Beautiful Music

by Lisa DeVore

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Andrea was bouncing up and down and Mrs. R. was dancing with her arms waving in the air. Jena laughed at the sight despite the nervous jitters. The song ended and whistles, cheers, and applause surrounded them. She focused on him. He bent down for a towel and wiped the perspiration from his face and then locked his eyes on hers. She smiled shyly. He winked and returned the smile.

  In that moment, she made her decision. She wasn’t going back to Ohio with Todd. She was accepting nothing less than happiness. She would tell Chase tonight, privately, what had happened. Yes, he would be furious with her for putting herself at risk, but she wasn’t going to lie. They had wasted ten years because there were secrets between them…not again.

  “Hey, do you know this guy on guitar?” Chase laughed at the affirmation from the crowd. “Braden, start us out.”

  The man Chase called Braden strummed his guitar. He was good. Jena was entranced by the somber tone of the music. The bass player joined followed shortly by the soft rhythm of the drums. Finally, Chase’s voice joined the other instruments. This time, Jena did listen to the words and she knew they were about her…about them. The tears fell uncontrollably down her face as the words he sang told the story of love lost, hearts broken, and hope gone. She was stunned. Had he written this?

  Jena quickly wiped her face hoping no one, Chase included, saw the tears. That love lost was in the past. This love was stronger and she would fight for this one.

  A sudden chill passed over her and she shivered.

  “What’s wrong, dear?” Mrs. R. asked her in a whisper.

  “Do you ever get the feeling someone’s watching you?” Jena’s eyes searched the crowd around her.

  Mrs. R. quickly did the same. “Do you think he’s here?”

  “I wouldn’t put it past him.” Jena glanced to her right and saw a big, burly man staring in her direction. She quickly looked away, whispering to Mrs. R. “That guy over there,” leaning her head to the right, “is watching us.”

  Mrs. R. honed in on the man in question, smiled and waved.

  “Smooth. I can always count on you to be tactful.”

  “Calm down. That’s Sam.”

  Jena’s eyes narrowed. “Sam?”

  “Chase’s bodyguard.”

  “He has a bodyguard?” Chase’s voice drew Jena’s attention back to the stage as she continued to mull over the thought of a bodyguard. She stole one more glance at the large man.

  “Tonight a very special lady is here. She’s the woman I have loved for the past decade. I’m happy to say she’s back in my life. I’d like to introduce you to her.”

  The crowd was deafening and Jena’s stomach made a sudden pitch. Mrs. R. was smiling and Andrea was jumping up and down.

  Was he really doing this to her? When she told him she didn’t like the spotlight? Her heart pounded with fury and her ears were ringing as her blood pressure rose. She was going to be sick.

  “Jena, come up here.”

  She slowly raised her eyes from the ground, looking cautiously in his direction. Did she hear him say her name?

  His eyes were on her as he said, “Please…for me?”

  The cheers of encouragement rang in her ears, but her feet remained firmly planted. No way was she going up there.

  “Hey, Sam! Help her up here will ya?”

  Suddenly the big, burly guy was standing beside her with a lopsided grin. “The boss would like you to join him.”

  Boss? She bit down on her lip. How was she going to get out of this one?

  “Go, Aunt Jen,” Andrea urged.

  Mrs. R. looked momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered. “Don’t disappoint him, Jena. I’ll stay here with Andrea.”

  Jena took a deep breath. If she didn’t collapse it would be a miracle. Sam guided her toward the stage and helped her up the steps. Chase met her halfway and embraced her. The cheering intensified.

  “I’m right here, always. Relax.”

  She nodded and said in his ear, “I’m going to kill you.”

  He turned to the crowd, laughing, not letting go of her hand. “This is Jena Shea.”

  Was there a trap door in this stage? She was sure everyone could see her shaking, but she didn’t have time to focus on the crowd. Chase turned her toward him. His thumb caressed the top of her hand, his eyes willing her to concentrate on only him. “Jen, I wrote so many songs about you over the years, always dreaming of the day I could sing one to you. I wrote this song when you came back to town. I love you, Beautiful.”

  The lights on the stage dimmed. He laughed at the warning glance she gave him. Sam brought two wooden stools to the stage as the guitar players hooked acoustic guitars to their amps. All this was done in a matter of seconds. Her eyes widened as the soft strums of the guitars played behind her. She was awestruck as she watched them, each with their own part to this song. She smiled shyly in their direction and was met with friendly faces. Her attention quickly returned to Chase. The melody of the song immediately captured her feelings of nostalgia, not sad but pensive. They had come a long way. Her eyes stung as she desperately tried to hold back the tears. Ten years of emotions were boiling at the surface and she was in front of a crowd of people. She took in a ragged breath and he squeezed her hand and winked in the way she loved so much.

  His voice joined the music and Jena could no longer hold back the tears. He sang for her, no one else. His eyes touched her soul and the words, her heart. The crowd disappeared.

  The first line was of how he had hurt her, her tears, his regret… his need for her to believe in him again. The music intensified as he pleaded for her forgiveness. She couldn’t catch her breath as she relived those moments in her mind as he sang with such power and strength. The melody went back to the acoustic guitars as the pace slowed once again. Chase wiped a tear away with his thumb as they both listened to guitars strumming behind them. He never took his eyes from hers. They were locked into the moment—a moment she would never forget.

  The song ended and the applause was deafening. Chase pushed a lock of hair behind her ear and leaned in. “Always believe in us, Beautiful. You’re my life, not all of this.”

  She could only nod as he took her in his arms and held her close. Sam helped her shaky legs down the steps. Mrs. R. and Andrea were right there. The bodyguard was keeping them close now Chase’s fans knew who she was.

  Mrs. R. grabbed her arm and pulled her near. “You didn’t look like a woman in love with another man. You need to come clean, girly. Trust him. Tell him what’s going on. We will handle this as a family.” The housekeeper gave her an affirming nod before turning her attention back to the stage.

  Jena’s mind was paralyzed. She couldn’t think…not now.

  “This is our last song tonight. You’ve been a great crowd. Thanks for joining the cause, and have a safe ride home. Goodnight everyone.” And with that, they did their last number.

  A crowd formed directly behind the stage. Jena supposed they were waiting for autographs. Chase would be awhile, because she knew he wouldn’t leave until they were all happy.

  “Let’s get out of here,” Jena sighed thinking of the traffic. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t only the traffic that made her edgy. She wasn’t ready to meet all those people.

  “Aren’t we going to see Uncle Chase?” Andrea’s lip went into pout mode.

  “We’ll see him later,” Jena promised.

  “Are you okay, Jena?” Mrs. R.’s eyes narrowed.

  Jena stared into them. “I’m fine. I know what I have to do.”

  “I wish that made me feel better,” the housekeeper muttered.

  As they were leaving the crowd behind Jena’s cell phone rang. “Wasn’t that a romantic little song he sang to you?” Todd sneered into the phone.

  “This isn’t a good time,” she said quietly looking in Andrea’s direction. She knew Mrs. R. was listening. That woman didn’t miss anything.

  “I’ll tell you when the timing is right. All you have to d
o is listen,” he hissed.

  They reached the car and Jena directed Andrea inside. Her niece peered out the window with questioning eyes and Jena forced a smile. How dare he call her now! He would not put fear in her niece’s eyes. He would not take away her independence. He would not dictate her life. She would play along until she was with Chase and could explain. “No, you listen,” she said with confidence, “you gave me a week to handle this. I’ll handle it. I know what I have to do. Stay out of it until then.”

  There was a stunned silence on the other end of the phone that gave Jena instant gratification. “Fine,” he said stiffly, “but not one day longer.”

  “I’ve got everything under control,” she replied steadily.

  “I’m anxious to get back to our lives, Jena.”

  “I know. Goodnight, Todd.” She attempted to soften her tone. She didn’t want him doubting her and confronting Chase.

  Jena opened her car door and slid in. “Who was that, Aunt Jen?”

  “Just a friend,” Jena said as her eyes willed Mrs. R. to keep silent.

  The ride home was a quiet one. She could only imagine what was going through Mrs. R.’s mind. Jena pulled down their street and immediately noticed a car similar to Todd’s rental on the other end of the road. She couldn’t tell from this distance if it was him. Her heart pounded as she took in a quick breath. Mrs. R.’s eyes shot in her direction and Jena shook her head in warning. She opened the garage door and parked to one side and remained in the car with the doors locked until the door was firmly shut.

  Mrs. R. shooed Andrea to her room to get ready for bed and confronted Jena with an accusing look. “Remember the wind chimes? The wind’s about to pick up if you don’t start talking.”

  “I think Todd’s sitting out there.” Doubt filled Jena’s mind. Maybe she shouldn’t tell Chase.

  “We could call the police,” Mrs. R. offered.

  “Todd’s a very powerful attorney.”

  “Three cheers for him. So what? Stalking is illegal in the state of Florida.”

  “He’s delusional, crazy. I was going to tell Chase, but I’m afraid something will happen to him because of me.”

  “I’ll tell you what to do. You’re going to tell Chase and then you’ll call the police…together.”

  “It’s not that simple. He’s watching my every move. I think he might have been the one to set off the alarm that night.”

  “What a shame he didn’t get to meet Winchester,” Mrs. R. said snidely.

  “How can you be so calm? He could snap at any moment.”

  “He’s a coward. One confrontation with Chase and he would pee down his leg.”

  Headlights flashed on the living room wall, slowly slipping out of sight. Todd was in the driveway. He didn’t like to lose. No one understood this like she did. Jena watched with fear as Mrs. R. walked over to the window, sliding her fingers between the slats of the blind.

  She turned to Jena, her eyes stern with warning. “It’s crunch time. Chase just pulled in the driveway.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  The sudden jolt of the garage door lifting startled Jena. Her pulse quickened with anticipation as it came to a screeching halt on the way back down. This was the moment of truth. What should she tell him? Visions of Chase being beaten in a back alley by some thug loomed in her mind.

  Mrs. R. pushed through the kitchen door, but Jena’s feet remained firmly planted on the plush carpeting. She waited as Chase greeted the housekeeper and asked where she was. She had moments to decide.

  The door swung open and he stood only a few feet away. She breathed in slowly, trying to calm her nerves.

  The eyes that met hers were full of worry. He gave her a quick hug, stepped back with a soft grip on her arm and with a tilt of his head asked, “Are you okay? Why did you leave? I wanted to introduce you to everyone.”

  Her emotions betrayed her as she unsuccessfully fought them. She sniffed. “You were busy. I figured you’d come here.”

  “Jena? What’s wrong?” When she didn’t answer, he looked to Mrs. R.

  Jena glared at her through her tears. Don’t say a word.

  “She has something to tell you.”

  The moment the words were out of the housekeeper’s mouth, Jena broke down. Chase’s arms were wrapped around her, whispering words she couldn’t understand through her tears. She pulled herself together and moved away from him. She needed distance.

  “Mrs. R? Would you give us a few minutes?”

  “No-can-do, Chase, I’m staying for this one. Someone has to keep her honest,” she said while crossing her arms in front of her.

  “Someone better start talking,” Chase warned.

  Jena sighed. There was no use arguing with her. She needed to sit before her legs gave out.

  He sat next to her on the couch, waiting for her to begin. Where did she begin?

  “What the hell is going on?” His voice, louder than normal, indicated his patience was waning.

  “You told me on the stage to believe in us.” She didn’t give him time to respond. “I need you to believe in me. Trust me. Can you do that?”

  “What’s wrong, Jen? Out with it.”

  “We have to break up.”

  Jena heard Mrs. R. groan.

  “What are you talking about?” He stared at her in disbelief, his mouth pulled down at the corners. “This is a joke, right?”

  “Not a joke.” She choked back a sob.

  “Jena, you need to give a wee bit more detail,” Mrs. R. broke in.

  “You know about this?” He turned angrily to the housekeeper.

  She nodded. “I haven’t known long. Give her a second to collect her thoughts, boy. She’ll explain.”

  Jena rubbed her neck and closed her eyes before speaking. “I can’t explain here. He’s out there.”

  A brief moment of shock crossed his face. “Who’s out there?”

  “We need to get out of here, but he can’t know we’re with you. How am I going to do that?” She paced at break neck speed. “How am I going to get all of us out of here without him knowing?”

  “Here’s what you’re going to do,” Mrs. R. replied taking over the logistics. “First, you’ll stop wearing a path in the carpet. I’ll stay here with Andrea. You’ll climb in the back of Chase’s truck and hide. You can talk this through at his house. But, I swear, if you don’t tell him everything I will.”

  “He might go there,” Jena reasoned.

  “Who?” Chase interrupted.

  “Chase, trust, please…” Her plead was met with an angry exhale.

  Jena’s phone chimed in her purse and her body went cold. He was calling. He was outside, she was sure of it. A knowing look passed between her and the housekeeper.

  “Chase Reiss, you are going to do what I tell you. Jena is going to answer that phone and pick a fight with you. It’s imperative for the safety of this family you go along with what she says and wait for her to explain. Do you understand?” The authority in Mrs. R.’s voice amazed Jena and she gaped openly.

  He nodded abruptly and exchanged a look with Jena. “Let’s do this,” he replied.

  Jena glanced from Chase to Mrs. R. who nodded in encouragement. Her hands shook as she answered the phone. The enormity of the moment struck her soul. Mistakes were not an option. “What?” she snapped, squeezing her eyes shut.

  “Are you breaking up with him?”

  “Leave, Chase,” she said through gritted teeth.

  “Do you need me to come in there, Jena?”

  “No, I’m fine.” She raised her voice an octave. “Leave.”

  “I’m not leaving here without you,” Chase said calmly.

  “It’s over, Chase. Finished. I can’t deal with your lifestyle.” Chase flinched at the statement, and she fought back the tears, knowing she was a little too close to the truth. “Leave.”

  “Fine. I don’t beg any woman…including you.”

  Jena spoke calmly in the phone, definitely a calm she wasn’t
feeling. “I’ve got to go. I’ll call you later. I have to escort someone to the door.”

  “Who was on the other end of that phone?” Chase demanded as Jena ended the call. “You’d better have a good explanation for this, Jena.”

  “Go!” Mrs. R. pointed to the back door. “Don’t worry about Andrea. I’ve got this here. Tell him everything, Jena. Don’t let anything out. He won’t be able to get through Chase’s gates. Call Detective Burrows. Do you have his card?”

  Jena nodded.

  “Tell him to come in his personal vehicle. Do you understand?”

  “You should be in the military,” Jena muttered as she reached for her purse.

  “I’ve run a lot of households in my day. No different. Now, go!”

  Chase was waiting at the kitchen door and Jena followed him to the garage. He opened the driver’s side door and she climbed in the back, hunching down. He shook his head at her in disbelief.

  “Maybe you should slam the door like you’re angry,” Jena suggested.

  “Like I’m angry?” he questioned sarcastically.

  “And don’t talk,” she warned.

  He opened the garage door, slammed the door shut, and pulled hastily out of the driveway, tearing up the street.

  She remained quiet for a few moments. “Did you see anyone?”

  “I was busy keeping my truck on the road,” he grumbled.

  “Make sure no one is following us.”

  “I take it someone is threatening you?”

  “I promise I’ll explain everything when we get to your house. Please don’t talk to me, Chase. This is important.”

  “You’re going to tell me what the hell is going on?”

  “I promise.”

  How had it come to this? She was hunched up in the back of his truck for God’s sakes. She was second-guessing. No, she wouldn’t do that. She focused on the love in his eyes when he sang to her tonight. They could do this. She wasn’t going to back down in fear. The truck stopped. They couldn’t be there already.

  “What are you doing? Why did we stop?”

  “I’m waiting to see if we’re being followed. Is there a particular car I’m looking for?”

  “A white SUV,” she answered tensely.