Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
Tazzy couldn’t let go of Jaxon’s hand. Not even for a second. From the moment he stepped out of the burning house, covered in soot and blood, she had thrown herself into his arms, she stayed there. Her fingers stayed laced tight with his while the paramedics checked them both out.
She watched the flashing lights pull away down the long driveway, taking the wounded driver to the hospital.
“I hope the man will be okay. He wasn’t cruel to me. At least not like the General.”
“Wasn’t he the one who tied you up so you could burn to death?”
“Well, yeah, but he was nice about it. I guess you think it’s kinda crazy to wish him well.”
“Darkling, it’s because of that forgiving heart you were able to take me back. So no, I don’t think it’s crazy, I think it’s beautiful. Just don’t expect me to feel the same way. Although the thought of him living and being put on trial does have its appeal.”
Ezra Harper and his partner, Liam McKenna, were the only police on scene for now. Ezra had made sure the rest of the department wouldn’t swarm the place right away. The two detectives stood at a respectful distance, giving Jaxon and her a moment, but now they were heading over.
Jaxon kept her tucked against his side, one big arm wrapped around her waist like he was afraid she might disappear if he let go. She leaned into him, breathing in the smell of smoke and sweat and the faint trace of leather that was so uniquely him. Her Daddy. Her safe place.
Ezra cleared his throat. “I know this is hard, but I need to ask you both a few questions while it’s still fresh.”
Jaxon’s arm tightened around her. “Make it quick.”
Tazzy nodded, squeezing Jaxon’s hand. “It’s okay, Daddy. I can do this.”
She told them everything she could remember about the black SUV, the General’s cold smile, the way he had monologued about his brilliance and how he was going to make Jaxon suffer by watching her burn.
Her voice shook when she described Reggie being shot, but she managed to keep going. Jaxon stayed silent beside her, his jaw clenched so tight she could see the muscle jumping.
When she finished, it was Jaxon’s turn to explain what had happened after he got there and how the General had died.
Ezra nodded. “Thanks for talking with us now, while it’s all fresh in your mind. I know that wasn’t easy. We’ll go get statements from the rest of the team. You two can go get cleaned up. The DPD will handle the scene here.”
Jaxon stood and helped her to her feet, but they didn’t make it far before Liam stopped them. “Oh, I do have one more thing I’d like to mention. You said that you knew Tazzy was here because Phillip Thorne called and told you, correct?”
Jaxon tried to hide his irritation, but Tazzy knew him too well. “He did. If he hadn’t, I probably wouldn’t have made it in time. Still not sure why he called me, but I’m damn sure glad he did.”
Liam nodded. “He called us, too. Evidently, not too long after you talked to him. He told us about the General and said he was flying back to California, and if we needed anything else, to contact him there.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing really. It just makes it harder to reach him. I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but the new DA was putting together an indictment against Thorne based on some of the things that the General told us.
According to the General, it was Thorne who was the mastermind behind all of the drug and human trafficking.
Said his part was to look the other way.
Of course, he would say that, but a lot of it made sense.
And without the General, there’s no case against him. ”
Jaxon grew still. “Are you trying to say Thorne told me where to find Tazzy in the hopes that I would kill the General?”
“Kinda ironic, you didn’t have to, isn’t it. Seeing as the General wound up killing himself,” Ezra said.
“I’d say Poetic”. Tazzy said, “And if you’re insinuating that Jaxon is lying, don’t forget there were witnesses.”
Jaxon pulled her closer. “I don’t think that’s what he’s saying, Darkling. Ezra’s a friend.” Turning his gaze to Ezra, he added, “And frankly, I don’t give a damn about Thorne’s motives. I’m just glad he called.”
Ezra nodded. “So am I, for Tazzy’s sake. It’s just too bad we couldn’t have gotten them both behind bars. Considering the amount of money involved, I have a feeling we’ll be seeing Thorne again.”
“We done here, Ezra?” Jaxon asked.
“You’re free to go,” Ezra said, waving his clipboard toward the road.
Liam McKenna gave them a respectful nod. “Take care of her, Jaxon.”
Jaxon lifted Tazzy onto the back of his Harley.
God, it felt good to be sitting on his bike again.
She wrapped her arms around his waist. Pressing the side of her helmet to his back, she held on tight as he started the engine, the familiar rumble somehow soothing.
Instead of heading toward the warehouse as she expected, he turned the bike toward town.
She tapped his shoulder. “Where are we going?”
He didn’t answer. He just reached back and gave her thigh a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
They pulled up in front of the courthouse a few minutes later. Jaxon killed the engine and helped her off the bike. She looked up at the old brick building, confused.
“What are we doing, Daddy?”
He took her hand and led her up the steps without a word. Vivi was waiting on the top step, dressed in a simple sundress and a big smile.
Tazzy managed a smile and a wave. “Hi, Vivi. What are you doing here?”
Vivi smiled softly. “There was just something I had to do at the courthouse today.”
Jaxon didn’t stop. With no explanation whatsoever, he led her inside and straight to the probate judge’s chambers.
“Jaxon, what are we doing?” Whatever it was, he ought to be able to take care of it tomorrow. The last thing she wanted to do right now was spend time in the courthouse.
The older man looked up from his desk, surprised to see them. He stood and asked, “May I help you?”
Jaxon got straight to the point. “I need you to perform a marriage.”
The judge blinked, then reached for his calendar. “Of course. When were you thinking?”
“Now.”
Tazzy’s mouth fell open. She couldn’t have heard him right. “Jaxon, we can’t do that.”
He turned to her, eyes steady and full of love. “Hide and watch, Darkling. Consider it an elopement without the trip to Vegas.”
She stared at him, heart racing. She’d always pictured a big wedding with flowers, a pretty dress, and all her friends there. Or maybe even a little outdoor ceremony with the mountains in the background.
But looking at Jaxon now, covered in soot and blood from saving her life, she realized none of that mattered.
She didn’t care about anything more than being with her Daddy forever.
If the past few hours had taught her nothing else, it had taught her you never knew how much time you had left.
She wanted to spend every second of it by Jaxon’s side.
He cupped her face with both hands, thumbs brushing her cheeks. “You can have whatever ceremony you want later, babygirl. I promise. Big dress, flowers, the whole thing. But we’re getting married right now. I’m not waiting another minute to make you mine in every way that counts.”
She swallowed hard, tears pricking her eyes. “We don’t have a ring.”
Jaxon reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet bag. He dropped to one knee right there in the judge’s chambers, soot and all.
“Taziana Thomas,” he said, voice rough but steady, “will you marry me? Right now. Just as we are.”
She stared at the box, then at him. “Where did you get that?”
“I’ve had it for eight years,” he said quietly. “It was in my pocket the day I was arrested. I was going to give it to you when I got back from that last op.”
Something inside her chest cracked open and healed at the same time. She had thought she was over what happened eight years ago, but knowing he had already chosen her back then soothed a wound she hadn’t even known was still there.
She nodded, tears spilling over. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
The judge made a business of looking at his watch. “I don’t know if…”
“Oh, George, just do the damn wedding,” Vivi said from behind Tazzy. “I’ve never been a witness for a wedding before and I don’t want you messing that up.”
The judge cleared his throat, and Tazzy turned back to face him. He smiled at Vivi, and then Jaxon and Tazzy. “I suppose there’s always time for a wedding, isn’t there?”
Vivi stepped forward, smiling through her own tears. They signed the license quickly. The judge performed the short ceremony with quiet dignity. When he pronounced them husband and wife, Jaxon pulled Tazzy into his arms and kissed her like the world was ending and beginning all at once.
And then it was done. She couldn’t believe they were married. Georgia was going to be so upset.
But when they stepped outside, the Musketiaras were already waiting in the parking lot, having heard what happened through the grapevine. All her besties swarmed her with hugs and squeals.
“You got married without us!” Georgia cried, half laughing, half scolding.
“We’re fixing that right now,” Breezy declared. “Impromptu wedding reception at the warehouse. The men already have it covered.”
They piled into cars and headed back. All except for Tazzy. Tazzy got back on her Daddy’s bike and stared at her ring all the way to the Deep Dive.
Georgia ran out to meet them. “You can’t leave later without this.” She bent down, tied some ribbons with cans at the ends, and hung a “Just Married” sign over the license plate.
Tazzy was amazed at how the warehouse had been transformed.
Streamers hung from the rafters, balloons floated everywhere, and a long table was set up with snacks and drinks.
In the center sat a decorated Bluey birthday cake with the word “birthday” scraped off and “Happy Wedding” written in bright icing instead.
Tazzy looked at Jaxon, “Give me a minute to get a little cleaned up before we start.”
Jaxon nodded, “Good idea. Hey, I know what.” He reached behind the bar and brought out matching Dive t-shirts. “Here, now we’ll match. Go to the dressing room, and we’ll meet back here in ten minutes.”
Tazzy had just finished a quick shower and was putting the finishing touches on some new lipstick when she saw Breezy come in behind her.
It was evident that Breezy was there to freshen up, but seeing her reminded Tazzy of something. “Can I talk to you for a minute, Breezy?”
Breezy smiled. “Sure, but I think I know what you’re going to say.”
Tazzy nodded and continued. “Are you okay? The General… he was your father.”
A sad laugh escaped Breezy. “He stopped being my father years ago. I’m not going to pretend he was a decent person. It’s weird to think about him being gone, but I’m not mourning his loss. Not even a little.”
Tazzy hugged her tight. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
Breezy hugged her back. “I’m sorry you did, too. But we’re both free now.”
They rejoined the others. Breezy cranked up the music and the girls danced wildly, chasing bubbles and laughing until they were breathless. Tazzy looked across the room and saw Jaxon sitting with the Daddies, a beer in his hand, watching her with that soft, possessive look she loved so much.
In that moment, it hit her.
If someone had asked her eight years ago to create the perfect life, this was exactly what it would look like.
She and Jaxon were able to be themselves, not the “perfect” versions they thought the other one wanted.
She could be bratty and needy and emotionally vulnerable.
He could be dark and protective and steady.
They may not be perfect, but they fit together perfectly.
She walked over to him, climbed into his lap, and tucked her head under his chin.
“I’m looking forward to forever with you, Daddy,” she whispered.
Jaxon wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “Me too, Darkling. Me too.”
The music played on. Bubbles floated through the air. The Musketiaras laughed and danced. And Tazzy stayed right where she belonged… safe in her Daddy’s arms.