“Fuck, yes!” His mouth fell over hers with desperation. Pulling back a long time later, he said against her lips, “Be happy and don’t worry. We’re going to have a baby, Kendall. A symbol of our love for one another. Just like you’re a symbol of your parent’s love. They made sure you survived, that you knew how to protect yourself, and that you knew how to love when it was your turn.”
He kissed her entire face.
“We’re going to love one another for another sixty years. Watch our children and grandchildren grow up and find loves of their own. It will be the legacy we pass to them. You’ll see.” He stripped them and pushed into her body, moaning with her as the familiar sensations washed over him.
For a long moment, Kendall just stared at him. Then a slow smile broke over her face. “I love kids. I never thought I’d have any of my own. I wonder if it’s a boy or a girl? You’re going to be a wonderful father.”
He laughed and began to move. “That’s my girl. Time for me to love you all over, Kendall.”
Then he worshipped her body from head to toe and showed her how much he loved her. Hours later, they drifted to sleep together in the same bed where they’d first made love.
There were no more secrets.
* * *
Watching his parents introduce themselves to Kendall the next day was one of the most moving things Jared had ever seen. They brought bags of food to have an excuse to stop by.
“Thought we’d help you settle in with a good steak on the grill. Your mother made desserts.” His father hugged Kendall tight, gave her a little shake, and boomed, “Call me whatever you want. Dad, Gary, old guy. I’ll answer to it. We’ve been waiting a long time to know you were safe and sound. My boy…” Voice cracking from tears, he cleared it firmly. “Welcome to the family, Kendall.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Let go and let me hug her, Gary!” His mother was shorter than Kendall but enveloped her in a giant hug. “You’re as lovely as Jared always said. He didn’t exaggerate a thing.” Leaning back, Debbie held Kendall’s shoulders. “I know how hard it is being a young bride. You call me for anything, no matter how small. I’ll dash right over.”
“Mom?” She met Jared’s eyes beside Kendall. “You’re going to find all kinds of reasons to stop by...Kendall is pregnant.”
Clasping her hands over her heart, there were instant tears. “Do you mean it?” Jared nodded. “My first grandchild! Gary! We’re going to be grandparents!” His parents started sobbing openly and hugged Kendall and Jared in a huddle. “You’ve made me so happy.” Then she was crying too hard to speak. “I-I...oh, goodness.”
Jared kissed his mother’s head. “I get it, Mom. I bet we’re going to have a thousand questions.”
She snorted and wiped her face. “Liar. You have the Google now but you’re a dear boy for making me feel useful.”
“Mrs. Stalzer?” Kendall said softly. “Articles on Google aren’t the same as talking to someone who raised children of their own. I-I’d rather ask someone who’s been there.”
“Call me Debbie or-or Mom would be nice. I always liked the sound of that. Welcome to our family, sweet girl. You’re more welcome than you know.”
“Thank you...Mom.”
That set off another round of tears and Kendall started crying, too. Jared looked at his father over their heads and winked.
“You found yourself a keeper, son.”
“Yeah, I know it, Dad. Good thing I had such a great example on how to keep her.”
“Damn it, boy.” Gary pressed his fingers to his eyes.
Walking around his wife, Jared pulled his dad into a bear hug. “I love you, Dad.”
“Love you, too. I’m about done with all this crying business. Let’s get some steaks on the grill for these wonderful women. Make ourselves useful.”
The men worked on the back deck over the large grill while the women toured the house to brainstorm.
When they appeared at the French doors, Jared’s mother said firmly, “We’re having a normal damn wedding so your family can be here and meet Kendall.”
“Uh, Mom…”
“We’ll keep it quiet. Family and your few friends only. No one we don’t personally know. Then I’m going to plan the baby shower with your sister and the baptism with your aunts. This is happening, son.”
He looked at Kendall who had her hands clenched in front of her. “What do you think about being steamrolled, honey? It’s okay to be honest. Mom is used to being told to dial it back by all our family and most of her friends. Do you want a wedding and all the rest?”
“Would you mind?” she asked softly.
“Hell, no. Let’s do the damn thing.” He reached her in three strides and kissed her soundly. “Are you excited?”
“I didn’t think I would care about traditions but…”
“Mom’s full of temptation, right?”
Nodding, she whispered, “The way she described it, I could see it all in my head.”
“She’s a master manipulator when it comes to giving someone what she already knows they want. Oldest of five and they fall in line like soldiers around her.”
Kendall laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Feed me.”
“At your request, my beautiful wife. Get comfortable.”
They ate too much and laughed too loud for hours. When the sun went down, Jared lit the firepit and they talked some more.
It was getting late when Gary and Debbie hugged them, thanked them for the happy news, and promised not to hover.
As they drove away, Kendall held Jared’s waist and told him, “What beautiful people raised you. It’s no surprise you turned out the way you did.”
He fucked her into a pleasure coma and let her sleep in the next day while he did some errands around the house.
Unloading the last few things from his SUV, he heard steps on the other side of the vehicle inside the garage.
Going still, Jared straightened and glanced over the roof. He met the eyes of a man he’d never seen before who was dressed in black. The stranger put his finger over his lips and Jared noted he was wearing gloves.
Jared thought, “It was fucking worth it to hold her again.” He dove for the driver’s side to hit the horn and warn Kendall.
Then someone snapped the stranger’s neck from behind. As his body dropped, it was caught by Hollow and dragged out of sight of the street.
“Close the door, Mr. Stalzer.” Jared hit the button on the visor with a shaking hand. When they were sealed inside with the body, Hollow said, “He was alone. Sent to the U.S. to see if he could find out where Kendall’s father hid his money. He’s been checking all the places they tracked her before looking for clues.”
Hands on his hips as Hollow dragged an honest-to-God dead body across his garage, Jared asked a little shrilly, “A warning was too much? A heads up that a murderer was planning to pop by?”
Frowning, the man replied, “I would have lost the element of surprise.”
“I fucking hate surprises and I’d rather there not be any fucking surprises involving my wife going forward.” Hollow opened his mouth to verbally slap Jared down. “She’s pregnant. No fucking surprises.”
The garage door leading into the house crashed open and Kendall crouched in the kitchen with a gun in her hands. She wore sleep shorts and a t-shirt. Her feet were bare, her hair was wild. Jared had never seen anything more beautiful and terrifying.
“Kendall,” Hollow said flatly, “I will be very upset if you shoot me.”
A stunned expression crossed her face. “Hayden?” She stood up and looked around. “Why are you in the garage?” Looking at Jared, she added, “I saw an unknown vehicle parked in front of the house.”
“Not mine. I’m nowhere near that stupid,” Hollow answered. He nudged the dead body with the tip of his boot. “Must have been his.”
Jared swayed on his feet.
Kendall clicked on the safety and laid her gun on the kitchen counter. She came dow
n the steps barefoot and took Jared’s hand. “Let’s get you to a chair and I’ll make you a cup of coffee.”
“Are we going to...what do...the dead body?”
Hollow sighed. “Not how I wished to drop off my wedding gift. I’ll take care of the body, Mr. Stalzer. Let’s go inside away from all this.”
Semi-hysterically, Jared asked, “The dead body, you mean? Is that what you mean by all this?”
“Uh huh,” Hollow answered carefully. “Your first?”
“My first dead body, Hollow? Yes. As a matter of fact, it is my first. I meant to get around to checking it off my list but I’m a procrastinator!”
Kendall murmured, “A shot of whiskey instead of coffee. Let’s go, babe. Pretend that guy is a discarded carpet.”
Jared confessed, “I may throw up…”
Suddenly, she was in front of him and shook him slightly. “I can’t deal with vomit right now. I mean it, Jared.”
Swallowing hard, he nodded. “You are terrifying.”
“I know it. Still down for all this?” she asked.
He stared into his wife’s eyes and knew she was asking the question seriously. “Yeah, Kendall. I’m still down. Let’s get some coffee and discuss what happens next.”
Her smile was slow. “There you go.”
“Looks like we’ll have a few dirty little secrets after all.”
Winking, she whispered, “Keeps life interesting.”
Wrapping his arm around her shoulder, he glanced at Hollow. “Thanks for making sure I wasn’t the dead body. My mom left us coffee cake. Pull up a chair.”
With every bite of pastry and sip of coffee, it didn’t feel as strange to have witnessed a killing in his garage. It felt crazy for the result of that homicide to be chilling in front of his SUV.
Dear god, he hoped his dad didn’t show up.
Epilogue
October 2016
Kendall nervously adjusted her gown.
The wonderful woman who was about to be her mother-in-law stilled her hands. “You look lovely, honey.”
“There’s a lot of people…”
“And every single one of them is going to love you as much as we do.” Gently adjusting the delicate veil around Kendall’s shoulders, she whispered, “You’re a fairy princess. I was beginning to think I’d never have the chance to plan a wedding. So many firsts that just...oh, goodness.”
She dabbed at her eyes and Kendall smiled.
Jared’s mother had presented her with three invitation styles, two different colors of linens based on what Jared mentioned was her favorite color, and a menu where Kendall was asked to select the food she personally wanted at the reception.
Other than that, the woman had coordinated everything.
“Thank you for all of this, Mom.”
“I loved every minute. I’m hoping to shove one of my other children down the aisle as soon as possible so I can recreate the high.” Kendall laughed.
Jared’s younger sister Sasha entered the room breathlessly. “Mom, I caught the girls and got baskets of flower petals in their hands. I’m not holding out much hope for those hellions. They’re likely to chuck the basket at someone and run off screaming.”
Debbie put her fingers over her lips. “You’re terrible. Your little cousins are precious...just a lot of energy. Uh, is their mother keeping an eye on them?”
Hand on her hip, the recent college graduate said, “Well, she was dragging one behind her while she chased the other. So, I’m assuming she has it all under control.” Looking at Kendall, Sasha added, “You look gorgeous. Your curves are rocking that gown.”
“Thank you for being my maid of honor, Sasha. I-I didn’t want to stand there alone.”
“Girl, my brother isn’t being a mopey asshole for the first time in a decade so you’re welcome. Love my dress. The right mix of sexy and pretty so I can wear it again.” Shaking her head, she gave a mock shiver. “One of my girlfriends in college had her bridesmaids wear ruffles. Yuck.”
There was a tap on the door and Gary poked his head inside. “How’s it going, ladies? The guests are seated and Jared looks ready to come get you himself.”
Chuckling, Kendall nodded and they left the bridal suite. In the entryway of their church, Debbie straightened Kendall’s gown and pressed their cheeks together.
“I’ll see you out there. You look gorgeous.” She walked rapidly around the corner to take her seat in the front row.
Two adorable toddlers who looked ready to bolt were nudged up the aisle and the wedding guests ooh’d and aah’d as the little girls appeared in fluffy flower girl dresses.
Sasha softly whistled at her younger brothers who were checking their phones. “Let’s go, guys.”
“Crap. Sorry.” They tucked their phones away and took positions on each side of their sister. Then they escorted Sasha into the main part of the church.
Gary extended his arm and Kendall slipped her hand through it. “You look beautiful, honey. I know you’re already married but...thank you for today. We wanted to see the two of you like this.” She didn’t trust herself to speak so she nodded up at him. “It’s an honor to walk you down the aisle. I imagine your folks are watching so keep your chin up. Yeah?”
“Mm hmm.”
Patting her hand on his arm, he led her around to the wide aisle that led up the center of the large church. Everyone on both sides stood as music began to play.
Jared waited for her at the other end looking beautiful in his tuxedo. He wore a boutonniere of lavender and baby’s breath that matched the accents in her own bouquet.
He mouthed, “Hurry.”
Grinning, her heart settled and Kendall walked down the aisle to a man who was already her husband...to marry him all over again. Gary placed her hand in his son’s and kissed her temple before joining Debbie in the closest pew.
Staring into his beautiful brown eyes with a shimmering gold ring no one else seemed to notice, Kendall said her vows. Jared blinked against tears as he recited his own.
Then the minister pronounced them man and wife.
Jared took her in his arms and made love to her mouth, uncaring that the church was filled with a hundred people.
Finally lifting away, he cupped her face in his hands. “I love you. Thank you for being mine.”
“Thank you for wanting me to be,” she whispered with her heart in her throat. “I love you.”
They turned as the guests started cheering. Arm around her waist, he murmured, “You realize most of these people are related to me.”
“It’s wonderful, Jared. I’ve missed having family.”
“Allow me to overwhelm you, Mrs. Stalzer.”
They were swarmed at the base of the steps. It had been many years since Kendall had been hugged so much.
Throughout the reception, she danced with Jared’s father, brothers, cousins, uncles, and nephews while he danced with the women in his vast family.
As one song ended and another began, she found herself face to face with Hayden. Bowing slightly, he took her in his arms.
Smiling, she said happily, “You made it. I wasn’t sure you would but...I had to send you an invitation.”
“It was important. I’m leaving tomorrow for a new...let’s call it an assignment. It involves family friends.”
“Everything alright?”
“Oh, yes. I’ll still be around if you need me. I just want to make sure a young woman I greatly admire keeps breathing. Occasionally, that requires a hands-on approach.”
She chuckled. “Keeping frightened young women breathing is kind of your specialty.” His eyes widened. “I speak from experience.”
He kissed her forehead and bent lower to murmur at her ear, “I used the money you donated to the organization to cripple the cartel. It will take them a decade to recover their losses and be in a position to pose a threat again. I’ll continue to monitor the situation.”
Leaning back, they stared at one another. “You’re sure?” He arched his brow. �
�Of course you’re sure.” Tugging her lower lip between her teeth, she fought tears. “You gave us safety. Real safety.”
“You deserve a real life, Kenny. A normal life.” Smiling gently, he added, “So does your child.” The song ended and he bowed over her hand, kissing the back. “Do great things with your freedom, your wealth, your happiness.” Dropping his voice low, he whispered, “Honor the memory of your mother and father by living the life they wanted you to have.”
Nodding, she managed, “Thank you, Hayden.”
“Go dance with your husband and call me if you need me.”
He started to turn and Kendall reached out to touch his forearm. “I hope you find the happiness you’ve made possible for me, Hayden. I’ll send positive vibes out in the universe for you. It’s time to get you some balance in the personal realm.”
Tilting his head, he replied, “How strange that your words gave me a chill up my spine.” He winked. “How like your mother you are, Kendall.”
Then he was gone and Jared appeared at her side to take her in his arms. “I have a secret,” he whispered.
“Spill it,” she demanded.
“I set up your tripod in the basement.” She snorted. “After this shindig, I thought we could have another photo shoot.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“I wouldn’t mind that in the slightest.”
“First, you have to smear cake on my face…”
“I will not, Jared.”
“It’s a tradition…”
“A stupid tradition.”
“Fine.” He sighed heavily. “Then will you let me take your garter off with my teeth?”
“Absolutely not.” She wrapped her arms more firmly around his shoulders. “When we get home, you can.”
“Oh, a raincheck. I like the way you think.”
“I like everything about you.”
Waving his hand, he replied, “Flatterer.”
“We have a lot of work to do, Jared.” She explained her conversation with Hayden. “We’re going to change lives. Like you changed mine.”
Stopping in the middle of the dance floor, he stroked his fingertips from her temple to her chin. “You changed mine first. You make a list and I’ll make it happen.”
Dirty Little Secret: The Damaged Series - Book One Page 11