Jaxson's Angel by Serena Pettus Read Free Book Online Page A

ached when he glimpsed the empty bed and the open door to the room.
    She'd left.
    He couldn't believe it. Pulling out his phone, he quickly typed in a message and prayed she would answer, if only just the one time.
    Are u okay? Baby we need to talk. Please call me back.
    Even if it's just to tell me to leave, I just need to know that you're alright. J.
    * * * *
    Angel stared at the text message on her phone and smiled. A few of those yummy little milkshake drinks like she'd had when she'd first arrived, and her heart had managed to bring her head over to its side.
    Jaxson was everything she could ever hope for in a man. He was strong yet sweet, protective without being overbearing, and most of all, he was her other half. Knowing he was hers, that her love would be returned with the same passion, was an amazing thing.
    She quickly typed out a response, requesting for him to meet her at the boat, so they could talk, before she headed over herself. Angel was on cloud nine, feeling like she was walking on air, when she arrived at the dock.
    She was a few boats away from The Reel Deal when she noticed a dark figure emerge from the cabin and clamber up onto the dock. Whoever it was, they weren't very steady and probably had stumbled onto the wrong boat in a drunken stupor. Nevertheless, she felt compelled to follow just to be sure they hadn't done anything to the boat and to make sure they didn't fall into the water.
    Angel pulled out her phone and sent a quick message to Jaxson, letting him know what she'd seen only to look up and realize the person she'd been following had disappeared. Confused, she moved farther down the dock but still could see no sign of anyone around.
    Thinking perhaps they had made their way off the docks, she shrugged, began typing out another message to Jaxson, and turned to head back only to run smack into a large black chest.
    "Well, look what I found here," Bud's drunken voice drawled from above her head. "Looks like the Sterling brothers don't have their little Angel looking out for them tonight, huh?"
    "Actually, Jaxson is on his way here right now." Angel held up her phone to show him the messages and gasped in outrage when he snatched it from her and tossed it to the side, leaving it to skitter to a stop against a stack of crates on the edge of the wooden walkway.
    "I think I'll take my new Angel out for a late night cruise on the water, what do you say?"
    His ripe breath caused her to take a staggering step back. "I say you're a drunk and too stupid to know when to quit."
    Sooner or later, Angel would learn to keep her smart mouth closed.
    Bud gripped her upper arm in a punishing hold and half dragged, half carried her onto his boat before stuffing her into the tiny cabin beneath the helm.
    His laughter was just short of sane as he started the motor, and she felt the boat begin to move. A quick check told her he'd blocked the door, or maybe he had locked it; all she knew was, she was stuck in a tiny space with nothing but a bench and a small table. The only other door in the room led to a miniscule bathroom.
    There was no way for her to get out, and worse, nobody who knew where she was.
    * * * *
    Jaxson came off the boat in a rage. The scent of Bud was everywhere, but there was no trace of Angel on-board. She'd been there though. He'd caught the remnants of her delicate fragrance as he'd walked the dock, but where had she gone?
    He glanced at his phone and noted he'd missed a message. Someone was on the boat. I'm following to be sure they are okay. Seemed drunk. A.
    No! She'd been following Bud. Alone.
    Jaxson's blood ran cold. He'd had his suspicions regarding ol' Bud for a while now. He liked to go out on the boat late at night with his "dates," but whenever they returned, the women would never make eye contact with anyone and he never saw any of them a second time.
    Colton had just driven him out, and Jaxson quickly called him back. "She's been here, Colt, but so has Bud. I've got a bad feeling