Page 37 of Stephan

Stephan

I was alerted when the gates opened and stoodwaiting at the kitchen’s garage entrance. Brand was at the hospitalwith Owen, they’d been hit by bullets while protecting Derick andJade. I was furious with myself for not being there. What the hellhad happened? Who the hell had shot at my woman and brother?

Dad had been on the phone with my uncles forthe last half an hour eliminating suspects. The annoying thing wasthe list of who it could be was growing quite large.

The SUV drove into the garage and parked. Ididn’t even wait until David turned it off before I opened the backdoors. Derick sat with his arms around Jade. I didn’t care he wastouching Jade. I just needed to know she was all right. Derick gotout and I gathered Jade to me, surprised when she clung to my bodysnuggling into my embrace. Lifting her, I cradled Jade in my arms,went to the family room, and sat on the sofa.

“I heard your evening got even more eventful.Are you hurt anywhere?” I ran my hands over her checking she wassafe and needing to touch her, to feel her.

“Just grazed knees and shook up, otherwiseunhurt. How is Brand and the other guy…Owen?”

“They’ll be fine.” I didn’t know how much sheknew so I didn’t say they were shot but will be okay.

Mum rushed in. “Oh are you both alright?” Shegathered Derick, who had just come into the room, to her lookinghim over. “You look safe. What about you, Jade?” Mum gazed atJade.

“I’m safe. Brand covered me when the shootingstarted. I have lived in the neighborhood all my life. I’ve neverbeen shot at before. I don’t even think I’ve ever heard shots.”

Mum came over and patted Jade’s legs. “You’resafe here, sweetie. I hope you never have to hear that soundagain.”

“I’d like to say thank you to Brand. It’snice of him to protect me when I’m not a Silverman.”

“Argh, Stephan’s right. You don’t listen. Itold you in the car you’re a Silverman now.”

I chuckled at Derick.

“Little bit, Derick’s right. You’re aSilverman and extremely important to me. I’m glad Brand protectedyou. He would have been in trouble if he didn’t.”

Mum kissed Jade’s cheek. “Stephan and Derickare right. You’re a part of this family now, Jade, which means ourbodyguards protect you with their lives too.”

Jade didn’t say anything for a while and Ienjoyed having her in my arms. My mum left, and Derick turned onthe TV flicking through the cable stations

“Why haven’t I seen your bodyguards before?”Jade broke the quiet.

“They’re hidden. We don’t have them follow usat the school. The school has high security. We have a lot of highprofile kids so we put money together and the school is very hightech. Did you notice we have the high fences around it with wire atthe tops? We also have cameras everywhere.”

“How can you have all that in a publicschool?”

“The cameras and safety things are whatparents have provided. The government hasn’t spent any money. Theydid look at building a private school, but with all the costs andmaintenance it works out cheaper and easier to change the school.Everyone has been grateful for the extra safety and all the betterquality things they get. It’s why the school gets the best teachersand with the parents on the richer side we have the best ofeverything, so the lower income families get the goods too.”

“Everything you’ve said makes sense Isuppose. I guess I need to take more notice of my surroundings. Inever really noticed what you’re saying.”

I shrugged. “You’re not meant to notice.You’re a student so you wouldn’t have been questioned by any of theundercover bodyguards.” I didn’t want to scare her more than she’dalready been scared but I wanted Jade to know she was safe. “You’resafe at the school. We’ve never had any incidents where we’veneeded the security. It’s all just a precaution. I’m sure tonightwas nothing and you were just caught in some gang fight.” I waslying, but I didn’t want Jade to worry.

“If you say so.” She hugged me and I held hertight, calming my ragged nerves. I couldn’t let anything happen toher ever again. I wouldn’t let anything happen.

*****

It was late and I didn’t want to move. Ididn’t want to let Jade go.

“We have school in the morning. I still wantto go. But…well…can I sleep with you…in your bed? I um…I’ll bewearing a nighty and…er…you could put me back in my own bed once Ifall asl—”

I was so shocked Jade asked to sleep in mybed it took me a moment to respond. “Jade of course you can sleepwith me. You know, I would have had you back in my bed as soon asyou got here almost a week ago.”

She sighed. “I know. I’m doing it tonightbecause I was scared and you make me feel safe. I need thattonight.”

I was willing to take her, however, she waswilling to come to me. Jade eased off my lap and stretched, pushingher shoulders back and her chest out—tempting me. . My body ached,reminding me it had been weeks without any satisfaction. But oddlyenough I didn’t care. All I cared about was making sure Jade washappy and cared for. When she was ready it would make it all thebetter.

Jade walked toward the stairs and I got up tofollow. She went into her room and I walked to my own putting in mycode and leaving the door open for Jade. I went to the bathroom anddid my business, coming back to bed, stripping and getting into thecovers. Jade came in not long after in silk pink shorts and a whitecotton tank top. Her hair was in a plait and she had a fresh cleanface. She went to the opposite side of the bed from me and climbedonto it.

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