“It’s better than not seeing him at all.” She mumbled to herself as she was led into the room.
“Fourth booth.” The guard ordered
Her heart raced as she sat down. Seconds passed, each one feeling like hours as she waited for him to appear. As he stepped through the door, tears sprang to her eyes. The orange jumpsuit fitting tight across his chest was so different from his usual black that it brought a smile to her face. Her heart raced as her gaze moved up, traveling along his face before meeting his gaze. His eyes were cold, anger rolling off him as he dropped down to the metal stool and snatched the phone from the hook.
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Ja—”
“You don’t belong here, princess.” The last word nearly spat at her slicing deep within her.
“I wanted to see you.”
“Why? You’ve seen a murderer before.”
“You didn’t ki—”
“Shut your mouth.” He snapped. “You know nothing of what happened. Spoiled little princess thinks she knows how the world really works but she knows shit.”
“What happened to you?” She shook her heard trying to make sense of the sudden change in his attitude. He never spoke so harshly to her or looked at her with such anger. Didn’t he know she’d been there that night?
“Being sentenced to prison will harden anyone.”
“Answer me.” Jax’s demand pulled her back into reality.
“I’m not a spoiled princess.” The words escaped her lips on a whisper before she could regain her grip on reality. “Damn it Jax, that’s twice you’ve called me his princess, but I’ve never been that. A pawn yes, but not a princess. That’s always been a show for others. He’s kept a tight grip on me making sure I obey every command.”
“I know.” Jax nodded. “I treasured you more than your father every did. Now answer me, who came with you that day?”
“Aldo.”
“One of your father’s most loyal men. Do you think that was by accident?” Jax shook his head before she could answer. “No, he wanted someone to report back to him that I turned you away. Esposito needed to know I was keeping the deal. Otherwise you’d have been fair game for him to do whatever he wanted.”
“But Finn…” She glanced over Jax’s shoulder to where Finn stood. “You were supposed to go with me.”
“Esposito sent me out on a mission the night before to pick up a shipment of weapons. It was unusual for me to do those kinds of runs since I was your primary guard, but he claimed to be a man short. I should have been back in plenty of time, but the crate wasn’t set to arrive until morning. When I called, he claimed to have misread the schedule. He’d have someone cover my shift. Without me mentioning it he assured me they’d reschedule the jailhouse visit because he wanted someone he could trust protecting his daughter.” Finn shook his head. “Stupid me. I believed him. When I got back, I checked on you and found out what happened.”
“It was all set up to put Aldo in place as your guard that day. With him there, I had no choice.” Jax explained. “If it had been Finn, I could have been gentler.”
“Gentler?” She let her attention return to Jax.
“Even if it had been Finn, I need to make sure you didn’t come back. I didn’t want you to see me in there and every time you had any communication with me, through letter or visit it would have put you at risk. If Esposito found out he’d have taken it as a violation of our agreement. He’d have used anything he could to keep you as his pawn.”
“Seems I’m a pawn in everyone’s games.” She shook her head. “I’m assuming you’re not going to let me leave, so is there a place I can rest?”
“Do you want to leave?”
She shifted her gaze back to Jax who was still squatted in front of her. He seemed frozen, as if waiting for her to demand to be returned home. He seemed unsure of her answer, making her want to say something reassure him, but how could she when she didn’t even know what she wanted?
“I don’t know.” Part of her didn’t want to leave, not after she finally had Jax there with her. The other part despised the idea that she was a pawn for him as well. His motives might be true, but he was still using her in a way to get back at her father.
Chapter Eight
In the middle of a plush bed, surrounded by more pillows than one person could ever need, Kaytlyn couldn’t sleep. Her thoughts were racing faster than she could narrow them down. It had been like that for more than an hour since she’d curled up on the bed. She laid there listening to the house, hoping to hear something that would let her know what would happen next which was impossible.
Jax and Finn were in Jax’s office, plotting out their next move. Last she heard, they were trying to determine if Esposito believed Pedro still had her. They had already put together a plan to make Finn’s absence understandable, giving them an inside man if they still needed it. Even knowing they were putting together a plan to kill her father she continued to lay there, unmoving, as the two sides of her heart warred over her own future moves.
A good daughter would warn him of the assassination plans. Doing that would put her back into a situation with Pedro or worse. Papa wouldn’t stop until he reached his end goal. Using her was nothing to him, just as he used Gianna.
She could go to her Uncle Vic. Maybe he could figure out a better plan. Even though Jax had told her Uncle Vic was on their side, she had her doubts. Vic and her father were brothers, as far as she could see Vic always respected her father, even after everything that had happened.
No matter my move I’m going to lose someone. I just have to decide who I’m willing to give up. My black knight or the man who sold me into slavery to save himself.
Pushing back the covers she scooted out of bed. Without bothering to find anything more to wear than the shirt Jax had given her to sleep in she padded down the hall toward Jax’s office. She needed to talk to him.
“You sure you want to do this?” Finn’s question stopped her in her tracks.
“I have to.” Jax let out a soft breath. “For Kaytlyn, for my parents, Sig, Gianna, and everyone else who suffered horrible fates at his hands.”
“You sure he’s the one.”
“No doubt. That fucking bastard told me when he visited me in jail. I should have killed you that night too. Instead of being grateful I let you live you repay me by fucking my only daughter. She’d have fetched me quite a penny as a virgin, but you had to fuck it up. Every time I close my eyes, I can still hear those words. He always knew who I was. To him it was justice to have me working for him when my parents refused his offer.”
“And betrayal when you bedded his daughter.” Finn added.
My father killed his parents? With the air sucked from her lungs she took a step back, not wanting to alert them of her presence. As she did she bumped the hall table, causing it to bang off the wall. Shit!
Gun drawn Jax stepped into the hall, Finn close behind him, searching for the intruder.
With no other choice she raised her hands and stepped out of the shadows. “I’m sorry…”
“Fuck, Tesoro.” Jax lowered his gun to slid it back into the holster on his hip as he came closer. “You could have gotten yourself shot.”
“Why didn’t you? I mean why don’t you?” She shook her head, unsure how to phrase what was on her mind. “He killed your parents…”
“Oh, Kaytlyn.” He wrapped his arm around her and brought her close to him.
“I’ll get things ready. You deal with this, then get some rest.” Finn glanced at her before heading back into the office.
“Come on.” With his arm around her shoulders he led her back the way she came, toward the bedroom he had offered her.
“We need to talk.”
“No, what you need is sleep.” His arm slid down her back until it was wrapped around her waist. “You’re upset and it’s been a rough day. Rest and we can talk in the morning.”
Stepping into the bedroom suite she glanced at the
bedside table clock. “It’s already morning.”
“Two in the morning doesn’t count and you know that’s not what I meant.” He drew her in front of him, so they were looking at each other. “I know you, you need to think things through. To overthink every option and then reanalyze everything again. You can’t do that if we’re talking.”
“Fine.” She looped her arms around his neck. “Forget the talking. Come to bed with me.”
“Kaytlyn.” His voice was deep, warning her.
“Don’t use that tone with me.” She tanged her fingers in his hair at the base of his neck. “It’s been a long time…a long time for both of us. Let me be your first after…well you know.”
“Who say I haven’t fucked my way around town since I got out?”
“I know you, Jax. Fucking and one-night stands have never been your thing. Not even prison could have changed that. Not with you.” She bit her bottom lip. “We both need this. Let tonight be our night because tomorrow I don’t know what will happen.”
“One night wasn’t enough before.” With his arm still around her waist, he tugged her closer, pressing her against the front of his body, she could feel his heartbeat. “It won’t be enough this time either.”
“That’s what I’m counting on.” She stared up into his eyes. “My black knight, I love you. I always have.”
“Don’t, Tesoro.” Barely above a whisper as he leaned forward until he rested his forehead on hers.
“We both know it’s true. I started falling in love with you the first day you walked into my life. You were my first crush, my first partner, and my first love. You were the hardest to get over, the one I’d never forget. Dead or alive you held my heart. I need you to know that.”
“Fuck baby, you’re going to be the death of me.” His lips brushed hers, not yet claiming them.
“I want to be your life. Not your death.” She closed the distance claiming his mouth before he could respond.
She wasn’t the same woman she had been when they first had sex, but she was still his in every way that mattered. There had never been anyone else. He had been the only one her mind and soul wanted. The only one her body responded to.
He broke the kiss and lifted his chin toward the bed. “You asked for it. Now get on the bed.”
“I’ll beg for it if that’s what’s needed.” She took a step back from her, tugged his shirt over her head and shot him a cocky smile. “Like what you see?”
“Tesoro, you know I do. I’m going to fuck you until you’re hoarse from screaming my name.”
“What are you waiting for?” She hopped onto the bed and leaned back against the pillows. “Come here my black knight.”
“Tesoro.” His voice held warning, but his grin never faded.
“If I’m your tesoro, you’re my black knight. Want to negotiate? I’m willing to accept white knight, perhaps just knight.”
“One day I’ll prove I’m worthy of your pet name.” He stripped out of his clothes as he made his way toward her.
“You already have.” She assured him as she reached across the edge of the bed to run her fingers along the perfect contours of his abs. “Damn…”
“There’s not much to do in prison.” He slipped into place on top of her, she brought her legs up on either side of him and lazily dragged one hand along the side of his chest. Her fingers teased along his ribs but it was the contour of his muscles that she was enjoying. The tight muscles contracted under her touch, showing off the beauty of his chest. He worked hard to bulk up and she admired it.
“You were always fit but this…” She looked up into his eyes. “It makes me want to run my tongue over every contour, every indent, and every peak. I’m glad we’ve got all night.”
“Here I thought you said it was already morning.” He teased.
“And I thought you were going to make me scream your name. Guess we’re all a little confused here.” She dragged her nails along his skin. “Get to work black knight, you’re not leaving this bedroom until I’m hoarse and completely satisfied.”
“Oh, you will be.” He teased the tip of his dick along her slit before he arched forward, shoving it into her pussy in one quick movement, clearly telling her conversation time was over. All he wanted out of her was moans and her screaming his name.
A moan tore from her chest as her core muscles stretched to accommodate his width. “Jax!” Breathlessly, she ran her hands up his chest as her body quickly adjusted to his invasion.
“That’s right, Tesoro, scream my name.”
Staring down at her, he slowly pumped his hips, sliding his dick in and out of her. Using one arm to keep himself hovered above her, he brought his other hand to her breast. He groaned as his fingers found her hard nipples. Rolling the hardened bud between his fingers, pinching it with enough pressure to have her arching forward, he increased his pace. Each pump of his hips had him going harder and faster, stealing her breath as her climax neared. Heat coiled between her thighs and her sex clenched around him.
“Please…faster!” She lifted her body up to meet his.
“You feel so fucking good wrapped around my dick. I’ve missed this.” He pulled nearly his full length out, before slamming back into her. When he did, he sped his pace up. Their bodies rocked back and forth, each thrust gaining momentum, drawing her closer to her orgasm.
“So close. Please…” As if knowing what she needed to push her over the edge, he slid his hand between them, his thumb instantly finding her clit. Clearly not enough for him as he dipped his head, his lips wrapping around her nipple to suck it in between his teeth. He swirled his tongue around the bud before his teeth closed down around it.
“Oh…” she hissed in a mixture of pain and pleasure. Her climax was almost upon her as she arched forward, sending his dick deeper into her.
“Look at me. I want your eyes on me. I want you to know it’s my dick in you, bringing you to your orgasm.” His voice sounded strained as if he was close to his own orgasm but wouldn’t give in until she had her release first.
“Jax,” she whispered, her climax within reach. “Faster, please…” Her nails raked down his chest.
With one last flick over her clit, he leaned back, placing both hands on her hips, and pounded into her faster. She wrapped her legs around him, locking her ankles together at the small of his back, which kept him from pulling back too far. Tension had her muscles constricting around him as her orgasm neared, urging him to engage an even faster rhythm, and his eyes glazed over with his own ecstasy creeping up on him.
Keeping her gaze locked on his, she pressed her body to his. Her fingers tangled in his longer strands, bringing his head down so she could claim his lips. Slipping her tongue in between his lips, she moaned his name as her release found her. With her free hand, she raked the skin along his chest, digging her nails into his flesh.
Her core muscles tightened around him and she could feel the tension release from him as he slammed into her one final time before leaning forward against her and letting go, filling her. He buried his face in the arch of her shoulder. “Fuck, Kaytlyn.”
“Mmm…now I know I can’t ever let you go. Not again.” With her fingers still in his hair, she let the palm of her hand brush along the side of his face. Her muscles continued to tighten around him, milking his cock for every drop. “My black knight, you might not want to hear it, but I love you.”
“My sweet tesoro, you’ve owned my heart for as long as I can remember. I wasn’t worthy of you before and I’m still not, but I’ll live every day trying to be the man you need. I love you.”
The idea of spending the rest of her life with him sent her heart fluttering. It was what she’d always wanted but thought she lost when he went to prison. Even through that there was a ray of hope she’d find a way back to him, up until the obituary. I can’t lose you again.
Chapter Nine
Cuddled next to Kaytlyn, Jax enjoyed the after-sex bliss, trying not to consider what the coming hours or even day
s had in store for them. There was much to do in order to keep her safe. He still wasn’t sure how handling her father would affect what was happening between them. There was no doubt in his mind that killing Esposito would affect things. He expected she’d hate him, just as he despised Esposito for killing his parents.
“Why did he kill your parents?” Her fingers teased along his chest as she shifted to look up at him. “I mean if you don’t mind me asking.”
“It was a shakedown gone bad. My father owned a small market here in East Aurora. Esposito had a set up with the previous owner, money for protection. My dad wanted nothing to do with it. He believed in protecting his own. We lived above the shop, it wasn’t much but it was home. Esposito burned the place to the ground, killing everyone inside. My parents and younger sister. I should have been there.” The memory brought back the stench of smoke, chard wood, and burning flesh, nearly making him gag again. Turning his heard to bury his face in the top of her head, filling his senses with the sweetness of her shampoo he pushed the memory away.
“How old was she?”
“Four.” His sister’s face popped in front of his eyes like a movie projector. Her sweet brown eyes taking everything in and nearly black hair sticking up everywhere as if she put her finger in the electrical socket. “She was the sweetest child you’d ever meet. From the beginning she was a joy. She rarely cried except when she was hungry or needed her diaper changed. If one of us had to survive it should have been her.”
“Don’t do that.” Her hand caressed along his cheek until he looked down at her. “I’m sorry, so sorry.”
“None of this is your fault, you were just a toddler when it happened, even if you weren’t it still isn’t your fault. He made the decision, he fucking lit the match.” With a deep breath he added. “I never understood why he let me live that night. He knew who I was and saw me coming from the shop, heading up the street to a friend’s house to play, and he let me go.”
Road to Kaytlyn Page 4