Stronger with You (With You Trilogy) (52 page)

We lay together silently a while and I drew comfort from the safety of Jason’s embrace. He rolled us over so that I was on top of him and stroked my back gently whilst our breathing gradually slowed.

“Thank you,” I breathed sleepily, grateful for the momentary reprieve from my troubles.

Jason chuckled and pressed gentle kisses to the top of my head. He sat us up together and gently eased himself out of me before laying me back onto the bed and lovingly cleaning me with a tissue.

“Are you okay?” He asked me, stroking my cheek gently with his finger.

“I am,” I nodded with a smile, pulling his hand closer to my face so that I could press kisses to his palm.

“I’ve been thinking,” he said, sitting up next to me and holding my hand. “Your brothers are making a real effort with us.”

“They are aren’t they,” I smiled happily, ignoring the twinge of guilt in my gut. Part of me wished they were being impossible assholes so I wouldn’t feel so awful about what was to come.

“I was thinking maybe you were right about the clothes thing,” he nodded.

“What do you mean?” I frowned.

“Maybe we should sleep with clothes on,” he explained. “I don’t want them walking in here and getting pissed off with you. It’s not worth the argument.”

“Okay,” I frowned. He had a point, I guess. My brothers had made such an effort to adapt to our relationship, it only seemed fair that we reciprocated by respecting their rules. I wasn’t entirely happy because I very much enjoyed sleeping naked with Jason and feeling skin against skin all night, but I thought it was sweet that he’d put some thought into it so I obliged.

“Good night, beautiful,” Jason said as I rested my head on his chest.

“Good night,” I smiled, snuggling closer to him and feeling my eyes grow heavy. I didn’t want to sleep, but I was tired. Very tired. I tried to force my eyes to stay open and concentrate on running my fingers through Jason’s chest hair but I was losing the battle of consciousness and eventually I gave in and let myself fall asleep in his arms.

Chapter 38

Monday, 10th June 2013

Something wasn’t right. I tried to open my eyes but I couldn’t. They wouldn’t open. I tried to move my hands but they wouldn’t move either. Something wasn’t right.
Breathe, Jamie-Lea.
I needed to keep my head clear. I wriggled my fingers slowly and tested my range of movement. As the haze from my sleep faded, I started to concentrate on the situation. Something was over my eyes and my wrists and legs were bound together. I couldn’t move my lips, it felt like there was tape over my mouth.

I was lying in a small space on a hard floor, definitely no longer in my bed. Jason’s scent was curiously absent and I could tell he wasn’t nearby. It didn’t make sense. I couldn’t figure out how I’d gotten there. Somebody had to have moved and bound me. The thought made me panic and anxiety rose in my chest. How had they moved me though? It made no sense.

They would have had to get past my brothers and Jason. I wasn’t saying it was impossible, but it was highly unlikely, especially with Ian around. I was fairly sure he slept with his eyes and ears open. Something didn’t add up.

I held my breath as I heard voices and tried to lie still and quiet trying to make out what they were saying.

“Get her out,” a voice said, a familiar voice. Too Familiar.

“You do it,” a very similar voice replied.

The twins. It had to be the twins. My confusion increased ten-fold. I heard what sounded like a boot opening and quickly realised where I was. I felt myself relax ever so slightly from the knowledge that my brothers were behind this. I wasn’t exactly enjoying myself but I was a little less worried about what was going to happen.

One of them lifted me out of the car and I felt myself being slung over their shoulder and carried somewhere. I was set down on what felt like a sofa and I garbled protests through the gag, listening as the sound of their footsteps retreated.

“Relax, Jellybaby,” Alex’ voice giggled happily.

I frowned in confusion as I felt him removing the tape from my mouth.

“Alex?” I gasped, as soon as I was able. “What’s going on?” I could hear a slight tremble in my voice. I felt so disorientated.

“It’s okay, Jellybaby, I promise. Just relax,” he soothed.

He removed the blindfold and I blinked rapidly as the light violated my pupils. Alex set about freeing my arms and legs whilst I took in the room around me.

We were in a medium-sized room with a few sofas and what looked like a reception desk. The room was well lit by large floor to ceiling windows. There were a few other sofas, cream like the one we were sitting on with purple cushions adding a touch of colour to match the lilac curtains, which were pulled to the side.

“Alex, I don’t understand,” I shook my head, throwing my arms around him as soon as my wrists were freed from behind my back.

“I know,” he said gently, returning my hug. “Ian wanted me to give you this.” He handed me an envelope and I took it, looking anxiously at my best friend’s face and seeing nothing but genuine happiness reflected in it. That calmed me down.

I opened the envelope with a curious fascination. I had no idea what was going on but I didn’t feel like I was in trouble any more. I didn’t understand what was happening but Alex seemed to and he didn’t seem worried.

Jamie-Lea,

We know it hasn’t been easy for you growing up without our parents. We always hoped we’d fill that void for you but we never expected we could fill it completely.

We’re all so proud of the woman you’ve become and we owe you some explanations which are long overdue.

Jason quite rightly pointed out that we owe you eighteen years of birthdays. Nineteen as of today.

Happy Birthday, Jellybean.

Your Brothers.

I felt the tears leaking down my cheeks as I read the words on the page. This wasn’t right. This couldn’t be happening. Suddenly the air I was taking in wasn’t enough, I found myself gasping desperately, my lungs pleading for oxygen.

“Hey, hey!” Alex soothed, wrapping his arms around me once more. “It’s okay, Jelly. Just breathe.”

I sobbed into his shoulder, the most painful grief wracking through my body in excruciating waves. They couldn’t do this. It wasn’t right. Everything was starting to piece together, the kidnapping made sense. This was one of their birthday pranks.
But we don’t celebrate my birthday
. That was the problem.
Celebrating
. Celebrating was something good, a day to be glad over something positive. Nothing good had happened on the day I was born.

“They can’t do this,” I choked. “It’s not right.”

“Jelly,” Alex said gently, pain obvious in his voice. “Of course it’s right. You deserve a birthday, darling. Everybody deserves a birthday.”

“But, my Mum…” I broke off because it was too painful, the agonizing guilt was back, twisting my stomach and burning my insides.

“I know, Jelly,” he said gently, squeezing his arms around me. “It was a terrible thing that happened, but it wasn’t your fault.”

I shook my head against him because I knew he was wrong. There was no denying it.
If I hadn’t been born, she wouldn’t be dead
.

“That’s why they’re doing this, Jelly. They don’t blame you. Nobody does. They want to celebrate your birthday with you,” he reassured me, pulling me back away from him and wiping my eyes with a tissue. “You guys can talk about it later,” he reassured me once I’d cleaned up a little. “For now, I have strict orders.”

I sniffled and took another tissue, wiping my eyes dry. Alex looked a little mischievous, albeit still concerned.

“Firstly,” he started, handing me a small bag. “Jason told me to give you this. He assumed you’d want it.”

I looked in the bag to find my contraceptive pills and found myself grinning a little bit because it was just like Jason to think of the pervy things at a time like this. He’d also left me a little note telling me he loved me and apologising profusely for letting my brothers kidnap me. Suddenly it made sense that he’d wanted us to sleep with clothes on. I wondered if this was what his mysterious chat with Ian had been about.

“Secondly, you are to come with me,” he demanded, which made me giggle because he didn’t sound all that authoritative.

I followed him into the next room and he guided me into a small changing cubicle where a soft cotton robe and my bikini were waiting. Once I was changed, he led me down a cream hall with colourful paintings and into a room with a small circular pool. There was a table laid out, filled with lots of fresh fruit and some breakfast cereals.

“Here’s the plan,” he grinned. “We are going to eat breakfast, lounge by the pool and I’m going to tell you all the filthy gossip that you know you’re secretly dying to hear,” he winked. “Then these lovely ladies,” he motioned to two women hovering at the side of the room. “Are going to pamper us!” He beamed happily and I couldn’t help but smile back because his enthusiasm has always been contagious.

“My brothers organised all this?” I asked, still not sure how I felt about it.

“With a little help from Jason,” he nodded. “There was some pretty heated arguing about nudity, one night stands, and piercings,” he grinned. “The first two I understood, the third one you’re going to have to fill me in on.”

I laughed because I wasn’t sure Matt would want Alex to know about his new body jewellery but I planned on filling him in anyway.

Pampered was the word Alex used. It didn’t quite do the morning justice. My nails were all manicured and pedicured, my hair and make-up done the way only a professional could do, and not a stray hair remained on my now waxed lower body. The waxing hadn’t been on the agenda, but the lady had given me a list of treatments and I figured a leg and bikini wax might be a good way of thanking Jason for the spa, which I suspected was his idea because my brothers’ versions of celebrating were usually much more humiliating. I assumed the kidnapping was all their idea.

Chapter 39

Monday, June 10th 2013

“Ready to go?” Alex beamed at me as he hopped up from his chair after we’d finished our lunch.

“Go where?” I asked.

“Somewhere else,” he teased with his winning grin.

I pouted but was secretly a little excited. If I just looked at this as I nice day out, and forgot about what the date meant to my family, I found it was easier to enjoy myself.

“I’m not really dressed for going out,” I cringed. All I had with me was my bikini and the pyjamas I’d arrived in.

“All sorted,” he waved his hand dismissively, taking me back to the changing room and showing me a beautiful green summer dress waiting for me on a hanger. He handed me a shoebox and a very expensive looking glossy paper bag.

“Agent Provocateur?” I blanched as I saw the writing on the bag. “Isn’t that like undies that cost more than the cupboard you keep them in?” I frowned.

“Yes,” Alex grinned happily. “Jason has taste. You can keep him.”

I laughed because I couldn’t help myself. I peeked inside the bag and almost jumped up and down excitedly. They were
so
beautiful. Candyfloss pink with sherbet lemon trimmings. The material was the softest silk chiffon and it fit perfectly. I almost didn’t want to put the summer dress on and cover up the matching bra and brief set, but I suspected Jason wanted these delights to be for his eyes only.

“You look great!” Alex declared as I emerged from the changing rooms in my summer dress and matching ballerina pumps.

He lead me out of the spa and out onto the street. I recognised Karl’s Mercedes immediately with Ian leaning against it, obviously waiting for us. I wasn’t sure how to greet him. I felt suddenly awkward as I remembered the reason for all this.

“Hi, Jellybean,” Ian grinned as I approached, opening his arms and pulling me into a hug. “Enjoy your morning?”

“I did, thanks,” I smiled, glad he wasn’t bringing up the dreaded B-word. “Once you were done kidnapping me and tying me up in the car boot.” I shot him a grin so that he’d know I was kidding but he looked thoroughly thunderous and glared back at me.

I took a step back, all too familiar with that expression. Ian continued to glare and raised his finger to his lips.
He wants me to keep quiet?
I didn’t understand.

“You did
what?
” A familiar gravelly voice demanded as I heard the passenger side door open.

“Granddad?” He was the last person I expected to see. He lived down in Cornwall and we hardly ever got to see him. I bolted round the car to give him a hug.