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“You know, I’ve been meaning to tell you,” Matt started.
“Yeah?”
“That you probably shouldn’t work in that hospital again,” he said.
Jessica was silent for a moment. “But I love working at the hospital, and you know, I love my job as a nurse,” she said.
“I know. I’m not telling you to stop working. I’m just saying that you shouldn’t work at your previous hospital anymore. Spencer works there, and he is not safe to have around you after what he tried to do last time.”
Jessica wanted to argue about it, saying that the hospital and all her colleagues were people she cared about, but eventually, she thought better of it and decided that Matt was right. Spencer being around her was no longer safe, and she couldn’t string around her bodyguards at a hospital.
“I understand. You’re right,” she admitted. “But I need to go there one last time to get my things and to say goodbye to the friends I made there.”
“Of course. Just let me know when you want to do that, and I’ll arrange everything. Should I prepare a letter of resignation for you?” Matt asked.
“No, I think it’s something I need to do myself, but thanks, though,” she said and reached out to squeeze his hand, then she added, “But do you think Spencer would be back to work, though? He hasn’t been there in a long time. Just disappeared, and no one’s heard from him. I don’t think they will let him work anymore.”
“That’s very likely. He is in some very deep shit. It does not seem that he will be back to work right now, but still, I’d like to have you completely out of harm’s way. Someplace where I will be allowed to provide better security for you. We can’t allow any connections that Spencer might pull to get closer to you,” Matt explained.
“Wait. What do you mean? What did he do?” Jessica asked, puzzled.
“He kind of went off the rail with his gambling. He owes a lot of money to some big figures in the underground, and they want payback —with interest. Now that he has wasted it all, they are pissed. There are two brothers who own a huge enterprise in the illegal drugs business—the Coretti brothers. Everyone knows not to cross their paths. These are dangerous people, Jessica, and Spencer had better not show his face around, or he will be the one to be in harm’s way,” Matt said solemnly. Jessica’s mouth fell open in shock.
Matt continued, “And these people are not going to stop until they get their money back. Not only is Spencer in trouble, but those close to him are as well. He has put everyone around him at risk by being a stupid jackass and messing with the wrong people.”
“What exactly could they do to him?” she asked.
“Wipe him off the face of the earth, to put it lightly.”
“Shit,” she said. It was hard to imagine such things actually happening in real life, but who was she to know everything about the world? This was real, and this was how things worked in this business. It was dangerous territory, and Spencer was smack in the middle of it.
“This is why I want you to be all the more careful. I know you and Spencer have nothing more left now, but I can’t take any chances. They might not know. They might still come after you because of your previous ties to him,” Matt said, a look of genuine concern on his face.
“I know, but that is so unfair. I didn’t even know anything until now,” she said, looking down at her hands.
“Hey. I’m here. I will protect you,” Matt said and squeezed her hand. “Now, finish your burger.”
Jessica’s burger had gone cold, and the remaining hunger had evaporated from her stomach. In its place, all she felt was dread.
36
The following morning, Matt was in a good mood. Last night’s dinner at his childhood favorite burger place had been amazing. Jessica seemed happy to be there and appreciated the joint as much as he did. He didn’t realize how much he had unintentionally hoped for her to like it, and when she had indeed loved it, his heart filled with pride and joy.
The more he got to know her, the deeper he fell in love with her. He loved the little things about her, like how she liked her burger steak, how many spoonful of sugar she took with her morning coffee, what books she liked, and that sort of thing. Jessica was such a charming woman and so beautiful. The fact that she didn’t brag about her beauty and seemed oblivious to the effect she had on the people around her was even more alluring for Matt. He had known she’d be amazing since he had heard about her from Spencer, but to actually get to know her was something else entirely. Her real beauty and personality beat every description he had heard about her a hundred times. She didn’t know how obsessed with her he was. His eyes followed her around wherever she went. When they were in the same room together, Matt felt pulled toward her. He, never for one second, wasn’t aware of where she was or what she was doing. It had become like an extra sense of his, always looking out for her. He would do anything in his power to protect her, as he could never let any harm come to her, and most of all, he was coming to feel so glad that he had married her, regardless of the circumstances the wedding took place.
Last night, he dropped Jessica to his room, where they had an intense make-out session. After which, he came back to his room to take another cold shower.
Damn, staying away from Jessica’s bed is getting harder and harder.
Even though they hadn’t done anything more than make out, it was enough to drive Matt crazy. She had seemed tired last night, so Matt hadn’t taken things further. Matt had told her about their plans for today, and Jessica had been so excited. She told him that she had been texting with Annabeth the night before and that Annabeth told her that she would be visiting their parent’s mansion with her kids. Her husband was away on a business trip, and it was time for the kids got to meet their new aunt. Jessica had said she loved kids, so she was excited to get to meet her new nephews and nieces. Knowing Annabeth, Matt was sure that nothing would make her happier than having found such a wonderful female figure for her kids. As much as Annabeth was cheerful and may come across as childish sometimes, she was fiercely protective of her kids. Matt remembered the time when Annabeth was choosing a nanny and the stress she went through. She only trusted a few people around them, those she knew to be good, and Matt had no doubt that she would let Jessica be one of those people. The fact that Jessica was looking forward to spending time with his family made his heart clench, reminding him that he had picked the right person for himself.
* * *
Jessica lookedat herself in the bathroom mirror. She had a dreamless sleep the night before. She had been asleep within a minute of getting to bed after Matt had left the room. She took a quick shower and got dressed in a lavender blouse and white mid-length skirt, which she had picked out during her shopping trip with Annabeth. She was loving her new outfits. Jessica had always loved having nice clothes. Even when she was struggling to make ends meet all by herself, pretty clothes were one of the things she tried not to give up. It made her happy.
A note on her bedside table read, ‘Breakfast, second-floor terrace.’ It was from Matt because she recognized his handwriting from the last one he had left her.
When did he put it there? He must have come in when I was in the shower.
