Chapter 3

Helga looked up at the door as it slid open and Jake appeared. She stood and backed away. "Are you staying for dinner?" he asked turning around as his parents followed him inside. "No. Lily and I have to finish planning the party for the Children's Hospital."

"Oh yes. When is that?"

"Saturday Night. You and Helga are going to be there, right?" Damion, his father, asked.

"We wouldn't miss it for the world." Jake smiled at him.

"Good." Then pulling him aside Damion whispered, "I'll make this police thing go away. You need to get your wife back in line. Remind her of her place in this family."

"Don't worry dad. I know exactly what to do about her." Jake looked over at Helga and smiled sweetly at her.

"We're picking Amy up this afternoon. She's flying in from Paris to attend the party Saturday." Lily, his mother, gushed, "She's been dying to see you." she said, taking his hand to command his attention.

"Tell her I said hi." He said placing his hand on top of hers, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some personal matters to attend to." He said nodding to them then walking past Helga.

"We have to be going anyway." Lily said, "Amy's plane should be coming in pretty soon."

The older couple turned to leave but stopped when their son called out to them, "Mother, could you take Marissa with you?" he said.

"Oh sure thing sweetheart." She said smiling.

Jake turned to Helga, "Where's Marissa?" he asked.

"She's in the kitchen with Albert, having a snack." Helga answered. Her voice was barely audible.

He disappeared into the kitchen and reappeared a short time later, holding the little girl's hand as she munched happily on her food.

"Hey honey. You wanna go with grandma?" Lily asked extending her hand to Marissa.

Marissa smiled and accepted her hand. They left together, leaving Jake and Helga alone in the living room. "I'll go help Albert start dinner." Helga said stepping forward. Jake, however, grabbed her arms and turned her toward him. He smiled at her. Not a trace of anger could be seen in his eyes. She felt his hand stroke her cheek gently. It traveled down to her neck and it surprised her when he began squeezing suddenly. "I could kill you right now." He whispered in her ear. His voice was calm and it sent shivers down her spine.

"You embarrassed me in front of my parents." He continued. Then he chuckled softly, "The police think you're crazy." His grip tightened causing her to gasp for more air, "If you call them again they won't believe a word you say." He moved his hand back to her cheek and grinned wickedly. "Jake…"

"Shhhh." He said pressing his index finger against her lips, "Later." He leaned down and kissed her lips tenderly, "I'll deal with you later." Then he turned and walked away. Helga buried her face in her hands and cried silently. Later that afternoon, Albert opened the front door and was greeted by a happy face, "Miss Amy!" he said happily.

"Hi Albert." She replied, "Where's my big brother?" Amy said stepping into the mansion. Marissa ran in front of her as her father came downstairs. She leapt into his arms, "Daddy. Aunt Amy is here." She said putting her arms around his neck. He walked down the stairs with the girl in his arms and greeted his younger sister. "How's Paris?" He asked setting Marissa on the floor.

"It's getting pretty boring. I'm thinking of heading back to Rome for awhile. I might settle down there. I loved it when I spent last summer there." She looked around the room, "Where's Helga?"

"I think she's upstairs." Jake settled down on the couch.

She walked up the stairs and found Helga in the bathroom. "Hey." She said walking up to her.

"Amy you scared me." Helga said, putting a hand over her heart. It was beating so fast, she thought it would crawl out of her chest.

"Mom and Dad told me what happened." Amy said crossing her arms.

"Oh they did?" she responded, looking at the dark haired girl.

"My father cannot keep cleaning up your messes."

"My messes? Jake was the one who…"

"You didn't have to call the police." Amy hissed.

"Yes I did! He would've put me in the hospital again." Helga walked closer to Amy, who placed her hands on Helga's shoulders, "Helga you are so privileged. I know a lot of women who would kill to have the life that you do."

"Not if they knew what kind of monster Jake is."

"Watch your mouth! My brother is a good man. You… you just have to learn to deal."

Helga looked at her in sheer disbelief, "Excuse me?"

"Stop provoking him. Stop saying or doing whatever it is you do to make him mad and you won't have a problem with him."

"Amy, are you staying for dinner?" Jake asked coming up the stairs.

"Yeah. I think I will." She looked one last time at Helga then disappeared down the steps. Helga walked back into the bathroom and pulled her hair out of her face. Her left eye was swollen and her right cheek had a deep purple bruise on it. "No more." She whispered putting her hands on the glass. She had to get out. There was no longer any doubt in her mind.