She lets go of Jade’s hair with a shove and I hear my girl cry out softly as she lands with a thud.
‘Are you okay?’ I ask without taking my eyes off M. I don’t trust this woman as far as I can kick her. I blindly reach out with my free hand, helping Jade to her feet.
‘Yes.’
‘Go into the main room,’ I command. This time she does as I ask. I’ll check her over as soon as I get rid of these two. ‘Leave,’ I say to M. The murderous look she gives me doesn’t bother me in the slightest. I have the upper hand now. ‘If you set one foot on my property again, I’ll have you charged.’
‘I don’t take well to idle threats, Mr Weston, and I always get my way in the end. You haven’t heard the last of me,’ she spits, before turning and storming down the stairs. What she fails to realise is I always get my way as well. This is one battle she won’t win.
I glance at her friend, who’s now standing beside the car. My lips curve into a smile when I see him still clutching his broken hand to his chest. He looks like he’s going to cry. Fucking pussy. I can’t help the laugh that bubbles from my mouth when I see M give him a clip across the head with an open palm before she gets into the car in a huff. I may have just started World War III, but I’m prepared for anything she dishes out. I won’t be giving Jade up.
Period.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
BROCK
My hand gently skims down the side of her beautiful face as I watch her sleep. I’m in awe of this woman. How she can sleep so peacefully after everything that’s happened today astounds me. It also breaks my heart. The poor thing has obviously been through so much in her life that she’s used to this kind of behaviour. And I hate it.
She’s held herself together like a real trouper today. I, on the other hand, not so much. Maybe on the outside, but not internally. I’m not worried for myself, but I’m concerned for Jade. What if I can’t protect her like I promised? The way M grabbed hold of her hair made me sick to the stomach. I can’t bear to think of what Jade’s endured over the years at the hands of that woman. She’ll never have to face anything like that again if I get my way.
This whole caring for another person thing is so new to me. I hope I can pull it off. Rest assured, I’m going to try my damn hardest. By the sounds of it, Jade’s been to hell and back, so the last thing I want to do is let her down. I’d like to be the person she can count on, if she’d let me.
It’s ironic how one person can enter your life and turn everything upside down in a blink of an eye. I’ve never been the commitment type. Settling down was never on my agenda, but a part of me thinks there’s definitely a possibility with Jade. That scares the fuck out of me. I can’t believe I’m even entertaining the idea. What if I can’t give her what she wants—or worse, what if she doesn’t want what I’m prepared to give?
I take a deep breath as I try to calm down. I need to get some sleep. I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow. I’ve already put some plans in place to keep Jade safe, but I’m going to need a hell of a lot more if I’m going to succeed. M’s crazy and I know she’ll stoop to anything to get her way.
A crushing pain settles in my chest at the thought of it. I’d hate to see what would become of Jade if M got her filthy hands on her again.
I’m up before Jade wakes. I feel like shit, but I want to make her some breakfast. She hardly ate yesterday. I can’t cook to save my life, but I’m sure I can manage to cut up some fruit. I have some of that muesli crap too. Looks like damn bird seed if you ask me, but I know she likes it. I asked my housekeeper, Erika, to buy some.
I’ve given Erika the next few days off. I don’t want her hovering around with all this shit going on. She usually comes when I’m at work, but I won’t be going into the office until I can sort out what I’m going to do with Jade.
After turning on the coffee machine, I wash some strawberries and grapes under the tap. Placing a few scoops of muesli into a bowl, I grab a tub of yoghurt out of the fridge. I’ve seen her use that instead of milk. I place it all on a tray so I can carry it back to the bedroom. As I go to lift it off the bench, I feel her arms wrap around my waist.
‘Good morning,’ I hear her say in a sleepy voice as she places a kiss on my bare back. I think I could really get used to having her around. Turning in her arms, I cup her face in my hands. Her face is free of makeup, but she’s still as beautiful as ever.
‘Good morning,’ I say when she smiles up at me. ‘How are you feeling today?’