Page 180 of Timeless

“Nah, I didn’t get him. Just grazed his cheek.” I ran a hand through my hair. “But I’m now on assault charges, stabbing charges, and causing a public disruption.”

The reality of the trouble I was now in, dawned on me. They ran my fingerprints digitally and didn’t believe that I was Amber Shield. So, they went old school, comparing them to the first ones that ever entered the data base.

“I really fucked up, Jax.” I got up. His voice shouldn’t have had pride in it. He should be the one bringing me crashing to the reality of the damage I had done. I was facing serious charges, and they had my real record now, which didn’t paint my character in a positive light.

My heart rate went up. “I was facing charges when I disappeared. The police said there were warrants out for my arrest. And now, thanks to my outburst I’m back in the fucking system!” My own anger with myself coming out. Then my stomach sunk, my eyes locking with Jax. “They could go for Jack! Fuck, this could help Will be able to take Jack!”

My panic went from mild to extreme immediately. Oh, my god, so this is what a panic attack felt like. My heart was clenching, my pulse racing.Oh, my god I can’t breathe. My hand went out for the wall.

“Amber, calm down.” Jax was up, I think he noticed me breaking down. “Amber, calm down.” He gripped my shoulders, lowering his head, locking his eyes with mine. “You aren’t losing Jack. And I’ll make the chargers disappear. I promise.”

“They know me, Jax! Do have any idea what that means!” I pushed him away. “You can’t wipe me from the database. You can’t wipe my charges. You just can’t!” Why couldn’t I have just walked away from Justin! Why the hell did my temper get the best of me?

“Sweetheart, I know you don’t see it as a good thing you’re back in the system, it is though.”

My eyes snapped to him. Was he insane? Had his brain melted? My mouth just fell open. Surely, he couldn’t be that stupid to think that! I just stared at him.

“We still need to talk.” Jax took a step toward me. “But I think you need to calm down before we do that.”

Whatever he wanted to talk about, I had no interest in. “Yeah, sure.” I’m going to shower and change.”

I walked around him, and then I was confronted with the reason I was in shock when I entered the room.

I turned to look at him. “You got rid of all my clothes.” My eyes went to the jewelry cabinet. “And my jewelry.”

To be fair, I did say he could. But my closet was now almost empty.

“How kind of you to leave me one outfit.” I picked it up, looking around my basically empty closet. “Guess I’ll have to go shopping.” I looked back at him, his expression told me he was up to something, but I didn’t have the energy to figure out what.

I just picked up the only outfit left in my closet and headed for the shower. I just needed to switch off for a while.

Chapter 24

Jax

All day, I had been worrying about having this conversation, debating on what her answer would be. I didn’t want her to feel like I was trapping her into a relationship. I didn’t want to force my plan on to her. But if I had my wish, she would be agreeing.

I wanted her beside me. I knew it would take time for her to get to a position where she wanted to take on a wife role. But I also knew, Amber could be highly professional. So, I was hoping to appeal to that side of her. The side that would weigh up the pros and cons of what I was offering her.

And now, as she walked into the living room, it was time to have the conversation. The boys had headed to the pub. Jack was with Chelsea, and I was ready to see if Amber would be a fixture in my life.

Amber sat down across from me, her eyes on the iPad. She was glaring at it, which made me interested in what she was looking at.

So, she was already in a foul mood and I hoped that wouldn’t impact her decision.

“Amber, can we have that conversation now?” My voice was filled with nerves and I think that was the only reason she looked up, her eyes breaking from glaring at the screen.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Shit, she had realized something was wrong. “I just need to talk to you. You know, have your full attention.”

She looked at me a bit harder and then nodded. “Okay. You’ve got it.” She put the iPad aside. By her expression, I did have her whole attention but I saw the panic in her eyes. Surely, she still didn’t think I was leaving her?

I had practiced all day how I was going to bring this up. And here I was, ten at night and I still didn’t know how to ask her to be my queen, to rule by my side.

“Jax, what’s wrong?”

My eyes were still on her, and she could clearly see the debate I was having. Was it the right time? Would there ever be a right time?

---