Chaos (Phoenix Undercover #2) (15 page)

Chapter 29

Josh

“We’ve got a problem,” I said into my phone as I stood in front of my car, seething with anger. My entire fucking body shook as I gripped my phone tightly.

“What’s the problem?” Greyson’s voice was still gruff from sleep, and I thought I heard a soft whisper filter through the phone—a woman’s whisper. I shook off the idea that the woman may in fact be Brook. That was a conversation for another day. Right now I was feeling murderous.

“We’re being watched,” I said as I stared back at the mess that was now my car. The windows had been shattered, and the paint was scarred with deep scratches. They formed words that made my stomach ache and my heart pound thunderously within my chest.

“Being watched?” Greyson sounded a little more alert. “Explain to me how you know that.”

“Well, from the looks of my car and the message that was left, I’d say they’re not just watching you, me, and Mike, they’re watching the girls too.” I ran my hand through my hair before resting it on the back of my neck. “Load up Brooklyn and get over to Gabby’s place.”

“Josh, I—”

“No time for explanations, man. I know she’s been spending time with you. Load her up and get over here. Don’t let her fucking argue, and don’t let her out of your sight.”

He didn’t argue, which confirmed what I already knew—he was, in fact, hooking up with Gabby’s youngest sister. And from the track record he had, I knew I’d feel sorry for him when he tried to end that one. For the first time in his life, he might not make it out unharmed. Brook was feisty.

I made one more call to Mike, and when Audrey answered his phone, I closed my eyes and let my head fall forward. Looks like the three of us were all attracted to the sassy Shannon sisters.

And then the words carved in the paint on my hood came screaming back at me.

The delectable Shannon sisters.

Oh the possibilities.

Anger once again rushed through me like a tidal wave. Now he was fucking with people I loved.

I left my car and rushed back to Gabby’s place to wait for the guys. As I entered the apartment building, Carver, the doorman, stopped me.

“Agent Phoenix,” he hollered as he rounded the front desk, holding out an envelope. “This was dropped off for you. I missed you on your way out.”

I took the envelope and held it by the corner, but by now it had been passed around, and I was sure it would be impossible to get any viable prints.

“Who delivered it?” I asked.

“I didn’t get a chance to speak with her, but it was a tall, slender woman. She was bundled up due to the cooler weather, and her face was covered. Sorry, sir.” Carver looked nervous. “Is everything okay?”

“If anything more comes hand-delivered for myself or Gabby—actually anything for Gabby’s sisters too—you give it directly to me. And try not to handle the items too much.” Still holding the envelope by the corner, I turned toward the elevator as Carver gave me his word to do just what I asked.

Something told me that whatever was inside this envelope would for sure be something that would only enhance my anger.

Gabby’s apartment was still quiet when I entered. I had left her sleeping soundly in bed only moments ago when I had originally planned to go into the office for a bit. I grabbed a knife from the butcher block and slid it along the edge of the envelope, allowing the contents to fall to the counter.

My heart raced and my stomach lurched at the sight of what I found.

It was picture of Gabby leaving what looked like her doctor’s office. She appeared to be upset, and the clothes she wore were the same ones she wore yesterday. I searched through the silverware drawer and found a set of tongs. Using them, I carefully unfolded the letter that accompanied the photo. As I read it, panic rushed through me.

Josh, I hear congratulations are in order. A son on the way. I am counting the days until I get to meet your beautiful woman.

I already knew who sent it. And the idea of Leo being anywhere near my family enraged me more than I’d ever been before. There was no way he was getting near them.

No fucking way.

***

Burton walked into the conference room and took a seat to the side of the room. He quietly observed the men as they ran through all the information we had on Leo’s possible whereabouts. Trevor had pulled together all the points of locations and dates and placed them on a large board at the front of the room.

Grey and Mike began going over the reports from Nic from the CIA. He was the last one besides me who had seen Leo before Leo slipped out of the warehouse where he had been holding me captive. Audrey and Sheppard were also there and were adding all the information they had gathered on Leo during Audrey’s undercover operation in his home.

The entire room hummed with energy. Each agent there understood how close I was to losing my shit, and no one attempted to test me as I barked out orders. Damn it, I knew I sounded like the biggest ass, but this was hitting too close to home. He was messing with my life and threatening Gabby’s safety as well as her sisters’. It wasn’t hard to notice the anger in Mike’s and Greyson’s faces too. They had also become protective over Audrey and Brook.

Mike’s gaze was glued to Sheppard as he continued to hover over Audrey. His jaw ticked with irritation each time Sheppard got within a few feet of her. If the situation wasn’t already so tense, I would have given him shit for it.

“We sent the envelope and its contents to the lab, and they’re checking for prints. Since the fold was self-adhesive, I don’t foresee us gathering any DNA, but they are running the DNA test as a precaution anyway,” Greyson added as they continued to go over the items on the table.

“I need to talk to Frank,” I said.

The room grew silent, just as I knew it would. Since Frank’s arrest, most of us avoided using his name. He was, after all, someone most of us had thought of as a father figure.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Josh,” Grey said.

“I didn’t ask your opinion,” I snapped. I turned to look at Burton. “I need ten minutes.”

He only nodded as he stood and made his way toward the door with his phone in his hand. Josh and Mike stared at me with blank expressions, but I didn’t ask for their opinions. I had one fucking goal in mind, and that was to protect my family. I would do whatever it took to make that happen.

Chapter 30

Gabriella

I felt like I was going to lose my ever-loving mind. Josh had insisted I not go to work today, and after his car got trashed and someone left that creepy note, I didn’t argue. By that point, work was by far the last thing on my mind.

But never in a million years had I thought he would pack Brook and myself up and ship us off to my parents’ place. I adore my parents, but when my father thought anyone was mistreating any of his girls or had placed us in danger in any way, his already-protective nature went to ridiculous extremes.

It was like living in a prison. Brook and I were both being guarded by a man on an extreme power trip. Our father craved control, and Josh had willingly placed us in his hands. He and Brook already butted heads on a good day. Add a little fear into the mix and they turned into two starving bears fighting over the last ounce of food.

I seriously felt as if I had gone nuts, and I was stuck here until Josh got off work. Who knew how long that would be? I cringed at the idea of staying here all night long.

My mother had been baking all day, and when I say “all day,” I mean all day. She had told me I was too thin and that her grandson needed food. She soon gave up trying to convince Brook she was too thin, especially when she started to talk about getting no complaints from Greyson. She shocked us all when she freely threw his name out there.

I mean, I knew they were seeing each other, but she’d kept it low-key until now. My parents’ shocked faces were comical enough before Brook threw out that Audrey was spending her nights shacked up with Mike. My dad left the kitchen then, mumbling something about daughters giving him entirely too much stress.

Brook had achieved her goal to rid herself of our hovering father.

After hours and hours of television and snacking on the numerous different items my mother said I needed to consume, I found myself looking at my phone every few minutes, willing it to ring.

When Greyson showed up at 7:00 p.m., I felt a pang of disappointment.

“Hey,” he said as he entered the living room. My dad eyed him close without speaking. “Josh is gonna be a few hours more. He asked if I would pick you up and stay with you girls until he can get back to the apartment.”

Brook’s face lit up with excitement, and it only irritated my father more. “What are your intentions with my daughter?” His question hung in the air as the room grew silent. Greyson’s stare shifted between Brook and my father before he turned toward me with a look of desperation.

I shrugged my shoulder as if to say “don’t look at me.” He was on his own. This was the best source of entertainment I had witnessed all day, and I wasn’t about to rescue him. Watching him squirm under my father’s predatory glare was hilarious.

“If you expect me to allow you to leave here with either of my daughters, I suggest you answer my questions, son.” My father held his stare, showing no signs of letting Greyson off the hook. I didn’t think I’d ever seen Greyson so nervous. He had always been so confident and cocky, but no witty line of shit was going to get him out of this one. I sorta felt sorry for the guy, but not enough to rescue him. And then he opened his mouth and shocked us all.

“Brook challenges me. She’s smart, beautiful, and there isn’t anything I enjoy more than her smile.” He looked over toward Brook, and she winked at him. I may or may not have felt the air rush from my lungs in surprise. Where the hell did that come from? Being all sweet and mushy was not like Greyson.

“I take the happiness of each of my girls very seriously,” my father said after a long stream of silence. “I would hope you do the same.”

“I do, sir,” Greyson said without hesitation.

The charming side of Greyson had even warmed my father. Seriously, I was floored. I had no words.

Chapter 31

Josh

I spent over an hour with Frank. A fucking hour of his sorry ass feeding me nothing but a line of shit. He actually attempted to bargain with me, saying he would help me find Leo if I found a way to get his sentence cut shorter. He was seriously fucking warped if he thought I would ever allow him to be on the streets again.

I was exhausted, and all I wanted was to do crawl in bed with Gabby and hold her close. Every time I thought of Leo hurting her or even threatening to, I felt murderous.

I stopped by the front desk to find out if any other packages had been left for me. When Graham, the night watchmen, confirmed nothing had been left, relief washed over me. I didn’t really want to deal with anything more than we already had today. I just needed a little breather.

I allowed my body to relax back against the wall of the elevator as it slowly began to rise. When the ding sounded, announcing my arrival on Gabby’s floor, I pushed off the wall and exited. I had expected everyone to be in bed, so I used my key to enter. Only the lamp next to the couch was on, and it highlighted a scene I truly did not wish to see.

My fucking best friend was hovering over Brook on the couch. Half his ass was exposed as his jeans were pushed down low. A half-naked Brooklyn was pinned beneath him, moaning loudly as he thrust his hips back and forth.

“Fucking hell, dude,” I said in a disgusted tone. Greyson immediately covered her body with his, shielding her from being seen.

“Look away,” he growled.

“Look away? Fuck you, man, my eyes burn. The last thing I need to see is your damn naked ass. Shit like that right there—” I waved my hand in their direction. “—that cannot be unseen, man.”

Brook laughed as she buried her face in Greyson’s chest. As I walked down the hallway, getting as far away as fast as I could, Brook moaned once more, and I hung my head. If they only knew Gabby and I had a round in that very spot just a little over twenty-four hours ago, they may rethink their current location.

I opened the bedroom door quietly and carefully closed it behind me. Gabby was curled up in the center of the bed, and she looked so sweet, all tangled up in her lavender comforter.

After I had stripped down to my boxers, I lifted the edge of the covers and crawled beneath them, bringing my body as close to hers as possible. Her warmth felt like heaven.

She let out a little sigh as she reached behind her and did something I hadn’t expected. Her hand settled over my cock, and she slowly began to stroke me through my boxers, while rocking her ass back against me.

“I missed you,” she whispered as she looked back over her shoulder.

I leaned in and placed a kiss on her shoulder. “I missed you too, baby.”

I was growing hard beneath her hand as she continued to massage me, and my head was growing hazy from her touch. It always tended to do that whenever Gabby touched me.

I slipped my hand around her waist and ran it over her stomach until I reached the top of her panties. Her breathing had picked up and turned into more of a pant. “Touch me,” she said in a breathy whisper. “Please,” she begged.

“I’m going to touch you.” I slid my hand beneath the waistband of her panties, and she parted her legs, inviting me in. As I moved my hand lower and slid my fingers between her folds, she whimpered, and the sound went straight to my balls. My hips began to move of their own accord, stroking my cock into her awaiting hand. Mimicking the movements with my hand, I began fingering her slick pussy, and I could feel already just how close she was.

Each time I pulled my fingers out, I dragged her juices over her clit before pushing inside her once more.

“That feels so good,” she whispered after another moan fell from her lips.

Unable to wait any longer, I used my other hand to remove my boxers and then quickly worked on her panties. “I need to be inside you.”

“Yes,” she agreed while continuing to ride my fingers by moving her hips at a slow, tantalizing pace.

I slipped my fingers from her and quickly replaced them with my cock. “Josh,” she gasped as I rocked my hips back and forth. I was fucking wired, and I knew it wouldn’t be long. “I’m so close,” she confessed.

“I know. I can feel you tightening around me, sweetheart. Let me feel it. I want to hear you come, baby. Tell me how good it feels.” I slowly circled her clit with my finger, pushing her over the edge.

“I’m coming,” she said as she pushed back against me and I thrust forward at the same time.

“I feel you, baby. Squeeze my cock,” I coaxed as I fought against my own release.

Gabby spilled over the edge, and her pussy gripped me so fucking tight, my toes curled. “That’s it, sweet girl.” Gabby’s release covered my cock and ran down my balls as I pounded into her over and over, faster and faster.

Gabby was my peace. She was everything I needed and all I wanted. At the end of the day, after I had been poisoned by so much hate and anger, she was the one person that had the ability to ground me, calm me, and make me whole. She was my world, my solace.

***

I lay in bed, pretending to be asleep as she slid out of bed and walked toward the bathroom. My big t-shirt hung to her knees and loosely off one shoulder. She was fucking gorgeous.

Once she was inside the bathroom, I crawled out of bed and lifted the mattress on my side. I had hidden the box there over two weeks ago to wait for the right time to show her. Now was that time.

I hurried back into bed, leaned back against the headboard, and waited for her to come back to bed.

As she exited the bathroom, she looked at me and smiled. “Did I wake you?”

“No,” I said as I patted the bed beside me.

Gabby walked toward me with a look of curiosity on her face. “What are you up to, Agent Phoenix?” she asked with a smirk as she sat down on the mattress.

I brushed her hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. “Do you know how much I love you?” She nodded as she slid in a little closer to me. “Being away from you was one of the hardest things I have ever had to face. I missed you every day, every minute.” My chest tightened as I thought about all the days we were apart. “I don’t ever want to be separated from you again. It hurts too much.” I lifted my other hand and held the ring box out to her, and her eyes widened. “I wanted to wait until a night I could take you out to dinner someplace fancy. I envisioned the perfect night, but sweetheart, a perfect night is any night with you.”

“Josh,” she whispered, and I shifted to get closer to her.

“Just listen to me, please, baby.” I wanted her to understand just what she meant to me. It was that “can’t fucking breath without her near” type of love. “There’s nothing I want more than to come home to you and our son every day. I want to share a home with you, a life with you. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you or give you.” Her eyes filled with tears, and it made my throat tighten. “Will you marry me, Gabby?”

I waited for her to answer as I opened the ring box, and her gaze shifted to it. A single tear rolled along her cheek and fell to the sheet gathered between us. Her breath shuddered as she looked back up at me and smiled.

“Yes,” she whispered.

I took the ring from the box, lifted her hand, and held it in my own as I slid the ring over her finger. Her hand trembled the entire time.