Caroline stood next to Jax, tears wet on her cheeks. “Is she going to be okay?”
“Because of you, yes, I believe she’s going to be okay.” Slade reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t do anything.” Caroline blushed. “Daniel did it. Pam hearing her son for those two days did wonders.”
“But without your insight that wouldn’t have happened,” Jill replied hugging Caroline. “So thank you.”
Slade pulled Jill down the hall away from everyone. “I’m going to stick close because I do need to check her out after things calm down.”
“Okay.” Jill nodded. “I’m going to find Adam and Steve and tell them the good news.”
Slade pulled her into his embrace, holding her close. “And then you rest.”
“Then I rest,” she agreed, but she had a lot to do and rest was the last thing on her mind. If she was going to save herself, keep Duncan from losing his position as a VC Warrior as well as going to prison, she needed to step it up.
CHAPTER 14
Caroline sat behind Jax, loving the feel of him and the motorcycle between her legs. It was pure heaven and after the past few days, heaven was what she needed. She was exhausted beyond anything she had ever felt before, but so happy with the outcome. Now it was back to reality of getting her house together before school started in late summer.
Slowing down, Jax pulled into her driveway and Caroline actually felt a sense of home, a lonely home, but home nonetheless. Once he stopped, she slid off, feeling a little awkward. What they had been through the past five days had been intense, but this was the first they had been alone. He sent her so many mixed vibes she was afraid of showing him any of her feelings to just have them thrown back in her face.
“Thanks for bringing me home.” Caroline held her bag of dirty clothes.
With ease, Jax slid off the bike and gave her a single nod. Silently, he stared at her in the way only Jax Wheeler could. He made her feel like her clothes were going to melt clean off her body and she’d be standing there completely naked. Why in the hell couldn’t she be more like her sister and have plenty of witty things to say, but nope, she had to stand there like an idiot with absolutely nothing smart to say.
“Well, thanks,” was the very best she could come up with. She did an about face and headed toward the house. Climbing the steps, she carefully skipped over the broken boards. Standing in front of her door, she realized she forgot the new keys for the new locks. “Well shit,” she cursed, knowing that Jax was still there since she didn’t hear the motorcycle start up.
“Such language for a teacher,” Jax said from directly behind her making her jump a mile high.
“How in the world can you sneak up on somebody as big as you are?” Caroline peered around her shoulder to look up at him.
“You looking for these?” He dangled the keys in front of her before stepping closer, his front pressed to her back to unlock the door. “You need to keep them somewhere you won’t forget them again.”
Mortified that she actually leaned back into him, Caroline practically ran into the house, tripping over her own feet once he pushed open the door. Rolling her eyes at her own clumsiness, she finally turned around to face him.
“The front window doesn’t lock so I can get in that way,” Caroline replied without thinking.
“What?” Jax growled. He made his way to the window, locked it and gave it a try. When the window opened easily with a loud squeal, he turned to glare at her.
“Nobody knows about it but me and well, now you.” Caroline crossed her arms.
“If someone wants in this...place.” Jax’s eyes scanned the room. “They’re going to try every damn window until they find one that opens.”
“And they could break it if they really wanted in,” Caroline argued, thinking she made a good point.
“And that would give you time to get your gun because you will hear it,” Jax countered.
“I can’t get my gun because you still have it.” Caroline felt pleased with herself until Jax stalked toward her like she was prey. She actually took a step back.
“Do you enjoy pushing my buttons?” Jax crowded her space.
Loaded question alert. “Do you like pushing mine?” She cocked her eyebrow and felt pretty good about standing her ground with him.
His eyes darkened as they skimmed over her from head to toe. “Most definitely.” His voice was deep and dark as he stared down at her with a promise of something, but then he moved and walked right past her.