Dangerous Confessions of the Heart (Dangerous Secrets of the Heart) (14 page)

“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.

              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.