A Passion Rekindled (36 page)

***

Scarlett screamed as Danger made a sharp turn and she flew against the door.

“Put your seat belt on and you won’t be hurt.”

“How? You tied my hands together you ass hole.”

“Ass hole huh? Well this ass hole is about to make a surprise visit to your little friend Jayla’s. She is the one with our daughter right?”

“No. NO!”

Scarlett jumped to the driver’s side and covered his eyes with her tied up hands. He screamed.

“Scarlett what the hell are you doing.”

“Pull over.”

“I can’t see.”

“Then pull over!”

He began to lose control of the car as he tried to throw her off of him. As the car swerved, he shoved her arms from around him and threw her backwards into the backseat. He laughed at her as he turned to face the front.

“Stupid bitch you’re going to pay for that.”

“You don't have to do this.”

“What are you talking about?”

“This! Why are you doing this? Just let me go. James I am finally happy. Your daughter is doing so well. Just let me go please.”

“I love you and I can’t just let you go. I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Just stop talking.”

“Why James?”

“Because you are the only person who actually loved me for me.”

“James.”

“Just shut up. SHUT UP!”

Scarlett felt lost for hope so she did the only thing she could think of. She prayed.

“Lord please help me. Please get me out of this mess.”

“I thought I asked you to stop talking.”

“Please Lord. I need you.”

“What are you praying for?”

“Because James I don't believe you really want to do this.”

“How do you know what I want?”

“James have you ever prayed?”

“Shut up.”

She squinted in pain, but continued talking seeing she hit a nerve. “Asked for forgiveness for your sins. For everything you have done.”

“Shut up.”

“It’s not too late. God can forgive you for everything.”

“What do I need to be forgiven for? Just shut up! SHUT UP!”

He turned and shoved her back into her seat. Scarlett laid back and cried. Danger looked back to her and didn't understand why she just couldn’t accept they belonged together. He loved her he really did. He realized after the first time he was with her. She was extraordinary and all he wanted was to be with her. He knew if they were a family, he could have been everything she and his daughter needed. But at every turn, she fought him. 

He looked back at her lying in the fetal position on the back seat. Blood covering the right side of her shirt her face was tear streaked. He faced the front suddenly realizing that if he did love her he wouldn’t be doing all this to hurt her. He looked to the sky and wondered if she was right.  He had done a lot of bad in his life. Sold drugs, beat someone so severely they ended up in a coma for a month and might have killed people he never stayed around long enough to find out. Could he be forgiven? 

He thought in his mind all the things that he did and silently asked for some kind of forgiveness. 

“James look out!”

He heard a long beep and realized he was going head to head with a car. He swerved to miss the car but ran into a pole. Scarlett screamed as she was thrown from the car. As she was in midair, she felt a sharp stabbing pain in her chest then landed on the concrete. 

Christian paced back and forth. What was taking so long? He walked to the wall and punched it.

“Who do I have to pay to get some results? There has to be someone who can find them.”

He walked over to the officer and was about to ask him for the fourth time what was going on when he heard hey heard yelling and saw Devon walking towards the door.

“Scarlett…Scarlett.”

Chris walked over to him.

“Devon you need to calm down what are you doing here?

“What happened to Scarlett Chris?”

“How did you know what was going on?”

“I got a call from Maggie. She was worried…I had Jones drop me off is Scarlett alright?”

“Devon calm down ok. I need you to go to over to Jayla’s. She has Angel and Maggie and their friends.”

“No what is going on? Maggie said she thought it had something to do with Danger does it? What, what did he do?”

“Danger was here. He shot her and took off with her. They are doing all they can to find her and right now, what I need for you to do is go over to the girls and keep them calm. Can you do that?”

“We can’t lose her Chris she is our world.”

Chris hugged him. “Devon I know that. They are going to do everything they can ok? So can you go over to the girls?”

He wiped his tears from his eyes as he pulled away from Chris.

“Yeah.”

He took one last glance around the house then grabbed the car keys of the hook and walked to the car. As he drove off the tall officer walked over to Chris and Christian.

`“Ok so here is the deal. There was a one-car accident on Broadway involving a male and female. The car is a four door blue ford focus.”

“We got to go.”

“You can ride with me but I need to warn you.”

“Warn me what?”

“I don't know who but they said there was one fatality.”

Christian’s heart sank in his chest as the officer continued.

“They said one person was thrown from the car and then the car caught on fire.”

“We got to get there now.”

They ran out the door and Christian rode with the officer as Chris followed in his car. As they arrived to the scene, Christian looked around at all the bystanders and the firemen working to clear the scene. Christian noticed someone on the gurney in a black bag. His emotions got the best of him as he thought the worse.

“Scarlett! Scarlett! Please God no!”

He ran to the gurney but was held back by the other officers.

“I have to see her tell me it's not her.”

“Sir please we need you to calm down.”

“No let me go.”

“Sir there is nothing more you can do you need to get behind the line.”

“Let me go I have to see her.”

Chris ran behind Christian and tried to calm him.

“Christian!”

“No Chris she’s gone. She’s dead and I couldn’t save her.”

“Christian look over there.”

Christian looked over to where Chris was pointing and saw two paramedic lifting Scarlett’s limp body on a stretcher into the ambulance.

“Scarlett.” Christian made a beeline for her.

“Is she ok? Tell me she’s ok.”

“Who are you?”

“I am her boyfriend.”

“I never thought I would say this but being thrown from the car might have saved her life.”

“She was thrown?”

“We have to get her to the hospital. It doesn’t look good sir.” Christian grabbed the gurney.

“Scarlett you have got to be fine. Please wake up. We need you please.”

“We got to go sir.”

“I'm coming with you.”

Christian stood back as they secured her in the ambulance; he looked at Chris with tears in his eyes.

“I'm going to go with them ok?”

“Yeah. You know she's going to be fine right?”

“What if she's not…they said it doesn't look good.”

“Who cares what they say it only matters what God says.”

“You're right. If we all pray she will come out of this.”

“Yeah we will the whole way there.” 

Chapter 13

Are you ready for a miracle…?

Christian sat at Scarlett’s side. Jay walked into the room.

“Hey…how is she doing?”

“She seems to be getting stronger. They took her off the sedatives that were keeping her sleep but uh he still hasn’t woken up though. They say she's healing fine. But I just don’t understand if she is healing so well why won’t she wake up?”

“It takes time. Hey umm would you mind if I talked to her?”

“No go ahead they say she can hear us. So if we all talk to her maybe she will wake up.” Jay stepped closer to the bed.

“Hey Scar. It’s me Jay. You know when we first met I knew we would be friends. You have become like a sister to me and I need you to wake up.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “They said you guys were on Broadway. That’s down the street to from my house. He was coming after Angel wasn’t he? You protected us didn't you? Scarlett you got to wake up so I can thank you. Hey, we set the wedding date. It won’t be a wedding without you. Everyone is praying for you to get better. We know you will.”

She kissed Scarlett on the cheek and hugged Christian who gave her a small smile.

“How are the girls and Devon?”

“Well they know she was hurt but Angel and Maggie still can’t bring themselves up here. And Devon is holding everyone together.”

Christian took Scarlett’s hand in his. “I can’t believe he did this.”

“Christian how did he find her?”

“Amber.”

“What?”

“Yeah she was the one who told him where she was. And that Angel was with you if she wasn’t home.”

“I can’t believe it.”

“I can…Danger said some things and got me thinking. He was talking about how she didn’t belong in my world and stuff like that and he started to sound like her.”

“Wow so you knew it?”

“He had friends in high places and next thing I know Amber is leaving me messages apologizing.”

Jayla exhaled angrily. “I can’t believe she did that…so what's going to happen to her?”

“I don’t know and I really don’t care.”

“You know Scarlett is going to be fine…right?”

“I want to know that I really do. But how can I believe she is going to be fine. It’s been a week.”

“I can’t believe my ears. I did not raise you to speak like that.” They looked at the door and Helen walked into the room.

“You and I both know Scarlett is going to be fine.”

“I'm just scared. I was there. He raped her and shot her. Then he took her from me. She risked her life to save mines and I couldn’t even protect her. And he didn’t even look sorry. No second thought about Angel or Maggie or Devon. What kind of person does that?”

“Someone who is really messed up in the head.” Helen said reaching for Scarlett’s free hand.

“Mom I was really scared. But Scarlett wouldn’t go without a fight.”

“I am just so glad he didn’t shoot you.”

“I wish he did. Because at least Scarlett would be fine. If they lose her on top losing their mom I don’t know what will happen.”

“You wish what? Jay can I have a moment with Christian?”

“Yeah I am going to call home and see how the kids are. Maybe I can get them up here.” Jay walked out the room and Helen looked over to him.

“Far be it for me to tell you how to live your life…but I don’t know what you and your brother were thinking going in there. That guy is a drug dealer if he shot her and he said he loved her? What would he have done to you?”

Christian got up from his seat and walked over to his mom.

“I don’t want to hear this mom ok. I know you don’t think Scarlett is good enough for me but she is. And I don’t care what you say about it.”

“But I told you not to get involved with her. You and your brother could have been killed.”

“So you would rather us not have gone over there and let that man do God only knows what to her.”

“No…you were so brave…but I was so worried about you when I heard.”

“Mom. When I got there and saw him standing over her. I just wanted to stop him. She had to relive all that he put her through. If Jay hadn’t called the police when she did.”

Christian walked back to his seat and grabbed Scarlett’s hand.

“He was heading towards Jay’s. If Scarlett wouldn’t have prevented him from going after the girls, it could’ve been worse. She was so brave and she shouldn’t have even been there but she was because I didn’t get there on time I told her I would be there at ten. She didn’t deserve any of this.”

“I know where you are going and it’s not your fault.”

Christian smirked bitterly. “11:30 mom that’s when we got to her house. Chris and I arrived at the same time. If I would have gotten there earlier or called to say, I was, running, late then she could have gone with the girls and none of this would have happened. And if she dies it’s my fault.”

“No it’s not.”

“Mom I know she’s not educated or have an Ivy League background but I don’t care. I just want her the way she is.”

“Helen I think you should tell him.”

They looked at the door and Christopher Sr. was standing there.

“Tell me what?”

Helen sighed. “You and your brother are more like your father than you know.”

“What do you mean?”

She took a seat placing her purse on her lap. “When your father met me I was a waitress at this restaurant. He would come by every day with a different flower. Your grandmother wouldn’t hear of it. Christopher was heir to their empire and he wanted to be with me. A small town waitress with no education.”

“What? But I saw your degree.”

“In order to marry your father I had to finish school with honors, grow my hair out, and drop fifty pounds.”

“What?”

“That was what they felt would push me away. But I took their money went to school finished in two and a half years. I lost the weight and grew out my hair. My parents threatened to disown me. I changed so much because of your father. But I loved him. I told him when we married I would never be like his mother was but look at me. Judging you because you love her. And poor Jay she really is perfect for Chris but I tried my best to ruin them.”

“If you went through all that why do it to them?”

“A mother just wants what is best for her children. But what I forgot was I raised you to shoot for the stars and you did.  I just don’t know what would have happened if he would have shot you. I love you you’re my baby.”

Christian moved to her and embraced her tightly. “Mom I know that but all this has proved one thing to me. I’m in love with Scarlett and I don’t want to be without her. And when she gets well, I am going to ask her to marry me. And I hope by you telling me your story you will approve.”

“Are you sure you are ready for that kind of commitment?”

“Yeah I am.”

“I don’t know what happened to my children. After years of begging you to settle down…you finally do. And I have to say. Scarlett may have a sorted past but I have seen how happy she makes you. And the way you are with those kids. I'm sorry I was just so scared at losing you. But you and Chris have found some pretty great girls.”

“And she has a pretty great family.”

“Yeah she does. Those girls are so sweet and Devon is just so smart. But are you ready to be a father?”

“I am ready to be with Scarlett and if that means be a father to Angel and be there for Maggie and Devon well we are already doing that.” Jay walked into the room.

“Devon and Chris are bringing the girls up here. I think if Scarlett hears from them she will come back to us.”

“I thought the girls wouldn’t come up here?”

“I talked to Devon then he talked to them.”

Helen looked at Jay. “Jay you are doing a great job with those kids. I can’t wait till you and Chris have children.”

“The girls are older so it’s a lot easier but Chris and I have talked about starting a family.”

Christian touched Scarlett’s hand and it moved. “Did you guys see that?”

“See what baby?”

“Her hand it moved.”

“I didn’t see it. Maybe it was wishful thinking?”

“I don’t know…maybe.”

An half an hour later Christian stood as he saw Devon, Maggie, and Angel.

“Hey guys.”

They walked in and hugged Helen and Christopher sr. Devon looked at the bed.

“How is she?” 

Christian smiled.

“She is healing well.”

“Mommy.”

Angel walked over to her and shook her a little.

“Why won’t she wake up?”

Christian looked at his mom and then he took Angel’s hand and pulled her to him.

“You see those bandages those are where your mommy was hurt. She is sleeping so she can heal better. Once she is all better she will wake up and be good as new.”

“So she's resting? Kind of like sleeping beauty?”

“Exactly like sleeping beauty.”

“So when she's all better she will wake up?”

“Yes…she wants to be good as new for you.”

“But what if I need to talk to her?”

“You can still talk to her. Why don’t you talk to her now?”

“Ok. Hi, mom we had a lot of fun over Aunt Jay’s she is almost as funny as you are. You sleep all you need mom so you can be good as new…I love you mom.” Angel hugged Scarlett then walked back to Christian.

“You want to come? Aunt Jayla and Uncle Chris are taking us skating?”

“I would love too but I think I should stay here in case your mom needs anything.”

“Ok. You better take good care of her.”

“Angel I will I promise.”

“Christian do you love my mom?”

“Yes I do.”

“Do you love us?”

“Of course I do…how can I not you all are so wonderful.”

“We love you too.”

Angel hugged Christian then looked at Maggie.

“Maggie don’t you want to talk to Mom?”

“I can’t.”

Maggie began to cry.

“If we.”

“Don’t think it Maggie…Scarlett is going to be fine.” Jay hugged Maggie.

“Maybe we should go.”

“Wait I will meet you guys at the car I need to talk to Scarlett…alone if you guys don’t mind.” Devon said frowning.

Christian nodded. “No problem I will walk them to the car.”

Everyone left the room and Devon walked over to Scarlett.

“Scarlett I know you can hear me…so you need to listen up and listen good. I need you. Maggie needs you and so does Angel. You are an awesome sister and an even better mother. Bad things have happened to us you were the one who pulled us together. So you need to come out of this. Christian is a great guy. And he really loves you. I don’t think he has left your side for more than five minutes since you have been in here. I need you to get better. There is so much going on. I am graduating, I have prom and I can’t go through all this without you. So please come back. Lord, I ask you bring my sister back. Please bring her back to us. Amen.”

Devon kissed her cheek and walked out the room. 

***

Scarlett looked around. She was in the same dark place she had been for the past couple of days. She gave up calling for help. She sat in the dark corner and waited. She didn’t know where she was or what was going on. She didn’t even remember how she got there. All she remembered is hearing voices telling her to come back. But she didn’t even know where she was.

“Scarlett?”

Scarlett looked up and saw Danger walking towards her. She jumped up and screamed. Danger held up his hands.

“Scarlett please calm down.”

“What are you doing here? Where am I? Stay away from me.”

“Scarlett wait I’m not here to hurt you. I need to talk to you.”

Scarlett tried to walk away but as she looked around, she realized there was nowhere to go. Danger walked a little closer to her.

“Scarlett I won’t hurt you. I'm trying to help you.”

“Danger go away.”

“Please call me James.

“What?”

“Call me James. I never liked it when you called me Danger. You meant more to me than that.”

Scarlett looked and him and had to admit there was something different about him. He didn't look the same as she remembered. His eyes were soft and kind. His clothes while they usually consisted of saggy jeans and a wife beater he wore a pair of Khaki’s and a red polo shirt.