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“So, I would know it was him, but I couldn’t prove it. I stayed in my apartment for days, not going out and missing classes. My roommate had to call Jonah. When I saw him, I just started crying and told him everything. He took me home with him, didn’t tell Dad but he scared Eric away from me. I stayed with him a while before returning to my apartment. He made me promise to always tell him what is happening to me, no matter how bad. I started dating Jonathan. He was nice, no red flags or anything. He taught me to salsa, which I enjoyed. I laughed more.” I chuckle.

“Things were getting back to some normalcy for me. I got a job at A J Lloyd as a Data Analyst, and no one knew who I was, which was how Dad and I wanted it. That’s when I started to appreciate life as Alexis Doherty and not A J Lloyd. Turns out Alexis Doherty can do lots of fun stupid stuff and no one would care, but A J Lloyd wouldn’t be able to do that. So, I stayed Alexis Doherty.” I sigh.

“Dad got sick and I broke up with Jonathan because I knew I wouldn’t have time for him. Dad died a while later. It was official, the only family I have is my brother. Two months before Dad’s will reading, I’m coming out of a restaurant with my friends, and some men tried to grab me. My friends pulled me from them and luckily an off-duty police officer also responded.”

“I called Jonah. He was out of town and told me he was on his way, and advised me not to go home but stay the night with a friend, and he would come the next day with a bodyguard for me. My friends decided that we all needed to stay together that night.” I sigh and let the wind blow my way before continuing.

“We decided to stay in the apartment, that could accommodate all of us. I woke up to a man on top of me, trying to choke me to death. I was glad I didn’t take my meds that night because I wouldn’t have moved. I kept fighting him and knocked a vase off, prompting one of my friends to enter the room. She jumped on him and tried to pull him off me. As we fought to get him off me, I saw the tattoo on his neck. He managed to knock her off and she fell, hitting her head. I was still coughing when the other two ladies rushed in. The guy jumped out of the window. We called the police and made a report. By the time Jonah arrived, he insisted that I move in with him and have a bodyguard as my driver. I didn’t agree with him, but I accepted.” I pause for a moment. Bruce turns my way and kisses my temple with a gentle squeeze to my hand.

“A week later, two vans attacked my car on my way to work. One t-boned and the other blocked our exit. Masked men jumped out of the car and started shooting. Until that moment, I didn’t know Jonah had put me in a bulletproof car. That’s the only reason I’m alive today. They couldn’t get in and had to run when the police siren was coming our way. My bodyguard had activated the emergency response.” My body shakes just thinking of the moment the bullets kept hitting the glass. Bruce holds me tighter.

“Next day, I quit my job and stopped talking to my friends and stayed indoors, pretty much cooped up inside. The nightmare, of course, started again, and I was basically a mess. Jonah decided to take me out one evening to get some air. We were attacked again. It was like they knew, or they were waiting and watching. We managed to escape. My brother was very upset and decided I was no longer safe in California. Two days later, Jonah shipped me off to London.” I sigh.

“I got a job just to feel normal. Amrit and I lived in our own little world. I guess the stress of it all triggered my nightmare again, and Amrit would always sleep close to me, or sometimes allowed me to take the meds. Well, you know London didn’t last because I’m now here with you, and my friend Amrit is gone.” I sniff but I can’t stop the tears of my nightmare. We are both quiet, his hold on me is tight.

“When I saw that hickey,” my lips tremble, “and you told me what he did, I just felt violated all over again, like I know who, but I can’t accuse or attack the person back.” My tears are flowing. Bruce’s hold is tight. I understand his anger. I didn’t flinch. I leaned into it. I’m just as angry.

“I promise you it won’t ever happen again, and thank you for telling me your story,” he says. He kisses my forehead. We sit quietly, enjoying the breeze and the serene calm.

Chapter forty-four

Bruce

I know David and Eric haven’t heard the last from me. I’m glad she told me the root cause of her nightmares, but I wished it wasn’t because she was indirectly forced. The breeze seems to blow away some of the tension between us. I’m hoping she doesn’t leave, but I still can’t stop her if she decides to leave with Ice. I will just have to follow her. I know Jonah isn’t coming, which is good.

“Did you ever meet Jonah’s mom?” I ask.

“Yeah, once, and she was mean to me. She came over to Jonah’s place unannounced and I was home alone. She threw a fit about me being there; Jonah threw her out.”

“Do you know about the history between her and your mom?”

“I didn’t. My parents didn’t mention her name, or discuss her, but the few times dad was out of it, he kept apologizing to Eni about what Claire did, and kept asking Eni not to leave him.”

“When he was lucid, did you ask him about it?”

“No, I figured it might upset him. The few times he was lucid I wanted to share it with my dad, not bring up sad memories.”

“Good that you did that,” I say and we are both quiet. She has finally decided to let me in. I’m happy she did, but I wished we didn’t get here because my fucking brother molested her under my watch. Sitting quietly seems to be our tranquil moment. I take her hand just as the wind blows like it’s doing a last sweep of all the sadness. Much as I know that’s not true, I’ll accept the feeling of peace.

My phone rings, I answer it.

“Boss, I’m on my way back,” Ice says.

“Okay,” I respond and hung up.

“Ice is on his way back. Are you ready?” I ask her.

“Do you want me to go?” she asks. For a split second I want to say yes, because it’s what she wants, but my mouth opens and the words don’t come. “No,” is my response. “But what you want supersedes my want.”

“Would you be okay with it if I leave?” she asks, staring right at me.

“No, I wouldn’t be, but I’ll accept it.”

“I’ll stay; I like it here.” I exhale and pull her into my arms, relief washes over me. She’s staying. “I can’t let assholes like your brother and Eric take over my peace and joy.” She pulls out of my arms and locks eyes with me. “You must promise me you will not leave me when I’m vulnerable like that ever again,” she states.

I squeeze her hand.

“I promise, sprinkles. Thank you for staying.” I smile and pull her close again. I feel the tension disappear. We pull from the hug, get up and start our walk back home hand in hand.