Splendid Shadows (Book 2) The Beautiful Darkness Series

Chapter Seven-Macon

Hello, Lovelies,

I hope everyone is having a great day!  Thank you for reading Splendid Shadows!  I appreciate all of you.  I do hope you like the story so far.  If you do, please remember to vote and comments are appreciated.  If you have questions, comment or send me a message.

-XXXX Amanda

**********

Jade was pissed...And if I gave her a chance she was going to run. We arrived at the cabin one of our members owned in Arkansas. It was surrounded by forest with a stream audible in the distance. We were far enough away from civilization if Jade did decide to run, she would find herself lost in the forest.

She narrowed her eyes at me as we exited the van, "You couldn't have picked a place further away from people or stores could you?"

I smirked at her, "I thought we needed some alone time, baby," I said, pulling her wrist connected to me so she fell against me so I could kiss her temple.

She raised her head and peered into my eyes, the anger flashing there like little explosions in the ebony depths, "I will hit you again."

I kept my eyes on her, "Do it and find out what happens."

Her eyes widened because she knew I wouldn't hurt her. Instead, her mind had offered her another possibility...The correct possibility by the appearance of it. I smirked, causing her to narrow her eyes.

She curled her hand into a fist but I grabbed it and raised a brow, "Tempted?"

She straightened, "Not at all."

I leaned forward, "I don't believe you," I whispered in her ear, causing a shiver to through her, "I think you're tempted. I think you want me to do all those things in your dirty little mind but you don't have to hit me, Jade. You simply have to ask."

She turned her face away from me, "I will never ask."

I gripped her chin, turning her toward me, finding the desire banked beneath her anger, "We'll see," I said, glancing at Gaige who was coming around the van with Noah cuddled against his chest.

He raised his brows as he glanced between me and Jade, "Everything okay?"

"Jade and I just came to an understanding about her hitting me," I said, grinning.

Gaige shook his head, "There are only four rooms."

"That's okay," I said, smirking, "Jade is sleeping in my room."

Her mouth dropped open ready to argue, "That's where Noah is sleeping too," I said, raising my brow, "After all, I have to make sure you don't run."

"Fucking asshole," she said under her breath.

"Maybe I'm an asshole," I said, moving closer to her, trying to prevent my smile when she moved closer to me, "But I'm an asshole who loves you and will protect you and our son with my life if needed."

She flinched when I mentioned giving my life for her and though every word I spoke was the truth, the fact that my death still affected her so much gave me hope.

***********

Abel set up the bassinet, John had put in the back of the van before he left in the room Jade and I would share and left us alone in the room. Jade narrowed her eyes.

"Can you take these off so I can feed Noah?" she said, her voice tight as she raised the hand with the handcuff.

"Sure," I said, taking the key from my pocket and unlocking the bracelet around her wrist.

"You can leave," she said and I chuckled.

"You act like this is the first time you've been kidnapped by me," I said, smirking.

"And the last time you at least gave me privacy," she said, frowning.

I stepped close to her, "A lot has changed since the last time I kidnapped you," I said, raising my brows, "For example, I've seen every inch of that beautiful body of yours. So, the answer is no. I will not be leaving."

Gaige moved into the room with Noah, "Are you going to watch me feed him too?"

Abel moved in behind him with Noah's diaper bag, "I'm game," he said with a big grin moving across his face as he sat the bag on the bed before standing and crossing his arms over his chest as if waiting.

"Get out!" I yelled causing Abel and Gaige to chuckle. Noah squirmed in his arms as he handed he started to cry, causing my heart to clench in my chest. I lowered my voice, "Get out. Now."

Abel grinned, putting up his hands, "Raincheck," he said winking at Jade.

I took a step forward but Gaige stopped me, "Your son is in the room," he said, raising his brows, causing me to stop and glare at Abel, "And you know he's just pushing your buttons."

I nodded as my son's cries echoed through the room, "Just get him out of here."

Gaige pushed Abel toward the door slapping the back of his head on the way out. Before he left, Gaige turned, "By the way, your grandfather and friends made it out safely," Gaige said, glancing at Jade before turning to me, "Two hours after we left, Calvin and his men came to Cherokee. It was a close call."

"No one will tell them where they went right?" Jade asked, frowning.

"No one knows where they are headed," I said, moving toward her.

"I thought you should know," Gaige said, turning and leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

I stopped in front of her, "Let me have him," I said, softly, "Just to calm him down since it's my fault he's upset."

"He doesn't calm for anyone but me or grandfather," she said, shaking her head.

"Let me try," I pleaded, wanting more than anything for Noah to know he was safe with me.

"Fine," she said, gently moving him into my arms.

As soon as I pressed his ear against my chest he nuzzled against me, quieting. Jade's eyes widened.

I grinned down at him, "Traitor," she whispered but her eyes softened as she moved to the bed, "I do have to feed him."

I rubbed my thumb over his soft cheek before moving toward her and handing him to her, my heart clenching in my chest. I swallowed handing him back to her and turning my back.

"What are you doing?" She asked, confusion in her voice.

"I said I wouldn't leave but I didn't say I wouldn't respect your privacy," I said, softly.

"You implied it," she said but all the anger in her voice was gone.

"You're too fun to mess with," I said, gazing at the wall.

It was silent for a few moments, "Is that all I ever was to you? Was I a promise and someone who was fun to mess with?"

"I've told you the truth now, Jade," I said, swallowing, "I loved you then. I love you now. It's not been about a promise for a long time."

"What if I never accept you again?" She asked, her voice hoarse with unshed tears.

Tears burned my eyes, "Then, I'll still protect you," I whispered, "And you'll always be the only woman I will ever love."

She was silent afterwards, lost in her own thoughts but I hoped that she would see me as worthy again. I hoped I could win her back.