Page 39 of Outlaw Xmas
“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
