Jax
Pride can be a nasty thing. I learned from my father that I can create power. That power can cause fear or paranoia sometimes in those who wield it. Chris had shown me that it can create joy as well. My security company created a pride for me knowing that I kept people safe. I did not feel powerful like my father, but joy others were not getting hurt.
When Brimstone wanted my technology, I promised to maintain it on my own. It was a way to make sure that everyone was safe, even the clients. Every Wednesday tests were running, and cameras were checked. I left nothing untouched, with this kind of business the Youngs made it clear their staff was important first, but their clients paid for the silence. Two hundred cameras were installed on the property and one hundred and fifty different sensors or alarms were around the building.
Was is crazy? Yes, it was. Did I get protective because my best friend worked here? Again, yes and it was worth it. Especially now that a girl I liked was on the menu. I really had to up my game to make sure I kept both safe and by default their crew who worked here too. It was an odd thing for me to start allowing others into my world. It was easier to keep people away in fear of my father.
"Those must be some serious codes." Chris spoke, breaking me out of my thoughts. "especially when you look like you are miles away."
I looked at my computer watching the codes fly by. I was perched next to the breaker box; my company's router was attached next to it. I was checking all the entries from the week. Making sure there was nothing that screamed that someone was trying to break in. There was a slight desperation to look for Amelia's numbers, but Jaxson Adams was not a creeper. Luster for sure but not a creeper.
"Hey Chris, I was just thinking about an upcoming meeting." Wow lying to my friend, he knows when I am, so I must recover quick. "What has you here on a Wednesday?"
"Uh-huh right, you suck at lying Jax." Dam he called my lie. "I am actually here to check out Mia's outfits and work on a pole routine."
Easy Jax, do not bite his head off. "Where is your little partner?"
"Oh, she went to show Dani an outfit. Hey, I gotta go but maybe you can come over for drinks later?"
I nodded, it sounded good to me. Chris walked off towards the stage and I had to give myself a pep talk. There would be no getting mad at my friend for doing his job. In fact, I should be glad it is my best friend with a girl I like. I at least know where he has been and know that he has no interest in a romantic relationship with her.
My computer dinged and showed everything was good to go. I walked to the dressing room area to check the cameras. Chris and Amelia's area caught my attention, just from a distance the shit Amelia would be wearing would not leave much for the imagination. Jesus Jax pull yourself together. My brain and cock agreed, we could not wait to see her in these outfits, but we wanted to be the only ones. I climbed up a ladder to check a camera, giving myself a talking to about how this is all a job. If I played my cards right, I could be the one to claim her for my own. I just could not let my jealousy get the best of me. I also did not want to rush her into something she was not ready for.
While I was coming down the ladder movement from the curtain caught my attention. I am not a religious man, but I am sure Angles or Goddesses existed at this time. Amelia had walked through the curtain and dam she was rocking what looked like the Leia slave outfit but all black. It brought out her light mocha skin, her black hair danced around her shoulders. He wavy hair bounced as she walked, and my cock noticed that more than her hair bounced when she walked. I had to mentally talk him down because my brain noticed she looked out of it; she was a walking shell almost. Everything in my body screamed to go to her.
All I could do once she got closer was say "Hey Amelia, you okay love?"
Nothing. No response, she did not even acknowledge that I spoke. That stung a bit. As she passed walking into the locker rooms, she wrapped her arms around her boy and began to sob. I called again to her but still no response. My body did not wait for my brain to agree before we started going after her. This girl was hurting, and I was going to it right. She was in the shower room when she dropped to her knees. From some training for my company I knew to approach her slowly. She was clearly spooked, and I had no idea what would happen if I scared her more.
I was right behind her now and whispered her name "Amelia?" nothing. I noticed she was full fledge crying now. Instincts really kicked in as I planted myself in front her and just hugged her. Lord she smelled like a mix of the beach and Malibu rum. I stroked her hair soothing her while she cried. "Shh Amelia. It will be okay love."
I really wanted to know what the fuck happened because I was going to beat the shit out of whoever her hurt her. Amelia managed to look up and into my eyes. This look just broke me, she looked scared. Her eyes were red and puffy, but it looked like looking into a pool of many colors. One glance they were a dark honey, another look they had hints of green. While in the light of the shower room I could see her hair was black with bursts of a dark red. A tear escaped her eye and for some reason it was second nature to me to wipe it away. Simple gesture but it felt good to take it away from her soft cheek.
"Amelia?!" I could hear Chris's voice, her sounded winded like he was running, and I think scared. "Amelia! Tiger?! Where are you?"
Totally scared, so he was safe from my wrath because if he was scared then he did not do this. He came bursting into the shower room and halted when he saw me holding this poor frightened girl. Chris squatted behind her and attempted to talk to her.
"Tiger, you gotta talk to me." Huh he called her tiger. I may have to ask why he calls her that.
"She hasn't said a word. She came back through the curtain and just kept walking. Then we got to hear." I paused adjusting my embrace. "What happened Chris?"
Chris had explained she was fine when she walked to the office but was on edge when she came to the pole. He worked on sensual play to help get her into the right head space. He did not do much talking and only touched her. While he was on his knees in front of her, he noticed her body stiffen in fear, she used her safe word and darted off before he could ask anything.
"Amelia, love, did you see something?" No response. I scooped her up into my arms while Chris and I began walking out of the shower room.
"Jax, I am honestly at a loss." He was panicking. "All week we've been training, and she has had no issues like this."
Amelia burrowed herself into my chest more, clinging to me as if her life depended on it. This girl was not the girl I saw last week, she was terrified and a shell of herself. Dani came running when she saw us, she was like a mother to the crew. Despite her looks you could not tell she was pushing fifty, when she got to us, she did not have to ask before we gave her a run down.
"I actually came looking for her. Before going to the stage, I found her at the bar downing a couple of shots. For the record Mia refuses to drink here." Dani paused. "So, I headed to the office where she had told me there was an issue with a gentleman that Rory was meeting with. Rory didn't give me much, just that the guy was kind of creepy."
"Dani and Chris go check the cameras in the club area. I want to know what she saw or ran into that spooked her like this. Then we'll go from there."
They agreed and took off towards the security room. There had been big comfy chairs in the dressing room areas, as we entered their room, I brought my head down to whisper "love, I am going to put you down."
Before I could do anything, she tightened her grip and let out a whimper. Amelia was defined as a strong independent woman and to see her this way was scary. I turned around and sat down with her instead, I had a feeling that she needed the comfort. My mind began to wander as I adjusted us in the chair, Chris had explained she had a shitty past but what happened to trigger something from her past. Also, who could break and hurt this beautiful creature? I would hurt the person who hurt her in the past and even now.
I could not stop the next words that flew from my mouth. "My sweet Amelia." Maybe she would enjoy the doctor who reference there. "it will be okay. Whatever caused this I will fix it." I placed a kiss to her forehead. I would walk heaven and hell to learn about this girl. Anything to protect my Amelia. "you walked into my life; I barely know you." I was going to fix that starting now. "However, I have no intentions of letting you walk away. I'll do whatever to protect you." I could not help but chuckle. My life was not the safest between my own father and my job alone would be hard. But there was Chris, he vowed to protect her as well. So, I could do that. "Even if I have to share you."
Right now, I needed to reassure her that she was safe. Rubbing small circles along her back, it was a simple gesture, but it sure worked. Minutes later she was out but still clinging to me like she was before. I could hear shouting from the offices, it was muffled but I could tell Dani was laying into someone. That poor soul, I have seen her mad and vowed to never cross her. Chris came walking towards the dressing area, clearly, he was tense because veins were showing in his neck and the sleeves of his white shirt were stretched.
I placed a finger to my lips, indicating to be quiet. I whispered, "What did you find out?"
Chris took a couple deep breaths calming himself down. "Well first a couple things. Do not let go of her, she is going to be your anchor right now and acting like your father is not going to win her. She needs someone like she has right now."
The fuck? I am not liking this at all. Chris pulled up a chair and went into how my father was meeting with Rory for some business deal and Amelia accidently walked into it. He touched her, granted he only kissed her knuckles and twirled her hair. But apparently his words got to her.
"Now Jax this next part I need you to please remember all that I said. She needs the Jax she has right now."
I gritted my teeth but held onto my anchor. A reminder that I can have this. I need her just as much as she needs me. "What happened Chris?"
Chris had told me how the cameras picked up my father watching my Amelia and Chris while on the stage. He was trying to bring her down from whatever spooked her earlier with sensual play. Reassuring the security, she had and to bring her confidence back. It was a bond between the two parties and very intimate in the BDSM world. My father was not part of that and was not even supposed to be in the building. Chris had then quickly explained how she was a domestic and child abuse survivor. My father's actions had triggered her and broke her quickly. How much I was not sure, but I felt obligated to fix this.
"What now?" I asked.
"Dani is dealing with Rory on the whole Lucis thing. We both have the night off of course but we should get her home. I will call Emmet; he may be able to help as well."
"Sounds like a plan. All I know is she shouldn't be alone for a bit." I threw my keys to Chris. "You can drive my truck there. Now hand me a blanket because there isn't much on this girl." I carefully cradled her to the truck, making sure I did not wake her and continued while on the way. She was pure beauty sleeping in my arms. I moved the hair on her face to examine her more. Her cheeks were flushed on her heart shaped face, she was so cute like that.
"Are you ready to meet them?" Chris asked almost trying not to laugh.
"Meet who?"
"Bro, she doesn't live alone. She lives with Emmet and Jesús. Apparently, Emmet and Mia met at a rehab here and became a big brother to her. Jesús is just as much of one has Emmet."
Well shit, there had been many times Chris tried to get me to be part of his crew, but I had it stuck in my head that Chris was all that I needed. Especially after the accident and Jenny. I vowed to never love again. I could have had Amelia a long time ago. I was being fully thrusted into this girl's life now within hours. I never was with a girl long enough to meet her family or friends. I was starting to get nervous as many things ran through my head.
"I am not going to lie to you Chris. I am kind of nervous. I know Emmet and Jesús, not as well as you. But your crew kind of scares me, I am like this big bad wolf going after your prized possession. You seem like the whole crew is super protective of her because of her past. Also, I may be ripped like you but against the whole crew I have no chance. Shit the girls alone know how to hide a body."
"I take blame on that; we have weekly criminal show marathons. But everything will be okay. Despite my threats and the fear of our crew, she needs you. She needs someone to love her by themselves like our crew does all together."
I looked down at my sleeping beauty. As a child I dealt with my mafia family and the fear that followed with it. I had fears of my company failing or something going wrong. The fear I was feeling was new and scary.
"Oh, Jesús warned me that when Mia or Emmet have mental days, they do some crazy shit with forts, movies and sometimes smashing shit."
"How is that weird?"
We pulled up to the brick condo, the two-story home was in a peaceful neighborhood. From pulling into the driveway I could see the beach from here. I had Amelia neatly tucked away in my arms, Chris lead me to the door. A tall muscular black man opened to door. His jeans laid right on his hips and the lack of shirt showed he did work out. His chest was puffed out and on edge, almost like he was ready to pounce on me. This was Emmet.
"What in the name of mother fucking Gods happened?" Emmet's voice was deep with a mix of emotions.
Chris led us into the house, it was cozy and charming. Pictures were everywhere of Amelia, Emmet and Jesús.
"Emmet it's a long story that I will tell you but where can Jax take her. She's out."
"Hookah, I'll get the scotch and you can take her upstairs." His eyes shot daggers my way. "no funny business though with my girl."
I adjusted Amelia in my arms and headed up the stairs. As I opened the door, I saw that Chris was not joking that she was a nerd. This woman was going to win my heart easily. I gently placed her on the oversized bed, kissing her forehead I whispered, "My sweet Amelia, sleep well."
She stirred as I moved away, feeling like I had been caught, I froze. When she did not wake, I began walking to the door and saw her dresser. I stopped when I looked at the mirror, it had two pictures that were both of her. In one picture she looked sickly almost, she was sitting on a hospital bed with a doctor and an EMT. The other picture was her and a very smaller Emmet. There were smiling while Emmet held a cake that read '1 year sober' There was still the same eyes screaming so many emotions.
I was so caught up in the pictures that I did not hear Amelia wake. "Those are reminders." It was a whisper but full of sadness. "They remind me just how far I've come."
My eyes locked to hers, her lips were slight parted, and her breathing was slow. Better than earlier but something so simply wanted me to crawl right into that bed with her. "Jax" was as simple beautiful thing from her but it made my cock twitch. "Please don't leave." She patted the bed. "You can stay above the covers or else the boys will kick your ass."
That I believe would be true, but I could hear the playful in her voice. "Yes, my sweet Amelia." It was all too easy as I crawled into her bed. I laid on my side facing her, just one move and my lips could be on hers. No, I want to take this slow, but I also wanted to claim her body as mine. Learn every inch of her and linger to remember her tastes. Amelia moved closer to snuggle into my neck, I possessively placed my arm around her body.
"Jax did you mean those things earlier while we were at the club?"
"I was hoping you didn't hear that." We both chuckled. "I really did mean them. It's just, I worry Amelia." Our eyes locked and she looked confused. "It is confusing."
"If you want to try a relationship with me, we need to be honest with each other." Amelia lightly kissed my neck; her lips were warm and delicate. "We don't have to spill everything tonight or tomorrow, but we need to be open."
I pulled Amelia's face to mine and lightly kissed her lips. Her mouth was so enticing, I was holding back so much and thank the fluffy blankets were hiding that excitement. She tasted sweet but salt lingered from her tears earlier. I pulled away. "Amelia, I want to talk to you about earlier." I felt the fear roll off her. "shh not that my love."
It was now or lose her for forever.