Cherish Me (The Protected Love Series)

by Culbreth, Jennifer

  She stood unthinking in silence for a brief moment as the thought came into her head. She tried to push it out, act as if she hadn’t thought of it but she couldn’t, it stood out prominently at the front of her mind. Quietly she slipped out of the bathroom and walked down the hall to Jace’s office opening the top drawer of his desk and writing down the address from the piece of paper folded on the top of the stack. She took a deep breath and brushed her hands down the front of her dress as she walked back out into the front room. She looked up at the clock sitting on the mantel. She had two solid hours to get this done if she was going to do it.

  “Mark, I need you to take me somewhere.” Judy smiled manipulatively down at him.

  chapter nine

  “Oh yeah? Where would that be? To go get another box of diapers? You didn’t go look on Pinterest again did you?” He said eyeing her suspiciously.

  “No. But there is something I need to do and I will tell you now; you either go with me on this or I will pop you in the knee cap and go by myself. Your call.” Picking up her purse she flashed the handle of the small pistol she had been carrying after Jace had gotten her a concealed weapons permit.

  “Well, I assume this is something you probably shouldn’t be doing, along with something that is really going to piss Jace off. Am I right?”

  “Don’t be a pussy, Mark. You let me handle Jace.”

  “Judy, it’s not happening. I see the wheels turning in your mind. They are going a hundred miles an hour but it’s not happening.” He stood looking at her sternly.

  She turned making her way to the front closet and sliding on her nude colored heels. “Are you coming with me or not?”

  “Jesus, Judy. You’re not kidding about this are you? What the fuck am I supposed to tell Jace if something happens to you?”

  “Nothing is going to happen.” Judy said confidently. “We are just gonna go in and get right back out.”

  “I can’t believe I am actually considering this.” Mark ran his hand through his hair letting out a deep sigh. “You’re really gonna go even if I say no aren’t you?”

  “You bet your ass. After everything the guys have done for me through this whole thing, I owe it to them to do this. I don’t have Special Forces skills, Mark, just a smart ass mouth and a decent rack.”

  “God, please don’t say that again. If you promise to never say that again we will go.”

  “Scouts honor.” She said holding up two fingers.

  “Let me call Aaron and tell him we are running out, he will be wondering where we are when he gets back from the store with the cake.” He ushered her towards the door. “I will call him from the elevator. Let’s go.”

  Judy could tell the entire ride that Mark was conflicted. He was so loyal to both her and Jace. She knew that he didn’t want anything to do with this. He knew Jace was going to be livid and she could feel his worry for her safety as well. His job was to protect her from harm when Jace couldn’t be there and here he was leading her right into the mouth of the dragon. A sobering feeling washed over her as they pulled into the parking lot of the drabby apartment complex. Alexis had lived here?

  She took in the outdated and dingy buildings with screens ripped out and hanging from the windows as small kids kicked a half deflated soccer ball around in the patch of dirt between the two main buildings. She looked over at Mark who was observing every person within a three hundred yard radius. He looked over at her with a somber look.

  “So what’s your plan here Inspector Gadget?” She could tell by his voice that he was trying to cover his worry.

  “Ok, I say we hope and pray that there is a man at the front desk. If there is I will waltz in there and do a little flirting and hopefully get the box containing whatever items she may have left behind. If it’s a lady, well then you’re up hot pants.” She flashed a smile over at him.

  “What apartment number?” He said seriously.

  “Apartment 210, building C.”

  Mark put the car in park and shut off the ignition. They made their way down the uneven sidewalk to the building marked “Main Office”. Judy made her way down the side of the building as a series of whistles came from the far end of one of the buildings where a group of Hispanic men sat around a table playing cards. As she round the corner she peeked in, a man in his late forties sat behind the counter watching a small TV.

  “Showtime. You wait out here and I will go in and work my magic.” Judy brushed her hands down straightening the wrinkles in her dress as she bent over slightly and perked up her tits.

  “I swear, Judy; I am going to murder you myself if you don’t stop playing with those.” Mark said exhaustively.

  “Oh shut it. Just be glad you don’t have to go in and bang some hood rat behind the counter.” She smiled before heading into the office, swinging her hips so hard she was sure she almost threw one out of place.

  Walking up to the desk she leaned slightly over exaggerating her cleavage. “Hi. Sir, I need to speak to a manager. Would that by chance be you?” She batted her eyelashes as she gave him an award winning smile.

  The man behind the desk turned slightly until he got a view of Judy standing at the counter. He stumbled up off of his stool and briskly walked over to the counter. “Uh, hi. I’m Bob. I am not a manager but I can try and help however I can.” His face lit up as he looked her up and down.

  “That would be great, Bob. See I am in a little bit of a situation. I would hate to have to involve a manager if I didn’t need to. I know you are all probably so busy.”

  “Well, yeah. I usually get a lot done during the day.” He said lying. “So, what kind of situation are you in ma’am? Do you need an apartment? We have plenty available.”

  She tried to contain her laugh at the hope in his eyes. “No, I actually used to have an apartment here a few years ago. Unfortunately I left a few things after I moved out and I have been so busy with my modeling schedule that I haven’t had a chance to pick them up.”

  “You used to live here? No way. I have worked here for ten years and I have never seen anyone as hot as you here.” He let out a disbelieving chuckle.

  “Oh, well. I used to be a lot uglier. I had a lot of plastic surgery done. So, do you think you could grab that box for me, Bob?” She leaned over the counter emphasizing his name as she spoke.

  “Uh.” He stuttered and fumbled with the note card box before spilling the cards out on the desk. “Shoot. Um. What is your name and the apartment number?”

  “It’s Alexis Reynold, Apartment 210 building C.”

  “Um, I am really not supposed to release any boxes without a manager here to sign off on it.” For a moment she thought she was losing him.

  She took a few steps around the counter, time to pull out the big guns. Reaching up she pulled her hair to her side showing her neck as she slowly slid herself up onto the counter top right next to his arm. “You know Bob, I don’t understand why they wouldn’t trust you to take care of that yourself. You seem like you’re more than capable of taking care of that for me.” She bared a pouty smile up at him as she ran a finger down his arm. “There isn’t anything in that box anyways, just an old receipt for a camera I bought. I just need to return it to the store that’s all.”

  “Oh, well ok. I will be right back. Don’t go anywhere.” His eyes were alive with hope and desperation as he took off to the back of the building.

  She could hear him shuffling around a few boxes before he re-emerged with a folder sized box with the name “Reynolds” on the side. “Here you go, Ms. Reynolds.” He handed her the box as she hopped off the counter.

  “So helpful.” She grinned over at him as she walked back around the counter.

  She steadied the box against one hip as she dug down into her purse removing her wallet. Grabbing the corner of a hundred dollar bill she threw it up onto the counter. “Thank you Bob. I promise I will be back to see you.” She winked before making her way out the door.

  As she flung the door open her heart almost s
topped. She looked left and right and didn’t see Mark anywhere. Quickly she walked around the side of the building where she had left him. No Mark. Briskly she made her way over towards his black Range Rover sitting in the parking spot. As she passed the end of the building she heard the cat calls of the gentlemen who had so nicely greeted her the same way as she walked up. She picked up her pace as she noticed them walking her way. Dammit I knew I should have worn my flats. She stumbled as the heel of her shoe caught on a stump. Almost losing her balance until two hands grabbed her arm.

  Flinging the box down onto the ground she snatched her arm away from the stranger before realizing it was Mark. “Jesus Judy, you’re going to kill yourself in those damn shoes.” He stood her upright grabbing the box off the ground.

  “Hey Mami! Hey Baby. What do you say you come over here and hang out with a real man?” A man with tattoos said as Mark opened her door.

  “Judy, just get into the car.” Mark threw the box into the back seat.

  “Hey Baby, let me get a little piece of that ass.” Another one in the group shouted. Judy could feel her temper rising. She didn’t give a damn how dangerous these thugs thought they were, she was about to show them a lesson in Southern Hospitality.

  “Hey, Bitch. I’m talking to you.” Another rang out.

  Judy watched as Mark jumped into the driver’s side door giving her the opportunity to jump out of hers. “Damnit Judy!” Mark yelled out as she made her way towards the group.

  “You know what, Asshole, I got your bitch right here! Do you really think that shit would get you a girl with any bit of class left in her body? That shit might work on your prostitutes and whores but it isn’t going to work on me.” She spat out into the face of the group’s leader.

  “You have no idea who you are talking to like that Little Mami. I would have you in line so quickly you wouldn’t know which way was up because you’d always have your head down waiting for an order.” He challenged her stance.

  “Mother fucker you wouldn’t know what to do with a girl like me. You’d be so pussy whipped you’d have to call in sick from gang banging.” She smiled up at him.

  “Spicy little thing. I like that.”

  “Judy, time to go. Now!” Mark came up behind her.

  “Who’s this? Your boyfriend?” The Hispanic man asked taking in Mark’s large build.

  “No, Baby he couldn’t handle it either.” She cut her eyes at him before continuing. “Now do me a favor and show a little respect the next time you speak to a lady.”

  Judy turned to head back to the truck as the leader yelled out towards her. “Hey, Little Ma…” He stopped before finishing the sentence. “I mean, Ma’am. You that girl that got shot at the nightclub a few months back?”

  Judy stopped in her tracks. Her heart began racing. She wasn’t sure what was about to happen when she turned around.

  “Judy, let’s go now.” Mark said sternly under his breath.

  Judy looked up at him and gave him an apologetic look before she turned back around. “Yes. I am. Why is that of any concern to you?”

  “Hey listen, I don’t mean you no harm. We have orders to stay the hell away from you and all of your crazy ass, trigger happy friends.” He said nodding over towards Mark.

  Her heart slowed as a wave of relief washed through her body. “What do you mean orders?”

  “Mr. Gonzalez, he’s running shit for us now. We have been ordered to stay the hell away from all of you. As for that bitch Trent, well that’s a different story.”

  “You’re after Trent?”

  “Let’s just say he still owes a lot of money and since he can’t stay away long with that habit of his, the boss is looking for payment. Now.”

  “Do you have a way I can contact you?” Judy knew that she was playing with fire. She already didn’t think about how she was going to explain this whole ordeal to Jace, but this might be there only chance in finding where Trent is at.

  “Yeah, you can call me at this number.”

  Judy took out her phone and entered in the number he had given her. “What’s your name?” Judy took in his uncertain look.

  “Antonio. That’s all you need to know.”

  chapter ten

  “Honey, I have the extra balloons you asked for.” Jace announced as he came into the apartment. For a moment he waited for a reply but it was quiet. “Judy?”

  “In the kitchen.” He heard her shout out.

  He made his way in past the tables that had been set up around the great room. All covered in pink and blue table cloths adorned with centerpieces. As he made it into the kitchen he took in the monstrosity that was the diaper cake Mark had been working on. Judy leaned up against the counter smiling as he handed her the balloons.

  “Hi, Dear. How was work?” She asked tying the balloons off on the back of the nearest chair.

  “Good. What has you so chipper?” He looked down at her questioningly.

  “Oh nothing. I just love baby parties. They bring everyone together.” She leaned up and kissed him.

  He stood contemplating if he should ask what she had done. Knowing her she had probably cut into the cake to find out what the baby was going to be and then had the bakery make a new one. He never knew what to expect with Judy. Sometimes her common sense didn’t work very well.

  “Judy?” He said as she came back into the kitchen. “What did you do?”

  He watched as she froze picking up the stack of paper plates. Before turning and walking briskly back out of the kitchen. He made his way into the great room where she was nervously fidgeting at the napkins.

  “I can’t tell you.” She looked up at him, her eyes overwhelmed. “I know it’s going to make you angry and I was only trying to help.”

  “Judy.”

  “No, Jace. I don’t want to talk about it right now. Ryan’s parents are on their way up along with some of the other guests. I want to tell you.” She made her way over to him wrapping her arms around his and placing her head against his chest. “I promise, when the party is over I will tell you anything you want to know. I will answer every question and sit silently as you fuss at me.”

  He looked down into her eyes, he could tell that whatever it was had already started eating away at her. He knew she didn’t like keeping things from him, but if she felt this strongly about waiting then it was probably for the best.

  “Ok, afterwards.” He leaned down and softly kissed her forehead. “For now, let’s get this party started.”

  As the doorbell rang he made his way over to let in the first of the guests. “Oh this must be the strippers!” He said sarcastically as he opened the door for Ryan’s parents.

  “Jace, the last time I took my clothes off for money was in 1963. I am not doing it again.” Janet joked as she made her way in the door.

  Too much information, way too much!

  “Well technically you took them off for my money last night.” William laughed as he slapped Jace on the back. “Got a little more than you bargained for there didn’t you?

  “You have no idea.” Jace laughed.

  Over the next two hours the apartment began to fill as the remaining party guests arrived, including the two main ones. As they opened the overflowing amount of presents, most from Judy, they laughed and joked about baby names and information that Judy had found online. Jace tried to focus on the party but at the back of his mind the threat still loomed. He scanned the room looking at all of the people who now made up his family. Ryan had always been his brother and now that he had Judy, Mason, and Abbi in his life along with all of the other people surrounding them he didn’t want anything to happen that would cause that to go away.

  “Ok, It’s time for cake! Eeek! I am so excited I am about to wet myself.” Judy giggled as she and Janet brought the cake in and sat it on the table next to Abbi and Ryan.

  “Honestly I figured you had already eaten it to see what the baby was going to be, Judy.” Abbi laughed as she and Ryan made their way to the back of the
table.

  Taking the cake cutter they sliced into the cake as everyone sat in anticipation. Slowly they sliced through the other side of the piece of cake. Jace realized that he had been holding his breath as Judy came over and plopped down into his lap. He was almost as excited now as Judy had been all along.

  “Who wants to know what we’re having?” Abbi eyes traveled playfully over to Judy.

  “I am going to have a heart attack if you don’t tell me.” Judy playfully fainted back into Jace’s chest.

  Together Abbi and Ryan removed the slice of cake and shared an exciting smile. “It’s. A….”

  “Oh for Moses’ sake!” Judy sat upright.

  “Girl!” They shouted in unison.

  “Hallelujah! My pink dress worked!” Judy jumped up from Jace’s lap and ran over to Abbi.

  “Congrats you two. I am just excited to have a healthy grandbaby.” William hugged Ryan as Janet came up behind them crying.

  “Oh, Mom. Please don’t cry.” Ryan chuckled as he took her into his arms.

  Jace made his way to Judy’s side. “Congratulations Abbi. I know you and Ryan are going to be amazing parents to that baby girl.”

  For a moment his heart beat faster as he watched Judy kneel down in front of Abbi and whisper into her belly as she had done so many times before. To see the love that Judy already had for this baby caused his heart to clench.

  “Hello in there sweet baby. Your Auntie is happy that she is going to get to buy you dresses and that you won’t be quite as stinky.” Judy held both hands on the sides of Abbi’s stomach. “Maybe when you come out we can actually have some alone time. Your grandparents always look at me silly when I talk into your mama’s belly.” She giggled as she stood looking over at William and Janet.