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“I’m right here, baby,” he said.
Baby. I like that. I tried to smile, but it hurt.
The doctor talked for a while. I had a concussion, and numerous bruises, and they had given me something for the pain that was making me feel a little loopy. That was okay. I would recover.
“Alissa!!!” I could hear him from the hallway.
Oh no. Someone had called my dad. This wasn’t exactly how I planned on having him meet Jackson. I tried to sit up.
“Stay still, Alissa,” Jackson said. “We can move the bed if you want to sit up.”
“Yes, please,” I requested. Jackson found the remote for the bed and lifted my head up so that I could see. My dad barreled into the room in full uniform with his gun at his hip. Oh great.
“Alissa,” he said, stopping at the foot of the bed. “Are you okay? What happened?” Jackson cleared his throat to get his attention. “Chief Allen? I’m Jackson Hayes,” he said extending his hand. My Dad didn’t shake it. Not good. Jackson lowered his hand, not seeming to be offended.
“Sir, Alissa has been through a lot, and the doctor wants her to rest. I think it would be best if I told you what happened.”
“It’s okay, Jackson,” I said quietly. “I’m fine. I just need a drink.” He brought me the water from the bedside table.
“You sure?” he asked me with concern in his eyes. “I think you should rest.”
“I will in a minute.” Wanting my dad to like Jackson, I wasn’t about to let their first discussion be an argument over my safety.
I started by assuring my dad that I was okay. Then I worked backwards through the story explaining about Nick and Kayla. He already knew most of this. The police had called him en route to the scene. My dad was good friends with several members of the neighboring police force and news traveled fast in the system.
He told me that Nick was in custody. They were still looking for Kayla. Jackson stiffened beside me at the news. Apparently, he didn’t know that Kayla had gotten away.
He wanted to know how I knew Jackson. I sighed. This was going to be interesting.
Settling on the abbreviated version, I told him that I met Jackson at my restaurant. It wasn’t a lie, but I felt guilty about it anyway. I didn’t know what to do. Telling my dad that Jackson was my boyfriend would answer a lot of questions and make the whole thing a lot easier. The problem was, I didn’t really know where I stood with Jackson. We hadn’t quite gotten to that point in our discussion last night.
“I’m dating your daughter, sir,” Jackson said, “or at least I would like to be.” He smiled at me with a silent question in his eyes. I smiled back. Yes!!!
“Yeah, Dad,” I confirmed. ”Um, sorry I didn’t mention it, but you know… it happened kinda’ fast.”
My dad looked Jackson over as if deciding how to pass judgment.
“He’s right, honey. You should be resting.” He came around the bed and kissed me on the forehead. “I’m going to go down to the station and help the guys with the investigation. I’m sure someone will be by later to get a full statement from the two of you. Do you need anything before I go?”
“I’m in good hands,” I said looking at Jackson.
After my dad left, Jackson lowered my bed back down and pulled up a chair beside me.
“I am so sorry, Alissa,” he started. “I’ll never forgive myself for putting you in danger.”
“Shhhh,” I said. “No, Jackson. This wasn’t your fault, and I’ll not listen to you apologize.
Just rest with me.” I tugged on his hand trying to move him closer while I made room for him beside me. He took the hint and climbed onto the bed next to me. He was on top of the blankets, but I could feel the heat from his body through the thin layers. He felt safe and wonderful. He put his arms around me and pressed his lips to my forehead.
“Sleep, Alissa,” he said, and I did.
Chapter 19: Building Trust
Jackson
I woke to the most wonderful feeling. Alissa’s head was resting on my chest, and her hair surrounded me. So perfect. I could really get used to this. She was still sleeping peacefully, but a glance at the clock and the presence of a nurse told me that I needed to get up. I had a lot of things to take care of. Untangling myself slowly, and trying to disturb Alissa as little as possible, I slipped out the door.
First, I placed a call to Jason for an update. The press had gotten a hold of the police report, and he was scheduling a press conference for this afternoon to keep them at bay. I was not expected to be present. The plan was to sneak me home in the backseat of a nondescript car to avoid media attention.
I found her doctor and got an update on Alissa’s status. If nothing changed, they planned to keep her until about two in the afternoon. The doctors said she would heal, but they didn’t want her to be alone. It was not wise for someone with a recent concussion to go home to an empty house. I was certainly not complaining. I wanted to take her home with me anyway, but I had a feeling that she was going to fight me on this. I knew she had a business to run, and frankly, so did I. Jason could smooth things over to some degree, but if the media caught up with us, it would be a disaster. I didn’t want to subject Alissa to that.
I made two other calls, one to my personal assistant, Angela, and one to my parents. I had some explaining to do.
Chief Allen returned just before noon. I left the room, making an excuse about wanting lunch, but really thinking that he would appreciate some time alone with her, even if she was still sleeping. When I returned from my self-imposed coffee break they were talking.
“He hasn’t left your side,” he said. They were talking about me, and I realized that I was once again eavesdropping, but I was far too curious to care. “Are you sure that you know what you’re getting into with this one?”
“He’s great, Dad,” Alissa said, “I mean, I haven’t really known him very long, but he’s been very good to me.
My heart sunk. It wasn’t true. I had deceived her, practically stalked her, complicated her life, and inexcusably put her in danger. The truth was, I was very bad for her, and I hated that truth with all of my being. I wanted to be the man she deserved. I wanted to give her the every desire of her heart, but I didn’t deserve her.
“He put you in danger, Alissa,” Chief Allen said. He was absolutely right.
“No, Dad,” she said sternly, “It’s not his fault that Nick wanted his money. It’s not a crime to be successful.”
I couldn’t listen to this. I cleared my throat and stepped into the room making my presence known. Her face lit up with a brilliant smile, and I knew in that moment that I wanted to spend the rest of my life making her smile like that.
“You’re looking better,” I said.
She ran a hand over her hair as if trying to smooth it. She blushed. I loved her blush, but I should have kept my damn mouth shut about her appearance. I hadn’t meant to make her self-conscious.
“I spoke with your doctor a minute ago and he said that you could leave just as soon as he writes your prescription and gives you your discharge instructions.” She looked relieved.
“However,” I continued, “you’re not supposed to be alone for the next day or two.” Her dad was looking at me now. He knew something was up. Apparently he had excellent intuition, which was a useful trait for a cop. I guess you didn’t get to be police chief, even in a small town, without some skills.
“So,” I kept speaking. I had a feeling this would be a tough sell, but it certainly wasn’t the first time I’d made a sales pitch. “I was thinking that it would be best if you came home with me.”
I looked at the chief. If I was going to get away with this I was going to have to appeal to his over-protective nature. “I have excellent security in my home, and until the police have Kayla safely behind bars, I would prefer not to take any chances. There is also the media to consider. I am afraid that this may have caused quite a stir, and I would hate for them to harass you while you are recuperating. I can provide you with privacy and security for a few days while the police do their jobs.”
“No way,” Mark interrupted, “you’re coming home with me, Alissa.” He put his hands on his hips, which incidentally brought his gun into view. I wasn’t convinced that it was an unconscious gesture. He looked like a wild west gunslinger ready to defend his daughter’s honor.
I just wished the gesture wasn’t directed at me. Truthfully, my feelings were probably identical to his; we both wanted the best for Alissa. I just had to prove to him that she was safe with me.
“Knock it off, you two,” Alissa’s gentle voice chimed in, interrupting our staring contest.
“I’m not going home with either of you. I am going back to my home. I have a restaurant to run.
