Chapter 8
Her face turns white as a sheet and she staggers back. Just before she can stumble, I’m there and she’s in my arms. I can see the panic attack creeping up, but I’m here now and it’s going to be okay.
“Jules, look at me, baby. Breathe.” I hold her close and take a deep breath as I nod for her to do it with me. “You can do it, in and out.”
She locks eyes with me and does as I ask. I hear Mags behind me say she’s going to get something for her to drink in the back. It takes Jules a second, but she’s breathing with me and focusing so the panic doesn’t rise too far too fast.
“That’s it,” I encourage her as Mags comes back with a Coke.
“I think the sugar will help with the shock,” she says, and then I hear her whispering to Track.
I sit down on the oversized chair and pull Jules into my lap. I take the Coke and open it and then hold it up for her to take sips.
“You’ve got to tell me what’s going on,” I plead with her as she looks at me and after a moment she nods.
Out of the corner of my eye I see Track and Mags walk out of the room and give us some privacy. I know it might be better for Track to hear what’s going on, but I doubt he’s moving too far out of earshot and he’ll get all of the information one way or another.
“He’s my ex. I never agreed to marry him, but he’s telling everyone I’m his fiancée so that it makes him look like the good guy coming to the rescue. He’s abusive and has his hands in some powerful pockets. There’s nothing that will stop him from coming for me.” The terror in her eyes is real and I feel the chill go down her spine.
“You’re going to tell me everything.” I give her another sip of the Coke as I look into her eyes. “I’m going to protect you, Jules, but I need to know the whole story. Okay?”
“Okay,” she agrees as she takes another deep breath.
I hold her in my lap as she tells me about her past and this motherfucker Warren. I don’t know him, but the more she talks about him, the more I want to meet him just so I can kick his teeth in. Men who prey on innocent women like Jules are the absolute lowest human beings and deserve to have their dicks removed with a fork.
The stories she tells me have me clenching my fists so hard all my knuckles pop and turn white. At one point I feel her place her hand softly on top of one of them and it calms me, but only a little. Nothing, except eradicating Warren off the planet, will make me feel better.
Once she’s finished telling me everything, I watch her shoulders sag like she’s just unloaded a heavy burden. I have to remember that she has no one and she’s had to run from this on her own.
“You’ve been trying to protect yourself all this time,” I say, and she nods. “That’s over, starting now, Jules.”
She looks up at me and I see the tears in her eyes. I wipe them away with my thumb and rub a hand down her back.
“I’m here and I’m going to make sure this ends and you don’t ever have to worry about him again.” I lean in close and softly press my lips to hers. “On my life, I will always protect you.”
I hold her face with both my hands and feel her fingers on my chest. She nods slightly and I kiss her again, but this time it’s harder and more possessive. I’m past the point of messing around and teasing. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before and I’m not wasting time bullshitting.
I break the kiss and press my forehead to hers before I turn and call out for Mags. She and Track step into the room, clearly listening from nearby.
“Are all these clothes going to fit?” I ask, pointing at the pile.
Mags puts her hands on her hips and raises an eyebrow at me. “You act like I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“She’ll take it,” I say as I stand up and grab some bags.
Mags goes to the back for a moment and comes back with three more bags full of stuff. “She’ll need these, too.”
I take out my wallet and hold out a stack of cash, but Mags refuses it. Track smiles and reaches around her and yanks it out of my hand.
“Pleasure doing business,” he says as he tucks the money into his jeans and I roll my eyes.
“Just make sure you buy your wife something nice.” I grab the bags and Jules’s hand and we make our way to the door.
“It was so nice to meet you,” Jules says to Mags. “I’m sorry it was so quick.”
“Next time we’ll make it just the two of us,” Mags offers and gives her a soft smile.
“I’ll be in touch,” I say to Track and we exchange a look that says we need to round up the boys.
“Make it sooner than later,” he confirms, and I see him pulling out his phone.
“Will do.”
When we get outside I load the stuff up and we take off away from the store and away from my warehouse.
“I didn’t thank Mags for the clothes, or you, for that matter.” Jules dips her chin and I can see her bottom lip quivering as she says it.
“Hey,” I call out and she looks over at me. “You have a lot on your mind and we’ve got plenty of time to exchange thanks later. Besides…” I give her my crooked smile and I can see the clouds in her eyes clearing. “Trying it all on in front of me is the best way to say thank you.”
She rolls her eyes, but I see her fighting a smile. “You’re just trying to see me naked.”
“And here I thought I was being sneaky.” I shake my head as I make another turn toward the edge of town. “You caught me.”
“We’re not headed to your place?” she asks as I pull into the parking lot of a hotel.
“Afraid not.” I hop out of the car and grab a couple of the bags she got and get my emergency duffel bag out of the back. When I come around and open her door I hold out my hand. “If that guy Warren is here for you, then there’s no telling what’s been compromised.”
“I’m so sorry, Cooper. I never meant for you to get involved in this.” She shakes her head as I help her down and we walk to the check-in desk. “I bet you’re sorry you kidnapped me.”
“Are you kidding me? I was in desperate need of some drama, and lucky for me you’ve got enough for the both of us.”
She stops and tugs on my hand when I try to keep walking. “How do you do that?”
“Do what?” I look around, confused.
“Manage to make me laugh when I’m feeling sorry for myself. You’re nothing like I thought you’d be and I can’t help but wonder why you’re doing all this. Why are you going out of your way to protect me and keep me safe? Why are you getting your friends involved and moving heaven and earth to have me by your side? And how come every time you look at me, it feels like my heart is whole?”
She nervously tucks her hair behind her ear after her admission and I step closer to her.
“Hey,” I say until she looks up and meets my eyes. “Neither of us planned this, but my grandpa always told me the best things in life are the surprises you never see coming.” I run my hand down her cheek and across her bottom lip. “You came out of nowhere, and I have no intention of letting you get away.”
I take her hand once again and just before we walk into the hotel lobby I smile over at her.
“And did you think that maybe I feel the same way when you look at me?”
I see her cheeks flush as I walk up to the counter and ask for a room. The lady at the desk asks for a name and credit card and I pull out the fake ones I keep in my wallet for just this occasion.
Once we’re all checked in, we get our keys and make our way up.
“The top floor? Are you sure that’s safe?” Jules asks when I hit the button.
“Only the best for you, buttercup.” She rolls her eyes again, but I like it when she does that. She’s a smartass but she means it in a playful way.
When we go inside it’s spacious with a living room and an attached bedroom. There’s a big bathroom with a large tub and separate shower. I drop our bags and pull my shirt off as I kick off my boots.
“I don’t know about you, but I need a damn shower.” She stares at me as I drop my shirt on the floor and my hands go to the button on my jeans. “You coming or not?”
“Y-you want me—” She points to her chest as she looks behind me. “To shower with you?”
“Get your clothes off, buttercup,” I say as I push down my jeans and underwear and stand there naked in front of her. My cock is long and thick as it stands up and proudly points at her. “I need you to come do my back.”
I turn around and walk into the shower without looking over my shoulder. I know that this is probably heavy for her, but she needs to focus on something else besides being stalked by a madman. If that means me getting naked and showing her my cock, then so be it.