AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Here, here,” Lainey says from the couch beside Avery, shoving a pen and an envelope at Zander who tosses it at me.
“I’ve only got a minute but Jaxson, listen to me,” she hisses. “You have to have the cops stop looking for me.”
“They aren’t cops, Dana. They’re private security. You just took off; we were worried something happened to you.”
“Something will happen to me if you don’t stop!” She snaps and Zander pulls his phone from his pocket, dialing what I would assume is the office.
“Come home then, Dana. Come home and let me help you.” Avery sobs from the couch.
“Is that Avery?” Her voice wobbles a little and she clears her throat. “Please, Jaxson.Stop. Hank,” her voice cracks. “Hank said if he sees another cop, he’s taking one of the kids next.” My vision blurs and I see red. “I love them. Tell them for me. Fuck,” she curses. “I have to go,” she says, hushed and hurried. I rough a hand through my hair.
“Dana, wait,” but the dial tone cuts me off. Fuck. I punch the end button and chuck it across the room, Avery screaming when it splitters against the wall. Zander comes back in the room, face grim when he sees me. “Tell me you fucking got that?”
“Sorry, man. By the time Wood got his laptop booted up to pull the number, she was gone.”
“God damnit,” I curse, pissed at myself for not keeping her on the line any longer. My eyes land on Avery, her face streaked with tears and Blake on her lap, face buried in her neck. “Shit. I’m sorry.” I apologize for throwing the phone and Avery shakes her head.
“It’s okay. Is he… Is he going to…?” She trails off and I shake my head, cutting my eyes to Zander before sitting down beside her and Blake, tugging him into my arms and he burrows against me, sobs wracking his little body.
“I don’t know,” I tell her, honestly, wrapping my arm around her shoulder and pulling her against me, pressing my lips to her temple. I don’t know if Weller will hurt her, but Dana sounds sure that he will.
Avery
The bedroom door closes, pulling me from my slumber. I hear Jaxson moving through the room quietly, the sound of something being sat on my nightstand.
“Jax?” I mumble, snuggling deeper into the bed.
“Go back to sleep, Ace,” he rumbles and turns to leave the room, but my hand shoots out, snagging his and he halts his movements.
“What time is it?” It feels like I just laid down two minutes ago.
“Almost seven,” he says, dropping down beside me on the bed and tucking my hair behind my ear. “I was just bringing you your medicine that I picked up from the pharmacy,” he says, hitching a thumb towards the door. “Clarissa stayed with the kids until I got back.
“Mmm.” I murmur, running my hand up his thigh, working my way towards his cock. His deep chuckle shakes the bed as he stops my hand with his.
“Honey, you’re exhausted. Go back to sleep.”
“Is this what you wore to the pharmacy?” I ask, propping myself on my elbow and taking in his attire of gray sweats and a Henley.
“Uh, yes. Why?” He asks and I huff out a breath.
“I can’t believe you wore your slut suit in public.” I grumble and he barks out a laugh.
“I’m sorry, my slut suit?” He says as he aids me in sitting up when I start to do it on my own. I motion at his pants.
“Yes, your slut suit. Gray sweatpants, Jaxson? Seriously? Women love gray sweatpants.”
He furrows his brow. “I don’t understand.”
“You wouldn’t! You’re not a chick,” I roll my eyes and he laughs again, pulling me into him and pressing a kiss to my temple.
“Okay, Ace. I solemnly swear to only wear my ‘slut suit’ when I’m at home with you.”
“That’s all I ask,” I mumble, and he hands me a glass of water and a pain pill. I wash it down. “Did everyone leave?”
“Yeah, most everyone left a while ago. Clarissa stayed so I could go get your meds, but she just left, too. Think you can manage sitting through dinner?” He asks and I nod, so he helps me to stand and we make the long, slow trek down the stairs. I’m feeling better but my ribs are still sore, but not broken, thankfully.
Hank did a number on me in that alleyway from what I’m told, though I don’t remember anything after leaving the print shop. The doctor said my memory will come back; they just aren’t sure when. For now, though, I’m grateful I can’t remember all of it. I wish I couldn’t remember mom's phone call earlier; my heart breaks a little again, replaying it in my mind.
