Come Back to Me

by Trilina Pucci

  He raises an eyebrow as if to articulate the direness of the situation. Oh geez, he has a point. Men and their bravado. There’s no reason for Cole to be mad. I’m his, I’m here and not going anywhere with anyone but him. The easiest and most efficient way to deal with Jack is to look him in the eye, respond to whatever he needs, and send him on his way. I hope to have him gone before Cole even gets here. “Send him up, Sergio.”

  Foster chuckles and shakes his head as he turns, giving direction into his earpiece. As the elevator door opens and Jack walks out, I stand in the entry to greet him, hoping my proximity to the door will keep his visit short.

  “Hey,” he says with a smile. “How are you doing?” I’m really not interested in small talk. I just want to know what he wants.

  “Why are you here, Jack? I thought we said our final goodbye in the coffee shop.” He looks wounded, like I’ve pulled the rug out from under him.

  “Damn, I didn’t think this would be so awkward. I’m sorry, Mia. I’m really sorry for how everything went down. I need to make peace with you. I acted like a child and said a lot of things I didn’t mean. I want to make it right between us.”

  “Look, Jack, I don’t know what to say. You were a colossal jerk, but I kind of get it. I’m not excusing the way you behaved or the things you said, but I am not opposed to making peace. No one wants bad feelings between us, and I don’t believe in grudges.” I smile, hoping he can see my sincerity. “You were a rock for me when everything went down and I will always appreciate that.”

  In a matter of seconds, Jack crosses the foyer and grabs my face, planting a forceful kiss on my mouth. Whoa! What the fuck is happening? How did this go from me being polite and courteous to getting assaulted?! Clearly, he missed my point.

  I push against Jack to free myself and finally manage to push him off, yelling, “Get off of me!” Jack looks confused, and then indignant.

  “What the hell, Mia, why are you yelling at me? You want me, I know it!” That’s when Foster comes rushing around the corner.

  I hold up my palm, glaring at Jack, wiping my mouth. “I’ve got it, Foster. I’m fine.”

  I feel my hand being pushed down, and look to see Cole.

  Shit.

  I’m so stupid. I need to fix this drama.

  “Cole, I think Jack misunderstood something I was saying to him. He came to make peace and apologize…” I hope this will pacify him, but think to myself, actually, Jack just tried to stick his tongue down my throat, and I don’t trust he won’t try it again.

  Cole doesn’t take his eyes off of Jack. Jack is looking at me. I can see that he is hoping Cole will listen to me. Judging by the way Cole is looking at Jack, he might kill him. Cole seems calm on the outside, but his eyes look wild.

  “Cole, look at me,” I say with conviction.

  He turns his head to me, looking directly at my mouth and then my eyes, then he wraps his hand around the back of mouth and kisses me. Slow and deliberate. I know what he’s doing, removing any trace of Jack. When he pulls away I am a bit hazy and out of focus, but clear enough to be pissed off. I smile and quietly whisper, “that was unnecessary, you’re being a dick.” And yet, even in this crazy moment, all it takes is one kiss and I am so turned on right now!

  He gives a sideways grin and turns his focus back to Jack. “So Jack, how have you been?” Cole walks to the bar and starts to make himself a drink.

  “Whaat? Are you serious, Parker? You want to know how I am? Frustrated, that’s how I am. I’m frustrated that Mia can’t seem to make up her mind.”

  C’mon, Jack! Take the gift, he is letting you live…

  “Listen up Jake, Jerry, Jim, whatever the fuck your name is. If my girl says that you kissing her was an honest mistake, then I believe her. You see, Mia always sees the best in people. She has this amazing ability to carry hope for others, even a poor jerk like you. But I have to tell you, my gut says that the version Mia’s giving me isn’t what actually happened here just now. The fact that this is the second time you’ve been standing in my foyer trying to take my wife away with you, is starting to get me a little upset. So do not ask me if if I am serious. I am deadly fucking serious.”

  The calm in Cole’s voice is unnerving. He takes a sip from his glass before he goes on. “Let me get this straight, because I’m trying to comprehend what made you think it would be okay to kiss my wife. Are you trying to tell me that you think Mia still cares about you? I want to be clear, because I don’t like to mince words. Are you here because you somehow believe that Mia wants to leave me and our home and our life together and run away with… YOU?”

  “Jack,” I say, “I told you, I’ve made up my mind, and I haven’t changed it. I’m sorry to have sent any mixed signals at the beginning. I relied on you as a friend and used your attraction to me when I needed someone to turn to. I was confused and struggling, and I’ll always be grateful that you were there for me. But I am past that now. I have found my way home to my husband, where I belong. You need to accept that you and I have no future.” I walk over next to Cole, letting him put his arm around my waist.

  “But you said you care about me… What about when we made out on your couch? Or how about when you found out this jerk was lying to you and you called me to come and get you. Have you forgotten that already?”

  Oh no he didn’t! I am about to put Jack in his place, remind him that I only called him because Alex didn’t answer her phone… but then I hear Cole chuckle. I look over and his head is hanging down. He is laughing while he unbuttons the cuffs of his shirt. Oh fuck, this isn’t good. I look to Foster, a little panicked because I can sense Cole going off the rails.

  Cole levels his eyes at Jack and through a low, strained voice laced with contempt, he says, “You stupid, fucking little prick. You think you can bully your way into my house, where I live with this goddess, and spew your venom all over her because you’re a sad, pathetic, loser? She is my WIFE, do you understand? I will not ever have her spoken to like that. You have two choices. You can apologize on your own, or I can beat it out of you.”

  Pausing at my side, Cole puts his tumbler on the bar and grabs my hand to kiss the back of it. I should be more upset at how this is unfolding. The last thing I wanted was Jack coming here and Cole fighting him, but quite frankly, Jack owes me an apology! He was mean and rude when I saw him in the coffee shop, and to show up here today, forcing an unwanted kiss on me, and debating Cole like he has some kind of claim to me? I am damn tired of Jack’s changing moods and verbal abuse every time he doesn’t get his way. Forget romance, he is’nt even friend material.

  I realize that I love watching Cole put Jack in his place. It turns me on that he is fierce and calculating when he needs to be.

  I close my eyes and silently hope for a moment that Jack isn’t dumb enough to provoke the beast in Cole, but then it happens.

  “You won’t touch me, Parker! She wanted that kiss. Mia said she wanted us back. She was begging for it! You can keep her though; I don’t want second-hand goods.

  That’s when the glass tumbler in Cole’s hand connects with Jack’s face. Liquid sprays everywhere and Jack howls in pain as he falls to the ground. I hear myself scream and feel my feet leave the ground. Foster’s arm is wrapped around my waist, yanking me back and out of the room.

  Startled, I look at him while I fight against leaving. “Mia, go into the room. There is no need for you to see this. Cole told me to get you out of here if anything gets physical.”

  All I see as the door closes is Cole grabbing Jack by the collar and dragging him toward the door. Jack’s face is covered in blood, but he is alive. Cole looks like a man possessed

  I am pissed at everyone. Jack is an asshole, and Cole has gone off the deep end. This is frightening. I’ve never witnessed such rage and violence in real life, so close to me, about me. I realize now that when Cole says he will kill someone he is not kidding

  “Mark, what is happening?” Mark is one of our burly friends on Foster’s team
. I ask knowing he won’t answer.

  “Mark, seriously! I will fire all of your asses if something happens to my husband!”

  “Mrs. P, you don’t have to worry about Mr. P, he can take care of himself. I hate sparring with him because he kicks my ass every time, and I do not take it easy on him.”

  Interesting…I didn’t realize my husband was such a badass. I also didn’t realize he was such a dumbass either. I might kill him when I break out for going psycho!

  “Well, thank you, Mark. I admit, I had already felt something off about Jack, but didn’t imagine him being nutty enough to come up here and make trouble. I certainly never expected this kind of drama. To be honest, I’m surprised Jack even pushed to come up when just a short time ago he went to so much trouble to remain my secret admirer.”

  I feel calmer knowing Foster is with Cole, and after seeing Cole pushing Jack toward the elevator.

  “I’m confused,” Mark responds.

  “Oh, sorry. I thought you knew, but Jack used to leave notes at my last apartment and never sign them. I figured he was shy, no reason to think he’d be crazy and confrontational. “

  “Actually, the door guy gave us a note for you while Jack was arguing with them to be let upstairs.”

  “What does it say?”

  “I didn’t even look at it Mrs. P. Foster directed me to bring it up to you, but then all this broke out.” Mark passes the folded piece of paper to me and I practically grab it from his hand.

  I open the note and my skin starts to crawl. Everything feels like it’s spinning slow motion.

  “Miss you…Can’t wait feel you stop breathing, Bitch.” The scribble is familiar. One hundred thoughts go through my head in a single moment. I run to my purse and flip it over, emptying out the contents. I hear Mark asking if I’m okay, but I need to find them…Yes! I grab the previous notes and hold them out to compare. Oh My God…it’s the same. It’s been fucking Carter all this time!! He’s been toying with me, watching and waiting. I leap to my feet and barrel toward the door, only to be met by Mark, essentially a brick wall.

  “Please Mrs. P, Foster was very clear. He doesn’t want you out there.”

  “Mark, you’re a nice guy, but I will only say this once. Open the goddamn door or Foster will be the least of your worries. I will make sure you lose your job.”

  Mark steps aside mumbling something about not his circus, not his monkeys, and I bolt out the door. I don’t see anyone but I hear voices, so I head toward Cole’s office. I spring the door to find Cole sitting and Foster standing at the desk. I stand in the doorway until I realize everyone is looking at me.

  “Mia, are you okay?”

  “Cole, I’m not some delicate flower. Of course I’m okay. But I need to talk to you right now! We can talk later about your ego male alpha fight with Jack. This comes first.” I hold out Carter’s note for him to see.

  “I know. Foster already told me the jerk tried to leave you a note. Can you imagine the nerve of that asshole? Please don’t worry, Mia. I am fairly certain Jack will not be coming back for a visit, and he will never touch what’s mine again. If he ever forgets, I’ll break more than his fucking nose.” He slams his fist down on the desk, showing his rage has only barely subsided.

  “Calm down, you lunatic. Foster, please go get Cole some ice for his hand.”

  I round the desk to comfort my barbarian, inspecting his hands and kissing his bruised, bloody knuckles.

  “You’re a psychopath, you know that? You can’t beat up everyone who upsets me, Cole. It’s called being a grownup.”

  Cole smiles, but his face grows serious and he looks at me with that intense stare that makes my stomach flip over. “I ignored my gut once, one time only. The result was that you were very nearly hurt in the most horrible way. I will never ignore my instincts again. I don’t care if I have to pummel every Jack in the world, I will never let anybody ever hurt you, insult you, or so much as make you uncomfortable, again. You will forever be protected by my money, my power, all the resources at our disposal, and if necessary, my fists.”

  There is so much I want to say to him; responses flooding my heart and mind, but I opt for the most powerful emotion I feel in the moment, gratitude.

  “Thank you, Cole. I love you.”

  I feel badly about Jack getting beat up. I have conflicting thoughts about handling any situation with common violence, and I will never admit out loud that seeing Jack get punched in the face was satisfying… but the truth is a part of me was comforted by Cole wanting to protect me. Besides, Jack is a grown-ass man. He challenged Cole and lost, plain and simple. That’s not my responsibility, is it? I don’t control karma.

  Cole leans down and kisses me, then notices the note I’m still holding in my hand. I shake my head, realizing he still thinks it’s from Jack.

  “No! Cole, this is not what you think, they are all the same…” I open my sweaty palm, to show him the other notes. Cole looks at me, not understanding, shaking his head.

  “I got these notes when I was at the hotel. First I thought they were you, and then Jack said something the last time we spoke that made me think it was him. I hadn’t given it a second thought until I got this one delivered today, clearly not from either of you! Cole, it’s Carter… the notes were all written by him. He’s been watching and waiting all this time, just to get me.” My hands are shaking. I squeeze them shut to make it stop.

  “Fuck! Mia, why didn’t you tell me about these notes before?” Cole picks up the phone starts dialing.

  “I mean, I didn’t really need to fuel your hatred for Jack. I figured the notes were better off staying with my past. I didn’t imagine it was relevant, and forgot I even had them in my purse until today.”

  “Come here,” he holds out his free arm. I lean in to find the comfort I seek, realizing only as I sink into Cole’s side and exhale that I haven’t relaxed in several hours. He kisses the top of my head and then abruptly says, “Richard, he’s here. We need talk. My house in twenty minutes.”

  Cole hangs up without saying goodbye and calls Foster, then walks me over to the couch in the office and sits down with me. I curl onto his lap and he folds his arms around me, making me feel safe and secure. Foster walks in a moment later and hands Cole a bag of frozen peas. Cole tells him to get the security detail together and meet back in fifteen minutes. When the door closes, we sit in silence, which feels welcome and yet eerie, like calm before the storm.

  “Whatever we decide, Amelia, there is no turning back. You know that.”

  “I know.”

  “Then I guess it’s time to plan the end game.”

  Cole is planning his version of the end game, but mine is already in progress. This began as revenge for Carter stealing a piece of me, but now it’s protection for myself and for that which is most dear to me.

  Cole.

  The house is buzzing with both Richard and Cole’s teams, my mother, and Alex, who brought Chris along. I have kept myself in the kitchen, making coffee and trying to focus on anything other than what is happening. It isn’t working.

  “Stop wiping the counters, Mia!”

  “Alex, I need to do something! I’m totally skeeved out that Carter knows where I am and is out there, lurking. So, I’m going to wipe the damn counter a hundred times if I need to. Okay?”

  “Okay.” She holds her hands up in surrender.

  I feel bad for snapping at Alex, but my nerves are shot. Carter is out there, boldly making threats about killing me, and all this hullabaloo in my home is not helping to settle my stress level. Cole walks over and absentmindedly rubs my back while talking to the others in the room. Everyone is debating whether we should leave town—or possibly the country—until Carter is found.

  “Mia needs to feel safe, she needs to be away from all of this craziness,” my mother pleads.

  “I can protect my wife, Grace, we do not need to flee the country for Christ’s sake.” Cole huffs.

  “Nobody is worried about your ego, b
uddy. Reign it in. I think we can all agree on what is best for Mia,” Alex snarks.

  I feel my blood start to boil. I’m so damned tired of everyone treating me like a child. When will they learn I do not need a team of people deciding what is best for me?

  “Stop! Enough! Do not speak about me as if I am not in the room. Not one of you has asked me what I think or how I feel about these plans. You’re all just trying to ‘out’ hero each other. I don’t need a hero. I need Carter Williams caught, so I can get back to my life. It’s been long enough.”

  Cole reaches for me and I swat his hand away. “I’m done running, Cole. I will not cower from this bully. I will keep private security with me but we must also notify the police. They need to be on the lookout as well, because I refuse to hide forever. I have been living my life in fear and confusion ever since this all started, and I will be damned that as soon as I came out of the darkness, I end up right back in trouble again?! No. Unacceptable. From here on I will have a say in my own decisions and plans. That is my final word.” I give a nod of my head, to signify the weight of my speech.

  Cole grabs me and pulls me to him, smiling as he kisses me, and says, “I love bossy Mia.” Then, turning to everyone else, says “Well, it seems that’s the end of that. Going forward, my wife is to be consulted regarding anything to do with her security or plans to change location.”

  My mother crosses her arms across her chest and leans back in her chair, shaking her head. Her dissatisfaction is obvious to everyone and I can tell she is not going to let this go.

  “Just say it, mother. I can tell you want to add your two cents.”

  “Mia, I think you are being too dismissive. You’re not considering the potential repercussions if you choose to stay here.”

  “Mom, I’m not being flippant. I promise, I am taking this seriously. I have weighed the consequences and I am okay with staying…”