Vengeance (14 page)

I walk weakly down the hall, too shocked to move any faster. My father yelled at me?
Actually yelled at me.
I see Sam as I go past, but she doesn’t say anything, just gives me a sympathetic look. I find another empty room and step in, then shut the door. He yelled at me. I can’t believe it. I lock my door, and then pull out my phone and text Jax. I wish he was here.

I wish you were here. Mack just yelled at me.

What the fuck did he yell at you for? I wish I was there too.

Me
and mom were fighting. She thinks I should leave you.

There is a long, long silence.

You don’t think that, do you?

God
no, of course not.
I know this world is dangerous Jax, but I love you too much to ever want to leave.

God
, don’t scare me like that again.

You are stuck with me pirate, end of story.

You better believe it, how are you feeling? Is my baby ok?

I am ok. Numb. Lilly is fine, thank
God
.

I will be home within twelve hours, if all goes well.

Good, I miss you.

Yeah darlin, you too.

Do you think about me much?

Oh…yeah…

How much?

Are we sexting?

I laugh, and it feels good.

No, but thanks for making me laugh.
I love you.

God
knows I love you too, now get some rest.

Later Jax.

Later darlin.

I am thankful for my pirate in that moment; he makes me smile when all else fails. I sit on the bed, still in deep shock over the loss of my house and
Mr’s
Sadie. I can’t believe Ben would go to those lengths. What would be next? Whose life would crumble in his path? I don’t realize I am crying until a tear drips onto my phone. I send up a silent prayer for
Mr’s
Sadie, a life taken too quickly. It wasn’t fair, and guilt swarms me.

I notice black smears of soot on my clothes, so I decide to have a shower. Loving Mack’s huge house and his shower in every room, I go in and close the door. I sigh in mild relief as the water cascades down my skin. When I am done, I dress in one of Jax’s shirts and a pair of
underwear,
then walk back out. PJ is sitting on my bed, and I glare at him, how did he get in?

“How the hell did you get in my room?”

“Magic princess, now stop glaring at me.”

“Where is Layla?”

“At home, don’t worry she is protected.”

“Why are you here?”

I sit on the bed beside him, and he smiles over at me.
Stupid
God
.

“Checking up on my
Bestie
.”

“Layla is my
Bestie
.” I snap.

“Ouch, way to wound me.”

I smile a little. “Sorry, I am ok.”

“No, you’re not.”

“How would you know?”

“Your lip just trembled.”

I look away, but he takes my face and turns it back towards him. The tears flow again and he shakes his head.

“I know I taught you better, but this time I am going to be nice and let you cry.”

“I hope you aren’t this mean to Layla.” I hiccup, between sobs.

“No, of course not.
Layla isn’t a sook.”

I pout and more tears fall.

“Oh come on now, I was joking.”

“W-w-whore.”

“There we go.”

He takes me into his arms and lies down on the bed, so his body is curled up behind mine. It is rather awkward.

“I am married PJ.”

He laughs into my hair. “No shit? You really think I would move in on Jax’s territory?
God
, even I value my life. I am being a friend, little princess. Let me help. When all else fails, and being strong doesn’t work, sometimes, all one needs is to be held.”

“I can’t believe you just said that, you do know you sound really gay right now?”

He laughs. “It’s our little secret.”

“What, that you are gay?”

“No, that I can be soft.”

I snort. “About as soft as a brick wall.”

“You aren’t crying anymore though, now are you?”

“Point well-made PJ.”

“Now, sleep. Jax will be back in the morning, and I will be able to shower furiously and get rid of your essence off my skin. It burns.”

I laugh, so happy that PJ is the way he is. He makes everything seem…well…less.

“Careful PJ, I might kiss you.”

I can’t see it, but I know he is grinning.

“Go easy little princess, I am too young to die.”

I kiss the hand that is wrapped around my waist and then fall into a comforted sleep.

CHAPTER
9

When I wake, I am alone. I feel relieved though and glad to have friends like the ones I have. I shift and feel stiff and sore. That was to be expected. It is dark out, and I glance at the bedside table to see it is seven pm. Wow, I slept a while. I pull on some shorts and plod out of the room. Lilly is in the lounge, playing with Jack. I smile and kiss her. Then I hug Jack, I haven’t seen a lot of him lately, I miss him.

“Hi you two, how are you?”

“Good, daddy is here
.”

My heart thumps. “He is? He said twelve hours.”

“He wanted to surprise us.” Lilly grins.

“Where is he?”

“Outside.”
Jack smiles.

I walk out with quick steps, when I step outside; I see him right away and my heart slams into my chest. He stands, and I am on him in seconds, my legs are around his waist, and I am wailing once more. Seriously, I
need to learn better control. He is kissing my cheeks and my lips, and I am gripping his hair and pulling him as close as I can get him. When I pull back, he is looking at me with raw emotion.

“You are a sight for sore eyes baby, fuck I have missed you.”

“Take me into that room right now Jax Watts.”

A throat clears behind me, and I turn my head to see my mother, father, Sam, PJ, Layla and the entire crew all staring at me. Oops. I blush, and Jax laughs.

“Your wish is my command.” He grins, winking at me.

I shove him playfully. “Well, maybe later.”

He pouts and I kiss him full on the mouth, long, deep and hard. When I pull back, his eyes are blazing.

“We had to give them a little show, wouldn’t have been fun otherwise.”

He grins and kisses me again.

“Alright, alright, enough of that.”
Mack mutters.

Hearing Mack’s voice makes me tense up and Jax notices.

“You ok?” He asks quietly.

“Yeah.”

I let my legs go and stand, taking Jax’s hand and not letting go.

“So, what have we come up with?”

Jax takes me onto his lap, and we sit. Mack smiles at me, but I turn away. Yes, yes, I know, I am being petty.

“Ben must be hanging around waiting for us. We are thinking we will draw him
out,
tell him we have the treasure. Ambush him.”

“Ben is far too smart to fall for that.” I say to Jax.

“Maybe, but he is also getting desperate. He wants the treasure; he will do anything to get it. That is why we figure it would be best if you were the one to make the call. Say you are sick of it and want it over with, you betrayed me once; he will believe it more.”

I flinch, and Jax stops talking. “Sorry mate.”

“It’s fine. I lied and cheated my husband, must make me a low life. I guess in his books I wouldn’t stop being that way.”

Jax tenses and leans into my ear. “Baby, you know I didn’t mean it like that.”

“No, good plan Jax. Honestly. It will work.”

I say it in a rude way; I didn’t mean it to come out like that because I truly do think it will work. Ben will believe I would be the only one to betray Jax again.

“Jade…”

I turn on his lap and kiss him. “It’s fine. I am being serious; it is a good plan.”

“I think it’s ridicul
ous!” My mother snaps. “
You really think
it’s
ok to put her life on the line? Some husband.”

“Mom!”
I snarl.

“No, Jade, I got this.” Jax
says,
standing and depositing me on the chair beside him.

I watch as he walks over to my mother and leans in very close to her face. She actually looks terrified and backs right up on her chair.

“Don’t you ever question the love I have for my
wife.
I will not put her anywhere near danger, doing this avoids it because all she has to do is make a simple call. I will then have her put in complete safety until it is dealt with. Don’t judge others lady, when you can hardly brag about your life and the things you have done. Don’t pick on her, and don’t tell me I am a bad husband. I am more a husband than the man you married.”

She is gaping; wide eyed and taken aback. Jax’s voice is like steel, cold, hard steel. She stammers, but I don’t understand what she says. I believe it is sorry. Jax stands and turns back to the group.

“Anyone else got something to say?”

No-one speaks.

“Good, then it is set. We will organize more tomorrow, for now I am going to spend time with my wife and daughter.”

Jax takes my hand, and I give everyone a brief smile. We walk inside and stop in the lounge.

“Come here squirt; give your dad a cuddle.”

Lilly leaps up from the floor and into Jax’s arms.

“I missed you daddy.”

“Missed you too baby girl, I got you something.”

“You did?”

“Hmmmm, let’s see if I can find it.”

I smile as he digs through his bag and comes up with a beautiful necklace. It is gold with pretty colored diamonds inside small flowers. She squeals as he sticks it around her neck.

“For the most beautiful girl.”

“What about mommy?”

“Mommy is the most beautiful woman, she gets something better.”

Lilly pouts. “What?”

Jax grins at me, and then turns to her. “That’s a grown up secret.
Now off to bed for you.”

“Aw, one more game with Jack?”

“I will put her to bed.” He promises.

“Ok, one more.” I say, kissing her.

“Night little girl.”

“Night daddy, night mommy.”

Jax takes my hand again, and we walk into the bedroom. I shut and lock the door behind me.

“So, no present for me?”

He grins and leans back onto the bed, propping himself up on his elbows.

“You can find a present, right there in my pants.”

I leap on top of him with a laugh.

“All that will earn you is a swift kick in the pants.”

He grins. “So long as you are doing something to my pants, I am fine by that.”

“I can iron them?”

He groans and tickles me harder.
“Sadist.”

“Perve.”

We roll about tickling until our lips find one another’s, then we roll about kissing. Our kisses are hot, desperate and needy. It has been three weeks; that is far too long. Jax groans and rolls on top of me, kissing me so deeply I can hardly breathe. I will never tire of the taste of my husband. I will never become bored with his body, or his rugged good looks. I will never get sick of hearing his voice, or feeling his touch. He is mine, he is my other half.

“Make love to me Jax.”

He pulls back from me and looks down. “Make love?”

“Don’t you want to?”

He smiles, showing those perfect dimples. “Oh baby, I want to.”

“Then please, do it.”

He returns to kissing me, this time softly. I moan and let my head sink into the soft pillows on the bed. His kisses are soft and teasing as he moves down over my neck and shoulders. When he reaches my breasts, he tugs at my shirt, and I slide it off. He smiles at my braless state and draws a nipple into his mouth. I moan, oh yes. I grip his hair, noticing it has gotten a little longer, I tug, and he smiles against my skin.

“Greedy?” He murmurs, and I feel it rumble against my flesh.

“Yes.” I breathe.

He slides lower, pressing small kisses on my belly and swirling his tongue around my navel. When he drops lower, he shoves at my pants and yanks them off. I hear him suck in a deep, long breath and then he presses his lips to my flesh. I moan, as quietly as possible. He drives his tongue in ways that should be
illegal. He is skilled, talented and so good. I grip his shoulders, kneading the muscled flesh in my palms.
God
, yes.