by Maddie Wade
“Nothing,” Lucy replied I was just telling the girls about how Jace and I...”
“Fuck No! Do not say another word or I will be forced to kill one of my best friends,” he said holding out a hand to try and ward off the words, a look of disgust and pain crossing his features.
Lucy bust out laughing and watched as Jace backed towards the door to the living room, a look of exasperation on his face. Dane turned and followed, shooting Jace a glare.
“What?” Lucy heard Jace ask. The three girls burst out laughing.
~~~
Drew was the first to arrive. If it could be believed, he had bulked out even more since he had started training with Nate and Daniel over at Warrior. Next to arrive was Daniel and Paige, the latter running straight to Dane and settling herself on his knee as she showed him her new doll that cried and wet herself.
Dane was patient and attentive, and Lucy felt her heart skip a beat. She watched as Lauren went over to them and Dane pulled her onto his other knee causing Paige and Lauren to both giggle. She felt eyes on her and turned to find Jace watching her with longing in his eyes.
God, she loved him. This here was what she had always wanted. Her family, her friends and the man she loved all sharing time together and making memories. But still, a shadow hung over her.
“Hey, sweetie pie.” She heard her dad say from her left side.
“Hey dad,” she said as she went to him and kissed his cheek.
“So, I see you and Jace finally sorted your differences out,” he said with a smile. “He’s a good man and any fool can see how much he cares for you. I’m happy for you baby girl.”
“Thanks, dad. It’s early, but it feels right. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love him,” she confessed.
“Does he know that?” her father asked.
“No.”
“Then tell him. Don’t put it off.”
“Do you still miss her? Mum I mean.”
“Every hour of every day. Your sister too. You kids are the thing that kept me going after losing them. And I gotta tell you; I couldn’t be happier that thanks to Dane and Lauren my family is growing and blessing me with more little people to love.” He finished and took a swig of the cider in his hand.
“I know, I’m so excited to be an aunt again,” her throat closed as her mind flicked to Megan and the baby she could be carrying. Never one to miss a trick with his kids Colin continued.
“I don’t know what is going on with you kids at the moment but I know you are keeping secrets and that’s okay. But hiding things and keeping secrets they cost you, and I can tell by your face it's costing you baby girl. Whatever it is, you need to let it out and let it go.” He hooked his arm around her neck and kissed her head.
Lucy put her arms around her dad enjoyed the familiar warmth of his hug.
“Love you, daddy.”
“I love you too baby girl more than you can imagine.” He let her go then as Lucy felt the cold as the front door opened emitting a flood of guests.
Nate and Skye with Noah, Mimi, David, and Reg following behind. Zack came in with Will, and then ten minutes later Ava and Celeste arrived.
Lucy was just putting the finishing touches to the cupcakes when Jace came in the kitchen.
“Hey baby,” he asked.
“Hey.”
“Anything I can do? Dane is playing host with the most and dishing out drinks.”
“Can you start putting stuff on the table please?” she asked.
“Sure can,” he said placing his drink down and moving to the fridge.
“You okay?” Jace asked again, “I saw you deep in thought with your dad.”
“Yes, he was talking about mum and Megan, and it made me feel guilty for us not telling him.” Jace nodded but said nothing.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“I think he deserves to know. I know you want to protect him, but he is a grown man, not a child.” Lucy thought maybe Jace was right and told him so.
“You’re right; I need to talk to Dane and Lizzie first, though.” Jace came and placed the pasta salad on the side next to her. He looped his arms around her waist and turned so that she was flush to his front. Lucy automatically placed her hands on his chest.
“Whatever happens I know you will make the right decision, and I will support you,” he said. “We’re in this together now. You and me against the world and I won’t let anyone get in the way of that.”
“Not even a child?” she asked and hated her show of weakness.
“Not anyone.” He replied and lowered his mouth to hers. Lucy felt every ounce of his resolve and passion for her in that kiss. It was about to get out of the PG13 range when they heard. “Вот, дерьмо” They looked up and saw Zin had arrived.
“Sorry, I did not mean to interrupt,” he said backing towards the living room.
“It’s fine Zin,” Lucy laughed and pulled away from Jace a little but stayed in his arms.
“Have you seen Celeste?” Zin asked.
“Um yeah, she is with Ava and Lauren chatting about motorbikes,” Jace said, and Lucy watched as Zin’s handsome face got stoney.
“Thanks,” he said and turned to go but stopped and said awkwardly. “I’m happy things worked out with you two,” and then he left the kitchen.
Lucy and Jace looked at each other.
“What was that about?” Jace asked, “I didn’t think he spoke more than three words.
Lucy laughed and tapped his chest. “He does, just not much. Zin is a top class operative and has had my back on more than one occasion. He was our SIS contact when we had the mission to rescue Zack. If it weren't for him, it would have gone south for Zack way before we got there.”
Jace huffed. “Well as long as your back’s all he’s had,” he said with a growl.
Lucy chuckled and replied, “Yes, it is Zin, and I have no interest in each other like that, never have. Anyway, I lost my heart years ago.”
“Yeah,” Jace said nibbling her neck. “Anyone, I know?”
“I might tell you later if you behave,” as she nipped his earlobe with her teeth.
“Whoops excuse me,” Skye said as she came in the kitchen. Her face flamed, and she started to back away. “I just came to see if you needed any help?”
Untangling herself from Jace, Lucy stepped back. “Yes, help would be great. He keeps distracting me,” she said motioning to Jace who had grabbed the bowls of food and started uncovering them.
Skye reached out to grab a bowl, and Lucy shrieked, “Is that an engagement ring?”
“Um yes,” Skye said with a huge grin. The kitchen became full as people flooded in after hearing her shriek. Nate was first, followed by Mimi and Noah.
“Ah she noticed, I told you she would see it first,” Nate said coming up to Skye and wrapping his arms around her waist. Noah stepped in close, and Nate folded him into their huddle.
All the women pushed through to admire the ring as the men shook Nates hand and then retreated to the living room and the Scalextric that was set up.
After the announcement the food was served, and everyone retired to the living room, plates piled high with food. People were perched on the arms of the sofas, some stood chatting, and a few were on the floor playing with the kids.
It was turning out to be the perfect day.
Chapter Ten
Zin stood quietly by as Celeste had chatted with Lauren and Ava about her new-found love of motorbikes. She hadn’t seemed to notice him, and for some reason, that really pissed him off. Normally hiding in the shadows was what he needed and felt comfortable with.
He wasn’t a talkative person and couldn’t abide making small talk. The team frequently left him be unless he wanted to join in. He’d heard Celeste telling Ava she had been invited and somehow found himself on his bike headed here. He had intended to stay home, do some work on the old Triumph he’d bought from a friend and then chill with a beer or two.
The bike was in dire need of a comp
lete overhaul, but that suited him fine. Nothing he liked more than seeing a bike come to life after he had worked on it. He would probably sell it; he didn’t need another bike as he already had three.
His eyes wandered back to the woman who was fucking with his typically focused mind. Once again, the little pixie was getting to him, and he didn’t like it. He had to admit though she was the most stunningly beautiful woman he had ever met; especially now her hair had grown a little and was framing her delicate face.
It was those tattoos on her legs that made him hard though. Every time he saw that lace design disappear up the back of her leg under her pencil skirt, he wanted to follow it with his hand and see how far it went and feel if her skin was as soft as it looked. Coupled with her tiny waist and pert tits she was like a 1940s-sex siren come to life.
Today she was wearing black cigarillo style trousers with low-heeled boots and a very pale pink blouse that was slightly sheer. Ava had bought it for her for Christmas; he’d heard her thanking her. He loved it and felt like thanking Ava himself.
He watched as Celeste sat on the arm of the chair next to Reg. The old codger was a pain in his ass but was harmless enough although he got him into a bit of hot water with his MC. He had explained a few things though, and they were cool again. They were a good bunch of guys, and the MC was clean except for the few that liked to smoke dope.
They made their money through the garage and selling custom bikes. Zin was the enforcer and spent most evenings when he wasn’t working making sure that nobody fucked with the club. Unfortunately, the Divine Watchers hadn’t left him much time lately, well that and keeping an eye on Celeste.
The woman was quiet and held herself back initially, but when she got to know someone, she was friendly, although she still held back from him. Not that he blamed her; he mostly just growled or grunted at her. Celeste bothered him for some reason; it wasn’t just because he didn’t trust her which he still didn’t. He could tell when someone had a secret and she had a secret; he just didn’t know what, and he didn’t like that one bit. He could try and get to know her a bit and see if she would open up, but that didn’t sit well with him. He had the feeling it was because she had the power to get to him like nobody else did and it made him cautious about her.
When she looked at him, it was as if she saw the real him and nobody not even Zack saw the real him. Even now watching her, she was bothering him. Sitting on the edge of the chair laughing at something Reg said, her head thrown back, her pink lips parted. He clenched the bottle he was holding as desire hit him hard, making him step forward as if drawn to her.
He felt jealousy towards an old man, how pathetic did that make him? He wanted to be the one to put that look on her face. Her head straightened and she looked at him the laughter dying on her face and something else replacing it.
Lust and fear, she was right to fear him. He was not a nice guy. He watched as her tongue darted out to wet her lips, and a blush rose on her cheeks before she looked away.
Zin moved closer, and Reg saw him,
“Ah now, here’s your man,” Reg said, and Zin and Celeste both froze. Reg indicated Zin with a jerk of his beer bottle, “He can teach you to ride a motorbike.” Zin felt Celeste get stiff as he approached them.
“Um, uh no thanks,” said Celeste not meeting Zin’s eyes.
“Why not? He’s the best I’ve seen and I’m not really up to it with my back like it is at the moment,” he said rubbing his completely uninjured back. The old git was playing them.
“No, honestly it's fine. Zin is busy,” she said, a look of disappointment coming over her face.
Zin remained silent for a second.
“She’s right I don’t have time,” the last thing he needed was to spend more time with her. He crossed his arms over his chest as he watched Reg, who was scratching his head.
“Well I guess I could ask Chunk from the club if he could do it.” he said, and Zin’s hackles rose. He knew very well that Chunk would have Celeste naked and in his bed in five minutes flat given a chance. He knew he had been played when Celeste started to look hopefully at Reg and said, “Whose Chunk? Do you think he would?”
Reg started to answer, but Zin stopped him. “I’ll do it. Chunk is a fucking menace to the female population. The only thing he will teach you is how he wants his cock sucked.”
Celeste paled, and he could see he had shocked her.
“Um yes well I guess that would be best,” Reg said and tried not to look smug at having out manoeuvred Zin. The old man would pay for that though, and he knew it after Zin gave him a cold stare.
Celeste stood, and a waft of her perfume assaulted his nose. She stood a lot shorter – she barely came to his chest. It was then he caught a glimpse of a tattoo on her back that could be seen through the blouse. A lacework pattern ran down her spine. He lost sight of it when it came to the camisole she wore under the blouse. His eyes burned to see where it went and if she had any others. Gritting his jaw and shoving his free hand in his pocket to stop from reaching for her, he looked back at her face.
She looked at him then and the tentative smile she gave him melted some of the ice in his veins. “Do you mean it?” she asked hope evident in her stunning green eyes.
He nodded, “Yes, I never say anything I don’t mean.” He stated firmly. She shocked the ever-loving shit out of him then as she reached up and threw her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek. The contact was brief, but he knew he would be reliving it for days. The feel of her soft breasts pressed against him and her tiny arms as they came around him made him feel invincible. He could still feel the tingle of where her lips had kissed him.
It had happened so fast he hadn’t even had a chance to lower his crossed arms. Something else bothered him, though. The one thing Zin did well was notice details, and he had quite quickly noticed that Celeste did not touch people. She avoided it at all costs.
She was very good at it, and most people wouldn’t notice how she moved back just a fraction of an inch when they came close or stepped behind that damned dog to put space between them. From his calculations, it was something she had always done, and that made him more curious.
He himself was not a touchy-feely person, so it wasn’t that he didn’t get some people were like that, it was more that she was friendly with Ava and still held back from girly hugs. Even when everyone was congratulating Nate and Skye, she didn’t once hug either one or shake hands. Which was strange. Even he had shaken Nate’s hand.
So why him and why now? He studied her face as she stepped back and saw relief and happiness flood her face.
“Thank you, Zin,” she said and rubbed her hands down her trouser legs.
“No problem, give me your mobile number, and I’ll call to arrange something,” he held out his hand and waited while she fumbled in her bag for her phone. She quickly found it and handed it to him, making sure not to touch him. He quickly added her number to his phone and sent a quick text so she would have his.
Then he nodded at Reg and Celeste, turned and headed for the kitchen where he found Dane with Zack, Lucy and Jace.
Chapter Eleven
Jace wasn’t sure now was a good time to tell Dane about her past, but Lucy said it was perfect as he wouldn’t go nuts with Lauren in the other room. He had let Zack in on things, and they had managed to catch Dane in the kitchen.
He had spent all day thinking about Lucy and that fucking knife strapped to her thigh, so his patience was pretty thin. All he needed was Dane going off to stretch his last nerve. He watched Lucy who was about to ask Dane if they could have five minutes when Zin walked in. He stopped, and Jace could see he immediately knew something was up. Lucy didn’t say anything to Zin though, but Zack nodded for him to stay.
“Dane, can I have a minute in private?” Lucy asked her brother. Jace kept his face impassive as he watched Dane look around the room and realise something was up.
“Sure, let’s go in the office,” he said and threw Jace a look of confusion.
Jace was tempted to listen but resisted the intrusion. He kept his face clear and shrugged. Lucy followed Dane out of the room. Jace placed himself behind her offering his silent support with his hand on the small of her back. Zack and Zin followed up the rear.
Dane walked to his desk and rested his hip on the edge his arms crossed over his chest defensively. “What’s up?” he asked and aimed his question at Lucy.
She went and sat on the desk next to Dane as Jace took a seat near her. Zack and Zin stood back quietly by the door.
“Remember when I was working for GCHQ and had to go on that training course in France for six months?” she asked and Jace saw Dane nod.
“Well, it wasn’t really a training course. I was recruited by a woman called Roz Harper to join her undercover team.” She stopped as Dane stood and glared at Zack. Lucy stood too and grabbed Dane’s arms forcing him to face her again. “I worked with her up until Zack poached me away.” She went silent, and Jace knew she was waiting for her brother to process things or erupt.
Dane wasn’t stupid he knew what undercover work involved.
“So, let me get this straight. When we thought you were happily working for GCHQ you were in fact off playing Charlies Angels,” he growled. Jace, Zack and Zin all sucked in a breath, Oh Fuck, Jace thought, now Dane was going to cop it.
Dane did not heed their warning, though; he just carried on like a bull in a china shop.
“How undercover were you?” he demanded as he paced away from Lucy.
Jace itched to go to her when hurt and anger crossed her face but knew she needed to do this on her own.
“Do you mean did I kill people? Then yes! Was it dangerous? Hell yes! Was I good? Fuck yes, and would I do it again? Yes I fucking would.” Her voice rose on the last word.
“Why Luce?” Dane asked and whirled around to her.
“Why did you go in the Army and SAS?” she countered.
“To serve my country,” he instantly replied.
“That’s what I wanted too, and Roz offered me the perfect opportunity to do that.” She said softly.