Trouble

5

Joanna wakes and is confused. She isn't in the hospital room or her apartment. Where is she?  She looks around the room and finds it far more richly decorated than anything she's ever seen before. Even her bed is nicer than any bed she's ever been on before.

Realization strikes. There is only one reason, Michael Jamison brought her to his home. She doesn't understand why. It would be far better for him to let her die in the hospital then have her die as his guest.

Just then a light knock is heard. Joanna turns her confused attention to the door. Before she can say anything the door opens and Michael comes in.

He smiles at seeing her awake. "Miss Greene, I'm happy to see that you are awake once more." Joanna can tell he's telling the truth and it confuses her even further.

She looks at Michael in confusion, "Why am I here? How are you controlling it and where is my cousin?" Those are her most important questions. For now at least.

Michael loses his smile. His stone mask once more hides his thoughts and feelings. Or at least the visible manifestation. Joanna can still feel them.

"The debt I owe you, I don't think I'll ever be able to repay. This is just the beginning of my repayment. If there is anything I can do to make your stay better let me know.

"Your cousin is fine. She's resting in the room next door to you on the right. My door is the one on the left. She passed out at the hospital overcome by the strain of maintaining the shields for both of you. She will remain as my guest for as long as you both wish her to be here. She will be free to leave if she doesn't wish to remain once she wakes up.

"As for your last question, I assume you are talking about my emotions, correct?" Michael queries and waits for Joanna to nod. "I've had to practice control over my emotions since I was a child, both myself and my brother. Father demanded that no one be able to read our intentions by watching us. It's a tool quite useful for my trade."

"Oh, yes, you are the mafia leader. I imagine it would come in handy." Joanna whispers just loud enough for him to hear and he had moved to the side of her bed.

"I owe you Miss Greene. The one that attacked you?" Joanna looks up suddenly afraid as the hate and anger spike. "It was my twin brother, the one person that I thought I could fully trust. The betrayal goes far deeper than just the attacks, although that is sufficient to warrant his death. 

"Cole, my brother, is the one that attacked you. He has been working for some time on a coup attempt. The treatment of the waitresses by my men show me which of them were working against me. That is why I really wish I had known earlier. 

"Now I know that I have traitors in my leaders I will be cleaning them up as well.

"I owe you a great deal more than I had originally thought and I knew then it would be difficult to repay you. Now there is no way to repay you. You have but to ask and if it is my power it will be yours." Michael says trying to help her understand her situation a bit better.

"I saw the bastard that killed my family at the club the night I was attacked. His parole stated that he is to stay away from all bars and clubs and he is to get rehab for his alcohol dependency. He was drinking rather heavily. The hard alcohol. He's going to kill some more people and he'll get off once more due to his money and influence." Joanna says bitterly.

"I'll bring him here. What would you like me to do to him?" Michael asks curious.

"Let me punish him the way he should have been in the first place." Joann says her voice still whisper soft but her tone razor sharp. Michael hides his smile from her but he is very interested in just what punishment she has in mind.

"Consider it done. I'll have food brought to your room. Is there anything you wish to eat?" He has no idea what her dietary needs are.

For the first time, Joanna realizes that she is hungry and her body is craving. "A steak rare, baked potato with lots of sour cream and salad, with Italian dressing if possible."

Michael lets out the smile he's been holding in. Joanna notices a dimple and it makes her catch her breath. Michael Jamison is a drop dead gorgeous man, but with the dimple he becomes even hotter. She's just glad that he can't read emotions and that she's very good at hiding her own. "Would you like anything else, vegetables, bread, specific drink?"

Joanna would think that he's mocking her but she can feel his genuine amusement, not mockery at her choice. "I like plain cooked carrots as well if it's not too much trouble."

Now Michael lets out his amusement. "It will be no trouble."

"Why did you find that amusing?" Joanna asks unsure of herself now.

"That's my favorite meal, down to the carrots." Michael replies and Joanna's face shows her shock for just a split second. "What would you like to drink?"

"No alcohol, weakens the shields."

"How about a virgin daiquiri then? Strawberry okay?" Michael smiles at her in true pleasure and Joanna can just nod.

Michael nods back and leaves the room. Joanna falls back onto the pillows, what the hell? What has made the man change his feelings towards her so completely? She sensed no hate towards her and the anger that is always present inside him was muted and no longer directed towards her. She doesn't know if she can trust him, but strangely she's more than a little inclined to.

She doesn't like the feeling of being unsure about him though. Always she's been able to judge, and accurately, if she can trust someone or not, now she can't with Mr. Jamison. It makes her uncomfortable.

He knows who the man is that attacked her. He must already have him in custody, there is no forgiveness in the mafia. At least not for the kind of betrayal his brother gave him. So why is he bringing her here instead of her apartment? Until she understands his motives and reasonings she's not sure that she can stay here or at least stay here safely.