Pieces of My Heart -- Chapter 69

by Lisa B

Chapter 69

Damascus Syria

Remi put down the phone and chuckled. His plan was working beautifully. His minion had just called to say Jerry's men had tracked down the Grand View Hotel. How utterly delicious it was...the man must be going out of his mind. So many fires to put out and so few people to handle it.

Jerry still seemed to be working on his own. Remi's plan was working better than he could have ever anticipated. Jock McGillen...eliminated, Jasper Jax...preoccupied, Julia Barret...preoccupied, Eduardo....ahh...his dear, sweet, charming baffoon of a brother-in-law....probably drunk in some Monte Carlo casino. Everything was ripe for the pickings. He only had a few loose ends to clear up before he swooped in for the kill. Remi rubbed his hands together in sweet anticipation. He couldn't wait to see the looks on their faces as the realization dawned that they had lost it all....everything gone...*poof*...But his greatest satisfaction would be having Isabella and rubbing it in Jerry's face. No man went after his wife. It was time someone taught Jerry Jacks a lesson.

Remi could hear the water running in the upstairs bathroom. Isabella was awake. Deciding it was time for her to join the game, he climbed the stairs. He paused outside of the bathroom door envisioning her lush supple skin streaked with water. Licking his lips savoring the vision, he pushed open the door. The outline of her body cast a shadow on the shower curtain. He watched as she lathered her body and washed her hair. He pulled back the curtain abruptly. Isabella shrieked and tried to cover her exposed body with her arms.

"Why the modesty my dear? There was a time when you hungered for my touch...craved it." Remi ran his hand through her hair pulling her face close to his.

"Please don't remind me....but that was before I found out what a monster you are." Isabella tried to pry his hand from her head but her efforts only served to fuel his desire.

Remi reached back and locked the door with his free hand. He let go of his wife and quickly removed his clothes. Isabella was repulsed by the sight of his naked body. She closed her eyes and shivered as he let his hands explore her body. He climbed into the shower with her and closed the curtain.

Pushing her against the wall he whispered.."It used to be so good. If only you had helped me...put me first instead of your family. Instead you had to be a fickle little whore." he tried to pry her legs open with his knee. "What's the matter, my pet? Afraid to feel a real man inside you? Is that the allure of Jerry Jacks....do you dominate him?" Remi laughed thinking what a pleasure it was going to be to flaunt Isabella in Jerry's face.

Tears streamed down Isabella's face. She shut her eyes trying to block out what was happening to her. In her wildest dreams, Isabella never believed her life would sink this low. Her existence had taken on a life of its own...propelled forward by forces other than herself. She almost felt detached watching the horrors of her life as a bystander. How had this happened?

********** Alaska **************

Joanne was rooted to the chair outside of Jock's room. Neither the McGillens nor John and Jane Jacks had been able to get her to leave the hospital. Jane had finally convinced the girl to change out of her blood stained clothes but that was only after Jock's parents arrived and the doctors assured her he was holding his own. She then took the clothes and washed herself up in the restroom. Before anyone had time to bat an eyelash, Joanne had settled herself back into the chair outside of Jock's room and there she remained.

Mrs. McGillen staired at the girl and knew she was the one. The woman who had finally won her son's heart. She wondered how long this romance had been going on or if Jock had even figured out yet that he loved this one. But love it was....the moment she laid her eyes on Joanne she knew. Her heart ached not only for the broken shell that was her son lying beyond the glass but also for this little snip of a girl who's eyes shown bright with raw fear.

Mary McGillen approached Joanne. She needed to help her but she didn't know how. Placing a hand on Joanne's shoulder she said, "He's strong that boy of mine. I don't think he's ready to leave us yet....especially now that he's found you."

Joanne continued to stare at Jock's lifeless body through the glass...afraid to say a word...and incapable of shedding another tear. She felt the life seeping out of her, if only he would wake. The doctors said it could be days or weeks before he regained consciousness or maybe never. That was the part that scared her...Never...how would she be able to deal with never.

Mary wondered if she had even gotten through to Joanne. Just as she was about to walk away and find her husband, Joanne spoke in a voice barely above a whisper.."How can you be so sure?"

Mary pondered the question.."Faith....faith that the dear Lord didn't bring you together just to rip you apart. Confidence in my son's fighting spirit." Mary knelt down beside Joanne, taking Joanne's hands into hers. "From what I hear, no one gave my boy even an outside chance of making it to the hospital never mind through the surgery. John told me the paramedics were determined to get him here just to spare you. They didn't want to be the ones to give you the bad news. And yet here he is still fighting to survive. I always knew someday my boy would find the right woman, someone worth fighting for. He kept telling me I'd been dipping into the Bushmill once to often. He never was too bright about women."

Joanne noticed the changes in the monitors first. She bolted to her feet, overturning the chair in her hast. Mary McGillen was confused by Joanne's sudden movement. The next moment doctors and nurses came rushing into the room, pushing the women out of the way. Her eyes crazed Joanne pinned one of the residents to the wall behind the desk. Mrs. McGillen was amazed by the girl's agility and strength. Yes, Jock and found quite a match for his Irish temper and wander lust.

"What the Hell is going on?" Joanne screamed at the resident.

The man tried to wiggle away from the crazy woman and get into Jock's room. The hospital rarely got cases this exciting and he didn't want to miss any of the treatment. Joanne slammed him into the wall to get his attention.

"Apparently, you didn't hear me the first time...WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?" Joanne looked ready strike the man. Mary tried to ease Joanne off the man but Joanne easily brushed her aside. The doctors and nurses were to busy in Jock's room to notice what was going on. John and Mr. McGillen came running down the hallway to find out what the commotion was. They were just on their way back to the floor from the hospital cafeteria.

Mr. McGillen grabbed Joanne around the waste and pried her off of the young resident. He hadn't been a Roxbury cop for all those years without learning something. Joanne tried to kick and bite her way free. Her attempts were futile. Patrick McGillen wrestled her into a chair.

"Now listen here missy, you aren't doing yourself or Jock any good beating up the doctors. Mary sit here with the girl and let me see if I can find out what's going on." He nodded towards John. "Keep an eye on those two will you."

Pat McGillen motion for one of the nurses. He huddled with her in the corner finding out all the details he could. Satisfied with the answers he made his way back to the women.

Gently, he informed them..."Seems the boy may be rousing....all the bells and whistles indicate increased brain activity.....the doctors will be out when they're done checking him. Now you missy..." he directed his attention to Joanne. "you had best calm yourself right down. I won't be letting you near the boy if you don't relax. Do you understand me?"

Joanne nodded her head yes.

Pat continued "You've been sitting in like a zombie in this chair for days. Not one of us has seen you even bat your eyelids to catch a cat nap." He shook his hand at her..."Don't bother trying to deny it. You've gotten mom here sick to death with worry for the 2 of you...never mind Mr. & Mrs. Jacks. And I've been keeping track of how much you've been eating....my parakeet eats more than you." Patrick McGillen straightened himself up and in his best authoritative voice he bellowed. "If you plan on being a McGillen, start acting like one. Jock is going to want to see you when he snaps out of this and I don't want the sight of you scaring him back into a state of shock. You can stay and listen to what the doctor's have to say and then it's to bed with you. Never mind the lip. John and I have arranged for you to sleep in the nurses lounge." lowering his voice he added.."if anything happens I'll come and get you. You won't be any good to him if you make yourself sick." He pulled her to her feet and gave her a big bear hug. "for my son's sake go and get a little rest. Mary...." he called his wife to take Joanne to nurse's lounge and settle her in.

Once the women had left, Patrick turned to John and said "If that boy doesn't marry her, I will."

John understood exactly what he meant.