Promises Unbroken: A Hot Paranormal Shifter Romance (Hidden Hills Shifter Book 5) (9 page)

S
elena was having
a hard time concentrating at work, as she kept thinking back to last night and how amazing the sex had been. She wanted to believe her thrill level was all about having satisfied the animal inside her, but lying to herself wasn’t her style. A part of her had enjoyed Jackson’s antics. Not many men would have been willing to close their eyes when making love.

“Hey,” Danielle said, pulling up a chair. “You look lost in thought.”

Selena refocused. “I’m good. What can I do for you?”

Her friend smiled. “Nothing. I’m on break. Where’s Jackson?”

Once more Selena glanced over to his empty desk. “Don’t know.”

“I thought you two were partners.”

The word partner had always had such a negative connotation to her, but now she liked the idea of being with someone—that is, until they left or disappointed her. “We are.”

Danielle shrugged. “So how did it go last night?”

Selena jerked. “What do you mean? We caught the kids who robbed the liquor store.”

She rolled her eyes. “I meant afterwards. I saw you two go out to dinner. When you returned, you couldn’t keep your eyes off him.”

The damned woman was too perceptive. It must be the wolf in her. “It was wonderful if you must know.”

She grinned and clapped. “Did you mate?”

What was up with the need to fully commit? “That’s none of your business,” she said with as much cheer as she could muster.

Waving a hand, her friend leaned forward. “He didn’t bite you yet?”

Selena had given him the opportunity, but he hadn’t even scraped his teeth across her neck. “No. I think he’s waiting for me to ask him.”

Whoa. I don’t want him to bite me, right?

She never waffled when it came to men.
Damn mate stuff
.

Danielle pushed back her chair and stood. “I only ask because I don’t want to see you hurt, honey.”

She didn’t either, which was why she was so cautious. Had she not had a dad who walked out on her, or a series of men who seemed to find an excuse to leave her, she would have committed to Jackson Kenner three months ago.

Her cell rang and for a second she hoped it was Jackson letting her know where he was. Given Cord wasn’t in the station either, perhaps they were together. She checked the caller ID.

“Hey, Mom.” Worry slid through her. Her mother never called her at the station.

“Selena?” She had to strain to hear her.

Pinpricks of worry skittered across her body. “What’s wrong?”

“I fell, and I can’t move.” From the heavy panting she was in pain.

Shit, shit, shit
. “Did you call 911?” If she had, Danielle would have told her.

“No.”

Hopefully, her injury wasn’t that serious. A thousand questions bombarded her, but her mom didn’t seem reliable right now. “I’ll be right there.”

Because Selena never left work for personal reasons, she didn’t think the Chief would have an issue with it. At the moment, Hidden Hills seemed to be calm.

After speaking with her boss, who said to take as much time as she needed, she rushed over to her mother’s. Her mom’s bad leg made it difficult for her walk and balance, and falling had always been a huge worry. While Selena had been saving for years for her mom’s operation, she doubted she’d ever have enough.

When she arrived at the apartment complex, she parked and raced inside. Using the spare key, she let herself in. Seeing her mother sprawled on the floor nearly made her shift from fear.

“Mom?” She rushed over to her.

“Selena?” Sweat beaded on her forehead and her breaths were coming out too fast.

If she thought her mom could have handled the pain, she would have suggested she shift, as she might be able to heal better. Right after the car wreck, she’d been unconscious. The ambulance had arrived and rushed her to the hospital where they kept her drugged up while they worked on her. Her mom always claimed that the medication had messed with her shifting ability.

Selena ripped out her phone and dialed 911. A dispatcher other than Danielle answered and Selena gave her the information. While she waited for the paramedics, she grabbed a pillow from the sofa and placed it under her mother’s head.

“What happened?”

“I fell and hurt my leg.”

“Don’t move. I’ve called for help.” Damn. She should have asked Danielle to contact the Emergency Services right away, but they would have arrived before her and had to break down the door.

Since her mom was wearing jeans, it was impossible to see if the bone had broken the skin.

“It hurts so bad. I wanted to shift, but I couldn’t concentrate.”

“That’s okay. They’ll fix you up right away.” Even though Jackson couldn’t have done anything, it would have been nice to have him here to distract her mom.

Call him
.

No, she didn’t want to bother him. It didn’t matter that she wanted him there.

The sirens broke her train of thought and she rushed to open the door. Seconds later, the paramedics arrived. Watching the pain on her mom’s face as they checked her out then placed her on the gurney, tore at her.

“Don’t worry,” one of the men said. “We’ll take good care of her.”

The fact her mother fell in the first place bothered her more. “I’ll be right behind you.”

As much as she wanted to turn on her sirens, even if she arrived at the hospital quickly, it would be hours before the orthopedist checked out her mom.

When Selena reached her mom’s room, a nurse was with her, cutting off her pants. Darn. Selena should have thought to pick up extra clothes though she could always return for some if they released her tonight.

“Ow.”

Selena couldn’t stand seeing her mom suffer. “Can’t you give her a sedative?”

“We need the doctor to see her first. Let me find him.”

Fortunately, Selena didn’t have to wait long. A tall woman, by the name of Dr. Janice Divine, barreled in a few minutes later. “Someone took a fall?”

While she acted as if her mom was either a kid or senile, at least she sounded cheerful. She faced Selena. “Are you related to Mrs. Niles?”

“I’m her daughter.”

The doctor smiled and returned her attention back to Mom. A few seconds later, Dr. Divine motioned Selena aside. “I’m afraid it’s a compound fracture and we’ll need to operate.

Her heart sank. While her mom had insurance, it wouldn’t be enough to cover the cost of the surgery, but she’d find a way to pay. “I understand.”

A loud voice sounded in the hallway, and her body exploded with need. Jackson was near. Had the dispatcher called him?

A moment later, he rushed in and hugged her. “I just heard. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”

Her confused brain wasn’t making sense of much. “What are you doing here?”

“I thought you could use the support.”

She wanted to ask him if he thought she wasn’t capable of taking care of her mother by herself, but then she backed down. He’d done nothing to show her he wasn’t just trying to be nice. “Thank you.”

Actually, having him here did lower her anxiety.

The doctor had been waiting patiently. “There’s one other thing. Your mom’s leg is terribly deformed and she’ll need to have it straightened. While I’m setting the bone, I can place a rod in her lower and upper leg to realign it.”

It was what she’d dreamed of. “Won’t that be expensive?”

Dr. Divine nodded. “Yes.”

As they discussed her insurance plan, Selena realized that even if she worked for fifty more years, she’d never be able to pay back that much money.

“Go ahead and do the operation,” Jackson said. “I’ll pay for.”

Selena grabbed his arm. “You can’t do that.”

“Why not? I’ve saved some money—and we are mates.”

Heat raced up her face. She didn’t want the whole town to know. “It’s my mother. I’m responsible for her.”

“I want to do this,” he said with more conviction than she thought possible.

Dr. Divine placed a hand on her arm. “You’ll have to decide quickly. I need to take your mother into surgery now.”

She wanted what was best for her mom. Perhaps if she had the operation, she’d be able to work again and help with the payment plan. “Then go ahead.”

“Don’t worry. Your mom will be fine.”

As the nurse wheeled her mother out, Selena grasped her mom’s hand. “I’ll see you when you’re out of surgery.”

“I like him.” No sooner had she said the words than her eyes closed and she passed out, probably from the pain.

Selena prayed she hadn’t made a mistake in accepting Jackson’s generosity—or at least some of it. She would pay him back eventually. Her biggest fear was that he’d expect her to be with him because of this debt, and she wanted to be the one to decide if he was the right man for her.

“Let’s sit in the waiting room,” he said.

“You don’t have to stay. You should be back at work.” She owed him enough already.

Jackson placed a comforting hand on her back and led her out. Conflicting emotions swirled inside her. She’d lived her life by the old saying: Actions spoke louder than words. So why was she so hesitant to accept Jackson as her mate? No one had treated her better, and the fact her cheetah wanted him worse than anything, should tell her he was the one for her.

Logic convinced her that if he had any plans to leave, he wouldn’t have offered to pay such an exorbitant sum to help a woman he didn’t know. In the coming days, Selena needed to rethink every preconceived notion she’d ever held about men.

Jackson led her over to a chair in the waiting room where two other people were seated. Wanting to take her mind off her issues, she asked. “Where were you tonight?”

“With two hookers. I was going to arrest them, but then decided why not have a little three way and look the other way.”

Her heart sunk to her stomach until she realized he was kidding. She punched him hard in the arm and one of the two women across the room gasped. “You did not,” she whispered.

Jackson grinned. “Gotcha, didn’t I?”

“You’re a jerk.” She sank back into her seat. His cute antics had helped boost her spirits for another minute. Then reality descended again.

Her mom could be bedridden for weeks or even months and she’d need help with her daily chores. Even if Selena slept on the living room sofa and took care of her, what would happen if she needed help between three and midnight when Selena was at work?

Jackson rubbed her hand. “What are you frowning about? I was only trying to lighten the load.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Just so you know, I was helping Cord with a case.”

“I figured.” She glanced over at him. “I’m worried about my mom.”

“I get it. I really do. It’s going to be tough. I’ll be happy to help in any way.”

“I appreciate that, but you’ve done enough.” She squeezed his hand to let him know her level of sincerity. They might have made love twice, but that didn’t mean she was ready to let him into her life completely—yet.

For what seemed like hours, they chatted. Jackson appeared to accept that she wasn’t ready to discuss the future, so they talked about stupid and mundane things, and for that she’d always be indebted to him—more than she already was.

Finally, Dr. Divine came in, a facemask slung around her neck. Both Selena and Jackson jumped up. “How is she?” Selena asked.

“Good. The reconstruction was more extensive that I’d thought, but given her age, she should be walking a lot better in a few months.”

The relief and joy filled her. “Can I see her?”

“She’s still sedated. Go home and rest. I’ll call you when she’s awake.”

Exhaustion had taken a strong hold on her body. “Thank you for everything.”

“My pleasure.”

Jackson clasped her hand. “I live less than two miles from here. You can rest there for a bit.”

She wanted to say again than he’d done enough, but knowing him, he’d insist on staying with her to make sure she was okay. “Thank you, but I’m driving myself. I want to be able to come back as soon as my mom wakes.”

He dragged a hand down her cheek and all sorts of erotic sensations coursed through her—sensations she didn’t need. Right now, Selena’s focus had to be on her mom’s health.

“I understand,” he said. He followed her out to her car and made sure she was good to drive before heading to his vehicle.

While she waited for him to lead the way, the image of the pain on her mother’s face would forever be burned in her mind. Thank goodness her mom had been able to get ahold of her. The whole idea of her having broken her leg and lying there helpless turned her stomach.

Think of the positive
. Mom would finally get the life she deserved, in part because of Jackson.

His taillights glowed in the parking lot and she followed behind him. It came as no surprise when he headed to a nice part of town. She thought he’d own some mansion, but it turned out he lived in the Mountain View Apartments. They were nice, but not exclusive, as she’d expected.

No sooner had she parked than he was by her side. Wrapping a comforting arm around her, he led her to his first floor apartment. “It’s a bit of a mess. Sorry. I wasn’t expecting anyone.”

“No need to apologize. I promise I won’t judge.”

He settled her on the comfortable sofa. “I’m going to fix us some tea. It might help relax you.”

She would have asked for some wine, but she didn’t need anything else to mess with her head. While he was in the kitchen fixing their drinks, she looked around at the sparse furnishings. Except for a pair of boots and a casual shirt tossed on the floor, the roomy apartment was clean but unlived in looking. He had few decorations on the shelves and no pictures on the walls.

A few minutes later, Jackson came out carrying two cups and set them on the glass top table in front of them then handed her the cup. “You’re mom’s in good hands.”

“I know.” Happy that the surgery was behind her, she sipped her tea, delighted by the unexpected rich flavor. “This is really tasty.”

“I come from a family of big tea drinkers. My mother has always brewed her own teas and tried to teach us kids the difference between a Rooibos and Oolong.”

Not wanting to appear ignorant, Selena didn’t dare ask for the distinction. “She seems nice.”