Chapter 7

SEVEN

Shannon

Why did something so right feel so wrong?

I knew letting Matthew help was for the best. Jack didn't tell me exactly what his brother did but based on the fact that he was able to get Jack's documents so Davis couldn't find us was a clear indication that whatever Matthew did had enough power to help my situation.

That didn't mean I had to like it. Relying on people in general was a quality I didn't possess on a good day.

And today wasn't a good day.

"Okay," I sighed. "I appreciate the help."

"Excellent!" Matthew clapped his hand on Jack's back. "I'll be in touch. In the meantime, try to stay out of trouble. I've got bail money set aside but I would prefer not to use it. Oh, and if you do happen to do something, like say, off someone, call me first. There are better ways to get rid of a body than calling the police."

That seemed to be Matthew's version of a goodbye because he winked at me and then walked out of the hotel room, leaving me confused. I couldn't tell if he was serious or not.

"Don't listen to him," Jack told me, but at no point did he explain Matthew’s cryptic suggestion. So of course, I asked.

"Care to explain what he meant by that?"

Jack took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Whether it was to stall or gather his thoughts was anyone's guess.

"Not really." He held up his hand when I started to interrupt. "But only because my brother has never told me what he does for the company he works for. Matthew and I were both special ops. I know for a fact he continued a similar line of work when he joined the security company. We have a ‘don't ask don't tell’ policy and it works for us. I don't want to know, and he doesn't want me to know."

It was more than I expected to get from him, so I’d take it. I didn't need specifics. Plausible deniability and all that. It was better I didn't know what was going to happen. For my sanity.

I looked around the room again. Everything about it touted money and prestige, neither of which I expected from Jack considering he was an electrician.

"Nice place."

Jack sat down on the king-sized bed. Although the couch looked big enough for me to sleep on if I wanted to but I doubt it would be necessary. The bed was plenty large enough for the two of us.

"It wouldn't have been my first pick but maybe that's why Matthew chose it. Even without knowing who was after you, this made sense. I don’t have a history of staying at places like this and I doubt Davis would look here for you."

I chuckled at the thought. "Definitely not. Money was one of the things we fought a lot about. Davis liked to flaunt his, whereas I preferred the simple life. My father did well for himself, but it was because he chose to live simply and to pay his workers better. That was one of the first suggestions Davis made about my father's business. Stop paying my people so much."

Even if my father never taught me a single thing about the business side of things, I would've known Davis' logic was flawed. People tended to work harder and to be more loyal if you paid them accordingly. It was certainly true in my father's case. Most of his employees had been with him for ten-plus years, and the ones who weren't, came on as apprentices and stayed after their time was done.

"Shows what a greedy fucker he is. Anyone who cares about their employees is going to treat them with respect and pay them accordingly."

"See, you get it." I smiled at him. "Do you work for yourself or for someone?"

Jack looked uncomfortable again. He cleared his throat before answering. "I work for myself but have a few employees."

Something didn't add up. I squinted my eyes at him. "A few? Define a few."

Jack looked defeated when he finally answered. "I own JM Electrical Services."

That got my attention. “Wait, I know that name. I’ve used that company. My father used that company all the time for the shop and his personal needs because they are the best in the region. Great service. Great prices. The reviews are fantastic with offices up and down the East Coast.” A “few” was a vast understatement.

"Just a few, huh?" I didn’t bother to hide my sarcasm.

No wonder he could afford a place like this. Jack had to be making some serious money with a company like that. So much for a blue-collar man.

"And here I thought you were more like me."

Jack was quick to jump up and move toward me. He stopped almost a foot away and my first instinct was to be sad about that. A large part of me wanted him closer. Wanted him to touch me. What did that say about me when I was supposed to be taking a sabbatical from men?

"I am like you. I still take jobs. A lot of them, in fact. I hate being in the office. Customers don't know I run the company a majority of the time because I'm just another electrician on the job. My face isn't on the company. I have amazing office managers to handle the business side of things. My accountant yells at me every year that I need to become a corporation with a board of directors because I'm becoming too big, but I refuse. I would rather make less and give my employees more. I'm the opposite of a businessman and it's sad how much money I blow because business decisions aren't for me."

By the end of Jack's speech, I felt a little better. He wasn't anything like Davis, even if he had money. I had seen as much last night at the bar. Davis would never have been nice to the bartender and he certainly wouldn't have left a generous tip because in his mind bartenders were beneath him. It wasn't the dollar amount attached to the person that made them who they were. It was just Davis himself. He was rotten at the core because that was who he was.

"I'm sorry. I didn't always have this hiccup with money."

Jack ran his fingers through his hair. I wanted it to be me doing that. I remember the feel of it from the first night, how soft it was. Wait? Was that really just last night? It felt like I had known Jack for days if not weeks.

"I wanted to punch Matthew in the face when he brought us here. I knew a hotel like this would be a trigger for you. I'm sorry, I didn't think earlier to warn him."

Now it was my turn to feel bad. Jack was doing everything to keep me safe and make sure that Davis couldn't find us, and how did I repay him? By acting like the spoiled brat Davis wanted me to be.

I held my hand up. "Please don't apologize. In case I forgot to say it earlier, thank you for this. You're risking a lot to help me and I appreciate it. I should be the one apologizing for my awful behavior." It was my turn to run my fingers through my hair. Unlike Jack’s, mine was a ratty mess in a bun on top of my head, so all I managed to do was run my nails along my scalp and be reminded that I was in desperate need of a shower. Jack stood there looking like Adonis but I, on the other hand, resembled something a cat dragged in off the side of the road.

Talk about unfair.

"How about we both agree no more apologizing? The situation is what it is, and we can move forward from here."

"Deal. I can do that. Now if you don't mind, I would like to jump in the shower. I feel gross."

Jack's lips tipped up on the one side and I wasn't ashamed to admit that lopsided smile did crazy things to my lady parts. "Need help washing your back?" He waggled his eyebrows at me and I was tempted to take him up on his offer.

Then the rational part of my brain kicked in. "Maybe next time."

I grabbed my duffel from where I dropped it on the floor and dashed for the bathroom. I wasn't sure why I was suddenly shy, but I felt the need to hide away and built up some of my defenses. I was doing a shitty job of it though, based on my current situation and the way I was feeling.

The thought of running my hands through Jack's hair was a stark reminder that I barely knew the man. We spent one passionate night together, but the reality was, we’d known each other for a mere twenty-four hours and now I was trusting him with my life.

I spent more time in the shower than was considered socially acceptable. My fingers were pruned, and I was sure I tested the boundaries on the hot water heater. I took even more time to blow-dry my hair, something I rarely did because allowing it to dry naturally was healthier for it, according to my hairdresser who often yelled at me for putting it in a bun wet, but I was procrastinating.

When it got to the point that there was nothing more I could do, I finally emerged from the bathroom only to find the room empty.

Panic set in. Did Jack finally come to his senses and decide he didn't need the aggravation? Was I on my own like I initially wanted? I no longer wanted that but what if I didn't have a choice?

It was a few solid moments of freaking out and pacing the room before I found the note on the desk.

Shannon,

I ran down to the lobby to get a few things from the front desk. Matthew sent over one of his co-workers and he's walking the halls until I come back up. I won't be long. I hope I didn't make you feel uncomfortable.

Jack

Well, shit. That’s what I get for spending … I looked around the room for a clock. Shit, I was in the bathroom for nearly an hour and a half. No wonder Jack ran downstairs. He probably thought I didn't want him around, which was the farthest thing from the truth.

I might be confused about how fast things were progressing, and the way my body responded to him, but I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I trusted him enough to want him with me. Even if it was just for protection.

So I sat my ass on the bed and waited for him to return. It was time we talked about some things.