Page 59 of Fight for You
A bullet tore through the backseat upholstery and straight intothe radio. Rebel moaned, and I shrieked. The motion-activated gate opened. Jamie careened through and made a tight turn into an alley. A couple of moments later, he slid onto a city street and flew down the road.
Sometime later, a bank sign we passed indicated it was nearly two hours after our escape from Dominguez Hills. That was before we climbed halfway up a narrow mountain road. The vehicle idled, tucked behind a maintenance shed half hidden by brush. Below us, the city glimmered in a sea of amber and white. What city? I didn’t know. I hadn’t said a word to Jamie, though. Still didn’t know how to comfort a man with my mouth in a way that would lead to a strong bond.
Jamie got out of the car and strolled around the front. Hair like chaos obstructed most of his face as he placed his palms onto the swoop of the hood. Then came the fists. One hit. Two. A third, vicious fist against the pretty white streak.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. I should probably save Leith’s car. He did, after all, help save me. The first time.Gah, my day’s free was zilch. I got out slowly, arms wrapped around myself. The chilly air nipped straight through my hoodie. “Ja?—”
“What the hell was I thinking?” He looked up at me from his leaned position, forearms and biceps bulging from the strain beneath his—no longer white—Henley. “I was not thinking. I left them. Left them. Mybràthairs!” Wild acrimony leaped from his chest, then a fist pounded that spot.
“They wanted you to go.”
“You don’t get it, JorJor.” Though I delighted in the way my nickname exited his lips, his jaw remained clenched, voice hoarse. “I left them.”
I peppered his square chin with kisses. An angry muscle kicked beneath my only endeavor to console him. “They’re the good guys. Like you. They told you to protect me.”
“What if they’re dead?” He roughed a hand over his face. “They’re dead, and I’ve treated them like crap. Practically ripped Brody a new one while saying he or my dad got the cops involved.”
“Let’s call them.”
“I did.”
Did he?
“You dozed off a few times, Jordyn.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Called them a few times too. Four, to be precise.”
I grimaced. “I’m sor?—”
“Don’t apologize.” The rage drained from him. Drained enough that I could tell he could think now.
“Where are we?”
“Halfway up Big Bear. My family has a cabin.”
“Well, Mr. UC Santa Barbara Master’s Degree, who loves lists, we have three options. We can post here while you tell me about this uncle-person who’s a cop. Two, same scenario, different scene. You chat while driving up these windy curves. Three, same scenario, but we chat over breakfast after we sleep for a week.”
We didn’t quite makeit a week. But we slept for two days. On Monday, I could hardly keep my eyes open, even in the shower. Today, I awoke to whispered voices. I slid from the bed and walked around the pallet Jamie had made for himself on the floor. I gave one last look at the blankets he’d rather sleep in on the ground than at my side. The doubt and confusion I swam in because I loved a man after vowing to hate them all clawed at my chest.
I heaved a breath to ease my constricted throat, shook my head, and strolled into the hallway. The upper level of the a-frame cabin overlooked a two-story massive glass wall. Yep. A cabin on steroids, which I’d barely previewed yesterday in between bites of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich—my only meal for the day. Sunrays streamed in and framed a picturesquelake. No, why should I play myself? That lake, although appearing warm and inviting, would leave me with shattered teeth.
It seemed so peaceful in December. A dusting of snow fell during our arrival last night. With the sun shining today, looks could be deceiving.
Below, somewhere, Jamie continued to speak. I glanced back at the bedroom we shared. The bed, not so much. An icy feeling overcame my heart. Jamie said he could desire me. And I wanted to respect him and his body. Not doing so made me as bad as the traffickers that used mine. But surely he had to know I had needs. Heck, if he wanted to marry me this very minute, I’d officiate myself.
Could I officiate it and be the bride? Dang, I was a mess. If I took my last breath today, I’d be satisfied with that large hunk of a man.
“Is that all you need?” Jamie spoke into the receiver, strolling into the living room spread out below.
His choice words almost made me do a double take. Though he’d spoken into the phone, it felt like he meant the words for me.Jordy, stop being so desperate!
Jamie looked up at me and smiled in a way that set my soul on fire. Or left my heart ten degrees colder than Antarctica because I couldn’t have him this very instant. Yes, I understood him a lot more after our argument at his family business, but a woman still had dreams. Jamie continued to speak in a tone too low to hear, then pressed the Off button.
“Your brothers?”
“No. My old CO.” When my brows perched, he added, “Commanding Officer. I gave him Uncle”—the vein in his forehead pulsed—“Nolan’s name. He saw me on the news, apparently. Reached out about the altercation. Now, we have someone on our side who can help us. My brothers are good, by the way. They spent the rest of the night in the business’ basement.”
“Ah, the good old trapdoor-and-festive-holiday-rug trick.” I nodded.
“Yep. Serves a purpose.” He then licked his lips. “What? You’re thinking?”
