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 —

everything okay at

an inch since I placed her on the bed.

downstairs pulls me out of 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

Tobias are out.

the hell is that?

and I pull it out, heart rate increasing inside my chest. I'm fully

creeping against the wooden 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,

"Jake! Are you

few times before rolling to the side. A low groan escapes my mouth as my eyes

"Shit. I am so

outstretched as I prepare to embrace her. She releases the breath she's holding, 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 through

here Mum? You're not supposed to be back

dark circles under her eyes. "We finished up early so decided to head home." Mum explains, giving me a small smile. I nod my head and turn towards Auntie Myra.

hug?" She scolds me and I chuckle, leaning forward to embrace her. She

I missed you Jake." She tells me, her voice sounding drained of energy. I smile and pull