Two of Hearts

by Alexa Jackson

  - More than me? - Insist.

  My jaw, my fists, my whole body is stiff, waiting for a response that can change everything.

  - Is that what it is? - His voice sounds tense - Who I love more? This is so absurd, you should ...

  - Answer! - Interrupt, full of anger. She just needs to say no.

  No matter at what has happened between them. I am willing to let it go.

  - Master.

  Freeze. It's like I got cold from the inside out.

  What I meant then? cheap sex? Only an attraction? Or a test to know what still feels for me? Love each other, but it's me she wants. What kind of crazy and destructive relationship we had dipped? As in one of those romantic Greek tragedies, where no one ended well.

  I am willing to get it out of her when the bell sounds. Not just a buzzing in my head as initially believed, amid the whirlwind of thoughts that are beyond my control. But the insistent sound reverberates through the house.

  I fight the urge to answer and ignore. I hear the voice of Neil.

  Shit!

  - Did something happen?

  Recepciono one dismayed Neil, standing at my door.

  - I prefer to show there - he walks past me into the living room.

  - Nei, I'm not ... alone.

  - Sorry if I interrupted something - it seems disconcerted now - But it's really important. Adam, I would not be ...

  - All right, Neil. I was just leaving - she says.

  - Neil? - I ask irritably.

  And why should I annoy me the way that they treat now, when she was admitted to my face a few minutes, you love another? At least, it's ridiculous.

  - Yes, Dr. Crighton, some things change, others remain the same. I should not have come here.

  I disarm the idea that she leave so without solved nothing, having only played more sorrow on top of another. Of course I'm angry. Solve everything with Neil and then our conversation would end. Damn, I'm even willing to immerse yourself in this triple relationship, or whatever this shit look, if that is her wish. It's completely insane, and certainly would lead us to destruction, but there is nothing I would not do to have it back. Crawl, if need be.

  - We are not finished yet. We have no secrets for you.

  - I can not - watch helplessly as she hit the bag on the couch and go for both of us - Wait for me at home.

  - So go! - Howling and I turn, exalted.

  Mando to go. My heart wants me to ask you to stay, but pride speaks louder.

  I was the point of playing all my beliefs and convictions of the window by someone who does not care.

  - You do not mind, do you?

  I do not recognize. I do not recognize myself. I'm completely lost.

  - Yeah, I do not care.

  - Actually, things do not change. I was a fool to believe so.

  I turn to say that the only fool I had been. I believed I find anew the same sweet girl I met.

  - Right. Go behind her. I try to Savannah. - Said Neil.

  - You came here to be important - I shake my shoulders as if it meant nothing when, in fact, means everything - she would have been if he wanted. There are more important things waiting for her at home.

  More important than me.

  -What you got there?

  He hands me the envelope. Are pictures of Jenny in Sophia's apartment. screenshots, actually. He wanted us directly to the police, but I explained that we need to study how to present new evidence.

  I went home to Savannah, as promised him. We discussed in these images could help us. Not much, except to make sure that there is a recording of what really happened that day, but without ownership of it, there's not much you can do.

  - Someone called you when I went to the bathroom - Savannah points the phone on the table - hung up when I answered. I think it was Penelope.

  Hell! Suspicious the way it is, must have drawn other conclusions. Check the incoming links. I am about to return when I see the message on the screen; I suppose that's it, but it was Neil.

  Damn it. Which part you should trust me Neil have to understand? Buster had put his life at risk again.

  - I have to go - I forward the message to her and get my suit on a chair - Call the police.

  I run like crazy, asking God that Neil was not crazy enough to go to this meeting alone, or who had called the police before me.

  Almost an hour later, the GPS takes me to a dirty and abandoned shed. At the unbearable silence, occasionally there is only the sound of rats sniffing the garbage. Advance guided by scanty lighting, wondering if there was not stopped in the wrong place. Something like a drum falling and sounds of footsteps dragging make me run to another wing.

  - Neil!

  I run to him, who staggers, one hand supporting the injured shoulder.

  - Proof that you needed.

  His voice is little more than a whisper.

  - It was Konrad, he's in there - Neil delivers the pen drive and faints in my arms.

  The following hours are completely crazy. Neil in the hospital, Konrad arrested and completely alienated. Already dawning when the Müller agent called us to his office and presented evidence that waited for so long: the recording where Jenny and Sophia appear fighting in the apartment. The time she runs away, leaving Sophia still alive and well. Konrad coming through the balcony window. And, to the surprise of the victim himself, the tragic way he killed her.

  - You bastard! - Ahead of Konrad when he appears handcuffed a few hours later.

  I would have killed him if Savannah and other officers had not prevented.

  Savannah keeps me away from him, which is led to the temporary cell.

  - It's over, Adam. That's what matters.

  Over, but not without marks and a trail of dirt caused by him. Konrad had nearly destroyed a family for revenge. To avenge the death of Nathan who loved and who ever cared about him. Sophia, Neil, Jenny, were just a plaything in the macabre game he created.

  - We have to free the Jenny.

  She's right. We have something more important to worry about. Even now, with everyone knowing the truth, Jenny is really innocent, she still caged. It must be issued the permit giving freedom to it.

  - Take care of the paperwork, I'll break the news to her.

  Too bad this happiness was overshadowed by the fact Neil find themselves in the hospital. Even if your state is not serious, as Liam said, it would make Jenny crazy. The most important is that everything was over.

  But at the same time I feel happy, another reality slaughter me. There's no reason to keep Penelope in the city. She will return to Texas, to Benjamin. And unless I do something, this is the definitive end for both of us.

  ****

  All ends well that ends well, except for me.

  While Neil regains health and lost time with his family after the exciting reunion, I try to keep the time in my favor, but it runs like a horse at the race track in search of the podium. I'm the slowest horse, the last of the line, one in which no one would bet a dollar. It is the last turn to the gun cannon explode.

  - Let me see if I got it right - Peter stares at me with a scathing look - You want me to abduct?

  Fidget in his chair uncomfortably. Okay, the way he talks, it seems an absurd idea.

  - I just need to talk to her alone - insist vehemently - It seems we speak another language, and always comes someone or something to mess up.

  - First you ask me to follow after you install security cameras in your home; then, when he saw a big ball of snow stinking of shit, as I said I would, make me lose a great friend and blame me for it in the end. Is months ignoring me and want me to meddle me again? Break into her apartment to take her to a distant country against his will?

  Damn it. It is an absurd idea, seeing under these circumstances. I knew that from the moment she went through my head. But I'm a desperate man.

  - I worked with Richard, did not he?

  He closes his eyes and presses his nose tightly, as if counting to control anger.

  - Th
at's because Paige is a completely crazy woman! And do not forget that it nearly killed him, really!

  - No need to be a distant country - insist with vehemence little this time - could be the cottage Neil in Vermont, or even your cabin. I just need to stick with it alone without interference.

  - In the name of God! - It claims - Why have I listen to crazy you ask?

  - So you agree? - I start smiling.

  - Will you let me out of this, no matter what the results - Peter raises both hands in surrender - I am completely innocent. I'm still afraid of that Paige will with me, that and the bachelor party. From what I recall, his beloved helped with that. Penelope may have the angel face, but the mind is the devil.

  I know, I'm stupid, I'll regret it at some point, but as Richard would say, desperate situations require extreme measures.

  - And when we do it?

  - Give me two or three days, I need to finish on Konrad.

  - I thought you were finished. He confessed everything. It is unfortunate that has given his own life, for me it would rot in jail.

  - Something is wrong in this suicide - he walks around the room - Something does not fit. He realized as Neil got weird when we gave the news? It did not seem even surprised.

  - Do you think he ...

  I can not believe that Neil has had settled Konrad. Of course he hated the man deeply, but then to order someone to execute, does not his style.

  - What will you do if it is involved in some way?

  - What do you think I do?

  Cover up the dirt. Who could condemn Neil to take justice into their own hands? Who could judge Peter to eliminate any evidence that could incriminate him?

  I certainly do not.

  I saw my friends suffering enough because of Nathan's cruelty, Sophia and Konrad. They all deserve the end they had, and even dead, still haunting the lives of innocents.

  - Oh, before I go, I have something that might interest you - it opens the drawer, looking for something and hands me a SD card - It's a conversation between you and Neil. You know that Konrad was tapping at the home of Neil and company. I do not know how he managed it yet, which only makes me even more intrigued. There is nothing interesting there, plus a syrupy talk about children and babies. You fall in love and just want to increase the world's population.

  - You think you're immune?

  - I will 35 soon. I think I'm immune enough.

  I keep the card in my briefcase. I will not argue with him.

  I vaguely remember that conversation. Neil had called me to vent about the frightening news that would be a father again. I had dumped all of my feelings for Penelope on him. It was a long conversation where I had admitted my desire to marry her and have a son. Now, the few times I had with the twins it brought that out in full force.

  At some point, Penelope and I had lost in. It may be that she has learned to love this Benjamin somehow. Maybe he has brought peace she needed. But our relationship, our history is more intense. She may try to circumvent his own heart, but your body, your eyes do not lie. There was truth when he said he loved me. And that's why I will fight. No matter how Max Evans or Benjamins appear.

  I'll take what's mine back.

  My peace. My happiness. The woman I love. If I have to lock it up somewhere that sees and accepts the truth in front of your nose, you love me too, I'll do it without guilt.

  Chapter 37

  Penelope

  THE MOST STUPID WORLD - is what should be tattooed on my forehead. A deep tattoo and it was impossible to remove, or even the New York Ink could put another in its place, thus erasing all the painful marks.

  When Adam started talking about Benjamin, colorful and sleeping butterflies in my stomach made party. But then all my joy and happiness were replaced by disappointment.

  It is not only uninterested in the child, you see him as a rival, in a ridiculous competition for who I love more. I've read an article about this jealous behavior, which some men have in relation to the birth of babies, but since he was absent throughout my pregnancy and birth of Ben, do not know why feel threatened. None of this makes sense.

  Also, my biggest disappointment is with myself. It was so easy to surrender after a few passionate kisses, get mesmerized by her sweet and soft voice, shaking with the possessive and demanding hands through my body, causing uncontrollable shivers on my skin.

  Where was safe, firm and strong woman I had sworn to have transformed me?

  Deep down, I still the same silly love ever. What makes the heart speak louder than reason, which allows feelings to rule your life. But I can no longer continue to be so. The poor thing, fragile, insecure, who runs away to cry in the dark and lonely room.

  Now I have the Benjamin who think, and all people in the world, he is the one that I do not want to disappoint, never.

  It is with this thought in mind, I go out of the room - phone in hand -decidida to tell Adam that for me is enough. He might not even care for the child, you can ignore it, but the promise I made at the farm is still standing. Ben has a lovely family, I know, you will learn to love him as I love. He liked it or not.

  - Hello?

  - Sorry - say the woman across the line - I think I called wrong.

  Certainly because of the haste and nervousness finally talk to him all that I need.

  - Want to talk to Adam? This is his phone, here is Savannah, it is ...

  - It is not necessary. It was a mistake.

  Turn off quickly. Respiro firm to quell the pain squeezing my chest. He had gone behind Savannah. After everything that happened between us in the end he had gone behind her.

  Damn it. If Neil had not appeared, we both would still be together in his bed, but he's with her.

  My reaction may even have been irrational, after all, Savannah is helping him in the case of Jenny, but I also remember all he said about it that day for Neil. I've never been able to forget that conversation.

  Maybe I can to Savannah with me ... after what happened at the party ... I like it.

  I like her. They would be together all this time?

  Anger and jealousy make me shiver.

  Hypocrite, asshole, liar!

  I go to the room stomping. Bite of anger and jealousy.

  - Then? - Julienne question when I sit down beside her.

  - He could not answer - answer, pretending a little if I am far from feeling.

  Restarting the film she had paused, not paying attention to anything. My thoughts are far away.

  ****

  Finish dressing Benjamin, when I decide to communicate my decision to Julienne, since, somehow, this may affect it.

  - I'll take Ben to meet his father's family, Julienne. I'll tell Liam first ask you to help me to prepare his parents and sister. I know that initially it will be mad, but I avoided it too long.

  - I think you're making the right decision - she says - Benjamin is the most important here.

  I know that this decision could put an even greater barrier between Liam and her. But Ben needs to be surrounded by those who love him. The tumultuous days and suffering around the family Durant had passed. Although Jenny was found and arrested, the truth did not take long to emerge. And with all cleared up, my time is running out. Neil soon return to the company, and I have to make my decision: stay in the city or start planning my return to the farm.

  But, every day, my desire to return to Texas weakens more. I love all the people I left there, I would not have survived without them, but I also wanted Ben had more contact with the grandparents, they will be the ones that he will have in life. I do not want to simply present the baby and go as a fugitive.

  My work on the DET is still available if I decide to stay, that's what Neil had assured me. Can I stay in Charlotte apartment as before, I know she would not mind, and Julienne can continue to take care of Ben.

  The plan would go perfect if the world again had not fallen upon us. After several attempts to talk to Liam, when I finally had the necessary courage, I received the news that
took the floor under my feet.

  It was through a tearful Delia on the phone I knew he had been shot. Now is hospitalized, in danger of death.

  Not Liam. The class clown. The the ridiculous jokes, face more loving heart I have ever known. Ben's uncle.

  Having to break the news to Julienne almost killed me. She was in pieces. I could not contain it; He went so informed about what happened. I not even had time to accompany her to the hospital.

  Aline warned that ausentaria me for the rest of the day. She looked strange and asked many questions, most of whom do not know the answer. In the end, I concluded that it was just curiosity, after all, the news has begun to spread in all media. I said goodbye to her with half words and hung up.

  I not left me nothing to do but wait and pray.

  ****

  I prayed fervently when I heard the sound of the door slamming.

  - Julienne, as Liam is?

  - The surgery just a few hours, but his condition is still delicate - she sobs, throwing herself into my arms - He can not die, Penelope. I'll never forgive myself if he dies without knowing how much I love him.

  I try to comfort her, but it is difficult to hold the pain. We cried together on the ground. Liam is like a brother to me, and I love him very well.

  - He'll be fine and will be happy when you meet Ben.

  - I need it to be well - his despair cuts my heart - It hurts so much.

  I know the pain she feels, the fear of losing a great love. Therefore, all disagreements in life lose their significance.

  I take care of her, as so often been injured and she was taking care of me. I help her with the bath, I force her to eat and to oblige to sleep. I guarantee that will warn if any news appears. I promise that the next day we will see it.

  I think of Adam. He must be devastated. I always admired the friendship and affection between the brothers. I turn to him, however, five attempts I made fell in the message box. I wanted to hug him. I wanted to be at his side and said that would be fine, as I did with Julienne. Not being able to do it frustrates me even more.

  The next day tense agreement, the sound of the bell ringing. I spent almost all night between my room with Ben and Julienne room.