Chapter 71
KC
It’s quiet as I sit on Beau’s couch, trying to choose what to watch on TV, when my phone rings and I see Brittney’s name on the screen.
“Hey, pretty lady.”
“Girl, why are you not at the fights?!”
“I just decided not to go. I wasn’t in the mood; I have a lot on my mind.”
I haven’t seen Brittney since everything happened. I think she suspects something’s up, though, since I’ve missed our pole workout classes the past couple weeks.
“We need to get together soon. I miss you. I have a lot to tell you. But I gotta get off of here. Skyler’s walk-out song just started.”
“Okay, good luck. Call me when you get back into town, and we’ll make plans. Love you!”
“Will do! Love you too!” She ends the call.
I could tell Jared didn’t want to walk out of the door this evening; he’s worried.
But I assured him that I’m safe at Beau’s house.
Beau has been amazing, too, not caring how long I stay here with Jared.
He and Ajani have grown even closer, and they need to just come out and tell Carter before he finds out another way.
.. if he isn’t already suspicious. Jared is right; we need to find a place together.
Beau’s home is nice, but it’s definitely a bachelor pad, and we need our own space.
Deciding I need a snack before watching Jersey Shore, I walk over to the freezer. There’s barely anything in there. I swear, Jared and Beau need to eat more sweets. But thankfully, Jared got me ice cream before he left—chocolate peanut butter for the win!
I cuddle up on the couch with a fuzzy blanket and grab a throw pillow, placing it on my lap to rest my bowl of ice cream on, and turn the TV to the streaming service that has every season of Jersey Shore.
Watching this series always puts me in a good mood.
Every time I think one of the girls is my favorite, it changes to a different one. They’re all amazing in their own ways.
I scoot down on the couch to lay down, using the throw pillow for my head as I prepare to watch episode after episode. My phone rings again. Cap Guy’s name pops up. I figured it was time to change him back to his original name.
I answer the phone on speaker. “Hey, you!”
“Dimples, I really wish you would’ve come with me. I already miss you.”
“I miss you too. You know I’ll be fine. I’m safe at Beau’s. You’re gonna do great. And then, when you get back, we can start looking at houses.”
“Good change of subject there.”
“Yeah. I think I’m ready. What do you think about getting a little dog to keep me company for when you’re gone?”
“Kailey, I don’t plan on leaving you after this. But sure, if you want a little doggie to keep us company, I’m all for it. What kind of breed did you have in mind?”
I sit up on the couch and pick up the phone.
“Well, I don’t want to get one that sheds because, ew. And I want one that can cuddle in my lap without suffocating me.”
“Okay, go on. I’m over here taking notes while Beau’s in the shower.”
“What about… a miniature poodle? Or a miniature schnauzer? Just throwing ideas out there…”
I can’t help but laugh, knowing Jared probably really is taking notes and isn’t just playing the good boyfriend part.
“Alright, I’ll see what we can do.”
Jared pauses on the phone. I can hear his breathing before he states, “Okay, I gotta go. I love you. No more being away from each other after tonight, deal?”
“I love you too. And… deal.”
I hang up the phone and start my show. The jiggling of the front doorknob catches my attention, and I hit pause. “Hello?” I yell out. No one answers. Maybe it was nothing.
I press play again and get halfway through the opening credits when I hear glass break from the back of the house. I throw the blanket off and get my shoes on, ready to run out of the house and get into my car.
When I get to the front door, it opens.
Joey casually walks in, and I notice he’s wearing black leather gloves.
“Get the fuck out of here!” I scream at him while running down the hallway. He catches up to me, grabs me by my hair, and walks me back to the couch.
“Now, that’s no way to speak to me. You should know better. Dolls don’t talk back.”
“I’m not your doll.”
“No, you're not, but you are Lorenzo’s doll, and I’ve come to collect. Why’d you leave yourself so vulnerable, Kailey? I would’ve thought my brother would be tied to you at the hip. Some boyfriend he is.”
I yank my hair free from his grip. “You don’t have to do this. Just disappear… Go away, Joey. Go live your life with Sarah, and leave me the hell alone.”
Joey is fidgeting with something in his hand. I look closer and see it’s a syringe filled with blue fluid.
“I can’t let you go. I have to deliver what I’ve collected.
It’s either me or you. And I always choose myself.
” Right as he lunges for me, Jared bursts through the front door, right on time.
Grabbing Joey’s suit jacket, he throws him to the ground.
The syringe falls to the floor, and the glass shatters as the blue liquid spreads across the tile.
Jared continues to kick his brother while he’s down. “What the fuck happened to you, man?”
Joey doesn’t howl in pain; instead, he laughs. “Don’t be so shocked. C’mon, man. You’ve always known there was a darkness inside me.”
Jared straddles his brother on the ground, punching him over and over again. “You were my best friend growing up. I loved you. Mom and Dad didn’t raise you to be like this! What happened to you?!” He stops throwing punches when Joey quits attempting to block him.
“I don’t care what happens to you. They can have you. I never want to see you again.” I notice now that Carter and his closest men have walked through the open front door.
“He’s all yours,” Jared says as he looks from his brother to me.
“Grab him. He’s going to join his friends at the graveyard.” Carter’s tone is controlled. He pats Joey’s cheek. “Don’t worry. You’re not the only one who has to pay for what’s been done. Your pal, Lorenzo, is about to suffer the same fate.”
Jared rushes over to me. “Are you okay? I didn’t know how long to wait, or if I should have run to you right when I saw Joey hit the property line. It took everything in me to stick to the plan. I’m just glad he took the bait.”
I grab his cheeks and kiss him. “You did fine, baby. We’re okay. We’re safe.” I lean my forehead against his.
Carter walks over and grabs Jared’s shoulder. “I won’t forget this. I owe you, and I’m not a man who usually owes anyone.”
Jared gives him a nod and brings me in for a hug.
Carter and I make eye contact, and I mouth to him, Thank you.
He winks and blows me a kiss before following his men, who are carrying out an unconscious Joey.
“I’m sure Carter and his men can figure out where Sarah is.”
“I don’t even know if she’s still alive. She’s so dependent on Joey, I don’t know how she’d survive without him.”
“Well, if she is, they’ll find her.”
“Let’s go house hunting tomorrow! I don’t want to stay here any longer than we need to.”
Jared lifts me into his arms, and my legs wrap around his waist.
“Where are we going?”
“We’re going on a night ride on the bike, but first, let me get your helmet and jacket.”
“I still have the set you gave me…”
“I know you do, Dimples.” Jared seals that statement with a kiss that takes my breath away.