34. Jasmine

Chapter thirty-four

Jasmine

T he past few hours have passed by quickly. Aside from eating lunch and drinking plenty of coffee. I haven't stopped, yet I haven't done anything. It's been an amazing day and I don't think I'll have any problems being a kept woman. As I wander alone in Zane's house, I am far from feeling the boredom he had feared. Everywhere I turn, there is something new to discover in his welcoming and immaculately clean home. Each room holds its own treasures, waiting to be noticed by curious eyes. My senses are on overload as I take in every detail, as I have an intense desire to explore every nook and cranny. My fingers trace along the surfaces, adding texture to my experience and creating a symphony of sensations. Despite the potential for this activity to grow old after a week or two, I find myself still here, drawn by the promise of future hobbies, interests, and perhaps even a social life outside of these four walls. The thought of building a life in this beautiful place brings a wide grin to my face, one that will surely leave my jaw aching by the end of the day.

I pause as my mind registers the faint sound of a car's engine, and my smile evaporates with worry. My anxiety grows with sounds at the door, including a thud as someone tries to get in. Panic sets in as my eyes hunt the house for a weapon—anything I can improvise for self-defence.

"You gotta turn the knob, you muppet," a voice hisses from the other side of the door as the visitors gain entry to the house. "Hello? It's us!"

The greeting is louder, aimed at me, and I'm instantly relieved to recognise the familiar voice. I exhale with relief and start towards the door to see what Marcus is doing here.

"Hey, your dad's at work." I walk confidently towards them, trying to hide the nerves that filled me only moments ago.

"Yeah, he's busy." Marcus glances down at Alex, who is waiting by his father's legs, but bouncing like a coiled spring waiting to come and hug me.

"Come on then, don't keep your poor old grand-mummy waiting for her hug." I tease playfully.

After spending the past few days wrapped up in this life, I couldn't imagine ever leaving it behind. Alex eagerly slips past his dad and wraps his arms tightly around me.

"I don't want to burden you with him, but there's trouble and Dad called me to help him. There is no one else we can ask." Marcus tries to keep his tone bright, but I can hear the hint of concern in his voice.

I glance at my watch, having no idea school had already finished. "Of course."

"Daddy took me out of school early so he doesn't have to come back for me later. I can stay all night."

"Well, Daddy will have to show me your school so I can pick you up at normal time next time."

"You are a lifesaver," Marcus praises. "Thanks."

The mention of trouble brings a feeling of concern crashing over me, my mind instantly filling with worry about Zane, and whatever danger Marcus is following him into. Staying at home to mind the child seems like the perfect distraction from worrying about Zane.

"I'm honoured that you trust me with him," I smile at Marcus. "You don't need to convince me; he's truly the sweetest child I've ever had the pleasure of meeting." I already think of him as mine, even without a formal welcome into the family.

Marcus scoffs. "Maybe for you. Don't let that butter-wouldn't-melt act fool you, he can be a little gremlin at home."

I laugh and playfully threaten. "Well, nanas are supposed to fill the kids with sweets and then send them home for the parents to deal with the fallout."

"He'll be staying the night here if you do that," Marcus retorts with a grin.

"Yay!" Alex jumps up and down excitedly.

"But, seriously, you can ask me any time." I offer.

"Thank you. For everything."

I feel warmly appreciated as I think about how kindly this family has welcomed me into their lives.

"Look, I don't want to say too much, but this is about Desmond Graves. So I hope I don't sound overprotective when I say to lock the doors behind me and set the alarm." Marcus's urgency makes my heart race as he speaks.

"Of course," I reply, trying to stay calm even though my heart is spinning. If Marcus is talking about my old boss, then it has to be connected to what happened right outside his club, which means it involves me and what I did to Andrew.

"Have I put you in danger?" I question, acknowledging my part in all of this.

"It's not dangerous, just time-sensitive," Marcus assures me.

"Well, you can leave him with me anytime." I wrap my arms around the small boy.

"Thanks. I'd best get going." Marcus nods, ruffles his son's hair and hurries out of the door.

"Okay," I manage, my voice a faint echo of its usual steadiness.

I follow him to check the lock, fixing the deadbolt across the door. Zane told me how to turn the alarm on, and I've no need to master turning it off.

"Alright, Alex," I decide, turning to face him. "We're going to check all the doors and windows. You're going to be my second-in-command. Think you can handle that?"

His eyes sparkled, the seriousness of our situation seemingly lost in the imagination of a child's mind. He nods eagerly, a mischievous grin on his face.

"Good," I smiled, feeling the tension in my chest loosen ever so slightly. "Because I could really use the company."

Alex opens one of the drawers in the sideboard and pulls a balaclava from within. As he throws it over his head, he transforms from a cuddly child into a mighty adventurer.

"This house be filled with treasure to plunder," he declares in what I can only assume is a pirate's voice. "There has to be some way in. Let's check the house for any sneaky spots!"

"Lead the way, Captain," I play along, following his small form as he tiptoes exaggeratedly towards the nearest window.

We move from room to room, Alex's hands mimicking the careful inspection of a seasoned thief. We pause at each potential entry point, frowning in concentration before shaking his head and moving on to the next. I find myself swept up in the game, pointing out areas he might have missed, our laughter and whispers filling the quiet corners of the house. Finding ourselves and our unplundered loot to be trapped securely in the house, we are free to do whatever trapped pirates do when they are at home.

"See? All sealed up tight," I reassure him, though the words are as much for me as for him.

"Best pirates ever!" he exclaims, raising a hand for a high five. His glove-clad palm meets mine with a soft smack, a simple gesture that solidifies our newfound partnership.

"Absolutely," I agree, ruffling his balaclava-covered head affectionately. "No one is getting past us, right?"

"Right!" Alex asserts, the two of us are a united front in a game that feels all too real.