CHAPTER FIVE
Present Day
Right after the Rescue
Jess
“You’re sure there isn’t anyone chasing us?” I asked. I was trembling. I didn’t know if it was from excitement to be free or terror at what Skeeter would do to me when he found me. Because I couldn’t imagine a world where he didn’t find me.
“There’s no one chasing us, baby,” the beautiful man I’d just been so intimate with said.
I noticed every head in the truck turn sharply to stare at him.
“Er… um, Jessica Fletcher,” he amended quickly, looking embarrassed. His pretty eyes briefly met mine in the rearview mirror before he looked away.
I looked around. There were three men and two women in the car with me. On just a glance, they were all ridiculously good-looking.
“I hate to ask because y’all have already rescued me, but I need to get my mom,” I said, near tears. “I’m afraid Skeeter—the man I had to live with—will get to her and hurt her.”
“Don’t you even worry about that, Jessica Fletcher.”
I turned to look at the woman and my eyebrows went up. She was gorgeous. She reminded me of someone, but I couldn’t think who it was. I pushed those thoughts aside. “Why do you say that?”
“We already got her. She’s living with my mama out at her beach condo in West Bay.”
I blinked. “You… got her to leave her house?”
“I didn’t. But Mama did. She can be very persuasive.”
I was almost too overwhelmed to even ask questions.
The other woman spoke up. “Nadine, don’t overwhelm her.
Give her some space.” She turned to me. “Why don’t you just rest?
I think you’ve been through enough. Just take a deep breath, relax, and know that your mom is safe.
You’re safe with us. And we’re taking you somewhere they won’t come looking for you. ”
“If you’re sure,” I said and leaned back to rest my head on the comfortable leather head rest. The last thing I remember is looking into Stone’s eyes as he watched me in the rearview mirror. Then I closed my eyes and slept.
***
I woke up the next morning confused. I lay there for a moment trying to get my bearings.
I was in the most comfortable bed I’d ever slept in.
The room was gorgeous, with light gray walls, expensive looking furniture, and beautiful artwork on the walls.
I wasn’t at the MC clubhouse in Skeeter’s room, that was for sure. Where was I?
Then it all came rushing back. The beautiful man, Stone, rescuing me, all the people in the truck with us, them saying my mom was safe, getting away from Skeeter.
I sat straight up in bed. Oh my God. I had to get to Mom. I started to throw back the luxurious covers and then noticed Stone, now wearing a suit, sleeping in a chair facing the bed. What was he doing? Protecting me? He was slumped down a little, his head resting on one hand.
I walked over to him, then noticed what I was wearing. It was a long pajama shirt and fluffy socks. I smiled and almost cried. It was exactly what I’d always worn at home growing up. Except nicer.
I vaguely remembered Stone carrying me in here the night before, and the women helping me shower. I’d been too tired to even be embarrassed by them seeing me naked. Then again, being a stripper for five years kind of takes some of the modesty out of you.
I was just glad I was clean and my hair didn’t smell of cigarettes, alcohol, and fried food like it usually did after work.
I walked over to Stone. “Stone?” I whispered. He moved just a little.
“Stone?” I said again, shaking his shoulder a bit.
He jumped up and grabbed my arm, twisting it around and pulling me against him with my back against his chest.
I squeaked out a little sound of surprise. He’d moved so fast. I couldn’t believe it. “It’s just me,” I protested. “Jess. Jessica Fletcher.” I didn’t know exactly why all these people called me Jessica Fletcher, but whatever.
He let me go immediately. “Oh, damn. Sorry.” He stood there looking awkward for a moment. “I was just resting, and I guess I went to sleep. I don’t normally do that.” He turned away from me a little and pressed a button on his watch. “She’s awake, man. Do you want to get everyone together?”
My eyes widened in alarm. I wondered how many people ‘everyone’ entailed. “I… I don’t have anything to wear besides this.”
He stared at me for a moment, his eyes landing on my breasts and then jerking upwards. He cleared his throat. “I’m pretty sure Nadine went ahead and shopped for you based on her sizes.”
I wasn’t sure which woman Nadine was, but I was guessing now that she was probably the curvier of the two that were in the truck.
“I’ll leave you to get dressed. I’ll just be in the hall, ready to walk you down once you’re dressed.”
“No!” Before I could stop myself, I reached out and grabbed his arm.
He looked at me in surprise.
“I’m sorry, it’s just that I’m a little scared. Could you stay? I’ll change in there,” I pointed to the bathroom, “but I don’t want you to leave me alone.”
“Sure. Whatever you need.” He smiled at me, and his face was so kind. Before I could even think about what I was doing, I reached up and ran my hand along his jaw, cupping his face. His lips parted as he stared down at me.
I dropped my hand. “God, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. It’s just so long since anyone has been nice.”
His face looked so sad at that, and before I knew what was happening his strong arms enveloped me in a hug. “You’re safe now. You’re with people who will love you and treat you well. I promise.”
I clung to him for probably a little too long, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself. I finally let go. “Thank you,” I whispered.
He smiled at me, a genuinely bright smile that showed off his perfect white teeth and a dimple.
I sucked in a breath. If I thought he was gorgeous when he looked serious, he was dazzling when he smiled.
For a brief moment, I thought of how his face had looked when it was transformed by ecstasy as I made him come the night before.
My face must have turned pink as I studied him, because his smile slowly faded as a sense of awareness grew between the two of us.
“I, um, will be right here. There’s a nice-sized closet in there. I’m sure Nadine put some things in there that you’ll like.”
I smiled and nodded before walking into the bathroom and closing the door.
This Nadine had thought of everything. There were makeup products set out neatly on the huge marble countertops of the vanity.
There were several different colors in everything so that I’d have a choice. I glanced in the closet and gasped.
I’d never seen such a fancy closet before in my life.
It was huge with a central island that held drawers and drawers of undergarments and negligees, nightgowns and socks.
There were shoes of every type set up along part of one wall.
There were racks and racks of dresses, blouses, pants, jeans, sweaters, jackets, and more.
Then there was a whole area set aside for athletic wear.
I wasn’t sure what to wear. Would these people be casual?
Or would they dress up? This was surely a mansion.
Maybe they always wore suits and dresses.
I stuck my head out of the bathroom. “Um, Stone?”
He turned, surprised. “I never told you my name is Byron?”
I shook my head.
“Oh. Well, it’s Byron. Stone was just a cover since they were supposed to think I was from another MC.”
“Smart,” I nodded. “Do you know how I should dress? Like, should I wear casual clothes or dressy or what?” Then I remembered he was wearing an expensive suit. “I guess that was dumb. You’re in a suit. I should wear a dress, huh?”
“No,” he grinned. “Don’t dress based off what I’m wearing. I’m a bodyguard. I always dress formally. I’m sure Reynolds will be dressed up, but Nadine and Jelly won’t be.”
“Jelly?”
“It’s a nickname. Her real name is Ray Ann, but she hates it.”
“Okay. I’ll be out in a minute.” I hurried to put on some joggers, a sports bra, oversized tank top, socks, and some cool athletic shoes. I could have cried at how awesome it all felt. I hadn’t worn anything like this in more than five years.
I quickly put a bit of makeup on and pulled my hair into a messy bun.
I took one last look in the mirror and smiled. I looked more like myself than I had in a very long time.