Page 90 of Until Tomorrow Comes
I hear his question, but all I can focus on is the blood pounding in my ears while staring at the damage.
“Take a deep breath for me, Kitten. I’m right here.” Jackson steps into my line of sight, holding his hands up in surrender for a moment before reaching out to place a hand on each shoulder. “You’re not alone. Everything is gonna be okay. Slow, deep breath like this.”
My gaze drops to his lips and I copy his breathing. I hadn’t even realized I was hyperventilating until I forced the first deep inhale.
“That’s it, good girl. Another breath.” Jackson murmurs.
He stays in front of me, breathing with me and holding my attention from going anywhere else.
“You with me?” He quietly questions. I nod in response, still unable to find actual words while my mind races. Jackson stays where he is, an immovable wall between me and the house.
I’m unsure of how long we stand here, breathing in sync with each other, but when the blood finally stops beating like a drum in my ears, I swallow thickly.
“Do you have your phone on you?” He asks again.
“Yes,” I say hoarsely, clearing my throat.
He nods, “Can you call the police?”
I pull my phone out from my back pocket. His hands slip from my shoulders and without thinking, I’m reaching for him.
“Where are you going?” I flinch at the sound of my own panic, but I’m too consumed with fear to worry further about that.
“First, we’re going to get you in my truck and lock the doors while you stay on the phone with dispatch. Then, I’m gonna go get the gun from the safe inside of the front hall closet and check the house.” His tone is calm and firm, but my chest still tightens at the thought. Before I can say anything, he’s gathering me in his arms.
“I’ve got you, Kat.” He carries me back to his truck, opening the driver’s side door and lifting me into the seat. Pulling his phone out, he fires off a quick message before tucking it back in his pants. “I sent a text to Thea, asking her to pop down too.”
He moves to step back and I snatch his arm.
“Please don’t go in there.” My voice cracks. Different scenarios play on a loop through my head of someone waiting inside to hurt him.
I can’t find it in me to let him go.
A sob breaks free and the next thing I know, Jackson is in the truck with me.
“I’ve got you. I’m not letting anyone near you.” He soothes, hugging me to him while running his fingers through my hair. “I’ll keep you safe.”
I melt into him, scolding myself for not holding it together better than this, but unable to do anything else. Any courage or bravado I found over the past six months, or even this past weekend, is long forgotten.
“I’m sorry.” I whisper into his chest. His hold on me tightens and it’s then that I notice he’s on the phone.
“What did we say about apologies?” He mumbles, placing a kiss on my forehead.
A smile tugs at my lips. Giving in, I rest my head on his chest, letting the sound of his steady heart beat calm my own down.
We sit like that, until the police show up, Thea hot on their heels.
The sight of my friend has me shooting straight up, nearly smashing my head into Jackson’s face. The realization that my fears were spot on hits me like a freight train.
Zack found me.
“Oh my gosh. It’s him.” I turn in Jackson’s lap and am unable to hold back the tears. He shakes his head, reaching to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.
“We don’t know that.” He tries to assure me, but I know it in my gut. Glancing at Thea as she heads over to us in the truck, I continue.
“A few weeks ago, when we were out dress shopping for this weekend…” I pause, recalling the end of the day when we stopped at the grocery store. I meet Thea’s concerned gaze with wide eyes. “I saw him.That’swhy I was so on edge.”
Two police officers step up behind Thea as she asks, “Why didn’t you say anything?”
