Chapter one

A few months have gone by and Mary has been on the road with Jon and the guys. It’s been quite uneventful and Mary actually loves it. No one shooting at them or kidnapping them, just the two of them being a normal couple or at least what seems like a normal couple in a Rock and Roll world. She’s getting used to women throwing themselves at her boyfriend and even him flirting with them but she knows at least right now he comes home to her. Right now the guys are at a photo shoot, so Mary and a group of the girls decide to go out to shop. They have spent most part of the morning at a couple of the local stores when they decide to go to a little café down the street. 

The five women find a table near the back of the café, “Oh my God do my feet hurt.” Sarah says.

 “I know I think we’ve walked about ten blocks already.” Rosie says. The waitress came over and took their order.  

“So Mary are you finally getting used to all of this?” Angie asked.

 “Yeah I’m getting used to it. It’s keeping up with Jon that’s hard.” She told them smiling.

“Yeah the guys have a hard time with that too. Poor Richie likes to sleep in and Jon will come blasting in and jumps on top of him if he has too.” Sarah explains and the girls laugh. They all enjoyed their lunch but before the check came the waitress brought over a strawberry short cake for Mary. 

She looks up at the waitress, “I didn’t order this.” Mary says confused. 

“I know the gentleman at the bar ordered it for you. Said it was your favorite dessert.” Mary looked up but there was no one there.

“I don’t see anyone?” she said. 

“Funny he was there.” The waitress said.

 “Well we’ll just take the check please.” Mary said. Mary had a funny feeling about this, who would send her a dessert and her favorite to boot. Or it could just be her imagination playing tricks on her. 

“Well someone is getting picked up.” Patty said smirking. 

“Well if I am he’s doing a really bad job of doing it. He ran away. That’s not good.” She told them laughing and not wanting to show them what she really thought.

“Maybe we all scared him off.” Sarah said giggling. 

“Well good because I got all I can handle in Jon believe me.” They laughed some more and left for the hotel. The guys got back to the hotel before the girls did. Tico went off to his own room seeing he had enough of them and needed some down time. Dave and Alex went to the bar to unwind in their own way. So that just left Richie and Jon and they went up to Jon’s room to wait for the girls. When they got up there, there was a white box with a red bow leaning against the door.

 “Hey Jon you have a present.” Richie pointed out. 

“Oh great I told the front desk to hold all gifts at the desk.” Jon said annoyed. He bent down and picked it up, took out his keys and open up the door. Once inside he put the gift on the table by the door and walked up to the frig by the mini bar. “You want anything?” he asked Rich.

 “Yeah just a coke. Aren’t you going to open the box?” Rich asked. 

“No why?” Jon said.

 “Because I’m dying to know what’s in it that’s why.”  He told him.

“It’s probably some weird thing a fan made or God only knows what. Just leave it.” He said. Richie getting the better of himself had to see for himself. He picked up the box but saw the inscription on the package. It wasn’t for Jon but for Mary. 

“Um Jon this gift isn’t for you, it’s for Mary.” Rich told Jon. 

Jon turned around as he was pouring himself a drink. “What?”

 “It says right here For Mary From your Soulmate.” He read and he knew it was going to freak Jon out.

“Give me that.” Jon took the gift box and looked it over. “Who the hell would send her something like this?” he asked his best friend.

 “You got me?” Just as they were about to open the gift the door open and Sarah and Mary walked in. 

“Where the Hell have you two been?” Jon asked rudely.

 Mary just stared at him and then shot back, “We were out shopping why!” she shot back sharply.

 Jon realized he just got her death stare and knew he was a little over the top with his question and the way he asked it. “I’m sorry Baby it’s been a long morning, and then we came home and found this at the door address to you.” Jon showed her the gift box. 

“For me? Who would send me anything like this other than you?” she asked him.

 “Oh I don’t know maybe that other guy that has that crush on you what’s his name oh yeah Mick something or other.” Jon stated rather pissy.

“Jon stop it will you. He doesn’t know where we are.” She told him.

 “He‘s a P.I. isn’t he?” he said standing defiantly with his arms crossed. She went to say something but then decided not to. She just took the gift box and started to unwrap it. As she got the paper all undone she took the cover of the box off and then let out this blood curdling scream and dropped the box and jumped into Jon’s arms shaking violently.

Jon didn’t know what the hell hit him. He was nearly knocked over. Richie and Sarah jumped about ten feet from where they were standing. Sarah wasn’t about to look into the box so Richie decided he was the best choice seeing Jon was otherwise engaged. He bent down and carefully tipped the box over and a dead bloody rat rolled out of the box. Now Sarah did jump ten feet back. In fact Richie kinda did too. Jon just held Mary as tight as he could. He was pissed. “Richie get Sarah out of here.” 

“What about you two?” he asked a rather pissed off Jon. 

“I’m taking Mary into the bedroom then calling her brothers.”  He told him rather demanding now.

“You want me to come back here?” Richie asked him.

 “Yeah if you could. Get some rubber gloves and a bag so we can bag this sucker okay.” Jon told him.

“Sure I’ll be back in a jiff.” Richie led Sarah out and Jon picked up Mary and carried her into the bedroom. He put her on the bed and tried to see if he could calm her down. He unwrapped her arms from around his neck, “Baby are you okay?” he said lifting up her chin. 

Looking up at him she said, “I hate rats! I hate spiders! I hate snakes! Just so you know okay? I’m really girly about those things.” She said still shaking. 

“Okay I’ll definitely remember that. Especially the way you screamed like that, I don’t think I can ever forget that.” He said smiling. 

Looking at him, “Are you making fun of me?” she asked kind of hurt. 

“No Baby I’m not. Really I’m not. I’m actually pissed that someone had the nerve to send you something like that. I think we should call your brothers and tell them what happened don’t you?” he asked her.

 She thought about that for a moment. “I guess we should. But sweetie I know it’s not Mick. He wouldn’t do something like this.” she told him sincerely.

 “I know I was just teasing, and I said it before you opened the damn thing. Richie and I will at least get that thing the hell out of there until Rick and A.J. can get here okay.” Jon picked up the phone and called the office first and as luck would have it A.J. picked up the phone. Jon explained everything that had happened. He gave A.J. their schedule for the next few days and told him that they would put the rat on ice. As he was talking Richie came in and was waiting for Jon to get off the phone.

 As Jon hung up Richie said, “Sarah told me something very interesting that happened to you guys at lunch.”

 Jon just looked at Richie then at Mary. “What? What happened?” he asked concerned.  

“Oh yeah I forgot all about it after the rat thingy.” She said still upset. 

“Well? Are you going to tell me?” he asked perturbed. 

“Well we stopped off at this little café and had lunch and when we finished we asked for the check and when the waitress brought it to us she also brought me my favorite dessert strawberry short cake.”  She explained to him.

“So? You had dessert what‘s the big deal?” Jon asked.

 “I didn’t order dessert; some guy sent it over to me. But when the waitress went to point him out to us he was gone.” Jon was hating this more and more. 

“So you don’t know who the hell it was?” Jon asked irritated.

 “No I don’t. I just thought it was some jerk trying to pick me up or one of us up.” She stated. 

“Well now you know it was you.” he said matter of factly. Richie just looked at Mary and gave her the sorry look. He knew Jon was getting angry now but he also knew sometimes he took it out on the wrong people. 

Jon turned to Richie and said, “Well are you just going to stand there or are we going to get that thing the hell out of the living room?” and he stormed out of the bedroom.

 Richie just smiled and left with Jon. Mary just took the pillow and screamed as loud as she could into it as she laid down and tried to take a nap. It didn’t take the guys that long to clean up that mess as Jon put the rat in a cooler with ice and put it in the kitchenette so her brothers could take a look at it. They also put the box it came in in plastic bags but knew there might not be anything they could do about that because everyone under the sun would of handle the box. “So did you ever call her brothers?” Richie asked. 

“Yeah I did when you brought Sarah back to your room. They’re coming out as soon as they can get a flight out. A.J didn’t like the idea of her getting that little gift either. Rich what scares me is it could be anyone who wants to get back at them.” Jon said concerned.

************************************************************

Back in San Diego A.J. was filling Rick in on Jon’s phone call. “A.J. I don’t like it. Don’t like it at all. Who the hell would do such a thing like that?” Rick asked.

 “I don’t know Rick that’s why I called Town and I have him checking a few things for us.” A.J. stated. 

“Okay A.J. enlighten me will you. What things do you have Town checking?” Rick asked. 

“Well remember when Michael came after Mary a few months ago.” He reminded Rick. 

“Yeah.” Rick said.

 “He escaped from the mental hospital right?” again A.J. reminded him.

 “Yeah he did. Shit! Do you think he did it again?” Rick asked hoping he was wrong. 

“Just waiting for the phone call.” A.J. said. Well the boys didn’t have to wait that long because Town called about a half hour later.

 “Hello? Town? Did you find anything out? Wait I’ll put you on speaker I have Rick here. Okay go ahead.” A.J. told him.

 “Well you guys aren’t going to like this but when I called the hospital they went to check on Michael. And what they found was one of their rescue dummies in his bed. They’re not sure how long it was there for and how the hell he got out, but it had to have been sometime yesterday because he was there for his last counselor’s meeting then dinner but after that no one saw him.” Town told them.

 “Well thanks Town we’ll take it from here. We’re going to meet up with them so at least now we have a lead. Thanks a lot.” A.J. said.

 “Give Mary my love and you guys be careful you know now who you’re dealing with.” Town said and hung up. 

“Well okay let’s get back to your place and get packed up the faster we get there the faster we can get this Son-of-a-Bitch.” Rick said. 

***************************************************************

Back in Florida, Mary was still sleeping and Richie had just left. Jon was now getting antsy so he went into the bedroom to see if he could wake Mary. He crawled up on the bed and started to nibble on her neck. She started to scrunch her head to her chest then started to swat away the annoyance. He was trying so hard not to laugh at her but she looked so cute doing it. She was making the cutest faces he thought. He just loved having her with him on tour. Finally she started to come around. When she opened her eyes she saw him looking down at her. Those big deep blue eyes of his drove her crazy and it was hard not to stay mad at him. “Hi.” She said as she was waking up from her nap.

 “Hey sleepy head, have a good nap?” he asked lovingly as he caressed her.

 “Yeah, are you still angry with me?” she asked him even thou she knew the answer with him slobbering all over her.

 “Baby I was never angry with you. You just scared me that’s all.” He told her.

“Scared you how?”  she asked him as she was a little annoyed now.

“I don’t know, anything could have happened you know. You know our luck, plus I wasn’t there to…” she didn’t let him finish. 

“Okay I get it you were worried but you’re not going to be with me twenty four hours of the day you know that.” She told him sternly.

“I realize that Baby, honest I do. But that’s not going to stop me from worrying about you. Especially after everything that has happened to us.” He tried to explain. 

“Well Honey it was nothing, someone just sent me something to eat and it happened to be my favorite dessert that’s all. Let’s not make a big deal of it.” She told him getting a little annoyed now.

 “What about the little present that you received?”  he wanted to know. 

“Oh that? Well okay I’ll give you that. But that could have been from a fan who knows about us.” She told  him knowing that it could be true.

“Well I’m not taking any chances. I called your brothers and they’re on their way here.” Jon told her really relieved. 

“Well good, how long will it take them to get here?” she asked.

 “As soon as they can get a flight out they said. So hopefully sometime tomorrow.” He said caressing her as he was getting a little flushed now. 

“You know you’re going to have to take care of Doc when he asks questions as to why they’re here because he will, you know he will.” she said trying to stay cool under his touch. 

“Don’t worry I’ll take care of Doc. But right now I have other things on my mind before your brothers get here.” He said as he moved in and started to caress her side and started to kiss her slowly as he moved his body down over hers. 

***************************************************************

It didn’t take long for the brothers to get to their sister. They arrived at the hotel and luckily they had a room for them. After they checked in they called Town to just check in with him and let him know that they arrived okay. Once they did that they sought out they’re sister. Jon had given them they’re floor and room numbers and also access to security. In the elevator “So A.J. whose going to tell her you or me?” Rick asked. 

“I will you just keep Jon at bay will you because this isn’t going to go over very well and I don’t know who is going to freak out first.” A.J. said looking at his brother very concerned. The elevator doors opened and they walked over to Jon’s door and knocked. It didn’t take long for the door to open and a short Hispanic man opened the door. 

“Can I help you?” Tico said. 

“Yeah Jon Bon Jovi?” Rick asked.

Jon heard Rick’s voice and yelled. “It’s okay Tic let them in.” Jon was having a band meeting so all the guys were in his room. Jon went over to greet them. “You guys made it great. We were just having a meeting.” He told them.

“No that’s fine sorry we interrupted. Is Mary around?” A.J. asked.

 “She’s with the other girlfriends down the hall. I won’t let her go out without an escort and she’s pissed at me about that.” Jon snorted.

“Yeah I can image.” Rick said. “Well we need to talk to you and I think the head of your security team should be here for this also.” A.J. said. 

Jon just looked at them and started to get a very bad feeling. “This isn’t going to be good is it?” Jon asked. 

The boys just shook their heads no. Jon called Ralph Davis up to his room before he decided to get Mary. Once he arrived they filled him in on what happened the other day and Rick and A.J. took a look at the present that was delivered also. The Simons talked it over and they would bring it to the police on advice with Town as he had already called them and filled them in. Jon looked at the brothers and asked, “Guys what’s going on?”

 Rick and A.J. just looked at each other and A.J. replied, “Look Jon it would be better if we explained everything when Mary gets here, okay? In fact everyone can stay it would be a good idea that everyone knows what’s going on. Could someone please get Mary for us?” 

“Yeah I’ll go down to Patti’s room and get her. Do you want the other girls here to?” Richie asked.

 “Yeah that would probably be a good thing. The more people in on this the better.” A.J. said. 

Rick turned to A.J. and said. “Do you really think this is a good idea bringing in so many people? I mean A.J.”

 A.J. cut him off, “Rick the more people knowing about this the better because there will be more eyes open for him don’t you think?” 

By now Jon was pacing the room and watching the brothers talking. He didn’t like not knowing what was going on. He knew something bad was going on just didn’t know how bad. It didn’t take long for Richie to bring the girls back to the room. 

When Mary saw her brothers she was really glad to see them and gave them hugs and kisses. “I’m so glad you guys are here. Did Jon show you my little present?” she asked them upset.

 “Yeah he did. What did you do to deserve that Sweetie?” Rick asked. 

“It might be because I’m dating a Rockstar.” She told them. Jon walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

 “Well I wish that was the case Sweetie.” Rick said. 

Mary just looked at him. “I take it you know more than you’re telling.” She said. 

“I think you better sit down.” Rick said. Jon guided her to the couch while the others just watched. 

Jon asked, “Okay guys why don’t you just tell us what’s going on.” 

A.J. started, “Before we came here we got in touch we Town and he did some research for us. To make a long story short Honey Michael escaped from the mental hospital again.” As A.J. was telling her Mary’s face went white and her breathing started to go ragged. Slowly she started to shake as Jon put his arms around her. 

“What the HELL do you mean he escaped again! How the Hell did he do that! Didn’t he have security on him twenty four hours a day!” Jon yelled. 

“Jon calm down. Town is looking into it as we speak but it looks like he killed one of the male nurses to walk out past security. They’re going to check who was on that night and why they didn’t check his I.D. properly.” A.J. explained.

 “I don’t care that is still inexcusable! They know what a psycho this guy is.” Jon was still upset. By now Mary looked like she was going to pass out. 

Richie now chimed in. “Jon, man calm down will ya? You’re not making matters better if you get my drift!” tilting his head towards Mary. Looking at her he realized she was not looking very good and she was still shaking badly. 

“Baby are you okay?” he asked her. She just was staring into space. Jon looked at her brothers, “I don’t think she can hear me?” 

A.J. bending down on one knee said, “Sweetie can you hear me it’s A.J. Sweetie I need to know if you can hear me.” 

He took her hand and slowly started to rub it and she slowly turned her head and said to him, “I’ll pack my things. We need to leave as soon as possible. Just let me know when it’s time to leave.” 

Jon couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He looked at the brothers then back at Mary and said, “You’re not going anywhere. Why do you think you need to leave?” he was worried now. 

She just looked at him and said, “You’re kidding right? He nearly killed you the last time he kidnapped you. He would have if it wasn’t for my brothers and Town. And he’ll kill you for sure this time Jon and he’ll make you really feel it. But this time he’ll make me watch. God only knows what he’ll make you watch before that. No I’m going home, away from you, away from here. We’re done Jon.” She said as tears were streaming down her cheeks. She got up and started to walk towards the bedroom. 

“NO! NO FUCKING WAY!” Jon screamed. He jumped up and grabbed her as her brothers went to grab him. 

“Alright everyone calm down. This isn’t going to get us anywhere.” A.J. said. Rick had grabbed Jon by his arm and his band of brothers had gotten up and was ready to leap on the Simons. 

Jon had to diffuse the situation fast and through gritted teeth he said, “It’s okay guys I’m fine really.” The guys backed off for now. Jon turned to the brothers, “She’s not going anywhere you got that. She’s staying here with me. It will be a lot safer.”

 “It’s not up to you Jon I’m going home with my brothers and that’s final!” Mary said and stormed into the bedroom.

He went to go after her but A.J. stopped him. “Jon let me talk to her okay? She’ll listen to me right now. She’s scared to death because she knows what he’s capable of. She just so afraid that he’ll kill you and she’ll blame herself. Give her some time okay, at least til I talk to her.” A.J. asked Jon.

 “Fine just til you talk to her then it’s my turn.” He said gruffly. 

“Look Jon why don’t we go over to my room that way Rick and A.J. can spend some time with her and you some time to cool off alright?” Richie suggested.

 “Yeah man you need to calm down. You can’t talk to her like this. Let’s go see if we can’t get you wound down and then you’ll have a better chance with her.” Tico said. 

The guys escorted Jon out of the room and down the hall to Richie’s room. Inside Jon sat down in a huff. Richie had the other guys go to their rooms wanting to talk to Jon alone. Going over to the mini bar Richie asks, “Do you want anything?” 

“Yeah I’ll take a beer.” He told Richie.

Taking two out Richie hands one to Jon. “You know I don’t think she meant it.”

 “She meant it.” Jon said taking a slug out of his beer. “You know Rich she would rather dump me than see me go through that again. She’s terrified of that asshole. She saw me strung up with burnt marks on my chest and stomach from that damn cattle prod. She saw him do it to me. Then he was going to rape her right in front of me Rich and I couldn’t do a damn thing to help her.” He told Richie staring off into space.

“Yeah I know you told me. I’m so sorry Jon. But hopefully they’ll get him before he does any damage this time.” Richie said trying to give him hope. 

“I want the Bastard dead Rich.” Jon said with no emotion. 

“Yeah you and me both Kidd you and me both.” He told Jon as he sat down next to him. 

“How the hell am I going to keep her here? I need to watch her. It’ not that I don’t trust her brothers, I do. But I need to be with her doesn’t she understand that?” he said concerned and confused. 

“I think she does it’s just she thinks she doing what’s best for you. At least in her head. If this guy thinks you two are broken up he’ll leave you alone and just go after her.” Rich explain. 

“But he won’t because he’ll know better. He’ll know she’s doing it just to appease him.” Jon explained to him.

“Then that’s what you have to explain to her.” Rich said.