Brook
Igaze into Jaxson’s soulful, peridot green eyes and really see him. His words went straight to my heart. I’ve been so miserable since I left him that morning. I’ve spent the last few months trying to figure out how to get back to him and away from Uncle Ry and the Club. I kept my pregnancy hidden until I couldn’t hide it any longer.
When the guys found out, I thought they would kill me. Obviously, they didn’t. They did hit me though, every chance they got, especially Rage. And the cruel words they said to me are the worst. I couldn’t take it anymore, the words or the hands on me.
One night when Uncle Ry stopped by drunk and high, I stole some money and Hunter’s number out of his cell. I knew he was the only one that could help me and protect us.
I had no clue when I called him that I would be finding Jaxson again too. When I saw him, I thought I was dreaming and I didn’t want to wake up if it was. My heart shattered the day I left him, and I never thought it would mend, the second I was in his arms it did.
I get what Jules is saying, my brother’s ol’ lady is a smart and beautiful woman. I always wanted my own fairytale prince to save me from the bad men and in a way, he kinda has. I think I did fall in love with him that weekend and when I fell, I fell harder than I ever imagined possible. I left my heart with him that morning and now I have it back, whole, along with his.
I can feel things are going to be ok. I have real men that will protect me and not hurt me or humiliate me. And my daughter will have the life I was meant to have as a child. The life my father, Hunter, tried to give me.
It feels weird to say Hunter is my brother, cause he was my father, he is my father. The first man to truly love me, take care of me, protect me from the evils of the world and even feed me. Calling him daddy, dad... feels right. It feels good and safe. I can’t wait to be a part of his life again and get to know the man he is today.
As for Jaxson, I meant what I said in the room. I’m scared so I want to take things slow. I guess my biggest fear with him is that when he gets to know me, seeing the real me inside, he won’t like me anymore. He’ll throw me to the wayside like all the other men in my life have. The same men that I refused to give myself to, sexually. I saved myself for him I guess you could say. I didn’t know I was doing that until I met him, though. I just never wanted to turn into my mother. Just another whore or punching bag for any man that came through the door. Uncle Ry protected me from all that for a long time, but after taking over the Club and getting into the hard shit I lost him. Chasing the next high became more important than me and what was best for me.
That’s why I rebelled and ran away last October with my friend Laurel. Well not anymore, bitch sold me out when we got home from that trip. I chose Florida for a reason, to find my brother. Never did, I found Jaxon instead and got lost in him. I was so close to finding him, and I had no idea. If I had only opened myself up more to Jaxson, I would have found him sooner. And saved me all the mental and physical abuse in the process.
Life lesson learned the hard way.
“Did you mean it? You really felt that way when I left you?” I ask Jaxson needing to know the truth. I can see it in his eyes, though, he did. He’s a good man, an honorable man, a lover not a fighter. A real man that would never hurt a woman in any way. That’s all the things my heart is telling me, but my head is saying beware, man bad.
“Yea, angel, every word,” he says, and his look softens. He brings his hand up to the side of my face and cups my cheek. He must see what I’m hiding in my eyes. “It’s ok if you don’t feel the same way, in time you will. Like I said before, I’m not goin’ anywhere. You’re in the lead and I’ll follow...”
I cut him off, placing my index finger to his lips to shut him up and correct him. I feel the same way, I’m just shocked. Now it’s my turn to express myself, something I don’t do very often, if at all.
“That’s not it at all. The morning I left you, I didn’t want to leave you. I had planned to stay with you and not go home. Laurel texted me around four saying the guys knew we left and if we didn’t get to the airport soon and home, Rage was coming for me. I found out when I got home the bitch was fucking him and sold me out, telling him I ran away and wasn’t coming home. Anyway, that’s why I left. I didn’t want him to come after you and hurt you or worse,” I say and take a deep breath. I place his other hand on my belly, holding it there with mine. I can feel everyone’s eyes in the cage on me as I speak my truth.
“Biggest mistake of my life. When I got home he beat me so bad, I ended up in the hospital with a couple of broken ribs. Luckily, he didn’t hurt the baby. When I got home they locked me in the attic for a couple of weeks. Then, I was able to go back to work, but the beatings and verbal harassment never stopped.
“Anyway, from that day on, I felt empty and broken inside more than ever before. I missed you like crazy. When I found out a couple of months ago I was pregnant, I knew she was yours. Rage may have beat me and stole my money, but he never fucked me. I never let that dirty, old, nasty man near me.
“Finding out about her, knowing I had a piece of you growing inside me, gave me the strength I needed to fight. I never knew what it was to love someone until I felt my Angel kick me for the first time. You saved me, our daughter saved me. I never thought I would find you again. When I saw you, I thought I was in a dream and didn’t want it to end. When you took me in your arms, my broken heart healed. I don’t know what all this means for us.” I stop and swallow hard.
“I don’t know how to do anything but fight to survive, but I want to try and have a relationship with you. Not just for the baby, I want to be close to you. I thought my dad was the only man I would feel safe with, not the case anymore. I feel safe with you, in your arms. I can see the real man you are in your eyes. Even your brothers up there, they don’t have the devil in their eyes like Rage, Uncle Ry, and his men. You’re all good and light and they’re evil and dark.
“Please, don’t prove me wrong and just be patient with me. I want to trust you, it’s just going to take me time.” I want to kiss him again, but I’m not sure I should. He can read me like a book, though, and I’m not sure if I like that or not.
He leans closer to me and in my ear, he says, “You want to kiss me, don’t you, angel.” I bite my lip and when he pulls back a little I look into his eyes and nod. He comes closer again and kisses me, sweet at first, then my hunger takes over, moving my hand from his cheek to his neck, and pulling him closer to me. My tongue forces him to open for me and I deepen the kiss. We make out in the back seat with all eyes on us. I want more, but I remember we have an audience. He breaks the kiss first and leans back into my ear.
“When I claimed you, that gave you permission to kiss me anytime you want. My lips are yours and any part of me that you desire. You can take what you want, angel,” he whispers for only me to hear. Before leaving me, he places a sweet kiss on my forehead.
We stop for food after that and some supplies for the road at Walmart. Once we get what we need; pillows, blankets and some more snacks and drinks; we hit the road.
The baby and I are full and ready to sleep for the night. Jaxson seizes me, placing me across his lap and I get comfortable. He cocoons me in the blanket and before long, I’m out.
As I sleep I wonder if I can truly be happy? If I can make Jaxson and our little girl happy? Maybe I’m delusional and just like my life, I’ll never get my fairytale and live happily ever after. Only time will tell, right?