Broken In Pieces: Billionaire Stepbrother Romance (Wounded Hearts Book 1) (12 page)

Detective Torres looks to be in his mid-fifties, with dark, graying hair and even darker eyes. He has a scar down his left cheek from a cut of some kind and his face is weathered. His demeanor and the way he speaks make me think he’s been a detective for many years.

He begins by asking about the day at the office. I answer all the questions, to his satisfaction, so he moves on to the
incident
back home…the
rape
. It’s hard but I stay focused, trying not to let my emotions take over. Blade and Donna jump in to help, each time I start struggling. “Well, it looks like we’ve covered everything,” he says as he puts his notebook and pen back in his pocket. “Miss Stollings, if you need anything or if you think of any little detail that might help us, please don’t hesitate to contact me.” He hands me a card with his number on it. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Hawthorne, just wish it had been under better circumstances,” he shakes Blade’s hand and Blade shows him to the door. Donna heads into the kitchen as Blade returns to the room.

“You know Detective Torres?” I ask.

“Yes, we’ve known each other for several years now.”

“How’d you meet?” I question further.

“It was during a dark time in my life and I’d rather not go there right now,” he answers coldly.

“I don’t think I am the only one with secrets,” I say as I take his hand.

“We’ll discuss it later. I just don’t want to right now, okay,” he insists. I take a deep breath but agree. There’s so much more to this man and I can’t help but wonder if I know him at all.

We all get ready to go shopping because I’ve worn the only two club worthy outfits I own. Stepping out of the elevator into the parking garage, I hear Donna catch her breath hard. “What? What’s wrong?” I’m looking around. Then I see it. All the windows in my BMW have been shattered. “What the hell?” I run to my car with Donna and Blade following. “Who would do this?” I begin to cry.

Blade pulls me into his arms and I bury my head in his chest. This week has been so exhausting and although I feel freer, I’m not sure what I’ve done to deserve all the bad things that have happened. “We need to call the police,” Donna insists.

“No. No, I’ll take care of this,” Blade says as he hands me over to Donna. He goes back toward the elevator and dials a number on his cell. I don’t know who he’s talking to but he’s getting angry, “When did the motherfucker get out? Who put up the money? I want to know where he is twenty-four seven. Put our best men on it,” he orders.

“What’s going on?” I ask as he hangs up and comes back over to us. His jaw is clenched and there’s fire in his eyes.

“Nothing for you to worry about baby girl. The boys are coming to get your car so they can get the windows replaced.”

He wraps his arms around me and I lock eyes with him, “No secrets, remember?”

He takes a deep breath and hesitates, “Its Jarrod Davis. He’s out of jail.” My head begins to spin and I feel like vomiting.

“How the hell did that happen?” Donna barks.

“His father posted his bail this morning,” he answers.

“Do you think he did this?” I whisper.

“I don’t know, baby girl. All I know is he is going to hell and I’m going to be the one to send him there.”

Even though I don’t feel like shopping, after Blade’s men pick up my car, we continue with our plan. Donna and Blade help me pick an outfit because I can’t seem to concentrate on anything. I can’t believe he’s out after only a couple days.
How the hell does that happen?
Last night, I felt like life could be good again, even better than it’s ever been but this nightmare is never going to end. Can I ever run far enough away? Will life ever be good or even just alright? I’d take just alright any day over this.

When we return home, I’m mentally spent. Blade insists that I take a nap. He wraps me in his arms and I snuggle into that place where the world melts away. When we wake, my car is back so Donna goes on ahead to meet up with Styx. Blade and I finish getting ready then head for the club. The car ride is quiet. I have a lot on my mind and Blade seems worried.
Or angry. Or something
. I can’t quite put my finger on it.

As we enter the club, he keeps a firm grip on me and is constantly surveying the crowd. I spot Donna standing at the bar and we head that way. “I was getting worried about ya’ll,” she says when she spots us, “I just came out to get Styx a beer. Come on back stage with me. They’ll be glad to see you guys.”

Backstage, everyone’s so excited so I make sure to put on a happy face. I don’t want to rain on their special night. I notice that Jade seems to be in bad shape already. I hear Styx telling Jax that she could have at least stayed straight until the show was over. A few minutes later, a man comes back to tell the band to take their place at the side of the stage and get ready. “Come on. You guys can watch from the side of the stage,” Styx motions us to follow. Just as they announce the band, Jade starts throwing up in a nearby trash can. “Damn it Jade, get it together,” Styx barks.

She slumps to the floor, “I ca…I can’t do this tonight.”

“Jesus Christ, what the hell are we supposed to do,” Styx shouts at her but she’s oblivious to his words. “We’re ruined. We don’t have a singer and the producers are here. They’ll never take us seriously again.” He runs his hand through his hair in frustration.

This instantly brings me out of my self-pitying bullshit. “Oh hell no, you’re not going to miss out on this opportunity,” I pipe in before I even realize I’ve opened my mouth. “Styx, you give me a 4/4 time, the rest of you start in B major and follow if you can. Now let’s go.” Everyone’s mouth drops open but Blade just has a big smile on his face, as kisses me on the forehead.

“Come on, you heard the lady. She hasn’t let us down yet,” Styx says as I’m pulling the ponytail holder out of my hair and shaking it down around my face. We enter the stage and the noise of the crowd rises.
What the fuck have you gotten us into now? We’re gonna fall flat on our face, dumbass
…my inner witch is barking but I ignore her. I stand at the mic with my head hung down. Styx begins his beat as I raise my head, take in a deep breath and let out the most guttural, growling scream I can manage.

Everyone stops in their tracks and you could almost hear a pin drop. Then the band chimes in and I belt out my original, “Broken in Pieces”. I put all my heart and soul into this mantra of how we’re all broken pieces trying desperately to find something or someone that will hold us together. When the last note’s played, the crowd goes wild. I look around at the band and everyone’s face is still frozen in amazement as we begin to leave the stage.

The smile on Blade’s face touches his eyes and he hugs me tight, “Damn baby girl, you never cease to amaze me.”

Donna is astounded, “Hell Sher, I never knew you could sing.” The band is excited. I hear lots of ‘
that was amazing’
and ‘
damn good job’
.

Styx grabs me by the waist and swings me around, “Mighty fine, Sis.
Mighty fine
!” I see the jealousy in Blade’s face immediately. When he puts me down, Blade pulls me close into his side. Men! They have to stake their claim.

A man walks up and shakes Styx’s hand, “That was awesome. You guys really have something here.” Styx introduces him as the producer, Shane Michaels. “I want you in my office on Monday. We have lots to discuss. I hope you guys are ready to go big time,” he looks around at the band.

“Hell, yes we’re ready,” Styx grabs his hand again and shakes it hard. “I do have to let you know that this isn’t our regular singer,” Styx says.

“I’m well aware of that. I’ve been following your band for months. It’s not a particular singer, it’s the whole package. But, we’ll want the song you just did on your first album,” he insists. Styx looks at me as though he’s been gut shot. I smile ear to ear and give him a confirming nod.

His smile grows, “I’m sure we can work that out, Mr. Michaels.” They arrange a time for Monday and Mr. Michaels is headed back out into the club.

When Jade got sick, they took her to one of the dressing rooms to lie down and Jax has gone off to check on her. He comes running back to us, “Styx, man, Jade isn’t good at all.” He’s a mess. “We have to get her to Mama J,” he continues.

“Damn it. Not again,” Styx barks and everyone runs to Jade. We find her completely out of it, half laying in the floor and half on a chair. “Come on, Jax. Help me get her in the van,” Styx orders because Jax is so distraught, he can’t put thoughts together. They pack her to the van and everyone jumps in.

“We’ll follow in Blade’s car,” I tell them before they tear out of the parking lot.

Mama J is a large, black woman with graying hair. She looks to be near sixty and she is very outspoken, but you can tell she has a heart of gold. She immediately begins taking care of Jade. Taking her blood pressure, checking her heart rate and pupils. You would swear she was a doctor. I find out she’s a retired RN and Jax is her grandson. Evidently, Jade has been at the overdose point before and Mama J has always pulled her through it.

Jax is so worried; all he can do is pace and wring his hands. “Jax honey, you’re gonna wear a hole in my floor if you don’t settle down. This child’s got her demons and they’re devouring her. She has to make the decision to fight them. You can’t do it for her,” she tells him. “She’ll pull through this one. Just gonna have to watch her for a while,” she says before she heads for the kitchen.

All the sudden, vomit shoots from Jade like a geyser. “Raise her up. Don’t let her aspirate,” Mama J orders as she comes running back into the room. Jax is on it before the words get out of her mouth. Jade is still out of it and she doesn’t even flinch. She’s as limp as a dish rag and she has vomited all over herself. “You can’t leave her like that. Get the child cleaned up,” she barks at Jax. Jax just gives a confirming nod and Styx comes over to help him carry her to the bathroom.

“I’ll help,” I insist.

“Me too,” Donna chimes in. It’s the first words she’s spoken in over an hour. The look on her face is showing the same fear I’m feeling inside.

Once in the bathroom, Styx steps out and we begin to undress Jade. I start sliding her arms out of her long sleeve shirt and I can’t help but wonder why she’s wearing long sleeves in the summer. I see it then, and can’t stop my gasp. “Jax,” I whisper to get his attention. There are track marks all down her arms.

Jax turns her loose, falls back on the wall and puts his head in his hands, “Son of a motherfucking bitch, they’ve won. Her demons have won.” Donna and I finish undressing her while Jax tries to steady himself. He picks up the top of her body and Donna and I each grab a leg. Jax steps into the tub and sits down, fully clothed with Jade in his lap. I start the water for them and Donna and I leave the bathroom.

After we help get Jade dressed and put to bed, Mama J assures us again that Jade’s going to be fine. It’s late and we’re all exhausted so we decide to head home. I over hear Blade talking to Styx in the corner of the room. He tells him that he’ll be back tomorrow with all the details. “Sounds like a plan to me brother,” Styx says. Blade turns to me with a smile then walks over and takes my hand. Donna has decided to stay with Styx so we head out without her.

I’m glad to be home. This week has been physically and mentally exhausting. There have been some horrible and terrifying moments but there have been some over the top happy and healing moments. Sometimes you have to go through the really bad in order to truly appreciate the good. When we get in bed, I curl into the spot where the world disappears and I can honestly say I am thankful for all the good. We all have demons and sometimes they win. I refuse to let mine win. I won’t be held captive by them. I refuse to remain broken.

Surrender

T
he next morning,
I’m moving slow. I feel consumed by what Jade is going through. She’s such a beautiful and talented young woman but the events in her life have almost destroyed her. Blade senses my melancholy and is being very sweet. He pulls me into his arms, kissing me on the forehead, “It’s going to be okay, baby girl. We’re going to get her the help she needs and get her back on her feet. She just has to want it.” I’m not sure what he means exactly but I know he has a plan and that’s good enough for me. Blade is a doer. He doesn’t just sit back and watch things happen.

We arrive at Mama J’s and the bands already there. Jade looks like shit and poor Jax doesn’t look much better. You can tell he’s been up all night watching over her. Everyone’s sitting in the living room and they seem to be on pins and needles. Jade’s in such bad shape that I don’t even think she notices.

“What’s going on?” I whisper to Blade.

“You’ll see baby girl. It’s for the best.”

He looks at Styx and motions him over. “I’ll take the lead if it’s okay with you. She needs it to come from someone who isn’t as close. Then, you guys will need to speak up,” he says to Styx.

“You got it, man. We’ve talked about it and we’re all in. We haven’t told Jax yet though,” Styx replies.

Blade goes into the kitchen and comes back with a chair. He sits it directly in front of Jade and plops down in it. Jade looks at him as if he’s crazy. “Jade, everyone here loves you and we’re all worried about you. We want you to get the help you need. I’ve made arrangements for you to check into Ocean Shore Recovery on Monday morning,” he says as he pulls a brochure from his pocket.

Jade is livid, “Who the fuck do you think you are?! You don’t fucking know me! You don’t know anything about life! I’m not going anywhere!”

Blade remains calm, “I may not know everything about you or your circumstances but I know you’re in trouble. And I know that if you keep going down this path, you’re going to die. I’ve seen this all before. I’ve watched the drugs drain the life out of someone and then finally claim her last breath,” he says and I can’t help but wonder who he’s talking about.

“I’m not going anywhere, motherfucker. Now you need to get out of my damn face before I knock the hell out of you.” She has a calm, seriousness about her that lets us all know she isn’t about to listen.