“No!” she cried.
With all of her strength, she lifted her leg and slammed her foot on his. He laughed. The voice of her self-defense instructor echoed in her head: “Jab your fingers into his eyes.” The intruder started to push himself into the room, and she poked him hard in the eyes. He yelled out and stumbled backward. Then she quickly put a knee between his legs and pushed hard, forcing him to the floor. Without any hesitation, she kicked him viciously in the groin. Immobilizing him, she spun around and dashed into the safe room, slamming the steel door shut.
With her back against the door, she slid down to the concrete floor, sobbing. Paisley came over and sat in her lap, pressing her head against Cherri’s chest.
“It’s okay, Mommy,” she said over and over as all the fear and terror spilled out of Cherri.
Loud pounding on the steel door startled her, and horror seized her again. I’m in the safe room. He can’t hurt us. The thought ran through her mind each time he slammed his hand on the door. Paisley covered her ears with her hands.
When Jax had first built the room, she thought he was being paranoid, but he told her all of his brothers had them in their homes, and now she was grateful for the protection. She glanced at the screens and breathed a huge sigh of relief when she saw the intruder climbing the stairs. Her stomach flipped over when she saw him take a butcher knife from the kitchen and go into the living room. Raising his arm, he swung it down, slashing strings of lights and synthetic needles on the tree. Lifting his foot, he stamped over the downed tree, breaking what little ornaments remained intact.
As she watched his angry attack, her blood ran cold. That’s the fucking nut who’s been in the news. I can’t believe it.
“Why’s he hurting our tree?” Paisley asked softly, her eyes brimming with tears.
“He’s crazy. Don’t look anymore, sweetie. I’m going to call Daddy. He’ll know what to do.”
She held Paisley tight, then slowly rose up from the floor, grabbed the landline, and dialed Jax. As she waited for him to pick up, she saw the psycho jump up and down on their tree and presents, then walk out of the house.
“Hi, sugar. What’s up?”
“You need to come home. That nut who’s been breaking into people’s homes and destroying their Christmas decorations was here. He was here when Paisey and—”
“I’m on my way. Where are you?”
“In the safe room. I saw him leave, but I don’t know if he’s coming back.”
“Stay there and don’t move. Did he hurt you?”
“No. I got away before he could.” The man’s penetrating brown eyes flashed into her mind and she shivered. “But he wanted to hurt me.”
“The fuckin’ bastard.”
“I don’t know why he picked our house. We only have a simple tree. And it’s light out. I’m surprised he even saw it. I can’t believe he waited for me to come home.”
“Did you put the alarm on when you left?”
“No. I know… I know.”
“It’s okay, sweetness. The important thing is you and Paisley are safe. I’ll be there real soon.”
When Paisley saw Jax and Axe rush into the house, she jumped up and down while pointing at the screens. “There’s Daddy and Uncle Axe.”
Relief washed over Cherri, and for the first time in the past two hours, she relaxed. When the door swung open, she fell into Jax’s arms. “You’re here,” she murmured as she peppered his face with kisses.
“I’m always here for you. I’m just relieved you and Paisley are safe.”
With one of his arms wrapped around her shoulder and the other one carrying Paisley, she rested her head against his shoulder as they left the room.
We’re safe now.
And she knew they always would be with Jax in their lives. He’d come into her life like a candle in the night. He was her beacon then and now, her yesterday, her today, and her tomorrow.
She put her finger under his chin and turned his face toward her, then kissed him hard and messy and passionately.
Then they went upstairs.
Chapter Thirteen
Axe
When Axe pulled into the parking space, he wrinkled his brow when he saw Baylee’s car in one of the two spots. She’d told him she was going to Aspen after her doctor’s appointment and she’d be home after dark, but she was already home and it was only three o’clock in the afternoon which meant that she wasn’t feeling well. Again. The knot that had been forming in the pit of his stomach for the past few weeks tightened. I hope everything’s all right with her.
The smell of gas and hot motors washed over him as he walked over to the elevators. He leaned back against the cold metal wall as the elevator ascended to the fourth floor. He’d stopped by the grocery store and picked up a quart of vegetable soup for Baylee and a meatloaf dinner for him. It seemed that soup was the only thing she could keep down most days.
Unlocking the door, the aroma of onions, garlic, and roasted chicken greeted him, and he threw his keys on the entry table and walked to the kitchen. Baylee stood by the stove stirring something, and the sight of her attempt at being domestic touched him and made the corners of his mouth turn upward. Baylee and cooking didn’t see eye-to-eye, and take-out and delivery dinners had been the norm since he’d asked her to be his old lady a few years back.
“Never thought I’d see you in that position,” he said walking over to her.
Baylee spun around, a wooden spoon in her hand and a thin cloud of steam rising steadily from a pot on the stove. “You’re home. I expected you much later.” She pointed at the bags in his hand. “Did you stop off at the grocery store?”
“Yeah. Vegetable soup for you and meatloaf for me, but what you’re making smells fuckin’ good.”
She took the two bags from his hand and unpacked them, putting the perishables in the refrigerator. “I’m making roast chicken, mashed potatoes, a tomato salad, and peas. Belle gave me the recipe for the chicken and potatoes, and Cara told me what to do with the tomatoes. The frozen peas had directions on the bag. It’s not so bad. It’s kind of relaxing.” She looped her arm around his neck and kissed him.
“Why’d you decide to cook? I mean it’s been over a year since you tried your hand at it.” His hand glided down her back, resting on her butt.
“And that was a disaster. I was really craving roast chicken and mashed potatoes. When Belle told me how easy it was, especially with these roasting bags, I decided to give it a try. I hope it tastes as good as it smells.”
“I know you do.” Axe rubbed his hands over her ass while kissing her deeply.
Giggling, she pushed him away. “I have to turn the heat down.”
“I like where the heat is taking us.” He turned her around and kissed her again. The hiss of water boiling over made Baylee jump and wiggle out of his arms.