"Why are you bringing this up?" she asked.
"Because I want a clean slate with you, but I need to know everything, the whole truth first. I want to know if all he told me is true," he said.
Sunday
Superintendent Dacres called Sergeant Reynolds and Constable Campbell to ride along with him. He had a feeling something big was about to happen. He didn't tell them that he heard from Shane, but out of the whole squad, he knew these two were closest to him. He had a good feeling in the pit of his stomach. Who better to support a man when he needed it most than his best friends.
As he pulled up to the police station, he took out his cellphone and called Senior Superintendent Killjoy. She answered after the third ring. "Hello," she said. Superintendent Dacres cleared his throat. "I'm here," he said.
He heard her faint laughter and tugged the collar of his uniform. The neck of the shirt suddenly felt too tight. "Just tell the officer at the reception desk that I am expecting you," she responded.
"Okay, thank you," he said. He ended the call.
"Permission to speak, sir?" Constable Campbell said.
"Go ahead Constable," Supe Dacres said.
"Why are we here?" Constable Dana Campbell asked.
"We're here as witnesses," Supe Dacres said turning around to face his colleagues.
Sergeant Mark Reynolds leaned forward. "Is this a major case?" he asked, curiousity in his eyes.
"In a sense, yes. Our colleague, Sergeant Shane Crosby, is trying to clear his name from the arson charges. We're here to help in that process, however he needs our help. You two are closest to him. That is why I asked you to come with me."
Dana sat up straight. She wanted to see him. "Is Crosby here?" she asked.
"I'm not sure," Supe Dacres replied, "But we're gonna find out." He opened his car door. "Let's go," he said. Constable Campbell and Sergeant Reynolds stepped out of the service vehicle. Superintendent Dacres armed the vehicle and they followed him into the building.
***
Eugene was on the phone with his cousin 'Crab' while Shane listened.
"Yeah, mi cuz, one of mi friend dem deh inna your district. Yeah, mi gud gud friend. Him name ...
"Marcus," Shane chimed in.
"Him name Marcus," Eugene said hurriedly. "Yeah. No mi nuh know why some yute from yuh community teck him up, but mi wah yuh find him and help him out. Weh yuh seh? What kind of vehicle him drive?"
Eugene's eyes met Shane's. Shane snapped his fingers. "It's a Honda CR-V. The license plates with letters DA." Eugene told his cousin the details. "Rival gang? Eeh? Bull Dog? Ah one man weh name Druz son? Okay, yeh mi know is who now. Arite thanks." Eugene ended the call.
"Him seh him cyaa help we on that side of the community we have to go on, but if we come on his turf him will mek sure we get safe passage out. But, if we have to go into Bull Dog side, him cya help us. We're on our own."
Eugene took a deep breath and stepped out of Shane's car. "We going to leave the car here. We going in on foot," he declared.
Shane asked, "Why?"
"Because there's a carjacking ring in the community where we're going and your SUV would be like Christmas to these guys." Eugene looked around. "Give me your keys," he said, opening his hand to receive Shane's car keys. Shane gave it to him reluctantly.
"Be right back," Eugene said. He backed the car away from where they parked and drove off. After ten minutes Eugene returned on foot.
"Where did you leave my car?" Shane asked.
"I left it over on my cousin's side of the community. It'll be safe over there. Come, let's go." Eugene led the way into Bull Dog's territory.
Shane had heard that the community went through some sort of leadership change but hadn't heard the name Bull Dog before. They walked through bushes into streets that badly needed repaving; through streets in the community that were no longer occupied.
Shane observed the garish, blackened shells of burnt out houses that had been fire bombed. "Bull Dog did this?" Shane asked. Eugene cleared his throat then spat. "So I heard," he answered dispassionately.
"Oh," Shane said, feeling that even breathing would be too loud. The place was deathly quiet. He couldn't help but whisper. He moved closer to his friend. He hadn't brought a gun with him. But he never expected he would be in a volatile community seeking to rescue Lissa's dad. If something were to happen to Marcus, he knew he would hate himself.
Out of the corner of his eye, Eugene perceived movement. "Someone is nearby," he said.
"I'm aware," Shane replied. His voice was slightly breathy. The hairs on his arms and back of his neck were rigid.
They heard the crack of twigs and heavy boots on broken concrete. Both men turned to their right to see two men appear out of old buildings. The men walked towards them slowly. Eugene stopped and put out his hand to stop Shane's movements. "Don't look at them. Look at the ground. Do you hear me?" Eugene instructed calmly.
Shane nodded. "Understood," he said. The men were within two yards of them. "Look down now," Eugene said. Shane looked down and saw the military style boots of the men standing before them. He wanted to look up, but heeded his friend's warning.
"Wow!" Eugene greeted the men. They looked at him.
The shorter, darker one spoke first: "Who you?"
"Reds, otherwise called Red Man," Eugene answered. "Me and Druz are good friends. Mi also know the don fi the area, Knife."
The shorter man chuckled then said, "Knife nah run yah suh again. Him dead. Is him nephew teck over now." Eugene smiled. So the rumors are true. He nodded at the men.
"Suh weh yuh want 'round yah suh?" the taller, slimmer man asked.
"Mi wah talk to Druz," Eugene said, his tone even.
"Why?" the taller man asked.
"Catch up on old times. From one old don to another," he said. The two men looked at each other. The shorter man took out his cellphone and dialed a number. "Boss, two strange man enter the territory. One call himself Red Man. Yeah, him seh him is one old don." Short man held the phone away from his ear. "Which community yuh used to run?" he asked.
"Hermitage extend to Commons," Red Man said. The short man relayed the message. He listened to instructions on the line then hung up."Weh him fah?" he asked pointing the muzzle of his modified Desert Eagle towards Shane.
Eugene stepped in front of Shane. "He's my step son," Eugene said. The taller man moved forward, staring at Shane, but Shane did not look up.
The shorter man stepped forward and touched his friend's shoulder. "Is what?" he asked. The taller man stared at Shane. "Him look familiar. Like mi see him somewhere already," he replied.
"If you've not been to Commons recently, you don't know him. Him just teck over from me," Eugene said cautiously.
"Yuh have some nerves ah come yah suh. Yuh lucky seh di boss know yuh reputation," the short man said to Eugene. "Follow me."
They followed the men to the only building on that side of the community that had a fresh coating of paint. It was painted in yellow and white. Eugene and Shane entered the front room and realised it was an old manufacturing warehouse. Eugene walked slightly ahead of Shane, shielding him.
They came into a larger room and saw a man of medium build and height, sitting on a large wooden chair.
The two men stopped three feet away from their king and bowed to him. "Mi boss, these men seh them want to see your pops."
The man stood to his feet and walked towards Shane and Eugene. Eugene tensed. Shane looked at him. He looked at the ground.
"Reds aka Red Man.. My dad calls you Eugene. Yuh come the right time to pay respects. Daddy not doing so well like before. Di man dem from the old crew nuh remember mi father since him get shot. Nuff respect to you fi come look for him. Follow me," he said. Eugene moved off but the taller man blocked Shane. Red Man turned around. "No worry yourself. Dem nah guh do him nutting. 'Switch' nuh duh him anything."
The man nodded. "Yes boss," he replied, but his eyes sent chills down Shane's spine. "Sit dung deh suh," Switch said menacingly. Shane sat on an old grey couch in the room. Switch sat across from him on an old wooden chair.
***
Eugene was led into a smaller room which smelt of mosquito destroyer and stale urine. He looked around as his eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room. Bull Dog walked to the bed and touched his father's arm.
"Dadda," he said gently. "Dadda, one of yuh old friends come to visit you. Yuh always talk 'bout him, yuh seh him save yuh life, Reds."
The older man groaned tiredly and rolled onto his side. He opened his eyes. He face lit up when he recognized who it was. "Eugene, yuh come look fi mi," Druz said excitedly.
Eugene looked at his friend then looked at Bull Dog. Bull Dog saw his hesitation and smiled. "Yuh can come closer man," he said. He beckoned him to move closer. Eugene stepped forward to his friend's bed. Bull Dog took up a chair from the corner, brushed it off with his own rag and placed it before his dad's bed. Eugene sat on it and said, "Thank you".
Bull Dog grinned. "Yeah man," he said. "Dadda, mi soon mek Cristal come wid di soup y'ere."
Druz coughed. "Yes mi son," he answered smiling.
Eugene turned to his friend. "How yuh been mi friend?" he asked.
"Not so good Eugene, the bullet poison mi blood. Is a special type a bullet them did use and shot mi wid it. Mi cripple from the waist down, but the shrapnel in mi ah kill mi slowly." Eugene looked at his friend's bloodshot eyes and sighed. He leaned forward and squeezed his shoulder.
"Suh is yuh son running this place now. I thought you gave it up to Chuck aka Knife after you got shot."
Druz smiled. "I did, but then mi find out seh is him organize the ambush on me. Mi did think seh it was yuh cousin but it wasn't him. Since dem time deh mi and Crab keeping the peace. Him nuh trouble us and we nuh trouble him," he said. Eugene was relieved to hear that.
He stayed there chatting for an hour to placate the older man before he asked him what he came there for.
"I need a favor from you and your son," Eugene said, "for old times sake."
The old man perked up. "So this wasn't a friendly visit? Is business?"
Eugene softened his tone. "It is a friendly visit, and if your son is okay with it, I will visit you more often, but I need your help," he said.
Druz coughed. His eyes were bright and alert. "Arite, weh yuh want mi fi duh fi yuh?"
"Talk to your son to release a friend of mine, please," Red Man said.
Druz chuckled, but his laugh wheezed into a cough. He bent over the side of the bed and spat in a small white pail by the foot of the bed. Eugene pitied him, but he would never underestimate Druz's ruthless nature. He was a fraction of the man he was before the injury, but he was still very dangerous.
"Who is this friend? I have never heard you say 'please' for anything," Druz asked, amused. His arms trembled as sat up to stare at Eugene. Eugene smiled ruefully. "He's a very good friend," he said.
Druz studied him carefully. "Close like me and you used to be?" he asked.
Eugene smiled. "Not so close, but still very close," he answered.
Druz studied him for a minute, then nodded. "Okay, I'll talk to him. Weh Dom hold him wid?"
"He has a Honda CR-V," Eugene told him.
Druz whistled. "Mi might can convince him fi let guh the man, but not sure 'bout the car," he said.
"Anything yuh can duh fi mi I will appreciate it," Eugene said.
Druz nodded. "Okay," answered. He fished in his bed for his cellphone and called his son.
When Bull Dog entered the room, Druz extended his hand. His son came and bent before him. Druz rubbed his head. "Dom, sit on the bed with me," Druz said affectionately.
Bull Dog did as he was instructed. Druz turned to Red Man. "Reds," Druz said, "sit in the chair outside in the left corner. Eugene nodded. He got up, opened the door and stepped outside. He saw the chair Druz told him about and sat down.
After twelve passed, Bull Dog emerged, a somber look on his face. "Come with me," he said to Eugene. He brought him to the large room where Shane was waiting and nodded to Switch. He stood up. "Bring him with you," Bull Dog said, gesturing his head towards Shane. Switch moved towards Shane.
Shane stood to his feet quickly. "I'm up, I'm up," he said hastily. Switch looked at him with murder in his eyes, but did not touch him.
"Follow me," Bull Dog aka Dominic said. Eugene and Shane followed the two men. They walked across a pathway with broken concrete to another smaller building. They entered to hear machine grinding metal and sparks flying. There were several car parks strewn on the floor. Shane knew this would be good intel for the police.
They walked past that area to a smaller room. Bull Dog opened the door. Switch turned, grabbed and pushed the two men inside and locked the door. The room was dark, they couldn't see anything. Eugene cursed a string of expletives. "
Damn old fart!" he said angrily. "Bl**d claat wicked!
"Who is that?"
The two men turned around. "Marcus?" Shane asked.
"Shane?"
"Yeah, its me," Shane answered.
Just then the lights were turned on in the room and Switch and his short friend entered the room.
"Yuh think seh me and me father a eediat?! Yuh think mi cya spot a police from miles away/" Bull Dog stepped into the room with a Magnum in his right hand. "Switch send mi a text seh him remember weh him see yuh," He turned to look at Shane. He lifted his gun and aimed it at his head.
Shane took a deep breath. "I'm no longer a cop," he said calmly.
Damn liar! Mi fi just blow out yuh brains right yah suh!" Bull Dog shouted angrily.
"No. you won't!" Eugene piped up boldly.
Bull Dog turned the gun on him. "Shut up! Is only because a Dadda mi nah kill yuh today. Mi nuh tell him 'bout yuh 'step son'," he said in a mocking tone. "Suh mi can kill him if mi want."
"But you won't because you are your father's son. You think before you act. How long did you know your uncle betrayed your dad?" Red Man asked.
Bull Dog lowered his gun a fraction. He laughed. "Bout a year," he answered.
"Suh yuh wait 12 months before yuh kill him. And what were you doing during that time?"
"Strengthening my position," Bull Dog spat out angrily.
Red Man nodded. "Exactly, a dead cop is no use to you, but a living one is worth his weight in gold."
"But he says he's no longer a cop," Bull Dog said smiling. "I can kill him. He's no use to me."
"Yes but before your men carjacked my friend's car we were going to get him re-enstated.
Re-enstated? What him duh wrong?" Bull Dig asked, eyeing Shane curiously.
Red Man smiled. "It's a long story," he said.
"I was accused of burning my house down by my colleagues. I was on my way to prove my innocence when we were interrupted," Shane said.
Bull Dog stared at him. "Yuh serious?" he asked.
Shane nodded. "Very," he replied.
Bull Dog turned to him fully. "So why mi fi help yuh?" He walked towards Marcus and used his gun's butt to hit him across his shoulders.
"Ahhh!" Marcus cried out in pain.
"I'll tell you when the police will do a raid on your area if they are about to, and if I can I'll give you any other pertinent info you need, if I get back my job. That kind of depends on you now, since you're holding my friend here hostage," Shane said sarcasm lacing his voice.
Bull Dog grinned. He fired a shot near Marcus's ear. Marcus flinched from the booming sound the shot made. his ears were ringing. "Who is he really?" Bull Dog asked. He aimed his gun at him.
Through the door's weak, cracked and hole filled frame, a pair of hazel eyes stared with deep concern. They widened when they recognized another pair of hazel eyes filled with fear.
"He's my father-in-law," Shane blurted out. Marcus looked up at him. Shane looked at Marcus and smiled apologetically.
Bull Dog laughed. "Is that true?" He looked over at Marcus who nodded. "Yeah, he is," he answered. The only one I recognize, he thought.
"All the more reason for me to kill you," Bull Dog mused. He aimed the gun at his head.
"Okay, okay, if you must kill me at least allow me to talk to my daughter, please?" Marcus pleaded.
Dog looked at his men who laughed quietly. He nodded. "Okay, how will you call her?" he asked.
Shane took out his phone. Dog nodded. "Give it to him," he instructed. Shane walked over to Marcus and gave him the phone. Marcus dialed Jordan's number but didn't get him. Then he called Lissa's phone but it rang without answer. Desperate, he dialed Professor Pryce's land line. The housekeeper picked up the call. "Mrs Douglas, oh thank God! I need to speak with Mr Marx, get him for me quickly."
When Jordan came on the line he sounded strange.
"Hello."
"Good morning Jordan. I tried calling you on your cellphone but apparently it was off?" Marcus queried.
"My phone was on vibrate," Jordan answered.
"Okay. Is Lissa nearby?" Marcus asked. "Been trying to get her as well."
"She's upstairs," Jordan answered. "I can call her if you want, but Mrs Douglas said you wanted to speak to me?"
Marcus cleared his throat. "My friend may need me to assist him a bit longer than the one day I planned on helping with him. I may be away for a few more days," he said.
"How long?" Jordan asked.
"Maybe two more days. Maybe a week," Marcus said. He couldn't tell him the truth, that it was the last time they would hear from him. But Jordan noticed something different in his voice. He wasn't sure what it was.
"What do you want me to do?" Jordan asked.
"I secured her mother at a private facility so that's taken care of. What I want you to do is to do your job. Guard her, make sure she's safe, and ..." Marcus paused. He looked up and saw Bull Dog taking too much interest in his conversation.
"And?" Jordan asked.
"If possible, help her not to overthink. It's not in your job description, and ordinarily I would be there with her to help with that, but I may not be for a couple days. I need you to make sure she doesn't do anything stupid or crazy. Keep her distracted--her mind occupied with something positive. Lift her spirits when she's sad. I'll pay you extra if you wish."
Jordan sighed. His senses started tingling. Something wasn't right. "Extra payment won't be necessary. But to do what you ask may require me getting closer to her and comforting her." He would let him know the truth about Lissa's mental state. "While you were gone Lissa had a really bad dream. She was screaming at the top of her lungs. I had to comfort her."
"What did you do?" Marcus asked. He looked up, seeing Shane's frown. He stared at the floor.
"I laid with her until morning. Nothing happened between us. Right now she's in a vulnerable state."
"What do you mean?"
"She's having difficulty sleeping--nightmares, crying. She's a bit emotional," Jordan divulged.
Marcus sighed. "So you're saying?" He looked up at Shane who was watching him.
"I'm saying if you want me to not only guard her, but also to babysit her somewhat, that may require me getting close to her physically. You made it clear you have an aversion to me doing that." Jordan took a deep breath. "Mr. Dixon, I care about your daughter. I will do my very best to ensure she is safe with me. But I also want you to trust me."
"Trust you with what?" Marcus was perplexed. Bull Dog moved closer to him.
"This is new for me. I have never done this before--"
"What are you talking about? Just spill it," Marcus said.
"I have feelings for Lissa, and I want to explore where this could lead us."
"And what of your job to guard her. Can you ensure you keep a cool head under pressure for her sake?"
Jordan had been hesitant about pursuing something with her although the sparks between them were undeniable. The truth is he was drawn to her. He wanted her and maybe he needed her. He cleared his throat. "I can and I will for her sake," he said. "I promise to consider her feelings always. I promise to guard her with my life. I will take things slow with her, and I promise to cherish her." He took a deep breath, released it, then swallowed the saliva pooling in his mouth.
There was silence on the other end of the line. Jordan listened. "Mr Dixon, you still there?" Bull Dog put his gun to Marcus' head. "Wrap it up quickly," he muttered.
"Put Lissa on the phone for me," Marcus said his voice held a gravelly quality to it.
Jordan blinked. "Okay," he said.
He placed the phone on the coffee table and went upstairs. He checked his room and realized she wasn't there. He knocked on her door, she opened it and smiled up at him. She observed his sober expression and her smile became lopsided.
"Is everything okay?"
"Your dad wants to talk to you," he told her. She looked at his face. Her heart began to pound.
"Is he okay?" she asked. "I'm not sure," Jordan answered, "but he's waiting on the phone to talk to you."
Fear gripping her heart, Lissa hurried downstairs. She took up the phone. "Daddy? Daddy is everything okay?"
His heart leapt with joy. If he would hear her voice this last time, so be it. "Lissa baby, I may not be back for a week or so. I want you to make sure you do everything Jordan tells you, especially where it concerns your safety, okay?" Marcus said, his voice tender.
Tears brimmed over in her eyes. "Something isn't right," she whispered to Jordan while covering the phone receiver with her hand.
"Daddy, where are you?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"I-I'm with Shane and his friend Red Man," Marcus answered his voice solemn.
"Where is that exactly?" she asked feeling both fear and frustration. "Daddy, just tell me where you are, and Jordan and I will come pick you up."
"No need, I will be back before you know it," he said. Bull Dog nudged his head with the gun.
"But a week?! Daddy ..."
Jordan's ears perked up. He said two days or maybe a week, not definitively a week. Something was wrong. He touched Lissa's arm. She looked up at him, her eyes wide. She covered the receiver and listened to him. "Ask him this for me, okay?"
Lissa nodded. "Ask if he's indoors or outdoors. She removed her hand. "Daddy, are you indoors or outdoors?
"I'm indoors," Marcus answered. He looked up at Bull Dog's sour expression.
"Is he safe or unsafe where he is? If he's safe, tell him to say blue light, if he's not safe tell him to say red light," Jordan instructed her.
Lissa asked him. She listened to his response.
"Red light," Marcus whispered. Bull Dog hit him on the head. Marcus gasped and a groan escaped his lips. "Shut up!" Bull Dog barked. He grabbed the phone, ended the call and threw it to Shane who lunged forward to catch it.
Lissa voice came out in a strangled cry that caused Jordan's eyes to fly wide open with concern. He moved closer to her. "He said red light," Lissa said, her voice was filled with anguish.
"Jordan, I heard someone in the background. They told him to shut up and then the line went dead."
Bull Dog aimed his gun at Marcus. "Now all a unnuh a guh dead!" he shouted.
"No!" came a sharp voice. Everyone looked towards the doorway to see Druz being pushed in a wheelchair by a brown skinned young woman with hazel eyes.
"Crissie?!" Eugene exclaimed.
"If yuh want to kill yuh baby mother uncle go right ahead," Druz said. His voice that was shaky a few minutes before was now strong and commanding. Bull Dog was taken aback by this revelation. He looked at Cristal. "This man is your uncle?" Bull Dog asked his woman. He pointed his gun towards Red Man.
Cristal left her father-in-law's side and went to hug her uncle. He squeezed her tight. "Mi hear seh yuh house get fire bomb?" Eugene said, holding her. "Mi was searching for you, but couldn't find yuh?"
"Mommy and me managed to get out of the house in time, but mi never have anywhere to go," A teary eyed Cristal revealed. "Sanoya, Bull Dog's sister is my good friend, she took me here, and Bull Dog and me start talk soon after mi meet him." Eugene looked up at Bull Dog who was looking very confused.
Cristal looked at her man. "Do you love me?" she asked.
Bull Dog scrathed his head. "Babes yuh know mi check fi yuh on a different level," he replied.
"Mi ask if yuh love mi Dominic," she said, her eyes boring into him.
"Yeh, mi live yuh," he answered. He dropped his gun to his side.
"Please let my uncle and his friends go," she said, her eyes pleading with him. She moved away from her uncle to hug her man. She stood on tiptoe and kissed his jaw. "Please babes," she said.
He looked at her. "Yuh have to make it up to mi later. Do all the things mi like," he said, a crooked smile forming on his lips.
She laughed softly. "No problem," Cristal answered. She licked her lips and he squeezed her bottom and slapped it. She whispered something in his ear and he threw his head back and laughed heartily. He squeezed her close to him. "Okay, let them go," Dominic aka Bull Dog said.
Red Man helped Marcus to his feet and supported him to the door. He looked back at Druz. "Thank you," he said.
"I never forget my debts," the older man said. "If it weren't for you I wouldn't be able to see my kids and grand kids. Eugene nodded. Shane followed them.
Eugene looked at his niece. "Take care of my niece," he said to Bull Dog.
Dominic's gaze softened as he looked at his woman. "Always," he said.
Eugene turned to the front door. and walked towards it. Switch and the shorter man stepped aside. They walked past them, stepped out of the building and found their way back to the road where they encountered the men.
"Where to?" Shane asked.
"Follow me," Eugene said. They walked briskly across the community. They saw curtains drawn aside and timid eyes watching them from the houses around them. The folks inside curiously watched, and wondered who these strangers were who had seen Bull Dog and lived.
"My car," Marcus said, "I know where it is."
"I don't know if we can get it," Eugene answered.
Just then Switch drove up in Marcus's vehicle. It had a scratch on its left fender, but otherwise it was in good condition. Switch got out. He stepped back and watched as Eugene helped Marcus into the vehicle. Eugene positioned himself around the steering wheel and drove off. Shane was in the back seat with Marcus leaning on his shoulder.
When they got to the other side of the community, they saw people walking on the streets, and children playing. Young men were on the corners gambling, and girls were sitting on the sidewalks or on stools getting their hair braided. It was a totally different atmosphere from where they were coming from. Shane marveled at it.
They met with Eugene's cousin, 'Crab', who handed Shane's car key to him personally. Shane thanked him and they headed out of the area quickly. Eugene steered Marcus's car while Shane drove his.
By the time they got to the Half Way Tree Police Station, Senior Superintendent Killjoy convinced Senior Superintendent Cameron Brooks to summon Sergeant Jasmine Lewis to the police station. When Shane, Eugene and Marcus entered the station, they went straight to the reception desk and were ushered into the office to see Superintendent Dacres, Senior Superintendent Killjoy, Senior Superintendent Cameron Brooks and Sergeant Lewis waiting for them. Sergeant Reynolds and Constable Campbell were asked to wait in the lunch room.
Shane stood at attention and saluted his superiors. They stood and saluted him then sat down. Sergeant Lewis stood but did not salute. Eugene nervously nodded and waved, while Marcus gave a curt nod. An officer was asked to bring in three more chairs in the office. They all sat down and Senior Superintendent Brooks turned to Shane.
"My subordinate has informed me that you made her confess to the damage of your property under duress," his said tone mocking.
Senior Supe Killjoy chuckled, then said, "Why not allow the young man to say his piece. Although I am curious as to why you sent in a resignation letter. You were actually being considered for a promotion."
Supe Dacres and Shane's eyes met. Supe Dacres nodded. "I didn't know," Shane said.
Senior Supe Killjoy smiled at him. "So, firstly why did you resign?" she asked.
Shane sighed then cleared his throat. "I did it for love. Love of a woman. The police are aware of Mr Z and his vendetta towards me, which I may add I have no idea why he wants me dead."
Marcus had a flashback of his encounter at Z's club and realized he had some things to tell Shane. "I can give an answer to that," he said, "and I'm willing to cooperate in any way I can as long as Mr Crosby's name is cleared of the arson charges."
"What?! The police will not be bribed or given ultimatums!" Senior Supe Brooks barked standing to his feet. Senior Supe Killjoy stood to her feet. "Sit down my colleague, listen." Her voice was stern. Senior Supe Brooks adjusted his shirt and sat down. Shane looked at Jasmine who had a smirk on her face.
I have proof ,besides the recording of her confession to me I have a scrunchie she left at my place. It;s in my car. It has strands of her hair wrapped around it. I'm sure the forensics team will be able to show through DNA testing that it belongs to her, and it was at my place.
"That doesn't prove anything," Jasmine spoke up.
"It could, but also from your own mouth you told me you made copies or a copy of my house key. Maybe it's still in your possession, but I'm sure if the police did their digging they would find out which business you went to have my key copied."
"Let me hear the recording," Killjoy said.
Brooks turned to her. "You're going to listen to this guy who nearly brought our noble institution in disrepute just a few years back. The wound is still raw," he said vehemently.
Killjoy smiled faintly. "He caused a raucous in the division you were assigned to as I recall," she said. "Carrying any grudges?"
Brooks recoiled visibly from the accusation. "I would never. I am an officer of the law."
"Then let us hear what he has as evidence," she said.
Brooks looked at Jasmine, who shifted nervously in her chair. He nodded. Shane took out his phone, found the saved recording and played it.
At the end of the recording Killjoy looked at Brooks. "What do they say about cutting dead weight?" she asked, a manicured eyebrow arched up in a sarcastic expression.
Senior Superintendent Brooks stared at Sergeant Lewis. "I can't help you if don't confess," he said.
Jasmine trembled, rage building in her. "He used me. He used my connections to get what he wanted," she yelled.
"I did not. I told you I needed help and you willingly helped me," Shane shot back, his voice almost a low growl. Marcus put his hand on Shane's arm. Shane looked at him, took a deep breath and released it.
"Young lady, I suggest you save face by confessing now because if the recording is analysed and it is conclusively proven via voice analysis you were telling the truth in the recording, there will be no leniency.," Killjoy said her steely gaze held Jasmine captive. Killjoy leaned forward then said, "And I wouldn't want your father to hear what a coward you've been not taking accountability for your actions."
Jasmine popped her knuckles. "Okay, what do you need me to do," she said.
"A written statement that you started the fire and please none of that I did it by accident foolishness," Marcus said.
Sergeant Jasmine Lewis nodded.
Killjoy produced blank sheets of paper from her desk drawer. "Write your confession on these. It will be typed up and you'll read it and sign.
Jasmine took out a pen from her work bag and began writing. Half an hour later she finished writing her confession and it was sent to be typed and printed.
When the printed confession was brought in a folder, it was read to her, after she read it for herself. She confirmed the details in the document and signed it. Shane breathed a sigh of relief while she was carried away by Inspector Simpson for further questioning. Simpson told them he would inform Inspector White to drop his case against Shane.
"There's some thing you should know about the new don, Bull Dog," Shane said.
"And Z, don't forget Z," Marcus chimed in. "I'll let Shane know the details but you and I need to talk Superintendent." Marcus looked at Supe Dacres pointedly.
Dacres nodded. "Understood," he said.
Killjoy smiled. "Am I invited to this party?" she asked.
Supe Dacres shook his head and chuckled. Daphne was filled with natural wit and humour. He smiled at her. "Of course, but I owe you dinner first." he said. She smiled at him. Shane observed the exchange between the two, his eyebrows raised, but held his tongue.
Supe Dacres took out his mobile phone and call Sergeant Reynolds. "Sergeant Reynolds," Supe Dacres said, "please get in contact with Miss Melissa Dixon, let her know her father is here. Also, your colleague Sergeant Shane Crosby will be reinstated to his rank all things going well."
He looked at the scratches on Marcus's face. "As for Mr Dixon, he may need help getting home. Yes. Okay, thank you. You and Constable Campbell wait in the reception area for her arrival. Okay, yes, thank you." Supe Dacres ended the call.
Marcus smiled at him. "Thank you. I think I can manage driving," he said.
Supe Dacres shook his head. "Just a precaution," he said.
Marcus nodded."Thank you," he said.
"You're most welcome.' Supe Dacres replied.
Senior Supe Brooks cleared his throat and stood up. "If I am no longer needed I will take my leave," he said his voice crisp. Senior Supe Killjoy nodded. "Of course, thank you for your patience Senior Superintendent Brooks we appreciate your time." Senior Supe Cameron Brooks nodded then quickly exited the room.
Killjoy looked at the documents signed by a Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner Swaby, and nodded. "All looks good," she said. "I will make sure I write a letter to High Command, attached to this document and a copy of the confession from Sergeant Lewis, stating I was a witness to her confession and I recommend you be reinstated to the Force."
"Thank you so much," Shane said, a wide grin on his face. Eugene grinned. "Thank God!" he said, "Being a cop is the best thing weh happen to him." Killjoy and Dacres laughed at that statement, but Shane only smiled because he knew it was true.
***
While Lissa sat on the wooden bench in the garden, Professor Pryce went for his old rocking chair and placed it beside her. He sat down on it and gave her thigh a fatherly pat. She smiled at him.
They heard footsteps and looked up to see Mrs Douglas entering the garden with a small plastic tray with Lissa's hot bun and cheese snack in a blue ceramic plate. Lissa reached for it while smiling at the housekeeper. "Thank you," she said.
Mrs Douglas nodded. "No problem," she answered.
"Can I have one of the bottled water?" Lissa asked.
"Or would you prefer milk?" Mrs Douglas asked.
Lissa's smile beamed. "Yeah, that sounds better," she replied happily.
The housekeeper smiled. "One glass of milk coming up," she said.
"Thanks," Lissa said.
While Mrs Douglas went back to the kitchen to fetch the milk. Prof Pryce looked at his favorite student's daughter. "You wanna tell me why you were screaming?" he asked, a faint smile on his lips. Lissa took a bite of her bun and cheese and nodded. She groaned, closing her eyes. Gosh! This is so good! she thought.
"Daddy called maybe twenty ago, he didn't sound like himself," she said biting off another piece of the bun and cheese sandwich and chewing it enthusiastically. The housekeeper brought the glass of milk with a coaster covering the rim. Lissa took the glass and took a sip. She grinned. "Nice, thanks Rachel."
Mrs Douglas's smile broadened. "You're welcome my dear," she replied. She looked at the professor who smiled at her. Rachel touched his shoulder and went back to the kitchen.
"Jordan said he would go look for him. Make some phone calls. I panicked and begged him not to leave," Lissa said, her head down. "Especially since we didn't know what sort of danger he was in."
"So where has Jordan gone?" the professor asked.
"The police called about ten minutes ago, they said my dad is at the Half Way Tree Police station, He has some bruises and can't drive, so Jordan's gone to pick him up," she said, greedily swallowing more of the milk. Professor Pryce gently held on to her wrist. "Take it easy," he said and moved the glass away from her face.
"You're worried about your dad and Jordan also?" Prof Pryce asked. His kind eyes observed every detail of her face.
She nodded.
"Do you like Jordan?" the professor asked.
She nodded. "He makes me feel safe, plus there's something about him that I'm drawn to. I'm not sure why," she said quietly.
"I find him an interesting fellow, but he has a good heart," the professor said. "But your dad does not approve of you having a romantic relationship with him?"
Lissa sighed. "Yeah, but I guess it's because I have poor taste in men, and Jordan is my bodyguard. He doesn't want me to be hurt."
"What do you say about the matter?"
"About what?" Lissa asked perplexed.
Prof Pryce looked at her with an amused look on his face. "Do you think he would hurt you?" he asked.
"I don't think so," she answered. So far Jordan had been very gentle with her, but she didn't know him very well.
"Well, you need to know. Before you trust someone with your heart, you must know if they are trustworthy," Prof Pryce told her. Her patted her head. "Sometimes following your heart makes sense. Other times looking clearly with your eyes at a person's action is better." He brushed his right hand on her chin and stood up.
"I'll leave you to your lunch, but think about what I said."
Lissa looked up at his kind face. "I will," she promised. He left her alone.
***
Jordan was riding his bike so he arrived four hours after he left Manchester. He wondered why Marcus ended up in Kingston when he said he would be staying at an Airbnb in Mandeville. He parked his bike inside the police station's parking lot and walked towards the building.
He entered the doors and saw a beautiful, dark skinned woman in police uniform talking to the short police man he encountered when Lissa was at the Tony Thwaites Wing at the University Hospital. He thought he saw the woman before but wasn't sure. Jordan walked up to them and cleared his throat, then waited to be acknowledged. The man frowned at him, but the police woman turned around and smiled at him.
"Weh yuh want?" the police man glared.
"I'm here to pick up Mr Marcus Dixon. I'm Jordan Marx, Lissa's bodyguard hired by Mr Dixon," Jordan answered coolly. The woman smiled broadly. "Yes, your name was mentioned. Come--"
"No!" the man said hotly. "Let me see some ID. Yuh can't just barge in here and claim to be something without proof!"
The woman looked at her colleague with an amused look on her face. "Sarge?" she asked
"Check him fi ID!" the male police officer said.
"No need to manhandle me," Jordan said with a coy smile on his lips. He slipped his hand into the front pocket of his jeans jacket and produced his wallet. He removed his ID and handed it to the woman. She looked at it and showed it to the man.
"Search him!" the man said.
"Turn around sir," the police woman said.
Jordan turned around, lifted his hands and put them behind his head. She felt his gun holster and gun. "Remove your jacket sir," she instructed. Jordan lowered the jeans jacket off his shoulders, moving very slowly. He took his arms out of the sleeves, and held the jacket in his left hand.
"Turn around," she commanded.
"Turn around!" the man barked.
Both officers observed the fancy leather holster strapped across his shoulder and back, secured across his chest. "Do you have a permit for that weapon, sir?"
"Look in my wallet," Jordan said. He stretched it out to them. "There's a document that authorizes me to carry several weapons registered under my name. The woman took the wallet and found $20,000 which she counted out before her superior, then she retrieved a document which verified what he said.
She showed the document to her superior, who sucked his teeth. "Give him back his stuff," he said, sounding annoyed. "Suh mister bodyguard where is your principal? Yuh left her unprotected?" The police woman handed the paper, ID and wallet to Jordan. Jordan folded the paper and placed it in his wallet along with his ID. He tucked the wallet in his jeans' front left pocket.
Jordan smiled. "She is safe where she is, but very worried about her father, so if you can please stop wasting time and tell him I'm here to fetch him."
"You--"
"Sergeant Reynolds!"
"Constable Campbell!" came the snap reply.
"Officers, who is this?" An officer of higher rank walked into the reception area with Marcus. Shane and another man were behind them. Jordan took a breath and released it slowly. Both officers looked at their superior and saluted.
Constable Campbell spoke first, "Superintendent Dacres, good day, sir. We were just making sure this man was who he says he is, right Sergeant Reynolds?" Constable Campbell stared at Sarge Reynolds.
"Yes, exactly so, Constable," Sergeant Reynolds answered, standing at attention.
Shane chuckled as he observed Sarge Reynolds's awkward facial expression. He turned to Marcus and said, "We'll need to meet as soon as possible to iron out our plan more definitively."
Marcus nodded. "Sure," he said. Shane looked at Superintendent Dacres. "Supe, sorry for taking this long for a meet up, but thank you for understanding."
Just then Senior Superintendent Daphne Killjoy, walked up to see the gathering and extended her hand to Superintendent Dacres. "Superintendent, thank you for the insight you provided," she said. Superintendent Dacres shook her hand. "It was my pleasure. Also, thank you for accommodating this meet up." He smiled at her.
Marcus looked over at Jordan and nodded. Jordan inclined his head slightly. Marcus moved to shake Supe Dacres and Senior Supe Killjoy's hands. They reciprocated, then both senior officers walked off together to continue their conversation.
Marcus watched them walking away. He turned to Shane. "You good?" he asked.
Shane nodded. "I'm among friends here. I'll be okay," he answered.
"So we'll talk?" Marcus asked.
Shane nodded. He looked over at Jordan, but he said to Marcus. "Say hello to Lissa for me." Jordan's eyes narrowed as he noted how Shane was looking at him.
Marcus nodded. "I will," he replied. Shane turned and looked at Red Man who smiled at him. "Weh yah deal wid?" Red Man asked.
"I'll get a ride with Supe Dacres," Shane said handing Red Man his car keys. "He and I need to talk. Take care of my whip for me. I'll come for it later."
Red Man nodded. "Arite, I'm leaving. My baby mother supposed to ah chew fire on mi name right now," he said ruefully.
Shane slapped him on his arm. "Thanks for everything, bro."
Red Man nodded. "Yuh good man. Later."
"Later."
Red Man walked through the doors of the police station and disappeared from his sight. He looked over at Marcus and Jordan, noting the awkwardness between the two men.
"Lissa's okay?" Marcus asked
Jordan nodded. "She's okay, but of course she's worried about you," he answered
"Okay, let's not keep her waiting for too long," Marcus said.
"I got here on my bike," Jordan told him.
"Right, I can drive," Marcus said.
"We were told you couldn't."
Marcus smiled. He nodded. "I'm good now. You can ride alongside on your bike." He turned to Shane. "We'll talk."
Shane nodded. "Yeh man." He watched as Marcus moved towards the front doors of the station, while Jordan looked at Shane. Feeling Jordan's gaze on him, Shane turned and looked at him for a second before he nodded at him.
Jordan nodded in return. He followed behind Marcus. Shane could sense the tension between the two men. He wondered what was the problem. Although, he had a pretty good idea what it could be. He shook his head.
Dana walked up to him and saluted him. He saluted her. "How does it feel to be reinstated though on probationary terms?" she asked. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with admiration. Shane smiled and winked. Her smile broadened. "Like I need to make it count this time," he said. She reached out and touched his shoulder. "Tonight, my place?" she whispered.
He winked at her. "Yes ma'am," he said softly. She grinned then walked towards Sarge Reynolds who used his fingers to mimic the telephone sign. "Me call yuh," he said.
The newly reinstated Sarge Crosby said, "Okay."
Constable Campbell and Sergeant Mark Reynolds left the station. Supe Dacres and Senior Supe Killjoy walked over to him.
"Ready to talk?" Supe Dacres asked.
Shane nodded. "Yes sir, I am." he answered.
"This way gentleman," Senior Supe said, gesturing to her left. He and Supe Dacres followed Senior Superintendent Killjoy into her office.
***
Jordan called Lissa and gave Marcus the phone.
"Jordie!" Lissa said excitedly.
Marcus frowned, but answered in an even tone. "It's me baby," he said.
"Daddy! Oh thank God! Are you okay?" Lissa asked.
"A little banged up--"
"Daddy!"
"I'm fine. I'll explain when I get back, okay?"
"Okay," she said. "Dad, please put Jordan on the phone."
Marcus looked over at Jordan, his eyes narrowing. "She wants to talk to you," he said.
Jordan took the phone from him. "Hey," he answered.
"Hmm ... hey handsome," Lissa said. "On your way back?"
"Yeah, we are," he replied, observing Marcus's body language.
"I miss you," she said. "I wish you could hold me. I ... uh, I want to talk to you about something."
"Mhm ...?" He voice dipped involuntarily. He wanted to touch her, to wrap himself around her. He longed to hold her.
"Yes," she said with a soft chuckle. "Jordie, I want you to hold me and kiss me. I want to get to know you better."
"I feel the same way," he told her. "We're on our way now, okay?"
"Okay baby," she said. "Please be safe and hurry back." Her husky voice sounded sultry to his ears. He willed a certain body part not to respond. Clenching his jaw, he closed his eyes briefly. He couldn't wait to be with her.
"Jordie, you're driving me crazy," she said with a soft breath.
Jordan's heart leaped. He wanted to blow kisses to her, but bit his bottom lip instead. He took a sideways look at her dad. "Same here. Okay, Lis. See you soon."
"Okay baby," she said.
He ended the call.
"What do you want with my daughter?" Marcus's dark eyes observed Jordan.
Jordan put the phone in his jeans' front pocket. "I care about her. I am her bodyguard."
"I am not sure I trust you," Marcus said.
Jordan sighed. "Mr Dixon, I apologize for knocking down the door. I care about Lissa, but I know no one cares about her more than you and her mother."
"You say you want to date her?" Marcus asked. His eyes assessed him carefully.
"Yes," Jordan nodded.
"My daughter is a lovable girl. She loves hard. It's like she's so consumed with wanting to be loved that she doesn't know when she's hurting herself or others." Marcus sighed. "I don't want to see her hurt, and I wouldn't want you to be hurt, or disappointed if things don't work out. Actually, to avoid anything messy happening between you two, I advise you not to pursue anything with her."
He gestured his head for Jordan to follow him. He walked towards his SUV. It had a few scratches but nothing serious. Marcus disarmed his vehicle and slipped inside, unlocking the passenger side for Jordan. Jordan opened the door and sat inside. Marcus turned to him.
"You like my daughter?"
Jordan nodded.
"Well there are some things you should know, starting from her first ex who asked her for a threesome." Marcus gazed at Jordan intently.
Jordan's eyebrows shot up. He leaned back in the seat and prepared himself to listen.
***
Lissa washed her hair. She was going to blow it out, then lightly press it. She figured Jordan liked her hair. She was going to straighten it just a little so he can enjoy running his fingers through it. She liked what he did when he was with her before he had to leave. As she sat before the mirror, she looked at herself. Her cheeks weren't as plump as before. Even her skin looked different. It still glowed but it looked lighter. She wasn't sure what that was about.
LIssa parted her hair into ten sections, then plaited each one. She started with oiling her scalp with tea tree oil, then used her fingers to pull the excess up to the strands of her hair.
She put in a leave-in moisturizing treatment, sprayed a little of the lavender oil and water mixture in her hair, then rubbed everything together by vigorously massaging from scalp to hair ends. She had a little scissors in her bag. She took it out and tightly clipped the ends. The clipped hair she flushed down the toilet.
Plugging in her hair dryer with comb attachment she thought of him. She liked his tattoos, just his. She was interested in the stories they could tell about what he had been through. She closed her eyes and thought of his hands caressing her. Placing the dryer on the chest of drawers, she lay back on the bed and thought of him. She called him.
She heard his deep voice and groaned. "Jordie, I'm sorry. I'm aching for you. Is my dad nearby?"
She heard shuffling then, he replied, "He was. We were in his car. What's up?"
"Where are you now?" she asked.
"At the police station's parking lot," he answered.
Lissa made a sound filled with frustration. "Jordan, why haven't you guys left yet?"
He chuckled. "I want nothing more than to hold you right now." He sighed. "But your dad is giving me a lecture and I won't be disrespectful."
"Lis, it doesn't matter. I have some questions, but it doesn't change the fact that I want you. Okay? I want you. We'll talk when I get back."
Her bottom lip trembled. "I was planning a surprise for you," she said quietly.
"I love surprises," he answered. He dipped his voice to a husky whisper. "Is it something you'll be wearing?' he asked. "Something sexy?"
She smiled. "Nothing too sexy until I can be completely alone with you, but I'll make sure I look nice for you."
"Nice for me?" he asked surprised. He felt a stirring in his chest. He was happy. God knows I really need to see her.
"Mhm ... I think you'll like it," she told him, making her voice airy and soft.
He chuckled. "Okay, forget the lecture. I'm on my way."
Lissa giggled. "Please do," she said.
He sighed then blew her a kiss. "On my way, baby." He ended the call.
Lissa turned on the dryer and proceeded to dry and straighten her hair. She had a flat iron in one of her bags. When she was done drying her hair she would use it to make her tresses more straighter but not bone straight.
***
Jordan walked over to Marcus's vehicle. "We're leaving now," he said. Marcus looked at him with right eyebrow raised. "We haven't finished talking," he said, his voice stern.
Jordan smiled at him: a smile filled with steely determination. "Yes, we are," he said. He walked away and started his bike's engine. He revved three times then rode up to Marcus's window. He spun his index finger in the air once then pointed forward, and rode off not waiting to see if Marcus would follow.
Strangely, Marcus found himself being impressed with Jordan's take charge attitude. He started his car and raced after him. He slowed down after he caught up with him. Noticing that Marcus caught up with him, Jordan shifted the bike into 2nd gear. The motorcycle lurched forward. Marcus pressed on the gas and followed him.
They didn't stop until they got to a service station in Mandeville. Jordan rode into the gas station to fill his tires with air and refill his gas tank. He also bought coolant for his bike. After draining out the old coolant, he poured the new one into the radiator. He would wait twenty more minute for the engine to completely cool down.
Marcus watched him, and sucked his teeth. Then he remembered that his daughter was depending on both of them. He went into the concessionaire section of the service station and bought two sandwiches. He came out and extended his hand out to Jordan. Jordan looked at the sandwich covered in Saran Wrap and looked up at his boss's face.
Marcus put on an awkward smile. Shaking his hand, gesturing for Jordan to take the sandwich from him. "Your bike's getting some fuel. You need fuel too. Just take it," he said. Jordan reached forward and took it from him. "It's chicken," Marcus said.
Jordan nodded. He pulled the wrap and bit into the sandwich. It was good. He took a bigger bite and chewed voraciously.
Marcus bit into his corned beef sandwich and watched him. "My words haven't scared you off?" he asked, smiling slightly. Jordan finished the sandwich and looked at his boss. "Lissa told me she's damaged. She told me about being raped," Jordan said. "She explained about the antidepressants. And yes, I still think she's worth it."
"There were others before you who thought she was worth it, but it didn't work with them. Did she tell you that she confessed her feelings for Shane recently. Shane came by the house to see her to find out if he still had feelings for her. He's planning to marry the young woman you met back at the station."
"Dark skinned chic?"
"Mhm, her," Marcus replied.
Jordan whistled. He had to admit this Shane guy had really good taste in women.
"Anyhoo," Marcus continued, "while she was there in our living room asking Shane to give her another chance, your friend Corporal Stewart sneaked into the house and listened to their conversation. When Shane left, he confronted her about what he heard. Your friend and my daughter had just made up, and I guess he went back to visit her, but what he heard upset him ..."
Jordan didn't know this. This was another thing he needed to ask her about.
"... He stormed off. My daughter, instead of acting like a grown woman and acknowledging her wrong, took the pills to numb her guilt."
"She told you that?" Jordan asked.
Marcus shook his head. "No, but it's obvious that's what happened." He scoffed at Jordan's question. "Let me say this now. I do not endorse this relationship between you two--being more than bodyguard and client." He stepped towards Jordan. "And after things die down, I will dismiss you. I will pay you off handsomely, but I no longer want you as her guard."
"Does she have a say in the matter?" Jordan asked.
Marcus shook his head.
Jordan sat down on his bike and observed Lissa's dad, then said, "You can do whatever you want. It may even be possible that you'll find an even better guard than me. But what you will not find is one who will disrupt his life to follow you guys wherever. And, put his life on hold like I have."
Jordan walked away and threw the sandwich wrapper in a nearby garbage skip. He walked back to his motorcycle and threw his right leg over it. "Ready?" he asked.
Marcus opened his mouth, but closed it when he saw Jordan's right eyebrow arch up. He walked to his car. Jordan put on his helmet and strapped it on his head. He rode off as before, not waiting for Marcus. Marcus cursed below his breath and followed him.
***
They arrived at the Manchester mansion at 6:30 in the evening. Professor Pryce buzzed them into the property and the housekeeper opened the front door for them. Professor Pryce greeted them with a broad smile. "You okay? Lissa mentioned that something may be wrong?"
Marcus smiled at his friend. "Yeah, I got carjacked, but I'm good. The friends that were with me helped me."
He looked around for Lissa. She wasn't anywhere in sight. Jordan walked in behind him. He too was scanning the hallway for her. He walked past the professor, her dad and the housekeeper who were still talking. Marcus watched Jordan, but continued to talk to his hosts.
Noticing a flurry of movement to his left, Jordan looked towards the stairs and saw a 'vision' descending the stairs. It was like one of those movies when the beautiful princess walks down the stairwell, into the heart of a young suitor. Jordan stared at the beautiful vison that was coming closer to him and knew he was falling in love with her.
Lissa took a deep breath as she descended the stairs. She was wearing a figure hugging pink sweater that complemented her skin tone. She was also wearing a black flowy skirt that brushed her ankles but had a split that went up to mid-thigh.
Her hair was loose and laying like a black, beautiful mane about her shoulders. Her fingers and toenails were painted in a silvery pink color. She wore black flip flops on her feet. Jordan moved to meet her at the end of the stairs. He stretched his hand out to her and she took it. He helped her down the last step and stared at her.
He was vaguely aware that the conversation in the background had stopped. He looked at Lissa from head to toe and back up again. She did a twirl for him. "Do you like it?" she asked. She was acting shy. Jordan's face broke into a smile filled with appreciation.
"You are absolutely beautiful," he breathed. He reached out and touched her hair. She leaned into him so he could hold her, but he restrained himself for Marcus's sake.
Brushing his fingers on her hair, Jordan looked into her eyes. He was mindful of the others watching them. "You're beautiful," he whispered. "All this is for me?" he asked. She nodded looking up at him. "I wanna kiss you, but not here, not right now," he said softly. She nodded. "Okay," she answered.
Professor Pryce cleared his throat. Lissa looked over at the three who were spectators at this point and smiled. "Good night everyone," she said. She moved towards her dad and hugged him. He circled his arms around her and squeezed. Marcus looked up at Jordan, saw the way he was looking at his daughter and wondered if he was wrong.
"Good night my dear," Professor Pryce replied. The housekeeper smiled at her. She touched her arm. "Good night dear."
Rachel looked at each face with a pleasant smile. "Dinner will be served in fifteen minutes. Enough time for you and Marcus to wash up," she said turning to Jordan.
Jordan smiled at her. "Thank you Mrs Douglas," he said. Marcus released his daughter. "Thank you Mrs Douglas," he said quietly. His eyes never wavered as he deserved how Jordan stared at Lissa. He turned to look at Lissa and saw the same look of yearning.
He sighed. "I'm gonna freshen up," he said tiredly. He walked past Jordan and went upstairs to his room. Jordan went up afterwards.
Stepping out of the shower there was a knock on his door. Jordan wrapped the towel more snugly around him. He opened the door. Lissa pressed herself on him, kissing him fervently. Jordan captured her lips hungrily, groaning his need. She pushed him back until they were on the bed. She straddled him, kissing him with a fervour that made him grip her bottom. He brushed his right hand on the thigh the split exposed.
"Hmm ... Lis, you're so sexy, but we can't ... the doctor, and I'm not supposed to. Baby ..." Lissa covered his mouth.
She was breathing heavily. "Ohh ... Jor ... I need you."
He rubbed her back. His heart was racing. "Lis, we have to stop."
"I want you," she groaned. He touched her hair. "Gorgeous, believe me I want you too. But there's one thing talking to your dad has helped me to see ..."
Lissa paused and looked at his face. She got off him and sat down. "What's that?" She saw the impression of his erection and was tempted to touch him. He noticed her looking at it and chuckled. He got up took out some clothes from his black duffle bag and went into the bathroom to put them on. Liss lay back, waiting for him.
When he returned five minutes later, she had managed to compose herself. Her eyes did however drift down to look at his crotch. He chuckled. "He's gone back to sleep," he quipped, his eyes teasing. She pouted at him playfully. He laughed. He sat beside her and drew her into his arms. He kissed her hair. "Your hair looks beautiful," he told her.
Her face lit up. "Thank you. I wanted you to like it, " she said.
He inhaled its smell and sighed. He rubbed her arm. "You did this for me?"
"Mhm ..."
He kissed her hair.
"What did he tell you?" Lissa asked. "You said what my dad said--his lecture helped you see something?"
He kissed her brow. "It made me see that no one has taken it slow with you, and you haven't taken it slow with your heart either." She looked at the floor. He took thumb and index finger and lifted her face to his. He kissed her lips tenderly and slowly, gently pulling on each lip.
Lissa moaned as he took his time to nibble and kiss her lips. Slowly, he deepened the kiss and slipped his tongue into her mouth. With a deliberate rhythm his tongue surged forward then eased back, teasing her. Lissa felt her nipples harden. She groaned deeply. He put his hand on her chest and pushed her gently on the bed. He lay beside her.
He lifted his head and looked at her dazed expression, then bent forward and put his hand under her head. He kissed her slowly, brushing his fingers gently in her hair.
Making soft groans he kissed her neck and used his teeth to rake gently on her skin. She moaned and shuddered. "Oh Jordan, you're driving me crazy," she said. He moved the fingers of his left hand under her skirt and slipped her panties aside. Slowly, as she moaned his name, he caressed her swollen nub. Lissa arched up to him.
"Oh god ... ohh ... Jordie!"
"Is this okay?" he asked, his voice deep. She whimpered softly. He breathed in slowly and gently rubbed the tip of his fingers on her. He could feel her little nub getting harder as he caressed it. He closed his eyes and bit his bottom lip. "You feel good," he told her. He brushed his fingers along the delicate folds around her aroused nub and felt that she was very moist. He groaned.
"Ohh! Jordie!" she cried his name.
He opened his eyes and kissed her neck and chest. "Just for tonight Lis. I want to satisfy you," he whispered in her ear. Lissa parted her legs wider for him. Her breathing was shallow as she stared at him. He eased up and stared at her.
"Does this feel good Lis?" he asked, his baritone warm but gravelly.
She nodded. He kissed her deeply while his fingers continued to stroke her. "You're really wet," he whispered. "Wish I could have you."
She closed her eyes as her desire heightened for him.
"You're so beautiful. My fingers have touched you here. No other man will touch you like this. You're mine now," he told you. He cupped her gently and squeezed. She moaned and grinded her hips as he squeezed and rubbed her. Gently, he ran his fingers along her moist slit and slipped a finger inside. She jerked and moaned louder.
"Ohh ... Jordie ... ohh!"
"All I want is you. Do you want me, Lis?" he asked softly.
She moaned.
"Do you?" He groaned.
"Ohh ...Yes, I want you. I want you Jordan. I need you," she said airily.
She sounded so sexy to him. "I don't care what your dad says or what anyone else says. You're worth everything I've gone through to be here with you." He moved his finger deeper and increased its in and out motion.
She arched her head back and began moaning louder. She knew she should tone it down, but she couldn't help it. Her hands moved up to squeeze her breasts. She stared into his eyes.
He moved his finger faster and watched as her brow knotted, her eyes rolled back, and her lips moved but no coherent sounds came but grunts and moans of pleasure. He took his finger out and teased her nub--stroking it slowly. "Lissa, you're very sweet. Very sexy." She reached for his free hand to put it on her bosom. He leaned closer and began to knead her breasts for her. She closed her eyes.
Listening to her soft grunts, he asked, "Are you almost there, baby?" His voice was tender to her ears. She nodded. He kissed her passionately, forcefully invading her mouth with his tongue. He teased her until she was moaning and breathing in short spurts.
Her heart rate accelerated as the sensations in her loins grew more intense. He stroked faster. "Lis, I want you to explode for me."
Lissa was whimpering and moaning his name. It's not supposed to feel this good, she thought. She could barely catch a full breath. He inserted his finger as deep as he could and she moved her hips back and forth. He feels so good!
She made guttural noises that sounded like cute, little yowls to Jordan. He was tempted to lift the skirt up so he could see her. She felt slippery-wet, warm and tight. He had to remind himself that he was only doing this to ease her tension.
"Open your eyes baby. See how much I want you," he said.
She opened her eyes. His green eyes looked darker, almost a mysterious brown as he watched her. They seemed to be looking right into her soul, pulling her into him. Her body began to shake, and she closed her eyes as ripples of pleasure flowed through her. She groaned loudly as she shivered. "Ohh Jordan!" she cried.
Jordan kissed her lips and felt her body shiver. He smiled at her. "You're so beautiful." he said. Lissa bit her bottom lip as her body trembled once more from a pelvic twitch, even after the orgasm's intensity wore off.
He kissed her brow as she stared at him with longing. She wanted more. Lissa covered his hand with hers and pressed on her mound. He blew a sloppy kiss and increased the pressure of his hand on her. She arched up, closing her eyes, her body shivering.
"Hmm ..." she groaned.
"Beautiful," he whispered. His voice was deep with a soft, endearing quality to it. To Lissa, his tone felt like the gentle caress of an evening breeze. She opened her eyes and looked at him. He bent forward and kissed her lips.
***
He held her close until late in the night. No one disturbed them, not even her father. Jordan figured the other people in the house heard her cries of pleasure, and decided to give them space.
He asked her about what happened the Friday night when Shane visited and Ryan confronted her about what he heard. She admitted that she did confess to Shane her desire to be back with him, but after he rejected her and she saw how she hurt Ryan, she was angry with herself. She took the pills to calm her nerves.
"You're mine now," he told her. "I don't want you to allow any other man to touch you like I did tonight." He wrapped his arms possessively around her.
Lissa relaxed in his embrace. "Are you staking your claim on me?"
"Yes, if you'll let me," he spoke softly.
"I just want to be held and wanted. Maybe needed." She rubbed circles on his wrists. "I want someone who can't stand being away from me. If I'm not near them it's almost like they can't breathe. Maybe even a little obsessed with me." She laughed feeling awkward. "I know it sounds stupid."
He kissed the side of her head. "No, not at all," he replied. "That's how I love. When I love someone I can be very possessive. Very territorial. I'm trying to temper it since I've gotten older. But when I really fall for someone I fall hard."
He kissed her right temple and listened to her breathing. "I could fall like that for you, Lis. You bring out my protective side. The question is if that's what you want."
She snuggled into him. "If you won't hurt me, I don't have a problem with a man who's crazy about me. Not crazy," she said giggling. "Crazy about me."
Jordan smiled. He smelled her hair, then bent his head to inhale the scent of her skin. Hmm ... Cherry blossoms. She smells so good! He kissed her right shoulder.
"Being crazy about you ..." He kissed her neck, "... Is something I can grow to do with pleasure. I have no desire to hurt you. I want you."
Lissa felt shivers run up her spine at his words and lips on her skin. "Thank you for this. This is nice," she said. She clasped her hands in his.
"You're welcome," Jordan said smiling. He wanted her to be happy with him. He pressed his lips on her neck and pulled on the soft skin. She gasped and released a rushed breath. She closed her eyes. He squeezed her close and groaned. Holding her was satisfying a yearning in him he had ignored for a long time.
"You said there was something you wanted to talk to me about?" he asked, kissing her head. Lissa sighed. "Have I ever told you I love when you touch me?" she said smiling. Jordan turned her body slightly to him and kissed her right cheek. He blew into the skin and planted soft dewy kisses. Lissa giggled. Oh God thank you. This feels right, she prayed in her heart.
"Actually, it was what you asked me about. I was gonna tell you about what happened Friday night. I want to be transparent with you," Lissa said, sobering a little.
"Thank you for being honest with me," he said.
"Always," was her soft reply. Jordan felt his heart melting towards her. He was definitely falling in love with her. He squeezed her then released. Lissa groaned.
"You feel so good," she whispered. Lissa reached her right hand down and made contact with his arousal. She rubbed her hand on its impression through his jeans and squeezed tentatively.
"Hmm ... Jordie, you're so hard," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "Would you like me to go down on you? I can't ride it for you now, but I want to when I get better," she said rubbing her hand along the length of the shaft. She closed her eyes and sucked on her bottom lip.
"Hmm ... Lis, I love how you touch it," he groaned.
She heard and felt his deep tone rumbling through her chest and almost moaned. He pressed himself on her and she pushed back on him. He began to thrust on her slowly. Each time his hips slapped into her butt she could feel his hardness. She closed her eyes--the strength of his thrusts were making her hot.
"Ohh ..." she uttered, licking her lips. "Let me eat you up, please," she begged. Jordan grabbed her right hip and humped on her faster, his thrusts becoming more insistent. "Ahh! Jordie! Yes, please!" He grunted. His body was telling him to make love to her body, while his mind was screaming no, not yet. He hiked her skirt up to her hips, his hand gripping firm, supple flesh.
Squeezing her buttocks, he groaned and called her name: "Hmm ... Lissa! Hmm ..."
"Jordie, yes ... yes. I wish you could take me."
He slapped her and she moaned. She needed to feel him. Turning around to face him she stared into his eyes. She saw the hunger in his gaze and kissed him. "Let me taste you. I want you to feel good," she whispered passionately.
She moved to unbutton his pants and his body jerked then froze. He held on to her hands. With his mouth open, his breathing ragged and uneven, he blurted out, "No!" His voice was hoarse.
"Jordie?" She looked at him confused.
He brought her hands to his lips and kissed them. "Not yet, Lis," he said, shaking his head. He stood up and went to the bathroom. He closed the door.
She sat up and stared at the door. After a minute she heard the shower running. She sighed and lay back down. Ten minutes later Jordan reentered the room, still wearing the clothes he had on before. He didn't look at her, but sat on the edge of the bed. She came up behind him and circled her arms around his waist.
"You okay?" she asked. He leaned into her.
"Yeah, I'll be okay," he said quietly.
"I-I'm sorry," she told him.
He sighed. "It's okay," he replied. He put his hands over hers. She rested her chin in his shoulder and sat down with her legs stretched out on either side of his thighs. "You make feel beautiful," she said softly.
"You are," he answered. Jordan smiled then kissed her hands. "Hungry?" he asked.
"Mhm ... a little," she replied. "Why don't you want me to make you feel good?" she asked.
Jordan turned around to look at her, his right thigh partially on the top of the bed. She released him from her embrace and put her hands in her lap. He touched her face. "I want you to, but not yet. I need a clear head," he said.
"But wouldn't it be better if I do it to you so you can get it out of your system?"
He chuckled. "You have a point, but right now I need this nervous energy. It's what will keep me sharp." He sat up, and slowly stood to his feet. "If not for you then for me," she retorted, eyeing him. "Your body is so tempting," she said her voice husky--breathy.
"Me fondling you is a one time thing, for now. Just to take the edge off for you," he told her. He was aroused by the way she was looking at him like he was a main course meal. She was even licking her lips. The thought of her going down on him was tempting, but they needed to wait a little longer.
"What about you?" she asked, inching closer. She stared at his crotch. His erection was gone, but she wanted to see his member. I want to touch it, she mused. I want to know how it feels in my mouth. She bit her bottom lip.
For the first time in her life she wanted to perform oral sex on a man. He always smells so good. She closed her eyes, imagining how he would taste. "I want to taste you," she said, her eyes finding his. She licked her lips, her breath caught. She never felt like this before: this hunger, this need. It was unnerving, but also exhilarating.
Jordan's heart rate spiked as he saw how her body responded to him. He bent forward and kissed her. "Wait a bit longer for me, Lis. I'll make sure to give you whatever you want, and you can do anything you want with me, but not now." He liked that she had this erotic side to her. He wanted to explore every delightful curve of her body, but he needed to wait.
"But when it gets hard for you isn't it frustrating?" she asked in disbelief.
"If it gets too much, I have my ways," he said. He curled his left hand into a fist. Lissa's eyes widened as she realized what he meant.
"Hell no!" she said. "I'm here, take your frustration out on me. At least, let me go down on you." She looked so forlorn. He almost gave in. He was flattered that she wanted him like that.
A thought crossed her mind. "Is that what you did in the bathroom?" She saw the look in his eyes and stood to her feet. She reached out and touched his face. "Jordie, if you need it you can ask me, okay? From now on ask me." Her eyes were sincere.
The desire to let go and allow her to drive him crazy was gnawing at his last resolve. He did consider it for a minute, but then he relented. "I can't, not yet." He walked towards the door. "And Lis, this is the last time I'll play with your kitty for now." He smiled at her when he saw her stick out her tongue and cross her arms. "I'll be back," he said chuckling. He pulled on the door handle and left the room.
"Damn it!" Lissa muttered. She fell back on the bed and closed her eyes.
Jordan sauntered downstairs to find the housekeeper cleaning up the kitchen. She smiled at him, a knowing look on her face. "Miss Dixon feeling better?" she asked.
He chuckled. "Yes, she is," he answered. He moved towards the counter. "By any chance did you leave dinner for us?"
Rachel laughed softly. She nodded. Going into the warmed oven, she removed two plates and quickly put them on a tray to prevent her hands from burning.
Opening the fridge, Jordan took out a bottled water. He pulled off the cap and gulped down half the water in a few seconds. He took out two more bottles: one for himself and one for Lissa.
He placed them on the tray with the food Rachel saved for them. He gave the housekeeper a quick smile and headed to the stairs. He heard the sound of her laughter coming from the kitchen, and grinned as he climbed the stairs.
He balanced the tray on his left arm and knocked on the door. Lissa opened it and stepped back so he could enter with the food. He placed the tray on the night table. He sat on the bed and finished the half bottle of water, then opened another, taking short sips. "That bottle is for you," he told her, pointing to the one left on the tray. She sat beside him and leaned into him. He kissed her forehead.
"Eat," he instructed.
"Yes sir," she replied cheekily.
She started eating. The housekeeper cooked roasted chicken and steamed quinoa. Lissa loved it. Jordan wasn't thrilled about the quinoa but ate it anyway. He opened the bottle of water for her. She thanked him and sipped the water while her eyes undressed him. He noticed how she was watching him and blew her sloppy kisses. She giggled and continued eating.
After they finished their meal, he brought the tray down with empty plates and water bottles, and laid it in the kitchen sink.
"You slept with her?"
Jordan looked up. Marcus walked towards him. He stood only inches away from him, staring into his eyes. Jordan turned fully towards him. He shook his head. "No, I didn't."
"I heard ..." Marcus's voice trailed off.
Jordan observed that Marcus looked uncomfortable. "I ..." What can I say? "I was comforting her," he answered.
"I see," Marcus said his eyebrows raised. He stared intensely at Jordan. "If you hurt my daughter I swear to-"
"I won't hurt her," Jordan told him, his gaze unwavering. "I care about her and I'm sure I'm falling for her."
Marcus nodded. "I pray you won't hurt her," he answered. He walked away. Jordan took a deep breath and swallowed. He walked back to his room and opened the door. Lissa saw the look on his face. She went to him as he closed the door.
"You saw my dad?"
He nodded. She hugged him. He circled his arms around her and squeezed.
"You sure you don't want me to ...?" she asked, looking up at him. Her eyes danced with mischief and desire.
He smiled at her and shook his head. "On our wedding night maybe, if you want that."
Stepping back she stared pointedly at him. "Are you proposing Mr Marx?"
He grabbed her and kissed her lips. "Would you like it if I did?"
She felt strangely nervous. "I want to be married but who's talking about that. I do want to be married one day." She shrugged her shoulders. "Psshh ...we barely know each other."
He listened to her words but heard what was unsaid. He lifted her in his arms and sat her down on the bed. Stooping down, he bent his left knee before her. Lissa's eyes flew wide open. She screamed. "Wait! What?! What are you doing?!" she asked, her heart thudding in her chest.
"I'm proposing," he said smiling. "Lissa, I really like you. You're a very sweet, beautiful person and I want to be with you. As for marriage, I want us to grow to that level of trust and commitment. But right now I wanna know ... will you be my girlfriend?"
Laughing as tears stung at the back of her eyes, Lissa leaned forward and hugged him. She kissed his lips and nodded. "Yes, of course. Sure, I will be your girlfriend. You're crazy!"
He pushed off the floor with his bent knee and rolled onto the bed, pulling her into his embrace. With her back to his chest she scooched her bottom back on him to get closer.
He groaned. "You're gonna make me regret not taking that favor from you, aren't you?" he asked, teasing.
She laughed. "Offer is still open. Tomorrow I may withdraw it."
He bumped his hips into her. She felt his arousal and bit her bottom lip. "Mhh ..." she grunted.
He chuckled. His tone was so deep and sensual, it sent a shiver down her spine. "I'm gonna wait. You're worth waiting for," he said. Jordan put his right arm around her waist. "Be a good girl for me and stop wiggling that sexy butt."
Lissa sighed. Her heart fluttered. "Okay," she said airily. She was happy.
He kissed her neck. "Good night Lis," he said.
She could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck. She closed her eyes and smiled. "Good night handsome. By the way, I don't mind you claiming me. Be as possessive as you want to be."
Jordan smiled and drifted off to sleep.
***
Izzie couldn't take it anymore. She needed to find him. Since he left in the morning she hadn't seen him. Now it was 10 o'clock in the night. She was getting worried. She didn't really know where he could be, she was waiting to see if he would come back but now it was really late.
She had never left her house this late by herself but she would for him. She grabbed her bag and was about to open the door to leave when Nes walked in. She was so relieved to see him she ran to embrace him. Nes tensed when he felt her body pressed into him.
He put her away from him and looked at her. "Going somewhere?" he asked. She nodded. "I was going to look for you," she said.
"Look for me?" he asked. He frowned at her. "I'm fine."
"No you're not fine Nes." She hesitated then said, "Nes, about this morning, I'm sorry. "
He walked past her.
"Nes!" she called to him. He was walking away from her. She ran to him and grabbed his hand . He turned to look at him. The look on his face made her step back.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry for how I've been behaving but .." She lifted her voice. "Uncle Nes, you don't understand." She started looking up at the walls moving her head from left to right. He looked at her perplexed. "Uncle Nes," she said with emphasis then looked up at the walls, then stared back at him. He walked towards her, took her hand and pulled her upstairs with him. He was going to take her into the guest room, but she tugged at him to go into her bedroom. He followed her lead and entered the room. She locked the door behind him. He turned and looked at her.
His pale blue eyes looked at her dispassionately. "Explain," he said, his voice cold.
"A few days ago some men came to fix the electricity in the house. Uncle told me they were supposed to replace the wiring in his study and the kitchen, but when they came they also insisted on checking the outlets in my room. I told them I would call the police if they didn't leave."
Nes folded his arms across his chest and listened.
"I went for a snack and they tried to break into my room to do I don't know what. I threatened to call the police and they left. But that got me thinking that maybe uncle bugged the house ..." She paused and sat down on her bed. Nes's countenance softened a little. He took her hand and brought her into the bathroom and turned the shower on full blast. "Go on,' he said softly.
"I don't think he believes what you said that you haven't touched me. He threatened that if he heard anything happening between me and you he would hurt you," she said, wringing her hands.
Nes tenderly kissed her lips. "Why didn't you slip me a note or something?" he asked quietly. Her eyes began to water. A tear rolled down her face. Nes brushed it away. He kissed her brow.
She sighed. "I wasn't sure if it's just audio or also visual," she answered. Nes nodded. Knowing Z it would be both. "But I know for sure they didn't get to do anything in my room," she told him.
"It depends on the range," Nes told her. "Even some tiny devices are very powerful at picking up sound if they lack visual clarity. He however knew the type of bugs Zavier used for spying on people. The irony was Nes was the one who recommended them.
He kissed her lips and touched her face. No doubt his old friend would have his men follow him or both of them when they were not at the house. He hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary. He couldn't to drop his guard again. "Don't worry about it. We'll have to be careful about what we say to each other for now. I'll take care of it."
"How?" she asked.
"Trust me," he said simply. "For now let's continue to pretend like we hate each other." She nodded her agreement. "Okay," Izzie said, "I love you. I'm sorry I didn--"
He captured her lips in a passionate kiss. Her hands were between them as he skillfully teased her. She curled her fingers into his shirt as the kiss continued. She was feeling weak and giddy, but didn't want to stop. When he realized she was losing breath he let her go.
He turned off the shower and shouted at her, "Spoiled brat!"
"Jerk!" Izzie shouted her reply. She tried to steady her breathing. Nes winked at her and stormed out the door, slamming it shut. Izzie feigned an angry scream and stomped her feet. She lay on her bed still breathless. She touched her lips. She hoped Nes could get them out of this one.
***
Monday
Lissa woke to warm, gentle hands caressing her thighs. She opened her eyes to see Jordan watching her. He stared at her, his eyes dark with smoldering desire.
"Good morning. What do you want?" she asked cheekily. She smiled at him sleepily. "I want you," he whispered. He bent his head and kissed her thighs, inching his lips higher and higher till they reached the junction of her thighs. Lissa opened up for him. His kisses sent tiny thrills up her thighs, her spine and settled in her loins. "I wish you would make love to me," she whispered.
He stared at her intensely then lay beside her. He gathered her in his arms and kissed her forehead. Lissa sighed and turned to face him. She burrowed her head between his arms. He opened them wider so she could have access to his chest.
With a sigh Lissa rested her head on him and smiled. "Thought you'd wake me and send me back to my room," she said, teasing. He circled his arms around her. "And why would I do that when I love having you here," he said softly. He bent his head and kissed her hair.
"Hmm ... you're hair smells really good. Is that lavender?" he asked. His voice had a gritty quality to it. Lissa's smile grew wider. "Yes it is. How did you know?"
"My sister runs a business where she makes and sells essential oils for soaps, fragrances and perfumes," he said, smiling at her.
"Oh, cool. That sounds good," she said. SHe placed her hand on his chest. "Does she make the perfumes and so on too?"
Jordan nodded his head. "She makes a limited amount of soaps and fragrant body oils, but its under her personal brand, Aurora."
Lizzie put her hands on his chest. "Is that her name?" she asked.
"Mhm, her middle name. Sophia Aurora Marx," Jordan said, a glint of pride in his eyes. He bent his head down and kissed Lissa's brow. Lissa sighed happily. She snuggled closer to him.
"Thank you for not kicking me out of your room last night," she said.
"You're welcome," he said with quiet chuckle. He captured her lips with light, feathery kisses. Lissa melted against his chest and groaned softly. He gently brushed his fingers through her hair. The kiss intensified and he rubbed his right hand on her arm. Lissa threw her leg over his and he pulled her closer, his hand holding her possessively around her waist.
When he finally eased back, loosening his embrace, they were both breathless. His gaze darkened as he looked at her. "I'm gonna say something and I want you to take this very seriously, okay?"
Lissa stared into his eyes, curious about why he was looking at her so intensely. She nodded slightly. "Okay," she said, "whatever it is I'm all ears," she said touching his face.
"Your dad told me a few things about what you've been through, how you were betrayed and badly beaten by your first boyfriend. He explained about Steven, the boyfriend you told me dumped you ..."
Lissa listened feeling uncomfortable. Seeing her uneasy expression, Jordan gently pressed his lips on hers.
"He told me about Derrick and the threesome he wanted."
Lissa's eyes began to burn with anger. Why is daddy telling Jordan all of these things? She observed Jordan's body language. Clearly, her dad did it to dissuade Jordan from being with her, and now looking at his demeanor she knew he was riled up. She wondered if Jordan still wanted her. She thought about last night. She hoped so, because now she was hooked.
She was confused. The night before his hands gave her pleasure, but now his words were chipping away at her. Why? Was he jealous? She tried to reassure him, "Jordie, that's behind me now. I have no interest in any of the men in my past. You say you want to be with you. I want to be with you too."
"I pray that is really true," Jordan said, while stroking her hair. "Lis, I need to know that you want a long lasting committed relationship--one that leads to marriage. Your dad made me feel like you have no qualms about moving on quickly from one lover to another." His words felt like a knife's edge. She looked away from him.
The strong muscles of his chest flexed under her fingers and she almost swooned because of it. But his words made her wonder what he was thinking. She tried to get away from his touch so she could think more clearly, but he tightened his grip on her.
"Lis, open your eyes and look at me," he said, his voice was soft but with an edge to it. She lifted her eyes to look at him. His eyes were filled with latent fury. A feeling of shame washed over her. Her eyes stung with tears. She wondered why he was angry. She wondered if he was angry at her.
"... He even explained the thing with Shane that he is the cause for Mr Z's wrath against your family."
Jordan brushed his thumb on her bottom lip. She trembled. She could feel the heat radiating from his body but at the same time she wondered if he was saying all this to hurt her.
"Why are you bringing this up?" she asked.
"Because I want a clean slate with you, but I need to know everything, the whole truth first. I want to know if all he told me is true," he said
She turned her head to the right. Jordan put his index finger and thumb under her chin and turned her head so she could see his eyes. "Look at me," he growled softly.
Lissa shuddered as she saw the anger flare in his eyes. She tried to look away but he held her chin firmly. She closed her eyes but his next words had a commanding edge to it-- "Lissa, look at me," he said. Her eyes flew open.
"I want you to forget the past, all of it. You're with me now and I won't let you beat yourself up about what happened back then, not anymore." He sighed. "But I wanna know everything."
"I don't beat myself up about the past," she retorted.
"A few days ago I saw a woman so broken that she nearly overdosed on antidepressants. I see a woman searching for love, but doesn't know what love is." His smokey green eyes challenged her. She blinked. His words sounded harsh to her ears.
She moved to get up from the bed, but he grabbed her arm and yanked her back to him. She tried to struggle, but he held her firmly. She fought against his chest until anger rose sharp in her gut.
She pummeled his chest, hitting him as hard as she could. "Let me go," she whispered, her breathing tight. Her chest heaved and she tried to shove him but her arms barely moved him. Anger flared, her eyes flashing defiance. She slapped him but he didn't flinch. "Let me go!" she said louder.
"Do you want to be loved?" he asked his voice deep and low, his jaw clenched. His gaze burned into her. "Do you want my love, Lissa?"
She screamed, then belted out "Let me go!"
"I want to love you Lis, but you have to let go of everything. Every hurt, every pain. You have to forget all your lovers. I don't blame Ryan for being angry about what you said to Shane."
Lissa struggled until her throat constricted, and she hiccuped as the tears started to flow. She cried softly. "I can't and won't tolerate you pining for another man while my heart is on the line for you," he told her coldly. He released her.
She got up to stand on her feet but the weight of her emotions made her limbs weak. She stumbled to the door. She took a step forward and tripped on his boots and fell. Crumpled on the floor, she cried even harder. Jordan went to her. He sat on the floor beside her. He touched her arm but she flinched.
With his jaw set in determination, he lifted her in his arms as she struggled and brought her back to the bed. She tried to wreath away from him and he barked a command. "Settle!" he said, his usual lazy drawl becoming as sharp as a whip. Lissa, startled by his sharp voice, shrunk back but he didn't release her. She sniffed but stopped sobbing.
He cradled her in his arms to soothe her. "Lissa, I'm falling for you," he said quietly. He stroked her hair. "I'm sorry I had to do this, but I need you to see that you're hurting yourself. If you let me I can help love you past the pain, but you have to really want this." He lifted her face to his eyes. "Let go of the past Lis, and let me help you." A sob tore through her chest and she buried her head in his lap. He held her as her body shook.
He soothed her by stroking her hair, then softly he began to hum to her. Hearing the deep, melodious tone of his voice she listened and little by little she relaxed in his embrace. She turned on her side and he stroked her face. "That's my Lis. That's my baby-girl." He bent forward and gently brushed her lips with his, then kissed her forehead.
"Good girl. Relax, I got you." he said softly. He continued to hum slowly until her eyes closed and her limbs relaxed in sleep.
When she woke she was dressed in a T-shirt and shorts. She was surprised but when she looked up she saw Jordan watching her. He smiled at her and blew her a kiss. She sat up slowly a little unnerved by the change of clothing, and his unreadable gaze assessing her coolly.
"How did I get dressed?" she asked.
"I wiped you down then dressed you," he said softly.
She shook her head. "What? Wiped me down?"
He came to the bed and sat down on the edge. Her eyes wide with alarm as she stared at him in shock. "You saw me naked?" she asked.
He nodded. His gaze darkened as his eyes slowly roamed her body. "You had a fever," he told her. "You cried yourself sick. There's this thing I use when I'm ill. It's a herbal concoction my sister made for me. You were burning up so I stripped you, wiped you down then rubbed the ointment on you. You'll be fine."
She got up and went into the bathroom. She lifted her skirt and looked at her crotch. He had changed her panties also. She opened the bathroom door and stood by it, watching him. He smiled at her.
"Did you do anything to me?" she asked, her eyes fearful. He shook his head. "I promise you, I didn't touch you. As for down there, I swear to you I didn't look. I just slipped off the wet one you had on and put on the fresh one."
She didn't believe him. With his brow furrowed he stood up and came to her. Her back pressed into the door. He touched her face. "Lis, I want you to trust me. I didn't violate you in any way and I promise you I only wiped you down because you had a fever." He kissed her brow and she relaxed a little.
She was feeling slightly groggy, and the back of her throat did feel raw and gravelly. She sighed. "I ... thank you," she said looking up to him. He smiled at her.
"I'm gonna go to my room now," she said quietly. He nodded, still smiling at her. "Okay, Lis, see you later," he said. He arms circled her waist. She moved to leave and he let her go.
Why did he do this? Herbs? What kind of herbs? A feeling of unease rose in her throat, but she tried not to show it in her body language. As she was about to open the door, he said, "Don't wash it off for another hour or so, or the fever will come back and this time it will be worse."
Fear struck like a bolt of lightning through her. What did he put on me? She nodded, but as soon as she entered her room she stripped naked and almost jumped into the shower. She washed the oily, herb smelling rub from her body vigorously and showered twice.
First time with her favorite deodorant soap, then she soaped with the cherry scented body wash, then rinsed off. When she stepped out of the shower, she dried herself and applied moisturizing lotion and deodorant. She looked at herself in the mirror.
She would avoid Jordan for the rest of the day. Maybe her dad was right, She would tell him to pay Jordan off and send him packing. Her straightened her was beginning to have hints of waves and curls because some of the water touched her hair. She brushed her hair back into a black scrunchie, and got dressed in jeans and a blue t-shirt. She wore a pair of sandals on her feet.
When she went downstairs breakfast was being served. She sat at the table at the far end, away from Jordan. She could his eyes on her, but she didn't look his way.
The housekeeper walking past, smelt her freshly bathed and lotioned skin and whistled. "Don't you smell good," she exclaimed.
Lissa looked across the table to see Jordan's left hand tighten on the fork he was holding. His eyes lifted to bore into her. She averted her gaze and stared at Prof Pryce instead. Noticing her unease the professor smiled at her, then handed her a bowl filled with fresh, warm and crispy fried dumplings.
Marcus came down the stairs, his eyes bloodshot--his face haggard. He didn't seem to have gotten enough sleep. As soon as she got the opportunity to speak with him, she would tell him to send Jordan away.
By midday, after Marcus had finished answering a few calls he was sitting alone in the study. Professor Pryce had gone into Mandeville with Mrs Douglas to visit her sick husband in the hospital. Jordan retreated to the garden, his demeanor sullen.
Lissa stood by the doorway of the study and knocked on the door. Her father looked up, but did not smile at her.
"Hi," she said with a lopsided smile. He nodded and continued to look at the book he was reading.
"I want to talk to you about something," she said, walking into the room. She came and stood by the chair he was sitting in.
"Go ahead," he said, but he didn't look up at her.
"After this is over I want you to pay Jordan and send him away. Give him a good severance pay. I no longer want him to be my bodyguard," she said her voice a little shaky.
He was surprised. He looked up at her. "Why? I thought you liked him as your guard?" His eyes narrowed as he watched her.
He sat up in the chair and assessed her body language. "What happened between you two last night? I heard ... you know what I heard."
Lissa cleared her throat then swallowed. "I'm sorry. It doesn't matter now, I want him gone," she said quietly.
"Well, okay then, but this time you'll have to fire him," her father said, a hint of mockery in his voice.
"But daddy," she protested weakly.
Marcus shook his head firmly. "No," he said, "I was prepared to fire him, but you said you wanted him to stay. If you've changed you mind you will have to tell him to leave."
Her eyes wide with despair. "Dad--"
"No!" Marcus said firmly.
"Time to be a grown ass woman and make the hard choices, my cherie. You can tell him to leave now or you can tell him once things cool down. I already have someone else from reputable company on speed dial, but, you're gonna have to tell him to leave."
"Don't bother," came a deep, steely tone. "I quit." Jordan walked quietly into the room. Lissa was frightened. How long was he standing there? He looked at Lissa's face which was as pale as the beige carpet underneath their feet.
"I told you not to wash off the ointment," Jordan said angrily. "You're gonna be sick within the next 24 hours."
Marcus stood to his feet. "What are you talking about? What did you do to her?" he demanded. He moved to him. Jordan stepped forward. He wasn't backing down.
"She had a fever. I only tried to help her. The herb I rubbed on her would have sucked the fever out of her, but because she washed it off prematurely the fever will come back stronger," Jordan said. His voice, though low, was charged with anger and frustration.
He looked at Lissa and said "If you have fever reducing medicine I suggest you take it before the fever kicks in." He stepped back. "I don't want a payout. I need the money but to be honest I don't want it. From the beginning the two of you never trusted me." He walked out the door..
Lissa's heart felt like it was breaking. She wanted him to leave, but now that it would be a reality she felt a pang of guilt and something else--regret.
Within 15 minutes he had everything packed up and ready to leave. He was carrying his bags to the front door, placing them by the door. He took out his phone and called the only person he knew would help him.
"Rhy, I need you to come get me," he said. "I'm in Manchester, yeah, with Lissa and her dad. I'll explain everything. I'm going to text you the address. Turn on my location? Okay will do." He took a deep breath and released it slowly. "Thanks bro, appreciate it."
Lissa stood by the kitchen door and gazed at him. She remembered his touch, the gentleness of his lips and hands on her body. But she also remembered the way he spoke to her this morning.
Whatever her dad said must have made a really negative impression, but Jordan didn't have to be so cruel. She sighed as she looked at him. Even now she wished she could just go to him and he would hold her close. She needed to confront her father about what he told him.
She wished they didn't have this conflict and everything was okay between them. He could make love to her and she could learn to love him. With just his fingers he made her feel crazy. She wondered what having his body all over her and in her would feel. But his actions scared her. He had never directed his anger to her before.
Jordan could feel her eyes on him. His loins stirred for her. He wanted to have her. If it was six years ago he would try to work things out with her just so he could feel her soft-tightness surround him. He would have tried his darndest to work it out.
He turned around and stared at her. He did want to work it out with her, but he was standing on principle now. She needed to trust him and also respect him. If she couldn't then it couldn't work between them. In a sense, he regretted getting emotionally entangled with her, moving forward he would create some stronger rules to govern himself if he was to continue being a private bodyguard.
He looked her up and down slowly. His eyes lingered at her face then moved slowly down to focus on her breasts. He wished he had sucked them, even once. He was angry that she didn't trust him. A couple hours from now he knew that fever would return with a kick, but he wouldn't be here to help her.
His gaze scorched Lissa with its intensity. She felt heat rising to her cheeks. Her breathing accelerated as she watched him examine every curve of her body. She felt her loins clench and the tingle of desire spread across her limbs. She looked away from him and went back into the kitchen.
Marcus was still in the study. He wrote a check for $500,000 and brought it to Jordan. He extended his hand with the cheque in it. Jordan looked at him. "You've gotten what you wanted," he said coldly.
Marcus stared at him. He was beginning to really dislike this guy. He shook his head. "No I haven't. My daughter is hurting. I want her to be safe and happy," he shot back.
Jordan nodded. "Why did you tell me all those things yesterday in the car?" he asked.
Marcus cleared his throat. "Because you needed to know if you want to pursue a relationship with my daughter," he replied. He still had his hand out with the cheque. Jordan ignored it. Jordan moved closer to him. "Tell me something: the other men, my friend Ryan and Sergeant Crosby, did you tell them about her past boyfriends? Did you tell them about her being raped and beaten?"
Marcus withdrew his hand. Jordan looked at him, his right eyebrow raised. "I thought so," he said with a mocking smile. "I may have broken the bodyguard code by wanting to be with Lissa romantically, but there is no law against it. As I told you before this is my first time feeling this way for a client. I have been a personal guard in the US for four years, just after I came back from Afghanistan. I went and got the training, the licenses and everything. Then I thought of pursuing a career as a veterinarian. I felt like I needed a change of pace, plus my grandma was ill so I came back to spend time with her until she died last year."
"My condolences," Marcus mumbled. He felt a small pang of guilt.
Jordan chuckled softly. "Save it. I don't need your sympathy. My grandma was a God fearing woman. When I came back I was weak in my faith but she strengthened it. She told me once that when I find the woman I was meant to give myself I would know. She told me my mother couldn't have children, and my dad was threatening to leave her.
"She cried day and night, didn't know what to do. But one day she gave her heart to God and prayed earnestly for a son. That was me. My parents don't have green eyes, neither does my grandmother." Jordan chuckled. He looked at his feet then looked up at Marcus. "She told me that the woman who belongs to me would feel a strong connection with me, and that I would feel it too. Ever since I met Lissa I have felt this strong connection with her and she feels it too."
Lissa came to stand at the doorway of the kitchen, her heart pounding as she listened to him.
"Why are you telling me this?" Marcus asked feeling annoyed.
Jordan smiled but it didn't transfer to his eyes. "If Lissa and I are meant to be together we will be. There's nothing that you or I, or Lissa can do to stop it." He moved to the stairs and sat at the bottom of it. "Corporal Stewart will be here to pick me up in the next hour. I'll be gone soon, but I implore you to give her a fever reducer. Since she took the antidepressants she's had an inside fever. It surfaces then recedes, then comes up again when she's stressed. She needs to see a doctor. I tried to help her but she doesn't trust me. I strongly recommend you get her some fever medicine and treatment for the residual effects of the antidepressants."
"My daughter will be fine," Marcus replied a dismissive tone in his voice.
"If the fever gets too high delirium can set in," Jordan warned. Marcus scoffed at him.
"You don't want the cheque?"
Jordan shook his head. "To take it would mean a finality between Lissa and I, but I will see her again, very soon," he said. He turned to look at Lissa who was standing at the kitchen door, fear and something else, something undeniably squeezed her heart like a vice.
"Lissa, you don't need to be afraid of me. I won't hurt you, and I think we're meant to be," Jordan said. "It may sound strange, but I got angry earlier not because I was upset with you, I got angry because all these things were happening and I wasn't here to protect you. And when I first saw you I knew it in my gut. I knew there was something special about you but I ignored it." He stood up and walked towards her. Marcus watched transfixed as Lissa moved towards him too. Jordan cupped her face and kissed her brow. "Do you still want me to go?" he asked. His voice was sweet and tender. She closed her eyes.
"I don't know," she said, her voice trembling.
He nodded and sighed. "I'll leave then, call me when you're ready. I'll come for you."
"Come for her and take her where?" Marcus said moving towards them. He pushed them apart and held his daughter in his arms. "As soon as your friend comes please leave with him."
Jordan smiled at him ruefully. He nodded. "Call me Lissa. I'll come get you. No matter where I am."
Just then his phone rang. He picked it out of his jeans' back pocket and answered. "Yeah, okay. Yes, I'm already packed. Okay, good. Thanks." He looked at father and daughter. "He'll be here in fifteen minutes. Excuse me," he said. Jordan walked to the stairs and ascended them slowly. He walked into the bathroom, splashed water on his face then relieved himself.
After he flushed the toilet and washed his hands, he stood in the room. "Lord I don't know what's next, but I don't want to lose her. Show me what to do," he prayed quietly. He exited the room and headed downstairs. He heard Marcus's tense voice. He was saying something to Lissa but she wasn't speaking up for herself. Jordan grimaced. He would not interfere, not anymore. Not unless she wanted him to.
***
Ryan was at the gate by 11:15 a.m. Marcus pressed the gate mechanism and it opened. He drove up the driveway and got out. Jordan came out with his bags and greeted him with a faint smile. He helped him pack his bags in his car trunk. He looked up from slamming the trunk's hatch and his eyes met Lissa's.
She looked thinner and pale. He felt his heart lurch as his protective instinct wanted to go to her, but he restrained himself. He looked away and went to the front of his vehicle. His friend was already sitting in the passenger side of the vehicle. Ryan slid in beside him and started the car. Without looking back at Lissa he drove out of the huge property and maneuvered the vehicle onto the road. He increased its speed.
Ryan glanced over at him as he drove. "Where to?" he asked.
Jordan sighed. "Home," he said sadly.
Ryan navigated a right turn smoothly. "I saw your motorcycle there. DO you want me to get one of my bredrin to come fetch it for you?"
Jordan nodded. "Yeah that would be good, thank you."
Ryan looked at his friend. He looked exhausted. "What happened?" he asked.
"Her dad doesn't trust me, neithe does she. He's been threatening to pay me off ever since I knocked her bedroom door down."
"What?" Ryan stared at his friend. "Why would you do that?"
"I know what happened the last time yous saw her," Jordan said calmly. Though the emotions in his chest felt like a storm.
Ryan's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Jordan sighed. "You went to visit Lissa last Friday--Lissa told me."
"Okay, yes I did," Ryan answered looking at the road.
"You heard Lissa tell Shane she wanted to have a relationship with him. you confronted her and broke up with her."
Ryan's eyes widened. Why would she tell him that? "Why would she tell you that?" he asked stunned.
"She had no other choice," Jordan asserted.
"What do you mean? Are your messing with her now?"
Jordan pursed his lips. "When you cussed her out and stormed off she was so distraught by your quarrel she overdosed on antidepressants."
Ryan's hands gripped the steering wheel tighter. "What?!" They were coming up on gas station. He drove into it. "I need gas anyway," he said. As he inched the car forward in the line to buy gasoline, he looked at his friend. "What happened?" he demanded.
Jordan locked eyes with him. "She took the antidepressants and fell asleep, and we couldn't wake her up. She took two. With that type you take either one or half. She took two Ryan." He couldn't help his anger coming out in his voice.
"Her father had to put her in a tub filled with cold water to shock her awake. At the time I didn't know this because he locked the door. But when I heard the water running I-I panicked and knocked the door down. When I went into the bathroom she was unconscious in the water. He said he was trying to shock her awake. Anyway, she woke up, but he couldn't lift her out of the tub so I had to do it. Naturally, I needed answers. She explained a few things."
"Why were you guys in Manchester?"
"To hide," Jordan said simply. "As you know--you saw us at the club--Mr Dixon got kidnapped and I went there to get him back. We left her dad's house that same night to Manchester to stay with one of his friends."
Ryan took a long breath then exhaled quietly. "So you're saying maybe my conversation with her triggered the overdose?" he asked.
Jordan nodded.
"She broke up with me Jordie. You were there. She told me she didn't want to be with me--"
"She told me you were very convincing in getting her back," Jordan said his eyebrows raised.
Ryan drove the car closer to the gasoline pump and its attendant. There were two cars before them. "What does that mean?" Ryan asked, his temper rising a little.
"You held her down," Jordan said his voice coming out as a tight whisper.
Ryan turned to him. "I held her close because she was crying, literally crying," he said. He sucked his teeth. "Yeah, maybe I lost control for a few seconds, but I never hurt her." Jordan observed his friend. He seemed sincere. He closed his eyes and sighed.
"But after I heard what she said to Shane--Sergeant Crosby, I decided that it wasn't worth chasing after a woman who wanted someone else. I was angry, yes. I didn't cuss I expressed my displeasure at the situation. Just a few hours before she told me she would give us a chance. I proposed to her and she accepted. So imagine how I felt just four or five hours later on the same damn day to hear her tell another man she wanted to be with him. Who the hell wouldn't be upset?"
Jordan stared at him. He didn't know Ryan proposed to Lissa. His heart sank. "She accepted the proposal?" he queried.
"Yes!" Ryan said, his voice slightly elevated. A feeling of guilt struck Jordan in his heart. He tiredly closed his eyes.
"So, what's your deal?" Ryan asked. "You falling for her too?" He watched as his friend leaned back in the seat, his eyes closed.
Jordan opened one eye and looked at him. He chuckled. "I've already fallen," he quipped.
Ryan chuckled then cursed softly. He shook his head. "I know I told you not to fall for her, but I wish I had taken my own advice. Lissa is like a drug. She eases your pain and makes you forget your troubles. She gives you a rush, but then the side effects of being with her kicks in, and it's not so fun anymore."
Jordan laughed at his words. "You know, you may have described her perfectly," he replied. He smiled bitterly. He opened both eyes and stared out the window. If he and Lissa were supposed to be together she needed to change a few things. His heart couldn't bear the pain of losing her to another man, if he fell deeper for her.
***
Lissa was thirsty. She went into he fridge and grabbed a sixteen ounce bottle of water and gulped that down. Mr Douglas and Professor Pryce were back from the hospital. Rachel--Mrs Douglas was in good spirits. Her husband was recovering very well from the surgery. He had prostate cancer. Luckily, they caught it in time and were able to perform the surgery. He was responding favorably to the chemotherapy and would be out of the hospital in another week.
Rachel was preparing dinner when Lissa walked in and gulped down the water. She heard whispering from Professor Pryce study between him and Mr Dixon. The conversation sounded tense, and it seemed to be about Mr Marx. She looked at Lissa side ways. She had grown fond of the young woman in the short time she knew her. She wondered what was wrong. She and Mr Marx looked like they had gotten closer yesterday. She wondered what had happened between them.
"Everything okay?" Rachel asked. "You seem tense."
Lissa froze. She felt slightly dizzy. She wasn't sure she was up to answering Mrs Douglas's questions.
"I'm not trying to pry, although I am," Rachel said quietly. Lissa turned and looked at her. Rachel smiled at her. Lissa opened her mouth but then closed it. "I'd rather not talk about it," she said tersely. Rachel's left eyebrow arched up. "I see," she answered.
"Where is Mr Marx?"she asked.
Lissa's steps became more wobbly. "He-he had to leave. I'm not comfortable with him anymore," she said. She moved to the door. She wasn't feeling good. Something was off.
"Really?" Rachel said, as she started to rough chop some carrots. Lissa stopped and turned to look at her. Rachel portioned the chopped pieces of carrots to one side of the cutting board. She always said she would never pry in her boss's guests' business, but this time she would. She liked Lissa and she had grown fond of having Mr Marx around. She knew her tongue would get her in trouble but she also knew Prof Pryce adored her. He wouldn't fire her, if she stepped over the line this once.
She cleared her throat and took a deep breath then released it as she spoke, "Ever since you've arrived here I've noticed the way you look at him." She continued to chop the carrots on the cutting board. "He seems to be quite fond of you also. Then yesterday ..." Rachel put her knife down and looked at Lissa pointedly. "Yesterday we heard you. You sounded very happy with him."
Lissa swallowed hard. Indignance rising in her chest. "That's none of your business," she said. Her voice sounded hoarse to her. She felt a little chilly.
"True, but as I said. I heard you. He makes you happy. What went wrong between last night and this morning?" Rachel asked.
"I don't need this," Lissa hissed angrily. She whirled around to leave, but her head was going one way and her legs another. She grabbed onto the wall. Rachel came to her side. "What's wrong?" she asked.
Lissa looked at her, fear in her eyes. "I don't know," she said. Could Jordan be telling the truth about the fever?
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