Page 54 of Savage

“Fine,” I replied thinking we’ll see in the back of my mind.

My heels clicked against the marble as he led me out to his car. He even opened my door for me and helped me with my dress. As he smoothed the material into the foot well of his Ranger Rover, my breath caught in my throat as he purposefully slid one of his hands up my leg, from my ankle to my thigh. It was a lover’s touch and it felt amazing.

As we travelled to the venue, I couldn’t stop myself from looking at the way Jaxon’s white shirt pulled across the muscles of his arms as he drove. He had taken his jacket off and hung it in the back so as not to crease it.

There was a definite atmosphere in the car; it was thick and heavy and to distract myself from leaning over and touching his leg, I introduced some small talk. Deciding to tell him about the text from my father.

“So, can I tell you something?” I questioned, readjusting the seat belt slightly so it didn’t pinch the material of the bodice of my dress.

“Always,” Jaxon returned swiftly with a side glance.

I told him about the text from my father and gave him some background. I imagined he already knew as no doubt Daisy would have told Marcus. Jaxon came clean and explained that he’d originally believed that Daisy had been kicked out by my father for cheating, which was totally not the case. Hence his first opinion that we were gold diggers.

I was surprised as he didn’t know much at all, although he did say he’d eventually got the vibe that my dad wasn’t one of the good guys. And of course, I already knew that, remembering he’d had a temper and liked to shout a lot.

Jaxon listened and interjected at points, but he didn’t give me much advice or tell me what to do and, on that occasion, I would have preferred it. Now I’d have to decide on my own.

As we pulled through the gates where the evening celebrations were being held, Jaxon suggested I sleep on it. He said he knew that talking about my father was upsetting to me and that I needed to push it from my thoughts and enjoy my evening. And of course, I knew he was right. He also stated that whatever decision I made would be the right one, he was sure of it.

The party was being held at Whitley Hall; a five-star hotel located on the opposite side of Norwich to where we lived. It was a grand, beautiful, ivy-covered building. Very traditional inside with wood panelling and shiny marble floors. I had been to several events there.

As we pulled into the car park and Jaxon searched for a space, another smaller vehicle whipped in front of us a stole the spot he had earmarked. He cursed under his breath, his shoulders flexing as he jammed his foot on the brake. The seatbelt jolted across my shoulders and I wrenched forward, steadying myself with the flat of my hand against the dashboard.

“Sorry,” Jaxon apologised, dragging off his belt like it suddenly offended him. What on earth was he doing? “Give me a minute.”

My brow furrowed as he shoved open the door of the car forcefully and jumped down, his body full of unleashed aggression. I then clearly saw what or should I say, who he was heading for and I didn’t fancy their chances.

I leaned half across his seat, listening intently, nervous knots dancing in my belly. We hadn’t even arrived yet and already, there was drama.

“I suggest you move your car and find another spot dickhead,” Jaxon boomed over at the lad who was in the process of getting out of his car. It was one of those boy racer types of vehicles and he fit that description perfectly.

Considering the differences in their sizes, he didn’t look scared. Foolish, foolish boy. I could only see Jaxon’s back and the smug expression of the smaller, skinnier guy over his broad shoulder.

He had the gall to shoot Jaxon a cocky expression. Talk about taking your life in your hands.

“What? I got it first. If I were you, I’d look for a bigger space mate?” the boy said, his London accent thick.

Jaxon stopped in front of him, his hands on his hips. Gosh, his bum looked nice in those trousers. I batted off the ill-timed thought. Bloodshed was looming!

“And if I were you, I’d get back in that piece of shit, and find another space.”

I took my belt off, panic in my chest of an ensuing fight; not that it would last long. “Jaxon, come on—let’s park somewhere else,” I shouted, using my hand to try and add volume; the engine of our car still running. It was a hybrid but still made some noise.

“Yeah, why don’t you listen to your wife, buddy,” the lad batted back, his brow now creased as he shot a look around Jaxon’s imposing form toward me.

“Move it dipshit, now.” There was no doubt how riled Jaxon was; and over a car parking space of all things. But then I had always known he was a hothead. The clash had nothing to do with him wanting that particular space, he just couldn’t bear the thought of someone taking something that he believed to be his.

“Why would I do that? I’m all parked now. There are tons of space,” the lad pointed out, waving his arms around. They looked like twigs compared to Jaxon’s huge, bulging biceps.

“Fine, we’ll do this the hard way,” Jaxon growled in a low, scary voice. The expression on the lad's face dropped after Jaxon took a purposeful step toward him, his hands now fisted at his sides.

“How about if you don’t shift it, I beat the shit out of all of you,” Jaxon bristled, cracking his neck from side to side.

I then realised there were four of them but the other three looked like they were about to be sick. It was comical really.

“For fucks sake, keep your hair on big-un. I’ll move it.”

Jaxon turned back toward me shouting, “Wise decision,” over his shoulder.

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