by Pepper North
“Breathe, Ember. Look down and concentrate. What do you smell?” His voice softened.
She barely held herself together. It was easier to follow his directions than not. Taking a deep breath, she reported, “I smell fried fish and... flowers?”
“Good girl. Open your eyes for me. What color is the building you’re standing by?” When she didn’t answer, he tried again, “Ember, shut out the noise around you and listen to my voice. Focus on your senses. It will help ground you. Are your fingers against the building?”
“Yes!” she wailed.
“Good girl. What do you feel?”
“It’s rough. Brick with crumbly mortar.” She heard a strident honk and the squeal of brakes come through the phone. And then his reassuring voice replaced the harsh sound. She listened intently to the tone of his voice, unable to focus on the words as the sound of her heart thudded loudly in her ears. She was going to die. She knew it.
“Oh, little girl. This one’s bad, isn’t it? I’m on my way. You’re going to be okay.”
Ember could hear the sound of the traffic whizzing by and knew time was moving around her. The buzz of voices registered but her terror-stricken mind couldn’t focus to listen. All she could do was squeeze herself against the safety of the brick and hope for Jax to arrive soon. His voice through the phone reassured her but she needed him close. Jax would help.
A lifetime seemed to have passed when finally, that calming voice sounded so close. Ember gripped the phone hard as she pressed it tightly to her ear.
“You’ll feel my hands on your shoulders.”
Ember lashed out as she felt someone touch her. Her eyes flashed open to see who was attacking her. She stared into green eyes. “Jax?” she whispered, unable to believe her eyes.
“Yes, baby. I’m here.”
Launching herself forward, Ember wrapped her arms around his muscular torso. Her fingers dug into his flesh as she clung to his body. “Jax!”
“Shhh! It’s okay, Ember. I’m here. Slow down your breathing.” Jax stood, easily lifting her as he rose. Looping one arm under her curvy bottom, he ran the other hand up and down her spine. As he supported her, Jax breathed audibly for Ember in deep, even breaths. When her panicked gasps subsided, he asked, “Can I carry you to my truck, baby?”
Peeking behind her, she saw an oversized blue pickup pulled haphazardly onto the sidewalk between a mailbox and a light pole. The sight of his determination to get to her helped dispel her panic even further. She nodded against his hard shoulder. Wiggling to put her feet on the ground, Ember froze at the feel of his hand swatting her bottom sharply.
“Daddy’s in charge. Just hold on,” he admonished her. As he carried her to the passenger side, an elderly woman hurried forward to open the door.
“Thank you, ma’am,” Jax said, nodding his appreciation.
“I’m so glad you came. I was worried. I tried talking to her, but she couldn’t answer me.” The woman’s tone shook with audible concern. She leaned in to confide, “I’ve had those. You know... panic attacks.”
“I’ll take care of her, ma’am. I promise.” He was civil but curt, trying not to encourage the older woman. All he wanted was to get Ember to a protected area. The truck would serve for now. He pulled the seatbelt and attached it.
“I’m so glad she has a daddy.”
Jax turned to look at the woman in surprise. Scanning her face, he relaxed slightly. “Thank you for taking care of her. You hurry home to your daddy now.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Daddy died two years ago. Someday, I’ll see him again. He told me not to rush. He’d wait for me.”
“He’ll wait and watch over you,” Jax reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. Removing a card, he handed it to the woman. “If you need help, call. I work out of town sometimes, but I’ll be there as fast as I can. What’s your name?”
She accepted the card and pressed it to her heart. “April. I promise I won’t pester you. But thank you. I’m not quite as alone, am I?”
“No, you aren’t, April.” When a chilly hand wrapped around his neck, Jax turned and smiled at the young woman in his passenger seat. “And Ember’s not alone anymore either.”
“I’m not?” she whispered.
“No, baby. You’re not alone,” he reassured her. When Ember looked past his shoulders, Jax turned around to check on the older woman. The space was empty. Looking down the street, he saw her walking slowly.
“I’m sorry I didn’t hear her,” Ember said with tears in her eyes.
“It’s okay, baby. Now, let’s get you out of here.” When she nodded, Jax rounded the vehicle and jumped into the driver’s seat. He’d just reversed off the sidewalk and blended with traffic when Ember reached a tentative hand over the console to touch his arm.
“Thank you.”
Jax joined his fingers with hers and rested their hands on her thigh. “You are so welcome. You scared me a little.”
“I scared me, too. How did you find me?”
“I used the clues you told me and calculated paths from your office building. This was the path that led to old brick buildings where there’s a flower shop a block from a seafood joint.” He squeezed her hand softly.
Maneuvering out of the traffic, Jax pulled into a parking lot where there would be enough people to reassure Ember while not making her feel endangered. Pushing the seat back, Jax said, “Crawl over here, baby. I need to hold you again.”
Ember looked around to make sure no one was watching. “Are you sure?” At his nod, Ember carefully negotiated over the divider and allowed his hands to settle her on his lap.
“I’m not skinny,” she apologized, trying to support some of her weight. While she’d been a little heavier in college, Ember was just all around average with a bit bigger butt than she wanted.
“I’ll let you know if I can’t breathe,” he reassured her. His eyes danced with mirth, signaling her that he was teasing.
“Sorry,” she apologized again.
“I’ll spank you for real this time if you act like any of that was your fault.” His tone was firm, warning her that he was very serious.
What? That one swat stung for a while. She didn’t want to have several of those. “You can’t spank me. I’m not a child,” she blustered.
“You can’t lie to me, baby. Now, tell me what happened after we met.” Jax stroked up and down her spine.
Before she knew what was happening, Ember exploded into the story, recounting how awful Traci was and how the man hadn’t even given her a chance to explain. Alone in town, Ember hadn’t wanted to worry her folks about her troubles in working with that horrid woman.
“Why didn’t you want to tell your folks?” he probed.
“My panic attacks started when I was a teenager. But they almost disappeared by the time I graduated from high school. Still, Mom and Dad didn’t want me to leave town and come work here. I didn’t want to stay on the family farm. I have a degree in agriculture, but with three older brothers, they were never going to listen to me. I didn’t know the only opportunity I was going to find was in the mailroom with her,” Ember spit out that last word.
“So that’s done. You’ll start looking for a job tomorrow. We just need to be creative in how to use your agriculture degree in the city,” Jax asked. His warm hand continued to stroke her reassuringly.
Ember sagged against him. “I don’t do well with purely academic studies. The combination of planning and implementation is my groove. I love to get my hands dirty. That’s why I always go to the park at lunch. I need the balance that plants and air give me.”
“Someday, I’ll pursue a job in security or risk analysis, but for now, an office building is the last place I want to be,” Jax shared.
She loved that he was really listening. No, not just listening. He was paying attention. Ember thought he really was interested in her. She knew that she felt closer to him already than the few guys she’d dated before.
“Before I found my
program of studies in the next town over from where I grew up, I actually thought about going into the military or becoming a nurse for about ten minutes. Then my dad reminded me I couldn’t shoot a squirrel or clean fish.” Ember laughed before yawning widely.
Jax laughed and seemed delighted when she giggled along with him. “Those are probably good indications that those careers are out. Okay. Enough thinking about bad stuff.”
She tilted her head to look at him. Why not take advantage of his desire to change the topic? “Why did you call yourself Daddy?” Holding her breath, Ember was sure that Jax couldn’t be referring to daddies like in those books hidden on her e-reader.
“Ember, I’m wired differently than other men. I have been looking for my little girl for many years.”
“Little girl?” she echoed, trying to act clueless. “Like kids?”
“No, baby. Little girl as in an ageplay relationship. I’m looking for my special Little who will allow me to care for her in all ways.” Jax’s green eyes had focused on her face, watching her reaction to his words. Something must have given her away. “I think you know what ageplay is, don’t you, baby?
She couldn’t lie to him. Sitting on his lap in the big truck, Ember felt wrapped in a protective bubble where she could be honest. “Yes. I’ve read some books, but I’ve never had a daddy or even met one. I didn’t know that they existed outside of books.” Blinking quickly, she tried to wake herself up. She did not want to miss this conversation.
“They exist and you’ve met one now,” Jax confirmed, brushing the wisps of hair from her face before tugging at one of her braids.
“We need to talk about this more, little one, but you are falling asleep. Home and bed for you. Tomorrow, you can ask all the questions you wish,” he promised.
“Sorry. I am exhausted. Could I bother you to take me to a bus stop?” she asked, leaning back against him. Ember didn’t understand why she trusted him so much. Maybe coming to her rescue twice like her own knight in shining armor moved Jax into a special category of honorable men.
Jax’s hand rubbed up and down her arm, comforting her. “As much as I was hoping to convince you to come to the barbecue, I know you’re exhausted. I’m not taking you to a bus stop. I’ll take you home. Climb back over to sit down so I can pull your seatbelt around you.”
“I can do it.”
“Nope. That’s my job.” Within seconds, Jax helped her settle in the passenger seat and had wrapped the protective strapping across her body. He restarted the truck and shifted into gear. When he placed his right hand on the console and stretched his fingers, Ember meshed her fingers with his.
She felt better than she had for a very long time. Unemployment sucked, but anything was better than going back to that job. She hated it for so many reasons. Looking out the windows of the big pickup, Ember realized it had been a long time since she’d relaxed enough to watch the clouds or enjoyed the trees and flowers.
She looked sideways at Jax’s profile. He was chiseled. The feel of his body holding her had been hard as forged steel. She remembered his squad leader saying that Jax was the best sniper ever. Ember didn’t doubt it. There was a quiet confidence about him. She knew that Jax must be extremely good at what he did.
“Tell me your address, baby.”
“Oh, you can just drop me at a bus stop. I’m good at figuring routes,” she rushed to reassure him.
“Do I look like the type of man who would dump you at a bus stop? If you’re not comfortable with me knowing where you live, I’ll pull over and call a cab or a ride share—whichever you prefer.” When she opened her mouth to protest, he added, “Which I will pay for, little girl.”
Quiet filled the cab. Finally, Ember said, “411 W. Broadway.”
“That’s not a very good part of town, baby. Is your apartment safe?”
“I’ve been fine.”
“But things have happened to your neighbors?” he probed, giving her a piercing look.
“Sometimes. Maybe they’re not as careful as I am,” she rushed to suggest.
“Does your family know where you’re living?”
“Oh, no! Dad doesn’t like to drive in city traffic. They visited my first apartment when I moved up here. He swore he’d never come back unless there was an emergency. I ride the bus home once a year to see them if I have vacation time. They haven’t been here since I had to move to a less expensive apartment.”
* * *
Jax drove slowly down the dimly lit Broadway Street. Most of the streetlamps were dark. The wires sticking out of several attesting to why the city had stopped repairing them. Someone was stripping out the copper wiring to sell. Number four eleven was an old brick apartment building that must have been spectacular years ago. Unfortunately, time and lack of attention had taken their toll.
“Don’t come in,” she rushed to tell him as he parked. “I don’t want anyone to steal your truck.”
“I don’t like this at all, baby.”
“It’s okay. Really,” she tried to convince him. “I’m sure my next job will pay better. I’ll start looking tomorrow.” Dashing out the door before he could stop her, Ember called, “Thank you for saving me over and over! I’ll flash my lights at you, so you’ll know I’m safe.”
Honks sounded behind him, but Jax didn’t move until he saw the lights blink on the third floor. Slowly, he pulled away, watching in his review mirror for any reason that he could go and demand she leave with him. He wouldn’t sleep well tonight.
That was okay. He had some research to do. The name of the company she had worked for seemed very familiar. Just as he was kicking himself for having forgotten to ask the other guys about it, Jax remembered the name of the general who had retired soon after Jax had joined the group. The retiring officer had been so impressed with the young sniper’s skills that he’d given Jax a card to come discuss a security job when he left the military. Jax was almost sure that the name matched the one on Ember’s building.
Twenty minutes later, he pulled into his house on the military grounds. His arms felt empty as he sat in the driver’s seat, remembering the feel of Ember curled against him. Jax had seen his grandmother’s exhaustion after a panic attack firsthand. Jax had watched Ember to see if they affected her the same way. When Ember had yawned, he’d known she needed to be in bed. He hadn’t wanted to let her go, but knew it was best for her to rest.
Forcing himself out of the vehicle, Jax entered the quiet house. It felt emptier than ever before. He’d wanted to bring Ember here. With a rueful shake of his head, Jax headed for his room. As he walked down the hallway, Jax slowed at the closed pink door. He pressed his fingers against it. When his lips tilted up in a smile, he patted the door, promising it, Soon.
Sobering, he turned and headed for his room. Something was bothering Jax. He hadn’t gotten much out of her about being fired, but something didn’t add up. He was willing to burn a potential job opportunity to help her. Jax thanked his years in the barracks for teaching him to be organized as he pulled the card out of the tin in his desk. It held all those things important to him. The blue logo on top matched the symbol on the building. He’d been right.
After checking to make sure it wasn’t too late, he called the handwritten number on the back. “Hello, sir.”
“Jax Wescott. I didn’t think I’d hear from you for at least five more years,” the military crisp voice answered.
“I hope I’m not calling too late, General Berkley.”
“Not at all. What can I do for you? Are you separating from the military now?”
“No, sir. My team would roast me alive if I tried to leave. I’m calling for a friend—a young woman who works at your company,” Jax clarified the reason he’d phoned.
“Ah! I can’t discuss employee affairs openly but tell me what’s motivated you to call. I don’t know you well, but I know you wouldn’t call me unless it was important.”
“I’d like to ask that you would review the file of Ember Stevens. She was fired
today from working in the mailroom. I’d like to ask you to review the video footage of her working conditions as a favor. My impression is that all is not as it appears,” Jax suggested, trying to be diplomatic and realizing that the mailroom was way below the general’s attention.
“You like this young woman?” probed the older man.
“I do,” Jax admitted.
“I won’t make any promises. It’s possible that you don’t know the entire story, son.”
“I understand, General Berkley. And thank you, sir.”
“Thank you for your service. I’ll look forward to talking to you again in several more years.”
“Yes, sir. I will call.”
Jax hung up the phone. He understood from the general’s words that he was not to call about this matter again and that he had imposed on their relationship. Jax didn’t care. His future was not at stake now—Ember’s was.
* * *
His phone rang two hours later. Too late for a social chat, it could only be his superior officer. Immediately snapping into action, he answered the call, “Mark, when do we leave?”
“A driver is outside. Grab your duffle and move. This one is urgent.”
All the members of the team were at battle ready always. Jax dressed and walked out the door in four minutes. The instant his butt hit the seat, he pulled up Ember’s number to send a text.
Hi, baby. I’m going to have to ask for a rain check for tomorrow. The team’s been activated. I’ll be away for a while. Take care of yourself. If you need anything, get ahold of Cricket. She’s my commander’s little girl. Here’s her number.
With that taken care of, Jax forced his mind into mission mode. They’d all learned early on that everyone’s safety relied on their ability to focus and block out everyday worries. It was the middle of the month, Ember’s rent should be paid and her last checks were being processed. She ought to be okay until he got back.
Chapter Three