by Marlowe Fox
“No, I went out of my way to avoid Emily. I never had any private conversations or arguments with her about anything.”
“Miss. Craven, when we talked to the doctor about Miss. Snow’s condition, he informed us that, during surgery he was unable to find a fetus or any other signs that she was pregnant.”
“What do you mean? She sent Jaden a sonogram photo and a video where the doctor pointed out the heartbeat. Are you saying that she made it up?”
“We are looking into the photo and the video that she sent Jaden, but it wouldn’t be hard for her to get them online.” Madden says, my mind reeling. “Have you ever met a, Juan Sanchez, Miss. Craven?” He asks, abruptly changing the subject and making me feel confused.
“I don’t believe so. Should I?” I finally respond, racking my brain trying to place the name but coming up blank.
“He is someone who has come up in the investigation.”
“Oh, I don’t think I can help you.” I say softly feeling dejected. “She’s really not pregnant? I don’t understand why someone would lie about something like that.” I ask rhetorically, I get she was attempting to trap Jaden. What I don’t understand is, why someone would stoop to such a level to trap someone that doesn’t want them.
“Passion makes people do crazy things.” Kitchen’s says as they both stand. “Sit tight.” He says and they both leave the cell. Leaving me to think over everything they just told me.
******************************************
I fall back to sleep shortly after the detectives leave, my body reaching the end of its bullshit resistance and just wanting to shut down. Once again the jingling of the key wakes me, I lay snuggled on the cot underneath the scratchy wool blanket that they gave me and hope they aren’t coming to badger me with more questions.
“Come on Princess, you’ve made bail.” Comes Jaden’s happy voice. I fling back the blanket and launch myself into his waiting arms, instantly breaking into the hysterical sobs I’d been holding in.”Shhhh, Beauty, its okay now, I’ve got you.” He says wrapping his arms around me, his spicy scent a welcome invasion to my senses. I don’t know how long I cry for but Jaden never lets me go, he holds on tight, gently rocking from side to side.
“How are you here?” I ask pulling my head back to look up at him.
“Jack over there is a fan and I promised him tickets next time we’re in town.” He grins at me while brushing tears away with his thumbs.
“No, how are you here? I am in jail for attempted murder, I’m pretty sure I’m not supposed to get visitors. We don’t need you in trouble, too.” I worry.
“They are only allowed to keep you for 24 hours without pressing charges, and your 24 hours is up. They were heading back to pull you out when I got them to let me come back instead. They want to talk to us and then we are free to go.”
“Oh” I say because that’s all I have in me. Hope starts to flare but I didn’t miss the under toned “yet” in Jaden’s words. They might not be charging me but that only because they don’t have enough on me to do so.
“Let’s go talk to them and see what they have to say.” Jaden says, stepping back to grab my hand and lead me out of the ugly grey cell and down the long hallway into another small room where the two detectives are sitting. A television sits on a rolling cart by the table, its screen blank.
“Have a seat, please.” Detective Madden says gesturing to the two empty chairs across from them and we sit. Jaden hold my hand tightly in his like he is never going to let it go again, and I am completely good with that. “New evidence has surfaced that is shifting our focus from you, Miss. Craven and we would like you to take a look at it to see if you recognize anything.”
“Of course, anything to help.” I say nodding and he slides a black and white photo across the table to me. It’s grainy and taken from a surveillance camera. The guy is an attractive looking Hispanic man of strong build, he wears some kind of coveralls and a hat but his eyes send a chill through me. They are dead cold.
“This Juan Sanchez, the man I asked you about, he was one of several night janitorial service men on duty the other night. According to Mr. Sanchez, Miss. Snow came up to him in a bar and invited him back to her room. After they were intimate together, she offered him 1 million dollars to help her kill someone. To kill you, Miss. Craven.” He says causing me to gasp. “He was to help Miss. Snow make it look like you attacked her and she defended herself. He claims that she cut herself with the knife and he was unable to go through with it. He went to leave the suite but you were coming through the door so he hide until he could sneak out.”
“What the fuck?” Jaden angrily breaths out. “Is there any validity to his story? I mean the whole things sounds completely made up.”
“He came to us and turned himself in. He had every cent of the 100 thousand dollars, Miss. Snow gave him and says he just can’t live with the idea of letting an innocent woman go to prison.”
“You said you have evidence, too?” Jaden asks, why I’m not sure, seems to me like we should just leave before they change their minds but I’m sure he’s just making sure.
“Yeah,” Madden says turning to the television and hitting play. A black and white picture comes up showing Emily walking into out suite. “Here is Miss. Snow entering your suite, an hour before you, Miss. Craven, followed shortly by Mr. Sanchez. He remains in the room even after you enter, Mr. James.” He says while he fast-forwards the video. “And here he is sneaking out when the paramedics are there working on Miss. Snow.”
The room is silent for several long minutes. And I realize how close my life came to ending. That if this Mr. Sanchez didn’t have a conscience I’d be dead. My stomach twist and I turn looking for a trash can. Kitchen’s see my panic and grabs the can, handing it to me just in time for me to retch into it.
Jaden is rubbing my back again as I just hang my head in the can, “I’m so sorry Beauty.” He whispers leaning his forehead against my back.
“Jaden, it’s not your fault.” I mumble but really in no way blame him for any of this.
“What does Emily say? Haven’t you talked to her about any of this?” Jaden finagling breaking the silence of the room and I glance up from my can to look at the two men.
For the first time the detectives look uncomfortable, while they share a glance. Kitchens, who I’ve noticed tends to play ‘nice cop’, looks at me kindly before saying, “Miss. Craven, your father is here in Las Vegas with his team of lawyers and won’t let us near Miss. Snow.”
And why I am taken by surprise, I don’t know, but I feel the wind knocked out of me and I double back over, dry heaving since I haven’t eaten anything in hours. I expect tears and feeling of betrayal to mix with the sick vomity feeling but they don’t come. I feel a sting of hurt but as I stare at the can, Jaden rubbing a soothing hand across my back, I realize that I am done. Gavin Craven can no longer hurt me because I don’t care what he does to me, he is not my family, he might be my father but that’s in name only. Jaden, Gemma, Ryker, Ashton, and Finn are my family. And hopefully someday, Elle, Nate, Rook, Keesha, and Jax, too.
Feeling resolved I ask, “What will happen to Emily now?”
“We are checking into Mr. Sanchez’ claims. We will trace the money and get the necessary warrants to pull Miss. Snow’s bank records. Because she is the victim, we have to know for sure if she was involved as much as Mr. Sanchez says before we can actually charge her. Her team of lawyers will only protect her for so long.”
“Are we free to leave then?” asks Jaden.
“Yes, we have everything from you and any questions can be asked over the phone. Outside is a media circus, so for your safety, we will be escorting you out the back door to avoid them.” He says standing, which we both stand too and shake his hand before being lead out of the room by the officer at the door.
As we exit the building, a swarm of reports and cameras swam the gate separating us from them. They fire off questions, but everything is so loud I can only make out a f
ew words here and there. Lovely things like, “attempted murderer, mistress, whore…” really uplifting feel good words. When the door closes, the sound is silenced, and I almost would rather the noise.
Jaden is watching me closely, worry straining his beautiful face, so I crawl across the seat and curl into his lap. My mind and body taking on a more peaceful serenity, happy to be back in her arms.
Chapter 45
Jaden
The past 24 hours have been the worst, most excruciating kind of misery I have ever endured and all I want to do right now is get my girl back to the bus and curl up in bed with her. The ride back is silent while we just bask in each other’s nearness. I could have lost her. She could have died that night, killed out of jealousy because of me.
I wouldn’t be able to live without her, she has become my everything, my every breath is for her, and it fills me with rage knowing that someone tried to take her from me.
We pull in next to the bus but don’t immediately move to get out.
“I’m so fucking sorry this happened, Beauty.” I exhale in her ear but she shakes her head.
“I love you, Jaden, please don’t beat yourself up over this.” In all the insanity, I’d almost forgotten she finally admitted she loves me.
“Say it again” I whisper.
“Please stop beating yourself up…” I attack her mouth with my own stopping her sassy come back, kissing her breathless before pulling back to let her try again.
“Say it again.” I growl this time.
Her eyes finally lighting back up from all the misery, she says, “Jaden, I love you.”
“Fuck, I love you so much, Beauty. I’ m glad your finally catching up.” I say with a grin that she returns before I tenderly lay my lips against hers, taking the kiss sweetly. “Now let’s get you inside.” I say and climb out of the car, holding my hand out for her.
“Good, I need a shower, I feel disgusting.” She says while I pull her up and out of the dark car.
“Shut up, you look…” I start but I am interrupted when both of our bodies jerk and the sound of gun fire rings out through the night.
Chapter 46
Jaden
Beep, beep, beep, beep…
Why that tone and sound, I’ll never understand. I guess I should be grateful because it tells me that I am still alive but every time I come to the surface of the blackened fog, all I hear is that fucking beeping sound. Beauty, where is she? Is she okay?
Blackness…
Clawing my way out this time, I make it out enough to open my eyes a crack. The light is blinding, so I snap them back shut, but I hear a soft crying of a female and then a deep voice. I can’t make out who they belong to or what they are saying but the female doesn’t sound like my Beauty. I try to hang on, and let out a scream of anguish as I’m sucked back under.
Blackness…
I lose track of how many times I fight to the surface but every time seems to get a little clearer. I can hear my Mom and Dad, my bother and Keesha, even Jax talking to me. Ryker, Ashton, and Finn come and, go but the one I’m waiting for never does. The longer she doesn’t enter the darkness, the less fight I have to surface, but as time passes it doesn’t seem to matter, I’m pulled to the surface without my permission. Until one day I’m pulled awake, and the blackness that I now crave doesn’t come back.
******************************************
“Little brother, your back.” Comes Rook’s voice from the side of my bed where he occupies a chair. I look around the rest of the room but my eyes are blurry and I can’t tell if anyone else is here.
“Beauty…” I rasp, my voice hoarse from the lack of use and a cough.
“Do you want a drink? Here have some water.” He asks jumping up and grabbing a small cup with a straw that sits on the table beside the bed. He offers me the straw and I suck in the cool water. My eyes rolling back as its washes over my dry taste buds but he pulls it away too soon. “Slow down man, they said you are only allowed a little bit at a time. Something about not wanting you to puke.” He smiles down at me before reaching down to hit the nurses call button on the bed rail.
I reach out grabbing his hand and look him square in the eyes. “Rook, where is she?” I ask and see his face pale.
“She hasn’t woken up yet, man.” He whispers and I have to close my eyes not able to stand the look of fear and pity in his eyes. Fear is twisting inside me.
“Hasn’t woke up yet, but isn’t dead right?” I ask, my sluggish brain taking a second to process his words.
“No, she’s not dead and she’s been fighting for her life, just like you have been for the last 22 days.” He explains tears forming in his eyes.
“What happened? The last thing I remember is being in the car.”
“Emily Snow happened.” He growls out through clinched teeth. “She was fucking waiting and took aim when the two got out of the car. Your body shielded most of Nell’s for the bullets but one bounced off the open doors bulletproof glass and got her in the temple. The doctors say she is good, that she should be awake but she’s not. Mom says she waiting for you.” Tears are streaming down his face and with the last of his words my body crumbles. Great shuddering sobs escape and I fall into myself.
Warm arms come around me as my Mom sweeps into the room. “Shhhh…Baby, she’s going to be okay. She’s a fighter, just like you, she’s just waiting for you to wake up and come get her.”
She rocks me in her arms until the nurse’s come in and try to give me something more for the pain, something that will knock me out again, but I refuse. I need to be lucid and out of this bed, to go visit my woman.
******************************************
Two days, its takes me two mother fucking days to get out of that bed and into a chair so I can go see my Beauty. I’ve been a nightmare to deal with but I won’t apologize, they won’t let me see her. They just cluck their tongue like I’m some insulant child asking for a fucking cookie.
So by day two, I enlist Jax’s help to score me a wheelchair and help me into it. No one else was willing to and I may have told him I would buy him a car for helping. He even helps sneak me out of the room and down the hall into Beauty’s.
I wasn’t prepared to see her pale and covered in tubs, laying on her back completely still, I breakdown, grabbing her small hand up in mine.
Beep, beep, beep, beep…there’s that fucking sound again, but this time I really am grateful for it, this time it means she’s alive.
“Fuck Beauty, please wake up. I need you to wake up for me. I know it’s selfish but what would I do without you? I can’t live without you. Please Beauty, please come back to me.” I murmur into the palm of her hand. “We still have so much life to live together. I have big plans to get you to marry me and after all this, I think that time table of yours needs to be reevaluated and moved up. With the tour canceled, I think we should all go to Bali early and get married on a beach. Not all of us, just you and me. And you can wear that little red bikini for me.” I start to babble towards the end but she won’t care. When one of the machines on the other side of the bed starts to whirl awake, I get concerned, a shifting under the blanket starts and another beeping starts. This one is faster than the other, more like the beat of a rock song. When no alarms go off or nurses come racing in, I relax again.
“Holy fuck Beauty, you’re pregnant.” I say to the silent room. And all at once, my heart fills with utter excitement and happiness and dread all in one swoop. I rest my hand across her small stomach, rubbing it, as tears streak down my face. I could lose them both. “Fuck Beauty, you need to fight. Fight with everything inside of you, fight for us, fight for our little bean growing inside you, fight damn it.” I growl and dropping my head into my hands.
I must have fallen asleep for a while because when I wake up its dark outside and the room is mostly dark. I’m glad the nurses left me, they probably wanted to take me back to my room. My body aches everywhere, the places I got shot throbbing. Just lifting my
head causes me to moan in pain.
“You always were stubborn.” Comes a voice from across the room and I jump, giving a yelp at the pain it causes.
“Damn it Dad, a little warning next time, yeah?”
“You should go back to your room, Son. You need to heal so you can be strong for her when she wakes up.” He states.
“I needed to be near her. I needed her to know that I made it. That I am here and that she needs to fight.” I protest and he just nods. “Why didn’t anyone tell me about the baby?” I ask watching the surprise register on his face.
“We wanted you to rest so you didn’t hurt yourself further. We knew nothing would have stopped you from jumping out of that bed once you found out about the baby.” He states and I just nod because he’s right, nothing would have kept me from them.