“I understand. Really.”
“Some kids have gone missing. They need my help finding them.” He didn’t know why he told her. He wasn’t supposed to talk about the job, but he needed her to know he wouldn’t leave her without good reason.
Her whole face softened and she clasped her hands together. “Kids? Someone has kidnapped children? Oh my God that’s terrible. Go. Go. Don’t worry about me.”
But he did worry about her. That was the thing.
“I don’t know how long I’m gonna be gone.” He clasped her face between his hands. “I want you to remember your rules. I still want you to text me before you go to bed. I may not be able to call you but I’ll see your text, and return it when I can. And I’ll be noting what time it is. Same goes with your food. I want photos of what you’re eating.”
“Jed, you don’t need to be thinking about any of this while you’re trying to find those kids. I can take care of myself.”
“You’re right about me needing to focus. Which means I can’t check in as often as I’d like. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to know how you’re doing when I got a chance, all right?”
“All right, honey.”
First time she’d called him that. He liked it.
“You need anything. Anything at all. You call the boys.”
“The boys?”
“The guys I work with at JSI.” He’d explained to her what JSI was and what his job entailed. She thought it sounded exciting and a bit scary. “I’ll put the number in your phone if you get it for me.”
She nodded, looking around with a frown. “Where did I put that thing?”
“You find your phone while I pack up, yeah?”
When he got back downstairs, his duffel over his shoulder, she was waiting in the foyer, her hand clutching her phone. She handed over her phone to him. He put in JSI’s main line, which was manned 24/7.
“You can call them anytime, day or night. I should have introduced you to them so you knew them, but I’ve let them know you’re under my protection. I’ll call you if I can, but—”
“It’s okay, I understand. Please don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. You find those children. And be careful.”
“So sweet.” He kissed her forehead. “I want to hear the door lock behind me.”
She rolled her eyes. Brat. “I always lock the door behind you.”
“Good. See that never changes. Damn sorry I didn’t get to taste you tonight.”
She was blushing bright red as she looked up at him. “Me too.”
He let out a surprised bark of laughter and her blush grew deeper. “You’re good for me, sugar. Forgot what it was like to laugh.”
“I’ll make sure you don’t ever forget again.”
11
Daisy heard something at the front door and jumped up, her heart racing. Two days had passed since Jed left and other than a brief text message last night, she hadn’t heard from him. She hoped he was all right. She was barely able to sleep from worrying about him and those kidnapped kids. And since he wasn’t around to make her, she wasn’t taking any naps so she was tired and jumpy.
She’d thought about calling Jed’s ‘boys’. But it seemed silly to call just to see if they’d heard from him. They had important jobs; they didn’t need her bothering them because she was worried about her . . .whatever he was.
Although maybe she should call them about all the odd phone calls she’d been getting. But nothing had happened except for a few weird hang-ups she didn’t feel it was worth bothering them.
She ran towards the door, remembering to check first to see who was on the other side. When she glanced out the window, no one was there.
She unlocked her door and opened it, staring down at the bunch of flowers in surprise. They didn’t look like the sort that a florist created. These had been freshly picked, and bunched together without any real thought. They were still beautiful, though. And it was a thoughtful gesture.
Who were they from? Not Jed. Even if he was home, it wouldn’t be something he would do anyway. He would knock on the door and hand them to her. Then invite himself in. Then start bossing her around. Checking she was getting enough sleep and that she hadn’t found the stash of candy, which she’d upended the house looking for so she had no idea where he’d put it.