22. Georgia
Chapter twenty-two
Georgia
I spend the rest of the weekend holed up in my room, pretending to be sick. It hasn’t been difficult. Given the knot in my stomach, I haven’t even managed to keep water down. Jackson’s growing restlessness is evident. My responses to his texts are brief and clipped, and my door remains locked. I’m nearing the point where I can’t keep up the facade or avoid him. I’m at a loss. How did everything spiral out of control into this mess?
I have two options: confess to Noah or betray Jackson and find a way to get Vince the ledger. What I really want to know is why he wants it. What could be worth going to such lengths to obtain? Whatever it is, I can only conclude it will harm Jackson.
Monday arrives all too quickly. My nerves are shot, and still, I haven’t made a decision. How can I do this to either of them? No matter what I choose, I’m bound to hurt them both.
I get dressed and head downstairs. To my surprise, I hear Noah’s laughter. I enter the kitchen, catching their attention. “What did I miss?” I ask Noah, taking in his easy-going smile.
“Nothing. Dad and I were talking about an old client. The guy was crazy. Used to always bring his son with him to deals, and my dad made me tag along so the kid had someone to play with.”
“It wasn’t that bad,” Jackson chimes in, prompting another burst of laughter from Noah.
“You kidding me? The guy would bring me shirts to match the ones his son was wearing. It was creepy as shit!”
“They were from a small town. Clearly showed their appreciation in different ways—”
“Dad,” he chuckles. “His kid was like twelve and still shit his pants.”
Jackson lets out a deep, amused sigh. “I should warn you, he’s in town next month and asked if you were home for the summer.”
“Fuck no!” Noah howls.
“You never minded when he took you to that burger place with the indoor playground. You know… it’s still there. We can go—”
“Just stop,” Noah says, and Jackson lets out a roar of laughter. Noah shakes his head, then joins in. I watch in shock, them smiling together for the first time since I’ve been here. They seem at ease with each other. Happy.
I’m about to destroy that.
“You okay, George?”
“Huh?” I blink, focusing on Noah.
“You’re kind of dazing off. If you’re still not feeling good, you can stay home. I’m sure Dad won’t care.”
Dad. Dad. Dad.
What have I done?
“No, it’s fine. I probably just need some caffeine.” I head over to the coffee maker and grab a mug. Noah takes note of my shaking hands, and I don’t need to see him to know he’s moved from his stool.
“Whoa. Here, let me help you.”
He grabs the mug. “Go sit down. I got this.” I offer him a weak smile before taking a seat at the island. My stomach is in so many knots I doubt I’ll be able to get a sip down.
“Noah, why don’t you head off to work? I have to make a few calls here. I can give Georgia more time to feel it out.”
Noah slides the mug across the island, glancing my way. “That cool with you?”
“Yeah, of course.”
I want to say no. Blurt out how bad I fucked up and how sorry I am. Maybe I should leave. Running away is not the answer, though. And it’s not like I have anywhere to go. Still, after seeing them just now, I know I can’t do this to Noah. Whatever Vince needs that ledger for, it can’t be anything Jackson can’t fix. He’s a powerful man. He’s said it numerous times. I just hope the damage I’m about to cause is fixable.
“All right. Cool. For real. Don’t push yourself if you feel like shit. He won’t care.”
I offer him a smile and force down a sip of coffee. “I know. Thanks.”
Noah leaves, and moments later, the garage door opens. Jackson doesn’t wait to ensure Noah is gone before he’s up and beside me. He twists my stool, trapping my legs between his. “Talk to me.”
“About what?”
“You’re still not feeling good? Should I be worried? I know we didn’t talk about the whole sex and protection. I assumed you were on the pill. You’re not—”
“Oh my god, pregnant? No. I’m on the pill. I just came down with something and can’t seem to kick it.”
He cups my cheek, and I lean into his touch, missing the way he feels this close to me. His thumb brushes over my bottom lip. “You sure?”
I raise my eyes to him, my lips tipping upward. “I’m sure. Just tired. Honestly, the last thing I wanted to do was give you what I had. I hear men are huge babies when they’re sick.”
His smile almost breaks me. I bite the inside of my cheek to force back my tears and the confession sitting on the tip of my tongue. He hooks his thumb into my mouth, coercing my lips to part. “There are always ways to work around it, Peach.” I understand his message loud and clear. My thighs press together at the thought.
“I think one more day, and I’ll be back to myself. I need all my energy when it comes to you.” His devilish smile is infectious. I wish I could bottle it up and keep it forever. After today, there’s a good chance that won’t be an option for me. “We should get going.” He holds my gaze a beat longer. I’m not sure I have the strength to be any closer to him. Thankfully, he nods and steps back.
The drive to work is quiet. He takes a call as I gaze out the window, battling myself. You don’t have to do this. But then I destroy Noah. I destroy them . By not hurting one, I hurt the other. What’s in that ledger? Why does Vince, of all people, want it? My brain runs in circles, trying to figure out the connection. I know his dad went to school with Jackson. Was there some beef between them? Is he doing this for his father? What exactly am I doing? How bad am I fucking Jackson over?
I’m in a semi-panic by the time we walk into the office. Jackson presses his hand to my lower back, and I jump. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, sorry. Just… I know you’re going straight into a meeting. Do you mind if I use the bathroom in your office?”
“Do you feel sick?” he asks, worry in his tone. He has no idea.
“I would rather be sick in private than in the public bathroom. If not, I can—”
“Of course you can. If you need anything or to go home, text me immediately.”
“I will.” His hand twitches at his side. He wants to touch me but stops himself. I do us both a favor and walk away first. “Hey, I’m just grabbing something for Mr. Blake,” I say to his assistant as I pass her desk.
“Sure thing,” she announces, and I slip into his office and shut the door.
Fuck… fuck ! My heart is going to explode. My hands shake wildly. I push off his door and book it toward his desk. Dropping to my knees, I pull at the handle of the drawer. “No…” I pull again. It’s locked.
Think, Georgia…
The key.
I’ve seen Jackson use a key…
I reach up and drag my fingers along the bottom of the desk. “Bingo.” I dislodge the key from the magnet casing. It rattles against the lock as I try to steady my hand. Finally, it slides in, and the drawer unlocks.
I pull it open, but I’m not sure what I’m looking for. Maybe a notebook of some sort? I push aside a few files, finding nothing. “Come on, where are you—” Then I spot it. A worn, navy-blue notebook at the back of the drawer. I pause, staring at it, afraid if I touch it, it’ll bite.
“Fuck,” I hiss, grabbing the notebook. I shut the drawer, replace the key, and stand, knocking into Jackson’s chair. I rush across the office, freezing as I reach for the doorknob.
My mind goes into overdrive, a flood of memories crashing in.
“Are you sure we have time for this? What if Noah comes home early?”
Jackson smacks my ass. “Stop wasting time and climb in.” I slip into the tub, moaning at how amazing the hot water and suds feel against my skin. Jackson rests against the cool porcelain rim, pulling me to him, my back against his chest.
“This feels amazing.”
“You always feel amazing.” He brushes the hair off my shoulder and presses his lips to my skin. “How are you getting along at work? Everyone treating you well?”
“Yeah, I’d say so. Special treatment from the boss is always a plus.” He lines my shoulder with soft kisses, and I close my eyes, a smile resting on my face.
“You know,” Jackson murmurs, his voice low and sincere, “I never thought I’d look forward to going to work every day. But with you here, everything feels lighter. You make me happy.”
For a long, lingering moment, silence falls between us. Then, the only sound is the splashing of water as I turn and wrap my arms around his neck. Emotion wells in my throat. I open my mouth to say something, anything, but no words come out. “It’s just a statement, Peach,” He kisses the tip of my nose. “Don’t go running away with it.”
“I’m not. Just didn’t know you had it in you to say such nice things—ouch!” I squeal as he pinches my butt cheek.
“I say lots of nice things. I compliment your pretty pussy all the time.”
“A true gentleman.” He cups my butt cheeks and tugs me forward, his growing length rubbing against my slit. “Careful what you start. Remember, we’re on a time constraint.”
He slides inside me.
“You know I love a good challenge. Let me make my girl happy.”
“Goddammit,” I mutter, squeezing my eyes shut. I can’t do this. It’s wrong. Even if there are consequences, I can’t hurt Jackson like this. I need to tell him about Vince and trust he’ll know what to do. I twist around and race back to his desk. Grabbing the key, I unlock the drawer as Jackson’s office door swings open.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
My eyes meet Jackson’s as he slams his door and storms across the room. I’m frozen in place. “I can explain,” I blurt out.
“How did you get that?”
“This isn’t what it looks like—”
“I think it’s exactly what it looks like.”
I jump to my feet, clutching the ledger. His gaze shifts to it, and his fury ignites. “Jackson, please. Listen to me—”
“How fucking dare you?” He lunges, ripping the ledger from my hands. “Get the fuck out—”
“You have to listen—”
“Get out, or I’ll have you escorted—”
“Vince is blackmailing me!” His eyes snap to mine, his anger cutting like a blade. “He caught me leaving your room Friday night and told me if I didn’t get him this ledger, he’d tell Noah. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to jeopardize your relationship with your son. I—”
“So, you chose to do something you have absolutely no clue the consequences of?”
“Jackson, I didn’t know what—”
“Bullshit. I should have known.”
“Known what? I didn’t want to—”
“The second I found you in my room, I should have known you were a conniving little cunt.” His words hit like a slap. I gasp, stunned by his cruelty. “Was this your plan along? Your endgame?”
“Jackson, no. Listen to me. Vince—”
“Fuck Vince. Get out of my office.”
I bite down hard on the inside of my cheek, fighting back tears. “No. I did it to protect you and Noah. I didn’t know what was on the ledger. I didn’t know what to do.”
“You should have come to me!” His tone is cold, lethal.
“I know. I wanted to. I’m sorry. I swear to you, I was putting it back. I couldn’t do that to you. You caught me putting it back.” His chest rises and falls sharply. “Please, I need you to believe me.”
“I don’t have to do shit.”
“Then consider the bigger issue. Vince saw me leaving your room. He knows. Not only was he adamant about getting that ledger, but he made it very clear if I didn’t, he’d tell Noah. If you don’t believe me, check your security cameras. They’ll show Vince attacking me. Twi—”
“You expect me to believe that? Now you just look desperate.”
“You don’t have to believe me. You can hate me, whatever. It doesn’t change the bigger issue.”
He’s silent, his jaw clenched tight. After what feels like forever, he finally speaks. “When does he expect this?”
“Tonight, after work.”
A heavy moment passes between us before he responds. “Go home. I’ll take care of this.”
“What? How?”
He takes a step closer. “I won’t repeat myself. Go home. I’ll handle this.”
“And what about us?”
“There is no us. This”—he gestures between us, his tone final—“is over. I’ll handle Vince. Then I’ll handle my son.”
Tears sting my eyes. “You’re just going to tell him?”
“What I do is none of your concern. But no, I’m not telling him. Going to make sure that bit of information stays far from him.”
“Jackson, don’t do this. I swear—”
“You did this the second you decided to go behind my back and steal from me.”
I open my mouth to say more, but the coldness in his gaze stops me. I nod, defeated. He’s right. I knew the consequences going into this.
“You’re right. I’ll go.” I step around his desk, walking past him, praying he stops me. He doesn’t, and I walk out of his office, leaving Blake Industries most likely for good.