Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
DAMON
While Blake finishes washing her hair, I dry off, throw my jeans on, and order us some food. There’s messages from the guys, because of course they’re going to bust my balls for spending time with Blake. What I want is an update.
Jasper: Hope you’re having a good night.
He added a GIF of a round ass getting spanked. I shake my head and laugh. At least he’s predictable.
Leon: It’s done. Should be up this morning.
Then time-stamped an hour later, he sent a link. I hope everything went according to plan. I hold my breath as I click it and am immediately relieved.
First, I text Leon back to thank him for coming through for me. This had nothing to do with Bailey or the job. It was entirely personal and he was there for me, no questions asked. Hell, I’m getting choked up.
Next, I copy the link and text it to Jasper, ignoring his ridiculous GIF.
Me: Not sure if Leon told you, but everything worked out. I know I don’t say it enough, but I love you, man. Couldn’t have done this without you.
Blake pushes the door open, wearing nothing but a towel. And I thought my morning couldn’t get any better.
“You’re looking happy this morning,” she says, her face lit up with a smile. She glances at my phone. “Good news?”
I toss it on the bed and walk toward her, wrapping her in my arms. “I’m with you. How could I not be happy?”
Feeling her relax against me is everything. She whispers, “Where did you come from?” against my chest.
“I thought I told you last night, we moved around a lot.” Grinning against her wet hair, I kiss the top of her head. “I ordered us food while you were in the shower. It should be here in a few minutes.”
“Wheat and soy-free?”
“Of course, it’s from that place I ordered from before.” I knew about the wheat, but not the soy. Good thing I chose a place that was free from all of the top allergens last time. I figured better to be safe.
She throws on a long-sleeve black shirt and some leggings while I enjoy watching her. I notice her absentmindedly touch her neckline a few times, something I’ve seen her do a lot. Then it hits me. She misses her necklace. I’ll have to figure out the right time to give it back, or replace it with a gift of my own.
“I didn’t want to bring it up last night, but what you texted me yesterday… about Trevor?” She runs a brush through her hair with her eyes cast down. I wait for her to finish her question. As excited as I am to tell her everything, I’m saving it for the right moment. Her birthday’s coming and it’s the perfect gift. “What was that all about?”
“Would you listen to me if I told you not to worry?” I rub my hands along my thighs and think of the right words to say. Her raised brow isn’t helping. “I’ll tell you everything, just not today. Let’s enjoy the day together. You’re skipping class like a bad girl and I’m ignoring all my responsibilities. Let’s not bring him into our bubble.”
I know I’ve got her as her face softens. “Yeah, alright. But you’re telling me everything eventually. I’m already anxious enough. I don’t need that hanging over my head.”
“I know. Come on over here, let me help you with your hair.” She hesitates but comes to sit on the edge of the bed. I take the brush and work on detangling some of the monster knots we made. “I was thinking we could have dinner with the guys later? Jasper’s worried his shoulder isn’t healing right and wants you to take a look.”
“I don’t know how much help I’ll be, but sure. I’d like that.” She leans back into my lap, giving me better access. “But I need to get home early. Can’t miss any more classes. Actually, shoot, I should text this girl Julie and have her send me her notes.”
I hold her in my lap. “You can do that later. Let’s get through these knots before the food gets here.”
“Fine,” she huffs.
“Do I detect a hint of sass in your tone? I thought I’d fucked all the sass out of you last night.”
She twists to straddle my lap and I’m instantly hard. With her hands on my chest and her nails digging into my skin, she smiles sweetly. “My snark is woven into my soul and as far as I can tell, you haven’t fucked my soul away.” She plants a quick kiss on my chin and whispers, “Yet.”
“Oh, you’re in for it now,” I say, grabbing her around the waist and lifting her up. As I’m about to show her how I can fuck the life right out of her, the damn doorbell rings.
She laughs and taunts me. “There’s our food. Guess whatever this is has to wait.”
To hell with that. We can warm the food up later.
I shift her so I’m carrying her bridal style and open the front door. As soon as I see what’s on the doorstep, I set Blake down and step in front of her. “What’s going on?” she asks.
My senses are on high alert as I quickly grab the items and close the door. “Blake, go into your room and lock the door.”
“Okay.” Her voice is frantic, but she doesn’t fight me.
I grab my phone from my pocket and dial Leon. “They’re after Blake.”
“Whoa, start over. What’s going on?”
I pace the length of the hallway. “Get your shit and get over here. Both of you.”
“What happened?”
“I just opened the front door to a stack of pictures with a bullet paperweight, man. Just get the fuck over here now .”
“Fuck. Alright, stay calm. We’ll be there soon.”
As soon as I hang up, I flip through the photos. Blake walking through campus. Blake at a coffee shop. Blake at her doorstep. “Motherfucker!” It takes everything in me to not punch the wall.
Take deep breaths. First, I’ll check on her. She must be terrified. I knock on the door. “It’s just me. You can open up.”
She rushes into my arms. “I saw photos of me. And was that a bullet? What is going on?”
I don’t want her involved any more than she already is, but I guess it’s too late. She’s in this now, so she may as well know what’s going on. “Leon and Jasper are on their way. We’re going to check the house and make sure you’re safe for the time being. I think this was a message from some very bad people.”
She rolls her lip between her teeth before meeting my gaze. “Does this have to do with Jasper getting shot? Are those people the ones who left the photos?”
“I believe so.” I huff and pull at my hair. “I’ll tell you everything, but first I need to get dressed and you’ve gotta pack a bag.” I grab my shirt from the floor and pull it over my head before reaching for my belt and boots. Blake hasn’t started to move. “Do you need help packing?”
“Where are you taking me?”
“You’ll stay with us. There’s no way in hell I’m letting you stay here after this.” She releases a breath and nods. “I’ll be right back. Grab everything you need for classes too.”
Once I finish tying my boots, I slowly open the front door, checking every blind spot. When I deem it safe, I jog out to my car and grab my gun from the glove box. I’m such a fool for leaving it in the car. What the fuck would have happened if they broke in? This is what happens when I’m careless. In my world, even the smallest oversight can have deadly consequences.
I’m too impatient to wait for the guys. Gun aimed ahead, I case the property, searching for anything out of place. There are too many places to hide here. I know firsthand how easy it is to watch Blake. Even easier to get inside the house. On my first pass everything looks as it should. I figured they wouldn’t hang around, but needed to check anyway.
As I round the corner toward the front door, I catch the back of a body walking away. Aiming my gun, I yell to get his attention. “Who are you and what the hell are you doing here?”
The guy turns and I realize I’m looking at a kid no older than eighteen. His eyes widen and he puts his hands in the air. “Hey man, I’m just here to deliver your food. I’m leaving, it’s all good.”
Fuck.
I tuck my gun into my pants. “I’m sorry, man. We had an intruder here earlier, just being extra careful.” I pull a few extra bucks from my wallet and walk toward him but he’s already jogging away. I guess I don’t blame him.
As the kid peels out, I hear the growl of Leon’s bike flying up the street. Jasper’s clutching his back like he’ll become a flying projectile.
I jog up the driveway to meet them as Leon turns the engine off. “Thanks for coming.”
“Are you safe? Blake?” Leon dismounts and scans the area frantically. Jasper follows, immediately drawing his gun.
“I just walked the property and nothing looks amiss. This was definitely a message.” I follow them down the driveway while they spread out and search behind trees and in shadowed spaces. “Listen, I should have asked you guys but I told Blake to pack a bag. Do you mind if she stays with us?”
Jasper grins. “It’s fine with me. It’ll be nice to have a girl with us. Hey, can she cook?”
I smack him on his good shoulder. “Misogynistic much?”
“Of course she can stay,” Leon adds. “I was going to insist she does.”
Everything is fucked, but I let myself smile, only for a moment. Because I have to admit I’m one lucky bastard to have these two as brothers.
“Come on inside, let’s grab her stuff.”
I show them through the door, and Jasper walks in like he owns the place. “Fond memories here,” he says wistfully. “Speaking of, where’s my blonde friend?”
“She hasn’t been around. Blake’s been here alone for over a week. You think it’s something to worry about?” I lead them to Blake’s bedroom and knock on the door.
Jasper cuts in front of me and squeezes Blake in a giant bone-crushing hug. “Doc, I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Thanks?” she wheezes, until he gets the hint and lets go.
Leon holds his hand out to shake hers, giving her one of his mysterious, quiet guy smolders. “Blake, we weren’t properly introduced last time. I’m Leon Colter.”
My girl’s cheeks tinge pink as she takes his hand.
“Alright, well now that you’ve all officially met, time to go. Got everything, Angel?”
“Aw, Angel… How adorable,” Jasper singsongs. I make a mental note to kick him in the sack later.
Blake’s smiling though, so at least Jasper’s good for easing tense situations. “Yeah, I’m good. You guys have basic stuff, right? Toothpaste, soap, towels?”
I close my eyes and sigh at the mention of towels, knowing exactly what Jasper will say. Three, two, one…
“Damon and I have this sort of communal towel thing going. I’m happy to share with you too. Right, buddy?” Jas slings his good arm over my shoulder. Yup, a kick in the balls it is.
“You’re going to get your ass beat,” Leon says, holding back a laugh. “I’ll answer for them, Blake. If I were you, I’d grab a towel or two and some extra toiletries. Some of us in the apartment are better at hygiene than others.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I scowl and follow them out of Blake’s room. “I’m extremely clean. Some might say I shower too much.”
Leon turns to me. “What makes you think I’m talking about you then?”
We both stare at Jasper until he realizes what we’re doing and gives us the finger. He’s too busy staring at the pile of photos on the counter. “These what they left?”
“Yeah… and that bullet,” I answer.
“Grab all that, we’ll bring it back with us,” Leon adds. Jasper takes the pile and heads outside. Once Blake’s ready, I open my car door to find Jasper already in the back seat.
“What are you doing?” He moves to the side as I toss Blake’s bag next to him.
Maybe it’s the lighting but I swear his face pales. “No way in hell am I getting back on that bike with him today. I almost pissed myself.”
“He rode that fast?” I ask.
“Yup, fucking scary. He was worried. Well, we both were.”
Damn. For someone who does as much illegal shit as we do, Leon always obeys traffic laws. Jasper isn’t joking.
Blake climbs into the passenger seat, carrying the bag from DoorDash. Everything’s cold by now, but at least it’s edible.
“Hey, what’s in the bag?” Jasper reaches over the seat and grabs it before Blake can answer. “Ohh, looks good.”
“Don’t even—” I say but it’s too late. He’s already biting into a pancake. “What the hell? That’s Blake’s food.”
“It’s fine. I’m too nervous to eat.” She turns to look at Jasper. “Have at it.”
“I’ll order you more when we get home.” I scowl at Jasper in the rearview. He can be such a dumbass.
While I drive, I rest my hand on her thigh. The connection is the only thing keeping me grounded. Keeping me from driving to that fucking club and shooting empty walls and open spaces.
“You okay over there?” Blake covers my hand with her palm and squeezes gently. It’s like she can read my silence or even the spaces between my words. I swallow and nod, tracing circles on her thigh.
“I’ll feel better once we get home.”
I park down the street and call Leon. “Hey, can you check the place out before we come in?”
“Already on it,” he says. “Stay on the phone. I’ll give you the okay when I take a peek around.”
Jasper taps my shoulder. “Let me out. I’ll go too.”
After I let him out, I stay outside the car and take a few cleansing breaths. Then I text the investigator, Ray.
Me: I have another address I need you to watch. And stay armed.
From now on, Blake won’t breathe without me right beside her. No one will hurt my girl.