Page 27 of Christmas Stalking

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“I’m sorry, Dollface. I only want to make sure you’re okay. The doctors are almost done with their tests. I’ll take you home as soon as I know everything is okay.”

“I don’t need any tests. I know what’s wrong with me.” It was a panic attack, nothing more. I don’t know why it’s so hard for me to tell him that, but I need to. He’s so strong and badass, while I freak out and become paralyzed when I’m scared.

“There is nothing wrong with you,” he counters quickly.

“Then why am I here?” I push back, but I’m only teasing.

“You know what I mean.” He looms over the side of my bed.

He’s barely left my side, but I think that’s about to change. Two police officers and two men in suits are now looming in the doorway of my hospital room. I’m guessing they have a bunch of questions.

“I think your attention is required.” I nod toward the door, but Jackson already knows the men are there.

The man misses nothing. I knew my man was a bit of a powerhouse, but seeing him in action inside that motel room was something else altogether. Those men never stood a chance. I swear in a blink of an eye he had them taken care of and was carrying me out to safety.

“They can fuck off.” He doesn’t bother giving them a glance.

“Knight. Please. A moment,” one of them in a suit says.

“Call Brookes,” he snaps back at them.

“I spoke to the governor. I really only need two seconds of your time, please.”

“I’m fine. Go deal with this and then take me home.” I grab the front of his shirt and pull him down for a kiss. “I love you. Please go handle it.”

“You’re not playing fair,” he grumbles.

“Never said I would. Now go handle whatever this is.” I wave my hand toward the doorway. I’m realizing my Jackson has a higher pull and a bigger security company than I knew.

“I love you too, Dollface, but don’t move your little ass from this bed,” he orders me.

“I’d never make it out of the room. I bet you have a man on guard right outside the door.”

“Three,” he corrects, making me laugh. When he doesn’t so much as crack a smile, I know he’s serious. Some people might think it’s overkill, but I love the fact that he does whatever he thinks is necessary to keep me safe.

“Go.” Finally, he relents. When he does, Marly finally gets a chance to come into the room.

“Girrrrrl.”

“I’m okay,” I rush to say, not wanting her to worry. I can’t even imagine how scared she was when the men took me. I hate that she got dragged into this whole thing.

“Well, duh. Jackson is your man; of course, you’re okay. I just can’t believe you didn’t tell me you’re some famous artist. You let me go on and on about my silly knitting and making you a website!”

“Your knitting isn’t silly. It’s good.”

“How did my brother land you?”

“I don’t know if he landed me or more bulldozed me.” This time when I laugh, she joins me. As messed-up as all of this has been, I’m relieved. A sense of freedom has washed over me. I no longer have to worry every single day. Marly and I chat for a bit, and I get to tell her more about my life than I had before. She’s not mad at all that I kept things from her.

“All right, I guess we can go. I spoke to the doctor, and he said everything is fine,” Jackson says when he reenters the room. Marly gives me a look. I think she might have put together what I’d been searching for in the bathroom if she poked around some.

“I’ll leave you two to it.” Marly kisses me on the cheek before she leaves us alone.

“I don’t like that you just passed out. You’re sure they didn’t inject you with anything? The tox screen came back negative.”

“It was a panic attack, Jackson. Sometimes I have them. I have medication for it, but I couldn’t find it in time.” He lets out a breath, a relieved expression crossing his face.

“Why didn’t you tell me that?” I shrug. It’s not something I just run around telling people.


Tags: Ella Goode Romance