JaxonAs soon as I was certain that Sara was asleep, I moved carefully out of the bed and shut the door quietly behind me. I pressed in my key code and locked the door. It was bad enough I wasn't keeping her next to me; I wouldn't risk anything happening to her again. I moved quickly downstairs where my men were still waiting, guarding the door and gathering up the dead bodies. I glanced at my watch. It was almost 6:00 A.M. and I hadn't slept at all. I didn't feel tired though. My body was still racing with worry, fear, and adrenaline. All my men turned to face me when they saw me coming to join them. They stood up straighter, clearly waiting for instructions. "I'm going to call Marcus and get a cleaning crew in here. I want one of you to stand outside my door at all times; no one gets in or out but me and the doctor. I bring meals up to her, but she never comes out. You are to protect her at all costs. Understood?" They all nodded quickly, and I was not surprised when El

JaxonIt irked me to see Sara looking so broken and helpless. I felt constantly torn between never wanting to leave her side and wanting to avenge her. It became especially difficult to satisfy my duties when she begged so desperately for me not to leave her. I delegated my responsibilities as much as I could, but there were some things that required me in person. "I won't be gone long. I'll be back as soon as I can. The new alarm system is set. I'm leaving all my men here. Eli will be right outside," I offered, leaning in to kiss her forehead. She was still frowning. I sighed. "Didn't you already talk to the media? Can't they just review that statement?" Sara objected. I smiled weakly at her and ran my knuckles down her cheek. "That was different. I gave a statement to the immediate situation. This is with the board and the police verifying my story. It's the best way to ease the tension at the company and add some validity to my previous account of what happened. This i

JaxonI watched her sleeping as I continued to get ready. Today was going to be rough as I made sure Sara was finally safe. I needed to actually catch up on my work as leader of the underworld. I couldn't let people think they could get out of control and defy me as Richie had. I couldn't let the word spread through the filth and crime of the underground that there were no consequences to defying me. I wrote a quick note for Sara and left it on the bed for her. I hoped she wouldn't be too upset with me when I returned. I quietly slipped out of the room and shut the door. I stared harshly at Eli. He kept his eyes on mine, submissively waiting for orders. "I'm leaving. We are taking Richie down. I'm leaving you and a few others to guard the house and Sara. You need to do anything and everything in your power to protect her. Don't let anything happen to her. Don't let anyone come into this house," I demanded. "She'll be safe with me, sir." Eli nodded and stood straighter. "I

SaraI felt better having showered and cleaned up, even more so since it was the first shower I'd really been able to take on my own. Jaxon was already at work, and I stood alone in the bathroom, brushing my hair out. Certain movements and angles still stung a bit, but most of the visible marks on my body had gone. No one would know what happened to me just by looking at me. I smiled. The doctor had officially cleared me to move and resume my life, provided I was still taking it easy and not overworking myself. But after almost two months confined to a bed, moving and overworking myself sounded like a dream.I got dressed slowly and headed downstairs. I was thinking about breakfast, but it was getting too late to even consider it brunch. The chef was cleaning up the kitchen and restocking the refrigerator. He turned only slightly as he heard me come in. "Good morning, Ms. Sara. Would you like something to eat? I left the fresh pot of coffee on for you." His words were kind, b

SaraI felt a strange sense of peace, something I hadn't ever experienced before. For the first time in my life, I wasn't worried. I had the career of my dreams, and I was doing so well at it. I was surprised when Jaxon's mom congratulated me personally on my success. I was with Jaxon–for real. I no longer owed anything or was bound by some selling of me like property. I was just with him, and I wanted him. No one was coming after me. After the funeral, it felt like everything in my old life had died with my father. I knew Jaxon wouldn't give up being the king of the underworld, but that didn't bother me. Nothing in that world could touch me anymore. No one would dare threaten the queen. I sat in the private jet feeling elated and shocked by my reality. I had never taken a true vacation in my life. I had never been beyond the boards of the state I was born in. Now, I sat comfortably with just Jaxon, taking a dream vacation across the Pacific. I had just wanted to go to Hawai