Chapter 15
Holly checked out the contents of Eve and Xavier’s pantry. She found a pancake mix and decided to make a batch for her and the couple.
She missed Jaxon. This was the first time in almost three weeks that she hadn’t spent the night with him. It was strange how she’d gotten so used to having him around.
She smiled. She wanted to invite Jaxon to her next dinner with her mum and dad. But they hadn’t talked about meeting the parents yet. She didn’t want him running for the hills.
“Good morning,” Eve said, joining her in the kitchen.
Holly smiled. “Good morning. Fancy some pancakes?”
“Yes, please. I’ll make us coffee.”
“Is Xavier up yet? I can still call Bryce to take me to work.”
“He’s getting dressed, and he’s taking you to work. You know you won’t win this argument, especially when the studio is on the way to his gym.”
Holly sighed. “This is such an intrusion to you guys.”
“Don’t worry about it. Xave and I are happy for you to stay indefinitely.”
“Hey, sis,” Xavier said, coming out.
“’Morning. Don’t you usually have an early-morning session with a client?”
“Nope.”
“You’re just saying that because you want to drive me to the studio.”
“Yup. And if you’re finishing at three, I can pick you up and drop you home. I’ll be driving to a client at that time and passing the studio.”
Holly frowned. “I don’t understand why you don’t want Bryce to do his job. Did Jax talk to you?”
Xavier sat on a bar stool by the island. “Yes. I’m not comfortable with him working with you if we have that question mark on his work history. Mum and Dad agree with me.”
Holly grabbed her phone and called up the email from Smith Security. “Here. Read this. I haven’t had the chance to show it to Jax yet.”
Eve stood behind Xavier’s shoulder while they checked out the email.
“See?” Xavier said. “They must have missed that bit about Bryce working on an island hired by drug dealers.”
“Or it might not be the same island. I’ve tried to Google it, and I couldn’t find anything. Jax must have gotten it wrong.”
Xavier glared at her. “Why are you fighting with us when we’re just doing everything we can to keep you safe?”
She took a deep breath. “I appreciate that you’re all concerned for me. Really, I’m so grateful you guys are going out of your way for me. But I trust Bryce.”
“Why?”
“Because I trust Smith Security. They’ve been good to me, and I don’t want to act like a diva to them.”
“The people who do the checks are only human, Holly. They make mistakes too. Thing is, it’s your safety we’re talking about here, so we don’t want to take any chances at all. Even if Bryce is innocent now, what if he’s approached by the kidnappers, knowing he’s your bodyguard? If he’s been around drug dealers before, he might be tempted with lots of money. Or he might be forced to follow orders for his or his loved ones’ safety. He hasn’t been around you enough to be loyal to you if something like that happens.”
Holly blinked. She hadn’t thought of those things before.
“And do you want to suffer what Anna had suffered? Bill said she has nightmares. And I doubt the kidnappers would be as compromising if it’s you they have. Publications name you as one of the top celebrity earners. Do you want to put us through hell while we try to come up with fifty million in cash? All because you don’t want to hurt the feelings of your friends at Smith Security?”
Holly reddened. Here were her loved ones concerned about her, and she worried about acquaintances instead. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I was thinking of protecting my professional connections and reputation. It’s selfish of me.”
Xavier smiled. “Okay. So no more arguing with us. Eve, Jax and I will take turns driving you around. And if we’re not available for some reason, we’ll ask Mum and Dad to get involved—although, that will be as a last resort. They’re very panicky about everything, and I don’t want to overly worry them.”
“Me neither. So are you saying you don’t want me to ask for a new bodyguard?”
“No. Let us look after you until the kidnappers are caught.”
“What if…?” Holly gulped. “What if they’re never caught?”
Xavier rubbed his jaw. “We’ll have to wait and see, okay?”
Tears sprang to Holly’s eyes. She was used to her life being crazy. But now, her loved ones were getting affected.
While her family supported her career wholeheartedly, they tried so hard not to be part of her celebrity. The media would be hard-pressed to find a picture of Xavier and her parents with her since they were careful never to share family pictures with outsiders. And her parents had refused every single interview they’d been asked to do.
And then there was Jaxon. He’d fought his attraction for her because he hadn’t wanted to get caught in the spotlight. He said he didn’t care about that anymore, but he hadn’t experienced being hounded by the media yet. With paps now camped outside what was supposed to be his own private sanctuary, he no doubt would be subjected to it soon. And there was nothing she could do about it.
“Hey,” Eve said, smiling sympathetically. “Whatever happens, we’ll adjust. But I have every confidence the kidnappers will be caught. These things just take time, so we need to always be on our toes and not let our guard down.”
Holly nodded. “Okay. If it makes you guys feel better, I’ll tell Smith Security that I don’t need a bodyguard at this time. I just want to be mindful of my reasons, because I don’t want this to reflect on Bryce’s record. Maybe I can say my family insists on playing bodyguard?”
Xavier shrugged. “That’ll work.”
“I’ll call them and Bryce sometime today.”
“Great. Now, are you making pancakes?”
“Yes. Could you switch on the TV?” She wanted to know if Jax’s Avalon place was being broadcast in the morning shows.
Eve pressed the remote, with the morning news from the network where Eve worked bursting on the screen.
“Reports that Holly Stirling has been kidnapped are gaining momentum.”
Holly gasped, turning her full attention to the TV.
Her eyes widened. There were at least twenty people standing in front of Jaxon’s gate, some waving to the camera.
“But her fans are praying that she’s merely hiding inside this property for her safety,” the reporter said. “They wait here, hoping to get a glimpse of the singer to assure them that she is alive and well.”
Holly bit her lip. Was Jaxon at home? What was he thinking right now? She grabbed her phone to call him—and her finger froze.
The gate was opening, and Jaxon was on his way out.
The fans respectfully stayed at the sides although they were craning their necks, no doubt eager to see if Holly was in the car.
But the reporter trotted to the vehicle, standing so close that Holly feared Jaxon might accidentally hit her. Unfortunately, her actions encouraged some of the fans to move closer too.
“Stupid woman,” Eve said with a scowl. “She’s clearly trying to stop him from going.”
“Sir… Sir…” the reporter said, positioning herself next to the driver’s side.
To Holly’s surprise, Jaxon lowered his window. He was stone-faced and clearly annoyed.
“Please get out of my way,” Jaxon said calmly. “I’m trying to get to work.”
“Is it true that Holly Stirling is staying in this house? Are you the owner?”
Jaxon shook his head and tried to inch the car forward. But some of the fans were still blocking the way.
“Are you a friend of Holly’s brother? Or are you her boyfriend?” the reported prodded.
The jaws of a number of fans dropped at the question. Now they were more eager to take a look at the guy behind the wheel.
�
�Look,” Jaxon said, his tone still calm but with a hint of exasperation. “I don’t know what makes you think Holly Stirling is staying here. She’s not here, so you’re all wasting your time standing out here.”
“I believe you’re Mr. Jaxon Caine. Is that right, sir?”
Jaxon exhaled heavily.
“Mr. Caine, are you Holly’s boyfriend?”
“No. Where on earth did you get that information from?”
Holly’s chest pinched. She knew Jaxon had to answer in the negative. That was totally understandable.
But, geez, hearing it was…tough.
The reporter shoved the mic on Jaxon’s face again. “Do you know where Holly Stirling is?”
“No, and I suggest you stop wasting your time. She’s not staying here.” Jaxon honked his horn.
Thankfully, the people standing in front of the car moved aside, and Jaxon sped off.
Holly took a deep breath and tapped her phone to call him.
“Hi,” Jaxon answered.
“I saw you on TV,” she said apologetically.
“Did you? I can’t believe they tried to block me. Honestly, I don’t know how you handle it. Anyway, how are you?”
“Okay. I’m sorry about that. I hope they take your advice and go home.”
“Well, I won’t be going home to Avalon for a few days, so even if those people decide to watch the house, they’d be sorely disappointed.”
She turned her back to Xavier and Eve and spoke in a low voice. “When do we see each other again?”
“As soon as it can be arranged. We’ll work something out.”
“Okay. Miss you already.”
“Me too, babe. You enjoy your day and try not to worry about anything, okay?”
She smiled. “As long as you promise to do the same.”
Jaxon chuckled. “Promise. I’ll see you soon.”
“Okay. Bye.”
“Bye.”
She hid a sigh. She would have loved to keep on talking to him, but Eve and Xavier were listening.
Anyway, Jaxon had handled that unexpected interview well. But it couldn’t have been fun, and it would only get worse.
She hoped any further intrusion to his privacy, of which he’d most certainly get, wouldn’t put him off continuing to date her.
Chapter 16
“Damn it,” Jaxon muttered after reading Aidan’s update. After a week of investigating, they were no closer to finding the bearded guy he’d seen with Bryce. The man had only been renting the place in the suburbs, and further digging by the IR had shown he’d given fake IDs and references to the real estate managing agent.
As for Bryce, Smith Security had given him another job after Holly had let him go. Jaxon had been shadowing his brother all week, and he hadn’t done anything to further arouse suspicion.
Jaxon couldn’t help but be relieved about that. But at the same time, he was damned frustrated. They were getting nowhere with the kidnappers, and the intrusion from the media was getting worse.
Holly had appeared on live TV a few days ago to prove she was safe and sound. She’d said she was simply busy working on her new album. However, gossip rags didn’t seem to want to let go of another intriguing question: Was Jaxon Caine Holly Stirling’s new boyfriend?
Seriously, they’d never even seen him and Holly together! Just because one reporter raised the possibility, everyone now thought it could be the truth.
Well, yeah, it was true. But there was no evidence. And it annoyed the hell out of him that they could be so brazen in butting into people’s private lives.
Paparazzi had started to follow him around the city. A couple had even become members of A to X Fitness to check up on him and Xavier, which meant that Holly couldn’t go there for a workout. A reporter had even tried to get information from Jaxon’s receptionist. Fortunately, he’d never taken Holly to his office, with or without her disguise.
At least the fans and paps had stopped hanging outside his Avalon property. With the additional camera Jaxon had gotten installed by the gate to capture a wider area of his street, Aidan had been able to confirm no one had checked out the place in three days. It seemed the media and the OZs had gotten sick and tired of not sighting Holly over there.
Great! Now, Holly could go back there in secret to spend the night with him, since Xavier and Eve had to stay overnight at Dubbo for Eve’s work assignment.
He missed Holly. With him following his brother, he’d only had time to see her once this week, when he’d snuck into the back of Xavier’s car and gone home with him. Hopefully, there wouldn’t be much drama for the next two days so he and Holly could enjoy their time together.
His phone pinged with a text message. It was Xavier advising that the coast was clear outside his house.
Jaxon stopped driving around aimlessly and headed to Xavier and Eve’s. He knew Holly had been protesting about how strict they’d been with her safety, not because she was feeling smothered—although she probably was—but because Holly was concerned that Jaxon, Xavier and Eve were overextending themselves.
He shook his head. Even up to now, his girlfriend didn’t want people doing too much for her, even if it was her safety on the line.
Xavier’s garage door was opening as reached their house. He parked the car inside and got out.
“We have to go very soon,” Xavier said. “We might miss our flight.”
“Pity the pap didn’t leave earlier, hey?”
“Eve found out he has to pick up a child from school, that’s why he follows the same schedule every weekday.”
“You’d think he’d have given up by now,” Jaxon said with a head shake.
“One of the neighbours gives him food and cakes while he waits. Annoying, but there’s nothing we can do about it.”
Jaxon followed Xavier inside, and Holly came to meet him.
“Hey,” Holly said, curving her arms around Jaxon’s neck for a kiss.
“Hey,” he breathed, holding her tight.
“Hi, Jax,” Eve said, sounding in a rush. “Sorry, but we have go.”
“Sure, no worries,” Jaxon said, following everyone to the garage.
Holly got into Jaxon’s car.
“See?” Holly said when Jaxon settled behind the wheel. “This is what happens when I don’t have my own bodyguard. I’ve held them up. They shouldn’t have to rush like this.”
“It won’t be forever,” he soothed as he backed out of the garage, waving to Xavier and Eve.
“I hope so. If the kidnappers never get caught, I’m afraid our lives will be like this forever.”
Jaxon’s heart pinched at the sadness in Holly’s voice. “I’m sure they’ll get caught.”
“Soon will be good,” Holly said flatly. “Anyway, I’m glad we’re going to your place in Avalon. I miss it.”
He smiled. “I miss it too. I haven’t been back there since that reporter ambushed me.”
“That’s not the worst some of them can do. Are you sure they’re not there right now?”
Jaxon paused. He was sure because Aidan had said so. But he couldn’t tell her that. “You’ll have to hide yourself again when we get on my street. If it looks like someone could get close to the car and spot you, I’ll keep on driving. Hopefully, we should be able to get inside without anyone seeing you.”
“Jax…”
“Yeah?”
“This is not gonna go away, you know. They might get sick of the kidnapping topic after a while, but the unwanted attention will always be there. Are you okay with that?”
He inhaled sharply, an image of Bryce and Joseph popping into his head. Holly so didn’t need to be embroiled in a scandal involving both her boyfriend and former bodyguard, and he definitely could do without anyone poking around his family life. But what was the option?
He sent her a smile. “We’ll deal with it as best as we can, okay?”
Holly smiled back. “Okay.”
Holly’s phone beeped with a text message. “Ugh, you’re kidding me
.”
“What?”
“Christine said that a reporter asked her if Bryce Green is my boyfriend.”
“What? Whatever gave them the idea?”
“Well, I suppose people at the studio have seen Bryce with me, although I’ve told the guys I work with that he’s my bodyguard.”
“Which means someone there is feeding reporters information about you.”
Holly let out a heavy sigh. “That can’t be helped. I trust my sound producers and engineers and musicians, but we’re not the only ones who use the studio. It’ll be impossible to tell who started this particular rumour.”
“Good thing Bryce no longer works for you.”
Holly snickered dryly. “Yeah. I bet they’re gonna talk about me being a player again. First, there was Jaxon Caine. Then there was Bryce Green. And Holly Stirling discarded them both in a matter of weeks.”
Jaxon’s heart thudded harder. “You really think they’ll say that?”
“It sells their wares. Do you think I should warn Bryce?”
Jaxon frowned at the road ahead. If Bryce made the news, Joseph would find out he was back in town. But that wasn’t what worried Jaxon. With Holly being a common factor, Joseph would discover that his stepsons were in communication again.
Jaxon ran his hand over his face. Would he always have a sword over his head for the rest of his life? And as long as he was with Holly, that same sword could wreak havoc on her career and whatever little privacy she enjoyed.
“Jax?”
He glanced at Holly.
“Are you okay?”
“Sure.”
“You don’t like all this attention, do you?”
“Hey.” He squeezed her hand, not knowing how to respond to that.
“It takes a lot of getting used to.”
“I know,” he said distractedly, suddenly noticing a car behind overtaking several vehicles. Why was the driver in a hurry?
He kept watch of the car while also minding the road ahead, all his focus going to determining if they were being followed.
Then the car headed right, and he let out a sigh.
Jaxon_The Assignment Page 14