Fuck. I knew she wouldn’t be able to act and play her part; her nerves just got to her and were too much to handle. I tried my best to keep my poker face. Good thing I succeeded.
“Watch your mouth with me. You will show me proper respect.” Vlad swerved his head to stare and glare at me, as if asking me what was going on. “Take care of this problem. She is your problem, not mine.”
“Carly!” I needed to think and act quickly. “You won’t even have time to call the police. You’d be dead before you can even reach for your phone.”
“Still think she’s worth it?” Vlad then asked me, and I just shut my lips. “If you decide to start thinking with your head instead of your cock, we can kill her now and take the deed.” Vlad sipped his bourbon. “You were good, Jace. I can always use a good man like you.”
I froze. Holy shit. Had Vlad really just threatened to kill Carly?
“Fuck you, you asshole. I know you murdered my parents.” Carly was seething, rage overriding her fear of this monster. “I know you killed them.”
“Yes, child, I did.” He was trying to rock the already rocky boat; he was probably enjoying it as well. “And I see no reason not to finish what I started.” He snapped his fingers and two thugs stepped up, taking Carly by the arms. “Give me her purse.”
“Hey!” Carly yelled, but one of them men tossed Vlad her purse. He rifled through it and pulled out the deed. Unfolding it, he lifted his brows. “You haven’t signed it.”
“You have to let Jace go.”
It took me a full second to get my heart out of my throat. I needed to calm down.
“Carly, this is none of your business,” I said instead. “I’ll handle this.” I sucked in a breath and then exhaled deeply, trying to calm myself down before I spoke to Carly. Her outburst just made the whole mission a lot more difficult.
“I’ll sign, if you promise me you won’t hurt Jace.”
“Carly, please.” My tone was begging, as I looked her in the eye. “Let me handle this. Didn’t we talk about running away from this city and spending our lives together in some exotic location?”
She nodded, her gaze darting to meet mine, a world of apology in her eyes. “Vlad will never stop chasing us if I don’t hand over the property. He has the money, time, and resources to follow you all over the world.”
“She’s right, you know. You two can’t escape from me,” Vlad said with a cocky smirk on his face. I was doing my best to not to punch the arrogance off him.
Carly fell silent and it tore my heart apart to see her looking so helpless. A few minutes passed—they felt like an eternity—until Vlad finally made up his mind.
Vlad’s face may as well have been carved from granite as he motioned for one of his men at the bar to walk over. From under the bar stool, the man picked up two black briefcases and walked over to us. He made a move to unlock one of them, but then a bullet pierced and broke the window and shot him in the temple.
A gunshot was heard just a second after, but this time, it killed off the man at the bar. I took this as my cue to land a combination of punches on Vlad before I placed his hands behind his back and pushed him towards the floor. In one swift motion, I took out the handcuffs hidden in my jacket and put them around his wrists. There was no way he could fight back now. “You’re under arrest, asshole.”
Everything happened so quickly: Adam and the rest of the team swooped in, I pushed Carly under the table to hide her, and I helped the rest in taking down Vlad’s men. By the end, the restaurant looked like a scene out of a thriller-cum-action movie, but I felt like I was on cloud nine. It was all over now. The plan was a success.
“You can come out now,” I said with my widest smile, as I pulled the table linen up and met Carly’s eyes. She breathed out a relieved sigh as she took the hand I offered and crawled out from under the table. “Vlad’s being taken away.”
Her eyes moved to stare at the restaurant entrance where Vlad was being dragged out. I whispered, “He’s off to jail. He’s not going to hurt or scare you anymore.”
It was the subtlest of gestures but I felt so much lighter and happier when she leaned her shoulder against mine and let me support her body weight. She felt protected and safe with me around. “I could use some drinks and dinner right now.”
“There’s a great bar in this hotel, complete with a live jazz band and some dancing.” I looked at myself. The suit I wore was slightly wrinkled from the fights, but I reckoned I’d still fit in and look the part of a classy man. “I have to fill out a few reports first, but then we can go.”
She nodded her head at the exact moment Malcolm, my boss, walked over to us. “Congratulations on getting your man.” He patted me on the shoulder. “You know what this means, right?”
“I start a new mission tomorrow?” I responded, half-joking, half-serious.
He paused for a moment, thought about it, and said, “Fine, you deserve a day’s rest. Celebrate. You’re also getting a raise. You know how long we’ve been trying to get him.” Then, he turned to look at the woman beside me. “Of course, we couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you.”
A few pleasantries were exchanged and small talk was made until Malcolm excused himself. When he was gone, Carly looked at me with her lips parted slightly and eyes wide.
“So, you’ve been working undercover all along?”
I nodded my head and sent a sheepish smile her away. I then wrapped an arm around her waist and proceeded to explain to her why it was important I temporarily left that part out of our talks. I told her that I was scared she wouldn’t be able to act the part if she knew I was only acting as well. I told her I’d done it to keep her safe, and I didn’t want her overthinking and over-worrying. I told her it was very obvious how scared she already was. By the end, she understood and was just grateful this was all over, finally.
“We’re going to get some dinner and drinks in the jazz club here,” I said when Adam made his way over to us. “Join us?”
He was quick to shake his head. “Nah, I think you lovebirds just want some time alone.”
“Thank you,” Carly answered, taking a step forward to give him a hug. “Thank you for having our backs.”
“Anytime.”
When they pulled away from the hug, I patted Adam on his back in a congratulatory manner, and he did the same to me. After that, he said his farewell and joined the rest of the team back at headquarters. When it was just Carly and me, I turned to her, intertwined our fingers together, and stared at her.
“I’m not letting you out of my sight, never ever,” I said, moving my head closer to hers.
“I’d love that. You’re literally my hero.”
And with that, there was no way I couldn’t kiss her. I closed the distance between our lips and sent a hard, crushing kiss her way. She responded by wrapping her arms around me, and it took some time before we finally pulled away and left the restaurant for some dinner and dancing.
Chapter 6
Carly
“You never told me you were an amazing dancer,” I breathed out heavily, after Jace twirled me round and round on the dance floor.
I was out of breath, my heart pumping like it was about to beat out of my chest. I could probably use a gallon of water right now, but I was happy where I was, more than that actually. I was ecstatic. I’d lost track of the time. Jace and I had just been eating, drinking, and dancing the whole night. As we moved to the music, I barely thought about what happened mere hours ago, sitting right in front of Vlad.
One wrong move and we could’ve been killed. We’d been so close to that, and it was my fault. If it wasn’t for my blabbering mouth, the plan would’ve gone smoothly without Jace having to think on his feet on how he could repair the damage that I’d caused. He’d told me repeatedly before dinner not to say a word to Vlad, to trust him and let him handle the situation. He told me to stay silent and that he’d do all the talking, but I couldn’t help it.
In the months after my parents died, Vla
d had threatened me in so many ways, almost to the point of insanity. He’d made me feel helpless, degraded, worthless, and hopeless. The only reason I was brave enough to stand up to him a while ago was because Jace was right beside me. That was how much I trusted the man; I knew he’d protect the both of us any time, even if I was being stupid and was asking for a death warrant.
I pushed the thought aside. That was all in the past. We were safe now. Vlad was locked up behind bars, and his henchmen wouldn’t know what to do without him.
“You look tired.” Jace’s voice brought me back to reality. I blinked my eyes repeatedly before I turned to look at him.
“I was just thinking about earlier. I’m just happy it’s all over.” I then shook my head and rested my hands on my hip. “We’ve been dancing for hours—my feet are beat—but I love dancing. I could dance all night!”
We shared a round of laughter before I told him that I was ready to go home. I was so ready to fall asleep with him beside me, but of course, there were other things I wanted to do with and to him before we’d call it a night.
Watching him stand up to Vlad and his men just made me feel hotter, hornier, and more attracted to him. It wasn’t only the sight of his muscles and toned physique; it was the fact that he’d do anything to protect me. After my parents died, I never thought I could be so important to anyone else. But Jace proved me wrong tonight. I was falling more and more in love with him.
I literally felt my heart skip a beat when he whispered in my ear, “We’re staying here tonight. I booked us a room.”
I parted my lips into a small O and gasped in surprise before I whispered back, “Then what are we doing here?” I said it in the sultriest voice I could muster. When I pulled my head away from him to get a good look of his face, I immediately knew he got my hint. He responded with a wink.
Hand-in-hand, we checked in to our room looking like a couple of teenagers with the biggest smiles on our faces.
“What—” I breathed, unable to hide the shock on my face the moment Jace opened the door. I tipped my head to look at him and raised an eyebrow. The whole time, I couldn’t keep the grin off my face. I was trying my best not to be a little crybaby and let the tears roll down. I didn’t want Jace worrying when I was anything but sad. I was on cloud nine, but the past day had been a roller coaster. I didn’t know what to expect anymore, and I certainly didn’t expect this.
The room was decorated in flower petals and candles. At the very center was the king-sized bed with a tray on top where a wine bottle and two flutes rested. Chocolate covered strawberries, pretzels and other treats were in trays next to the wine. My mouth remained open, hand going over my lips, before I took a step forward and then another one. I jumped and let out a yelp when I felt Jace slap my ass. I whipped my head to look at him, asking, “What was that for?”
“I told the staff to prepare this before our meeting with Vlad. Didn’t I tell you not to talk to him?” he then said in response. “Wasn’t the mission to let me do all the talking?”
I tried to get some words out, but I was babbling like a fish out of water. It was probably the least sexy thing Jace had ever seen me do, but he didn’t seem to notice because he went for my ass again and swatted it. All I could do was part my lips wider and look at his lips tilting into a half-smirk, half-grin.
“I’m sorry.” I tipped my head downward, feeling a little shy and disappointed that I wasn’t able to do my one and only part in the mission—keep quiet. With a little bit of courage, I moved my head up to meet his eyes once again. He didn’t look angry, not at all. Actually, he was staring at me so intensely I felt the warm blood run through my veins. With that look, I had an inkling of what he was thinking of doing to me. “Are you going to spank me?”
I watched as his eyes widened ever so slightly before they went back to their normal size. Then, he closed the distance between us, and with one arm, caged me and pressed me against him. Without wasting a second, he crashed his lips against mine, and the rest of me acted on auto-pilot. My arms went around his neck. I pushed my hips against his, and elicited a soft, drawn-out groan. I could feel his teeth and his lips and his warm breath exploring my mouth.
Down below, his erection grew larger and harder where it pressed into my stomach. I tried and failed to take my time with getting his clothes off. His button-down shirt was gone in less than a minute, his pants soon after. My gown wasn’t safe either, as he ripped it right in the middle between my breasts.
The hot pink lace panties didn’t last more than a few seconds before he pulled them down and off, and the dress was backless. I wasn’t wearing a bra. Treating me like a breakable vase, he pushed me slowly down until my back met the carpeted floor. I arched off the floor when Jace started to breathe warm air on my pussy.
My internal muscles tightened before I drew out a long, warm breath as he proceeded to tease my opening with his lips. I wasn’t complaining though. I was more than happy for him to please me, and I’d return the favor enthusiastically, soon.
Jace must have been reading my mind because he kicked off the rest of his clothes and knelt so that we could pleasure each other with our mouths. He positioned his erection right in front of my face, and I grabbed the cheeks of his ass as I sucked him into the hot, wet cavern of my mouth. He thrust his hips forward, the tip of his head reaching the back of my throat, and then he began to thrust in and out and in and out.
My hips bucked up and down repeatedly, as Jace continued to eat me out with his talented tongue. My eyes flew wide open when I felt a finger and then two enter me as his tongue continued to expertly tease my clit. He pushed me over the edge and I closed my eyes and enjoyed the moment.
When I could think again, I focused on blowing him and giving him everything I could. I couldn’t help but smirk when I succeeded in my own mission. I continued to suck and stroke his ass until he couldn’t hold it anymore and pulled his dick out of my mouth.
When he looked at me, I parted my legs as wide as I could, a siren calling him to come and enter me. I wanted to feel him inside me.
He didn’t waste time, moving to lie between my legs.
“Jace.” I breathed, when he began to push in. “Y-yes, fuck yes.” The words escaped when he began to thrust in and out of me. It didn’t take long before he began to pick up his pace, and I wanted to feel more of him. I wanted him much, much deeper inside me, and so I raised my legs and rested the back of my ankles on his shoulders. I smirked when he elicited a groan. The last laugh was on him though as my moans quickly turned into screams.
“Jace. I’m gonna cum! I’m gonna cum!”
He stared at me, so intensely, I couldn’t help but clinch my vaginal muscles.
“Together, babe,” he then said, and to catch me by surprise, he moved his head closer to mine to give me a kiss on the lips. “Together.”
I arched my back off the floor when I felt my insides flood as we both finished. His dick jerked inside me before his liquid shot out to mix with my own. He still continued to pump though, slowing down his pace, our bodies slapping against one another. Then we were both at a complete stop until he rolled off me and lay by my side. Before he could pull me against him for a cuddle, he reached for his pants on the floor and then kissed me on the forehead.
I closed my eyes for a moment, savoring such sweetness, and when I opened them, there was a jewelry box in his hand and he was bent on one knee. I immediately sat up, eyes widening in disbelief.
“There’s nothing I’ve ever been surer of than this,” Jace began, “I don’t ever want to risk losing you again. Those two days they kidnapped and locked you up, I was willing to do anything to have you back. I didn’t care about my own life. I’m never going to let that happen again. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to know that you are walking safe and protected right at my side. Carly, I love you. Will you marry me?”
The tears spilled out of my eyes before I could control them. I found myself nodding my head as I scooped his chin up and
moved his head closer to mine. I pressed a soft kiss on his lips, and then another one, much harder this time.
Then, I pulled away, nodding my head as I said, “Yes, of course, I’ll marry you.”
Epilogue
Jace
“Hey, man. How’s the new job going?” I said when Adam walked over to Carly and me with an ear-to-ear grin. I knew why he had that shit-eating grin on his face. Before looking at me, his eyes glanced at the diamond on Carly’s ring finger. The stone was large and glimmering, and there was no way for anyone to miss it. Adam already knew were engaged. I’d already asked him to be my best man.
“You tell me,” came his response, and we couldn’t help but exchange a handshake and pat each other on the back. With Vlad locked up, his operations basically went to shit, and that was one less problem tormenting the city. The bosses wasted no time in giving Adam and me our promotions. I could definitely use the salary increase, not that was I strapped for cash. With Carly and me engaged, I just wanted to give her the best. She deserved that, and the much higher salary would definitely allow us to have that fairytale wedding she’d always dreamed of.
“Definitely more dangerous, but I can’t complain. You know we’re always up to a challenge.”
I felt Carly stiffen slightly beside me, and I immediately knew why. As much as she supported my career, it wasn’t the safest of professions. She knew what my work entailed. She’d personally experienced it, what with being kidnapped and getting death threats. We had a long conversation a few nights ago which started with her asking me if I was going to work this job forever. Of course, forever was an exaggeration, but I knew what she meant. Was I willing to risk my life for the job until I couldn’t work anymore? Before she came into my life, my answer was yes. Now that we were getting married and the obvious next step was to start a family, I’d shifted my priorities.
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