10. CHAPTER TEN - IGNITED TRUST
I had never felt this way before. Lying in Jake”s arms, I felt a warmth spreading through me, unlike anything I”d ever experienced before. Who would have thought the notorious playboy firefighter of Lakeridge could be so unexpectedly romantic?
As we nestled together, the warmth of his chest comforting me, and his heartbeat a soothing rhythm beneath my ear, I reflected on the picnic he had arranged. It was like something out of a dream, with each detail carefully thought out.
And then there was the way he accepted me, flaws and all. It wasn’t every day you told someone about a mental illness that runs in your family, and they accepted it without any judgment. He even went ahead and shared his own vulnerabilities about growing up in foster care. It was a level of intimacy I never expected from anyone; much less Jake.
The memory of that kiss between my bedroom and the hallway that started it all flashed through my mind, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the fact that I didn’t back down when he tried to retreat and give me space.
As the sun finally disappeared from our sights and the darkness of the evening began to creep in, Jake”s voice pulled me from my thoughts. “Hey, Lily, I got you something.”
I lifted my head from his chest, watching with a smile as he rummaged in the picnic basket and produced a bouquet of flowers. When he handed me the bouquet, a blush crept across his cheeks. “I, uh, probably should”ve given these to you earlier, but, well, I got nervous.”
I couldn”t help but giggle at his adorable awkwardness as I accepted the flowers. “Thank you, Jake. They”re beautiful,” I murmured, inhaling their sweet scent.
Then, to my surprise, he passed me a book. My heart skipped a beat as I saw the title, one of my all-time favorites, but in an illustrated edition. “How… how did you know?” I asked, unable to contain my excitement.
Jake shrugged, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “Let’s just call it a lucky guess.”
Unable to contain my joy, I threw my arms around him in a tight hug, feeling the warmth of his embrace enveloping me. And then, without hesitation, I pressed my lips to his, savoring the sweetness of the moment, and I realized just how lucky I was to have Jake by my side.
His hand snaked around my waist, pulling me even closer to him, although I was already pressed against his rock-hard chest. He deepened the kiss, and I could feel myself melting under his touch.
“Jake,” I moaned into his mouth.
“Yes, Lily?” he answered, breaking the kiss and looking into my eyes.
“I think we should go home,” I said, my eyes gleaming with mischief.
He looked at me, and a smug smile tugged at his lips. “You’re crazy. I love it.”
We quickly got up, packed up our makeshift picnic setup, and took them to Jake’s car. We hurriedly got in, and Jake drove off, heading home. We kept sneaking glances at each other, anticipating what would happen when we got home.
By the time we got home, it was already pretty dark. We made our way to the house, and the fading light of dusk cast long shadows across the porch. Jake”s arm draped protectively around my waist, and I couldn”t help but giggle at the ease with which we moved together.
But as we reached the porch, a chill crept over me, sending shivers down my spine. Jake reached for the doorknob, only to pause, his brow furrowing in confusion. “Lily, did you lock up?”
Before I could respond, Jake turned to look at me, and his expression shifted. I followed his gaze and saw three figures looming behind me, dressed in black with ski masks obscuring their faces.
“Hey, Lily, who are—” Jake”s voice faltered as he pulled me close, shielding me with his body. “Who the hell are you guys?” he demanded, his tone edged with apprehension.
The men remained silent, their intentions masked by the darkness. Without warning, they lunged at Jake, their intentions made clear.
Reacting instinctively, Jake pushed me aside and faced the assailants head-on. I watched as he deftly dodged their blows, his movements mirroring that of a seasoned fighter.
But even Jake couldn”t evade every attack, and I winced as the sound of fists meeting his flesh echoed in the air. With each strike, my heart pounded in my chest, fear gripping me like a vice. I could see the toll it was taking. Sweat glistened on his brow, his movements growing more labored with each passing moment.
But Jake was relentless. He fought back with pure strength and determination. One of the masked men swung a fist toward Jake”s head, but he ducked beneath the blow, his muscles coiling like a spring. With a swift, well-placed kick to the stomach, Jake sent him staggering backward, his breath knocked from his lungs.
Then suddenly, the second masked figure charged at Jake from the side, aiming a wild punch at his ribs. As though anticipating the attack, Jake spun on his heel, turning expertly in a way that brought him face-to-face with his opponent again. With lightning speed, Jake let loose a devastating combination of punches and kicks, each strike finding its mark with unerring accuracy.
As the second assailant crumpled to the ground, gasping for air, Jake turned his attention to the third man, who rushed forward with desperate determination. This time, Jake met him head-on. The masked man seemed to be stronger than the others, blocking Jake’s attacks and executing attacks of his own, which Jake parried with ease.
Then, with a sudden burst of speed, Jake launched himself into the air, executing a magnificent spinning kick that connected with the masked man’s jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground in a daze.
With the immediate threat neutralized, Jake stood panting, his chest heaving with exertion. Blood pulsed in his ears as he surveyed the scene of the knocked-down men, his senses heightened by adrenaline and the primal instinct to protect. To protect me.
Then, with a deafening bang, everything changed. Jake staggered back, a look of pain crossing his features as a strangled cry escaped his lips. My heart clenched at the sight of blood seeping through his shirt, staining the fabric crimson.
As Jake scanned the darkness, his eyes widened in alarm. “Lily, get down!” he shouted, his voice urgent as he pushed me to the ground.
I felt a rush of wind as Jake”s body shielded me from danger, and then the deafening crack of a gunshot echoed in the night. Jake”s groan of pain pierced the air as he fell beside me, clutching his injured shoulder.
The sound of the neighbor’s cars reverberated through the night, and as I lay there motionless, afraid for both my life and Jake’s, the screech of tires broke the tension. I looked up to see the masked men scrambling to their feet, fleeing to a waiting truck. One of them, the one with the gun, leaped into the driver”s seat and sped away into the darkness.
As the adrenaline began to ebb, I scrambled to my knees, cradling Jake”s head in my lap. “Jake, are you okay?” I asked, my voice trembling with both fear and concern.
He winced as he nodded, gritting his teeth against the pain. “Yeah, just—just get help, Lily,” he managed to say, his words strained.
With trembling hands, I reached for my phone, fingers fumbling as I dialed 911.
“911, what’s your emergency?” came a voice from the other side.
“Please, we need help! There”s been a shooting,” I pleaded, my voice shaking with fear. With each word I spoke to the operator, desperation clawed at my throat, threatening to choke off my voice. “Please, we need an ambulance,” I begged, my tone trembling with urgency. “We”re at 13 Oak Street. My boyfriend, Jake, he”s been shot. I-I don”t know how bad it is, but there”s so much blood…”
“Boyfriend, huh? Has a nice ring to it.” Jake chuckled, then groaned in an attempt to fight off the pain.
Shut up you idiot. I thought to myself, afraid he would die from just speaking.
My heart pounded in my chest as I spoke to the person on the line. “We were attacked by three… I mean four masked men and he got shot. Now, his shoulder, it”s bleeding... he”s in so much pain,” I continued, my voice cracking with emotion. “Please, hurry, we need help.”
Tears welled in my eyes as I listened to the operator”s calm voice. “Help is on the way,” she said. “Just stay with him, and try to keep him conscious until the paramedics arrive.”
I nodded, my throat tight with unshed tears. “Okay,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. “I won”t leave him. Please, hurry.”
As the distant wail of sirens grew louder, Jake”s neighbors emerged from their homes, drawn by the commotion. Panic rippled through the crowd as they realized what had happened.
Turning my attention back to Jake, I cradled his head in my lap, tears stinging my eyes as I prayed for help to arrive soon. “Hang in there, Jake,” I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion. “Everything is going to be okay.”