“He's fine. We can drop in later.” She slid into the seat next to him. “What's wrong?” His long face was unnerving. She re-checked her phone, desperate for Nick's return call. Not knowing if he had taken care of everything was increasing her anxiety.
Jake shook his head in exasperation, then looked down. “It took you that long to find out and come back?” He didn't raise his eyes to her.
An irritated look spread across her face. When her phone rang, it brightened. Instead of Nick, it turned out to be Alicia. A dark shadow fell over her as she gave a brief report and hung up to try Nick again.
Jake sat with his face buried in his hands. When she rose abruptly and started pacing, he peeped up at her, disheartened by her obvious distress.
After a few minutes of silent contemplation, she returned her attention to him, a sudden tenderness in her voice. “Does it still hurt?” She fell into the seat beside him.
He could tell she was too distracted to really care, and gave her an annoyed look.
“No. It feels great.” Grimacing, he rose and hobbled to the vending machine.
Ten minutes passed without a call from Nick or Jake's return. Kristen sprang from her seat and headed to the other side of the waiting room where Jake crouched in a corner. He pretended not to watch her, not looking up until she stood right in front of him.
She sank down next to him. “I asked Alicia if her cousins could help unload the truck so you could rest.” When he didn't respond, she tipped her head to the side taking in the weariness and redness in his eyes. “Jake, I'm sorry.”
“What are you sorry about Kristen? That he's rotting in jail. It's only been a few hours. I'm sure he'll survive it. I wonder if you will though.” He couldn't hide his contempt.
Kristen's jaw dropped, an angry flush rolling across her face. “He's saving my ass Jake! If could've been me, remember?” Here we go again.
For the first time since they'd arrived at the hospital, he looked her straight in her eyes.
He leaned close to her ear. “Maybe you should be. You pulled the gun on me earlier, ready to waste me. If it wasn't for your undying love for him, none of this would've happened in the first place.”
“I can't believe you said that!” Close to tears, she leaped from the seat and stomped away.
They alternated between ignoring each other and glaring. As if on cue, it was announced there was an examining room available for him. With a quick glance in her direction, he followed the attendant. For a minute she remained anchored in place by the wall. With a harsh sigh, she slowly trailed after them.
LOGAN
The clock ticked away. Logan sat in the holding cell of Miami Dade County Jail impatiently waiting for word that Nick arranged bail.
What the hell is taking him so long? Countless hours had already passed since he used one of his three phone calls to leave him a voicemail with the details.
His mind was on overdrive. I know Kristen contacted Nick, she wouldn’t let me down. But what if she screws up? She always freaks out over everything. What if that idiot boyfriend of hers doesn’t let her call him?
Overcome with mental and physical exhaustion, he was desperate to close his eyes and surrender to sleep, but too terrified. The horrible stench of the crowded cell sickened him. Even though he tried to keep his eyes to himself, to cower in the corner, to be indivisible, he could feel everyone glaring at him. Their vicious hoots and snarls wouldn’t stop. He resisted listening, but the noise was deafening.
The uproar in his mind wouldn’t let him rest. Explaining everything to Nick is gonna be a bitch. If I tell him Kristen did it, I won’t look like a fool. No! I can’t be tempted to tell him the truth. I can’t give in. We will be together again; I feel it in my gut. As long as I keep my promise and cover for her she’s gonna see I changed and realize how much she wants me. I am better for her than that meathead.
There must've been at least fifteen guys in there with him, one more sinister looking than the next. When he closed his eyes for a second of relief, he sensed one of them closing in on him. There was no way he would get a minute of rest, much less any sleep.
It didn’t matter though. Somehow, after last time, he felt it would be easier. Somehow he was positive his attorney would get him out. It was simple self-defense and Florida’s pro-gun laws would be in his favor. Gina wasn't even dead, the last he heard. It would all work out. Wouldn’t it?
His mind began to wonder again, this time centering on Kristen and the look in her eyes when she saw him handcuffed. Then something crashed against his back, the excruciating pain blasting up to his brain. After that, everything went black.
KRISTEN/JAKE
The visit with the baby had a pacifying effect. Jake behaved, taking his prescribed pain killers after allowing the doctor to do his job. Once his leg was cleaned and bandaged, his mind more at ease, his dull spirits rose a little. After a quick bite at a Cuban cafe, they finally unloaded the furniture with the help of Alicia and one of her muscular young cousins, Tony. While he occupied Jake with his nonstop banter, Kristen welcomed a few minutes alone with Alicia.
Too exhausted and spaced out to sit up anymore, they lay on the bed in the master bedroom. It wasn't the best mattress on Earth, but was like a slice of heaven for Kristen’s aching body.
“So how much time do you think Logan will get?” Alicia promised herself she would appear neutral, but was secretly delighted.
The question took Kristen by surprise. Alicia had already expressed disbelief that Logan was taking the heat for her. So far, it hadn’t registered completely in her own head.
“I hope nothing. Nick swears by his attorney.”
Alicia's eyes widened. “Kris, please tell me you're not having second thoughts about Jake and Logan. I know it was noble and all, but I'm sure he has his nasty ulterior motives.”
Kristen laughed. Alicia was nothing if not direct, a true New Yorker forever. Still, it did touch a nerve. “Maybe, but maybe he's changed, who knows? The point is, I could be the one rotting in jail right now. It’s really forcing me to reconsider if I hate him or not, that’s all.”
Jake will be furious if he knows I confessed to her. Perhaps I trust Alicia to a fault—but she has nothing to gain by ratting me out. It feels good, I need to express my true feelings to someone or I’ll explode. I certainly can’t to Jake.
“Him changing? That would be a major miracle, but, sweet girl, for your sake I hope it's true. Either way, he’s still dangerous, don’t forget that. I better get going. You guys should get some rest. Take care of Jake, he needs you too.”
Kristen stared at her, mulling her words over in her mind. She was about to reveal her disturbance about Nick and bail, but held back. After giving her a quick kiss, Alicia hopped off the bed, grabbed Tony and scooted out the door.
By the time Kristen came out of the shower, Jake was sprawled across the entire bed, passed out. It had been hours since she cried; she was sure all of her tears had all run dry. Once again, she was wrong.
CHAPTER 16
MONDAY, WEEK 12
KRISTEN/JAKE
“Are you sure we have everything?” Jake was so anxiety-ridden, he felt his blood bubbling in his veins.