Heart of Dixon Read online

  “Brooklyn?” She says reading the name on my screen.

  Shit!

  “Don’t answer that!” I shout as I try to snatch the phone from her hands.

  She steps back, holding it, and taking advantage of the fact that my pants are down around my fucking knees.

  Glaring at me, she slides her finger across the screen, answering the phone and puts it on speaker phone. I immediately hear Brooklyn’s voice echo around the room and my dick springs to life. Fucking dick that has a Goddam obsession with her for some unknown reason.

  I glide my fingers through my hair and curse, “Fuck!” under my breath.

  “Hi, Brooklyn. This is Cece. I’m sorry, but Dixon is a little tied up at the moment and can’t come to the phone. I can take a message for you if you’d like?” Her voice is sweet, laced with poison...so much for getting my dick sucked off.

  “Oh. He’s busy is he? I can just imagine how busy he is. Well, as a matter of fact you can give him a message for me. Tell the nasty piece of shit that my STD tests came back, and sure enough he gave me vaginal warts! Let him know that I’ll be sending the doctor's bill to him. I hope you wrapped it up first sweetie. Ta ta!” Brooklyn shouts through the phone before the line goes dead.

  “What the fuck! She’s lying! That evil little fucking bitch!” I spit out as I yank my jeans back up and take long strides towards Cece. Within seconds, I’m in front of her as she leans against the door leading back out to the club. Her face is pale as she shoves my phone at me.

  “To think I was going to put—that!” She shrieks as she stares down at the crotch of my pants, “Into my mouth! Then let you have sex with me!”

  I cut her off, “Well, actually, I never planned on having sex with you—but that’s not the point. She lied just now. She’s pissed off because you answered my phone, so she sabotaged this...us.” I stammer as I wave my hands between us.

  Letting out a dramatic sigh, she turns away from me and whips the door open. “Whatever. I don’t need to deal with crazy ass girlfriends. One thing I don’t do anymore is men with crazy girlfriends or wives. That’s how I ended up on probation. Jail is a real bitch! My ass is not going back there. Go find some other chick to rock your world because I’m outtie.”

  Who the fuck says 'outtie'?

  “Don’t worry. There’s a club full of women ready to suck my dick!” I shout down the hall at her, but she doesn’t turn around. She gives me the bird and keeps walking.

  I grip the edge of the door before slamming it shut and go straight towards Kayden’s mini bar. I grab the bottle of Jack and pour myself a glass filled to the brim and toss it back, welcoming the slow burn as the liquor slides down the back of my throat.

  Brooklyn is fucking up everything. I need to distance myself from her once and for all. Her little performance just now only proved how volatile things between us can get if we keep this up. She shouldn’t be sabotaging my hookups. Fuck buddies don’t cock block!

  We’re both way too hot-headed and stubborn to do the whole fuck buddies shit. It’s a recipe for disaster. She can go on with her life fucking whoever the hell she wants, but one thing is for certain: It won’t be me anymore.

  I don’t know why, but thoughts of her turning to possibly Jax once I make it clear to her we have to keep things platonic for the sake of everyone, causes a sharp pain in my chest. Pouring myself another full glass, I knock back the whole thing again in one gulp, before slamming the glass against the table.

  I need to get out of here. Pulling my phone out, I dial up the chauffeur I used from the hotel tonight and let him know I’m ready to go back. Thanks to Brooklyn, I’m now going home to jerk off in my fucking shower to the image from this morning of me fucking her in it.

  This is what I get for going against my original plan of avoiding her as soon as I left the hospital. I’m officially the idiot who thought with his dick instead of his brain, and now I have some chick running around the damn club probably telling the world I have a fucking STD.

  I’m so past pissed right now. I pound on my screen as I text Brooklyn so hard that I’m surprised it doesn’t shatter beneath my thumbs.

  Me:

  WTF? Have u lost your fucking mind?

  By the time I slam the door to Kayden’s office, she replies to my text.

  Brooklyn:

  ;) Yup...I sure did!

  Because I stupidly allowed a world class asshole to fuck the brains straight out of me today...

  xoxo -B

  She has lost her fucking mind all right. She has also just lost the chance ever to have the honor of me fucking her brains out ever again. She doesn’t even apologize. It’s as if she’s proud of herself for the stunt she just pulled!

  I shove my way through the club, ignoring everyone who tries to start up a conversation with me, and storm out the club doors into the cool Houston night air. Immediately, I spot the blacked out SUV waiting curbside. I nod at the driver, who opens the door for me as soon as he spots me exiting the club.

  Slipping into the back, I sink into the seat, resting my head against the cool leather and shake my head and laugh. It’s all I can do now. Laugh at the fucked up world I am now living thanks to Brooklyn Bennett blowing into my life like a freaking tantalizing tornado.

  Chapter Seven

  It’s been four days since I’ve seen Dixon. I’m not too surprised after the stunt I pulled Saturday night, but seriously the asshole deserved it. I know we’re not exclusive or anything, but come on! A few hours after I left his apartment, he’s out with some random skank?!? What the ever-living-fuck?!?

  I wasn’t even going to call him, but I left my favorite chandelier earrings in his penthouse and wanted to see when would be a good time to stop by and get them. Hearing that girl answer his phone made me see red. I’ve never behaved like that in my entire life. To be honest, it’s freaking me out. I don’t even recognize the possessive pissed off person he’s turning me into.

  Savannah is finally being released today¸ giving me a great Dixon dick distraction. I’m so relieved that she is healing slowly but surely. Jax flew in Sunday night and has been staying at Kayden’s penthouse with me. We have been staying in separate rooms of course, and keeping things platonic. My head is too messed up right now, thanks to Dixon, to think about Jax. I’ve even been avoiding Xander’s texts for the last few days while I try to sort out the feelings with which I’m struggling.

  Jax has been great company. We’ve chilled at night on the couch for hours, vegging out and watching prime time TV shows and movies, to pass the time. He hasn’t made any moves, for which I’m so freaking grateful. I know the last time we talked before he left for Australia, we agreed on friends with benefits, but I’m not feeling it right now. I’m supposed to have my wonderful monthly visit from Mother Nature tomorrow so it won’t be so hard to try and keep things platonic between us until I can get Dixon out of my head.

  We’re all at the hospital right now getting Savannah packed up and ready to bust out of this joint. I rode over with Jax in my Jeep since Kayden doesn’t want us going anywhere without security. I feel more comfortable with Jax by my side than I do his new security guards, Jerome, and Alec.

  “So you ready to get out of here and go lounge by the pool so you can heal in style instead of in this sterile snooze fest of a hospital?” I ask draping my arm over Savannah’s shoulder.

  “That I am. Don’t get me wrong, everyone has been amazing here, but I’m ready to go to Sugar Land and rest where I know we’re safe, and Kayden doesn’t have to sleep on the horrendous pull out bed they have here anymore.”

  Kayden brushes a strand of hair from Savannah’s face, tucking it behind her ear before cupping her cheek and gently pressing a kiss to her lips. Pulling away, he beams down at her with his eyes sparkling so brightly it’s as if they have Fourth of July sparklers glowing inside of them. I love that through all of this, Kayden has really stepped up and proven to Savannah that he loves her and is going to protect her at all costs.


  “I can’t wait to get you home, baby.” He tells her before dropping his hand from Savannah’s face and lacing it with hers.

  Rebecca and I take Savannah’s toiletry bags while Jax rolls her suitcase out with one hand while hovering the other over his holster that’s holding his firearm. I notice Savannah’s body grows rigid as we begin to leave the hospital room and head towards the exit. All of our vehicles are lined up outside on the curb so we can quickly and safely get out of this place.

  Kayden drove here alone with his Audi Q5 since he knew Jax would be around to make sure it was safe before we left. Kayden has a pistol so he made it clear he could easily protect Savannah and Rebecca if needed; allowing Jax to ride back with me to Sugar Land. But first we need to stop by the pharmacy and get Savannah’s prescriptions for her.

  His other two bodyguards are at the mansion already checking everything over to ensure sure it’s one hundred percent safe before we arrive. Jax helped Kayden hire the new security from the same company where Jax works. They spent all of yesterday getting the gentlemen situated at the house and preparing for Savannah’s arrival today. Kayden lives in a gated community, but he’s taking all necessary precautions to make Savannah feel safe.

  Jax goes out first, leaving Savannah, Kayden and me back at the doors of the lobby area while he brings Savannah's bags out and puts them in the back of Kayden’s car. He then walks around the vehicles, then up and down the sidewalk on each side of the hospital, before reentering.

  “Are we good to go?” Kayden asks Jax as he approaches us.

  Nodding he says, “Aye, mate. We’re all clear. Let’s get ya home, Savannah.”

  Wrapping his arm around Savannah’s waist, Kayden walks her through the automatic doors, but before they can walk through the second set, Savannah’s feet falter and cause Jax and me to stumble behind them. Jax immediately runs around to the front of Savannah, eyeing her, then the parking lot.

  “What’s the matter?” He asks in a demanding tone. We’re all on edge since there have been zero updates on where Zak may be.

  Kayden turns Savannah towards him, and I spot tears dripping off of her chin and see that her body is trembling.

  “Savannah, baby. Talk to me. Tell me what’s wrong.” Kayden’s voice is smooth and in control as he soothingly attempts to find out why my best friend is suddenly having a break down out of the blue. She was fine a minute ago, excited to finally be getting out of this place.

  Shaking her head, she brings her hands up to her face drying her tears with her sleeve. With a shaky voice, she squeaks out, “I’m sorry. I...I’m just overwhelmed is all. I’ve been having nightmares about this moment all week. It’s stupid. I’m sorry.”

  “Savannah. Don’t ever think how you feel is stupid.” I interject walking around to the side of her and use the pad of my thumb to brush away another tear that has fallen from her baby blue eyes. “You’re scared; we get that. We all are. But Jax and Kayden are doing everything in their power to keep you and me safe. We have nothing to worry about.”

  I’m confident with that. I know what I’m telling her is the honest truth. I feel as safe as I can right now with them by our sides. Rebecca, backing me up, rubs at Savannah’s arm while speaking to her softly, “You have absolutely nothing to be worried about. The police and the FBI are using all their resources to find Zak. He’d be an idiot with a death wish if he turned up here.”

  Within a few moments, Savannah’s tears dry and her slight panic attack passes. We waste no time getting into our cars. I hand off Savannah’s tote filled with her shampoo and other toiletries to Rebecca, who slides into the backseat of Kayden’s car after helping Kayden get Savannah into the passenger seat. With her bruised ribs, she’s struggling to do even the simplest of tasks. I hate seeing her in pain. Hopefully, in no time at all, she’ll be back to her old feisty self.

  We’ve spent the entire day hanging out at Kayden’s house, stuffing our faces on some of the best barbecue I’ve ever eaten. Kayden and Jax definitely are masters of the grill. Savannah’s pain meds are really kicking her ass though making her extremely nauseous, so she spent the majority of the time nibbling at her food. Rebecca had to fly back to Los Angeles this afternoon. As much as we would all have loved for her to be able to stay longer, the real world sadly doesn’t stop, and things like our jobs can’t wait.

  I have to fly back to Canada first thing Monday, which totally sucks. The last thing I want to do is leave when Savannah needs me, especially since Kayden is needed at Beaumont now that Dixon and his crew are getting ready to break ground on their new housing deal.

  Savannah swears she’ll be fine for the short time I’m away. I told her I’ll be back by the middle of the week, and then I’ll be able to keep her company at least for the next few weeks until my agent sets up some new auditions for me and I film my spot on Criminal Minds.

  Right now, Kayden, Savannah, Jax and I are all hanging out in his game room. Savannah and I are watching Clueless and laughing our asses off. This movie never gets old. Jax and Kayden pass the time by playing a few games of pool.

  “I’m going to use the ladies' room. I’ve had one too many sweet teas tonight.” Savannah jokes as Kayden rushes over to help her off the couch.

  “Okay. I’ll pause the movie until you come back.” I tell her hitting the pause button on the remote.

  Jax leans his pool stick next to Kayden’s and approaches us dropping his gaze down to me. “You need a refill on your wine?” He asks with his Aussie drawl, making me all kinds of tingly.

  Beaming up at him, I dangle my wine glass in the air for him to take. “That would be wonderful. Thank you, Jax.”

  Kayden and Savannah disappear down the hall, and Jax makes his way over to the mini wine fridge next to the bar Kayden has here in his little man cave.

  I decide to check my text messages to pass the time. It’s filled with a gazillion notifications when I press the power button lighting up my locked screen. My phone has been blowing up all afternoon, but I wanted Savannah to have my full attention, so I switched it over to do not disturb earlier, and now I am on notification overload!

  I see I have six unread texts from Xander that I’ll wait and answer after I finish replying to everyone else. There’s one from Reagan just telling me he would be free tomorrow afternoon to FaceTime with Savannah during his lunch break. I scroll through reading a few more random texts from friends in L.A. checking to see how Savannah’s doing. I’m about to scroll back to Xander’s unread messages when I spot a text from an unknown number.

  Pressing with my thumb, I open the message, scanning over it quickly to see if it’s possibly a wrong number. But my body turns cold, and my head begins to spin as I read the message.

  Don’t get too comfortable.

  I’m about to wreak havoc on your perfect little world.

  Sleep with one eye open...because you never know when I’m going to strike.

  I will get revenge for Jacob, and I won’t rest until I do.

  Savannah will pay for what she’s done.

  I’m going to take away from her everything she loves.

  You’re victim #1 on my list.

  - Zak

  With shaky fingers, I set my phone down on my lap and run my hands over my face trying to keep it together, so I don’t freak Savannah out. I glance up, and spot Jax coming back over with my wine glass half-filled. I lick my now dry lips and whisper, “Jax, hurry, come look at this!” He immediately notices something is off when his eyes land on mine. He sets my wine glass down, hard, causing the liquid to slosh back and forth in the glass, threatening to spill over.

  “What’s wrong?” He asks with a concerned tone as he squats down in front of me. I pick up my phone, shoving it into his chest.

  “This is what’s wrong. I just found a text from Zak in my inbox!” I emphasize his name stressing the seriousness of what is happening.

  His eyes grow large as he looks down at my phone and reads the message. His fingers move at a lightning f
ast pace before he hands me back my phone. “I forwarded it to myself and the FBI agent working the case. Let’s hope they can find out where he messaged you from. More than likely, he used a burner phone, but maybe they’ll be able to see at least where in the country he is from the cell tower the phone he used was maybe pinging off of.”

  I nod slowly as I listen to everything he is saying. I scoop up my wine glass and take a large gulp because I am suddenly needing the wine to calm my nerves.

  “I’ll fill Kayden in on all of this in the morning. I don’t want him stressing over it tonight when Savannah needs him focused on her. She’s having a hard enough time. The last thing she needs is the added stress. So let's keep this quiet for now until we hear back from the police.”

  I swallow hard, “Sure. I won’t say a word. My lips are sealed.”

  We spend the next hour finishing the movie before calling it a night. Savannah and Kayden head up in front of Jax and me. I’m trying to keep my mind from thinking about the text, but it isn’t working. All I can think about is where Zak may be and what it is he has planned. The idea of sleeping alone terrifies me especially after the whole ‘you better sleep with one eye open’ comment.

  I can’t randomly say, ‘Jax sleep with me’, because Savannah knows me too well. She knows I prefer to sleep alone so I can sprawl out across my bed and sleep in peace without fighting for room from a guy. I’m usually the 'wham, bam, Thanks dude for the hot sex, now see ya later' kinda girl.

  I grab Jax’s hand and wink at him so he’ll play along. Dragging him down the hall, I pull him around Savannah and Kayden, giggling before turning towards them yelling, “Night, you two!” and disappear into my bedroom for the time being with Jax in tow.

  “What was that about?” Jax asks looking from the door back to me with a wicked grin plastered across his face before wrapping his arms around my waist hugging me to him.

  “That was me keeping my word and not letting Savannah know about that text I got earlier. I know I’m usually tough as nails Brooklyn. But I have to admit I’m kind of freaked out by it. I don’t want to sleep in here by myself after the threats he made.”