Beautiful Imperfection: The Perfection Series, #3

By Heather Guimond

Even when you're waiting for the other shoe to drop, you never expect the force of its impact…

After a sudden injury, Mimi Ashcroft finds herself alone and struggling to recover when James is sent overseas. Lost in a world of pain, she's drowning in a drug dependency that leaves her vulnerable to the attention of a new man in her life, bad-boy Vince Kiriakopolous. He pulls her deeper into a sordid lifestyle she never would have considered. Ever present, Justin fights to bring Mimi to her senses, but she's caught in the double-fisted grip of depression and addiction. He may not be able to save her this time. Has Mimi finally suffered more than she can take?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heather Guimond
• Release date: Dec 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201539894

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Ispent a week recovering at James’ house. Snowflake healed remarkably fast and was back to her usual self within a few days, gnawing on toys and bringing me her ball to throw for her.

While I improved physically in good time as well, I still endured flashbacks of the fight and my dreams were haunted by Delia’s wild eyes. James suggested I begin seeing a counselor to help me work through my trauma, and I had to agree with him. As soon as he left for his deployment and I was back home, I intended to find someone to help me. I didn’t want to live my life obsessed with memories of her trying to kill me. I was feeling the effects of the trauma. I was still jumpy at any unexpected noise and constantly scanning my surroundings whenever we went somewhere.

Delia had been arraigned yet again and was being held without bail this time around. Finally, someone had realized what a danger she was. Her trial was postponed one more time, of course, but this time I felt reassured by her indefinite incarceration. Francesca agreed that our case against her was much stronger than before. She felt confident that a jury would convict her, and I was able to start believing the whole ordeal might be over. At least for me. Justin still had to deal with her pregnancy and what it could mean for his life. I didn’t envy him and prayed that he was not the father. Just the idea of him having to deal with her in any way for the rest of his life made me feel like my stomach was filled with lead.

James did his best to distract me with the plans he had made for our vacation, after deciding we should go to Mexico. We’d fly into Brown Field in San Diego, then drive the rest of the way to Rosarito Beach in Baja, California. I thought a nice, relaxing vacation by the beach was exactly what we both needed. Rosarito was a popular destination for college kids during spring break and the summer months, but at that time of year, it was mostly retirees who had purchased vacation homes and residents. I’d been there a couple times and found it a nice little haven where one could take a break and just get away from it all.

We left a week before James was due to be deployed. It was a Monday, and the sky was overcast, but there was nothing in the weather forecast that suggested we’d have anything but a smooth flight. With Snowflake in the rear seats with her favorite chew toys and our luggage firmly stowed, we set out for our much-needed vacation.

The flight was smooth until we were just past Los Angeles. Dark clouds suddenly surrounded us, and turbulence became rough. Crap, James said. It looks like we’re heading into a storm.

Can we still fly? I asked.

We should be fine. We’re not too far from Brown now. He looked over at me and smiled, just as a flash of white light surrounded us and the plane jolted harshly. The skies opened and the rain began to pour down on us, hard pelts of fat raindrops splattering against the windshield.

Shit! James exclaimed.

What was that? I asked nervously.

The lightning struck the plane. I think the electrical system is fried. All my gauges just died.

Oh, God. That’s bad, isn’t it? I asked frantically.

Don’t panic, Mimi. I just need to get below this cloud cover so I can navigate by the ground terrain. It’s not going to be easy in this weather, but we should be okay. Like I said, we’re not far from where we need to be.

I felt the plane dip down lower and lower. Finally, the clouds dissipated, but our vision was obscured by the pounding rain.

Damn this rain. James cursed. It’s too heavy for me to see clearly.

Snowflake whined from the back seat. Even she knew something was wrong. The wind was gusting, blowing us up and down in the air. It could have been fun, something like being on a rollercoaster, if James were intentionally doing it and we weren’t so fucking far from the ground.

James brought us lower trying to see his way better. All I could see around us were rolling hills and scrub. I gripped my seat, my knuckles white from the tightness of my grasp.

I think we’re off course. I have no idea how far. God damn it.

Just then I heard a sputtering sound. Oh Lord, what is that?

James looked at me, grim faced. We just lost power to the engine. I’m going to have to find a place to set this baby down fast.

You mean we’re going to crash? I screamed.

I’m hoping for just a hard landing. Either way, hold on tight. We’re going to be fine, Mimi, just brace yourself.

I held my breath as I squeezed my eyes tightly together. I couldn’t believe I had gone through everything with Delia only to meet my end this way. I couldn’t indulge those thoughts. If James said we were going to be fine, then we would be. I hoped.

When I opened my eyes, I saw what appeared to be a wide empty valley between the hills in the near distance. James saw it, too.

There, he said, gesturing with his chin. I think that’s the best place we’re going to find. He paused for a moment. In case I don’t get a chance to say it again, I want you to remember that I love you, Mimi. He nosed the plane lower, and I felt our rapid descent. My hands came up to grip the safety harness as I watched the ground rushing up toward us, my heart in my throat.

I love you, too, James. You don’t know how much I said just before we hit the ground.

We hit hard, bouncing one, two, three times. James was rigid with a look of determination on his face. I, on the other hand, was bracing with my hands against the bottom of the co-pilot’s yoke and the door with my feet pressed firmly to the floor. On the last bounce, I bashed my head against the doorframe, and everything went black.

ONE

They say your life flashes before your eyes when you’re about to die. I didn’t exactly experience that phenomenon, maybe because I didn’t die. I don’t know. What happened was a montage of memories of my life with Vance, and then losing him. Just before I blacked out, I felt an inexplicable sense of relief that Vance was not alive to experience losing me, should the crash end in my demise.

When I came to, it was a slow process. I heard voices around me but was not yet willing to open my eyes. Wherever I was, it smelled faintly of antiseptic. I tried testing my muscles and as I moved, I felt a tug and pinch on my right hand. As I moved my shoulders, I felt a sharp pain in my upper back, and when I tried to move my hips, I felt a searing sensation shoot down into my legs. It hurt to even breathe. My head throbbed relentlessly so I brought my hand up to my face. I touched my forehead and felt some sort of rough material on it. Taking all these things into consideration, it didn’t take a genius to figure out that I was in a hospital.

I slowly opened my eyes, which caused a different sort of blinding pain in my head. I blinked a few times, but the light seemed so bright I closed them once again. I moaned softly. Then I heard someone close to me move in and say in a hushed tone, Mimi, are you awake?

I moaned once more and opened my eyes again. My vision was blurry, but I was able to make out a figure of a large man standing next to me. I blinked a few more times and the vision of Justin swam before me.

Hey, he said. Welcome back.

I tried to smile, but that caused even more pain in my head as whatever sort of injury I had on my forehead pulled tight. I surmised that I had stitches.

I immediately recalled our crash and thoughts of James struck a panic through me. I looked up at Justin frantically and asked, James—what happened to James?

He’s fine, Peaches. He was banged up when they first brought him in, but they didn’t need to admit him like they did you. He went home yesterday.

All the way back to Lemoore? I asked.

No, he’s staying locally. He’s here, he just went downstairs to get some coffee.

And Snowflake? Is Snowflake all right? I asked urgently, immediately panicked that my sweet little girl might be injured or worse.

She’s just fine. She came away with a small limp on one of her back legs, but James took her to the veterinarian, and they gave her an x-ray and checked her over well. Her leg wasn’t broken—only a few shallow cuts—but she has some bruises like James, Justin said, his eyes twinkling.

Thank God they’re both okay, I said, taking a breath and letting it out in relief. How long have I been unconscious? I asked, my head still pounding and feeling very heavy.

Just for a day. Long enough to scare the daylights out of me, though.

I tried to nod, but it only increased the throbbing in my brain.

Let me get the nurse so she can see that you’re finally awake, Justin said.

I took a deep breath which caused the pain in my upper back to feel like someone had shoved a knife in it. I gasped and let it out quickly. I didn’t know what happened to me, but between the pain in my head and that in my back, I couldn’t help the tears that sprang to my eyes.

Justin left the room for a moment, only to return with a tiny little woman in tow. She had a cheerful face with Asian features that quickly put me at ease. She came to my bedside and lightly grasped my fingers.

Well, hello Sunshine, she said cheerfully. We’ve been waiting for you to wake up. Let me check all your vitals and see where we’re at. She raised the head of my bed a little which caused more pain to shoot down my back. I gasped, and she looked at me sympathetically.

Hello, I responded hoarsely just realizing how dry my mouth and throat were. Could I get a little bit of water, please?

Of course, you may, she said with a bright smile. She took a plastic cup off the tray table beside my bed and filled it from a carafe that was sitting there, too. She popped in a flexi-straw, then brought it to my parched lips. Only a small sip for now, okay?

I did as she instructed and took just enough to soothe the dryness. After she finished her examination of my vital signs, she looked down at me. So, how are you feeling, Ms. Ashcroft?

My whole body aches and my head is throbbing, I replied. I can’t move anything without it hurting, but the pain in my upper and lower back is excruciating.

Well, that was one hard landing, I hear. I’ll call the doctor and let him know you’ve come around. He can tell you about your condition and give you an idea as to when you can get out of here, she said with a wink.

After she left the room, Justin resumed his place at my side. He gently took my hand, but it still caused that tugging and pinching sensation. I looked down and realized it was the tape securing the IV line that was causing the discomfort. I obviously was processing things much more slowly than I otherwise would.

How did you know to come? I asked him.

James called me. He told me that your plane went down, and that you’d been admitted for your injuries. I was out the door and on the road within minutes.

I’m glad you came. So, you’re sure James is alright? I asked.

Like I said, he has a few bumps and bruises but is just fine overall. You, on the other hand, needed quite a bit of care.

I reached up and touched my forehead again. You have a gash in your head that required some stitches, he said. I haven’t seen it, but I understand it’s a nasty cut.

I attempted to nod again, but the pain was so severe, I was instantly sick to my stomach. I rested my head back against the bed and sighed. That’s probably the least of my pain, I admitted.

As I said the words, a man in a white coat entered the room. Through my awesome deductive powers, I assumed it was the doctor.

Hey, Mimi, he said as he approached. He picked up the chart at the end of my bed and quickly scanned it. He looked up at me warmly. He was a nice-looking man, I assumed somewhere in his forties, with light brown, graying hair. His green eyes smiled at me as he came toward the head of the bed and pulled a pen-light out of his breast pocket. I’m Dr. Scott. Your vitals look good. Let me check out a few more things, and then we can talk about your condition. He shined the light in my eyes and had me look this way and that. How’s your vision? he asked.

Everything is a little blurry, I admitted, but it’s been gradually getting better since I woke up.

He nodded and shut off the light. He pulled away the bandage on my forehead, causing me to wince, which brought on another sharp sting in my skin.

The sutures look good and there’s no sign of infection. The ER doc did a good job, he said with a grin. You’re going to have a scar, but since it’s so close to your hairline, you’re not going to need any cosmetic surgery. It will barely be visible.

That’s the least of my concerns, I replied. I’m more worried about the pounding in my head and the pains in my back.

He nodded, then grabbed a stool that was in the corner. He wheeled it over and sat next to the foot of the bed, where I could see him clearly.

You sustained a concussion, so the throbbing and ache in your head is normal. It will pass, and I don’t suspect any complications to arise from it. Your back, on the other hand, well that’s a little more serious. You sustained compression fractures in two spots, one in the thoracic area of your spine, specifically at the T12 vertebrae. In your lower back, it’s at the L5-S1 juncture, so that’s the pain you’re feeling. Are you experiencing any numbness or tingling anywhere?

I shook my head, which I instantly regretted. Bringing a hand up to my temple trying to soothe the pain, I responded, No, I don’t, but when I move my lower body, the pain shoots down into my legs.

The lack of numbness is a good sign; however, it’s going to be a few days before you’re up and walking around unrestricted again. You’ll have a short period of bed rest, but then you’ll need to get up and get moving for short periods each day to avoid bone loss. We’ll give you pain medication while you’re on bed rest, but after that, we’ll have you on just Tylenol and some anti-inflammatory medications. I won’t lie, you’re going to be very uncomfortable for a few months, but most of your pain should subside in a week or so. We’ll also give you a back brace to help support your spine while it’s healing, but it will restrict your movement considerably. However, it will also help with any residual pain you have. Other than that, I don’t see why you won’t have a complete recovery and be back to your old self after a time.

So how long can I expect to be here? I asked, already eager to be home where I was most comfortable.

About two more days to give you time to rest as you need and to administer most of the narcotic medications I’ll be prescribing. I’ll send you home with a prescription for a lesser dosage which will last about a week, but after that, it’s strictly the over-the-counter pain relievers and the anti-inflammatory drugs. We’ll find an orthopedist in your area to follow your care unless you want a referral from your primary physician.

I’m good with whomever you recommend, but please, is it possible to get some of that pain medication now? I can’t take it much longer, I said as I shifted in the bed and felt a new round of fire tear through my back.

He smiled at me knowingly. Of course. I’ll write the instructions on your chart and get the nurse here in a jiffy to fix you up. Just sit tight, he said as he patted my leg and stood. I’ll be back to check on you tomorrow.

As soon as he left the room, James came in holding two Styrofoam cups. He handed one to Justin as he looked down at me. Hey, Kitten. You’re finally up, he said with a soft smile. He took the seat next to my bed and rested his hand over mine. You’ve given us all a scare being out as long as you were.

Justin said I was only out for a day.

I think that’s long enough to be worried, don’t you? he asked with a raised brow.

I suppose you’re right. The doctor says I can get out of here in a couple days though. How about you? How are you feeling?

Don’t worry about me. I’ll be good as new in a couple days. How are you doing?

I ran through my complaints one more time. Just as I finished speaking, the same nurse entered the room. I’ve got your pain medication right here, Mimi. It’s going to make you drowsy, but it will help you get some rest. She shooed James away from my bedside and took out a hypodermic needle. After filling it from a little vial she pulled from her pocket, she injected it into the IV line. This is morphine, she said with a grin, so soon you’ll be feeling no pain whatsoever. She squeezed my fingers before leaving the room.

James returned to my bedside, but as he did, my vision swam a little more. My eyelids drooped and he smiled at me. Looks like someone is about to take off for sleepy-land. He leaned in and kissed my forehead. We’ll be right here when you wake up, he said, just before I blissfully faded out.

When I woke again, it was dark in the room, and I was in agony. The pain in my back was firing down my spine and legs, and I wished for more of that heavenly juice the nurse had pumped into my IV. James was still seated next to me, but his chin was resting on his chest, and he was softly snoring. Justin was nowhere to be seen. I lay there, my eyes welling up with tears from the pain. I hoped that Dr. Scott was right and that in a few days I’d only need Tylenol to manage it. I couldn’t imagine trying to manage this kind of torture with something over the counter. I tried to stay still and cope with it for a few minutes, to no avail. I needed relief, and I needed it right then. I pressed the call button for the nurse and waited for a response. Quickly, a voice came over the intercom asking what I needed. I literally begged for more pain medication. As I did, James stirred and came to. He looked at me in concern as I grimaced.

Is it bad? he asked.

You have no idea, I replied, gripping the bed rail to stave off the pain that was tearing me apart. It didn’t help.

Let me get the nurse for you, he said as he made to stand up.

It’s okay. I pressed the call button and got her attention. She should be in here any minute.

Right on time, a different nurse came in. This one was a tall blonde, and not quite as cheerful as the day nurse had been, but I could see the needle and vial in her hand, so I didn’t mind one way or another. If she was going to end my misery, she could be as sour as she wanted to be.

She informed me her name was Linda and she’d be taking care of me throughout the night. After I give you this medication here, I don’t expect you to be awake until after I get off work, but rest assured, I’ll be looking in on you periodically.

I nodded hurriedly, just wishing she’d inject me so I could go back to sleep. She took my vitals again before administering the medication, which only served to irritate me. I wanted those drugs.

After she finally gave me what I needed, she left. I looked at James, who stood over me looking concerned. Is it worse? he asked.

It is. I thought it was bad before, but this is unbearable. My head does feel better though, I said, noticing the heavy pounding had reduced to just a small ache. It was little consolation in comparison to the extreme discomfort in my back and legs. My eyelids began to feel heavy again, so I drunkenly said to James, Why don’t you go get some rest? If this is anything like last time, I’m going to be out for a while. I think I’m in good hands. You don’t have to sit here all day and night.

I don’t want to leave your side, Mimi. I’ve been so scared.

Well, I’m sure Dr. Scott or Justin got you up to speed on my condition. None of my injuries are life-threatening. I will be fine if you go get some sleep in a decent bed, rather than sleeping in that chair.

If you’re sure. I am still achy and sore myself, so I think a good night’s sleep in a proper bed will help.

He leaned down and kissed me softly on the lips. I’ll be here bright and early in the morning, Kitten. I’m sure Justin will be, too.

I just nodded as the effect of the drugs overtook me, and I once again embraced the complete relief they provided.

The next few days passed much in the same way, although they did taper off the medication much to my displeasure. The pain was still intolerable, but they assured me with the prescriptions they were providing me, it would help make it more manageable. As I was being discharged, the day nurse, whose name I learned was Keira, brought me the paper scripts.

This one is for a lower dose of morphine. It might still make you drowsy, but it won’t put you out for as long as the injections did, if at all. This other one is for a muscle relaxer. It also should give you some pain relief. Don’t take them together. Follow the instructions on the bottles exactly. This is still narcotic medication, and you need to be very careful.

I nodded and took the papers from her eagerly. I had only been given the oral medication that morning, and I was still feeling the effects of my injuries. I couldn’t wait to get the prescriptions filled and get back home as soon as possible where I’d be more comfortable, and I could take a little bit more of the meds to ease my pain.

It was a long trek home to Los Angeles from San Diego. Justin had gone on ahead of us with Snowflake. I was pleased because I was in too much pain and much too grumpy to give her the attention she would need.

Since our vacation plans were foiled by the accident and my injuries, James and I decided the best place to spend the week was at my house rather than his. There was no way I’d be able to sit in a car for six hours with my back the way it was. I couldn’t even do the four-hour trek from my house to his. Hell, just the drive from San Diego to home nearly killed me.

When we got to the house, James assisted me out of the car and I slowly walked toward the front door where Justin, followed by one very excited dog, greeted us. I felt like an old woman. I wanted to squat down and hug Snowflake, happy to see her acting herself despite the small injuries she sustained, but I just couldn’t do it. Justin pulled her back, giving me room to get through the door.

After getting me settled on the couch, James pressed a kiss to my lips and told me he was going to run to the pharmacy to fill my prescriptions. I nodded and closed my eyes, the pain in my back the only thing I could concentrate on now.

Justin dropped into the chair across from the sofa, and I opened my eyes again. He smiled softly at me, and I tried to return the gesture. I imagined my smile looked more like a grimace since he immediately looked concerned.

Is there anything I can do to help you right now, Peaches? he asked.

No, I think this is the best it’s going to get without more of the medication. It wore off about halfway here, and now I just have to take the pain until James gets back.

He nodded and said, I know how that is. I had to lay my bike down one time and messed up my own back in the process. My injuries weren’t as severe as yours, so I don’t pretend to fully understand the extent of your discomfort, but I do remember being laid up for a while and hating every minute of it.

Knowing you, that alone was agony. I bet you were a terrible patient. Despite the stab of pain it caused me, I laughed.

You know me too well, Peaches, he said with a wink.

I closed my eyes again, hoping I could at least find some sleep to take me away from it all. I didn’t want to feel sorry for myself on top of my injuries but now, I couldn’t help it. There I was, barely able to move, and James would be leaving in a handful of days. The last thing I wanted was for him to spend that time doting on me. I gave myself a mental face slap. It wasn’t going to do me any good to wallow in my misery. I just had to grit my teeth over the pain and try to make the time as pleasant as possible for the both of us. To distract myself, I looked at Justin.

So how are things on your end, big man? I asked him.

Well, he began, nothing has really happened here in the short time you were gone. Delia’s still in jail, but during her arraignment she entered a plea of not guilty.

I nodded. I think I knew that before I left. I’m glad they denied her bail this time. At least I don’t have to worry about trying to escape her again while I’m in this condition. I wonder how things are going to go with her.

One thing your accident has done is to help take my mind off all of that. I have more important things to worry over, he said smiling again.

"Oh, don’t tell me you’re going to be a