Britt gets us home and I’m ready for a shower and sleep, knowing full well that work calls tomorrow. I bid the girls goodnight and ask a couple men to follow them home, just in case.I protect my own.
Alexander doesn’t leave; instead, he waits for me in the driveway, leaning against his bike, the front lights of the house illuminating his rugged features. I walk towards him, taking my time to appreciate the sight.
“I came back.” I fulfilled his promise. I shrug my shoulders, knowing he had nothing to worry about. He gathers me in his arms, my head leaning against his chest.
“Stay with me tonight,” I mumble into his chest. He doesn’t say anything, only planting a soft kiss to the top of my head.
He scoops me into his arms, but instead of bringing me immediately to the bedroom, he takes me to the bathroom, placing me on top of the countertop.
“Mm, this is the bathroom. I’d much rather have you in the bedroom,” I say, a smirk curling at the corner of my mouth.
“I rather fuck you without another man’s scent on you.” I can hear the anger in his voice as he grabs a washcloth and soap from the shower. He lathers up the washcloth, gently running it across my face. I hold his gaze, soaking in the anger in his eyes. I hold his wrist with the washcloth in place.
“Alexander, if you have something to say, say it. I’m giving you one chance.” If we’re going to make things work, he has to talk to me.
He sighs, setting the washcloth in the sink, resting his hands on either side of me, trapping me even more. “I’m a little angry at your impulsiveness to step into a rival’s territory, even if I went along with it. It’s just…you scare me sometimes.”
Shock. That’s my immediate reaction. “I scare you? How?”
Alexander blows out another breath. “You act without thinking all the way through. You get hyper fixated on things, like a dog with a bone. You get lost in your thoughts. You go out of your way for people even in the most humbling ways. Teresa, I can sense the anxiety sometimes. I see the exhaustion in your eyes.”
“I’m failing to see how I scare you.”
He closes his eyes, as if steeling himself for this response. “You scare me because I never know your next move.”
Suddenly, the realization hits that I never told him. He’s scared of the unpredictability, the uncertainty. I cup his face. “Remember when I told you I had a superpower?” He nods his head. “I’ve had ADHD since I was a kid. Picture a hamster wheel endlessly spinning, even when the hamster isn’t there. What you see in me, the hyper-fixation or focus, the anxiety, the overwhelming emotions, the impulsivity, the people pleasing; those are all aspects of ADHD.”
“Your brain never shuts off or slows down?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I’ve been treated for it and it hasn’t changed, it becomes managable. Something works and we keep it that way. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I didn’t think I really needed to.”
“You are a curious one, Teresa.” He picks up the washcloth and continues to clean my face. He travels across my collarbone, then freezes. I rub my neck, remembering Benny’s hands squeezing it.
“I’m okay. Just kiss it and make it better,” I say softly. Like the man he is, Alexander tilts my head up, planting soft, trailing kisses along my neck. A small sigh comes out of my mouth, prompting him to look up at me and lick his lips.
“Take me to bed, Alexander. Show me the error of my ways.” I place my hands on his chest, tracing the outline of his pecs.
He scoops me back into his arms. “Just remember, you asked for it, Little Cub.” In one swift movement, I land on my bed with a bounce.
Chapter 23
Juneendsandwe’recrawling through July. Alexander hasn’t left my side. Shortly after the Nest, Alexander forced me to take a break, and we escaped to a beach house in the Outer Banks. It was short, but very much needed and most welcomed. We relished in each other, rarely leaving other than for food. It was something I needed to clear my head and regain focus.
According to Rawlings, things have been quiet since the Nest incident. Between my body healing and the number of therapy sessions I’ve needed to reset my mind, the quiet has been appreciated. On top of that, Jeremiah made it home, still in a few casts, healing but strong. Shiloh had taken care of Lucie with the help of Sparky. A police report had been filed and Shiloh provided proof for an extra extension of Lucie’s protective order. Rawlings had offered an extra eye of protection knowing that she is a connection to the Falcons. The sentiment was there, but I didn’t know how she would feel about someone always watching her. Between Shiloh and I, we created her safety plan in hopes that things would slow down for her and she would not have a threat of danger following her like a dark shadow.
I’m just waiting for the other foot to drop.
The Masquerade. One of the most anticipated events of the Foundation. Every year, the attendee list grows, to the point where we’ve had to turn people away. Foundation staff usually helps with tickets and items for the silent auction, along with trying to sweet talk donors into supporting the work we do. We do what we do for our community. If only some of these people honestly saw what it is like out there.
It’s the day of the event, and I take the morning off to take things easy. The last thing I need is for my anxiety to spike. I know Alexander and Rawlings will be calling soon to go over their plan and the part that I’ll play. A sense of nervousness and a bit of excitement roams over me.
I start reading a book on the couch, Seamus laying in my lap, with just my sleep shirt on. I’m invested in my book, transported into another realm, when the doorbell rings. I glance at the clock; it’s barely early afternoon. It rings again before a bang resonates. I rush to the door and pull out the handgun Alexander stashed next to the door. I’m not taking any chances. I peek through the peephole.No fucking way. I quickly down and realize I have no pants on. I search for at least sweatpants and see Alexander's pair draped over the couch in the office.
I open the door to find Alexander, Rawlings, Matthew, and another man whose name escapes me. I rest the gun against my thigh.
“Alexander Jackson..” I pause. “What the hell are you doing here? And no heads up?”
They push past the door, Seamus growling until he sees Alexander.Traitor. The rest push through my door, plopping down on my couch. Matthew looks at me and notices the gun.