on the phone didn’t overnight me back to New York, “I told you what happens. The signal probably can’t get through the box… but more importantly right now – Why Gamila of all people?”

“Because she’ll do what I tell her to do,” Adam said pinning me in.

“Wonderful, now I have twice as must work to do,” I tried to move pass Adam with no luck.

“You don’t have to,” he gently pulled me closer to him. We were now chest to chest,” I know what he’s making you do. Let Gamila—“

“No you don’t, I have to go. Move,” I said not wanting to have this conversation now.

“I have an over active imagination,” Adam said darkly.

“So do I,” thinking about how Gamila could have convinced Adam to give her a job.

“What does that mean?”

“Don’t play dumb,” I said crossing my arms

Vvvzzzzttt vvvvvzzzttt vvvvvzzzttt

“You should get that,” I said.

He ignored the call, that never happens,” Listen to me Jennifer I don’t want Gamila, I want you and only you.” He picked me up and placed me beside the sink,” I’m not going to share you with anyone”. Heat rushed to my face, Adam continued” I fucked up but that’s never going to happen again. No one but me is ever going to…” He couldn’t say the words.

“I didn’t sleep with them,” I said softly.

“I know Brandon found video of a few encounters. If you hadn’t of kill that guy. I would have gladly,” Adam said clenching his fists.

Vvvvzzzzttt vvvzzzztttt vvvvzzzzzttt

Adam pulled out his cell phone pissed,” What!?”

I couldn’t hear everything but I did get someone was leaving?

Adam ended the call,” he’s leaving, she had one job! And she can’t even do that,” Adam said frustrated.

Jumping off the counter I moved passed Adam,” This isn’t over. I’m supposed to take him to the penthouse. The code is–“

“Our anniversary, I know,” Adam said.

“Have Brandon loop the cameras upstairs, I have to go catch this guy. Maybe you can make him talk?” I unlocked the door.

“Yeah,” I started to open the door but Adam pressed it closed again. He turned me to face him and he greedily started to kiss me. Pressing me against the door he held me up as I wrapped my legs around him. I had almost forgotten how good it felt to be in his arms. To be loved by him. I started to move my hips wishing we had time to fully explore each other. I wanted to stay in this moment.

“Stop, stop, stop I have to go,” I was panting like I was in heat. Adam kissed my neck, he had found a sweet spot and it drove me crazy with lust.

More, yes

“Later. Please?” I didn’t know how bad I wanted Adam until I had to say no.

He pressed his forehead against mine and gave me a devilish smile, “Fine, don’t take him to the penthouse. Go to room 352, bring him there and I’ll get him to talk”. He said setting me down with one final kiss,” I’ll be watching in a blind spot”.

“I don’t think you’re going to like what you’re going to see. Fair warning,” I unwrapped my arms from him.

“If he gets to hands on, remember I always carry a gun,” I smiled at him and left the restroom.

Walking into the hallway, I was happy. We were actually going to work together, and accomplish something.

Please let this work.

Chapter 18 Wrong Choice

Adam

I waited a few minutes, before following Jennifer. It’s been a second since I’ve had to make somebody talk. This will be fun. Rodger always said my unforgiving nature was one of my best gifts.

I existed the restroom and headed for a table close to the kitchen. I had a great view of the bar. Gamila must have convinced Kevin to stay. Jennifer was watching them too.

Maybe Gamila can do this. God only knows, how many men she has seduce to get something.

Better her than Jennifer.

She confirm, one of my greatest fear for her. I failed her. When she needed me, I was nowhere to be found. Jennifer was strong, but how long until she broke. That kind of abuse isn’t something you just shook off. I never knew real blood pumping rage until I saw those recording. When I find out who the voice on the phone it. They’ll wish for death.

I listen to Gamila forced laughter fill the room. I remember it being much sweeter. Was it always that way? Probably. If this gos well, Gamila will be someone else’s problem. I almost feel sorry Deacon.

Looking back at the time we shared Gamila wasn’t always bad. She was the life and death of ever party, and she did make growing up bearable with Rodger. She always made herself whatever I needed.

I remember, the first time I ran away from home. I didn’t really run away I just didn’t go home from school. Gamila and I rode the train to the last stop. She listen to me bitch about Rodger. When I finally when home, I got my ass beat and a black eye. The next day at school Gamila was there at the gates covering my eye up with makeup then headed to the all-girls school down the street. We had some real moments, things I’ll take to my grave. But, for those reasons, I will never abandon her.

We are the products of our fathers agendas.

I looked back to Jennifer.

Shit.

She was on the phone again. Jennifer mouthed something to Gamila. I stopped paying attention for three seconds and I’m lost. Jennifer started to walk to bar, then Gamila dropped her glass. Spilling the drink all over Kevin and shattering the glass on the floor.

“Shit, do you know how expensive this jacket is!” Kevin yelled jumping out of his seat.

Gamila moved fast sliding the man’s phone behind her and Jennifer quickly picked it up. For the briefest of second Jennifer shared one word with Gamila then headed for the exit.

“I’m sorry, so sorry,” Gamila cooed,” Let me make it to you, please I insist.”

“You had better,” Kevin said aggressively.

Dick.

“O yes. Let me write you a check. Please, follow me. I’ll get it dry cleaned, tonight,” Gamila said that so innocently; it was laughable.

Gamila took his hand and started to head up to the room. I followed behind them.

Where did Jennifer go?

“Sir?” One of the hotel staff walked up to me.

“Not now,” I said keeping an eye on Gamila. I don’t have time for this.

“I have a message for you from a Miss Faust?” the man said.

“Yes?” I said rushing the older man. He handed me a note, I shoved it in my pocket. I gave the man fifty bucks and told him this never happened.

I ran for the stairs, Gamila wasn’t a fighter like Jennifer. She would cave easily if anyone put pressure on her. I took the steps three at a time.

I made it to the room. Gamila left the door open.

Good or bad?

Either way I pulled out my gun and entered the suite. I shut the door behind me, and proceeded into the dark room stepping lightly. I heard a muffled scream as I walked into the living room,”Let her go,” I said ready to shoot.

Kevin had Gamila kneeing on the floor with her hands up, a gun pointed at her head.

“I can’t believe you fucking fell for this,” He grabbed Gamila by her hair and pointed the gun to me.” To fucking easy”.

“I said let her go,” I shot him in the chest. Bulletproof vest. Fuck. It stunned him enough for Gamila to crawl to me. I grabbed Gamila arm and we ran to one if the bedrooms, barricading the door.

Fuck!

“That bitch set us up. Now we’re going to die in this cheap hotel!” Gamila said panicking.

“Stop calling Jennifer a–” gun fire rang out.

I shoved Gamila into the bathroom with my phone and told her to call Brandon. I turned to shut the door when Gamila called out,”Wait! Hide with me! He’ll kill you,” She was pulling my sleeve, her eyes were wide with fear.

“We can’t hide. He knows were here just call Brandon,” I pushed her back and shut the door.

Fuck, this was planned. I was trapped.

Bang bang bang

You would think he would run out of bullets.

The TV flicked on.

A computerized voice came through the TV,”Good evening, nice to finally meet you, Mr. Caffery or should I say Adam? My, my what a mess you’ve gotten into?”

The gunshots stop.

I walked to the TV and said,” Mr. Caffery will do just fine. And who do I have the displeasure of speaking to? It wouldn’t happen to be the mysterious 9th member, now would it?”

He laughed at me,” The one and only.”

“What do you want now? A golden house?”

“No I want something much more valuable,” he said.

“Which is?” I asked.

“You tell me; 5’1, petite, rich brown skin, long black hair, and the most sexiest eyes I’ve ever seen. You had to dig deep to find that one,” the voice said.

“My wife,” this person was fucking with me.

“Bingo. But, you’ve always like the finer things in life from wine to women.”

“It sounds like we’ve met. Help me remember you,” I said staring at the blank screen.

“I know everything I need and in do time you’ll know me. You’ve made this to easy,” the voice said.

“How so? I’m not dead,” I challenge.

“No, but when I finish with you. You’ll wish you were. Tell me, how will your wife feel when she finds out you picked another women. Tsk, tsk, tsk, you didn’t even read her note. Her final moments on Earth knowing she’s second best.”

I rushed for the note:

He knows. This all is a trap. He’s taking me somewhere again.

-Mrs.C

“If you read it, maybe you could have saved her. To late now, to late, to late, to late…” The TV short circuited then blew out.

No. What is he going to do to Jennifer! I rushed for the bathroom. Gamila was crouching down in the tub on the phone with Brandon. I took the phone out of her hand,” Where’s Jennifer right now! This was a trap, she’s in danger.”

How fucking stupid I am!? I should have gone after her.

“Backup is three minutes out,” Brandon said.

“JENNIFER!” If I pick anyone it would be her.

“Ok, ok. Uumm that can’t be right,” Brandon said.

“What?” I pushed the barricade out of the way. I had to get to her fast. Gamila came rushing out of the bathroom to push the barricade back into place.

“Are you crazy!” She yelled.

“God damn it, Gamila. Move! I’m not messing around. Jennifer needs me!”

“I can’t find her,” Brandon said.

“No, you have to! He’s going to kill her, we have to get to her first,” I was pleading with him.

“Give me time. I’ll find her just give me some time,” Brandon was worried now.

“We don’t have time find her!”I yelled.

Bang bang bang

Back up is here.

I ran out the door, to find Kevin on the floor barely alive.

I knelt down to him,” Where is he telling her to go?”

He said nothing.

“Tell me and I’ll get you help,” surely death scared him.

He opened his mouth only to have a pool of blood pour out. Kevin when limp, his eyes devoid of all light.

Dead. With my best chance of finding Jennifer.

I stood up,”Listen up, everyone!” I announce to the room,” You all know Jennifer. Someone had taken her and if we don’t find her soon. They will kill her. I don’t know who, where, or why. Just we need to find her. I want her found now!” There were fourteen men here, including Thomas, I needed them on the streets looking. They all did as they were told.

“Gamila!” I shouted she appeared sheepishly. “Stay here and wait for clean up, they with knock four times. No else gets in here. Do you understand?”

She nodded.

Good.

I rushed for the door.

“Thank you,” Gamila said.

“For?” I asked.

“Picking me,” she said softly,” I wouldn’t last long with jigsaw”.

“If I knew I was picking lives. Make no mistake, I would have picked hers,” I walked out the door and shutting it behind me.

I will find her. Jennifer is strong, she’ll survive until I find her.

Chapter 19 Helluva Day

Jennifer

“You have failed me for the last time,” the voice said then hung up. I dropped the flip phone in the trash.

He was going to kill me, I needed to lay low somewhere safe with limited cameras, but where Adam could find me. Hopefully Adam reads my note in time! The bastard on the phone had me walk for an hour before dropping, ‘you have failed for the last time’.

Where can I hide, in a city that never sleeps? And then as if by divine intervention I saw where I was going to hide.

School! Columbia! The library!

I rushed across the busy street and made a bee line to the library.

Yes! Who’s going to come looking for me here. There’s police and plenty of people. I just needed to borrow someone’s phone and call Adam. It’s so simple it just may work. I made my way to the student only section. No one would be here at ten o clock at night on a Friday night.

Now where to hid?

“Gotcha!”

I screamed.

“Good God, calm down drama queen,” Elliott said.

“Why!? Why are you even here?” I said holding my chest over heart. After London and working in Flores’s Lab Elliott and I were close friends. Except right now I wanted to kill him.

“I could ask you the same thing… you’re a little over dressed for the library. What a date went wrong and you’re hiding out here?” He said amused.

“Ha, ha, ha, you would just love that, wouldn’t you? I asked you first anyway”.

What am I doing? Ask him for his phone!

“Never mind,” I said,” Can I borrow your phone I’ve lost mine its important.”

“That’s like the 8th one you’ve lost in the last 7 months at a certain point you just have–“

“Elliott! Please, let me use your phone,” he sensed the urgency in my voice and handed me his iPhone.

I started to call Adam, but just as the phone started to call the doors to the student only sections swung open with a bag. I ended the call, they were here! I texted Adam:

Columbia Library 911

Shit!

I grabbed Elliott’s hand and moved us in between two book shelves whispering I said,” I promise you I will explain everything but right now you have to listen to me. There are men in here right now that are going to kill us.”

“Are you high?” Elliott said whispering to me.

We both heard a gun being loaded,” This isn’t a game! They will kill us both, I’m sorry I’ve gotten—” Elliott covered my mouth and moved us to the end of the row of books.

The footsteps stayed within the main aisle, “I am not dying because of you! We need the police!” He whispered, snatching the phone away from me.

“I know you’re here, come out you are trapped,” I peeked from behind the bookshelf for a second to see a man dressed in all black with a face mask.

“Shit!” Elliott said, “My phone?” The screen went completely black.

“We need a better hiding place, he has a standard glock that’s 15 rounds before he has to reload” I said taking off my shoes.

“How do you know that?” Elliott said bewildered. The man was walking in between the aisles we needed to move.

“The gallery,” I crawled back down along the bookshelf Elliott followed. We made it to the end when Elliott grabbed me by the waist and pointed to the door. There were two more of them.

I nodded.

I took his phone and tossed it through the shelves a few aisles along the one by the door heard it fall and went to investigate. Once he was in between the shelves and out of sight we ran to the other side of the library silently. We hid behind the inner bookshelf like we had done before.

I didn’t want to breathe.

The lights went off, it was pitch black the only light to flood the room came from the main stained glass window, it gave a ominous glow to the room because that’s just what we needed right now.

Elliott took my hand and we slowly made our way up to the gallery via the back stairs.

Bang bang bang bang bang bang bang bang

All hell broke loose; Elliott and I ducked down in the middle of the stairs for a moment then I lead Elliott up the remaining stairs

“Let’s go!” We ran as fast our legs could carry us. When we reached the top I was punched in the stomach but luckily I fell back into Elliott’s arms. I tried to regain my footing but the man pulled a gun out on us and aimed it straight for my head.

Bang bang bang bang

Head shot.

“Shit!” Elliott said fully panicked.

Someone had taken him out sniper style.

Not wasting anytime I took the man’s gun and told Elliott to hide. I headed back down stairs to help the others,” Where are you going!?”

“Go hide I will find you when this is done. Go!” For once in his life Elliott did not argue with me.

I crept back downstairs. The three men were all armored but I could get two. I silently weaved my way behind the three men. They had tipped over a desk for cover.

This will be easy.

I snaked around behind them.

Deep breath… Aim and shoot.

I stepped from behind the shelf I was less than 10 feet away from them.

Bang bang bang

Head shots all but the last one he moved at the last second and I barely nicked his cheek.

“Get down!” Someone yelled.

The man I missed was locked and load ready to shoot me.

Fuck!

Someone made my legs buckle causing me to fall and the bullet missed me. I landed hard on the floor but I didn’t let go of my gun. I aimed and fired, I hit him in the throat he stumbled back falling dead on the floor.

“Clear!” I yelled out.

I turned on my back to see who kicked me.

Elliott.

He didn’t hide? He came to help me.

“Love, are you ok!?” Adam said coming into view. I sat up relieved to see him alive and that he made it in time. He stopped short and raised his gun to Elliott. I immediately jumped in the way,” Stop! Elliott is a friend”.

Adam rushed to me pulling me close and kissing me deeply, he pulled away so abruptly that I was left a little light-headed,” Are you ok? Dose anything hurt?” He said looking me over.

“I’m fine,” I looked over his shoulder,” Thank you, for bringing the cavalry”.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know I was picking Gamila until it was too late. I love you and I would—“

“What are you talking about?” I said confused,” You picked Gamila for what?” I said angry. I was losing to her when I didn’t even know there was a competition.

“Stop talking,” Elliott said standing behind me.

“You picked Gamila for what!?”

“Uuum redo?” He said.

“Fuck no!” I didn’t even know what happened I was already fuming,” Adam!”

“Again, in any situation I will always pick you, love.”

“Don’t ‘love’ me, Talk!” He reached for my gun and I pulled it back,” Am I going to need this?”

Adam told me what happened. So he didn’t read my note, he was too worried about Gamila to read less than ten words.

I needed to process what I just heard. Was it an impossible situation? Yes, Was I hurt? Yes a little but Gamila needed immediate help.

“If it ever came down to me or her to save–” I was cut off.

“You love, my wife, my better half. I have forty men combing the streets looking for you–“

I cut him off,” I want you to save her, I will save myself,” I put the safety on my gun and handed it to him.

I pointed to Elliott, “You remember Elliot you met him in London. He deserves an explanation about what has just happened”. I walked towards the door.

“Where are you going?” Adam asked. I knew my words hurt him; I would have to be satisfied with that for now. With this mysterious person still looming over our heads now wasn’t the time to fight; I would most likely apologize later. Yes he was up against impossible odds but something deep down inside me cried out Second Place! I will always be second to Gamila; she was his first I know just like Adam is mine. The voice on the phone had sent me pictures of them together, nothing scandalous. Until I found out he was still funding her lifestyle. We were still having our break, but the voice on the phone showed me he was making payments to Gamila long before we went on a break and well before he gave her a “job”. I hope Adam never has to choose between us because I’m not sure I would win and it would break my heart.

“Jen? You can’t just walk away! What the hell just happened?! We need to call the police!” Elliott said.

“Come on, Elliott. I’ll explain back at my place,” I said continuing to walk out.

Elliott jogged up next to me, “You owe me a new phone, I only just got that one.”

“Oh I’m sorry for saving your life!” I said frustrated and angry.

“Then I saved yours, we are even on that. Now let’s go explain to the police why you are so damn good at shooting people in the face”. Elliott kept talking non-stop on the way to my apartment; all I wanted to do was go to sleep.

It didn’t help that Adam was right behind me with Thomas and four other guards.

We made it back to my apartment, I pulled out my keys and Adam immediately snatched them out of my hand.

“Hey! Give those back!”

“Ssshhhhh,” he gave my keys to Thomas who carefully unlocked my door. Then one of the men kick in the door and everyone rushed in.

“Hey!” I yelled.

“Stay here,” Adam commanded, before he walked in.

I heard an angry meow from Belle.

“Don’t you scare my fucking cat!” I rushed in to find . She had calmed down once she saw Adam. He picked Belle up and she loved that, I took her away from him,” No, No Daddy doesn’t get love right know”.

Rolling his eyes Adam said, “I would have picked you!”

The men were sweeping my apartment for cameras and bugs.

“Oh Belle, daddy says that but we know the truth. He is constantly putting his neck on the line for Gamila. Isn’t that right, baby? Like spending $25,000 a month on her and lying to me about it. Daddy said he would cut her off but he didn’t”.

“I can explain that if you would talk to me not—“

“Oh daddy doesn’t like being talked down to, it frustrates him. I wonder if now he can understand. How it feels to be lied to? How frustrating it is?” I kissed Belle and went to sit on my couch.

Adam sat next to me, “Fair point—“

“Oh fair point? Belle we have made a fair point. Mommy loves Daddy but Daddy insists on keeping secrets.”

“OKAY! Stop! You’re pissing me off” Adam yelled.

“Oh dear Daddy is mad Belle,” I said turning my head away from Adam.

Rubbing his templates Adam said,” Belle tell Mommy, I’m sorry for keeping Gamila a secret. I sent her away to California after the shooting at Henry-Faust. I only kept it a secret because, Mommy will never like Gamila. They have two complete opposite personalities and they clash over everything. I love Mommy, and I only want to be with Mommy. All I ask is that Mommy tries to be a little understanding to Gamila. The way I have to be understanding with Nate.”

“You don’t like Nate?” I said to Adam.

“You two are fucking weird,” Elliott said standing in front of us.

“It’s not weird if it works, marriage will do that to any man,” Thomas said scanning my lamp.

“I’m glad you two are working out your marital differences but the bigger picture is she killed like three people, there was a shootout in a public area and we haven’t called the police,” Elliott was still freaked out. My bar for mess up stuff is so high now a shooting is nothing.

Adam took Belle and sat her on his lap.”Right, you can’t go home or our mystery person will kill you–“

“And if you go to the police we’ll kill you,” I finished Adam sentence.

“This isn’t funny,” Elliott said.

“You want to hold Belle? She’s working on getting her PhD in stress relief,” I said handing Belle to Elliott, confused he took her and started to pet her.

Adam took off his jacket, undid his tie and rolled up his sleeves,” I’m going to be brutally honest with you…” Adam looked to me.

“It’s been a helluva day,” He said,” This goes for you too, love. The life you knew is dead, until we find and eliminate this threat,” Adam started to cough, I rubbed his back.

“You don’t look so good,” Elliott said. He was right he was sweating hard and looked like he was out of breath. I ran the back of my hand over his forehead he had a fever.

“I’m fine, my chest hurts a little, but I’ll live, been through worse” Adam said trying to continue his speech.

I looked to Elliott,” Something is wrong I can feel it- Case study?” I said, we’re about to see if after a year of medical school can we diagnose the problem. “Agreed,” Elliott said.

“25 year old, man, 200 pounds, healthy, with a history of heart failure and pancreatic cancer running in his family,” I said running to get my med kit. Elliott and I became first responder certified. Dr.Giovanni thought it would be a good idea and we rarely said no to him.

“Possibly, going into heart failure?” Elliott said.

“Thomas! Go find a doctor,” Adam couldn’t breathe. Thomas picked up his phone and dialed a number then took off running.

“Move him to floor,” Elliott said going for his shoulders and I went for the feet, we eased Adam down to the ground so we would be prepared if he went into cardiac arrest. Adam soon fell unconscious and unresponsive

“Poisoning? Someone go down stairs get the AED defibrillator we may need it and there should be a oxygen tank and mask with it and can someone else find some charcoal and mix it with water.

“Let’s go people! A man is dying!” Elliott added. The remaining men rushed out of the door.

“What kind of poison?” Elliott asked.

“Cut his shirt, I have an idea,” I said focusing on keeping my hand steady. Elliott cut his shirt,” There the blue marks, see?”

“Ricin?” Elliott said

Elliott checked Adam’s blood pressure it was 90/60 so low and in the hypotensive range and so would be a high risk of vasodilatory shock due to the sudden and extreme relaxation of his arteries to reduce this we raised the level of his feet from the floor to above the level of his heart.

The men returned with the items I asked for and set them on the ground.

“He’s having a seizure,” Elliott said.

“Turn in 3…2…1”, we got Adam on his side into the recovery position supporting his head, in this position his airway could remain open I stayed by Adam side letting the seizure pass. Once it did we set to work with the Activated Carbon antidote to pump out his stomach and reduce absorption of the toxin – he was violently sick and it seemed it would never end.

Once the vomiting stopped we set up the oxygen mask.

“We need something to bring his blood pressure up!” Elliott said so we hooked up a very makeshift saline drip from supplies from my medical kit – It wouldn’t last long but would stabilize him until help arrived.

“Does anyone have an EpiPen?” I said, although normally used for allergic reactions the Epinephrine would act quickly to improve breathing and stimulate the heart and raise a dropping blood pressure

“I do,”Dr. Pellegrini said entering the doorway.

I took the the EpiPen from Dr. Pellegrini and jammed it hard into Adams thigh.

“We are a hundred percent sure it’s Ricin poisoning,” I said.

“How long has Mr Caffery been like this?”

Dr. Pellegrini asked taking off her coat. To be honest I had lost track of time but Elliott answered, “About half an hour” Dr Pellegrini then asked for a rundown of the treatment we had given. She hooked up more Saline and intravenous drugs.

Dr Pellegrini attached a heart monitor but said she felt the worst had been dealt with. She questioned us all on whether we knew how the Ricin had been administered. As we couldn’t be entirely sure we would need to decontaminate Adam with a sodium hypochlorite solution and he would need whole bowel irrigation. To make sure any poison that the activated Charcoal didn’t reach was dispelled from his body This wasn’t going to be pretty so I got Thomas to get Adam into the bath and I sent everyone out of the room even Elliott – Adam wouldn’t want to be seen in this way by his men and Dr Pellegrini and I could cope. I removed all of Adams clothing and bagged it up while Dr Pellegrini made up a solution of one part bleach to 9 parts water. Once he was washed – even his eyes Dr Pellegrini inserted nasogastric tube down into Adams stomach I hadn’t had much experience with what was going to happen but Dr Pellegrini explained each step and I switched into student mode distancing myself from the fact that the patient was Adam. The process involved administering large volumes of an osmotically balanced macrogol solution over a period of 4-6 hours.

Dr Pellergrini worked determined she had saved him once she’d save him again.

Chapter 20 Legs Crossed, Arms Crossed and Bitch Face On

Adam

My eyes were heavy, my stomach was killing me and my skin felt raw. I opened my eyes to see Belle sitting on my chest, at my side snuggled against me was Jennifer fast asleep. I didn’t want to move, I’d missed waking up next to her. It’s been to long since she’s been home, there’s no place like Main House.

“Down kitty, we don’t need your flees, “Gamila said coming in to view shooing Belle away.

“Don’t let Michael or Jennifer hear you say that, I don’t think even I could stop that murder,” I tried to sit up but everything below my shoulders hurt. I settled back down and Belle moved to the other side of the bed and made herself comfortable.

“Please, you think I’m afraid of Michael or your little wifey!”

“Leave Jennifer alone; both of you just need to stay away from each other,” I said not wanting to deal with Gamila’s attitude.

“Why? We’re fine, we’re even going to do brunch,” Gamila said running her hands through her hair.

“What?” I looked down at Jennifer, “With her?” I said pointing down to Jennifer dumbfounded by what I just learned, how long had I been out?

“Yeah, a near death experience really brings two people together,” Gamila sat in the side chair by the bed. In her typical fashion, legs crossed, arms crossed and bitch face on.

“Who nearly died?” She looked at me like I asked the stupidest question,” Well it wasn’t just you. I got hit by the Ricin too. Except no one was coming to help me the cleanup crew thought I was part of the cleanup! I was extremely fortunately, someone checked on me. So, here I am,” she said dramatically. “We were both extremely lucky the dose couldn’t have been that strong I assume it was put in our drinks at the bar but with all the talking I didn’t really drink I just had a sip.” Thinking about it I hadn’t had much of my drink I was too distracted by Jennifer.

I wrapped my arm around Jennifer.

Thank you, love. For trying Gamila is not an easy person to get on with.

“Anyway on to bigger more important things, what’s the plan? I still want Deacon and you still need me,” Gamila said with determination.

Knock knock

I turned to see Dr.Pellegrini and Elliott enter the room.

“Just a ballpark number?” Elliott asked Pellegrini.

“I don’t know? I try to make myself available, to this house,” doc said.

“Can I read your charts?” Elliott said. He was clearly getting on Pellegrini’s nerves.

“No, but you can read this,” she said handing him a chart. Elliott looked like he was just giving a golden ticket, although he continued to follow behind her.

Directing her attention on me Pellegrini asked, “How are you feeling?”

“Sore in my stomach area but, I’m guessing that’s normal after being poisoned?” I said.

Elliott tried to explain… “Don’t worry it’s not the poison that’s eating away your stomach it’s the fact that we had to pump your stomach and irrigate your bowels. You could also have scar tissue, build up fluid or—“

“Eww,”Gamila said.

“OK Elliott,” Pellegrini said, “You really need to work on your bedside manner. It’s best not to scare the patient when they first wake up!”Turning her attention back to me she said, “Yes those are some possible reasons but let me check your stomach lie back”.

I did, trying not to move Jennifer but Elliott took it upon himself to wake her up by yelling,” GET UP! ” Right in Jennifer’s ear.

She jumped awake.

“I’m going to hurt you,” Jennifer said cranky.

“Do that later, move so Dr. Pellegrini can do her job,” Elliott said.

“Kiss ass,” Jennifer said stretching. Realizing I was awake she kissed my check and said “Don’t scare me like that again”! She moved off the bed to go sit with Gamila. It’s weird seeing them together. They started talking like long lost friends.

Pellegrini and Elliot both examined me. After a hundred more questions from Elliott, Jennifer came and stood on the opposite side of the bed.

“How are you feeling?” She said smiling warmly at me. She ran her fingers through my hair and cupped my cheek.

“That’s a dumb question he was poisoned, how do you think he feels?” I can see why Jennifer gets so annoyed by Elliott.

“Elliott, shut the fuck up I’m talking to Adam. I know he feels bad but I’m going to ask”, shutting him up.

Pellegrini cut in and said, “You are healing well, give it a few days before you start doing any strenuous activities. I have prescribed some Cefazolin and a nutrient drink of sodium and potassium to be drunk once a day for the next week. Keep your fluid intake up and have a plain diet until your stomach settles. If the pain worsens you know my number. You don’t really need me here you just need supportive medical care and Jennifer and Elliott have the situation covered.”

“Thank you,” Jennifer said. Dr. Pellegrini said her goodbyes and walked out the door.

I sat back up, “How long was I out? Where is everyone?”

“It’s been three days… Celine and Rodger are in Italy with Kairi, Michael’s in Saudi Arabia and Brandon is at 404 House working on finding the voice.”

“Good, this is what needs to happen. …Gamila, track down those other leads and call if you need something and take Elliott with you.”

“Why would I go with her? Just because I know about your secret society doesn’t mean I have to be complicit and commit crimes,” Elliot said matter of factly.

“You want to go back to school in the fall right? If we don’t find this guy neither one of you goes back to New York. Understood?”

“You don’t get to decide what I do, everyone else in this room may listen to you like your word like its law and cave in to your demands but I don’t have to. I came here in good faith and to make sure that my first real patient didn’t die. You’re still alive, so I’m leaving,” Elliot turned to walk out the door.

“Wait!” Jennifer said stopping him,” Adam is trying to protect you in his own special way. I poured a lot on you and you’re in shock. We can’t guarantee your safety if you go back to New York right now.”

“I know, but I’m not leaving my mom. I can’t just up and disappear for an unknown amount of time. I don’t know how much time she even has left; I’m not going to leave her”.

Jennifer looked down to me with big eyes, she felt sorry for him and I couldn’t say no to those eyes.

“Fine, take Thomas with you… I’m sure his wife and kid would appreciate having him back, but his word is law. Gamila, you take someone too you must feel pretty fragile to so don’t go anywhere alone.” When did I start being so accommodating? Jennifer sat on the edge of our bed smiling with pride at me.

Oh, since Jennifer.

“Listen, if we play this smart in time this mystery person is going to make mistakes and we’ll be there to exploit it”, I said.

“Time? The time is now! Why would we wait? We need to be aggressive to set the standard,” Jennifer said surprising me. I knew she was angry about what happened to her and I was pissed just hearing about what she had been through. But we needed to regroup and in time, they will pay.

I swear.

“Patience,” I said taking her hand, she didn’t like that but she didn’t press it any further.

Gamila didn’t need to be told twice she was off on a mission. Jennifer turned to Elliott and with one glance at each other it felt like they told a whole story to each other with only their eyes; it felt intimate, like they had a deep understanding with one another.

“I’ll see you at Flores’s party?” Elliott said.

“Umm I —” she was going to say no. I’ll admit I didn’t know anything about Alzheimer’s except its bad. She was a part of the team that found a cure, she couldn’t miss that, she wouldn’t miss that.

“She’ll be there,” I spoke up for her.

“Great,” Elliott said smiling, “because I would hate to find somebody else I would have to network with”. He turned and walked out of the room leaving Jennifer and I alone.

“We don’t have to go,” Jennifer said,” I understand the risks. Elliott mom, Elena, has Cancer. Its stage four so …” She whipped away the beginning of a tear… I loved that Jennifer was genuine, she cares about everyone she’s in contact with. I never truly met someone who would truly give their shirt off their back to you if you needed it until I met Jennifer. So when she was powerless to help someone it hurt her. That level of empathy made me worried about her. She was going to be a doctor, but sometimes people just died and there’s nothing you can do to save them sometimes, she would carry that failure with her.

“Hey,” I tilted her head so she look me in the eyes, I wiped away her remaining tears,” There’s nothing you can do about that. Elliott will see her in less than seven hours, and you are going to that party.”

“Only if your my plus one,” she laid back propping herself up on a pillow. Were her shorts always this short?

“Of course, love.” I scooped her up and placed her on my lap.

Laughing she said,” You’re going to hurt yourself. You need rest and the doctor just said ‘no strenuous activities’.

“For me, she said nothing about you, love”. I slowly reached down her shorts, I didn’t get far before she moved my hand away. “You’re still healing, get better first,” she leaned down moving my hands to her full breasts, with desire and need in her voice she said.” Then you can have me anyway you want”. She gave me a quick kiss before rolling off of my lap.

I was harder than steel. Anyway I want? Until she’s begging me to stop… Grinning to myself I thought about everything I was going to do to her. It’s been far too long since, Jennifer and I have been together and I plan to make up for time.