Jasmine
Waking up early, I get dressed and head over to my new apartment before I have to go to work. It's been over a week since I've seen any sign of Jeff, but that doesn't mean I'm dropping my guard. I open the trunk and place my gun in the waistband of my pants and have my phone on 911 ready to go, just in case. Over the past few days I really have become a pretty good shot. Slamming the trunk shut, I walk around to the backseat and pull out my suitcase while waiting for Brandon to get here with the U-Haul.
Slowly opening the door to my old apartment, I do a quick walk through and everything is all clear. I draw in a huge sigh of relief when I hear Brandon pulling up. We basically cleaned out his parent's storage building to fill my tiny new apartment.
When we get to my new apartment, we move everything in and set up all the big stuff, leaving the smaller things for later. Once we empty the U-Haul, I glance at my watch and notice I have just enough time for a shower. I hop in while Brandon finishes putting my bed together then rush out the door for work, stopping only to kiss him goodbye. "I'll see you in a little bit,” he says as I close the door behind me.
The day flies by and before I know it, it's time to go home. I swing by the ER to see Brandon and get his key. After leaving, I go by and grab some food and head to get Maddy and we go to his place.
I'm sitting on the couch watching cartoons with Maddy when a thud on the door startles me. I go to check and there's nothing there. Pulling out my phone to call Brandon, I hear his truck outside. Drawing in a huge sigh of relief, I open the door to meet him, but it's not Brandon, its Jeff.
"Well hello Jasmine,” he says with a cruel smile. "I came here to see that asshole who stole you from me but this is so much better,” he says, backing me into a corner.
"Madison, go to Brandon’s room and lock the door! Jeff, you need to leave. You’re not welcome here, and just so you know, I didn't leave you because of anyone. You’re the one who is at fault. I loved you, I did. I would still be in love with you if you hadn't decided it was a good idea to screw around with my cousin! Oh, and don't even get me started about this," I say pointing to the scar running down my face.
"Oh, so the little girl is a bad ass now?” he asks, his voice dripping with anger.
I stand up a little taller and talk to him to distract him so I can get to the 9mm still occupying my waistband. "You know Jeff, you're weak. Preying on young girls so you can overpower them, break them. Well, I'm not fucking broken and I'm not about to let you intimidate me again," I growl.
Without warning, he swings at me. His hand makes contact with my face and I'm pushed against the wall. "I like this feisty bitch side of you, Jasmine. I bet you're a beast in the sack now with this kind of fire in you,” he says grabbing my breasts.
"Fuck you Jeff!" I say as adrenaline rushes through me. I push him back and pull out the gun, aiming at his heart.
"Oh, big bad, Jasmine has gun. So, fucking shoot me!” he screams, putting the barrel between his eyes. I stand there trembling with anger, not fear. "I knew you didn't have it in you to shoot me,” he says, coming in closer.
Quickly, I shove him, and aiming down, I squeeze the trigger and shoot him in the knee. "Fucking bitch, you…fucking…bitch! You fucking shot me,” he pants, and I can tell he's in pain. Good, I think to myself.
I reach in my back pocket for my phone and call 911, never taking my eyes of him as he writhes in pain on the floor. The police get there only moments before Brandon.
"Oh my God, Jasmine! What the hell happened?” he asks looking me over.
“My face is red and swollen where he hit me, but I shot him in the knee," I say, trembling, “I'm shaken up and a little dizzy, but I'm okay. Maddy locked herself in your bedroom."
"You should have shot his sorry ass in the balls."
"What?"
"The balls. You should have shot him there."
"Brandon.." he stops me with a kiss.
"I'm so sorry I wasn't here! I'm so sorry,” he repeats hugging me to him. "Everything is going to be okay now." I nod and kiss him.
About that time, an officer clears his throat and I giggle. "Miss Grayson, we need to take your statement,” he says, clearly uncomfortable at breaking up our moment.
"Yes sir. I'll be right back; will you go comfort Maddy?" I say squeezing Brandon's hand.
After the police are done with me, I go back to where Brandon is with Maddy clinging to him tightly. "Well, it looks like Jeff will be going away for a while and no amount of money can get him out," I say with a smile.
"What happened?" Brandon asks, walking us towards his car.
"Let's just say everything finally caught up with him," I reply sliding Maddy into the backseat. I walk around to the passenger side and get in. He laughs, gets in the driver's side and cranks up the car.
"So I guess we’re going to your place,” he says with a snicker.
I nod, "First I need to go pick up Maddy’s belongings from Aunt Suzanne."
The car ride is strangely awkward as everything plays over and over in my mind. "That could have been tragic," I whisper breaking the silence. Brandon just looks over at me, the look on his face strained. "But it wasn't. You did what you had to do to protect yourself and Madison. You're a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for."
"I know what you're saying but in my head, I keep replaying what happened." He nods and sighs deeply, reaching over to take my hand. "Maddy? You okay back there? I don't think I've ever known you to be so quiet." Maddy smiles a half smile at Brandon and just nods her head.
"Mommy, why is my daddy such a bad man?"
"Sweetheart, he's not a bad man. He’s just made seriously bad decisions."
"But I think he's bad. He tried to hurt us again. Last time he did hurt you. I don't want him to be my daddy."
"Madison, he will always be your father. There isn't anything we can do to change that."
"Yes there is, you can marry Brandon and he can be my daddy. Brandon? Will you be my daddy?"
"Maddy, I would love to be your daddy, but you have to talk to mommy about that. In the meantime you can call me daddy, if you'd like."
"See mommy, I told you."
I can't help but smile.
Aunt Suzanne rushes at us as we pull up.
"Oh my God...oh my God…y'all are okay!"
She pulls me into her embrace and her tear soaked cheek nuzzles against mine.
"Maddy," she says pulling her into her as well
"We're okay, Aunt Suzanne. We're okay."
"I know. I heard it come across your uncles police scanner and I was terrified. To top it off no one could tell me anything."