Chapter 16
The fluorescent lights of the emergency room cast everything in stark white relief as Genevieve sat on the examination table, trying not to wince as the doctor examined the cut on her neck. Abe stood beside her with his hand resting protectively on her shoulder.
"The cut is superficial," Doctor Shafer said, applying a small bandage. "It won't need stitches, but keep it clean and dry for the next few days."
"And the head injury?" Abe asked.
"She has a mild concussion," the doctor said, shining his penlight into Genevieve's eyes one more time. "There are no signs of serious trauma, but she'll need monitoring for the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Wake her every few hours tonight to check for confusion or nausea."
"I'll watch her," Abe said without hesitation.
Doctor Shafer handed Genevieve a discharge sheet. "Rest, stay hydrated, and no strenuous activity for at least a week. If you experience severe headaches, vomiting, or vision problems, come back immediately."
As they walked toward the exit, Genevieve took Abe's hand. "I survived. When I was waiting for you to find me, I wondered about my fate."
"By the way, you were very impressive," Abe said, then pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
"Yeah?"
"Jason won't soon forget his encounter with you." He smiled. "It wasn't what he'd imagined."
"I roughed him up a bit, didn't I?" Genevieve laughed with him, feeling good despite her injuries. She was grateful to be back to normal.
While they drove back to Abe's house, Agent Crundall called. Her voice crackled through the car's speaker system.
"Jason Thornton has been charged with federal kidnapping, assault, stalking, and conspiracy," she said. "The Barraco family connections mean this goes way beyond state jurisdiction."
Genevieve felt relief wash over her. "What kind of sentence is he looking at?"
"Twenty-five years minimum, possibly life if we can prove his involvement in other crimes," Crundall said.
"And Ms. Dumas, you should know that we arrested three members of the Barraco organization tonight.
Jason's protection is gone. Even if he gets out—and that's a big if—they'll want nothing to do with him. "
Abe looked at Genevieve then said, "I can't tell you how pleased we are to hear that."
"The Bureau appreciates your cooperation," Crundall said. "Enjoy your freedom, both of you. You've earned it."
After the call ended, they drove through the familiar streets of New Orleans in comfortable silence. The city looked different to Genevieve now, brighter. The dark shadow over her life had vanished.
*****
Over the next three days, Abe barely left Genevieve's side. He monitored her symptoms with the tenderness of a man deeply in love. Every few hours, he checked her pupils, asked about headaches, and made sure she was drinking enough water.
"You know I'm not made of glass," Genevieve said on the second morning.
Abe had been watching her sleep from the chair beside his bed. "I know," he said, then moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "But I came so close to losing you. Humor me for a few more days."
She reached up to touch his face, marveling at the depth of emotion in his eyes. "I love how much you care about me."
"I love you," he said simply. "More than I thought it was possible to love anyone."
They talked for hours during those quiet days of recovery, sharing how the crisis had revealed the unshakeable foundation of their connection—and discussed the future.
One afternoon on the back patio, Genevieve said, "My career has gotten me in trouble more than once. It cost me husbands and bought me a dangerous stalker." She looked into his eyes. "It's not too late for you to get out."
"I'm not going anywhere," Abe said, then pulled her onto his lap.
"I have to warn you that it doesn't usually work out," she said, with an ache in her heart. She put her arms around his neck.
"That has changed," Abe said. "It's us now. I can tell you right now that not one of those guys loved or appreciated you like I do."
"You are different." Genevieve pulled him closer and kissed him tenderly. "You don't seem to see my career as competition."
"Your music is part of who you are. It's beautiful because you're beautiful," Abe said. "Always remember that." Then he dug his hands into her hair and gave her a long, sensual kiss.
*****
One afternoon, Genevieve met with her band and agent at Café Noir on Magazine Street. The familiar coffee shop felt like neutral territory for what she suspected would be a life-changing conversation.
Her agent, Bennett Hanson, arrived with a leather portfolio and appeared excited. "Genevieve, I have incredible news. Pickford Recording wants to offer you that deal after all."
Cadie looked up from her latte with surprise. "Really? After everything that happened?"
"They realized they'd been fed false information about Genevieve's reliability," Bennett said, opening the portfolio to reveal a contract. "Jason's arrest made it clear that his claims were pure fabrication. They want to move forward immediately."
Genevieve stared at the papers that represented everything she'd thought she wanted. The deal that had seemed so important just weeks ago now felt like something from another lifetime.
"They're offering excellent terms," Bennett said. "Covering full album production, tour support, and a marketing budget. This could boost your career to the national level."
Mickey leaned forward. "That's amazing, Genevieve. This is what we've been working toward."
But as Genevieve looked around the table at her bandmates, she realized she was no longer the same person who had desperately wanted corporate validation.
Jason's campaign of terror had changed her, but not in the way he'd intended. Instead of breaking her down, it had shown her what she was truly capable of.
"I appreciate the offer," she said, then looked around the table at her friends. "But I don't think that's the direction I want to go anymore."
Bennett's expression changed. "What do you mean?"
"I mean I've learned something about myself these past few weeks," she said. "I don't want to hand control of my career over to another person or organization. I've seen what can happen when someone else has power over my opportunities."
Genevieve wasn't finished. "And I haven't forgotten how easily Stephen Canton believed lies about me.
He didn't ask if the claims were true, or take the opportunity to verify them, before announcing that he was no longer interested in signing me.
That's not the kind of person or company I want to work for. "
Bennett offered no defense of the music executive's behavior.
Cadie put down her coffee cup. "You're thinking about going independent?"
"I am." Genevieve felt more certain with each word. "We have a strong fan base, our performances have been selling out, and honestly, I think we could do better on our own."
"I've been thinking the same thing," Cadie said, her eyes lighting up. "I've been studying indie marketing strategies, and with social media and streaming platforms, we don't need a major corporation to reach our audience."
Mickey nodded. "The profit margins would be better without a music company taking their cut."
Bennett looked stunned. "Genevieve, I understand your concerns, but this is a major opportunity. Are you sure you want to turn it down?"
"I'm sure," Genevieve said with conviction. "But Bennett, I'd still like to work with you. We'll need booking help, contract negotiations—all the business side. We just don't need a big company controlling our decisions."
Bennett was quiet for a moment, then smiled. "You know what? You're absolutely right. After seeing what Jason put you through, I understand why you'd want to maintain control. I'd be honored to help you build an independent career."
As they discussed the logistics of going indie, Genevieve felt a sense of freedom she hadn't experienced before. She was choosing her own path, on her own terms, with people she trusted.
And she would take the band with her. The success she achieved would be their success too. Plus, the creative decisions would be for the fans. The band would play the music they loved. And that was what it was all about anyway.
*****
The following evening, Genevieve sat at a corner table in Jasper's Bistro with Abe beside her. Since her situation was resolved, he'd returned to duty.
But he'd also assured her that he wouldn't miss the special dinner. Brooke and Gabriel celebrated her recovery and the resolution of the case with them. The cozy restaurant felt like a warm embrace after everything she'd been through.
"I still can't believe it's really over," Brooke said, reaching across the table to squeeze her sister's hand. "When Gabriel told me you'd been kidnapped, I thought my heart would stop."
"Mine too," Gabriel said. "But Abe rescued her."
Abe put his arm around Genevieve. "And she bravely delayed her captor, giving me the chance to find her in time."
Genevieve thought of Abe's arrival. "You saved my life." Then she looked at her sister. "Frankly, I was terrified."
"Anyone would be," Brooke said.
"But I kept thinking about Abe and about everyone I love, especially you two. That gave me strength."
Gabriel lifted his wine glass. "To family. To survival. To the future."
They clinked glasses as Jasper appeared at their table with a plate of his famous bread pudding. "For the brave ladies," he said with a grin. "On the house."
As they shared dessert and talked about lighter topics, Genevieve felt the last pieces of her life fall into place.
She planned to start performing again. And she was surrounded by people who loved her, pursuing a career on her own terms, and enjoying life with a man who understood and cherished every part of her.
*****