Tangled Love

Jake's POV-

I place her down gently on the bed, the mattress dipping as her sleeping form takes shape. I carried her the whole way home, questioning how I'd ever let it get this far. I sigh and reach for a blanket at the foot of my bed before draping it over her. Her eyes are closed peacefully, mouth parted. I run a hand over my face as I watch her for a few moments —

I need to tell her the truth before it's too late.

My reputation and past mistakes would soon catch up to me and ruin what we both have if I don't tell her the truth. I know I'm hurting her, confusing her further and causing her pain she doesn't deserve. I don't understand why I find it so difficult to simply voice my feelings for her.

Ask me to hurt someone? Easy peasy.

Raid a business and steal everything? Done as quick as a flash.

Tell Emily Wentworth I'm falling for her? Almost virtually impossible.

"What the hell is wrong with me?" I mutter, taking a seat at the end of the bed. I'm careful not to move too fast so I don't wake her, she needs rest. I pull my phone out of my pocket, scrolling down to find Ivory's contact. My fingers tap against the screen as I write out a text message —

okay at the

hasn't moved an inch since I placed her on the bed. The urge to lie next to her, wrap my arms around her and pull her close to me causes my arms to twitch

my sleepy state and I bolt out of bed, on high alert. My eyes widen and I freeze on the spot, wondering whether I'd made up the noise entirely. I

Ivory and Tobias are out.

So who the hell is that?

and reaching for the metal baseball bat I keep inside. My hands wrap around the handle and I pull it out, heart rate increasing inside my chest. I'm fully awake at this point, straining to hear any other noises

floorboards. As I tip toe down the stairs, I hear faint whispers coming from the kitchen. The door is ajar slightly and I tighten my grip on the bat, ready to break bones if I have to. When I push open the kitchen door, I raise the bat above my head, my eyes

"Jake! Are you crazy?!"

high pitched screams fill the silence and I drop the bat to the floor, the metal clanging against it loudly. It bounces a few times before rolling to the side. A low groan escapes my mouth as my eyes land on my mother and Aunt. I instantly drop my murderer act and wince, giving them both an apologetic look. Mum is clutching her heart and Auntie Myra

I am so sorry."

looking like she's seconds away from calling the police on her own son. Eventually she smiles, wrapping her arms around me. Her scent floats

doing back here Mum? You're not supposed to be back for another two weeks."

She pulls back and I notice the dark circles under her eyes. "We finished up early so decided to head home." Mum explains, giving me

home hug?" She scolds me and I chuckle, leaning forward to embrace her. She squeezes my shoulders, almost choking me in

She tells me, her voice sounding drained of energy. I smile and pull back