Chapter 5
Chapter Five
MAXIMUS
The sound of someone banging on a door wakes me with a jump.
“Was that our door?” Jasmine asks as she lifts her head from my chest where she had been peacefully sleeping in my arms. I tighten my arm around her and lie back on the pillow.
“I don’t care if it was. I’m not leaving this room until I have to.” I kiss the top of her head and pull her on top of me to kiss her.
“I can get behind that,” she giggles as her smooth skin sends shockwaves through mine. Her pussy rubs against my hard cock, which is desperate to enter her again.
The banging sounds out again, and I realise it is coming from the door of the suite.
“What the fuck?” I curse as it happens again.
“What if something’s wrong?” Jasmine states next to me as whoever it is bangs again.
“Maximus! Jaz! I know you can hear me!”
What the actual fuck?
“You have got to be kidding me,” I growl, climbing from the bed, grabbing my discarded boxers and pulling them on. “Stay there, Shorty,” I order, walking out of the room and into the sitting area as he bangs again.
“Alright!” I yell, reaching for the door and throwing it open. Grabbing his collar, I pull him into the room and slam the door behind us.
“Am I not allowed two fucking days where I can keep my fiancée for myself?” I roar, slamming Layton into the wall next to the door.
“Don’t shoot the messenger. I’m only here because I was ordered to find you when no one could get hold of you,” he answers, holding up his hands defensively.
“That’s because we wanted to be left alone, so we turned our phones off!” I snap, slamming him into the wall one last time before walking away from him. “Just one night! That’s all I wanted!”
“Daddy.” I turn to her soft voice to find her standing with a hotel robe around her. “Layton would have just been following orders.” Her voice is calm and collected. I know she’s right, but I’m still pissed off. Holding out one arm, Jasmine walks to me, and I hold her tight as I smell her hair, using the scent of her shampoo to centre myself.
“What’s so important you needed to find us?” Jasmine asks, looking at Layton.
“There's been a development at the safe house.”
Jasmine stiffens in my arms as she gasps, and I suddenly hate myself for throwing a tantrum. Of course, they would have tried to contact us. No matter what’s happening with us, Jasmine’s best friend is her priority.
“What’s happened?” I ask, leading her to the sofa and pulling her onto my lap. Holding her close, I ensure she is covered whilst signalling for Layton to sit on the other seat and explain.
“We had word this morning from Logan that Travis has left the safe house. They think he has gone to Nicholson to get this all over and done with.”
“Why would he choose now to go?” Jasmine asks in my arms.
“Travis loves Verity, Shorty. He would not willingly leave her unless he thought it could save her.” I kiss the top of her head whilst running a hand up and down her back.
“What's going to happen now?” Jasmine asks. Layton shrugs and gives her a sad smile.
“We don’t know. Travis left notes and told them to run if he's not back in three days, and he will find them. Ryan is worried as it's just the two of them keeping an eye on things at the moment, and Calvin can't lend us any more guys as they are needed elsewhere. He’s got more starting in the new year, but that’s no good for him now.”
Jasmine looks up at me with tears in her eyes as I see her bottom lip tremble.
“Why is her dad doing this? I hate him for ruining everything for her,” she sobs before burying her head into my chest and bursting into tears. I tighten my arms around her and hold her as she cries. I can see from Layton's face his heart is breaking for her. He might be her security guard, but he is also a great friend to Jasmine and Verity. Let's face it: you can’t have one without the other.
“Do we not have anyone to send?” I ask. But Layton shakes his head.
“Terry is still with Christian, and others are on holiday for Christmas, so we are stretched as it is.”
“What’s Christian said?” I ask, running a hand up and down Jasmine’s back as she cries.
“I don’t even know if he knows. No one can get hold of him, and Terry didn’t respond to my message before coming here.”
I can see from the look on his face that there is more to it, but when he glances at Jasmine, I know he won’t say anything in front of her. Something is going on with Christian; we all know it, but we have no idea what. He only communicates via text messages, and that alone is unlike him. It usually means he is worried he is being followed, so we haven’t pushed anything yet.
“Why can't anyone get in touch with him?” Jasmine asks in my arms, and for a moment, I have no idea what to say. Luckily, Layton comes to the rescue.
“When Terry called yesterday, he said Christian was having issues with the screen and speakers on his phone because he accidentally knocked it into the sink. He is going to buy a new one today.”
I call bullshit, but I won't say anything in front of Jasmine.
“Why can't everyone just be home and safe?” Jasmine sniffs into my chest. Listening to her worry like this is breaking my heart in two. I wish there was something I could do to help put her mind at ease.
“Take it you have your car?” I ask Layton, who nods. “Then you take her home, and I’ll go and help keep watch at the safehouse with the Donavons until we have a better understanding of what’s happening.”
“What?” Jasmine exclaims, looking up at me, panicked. I place a hooked finger under her chin and tilt her head back so I can look her in the eye.
“I’m going to the safe house and will help the others keep an eye on Verity until we know if Travis is safe or if they have to run.” Leaning in, I press a kiss on her lips. “I will make sure your best friend is safe, Shorty.”
“But will that put you in danger?” Jasmine asks, her eyes wide. “I don’t want you to go missing as well.” I smile and shake my head.
“I dare anyone to try and stop me from returning to you.” I press another kiss on her lips and smile down at her. “Go get showered and dressed. I’ll just let Jason know what's happening.” Jasmine climbs to her feet and kisses me on the cheek before rushing towards the bathroom. I hold my hand out for Layton's phone, knowing mine will take too long to load up.
“It’s me,” I answer as soon as the phone stops ringing.
“I’m sorry. I know you wanted this time alone, but the shit has hit the fan-”
“It’s fine,” I answer, standing up and listening into the bathroom, where I can hear the water splashing as Jasmine showers. “I don’t have long, so tell me what's happening with Christian.”
“Nothing that we are aware of, but it's not like him to only communicate via Terry.”
“Do we think he’s been compromised?” There is always the possibility that someone has Terry's phone and is trying to lead us off track.
“If I hadn’t spoken to Terry myself, I would say yes. But he ensures that Christian is safe and well and hasn’t used a single safe word or trigger. All we can do is sit back and wait to see what happens.” I know he’s right, but my gut is telling me something is going on.
“Layton is bringing Shorty home. I’m going to lend a hand with the Donavons. They will need another set of eyes on the place.”
“Calvin has found someone who will be there in forty-eight hours. So stay until they arrive, then get out.”
“I will,” I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. I now have a roaring headache and feel completely deflated.
“How is Jazzy?” Jason asks. I hear the shower turning off and know I have to be quick.
“Devastated and worried. It’s why I’m going. I’m hoping it will give her some peace of mind.”
“You’re probably right. I’m staying at the house in case anything else comes to light with Christian, so send her home, and I will keep an eye on her. Sean is on his way back after staying with a mate last night. He should be home by the time Jazzy arrives.”
I hear Jasmine leaving the bathroom and want to get off the phone before she hears something she shouldn’t.
“I’ll let you know when she is on her way. Speak soon.” I don’t wait for my brother to answer before hanging up and tossing the phone back to Layton. Jasmine is my priority until she is safely away with Layton.
“We will be ready to go in ten minutes,” I tell him before walking into the bedroom and closing the door behind me. I turn to find Jasmine pulling on her underwear. I can see she’s been crying again, and I hate how much her mood has changed from last night when she fell asleep in my arms, happy and relaxed.
“Sorry this break hasn’t ended as you would have liked, Shorty,” I sigh, grabbing my jeans and pulling them on.
“Me too, Daddy. We will have to try again when everything has calmed down.” She walks over to me in her bra and tight jeans with a sad smile. “Thank you for a lovely time. I really did love that it was just the two of us for a bit.”
“Me too, Shorty. We will do it again soon.” Leaning down, I thread my fingers into her wet hair and tug until her head tilts back. “I promise I will always make time for us, no matter what.”
“I know you will. You always have,” she replies before I kiss her once more and release her so we can get dressed and out of here as quickly as possible, even though it’s the last thing I want to do.