Rebuild (Love & Beyond #1) (17 page)

“
It’s much more than that actually, but let’s not get into that. I best go mate, I’m up early tomorrow, goodnight.” I rush down stairs and I exit the house. As I leave there front porch, I notice another picture, it’s a picture of me from when I was twenty and it’s outside a hotel, I can’t make out what one it is. I turn it around and it’s a date. ’24.07.06’ what the hell! Who keeps sending these? Only a few people know what this date means. I shout Andrew.

              “Andrew, did you see anyone, put this here?”

              “No sir! Another picture? Someone is playing games, bin it, we’ll try do some digging and see if we find anything.” I agree and decide to go home, as I can’t wait till this night is over with.

The next couple of days were mental. Andrew couldn’t find out anything on who is sending these pictures, which really has me on edge. We interviewed a lot of people, but we got there, I got the actress Layla Bent to be on the first cover. She was pretty easy to get to be honest, a few smooth words here and there and it worked. Danni was not that mad at me thankfully, so we’re alright now, she actually making me a three course meal tonight, I’ve got my guards following her every move, because she getting stalked. She never gets a break that one. I’m hoping tonight, we can have a really good talk about us; I’m not letting her avoid it anymore. To be truthful, its proper bringing me down and I hate this constant feeling when I’m not with her, it drives me insane. She always just there in my head and heart, it’s all good emotions and some even more than good, I do like those ones. I best get myself sorted, I need to wear my lucky boxers tonight and I think I may need them. That’s my cell going off, it’s Phillip and he’s one of the guards I’ve got watching Danni, Wonder what’s up.

“Phillip! What is it? Is everything alright?”

“Yeah sir, you told Danni you got us watching her? Next time, give us a heads up, she is out of control. She’s had us being her personal shoppers, It’s like hell.” I can’t help but laugh, typical Danni.

“Well, is she happy? Is she enjoying herself?”

“Oh, yeah! She is well proud of herself, putting us through hell.”

“Well then, it’s worth it, keep it up and do whatever she asks. Now don’t call unless it’s important, I need to get ready for tonight.” I hang up and start to get myself ready.

Approaching, Danni’s home! I walk slower with each step, as once I’m through that door; it will either be the start of my new life, with an angel, or a disaster that has sunk me to the bottom of the deep cold sea.

As she opens the door, I feel as if my jaw has dropped, she is looking hot. That tight pink dress she is wearing, I want to rip it off her. She invites me in and heads me to the dining area. You can tell she has made an effort; the table looks good, a pink table cover that has a sparkle and a white sparkle runner, a few candles for the centre, some wine glasses and an ice bucket with a bottle in. She walks back out through to the kitchen and I feel hypnotized watching her walk away, as she walks her ass wriggles and her legs are shimmering, which shows of ever curve in them. I lick my lips in hunger, but not for the food. Can we skip dinner?

The next day, I wake up and I couldn’t be any happier right now getting to wake up next to her. I can’t explain last night, but that was the best night I’ve had. We made love; I’ve never called it that, but that was different, I never thought you could be so connected to just one person. To me, sex was just sex! A place to put my dick, but with her, oh my god it was remarkable. It’s like cloud Nine. Since when did I get all sloppy? The effect this woman has on me, but I couldn’t care less! If this is how she affects me, then screw it! I’ll be that guy, because I never want the warmth of my heart to go cold again especially with the feelings I have with this girl to go away.

She’s of out with Darla today, they’re wedding dress shopping, so I offered them the limousine, so they can go in style. So I’m going to head home and just wait, to hear from her later.

A few hours later when I’m back at the house, I literally have done nothing today, my cell goes off and crap it’s the guards.

“
Hello?”

“Sir! I don’t know what’s going on, but we’re getting chased by some people, there knocking into us. I think it’s an attack against one of the ladies, possibly Danni, as well everyone knows what she means to you and they would do anything to use that against you.”

“What! Are you fucking kidding me? We need to find out who they are. Right, listen! You know the drill, take them to the hotel and they will be a car there waiting and get them in their and meet me back at the house ok? Please tell me the girls are ok?” I panic.

“Yes sir, they seem fine, they’re falling here and there, but we have to try and get away.”

“Ok, I’ll call Danni quickly and tell her.” I hang up and ring Danni quickly, to fill her in on it all. After I hang up, I throw my cell in temper, I’m fucking furious. Oh my god, who ever this is, I’m going to kill them. How dare they send an attack on Danni, I’m fuming. Please say they got to the other car safely, please.

I’m pacing back and forth in my lounge, bringing my hands up to my hair and running them through it, trying to wrap this all in my head. Trying to figure out, who it could be, I just can’t think properly. Next minute I hear a big slam, that’s the door. I see Danni, oh thank god she’s save. I run over to her and give her a hug. “Please, tell me your ok? I will get who has done this, I promise.” She just holding me tightly, I offer them a drink. Darla is freaking out, not like you can blame her. Danni is surprisingly calm, but I can tell that’s an up front. She must be thinking the worse right now. I call Andrew into the kitchen to me. “Andrew, get Tye and Reese to track them scum down and tell them to do whatever it takes to find out why? And who the hell they are, you got that? And makes sure they do some serious damage, make them send a message. That’ll teach them not to go for Danni ok?”

“Yes sir, I’m on it.” He leaves straight after. Oh I hope they inflict so much pain on them bastards. I need to calm down, before I go back into the girls. If Danni see’s me rattled, it might freak her out a bit and I don’t want that.

I take the drinks into the girls, Darla is still freaking out! Danni is trying to calm her, but it is not working. Danni shouldn’t be concerned for anyone else but herself. After about ten minutes, my cell goes off, it’s Andrew. So I leave the girls and answer.

“So? Have you got any information out of them?”

“Well sir, they wouldn’t speak at first, but after a few beats and a few broken bones, they did.”

“Did you do some serious damage?”

“Yes sir.”

“Good, go on?” A smirk rises on my face, delighted that they have.

“Well sir, you would be glad to know, this wasn’t anything to do with you, but it had everything to do with Danni sir.”

“What!” I shout.

“Sir, the people where working for someone else, they were taking orders from a Dillon Haze sir and I believe that was Danni ex, from the news?”

“You’re kidding me? Oh I’m going to kill that bastard; I can get in touch with a few people in prison.”

              “Sir, they will be no point in that.”

“Why?” I ask puzzled, but afraid I may already know the answer.

“Well, you’re not going to like this either, so remember to stay calm, but he escaped from prison sir.”

“Oh no, Danni! He’s coming for her. Right, I need to think, get rid of them and warn them to keep their mouth shut, or next time they won’t wake up.”

“Yes sir.” I hang up; what do I do? I need to protect her, what am I going to tell Danni? She is going to have a meltdown. I’ve got an Idea; she could come and stay with me. I have the top security and my guys can watch her every move. That would be are best bet, but she going to put up a fight about that, with it been too soon and all. You know what, screw it! She’ll have to deal with it. I’ll tie her up and kidnap her if I have too. I won’t let nothing happen too her, not again.

I told her, she weren’t happy, but we got through to her in the end. Where all staying at her house tonight, maybe for a couple of nights, till I sort the house out for Danni. You can see her trying to be strong, but deep inside, this is killing her and she scared. Where lying in bed talking and it’s really bad, because she thinks that she don’t deserve to be happy. That absolutely fucks me off, I’m going to make sure that he pays for everything he has done to her and that’s a promise.

         Chapter Fifteen

                  Danni

Well, it’s been over a week now since I’ve heard that he has broken out of prison. He’s not found me yet, but I’m constantly looking over my shoulder. If someone knocks in to me, I freak out thinking it’s him, I can’t wait till it’s all over with. On the bright side, Jared has been amazing to me; well he’s always been amazing, but even better now
.
If he is not with me, he is either texting me or emailing me to make sure I’m ok. If I don’t answer straight away, he panics and starts calling and if I don’t answer, he calls the guards and then shouts at them for me not answering, It’s kind of hectic. I have not been able to see my sister since I moved into Jared’s because of the whole safety thing, as people could use her against me. Same with Darla really, it sucks and it’s kind of depressing. I get to talk to them on the phone, but that’s not the same. I’ve not been able to go to work because I have reporters all over the place and I have to try and stay out of the lime light as much as I can, so he can’t find me. So I’m forever stuck in, unless I’m going out with Jared and we have to disguise ourselves, it’s ridiculous. So I’m stuck in this big house all by myself, well the servants, so he calls them and the guards. It’s just a piss take
.
I know I agreed to stay with him for a while until Dillon gets caught, but I feel suffocated. We also agreed for me to carrying on going to work, but then I couldn’t move through all the reporters, they were forever up in my face and even the police said it would be best to stay low key. So I’ve had to get Stacy my assistant, to do the job for me and report back with the progress, I hate all of this. There goes my mobile again; well at least he waited for thirty minutes this time.

“Hello.” I say irritated.

“Hey, Babe! Is everything ok?”

“Yes, Jared! I’m fine, just like I was thirty minutes ago. I’m just really board, I hate been stuck in all the time.”

“I know, babe! It must be really frustrating, but this is for your own good and you know that. There is a laptop, a computer, there’s the cinema room, there’s a game room and there is lots more for you to do.”

“Being isolated is not my idea of been good for me and all that stuff is no fun without anyone to enjoy it with and that sucks. I want to go out and not in disguise, as just me. I hate this.”

“Danni, I know! But this should all die down soon, alright. We can go out if you like, but we have to be in disguise and you know that. You know you should be more grateful, this is all for your own protection.”

”Excuse me? Don’t you dare say I’m not grateful, you know I am, I can’t help feeling depressed that I can’t do anything, you get to go out all the time and not in disguise and you’re just as much as a target as me.” Yes, I know I sound spoilt, but he has no idea how frustrating this is.

“Danni! Your right, I’m sorry! You are very grateful; I didn’t mean it like that, you know how my words never come out properly and yes I do get out with no disguise, but it’s not like I have a physco coming for me is it? And I can deal with the press, I’ve been dealing with them for years and can get away from them, can’t I? Stop arguing about this ok, this is for your own good, your sister, your friend, even the police themselves said its best alright, so end of and you’re stuck with it.” How rude of him to say that. I hang up on him not before saying.

“You know, you’re a pig sometimes.” How dare he say I’m stuck with it, yeah he’s right, but he doesn’t have to be rude about it, the douche bag, I fold my arms and sulk. He is ringing me back, but I’m ignoring him. I’m not talking to him now, he has pissed me off. You think he would be more understanding, the tool. Oh for fuck sake, there’s the bing to my email.

[email protected]
:
Danni! I do not appreciate you hanging up on me, or ignoring me when I’m calling you back. Look, sorry if I upset you, I didn’t mean too. I’m just trying to make you understand, ok? And I’m not a pig that was hurtful! Everything I have done, it’s been for you, Danni! Please don’t be mad at me, alright, I’ll sulk and I’ll come home sulking.

Love J

[email protected]
:
I’m mad at you, you where getting bossy and you were kind of been a douche. You should be understanding, I know it’s what is best for me, but it does not mean I like it and If am depressed and I need to rant about it, shouldn’t I be able to come to my boyfriend and talk to him? Not you being dismissive about it. But, I am sorry for calling you a pig that was very rude of me! Forgive me?

Love D

I feel guilty now, I didn’t mean to hurt his feelings, he’s so sensitive sometimes, men. Email again.

[email protected]
:
Of course, I forgive you! You’re a hard person to even be mad at and baby, you know I understand and if I could do something to help, I would! But there is nothing I can do and Yes, I was being bossy, but you need that sometimes, you won’t listen and if I think Your been reckless or anything I will. I’m a protective guy Danni, especially to someone I love and I won’t change that, that’s something you will have to deal with so :-P <<<<< yes am pulling a tongue at you, whether it’s immature or not. I will face time you and do it if you want? Anyway, how about I finish up early and come back to you? We can do some online shopping; you can get whatever you want? And will do whatever you want in the house, ok?

Love you babe. Smile ok.

Love J.

I giggle to myself, picturing him pulling his tongue out at me. This is why you just can’t stay mad at him, he’s too damn adorable and he is a gooden.

[email protected]
:
No! Don’t be face timing me! You can show me that tongue later! And yeah, I like the idea of that, you come home early and you can entertain me ok? I would never want to change you Mr. Hall, you’re perfect the way you are. I will deal as you like to keep telling me! Now get back to work, I will see you later.

I love you too.

Love D

Right, what to do in the mean time! I’m going to head to the gym. I shout out to Phillip.

“Philip, are you ready for my training?” Philip is one of the guards who are assigned to watch my every move. I asked him to train me, to be able to defend myself ever since Dillon got out. He was quite resistant at first. He was like, ‘no mam, Jared will kill me for teaching you stuff like that, you might get hurt in the process and it would be my head on a stick.’ I assured him that I wouldn’t tell Jared, it will be between me and him. I don’t like keeping secrets from him; because he doesn’t deserve it, but he will talk me out of not doing it and I can’t have him doing that. I need to be able to defend myself! The other thing is, I’ve been having him teach me firing lesson and he was even more resistant to that! But I got around him.

“Yes, I’m ready mam.” Its mad how months ago, I would be nervous around any man; apart from Jared, but anyone else I couldn’t do it! But now I can. Well Philip, I can trust, because he’s one of Jared top guys, that works for him for years and plus he would kill him otherwise. I never noticed how crazy Jared could be with people he cares for! Anyone else, he’s not bothered. I always thought he was this big old softie, but knowing what he had done to them men who came after me, it’s kind of scary.

Today, we’re going through where the best parts of the body you go for to inflict the most pain and get away, he’s making me write this all down so I can study it as well, I feel as if I’m back in school, they are four that I need to learn and I start writing them down.

Eyes:
Gouging, poking, or scratching the attackers eyes with your fingers or knuckles would be effective, as you can imagine. Besides causing a lot of pain, this should also make your escape easier by at least temporarily interfering with their vision.

Nose:
If the attacker is close in front of you, use the heel of your palm to strike up under their nose, throw the whole weight of your body into the move, to cause the most pain, and force them to loosen their grip on you. If their behind you, you can strike their nose (from the side or front) with your elbow. Either way, aim for the nasal bones.

Neck:
The side of the neck is a bigger target, where both the carotid artery and jugular vein are located. You should possibly temporarily stun your attacker with a knife hand strike, (all fingers held straight and tightly together, with thumb tucked and slightly bent at the knuckle) at the side of the neck. (For even more injury, you could thrust your elbow into your assailant’s throat while pitching the weight of your body forward.

Knee:
The knee is an ideal self-defence target, vulnerable from every angle, and easily kicked without risk without your foot being grabbed. Kick the side of the knee to cause injury or partially incapacitate your attacker. Kicking the front of the knee may cause more injury but is less likely to result in imbalance.

After I’ve wrote everything down, he’s making us act the moves out. It’s not that complicated once you’ve practiced a few times. Phillip goes behind me and wraps his muscular arms around my waste and arms. He towers over me because he’s tall, and has a massive figure, I look like a stick compared to him. What I have to try is to get out of his grip. Right after three! One, two..

“Excuse me? What’s going on here?” Oh no, I know that voice, I look up and it’s Jared. His eyes have deepened like he wants to strike, that’s his angry look. He also looks hurt.

“Babe, this is not what it looks like, I promise.” I say shrugging from Phillips grip.

“Sir, she’s telling the truth.” Phillip squeaks out in fear.

. “Did I ask you to speak? No! I didn’t, get out.”

“Jared!” I exclaim, with his bitterness towards Phillip. He ignores me and keeps his eyes latched onto Phillip. “Jared! What the hell? You did not have to be that way with him, he’s just helping me.”

“Ok, let me get this straight. I come home after a hectic morning at the office, to see a man with his arms wrapped around my women? But yet, you’re mad at me?”

“No! It’s not like that.” He folds his arm and stares straight at me, waiting for an explanation and in a stern voice says.

“Then go on, tell me.”

“Well, if you let me finish what I was saying’ I’ll tell you. Right, as I was saying. I asked Phillip, to teach me some self defence; I’m stuck in all the time and I wanted to be able to learn to defend myself, if I ever needed to.” His face starts to enrage.

“I’m going to kill him.” He squirts out.

“Jared, let me finish. He refused at first because he knew you would disapprove on the matter, but I kept nagging at him until he gave in. I told him that I wouldn’t tell you because he thinks you would fire him.”

“Well, I fucking am.” I’m starting to get pissed at him now, especially saying that. I speak back disapproving.

“No! You’re not, he was helping me out. You know what, you should be glad that he was, every girl should know how to do defend herself alright. It was nothing like cheating or anything like that, so you can’t fire him ok? An how can you actually think I would cheat on you? Do you honestly think so little of me?”

“I didn’t know what to think, I just walked in and seen him with his arms around you and the both of you were smiling and giggling to each other. Come on, if it was the other way around, you would have thought the same, would you not?”

“True!” I say, in defeat.

“Come here.” He says, opening his arms in a gesture so familiar. I walk over to him, a small smile plays on my lips and as I reach him, I wrap my arms around his muscular body feeling contentment only he can give. While I’m lost in thought, I can hear his heart and the deep rumble of his voice as he speaks. “You know, if you wanted to learn self defence, I would have been all up for it, I would have loved to teach you. I could teach you everything I’ve learned. I would have understood you know? I don’t want you thinking that you can’t come to me, or be afraid of me or anything like that alright?” I look up at him and place my hand on the side of his face, he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath and kisses the bottom of my hand, as he’s inhaling my touch. He grabs my hand and pulls me closer to him, so he can press his smooth lips to mine; mmm he tastes better then chocolate.

Once we part from each other, his deep dark eyes are locked to mine and the silence is broken with his words. “Don’t hold secrets ok? We should always be honest with each other, regardless of what it is, whether the other person will like it or not.” I look back at him and nod in agreement.

“Ok then, there is something else I should tell you, but don’t go off on one alright? Self defence wasn’t the only activity I asked Phillip to help me with. I also asked him to teach me how to use a gun.” His eyes widen, he’s furious with me. A drip of sweat drips from my forehead with the raw that comes out of his mouth.

“What! Are you insane?”

“Jared! Please calm down, do not go all fanatical on Phillip. He was doing as I asked, ok? I promise, I won’t use or practice with a fire arm again.” His facial expression is outrageous. I know that look, it means he wants to go and do something crazy, like beat the shit out of someone. He as anger issues this one; you can always tell by the way he just stares into space.

I glance up at him, grab his hand and force him to look at me. I pout my lips and I stand on my tip toes, so I can reach his nose to rub my nose against his. Now, that should work, he loves that touch. I rub again and again, until I see a side smile. “Jared! Please don’t be mad at me, I don’t want to argue.” He rolls his eyes, not been able to resist that touch.