Chapter Eight
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Jada couldn’t remember crying so much since her mother had died. It made no sense. David wasn’t a boyfriend, a lover, or anything else. He was, as he had told her, there on business. Even when he came to see her at her father’s home, it was for one purpose only: to ensure she would be safe going forward.
She was tired of everyone trying to take care of her. It wasn’t necessary, and she felt smothered. She was capable of taking care of herself. Yes, she had people who did her hair and makeup, and her manager planned her itinerary so all she had to do was show up. But those were all perks of the job. And even those got on her nerves occasionally.
Jada was tired. Tired of it all. She needed to disappear for a while. Even David had a place he went to regroup. That’s all I need. A few days alone.
Picking up her phone, she made the one call she never thought she would. Her manager answered on the first ring. Of course, he did. I make him a lot of money.
“Jada, my love, what can I do for you?”
He was great at his job, but she hated how casually he spoke to her. After all these years of her keeping it professional, you’d think he’d take the hint. But she couldn’t have it all, could she? He got her all the best bookings and contracts. Jada learned early on in this business there were certain things you had to accept. Like his obnoxious flirting.
“My schedule is open for a few days. I need you to make sure it stays that way. No photo shoots, no meeting with clients. And absolutely no interviews.” It was the first time she’d ever made those requests, so she was sure the questions were coming.
“Please don’t tell me you’re running away with that man.”
What man? Then she remembered everyone still thought David was her lover. She wasn’t sure how David would feel about her continuing the lie to her benefit, but he wasn’t there to ask.
“As a matter of fact, we want a little time alone. I’m sure you understand.”
“How romantic. Don’t forget you need to be in Las Vegas in three days. If you’re late, heads will roll, but I won’t say a word about this.”
“Great.” Jada honestly didn’t care if he did or not. And she was pretty sure he would intentionally leak the story to the media.
Jada had every intention of disappearing before that happened. She was going off the grid, as David would call it. Although she wanted seclusion, she didn’t want quite as much as his cabin offered. She wanted someplace that had hot water and a Jacuzzi. Maybe a place with massage tables, soft music, and a bed so soft it would cuddle her.
Jada knew just the place: a small bed-and-breakfast in an 1845 Victorian home with a deep cast iron claw-foot tub perfect for a bubble bath. The rooms were inviting and filled with alluring antiques from that era. The only modern things in the place were the Jacuzzi and the electrical system. It was perfect. No one would look for her there. And she had a rapport with the owner, who to date had never told anyone she frequented there.
As soon as she hung up with her manager, Jada called to confirm there were vacancies. It was off-season and in the middle the week. Just as she’d hoped, she had the place to herself. She had already told her father she was heading back to work. That was partially true; she was working on herself. It was one of the most important things she could do.
At moments like these, Jada wished she had a few girlfriends she could call and ask to join her. She liked her solitude, but sometimes she envied what the younger models seemed to have. Friendship. Rapport. Ease. Had she ever felt that in her sixteen years in the business? Sixteen years. Where had that time gone? Was David right? Was it time to bow out and pursue other interests? Wasn’t it preferable to leave on her own terms while she was on top, rather than slowly lose her shine? Her allure? But what would I do? Where do I start?
It was a few hours’ drive farther north, but it was a beautiful drive. She made it through the White Mountains and stopped a few miles south of the Canadian border. Before long she was checked in and soaking in the tub. Jada felt as though every muscle in her body was sore. She knew it was from tensing up when David had grabbed her and pinned her to the floor. He had taken care to show her exactly how to break free. Jada thought she’d memorized it. She had replayed it over and over in her head before he actually made his move. But when the time came, and David had her trapped beneath him, she’d panicked. Her heart had felt as though it was going to explode, and she couldn’t breathe. Although Dennis had never hurt her, Jada couldn’t stop thinking about the women he had. The story of how he had abused them, tortured them, and even killed some, wasn’t something she would ever forget. David had refuse to tell her everything, but her father had broken down. Maybe he’d told her because he wanted his baby girl to understand how evil some people could be. No matter, she couldn’t get it out of her mind.
She counted her blessings she wasn’t one of his victims, but her heart broke for those who had been. David had told her they hadn’t been women he’d dated, or married, or had any actual connection with. They were women he had stalked. Like herself, none of them probably knew what had been coming. Are we blind to the danger that’s lurking right in front of us?
It was hard knowing that if Dennis had attacked her, she would have been defenseless. Now she was more prepared after David taught her some of his life-saving maneuvers, but they would do her no good if she froze. I will be just like them.
The steam from the hot water in the tub kept her from feeling the burning tears pouring down her cheeks. This was the perfect place to let all the pain and sadness out. Back home, her father would’ve worried, and in a hotel she would’ve worried about puffy eyes later. Here nobody judged her. And nobody had a clue, not even her father, where she was.
When the water cooled she wrapped herself in the extra-large terrycloth robe and crawled into bed. She couldn’t believe how exhausted she was. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she felt her eyes growing heavy. She had brought a book she wanted to read. There were things she wanted to double-check about the show in Las Vegas. But neither took place because sleep quickly overtook her.
“I’m really concerned.”
“What has you freaking out? Dennis Peckham is in jail,” Gabe asked over the video chat session.
David wasn’t sure. He hadn’t been the same since he’d left her two nights ago. He picked up the phone several times, debating whether he should call her or Paul, and decided on neither. He’d finished the job, but something told him it wasn’t over. This uncertainty is why you’re not supposed to get personally involved. It fucks with your judgment.
“Has anything changed?”
“I’ve hacked into her manager’s computer and her itinerary remains the same.”
David wasn’t sure if that was good or bad. He had tried telling her to change things up, and obviously she hadn’t listened. Yet, the fact that she had not canceled any future shows demonstrated she wasn’t a quitter. That I didn’t traumatize her to the point where I broke her.
“Then I guess I should make arrangements and fly out to meet Rafe and the others.”
“They’ve got it covered. Want to take a few days? This assignment seems to have rattled you.”
Time off was the last thing David needed. If he wanted it or needed it, he’d take off to the cabin. Right now, that place would only remind him of Jada. When he had walked in there and found Bill in the room with Jada barely dressed, he’d almost lost his fucking mind. He hadn’t cared if it was one of his veteran brothers. It almost put him in a blind rage of jealousy. Bill, obviously, had picked up on that and had defused it with his expected sense of humor, but that hadn’t changed the fact that the jealousy had been there.
It was the same feeling he’d had when they held Peckham in that garage. But rather than jealousy, it was anger and hate that had filled him. David prided himself on always being in complete control. It’s what a sniper needed to perform his job accurately. If emotions got away from him, he would second-guess what he needed to do, and it could cost lives.
“Just get me the information where I need to be.”
Gabe laughed. “How about I book you and Jada a room in the Poconos? Since the world believes you’re her lover, you may as well have a little fun.”
Gabe could never resist giving any of them a few digs. David figured it was because he had to spend so many hours sitting at a desk looking at computers, and he was bored. But joking about Jada wasn’t wise.
“That ship has sailed.”
“So you believe. But it seems that you and Jada are what is hot and trending right now.”
Trending? That wasn’t a military term he used with the team. I hate those damn social media terms. “Tell it to me in English.”
“I just sent you a link. Click on it. I think it’s better than anything I can explain,” Gabe said with a huge grin on his face.
David waited until he heard the ding saying he received a message. When he clicked on it, it took him to a national tabloid page where the headline read LOVE IS IN THE AIR. No problem except for the picture of Jada and him. This photo was more recent than the first photo, and his clothing was casual. He was wearing a tight fitting black T-shirt with a pair of blue jeans. There was nothing relaxed about him but his clothing. The location was the hallway to the event in Miami. He hadn’t seen any paparazzi lingering, which meant they’d snagged it off the security cameras.
“Find out who leaked that picture.” David needed to put an end to this. “I’ll reach out to Jada and coordinate a statement on our behalf.”
“Would you like me to write a statement for you? Public speaking has never been your forte,” Gabe said while laughing. “I’m glad you didn’t take payment for this job, because it looks like you enjoyed it too damn much.”
David closed the laptop. That was all he could take of Gabe for one night. It was a lot of fun at family gatherings, but he could not take business seriously, and it pissed David off. Especially when the topic is me.
He had been debating whether or not he should contact Jada. This new development answered that question. There was no way he would allow the rumors to continue to fly. David called Jada’s number, but it immediately went to voicemail. He hadn’t been with her very long, but he’d never seen her shut her phone down. Even when they were at an event, she would have it on silent. When he’d questioned Jada about it, she said a missed call was a missed opportunity. That hadn’t made much sense because she had a manager who supposedly took care of everything. Was Jada checking on what her manager was doing? Didn’t she trust him to do his job? Probably not. She didn’t trust me to do mine.
David didn’t play on social media but Jada tweeted every day. There were still posts, but once again, they could be from her manager. Can’t believe anything you read or see on the web.
Without being able to reach Jada, David tried Paul.
“Hello, Mr. Hope. I was looking for Jada and wasn’t sure if she was still with you.”
“Sorry, David, but she left. She was heading back to her hotel to prepare for the next job. I’m not sure where that is, but her manager would know.”
Jada was on a tight schedule. What made her want to leave on her own? Especially with everything I told you? Do you think because Peckham is behind bars you’re safe? Peckham was just one scumbag. They are everywhere. David knew his own paranoia was getting the best of him. She was a grown woman and had taken care of herself thus far. He should trust her judgement to continue doing so.
That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to see her. Gabe had provided her schedule. She was due in Las Vegas tomorrow. That’s not where he wanted to go, but if one wanted to blend in, Vegas would do it.
“I need to ask a favor, David,” Paul said. “Jada wasn’t herself when she left. She won’t admit it, but what happened with Dennis Peckham affected her deeply. I wanted her to stay, but she said she needed to go and focus on work. I don’t know what you think, but being alone right now is not what she needs.”
David agreed. Jada had a lot of information to process in a short amount of time. He had forgotten for a moment she lived in a bed of roses world that was now asking her to sleep in a bed of thorns. Wherever you are, I’m sure this is difficult.
“She’s stronger than either of us gives her credit.”
“David, I know how strong my daughter is. But I also know she didn’t expect to care for you. I believe you’re the one person who can help her through this.”
David didn’t want to hear that Jada cared about him. Needed him. It was a connection he intentionally avoided. That’s why he’d left so suddenly. He wasn’t able to trust his own actions, and he didn’t want to cloud her feelings by leading her on. Though Jada was no longer in immediate danger, she still needed someone. There were only a few people she would open up and talk to, who would understand what she was feeling. Definitely not her coworkers. Although David believed Paul was better suited for this than he was.
“I’ll see what I can do. No promises. But I will make sure Jada knows I’m here if she wants to talk.”
“I genuinely appreciate everything you have done, David. Jada is all I have. And until you came along, I was all she had too.”
David had no idea what Paul thought he’d seen between him and Jada, but he was way off. There was a physical attraction. He would have to be dead not to see how beautiful she was. And he was also attracted to her strength, her determination, her dry sense of humor, and so much more. Dammit. David knew he wanted to see Jada whether she needed him or not.
“I’ll be in contact.” David ended the call. He had some thinking to do. He’d made a promise he’d be there for Jada whenever she needed him. He’d envisioned protecting her from physical harm. How could he be there for her emotionally when all he knew was how to bury his own? Maybe I should tell her to build a cabin. But to make sure it has a proper bed and a real shower otherwise she’ll never relax enough to regroup.
David debated whether or not he should go to her today. She still had the hotel room in Miami and was scheduled for a show tomorrow in Las Vegas. Paul said she needed him, but Paul didn’t see the look in her eyes when they had parted. It wasn’t going to be as easy as walking up to Jada and giving her a hug to make things better. If so, he would hug her every day of her life. But the truth was she might not be welcoming when she saw him. Jada had been on an emotional roller coaster since they first met. David was sure she wanted off the ride. He would need to choose his words wisely in order to avoid causing more pain.
It’s been decided. David would fly to Las Vegas, and he would wait until after her show before he reached out to her again. Pushing her now could cause her to spiral even further. At some point, David knew it would become difficult for her to function during her shows. So he would wait. One more day wasn’t going to change a thing for either of them. If anything, time would only help them both think more clearly when and if they finally met up. This is not about me. This is about what’s best for Jada and what she needs. And David knew he was not that.