The Unraveling of Raven (The Unraveled Trilogy Book 1) Read online

  I won’t even stand on a chair. “What if I fall?”

  He takes on a more serious look. “Do you trust me?”

  I don’t even have to think about that one. “Yes, Jax, totally.”

  He smiles, “Okay then, up you go.”

  I grab the ladder, “Wait!”

  He shakes his head. “No wait, up you go, sweetheart, I’ve got you. I’ll always have your back.” He holds the ladder as I slowly climb, maintaining a white-knuckle grip the whole way. “Hold on with one hand and use the other one to pick the apple.”

  Oh crap, if he wants me to let go, he is out of his fucking mind! “Jax, I’m scared.” Before the words are completely out of my mouth he’s on the ladder behind me. His body blankets mine; he covers my hand with one of his. He takes my other hand and stretches it up to pick an apple.

  “I will always have your back, sweetheart,” he whispers deep and low in my ear.

  After completely filling our bag, we head back to the car. “What are you going to do with all these apples?”

  He cocks his head and gives me that look that shoots to my toes. “Oh, Raven, not me. We are going to make an apple pie, of course.”

  The look on my face must be priceless because he is laughing so hard, he has tears rolling down his cheeks. “Jax, I don’t cook and I wouldn’t have a clue how to make a pie!”

  He tilts his head and hits me with that killer smirk. “Yeah, I kind of figured that by the look of fear on your face. I think it was worse than the look when you found out you had to climb up a ladder. Not to worry, I don’t know either, but I did get a book and we can do this together.”

  I really think he’s nuts, but I’m having fun for the first time in a long time so I go along with it. As we get in the car, I notice Max standing by another car. “Isn’t that Max?”

  He doesn’t even bother to look. “Yes, he goes everywhere with me.”

  He has a bodyguard that lives in a penthouse and follows him everywhere? What am I getting myself into? “Why does he go everywhere with you?”

  I DON’T WANT TO scare her into pulling another runner on me. “Max is in charge of security, he is usually with me at all times. When he can’t be with me, then he has someone else shadow.”

  She locks her eyes with mine and there it is—that charge. “Why do you need so much security?”

  I pull her hand away from her ear before I lose it completely. “Unfortunately, when someone has money and does what I do for a living, it makes them a target. Max can be a tad overprotective at times, but he keeps us safe.”

  WE GET BACK TO his ivory tower in the sky and he gets out a book . . . something about pie baking for dummies. It’s not as hard as I thought, and we actually put together something that resembles an apple pie. He puts it in the oven to bake and soon the house begins to smell wonderful. “Would you like a glass of wine?” he asks casually. He seems so sure of himself, so comfortable in his own skin.

  “Yes, please.”

  As he gets the wine, he puts on some music. He tells me that the music is David Garrett, who lives six months in New York and six months in London. And that he plays the violin like it is part of him. He hands me a glass of wine that I never heard of, “Michael's dad and my sister own a vineyard in Italy. This is one of the wines they produce,” he explains.

  I take a sip and I’m surprised. “Wow, it’s very good. I never knew that’s what Michael’s parents did for a living. Is it hard for them, living here with their business in Italy?”

  He just shrugs. “No, they spend the summers in Italy and the school year here; they make it work.” He puts his glass down. “Raven, I’m going to jump right in here . . . you said your sexual experiences were very few and very bad, why?” he asks, completely out of the blue. I look up at him and my eyes are filled with tears, Marco is in my head yelling at me to tell him. “I would never judge you, Raven, we all have a past.”

  I study his face, he’s so beautiful and looks so sincere right now, “Jax, that’s just it, it’s my past.”

  He pulls my hand away from my ear. “But it’s not if it’s affecting your future.”

  The timer rings and I thank all that’s holy for the interruption.

  THE PIE SMELLS WONDERFUL and looks like something out of a magazine, I take a picture with my phone and Jax laughs.

  “Would I be correct in guessing it has something to do with why you left home at such a young age?” Great, were back on this subject again. He’s not going to stop until I tell him.

  “Yes, I was fifteen when my mom died from cancer. My dad and I were never close, but after she died, he started drinking very heavily. I guess it was his way of coping. His drinking brought out some nasty things. One night, he came into my room and he tried to rape me. After that, I left.”

  “Don’t stop now, sweetheart. Nothing you can say is going to scare me away.”

  Okay, wow that is not what I was expecting, so I continue. “I had no one to turn to for help. I have no other family. I found myself volunteering at a shelter and that is where I met Marco. His parents disowned him when he told them he was gay. We took care of each other, never relying on anyone but ourselves. I graduated high school without the school knowing I was homeless. I earned scholarships and worked hard to put myself through college.”

  He keeps his focus on me, intently listening, “So where does this bad sexual experience come into play?”

  I sigh heavily, “I met someone and tried to have a sexual relationship with him but . . . he was only concerned about himself. It was always about his pleasure and his needs. He became physically abusive, and after a night in the ER, Marco convinced me to get a restraining order.” There… I put it all out there, and now it’s time to make my exit with as much grace and dignity as I can muster up.

  As I attempt to leave, he takes my hand, his eyes on mine. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “I don’t want you to feel like I’m a charity case, and I definitely don’t want you to pity me.”

  He growls. “You know, Raven, I really wish you would stop deciding for me what I can and can’t handle. I just said you’re not going to scare me away and I meant that. I’m not going anywhere. Not because of charity or pity, I’m with you because I want to be, and for no other reason. Now, I think it’s time for pie.” Just like that, he’s finished. He doesn’t dwell on stuff; he deals with it and then puts it away.

  “I am very impressed with our pie making ability, and, Jax, I have to say you make the best coffee ever.”

  He gives me that beautiful smile. “Thank you. My sister, Bella, taught me well, she believes coffee is God’s nectar.”

  He leans in and kisses me quickly and softly. He looks into my eyes, like he’s searching for permission. I lean up and kiss him, stroking his velvet tongue. The taste of him mixed with apple pie and coffee is surreal.

  He pulls away first, “Stay with me tonight,” he whispers.

  Part of me wants to stay and part of me wants to run. “I have school tomorrow.”

  He kisses me softly again, “I promise to get you to class on time.”

  I shake my head, “I’m not ready to spend the night. I need... time. I’m sorry.”

  He rests his forehead on mine, “Don’t ever be sorry for being honest with me. Let me take you home.”

  MARCO IS WAITING FOR me as soon as I walk in the door. “Well, baby girl, how was your date?”

  “I really like him, but there is so much unknown with him. He is a very private person, considering he’s always in the public eye.

  Marco furrows his brows, seemingly concerned. “How much have you told him?”

  I run over the conversation in my head. “I told him about the ex and the restraining order that is in place, but that’s it.”

  He hugs me. “Maybe it’s time to tell him the truth . . . the whole truth?”

  I look at him, “I’m going to bed. I have work tomorrow. Love you.” I leave him lost in his thoughts as I head to my room for the n
ight.

  MY SLEEP IS VERY restless so I decide to get up super early and go for a run. I live in Gramercy Park, one of the only private parks in Manhattan. I like running here. It’s two miles with great trails and it’s safe. I do a total of six miles, then head back home. Running helps clear my head and today it made me realize that I need to steer clear of Jax. He is just too much for me and I know I’m going to get hurt.

  I get ready for school and head to Starbucks. Jax is there waiting with my coffee. “Wow, this is nice, can I expect this every day?”

  He looks at me with that crooked smirk. “If you want to have breakfast together every day I can arrange it, sweetheart.”

  “Oh.” I have to laugh because he would.

  There’s that smirk. “Yeah, oh.”

  On that note, I have to leave. I thank him and tell him that I need to run, school starts soon. He hands me a bottle of water and a breakfast sandwich. “What’s this for?”

  He kisses me softly. “Mick. I know you usually buy him breakfast, and I didn’t want him miss a meal because of me.”

  Does this guy know everything I do? “How do you know about Mick?”

  He smirks, “When you doused me with your coffee, I had to find out who you were, so I asked around and all roads led me to Mick. He’s an interesting bloke, that’s for sure.”

  I start to walk. “He just needs someone to listen, that’s the least I can do, and give him a meal. I have to run, have a good day, Jax.” I look back at him and he’s stroking his chin. Hmm . . . I wonder what he’s thinking.

  AS I HEAD TOWARDS my office, all I can think about is Raven and her constant need to run from me! My mind drifts to every second spent with her, and that fucking tugging on her ear thing; why does that make me instantly hard? Maybe I should have Max run a check on her? As I approach my building, I see Max and he’s pacing—that’s never a good sign. When I get closer, I can tell he’s really pissed off. His hands are flying and he’s yelling into the phone. “Max, is there a problem?”

  He has fire in his eyes. “You want to know if there is a fucking problem! How about my bloody boss, whom I’m en-trusted to keep safe, wandering off, repetitively, without letting his detail know or giving proper fucking notice?!

  I know I have to take Max seriously, but sometimes, he is over the top. “Okay, Max, you need to calm down. I’m not in any danger and I just needed some time to think.”

  He looks at me like he’s going to blow a gasket. “Think? You needed to think? Jax, I have guarded the Royal family, I have led Special Forces for the United Kingdom, and have avoided death on many occasions, but you, my friend, will be the one to put me in an early fucking grave! I understand she is frustrating you—fuck, she’s even frustrating me, but don’t—and I mean, don’t ever leave your fucking detail again!”

  “Okay, just calm down. I need you to look into something for me. There is a homeless man near the Starbucks that Raven checks in on his name is Mick. I want you to find out what his story is and then see what we can do to help him out.”

  “What’s this about, Jax?” he asks with a bit of irritation mixed with the confusion painted on his face.

  “Raven buys him breakfast every morning. I spoke to him and he is a war veteran who is most likely suffering from PTSD. It’s simple; I want to know what I can do for him.”

  “Jax, nothing with you is ever simple.”

  Rather than argue, I decide to head up to my office. I sit behind my desk, looking out at the New York skyline and the only thing I really see are those violet eyes and a beautiful girl tugging on her fucking ear. And I’m instantly hard, again! Fuck, I have a meeting in ten minutes. I can’t head in there with a raging hard-on. I grab the phone and call my assistant. “Duke, call everyone and change the meeting to my office.” At least it’s a temporary fix. I will need to come up with something more permanent later, so I’m not walking around with a constant hard-on.

  I DON’T KNOW WHAT Jax thinks he can do for this bloke, but I head toward his office with the info he wanted. “Duke? Is Jax in his office?”

  He nearly jumps out of his chair. “Yes, Mr. Fleming, he is just finishing up a meeting.”

  What is this guy’s problem? “Okay, I’ll wait.” I step into the shadows, just watching; it’s what I do best. I must make this kid nervous because he always seems so flustered when I’m around. Maybe its new job jitters? Managers are coming out of Jax’s office so I head on in.

  “I got that information you asked for on Mick.” At least this wasn’t too much trouble.

  “Wow, that was quick.”

  I laugh, “Yeah, well, most of it is public knowledge, and I wasn’t sure how far back you wanted to go since I don’t know what the fuck you’re looking for.”

  He strokes his chin, which is a sure sign that Jax’s wheels are turning. “Just the basic stuff, for now.”

  I sit across from him. “Okay, Jax, he is an Air Force veteran who did six tours in Iraq. He was awarded the Medal of Honor when his jet was shot down. He saved his crew one-by-one while suffering two broken legs, all while keeping the enemy at bay. He’s been diagnosed with PTSD and before you ask, he doesn’t get any additional funding. The problem is, funding is low, so it is distributed based on need. He is on the cusp, so he is not seen as a priority. Jax, what are you thinking?”

  He paces. “I’m thinking that his situation is wrong. This man fought for his country and this is the way they take care of him?!”

  I don’t know when Jax finds the time to think about this when so much else is happening around him? “Jax, there are thousands of Mick’s out there. There is a good organization, The Wounded Warrior Project. Let me reach out to them and see what we can do.”

  He nods, “Okay, but sooner rather than later, mate.”

  Now comes the hard question, which I’m sure will get my blood boiling. “How are things with Raven?”

  He shakes his head. “Just as confusing as ever, Max.” He stares out the window, seemingly deep in thought so I decide not to push any further and leave.

  SCHOOL IS UNEVENTFUL WHICH is just fine by me. Jackie and I decide to go out for a few drinks and an early dinner. Jackie is beautiful; her father is Swedish and her mom is Asian. She is very tall and her complexion is light like her dad’s, but she has her mom’s almond-shape eyes that are almost golden. She is very lean; she runs marathons. And she attracts men like a magnet. We enjoy trying different mom and pop restaurants, so we do this every week.

  “Okay, Raven, you have to tell me about Michael’s uncle. Don’t even think of denying it; I saw the way he was looking at you, so spill.” I tell her everything, including my tendencies to keep running from him.

  “Are you afraid of him, is that why you keep running?”

  I shake my head. “Absolutely not, if anything, I feel very safe with him. I think I keep running because he is so intense and he is everything I’m not.”

  She rolls her eyes and huffs. “You're kidding, right? I mean, you’re beautiful, smart, and I know if you wanted to, you could run circles around him.”

  I hug her. “I love you, Jackie, but I think you're nuts. With him, I feel very insecure; he’s so beautiful and ridiculously rich. I could never be in the same league as some of the people he must run with. What about you? Didn’t you have a date last night?”

  She throws her hands up in disgust. “Yes, and it was terrible. I mean, one dinner and he thinks I should put out. I know I’m old fashioned in a lot of ways, but I just want someone that does it for me. I want to be someone’s end all.”

  I feel bad for her; she is so sweet but also very smart. Men see her and think she is submissive, which is totally off base. “You’re a great girl and you deserve only the best. There is no crime in holding out for it as long as you see it when it’s right in front of your eyes. Enough about men. Let’s hit some stores, I need retail therapy.”

  A couple of hours later and I’m back home with at least ten shopping bags! There is nothing better than some good
scores, during retail therapy. Marco’s not home yet, but the doorman informs me I had a visitor that didn’t leave his name. I check my phone and see I have six missed calls, all from Jax. I also have a text message and a voice mail.

  I check the text first:

  Please answer your phone.

  Then, the voicemail:

  “I don’t understand why you’re ignoring me, and why you keep running away. What is it going to take to get you to trust me?”

  I trust him, I just don’t trust myself. I decide to shut it off and go to sleep. My head hits that pillow and I’m out for the count.

  M

  ORNING COMES WITH MARCO, banging on my door again. The banging can only mean one thing—I must have slept through the alarm. “How bad is it, Marco?”

  “Raven, its 6:30 a.m.!” he yells. Oh fuck! This man has me way too preoccupied and now he is making me late again.

  “Marco, why does this keep happening to me?” I ask as I jump out of bed and frantically move about my room to get ready.

  “Life gets in the way of living, baby girl, you know that.” I push him out the door as I race into the shower.

  Finally pulling it all together, I hurry out the door to get get my morning coffee. Just as I have myself convinced that I should forget about Jax, I run into Starbucks see him standing there with my coffee. “God, you're wonderful, thank you so much.”

  His eyes are dark and he’s glaring at me. “Are you ever going to answer my calls?”

  As I look up at him, I realize, he’s really pissed. “I’m sorry, I just need time.”

  He leans in and kisses me softly on the forehead, “Well, sweetheart, time’s up. I’m picking you up after school.”

  Before I can even answer, he’s gone.

  I CAN’T FOCUS ON anything today. I thank, all that’s holy, Jackie is in my room, helping me. She sends the kids out to recess which gives us a twenty minute break. “Raven, what’s going on with you today? You’re not yourself.”