“I remember…us,” I say. He smiles. “Then, after you dropped me off, I talked with a guest, then I got my bags and walked towards my car…” My hand flies up to my mouth. I can’t remember anything after that.
I hear the panic in Jase’s voice. “What happened next? Take your time.”
I slouch back against the pillow as tears prick my eyelids.
“I’m not sure. Why can’t I remember?”
He takes my hand again, and with his free hand rubs my hair. It’s calming and familiar, but confusing at the same time. I barely know him.
“Don’t think about it anymore. Rest. Everyone is worried about you. It’s about three in the morning and your parents left a little while ago. I was just coming in here to check on you. Sorry I fell asleep. I must have been more tired than I thought.”
I don’t know him well, but he looks sort of guilty. I have no idea why, but hope it has nothing to do with me.
“Everyone has been in to see you. You’ve had everyone scared to death,” Jase says, as he sags down in the chair.
So, this is awkward. I barely know him, but he seems to know a lot about my situation. I can’t think of anything to say, so I just state the next thing that flies into my head. “Oh, um…who is everyone? Can you have the nurse call my mother to tell her I’m awake?”
He talks animatedly with his hands and tells me who has been here and their reactions to my situation.
He still hasn’t told me why he is here.
“I don’t mean to sound rude, but why are you here in the middle of the night? We barely know each other,” I ask, hoping I’ll get an honest answer.
“I wouldn’t say that. We did go on a date. I can’t explain, but this is where I want to be.” He smirks, then stands as a nurse joins us.
“Hi, honey, I’m your nurse, Betsy. I’ve been keeping an eye on you and so has your hero over here.” Betsy nods towards Jase, who turns a faint shade of pink. “Anyway, you are doing well. Despite the knife wound, your vitals are normal, and it doesn’t seem like you suffered any major trauma to the head like we originally thought. Can I get you anything for the pain?”
“That would be great.”
Betsy hands me a small paper cup with a pill in it, while Jase hands me another cup with water. I hope this works soon. “I’ll have the doctor check on you first thing in the morning,” Betsy says.
I’m so confused and uncomfortable. Jase is hovering over me. I’m not used to being treated like this.
Betsy leaves the room after fluffing my pillows and covering me with a warmed blanket. Now I’m alone with him, again.
“So…you must be tired. I’m sure your bed is calling. I’m okay and I appreciate you stopping by to check up on me. Please don’t feel obligated to stay.” This is too uncomfortable now, like we are ending an awkward date.
He purses his lips at my words. Oh, did I say something wrong?
“Am I bothering you by being here?”
“No…no. Like I said, I just don’t understand why you’re here?” I say sheepishly.
“I was just making sure you were okay. I didn’t want you to wake up alone.”
I have no idea how to respond. No one has ever worried about me being alone. Not even my parents. It occurs to me that, even though my family has stopped by, Jase hasn’t mentioned if anyone else got hurt. My heartbeat picks up and I spout out, “Did anyone else get hurt?”
“No, just you,” he says, shaking his head apologetically.
“Do the cops know anything?”
Again, he shakes his head no. He sits back in the chair and adjusts his legs, resting his foot over his knee. “We don’t know yet. I own a security company, and most of the officers on duty at the wedding were from my company. No one saw anything. I have some of my best guys going through surveillance and working with the local authorities.”
Wow, nobody saw anything? I wish I could remember something. “How did you find me again?”
Jase runs his hand down his face and makes a noise in frustration. Sort of like a strangled growl. “I found you in your car. You were out cold and covered in blood.” He immediately looks down at his hands.
Oh, no, that must be what the stains on his clothes are from. “I’m sorry to put you through that,” I say.
I think I stop breathing for a moment. Bleeding in my car? How did I get in my car? I can’t stop the tears from flowing. He keeps talking, but I don’t hear him. I don’t want to hear him. I hold up my hand for him to stop, and say in a low voice, “Please, don’t tell me any more. I don’t think I can handle more details.”
I’m starting to feel nauseous and I just want to sleep.
“Nora, I know this is hard, but I have to ask you a few questions. Try and trigger your memory. I’ll let you do all the talking, okay?”
I nod.
He stands up and walks over toward the end of my bed. He tugs my big toe covered by the blanket and sends me a reassuring smile.
Jase raises an eyebrow. “I can’t imagine that you have any enemies?”
“I just moved here. I’ve only spent time with my family.”
A strange feeling comes over me, and I think about something that immediately makes me want to vomit. I need to know the answer. I’m just not sure how to ask and then what to do next.
Jase’s eyes narrow. “Nora, are you okay?”
I take a deep breath to calm myself, but anxiety sets in. “Did they hurt me…Um…sexually?”
Now his face pales at my question. Oh, shit.
He shakes his head and murmurs softly, “No, Nora. Thankfully, no signs.”
Thank you, Lord. I feel like an elephant just jumped off of my chest.
Jase pats my leg and says, “I think that’s enough for now. I’ll take care of everything. We’ll find out who did this. Don’t worry. They can’t hurt you anymore. I promise.”
The sincerity in his blue eyes overwhelms me. My heart swells with hope. Maybe there is something to the time we spent together last night. Honestly, I never thought I’d see him again. I mean, sure he’d asked me out on a date, but I didn’t think he would follow through.
Now here he is, by my side. Reassuring me and making me feel safe.
“I’ll let you get some sleep. The investigators will be by in the morning. I’m staying at Uncle Joe’s. Here is a cell phone with my number saved in it. If you need anything, anything at all, give me a call.” Jase places the phone on my over-bed table.
He has a phone for me? I have no idea how to respond, so I rely on my manners. “Thank you Jase, for everything.”
“My pleasure, Nora.” He nods, walks towards the door, turns around and smiles. “I’m really glad you’re going to be okay.”
Chapter Ten
Jase
I make my way into Uncle Joe’s familiar kitchen. It’s so tidy that it doesn’t look like there was a wedding here. Uncle Joe is sitting in his favorite chair at the kitchen table. He greets me with a warm smile and holds up his cup of coffee, pointing it towards the coffee pot. “It’s fresh. You look like you could use it—and maybe a shower.”
I don’t even bother to respond. Grunting, I make my way towards the coffee pot, grab a mug, pour my coffee, and try to make it out of there without the usual Joe Madsyn interrogation. I should have known better.
“I expected to see you a lot sooner, son. How is Nora? I take it she’s awake?” Uncle Joe asks, as his grey mustache brushes the rim of his coffee cup.
I sit down, thankful for the coffee. Maybe it will help me stay focused for the inquisition. “She’s awake, sore, and doesn’t remember anything.”
“You heading back after some sleep?” he asks.
“No, I’ve done all I can. I’ll make sure everything I put in place functions properly and the guys do their jobs. It’s just like any other job. Safety of the client first, then put all other aspects into motion and monitor from afar.” He knows I’m talking bullshit. I can tell by that shit-eating grin on his face.
Uncle J
oe grunts, “Huh…” His hand flies up to his chin and rubs it. I can hear the scratch against his chin. “I don’t ever recall you sitting beside any client’s bedside for days before. Or maybe I’m mistaken?” His eyebrows raise, as he takes another sip of coffee.
Frustrated, I rub my eyes with palms of my hands. “She is Max’s sister-in-law, plus she was assaulted on your property. Of course I’m going to make sure we’re all protected. I need to be on top of everything.”
“Or on top of her?” He smirks, and for some reason, his rude question disgusts me. I don’t want him to think of her like that.
I clear my throat. “I’m not interested in her like that,” I lie. “We don’t know anything about her. She may be hiding some demons.”
“You trying to convince me, or you, that she’s got a past? Come on, boy; tell me what’s really going on.”
I feel like I’m a kid again, ready to wilt under that intimidating look. I concede and my head drops with a thump on the wooden table. “I don’t fucking know. I can’t explain it. I saw her in that car, and I have honestly never been so scared of someone dying in my life. Not even Mother.”
Lifting my head to look at Uncle Joe’s impassive face, I continue to spill my guts. “She looks so small and fragile in that damn hospital bed. It’s like she’s screaming at me to help her.” I push myself away from the table, stand, and walk over to the counter to compose myself. I have no idea how to navigate my way through these emotions.
I stare out the large kitchen window that overlooks the backyard, where just yesterday, the ceremony took place. “Uncle Joe, she has no idea who did this to her or why. Whoever did this knew her and where to find her. They must have either been on the list or knew how to slip by us. It makes me physically sick that someone could come on your property ready to…kill…” I barely choke out the last word.
“Jase, son, you couldn’t have protected her. I know you think you should have stopped this, but like you said, they knew what they wanted. Maybe you should move her in here so you can keep a better eye on her. I don’t think she should be left without some type of surveillance. Her father may be a cop, but we’ll do a better job.”
Uncle Joe places his coffee cup in the sink and pats my shoulder. “By the way, got a call from the senator. He apologized for his boys being out of line.” His white eyebrows raise. “I suppose you might know a thing or two about that?”
“Malone and Campone got out of hand. I went to calm the situation. When I got to Malone’s hotel room, he wasn’t there. They were in town for some dinner for the senator. I called Isaac and he assured me that Malone was overreacting and they worked out their shit. I got a text from Malone a few minutes later that I wasn’t needed.”
Uncle Joe nods. “So, the bastards made you leave for nothing? Do you believe them?”
“Not for a second. Something happened that they’re not telling me about. I don’t want to think about that right now. I’ll deal with them later.”
Assholes made me leave Nora. Stupid, worthless gofers for the senator. If the senator wasn’t in tight with my uncle, I’d tell him to find someone else to handle his employees’ fuck ups.
“Why don’t you get some rest and then we’ll stop by the hospital. I’d like to see how she is for myself. I can’t stomach a beautiful young thing being hurt, especially on our watch,” he suggests.
“I think it’s best if I don’t go and see her.”
“Well, you’re a grown man, and I can’t tell you what to do, but it sounds to me like she needs your help, whether you want to believe it or not. I’m headed back up to bed. If you change your mind, I’ll probably leave around noon.
I wake up to my ringing cell phone. “Madsyn,” I say, while still hiding under my pillow. The sunlight shining in the room is a motherfucker. Why the fuck didn’t I close the blinds?
“Mr. Madsyn, Luke Saunders has arrived at the hospital. He wishes to see Nora and her family has approved. I am standing outside her door. Would you like me to remove him?”
I sit up and throw the pillow across the room. “Shit…I’ll be right there. Leave him be. I’d like to meet him myself.”
“Sir, I need to warn you that you’ve met him before,” Tucker says.
“What? When?”
“Sir. He’s Michael Malone.”
What? I know I heard him right, but this is fucked up. Malone doesn’t go by the name Luke Saunders. This is what I get for not researching this asshole. Since the senator said his nephew was good, I never questioned him. I never researched Michael or Luke or whoever the fuck he is.
“Tucker, I’m on my way.”
I showered before I went to bed, so I throw on a pair of jeans and a black T-shirt and grab my leather jacket. I take a quick peek in the mirror. I look a hell of a lot better than yesterday. Not dirty or pale. I comb my hands through my hair and head out the door.
Chapter Eleven
Nora
The investigators left me with more questions than answers. Because my brain can’t recover any information, they seemed to have asked me the same questions over and over. Almost as if they don’t believe me.
They told me there weren’t any leads in my case, even though they recovered the knife that injured me and the ropes that bound me. The car was examined, but contained no clues, not even one fingerprint.
How did my life turn into such a mess? Three weeks ago, I was living the life of a housewife in Miami with my boyfriend. Now, I’ve been targeted in an attack and I’m in a hospital bed. I have no idea who could have done this to me.
My mind wanders to what I saw in Luke’s office and his words, “If the wrong person finds out…” In my heart, I know he wouldn’t hurt me, but maybe I should mention what I saw in his office to Jase. No, this is just a weird coincidence.
I haven’t asked for any specifics of the attack. I honestly don’t think I could handle it right now. That’s probably why I can’t remember anything. Well, other than the time I spent with Jase.
I rest my head back on the pillow. My room seems brighter, oddly calming. It’s littered with flowers and balloons. My mom arrived early this morning and brought some blankets and pillows from home. She and Dad stayed with me while I was questioned.
I found it rather odd that Jase wasn’t here for it, considering how involved he seemed yesterday. Honestly, I’m hoping he’ll walk through the door any second. I close my eyes and picture Jase, then hear a commotion at the door.
“Don’t stay any longer than ten minutes,” a woman’s voice whispers.
When I turn my head to look, I groan at the very familiar man standing in the doorway with a large arrangement of flowers. He’s wearing his signature suit. Today, he chose tan. His blond hair is styled into a perfect side part and his green eyes are shining bright. It feels like forever since the last time I saw him.
I forgot how handsome he is. He’s lean, tall, and neatly put together. I’m sure he probably took an hour to get ready. I try to sit up as he enters. I knew he would show sooner or later.
“Hello, beautiful,” Luke says sweetly, almost too sweetly. Despite his handsome appearance, he doesn’t seem to be having same effect on me that he used to. He walks toward my bed, places the red roses next to me, and leans over to kiss my cheek.
“Luke, what are you doing here? I though only family could visit.” Dad said it would only be immediate family. Apparently, he forgot to mention that Luke was included.
“Nora, I’ve been so worried. For some reason, I’m not on that stupid list.” He moves to sit on the bottom corner on my bed.
“Why are you here?” I ask, irritated. He can’t just burst in here.
“Honey, I had to make sure you were okay with my own eyes. I don’t know what kind of animal would do this to you. You look awful.”
“Gee, thanks.” I roll my eyes, even though it hurts. I can’t help myself. Idiot. Does he even have a decent bone in his body? Maybe, “Thank God you’re alright” or “I’m so worried about you.”
He smirks. “Nurse Jackie seems to have a little crush on me. I took advantage. No big deal, just pretend I’m your therapist for a little while.”
“My what?” I’m sure my eyes have just bugged out of my head.
“Your therapist. That’s how I got in. Why am I not on this list?” His cocky expression vanishes, his eyes narrow, and his jaw clinches. “The nurse tells me that Jase Madsyn controls the list, and he’s barking out orders like he owns you.”
“He is Max’s cousin and he found me after this…attack. He’s not barking orders. He’s helping me.” There is no way am I going to let him say anything against Jase.
“Since when have you become so close?” His voice drips with rage.
“Luke! Stop it! How can you even say something like that to me right now?”
My heart rate spikes—I can tell from the beeping machines—and I’m ready to smack him.
“Nora, it’s not like you to hang around people like him. You don’t know anything about him. He is dangerous. I have no idea what lines he’s feeding you, but…”
“He’s not feeding me anything. He’s been here, which is more than I can say for you!”
He yells back, “I tried to see you. That prick hasn’t let me in. I wanted to be here the minute I found out. I’ve been sitting in my hotel waiting for your parents to call me and tell me it was okay to come. We’ve lived together for two years. You told me I could see you the day after the wedding. Then, this happens and I’m shut out.” He reaches for my hand.
I jerk it away. “Could you get off my bed? The chair is there for a reason.” I nod at the chair to emphasize my point.
Luke puts his hands up in defeat. “Fine. I know you’ve been through a lot. I’m just concerned you’re not thinking straight. Jase Madsyn is not a good guy.”
“How do you even know him?” Luke ambles into the chair next to me. I try to turn on my side, but it hurts, and all I manage is a moan.
“I never met the guy, but you can’t step foot in this town without knowing his reputation. You have no idea what kind of guy he is.” Luke’s usually calm face is starting to turn crimson in frustration.
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