Chapter Seven
Jenna
I can’t believe Jax is standing in front of me, holding our son with tears in his eyes. I have dreamed of this moment—prayed for it—and now I’m afraid it will all be taken away from me again. Jax’s visit to Bourne might be nothing more than nostalgia, and not because he still has feelings for me.
I’m sure he wasn’t expecting to meet a son he didn’t know existed. Jax’s face is full of mixed emotions, and I can’t blame him for being angry, hurt, and confused by all of this.
I had never planned to keep Cory from Jax, but my father didn’t give me choices in any part of my life.
“You live in New York City?” Cory asks.
“That’s right, I do,” Jax smiles at him.
His ease with Cory makes my heart swell. I can see their instant connection.
“Mama taught me that’s where the Statue of Liberty is.”
“Do you want to see it?” Jax asks.
Cory’s eyes light up.
“Yeah!”
“Well, start packing, buddy,” Jax says, placing Cory down.
“Jax, we can’t…”
“Aw, come on, Mama,” Cory whines.
“Go inside and get a snack while I talk to your dad, okay?”
Cory groans but runs back toward the house.
“He’s a sweet kid. You did a good job with him, Jen,” Jax says.
I miss hearing my name on his lips. Trying not to melt into those lips when there is so much more to be said is the hard part.
“You can’t just come here and take him, Jax,” I sigh.
“Why not? He’s my son.”
I swallow. “This is the only home Cory knows.”
If we leave, I am terrified that my father will hunt us down. He still has control over me. I hate that his money and his political connections wipe out my own free will.
Jax puts his hands on my hips and pulls me into him. He feels the fear throughout my body.
“I can take care of him. I can take care of both of you,” he says.
Jax is confused by my hesitance. His voice sounds hurt that I would question his ability to care for his son and me. I stare at his gorgeous face before trailing my eyes down his body. He sure wears the hell out of a suit. His shoulders look broader than I remember them being.
I want to fall into his arms and never let go. This is what I had hoped for—that Jax would find a way back to me someday. Now, that day has arrived, and I’m too afraid of the consequences to act.
I stare back into those deep blue eyes, thinking about our love and about Cory’s future. What kind of life will he have in Bourne if we stay? What kind of restrictions will my father put on my son like he’s done to me?
As if trying to convince me, Jax pulls me closer. Our chests mash against each other as we kiss. His lips press against mine, and his tongue demands entry. I am weak as my mouth opens for him. His hands move around to my ass, and he squeezes.
“Are you afraid of me?”
The question takes me by surprise as I look up at him.
“Why would I be afraid of you?”
“You’re shaking,” he states, rubbing my arms.
He doesn’t know that my fear has nothing to do with him and everything to do with my father.
“You’re coming with me. This has always been my plan—our plan. I won’t watch from a distance while my son grows up. Your father can’t keep me from him. Or from you.”
Jax takes my hand and pulls me toward the house, not giving me a chance to argue. His grip is firm as he boldly heads into the house he was banned from—the same one I’ve been restricted to.
We walk inside through the kitchen and into the hallway. Ulrich, our butler, sees us.
“Miss Jones, your father strictly said that there are to be no visitors while he is away.”
“Did he also say no lights?” Jax asks, looking around at our dark mansion.
“Cory is the only thing that lights this place up,” I say meekly.
Jax looks at me, but I quickly head upstairs, not wanting to linger.
“Mama, I’m all packed!”
Cory is standing in the hallway with a backpack full of model airplanes. I can’t help but laugh, and Jax does too.
“I can buy whatever clothes either of you need. Just pack the essentials,” Jax says, brushing away any remaining tears from my eyes.
I sniffle and nod, heading toward my bedroom. Jax and Cory talk about airplanes as I pack. I look around the place. The curtains are drawn closed, the windows are locked, and the lightbulbs have been removed.
I take a deep breath. My father may have power, but allowing Jax to know his son is worth the risk of him abusing that power. I believe Jax when he says that he can take care of us.
I make sure to pack the few baby photos of Cory I had managed to print when my father was away from home, along with some clothes, into a duffle bag.
“You’re leaving?”
Bianca is standing in the doorway. Her face is covered in concern and regret.
“I’ve stayed too long, don’t you think?”
“I won’t stop you, Jenna. You and that little boy deserve to be happy.”
I nod. “Thank you for being my friend and for sneaking us out to the lake today.”
Bianca hugs me, and I see Jax over her shoulder. He is looking around the house, and I know he is putting the pieces together. This house is nothing more than a prison for our son and me.
Part of me wishes this old plantation house would burn to the ground so that I would never have to see it again. The history of this place is filled with lies, deceit, and abuse. From the slave owners who had originally owned it down to Martin Jones, nothing decent has ever come from this land.
Except for Cory.
Instant joy fills my chest upon realizing that Cory won’t be stuck here. Even if Jax is dirt poor, Cory will have a good life with him as a father.
Jax is finally here. But why now? Why had he left without me? Where has he been the last seven years?