Rectify (Return to Us Trilogy #2) (15 page)

I climb up next to her on the bed. I want to watch this shit. I rip off the blindfold and turn on the vibrator at the same time. Her stunned face is a masterpiece of rapture. Never seen anything more exquisite. I savor the scene of her experiencing this for the first time.

Now it's my turn to be inside her. I kneel behind her and lasso a rope around her waist. I pull her ass closer with my handy new grip. Her hips rise, and her sexy shoes hang suspended in the air.

I align my cock and slide home.

"Ugh. Oh my god!" she cries.

I bottom out and hold still, restraining her with my cock. Let me see you wriggle now, sweetheart.

"Jacade, move," she rasps.

"No, baby. You move. Try to break free."

She squirms on my cock, but I have her good and pinned.

"Ugh!"

Fuck, her grunts drive me insane.

"Beg."

"Jacade. Move. Please."

"Please?"

"Please... Sir."

There it is. I pull all the way out and ram back in one thrust. I set a brutal pace, and she bangs back against me with her limited motion. Her searing ribbed silk works the length of my cock. The buzzing through her walls ratchets up the pleasure. Each thrust jostles the vibe, and her gasps tell me each time it hits her just right.

Her pussy constricts on my dick. It wants my come. I want to give it to her, but this is too much fun. Hold on a little longer. She wanted me to have my way with her, and my way isn't over yet.

I spank her ass hard and she exclaims, "Yes!"

She's a crazed hellcat. A sublime rosy glow emerges on her backside from the series of turbulent, thunderous smacks I deliver as I thrust into her. Dreams do come true.

I pull her hair so I can see her face again. I crank up the speed of the vibrations. Her eyes open wide and her jaw drops. Oh yeah.

"Ugh, ugh... oh my..." We're both going to burst out of our cages.

"Make it four, beautiful." I reach around and hold my hand over her clit. My thrusts create the smidge of friction she needs on her over-sensitized clit. She moans and her pussy contracts around my cock.

Fucking holy fucking hell.

The vibration and the pulsing of her cunt launch my orgasm through me. I float untethered in the atmosphere. Nothing exists except our point of connection. With a grunt, I drain my body and soul into her. I bend and press my lips to her shoulder, my torso pressed to her back. Her briny skin leaves a splendid aftertaste on my tongue.

"God, you're magnificent," I whisper.

We both gasp for air as we return to earth together. My slick cock pulses one last time as I pull out from her wet heat. I turn off the vibrator and slowly remove it, watching those glorious balls come back out of her enticing ass.

Mine.

I untie her legs and arms, rubbing and kissing the red marks. I lie back with her on my chest and massage lotion into her upper back, ass, legs, and tits. Man, I rode her hard and put her away wet. Her breathing levels out and a quietude settles over her.

We hold each other, basking in the bubble we've crafted.

"Mine," I say in her ear, my voice rough.

She's mine. I'm hers.

Her and I. As one.

Jacade

Her wilted body slides to my side and snuggles up against me. Her cheek presses to my heart, and her slack arm drapes over my abs. I intertwine our hands and stare at the ceiling.

"So, do you and Jude have the same father or mother?"

Not great timing, Ms. Summers. I'm still swimming in our post-coitus glow. I'd rather cuddle your curvaceous figure. "Mother."

"Wanna tell me about it?"

I sigh and close my eyes. I abhor recalling this story, but she needs to know it to understand me. My past fueled my appetite for a remunerative future.

"My mother's name was Carolyn. She and Jude's father, Leo, were high school sweethearts. They married, had Jude, and separated within a year. My mother suffered from manic depression. When they divorced, Leo took Jude to Bloomington to live with Jude's grandparents. After Leo and Jude left, Carolyn met my father in a liquor store. What a love story, huh? What do you think his pickup line was?" I press my nose to her ear and pinch her waist. "Hey, sexy. Can't promise my whiskey-dick can deliver, but if I buy ya a six-pack of Bud, would ya give it a try?"

She giggles. "Hmm, such a tempting offer, but to get in my pants, stud, you at least have to buy me some Blue Moon and orange slices."

"So demanding." I kiss her shoulder. "You only get an orange slice in your beer if I give you one, missy." She bats at my hand on her hip.

"My dad took off when she got pregnant with me, but he left his double-wide behind. My mom raised me in that trailer. I came home from school on my twelfth birthday, and Leo was sitting on the couch drinking a beer. Six months later, they married again, and Leo became my alcoholic-soon-to-be-druggie stepfather."

"So Jude's father gave you the scar?"

"Yes, the first time he shot heroin. That night he went after my mother. He pulled out a gun and pointed it at her head. I lunged from the side and got between them. He shot me in the hip."

She pulls our entwined hands to her lips and kisses my fingers gently. "What about your mom?"

"She wasn't injured. The bullet only hit me. I found out about Jude a year later when his grandparents passed, and he had to come live with us. Jude taught me how to fight, and I beat Leo's ass anytime he tried to mess with me or my mom."

"Where is she now?"

"She
killed herself with a Xanax and heroin cocktail
about ten years ago."

"Oh no. I'm so sorry."

"Not your fault."
Her fingers trace loops over my heart.

"Does Jude bring women here too?"

"Yes." I kiss her forehead. "Sleep."

Her fingers still and she's out.

***

Ivy

Hot flames burn my elbow and rattle me awake. I pull my arm away from a buck-naked Jacade sleeping flat on his stomach next to me. His forearms rest under his pillow, and his right leg bends at a ninety-degree angle. I've stolen all the sheets, and the luxuriant gold comforter lies in a heap on the floor. I could cover him, but I'm sure he's not cold with his blazing body temp.

The eyes of the panther flicker in the candlelight, threatening me with predation and dominance. His full lips and angled jaw exude strength, even when slack in slumber. My gaze travels to his firm, round behind. Yum. Give me an all-you-can-eat pass to those two candied hams on a country buffet.

I reach out and trace my fingertip over the claws of the panther attempting to jump out of Jacade's skin. I've barely begun to unravel Jacade's web of secrets, but I believe Bryn when she says his love is pure.

No man has ever shown me the fierce protectiveness and all-consuming attention Jacade has. Men have always victimized and schemed to hurt me. For reasons I can't explain, I trust him with my safety, my life, my heart.

My stupidity makes me laugh. I'm not the type to be seduced by smooth words, mind-blowing orgasms, and dashing good looks.

Yet I've fallen for all of him. My soul loves him and refuses to settle for another.

***

Jacade

The neon flash from my burner phone lights up the front pocket of my pants. I roll a sleeping Ivy off my chest and slip out to the bathroom, grabbing my pants from the floor on the way.

Shane: We still on for basketball this Saturday?

Shane's code for urgent. He answers on the first ring as usual.

"Sir, we have a problem."

"What?"

"The whale."

"Meet me outside."

"Ten-four." I close the phone and pull on my pants.

Time to wake sleeping beauty.

I lean over and kiss her cheek. "Babe, time to get up."

"Mmm." Her eyes flutter open and take in my clothed body. "Is everything okay?"

I caress her spine. "Yeah, I have to meet someone. I'm sorry. I know it's early. I'm going to have Shane bring you home."

"It's Wednesday. I have to work."

"You don't have to go today."

"I'm going to work. It's what I do."

"Okay. Shane will drive you."

***

Jacade

"Have you seen her?" My index finger drums on my hip.

"No, sir. Judge Conroy just said Amber was attacked and needs a doctor." Shane and I stand on the sidewalk outside the hotel.

My teeth grind. Men who lay their hands on women are gutless.

"All right. I'll bring Ivy out. Take her home now and to the office at eight. My Ferrari is in the back lot."

"Yes, sir." He pivots and jogs to his Escalade parked at the curb.

***

Ivy

Shane and Jacade converse outside in the cold, baleful wind. The door opens, and Jacade walks into the foyer with a blast of chilled air. He holds my coat open for me as I slide my arms in. We interlock our fingers, and he shelters me with his body as we walk to Shane's Escalade. His arms wrap around my waist, and he lifts me into the backseat.

The first drops of the imminent rain land on his head as he angles his body in the doorframe. His impassioned kiss sends a remnant zing of desire through me. I may never wash his stickiness off my thighs.

He whispers between our lips. "You calm my spirit and make me question my sanity all at the same time."

He pulls away and peers at me with candid longing and regret in his eyes.

"Thank you," he says.

"I didn't do anything."

"You were incredible." He gives me a dimple-ridden smile. "I'm sorry I have to send you home alone. Urgent business. Listen to Shane." His face sobers as he speaks. "I mean it, Ivy."

Yeah, yeah, I know. Blah, blah, blah.

Violent rain pelts the windshield as Shane drives away from the curb. Jacade pulls his coat collar up around his neck and runs to the back of the mansion.

Jacade

Judge Conroy accosts me as soon as I step through the office door.

"She's in exam room one." He gesture down the hallway with his head. He trudges behind me, heavy on my heels.

Amber sits with hunched shoulders and head down on the edge of the exam table. She clutches Conroy's jacket around her shoulders. Her swollen face looks up at me with fear and defeat. The horrific sight makes me forget to mask my grimace. Her features contort and her eyes water. Shit. Poker face, Jordan.

I turn her chin to the left and examine the laceration on her right cheek. I can take care of that for her. Contusions spread from her eye to her mouth. Shallow breathing, but all other vitals look good. Her pupils are uneven, and her movements are sluggish. I throw my scope over my neck, and she winces as I press my finger along her jawline.

"Ow!" She squints at the pain. She needs an x-ray to check her skull for fractures.

Before I finish my examination, I crouch into her line of sight. "What happened?" She shakes her head no and looks at Judge Conroy. A tear drops from her eye and dampens the exam table paper.

"Amber, you need to tell me who did this." So I can annihilate him.

She presses her lips together. Judge Conroy storms out into the hallway.

"Tell me. Now!" I don't want to frighten her, but she needs to give up any hope she has of keeping this from me. Not gonna happen.

"All right, Trip. Last night I met up with a new client. He booked last minute and paid for the entire night. He was a little rough, but mostly everything was normal until around one in the morning." Her waterworks fall harder.

"What happened?" My voice comes out restrained, but my jaw is clenched tight.

"We were in bed." She raises her hands to cover her face, but frowns in pain and drops them.

"What, Amber?"

"He got up and locked the door. He pulled me out of bed and slugged me. I didn't do anything wrong. I swear. He just kept hitting me. I blacked out and woke up propped on the steps outside. I was terrified, Jacade!"

"I know, I know." I take her hand and rub it with my thumb. She needs to be monitored for concussion. Her body temp is normal. Conroy did a decent job of keeping her warm.

"What did he look like?" This fucker's going down.

"Big guy with lots of jewelry. A bandage on his foot. Walked with a crutch. A scar on his hand."

Viktor's man. Only the scum of the earth retaliate by beating a woman.

"Okay. I'll take care of him."

"Thanks, Trip. There's more."

"Go ahead. You can tell me."

"No. I need to show you." She lifts her shirt to below her breasts. Capital letters written in black marker trail across her abdomen.

IVY & HELEN ARE NEXT

***

Jacade

I burst out of the exam room and collapse with my back against the wall in the hallway, gasping for air. I couldn't see Amber anymore. Ivy sat crying on that exam table. Her angelic face fractured and discolored—mangled and slashed.

Ding-ding
.

I ignore my phone.

Ding-ding
.

"Trip, your phone's going off, man." I turn my head to see Chowder's confused face.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I grit out.

"I brought him," Bernard strolls into the office and stands behind Chowder. "I figured we need as much help as possible."

What the fuck is he talking about? Chuck Narr is no help to anyone. When we were younger, he was my right-hand man, and I could trust him with my life. Now he's worthless, lost to drugs and self-numbing. Bernard shouldn't have brought him here.

Judge Conroy joins us and greets Bernard and Chowder with a quick nod of his head. The breeze Bernard creates as he walks past me reeks of alcohol and cigars. His wrinkled dress shirt hangs untucked.

"Aren't you supposed to be at the track?"

"We were," Chowder says.

Bernard gives him the
shut your mouth or I'll stab you with a rusted shovel
stare. He pats Judge Conroy on the back and says, "Stay with her." Conroy hustles back into the exam room.

"Where's Ivy?" Bernard asks me.

"Her place. Shane's guarding her."

Don't question my protection of Ivy, cocksucker. I snarl back, "Where's Helen?"

"At home."

"Is someone with her?"

A contemptuous smile appears on his aged face. "No. My wife can take care of herself."

Ivy can too. She's not some feeble pint-sized woman. Shane's with her because I would never risk it. Unlike you with your wife.

"Shane's bringing Ivy here at eight o'clock. We need to get Amber to Lakeshore after I finish my exam. I'll take care of the laceration on her face."

"Okay. Call Jett. Tell him Conroy's bringing her in an hour. I'll call an emergency council meeting for nine this morning."

"The whole council?" I ask.

"No, only our side. I'll get the details from Gerry on their end. Until then, I want you, Shane, or one of Shane's men on Ivy round the clock."

Well duh, old man. I laugh.

"What's so funny?" His gray brows draw inward.

"Ironic you telling me not to leave her side after keeping her from me all these years." I shake my head.

"Let's not rehash this. You needed to complete your obligations without incident. The rules are put in place for a reason, Jacade. You and Ivy at a young age would've self-destructed."

"That's bullshit and you know it." He allowed her to date Viktor.

"No, it's not. The council gave you a top-notch education and made you into an accomplished surgeon and a billionaire. You're a respected council member and favored to win the vote when Raymond dies. You wouldn't have any of it if you'd gotten tied up with Ivy back then."

I see his fucked-up logic. If Ivy had been in my life eighteen years ago, no way would I have done the unspeakable deeds they forced me to do. I would've refused for fear of losing her. If they don't snuff you out for noncompliance, they wreak havoc on your life. They won't hesitate to decimate your career, seize your accounts, and throw your ass in the can. And my life expectancy in prison is zilch.

"I'm letting you be with her now because you are the best choice to protect her from Viktor."

"You aren't letting me have her. She chose me."

"Semantics, Jacade."

The past is irrelevant. Ivy and I are together now. Nothing can stop us.

I just need to kill Viktor first.