CHAPTER FOUR #2
This woman is delusional. How my husband had anything to do with her is beyond me.
You only have to be in her presence for a short time to want to shower off the ick that seeps off of her.
We have had so many fights and wasted so many hours on this gutter-ball that it blows my mind.
At first, I wanted to give Levi an ultimatum picking her account or me but I knew deep down that that wasn’t what people who loved each other did.
Sadly, I thought he’d come around to see the way love is supposed to be, but I’m not sure he was ever meant to.
I tried to plant little seeds about her business and how there was no way she was just sticking to the legitimate side of business.
Every time he would mention her business the word ‘prostitution’ rang in my ears.
It was like he had blinders on and it didn’t matter that he was filthy rich, he just kept wanting more.
I’ve always wondered what he and his shrink, Dr. Jordan, talked about when she was brought up.
That is what everything boils down to; no one understands him. Or the life he had to endure before his aunt and uncle stepped up to raise him. Such a shame; a wasted life with so much potential.
Crossing the cell, I sit down on the furthest bench away from everyone and cross my arms over my body.
How in the hell did I get put in a cell with a prostitution ring leader?
I’ve never even jay walked in my entire life, yet here I am in the same vicinity as someone who makes money off of operating in the sex trade industry.
What is she even in here for? She probably propositioned a cop, not realizing it.
I hear the whispers from across the room, but ignore it.
There isn’t anything I want with that woman, or the other two locked away with me.
Keeping my head down and my eyes on the floor, I don’t realize that something is terribly amiss it until it is too late.
Three sets of feet line up in front of mine.
Looking slowly up from the ground, I’m met with Blaire and the other women. Her smirk this time is almost evil.
“Let’s welcome our new cellmate, ladies,” Blaire cheers.
Before I can respond or move, a muscled fist lands against my face making me see stars.
The sounds of beeping startle me awake, and I’m dumbfounded as to where I am.
The walls are white. The chairs are white.
The curtains are white, but no windows. God, please say I’m in a dream and the last few days haven’t happened.
Something tickles my nose and I’m aware that I have a breathing tube connected to my nostrils.
Pulling it away, I try and sit up but my body aches.
Immediately my mind goes back to the last thing I remember.
Blaire.
That bitch.
I reach for my stomach and feel a round speaker device tied to it. The swooshing sound to my left indicates the heartbeat and from the rhythm, the baby sounds fine. Out in the hall, a loud voice is screaming and berating whoever is close to my door.
“She was never to be put in a cell with anyone else!” the voice yells. “Do you know what could’ve happened because of your brainless—”
The large metal door opens and a woman in green scrubs walks in with a clipboard, taking my attention from the loud man to my new visitor.
“Oh good, you’re awake,” she gleefully says.
“Where am I?”
“The infirmary at the jail. We’re like a hospital, but we are equipped to handle the small stuff.” She checks my vitals and writes down the results before addressing me once again. “Mr. Buttons will be here at any moment to speak with you.”
“Who?” I ask. “Is my baby okay?”
“Everything is normal and your baby is doing great.” She smiles and feeling relieved, I finally let a breath out. “The District Attorney, Burt Buttons. He was just beside himself when he got here to find you in this state.”
“What?”
Just as she’s about to answer, the door opens and in walks a man in a very expensive suit. He has blonde, thinning hair, and a round potbelly.
“Mrs. Thorne, I’m the District Attorney, Burt Buttons.
First, let me apologize on behalf of this department and the city of Los Angeles.
As soon as I saw the report on the news, I knew I had to get down here as fast as I could.
The Detective has been dealt with and won’t be bothering you again.
You should have never been put into a jail cell. ”
I don’t say anything because I don’t know if I can trust anyone here. What if they’re trying to trap me into saying something that will incriminate myself?
“I’ve personally sent for a doctor to come and check you over, and they’ll be by again before we leave here.”
“Leave. I get to leave, as in walk out of here?”
“Yes, of course.”
I truly must still be in my bed back at our penthouse, in a nonstop dream. None of this makes any sense, and as the day wears on it’s becoming more absurd.
“There are still a few things I need to get in order before you leave, but by the time the doctor has done the final checks I should be finished.”
“What things?”
“Mrs. Thorne, I know things have been turned upside down right now, but I can assure you that I’ll make it my life’s mission to see that you are sent somewhere safe, and away from all of this.”
I’m not sure if I hit my head but I have no idea what this man is talking about. He sees the confusion on my face and drags a rolling stool over to the bed.
“I know that you had nothing to do with your husband’s car bomb.
I’ve spoken to your bodyguard, Ryan, and he filled me in on what has happened.
” Okay, but that doesn’t explain much. “I am also aware that your father-in-law just filed divorce papers at the courthouse a few hours ago, along with a restraining order to stay at least one hundred yards away from your husband.”
So this is really happening. He filed for divorce and now I can’t even go and sit next to him by his bedside.
“I—”
Well, I don’t really know what I can say right now.
“Listen for just a second, Mrs. Thorne. I think that you have two options here, and I’m offering two sets of doors for you to leave through today.
One, you stay here in Los Angeles and hash out the media that will follow you around, harassing you until they find the next story.
You’ll have to deal with whomever tried to kill your husband, and have them possibly go after you and your unborn child.
I know that you have bodyguards, but even they can’t protect you at all times. ”
He’s right. Whoever did this to Levi was able to slip through Mitch, or Dean, and his men. They almost succeeded in killing him. What if I’m their next target? I feel like everything is up in the air at the moment.
My hand lands softly on my belly, and my heart lurches. I can’t let anything happen to my baby. This baby is my responsibility, and I plan to protect them with everything in me.
“What’s the other option?” I croak.
“Door number two will be a big adjustment. It will mean uprooting your life and not looking back,” he pauses letting it set in. “At least until the person or persons are caught who tried to kill your husband. Once that is done, then you’ll be able to come back.”
“Uprooting? Like Witness Protection?”
“Kind of, except I’m not putting you in the system. But in a sense, yes. You’ll get a new identification and live somewhere else entirely. You won’t be able to contact anyone for a while, in order to ensure your safety.”
“Even my grandparents?” I gasp.
“Even your grandparents. You could write them a letter, letting them know about the circumstances, but you won’t be allowed to tell them where you are or contact them after you leave here. I’ll make sure to get the letters to them.”
The thought of not being able to contact anyone is devastating. And I’m pregnant. What about the baby?
“How-how long do you think I’ll be away?”
He shrugs one shoulder. “It’s hard to tell, Mrs. Thorne, but I can assure you that I’ll contact you the moment we are able to bring you back, and that it is safe for you and your baby.
If then you want to return and contact your loved ones, then you’re more than welcome to and if not, that’s your choice.
I’m not sure if Lincoln, or your husband, have told you this but we’ve had to do this on multiple occasions. ”
“You have?” I ask.
“Yes. The three of us always work together, to make sure our clients are safe and secured, when something horrifying happens during cases,” he informs me.
I’ve never heard Levi talk about something like this before, but Levi usually just gives me the CliffsNotes version of most of his cases.
“I can tell that Levi hasn’t told you of this before.
Let me assure that you’ll be in safe hands. ”
“And I have to make this decision right now?”
“I’ve got a few errands to run to get some things in order but yes, I’ll need an answer when I get back,” he adds and stands to leave.
“I know that this is a lot to deal with but I hope that you know that whatever you choose, the District Attorney’s office is on your side and so is the police department.
Things might be a little rocky with your husband right now but he’d want to make sure you were somewhere safe.
I’ve spoken with Lincoln and he seems to think that this is the best option. ”
He’s spoken with Lincoln? That changes things slightly.
Lincoln is one of the most well-known and sought-after attorneys in the country.
Everly is always telling me about his wins and everyone he gets to work against, within the courtroom.
Mr. Buttons seems like a nice man, and it sounds like he and Lincoln work together.
Maybe Lincoln is trying to extend a helping hand without alerting his dad that he is helping me?
With that, he leaves me alone to the sounds of beeping once again.
What in the hell am I going to do?
Do I stay and fight for a marriage that my husband clearly doesn’t want, or leave for an unknown amount of time to start a fresh new life, while the threat is taken care of to keep my baby and I safe?