Birthday Gift And A Message

JADEN

I barely had a wink of sleep. When my eyes shot open and I felt the softness of the sheets beneath me, I was reminded of my failed escape plan. 

Every second of the previous night started replaying like a movie: the warehouse, Sophia’s frantic eyes, and Enzo’s gun at her head. 

An ache spread through my muscles as I kicked the covers off. I shuffled to the bathroom and bent over the sink, swallowing the urge to scream out my lungs. I was back in this house, back in Enzo's arms. Freedom was just an inch away and I'd watched it crash before me.

Years of planning and strategy laid to waste. 

I splashed water on my face and watched it drip off my chin. My green eyes looked hollow, shadowed with exhaustion, and my hair was stuck up in wet clumps. I looked like shit. And I felt worse. 

I grabbed the toothbrush, scrubbed my teeth until my gums stung, and then washed my face again while fighting back tears. 

"Fuck this." I crawled back into bed, pulling the sheets up to my neck, curling into myself like that could block out the world.

The door creaked open. A whiff of cedar and smoke hit me, and I knew it was Enzo even without looking. The bed dipped behind me, his weight settling close, heat radiating off him. 

His lips brushed my cheek with familiar warmth but I kept still, staring at the wall. 

“I brought you breakfast,” he said gently. A tray clinked as he set it on the nightstand, the smell of eggs and coffee wafting over. “I thought you might like it in bed.”

“I am not hungry,” I muttered, barely moving my lips. My stomach growled but I ignored it. I was starving and it took all my will not to sit up and grab the tray from him. 

He sighed, his breath tickling my ear. “Jade, come on. You gotta eat something.” His hand hovered near my shoulder like he wanted to touch me, but I knew what reaction he would expect. 

I turned my head just enough to glare at him from the corner of my eye. “Fuck me and get it over with. That’s why you’re here, right? Just do it.”

His face tightened, and I caught a glimpse of hurt in the pool of his blue gaze. “Don’t say that,” he said, quieter now, leaning closer. “It cuts me, Jaden. I’m not here for that. I love you.” 

THOSE THREE FUCKING WORDS! I hated how they made me feel. I ignored the tingle spreading through my chest.

"Will you sit up and eat now?"

I didn’t answer; I just rolled my face back to the wall, breathing slowly. 

He stayed silent for a few seconds, then kissed my cheek again. “Happy birthday,” he murmured, pressing another kiss to the back of my neck, soft and slow like he was trying to imprint it there. “I got something for you, Jade. A gift. I figured you’d like it.”

“Leave me alone. I don’t want your damn gifts. Just go.”

I felt the bed shift as he hesitated. “Alright,” he said finally. “It’s there when you want it. I’ll be around.” I held my breath as his footsteps faded, the door clicking shut behind him. 

My heart was a restless mess. It was hard to behave whenever he was nearby, and even harder when he kissed me. 

I squeezed my eyes closed, willing sleep to take me. Some minutes later, I dozed off. 

When I opened my eyes again, the room was brighter, the sun slicing through the curtains. My stomach gnawed at me. 

I sat up, rubbed my face, and spotted the tray Enzo left. The eggs were cold now, the toast stiff, but I didn't care. I grabbed the fork and shoved food in, chewing fast and gulping the lukewarm coffee to wash it down. 

I stepped out of the room quietly moments later, trying to sneak around. The house was so quiet. It wasn't strange since most of the men would be out to attend to Enzo's numerous businesses.

Outside the hallway, I nearly collided with Kai. He had his hands in his pockets, staring me down. “Happy birthday, kid,” he smirked faintly. “Boss got you something. A gift. Have you seen it yet?”

“I am not interested,” I snapped, brushing past him toward the front door. He followed me. 

“Come on, Jaden. Check it out. It’s worth it.” His voice had an edge like he knew something I didn’t, and it pissed me off. 

"I said I am not interested."

"Why don't you just come check it out? I know you will love it."

His tone made curiosity gnaw at me and soon I relented. I followed his lead and stepped outside into the crisp morning. There it was—a sleek, black car, brand new, gleaming in the driveway. 

I swallowed my gasp. My pulse kicked up, but I locked it down. I was so excited as I popped the driver’s door. A bouquet of red roses was beautifully laid on the driver's seat. The back was stuffed with presents stacked to the roof, wrapped in glossy paper, the ribbons curling over the edges.

Kai started hauling the gifts out, grunting as he carried them inside. 

"It's so beautiful," I murmured to myself, keeping my excitement in check. I kept my hands in my pockets and strode around the car like it didn’t faze me. Who knew, Enzo could be somewhere watching. 

My fingers itched to caress it, but I wouldn’t give Enzo that win. Not yet. 

I rounded to the exhaust, squinting at something odd there. There was a scrap sticking out, caught in the pipe. I tugged it free and unfolded it quickly. 

It was a paper. My brows knitted as I smoothened the edges. Sophia’s handwriting stared back at me.

I gasped and threw the paper into my shirt, looking around to see if someone had caught me. My heart pounded in my chest, my body tensed like a coiled spring.

Had someone seen me?