from Pain to Pleasure (Gainesville Book 1)

by Jeanisse, Bella

  It hurt them both badly to give him back to the nurse. Danielle leaned on Alex. “Can we hold him every day?”

  “Yes. A few times a day, but only in short bursts.”

  Alex wheeled Danielle back to her room. Logan and Marie were there. He placed Danielle on the bed and shook Logan’s hand. “He’s so tiny.”

  “I heard.” Logan half hugged Alex. “Congrats on being a dad. Things are gonna be fine.”

  Nathan put his arms around both their shoulders. “Yeah. They will. Corey’s as stubborn as his father, here.”

  Marie sat next to Danielle. “Things’re looking good.”

  “Why do you say that?” Danielle looked up at her.

  With a wide grin, Marie replied, “I heard the nurses talking when we stopped at the nursery window. They said Corey’s doing better than he should be. Someone’s looking out for you guys.”

  Epilogue

  Brian sat on his bunk with his head in his hands. It was early in the morning. The past three months had been torture. The maximum security prison he was sent to was filled with men with nothing to lose. Most he had spoken to were living out life sentences, just like he was. He tried to keep to himself when he arrived. However, the others in his block didn’t let him forget he was at the bottom of the pecking order. Hours after he was assigned a cell, he was beaten to within an inch of his life.

  The beatings continued after he healed. When they caught wind that he was a rapist, they stepped up their game. The guards helped him at first. However, it seemed their sympathy was short-lived. He was frequently roughed up more than necessary. If he got out of line in the slightest, he paid a heavy price.

  That day, everyone left him alone. He wasn’t sure why and didn’t plan to ask. Only a week prior, he was in the infirmary for a broken nose and orbital socket. It was a hundred times worse than in the county jail. They ganged up on him sometimes; shoving, kicking and punching. Some nights, he was in too much pain to sleep.

  Breakfast time came, and he walked in line with the others. The man behind him was a regular fight partner, if you could call him that. Suddenly, Brian was yanked to the side, into the hallway that led to the laundry room. The sound of more footsteps made his eyes widen. This is gonna be bad.

  Someone shoved him, and he fell on the concrete floor. He covered his head. A kick to the face was the usual first blow. When he was lifted up, he was confused. He was dragged into the empty laundry room. His eyes darted around the dimly-lit area. Several men surrounded a table. His heart pounded, unsure of what was to come.

  “So you like forcing yourself on helpless girls, huh?”

  Brian couldn’t find the source of the voice.

  “I have a kink, too.”

  He was pushed into the table. Someone grabbed his hands and held them down. He searched the room again, as he tried to understand. Then his pants and underwear were ripped off. He screamed in panic.

  A hand rubbed Brian’s ass cheek, as he was slowly moved into a bent position, over the table. “I like helpless boys.”

  “Don’t!” Brian begged. “Just kill me. Please. Just kill me. Not again. Please! I’m so fucking sorry, Dani!” His legs were spread. Then a pain-filled shriek echoed in the room before it was muffled by a large hand.

  * * *

  Several hours later, in Gainesville, Danielle and Marie were in the nursery at Dave’s house. Corey was to come home the next day. It happened to be his original due date. He did thrive because of breast-feeding. He gained weight quickly and surpassed everyone’s expectations. It wasn’t easy to leave him for a day, but they needed to move into the house. Children were not allowed to live in the dorms.

  “Is this good?” Marie had hooked up the mobile to the crib Alex put together earlier in the day.

  Danielle looked up. “Yes.” She sat in a chair as she expressed milk. Since it worked so well, she had chosen to continue to breast-feed. “I hope he likes it here.”

  “He will.” Marie smiled as she looked around. “This room is perfect.” Her head turned when a familiar voice came from downstairs. “I gotta go.”

  Confused, Danielle looked up. “Why?”

  “I—I can’t stay.”

  Marie couldn’t face Logan. She rushed to the stairs and listened closely. Nothing. He deserves better. She made her way to the first floor as silently as possible. He’ll get over it. She missed him but couldn’t give him what he wanted. Just as she reached the door, the floor creaked behind her. Instinctively, she turned.

  Logan stared. He wanted to say something. No words came, though. She looked so beautiful. He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless. However, for months, any time he tried to be affectionate, she pulled away. Lately, it was worse. She avoided him like the plague. It ripped his heart out every time she turned away. Without a word, Marie opened the door and fled. He closed his eyes and wished he didn’t care.

  “You got it?” Alex shouted from the back of the house. When there was no answer, he walked to the living room. Logan was frozen in place. “You OK?”

  Logan slowly turned. “Yeah. I guess.” He hadn’t planned to show, but Alex told him he needed him.

  “Grab that one.” Alex pointed to a bin that held maternity clothes as he lifted one that contained various items he would not need for a while. “Come on.”

  They stacked the bins in the back room they used for storage. Dave was already gone, and Charlie was off with some girl. They had worked for hours to move Alex and Danielle’s things from the dorm rooms into Dave’s house. Everything was just about unpacked.

  Alex placed the last bin in the room and shut the door. “Thanks.” He patted Logan on the shoulder and led him to the kitchen. “How about a beer?”

  Logan nodded and sat at the kitchen table. “Why is she doing this to me?” He stared at the table.

  “I don’t get it either.” Alex set an opened bottle in front of his friend and sat across the table. “She likes you. It makes no sense.”

  Logan sighed and took a long pull from his bottle. “She’s been sending mixed signals since before Corey was born.”

  “Have you tried taking her on a real date? Or bring her flowers? Maybe rent a fancy hotel room?”

  While he rolled his eyes, Logan replied, “I tried everything. Marie keeps pulling away. And now…” His voice trailed off. He didn’t want to think of where they were at that point. “I give up.”

  Alex’s phone went off. He glanced at it. “It’s Damien. Sorry. I need to take this.” He walked outside onto the lanai. “Hey, man. You hear anything lately?”

  “Yeah.” Damien was on his lunch hour. “I just got a call.” He had a friend who worked at the prison Brian was in. “Something happened this morning.” Damien swallowed. What he had been told shocked even him, and he thought he had heard it all.

  Alex heard the hesitation. “You OK?”

  “It’s not me.” Damien took a deep breath. “They got him.”

  He cocked one if his eyebrows. Alex wasn’t sure what Damien meant. “Got who?”

  “Brian.” Damien closed his eyes. If he hadn’t seen the crime scene pictures, he might not believe it. “They gang-raped him.” He cringed, imagining how bad it was. “Blood everywhere. No one knew he was missing until it was too late. They picked the perfect time.”

  Alex walked inside and sat on the couch. He had wanted Brian to pay, but that was brutal. “He in the hospital?”

  “Nah. They had mercy on him after a while and slit his throat. Guards arrived just before he bled out.”

  His mouth agape, Alex didn’t know what to say. How am I gonna tell her? He couldn’t imagine she would take it well, even though she hated him. She never actually wished him dead.

  “You get that, Alex?” The silence was eerie but understandable. Damien leaned on a wall. “If he lived, he never woulda been the same anyway. I heard—never mind. You don’t wanna know.”

  Alex sighed. “Wow. I—I don’t know what to say.”

  “He brought i
t on himself.” Damien looked around. “I gotta go. Let me know how she takes it. Later.”

  The phone still in his hand, Alex stared at it. Is this real? Damien wouldn’t lie to him. He didn’t know what had brought on the attack at the jail. Was it really just because Brian was a rapist? Or had he mouthed off to the wrong inmate? Those were questions that would never be answered.

  Logan knew something was off. He stepped into the living room. “Everything OK?” Alex’s head shake was unexpected. That meant something bad happened. He hoped it wasn’t Corey. After he had sat down next to Alex, he asked, “What did Damien say?”

  “Brian’s dead,” Alex deadpanned.

  “Shit!” Logan’s jaw dropped. “How?”

  Alex’s eyes didn’t move. “Bled to death.”

  Guilt began to creep up on him. He hadn’t urged Damien to leak Brian’s crimes in the prison, but had he? Is this my fault? He hated Brian. But to go out like that? It sounded like there was more to it. Had he been tortured some other way? His mind conjured images of the bloody scene.

  “In jail?” Logan realized too late that was a stupid question. “Of course he was in jail. Sorry. Kinda shocking. He give you details?”

  Alex nodded. “Some. Gruesome. Guess he deserved it.”

  “He did.” Logan patted his shoulder. “Don’t blame yourself. He was evil in human form. I wouldn’t be surprised if he pissed off everyone he met there.”

  “Probably.” Alex took a deep breath. “I need to tell her, somehow.”

  Logan glanced behind them. “Well. Here’s your chance. I’ll get going. Let me know if you need me.”

  Danielle reached the bottom step just as Logan waved goodbye. She felt tension in the air. One look at Alex told her he was upset. For a few seconds, she faltered. Did something happen to Corey? I don’t know if I can survive that.

  “Alex?” Curiosity got the best of her. “What is it?”

  He turned. “Nothing.” Maybe I don’t have to tell her. How’ll she find out? The internet. Can’t hide it. “Not true. Something is wrong.”

  “What?” She took a few breaths and moved to the couch.

  Alex took her hand and tugged her to sit. “I need to tell you something.” He paused, unsure how to word it. Blunt may be best. “Brian’s dead.” He pulled her hand to his chest. “This morning.”

  She gasped when she finally understood. “Seriously?”

  “Yes.”

  “How?”

  Alex closed his eyes. “It’s not important. You don’t wanna know anyway.”

  “I do.” I hope he suffered a bit first. Then she gasped. How can I think like that? “Was it another fight?”

  “A one-sided fight.”

  Danielle glared at him. “Why are you being cryptic?” It didn’t make sense. He obviously hid something. “Tell me what happened.”

  “Throat cut.” He hoped that would end the questions.

  Memories suddenly assaulted her. She tensed as she felt Brian choke her. Then she noticed Alex still seemed distressed. “There’s more to the story. Isn’t there?”

  “Yes.” Alex closed his eyes and leaned his head back. “It was bad. You don’t need to know.”

  “But I do,” she insisted.

  “Why?”

  “Was it something he did? Did he piss someone off? Was it a yard fight, and he was just there?”

  Alex turned and hugged her. “He’s dead. That’s all that matters.”

  “There’s a reason you’re not telling me.” She thought hard. “Did they find out what he did to me? Is that why he died? Or did you have him killed?” Her mind raced. Why else would he be acting like he was hiding something?

  He shook his head and pressed her head to his chest. “Nothing like that. I didn’t tell anyone to do anything. But they had to know. They all raped him first.”

  She was so stunned she couldn’t speak. Tears ran down her face. She thought that he was killed because of her. Then her emotions swung again. It’s really over. He can’t get me again. She smiled. That’s so wrong.

  “Babe,” Alex called to her. “Talk to me. I’m getting such mixed emotions from you.”

  She shook with confusion and overwhelming emotions. She looked up. “I don’t know how to feel. It’s wrong to be happy, but I can’t help it. And… I feel so guilty it was done because of me.”

  “It wasn’t your fault.” He rubbed her back. “Even if they heard what he did, they didn’t know you. He brought this on himself. If he had been honest, he’d be in a psych ward somewhere getting help. He chose to fake it. He went to that prison because he tried to trick the system. It’s no one’s fault but his own.”

  He held her until she calmed. When their eyes met, he kissed her lips softly. Then he nuzzled her nose with his. Although it meant Brian couldn’t find a way to have his conviction overturned, the news was bittersweet. It would take time for the two of them to close that chapter in their lives completely.

  “We should head back to the hospital.” Alex kissed Danielle’s forehead. “Everything’s ready here.”

  She nodded. “Yeah. I wanna hold Corey.” If not for Brian, she would have never met Alex, and they wouldn’t have their baby. She would never forget that. “Time to start our lives as parents.” It would be a different world once Corey was home.

  Alex stood and took Danielle’s hand again. “It’s gonna be great.” He led the way to the front door. “Just hope Charlie doesn’t bitch about the middle of the night feedings.” He lifted the infant car seat at the front door and smiled. “If he does, I’ll leave a stinky diaper in his room.” He laughed, glad the tension was gone.

  About the Author

  Bella Jeanisse hails from New York City. At 10 years old, Bella picked up her first guitar. She was instantly hooked. Because of her deep passion for tall men, rock music, tattoos and motorcycles, she has gotten to know many musicians and roadies over the years—in every possible way. And although she has been writing risqué stories about musicians for many years, she has just recently taken these tales to the next level revealing, through her protagonists, the hold some of these men still have on her. They have inspired more than they ever imagined.

  Now living in Florida with her three sons, she juggles domestic responsibilities, a social life, her career as an IT professional and her writing as carefully as possible. They do cross paths as you have seen in her first collection of short stories. Her life is busy and full, yet very fulfilling.

  The few limits Bella puts on her love-life may be found as but a shadow in her writing. She draws from life, fantasy and inspiration to create each tale.

  Bella has broadened her horizons to include short stories, with many more to come; some are still just a sentence at this point. Their subjects range from military men to biker chicks to naughty doctors and much, much more. You can always find a taste of the newest shorts on Wattpad.

  Gainesville, her latest series, is different from her usual work. It’s the first of three books about students at the fictional North Florida University. This series will broach subjects like abuse, stereotypes, racism and many others. It’s time for a whole new set of young men and women to fall in love with.

  She is also expanding the Triple Threat world to include bands that readers have met in the original novels. Gasoline Book Two: Evolving Urges is up next. Triple Threat Book Three: Dual Desires will come after that. Soon enough you’ll also get to know Silverblade, Hands of Fate, Winter Winds, Brass Monkey, Mark of the Devil and Wounded Hearts, too. So many hot rock stars, so little time to make them come to life.

  Interact with Bella on Twitter@BellaJeanisse or Facebook. Join Bella's Facebook Group dedicated to her books. She would also love to hear from you on her website. Keep up to date with all her new releases by following Bella on her Amazon Author Page!

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  Thanks for reading from Pain to Pleasure. Find information about the unrated volume of this book here.

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  We appreciate your interest in our books. As a courtesy, we’ve included the following Sneak Peek chapters from books we think you might also enjoy. Happy reading!

  Sneak Peek: Heirloom

  by Jane Coyle

  Chapter One

  “Hello, Mrs. Agnew! What can I do for you today?” Meg asked. She wiped the counter in preparation for what Mrs. Agnew might place upon it.

  “I’d like to leave this in. I’ll get it back in a few weeks, if that’s all right. How much can you give me for it?” she queried, showing a gold watch. The worried look on her face was very familiar to Meg.

  “I can give you 100 euros for it. Don’t worry, it’ll be safe here,” Meg assured her. “And there’s no hurry to redeem this, OK?”

  As the door closed, Meg turned to look in the mirror. She hadn’t had time earlier to fix herself, and the rain had pelted down on her earlier as she opened the outside shutter over the front door. “Look at the state of me! I look like a wet rat,” she said to herself. Meg continued to do some idle tidying of the counter. She gazed out the shop window at the rain bouncing off the ground.