First Surrender (Chance Encounters #3)

Chapter Eleven

Natalie

“ A re there really people being kidnapped around here?” I ask him after a couple of minutes of suffocating silence. He doesn’t have music playing, the only sound in the interior of the car is his equipment rattling around and frequent alerts from his police radio.

“Unfortunately.”

“Kids?” My thoughts always go to Dec. It’s a revolving door in my mind, especially since becoming his guardian.

“Mostly adults. One teenager.” His flat tone is more deflated than usual but it doesn’t keep me from pushing the topic.

“Sore subject?”

He scoffs. “Yeah, you could say that.” There’s a long pause of silence until he continues. “One of my friends. I didn’t know who she was at the time, but she was driving through Rollins about a year and a half ago. She got a flat tire and ended up being kidnapped off the side of the road right outside of town. She barely survived but when she did they put a target on her head. They tried again and she made it out alive, again. That was my first encounter with it.”

“Your first kidnapping?”

“The first time that I heard information about a supposed human trafficking ring running through here,” he clarifies.

The gasp that leaves my mouth is unintentional but he glances in my direction anyway. “People from here are being taken and sold?” I ask in astonishment because it doesn’t seem real.

He sighs again. “I don’t know for sure, but that’s my running theory. People are disappearing, not to be seen again. Drug addicts are overdosing left and right. We had a group of extremists try to blow up Main Street. Rollins is a mess.”

“Wow. Maybe I should have taken Dec back to New York,” I mumble.

“Maybe,” he utters, distractedly.

“So, you think my mom is just another addict that overdosed?”

“No, I don’t.”

This time I glance at him, surprised by his response. “You don’t?”

“I think Declan did exactly what you accused him of. I don’t know what will happen without the proof but I think he’s as criminal as they get.”

“Me too.”

“I need to know where he got the drugs. The drugs that he gave your mom are still out there. They never recovered any more of his stash but people are still overdosing. That’s why I’ve been butting into the case.”

“Here I thought you were out to get me specifically.” I huff, sadly. As validating as it is to hear him agree with me, it’s hard to accept that I was right. Declan is as bad as I thought.

“I’m not out to get anyone. Unless they deserve it. Bad people, criminals, yeah. Everything else is… Draining.”

His open admission stuns me silent and we stay like that, neither of us speaking until he pulls into the carport at the hotel. “You don’t sound like someone who likes their job.”

“I wanted Rollins to be safer. I didn’t want the job.” The dull tone of his voice suddenly sounds a lot less like indifference and more like exhaustion. “No matter what I do it’s never enough.”

“Your friend, the one who was kidnapped, is she okay?” I try not to let my thoughts run rampant on how good of a friend this woman might be to Jackson. I prefer to see him as a bully in a bulletproof vest, not someone with a family or love interests. I don’t want to imagine him with some perfect life when he goes home.

“Yeah, she’s fine, thankfully. She lives here now. She married the guy who saved her life, Nathan. I hang out with them from time to time.” He shrugs before putting the car in park in front of the hotel entrance.

“Who knew you had friends?” The jab rolls off my tongue before I can stop it and even though I regret it, I don’t take it back. I’m too prideful for that.

“Yeah and where are all of your friends?” He whips back without hesitating and now I’m glad I didn’t take my remark back.

“You really are a dick.” I shove out of the car and turn to grab my purse from the floor when a realization hits me. “Dammit,” I sigh.

“What?”

“My leftovers are still in Ty’s car. That’s the only reason I went on that damn date.” I groan into my hands until I remember that I’m being watched.

“You went out with a stranger because you wanted dinner?”

“A free dinner,” I correct too quickly, regretting my admission.

He stares at me dumbfounded but I avert my eyes. I don’t want to see his judgment. He has no idea what it’s been like for me, learning to survive my entire life.

“Goodbye, Sheriff. Have a terrible night.” The car door slams behind me as I march into the hotel.

I don’t turn around until the elevator doors are shut safely behind me, staring into the mirrored walls’ reflection. All I see is the broken girl that I’ve seen since I was a child.

For once, I want to know what it feels like to have someone to lean on. Anyone. Instead, I’ve always had to do it on my own. I fight so hard for Dec so he never has to feel the pain that I’ve felt. The abandonment that sets in every night when you’re trying to close your eyes to sleep and realize that if you never woke up, no one on this planet would care.

If Jackson wants to judge me for doing what I need to so that I can ensure Dec has a meal to eat when he comes back from Charlie’s tomorrow then so be it. His opinions of me don’t matter. Except now I went on that damn date with no leftovers to show for it. I have to brainstorm where our next meal will come from anyway, even after dealing with two infuriating men tonight.

An hour later I’m still grumbling about my wasted evening when someone knocks on my door. I’m mid-brushing my teeth and not expecting anyone so I silently tiptoe to the peephole to check.

There’s a set of broad shoulders in my view and I know they only belong to one person. “What could you possibly want?” I ask his back as I fling the heavy door open.

He turns quickly, his eyes cataloging the toothbrush dangling out of my mouth before pinging to the bird’s nest on my head and then down to my exposed bare legs.

“I was getting ready for bed,” I add defensively even though he didn’t say a word. He only silently stares at me as I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand in case there’s any lingering toothpaste.

“Here.” He shoves a bag into my chest and it hits me before the smell does.

“What is this?” I can tell it’s a bag of Mexican food but that’s not what I’m asking.

“Your food.”

“Did you go steal my leftovers back?” I snort.

“No.”

The huff that leaves my chest is involuntary. He has no sense of humor. “I was being sarcastic.”

“Bye, Natalie. Have a terrible night.” He starts to walk away but I’m not finished.

“Jackson. This is enough for four people.”

“Dec’s a growing boy. He’ll eat it.”

“How do you even know it’s something that we like?” I snip instead of being a normal human being and thanking him. Unfortunately, broken Natalie is an asshole.

“Go to bed.” He never looks back, ignoring my rude behavior, continuing down the hall until he takes the corner and is out of sight.

I check the receipt taped to the bag and see that he re-ordered my exact meal from dinner, down to the substitutions, because Dec won’t eat refried beans.

He’s either stalking me and Dec, or he put more effort into this than he’d probably ever admit.

* * *

When the prosecutor calls me and asks me to come in for an important meeting, I have to rush back to the hotel from work to change my clothes. Luckily, Dec has been spending a lot of time with his friend from school so I don’t have to worry about being here for bus drop-off.

I put on my favorite plum long-sleeve top and my usual black pencil skirt with heels, trying to give the appearance that I have my shit together, but I still end up half-jogging through the parking lot to get into my car.

Even in my haste, I realize the same Sheriff’s Deputy cruiser sitting in the parking lot as when I pulled in. I saw it yesterday, too.

At first, I thought it was Sheriff Jackson Small Dick, but I haven’t seen him since he dropped me off at the hotel the other night.

Dec and I ate our Mexican food for dinner two nights in a row while I did my best to forget where it came from. I have no plans to become friends with Jackson. He’s still infuriating. And, a cop.

I roll my window down because this deputy is within spitting distance of my car and staring at me. Despite my nervous energy about the meeting I’m running late to, I can’t contain myself. “Can I help you with something?” I shout at his window and he rolls it down.

“No ma’am.”

“Why are you watching me?”

“Uh. Orders from the Sheriff to keep an eye on you.” He glances away from me, nervously.

“Again, why?”

“Well, because of the arson, ma’am.”

Arson.

Why wouldn’t Jackson tell me? I knew I couldn’t trust him. I knew it.

Within ten minutes I’m stomping up to the second floor of the Sheriff’s Department. My heels threaten to crack with each frustrated step.

Following the directions on the wall to the Sheriff’s office, I breeze by the secretary who tries to grab my attention, and pound on the wooden door with his nameplate. I try the handle but it’s locked.

“Open the door, Jackson!”

“Um, ma’am,” the secretary tries to get my attention but I cut her off with a look. The door swings open to a half-dressed giant. He’s fully clothed, but to me, he’s practically naked. He’s not wearing his uniform or his black polo. He’s standing in front of me in a white t-shirt with pants unbuttoned and no shoes on.

“It’s okay, Roberta.” He waves off the woman who is staring wide-eyed at me and him. “Are you going to come in or would you rather shout through the door until backup arrives? Crazy woman,” he mumbles that last bit as I storm past him without acknowledging the remark.

Flinging my purse into a chair, I turn to stare him down. “Why are you naked?”

He glances down at his own body as he closes his door, clearly seeing what I see, that he is fully clothed. He’s not even barefoot, he’s still wearing socks.

“Did you hit your head or something?”

“Shut up. Arson?” I shout. “When were you planning to tell me that someone set my apartment on fire?”

“Calm down,” he starts to say something else but I practically levitate over to him. I hear the slap before I register that I actually slapped him across the face.

I slapped him .

Yet , my ears are ringing.

What did I do?

He’s going to throw my ass in jail. His tongue works the inside of his mouth as if to check for blood and I hold my breath, preparing for whatever comes next.

He steps back to his door, opening it slightly. “Roberta. Go home for the day, put the Office Closed sign up in front of the lobby.” The door shuts with a click before he turns to face me.

“One free shot, fireball. That is all you get. I hope you used it wisely.” With his arms folded across his chest, his body completely blocks the doorway. I couldn’t leave even if I tried. I’m not that stupid. I know I’m not physically capable of winning any altercation with him and he just sent away the only witness on this floor.

“Don’t call me that.”

His eyes bore into mine. Fiercely. I’m not scared of him. At least, I haven’t been up until this point, but things can change quickly. Grown men can turn to anger in a blink of an eye and I was stupid enough to slap him.

He smirks but doesn’t respond. That lift to one side of his mouth is the most intimidating look he’s ever given me.

“Are you going to arrest me?” I ask boldly. I refuse to go quietly if so.

“No.” There’s a long pause until he adds, “I want you to move in with me.”

“What?” I screech. “Did I rattle your brain? Are you insane?”

He doesn’t react at all. He doesn’t budge from where he’s standing in front of the only exit. He doesn’t want me to escape as much as I am desperate to do so.

“As I was trying to say before you hit me. I didn’t tell you about the arson because I was on my way to meet you at the prosecutor’s office to discuss it. You caught me changing out of my road uniform. I’ve been a little busy trying to figure out what the hell is going on in my county!” His voice became deeper and louder as he spoke but I’m still dumbfounded by the “moving-in” comment to care.

“I think Declan had someone set fire to your apartment on purpose.”

“What?” I squeak out this time.

“Before you ask, no, I don’t think I can prove it. I’ve been searching for any evidence that would confirm my suspicion but I’ve got nothing.” He finally moves away from the door but I’m too stunned to move.

“You sent the deputy to watch over us because you think he’ll try again?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know.” He plants his hands on his desk and hangs his head. For the first time, he looks like a man, not the Iron Giant.

My mind is running in a loop, not piecing any of the information together. My knees are weak and the only thing that will make me feel in control again is to retaliate.

“How can you let this happen? Isn’t it your job to stop criminals?”

His head is hanging heavily but he nods it slowly, eerily. Then he laughs. A deep humorless laugh that startles me.

“I should have known. I’ve been working my ass off to keep you and your brother safe. I’ve been going in circles trying to solve this but you want to inflict pain. Fine. I get it. Hit me. Hit me, again, if it will make you feel better.” He strides over to me, stopping so close that his toes touch the tips of my shoes. My chest rising and falling is the only movement between us.

“Nothing you spew at me will stop me from keeping Dec safe. Nothing you say is going to change the facts. So, instead of fighting me every step of the way, listen for once and play nice.” His breathing is as ragged as mine, neither of us backing down from this.

“It’s my job to keep him safe, not yours. We don’t need you,” I snap, drawing his eyes to my mouth. When they blink back to mine, they’re darker and more menacing.

“You have no idea what you need, little girl.”

Slap.

My hand stings.

Before I can blink, my chest is pressed to the oak tabletop and I’m face down on his desk. Both of my arms are twisted tightly behind my back and the entirety of the Sheriff of Rollins County is looming over me. Behind me.

No amount of fight will give me an inch. With hardly any effort on his part, he has me trapped and in a position to be cuffed. Despite his level of strength, he’s not hurting me, and that annoys me more. “I hate you!” I scream, my cheek tightly pressed against the cool surface.

“Good. Feeling’s mutual,” he grits out, his head dangerously close to mine. My breaths are coming out roughly, impeding my hearing but I can tell that his mouth is inches from my ear.

I whip my head back as hard as I can, bucking my body to try to escape. It’s an idiotic idea because he anticipates it, positioning himself firmly against me. And, that’s when I feel it.

The entirety of the Rollins County Sheriff is planted firmly against my ass. Even from this position that I’ve found myself in, I’m pissed to realize that I have no business calling him Sheriff Small Dick.

“Is that how you show your anger, Jackson?” I ask, breathlessly as the angry fire in my belly spreads, turning to warmth between my legs.

“God dammit,” he mumbles under his breath, pushing off of me and stumbling to the other side of his office. “Get out.”

I stand up, slowly, adjusting my skirt that had ridden up to the tops of my thighs. I take my time, refusing to run away like he wants me to. When I look over my shoulder to gauge his feelings, his eyes are zoned in directly on where my hands are fixing my skirt.

All I feel is triumph. Mister high and mighty is only human after all. It’s too easy. “If violence gets you worked up, you should consider anger management. Or, maybe it’s a kink. That’s how most serial killers start,” I add cheekily, fully aware of how bold it is to harass him like this.

I start toward the door but pause as I grasp the handle. “What will the people of Rollins County think when they find out their Sheriff has a fetish for yelling at women.” I shrug and start to open the door when it slams shut. An arm above my head braces it closed.

“You know you are the only woman who gets me this heated,” he grits out. “I can’t stand you and yet I’m hard as a rock every time you lash that pretty tongue at me.”

My breath lodges in my throat. I wasn’t expecting those words to come out of his mouth.

He’s so close to me, his front to my back. If I leaned back even an inch, I’d probably brush against him. I’d feel the evidence of his hatred for me.

“Now, leave,” he demands through a locked jaw.