Page 19 of Saving Salem
Jack hesitated for a moment, taking in what Samuel had said. “Salem said she recognized the knife.” He blew out a breath, adding, “Said it’s the one Tarik used when he cut her face.”
“Damn, that’s cold. We really need to get the Amirs off her back.” Etienne stood. “I’m going to do a bit of digging, boss. Be back later.” Without another word, he was gone.
“Me, too. I’ll be online if you need me.” Stefan was the next to leave.
“Do you or Salem need anything? I’ve got a couple of our guys watching the apartment for the next few days. I’m also having Stefan drop by and install a security system and cameras. I know Salem won’t like it, and she’s gonna try and fight me on it, but I don’t care. Tell her it’s either that or I’m moving you all someplace where I can monitor you twenty-four seven.” Samuel grinned, adding, “She’ll hate that idea, too, which is why I’d suggest it first.”
“I was going to ask about security anyway, so glad it’s already being handled. I’d like to get her to stay home, but she insists she’s going in to work tomorrow.”
Samuel and Jean-Luc exchanged a glance. “Figured she’d want that. Ever since she got free of Tarik, she’s become pigheaded. Determined she’s going to make her own way without asking for help. I’ll make sure we’ve got somebody watching Max’s place and the coffee shop. It’ll be your job to keep an eye on her when she’s not working.”
“Sounds good.”
“Head on home. Get situated, spend some time with your bride. If you need to take a couple of days, do it. I want Salem to feel safe, like she’s got her life under control. If we get any updates about the Amirs heading this way, you’ll be the first to know. Plan on starting here full time on Monday.”
“Thank you, Samuel.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll earn your keep around here soon enough.”
With that, Jack headed toward home. He couldn’t wait to see Salem and Chloe. He’d already fallen head over heels for the sweet little girl, and he was pretty sure he felt the same way about her mama. And he’d made it his job to keep her safe, so she’d have to chance to hopefully fall for him too. Only time would tell.
CHAPTER NINE
Juggling Chloe’s carrieralong with the handles of the plastic bags from the grocery, Salem fumbled with the keys. They fell from her hand onto the welcome mat in front of her apartment’s door. So far, her day had been fraught with nothing but problems, until she wanted nothing more than to get into the apartment, get Chloe settled with lunch, and put her feet up. A long nap would be perfect, but that wasn’t in the cards.
With a long sigh, she bent forward, noticing the plain manilla envelope the keyring sat upon. She eyed it for a couple of seconds, and considered calling Jack, but it was his first day at Carpenter Security, and honestly, how much damage could an envelope do? It was just paper. Scooping up the envelope and her keys, she finally got the door open and walked in, tossing the envelope and the keys on the console table by the front door.
“Hey, sweet pea, Mama’s going to get you some lunch after she puts the food away. Would you like that?”
She chuckled at Chloe’s happy gurgling sounds, her tiny fists waving in the air. How had she ended up with such an adorable and precious angel? There was no question she’d been blessed, considering who her father was.
It only took a couple minutes to put away the groceries she’d bought. She’d needed to stock up on more food once she was settled, because all the perishables were gone, but she’d do an online shop for that. The bigger grocery stores made it so much easier to get things delivered now, which meant not taking a baby with her every time she needed to pick up supplies. Today, she’d wanted to get out of the house for a little bit, since images of Chloe bleeding kept popping into her head. For the first time in the past year, she’d been afraid, and it was a feeling she hated. Having finally settled into a normal life, with a job with Max and Theresa that she liked, she felt like she was moving forward, away from the terror that consumed her for far too long. Now, all it took was dealing with the Amirs to bring everything rushing back.
Shaking her head to push away the memories, she grabbed a couple of eggs from the fridge and scrambled them, separating out a small portion for Chloe’s lunch, and added some cheese and a little ham to hers. Slicing a banana into small pieces, she placed that onto the blue plastic plate which had become Chloe’s favorite, and added the rest of the banana to her own plate.
Unhooking Chloe from the carrier, she lifted her, swinging her around and around until she was screaming with delight. Salem loved being a mother, wouldn’t change it for the world. The only thing she worried about was Chloe growing up an only child. She’d had her big brother to tease and torment her, but he’d also been there for her all the way through school, when she’d gone off to college and he’d been in the military. Maybe she should give him a call, let him know…no, probably not a good idea to get him involved with all her drama. He had enough on his own plate at the moment.
Quickly buckling Chloe into her highchair, she placed the blue plastic plate in front of her, smiling when Chloe’s hands immediately began smashing the chunks of banana. It squished between her little fingers before the fingers went straight to her mouth.
She carried her plate to the small table and sat, picking up her fork to take a bite when she heard the front door open. Looking up, she spotted Jack.
“Hi. How’d it go at work?”
“Good. Met the boss face-to-face as well as a few of the guys who work there.” He looked down at Chloe’s mess of mushed banana and finger-encrusted scrambled eggs. She waved at him before banging on the highchair tray, making a mess. Jack didn’t seem to notice, leaning down to drop a brief kiss atop her head.
“We’re just having lunch. Can I fix you something?”
Shaking his head, he pulled the other chair out and sat, facing her. “I’m good. I did find out a couple of things while I was at C.S.S. I’ll update you, but go ahead and finish your lunch.”
“That’s okay, I’m finished. Don’t seem to have much of an appetite anyway.” Getting up, she rinsed her plate and put it in the dishwasher. It felt strange to have a man in her space. It was rare that anybody spent time in her apartment, and in the past twenty-four hours she’d had more company than she’d had in the past six months. Usually, the only person who stopped by was Gabi.
Yet having Jack there felt right. In an odd way it felt like he belonged there, with her and Chloe. It was a strange yet exhilarating feeling, making her insides tingle, come alive in a way she hadn’t felt in a very long time.
Grabbing a washcloth, she wiped Chloe’s face, chuckling at the fact that she ended up with more food on her than in her. But she wanted to feed herself, had for the past month. Some days she got downright stubborn, refusing to take a bite until Salem gave in and let her poke around with her chubby hands, stuffing bite after bite into her mouth.
“Time for your nap, sweet pea.” She could see Chloe’s eyelids drooping. It was a little later than her normal nap time. Heck, her whole schedule was off after the last two weeks. Between spending time in Shiloh Springs, where she was spoiled rotten by Ms. Patti and the rest of the Boudreau women, she’d been held, pampered, and coddled. Now she was home, and things were hopefully going to return to a normal schedule, since Salem would need to go back to work soon.
“I’ll be right back, just let me put her down for her nap. She’s had a long day. She’ll probably be out like a light.”
