Page 59 of Mind

After a moment I shake my head. “So, the one survived. But now you said the stalker was at the dinner with Gillian?” I ask.

Dana stops telling her story and looks at me. “How did you know her name?” Her eyes narrow.

I played it off with a smile. “Honey, I know who your boss is. Everyone knows who he’s marrying. It’s all over the smut mags,” I grin.

She nods again and pushes her blonde hair behind her ears. “So the stalker was there and attacked her in the men’s bathroom.”

“What!” I yell then try to cover my outburst. If she doesn’t start talking quick I’m going to have to cut her. “That’s crazy!” I act surprised mostly because I am. Who the fuck attacked my woman and pretended to be me! Take credit for all my hard work? Fuck no!

“You see, it was her ex-boyfriend from years ago.” That filthy dick. I warned him to stay away from her. “I think his name is Justin.” Yeah, Justin Durham. I know exactly who he is. Last I heard he’d left town and disappeared when he found out Chase Davis and his goons were looking for him. “So anyway...” she smacks my thigh. I look down at the hand and cringe. She does that to me again and we’re going to have a serious problem. As in she’ll not have that hand any longer.

You need her to get to Gillian. Calm the fuck down.

“...and now he’s undergoing surgery. Apparently, her bodyguard beat him up so bad he bled inside. Isn’t that wild?” She finishes on a huff. “The horrible part is that he did a number on Gillian. He beat her up and tried to rape her.” Her voice softens on that last bit.

Rape her? He tried to rape my woman! He’s a dead man.

I look at Dana’s naked body and think about how I’m going to get out of here and not piss her off. I’ll have to wait it out.

“What happens next? She’s pressing charges right?” I ask knowing there were many times in her past where she didn’t press charges that could have sent that fucker packing long ago.

“Yeah, Chase will make sure she has the best lawyers. He’s definitely going to jail. Chase’s lawyers are ruthless. Never lost a case,” she says proudly. Again, I want to remove that from her face. Every time she talks about Chase like he’s some saint I want to sew her lips shut and make a sick patchwork out of her lips, maybe like a scarecrow. She wouldn’t be so chatty then.

I lean back and think about what I’m going to do to good ol’ Justin. “So you say he’s at the hospital now? Which one?”

“Why?” she turns her head and looks at me confused.

“Curious, is all,” I pull her close and tweak her nipple. A moan slips from her lips. God, this cunt’s easy. “San Francisco General” she says on a breath as I pull at the tightening tip. That’s a good girl. I think I’ll fuck her into submission then go check on Justin. Make sure he never makes it out of the hospital.

No one lays a harsh finger on my girl but me. And rape? Oh, he’s going to pay for that. With his life.

Chapter 18

Gillian

“Keep your eyes closed,” I cover Chase’s eyes with my fingers and awkwardly lead him out of the car, down the dock to his yacht. If it hadn’t been for Dana, I wouldn’t have even known he had a boat. However, boat is the wrong word. It’s definitely a water vessel, but the thing is ten times the size of my old apartment. It’s white and aptly named “Angel” the words scrawled in gold cursive lettering just under the place where Dana is standing. All of our friends arrived at least an hour earlier. I wanted this to be special. He doesn’t even know it’s our combo bachelor/bachelorette party. Slowly, I assist him up the ramp.

Chase laughs and holds my hand tight as I trip over one of the rungs. “Careful,” he smiles, eyes still closed. Even when he can’t see me he’s there, holding out a hand to catch me. I’ll never get over finding my match, the man I’m going to grow old with and how in three days I’m going to be Mrs. Chase Davis. Like he always says, it boggles the mind.

We get to the top of the yacht and I lead him to the railing and set one of his hands on it. “Okay do you know where you are?” I ask, incapable of keeping the excitement out of my voice.

“Well,” he grins and tips his head. “I hear water and can smell the ocean air. I’d say we’re at the bay on a boat.” Smug bastard. Always guessing.

I come close to him and wrap my arms around his suit-clad body; I captured him directly from work not leaving him any time to change. “Yes, and no. Open your eyes.”

He does and all of our friends and his cousins, sans Cooper, yell, “Surprise!” His eyes light up with merriment and something akin to joy. It’s not a look I see cross his features very often, but right now, it’s undeniably precious.

“What is this, Baby?” He slings an arm over my shoulder, bringing me close. “What did you do, gorgeous?” He kisses my temple.

I’m practically bouncing with glee. “It’s our combined bachelor and bachelorette party! Dana and I planned it.” I grin. She comes over and holds out her hand and I high-five her. “Thanks girl!”

“Anything for the big guy and his bride!” She clasps her hands over her heart. It’s amazing how happy she is for Chase, especially when the whole time I was envious of their close relationship. Now I know they are far more like brother and sister, the same way Phil and I are with one another. Besides, she has a boyfriend. Speaking of…

“Hey, where’s your boyfriend?” I ask.

Her entire face falls into a pout. “Had to work. He’ll be arriving when we get to Cancun. Slave to the job, you know how it is,” she glances at Chase and I giggle. Boy, do I ever. Usually Chase is knee deep in his work but lately, since the attack, he’s been sticking close to home. We allowed everyone to go back to their homes but Chase still has people keeping an eye on everyone. Austin hasn’t lost his job, and of course, Chase has Jack with him at all times, though I don’t foresee us ever not needing security. As long as Chase is still bringing in crazy money and his companies stay successful, there’s always going to be a risk. One he refuses to take, especially when it comes to my safety.

“Are you surprised?” I ask, wrapping both arms around Chase’s neck. His hands go to my waist where he grips firmly.

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