by S. Donahue
I walk outside. The air really doesn’t help because it’s already starting to get muggy out. It’s the beginning of June and the temperatures have already started soaring. I swear I hear someone calling my name. I look around. I don’t see anyone behind me. I get ready to head back inside when I hear my name again. Wilson, Joella’s rookie partner is walking toward me.
“Brendan, hey.”
“Yeah, what can I do for you?”
“Joella’s in trouble. We were out on a call and she got hurt. She sprained her ankle and went to the hospital. She wanted me to come here to get you. She said you were probably too drunk to drive.”
“Oh My gawd. You drive. Get me there now. I’ll call her and see if she’s okay.”
“She doesn’t have her phone. She left it in her police car. I took her right there.” As I’m getting in the car, Connor comes out looking for me. I scream out to him that I have to go save Joella. Wilson starts the car and we drive toward the hospital. I’m so nervous for her, but everything is spinning. The shots and beer are starting to take effect.
“Wilson, where are we going? The hospital was back that way. We passed it. Why are we getting on the highway? Where is Joella? What’s going on?”
He’s not speaking to me at all. I’m about to kick the door open, but I’m on the highway and drunk. I’ll kill myself. All of a sudden I hear a man’s voice from behind me.
“Don’t speak. Just shut the fuck up!” I turn to look and see who it is and it’s Detective Shea.
“What am I on an episode of Chips?”
“I said don’t speak. He’s pointing a gun at me.”
“Shea come on dude. I’ve known you since you were in diapahs.”
Wilson is still driving. “Where the fuck is my fiancé?”
“Don’t know. We don’t want her. We want you. Well someone does. Well I guess Wilson does want her,” Shea rants on.
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
We pull up to a mansion. It’s huge. I have no idea what’s in this mansion. Shea walks behind me as I get out of the cah. He has the gun to my back.
“Just keep walking you little bitch,” He says pushing me up the walkway.
We enter a dark bedroom. I see Mrs. O’Malley standing there in a black negligee. She looks like she is a seductress. I feel like I’m in a nightmare. I want to laugh because I’m drunk but this shit is scary. To her right is Mason Griffin. On a bed tied up is Jessica. Tears are coming down her face. They have a scarf in her mouth. I’m so confused and the alcohol is impairing my judgment. Does she like this sort of thing or is she in danger? I don’t know what move to make. They tell me to sit on a sofa. I do as I’m told because I’m not protected with a gun right now and Shea has this damn thing in my back. Where in the world is fucking Joella?
Chapter 23
Joella
I’m finally relaxing watching a Lifetime movie. Brendan is out tonight. I don’t expect him until late. Connor let me in on the secret that they are throwing him a surprise bachelor party. Most of my family and friends are back at home so I opted not to have one. Jocelyn and Maddy, her daughter and Mike’s fiancé, wanted to take me out, but I decided to relax a little bit. I haven’t felt well and have been having anxiety attacks because the wedding is three days away. I called my doctor and he said it is probably stress. He advised that I relax until Saturday…easier said than done.
My cell starts vibrating on the sofa. It’s Connor calling. I hope Brendan’s not too drunk already. I’ll probably have to pick him up.
“What’s wrong?” I answer with an attitude. Something is always wrong when he calls.
“El…it’s Brendan. He was really drunk. He went outside to get air. I went to see if he was okay and I saw him leaving. He screamed out that he had to go save you.”
“Where did he go? Who was he with?” I snap.
“He left with your cop partner.”
“Wilson?”
“Yeah.”
“OMG… Something’s not right. Brendan didn’t trust him and I didn’t listen to him.”
“You have to save him.”
“How can I save him, I don’t know where he is?”
“You have to call Watson and tell him.”
“I don’t know anything. What can I tell Watson?”
“Listen, Brendan had Cameron following you and Wilson.”
“What? I told him not to. What the fuck was he thinking? He seriously doesn’t trust me.”
“Joella, he loves you and will do anything for you. I think he’s going to be in trouble. He was really drunk. Call Cam. He may have info. I’ll stay here in case he returns. His truck is in the lot here.”
“I have to go. If Wilson is involved with them, they are killers. I need to call Watson after I call Cam.”
I hang up with Connor. My hands are shaking. My worst fear is coming true that these people get to Brendan and I can’t save him.
I call Cameron first. If he’s tracking Wilson, he may know something. He answers first ring.
“Cam, its Joella. I just got a call from Connor. Brendan left with Wilson thinking something happened to me. He thinks he’s going to save me. Apparently he’s obliviated.”
“Oh Dear God. Joella we can find him if he has his cell phone on him. Don’t call his cell phone. We don’t want them to know we are onto them. Follow my instructions carefully. You have to trust me. Call your boss. We are going to need backup. Brendan installed a tracking app in your cell phones a few weeks ago. I advised it. He said he didn’t trust this Wilson guy.”
“He’s been tracking me?”
“Focus. I know you’re pissed but right now it’s a good thing. Yell at him when we save his drunk ass.”
As much as I love him right now, I could fucking punch him.
“Call Watson and inform him of what’s happening,” Cameron instructed.
I seriously am going to have a nervous breakdown tonight...so much for relaxation. I have to save the fucking man I love and bring him home in one piece to marry me in three days.
Chapter 24
Brendan
I open my eyes to darkness. Where the fuck am I? I must have passed out. I look around. I’m in the same room that those piece of shit dickheads Wilson and Shea brought me into earlier. I focus my eyes and I can still see Jess tied up. Maybe I can free her and we can get out. I was still married to her before and I don’t want to see anything bad happen to her. I try to get up. I’m a little dizzy.
“Don’t think of even trying anything.”
“Shea, why are you holding me here like some kind of prison guard? I need to go see where Joella is. Where are the others?”
Well let’s see Mrs. O’Malley and Mason are probably banging in the west wing. This is their secret lover location. Wilson went to go feed Joella lies to get her into bed.”
I could just punch this fucker’s lights out and leave, but maybe I can get some more information out of him. He’s a fucking tool bag who has no common sense. I know Joella would never betray me and I know she is probably on this right now. I also have to think smart. He is armed and I am not. I don’t want to risk my life and never see my sweetie again. Also, if I try to make a move he may harm Jess. I’m going to start with the questions.
“Why do you have Jess tied up?”
“She likes it. We do this all the time. She’s my sex slave. See what you were married to.” Shea says glaring at Jess’s naked body.
Tears are falling down Jess’s face.
“I doubt that,” I say. I don’t know what to believe at this point. He stands up and points his gun at me.
“Take a seat in that chair.”
“Fuck you…no.”
“Oh yes. You want to see this.” He turns the television screen on.
“This doesn’t mean shit. You could have forced her.”
On the screen Jess is blowing Shea and getting banged by Don, her husband, from behind.
“Check out the date on the bottom of the screen.”
&n
bsp; My heart sinks. I can’t handle this. I knew Jess was cheating, but I don’t want to see it first-hand. The screen flips to Jess kissing a girl and Don watching. It flips again to Jess riding Mr. O’Malley, then Jess having sex with Shea the night that Joella and I went out with Connor and Wendy. Lastly, Jess with Wilson just yesterday. I have seen enough I am going to be sick. I look over at her and she is crying hysterically. I don’t know what to think. I know she cheated on me, but she is leading a double life.
“I am not married to her anymore. What does this have to do with me? She can fuck whoever she wants to.”
“You have no clue do you.
“None.”
“Mrs. O’Malley wants you. She has wanted you since she found out about you years ago. Don is her brother. She made him take Jess from you, so that she could have you. She never made her move because of financial reasons and the fact that she ended up sleeping with Mason. When the casino started going down she started planting in Connors ear for you to buy the casino so she could get close to you but Mason stepped in. She has been sleeping with him for years. He told her he loved her and didn’t want you or anyone in the picture. They plotted to get rid of everyone one by one. She was going to share the money with him. It was too late you had already signed the papers to buy the casino. They needed to get rid of Mr. O’Malley so that Mrs. O’Malley could get the money from the casino. Natalie Chestnut overheard them talking about all of this. Mason was sleeping with her too. Mrs. O’Malley offed her in a fit of rage when she found out. Natalie had tried to blackmail her.”
“Did she kill Mr. O’Malley too?”
“Nope.”
“Who did?”
“I can’t say anymore. You know too much.”
Chapter 25
Joella
I’m on my way out to meet Cam. I open the door and Wilson is standing at the door. I have a wire on. Hopefully he doesn’t find it.
“What’s going on?”
“Joella, I love you. I have for a while. I can’t live without you. I can give you more than that loser you love. You gave me a shot. I thank you for that.”
Is this guy crazy? Does he think I’m going to proclaim my love for him?
“I’m on my way out,” I say informing him.
“To get that asshole.”
“He’s my fiancé.”
“He’s going to die tonight. I’m going to kill him like I did Mr. O’Malley. My mom said if I did it, she would eventually get Brendan and I can have you.”
“What? You killed Mr. O’Malley? You have got to be kidding me. Who is your mother?”
“Mrs. O’Malley,” he smirks.
“You little prick. You have been playing me all along.”
“Well, you’re boyfriend doesn’t want you. He’s saving his ex-wife Jess right now. See….”
He pulls out his Ipad and Facetimes with Shea. It shows Jess tied to the bed and Shea with a gun on Brendan.
I gasp. Wilson kisses me for the camera and shuts the Ipad off. It’s the last thing Brendan sees. I push him away. He puts the Ipad down on the table.
“Get the fuck off of me.” He throws me against the wall. He tries to rip my shirt off. He’s very large and strong. I try to break away but he pins me.
“I want you Joella,” he yells.
“No. You’re mom lied to you. You’ll never have me.” I try to get under his arm. Think. Think hard…
“Brendan?” He turns and looks like a dumb ass. I run free. He turns to me and says,” Bitch, don’t play with me. You’re going down. He shoots and misses me. My gun is in my bag in the car. I just put it there right before this asshole got here.
“This time I’ll hit you bitch.” He shoots his gun and at the same time Watson enters.
“Drop the gun,” Watson commands.
“No.”
“I’m giving you one chance.”
Wilson shoots again. Before he can kill me, Watson shoots him. He falls to the ground in pain. He shot him in the leg. I breathe hard and grab onto the table in the hall.
“Are you okay?” Watson asks.
“Yes. I just think it’s a panic attack. I’ve been having them.” I hand Watson the recorder. Two cops take Wilson out in handcuffs. He’s dripping blood everywhere. The house keeper is going to love this. I have to save Brendan. I tell Watson everything.
“Are you okay to go?”
“Yes.” I tell him about the tracker and where Brendan is.
“Come on let’s go. I have a team together.”
Out we go, hopefully it’s not too late.
Chapter 26
Brendan
My heart is racing and I’m going to go off, but I need to keep my cool. I can’t believe that dickhead kissed my woman. That’s the first time I ever saw another man touch my fiancé and I don’t like it one bit. I’m not going to give them the satisfaction of seeing me break under pressure. Shea and Wilson plotted this charade to make me start thinking crazy shit. If I know Joella, that asshole got knocked out as soon as he touched her. I’m really hoping that Joella has contacted someone to come and save me because I’m going to knock this mother fucker out soon. He doesn’t have me tied up, but he has a gun on me.
“I don’t think I’m sure of the rules around here. Are we allowed to go to the bathroom?”
“You can go attended. There’s a bathroom through that door.” He comes up to me. “Stand up.” He walks me to the bathroom holding the gun to my back.
“What do you want from me? I’m still not sure why I’m here.”
“When Mrs. O’Malley comes back we can discuss with her.”
“Um do you mind? I really don’t feel like pulling my dick out and putting you to shame.”
“You wish. I’ll look up.” He says.
I can elbow him in the face and take his gun. I turn around and piss on him. He looks down and I punch him in the face. He falls backwards. I take the gun from his hand. Dumb fuck.
“Get the fuck in there now.” I instruct. “Sit on the chair. Don’t piss me off any more than you have. I’m a fucking Kirkpatrick and don’t underestimate me.” I tie his arms behind the chair. I pull out my phone to call Joella to tell her that I have Shea and not the others but it’s dead. I go to untie Jess and Mrs. O’Malley comes into the room with Mason.
“I figured you wouldn’t last too long without attacking someone,” she smirks.
“Is there a reason why I’m here and why you have Jess tied up?”
“Everyone here knows I have a crush on you. My sister-in-law was supposed to be a pawn to get you here. Mason isn’t too happy because he knows I want you. Your ex-wife over there still loves you and Don knows it. He has heard conversations of her telling you she loves you. He wanted to kill you but I told him not to. I don’t have any money. Don took it all from me. He’s the boss. He’s in charge of everything. He runs his wife’s life. He pimps her out like a whore and she does what he says so she can hold onto his money. I have you here because I was planning on having your future wife send us money to send you back to her, but I want a piece of you first. Mason and I are planning on running away together but need funds.”
“So Jess is a ploy and a prostitute basically. I can’t believe you Jess.” I turn to her. I gave you everything. How could you have done this to me? You should feel guilty every day of your life.” I point the gun at Mason. “Untie her.” He stares at me. “Now,” I scream. Mason runs over and unties Jess.
“Brendan, I’m so sorry.” She’s crying. I have always loved you. I was manipulated by Don, but I could never tell you about the stuff he had me do. I was ashamed.”
“I would have helped you.”
“You wouldn’t even speak to me.”
“Jess, do you blame me?”
“He has a control over me. I can’t leave him. I have nothing to do with any of these crazy ass people and their bullshit. They are nuts. Yeah, I slept with Shea, but that video was recently. They are trying to make it like I’m involved. They found tapes of me an
d Don and created that video.”
“Shut up, Jess. You’re lying.” Shea yells.
“I am not.”
“I don’t know whose lying but this charade is over.”
“My brother has more money than he knows what to do with and he refuses to give me a penny,” Lisa O’Malley states. “He was pissed that Kieran was giving my family a bad name. He wanted my son to get rid of him because no one would suspect him, plus he despised his step-father. I’m just trying to live my life. Everything is just a mess and blew up in our faces.”
“Mrs. O’Malley is acting too sincere. I don’t trust her at all. She definitely has a gun in her purse. She better kill me because she’s not getting a dime of my money ever.”
Mrs. O’Malley starts coming toward me. She reaches out to grab my hand. “I can leave Mason here and run away with you.” I’m not too much older than you. I know how to make you feel like a man. You mess with all these girls who play games. We can live happily ever after.”
“You do realize I have a gun and I don’t want you at all.” She steps back a few inches and removes her gun from her purse in desperation. All of a sudden Joella, Watson and about twenty cops storm into the room. Mrs. O’Malley gets scared and accidently pulls the trigger. I immediately feel excruciating pain. I’m shot in the leg. I grab onto the chair and fall down on the ground. Joella runs over to me.
“Babe, Noo… are you hit?”
“It feels like it.” She looks at my leg. She says it looks like I have just been grazed by the bullet. She calls for an ambulance. Watson and the rest of the force are taking everyone out in handcuffs.
“Sweetie, I think Don is involved too. I found out things about Jess and they made me watch a video. They are all lunatics.”
“Just worry about your leg. You need to get it checked. I will get to the bottom of this. You will need to tell me everything so I can get this all figured out.”
“Babe, this is a mess. I could have lost you. I don’t know what I would have done. When Connor told me that you left with Wilson, I had a fear come over me. I was afraid I was going to lose you. The ambulance is here. They are on their way up.”
