I looked from her down to Braddox’s finally peaceful expression. With careful consideration, I set his hand on his chest and then stood, moving around his body to stand beside Olivia.
Kneeling down again, I pulled Braddox from her lap. We both ignored the blood left on her jeans and the way he didn’t fight to stay on her.
He wouldn’t be fighting anyone anymore.
I pulled her to stand in front of me, her sobs pulling at my conscience. “Olivia, sh.” I pulled her into my arms, closing my eyes as she fit just the way I needed her to in my embrace. I swayed to the side with her, pulling her away from the sight of Braddox’s dead body. I didn’t need to feel his pulse to know he was gone. I could feel the void in my heart.
He was gone. I pulled back enough to tilt her chin up as I studied her face. “You’re not responsible for any of it. The only real hope I’ve felt since moving to the east side of Shores is what I’ve found in you. Even when you fought with me, Olivia, you were still my bright point. There is nothing else for me here… or anywhere.” I rubbed my thumb over her lower lip and over to her smooth cheek. “You said you love me. Was that me or was that Braddox? Or maybe… it was only because you thought I was dying?”
A myriad of emotions played across her face and she gripped my wrists as I held her face in mine. “Why would you think I could feel that way for Braddox after everything he did to me?” She leaned up, brushing her lips softly against mine. She leaned her forehead against mine and closed her eyes. “You. I love you. It’s always been you.” She tilted her chin up again and angled her head to the side.
Our mouths melded together with a promise of hope and tenderness. Our loss and worry and all the pain over the last few months seemed to mingle together as we kissed continuously. Our tongues moved; our breathing became one. I suddenly couldn’t feel the chill of the rain anymore as everything inside me focused on the promise of her lips and the future we might have together.
If she chose me. She already said she loved me. What more did I need?
Nothing. There was nothing more. I could deal with the loss of my brother. I could deal with my mother’s death. But Olivia… I needed her and thankfully, I think she needed me.
That would be enough. It was more than I could have hoped for.
Chapter 25
Staci
Everything hurt – my hair, my eyelids, my face, my neck, down my back to my hips, and down my legs. I couldn’t breathe without an oxygen mask pulled over my face and I couldn’t see out of one eye.
The hospital staff was fine, but they couldn’t look directly at me. When I tried asking the nurse what had happened through very parched and cracked lips, she’d avoided my good eye and told me the doctor would be in soon to talk with me.
Soon had come and gone. They obviously didn’t know who I was or what kind of money I had or even who I knew. If I could reach my phone, I’d call someone to come take care of them all. They needed a little more respect. Nothing cured that problem faster than someone with a gun demanding respect.
An older gentleman walked into the room, a white coat over a button-down shirt and a maroon tie. He adjusted the glasses on his face as he studied a clipboard and moved into the room. “Anastacia Stabler?” He stepped to the side of the hospital bed.
I blinked at him. He was one of the men I’d entertained a few weeks ago as we’d discussed some business ventures with my mother.
He didn’t seem to recognize me as he looked down on me. “Young lady, I have some things we need to discuss.” He studied me as if he hadn’t had me bent over a damn spanking stool with his pants around his ankles and lube between his own crack that he’d made me put there. His expression was stern but professional. “I’m sorry to say this, but your mother didn’t make it. She didn’t survive the explosion.” He reached out and gently patted my hand.
I tried to swallow, but something in my mouth stopped me. I worked my tongue and realized I had bandages around my chin and around my neck. That’s why the nurse hadn’t answered me. She couldn’t understand me.
I moved my fingers and the doctor moved his hand from mine and flipped the paper on the clipboard. “Well, it looks like you’ll make it, but you should know that more than seventy-five percent of your body was badly burned. We did have to amputate your lower left leg because your flesh was mangled and the bones so fractured, it was just easier for your eventual recovery.” He motioned toward my head and then down my face. “All the hair on your body has been singed off, but that will make it easier for your flesh to heal.” He cleared his throat and smiled tightly at me. “You’re a very lucky young woman.”
Lucky? Had he really just told me I was lucky?
He glanced at his chart again and then back at me before checking his wristwatch. “We won’t know the status of your eye until the swelling has gone down, but I don’t see anything hindering the healing there. If you have any questions, you’re welcome to buzz for a nurse, but I recommend just relaxing and letting your body heal. Any pain, you’ll press this button and it will flood you with some pain meds.” He nodded and then turned, not asking how I felt or doing an initial checkup. Nothing. He was essentially walking out on me and probably because I knew things about him his wife didn’t know.
I couldn’t stop him. I couldn’t call out. Nothing.
I stared after him, wincing as another nurse walked in and cooed over me again without looking directly at me. “I’m glad to see you’re awake. I took the liberty of charging your phone for you. Your right hand seems to be fine. Can you move the fingers?” She watched my only unbandaged limb and then nodded when I performed like she asked. “Oh, that’s good. Well, I thought you could reach out to any other family you might have or a friend or something. Your throat is burned internally from the smoke and hot air, so you won’t be able to talk, but you can definitely text. I don’t see anything wrong with that. I’ll be back in a little bit to check on you.” She reached into her front pocket and pulled out a pair of scissors and trimmed a bandage hanging from my cheek. “First, let’s just clean that up. It would be irritating me, if it was mine.” She smiled gently, but didn’t elaborate.
“Mary Lou, can you help out here?” Another harried nurse called through the doorway to my room and my nurse looked over her shoulder, setting the scissors on the table beside me. “I’ll be right back, Ms. Stabler. Don’t go anywhere.”
I rolled my one eye I could see out of and gripped the phone she’d set in my hand. Tossing one last glance at the now-empty doorway, I lifted the phone and squinted at the over-bright screen.
Multiple texts from Donnie. I hated that guy.
D: They’re onto us. Heads up, I turned you in. The cops are coming your way.
D: You’re a stupid bitch, sending your assholes on me. If I die, all of the evidence on you and your family will be sent in. Everything.
D: The O’Donnell brother is dead.
D: I’m taking the deal. Wherever you are, you better run. They’re coming.
I was stuck. I couldn’t run. Running wasn’t an option. I was stuck in that damn bed with my body limiting me. My breathing came in short pants and I lowered the phone to my lap. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t breathe. I scrabbled at the side of my bed for the nurse’s station remote. Then my gaze landed on the scissors.
My nurse had left. If what Donnie texted me was true, I would be in jail sooner rather than later. I was going to be incarcerated after everything else that had happened.
I would be in jail without a lower leg. With burns over most of my body. I wouldn’t have the charms I’d been born with and my skills would be laughable since my looks would make them worthless. I was stuck. I couldn’t run. There was nothing I could do. Damn that Donnie.
And it wasn’t my fault his best-friend had ordered the hit. The money had been exactly what we needed for the last coup on the Ramirez women – even though it failed – and I wasn’t going to turn down the opportunity to screw Braddox over one last time.
W
hat was there left to do?
I stared at the scissors, refusing to let the horror of what I’d become take hold in my emotions. With the drugs running through my body, I would be a rollercoaster of insanity if I let the emotions take root. I couldn’t allow that.
If I was put in jail, I’d be used by the guards and the rough women in jail. They wouldn’t care how mangled I was. In prison my skills would be worth more than a package of cigarettes. But not enough to get me out.
And what if I was out? I had nothing of value with my looks melted off my flesh. Nothing. I was worthless without my good looks.
No, I had to get ahead of whatever Donnie was claiming. I reached up and gripped the abandoned scissors from the table with my one good hand. The only part of me that wasn’t affected somehow by the flames.
I’d have to get myself in the neck. That was the only part of me that was accessible and easy to stab through. I was still weak so my arm wouldn’t hold up trying to hack through my chest.
If they thought I was going the way they wanted, they were sorely mistaken.
I could do what was needed.
One thing my father had taught me – I didn’t back away from a challenge. In fact, my favorite saying was - Challenge accepted.
Donnie
I scrabbled around my house, grabbing things I could take with me and breaking things I couldn’t. I’d lied to Staci. That bitch didn’t need to know I was on the run. I’d never talk to cops. I just wanted throw her off, maybe give her a sense of panic. There was something scary about her. I didn’t mind giving her a scare for once.
The guys she ran with had texted me to let me know she’d accepted a job for Braddox. I still hadn’t gotten ahold of him. The dick had ordered a job on me after he’d confirmed a job for his brother.
At least I’d killed Jaxon. That was something I would have done for free.
The doorbell rang. I sighed in relief and grabbed my bag. I’d called for a pickup thirty minutes ago. The guys I rode with were supposed to pick me up after splitting payment. I didn’t need to stay around Shores to thrive. I could do that anywhere.
I glanced once more at the party pad I’d called home. My parents didn’t even care if I was there or not. No point in leaving a note. I moved to the door, excited for a future with Daniel, another guy who worked the circuit with me.
As I opened the door, I grinned at seeing him standing on the front step. “Hey, I was just thinking about you.” We could run away together. Find happiness anywhere but at Shores.
His heart-stopping smile sent butterflies through me and then he stepped forward as if to hug me. I leaned in willingly.
And took a knife to the stomach. The sharp burst of pain took my breath away. I pulled back to clutch at the sting in my stomach.
Daniel looked at me as he pulled the knife out and then stabbed me again. He shrugged as I fell to my knees, holding my hands over my stomach. “Don’t take it personally, Donnie. You’re a good lay, I’ll give you that, but this was a high ticket and I can always buy dick.” He reached out with the knife and wiped it on the shoulder of my shirt. He didn’t even bother looking back as he sauntered back to the black SUV I’d ridden in with him all day.
What the hell was going on? That’s what it felt like to be betrayed. I blinked rapidly, trying to keep my wits about me. I couldn’t even yell at him. All of my being centered on the pain in my abdomen. The SUV drove off, leaving me like a pile of trash in its wake.
Hot warm blood seeped through my fingers and I sank forward. I think I hit the concrete, but I’m not sure. I couldn’t speak. That’s when I realized I was moaning as I rocked back and forth on my side.
My movement slowed and I stared unseeingly at the decorative landscape my dad had spent a fortune on. Nothing else penetrated the fast approaching fog.
Nothing.
Epilogue
Olivia
A week. It had been a week since holding Braddox on my lap. Since telling Jaxon I loved him. Since… I wasn’t even sure how a week could make such a difference, but it had.
Jaxon’s fingers found mine as we stood in the afternoon sunlight. All week we’d dealt with rainy weather as Trenton had faced the death of his son so soon after the death of his ex-wife. Repeatedly, Trenton had found himself seeking Jaxon out as if reassuring himself that at least one of his boys was still alive. He’d walked in on us holding each other and hadn’t said anything.
The week was full of reassuring moves and attempts to get our emotional sides in check.
As I stood beside Jaxon at the grave site, I had to remember to be somber and sad. The sun made it hard to hold back the smile on my lips as I soaked in the rare warmth. Jaxon tugged me closer to his side and wrapped an arm around me.
He seemed more peaceful since Braddox had been gunned down. Less like he warred within himself.
“Braddox’s brother would like to say a few words.” The pastor moved to the side of the head of the group who had arrived to say goodbye to Braddox. Trenton had opted out of a funeral or a memorial, suggesting instead that a simple graveside gathering would be more than Braddox would want. He had no idea. More likely Braddox would have liked idols created in his image as well as naked women dancing around his grave. Everything with Braddox had to center around him.
Except at the end.
Jaxon gave my fingers a quick squeeze and then he walked in front of the group that wasn’t more than twenty or so people. Most I didn’t recognize.
His jawline was accentuated by the dark charcoal of his trench coat style jacket. His dark hair was tousled and his dark eyes searched the crowd until his gaze landed on me. A soft smile touched the lines of his eyes. “I wasn’t sure what to say today, but I knew I needed to say something.”
He fell quiet and Trenton glanced at my mom, worry in his eyes.
Then Jaxon continued. My throat constricted as I tried to swallow with emotion at his words. “The thing is, Braddox was my twin. We were essentially the same person; except I didn’t know him at all. He didn’t know me. When it came down to the end, though, he was the Braddox I knew he could be when he sacrificed himself to save me. Say whatever you want about Braddox, but that proved to me he was capable of love, a giving love.” Jaxon turned and stared at the dark walnut casket with chrome trim. “Brax, I wish I could have been what you needed, when you needed it. I failed you. But I’ll keep good on my promise and I’ll do my best to live the best life I can. Maybe doing that will help me get to know you through my own actions. I miss you already. Say hi to Mom.” Jaxon shook his head and strode back to me, ignoring the people around him sniffing and wiping at their eyes.
I blinked back my own tears. Jaxon wouldn’t want to see me crying over Braddox. I knew I didn’t want to be. But maybe they weren’t tears for the brother I knew, maybe my tears were more for the brother I got to claim as my own. He didn’t get a chance at the relationship with his brother that he wanted or deserved.
No, Braddox had taken that from him. And still Jaxon had forgiven his brother for all that he’d done. He’d claimed peace of mind at the end as he’d let Braddox go. That’s all he could do. He pulled me into his arms and we hugged, as the pastor ended the service.
Trenton threw in a handful of dirt, his face pale and stark against the black of his suit jacket.
Jaxon went next and I realized just how much he looked like his dad.
Afterward, after all the mourners had come and expressed their sorrow to Jaxon and Trenton, Jaxon kissed my forehead and Mom and Trenton approached. Mom narrowed her eyes at Jaxon and me. “How long has this been going on?”
“We’re not going to worry about it, Maria.” Trenton reached out and shook Jaxon’s hand. He ignored Mom’s sharp look as he pulled me in for a hug and squeezed me tightly. “I’d rather not worry about the details so long as they’re safe and sound.”
“Have you heard anything about Donnie or the Vigils?” Jaxon’s somber tone didn’t fool me. He was digging for information. We both hadn’t
heard anything about the people who had carried out the plans set in motion by Braddox. Trenton wasn’t aware of the truth and we weren’t going to be the ones to tell him.
Setting me back beside Jaxon, Trenton moved to stand beside Mom. “Well, the odd thing is, both Staci and Donnie are dead. Donnie was knifed just outside the front door of his house and Staci killed herself with some scissors that were left unattended in her hospital room.”
“I didn’t realize she’d survived the fire.” I rubbed my lips together. It sounded like Jaxon and I had both lost family members over the last few months. His were spaced closer together, but that didn’t simplify his loss any.
“Yeah, her mother died in the explosion, but Staci was reportedly going to live with serious scarring. Over seventy-five percent of her body was burned and she’d lost her leg. It was pretty serious, to be honest. They’re ruling her death a suicide and Donnie’s a murder.” Trenton shook his head. “Everyone is so young to be losing their lives.”
It seemed only fitting that Donnie and Staci had died as well. If nothing else was going to be fair, at least that was.
“We’ll meet you guys at home. Maria has some papers to sign. She’s getting the company back and all of the money that was the Vigils from being a Stabler was easily tracked by deposits Jonathan made. Your mother is getting everything back she lost, except Jonathan.” Trenton pulled Mom against his side, his eyes bright with tears and comfort as he looked at his wife.
Forgiven: a bully romance (An Academy Twin Rivalry Series Book 3) Page 18