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Chapter 194
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IT TAKES US ALL day to decorate the house. I remember my mom browbeating Joel and me the entire Thanksgiving weekend so everything was set up perfectly by Sunday night. Looking back, those were happy times, and someday I'll have children to do the same with.We concentrate on the lower floor of the house. I cut a tree the day before and it rests in a bucket on the back porch. Decorating the tree is the last thing we do before I show her my surprise. I lift her up while she's laughing, wobbling a bit as she puts the star at the top of the tree. I made sure the curtains were drawn in the front windows before the sun went down. It's dark now, and I have my surprise set on a timer so the lights go on when the sun goes down. After giving Danny a lengthy kiss in front of the tree, I grab our jackets and make her put hers on while I do the same. I pull her to the front door and open it."Van," she says in a breathy voice as we step out onto the porch.The entire house is lit with Christmas
Last Updated : 2022-04-19Completion Chapter 196
PART SIXI was getting nowhere on the treadmill and I'm sure that was the point of the stupid contraption. When I ran, I wanted to be outdoors. As of today, I had enough time exercising inside to fill a cruise ship with sweat. Training indoors was ugly and so was my mood. The walls closed in with every step and just the noise of the machine had my temper spiking.I upped the speed and incline, sprinting to the sound of "Try Too Hard" by Pink pounding through my ear buds. The music usually put me in the right head space, but it wasn't working today. This was day six of running and practicing insidehiding. They- my security team, hired by my father, had no idea what a good backhand entailed. Bottom line, this wasn't working.Fuck it. I know I promised my father to stay here where it's safe, but I couldn't handle this anymore. I hadn't been to a nightclub in more than a week. Shaking my ass to a heavy beat, the smell of alcohol and sweaty bodies other than mine would at least let off s
Last Updated : 2022-04-19Completion Chapter 197
Voices."Mild traumatic brain injury, several stitches, no broken bones, but a badly bruised hip. The CT showed no significant swelling of the brain, but until she's fully conscious we won't know if there is lasting damage. Brain injuries are tricky and we want to be optimistic, but we just don't know yet."A squeeze to my hand preceded my father's voice filling the room. "I'm having a neurosurgeon flown in from Johns Hopkins. We aren't taking any chances."Yep, that's my dad. Always the best of everything for his only child. I tried to form words. That didn't work, so I tried to form just one. No luck. My hand lay limp within his. I focused and finally my fingers did what I wanted them to. His warm hand gently squeezed mine back.Another burning pain traveled through my head and the world went dark again.***"Take this IV out now. The next person who pushes that bedpan beneath my ass will be wearing it. I can walk six feet to the bathroom to pee." God, I sounded like a bitch. I
Last Updated : 2022-04-19Completion Chapter 198
I could hear Mr. B- whatever the hell his name was, speaking to the doctor. My half-ass attempt to chase him away obviously failed and I was too tired to care. The doctor turned my way. Even knowing he saw me do it, I closed my eyes and feigned sleep. He didn't take the hint."Miss Stradmore." He let my name hang in the air for a moment. "The fluids need to continue for a minimum of twenty-four more hours. I will, however, change your orders to assisted restroom visits. I'll immediately request a nurse to administer another line."I opened one eye. Gritting my teeth hurt too badly, so I hissed between pressed lips, "Doctor." I did the whole name hanging in the air thing just as well as he did. "If anyone gets near me with a needle they will receive a piercing in the rectum. I made it to the bathroom without assistance, so that one's out too. I plan to leave here in the morning, but right now my head hurts and I need sleep. Please don't let the door slam you in the ass on the way out.
Last Updated : 2022-04-19Completion Chapter 199
There was little in my stomach and what was there was trying to come up. Warm hands grasped my shoulders."Deep breaths. You're okay," Brack said with quiet authority.I tried to inhale. There was no air. And he lied. Nothing would ever be okay again.Dead.I struggled to get out of bed while mumbling, "Toilet, I- please."An ugly plastic, curved, pink hospital bowl appeared under my chin as I heaved. It did little good; nothing came up and I couldn't catch my breath."Breathe in through your nose and hold it as I countone- two- three." Brack's commanding voice penetrated my thoughts. He sounded like he spoke through a funnel. Something in his instructions had me paying attention and doing what he said."Now out through your mouthone- two- three."It took several minutes for the roar to fade to a small whoosh. The heat from one of his hands rested against the base of my neck. Then I felt his fingers in my hair tilting my head back."You're okay. You suffer these often?"It to
Last Updated : 2022-04-19Completion Chapter 200
The great senator from Texas huffed out a breath. I thought he would argue, but he didn't. He turned his pointed stare my way. "I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. If I need to lock you away for your protection, that can be arranged. You will do what he says, when he says it."I thought this man had learned something about my stubbornness, but I guess I was wrong. "Yes, Daddy."He shook his head. "I'm not falling for the 'yes, Daddy' routine." He turned to Brack. "That means 'fuck off' in Olivia speak. When she's cooperating and you think you've won, handcuff her to you."Brack's quiet chuckle grated on my last nerve. I interrupted their he-man bonding moment, "I'm preparing for the French Open. I'm also over eighteen and there is no way you can bully me into being manhandled by Neanderthals. I can and will take care of myself."After a very short silence, Brack spoke up. "How many more people do you want dead because you won't cooperate?"I stared at him not believing h
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"Come on, sleepyhead. Wake up."At some point in our trip, Brack had moved up front. It enabled me to splay across the backseat with my legs pulled up in a fetal position."You awake?" he asked.I sat up sleepily. "Yes, where are we?" It was no longer daylight."A small airport. We're taking off in about fifteen minutes and I thought you might want to use the bathroom and get a Coke and snacks out of the machine.""You didn't tell me we were flying anywhere." The whine entered my voice. What the hell was wrong with me?"You didn't ask, sunshine."Sunshine- even I knew that was a stretch. "You won't be so happy when I puke during the flight." I replied grumpily. "Me and air travel don't get along.""Hmm, that could be a problem. I'll make sure we have a plastic bag on board before takeoff," he replied with apparent humor. The moron obviously didn't believe me. He got out of the car and opened my door. "Time for you to get out. I need to get our bags into the plane. Mack checked
Last Updated : 2022-04-19Completion Chapter 202
The shower was small and the water cool. It was heaven. I scrubbed with an old bar of soap and a clean washcloth I'd removed from a small basket on the only shelf in the bathroom. I washed until my skin was raw. I used soap to massage my scalp around the bandage and felt halfway human again. The only downside of being free of the grime was a lack of a razor. For some reason having a clean body made the stubbles on my body more irritating. Within another day or two I'd have monkey armpits to go with my hairy legs. The small personal grooming kit in my bag at least had shampoo, comb, lotion, toothbrush, and toothpaste. I brushed the fur from my teeth.Combing my hair was a little harder. If I had something to pull my hair back with, the bald spot most likely wouldn't show. No such luck and it would probably cause a more severe headache than I already suffered. My sudden sense of vanity needed to take a flying leap into the cold dark pit it had come from. I pulled an old familiar t-shirt
Last Updated : 2022-04-19
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I hid in Italy for three weeks. Greg came with me and kicked my ass on the court. He actually made a great practice partner. I was back to clean eating and drinking only water. It surprised me when Greg brought a bottle of wine to my room one night."What's this for?" I asked when he gave me one of his golly-gee smiles. Greg was cute. And, married to a lovely woman who worshipped him."I've been your coach for three months now and I have no idea what makes you tick. It's time for a come to daddy talk. Or in your case, come to coach. I figured the alcohol might make it easier.""You'll need more than one bottle," I told him. He came back to my room ten minutes later with two more bottles in his hands. "Does your wife know you're getting drunk with a slutty tennis star tonight?" I smiled to take the sting out of calling myself a slut."She suggested it. We've had many long conversations about you.""How romantic."He poured our first glasses and tilted the edge of his glass against
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I never returned to the hospital, which was entirely unfair of me. My anger at my father carried over to Brack. I was horrible. The man I loved hadn't fully recovered and I left him at the hospital alone. Okay, he had his parents and his team. But, bottom lineI was horrible and a coward. I ignored the calls from Brack and my father. Again- coward.I needed complete control of my life. It took me two weeks to come up with a plan. During those two weeks, I hired a new coach and trained until I could barely walk. I trained with a purpose. I'd had my own money. Not just from tennis but from my mother. I'd never used it. That was the way I punished her and myself. Now, for the first time, I paid for my own coach.I liked him. I could actually smile over the fact that my father paid for Jerry all those years while the two of them hated each other. Greg, my new coach, kicked my ass. I had no idea if I had a chance this season. But, winning the Grand Slam was in my peripheral vision and not
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Two days later, the doctors discontinued the medication that kept Brack in a coma. My father showed up the morning after surgery and made me go home, shower, and change clothes. Brack's parents were staying in shifts. His mom promised she wouldn't leave his side until I returned. I hadn't really spoken to them. We stayed relatively quiet in Brack's room. I whispered encouragement and told him I was there. They gave us privacy, too. That's when I told him I loved him. Again and again, I whispered the words.My father and Senator Jacobs were cordial. Brack's mother treated my dad like a family friend. Apparently she'd been friends with my mom. I tried not to think about the ramifications of our two families tied together through me and Brack. It was too much to take right now.Brack still had the ventilator. The doctor reviewed best and worst case scenarios with us. I refused to listen to brain damage, paralysis, learning to walk and talk again, and so on. My focus was full recovery. I
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Four hours later, I was passed out against Mack's shoulder when his cell rang. My brain registered the noise and I was pulled quickly from sleep."Yeah," he answered quietly. He listened for several minutes before responding. "I have her here with me. We'll be there in a minute." He slid his phone back in his pocket and looked at me. "He's in recovery. It was touch and go, but he pulled through. They have him in a sedated coma. He has a stent in his skull to relieve swelling. The doctor told his parents he came to before surgery and demanded to see you. His mom wants you up there if you think you can handle it."I was up and walking out of the emergency room before he finished, my heart pounding a hundred miles an hour. "What floor? I'm not waiting for you to waddle behind me."Snickers came from several of the guys. "I've got her," Molly said."Second floor."The elevator took so long I almost turned to the stairs. I'd do anything to get to him. Brack asked for me and I had to se
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I ran toward Brack, who had fallen to the floor. There was so much blood and I tried wiping it off his face. My hands turned dark red."You did it, baby," he whispered before his body went completely limp.Sander and a woman who must be Molly ran into the enclosure with guns drawn. I could barely hear them. Echoed gunshots continued ringing in my ears."Call an ambulance and please someone check on my father. He's in the van," I said as I held Brack's head in my lap. Blood soaked my panties and covered my legs. Head wounds bleed, I kept saying to myself. Sander practically jumped over us and went straight to Ty's body. He turned back when he had assured himself Ty was no longer a threat."Where were you?" I asked softly. I didn't want Brack to hear me yelling at his team.Sander sat down next to me and took Brack's arm checking his pulse. "The bastard used some kind of scrambler. It took us a while to figure out the van didn't leave the premises. We recovered the phones. Brack had
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Kids laughed. A mother scolded a young child for attempting to go under the bar and get closer to one of the cages. Brack and I stood in the center of the primate exhibit. My phone chirped. It didn't startle me this time; I was too numb. "Yes.""Walk over to the primate exhibit sign and you'll find another cell phone behind it. Exchange it for the one you're using. Have Mr. Jacobs leave his phone behind, too."Brack followed me to the sign and I did exactly as told. The phone was there. I picked it up and lay mine down. "He said to leave yours, too." Brack took his from his jeans pocket and placed it beside mine. Thankfully, no one paid attention to us. I had no idea what we needed to do next. The phone in my hand vibrated. This time I clicked the call button without saying a word."Go to your left and keep walking on the path. Did you bring my present?" I carried a bag with the dress inside so both of Brack's arms would be free. He carried a gun in a hidden leg holster."Yes, it's
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The inside of my father's home was a crime scene. We sat on the couch in the front room away from the forensic team that arrived a few minutes before. The media camped at the gates added to the growing chaos.Even knowing Ty would eventually call, I jumped when my cell phone chirped. The display read "Unknown." My fingers trembled as I picked it up and answered, "Hello, Ty, or should I call you Leo?"His husky laugh sent goose bumps across my arms. "I told you not to call the police. You wouldn't listen and you'll pay for disobedience."My voice remained steady. "It wasn't me. You killed your mother, so what exactly did you expect? She worked for my dad for over thirty years. One plus one equals two, Leo." Fuller and Brack told me not to push him too hard. I had to make him believe I hadn't gone to the police, though."My mother had cancer and it was eating away at her. I did her a favor. She didn't walk in God's light. By making her repent and then killing her God may show mercy."
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My heart stopped. Dread and terror filled me. Colors danced before my eyes making it hard to see. The whoosh of blood traveling into my head made it hard to hear. I had to get control of myself. I gulped in air. "You goddamn son of a bitch. If you hurt my father I'll kill you.""He that blasphemeth the name of the LORD shall be put to death and stoned. Remember that when you feel the pain of my hand, Olivia."Brack startled me by gathering me close and placing his head against mine so we both listened. "Where's my father?" I demanded."That's better. I have instructions for you, Olivia. You will follow them to the letter. Please bring that man with you. The one you've been with lately." His voice took on an eerie quality. "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death." He breathed heavily and then gave a sadistic laugh. "You may choose your father or lover to pay for your sins. One shall die and the other walks away.""But-"He
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I don't know what I expected love to be like. Violins playing, little cupids flying around with bow and arrows, hell maybe just cuddles in bed for hours. That wasn't what happened the following morning. Brack paced across the carpet of my living room with his cell to his ear listening to one of his men on the other end. He cast a glance or two my way. I could tell before the call ended that he would try his non-communication shit with me again.I was right."What's the news?" I asked the second he lowered the phone.He came over and sat beside me. "Nothing to worry about."I gave him my I'm-about-to-slam-you-with-a-tennis-racquet look. "Bullshit." I was beginning to notice his tells. The fingers traveling through his hair was a sign that he didn't want to enlighten me. I waited.He breathed out a slow and steady breath of air. "Mack didn't see his attacker, but he heard him before he lost consciousness."My heartbeat accelerated. "Okay. Spill it.""Mack told Herman that most of
