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Confusion and worry were clear on his face but he just nodded slowly. “Alright. Should I be lookin’ for somethin’ in particular?”
Carefully blotting her tears, she said, “You’ll know. You’ve always been a good man...now’s your chance to remember.”
Bennett took the stage and spoke to his closest friends about protecting his wife when he was gone.
Turning, Nina walked to the side of the house and went upstairs to James’ room. Removing her formal gown, she quickly dressed in soft leggings and a t-shirt.
Nina heard the elevator reach the second floor, the faint sound of Rowan sobbing, and then James entered his room.
Walking to a small speaker, he turned it on and Nina’s eyes went wide as she listened to Bennett try and coax his wife into having sex...knowingit would result in his death.
Closing his eyes, James explained, “H-he told me to listen for the moment of his death.”
“No…”
“He begged me, Nina.” Meeting her eyes, his sparkled with unshed tears. “I-I can’t do it alone but...you can never tell her you were here.”
Sobbing silently, she led him to the chair and straddled his lap. She held him as he shook, as he cried, as they listened to an intimate and heartbreaking conversation they hadno rightto be part of.
“I love you, Bennett. I love you more than I love myself. You’re the best man I’ve ever known and I’ll love you forever.”
“This heart is big enough to love more than one person, Rowan. I’m not afraid. Thank you for loving me and letting me love you as long as I could. My beautiful, fearless Rowan.”
Nina sobbed, “No, Rowan.” Holding James, she whispered, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
Struggling for air, James wiped his face and pressed his lips to Nina’s forehead. Then he gently set her on her feet and walked rapidly from the room.
She listened as Rowan fought, screamed, and ultimately broke down in hysterics that were well-deserved. Nina wanted to scream at the man whodaredto use his devoted wife as the instrument of his death.
After Rowan was taken to her old room and sedated, Nina entered and sat beside her. Her friend continued to cry in her drugged sleep.
She watched through the open door as paramedics arrived and moved Bennett’s body to a gurney.
James comforted a sobbing Mary-Margaret as they wheeled him from the room. Then he gave orders to the cleaning staff, his men, and the representative from the funeral home.
The entire time, he maintained a calm, stoic demeanor.
Before dawn, he moved the monitor from the master bedroom to the table beside the bed where Rowan slept.
Rubbing his hands over his face, he explained to Nina, “I need to be able to hear her if she needs me.” Nina nodded and wrapped her arms around him. He hugged her tightly, almost painfully, and his entire body shook. “Stay with me.”
“I will, James.”
He lifted her and she wrapped her body around him, stroking the back of his head. In his bedroom, he put her on her feet but stayed close to her as he stripped to his boxers.
The moment he was undressed, he picked her up again and carried her to his bed. His grip made it hard to breathe but she didn’t care. His face beside hers, he shook as he cried silent tears of intense grief.
They didn’t talk. He held her as hard as he could and she held him back. Eventually, he slept a little while but when Rowan started mumbling in her sleep, he left the bed and dressed.
“The sedative is wearing off.”
He walked out of the room and Nina quickly dressed in slacks, a lightweight sweater, and flats. Leaning against the wall beside the guest room door, she listened to James comfort a woman who was ready to shatter like glass.
When he returned to the hall and closed the door, he gripped his chest. Nina touched his face. “Breathe, James. Look at me.” He lifted his eyes. “Fight now. Grieve later.”
Inhaling deeply, he nodded. Straightening, he put his shoulders back and she smiled.
Leaning up, she kissed his lips. “Miss Jeffries is best for Rowan right now...gentle, comforting. I’ll be better for her later...when she needs to be slapped around and no one else has the balls to do it.” She patted his chest. “Keep it together, Mr. Statton. Strength, focus, and organization. You can showmethe rest. Not her. Not now.” Stepping back, she added, “I’m going to see if Mary-Margaret needs my help. You can get my help later.”
