Fire in the Blood

3. Chapter Three – Dreaming with a Broken Heart-1

3

Chapter Three – Dreaming with a Broken Heart

New York

Jess didn’t cry until Lazlo told her that India was awake, that her beloved friend was going to make it. Then, glad to be alone in her apartment, she was able to bawl, to sob out her utter relief. She let all her emotions out, finally hiccupping to a halt and cranking on the shower. She let the water run down her body for longer than usual, hoping to ease some of the muscle ache.

After drying her hair and dressing, she grimaced as she glanced into the mirror. Her dark hazel eyes were puffy, thick violet circles underneath them, and her usually glowing skin was wan.

“Nope, not a good look.” She decided she would work from home today before going to the hospital. Lazlo had told her that although India was awake, she was exhausted, unsurprisingly, and that the doctor had advised no more than two visitors at a time. Jess knew India would want her brother and her lover with her, so she agreed to provide relief later. She couldn’t wait to hold her friend though.

Lazlo also told her that India had positively identified her politician father as the one who had instigated her attempted murder, and Jess went into work mode, contacting the police and finding out what charges were being brought against Philip LeFevre. She also wanted to make absolutely sure that India would not face any charges for killing Braydon Carter, the man who had been so obsessed with her that he had almost killed her twice.

The District Attorney reassured her. “It was self-defense, pure and simple. There will be no charges filed against India, I can assure you. As for LeFevre, at least one count of murder for India’s mother, three counts of attempted murder, but really, Jess, I could be here for hours reciting what we’re going to charge that son-of-a-b***h with. He’s going away forever.”

“To think he almost ran for president.”

The DA had laughed humorlessly. “I’d say he would have never gotten in, but apparently, right now, anything goes.”

“Right? What a world.”

Jess called her Los Angeles office to update them on India’s condition, smiling when she heard their relief. “There’s a long way to go yet, but it’s good news.” She heard her assistant, Bee, relay the news to the others in the office and heard their cries of delight. There was a reason India was so popular both with her fans and those she worked with.

Jess smiled. “Listen, I’m going to be here in New York for the foreseeable future. I’m going to help the DA send Philip LeFevre down, so as of now, no new clients whoever they might be. We will, of course, keep working with our existing client list, and I’ll fly back and forth, but as I say, no newbies.”

“Sure thing, boss. Give our love to India when you see her, won’t you?”

Jess smiled. “Of course. Thanks, Bee.”

She snagged her laptop from the bedroom and sat down to work, keeping half an eye on the television news in case anything leaked about India that they didn’t want out there.

Since the news that India was awake was made public, the ardor outside the hospital had died down a little, but it didn’t stop some of the more gutter-like press from trying to get in to see her. Jess smirked when she remembered Massimo, half-crazed with grief, discovering a pap hovering outside the door of India’s room. The whole floor knew of Massimo’s anger that day. Jess wondered how he was coping.

She picked up the phone and made a call. In Seoul, Tae picked up and greeted her, sounding more cheerful than for a while. “Hi, Jessie.”

“Hey, Tae. How’s Sun?”

“Comparing scars with another patient at the moment—it’s the cutest thing. Well, if seeing your lover with a hole in his chest can be described as cute.” His breath hitched a little, and Jess could tell he was trying to keep from screaming at that thought. He rallied and chuckled softly. “Honestly, nothing can keep this little angel down. How’s Indy?”

“I think if she were with Sun right now, they would be comparing scars. Tae, I think it’s just their way of being happy to be alive. I know it must be hard to hear the morgue humor.”

“A little, but I’m just glad he’s here to make bad jokes. Listen, I’d like to call Indy, but I don’t want to intrude. How’re Massi and Lazlo holding up?”

“Exhausted but relieved.”

“And you?”

“Same.”

Tae sighed. “When they’re well… we have to all get together.”

“I agree, honey. Listen, Tae… it’s over. They’re hurt, yes, but they made it. Carter is dead. It’s over.”

The conversation was on her mind later, when she’d replied to every important email she had, deleted the rest, and gone to the kitchen to make herself a snack. Family. That’s what they were, despite the distance in geography, despite the cultural differences, despite everything. In this industry, Jess thought, there are so many fake relationships, lavender marriages, PR romances, false friends. But not them. Not us, she thought, not us. The love between all of them was real, palpable… forever.

But Jess also felt lonely, seeing the love between India and Massimo, and Sun and Tae. Oh, to have that perfect love. Not that she believed in it, most of the time, but her four friends were the most convincing evidence she had ever seen. To find that one person who fit you exactly.

It would be nice, Jess thought, taking her cup of tea back to the couch as she waited for her pasta to cook. Nice, but not necessary. Right?

She pushed the thought away. Too much was happening for her to lose focus now. She glanced at the television and grimaced. Dorcas Prettyman was simpering as she was being awarded a star on the Hollywood Boulevard. Yeah, we know you paid for that, b***h. Jess’s lip curled as she watched the overly-exaggerated mannerisms of the other woman.

“Stupid woman thinks she’s Grace Kelly,” Jess muttered to herself. The screen cut to a shot of Prettyman with Teddy Hood, who looked miserable. Dude’s gorgeous, Jess thought, but what the hell was he doing with her? Good move divorcing the spider, man.

She didn’t listen to the rest of the segment, but Teddy Hood’s blue eyes haunted her. That was misery right there. Poor guy. Distracted, she looked him up. He was five years younger than his soon-to-be-ex-wife, forty to her forty-five. A successful actor in his own right and had quietly built his own resume with small, independent parts before marrying Dorcas and being propelled into the big time. He didn’t seem the type to do Oscar-bait-ey films, happy to play character parts and take second or third billing, but he constantly garnered good reviews and had been nominated for some minor awards, even winning a few.

What on earth did you get out of this marriage? Jess’s interest was piqued then, and instead of concentrating on her own work, she did some research into the Hood/Prettyman marriage until Lazlo called her and asked her to come back to the hospital.