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“I have to leave, Jaxon.”
“No,” is his response to my plea. The anger is seeping back into his eyes.
I take his hand that I still have hold of and place his palm against my cheek. “Jaxon, you need to understand. Steven’s made many contacts over the years. Contacts that work outside the law and aren’t afraid to make people disappear. He always makes sure that it’s never traced back to him. He’s very careful. Do you have any idea how destroyed I would be if anything happened to you?” I gesture with my arm to Mia and the door, meaning anyone here in this town.
“Angel, what do you think it would do to me if anything happened to you?” he counters.
“Any of us in this town who have met you, Bailey, would be devastated if anything happened to you. Don’t underestimate us. We may be a small town but we hold our own and protect what we feel is ours. You’ve been Jaxon’s since you first asked about that job, and in a sense the whole town’s.”
I look up at Mia and see determination in her eyes. She truly means what she says. When I bring my eyes back to Jaxon, he’s watching me carefully.
Can I truly trust that they can help me without getting hurt? It’s a huge risk, but do I have a choice? If I want to stay here, and I most definitely do, then I have to chance it and hope that it’s not one of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made.
I nudge Jaxon a little with my knees. He leans back so I can drop them. Once my feet are on the floor, I scoot to the edge of the couch, which brings my legs to either side of his waist. I place both of my hands on his scruffy cheeks.
“Okay, Jaxon, I’ll stay,” I tell him, and lean in for a brief kiss.
He wraps his arms around me, bringing my body flush against his. I may have instigated the kiss, but it’s Jaxon who controls it. It’s gentle, but I know Jaxon is holding back for two reasons. One, he doesn’t want to frighten me, especially in light of what I just told him. And two, because we have an audience.
Even still, he runs his tongue across the seam of my mouth and waits for me to open for him. When I do, his tongue barely grazes mine. I wrap my arms around his neck to pull him closer to me.
The kiss ends just as quickly as it started and I can’t help feeling disappointed. Jaxon finishes it by kissing the side of my mouth, my chin, the tip of my nose, and then finally my cheek right over my scar. After, he places his forehead against mine.
“You’re staying with me until this is over,” he says, while looking in my eyes.
I don’t hesitate to agree with him because the thought of sleeping alone in the apartment terrifies me. It would be all too easy for Steven to get to me there. There’s no security system and the locks aren’t all that great either.
“Okay.”
I’ve taken him off guard with my easy acceptance. At my one-word reply, he pulls his head back. “Okay? That simple?”
I nod. “Yes, okay. I’m not stupid, Jaxon. I know I’ll be safer with you. The thought of him getting to me petrifies me. I’m not going to make it easy for him.”
“That’s my girl.” He smiles at me and when he does it lightens his face. I love that look on his face. It completely transforms him from the big, tough, intimidating man to a sweet and endearing one.
“Alright, let’s get you home. Work’s over for you tonight.” He backs away and gains his feet. Reaching down, he takes my hand and pulls me up, putting his arm around my neck to bring me closer as soon as I’m standing.
Nick walks back into the office and his eyes zero in on Jaxon. “Nothing. No one’s seen a damn thing. He’s gone.”
Jaxon’s jaw goes rigid, but he nods.
Nick walks up to me and kisses my forehead. I feel Jaxon slightly stiffen beside me but when I look up to him, he looks relaxed. Nick’s words pull my attention back to him.
“Don’t worry about anything, Bailey. We’ll take care of him. He’s not getting to you again.” His words are sincere and they send a shiver down my spine. I know these people will do almost anything for me. I just pray they stay safe in the process.
Nick steps back and Mia takes his place. I’m pulled from Jaxon’s arm when she reaches over and hugs me and says in my ear, “I know I haven’t been the friendliest person and I’m sorry.” She pulls back and looks into my eyes. “Please let me know if you need anything, okay?”
“Thank you.”
She smiles at me, and I suck in a breath. I think that’s the first time I’ve seen her smile. She was beautiful before, but when she smiles she’s utterly breathtaking.
Jaxon reclaims his place by draping his arm back around my neck. Kissing the side of my head, he says, “You ready?”
I look at him and reply, “I just need to grab my purse from the bar and a few things from upstairs.”
“Okay, let’s go.” He walks me across his office and out to the bar, where I grab my purse. After gathering a few essential items from upstairs, he leads me out to his truck, where he deposits my bag in the backseat. Getting in and buckling up, I watch Jaxon move to his side and get in. He looks over at me and grabs my hand.
“It’s going to be okay, angel.”
