Jaymes

The night is so quiet up here at the observatory that I can hear traffic from a mile away. Lying in the back of his truck, I reach above my head and strum across the strings of the guitar he gave me.

“What if I gave you the world?” Derrick asks, turning my way.

Finding his hand between us, our fingers weave together. “I don’t need the world. I just need you.”

When I squeeze lightly, his body cringes, tensing as if he’s in pain. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

. . . I found out a few months later that he had gotten in a fight with my father the night his hand was hurt. He never told me and never complained about the pain. Not while I was at work and not that night in the back of that pickup. But I know him. It takes a lot to upset him, much less make him violent. Violence toward women is at the top of his shit list. So if he threw one punch, he most likely threw another, but my father had gone too far when he pushed my mother.

She told me one night after a rough day. Told me to never love a man like my father. To stick to the ones that are brave when no one is watching. To marry a man that will defend your mother and not need the credit. That’s the kind of man that will always protect, will always put you first.

Derrick Masters always did care more about me than he did himself. Today he proved it once again.

Leah takes my hand and spins the ring around my finger. “You’re like Cinderella.”

Laughing, I ask, “Did I just get married?”

Now she’s laughing. “You did.”

I sigh. “I miss my Prince Charming.”

“Maybe that castle will keep you warm while he’s gone.”

“Ha ha. So how did you end up in Vegas?”

“Private jet, baby. He flew your moms and me in.”

“What?” I sit up, staring at her.

“Yup. Now close your mouth. You got to marry the rock star. We just got to live like one for a day.” Tilting her seat back, she closes her eyes, but I see the braggy grin she can’t hide. “By the way, first class is the only way to travel when you’re not traveling by private jet.”

“You’re lucky I like you so much.”

“After flying today in the fanciest ways, I agree I’m lucky you like me so much.”

I snort while laughing. “I can’t believe he did that for me.”

“He wanted to surprise you. How romantic is that?”

“The most.”

“I’m not understanding the boots with that designer purse, Jamie. Not to judge, but that is a Gucci purse. You’re really doing it an injustice with those shoes.”

It doesn’t matter that my Docs don’t go with the purse the girls picked. Derrick gave them to me and that’s enough for me to feel like the prettiest girl on the plane. I don’t hear the rest of what she says because my mind is caught up in my morning. I’m married.

I’m married to Derrick.

I’m Mrs. Derrick Masters.

Mrs. Masters.

Wow.

My heart quickens and I look over at Ace sitting on the inside next to my mom. They are finding shapes in the clouds and laughing. The sound is so light and free, airy without care that I wonder if this new life will seal that beautiful sound forever. No more crying in closets or hiding when the banging starts. No more coded texts to my mom when the monster comes around. When the monster won’t know how to find me.

The vise around my chest loosens and I feel like I can breathe with ease for the first time in years. That’s the best gift anyone could give me.

---

The flight is fast, which is good since it’s a school night for Ace and me both. I’ll turn in my resignation later this week. I want to find a replacement first and not leave them in a lurch. It’s been a steady job and one I could rely on despite David hitting on me.

As soon as we land, I’m in action texting Rochelle and hurrying my mom and Ace to baggage claim. Rochelle was on a different flight but the arrival times were close. They shouldn’t have to wait long, then Rochelle can get them set up in a car and off to Derrick’s.

I hug Ace, and tell him, “Listen to Grandma. It’s going to be late by the time you get home, so take your bath and brush your teeth. When I get home, I’ll come tuck you in and kiss you good night. Be a good boy.”

“I will.”

Straightening up, I turn to my mom. “Rochelle will be here in the next ten minutes or so. I’m going, so I hopefully beat some traffic. You good?” She smiles at me, and as usual, I feel her strength.

“Yes, daughter. Be safe, Jamie.”

“I will. In and out. I’ll call you when I leave.” A quick hug bonds us before I have to break away and catch a cab.

I rush to find cars for hire and catch one with relative ease considering the crowds coming out. Traffic still sucks. It’s LA after all, so I make use of the time and do the one thing I’ve been wanting to do since we landed.

Derrick picks up on the first ring. “Hello there, wife.”

“Hello, dear husband. Where are you?”

“Denver. We landed about thirty minutes ago. And you?”

“Somewhere in LA.”

“Is it only me who thinks it’s really fucked up that we got married this morning and now we’re in different cities tonight?”

I laugh under my breath. It’s not funny at all, but I’m trying not to cry. “It’s messed up.”

“Five days.”

“Only five days and I’ll be counting every hour until I see you again.”

“You can be quite charming, Mrs. Masters, when you want to be.”

Mrs. Masters.

And I swoon. Closing my eyes, I savor his voice, the deep richness that echoes through me when he sings, embedding itself into my soul. “I miss you,” I whisper.

“I miss you more.”

Flexing my fingers, I admire my ring. “Derrick, I love you.”

“I know, sweetheart. God, it’s so good to hear that from you. I never thought I would. When I see you next I’m going to show you how much I love you. How much having you in my life makes me so fucking happy.”

“You already have. Years ago. I’ve never forgotten the way you always took care of me. Thank you. I know I’ve said it, but I need you to know that I feel it.”

“I want you in my bed tonight and to call me before you fall asleep. I’ll be in bed, wishing I was in bed with you, and we can fall asleep to the sound of each other.”

I thought I swooned before, but this man . . . this man . . . this man. I’m so in love with him. “Next best thing.”

“Yes, next best thing to falling asleep with you here.” His voice returns to its regular tone and he adds, “I texted you the gate code and the house alarm code.”

“Don’t worry. I gave them to my mom with the instructions you gave me,” I reply mindlessly while staring out the window.

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why did you give her the instructions?”

Shit. “Oh ummm . . .”

“What are you doing, Jaymes?” He sounds alarmed. Shit.

“I’m in a cab.”

“Going where?”

I can’t tell him, but I can’t lie. Shoot. What to do? I panic and sit up, looking to see where I am and figure out how much time I have. “Derrick—”

“Don’t Derrick me. You’re going back, aren’t you?”

“I just need to get Ace’s and my school stuff and then I’ll be out of there lickety-split.”

“What the fuck are you thinking?”

“Don’t talk to me like that.”

“Your feelings aren’t what I’m worried about right now. Your safety is. Is Ace with you?”

“No, he’s with my mom. They’re heading to your house.”

“I could have sent someone over there. This isn’t good. You need to turn around and go to the house with your mom and son.”

“I get your concern. I do, but he’s locked up. His guys won’t mess with me. They just report back to him. Even if they do, I’ll be long gone.”

“I don’t want you going there at all.”

Too late. The cab turns down our street. “I’ll grab the backpacks and be out and I’ll call you as soon as I leave. I’m here. Five minutes max.”

“No, Jaymes—”

“I love you. Five minutes.” I hang up just as the cab pulls to the curb. Reaching forward, I ask the driver, “Will you wait? I’ll only be a few minutes.”

“Sure. Be quick. It’s not a good neighborhood.”

“You’re telling me.”

I pop the door open and hurry across the lawn and up the porch. As soon as the front door’s open, I drop my purse and run to grab Ace’s backpack from his room. I shove a few books he loves and a stuffed dog he likes to sleep with sometimes into the bag as well. Opening his dresser, I pull out a few shirts and shorts, socks, and underwear. I don’t even know if they match, but I don’t have the time to worry about it. I’m just as quick in my mom’s room, scrambling to get two of her dresses and shoes for work and putting them in a grocery bag I find in the kitchen. I have plenty of clothes in my carry-on so I run to get my backpack. With both on my back, the grocery bag in my hands along with my purse, I’m ready to leave, I open the door and turn to lock it, but then I spot a folder that has my essays in it. Dang it.

I run in and grab it and then back out the door to lock it. When I turn around, I scream, the bags in my hands and my essays falling to the porch.

“Where you going, Jamie?” Reggie is pale and his eyes are curious as he takes me in. Glancing down, he says, “Looks like somewhere with all these clothes.”

“It’s mostly school stuff. The rest are clothes for my mom,” I lie. To save my life, I lie. “She spilled something on herself at work and she needs to change.”

“So you wadded the pretty shirt up in a ball and shoved it in a grocery sack? Tsk. Tsk. Surely, you can do bet—”

That little voice in your head that guides your gut, reaffirms that your instincts are correct, and keeps you safe—mine grew louder once he left after raping me. Bending down slowly, I pick up the bag, careful to hide my ring.

But it’s too late.

Reggie doesn’t look high. He’s calculating my demise.

“So the rumors on TV are true. Rebel came into my neighborhood, as if he still had the right to—” He walks to the far side of the porch, leaving me room to run.

“Reg—” I take one step before I see the cab is gone and Reggie’s friends—two cars, four guys—are there instead. Oh fuck.

“Silence!”

My heart sinks. I just want to get home to Ace and fall asleep to the sound of Derrick.

His glare is deadly. I don’t want to find out what else he’s capable of. Walking back to me, he says, “The real problem is not that he came back. I would welcome him with open arms. I would allow him to beg for my forgiveness and be my right-hand man. But that’s not what he did or seems to intend to do. Noooo, he came back to take what is clearly mine and make it his.” Standing not six inches from me, he asks, “How did you always manage to go unscathed in this mess?”

“Unscathed? Hardly.”

I turn away, but he grabs my jaw, squeezing so hard that tears spring to my eyes, and forces me to face him. “Don’t you ever turn away from me.” He pushes me free and I stumble back. “Shayna says I should put you to work for me on the streets.”

“No.”

“No? You don’t tell me no. Not ever. Here’s the thing with Shayna. She’s never liked you. Nope. I’m not saying it to hurt your feelings. Just stating the facts. She’s jealous of you like I used to be jealous of Rebel. So I see where her hate breeds for you. But luckily for you, I see the potential. She gives a solid blow, but she’s not so great in the brains. You are, but I never tested your blowing skills. I can imagine they’re decent if Rebel kept you around. Oops, I meant married you. It doesn’t seem quite fair that I got arrested and you got married. I’m feeling a little left out that I didn’t get invited.” His expression perks up. “I know. We can have another reception for you.” Though I’m shaking my head no, he says, “Yes. This is perfect.”

Pacing across the porch again, he adds, “We can plan the reception, but it’s no good unless we have the guest of honor in attendance. So, here’s what we’re going to do. You will call your husband and tell him that you are with me until he comes to the party. That’s it. He only has to show up and you’re all his again. And don’t forget to bring my son.” Dipping his head down to see my lowered eyes, he asks, “Maybe I need to inspire you to make that call. See, Pinkard, back there? He’s always had a thing for you.”

“Give me the damn phone.”

Laughing like a hyena, he mimics me while digging through my purse, “ ‘Give me the damn phone, she says.’ ” He puts it in my hand and says, “If the cops show, you’re dead.”

I’ve taken too long. Derrick will be worried. I put the phone to my ear as soon as it starts ringing. “Are you—”

Reggie grabs the phone. “Hey, old buddy. Long time no talk. So, I was hanging out with your wife and we decided to have a little party. Similar to last time when I fucked her, but this time we thought—Eh. Eh. Eh. Let me finish. We thought we’d extend the invitation for you to join us. Well, that’s a poor choice of words. Watch us might fit better. Yeah, I think it does. What is that you’re saying?”

He stares at me, a snarl for a smile distorting his lips. “No, you’ve got it wrong. You left. I stayed. This is my territory and if you want something of mine in my territory you come see me. We’ll be waiting.” He hangs up and drops the phone in my bag. “Now all we do is wait.”

Then the world goes black.