To Love & To Protect Read online

  “I guess we all do,” Jasmine said. “Where have you been my whole life?” Jasmine asked giving him another one of her dazzling smiles.

  “I could ask you the same thing ma’am,” Ethan said as he pulled Jasmine in for a quick hug and a kiss on top of her forehead.

  “I am going to go work on your case some more, pack my things and get moved in, if you don’t mind I will use your girl time to spend time with Amber and Alyson,” Ethan said.

  “Oh really,” Jasmine said surprised.

  “Sure, we can watch a movie or something? Pop some popcorn, eat candy and drink soda,” Ethan said teasingly.

  “You better not, they will be wide open all night,” Jasmine said enjoying their easy banter.

  She opened the door to her study. “I guess I will walk you out,” Jasmine said with a smile. She turned around and Sasha and Katrina were staring at her giving her knowing glances.

  She smiled again, something she had been doing a lot of lately and said, “Back to work ladies.”

  Sasha had secured the prefect venue for the Memorial Day party. The Evergreen Mansion was a former plantation that had been remodeled. It is a wonderful blend of history with a very modern touch. Elegant furnishings, exquisite lighting, lush manicured green lawns, perfectly arranged flower beds, and tree lined driveways. Some of those trees were 500 to 600 years old. They have survived wars, storms, and the like (?) and were still standing proud. The fundraiser was by invitation only, the true blue and silver invitations had been mailed out two weeks ago, and were beautiful if Jasmine had to say herself. As the meeting continued everything was handled from flower arrangements to china as well as the menu.

  “You still have to get your dress, shoes, and decide on your hair,” Sasha said to Jasmine as they packed up all of their belongings.

  “Nicole will help me with all of that,” Jasmine said.

  Katrina caught her up on the charities that needed the most help. She informed her of donations that had been made to the Boys and Girls Club in her name, as well as summarized all newsfeeds that went on about her. Katrina finished by asking her if she was really okay, health wise.

  “I am healing great. I am not wearing bandages anymore and started physical therapy today. On issues I am having, are some edema, soreness after working out, and some stiffness when I don’t move my arm as much. Is this for our website?” Jasmine asked.

  “No ma’am, I was genuinely concerned,” Katrina responded. “I had noticed the swelling,” she finished.

  “Thank you for your concern, Katrina. It is my hope to be better physically in no time. Are you guys joining us for dinner?” Jasmine asked.

  Sasha quickly answered, “No thank you.” Katrina was still on the fence, but ultimately decided to leave as well.

  Jasmine took a quick shower and changed into some comfortable white lounge pants and navy blue top. She had the girls to take their showers and get dressed in their pajamas.

  Ethan had come back and moved all of his things into her room. She smiled to herself because for some reason with this man, this all seemed normal.

  Nicole, Alexis, and Alena were the first to arrive with the food and drinks. Claire, Renee, and Donna arrived shortly afterwards.

  “What is he doing here?” Nicole leaned in to ask.

  “He moved in today?” Jasmine said. “We are trying to make an honest go of it, both for the case as well as for our personal lives,” Jasmine said.

  Nicole walked over to the kitchen window and pulled back the curtain.

  “What are you doing?” Jasmine asked.

  “Checking for rain,” all of the girls said in unison.

  Jasmine bumped Nicole out of the way and washed her hands, so that she could help set the table.

  “You are glowing and stuff,” Alena said.

  Alexis said teasingly, “Let me find out.”

  “Girl, I am seriously happy for you, and wish you and Ethan all the luck. You deserve it. He seems like a nice fellow and you all had sparks flying right from the beginning,” Nicole finished.

  “We are going to take it slow and just see where it goes, but he wants to watch a movie with the girls tonight, while we have girl time. So they can get to know each other. Trent must think that he is a good guy, because he is allowing him to get close to me and the girls. It feels right,” Jasmine said.

  Alena responded by saying, “Trent, speaks very highly of them all. Ethan had pulled most of them out of the ambush despite injuries to himself and laid down ground cover that protected them from further injuries. Trent sees them all as his family.”

  “How are you, Trent, and Trevor doing?” Claire asked.

  “I am just letting him get to know his son,” Alena said. “It would be so easy to fall head over heels for him all over again,” Alena said but that’s not what is important right now. “I don’t want to be with Trenton Jamal Blake-Moore if he doesn’t love me, with everything that he has. I don’t want to be with him out of a since of duty or obligation. You know?” Alena said.

  “You guys are sharing a villa and nothing has been rekindled?” Alexis asked.

  “No, he is beating himself up for everything. Guilt is kicking his butt. I am giving him time to adjust. Look I want what is designed and created for me, so I am not going to push for this. I have waited three years, I can wait some more,” Alena said.

  “Amen to that,” Nicole said.

  “Alexis when are you going to do something besides work, charity work, and babysit for Jonathan? “Nicole asked.

  “When you stop doing all the things that you love to do,” Alexis responded. “I am happy for the most part, just let me be.”

  “Touché,” Nicole said, throwing her hands up and walking away.

  All the food was on the table. Jasmine fixed the girls a plate first, then Ethan one along with drinks. Then she went back into the kitchen area with her girlfriends. Everyone kind of picked and chose from the selection of food and went back for seconds as they desired.

  “Now Donna,” Nicole started, “Tell us about yourself.”

  “I was born and raised right here in South Carolina. When I was younger, I wanted to get out of South Carolina and see a bit of the world. I was accepted into the University of Pennsylvania on a full academic scholarship, so I went. My sophomore year of college, I met a handsome stranger, who said all the right things, and did all the right things. I gave him the most precious gift that a woman can give a man. I got pregnant the first time I had sex. I was that naïve soul. He was not ready for children and offered to help me get rid of Dennis, but that was not an option for me. My mother moved out to Pennsylvania and helped me with Dennis, so that I could continue my studies. It was not easy, but I did graduate and decided to move back to South Carolina. I love the pace of things here and I feel like it’s the best place to raise a child,” Donna said.

  “So are you dating anyone now?” Alena asked.

  “No, Donna said with a smile. My mother is still helping me with Dennis. I am working and learning a lot at the hospital. I don’t have one of those over the top personalities. I just know medicine, my family stuff, and religion. If you are interested in those topics then I am your girl, outside of that I am pretty boring,” Donna said taking a sip of her iced tea and chuckling.

  “Don’t buy into that about yourself,” Jasmine said to Donna. You were very compassionate with me. You seemed to know what I was thinking before I asked it. You understand how to offer empathy without crowding your patients. You’re a beautiful woman inside and out,” Jasmine finished.

  “Thank you,” Donna said.

  Alexis added, “Michael seems to agree with Jasmine. He likes you and he trusts you.”

  “I like working with Dr. Blake-Moore as well. He is the chief of surgery, having his trust means a lot to me,” Donna said.

  “So you wouldn’t want to get to know him better,” Nicole asked.

  Donna almost choked on her tea. She picked up her napkin and wiped her mouth. “Dr. Blake-Moor
e is very handsome and quite witty. He could have any woman that he chooses. I am not going to jeopardize my future for a few moments of pleasure. I have lived and learned.”

  “On to the next thing,” Nicole said clearly in her feelings. “Okay, okay,” Nicole said adding, “I can see where you are coming from and I am not mad at you.”

  “Last but not least, Renee.”

  Nicole stopped because Claire had interrupted with, “Hey, don’t forget about me?”

  “Girl, you don’t have a love interest?” Nicole said.

  “I know that, but don’t leave me out like I couldn’t be having stolen moments with one of these fine men running around here protecting Jasmine. Can I get an Amen,” Claire finished.

  “You right Claire, every man in Trent’s unit is fine,” Nicole said.

  “Eye candy for days and honey I got a sweet tooth, okay,” Claire finished as everyone laughed and giggled and high fived one another from across the table.

  “And she got Trujillo assigned to herself as a tail,” Jasmine said laughing.

  “All that doggone hair, how does he keep it from tangling,” Nicole asked aloud.

  “I don’t know,” Claire said, but I will find out.

  “Back to you Renee; Antonio Favero, spill it all,” Nicole said.

  “There is nothing really to spill. His family has always been close to our family. He helped me in the European market when I first started out in International Business. When the news reached him that Jasmine had been shot, he boarded his private plane and flew in. It was all done to show honor and respect for our parents,” Renee said.

  Everyone stared at her, and finally Alena said, “Renee that sounds like the company line. Has he not made passionate love to you every opportunity that he has had since he has been here?”

  “That was my fault,” Renee said, and even had the nerve to blush.

  “People look at me differently since I got sick,” Renee said. People look at me differently since I had to battle and win over an addiction to prescription pain relievers. People look at me like I am weak, so I started to believe it too. That night that our parents were involved in the car accident, I was pregnant and the stress of everything caused me to lose it. I was feeling too much pain at once, from to many different sources. The night that you were shot,” Renee said to Jasmine, “It was that night that we lost mom and dad, all over again, for me. So when he showed up looking like he looks, trying to be comforting, I took advantage of him, and made love to him. Now, I want him all the time, I can’t get enough of him, because the sex with him is oh so good. I need to stop, but I can’t seem to stop,” Renee said.

  “Why do you have to stop, just go with it,” Nicole encouraged. “Have fun you deserve it.”

  “I miss us all getting together like this,” Alena said.

  “Are you going back to Atlanta?” Jasmine asked.

  “Yes, at some point, our headquarters are set up there,” Alena responded. “I have a house in the country there, and I have built a life there. I will visit more often, I promise,” Alena finished on a sigh.

  “The headquarters can be wherever you choose to operate,” Alexis said. “You could build a home here as well,” Alexis continued. “Couldn’t she Jasmine?”

  “Why yes, but it’s totally up to her, no pressure,” Jasmine said finishing up the last of apple pie with butter pecan ice cream.

  The ladies talked for a little while longer and then gathered there things to leave. Jasmine cleaned up the kitchen and joined Ethan as Frozen was going off.

  “Girls did you have fun?” Jasmine asked.

  “I did,” Amber said bubbling with joy.

  “I did too,” Alyson chimed in a few seconds later.

  “I am glad,” Jasmine said. “Why don’t you tell Mr. Ethan thank you and good night?”

  The girls groaned their disapproval, but did say their thank yous and good nights, before going to their room.

  “Mommy, Mr. Ethan said he would watch another movie with us tomorrow night if you were okay with it,” Amber said.

  “That sounds like a good idea, maybe I will join you. Would you like that?” Jasmine asked as she tucked them in.

  The girls said cheerful yeses in unison.

  “We can make a day of it or something,” Jasmine said. “I think that we will have a good time. Now say your prayers and go to bed. I love you,” she stated and kissed them both on the cheek.

  Chapter 21

  Over the next couple of days, Jasmine worked on tying up loose ends for the Memorial Day fundraiser. Her physical therapy was going well, she was gaining muscle mass and the edema was getting better. She was also less sore and stiff. The girls were doing excellent with their home schooling. She went into the office to work, with Townsend, Kimberly, and Santino when he was not on assignment with Claire. Jasmine had witty banter with Santino and Townsend, but not so much with Kimberly.

  She was leaving the office one day, when she threw over her shoulder that she needed to go by her home before going to her new home.

  “That is not possible,” Townsend answered.

  “Why not?” Jasmine asked.

  “It’s just not advisable right now,” Santino answered.

  “What are you guys not telling me,” Jasmine asked clearly pissed off at this point.

  “Princess, a few days ago Trent and Ethan discovered that your home had been burglarized. As of this moment, we have been unable to establish a motive as a lot of your valuables are still in place. Right now we can only speculate that the bad guys were trying to say that you are not so untouchable. They were able to disable your security alarm without being physically on the premises, and go into your home without being noticed. Only God knows how many days ago. There was some vandalism, but the rest of the team has been trying to gather some Intel that would be useful,” Kimberly said.

  “Why am I just now finding out about it?” Jasmine asked.

  “Ethan has decided that you, Princess, are too fragile to deal with matters of this nature right now. Also you may find that we are sleeping on the job once again,” Kimberly answered clearly angry. “It’s like everyone on this team is compromised and have made a pact not to discuss it.”

  “So why are you telling me now?” Jasmine asked.

  “Because she is a poisonous bitch, that’s why?” Santino said.

  “Jasmine let’s get into the car, we are standing out in the open right now, you are an easy mark for anyone desiring to do you harm,” Townsend said.

  “That would get Ethan’s attention,” Kimberly mumbled under her breath.

  They walked briskly to the car, and pulled away from the curve.

  “Santino can you message Ethan and Trent, let him know that I need to speak with them urgently? Also, I need Antonio and Renee present please, but I can contact them myself, forgive me I am babbling,” Jasmine said.

  “It’s okay, calm down,” Santino advised.

  “How can I be calm Santino?” Jasmine asked. “I have people who are trying their level best to keep me on edge. I have a team of inactive marines that work for me, but don’t keep me in the loop with everything. And you got Kimberly over here who is not a team player, who also has been walking around with a big chip on her shoulder since I laid eyes on her. Right now I feel like she’s rooting for the other team. I wonder if that is not yet another reason we are “compromised” as she is so fond of reminding us,” Jasmine said clearly fired up.

  “Valid points,” Townsend responded then continued, “This is new for Ethan. He is doing the very best that he can, under these conditions. He is totally taken by you, and he feels as if it’s his duty as a man, your man, to protect you. He doesn’t think of you as weak or as some silly princess. He knows that behind your flawless looks, and nice shape, is a kind, caring, sincere, and compassionate woman. A woman who has learned from her mistakes and is encouraging the world to learn from them as well.”

  “Did he say all of that?” Jasmine asked.

  “Y
es, he did,” Santino said. “I personally am proud of you and quite impressed by you. Life has thrown you a lot of curveballs, but you are not bitter. You are not reclusive…You allowed these situations to shape you for the better instead of allowing them to chip away at the pieces of you that make you…well you,” Santino smiled.

  “I don’t want a gold medal for surviving. Lots of people are surviving. Just help me get my life back so that I can go from surviving to thriving, pretty please. Thank you both, I am calmer, but I still need to speak with Ethan and Trent,” Jasmine said.

  “Understood, I will message them. We are almost at the Blake-Moore Estates now,” Santino responded.

  Jasmine walked into the villa, and threw her briefcase and light suit jacket on the chair. She was greeted by her miracle and her blessing as she walked into the kitchen. She spoke with the girls for a few moments before excusing herself to call Blake-Moore Estates main house. She spoke with Eleanor and asked her if she could hold a brief meeting at her home and was given a positive response.

  She wiped her face with a cool towel. It was only spring, but the temperature’s outside were screaming summer. One good thing about Emerald Grove is that the wind constantly blew up off the Atlantic Ocean, so it did not always feel as hot as it actually was. Jasmine looked at her reflection in the mirror and acknowledged that she was stalling. She had to make some decisions quickly. Her heart was deeply saddened, but she knew in heart what was needed to be done.

  Jasmine came out, apologized to everyone for keeping them waiting then advised them that the location for her meeting had actually just changed to accommodate everyone.

  A few minutes later, Jasmine walked into the drawing where all her friends and family were gathered. Trenton’s whole team was assembled, including a shame faced Kimberly. She asked the home school instructor, to take the children to the play room.

  “First, I want to thank everyone for gathering here on such short notice. I also want to thank Eleanor and Jake for being extraordinary hosts. I also want to thank each and everyone here for putting their lives on hold because mine has kind of taken center stage. She walked over to Renee, but continued to speak to the group at large. I just found out today that our home was burglarized recently. Renee gasped in shock. Apparently nothing of great financial value has been taken, but I personally couldn’t live there again,” Jasmine said.