“Well, Zack is one lucky son of a bitch getting you in his bed!” he whispered.
I cringed back into the bed, completely terrified of what he was going to do. My body became rigid with fear and my hair stood on end. I now knew what victims of crime felt like. I could never understand why they didn’t struggle more but I realised now that your survival instinct kicked in.
Blood rushed to my ears and my heart pounded as his gloved hand touched my cheek and ran across my right breast circling the nipple. He ran a finger over my tattoo. The hand started to travel between my legs. Tears rolled down my face as I felt the knife digging sharply into my jaw. My throat was dry with fear and revulsion.
Suddenly the door flew open and Jasper was standing there clutching a cricket bat.
“Don’t touch her!” he shouted.
He bravely ran over and took a wide swing at my unknown assailant but he ducked and ran over to the window. Jasper took another swing and made contact with his body.
“Ah, you little fucker!” he screamed, clutching his side in obvious pain.
The intruder opened the window and jumped out. I heard him curse loudly before he crunched over the gravel to make his escape. Jasper ran over to the window and looked out.
“You fucking pervert! My Dad will kill you!” Jasper screamed at him.
I pulled the covers up to my neck and started to cry. My whole body shook as nausea washed over me.
“He has run off down the garden and he’s limping. Jennifer, are you okay? Did he hurt you?” he asked softly.
“No, but I think he was going to. Thank you, Jasper, for coming in and saving me,” I told him numbly.
“I will go and make you a cup of tea then we will ring the police.”
He pulled me into his arms and dried my tears. I clutched the covers to me and I clung onto him as immense relief washed over me. Scarlett appeared at the door.
“What’s been going on? I heard shouting!” she cried, running into the room.
“Someone broke in and threatened Jennifer but I scared him off!”
“Jennifer, are you okay?” she asked, coming over to hug me.
“I will be fine. Thanks so much, you two.”
“I will get that tea for you now, Jennifer.”
Jasper disappeared downstairs as I slipped my dressing gown on. I couldn’t seem to stop shaking.
“I might just go downstairs. I won’t be able to go back to sleep now. You go back to bed, sweetheart,” I told her, kissing her cheek.
“I want to stay with you, Jennifer.”
“Thanks but I will be fine, Scarlett, honestly, go back to bed.”
She hugged me again and disappeared into the hallway.
I went downstairs and checked that all the doors and windows were securely locked.
“Are you going to call the police, Jennifer?” Jasper asked me, handing me a welcome steaming mug of tea.
“No point. He is long gone. I will ring them in the morning.”
“You need to ring Dad and tell him. Whoever it was must have known that he wasn’t here.”
I noticed that my hands were still shaking.
“Are you sure you are okay?” he asked sweetly.
“I will be fine, thanks to you. Get back up to bed. You have college in the morning. I will sit down here.”
“I could stay with you downstairs. No funny business, I promise!”
“I will be okay. Gatsby will be with me. Go on or you will be tired out.”
He reluctantly left me after giving me another hug and kiss on the cheek. Fear and tiredness overwhelmed me but I was too wired and wound up to sleep. My mind churned over and over.
I was now 100% sure that the intruder was David Simms.
It was his eyes. I saw pure evil in them.
Just you wait, David Simms, you complete bastard.
I am coming for you.
Chapter Sixty One
After showering and preparing breakfast for the twins, I took them to college. I needed to see Ross this morning. I was on auto pilot and completely worn out by recent events. Deep dark circles were under my eyes and my complexion was pale.
“Come in, Black.”
“Sir, I need to tell you what happened last night at the house.”
“Go on.”
I relayed the events and tears started to cloud my vision. Ross kindly handed me a tissue as I dabbed my tired eyes.
“Right. Well, you have your gun now and I think you should have it on you at all times.”
“Yes, Sir, I agree.”
“Look, Black, do you want to pull out of this assignment? No one will think any less of you. You have done some sterling work.”
“No, Sir, that is not an option. I know now that it is David Simms. I have come too far to give up now.”
“Okay but please be careful and I want you to be in regular contact with me.”
I shook his hand and left the station like a zombie.