Macs eyes widened at his confession

Love her? he said in a stunned voice

Lorenzo tried to smile at the look of shock on Macs face but he only winced from the pain

I would appreciate you keeping our affair to yourself

Mac now had swallowed Lorenzos words

Im afraid your secret, if its true, is now out in the open. Its only a matter of time before everyone knows

Lorenzo looked blankly across the room and spoke in to thin air

She has always feared what will happen when people found out. I dont want her to have to wake up with people wanting answers to why shes with a man like me questioning her sanity

So you do understand how absurd it will seem to every one that you two are together?

Its unthinkable. But it happened And I know no one will believe me

Shes a beautiful woman, a brilliant woman she would be easy to fall for Mac said not catching what he was saying until it was too late

But for some reason he seemed to believe Lorenzo

Beautiful, brilliant, funny and neurotic as hell Lorenzo said now with a half smile

Mac paced the room twice before speaking again

He needed to get to the point

Lorenzo is there anyone, besides the usual suspects that would want to kill you?

Lorenzo jerked at the question but instead of answering he grumbled from the slight movement he made to his newly cast arm

No, I dont think, not recently He said honestly trying to think She hates that lifestyle he said being frank with Mac Ive done everything possible to stay out of trouble because of her, because of her daughter

Mac took a breath completely taken back by Lorenzos honesty with him

Old enemies, old debts? Mac continued

Nothing serious came to mind

Why do you think this was an attempt?

Robert Carson, the man in the other vehicle had no identification on him also from early reports from the wreckage it looks as if he had been on the wrong side of the road intentionally rather than veering accidentally from his side

Lorenzo looked confused

So you think he was trying to run me off the road?

Or anything that would cause you to have an accident

Mac could tell Lorenzo was trying desperately to put all the pieces together

Lorenzo do you remember any of it? Anything that happened?

I remember his headlights and then Alexis screaming my name nothing else really

They, then were both interrupted by the nurse coming in

Hello she said politely to Mac before turning her attention to Lorenzo Mr. Alcazar, how are you? Any pain?

Lorenzo shook his head no

The nurse studied him

Are you sure because I would rather give you something while its tolerable, it may get worse

Lorenzo nodded his head like a child giving in

Ok the nurse said satisfied And Commissioner Scorpio Im afraid youre going to have to wrap your conversation with Mr. Alcazar up. He needs to let this pain medication take affect and he needs rest

Mac nodded

Lorenzo Ill be speaking with you again soon he said grabbing the handle to the door

Scorpio?

Yes?

Could you maybe be a little discreet on what we spoke about?

Mac shook his head

Yes, Ill do my best

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The bangs that she constantly brushed from her eyes now stayed mated into her hair, stained with blood

Her face swollen, her eyes dark, her cheeks bruised

Glass had shattered across her face, her neck and her arms leaving tiny cuts on her skin

A cast on her arm, and one that stretched from her mid thigh to almost the tip if her toes

Every heartbeat, every breath every movement her body made, monitored

Jax thought she was invincible

She didnt seem so at that very moment

She looked literally broken as he stood there, in shock at the sight of her

Hello wife Jax said stumbling on his words

He wanted to cry

This is where youre supposed to say hello husband and then that grin that can melt a man is suppose to come across your face

Jax reached down for her hand

Her fingernails were blood stained

He cried

He tried to stop himself, he couldnt

The sight of her overwhelmed him

You dont deserve this you, everything thats happened to you, its not fair youve been through so much

Jax composed himself

Youll get through this Alexis he said trying to be positive

He held her hand gently against his palm

Her long thin fingers were dwarfed against his

She seemed tiny and delicate at that moment

Defenseless and outdone

Alexis I should have been there for you all of this time. Through everything youve been through. Jax said feeling guilty. And Im not sure whats going on with you and Alcazar I dont know if I should punch him or have him arrested or, or He stopped himself. Whatever was going on between them didnt need to be discussed then, especially without her explanation. I love you Alexis and Ill be here when you wake up, I promise

Jax spent a few more minutes with Alexis before Ned peered in the doorway

Ned didnt go straight to her rather kept his distance

Jax stood up

Hows Kristina?

Ned shook his head

Um I have a few things to take care of while youre with her

Ned again nodded

Ned she needs you now more than ever Jax said before leaving him alone with her

++++++++++++++++++++++++

He studied her

He was frightened

Scared that she might be in pain

Scared that he may cause her more

It took him what seemed forever to take just two steps closer to her

Ned bit at his bottom lip

Nervous

Finally he sat down in the chair next to her bedside

With a sudden burst of courage he reached for her hand but he pulled away

He just began to talk

Um Kristina, shes fine I, I went to check on her and um Emily is keeping her and she said she wanted to keep her tonight. You know she loves Emily so I thought you wouldnt mind She kept asking for you Ned suddenly had to turn his head from the sight of Alexis. He swallowed his breaths, each going down painfully. And I uh I told her you would be home soon and that you would be ok He said said shaking his head convincingly

Ned stopped talking

He was suddenly fixated on the way her chest would rise and fall and the sound the ventilator made

He then let his fingers run lightly across her bare arm though he was still afraid to touch her

Afraid she would literally break

He said nothing the rest of his time with her

+++++++++++++++++++++

Jax Bobbie said coming towards him

Jax looked at her attentively and then to the white sealed plastic bag she held in her hand

Jax I wanted to give these things to you so you could maybe put them in a safe place

Bobbie handed Jax the bag

These are her belongings. Well her jewelry at least. Her clothes and shoes werent salvageable

Jax held the bag tight against him

I will put them in a safe place, thank you Jax said appreciatively

Bobbie gave a slight smile as a youre welcome and left him there

Her ring

Jax sat on the edge of the waiting room couch twisting the diamond ring she always wore around his pinky. He suddenly thought it odd he didnt notice her hand without it.she was never without it

A pair of earrings

Simple, elegant he hadnt seen them before

And one more item

A charm bracelet

Jax held it up, studying it

The Eiffel Tower dangled in front of his eyes and a heart shaped charm

Mon beau secret Jax read aloud

He gripped the bracelet now in the palm of his hand

And he stared out in to the empty hallway

My beautiful secret He said again aloud

End Ch. 15