Chapter 12 Texas #2
I held her eyes, and I knew she wasn’t backing down.
She didn’t look hurt. But I still didn’t know why she had tears in her eyes.
I blew air through my nose before I slipped the gun back at my side and she lifted her hand from mine.
I turned the doorknob and eased it open, listening as Keva’s soft snores filled the room.
I walked in softly and checked her closet.
Underneath her bed. I checked her window and locked it before I pulled the curtains over it.
And when I backed out into the hallway and closed her door, I felt Ella’s eyes on me.
“What the hell are you doing, Texas?” she asked.
I took her by the elbow and guided her into the kitchen. I lowered the last of the shades then turned out the few lights she had on. I wanted as many barriers between her and the outside world as I could give her.
Hell, I had half a mind to move in with the damn woman.
“Jett has a storage unit,” I said.
I whipped around as Ella scoffed.
“No reason why he’d need one since he kept the house,” she said.
“No, you’re not listening. Jett’s got a storage unit an hour or so north of here.”
“Why so far away?”
“Because I think he’s planning on attacking you,” I said.
Ella narrowed her eyes. “Come again?”
“I followed him to it tonight. I thought it was weird that he had dropped off the radar for almost a week, so I got his address from Stone and tailed him. I followed him all the way out to the storage unit, and I took these pictures.”
I pulled out my phone and let Ella swipe through them. And with every picture that passed by, worry fell upon her face. Those tears that had been lining her eyes fell down her cheeks, and by the time she got to the end, my phone tumbled from her hand.
I moved and caught it before it crashed onto the floor.
“He’s—that’s—there’s—”
I gripped Ella’s shoulders and felt how much she was trembling.
“I already texted them to your brother. And I’m sure he’s going to be here any minute now. Together, the three of us will figure out what to do. Okay? I’m not leaving you alone until he gets here,” I said.
“I don’t want you leaving at all,” she breathed.
I drew her into my arms and held her tightly. I held her against my body until Stone’s motorcycle raced into her driveway. Reluctantly, I let her go, and it was then that Stone stormed through the door.
“Where’s Keva?” he asked.
“I already cleared the house, Stone. Got the windows locked and everything. Keva’s okay and sleeping,” I said.
“What’s happening?” Ella breathed.
“I don’t know, but it’s not good,” Stone said.
“What is Jett doing? Do we have any idea?” she asked.
“From the looks of it, planning to really harm someone,” I said.
“He wouldn't hurt his own daughter, though. Would he?” she asked.
“That’s my concern,” I said.
“What?” Stone asked.
“Think about it. No man in his right mind would ever hurt his own damn daughter. I mean Jett’s not in his right mind. But you said he never hit Keva when you two were married. Right?” I asked.
“Right,” she whispered.
“Which means only one thing,” I said.
Stone’s eyes hardened on me before they panned back over to his sister.
The sob that came from Ella’s throat broke my heart.
I wanted to reach out and hold her. Touch her.
Kiss her. Tell her that no man on this fucking planet would touch her.
But Stone moved to hug his sister, so I gave the two of them the time they needed.
I stepped into the living room, listening as the two of them murmured to themselves.
I couldn't figure out what they were talking about, but whatever it was, it calmed Ella down. When the two of them emerged from the kitchen, Stone was rubbing her back and Ella was no longer crying.
Then, Stone cleared his throat.
“While I’m not the biggest fan of this plan, the priority is making sure Ella feels safe,” Stone said.
“Of course,” I said.
“So, in an effort to get her more protection, you’re moving in, Texas,” he said.
I paused. “What?”
“You’re moving in with Ella and Keva until we can get a decent restraining order in place.”
My eyes darted over to Ella. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “I won’t feel safe otherwise. And I’m not all that proficient with a gun, though I’ve got one.”
“You’ve got a gun in this house?”
“It’s secured and away from Keva, but yes. I do,” she said.
My eyes flickered back to Stone, and I saw him gritting his teeth together.
“You sure you’re okay with this?” I asked.
“Whatever keeps Ella and my niece safe is fine with me,” he said.
But I saw the warning look in his eyes. The look of, “If you touch her, you die.” I also knew that living with Ella would present even greater obstacles. Larger obstacles we’d have to overcome.
Like not jumping one another’s bones every free second of the fucking day.
“Then, I’ll start moving my stuff in tomorrow,” I said.
“Tonight,” Stone said.
“What?”
“You and I are moving your shit in tonight. At least enough for you to feel okay staying here with them tonight,” he said.
“And I’ll set up the guest bedroom for you to sleep in,” Ella said.
The guest bedroom. In Ella’s house. After everything that had transpired between us within these walls.
Fucking grand.
“Sounds good to me,” I said.
“Then, let’s get to moving your shit. I don’t have all night,” Stone said.