For Hope

by Jeannette Winters

  Once inside they sat by the fireplace, and Jada continued to hold her father’s hand as she started to break the news to him. “Dad. I need to talk about David. Things are not as you think they are.” Not even close. “I know you think he’s doing great things, but honestly, I have no idea what he’s doing. He made a promise to be there for me and . . . he wasn’t. David just . . . left me, and I haven’t heard from him. Not since before my show.”

  Her disappointment wasn’t just about David leaving her. David, if he was successful, was getting paid. And abandoning her and pawning her off onto someone else was wrong. There was no way she was going to allow her father to give him one cent.

  “The man can’t be everywhere. You shouldn’t be so hard on him. Honestly, I thought you’d be relieved.”

  I am. He’s going to be out of my life for good. “I’d think you would agree with me. You’re the one who hired him, and he let me down, let us both down.”

  “You’re here. How can that be letting me down? I owe him more than I could ever pay him.”

  “You owe him nothing.”

  Her dad got up, and she could tell he was frustrated with her. It was disturbing, but she couldn’t give up.

  “If he hadn’t stopped that man you might have been his next victim,” he said angrily, as she squeezed his hands tightly. “The man is a hero. And he won’t take any credit for what he did. When I tried to pay him, he wouldn’t take any money. He said this is what they do. You, young lady, need to learn to be more appreciative of him.”

  Maybe it was time for her to stop talking and start listening because there was definitely more to the story that she was aware of. “Dad, tell me about the FBI.” She wasn’t sure if that was where to start, but for her, that’s where it all started to unravel.

  “He found the man, a very bad man, and turned him over to the FBI. He admitted to watching you. This man, Dennis Peckham, has been following you all over the country. And when I think about what he has done to other women, and it could have been you next . . .” Paul choked up, and Jada saw tears in her father’s eyes. “I couldn’t . . . if he hadn’t . . .”

  Jada didn’t know what happened specifically, but once she heard it had to do with Dennis Peckham, a chill ran through her. David, didn’t abandon me? He was out saving me, and I didn’t even know it? Now she felt like a piece of shit. She’d been judging him from the moment they met. Not only did she owe him an apology, but did she truly owe him her life?

  “Dad. I feel like such a fool. I have been so . . . ungrateful. I left Miami without telling any of them. I have to set things straight.” Jada had no idea how she could do that. If David wouldn’t take money, a thank you surely wasn’t going to cut it either. Especially from me.

  “He knows you’re here.”

  Why do I have a feeling you two do more talking than I originally thought? “And you know this how?”

  “Because he got here before you did. We had a long discussion, then David drove into town to pick up some pizza.”

  Oh Dad, what are you up to? Asking me about David, and you knew all along where he was. Please don’t tell me you’re playing matchmaker. We couldn’t be a worse fit. Jada wasn’t about to call her father out on that. Instead she ignored his little slip-up. But at least Jada no longer thought her father was losing his mind. I think I’m the one who’s going crazy. Jada thought she was being so slick, being a step ahead of David, but she was the one in the dark. She was about to question her father further when she saw headlights reflecting in the window. Since they rarely had visitors, it could only be David.

  If she had any doubts before, they vanished when her father leaned over, placed a kiss on her forehead, and said, “I think this is my cue to go to bed. Now don’t forget what I told you. The man is a hero.”

  All Jada could do was smile as her father left her alone in the living room. The first guy she was bringing home was a national hero. No pressure. Just because my father seems to love this man doesn’t mean this man gives a hoot about me. Of course, he had traveled all this way, and she had no idea why. How was she the last to know what was going on? Supposedly, her life was in danger. Yet, everyone treated her as though she wasn’t capable of handling the truth. Could it truly have been as bad as Dad makes it out to be? Was I really Dennis’s next target? And what does that mean?

  Whether they wanted to tell her or not, she needed to know. If not, she would always wonder and worry. By the time David knocked on the door, her father had left her alone. The nice thing about not having locks was she could just call out for him to enter.

  “The door is open.”

  Although Jada still hadn’t processed everything her father said, she was still a bundle of nerves as the door opened. She wanted to see him but didn’t know what to expect. If David knew she wasn’t home, why had he traveled there? Did he only learn of her travel plans once he had already arrived? Was he here when I called my father?

  As soon as David came through that door, all questions left her. Something deep inside, something unexplainable, overtook her emotions. As though her feet had a mind of their own she rushed across the floor and leapt into his arms, knocking the pizza onto the floor. Nothing mattered at that moment except being in his arms. Jada hadn’t realized how much she’d missed seeing him until that very second.

  I don’t care where you’ve been. I’m just glad you’re here now.

  That wasn’t the welcome David had anticipated, but he sure as hell didn’t mind it. For a woman who’d gone through so much effort to avoid him, Jada was holding him so tight he could almost believe he wasn’t quite so hated after all. But David had come to that conclusion before Jada threw herself into his arms. That didn’t change anything. Things between them were complex. And this? It can’t happen.

  He needed to tell her about Peckham, but that conversation wouldn’t happen the way they were holding each other. How long has it been since I’ve held a woman in my arms like this? It feels too good, but I can’t keep her here. Reluctantly he reached up and pulled her arms from around his neck. He could see the look of shock and disappointment in her eyes. David knew her emotions would be running high. Since she wasn’t surprised to see him, Paul must’ve told her he was here, and why. But David needed to tell her himself. He didn’t know why, but just walking out of her life didn’t feel right. I did what I was asked to do, but it doesn’t feel finished.

  “Jada, I’m here so we can talk,” he said, his voice filled with the control he was known for. It lacked emotion.

  Jada blinked, looking confused even though the words were clear. Eventually, she stepped away from him. He had her attention, but David felt like shit.

  “You’re right. I have questions,” Jada said, as she stomped away and sat in a chair by the fireplace.

  Her entire demeanor had changed, and David knew he was the cause. He could live with that if it meant he could make Jada understand that Dennis Peckham was only one man, but the world was full of people like him. If I have my choice between your warmth and your safety, I want you safe.

  David picked up the discarded pizza and tossed it on the kitchen counter. He knew Jada wouldn’t eat it, given her job, but he’d thought perhaps Paul would still be up to eat. It didn’t matter. What mattered was the woman in front of him. She wasn’t made of steel, but he could see her fortifying herself as he walked over and took the chair across from hers. He didn’t know what Paul had told her, and the details about Peckham were insignificant in what he wanted to say. David needed to make Jada understand this type of threat would never go away. It was a horrible reality, one he dealt with every day in the military, as well as now in the private sector.

  “The immediate threat to your life has been eliminated. But you’re not out of danger, Jada. You never will be.” David knew he was being overdramatic but that was how he felt. He knew Jada was going to go right back into the spotlight, and there was nothing he could do about it.

  “I thought you turned him over to the FBI?”


  “Jada, you don’t have to worry about Dennis Peckham any longer. That does not mean you’re safe. Do you have any idea how many slimeballs are out there?”

  “What are you trying to tell me? Do you think I should live my life afraid, looking over my shoulder all the time? If that’s why you’re here, you’ve wasted your time. I know how precious life is. My whole life my father has been watching out for me; I don’t need you doing so as well.”

  Jada wasn’t hearing what he was saying. This situation was not an ordinary everyday problem. He knew Paul loved his daughter. That he was willing to hire Turchetta’s Promise to keep her safe demonstrated that. But Paul couldn’t be everywhere all the time. Eventually, it would be someone else, and they might not send a letter of a warning. It concerned David that Peckham never confessed to writing the threatening letters. As David feared, once Peckham was in the FBI’s hands, he clammed up and demanded a lawyer. If it wasn’t for the information David had extracted from him, the asshole would be back out on the street. And this is why we do things differently. No red tape holds us back from what we should do and what we can do.

  But Peckham wasn’t going anywhere. Gabe made sure he delivered the recordings to the FBI, and they had enough to put Peckham away for life. Once Peckham’s name and what he was being accused of got out, David knew victims would come out of the woodwork. Peckham made it clear there were more than any of them knew of. I’m sure that’s going to change.

  They’d talked about it at length before Jada arrived. Paul understood Jada’s lifestyle came with risk because he was the one who insisted she be protected. But it was evident Paul hadn’t thought the threats would uncover a serial stalker, abuser, and probable murderer. They agreed Jada could not go back to the way things were. That was why David was still there; Paul had asked him to stay. Paul knows what a stubborn girl you are, Jada Hope.

  “Jada, I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. You need to change how you do things. We have looked over your itinerary, and if anyone wants to do you harm, you are probably the easiest target I’ve ever seen.”

  “If. I hear that word a lot. That does not mean it’s going to happen.”

  “There are things you can do to reduce the risk, the exposure.” David felt as though he was talking to himself. Jada had been resistant in the beginning, and it hadn’t changed. David had hoped once she realized the threat wasn’t bogus, she’d be more willing to hear him out. Obviously not.

  “Exposure is what drives my business. Asking me to step out of the spotlight is asking me to walk away from my career. That would be like me telling the paparazzi I don’t like having my picture taken. It doesn’t matter whether I like it or not. It’s all part of the business. If I cut one part out, it will be like a domino effect, one sponsor after another will distance themselves. And my career will disappear quickly.”

  David could tell Jada was fighting to stay on top. All careers had a life expectancy. He had no idea what that was for a model. Asking her probably isn’t a wise choice either. He couldn’t relate to the pressures she faced. Although Paul had tried explaining it to him, David knew he wouldn’t last a day in that kind of business, never mind how many years she had been doing this. Surrounded by people, each with their own agenda, was daily life to Jada. Some hoped they’d get lucky and have their picture snapped with her so their careers would take off, and others were just waiting for Jada to make a mistake so they could stomp on her and take her spot on top.

  How could people be so cruel to someone so beautiful? She wasn’t conceited. In fact, she was kind. He’d watched how she related to anyone in her orbit. It didn’t matter who they were in the scheme of her career, she treated everyone with respect. She was . . . unexpected.

  “Is this really what you want? To live this way? Not being able to trust the people you work with to have your back no matter what?” David wasn’t only asking about her career choice. He knew Jada could do anything she put her mind to. If she wanted to run her own business, she’d excel. He wasn’t sure Jada knew that about herself yet. You’re so much more than a beautiful face. No one had to tell him that. He’d learned what a cutthroat business this was, and for someone like her to have survived it took intelligence. And from what I see, you have plenty.

  He already knew what her answer would be. Jada wasn’t ready to make a drastic change. David knew that feeling all too well himself. For him, it took losing Phoebe. He’d saved so many others but not one of his family members because his commanding officers wouldn’t approve his leave. They knew his intentions and refused anyway. David hoped it wasn’t going to take a tragedy for Jada to realize change could be a good thing. Although he missed Phoebe every day, David and his brothers had banded together in a way he hadn’t thought possible before. And if David were still an active sniper, he wouldn’t have been here to apprehend Peckham and stop him from following through with whatever sick thing he had planned for Jada.

  He saw the light fade from Jada’s eyes. David wished he could tell her everything would be okay, that she could go back to her life and never worry again. He dealt with facts and lying to Jada would do her more harm than good. Jada needed someone to be there every day, and even with that, there was no guarantee some lunatic wouldn’t go after her anyway. David couldn’t be that person. He had a job to do, a team that relied on him, just like he did them. There was no way David could stay there, waiting for the next creep to make his move. It could happen tomorrow, next week, next year, or five years from now. There’s only so much I can do to prevent it.

  Jada got up and stoked the fire. He watched the embers flicker up the chimney. David could tell she was in deep thought. He was sure she wasn’t considering walking away from her modeling job. He couldn’t pinpoint what was troubling her. God knows, she had plenty to concern her. Being scared is better than being ignorantly blind to what’s out there.

  When she finally returned and sat down, David could tell she was ready to talk. Maybe ready to listen. David wasn’t great at sit, share, and listen, but he was going to force himself to this time.

  “It feels so surreal.”

  Jada ran her hands through her long auburn strands before twisting it in some strange bun on top of her head. David loved it when her hair was down and wild, but what he liked wasn’t the issue. “It’s a lot to absorb.”

  “I heard what you’ve told me. You see that kind of stuff in the news so often now. It’s just that it happens to other people. No one ever expects it to happen to them.”

  “What you’re feeling is perfectly normal.”

  “Shock doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel. And I want you to know I truly appreciate everything you and the others have done. It seems as though it’s not only me you saved. If it’s all true, who knows how many countless women could have been victimized by Dennis before he got caught?”

  “Thank your father.”

  Jada arched a brow. “My Dad?”

  Paul had been adamant that the threats weren’t some prank. If he hadn’t continued to reach out to Rafe with each new threat, David may have walked when Jada fired him on the first day. “Call it father’s intuition, but he was the one who insisted you have protection. If he hadn’t, Peckham would be a free man today, and you might be—”

  “Please don’t say it. I know it, but that doesn’t mean I want to hear the words.”

  Not saying it didn’t change a thing, but David understood. Jada had become good at pretending as though this was an everyday occurrence, a lifestyle that didn’t trouble her. She might be able to hide that from others, even from Paul, but David knew the truth.

  “Jada, if you’re concerned, let me help you.”

  “Thank you, but you’ve done more than I ever thought you would. What else can you do other than put me in a bubble?”

  David chuckled softly, not because it was funny but because she was so stubborn. Jada wanted his help, and wouldn’t allow herself to ask. Then I guess I have to offer.

  “I
can’t stay here and protect you day and night. I can, however, teach you a few things that might help keep you safe.”

  “I know what you’re going to say. That I should walk away, but I can’t do that,” Jada said firmly, with her arms crossed, so David knew she wasn’t going to budge on the subject.

  “That’s not what I was going to suggest.”

  “Really? Because that’s all I have heard since we met.”

  “Touché. Believe it or not, I do listen when you speak. After you told me again and again and again, I got the hint. You’re not quitting. What I hope is that you have heard me as well.”

  In a soft tone, Jada said, “I have. It’s just that what you’re asking me to do isn’t something I’m capable of doing.”

  “Then let me help you. I can show you a few techniques that can drop a man twice your size.” I just honestly hope you never have to use them.

  “You would do that?”

  Jada really didn’t get it. David was not there because he had to be. With the job complete he easily could be off with his team. But she was not just protection detail. He’d come to care for her. Although they didn’t have a future together, David needed to make sure she had a long life ahead of her.

  “As long as you promise not to use them on me,” David said teasingly as he got up from his seat. He reached a hand out her and asked, “Ready for lesson one?”

  Jada’s eyes widened as she said, “Right now? I thought maybe tomorrow.”

  “Jada, I won’t be here tomorrow.”

  “I see.” Jada ignored his hand but stood up beside him. “Then I guess we better make this quick.”

  Staying wasn’t an option. It never was. Jada had known that. Hell, she fired me and told me several times to leave her alone. Why does she look as though she wants me to stay now? David wanted to pull her into his arms and tell her she had it all wrong. If he told her this wasn’t all that easy for him either, he’d be giving her hope when there wasn’t any. All that would do was delay the inevitable. She’s had enough hurt in her life. I’m not going to add to it.