My hands were shaking as I crawled closer to her body, and then she opened her eyes and smiled at me. She was alive and smiling at me like she was looking at me for the very first time. I reached for and held her in my arms.
“Oh, thank God, baby, thank God. I thought you were dead. You were lying so still. Are you hurt?” I asked her as I scanned and touched every inch of her body. Her wrists were sliced open with abrasions, and bruises were beginning to line her skin. As I took in the marks, tears fell from my eyes. All horrid scenarios had been running through my mind. She was calm, too calm for an ordeal she just survived through.
The other woman was coming to. Jacob identified her as Cheryl. The EMT’s arrived and were treating Mr. Steele, while the other worked on Cheryl. She was bleeding from her head, but appeared to look like she would be fine. She was visibly shaken, but alive just like Tenley.
My hold on Tenley’s tiny frame tightened as my anxiety and fear took over. I could have lost her, and I wasn’t even here to protect her.
“Jagger, too tight. I can’t breathe,” she mumbled into my chest.
“What?” I questioned.
“You’re. Holding. Me. Too. Tight. I can’t breathe,” She almost laughed.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, baby. Are you okay?”
“I’m better now. I love you, Jagger. Thank you for finding me.”
“No need to thank me, baby. Looks like you did all the work. You must have been so brave.”
“I was only brave because I had my brother watching over me, and your love leading me back to you. I promised I would never leave you again. I couldn’t let Roberto win,” she said. Then she began to tremble and close her eyes.
“Tenley, baby? Open your eyes, open your eyes!” I screamed as one of the EMT’s rushed over to examine her.
“Sir, let us through. She seems to be in shock. We’re going to take her to the hospital to be looked at. Sir, she’s going to be okay, please move aside.”
I didn’t respond or let her go until Jacob put his hands on my shoulders.
“Jagger, let them take her to the hospital. You can ride with her,” he said.
I blinked, and I was back. To hear her talking to me one minute and then out cold the next made my heart stop. I let the paramedics take over, and they gently lifted her onto a stretcher. I needed a minute to catch my breath.
I watched Raymond get wheeled away as well. Cheryl was next. She reached out her hand to me and pulled her oxygen mask off to say something to me.
“She was so strong. I didn’t know if we would make it out alive, but she saved my life.”
I had no words. I remained still while they were all taken from the office. I stared at the blood soaking into the expensive carpet and covered my mouth. I felt sick. This could have been so much worse and that blood could have belonged to my girl. Jacob walked over to me and told me the ambulance just left and I could ride with him.
“It’s over, Parrish. He will never hurt her again. She’s safe now.”
“You don’t know that, Paulson. What if his father retaliates or any other member of their family?”
“I don’t think so, especially when it was all captured on voice recording.”
“What do you mean?”
“This office was wired for sound just like Tenley’s. Everything that happened here tonight has been recorded. We have Roberto Bornarelli on tape, admitting he murdered his brother Vincenzo in cold blood, and how he took out Thomas Daly, who was simply an innocent bystander. Daly lived in the same neighborhood as Cheryl, a friend only. I guess when she got pregnant, she named Daly as her daughter’s father to ultimately shield her from the crime family. If Anthony Bornarelli had known the child existed, he would have never shunned his grandchild, especially the child of his first born, who he worshipped. He was never the same after Vincenzo died, and now we know just how sick Roberto was.”
“What about the girl, Cheryl?”
“It appears that she was under Roberto’s control and pretty much did his bidding until her daughter’s safety was in question. She helped us through the entire operation, but she hasn’t been cleared yet.”
“I need to see my girl. I need to see my girl.” I just kept repeating that to Jacob.
He led me away from Mr. Steele’s office, as his team was already combing through the crime scene. I didn’t even know where Shane was. I had called him earlier while I was waiting for Tenley, and my call went straight to voicemail.
Minutes felt like hours as we made our way through the city traffic. We walked through the emergency room and were taken to a private triage room where Tenley was being examined. A doctor dressed in scrubs walked out from behind the curtain to speak with us.
“Hey, is she in there?” I asked him.
He looked at me with reassuring eyes. I was waiting to hear the worst, but he looked too calm to deliver bad news.
“Sir, I’m Dr. Cross. Ms. Fairchild is resting comfortably. She’s suffering from a mild case of shock. I administered a sedative to let her sleep. I’ve cleaned and bandaged her wrists, which should heal rather quickly. She’s going to be taken upstairs to a private room where you could join her soon.”
“Thank you, doc. Thanks a million.” I shook his hand, nearly breaking it, I was so nervous.
He nodded and gave Jacob an update on Raymond and Cheryl. Raymond was already in his room upstairs, resting soundly. His major injury was a concussion after Roberto attacked him. The doctor said he should be fine with rest. Cheryl was recovering from her head wound, but stayed under police guard until she could be cleared or charged.
I didn’t have any phone numbers, but I was told that Zoey, Raymond’s daughter and next of kin was notified and that she was on her way to the hospital. I could only assume Shane was with her.
I couldn’t stop shaking, and I didn’t want to fall apart in front of Tenley if she woke up and saw me like this. I had never wanted a drink so much than I did right now, but I didn’t want to fall into old patterns, so I shoved that thought out of my mind.
Jacob was in conference with a man I’d never seen before. When the doors burst open, I saw Shane with Zoey, and he was holding her hand. She was in tears. He didn’t even blink. He held her close to her side as if she belonged to him.
“Hey Jagger, we just heard. Where is Zoey’s father? Is Tenley okay?” he asked. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you both. I came here to help, but instead I take off to party.”
“It’s okay, Shane. No one could know this would happen. Raymond is fine and resting in a room upstairs. Tenley is going to be fine too, that’s all that matters.”
“Damn straight. Can we see her?” Shane asked.
“Not yet. She’s getting settled up in her room, and then I will join her.”
“She’s the strongest person I know,” Zoey told me as she left Shane’s side to give me a hug. “I’ll check in with her later after I visit with my father.”
I said my goodbyes to her, and then Shane took her hand and led her away down the hall to the bay of elevators. I didn’t have time to think about him right now, but I sure was curious about the two of them. He did have a fiancé waiting for him back at home, and Shane was acting like that wasn’t the case anymore.
After a few hours, it was way past midnight. I sat beside Tenley in a lumpy chair while holding her hand. I was thinking back to the moment when I was in the hospital and opened my eyes and looked into hers. Her stunning beauty captivated me, and all the love I ever felt for Tenley Faith Fairchild hit me straight through my heart. I was in a deep sleep for weeks, and then the beauty who was holding my hand wielded a powerful spell over me and I was awake. This was what I needed to do for her.
She needed to wake up and look at me. I needed to hear her voice and feel her heart connect with mine. I needed Tenley always. I got up and kissed her lips, hoping it, too, would magically wake her up. Please, baby, open your eyes. I’m going to stay awake next to you until you open your eyes.
“Hey, cowboy
! Time to wake-up,” I heard Tenley say, but I must have been dreaming because I knew she was still asleep. I heard her voice call out to me over and over again until I was jolted awake with something hitting my head. I sat up straight, and she was covering her mouth to keep down her laughter. She hit me with a tissue box to get my attention. I guess I was more tired than I realized and fell asleep.
“Oh my baby! You’re awake, thank God,” I screamed.
I kissed her all over until I rested my forehead against hers and breathed her in.
“I was so scared, Tenley. Please do not ever scare me like that again. You nearly aged me ten years, and that would have been years without you. I swore on the day you accepted my marriage proposal that I would not waste a minute with you. Any moment spent with you is a blessing I will never take for granted. You are my entire world.”
My hands touched her face, neck, arms, and every inch until I was reassured she was okay. I hated the fact that that bastard had his hands on her. She had a faint marking of bruises on one side of her cheek. The corner of her mouth was split open, but already healing with the ointment that was on it.
This could have been an entirely different outcome if it wasn’t for Cheryl helping Tenley. While she was asleep, I had spoken to Jacob in great detail about his findings.
Roberto had every intent to kill Tenley tonight. Jacob confirmed that Cheryl was truly under Roberto’s control, but she was just caught in an impossible situation. Jacob ultimately cleared her in the investigation, and Cheryl, her daughter and mother would be placed into witness protection to begin a new life far away from New York and the Bornarelli Crime Family.
The sun was beginning to rise on the outside of her hospital window. You couldn’t see the sky to greet the day. All you saw were buildings instead of mountains. I missed our home. All I wanted to do was to take Tenley back to Wyoming and forget the last years of our time apart. I never wish to live like that again. The days were long, and the nights were colder and lonely. Tenley lit up my world.
She looked beautiful having just experienced what she had gone through. A thought came to my mind, and I was hoping she would agree to my plan.
“Tenley, tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, and there’s something I want you to do for me.”
“Anything, just say the word.”
“I was hoping you would say that. I’ve always wanted to see the ball drop and feel what the other millions of people feel the moment it drops and a new year begins. A new year filled with so much promise and wishes to dream on.”
“Sounds perfect Jagger. Was there a question somewhere in there?”
She held my hand, and when Tenley looked at me with those sparkling eyes shining back at me, I just fell in love with her even more.
“I was getting to it, I swear.”
“It’s okay, take your time, I’m not going anywhere.”
“As I was saying, I would like to spend New Year’s Eve with you. Anytime I would watch that on television, you would always see lovers kissing passionately in the middle of Times Square. I want that baby, but when I kiss you, I want it to be after we say…I do.”
She tilted her head to one side. Did she not hear what I said? She was smiling and probably processing what she just heard.
“Jagger, are you saying to me that you want to get married tomorrow night? In Times Square? On New Year’s Eve?”
“Yes to all of it. Tenley Faith Fairchild, will you marry me tomorrow and make me the happiest cowboy alive?”
“Yes, Jagger Lucas Parrish! I can’t wait to be your wife, your world, and to be a Parrish.”
“You have made me so happy. Before my accident, I knew I was on my way to New York to fight and do anything necessary to show you that you belonged with me, and to give us another chance at the fairytale. In my wildest fantasies, I never knew how much fate would play a part in reconnecting my heart with yours. I promise you here today that I will never doubt the stars again, especially when we have Jamie looking over us.”
IT WAS NEW YEAR’S EVE, and later this evening I would be saying two words to the man I love: “I do.” I was about to become Mrs. Jagger Parrish. I’m still pinching myself at the fact that this was really happening.
After my release from the hospital, I visited with Raymond, who would be discharged later in the day. My heart nearly stopped when I saw him in the condition Roberto left him in after his attack. All I kept thinking of was Zoey, and how she loved her father so much. Her world would be shattered if she lost him now and in this way.
I was still giving thanks to God for sparing his life, and my own. Anthony was delivered the news about his son, and the truth behind Vincenzo’s brutal murder was also disclosed to him. Jacob kept the agreement I made with Anthony, and he was transferred to a facility that housed a more comfortable hospice wing for prison inmates. He would die alone knowing his two sons were gone. One son murdered by the other, and the other murdered by me.
I would never forget the moment the blade pierced his heart, and the look in his eyes when he saw death was coming for him. He deserved no less than what he got. I did what I had to do to save not only my life, but Cheryl’s life as well. She was caught up in a world that she never belonged in, but stayed in because of the man she chose to love. She bared his child and was held captive by his murderous brother, who nearly destroyed her. I’d never been so relieved to be able to walk away from this nightmare. My friends were safe, and their lives would resume again, as well as my own. My new life begins today…with Jagger.
I was nervous and feeling guilty for not including our families in this joyous event. Jagger assured me that once we returned to Wyoming, we would marry again and host the biggest celebration Wyoming had ever seen.
I called my parents to wish them a Happy New Year, but I could not reach them. I called the main house and was told by their housekeeper that they were traveling.
Traveling? Her answer was vague, but what did I expect? Their lives went on as much as mine did in New York. I still would have liked to talk to my mama especially on the day I was getting married, even Wendy was not around. My heart hurt, but this was for Jagger, and I wanted to make him happy.
The guys were out with Tommy, while Zoey and Roxy helped me get ready. Along with Raymond, I pulled some strings out of my “use when necessary” hat and fulfilled another wish for Jagger. The mayor of New York City, a good friend to Raymond, would be marrying Jagger and me, fifteen minutes before the gorgeous ball of thousands of Swarovski crystals dropped down and the New Year began.
I was lost in my thoughts as I stared at a framed picture of my parents with Jamie and me making silly faces behind them. I never wanted to disappoint my family for the choices I made for my life. I couldn’t be second guessing this choice with Jagger. After all, this was what they all dreamed for me. To be happy with the one person that made my life better, gave me a thousand reasons to smile each day, and to just share my life, and to grow old with. I had that with Jagger, and I couldn’t help but smile every time I thought about how we got here to this day.
“Hey, hooker! It’s almost time to leave,” Zoey called out to me.
“You know, Zoey, I do have a name other than ‘hooker,’ and I would so appreciate you not using that word on the day you eventually meet my parents.”
I hugged my friend.
“Okay, I’m sorry. I just can’t believe you are getting married, and to one hell of a hot fucking cowboy!”
“Zoey! Discretion. Language. In that order, please? And yes, I am marrying a very hot cowboy, he’s just as beautiful now as he was when I was seventeen years old.”
“Hallmark movie,” she laughed.
“Exactly, Zoe, but even better,” I responded. “Before we go, do you mind if I ask you a question?”
“Of course, I’m an open book,” she said as she retouched her lipstick. She looked beautiful with her long hair layered in curls. She added a few streaks of pink and purple. I laughed when she said she needed her sparkle. Roxy was no bet
ter, but she only went with purple.
“What’s going on with you and Shane? You seemed pretty cozy and then left together.”
“I only borrowed your cowboy for the night. You can have him back.”
“He’s not my cowboy. He’s my friend, and he’s also a taken one. I’m sorry Zoe, but he’s getting married next month. I love you, and I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“Freaking double d’s, Tenley! Did you think I met him, fucked him, and sent him back to his fiancé in a pretty package with a bow on top?”
“You didn’t sleep with him?” I was almost surprised with my reaction to this news.
“No, I did not. Damn! We just hung out and had a good time. He wanted to see what the city was all about, so in the short amount of time we had together, I took him around town. He seemed to have a blast and didn’t mention anything about a girl back home.”
“I’m sorry, Zoey. Please don’t be angry with me. I just heard how he took care of you when I was in the hospital, and Jagger said you two seemed close.”
“No worries, hooker. I’m good. Shane is great, but I have another type in mind, and he’s packing some serious heat.”
“Oh, my ears are just about to bleed out. Do I really want to know this?”
“Would you settle for a rain check on the story? I want to see how it goes before I get my hopes up.”
“You got it, Zoe, and I hope it does work out for you because you truly deserve some happy in your life.”
“I can’t argue with you there, but for now, what do you say we get you married so the world can see the New Year’s kiss that I’m sure will be on the cover of The New York Post tomorrow.”
It was exactly thirty minutes before the ball would drop and fifteen before I married Jagger. We were met by security and escorted to a location unseen by the press. Jacob was leading the team to ensure our safety. I was surprised he hadn’t returned to Washington yet. He said he couldn’t leave without seeing me get married.
All Roads Lead Home Page 31