Safer With You (23 page)

Jenny throws her arms up in the air, “Never mind. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Jenny, tell me!” I say, feeling like the veins in my forehead are ready to burst, but Jenny keeps her cool and shrugs her shoulders.

I am beyond pissed! Jumping off the bed, I grab my purse and head out of the room. If everyone is going to play games with me, then they can fucking try to find me.

I make my way out of the house when, of course, I hear Tucker on my heels. Great, I just came out here to sort my thoughts, and no one can leave me alone.

With my sights set on the beach, I take off my sandals and head towards my family’s rental beach house. I plan to cut through the porch and down the wooden stairs to the open beach.

“Ms. Skye, please inform me as to our destination,” Tucker says from behind me.

“Obviously, the beach,” I bark. “If you’re going to follow me, I’d appreciate you staying a few feet behind me.”

He responds without expression, “Yes, ma’am.”

I focus on the old, but beautiful, beach house in front of me.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Jase

I’ve been sitting at this damn kitchen table for weeks, watching that stupid fucker day after day visiting the woman I love. I can barely stand it anymore.

I’ve combed through dozens of surveillance videos, police reports, called tons of contacts, and I’m not making any progress. Luke is clean. I’ve done my homework on him. The only thing remotely sketchy is that he changed his name to Luke Saunders around the time he met Nora.

He probably changed his name because he’s a spoiled brat and didn’t want to be associated with the Malone name. Michael introduced himself to Nora as Luke and couldn’t change it back, or else Nora would have started asking questions and dumped his ass. For Nora’s sake, I wish he would have come clean then.
 

According to my research, Luke used the Malone name for New York and family business, but Saunders for Miami and Nora. Even though he was on my payroll, I never looked into his background because of his family ties.
 

I asked Uncle Joe about it, and he said it was probably orders from the senator because he didn’t want the Malone name to become tarnished by his nephew’s mistakes. Something isn’t adding up. I’m not exactly sure where this is all headed, but I do believe someone knows what happened to Nora and why. Luke’s connection to Nora and the timing of her attack cannot be coincidence. We have also not heard a peep from Isaac since Nora’s attack.

I’m glad I convinced Nora’s dad to give me a key to the Skye’s rental house next door to their house. He wasn’t happy, but when I told him that I wouldn’t be bothering Nora anymore and would barely be there, he reluctantly agreed.

From the kitchen window, I can see perfectly into Nora’s bedroom. I try to respect her privacy, but sometimes I can’t help but watch her. She’s so peaceful when she sleeps. Every night, I check on her and imagine myself next to her. But when it’s time for business, the living room provides the best view of the Skyes’ house.”

The rental house reminds me of her. The fact that she’s part of this house’s history, before the wedding, before I knew her, makes it even more special. There are pictures of her and her family in several rooms, ranging from baby Nora to teenage Nora. Even as a baby, she was beautiful. I spend most of my time on the grey couch. It’s littered with files and monitors so that I can see exactly what is going on. Tucker checks in with me twice a day and lets me know if there is anything I need to be made aware of.

So far, Luke hasn’t crossed any lines. I’ve heard rumblings from Tucker that Luke wants her to go back to Miami with him, but so far she has told him no. The way I left her, I’m surprised she doesn’t go with him.

The only reason I tolerate Luke hanging around Nora so much is that I’m positive the asshole will fuck up sooner or later. I hope it’s sooner, so that Nora realizes what a bastard he really is. I can’t help grinning when a moment ago Tucker texted me that Luke just left the house angry. I’m glad that Nora can hold her own against him.

I never knew I could feel so horrible. The only thing that keeps me going is being able to see her on the monitors. Being a peeping Tom isn’t something I’m proud of, but it’s better than giving her attacker more reason to attack again.

Max and Jenny haven’t revealed whether Nora has asked about me or made any comments. I hope she doesn’t hate me, but how could she not? And Samantha? I can’t even begin to explain. One day, I hope Nora gives me the chance.

My mother was immediately moved to Uncle Joe’s. She has two nurses taking care of her needs, as well as two security guards. He apologized for the comments he made about Nora and me, but he said I was too involved and was thinking with my heart instead of my brain. He wanted to save me from the heartache he went through when he made the same mistake with my mother, almost costing her life.

I’m sitting at the kitchen table going through some files on Senator Malone when I hear my phone ping with a text. Tucker.
Nora’s on her way to you; she’s mad and has no clue you’re in there.

Before I have a chance to reply, I hear footsteps on the porch.
Fuck!

I jump up and rush into the living room. For a minute, I think of hiding from her. But when I hear the door creak open and her quiet voice calling, “Hello?” I freeze. The thought of seeing her again, in person, in front of me, and possibly holding her in my arms keeps me out of hiding.

“Hello?” she calls again.

I run my hands through my too-long hair and realize it’s been awhile since I had a haircut. I’m wearing blue board shorts and no shirt or shoes. How the hell am I going to explain this to her?

Nora is in the kitchen peeking through the files on the table. I want to yell at her and tell how stupid she is for walking into this house without knowing who is here. But I can’t take my eyes off of her.

She is beautiful, like a beach goddess in her bright pink sundress and bare feet. Her long brown hair is wavy and hangs to the side. I study her tan shoulders, then I glance up to her slim tan neck.

Nora rummages through the paperwork and mumbles something to herself. I know she’s going to have questions about what she sees, and I can’t hide anymore. I shouldn’t hide anymore.

I take a few steps to the doorway of the kitchen and casually lean against the door frame. I don’t say a word and watch until she finally turns and sees me.

“Jase?” She says my name like she has just seen a mirage.

“Hey,” I say casually. Nora’s brown eyes are wide and her long eyelashes don’t flutter. “How are you? Is everything okay?” I ask, to crumble the shock that is etched on her face.

Nora swallows loudly, like she just swallowed something whole. She finally finds her voice. “Yeah…I was being nosy.” Her shoulders shrug and pink paints her cheeks.

I smirk to lighten situation. “I didn’t know you were the nosy type. But it’s just me here.”

I’m expecting her to ask me why I’m here, or even make small talk, but she gets right to the point.

She bites at her bottom lip in contemplation, then fires a question I didn’t want to have to answer so soon.

“Why did you leave me?” I see the pain on her face.
 

“Work.” It’s vague, but honest.

She repeats, “Work?” All of a sudden, her eyes narrow, and her face changes from the pink blush to red. Her bruises become even more pronounced. “Work? Is work the reason you couldn’t pick up the phone and talk to me? Is work the reason you slept with your ex the day after you slept with me? You never thought to stop and say hi or ask my permission to stay next door? You slept with me and then you left me for Samantha. You think I’m naïve and fragile, but I am anything but!”

Her voice is loud, her breathing heavy, and she is beautiful. I can’t help myself, so I move quickly to take her face in my hands and pull her mouth to mine. Her balled up fists try to push my chest away from hers, but as I tease her tongue with mine, she relents.

Passion flows throughout my body and relief floods me. She tastes sweet and minty. The smell of vanilla and some sort of suntan lotion assaults my nose. I could smell it for an eternity. Suddenly, with my mind calming and my body relaxing, she pushes me away and slaps me hard across my cheek. I cover my cheek with my hand.
 

“You son of a bitch, Jase Madsyn! Don’t ever touch me again!”

Nora turns and flies out the door. Still in shock, I give her a moment, but I can still see her from the window. She runs down the rickety wooden steps that lead to the private beach.
 

Taking a deep breath, I count to five and follow Nora.

Outside, my eyes roam the beach. She is only a few feet in front of me, standing, staring into the ocean. She looks majestic with her long dark hair blowing wildly with the wind. Beautiful. But when I catch a glimpse of her face, her expression shreds my heart.

Nora is crying, with her face buried in her hands. I tread with caution.

She must sense my presence. “Go away, Jase. Isn’t that what you do best?”

“Nora, give me a chance to explain.”

“Now you want a chance? What makes you think you deserve that? That’s all I ever do. I give everyone chances, but nobody ever tells me the truth. So, why bother?”

I want Nora to hit me again. I want her to push me. Anything so that I can feel her touch, take her pain away.

“That night meant something to me, Jase. Maybe to you it didn’t, but to me it did. And you go humiliate me by sleeping with Samantha? The very next day?”

What is she talking about? I never slept with Samantha. Then it dawns on me, Samantha must have lied…again.

“Nora, stop…please.” I hold her hands to my chest with one hand and pull her close with the other, so she can’t leave or slap me again. I need her to hear me. “I didn’t sleep with Samantha. I had to help her out because of my job, but nothing happened.”

Her bored expression tells me she isn’t buying it. I continue, “It was for your own good that I left. I couldn’t protect you when all I could think about was having you in my bed.”

She rolls her eyes. “I guess you like to have a few bed buddies, Mr. Madsyn? Having me in your bed and who else, Jase? You’re the one who told me that you have a history. Everyone told me about your past, how you’re a player. I’m so stupid for thinking I was different. If Samantha’s what you want, then go for it, Jase. I’m not going to be the other woman.” She tries to yank out of my arms.

“Nora.” My voice is forceful. “I did not sleep with her, okay? It’s my job to keep her happy, but…” Nora scoffs at me. “Wait…I’m messing this up. Let’s sit down and let me explain everything to you, from the beginning. Then you can decide what you want to about me. I want to tell you the truth; I owe you the truth.”

She tries to move away, but this time I allow it. “I’m sick of being lied to.”

I nod.
 

Nora walks back a few paces from where the ocean meets the shore and lowers to the sand. I follow her lead. She stretches her legs in front of her and leans back on her elbows, staring at the crashing waves in front of us.

“Well, let’s hear it,” she barks.

“Just listen until I’m finished. There is so much I need to tell you. I might chicken out if you interrupt me.”

“Okay, the ocean is yours.” She gestures out to the sea.

So damn cute.
 

“As you know, I own a security company.” I hesitate, thinking of the words to use, and look over at her. Her eyes still fixate where the sky meets the water, so I continue. “There’s no other way to explain this, but…my clients are criminals.”

She turns her head towards me, grimacing. “What?”

I take a deep breath and continue. “Criminals. I protect them. Some are in the mafia, drug dealers, pimps and madams, but most are corrupt politicians.” I feel her looking at me, but I keep going.

“I used to listen to Max talk about this place near the beach. He loved this house and the family that owned it, of course.” I feel the tension between us ease, so I take it as an opportunity to peek at her. A little smile tugs at her lips.

I swallow and continue, “You already know that he had a rough childhood. Mine was a little harder than his.” Much harder, but she doesn’t need to know that now. “This place brought him peace in our chaotic world; I see that clearly now.”

I bend my knees and wrap my arms around them, like a little kid. When I feel Nora’s arm tangle with mine and she threads her fingers to hold my hand, I breathe. She doesn’t speak, but doesn’t need to. She’s giving me much more than I’d hoped; she’s giving me her support.

I choke back the emotion, feeling surprisingly stronger now that she’s at my side, touching me. I continue. “I’m sure you’ve heard about my father and the Madsyn family. My father and grandfather were involved in organized crime. My father was in jail most of my life, and when he was released, my mother took him back and left the man she was in love with. Uncle Joe.”

“Uncle Joe?” she asks, shocked. I feel her hand tense under mine.
 

“Yes, he still loves her and he was never involved in the dealings my father was.”

She relaxes and I grasp her hand tighter. I can’t believe I’m telling her this story. This story that I’ve never told anyone. Her hair brushes against my arm, and soon I feel the weight of her head on my shoulder.