Unspoken Words (Hope and a Future Book 1)

by Janna Halterman

  “Thank you. I am cold.” She opened her eyes, blushing up at him. “This is better.”

  Their faces were so very close…close enough to easily close the distance between their lips.

  “Would you tell me more?”

  Evelyn turned and watched the rain, and Jackson put his desires in check before telling her more of his childhood.

  Somewhere between talking about his schooling and telling stories of getting into mischief, his fingers begin to stroke her arm. Evelyn’s breath caught at the surprise of it, but as he continued a story about his father, ever so slowly she melted back into the warmth of his side.

  The storm had seized its passionate downpour, and now all that remained was a steady mist.

  “We grew up rather differently,” Jackson said, after finishing his story, enjoying the feel of her arm as he stroked it.

  “Yes,” Evelyn agreed, “very differently. I like hearing you talk about your family. Your parents sound wonderful. I’m glad you have parents who love you.”

  Jackson could only nod in response. His mind had wandered to less pleasurable thoughts.

  “Are you okay?”

  He nodded again. “Yes. Why do you ask?”

  “You look like something’s on your mind.”

  “I have been wondering about something,” he admitted, “but I’m worried the subject will upset you.” Evelyn gave him a look that was full of compassion and appreciation. More pieces to the puzzle. He had everything she lacked, yet she held compassion for him.

  “I don’t mind you asking me things. Even if it’s difficult for me to answer, I will. If it’s been bothering you, it’s probably important.”

  Jackson looked down at Evelyn who was looking up at him with expectant eyes. He needed to do something with his mouth before he kissed her, so he asked her what he was wondering. “Did you know that Tom’s father runs the government homes for children?”

  “Of course I do,” Evelyn answered. “Why have you been thinking about that?”

  Jackson had to look away. Her mouth was far too tempting, and the look of waiting in her eyes – even if just waiting for his response – was moments from driving him to taste of her mouth once more. “That’s not exactly what I’ve been thinking about. I’m curious how you met Tom, how long you’ve known him.”

  “Tom actually reminded me of that when I first ran into him some weeks back. I was nine when I met him. His dad brought him along on his monthly visits to our home. He always picked on me when I was little, but I hadn’t seen him in the past three years. He wasn’t nice to me until Sarah had him over earlier this semester. Well,” she corrected herself, “I guess he’s still picking on me…it’s just different now.”

  It still didn’t make sense to Jackson how Tom got close to her. If he’d always been mean, how did he change her opinion of him? “What was he like as a kid?”

  Evelyn laid her head against Jackson’s shoulder, shocking him into stillness. They sat like that while she thought back on Tom…and then she realized what she was doing.

  “Jackson! I’m so sorry,” she apologized, sitting up. “I didn’t mean to do that.”

  “I don’t mind it. I’m sure it’s more comfortable than sitting straight up like that.” He wasn’t being honest, and he knew that, but he couldn’t tell her that he preferred her closer. She looked doubtful, so he encouraged her still. “Really Evelyn, please lean back. I don’t mind.”

  Evelyn leaned back against him again but was clearly not planning on resting her head on him. Jackson, knowing that full well, put his hand gently on her hair and brought her head against him.

  “I really didn’t know Tom when we were kids,” she began. “I don’t even know if the time I remember meeting him was his first time visiting or not. He always picked on someone when he came, so maybe I just remember when I became his target. He pulled my hair; not hard. I think he was just trying to test me. He said a lot of things I guess he meant to be mean, but they were true, so they didn’t bother me. He…”

  “What things did he say?” Jackson interrupted her.

  “Oh, he just teased me about not having parents and not being loved; things like that. But like I said, it was true, and I already knew that, so it didn’t bother me.”

  Jackson was shocked into silence. Not by what Tom had said to her, he could see him saying cruel things, but that it didn’t bother her that he said those things.

  Evelyn continued, seemingly unaffected by the memories. “He tried to hurt me over his next handful of visits, but I think he eventually gave up. Then, I saw him making a girl cry and didn’t like it, so I stood in between them. I thought maybe if I stood in front of the other girl, his words would hurt me instead. He didn’t like being challenged, even then. I didn’t mean to challenge him, though. I just meant to divert his attention. Anyway,” she realized she had been rambling. “Does that answer your question?”

  “Yes. But can I ask you something else?”

  “Mmm-hmm.”

  “Why did you ever trust him enough for him to get so close to you?” Stillness overtook her. “I’m sorry, Evelyn. You don’t need to answer that.”

  “No,” she answered quietly. “I told you I’d answer you. To be honest, I ask myself the same question. I knew he was dangerous, but like I told you the other day, he was the first boy to compliment me or flir…” Embarrassment was getting the better of her.

  Jackson squeezed her arm gently. “Don’t worry, I understand. We’ve all been there at one time or another.” And he really did understand, all too well.

  Two Patrol officers were walking by and saw them. They stopped and called over to them. “It’s almost eleven, you two.”

  “Thank you, officers,” Jackson called back, and their eyes widened when they realized who he was. He almost shook his head. Was his reputation really so intimidating?

  “Sorry, sir, we didn’t see that it was you.”

  Jackson knew it was time for him to leave. They both needed sleep, and he had a long week ahead of him. “Are you two going to headquarters?” he called to them.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I’ll join you. Just give me a minute, would you?”

  “Of course, sir. Take your time.” They turned away, pretending not to be interested in who their Captain was spending time with.

  Jackson turned to Evelyn. “I really should be going.”

  Evelyn nodded and stretched out her legs, not wanting to leave the warmth of the blankets, or lose the closeness between them.

  He stood and helped her up before he picked up the plate of cookies and the blankets and placed them inside her door, being sure to stay in view of the officers. He didn’t need to give anyone another reason to gossip about her. “Thank you for allowing me over tonight.”

  “I’m glad you came.” Evelyn wanted to ask him when she would see him again, but hesitated, not knowing how to ask such a thing. “I work the next couple days,” she tried. “Will you be by at all, do you think? I just mean…” but she trailed off.

  Jackson smiled. “I’ll be away for a couple of days for work. I should be back Wednesday.”

  The idea of Jackson being away was not a pleasant one in Evelyn’s mind. He made her feel safe, not just when he was with her, but from simply knowing he was around. “Will you visit me,” she asked quietly, not daring to be any bolder, “when you get back?” Her fingers played with the hem of her shirt as she spoke.

  “Yes.” His answer was quiet, but in an intimate, sure manner.

  Wonderful butterflies flitted around in her stomach. “I work until four thirty on Wednesday. I’ll be home after that.” She peeked at the two officers waiting for Jackson. When they saw her looking, they quickly looked away and pretended to not have been caught watching. “You should probably go,” she said, looking back to Jackson. “They’re waiting for you.”

  “You’re probably right. I’ll see you Wednesday.” He turned to leave but stopped, facing her again, the previous nights’ break-ins sud
denly invading his mind. “Evelyn, please be careful while I’m away.” He left with that, falling into stride with his officers as he caught up with them.

  Evelyn closed the door and locked it. The next couple of days were going to be lonely.

  Chapter 15

  Little rays of sunlight came jabbing through her blinds the next morning. Evelyn rolled out of bed and threw the blinds up.

  “Yes,” sighed out of her. Not a cloud in sight. Not that she disliked clouds, but when the silence of loneliness overwhelmed life, a cloudless sky meant a day she could escape for a run.

  She tried to avoid campus over breaks. It was too quiet, and anyone she passed noticed her. She much preferred being unnoticed. But Bekah’s excitement about the spring run continued to play on repeat in her mind. She needed to check out the Patrol’s course.

  Patrol Headquarters was one of the only offices operating over break, but even they ran on a skeleton crew, so no one was using the course when she got there. Sure enough, there was the flyer Bekah had told her about, confirming the use of the course for the race. Evelyn took her time looking it over. The ropes were going to prove a challenge; she didn’t have any experience on those. Maybe Jackson could give her some advice…

  No. She certainly wouldn’t be informing him that she would be running. She didn’t need his eyes on her through it. She wouldn’t be able to move if he was watching. But the course would be near impossible if the crowd was the same size as last year’s.

  It was easier to be alone during the day, and with the sun shining. By night, she was lonely with not enough to do. Books and studying only took up so much time, and every night ended with Evelyn going to bed early, only to wake earlier that she hoped the next day.

  Wednesday finally came. Her body woke her early, which she knew would happen. She lay in bed as long as she could, but eventually gave in to the restlessness and threw off the covers. She at least had plenty of time to get ready for work.

  Jackson claimed most of her thoughts on her walk to work. It was silly to be so eager to see him, but they were friends. She justified her eagerness by deciding all friends got excited to see each other.

  Of course, she was lying to herself.

  Her day ticked by slower than a snail’s pace. She was quite sure no other day had ever taken so long. Time and time again, she would be certain that she had waited a half hour before checking the clock, but would find that she had only waited five minutes. Never before had she been so impatient to get home!

  Four thirty finally arrived and she gathered her things and locked up quicker than she ever had. The hope of seeing Jackson that night bubbled excitedly within her. Anxiety quickly followed, flooding her with doubts.

  Selecting her outfit consumed most of her attention. She wore her long brown skirt and the green sweater she liked. Bekah, she thought, would have been a world of help to her, as fashion was just one of the many areas of life where she was completely hopeless. Looking into the mirror one last time, she sighed and willed herself to believe her clothes were fine. Then, she let her hair down, pinning a few pieces back like Bekah always encouraged her to do. She hoped Jackson would like it, too.

  After that, there was nothing to do but wait. She had already cleaned the apartment, twice, having so much time to herself over the past couple of days, so she sat on the couch and tried not to watch the clock. At long last there was a knock at the door. Jumping to her feet, she hurried to answer it. She should have waited, so as not to give the impression that she was just waiting around for him. But the knob was turning and the door opening before she could think.

  Evelyn stared at him for a moment, unsettled by his appearance. He looked upset; unstable. “Tom, what are you doing here?”

  “You answered quickly. Were you expecting someone else?” Tom glanced past her and she knew he saw the jacket. She hadn’t even realized Jackson had left it until Monday morning, but he saw it right away. “Jackson, maybe?”

  “Tom, why don’t you come back later? I’m not feeling well,” she lied. Her skin was tingling and her heart thundering. She tried to close the door, but he was too quick and too strong for her.

  Tom pushed the door open and grabbed her arm, moving her back as he forced his way in. Her mind focused on the door. She couldn’t let it close. Closed doors were harder to get through, and she desperately wanted to escape. By a stroke of luck, her jacket hung next to the door and she was able to hit it down as he threw the door back to close it. The door closed but didn’t latch.

  He smelt of alcohol. “I know what you’ve been up to, Evie. You’ve been a busy girl.” He glared at her as he spoke, tightening his grip on her arm.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve been alone all week.” Evelyn tried to calm the panic pressing in on her, tried to keep her mind clear, hoping to find a solution that got her away from him. Panic didn’t solve problems.

  Tom struck her across her face. The force made her fall, and panic burrowed closer to her heart. Before she could recover, Tom jerked her back up. She was a rag doll at his mercy. “You know, everyone already thinks we’ve done this. So really, I’m not taking anything that wasn’t already gone.” He spit the words out at her and grabbed her face, putting his mouth on hers and letting his free hand explore her.

  “Tom, no!” Evelyn tried to scream, pushing and hitting at him. She’d try anything to get away from him. Somehow, she managed to get a hand to his face. She had meant to claw him, but her scratch still caused his grip to falter. Now she needed to run.

  Tom’s violent shove sent her slamming into a wall, rattling her insides. All she managed was to make him angrier…and so much more determined. He covered her scream with his hand, the sound almost completely muffled. She heard her shirt ripping as he pulled at the shoulder while he defiled her exposed skin with his mouth. Still, she tried to fight him off, but it was no use. All of her strength was futile against him.

  And then she saw him, and tears flooded her eyes as relief washed over her.

  Jackson.

  Evelyn had never seen rage like that which was emanating from Jackson as he went at Tom.

  Jackson pulled Tom off of Evelyn and threw him against the counter, sending the fruit bowl scattering to the ground. Grabbing him again, Jackson ran his knee into Tom’s stomach and as Tom doubled over, he drove his elbow between his shoulders, causing Tom to fall to the ground.

  Tom laughed as he stood back up, breathing heavily. “I’m sorry; did I blemish your precious child, sir? I don’t know why you’re even wasting your time on her; she’s just a revolting tease!” His words were pungent with malice.

  Tom’s voice sickened Jackson, and he decided he was done hearing it. He silenced him, punching him in the mouth.

  Evelyn was watching it all in horror. She needed to do something. She hated Tom in that moment, but she didn’t want to see anyone beat unconscious before her eyes, and Jackson was showing no signs of slowing his assault.

  “Jackson!” She cried as he struck Tom again. “Please, Jackson, no more,” she begged. Jackson kept his eyes on Tom, and Tom looked defiantly back, but he was on the ground, not attempting to get up, and not talking. Evelyn walked to Jackson and took his hand in both of hers, hoping she could calm him down. He was shaking.

  His anger scared her. She’d never seen him out of control, but the look in his eyes said he was teetering over the line. She held tighter to his hand, needing his strength to steady her, and hoping her touch would somehow communicate that need.

  Slowly, he turned to face her, but as soon as his eyes were off of Tom, Tom used the opportunity to strike, kicking Jackson in the stomach and knocking him off balance.

  Tom was up in an instant. Evelyn couldn’t bear the thought of Jackson getting hurt. It was her fault he’d taken his eyes off Tom. “Please Tom…” She jumped between the men. Stepping closer to Tom, she thought she saw his face soften with a glimpse of the Tom she’d gotten to know before he tried to kiss her. “Please don’t hurt h
im.” But his face hardened again, and he pushed her hard out of his way.

  Everything was a blur of pain for a few moments. By the time Evelyn could focus again, Jackson had taken Tom outside her door and had him pinned to the ground under his knee. Tom was bleeding profusely, but he was still conscious.

  Evelyn felt behind her. She’d landed against the table. No blood, but she was going to hurt for a while from this.

  Jackson whistled and a group of officers came clamoring up her steps. As soon as another officer had a hold of Tom, Jackson was at her side.

  “Miss Carter?”

  Her eyes met his. His face was void of emotion, but his eyes, something was in them.

  “I need you to lay still. This is officer ” She missed the name. “He’s going to see to your injuries.” Jackson returned to the group of officers leaving her with whoever this man was.

  “I’m fine,” she assured the officer. She probably wasn’t fine, but the last thing she wanted was another man’s hands on her. Bile threatened, stinging her throat, at the thought. “I was just a little shaken by it all.” The officer wasn’t getting the clue. “Please don’t touch me,” she asked quietly, fearing Jackson would overhear. “I don’t want you to touch me.”

  “I understand,” the officer answered with a gentleness she didn’t notice. “Just don’t try…”

  Evelyn watched as other men, officers, combed through her apartment. She felt exposed. Violated. And not just by Tom. She didn’t invite men, or anyone, to look so closely into her home.

  “Miss Carter.” That officer was still there. Evelyn’s eyes shifted to acknowledge him. “You’re in shock, Miss Carter. Physically, you’ll be fine, but I’m only going to sign you off if you promise to not move until we all leave and Jack takes a look at you. If you can’t do that,” he spoke to her confusion, “I’ll be forced to take you to a doctor. Can I trust you to do that?”

  She nodded.

  “Then, I just need one more thing. I can’t leave you on the floor, so I’m going to help you into a chair. You only need to take my hand, and I’ll hold your arm to steady you. Then you’ll be rid of me.” He did a curious thing then and smiled. Compassion and sadness lined his eyes as he looked at her. No mockery or teasing. Not even a hardness.