End Game (Games Thriller Series)

by J. E. Taylor

  Chris watched her go and then turned his attention to the boys. “Thanks. We did need the rest,” he said and stretched. CJ and Tommy tackled him and Eric gave a nod, turning away from the door.

  “Eric, I have a suit for you,” Chris called after him and the boys relentlessly tickled him.

  “I know,” Eric said. “I got it from your closet last night. Thanks.” He disappeared from sight.

  The boys continued wrestling with Chris, tickling and jumping back and forth like little lemurs.

  “Have you two eaten?” He grabbed their little hands.

  “Yes, we had breakfast and lunch,” CJ answered.

  “Then I guess it’s time for a bath.”

  “Aww, do we have to?” they both whined.

  Chris nodded and threw back the covers. “You need to be nice and clean and be the perfect little gentlemen today, understand?”

  They nodded.

  “Can I carry the rings?” CJ asked.

  “You each can carry one.”

  “I want to carry Mommy’s,” Tommy said.

  “That’s okay. I want to carry Daddy’s,” CJ said and pushed his little brother.

  “Let’s go,” Chris said and pulled on a pair of sweat pants. Bathing two four-year-old boys was a little like herding cats and Chris had to stifle laughter a few times and mop up stray puddles from the constant splashing. He managed to get their hair washed and their bodies squeaky clean before pulling them out of the tub, towel drying and dressing them in their little suits. “Now this means you can’t get into anything until after the wedding, you hear?”

  CJ nodded and Tommy followed his lead and Chris brought them into the living room where they happily climbed onto the couch next to Eric and picked up the extra controllers.

  He stepped into the bedroom and whistled. Jessica smiled up at him from the edge of the bed, rolling her nylons gracefully up her legs and clipping them to the white garter belt. The simple motion moved him, stirring the need for her and he inhaled, closing the door behind him.

  “Get going,” she said, tilting her head toward the bathroom.

  “It won’t take me that long.” He crossed to her, reaching out and running his fingers over her bare shoulders.

  “There’s no time for that.”

  He glanced at the clock and his eyes widened. He only had a little more than a half hour to get ready before the car picked them up. Grabbing his clothes, he headed into the bathroom.

  Chris emerged from the bedroom twenty minutes later decked out in his tailored Armani suit and a crisp white shirt open at the collar revealing the gold chain she gave him. The watch poked out from behind the diamond cufflinks and he stopped in his tracks at the living room entry. His breath locked in his chest at the sight of her, stunning was an understatement and she turned, flashing him a smile that made his legs lock in place, holding him upright against the urge to fall to his knees in front of his angel.

  Her dark hair flowed in ringlets over her shoulders, her eyelids accented with soft shades of blue bringing out that color from the calico combination in her eyes. Her lips looked like pink rose petals glistening in the morning dew and he couldn’t remember her looking more beautiful. “Wow,” he said and seeing her triggered something. His eyes got a little wider and he turned back toward the bedroom. The rings.

  Jessica laughed. “It would not be good to forget those,” she called after him.

  He came out, slipping the ring boxes in his pocket and holding his camera. “I want a picture of the kids,” he said. “Come on.” He rounded them up onto the balcony and sat Emily in the chair and had Eric kneel on one knee on the side facing her, positioning CJ and Tommy between Eric and Emily. With highly inappropriate jokes, he got them laughing and snapped off at least a dozen pictures, grinning from behind the camera lens, capturing the group and individual close-ups as quickly as any professional photographer.

  “Now you and Mom,” Eric said and stood, taking the camera out of Chris’s hand. Eric moved the chair and pointed to the spot he wanted Chris to stand and then went inside to get his mother, escorting her to stand next to Chris in the cold air. Chris put his arm around her and they smiled for the camera, forever capturing the start of the most memorable day of their lives.

  Chris pulled out coats for each of them from the hall closet and smiled as Jessica approached. He pulled out the beautiful white mink shawl and wrapped it around her, kissing her on the cheek. “You look more beautiful today than I ever remember you looking.”

  “So do you.”

  He escorted her out, closing and locking the apartment door behind him and met the rest of their family at the elevator. They stepped into the lobby a few minutes later and the door attendant nodded to them as he held the door.

  “Your car is waiting, sir,” he said as Chris approached at the tail end of the group.

  Chris smiled and hung back a moment, watching as they filed into the waiting limousine. He pulled out a tip for the doorman. “Thanks, Fred.”

  “Always a pleasure, Mr. Ryan.” He pocketed the bill without looking. “What’s the occasion?”

  “I’m getting married,” Chris grinned.

  “Congratulations, sir.”

  “Thank you,” Chris said and slid into the car. It took everything he had not to fidget in the seat, excitement thrummed in his veins and he couldn’t wait until the last surprise was sprung on his bride-to-be.

  “And what surprise would that be?” Jessica smiled from the other side of the car.

  Chris grinned and exchanged a quick glance with Eric.

  “I already know,” Eric smiled.

  “Keep that wise ass mouth of yours shut,” he warned with a small laugh.

  “Yes, sir.” Eric saluted and they broke out laughing. “Does this mean that after today I have to call you Dad?”

  Chris cocked his head. “You can call me anything you want.” He hadn’t thought Eric and Emily would call him anything but Chris.

  They pulled up at city hall and an elderly gentleman opened the door, helping each one out. Chris hugged the man. “It is good to see you, Sam.” He smiled and held his hand out to help Jessica from the car.

  Her eyebrows knit together at the stranger.

  “Jessica, this is Sam Trueman. He’s my lawyer and probably the closest thing to family that I’ve got. He’s represented the Aris family for as long as I can remember.” And he believes I’m Chris.

  “It is a pleasure meeting you,” Jessica said and extended her hand.

  “The pleasure’s all mine,” Sam said and took her hand, bringing it to his lips and pasting a dry peck on the back in gentleman’s fashion. “Chris told me so much about you, but you are more stunning than he described.”

  “Thank you.” She blushed and let Sam escort her up the steps.

  Chris spoke briefly with the driver and then headed up after them. He caught up and held the door for Jessica and Sam.

  “The judge’s office is this way.” Sam led the family down the hall and into Judge Henry Sampon’s chambers.

  * * * *

  Jessica entered and gasped. The joy of the day increased threefold at the sight of her parents and her sister and she twirled, throwing her arms around Chris’s neck and kissing his cheek. Her vision distorted through tears she blinked away and she whispered, “Thank you,” swallowing the lump in her throat.

  “Surprise.” He brushed his lips against her cheek.

  “Nana, Papa!” the boys yelled and ran to them, wrapping their arms around their knees in fierce bear hugs.

  Judge Sampson smiled, scanning the chaos in his chamber before clearing his throat.

  Chris crouched and called the boys to him, handing each one a box. “You need to give us these when the judge asks for them, okay?”

  CJ and Tommy nodded and then everyone took their places.

  Jessica and Chris stood in the center, bordered by CJ and Tommy. The rest of the group fanned out behind them.

  Judge Sampson began, “The step which
you are about to take is the most important into which human beings can come. It is a union of two people founded upon mutual respect and affection. Your lives will change, your responsibilities will increase, but your joy will be multiplied if you are sincere and earnest with your pledge to one another.” He paused and looked at the two of them.

  “Do any of the witnesses know of any reason why we may not legally continue with this wedding?” Everyone shook their heads.

  “Chris, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, and forsaking all others, keep only unto her, for so long as you both shall live?”

  “I will.”

  “Jessica, will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, and forsaking all others, keep only unto him, so long as you both shall live?”

  “I will.” Jessica smiled up at Chris.

  “Take hands and repeat after me.” He waited until they were holding hands and voiced the vows.

  Chris stared into her eyes and she could see the bright sheen of tears pooling and he blinked them back, but his voice never faltered.

  “I, Chris, take you, Jessica, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer or poorer, to love and cherish, from this day forward.”

  The judge turned to Jessica and repeated the instructions.

  “I, Jessica, take you, Chris...” she paused and thought Ty, causing his smile to widen a fraction... “to be my wedded husband, to have and hold, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, to love and cherish, from this day forward.” Her voice wavered, shaking with emotions overwhelming her.

  “Do you have a ring for the bride?” Judge Sampson asked.

  “Yes,” Chris said and turned to Tommy, putting his hand out. Tommy placed the box in his father’s hand. Chris took the ring out and handed Tommy the box again, patting his head in appreciation.

  Chris slid the ring on her ring finger and looked into her eyes. “With this ring, I thee wed.” He blinked back tears.

  “Is there a ring for the groom?”

  “Yes,” Jessica replied and turned to CJ.

  “Here Mommy.” CJ opened the box and took out the ring, placing it in her palm and smiled up at her.

  “Thank you, sweetie.” Jessica turned to Chris. Sliding the ring on his finger, she repeated the judge’s instructions. “With this ring, I thee wed.” Blinking didn’t work for her and a tear brimmed, tracing a hot path down her cheek.

  “Let these rings be given and received as a token of your affection, sincerity and fidelity to one another,” Judge Simpson said and paused for a moment. “In as much as Chris and Jessica have consented together in wedlock and have witnessed the same before this company, and pledged their vows to each other, by the authority vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

  Chris and Jessica smiled at each other.

  “Son, you can kiss your bride,” the judge whispered, leaning closer to Chris.

  Chris leaned in and pressed his warm, wet lips to hers and the world disappeared. His, kiss, tender and sweet, filled her with overwhelming joy, more so than the words of the judge. She laid her hand on his chest, feeling the thud of his heart hammering against her palm and when they broke apart, his blue eyes shimmered with tears.

  “My wife.” His husky voice gave away the emotions inside and he blinked his eyes clear before turning in the direction of the family. A grin spread over his lips.

  * * * *

  After the paperwork was signed and dotted, Chris peeled off a hefty tip for the judge. “Thank you again, Judge Sampson. I appreciate you fitting us into your busy schedule.”

  “Put your money away, son, this was a favor to Sam.”

  “Seriously.” Chris put the money in his hand. “It is the least I can do.” He folded the judge’s fingers around the bills. “If you don’t want to accept it, give it to charity, but I’m leaving this with you.” He smiled and escorted his family out of the judge’s chambers to the waiting limousines.

  They arrived at the South Street Seaport ten minutes later and boarded a privately chartered ferry. As the boat pulled out in the direction of the Statue of Liberty, Chris led Jessica out onto the dance floor. The light music transitioned and he took her in his arms and twirled her around with ease, expertly navigating the small dance floor. He sang the words to “Calling All Angels” loud enough for her to hear over the piped in music. “I must be dreaming because I believe I am holding an angel,” he whispered in her ear and then dipped her before she could respond.

  When he pulled her back to his chest, she whispered, “I love you.”

  “I know.” He kissed her before twirling her off the dance floor.

  “What else have you planned?” she asked.

  “Dinner at Tavern on the Green and afterwards I have cars available to take your sister and your folks home and the kids back to the apartment.”

  * * * *

  Her father gathered them on the bow of the boat and took at least a dozen photographs, including one of Chris dipping Jessica and grinning into the camera. She flipped through the digital display stopping on that particular picture and smiled. His eyes smoldered and she glanced at him crouched between CJ and Tommy pointing to the passing mid-town high rises.

  “Thank you, Daddy.” Jessica kissed her father’s cheek and the boat pulled up to the docks at the 42nd Street pier.

  “For what?”

  “For being here and accepting Chris,” she said and she watched her husband pick up the two boys in each arm. Happiness radiated from him, touching a special place in her heart and he caught her staring in his direction, flashing a quick, secretive smile.

  “I was surprised when he came by the other day.”

  “He came by?”

  “He asked for our blessing.”

  Jessica put her fingers over her lips and her vision blurred. She blinked the tears away, but the lump in her throat persisted. She just assumed he called and invited them to the wedding.

  “He was nervous,” Russ smiled. “More nervous than Dan ever was. At least he didn’t have a fire to run off to in the middle of the conversation.” Russ winked at her.

  Jessica chuckled. Dan’s volunteer firefighter days had gone by the wayside soon after they married, more because they moved out of town than his desire to quit. She glanced in Chris’s direction. “Nervous?” She couldn’t envision that, not for a man who was so in control of his emotions. His eyes found hers and a dimple appeared briefly before his attention was pulled to the boys. There was a fire all right, but not the kind her father was talking about.

  “We wouldn’t have missed this one. This one’s forever, isn’t it?”

  Jessica nodded. “This is the man I’ve been waiting for my whole life, Dad.”

  “He certainly loves you and those kids,” Russ said, watching his new son-in-law carry the boys off the boat and set them on the dock.

  Chris turned and helped Emily off the boat and she took the boys up to the waiting car, slipping inside. The rest of the crew followed. Chris stopped Jessica halfway to the car and kissed her. “I still can’t believe this day is real.”

  Dinner went by in a flash and before they knew it, the check was delivered and they walked outside where the cars waited.

  Jessica smiled at the beautiful horse-drawn carriage. Two impeccably groomed white stallions pulled the enclosed white carriage. Mirrored windows tinted with a golden hue gave the impression of luxury, like a modern Cinderella carriage emblazoned with gold trim. “Definitely over the top.” She met his gaze, the amusement dancing in his eyes making her smile. “I assume that’s for us?” She pointed as the group ogled.

  “Absolutely,” Chris smiled.

  Hugs were given to Russ, Joanna, Julia and Kurt and they got into the limousine that would take them home, waving madly as they went.

  Chris took out his keys, handed them to Emily, and opened the door of the town car
for her and the kids. “Thank you for watching the boys again tonight.”

  Emily nodded, “Anytime.”

  Eric stopped at the door, locking eyes with Chris. “Make sure that bitch pays.”

  “Don’t worry. That’s the next thing on my agenda,” Chris said.

  “Welcome to the family, Ty.” He hugged his stepfather and hopped into the car without looking back.

  Chapter 25

  Tom stepped out of the limousine and stood smiling at the flashing cameras. He didn’t bother helping Sharon out; instead, he crossed to the designated spot and turned around facing the swarming reporters and the street beyond. A quick glance at his watch told him they’d arrive anytime and he fielded questions, ignoring Sharon muscling her way through the crowd to take the spot next to him. She had done an exceptional job covering the bruises with make-up and a conveniently tied scarf around her neck.

  She threaded her arm around his and he jerked away, glaring at her. A wave of silence settled over the crowd for a moment, targeting the tension between them and then the pack went into attack mode, shooting questions about their relationship one after another. He scanned the street, letting her deal with the barracudas.

  Tom laughed out loud when he saw the carriage round the corner and the crowd followed his gaze, parting like the red sea when the carriage pulled up to the red carpet. Quiet settled over the crowd and they looked expectantly at the carriage.

  * * * *

  Sharon’s phone rang and she looked down at the number as Chris smiled from behind the mirror. She opened it up. “Now isn’t a good time.”

  “I’m not on the payroll anymore,” John said into her ear.

  “Why not?” Sharon asked, not really paying attention.

  “You don’t want to fuck with the guy she’s with. He can make people disappear,” John said, repeating the words he was told to. “He said to tell you that you just unleashed Ty Aris and he’s coming after you.”

  Sharon shivered and flipped the phone closed, attempting to smile at the crowd, but the heat drained out of her face, leaving her cold and frightened.