Smooth Jazz Ch. 06

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JAZZ SCRAMBLED TO THE FLOOR. Her chest was beating a million beats per minute and fear etched its way into her heart. She looked around frantically as the figure banged against the jaded glass, which was covering their identity.

She fearfully searched for her phone. She cried out in hope as she spotted it in the corner. When she dropped it, it had skidded across the floor underneath her desk. She raced for it, but then paused when the knock sounded again and a familiar voice broke through.

"Jazz I know you're in there! Open up! It's me." Williams's voice sounded in her ears and she froze. What should she do? She couldn't let him think she was crazy. He would surely use that against her in court.

As far as her lawyer was concerned they almost had the case in the bag. Even though Ellen seemed quite intelligent, she lacked knowledge of the law and interest. She wasn't much of a lawyer in Jazz's opinion.

Jazz quickly gathered all the photos and the letter off the floor and stuffed it back in the drawer. She forgot about her phone and quickly tried to run her fingers through her frizzled hair, and smooth out her shirt. She walked to the front of the house and opened the door as he came around to greet her.

Jazz was taken aback. She hadn't seen him outside of a courtroom in a while. He looked like a wreck.

"Jazz can I please come in, I really need to talk." His sad brown eyes met hers. He didn't look like the William she knew. His hair was longer, no longer in a smooth cut fade. His facial hair had grown scruffy and a little unkempt.

He wore a t-shirt and sweats, something he usually didn't wear. He refused for her or him to own a pair when they were married. Yet now he stood before her wearing them, along with red-rimmed eyes. It looked as if he had been crying.

"What are you doing here William?" Jazz was trying to give a damn but failing miserably. For some reason seeing him like this neither satisfied or dissatisfied her. She felt nothing, and liked it that way. He wouldn't be draining any more energy from her, not for love nor for hate.

"I was dropping off my key to the house and checking on you as well." His lean body was at an angle leaning against the door. Jazz never noticed how lean his body was. He was just as tall but didn't nearly have the presence that Connor had. Now that man knew how to fill in a doorway.

William dropped the keys in her hand. Then she felt her mind start to race. Wait. He still had a pair of keys to the house? She shook her head. How would he have any idea though? It couldn't be him behind this...the photos maybe but not the letter?

As she played thoughts of paranoia through her head, she looked William in his eyes; she felt it in her gut that something was wrong.

She knew she couldn't let it show but cursed herself when she realized her phone was in the back of the house. She made a mental note to change the locks ASAP.

"You dropped off the keys, great, now please leave." Jazz didn't trust him; she didn't want to have a civilized conversation like they were old buddies. She didn't want to ever speak to or see him again.

She could care less about him. Gone was the familiar ache that she used to have, when she saw him. Gone was the anger that she held inside her.

She was done with feeling anything for him. He had humiliated her enough. She didn't even want an apology; she just wanted him out her life for good.

"I can't do that, not yet, I have a question." Jazz sighed loudly; couldn't this muthafucka take a hint?

"Okay, go for it." She gestured with her hand.

"Jazz can I least come in?" William pleaded.

"William I'd rather you not. To be honest I don't have shit to say to you. I'm two seconds from telling you to fuck off, but I'm trying not to be nasty and stoop to your level."

"I'm still your husband-"

"Ex-husband! William what are you trying to prove? You think you can just come to my door, and expect me to have pity on you. It looks like you've been having a hard time, and I wish bad on no one, but this...we, are over." She motioned between them to emphasize her point.

"Don't say that!" He pleaded desperately. William looked around and then lowered his voice.

"Jazz I miss you. Can't you see I'm a wreck without you? I left Ellen; I couldn't continue lying to myself. Telling myself that I could live without you, I know I messed up. I messed up bad. I lied, cheated, and broke your heart." He reached out for her and she stepped back.

"Jazz please forgive me, please..." William started sobbing on the porch and Jazz looked out and around hoping no one was seeing this pathetic display.

"William you've missed my birthday, forgotten anniversaries, mistreated me for our entire marriage and never once have you apologized. And now! All the sudden you're so sorry! Well I'm not. I'm glad I got to see you for the low-life you really are."

William wiped his eyes and looked up into hers; they were different somehow. He was starting to see this wouldn't be as easy as he thought. He expected her to be falling over him crying and sobbing by now.

"All that pain and humiliation you took me through, has only made me better and stronger. All that darkness you cast over my life, has only led me to brighter days William. If anything, that's why you're at my doorstep right now. You're trying to figure out how you can somehow fuck that up too."

"Well that's not going to happen. Thanks for the performance William, but I'll pass. Bye." Jazz started to close the door when he stopped it with his foot.

Jazz didn't have time to think as he stood up straight and tightened a hand tight around her arm, which made her fall to her knees. She squeezed her eyes shut; the pain was swift and sudden.

"Get in the fucking house." William pushed her into the house, and closed the door. He pulled Jazz by her hair from the floor and slammed her against the wall.

Jazz's breathing was short as her head started pounding. She opened her eyes staring right into his.

William smiled. He loved this. He was so use to being dominated by Ellen and now he had some power back. He had forgotten how much he missed it, dominating someone.

He wanted her to bow to him, to fear him. How dare she talk to him like that? Like she was better than him?

"I tried to reason with you. I tried to offer you your life back. I guess fucking that white boy has got you thinking your shit doesn't stink!" William held her to the wall, and looked into her eyes wanting to see the fear. His eyes widened when Jazz smiled and then spit in his face.

"Fuck you! I was wondering when the real you would show up. You've been following me haven't you?" William let go. How did she know?

"That's how you know about him." Jazz rubbed her throat, and then decided to make a break for the door, rather than the phone but was caught. He was still a little stronger and quicker than her.

"Oh no you don't, I haven't been following you. People have seen you two around, you haven't been discrete about your little affairs. I have eyes everywhere."

"Then what about the photos and the letter? You're sick. You know that?"

"Shut up! You listen to me! You're going to give up that property and move that bastard out of my house!"

"You think I'm still scared of you, don't you?" Jazz laughed she wouldn't let him have the satisfaction of her fear.

"Do what you gotta do William, cause I'm going to do what I have to do." She took her free hand and brought it to the side of his face as hard as she could. This time she would fight back.

"You bitch!" He held his eye, and she took her opportunity to push him back and race for the door as he fell. She was nearly there when his hand reached out and grabbed the back of her leg.

Jazz tried to kick him off of her but his grip was strong. The fight wasn't over. She knew that all too well when William pulled, while Jazz tried to open the door, and she fell to the floor with him.

CONNOR DROVE ON NEARING JAZZ'S HOUSE. He couldn't believe that his dad had been holding his "secret" girlfriend in for so long. He never imagined that his dad was still holding on to his mother's thoughts and feelings as Connor was. Still, Connor was happy for him, but knew they had things to discuss later.

Connor played it cool as Natalie and his Dad sat and talked. She was an educated and beautiful woman. Connor liked her immensely. He had never seen his Dad so off balance.

He could tell his dad was nervous about them meeting. He looked at Connor every five minutes, trying to gauge his reaction to everything that was going on around them.

Eventually, Connor decided to let them enjoy the rest of their night. He was ready to get back to Jazz. He needed someone to talk to about how to approach his dad. He knew Jazz would be able to help him out.

She was good at listening and offering unbiased feedback. He had watched her do it with James, and even some of the mothers of the kids she mentored.

He was happy to see her car in the driveway, but was wondering who owned the car next to it. He thought about turning the car around in case she was in session, but felt something in his gut telling him not to.

He turned off his car and immediately his sharp ears tuned in to a faint scream as the door popped open and a thud sounded from inside.

Connor felt the adrenaline rise in his body and he acted quickly. He hoped out the car shutting the door and stuffing a gun in his back pocket; he rushed into the house. His eyes were quick as he accessed the scene in seconds.

"Connor!" Jazz screamed his name and he couldn't think straight, as he became enraged. William didn't have time to cry out as he felt the hand pull him back by the collar and up against the wall.

Then he felt a fist to the side of his face. The pressure of Connors knuckles cracked against his jaw as blood flew from his mouth and he hit the floor.

"Get the fuck up!" Connor screamed and kicked him in the stomach.

"You wanna hit on women, get your ass up and fight me!" Connor was like a lion ready to maul, as Jazz caught her breath from the floor. She could barely watch as Connor repeatedly kicked him in the stomach and turned her head when his boot connected with Williams face.

He dragged William up and threw him against the wall once more. William doubled over in pain. The attack happened so fast, he didn't have time to process what was going on.

"Are you okay baby? Go outside and call the police." Connor threw her his phone, but she didn't want to leave him, as William held on to the mantle trying to recover.

"Baby I don't wanna leave you,"

"Jazz just-"

"Connor!" Jazz screamed his name as William came behind him and smashed a vase over his head. Connor tumbled forward into the couch from the blow and William laughed in delight.

"Not so tough now huh big guy," William wipe the blood from his mouth and Jazz quickly ran out the door, hoping he would follow her and leave Connor alone. She had to call the police.

What had she done? Connor could be seriously hurt. She tried not to think about that. He was going to be okay. She was going to get away and call for help.

She had to be quick. She felt William coming after her. She looked back as he attempted to make his way out the door, but he was hurt. All the sudden she saw Williams eyes bug out as he was yanked by his collar back into the house and the door was shut closed.

Jazz heard his screams and Connors roars. She dialed quickly; Connor was okay. Now, she just hoped he didn't kill William.

CONNOR WANTED TO KILL HIM. The fury that swept through him watching him attacking Jazz could not be described in words but shown in action. His ears were still ringing from the blow to the head, but he had regained enough composure to see him breaking for jazz and interfere. Now he belonged to Connor, and it was just them.

William tried to lock Connor in a head lock but he broke loose. Trained in combat, he easily reversed it on him, wrapping his arm around Williams's neck. He thought about snapping it, or breaking every fucking bone in his body.

Connor satisfied himself by slamming William to the ground in a swift take down, and then cracking his arm over his knee breaking it in three places.

"Ahhh fuck!" William screamed out in excruciating pain, and Connor finally pulled the gun from his waist. Connor wanted it as a last resort, but knew with William he needed to send a message.

Connor put the Glock to Williams head. He pulled his head back forcing William to look him in the eyes.

"Listen to me; if you ever put your fucking hands on my woman again, I will personally decorate these walls with your brain matter. You fucking understand me!"

Connor cocked the gun and William cried out again as he scrambled to break free but his arm was broken.

"Do you fucking understand me!" Connor felt such a rage his finger started to move towards the trigger, when Jazz busted back in the door.

"Connor stop, please! I called the police baby, I called them. Please don't kill him; he's not worth it." Jazz looked in horror as Williams left arm was contorted at a weird angle.

Blood and sweat ran down Williams face and Connor looked like a mad man, rage in his eyes. He tightened his grip on Williams's neck as his legs started flaring wildly.

"Connor," Jazz turned her head thinking Connor was going to snap his neck, but breathed a sigh of relief when he merely put William to sleep.

As soon as William hit the floor, and passed out she ran to him looking at his head first.

"Are you okay? Please tell me you're okay?" Jazz checked him all over before Connor held her hands still.

"I'm fine. I'm just glad I got here in time. I can't imagine what I would have done if he-" Connor couldn't even finish the sentence, as he stood and gathered her in his arms tightly.

Jazz winced and groaned in pain and he pulled back.

"I'm little bruised up, it's okay. It looks worse than the pain actually is." She laid a reassuring hand on his face.

Connor felt his hand on his gun tense as he looked at the bruises on her arms and neck. Still, he had to act quickly and put his emotions aside.

"Listen, go to my place, take your phone, and go call James. I want you to go to the hospital after the police arrive. Hurry there's not much time. They're just around the corner," Jazz was confused but followed Connors orders. She handed him back his phone, went to grab hers and left out the back towards his place.

Before Jazz even left, Connor went to work. He searched William's pockets. He found his wallet and took pictures of his entire photo ID and credit cards.

Connor quickly took Williams car keys and searched the car outside; he found a high tech camera and immediately took out the memory card. He also found some paper work he felt could be important.

Before the cops pulled up he had everything put away for safe keeping.

If his instincts were right there was a reason William was coming around and acting crazy. It definitely had to do with the property he wanted, and he knew he had told the courts he wanted Connor out of it. Connor was going to find out why?

He gathered himself as the sirens closed in outside. Connor promised himself and Jazz that he would protect her at all cost. If William compromised that mission again, he would not hesitate to terminate him.

*

"What the fuck do you mean nothing you can do? If it hadn't been for Connor, that Bitch could have kilt her!" James screamed in the officer's face, and Jazz put a hand on his arm. He had arrived five minutes after Connor called him and gave him a synopsis of what happened.

"James please, it's okay. Look I don't have evidence that he took the photos or wrote the letter, but I'm telling you what he said and he clearly attacked me." Jazz looked in the officer's eyes pleading with him to do something.

Since he and his partner had arrived they seemed disinterested, and way too informal when arresting William and putting him in the back of the police car.

"The best I can do Miss is get you a restraining order. Plus, he's alleging that your boyfriend here attacked him when he came to give you back the keys. I got two different stories here."

Jazz was annoyed that he was hiding his eyes behind his shades. All she could see was his largesse build, thick black eyebrows and thin mustache to match.

"I told you that's false. My neighbor told you that he was banging on the back of my window and that there were two cars in the driveway, mines and his before Connor even arrived!"

"So I'm going to take him in for questioning, and let you recover mam', but he is also alleging that your boyfriend here is the one that beat you up."

"That's ridiculous! Connor was protecting me from him. Look at this mark on my neck. Connor did not assault me, he did, and he's not even in cuffs! And you're driving his car for him?" Jazz said pointing to him in the back seat of the cop car with his broken arm wrapped.

"His arm is broken Miss. Look I'm sorry you got attacked, and I believe you if you say your boyfriend did not attack you. I will take him in for assault but the charge may not stick, and if you want you can come down to the station and issue a restraining order."

The cop stared at her drily and Jazz felt like crying. It wasn't enough. She knew William knew people in the legal system; her charges would go through hell to get through.

"James, take her inside. I think she's had enough for today. Baby, I'm going to give him my statement and then I'll be right there." Connor kissed her forehead and she nodded as James wrapped an arm around her shoulder and led her inside the house.

Connor waited till Jazz was out of sight before he let the officer have it.

"We both know his story is bullshit. The door is clearly roughed up. There's a dent in the wall where the door knob hit because he forced his way in and attacked her."

"She has bruises on her arm and neck and it would be a lot worse if he would have finished the job." Connors voice was tight with simmering rage.

"We both know I didn't attack her but for some reason you haven't called for backup. Haven't searched the house for details, haven't even asked to take the pictures in for evidence, and I'm wondering why since you've been here; you refuse to do your fucking job."

"Okay buddy! You're overstepping your boundaries. You're lucky I'm not taking you in and taking your girlfriends word. Police work is complicated, I understand you're a soldier but this isn't combat, you could have killed him!"

"And if he comes near her again I won't hesitate to do so. Either you keep him away from her or I will, permanently." Connor made eye contact with William from the police car and he turned away from his gaze cowardly.

"This isn't the Wild West, we don't make the laws we follow them. Do I need to confiscate your gun Sir? Or take you for a trip down to the station?" The officer threatened him hoping to get him to back off so he could follow Mr. Pennington's orders and leave.

"Put me in a car with him and we'll be taking a trip to the morgue."

"Let me do my job Mr. O'Malley. Stay out of this, or next time I'll have to make good on that trip."

The police officer turned away and jogged back to the car. He got in and slammed the door.

"Jeez that guy is scary." He told William.

"He snuck up on me from behind. Punk." William snorted but was secretly glad he escaped with his life.