Ch 22

They all checked into a hotel after arriving in Connecticut. Lisa dreaded what she had to do but she knew she had no choice. Mark and John insisted on driving her to Paul's apartment so she could try to get the key from him. She wanted to go alone but Mark was too worried about the mood Paul might be in. They pulled into a parking lot across from Paul's apartment.

"Lisa, please be careful," Mark pulled her close not wanting to let her go.

"I will don't worry," Lisa caressed his cheek kissing him lightly.

"No worries Mark. I'm going with her," John opened the truck door getting out. "Paul can't blame me for worrying about my sister's safety. If there are any problems I'll call your cell."

"See Mark, I'll definitely be fine," Lisa kissed him again before getting out of the truck. Mark couldn't help smiling as she blew him one more kiss as her and John waited to cross the street.

"Here goes nothing," Lisa took a deep breathe hitting the buzzer for Paul's apartment.

"Who is it?" Paul's annoyed voice echoed through the intercom.

"It's me," Lisa said hearing him hit the buzzer to unlock the door immediately. She felt her knees wobbling with nerves as they entered seeing Paul waiting at the top of the staircase for them looking like he just finished working out dressed in his workout pants with no shirt.

"What did you bring him for?" Paul glared at her.

"I didn't give her a choice," John spoke up as they climbed the stairs. "You left her a nasty note to match your equally nasty temper."

"Whatever John I don't have time for your shit," Paul shifted his stare to Lisa. She didn't say a word as she tried to brush past him. He put out his arm stopping her. "What no kiss for me sweetheart?" Lisa tried to smile giving him a quick kiss.

"Are you still mad?" she asked searching his eyes for a hint of anger finding none.

"No, I'm over it. You gave me quite a shock with your sneak attack but I guess I deserved it," Paul rubbed his chin. "I never can stay mad at you for long." Lisa looked past him seeing his bags still sitting unpacked. He normally always unpacked the minute he got home.

"Did you just get back this morning?" Lisa asked him as he wrapped both his arms around her resting his head on her shoulder.

"No, I got back last night. I didn't unpack because the trainers have decided its best for me to do rehab on my days off. If I do that they will let me wrestle on a limited basis," Paul deeply sighed making Lisa feel sorry for him. She knew how much he loved wrestling.

"That doesn't sound so bad," John said noticing Paul's sad expression.

"The drawback is I can't spend my breaks with my special girl here. It's not fair to drag you along," Paul kissed her neck softly making her uncomfortable. "For the next few weeks, we will only have the days at work together."

"Paul, I'm sure we can deal with it," Lisa softly said feeling his body tense.

"We always do," Paul pulled her against his body. "I'm glad you're here now. We can spend time together till I leave in the morning for rehab." Lisa tried to keep her cool looking at John.

"I guess you won't consider going out for a few drinks with me and Adam?" John said seeing the surprise on Paul's face.

"You want to take me out for drinks? A minute ago you were complaining about my temper," Paul grinned.

"Sure, can't be at odds with you forever. It's not fair to my sis," John winked at her.

"How about we all go out? In fact why don't we invite Mark and Glen too? I owe them a beer after all the shit I put them through," Paul said making Lisa wonder what he was up.

"Paul, are you going to be comfortable with that?" Lisa turned in his arms.

"Yes, perfectly ok with it," Paul leaned forward lightly kissing her nose. "Angel, I want to spend time with you please let's do this. I promise I'll behave. I was thinking maybe I didn't give Mark a fair chance. He is only trying to be your friend no harm in that."

"Ok Paul, do you mind if I stay here during the break? I hate staying at the hotel," Lisa smiled at him caressing his bare chest.

"Sure babe," Paul ran his finger over the ring he gave her. "Hopefully soon you will be my wife and everything I have will be yours. Just start thinking of this apartment as our little home till we find the house of your dreams."

"Thanks Paul," Lisa kissed him lightly hoping he wouldn't know she had no plans to ever marry him.

"How about I run you back to the hotel to pick up your things," John could sense Lisa wanted to get away from Paul.

"That would be good," Lisa glanced at Paul making sure he was alright with the idea.

"While you're gone I have to run out and do some errands. How about you guys bring Adam, Glen, and Mark back with you around 6 then we go out for dinner and drinks," Paul reached into his pocket giving Lisa a key as she nodded yes. "Angel, that is your key use it whenever you want." Paul kissed her softly again hugging her close.

"Are you really ok with tonight?" Lisa couldn't believe his change in behavior from the night before.

"Yes angel," Paul smiled at her. "I realized the only way you will marry me is if I start being a good guy. This is all part of trying to make you happy."

"I just want you to be yourself," Lisa said knowing the sweet caring person was part of his act.

"I always am around you angel," Paul caressed her cheek. "You better go get your stuff. I'll be here when you get back." Paul leaned down kissing her deeply making her stomach clench up.

"I'll see you later," Lisa forced her smile as John led her out of the door. She couldn't look back at Paul. She just wanted to get out of there and back to Mark. The minute they came outside she felt Mark's eyes on her. She held herself back from rushing to the safety of his arms knowing Paul might still be watching. She let John guide her to the truck keeping her eyes focused on Mark's. Mark could tell she was shaken. He clenched the door handle in his hand wanting to go to her. He sighed realizing how risky it was to be there with her now. He looked away from her scanning the apartment building wondering if Paul was watching.

Paul pushed the curtain back slightly watching Lisa cross the street holding onto John's arm. He followed them with his eyes to the black truck getting an evil grin on his face when he saw someone waiting for them. He knew Mark wouldn't let her come alone.

"You're not going to get my girl Mark," Paul said quietly watching Lisa get in the truck. "Have fun with her now because tonight the fun stops." Paul laughed pulling the shade shut as the truck pulled away.


Lisa had barely said a word the whole ride back to the hotel. She sat next to Mark resting her head on his shoulder listening to John tell Mark about Paul's odd behavior. When they got back to the hotel, John went to find Glen and Adam while Mark followed Lisa to her room. He closed the door watching her nervously pace gathering her things. Mark couldn't take it anymore he gently stopped her grabbing her hand. She looked up into his eyes trying to mask the tears. He saw right through her pulling her close kissing her softly.

"I keep telling you don't act tough around me," Mark whispered in her ear.

"Mark, I know he is up to something I feel it in my bones. The nicer he is the worse the consequences," Lisa buried her face in his chest.

"Stop worrying," Mark wished he could take her fears away.

"I don't want to spend tonight with him. I want to stay with you," Lisa let her tears go.

"Soon baby girl," Mark reassured her wiping the tears from her cheeks. "This is tearing me apart too but we have to end Paul's games once and for all."

"Every time he touches me I feel like I'm going to be sick to my stomach. How am I going to deal with tonight?" Lisa sighed feeling frustration.

"We will find a way," Mark ran his fingers along her cheek. "You can always get mad at him and refuse to stay at his place. You already have the key and that is all we need."

"I just hope we find what Paul has on Vince," Lisa looked up into Mark's eyes. "Will you still help me check it out?"

"Of course, we will try to sneak away tonight," Mark kissed her lightly. "If we find what we need then tonight isn't an issue. You can leave that bastard once and for all with no problems."

"I can't wait till that moment happens," Lisa smiled making his heart skip happily.

"Are you done packing up your things?" Mark wanted to do anything to take her mind off Paul.

"Yes," Lisa glanced around the room one more time. Mark grinned widely leading her to the bedroom pulling her down on the bed with him. "What are you up to?"

"I just want to hold you till John and the others get here," Mark said wrapping his arms tightly around her.

"I love this idea," Lisa nestled close to him trying to forget about the evening ahead of them.


Their time alone went too fast for Mark and Lisa. It wasn't long before they were with the others waiting as Lisa unlocked Paul's door. Lisa swallowed hard opening the door cautiously stepping inside.

"Paul, are you here?" Lisa called out as Mark couldn't keep his eyes from wandering to all the framed photos of Paul and Lisa together hanging on the walls.

"Yes sweetheart, I'll be right there" Paul yelled out from another room. Mark noticed the way Lisa immediately tensed up as Paul's footsteps echoed on the hardwood floors.

"Hi guys, glad you could all make it," Paul smiled at everyone before putting his arm around Lisa kissing her cheek. "Mark, Glen, I would like to apologize for my behavior last night. It was uncalled for and I was being an ass."

"Its ok," Glen quietly said as Mark nodded his head not wanting to cause any trouble.

"We better get going," Adam spoke up feeling uncomfortable being at Paul's.

"Go ahead guys," Paul motioned for the others to go holding Lisa back. "We will be right there in a minute I need to talk to my girl alone." Mark stared at Lisa as Paul finished talking. Lisa saw the concern in his eyes. She tried to motion for him to go as John tugged him down the hall.

"Something wrong Paul?" Lisa turned to face him.

"Nothing at all," Paul smiled at her. "I just wanted to give you something." He reached into his pocket pulling a small box wrapped with a silver ribbon. She stared at in shock for a minute afraid to open it. "Please open it sweetheart," Paul gave her his best sad puppy dog eyes. Lisa slowly undid the ribbon opening the box surprised to find a key.

"What is this for?" she asked studying it trying to figure out what it could be to.

"Our new home," Paul said surprising her.

"Our new what?" she felt panic starting to take her over. He wasn't serious, she thought searching his eyes.

"I bought us a house a few hours ago right here a few blocks away. I have been keeping this a secret from you for weeks when you mentioned wanting to stay here during the break. I decided it was time to tell you," Paul was full of pride. "We can swing by there now on the way to the restaurant."

"Paul, I don't know what to say," Lisa was starting to stutter. "I always thought we would pick out the house together. I haven't even said yes to your engagement yet."

"Sweetheart, but I know you will. I know my life is with you," Paul caressed her arms slowly. "You will love the house it has a big yard and plenty of room for all the kids we will have." Paul hugged her close as she felt a mix of emotions running through her. She closed her eyes silently hoping the nightmare she was living would end.