Escape to Love

by Vanessa Miller

“You have a name for me?”

  She nodded. “His name is Dean Richards. He tried to rape me last night and then he tried to run me over, but Jay pushed me out of the way.” Wiping the tears from her eyes with some tissue, she added, “I want to press charges.” She wasn’t worried about what others might find out about her anymore. She had given her life to Christ and she was standing up on the inside now. Nobody was going to do whatever they wanted to her and get away with it ever again.

  “Where did this attack occur?”

  “My hotel room. He came in through the window. I have two witness. Jay and the hotel clerk opened my door and caught Dean in the act of trying to rape me.” Renee answered all of the officer’s questions. and then the emergency room doors opened and Renee swung around. A nurse walked up to her, Renee asked, “How’s he doing?”

  “He’s banged up. But we can’t get him settled because he won’t stop asking for you. Can you come back and let him see that you’re okay?”

  Turning toward Officer Scott, Renee said, “He needs me.”

  “Go on, I’ll file the paperwork and bring it back for you to sign.”

  Renee followed closely behind the nurse, anxious to see Jay for herself. When they arrived at his room, Renee rushed in. “Oh my God, Jay I was so worried.”

  He grimaced as he turned toward her. “I think my ribs are cracked.”

  “Quit moving around. Let me get the doctor,” the nurse said as she left the room.

  Smiling at Renee, Jay said, “Lady, I can’t tell you how good it is to see your face. I must have passed out or something. Because I couldn’t remember what happened to you.”

  “You pushed me out of the way.”

  “I did?”

  She nodded. “If it wasn’t for you. I’d be laying in the bed next door. You’re such a good man, Jay Morris. I’m so thankful that you are in my life.”

  “You’re just saying that because I’m all banged up,” he joked.

  She sat down in the chair next to his bed as the doctor came in to check him over. “Looks like you’re going to be with us over night,” the doctor said.

  Jay tried to object, but a pain shot through his body that caused him to bite down on his lower lip.

  “We’ll get you something for the pain too.”

  “Can I get that pain medicine now?”

  “It’s on the way,” the doctor said as he walked out of the room.

  “I hate that you’re in so much pain. I should be the one laying in that bed.”

  “Don’t say things like that,” Jay admonished her. “Even with the pain I’m in, I would be devastated if that car had hit you instead of me.” The nurse brought the pain medicine in. Jay took it and then turned back to Renee. “What I’m wondering is why on earth that car came at us like that in the first place.”

  “I told the police that it was Dean. I also told them that I wanted to file charges against him for attacking me last night.” She held her breath, not knowing how Jay would take the news that she had just put a monkey wrench in his IPO plans. She no longer cared what anyone might think of her, even if all the dirty details of her relationship with Marlin came out. But she needed Jay to be on her side.

  “I’m glad you told the police about what Dean did to you. But I don’t think he tried to run us down. He still needs me finish this IPO.”

  Leaning back in her seat, she said, “Sometimes I wonder if Dean even cares if this IPO goes through or not.”

  “He likes money just like the rest of us, believe me, he cares.” Jay’s eyes fluttered as the pills began taking affect. “Don’t go back to the hotel without me tonight. Ask the nurse to bring an extra bed or a reclining chair.”

  “If you don’t think Dean tried to run us down, then why are you so worried about me going back to the hotel?”

  “I don’t know. But too much is going on. And I don’t want anything to happen to you.” He held out a hand to her. “I feel myself drifting off. Promise me that you’ll stay with me tonight. I couldn’t bear to loose you. I was so terrified when the police found that gun in Marlin’s car. And now someone has tried to run us down. Just stay here, okay?”

  “I promise. Now get some sleep. I won’t go anywhere. Besides, I need to tell you about some files I found in Dean’s office. But we can talk in the morning.”

  Within minutes, Jay was snoring and Renee was standing over him, watching while he slept. “Thank You, Lord. Thank You for keeping him alive.”

  Renee hadn’t eaten a thing since breakfast. That car accident ruined their lunch plans and it was now after five in the evening. Renee found the cafeteria and purchased a sandwich and chips. On her way back up to Jay’s room she ran into the police Officer Scott.

  “How is your friend?” he asked as he walked up to her.

  “He’s resting.”

  “Good. I brought the complaint for you to sign.” They were standing off to the side of the hospital entrance.

  Renee looked over it, then signed the document. Feeling good about finally doing something, rather than just letting awful things happen to her. “Thank you for taking care of this for me.”

  Officer Scott said, “If a crime happens in the Bahamas, we take care of it, don’t ‘ya worry.”

  As the hospital doors opened, Renee lifted her hand and pointed. “That’s him.”

  “Who? Where?”

  “Dean Richards. He just walked in.” She pointed again. “He’s standing at the information desk.”

  Officer Scott walked over to Dean and said, “Are you Dean Richards?”

  Dean turned to the officer. “Yes, I’m Dean Richards. Do you have news about my business partner?”

  Officer Scott took out his handcuffs. “You’ll need to come with me.”

  With confusion written on his face, Dean said, “What are you talking about? I can’t go with you. I need to check on Jason.”

  Ms. Thomas has filed a complaint against you for breaking into her hotel room and attacking her.”

  “You’re not getting anywhere near Jay after you tried to kill us,” Renee said as she got in Dean’s face.

  “Step back ma’am. I’m taking care of this,” the officer said as he put the cuffs on Dean.

  “What is she talking about? I didn’t do anything to them,” Dean said as he was being ushered out of the hospital.

  “I’m sure you didn’t do it, just like you didn’t sneak into my hotel room and attack me last night.”

  “You wanted me,” Dean shouted back. You sell it for a living. And now you’re lying to cover of the fact that you’re a whore.”

  Renee was thankful that Dean had been taken into custody but she was angry about what he’d said about her. She wanted to run up on him and scratch his eyes out, but then they’d both be going to jail. But she needed to get those words out of her head so when she got back to Jay’s room, she pulled out her iPhone, went to the app store and purchased the King James Version of the bible for her phone. She then pulled up an extra chair, propped her feet up and started reading. She needed something to calm the raging storm brewing inside of her. The word of God concerning condemnation had brought her peace earlier today. So she decided to search the scriptures to discover who she was, so she didn’t have to listen to the words running through her head... words meant to hurt her and bring doubt.

  She stayed up late soaking bible versus that told her she was more than a conquer through Christ and scriptures that reminded her that though the righteous may fall, the Lord was able to deliver. By morning Dean’s words didn’t have the power to hurt or affect her self-worth. She was a child of the King, and that was all that mattered.

  The doctor came in the room, looked Jay over and then said, “I’ll be putting in your release papers, so you should be able to leave in a couple of hours.”

  “Thanks doctor, I don’t feel like I’ve been run over by a train this morning, so that’s progress, right?”

  When the doctor left, Renee told him, “I’m going to head back to the hote
l and get you a change of clothes.”

  “I don’t want you going near that hotel without me.”

  “It’s okay. Dean came to the hospital last night and the police arrested him.”

  “You had him arrested?” Jay sat up a little too fast and then grimaced from the pain. “I wish you had talked to me before doing that.”

  “I’m worth more than I know... remember when you said that to me?”

  Jay ran his hand over his face. “Okay, you’re right. You should have called the police the other night. I’ll stand with you on this.”

  “Are you sure you’re with me on this? Because if you need to get behind Dean so that your IPO with go over smoothly, I’ll understand.”

  “I said I’m with you,” he snapped. “You may not believe it, but you’re worth more to me than ten thousand IPO’s.”

  Smiling she said, “Okay then, I’ll go get your clothes and be back here within the hour.”

  “Hurry back.”

  Jay’s car was still parked across the street from the steak restaurant he took her to yesterday. So she took a cab back to the hotel. Most of the Pro-Site staff were packed and waiting on the shuttle to take them to the airport when she walked into the hotel.

  “Oh thank God,” Dawn said when she saw Renee. “We haven’t been able to find you, Jay or Dean. I was beginning to think that someone had kidnapped all of y’all.”

  “No kidnapping, but Jay is in the hospital. He got hit by a car yesterday.”

  “Why didn’t you call us?”

  “I’m sorry Dawn, I should have called, but I wasn’t thinking straight.”

  “What about Dean?” Larry asked as he came closer.

  Renee didn’t want to get into what happened with Dean in the lobby, so she said, “I saw him at the hospital last night. He’s probably going to be staying behind a few days.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. Dean wouldn’t want to leave without Jay,” Dawn said.

  “Well, I’ll see you all back in the states in a few days.” Renee left them in the lobby and headed to the elevators. As the elevator made it’s way upward, Renee was once again assured that Dean had ran over Jay. None of the others knew where she and Jay were. So the only way Dean would have known to look for them at the hospital was because he put them there.

  Dean was such a creep that Renee was glad that she wouldn’t be working for him anymore. She would miss the job, but it was time for her to start pursuing a career. What had all those years in college and all the money that had been spent on her education been for if not for her to spread her wings and soar. Her resume was getting updated the moment she returned home.

  She opened the door to Jay’s suite and went straight to his suitcase. As she opened it she was humming the lyrics to Praise Is What I Do. She caught herself and started laughing. When had she becoming a praiser?

  “I don’t think anything is funny. You kept me waiting here all night. I wonder how you’re going to make that up to me?” she heard a voice say and then a chill went down her spine.

  11

  “What time does Renee’s plane get in today?” Carmella asked as Ramsey came into the kitchen.

  “She’s supposed to be here at about two this afternoon, but I haven’t been able to get in touch with her.” He sat down at the kitchen counter. “Did she call you?”

  Carmella shook her head, put Ramsey’s breakfast in front of him and then grabbed her cell phone. She dialed Renee’s cell and when the phone immediately went to the voicemail, she waited for the beep and then said, “Hey honey, we were just calling to check on you. I hope you’re enjoying your vacation. Your father and I just wanted to know if you need us to pick you up from the airport this afternoon.” She hung up and then turned to Ramsey. “I don’t feel right about this. I’m going upstairs to pray.”

  When Carmella went upstairs, Ramsey grabbed the phone and called Ram. As soon as his son answered the phone he said, “Have you heard from Renee?”

  “Not in about a week or so. Why? What’s going on?”

  “I’m not sure. She went to the Bahamas with a group from her job, and we haven’t been able to get a hold of her in the last two days. Carmella and I are getting worried.”

  “Is that what Mama Carmella’s Praise Alert was about? Maxine and I’ve been praying for the two of you because we thought you’d gotten into some kind of argument or something.”

  “Thanks for praying for us, Son. I had been upset with Carmella over something that Renee told her, but I’m over it now.” Ramsey then hung up with his Ram so he could call some of his other children. Raven’s secretary informed him that she was in a conference meeting. His next call was to Ronny.

  When he explained that he was looking for Renee because they hadn’t heard from her, Ronny said, “That’s not like Renee, she normally keeps in touch.”

  “That’s why we’re concerned.”

  “Did you call the hotel.”

  “Last night,” Ramsey confirmed. “They said she wasn’t in her room. They couldn’t reach her.”

  “There’s something I need to tell you, Dad.” Ronny took a deep breath and then said, “One of my business associates told me that Marlin made bail on Friday.”

  “Thanks for telling me, Son. I think I know what I need to do now.” Ramsey hung up the phone and surrendered. He was big and strong and had handled most everything that came his way in life, including the untimely death of his first wife. But Renee was so far away that he couldn’t get to her... couldn’t help her if he wanted to. But he knew someone who could help his daughter better than he ever could. He opened the door to Carmella’s throne room and said, “I think this is going to be our throne room from now on.”

  She was on bended knee in front of the makeshift altar she had constructed in the room. Holding out her hand to Ramsey she said, “Come my love, the bible says that where two or three gather together in His name, He will be in the midst. God will bring Renee home to us.”

  ***

  Dropping the clothes she had been pulling out of Jay’s suitcase, Renee stood and turned around to face her worse nightmare.

  “Imagine my surprise when I discovered that you came all the way to the Bahamas to sleep with your boss, when you threw a drink in my face for asking you to do it to help me out,” Marlin said as he inched toward Renee.

  “I didn’t sleep with Dean. You’re insane.”

  “I’m not talking about Dean, nit wit. Jay is the one who was at my house that night.”

  “You’re a liar!”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because I’ve known Jay since I was in high school. He’s a gentlemen. He’s nothing like you.”

  “Keep talking and I’ll smack you in that stupid mouth of yours.”

  “You’re right about one thing, I was stupid when I ignored my brother. I wish to God that I had listened to him and stayed away from you.” If Marlin had come here to kill her, she was going to make sure that he knew exactly how she felt about him.

  He grabbed a handful of her hair and pushed her down on the ground. “Get down on your knees and tell me you love me,” he said, mimicking an old movie.

  But Renee wasn’t intimidated by him. She shook her head. “I found love this weekend. So, I know what real love is and I could never feel that way about you.”

  Anger etched across Marlin’s face as he slapped Renee across the face.

  Her head fell back and then snapped back up like one of those bop bags Cynda Williams preached about. Renee smiled as she reminded herself to keep standing up on the inside. “Is that all you’ve got. My sister used to hit me harder than that when we were in grade school.”

  “How dare you talk to me like this.”

  She stood back up and got in his face. “Get used to it. I’m not afraid of you anymore.”

  “So, you think being in love with Jay Morris will keep you safe from me?”

  “I wasn’t talking about Jay. I’m in love with my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. And His love is g
reater than all the evil you possess.” As she said those words to him, Renee was silently praying, telling God that she wanted to live... wanted Him to rescue her from Marlin. But she also told God, ‘but if I am too be with You in Paradise, then that’s all right too. I just thank You for saving me’.

  Marlin reached behind him and then when he brought his arm back around, he was holding a gun. “This is what I possess.” He shook the gun in her face. “And if you keep talking you’re going to get one of these bullets between your eyes.”

  That didn’t sound painless, so Renee shut her mouth. But she continued to silently pray.

  “You don’t have nothing to say now, do you? All that talk about Jesus has gone out the window now that you see what I’m working with.” He waved the gun in the air. “Go on, call on Jesus. See if He can deliver you from my wrath.”

  When she didn’t respond to his taunts he said, “Go on, call Him!”

  “My God is able to deliver me. I do believe that,” she told him.

  “Then you’re a bigger fool than I ever imagined.” He walked over to her. Put the gun up to her temple and said, “Aren’t you?”

  “No.”

  “You got to the count of three to let me hear you say that you are a fool.” He started counting...

  Renee was not moved. She would never think less of herself than God has called her to think ever again. She would go to her grave knowing God’s love and His peace, but she would never again say anything about herself that God hadn’t said. “The word of God lets me know that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I’m not a fool, I’m not stupid or worthless or any other name you can think to call me. I’m a child of God and that means something.”

  Sputtering from anger, he lifted the butt of the gun and slammed it down hard on her head.

  ***

  “How many demons are in there with them?” Arnoth asked Steven.

  “It’s a room full of ‘em and the more Renee talks about God the rowdier they are getting. We need to do something fast. I’m not sure how much longer she can stand against Marlin’s assaults.”

  “We need to get Jay here so he can take care of Marlin while we go to war with his demons.”