Novels by Jaylynn Maria

Niko led me to the counter, effectively placing our order. I wasn't hungry, but I was tired. It was a tiredness that seemed to be taking over my body quickly. Seeping down into my bones. I didn't listen to what he ordered, and I didn't care, honestly. I wanted to go home and sleep. That's all I need right now. Sleep and then maybe some more sleep before I figure out what I'm going to do. Whatever just happened between Niko and Trey didn't matter...not right now anyway. I didn't have the energy to even attempt to figure that out. Honestly, all that mattered was for whatever reason, I was not going to be fired for taking some time off, and whatever connection Niko had also ensured I would continue to get paid. It was a blessing, and I wasn't going to fight it. Niko's warm hand slipping across my back gained my attention. "Let's go," he told me softly as he gently guided me back out to his waiting car. I hadn't even realized he had been handed our food already. It smelled good, but it

My world spun around me as my heart raced. She's gone. "I'm so sorry for your loss," the doctor said before taking his leave. Warm arms wrapped around me as the sobs wracked my body. I didn't bother to pull away or try to convince him I didn't need anyone. I needed it. I needed the comfort and security that he seemed to bring with him...at least for right now.I slumped against him, my tears soaking his pristine shirt as he held me tight. I wasn't sure how long I stayed that way, but not once did he try to pull away from me. "I know it's hard," he told me as I slowly sat up, "I lost my mother at a young age." Wow. I would have never guessed that. But I doubt his mother died of her own doing, like my own. "Do you have family you need to call or would like me to call for you?" His voice was soft and gentle. I shook my head, "No, there's no one but me. Would you mind giving me a ride back to the tracks?" I asked, suddenly feeling very frustrated. How could she do this to me? How coul

I didn't know what to think. This man...Well, I say man, but he couldn't be much older than me, was being so sweet and kind and treating me like a normal person, and not some lowlife from across the tracks. But why? My mind couldn't wrap itself around it. "Why are you being so nice to me?" I blurted out with a little more attitude than I planned. He just smirked, "Why shouldn't I be? You've done nothing wrong to me, given me no reason not to be nice, and you're gorgeous, and I would love to get to know you. And like I said, everyone needs someone sometimes."I had no response. Nothing. I had too much going on right now to try to figure this man out. "Look, I appreciate it, but you really don't have to stay. Don't you have school? I wouldn't want you in trouble because of me." He scoffed, shaking his head lightly, "No, I graduated last year, and even if I hadn't, I still would stay with you." Realizing I wouldn't be able to change his mind, I gave him the best smile I could before

His smile. That's the first thing I noticed when I turned to look at him. His dimples were the cutest I'd ever seen. His green eyes seemed to glow as he looked at me, "What's your name?" he asked softly. His voice was rough as he spoke. "Justice," I replied, holding my hand out to him. He took it, kissing the back of my hand like in some old-fashioned movie. Blush heated my cheeks at his move. "I'm Niko, nice to meet you." He slowly released my hand before placing it back on the steering wheel. "So what could be so important that it has you thinking you can run faster than a train?" his gaze seemed to burn straight through me. "Umm," I stuttered, shaking my head and forcing myself not to start crying, "My mother is at the hospital and they said I couldn't ride in the ambulance with her, so I was trying to get there," I confessed, "I'm all she has," I whispered, my voice cracking with emotion. "I'm sorry," he apologized, "I really had no idea you really did have an emergency." "It

"Mom!" I shouted as I aggressively shook her. She didn't respond, though. Shit! My eyes stung with tears as I realized my worst nightmare was coming true. I frantically searched for my phone, knocking it off the end table as I tried to grab it. "What's your emergency?" a woman's voice floated through the speaker. "I need an ambulance!" I shouted as I tried to wake my mother once again. I slumped to the floor as the sirens blared in the distance, setting off every stray dog in the vicinity. Of course, the paramedics didn't arrive as fast as I hoped they would, but who was I kidding? Why would they rush to our neighborhood? The slums of the town. Where only drug addicts, alcoholics, dealers, and gangs lived. We were seen as the no goods of the towns.It didn't matter if you were a child or not. It didn't matter that you couldn't control your parents or their decisions, but even we kids were looked down on. Unfortunately, or maybe thankfully, depending on how you looked at it, there w