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I turn in Jaxon’s arms and plant a kiss on his lips. It was supposed to be a quick, innocent peck, but Jaxon slips his tongue inside for a slow, lingering kiss.
We break apart and I glance over at Mac, who I forgot was there. He’s standing there watching Mia walk away with a longing expression. He shakes his head and looks back at the both of us. His eyes land on me and he gives me a soft smile. I smile back at him, and I know he sees the sympathy on my face.
Jaxon breaks the silence. “Mac has some information for us, angel.”
“As you know, I couldn’t find any suspicious movements on Steven’s credit cards or bank accounts. I decided to branch out a little and look into some of his friends. I found a couple of them had withdrawn a decent-sized amount of money a couple weeks ago. I also found a few transactions made about halfway between here and Georgia. Now, this doesn’t prove that he’s here, although I believe he is, but it does give reasonable suspicion. I’ve looked up his photo on the Internet and I’ve got several people out looking for him.”
This information doesn’t help much with figuring out what Steven’s next move is, but it’s still something. At least we have a picture of Steven out and about. When I left, I didn’t take anything reminding me of him with me, including any photographs. I’m glad Mac thought to look online for one.
“What do we do now?” Jaxon asks Mac.
“There’s nothing you can do now. Just stay vigilant. Hopefully, he’ll show his face soon and we can nab him.”
A few minutes later Hunter, who took over grill duty, announces that the food is ready. We all gather around the table and pile our plates full of food. There are burgers, brats, homemade potato salad, coleslaw, chips of every kind, baked beans, and a multitude of drinks and desserts. I help Tricia set the kids up with plates and set them on the smaller picnic table.
Barbecues at the Walker residence are loud and crazy. Everyone talks to everyone and no one is left out. Even the kids are blabbering. It’s one of the best gatherings I’ve been to.
Once everyone is finished eating, the women start cleaning up while the men help entertain the kids. I’m standing in front of the sink shoveling food remnants in the garbage disposal when Lilly walks up.
“I see you’ve finally decided to open up to Jaxon.”
I look over at her and see a bright smile on her face.
“He hasn’t told me what you told him, just said that you had reason to be cautious. Even if he hadn’t told me you talked to him I would already know. I can tell by the way you are with him now. You’re more relaxed and open.”
“I did. It was hard and painful, but he has a right to know.” She just watches me for a few minutes. I don’t know if she expects me to tell her as well. As if she’s read my thoughts, she drapes her arm around my shoulders.
“You don’t have to tell me, dear, but if you ever want to I’m more than willing to listen. From what you said it seems as though you didn’t have a good mother figure in your life. I know you’re an adult now and don’t necessarily need it, but if you’d like one, I’d like to fill the role.”
My eyes become watery at her statement. She’s right; I didn’t have a good mother figure. As a child, I always dreamed of having a wonderful and caring mom, but I learned early on that wasn’t possible and my dreams finally went away.
I reach over and grab her in my arms. Resting my head on her shoulder, I say in her hair, “Thank you. I’d really like that.”
She steps back from me and I finish smashing up food in the disposal while she puts leftovers away in the fridge.
An hour later the sun is setting and Jaxon and I get ready to leave. After spending another thirty minutes saying our goodbyes, we hop in his truck and head home.
By the time we make it to Jaxon’s, the sun is down and the moon is shining brightly. When we walk hand in hand up to the front porch, I notice a folded piece of paper stuck to the door. Jaxon snatches it down and unfolds it.
“What’s it say?” I ask him.
“Fuck!” Jaxon says, and then releases my hand. I watch as he balls it into a fist, rears back, and punches the door.
I jump at the loud sound. Jaxon notices and quickly pulls me in his arms, all the while unlocking the door and rushing me inside. He closes it behind us and sets the alarm. He then finally hands me the paper.
I look down at it and immediately recognize the familiar handwriting.
You’ve touched what’s mine. Now, I take what’s yours.
My hand shakes as I clutch the paper tightly. I glance up at Jaxon and see him pacing. He has his hands running through his hair and he’s visibly agitated. He’s barely holding on to his control.
“What are we going to do?” I whisper, but he still hears me.
He comes to me and brings me into his arms. I rest my head against his chest and feel it rumble when he talks.
“Don’t worry, angel. I won’t let him get to you. You're mine, and I protect and keep safe what’s mine.” His words are meant to reassure me, but they don’t. I don’t doubt Jaxon means what he says and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep me safe, but I’m still scared. Jaxon doesn’t realize the extent Steven will go to to get what he wants.
We pull apart, but he doesn’t release me. He holds my gaze with his mesmerizing eyes before kissing my forehead.
