The Return of the Rebel

“Don’t worry. I didn’t pick out the lingerie. Marylou helped me out.”

Cleo’s thin brows rose. “Marylou? You mean the woman from the restaurant? The one you rescued from that rude guy?”

He nodded. “She said that if I ever needed anything to ask. I coul

dn’t risk going back into the Glamour and I didn’t want to risk going to your place, so she discreetly picked up some of my things from the bungalow and bought you some essentials at the guest shops.”

Cleo grimaced and adjusted her leg. “You’re making this sound like we’re going to be here for more than just tonight.”

He glanced at his watch, realizing it was time for her pain medication. “We are. But don’t worry. I have plenty of groceries.”

She sat up straight. “I can’t run off with you. I have responsibilities. People who will be worried about me.”

“Listen,” he replied as he got to his feet, “I’m not any happier about this than you are. But until the police track down this guy, we’re staying put. Now it’s time for your pain meds. I’ll be right back.”

“Jax, you’re being ridiculous. I can get these things for myself.”

He headed for the kitchen, ignoring her protest. Why did she have to be so stubborn? Couldn’t she relax and let him take care of her? Did everything have to be a struggle?

He returned quickly, handing over the glass and the medication, which she took without so much as a comment. He sank down into the armchair across from her and folded his arms behind his head.

“You have to admit staying here won’t be so bad.” He was trying to convince himself as much as her. He leaned his head back. One by one the muscles in his body relaxed. “Even the furniture is comfortable.”

He closed his eyes. This was the most relaxed he’d been in a long time. Was it the house? Or was it the company—Cleo’s company—that had him thinking about the here and now instead of the uncertainty of his future?

“I’m still waiting.”

Her voice startled him as he started to doze off. He lifted his head to look at her. “Waiting for what?”

“For you to explain why we’re here. Who’s the ape that’s hunting you?”

Jax ran a hand over the evening stubble trailing down his jaw. “I honestly don’t know who the man is. But the police are on it now. With the aid of the surveillance cameras at the casino, they’ll be able to identify and locate him.”

He hoped.

“But you do know why he’s here and what he wants.” Her eyes grew round. “Jax, what did you do?”

The fact she thought he might be on the wrong side of the law dug deep into his chest and pulled at the old scars on his heart. Years ago, when all of Hope Springs saw a delinquent kid, she’d looked at him as somebody worth befriending. Cleo always made him feel as though he mattered.

But for the first time, the look in her eyes had changed. Was she now looking at him as her mother had done and seeing him as the no-good Monroe kid who could never amount to anything but trouble. Anger and hurt churned in his gut. He thought he was far past these old feelings—yet being here with Cleo had rolled back time.

“I’m not a criminal,” he ground out.

Color filled her cheeks. “I—I didn’t mean it like that. This whole thing has me on edge.”

“I guess once you’re considered the bad boy, the reputation sticks.” His jaw tightened, holding back old resentments.

“That’s not true. You’re forgetting all of the people who cared about you. People like Kurt and my grandfather.”

“You’re right.” He sighed. “I shouldn’t have gone off on you. It’s just been a stressful day.”

“And I deserve some answers.”

“Yes, you do.” Although he was certain his words would not give her the peace of mind she was seeking, he owed her the truth. “I’m a key witness in a federal court case.”

“A witness.” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “I take it this isn’t a simple murder case.”

He couldn’t help but smile at the way she classified murder as a simple case. “No, this isn’t about murder. It’s actually a white-collar crime.”