Reveal (Love & Beyond #2) (8 page)

“Made up then?” I ask,

“Well, we kind of had to, otherwise you’d hate us, we had a good talk before, it’s all good now.” Adam replies,

“Good, good!  Well excuse me, I need to go and call Darla and Carl, I’ll be right back.” I head out the lounge and make my way up stairs and straight into the pink room. It still makes me smile that he went ahead and done this, even though we’re apart. I walk over to the bedside table and grab my mobile. I have an email, from an email I don’t recognize.

[email protected]
:
Don’t think this is over Danni, we’ve only just begun. I’ll be seeing you.

From

S.H

Wow, ok, that can only be one person right? How dare she try to intimidate and scare me, who does she think she is? I’m knocked out from my thoughts by a dry cough coming from the door way.

“Is everything ok, Danni? Your face has gone red and your eyes look slightly puffy from feeling angry. What is it?” Jared asks, I pass him my mobile.

“Look!”

“S.H? Who is that?” He asks quite puzzled.

“Put two and two together Jared, S.H aka Sabrina Hall, first time she’s contacted, since she shot us. Surly this is a bit reckless seeing as our case is still open? You think we should give this to the police?” He quickly snaps in defense.

“No! We can’t do that, she could come clean about what I done to her and re open that case.”

“So, we should just ignore her threat in that email? Fine, I’ll just email the bitch back, I look forward to seeing her next anyway.”

“No, Danni, just leave it! This will be sorted another way, trust me.”

“What do you mean by that? More secrets?” I snap, starting to get really pissed off with him.

“You know what, yes, more secrets and one I will keep from you for your own safety, whether you like it or not.”

“Oh yea, because that worked out perfectly great last time, seeing as I got shot with you, due to you withholding secrets, but sure, keep the stupid fucking secret and I’ll just wait for the next attack. Who knows, maybe she’ll get the job done properly next time and then I’ll die.” I shout frustrated and without realizing my hand starts to hurt, with me digging my nails into my palms, through clenching my fists.

“That is not fair, Danni. I was going to tell you, how long are you going to hold that against me? I can’t describe how sorry I am, but please just leave this, or at least put it on hold until after New York please? I’m trying everything I can to make this right, but how can I, if you keep grilling me about this.” His frustration is over powering him and looks like it’s turning into anger. He’s running his hands through his hair and about to walk out the door, I shouldn’t push this I know.

“Fine, Jared, I’ll leave it! Shut the door on your way out.” He shakes his head and walks out. I don’t see why he feels he has to protect me. I know he told me to not reply but I can’t help it.

[email protected]
:
Now, I don’t know how you got my email, I don’t even care. I will tell you something, come for me this time and I’ll be waiting. And I’ll tell you what, it won’t be ending with me on the floor this time, it will be you. See yeah soon.

From D.S

Well hopefully that will show, that she don’t scare me the bitch. I best not tell Jared, I replied, he would go mental. A loud thumping comes from the other side of the door. “Jared, if that’s you, can you just leave it please?” As the door creaks open, it’s not Jared, but Adam; he must have heard mine and Jared’s disagreement.

“What’s going on now, peanut? Why are you and him arguing again? What’s happened?”

“It’s nothing, Adam.” I don’t want to have to tell him, he knows about the whole wife thing, but he doesn’t know about the leaving her for dead thing.

“Peanut, don’t lie to me.”  I huff, and turn my head to the side, while running my hand through my hair, reluctant to tell him. “Peanut, come on, what am I missing?” He asks again, damn it.

“Fine, but you can’t go off on one, ok? And you can’t bring it up to anyone. I want you to pinkie promise me and you know I mean business when I bring the pinkie out.” He laughs and holds out his left pinkie finger.

“I promise.” We collide our pinkies and I finally start to tell him.

“Ok, so to put the story short. You know he use to have a wife right, her name was Sabrina, it was a Las Vegas job when he was young and stupid. Well, the part that you don’t know is, back then he was drinking all the time and taking other shit. He caught his brother Nick, in bed with his wife, when he was off his head. So basically, he went crazy and started beating the shit out of him. She starts screaming stop it you’re going to kill him, am pregnant with his kid. So that sent him crazier, he flips out, grabs her and pulls her in the car. He starts going a hundred odd mile hour. He looked away for a slight second and lost control of the car and bam, it roll over in to a tree. She went through the front mirror, he thought she was dead and he left her there and left his people to sort it all out. Now she back with vengeance against me, to hurt him and that’s about it.” I try and roll my eyes away from him and his face is in shock, but also ready to explode, oh great, here it is.

“Oh my god, Danni, you sure do know how to pick them. What the fuck! Who does that? You know that’s wrong right? I’m speechless, what a fucking prick. I forbid you to go near him.”

“Adam, you can’t forbid me, I see who I want to see and it was years ago. We all make mistakes and you can’t talk, you’ve got a reputation, for reasons that you know of, or shall we start sharing your stories?” I say, trying to defend Jared.

“Point taken, but mine was never that extreme, he should have gone down for that.”

“And you should’ve gone down for a few things you’ve done in your time, when you were younger and his sister is just as bad, she knew what he did and she never did anything about it.”

“That’s because she his older sister and we’d do anything to protect our siblings, you should know that.”

“Fine, shall we just stop this nonsense, none of us is going to win, truce?” I suggest,

“Truce!” And we shake on it.

“Now, do you mind, I need to call Darla. Oh and I forgot to say and I did pinkie promise.  His ex wife, was the one who shot me and him.”

“What!” He shouts, “Oh, for fuck sake, peanut. Fucking bitch deserves everything she gets now and why the hell did you not turn her in to the police?”

“Encase she comes clean about what Jared did and plus she nowhere to be found because she registered as dead.”

“So he gets away with, so called murder and you have to watch your back, because she what’s your head on a stick, to hurt him. How is that fair to you?”

“Adam, because it’s not just his ex involved, Dillon is involved too. She’s the one who teamed up with him, so technically it’s both our faults.”

“Do you have any idea how fucked up this sounds? And this wouldn’t have happened if you’d have stayed away from him. I told you he wasn’t good for you.”

“Adam, we can’t help who we love and he’s not a bad guy, you’ve seen how he is with me. Now, you wanted the truth and you got it, but the question is, what are you going to do with the information?”

“I pinkie promised, I won’t do anything and I won’t break that, but, if things start going tits up and it comes back to bite you in the ass, I won’t think for a second to go turn him in and all this information you’ve just told me about Sabrina. I won’t have you getting hurt Danni, not again, and I will do anything to stop it. “

Well, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, because I don’t want to go up against you. But if it comes down to it, I will. I love you Brother, you mean the world to me, but I’m also completely, utterly in love with Jared and I can’t stop, every part of me what’s him, my soul, my heart, everything, and I would do anything to protect him, just as he would for me. Yes, we’re not together anymore, but it doesn’t stop. It eats me up inside every day and I hate it, but you understand right?” His face expression lightings and he presses his lips together as if he’s biting his tongue and going to give into everything he’s just said.

“I understand peanut, I am always here for you no matter what and I’ll always have your back. I’ll back off. But I want a promise of you, if this does go all guns blazing, you’ll come to me for help, I’m happy to take down anyone who threatens my family, even if that means including Jared.” I smile and open my arms to give him a hug.

“I promise big brother, I will.”

“Now, I’ll leave you to make your phone call.” He winks at me and leaves. I have such an amazing brother. Well, I best ring them quickly and see if their game. I dial Darla’s name quickly and with only two ring tones, she answers.

“Yo bitch, what’s up? Is everything ok? I’ve heard, you’ve got a lot of gossips for me.” Boy, she’s always straight in with the gossip.

“I do actually, it’s been horrible. I’m not going to lie, and yes it’s all to do with my mother.” Before I could finish talking, she interrupts.

“Oh my god, Danni! No way! Whatever it is, I bet it wasn’t very pleasant, I hate that deceiving bitch.”

“Oh yeah, I basically found out that my dad, isn’t my real dad, oh and she never wanted me. Anyway, that’s not why am calling. Do you and Carl fancy a trip to New York next week over Christmas? we’ll go in Jared’s jet and stay at one of his places, all expenses paid. He offered last night, after everything was revealed.”

“Geez Danni, do you want Carl?”

“It’s ok, he’d rather me talk to him face to face and plus, I’m guessing he’s in work.”

“Yeah, that’s true and yes he is. Alright, I’ll tell him we’re off on a trip next week. Do you need me to come over? And have a girl’s night.”

“No, it’s ok, enjoy spending time in your new house, you’ve hardly been in their because of me.”

“Ok hun, so before I go, tell me who else is going?”

“Well, there’s going to be, Jared and I, you and Carl, Andi and Alex and the kids, Adam and Julie with her kids and Katie and J.”

“Wow, that’s going to be one eventful week.”

“Tell me about it, I’ve already had to part Jared and Adam, a few times today, bloody exhausting, imagine them under the same roof over Christmas for longer than a few hours? It’s going to end up in a grave yard.” We both let out a laugh at the thought.

“Well, I look forward to it, alright babe, well I’m going to go and ring Carl, I’ll call you back later. Bye babe.”

“Bye sweets.” We hang up and I do all I can think to do and throw myself on the bed, not knowing what to do with myself. Therefore, I lay there and re play everything that has happened to me so far in my life. Sometimes, I wonder how I cope, some people would’ve crumbled by now, how am I still standing? Yes, I have my darling family and friends that are amazing, but yet I still feel as lonely as ever and to top it, I can’t get rid of this constant anger I have built up inside of me, that wants to explode. I know that it’s not the end of Sabrina, in my life and I know they’re some dark times ahead, I feel it deep within me. All I can do is wait, wait for it to come to the surface and take whatever comes flying my way, but at least I can say there is a light at the end of the darkness, the question is, am I strong enough to overcome the darkness? Or, am I already too far gone? I guess time will only tell.

Not all scars show and not all wounds heal. Sometimes you never truly see the pain that someone feels. ~ Anonymous ~

    
Chapter Nine

That was a long journey, eight hours on a jet and the flight was intense, not because of the turbulence but with everyone else, that was uncomfortable. Jared, found out that Adam knew the truth, because Adam thought it be funny to have words with him over me. Therefore, that caused friction between them both and Julie and I. It also put Andi and Alex in his bad books because they knew.  Carl, Darla, Katie and J, even the poor kids didn’t know what to do. It was awful; let’s hope the rest of this trip will be much more relaxing than that journey.

We’re all in Jared limousine, on our way to wherever this place is. Someone, really needs to break this silence.

“Come on, guys! Can we just get over this already, so once we get out this limousine we can actually enjoy ourselves? This atmosphere is ridiculous and aren’t we suppose to start this with a bang, but if this is how the trip is going to be over Christmas, then we may as well turn this limousine around and go back home because I certainly don’t want this atmosphere throughout the whole  holiday. So, get over it and make up alright.” I snap, frustrated with it, it makes me feel suffocated.

“Way to tell it how it is, Danni. What the hell.. Come on guys, it is for Christmas after all and we want the kids to be able to enjoy themselves as well. It’s the twins first Christmas and my kids adore this time of year, so I’m with Danni on this one, let’s all just suck it up and get on with it. There is no point with broken records.” Julie says, well I did not expect that, she’d be the last one to speak on my list.

“It’s not us you have to worry about Danni, as we’re happy to forget everything, your problem is Adam, he’s the one with a stick up his ass.” Andi snaps, Adam sends an intense glare towards Andi and slowly stalks everyone, one by one with it, until he reaches me. I stare back and lower my lips, as if I want to cry and I mouth the words, ‘please Adam.” He rolls his eyes in defeat and says.

“Fine! Just for you peanut, but don’t think I’m going around and giving everyone a.. oh my god, we’re all besties, it’s all good.” Why does he have to be sarcastic?

“Like we’d all want you to anyway.” Jared snarls,

“Excuse me? You want a show down already?”Adam snaps, ready to jump out from his seat to attack Jared. I cup my face with the palm of my hands and look down shaking my head at their out bursts, wanting to give up.

“For fuck sake guys, come on, fuck it off, can’t you see what you’re both doing to baby girl over here.” They stop and both give Carl the death stare for opening his mouth. He holds his hands up and waves them. “Hey, bull dogs, chill! I’m just saying, for baby girl. Look what you’re doing to her, if her head was any lower, she’d be able to smell her own ass.  Pack it in, and I mean that in no disrespect and just to add to it, you’re pissing Julie off to. Have you seen how red her face has gone?” Carl says, lowering his tone and backing off a little. You have to love him, for trying.

“Shut up, Carl.” They both say, in unison.

“Hey, don’t talk to Carl like that; he’s only trying to help me. I won’t have you two tyrannize him, now fuck it off, you’re both hurting my fucking head.” I snap.

“Sorry peanut.”

“Sorry Danni” They both say, putting their heads down in shame. Darla starts to burst out laughing.

“What are you laughing at?” I ask,

“I just think it’s funny how they both will go all guns blazing at each other and everyone else without fear, and yet when it comes to you, they both back down straight away as if they’re scared of you, my girl is a bitch.”

“Well yeah, Peanut is a right ankle biter.”

“Yeah, I agree with Adam, I’ve seen her crazy outburst, not pretty.” Jared says, after that! The whole limousine is filled with everyone’s laughter.

“Oh, how nice, the way to get everyone bounding is over my crazy outbursts, I should feel so blessed.” I cannot help with the sarcastic outburst. I think we’re finally here, as we’re pulling up.

We all scramble out from the car. It’s freezing, but beautiful Where the snow has fallen and stuck, It makes me want to build a snowman. My inner child is jumping up and down in excitement.

I look up at the place we have pulled up at and my god, it’s incredible, it’s beautiful! The way the brickwork is laid out, is impeccable. You can tell it is an old building, but looked after. It’s a tall building that’s spread out. You can tell if you have a top room, you would have a beautiful view. There’s a huge sign at the top saying, Hall luxuries. I love the cathedral windows; it gives the building the perfection look. Even the large opened black gates are arched to perfection. The courtyard is gorgeous, well what I can make of it because the snow is covering most of the pavement and the trees, but they are lights all around. I turn to Jared.

“This place is amazing; I thought we were going to one of your places?”

“This is my place, I don’t have a home here, I just stay in my hotel. Do not worry; everything has been taking care of. Everything in there for you guys is limitless and no charge.”

“Wow! You really do have a lot of business. You’d think been the creator of inet, would be enough, greedy much?” Him and Julie laugh at my bluntness.

“I say the same thing to him all the time, he just doesn’t listen. Maybe hearing it from someone else’s mouth will knock some sense into him.” Julie mocks, following Jared into the hotel. Once I’m inside I’m even more blown away with the interior. It is golden throughout, opulent decor and furnishing, floral centerpiece, floating clouds and angels for the ceiling.

We head straight for the counter, with me nearly tripping over my own feet, spinning around checking the place out.

Upon walking further into the room, there is a harpist playing on a raised platform in one corner, which sent shivers down my spine, as the tune is sweet and innocent. The desk manned by the most, perfect woman I have ever seen, not a hair was out of place and her suit sat perfectly on her slender frame.

As she looked at our party, she smiled sweetly at Jared before giving me a cursory glance and shaking her head slightly. I turn to Jared and ask.

“So, do I get my own room this time? Or is this another trick to get me in your room?” He lets of his beautiful smile.

“No! Although, every inch of me wanted you in my room, I thought I’d save myself from an earache and got you, your own. I learned my lesson from last time.”

“I appreciate that, thank you!”

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m hoping you’ll change your mind and join me. Mine is the manager suite at the top. You all are on the floor below. Christmas eve, the kids are going to come and stay in the manger suite with me, so when they get up, they can see all their presents, and then once they’re in bed, we’re all going to have Christmas eve drinks.”

“Sounds like a plan! Well we’re here till after New Year’s right? Therefore, we have two weeks to explore and have some fun. I’m looking forward to it. Are you going to show us to our rooms then?”  He looks at me, deplorable.

“Are you insane? I have people here who will escort you to your rooms, but for you. I’ll personally take you.” Adam hauls out a laugh,

“Wow dude, you’re such a female, getting lackeys to do your dirty work.” Jared rolls his eyes towards Adam, and before he is able to come back with a comment, Julie butts in.

“He’s right, bro, lame.”

“What can I say; I can afford to get people to do the work for me! You’re all just jealous.”

“You’re a pretentious prick, dude.” Adam snarls, Jared shrugs of that remark and turns to the rest of the crowd.

“These guys here will show you all to your room.” He turns to me and says, “Come on, the porters will bring up our luggage in a while, I’ll escort you to your room.” Jared holds his arm out for me to link, I thread my arm through his and we start to head towards the elevator and scramble in. “Would you like to come and see where I’m staying? Just encase you need me.”

“It’s ok, I’m sure I’ll find it. You did say you’re on the top floor above us.”

“Ok! Fair enough. Here we are room 3010. This floor is where you’ll all be staying. These are the best suite, next to mine in this whole place.” He opens the door for me and I walk in. It’s massive! There is a large luxury four-poster bed with a canopy, gold and white. A glass vanity table with lights in the far corner, to the left of me is the en suite bathroom and on the far right is another door.

“What’s that door for?”

“That takes you to room 3011”

“Who is in that other room? Some freak who can come into my room at any time? Are you crazy?”

“You’re going to have Phillip and Tye outside your room at all time, I’m sure you’ll be fine. Plus, it’s not freaks. Go see! I walk towards the large pine door and walk straight through. It’s a room similar to mine and I see Darla and Carl making out on the bed.

“Oh my god, sorry guys!” Darla lets out a high pitched scream and pushes Carl of her.”

“Our rooms attach? That is amazing. I’m going to have to play the tricks.” I turn to Jared and smile.

“Thank you”

“You’re welcome, I’ll see you later.” Darla and I jump up and down in excitement, then run towards the bed and dive on top of Carl and all lay there talking.”

“This is going to be an amazing two weeks, baby girl! We’ve always wanted to do New York and now we’re here.”

“I know, Carl, it’s going to be great. I have everyone I love around me; this is going to be the best Christmas ever. Yes, I know, I sound like a big kid, but it’s also very true.” They both laugh and Darla spits out.

“Hey, we’re not going to lie. Where right up your street. Inside we’re screaming and jumping like little kids. It’s what makes us three unique. We think and feel the same and we’re awesome.” Carl and I agree. He looks at me, then Darla and says,

“Shall we say it, for old time sake?” Darla and I smile, as we know what he is implying and we nod yes. “After three, girls.” We put our hands out on top of each other and we all say in unison.

“One, two, three! All for one, and one for all.” And we throw our hands up in the air and giggle.

“We’re so lame!” I joke,

“Limited edition, I like to think.” Darla smirks.

“Well, it Christmas eve tomorrow, so I fancy hitting the shops and going to see that massive tree they have. I remember seeing that in home alone two and I have wanted to see it since. Well, we all have. So I think I’ll do that tomorrow, you guys game? Or are you going today? What is it here? Around three? I’m too tired and jet lagged to do anything, so I fancy chilling. I might go the hotel bar.”

“We’ll join you today.” Darla says, I jump up of the bed and head towards the door to my room.

“Ok guys, I’ll catch you both later; I’m going to lie down.” I salute them and leave them be.

                                 *****

The next day, we’re all in the cafe, that’s on the bottom floor, eating breakfast. It is just as beautiful in here as it is everywhere in this place. Everyone is shopping today. They want to hit the shops just to experience what it’s like and see if it is like it is in the movies. It’s pretty fun to be fair. Jared nudges me and I turn to him.

“What’s up?”

“We’re not shopping with them today.”

“You can’t tell me who to shop with.”

“Why do you always think the worse? I was not implying that. I mean, I am taking you out for the day. Come on, do you really think I would bring you to New York and not plan for us to have a date.”

“You’ve got to get me to say yes first.” I wink,

“Don’t play hard to get, you know I always win. I’ve already cleared it all with them.”

“Will you stop making plans without me knowing, you know it drives me insane.”

“Ok, sorry! But I’ve already made the arrangements now, so you cannot back down.” He smirks,

“I hate you!”

“Aww, I love you too, Danni.” Sarcastic shit, I hate that I love him.

“You’re a douche; I need to go shopping though. I can’t come here and not shop.”

“Yes you can, anyway, you’re here for another week, and you’ve got plenty of time to shop. Christmas is magical here, on this day. Trust me when I say, you’d want to experience the whole day.”

“Ok, Fine! It best be worth it, or I’ll simply spank your ass.”

“Oh, that sounds exciting. You know I love it when you speak dirty to me.” He smirks, that makes me burst out laughing and the whole table is glaring at Jared.

“Dude, that’s my little sister, I don’t want to hear that. “ Adam snaps, and the rest of the table is giggling to themselves. I turn back towards Jared and notice his face blooming red.

“Sorry, I thought I said that so only she could hear. Dude, you can’t grill me, what are you doing to my sister? Which I can’t say anything because there is little ones in the room.”

“Valid point, as you were.” He turns back to me and smirks,

“Sorry about that.” Jared whispers,

“It’s ok; it can’t be as bad as Andi, Darla and Alex walking in on us last year.”

“True! Shall we get going?”

“Sure!” We stand up and turn to the rest of them. “Catch you all later, have fun. Jared grabs my hand and pulls me straight towards the entrance and of into the car.