Chapter Thirty-Four
Jack
I finish my workout and take a quick shower in my hotel room. Once I’m dressed, I pick up my phone and immediately see a voicemail from Taylor. I hit play and the second I hear her panicked voice, my heart slams in my chest.
“Jack? Chandler’s here and he’s out of control! Come quick.”
I hear Chandler banging in the background and curse myself for leaving them alone in the house. I grab my valet ticket, shove shoes onto my feet, and run out the door.
Of course, I’m not the only person waiting for my car.
I try to call Taylor but it goes straight to voicemail, so I pace back and forth in front of the entrance until my rental comes into sight.
I’m good with directions and I’ve memorized the way to Taylor’s, so I don’t have to waste time fiddling with the GPS.
I cut the twenty-minute trip down to ten, lucky I don’t get stopped for speeding on the way.
Since receiving the call, my heart has been racing in my chest, and when I turn onto her street and see the police cars, it picks up speed.
I pull up behind a cruiser, cut the engine, and step out of the car.
Hearing shouting, I see Senator Cross cuffed in the back seat, yelling at the officer standing beside the front door, not paying attention to the man’s rants.
Instead, his focus is across the way where the neighbors have gathered outside on the lawn, staring and no doubt wondering what happened.
I dash across the front lawn and into the house, coming to a halt when I see Taylor and Holly, each with an arm around the other, and a police officer talking to them.
“Jack!” She breaks apart from her sister and runs, slamming into me. I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her close.
“Who are you?” the police officer asks.
I meet his gaze over Taylor’s head burrowed in my chest. “Jack Dare. Taylor’s fiancé.”
Holly whips her head toward me and I wink. She blows out a long breath and nods.
“The women are fine,” he says. “Shaken up, but okay. They declined an ambulance.”
I hold out one arm and Holly walks right up to me, tucking herself against my side.
“I got their statements,” he said. “I’m sure we’ll want more details later but for now, I’m through here.”
Taylor straightens to her full height. “Thank you, officer.”
Holly nods. “Thank you for getting here so quickly.”
He inclines his head. “You ladies take care.”
I wait until he’s gone, then walk to the door and lock up behind him before turning to the women.
“I’m not sure locking the front is going to matter.” Reaching out, Taylor takes my hand and leads me into the kitchen, where I see the glass from the patio door shattered and the wood on the frame split.
“Jesus. Are you sure neither of you needs to get checked out by a doctor?”
They both shake their heads.
“The baby?” I ask in a curt tone.
“Fine. Chandler didn’t touch us.”
“He scared the living daylights out of us, though.”
I study the door and do a sweep around the room, taking in the blood on the kitchen table and floor. “His blood?”
Taylor nods. “From his hand and arm when he broke the window to get in,” she says in a shaky voice. She turns to her sister. “Do you want to come back to Jack’s hotel room with us? I don’t want you to be alone.”
Holly shakes her head. “I just want to go home,” she says, wrapping her arms around herself.
“Are you sure?” I ask her. “If you want to be near your sister, I can book you a hotel room.” I want to get this place cleaned up and the door fixed before Taylor comes back here.
She forces a smile. “Thanks, but I think being at my own house and decompressing is all I need.”
Taylor pulls her sister into a brief hug. “We’ll drop you off. Sound good?”
She nods.
An hour later, we’ve taken Holly home and returned to the hotel. Taylor has called her parents and calmed them down because once they heard the news, panic set in.
Now, we’re in my room and she flops down on the bed with a groan. I settle in beside her and she curls into my side. Her warmth feels good against my body and I breathe in deep.
“Do you realize this is the first time since we met that there’s nothing hanging over my head?” she asks.
I nod. “It’s all really over.”
“Barring a trial if he doesn’t plead guilty. But I can handle that. My life is now my own,” she says in awe.
I smile at the thought. “And what do you want to do with that life?” I ask, hoping I’m a part of it. As far as our baby is concerned, I know we’re a team, but I want more with Taylor.
She lifts herself up and sits cross-legged, meeting my gaze. “I could be coy and ask what you want first … but I think we’re way past that point. Don’t you?”
I nod and wait for a reply.
“I want to be with you,” she says, cheeks flushed.
I grin, relieved we’re on the same page. “And I want to be with you.”
“I—”
I hold up a hand. “Before you say anything, I want you to know I’ve thought a lot about this. I’ve spoken to Lucas and Tristan about moving here and taking over the management of the club full-time. I don’t want to be away from you and our baby.”
A slow smile lifts her lips and she shifts, pushing herself up and straddling my waist. She places her palm on my chest. Warmth floods my system along with a jolt of desire. We’ve been so busy chasing this Cross issue, sex hasn’t been our priority. Her safety has.
I meet her gaze, but she’s no longer smiling.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
She nibbles on her bottom lip before she replies. “It’s just … I don’t want you to move here.”
I cock an eyebrow, my jaw tight. “Why not?” The mixed signals are killing me.
“Because I want to live in Florida. With you.”
Holy shit, she nearly gave me a heart attack. “Seriously? But your family is here.” And I know women, well, my sister at least, wants to be where our parents and siblings are.
She nods. “I know, and I’ll miss them. But I’ve been thinking about it since my time there, and I’m due for a change of scenery. I want to start over. Where there are no lingering ties or memories of Chandler. Besides, I like it in Miami.” She draws a visibly deep breath. “I like it near you.”
I have to admit, I’m relieved. Given a choice, I’d rather live where my people are. But for Taylor? I’d make the move. I’m just glad I don’t have to.
“Besides, they can visit as often as they like, and I’ll come back here.”
“We’ll come back here.” Reaching up, I thread my fingers through her hair and cup her cheek in my hand. “I think we’re missing something important here.”
Her gaze narrows and her nose crinkles in an adorable scrunch. “What’s that?”
“I love you, Taylor. Not because you’re having my baby, but because you make me happy. You’re sweet, kind, and everything I want in a partner. Not to mention, you’re sexy as hell and we’re combustible in bed.”
She lets out a laugh and her eyes fill as she smiles. “I love you too. I’ve wanted to tell you for a while now.” She winds her arms around my neck again, threading her fingers through my hair.
“Earlier, you called me your fiancée.”
I chuckle. “I might have gotten a little ahead of myself there, but it’s coming one day. Believe it.”
She places her hand on my chest. “I’m glad you walked into the café that night,” she murmurs.
“I’m glad you let me sit with you.”
She leans down and her lips fuse with mine, the kiss cementing feelings that are bigger than I’ve ever felt before. They’re enough to sustain me for the rest of my life as long as Taylor is by my side.