Keeping You: KJ Elite Inc. (2 page)

“I would rather do it. Please?” That didn’t surprise me much, honestly. She needed to take back some control. But I couldn’t exactly let a woman who struggled just to stand up straight, cook supper alone.

“Okay, but do you mind if
I
help
you
?” It was weird to feel so…unsure. My demeanor was trained to remain confident and steadfast but inside, I was struggling.

“Um, I suppose.”

We stood side-by-side, cooking random bits to make a large collection of everything. As we dirtied any dish, I rinsed it and loaded it all into the dishwasher. Less for Taylor to do tomorrow, no guilt or extra work for Jamie. She ate a little of each thing and as she snubbed it to the side, I’d either wrap it or toss it in a Tupperware. I noticed her noticing me but didn’t point it out.

Jamie got a glass of water and began back upstairs. I needed a minute to talk myself into staying in the hallway for the rest of the night. Also, I figured she’d appreciate me not shadowing her every step back to the bedroom. When her weightless body touched the top stair, I headed after her only to find her waiting just a foot or so from the stairs.

Hmm.

“Are you going to sleep on the floor all night?” She asked me, meekly.

“Yes.” I answered her, instantly.

“Doesn’t that hurt?” She winced a bit in sympathy.

“I’ve slept in much worse.” I remained solid on the outside while the slideshow of shitholes I’d ever visited flew behind my eyes.

“Me, too.” She whispered. My face felt sour just for the memories she was suffering.

“Why don’t you go home?”

“This is my home.” I replied. A stiff nod and then I whispered, “Now” mostly to myself.

“Well, if you’re going to sleep here why don’t you take the spare room over there?” Jamie motioned towards the room beside hers.

Eventually, sug. But you’ll be in there with me when that happens.

“I’d rather be closer to you, not farther. In case you need anything.”

And so I can hear you try to sneak out of the room. No one comes in, no one goes out – not without me knowing.

“So you’re taking on the task of bodyguard?” Jamie’s eyebrow lifted, curiously.

All I could do was shrug my shoulders. I was taking on the task of “If you even fucking look at her sideways I’ll rip your fucking throat out and feed it to my dog”. So, yeah, you could just call me her new bodyguard.

Jamie nibbled her lip as she thought something over but whatever it was had her shaking. She gave a small jerk of her head and stepped closer to the bedroom door.

“Can I at least get you a blanket and a pillow?”

“Only if the pillow is yours, sugar. And I don’t need a blanket.” My head tilted to the side. I should have kept my mouth shut but I couldn’t help it.

“My pillow?” She furrowed her brows.

“Yes.”

Jamie just unlocked the door, retrieved the pillow and a blanket, and brought them to me.

I gave her my best grin, taking them from her and settling onto the floor against the banister.

“Thank you, Jamie Wright.” I winked.

A blush tinted her cheeks and she was gone, swinging the door shut quickly.

I couldn’t help the throaty chuckle that escaped me when she played with the knob; locking, unlocking, locking and then unlocking it one last time.

Baby steps.

She was going to need baby steps.

Good thing I had all the time in the world; It’s good to own your own, very lucrative, company.

* * *

Sleeping was so painless, effortless – peculiarly so. My last conscious thought was of Noah camped just outside; keeping guard over me of his own free will. That and that alone warmed me to the bones as I slid into a slippery slumber. I was awake but hadn’t opened my eyes yet. Noah’s protection seemed to lay over me like a blanket but once I opened my eyes, I could no longer pretend anything. As I rolled to my opposite side, I heard a grunt and every fiber of my being went on high alert. The warmth that I felt over my body was still there but it wasn’t exactly from thoughts.
Now was when I wished I possessed a more durable weapon than a house shoe.
One, two, three, four
…I counted to calm my nerves before I peeked one eye open.

Oh no.

This was much worse than a deranged, psycho, kidnapper – it was a dog.

A very big dog.

And holy crow he was heavy.

I tried to move again but he whined and shimmied into me, trying to get closer.

A small whimper escaped my throat and the door burst open.

Hand at the small of his back, Noah charged in, ready to pounce. He swept the room with his gaze and then grinned when his eyes landed on me.

Just as he burst through the door, the animal that had been attempting to crush me to death, had jumped up on all fours and bared his teeth.

I wasn’t sure who scared me more…the savage dog or the sexy fine man.

“Heel.” He commanded.

Noah took a step forward, let go of whatever was behind his back and pointed to the ground.

The dog’s lips came down but the only move he made was to sit on my legs.

Great.

“Diesel, come.”

I waited, but nothing happened.

“Seriously, dude?”

The dog’s head lowered and he laid half-on-top of me, head on his paws.

“Please get this thing away from me.” I cried, trying to be strong.

If there was one thing in this whole entire world that scared me more than the dark, small spaces, pimps, kidnappers or belts – it was dogs.

“Please!” I half shouted, panicking.

“Calm down.” He soothed me, raising his hands again. “It’s alright. He won’t hurt you.”

“Just get him.” It was everything in me, not to scream bloody murder.

“Diesel, she’s scared, look at her.” Following
that
command, the dog looked back at me with big eyes the same color of my skin; a warm caramel color. His fur was golden with a black on his face and underbelly. I couldn’t deny he was beautiful, but he still scared the tar out of me.

“Come on, boy, off.” Noah’s voice held that tone; the tone that said he was the boss.

Diesel wasn’t getting the message, not entirely. The dog walked up my legs further but to the side, so he was easing off of my body, though he stayed very close up against me. Still very un-nerving.

“D-Diesel...” I stuttered. He slid his nose under my shaking hand.

I made a strangled sound but didn’t pull away. That was beaten into me from very young; don’t move when touched. It disgusted me but it was like the way I answered when someone called my name – automatic. I literally was beaten out of having a fight or flight mode.

“He likes you. A lot.” Noah said, inching closer to the bed. More for my benefit than Diesel’s.

“I don’t –” I didn’t know what to say so I just shook my head lightly, swallowing hard.

“I apologize. We’re in the other room and I told him to go lay. When we’ve stayed here before, we were in this room so he must have been confused.” He explained.

To think that this dog was smart enough to not only respond, or at least understand Noah, surprised me. The only dog’s I had ever seen or “known” were vicious killers that fed off the blood of others. Or cocaine. The fact that he was smart enough still to open doors on his own, blew my mind.

“I have to… um, I need to use the restroom.” I really did and I couldn’t hold it much longer, though I hated having to announce it to him.

“Try this. Tell Diesel, ‘Stand’ or ‘Stay’.”

I swallowed again and sucked in a breath.

“Stand.” My voice lacked conviction.

To my surprise, the dog stood on all fours beside me, holding his position.

“Good. Thank you.” I said to the dog awkwardly, rolling to get off of the bed. If he expected a neck rub, he was gonna be disappointed.

“Are you familiar with commands?” Noah asked me, a brow raised, as he held his hand to me and pulled up.

“Commands?” I asked back.

“Okay.” He chuckled.

“You just praised him; motivated him. Those are two of the proper responses to a service dog when they have done the right thing and you want to let him know that.” He explained.

“Service dog?”

“Yes. Well, he’s actually a Navy Seal but after we got out, I tweaked his training to be a service dog.” He made a face so I figured it was as good a time as any for my exit.

“Oh. I was just being polite. Excuse me.”

I nodded and headed hastily for the bathroom door.

My face must have looked horrendous as I cringed at the thought of him hearing me go pee.

Quickly, I handled my business and nearly shrieked when I saw the wicked witch standing before me. Never mind, it was just my reflection. Even better. A small part of me wished I could smash the mirror and never have to look again. I washed my hands quickly, gave a quick brushing of my teeth and tried to finger comb my silky hair.

The only good thing my biological mother ever did for me was give me easy, manageable, “white girl” hair.

I was a product of an inter-racial relationship (gone wrong); to my knowledge, the only product. My bio-mom was white and the sad excuse for a sperm-donor was black. My tanned skin tone came from him and everything else from her. A shiver ran up my spine at the thought of him, but I quickly shoved them out of my head. Putting on my face of steely resolve, I walked back out to the bedroom; they were still standing there.

“Why won’t he move?” I asked, pointing at Diesel.

“Well, I’m supposed to be the only one the traitor listens to…but, you have to release him.”

“Release him?” Yet another thing I knew nothing about.

“It is simple as pie. All you have to do is say, ‘Okay’.”

“Okay.” I said, meaning to answer Noah but it also worked to “release” Diesel from his standing position.

Diesel was slow about it, but he came to my side at the foot of the bed.

“He knows you’re spooked and is providing you comfort. Protection. Therapy, if you will.” Noah explained, patiently.

“He’s a smart dog. Why doesn’t he know I’m afraid of him, though?” I asked, pointing at his head.

“I’m sure he does, but his job is protect and provide care or help.”

“That’s…sweet.” I decided.

When I took a step forward, he followed me, brushing against my legs.

I stopped and looked into Noah’s eyes, unsure.

“There is nothing in this world that can stop him from staying by your side, now. Looks like you’ve got yourself a new pup.” Noah laughed, shaking his head.

“I don’t want a new dog. I don’t want any dog. I think we’ve established that I’m f–” I almost slipped and cursed. “I’m terrified of the creatures.” My face was contorted into one of stark fear with a dash of confusion.

“Tell
him
that, sugar.”

Sugar. That’s the second time he’s called me that and it makes me melt inside.

Chapter 2

It’s been a whole week of the same thing; I struggle with lock or unlock, Noah sleeps on the floor with my pillow and blanket, Diesel has not left my side for one single second – seriously – and I struggle with being near my best friends. I can’t be away from them but I can’t just express how I feel either; they want me to talk, I want them to distract me. It is one big game of go round and it’s frustrating. Noah hardly speaks, he just waits and watches. Mostly, he watches me but he keeps one eye on Diesel. I’ve stopped quaking with him around but I’m not completely at ease either. He’s the most docile dog I’ve ever seen in my whole 23 years, but he packs a punch, too. Though the only time I’ve seen him bare his teeth was the morning Noah barged into my room unexpectedly.

Tommy came to me and explained that he was planning a huge surprise for Taylor and Matt would keep me in the loop as it progressed. Tonight was the night he was going to surprise her with an intimate “little” wedding and ceremony afterward. I thought it was so sweet and wonderful that Tay had someone who loved her so fully; something I could never have.

After everything in my past…
A sharp, but contradictory soft, knock came at the door, setting Diesel at attention.

“Who is it?” I asked from my position in the closet.

“Just me.”

Oh yeah,
just him.

“Come in.” I nearly choked.

Seeing Noah ignited things in me that I had long thought dead and even things I never knew existed, let alone didn’t know what the heck they were.

While stewing in my foreign emotions, the air shifted behind me. He came in so silently I didn’t even know he was in my space. Not until he was
all
up in my space.