Page 23 of Second Chance for Mr. Alden

With a sigh she moved a few feet back, her arms now crossed over her chest.

There was no sound coming from the box. It was the size of a coffee table book in width and height. When I carried it to the kitchen, I didn’t hear any rattling coming from inside or any other sound for that matter.

“Hey,” Gage said, entering the kitchen. “Talked to the owner. She wrapped the box and wrote the note.”

“Fuck,” I whispered. “How did they pay?”

“An email, cash was dropped off early this morning in an envelope.” Gage shook his head. “She already tossed the envelope, and the cash was already sent to the bank for their daily deposit.”

I grunted.

“Ohh,” Jess said gleefully from my side. “Then I can eat these? I love anything this company makes. They are amazing!” She ripped off the wrapping paper down to the cream-colored box. The gold letters and logo a stark contrast to the box itself. Jess, now not the least bit afraid, tore open the top with abandon.

Jess loved chocolate. Whoever sent it knew that about her. She lifted the lid and I froze.

The individually placed chocolates were in the shape of a flower.

“Oh,” Jess said softly, running her finger lightly over the nearest one as though tracing the intricate details before gently taking it out and popping it in her mouth.

“Oh?” Her response was off. The enthusiastic chocolate lover had turned solemn. Something wasn’t right. “Not what you were expecting?”

She turned to me and shrugged. “It’s my favorite flower.” Her eyes met mine and refused to look away.

There was something she wanted me to say, but there was no way I could.

“What flower is that?” Gage asked, not feeling the same compulsion to stay silent.

Still holding my gaze Jess responded. “The Arabian jasmine.”

I’d bet anything these chocolates had been specially crafted for Jess.

She and I had met at the Blithewold Gardens in Bristol, Rhode Island. They had a greenhouse we’d both wandered into. Lexi’s class was there on a field trip and Jess was out sightseeing while visiting Jaxon. We’d both been admiring the beautiful collection of Arabian jasmine recently flown in, when Jess introduced herself.

There was no coincidence that this person was sending Jess her favorite flower. Now the real question was whether this person was trying to woo her or scare her. And I didn’t like either of those options.

“Jess, you need to be careful,” I reminded her.

She sighed. “Maybe I was wrong, Alden. It’s been four months and all this time I thought I was attacked. Maybe they really did just want my purse. It could’ve been a random mugging.”

“And feeling like you’re being watched? That’s gone away?” Jess was one of the most perceptive people I knew. If she felt like she was being watched, she was.

Besides, that tingle at the base of my neck was still there. It hadn’t gone away. She was still in danger.

The attack happened right after she’d announced her engagement to Jaxon to her parents, and these presents had started showing up now that her engagement to him was off. This couldn’t be a coincidence.

“It’s not as bad as it was before.” She wouldn’t look directly at me and instead chose a spot just past my left shoulder.

“Jess,” I growled.

“What do you want me to fucking say to you, Alden?” Her gaze sought mine, anger flashing in their depths. She shoved her hands on her hips. “You or Gage have been with me 24/7 for the past four months and nothing has happened. It’s just been a waste ofyourtime andmymoney.”

I cringed. I hated that I let Jess pay me. Ultimately, I didn’t have a choice. I needed to work. I needed the income and if I was protecting her, I couldn’t pick up any other jobs. “You’re wrong,” I ground out.

Jess’s eyes narrowed.

Okay. So I could’ve probably softened what I said.

“Oh, am I?” Jess’s spine straightened and if looks could kill, I’d be dead on her kitchen floor.

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