Tony
We get to Kendall’s apartment, and for once she does as she’s been told and stays inside. In fact, when Jasper knocks on the door, she refuses to let us in. I know she thinks this is just some cute game, but Jasper and I haven’t really slept a whole lot over the past few days. Neither of us is in much of a mood and probably won’t be until Kate is found.
“Kendall, let us in.” Jasper leans his forehead against the door.
“How do I know you are who you say you are?” she calls through the thick wood.
“Look through the fucking peep hole. Now come on, woman. I don’t have time for this shit.”
Kendall opens the door, but leaves the chain attached. “What’s the password?”
“If you don’t open this door, I’m going to bust it down and shag you senseless until you do as you’re told.” Jasper isn’t kidding. He’s ready to break the chain lock and let himself in.
“Yes, please.” Kendall opens the door. “I’ll take one of each.” She points to both of us.
I know she’s kidding, but you’d think she’d be a little more upset about her best friend missing.
“Why do you guys look so serious, and why can’t I leave my apartment?” Kendall plops down on her couch and pats it for us to join her.
I look at Jasper and nod for him to break the news to his fuck buddy. He makes the first move and sits down next to Kendall. I take the chair on the other side of the room.
Jasper looks at Kendall with a seriousness I rarely see. “Have you seen that kid Demetrio around here?”
“Why, are you jealous?” Kendall throws a tendril of hair behind her shoulder.
“No, I’m not, and I’d appreciate it if you would quit playing games. This has to do with your safety and our ability to find Kate.”
Kendall’s face turns ghost white. “Am I in danger?”
I roll my eyes. Finally, she’s freakin’ getting it.
“I’m not sure, but you could be. We’ve located Demetrio’s car only blocks from here, and thought he might be coming to look for you.” Jasper continues to fill in Kendall on the details of Demetrio and his relation to my cousin.
“Oh my God. Why didn’t you tell me? You had me call him! He could’ve killed me!” Tears pour from Kendall’s eyes. “This is all his fault. He’s the one we should blame here!” Kendall points to me, and I can’t argue. She’s right. There hasn’t been a moment that has gone by that I don’t take full credit for everything that’s happened. I did this to Kate, and now Kendall has become another victim.
I head to the front door, figuring I’d just go. I’ll find Kate, and then I’ll be gone for good. She doesn’t need me or this in her life and it may always be there. I can’t subject her to any more kidnappings and torture. I love her too much.
“Stop! You’re not leaving.” I look back at Jasper, who’s giving me this look. I know it well. He’s telling me not to be a pussy and not even consider leaving. I shrug my shoulders and continue to the door. His hand flies over my head and lands on the door, preventing me from opening it.
“She’s wrong. This isn’t your fault. It’s your crazy-ass cousin who’s doing this. Don’t think for a moment you have any control over him. You’ve done everything humanly possible to keep Kate safe without making her live in a bubble. He would’ve probably gotten to her whether or not you came back. We’re both tired. We just need to find Kate and get some sleep. Things will work themselves out.”
I look at Jasper. He’s dead serious; although, I’m still unconvinced.
“We’ll find her, and she’s going to come out of this stronger than before. I promise.” Jasper pulls me into a bro hug before punching my shoulder. “Now let’s get Kendall packed and out of here. She’s staying with me until this is all over.”
“I’m doing what?” Kendall’s shrieks are like nails to a chalkboard.
Jasper walks toward her. “Yeah. I can watch over you and keep you safe.”
She crosses her arms and puts on a pouty face. “Don’t I have any say in this?”
Jasper and I both respond in unison, “No.”
“What if I choose not to?” Clearly she doesn’t like to be told what to do, especially not by any man.
“Then I’ll pick you up, throw you over my shoulder, and drag your arse kicking and screaming. I don’t give a shit. You’re coming with us. There’s no damn way I’ll let anyone else get kidnapped or injured under my watch. Now go get some crap together and let’s get going.”
Jasper’s no-nonsense attitude is one of the things I like most about him. He knows how to get shit done.
Kendall reluctantly proceeds to her bedroom. For the first time since I met her, the woman is without words. Maybe Jasper is the type of guy she needs. Perhaps someone to put their foot down to her periodically is exactly what makes her appreciate them. I bet no man has ever stood up to her. Jasper is definitely not afraid to be the one to do that.
It takes Kendall about fifteen minutes to get her stuff together. Relatively speaking, I think it’s pretty good. Kate has told me that Kendall can take hours to get ready. By the time she comes out of her room, Jasper has searched the entire apartment. For what, I don’t know, but by the time he was done, Jasper was satisfied that no one had gained entry into Kendall’s apartment.
Once we exit Kendall’s building, I tell Jasper to head back to his place with her. I want to go take a look at Demetrio’s rental car to see if there are any clues. Once the FBI searches the vehicle, I won’t have the opportunity to find anything that might only mean something to me.
I head over to Sixty-Seventh Street, where the car is supposed to be parked. By the time I get there, it’s too late. There’s crime scene tape wrapped around it, and the damn thing is in the midst of being towed. God, when am I going to catch a break? Give me something that will help me get to Kate. I can’t even imagine the horrible things Matteo is doing to her. When I start to think about them, my blood percolates and I get images in my head of using his face as a punching bag much like he’s probably doing to Kate.
I’m at a loss for what to do now. I want to find something that will help find my beautiful woman. I think about heading back to Jasper’s, but I’m a little worried I might walk in on something between Jasper and Kendall. When I left them, Kendall had this fire in her eyes that suggested she might want to punish Jasper for the way he spoke to her. My guess is he won’t mind.
I think about just getting some coffee. I could use the caffeine to help me stay awake. As I approach Sixty-Eighth Street, I’m overwhelmed by the sense that Kate is nearby. Goose bumps pepper my flesh. She’s so close, I can almost smell her. I look around, but see no one that fits her description. Somehow, I just know she’s here. It sounds crazy, but I just can’t shake it. I don’t want to move from this spot for fear of losing her. So, I just stand and wait. For what, I don’t know. There’s nothing around but apartment buildings. There’s a park on the corner, but nothing that screams to me that Kate’s there. I just love this woman so much. I’d give anything to have her by my side, to touch her skin, and to run my fingers through her hair. I want to stare into those crystal blue eyes and know that I’m the reason they sparkle so bright. I want to give her the moon, stars, and heaven. I want to love her and cherish her until the moment I take my last breath. No matter what happens, I will spend the rest of my life in love with just this one woman. That for me is heaven.