“I’m going to get you out of this world and when I do, you’ll realize how wrong you are. You’ll find a man who will be what you deserve. A man that will be what Sig hoped you’d find when he freed you from your father’s grasp.”
“I found that man.” She ran her hand along his thigh. “Since you came into my life at fifteen it’s always been you. Five years difference is nothing now that I’m legal. I’m not the same young girl you first met. I’m an adult now. Against papa’s wishes I earned my college degree in legal studies. Don’t shut me out before we even have a chance.”
“Legal Studies.” He chuckled. “I remember when I found out you declared a major. I sat in my cell chuckling as I pictured Esposito’s face when he learned this.”
“I think it was our first real argument. He felt I betrayed him, betrayed our family. It was Finn who got him to see the logical side of my choice. If I was accepted into law school—which was my end goal—having a lawyer in the family could save the lives of his men. At least that’s how Finn defended my decision. Even though he knew the truth.”
“What’s the truth?”
“I had hoped to be a prosecuting attorney. I wanted to ensure those who committed crimes were punished. I’ve seen my father’s men get out of trouble time and time again.” She let out a soft breath, shifting her gaze away from him. “Just as I’ve seen others go down for crimes they didn’t commit. Like you.”
“Tesoro, I’m a guilty man.”
“Not of everything.” She pulled her hand back, her gaze still on the floor instead of looking at him. “I was there. I know you didn’t kill him. It was papa. I betrayed you by not standing up to my father, for not going to the police with what I saw. Because of my silence you spent three years in prison. I’m guilty”
“No.” He reached over pulling her hand into his, bringing them back into his lap. He wanted to bring her completely into his lap but with the steering wheel there wasn’t enough room. “Tesoro, none of this is your fault. None. Do you understand me? I took the plea deal because I knew your father had paid people off to ensure I was found guilty. Those three years I did were nothing compared to what it would have been…I would have received the maximum penalty. He wanted me out of the way, he wanted me away from you. He knew about the night after your eighteenth birthday.”
“The night.” Her gaze shot up to him as a smile spread across her face. “Our night…but how? Finn?”
“Finn has been my man. He knew what was going on and he didn’t report it. He’s loyal…well loyal to me. As we came out of that restaurant, one of your father’s guys was there on the street. I didn’t have time to determine if he was following one of us or if it was a coincidence. He had to alert Esposito of what he saw. Things went down before we could handle it and I was arrested.” His thumb teased along each of her knuckles as he thought about that night. Even with the consequences of those actions he wouldn’t have changed a moment of it. Given the chance he’d change how things had been left between them.
“Your father visited me shortly after I was arrested. He arranged a plea deal and advised me to accept it, otherwise, he was going to ensure I received the maximum sentence. With the plea deal I’d get out of prison in a few years and could live my life again—as long as I stayed far away from you. He knew that over the years I had time to form my own group of loyal people within his structure, they were unhappy with how he was leading the family and wanted change. He wanted to avoid me using my situation to influence them further and provoke an attack. To ensure I’d take the deal he added another part. He agreed to keep you safe. He’d keep you out of harm’s way and wouldn’t use you as a bargain chip.”
“We’re not talking about a stealing from the local five and dime. This was manslaughter. Second degree manslaughter. Damn it, Jax, even with the deal it was a guarantee of at least one year in prison but you could have done ten years. Most of the evidence was circumstantial. His testimony didn’t correlate with pieces of the evidence. With a good attorney you could have gotten off. If I had come to your defense”
“It would have angered your father and he would have ensured you’d have regretted it. Ensured we both regretted your actions.” His tone became enraged that she even considered this to be her fault. None of it was her doing. “Gianna’s fate would have been nothing like what your father would have done to you. Even if you didn’t out him as the murderer, he’d see it as a personal betrayal. I could not allow that.”
“Free we could have—”
“No, Tesoro.” He brought their hands to his mouth allowing the sweet scent of her lotion to tingle though his senses before placing a soft kiss on the back of her hand. “Even after everything you still underestimate your father. He’d have seen that I didn’t walk out of jail alive. Six feet under in a casket wasn’t going to help you. Alive, even in prison, I could ensure your safety.”
“Oh, Jax…” She scooted closer to him, pressing her body along his side until he let go of her hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulders allowing her to snuggle closer. “I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for.” He pressed his lips to the top of her head.
Feeling her pressed against his body it was like nothing had changed. He still wanted her, wanted her screaming his name like she had that night before his life turned upside down. Soon, I’ll claim my tesoro again and no one will ever tear her away from me again.
Chapter Seven
The house in East Aurora was anything but what Kaytlyn had been expecting. As Jax drove them to meet Finn, she’d expected to end up somewhere rural, further away from people, so she wasn’t spotted. Rather it was a quiet middle-class town. Even the cozy three-bedroom ranch house surrounded by woods on three sides seemed out of character. It seemed lived in, homey, yet it wasn’t Finn’s condo and Jax hadn’t been out of prison long enough to establish this, leaving her unsure of who’s house they were in.
“Why don’t we go into the living room? I started a fire and I already have a pot of coffee sitting in there.” Finn suggested.
“This isn’t your place though. Is it?” She glanced at the man she come to trust over the years.
“It’s mine.” Jax touched her shoulder. “Finn has been looking after it for me, staying here more than at his own condo. Since my release it’s become our headquarters.”
“When papa learns you have me, he’ll come here.”
“That would be his first move if he knew I owned this house. He doesn’t and the only one on his staff that has the computer skills to dig deep enough to unveil the truth behind the hidden names is no longer loyal to Esposito.”
“Salvador…” She turned to face him. “He’s weak, scared of his own shadow. All father has to do is threaten him in the right way and he’ll crack.”
“Old Sal has more of a backbone than he lets on. He’s been working with your uncle for years, alerting him to anything that might be of interest.” Jax rubbed his hand down her back. “Trust me.”
“He’s right. Sal is a good man he’ll do what’s right because he knows what’s at risk. He wants Vic Esposito in charge as much as the rest of us.” Finn nodded toward the opening to the living room. “Come sit, Kaytlyn, you’ve had a long night and it’s only going to get longer.”
“I’m sorry…” She stepped away from Jax, crossing the entryway to stand near Finn. “You spent hours searching for me, no doubt concerned for my safety as well as what the future would hold.”
“Stop.” Jax ordered coming up behind her. “You’re always so worried about everyone else. You were the one kidnapped and you’re apologizing that he had to do his job. If I’d still been behind bars, he’d have been your best chance at getting out of Pedro’s hands alive.”
“I know.” She shifted to the side allowing her to look at Jax. “Finn has been my bodyguard for years. He’s gotten me out of situations I wasn’t sure I’d survive. I’m thankful to have him by my side, to have both of you.”
“Don’t apologize.�
�� Finn’s words had her turning back to him. “I wouldn’t have given up until I found you.”
“That’s why he’s your bodyguard.” Jax nodded. “Go sit. I need to make a call and I’ll join you.”
“Come on.” Finn nodded. “I just so happen to have some of those fancy cookies you like.”
“Just happen to?” Her lips curled into a smile. “Couldn’t be because you enjoy those fancy butter cookies just as much as I do?”
“Never.” He teased even though they both knew he picked up the craving for those cookies because of her nerves. After years of offering him a cookie he had given into her to prove she could score high enough to get into the law school of her choice.
“Come on, Finn!” She sat on the edge of the kitchen counter, her legs swinging back and forth as she held out one of her favorite cookies to him. “Just try one bite. I promise you won’t regret it.”
“I don’t like fancy cookies.” He leaned against the counter across from her, his arms crossed over his black shirt.
“Now finish your disgusting snack so we can get going.”
“Try one.” She leaned closer, cookie still held out to him. “It will be good luck for my test. Come on, Finn, this exam will determine everything.”
“Not everything.” He shook his head. “You can retake it.”
“Everything.” Dropping her hand into her lap she looked down at the cookie, suddenly no longer interested in her favorite treat. “I need to do well in order to get into law school. If my score isn’t high enough, I’m done. Papa will never agree to me taking it again. I can’t believe he even allowed me to take it in the first place.”
“A lawyer in the family is good business for him.” Avoiding her swinging legs, he stepped closer, and placed his hand on her wrist. “You’ve been studying nonstop for more than a month now. You’re prepared for the test. Stop worrying and let’s do this.”
“You think?”
“I know.” He plucked the cookie out of her hand and brought it to his mouth. “For good luck and just for you.” With a smile he popped the cookie into his mouth. The moment the sweet buttery cookies hit his tongue his eyes widened.
“Good, aren’t they?” She smirked, hoping over the counter. “I knew you’d like them.”
“Finn…” Her voice low as she dropped onto the plush tan sofa, exhaustion from the recent events catching up to her.
“Yeah?” He pressed when she remained silent.
“Jax’s going to kill my father.” The words should have sent anger or fear running through her instead she was hollow, empty of emotion. “Shouldn’t I be upset about this? Shouldn’t I want to save my father? Why do I feel as if I’m already grieving?”
“I haven’t gotten the story as to why you disappeared from the hotel or how you ended up with Jax but I can put together enough to know this…”
He handed her a package of their cookies and sat on the chair beside the sofa before pouring her a mug of coffee. “Esposito was responsible for your disappearance tonight. Otherwise he’d have called to find out where you were when you didn’t show up in the meeting. I checked the hotel and there was no meeting. Esposito wasn’t there tonight…hell he hadn’t been there in months from what I gathered from the staff. It was a set up and the only reason I can think of is to get you out of the way. I’m sorry, Kaytlyn, but that’s the only way this pans out. Esposito knew Jax was released from prison, he knew Jax would want to see you even though he wasn’t supposed to. And when you found out he was alive, everything your father has done would have been exposed. Esposito couldn’t let that happen. Not when Jax would risk everything for you. You know that don’t you?”
“I know.” Lifting one of the cookies from their metal tin she held it out to Finn. “Papa gave me to Pedro as payment for killing Pedro Junior. I was supposed to give Pedro another son and then be returned to my father but Pedro had other plans.”
“Selling you to the highest bidder.” Finn took a cookie but didn’t bring it to his mouth. “Pedro has a harem of women, why would he want you to carry his child? It would only bring problems for him later.”
“Papa was playing the long game.” She sat the tin of cookies aside and leaned back against the sofa. “Our son would be used to unite the two families. Papa would see it as a power move, he would write off the risks because his family is bigger. Their trades are different with Pedro focusing on sex and drugs while Papa prefers guns and loan sharking. It would expand his empire. He’d use me just as he used Gianna with the Kuznetsov family.”
“He’s your father but in your heart, you know he can’t remain in power.” His words were gentle but they tightened her chest all the same.
“I know.” The first tear rolled down her cheek as her heart shattered again. “He sold me tonight to save himself, and that angers me, but what infuriates me is that he lied to me. He told me Jax was dead. I have a fucking obituary that was supposed to prove he was dead. I grieved for him and you…you let me. How could you, Finn?”
“I knew this was coming.” He ran his hand through his should reddish-blond hair before meeting her gaze. “I struggled with that decision every day. At the time it seemed the right thing to do. Esposito knew Jax was getting out of prison soon and he wanted to end anything before it started. Having you think Jax was dead would ensure you didn’t go looking for him after his release.”
“You could have, no you should have, told me the truth.” The rage pulsed within her forcing her to sit her uneaten cookie aside before the flakey goodness ended up in nothing more than crumbs.
“The grief needed to be real, otherwise Esposito would have known you knew the truth. It would have put you at risk.” He shook his head as if angry with himself. “It’s not an excuse, but I said a couple little things that should have made you suspect it was a lie. I had to be careful because it would have put us both at risk. Maybe I didn’t try as hard as I should have, but I knew in a few months you’d find out the truth. You could hate me if you wanted but you’d be safe when Jax got out and that’s what mattered.”
“He did what I asked him to do.” Jax’s announcement had her turning to look over the back of the sofa as he strolled into the living room coming straight for her. “Neither of us liked the idea but he’s right, you were safe, and the grief had to look real.”
“Why? Shouldn’t I have already grieved for you?” She let her anger vibrate through her as she eyed him. “You ripped my heart out when I came to see you after you accepted the plea deal. If that wasn’t bad enough, you tore it to shreds before standing up from the booth and walking away from me.”
“For you—”
“For me! That’s all I ever hear.” She snapped rising off the sofa in one quick movement. “Why don’t I ever get a say in what’s done for me? Why do the men that surround me think they can make all the decisions and I’ll just fall in line? I’m tired of it.”
“Kaytlyn.” Finn stood but stayed near his vacated chair. “We want to protect you. It started as my job but overtime you’ve come to mean as much to me as Jax does. You’re family. We’re family, all of us. Maybe none of us by blood but we’re still family. Family protects one another.”
“He’s right.” Jax closed the distance between them. “Finn and I met years ago in the system—group home for trouble boys. My folks where murdered when I was seven, where as his decided he wasn’t worth the trouble he caused. We bonded over the shit deal we were given and wreaked havoc where we could. Esposito knew our history and if your grief wasn’t real he’d know Finn was the one who told you the truth. It would have made our plans to keep you safe harder. Finn would have been taken off your guard detail and possibly killed for his betrayal. It would have made you more determined to see me when I got out. All around it would have made things more difficult than they had to be. I needed things to go smoothly so I could get you away from Esposito.”
“Get me away? What does that even mean?” Emotions jumbled within her she wasn’t sure how to handle all of thi
s at one. Where the two men she trusted more than anyone else actually traitors? “Why were you even there tonight? Were you going to kidnap me?”
“If kidnapping is what it took, then yes I’d have done that.” Jax nodded.
“Wow!” She took a step back only to find there was nowhere else to go. Pressed against the sofa she sank back onto the cushions again. “I trusted you…I trusted both of you.”
“Finn was aware I was released, but he didn’t know I would be there tonight. He knew my end goal was to release you from Esposito’s hold, but he didn’t know I planned on coming for you tonight, or even in the coming days. I kept that to myself because I knew he’d talk me out of it. Part of it was I needed to see you, to explain, but I also wanted you away from your father.” Jax squatted down in front of her, not touching her but bringing them to the same level. “Kidnapping you was an option, if that’s what it took to get you away from Esposito, but I had hoped you’d come with me willingly. For years revenge against your father plagued me, but more than that it was all for you. I wanted you safe and as long as you were under his roof and his thumb you weren’t safe.”
“You were the reason I continued to work for Esposito, the reason I brought Finn into this shit. I needed someone to watch over you, to keep you safe when I couldn’t be there. Finn was that man. I trust him with my life. More importantly, I trust him with your life and that, Tesoro, is so much more valuable to me.”
“If that’s true why did you say the things you said to me at the jail? You sent me away.”
“Who did you bring with you that day?” Jax questioned.
Memories of that day flooded back to her, filling her vision and transporting her back in time.
Standing in front of the metal bars waiting for them to open and allow her into the visiting room she glanced back over her shoulder, Aldo stood a few steps away, his gaze on her. Jax was only allowed one visitor, which mean Aldo, had to wait there, but she was still in his line of sight. He’d only agreed to it because there’d be a plexiglass divider between them. Jax and she could talk on the phone and see each other, but they couldn’t touch. She longed to touch him, to feel his fingers run along her skin again, but for now this would have to do.
Road to Kaytlyn Page 3