9. Jaxcen

Chapter nine

Jaxcen

A yell from the floor below has me stiffening, Devon’s roar clearly recognisable. I guess he’s just realised I’m not in his suite anymore. I should probably go back down so he doesn’t lose his temper, but I’m curious to see how this will play out.

How will the devil respond to me running?

I haven’t run of course. I took his threat seriously, and knew he wasn’t making up the level of security around his town. I saw it as we drove in.

There are armed men everywhere.

From up here in the attic, you can see over the whole south side of the township. It’s not a huge town, but it seems bustling enough below with people down on the street, some working, others running errands or chatting to others.

When I woke and slipped out of the bed without him noticing, I decided to do a little exploring.

Since I’m only wearing Devon’s t-shirt, and my clothes are basically ruined from the rain and mud, I decided to keep my explorations inside the building.

I was a little surprised to find there wasn’t an armed guard standing right outside Devon’s suite, but one glance over the rail and down the staircase showed some armed men walking around on the ground floor, so I decided to check out what was behind the other two doors on either side of Devon’s suite .

One side led to an elevator and a storage closet, and the other door led to a staircase going up. So I went that way to find myself here, in a large open attic space, above Devon’s apartment.

A rush of movement in the street below draws my attention, and there he is. The man in question. Or perhaps the devil in question.

My skin prickles with heat at seeing him, so tall, muscular, and sinfully attractive. I imagine he must have been a pretty boy when he was younger, but now, the prettiness has given way to such manly features that it makes me see Eddie as a boy rather than a man.

The things he did to me last night have been at the forefront of my mind, and honestly, it has to be why I haven’t tried harder to run, because even though he’s kidnapped me, I don’t feel unsafe.

Hell, I feel kind of worshipped.

I think there’s something wrong with me.

A group of Devon’s men gather around him, and I can tell by how animated he is that he’s pissed. He looks to be asking questions and barking orders. Some of the men shake their heads, and then the guy Devon gave my driver’s licence to last night walks up to the group and passes Devon what looks like a tablet device.

Devon studies the screen as they talk, before he turns to look at the building, and the others do too.

Huh. I guess he does have cameras around the place. I’m guessing he knows I didn’t leave the Palace.

I should go back down to his suite, right? I should go and beg for forgiveness and hope he won’t shoot me in the head.

The thing is, I don’t think he’s going to, and I can’t for the life of me figure out why I think that.

Maybe it’s nothing more than wishful thinking.

I snicker at that thought.

I’m pretty sure they can’t see me sitting up in the attic window, so I stay put and wonder how long it will take him to find me, and what he’ll do when he does .

You’re playing with fire, Jaxcen.

And maybe I am. I think he must have short circuited my brain with that orgasm last night because I’m obviously not thinking clearly. It certainly has done something to me, part of me is wracked with guilt for letting a man that isn’t my fiancé touch me, but the other part of me wants to know what it would be like to feel more than his hand.

Like his lips. His dick.

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as murderers. The sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is second to death.

Revelation 21:8 comes at me, engulfing me with guilt, shame and fear, and tears prick at the backs of my eyes as I struggle with what I allowed Devon to do last night.

But it felt so good.

Devon and some of the men storm towards the stairs that lead up to the Palace, and my heart races with anticipation at Devon finding me.

What is wrong with you, Jaxcen? He will kill you.

No, he won’t.

Or maybe he will, and that’s really what I want.

Ugh, now even my inner voice is confused and dark and sending me spiralling with thoughts I’ve fought hard to overcome.

Remaining seated on the window box, I watch the street below and the curious eyes of the locals as they watch Devon’s men dash off quickly.

Something I’m only just noticing is that aside from the older residence, most of the other locals seem to be female, or children.

How odd.

Wait… Have I been brought to a cult compound? Or is this like a polygamist colony, and all of these women belong to one man?

My brows shoot up at that thought, and for a moment I wonder if Devon might be their husband.

Heavy feet pound the floors below and my name being called by a few different voices makes me stiffen.

Shit. I’m causing so much drama, aren’t I?

My gaze darts to the chapel at the end of the street, or what I can see of it anyway.

That has to be the church Devon was speaking about. My need to run there and seek forgiveness is niggling at me so severely, that tears prick the backs of my eyes.

Perhaps absolution is all I need. Perhaps if I can confess and repent then everything will be okay.

“Jaxcen!”

The deep angered yell of Devon’s voice makes me flinch, and when I hear heavy boots pound the staircase up to the attic, I brace myself, bow my head and do the only thing I can right now to remain calm.

I pray.

“Lord, I come before you with an open heart and mind, ready to receive your love and grace.”

“Jaxcen!” Devon booms, and I know he must be entering the room.

“Lord, I ask that you cast out all fear from my heart, mind and soul.”

“Fuck.” Devon pants from behind me, and I stiffen even more, but remain with my head low.

“Help me to trust in your perfect love, knowing that you have a plan for my life.”

“Finn, yeah, I found her in the attic,” Devon says from somewhere behind me, obviously on his phone.

“I surrender my fears to you and ask that you replace them with faith and hope.”

“Jaxcen.” Devon speaks again, and this time, I know he’s right behind me, and for some strange reason, my eyes fill with tears that instantly pool over and run down my cheeks.

“Lord, I ask that you be my guide and protector. Give me the courage to face the challenges, and help me to remember that I am never alone, and that your love surrounds me at all times. ”

A sob escapes me as the warm touch of Devon’s fingers brush back some of my hair and hook it behind my ear.

“Little mouse, look at me.”

“Lord, thank you for your unconditional love and grace which sustains me each day. Help me to share that love with others and be a light in the world, casting out fear and bringing hope and peace.”

This time, I feel Devon move onto the window box with me, and a squeak escapes me as he lifts me so effortlessly onto his lap, as I finish my prayer.

“In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.” I sign the cross before falling silent.

“Let’s get one thing straight.” Devon’s deep voice rumbles right next to my ear. “If by Lord, you really mean Devon, then okay. But if you really think there’s a magical being that will be your guide and protector, then let me remind you, there is no such thing.” With a firm finger, he coaxes my head around so he can see my face, and the darkness within his eyes should scare me, but for some reason, it feels… safe.

“I will be your guide and protector, Jaxcen. Not some mythical man.”

My lids flutter, pushing more fat tears out, and I swallow thickly before I speak.

“Are you mad?”

For a long moment, he simply stares at me, and I almost think he’s not going to answer, but then he smirks.

“You were up here watching the whole time, weren’t you?”

I nod, and he chuckles, shaking his head in disbelief.

“You watched me lose my cool with my men, accusing them of letting you slip past them, and you didn’t consider that perhaps you should come down and diffuse the situation?”

I shake my head. “I was curious,” I murmur.

“Curious about what?”

“To see how it would play out,” I admit, and he grumbles.

“Jesus, woman, I was ready to shoot some of my best men.”

My eyes widen in shock. “No, you weren’t… were you? ”

“He was.” A voice comes from behind us, and Devon’s head darts in that direction before chuckling and shifting us, so I can see the man too.

“Jaxcen, this is Finn. My right hand man.”

Finn smiles, his whole facing morphing with it and I can’t help but smile back.

“He calls me his right hand man, but really he means best mate.”

“The best mate title depends on the day and how much you’re annoying me.” Devon snickers.

“Pleased to meet you, Finn.” I smile, swiping at my tears. “When are you going to give me my licence back?”

His brows shoot high and he grins. “I like her.” Then he reaches into his back pocket and holds out my ID.

I glance at Devon, as if to ask if it’s really okay for me to have it back, and when Devon’s hold on me loosens, I hurry to stand and accept it from Finn’s grip.

“Thank you.”

“A word of advice,” he offers, and I gear myself up to be scolded. “If you really want to make Dev panic, try and hide better. I’ll introduce you to the Anderson boys, those two eight year olds know all the good hiding spots.”

“No, you fucking won’t.” Devon complains from behind me, and my lips lift high as Finn smiles back.

“Well, I’m heading back to bed for a couple more hours of sleep since this fella woke me spewing orders,” Finn says, bowing his head in farewell as I frown.

“Oh. Sorry.”

Finn laughs, while Devon mumbles something under his breath, and I turn to face him.

“What was that?” I ask.

He grins. “I said, you will be sorry.”

I stare at him and his gaze doesn’t waver.

“Is this where you kill me? Because technically I didn’t run. I was just exploring and found this place,” I gesture to the attic space around us. “And then I was curious about the town, so I was people-watching.”

“So why were you praying if you were peoplewatching?” Devon asks, approaching me, and I have to tip my head back a little to keep my eyes on his.

“Well, the prayer was because the devil was coming for me.”

If I didn’t believe he was the devil, I do now with how utterly wicked his smirk is.

“I will always come for you, little mouse.”

I roll my eyes. “You haven’t even known me for a whole day. You tricked me into kissing you. You killed two men right in front of my eyes. You held me against my will. Took my ID and phone, carried me like a sack of potatoes, forced me into a car and drove me out into the middle of nowhere and made me eat all of that food before you… you…”

He’s grinning from ear to ear. “Say it, love. What did I do?” He leans in closer. “Lit you on fire from the inside out?”

I blush.

Dammit.

He chuckles, and I wave him off.

“My point is you can’t tell me you’ll protect me when we barely know each other. Why would you care about protecting me? And, hell, you’re probably what I need protecting from.”

“Damn right I’m the one you need protecting from.” He lurches forward and picks me up by my thighs, wrapping my legs around his waist as a surprised squeak flies from my lips.

Stop doing that. No wonder he calls you a mouse, Jaxcen.

“But the thing is,” he says, his lips hovering before mine as he walks us back over to the window box. “Do you really want to be saved from me?”

He lowers my arse to the box seat and leans over me, forcing me to nearly lay right back.

“One day soon, I’m gonna fuck you right here in front of this window. I’m gonna let the whole fucking town see how much your cunt craves my cock. ”

Oh. My. God.

His words are so crass yet do things to me. My skin feels like it’s on fire. My core flutters with a level of need I’m scared of, and I have to force myself to remain still and not move, because if I do, and I reach out and touch him, I’m going to cave.

“These lips,” he groans, like I cause him physical pain, “I wanna watch my cock disappear past these.” His thumb grazes over my bottom lip much like it did last night, yet this time, he doesn’t slide his thumb in.

The way he looks at me, makes me feel wanted. Desired. Treasured. All the things Eddie doesn’t do for me.

Why can’t he be more like Devon? Why doesn’t he want me?

“You need to remember you’re in hell now, little mouse. God can’t help you here.”

“What about in church? I spotted the chapel at the end of the street.”

A grin tugs at his lips. “Of course you did.”

“A church is sacred.” I point out. “The devil can’t go there.”

He chuckles. “Have you already forgotten what happened last night? Devil’s gates opened inside St Catherine’s last night, and the devil won.”

I gulp, guilt washing over me as I remember the two men that died. How Father Peters hit his head. How I was nearly killed.

How could I forget that?

I need to call my sister. My parents.

“Can I please have my phone back?”

He frowns, almost like he’s disappointed. “No.”

There’s a little anger in his tone as he pushes back off me, and I suddenly miss being crowded in by him.

What’s wrong with you, Jaxcen? Get a grip.

“Can I at least go to church?” I ask, watching his large form retreat, heading to the staircase.

“Confession isn’t until later tonight. You can go then.” He grumbles before looking over his shoulder. “Come and have some brunch, and I’ll organise some clothes for you so you can venture out later and explore my town.”

I perk up at the thought of going out to explore, so I leap up off the window box and follow him back down to his suite, where he calls the kitchen to send up some food before he showers.

I don’t know why, but when he’s in the shower, I find myself walking past the door numerous times, like I’m subconsciously hoping the door will fall off the hinges, or I’ll get sporadic x-ray vision, and see inside the room. At a naked Devon.

I got a glimpse last night. Him shirtless, and then with only his boxers on after I showered and rejoined him in the bedroom to go to bed.

As far as I can tell, there’s not a single flaw on him. His height, his broad shoulders, the ropes of muscles that travel his arms and legs, it’s all near perfect if you ask me, and when he wrapped his arms around me from behind in bed, tugging me close, enveloping me, I melted and secretly wished to never leave.

As I pass by the door again, a deep, gravelly moan floats out from underneath it, and I freeze.

That can’t be what I think I heard… right?

Tip toeing, like he’ll somehow hear me walking on the thick push pile of his carpet, I gently press my ear to the door and listen.

Slapping. I hear wet slapping sounds, and from the indecent x-rated online videos I’ve watched, I know exactly what he’s doing.

He’s… He’s…

Oh my.

My cheeks flush as my heart races and heat pools between my legs.

I picture him, naked, his strong fingers wrapped around his length as he pumps…

Another moan floats under the door, before his deep voice, although quiet, clearly speaks .

“Fuuuck.” He grunts and pants, a needy whimper escaping me before I realise what’s happening, and I leap back slapping my hand over my mouth.

And that’s the moment I want to curl up and die.

“Excuse me, Miss Summers, I knocked.”

Mabel. Bloody Mabel is standing in the living room, tray of food in her clutches, her expression reminding me of my second grade teacher that caught me eating a lolly from my school bag.

Shame. Shame. Shame, Jaxcen.

The bathroom door swings open, Devon’s expression pinched as he hurries out to find me, probably resembling a deer in headlights as I dart my gaze between him and Mabel.

“What’s going on?” he demands, and now I resemble a damn fish, my mouth opening and closing, words lost. “Mabel?” He sighs, clearly giving up on expecting an answer from me.

“I have your food, Mr Marx,” she answers, politely.

“I can see that. But what’s going on here?” He gestures between me and Mabel, and I shoot a silent beg her way not to dob me in.

Placing the tray on the table, Mabel brushes her hand down over her apron and clears her throat before glancing back at Devon.

“It appears your guest was eavesdropping on your bathing activities.”

OH. MY. FUCKING. GOD.