Keeping You: KJ Elite Inc. (36 page)

My aunt. The one I had always referred to as the space heater. While I thought she did nothing but offer me up as bait or see me as some sort of entertainment, she had saved me.

I remember the look on her face when Nolan showed up that day to the apartment. Her eyes darted back and forth between me and him, like she was sending me a message or giving me a signal. Now I understand it. As it dawns on me, I want to cry harder.

“What was her- her name?” I asked, wiping my tears.

Maggie smiled ruefully then answered, “It was Jamie, too. We were best friends. Inseparable until college. Even then, we talked every day and told each other everything.”

“Would you like to see a picture of her?” Sue asked me, hands shaking as she pulled out an album from her purse.

I knew what she looked like, but not the way they saw her.

“Yes, please.”

We talked, cried, laughed, shared and ate together for hours. Noah had to get up and get some medicine twice before we all decided to call it a night.

“We have guest bedrooms upstairs if you’d like to stay here with us?” Noah offered.

“That would be lovely. Oh, if that’s alright with you, Jamie.” Every time Sue said my name, I could see the conflicting joy and pain in her face.

“I would love that.”

Matt walked in looking worn, and headed straight for the fridge.

“Hello, Matthew! We did not know you would be here. It’s so nice to see you again.”

Come again.

Matt froze in his tracks, clearly planning his escape route and or next lie to get out of this.

“Matty.” I call to him, crisply.

He gives a nervous laugh and turns to face me.

“Okay, see what had happened was…”

“This better be good.”

Matt gave me that eye whenever I brought the Ice Queen out. Oh yes, she’s here for the party, too.

“No bullshit, James. I needed a kidney once when I was in Rhode Island and would you know it, your grandpa was a perfect match.”

“Do you smell that?” I ask Noah, who is grinning so broadly, his mouth might swallow his head.

“Yes. I knew. I couldn’t tell you because Nolan was also a contact of mine which is how I found you and I was one of your guardians as a side job. I reached out to them so they could just know how you were and what was going on in your life. They deserved to know. Nolan wouldn’t do that for them but I did. I’m not the bad guy here.”

“Hey!” Nolan objected.

“Well, it’s true. I didn’t tell you because I couldn’t, James. Please believe that. I’ve always looked out for you and I always will. Just like Nolan, just like KJ and just like Noah.”

I shook my head at him. He’s getting a temporary pass, but only because I have a lot to digest.

“We’re still going to talk.”

“Definitely.” He came over and kissed my head before moseying on out again. “I’m taking your OJ Kane, I think I’m coming down with something.”

Noah nearly spit out his coffee, laughing hysterically.

“I’ll tell you later.” He whispered to me.

“Alright, well, we should turn in. It’s getting late and I know we all have had a rather exciting day.”

Nolan helped me get everyone set up and Noah in bed before he asked me to follow him downstairs. We sat across the table from each other, waiting for the other to speak.

“You have grown into such a beautiful and accomplished young woman, Jamie. I’m proud of you for fighting.”

“I didn’t fight…uh, what do I call you?”

“Whatever you want. Dad, Nolan, Chris, it’s up to you. And you did fight. You fought not to let him completely control your life. I’ve seen how you handle business meetings and run your own career. You don’t let anything hold you down from what you want.”

His words bled into my heart, giving me what I never knew I needed; a father’s approval.

“Thank you.” I sniffled.

“You can’t know how much I wished I could take you away from there. Do you remember when you were ten and a man took you to the ballet?”

“Yes, I hated it.”

“He never touched you or made you feel uncomfortable, did he?”

I thought back, remembering. It was one of the few nicer memories I had. Only a handful of the men Marcus made me entertain ever kept a distance and were kind.

“No.”

“You were so bored during the show that we left and I took you to get pizza in that pretty dress. We drank sodas and went to the beach. I know you don’t remember it was me, because you wouldn’t look up. You were petrified that if you really gave in, it would all go up in smoke and you’d be stuck back in that room. I was wearing a disguise anyway.”

“It was my birthday and you gave me a necklace.”

He nodded and smiled, sad.

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t take you away that night. I’ve always considered you a daughter. I didn’t know you’d end up with one of my boys but I led you here bit by bit.”

“Thank you.” I cried, moving around the table and clutching him.

“We are your family and you are home, now.”

I just shook my head into his chest.

I am home.

After three months, Noah’s injuries were doing better and his rehab was less and less. He continued working with Doc and Luke to heal properly. The guys are still business as usual, minus Noah while he heals, but it’s moving along.

Paulie took a bullet across his skull which caused us a lot of concern but Doc said he would heal and he has. Back to being Paulie, he’s already working jobs. I told him if he doesn’t wear a helmet from this point on, I’ll finish the job myself.

Taylor and Tommy announced their good news a week after we all got back to our lives. I’ve spent a lot of time getting to know Roland, Sue and Maggie – my mom. They’re wonderful people and I am starting to feel close to them. I even called Maggie mom the other day, making her cry, which she pretended wasn’t happening. They all stayed with us for a few weeks before Roland announced he had to get back to work. He owned his own investment banking firm. We discussed them buying a home out this way to visit frequently and they’re all very excited, me too.

Louisa and Baby have been staying in the guest house, arguing with Noah about whether or not they’ll build here or buy in town.

I’ve finally met Louisa and Bryant who grew his hair back out and ditched the contacts. Bryant still has his own firm but they all work together on jobs here and there and he is trying to be a part of Louisa’s life. Baby isn’t on board yet but it’s a big deal.

The end of the year holds a bunch of plans. Noah and I are technically married already but we’re still having a real big wedding, saying vows, the whole shebang. Matt reintroduced me to the public and I’ve given a million interviews about my ordeal. The outpouring from fans and even strangers has been so magnanimous, it blows me away.

Noah’s got his own demon’s to work out, but I’ve already told him that when the time comes, we will tackle them together. We will tackle everything, together.

As I lay here in our bed, Noah peacefully asleep wrapped around me, I can’t help but thank God. It was ugly and it was painful, but it’s all worth it.

Life is finally what I dreamed it would be, perfect.