Page 9 of Bound by Destiny
Jacks shifts on the bed coming closer. “Can’t think of it like that. He’s gone and not comin’ back. You’re free from him. Gotta give yourself your life back, Emery. Gotta grab ahold of what you have and hold on tight. JK only has what power you give him now.”
Words want to come out of my mouth, but suddenly I feel scared that he’ll look at me differently. The truth is he’s never looked at me one way or the other, so whatever I tell him wouldn’t skew his thoughts of me. It’s almost like telling a therapist who doesn’t know you, yet you feel that reassurance that talking to him is the right thing.
Shaking my head, I try to hold back the tears as the floodgates open. The words are like a rapid river and once I start, I can’t stop. “I was such an idiot, Jacks. My dad always told me to keep my focus and watch out for the unfamiliar. I wanted to get home after class because I was hungry and hadn’t eaten all day. And I was looking down, checking things on my phone. I wasn’t thinking about what was going on around me. All I was thinking about was the rumbling in my stomach. I should have seen the large crew cab truck parked next to my car. It would’ve sent up at least some red flags if I had seen it. It’s on me. All of it is on me. I wasn’t paying attention, caught in my own little world that at the end of the day meant nothing. Checking my emails could’ve waited ten minutes until I was locked in my car. I knew better.”
My chest tightens to the point of pain, and my hands tremble. Jacks reaches out and cups mine in his large grasp tightly. “True. You need to make sure you know what’s going on around you. But, babe, JK had a mission and a plan. You could’ve fought, but you’re no match for a taser. He was gonna get you, and there wasn’t a damn thing you could’ve done to stop that.”
He’s right. I know it. It still makes me feel stupid because if I were paying attention I could’ve gone back in the store and called someone. I’d never been tasered before, and it was like my body was struck by lightning and there was no way I could fight back. Everything went black until we got to the damp place he took me.
Stupid. Completely stupid.
“Yeah, but he got me, Jacks, and because he had me he got Austyn. It’s like a domino effect that all started to fall because I didn’t do what I knew to do.”
“And it’s not your fault that Austyn came for you. She’s your ride or die. That woman has your back no matter what. No fire, bomb, or obstacle would keep her from you. He knew that and played on it.”
“Still makes me feel stupid.” His hand squeezes mine providing some warmth and comfort that I need. His eyes are a warm green that looks like a field of grass. Right now, they are showing nothing but compassion and caring.
“You’ll work through it.”
“There you are.” Ryker pops his head into the door scaring the shit out of me, so much I give a small yelp. This time it’s me clutching onto Jacks, not the other way around. I hate being so damn jumpy.
“You scared the shit out of me!”
Ryker smiles coming into the room, looking between Jacks and me. Lord only knows what’s going through that man’s head. Whatever it is, I don’t want to know. Looking behind him, there is no Austyn.
“Where’s Austyn?”
“Work. Look, need to talk to you for a sec.”
Jacks crosses his ankles, leans back on the bed, and keeps a hold of my hand. Shocked, I don’t move, listening to Ryker avidly. It’s very rare that he needs to talk to me, and it could be anything.
“Bought a house for Austyn and me.” My heart pounds in my chest hard, and sweat starts to form on my brow. They’re going to leave the apartment. I’ll be here by myself. Shit. Panic slams into me making it difficult to breathe. Anyone could break into this place that wanted to. Yes, the club has put security measures in place, but having Austyn and Ryker here makes me feel protected. Now, I’ll be here alone with neighbors all around me. I jolt at every damn sound from people I trust. I fear that will get worse being by myself. I don’t know how to do this alone, not right now. “Emery, there’s a house on it that’s yours.”
My thoughts stop momentarily. “What?” I hear the words he’s saying but with the cotton ball I feel like is in my throat, the pounding of my head, and all the testosterone in the room from these two men, I can’t comprehend what he’s telling me.
Ryker smiles the one that makes Austyn fall at his feet. “There’s a place for you to stay. We’re not leaving you here alone.”
Tears well in my eyes. He thought of me while getting my best friend a home to start their lives together. There are no words to express to him how I feel right now. I’m humbled that he even considered me in his future plans with my best friend. And I’m touched that he even gave a shit about my safety to get a place with an extra house just for me.
“Don’t you dare cry,” Ryker says, his eyes narrowing playfully. “Look, you come stay there for as long as you want to live there. It’s two separate houses next to each other. Yours is smaller than ours, but it’s decent size. It’s yours for as long as you want, forever even.”
My mouth opens but nothing comes out. My own house. He got me my own house. Not just living with them. Holy shit, I’m floored. I’m in awe of my best friend. Austyn has a hell of a man, and I’m so damn happy she found her other half.
Jacks squeezes my hand.
“Thank you, Ryker. I’m… speechless.”
Ryker shrugs like he didn’t just do something so fantastic for me. Humble. Damn. “I’m not telling her until this weekend. So your lips are zipped. We’ve gotta few more things to get done. Don’t say a word, Emery,” he tells me seriously. There is no way I’m ruining this surprise. Austyn is going to be so happy. “Just wanted to make you were aware of what was goin’ on.”
I nod. There is no way that I’d say anything and ruin this for her. Nope, I will make sure everything is normal. This is her dream come true, living with the man she has loved since she knew what love was and starting a life with him. Ryker knows his woman, too. She wouldn’t leave me alone here, and that could be another reason why he did what he did. Whatever the reason, I’m good with it all.
“Can’t start packin’ yet,” Ryker says, walking to the door and looking over his shoulder. “Another week we’ll be the fuck out of here, and I can fuck my woman loud.”
A laugh burst from me. They are nowhere near quiet, and I’m pretty sure everyone in a mile radius can hear them. “And here I thought you were bein’ a nice guy.”
“Hell no. I wanna fuck my woman long, hard, and loud. Can’t do it in this place.” Ryker takes off, and I stare at Jacks in astonishment.
“You good with that?” Jacks asks me.
