Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
After two orgasms this morning, I finally let Jazzy leave my bed so she can shower and get ready for work.
She walked out of the apartment with a very satisfied smile on her face.
One I plan to place there every day for the rest of our lives.
Hunter and Isaac are still on her detail.
I’m not sure when I’ll be ready to loosen the protection, if I’ll ever be ready to.
Jazzy will always be a mark, to kidnappers or anyone her father or uncles piss off. But once it’s announced that we’re officially together, which can’t fucking happen soon enough if you ask me, she’ll have an even bigger target on her back.
As much as wealth provides, it also comes with risks. I just need to make sure she’s always protected. She will be okay. I keep telling myself that she’s fine, even though there’s that pit of dread in my stomach.
I arrived at the office at eight, later than usual.
But my assistant had a coffee ready for me and my daily schedule.
I glanced at it and promptly told her to cancel every meeting.
I’m not facing the world today. I have no intention of answering any questions regarding the Levines or Van Barons, which I know will be the first thing anyone brings up.
It’s lunchtime before I hear from Jazzy. She just texted me.
Jazzy:
Are you still coming for lunch? I have your favorite sushi here.
I reread the message over and over. I don’t eat sushi and we never had lunch plans. Both things she knows.
Me:
On my way. See you soon.
She reads my response and then nothing. Something is wrong. Picking up my keys, I rush out of the office, dialing Hunter’s number. It rings out. I call Isaac next and the same fucking thing happens.
Fuck! I jump into my car, the tires screeching as I pull out of the undercover garage. Aces is about a five-minute drive. Too fucking far when I need to be there now. I call Carlo.
“Jacob?”
“Are you at Aces?” I ask him.
“No, I left an hour ago. Why?”
“Something’s wrong with Jazzy,” I say. “I’m on my way there now.”
“What do you mean something’s wrong with her?”
“She sent me a message and asked if I was still meeting her for lunch and she had sushi ready,” I tell him. “We didn’t have lunch plans, and she knows I don’t like sushi.”
“I’m heading back there now.” He cuts the call.
I pull up to the casino and jump out of the car, not bothering to stop to talk to the valet. I run through the lobby, towards the hallway that leads to the offices. I tap in the code to enter and push through. I don’t slow down until I’m standing on the opposite side of the door to Jazzy’s office.
Please be here. I send up a prayer and then push inside the room. My entire body goes cold. My heart stops, fear gripping it.
“Glad you could make it,” Bradley says. He’s holding a knife to Jazzy’s throat.
I look from him to her. She doesn’t appear scared. She smiles at me and mouths, “It’s okay.”
“What do you think this is going to achieve, Bradley?” I ask him.
“I want my fucking money back. I know you took it,” he snarls.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but whatever your issue is, it’s with me. Not her. Let her go,” I tell him.
“No. She’s the only thing you care about. If I don’t have my money back in the next twenty minutes, her pretty little neck will be bleeding out,” he says.
“I should never have doubted your judgement. You’re right.
He is an asshole,” Jazzy says to me. And then, out of nowhere, she elbows Bradley in the stomach, stomps on his foot, and twists his arm.
The knife drops to the floor. She manages to get out of his hold and runs to the other side of the room.
I don’t let him recover before I’m on him. My fist connects with his jaw. Taking his head in my hands, I bring my knee up, hearing the crunch of his nose as he screams and tries to scramble away.
It’s not going to work. Nothing is going to soothe the rage I’m filled with right now.
I hit his head against the edge of the desk and then throw him down to the ground.
He has a huge gash on the back of his head, but I don’t stop.
Landing blow after blow to his face until I’m being pulled off him.
I turn and find Carlo yanking on my arm.
“He’s dead, Jake. Stop,” he says in a low voice.
I look down at Bradley’s lifeless body. Fuck. I killed him.
And the worst part? I don’t feel anything. No remorse, no guilt, just nothing.
Once Carlo is satisfied I’m not going to go back down on Brad’s body, he lets me go. My chest is heaving as I try to catch my breath. I look to Jazzy, my eyes connecting with hers. “Are you okay?”
She nods and then she runs for me, her arms circling my waist. “I was so scared,” she whispers.
My hand runs down her back, through her hair in soothing motions. “So was I,” I tell her.
“What the fuck happened here?” Carlo asks.
I pull back a little and Jazzy turns to her father. “It’s my fault. I let him in. He said he just wanted to talk. And I thought maybe… Well, I was stupid,” she says.
“You’re not stupid, princess. What happened after you let him in?”
“He put a knife to my throat and told me to get Jake here,” she explains. “I waited until Jake showed up before I even tried to get out of his hold, because I was scared. What if I couldn’t get away from him quick enough?”
“You did good, princess.” Carlo pulls his daughter to his chest while his eyes meet mine. “So did you.”
I can’t believe I did it again. I look to the body and then at Jazzy. I will always protect her, at any cost. I know that. But fuck, I’m not a killer, not usually. It would seem this woman brings the worst and best out of me.
“Take Jazzy to the penthouse and get cleaned up. I’ll deal with this,” Carlo says.
“Are you sure?” I ask him. “I don’t expect you to clean up my messes.”
“Our mess. I would have done the same thing if I got here first,” he says.
I guide Jazzy to the private elevator that takes us right up to her penthouse. Then I lead her into the bathroom. “Are you really okay? I’m so sorry, Jazzy.”
“This isn’t your fault, Jake. You told me not to trust him. I can’t believe I was so stupid.”
“Where are Hunter and Isaac?” I ask her.
She frowns. “I don’t know. They were outside my office.”
I send Carlo a message, letting him know that Jazzy’s detail is MIA. He sends one back, saying he’ll send CJ to look for them.
Turning the shower on, I make sure the water is warm before I undress Jazzy and then myself. I pull her under the hot stream. “I’m sorry you had to see me do that.” I sigh.
“I’m sorry I make you so murderous,” she says with a little smile on her face.
“You make me complete.”
After we’re both cleaned, I wrap a towel around her and dry off. I put my dress pants back on but leave my shirt, tie, and jacket on the bathroom floor.
“Have you read your letter yet?” Jazzy asks.
“What letter?”
“The letter from your mom.”
I shrug. “No, have you?”
She shakes her head. “Where is yours? I think we should read them. Together.”
“I’d like that. I’ll go get it.”
“It’s here?”
“I put it in the safe with your jewelry.” I didn’t want the letter burning a hole in my pocket. I find the letter and then spot Jazzy in the living room with her envelope in her hand.
“Okay. Ready?” she asks.
“Not really. But I don’t think I ever will be.”
I tear the envelope open and unfold the paper. My mother’s neat cursive writing covers the page.
Dear Jacob,
I’m sorry for leaving you. Hopefully, you aren’t alone. My biggest fear was leaving and you still not finding your peace. I want you to be okay. I want you to forgive yourself for what happened when you were barely old enough to understand life.
You did understand love, though. That much I know.
Jazzy is it for you, Jacob. I would have loved to be around to see you two finally reconnect.
But if that never happens, then I hope you find someone whom you can love.
Even if it’s never the same as the connection you have with her. You shouldn’t be alone forever.
I know you’re probably wondering why I left Jazzy my jewelry.
I wanted it to go to someone who would appreciate it, someone I loved like a daughter.
And no matter what happened between you two, she was that to me.
I didn’t tell you but I kept in touch with her.
And I will tell you now… she has never been truly happy without you in her life.
Don’t take on too much responsibility. I know it’s a lot but don’t let business become your everything. I want you to live, Jacob. I want you to love, explore, and learn as much as you possibly can. We have such a short time on earth, so treasure it and treasure those you love.
I love you. You were my pride and joy, and there has never been a day I haven’t been proud of you.
Loving you from the heavens above,
Mom