Jayson couldn’t keep the grin off his face as he made his way back home.

He glanced at the small red velvet box on the passenger seat. The ring was perfect. Mr. Renee had emailed him the designs a week ago and Jayson had instantly chosen the second design. It has centre princess cut 24 carat diamond with two smaller violet stones on both the sides, exactly like the shades of Kate’s eyes. The band had a beautiful design engraved onto it. It was elegant and perfect.

After picking up the design Jayson had met with his real estate dealer and had picked a house for them as engagement/wedding gift for Kate.

The house was a beautiful Victorian style mansion with sprawling lawns and a beautiful backyard, perfect for a family. Though it needed to be renovated and brought up to date with latest technology which was not a problem because they still had time and the agent assured that it would be ready just in time before the wedding after Jay had given him an estimate of around six to eight months.

Even six to eight months seemed like an eternity to Jayson. Heck if it was up to him he would have eloped with her to Vegas and married her right this moment but he knew if he did that then his mother and grandmother would skin him alive.

He was going to propose to Kate tomorrow. He had decided to take her for early dinner to her favorite restaurant. Then from there he had asked his parents to lend him their Hamptons house for the weekend, which reminded him he also needed to purchase one there. There they would spend a romantic getaway and then they day they are suppose to leave, he would propose to her. He decided it would be on the beach under the open sky. The only thorn to his side was the doctor’s advice but Kate’s health was the priority.

“Hey love I am home.” Jayson said as he closed the door but was greeted by silence. Usually Kate came to the door as she got off from the museum at 4 and Jayson usually made it back home by 7 or 8.

“Kate!” Jayson yelled again.

He was about to yell again when he saw her small form fast asleep on one of the couches in the living room. Jayson smiled and shook his head.

He knelt beside her and gently pushed her hair aside from her face.

“Hey gorgeous” Jayson whispered as he kissed her temple. Her eyes slowly fluttered open those violet orbs looked at him. No matter how much time passed between them, he would never be able to stop himself from drowning in them every time she looked at him.

Kate smiled as Jayson’s handsome face came into her focus with his crooked smile.

She leaned up and kissed him on his lips. Today had been hectic at work and though she tried to keep it minimal as per the doctor’s advice the workload got to her. So she had left from work an hour early. She had decided to rest her feet but she had ended up falling asleep on the couch.

“You remember what the doctor said right?” Jayson asked with worried glance. She looked tired.

Kate nodded her head.

“I left early today" she said as she sat up straight.

“Good.” Jayson said as he pulled her up and kissed her on her head. Without her heels she only made it up to his chest which was more than fine by him.

“Mind joining me for a shower?”

Jayson asked as he smirked at Kate as she blushed.

“I promise no hanky panky” Jayson wiggled his eyebrows and Kate laughed out loud at his expressions.

“It would be my pleasure” Kate said as she brushed past him and walked towards the stairs swaying her hips.

Jayson groaned and followed.

-----------------------------------------------------

“Alright you all” Stella said to the four men standing in front of her. Stella grimaced at their appearances and hoped for their own good that they did as she asked because she had paid them more than necessary but when it came to her JJ she would do anything.

“You know the plan so don’t let me down.” Stella said as she marched out of the empty warehouse to get ready.

----------------------------------------------------

“You look sinfully sexy Ms. Anderson” Jayson said as he wrapped her hands around her slim waist from behind.

Kate smiled at him and blushed as she put on her earrings. She was wearing a deep purple off shoulder dress with a sweetheart neckline that molded all her curves at right places and ended just above her knees. She paired it with black heels.

Jayson smiled as he saw her put on the necklace he had gotten her from Tiffany’s the first time they met.

His heart was beating at miles per hour due to excitement and he once again like millions times before patted the inside pocket of his suit, feeling the small ring box. Though he was not going to propose till tomorrow evening but he kept it on him. Their luggage for the weekend was already kept in the car.

“Shall we?” Jayson said as held out his hand for Kate and they made their way downstairs to the car. Peter smiled at the beautiful couple.

“Have good evening Sir, Ma’am” Peter nodded and took his leave.

Jay opened the passenger door for her and shut it after her. He jogged to the driver’s side and got in.

Kate cleared her throat and Jayson looked at her as he clicked in his seatbelt

“So where are we going? Except for the Hamptons” she asked as she gestured at their outfits.

“I thought about a nice dinner at your favorite restaurant before we headed out.”

Kate smiled and settled back in her seat.

Jayson reached over and grabbed her hand as they drove to the restaurant in a comfortable silence. Jayson had to maneuver around the back and park in the parking around the back of the restaurant as the one on the front was already full. He mentally patted himself for getting an early reservation.

As he got out of the car to go around and open the door for Kate he heard a scream come down from the alley next to restaurant.

He heard the scream again and realized it was woman who was screaming from the alley.

“Kate stay in the car” Jayson said to her as he ran towards the alley as the screams grew louder and louder.

“DON’T YOU FUCKING TOUCH ME YOU ASSHOLE!” he heard the woman scream and the voice sounded familiar. Jayson’s blood boiled at the scene in front of him. Four men were bent over a woman and all he could see was her legs.

“GET OFF HER!” Jayson roared as he charged towards the men. He grabbed two of them by their collars and hauled them back. Jayson almost lost his balance when he saw the woman.

He saw red as he took in her appearance. It was Stella. Her blouse was ripped apart and they had managed to remove her bra and unzip her pants. Jayson couldn’t even will to think what would have happened if he would have showed up.

“JJ” Stella whimpered as she tried to cover herself. The four men surrounded Jayson.

“Walk the fuck away before I break your scrawny necks” Jayson growled. One of the men took a swing at Jayson but Jayson ducked and decked the man in the groin. The man immediately fell on the floor groaning.

“Hey man…we just want the girl unless you want to trade her with that one in the car” one the men who was bald with yellow teeth sneered and jerked his head in the direction of the car.

Jayson growled and launched himself on the bald man. He punched in his face and didn’t stop until he heard the satisfying crunch of his nose breaking. The man crippled on the floor and he turned around to face the other two men who were left standing. Fury radiated off his body and he let out a growl.

The men scurried helping the two injured one and ran away. Jayson wanted to wring their necks but he heard Stella whimper again.

“Hey you okay?” Jayson kneeled in front of Stella as he shrugged of his jacket. He helped her stand up and put on the jacket. He buttoned up the jacket, fury blinding him as he saw the bruises building up where they had pressed her torso and arms too hard.

Kate came running up to them. Kate’s mouth dropped open in shock when she saw it was Stella. It had been nearly three years since she last heard from her.

Jayson felt Stella buckle and he picked her up.

“Come on love we need to get her home” Jayson said and Kate nodded.

“Please not my place. Daddy will be upset. He always said that Marcel was not a nice guy and I were out with him and when the men came he deserted me and ran away” Stella let out a sob and Kate’s heart wrenched at the sorrow of the other woman. How could a man do this to a woman?

“We will take her to our place” Jayson said to Kate and they hurried towards the car. Stella faked out another sob but her insides were about to burst with glee.

Her PI had found out the reservations and the delivery of the ring among other details and Stella knew he was going to propose to her so she staged this drama with the goons she paid in advance though they did go little rough than needed but in the end it was all worth it. She felt so loved and protected when Jay fought for and now nestled in his arms against his firm chest, she felt at home. Only thing that was bothering her was that Kate.

Kate opened the back door got in and Jayson slowly lowered Stella in the backseat. Kate held Stella by the shoulders. Stella wanted to spit on her face and wanted to tell her to fuck off but she pretended to fall into her arms and let out a heart wrenching sob.

Kate felt her eyes tear up as she softly patted her cousin’s hair. She didn’t know yet how much damage those men did to her but she knew it wasn’t pretty from the way Jayson was still shaking from anger as he buckled himself in. Kate reached over and squeezed Jay’s shoulder. Kate understood that Stella was like a kid sister to him as Stella and Jay’s younger sister Kiara grew up together.

Upon reaching their penthouse, Jay carried Stella to the guestroom adjoining their bedroom and gently put her down on the bed.

“I am going to contact the police and file a report against those bastards” Jay said as he took out his phone.

“No Jay please not now. I don’t want the police involved. I don’t want my parents to find out about this please. You saved me in time. I am okay please.”

“Don’t tell me you are fine” Jayson shot back at her.

“Please” Stella pleaded again sincerely because she knew her plan would flip back in her face if Jay got the police involved.

Kate got up from beside Stella and gently touched Jayson’s lip which was bleeding lightly.

“Must have gotten to me” Jay said as he kissed Kate’s fingertips.

Stella felt fury boil over in her body. To distract them she let out a gasp.

“What happened Stella?” Jayson asked worried.

Kate immediately came up to her.

“You should run her a hot bath and get her cleaned up. I will bring up the spare clothes and first aid”

Kate nodded and helped Stella towards the washroom. Half an hour later they had Stella in bed after they had her bathed and changed into Kate’s clothes. Kate helped her with painkillers.

“Good night Stella” Jay said as he grabbed Kate’s hand and started to leave the room.

“JJ…please stay” Stella whispered in a scared voice.

Jay looked at Kate and she nodded lightly. Jayson sighed and sat down next to Stella.

“Don’t worry I am right here. Go to sleep Stella.”

Stella hid her smirk as she nestled her head next to his chest though she was in the covers and he was sitting on top of those.

Last thing Stella heard before he fell into satisfied sleep was the light click of the door as Kate left.

Stella woke up and looked at the time, it was almost midnight and Jayson was not next to her.

She had been asleep for almost four hours. She needed it as her body felt a little better though still a bit sore.

She slowly opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, looking for Jayson.

She heard Kate’s laugh from the door next to the room she was in and it was left ajar. Stella peeked in and saw Kate in Jayson’s arms laughing about something. They both seemed to be getting ready for bed as they were in their nightwear. Stella couldn’t watch it as Jayson bent down and took Kate’s lip for a kiss.

“Bitch” Stella muttered and back away.

She went back to guestroom and washed her face with water and patted it down a little. She pinched her cheeks to make them look flushed and rubbed her eyes.

Satisfied with her appearance, she got into the bed and messed up the bed sheet and pillows.

Then she let out a shriek followed by a sob.

“Leave me please don’t touch me” Stella yelled as she thrashed.

Jayson heard the scream and ran to the adjacent room. He saw Stella in the bed sobbing and yelling.

“Hey Stella” Jayson said as he pulled back the cover and gathered her in her arms.

“JJ…they hurt me” Stella whimpered.

“Don’t worry go back to sleep. I am right here. Nothing will happen to you.”

Kate wiped the tears from her cheeks. Poor Stella was suffering so much.

Stella hugged Jayson closer and settled down, a smirk evident on her face.