The Family Jewels

by Christine Bell

  "He's an officer down at the NYPD. He sent the tip to the guys in that jurisdiction. Turns out Dom has a list of warrants a mile long."

  Sadie blinked, ignoring the crack and pop of the skillet in front of her.

  "They got him early this morning in his apartment. Not only did they get him on an old assault charge, they also found enough cocaine to hit him with intent to sell."

  "You're kidding." Sadie's heart flipped over in her chest, and she subconsciously rubbed the elbow Dom had smashed against the brick building the night before. "So Monica..."

  "Should have plenty of time to get a new place far away from that scumbag. He'll be buried in red tape for a long time before he can even try to get out, and that’s if he can even come up with bail. With his skips and prior warrants, it will be months and I’ll get a heads-up from Mike ahead of time."

  She blinked. "I don't know what to say."

  Her gaze dropped to his full lips and she didn’t bother trying to fight it anymore. Crossing the room in one bound, she wrapped her arms around his hard, muscular body and craned her neck up to kiss him.

  Not only had he gone over and above for her, he’d done the same for her friend. Someone he didn’t even know.

  Jake groaned against her mouth and she took the kiss deeper, sliding her tongue against his. What was it about him that made her soft and weepy one second and on fire and needy the next? When he reached out to untie her bathrobe, a bolt of lust shot through her. But as much as she hated it, she drew back and shook her head.

  "I can’t. I want to, believe me. But I have to call Monica. I want to put her out of her misery as soon as possible and then I have to rush home and get ready for my shift. Can I get a rain check?" she asked, pressing her body close to his to let him know she meant it.

  “Sure,” he said, dropping one more kiss to her mouth before backing up. “And while breakfast is still cooking, I’m going to grab a cold shower.” His lips twisted into a wry smile as he adjusted himself through his boxers. “Be back in five.”

  She enjoyed the view as he walked away, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

  He'd saved the day again. She pressed her lips together, her cheeks already hurt from smiling so much, and after she slid the eggs from the pan and onto a plate, she rushed to the next room and grabbed her phone.

  She punched out her home number and waited for Monica to answer.

  "Hello?" Monica’s voice was groggy but concerned.

  "You're free,” she said simply.

  "What? Sadie? What are you-?"

  "Dominic was arrested this morning. My --I have a friend in the NYPD, and he caught him on a drug bust this morning. He’ll be away for months. We were able to get your things back and the money he stole.” No point in telling her the how’s of it all. Not only would it show her a side of Sadie she didn’t want her to see, it would only make her feel guilty, when all she wanted was for her to feel a sense of hope again. “You can go back to your apartment, start to save up and be gone before he gets out.”

  "I...No." The rustling of sheets sounded over the line, and then Monica said, “I can’t believe it. Thank you so much…” She trailed off and Sadie heard a suspicious sniffle before her friend’s voice came back on the line. “And, please, thank your friend for me. Wait. Is this the same friend who sent you those flowers?"

  Heat rose to Sadie's cheeks, and she said, "I can't help but think you're massively missing the point here."

  "Right. I won’t pry. Just, thank you. To you both. You’ve saved my life, Sadie."

  “Well, I don’t know about that,” she murmured, her cheeks going warm. “But you’re welcome. I was glad to help.” And she would just thank her lucky stars she’d had a partner in crime who had her back.

  The sound of the shower down the hall caught her attention and she gnawed on her lower lip, deep in though. Surely, breakfast could hold. And if she was a few minutes late, Roberto could handle the early stragglers. He could do with a little exercise.

  "You know what, Monica? Go back to sleep for a few hours. I’ll meet you after my shift and give you your keys and all."

  "Okay, sounds good. And Sadie?"

  "Yeah?"

  "Thanks. You're a good friend."

  "Don't mention it." She clicked off the line, then set her phone on the counter beside the rapidly-cooling eggs.

  Now more than ever she realized that her sister was right. She had to live in the moment.

  And since the poker game was only a couple days away?

  She didn't have a moment to waste.

  14

  Jake bowed his head beneath the chilly spray as much to clear his head as to calm the clamoring ache in his groin.

  It had been a hell of a night. He felt almost hung over from the constant twisting and turning of emotions, although the fact that he'd only slept for a few hours before Mike's text had woken him probably had something to do with that. His brother had really come through for him, which only made what was coming down the pike in these next few weeks more difficult. He just had to hope he didn't see him when things got really deep. And, if the latest tape he'd gotten from the bug he'd planted at Alistair's place was any indication, it was about to get deep quick.

  He braced his hands on the wall as his thoughts turned to Sadie.

  What was he supposed to do now? More than anything, he'd wanted to walk into the kitchen this morning and let her know that he'd changed his mind about the poker game altogether and demand that she hand over the jewels and keep the cash like some sort of caveman. Just because he helped her and they'd had sex --something he hoped to do again in the very near future-- didn't mean he owned her. She was fiercely independent and something told him that, despite her momentary lapse last night where she'd let him care for her, she wasn't going to hand over total control to him.

  He was still knocking around potential solutions when a cool blast of air washed over him and the shower door opened. He stepped away from the spray and wiped the water from his eyes to see Sadie stepping into the stall with him and closing the door behind her.

  "Hey," she murmured.

  Blood rushed to his ears and he wasn't sure whether he replied out loud or just in his head, because his brain had shifted into overdrive.

  Her hair was up again, a poignant memory of the night before, and every creamy inch of her was on display. Her neck was bruised, but, to his relief, the redness had died down some. The rest of her was a revelation. He had only gotten a glimpse of her getting out of the tub and the night they'd had sex in the living room, she'd been fully clothed. Nothing that could've prepared him for the sight in front of him. Her breasts were high and full, tipped with rosebud nipples that peaked as droplets of cold water clung to them. Her waist was narrow, and her hips two lush handfuls that his fingers itched to touch. He reached for her, his cock as hard as a tire iron, but she held up a hand.

  "I have exactly ten minutes, Jake, and I have a very specific idea how I want to use every one of them." Her voice was husky with promise as she reached behind him and turned the nozzle to hot. Her breasts brushed his chest and he let out a low hiss.

  "Whatever you want," he muttered, a hot pulse of need racing through him.

  When she laid a hand on his chest and slowly drifted to her knees, he groaned. How many nights since the first time they'd met had he imagined that mouth on him? Those lips closing over him and sucking deep?

  "I'm glad to see the cold shower didn't ruin my fun," she whispered, before dipping her head low and swiping her tongue over the swollen, thick head of his cock. One hand shot out to grip the wall and his other moved to slide into that mass of gorgeous, silky hair.

  Her soft, small fingers circled his shaft and she shot him a sweet smile before bending again and swallowing him whole...taking his cock from tip to root. The molten cavern of her mouth scorched him even as the tight column of her throat molded around him like a glove.

  "Jesus, Sadie-"

  The words died in his throat as she bega
n to move, making soft sounds of pleasure around him. Slowly, oh so slowly, up and then down, her tongue dragging over his aching flesh as she worked his cock. He squeezed his eyes closed, shutting out the vision that would be branded in his mind for life, because seeing it in the flesh right now when she was sucking him off was going to make ten minutes about seven minutes too long. He needn't have worried, though, because just as he began moving with her, fucking her mouth, feeling the hot liquid pooling in his balls, ready to snake up his length and fire into her waiting mouth, she pulled back.

  He looked down to find her staring up at him, eyes dark with desire trailing over his face, down his chest, lingering on his abs.

  "You're beautiful, Jake. Like a statue," she said, almost reverently.

  The compliment barely registered in his overheated brain when she began to stroke his cock, eyes locked on her own motions. He willed himself to look away, knowing that watching was a risk, but with each pass, the head of his cock came closer and closer to her breasts until she was jerking him off against her nipple.

  Suddenly it was all too much and not enough. He wanted it all...to drag her to standing, hoist her up and fuck her, but not half as much as he wanted to drop to his own knees, spread her wide and take her clit into his mouth and suck.

  "Fuck, ah, Sadie." He released her hair and reached for her, but she shook him off.

  "No way, Callahan. I want you to come for me. I want to watch your face when you do. Please, let me..."

  Her hands didn't stop moving as she spoke, her grip growing firmer and firmer, her strokes growing longer and faster.

  The need to come came rolling up like a summer storm and hot liquid snaked up the length of his cock.

  "Ah, Jesus,” he groaned, gripping the shower tiles once more for purchase. Right as the climax overtook him, she lunged forward, encasing him in her mouth again, sucking him hard and deep as hot come jetted from his cock. It felt like forever as he growled his pleasure, body tensed and quaking, muscles flexed with the power of it.

  It was several long moments before his senses started to return. The sound of his own, harsh breath, sawing in and out of his lungs. The heat of the shower spray hitting his back. The sight of Sadie on her knees before him as she slid his still-hard cock from her mouth. But it was her smile that did him in.

  It was tremulous, and pure and genuine.

  Was this the same woman who had lied through her teeth often as not? Who ran cons for a living? It was hard to even reconcile the two.

  And when she rose to press a kiss to his jaw before promising she would call him later, he knew what he had to do.

  Come hell or high water, he would make sure that this con was her last.

  15

  Sadie stepped into her apartment, her mood shifting down a few gears as she contemplated facing Monica. She'd stopped off and grabbed a spring patterned silk scarf, and had to hope that it didn't draw too much attention to her neck. She was already going to be on shaky ground trying to explain how she'd managed to get Dominic in custody.

  She slid the key in the lock and announced her arrival as she stepped in. Monica was standing in the living room, packing some things into her overnight bag.

  "Hey!" Monica said, making a beeline toward Sadie and throwing her arms around her. "Oh my God, Sadie."

  Monica buried her face into Sadie's neck, her whole body shaking.

  "I can't thank you enough. I really can't." She pulled away, the relief on her face making the last of Sadie's apprehension fade away. "For the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful and excited for tomorrow."

  Sadie set down her purse and made for the kitchen. "I'm so glad I could help. Did you eat something yet?"

  "I'm scheduled off today, so I'm going to go to my apartment and make a meal there. Enjoy the peace and calm." She trailed behind Sadie into the kitchen. "I'm too grateful. Too happy with the outcome to question how you managed it.. Gift horses and all, but I know there is more to this story. I knew it yesterday. You seemed...different." Monica's keen eyes traveled over her face and wig. "You went from reserved and quiet to warrior princess. It was like I was seeing you for the first time."

  Sadie instantly went tense, waiting for the inevitable questions, but Monica surprised her.

  "I like it." She shrugged. "I like this you."

  The quiet, sincere sentiment meant more than her friend could know. She made a mental note to let the real Sadie out to play more when it was just the two of them. Who knew? Maybe once she'd gone straight, she could slowly start to reveal her true self to Monica and walk away with a true friend?

  The mood that had started to flag soared again.

  "Let me get your stuff for you before you go," Sadie said, shuffling back into the living room and gathering Monica's phone and keys from her purse. Her hand hesitated over the wad of money. This part would be tricky, because she knew it was far more than Dominic had stolen from her, but she had to try. She handed the whole lot of it over, and held Monica's gaze. "This is for pain and suffering. It's not my money, and it's not charity. It came directly from Dominic, so don't argue." She shoved the wad into Monica's hand. "Take it."

  For a long moment, she waited, hoping like hell she hadn't pushed too hard and caused problems for herself. But Monica surprised her yet again. "If you're telling me the truth and this is really Dom's money?"

  Sadie nodded firmly. "It is."

  "Then I'm not going to argue. That bastard owes me more than I can ever get back. Thank you again, Sadie." In spite of it all, Monica's pretty face showed no bitterness. "If ever you need anything at all, don't hesitate to ask. I’m there in a heartbeat."

  Somehow, Sadie knew that she was speaking the truth.

  With that, her friend picked up her bag and headed to the door.

  Sadie walked her out and waved as she hailed a cab. As ugly as the night before had been, this morning had turned out perfectly. Which was all the more reason to never take a risk like that again. She'd likely used up every drop of luck she'd ever collected. From here on out, she was going to tread much more carefully.

  She was just changing into her Roberto’s uniform when her phone buzzed. She grinned when she saw Jake’s number.

  “Hi, everything okay?” she asked.

  “Yeah, I just realized I hadn’t mentioned getting together tonight.”

  "Tonight?"

  "If you're free."

  "I am but...well, sort of.” She hated to say no, but she also had work to do to prep for tomorrow. “I was going to hit some secondhand shops for a new dress. The only Countess-wear I have was that dress I wore to the gala. I've got to get some designer duds for poker night so I don't look out of place."

  "We can go together. I've got a great eye for fashion," he said, in a tone clearly indicating that he didn’t. "And then, when we're done, we can eat and just double-check that we’re all set with everything for tomorrow."

  What she should do was get a good night’s sleep and focus on the task at hand…but what she wanted to do?

  "Okay. Well, I'll be at the restaurant on the lunch shift until five and then I have to go home and change. Want to say like six thirty?"

  "Sounds good."

  They disconnected a moment later and she stuck her mobile back into her pocket. There was no question that they could use a refresher, and he still hadn’t seen her card handling skills in action. They were both used to working alone, and relying on another person in order for things to go right was unnerving at best. Making sure they had covered all their bases would probably make them both feel a lot more comfortable about the weekend to come.

  Keep telling yourself that, Sadie.

  Fact was, she wasn't thinking a lick about their plan right now. All she could think about was Jake’s face that morning in the shower and how badly she wanted nothing more than to stay.

  She shifted as a bolt of lust hit her right in the belly, making her nipples go stiff.

  This was almost over, and when it was, she’d finally be f
ree.

  Free to live and laugh…and maybe even love.

  She couldn’t keep the smile off her face as she headed out the door for work, a skip in her step.

  "Is it too short, though?"

  Jake squeezed his eyes closed and said a silent prayer for strength. If she bent over in front of him like that one more time, she was going to have a way bigger problem on her hands than an exposed ass.

  He bit the inside of his cheek and shook his head. "It's a little short, but it looks great. Just don't bend over." Unless I'm behind you, he neglected to add.

  It had been an hour of this now. Sadie sailing into a dressing room with an armload of clothes and coming out in her favorites, twirling and posing to give him a little fashion show. Her body was ridiculously hot, and each outfit looked better than the last. This one, though, was the clear winner.

  He took another long look, starting at her toes and working his way up. The sandals alone could bring a man to his knees. Platforms, peep-toe, t-bar strap around slim, tanned ankles that made his pervy brain instantly conjure images of those ankles wrapped around his back. Then it was a mile of toned, trim leg before the tiny skirt hugged her full hips. Her nipped in waist was bare --just a nefarious inch of it, a hint of golden skin that made him hope she'd lift her arms and show him a little more. The shirt was loose and gauzy, drooped lazily off one shoulder, showing off her graceful neck and collarbones. She’d have to make sure she covered her bruises with makeup, but she looked beautiful.

  On any other woman, the outfit might have looked plain. A cream-colored skirt and a peach shirt with nude heels. On her, it was sublime and he could barely keep himself from stalking over to her, pressing her against the dressing room door and seeing if she wanted a repeat performance of their last night together.

  "Should I try on more or-?"

  "No. No, definitely not."

  Her face fell and guilt pricked at him. He hated to ruin her time when she was clearly enjoying herself, but his patience was at an end and unless she was interested in some dressing room sex, he was going to have to put this little party to bed.