Chapter 89

Richie watched Jon leave with Geena with mixed feelings. Part of him was relieved this mess was over for now. That piece of shit was in jail again and he could go and bring Sabrina back where she belonged. The other half of him was angry over the stupid stunt Geena had pulled. "Bri is gonna give you a ass chewing when she finds this out," he muttered to no one in particular. He glanced around with single minded purpose. Time to find Matt and find out where he stashed my girl.

Yelling into the corridor as he made his way from the band's dressing room he yelled, "YO MATTHEW!" He spotted Matt at the end of the hall chatting to some crew. "Man, you and I need to have a little chat."

He glanced up as Richie barrelled his way. Wincing slightly he braced for impact, whistling with relief as the bigger man managed to stop before smashing him into the wall. "I swear, I haven't talked to her today man. She hasn't contacted me."

"Doesn't fuckin' matter man. Jared tried shit with Geena tonight and he's back in Jail. He won't be getting free again." He leaned into Matt, a study in intensity, "That means I want her back, so where the fuck is she staying? What's her room number and you have an extra key? I'll take care of the rest. " He straightened as his gaze bored into Matthew, "Its time to bring her back home to us," Richie simply stated

"Man, she ain't gonna come. You know that." He shook his head at the look in Richie's eyes. "It's only been a day man, fuck."

"Do you not speak anything other than Jersey English? Didn't you hear what I just said? Thanks to G and her stupid ass stunt she can come home to us. Could have gotten her ass killed but she did it. She has some balls . Not so sure what shape she is gonna be in when your bro gets done with her though."

Matt just shook his head, "Fuck, he go as ballistic as I think?"

"That's an understatement man and if it hadn't been him it would been one of us. God what the fuck was she thinking ?" Richie shook his head. "I've never seen him so pissed and so scared. We walked in dude and she was kicking ass but I don't think she could have held him off too much longer."

"I wanna be a fly on the wall when the lone ranger finds out." Matthew's brows waggled. "I watched her in the audience tonight you know. I think shes miserable if that helps you any."

Richie chuckled "Hell if G survives Kidd's wrath she might be able to survive Bri, not sure who's is worse . Let me get to her now " Richie held out his hand "You got an extra key? I want her home with us ASAP."

Matt's eyes rolled as he dug into his pocket for the key and muttered, "you just want her home with YOU, Us is relative my man." At Richie's growl Matt grinned, "Believe it or not, yeah I have a copy of the key. She figured someone having it was a good idea, just in case. She didn't trust that fucker to not find her even as hidden as I had her."

"Thanks man, for all you've done." Richie smiled and took off tohis waiting car a grin forming on his lips. Climbing up into the hummer he cranked up, his eyes on the cities lights. "Time to come home Darlin'."

Richie arrived at the hotel and looked around its been awhile since he stayed at a low cost hotel. Nothing really had changed much, he thought as he searched for her room. Finding her door he let himself in, glanced around to see the room empty then found a chair to wait for Bri. "Baby no more running for you its all over. Thank god " He said as he watched for her to walk in .

She exited the cab with a sigh. After the concert she'd stopped for a bite to eat, hoping against hope she could find a way to make herself sleepy. Usually a snack at this time of night helped, but with each bite, she remembered moments of Rich feeding her morsels in bed. Hell everywhere she looked she saw him. She thought she'd be seeing spooks or Jared around every corner, but no, all she saw was a lanky body with brown eyes full of hurt.

The concert had been wonderful, but seeing him up on stage, his eyes scanning for her, had been more difficult than she thought. She'd just have to suck it up and deal with it though. Until the time Jared wasn't an issue she was destined to live this solitary existence, watching Richie, loving Richie unable to have him. Fuck, I've turned into a stalker.

Sliding the key into the lock she opened the door to her little haven, stepped inside, shut and locked the door before turning. Her eyes swept the room as internal sensors went on overload. Someone was in here. FUCK! had he found her?

She turned quickly and tried to open the door, her sudden nerveless fingers unable to disengage the lock. "I'll scream Jared. I swear to fuckin' God I'll scream."

He watched her go pale and whirl back to the door, her body trembling violently. Fuck, didn't think about her not seeing it was me. I've fuckin' scared her. SHIT! He stood quickly and hustled to the door his hands reaching out to tug her against his chest as he crooned softly, "'No baby its me." His head tilted as his lips brushed caressingly over her ear. "Shhh its ok its me."

She turned quickly her eyes widening as she tried to pull away from his hug. "What are you doing here? God I can't even trust Matt! You gotta go, NOW before... " She took a step back, ran into the door and stopped. She couldn't let him get any closer, if she did she'd forget her plans. "You gotta go. Now."

He shook his head as she tried to step around him, almost laughed as she turned to try to open the door and usher him out. Flattening his palm on the door he pushed it closed. "No I don't have to go. Baby its over. Jared has been caught and this time he messed with the wrong girl. She is gonna testify and he is going to Jail for a long time."

Her heart dropped to her feet as blood turned to ice. "He went after Geena didn't he? I didn't do enough. OH God....." She felt her heart ripping in two as all of Jared's words of what he'd do to Geena fought their way to her mind. "Please tell me she's not dead. Did he hurt her really bad? Oh God. "

Richie stepped closer to her holding his arms open for her to step into them "G's fine but she went after him. She baited him. I have to say she's a fighter, but it was a damn stupid stunt. God and Jon? I don't know if he wants to love or kill her himself."

"She went.... I'm gonna kill her!" She stepped into his arms without second thought, the first sigh of relief whispering through her system as his arms closed around her. "Please tell me he didn't get away again."

He'd already said it again but he instinctively understood she needed the reassurance. "No he didn't but to be honest if we hadn't come in when we did he might have hurt her. I mean she fought hard, but when we came in we could tell he was starting to get the upper hand. But its all okay now, security stopped it. The police came and he is going away for a long time. G is testifying, he threatened her big time too . I wanna kick her ass myself but I have to say I am grateful too." He kissed her forehead and fought back a chuckle as she started muttering. "Maybe you will be scarier than Jon when you get ahold of her."

She pressed closer to him as the tears started. "I'll kill her, I swear she knows how he is."

The fact that Jared was destined for a long stint in jail settled into her bones, the first tears of release as her solitary jail vanished washed through her. "I'm so sorry I just left, but I had to keep you safe. I just had too."

"I just wish you would have trusted us to handle it Darlin'." Richie spoke softly as he caressed her. "And don't blame Matt for letting us know where you are. Jon is like a bloodhound when he senses secrets. Hell he sniffs out lies better than a polygraph machine."

She shook her head, "I couldn't take that chance, but dammit I couldn't do what I normally do. When Jared shows up I just disappear, usually for a very long time. I tried too, believe or not, and I couldn't. I got as far as the city limits and something made me rethink my plan. I finally went to Matt for help. I couldn't leave. I.."

She looked up into his eyes, a quirky lopsided grin sliding onto her lips. "Something, hell someone kept me close. I had to at least see and hear. I... You looked so good tonight in black."

"As badly I wanted to go after you when Matt told us, it made me feel better to know you were there somewhere ." Richie dipped down and kissed her.

She tilted her head, accepting the kiss and giving all that she was in return until the giggles started. "You were supposed to just be a fantasy dammit. One week in paradise, and yet here you are the ONE thing that kept me from running away. Wanna explain that one Rich?"

"Easily its a four letter word called Love."

Her arms slid around his waist as the giggles died away. "Loving you is easy. But the fact you return the gift? It still amazes me."

"Why is that darlin? You are easy to love," he smiled.

"Cuz I'm just some girl from the middle of nowhere, and honestly I didn't give you credit. I never imagined you'de love anythign that wasn't hollywood blonde."

Richie pulled her back into his arms. "That's cuz a dark raven beauty showed me how wrong I was. You showed me that all that glitz and glam aint all that. I wished I had found you years ago. Would have saved me all the shit I went through."

She reached up to press a kiss on his chin, before snuggling back into his arms. "You grew up and got smart. Besides, I woulda been too young way back when. You woulda been in jail. I mean when you were all ready to get married I was barely 16, so maybe life had it planned out all along."

"Maybe so but I'm sure grateful to have you in my life now Darlin'." Richie smiled and started stroking her hair. "But you ever take off on me again I will hunt the ends of the earth to find you."

"I'll make sure to leave a lot of clues."

"You do that. How's about getting out of here and going back where you belong ? "

She nodded, her heart too full for words. She belonged, he'd said so. Turning, she pulled away from him to grab the one bag she'd brought with her." Considering how miserable I was here? Oh yeah, I think I like your plan."

"Lets go." Richie took her hand and walked out the door to the car.

She walked with him and as she walked felt the shackles born of years falling away. She was finally free, As she slid into the car he had her brow flicked up a moment, until she remembered this was LA. He had a home here. "Your monster I take it?" She nodded to the large black hummer. "Is this the dreaded beast we've all read about?"

He laughed. "Sure is. My baby. Need help in?" Richie opened the passenger door giving her a boost up.

She slid into the seat and laughed. She'd never thought she'd be riding in this vehicle that was for sure. As she watched him move around the front of the truck she started humming a snippet of The futures so bright I gotta wear shades, unable to take her eyes off of the one man who had chased away the grays and left only the rainbows.

Richie climbed in the driver's seat , slipped the key in and revved up the engine. He heard a soft hum coming from Bri's direction "Whatcha humming ? "

She twisted slightly and felt her cheeks heat. "The future's so bright...."

She watched him grin, "Never said I could sing. Thats your job."

He laughed. "That's what I love to see, that bright smile and laughter again." His brows waggled as she commented on her singing ability. "Oh yea might have to bring ya on stage to test that theory," he teased.

Her head shook violently back and forth. "I can jump from this truck and run buddy. I know my place." She winked at him, her voice going serious. "Your job is to strut, play that guitar, make love to it and sing. You get paid well for it."

She winked and continued, "My job is to stay in the background, Love ya no matter where you are, melt when you do your job, and take care of ya when your not doing it. Try to get me on stage might ruin the whole thing."

He made a turn into the hotel parking lot and shifted it into park then leaned over and kissed her "Damn I'm so lucky to have found you."

She grinned into the kiss before pulling back. "Yep, you were, but then I was lucky you found me too."

He smiled as he climbed out , shutting the door and walked over to her side then helped her out. " Home at last." He took her hand and walked into the hotel. He was determined to never to let this one go.If he did he sure hoped to hell someone would slap the fuckin' shit outta him.