Cherish Me (The Protected Love Series)

by Culbreth, Jennifer

  “Judy, I am worried about her too.” Abbi came over placing a hand on Judy’s back. “Hey. Don’t cry. We will talk to her. You just can’t yell at her. It makes her shut down.”

  “I tried not to Abs. She has been avoiding me left and right; and then to see her come in here like that. I don’t know what to do anymore.” Judy sniffled wiping away the tears before they could fall onto the chiffon.

  “We are going to have to do it together. Listen, why don’t we try planning a girl’s night. Sort of a bachelorette party, without all of the booze since I can’t drink. We can go out to dinner and maybe go do a little dancing and invite Ashley. We will get it all sorted out.” Abbi’s voice was soothing, motherly almost.

  “Ok. I will start planning it tonight.” Judy said smiling over at Abbi before heading back into the dressing room.

  As she stepped in she could hear the vibrations of her phone from her purse. Reaching in she retrieved her cell and looked at the caller ID, Restricted flashed across the screen. Her hands froze. Should she answer it? What if it was a wrong number, it might just be nothing. With shaking hands she hit the answer button.

  “Hello?” She whispered into the phone.

  “I see you bitch and that pretty little thing sitting on the couch in the middle of the store too.” A deep ragged voice came from the receiver.

  “Who the fuck is this?” Judy screamed into the phone.

  “Wouldn’t you like to know? No. I think I enjoy this little game better.” He let out a raspy laugh that sounded almost familiar. “By the way, tell your little boyfriend I have a target on his head, better watch his back.”

  “Fuck you! Jace is going to murder you!” Judy’s eyes filled with tears as the curtain to her dressing room came flying open. She let out a blood curdling scream before dropping to the floor.

  “Judy what the hell is going on? Who is that on the phone?” Abbi stood at the doorway.

  “Call Jace and Ryan right now! Where is Josh?” Judy sobbed.

  “I am right here, Ms. Adams. I am placing a call to Mr. Alexander right now. What’s going on?” He questioned.

  “We are being watched.” She choked out looking up at Abbi as the phone fell from her hands.

  Chapter Five

  “I don’t give a flying fuck how many people it takes, I want this asshole found!” Jace’s word resounded off of the apartment walls. “I am done playing games with him. He will not threaten my girlfriend and think he is going to get away with it.” Anger burnt up his skin as he paced the floor of his study.

  “Jace, the problem is that we don’t know who the hell we are going after. We have been trying to find Trent with no luck. We have not found so much as a trace; for all we know the bastard has OD’d in some back alley. We obviously have a bigger threat on our hands than some washed up junkie.” Ryan’s words were confident, but Jace could see the fear in his eyes.

  “We need a game plan. We need to call in the guys. Get Gabe here, Aaron, Josh.... Anyone we can spare and we need to start brainstorming. Did you call your dad and see if he could get any information on where the call came from?” Jace took a deep breath as he slumped down into his chair.

  “Yeah I called him as soon as we found out. He said he is working on it, but even the CIA can’t do everything.”

  “Bullshit. Those bastards can tap every one of our phone lines with the click of a mouse. You’re gonna tell me that they can’t so much as trace a blocked call?”

  “Hey man, are you forgetting that they threatened my fiancé, who is carrying my child, too? My old man is working on it but it’s gonna take a little bit of time.”

  “I know, I’m sorry. This shit just has me freaking the fuck out. I could give a damn if some pussy wants to try and threaten me. You don’t however, threaten my woman. That is cause for blood.” Jace’s eyes glowered as he thought about someone hurting Judy.

  The two men sat in silence, trying to think of what the next logical step would be when a light knock tapped on the door and Judy and Abbi came walking in. Jace looked up at her face, fear and sadness written in her eyes as she came over to the edge of his desk. Abbi crossed the room taking the seat next to Ryan. Jace reached up taking Judy’s hand and pulled her down into his lap. Her warmth was instant, like a bright ray of sunshine after a thunderstorm.

  He tucked her head under his chin breathing in her scent. For a moment he didn’t speak. He took in the feel of her skin and the light smell of grapefruit and vanilla from her favorite lotion. “I promise you; never in this lifetime will I let anything bad happen to you. You know that right?”

  “I know. But who is going to protect you?” He could feel her shaking, trying to hold back the tears.

  “You protect me every damn day. The thought of being able to come home to you, laugh with you, that’s what my life consists of now. I would never put myself into harm’s way because I couldn’t stand the thought of ever being away from you.” He held her out at arm’s length as he held her stare. “Judy, I love you more than anything. I promise you, I am not going anywhere. Ever.” He brought his hand up brushing her cheek as he tucked the loose black strands of hair behind her ear.

  Her golden eye’s glistened as the last of her tears fell. He could see that she wanted to believe him. “I love you too Jace.”

  “Listen girls. I know that since we have been together it seems as though it’s been one shit storm after another. None of us like talking about this, but after everything happened at the club Ryan and I have considered that some kind of recourse would be coming our way sooner or later. You always hope for later, but sometimes it doesn’t happen that way.” Jace took a deep breath. “Babe, I wish you had told me when it first started happening. Don’t ever be afraid to tell me something.”

  “I know and I’m sorry. I just thought that it was Alexis being stupid or something. It just seemed too coincidental for it to be something more serious.” Judy looked down at her hands.

  “Hey.” Jace lifted her chin. “It’s ok. You can call Alexis in the morning and make things right. This isn’t your fault.”

  “You both need to be aware of the kind of people that we are potentially dealing with. They have access to information, to people, and places that no normal person can get. Until this gets sorted out you will both, at all times, have someone with you.” Ryan looked over at Abbi. “I know you feel comfortable with Gabe and it’s a hard pill for me to swallow after what happened, but I asked him to accompany Josh on your detail.”

  “Thank you, Babe. I know how you feel about it, but it really wasn’t his fault.” Ryan gently quieted her.

  “I don’t want to talk about that, Love.” He gave her a weak smile before continuing. “You both also need to be aware of your surroundings, even in places you feel comfortable. You need to know who is around you; do they seem out of place? Do not under any circumstance put yourself into a questionable situation. You have them with you for a reason. I really don’t want to fire my top four guys.”

  “Babe, Aaron and Mark will be with you. At all times; I mean that.” Jace looked over at Judy, overwhelmed by what was happening she just nodded. “Everything is going to be ok. I promise you I will find the fucker responsible for all of this and I will make them pay.”

  “What about Ashley?” She whispered.

  “What about her, Babe? You said she stormed out of the store. Do either of you know how to get in touch with her? Where she might be?” Jace looked at Abbi.

  “No. We have both been trying to get her on the phone. She showed up late today and you could clearly tell she was under the influence of something. I tried to call her a few times after we left the store but she didn’t answer.” Abbi answered.

  “It’s kind of hard to help someone who doesn’t want to be helped girls.” Jace said apologetically.

  “She is our friend, Jace; I can’t just leave her out there to fend for herself with some maniac on the loose.” Judy sat up in his lap.

  “Ok. Ok. I will send Gabe over to h
er apartment tonight. If she is there I will have him get her and bring her here; that is if she doesn’t put up a fight. But I will tell you now; I will not tolerate drugs under this roof. Especially after everything you have been through in the past.” Jace looked at her sternly. He meant it. He knew the girls loved Ashley but if she brought that shit around Judy he would have her ass shipped to the farthest rehab center he could find in the US.

  “I know. I promise I won’t let her do anything while she’s here.” Judy relaxed back into his arms.

  “As soon as your dad calls…” Jace turned towards Ryan as his words were cut short.

  “You will be the first to know.” Ryan said standing. “Come on, Baby. Let’s get you both home.”

  “We’ll walk you to the door.” Jace helped Judy up, grabbing her hand and leading her towards the door.

  “Goodnight you two. Abbi I will call you as soon as I wake up. I don’t know about you, but I don’t really want to be alone here while Jace is at work. Bodyguards or no bodyguards.” Judy wrapped her arms around Abbi lingering longer than normal.

  Jace watched as the two girls exchanged their goodbyes. He knew that this was stress Judy and Abbi would have to endure because of what he and Ryan had done. It wasn’t intentional, but it was now their responsibility to make it right. He slapped Ryan on the back as they both laughed at Judy speaking into Abbi’s stomach.

  “Ok squeaks, don’t give your mommy heartburn tonight. Your Auntie Judy loves you.”

  “I swear you have a different name for the baby every day.” Abbi laughed before looking up at Jace, her face growing serious. “Look after my sister.”

  “With my life Abs.” Jace reached over and took Judy into his arms.

  “You, me, a pint of Ben and Jerry’s and wedding magazines tomorrow.” Judy called out as Ryan and Abbi walked out into the hallway.

  “It’s a date.” Abbi called back as the door closed behind them.

  As they walked back towards the living room Jace heard Judy’s cell phone start ringing. She froze. He made his way over to her bag reached in and pulled it out. “Babe, its Ashley.” He could hear her let out the breath she’d been holding. She took the phone from him and answered.

  “Hello?” She looked over at Jace and gave him a soft smile. “Yeah, Gabe should be over there soon. Jace said you could stay here with us until everything blows over.” She paused again listening. “No we are ok. A little freaked out, but ok.”

  “Judy, tell her to make sure that it is Gabe before she opens the door.” Jace whispered towards her.

  “Ok, Jace wants you to just make sure that it’s Gabe before you open the door. I will see you soon.” Judy smiled as she hung up the phone and handed it back to Jace. “She is packing her bag now.”

  “Ok. What do you say we make some tacos for dinner?” Jace wrapped his arms around her waist and led her towards the kitchen.

  “After everything that happened today you are going to cook tacos?” Judy giggled.

  “I didn’t say I was going to cook them. That’s what I have you for.” He smacked her ass as they made their way into the kitchen.

  “You’re going to get it, you know that?” Judy cut her eyes at him as she pulled out a pack of taco shells. “And you said we, so get your fine ass in here and start chopping this onion.

  “You think my ass is fine?” He twisted poking out his backside. “You don’t think these pants make it look big?”

  “There is something seriously wrong with you Jace Alexander.”

  “Yeah, her name is Judy Adams.” He smiled.

  *****

  “Ok, so I am thinking coral dresses, blue and green flowers, and the guys in cream tuxes. What do you think? Too nautical?” Abbi flipped through one of the 25 wedding magazines that she had bought before coming to Judy’s.

  “No, I don’t think it’s too nautical. Besides you’re doing it at the beach house.” Judy tossed a magazine over to the other side of the bed before grabbing another.

  “Where is Ashley? Is she still sleeping?” Abbi glanced over at the clock.

  “Yeah. I checked on her this morning. Snoring like a bear. We stayed up pretty late last night talking. I apologized for overreacting. She still says that she isn’t using. She said that she had just taken some cold medicine and it had made her loopy.” Judy looked over at Abbi unconvinced.

  “Let’s just give her the benefit of the doubt for now.” Abbi smiled.

  As the two grabbed another magazine the door to Judy’s room flung open causing them to both jump.

  “Seriously, how many fucking rooms are in this place? I was legit lost there for a second. I got scared that I would never find my way back out.” Ashley walked into the room taking a seat next to Judy.

  “Seriously Ashley, you’re going to make me go into premature labor.” Abbi took a deep steadying breath.

  “Oh my bad. Sorry. I imagine you two are pretty jumpy after yesterday.” Ashley leaned back against the headboard. “So this is where all the magic happens huh?” She looked over at Judy. “I wanna see what kind of handcuffs you use.”

  “Ashley are you really sitting on Jace’s pillow in your underwear?” Judy looked down.

  “Uh, these are boyshorts. It’s the same thing as sleep shorts.” Ashley nonchalantly pulled the pillow from underneath her and scooted it off the bed.

  “You are something else girl. Oh and we don’t use handcuffs, we use full restraints.” Judy gave her a wicked grin.

  Flashbacks of the first night Jace had used them on her filtered into her mind.

  “Lie on the bed and bring your ankles up to your wrists.” His voice commanding.

  Without thought she complied, bringing her ankles up in front of her. She watched in amazement as he wrapped the black straps around her ankles, moving to her wrists next. This was nothing she’d ever tried before and the excitement of it caused her stomach to stir. Heat flashed down her body into the apex of her thighs, she could feel her wetness as the thought of him controlling her ran through her mind.

  “It’s not going to hurt, Baby, but you’re not going to be able to move. I am going to turn you onto your stomach now. I want to see your ass in the air.”

  He rolled her onto her stomach. Her wrists pulled back between her legs forcing her shoulders down onto the bed and her ass into the air. She had always been very confident in her body, but something about this made her feel very vulnerable. Her stomach clenched at the thought of what was to come. She laid there for what felt like hours. Jace was just out of her line of view, what on earth was he doing?

  “Do you know how beautiful you are?” He came up behind her causing her to jump. His sudden closeness fueled her arousal.

  She could feel his hands as they slid down her spine, caressing her ass as he made his way down to her entrance. With his knee he spread her legs farther apart.

  “So wet for me.” His fingers teased her clit. “You are fucking perfect. So. Fucking. Perfect.”

  She moaned out as his tongue slid down her ass to her pussy. “I am about to fuck the thought of any other man out of your head baby. This pussy is going to be mine.” His hands found her hips as he thrust his length inside of her. A sharp gasp escaping her lips before the tingling sensation took over her body. That was it, from that moment on, she was his.

  “Hello? Did you fall asleep there?” Ashley said snapping towards Judy’s face. “Wake up girl. You passing out on us or something?”

  “Sorry.” Judy blushed. “I was just thinking about something.”

  “You and Jace’s sack sessions? Please, do tell.” Ashley smirked before picking up a magazine.

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?” Judy laughed. “Why don’t you ever bother Abbi about this kind of stuff?”

  “I don’t know? Don’t take offense to this or anything Abs, but you don’t seem like the freakiest person in the sack.” Ashley grinned over at Abbi.

  “Hey! I’m sexy!” Abbi protested.

  “Oh, no doubt. If I batted f
or both teams I would definitely bang you. I’m just saying you seem like a missionary style kinda girl to me.”

  “I am hurt that you would think that.” Abbi said trying to keep a straight face.

  “Ok, where is the kinkiest place you have ever had sex at then?” Ashley asked.

  “Um…” Abbi’s cheeks flushed. “The dinner table.”

  “As in, at the dinner table or on it?” Judy asked.

  “On it.” Abbi laughed as she planted her head down in her hands trying to hide her embarrassment.

  “As in the table I ate off of at Christmas?” Judy protested.

  “Yeah, that would be the one.” Abbi laughed. “Oh, come one. It wasn’t where you sat. It was at Ryan’s seat.”

  “Well thank God for that! I will never be able to look at your broccoli casserole the same though.”

  “Oh please, I am sitting on the bed that I am sure you and Jace have humped all over and I am not complaining.”

  “Well I have to say you have surprised me on that one Abs.” Ashley laughed. “Your turn Judy.”

  “What? Oh no. I didn’t agree to the twenty questions game.”

  “One question, learn your math. Freakiest place you and Stud Muffin have ever gotten down and dirty at.”

  “Jace’s office at work.” She said proudly.

  “Really, while everyone is at the office?” Abbi asked.

  “Yeah, it’s something about the thrill of getting caught that makes it so much better.”

  “Well, I don’t know about you two but this conversation is making me a little thirsty. Water anyone?” Ashley said hopping off the bed.

  “Sure.” Judy and Abbi answered in unison.

  “So still no word from your family?” Abbi asked as she thumbed the pages of one of the magazines.

  “Nope. Still no word.”

  Judy sat for a moment thinking about her family. A part of her heart ached knowing that they’d written her off. She’d given up on ever hearing back from them, it was clear they wanted nothing to do with her. But all it took was to look right in front of her to see that she wasn’t missing anything. Abbi and Ashley made her world complete. She had a man in her life that would never hold her back; who treated her like a princess and made her feel wanted every day. She grabbed a brightly colored magazine as she heard a squeal come from the hallway right before Ashley came running back into the room.