Andrea's POV

Shane and Bliss were not happy. "She is going to kill me. Jessica caught feelings for him. But, he told her she was just a fling."

"Andrea, he is trying to twist it in the media that I came on to him, which I have not."

"Stay away from him, Bliss. He is nothing but trouble."

"Oh, believe me, I will stay away from him. He has been nothing but trouble since I met him. I will be staying at Shane's house for the next four weeks. I do not want you or Jessica taking time off. I need to finish packing."

"I'll give you my address so you and Jessica can come over when you like."

"I'll finish packing for you, Bliss. What is left to pack?"

"Just some outfits - I'm thinking shorts and skirts. And a few work outfits for video conferences."

"Just sit and stay off of your ankle."

"Thanks, Drea."

"And I will bring down the packed bags."

While packing clothes for Bliss, Shane and I had a little chat.

"Take good care of my sister, not just now, but in the future."

"I promise you I will. Bliss told me about your parents."

"She did? Shane, you are the first person Bliss has said anything about our parents. She likes you, Shane. Did she protest when you suggested taking care of her?"

"She did at first. But, then Bliss agreed."

"It may not be much, but our little Bliss may be thinking about ripping down her independence wall for you. I can't wait because she deserves to be happy. Ever since our parents died, she felt like she had the burden of taking care of us. Jessica hasn't told Bliss yet, but she will be moving into her own place in Manhattan. It's not that she doesn't like living with us. She just wants to live in her own place. I'll stay with Bliss for a little bit. One day I want to get my own place, just not right now. Keep doing what you are doing, Shane. Bliss will come around. I know it."

"Thanks, Andrea. Here is my personal business card with my home address." Shane gave me his card, and I put it in my pants pocket. "I packed what I could. Jessica and I will bring Bliss fresh clothes."

"Sure. Let's go ahead and take these bags downstairs." Shane took the suitcases, and I grabbed Bliss's carry-on bag. Then we made our way downstairs.

I hear Jessica and Bliss talking - probably about what happened in Miami and about Alexander.

"Hey Jessica, I'm sorry about letting the Alexander situation slip."

"It's okay. I am the one who should apologize. I kept it from both of you, assuming you would judge me. And, I also told Bliss about me getting my own place."

"We could never judge you. We are sisters and have to stick together. How did you take the news?"

"Of course, I am sad, but you're both over 20 years old. I shouldn't expect you both to stay with me forever. The only thing I ask is that we keep in touch."

"Of course, Bliss."

"You both better come see me over the next four weeks."

"You know we will. And you better listen to what Shane tells you."

"Okay. It has been a long day, and I am exhausted. I'll call you ladies in the morning to keep our tradition up."

I helped Bliss up off the couch. "I love you both. Don't ever forget that."

"We won't. And we love you too. Bye Shane." I grabbed a bag so Shane would not have to come back inside. "What are you driving?"

"I'll be driving Bliss' Infiniti." I grabbed her keys and gave them to Shane. Bliss made her way to the truck while Shane put her bags in the trunk. Then, he got into the driver's side. Jessica and I waved to them as Shane pulled off.

"I really hope Bliss lets Shane into her heart. He is nothing like that piece of crap Alexander Mahoney."

"I hope so too. Let's get inside and eat some more of the pizza and wings."

Shane's POV

"My house is on Long Island, not too far from the office. So sit back and relax. Depending on traffic, it should be about 30 minutes."

Thirty minutes later

I parked Bliss' Infiniti as close to the front door as possible. "Bliss, we are here."

"Huh?"

"We are at my house."

She opened her eyes and was amazed.

"This is your house?! It is huge and beautiful!"

"Come on, let's get you inside. I'll give you a tour tomorrow." I got out and went to the passenger side to open the door for her.

"Thank you. Oh no, I left my crutches at my house."

"I'll pick them up tomorrow. But to get you in the house, I'll carry you."

"Fine. You won't get a protest out of me."

"First, let me unlock the door." I walked over to the front door and unlocked it. Then, I walked over back to Bliss. I hope to do this one day, but I will be carrying her as my wife.

Bliss pulled herself out of the truck, and I lifted her in my arms. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and then we went inside the house.

"I'll come back for your bags." I could open the door to Bliss's room with her in my arms.

After opening the door, I placed Bliss down on the bed.

"Seriously, Shane, thank you for doing this and for your support. It means a lot to me. Oh my goodness, this bed is so comfy."

"You're welcome. I'll be back with your bags."

"Thanks."

I walked back to Bliss's Infiniti to grab the bags. I was able to carry all three at the same time. I placed them down in the foyer. Then, I pressed the alarm on her keys to lock the truck and closed the house door.

When I walked into the room, Bliss had already fallen asleep. So, I just placed them down, put a cover over her without covering her ankle, turned off the light, and left the room. It really was a long day, so I headed toward my room for a good night's sleep.

Tuesday morning

I knew my parents were already up, so I called my mum.

"Hey Shane, how was Miami?"

"There is no easy way to put this. It was a disaster."

"First, the she-devil, Milena Castiglione, was there. She saw Bliss and me walking together. So, she purposely tripped her."

"SHE DID WHAT TO MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW?!! Where is the hussy so I can smack the stuff out of her?!!"

"Hopefully, out of the United States. I am getting a restraining order against her this week. But that is not all."

"Shane, what happened?!" I could tell my mum was grinding her teeth through the phone.

"We went to the restaurant at the hotel. The waitress pathetically attempted to flirt with me. She was ignorant towards' Bliss the whole night. Bliss is allergic to shrimp."

"Please tell me that witch did not give Bliss shrimp."

"Bliss ordered alfredo pasta with chicken. The two others, including myself, ordered steak and potatoes. Bliss's order was the last to come out. Before the waitress put Bliss' food down, I saw shrimp. I let her have it. She was fired and will be banned from working in the food industry."

"Didn't I tell you not to say she gave Bliss shrimp?"

"Something else happened. Alexander Mahoney - he inappropriately touched Bliss on her butt. She promptly broke his hand. He is trying to twist it in the media that Bliss came on to him."

"HE IS A DEAD MAN!! Where is Bliss now?"

"Surprisingly, she is letting me take care of her at my house for the next four weeks."

"I am coming over later today. Take care of my daughter, Shane."

"I already know. I will be working from home for the next four weeks."

Suddenly, I heard a loud scream. I opened Bliss's room door. She was having a nightmare. "Mum, I will see you later. Bliss is having a nightmare."

Bliss was screaming, "DON'T LEAVE MOM AND DAD! DON'T LEAVE US ALONE!"

I had to wake her up. "Bliss, wake up!! You're having a nightmare!" She didn't open her eyes, so I started tapping her. She eventually opened her eyes and grabbed my hand. She shot up and held on to me tight.

"I dreamed of seeing my parents murdered right before me. What if my parents were the intended target?! And what if those people come after me, Jessica, or Andrea?! I am scared, Shane!!"

She had this nightmare because of me. I should have never asked about her parents. "Bliss, sweetheart, I am sorry you had a nightmare about your parents. Everything will be okay. Nobody is going to hurt you, Jessica, or Andrea. Try and get some rest, okay?"

"I can't. I just can't!! Stay with me, please? Don't leave me alone!"

"I won't leave you alone, Bliss. That is a promise. Wrap your arms around my neck."

She did, and I carried her to my living room. After placing her gently on the couch, I took a few steps to get my phone, but Bliss grabbed my shirt. "I'll be right back, sweetheart."

I went to grab a blanket and my phone from my room. "See, I came back. Let me take your boot off to see if you need an ice pack."

The swelling on her ankle has gone down significantly. "I am going to get an ice pack, Bliss. I will be right back."

I placed the blanket over Bliss and went to the kitchen for an ice pack. As I was getting the ice pack, my phone rang. It was Andrea. I didn't let her get a word in.

"Andrea, you can take the day off. Tell your boss I said so, and make sure he pays you for the day. Bliss had a nightmare about your parents. And we forgot her crutches last night. Can you bring them with you?"

"Okay, Shane. I am on my way."

*******************

Narrator's POV

Meanwhile, at a restaurant in Manhattan.

Alexander's POV

"Alexander, why am I meeting with you this early in the morning?"

"Because my latest conquest is not cooperating."

"So, is that why your hand is broken - she didn't cooperate?" He said while laughing.

"The only thing I did was touch her butt. It was screaming for me to touch it. That is no reason for her to break my hand. Man, you should see this woman - curves in all the right places, succulent lips, and she is well endowed, with her boobs and her butt. She is short, but that doesn't matter. She makes me horny. I never had a problem with getting women. But, this woman is tough."

"Is it the woman I saw on the news with Shane Landes yesterday afternoon?"

"That's her."

Chase's POV

While Cris' wife is pregnant, this one will be in my sights. Alexander thinks I am helping him, but I certainly am not. She has been added to my list.

"How about we jointly host a ball or gala? Since she has a boot on her foot, we will have to wait and watch when it comes off. So, we need to look for a place now for November. I know Shane. I could rent the place Shane owns and hold it there. Then, we'll have to wait until she steps away from Shane. Let me ask you this - Why are you still pursuing her, and she hates your guts?"

"I don't care if she hates my guts. I want her."

"Not if I get to her first."

"Once I get the reservation, I will call you about sending invitations. But you can't put your name on the invite. Otherwise, Shane will not come, and he will not bring her."

"That's true."

"Listen, how about I handle everything, and you just show up as a guest?"

"Sounds like a plan."

"Yeah, and I plan on taking Bliss Sanders from you too."

***********

Thank you all for reading chapter 12.

The pictures are courtesy of Can Stock Photos

1. Shane's house - © Can Stock Photo / © Can Stock Photo / lmphot

2. Master bedroom for Bliss - © Can Stock Photo / lmphot

And thank you all for the votes and comments. 😘