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.