Ramona turned into the parking garage of her home. In all the chaos she forgot to check if she would have the condo to herself. If Nick was there, she would have to improvise. She parked and waited until it was clear before letting Tami out. The women rode the elevator to the tenth floor.
“Where are we? Where are you taking me?”
Ramona did not respond instead she opened the front door, she had Rhonda and Tami wait in the foyer while she verified they were alone. She checked every room and was glad not to find Nick there, now she could carry on without interruption. She carried a chair from the dining room and placed it in the center of the living room. “Bring her here!” Ramona shouted to Rhonda.
They appeared from around the corner, she could see Tami’s body trembling from where she stood. She had every reason to be fearful, Ramona had a slow torture in store. “Ramona, I don't know what this is about but I'm sure none of this is necessary,” said Tami.
“Rhonda, tie that bitch to the chair while I change out of these clothes,” she instructed, disappearing into her room. She removed her sweats and changed into a pair of denim shorts and a t-shirt. Ramona stood in front of the bathroom mirror to remove the rubberband from her hair. Her reflection served as a reminder of the deep red bruise on her knuckles. She didn’t intend for the confrontation with Alexis to get out of hand. However, she had no qualms about it. That busybody got what she deserved for sticking her nose in her business. From the beginning, this has always been between Tami and her and no one else. Her agenda was to make Tami pay for all the ways she had destroyed her life. Everyone else along the way has been collateral damage, except Nick. He’s been an amazing surprise, one she had to block out of her mind for the night. He would not approve of how she's handled this situation.
It's time. Ramona entered the living room and found Tami on the chair with her hands tied behind her and her mouth taped.
“Thanks, Rhonda, I got it from here. I need you to go take care of that thing.” Ramona hugged her friend and placed her car keys in her hand. “Here, take my gun and make damn sure our friend understand what's at stake if she even thinks about calling the cops.” After Rhonda left, Ramona turned her attention to Tami. “Alone, at last,” she said, placing a chair in front of her. She noticed the constant twitch in Tami’s leg. “Relax, I won’t hurt you. At least not yet. Would you like to know why you’re in my beautiful home, tied up to a chair?”
Tami nodded yes.
“It’s quite an interesting story. One that includes the both of us and my father.” Ramona stood from her chair and paced back and forth as she spoke. “Although, we had never met. Our lives became intertwined on the day he died. When I was younger, I made countless mistakes and took life for granted. After meeting my father, I was ready to turn my life around and begin a new life. He wanted to send me to college. He explained why it was important for me to continue my education and I agreed. We had so many plans. He said his biggest regret was the time he missed in my life, but he made up for it when it counted. The day I learned he died was the worst day of my life.” Ramona stood in front of Tami, who avoided any eye contact. She sat with her head held towards the floor. Ramona firmly placed her hand underneath Tami’s chin, lifting it until she could see her lying eyes. “I am the daughter of Dr. Michael Pennington. He had principals and a moral compass that led him to a live a life of servitude. You destroyed that by forcing him to be an accomplice in your filthy secret.” Ramona ripped the tape off Tami’s mouth. “What do you have to say for yourself, bitch?! You’re the reason my father is dead and you know I can’t let you get away with that!”
“Ramona, I'm so sorry about what happened to Michael. But, I didn't kill him. I’m not responsible for the robbery.”
Ramona slapped Tami across the face. “Just because you didn’t pull the trigger, doesn’t mean you weren’t responsible. He would’ve never been at the clinic if it wasn’t for you. He would’ve been at home preparing for my arrival. But, you had to meet him and forced him to help you. You did that, no one else! You didn’t care if what you asked went against his beliefs or morals!”
“It wasn’t my fault,” cried Tami.
“That person may have still robbed the clinic, but my father wouldn’t have been there if it weren’t for you. You took his life so you will pay with yours!”
“Wait...wait! Let me explain. I think if I explain why your father helped me you will understand it wasn’t my fault,” pleaded Tami.
Ramona sat in the chair and faced Tami. They were close enough she could feel Tami’s breath on her skin. “I don’t care to hear any of your excuses. Every word that comes out of your mouth is a disgusting lie. You are a selfish bitch who cares only for herself!” Ramona grabbed Tami by the throat and squeezed, eventually releasing her grip when she gagged.
“I promise to tell you the truth. Just hear me out, please,” she said between coughs. “Your father and I were close friends. I volunteered at his clinic once a month. When I realized I was pregnant, I was distraught and didn’t know what to do. Your father counseled me and suggested that I tell Josh. But, I didn’t listen. Instead, I begged him to help me end the pregnancy. I know your father was against it and he’d told me several times he couldn’t get involved. I explained that someone raped me and I couldn’t tell my husband. In the end, he understood why I needed it done. Your father helped me through the most difficult time in my life. When I left I reassured Michael that we did the right thing. He understood.”
Ramona stared at Tami unmoved, observing the tears falling from her eyes. Those tears were not for her father, it was because she was finally being held accountable for her actions. She knows for a fact that her husband has turned her back on her, so she has no one left to come rescue her from what’s about to happen next. It was time for Ramona to become the judge, jury, and executioner. She entered the kitchen and retrieved a long sharp knife from the butcher block. It’s the one you see the chefs use on those cooking shows that can cut anything with excellent precision. With the knife pointed downward in her hand, she entered the living room and grabbed a fistful of Tami's hair. Pulling her head back, she placed the sharp edge of the knife on her neck. If either of them moved a millimeter, her neck would be slit.
Tami’s chest rapidly rise with each breath. “Was I supposed to feel sorry for you because you were raped, got pregnant, and kept it from your hubby?” she asked, as she removed the knife and flung her head forward. “You started a chain of events that resulted in my father’s death. So, it became my job to obliterate everything you held dear. My father’s life ended, yet you went on with yours. You have a career, money, and a husband and I have nothing. I had to get justice, and I've loved every moment of destroying your life.”
“Alexis was right about you all along. I should have listened to her!” shouted Tami.
“Yeah, you should've because I was behind everything. Securing a job where you worked, getting Tim fired, revealing your dirty secrets. Poor Josh, he was in such bad shape when I found him last night.”
“What did you do to him?!” yelled Tami.
“Nothing, he didn't want. I took pictures while my girl gave him a night full of pleasure, but you already know about that. You saw the pictures I sent you, right?”
“You, bitch!”
Tami squirmed in the chair as she struggled to break out of her restraints. A smile on Ramona’s face grew wider with each fail attempt. Suddenly, she heard the front door open. She turned towards the sound of footsteps heading towards the living room, widening her eyes at the sight before her.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Nick could hear voices and what sounded like cries when he entered the door. His first thought was Ramona was in trouble, so he bolted down the hall and whipped left around the corner. What he saw was nowhere near what he imagined. “What the hell?” he muttered. First, he saw Ramona staring at him, eyes wide, glutted with panic and a sharp knife dangling from her hand. His eyes moved to Tami, who sat bound to a chair with t
error in her eyes. Black streaks from her makeup streamed down her cheeks.
“Nick, help me. She’s gone crazy!” pleaded Tami. He could tell by her expression she was both happy and confused to see him. He stepped forward intending to free her from the chair. But, Ramona stopped him.
“Nick!” she shouted. “Get away from her!” She waved the knife at him. “I promise I won’t hurt you, but you need to stay out of this.”
Although trepidation filled his body, he had to remain cool and steady to prevent an intense situation from worsening. “Why do you have her tied up in our home?” he asked calmly.
“Our guest has been a bad girl," Ramona replied with the knife towards Tami. “Remember, I told you I held someone responsible for my father’s death? You're looking at the culprit.”
“Tami?! I don't think so. She's not a killer, Ramona.”
“Since when you're a fan of this bitch? You said you hated her as much as I did!” she shouted.
“No...I never said that.” Nick stepped cautiously towards Ramona. “You need to calm down and give me the knife.” He held his hand out and tried to retrieve the knife from her hand. He almost had a grip on it but she jerked her hand away.
“No! She has to answer for the lives she’s destroyed. It's time for her to pay,” she said lunging for Tami.
Nick jumped in front of her hoping to put an end to the madness. “Sweetheart, you need to hand me the knife. I understand wanting someone to pay for what you believe to be unjust,” he said, realizing she had become more irrational. The look in her eyes was that of a crazed person, the woman he knew had long disappeared.
“Not someone, Nick!!!!! Her!” she screamed. She tried to move him out of the way. Only he was stronger, he pushed her with such force, she fell onto the couch maintaining her grip on the knife. “I will untie Tami and although you have a knife, we both know you won’t use it.” He proceeded to undo the knotted rope around her ankles. He glanced over his shoulder at Ramona, who watched him intently. Her face was red from anger, and she glared at him with pure disgust. It pained him to lay his hands on her with such a forceful shove, but that was the only to keep control of the situation.
“Nick stop it! I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if you let her go!” Ramona stood and slowly walked towards Tami as she blurted out another warning. “Nick, you mean everything to me. Please don’t force me to hurt you.” Nick was now behind Tami working on a tight knot that bound her hands. Regardless, of the words she spoke, he was sure she wouldn’t use the knife on him. Tami was another story, therefore he tried as fast as he could to untie the knots but her fidgeting impeded his process.
“Nick, hurry! Please!” pleaded Tami. He glanced around the chair and Ramona was closer to Tami, with her knife held high above her head. He had one more knot to work out and within a few seconds he got it out. Fear mixed in with adrenaline must have kicked into Tami because next thing he saw she had kicked Ramona backward with both feet and charged after her. Ramona was on the ground, still holding the knife. Tami was on top trying to hold her down.
“Nick, call the police!” shouted Tami.
He stood frozen, almost paralyzed, as he watched Ramona try to fight Tami off and hold on to the knife.
“You said I destroyed your life, but you’ve destroyed mines! I’ve lost my husband because of you!” screamed Tami.
Ramona spat in Tami’s face. “I don’t give a damn about your husband!”
Nick snapped out of his frozen state and searched for his phone. He found it in his coat pocket he had taken off when he first arrived. Before he could dial 911, he heard a high pitch scream which came from either Ramona or Tami. He was afraid to turn around, fearful of what he might see. His heart beat faster than the last as he turned in their direction. Tami had fallen onto the floor with Ramona’s knife sticking out of her chest. He glanced towards Ramona who appeared to marvel in her non-defeat. She had the most evil grin scrawled across her face. He immediately raced to Tami's side, who screamed out in agony. “Nick, please help me!” He dialed 911, and as he waited for help to arrive, he held Tami's hand, who had faded in and out of consciousness.
“How could you do this?” he asked Ramona.
“I thought you understood why. I thought you were on my side.”
Nick didn’t bother responding to her. The person before him was not the person he cared for. This was a possessed version of herself.
“Traitor! That’s all you are, a traitor!” she yelled at him. “Why in the hell are you holding her hand? She’s the reason my father is dead! That bitch got what she deserved!”
When the paramedics arrived, they lifted Tami onto a gurney and rushed her to the hospital. The police placed Ramona in handcuffs and took her to the police station. Nick called Josh, and he didn't answer. He left a message stating that his wife was on her way to the hospital.
Nick fell back on a chair flabbergasted. He replayed Ramona being marched away in handcuffs repeatedly in his mind. He felt for Tami, he really did. But, Ramona was in trouble, and he had to help her. Although what she’s done was horrific, she's an emotionally damaged woman who misses her father and is desperately crying out for help.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Tami opened her eyes to a blinding fluorescent light transfixed above her head. She glanced around at the unfamiliar surroundings, hoping to determine where she was. “Oh, you're finally awake,” stated a woman dressed in maroon scrubs. “Where am I?” asked Tami.
“Shh, save your energy. My name is Jocelyn and you’re in Methodist Hospital. I'll get the doctor to speak with you.” The woman exited the room, leaving Tami to recollect how she arrived there. The last memory she had was Nick trying to get a knife away from Ramona and then nothing. It's a blank. She never thought a secret she buried in the past would come back to haunt her in the manner it had. To have Michael’s daughter wreak havoc in her life and then try to kill her was unimaginable. It all began with Dennis Rothenburg. No, she can’t honestly blame him because she failed to tell her husband about his advances or what he did to her the last night of the conference. His assault caused her entire life to snowball and every decision she made afterward was a bad one. Tami wished she had enough faith in her husband and marriage, to be honest. If she had, she wouldn’t be in a hospital room alone not sure of what the future held. Unfortunately, it’s too late to think of the what-ifs. Too much has transpired and their lives will never be the same.
“Mrs. Hamilton, I'm Dr. Merrick the attending doctor on your case. How are you feeling?”
“It hurts somewhat when I breathe.”
“When you arrived last night, we rushed you into surgery…”
“Surgery?! Why?” she asked, interrupting the doctor.
“You arrived with a stab wound to the chest. You were pretty out of it when the paramedics brought you in.”
“Why can't I remember?”
“Well, you were in and out of consciousness, and you experienced a fair amount of blood loss. We had to give you a transfusion.” He smiled and gave her a gentle pat on her arm. “Your one lucky girl. The puncture was a mere inch from your heart. But, the good news is the surgery was a success. You and your baby will be just fine.”
Tami, not sure she heard right. Narrowed her eyes at the doctor. “Excuse me? Did you say, baby?”
“You didn’t know?” Dr. Merrick chuckled to himself. “We ran a routine blood panel, and it revealed you’re six weeks pregnant.”
Tami smiled and tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought hearing those words again would fill her with so much joy. “Sorry, I don't mean to be overly emotional. It was the last thing I expected you to say because I’ve been on birth control.”
“Nothing is foolproof and a blood test is the most accurate form of determining pregnancy.”
“So, this is real? Wow!” she smiled. “By any chance, has my husband been here?” Before the doctor could answer, Josh walked in with a bouquet of two dozen red roses.
The doctor
continued to bring them both up to speed on her condition. He said if she continued to improve, they’ll release her by the end of the week. Once the doctor left the room, Josh leaned in and kissed Tami on the lips. It surprised her because of their last conversation. “I guess you know what that happened last night,” she said.
“Yeah, Nick filled me in. But, before we get into that I must apologize to you. I behaved like an ass. After you told me all you had gone through, I should’ve held you in my arms. Instead, I belittled and berated you. If I’d never walked out on you, maybe this wouldn’t have happened,” said Josh.
“No, you have no reason to apologize. I lied to you, and I'm sorry.” Tami reached for a tissue next to the bed and wiped her eyes. “I was wrong. I know it will take time to repair the damage I caused. But, after all this madness, something good has come out of it.”
“Oh yeah, what?” asked Josh, holding her hand.
“I'm pregnant! Can you believe it?”
“I know, the doctor mentioned it last night.” Josh smiled from ear to ear.
“What did he say?”
“He assumed I knew. After surgery, he said you and the baby were fine. When I heard those words, I played it cool because I didn’t believe him. He doesn’t know about the birth control. So, I conducted research on the internet and it said it’s ninety-nine percent effective.”
“I know. I had the same reaction.”
“I didn't mention it because I wanted to wait until you were feeling better to say anything.”
“I’m recovering from a stab wound to the chest and I feel an overwhelming amount of joy I can't put into words. The last time I felt pain, disgust, and void of any feelings for the life growing inside me. I fought hard against what you wanted not knowing the happiness a baby from the man I love would bring.”
Shattered Lives (The Shattered Series Book 1) Page 23