Page 97 of Sinning for Santa

Her brows hitch, and fuck, her expression is filled with a level of innocence I keep forgetting she has.

“I don’t get what you see in me,” she whispers, and fuck, if that statement isn’t heartbreaking.

“I wish you could see yourself through my eyes, little mouse. You’d see a remarkable woman. A woman that makes me want to be a better man.”

She giggles. “But we only met a couple of days ago.”

“Exactly. How does that even happen?” I graze my thumb over her plump lips. “Imagine how good I’ll want to be after a week.”

That makes her laugh, and fuck, I love the sound of it. I’d much rather that than these heartbreaking tears.

“I don’t know if you should listen to the last message,” I admit, and her smile fades.

“Why? Who is it from?”

Maybe I shouldn’t tell her, but keeping her in the dark isn’t doing her any favours. It might help to keep her here. At least until I can find this Mr V fucker and get rid of him. Then I can deal with her family.

“It’s from the doctor.”

Panic engulfs her expression, and I realise now, that her real terror is aimed at this man.

I want to know why. I want to know everything, but now isn’t the time, and I don’t want to force her to divulge that secret. The dirty ones, yes, but the real ones that plague her, that terrify her, no. I want her to reveal those secrets when she’s ready.

“Are you sure you want to hear this?” I ask, and she nods, wrapping her arms around herself like she is trying to hide.

I press play anyway.

Message Received from: Unknown Number

“Hello, Jaxcen, this is Doctor Alfred Xavier. I treated you at the Holly River Estate when you were younger. Do you remember?

“I was shocked to receive a call from your father. He is extremely distressed. I know I don’t have to remindyou how hard it will be to return to the facility, especially as an adult. Our adult program is much more intense, but perhaps something you will benefit from. We have merged with a church, and together we do God’s work to help our patients. I think this will be of great benefit to you before your wedding. Please call me back. Otherwise, I’ll likely show up tomorrow with a community treatment order.”

If I ever had a doubt as to who was the monster in her nightmares, I don’t anymore.

She’s trembling, rocking back and forth on my desk, her gaze locked on my chest, but her eyes distant.

“Is he the one you really don’t want to see, Jax?” I ask, hooking my finger under her chin again to gain her attention, and as her blue gaze meets mine, she nods.

“I can’t go back to him. I would rather die.” Fury contorts her face. “I swear if you let him come and get me, I’ll throw myself off that cliff, Devon. I will. I’ll do it. I’m not even kidding.”

“Okay.” I hold my hands up, needing her to stop speaking that way. “But that fucker will never get in here. He’ll never get past my men, and if he even dares to approach our gates, I’ll order my men to kill him on the spot.”

Even though she’s crying, she nods, believing my declaration.

“In fact, if your fuckhead fiancé comes knocking, he’ll meet the same fucking fate,” I admit, and again she nods, completely content with that.

“Okay.”

“Good.” I nod. “Okay.”

And as if the man himself has heard our conversation, Jaxcen’s phone starts ringing, and Eddie’s name flashes across the screen.

Chapter nineteen

Jaxcen

My entire body stiffens at the sight of Eddie’s name on my phone screen. He’s calling me. This very second, he’s calling me, and all I can think is aside from Dr Xavier, Eddie is the last person I want to speak to.

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