Page 8 of Plain Jade

He spun around and saw Jade had showered and changed into a pair of pajamas. She was drying her hair.

“No.”

Jade sighed. “Then how do I thank you?”

“Simple. You keep your mouth shut. You never met me. You don’t know who I am. You got home and you don’t know how.”

“But—”

“No buts. That is exactly what happened. Got it.”

“Got it.” She pursed her lips. “Is there a chance that someone is going to come and ask me questions?”

“No. Now, go to bed. I fed you. I’ll grab you some water.”

“I’m not a child.”

“Then do as you’re told.” Braxton was losing patience with her.

The longer he was here, the more dangerous it would be for her.

She stomped her foot and went back into her bedroom, which is where he wanted her.

He grabbed a glass of water and entered her room. There was nowhere for him to sit, so he put the water on the bedside table and moved to stand in the corner.

“You know, I don’t know your name,” she said.

“Good.”

“Good?”

“You don’t need to know my name.”

“But I’d like to know the name of the man who saved my life.” She had climbed into bed and pulled the blankets up toward her chin. She was turned on her side, facing him.

Braxton was tempted to put some pressure on certain points, which would guarantee she would go to sleep. He wouldn’t do it, though.

The reason he had stayed behind was so she slept, peacefully, and that he was sure there was no problem. He didn’t even know why he cared. The moment he left, he wasn’t coming back.

“We don’t get what we want out of life.”

“Seriously. I bet you get everything you want,” she said.

“No, I don’t.”

“Is there anything you do want?” she asked.

“No.”

She frowned. “Well, whoever you are, I want to thank you for coming down that alley, and for … saving me, and stopping what he was going to do.”

“Be glad you screamed,” he said.

Jade sighed.

“Go to sleep.”

He saw she wanted to argue, but he didn’t know what stopped her. Her lips had opened as if she was going to, but then she shook her head and settled down. She kept staring in his general direction, but then, slowly, he watched as she fell asleep.

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