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“Take a breath.” He draws closer. “It’s gonna be alright.”
He crouches behind her as she sucks in air, and Jax stiffens. “I’ll kick your fucking teeth in,” he snarls.
“That was your one free shot for me not coming forth sooner. After this, you’re dealing with a special agent, and I won’t be easy on you.”
My temper ignites, threats bursting from my lips without thought. “You touch him again, and I’ll throttle you.”
Ricky skewers me with a glare and dares to place a hand on Aurora’s back. “I’m. Not. After. Jackson. I understand why you’re pissed, butIwas the one who helped her overcome her anxiety.”
Fuck him. We’ve all done our part. “And ruined it. Good job.”
Jesus, my captain is rubbing off on me.
He rubs her back with soothing circles. “It’s okay. You’re okay. Nothing will happen to Jackson.”
“Wait.” Jax lifts his palm. “Hold up. Special agent? Like the FBI?”
“I’m with Homeland Security. I’m a senior special agent working on a case involving Kyle and the LAPD. I’m not a cop, nor have I ever been.”
Agent or not, Jax won’t forgive Ricky’s betrayal easily. If one thing sets Jax off, it’s dishonesty and manipulation, which likely reminds him of his father. If Ricky were solely Jackson’s bodyguard, it’d be different, but fuck with Aurora, and you unleash a monster.
I can’t say I blame him. Ricky has been with her under false pretenses for months. Was hetryingto get close to her? He certainly wasn’t getting friendly with Jax.
“I’m prepared to offer you protection for your cooperation—yourfullcooperation. I wasyourbodyguard first.Youasked me to be hers, and I couldn’t turn it down, nor could I chance being removed from this case. Either way, we can work together to put Kyle in prison, where he belongs.”
Aurora’s breathing slows, and she wipes the tears from her puffy eyes.
I open my arms. “Come here, baby girl.”
She climbs into my lap, rests her head on my shoulder, and watches them.
Ricky grabs the wrapped bag of ice from the floor and offers it to Jax. “Ice it, and then I’ll wrap it. Someone needs to teach you to throw a punch without breaking your fist.”
Jax flips his hand over, his palm a bluish shade. “It’s broken. Not much good the ice will do,” he grumbles but ices his knuckles anyway. “I’ll consider an offer when I see it on paper, and that’s only after I get my trust. You’re not seizing everything I have.”
If I didn’t know he loved spending his money on others, I’d assume, like everyone else, that he was superficial. He truly wants to give Aurora and the baby all he promised—the beach house, this penthouse, security.
“I can work with that—if nothing changes. You kick me out or go to your father, we’re through.” Ricky glances down at Jackson’s swollen hand. “And you’ll need that trust fund. You’re never returning to hockey at the rate you’re going.”
Fuck me.
I massage my temple to ease the coming headache.
“Don’t worry, Coach. As long as I can hold a stick, I’ll play. I have plenty of time to heal, and this isn’t my first fracture.” Jax takes a deep breath and winces. “Ribs fucking hurt, though.”
Fuck me twice.
How did I end up with the biggest pain in the ass in the history of hockey?
While we wait for Doc,Aurora showers, Ricky updates his partner, and I work through emails in Jackson’s room.
It’s getting late, and Jax rests against the padded headboard of his massive bed, icing his ribs. “Can you promise me something?”
“Yeah,” I answer without missing a beat, lowering my phone to my lap.
“If anything happens to me, you’ll take care of Aurora, no matter what.”
My brows furrow. “Of course I will. Why?”