Chapter 63 Bruised Ego
JAXON’S POV
I didn’t go back to the school since I saw no reason to.
Whatever I needed to see there, aside from my classes, I had already seen it this morning, standing in my kitchen with the morning sun wrapping blissfully around her, looking like she didn't belong in a world of filth.
Speaking of a world of filth, I meant the dangerous mess that was my life.
I had done my best to shield Diana from it, and I wanted to do the same for her, even though I wasn't sure how that was going to work out.
All I knew was that I couldn't let myself get vulnerable with her. Vulnerability only bred weakness, and Jaxon Landon was a man who didn't leave room for that.
My jaw tightened as I dragged my tie down my neck, unraveling it while letting out a loose breath.
I stepped into my study and shut the door behind me with a soft click, then swept a quick glance around the room.
This was a different home, a different study from the one I lived in with Diana, and it was a place I came to handle the difficult parts of my life.
Softness had no place here, and a weak heart was even more unwelcome, but today, I found myself feeling especially vulnerable in a place where decisions were made without hesitation and where consequences were expected without fear.
I walked around my desk to the glass decanter set on the edge and poured myself a drink.
The scotch burned a path down my throat when I took a full swig. The taste was sharp but welcome, and the instant boil of my blood was something I welcomed.
I'd taken the alcohol to quieten my thoughts. After a couple of minutes, I realized that it lacked the desired effect and that I had now begun to visualize images I was trying to get out of my mind.
Of Nancy, on her knees, sucking my cock, and of her body writhing beneath mine. The memories of last night kept coming in waves, and I kept drinking to dull them.
A soft knock broke the silence in the room, and my gaze lifted to the door.
"Come in," I called out quietly.
There was a brief second of hesitation, and then the door was pushed in, and Orion stepped in.
"Boss," he said immediately, then scanned my face and paused.
As expected of Orion. He knew my mood and expressions best.
I took another slow swig of my drink before setting it down to speak to him, "What is it?"
He stepped forward with a straight but respectful look, "Nathan made a request of me."
My brow raised slightly, an indication for him to continue.
"He asked me to follow up on something," he said.
"What did he ask of you?" I responded, partly curious but also having a premonition.
"It's about Nancy."
The moment I heard that, my chest constricted
No wonder I had felt an odd sense of premonition.
I didn't react immediately. No, actually, I barely reacted and just gestured to him, "Go on."
Orion nodded once, then proceeded to say, "He told me she ran away."
"I know that already."
My words came out flat, and my gaze deepened on him. I didn't need him reporting information I was already aware of.
But it did make my memory trail back to the first night I had spoken to Nancy, before she arrived in Florida.
I could still recollect the tremble in her voice and how she had sounded so scared.
Orion, however, didn't look surprised, as if he had anticipated me saying that.
"It didn't end there," he said.
My face creased, "What do you mean?"
Orion breathed in quickly, then went on, "Mr Hudson didn't take the news of her disappearance too well."
An unamused, silent scoff left my lips. I could very well imagine that.
"Of course he didn't," I said to Orion, who nodded once more.
The look in his eyes told me he had more to say, so I made another indication for him to continue.
"Before Miss Nancy left, Mr Hudson already publicly announced his intention to have her be his wife, and it wasn't just to her family. A couple of his business partners, rivals, and even some news outlets had gotten wind of it.
My fingers that were around my glass curled, and I curled my lips as well, pondering.
For a man like that, it wasn't surprising that he was all too eager to present the fresh blood he'd acquired. He was the kind of man who couldn't keep mute about his spoils, and men like him, they always ended up losing what they treasured.
Moreover, they were the kind of people whose pride couldn't take such a hit most times, and they hated humiliation more than they did death.
Nancy's disappearance was sure to have left his pride crumbling.
As if he'd read my thoughts, Orion said, "His ego was bruised."
Although I had thought the same, I answered, "His pride or ego is none of my concern."
I couldn't care less, and that was the truth.
"Yes, boss," Orion nodded, agreeing with me. "I'm sorry I had to bring it up to you, but what stems concern is what he did afterwards.
My gaze sharpened. “What did he do?"
This time, Orion spoke without hesitation, explaining, "From our sources in New Jersey, I discovered that Mr Hudson has sent out an order for his men to find Miss Nancy and bring her back."
A heavy silence fell between us. The room was so still it felt as though time had frozen with us in it.
My hands tightened into fists, and for a second, I speculated that if I still had that glass in my hand, I would have broken it with the force of my fist.
"Say that again."
The silence that followed after my instruction was even more deafening, because I'd heard him clearly the first time.
"Mr Hudson gave out an order for his men to find her, and he wants her brought back to him. Alive." Orion repeated.