Chapter 65 No different from Diana
JAXON'S POV
A long while after Orion left, a knock resounded sharply on my door.
"Come in," I said just as quickly, and the door opened, revealing Nathan, who stepped in.
I didn't miss how tense his shoulders were or how his brows were pulled together tightly.
He was worried, and it was an unmistakable emotion written on his face.
"You look like you have something to say," I pointed out before he could speak.
"I need help," he said without preamble.
Okay, I liked that he didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point, and I didn't need to think too deeply to know what, or more accurately, who his words would circle around.
"Nancy," I stated.
His brows lifted slightly, but he didn't seem surprised. "You've heard."
That wasn't a question either, but a direct statement.
I spread out my palm, leaning back in my seat, "I hear a lot of things."
Nathan took another step forward, stopping before he reached my desk. His hands reached for the edge, but then he pulled them back and exhaled, "It's Hudson."
At that moment, I think I'd already heard enough of that name, but I didn't interrupt Nathan and left him to speak.
He heaved another sigh, then continued, "The bastard isn't letting this go. The fool made the marriage announcement public, and I suppose it's only a matter of time before everyone in New Jersey knows that my sister was supposed to get married to him and that she had fled to avoid the marriage."
"She had every right to flee," I replied without mincing words.
Nathan paused, and his gaze lingered on me, "Yeah, she does. I would have fled too if I were in her position, but you have no idea what kind of man Hudson is. He's..."
"I think I know what kind of man he is," I interrupted.
Orion and I had just had a conversation about him after all. I'd gotten all of the essential information from him.
Nathan stared at me for longer, as though trying to figure out if I meant that or was just being sarcastic.
Later, he angled his head as if he couldn't imagine me being sarcastic, then went on, "He already sent people out to find her, and once he does, he'll force her to be his wife."
His face took on an expression of distress, pulling tighter, "I don't want my sister to get married to that kind of man; he'll ruin her."
"I left home because I couldn't bear my parents any longer, but it was also because of how powerless I was. I wanted to be able to protect Nancy when the time came, but now...now..."
"Do you think you're powerless?"
I couldn't exactly say there was a reason behind that question, it just came to me, and I asked without further ado.
Nathan paused, taken aback for a second, but then he began to consider it.
His consideration also didn't take too long before he nodded, "I'm weak. That's why I need your help."
His hands balled into fists by his side, and he pressed his lips determinedly together before releasing them, "I may be stupid, but I'm not stupid enough to not know where I stand. In this world where the strong prey on the weak, I'm the prey whose only option right now is to hide and bide their time."
I didn't react to that, and he went on.
"I can't do this alone, and I ask that you help me keep her safe. You once asked me what I'd wish for if you ever needed to reward me...."
"This is it," He breathed out with an unwavering gaze.
I stared at him without speaking or moving, carefully analyzing him without realizing that there was a flicker of pride in my gaze.
The Nathan that stood before me wasn't my subordinate; he was a brother who only wanted to keep his sister safe.
When I found him, he was incredibly obstinate and headstrong, refused to listen to orders, and always did things his way.
He was a child who was full of rage and hurt. Compared to now, there was a huge difference.
Slowly, after a couple of minutes of just staring at each other, I stood up and walked around my desk to where he stood, lowering myself to take a seat while still assessing his face.
"You don't have to ask me that."
He paused, as though I'd shocked him, jolting even, "What?"
"I said you don't have to ask me that," I repeated calmly.
"Why?" His voice finally wavered, and he looked at me cautiously, swallowing hard. "You won't..."
I smiled. A real smile that rarely graced my lips.
"You don't have to ask me because I would have done that anyway."
His jaw dropped open, and he gaped at me, "You would have."
I nodded slowly, "Yes."
"Nancy's your twin sister, but she's also Diana's best friend. I watched you kids grow together, and I wouldn't want something to happen to either of you."
What I didn't say was that Nancy was becoming important to me in a different way, and that just the thought of Hudson claiming her drove me nuts.
I couldn't imagine her on her knees, sucking his cock as she'd done mine, or imagine her riding him in a way I had yet to see her ride me.
The mere thought of it made me see red, and my teeth clenched before I realized that those images were all figments of my imagination.
They weren't real.
I don't know what I would have done if they were, but I revealed in the fact that they weren't.
"Nathan finally got over his surprise, and then, his face settled quickly into one of relief.
"Thank you, I'll never forget this."
I didn't respond to that because it wasn't his gratitude I wanted.
It was safe to say I wasn't doing it for him, I was doing it for myself, for a reason that terrified me in ways I couldn't name.
To assuage that thought, I said without thinking, "She's no different from Diana."