Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Arizona
D ixon was straddling my hips on the floor of a rustic cabin, acting erratically and breathing heavily after punching me in both the jaw and ribcage. Terror filled my entire being as he produced a syringe from his back pocket and jammed it in my neck before throwing my near-listless body over his shoulder. We had just stepped through a door leading outside when he struck a match, tossed it into the grass, and took off running. From my upside-down perspective, I watched in horror as the match ignited the grass, unleashing a violent burst of flames that rapidly spread around the property, climbing up the exterior walls in a raging inferno.
I felt the intense heat radiating from the flames on my back, and as the grass gave way to wooden planks, the cabin erupted in an explosion behind me. The effects of the drugs were taking hold; my limbs felt numb, and my mind grew increasingly foggy, tricking me into believing I had heard Boden’s voice in the distance. My confusion was soon eclipsed by the roar of an engine, which drowned out all other sounds.
My eyelids became increasingly heavy as our movement changed; the rise and fall that followed became hypnotic. Dixon’s grip on my thighs tightened while mist splashed across my face, and cold air nipped away at my forearms behind my back, the only part of my body not covered by my work uniform. Suddenly, the motion shifted, and the tension within me dissipated; Dixon’s grasp was gone, and I felt myself soaring, weightless, in a whirlwind of confusion for a fleeting moment before I crashed into the coldness that swallowed me whole.
The impact sent ripples of fear coursing through me as everything around me felt muted, minus the frantic rhythm of my racing heartbeat that echoed in my ears while an unyielding chill surrounded me. I tried to open my eyes but was surrounded by an all-consuming darkness, a vast emptiness, unable to shake the sensation of sinking like an anchor farther into a chilling, shadowy abyss I didn’t understand.
I struggled to comprehend my surroundings and the reason for my overwhelming sense of confinement when Jameson’s face came into view in full color behind my eyelids. His expression was soft and longing, yet trapped behind an uncompromising barrier of fear that propelled his movements when he extended his hand toward me. I tried to command my limbs to move, but they were dead weight, shattering any hope I had of discovering a way out as the distance between me and the outline of his figure faded into the darkness surrounding me.
His presence was a lifeline, bridging my awareness to the life I yearned for. However, time was not a luxury I could afford; as my thoughts spiraled, memories rushed through me. Panic tightened its grip around my throat, robbing me of a final breath before I was ready to say goodbye.
I inhaled a deep, desperate breath and pushed against the hold that wrapped around me as the lingering echoes of fear slowly began to fade, separating my nightmare from reality.
“I’ve got you, Ari, I’ve got you.”
The comforting tone of his voice and his familiar scent provided a calming contrast to the wicked dose of adrenaline rushing through my veins while I attempted to steady my breathing. The realization that I was safe in Jameson’s embrace, no longer needing to fight, caused my body to relax and lean against his in relief.
When I gathered the strength to open my eyes, I found myself nestled against Jameson’s chest, his heartbeat a rhythmic pulse in my ear. My dad stood beside my hospital bed, trying to remain stoic in his stance.
“It’s okay, Arizona. You were just having a nightmare.” My dad tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I leaned into his touch before placing my hand over his.
“Daddy,” my voice was fragile, “I’m sorry.”
He unexpectedly collapsed in the chair behind him, dropping our joined hands to the bed. His eyes betrayed the worry he was trying to hide, but I could see the toll this experience had taken on him. The insurmountable anguish and uncertainty of not knowing if he’d see me again were evident as he wore his emotions on his sleeve. I squeezed his hand, reassuring him I was real, I was alive.
“My sweet girl, you have absolutely nothing to apologize for, you hear me.” His eyes watered. “You’re a fighter, Arizona, and you coming back to us is proof of that. I love you beyond measure and am thankful for our guardian angel watching over you.”
My mom.
“I love you too, Dad.”
While his words filled me with a sense of peace, an undercurrent of worry lingered, chipping away at the calm I should have felt surrounded by the two men who were my whole world.
“Malcolm.” I lifted my chin to look at Jameson as it all came rushing back to me, pleading silently with him to tell me he had survived. “Please tell me the backup I called for him got there in time.”
“Yes, Ari, you did good. Malcolm was released from the hospital back home yesterday, and his granddaughter flew in from Toronto to stay with him and help out.”
“Oh, thank goodness!” I exhaled deeply, placing my hand over my heart. “I was so scared we were going to lose him.”
“Nah, he’s a fighter like you.”
“And Alex? What happened to him? One minute, he was there with me on the call, and the next, he was gone.”
“He was knocked unconscious. We found Alex in the forest up on Number Five. Besides a concussion and some lacerations, he’s okay, too.”
My eyelids fluttered closed, filled with gratitude that everyone was safe.
“Ari, like your dad said, none of this was your fault. If anyone aside from Dixon is to blame, it’s me. I was driven by jealousy that night at the bar and decided to mess with him; it was me who told him you had had second thoughts and weren’t ready to date. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined my actions would have put you in harm’s way. I’m so sorry, Ari.”
“No, you saved me.” While I wasn’t sure of the specifics, I was confident he’d been there. I felt his presence all around, urging me to fight, pleading for me to hold on.
“Ari.”
“No, Jameson, no, you listen to me. Dixon was clearly unstable, and whether it was that night at McQuade’s or in the weeks or months to follow, there was bound to be something that would eventually trigger him to lose control, and that outcome could have potentially led to a far worse outcome. So, please, don’t blame yourself because if you do, I have to take the blame for being on the dating app in the first place.”
“I agree with Ari, Jameson. There’s no telling the lengths Dixon could have gone to. You saved my daughter, and,” his voice trembled with raw emotion, “please, promise me no more dating apps, sweetheart.”
“I second that,” Jameson chimed in.
“Seriously, what am I going to do with you both? There will never be any need for that. I have all I need here.” I smiled at Jameson before a soft knock pulled our attention toward the door.
“Oh, Arizona, good, you’re awake.” Camilla rushed into the room and pulled me promptly into a hug as the captain clapped a hand on my dad’s shoulder.
“Careful, Mom, don’t squeeze her too tight.”
There was no hug like a hug from a mom, so I didn’t care that my shoulders ached; feeling her arms around me made my heart happy.
“Oh, gosh, I didn’t think.” She immediately pulled back and looked me over, searching for any sign of pain in my expression.
“It’s okay, I promise.” I offered her an encouraging smile. “I didn’t realize you were both here.”
“We came up with your father after Jameson called us,” Brock said.
“I don’t even know where we are. Guessing not Rockwood or Sutton River?” There were several low-rise buildings I didn’t recognize outside the window.
“No, we’re three hours from home. Son,” Brock turned his attention to Jameson, “that’s why we came to check in on you all. Regretfully, I need to head back home.”
“I understand, Dad, duty calls. I can’t thank you enough for coming and bringing Dustin.”
“Arizona is family, and there’s nothing we won’t do for family.” His head nodded with a warm, sincere smile.
“Thank you, Captain and Camilla, you’re both incredible; your boys are so lucky to have you.”
“We’re just so glad you’re okay, Arizona,” Camilla said, brushing away a tear of emotional relief.
“Same.” I looked at my dad, knowing he wouldn’t leave my side unless I prompted him. The last thing I wanted for him was to get worn down because he wasn’t taking care of himself. “Dad, you should go home with the Fishers if that’s an option.”
Hesitation immediately flanked his expression as his eyes darted in question over me. “I?—”
“Dad, you’re exhausted. I’m fine, and I’m guessing they’ll release me soon enough. We can keep in touch via Jameson’s phone.”
“Umm, unfortunately, my phone didn’t survive the swim in the lake.” I looked at Jameson with confusion. “But you can call the extension for the room at any time. I won’t leave her side,” he vowed, rubbing a hand up and down my arm.
“Only if you’re sure, Ari.”
“Yes, I’ll see you back home.”
My dad stood and hugged me carefully. “I love you, and I’ll see you soon,” he whispered, his voice thick with reverence, filling me with comfort as I clung to him a little longer.
“Love you, Dad.” I rubbed my hand over his back. “And you all drive safe, okay.”
After a series of heartfelt hugs, it was just Jameson and me, both of us lost in the silence as we savored the comfort of each other’s presence.
“Holding you like this when I thought I’d never get the chance again—” His immense relief was evident in his tone.
“Will you tell me what happened? I remember trying to help Malcolm in his bedroom and then wrestling with someone before everything went black.”
“From the statement Malcolm gave police, he was just about to eat lunch when Dixon knocked on his front door, asking him to use his phone. He claimed his cell phone and car died and that he needed to call for assistance. The kind soul Malcolm is had no reason to suspect anything was amiss until Dixon called nine-one-one, requested paramedics, and hung up. When Malcolm questioned him on it, Dixon thanked him for making it so easy for him to get his hands on you. He’d been stalking you since the night at McQuade’s, so he knew you stopped at his house regularly, and your guard wouldn’t be up when you walked freely into the home. Malcolm’s body went into fight-or-flight mode, which was what caused the medical episode with his heart.”
“And Alex?”
“Dixon transported both of you from Malcolm’s in a van to a secondary location, during which Alex regained consciousness just long enough to witness you being moved into another vehicle. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to get to you, but when we found him in the forest, he shared that crucial detail with us.”
“I don’t even know what to say; the whole thing sounds straight out of a movie. This kind of thing doesn’t happen where we live.”
“Agreed. Sadly, though, it wasn’t Dixon’s first time. He’s got a detailed history of this behavior and has targeted several other women out of state.”
“Did the police arrest him?”
“No, he didn’t survive the crash.”
A chill scored down my spine as the unforgiving cold from my nightmare returned.
“Crash?” I questioned. “I remember waking up tied to a chair, Dixon getting mad and drugging me again, and then the place he held me at exploded. After that, everything became hazy and confusing. I can’t make sense of the nightmare that woke me up before—everything was freezing cold and cloaked in darkness.”
“Jaxon, Boden, and I, along with some special ops team my brother called in, were planning our breach of the cabin when Dixon started acting erratic.”
“I thought I heard Boden’s voice when we were outside but assumed I was imagining things.”
“No, our presence must have triggered an alarm on the property because an ear-piercing shrill brought us to our knees right before the cabin exploded.”
“Oh my God, were any of you hurt?” I scanned Jameson from head to toe, searching for any signs of injury, but his sweater and jeans made it hard to tell.
“No, thankfully, the guys were good. Regardless, you were still our priority. I was running toward the cabin when Boden spotted Dixon carrying you toward the lake. He had you over his shoulder when he took off on a jet ski. He was driving blind as the clouds partly covered the moon, so he never saw the raised rock bed until it was too late. The force of the abrupt stop must have trapped his body against the steering column, so on impact when it flipped over, his head took the brunt. You, on the other hand, went airborne before plunging into the lake, and I swear to God, Ari, my heart stopped. I jumped off the dock, terrified beyond reason.”
“Jameson,” I sobbed, my heart hurting for him.
“Thankfully, help was on standby, and divers with proper gear found you before it was too late. I helped them get you on the boat, and then you were airlifted here.”
“The lengths you went to to save my life.” My throat was thick with appreciation, but I was also beyond thankful he wasn’t hurt or worse.
“Ari, there isn’t a thing I wouldn’t do for you in this world.” He caressed the side of my cheek with care.
“I know, and I’m so incredibly thankful to have you by my side.”
“Same. I’m just so sorry again that all of this started because of me.” Jameson’s voice cracked with guilt that was still eating away at him.
“No, you already apologized, and I won’t have you feeling guilty when I wouldn’t be here now without you. If I’ve learned anything from this experience, it reminded me just how fragile and fleeting life can be. We only get one go at it, and I want to spend our time together, not letting past mistakes, regrets, or errors in judgment weigh us down. I want to shout from the rooftops how happy you make me and move forward together as a team from here on out.”
“Glad you’re finally on board with my life’s plan for us, Red.”
My heart warmed with love for the man I once foolishly considered my enemy. “I love you, Jameson.”
His eyes widened as the corners of his lips lifted into an enormous smile. “You have no idea how long I’ve dreamed of hearing those words from you, Ari. I love you too, more than anything.”
He leaned in closer and gently pressed his lips against mine, marking me in a way that only he could as we basked in the bliss of our shared feelings. Our kiss was soft and sweet, a silent expression of a promise as our hearts beat together in unison.
“I’ve never experienced such peace or felt more aligned with my life’s path than when I’m with you. My heart aches like a part of me is missing when we’re not together. When I was”—I swallowed roughly—“I was overwhelmed with worry, hoping and praying that you knew in your heart how I felt deep down in mine. The thought of leaving this world without telling you how much you truly mean to me was devastating, but in the same breath, it also fueled my will to keep fighting. I couldn’t stand the idea of you and my dad?—”
“You’ll never have to, Ari. In a sense, I’ve always known. I was waiting for you to play catch-up.”
“I promise always to tell you how much you mean to me; I never want there to be any doubt.”
“How did I get so lucky?” He grinned with his signature devastating flair that once infuriated me to no end and now, under a new lens, was dangerously magnetic and addictive.
“Because you never gave up on me.”
“You were always meant for me, Ari. You’re mine to love, cherish, and protect always.”
Understanding the depth of his feelings was truly empowering, and I could no longer deny my own emotions; I felt like the luckiest girl in the world.
“I like that I’m yours,” I whispered as he kissed my neck.
“One day, I’m going to give you my name.”
“And one day, I might just say yes.”