Stolen Beauty (Jackson Family 1)

Jaxon arched an eyebrow at me when I tried to push myself to the edge of the bed, a low moan of pain sliding from my lips. “Ms. Arnold, what do you think you’re doing?” he asked me as he stood up from the chair that he had been sitting in for the past three hours.

“I’m going to piss,” I mumbled. “Surprised to see you come alive, Jaxon. For the past two hours, I’ve been thinking that you had turned into a statue.”

His lips twitched. “Very funny, Ms. Arnold.” He grabbed me under my arms and helped me up to my feet. “Lean on me. James will serve my head to everyone on a platter for dinner tomorrow if I allow you to hurt yourself.”

I sighed. “I love that he’s so protective, but it can be kind of overwhelming,” I admitted.

Jaxon laughed. “Ms. Arnold, James loves you. My boss goes above and beyond for those he cares about. He doesn’t love freely – barely tolerates his own mother – so soak up every bit of attention and care that he gives you.”

I looked up at him, a sad frown pulling at my lips. “You speak as if from experience.”

Jaxon only shrugged. “James and I grew up together, though it was many, many years ago.” Jaxon sighed. I ran my eyes over his face, confusion settling in my gut. “He suffered a head injury in a car accident with his mother, and he lost a good bit of his memory with it. I was one of the people he forgot.” I stared at Jaxon in horror. He shook his head at me. “Don’t mention anything to him. The accident – it changed him – and it doesn’t help that his father fucked him up afterward.”

I gripped the bathroom counter as Jaxon led me into the bathroom. “Jaxon, why don’t you try to reconnect with him?”

Jaxon shook his head. “He’s dealing with too much – always is. And if we accidentally jog his memory, it could cause more harm than good.” He shook his head. “I’m good with being at his beck and call like this. Just don’t mention anything to him, yeah? This stays between me and you.”

I frowned at Jaxon. “I don’t keep secrets from him.” I shook my head. “Jaxon, I won’t keep secrets from James.”

Jaxon sighed. “Whatever you do, it’s up to you. Just try to be considerate when you do, Ms. Arnold. I don’t want him to suffer."

I sighed. “Emmaline,” I quickly corrected him. “Not Ms. Arnold – Emmaline.” I shrugged. “And okay. But I have to tell him, Jaxon. I can’t keep something like this from him.”

“I understand.” He stepped out of the bathroom. “James should be back here in a few minutes. He texted me about thirty minutes ago that he was on his way back.”

I nodded. “Thanks, Jaxon.” I smiled at him. “He deserves a good friend like you by his side again, and I’m sure if he ever remembers who you are, he’ll be thankful to remember.”

He just gave me a half-smile before he slipped out of the bathroom. I frowned at the closed door, pain for my dom sliding through my heart.

James, what in the hell have you been put through?