Saturday, November 30th, 2019

Jayce's POV

"SOMEONE CALL FOR AN AMBULANCE!!!"

"Hang in there, Kina. Where is your pain coming from?"

I can't believe she risked her life and took a bullet meant for me. And, who is trying to kill me?

"I think it's just my shoulder. But it hurts. Where is Dario?"

"Beating the pulp out of whoever shot you." Kina was shot in her left arm. I didn't see where she was hit anywhere else. I took my jacket off and wrapped it around the bullet wound and tried to contain the bleeding. I do know to do that.

Suddenly, we saw the police and the paramedics. The paramedics rushed to where I was sitting on the ground with Kina.

"Her name is Kina Ginnetti, and she was shot in her shoulder. I wrapped my jacket around the wound to put pressure on it. I can't tell if she was hit anywhere else."

"Thank yuh. Wi will take it from here. Mrs. Ginnetti, dis may hurt some, but wi ah going to lift yuh on de stretcher."

I didn't waste any time standing up, then picking her up off the ground, and putting her on the stretcher. She screamed as I lifted her but settled down on the stretcher.

"Thank you, Jayce," Kina says as she winces in pain.

Her husband was talking to the police. "Mr. Ginnetti, the paramedics are taking Kina to the hospital. You better go with her. I'll talk to the police."

"Just call me Dario. And, thanks."

"Mr. police officer, the bullet my friend took was meant for me. She risked her life for me."

"Please follow mi to de station."

"I'll have to get my car first."

We ran over to the parking lot. I saw where the police car was, so I got in my rental SUV and followed the police to the station.

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12:00 am

Dario's POV

"Tauni, Kina was shot this evening."

"She was what?!"

"While at the wedding reception, one minute we were talking to Jayce Sterling. As soon as we started walking away from him, out of nowhere some nut ran up to Jayce with a gun. Kina jumped in front of him, a took the bullet. We arrived at the hospital around 11:00 pm. She is currently in surgery."

"Thanks for calling, Dario. We will be there as soon as we can. Keep me posted. Talk to you soon."

"Talk to you soon."

As soon as I hung up the phone, a nurse came my way.

"Mr. Ginnetti, de doctor wanted mi to inform yuh dat yuh wife a still currently ina surgery. It will be another hour. Mi name a Bryah. Mi'll be at de nurse's station if yuh need anything."

"Thank you, Bryah. Perhaps, I will take a cup of coffee with cream and sugar."

"Mi'll be right back."

I'm going to be here for as long as I can. I need to know if Kina is going to be okay.

About 15 minutes later, Bryah came back with a cup of coffee. "Thank you."

"Yuh're welcome."

I just happen to look over at the ER door entrance and saw Jayce Sterling entering. I waved him over.

"How is Kina?"

"She is still in the OR."

"I'm so sorry that she was hurt."

"Listen, as a bodyguard, we take an oath to protect those we are guarding. Even if it means risking our lives, we do it. It's one of the toughest professions in the world. Not everyone can make the cut as a bodyguard. But Kina has."

"She isn't my bodyguard. I should be the one in the hospital."

"To Kina, it doesn't matter. That's why she is a leader and one of the best. Kina always looks out for others. So, do I and every bodyguard across the planet. And, from the looks of it, you need a bodyguard."

"Yeah, but where would I get one? I messed up big time with Kina. And, on top of that, I have no idea who is trying to kill me."

"If you want Kina again, you already know what to do. I shouldn't have to tell you. Just know that if you EVER do anything like you did the last time, you're going to get more than a punch in the face."

"Duly noted."

3:00 am

I saw Bryah walking this way with who I am hoping operated on Kina.

"Mr. Ginnetti, dis a yuh wife's doctor, Dr. Shan Darcy."

"I sincerely apologize fi de delay. Yuh wife was shot twice ina de deltoid muscle of her left arm. It wasn't just ah matter of removing de bullets. De bullets caused ah grade two tear dat needed to also be repaired. Increased pain, swelling, an limited movement ah typically present wid ah grade 2 tear. An, dey were dangerously close to ah major blood vessel. Wi ah giving her meds fi de pain. Wi ah going to keep her to observe de swelling ina de area. Mi'll take yuh to her room."

"Thank you, Dr. Darcy. Jayce, you might want to lay low for a little bit after this attempt. Here are the keys to Kina's house here in Jamaica. There are two guest rooms on the first floor. You can take one of those. Later today, I will go with you to get your things."

Jayce's POV

"Can I visit with Kina later?"

"Of course. And, if someone happens to come to the house while you are there, it's Kina's family. Just tell them who you are and who told you to stay there."

"Okay."

While Dario walked away with the doctor, I just sat there, still shocked and amazed - shocked because who is trying to knock me off. And, amazed that Kina took two bullets in her shoulder for me.

After about 15 minutes, I made my way back to my rental. Dario told me the address of the house. So, I entered it in the GPS and pulled away from the hospital.

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Sunday, December 1st, 2019

10:00 am

I couldn't sleep a wink last night knowing that Kina was still in the hospital. So, I sat on the patio at the back of the house, just thinking about my life.

Just sitting in the hospital, listening to her husband talk about being a bodyguard, and the things they go through, I have a great appreciation for anyone that is a bodyguard.

I may be 36, but I really did need to grow up and become mature in the way I treated people and the work that they do. And, it's still a work progress. But, yesterday was definitely an eye-opener.

I heard a vehicle coming to a stop in front of the house. Uh oh, that must be Kina's family.

I stayed on the patio because I am sure they are coming this way.

"You have thirty seconds to start talking!!" I'm guessing that is her father who just spoke.

"My name is Jayce, and Kina's husband gave me the keys."

"You're Jayce Sterling?" Her mother now says, and with a facial expression, I couldn't decipher. She sat down on one side, and her father sat down on the other.

I just started crying. Yeah yeah, I'm crying and if anyone has a problem with, oh well. This is a life, altering experience.

"I'm sorry about what happened to Kina. I really am. I should be in that hospital, not her."

Kina's mom hugged me, just like my mom.

"Listen, Jayce, Kina understood the risk of becoming a bodyguard. I have heard stories of bodyguards being shot, stabbed and so many other things. My husband was a bodyguard as well. We had numerous conversations with her about it, you know to make sure that was what she wanted to do."

"Kina told both of us, 'Mommy and daddy I don't want anything to happen to any of my family, so I want to help other families too.' The day she said that I knew she had what it took to become a bodyguard. We are proud of her. Yes, it was scary getting that call from Dario about Kina getting shot," her father then added.

"It happened so fast. We were talking to each other one minute. As soon as they walked away, out of nowhere some crazy man came up to me and pointed a gun at me. Kina ran over and jumped in front of me. She was shot twice in the shoulder her doctor said. It's been on my mind all night. And, I have no idea who wants me dead."

"Jayce, you just said he was a crazy man. He is the reason my child is in the hospital. Don't blame yourself."

"How can I not? What if Kina has permanent damage in her arm? And, everyone knows I wished death on her. I hate myself for saying that."

"Jayce Sterling, do you want me to ask my husband for his belt so I can beat you like I used to beat my kids?"

"Uh, uh, no, ma'am."

"Then, stop it. You are not responsible. Now, yeah, I wanted to slap you silly when you said that to my child. But I believe you have matured since then. Otherwise, you wouldn't be sitting here on the patio. Child don't dwell on the past. Move forward, understand? Now, just call me Mama Tauni, and my husband is Simeon. I have a feeling we will be seeing more of you. Kina will be fine. Think positive."

"You know what you have to do to have Kina, as your bodyguard again, don't you?" Her dad said with arched eyebrows.

"Yes, I do because I don't want anyone else. And, thank you, Mama Tauni."

"Good boy. And, you're welcome. Now, go get a shower and changed so we can take you with us to the hospital."

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Kina's POV

Oh my gosh!! My arm is killing me!!

"Good morning, sunshine. How are you feeling?"

"Dario, my left arm feels like a ton of bricks are sitting on it. How bad was it?"

"The two bullets that hit you caused a tear in your left deltoid muscle. And, they were dangerously close to a major blood vessel. You were in surgery for nearly three and a half hours. The doctor is going to keep you for a few days to monitor the swelling he noticed."

"The IV drip of pain medicine is helping, but it still hurts. Where is Jayce?"

"I gave him the keys to the house. You know what he is going to ask, don't you?"

"I sure do, and I am going to make him work for it. And, I want it recorded. What happened between us is in the past and will stay there. I do give others a chance to redeem themselves. If he messes up again, that's it. We'll be done."

Dario and I heard a knock on the door. It was my mom, dad, and Jayce.

"Come in and have a seat."

Dario let my mom have the chair that was in the room.

"How are you, Kina?"

"In quite a bit of pain. Other than that, I am okay. This is not going to stop me from being a bodyguard. I understood and accepted the risk. Thank you for coming."

"Child, you know we were coming. We are glad you're okay."

Jayce still hasn't said a word. "Mom, dad, and Dario, can you leave for a minute so I can talk with Jayce?"

"Sure. We'll be right out in the hallway."

"Okay, now that they are gone, talk to me. Stop blaming yourself for what happened."

"Kina, you took two bullets for me. How can I not blame myself? And, I wasn't the nicest person to you."

"No, you weren't. But that didn't matter to me because my priority was your safety. I could handle your attitude. Now, you already apologized for what you said. And, I accepted that. Let's keep that in the past."

"But this is on a whole different level. I don't even know who wants me dead. What if you have chronic pain because of those bullets? I should be the one in the hospital. And, you're not my bodyguard anymore."

"You want me to kick your butt with one arm? Boy, stop it. That may be true. Yes, Dario and I may have been bodyguards for the bride and groom. That didn't mean I can't look out for the guest. Jayce, I appreciate your being concerned about me. I'll be fine."

"Your mom wanted to give me a beating. And, now you want to kick my butt."

"Jayce, you do not want a Tauni Padmore beating. When it came to beatings, my mom was the worst one. Can you hand me my phone on the stand by the bed?"

After Jayce handed me my phone, I entered my password and went to start a recording.

"Now, Mr. Sterling, is there something you want to ask me?"

"Will you be my bodyguard again? I know I was a total jerk back then, but I have changed a lot. This incident really scared the mess out of me."

"And, what else do you promise to do?"

"Listen to everything you say. Back then I didn't understand or see the need for some things, but now I do."

"Jayce, what did I just say about the past?"

"Leave it there. Whatever you want or need its' yours. I'm willing to pay whatever it takes."

"Jayce, I don't do this for money. I know your mom was relieved to know you were safe. That's the reason I am a bodyguard."

"You're right. When I made it to your house, I called her. You see, I am an only child. She cried, not only because I was safe, but that you risked your life for me. She wants to meet you to show her appreciation."

"Let's set up something for when we travel back to Miami. So, Jayce Sterling, yes, I will be your bodyguard again. Now, you need to cancel your flight plans because you are traveling with me and Dario. You are to listen to both me and Dario. We are a team. I want you to look in my contacts for the name 'Pops.' You'll need to contact him to make it official. Jayce, I do believe in second chances. The three of us will work together to find out who wants to see you die. Please don't mess this one up. Got it?"

"Got it, loud and clear."

Well, ladies and gents, looks like I am Jayce Sterling's bodyguard again.

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