Safer With You (20 page)

I trudge up the stairs to Nora’s room. I stand outside her door, willing myself to knock and get this over with. Hopefully, she will understand that part of my job is playing a certain role to keep everyone in line.

I knock on the door a few times, but no response. I don’t even hear her through the door. Panic instantly sets in. Frenzied thoughts enter my mind. Is she okay? Is she just ignoring me? Has she left?

Just as I am about to break down the door, Lizzy appears.

“Mr. Madsyn, Ms. Skye is sleeping. She needs her rest. You can talk to her in the morning.”

Morning? No way, this needs to be cleared up tonight. “Please open her door. Now.”

Lizzy lets out a huff, but does as I ask.

“And give me the key. We don’t need any interruptions in the morning.”

Lizzy scowls, but drops the key into my hand. She says nothing and retreats back to her room.

I have no idea what time it is, but exhaustion is setting in. Nora is curled up under the blankets. The moonlight perfectly accentuates her beautiful features. Her dark hair fans out on the pillow, her eyes are closed, and her lips part as she breathes peacefully.

Not being able to contain myself any longer, I close and lock her door, put the key in my pocket, and slide off my shoes and shirt. Lifting up her comforter, I crawl in beside her.

I can feel the weight of the day lift off of me as soon as I wrap my arms around her. I’ve never been a really affectionate guy, but lying next to Nora is satisfying in so many ways…the warmth of her skin, the smell of vanilla that always surrounds her, and the way we fit perfectly together. I don’t want to wake her, I just want to be with her, around her.

Nora responds to my touch by letting out a little moan, so I pull her closer. This has been a perfect way to end my day. I’ll explain everything to her in the morning, and this misunderstanding will be cleared up. Soon, I fall into a deep, peaceful sleep.

I wake to someone banging relentlessly on the door. Before they wake up Nora, who hasn’t really moved since I crawled into bed with her, I throw the covers off of me and rush to answer whoever is about to get fired.

Once the door is open, Uncle Joe’s face greets me. I’m about to tell him off until he says, “I just came from my daily visit with Carmella; a note was left with her. You need to come downstairs now.” My usually happy and upbeat uncle looks anything but. His forehead is crinkled, eyes narrowed, and he looks worn and tired.

“Uncle, what kind of note?” I don’t want to leave Nora until she wakes up and I can tell her everything, see her eyes, and hear her voice. “I’m sure I can deal with it later.”

“You’re not listening; get your head out of your ass and get downstairs.”

I grab my shoes and shirt and glance back at Nora sleeping peacefully. I need to get back here before she wakes.

I pad to the basement in my bare feet. Tucker is reviewing surveillance videos. It takes me a moment to realize he isn’t watching this property, but Vander Creek Rehabilitation Center.

My stomach drops. Something has happened to my mother. “What is going on?”

Tucker responds, “Your uncle visited your mother this morning, and the guard on duty was missing when he arrived. Your mother was sleeping and a note was found at the bottom of her bed with a knife stabbed through it.”

“What did it say?” I have a feeling I already know.

Tucker responds, “Carmella, you are a silent beauty. But your beauty doesn’t compare to Nora’s. She never noticed me, but that is about to change.”

Rage leaches into every crevice of my body. Heat radiates up my neck and my fist pounds through the wall beside Tucker. This is the same fucker that’s messing with Nora. Christ, Nora. I’ve been so busy trying to get her to fall for me that I’ve had my head up my ass.

I practically held the door open for this lunatic. My hand throbs with pain, but I don’t care. I pummel the wall over and over until I see Tucker’s hand fly up to stop me.

“Mr. Madsyn! Enough, we’ll get this motherfucker.” Tucker’s voice exudes authority.

My hand drops to my side, and I concentrate on breathing. In, out, in and out. Soon, my eyes focus on the surveillance video playing out in front of me. There is a brief moment where the guard is awake, and within a blink of an eye, he is hunched over, unconscious.

“Did you see that? It looks like someone deleted part of the recording. Is that even fucking possible?”

My uncle’s voice booms from behind me. “We have a
rat
?”

Of course we do. Nobody has access to my mother’s whereabouts or situation other than our team and close family and friends. Someone we trust did this to my mother and Nora.

But why Nora?

“Jase, I will not have Carmella in danger. Do you hear me? I like Nora, but Carmella is my priority and should be yours. I’m fond of Nora, but she seems to cloud your judgment.” His face is cold and I almost don’t recognize it.

I’ve never heard him talk this way. He is always eager to help out everyone. I really have no idea what to say to him. I’m not going to stop helping Nora, and I’m sure as hell not going to hand her over to Luke.

Luke. I’m going to figure out what that asshole knows.

“Jase, it’s time for Nora to go before something happens that we can’t control,” Uncle Joe advises. “She needs to be away from us to keep her safe.”

Chapter Twenty

Nora

I had such a nice dream during the night. Jase laying with me holding me tight, but then as soon as my brain kicked in, I realized it could only be a dream.

I’m sitting, eating a bowl of cereal, when the supermodel enters the room like she’s just been announced as Miss America.
Great, just great
.

“Oh, good morning. You must be Nora. I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself yesterday, but I was just so glad to see Jase; he is my hero, after all.” Samantha’s mouth puckers into a fake smile.

“I figured out who you were.” Not wanting to engage in conversation with her, I keep my head down, finishing my cereal. The sooner I get back to my room, the better. My parents will be here soon for a visit. The way this morning is going, I’m thinking of begging them to take me home with them.
 

Samantha sits beside me. She is wearing a red silk robe, loosely tied, with her cleavage bared for all the world to see. “Could you be a dear and get me some coffee? I’m just so tired from last night. Jase and I stayed up all night talking. I thought we’d never get to sleep.” She tilts her head and a smug smile replaces the fake one.

“Sure,” I murmur. Not because I want to get her coffee, but because I can’t stand looking at her any longer. No coffee has been made this morning, which I find odd. Matter of fact, this whole morning has been odd. No Jase, Uncle Joe, Tucker, Lizzy, or any staff for that matter.

I pop open the coffee can lid, throw a few scoops in the coffee maker, fill it with water, and press go. There. The bitch has coffee now. Too bad it’s going to be the worst pot of coffee she’s ever had. It may be a tad on the strong side. I probably should have spit in it, but that’s not my style, at least not yet.

While I watch the coffee drip one drop at a time into the pot, I feel Samantha’s suspicious eyes on me. There is an uncomfortable silence between us. I want to ask her about Jase…did they make up, are they still engaged, or did they sleep together?
 

Samantha’s sickening voice filters through the room. “So, I heard you were attacked the night of Max’s wedding. Any clue who would do that to you? I mean, obviously, they were after money…just because you know the Madsyn family doesn’t make you important, so the only logical thing would be money.”

I put on my adult panties and ignore her comment. “They left my purse. I don’t have any money anyway. Jase is handling my case, so I’m more than confident that he’ll take care of me.”

Samantha’s surprised eyes meet mine. “Just because he is letting you stay here for some ungodly reason, he will never protect you like he protects me.” Her eyebrows raise and her lips pucker.

“Don’t worry. He’s already protected me.” She can take that anyway she wants. I know we’re both talking about the same thing. That stupid look falls off her face.
Good, bitch, I can play this game too
.

I can’t look at her anymore, so I go up to my room to lay down and calm my nerves. I don’t like her, and I have no idea what she did with Jase last night. I’m not stupid; she could totally be making it up, but where is he? The house is quiet, too quiet. No one is around. Something is wrong.

I decide to call my mom, hoping they will be here soon.

“Hey, Mom, when are you guys coming?”

“Nora, I thought you were coming here. That Tucker guy called and said we should get your room ready, that you were staying with us now.”

My heart sinks. There is something going on between him and Samantha. He wants me gone so he can be with her. I can feel the tears trying to weasel their way out of my eyes, but before I let them, someone knocks on the door.

“Mom, I’ll call you back.”

I open the bedroom door to find Tucker standing before me. I glance down the hallway and see Samantha walk into Jase’s room. I quickly wipe a tear away, hoping Tucker doesn’t notice.

“Ms. Skye, Lizzy will be packing your bags and you will be staying with your parents. Mr. Madsyn has made the necessary arrangements.”

“Tucker, I don’t understand. Where is Jase? I haven’t seen him since he left me yesterday.” I’m so frustrated I could pummel Tucker. This is not the plan. Nothing is making sense.

“Ms. Skye, please calm down. Mr. Madsyn had to go away on business. He asked me to take you to your parents. There is security in place, and I’ll be there too. No harm will come to you.” Tucker pulls luggage from my closet that I didn’t even know I had.

I feel like I’m in a dream. Jase is gone? Without even a goodbye, good luck, hope no one attacks you again? Story of my life.
 

Why am I so naïve? Did Luke do a number on me, killing my self-awareness? My confidence? Well, no way I’m going to let Jase treat me the way Luke did. My heart beats hard and I feel my anger rise. Since Jase isn’t around, my only target is Tucker.

I march to him, pointing up at his big body. “Where is he?” My voice is forceful and steady. I need to speak with him; this isn’t what he wanted. I am supposed to stay here with him.

Tucker walks past me, taking my stuff out of the drawers. I forcefully grab his arm, bringing him to a halt.

His large body listens. “Why did he leave and not tell me himself?”

For the first time since I met him, his stoic face smiles. “Don’t worry. He’s still keeping tabs on you. But he will no longer be available to you. If you should need anything, I’ll be handling your case from this point on.”

What the hell does that mean? I sit on the bed, suddenly sick to my stomach. He’s kicking me out too, while that stupid Barbie is in his room waiting for him.

I turn my back to Tucker. He’s whispering. I glance back and see Lizzy. Of course, I never heard the ninja enter the room.

If our night together was just sex for him, nothing else, then I’m ready to go. I need to get out of here.

Tucker stands by the door, I guess waiting for me. I ask him one last question, so I know where I stand. “Can I call him?”

Tucker responds, “No, Ms. Skye.”

Just like that, Jase and I are done. Over as quickly as we started.
 

At least Luke told me to my face to get out. This asshole sends his staff to do the dirty work.

That’s it. I’m done. I can’t let myself be treated like this anymore, by Luke, by Jase, by anyone.

Chapter Twenty-One

Jase

“Mom, are you sure you don’t remember anyone coming in here that seemed…different?”

“No, dear. Janet my regular nurse and Joseph are all I remember. Is something bothering you, sweetheart?”

“No, I’m just overreacting,” I say to reassure her, and she smiles her loving
Jase, you are my sunshine
smile. God, I wish she wasn’t in this stupid rehabilitation center. Uncle Joe visits her every day. I know he loves her so much, but she doesn’t remember that she loves him too. Her memories are still of my father, Mitchell Madsyn, Uncle Joe’s brother.
 

I kiss her on the cheek and say I’ll see her tomorrow. She is already watching TV, and it looks like she doesn’t even realize I’m here.
Why did she love my father, even though he hurt her so much?
In the parking lot, my phone rings. “Hey, Tucker. Is she settled in?”

“Mr. Madsyn, are you sure you want to do this? She seems very upset. Maybe you should visit her and explain the situation.” I can hear the hesitation in his voice. He never questions my orders.

“Just keep me informed and keep her safe until I can get a few things figured out.” I end the conversation before I can think too much about the pain I’ve caused her.

I know Nora’s upset. I made love to her and left her like a total ass. But my uncle is right. I don’t think straight when I’m around her. She’s all I think about, and now I’ve put my mother in danger. I’d never be able to forgive myself if something happened to my mother. It’s bad enough that Nora’s been attacked because of me. The best thing for me to do is to leave and find out who is doing this. I need to do my job. Think with my brain, not think with my heart. I know better than to let emotions get in the way.