On Edge

by Kim Cong

  “Fuck.” He dropped my hand and pushed fingers through his hair. “It’s probably Mum wanting to know if we made it safely.” I bit my lip and grinned.

  His mum loved me. Sure, I was the daughter of some pretty crazy rockers, but I had settled Pax down. She said I made him happy. I could sometimes see her plotting our wedding in her head. We’d only just started dating for goodness’ sake.

  “Hold that thought?” he asked me. I nodded and continued to bite my lip and smile. I hugged one arm around me, knowing he was mine.

  We’d never made it to bed.

  The phone call had told us that my parents were dead. In a matter of weeks, Pax had been shipped off overseas and I’d become guardian to my sister. Our stories had branched out and whatever had been between us was lost in the drama of living our lives.

  Present Day - Paxton

  Paxton Elliot had been part of the Australian Army for nine years. His final three, Pax had spent serving as an SAS officer. The Australian Special Air Services regiment was known as being the cream of the Australian military—an honour that Paxton took seriously.

  He’d left a little over a year before for two reasons. The first—a gunshot wound resulted in his honourable discharge. The second—he was at the point where he was smart enough to realise he wanted to leave alive.

  He’d taken too many risks. It had made him good… hell, some whispered he’d been one of the best. But in his last two years it had also caused him to be injured, multiple times. It was time to move on.

  Pax now worked with his dad in security. Elliot Securities was well known and trusted. The company did everything from organising bodyguards, security details and regular patrols through to surveillance, private investigation and security breach testing, including software. They employed a large work force, all officially trained in their particular fields. Pax and his father Ross liked to keep their fingers on the pulse and regularly went out in the field to check on their people.

  They didn’t hire bouncers or shopping centre security. These guys were the best in their profession and their clients paid top dollar for that service.

  Lately, they’d been assisting government agencies with surveillance. Pax had good connections from his days in the Defence Force and wasn’t above using them to promote the business. Soon, he wouldn’t need them. Word was getting out about Elliot Securities’ new move and the quality work they provided. Projects were coming in steadily. At this rate, they would have to expand the business.

  Pax smirked at the latest requests his secretary had left on his desk and then reached for his cup of coffee. As always, Addie had topped it up with hot stuff and left a snack right next to it. She was worth double her weight in gold.

  Pax leaned back and sipped his coffee, contemplating life and its good points. He was doing something worthwhile here. Something he could be proud of.

  “So my thoughts are that we should go for a re-train of all those guys. It was unacceptable.”

  “I agree.” Pax laughed. “But dad? You’re meant to be retiring. Not undertaking more work.”

  “Son, retirement was your mothers’ idea not mine. I’d be bored in a week.”

  His door opened and Addie entered the room, shutting the door behind her.

  “Dad, I have to go.”

  “Right. Talk later.”

  “Bye.”

  He hit the end button on his mobile. “What’s up Addie?”

  “Pax, there’s a lady here to see you. No appointment but she looks upset and asked for you directly.”

  Pax leaned forward, his eyebrow raised in question. “Name?”

  “She won’t give me one. Said she was worried you may refuse her. About five-eight, blonde hair, wearing jeans and a faded top, hi-top Converse in a killer purple. Amazing blue eyes, a tattoo of a phoenix on her wrist. Petite but curvy. Sound familiar?”

  Pax sucked in a breath and stood. “Send her in.”

  “Got it.” Addie nodded, turned around and headed for the reception area.

  Pax ran a hand through his hair. After all this time….

  The door opened and Addie led her in.

  Jetta Oliver.

  His eyes met hers and Jetta quickly looked away. He rounded the desk and went to stand in front of her. Without thinking, he reached out and lifted her chin, his thumb unconsciously rubbing her cheek.

  “Jetta.”

  Her eyes flooded with tears but her lips quirked up in a small smile.

  “Paxton.”

  Addie stood in the doorway and flicked her eyes from one to the other. The awkward pause continued. “Drinks?”

  “No, thanks, Addie.”

  Jet shook her head and kept her eyes on him. Pax felt his heart clench.

  “That will be all, Addie, thanks.” Addie nodded, hesitating before leaving the room. He had no doubt she’d try for information later.

  There was another long pause as they took each other in.

  She looked good. Hair still long, still the same beautiful, soulful eyes, the pale skin with the smattering of freckles across her nose. They used to drive him crazy. Looking at her now, he had to admit, they still did.

  “Shit. Come in. Sit down.” He used it as an excuse to slip a hand behind her and brush against the small of her back. He guided her to the couch area in his office and they sat down, side by side, facing each other.

  “It’s great to see you, Jet.” He reached out and took her hand. Her fingers involuntarily flinched, then gripped his.

  “Pax…” Her chin quivered again and he wrapped her in his arms, pulling her close.

  “Sshh… shh. It’s okay. Let it out.” She broke down, tears wetting his shirt. He knew what that day was. Geeze, had it been ten years? Shit.

  “I know it hurts, Jet. I know losing them still hurts like hell. Let it out.” Her breath shuddered and she pushed back, moving away from him.

  “Pax. I’m not here because of my parents. Or, at least not about their deaths. I’m here because I have no other options. I need your help. Courtney is into something and I don’t know how to get her out. I was told by someone to tell you ‘The Owl and the Pussy Cat.’”

  He felt that like a punch to the stomach. Her big eyes looked up at him.

  “I don’t know what that means but I hope you do. I really hope you do because I need you to help me. I can’t do this alone.”

  Twelve years earlier – Paxton

  The misty cold evening surrounded Pax. Tiny whispers of white swirled gently around his body, brushing against his cheeks like soft kisses. Pax stood leaning against the thick cold brick of the school’s boundary fence, hands tucked into dark jeans, one Converse crossed over the other ankle, hands tucked into pockets, hoodie pulled up and low over his head. His sharp green eyes watched Jet run across the oval. He was silent as she jogged toward him, his eyes on her breasts as they bounced and spilled out of the tight halter top she was wearing. His mouth tightened in displeasure.

  “Hi!” Jet stopped, bending over hands on knees, gasping slightly, grinning up at him. A tight knot of need pooled deep in his belly.

  “Sorry! I know I’m late but it took me for-ev-ah to escape the eyes of the Matron of Dooooom.” She laughed at her own joke, before dropping her backpack and crouching down to rummage in the depths. He watched as her boobs continued to jiggle.

  “Jet.”

  “Mmm? Hold on…” She kept digging.

  “Jetta—”

  “Aha!” She ripped a jacket from the bag and surged up. “Gotcha!” Pax watched as she shrugged it on then zipped it up.

  “Okay. Totally ready. What did you want?” She stood there, grinning at him.

  “Fuck it.” He reached over, hooked a hand at the back of her neck and gently but firmly pulled her toward him, causing her to fall into his chest. He snaked a hand around her back and shrugged the hood off his head. He fucking loved the way her gorgeous wide eyes looked at him with surprise.

  “Pax?” Her voice was breathy and he loved that too.r />
  “Quiet, Jetta. I’m going to kiss you.” And he did.

  Present Day – Jetta

  I wiped my face and forced myself to not cry. As tempting as it was to lean on Pax and let him look after me, I needed to be strong.

  Still, I couldn’t help but notice that even after ten years, um, yum. I was upset, not blind. Pax looked so much better than he had at seventeen or twenty. Gawd. His genes were ah-mazing.

  Pax was a cross between a young Elvis and sexy young Rock Hudson mixed in with some Zac Effron swagger. Tall, lean but muscular with the right amount of day old scruff. His five o'clock shadow was so on pointe I wondered if I should take a pregnancy test. His body was muscular and he was looking harder, better than I’d ever seen him.

  “I think you should start at the beginning.”

  I hesitated and then sighed.

  “That goes back ten years, Pax. That’s gonna take a while.”

  He shrugged. “It’s seven at night. I’ve got nowhere to be.” Great. Make me feel even better. So I began, feeding him the bare bones, the Disney version of the last few years.

  I told him about the aftermath of my parents’ deaths. I told him about how we’d had to sell everything and move. I told him about how I’d started writing songs for other people and how we’d lived off the royalties of my songs. I told him about Courtney’s need to be the best and prettiest and richest and how many fights we’d had over it. I told him about Paul and his offer to Courtney and her becoming the princess of pop. I told him about her kicking me out to live her own life.

  I hesitated, biting my lip. “And then today happened.” The Disney version made way for the adults-only reality of today. I told him about the man in the suit, and the kidnapping, and old man Esso and his cluttered cave study. Then I told him what Mr. Suit said about the Owl and the Pussy Cat.

  By the time I’d finished I was emotionally and physically exhausted. I’d cried through the telling and now felt like a worn rag. Pax had sat through some of it, started pacing through a bit more, and then physically had to restrain himself at the end. Now he stood, leaning against the far wall, looking at the floor, hands tucked into pockets, pensive. I took a moment to really appreciate the man he had become.

  He’d always been lean, but now there was a hardness there. His muscles stood out against his jeans and collared shirt. The sleeves had been rolled back to his elbows and he looked effortlessly good.

  What was it about men and rolled-up sleeves that put them from hot to panty dropping?

  His hair was dark brown and had recently been cut. His lashes were still long and framed emerald-green eyes. Amazing eyes. Eyes I wanted to have looking at me every day of my life. I shook the thought off.

  “I can’t tell you much, but here’s what I do know. This guy, Esso, he’s bad news. When I say bad news, I mean it, Jet. So here’s the plan. I pay this guy off—”

  “What? No, Pax—”

  “Quiet.” He made a cutting motion with his hand. “This guy, this guy doesn’t touch you. He’s paid off, he forgets you exist. I make that known to him. I got the money. I’m doing this. Next, Courtney. We’ll go tomorrow and see her. We enrol her in a program. She doesn’t go, I make it clear, very clear, what this guy will do to her. I make it so clear she’ll be driving herself to that door. And you, Jet, you’re moving in with me until I get this sorted. That’s the plan.”

  I was shocked. Surprised. Confused. Flattered. Guilty as all hell. “Pax… you can’t do this. I came for help, advice, not a bailout.” He grinned and moved over to me.

  “Been waiting for years to reconnect with you, babe. This is my chance. Having you in debt to me? It’s icing on the cake. It means you’ll be looking for ways to make me happy, and believe me, there are numerous creative ways I can think of.” He gave me that devil-may-care teasing grin that I remembered so well from high school.

  “What?” All my girlie bits popped to attention.

  He laughed. “I’m joking, Jetta. Poor taste.” He wrapped an arm around my back, pulling me in to him for a quick hug.

  “I missed you, Jetta. I want to be friends again. Been waiting years to tell you that.”

  “I… Years?”

  “Yeah.” He slid a hand up to cup my cheek again. His eyes, his beautiful emerald eyes, held mine. The mirth drained to leave behind only sincerity.

  “Mum has kept me updated on you.”

  I wanted to ask if he ever got the care packages and letters I sent to him while he was in the war zone, but chicken shit that I am, I remained silent.

  “Well, why did you wait so long?” I blushed, hard. I couldn’t believe that just came out of my mouth. What was I? Sixteen years old? He ignored my blush and continued to stroke my cheek.

  “I wasn’t always in places where I could contact you. When I was home, I had no guarantee that I was coming back, or when I was flying out.”

  “Kathy said you’ve been home for a year.” I couldn’t help but point this out.

  “Yeah, babe, yeah, I have. But I got injured last time. It’s why I got out. Shit like that, it wrecks you. I’ve been in recovery.”

  “Are you okay?” I touched his arm gently. It bunched in response, then relaxed.

  “Yeah. I’m good now. Wasn’t for a while, but am now.”

  “Why didn’t I know?”

  “No one did. The parents were told to keep it quiet. I…. Look, I wasn’t in a place where I wanted any sympathy. I’m good now, but then? Not so much. You coming around…. Let’s just say that would have been a supremely bad idea.”

  “I’m so sorry, Pax. I wish I had known.”

  “Now you do.” His eyes hardened again. “So, back to the plan. We start this thing, I’ll take care of it, yeah?”

  I nodded. It felt… both relieving and burdensome to have someone basically take care of this. It felt wrong. My whole life I was the fixer, but even I recognised this situation was outside my coping abilities.

  “I… I want to say no. I want to, but I can’t. I really can’t. This situation is so far beyond anything I can handle. I’m woman enough to admit I am in over my head.”

  “Good thing I’m here then.”

  Our eyes met and for a long few moments, we just looked at each other. There were lots of years and secrets between us. So many that I wasn’t sure where to start.

  A knock on the door broke the intensity. It was after nine; I was surprised that there were still people in his office.

  Pax stepped back from me, still holding my gaze. “Yep.”

  The door opened and in swayed his receptionist. She was all of five feet two, if that. Gorgeous long rich mahogany-coloured hair, high-high-high heels in dark red with dark blue lace, a high-waisted skirt in a gorgeous dark red, a blue three-quarter-sleeved button-up top, and amazing dark red lipstick. She should have been on a magazine cover somewhere. She didn’t have many curves but what she had, she flaunted.

  “Pax, you need me here for much longer? I’ve got a date I’m already late for.” She stopped just inside the room and propped a hand on one hip. Completely cool and collected. I wanted to be her.

  “Addie, meet Jet. Jet, Addie, my receptionist, office manager and all-round wrangler of efficiency.” Addie held out her hand and I noticed she was wearing blood-red nail polish.

  “I see he didn’t kick you out. “ She winked. “Welcome to the madhouse. What’s he got you in for?” She grinned, and while I wanted to hate her for being all things feminine, sexy and utterly cool, I really couldn’t. She seemed way too nice. I shook her hand.

  “Uh… Pax is helping me with an issue.”

  “Well, you’ve come to the right place. Elliot Securities is the best out there, and Pax is the best we have.” We dropped hands and she looked over at Pax, an eyebrow cocked in question.

  “So, Mr. Taskmaster, are you going to continue paying me overtime and contributing to my new shoe purchase, or shall I head off to my date with the man who may be The One?”

  Pax waved a hand at h
er. “Go. Have fun.”

  She grinned, then turned back to wink at me. “We’ll do drinks on Saturday night. Kel’s back in town so it’s time for a drink fest. You can tell the girls all about your little problem then.”

  My mouth kind of dropped open and I started to stutter something, but she flicked a hand and spun on one heel.

  “I’ll text Pax where and when. Wear something nice!” And in a flutter of spicy perfume, she was gone.

  I blinked. “Umm…”

  Pax laughs “Yeah.”

  “Did… what?”

  “Don’t argue with Addie. I don’t.”

  “Who’s Kel?”

  “One of the girls on my team.”

  “Where did you find her?”

  “Addie? I didn’t. She found me.”

  “I think there’s a story there.” I raised an eyebrow. Pax smiled and shook his head.

  “There is. But let Addie tell you. She does it better. Now, dinner?”

  I sucked in a breath. This was happening. “I could eat.”

  “Good.” He took my hand, entwining his fingers with mine. “I know a place.”

  Jetta

  The place turned out to be Paxton’s house. It was gigantic. I’m not joking. He lived in Campbell, an older part of Canberra, full of massive houses with huge yards. The place was worth a packet. And it had been redone. Most of those houses were old and still had seventies shag pile carpets and ugly retro wallpaper. But Pax had either bought a newly renovated place, or done it recently, because it was stunning.

  It had a big copper fireplace, hardwood floors, high ceilings and lots of double-glazed glass windows. I fell in love with it just walking in. I couldn’t really see the garden, but the pool area was lit up with solar lights. I wanted to move in and never leave.

  Pax gave me the official tour. Big built-in four-car garage. Five bedrooms, three bathrooms, an open-plan living area upstairs with a rumpus and media-slash-games room in the basement. A big pool, with what I assumed, being unable to see in the dark, was a huge yard.