What They Didn't Know

Chapter 16

Chase's POV

After the nurse had re-wrapped my wounds, I tried to stand unaided and cursed at the pain. Counting to ten until the throbbing subsided, I moved forward to get dressed in my street clothes. Thanking her before dismissing her help, I watched the nurse close the door as she left my hospital room. Courtney was nice enough, but as a grown man I felt the need to put my own clothes on without assistance.

Yelping as my shirt caught on the surgical tape, tugging something awkwardly underneath, I saw stars.

"Should have let Courtney help you. Would've been less painful."

Caught off-guard, I spun around to see who'd entered and was surprised to see him. It was the guy from the theatre. Behind him, taking up his rear and closing the door was George. Nodding a "Hello" at George, I looked back at his boss apprehensively.

Noticing a side piece, my nerves notched up a few pegs. If they'd come here to finish me off, I was going to be easy pickings. Still weak from the stabbings I wasn't much to look at at the moment. Squaring my shoulders, though, I tried to put on a good front. I knew I wasn't fooling anyone with my false bravado, but damned if I'd go down like some kind of pussy.

Smiling, the man in front of me pushed his palms face down on the air between us. "Settle down, son," he declared calmly. "I'm not here to hurt you."

Looking at him sideways I countered. "You're not?"

"No," he answered, sitting on the edge of the visitor's couch next to my bed. He spread his knees as he sat, and got comfortable. Feeling ill-at-ease, I took a tense seat on my unmade bed and waited.

"I have a job for you."

Raising an eyebrow, I kept my lips sealed waiting for the rest of it.

Reaching into his side pocket, and making me flinch, the man pulled forth what looked to be a business card. Confused I reached forward to accept it.

"What's this?" I asked examining it.

"That," he replied matter-of-factly. "is you new job."

"This card?"

"No," he answered shaking his head at my foolish inquery. "not the card, the man on it. Call him. He has a job for you. Electrician. You'll be in the union, full benefits with pension, solid pay, secure position."

Staring down at the card in my lap I pondered the possibilities. No club, no threats, no...Wait-

"Where's Bethany?"

No one had been to visit me since I had entered the hospital. No one had called. No one had emailed. I did receive a rather odd note one day when I had returned from some x-rays; "She's alright." That's all the note said.

I had been filled with dread the moment I woke up; out of my head with worry over what had become of Bethany once I'd passed out. I had failed to keep her safe.

"Bethany's fine," the man replied. "She's safe and happy, living out East and completing her degree from home."

Not taking my eyes off the man before me, I asked where the electrician job would be.

Folding his hands on his lap, he leaned back on the couch cushions behind him. "The Academy of Music in Philadelphia. I understand your mother and her husband have a place you can stay in Haverford, correct?"

"Well, yeah, I guess, but-" I started to answer slowly, trying to absorb his words.

"Good. Then it's settled," the man concluded standing up to make ready to leave. "Bethany's welfare is now in your hands."

Whipping my head up, I stood before thinking about the pain of my stitches.

"Shit!"

"Wait," I said, reaching out to grab the man's arm. Almost successful, I was pushed back when George got between us. "No touching."

Hobbling to maintain my balance and not fall backwards, I took two hasty,  retreating steps. "I don't understand."

"There was some history between Miles and Bethany that recently came to light. That, and what he did to her in the park, were enough. It was time to settle an unfinished score.

And then there was your little matter with him.

So, in return for my assistance you're going to go to Philadelphia and look after my God-daughter. Everyone wins. Everyone's happy."

"But, I-we hardly know each another. And-"

"Bodyguard, best friend, hell-boyfriend; I don't care how you do it. As long as not a hair on her head ever comes in harm's way. Otherwise, you'll find yourself lying in the same hole Miles is."

"Oh, and Chase?" the man asked before leaving.

"Yeah," I stuttered. "I mean, yes?"

"You will never let Bethany return to this world. You will never get initiated into it yourself. And you will make sure she lives a long and happy life.

Do we understand one another?"

Speechless, I nodded my consent before squeaking out a vocal response. "Yes. Of course."

"Good. We're done."

And just like his God-daughter, he was gone before I could form a coherent thought.