Chapter 6 – Charlie Causes Trouble
Just as Devin was finished talking, the doorbell rang.
"May I?" Grace asked.
Chief Burke, Jack, Devin and Rob stepped to the side and allowed Grace to answer the door. Devin saw who it was before Jack, he grabbed Jack's arms and squeezed it. Jack looked up and saw Charlie Kensington and his father. Jack looked at Devin and got the message that he was to keep his mouth shut. Jack gave Devin a slight nod that he understood. Chief Burke was the one that stepped forward.
"You are not allowed to be here." Chief Burke said. "There is a restraining order in effect."
"We were invited." Charles Kensington said.
"And I am informing you right now." Chief Burke said. "That you are not allowed to be here. If you want to come back after we leave, that is up to you. But if you don't leave, you will be in violation of the restraining order that I know you were served."
"William, tell them that you invited me over here to talk." Charles said. "You said that you had everything under control and that this foolishness would be over."
"Mr Kensington." Chief Burke said as he took a step forward. "This is your last warning. You leave this property or I will arrest both you and your son."
Just then Charlie saw Jack and he saw red.
"Thornton!" Charlie yelled. "I should have figured that you were behind this. She is mine, you will never have her. She will always be mine."
Devin grabbed Jack's arm and implored him with his eyes to not respond. Jack just turned away from Charlie and looked to the stairs. Just then two New York City police officers stepped onto the porch, they had followed Chief Burke.
"Last chance." Chief Burke said. "Leave or I will have my officers arrest you."
"Fine." Charles Kensington said. "We are leaving, but this is not over. William, you better get your daughter in line if you know what is good for business."
Jack bristled at the words of Charles Kensington. He looked up to see Elizabeth at the top of the stairs. He immediately ran to her and wrapped her in a protective hug. It broke his heart to see her hurt that way. Charlie also saw Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth." Charlie called. "You know that you hurt yourself, now come down here and tell them the truth. Tell them I didn't do anything. I forgive you and we can still move forward."
Charlie headed for the stairs, only to be stopped by Rob and a police officer who put Charlie in handcuffs and led him outside.
"Now, Mr Kensington." Chief Burke said. "Unless you would like to spend the night with your son in jail, I suggest that you leave."
"You will never get away with this, Thornton." Charles Kensington yelled before he left the house.
Chief Burke turned to Devin. "Get them out of here, now."
"On it." Devin said. "Rob, stay here, cover me."
Rob nodded and planted himself at the bottom of the stairs. Devin headed up to get Doug, Jack and Elizabeth.
"Let's go." Devin said when he reached Elizabeth's room.
"Okay." Jack said.
"I got her two suitcases." Doug said. "If you got her laptop bag and purse."
"Got them." Jack said, putting the bag over his shoulder and handing Elizabeth her purse. "Got everything?"
"Everything that I need." Elizabeth said. "I can replace clothes."
"Okay." Jack said.
"Doug, go first." Devin said. "Then Chris, and I will follow Jack and Elizabeth."
"Got it." Doug said and picked up both suitcases and headed downstairs.
Jack wrapped a protective arm around Elizabeth and followed Doug to the bottom of the stairs. Where he joined Rob and they quickly got out of the house. Mr Kensington had left the property, but was waiting by his car. He saw Jack with his arm wrapped around Elizabeth and he was seething. Jack had planned on taking his Jeep, but instead, ducked Elizabeth into the back of one of the sedans that Devin's guys had brought. Chris signaled for Doug to take the Jeep. Chris got in the driver's seat and took off, leaving the other sedan for Rob and Devin. Doug took off right behind them. Jack called Doug.
"Doug." Jack said. "We are headed to the Broadway Apartments. Be careful, I don't want Kensington to follow you. He knows my Jeep."
"No problem." Doug said. "Want me to swing by your house and grab an overnight bag first? Does Elizabeth need anything?"
"I am fine." Elizabeth said. "I think. If not, I will have to think once I get there. Is that okay if you have to run out again?"
"No problem." Doug said.
"Thanks Doug." Jack said. "Just grab some stuff, I can always leave it in our apartment for next month. I think a change of clothes and something for tonight should be fine, don't forget my laptop. I can grab anything else I need tomorrow."
"No problem." Doug said. "Want the Jeep in the garage?"
"Please." Jack said. "Then come up from there. They know that we are coming."
"See you soon." Doug said.
"Where are you taking me?" Elizabeth asked.
"JP." Chris interrupted. "Are you guys buckled up back there?"
"Yes." Jack said. "Thanks."
"Just making sure that you are safe." Chris said. "Miss Thatcher, are you alright? I know that a lot has happened, but I want to make sure you weren't hurt."
"I am okay." Elizabeth said. "Confused, but okay,"
"Well." Chris said. "I will let JP explain. I am going to take the long way, just in case we are followed."
"Got it." Jack said. "Elizabeth, I promise I will answer all your questions. First, I am taking you to a secure apartment near Columbia University. You will be free to use the apartment as long as you want. If after a few days, you want to go back home and don't want to hear from me again, I will understand. Your safety and happiness are my only concerns. If you need anything, I will always be there for you."
"How did you get an apartment so quickly?" Elizabeth asked.
"I own the building." Jack said. "Well, my family does. It is one of the holdings in a group, however I am not sure if it is in my name, my father's or grandfather's. We have an entire floor that we use for clients. Doug, Lee and I will be taking the large three bedroom apartment later this summer and use it while we are attending Columbia. I believe that you will be in a nice fully furnished two bedroom apartment."
"I am confused." Elizabeth said. "You own the building."
Elizabeth looked at Jack, not sure what to think. She had spent the afternoon with him and he said nothing about having money. He didn't even defend himself when her father had accused him of being a nobody. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She wondered what else Jack wasn't telling her. It wasn't that she didn't believe him, but she was confused. She still trusted him, because she knew talking about money wasn't the easiest thing for some people.
"Yes." Jack said. "I was hoping to ease into this, but things being what they are. (sigh) … I just don't know how to explain this."
"May I?" Chris asked.
"Please." Jack said.
"Miss Thatcher." Chris said. "You happen to be sitting next to John Parker Thornton, II aka Jack or JP. One of the wealthiest and most eligible young men in all of the Northeast if not the country and he has taken an interest in you. As far as wealth goes, well … (sigh) I will let JP explain that in due time, just know that when he says he will do anything for you, he means it and can probably afford it."
"Well." Jack said. "I guess that is one way to put it. Elizabeth, I would never take advantage of you or this situation. But yes, I do like you and want to spend more time with you. I felt a connection to you when I first saw you. That is why your safety and happiness is important to me, I also don't tolerate men who think that they can harm a woman. If you want to know more about why, I will talk to you about that later.
I don't know if you caught all what happened back at the house, so let me start there. There is a restraining order preventing any member of the Kensington family or household from contacting you or coming within three hundred feet of you. There is also a clause in the restraining order preventing your parents from contacting you for at least seventy-two hours. After that, if you chose to contact them then the restraining order for them is no longer in effect. There is also an injunction to prevent your father from turning off your phone or touching your bank accounts. There is another one preventing him from touching your college fund. Those will stand no matter what you choose to do. If they try anything, they will be arrested. If they call you, you don't have to answer. You can let us know and they will be arrested. IF that is something you don't want, we can just let it be. This is a chance for you to really think about what you want.
Granted, I would still suggest that we move your accounts or at least remove your parents from having access. I or Devin can help you with that. Also this apartment is in a secure building. You will also have private security for the time being while you are in the city. Chris is a member of that security team. Rob, the other man who was at the house, is also a part of that team. There may be at least one more. One of them will always be close if you need them. If there is anything that you need, I or Devin can arrange to get it for you. Don't worry about paying me back, that is not what this is about. Also, in case you missed it, my dad's law firm is now your attorney of record."
"What happens when you leave?" Elizabeth asked. "You did say that you are leaving for a couple of weeks."
"About that." Jack said. "There are a couple of options. I was going to talk to you about them tomorrow, but since you brought it up. One, I can delay my trip to my grandparents or two, you can come with me if you want. You don't have to answer me right now, just think about it."
"I would like to go with you." Elizabeth said. "If you are sure that it will be okay."
"My grandparents will love you." Jack said. "With that decided, I have to ask you – did you bring any dress clothes?"
"No." Elizabeth said. "I only packed about half a dozen everyday outfits. My books and other things were more important. I figured I could eventually replace clothes."
"No problem." Jack said. "I will take care of it."
"Already on it." Chris said.
"What is he talking about?" Elizabeth asked.
"Chris's wife works as a personal shopper." Jack said. "She has done work for my family before. I suspect that she will call me before long. We will have her get whatever you need. Again don't worry about the money. That is not what this is about."
"I will try." Elizabeth said. "I mean my family wasn't poor, but we weren't wealthy either. It is going to take some getting used to."
"Miss Thatcher." Chris said.
"Please call me Elizabeth." She said.
"Fine, I will try to remember that." Chris said. "Elizabeth, JP doesn't do this. He doesn't have a full-time security team of his own unless there is a direct threat. He doesn't wear designer clothes unless it is for a charity event or when he is at his grandparents up in Saratoga Springs. And only then because it is expected of him at times. JP likes just being a regular guy. So when he asked his father for a few favors today, Mr Thornton knew that JP was serious about something. He won't go overboard with spending if you don't want him to. Please understand that he truly does just want you to be safe and happy.
JP is very protective when he sees a woman hurt. That said, he has never pulled out all the stops for any girl. He will be a gentleman and not take advantage of you or the situation. If you tell us to all back off, we will. Even if we back off and later you need something, you can always call if there is something you need. Do you understand?"
"I think so." Elizabeth said. "So what happens next?"
"Well." Jack said. "A lot of that depends on you. If you are not going to back down and cave to the Kensingtons, then we will get your accounts taken care of, your phone plan transferred and shopping done for you. You will also have to sit down with my father at some point, but if you come to Saratoga with us, that can wait a few days."
"Will you be with me when I meet with your father?" Elizabeth asked.
"If that is what you want." Jack said. "I can't make decisions for you, but I will support you. I have the apartment blocked off as used for as long as you want it. If you don't want the large two bedroom, I know that the one bedroom will be available for use after the Saratoga trip. I think that there is a client staying there right now. You just need to let me know. After Saratoga, Doug and I will be just down the hall and Lee will move in at some point before school starts."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I had planned on staying with my friend Rosie when school started, but with everything that happened, I don't know. I think I might like to be where Charlie can't just walk in. Besides that, the apartment that Rosie has is really small, especially for two people."
"Whatever you want, if you want your friend to stay with you. I am sure that we can arrange something." Jack said. "As far as Charlie goes – he was arrested for violating the restraining order. If you want to make the restraining order to continue, you will need to talk to my father. Right now, it is for twenty-one days. We have time to decide about those things. Also, the security will stay in place for as long as you want them or it is felt that it is needed. Since it sounds like Charlie and his father threatened me tonight, I am sure that I will have one as well."
"Count on it." Chris said. "Granted if you are spending a majority of your time with Miss Thatcher it will be easier."
Jack's phone rang and grabbed it.
"Hello Dad." Jack said. "We got out of there. I have Miss Thatcher. I am with Chris. Doug went to the house to get me an overnight bag and then he will meet us at the apartment. Chris is taking the long way, in case Kensington had us followed. … … No, no, I am alright. Everyone is fine. Charles Kensington threatened me and Elizabeth tonight. … … I know, I know Chris already told me that I will have security. I am going to stay with Elizabeth tonight if she wants. I am putting her in the two bedroom for now, she may switch to the one bedroom later. We will see, she may also want a friend to stay with her during school. We have time, I am not worried about that right now.
I also am going to have Katie do some shopping for Elizabeth. I have asked her to come to Saratoga with us. Getting out of the city will be good for her. No, I won't go crazy. Katie will need to get me a few things for Saratoga as well. I am not sure how Ma is going to react, but I am going to stay with Elizabeth for as long as she wants. I will be home at some point tomorrow. We will talk more. … … Okay thanks."
"Everything okay?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "Dad said that you are welcome to either apartment as long as you want. He reminded me not to go crazy with the shopping. He also said he will talk to my mother. Don't worry about her. She just had her own thoughts about my life."
"I don't mean to cause trouble." Elizabeth said.
"Elizabeth." Jack said. "I want you to look at me. You are no trouble at all. Don't you ever think that you are any trouble to me. I just want you safe and happy. You understand."
"Thank you Jack." Elizabeth said. "You are one of the nicest guys I have ever met."
"Thank you." Jack said.
Elizabeth leaned over and gave Jack a hug.
