Page 67 of Jake's Angel

I look around some more and catch the sound of a creek. The porch wraps all the way around the house, and I follow the sound of rushing water on the other side of the house. There’s a swing facing out toward the water. I sit, pulling my knees to my chest and lay my head down, closing my eyes, focusing on the sound of the water and my breathing.

The gentle rustling of trees and grass. The faint sound of grasshoppers fluttering around. I take several deep breaths and allow the sounds of my surroundings to invade my mind, pushing all other thoughts away.

The storm inside me slows, settling enough to allow me to breathe.It’s exactly what I need.

Calm.

Quiet.

Leather-less peace.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

JAKE

These assholeswho are shouting woke me way too early this morning. I climbed out of the bed, grabbed my shirt and threw it on. I’ll have to run out and get some fresh clothes later if I’m going to be staying here awhile to babysit her highness down the hall. Caleb and Gabe thought it was a great idea to have me keeping watch over Avery while she’s with us. Though I don’t mind being near her, I prefer to be near her on my own terms.

Being so close to her, and not being able to have her, is going to be a struggle. I don’t think they realize what they’re asking me to do.

I’ll protect her. It’s already been decided, but the other things I’d like to do to her don’t exactly fall under the rules of a bodyguard. There’s also the added problem of her being Gabe’s daughter. Anyone who actively pursues her will need his permission first, and I don’t see the new daddy letting anyone near his precious baby girl any time soon. Which means my dick and I will have to keep my thoughts and his actions under control.

Fuck.

Although, I was happy to see Avery last night in her lavender dress, all tipsy and relaxed in Liz’s kitchen. Her cheeks were flushed, her smile genuine. She was laughing and joking, talking with the girls like they do it all the time.

It was strange.

I’d never wanted to rip my brother’s arm off and beat him with it before, but the urge hit me hard when Hawk sat next to Avery at the table and put his arm around her shoulder. She didn’t move or pull away from him like she had at the diner, which proved she was drunk enough to let her guard down.

And I’ll be keeping a closer eye on her when she drinks.

When she finally decided it was time to turn in, I watched as she stood up and her body swayed. I moved in closer, trying to catch her attention to get her to sit back down, but it was too late. I saw her eyes starting to glaze over. She was checking out.

Gabe had been sitting on the couch quietly observing while talking to Pop. When he saw Avery about to go down, both men shot up off their seats for her. I caught her just as she was going down. With her tight little body turned into mine, I cradle her close, keeping her head from hitting the floor. I stood up, lifting her with me, preparing to move her into the bedroom, when I felt her hands gripping my T-shirt as she nuzzled her head against my chest.

Gabe moved to take her from me, but her grasp on my shirt had me backing away from him.

“She trusts you.”Caleb’s words had filtered in and reminded me how Avery had backed away from Pres earlier in the day. How shedidn’ttrust him.

It felt like I would’ve been betraying her if I’d handed her over to Pres, especially while she was incoherent and vulnerable.

Gabe was ready to take my head off, but before he had a chance to order me around, Avery sighed deeply and whisperedmy name. It was soft and breathy, but we both heard it. His watchful eyes studied me carefully.

The urge to protect Avery both angered and overwhelmed me.

“Take her to her room,” Liz ordered over Gabe’s shoulder. “The poor girl must be exhausted. She’s been through a lot these last two days with running away and dealing with you idiots. Let the poor thing rest.”

Without looking back, I took Avery down the hall. Loosening her grip on my shirt, I gently laid her on the bed in what was once Maggie’s room. Avery rolled over with a whimper, but never opened her eyes. I grabbed the blanket at the end of the bed and covered her up, kissing her forehead. Her forehead creased, but she didn’t wake.

There you go Angel. You’ll be safe here.

As I was turning to leave the room, Liz was standing in the doorway wearing a smirk on her not so innocent face. “What?” I snapped.

“Nothing. Just watching how gentle you are with her. She’s special, that girl. You should take extra care of her and treat her as such.” She entered the room, placing her hand on my cheek. My brow creased, not sure I was going to like what she was about to say. Liz may be a pain in the ass to us all, but she’s the only real grandmother that I’ve ever known, and she always shoots it straight. Whether we want her to or not.

“She’s not mine to care for. I was just doing the right thing.”

My thoughts were all over the fucking place.

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