CHAPTER SIX
–SEAMUS –
Fuck.The information Murray just shared solidifies my suspicions while it creates panic on Jaxie’s face.A handful of men working at Stalwart Ridge security are those I served with.It creates a solid bond and can be useful during assignments.Which reminds me, I know for a fact Murray was out of state when Dax died.He was on an assignment with Ballard.
Dax gave me all the access I needed to gain access to certain documents.He knew very well it’s unnecessary, because my computer skills grant me access to anything I set my mind to.
My gaze slides to Jaxie and I can see the panic gaining control over her body as she fists the fabric of her shirt right over her heart.Leaning on my cane, I step closer to Jaxie and reach out to place my large hand on her shoulder.
“Breathe, Jaxie.Take a breath and let it go,” I murmur.
Her blue eyes are swirling with emotion, tugging on my damn heartstrings.I should be the one panicking ’cause the reaction it sparks inside my body is foreign.Without thinking my cane clatters to the floor when I use both arms to pull her against my body.
“Fuck, man really?”Murray grumbles.“You move fast.”
I turn my head to glare at the fucker.
He shrugs.“What?She’s here for one bleep of a second and you clearly staked your claim.Ballard will be pissed when he discovers you beat us to it.”
Jaxie pulls back and is now looking confused.Thank fuck the panic is gone, but I’m sure as hell not liking the turn of discussion.Murray notices her reaction as well.
The fucker has always had a serious case of verbal diarrhea, so it’s no surprise he rattles on, “You’re an intriguing prize piece, Jaxie Stalwart.Dax managed to keep you away from all of us for years, so we’re all curious as fuck.Especially when there aren’t any pictures of you.Damn, you’re a pretty little thing.I sure as fuck won’t mind seeing you around the office, boss.”The fucker’s gaze becomes hooded.“I, for one, won’t have any issues following your orders.Any idea how you’re going to run the company?Since you have two percent more than Burk and Royce, you have more power than those fuckers.”
He steps closer and fake whispers, “I’m a way better catch than this fucker right here.He’s retired; I’m still a valuable company asset.”
Jaxie fists the front of my flannel shirt and glares at Murray when she whispers under her breath, “Asshole.”
It’s so damn soft it only reaches my ears.One of her hands lets go of the fabric of my shirt and she starts to sign.From this angle I can’t make out a damn word, and by the look on Murray’s face I can tell he doesn’t know any ASL.
Murray rubs the back of his neck and drops his backpack to the floor.“Oh, right.I completely forgot...you don’t talk, eh?”He shifts uncomfortably and throws a glance in the direction of the kitchen.“Smells fucking nice in here.Any coffee?It’s been a long drive up the mountain, and I came straight from the airport to the office, and now here.”
Did he just completely skip over her?
Jaxie flips him off and stomps off in the direction of her room, both dogs following close behind her.
“Asshole,” I snarl, voicing Jaxie’s first assessment loud and clear for the idiot to hear.
I had a shitty reaction with her using ASL, and my issues not being able to keep up after only having to learn some of it in two weeks.Though, Murray ignores her entirely.
“American Sign Language, she talks just fine, idiot.”I reach down and grab my cane off the floor.“Go to your own damn cabin for some coffee.”
Murray stalks to the dining table and plants his ass on the chair I was sitting on before his arrival.“I’ve been up for two days straight.I’m not at my best, okay?”
