Page 17 of Jacked and Jaded

She tried to turn her head away, but he wasn’t having any of it. He gently turned her head back toward him. “Please open your eyes, baby.”

So caught up in self pity she missed the endearment he used to get her cooperation. She opened her eye slowly. Damn. He was even more handsome than she remembered. The concern on his face broke her heart. “Why are you here?”

“Your mom got the call from the hospital. She was in New Orleans, getting ready to leave on her cruise, so she called me and made me her representative in order for me to be able to take care of you in her stead.”

Oh. Her mom sent him. There for a moment, she’d thought he’d come on his own, but that wasn’t exactly fair, considering he would have had no way of knowing she’d been taken to the hospital otherwise. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch when he smoothed her hair back off her face. She only allowed herself until the count of three to enjoy his touch. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and faced him. It was humiliating for him to see her like this. For him to see her beaten by her boyfriend. It made her feel stupid and weak and she hated that.

“Calliope, I know what’s going through that thick head of yours. This wasn’t your fault and you have no reason to feel embarrassed around me. Yes, you look like hell, but anyone who was beaten as badly as you were would, too. I don’t care what you look like right now. You won’t look like this forever. You’ll be back to your beautiful self in no time and I’m fucking happier than shit that you’re still alive.”

Hearing that he was happy that she was still alive and that he thought she was normally beautiful did things to her heart. Was it hope? No. She refused to pine after a man who didn’t feel the same way about her. That’s what led her into the arms of Clint.

“How did you know what I was thinking?”

“You have very expressive eyes. Well, eye.”

She smiled, the movement pulling at her split lip causing her to gasp in pain. Jackson tensed and his mouth turned down. Did it upset him that she was in pain?

“Honey, you’re going to have to talk to the police. They’re not going anywhere. But know this, that motherfucker, Clint Maxwell, will be dealt with by me.”

Staring into Jackson’s eyes, she could see he was serious. He wanted to punish Clint. In any other circumstances she would argue, but lying here, feeling completely defeated, she didn’t argue with him. She’d really like to see Clint get his.

“You don’t understand. He and his firm have connections within the police department. I’m not sure who I can trust.”

“It doesn’t really matter. As soon as you get out of here, I’ll be tracking down Clint and dealing with him. For now, give your statement to the police and don’t worry about whether they believe you or not because I do and I’m getting you justice.” He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “You wanna do this now?”

“Okay.” She squeezed his hand when he went to get up. “You’ll stay?”

“Couldn’t make me leave if they set my ass on fire.” He winked at her and went to get the police officers.

Jackson ledtwo police officers into her room then took up position sitting in the chair, next to the bed, while the officers stood at the end. He reached over and used the controls to raise the head of the bed so Calliope would be able to sit up higher as she spoke to them and not be lying down.

“Miss Reynolds, I’m Officer Daniels and this is Officer McMillen.” He tipped his head to the woman in uniform beside him. Officer Daniels was tall, dark-headed and had bulging biceps. He offered Calliope a friendly smile, that immediately put her at ease. Officer McMillen was a short, blonde woman with her hair pulled back in a bun at the back of her head. Given her size and warm smile, she appeared nonthreatening. He was glad the police department had sent two officers that so far, appeared to genuinely want to help her.

“We need to ask you a few questions about how you ended up in this condition, ma’am.” Officer Daniels began the questioning.

“Please, call me Calliope.” Jackson hated that her voice sounded so small and so defeated. It was obvious it was painful when she spoke. The bruising around her neck had a lot to do with it. This pitiful beaten down person lying in this bed was not his vibrant, always happy Calliope. No. Not at all. It didn’t matter, though, because he would get her there again.

“All right, Calliope, can you tell us who did this to you?” Both police officers pulled little notepads from their pockets and prepared to take her statement.

“It was Clint Maxwell.” She watched as both officers exchanged a look between themselves, causing her to tense when they seemed familiar with the name.

Jackson saw it, too, and wanted to know if this was going to be an issue. He might plan on killing the son of bitch before he ever had his day in court, but they damn well better take her complaint seriously. “Is that a problem?”

“No. Not at all,” Officer Daniels rushed to reassure them. He looked like he wanted to say something, but was debating on whether or not he should. He glanced at his partner and she nodded. Coming to a decision, he asked, “Can I be honest with you?”

“I wish you would,” Jackson answered for her.

“Clint Maxwell is a bad man. We all know it. He’s done some pretty bad things and he always manages to come out smelling like a rose. Just like the clients he and his law firm represents. About a month ago, a woman ended up in the ER looking just like you. She stated that it was Clint Maxwell who’d done it. A week later, she was found five miles outside of town, her naked body dumped in the forest.” Officer Daniels’ expression was grim. He obviously had dealt with Clint before and didn’t like him at all.

“Fuck,” he exhaled in a rush. If that had been Calliope? He couldn’t even finish the thought. The way it sounded, it still could be her. Jackson was going to make damn sure it wasn’t. He would protect her with his life. Clint would never get a chance to touch her again. He rubbed his hand over his mouth to keep from blurting out just exactly what he wanted to do to the motherfucker.

“Oh my God,” Calliope whispered. She raised her good hand to her mouth. He could see her shaking and it only fed the rage he felt for Clint.

“How do you know Clint Maxwell?” Officer McMillen asked.

“I’m embarrassed to say I was his girlfriend and lived with him for the last year.” Calliope reached for Jackson’s hand where it rested on the bed beside her. It didn’t go unnoticed by the officers. Neither did his Sons of Redemption MC cut. They’d clocked that the minute he stepped out into the hall to wave them in. He was sure they’d have questions for him, too. Such as his relationship with Calliope. He hoped they’d wait until they were back in the hall before they did. Telling them he was Calliope’s man was going to lead to more questions. If he admitted she was his in front of her at this time, it would not work in his favor. She’d rebel at the idea. She’d fight him tooth and nail, saying he had his chance, and he blew it. He was sure he did blow it, but that wasn’t going to stop him from fighting to make her his.

“Can you walk us through the events that led up to this?” He motioned toward her and her injuries with his pen.

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