Page 13 of Second Chance for Mr. Alden

“Where is she?” Lexi scrunched up her nose.

“The fucking marketplace.” I turned and strode down the narrow hallway with Lexi following right behind. I shoved open the front door of the bank and practically flew to my truck.

“Jamie, wait up.” Lexi scrambled after me and jumped into the passenger side, barely securing her seatbelt as I peeled out of there. “I’m sure she—”

“Not now, Lexi.” I cut her off. Pissed at Jess. Pissed at Gage. Pissed at whoever scared her the day she came running to me to ask for help, and pissed that I didn’t know why they hadn’t done anything since.

I drove into the city to the marketplace that sprung up once a month during the summer. Jess had been begging me to go all season. Each time I laid out the reasons why it was a security risk and a nightmare to keep her safe. I should’ve known this morning she’d given up too easily.

“I’m going to kill her,” I grumbled under my breath.

Lexi rolled her eyes. “Stop being so dramatic.”

I knew it was hard on Jess to have to get my permission before she made a move. She didn’t have to spell it out for me. It was in the tilt of her chin, the clench of her jaw, the sarcastic comments that fell from her lips.

It didn’t matter that she’d hired me to do this, to be the one to tell her no, to weigh the risk of her decisions. She hated having me there with her every day. It was torture for me too. Even keeping my distance lately had become harder.

Seeing how easily her parents dismissed her and treated her like crap brought my protective instincts to the surface. I wanted to pound them both into the ground. Jess deserved more than the scraps of tainted affection they gave her.

That weekend at Jaxon’s was the first time she’d grabbed my arm, the first time I laid my hand on the small of her back, the first time I’d offered her emotional support in nine years. Before I knew it, the wall of indifference I’d used to hold her at arm’s length crumbled down by my feet.

Lexi laid her hand on my shoulder. “You need to calm down before you find her.”

I didn’t respond. Once I found the first available space, I threw my truck into park. I jumped out with my sister right behind me. They shut down a few blocks within the city. Businesses nearby were open while vendors had tables spread out on the street. There were clothing manufacturers, crafters, bakers. Voices called out asking you to stop and buy something. The scent of cinnamon and curry wafted through the air and my stomach growled, reminding me we’d missed lunch.

“How do you know where she is?” Lexi puffed out behind me as I pushed through the crowd, earning myself a few grunts of displeasure.

I pointed to the app on my phone. “I figured she’d leave her phone behind at some point.”

“So you bugged something else.” Lexi’s eyes widened.

I grinned and kept going. “You’re fucking right I did.”

We were getting close. She had stayed in the same spot now for the last ten minutes. I didn’t know if I wanted to hug her for making it so easy for me or shake her for also making herself an easy target for her stalker.

I rounded the next corner and slowed my jog to a fast-paced stride.

“Thank God,” Lexi muttered. “I’m getting a stitch in my side.” She rubbed at her abdomen and drew in quick breaths.

I patted her on the back. “You did good, kid.”

“I’m not fifteen anymore, Jamie,” she muttered.

Jess hadn’t noticed us. I slowed my steps, making myself blend into the crowd. It was a skill I’d used to my advantage while I was in the military. One people often found surprising with my large, bulky frame.

The only way Jess would know we were coming was Lexi. I quickly moved further away from her.

I reached Jess’s side and casually leaned against the table next to her. “I’m not sure that’s the right color for you.”

She shrieked, her hands tightened against the fabric, her knuckles turning white. The moment she realized it was me, her amber eyes lit up, a fire surged within their depths. “What the actual fuck, Alden?”

“Really, Jess?” I crossed my arms over my chest and straightened. At six foot four inches, I towered over her. Not that it mattered. My size had never intimidated Jess.

“You wouldn’t listen to reason.” She tapped her foot and continued to glare at me.

“Jess, hi!” Lexi caught up to us and waved.

“Lexi?” Jess’s frown quickly changed. A big smile turned up the corners of her mouth.

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