| |
––––––––
JACKSON COULD’VE SWORN he’d just closed his eyes when Kim nudged him awake. He’d barely had time to blink before Hugh and Davies grabbed him under the arms, lifting him out of bed and to his feet.
“I’m fine.” He shoved Davies’ hands away.
Hugh staggered as all Jackson’s weight fell to him
“You’ll really impress her when you fall flat on your face,” said Davies.
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” He wanted a reason to punch Davies. Actually, he had a reason but he wanted one Kim might understand.
“Stop it.” Kim sent them both a disgusted look.
“You ready?” Hugh’s arm tightened around his waist.
He nodded and they moved out of the bedroom and through the house to the garage. He gritted his teeth as pain shot through his torso with every step. Once in the garage, Kim climbed inside the carriage. He and Hugh followed. He tried, but couldn’t contain a slight moan as he stepped up into the conveyance.
Kim’s face paled as she watched him. He tried to smile as Hugh helped him sit down next to her, but he was pretty sure he only bared his teeth. She immediately started fussing with him, checking his bandage, brushing hair off his forehead. Hugh smirked as he dropped onto the seat across from them. He’d take some teasing later, but he didn’t care. Kim was there, with him and touching him. That was all that mattered at the moment.
The Grunts pulled into the driveway.
Davies closed the garage door and hopped into the carriage, frowning as his eyes landed on Jackson and Kim, but he quickly turned toward Hugh. “Where to?”
It was clear Hugh didn’t quite trust Davies and that was fine with him. “Lake of Sins,” he said before Hugh could think twice and give this guy a hint as to where their camp was located.
“Why do you want to go there?” asked Kim.
Hugh leaned against the seat, crossing his arms over his chest and studying him.
“Trust me.” He had a few reasons, but he wasn’t willing to share any of them right now.
Kim pursed her lips like she was going to argue but she remained silent. When nothing else was said, Davies shrugged and directed the Grunts.
Kim continued to fuss with his bandage and how he was sitting, trying to make sure he was comfortable. He wasn’t. He hurt, but the disgust on Davies face was enough to make him at least a little happy.
“You know,” said Davies as the carriage pulled down the path toward the Lake of Sins. “I should be the one glaring at you.”
“I thought you were.” Jackson’s fingers drift across Kim’s thigh.
Davies smiled as Kim shifted, displacing Jackson’s hand from her leg. Her cheeks were flushed. He wasn’t sure if she were embarrassed or turned on. Araldo, he hoped she was turned on even though in the shape he was in there was nothing he could do about it and he reminded himself, he shouldn’t do anything anyway.
The carriage stopped and Hugh climbed out and then helped Kim down. Next, he helped Jackson. Davies was the last to exit the carriage.
“Thank you.” Hugh extended his hand to the other Almighty. “And please, forget you saw any of us.”
“No problem.” Davies shook his hand and then his gaze shifted to Jackson. “I guess.”
“I owe you one,” said Hugh.
“Win this war and I may collect on that.” Davies smiled.
“I thought you weren’t taking sides?” Hugh’s tone was casual but his blue eyes had sharpened.
“Don’t start getting suspicious of me again.” Davies held up his hands. “I’m a business man, pure and simple and war is bad for business.”
“Investing in small businesses, right?” asked Hugh.
“Yes and conflict isn’t good for small businesses so it isn’t good for me.”
“So, you don’t care who wins, as long as it ends.”
“That’s not exactly true.” Davies’ smile faded. “Like I said, I’m a business man. Many of my customers liked the world as it was before your reports were leaked. However, I’m also a realist. The world will never go back to how it was. My position is simple. I want the war to end. People are hesitant to spend money. You know—the uncertainty and all that garbage.” He took a deep breath. “I’d deny this if asked by the wrong people, but I think the only way for peace instead of constant civil unrest is if you win. So, perhaps, I am on your side.”
Hugh nodded, seeming to buy Davies’ story, but Jackson wasn’t so sure. The guy was hiding something.
“Kim, may I speak with you?” asked Davies.
She glanced at Jackson and he shook his head. He didn’t want her alone with that man, ever. Her jaw jutted out and her eyes narrowed. He sighed. She was so stubborn.
“Of course.” She followed Davies to the other side of the carriage.
“They don’t realize you can still hear them, do they?” asked Hugh.
“No. Isn’t it great?” He kept his eyes on Kim. If the other male touched her, he’d break his fingers.
“I’ll wait until he leaves to drill you on how we’re getting out of here because you’re in no shape to travel by foot.” Hugh leaned against a tree.
He ignored Hugh, focusing on Kim and Davies.
“Thank you...for everything,” said Kim.
“You’re welcome. I’d say I was glad to help but I’m not sure I am. Our date didn’t quite go as I’d hoped.” Davies looked at Jackson for a second before brushing a lock of Kim’s hair off her shoulder.
She should slap his hand but she didn’t. Jackson would love to do it for her.
“I’m sorry about that, Davies. I’m sorry about...everything.”
“I’m not,” said Davies. “I mean, I’d hoped for something else, but...I understand.” He reached in his back pocket and handed Kim an envelope. “I was going to give this to you at the end of our date. I guess this is it.”
“What is it?” she asked.
“Open it.”
She did and her mouth dropped open. Her eyes were wide she looked up at him. “This...it’s...”
“You don’t have to worry about losing your home anymore.” He smiled, sending Jackson a gloating look.
“I can’t accept this.” She handed the envelope back to him.
“Consider it a gift from a friend.”
“It’s too much.”
“I don’t want your house, Kim and I’m not going to give it to anyone else. So, take the title.” He closed her fist around it.
Jackson gritted his teeth. He’d heard something from Carla about the loan Martha had taken out. He wanted to be the one to solve Kim’s problems but all he did was make her life worse.
“I...why did you do this?”
Jackson groaned. Did she have to ask? Obviously, the guy was in love with her.
“Would you believe I did it to annoy Christopher?”
“No. You didn’t do it to irritate your cousin.” She smiled. “You have plenty of other ways to do that.”
Davies laughed. “That’s true.” He sobered. “Would you believe I did it so you’d realize I was a good guy?”
“I know you’re a good guy,” she said softly.
Maybe, he was wrong about Davies. The man hadn’t done anything except want Kim and what male in his right mind didn’t? This Almighty cared for Kim and she liked him too. All she needed was time. He had to be strong and let her go.
“I’d also hoped that if you didn’t have to worry about your mom’s financial situation you might decide to...take the next step and move in with me.”
Her face paled.
Davies touched her cheek. “I know that isn’t going to happen and I’m sorry about that, but”—he glanced over at Jackson—“I understand.”
“Oh, Davies, I never meant...”
“I know you didn’t.” Davies took her hand in his.
“I...I can’t accept this.” She shoved the envelope against his chest.
“Too bad. It’s yours.” He dropped his hold on her hand and stepped back.
“No. I can’t.”
Davies jaw clenched and he frowned. The Almighty was getting fed up with Kim’s stubbornness. He knew exactly how Davies felt.
“Kim, I’m rich. My father’s bank holds the mortgage on thousands of houses. This”—he flicked the envelope—“is nothing to me.”
“That’s not true but even if it is, it means a great deal to me.” She stood on tip-toe and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. Please give it to my mother.” She slipped it into his hand.
Jackson glared at the two of them and took a step forward.
Hugh touched his arm. “It was only a kiss on the cheek.”
“I will. I promise.” Davies put the envelope back into his pocket as his eyes met Jackson’s. “But for that amount of money, I think I at least get to make your Guard jealous.” He leaned down, kissing her full on the lips. She didn’t embrace him but she didn’t push him away either.
Jackson growled.
“Let it go.” Hugh’s grip on his arm tightened. “It’s over.”
Davies stepped away, releasing Kim. His eyes met Jackson’s again and his were amused. He nodded slightly, turned and climbed into his carriage. The Grunts headed toward the road and Kim walked over to them.
“So,” said Hugh. “Time to tell us how we get to camp.”
Jackson stared at Kim but she wouldn’t look at him. “There’s a canoe hidden in the bushes.” He pointed toward an overgrown section of the lake.
Hugh glanced from one to the other. “Great. I’ll get it.”
As soon as Hugh was gone, Kim looked up at him. “Jackson, I’m sorry. I didn’t want him to kiss me.”
“I know.” His voice was a harsh whisper. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her so thoroughly that she forgot Davies even existed.
“He wrote off the debt on our house,” she said. “He gave me the deed.”
He remained silent. He didn’t want to tell her he’d heard the entire conversation.
“Now, Jethro can stop working for them. That’s why he’s doing all this. I’m sure he didn’t mean to stab you.”
“I know.” He sounded like an idiot. “But he did mean to stab Hugh.”
“He’s been angry with Hugh for a long time, because of my dad, but”—she glanced down at her feet—“I overheard him and his Guard one day and I think he believes Trinity’s in love with Hugh.”
“She is and Hugh’s in love with her.”
“But, she and Jethro...they...” She waved her hand in the air.
“She did what she had to do in order to free herself and Travis.”
“Oh, poor Jethro.” Her cheeks reddened. “Poor Trinity. She must be so confused and...” She bit her lip and glanced at Hugh. He had the canoe in the lake, tied to a tree and was heading back toward them. “When are you going to tell him?”
“Tell me what?” asked Hugh.
“Is your hearing getting better?” He shot Hugh a frustrated look. He wasn’t ready to deliver this news to his friend. Honestly, he’d never be ready.
“Must be from hanging around you guys.” Hugh smiled. “Defense mechanism.”
“We should get going.” Kim started for the canoe.
“You’re not coming with us.” He grabbed her arm, stopping her and the look on her face almost knocked his knees out from under him. He was hurting her again but this was killing him.
“What are you talking about?” asked Hugh. “We don’t have time to take her home, and even if we did you’d never make it on foot.”
“I don’t need to.”
“She isn’t going alone,” said Hugh. “Even this close to her house it isn’t safe.”
“She’ll be fine.”
“I’m not going.” The hurt was gone from her face, replaced by stubborn anger.
“What do you mean, she’ll be fine?” asked Hugh.
He’d had enough of Hugh’s interruptions. This had nothing to do with him. “There’s a tunnel leading to her basement.”
“What?” Hugh looked at him and then Kim. She nodded. “Where?”
“The statue of the little girl.” His eyes never left Kim. Her jaw jutted out and her arms were crossed over her chest. This wasn’t going to be an easy argument to win.
Hugh went over to the statue and poked around until he found the release lever. “Amazing.”
Kim stopped watching Hugh and turned back to him. “I’m not going home.”
“You are,” he said.
“I am not.”
He took a deep breath. “I don’t want you to come with us.”
“That’s obvious,” she said.
“You don’t understand. I don’t want you, Kim. Not anymore. I’ve moved on.” The words were like acid on his tongue, burning down his throat and into his heart until there was nothing but a hole in his chest.
She stumbled back as if he’d hit her. Hugh wandered toward them, took one look at Kim’s face, changed direction and headed to the canoe.
“Go and find Davies. He’ll be good to you.”
Her eyes searched his. He averted his gaze, not wanting her to see the truth.
“I don’t believe you.” She stepped closer and touched his chin.
“I’m sorry, but it’s true.” He remained as still as the statues surrounding the lake.
“Then why were you so jealous of Davies.”
He shrugged, shifting his head so her hand lost contact. Her touch made him want to fall at her feet and beg her forgiveness.
“Do you remember what you said the night you were stabbed?” She put her hands on his chest and the air left his lungs in a whoosh.
He shook his head backing away, but she followed him, her hands moving up toward his shoulders.
“You said you loved me and that you’d always love me.”
“I was delirious.” He had to get away from her. If she had any idea how he felt she’d never leave and then she’d get hurt.
“Prove it.” She stopped, dropping her hands to her sides.
“How?” His breathing came easier now that she wasn’t touching him.
“Kiss me.” She turned his head, forcing him to look at her. “If you truly feel nothing for me, I’ll know and I swear I’ll walk away and never bother you again.”
He’d never be able to do that. “I’m a male. I’m not disinterested in kissing any female.” He almost choked on his words, but he had to hurt her pride. It was the only chance he had of keeping her safe. “Especially, a willing one.”
She raised her eyebrow a smirk playing about her lips. His heart raced. That had backfired.
“I am that.” She moved closer to him until her breasts brushed against his chest. “I’d even say I’m eager.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “But only with you. Always with you. I missed you.”
He braced himself, but nothing could prepare him for this. She pulled his head down and kissed him, open mouthed and hot. She poured everything into the kiss and he was lost. His mind screamed to remain passive but his body wasn’t listening. He’d never thought he’d have her again and he wasn’t going to let this chance slip away. He wrapped her in his arms, pulling her snug against his frame. He didn’t even care about the pain that shot through his torso. Kim was in his arms and that’s all that mattered. He tipped his head deepening the kiss.
His lips trailed to her ear and then down her neck. “Kim.” It was all he could say, but it said everything.
Hugh cleared his throat. “Uh, guys. We should get going.”
Slowly, he stopped kissing her. She opened her eyes. They were glazed with passion. His side hurt but if Hugh wasn’t there he’d gladly reopen his wound. Nothing mattered except making her his. He took a deep, shaky breath and dropped his arms from around her, taking a step back.
Her eyes focused and stared at him, still wary.
“I’m done fighting with you.” He leaned down and kissed her nose.
“Good, but what does that mean?” She crossed her arms over her chest. “You’ve said that before and still expected me to leave.”
“You win. I love you enough to let you go, but I can’t keep pushing you away.” He took her hand and kissed it. “I’m not that strong.”
“I love you too much to leave.” She moved closer to him and his hands went to her hips.
“This isn’t going to be easy.” He’d give her one last chance. “If we don’t win the war, we’ll be fugitives for the rest of our lives.”
“We need to win the war then.”
“I’m serious. You’ll want children one day and that won’t be a life for kids.”
“I love you, Jackson, and I’d rather live in the forest with you and raise our kids than live anywhere else.”
“Even in a mansion with everything you could ever want.”
“You’re everything I’ve ever wanted. You and no one else.” She kissed him, just a quick brushing of lips but he felt it all the way to his toes.
He couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across his face and then he frowned. She had no idea how hard this life could be.