Page 106 of Exposed

The police, detectives and forensic teams were here until late last night, probably 2AM, gathering evidence and cleaning up Heath’s blood from his self-inflicted wound. It was disturbing and exhausting, to say the least.

Not to mention, Ian is the one to blame for Jasmine being framed, and he’s still walking free. We need to find a lawyer who will take on our case, and we have to go to the police today to show them the video footage I got that incriminates Ian. It’s nothing definitive, but hopefully it’s enough for the police to arrest him and open an investigation.

Between that ordeal and Heath attacking us in our house, Jasmine is beside herself. Last night, she couldn’t sleep.

Massaging her back and giving her three orgasms finally knocked her out, but I suspect she’s going to be upset when she wakes up this morning.

I’m making coffee for us both when I hear our bedroom door open. Simon is already awake and in the carrier on my chest, and I go to meet Jasmine in the living room.

She’s frozen in the entrance from the hallway into our living room, staring at the front entryway where it all went down with Heath.

“I can’t, I can’t,” she whispers.

“Hey, princess,” I stride over to her and pull her close. Well, as close as I can with Simon on my chest, but we’re used to it.

“I’m sorry,” she looks into my eyes with tears in her own.

“It’s okay. We’re okay,” I squeeze her biceps. “Right here, right now, you’re safe with me.”

I wonder if she’d see a counselor to process what happened. I have a feeling she’s not going to want to stay in this house, but we’ll cross that bridge if the memories keep bothering her.

44

CALL ME “HOME”

MATT

TWO WEEKS LATER

Heath and his wife Nita were both arrested and charged with abduction and attempted murder. They found Cat, and she was physically unharmed. I called to apologize to her, and she said it was all part of the job. I think she’s in shock.

Anna, my lawyer, let me know yesterday that Hollie is willing to testify against her parents now. Hollie is the one who alerted the police to Heath and Nita’s plans. A couple of weeks ago when Hollie found out her parents got visitation rights to Simon, she went to confront them. She used her key to get in their house and overheard Nita’sconversation with one of the men who was holding my mom hostage.

Hollie grabbed Simon from the nanny, fled the house and immediately called the police to report her parents. She drove Simon to the police station so they could get him back to me. She saved him, and I’ll always be grateful to her.

When SWAT got to my mom, she was unharmed, thankfully. She has an appointment scheduled with a counselor in Miami, and my family is the talk of Aveline these days.

We found an attorney who takes on corporate scandals, and he and his firm said we have a strong case against them. After giving our attorney and the police the audio recording of Ian from the day we met him, the police opened an investigation on Ian and his father.

Both Ian and Mr. Crane, along with Kevin, are on house arrest during the investigation. Jasmine believes Kevin is innocent, so at least he can be free at home for the time being.

It’s been overwhelming, and Jasmine still feels uncomfortable in our house. I get it, so we’ve been house searching.

Today, Simon and I have a surprise for Jasmine. While we prepare, she’s in our bedroom reading a romance book Shyla recommended to her.

Shyla, Aerica and Hope added Jasmine to their group texts, and she loves having them as friends.

“Okay, princess. We’re ready,” I call, then hear the bedroom door open.

When she walks out, her brown eyes sparkle in surprise. She doesn’t wear her color contacts anymore. Last week, she went to a hair salon my mom recommended so she can start to get the dark box dye out of her hair. Her hair is several shades lighter, and she said she feels more like herself again.

All around the living room, I’ve got bouquets of sunflowers in vases.

“Matt, this is beautiful,” she exclaims, and I beam with pride. Making her and Simon happy makes my world brighter.

“Simon tried to eat several of the flower petals, but I stopped him,” I say, and she laughs.

I set Simon in his rocker so he can sit and face us, then take a deep breath.

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