Chapter 92
JACKSON'S POV
The first person I asked about when I woke up was Vera. A nurse was in the room helping me swallow some painkillers, and I didn’t waste time.
When she said Vera hadn’t checked on me since the incident in the parking lot, I instantly thought she was angry with me, so angry she never wanted to see me again.
Knowing how fast Vera reacts when I say or do something wrong, how quickly she runs from me, especially when I’m harsh toward her, I knew I had to find her.
“I want to see her,” I told the nurse.
“Your stubbornness is next level,” she muttered, shaking her head. “I already told you she went to see Mr. Nathan. I’m sure she’ll come if she finds out you’re awake.”
“Are you helping me take these things off, or should I do it myself?” I asked, gesturing at the wires and tubes connected to my arm. “I’m not trying to escape this time. I just want to talk to her… before she…” I couldn’t finish the sentence. I exhaled deeply.
She groaned. “Okay, fine! Thank God the cops are right outside because I won’t hesitate to tie you down if you fall or tear that wound open again. And if you do, I’ll make sure stitching you back up hurts like hell.”
She carefully detached the wires and stepped aside. I tried to stand, and just like she expected, I staggered. She reached out and supported me.
“Thank you,” I mumbled, dizzy, waiting for the pain to fade before stepping out.
I headed to Nathan’s room, but a nurse there said he and Vera had gone to see the girl. The police were already questioning her.
I made my way to the room and opened the door, surprising everyone inside. Vera’s eyes locked with mine. She stood and rushed to hold me.
“Why are you here? Why is it so hard for you to listen, Jackson Taylor?” she asked softly.
“I’m sorry,” I said bluntly.
“I’m tired of hearing that word,” she said, her voice low. “I know everything now, and I think the police should handle it. Let’s just go.” She looked away, hiding her tears.
“I don’t want to go to prison,” the dark girl said. “I just wanted to be close to you. Then I found out you’re not into women. I swear I never meant to hurt anyone. I never meant those things I said.”
“You’re a lesbian?” Harry asked, clearly shocked.
“I guess I grew up in the wrong environment. I couldn’t stop myself. My brother’s wife was a lesbian, and I lived with them. He travels a lot, so he never knew what was going on.”
“When you tied Jessica up in the bathroom, did you even stop to think that she could die in there?” I asked.
“And it looked like you were trying to kill me when you kept hitting me with that kitchen stool,” Nathan added angrily. “You tried to kill me twice, and you still don’t want to go to prison?”
“That’s not how you repay someone who saved your life years ago,” Vera cut in sharply. “You remember that day the mob almost killed you, right? And this is how you repay me?!”
“That—” the girl started, but Vera cut her off.
“I’m not done! Are you ungrateful, or just clueless about how to pay someone back for their kindness?!”
WRITER'S POV
“Hey, I think we should let the police handle this. Let’s go,” Jack said, taking Vera’s hand.
“I’m sorry,” the girl said again. “It sounds ridiculous, but I don’t regret everything I did. I just don’t think I’m the real threat here. There’s a man out there who thinks you’d be safer in the grave.”
“Who? What do you know about—” Harry started.
“She’s trying to shift the blame,” Vera snapped. “Why are the cops letting her talk so much?”
“Vera…” Jack held her tighter to stop her from rushing at the girl. She looked like she was about to explode.
“I followed you that night to Prince Kenneth George’s house,” Natalie confessed. “I came to take you home safely, but his men were already outside before I could reach you.”
“You…” Vera’s mouth dropped.
“I’m sorry I scared you and made you all think I was dangerous. I just didn’t think it was a crime to love someone.”
“Well, now you know I’m not into women,” Vera said proudly. “And I have a man I love, who also loves me back. What are you going to do about that?”
Jack’s grip on her hand tightened. He didn’t expect her to say that out loud, especially in front of all these people.
“I wasn’t planning to do anything,” Natalie said. “Even those threatening letters, I just wanted to love you from a distance.”
“Why do I feel like you’re trying to make me believe you meant no harm?” Vera scoffed. “How do I know you’re not working for Ken?”
“That’s a good question,” Nathan said dryly.
“If I worked for him, you’d already be dead,” Natalie said, tugging gently at her cuffed wrist. “I’ve always been close enough to smell your perfume.”
“You’ll hurt yourself if you keep twisting your hands like that,” Harry warned gently.
“If you knew how much pain she’s caused me,” Vera hissed, “you wouldn’t care about her,”
Jack knew it was time to get Vera out of there before she got angrier. He gently placed his hands on her shoulders and led her toward the door. Nathan followed them.
“I don’t like when you do this,” Vera tried to shake his hands off.
“I know you’re angry, but trust the police,” he said calmly, squeezing her shoulders.
“Such a romantic public display,” Nathan said sarcastically, circling them like a fly. “A confession of love in front of everyone. I feel like a loser.”
“You are a loser,” Jack chuckled, pulling Vera into a hug and inhaling her scent.
“By the way, you’re not supposed to be walking around. You should be in bed.”
There she went again. He thought things were fine since she leaned into him and let him hold her hands, but he was wrong.
“He bribed the nurse. Maybe he used his charms, and she got enchanted,” Nathan said and walked away.
“Kiss me, and I promise to go back to bed,” Jack whispered, cupping Vera’s face.
“Who cares if you don’t go back? Just don’t bleed to death. I really want to kiss you,” she replied, staring at his lips.
His eyes scanned her face and paused like he was surrendering. She moved his hands from her face and placed them on her hips.
“I pray we don’t end up undressing and making love right here in this big hall,” she said, laughing.
“So now you believe in prayers?” he teased, licking his lips.
Vera looked around. The hospital was busy, people walking in and out, some waiting patiently, others pacing. Nurses and doctors moved about.
People pretended not to care, but she knew if she kissed Jack here, they’d be trending in no time. Bloggers, gossipers, everyone would eat it up.
“God has really shown Himself these past few days. I’m starting to believe He exists. Prayers… they really are the keys to open His—”
He didn’t let her finish. Jack leaned in and claimed her lips, kissing her like she was his favorite thing in the world.
Vera melted into him. His tongue slipped into her mouth, and the least she could do was hold onto him and kiss him back just as hard.