Dangerous Confessions of the Heart (Dangerous Secrets of the Heart)

by Johnson, Michele

  “WHAT…!?” Jesse began to become angry.

  “About an hour before she boarded the plane to come after you.” Austin taunted more. “Oh, and we had sex, the night before the wedding.”

  “That’s it…” Jesse said lunging toward Austin. He began to punch him. The plane tilted.

  “Whoa, what’s going on?” Johnny asked.

  “They’re fighting.” Sarah yelled back.

  Johnny put the plane in auto pilot and pulled Jesse off of Austin. “Damn it Jesse, you want to actually get there to see if she’ll pick you, don’t you?”

  “Sorry.” Jesse said to Johnny.

  Austin wiped the blood from his nose and lip off on his shirt.

  They didn’t speak. But if looks could kill, they would both be dead.

  Back in Hawaii:

  I sat on my couch watching the show about the fat man and the evil baby again when I heard the doorbell ring.

  Excited, I ran to the door. I threw it open. “Austin!” I exclaimed.

  “Hmm, nope.” Bill face greeted me.

  My heart sank.

  “Made a little trip to Niagara Falls today?” He asked.

  “Bill…” I started to plea.

  “Shut up!” He said.

  “What do you want?” I asked.

  Cody began to growl at him. He kicked him and pulled a gun out, shooting him.

  “NO!” I said. But with a loud yelp Cody fell to the floor. He grabbed me and began to tie my hands behind me.

  “Let go!” I said with fear and tears in my eyes. “Cody.” I pleaded for him to get up.

  He slammed me hard in the kitchen chair and tied me down. I looked at Cody as he finished tying. “Don’t worry, it’s just a tranquilizer, He’ll be fine.” Bill said with a laugh.

  He dragged Cody into the bathroom and shut the door.

  “What do you want, Bill?” I asked. “I’m sorry I went to Niagara Falls, I had to see for myself that Jesse really wanted to be with Sarah. I know he does now.” I said.

  “No… no he doesn’t. He wants you.” Bill said sarcastically with a small laugh.

  “But he said…”

  “That was James.” He said interrupting me.

  “What?” I asked.

  “James was the one getting married.” He said.

  “Where was Jesse?” I asked.

  “Downstairs; meeting Austin, with me...” He said with a laugh.

  “Austin!” I gasped.

  “Don’t worry. He got out.” He said. “That’s why I’m here.”

  “I don’t understand.” I said.

  “I’m here…to make this decision for you.” Bill admitted.

  “Decision…?” I asked.

  “Jesse is on his way to rescue you.” He said.

  “He is?” I said with a smile.

  “Yes, but when he does, I’m going to make your decision about which guy you want easier.” He said.

  “How…?” I asked.

  “By…elimination of course...” He said as he pulled out a gun with bullets.

  “Elimination…?” I repeated.

  “Yes, Jesse and Austin come in, Austin and you walk out.” Bill said. “It’s simple, really.”

  Chapter 16

  In the jet Austin and Jesse sat in silence with Sarah in between them as they began to land.

  “We need to go straight to her house. I assume you know where it is?” Jesse said breaking the silence.

  “I do, I live there.” Austin taunted.

  “ENOUGH!” Sarah howled. “This fighting is not getting us anywhere. It’s not getting us any closer to Jamie. You guys stop acting like teenage boys fighting over their crush and start acting like men fighting for the girl you love.”

  They hung their heads because they knew she was right. As they landed and exited the jet; Jesse thanked Johnny and apologized again for almost crashing it with the fight.

  “Let’s get going.” Austin said as they walked through the crowded airport.

  Back in my house:

  “Bill, I have to use the bathroom.” I said.

  “Go ahead, I’m not stopping you.” He said reading a magazine on my couch.

  “You want me to pee on myself.” I asked.

  “You gotta do what you gotta do.” He said back getting up and entering the kitchen.

  “You’re a monster.” I said.

  “Aww thanks babe.” He said opening the refrigerator.

  “And get out of my refrigerator, your drinking all my beers.” I said.

  “Yeah, I know I am.” He said.

  I looked out the back door as I seen a shadow cross by it.

  “They’re here…” I whispered to myself.

  “Hey Bill?” I said.

  “What?” He asked.

  “Why don’t you untie me? I’ll cooperate.” I bribed.

  “You know what…you look just like your mother. Sure I’ll untie you.” He said as he approached me.

  He took his knife and gently rubbed it across my neck and down my side. I took deep and swift breaths as he stared into my eyes. He jerked as I felt the ropes loosen. I tried to get up but he shoved me back down.

  “I think we have a little time, don’t we sweetie.” He said as he placed his lips on mine. I jerked away.

  “Let go Bill.” I said.

  “I don’t like to be told no.” He warned.

  “Well, that is exactly what I’m telling you. N-O. No.” I said.

  He drew back his hand and slammed it against my face. I fell off the chair. He began to come after me as he was jerked back and thrown to the floor. I looked up at my rescuer. But it wasn’t the face I was expecting to see.

  “Dad?” I said as I stared into his eyes.

  He came over and helped me up.

  “Is…is that you?” I asked.

  “Hey babygirl...” He said.

  Bill grabbed him as they began to fist fight.

  “Damn it, you’re always messing stuff up Mark.” Bill yelled at my father. “…just like you messed everything up for me with Caroline...”

  It hit me: My father was the neighbor in Mrs. White’s story that helped Caroline and I was the little girl that made him leave her. My father had relations with Jesse and James’ mother while she was pregnant with them.

  They were throwing punches as Jesse, Sarah, and Austin ran through the front door. The confusion began as Bill punched my father so hard it knocked him out. He grabbed me and placed the gun to my head.

  Everyone gasped.

  “Bill, don’t do this.” I pleaded.

  “Dad, put the gun down.” Jesse said.

  Fear hit me again. Bill pressed the gun harder on my temple as Jesse moved closer.

  “It’s me you want. Not her.” Jesse said.

  “No…Jesse.” I whispered.

  “Take me.” He said. “Let her go.”

  Bill loosened his grip. I threw myself towards the front door and landed in Austin’s arms. Jesse looked to make sure I was safe and Bill lunged for him. They began to roll on the floor and Bill was trying to aim the gun at him. Jesse fought back. I then got a stupid, crazy idea. I left Austin’s arms and grabbed the gun from the table beside my front door. I loaded it, cocked it and pointed it towards Bill and Jesse. Bill kicked Jesse back and he fell on the ground. With an ear piecing gunshot; it was all over.

  Bill fell flat on the ground. I took a deep breath as the confusion slithered away.

  I began to realize what just happened; I had pulled the trigger. I had killed Bill. I swiftly turned my attention to Jesse. His eyes were open and he was sitting up holding his left arm.

  Austin took the gun from my hand and ran over to check Bill’s heart.

  “He’s dead.” Austin confirmed.

  I took a deep breath in and ran over to Jesse.

  “Jesse?!” I said throwing myself on the floor next to him. “Are you okay?” I asked.

  “Yeah, it’s just a scratch.” He said. “I missed you.” He said as he grabbed me.<
br />
  My heart was on fire again as we embraced. I pulled away and placed my lips upon his. He roughly, romantically kissed me.

  “It’s over.” He said pulling away. “No more danger. You’re safe with me.” He said.

  “I thought you didn’t want to be with me. I should’ve known better.” I admitted.

  I looked up and noticed Sarah staring at us.

  “What is she doing here?” I asked.

  “She came with us, to help us.” He admitted. “James was shot, he’s fine, and we left him at the hospital.” He said reading the question out of my mind like he always does.

  “Hi Sarah.” I said trying to be friendly.

  “…Nice to finally meet the girl that my brother-in-law is so crazy about.” She said with a smile.

  I smiled at her as I grabbed Jesse in for another kiss. He pulled away.

  “Is your dad okay?” He asked.

  “Dad...” I gasped realizing that my father was behind us. “Dad...” I said shaking him.

  He took a deep breath in. “Babygirl…Ami.” He said.

  “Daddy…” I answered back in a whisper. “I’m sorry.”

  “I…I’m sorry too.” He weakly whispered. “I should have reached out to you sooner…but your mother said you hate me.”

  “I…I never hated you daddy…I didn’t understand how you could marry that…”

  “But I didn’t” He interrupted me.

  “What?” I asked.

  “I never married her. That’s why you were mad at me?” He asked.

  “Well…yes?” I admitted. “I seen you talking to her, the night before the wedding…you kissed her and told her you wanted to travel the world with her.”

  “I told her I wanted to travel the world with the one girl that I love. You...” He said.

  My heart broke. We had spent all this time apart for nothing.

  “I’m sorry daddy. I love you.” I said grabbing him.

  “I love you too Ami.” He said.

  “How did you know I was here?” I asked.

  “…These guys.” He said. “And…I’ve been watching you since I realized you were here.” He admitted. “I even touched your shoulders once on the beach but I was too afraid to stick around.”

  I smiled at him and looked up at Jesse and Austin smile down at me.

  “That was you…on the beach?” I asked.

  “Indeed.” He said.

  I looked at Austin and Jesse again.

  My stomach began to become unsettled as I thought about them. I’m going to have to make a decision…that’s what Bill said. And he is right. But first…I had to find out what secrets were Jesse hiding from day one. What wasn’t he telling me?

  “Jesse, Can I speak to you for a moment?” I asked.

  “That’s going to have to wait.” Dad weakly said looking at his phone.

  “Why?” I asked.

  “Someone wants to meet you.” He said. Jesse helped us up. Dad put his arm around me.

  We walked out of my house. I got in the car while Austin and Jesse “took care” of Bill body. I hope they threw it in the ocean and fed it to the sharks. Cody and Jesse had a reunion before we left as I sat in the car talking with dad, Sarah and Austin.

  Jesse climbed in the backseat of the car beside Sarah after he locked the house up. Dad drove us to a large mansion that I had dropped Austin off a few times for work. I looked back at him.

  “My dad was your boss?” I asked Austin.

  He smiled at me.

  I began to play in my head the day he got the job:

  “Well, I have to get to work.” He admitted.

  “Work?” I asked. “I didn’t know you had a job.”

  “I’m starting today. Some rich guy need help with yard work and house work. His wife is pregnant and on bed rest.” He said. “I’m gonna help out. He’s paying me like 12 dollars an hour.”

  What stuck out at me were the words: wife and pregnant.

  “Dad, who is your wife?” I said as we approached the door.

  He ignored me.

  A man let us out of the car and welcomed us. He took the keys from my father and got into the driver’s seat of the car.

  My father grabbed my hand. He walked up the stairs with me as the three trailed not far behind. He opened the large front door. We enter the house. In front of us was a huge staircase going in a spiral up. There was a outsized, crystal chandler in the middle of the room hanging from the ceiling. The placed looked like a palace. It felt warm and homey as well.

  “Jamie!” A familiar, female voice came from the stairs. I looked up. My heart sank as she grabbed me.

  “MOM!” I asked in disbelief.

  She held me tightly. I didn’t want to let go. I can’t believe she is still alive.

  She pulled away. “You haven’t told her the details yet have you?” She asked Jesse in suspicion.

  “No ma’am, haven’t gotten a chance yet.” Jesse admitted in defeat.

  “Well there is plenty of time for that later…Jamie; I want you to meet your brother…Stanly.” She said as a maid brought a baby into the room.

  “My…my brother…?” I asked as I stared into his eyes.

  “Yes.” She said excitingly.

  I began to breath heavy. I didn’t know how to react. Was I dreaming, was this real? “Okay…I need answers and I need them now!” I said holding my head. My head was spinning.

  Jesse took my hand. “Excuse us.” He said as he pulled me down the hall toward another room. We entered a large library. There were three stories of selves with books. In the corner of the room was a large, black piano. There were tables to sit and read couches and desks, even computers. He led me towards the piano. I sat beside him as he played a beautiful melody on the piano. After he was finished I realized I needed answers, I needed him to tell me everything.

  “Jesse, please I can’t stand this; what is going on?” I asked franticly as tears began to fill my eyes. “I feel like…like… I’m in a…in a dream.”

  “It’s no dream. I’ll tell you the whole story.” He began trying to settle me. “Here it goes: A while ago, after your parents divorced, I began to work for your father. I lived in his town. He hired me to chop wood for his lumbering business. When I realized your mother was dating my father I warned her, I warned her of what kind of man he is. Unfortunately she didn’t listen until he started drinking and became violent. A few months past of this and she took shelter with me. Pleading with me, talking to me, and coming to my work to protect herself from the danger of my father.”

  “Where was I?” I asked.

  “…Most of the time; with your father.” He admitted. “She would only come while your father was with you or when he wasn’t working and you were safe with a relative.” He said. “But…around that time is when you and your father had the falling out and you didn’t want anything to do with him. He tried to figure out why. He asked me to ask your mother to investigate as to why.”

  “Okay…” I said.

  “She didn’t have any luck.”

  “That’s because I never told her about Andrea.” I admitted.

  “Right, but Bill promised to sober up, promised to be faithful and not hit her because she threatened to leave if he didn’t. A few weeks later she stopped coming to the lumber mill. She came to town on a business trip a few months later and ran into your father. He told her about the break up with Andrea and pleaded with her to talk to you. He had a feeling that was the reason. They had dinner and they realized their love never died. He proved that to her the night before she left town. She became pregnant and knew she would have to leave Bill. That’s what she wanted anyway but when she told Bill he became violent and began to drink again. I knew what he was capable of so once I found out, I did what I could to protect you and your mother… your father gave me notes to earn your trust…umm, things you like and don’t like… favorite colors that sort of thing. But before I knew it I had falling in love with you.”

  I smiled at
him. “So…what did you do?”

  “When I left for that month…I wasn’t with my sick aunt or whatever I told you I was…I was with your father, trying to fight my feelings for you. I failed at that and I asked him if he minded…if I could…ask you to be mine… He said it would make him proud to have a son-in-law like me. He gave me the dress and the videos to watch and find out what kind of things you like, so I could impress you to make you love me too… also he asked me to give them to you when you were ready to listen and hear his name again.”

  “Oh…” I said as his face became more serious.

  “Then I found out about the “murder” that was going to happen to your mother, so I put a bullet-proof vest on your mother to protect her from the bullets the day of.”

  “You did?” I said.

  “Yes, because I knew losing your mother would have been hard on you. You might have distance yourself from me. I couldn’t let that happen. But surprisingly it brought us closer together. I tried to get us away from Bill. Your father and mother were the ones I was going to meet up with but they were discovered.”

  “Why didn’t you just tell me?” I asked.

  “Well, I seen how you reacted to your mother the day she mentioned your father…I didn’t want to make you run from me…but as far as your mother, I tried to tell you several times once I found out that she was still alive but then the baby thing happened and I…I should have told you…I’m sorry.” He apologized.

  “The night that Bill took me…Did you have sex with Sarah?” I asked.

  “No, she admitted they had put a camera in the hotel room. I kissed her in the moment of us reuniting and she threw the covers over us. She began to moan and kiss on my neck. I pushed her off a few moments later and explained that I love you.” He explained.

  I gave him a grateful look. “I didn’t see any of that…” I admitted.

  “I figured…” He said. “That’s all my secrets. It all boils down to the fact that I’m truly, madly, deeply in love with you.” He confessed. “The movies, the notes, the dress… I used them to get information so you would fall in love with me too…”

  Chapter 17

  “Jesse…can I make a confession?” I asked.