Book 2 Chapter 12
Jenna
I stood in front of the mirror and studied my placed my hand over my stomach. I was gong to be a mother. Holy shit. I was going to have a baby. I turned on the faucet and splashed water on my face. I reached for the towel only to realize it wasn’t there. I quickly opened my eyes and sighed in relief when Amber stood there holding out the green towel for me.
“Christ, you scared me.”
“Sorry, but it’s important I talk to you. Something happened.”
I wiped my face with the towel and asked. “What is it?”
“When I went to open the shop, it was already unlocked. Jenna, when I entered—the place had been trashed.”
“Tommy.” I whispered.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. Was anything taken?”
“No, but there’s a message for you. It’s more like a fucked-up love note if you ask me.”
Benjamin and Jeff stood in the door, eyes narrowed. The muscles in Benjamin’s jaw clenched as he zeroed in on the note Amber was holding. Jeff closed his fists as Amber turned around and hold out her arm. Benjamin snatched the paper from her and read. His eyes widened, his jaw slack from whatever message is scrawled on the paper.
“What the fuck is this shit, Amber?!” Benjamin growled.
Jeff snatched the note from Benjamin and had the same reaction Jeff did. “Yes, what the fuck is this?!”
“Like I told Jenna, when I went to open the shop, it was already unlocked. Jenna, when I entered—the place had been trashed. Then, I found the note on her desk in the office. I didn’t—”
“Why didn’t you tell someone?” Jeff said, his anger rising.
Amber shoved Jeff to the wall and hissed, “This is me telling you! You want to be an asshole. Fine. By. Me. You know what, I’m out of here.” Amber said, storming out the door.
“Don’t even think about it, Amber. You aren’t going anywhere—not when Mr. Crazypants is still out there.” Jeff yelled, running out after her.
I wrapped my arms around my waist and whispered. “Why, Benjamin? Why is Tommy doing this to me?”
He sighed and shook his head. “I don’t know. I wish I could tell you it will be okay, but then I would be lying. I won’t lie to you. Colton’s crazy.”
“Well yeah, everyone knows how he is.”
“No,” Benjamin placed his hands on my shoulders and looked directly into my eyes. “Colton is certified crazy. Psycho. Looney. Tommy’s cheese slid off his cracker. He’s as crazy as it gets.”
“Oh, God.” My body trembled as a cold chill went down my back.
“Shh, don’t worry. I’ll call Tilly to see if she can bring over the paperwork for the restraining order.”
“I’m scared.” My voice trembled, fear and dread in the pit of my stomach.
“Why don’t you go downstairs with Chloe? I’ll make sure the property is secure.” Benjamin wrapped his arm around my shoulders, leading me into the kitchen.
“Ben, can you tell me something?”
“I’m not going to tell you what the note said.”
“Please, I need to know.”
“Just know I’m going to take care of this. I won’t let him hurt my family.”
“Family?”
“Like we said before, you’re family. You, me, Chloe, and Colton. We protect our own.”
“I—I need Colton.” I buried my hands in my face and silently sobbed.
Benjamin cursed under his breath and held me close. “Shh, it’s okay. Don’t cry, Jenna. I hate when women cry.
“I want Colton—need him to tell me everything is going to be okay.”
“Dammit, Colton.” Benjamin cursed under his breath, “Why did you have to get yourself locked-up?”
Chloe rushed to my side as Benjamin helped me into the kitchen. I just can’t handle it anymore. I let all the emotions I’ve kept buried inside out. So much anger. Heartbreak. And now, fear and dread washed through my body.
“Go, baby. I’ve got this.” I heard Chloe say as she led me to a chair.
“Chloe, I just don’t know what to do. I’m at a loss for words. What if Colton never gets out?”
Chloe sighed and took both of my hands in hers, “My brother is coming home—sooner than you think.”
“What did you just say?"
“Jenna, Tilly knows a few people and pulled some strings. She set up a parole hearing for him.”
“He’s coming home?”
“Let’s hope and pray that God’s in our favor and bring home your child’s father.”
Even though, Chloe had been through hell and back with Colton, she still believed in him. She forgave him, even when he hurt her. And now, he might be getting out on an early release. We can be together and be a family.
“Chloe, do you know what the note said? Benjamin wouldn’t tell me.”
“He never told me what it said.”
“I can answer that.” Amber said, leaning across the table.
“What did it say?”
Amber closed her eyes and took a deep breath, “Roses are red, violets are blue. You better hope the police can get to me before I get to you.”
A loud clapping made all of us jump as a dark voice chuckled. “Ladies.”
“Jenna, run!” Chloe grabbed my wrists, but Tommy was too fast. He yanked me back by the hair and aimed the gun for Chloe.
“Not so fast, precious. You girls are going to shut your pretty little mouths, and I’m going to walk out of here with Jenna.”
“What did you do to Benjamin?” Chloe whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"He’s a little tied-up at the moment. And as for Jeff, let’s just say he’s right where I need him to be.”
“What did you fucking do?!” Amber hissed, fists clenched
“Did you miss me, baby?” Tommy asked, running his tongue down the side of my neck.
“Fuck. You.”
“You will be, my darling. You and I are going to have so much fun together.”
*No.
He’s not saying what I think he’s saying, is he?
*
“Colton will kill you for this. Just let me go and I won’t say a word.”
“Sorry, can’t do that. I’ve got too much at stake right now. Be a good girl and walk to the car.”
“Chloe!” I screamed, but Tommy placed a cloth over my mouth.
“What did you do to me?” I slurred.
“We got a long drive ahead of us, baby. I don’t need you causing trouble on our way home.”
“I hate—” I slurred, my eyes feeling heavy.
Just before my eyes closed, Tommy cooed, “I love you too much to let go. You’ll learn to love—”