Talbot ranted the same thing he’d said earlier about me being here against my will and he was here to save me. He yelled he wanted Ajax arrested for assaulting a police officer. I saw Scarelli and Bull exchanging baffled looks. Chief Scarelli looked around until he caught sight of me and walked over to me. By now, I was crying. Madisen had her arms around me, trying to comfort me.
“Jessica, can you tell me, are the Warriors threatening you? Are you being held here against your will?”
I shook my head emphatically in denial. “No, I am not. He’s talking crazy. No one here is hurting me or threatening me.”
“Tell me what happened?” I did as quickly as I could. When I was done, Tank came forward and handed Chief Scarelli his cell phone. I had no idea why, but I found out as the chief watched what I now realized was a video of what had happened over the last several minutes. When he was done watching it, he went back to Talbot and Ajax came over to me. He took me in his arms. I didn’t think, I just melted. It felt so right to be in his arms.
“Talbot, she’s obviously here freely. You have to stop this shit. Let’s get you back to the office.” His words set Talbot off. He tried to rush toward me again. Scarelli, Bull, and two other guys grabbed him. They held him down as he yelled like a crazy person and fought their grips. His crazed eyes didn’t leave mine.
Finally, Chief Scarelli had to call for backup. They held him in the back of the patrol car until backup arrived. To me, it seemed to take forever. When they did get there, he fought them more before they drove off with him. He stared at me until they were out of view. I shivered as they took him away. Chief Scarelli came back over to me.
“I’m sorry, Jessica. I had no idea he was so obsessed with you. Please, believe me, I’ll make sure he doesn’t come near you again.” I couldn’t speak, so I just nodded. He sighed as he got back into his car and left. Ajax supported me as he walked me into the clubhouse. We passed through the common room and went down the long hall. I had no idea where we were going and was too tired to ask.
He stopped outside a door and took out a key. After he unlocked what I guessed to be his room, he escorted me inside and sat me down on the edge of his bed. I watched him through tear-filled eyes as he closed and locked his door. He dropped down beside me, and his arms came up around me.
I buried my face in the curve between his neck and shoulder and sobbed. “Why was he acting like that, Ajax? I didn’t do anything. I swear I didn’t.” He rubbed my back and kissed the top of my head.
“I know, baby. I know. He’s sick. You don’t have to worry. I won’t let him touch you. I promise. You’re safe. Why don’t you lie down and rest?” I clung to him. He gently laid me down and took off my shoes and then his boots before settling down beside me. I laid there in his arms, trying to figure out why this had happened to me and if I’d done something to trigger it.
Ajax kept rubbing my back and kissing my hair and cheek. As I relaxed, I took in his cologne. He always smelled so delicious. I drifted off thinking of his scent and how good his arms felt around me. I wanted to just pretend for a little while he was mine. I needed the comfort of that illusion. Talbot had really shaken me. It was scary as hell to have someone act like that. My eyes grew heavy and then I remembered no more.