Page 78 of Kiss Marry Kill
“She did?”
He walked to the kitchen. “She did,” he said, bringing her a plate of Mediterranean food, her favorite. “And all those are from friends, publicists, the label . . .”
She looked over her shoulder and noticed for the first time a bunch of flowers and balloons. “Oh wow. Guess it was on television, huh?”
“With the crowd at the beach, everyone with phones, yeah—pretty much every television station is covering the story,” he said, and she sat back and closed her eyes. “I fielded everyone. Thought you’d like to have some time alone before you had company.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Her eyes stayed closed.
“Why don’t you try to eat something?”
She opened her eyes and sat forward, taking a stuffed grape leaf. “Good,” she said with a mouthful. Jax, who was normally very touchy, sat on the other side of the sofa eyeing her with concern.
“Ryan?” she asked.
“In jail. Hopefully for a long time.”
“Thank God. It’s all over.”
He nodded, somberly.
“Are you okay?” she asked, noticing the distance between them. Something was off.
He nodded again and stood, coming back with a glass of water, placing it next to her.
“I have to go into the office this afternoon.”
“What?” she said, louder than she intended. He hadn’t left her side in over three weeks, and he was going to just leave her now, after everything that had happened yesterday?
“The office? Iron-Clad Security? I have new clients I’ve been neglecting and a big mission that I need to oversee.”
“Oh yeah. Sure, of course.”
“I have guys still close by. Your security is all set in here, so you’ll be okay. I called Nelly and Taylor and asked them to swing by later when you’re up to it.”
“Jax? Are you . . . are you leaving?”
He stood, running a hand through his hair. “I just told you I have to go to the off—”
“No, I mean . . . for good. Why do I feel as if this is good-bye?”
“It’s not good-bye,” he said, taking a hesitant step toward her but then stopping before getting too close. “Of course it’s not, we still have the tour. I’ll keep on for that. Even if the threat is gone, good security is still important.”
“No. Wait. You’re running away from me, I can tell. Don’t do this, Jax.”
“I’m not, I just told you—”
“You told me you’d work for me. I don’t need an employee. I need you.”
He didn’t answer, which confirmed her suspicion. He was leaving.
“A lot has happened so fast. Let’s get our heads together. Take a beat to think things through.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I don’t need a beat.”
“Well,” he said, swiping his hand down his face. “I do.”
“I can’t believe this.” Tears fell down her face. “You know what, Jackson?” She spit his name out. “Five years ago, I was stupid and naïve and I followed your stupid plan to part ways. Not even getting your damn phone number. Now, thinking back on it, you were scared. You were running away. When shit gets real, when emotions are on the line, you fucking run away.”
