Chapter 16
Jackson
I force myself down the two sets of stairs, my wolf snarling at me every step of the way.
He doesn’t want to leave our mate unprotected.
I don’t either, but I need to get out of this building for just a few minutes.
I throw open the door to the building, not caring in the least when it slams into the metal railing behind it.
I find Ransom waiting for me, just as he told me he was when he reached out about twenty minutes ago.
“You got the stuff?” I ask, my voice a near growl.
He nods warily. “Yep. Milk and four different creamers and the coffee you told me to get, just like you ordered.”
I scowl at him. “I didn’t order you.”
“Pretty sure you did. Now what’s wrong with you? Why are you so amped up? I thought spending time with Kayla would help—” A fierce growl erupts at the name of my mate on his tongue. He puts both hands up. “What’s the deal with you? You know I’m no threat to her.”
I can’t even look at the building behind me. “Head up to her apartment, drop off the stuff, and keep watch.” I pin him with a look. “Do not go into her apartment unless it’s an absolute emergency.”
Ransom scowls at me. “Stop being an idiot. You know I’m not going into her apartment without you.
” A rumble comes from low in my chest, and he frowns at me.
“Go for a run, Jackson; come back when you’re not going to tear my heart out for just mentioning her name.
” I don’t wait for him to say anything else.
I stride across the parking lot and over to the trees that will lead to a deeper set of woods I discovered the day I found out Kayla and Noah lived here.
My wolf anticipates the run, and I barely keep him controlled.
He’s been straining against me for the past few hours, and I’m tired of fighting him.
Knowing I need clothes when I get back, I strip when I’m deep enough into the woods and put my clothes in a pile before giving the reins to my wolf.
He takes off, and I take a backseat. I stay alert though, in case he tries to head back to our mate, but he seems to understand that’s a bad idea right now.
I’m not sure how long we run, but the moon is high in the sky by the time we finally get back to my clothes. I dress and reach out to Ransom.
Everything good? I ask, even though I know it is.
He would have reached out to me if it wasn’t.
I get to the edge of the trees and step back into the parking lot, sticking to the shadows for a moment while I scope out the lot.
I take in the two men at the far end of the lot, clocking everything about them instantly.
I know right away, they’re not good men.
I stride towards the front door, needing to get closer to Kayla and Noah, so I know they’re safe.
I take the stairs two at a time and get to the third floor quickly.
Ransom stands at the top, obviously knowing I was coming.
I take in the scowl on his face. “Talk,” I demand.
“They’re both fine,” he says first. That does little to ease the tension building inside me.
“What’s the scowl for?” I demand.
“Their apartment.”
I hold him against the wall a moment later with my arm against his throat. “You went into her apartment.” My words are barely audible over my growl. Ransom doesn’t fight against me. Smart man.
“I didn’t go inside,” he says calmly. “I saw inside when I handed her the milk, creamers, and coffee. By the way, four creamers is a little excessive, don’t you think?” I growl at him, and he smirks. “Her words, not mine.” That eases the mounting tension inside me at least a little.
I stare him down. “You didn’t go inside.”
“No.”
I force myself to release him, and he cracks his neck. “You have issues.” I don’t bother denying it; it’s true. I walk over to her door and sniff. I catch a whiff of her scent and Noah’s, and it calms the beast inside me enough that I don’t shift, at least.
“Are you going to get them out of here?” Ransom asks. There’s no censure in his voice, only a question.
“She doesn’t trust me enough yet.”
He nods, unsurprised. “It will take some time.”
I don’t like his words, but I stay quiet on the matter. “You can leave now.”
He chuckles and walks over to the stairs. “Don’t forget that you do have to sleep some time.” Without another word, he jogs down the stairs. I hear him get to the bottom and open the front door.
Thank you, I send to him through our link. For the milk and creamer and for keeping them safe.
I may like seeing you riled up, but she’s your mate. I would protect her with my life, both of them.
My chest tightens uncomfortably. That’s my job. I pause a moment and then send, I know that. Thank you.
We don’t communicate after that, and I settle on the floor outside their door.
It’s far from comfortable, but I’m not moving from this spot.
There are so many shady people in this building.
It’s sad that nobody even gives me a second glance.
It tells a person what kind of things take place in this building if nobody thinks twice about a guy camped outside of somebody’s door all night.
I force myself to leave once people are up and about.
I head out to my truck, stretching stiff muscles along the way.
Ransom stands next to my truck. “Mornin’,” he calls out when I get close.
I just nod at him. He smirks and hands me a cup.
I take a long drink of the strong coffee.
“Thank you,” I tell him.
“You’re welcome.”
“You good to stay here?”
He nods. “You know I could have just picked up a coffee for her.”
“I want to.” With that, I climb into my truck and start it up and roll down the window. “I’ll be back in a few.”
I head back to the coffee shop I stopped at the other day and head inside. I find the girl that took my order the other day. “Good morning,” she calls out brightly. I resist the urge to growl at her; I’m not sure why everybody is always so chipper in the morning.
“I need the drink you made the other day.”
Her eyes widen. “Oh. Okay. Um, do you remember what it is?”
I resist the urge to growl...again and look at the board, as if that will help. “It was an iced coffee.”
“Was it one of our specials?” she asks.
“I don’t know. What are the specials?” I ask. She starts listing off a bunch of drinks that make literally no sense to me. She finishes the list, looking at me expectantly.
“She likes iced coffee with vanilla or caramel, and she likes cream.”
The girl nods, her smile not quite as bright as it was, but still there. “Okay. We’re making an iced latte then with vanilla and caramel?”
I nod because I don’t really have a clue. “And what do you have for kids?”
“How about a hot chocolate?” she offers, and I nod. She gives me the total, and I swipe my card. “All right. We’ll have that for you in a little bit.”
“Thanks,” I manage. I step over to the side but don’t sit; I don’t think I can force myself to sit right now.
Finally, the girl that took my order calls out, “Vanilla and caramel iced latte and a hot chocolate.” She meets my gaze and lifts the iced coffee, letting me know it’s the one I ordered. I walk over to the counter and take the drinks from her.
“Thank you.” I’m out the door a minute later, striding to my truck.
The drive back to the apartment doesn’t take too long, and I hop out with iced coffee in one hand and the hot chocolate in the other and head towards the front door where Ransom is leaning against the building.
The sight ignites my anger again, because there’s no way he shouldn’t be drawing more attention.
A strange guy outside an apartment building?
And yet, no one looks at him twice. “Any problems?”
He shakes his head and takes what looks like the last swig of his coffee. “All right. I’m off.”
“Where are you headed?” I ask.
“Back to the hotel to get some work done. Some of us still have a company to run.” I ignore his pointed words.
“Thanks.”
He leaves minutes later, and I walk up the steps to the front door and step inside.
My mate’s scent hits me, and I look up in time to see her and Noah descending the stairs.
The air in my lungs catches, the way it does every time I catch sight of my beautiful mate.
I run my eyes over her, taking in every detail.
She looks more rested today, and there’s a smile on her gorgeous face.
She may only be wearing shorts and a t-short, but she looks amazing. “Hey, Jackson.”
My name on her lips will never not be my undoing. It takes everything in me not to pull her into my arms and kiss her senseless, but I force myself to keep my hands at my sides. “Morning,” I manage to get out. “Did you both sleep well?”
“We did,” Kayla says while Noah nods. “Did you?”
“I brought you a coffee.” I hand it to her and manage to avoid answering her question. “I don’t know what the coffee was the other day, but this one has vanilla and caramel in it.”
Her eyes light in interest. “Ooo.” Then she frowns. “But you don’t have to keep buying me coffee, Jackson. I can make my own. Oh, and you shouldn’t have sent Ransom with all that stuff. Four creamers? What were you thinking?”
“I didn’t know what kind you liked.”
Her eyes soften, and my gut tightens. “Well, thank you. I had a delicious cup of coffee with vanilla creamer this morning.”
“Good. Let me know which one is your favorite. You going to try that?” I ask a little too gruffly, nodding at her coffee. But it doesn’t seem to bother her. She lifts the straw to her mouth and takes a sip. I watch her swallow delicately and I force my hands to unfist.
“Oh,” she says, her eyes finding mine. “That is so good.”
The tension in my shoulders eases just the slightest bit. “Good.” I finally remember the hot chocolate. “Here.” I hand it to Noah. “This is for you.” His eyes widen in surprise. “It’s a hot chocolate,” I add.
He takes a cautious sip and then goes back for another. “It’s good,” he finally says, causing a smile to tug at my lips.
“Good.”
“Thank you, Jackson. That was really sweet of you.” Kayla looks down at Noah and then back at me.
“We’ve got to get going. Thanks again.” She strides towards her car with Noah in tow, and I follow them, a few steps behind.
Only when they’re in their car do I walk over to my truck.
When Kayla pulls out, I follow her. She may not let me drive them to work yet, but she can’t stop me from following to make sure they arrive safely.
When we get to the café, I park in my usual spot near the back of the lot.
I've barely turned off the engine when I see her power walking my way.
I roll down my window when she gets close.
“What are you doing, Jackson?” There’s a wariness to her voice that I don’t like.
“Sitting here.”
“Why did you follow us?”
“I wanted to make sure you got here safely.”
That exasperates her; I can tell. She finally sighs. “I have to get to work.” She turns away without another word.
I watch her go a moment. “Have a good shift,” I call out behind her. I know she hears me because she nods and waves over her shoulder.