CHAPTER THREE
–JAXIE –
What an asshole.I throw my suitcase on my bed and turn to grab the other one when I walk right into a hard wall of muscle.
A grunt rips from him.“Sorry,” he grumbles, and places my other suitcase near the bed.
“Go,” I sign, hating the stutter when I use my voice.
If he’s being an asshole, then why should I be nice?
“I’m not leaving.Like I said, you’re my assignment.Job’s paid for, so you might as well accept my company, at least until Elodie joins you up here.I’ve been keeping watch when you were at the house ever since he died.Up here it’s difficult to stay outside with the wildlife in these woods.”
I frown.My annoyance must have halted my train of thought when he mentioned it before, but now it’s sinking in.Why would my father give Seamus an assignment two weeks ago?My father died in an accident, he didn’t know I’d move up here, or the fact Elodie would come live with me.And why would he be watching me, the house, after my father died?Everything sounds unreal.
There’s only one conclusion.“Y-you’re lying.”
The stoic look on his face stays in place when he reaches for the back pocket of his jeans and pulls out a folded envelope.He holds it out for me, but I stay rooted in place.I recognize my father’s handwriting, along with my name.
Seamus places his dog on the floor and opens the envelope.Pulling out a piece of paper, he unfolds and holds it up for me.Now, I do reach for it and take a step back to sit on the bed.
Jaxie,
If Seamus has given you this letter, then I’m not able to protect you myself.Please, trust and listen to him, your life depends on it.
Love,
Dad
Not able to protect me?What the hell is going on?My father’s death was an accident.Why did he meet with Seamus two weeks before he died?Why did he write me this letter?What is Seamus not telling me?Dammit, so many questions are running through my head.
My gaze slides to Seamus.“I-I d-don’t u-understand.”
“You don’t need to.Just know I’m working on shit, and that you’re stuck with me for the time being.I’m actually glad your friend won’t be here for another two weeks.Less to explain, and one person less to protect.”
Annoyance hits.Less to explain and to protect?I get the feeling the man thinks we’re under attack, all while there’s nothing going on.At least, I don’t think so.The guy who attacked me when I was nineteen, the one who beat me within an inch of my life and left me for dead with a brain injury, is dead.
Again, my father’s death was an accident, and I live a secluded life.Elodie is my only friend.Unless...no...my father didn’t have any enemies through his company, did he?And why would they come for me?
Why would it be unsafe up here?It must be because I asked Edna to join me for dinner, and she’s always around when me and my dad would stay here.
Nothing makes sense, and to be sure, I force the words out of my throat.“Y-your m-mother.Her b-back?”
Seamus shrugs.“Her back is always acting up.Also, if she stays at home, it’s one person less to protect.Ma’s aware of everything, though.Dax debriefed me with both of us sitting at the kitchen table.They go way back.”
