Thursday, May 14th, 2020

Shane's POV

I am so happy to hear that Bliss was out of the hospital. There was no way I was missing Bliss's press conference at the hospital. I tried to be inconspicuous, but I think she saw me.

Mum told me Bliss owns the penthouse right across from me. I never knew Alexander owned that penthouse. Mum said that is where Bliss is staying for a little bit. So, I can't go to mine. I can't risk those two goons seeing Bliss and me in the same area.

Thankfully, mum talked Carly into letting me attend her wedding. But I need to stay out of sight because I know Bliss will be one of her bridesmaids.

This is the hardest situation that I have encountered. I feel like I am losing my mind. Fortunately, I lost the goons in traffic this morning, so I can take my jet to California to visit my good friend, Niko. We are close to San Diego now.

"Shane, we are about to land in San Diego. Please put your seat belt on now."

Jimmy is not as mad as he was before. I put my seat belt on, and within 10 minutes, we landed safely.

After getting off the plane, I saw an SUV waiting for me.

"It's good to see you again, Shane." Niko and I then shook hands.

"It's good to see you too. Thanks for letting me stay in San Diego. I had to get away from New York."

"It's not a problem. Let's get out of here." I loaded my luggage in the trunk of Niko's truck, and then we pulled off to his house.

~~~~~~

Bliss' POV

"Thank you for helping me, Andrea." Andrea helps me with my daily routine in the bathroom and helps me get dressed. "I feel so embarrassed."

"You're welcome. And, girl, please don't feel that way. That is what family is for - to help one another. Mason and Grayson are fixing breakfast for us. Austin is on his way with Braelyn. She is off from school today."

Mase came into my room. "Breakfast is ready, ladies. Bliss, do you need help getting in your chair?"

"Yes, please. And thank you too for staying with me. When is the wedding?"

"You're welcome. You are my family, Bliss. Of course, I am going to help you. The wedding will be on September 12th. Then, Carly and Julian's is September 26th."

"Okay. That will give me the push I need to walk again."

Mase rolled the wheelchair out of my room, and we made our way to the kitchen for breakfast.

Grayson and Mason fixed everything I love - banana pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, and fried apples.

"I love you guys! Thank you! These are some of my favorites. Good morning, Grayson. I didn't know you could cook."

He came over and kissed me. "Good morning, and you're welcome. I'm not just a super-hot model, you know. I'm a man of many talents."

Andrea and I cracked up. "Oh my gosh. He's so modest. But it's true. You are indeed super hot." I blew Grayson a kiss.

I tried to lift my arm to reach the fork on the table, but it was a little difficult. I may be out of the hospital, but this is hard. I tried to lift my arm again. I finally lifted my hand, but I immediately rested it on the table. It was tiring.

"Bliss, let me help you. It's okay. That is what we are here for."

"Thank you, Grayson."

We sat at the kitchen table for about thirty minutes, eating breakfast. I feel terrible and embarrassed. This is going to be hard.

Mason and Andrea cleared the table after we ate and washed the dishes.

"Bliss, you have a sad look on your face. What's wrong?" Grayson asked.

"I feel helpless and embarrassed."

"Listen to me, honey. We are here to help you. Please, I don't want you to feel helpless or embarrassed. I'm here for you. I've taken a break from modeling so I can help you get better. I'm looking forward to us modeling together again."

"You did that for me? Did I tell you that you are charming? I want to cuddle on the couch."

"Cuddling it is. But first, let me help you with breakfast."

"Okay."

~~~~~~~~

Shane's POV

"Hi, Shane. Where's Bliss?" Tatianna asked.

"Please promise me that no one else will know what I am about to say. I had to dodge two goons before I flew here."

"We promise, Shane," Niko and Tati answered.

"Someone is blackmailing me. It started as soon as Bliss left for her August Milan trip last year. Whoever was blackmailing me threatened to kill Bliss in front of me if I didn't break up. I broke up with the only woman I will ever love for her safety. Bliss is currently dating Grayson Kendall. But I want Bliss back, Tati and Niko."

"Oh my gosh, Shane! I'm so sorry. You guys were beyond perfect for each other. I knew something was wrong. I promise not to tell anyone. Grayson Kendall is the sexy supermodel, isn't he?"

Niko rolled his eyes at Tatianna. "Shane, if you need me to do anything, let me know."

"Thank you, Niko and Tati. And thank you for letting me stay at your beautiful home. My mum tells me everything that is going on with Bliss. She was finally discharged from the hospital and is working her way back to a full recovery."

"You're welcome, Shane. If you don't mind, Tati and I would like to fly back to New York with you to visit Bliss. And, any info you can give me, I will ask my father's private investigator to assist."

"Sure. I'll let my pilot know. Bliss would love to see you both."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Narrator's POV

During his stay in California, Shane stayed inside the house, relaxing and working. Shane remained through the rest of May.

Meanwhile, Bliss is progressing well with her training with Austin.

Shane, Tati, and Niko flew back to New York at the beginning of June. Shane let Niko and Tat stay at his penthouse so they could surprise Bliss.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday, June 12th, 2020

Bliss' POV

Grayson, Andrea, Mason, and I were watching television when we heard a knock on the door.

"I'll answer it, Bliss." Andrea went to open the door. We all heard her squeal in excitement. Andrea walked into the living room with,

"Tati?!! Oh my goodness! Sorry, I can't get up at the moment." Tati came over and sat on the couch. We gave each other the biggest hug ever!

"It is so great to see you, Tati! Hi, Niko. Thank you so much for coming."

"It's great to see you again, Bliss. I'm so sorry about what happened to you. Just know that Niko and I are behind you 100%. I haven't met everyone else yet, except Andrea." Tati was blushing at Grayson, and Niko rolled his eyes. They crack me up.

"Thank you both so much for visiting."

"You're welcome, Bliss. We were happy to hear that you were out of the hospital," Niko says.

"This is my boyfriend, Grayson. Standing next to Andrea is her fiancé and my current bodyguard, Mason. Where are you guys staying?"

They hesitated to answer. "Shane told us and is letting us stay in his penthouse."

"Well, I am glad that you guys are across the way." I can't be mad at them. "And thank you for the visit."

You're welcome, girl."

"Uh, Mr. Kendall, I'm a huge fan of yours. May I please have your autograph?"

Niko rolled his eyes again as Tati asked Grayson for an autograph.

"Grayson, Tatianna is one of my best friends. We've known each other since going to NYU."

"Sure. Please, call me Grayson. I don't mind signing an autograph. What do you want me to sign?"

Tati pulled a magazine out of her bag and handed it to Grayson. We all cracked up as Grayson signed the magazine.

"Did you seriously bring a magazine?" Niko asked Tati.

"Yup. I sure did. Thank you, Grayson."

"You're welcome."

**********

Narrator's POV

Meanwhile, somewhere in Manhattan.

Jessica's POV

My friends and I are enjoying ourselves at dinner when we all see 'Ms. Always Needs The Spotlight,' Mikayla Shay and some guy enter the restaurant. I just want to smack the Botox or whatever she had done to her face off. I can't stand her for what she did to Bliss before the fashion show. Of course, the winch is seated near our table.

Our food finally came. We had a good time talking, eating, and enjoying each other's company. That was until I heard what Mikayla said out of her mouth. This girl is just beyond stupid. She said,

"I love seeing Shane Landes miserable. That is what he gets for turning me down. I love the thrill I get from blackmailing him. Nobody turns me down. I am a supermodel, for goodness sake! And, that ex-fiancée of his got what she deserved. Who does she think she is humiliating me and taking my spot at Sapphire Couture?!! Too bad she is still alive. I am not the only one that can't stand her either."

I started choking on my food. So, I took a sip of my wine. "She is blackmailing Shane?! I should have known there was a reason why Shane broke up with Bliss!"

"Excuse me, ladies. I will be right back." I grabbed my phone and stepped outside. I couldn't just tell anybody, so I called Shane. He was surprised that it was me.

~~~~

Jessica to Shane: "Can you meet me tomorrow morning for breakfast at Impresso Espresso Bistro in the city, hmm, say around 8:30 am? Shane, I know the reason why you broke up with Bliss. I overheard an interesting conversation this evening. I'm sorry, Shane, you are being blackmailed. I should have known better. You would never hurt Bliss."

I heard Shane drop something, then he spoke into the phone.

Shane to Jessica: "I'll be there. Jessica, please be safe. And it's okay. I'll see you tomorrow."

I went back inside after Shane, and I hung up the phone.

~~~~~~~~~

Shane's POV

Who did Jessica see that is a part of this blackmailing scheme? And, after all this time, I am surprised they haven't demanded any money from me.

I still want to know what the London connection is in all of this. Let me try to get some rest because tomorrow morning, I will finally start getting answers.

~~~~~~~

Saturday, June 13th, 2020

Who was I kidding? I didn't get an ounce of sleep last night. So, I just got up early, showered, and dressed to drive to the city.

Fortunately, I was able to find a parking space near the cafe. I saw Jessica as I entered the cafe. We ordered food, then waited for our number to be called.

Once our number was called, we went to eat outside because it was a sunny day.

"Shane, I really am sorry. I know you would never, ever hurt Bliss. You guys were the perfect couple. You are being blackmailed."

"Jessica, you don't have to apologize. Nobody knows who is behind this mess. I had to do what I did to protect Bliss."

"Shane, I overheard..." That was all that Jessica got out before we heard several gunshots. Two guys in ski masks approached the cafe and started shooting. I grabbed Jessica to cover her, but I was too late.

I looked down at Jessica and saw that she was shot!! "Shane, I'm hit."

"SOMEBODY CALL 911 NOW!!"

Oh gosh, please don't let her die!! Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw the two armed thugs run away from the scene. That means Jessica was their target.

"Jessica, please hang in there!! Don't die!! Please don't die!!"

Within five minutes, an ambulance came. I lifted Jessica off the ground and placed her on the stretcher. Then, I grabbed her bag. "I'm going with her!!" I screamed as the paramedics put Jessica in the ambulance. They asked what had happened.

"We were sitting outside eating our breakfast. My friend was getting ready to tell me some very important information, then suddenly these two guys started shooting at us. I tried to grab her to shield her from the bullets, but I was too late."

"S-S-Shane, I overheard Mikayla saying she enjoyed watching you being miserable. And, she said Bliss got what she deserved at the fashion show. Mikayla and someone else is behind the blackmailing. Someone in London also wants to see Bliss dead. It is...." Then, Jessica passed out.

We pulled up to the hospital. Jessica was rushed to the emergency room, and I went to sit in the waiting room.

I hope Andrea answers her phone because I need to talk to her now!!!

~~~~

Andrea: "You have some nerve calling me, Shane."

Shane: "Andrea, listen to me. Jessica was rushed to Bayhealth General Hospital! She called me last night, telling me to meet her at Impresso Espresso Bistro in the city. I'll tell you everything when you come to the hospital!!"

Andrea: "We will be there as soon as we can!"

~~~~~~~

Andrea hung up the phone. Who wanted Jessica shot so she would not say anything to me? Who freaking did this?! When I find out who else is behind this, they will pay.

Within 15 minutes, Andrea and Mason ran inside the waiting room.

"Shane, what happened to my sister?!" Andrea's eyes started gushing with tears.

"Jessica called me last night because she wanted to tell me she heard an interesting conversation. It turns out that she knows someone who is a part of a blackmail scheme against me. Someone in London wants Bliss dead. As Jessica and I were talking, two guys in masks walked up to the cafe and started shooting. I grabbed Jessica to shield her, but I was too late. When I looked at her, she was bleeding badly. Jessica was the target because the thugs left once they saw her on the ground. In the ambulance, Jessica was able to say Mikayla's name. She was about to say another name but passed out on the stretcher."

Mason and Andrea looked at each other in shock. "A blackmailing scheme?!"

I started from the beginning. "Back when Bliss left for her trip to Milan last year, I received a few messages on my phone that if I didn't break up with her, they would make me watch Bliss die. I love her too much for that to happen. So that is why we broke up the way we did at my building back in September 2019. They even had security cameras placed in her office to make sure I fired her the way I did. There is no way I was going to let Bliss die."

I also told them what happened at my building with Jillian.

Andrea came over to me and hugged me.

"Wow!, Shane, that is some serious stuff there. I knew it was a reason. You made the right decision. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Andrea. But please don't tell anyone. Two very large goons are watching me. They are to shoot Bliss on the spot if we are caught talking to each other."

"I'm sorry, Shane. You always looked out for us. Always. We all knew it had to be a reason. You were protecting your loved one. I promise not to tell anyone."

"Excuse me, but did you come in with Jessica Sanders? My name is Doctor Morrison."

"Yes, I did. I'm Shane Landes. I have with me Jessica's sister, Andrea. And Andrea's fiancé, Mason. I witnessed the whole thing. Is Jessica going to be okay?"

"I'm sorry, but she didn't make it. And whoever did this to her knew exactly where to shoot her. She died during surgery. Mr. Landes, can you follow me, please? I will come back to speak with you, Ms. Sanders."

"Andrea, I'm so sorry. If you need anything, let me know. I'm going to leave after I finish with the doctor. I don't want to cause a scene. After I leave here, I am going straight to the police station."

"Thank you, Shane."

Then, I followed the doctor out of the waiting room.

Bliss' POV

Grayson wheeled me inside the hospital and into the waiting room. I saw Andrea in tears, being consoled by Mason. I immediately started shedding tears before we joined them.

"Is Jessica going to be okay?"

"I'm sorry, Bliss, but Jessica didn't make it through surgery. She died from her injuries. Someone killed her on purpose, and Shane saw it. He came with her to the hospital. And he is on his way to the police station," Andrea said through her tears.

"No! She can't be! Grandma is gone! Now, Jessica too?!"

Grayson hugged me while I emptied my eyes with tears. Julian, Carly, Layla, and Ryan entered the waiting room.

"She's dead, Julian. Somebody took Jessica away from us! You and Andrea are all I have left in New York."

A doctor walked over to us. "Ms. Sanders? Mr. Landes just left my office. Please follow me."

"Doctor Morrison, my brother, and sister just arrived," Andrea mentions.

"Andrea and Julian, you both go. I-I can't." Then they followed the doctor.

Grayson helped me out of the wheelchair and sat me in one of the waiting room chairs. Then, he hugged me tightly while I continued crying.

Mason's POV

"Bliss, I'm sorry about Jessica. I am sure everyone is wondering why Shane was here."

They all had an irritated looks on their faces. I hope Shane finds out who is blackmailing him and soon.

"Shane told Andrea and me that he was with Jessica when she got shot. He tried to shield her but didn't do it in time. He rode with her to the hospital. Shane said after he leaves the hospital, he is going to the police station."

"Shane is frustrating," Ryan says while running his hands through his hair.

If only they knew why Shane broke up with Bliss.

~~~~~~~

Monday, June 15th, 2020

Shane's POV

"When is this hurting going to stop? Jessica's last words to me were, 'Mikayla and someone else are behind the blackmailing. Someone in London also wants to see Bliss dead. It is...' She never got a chance to tell me who in London wants to kill Bliss."

"As soon as my hands touch Mikayla's neck, I am going to squeeze the life out of her!"

My father and I did a double-take and stared at my mum.

"What are you both staring at?! September will be one year since that terrible day! We should be planning a baby shower for you and Bliss! And, whoever wanted Jessica dead, I want to choke them too!"

We have never, ever seen my mum this upset before.

"Adrian, calm down before you burst a blood vessel. Uh, Shane, while your mum calms down, Andrea called and said the funeral for Jessica will be next Saturday, June 20th, at noon. She got Bliss and Julian's approval and wanted you to at least attend the funeral service. And, well, you know already what to do."

"I will be there."

My text ringtone went off, so I picked up my phone from my desk in the office. I was surprised by who the text was from.

~~~~

Thank you for reading chapter 45.

Niko and Tati are from my story 'Mr. Kostopoulos.' They will be making further appearances in this story.

And thank you all for the votes and comments. 😘