Jason (Blue Halo Book 2)

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

Jason watched as Courtney lifted the pen. When she looked up, she smiled, her eyes shining. It wasn’t a half smile, it wasn’t hesitant or unsure. It was wide and confident and radiant. “I am one hundred percent sure I want to do this.”

The tip of her pen touched the paper and she signed the final page of the draft corporate charter for Quinton House. Then, she slid the paperwork across the Blue Halo conference room table to her lawyer, Lucian Pratt.

He scanned the pages before shuffling them into his briefcase. “Fantastic. This should take a few weeks to process, then you’re one step closer to becoming the director of The Quinton House.”

The Quinton House, named after Courtney’s cousin, Jessica Quinton. A nonprofit corporation providing shelter for women escaping unsafe situations across Idaho.

Damn, he was proud of his woman.

When the lawyer stood, he shook both their hands.

“Thank you for all your help,” Courtney said, moments before he left the room.

When it was just them, she let out a small squeal, flinging her arms around his neck. “Can you believe what we just did?”

Jason wrapped his arms around Courtney’s waist. “What you just did. You’re incredible.”

Not just incredible. She was so much more.

The second everything had died down in Cradle Mountain, Courtney had swung into action. She’d been on a damn mission, first to find a buyer for the necklace—an international diamond collector—then putting most of the money into opening her own charity.

Courtney’s eyes softened, a trickle of sadness seeping in. “I wish that Jessica had gotten help from an organization like the one we’re setting up, before it was too late.”

Jason tightened his arms around her waist. “I wish that, too.”

He’d caught Courtney researching the psychology of abusive relationships on more than one occasion. Trying to understand why her friend had stayed. Why she hadn’t sought help. The frustration from not understanding had tormented her for a long time. She didn’t need to say it out loud for him to know that.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead, lips lingering. He hadn’t been able to stop kissing her. Nightmares still plagued him of that day. Of the moment the Mafia had surrounded them on the street. Of sending her out of that building alone. Unprotected. Unarmed.

Fuck. It was torture. He’d had no idea if either of them would survive that day. But they had. And he wouldn’t be taking that for granted, not for a second.

“Three centers to be built across the state,” Jason reminded her gently. “And one of those right here in Cradle Mountain. You will help so many women.”

“I hope so.”

He leaned down, hovered his lips at her ear. “I know so.”

There was a lot for her to do. They needed to oversee the building of the centers. Hire staff. There was more than enough money from the sale of the gem to fund all of that.

“Come on, I’ll walk you to The Grind.” He slipped his fingers between hers, leading them out of the conference room.

The reception desk was empty as they passed. It would probably stay that way for a while. They’d survived fine for the first couple of months without an assistant. He was sure they’d be fine for a couple more.

The fact that Amy had been the wife of the former Mafia boss had shocked all of them, especially Peters. He’d admitted to never even considering a woman could be involved in the running of the family, even for a short period of time.

When they reached the street, Courtney sighed. “I still can’t believe my grandmother wore a necklace worth almost twenty million dollars around her neck for… I don’t even know how long. Since it was left to her, I guess.”

They’d traced the necklace back to English royalty over two hundred years ago. A great-great-grandparent had spent some years living in England, where it was believed she’d dated royalty and was gifted the stone.

“Did you ever consider keeping it?” he asked softly.

The sound Courtney made was something between a laugh and a scoff. “No. Too much blood was spilled over that thing. Selling it and putting the proceeds toward something good, something to help women, was the best decision.”

So damn proud.

“How’s Peters doing?” she asked.

It was Jason’s turn to scoff. “The man almost died and he’s just about refusing the sick leave they want him to take.” Last Jason had heard, he was already demanding his next case. The stubborn ass.

“I can’t believe I thought he was on the wrong side.” She shook her head. “Although, he acted shady enough. Still, the guy saved my life.”

He had. And Jason would be indebted to him forever.

As Courtney neared The Grind, fingers threaded through Jason’s, she couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. The threats were gone. She and Jason were in a good place. And she’d been able to do something good with the necklace.

Although Jessica had never told her why she gave Courtney the necklace, she was sure she knew. She hadn’t wanted it to land in the wrong hands. She hadn’t wanted Ryan or the Mafia to own it.

Courtney’s chest tightened when she looked through the glass window of her shop. Because there was no Joey. After everything that had happened, Joey left town, going back to his mom.

She knew that Jason was angry at him. He’d wanted Joey arrested. But all Courtney could feel was hurt and sadness that her friend would choose to involve himself with the Mafia for money. To put himself, her, Jason… everyone at risk like that. All he’d had to do was ask for help, and she would have done everything in her power to give it.

“I’m sorry he hurt you,” Jason said quietly.

She tried to smile but couldn’t. “Thank you.” There was nothing else she could say. She was hurting. Someone she cared about had almost gotten her killed. And she suspected that hurt would remain for a long time.

Jason held open the door to The Grind. She’d barely stepped inside when a small person came barreling into her legs. And for a small person, she had pretty good force, almost knocking Courtney over. She probably would have knocked Courtney over if it hadn’t been for Jason’s hand steadying her from behind.

Laughing, Courtney dropped to her haunches. “Hey, Mila.”

“Courtney, I’ve been waiting for you!”

“You have?”

The girl nodded, her pigtails bouncing. “Yeah, I asked Daddy why you haven’t been here and he said you got into trouble. Are you okay?”

She shot a quick look up at Blake. He was sitting at the booth with a coffee in front of him, a small smile on his lips. She looked down at Mila again.

“I’m okay, honey. There are some very good people in this town keeping me safe.”

Mila placed her hand on Courtney’s shoulder in much the same way an adult would to comfort a child. Courtney bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing. “I’m glad. And Mommy will be happy too. She wanted to check on you but wasn’t sure you wanted visitors.”

That was sweet. “You tell your mom that she’s welcome to come around anytime.”

Mila’s smile widened. Then she nibbled her bottom lip, gaze shooting behind her at the counter before landing back on Courtney.

“Is everything okay with you, Mila?”

She signaled for Courtney to come closer. She leaned forward, and the girl lowered her voice. “I don’t like anyone else’s milkshakes.”

Courtney’s brows rose, scanning the bar and seeing two of her younger female employees. “How come?”

“They don’t put many sprinkles on top. And it’s not as thick.”

Ah, they probably weren’t blending in the extra scoop of ice cream. Courtney only did it for Mila. Easy mistake.

She looked over to Blake. She didn’t say anything, but he knew what she was asking. He nodded. She turned back to Mila. “Would you like me to make you a milkshake, Mila?”

The uncertainty fled, the huge smile returning. It was the most pure, heartwarming thing Courtney had seen all day. Heck, all week. And boy, did her heart need it. “Yes, please!”

“You got it.”

Mila skipped back to her dad while Courtney went behind the counter and started on the shake. She’d only returned to work last week, and it felt good. Immersing herself in mundane, everyday tasks helped her feel semi-normal.

When she got to the ice cream part, Courtney headed into the back room, opening the walk-in freezer. For a moment she stood there, looking inside. At the spot where Lima had attacked her. Where she’d been shoved when Kieran had thrown her inside.

She felt almost certain that if anything like that were ever to happen again, she’d fight back and have at least a chance of protecting herself.

Suddenly, she felt eyes on her. Turning her head, she found Jason standing in the doorway.

“This feels familiar.” His deep, rumbly voice tickled through her belly.

It did. Because he’d caught her in this very position only a few short months ago. But back then, she’d been looking at the freezer in fear, unable to step inside.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly.

She nodded. “I’m okay.” More than okay.

Walking in, she grabbed a gallon of ice cream. Not a hint of fear. Not even a tremble in her limbs.

So damn proud.

When she stepped out, it was right into Jason’s waiting arms.

His head lowered to her mouth. “I love you so much.”

She sank into his body, allowing his warmth and strength to surround her like a winter jacket. “I love you, Jason.”

She kissed him. Grateful for how far they’d come as a couple. So much had been thrown at them. And they’d battled it all together, coming out the other end stronger.