by M. Malone
He didn't bother removing her thong, but instead shoved the flimsy fabric aside and sank into her deep as he kissed her.
She gasped. "Jonas."
"You didn't think we were done did you? After all, I've just come home from prison. And I’m in my woman’s bed. We’re gonna be here a while. So you might as well go ahead and get used to the size of me inside you."
The thing was JJ was so down for that.
It didn't take long. Two deep strokes, a quick flick of his thumb over her clit, his tongue sliding over hers, and she was flying.
JJ jumped with him into the abyss of bliss, finally letting go of the fear and the worry and the panic from today. He was home, he was safe, he was hers. And she was never letting go.
chapter 7
Over the next few days, Jonas tried to catch up on paperwork. Noah didn’t want him out in the field, so he’d done as much at the penthouse as possible, burying himself in reports that he’d been too lazy to file last month. He figured if he was busy, he wouldn’t have time to dwell on the ongoing investigation into Isabella’s kidnapping and Katie’s murder. But despite all his efforts, there was only so much paperwork he could do. And when he got JJ from work each day, it took all the energy he had to keep a smile on his face for her sake.
Not that it fooled her. JJ was just as on-edge as he was. And he spent each night staring at the ceiling as every detail of both cases scrolled through his mind.
There was something he was missing, and he was desperate to find it. JJ hadn’t been sleeping any better. She tried to be quiet so he wouldn’t know she was awake, but her breathing gave her away. His baby didn’t know it, but she actually snored most of the time. A little tidbit he was saving to tell her at just the right time.
“You know, you could have taken a little time off.”
Oskar’s voice came from over Jonas’s shoulder. He turned to look at him. His friend’s usually stoic expression was twisted with worry.
Jonas sighed. The guys he worked with might be stone cold killers, but inside, they were all a bunch of gossipy, little old ladies. If he wasn’t careful, they’d stage an intervention and force him to talk about his feelings.
“I’m fine. Like I told Noah this morning and Matthias this afternoon, I’m fine.”
A woman going into the restroom they were guarding glanced at him in alarm. He pasted on a benign smile, and she glanced away quickly. Great. Now he was scaring the public.
“I’m just saying, no one would think less of you for needing a little time after everything that’s happened.” Oskar’s eyes scanned all the people walking up and down the hallway.
They were on the security detail for Sharla Winters, a B-list actress in town to do press for an upcoming movie. Normally Jonas avoided these sorts of details like the plague, but he’d taken the job at JJ’s urging. It turned out his girl was a fan of Sharla’s sorority house movies. Unfortunately, Sharla was nothing like the spunky, smart heroine of the movie series and was instead a spoiled brat who’d made this security detail unnecessarily difficult.
And besides, it was a job.
He couldn’t allow Chamaeleon to run the show anymore. He’d spent the past few nights reassuring JJ that everything would be fine, and he was determined to keep that promise. His girl wanted everyone to believe she was hard as nails, but she’d been deeply affected by Isabella’s kidnapping. He knew she still carried guilt over it and a deep-seated worry that David wasn’t done screwing around with her loved ones.
Jonas didn’t think it was over either, not that he’d share that thought with her. JJ needed to feel safe and protected, something he suspected she hadn’t felt in a long time. That motherfucker had stolen her sense of safety, and Jonas was determined to be the one who restored it.
No matter what he had to do.
“She's been in there for a long time,” Oskar muttered.
Jonas glanced at his watch and realized it had been almost ten minutes since Sharla had entered the restroom. Oskar had done a sweep before she went in but it was still odd. In this line of work you learned to trust your instincts, and his were ringing big time.
“I’m going in,” Oskar growled, clearly feeling the same way.
Jonas sharpened his gaze on all of the people walking by. Only two women had entered after Sharla, both on the list of attendees at the event that they’d previously vetted.
But that doesn’t mean someone wasn’t in there already.
Jonas cursed, more certain as the minutes passed that something was wrong. Suddenly there was a loud shout and a crash against the door.
“Oskar!” He pushed against the bathroom door but there was something blocking it. He pushed harder and managed to squeeze through the opening in the door. Oskar was on the ground right inside the door, writhing in pain. As much as he wanted to stop and check on his friend, protocol dictated that he secure the area first.
He drew his weapon and swept past the small sitting area and into the actual restroom. One of the faucets was running, and the small window over the last stall was open.
“Fuck! How the hell did we miss that?”
He would have sworn there were no windows or doors leading out of this restroom when they’d done their earlier walkthrough of the building.
In the last stall, he also found Sharla standing on the toilet looking terrified. “Is it safe to come out? Oskar told me to hide in here.”
Jonas nodded and then immediately raced back to the sitting area at the mention of Oskar. His friend was red in the face and didn’t look to be breathing.
“Sharla, call 911!”
Jonas dropped to the ground and put his fingers on Oskar’s pulse. Steady but getting fainter.
“Tell them I’m starting CPR,” he called over his shoulder, hoping like hell that Sharla would follow directions for once.
He started chest compressions, then pinched Oskar’s nostrils, tipped his chin up, and started breathing for him. After a moment he listened, and when he didn’t hear breathing, started chest compressions again. Just when he was about to pinch his nostrils again, Oskar leaned to the side and coughed violently. One of his huge arms swung out and swatted Jonas so hard he fell over.
“God damn, if you wanted to kiss me that bad, all you had to do was ask.”
Jonas was so relieved he could only laugh. “That’s what I get for trying to save your life, asshole.”
Oskar struggled to sit up. “Where is she? That crazy bitch hit me with a taser!”
Jonas shook his head. “Whoever she was, she’s gone. When I came in, the window was open, the window that wasn’t there when we did our sweep earlier, and you were on the ground.”
Sharla appeared at his shoulder. “Why would someone attack him though? That chick didn’t even look at me. What kind of deranged fan is that?”
Jonas had to refrain from rolling his eyes. Sharla seemed disappointed that her “fan” hadn’t attempted to hurt her. God, he was done protecting the Hollywood set. Completely self-absorbed, all of them.
“She has a point,” Oskar rasped, one hand pressed to his chest. “If Sharla was the target, why didn’t she attack once I was down?”
His mind spinning, Jonas stood and walked back into the restroom. The magic window still hung open, and the sound of traffic and voices floated in. As he got closer, he could see where the drywall had been ripped away to reveal the glass beneath. Whoever had planned this had done their research and had known that window was there. Someone with that level of precision wouldn’t allow a prime opportunity to attack pass them by.
Which meant they’d gotten to their intended target.
“Sharla wasn’t who they were after,” he mumbled.
After coming in from work, JJ waved absently over her shoulder at Matthias, who’d picked her up.
“Hey, JJ! How were things today?” Lucia came out of her room, Isabella bundled in her arms.
The sight of her goddaughter snuggled safely in her friend’s arms brought a lump to her throat.
/>
JJ smiled brightly. “Great! I think we’re catching up finally.” She backed up toward her room. Desperation clawed up from her throat, making her feel like she was on the verge of screaming. “I’m just going to go drop my stuff off.”
Lucia watched her with knowing eyes. “Okay. I made lasagna for dinner. I’ll save you a plate.”
JJ smiled her thanks and hurried into her room. She closed the door and for the first time all day, allowed the smile on her face to drop.
“Oh thank god,” she whispered, resting her head against the door. The cool wood against her skin grounded her and calmed the raging surge of emotions bubbling just beneath the surface.
It was harder than she’d expected to keep it together and pretend to be fine. Especially with both Jonas and Lucia watching her like a hawk. A few saucy comments had fooled Matthias, and he’d pretty much left her alone during the day, even though she’d been aware of him in the corner of her office typing furiously on his laptop. But Matthias was a quiet sort himself and didn’t expect, or want, conversation.
Fooling those closest to her was another story. Each night, she spent some time with Lucia and had even held Isabella a few times. But it was getting harder and harder to make small talk and pretend to be relaxed when inside she was shredding into a million pieces.
How could everyone else be so calm when at this very moment, David was out there, probably watching and plotting his next move? How could they breathe knowing he could attack at any moment?
They don’t know him like you do, that’s why.
JJ shuddered, thoughts of David making her instantly wish for a shower. Her hands tightened around the straps of her handbag. It was relatively new, a white and red striped tote bag that she’d loved as soon as she saw it. Had David been watching even then? Perhaps followed her around the store as she’d contemplated between the available bags? She had no idea how long he’d been watching and waiting to make his move.
Would she ever feel safe again?
Overcome, she slung the bag across the room. It skittered over the bed before falling over the other side with a thump. Enraged, JJ yanked at the bracelets on her arm and threw those, too. Part of her wanted to strip everything away, as if ridding herself of the pretty clothes David had always loved to see her in could purge him from her life. She tore at her blouse, buttons popping off and landing on the floor, before pushing her skirt down. Tears streamed down her face as she stumbled while trying to get the skirt down her legs.
“Get it off. Get it off,” she mumbled, frantic to be free. Hands settled on her arms, and she shrieked in surprise. “Don’t touch me! Stay away from me.”
“Whoa, baby! It’s me.”
Jonas’s voice penetrated through the fog of panic, but JJ was too far gone to stop. She pulled at her bra, shuddering when strong arms wrapped around her tight, holding her in place.
“Stop, baby girl. You’re scratching yourself. Just hold on.”
JJ struggled weakly in his arms before all at once, her energy drained and she collapsed against his chest. She let out a ragged breath, wrapping her legs around his waist as he carried her over to the bed. When she felt the mattress beneath her, she curled up in a ball. After a moment, she opened one eye and watched as Jonas shed his clothes too.
“Scoot over, I’m coming in.”
His husky voice brought a smile to her face. JJ had to give it to him, no matter how strangely she behaved, Jonas just rolled with it. The man had the patience of a saint, but how long could that last? Especially when he realized that she hadn’t been completely honest with him. It was only after staring at him that she saw the strain on his face, the lines around his eyes and mouth that no one else would probably notice.
Something was wrong.
“What happened?”
Jonas turned his head toward her. His heavy sigh carried a wealth of meaning. “Someone came after Oskar today with a taser. They didn’t go after the client at all.”
He didn’t say anything else, but JJ could read the worry in his voice. This wasn’t just a random thing. Just as she’d suspected, David had decided how to extract his pound of flesh.
Through the people she cared about.
“He’s never going to stop, is he?” JJ whispered.
Strong fingers gripped her chin and forced her to hold still. JJ kept her eyes squeezed shut for a minute but she couldn’t hide from this forever. When she opened them, Jonas was watching her with the gentlest look in his eyes.
“It’s not your fault.” He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “He’s going to make a mistake eventually. Then we’ll take him out.”
JJ didn’t bother asking what he meant by that. Over time, she’d clued in to the alternative methods Noah and his whole crew employed when dealing with the various scumbags they encountered. Once upon a time, she’d have been bothered by it. Before she knew how many people in this world didn’t play by the rules. Now if given the opportunity, she would take David out herself.
“You’re only saying that because you don’t know him. You don’t know what he’s capable of and how deep this obsession runs.”
“So tell me,” Jonas countered, his eyes holding hers. “Tell me whatever it is you’re so afraid will change things.”
Of course he’d known all along that she was holding back. How silly that she’d ever thought she could fool him. For so long, she’d kept Jonas at a distance with harsh words, but that was probably because she’d sensed that once she let him in, there would be no more secrets. She was going to have to reveal every layer of her shame for everyone to dissect and judge.
Maybe it was time. It was her sins coming home to roost. And if she had to bare her soul to clean the slate, that would be her penance.
“Okay. I’ll tell you everything. But it has to be all at once. I can’t retell it multiple times. I just don’t have it in me.”
His hand was still tangled in her hair, rubbing a gentle circle. JJ closed her eyes and savored his touch. After this story came out, there wouldn’t be any more soft kisses or comfort from Jonas. She’d be lucky if she had a place to stay.
“I’ll tell the others. We’ll call a meeting so you can tell everyone at once. Once it’s out there, maybe we can end this.”
JJ nodded. “We can end this.”
It would be the end of everything. On impulse, she sprang forward, plastering herself to him, locking their lips together and running her fingers through his hair. Jonas groaned deep in his throat, his hands automatically gripping her ass, kneading and caressing. JJ shuddered, licking into his mouth before biting his bottom lip hard.
“Jesus, you’re killing me.”
If they had more time, she’d have pulled him into the bed and had her way with him one more time. But now that she’d made the decision, it was time to follow through before she lost her nerve. So JJ sat back and took a deep breath. Jonas watched her carefully before pulling out his phone. As she watched him typing out a message, JJ put her hand on his.
“Tell them Rafe needs to be there, too.”
Jonas frowned. “Why does he need to be there?”
“He just does. This involves him, too.”
Jonas’s brow furrowed and he held her eyes for a moment before nodding sharply.
chapter 8
“Okay we’re all here, now. JJ, this is your show.”
Jonas knew he sounded like an asshole, but ever since those words had left JJ’s lips, ‘this involves him too,’ he’d been on edge. He glanced at Rafe from the corner of his eyes. When he’d texted Noah with the request for a group meeting, including Rafe, he wasn’t the only one who thought it strange.
Rafe worked with them, but it was relatively recent. He did the jobs Noah assigned without complaint, and there was no denying he was a lethal bastard, but he usually wasn’t included when they discussed company business of any kind. Not that Rafe seemed to care. Jonas didn’t get the impression the man enjoyed spending time around other people, anyway. The
only ones who brought out any sign of humanity in him were his little sister and his grandmother.
Speaking of, Lucia seemed to sense the strange tension in the room as well because she hadn’t left Rafe’s side since he’d arrived. Rafe put an arm around her and she leaned into him.
“Yes, I did ask for this meeting.” JJ glanced at him and smiled tremulously.
Jonas smiled back, rewarded when the haunted look in her eyes receded slightly.
“I need to tell you about how I met David.”
Noah leaned forward. “Back when you and Lucia were teenagers.”
“Yes. It was right after…” she glanced over at Rafe, “you know.”
Rafe stood up straighter. “You met him right after I disappeared?”
JJ nodded. “He saved me from these guys who were hassling me on the street. At the time, it seemed so romantic. Like he was protecting me. We started dating soon after that.”
She fell silent, and Jonas reached over to hold her hand. There was obviously more to this story than boy meets girl, boy becomes stalker. JJ had been tense ever since she’d asked him to call this meeting, and her request to see Rafe had definitely put him on edge, too. Jonas wasn’t too proud to admit that he didn’t want that guy anywhere near his girl. He wasn’t normally the jealous type, but Rafe could probably trigger that instinct in any guy. Hell, he wasn’t too proud to admit that he couldn’t best the guy in a fight, either. The only one who might have a shot was Noah, and that was because Rafe had trained him for years.
“David was really nice to me at first. He took me to dinner and listened while I told him about everything going on in my life. Rafe had just died and everything was crazy.”
Lucia sniffled. “I can’t believe I didn’t know anything about this.”
JJ walked over to Lucia. “You were grieving. And I didn’t want to say anything that would make it worse. David was an outsider, so I could talk to him without bringing up any bad memories. Or at least, that’s what I thought. I was trying to be there for you and Nonna, but it was a lot to process for a teenage girl. I had never known someone who’d died before. Especially not someone…”