TO NO SURPRISE, Joshua’s helicopter had already landed at the entrance of LaVere’s property fifteen minutes before Samuel arrived. He anticipated his brother would arrive there before him to secure Jamal for his own protection. However, Joshua was seated inside the chopper waiting for his arrival. Samuel pulled over long enough for Joshua to jump in. “He’s in the back of the property putting luggage into a sedan. I believe he is attempting to leave.”
“I’m here to help him with that,” Samuel replied.
Getting his meaning Joshua cautioned. “You are now a normal citizen. You can’t kill people without being charged with murder. I, on the other hand, can.”
“She’s not your woman, she’s mine. If anyone is going to take the little worm out it will be me.” Samuel pulled the vehicle in front of the house and proceeded to get out.
Joshua walked around to the driver’s side. “I can’t let you do that Big Brother.”
Samuel angrily turned on him, “Try to stop me and you will go down with him.”
Looking at his brother, Joshua knew he could not take him, never could. But there was no way he was going to see Samuel behind bars. As Samuel turned to walk up the steps to the house Joshua pulled out a stun gun and sent several volts of electricity through his brother. He caught him before he hit the ground and placed him back into the vehicle. He shook his head, “That’s going to hurt in the morning.” Then thought of the beat down Samuel will give him the next time they saw each other. “The worm has to pay.”
Joshua didn’t bother to knock on the door. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a kit. With one of the tools, he unlocked the door and walked in. In an inside pocket, he pulled out a handheld computer and turned it on. The sensor showed heat in a room upstairs and a room in the back of the house. Following the flow plan on the monitor, he followed the heat sensor on the ground level. As he reached LaVere’s office, he looked out the windows and saw the man his brother wanted to kill walking towards a sedan that was parked out back. The man saw him and began running towards the car.
Joshua ran out the front door just as the vehicle was turning onto the road. He jumped onto the hood of the vehicle with his weapon pulled and pointed it center chest through the windshield at Jamal. “I haven’t killed anyone today, my trigger finger is itching. Give me a reason.”
Jamal slammed on the brakes causing Joshua to slide on the ground. Before he could think to pull off, Joshua was at the driver’s window breaking the glass. He snatched the keys from the ignition and demanded Jamal to get out of the car.
He grabbed Jamal and slammed his head onto the top of the hood. “That’s for making me get my suit dirty.” He watched as Jamal’s body slithered to the ground. Picking his half-conscious body from the snowy ground, Joshua saw Brian’s SUV coming down the road. He slammed him against the hood again, then stood over his unconscious body and yelled, “And that’s for the ass-kicking I’m going to get for keeping you alive!.”
Brian stood next to Joshua and asked, “Are you finished?”
Joshua looked at Brian and replied, “I reserve the right to kill him at a later date.” He looked at LaVere’. “I suggest you have him on a plane bound for Emure before Samuel wakes up.”
Brian looked around, “Where is Samuel?” Joshua walked over to the vehicle parked in front of the house and pointed. “What happened to him?”
“I stunned him.”
“You stunned your own brother with electricity?”
“Have you ever tried to stop Samuel when he is angry? Well, I have and it’s not an easy task. It was the only way I could keep him from killing the son of a b…..”
“It may not be a bad idea for you to take the plane ride with Jamal and me. That will guarantee his exchange will be handled by the proper authorities. And keep you safe from Samuel for a week,” LaVere’ stated as he walked towards the house. “After that, I’m afraid you’re on your own.”
“How long is he going to be under?” Brian asked.
“About an hour,” Joshua replied.
Brian looked over his shoulder to LaVere’. “Any way you could have your plane fueled and ready for takeoff in the next thirty minutes?”
* * *
An hour later, Sofia was bored from sitting in Cynthia’s room. She ventured out into the hallway and was surprised to see Sally sitting in the waiting area. Sally was seated on the opposite side of the room flipping through a magazine. “Are you going to act as though you don’t see me Sofia?” She asked without looking up.
“What are you doing here?”
Placing the magazine on the table and standing Sally smiled, “You are as beautiful as you were thirty years ago.”
“I know.”
Yes, I’m sure you do. But to answer your question, I’m here to see about Cynthia. Unlike you, your daughter has found her heart. She loves my Samuel very much and he loves her. I pray you allow them to be happy.”
“If you think for one moment I will allow my daughter to marry any of your many boys, you are mistaken.”
Sally exhaled and smiled. “Sofia when I turned down the part in the production, it wasn’t because of your cruel words about my children. In fact, I should thank you. It was those
words that made me realize how much I loved my husband, my home, and my children. I had several more after that, actually, a total of twelve, for the ballerina that could have taken your mediocre career away from you.”
“You could never take anything away from me. You were never as talented as I am nor as beautiful. I proved that with Jackson, he is still with me.”
Sally was so tempted to wipe the smug look from Sofia’s face by revealing it was her that turned Jackson away. Instead, Sally picked up her purse. “Sofia, you know—beauty is only skin deep, but ugly is to the bone. You think about that one day when you are alone with your beautiful self. I will return to visit with Cynthia once she is awake.” As she walked pass Sofia, Jackson was walking down the hallway.
“Hello, Sally,” he smiled warmly.
Sally looked at Sofia, and then back to the man everyone considered a catch back in the day. “Hello, Jackson. It’s wonderful to see you. Please know Cynthia is in Joe’s and my prayers.”
“Thank you Sally and please say hello to Joe.”
“I’ll do that,” she replied and walked away.
Jackson walked over to Sofia who was fuming. “How dare you speak to that woman in my presence?”
“That was thirty years ago. You and I are now married with two children. Sally and Joe are happily married with twelve. What more proof do you need that nothing is happening between Sally and me? Let it go, your jealously is showing,” he replied and walked back into Cynthia’s room.
* * *
It was close to midnight when Samuel awakened in his own bed. It took a moment before his mind cleared and for him to remember what happened. “Joshua,” he yelled.
“He can’t hear you,” his father replied.
Samuel sprung up. “I’m going to kill him.”
“No you won’t,” his father laughed. “I actually think the whole situation is funny.”
“Where is he?” His father raised an eyebrow at the tone Samuel had taken with him. Recognizing the look he took a breath. “Dad, where is Joshua?” he asked calmly.
“He and Prince Ashro flew that little worm back to Emure so he could face charges.”
Samuel relaxed and was about to lay back on the bed, but stood instead. “Cynthia, I have to get back to the hospital. I can’t drive Dad, can you take me?”
“That’s why I’m here. How long is it going to take for your nervous system to repair itself?”
“At least twenty-four hours,” Samuel replied as he put his shoes on.
“Well, I left your mother at the hospital and I’m sure she has had enough of Sofia Thornton by now.”
“It doesn’t take long to get enough of her. Has Cynthia awakened?”
“Not that I’m aware of.”
Shaking his head, “I have to talk to her. I need to tell her just how much I love and need her.”
Joe smiled at his son. That was the first time he had ever heard him say he needed anyone. “Let’s get you over there.” The two men walked out with a mission in mind.
* * *
Memories were flooding her mind. The problem was she couldn’t distinguish what was real and what was not. There was a deer. No, it wasn’t a deer the tire hit something. The solider was there, the first time. No, he was there the second time. What was his name, Prince Charming, that’s who it was? No, it wasn’t Prince Charming, but it was Prince something. What is wrong with her, “Ashley,” she called out. “Who is he, where is he?
“Cynthia open your eyes,” Sofia ordered with no results.
That wasn’t Ashley, she thought and retreated deeper into her mind. That was not a voice she wanted to hear. Moments later she saw him again, the man with the voice, or was it the Prince. The confusion was getting to her and she began to panic. “Roz, call Brian, call Brian,” she repeated.
Brian stood at the side of her bed as she thrashed back and forth. “Cynthia,” he called out. “I need you to open your eyes and look at me.”
“Where is he, Brian? Why is he taking so long to find me?”
“Where is who Cyn?”
Tears began to run down her cheek, “Find him, Brian, find him.”
Frustrated Brian looked around and saw Samuel walking into the room. Then it dawned on him who she was searching for in her mind. “Cynthia, Samuel is here.”
“Samuel,” she cried out, “Samuel.”
Gathering her gently in his arms, he held her and stroked her head. “I’m here Sleeping Beauty, I’m here.” He felt her body relax in his embrace as she snuggled to get closer to him. “I’m here Cynthia.” He kissed her head, “I’m here.”
“I love you, Samuel.”
He had to blink to keep the emotions intact. “I love you too.” Thinking she was asleep again Samuel attempted to lay her back against the pillow, but her grasp was tight on his shirt and she was not letting go. “That’s right Baby, hold on tight, and don’t you ever let me go.”
Around two in the morning, everyone had left to get some rest, but Samuel remained next to her bed waiting for her to open her eyes. He heard a sound and looked around. His sister Pearl stood in the doorway.
“I hear she’s doing better.”
He held his hand out towards her. She stepped forward and took it. “She’s just sleeping now. Her body’s’ been through a lot in the last forty-eight hours.”
“Ruby said it may take her a minute, but she should be okay.”
“That’s what the doctors are saying,” he smiled at her. “What are you doing here this time of night?”
Pearl shrugged her shoulders. “I wanted to tell you I love you and I want you to be happy. I said a prayer for her earlier tonight for her speedy recovery. I hear we have a wedding to plan.”
“How do you feel about that?” he asked his little sister.
She kissed his cheek, “My feelings are for me to deal with, but thank you for caring so much. But your concern should be with the woman lying in that bed. You are a good brother, Samuel Lassiter. I have to go. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
He stood to walk her downstairs to the lobby, but she stopped him. “Your place is here.” She turned and walked out of the room.
“You should walk her down; hospitals can be a scary place.”
Samuel turned to see the eyes he had been longing to see for hours. “Hey You,” he smiled as he sat next to her on the bed. “Will, I ever get a chance to make love to you again?”
“You will have the rest of your life.”