Jina, page 20
part #1 of Oath of Honor Series
Jaxon had once again stalked Jina, this time to get her out of the picture, permanently. His major flaw was that he wanted her to know he was the one who’d done all of this. He wanted credit for the brilliance of his attacks. Instead of just killing her outright, he’d taken her away from the gym at gunpoint. Which had led to his downfall.
But the greatest find was the baseball bat that Jaxon had kept over all these years. He’d been so arrogant in his plan to avoid being caught that he’d kept the weapon and hadn’t bothered to clean it. The lab had just finalized the DNA report matching the trace of blood and skin cells on the blunt end of the bat to that of Brad Crow.
Faced with all the evidence against him, Jaxon had accepted a plea deal. He’d taken the second-degree murder charge with a sentence of twenty years behind bars.
Case closed. At least on his part. He couldn’t help but smile in knowing that Rhy was building a second case against the guy. Kidnapping, attempted murder, and arson. Even one of those charges would ensure Jaxon/Duncan would spend the rest of his life in prison.
Pushing away from his desk, he reached for his phone to call Jina. “I’m heading over to pick you up,” he said, turning to leave the Peabody precinct.
“I’m ready.” She sounded cheerful.
“Great. See you soon.” They’d taken to having dinner twice a week at Mario’s restaurant. He patted his pocket, making sure the ring was there. It might be too soon for her, and if so, that was okay. He figured he’d ask her every couple of weeks, hoping she’d feel confident enough in his love for her to say yes.
Eventually.
Jina was waiting outside Cassidy’s condo when he pulled up. She was dressed in a long, flowing, orange-patterned skirt topped with a solid orange sweater.
“Wow.” He had never seen her dressed up like this. Jina was drop-dead gorgeous wearing a stained sweatshirt and holey sweatpants. He’d learned she tended to downplay her looks, maybe a holdover from the unwanted attention she’d gotten first from Brad Crow, then Rory, and finally Jaxon. This? The flowery skirt was a complete shift from the norm. “You look incredible.”
“Thanks.” She blushed as she smoothed her hand over the skirt. “Cassidy took me shopping. I had to ditch all my old clothes because they reeked of smoke, so I decided to start over.”
“I love you no matter what you wear.” He kissed her for a long moment, then forced himself to release her. “Let’s go.”
“Just a minute.” She grasped his hand. “I have something I need to ask you.”
“Okay, but you should know the case is over.” He wasn’t sure where she was going with this and hoped to reassure her. “There’s no need to worry. You’re in the clear.”
“Not that.” She looked up at him. “I love you, and well, I’m hoping that maybe, um, someday, we might, you know . . .” She shrugged, then said, “Make it official.”
His heart melted. He pulled out the ring and dropped to one knee. “Jina, will you please marry me?”
“You bought a ring?” She looked shocked. “When?”
“The day after our first date.” He slowly rose to his feet. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes. Yes!” She threw herself into his arms. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” He kissed her again, then had to grin when he realized Cassidy was watching them through the window. He stepped back and slid the diamond ring on her finger. “Time to have dinner, soon-to-be Mrs. Jina Roberts.”
“I’m more than ready to eat, soon-to-be Mr. Cole Wheeler,” she countered with a smirk. “After all, I asked you first.”
He couldn’t help but laugh as he held her close. He didn’t care if she took his name or not.
Nothing mattered as long as he could share the rest of his life with her.
* * *
I hope you’ve enjoyed Jina and Cole’s story! I’ve had so much fun writing this Oath of Honor series. Are you ready to read Zeke? Click here!
Dear Reader
Thanks so much for reading my Oath of Honor series. I’m truly blessed to have wonderful readers like you. I hope you enjoyed Jina and Cole’s story. I’ve been having so much fun bringing the Finnegans and even the Callahans back into these books. Zeke will be available soon, followed by Flynn and Cassidy. I hope you decide to read them all.
Don’t forget, you can purchase eBooks or audiobooks directly from my website will receive a 15% discount by using the code LauraScott15.
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Until next time,
Laura Scott
PS: Read on for a sneak peek of Zeke!
Zeke
Chapter One
Sienna Reynolds stopped abruptly when she caught a glimpse of the envelope propped against the front door of her rental home. Just like all the other notes she’d received, her name was written in italic letters followed by an exclamation point. Exactly the way her name appeared on the playbill of her show. Sienna!
Turning, she scanned the quiet White Gull Bay neighborhood. At eight o’clock at night, several homes had lights glowing from windows, but she didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. She wondered if any had ring doorbells that may have picked up an image of the man who’d left the envelope.
No, she didn’t need a camera. She already knew her ex-husband, Josh Allenton had left this note, just like all the others. If not him personally, then someone he asked to do the deed.
Swallowing against a wave of dread, she bent to pick up the envelope, then punched in the numbers on the keypad entry to go inside. She forced a smile when she saw her nanny, Taylor Templeton, sitting in the living room reading a book. “Hi, how was Bailey?”
“A sweetheart as usual.” Taylor’s brow furrowed when she saw the envelope. “Another one? Really? I didn’t hear a thing.”
“Yes, but it’s okay.” She moved to the kitchen to set the envelope on the counter. The note inside would likely be some variation of the previous messages.
I know where you are.
You can never escape.
I’m watching you.
The notes wouldn’t bother her so much if it wasn’t for her two-year-old daughter, Bailey. She knew Josh had recently decided he wanted joint custody of their daughter, something she would fight against until her dying day.
Hopefully, it wouldn’t come to that.
“Sienna, you can’t keep ignoring them,” Taylor said in a low voice. Her nanny gestured toward the note. “You need to call the police.”
“That would be playing right into Josh’s hand.” They’d had this argument before, and nothing had changed. The moment she called the authorities, Josh would use the information against her. He’d insist on taking custody of Bailey to keep the little girl safe from whatever crazed stalker had targeted Sienna.
No way was she going there. Yet the fact that Josh had found her here in White Gull Bay, Wisconsin, so quickly was concerning.
She needed to do something. She’d returned to her hometown to kick off her solo Christian singing tour, Sienna! And while Josh could easily discover she was in the Milwaukee area, he should not have been able to find her rental home.
Pressing her hands on the counter, she stared down at the envelope. Then she quickly ripped it open. The words were written just like the last ones.
I’m coming for you.
Suppressing a shiver, she shoved the note away. Earlier today at rehearsal, she’d considered calling her brother’s best friend, Zeke Hawthorne. If Luke were still alive, he’d have moved heaven and earth to protect her and Bailey.
But Luke had died in a military training mission eighteen months ago. Bailey had been six months old at the time, and Sienna had already started divorce proceedings against Josh after the third time he’d struck her in the face in a fit of anger. The only good thing about being physically abused by her now ex-husband was that she’d been granted sole custody of Bailey.
For now. Unfortunately, Josh was now fighting against that ruling in court. Thanks to his parents’ wealth, he had been able to secure one of the best family law attorneys in the state of California. He’d buried her in legal proceedings until she’d wanted to scream.
She knew Zeke was a cop; he’d mentioned working on some sort of tactical team when they’d chatted at Luke’s funeral. It was almost as if she could hear her brother in the back of her mind telling her to call Zeke. To get support from someone within law enforcement to fight back at Josh.
“Sienna?” Taylor’s voice brought her out of her reverie. “You shouldn’t wait until something bad happens. You need to call the police sooner than later.”
Taylor had a right to be concerned; her job as Sienna’s live-in nanny meant she was at risk of being hurt by Josh too.
“You’re right.” She blew out a breath and pulled out her phone. She and Zeke had exchanged contact information at Luke’s funeral, so she quickly found his name and made the call before she could talk herself out of it.
“Sienna? What’s up?” Hearing Zeke’s voice in her ear nearly brought tears of relief to her eyes.
“Hi, Zeke, I, um, hate to bother you, but would you have time to stop by? I’m renting a place in White Gull Bay.” When he didn’t immediately respond, she quickly added, “If you’re too busy, I understand. I know this is rather unexpected. If tonight’s not good, we can meet up tomorrow or some other day.”
“I’m not busy, Sienna. Just surprised to hear from you. I can be there in fifteen minutes, if that works?”
“Perfect, thanks. See you soon.” She lowered her phone, hoping she hadn’t caught Zeke at a bad time. It had been eighteen months since she’d seen him, and he was likely dating someone or could even be engaged by now. Not married, as she felt certain he would have invited her to the wedding.
Wouldn’t he?
“I thought you were calling the police?” Taylor asked with a frown.
“Zeke’s an old family friend and a cop.” A wailing cry came from the nanny-cam speaker, so she brushed past Taylor to check on her daughter. Bailey was usually a good sleeper even despite the frequent trips from one city to the next.
“Mama.” Bailey rubbed her eyes, then lifted her arms. Sienna didn’t hesitate to pick her daughter up, cuddling her close. Closing her eyes, she prayed God would keep her daughter safe.
Especially from Josh.
She lowered herself in the rocking chair, holding her daughter while willing her to go back to sleep. After ten minutes, Taylor poked her head into the room. “Sienna?” Her voice was a whisper. “I think your cop friend is here.”
“Thanks.” Moving gingerly, she rose and set Bailey in the portable crib. Thankfully, the little girl didn’t wake up. She left the room, closing the door behind her.
“I’ll let you talk to him alone,” Taylor said. “And I’ll listen for Bailey too.”
“I appreciate that.” Sienna headed to the front door of the rental, opening it just as Zeke was about to ring the bell. “Hi, Zeke. Please come in.”
“Sienna.” His broad smile eased her worry. He looked freshly showered, the faint hint of aftershave clinging to his skin. He gave her a one-armed brotherly hug and kissed her cheek. “How are you?”
“Great.” She forced a smile, feeling guilty for reaching out because she needed his help. When he arched a brow, she added, “Okay, I could be better. Please have a seat. Would you like a soft drink?”
“No thanks.” His gaze was serious now, and he didn’t sit on the sofa until she’d dropped into the closest chair. “I sense something is wrong.”
There was no point in pretending there wasn’t. “I hope I didn’t interrupt your evening plans.”
“You didn’t. I was just finishing up at the gym.” Zeke leaned forward, pinning her with a direct gaze. “What’s going on, Sienna?”
She hesitated, then stood and quickly grabbed the envelope and note from the counter. Bringing it back to the living room, she handed it to him. “I’m in town for a week and am planning to kick off my first solo tour this weekend.” She grimaced. “I came home from rehearsal tonight to find this propped against the front door.”
His scowl deepened as he read the note. Then he looked up at her. “Who sent it?”
“I believe my ex-husband is responsible.” She twisted her fingers together. “That’s not the first note I’ve received, and I suspect it won’t be the last. My biggest concern is how Josh found me so soon. Bailey and I just arrived yesterday.”
Zeke scowled, setting the note and envelope aside. “Maybe you should start at the beginning.”
“You probably remember I filed for divorce from Josh,” she said. “I told you about that at Luke’s funeral. What I didn’t mention was the reason I left was because he began to physically abuse me. I had to wait until he struck me hard enough to leave a bruise, then took pictures and went to the police. Thanks to the evidence of abuse, I was granted sole custody of Bailey.”
“He hit you?” Zeke’s expression turned to stone. “You should have told me that right away.”
She sighed. “It’s not an easy thing to discuss. Besides, that’s not the issue anymore. Josh has a new lawyer and is fighting for joint custody. These threats are his way of paying me back for breaking up our singing duo. After I went solo, I switched to Christian music, which ironically has skyrocketed my career.” She’d learned so much about God and faith in the past year. And was humbled by the gifts God had graced her with.
“That’s wonderful news,” Zeke said, and she could tell he was truly pleased for her. “I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, but God is the one who granted me this gift. And I’m still very afraid of what Josh will do.” She bit her lip, then forced herself to continue. “My ex is a manipulative narcissist. I never should have married him, but that’s what I get for being young, foolish, and naïve. The point is, he’s not one to take my success over his failure lightly.”
“I see.” Zeke nodded slowly. “We need to call the police to get this note on record.”
“No.” She rose and began to pace, trying to find a way to make him understand. “Josh wants me to call the police. He wants the entire world to know I’m in danger from some strange stalker. I guarantee that he’ll have an alibi for the time frame in question and will act all innocent and concerned, as if he still cares about me.”
“But, Sienna . . .”
“No, this is exactly how he operates. This is all part of his master plan.” She whirled to face Zeke. “He’ll use the perceived danger as an excuse to take Bailey.” She used air quotes. “‘To keep her safe.’”
Zeke stared at her for a long moment. “Okay, I can understand why you wouldn’t want this information to get out in the press, but I have connections within the Milwaukee Police Department. We can investigate this under the radar.”
She frowned. “Maybe. But that will only last while I’m here in town, right? My next show is in Chicago. And I’m headed to Louisville after that.”
“I see your point.” His gaze turned thoughtful. “But that just means we need to find and nail this guy while you’re here.” Zeke glanced around the rental. “I’ll start by sleeping on the sofa.”
“What about your girlfriend?” she asked, trying and failing to sound casual.
“No girlfriend or fiancée or anyone special.” He gestured to the envelope and note. “We might want to see if we can lift prints off this.”
“Don’t bother.” She was secretly thrilled to know Zeke wasn’t involved with anyone. Not that she was interested in a personal relationship. One bad marriage was more than enough to last her a lifetime. Still, it was nice to know she wasn’t intruding too badly on Zeke’s personal life. “I had a private investigator do that on the first note about a month ago. There was nothing to find.”
“We’ll try again anyway,” he persisted.
“Only as long as there isn’t an official police report that can be used against me.” She would not give in on that point. “Seriously, Zeke, I don’t want anyone other than you and my nanny, Taylor, to know about this.” From this point on, she would not even keep her manager, Dirk Green, in the loop.
“Okay, but my sticking close is bound to raise some suspicions,” Zeke pointed out.
That was true. And it was also one of the reasons she was so glad he wasn’t involved in a personal relationship. “I know this is asking a lot, but would you consider pretending to be my fiancée? That way you can be here and backstage without raising suspicion.”
Zeke stared at her for a long moment, before offering a crooked smile. “I’d be honored.”
“Thank you.” Tears pricked her eyes, and she turned to quickly brush them away. Oh, she knew Zeke was only doing this because he was Luke’s best friend. But she was grateful for his support anyway.
She silently prayed they could get to the bottom of this soon. Before she had to face Josh and his high-priced lawyer in court. The mere idea of being forced to hand her precious little girl over to Josh made her sick.
She vowed to do everything in her power to prevent that.
Zeke hated knowing his best friend’s sister feared for her life and that of her little girl. It made him furious to think about Sienna being physically abused by her ex, and he was determined to make sure the guy didn’t get anywhere near her. Or their daughter.
He planned to stick to her like glue. Thankfully, he had his duffel in his SUV, a replacement for the truck that had gotten shot up a few weeks ago. He’d walk the property tonight, to see what he was dealing with.
