Chapter 98 Untitled Chapter

Chapter 98 Untitled Chapter
GIANNA

“Why are you still here Anna?” Bridget said. She was sitting on the bed, her back against the stack of pillows I had propped up to support her while she ate her dinner.

My grandpa was dozing on the rocking chair in his reading nook, the book he'd been reading was open on the small table beside him.

Bridget had just finished with her dinner and I was tidying up the place when she asked this.

I glanced at her face to see if she was in any discomfort, but found her eyes fixed on me in that assessing way it does when she's trying to figure something out.

“I'm just going to clean up and I will leave you to rest,” I replied.

“That's not what I meant. Come sit here.” She patted at the bedside. I frown and put the over-bed table with the used dishes at the sides before I perch on the chair beside her bed.

A permanent feature that provides more space than where she'd asked me to sit and wouldn't inconvenience her in any way.

“What is it, Grams? Is it your legs again?” I asked worriedly. She waves her hand at that.

“No, I'm okay. My legs are fine and this isn't about me. It's about you.” I stare at her as I wait for her to elaborate.

“You know Anna, you're so much more like your mother than you think.”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Please don't say that Grams. I am nothing like her, I'm neither selfish nor weak.” I would never take my own life or abandon the people who love me all because of one person who couldn't care less. Bridget smiles.

“I agree you're a much better and stronger person than she ever was. What I mean is in here,” she said pointing at my chest.

“You and her are loyal to those you love, and when you love, you do it wholeheartedly. Your mother has her flaws, but she truly loved your father; it was unfortunate that he didn't love her as much as she loved him.” Grams smiled sadly.

“I guess what I'm trying to say is that whatever you're feeling, it's okay. Just follow your heart and don't worry about what people would say. It's your life and you should live it to the fullest.”

“I don't understand what you're saying, Grams,” I said, but I could guess. I don't know if I'm ready to talk about it yet.

“You know exactly what I'm saying. What I don't understand is why you are still here and not in New York?” I look away from her knowing eyes.

“Why would I go there? My family is here. Everyone I love is here.”

“Everyone?” she arched her brow.

“Grams,” I said, not wanting to dive into that.

“All right, all right. You can keep denying it all you want, but don't forget I raised you so I know you better than you know yourself. I've seen you with those boys, I see how they look at you and how you look at them. What these old eyes see can not be wrong.”

Only Bridget will call huge grown men like Dane and Jax boys.

“It can't be love. We've only known each other for a little over a week including the stay at the hospital. Besides, you're forgetting something. Don't you care that they were criminals and professional escorts? And how do I even choose.” My face flamed that we're even discussing this.

She scoffed.

“Things aren't always black and white Anna. You can't just condemn them without listening to their side of the story, and they've retired from their escort job.”

That tidbit made me perk up and instantly made me curious, excitement and hope made my stomach flutter.

Grams must have talked to them. I was right; Dane and Jax weren't bad men and if they've quit their escort jobs…it means. I couldn't finish that thought, afraid I would be proven wrong.

“Besides, who said that you have to choose? Who says you can't love them both?” Her eyes were twinkling with mischief.

“Grams,” I whined, shocked and embarrassed she was saying this.

“I'm assuming you talk to them? Did they tell you anything?” I was trying and failing to hide my excitement and curiosity. Grams snicker.

“I did talk to them back at the hospital when they came to check up on me, and when they came to see you two weeks ago.” My stomach did that little flip.

“What? They were here? In Chicago? And they visited you at the hospital? When? Why didn't I hear anything about this?” I fired these questions all at once.

“You were in a bad place when we got back and when they visited. I didn't think you were ready to see them, so I told them to give you time. I didn't tell you because the topic never came up.”

The topic never came up. How could I admit to her or anyone that their thoughts were part of why I couldn't sleep at night? I was worried they didn't feel the same or that even if they did they'll make me choose.

“What did they tell you? Did…did they say why they came to see me?” I asked hesitantly.

Grams sighed and started trying to pull the covers over her. I quickly stood up and helped her pull out the pillows so she could lie down comfortably.

“Grams?” I said, waiting expectantly for her to answer my questions.

“Why am I always sleeping these days?” She yawned. “I feel so tired, Anna. I can't talk now, remember what the doctors ordered, I need to rest a lot.” I narrowed my eyes.

“Why won't you just answer me?” I feel like shaking the infuriating woman.

“If you want to know, you can ask them yourself when you arrive in New York tomorrow.”

“What? Why would I go to New York?”

“Why, for work dear. I've transferred you to our branch in New York. It's now your responsibility. The hotel manager will fill you in on any details you might need.”

“But…”

“Good night Anna. Let Nora know that I'm good and she can go to bed; also, don't forget to switch off the lights on your way out, will you?” With that, she turned her back, and soon enough, she began to snore.

What the hell? The woman never snores. I glared at her back for the longest time before finally walking out.

Gram's live-in nurse, Nora, stood up from the couch in the living room and tried to take the dirty plates I was taking to the kitchen from me.

Grams had left her master bedroom and stayed in one of the rooms on the first floor as it was difficult for her to climb the stairs.

Nora was a professional nurse we hired and tasked with taking care of Grams, as her body had weakened considerably these last two weeks. I tried to help as much as I could as the rest of the family.

My grandpa has been so worried ever since that incident almost four months ago. He was the one who had insisted on hiring a private nurse.

I think it's the trauma from what she went through. Grams had scoffed at that, denying it.

“I can take it to the kitchen myself, Nora,” I said as I proceeded to do just that. Our long-term maid Matilda was washing the dishes when I stride into the kitchen Nora on my heels.

“How is she? Does she need me?” Nora asked. I smiled gratefully at Matilda as she took the plates from me and began to rinse them.

“No, she's asleep or faking it, you know, Grams. She said you should go to bed, she wouldn't be needing you tonight.” She nodded.

I said my goodbyes to both women and headed straight to my room upstairs.


It's been three weeks since Aunt Layla was discharged from the hospital and six since everything had gone down. Aunt Layla had lost a lot of blood.

Fortunately, Damon had gotten her to the hospital before it was too late. Unfortunately, the gunshot affected one of her fallopian tubes, which had to be removed.

Bridget was also hospitalized three weeks ago, a few days after we survived that ordeal. She wasn't as young as she used to be and had gone through a lot. She was discharged a couple of days before Aunt Layla.

We had stayed in New York in the weeks it had taken Aunt Layla to heal. My grandpa and the other members of our family had all visited from Chicago and had stayed for a couple of days before going back; Grams had gone back with them.

Tessa, Chloe, and I had stayed back. Tessa because of her work and Chloe because of her classes. Dane and Jax had visited the hospital almost every day until I told them not to after the fourth day.

While I now know that I love them and they have saved me, I wasn't in the right state of mind to think about any of these.

I know I have to address my feelings for them and ask them about what Detective Nielsen had told us of their past.

But I just couldn't at the time, all I wanted was for my life to go back to normal, for me to do all the mundane things and forget about Colton, what he'd done to me and my family what he had almost done to me before Jax and Dane came at the right moment.