She lets go and moves away from me. “Oh, no, I…I don’t even know what to say.”
“There is nothing to say. My mother is safe at Uncle Joe’s, and you are safe in your parents’ home. Your parents and Max know too.” I rub my forehead in frustration for how stupid I’m being, going back on my plan to stay away from her. “But I guess I wasn’t hidden from you.”
Nora actually blushes and says sorry.
“Nora, don’t be sorry for anything. You have no idea how many times I wanted to break down your parents’ door and bring you over here, or call you, or just let you know I never left you. I’ve been here since the moment you moved in. It’s torture being next door to you and not being able to be with you.”
Nora’s quiet, watching the waves wash onto the beach. “Can you tell me what you’re thinking?”
She hesitates, and I wonder if she hears me over the ocean. Finally, she turns to me.
“I don’t know, Jase. I knew you were different from the moment I met you, but criminals? Are you in constant danger? I mean, are you going to get arrested? Hurt?”
I sigh, but let her continue. It’s her turn to talk now. “Not to mention that you disappeared on me. We made love, and the next day you were gone. I heard you talking with Samantha that night. I saw you two together, and the next morning, she was in your room.”
I let out a deep breath and grab my hair in frustration. Fucking Samantha and this fucking job.
“Nora, I didn’t want to leave you.” I can’t believe she could think that. “That morning when I woke up, I wanted the whole fucking world to disappear so I’d never have to leave you. But these men I protect, they don’t care about anyone but themselves. They make decisions based on money, greed, adrenaline, and lust. They don’t give a fuck about the consequences of their actions. They act in the moment, caught up in it all. When I figured out this could be an inside job, that something like…that God awful night…could happen again, I had to leave.”
Her eyes roam. I don’t think she knows what to believe.
“Uncle Joe and I came up with the idea to police the criminals after what happened to my parents. Make them think we are on their side, connect them with the right people who owe us favors. But we never let it get out of line. Uncle Joe works with the criminals, and I take care of connecting them with the right people. They still get what they want; it’s just controlled. Our way.”
“So, you’re like Robin Hood, but different?”
I laugh, “We prevent crimes from taking place, or at least stop them from escalating.”
“I don’t think I understand completely, Jase.” Her forehead is crinkled in thought, trying to understand this absurd explanation of my criminal involvement. I almost forgot that I am talking to a police officer’s daughter. He is a good cop and an honest man.
“I’m sorry, and I know it sounds fucked up. I’m not helping with my shitty explanation. I’ve just never really explained it to anyone before. Basically, we do what we do so that innocent people don’t get hurt.”
Her jaw drops as she stares at me. I try a different tact. “I stop the bad men, the really uncontrollable men, the men who think they are gods among men. I find the one piece of information that can take down their empire, and use it against them. Everyone has their own vice and price.”
“So, you blackmail the criminals?” she asks.
If I live it, I have to own it. “Yes,” I answer.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Nora
I have no idea what to say to him. He’s told me his truth, and I don’t have the words. I’m hunched over with my arms wrapped around my legs, holding myself together.
He talks again while I fix my eyes on the ocean. I can’t look at him. Even though I hated him before he told me about his life, I find myself wanting to hold him and comfort him any way I can.
“Samantha is one of my client’s targets. She is making a large contribution to his cause and he needed me to persuade her for funding. Along with her comes a few hotels that will benefit some of my other clients. Her family would only let people they trust buy the hotels, so I charmed her parents, got engaged, and got exactly what I wanted, the hotels.”
Oh, my God, what a jerk. He sounds awful. But then I think of how awful Samantha is and realize he’s just playing her game, their game.
“Do you love her?” I cover my mouth with my hand; I can’t believe I asked that out loud.
His blues eyes shimmer with laughter. “No, Nora. My job is to keep her happy and make her spend money. I let her come back to the house and I flirted with her to manage her. She means nothing to me. She’s part of my job.”
“I don’t think this is a job—this is a lifestyle, Jase. I can’t even begin to comprehend it.” My eyes wander down to his firm chest and over his sun-kissed skin. I remember laying my head on that chest and kissing it softly. Why can’t I find a normal guy? One who’s good looking and in a normal career? An accountant maybe?
“You don’t hurt anyone, do you?” I ask to cover all my bases.
“Like I said, I keep them in line and everyone safe.”
We are silent for a few minutes. Both of us absorbing the aftermath of this conversation.
He scoots his body behind me and encompasses me in his arms. Jase places his head on my shoulder and remains silent. We both take in the beauty of the sight before us. The waves are crashing closer to our bodies, now that the tide is coming up. The salty breeze whips around us and my heart races at the sensation of his breath on my neck.
“So, are you still going to the party with Luke?” Jase asks calmly.
“I bought a dress. I don’t want to go, but Jenny persuaded me to get out of the house. Plus, I thought you were gone. I wouldn’t have agreed, had I known you were right next door.”
I can’t look at him. I feel so guilty. He knows that Luke has been with me every day. How do I explain that to him? Will Jase understand I was using Luke to fill the lonely void he left me with?
“Will you be going too?” I ask sheepishly.
Jase moves until he is in front of me. He tugs my chin so that his deep blue eyes gaze into mine. “I will be. Don’t feel guilty about going with him.” My eyes double in size; I swear, sometimes he can read my mind.
“It’s alright, Nora. I know you thought I left you and that I didn’t care, but I do…” His mouth moves closer to mine. His breath dances on my lips, and he whispers, “So much, Nora, I care so much.” Passion washes over me like the waves I’ve been staring at, as his lips meet mine.
Oh, God, this is heaven. I’ve wanted this for so long. He makes me feel every kiss, every caress, and I enjoy every second with him. Jase’s hand are in my hair and he slowly pulls away. I want to scream and tell him not to stop. He is breathing rapidly and his eyes are hooded.
He brushes his nose up and down my lips and chin. Quietly, he says, “I don’t want you to say anything about going with Luke. I don’t want to hear anything about him from your sweet lips. I just want you to know I never left you, not for a second. Go to the party, have fun, and enjoy yourself. Just save a dance for me.”
“Jase, I…He’s what I know, he’s comfortable, and he’s…”
“Here. I know.”
“I wanted you, Jase, this whole time, you.”
“Do you love him?”
No, I love you, only you, Jase. I can’t get my mouth to work to say the words.
“Don’t answer that.” Jase puts his finger over my lips. “I never abandoned you; I’ve been trying to find your attacker. When I haven’t been searching, I’ve been watching you from that window.” He points to the house behind us.
I’m frozen; I can’t get anything to work. He’s got me so tangled up, my hormones and my mind are racing in two different directions. Before I can gather myself, he kisses my cheek and jogs toward the rental house.
“Wait!” I yell, but he keeps going. I watch his lean body, his muscular back, and his perfect ass run away from me until he vanishes
.
Tucker appears just as he passes Jase. Tucker nods his head, almost like an, “I got this,” nod.
He clears his throat from behind me. “Ms. Skye, can I escort you?”
I stand tall and straighten my shoulders, acting as if I’m not falling apart. We walk further down the beach and avoid passing the rental house. I just want to get to my room and break down as soon as possible.
When I reach the top of the steps, Jenny and Max are sitting on the porch licking each other’s ice cream cones. “Can you two stop being gross for like two seconds?”
“Ah, come on, Nora. You know I can’t keep my tongue off your sister’s goodies.”
“Ew…gross. Please stop.” I make a disgusted face.
Max leans over to lick the tip of Jenny’s nose.
“Where have you been? I thought you’d be hanging out with Luke, since he’s here every night,” Max says sarcastically.
“No, he’s busy tonight. So, when were you guys going to tell me Jase is staying at the rental?”
Max puts his head down and Jenny shrugs her shoulders.
“Thanks guys,” I say, annoyed.
I head up to my bedroom to make sense of what Jase just told me.
When I’m finally comfy in my bed, I end up staring at the purple walls for a while. Being all alone in this room takes me back to when I was a teenager and grounded for something. If only life were as simple as it was back then.
I’ve been replaying the conversation with Jase over and over in my mind. I’m finding it all hard to digest. I mean, how do you even work with criminals? Now, am I in danger because of him? I was with him just the night of the wedding. We talked and danced, but nothing confirmed we were a couple.
My mind keeps racing with questions. There is only one way to stop it; I have to see Jase again.
I peek my head out the door and Jenny’s giggle penetrates my eardrums. Well, at least my mind will be off my problems for a bit.
At the bottom of the stairs, I hook a right into the empty kitchen. The voices I hear are coming from the porch. I pad through the kitchen and open the screen door with a creak. The summer night air assaults me and so do the bugs. I shoo the bugs from my face before locking eyes with Luke.
Ugh, I inwardly cringe. Forget about getting my mind off my problems.
Jenny, Dad, and Luke are all sitting on the porch like one big happy family, well, except for my Dad, who doesn’t look so thrilled to be in Luke’s company by the glare he’s throwing his way.
“Sis, did you miss the local bugs when you were in Miami?” Jenny’s sarcasm makes me want to turn around and leave. I ignore her comment, “Where’s Max?”
I feel like I haven’t talked to him in so long. He and Jenny are inseparable. I honestly feel like he’s been avoiding me. I guess it’s the honeymoon phase, but I could really use some Max time.
“You know, I’m not sure. He just said he had something to do for a little bit, but should be back soon.” Jenny shrugs. It’s no big deal to her, but with all these secrets floating around, I wonder what he’s keeping from her or me.
I nod. What can I say? She doesn’t seem concerned. I wonder how much Max knows about Jase’s business and his past.
I sit down on the wooden swing beside Dad. He’s reading a car magazine when he looks up at me and smiles. “Hi, buttercup. I thought you were in bed for the night.”
“I was going to, but I’m too restless, plus I heard some voices.” I bump my shoulder into my Dad’s side. He puts on his reading glasses and chuckles. Luke’s eyes are permeating my skin.
Really, can’t he casually look around, not blatantly stare at me?
“What are you doing here, Luke? I thought you were going to be gone for the evening,” I ask, as Luke shrugs.
“I decided to spend the evening with you and your family. I thought I’d stick around to see if you came down, and here you are.”
“Well, I wasn’t as tired as I thought.”
“Mr. Skye, isn’t it a beautiful night?” Luke finally takes his eyes off my tits and asks.
Dad looks at Luke over his glasses and nods, “I suppose so.” He resumes his reading.
I haven’t seen Dad and Luke interact too much lately. My Dad spends the majority of his time wandering around the property with security, making sure they are doing their jobs, and also telling them how to do their jobs.
Dad used to be fond of Luke and seemed to be championing his cause against Jase’s order, but he doesn’t seem so fond now. I wonder what happened.
“Mr. Skye, would you like to join me and Nora for a walk?”
Dad shakes his head in irritation and stands up, still looking at his magazine, while Luke tries to converse some more with him. “Are you headed up to bed, sir?” Luke’s voice quakes.
Dad slams the door behind him without an answer.
“He doesn’t like me, does he?” he asks, while taking my Dad’s spot next to me.
“Probably doesn’t like you speaking for me, and I don’t either.”
“It never bothered you before.”
I can feel anger rising. “Well, it bothers me now! I don’t need you telling me what to do.”
“Nora, I didn’t come here to fight.”
Jenny chimes in, “Luke, you can’t be around Nora and not fight with her. I don’t understand how you two even lasted as long as you did.”
Luke glares her way. “We never fought until Nora left me in Miami.”
Before I can argue, I hear footsteps behind me from the porch steps. Luke turns around and his voice is deep and full of disdain. “Max, Madsyn. I’m surprised to even see you here Madsyn; I thought you disappeared for good.”
I don’t turn around, but I can feel Jase behind me. I can smell his familiar scent mixing with the salty breeze. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath. When I open them, Max is sitting next to Jenny in front of me and Jase is standing beside him. Our eyes immediately lock on each other. A lazy smile skids across his face.
Max answers, breaking the tension, “Fuck off, Luke, I invited my cousin over and I’m family, so that means Jase is family. I’m not sure what the hell you are, except trying to get Nora back. You can stop acting like you’re part of this family. I know Nora better than anyone, and there isn’t a chance in hell you’ll get her back.”
Max’s usually big chocolate eyes are narrowing while looking at Luke, like he is ready to strike. I’ve never seen Max mad…sad over Jenny, but never mad. His jaw tenses and I notice him cracking his knuckles.
The tension in the air is smothering me. Lately, it seems like I’m always surrounded by a pissing contest. Luke interrupts and speaks in his parental tone, “Nora, why don’t you go inside now? It’s late. We have a big day tomorrow.”
“Luke, I’m fine.” I send him a shut up look and can feel Jase’s eyes on me. Butterflies invade my belly, just like every time he is around. I look up into his blue eyes, glimmering from the porch light. My eyes rake over his facial features: his strong jaw dusted with stubble, straight nose, and his full lips that have touched my body, making it impossible for me to concentrate on what’s being discussed.
“Nora, are you okay? You look strange.” Of course, Jenny isn’t subtle about anything.
I shake my head slightly, “No…um…I’m fine. Can I get you guys something to drink, beer?”
Jase nods and responds politely as ever. “Sounds good. Thanks, Nora.”
I nod back because it’s all I can do. He has me so flustered. I almost walk straight into the door, thinking of the way his voice affects my body. In the silence of the kitchen, I try to compose myself by sticking my head into the fridge.
Once the cool air calms me, I hear Luke speaking. Taking the beers from the fridge, I stand by the open window near the sink.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Nora
“Why the hell are you here Madsyn? I thought you left for good. You haven’t been around Nora for weeks. I’m taking her back to Miami, and there isn’t a damn thi
ng you’re going to be able to do to stop me.”
I know listening to their conversation is wrong on many levels but I’m fascinated at their battle of wills.
“Did you fuck up yet?” Jase says with a calm tone.
“I’m not going to fuck up; she loves me and we are going back to Miami after the party. You think she wants you?” Luke scoffs. “You think she will choose you over me?”
“No…I don’t think; I know she will,” Jase responds.
I feel like a peeping Tom, but I can’t pull myself away from this conversation. I have to admit, it feels nice having Jase fight for me.
“I’m not playing a game here, Madsyn. Nora is mine and will always be mine. You can’t continue to bulldoze your way through her life. She’s not impressed with money, and she’ll never accept your life.”
I have to stop this. It’s getting out of hand. I don’t want them to get into a fist fight on my parents’ porch. As I break through the door, Max meets me and takes three beers from my hands, leaving me with Jase’s.
I hand the beer to Jase, whose face is calm and wearing a smirk. He winks at me as he takes the beer.
“Nora, I was just telling Jase how much we appreciate all that he has done for you.” Luke gestures beer bottle towards Jase, then continues, “I informed him we would be going back to Miami and will no longer be needing his assistance.”
I see the look of shock on everyone’s faces. I know my jaw has dropped, but it’s Jenny who speaks up.
“She’s not going anywhere with you. She’s staying with her family, and if you say another word about her going to Miami with you, I’m kicking you in the balls.”
I stifle a laugh, but know I need to say something. “Luke, stop. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Nora, we talked about this,” his voice is adamant.
“We did, and I told you no. I’m done arguing for tonight. I’m going back upstairs. You guys can talk about me like I’m not here and figure out my future.”
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