Archer (17 page)

“There’s time. You’ll handle it when you’re ready, and I’ll be right here to help you,” he whispered.

“I know,” she whispered back. “I knew it that day, and I know it now. What you don’t understand is I knew it so long ago that I can’t even pinpoint a day when I didn’t know that you were something special.”

His eyes softened, and she kissed him. “You see, if I look back on the time I lived with Scott, there was one thing that kept me believing that everything was going to be okay. Every time he hit me—”

“Babe. It’s over,” he said.

“Let me finish, please.” She unclipped her wallet and pulled out a piece of paper, handing it to him. “You gave me your phone number the day of the funeral. I held on to it. You can see where the paper’s worn and the ink is faded. That’s because I held it in my hand whenever I needed to believe I was worth something to someone. The last time I was in the hospital, I kept it wadded up in my fist. I threw a fit if the nurses tried to open my hand. When I went back to the apartment, I put it in my wallet folded and hidden in a receipt so Scott would never find it.”

He cleared his throat. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying…you saved me, Kage. I keep telling myself we’re going too fast, that we don’t know where this relationship is headed, but I’d be lying if I told you that’s how I’m feeling. The truth is I love you. I’ve loved you since I was seventeen and you refused to kiss me. I know that’s not real love, but when I’d dream of the man I wanted, it was always you.” She raked her teeth over her bottom lip. “For the last four years, it was you who I thought about and escaped to in my mind when it seemed impossible to go another day living with Scott. When I was in his bed, I pretended I was in yours.”

“Fuck,” he whispered.

“I’m not going back to keeping my feelings to myself anymore. I’ve hurt too many people by living a lie.” Jane stroked his jaw. “I know you don’t feel the same way, and I’m okay with that. But I’m not leaving your bed again. It’s where I always wanted to be.”

“Say it again,” he said.

“What?”

“The truth.” His jaw ticked as he fought a grin. “I need to hear you tell me.”

“I love you,” she whispered against his lips.

He kissed her hard, possessive, demanding. Her need to show him what she was feeling was pushed to the side as he took everything from her, stripping her of the worry over spilling her secrets. He accepted and gave back tenfold.

Both of them panting, he pulled back softly, giving her small kisses, until he laid his forehead against hers. “Love you too, baby. Always have. Just had to wait. I’m done waiting.”

She melted. “I get you.”

K
age slid under the black Corvair convertible on a dolly. Garrett handed him the air wrench, while Lance and Tony held the new chrome bumper onto the frame. Jane elbowed Sabrina, grinning at the men. Both of them sat on the tool bench in front of the car, content to watch the guys from Body Shop do their magic.

“I told Kage I loved him yesterday,” Jane said.

Sabrina swayed sideways with the radio playing, twirling a welding rod. “I heard about it already.”

She tilted her head. “From who?”

“Kage. I overheard him talking to Garrett in the john.” Sabrina grinned and tossed the rod beside her on the bench. “You should’ve seen Garrett go all big brother on him. It was hilarious. I thought Kage was going to punch him.”

“He didn’t tell me.” She sighed. It figured Kage would confide in Garrett, they were best friends, but Garrett was her brother, and she wanted to make up for lost time by spreading all the good news around. “Hey, what were you doing in the bathroom with them?”

“You’ve seen the one they built in the agency. It’s sweet. No way am I going to use the garage bathroom. It’s not fit for a woman.” Sabrina hopped down off the bench.

“Wait.” She jumped to the floor. “How often do you hang out here?”

Sabrina smiled and walked away, leaving Jane more confused than ever. Why would Sabrina come to the garage so often when Jane was working and not stop into the office to say hi?

“That’s it.” Kage handed out the air tool and rolled out from under the car. “This one’s done.”

Garrett and Lance walked back ten feet, studying the Corvair and grinning appreciatively. Sabrina pushed her way between Garrett and Lance, joining them in their admiration. Jane hung back, warmed by the scene. She’d witnessed the moment of completion on many a job. Even before Garrett and the guys had taken over the shop she’d often watched her dad rolling a car out to the customer. There was something about the pride and male satisfaction that comforted her.

“Hey, baby.” Kage walked toward her. “Want to hand me that rag?”

She reached behind her, picked up the old used T-shirt, and tossed it to him. He wiped the grease from his hands, leaned in, and kissed her.

“What’re you thinking?” he asked.

“Does Sabrina come here a lot? I mean, before I came home.”

He chuckled and shrugged. “I guess so. Why?”

“Don’t you think it’s strange? Not that she’s not welcome here, but hello…it’s just a bunch of guys working.” She unzipped his coveralls and slid her hands inside and around his waist.

He stood still, letting her get her feel of him without getting her greasy. “Sabrina’s got a thing for Garrett.”

“A thing? Like…a thing, thing?” She stepped away.

Kage grinned. “Yeah, although your brother’s ignoring her.”

“Why?”

“Don’t know.” He peeled his arms out of the coveralls, pulled a stool closer, and sat. “That’s his business.”

“Not anymore.” She stepped forward.

Kage tagged her waist and hauled her onto his lap. “Stay out of it.”

“But he’s my brother and she’s my best friend.” She bounced on his legs. “This is freaking fantastic!”

He tilted her back. She squealed, wrapping her arms around his neck. These moments, Kage carefree and playful, she wouldn’t give up for anything.

After sharing all her bottled-up feelings with Kage the last two days, she looked forward to whatever came next between them. She spent her days at the garage. Most of the time that meant spending it with Kage, unless he went out on a case for a few hours. At night, she slept in his bed.

“Knock it off, you two.” Garrett flicked her hair over her face. “I have a truck full of your shit I was going to haul to Kage’s for you, but we’re all going to the bar for a drink first. Lance is buying.”

“The hell I am. Last time I offered, I ended up buying everyone’s dinner too.” Lance unzipped the leg on his coveralls. “It’s Janie’s turn.”

She grinned at the use of her nickname. “Fine. I’ll buy.”

Kage nuzzled her neck. “I’ll buy.”

“I got it covered.” She squirmed when he licked her under the ear. “I’m loaded.”

He stiffened.

She sat straighter, dropping her arms. “What?”

“Meeting. Now,” he announced to everyone, standing her up.

He walked over to the wall, pushed the buttons for all three bay doors to close, and whistled loudly to gain everyone’s attention. Sabrina walked toward Jane, and she shrugged at the questioning look.

Kage returned to the group. “Jane’s still got the money.”

“Shit. How did we forget about that?” Tony ran both hands through his hair.

Lance shook his head, leaned against the bench, and crossed his boots. “We let ourselves lose our heads. She’s one of our own.”

Warmth flooded her. She was back in, and they claimed her.

“If we turn the money in that implicates Jane more, even though I don’t think it’ll matter when it comes time for the trial. They have enough on Carson to send him away,” Garrett said.

Kage shook his head. “The money isn’t Carson’s, though. We know who the money belongs to. Darrell won’t let her walk off free to spend what is his. You turn it in, and he’ll still come after Jane. He won’t want the shields involved.”

“What do you suggest?” Tony brushed his hair off his forehead. “You’re not thinking of walking in and handing it back to your uncle. That’s suicide, man.”

“No one is asking me, and I won’t let Kage have the money. He’s no longer involved.” Jane wrapped her arm around Kage’s waist. He raised his brows. She shook her head, stopping him from talking. “I’ll mail it to him.”

Lance laughed, then quickly stopped when Kage shot him a look, but his lips quivered as he tried not to grin. “Bro, it’s not a bad idea.”

“And look like a puss?” Kage put his arm around her. “I’ll deal with the money and Darrell tomorrow. It’s too late now to make any decisions. I need a beer. Let’s go to Corner Pocket.”

After locking up the office and the front door, Jane headed down the hallway—pausing to shut Kage’s locker—and joined the boys at the back door, along with Sabrina. She leaned into Kage.

She waited for the others to walk out. “Can I ask you something?” she asked him.

He leaned against the wall and pulled her with him until she pressed along the length of him. “Yeah.”

“What’s with the photo in your locker? A street?”

He dropped his chin before looking her square in the eyes. “A reminder to always walk on the right side. I took it with the camera the Dentons gave me when I first moved in with them after my dad went to prison. Kept it, because it reminds me of where I could be and where I want to be.”

Oh, wow. She braced her hand on his stomach, stretched to her toes, and kissed him. “You have more integrity than anyone I know. I’ve always loved that about you.”

His eyes grew soft, and he relaxed. “And I’m going to keep walking the right way, baby. I won’t ever forget. I got you now. Got everything I want.”

Garrett opened the door, stuck his head inside, and raised his brows. “Coming?”

Kage hooked his finger in the loop of her jeans and kept her from walking out. “Yeah, give us a sec.”

Her brother let the door close, and when they were alone, Kage said, “I’m paying.”

“It’s not a big deal. I do have money from Garrett I get for working for him. I won’t touch dirty money.” She patted his chest and kissed him. “Besides, it makes me feel good to be part of the group again. I missed this, and I owe them a lot.”

“You don’t get it. I’m paying.” He stood straighter, so she couldn’t kiss him again.

“Does this have to do with the whole subject of me in your bed, ugh, ‘you’re my woman, let me drag you to my house by your hair’ thing you got going on?” she asked.

His cheek twitched and he laughed. Not in a ha-ha-that’s-funny but in a you’re-freaking-hilarious kind of way that made her happy to let him get away with his caveman act. “Yeah, baby, that’s it.”

She smiled. “Okay then. You’re paying.”

“Yeah?”

She shrugged. “It’s sexy the way you want to take care of me. Gives me butterflies in a good way.”

“Fuck,” he murmured. “Butterflies?”

“Yeah.” She opened the doors. “It’s like foreplay with my clothes on.”

His laughter followed her around the corner of the building and then came to a complete stop. She turned, surprised to see his face go hard, even scary.

She moved toward him. “Kage?”

A tall, good-looking man stood next to a black Lexus. The cut of his suit fit his frame to a T. She studied his face, unable to hide her shock. “Shit. He looks just like you…”

He stepped between her and the man.

“Is that Darrell Archer? Your uncle?” She peered around Kage. “Oh, sweet baby Jesus. He’s coming toward us.”

Kage’s hand settled on her hip, and he pushed her behind him. She slipped her fingers under his belt. Afraid his uncle would demand that Kage go away with him, she planned to keep him here, safe and with her.

“Kage.” Darrell stopped ten feet in front of them. “I believe your woman has something that doesn’t belong to her.”

“I’m aware of that.” Kage’s fingers tightened on her hip. “I don’t appreciate you showing up here, and I especially don’t like how you feel free to contact me when my woman is with me.”

“I’m sure you understand that it would be better if she handed over what she stole, so I can be on my way.” Darrell shrugged, and the motion reminded her so much of Kage. And yet the scumbag wasn’t even good enough to look at him, let alone talk to him. “Considering you used your only marker, it’s in your best interest if we don’t have this unfortunate misunderstanding between us.”

“Kage,” she whispered.

He tapped her side but continued speaking to Darrell. “I’ll meet you tomorrow. Name the place.”

She rolled her eyes. “Kage?”

“Not now, baby.” Kage widened his stance.

“I believe your woman wants to say something,” Darrell said.

“Finally,” she muttered, stumbling out from behind Kage and straightening her shirt. “Mr. Archer?”

“Fuck.” Kage growled and tried to grab her wrist.

She shook him off and gave him a pointed look before turning her attention to his uncle. “I have your money right here in my purse.”

“Jesus. You’re carrying it all on you?” Kage cussed under his breath.

“I have to do this,” she whispered. “Remember, we talked about closure. Now I can be done with Scott Carson and your uncle will leave you alone.”

She pulled out the wad of cash she had wrapped with a rubber band. Kage snagged it out of her hand and pointed at the ground. “Stay put. Do not move, or so help me…”

She shivered but could not hide the grin on her face. He shook his head, and it sure seemed like he was reading her mind because his cheek twitched. Her man was hot.

Kage marched the remaining feet separating him from his uncle. After handing the money to Darrell, he pivoted and walked straight back to her. She smiled. It was finally over.

“Kage,” Darrell called.

Kage turned. “We’re done. Any business that brought us back into each other’s space is over. I expect you to respect the lines.”

Darrell nodded. “You’re still my nephew. My blood flows in your veins.”

Kage remained silent. Jane slipped her hand into his, and he squeezed. He rarely talked about the turmoil of being an Archer, but she trusted Kage, she loved him, and she would support him in his quest to walk on the right side of the road.

“I have something for your woman.” Darrell smiled at Jane. “A welcome-to-the-family gift, if nothing else.”

“Not happening.” Kage extracted his hand from Jane’s and looped his arm across her shoulders.

Darrell lifted his arm and motioned toward the car. The back door opened and a beautiful woman in a sexy black skirt and deep blue shirt climbed out. Kage stiffened. Jane looked at Kage and back to the woman.

She was stunning with black wavy hair, a dusky complexion with almost an exotic slant to her eyes. Jane stepped closer to Kage, unsure what this woman meant to him.

Kage’s grip tightened even more. The woman held her arms crossed in front of her as she walked toward them. She spotted the gray fur peeking out of the nook of the lady’s arm.

“Bluff,” she whispered, swaying against Kage.

The woman approached her and held out the cat. “She’s a very nice cat, and I do believe she belongs to you.”

Jane nodded her head, accepting the gift and holding Bluff tight to her chest. Unsure what to say, she stood silently, blinking through the tears clouding her vision. The woman dropped her gaze and returned to the car. Darrell lifted his chin to Kage and headed back to the Lexus.

Kage wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her tight to his side. They stayed together until the Lexus drove away. She rained kisses on the sweet spot between Bluff’s ears.
You’re safe, Bluff. We have Kage now.