Chapter 65 - what you know is true

I could not believe my eye's, all my family and the guys from the band were there to welcome me home, the only thing was this was no longer my home, it felt anything but, and although we both could put on smiley faces for everyone today, tonight it was gonna get spooky and we would both no doubt be off and book into a hotel, the images of the break in with Brad, well it had more than unnerved me, the trauma of it had been stamped into my brain.

I looked down at my daughter who was clung to my chest, and Jessie who was slapping my on the back and lil man Jakey wrapped around my legs, My mom then moved around the side of me and took my bag from my hands and out to the study.
"we have really missed you dad, so glad your home, " I smiled down at the figures before me, Richie could always be relied on to get me to say a speech, "C'mon Jon, what ya gotta say to these guy's?"
I walked over to the set that the band had set up, clearly they intended to sing, hopefully with Richie as lead and guitarist, I walked over to the mic and stood looking out at all my family and close friends that had gathered, and then to the women who had been with me through every nightmare in the last year, my Mara, suddenly everything I wanted to say came to mind and I began.

"I guess you all know the trauma that both Mara and me have been through, the stalking, fire, stabbing, break-in and shooting, we have seen more action than Arnie in his acting career," there were ripples of laughter, "but, what astounds me is, Mara has never given up on me, because she is the most incredible women I have ever met in my life.

I paused and beckoned for Mara to join me on stage, gracefully she walked towards the stage and climbed the steps to stand at my side, as I whispered in her ear, "Marry me in a month?" I looked into her eye's as she smiled and whispered right back "yes". With my heart beating wildly in my chest, I went back to addressing our close friends and family,

"So, to make it official we want you all to join us and celebrate our marriage one month from today."
we were met with whistles and cheers by everyone as I took the opportunity to steal a kiss from her beautiful lips.

as we both walked back onto the floor my mom flew to our sides, "Oh, babies that is really wonderful news...now there's so much to organise,"
Mara gave me a look as if to say, tell her, this is our day, we want to organise it!
"Ma, take it easy ok, when we have decided on where we want it, we will let you know ok?" she looked at me hurt. Quickly I responded, putting my hand gently on her shoulder. "Ma, don't take on so, it's our day, and we want you to relax and enjoy it, not be rushing round organising everything, that's what wedding planners are for?"
she nodded her head at us, but I could see she was fighting back the tears, Mara spoke to her, "Ma, what I need help with is finding my wedding dress?, my mom's idea's are so Victorian I'll need another women's interaction to help me, and there's no one I'd rather have helping me than you, will you join me?"
"Oh course Mara, I'd love to, and of course there are the bridesmaid dresses.." I looked at Mara and she looked at me and we both laughed, my ma looked at us with a puzzled expression, "what? what's so funny?"
still laughing, I replied "nothing ma, nothing" Richie came over next,
" so c'mon then ask away?"
"Ask away for what?"
"what you wanna ask me?"
"there's nothing I wanna ask you Rich?"
"Yeah sure there is... c'mon, I aint got all day man."
he stood at the side of us grinning like the cat that got the cream... Mara lent in and whispered, he want's you to ask him to be best man.
The light bulb switched on and thanks to Mara I realised what he was going on about. Thing was I wanted Jessie to be my best man. this was gonna be hard.
Richie still stood waiting,
" Well...."
"Aw man, you want me to ask you to be best man right?"
his face dropped, "What you don't want me?"
"Aww course we want you bud, but..."
"You want someone else more, I get it, it's ok..." he looked sad and dejected. "Rich, look that's not it at all, but I wanted to ask Jessie first?"
He perked up, "man I'm such and idiot, course you do... I'm sorry, I can be a real dumbass sometimes, It's cool, and let Jessie know I'm here to help him if he needs it..." slapping me on the back he walked off to join the rest of the guy's that were hovering around the food waiting for it to be announced the food bar was open. David and Tico had positioned themselves by the plates and it was obvious no one was getting past them first.

Chapter 64 - Every Peice of my heart

I stayed in the hospital for another 4 weeks, eventually my lung inflated and stayed that way, and after what felt like a zillion tests, the Doc gave me my discharge papers, it was official, I was strong enough to return home, leaving the hospital with Mara and my mom, I felt like a cat that had nine lives, honest to god I could not believe how lucky I had been, yeah ok, it had been bad luck so far, but lucky in that I had survived all the trauma, yes sir I was more than happy to head home, with Mara on my arm on the right and my ma on the left, and me in a wheel chair, and each of them pushing with a handle each; we headed down on the elevator to the basement parking lot. 

As the doors opened, the parking lot was dark and dimly lit, and my heart started to race, it took my breath away, Ma and Mara stopped pushing and looked at me, "You ok Baby?" Mara knelt down beside me, with her hand of my knee and love and concern wrote across her beautiful face,  I managed a smile as I answered, "Yeah, just haunted by old ghosts..."  She smiled back at me, and stroking my hand she nodded her head in agreement, six weeks ago this was where it all started with Dot, and it was proving difficult for us to let go and just carry on. The fear was there.

My ma, was now in control of my chair and pushed me forward and headed straight for her car, she had parked to the west and towards an outlet where the sun was shining through, and rested on her car. When we got there I stood, Mara and mom pushed the chair over to the collection bays and we all got inside the car. Yes, we all checked no one was hiding there, mainly for my fear if im honest, but I guess for all of us too. Smiling across to me, my mom started the engine and we took a less than exciting and uneventful journey back home.

As we swung the car down my drive the fear I had returned, this time I held it in check, when my ma pulled the car to a stop, we all got out. looking at the house from the outside, you never would have known the heartache and pain that both Mara and me had been subject too just three months ago, I had no idea what to expect when we entered inside.
With my feet shuffling across the gravel and taking really slow steps, tow arms finally gripped me from either side and escorted me faster to the entrance. Mara placed the key into the lock and turned it and pushed the door open, inside, there were screams and shouting " Surprise" and stood in the middle was Richie and my Kids, moving forward Richie spoke "Welcome home buddy" then Steph cuddled into my chest, and said, "Welcome home daddy.." as the boys came over and said the same. when I looked up there were all my friends and family,

Chapter 63 - The Truth and the wole truth!!!

After my father's outburst, I saw the faces of Jessie and Jake. Jessie was shocked but lil Jake, he stood his eye's filled with water, his voice shaky as he asked, "M-m-m-Mara shot mom?" as his sentence was said the tears started to fall. It mattered not how me or Mara, or my parents felt about Dot, at the end of the day she was their mother, and of course it would hurt them to know Mara shot her, and now; thanks to my assole of a father, I had to tell the truth like it or not.

 I looked at my father who was stood still at the back of the room by the window, a smug look on his weathered face.

Jessie soothed Jake and took him out to the vending machine to buy him some candy, he gave me that look that was filled with disgust and pity! I had to accept that it was in the open and face what wrath my kids bestowed on me, I deserved it. I was racked with guilt, but in this minute, my feelings aside; I seized the opportunity to speak to my pitiful excuse of a father.

" why did you do that?, do you hate your grand kids that much, you want them to be hurt even more?, what kind of sadist are you?, ya know, just when I think you cant get any lower you go and surprise me more. Mara and I wanted to tell the  kids in our own time, what in the fucks name possessed you? and how the fuck did you know anyway?"

"oh let up Jon, you soft soap things way to much for them, your just like your mother. Doing what is ever best for the kids," he used his finger in the air to make imaginary quotation marks, then carried on.
"Why can't you just be honest?, huh?, they needed to know, they asked you three times?, are you a fucking man or mouse."

My temper was rising and I was struggling to hold it back, but the Dr said I had to rest my voice, it took every ounce of strength I possessed not to let rip and punch the muther fucker in the mouth, but I held it together.

"The kids would have known in good time, it was for Mara and me to tell them not you. as for being man or a mouse, I am more of a man than you will ever be, not because I am soft and make things easy for my kids, but because I have compassion and caring in my soul. You don't have a heart, in place of yours is sarcasm and an evil I would not even want or try to understand. You maybe my father by birth, but not by choice." I ended the conversation by adding, "Thanks for calling in, but your visit is over, now leave and don't come back."

"Strong words son, but when you think about it, you know I am right, I have made you what you are..."
"Just shut the fuck up and go, this is over"
"Hear me out, ok?"
my temper erupted, "I said, GET THE FUCK OUT!"
three nurses came into the room after hearing my outburst.

my father reached the door and just raised a salute with his hand as he left, still with a smug look on his face.
I laid back my head on the pillow and my heart beating so fast I thought it would burst from my chest. The nurses tending to me, and making sure I was ok. with a real sore raspy voice I apologised. They smiled at me to let me know they were fine and understood. As the nurses left, Jessie and Jake came back into the room, then Mara.

Jessie looked at Mara, and there was a coldness in his eye's never seen before. "Jessie, Son, I will explain then maybe you will understand, but I want to tell you all together, ok, please don't judge until you have all the facts, that's all I ask."
He turned his look away from Mara and looked at me, and simply nodded his understanding. Jake just sobbed and Jessie held him close while we waited.

Mara figured what was going on, and asked, "how?, your pop?"
I nodded, "Yep, as always."
Mara looked at the kids who stood watching her, even though I asked them not to judge, they were and in a way it was understandable.

When my mom and Steph returned they were smiling and happy as they came into my room, but stopped as they saw the faces of Jessie and Mara, and because of the silence.

"Jon, what's going on?"
"Its dad, he ..." I struggled to say the words, my mom helped me out. "He didn't, well the god damn son of a bitch... so Jessie and Jakey know?"
"they know the basics not the full facts..."
Steph spoke, "Ma-ma what's daddy talking about?, is mom dead?"
I called Steph over, "Baby girl come sit with me please, Jessie and Jake you too."
they walked over, Steph with a puzzled look on her face, and coldness from Jessie and Jake.
"kids, there really is no easy way of telling you what you need to know, but I ask that you listen completely, don't judge until the end, then you can ask questions one by one ok?"
"What are you saying daddy?" Stephs blue eye's held contact with mine, taking her hand I began to explain everything to them. Good as there word they sat in silence listening and taking in the facts as to how Mara shot their mom. When I was finished, Jessie, Jake and Steph all looked at one another, and then to me and lastly Mara, who was by the door head down crying softly. Steph made the first move. she got up from the bed and went over to Mara, as Mara looked at her, Steph pulled her in for a hug, Jessie and Jake followed.

Steph spoke, "Thank you for telling us the truth, Mara, if my mom dies, it was caused through her own fault, not yours, you are dad were held hostage by her, and well, if you had not fired the gun, my dad would be dead, so Thank you for saving his life, and we all still love you," she turned to the boys, "Don't we guy's" Jessie and Jake grabbed Mara tighter and agreed with Steph. my mom came and sat on my bed, and took my hand, she had not heard the facts before I explained and she was tearful for what we had suffered. I asked her, "Mom how did dad know?" "Byron, he called to talk to me, but your pop was visiting collecting some stuff he wanted and he asked him direct why he was acting for you and it must be serious if he's involved, because it was your pop, Byron explained, I'm sorry If I had got to the phone sooner it would never have happened."
Like me, my mom was blaming herself, but the catalogue of events, were as they were and everything has to run its course.

Chapter 62 - Shot Thru The Heart.... And your to Blame.....

Steph had completely stunned me with her question, Mara answered before I could,

"Sweetheart your mom got shot, but the cops called an ambulance and she was taken to hospital, I'm sorry.."

"is she alive then?" Stephs question was more of a statement.

I looked at Mara, who was looking more and more uncomfortable with Steph's direct question. this time I answered.

"Baby girl, I wish we knew more, but we don't, we can find out though ok??"

Steph looked out of the windows, she was silent for a few minutes, when she spoke again, she let her feelings pour out...

"Pop, I don't care if she's alive, you misunderstood, after all the times she mistreated us kids, and the way she has tortured you and Mara, I hope she is dead,"
"you don't mean that?"
"I do dad, really I do..., what kind of mother takes the father of her children hostage and threatens to kill him, and tells the child the next time you will see your dad is in the morgue? "

I did not have an answer to that one,

with tears choking in her throat she continued, " she does not deserve to live..."

I called Steph over, she needed my arms around her, hell; I needed to feel my arms around her.

she walked over and sat on the bed and sobbing she rested her head on my chest, just as Jake had earlier. 
I held her and stroked her head and back, trying to soothe the hurt away that had been poured on her young shoulders.
What had the kids done to deserve any of this.... there was only one answer, nothing..... Mara stood by Jessie looking at us; tears were in her eye's as she could see the hurt and pain Steph had and still was going through.
My ma and pa stood behind, listening and watching, the sandwich I had been eating dropped to the floor as silence filled the room.

Mara broke it by asking, "Steph, would you like me to find out how your mom is?"
Lifting her head from my chest, she looked at Mara and nodded her head. "Tell her, .... tell her...... I-I.I-I love her...." then her head went back to my chest as she continued to weep. Mara nodded her head, and left the room.

Jessie and Jake who had stood watching their sister, pour her heart out, now walked over and sat perched on the end of the bed trying to soothe their sister too.

In many ways it was cruel for Steph to be the eldest and regarded as the head of the kids, yeah I'm old fashioned but it should be a guy thing, and Jessie should have been our first born..... but nature has a way of telling you how its gonna be, and you just deal with what your given... but still it was cruel.... in this instance anyways.

My ma who had stood at the back now moved forward too. she spoke to Steph,

"Steph, hunni, come with Grandma, lets go talk and get a bite to eat, come...."
Steph raised her head, and through watery tearful eye's she spoke,

"but I don't want anything to eat, ma-ma, I just want to stay with dad.."

"You will, we will be right back, that sandwich your pa was eating looked dry, lets go get him something nice and fresh from the dining room, we can talk on the way, ok?"

Steph looked at me, I nodded my head to let her know it was fine. She planted a kiss on my cheek as she left with my ma.
With just the boys and my pop left in the room, silence fell on us once more.
Jessie spoke this time,

"So, after our call pop, what did happen?"

"I told you, your mom got shot and was taken to hospital.."

"Who shot mom?, and how?"

I felt real uneasy again and irked, where was Mara, her diplomatic skills reigned far higher than mine.

I gave a short sharp reply, far more than I intended.
" it does not matter who or how, it happened!." 

I caught Jessie's reaction, I knew I had gone to far, his face registered, shocked and hurt, as he turned his eye's away from me and hung his head, when he spoke again, it was to apologise for asking, making my guilt even worse... I hated not being able to tell them the truth...
Immediately, I apologised to Jessie, it was not his fault and I had to let him no that. they had suffered enough hurt.
"No don't apologise son, it's not your fault, really," for the second time that day I bent the truth, and still avoided the truth being told to my kids.
"It's just my throat is so sore, I can't talk much, I promise I'll explain all when I'm better though ok?"

Jessie nodded his head and forced a smile, just as my pop spoke...  He had been shuffling around at the back while Jessie was talking, tutting and raising his eye's up and down towards the ceiling, but nothing could have prepared me... no us for the next outburst that came from his lips....

"Oh for fuck sake son, tell them the truth, tell them Mara shot the fucking witch..." This time the elephant came to the party and was not going anywhere......

Chapter 61 - Two wrongs don't make a right...

"Oh, Baby, Sssssh relax, everything is fine, I'm here"
"But what happened?"
"Nothing, everything is fine? don't stress,"
"But I am stressed, tell me please what happened?"
my voice was raspy and sore and my throat hurt like hell, but I needed to know what had happened, had I dreamt it? still Mara would not tell,  
"Nothing really, everything is fine?"
"The cops?, Byron?"
"nothing matters, please baby, just relax ok?"
I was frustrated, I needed to know, I banged my fists on the bed and glared at Mara.
"Will you for gods sake tell me?"
"Ok,..Ok, you collapsed in the station and had to be re admitted to hospital, the cop that arrested you, Callaghan, when he put you in the squad car,  he pressed to hard on your weak side, he caused your lung to deflate again. The good news is Byron is suing for wrongful arrest"
"it wasn't a dream then?"
"no"
"so how long have I been out of it?"
"two days,....... But Doc says your gonna be fine with rest"
"why's my voice hoarse?, my throat is killing me?"
" do you remember anything before waking?"
"kinda, but waking here I thought it was a dream,...... I remember talking to By, then coughing.... And then nothing"
" when you were coughing, acid rose from your stomach and burned the larynx, Doc says its nothing to worry about, and it will heal one hundred percent, you just have to rest ok?"
I nodded my head, but I was restless, I asked about Byron,
" is Byron done with me, did he get everything he needed?"
"Baby, I've told you everything is fine, stop talking and rest your voice, I need you fit and well again"
"Mara, please; don't treat me like a child, this is serious, just answer me please?"
she relented, with a big sigh she spoke
"Ok, he said he had more than enough," her brow creased in a  frown as she thought about what he had said, 
"erm, let me think, oh yeah, he said, "its time this circus and clowns, hit the road, we are gonna help them pack and move on"  
By's humour always was out there, but I found a smile playing at the corner of my lips as Mara repeated what he had said.
"I thought he would have been here?"
"he stayed with us until the ambulance arrived,  He left cause he had to take his daughter to Summer camp, but he made me promise to call him when you woke. He seems a real nice guy,  I gotta say I like him Jon"
"he is. I just wish I had called him at the start of all this shit, then this nightmare could have been avoided, what in the hells name was I thinking?"
Mara's hand reached over to mine, she took hold as she spoke, 
"no good looking back on what could of been, we just have to look to move on baby. we will get through this, trust me ok?"
Again a smile played at the corner of my mouth, Mara had a way about her that I loved. She never ever said or looked back on things her attitude was always move on and can do.
I pulled her wrist gently, and she responded by bending down, as we kissed the fire inside me ignited once more, letting me know, she was one hundred per cent the girl for me, I don't normally dwell, but again the question popped into my head, what if.......
Our private moment was then broken and all thoughts I had, about Mara, the past and what I wanted to do with her, and yes, I was feeling, well, you know.... as the Dr walked into my room,
 
"Good Afternoon Jon, nice to see your awake? how are you feeling?"
while he asked me questions, he checked my chart, and carried out basic obs.
Then with his torch pen he checked my throat.
" Mmmm, still looking sore, how's it feeling,"
he gently pressed around my larynx and watched my reactions. I winced as he pressed.

" Mmmm that's to be expected, but no serious damage done, it will heal in a few days,  but I need you to just rest your voice as much as possible until then ok?"
I nodded at the Doc, I looked at Mara, I needed to know how long I was going to be kept in for, she understood me and my look so well and knew what I wanted to ask, 
"Dr, can I ask, how long will Jon have to stay in hospital for?," 
 he looked at us both as he answered
"a few day's at most, I suspect, truth is, he is lucky, after we completed the minor surgery needed to re inflate his lung and put him on oxygen he became stable, if he stays that way, and if his throat and larynx  and lung are fine in a few days time, we will discharge him and let him go home."
he then looked directly at me, " he saw my character I was sure, my mom always used to say my stubborn streak could be spotted at ten paces,
"So if you want home sooner Mr Bongiovi, rest, ok?"
again I nodded.
"I mean it.."
I gave him the thumbs up sign, so he knew I fully understood what he was saying, this time his serious look changed to one with a smile as he left my room.

After the Doc had visited, Mara sat with me, she spoke about things; mundane things just making polite conversation so as to make sure I rested my voice. So, when I woke  I realised I must have dozed off, I looked for Mara, she was not sitting next to me as she had been.
Instinctively I called out, "Mara"
"I'm here,"
I turned my head to look in the direction where her voice came, she had moved across to the window and was sat in the day chair.
"Sorry, when you dozed off, I thought I would do the same. You ok?"
"Yeah, I think so, been better if I'm honest but, I'm ok," Still my voice was raspy and sore and hurt like hell.
Mara began with the polite conversation again,
"Richie rang into the hospital, he left message to say he is thinking of you,"
"That's nice."  for no real reason I was irritated by the comment, or was it Richie's best wishes, either way I did not realise it had come as it did.
"What's with the sarcasm?"
"I wasn't being sarcastic?, was I?"
"Sounded it"
"Sorry"
I turned my head away and looked at the ceiling.
"What's wrong? tell me, has Richie done something wrong? what is it?"
"Nothing, honest, I didn't mean to be sarcastic, it came out wrong."

How could I tell Mara, I had no real reason for feeling irked as I did, I asked myself,  was I  jealous? of Richie?, In a flash I had my answer, yes I was, or was it envy? I was not sure, but I knew why, because he has a near perfect life, no drama, and no fucking ex-wife who is a pyscho bitch, that's why... I knew it was stupid, but I just could not help myself. Rich was my best buddy and I knew how I was feeling was wrong, but just now, well there was nothing I could do, I felt shame too and just could not tell Mara the reason, she would hate me. I had no love for myself at that moment.

"Eh huh, not buying it Giovi, I know you to well now, so give..."
Shock and guilt must have registered on my face, as she got up from her chair and came and stood directly to the side of my bed.
pulling up a hard chair she sat...
"Well I'm waiting"
"Look, its silly really,"
"Ok, well tell, I'll decide"
"Look, can you leave it, please, it really is nothing, it's just me acting all stupid..?"
Mara studied my face, and then spoke "Alright, if that's the way you want it, I'll leave it be.." 
Wanting to change the subject, I asked..
"What time is it?"
Mara looked at her wrist watch, "it's a quarter after seven,"
"umm thought it was late, I'm hungry.."
"They brought the meal tray at five, but as you were sleeping I told them to take it away, do you want me to fetch something for you?"
"Yes please, anything," my stomach was growling, I joked
" even cardboard will do, anything to take the edge off.." I smiled at Mara,
"Well, hold that thought, there's only a vending machine out there, so it could be cardboard"
she laughed as she left the room.
I lay in my bed thinking about Richie and trying to figure my head and the stupid feelings that kept washing over me, when noise of bodies burst threw the door.
Looking over I saw my mom, pop and my kids. My heart flipped as I saw my babies, I was so happy to see them, I could not stop the tears falling.
"Hey guy's,"
"Dad, Jacob jumped on the bed, and was immediately told off by everyone, he climbed down and stood sulking and had tears in his eyes,
"I just wanted to hug my d-d-dad, as his bottom lip started to tremble, I pulled him close to me, "It's ok lil man, don't worry no damage done." his arms went around my neck and he rested his head gently on my chest, as he climbed back on board.
"So, what are you all doing here?" immediately Steph answered,
"oh, we were visiting the lady in the next room and we heard Jon Bon Jovi was in this room so thought we'd drop by and say hi,"
Steph definitely inherited her sarcasm from me,
"Alright, smart ass..... you know what I mean." she smiled at me, then with a serious note she continued
" we wanted to see you were ok pop, Grandma, knew how worried we were, remember the last we heard was mom on the phone, and she said the next time we would see you and Mara would be in the morgue, we have been scared to death, uncle Richie was the one that told us you were ok, why didn't you tell us?"
I didn't like lying to my kids, but sometimes bending the truth had to be done. how could I tell them Mara had shot their mother?
"Baby girl, I would have rung, but my lung deflated and I was brought back into hospital, I'm sorry to have scared you that bad, can you forgive me?"
Jesse and Steph looked at me, then each other, with big smiles on their faces they all answered together including Jake with his head down on my chest, "Of course we do, we love you..." that touched my heart, and although Dorothea was a monster, somehow we had done something right and had produced three beautiful kids together. When Mara walked back into the room, the surprise on her face was one of shock. My eyes fixed on the pack of sandwiches she was holding.

"you guy's"  in seconds Jake was off me and stood with the family as arms from every direction enveloped her, she was laughing and hugged everyone  back, "You all ok?"
the kids answered
"Were fine, we were worried about you and dad, but he has explained so its all good now. "  Mara looked at me a look of horror on her face, I gently shook my head to let her know I had not mentioned Dot being shot, she looked relieved as she broke free from the arms and moved over to give me my sandwiches.
"Sorry baby that's all they had" I read the packet "Pastrami on rye"   "just cardboard then?" I joked my least favourite food, but I opened the pack and took a bite, just as Steph asked?
"so what happened to mom?"

Chapter 60 - Right side of wrong

The cop held his head looking sheepish, he had not completed things as he should, he never read me or Mara our Miranda rights, and we should have been placed in separate cars, and I had not been offered a phone call, and now I was about to make that clear and make the next discussion with the cops count.

"Sergeant, correct me if I am wrong, aint it law that you read me my rights before you arrest me?"
The sergeant looked up from what he was doing, "Yes sir it is."
"So, can you tell me why me and or my fiancée were not read our rights?"
The sergeant looked at the young cop, who was trying to brave it out. he spoke,
"I did read you your rights, just before you were placed in the car." 
I remained calm, and looked at the young cop, who despite his arrogance was nervous and it showed.
"no you never, you placed cuffs on my fiancée  and me, then put us both in the car while you went to tend to my ex wife."
he looked at me daggers, and shuffled from one foot to the other, still he was trying to be brazen. " you trying to tell me I don't know my job?"
"not at all, but its clear you don't," I turned my head away from the young cop and looked and spoke directly to the sergeant.
" sergeant, I would like to make my phone call now please."
The sergeant had observed the conversation and events held between me and the young cop and remained silent, now I had asked for my phone call the sergeant came from behind the desk and took me into a private office.
As we entered the office he pointed to the desk with the phone,  and remained by the door while I moved to the desk to make my call.

I took my cell out of my pocket and found Byron's phone number, picking up the receiver I punched the numbers into the phone and waited for the call to connect and for my lawyer to answer. Three rings later the call was picked up by the receptionist. Brown, Hall & Calcutt, how may I help you?"
"Byron Hall please"
"Who's calling?"
"Jon Bongiovi, please tell him it's urgent,"
"one moment please...."
I waited on the phone to be connected to Byron.
"Jon, how are you?, what can I do for you?"
"Hi, Byron, I'm good thanks, but I need your help, Mara and me have been arrested, we are at...." I looked at the sergeant to get a place where we were.
"New Jersey South side"
"You get that Byron?"
"Yeah,.... so this your one call eh?"
"Yep, and make a note, I have not been read my rights, and Mara and I were placed in the same car, in truth they have fucked up big time...."
I looked at the sergeant stood at the door, his face was red with the embarrassment, then continued my call with my lawyer.
"Shit, ok, hold fire I am on my way, you and Mara will be out of there before you know it. I should reach you in about 20 minutes. "
The line went dead and I replaced the handset onto the cradle. The sergeant opened the door and I followed him.
"Sergeant, could you provide a room for my fiancée and I to wait please until my attorney gets here?"
He never spoke and simply nodded. I guess he was embarrassed, the young cop called Callaghan had made too many faux pas for him not to be.
As we got back to the reception area, the Sergeant asked for us to follow him, we followed and were led into another office identical to the one I had already been in where I made my call.  As he opened the door to allow us to enter he spoke, " you can wait in here and I will have your legal representative brought to you as soon as he arrives. "
"Thank you."
he simply nodded his head and closed the door, outside we could see another cop standing guard.
Mara looked at me, total confusion on her face, "what is going on?, Jon, I shot Dorothea, how can we be sitting here together like this?"
"Sssssh its because they did things totally wrong, they never read us our rights, we should have been placed in separate cars, babes, they are going to have to let us go..."

 

We sat in silence as we waited for Byron to arrive, it took him longer than he thought, the mid town traffic was at a peak, but he did arrive, walking through the door, "Jon, I'm sorry, the traffic was a bitch."

he sat down opposite Me and Mara, "ok, right, first things first, how are you?" he asked with a huge grin on his face,  " or do I need to ask, his eyes looking at Mara, still with his grin on his face.

"You ol dog, you kept that one quiet.."

"I did? I'm surprised you didn't know, my mom threw us a huge engagement party and had it splashed in every tabloid going... how did you not know?"  it was an easy answer and I knew what he would say even before he said it. "I don't read newspapers, I am kept busy pretty much 24-7 so no need the criminals to take holidays, you know that, but" he grabbed ours hands, "I am really happy for you both, so when is the wedding?, I hope I am invited?"

"No plans made yet By, but you will get an invite for sure."

he smiled and nodded, then picked up his briefcase and placed it on the table, unlocked it and took out his note pad and pen. "ok, shall we begin, tell me everything from the start, I looked at Mara and she looked at me, then I looked at By and told him everything right from the start.

 

I must have been talking for hours, as my throat became dry and I started to cough, my side where my lung had collapsed started to ache and I really was not feeling great. I struggled to ask, "Can I have some water please?" Byron went to the door and asked the cop standing there to fetch some water in for me.

 

I was really struggling to breathe, and began gasping for air, that's the last thing I remember.The next time my eye's opened I was back at the hospital and Claudette was there to tend to my needs, Mara was sat to the left.

 

My mind wondered and I could not make sense of it all, had I dreamt all of it? Where was Byron?" I looked at Mara, who's face was full of concern, I spoke her name,

"Mara,  but my voice was just  whisper, what happened?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 59 - What goes round comes around

The window on the drivers side shattered, my eyes struggled to focus.

Mara was stood outside of the car with a rifle in her hand.... I took in everything around me, I was covered in blood, but it was not my own, I then looked at the drivers side and to Dot who was slumped over the steering wheel, the gun still held loosely in her hand.

The car was pulled up right outside a diner and people had gathered at the windows inside and were watching as everything unfolded. They must of witnessed it all.
Finding my voice I spoke, "Mara, how?, I mean where?, shit, where did you get the rifle, how did you get out of the trunk?"
She was trembling and shaking, " oh god what have I done?" unbuckling my belt I opened my door and climbed out and walked round to Mara, first thing I did was take the rifle from her hands; and laid it on the ground, she did not fight me and stood in a trance completely frozen in fear of what she had done.

"Hey come here,"

taking her into my arms I tried to soothe her nerves, I stroked her back and kissed her over and over on her head as she relaxed into me with her head on my chest.

"I guess I owe you for saving my life again"

she looked up at me, tears falling from her eye's

" at what cost though, I've killed the kids mom, oh Jon, what have I done? I'll go to jail, this is the last thing I wanted..... but when...."

"sssh, it'll be ok, you acted in self defence, babe it's gonna be fine"
" you think so, look," she pointed at Dorothea's lifeless body slumped over the wheel,  "she's dead, I killed her"
"I know, but trust me ok,  remember witnesses saw the erratic driving and Claudette saw Dot at the hospital, I'm sure she knew something was wrong."

" Yeah and those people saw me shoot Dot...this is a mess Jon a total mess" she laid her head back into my chest and started to sob again. I carried on soothing her as best as I could,
" trust me, I am right, you'll see."
In the distance I could hear sirens, and as they got closer they got louder. I guessed someone in the diner had called them, time to face up to what had happened although, I really was not sure myself.

 

The squad car pulled up a few feet from the SUV, the cops  jumped out and took the stance and pointed their firearms at us.
"hands above your heads, walk away from the vehicle"  I wanted to try to explain, but it would be of no use now, it was safer to do as we were instructed.   

Mara looked at me, as we raised our hands and began the walk towards the officer.

As we neared the cops partner went over to the SUV and checked on Dot.
And we were grabbed and cuffed and placed in the back of the squad car.

 

looking out of the window, we watched the scene before us as the cops spoke to witnesses that had been in the diner at the time of the shooting, we watched as they tended to Dorothea.

An ambulance arrived and Dorothea was taken from the SUV and driven away with sirens blasting.

Mara was the first to speak, 

" she's alive? " I allowed the events to sink in and my eye's to transmit the data to my brain before I spoke, 

"I guess so, or they would have sent the meat wagon"

"Then I didn't kill her?"

"I guess not."

I was still trying to figure how Mara had escaped the trunk,

" can I ask how did you get out of the trunk? and where did the rifle come from?" 

"When Dot pulled up so sharp, the trunk popped, she was ranting at you, with daylight in the trunk as I was getting out I saw the rifle sticking out of the blanket it was wrapped in, I did not think I just grabbed it and after getting out of the trunk, I walked around to the drivers window, all I was gonna do is scare her with it, I promise you.... but when I saw her pull back on the gun she  had in her hand and I just reacted the same and aimed and fired......  you know the rest..... "

"So, it was in the car?"

"Yeah, I thought it was yours?"

"No way?, I would never have a rifle, I hate guns, you know that....... it was wrapped in a blanket?"

"Yeah a red and green plaid style"

"Well as god is my witness I have no idea how that got into the trunk, "

"Hey, I believe you..." Mara looked at me and smiled, I smiled back and held her hand, and remained silent until the cops came back and got into the car, they did not speak to us and just looked back to check we were still where they had put us, before they started the engine and drove at speed to the police precinct. 

 

We arrived ten minutes later, Mara was taken out first and then me, I was pushed roughly into the foyer and front desk,

"What ya got there Callaghan?"

"Shooter Serge"

"you know who you got there don't ya?"

"I've just told ya,"

"But you have no idea who this guy is?"

the cops temper was wearing short, "No I have no fucking idea why?"

"that's Jon Bon Jovi?"

"Who?"

"Aw right, your to young to remember the best rock band of the eighties?"

"no, I remember alright, my dad had the records, but this guy don't look anything like him?"

"well have you asked him his name?"

sheepishly the cop faced me and asked,

" what's your name?" 

"Jon Bongiovi"

"Yeah right, now your real name."

"That is my real name, my full name is John Francis Bongiovi."

"Ok, smart ass, enough, bad enough he's ribbing on me, tell me the truth."

"I am telling you the truth, check my id in my wallet, my drivers license is there."

I was turned around and my wallet pulled from my jeans pocket, he opened it up and saw that I was telling the truth.

"So what? am I suppose to not do my job cause you are some has been rock star? you have committed a crime."
"No sir, you assume I have committed a crime. what happened to innocent before being proven guilty? "

 

 

 

Chapter 58 - Hallelujah!

All that was left was trying to reason with Dot,
"Look, why are you so fucking hell bent on harming Mara and me?, whatever it is, just talk to me?,"
"Talk, talk? now you wanna fucking talk?, why now?..... well, I'll tell ya why? cause now I have your attention and your scared shitless..."she laughed and her eye's gleamed as she loved the power she held over me, over both of us. She was right but I had to keep trying.
"But now is the prefect time, c'mon Dot, just pull over at a diner and lets just go talk, you and me, what ya say? Dot? "
"Fuck you assole, sweet pretty boy, just man up and accept what's coming..." she turned her head back to the road; hands tight and her knuckles white from her grip around the steering wheel.
Her focus would not be broke.
Another bang in the trunk as Mara was being thrown around again, I glanced at the speedo, Dot was driving erratically, and at high speed.
"Dot, slow down for the love of god, Please.........." She turned to look at me briefly before responding,
" just shut the fuck up Jon, I'm sick of hearing you whine, or maybe you'd like to ride on the roof?."
I shook my head and turned to look out of the window.
The sun was high in the sky and everyone on the streets were going about there own business, no one was aware of the danger Mara and me were facing and going through, all they saw was a car being driven at speed, but then why would they?, no we were on our own. I forced my mind to think, how could I get us out of this?, nothing... all I had was my reasoning, and so far that had failed.

My concentration was broke as the in car phone rang, I looked down at the handset and saw it was my home number. looking at Dot I asked, "Can I take it? it could be the kids?" she nodded and pointed at the handset.
could this be Dots downfall, I prayed it was, and silently I thanked god in my mind...
I clicked on the handset, "Hey,"
"Dad, where are you?" Jesse voice was heard, and was music to my ears,
"Hey Jesse, were driving right now bud"
"When will you be home pop, there's lots of people here waiting for you?"
it broke my heart hearing my sons voice knowing I may never hear or see him again, and now his last memories would be that I lied to him too."
"Soon son, soon, hold the fort for me, ok? we are on our way"
"Ok,  one second pop... " I could hear Steph in the back ground, then Jesse spoke again, "Dad Steph wants to talk to Mara, can you put the phone to her ear, its about your surprise...."
I looked at Dot who rolled her eye's and gritted her teeth and held a facial expression resembling a snarl.
"its difficult Jesse,"
"Why? just hold the phone to her ear..."
"I can't Jesse, ok, we will be home soon enough ok, tell her to wait till then..."
"Dad, what's going on?" Steph spoke on the phone,
"nothing sweetheart, Mara is just concentrating on the driving..."
"Well put me on loud speaker? dad?"
I was running out of excuses so did as I was asked.
"Mara, its Steph, you ok?"
Dot looked at the handset but did not speak, she returned her eye's to looking ahead at the road.
"Mara?, what's wrong, don't worry I won't say anything to ruin things, just say hi, you guys should have been home ages ago? we are worried, what's taking so long? Mara? "
still Dot was silent. how can she ignore her daughter?,  I clicked the phone off speaker phone and spoke to Steph,
"Baby girl just know that we love you ok?, no matter what happens just remember that we love you, we love you all ok?"
suddenly Dot pulled the car over to the side and stopped the car dead. then she spoke and let her venom flow as she spat,
"jeez, what is fucking wrong with this picture eh? my fucking daughter thinks more of your whore than she does of her own mother." I still had the phone to my ear,
"Dad is that mom,?"
"Yes?"
"Dad just answer me yes or no, do you want me to get the cops?"
"Yes."
"Ok, stay calm dad, help is on the way, I'll leave this line connected and go use the office line, I'll be back, just tell me is Mara ok?"
"Yes."
the phone was rested on the counter and I heard her voice fading as she headed off to the office. Jesse picked up the phone,
"pop stay calm ok?"
I swallowed hard and replied, "I will "
Dot turned off the ignition and pulled the phone from my hand, she held the phone to her ear and spoke.
"Jesse James Bongiovi, Stephanie Rose Bongiovi, Jacob Hurley Bongiovi, put the phone on loud speaker, tell me when your all there?  and tell me when its done."
"Jesse spoke
"its done."
"Right, Well listen up and listen good, I'm with your dad," her first sentence was soft and just like I remembered when she spoke to the kids when we were a family, then her character snapped, " NOT HIS WHORE OK? TIME TO SAY GOODBYE KIDS CAUSE HE AINT COMING HOME EVER!!!!!  AND HIS WHORE AINT EITHER... THE NEXT TIME YOU WILL SEE THEM WILL BE AT THE COUNTY MORGUE!!!  before Jesse could answer she clicked the line dead.

my temper erupted, I cared not what would happen, "WHAT THE FUCK? ARE YOU FUCKING HAPPY WITH YOURSELF, NOT CONTENT TERRORISING ME AND MARA YOU TERRORISE YOUR OWN KIDS? YOU ARE A SICK MUTHER FUCKER DOT, I REGRET THE DAY I FUCKING MET YOU AND I PRAY YOU ROT IN THE DEEPEST FIRES OF HELL..."
she laughed, " you think your opinion scares me? GET THIS JON, AND GET IT GOOD, .....I HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE AND FOR THE RECORD YOU HAVE BEEN DEAD TO ME FOR YEARS, IM DOING ALL THIS FOR FUCKING FUN"  her eye's were black, like I was dealing with the devil himself. I had not one shred of doubt she meant every word she spat.
 then her personality changed again, to one showing hurt,
"you broke my heart Jon, its totally shattered, ..... I tired to win you back when Mara was in hospital, I gave you a bed for the night, and gave you a shoulder to cry on, did you thank me?...  hell no; you fall asleep. so I tired to stimulate you to wake you to make love to me, but you could not be roused..... well part of you was, ....." her eye's started to roll in her head as she carried on, then another personality change, angry rising again,
"then you go and fucking report me for fucking rape? ....... bet right now you wish you were still with me eh? then your little whore would be safe with her mom....  and you and me could have been real happy.... but NO,  you have chosen your road, you have chosen the way you want things to be, and I'm very happy to accommodate, remember the old saying?"
"what old saying?"
"the saying that goes, if I cant have you, no one is gonna have you?" she reached into her purse and pulled out the gun she had pointed at Mara earlier, she pulled back the trigger and pointed it direct at my heart, for the second time in weeks I was getting ready to face my maker again, this time I held eye contact with Dot, I was no longer scared and just waited for fate to deal its cruel hand of fate....
BANG!!!!!

Chapter 57 - Double Down The Devil

It took a minute for me to gather my thoughts before I spoke, my head trying to comprehend how Dorothea could be standing before Mara and me.
"What the Fuck are you doing here Dorothea?"
"Seeing how your progressing of course?, did you enjoy your visit from Chad?, bang out of order that his son got shot, but then he did a mans job and paid the price,.... what was your song.... oh yeah, Shot down in a blaze of glory..." she sniggered and looked at the floor as she spoke...
"So you organised this?, you wanted me dead?, what the fuck is wrong with your head woman, cause whatever it is, aint no little thing for sure..."
"now now, don't take on so Jon, I warned you payback was a bitch... and that I had my sources, and when Chad visited and saw the marks on my neck, he wanted to give you his payback..... and I was very happy to fill in the missing pieces for him." She paced around the room an arrogance about her that could not be denied, she was loving every minute of the attention she commanded.
Mara rose to leave the room and get help but Dorothea stopped her... "And where are you going to? I want you to stay for the finale."
"Get out of my way Dorethea, or I swear I will knock you senseless."
"You think so do you?" she reached into her purse and pulled out a gun, "now sit down bitch and do what I say or else," Mara looked over at me, I nodded my head for her to do as she was told, she looked defeated but came back and sat on the bed next to me. She slid her hand in mine, and I took comfort in holding her hand right back, not tight just enough to let each other know we were in this together.
"have you lost your ever freakin mind Dot?" this is a hospital what do think your gonna do here?"
Who said it would be here? oh no, I have a place in mind," she lent in close and spoke in a low tone, "Just you wait and see... its perfect..." she pulled back and slid the gun back inside her purse as
Claudette came into the room.

Claudette had no idea who Dorothea was, and was polite when she saw her thinking she was another visitor; Dorothea played the part real well, so well it scared me just how much she could fool people and change her personality like switching off a light...  anything was possible with this women and she would stop at nothing until I was dead. a sadness filled my heart knowing what I was thinking was the truth. I watched Dot closely as Claudette parked the chair at my bedside. "All ready to go then Jon, hop on board your chariot awaits... " she helped me get in, and placed a blanket over my legs, then wheeled me out of the room and over to the desk to collect my discharge forms, before taking me across to the elevator. Mara and Dorothea followed just behind.
The chatter we had shared earlier had died and the atmosphere was heavy with tension, no-one spoke about it though and silence remained during the ride to the basement and the parking lot.

As we exited the elevator Claudette was the only one to speak,  "Which car?"
Mara spoke up and indicated where she had parked and led the way, with Claudette pushing me in the chair behind.

we reached the SUV and Mara unlocked the doors and raised the tailgate for my bag, Claudette took me to the passenger side door and helped me in. She smiled at me and gave me a hug, then folded the chair and waved as she left us to return to the ward and her other patients. "now remember Jon, take it easy ok?, and no more fights, let your body recover first..." I nodded my head and smiled at her as she left.
Mara had placed my bags in the car, and was now climbing into the drivers seat, when Dorethea pulled her out, " I'll drive, get in the trunk."
"What?"
"you heard in the trunk"
Mara looked at me, then bowed her head and walked round back of the vehicle and climbed in the trunk as she had been told to do. the car rocked as Dorethea slammed the tailgate  shut.
then she climbed in next to me and started the engine.
"All buckled up Jon?" she reached over to check, and sneering she said... "that's good, here we go, hold on tight..." she slammed the car into reverse and hit the gas so hard the tires squealed as she drove away to the exit of the parking lot, out on the highway she dodged traffic from lane to lane, her eye's were fixated on the road ahead as she threw the car where she wanted it to go. I sat silent taking in street names we passed, and thought about Mara in the trunk, with no belt every sharp pull left or right I heard a bang and knew Mara was being thrown around in the back.

Just how the hell did we keep running from one nightmare to another........ and god damn it how would we get out of this one.....

Chapter 56 - Have A nice Day

Jon had been in hospital for 8 weeks, or there abouts; during that time, he had grown strong and his lung had re inflated, Although he still had to take it easy,...  he had been left with a cough, which was normal, but would stop the stronger his lung became, add that together with the police; who would not leave Jon alone to recover fully, before hounding him for his statement, nope; first chance they had they came into the hospital to take our statements. Two full days were given, as they came back four times and went over things again and again, the good news was, Chad had been charged with attempted murder, breaking and entering with aggravated assault, and even better was Jon did not even have to face him in court, as he had admitted the crime.
For once something was in our favour.

 

The house however had been a mess and a crime scene for two weeks, and it had taken  all six more to straighten it out, the house now looked as good as it could given the traumatic events that had taken place there. The only thing was the blood stain in our bedroom from where Billy; Chad's accomplice and it turns out his son; was shot dead by the cop. I did not want to live with the stain or Jon to see it, so a plant holder was covering the stain until the new carpets were fitted a week tomorrow.

 

I was serious about us finding somewhere else, after what had happened every day walking into the house was a real struggle for me, I suffered flash backs, the phone calls and the lights going out. when dusk hit, every light was lit in the house, and lighters and candles were in every room in case they failed or were tampered with again.

I guess it was my security blanket. 

I know I was being silly and childish but it was the only way I could control my fear and make myself live there with the kids.

 

Richie, Jon's band brother and friend, had been a great support to me, and had offered and stayed over while Jon was in hospital, he slept in the guest room and completed  the security checks on the house every night before we went to bed. I hadn't realised just how badly I had been affected by the break in and attacks, but poor Richie found out after I got him out of bed nine times in one night.

 

Hearing noise after noise, I had been kept awake, so climbing out of bed, and with my heart hammering in my chest, I took the short walk to Richie's room, reaching his door, my arm raised ready to knock, I tried to talk myself down, but more noises put paid to that and after yet another creak, I knocked and entered his room. He was sound asleep, and had not heard me at his door, I had no option but to wake him. I shook him gently, but had no response, so had to shake him a few more times before he woke..., it took him a minute to focus, when he did he totally understood my panic, and was gentle, understanding and so kind, and he made sure I was totally fine and safe before he again checked the house over from top to bottom.

 

I guess for that reason knowing how I had been affected, I knew I could never feel safe in the house again, and why I took the bull by the balls and started searching for properties, registering our details with a realty agents, I even went as far as having valuations carried out to see how much our home was worth too.

I needed Jon to know how serious I was, and why.

 

Although I had no real idea how he would feel about it. I prayed he would not kick off, and would agree we really needed a fresh start.
  

There was no denying that Jon's home was gorgeous, with the lake at the end of his yard, the boathouse and the few apple tree's that lined the drive, the size of his house was magnificent and stunning, and given normal circumstances, I would have been happy to settle here, but not any more.

The road to recovery for Jon was a long one,  I so missed him being with me. when he woke with the ventilator in his throat the look of panic on his face, was sheer terror, my heart went out to him, he had no idea what it was.
A lot of reassurance was given till he eventually accepted it and had no option but to go with the flow, he was mighty pissed too as he could not talk, he had to use  a chalk and board, which frustrated him and a lot of words with the  letter F was wrote for a week or two.
 

When he could talk, the Dr's asked him if he could tell them what happened; but he could'nt  remember being shot, his temper showed as he struggled to recall the event, all he could remember was the fight and Chad standing in front of him and pointing the gun at him, he had no recollection of walking up the stairs to the bedroom, his brain just refused to re live the horror.
I was deeply concerned too, but the Dr said, it was mild amnesia and that was the body's way of saving itself from the trauma, and was nothing to be concerned about, he was more worried if it returned years later and that when or if it did it would be in flashbacks, which could mean he would need counselling.
Jon being a easily led negative guy, I had to push him to not dwell on what may or may not happen in the future, but to just work hard to getting well and back home,  he was not one hundred percent fit, yet, but we were at the 85% marker, which brings me to today.  Forward present time and I was in the car on my way to the hospital to collect him, and waiting back home were the kids and a big welcome home surprise party.
 

Leading up to Jon being given his discharge, the kids had asked if they could do something nice for their dad and I was even more excited when they wanted to include me in their plans, his brothers were coming and his ma, John snr was officially out of the country on vacation with his new girl friend, but the guys from the band were coming with there families too. Richie had helped with everything too, taking the kids to get the streamers and such. As I left this morning to go get him, Richie was left with ma to finish the final touches.

 It was so sad to know that Jon's pop had little time for his son, unless it suited him, the differences between them were oceans apart, sure, John Snr and Jon, in facial looks the resemblance in physical features was remarkable, but that's where it ended.

My Jon was a gentlemen, kind and honest, strong and wilful when needed, but always had compassion and love in his heart, he listened and cared about everyone, yep even his pop, even though there was no love last between them, I'm sure Jon hoped one day there would, he was his pop after all.

His pop was pushy and cared not one jot who he upset or offended.  Jon had only been off the ventilator for two hours when he upped and left, announcing casually he had a vacation booked and his plane would not wait, he kissed Jon on the head, and ma on the cheek, and nodded his head at me as he left.
Ma just looked at me, and shrugged her shoulders in apology, I smiled and shook my head to let her know it was not needed and I understood.  Sometimes apologising for others does not work, and I always say you should never have to apologise for anyone, if there conduct is that bad.... well... fuck um... and move on.....

Arriving  at the hospital I parked in the parking lot, then walked the short distance to the elevator, i got on and pressed to go the the reception floor where Jon was being cared for, off the elevator i checked in at the desk, Tanya was sitting there this morning, we exchanged pleasantries talking about the weather and other mundane things, before I went off to see Jon and help him get ready to come home.  
  reaching his room all the nurses and Dr's that had tended to Jon during his stay had congregated  together, it looked like a hospital party, as I entered I asked... "not interrupting I am?" Dr Meeker smiled and waved me into the crowd gathered there. the chattering and banter was flowing between them all, and at the front of the crowd was Jon's favourite nurse. Claudette, she was talking to him and telling him how she wished all her patients were as good as Jon, he had been a model patient for her. I had learnt a lot about her during my visits, Jon had always praised her, for instance we knew that she had struggled to make ends meet, but had always wanted to be a nurse, so had worked all sorts of small paying jobs to put herself through training. and  now she was qualified she was proud to say she did it on her own. and in her words "Was living the dream"
Jon saw her fire and determination, and said he saw himself in her at times, which was what made them strong friends. She had certainly brightened up the long hours when Jon was alone, her chatter, and humour keeping him going, and maybe even helped to speed his recovery.

As a surprise Jon decided, as a thank you when the band played later in the year for their come back gig she would be given VIP tickets and a back stage pass to come meet the rest of the guys in the band and join the party after too.

As I neared the front of the crowd Jon had just told Claudette about her Thank you surprise, her eyes were as wide as saucers as she screamed above the clapping and cheers, "shut up, are you serious man"
"Yah I'm serious.... why wouldnt I be?"
" cause good things like that never happen to me?"
"Well they do now..."
She grabbed Jon so fast, she took his breath away and made him cough.
" shit man im sorry,"
Between the coughing jon was laughing and raising his hand to let her know he was fine.
" thank you, really thank you man, im touched "  more hugs, this 
Time not as tight and no coughing from Jon.

Finally I reached his side, he smiled at me and our lips met briefly for a kiss before I took a seat next to him on his bed, 

The festivities continued for another thirty minutes before he called time, Claudette asked him to wait while she got him a chair, ignoring jons pleas that he could walk to the elevator and to the car she, mumbled for him not not even think about trying and she would return. 

The other Drs and nurses said there good buys and left one by one untill it was just Jon and me left on our own, waiting for Claudette with the chair. 

We were talking about taking a vacation when we were interupted by a voice, "nice to see your recovering well Jon"

We both turned our heads to look at the voice and from who it came from, our smiles dropoing like flies as stood in the doorway was Dorothea.

Chapter 55 - Livin on a Prayer

I stood and studied the Dr's face and expression, my legs were trembling as he continued to finish what he had started to say.
" Jon is in serious condition, but at this time he's stable. We managed to remove the bullet, but his lung had collapsed. He's now on a ventilator."  I know he did not explain it exactly like that, but that's all I heard. then my own voice again,
"Can I see him?"
"Give me a few minutes to check he's settled in ICU and I'll return to get you."
Ma looked at me, with Pa as well and we all hugged one another, the tears falling from our eye's with relief.

The Dr arrived back, and lead us all to Jon. I knew he was on a ventilator, but I was so shocked to see him laying in the bed non responsive, sure Doc had said he was stable, but I thought he'd be awake. I grabbed Ma's hand as we walked around to sit with him. We held each others hands as tight as we could. she looked at me and forced a smile, to say, he will be fine. thing was in my heart I dare not think that in case I was wrong...... I knew if anything happened to Jon I would never find another love like him. It is unheard of to find love once never mind twice, and what's more all I wanted was my Jon.... my hero.

Pa sat on the other side, Ma' and me sat to Jon's left. She spoke to him, "Son, we are here, your pa, Mara and me, the kids send you there love, and want you to get well really soon." her eye's were misting over with the hurt of seeing her son lying before her fighting for his life, she continued " we are all praying for you to make it through,..... Don't let me down... ok?... you hear me Jon Francis ?.... just  don't let us down..." 

hanging her head after her last sentence she let the tears flow.  I tried to soothe ma, and stroked her back, while holding Jon's hand. Ma was right, we were all praying, me harder than anyone.... with each breath I took, I willed him to live..... I wanted to say so much to him, but could not form the words to come from my mouth, the lump in my throat was stopping them from coming out, so I sat at his bedside and just held his hand and let my tears fall.

The nurses, kept coming over and checking on Jon, altering his drip, checking his signs were all good, I had to ask,
"When will he wake?"
"She smiled at me,
"when his body is ready too... give him time...."
"But he will wake right?"
she did not answer this time, again she smiled as she walked away.....
Fear suddenly gripped my heart, I looked at ma,
" what if he never wakes.... oh god, what if we are faced with the decision to have to turn off the machine..... Oh dear god...." my tears came as sobs, with my head now resting on the bed and on Jon's hand, ma tried to soothe me, I could not stop the sobbing, the harder I tried the harder they fell...... I could hear ma,
"Sssssh Mara, now don't take on so, Jon Francis is a fighter, he is a Bongiovi.... have faith in him... come now...."
I raised my head and through my veil of tears, I looked into Ma's eye's there was something about her look that told me, not only did she believe it, but she knew what she was saying was true. I smiled weakly at her, and held back my sobs as we hugged...

Pa sat silent, and now spoke....
" Yeah, he's got my blood, he will win though, you are all worrying for nothing.... you'll see...."
his arrogance shocked me, Jon told me his dad was a forced to be reckoned with, and now I was seeing and hearing it first hand. The last time he had spoken in arrogance was the first time I met him at Jon's house as his trainer, I thought then it was a one off, how wrong was I. 
"Sir, you have no idea the horror that both your son and I have been through, please do not presume to know that, Jon will be fine, if the Dr's cannot give that guarantee, just because his your son does not give you a higher claim than the almighty god. Having your blood, means nothing...... "
"well, well, a right little spit fire aint ya?... all's I was trying to do, is tell you he will pull through... I don't presume anything, but I know my son and this is not going to stop him...... if you love him as much as you say you do, you should know that... well?"
just as I was about to answer him back ma spoke.... "Please John, now is not the time, Mara has been through hell and has been tortured, and saw our son shot, give her a break.... "
"but, Carol you god damn..."
"Ahhh I mean it John, or I will have you removed.... stop now?"
he pushed his chair back,
"whatever, I'm always the bad guy... fuck it..." he pushed the swing doors of ICU and headed outside back into the waiting area.
"I'm sorry ma, sorry for everything...I couldn't stop myself saying that to him..."
"Sssssh it's fine, he has always been the same, don't fret..... I'm glad you stood up to him... he may be Jon's dad, but he is an assole..." laughing she said... "that's why I divorced him..."  we both hugged each other, then turned back to look at Jon still laying so still next to us.

Chapter 54 - Billy Get Your Gun

I watched in total horror as Jon collapsed to his knees and lay motionless before me, I knelt down right beside him and called his name and stroked his half naked body, his eyes were shut fast, there was no response, I quickly felt his neck for a pulse, It was there but real weak.

I looked at the cop who had walked us up the stairs, in the moment he had returned fire and shot the accomplice that had been with Chad, he too was laying motionless on the floor, ........ Jon thought he had left,....hell so did I .. God I really  wished I had said something outside to Detective Monroe, all no good now as Jon was laying on the floor dying at my feet.

 I heard my own voice call out, "Get a medic here now god damn it he's dying" I broke the cops concentration,  he was tending the the assole that had shot Jon. he looked across at me, nodded his head and radioed down to get medical assistance. 

As i sat waiting I kept talking to Jon telling him to hang on, willing him to live, and that help was on the way; all the time  while stroking his body, even though I had no idea if he could hear me, I prayed he could, and feel my touch to know he was not alone.  

 It may have all been minutes between him being shot and help arriving but to me it felt like forever. My heart was beating wildly in my chest and my anxiety levels were off the scale, part of me wanted to help Jon, but what if I moved him and I made things worse, what if the bullet moved? would it, could it kill him quicker? Instead I sat waiting, and waiting..... I surveyed his body, he was battered and bruised, dried blood on his back, bruising round his ribs, rope burns on his wrists where the ties had rubbed his skin, but still his good looks could not be denied. 

This man had fought for me, I had caused this to him, I should never have stopped him from killing Chad.... What had I done.... Tears welled in my eye's, where were the god damn medics...... Again I asked, ." Are they coming, please tell them to hurry,  he's dying?" the cop replied, 

" ma'am they are on here way." He no sooner finished what he was saying when the medics arrived. Immediately they bent down to tend to Jon, as they turned Jon on to his back, the pool of blood that had been stemmed while Jon laid on his wound, now started to pour from the hole in his chest. he coughed too and a trickle of blood trickled down his mouth, my hands raised to my face in panic, the realisation and horror sinking in, somewhere I heard a scream, before I realised it was me, the medics paid no attention to me, and carried on saving the man I loved's life.

They fitted him with an oxygen mask, to aid his breathing, Then a third medic arrived with the gurney, they all lifted Jon's lifeless body on to it and moved him out the room at super fast speed.

I can remember answering questions, but could not for the life of me  tell you what they were, I had just switched to auto pilot,  and just following like a lost puppy, one minute I was knelt beside Jon, the next I was sitting in the ambulance holding his hand.  

My legs felt like they belonged to someone else, it was all totally surreal, a nightmare dream, one I was praying I could wake from and find everything was fine.

The reality however, was the dream.... 

With Jon secured safe in the ambulance, and sirens baring,  we drove at speed, destination New Jersey Memorial Hospital.  

 The whole journey could not have taken more than five minutes, and for those five minutes I prayed over and over non stop, i promised god if he survived I would do anything in penance for my sins that  had caused this heartache to Jon and his family.

I had to ask, why? what had we done to anyone apart from fall in love and want to be together? Why were we so hated..... why didn't the cop walk in first, then he would be in ambulance, then I felt immediately guilty for wishing the pain and suffering on another innocent party's family. This was a lose lose situation.  

Minutes later we arrived at the hospital and Jon was taken straight to crash, they worked on him for over an hour,  Nurses and Dr's going in and out of rhesus, all I could do was pace, then sit, drink copious amounts of shit coffee and pray, and of course; I made the phone call to his mom. She was sweet and caring, but naturally scared for her son, she tired to reassure me, but it was not having an affect, I had seen Jon, I saw everything, and in my heart I knew it was bad, real bad. Jesus he had blood coming out of his mouth..... Ma said she would tell the kids and see me as soon as she could, and that I was to have faith and not give up on Jon.  

Sat on the chair by the coffee machine, a nurse came over, "Mrs Bongiovi?, could you give me some details please?" I did not correct her, truth is I loved being called Mrs Bongiovi, but would I ever hold that title, had I earned the right to be his wife after what I had done.... I shook my head and
tried to focus and bring myself back to reality,  I answered as many of the questions as I could, giving as much information as I knew.

We had been together for months now, but when they asked me questions of his blood type, I had no idea.... How could I not know what type he was, ..... I was sure he had told me before, but I could not get my brain to retrieve the information, c'mon Mara, I told myself, "this is a life and death situation." The nurse placed her hand on my shoulder and spoke, "Don't worry, we will find it." she was right, thank fully, they found the details on the data base.
Then Ma arrived, she hugged me, and went straight to reception and filled in the missing pieces of the information I could not give. Walking back over towards me, she and pa sat either side of me, and we all held onto each other while waiting for news on his condition.

Some hours later, the Dr came out, he looked stressed and tired, he stood and asked, " next of kin for Jon Bongiovi?" I stayed quiet, not really confident in my place within the family yet. Ma spoke, " she's right here," then gently pushed me forward.... My voice all but broke as I confirmed I was his next of kin...   The Dr looked at me, a man in his late fifties, he had a serious expression on his face, I was dreading what he had to say. when he spoke it was  as a matter of fact.
" Well, I'm sorry to be meeting you under these conditions, and I wish I had better news..." My heart all but stopped in my chest, was he going to tell me Jon was dead.......  

Chapter 53 - Tell my Maker He Can Wait.......

I laid there staring down the barrel of a loaded gun, I was at peace inside, and was ready to meet my maker,  I closed my eye's ready for the shot.......Bang.... the door flew open, followed by another bang, a gunshot, I opened my eye's and apart from the searing pain in my right arm, I seemed to be ok, Mara was sat at my side, so I assumed she was ok, I turned my head and everything went into slow motion as Chad was dragged to the floor and cuffed, laying on the floor in the entrance was a young cop, he was alive but moaning and crying in pain, he had been the one Chad shot. then behind all the cops and the mayhem was my best bud Richie. He came straight to my side, "Jon, you ok?" "I think so, but I've been better, what are you doing here?"
"It's all over the radio and the news how Jon Bon Jovi is being held captive in his home..."
"What? how they know?"
"The silent alarm, it tripped when the intruders got in...like always there are pap's down by the gate, they saw the alarm flashing and the lights went out, they reported to there editors and news casters and boom the story was headline news....."
" then the cops arrived lights flashing... and here we are, soon as I heard I drove straight over... so what happened?"
just as I was about to tell my story I was helped to my feet by a medic, Mara too and we were taken to the Ambulance to be checked over. Richie stood back waiting patiently, I surveyed the events unfolding and it was like something out of an action movie.
the medic inspected my chest and tended to the wounds, and covered them with a dressing, the gunshot to my arm looked worse than it actually was, it had skimmed through and was called a flesh wound the bullet was not in my arm, it still hurt like fuck as it was cleaned and dressed though, Mara sat as her wounds were dressed too, she made no sound even though I knew the saline solution they were using to clean and cleanse felt like acid being poured on to the skin, it burned like hell.

All wounds dressed, the head of the operation came over to talk with us, we were still sat on the tail Gate of the ambulance. "Mr Bongiovi?" it was a question rather than a statement, " aha, that's me." "can I have a few minutes of your time to ask what happened?,"  I looked at Mara, she was trembling and shivering, we were both exhausted. I reasoned I could buy us some time so asked, 
"look, I'm tired can we do this tomorrow sometime, name the time, we'll be there, both my fiancee and I need to rest, we are totally exhausted."
"sir, I understand what your saying but, we need to get an understanding of everything that has happened while it's fresh in your mind" I looked at the law man standing before me and gathered his age to be around thirty five years, he stood, an arrogance in his stance, and although he was polite it was obvious he was not going anywhere till I told him what had taken place. There was no choice but to comply and get it over with. "Ok, but can we go somewhere warm, it's freezing out here,?"
"sure, we can go to the station, after I'll have one of my men drive you where ever you want to stay"
"can't we just head back inside, now you have the intruder?"
"no, sorry sir, it's a crime scene, they should be done in a day or two,  you may want to find somewhere else to stay for a few days in the meantime." 

Richie was stood directly behind, he spoke out... " hey you can stay with me bro" I nodded my head in acknowledgement, then looked to Mara, " you ok with that?" She weakly nodded her head. "Ok, officer," 

" Detective, it's Detective Monroe" " right, Detective before we go anywhere, I need some clothes, and a shower as does my fiancee, you will allow us to shower and dress right?"  " Sure I will have an officer escort you both" he summoned a young cop over," please escort Mr Bongiovi and his fiancee into the house for them to change and shower, please stand guard until they return" I mumbled a weak Thanks and assisted Mara to her feet and back into the house. as we entered she turned to look at me, her trembling made worse as we re entered. " Jon, I'm serious, I want this house sold, I have a real bad feeling and I really don't know why, promise me.... please...." " I promise,"  pulled her close to me and kissed the top of her head as we climbed the stairs to our bedroom. Raching the door, the officer opened the door, as I stepped into the room, another gunshot was fired..... 

Chapter 52 - Like That!!!

Standing I waited for Chad to make his move, he looked shaken I had broke free of my bonds and lunged at him, and now I was standing and ready to fight, I tasted blood in my mouth from the blows I had taken, I ached from head to toe, my chest was bleeding and I was sore and tired, but adrenaline was pumping round in my body so hard I was ready for the next onslaught, this time I had to be the winner.
Chad eyed me suspiciously, his cocky arrogant attitude remained, his accomplice was no where to be seen and I guessed he had took off when he saw the flashing lights, completely ignoring Chads instructions.

In my mind I was wary having heard there were guns, and scanned around briefly to see if I could see them, nothing caught my eye, so I connected that they were in another room or he was bluffing.

Chad shook his head, then started to walk towards me, "Guess you think that was clever?, you are so gonna pay for that?"
"yeah?, well fuck you, if that was your best shot? you got Jack shit."
"Oh yeah?" his tone was mocking, I paid no attention, deep down I was so pissed off and angry and with my New Jersey upbringing, the rough side of my character came to the fight.
"yeah, you forget one thing, I'm from Jersey man I back down to no-one, least of all a fuck wipe like you?"
"strong words from a dead man, you better be able to back um up Bongiovi, cause I aint the fuck finished with ya yet"
I flew across the floor and delivered the first blow to his jaw, I hit him with such force he flew back across the room and landed on his back, seizing the opportunity I grabbed him from the floor and pulling him to his feet I delivered blow after blow.

My breathing became heavy as I used every single ounce of body strength to beat him, every time I knocked him down I grabbed him back to standing and repeated the blows over and over.
He never had the chance to defend himself, I no longer felt the pain in my own body, set in a trance, my mind focused on protecting Mara and my family from this animal, until he was unconscious or dead I would not, could not stop.

"Please, stop! I give in..." his pleas fell on deaf ears.  I had asked him, no begged him to let Mara go, they were ignored,  his payback was in blood, and with the moonlight giving just enough illumination in the room I made sure I hit my target over and over.

Another blow, as he fell to the floor, a real hard kick to his scrotum,  his sides, and his back, I kicked and punched not letting up for one second the tirade and onslaught to this low life scums body, then I dragged him to his feet again, my hand now around his throat, I squeezed,  and as the anger kept rising. my grip grew tighter. I thought back to the days he had an affair with Dorothea, and how he destroyed my life, then it was back to the events of tonight.  I was out of my mind completely zoned out.

"Jon, please, he's had enough, Jon,"  I became aware of Mara's voice, and slowly I eased my grip on his throat, the veil of red blood anger ebbing away; as Mara's voice broke the spell, My breathing was heavy, and I was panting with the frustration and energy I had used, slowly, I began the come down, I looked at my Mara, blood was seeping from the wounds he had inflicted, wrote on her body was "Bongiovi Whore"
my heart broke seeing those wounds and what was wrote there.
I turned back to look at Chad, he was black and blue, his face was a blooded mess, his eye's near closed from my attack, I let go of him and he slumped down to the floor.  I cared not anymore, I was tired, exhausted and worn out, I needed to hold Mara, so turned and took a hold of her, with her so close to me, complete sadness filled my heart for what she had suffered. I cared not what had been done to me, but Mara had done nothing to deserve any of this.


we stood embracing each other, me with my back to Chad,  I should have realised, never to take my eyes off scum like that, when I realised my error it was as Mara screamed "he's got a gun.".

Bang a shot was fired,  we both hit the floor, I thought we were fine, but could not be sure, I rolled off Mara, and asked "Are you ok?" She nodded but had tears in her eyes, "Oh Jon...." I looked down at my own body, and on first glance, apart from the blood from my knife wounds I could not see anything else. Then the pain in my right arm screamed to be heard, I looked at it and there was a hole where the bullet had entered my body, immediately my other arm placed my hand over the open bleeding wound, we were still laying on the floor, and as  I looked up there was Chad stood over me pointing the gun into my face.
He was shaking, and had trouble focusing, but when he pulled the trigger, at the distance he was standing from me, I knew that would be it.  My heart hammering in my body as I laid waiting for the final shot.

Chapter 51 - Trouble!!!

Mara clung to me, as the intruder walked around us in a circle breathing hard from the adrenaline pumping in their body, I stood clinging to Mara as tightly as she clung to me, forcing my brain to connect the voice to the person in the dark. the voice was familiar but I could not figure who it was, I stood silent praying that they would hurry up and do what they were here to do and leave. My heart was pumping at a thousand beats a second and I kept holding my breath then had to remind myself to breathe.
"I bet you thought you were so smart, didn't you?, I bet you took it all for granted that cause Dorothea was in jail you could live happily ever after with your bitch?, well?" I felt a violent prod to my side, it was obvious that the intruder had a sharp object as I could feel blood starting to ooze from where I had been jabbed, I guessed it was a knife. I did not move or touch the site of the wound for fear of provoking another jab. I stayed quiet.
"I'm talking to you assole, answer me or I'll stab you again."  I forced myself to answer,
"What do you want from me?"
"What do I want?, seriously? you fucking ruin my life and you ask what I want? well I'll tell you....." the intruder came right up to my face, I could feel and smell their breath, I turned my head, " Oh no look at me," my head was forced back and held in a voce like grip to look at the dark shadow spitting their venom, "I want revenge, and I'm taking it tonight, so what ya gotta say about that, eh pretty boy?"
I stood shaking, but somehow found my voice, "Look I don't know you, so how the fuck can you want revenge eh?"
Again the intruder sided right close to me, "Oh yes, you do know me, think hard Bongiovi... think real hard, Ill take a seat over here and smoke while you think, if ya aint got it by the time my smokes done, well.... lets just say a little pain my remind you..."
Cold ice fear ripped through my bones, Mara was trembling, my mind was fogged, yeah the voice was familiar but I could not picture the face. in my head the clock was ticking as I inhaled the smoke that had filtered into my direction.  I strained my eye's in the dark to make out the intruder sitting on a chair smoking their cigarette, hoping that the light at the end of the cigarette would illuminate just enough so I could figure who it was. it was no good, they were dressed in black, and had a hood on that covered everything but their eye's.

the cigarette smoke ended and left just the stale smell in the air, then the intruder was up out of the chair and back at my side.
"tick tock, tick tock, so what's your answer?"
"I -I-I don't know, look let Mara go please, she has done nothing to you, you have me, do what you want but leave her alone, I beg you?"
"ah, aint that sweet, maybe let me think about it? .... tick tock, tick tock?.... No, you both suffer, but she can watch, then you can watch, we are all here for a long night, pain and horror for you, pleasure and inflicting pain for me..."
the intruder laughed a cold sinnister laugh. moving in circles around us, I tired to watch and felt my head getting dizzy trying. then my arms were yanked off Mara, and she was taken by an accomplice that had stood quiet in the shadows until now. So if there was two, were there more lurking in the darkness?. I knew I should do something, but I did not know how, my brain would not work, it was frozen with fear, I just prayed they would not hurt Mara.

I stood, heart beating just waiting for the unknown, I didn't have to wait long as my hands were wrenched behind my back and secured tightly with cables ties, then my knees were kicked from behind so I fell forward onto my knees, shocked I tried to compose myself as I was punched across the face first left, then right, then up, then a kick to my stomach and a kick into my privates, I doubled over in pain, tears stinging my eye's, I groaned with the onslaught against me.
"Think Jon,"  I kept telling myself, but I could not place who this was, another kick this time to my back, I fell forward and hit my head on the wooden floor, then I felt my shirt being tugged, and it was rippled from my body.

The intruder spoke again " such a lovely body, smooth unblemished skin, mmmm now what can we do here, oh, I know, how about a flick knife tattoo, you like tattoo's don't you?" I remained silent, another kick to my side this time, " I said you like tattoo's don't you" somehow from the tears clogged in my throat in my eyes, I managed to answer, " yes" " good, well I look at myself as something as an artist, so I'm gonna give ya one for free, now hold still, I'd hate for the knife to slip and slice your throat." Another kick to my side and I was made to roll over on to my back, my chest exposed, the intruder knelt beside me and pushed their knee into my throat, I felt like I was choking, then the intense pain of a knife being dragged across my chest, first in one direction and then the other, slowly, it was like setting my skin on fire. I just wanted to black out, my body ached all over, but I knew I couldn't I needed to stay conscious to try to protect Mara, deeper and deeper the knife went into my chest, all the time the intruder spoke in a mocking tone about this being a true piece of art, my stamina was fading fast, "stay awake Jon, think of Mara," but my eye's were closing, "

oh no you don't" the knee was taken from my throat, immediately air started to fill my lungs, I gasped in big gulps as my body came back from being choked, I could hear sobbing coming from inside the room, Mara must be crying, I called out to her, and then realised I should'nt have, as another kick was delivered to my privates, I wanted to curl up in a ball but couldn't with the weight of the intruder on me, the searing pain to my chest continued as the intruder carried on marking me with the knife, " There, that's ones done, but as you are a couple and I think it would be so romantic for you both to have matching tattoo's don't you?" again another sinister laugh as Mara was brought and laid down on the floor next to me, this time the accomplice sat on me with a knife at my throat. I heard as Mara's blouse was ripped opened, and the pain of the knife being dragged on her skin began, she squirmed and kicked and called out, "You fucking low life bastard" "Ah such sweet terms of endearment, I'm touched." the intruder spoke in a mocking voice, "Ill remember you forever, now hold still bitch or I will kill you." Mara fell silent and accepted the torture.

Out the corner of my eye, I saw what I thought to be flashing lights, could it be?, I said nothing, but the accomplice had seen them too, he forgot where he was a spoke, "Chad, the cops man" "Assole, I told you never to speak, I'm near done, now shut the fuck up and use the guns if you have too, keep them away, NOW GO...... " the accomplice got off me and went off as he was told too.

the name Chad, again familiar to me, then like a bullet from a gun it hit me, Chad Bentley Dorothea's old Karate instructor, it all made sense, I found my voice and spoke, "Chad Bentley, eh?"
"Hush up Jon or your girlfriend here dies, you think cause you now figure who I am, things change, the cops maybe outside but I'm in here and I have guns, man you need to get it, I don't care if I die, I'm here for revenge for me and Dorothea, get it......" The tone of his voice told me he was speaking the truth, I prayed the cops had a port of action and could break in and rescues Mara and me, but since the flashing lights there's was nothing else.

Mara laid as still as she could but whimpered softly through the pain she was being put through.
I spoke again, "You know you wont get away with this, you will die Chad...."
He lent down real close to my face with the knife taken off Mara and pressed to my throat, "I said, shut the fuck up, or you die first" I swallowed hard and felt my adams apple hit the blade of the knife.

I decided no matter what, I could not remain silent, I had to keep goading trying to stop him from hurting Mara anymore than he had, right now. knowing who it was I was prepared to die to save Mara, the ties to my hands were so tight they were cutting off the blood supply, I wriggled gently and felt a ping, the ties were loosening a little, I wriggled again and another little ping was felt from the ties. I reasoned he had tied them so tight they were at breaking point, so I pulled against them with every ounce I possessed, ping, ping, ping, more ratchets on the ties loosened, enough now for me to slide my hand out of the tie.
My body was battered and bruised and bleeding, but I dragged my body to my knees and lunged at Chad sitting on top of Mara, he fell to the floor, just as I stumbled to my feet, with my hands now free I was ready for the fight.