JessicaMy whole body feels numb. My mind, heart, and soul are hanging by a thread, and even know I Damon is saying things to me, I am only half listening….my mind is in other places.Is Mike going to Die? How can this be possible?Damon opens the passenger side of his car, and I climb in, “Did you text Ms. Kush to stay longer?” he asks, and I nod as I stare at my cell phone screen blankly. She was just as surprised as me that Mike’s life hangs in the balance and that mine could have, too, if he had not stopped them.“Yes, she agreed to stay. She understands what Mike means to me, Julie, and Jackson,” I say softly. Realizing that if Mike does die, it will also hurt them. “She said it was no problem, especially since today is Saturday.” Damon nods, and his car begins driving toward the hotel. We pull into the front and get out as the valet takes the keys from Damon.“Mr. Ricci?” A woman’s voice comes from the parking lot, and Damon turns around.“Thank you, Jackie, for bringing the clo
Damon I watch Jessica breathe from her bed from across the room. Her face is still puffy from crying, but I am sure mine is too. I have rarely cried in my life. In fact, I can count on one hand how many times I have. The first one was when I was six, and my puppy contracted parvovirus and died. He was my best friend in the entire world, but I couldn’t watch him suffer. We tried all the treatments- nothing worked. That was one of the reasons I didn’t mind exposing the pet store; animals have a special place in my heart. The second time was when I found out Jessica’s parents had died, which was my fault. I took something precious from her and her siblings. Something I can never make up for, but I can only help ease the burden. And this is the third. The day my best friend was shot because of me. Mikey knows who I am, and there was always a chance of him getting hurt or being killed, but I vowed never to let that happen. Too bad I have been distracted lately with everything going on.
JessicaWhile waiting for Damon to finish up in the bathroom, I sit on the bed and pull out my cell phone to dial Ms. Kush. She answers the phone right away, her voice soft, “Hi, Jessica, Dear. How are you doing? Any news?”I sigh, playing with the hotel pillow, “No, but the twelve-hour mark will be over soon, and then hopefully, we will be able to visit him.”Ms. Kush clears her throat, “Good. I am sorry this has happened to you, Jessica, and to Mike. He’s such a good boy. It’s a cold world,” she says sadly.I nod in agreement as I hold back my tears, “How are Julie and Jackson doing?”“They are good. Fighting over what movie we watch next. They are so glad you are okay but worried for Mike,” Her voice grows quieter, “I know this must be a lot for all of you after what happened to your parents. I heard Julie crying last night after I told her, but she hasn’t said anything to me.”A tear falls down my cheek, and I wipe it quickly, “Can I talk to her?”“Of course, here. Hold on.” I wai
Damon“They are bookies, Jessica!” The words explode out of my mouth quicker than I can think them over like word vomit.Bookies?! Is she even going to believe me? I am a billionaire. Why would I owe anyone money? This is not good!“Bookies?” The words slide off her tongue, confused, and I don’t blame her- It makes no sense, but it was the only thing I could come up with that was far from the truth.“Yes, bookies! My father owes them money!” More lies, but they could be true. Jessica doesn’t trust my father. I can tell by how her eyes dart whenever I bring him up, but who could blame her? He is a shifty guy. “They wanted me. I am the leverage. Don’t you see?” I say, stepping closer to her.I have lied already so much to her; I can’t stop now.“But your billionaires…” She says, almost in a whisper, her eyes slowly meeting mine as she tries to understand.“I know, but it’s complicated,” I say softly. “You would do anything to keep your parents safe, wouldn’t you?” I ask, my eyes serious
JessicaIf Mikey is awake, then I will force myself to be brave. I am so scared, but he was shot in the chest three times and almost died. If he could stand up to these bookies, then I can trust Damon’s guards and follow them to safety to see him.He deserves my bravery. I want to see him so badly….Damon grips my hand tightly as Jesse opens the hotel room door, taking his gun from the holster and checking the hallway, “It’s clear,” he whispers. “You two go ahead.” He says to Camden and the other man. Camden nods, and he walks down the hallway as Jessie leads us in the other direction.I’m pretty sure Jesse was flirting with me, but I can’t be bothered with any of that now. My boyfriend’s life hangs in the balance, and if I weren’t with him …I would be with Damon.I take a deep breath as Damon’s hand grips mine tighter; he turns around, looking into my eyes, “Just follow our lead,” he whispers, and I nod as I follow them both to the stairway. Jesse opens the door and makes sure it’s c
DamonEven though I am acting brave for Jessica, my heart is racing inside my chest. These men aren’t bookies; they are hired guards like mine. The only difference between us right now is that my father has their boss, and they have no leverage over us. – I am that leverage that they want/need.I cannot be captured, no matter what. I know what I am risking seeing Mikey, but it’s a risk I HAVE to take. I know they have been given orders to shoot and maim, but probably not kill. At least not yet. That will change, though, once my father and I are finished with Marcus. Hopefully, we can make it look like an accident, but we still need to send a message.By the time we make it to the black sedan outside, I may have a heart attack, but my determination to see Mikey hasn’t changed. It is my fault this happened to him, and I need to tell him how sorry I am. I need to tell him that it will never happen again.“There!” I point as I see the other two guards that were bait climbing the embankme
JessicaThe last few days have gone by slowly but so yet, so fast. Everything after the hospital is a blur. I will never forget the way Mrs. Clody screamed when the doctor announced Mike’s time of death- it was the same scream I made when I found out my parents were dead. It brought back so many painful memories, and today will only bring more.Today we say goodbye to Mike with all his other family and friends…I know there will be so many. He was truly loved. I am not ready for his funeral, but I have to go. I want to go…but I also know it will be hard. I still can’t believe Mike Clody is dead; it doesn’t feel real. He has been in my life since I was five years old and never significant until now, but now our moment is lost forever…“Are you okay?” Julie asks me as I run a comb through my hair one more time. I have done this several times already, but memories of him make me forget what I am doing. I just stand here in a daze as my heart aches…. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.“Yes,
DamonMy whole world was shattered in one moment. One minute Mikey was talking to me, and the next, he was flatlining. It still doesn’t feel real, and sometimes I even forget he is gone. I have even tried to call him a few times before I remember he will never answer.My heart hurts so much sometimes that I don’t know how to breathe. He made me promise I would take care of Jessica and her siblings, but right now, I can barely take care of myself. Mindy has been making sure I eat and bathe. She has been staying with me at night while I have my breakdowns; she is a true best friend…but she can never replace him.My father hasn’t let me near Marcus since he found out Mikey died. He says that Marcus needs to suffer, and if he lets me near him, I’ll kill him in a fit of rage. He isn’t wrong- I would probably kill him as soon as my eyes saw him.He doesn’t deserve mercy, and that’s what a swift death would be.I will say his screams coming from the basement have given me some relief…. he de