I opened my eyes because of a sharp pain in my head. My vision was hazy. I knew one thing, though I did not know where I was. I knew I wasn't in my car. The smell of gasoline and the sound of large engines rang in the distance, the shouts of men yelling in the distance. I looked around, the pain in my head intensified. I tried to lift my hand, but the sharp shooting pains of something digging into my skin made me stop instantly in my tracks. The hot liquid ran from the side of my head, down to the stinging, the sharp pains that felt as if though there were needles in my head. I heard a laugh, in front of me were the two people I thought I would never see again in this side of the eternity, Jarrod McGee and beside him was Natasha the two of them looked at me as a wide grin played on their faces. I felt my body grow tense. "How is it you two are still alive?" Jarrod asked that question that was running through my thoughts. I glared at him, clenching my fists, as something sharp pierced through my palms, followed by the crimson sticky substance. "Ah, Leonard. Don't be so surprised to see us. You know you've been wanting to see us again. We couldn't die without finishing what we had started, now could we, my boy?"
"I thought Trent ordered the death penalty for you. Your bodies were all over the front-page news. J, M. Enterprises is under our authority. How did the two of you weasel your way out to freedom, after you had taken 3 million dollars from the Imperial Bank?"
Natasha smiled. "Trent, you thought he was on your side, love? We should give him an award for the show. Graceona is the key actress. She deserves her own Grammy. She was the best actress. Face it, Leonard. No one wants to help avenge someone who lusts after a married man. Your mother got exactly what she deserved."
I bit my lip. "You failed to die four years ago. You will be dead by the end of the night, Natasha. I promise you that."
"What are you going to do, Leonard? Cry, lecture me, get your traitor that you call a girlfriend to attack me again. Face it, you're nothing without that girlfriend of yours. Heads up, she's not interested in you any longer. I mean, why would she be? She is a powerful woman. You are the type of man to hold back success. If it is not your success, no one knows what true accomplishment is."
"Girlfriend, they have misled you. Graceona and I are married." I watched as her proud face dropped to that of hurt and disappointment. "And for the record, Natasha. Graceona didn't have to use the guise of something that she wasn't to gain my love. The Christian girl persona wouldn't match her. She doesn't even enjoy the activity, so try again."
Natasha glared at me. "Persona, maybe I deserve the Oscar. Leonard, you're in this mess because of your stubborn pride. I had nothing to gain in killing you. Heck, your death was the last thing on my mind."
"Bag it, Natasha. You used a God that you thought you could hide behind, under some religion you didn't do any research on. You can hide behind that shy, sweet, caring girl until you have believed your lies. However, that is something that you will not trick me with again. You're nothing but a sneaky, conniving, snake of a human being who will never amount to anything. Jarrod is only using you for what you can bring to the table. Once you stop being useful, you'll be just like his dead wife. Nothing but a memory, one that I look forward to erasing from my mind. I can promise you another thing, Jarrod won't have any memories of what you accomplished."
"Now, Leonard. You are in no shape or position to be making threats. We covered your body in barbwire. The needles in your head will send pain radiating through your body, or end your pathetic life if we so choose, so I suggest your mouth keep it shut. I don't want to deliver your body on your doorstep and show your lovely daughters what happened to daddy because he couldn't keep his smart tongue to himself." Jarrod smiled a sickly smile.
"Leave my family out of this!" I felt faint shocks go through my head. My headache returned, Jarrod and Natasha became blurry. "Is this all you got, Jarrod? All that money and this is the best you can come up with? Pathetic."
The pain grew intense, my body slowly going numb. "Your device is a child's." I faded into unconsciousness before I could finish.
Natasha
I felt tears roll down my face, looking at Jarrod. "Please, stop, don't do this to him again now." I looked at Leonard, then at Jarrod, who looked at me. "Can't you see? He's had enough. He's not talking any longer, please, let him rest peacefully, let him recover some."
"Very well, here." Jarrod handed me the remote. "I will deliver Graceona on a platter and you can have him back. Think of it as an Easter present, from your favorite uncle. I find it difficult saying no to you."
Jarrod sighed and walked from the room as I smiled at him. I looked at Leonard, bending down to him. "I'm sorry, this wasn't supposed to happen." I wiped the tears that came from my eyes as I used my shirt sleeve to wipe the blood from the side of his mouth. "I'm trying to protect you, don't hate me for something I had no control over. You were right. I hid behind a person I wasn't, but I had to. I'll be an enemy in your story, just know that it's the last thing I want from us." I kissed his lips. "I killed Annette. I'm so sorry for that mistake. Jarrod asked me to, but that was because I thought you were a horrible person, but that night we met. I have never seen a man look at me the way you did. You thought I was someone. I loved you then, and I love you now. You always made me feel like I belonged." I smiled. "You look great, long brown hair, and beard. It suits you, but I have to go now. Rest well, alright." I kissed the top of his hand, standing to my feet, walking from the room.