The Beast Within

Chapter Forty-Two: Do Anything For My Princess

Nyssa laid Poppy and Scarlett down in bed for a nap then fell backwards onto her bed, she heard a chuckle and threw herself up "what the hell are you doing here?" "shh the kids are sleeping" he stepped forward and pushed her down onto the bed "Jerome-" "shh let me spend some time with my wife" he kissed the crook of her neck and she shut her eyes and bit her bottom lip "Jerome" she breathed out "Nyss, the babies are crying" her eyes shot open and she eyed him "what?" "the babies are crying" Jerome eyed her and she threw herself up, suddenly she was in her bed alone, she sighed and looked around the dark room "it was just a dream" she said to herself and threw her arms next to her, she looked out the window and froze as she saw a silhouette, Jerome ashed his cigarette and turned away from Nyssa's window and walked off towards his car, Nyssa jumped out of bed and looked out the window but there was no one there, she threw on her coat and walked outside, she walked over to the tree in her yard and found 4 ashed out cigarettes in the distance she could hear the roar of an expensive familiar car, she smirked and walked inside.

The next day Nyssa sat at her kitchen table with her friends "so you're being stalked?" Barbara asked pouring herself a cup of wine "no, it wasn't creepy and I know who it was" Nyssa said sipping on her coffee "I think it's hot, this mysterious cat and mouse game, kind of sexy" Lucky said "it's sexy until you wake up with your organs missing" Barbara sassed "I know him, he's my husband" "wrong, he was your husband.. you don't know this guy, you don't know where he's been or what he's been doing, it's been years, you're complete strangers" Barbara stated bluntly, Barbara's words hit Nyssa's heart hard, she didn't know the love of her life anymore "you're right" she grabbed her keys and both women watched her curiously "what are you doing?" Barbara asked "I don't know him anymore, so it's time we get wasted" she smirked and pulled them out the door.

Jerome stepped into a bar with a sign out the front saying free drinks till 2, he walked up to the bar and a petite young girl about 20 with bouncy blonde curls was immediately in front of him "hi there handsome, what can I get ya?" "the manager" she nodded and called over a burly looking man "there a problem sir?" Jerome stood up and met his eyes "how much for this place?" "the bar isn't for sale" "I'll write you a check for 10 mil, real cash" the owner's jaw dropped instantly "seriously?" "I like the place and I get what I want, offer's only good for ten more seconds or I'm gone" "y-yes, yes! I'll take it" Jerome smirked and wrote on a blank check but signed Jeremiah's name instead of his, just as pay back for the way he treated Nyssa, the old owner of the club handed Jerome the deed to the estate and quickly left "wow, you've got a real way with people" the blonde girl said with a smirk "easy sweetheart, I'm your new boss now" he replied grabbing a small shot glass and sat it in front of her "pour yourself one to toots, to celebrate" she nodded and poured them both a shot of whiskey.

Nyssa, Barbara and Tris all laughed as they walked into their usual hot-spot, the best bar in town, they walked past the staff at the bar and sat in their booth, Jerome knew exactly who had just walked through the door "uh oh, here we go again" the blonde bar-back said "what's the matter?" he asked "those three can be real trouble especially the blondie" he believed it when it came to Barbara Kean "what about the other two?" "that one-" she pointed to Nyssa and his curiosity peaked "she can hold her alcohol but she's kind of a loose canon, never know what's she's gonna do in here, grab a random guy or dance on the tables" Jerome felt jealousy flare "watch it with what you say about her" "what you know her?" "she's- was my wife" "oh shit, I didn't mean to-" "don't worry about it, go take their order and their drinks are on the house" the blonde girl nodded and bounced away.

Nyssa and Barbara laughed as they listened to Tris tell a story "what can I get you ladies?" "Martini for me doll" Barbara said running her tongue over her white teeth "Bab's behave" Nyssa scolded as they laughed "just a scotch neat for me" Nyssa said after they calmed down "I'll take a gin and tonic" Tris said hooking her arm around Barbara's shoulder "coming right up" she came back quickly "here you go and drinks are on the house, compliments of the new owner" he head shifted to Jerome at the bar and Nyssa groaned "whoo! baby daddy came through" Barbara joked as she gulped her drink down "I'll be right back" Nyssa said sliding out of her seat.

She slammed her palm down on the bar next to Jerome who turned to her "Nyss" "I don't know what game you're playing at, but stop it" "all I'm doing is working doll" "no, you're following me" "prove it" "you were at my house last night, what do you want Jerome?" he chuckled and gripped her wrist and pulled him into his chest as he stood up "I don't want anything Nyss" he ran his thumb over her bottom lip "then stop playing with me" "oh I haven't even begun to play with you yet baby" she swallowed thickly and inhaled sharply "don't Jerome, you're a rabbit hole and I won't fall in again" "keep telling yourself that, doll, now go enjoy the drinks" he released her hand and she stepped back "if you're really back, then come see your kids" with that she turned and left. The blonde waitress sat next to Jerome "it's none of my business, but what happened with you two?" "what's your name toots?" "it's Evie" "well Evie, don't ask questions that could get you hurt" she silently nodded and walked back behind the bar.

After one too many drinks the girls decided to leave as they were leaving Nyssa was pulled back and pushed into a wall "leaving without saying goodbye doll?" "learned from the best" she spat shrugging him off "watch that pretty mouth of yours honey" she glared at him as he smirked "bite me" "oh trust me baby, I'd love too" "I need to go" she stepped back but he pulled her forward till their lips collided together, he hungrily pulled her closer to him and she wrapped her arms around his waist "Jerome-" "shh" he said running his hand over soft cheek, finally they pulled apart "I love you" she said silently pressing her forehead into his, he kissed the top of her head and let go of her hand "I know doll" he sighed and disappeared around the corner.

Nyssa sat by her kitchen table the rest of the day going over the events in her head, Jerome was back and he owned her favorite club, she knew keeping it from her kids would backfire but she couldn't stand to see them hurt again if he up and leaves again, her thoughts were interrupted by the front door opening then closing "hey mom!" the two older boys called then disappeared upstairs "hi mommy" Crimson said dropping her school bag on the kitchen counter "hi sweetie, how was your day?" she asked walking to the counter and began unpacking her daughters school bag "it was fine" Nyssa could sense her daughters sadness "what's wrong honey?" Crimson sighed and sat on the stool across from Nyssa "daddy hasn't written me back in two days, what if he forgot about me?" "of course he didn't forget you baby, he's probably just busy, he loves you with his whole heart, never forget that" "I guess so" Nyssa's heart broke at the fact that her daughter was starting lose hope in her father and that made her say something she could regret "what if mommy found him?" Crimson's face lit up "you'd do that!?" "I'd do anything for my princess" "you're the best mommy ever!" she wrapped her small arms around Nyssa's waist excitedly, Nyssa smiled down at her but she was screaming at herself inside.