Page 25 of Jake

“Thanks.” Tania accepted Connor’s outstretched hand and I suspected after being apart for the past weeks, their destination would be Connor’s bedroom.

I turned my attention back to Natalie and answered her question. “It was bad; I really thought I’d be killed.”

“Tell me what they did to you, Jake, so I understand.”

“Oh, Nat…” My voice faltered.

Everything I’d told myself about being honest and upfront about what I’d suffered suddenly became easier said than done. I took a moment to gather my thoughts.

“The three men who took me from the airport handcuffed me in their basement and left me overnight. The next morning, they took turns beating me with a baton of metal spikes, an electrified baton, whips, fists, and fuck knows what else. Every time I passed out, they brought me back around to make sure I suffered maximum pain. I don’t remember being taken to the Nobilumo airstrip, but apparently, I was pushed from a fast-moving car as Connor’s plane was approaching. That’s what caused some of the broken ribs, arm and leg. The fractured cheekbones and eye socket were caused by fists.”

Natalie swiped at tears. “I’m so sorry, it must have been terrifying. Tania said you had many hours of surgery and four heart attacks?”

“Sixteen and a bit hours and I was told two heart attacks a little after arriving at the hospital and two in surgery. They removed my spleen, left kidney, and repaired the left lung. I have to be smothered in creams, and bandaged, to heal the burns and wounds from the spikes.” I didn’t mention the penile fracture; it was far too personal and embarrassing.

“Tania said you’ll recover fully, though?”

“That’s what I’ve been told, although I’ll have a lot of scars and will need medication for the rest of my life to help my heart and other stuff.”

“It must have been terrifying. I’m glad your family and Don Bonello disposed of the man and his organisation.”

“I would have liked to be there to make the arsehole pay. My beating was terrifying, but when it was happening, I felt sad.”

“Sad?”

“I thought I’d never see you again, which made me sad.”

“Well, you’re here, and I’m here, and I would very much like to see where a relationship takes us, Jake. I like you a lot and I’m sure you feel this attraction we have for each other.”

Natalie leaned forward and, ever so gently, placed a kiss on my lips. When she made a move to pull away, I released my right hand from her grasp and clutched at the back of her head. Holding her in place, I deepened the kiss and our tongues darted back and forth. The want I had for the woman was strong, but was it possible for us to have a relationship? Chances were, I wouldn’t be able to perform as a man and it would break both of our hearts. No, this needed to end now. I pulled away suddenly and Natalie sat back, confusion in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Nat, but I can’t. It might be best if you didn’t take care of me, and we stay as casual friends.”

Hurt clouded her eyes. I could see she didn’t understand, and I couldn’t explain.

Natalie accepted what I’d said even though I’d hope she’d argue. She stood, sadness oozing from every pore of her body. “Bye, Jake. I’m sorry I wasn’t enough for you.”

Before I could say a word, she was gone.

Left alone, I pondered what might have been had circumstances been different. Running fingertips over my lips, I recalled the softness of hers as we kissed. Fuck, I hated life sometimes.

I reached over to the bedside table and helped myself to a couple of painkillers from a box that had been left. I stared at the package in my hand and was tempted to take the entire lot. Sighing and telling myself to stop being a drama queen, I set the box back in place, poured a glass of water, and took the pills.

I lay back against the pillows and closed my eyes. Natalie’s pretty face filled my thoughts as I drifted into sleep.

***

“What the fuck did you say to Natalie, Jake?”

I jolted awake at the sound of Connor shouting. He was glaring down at me, and his fists were jammed on his hips.

“None of your goddamn business.”

“It is my business when my fiancée’s best friend turns up on the doorstep crying her heart out.”

“Is someone with her?”

“Yeah, Tania is with her trying to figure out why she’s crying like she just lost her fucking dog. What the fuck did you say to upset her?”