Chapter 53
You Complete Me
Jake and company were seen running out of Fearless house yesterday. Can it be? Is our Dani saved?
I don't know who this angel is, but I will always be eternally grateful.
I hear someone yelling my name. It sounds like my Jake, but he can't possibly know where I’m yet.
I won't be able to see him until I get to the hospital.
They'll want to check and make sure I'm good before letting me finally go home.
I don't want to go anywhere else, only home, surrounded by those I love.
"Dani!! Dani! Baby!" I look around, but I see no one else but the man helping me.
Maybe I do need to go to the hospital and get checked out.
I hear my name again. This time the sound is near.
A tiny bit of hope springs forth in me. Could it be?
Only when the man starts looking around do I realize I'm not crazy.
Jake is close. I know it! My heart starts pounding in my ears.
I will only feel safe when I'm in Jake's arms.
I hear the man beside me talk to someone else.
"I've called 911. I saw her swimming away from the chaos.
She's scared and shaking." I didn't know I was shaking, but he's right, I am.
The man moves and I almost protest. I'm cold and scared and want to lean towards the warmth.
I feel Jake's penetrating gaze. He's my sun, the one I was trying to lean into.
I know it's him, but I don't have enough strength to look up at him.
He takes pity on me and drops to his knees.
Jake takes my heart-shaped face in his hands and brings it up so that I can meet his beautiful eyes.
I've never witnessed a more brilliant sight.
I start to cry when I see how swollen his eyes are.
They are glassy, and I can't even imagine what he's been through.
He picks me up and hugs me close. I sob into his neck.
I thought this day would never come. I tried to ask him how he knew, but I couldn't make out the words.
I need his strength and the comfort that he's willingly offering me.
Mama and Granny reach me next, followed quickly by Toby, Sasha, and the rest of the gang.
How did they find me? Jake puts me down and I fly into their waiting arms. I squeeze them all and I don't know if I'll ever be able to let them go.
A cop makes his way over to where we are.
"There you are, Ms. Constantine. We need to have you checked out by a doctor.
We also need to interview you." Jake wants to object, but I place my hand on his forearm to calm him down.
I nod my head in agreement. I turn to look at him again and my heart speeds up, but not from fear like with Benji. My heart knows to whom it belongs.
Jake rides in the ambulance beside me we're both lost in our thoughts.
I can't find the words I need to say anyway, too much has happened.
I should probably have left Texas a long time ago.
I was too selfish to leave Jake. He would have been better off without me here.
When we get alone, I will give him the option I haven't given him before.
I want him to think about it before he answers me.
I don't know the outcome of the shootout that I witnessed just a couple of hours ago. I don't know if Benji is dead or alive. I hope the former if I'm allowed to be candid. Maybe Jeffrey made it. However, his prison time will likely be doubled.
I passed my physical at the hospital and my vitals were excellent, considering the hell that I've just endured. Jake visibly relaxed when he found out I wouldn't need a rape kit. Thank God for that. Benji, in all his crazy, at least didn't force himself on me.
Now at the station, I shake the police sergeant's hand. "Please, be seated, Ms. Constantine. Mr. Ryan, you can wait in the lobby."
He sits down in the chair next to mine. "Not happening, Sgt. Marlowe."
I intervene when I see the officer start to protest. "I want him here, please."
Jake grabs my hand, happy with my intervention.
Sgt. Marlowe nods. "Ms. Constantine, I can't begin to imagine what you've endured.
I won't keep you for long, but I need to explain some things.
" Before he can continue, Jeffrey walks into the room.
He's not wearing handcuffs which is pretty confusing.
He smiles at me and sits down across from where we are.
I return his smile. He might have caused me great pain, but I'm still glad he's alive.
Jake has one side of the table gripped in a tight grasp.
Jake still has so much pent-up aggression towards Jeffrey.
That emotion is understandable, but it's not going to help the situation.
He needs to chill. I rub his thigh under the table.
His grip on the table loosens a fraction, so I know he understands.
Jeffrey speaks first. "Dani, I'm sorry I kidnapped you.
I'm sorry for everything I ever did to you.
You didn't deserve the pain you've had to suffer.
I flipped on Benji. You planted the seed in my mind, and when he let me take all the blame for what we did to you, I was done with him then.
He wasn't a good person, and his father was even worse. They can't hurt you anymore."
I'm scared to make any sudden movements. Can I dare hope that my nightmare is over? "Are they dead?"
"Yes."
"I'm sorry, but I need to know without a doubt. Their bodies are in the morgue and not lost in the water somewhere."
Sgt. Marlowe smiles. "They are at the hospital morgue as we speak."
Oh, thank God! I won't have to see them ever again.
I won't have to testify and I can move on with my life.
Soothing relief fills every part of me and I break down in a sob.
The tension that I've held since that first day in Biology dissipates.
It feels weird that it's gone. "What else do you need from me? "
"Just a statement and we can put this all behind you."
I make a statement about everything that happened in my second kidnapping.
I find out the reason they found me today was because Jeffery had placed a tracker in the dress that I wore.
Benji found him going through my closet before he could attach anymore.
Now I know why this dress was meant for me today. I’m so glad this is finally over.
As we finally lay cuddled in bed, I'm restless. "Jake, we need to talk."
He kisses my forehead. "Anything you need, I'll make it happen."
"Jake, I feel like maybe we should take a break." He stiffens but remains quiet. "I think you need to focus on football, and chaos seems to follow me around. I know you missed the last game. I can't be the reason your future tanks. You're too important to me."
He sits up and turns toward me. "I'm not going anywhere, Dani.
The only way my future tanks is if you're not in it.
I can't, no, I won't lose you. Football was my everything before you came along.
Now you're mine forever. Without you, nothing will ever make sense.
You thawed my icy heart, baby. You were the missing piece in my life. You complete me."
Tears flow done my cheeks. "We complete each other. I'll always love you."
"And I'll always love you, Sweet Cheeks."
I giggle. "Well, Sex King, why don't you show me how much."
He rolls me over on my back. "Challenge accepted."