“I saw Luke, is he…?” I ask, hoping he made it.
“He’s fine; you’ve been out for a little over a day. Isaac cut you in the same place he did last time, but the doctor said he missed the vital organs…again.” His voice cracks.
“Did Luke know all about Isaac?”
“He had no idea, but confessed he made you leave when you found the picture of Avery in his office. He didn’t want Isaac to find out what you saw. When he thought the coast was clear, he wanted you back, but thank God he wasn’t convincing.” His face brightens with a hint of laughter.
“I guess I should have told you about that, huh? Avery?” Still holding my hand, Jase stands, leans over, and plants a soft kiss on my lips.
“It would have helped me, that’s for sure. Yes, Avery is the girl beaten in the picture. I handled the situation. I gave her protection from the senator. I’m going to have to bring her out of hiding, so that she can testify against the senator.”
“Where is Senator Malone? Has he been charged with anything?”
That bastard should be put away for all these crimes he was part of.
“Yes, out on bail, and probably will get off. It will be easy for him to persuade whatever judge he gets. Don’t worry, I have a few plans up my sleeve. It will take time, but we’ll get him.”
“What did he do to Avery? I couldn’t tell from the picture.”
He lets out a breath and I motion for him to sit on the bed.
“Isaac and Luke were the senator’s gofers. Luke got the girls and Isaac took care of everything else…drugs, alcohol, and gambling. Luke found Avery at a strip club and convinced her to give the senator a dance. When she got there…things took a different turn. Eventually, she threatened to expose the senator. That’s when Isaac stepped in and things got worse for her.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing, that poor girl. She didn’t have anyone protecting her.
“Luke used his brain and called me when he saw things getting out of hand. I have her in a safe location. I checked on her this morning, just to make sure she’s alright. She’s refusing to testify against the senator, but I’m sure she’ll come around.”
He doesn’t look convinced, but I’m glad she’s okay. I guess she does have someone protecting her too. Jase.
“I know what a loose cannon Isaac is…was.”
I suddenly feel cold all over. His name and the image of him with a gun aimed at Jase will forever haunt me. Tears prick my eyes.
“Shh…It’s all over. Everyone’s okay.” He leans his forehead against mine. “Isaac is dead; Tucker, Luke and I are a little bit damaged, but we’re tough.” He smiles.
“Will you hold me?” I ask, needing to feel his arms wrapped around me.
He manages to position us where I’m lying on his chest. We even manage not to get tangled in the IV’s. We’ve been sitting quietly for a while when a lovely woman enters the room.
“Mom?” Jase asks from beside me.
“Hi, how are you feeling Nora?” Jase’s mom? I thought she was sick and in a rehabilitation center.
Clearing my throat, I answer, “Fine, thank you.”
“She is lovely, Jase. Joseph can’t stop saying how wonderful she is.”
Jase stands up beside me and heads over to her. “Mom, what are you doing here?”
“I wanted to meet Nora.” She turns to face me. “My memory isn’t always good, dear, but I see how happy you make my son. I wanted you to know that I’m also here for you.”
Her words bring tears to my eyes and Jase wraps her in his arms. “You remember everything?” he asks.
“Today I do, maybe not tomorrow, but it’s starting to last longer. I think being with Joseph is helping. Oh, how awful it must be for him some days.”
“He loves you, Mom. He’s alright.”
She sniffles into his shirt.
I hear a voice clearing from the hallway. I look up to see Luke in a wheelchair.
“Come on, Mom, let’s give them some privacy,” Jase says, but glares at Luke with a silent warning. Luke nods in understanding.
“Nora, I’m glad you’re doing better. We’ll have plenty of time to talk later,” Carmella says, and disappears out of the room with her son.
A nurse wheels Luke next to my bed, then leaves.
“So, how mad at me are you?” he asks innocently.
“I am furious, but so glad you are okay.” I grab his hand.
“I swear, Nora, I had no idea he felt that way about you. I knew he wasn’t the nicest guy, but I never imagined he was such a monster. I’m so sorry I brought him into your life.”
“Nobody knew, Luke, but you could have told me the truth about why you kicked me out. Maybe I wouldn’t have been so…naive. And why did you lie to me about who you really are?”
“When I met you, I wanted to distance myself from my family. As you can tell, they aren’t the best people. So, I made up the name Luke Saunders, and when we moved to Miami, I kept it. When my uncle needed me to be a Malone, I was.”
“I can’t tell you that I understand, but I wish you would have been honest.” I probably won’t ever understand the extent of it, but I do understand not wanting to be associated with those people, especially now.
Luke rubs his hand down his face and smirks, “Fair enough. I really do love you, Nora. I should have tried harder and treated you the way you deserve.” He laughs quietly, “Luckily, Jase saved the day, huh? What will he do without having to save you from my fuck ups?”
“Love her,” Jase’s voice echoes through the room.
“Always lurking somewhere, aren’t you?” Luke laughs, but then his face becomes serious. He watches as Jase walks beside my bed and holds my hand.
“Madsyn, take care of her, appreciate her, because God forbid if she ever leaves you, you will never want to experience the torture I’m enduring right now. Knowing you had something so precious and you let it slip away.” Michael’s eyes drop to his hands.
Jase pulls me tightly against him. “I will always take care of her. She is precious to me, and I wouldn’t recover if that beauty was gone from my life.”
*****
I look around at the familiar surroundings. The clear night sky, the stars shimmering. Jase and I lay on a blanket in the back of his old pickup. My head rests on his chest, as his hands run through my hair.
“My mom loved you. She remembered almost everything today, didn’t even mention my father,” Jase says quietly.
“She’s wonderful. I hate what she’s been through, but I see how much your uncle loves her. It must be hard on him.”
“It is, but he loves her and puts her first. I’m glad he apologized to you. He loves her so much, and when she was threatened too, he didn’t care about anyone but her.”
“It’s okay. He wanted to protect her. You Madsyn men keep your girls safe.”
“He should have protected you against the senator. He knew what he was capable of. ”
Jase kisses my head, “I’m sorry that the senator isn’t behind bars. Ironically, I’m usually the one keeping him out of trouble, getting his ass off. The one time I try to actually put him away, it doesn’t work.”
“Things happen for a reason.”
“If you want me to finish this, I can.” He pulls my chin to meet his eyes. “I can take care of this in a second. I can make him disappear. All you have to do is say the word. He’s done.”
“I know it kills you that he got away with everything. We had a solid case against him from the kidnapping to the false marriage certificate.” I chuckle, thinking of the ridiculous piece of paper, but inside I’m smirking, remembering the look on Samantha’s face when she had to make a statement to the press that her marriage to Jase wasn’t real.
“But I can’t live with myself if I keep this revenge going. I can barely deal with going to therapy and the nightmares. I don’t want to be evil like Isaac or Senator Malone. I have faith that he will get what’s coming to him.”
“You are t
oo good, Nora. This should have never happened to someone like you.” His face looks sad in the glow of the moonlight.
“I’m ending this. I choose to live happily ever after with you. After everything we’ve gone through, this all ends today with me.”
“You make me so proud. I’m still going to keep a close eye on him, but I won’t seek revenge. I just want you to feel safe with me.”
I move so that my lips are hovering above his, a whisper away from a kiss. “I’m always safer with you, Jase Madsyn, and will love you no matter the obstacles we face. I’ll love you forever.”
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
To my daughters Madison and Hayley, my parents Mary and Matthew Balmer, my grandmother, Nina Faieta, and to my husband, Jason Blinkiewicz. Thank you for all of your support, believing in me, and inspiring me to accomplish a goal that seemed unattainable.
To my family and friends (too many to list) for taking the time to read my many drafts, giving me support and helpful feedback.
Special Thanks to Jessica Calella. Thank you for the countless hours spent editing, answering my emails and all of your kind and supportive words. I could not have finished SWY without you!
To my random twitter lady, Reni. You were the first to review my book and inspired me to keep going. www.inkedinchapters.net
About the Author
Trisha lives in a small Pennsylvania town with her two beautiful daughters, and husband. She loves reading, writing, and daydreaming.
For more information visit trishamadley.com
Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter One, Nora
Chapter Two, Nora
Chapter Three, Jase
Chapter Four, Nora
Chapter Five, Nora
Chapter Six, Nora
Chapter Seven, Jase
Chapter Eight, Jase
Chapter Nine, Nora
Chapter Ten, Jase
Chapter Eleven, Nora
Chapter Twelve, Jase
Chapter Thirteen, Nora
Chapter Fourteen, Jase
Chapter Fifteen, Nora
Chapter Sixteen, Nora
Chapter Seventeen, Jase
Chapter Eighteen, Nora
Chapter Nineteen, Jase
Chapter Twenty, Nora
Chapter Twenty-One, Jase
Chapter Twenty-Two, Nora
Chapter Twenty-Three, Jase
Chapter Twenty-Four, Nora
Chapter Twenty-Five, Nora
Chapter Twenty-Six, Jase
Chapter Twenty-Seven, Nora
Chapter Twenty-Eight, Jase
Chapter Twenty-Nine, Nora
Chapter Thirty, Jase
Chapter Thirty-One, Nora
Chapter Thirty-Two, Jase
Chapter Thirty-Three
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Safer With You Page 24