Page 80 of Learning to Love

"Dani, follow me." I reluctantly do as Benji’s dad tells me to. The closer we walk up to the boat, the heavier my feet become. I hope he doesn't expect me to come aboard without a fight. I can't leave Austin. I won't.

A bigger boat is headed our way but is still some distance away. "Mr. Bianchi, do you know who that is?"

He gives me a wink. "I do. Dani, you may not be surprised to know that we have a drug business. You're now a part of that business. I told my son that if you were the one, you'd need to be on board with all things. I made that mistake with his mother. When she found out, she hid him from me. I don't want him to ever feel like that. Family is everything."

I nod my head. "They are coming here to buy drugs?"

"They are. Have no fear. You'll be perfectly safe. Benji and Jeffery will protect you at all cost."

My throat clenches tight, but I force another nod. How can he be so calm about this? It's almost downright eerie how easily he talks about his business. He may be as insane as his son. The boat approaches and two Hispanic females get off with guns in hand. Behind them is a beautiful Latina woman. Her hair is dark brown and her eyes are the color of mocha. "Hello, Benny."

"Ah. Mrs. Sanchez, I hope your journey was pleasant."

"It was, indeed." A muscled man comes up from behind her and carries a duffel bag. I'm assuming it's filled to the brim with money. Mr. Bianchi signals his goons to get four big crates off his boat. They had to move a compartment from the floorboard to retrieve them.

Mrs. Sanchez samples the cocaine from all four crates. "Benny, this is perfecto! We're going to make a fortune." He smiles and takes the duffel bag, inspecting the money before he gives it to Jeffery.

Out of nowhere, shouts come from behind us, back at the shed. Smoke bombs have exploded, and I can't see two feet in front of my face. I do the only thing that comes to mind, I move to my left and fall into the water. From behind me, I hear gunshots going off all around. I swim like there is no tomorrow hopeful that by some miracle I’ve found my opportunity for escape.

Chapter 53

You Complete Me

Everything Fearless 24/7

Jake and company were seen running out of Fearless house yesterday. Can it be? Is our Dani saved?

I make it to the far side of the marina without being caught. I'm hassling for breath, but I'm alive! A man with fishing gear spots me and runs over to help me up out. I'm fatigued and can barely talk. He bends down while reaching for his cell phone. He calls 911 while rubbing my back and telling me everything will be okay. He's giving me comfort that I haven't felt in days.

I don't know who this angel is, but I will always be eternally grateful. I hear someone yelling my name. It sounds like my Jake, but he can't possibly know where I’m yet. I won't be able to see him until I get to the hospital. They'll want to check and make sure I'm good before letting me finally go home. I don't want to go anywhere else, only home, surrounded by those I love.

"Dani!! Dani! Baby!" I look around, but I see no one else but the man helping me. Maybe I do need to go to the hospital and get checked out. I hear my name again. This time the sound is near. A tiny bit of hope springs forth in me. Could it be? Only when the man starts looking around do I realize I'm not crazy. Jake is close. I know it! My heart starts pounding in my ears. I will only feel safe when I'm in Jake's arms.

I hear the man beside me talk to someone else. "I've called 911. I saw her swimming away from the chaos. She's scared and shaking." I didn't know I was shaking, but he's right, I am. The man moves and I almost protest. I'm cold and scared and want to lean towards the warmth. I feel Jake's penetrating gaze. He's my sun, the one I was trying to lean into. I know it's him, but I don't have enough strength to look up at him. He takes pity on me and drops to his knees. Jake takes my heart-shaped face in his hands and brings it up so that I can meet his beautiful eyes. I've never witnessed a more brilliant sight. I start to cry when I see how swollen his eyes are. They are glassy, and I can't even imagine what he's been through.

He picks me up and hugs me close. I sob into his neck. I thought this day would never come. I tried to ask him how he knew, but I couldn't make out the words. I need his strength and the comfort that he's willingly offering me. Mama and Granny reach me next, followed quickly by Toby, Sasha, and the rest of the gang. How did they find me? Jake puts me down and I fly into their waiting arms. I squeeze them all and I don't know if I'll ever be able to let them go.

A cop makes his way over to where we are. "There you are, Ms. Constantine. We need to have you checked out by a doctor. We also need to interview you." Jake wants to object, but I place my hand on his forearm to calm him down. I nod my head in agreement. I turn to look at him again and my heart speeds up, but not from fear like with Benji. My heart knows to whom it belongs.

Jake rides in the ambulance beside me we're both lost in our thoughts. I can't find the words I need to say anyway, too much has happened. I should probably have left Texas a long time ago. I was too selfish to leave Jake. He would have been better off without me here. When we get alone, I will give him the option I haven't given him before. I want him to think about it before he answers me.

I don't know the outcome of the shootout that I witnessed just a couple of hours ago. I don't know if Benji is dead or alive. I hope the former if I'm allowed to be candid. Maybe Jeffrey made it. However, his prison time will likely be doubled.

I passed my physical at the hospital and my vitals were excellent, considering the hell that I've just endured. Jake visibly relaxed when he found out I wouldn't need a rape kit. Thank God for that. Benji, in all his crazy, at least didn't force himself on me.

Now at the station, I shake the police sergeant's hand. "Please, be seated, Ms. Constantine. Mr. Ryan, you can wait in the lobby."

He sits down in the chair next to mine. "Not happening, Sgt. Marlowe."

I intervene when I see the officer start to protest. "I want him here, please."

Jake grabs my hand, happy with my intervention. Sgt. Marlowe nods. "Ms. Constantine, I can't begin to imagine what you've endured. I won't keep you for long, but I need to explain some things." Before he can continue, Jeffrey walks into the room. He's not wearing handcuffs which is pretty confusing. He smiles at me and sits down across from where we are. I return his smile. He might have caused me great pain, but I'm still glad he's alive.

Jake has one side of the table gripped in a tight grasp. Jake still has so much pent-up aggression towards Jeffrey. That emotion is understandable, but it's not going to help the situation. He needs to chill. I rub his thigh under the table. His grip on the table loosens a fraction, so I know he understands.

Jeffrey speaks first. "Dani, I'm sorry I kidnapped you. I'm sorry for everything I ever did to you. You didn't deserve the pain you've had to suffer. I flipped on Benji. You planted the seed in my mind, and when he let me take all the blame for what we did to you, I was done with him then. He wasn't a good person, and his father was even worse. They can't hurt you anymore."

I'm scared to make any sudden movements. Can I dare hope that my nightmare is over? "Are they dead?"