Chapter Fourteen
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“I t’s perfect.”
“Right?” Stephanie gestured toward the gourmet kitchen. “I couldn’t believe I had this whole place to myself, but when I moved in they only had a three bedroom. Way too big for me since I lived alone. If you like it, Samuel said to tell you it’s yours.” She grinned at Salem, seated on one of the bar stools in front of the large kitchen island.
“I can’t believe I’m going to be living here. Well, if Jack approves. He’s part of this equation too.” She bit her lip, wondering again if he was okay. Stephanie had practically manhandled her and Chloe into the car, strapping them into the back seat of her sedan before she could say boo. Jack had stayed behind, and she had a good idea why. The man was a walking, talking Boy Scout. She was sure he’d remained to make sure everybody else got out before the fire spread.
“The apartment comes fully furnished. Of course, if you don’t like the things here, there’s a warehouse a couple miles away full of everything you could think of or need, right down to the dishes.”
There wasn’t much Salem would change. The apartment had three bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as a huge living space and kitchen with an open concept, making it easy to see the whole main living area at a glance. She’d be able to keep an eye on Chloe while cooking. Her daughter had rocketed right past the crawling stage and into toddling around, and having the hardwood floors would be a huge benefit.
Plus, the third bedroom could be turned into a workspace for her graphic art, if Jack was okay with that. Having a quiet place to study? Nirvana.
Stephanie hopped off the barstool at the sharp knock on the door. Throwing it open, she ushered Jack and Nate inside.
Jack came to stand beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay?” At her nod, he asked, “Where’s Chloe?”
She pointed to an area in front of the dark, teal-colored sofa, where a mound of pillows created a soft cave where her baby slept after all the excitement. It hadn’t taken more than two minutes before she’d fallen fast asleep, her thumb in her mouth.
“I wanted to wait for you, but Stephanie made me leave. Said I’d just be in the way and that it was ‘safer’ for me to come back to C.S.S. Once we got here, Samuel had her bring me up here, to show me around.” She watched his face closely, hoping he wasn’t mad that she’d left without finding him first.
“As long as you’re okay, we’re good. Though next time text or call. When I couldn’t find you, I—”
“He almost had a heart attack. I get it. Until the Amirs back off, you need to make sure somebody knows where you are. Can’t trust them not to try and take Chole out of the country illegally.” At Nate’s words her stomach clenched. It was her worst nightmare, the thought of Chloe in the hands of Sayifa Amir. The woman was a vicious, vindictive thorn in her side, had hated her from the moment Tarik brought her home. Chloe in that woman’s hands was an unimaginable horror.
“Thanks again, Stephanie, for everything.”
“You’re both quite welcome.” She stopped on her way to the front door and spun around. “Oh, I almost forgot! I swear my brains all over the place lately. The ladies gathered a few things for you both. Clothes, toothbrushes, some pajamas, and other essentials to get you through the next couple of days, until you can pick out the stuff you need.” She pointed toward a duffle bag sitting by the fireplace.
“Please tell everyone how much we appreciate their help. I hate the thought of putting this smoky thing back on after my shower.” Salem pulled at her neckline grimacing.
“Not a problem, girlfriend. We’ve got you covered.”
“Stephanie, let’s go.”
“You’re such a spoilsport, Nate.” She walked to the door, pulling it open. “Alright, guys and gals, I’m out of here. Heading home to see the hubby. Believe it or not, he’s fixing dinner tonight.” Stephanie grinned before tossing a set of keys onto the island. “You’re staying here tonight, Samuel’s suggestion, although it sounded more like an order. You’ll be safe. Nobody gets into this building after hours without the passcode. If you need anything, you’ve got my number, and I’m just one floor down. Second door on the left.”
“Come on, Nate, let’s give them a chance to look over their new place.” Stephanie gave her a wink before dragging Nate out by the arm, leaving her and Jack alone.
“Subtlety has never been Stephanie’s strong suit.” Jack slid onto the stool Stephanie had vacated, his knees touching hers. His clothing was covered with blotches of black soot, and his hair and face looked like they’d been wiped down with a wet wipe. And to her, he looked like a hero. He’d saved the life of her daughter. There was nothing more important to her in the whole world. She’d been distraught when she realized Jack hadn’t followed her out of the building. She didn’t want to lose him; he’d become too important to her. Too special.
“She’s newly married, she thinks everybody should be as happy in life as she is. I think it’s sweet.”
Jack looked around for the first time, taking in the apartment. “What do you think of the place?” He gestured around the living room and kitchen.
“I think it’s amazing. All of this,” she waved her hand around, frantically gesturing, “it’s like something out of a dream. I feel like I should pinch myself to see if it’s real.”
Jack leaned forward and grabbed both of her hands, holding her still. “No pinching. I think we’ve both had enough drama for one day. Want to show me around?”
“Yes. Let me check on Chloe real quick, make sure she’s going to stay asleep for a few minutes. Otherwise, she’s going to be running races with all this open space.”
Jack walked with her over to where Chloe slept inside her cocoon of pillows with a throw blanket beneath her. She looked like an angel, sweet and innocent, and the need to protect her rose in him. A swell of love for the little girl filled her at the thought of how differently the night could have turned out. If they hadn’t gotten out of the apartment fast enough, it didn’t bear thinking about. Shaking her head, she started talking about the apartment.
“What do you think of the place, Salem? Would you and Chloe be comfortable here?”
“Of course. It’s beautiful. This whole apartment is over two thousand square feet, with this living room and kitchen having an open concept as you can see. Stephanie said it comes fully furnished, but if there’s anything you don’t like—”
“I’ll leave decorating up to you. My place back in Austin was mostly decorated by my mom, and it was pretty Spartan. I want you to be comfortable, to feel like it’s your home. Anything you want to change is fine with me.”
“Oh. Okay. Well, back here there are three bedrooms. The one here,” she gestured to the room on the left side of the hallway, “I thought might be good for a nursery for Chloe.” The walls were painted a pale green with cream trim and accents. Soft curtains hung from the window on the far wall. A full-size bed currently sat against the wall to the right of the door, with a white headboard and footboard. White nightstands flanked each side of the bed, with lamps on each one. A stack of books sat on one nightstand, not in a neat pile but haphazardly placed, with a bookmark sticking out of the top one.
“It’ll make a great nursery. With the way the window’s positioned, it’ll get sunlight early in the day, so it won’t keep her up when it’s time to go to bed.”
“Exactly,” she whispered. “The one across the hall is the primary.” She stood to the side, allowing him to walk through the doorway, taking in the room she’d already fallen in love with. A large king-size bed occupied a large portion of the space, with a gorgeous aquamarine-colored bedspread with a texture to it that almost felt like velvet, soft against her fingertips when she’d run her hand across it earlier. The wrought iron headboard was simple scrollwork that looked deceptively feminine, but had thicker bands which kept it from feeling too girly. A darker wood predominated the furniture, the nightstands and tallboy chest of drawers a deep rich mahogany. The walls were painted a rich gray with the trim a few shades lighter. The room felt warm and inviting, with abstract art pieces on the walls echoing the colors in the room.
“I like it.” Jack opened the double doors leading to the master closet, a walk-in that currently stood empty. “Guess we’re going to have to go shopping to fill all this space. Of course, we’ll have to shop anyway, since I’m not sure if there’s anything salvageable left in the apartment.”
“Jack, I’m so sorry. You lost everything you brought with you.”
“Sweetheart, you lost everything, too. It’s almost like we’re starting over.”
She blinked back the tears, letting his words sink in. They really were starting over.
“You’re right. I don’t think it hit me until just now. How lucky we are, I mean. Especially me. Stuff can be replaced. Belongings are simply things. But my life? Chloe’s life? Your life, Jack. Those have meaning. I was never afraid because you were there. I knew, in here,” she thumped her chest with her fist, “you’d protect us, make sure we made it out. And you did.”
“As long as I’m alive, I will always protect you and Chloe. I told you that in Texas. I gave you my word when I spoke our marriage vows. I know we’ve come into this whole situation to convince the courts that we are a family, and we love our daughter. And I do love Chloe already.”
“I know you do, Jack.”
“I care about you, too, Salem.” His fingertips traced her jaw line softly before skimming along her throat and to her shoulder. Her eyes drifted closed and she drew in a soft breath. A tingle seemed to race across her skin, every place that he touched, and she wanted more. She wanted to feel his lips against hers. They’d never kissed. Even at the end of their wedding ceremony, he’d simply kissed her cheek, and suddenly she wondered what it would feel like to have Jack kiss her like a lover.
She tilted her face up, hoping he’d realize she wanted him to take the next step, wanted him to kiss her. She wanted—him.
The feel of his breath against her lips almost had her moaning. So close. Would he be a soft kisser, giving her sweet, long kisses that lasted for hours? Or would he take what he wanted, devouring her and leaving her breathless and wanting more?
A hard knock on the front door of the apartment shattered the illusion she’d created, and her eyes popped open to find him bare inches away, staring down at her. Neither moved until the knock on the door sounded again, and Chloe let out a cry.
“I’ll get her, you get the door.” Her voice came out rougher than she intended, but he didn’t seem to notice, simply turning and heading down the hall. Blowing out a frustrated breath, she moved across the living room to pick up her daughter, just in time to prevent the loud scream she could see building.
“Hey, little bit, there’s no need for that. I’m right here. Everything’s okay. Did you have a good sleep? You were so tired. Mama’s tired, too. It’s been a long day, yes, it has.” She cuddled Chloe against her, watching Jack and Jean-Luc wrestle a playpen through the front door. The sight was funny, both large men trying to angle the thing inside and fumbling it, having to start over to get it to fit. She was happy to see it, though, because she’d wondered where she was going to lay Chloe down for the night.
“Salem, I brought this over from Ranger and Sarah’s place. Andrea figured you’d need some place for Chloe to sleep, and Ranger’s daughter isn’t using it anymore. It’ll give you time to get a room set up for Chloe. Oh, and Andrea said to tell you she’ll stop by tomorrow around ten to take you shopping to replace the clothing and things you’re going to need.”
“Please tell Ranger and Sarah thanks for me. This will be a big help.”
“No problem. Where would you like it set up?”
“The primary bedroom please. There’s been a little too much change in Chloe’s life over the past forty-eight hours. I want to keep her close.”
Jean-Luc’s smile was gentle. “That’s understandable. Poor kiddo’s been through a lot. You all have. Oh, I talked with the arson investigator. It’s early in the investigation yet, but he’s pretty convinced the fire was deliberately set. Looks like somebody’s upping their game.”
Jean-Luc’s words weren’t really a surprise. Salem pretty much suspected arson, and Jack had all but confirmed it when he mentioned the gasoline smell outside in her apartment hallway. It had to be the Amirs, because she didn’t have any other enemies.
“I’m going to talk with Samuel about adding extra bodyguards for Salem and Chloe. We also need to talk with Chance and Ivy, find out how this affects Chloe’s custody case. The last thing we need is to strengthen the Amirs’ case.” Jack’s gaze met hers as Jean-Luc moved past her into the primary suite with the playpen.
“It’s one thing to want custody. In their own twisted way of thinking, they could justify that. But every step seems to be escalating. A knife in her crib. Now someone tries to burn down the apartment. Chloe could have been hurt. Jack, she could have died.”
“So could you.”
“There has to be something we’re not seeing, a bigger part of the picture, because killing me wouldn’t automatically gain the Amirs custody. My will states that Chloe would go to my parents. Legally, they would have as much claim to her as the Amirs.”
“Is that what you want? I’m talking worst-case scenario. Do you want your parents to raise Chloe?”
Salem shook her head, looking down at her daughter, who was chewing on a lock of Salem’s hair. Pulling it out of her mouth, she shook her finger at her. “No.”
“Mama, down.”
“Not yet. I don’t have the energy to chase you around, young lady.”
“Mama, Mama, Mama!”
“Give her to me.” Jack held his arms out to Chloe, and Salem hesitated. Her outgoing daughter was happy and friendly around others, but she hadn’t been around many men in her young life except for occasional visits with the Boudreaus. She didn’t know Jack very well, and she was afraid if Chloe refused, he’d be hurt.
Shock filled her when Chloe flung her arms out toward Jack, thrusting her body toward him with a high-pitched squealing laugh. “Up! Up!”
Jack lifted her way up in the air, high toward the ceiling and swung her back down again, her daughter chortling with each move. The sweet expression on Jack’s face was filled with a kind of wonder, and right then, in the middle of their brand-new apartment, Salem realized she wasn’t falling for Jack Sutton.
She was head over heels in love with him.
Jean-Luc left after getting the playpen set up, crossing in the hall with Stephanie, who shoved a pizza box into Jack’s hands along with a covered bowl. “Dinner. Pepperoni with extra cheese for you and Salem, and mac and cheese for Chloe. We’ll get you stocked up on food and supplies tomorrow. In the meantime, relax and enjoy your night. Things will look better tomorrow.”
By the time they’d finished eating, Jack could see Salem beginning to droop and Chloe was getting fussy.
“Why don’t you go ahead and get ready for bed? I’ll get Chloe cleaned up and bring her back.”
“Thank you, Jack. There are a couple extra diapers in my bag. Another thing to add to the list of things to pick up tomorrow. Thank goodness I always carry one or two extras. Sure you don’t want me to change her?”
“It’s fine. The crib is all set up in your room. I’ll take the other bedroom tonight.”
Something passed across her face, there and gone before he could tell what it was. “Okay. Just bring her back when you’re ready. I’m going to take a quick shower, brush my teeth, and get changed too.”
It didn’t take long for him to wash Chloe’s hands and face and change her diaper. He didn’t see any extra clothes for her, so he dressed her again in the same clothes she’d had on, and headed down the hall to Salem’s room. The door stood partially open, and he knocked softly.
“Come on in. I’ve got her bed all set up.” Salem reached for her daughter, pulling her close and whispering softly to her before pressing a tender kiss against the top of her head, and laid her in the playpen. Jack watched, a longing deep within to be part of the closeness they shared. Maybe someday, but it was too soon.
“You need anything else before I turn in?”
“No, thanks. Jack, what you did today, I’ll never be able to repay you. You saved my baby’s life. My daughter is alive because of you.”
“I’d never let anything happen to Chloe.” He didn’t add the “or you” though it was implied. The shy smile touching her mouth said she caught it anyway.
“See you in the morning.”
He pulled the bedroom door closed and headed for the guest bathroom, jumping in the shower to get rid of the smoke and soot covering him. He brushed his teeth and cleaned up, before heading to the other bedroom. Stripping down to his boxers, he settled onto the bed, hands behind his head, and stared at the ceiling. Even though he was weary to the bone, he couldn’t fall asleep. Thoughts whizzed around in his brain, and he tried to make sense of everything.
Nobody would be surprised if the Amirs proved to be behind the fire. They didn’t have proof that they were behind the cameras planted in the apartment, or hiring Bubba to deliver the pictures. And who was the woman who made the phone call to Bubba, the one calling the shot?
He wasn’t sure how much time passed until he heard sounds coming from the other room. It wasn’t Chloe, which meant it was Salem. Climbing from beneath the covers, he moved into the hall and stood outside the door, listening.
Muffled sobbing. The sounds he heard was Salem…crying.
Easing the door open, he stepped inside, allowing the soft light from the hall to illuminate her leaning against the headboard, a fist pressed against her mouth, trying to hold back the sounds. Her cheeks were streaked with tears and the sight broke his heart.
“Salem?”
“Oh. Sorry if I woke you.” She scrubbed at her cheeks, wiping them dry with the edge of the sheet. There was enough light for him to see the flush of pink spread into her cheeks as well as her red eyes.
“It’s okay, I was awake. Couldn’t sleep.” He shrugged. “Can’t seem to turn my brain off tonight.”
“Me, too. Everything keeps going round and round inside my head. I guess I got overwhelmed for a minute.” He watched her, a look of indecision on her face. He wished there was something he could do to make things better for her. As it was, he was doing the best he could, but it wasn’t enough.
“Salem—”
“Would you stay? I don’t want to be alone tonight.” Her voice was so soft he almost didn’t hear her, but when her words sank in, he crossed the room. When she patted the bed beside her, he pulled back the covers and slid in beside her, pulling her body against his. She laid her head against his shoulder, and it felt right. Holding her in his arms felt as natural as breathing.
“Go to sleep, sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere. Things will look better in the morning.”
“Thank you. I know I haven’t said it nearly enough, for everything you’ve sacrificed to be with me. I know it’s not fair, because I’m getting everything and you’re getting nothing in return.”
“I never asked for anything in return. I volunteered for this, remember? Marrying you was my idea. Moving to New Orleans was my idea too. You didn’t ask or coerce me. I’m a grown man, able to make informed decisions after weighing the facts. It’s what I’m trained for. So, believe me when I say I want to be here with you, by your side in this battle against the Amirs. We fight for Chloe together. And we’ll fight to make this marriage work together.”
“That’s what I want too. But, Jack, if you ever decide you’ve had enough, that you want to leave, I’ll understand.”
He smoothed his hand over her head softly, letting his fingers tangle in her long auburn hair before tilting her chin up. “How many times do I have to say it before you believe me? I’m. Not. Going. Anywhere.”
“Maybe one more?” She snuggled closer against his side with a contented sigh.
He pressed a kiss against her forehead. “I’m here and I’m staying, sugar. Get used to seeing me around, because I’m stuck like glue. Now go to sleep. We’ve got a big day ahead of us tomorrow.”
“Good night, Jack.”
He held her tight long after she fell asleep and hoped he wasn’t setting himself up for heartbreak. Not that it mattered at this point, because he was so crazy in love with her there was no turning back. Not now, not ever.