“I’m fine. Really, he just scared me. But I’ll be okay, I promise. You didn’t have to come here. You can go—I just need to get inside and wash today off,” I say in a rush, trying to downplay everything. Whatever this is right now between us is what got me in this mess in the first place.
Axel’s eyes flare with fury. “You think I’m going to leave you here without me? Absolutely not. They know who you are now. You’re a part of this because of the club. The Reapers think you have ties to us and showed tonight that they’re willing to go to any length to get what they want—even harassing you at a fucking school.” His jaw twitches with rage as he tries to keep his cool.
I place my hands on his chest and look up into his eyes. His jaw ticks again as he turns us towards the apartment building. Tucking me into his side, he puts his arm over my shoulder, keeping me close to his body.
I let out a breath, feeling some of the tension leave my shoulders as I lean into him. My brain is telling me that I need topull away, put some distance between us, but my body isn’t quite following along.
“Thank you for being here. I know you don’t know me, but having you here is calming my nerves. I can’t explain it, but there’s something about you,” I sigh as we walk through the door.
“Yeah, babe. I feel it too.” He kisses the top of my head and lets out a rough sigh. “When I got the call that you were in trouble…” He shakes his head like he’s trying to get rid of a bad thought. “Shit, I had to make sure you were safe for myself.” Axel looks down at me with his piercing eyes.
“Well, I’m fine. Truly I am,” I say, smiling to lighten the mood. “But what I don’t understand is—why me? I only just heard about you guys yesterday. I’m not a part of the club,”
“Babe, that’s something I’m going to figure out. I’m sorry I didn’t have someone with you. Fuck, I didn’t think you were someone they’d connect to us, honestly,” he says, his expression darkening for a moment before shifting the conversation. “Come on, your food just got here.”
He chuckles as my stomach growls loudly, making me realize how hungry I really am.
CHAPTER NINE
axel
Marley and Jennadevour their take out while she explains in detail the events of the evening. I can’t fucking believe their enforcer would scare someone who has no real affiliation with the club. It doesn’t make any sense. This just puts all of us on high alert. The Reapers are trying to prove a point. There isn’t anyone who is safe.
When we finish, Jenna heads to take a shower, and my brothers and I make a plan on how we’re going to set up security. Tonight, I’m taking the shift at the apartment. I can’t believe the anger I felt when I got the call that Death messed with Jenna. It shocked me how intense my protective feelings were and before I knew what I was doing, I was flying down the highway towards her apartment. When I get my hands on their enforcer, I’ll make sure he never gets near her again.
Blaze insists on staying too, so I guess we’re both spending the night. It’s unexplainable, but I can’t be away from Jen right now. Jax and Cal leave the apartment and I turn around just in time to see Jenna come out of her bedroom. She’s wearing the tiniest shorts, every inch of her legs on display. On top, she’s in a tight white tank top that lands just above her belly button, showing off a few inches of her toned stomach, and a veryoversized cardigan that hangs loose around her shoulders. The whole outfit leaves nothing to the imagination—it’s obvious she’s not wearing a bra. She brushes her wet hair as she makes her way to the kitchen and fills the teakettle with water. Catching a glimpse of her face, I notice her forehead is wrinkled, and she seems lost in thought.
I walk up behind her. “Hey, let me do that for you,” brushing my chest against her back as I reach around her. My hand slides around to take the kettle, and she nearly jumps out of her skin, obviously not realizing I was in the room.
“Shh, it’s okay, babe. It’s just me. Why don’t you go sit on the couch? I’ll bring your tea out when it’s ready.” I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear, out of her face. A light blush creeps up her heart-shaped face—it’s cute as hell.
“Thank you,” she mutters with a shy smile, heading toward the couch.
Marley and Blaze have already turned in for the night, so no one’s going to bug her. If she wants to watch movies all night, I’ll gladly keep her company. If she wants to sleep this day off, I’ll be right here on the couch, keeping watch. What the fuck is happening to me? I sound so weak, so caught up. But I’m learning it’s only when it comes to this woman.
After a few minutes, I round the kitchen island and head to Jenna. She’s lying down, cocooned in a fluffy blue blanket. I set the mug in front of her on the coffee table and sit down with her on the large L-shaped couch. I drop into the seat next to where she’s resting her head on a pillow, trying not to disturb her relaxed state. She moves slightly so she can look up at me.
In one quick motion, Jenna tosses the pillow to the other end of the couch and rests her head on my thigh. She turns back to the TV and inhales a deep breath. I don’t know why I do it, but I start running my fingers through her silky red locks. She hums in appreciation as her eyes flutter closed.
“You do this for all the girls?” Jenna says in a lulled voice.
I chuckle at her half-asleep state. “No, darlin’. Just you.” My chest tightens, knowing this woman is everything I want. I’ve never thought about settling down or meeting someone I could see myself being with forever. But after just a few hours I already know that she would be it for me.
But I can’t let this happen. I can’t drag her into this life or taint her further with the dangers and secrets that plague us daily. Jenna is a light, someone who makes this world better just by being in it. Jesus, when she got out of her car tonight, she looked like Mrs. Honey herself dressed in bright colors, ready to teach the youth of America. I sigh heavily as I continue to play with Jenna’s hair. I quickly realize I’ll do anything to keep my world from touching hers again. Tonight, is already more than she should have been involved in.
“You’re going to break my heart,” she says out of nowhere in a whisper so soft I almost don’t hear it. She freezes, as if she hadn’t meant to say it out loud.
I peer down at her; her eyes are still closed. I still my hand, resting it on the side of her face and tilting it up to mine. She slowly opens her eyes. Her green eyes pierce me, holding me in place.
“Jenna, the last thing I would ever want to do is hurt you,” I say, hoping my tone conveys the promise. “And let’s be real. I would probably be the one getting my heart ripped out by my little miss sunshine, fuck I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since last night.” I sound like a pussy, but I don’t give a shit. She ponders my words for a moment, then moves her body to grab the remote from beside her, muting the TV. Whatever she’s about to say, she wants my full attention.
“Let’s make a deal,” she says, tilting her head to the side. God, I’d do anything for that face.
“Depends on what it is, Angel,” I reply, giving her my full attention.
“Tonight, let’s just enjoy this, us, whatever this is. And tomorrow morning, we part ways, and that’s it,” she says in a serious voice. “I know it’s inevitable we’ll probably run into each other with Blaze and Marley being together, but we can just say hello and go on with our lives.” She stops, waiting for my response. “It’s not even like we really know each other.”
I take a second to study her face. She’s serious. I know what she’s saying makes sense for us. Jenna is trying to protect herself. Part of me feels proud she’s guarding her heart; the other part of me hates the idea.
