A Changed Life (25 page)

“Jack, after the way you just behaved up in there, you are in no shape to see her. You need to calm down, and let us take care of our daughter.”

“No Mason, that’s where you’re wrong, Nickel is as much my daughter as she is yours. I have played it your way all these years and today we are going to do it my way. You failed her, but I will not. I never should have agreed to let you take her here to this place. She would have been fine had she stayed with me and Sara. You insisted that she would be okay out here, and you would always protect her.”

“Jack, she has been protected from the minute, I held her in my arms. What happened to Nicolette, was beyond my control. I had just found out what was going on the night she was raped.”

“That is bullshit Mason! Where the hell were you? How could you be so oblivious to what was going on in Nicolette’s life? Beyond your control…my ass. You’re her father for god sakes, and yet you did nothing! Why Mason? Explain it to me! Why didn’t you protect our girl? Was it because you were too busy with your career?” Uncle Jack had mocked him.

“Please Jack, stop this. Blaming Mason, will not change what happened to Nicolette. Please don’t reveal the truth to her. She has been put through hell. I don’t know if she has the strength to take another shock to her system. Jack, I am begging you to wait, and give us time to explain it to her.” Jack ran his hands through his hair, and sighed.

“Christina you have had nothing but time. Eighteen years to be exact, and I will not wait any longer. I will seek justice for Nicolette, my way.”

“No, Jack. Please don’t go after Michael. How will that help her if you’re in jail?”

“Don’t worry about me, Christina. I will do whatever it takes to right this wrong for my daughter. You sure as hell can count on that.”

“That’s your answer for everything, right Jack? Hit first, think later. The police are taking care of Michael, so you need to stay out of it.” My father screamed at his brother. Jack, quietly spoke to my father so my mother couldn’t hear.

“Remember who you are brother. Papa may have changed our names, but that doesn’t change who we are and where we come from. You, Massimo Anthony Vanelli, remember who you are. Stop hiding and stop running! Remember who you are!”

Stepping back from his brother, Mason turns to his wife, Christina. “Honey, will you please give me a moment alone with Jack?”

“Are you sure that is a good idea?”

“I’m sure. Please go sit with our daughter, and I’ll be along soon.”

“Come with me, please?”

“Christina, go to Nicolette, now! You were the one that called him here, and now I have to deal with this.” Already regretting his harsh tone with her; he watched her turn away from him with tears in her eyes.

“Jack”

“I don’t want to hear it, Mason. There is nothing you can say to me right now that will change my mind. That fucker has to die!”

“Sara”

“What about, Sara?”

“Jack, I get that your first instinct is to want justice for Nicolette and by causing harm to her rapist, but you are not thinking clearly right now. Remember who you are, Jack. You are not that guy anymore that is standing before me right now. This hit first and ask later approach may have been your way in the past, but you let that go a long time ago. Don’t let this bring you back to a world that you never belonged in.”

Hitting the wall and then turning to slide down it, Jack looks up to his brother. “What do you know about my old life? You were just a kid who followed me around like a lost puppy.”

“I know enough Jack and I know you got caught up in a life that you didn’t want but, you lived it until you had a chance to break free from it.”

“I couldn’t stand how hard mama and papa worked, they always kept saying that they worked this way for us and we will understand one day. I never did, and then Johnny asked me to do him a favor. All I had to do was make some deliveries for him when he asked me to; I would get paid, and paid well he said. How could I refuse the money? He said no one would get hurt; just make the deliveries and report back to me. I did it with no questions asked, and Johnny always kept his word.”

“It wasn’t just deliveries, Jack, was it? They always wanted more from you and you had no choice but to do what they asked of you.”

“Mason, you make it sound like I was a hired gun. I think your imagination is running wild.”

“You can play it off as much as you want Jack, but I know you were their muscle when they needed someone taught a lesson. Don’t lie to me Jack…I saw you.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about, Jack. It was the night that I had my concert at school. Mama was sick, and papa was working late. You promised them that you would take me and be there while I performed my solo piece, but you never showed up, because Johnny had yet another “errand” for you to run. When you finally got home is when I saw your bloodied knuckles and as much as you tried to hide it from mama and papa…they knew Jack. I knew Jack! I hated you at that moment because I know what you did to Mikey Marino. That poor kid never walked again, Jack, because you did “Johnny” a favor.”

“I’m sorry, Mason. I didn’t know any better back then. I never meant to have you disappointed in me, but I was just trying to make a better life for our family. I knew I was in over my head after that, and I went to Johnny and asked to be let go. He laughed at first and said no, but then I stood there with no fear and asked again. He said…no man ever asked him this and lived to tell about it, but I was different and he always knew this day would come. He did let me go but, always promised to have my back and if I ever needed anything; I could come to him or any one of the guys in the crew.”

“Jack, you are a better man, and maybe I didn’t always see it growing up, but I do now. You are my brother, and I love you. Please don’t let what happened to Nicolette bring you back to those dark days? Think of Sara, who loves you and how she makes you better every day.”

“That’s a low blow, Mason, even for you.”

“Jack, I’m not trying to hurt you, but you need to see that as much as you’re angry about what happened to her, you can’t let this become you…again. I want to rip that boy a part with my bare hands, but it won’t change anything, but cause more hurt for Nicolette. We need to be here for her now, and not let this separate us, please Jack… I’m begging you. Let the police handle this? And stay out of it. Can you do that? If not for me, for Nicolette, and Sara?”

Walking away from his brother, and not saying another word, Jack never looked back.

As much as I wanted to crash on my bed, I needed to grab a shower and get back to the hospital to be with Nicolette. I haven’t left her side since finding her on Michael’s boat. I’m racked with guilt and I blame myself entirely for Nicolette’s attack. Although she doesn’t, I can’t help it. I was so blinded by my hatred of Michael, and my anger toward her for lying to me. I couldn’t see straight, and I just wanted her gone. I didn’t trust myself at that moment and I let her leave. I knew she wanted me to run after her, but I just couldn’t.

Memories of seeing Nicolette, naked, bloodied, and beating on Michael, was horrific. Seeing her and the condition she was in made me ache for her. I have never been so scared in all of my life when I saw the girl I love in that state. I had no time to react, except to just get her to the hospital. Mr. Vanelle, had called the police en route to the marina to get Nicolette. He had a terrible feeling and knew she was alone. Thanking god for a father’s instinct. She was in need of medical attention right away, and by the looks of Michael, he did too.

I felt better after showering and finally managed to eat something. I never wanted to be too far away from my girl. On my way out, my dad asked me if I had a few minutes to talk with him. I was in a hurry, and said no. He gave me a look to show me that he wasn’t asking, he was telling me to make time for him. I never argued twice with my father.

“Simon, your mother and I have been worried, and how Nicolette’s attack can be affecting you.”

“I’m ok dad. You don’t need to worry about me.” I was hoping my reply would satisfy my father, but it didn’t. To add salt to my wounds, dad brought up Jennifer. My family knew what I went through when Jennifer died, and it nearly broke me. I blamed myself for her accident. Having to witness Jennifer and Michael together was too much for me to take. I was so jealous and hurt. I gave myself to Jennifer, my heart and soul, and she ripped it out by cheating on me with him. I was sickened watching her allow Michael to touch her in places that I had touched. I was angry and wanted to hit something.

I should have been the bigger man, and walk away, but that’s not how I was raised. My three brothers would have kicked my ass, if I would have done that. They taught me to never back down, especially when your girl is involved.

I saw red and charged the crowd where Michael and Jennifer were dancing. I began to pound on that asshole until he struck back at me. Eventually I healed, and found my closure. Jennifer’s accident was not my fault, and blaming myself ended the day I met Nicolette. She took my breath away, and her beauty beguiled me. Meeting her that day on the beach was a sign. My world became right, and it felt as if she was sent for me. If I know anything, I know Nicolette and I are meant to be together.

I explained this to my father and reassured him that I was fine. No matter what happens, I would be standing by my girl now and forever. My father looked at me with disappointment in his eyes. I never expected for him to turn on me. He asked me to walk away from Nicolette, and my stomach felt like it was pierced with a knife. Here stood my father, who I have always respected and admired, and now I was the one being disappointed. I got up to leave, and he grabbed my arm to pull me back into one of his bear hugs.

“I love you son, and I’m sorry if I hurt you. I can’t stand by and watch you be hurt again. Can you please just see this from our point of view? Your mom is sick over what happened to Nicolette. As much as we adore Nicolette, you have to be our priority. We need to make sure our son is ok first.”

“Dad, I love you and mom. Let me be clear on one thing. My relationship with Jennifer is nothing in comparison with what I have with Nicolette. I know what I am doing dad. Please trust my judgment, and not question me about it. I mean no disrespect sir. You are my father, and I never want to hurt you. I’m a man, and I know what I want, and she is waiting for me to return to her. Please pass my message along to mom.” I grabbed my keys and walked out never looking back at my father. I knew he was hurt and he felt like I was shutting him out. Nicolette is my whole world, and I needed to get back to her.