Chapter Thirty Seven

Chapter 37

“New York?” Jay reiterated, his eyebrows scrunched up in confusion as he stared at Jemima. The whole crew glanced at her, wondering if what she was saying was the truth.

“Yes, New York,” Jemima responded, tucking her hands in her pocket with a nonchalant shrug.

“How are you privy to this information?” Vanessa queried, seeking clarity as her gaze locked with Jemima’s. Jemima closed her eyes, rubbing her temple in an attempt to dispel the rising migraine she was beginning to have.

“Those places Dimitri called; Tremont, Fodharm and what was the last one?” Jemima queried as she tried to recollect the locations Dimitri was listing earlier on.

Dimitri offered, “Dumbo,” which elicited a small not acknowledgment from Jemima.

“Yes, Dumbo. They are the least popular places in New York where local thugs and crooks carry out their crimes,” Jemima added, enlightening them on the hidden secrets of New York City.

“If they are the least popular, how come you know about them?” Jay asked, scratching the back of his head and stifling a yawn. From the incident at the restaurant to the mafia meeting to that very moment, he had not had enough time to get some sleep, likewise the rest of them.

“I am an assassin, Jay. I look for places to kill my target that no one would suspect,” Jemima responded dryly, casting a wearied glance at Jay. Jay elicited a small sigh and sat on the couch of the emergency unit.

“How can we trust what you’re saying? What if this is a ploy just so you could go back to New York?” Vanessa inquired, glaring at Jemima in an accusatory manner. This caused Jemima to scoff incredulously as she rolled her eyes - an old habit that has refused to die.

“Dimitri is tech savvy, he can look it up. New York is a place I have spent twelve years of my life in, I know it like I know the back of my palms,” Jemima muttered through gritted teeth as she became angry at the fact that Vanessa was implying she was lying.

“Don’t get all defensive Jem. I just want us to get all our facts straight so we won’t waste time and effort chasing loose ends,” Vanessa added, hoping Jemima would understand.

“Go on, run the data and confirm if it tallies,” Jay instructed from where he sat while Jemima excused herself and made her way into the kitchen. She opened the whiskey cabinet and grabbed a bottle of vodka, chugging down its content straight from the bottle.

“You might want to slow down, heartburns could be deadly,” Jay’s deep baritone echoed throughout the kitchen walls, advising her about the dangers of alcohol. Jemima startled momentarily, prompting a gentle laugh from Jay as he grabbed the bottle from her grasp and placed it away from her.

“I was thirsty,” Jemima simply replied, looking away from him as she burped softly. Her cheeks flushed red in embarrassment as she tried to hide her face. She felt mortified by Jay’s presence suddenly but she could not comprehend why she suddenly cared about how she looked in front of Jay.

“That’s why we have water,” Jay announced with an evident smirk plastered across his face. Jay used his index finger and his thumb to take Jemima’s chin, raising her head to face him squarely.

Jemima’s breath hitched in her throat as she locked eyes with him and stared at his deep black eyes that resembled an abyss.

“Jem?” Jay called out in a whisper, causing Jemima’s lip to slightly part and her throat to become dry as she stared at him.

“Please forgive me, for everything,” Jay apologized, taking Jemima by surprise as she gazed up at him. She didn’t respond because she didn’t know what to say. At the same time, her heart rate quickened. Jay encircled his harm around the small of her back and drew her closer, wanting her to be close to him.

Now, they were only a hairbreadth away from each other. Jemima’s gaze shifted from Jay’s eyes to his lips which caused her to lick her lips and subtly bite her lower lip in want.

“Don’t do that Jemima if you don’t want us to make babies right here, right now,” Jay ordered in a low tone that caused Jemima to quiver lightly.

Jemima closed her eyes inhaling his musky scent as he inched closer, their lips grazing each other’s ever so softly but their peaceful moment was interrupted by Dimitri, “Jay…”

Dimitri’s voice trailed off as soon as he realized what was about to happen.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Dimitri muttered, eliciting a soft chuckle from Vanessa who had witnessed the situation.

Jemima scurried away from Jay and scratched the back of her head in embarrassment. S

“What!” Jay uttered through gritted teeth, upset that the magical moment he was creating with Jemima.

“The location checks out, it is indeed New York,” Dimitri muttered, causing Jay to grunt in frustration.

“Looks like we’ll be going to New York. Go pack up,” Jay ordered, casting a glance at Jemima before exiting the living room.

“Vanessa, can I talk to you please?” Jemima called out once Jay and Dimitri were out of sight, causing Vanessa to turn back to glance at her one-time best friend.

“If you’re gonna tell me…”

“I’m sorry,” Jemima apologized, interrupting Vanessa which caused her to blink multiple times.

“What?” Vanessa queried, not sure she heard correctly.

“It was uncalled for, what I said. I apologize,” Jemima reiterated, clasping her palms together as she pursed her lips. Vanessa sighed softly, her tense muscles visibly relaxing as she gazed into Jemima’s eyes. A small smile appeared across her face as she walked towards Jemima and embraced her in a warm hug.

Jemima was not one for hugs so when Vanessa hugged her, she didn’t know what to do. She just stood there, staring into space before slowly lifting her hands to return the hug. Jemima closed her eyes momentarily and savored the warmth she felt from hugging Vanessa.

“I am sorry too. I shouldn’t have aggravated you or instigated the matter further,” Vanessa apologized, pulling away from the hug.

“Okay, go pack,” Jemima croaked out as the emotions welled up inside her, choking her in the process. Vanessa nodded her head, comprehending the situation as she laughed heartily. She exited from Jemima’s presence, a light and calming sensation suddenly passing them.

Jemima, already packed, sat in the living room. Her mind raced with the possibility of seeing Jon again. She wondered how critical his condition was and how long he had been sick.

Why didn’t Alan tell her? Did he try to and she missed the signs? Is that why he wanted her to come back to New York? Was she going to survive this world without Jon? So many thoughts raced through her head and in her calm state she dozed off.

“Alright Jem we are ready,” Jay called out, walking towards the living room. He halted in his tracks as soon as his gaze landed on a sleeping Jemima.

Aware of her insomnia, he smiled softly and allowed her to sleep.

“Is everyone ready?” Vanessa questioned, entering into the living room with Dimitri following suit.

“Let’s be quiet, she’s asleep and you know how she struggles to sleep. Get the jet ready Dimitri. Is there a standby pilot?” Jay asked, flinging his satchel across his shoulder.

“All is set,” Dimitri muttered, eliciting a curt nod from Jay.

“Let’s go then,” Jay ordered, picking up Jemima from the couch delicately as he made his way out of the house and into the car that would take them to the hangar that held the jet.

“I’ll get her bag,” Vanessa declared, grabbing Jemima’s suitcase as she egressed the house.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the jet with Jay still carrying Jemima, they entered into the Jet and made their way to New York.

Halfway through to New York, while still afloat in the air, Jemima groaned as she woke up. She slowly opened her eyes and met Jay glancing at her. She took in her surroundings, her mind immediately reaching for her dagger when she sensed she could be in danger.

“Relax!” Jay cooed, smoothening her disheveled hair as he handed her a bottle of water.

“Where am I?” Jemima queried, her gaze flicking around her surroundings.

“In a plane, to New York. You dozed off on the couch and I didn’t want anyone to wake you up,” Jay stated, his voice tense and clipped. He was not one to show any emotions and he could not quite fathom these newfound feelings he was suddenly developing for Jemima.

“Thanks,” Jemima grumbled, grabbing the bottle of water and gulping it thirstily.

“Anyway, try not to jump out,” Jay simply said, excusing himself as he walked out of where Jemima was, leaving her to contemplate what just happened.

Jemima gazed out of the window of her plane, watching the clouds in the sky float by. She sighed heavily as he closed her eyes momentarily, fluttering then open again when she heard footsteps. She sat up immediately, anticipating an attack.

“Jem I… Jeez, why do you look so tense?” Vanessa inquired as she walked in with a tray of dessert to give Jemima. Jemima visibly relaxed seeing it was only Vanessa and she let out a heavy sigh.

“Nothing,” Jemima answered, returning her gaze out of the window.

“Anyway, I came to give you this and to tell you to fasten your seatbelt, the plan will be landing soon,” Vanessa uttered, handing her the dessert and leaving her to wallow in her thought.

“Home.”