by Lynn Jaxon
“I do blame myself. I swear to God I want to kill that man. I knew I should have done something the first time you flew to Ohio when he all but attacked you in your kitchen.”
Just as I say that the doors open, and that crazy fucker is in handcuffs being taken away by the local police. He turns to us and screams, “She is mine.” Marley’s hand on my shoulder keeps me from doing something stupid. Mitch, Henry, and Kristi are taken into the station to give their account of what they saw.
I turn to Marley and look at her with eyes filled with remorse for everything that she has been through. She begins to sob uncontrollably. I can only imagine how unnerving this must be for her. I pull her into my arms, and we fall to the ground. I hold her next to me and just rock her and smooth her hair telling her how sorry I am. I vow to never let anyone, including me, hurt her like this again.
“Please take me home.” she pleads. “I feel dirty and need to wash all this away.”
I scoop her into my arms and carry her to my truck. The car is silent except for the sound of her soft cries. My heart breaks with every tear that falls.
Once we get inside, I place her on the bed and turn on the shower and check to make sure the temperature is just right. I help her slip off her dress and she climbs in.
“Please get in with me, Ben. I need you to hold me. Just hold me.”
I can’t say no to that. I kick off my shoes and climb into the shower clothes and all. I hold her as the water washes away her tears that seem to endlessly fall. When the water starts to run cold, I wrap her in a towel placing her in the chair at the vanity. I strip out of my wet clothes and pull on some boxers and a T-shirt that were in the clean clothes basket sitting on her closet floor. I grab another T-shirt and pull it over her head before picking her up and carrying her to bed. We spend the rest of the day wrapped in each others arms. It takes her forever to fall asleep, even in my embrace.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Marley
Sleep eluded me for most of the night. When I did drift off, I had dreams about that creep raping me or worse. Other times, I dreamed about the look on Ben’s face when he saw me bruised and broken at the police station. The only good dream I had was one of Em telling me that everything would be okay. To stay strong and always trust in Benson. I do trust him. He did just what I asked and went to see a therapist to work out his feelings for me and his guilt over them. I’m so in love with him. I almost told him last night as he held me in his arms, telling me with his actions what he is not ready to voice with his words. I know he loves me too. That is what is going to get me through this.
My phone rings snapping me out of my thoughts. It’s the detective from the case calling me.
“Is this Marley Jones?” asks a monotone, yet professional, voice.
“Yes, it is,” I reply.
“Ms. Jones, this is Detective Visser. Would you mind coming into the station this morning? We have some things to show and tell you.”
“Sure, I can be there by ten.”
“Thank you, Ms. Jones. See you soon.”
Ben is sitting up in bed looking at me with worry in his eyes. “Who was that?” he asks.
“That was the detective working my case. He needs me to come by the station. He has something to tell me and show me. Will you please come too?”
“Nothing, and I mean nothing, could keep me from going with you. I will never leave you again.”
I fight a tear that wants to form in my eye and lean forward to kiss him on the lips. “Thank you.” The pain caused by Steven is nothing to seeing pain and anguish on Ben’s face. I’m so grateful that he is here with me.
We are dressed and ready in under thirty minutes. When we arrive at the station, we are taken to a private room. Detective Visser is there with a large envelope sitting on the table. He stands and shakes both of our hands. “I hope it is okay that I brought someone with me.”
“That is fine, Ms. Jones, it is probably better that you did.”
Oh no, what is he going to tell me? “Why am I here?”
“We obtained a search warrant after arresting Professor Steven Marks because of some disturbing things he said when he was arrested.”
I try and fail to contain the fear and anxiety that is in my voice. “Wha-what did you find?”
He looks at me with compassion and says, “I think it would be better if I showed you.” He opens the large envelope and pulls out a stack of pictures, all of me. I think I’m going to be sick. There are pictures of me from last year all over campus all the way up to this week. There are even pictures of me inside my bedroom. Oh God, and pictures of me and Ben in intimate positions. I look at Ben, and his face is as red as fire, and he is visibly shaking with barely contained anger.
Ben stands up and starts pacing the room. “How in the fuck did he get in her house? Is there a hidden camera?”
“That is one of the reasons why we called you in. We would like your permission to sweep your house for cameras and other surveillance equipment that we will use as evidence against him.”
“Please, get them out now!” Ben is pulling me into his arms in a matter of seconds.
“Shhh, babe, it will be okay. I will not let anything else happen to you ever again.” Ben turns to Detective Visser and asks, “Can you get them out today?”
“We will send a team over this morning. I just need you to sign this release Ms. Jones.”
I quickly pull it to me and sign it and pass it back to him. He picks up his phone and calls in someone to get the process going. I can’t describe how violated I feel. How could I have missed the signs? What am I doing to make these men treat me this way? “I’m ready to go home. Can I leave now?”
“Yes, Ms. Jones. Thank you for coming in. It shouldn’t take them too long to sweep your house for cameras.”
Benson takes my hand and leads me to the door. “Come on babe, let’s get you out of here.”
“I really don’t want to go home knowing there are cameras inside. I feel violated, like he is still watching me. My skin is crawling just thinking about what he saw. He invaded my private space. That creep invaded our private moments together. I’m so damn mad! Can you take me somewhere else, please?” Will I ever feel safe in my home again? Yes, I will if I have Ben by my side.
“Honey, we need to go there and wait for them to come and check the house. If you still want to go somewhere else, we can get a hotel room for the night.”
“With you by my side, I will be fine, especially if he is still in jail. I feel so violated. That man took pictures of me. Of US! Why? Why me? I never did anything to lead him on. I promise.”
“Babe, I know you didn’t do anything. This is all on him. He is crazy. I had a bad feeling the first time you told me how he acted when he came to take you out. I wanted to punch him then. I can’t even begin to tell you what I want to do to him now. He better hope I never run into him in a dark alley.”
When we get home, I can’t help but look around and try to find all the cameras he has planted in my house. How did he get inside? I never leave my house unlocked. Luckily, I don’t have to wait too long for them to get here. They find three cameras in all. One in my bedroom, one in my bathroom, and one in the living room. I think back to the other night and thank goodness there weren’t any found in the kitchen. I blush just thinking about it.
Chapter Fifty-Five
Benson
I can’t believe that fucker put cameras all in her house. She is so strong, I just wish she could see that. I hate that she thinks she has done something to cause it. I will spend the rest of my days showing her how special she is. I hope she will know how much she means to me when she sees what I have planned for her in Chicago. I just hope she doesn’t insist that I come with her. That will ruin the fun of the surprise. Luckily there is a lot going on at the gym, she doesn’t know that I’m not really needed so I can use that as an excuse not to go with her.
“Ben, come to bed,” Marley calls from down the hallway.
“Coming sweetheart, I’m just checking all the doors to make sure they are locked.” Tomorrow I’m calling and having a security system installed.
When I walk in the room, Marley is in one of her many green pajamas and fuzzy socks. I bring her the cup of coffee I made while locking up the kitchen. “This is for you my dear. It’s half-caf, so hopefully, it will help you relax and not keep you up all night. This always worked for Em when she was stressed and wanted to wind down.”
Marley smiles at me with a wistful look on her face. “Em did love her coffee. She is the one who got me addicted in nursing school. We would both drink half-caf at night when we were stressed out.”
“I hope it is okay for me to talk about Em. I think it is the only way I will be able to handle all the unexpected triggers that might surface. I can’t believe I almost messed everything up from the beginning. You have been so incredibly patient with me. I’m so glad that you didn’t give up on me, and you encouraged me to confront my grief. I can’t tell you enough how sorry I am that I freaked out and walked out on you when you were first opening your heart to me. I regret that more than you will ever know.” What I want to tell her is I love you. I need you. Please accept all the broken pieces of me. Only a few more days and I will tell her everything that is in my heart.
“Ben, I want you to talk about Em. I need you to talk about her. She was a big part of my life too. Did you know that we talked on the phone almost every day? There are still times that I pick up my phone and start to hit her name on my favorites list.”
“I knew you two were close, but I had no idea that you talked almost every day. We both have a void in our lives that we will help fill together.” I lean into her and gently kiss each visible bruise that monster put on her. She snuggles into my arms, and we watch “Love It or List It” until her eyes get heavy and she falls asleep wrapped in my warmth.
This week flies by. How can it already be Friday? I can’t believe in just two days I’m going to let her know exactly how I feel about her. I call my buddy at the radio station and make sure that he was able to arrange for my surprise. He is going to make Marley think that they were randomly chosen to get an upgrade to front row tickets as a radio promotion during the concert. As soon as she gets to the front row, I will be there waiting. Today is going to be a good day. I can feel it in my bones.
I wake Marley up with kisses down her neck and body until I reach her sweet spot. One swipe of my tongue across her clit has her calling out my name. I crawl out from under the covers with a smile on my face. “Time to get up sunshine. You have a plane to catch in less than 2 hours.” I pull her up and out of bed giving her a passionate kiss and a slap on the ass before pushing her towards the shower.
“Get in with me,” she all but begs.
“You have no idea how bad I want to shower with you, but if I do you will miss your plane and your parents are waiting on you. I’ll have your breakfast waiting and bags loaded in the truck. Just don’t forget to grab your toiletry bag.”
She puts out her lip and pouts. “I can’t believe you aren’t going to join me. The shower is going to be big and lonely without you.”
Marley looks adorable with her hair pulled up in a messy bun, wearing no make-up and a sundress. I hand her a bagel and coffee and usher her out the door. “Do you have your tickets?”
“Yes dear, I have it downloaded on my phone. You’re stressing me with all your stressing,” she laughs, and her face lights up.
I park in short term parking, and we walk into the airport hand in hand. I go as far as security will allow and then I kiss her with everything in me. “Bye, babe. See you Monday. Have a wonderful time with your parents.”
Now it’s time for me to go pack and make sure everything is still a go. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she sees me on Sunday.
Chapter Fifty-Six
Marley
My flight took just under two hours, so they barely had time to bring drinks and pretzels around before we were landing. Well, not really. In first class, we are catered to and don’t have to wait nearly as long as business class and economy. I grab my carryon bag and my purse and quickly exit the plane. My parents are waiting at the other side of security with big smiles on their faces that I have missed so much.
“Mom, Dad, I’m so happy to see you. You look wonderful.” My mom is sixty years old but doesn’t look a day over forty-five. People ask us all the time if she is my sister. I just roll my eyes and laugh. My dad is the picture of ‘Silver Fox’ when you see him. He is sixty-two, and like Mom, looks like he is in his late forties. He is fit from all the running he likes to do and from the yoga classes mom makes him take with her twice a week. They just crack me up. They have what I want one day.
“Hi sweetheart! We are so happy you agreed to come this weekend. I was missing my little girl something fierce. We haven’t seen you since Thanksgiving. Plus, you gave us quite a scare when you called and told us what happened with that psycho professor.”
“I know Mom, and I’m sorry I have been so wrapped up with everything, with Em, and now…well, now Benson. I’m not going to lie to you. I have fallen completely head over heels in love with that man. He is just...just everything.”
Mom and Dad look at each other with an ‘I know something you don’t know look’ in their eyes. “Dad, spill. What’s going on?”
“Wha…whatever are you talking about? Can’t a man smile at his wife when he sees his daughter so happy and in love for the first time in over twenty years?”
“I suppose. Mom, is there something you need to say?”
“No, get your bags and let’s go home. I have your favorite, spaghetti, waiting on you. I figured you might be hungry after your flight.”
I don’t even have my bag put away in the guest room when Mom is calling me to the table to eat. Shit, does she think I’m a pig? The portion she put on my plate is more than a grown man could finish. “Mom, it smells and looks delicious, but are you trying to make me fat as a pig? I can’t eat all that.”
“I know, I just wanted to make sure you had enough. You look like you’ve lost some weight since the last time I saw you.”
“I have lost about ten pounds. It was really hard on me when Em got sick and then passed so suddenly. I promise I’m eating. I’ve gained about four pounds back this past month. Turns out being happy has the exact opposite effect on my body as being sad. This time next year you will be telling me to go and see my friend Victoria at The Diet Center.”
Mom is washing dishes and flings soapy water at me from the sink. “Oh, hush and eat your spaghetti!”
I wrinkle my nose at her and laugh. Then I take a huge bite and grin with spaghetti noodles hanging out of my mouth. I decided to snap a selfie and send it to Ben. “See what you are missing,” I add the laughing/crying emoji.
He shoots back a text immediately.
Ben: “That makes me think of the movie Lady and the Tramp. I want to slurp noodles with you until our lips touch.”
Marley: “Only you could turn a G rated movie to porn in my mind.”
Ben: “I aim to please, babe.”
Marley: “Oh, you please all right. Shit now I’m blushing, and my mom is standing here looking at me with her eyebrows raised.”
Ben: “Dirty bird, you’re so busted. LOL”
Marley: “You’re such a butt! I’d throw my towel at you if you were here.”
Ben: “If I recall correctly, you do like throwing towels at me. Especially when I get you wet… I mean when I get your floor wet.” Winky face emoji
Marley: “I’d love to have you wet and dripping in my kitchen right now. I miss you. I can’t wait to see you in a few days.”
Ben: “I miss you too, babe. Monday will be here before you know it. Have fun with Mike and Stacy. Tell them I said hello.”
Marley: “I sure will. Stacy looks like she is about to bust a gut to find out what we are talking about.”
Ben: “Your mom sounds a lot like you. Always needs
to be in the know.”
Marley: “Yep, and there is nothing wrong with that. That’s how you find out stuff. Speaking of, I need to find out just what the big plans are for this weekend. I will talk to you tomorrow. Call me and let me know how everything is going at the gym.”
Ben: “I will. Talk to you later, babe. Sweet dreams.”
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Benson
I double check and triple check that I have the ring in my pocket. I hated having to put it in the tray at security. I didn’t want it out of my sight for a second.
When the agent saw what it was, she said, “Good luck. My horoscope said that the stars have aligned and today is going to be a lucky day.”
“I sure hope so, ma’am. She is my world.”
With that, I gather my ring, wallet, phone, and carryon bag and head to my destiny.
The flight was uneventful. I’m so nervous I had a hard time sitting still. I have an Uber waiting for me when I get to the airport. I rush to my hotel and shower and dress. Less than an hour and my girl will be in my arms.
The arena is at capacity, which is good. That means the chances of Marley seeing me before time is not as great. I blend in with the crowd wearing faded Wrangler jeans, boots, a button up shirt rolled at the sleeves, and a cowboy hat. Oh, and let’s not forget the belt and buckle.
The tension and excitement build inside of me as soon as the opening act finishes, and I know Marley is about to be at my side. My body tingles with awareness, and I know she is walking up behind me. I slowly turn around, and she screams and jumps into my arms kissing me like nobody is around us. She doesn’t even care that her parents are behind her.