Page 72 of Traitorous Lies
There was something else she understood even though he hadn't said the words aloud. “Lion, what are you going to do to the people who hurt you and your team?”
“Get revenge any way we can.”
With those words, he pushed the wooden hedgehog into her hands and stood, walking away and disappearing into the thick woods.
What he’d said was true. Jax and his family believed her father was guilty. If they just wanted revenge, they could take it out on her, after all, she was alone out there with them, and she’d been alone in the forest with Jax in France. Mostly alone again when she was at her rescue and Jax was watching over her from his car.
It wasn't enough to make her let go of the hurt and anger, but it was enough to make her think seriously about her next move.
Chapter
Nineteen
November 12th
2:33 P.M.
Leaving her alone was probably the best thing to do.
If Monique wanted company, there were more than enough people for her to find it. Instead, she’d chosen to sit on the front porch, wrapped in a blanket to ward off the chilly fall weather, rocking herself almost absently in the porch swing. She wasn't doing anything, just sitting there, gently rocking, staring off into space, and Jax would give anything to know what was running through her mind.
There was something slightly different about her by the time she wandered out of the woods and back to the mansion for lunch. It wasn't like she’d returned to the woman he’d first met, who he’d been busy falling in love with these last couple of weeks, but she also didn't seem to be empty inside. She’d clutched something tightly in her hands, almost as though it were a lifeline, although he had no idea what it could possibly be. When she’d noticed him trying to get a look at what it was, she’d quickly shoved it into her pocket.
But her voice had been a little more real.
Her expressions not so dead.
And Essie had even managed to draw Monique into a genuine conversation. Bless the little girl’s heart, he was so glad that the child was so bubbly and full of life that she just drew everyone in whether you wanted her to or not. Since Essie was only five, she was no threat, and Monique seemed comfortable enough interacting with her.
Now he just had to figure out a way to have the same impact on her.
Were the little things he was trying to do making any impact at all?
Was he completely kidding himself that a dozen tiny gestures could undo the horrible words he’d thrown at her?
Even if he was fighting a losing battle, he wasn't going to give up.
Not when what he was fighting for was worth so much.
Worth everything.
So Jax dragged in a deep breath, feeling more nervous than he was used to, slipped through the living room where he’d been staring out the window watching Monique, and headed outside to join her on the porch.
If she heard him come through the front door, she didn't make any indication of it. Just continued to sit there, staring out at the woods surrounding the Gothic mansion. What he wouldn't give to go back in time and keep his words in check no matter how scared he was when he realized she was calling her dad with no comprehension of the danger she could be putting herself in.
Without those words hanging between them, Monique wouldn't be so intent on isolating herself. He could only imagine how alone she must feel with his entire family there and her with no one.
Not that it was true.
His family was her family, and he knew Cassandra hated the distance between her and the sister she’d just found. Plus, the Delta Team guys were definitely protective of Monique, especially Lion.
Clearing his throat, he saw Monique tense, and then it was like she was drawing in reserves of strength as she turned to face him.
A benign smile curled her lips up, and when she spoke, her voice was the epitome of polite. “May I help you?”
Tired of this little Miss Perfect routine she had going on, and desperately wanting the real Monique back, Jax strode across the porch,closing the distance between them until he was standing before her. With him standing and her sitting, she had no choice but to tilt her head back to look up at him, and he saw her visibly swallow as though affected by his presence.
Please be affected by my presence.
