Читать книгу The Rebel Returns: The Return of the Rebel / Her Irresistible Protector / Why Resist a Rebel? - Leah Ashton - Страница 12

CHAPTER SIX

“OPEN YOUR EYES.”

Jax stared down at Cleo’s pale, lifeless form on a stretcher in the back of an ambulance. His chest tightened as he said a silent prayer to the big guy upstairs. She just had to be all right. She had to be.

His thumb stroked the soft skin of her limp hand. He had no idea what had happened. When he’d heard there was a commotion out by the pool and Cleo hadn’t returned, he’d gone looking for her. He never expected to find Cleo in a crumpled heap on the ground.

There hadn’t been time to stop and ask questions. All he could think about was her opening her beautiful green eyes again. But one thing he knew in that moment was that the girl who’d given him a peck all those years ago still meant the world to him. He reached into his pocket. His fingers traced over the pocket watch—his good-luck charm. He was about to pull it out and press it into her limp hand when he noticed her fingers move.

“Jax? Where am I?”

Cleo’s voice was weak but clear. He’d never heard anything so wonderful in his whole life. He longed to pull her into his arms and hold her close.

“You fell, but don’t worry, you’re going to be fine now.” She tried to sit up, but the straps on the gurney held her down. “Not so fast, they still have to check you out. You got quite a bump on your head.”

She glanced over, noticing the paramedic reading off her stats to the hospital.

“My leg hurts and I can’t move it.”

“They immobilized it. Looks like you banged it up pretty good.”

She closed her eyes and he worried that she had slipped into unconsciousness, but she quickly opened them again. “I’m sorry to be such a bother.”

He held her hand between both of his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “You could never be a bother. Right now all you have to do is concentrate on getting better.”

He wanted to ask her what happened, but now wasn’t the time to get into it. Still, Cleo wasn’t a clumsy person. When you lived on a ranch, you learned to be fast on your toes. So what exactly had happened to her?

He was still holding her hand as they backed up to the emergency room entrance. Her fingers were cold as she kept a firm grip on him. When he tried to pull away, she wouldn’t let go.

“It’s okay. They’ll take good care of you.” He stared straight into her eyes, noting the worry reflected in them. He lifted her hand and pressed his lips to her delicate skin. “You’re safe now. I promise.”

“Will...will you stay?”

“You bet. They couldn’t drag me out of here if they tried.”

“Thank you.”

The fact that she wanted him with her, that he was able to provide some sort of comfort, stirred a strange sensation in his chest. It wasn’t the protective feeling of a big brother watching over a little sister. No, this was something different—something much deeper. Much more powerful.

The scare had been of a magnitude that he’d never experienced before. He didn’t know where the feelings came from or what to do with them—he just knew his place was right here by Cleo’s side.

The ambulance doors swung open and they rushed her off. He wanted to go with her—to make sure that nothing happened to her. But as he started to follow Cleo’s gurney, a nurse stepped in front of him and pointed the way to the waiting area, promising they would notify him when he could see her.

Frustration knotted his gut. The last time he’d let her out of his sight something bad had happened. But Cleo was safe now. She was in the hospital. Doctors and nurses would be seeing to her needs.

He entered the spacious waiting area lined with rows of black cushioned chairs. He took a deep breath as the reality of his location struck him. It wasn’t so long ago he’d been the patient. Even though it had been a different hospital, the memory had him on edge. He didn’t want to be here—not at all.

But he’d promised Cleo he’d stay. He wouldn’t break his promise to her. It was the least he could do for her. He tried sitting but that lasted all of thirty seconds. He paced the length of the room. Back and forth. He wasn’t the only one wearing a concerned expression. The waiting area was filled with young and old people all waiting for word on a loved one.

“Excuse me, Mr. Monroe.”

He turned to find a police officer. “Yes.”

“I’m here about the incident at the Glamour. Did you see anything?”

The police were involved. This wasn’t good. “No, I didn’t. I was inside and heard about the commotion by the pool. I went to investigate and that’s when I found Cleo. Do you know what happened?”

“I’m still piecing things together. We have a report of a man getting into a scuffle with Ms. Sinclair and your name was mentioned.”

“Have you talked with her?”

“Not yet. That’s where I’m headed next.”

Dread dug at Jax as he wondered if it had anything to do with his mysterious calls. “There’s something you should know.”

The officer turned his keen, observant eyes on him and listened intently as Jax revealed how he was a key witness in a federal money-laundering case. He also mentioned the strange phone calls that had started in New York.

The officer asked a few more questions, jotted out some notes and gave Jax his contact information. “If you think of anything at all that might be helpful, let me know.”

“I will.” And he meant it. He wasn’t going to take unnecessary chances with the woman he...he...cared about.

Whether he liked it or not, she was definitely getting to him. She was making him feel things that he didn’t have any right to feel. The only way to stop this growing attraction was to follow through with his plan to leave Vegas. He eyed up the exit. But he couldn’t break his promise to her. He’d wait until he saw her and was certain she was going to be fine.

Almost a half hour later, a nurse stood at the security door that led into the examination area. “Mr. Monroe, you can come back now.”

When he came to a stop next to Cleo’s bed, he was stunned by what he saw. A white bandage was wrapped around her forehead. Her face was nearly as pale as the sheet. And her injured leg was elevated. He didn’t know what he’d been expecting, but it wasn’t her looking weak and helpless.

She studied him. “Do I really look that bad?”

He’d obviously let his poker face slip again. Still, the sight of her lying there injured had shaken him more than he’d anticipated. “Sorry. I wasn’t expecting to find you all bandaged up.”

“Jax, there’s something I need to tell you—”

“And how’s the patient?” A male voice came from behind him.

Jax turned to find a doctor in a white lab coat standing at the opening in the curtains surrounding the bed. He glanced back at Cleo. “We’ll talk later. I’ll just wait outside.”

“It’s okay.” She grabbed his hand. “You can stay for this.”

The doctor cleared his throat. “Ms. Sinclair has a mild concussion. We’re still not certain about the extent of damage to her leg. I’m waiting on the films. However, I want to keep her in the hospital under observation. She was unconscious for a bit and I want to make sure there aren’t any complications. But she’s insisting that she’s going home.”

Jax turned to her. “You need to listen to the doctor. He knows what he’s talking about.”

“I’m not staying.” A stubborn glint reflected in her eyes. “I can’t sleep in hospitals. Besides, I feel fine now.”

“She can go home as long as she isn’t alone,” the doctor said while looking directly at Jax. “Can you stay with her?”

“I don’t need him.” The sincerity in her pointed words poked at Jax. “I can take care of myself.”

The doctor’s brow drew together. “I’m sure you can in most cases, but you’ve got a serious bump on your head and you need to stay off your leg as much as possible. So either you stay here and let the nurses look after you or you can go home with...”

“Jax. Jax Monroe. And I’ll see that she’s taken care of.”

Cleo worried her bottom lip. And in that hospital gown, she looked like a child again. All he wanted to do was take care of her any way possible...even if it meant getting closer to her instead of beating a trail into the sunset. That would have to wait for another day.

Cleo’s worried gaze turned to him. “Are you sure about this?”

“I wouldn’t have said it otherwise.”

The doctor’s gaze swung between the two of them, deciding if he could trust them. “Now that it’s settled, I’ll go check on things. If you wait in the lobby, we’ll call you when she’s ready to go.”

Jax didn’t mind a few minutes to himself to pull his scattered thoughts together. He started for the doorway when Cleo grabbed his hand.

“I need to talk to you. I just remembered something.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll have plenty of time for that later.”

“But this is important.” Her distressed tone caught his attention.

He wondered if this had something to do with the police poking around. “I’m listening.”

“There’s a man after you.”

“What?”

As though recalling her fingers were still gripping his hand, she let go and made a point of straightening her white sheet. “When I went back to the bungalow a man approached me. He wanted to know how to find you.”

“And he attacked you?”

“Not really. When I tried to get away from him, he followed me. He grabbed my arm and put a hand over my mouth. He said he had a message for you.”

Alarm arrowed through Jax’s chest. “What is it?”

Cleo’s gaze lowered. “I don’t know. I bit his finger before he could relay the message. He let go of me and the rest is kind of a blur.”

His gut was telling him trouble had followed him from New York. And Cleo had ended up paying the price. Guilt beat at his chest.

“Don’t worry. He won’t bother you anymore.”

“How do you know? Who is this man? What does he want?”

Jax held up his hand, halting the flow of questions. “I don’t know him, but I promise you won’t have to deal with him again. Remember from here on out I’m in charge of your safety. Doctor’s orders.”

She started to sit up. “Jax, I need to know what’s going on.”

“Calm down.” He placed a hand on her shoulder, pressing her back against the pillow. “When I learn something I’ll tell you. Now I have a couple of phone calls to make.”

Jax hated the thought that he’d dragged Cleo into his problems. He had no proof that this mystery man was tied into the money-laundering case, but he’d be willing to bet his fortune that he was right. His priority now had to be keeping Cleo safe. And since that hired thug knew her name, her face and where she worked, it wouldn’t take long for him to track her down at home, either.

Just then the doctor returned. “We’ll have you fixed up in no time.”

That was Jax’s cue to leave. He turned back to Cleo. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything.”

As he strode away, she called out, “What are you going to do?”

He didn’t pause to answer because, at that moment, he didn’t have a clue. It was obvious that he needed to get Cleo and himself out of Las Vegas. But how far could he take her with her injuries? If she needed further medical attention, he didn’t want to be stuck out in the middle of nowhere. There had to be a compromise. A place where the thug hired to scare him into silence wouldn’t think to look for either of them.

* * *

Free at last.

Cleo settled back against the leather seat of a large SUV. Even though her hospital stay had only lasted a matter of hours, for her it felt like days. And now Jax was playing the dutiful hero and riding to her rescue. She had no idea where he got this sweet ride, but she appreciated its spaciousness more than she could say.

“Thank you. But you really didn’t have to go to such lengths. I could have called a taxi to take me back to my place.”

“I don’t think so. Remember I’m the one who promised the doctor I’d take care of you.”

At the next traffic light, he turned left instead of right.

“You went the wrong way. Wait. How do you know where I live?”

“I don’t.”

“It’s the other direction. I live at 331 Villa Drive, apartment C3. You can just turn left up here and loop around.” When he kept going straight, she sat up a little straighter. “Where exactly are you taking me?”

“Do you always ask so many questions?”

She glared at him. “I demand to be taken back to my apartment.”

“Not today. We’re going someplace where you can rest and not worry about any unwanted guests.”

“But I can’t.” She didn’t like the sound of this. “I have a job...er, at least I hope I still have a job.”

“Of course you do. You were injured on Glamour grounds while performing your duties. Therefore you’re entitled to workers’ compensation. Not even Mr. Burns would be foolish enough to let you go and face a lawsuit.”

The medication they’d given her at the hospital was making her head woozy. “The doctor said it wouldn’t be long until I could get around.”

“And until then you need to rest as much as possible. Now just relax. I’ve got everything under control.”

“How am I supposed to do that when you won’t even tell me where we’re going?”

“We aren’t going far. Just north of the city. And I promise you’ll like the accommodations.”

He was trying to sound upbeat, but she knew he was worried. “You think that guy is going to come back, don’t you?”

“He won’t bother you where we’re going.”

She wanted to believe him, but she didn’t even know what he was mixed up in. The adrenaline that had been driving her drained away, leaving her feeling wiped out. She was with Jax. Nothing would happen now because the one thing she did know was that she still trusted him. She instinctively knew that he’d protect her.

She leaned her head back, fighting to keep her eyes open. The image of her kitty came to mind. She’d called her neighbor Robyn McCreedy to check in on him. Still, it wasn’t the same as being there, especially since he’d just been neutered.

“I can’t stay here long. I have to get home.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll get you home soon.” Jax glanced over at her. “You can sleep. I’ll let you know when we’re there.”

She really shouldn’t trust him so easily, but her eyelids felt so very heavy. If she could just close her eyes for a minute, she’d be all right...

“Cleo, wake up. We’re here.”

Her eyes snapped open, not recognizing her surroundings. The bandage around her forehead was getting itchy so she rubbed at it, wanting to take it off. But the doctor had warned her to leave it on until the stitches on the back of her head had a chance to heal.

She gazed up at a large gate that was automatically opening for them. “Where are we?”

“Someplace safe.”

Jax maneuvered the vehicle between the gates and down a road lined with jaw-dropping mansions. It was dark out, making it difficult to see the details of each impressive estate until they pulled into the driveway of a humongous home. She’d only ever seen something this extraordinary in glossy magazines.

Soft rays from the full moon bathed the white stucco home, giving it a magical glow. And it was two...no, wait, make that three stories high. With the lights on inside, it looked like a gem against the velvety night. Its sweeping length and elegance left her in awe.

“I hope you won’t mind staying here.”

She blinked, making sure that it was real. “Mind? It’s amazing.” Then she turned to him. “Is it yours?”

He shook his head. “I don’t have any use for a place this big. It belongs to a friend of mine.”

“That must be some friend. Is he famous?”

Jax chuckled. “You might say that. Remember the movie from last summer, Shooting Stars?”

“You mean the Western romance? I think everyone went to see it, including me. It was a great mix of action and passion.”

“My friend will be glad to hear you’re such a fan.”

“He filmed it?”

“No, George starred in it.”

Cleo’s mouth gaped as she sat there trying to process this information. “No way. Are you totally serious? He’s drop-dead gorgeous.”

Jax smiled and shook his head. “I do believe you’re starstruck.”

“Did you see the movie?” She fanned herself. “He’s so hot. In the film he was the marshal and he was on the hunt for train robbers. He ended up rescuing the heroine from a train accident the robbers had caused. It was so romantic how he cared for her and kept her safe.”

Jax cleared his throat. “I’ll be sure to tell George when I talk to him. Now, is there any chance you want to go inside?”

“And see the rest of his house? You bet.” She reached for the door.

“Wait! I’ll help you. We don’t need any more accidents tonight.” He alighted from the vehicle and circled around to open her door.

“But how did you get George to lend you his house?”

Jax gave a nonchalant shrug. “It’s not his primary residence. He spends most of his time in Hollywood.”

“I still can’t believe he’s letting us stay here.”

“Let’s just say that he owed me a favor and I called it in. George is a really good guy. He was happy to do it.”

“Did you tell your friend that we are on the run from some ape?”

“Ape, huh?” Jax smiled. “I’m glad to see your sense of humor hasn’t been injured.”

She thought back to her run-in with that man and a shiver ran down her spine. “I just refuse to give him power over me by calling him a big, mean, scary dude...even if he was one.”

Refusing to dwell on what happened, she turned her attention to the long sweeping steps that led to the front door. And then she glanced down at her leg. This was going to be a challenge, especially when she wasn’t used to getting around on one good leg.

But before she could ask Jax for the crutches, he scooped her into his arms. Her body landed against his solid chest. He’d definitely filled out in the years they’d been apart.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking you inside.”

Her hand automatically slipped around his neck. “But I can manage—”

“Do you have to argue about everything?”

She pressed her lips shut. If he wanted to carry her up all of those steps, why should she complain? She wasn’t feeling exactly steady on her feet. Tomorrow would be plenty early enough for her to prove her independence, even if she had to be aided by those confounded crutches.

Her head rested on his shoulder as he moved up the steps. Beneath the moonlight with the warm breeze swirling around them, it would be so easy to let her guard down. If she closed her eyes and inhaled his masculine scent, she could let herself get swept up in this very romantic scenario. Not that she had any intention of making a fool of herself again. If there was any more kissing, it would be Jax who made the first move.

One night here and then she’d return to her apartment to finish recuperating. Being situated in the middle unit of a young people’s complex, tenants were coming and going at all hours of the day and night. She wouldn’t have to worry about being alone. They’d be around if she called out for help. Yes, that would work. One night with Jax and then they’d go their separate ways.

Her thoughts turned back to Robyn, who was more than a neighbor—more like the sister Cleo never had. It was nice to have someone in her life now who cared. She’d told Robyn that she’d be home sometime that night. She really should let Robyn know that her plans had changed. She didn’t want her to needlessly worry. Cleo reached for her phone but realized she didn’t have it.

“Jax, I left my phone back at the bungalow.”

“It’s for the best.”

“What? But I need my phone. How am I supposed to contact people and let them know that I’m okay?”

“They’ll just have to wait. Phones have GPS tracking units in them. It’s possible that thug could track us down that way. Don’t worry. I got a disposable phone for emergencies.”

The hairs on the back of her neck lifted. “Jax, how much trouble are you in?”