Saving Ren (Barretti Security Series, Book 3) (23 page)

Chapter 13

“How’s Connor doing?” Declan asked as he handed Jagger the coffee the cashier had placed on the counter.

“Good,” Jagger said. “Says Sutter hasn’t contacted him even once since he was released.”

“Fucker got off easy with 30 days,” Declan said.

They managed to find a seat outside at one of the small metal tables. The coffee shop had turned out to be an ideal meeting spot since it was within walking distance from the precinct and the building where Barretti Security Group was housed.

“You have to work late tonight?” Jagger asked.

“Nope. Told Captain Fuckwad I was taking the rest of the day off.”

Jagger chuckled. “He figured out yet that Lieutenant Hale will be Captain Hale by this time next year?”

Declan smiled. “Yeah, he’s scrambling. Rumor has it he’s got an offer from some dive town in Texas.”

“He does. It’s in Greenley, Texas.”

Declan shook his head. “Shit, Jagger…your mom?”

“She called me this morning to tell me. He’s offered to get her set up in a house, give her a monthly allowance.”

“Fuck. I’m sorry, Jagger. I didn’t even think about that when I took the Lieutenant’s exam. I’ll talk to the Chief and tell him I’ve changed my mind-”

Jagger’s lips cut him off. “God, I fucking love you,” Jagger whispered before he drew back. “My mother told him to have a nice trip.”

“What?” Declan asked in surprise.

Jagger smiled. “She told him she had a son to look after. She mentioned something about grandkids too but I chose to tune that part out.”

“You think she’ll give in?”

“I hope not. She says she’s hasn’t seen him in almost a month and I believe her.”

Declan closed his hand over Jagger’s. As well as things had been going lately, they’d been struggling to get through each day without word from Ren. Neither of them had been expecting Ren to go to bat for them with his brothers but the move had worked. Dom and Vin had expressed their gratitude for their intervention and hadn’t even balked at the idea of their baby brother in a relationship with the two of them. Although Ren hadn’t contacted them directly, Dom had provided enough information that Ren was making good progress with his therapy. Declan had feared that something would happen to make Ren rethink their relationship but Jagger’s faith was unwavering and Declan drew from that during his weak moments.

Jagger’s phone beeped and he glanced at it. He stared at the screen for several long seconds. “It’s from Vin. The meeting this afternoon with Fordam Industries has been canceled.” He turned the screen so Declan could look at it. “Did I get it right?” Jagger asked.

Declan smiled and nodded. He couldn’t help the surge of pride that went through him. Jagger had been nervous about trying to tackle his dyslexia after it had caused him so much pain growing up. But he’d found a good tutor who’d given him the tools he needed and his plan was to eventually get his GED. Not that it mattered to Declan and Declan knew Ren didn’t care either, but it had been important to Jagger.

“So if your meeting got canceled and I’m off the rest of the day,” Declan said suggestively. He laughed when Jagger grabbed his hand and began dragging him towards his office.

“My car’s at the precinct.”

“Mine’s closer. We’ll get yours later,” Jagger muttered.

Declan heard a faint buzzing sound and yanked Jagger to a stop.

“What the fuck?” Jagger asked.

Declan searched his pockets desperately until he found his phone. His heart was in his throat as he turned it over.

“What is it?” he heard Jagger ask. “Everything okay?”

Everything was fucking perfect. He turned his phone so Jagger could see. “Someone just disabled the security system at the cabin.”

***

Ren smiled as he heard the sound of tires churning over gravel. Jagger definitely had to be the one driving since Declan wouldn’t dare take the turn at the base of the roadway leading to the cabin so tight. He glanced at his watch and saw that his men had made record time and he had to wonder if Declan had used his police siren for part of the long journey to the mountains. He had his answer when he saw Jagger’s car tearing up the road. So just crazy ass speeding.

He stood and began walking towards the car. It came to a screeching stop just inches from him and then Declan was out and pulling him into his arms. Ren wrapped his arms around Declan’s shoulders and when he felt Jagger reach them, he lifted one arm and dragged Jagger down into their embrace. No one spoke as they clung to each other. It was Jagger who finally pulled back and put his hands on Ren’s face as if to hold him still while he looked him up and down. And then Jagger’s mouth was moving over his and tears flooded Ren’s eyes at the familiarity.

“Love you,” Jagger murmured against his mouth before Declan took his place. Declan’s kiss wasn’t as long, but he dragged Ren into another bone crushing hug and Ren could feel the dampness against his neck as Declan wept. He’d always guessed their separation would be just a little harder on Declan since he’d had so many people turn their backs on him and never return when he was a child. It had made his decision to walk away all the more difficult, but he’d realized that if he never found the strength to stand on his own two feet, he’d never be able to stand up for his men when they needed him. He knew that no amount of therapy would make him the Ren Barretti he’d once been, but he could be the Ren that Declan and Jagger needed him to be…the Ren they had sacrificed so much for.

“Are you back?” Declan asked.

“I’m back,” Ren said. “I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

“Thank fuck,” Declan murmured and then he gave Ren the kiss he’d been waiting for.

“Who’s this?” he heard Jagger ask.

Declan released Ren so he could drop down and pet the dog sitting quietly at his feet. “My service dog,” Ren said. “She alerts me to when I’m starting to get anxious and helps calm me down.”

“She’s beautiful,” Declan said as he knelt down and began petting the Golden Retriever.

“What’s her name?” Jagger asked. Ren couldn’t stop the smile that spread across his lips.

“Mick.”

“What?” Jagger said as Declan began howling with laughter.

“Her name is Mick.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Jagger croaked. “Declan, shut the fuck up!”

“You named her Mick?” Declan said as he tried to stifle his laughter.

“She came with the name.”

“So you’re telling me that when you introduce us, it will be Mick, Jagger and Declan?” Declan said.

Ren started to laugh and looked up at Jagger apologetically. Jagger dragged him up and pulled him flush against his body but his eyes were on Declan when he said, “At least I’m next in line after the dog” just before he covered Ren’s mouth with his own.

***

“Okay?” Jagger whispered against Ren’s neck. He forced himself to keep still as Ren’s body clutched him within his depths.

Ren nodded and turned his head for a kiss. Jagger put all of his emotions into that one kiss and he could tell Ren felt every one because Ren’s eyes locked with his and gave him the tiniest of nods.

“Show us how much you missed us,” Jagger said. He groaned as Ren slid his hips forward.

“Fuck, yes,” Declan groaned as Ren’s forward motion caused him to push into Declan to the hilt. A slide back had Ren’s body sucking Jagger’s cock into him as he nearly pulled free of Declan. Jagger didn’t move as Ren continued to work himself back and forth between him and Declan but he couldn’t stop his fingers from pressing into Ren’s hips. Jagger let his eyes drift down so he could watch Ren’s glistening cock slide smoothly in and out of Declan. It was a heady experience to watch Ren work them both in tandem. Ren was in complete control and he knew it and he was reveling in it because every move was orchestrated to bring all three of them maximum pleasure. Jagger watched Ren lift one arm and then he was leaning back against Jagger’s chest and wrapping it around Jagger’s neck.

Jagger let his teeth nip over the corded muscles of Ren’s throat as he stroked his hands down Ren’s sides. Ren’s body had filled out perfectly and from the muscles that rippled beneath his palms, Jagger could tell that Ren had been hitting the gym. Jagger let his fingers trail down to where Declan’s ass was pulled up against Ren’s thighs and the backs of his legs were pressed against Ren’s chest. The angle seemed to be working perfectly for Declan because he was moaning with every twist of Ren’s hips and his fists were clenched in the bed sheets. Jagger skimmed his hand over Declan’s ass as he writhed against Ren and then he dipped a finger into Declan on Ren’s next surge forward. Declan let out a gasp at the added pressure and Ren’s eyes glittered with lust as he watched his cock and Jagger’s finger disappear together inside of Declan.

“Hold him tight,” Jagger whispered as he added another finger. He used his free hand to grasp Ren’s hip and began thrusting up into Ren which sent him deeper into Declan. Ren’s arm disappeared from around his neck and wrapped around Declan’s legs to hold him in place as Jagger hammered into them both. Ren’s cock pulsed against his fingers while Declan’s smooth walls gripped him.

“Oh God, harder,” Declan said harshly.

Jagger increased his thrusts as he sought out Ren’s lips. He let his tongue explore Ren’s mouth slowly even as his hips moved faster and faster. He managed to glance down and saw the Declan was furiously stroking himself as Ren’s body and Jagger’s fingers breached him over and over.

“Watch how fucking beautiful he is when he comes,” Jagger murmured to Ren.

“Jagger!” Declan screamed.

“Show him, baby. Show him how much you missed him,” Jagger said.

“Love you Ren!” Declan cried out as he slammed his body down on both of them. Spurts of come hit his chest and abdomen as wave after wave of pleasure rolled through him. Ren let out a rough curse as his whole body seized and Jagger felt liquid fire drench his fingers as Ren continued to fuck in and out of Declan. Jagger gave up fighting his own release and bit down on Ren’s shoulder as he came. The blissful agony seemed to go on forever but when all three of their bodies began to loosen as the aftermath overtook them, Ren released Declan’s legs so Jagger could push him forward onto Declan’s chest. He pulled his fingers free of Declan’s body and put them up to Declan’s mouth. Declan immediately sucked them in and licked them clean. When he released Jagger’s fingers, Ren’s tongue took their place and Jagger let them kiss for a while before he dragged Ren’s mouth to his so he could get a taste too.

***

“You understand why I had to stay away, right?” Declan heard Ren whisper against his chest. Jagger was at Declan’s back but from his even breathing, Declan could tell he was asleep.

“I do,” he said as he ran his fingers through Ren’s now thick hair. He could still feel the scars along his scalp. “You had to fix the scars Jagger and I couldn’t reach.”

Ren lifted his face so their lips were just inches apart. “Do you still see any part of the Ren you first fell in love with?”

Declan smiled and nodded. “I didn’t think it was possible but I love this Ren even more.”

“You and Jagger saved me, Declan.”

Declan trailed his fingers over Ren’s cheeks and whispered, “No, Ren, we saved each other.”

Epilogue

Ren couldn’t get over the sheer volume of people seated around Vin’s dining room table. With Jagger’s mom, the number came out to an even 16. And he hadn’t even counted Gabe and Riley’s baby who was asleep in the crook of her father’s arm at the moment. He wondered how the hell Vin was going to manage the seating once more and more babies started joining the growing group. As if on cue, Vin stood up and the whole table quieted.

“As everyone can see, our family dinners are starting to get a little bigger,” he said as looked around the table. “And I for one could not be happier about that,” he said softly.

“Here, here,” several people said.

“Growing up, Dom, Ren, Rafe and I were taught that family were the people who shared your blood. But I think my brothers will agree with me when I say family is so much more than that. It’s about the people who will be there when you come home. Or will look for you when you’re lost. They’ll bring light to your darkness” – Vin glanced down at Mia who was watching him with damp eyes – “and comfort you in your sorrow.” He paused for a long moment before saying, “I look around this table and can’t think of a better family for Mia and I to welcome our babies into in six months.”

Everybody was quiet for a moment as Vin’s words sank in and then there were shouts of joy as the whole table started talking at once.

“Oh, and you’re all invited to the wedding,” Vin added. “It’s next weekend!” he said with a grin.

Ren smiled as everyone around him got up and began to make their way to the head of the table to give their congratulations to the soon to be parents. If it hadn’t been for Declan and Jagger, he would have missed out on this. He would have missed out on a lot of things.

Being apart from Jagger and Declan had been one of the hardest things Ren had ever done, but he’d used the time to find out who he was outside of their relationship and beyond the shroud of PTSD. He’d spent time with each of his brothers and their loved ones and had realized that, like Declan and Jagger, they saw him as more than broken or damaged. They’d laughed over forgotten memories and shared new ones. There’d been no judgement about his involvement with two men instead of one and no discussion about his seemingly sudden change in sexuality. And when he’d finally been ready to open up about the details of the ambush and his imprisonment, every one of his brothers had cried with him for the brothers-in-arms he’d lost and they’d thanked him for staying strong long enough so that they could bring him home.

Each time he shared a memory with a family member or with his therapy group, he found the good parts and stored them away in his mind and accepted and forgave himself for the not so good parts. His biggest struggle continued to be in finding the forgiveness within himself for Brandon, but he knew in his heart he’d get there someday. It was what Brandon would have wanted for him.

A pair of hands came around his neck and slid down his chest as a kiss was brushed over his cheek.

“Damn, twins. Did you know?” Jagger asked.

“She told me yesterday,” Ren admitted. Making amends to Mia had been difficult for him. Her fear-stricken voice had haunted him in the months after he’d attacked her and he hadn’t expected or deserved her forgiveness. But she’d given it to him anyway and had welcomed him with open arms the second he’d stepped into Vin’s home for the first time since that terrible night. And right after forgiving him, she’d invited him to stay with them for a while.

“So you’re going to be an uncle,” Declan said as he sat back down in his chair next to Ren and rested his hand on Ren’s thigh.

“We’re going to be uncles,” Ren corrected as he laced his fingers with Declan’s and lifted his head up for a quick kiss from Jagger. “And godfathers,” he added.

“I don’t think three is allowed,” Jagger said.

“I think three is the perfect number,” Ren responded cheekily and he got another kiss for his trouble.

“You nervous about tomorrow?” Declan asked.

Ren nodded. He was glad when Declan and Jagger had readily agreed to fly to Indiana with him to deliver Brandon’s last words to his parents and fiancé. He wouldn’t share the entire truth of what had happened to Brandon, but he would tell them how brave he’d been because that was one hundred percent true.

“You think they’re watching over us, Declan?”

“Who?”

“Brandon and Sylvie.”

“Yeah, baby, I do.”

“Yeah,” Ren said with a sigh as he tightened his hand around Declan’s and closed his other hand over the forearm Jagger had draped across his chest. “Me too.”