Chapter 14
JACK
Irun my hands through my hair and pace around my room.
What was I thinking, pulling a gun on that kid in the middle of our neighborhood?
The MC has the local cops on our payroll to turn a blind eye when needed, but they won’t overlook something like this when it’s not the club’s business.
What got into me? I’m never this reckless.
I toss my gun into the drawer and slam it closed.
To make matters worse, I told Jessi she’s living with me now.
Granted, it will be a night or two until things smooth over with Austin.
I’m sure everyone will calm the fuck down and grow up, especially if Jeremy comes back early, like I’m hoping he will.
Jessi needs him. He should’ve never left her like this.
The minute I tell him what went down tonight, I hope he’ll make the smart choice and come home.
My fingernails dig into my palms. I want to burst into her house and beat the shit out of Austin and whoever this David guy is. But it sounds like she’s already taken care of David. I knew Jessi had fire, but I had no idea she was capable of something like that.
I shuffle through the guest bath for clean towels, snag a fresh T-shirt from my closet for her to wear, then head to where I left her in the living room.
“Here,” I say, handing over the shirt.
“Thanks.”
She’s a newly graduated girl, staying here while her parents are out of town.
I’m watching out for her like an uncle or family friend would.
There’s nothing wrong with that. I’m doing what her father asked me to do.
Not exactly. He didn’t ask me to let her move in, but he did want me to ensure her safety, and that’s what I am doing.
“Jessi, tomorrow we can go to your house together to grab what you need. Tonight, use what I have here,” I say calmly.
“Okay. That’s fine. Whatever is easiest for you. Again, I’m so sorry and embarrassed.”
“Jessi, please stop apologizing. This isn’t your fault.
” I place my hands on her shoulders and walk her into the guest bath.
The suite isn’t much—more of an extra bath that’s never used—but it’s clean.
I’ll need to take her shopping for whatever she needs.
I have no idea what kinds of things a woman has in her bathroom.
“Jessi, make yourself at home, and let me know what you need.” She keeps her eyes on the floor and her arms wrapped around her waist.
I close the door to leave her to shower and process everything that’s happened tonight.
I head into the guest bedroom, which, again, is nothing more than an empty space.
I hunt around, wondering where my blow-up mattress is.
She can’t sleep on the floor. But shit. Maybe Becky, my younger sister, put it somewhere last time she visited.
I chuckle, wondering what Becky would think of this situation right now.
No blow-up mattress, no guest bed. Hell, why did I say Jessi could stay here? Well, until I find the air mattress, she can take my bed and I’ll take the couch in the living room. There’s zero chance I’ll let her sleep anywhere else after what she went through tonight.
I head downstairs and lay out some blankets next to the couch while waiting for her to finish. I need to get this blood cleaned up. Quick.
As I listen to the shower run and scrub the couch cushions, I can’t help my thoughts from drifting to Jessi. I imagine what she looks like right now, wearing nothing but drops of water on her skin.
I smack my head and stand up. You’re a special kind of disgusting animal, Jack. After everything she went through, I’m thinking about how good she looks wet and naked.
The shower turns off. A few minutes later, Jessi appears with a towel wrapped on top of her head and wearing nothing but my T-shirt. My eyes slowly roll up her body. She is the most stunning woman I have ever seen.
“Jack, are you okay? Do you have a comb I can use?” She taps her bare toes anxiously. “My hair’s knotted.”
“Oh, of course. Let me grab you one. Yes, I’m fine. It’s just a crazy fucking night.” I beeline to my bathroom for a comb.
I hand it over a moment later. “Here you go.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes don’t meet mine. “I’ll give it right back.”
“Not a problem. I know where you live,” I say with a wink. “Listen, I need to call your Dad. He should know what happened, and I’m sure he’ll want to get home once he does.”
Jessi gawks at me. “Jack, please don’t. He can’t miss his launch. And anyway, he probably will send Shannon home instead, and my life will be a living hell all over again.”
“Why do you say that?”
“She won’t believe me, and she’ll convince my dad of the same. And then she’ll blame me for ruining her perfect vacation. Besides, I basically begged Dad not to leave. He might think I’m doing this to get my way.”
I stare at her, my heart aching that this beautiful person has to live with such a shitty family.
“We can figure everything out in the morning,” she goes on, flicking her nails against the bristles of the comb. “But I know David was drunk. I know. I’ll go home and tell Austin no more parties or I’m calling our parents myself. This seems worse than it really is. I’m sure it’ll blow over soon.”
“Over my dead body are you are going back in there alone. Zero chance Austin gives a shit about what you say. Him defending that asshat isn’t proof enough? It’s late. Emotions are high. Let’s get some sleep and discuss this tomorrow.”
Her nails break a bristle and she jumps. “Fine. Yeah, okay.” She points to the blankets next to the couch. “Thank you for those too.”
“Actually, these are for me. You can take my bed. I don’t think there’ll be any more trouble, but I’d feel better if I slept on the couch and you take the bed.”
She shakes her head. “Absolutely not. I’m not going to kick you out of your bed after all of this. I won’t be able to sleep with the guilt of it. I already don’t feel great about it. So please don’t make it more difficult for me to accept your help.”
“Well, no way am I having you camp out next to the front door while I sleep upstairs.”
Her eyes light up, hopeful. “What if you sleep on the couch? I can sleep on the floor, and we can figure it out in the morning. It’s late, and I’m tired.”
I groan. “No can do. I’m old school, and you sleeping anywhere other than the bed is something I can’t allow.”
She twists her hands, still not meeting my eyes. “Fine. We’re adults. We can both sleep in the bed. I assume you don’t have a twin bed—that might get awkward.” The corners of her beautiful mouth turn up.
I grab the back of my neck, trying to work out the tension. I sure as shit didn’t expect her to say that. “Uhh.”
“Or I can take the couch, like any other house guest.”
“No. I’ll sleep on the couch. I’m almost done cleaning up the blood anyway. My bed is your best option.”
“No, I—”
I lock my arms over my chest. “Don’t finish that sentence. The bed, and that’s the end of it.”
She nods.
I guide her into my room. The idea of sleeping next to this woman swims in my head and makes me dizzy. Not yet. Not when she’s so upset.
She shuffles down the hall then hands the comb back to me. When I reach for it, our fingers brush. The electrical charge between us jolts me again. I roll back the sheets in an invite for her to climb in. She pauses, staring at me with her doe eyes.
“You’re tucking me in?” she asks.
“After a night like you’ve had, you need someone taking care of you. Is that okay?”
She nods again, climbing in. I wonder why she’s so quiet, and then understanding washes over me. She’s holding back tears. The thought alone of someone trying to hurt and violate her makes anger and adrenaline course through my veins. “I won’t let anything happen to you again. Okay?”
When she doesn’t respond, I take that as my cue to shut up.
“Goodnight, Jessi,” I say as I shut the door.