Judy strained to hear what the stranger was saying but Mason wouldn’t let her move. She struggled to make eye contact with Jace to make sure he was ok. Was it Trent? Had he come here to see Alexis? She strained her neck as hard as she could so she could catch a glimpse of the familiar dark skin and hair from Alexis’ apartment complex.
“Mase let me go!” She struggled.
“You have got to be out of your mind. I am not letting you walk out there!” He grasped her tighter.
“I know him Mason! Let me go!” She felt a tinge of regret before slamming her elbow into Mason’s stomach. His large arms went slack around her long enough for her to maneuver out from them.
“Wait! Jace!” She ran out from the hallway towards Jace. Stopping a few steps short as she took in the pistol he was aiming directly at the strangers head.
“Judy, get back now!” Jace never lost eye contact with his target.
“Jace I know him!” Judy took another step towards Jace as she felt Mason come up to her side. “Please, put down the gun for just a moment.”
“I am not doing shit until this asshole tells me why the fuck he is here and what he wants.”
“I guess this is your boyfriend eh, Little Mami.” The Hispanic man smirked.
“What do you want Antonio?” Judy asked over hoping that his sarcastic attitude wouldn’t fuel Jace’s trigger finger.
“You know this fucker by name?” Jace spouted out.
“He was at the apartment complex when I went to get the box of Lexi’s things.” She explained before turning back to Antonio. “Please. What do you want?”
“We know where Trent is. Know what he did to your friend too.” Antonio leaned back against the car next to Jace’s.
“Where is he?” Jace asked.
“I am not telling you shit until you get that Glock out of my face, Ese.”
Jace studied the man for a moment trying to decide if it was all a trap. He looked around the mainly empty level of the parking garage before dropping the gun back down to his side. “Alright, you got your wish. Now tell me where the hell Trent is at.”
“I have an address. He was spotted going in this afternoon.” Antonio smiled over at him proudly. “We have been keeping an eye out and he slipped up.”
“So what? You want us to go in and do your dirty work?” Jace asked.
“No. We can handle our own shit. I figured you’d like to go in and rough him up a bit before you handed him over to us.”
“Ok. So what’s the address?” Jace stuck his pistol back into the back of his pants as he made his way over towards Antonio.
“Not yet. Don’t want you and your boys going in and scaring him off. We want to get eyes on him for a while. See what he’s up to. I got your old ladies number. I will call when it’s time.”
“Show a little respect would you. She is not my old lady she is my girlfriend and she has a name asshole.” Jace spat towards him.
Judy and Mason made their way over to where Antonio and Jace stood.
“Yeah, she already chewed into my ass about that.” Antonio smirked over at her. “Sorry.”
“Ok, so you have eyes on the property now. You are positive that he is in there.” The look of hope flashed in Jace’s eyes as he turned to Mason.
“Yeah he’s there. If he leaves he’ll be followed. Wait for the call.” Antonio stood and left in the direction of the stairwell.
“Judy, when were you going to tell me about him?” Jace looked sarcastically over at her.
“Jace.” She didn’t need to explain any further. He could tell she didn’t feel like explaining from her tone.
“Ok, let’s get home babe. It’s been a rough night for you.” He opened her door helping her in.
Chapter twelve
It had been over a week since they’d talked to Antonio at the hospital. Jace had been patiently waiting for a call, at least for the first few days that is. The team had exhausted all options of tracing back any other information on Alexis with no luck. They began looking through public adoption information and hoped that it would lead them to where Lexi’s son was.
The first day after her death had been the hardest emotionally for everyone. Jace and Judy had both reached out to her family. Judy had called Lexi’s mother multiple times with no answer and her father had all but hung up on them when they said her name. She had finally been able to get in touch with some of Lexi’s aunts and uncles and arrangements were being made for her body to be sent back to New York.
Lexi’s family wanted to have her cremated so that her ashes could be spread at a later date. Judy had also found out through family that Lexi’s mom had been undergoing treatment for cancer; an expensive treatment that had caused her to overlook other bills such as her lights and her telephone. Judy didn’t have to verbally ask. Jace sent Lexi’s mom money that afternoon, enough that she could cover her treatment and live comfortably. He also hired an at home nurse to be with her around the clock. Knowing Lexi’s mom was already in a fragile state he didn’t want her health going downhill after receiving the news of her daughter’s death.
“Babe, are you ok?” Jace looked over at Judy, lines of exhaustion and stressed pooled under her eyes.
“Yeah. Just sad and tired. I just feel so bad for what happened.” She breathed out a long breath as she collapsed down onto their bed.
“I know you do. I wish there was something I could do to take that stress away from you. Do you want me to run you a bath?” He sat next to her skimming his finger over the bottom hem of her shirt.
“Sure, a bath sounds amazing right now.” She smiled up at him. It was the first time in four days that he had seen the light return back into her eyes.
“Ok. Give me just a minute.” He leaned down and kissed her.
He turned the large silver knobs of the ceramic tub. He added in her favorite soap and bath salts until the bubbles were almost over flowing the tub. He reached over and hit a button on the wall opening the privacy screen over the window letting in the pink and purple of the LA sunset. As he started to light the candles on the counter he felt her soft hands sliding his shirt out from his dress slacks. Reaching down he removed the pistol from the holster on his leg and set it on the counter next to the sink.
Turning he took her head into his hands sliding his tongue between her lips. His hands slid down her naked skin as he backed her up towards the tub, his lips only left hers as he pulled his shirt off, throwing it down on the floor. The room blurred around him as she lit the passion inside of him with her lips.
He fumbled with his belt and zipper as her fingers caught in his belt loops sliding his pants and boxers down. He stepped out of them kicking them to the side as she knelt in front of him. Her petite hands wrapped around his erection as her tongue slide from the base of his shaft to his head. He could feel every vein pumping in his body warming his blood as he watched her take his length into her mouth. Her golden eyes fluttered up at him, pleased by his moans as she sucked deeper.
He watched as she ravished his cock with her mouth. Her lips tightening around his head before sliding back down. The edges of her teeth scraped slightly over his skin shooting sparks up through his core. Every muscle, every sense in his body heightened. Slowly he reached down and took her hand standing her up and leading her towards the bathtub.
They slipped down into the oversized tub causing the water to slosh gently over the sides onto the floor. He positioned himself underneath her as she sat down onto his lap.
“Jace, make love to me.” She pleaded.
“When I am done Baby you will never question how much I love you.” He gently bit against her neck as he slid his cock into her.
Her lips parted as she slid down onto him. He could feel her warmth spreading over him as he gently thrust into her. His hips rocked up and down as her body let go. He could feel every muscle tightening around him as she sucked in a deep breath. Her black hair spilled down around her shoulders and breasts as she rocked back and forth. His hands fou
nd her hips and pulled her down, sliding every inch of his cock into her tight pussy.
He leaned up taking her nipple into his mouth. His tongue circled the peak before gently biting down. He quickened his pace as her fingers dug into his shoulders.
“Jace I love you so much.” She panted out.
“I love you too, Baby. So fucking much.” It was in that moment that he knew he couldn’t live without her. He could never be without her love, her passion, and her acceptance. This was the woman that was made for him. She had taken him from a broken man into someone who had a purpose in his life and she was that purpose.
His arms wrapped around her waist as he thrust into her. He planted his feet on the side of the tub and grabbed her hips. He picked her petite frame up with ease before slamming her back down onto him. Her eyes rolled back in ecstasy as they found their release. He gently rubbed her clit with his thumb drawing out every beautiful intense moment of her climax around him. He could feel his erection twitching inside of her as she collapsed down onto his chest.
He slid her hair back from her neck and kissed his way down to her collar bone. His fingers traveled up her spine as he felt her shiver against him. Slowly she eased off of him with a sleepy smile.
“I am just going to sleep in the tub tonight.” She smiled over at him.
She turned and positioned her back against his chest as he massaged her shoulders. He caressed every inch of her body until she was fully relaxed. He could feel the tension melting away from her. She had been through so much; more than any person should have to go through in their lifetime. He knew that no matter what it took he would make sure that she was happy for the rest of her life.
*****
The light through the window was warm against her face. Reaching over she found Jace’s side of the bed empty. The faint smell of bacon floated in through the cracked bedroom door. She had no idea what time it was, but for the first time in days she felt completely rested. She wrapped her fluffy white robe over her pink nightgown and headed towards the kitchen.
“Something smells yummy.” She said rounding the corner.
“I figured I would let you sleep in and fix you some breakfast. You looked exhausted.” He smiled over to her.
“Yes, I think last night was the first night in a long time that I actually slept the entire night through.”
“Abbi and Ryan are on their way over.”
“Ok, babe. Where is Mase?”
“On a job, he should be back home later this evening.”
“Knock knock.” Abbi’s voice resounded from the front room.
“In the kitchen.” Judy hopped up from her stool.
“Well good morning love birds.” Abbi smiled as she placed a box down on the counter.
“Good morning siblings.” Judy smiled as she rubbed the slight bump on Abbi’s belly. “I love this baby. I hope you know I am going to steal her as soon as she’s done baking.”
“We will let you babysit anytime you want. Date nights for us.” Ryan laughed. “So what do we have planned for the big day?”
“What big day?” Judy looked over at him confused.
“Uh, Judy…” Ryan smirked over at her with a dumbfounded look on his face. “It’s your birthday.”
“No it’s not! Stop messin’ around. I definitely wouldn’t forget my own….” Her voice trailed off as she flipped the page up on the calendar. “Well I’ll be damned. It is my birthday.” She laughed. “I guess with everything that has happened this past week I totally forgot.”
“It’s ok, Honey. We are gonna take you out on the town tonight. You have been through a lot and I think a little unwinding wouldn’t hurt.” Abbi reached over taking Judy in her arms and holding her. “Happy birthday my adopted sister. I am glad that I found you.”
“No crying you two.” Jace laughed.
“It’s my birthday bitch. I can cry if I want to!” She looked over at him sternly before the grin spread across her face.
“Oh how did I get so lucky?” Jace chuckled before opening the cake box Abbi had set down on the counter. “For that you’re getting extra candles.”
“I have always known you had a thing for older women. You just never would admit it.” She shot back toward him.
As they sat around the table devouring the late breakfast Jace had prepared they began discussing the plans for the evening. It had been a long time since they had been out on the town. With everything that had been going on she was surprised that Jace and Ryan seemed so lax about going out. However Jace had already prepared the evening and invited the entire office, with the exception of Tina who had been let go.
“I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am about tonight. We haven’t been out on the town in forever!” Judy said before pausing. The guilt that she would be having fun as Alexis’ body was being sent back to her family.
“What’s wrong Judy?” Abbi questioned her.
“I just feel bad. I wish that Lexi could be here with us.” She smiled weakly over at Abbi.
“I know you do. I am sorry that she is no longer with us. But you know that she would have wanted you to have a good birthday. I know that you didn’t get to say what you wanted to before she left us but I know that she’d have wanted you to have a good night.”
“I know she would have. I just miss her. I will have to have a drink in her memory tonight.”
“Well I won’t be drinking, but I think me and squeaks can shake our booties a little bit.”
“Dancing does sound nice. You are going to have to help me pick out a dress. I wanna look smoking hot. I want Jace to get those fuck me eyes when he sees me.” Judy gave Abbi an evil look.
“I am sure that whatever you wear he will give you those eyes. That’s how you look at each other all the time!”
“I can’t help it. My man is a hot piece of sweet meat.”
“Lord help me. Tonight is definitely going to be interesting.” Abbi chuckled. “Let’s go pick out your ball gown Cinderella.”
“Cinderella ain’t got shit on me! Screw a ball gown, give me some leather pants and a whip. I will go as Laura Croft. She was pretty bad ass.” Judy bounced down the hallway toward the bedroom.
“Well I am sure we can find you plenty of leather in your closet. The whip on the other hand, I might have to go get you one of those.”
“Who are you kidding? I have one over on my nightstand.”
“What! You use whips?” Abbi’s eyes were huge with disbelief.
“Of course we do. Restraints and blindfolds too.” Judy said nonchalantly.
“So, do you spank him or does he spank you? I am so confused right now and I don’t even know why I want to know!”
“Both. Sometimes he’s in charge other times I am. You know Abbi you really should live a little bit.”
“Where is this thing? I want to see it!” Abbi nosed around Judy’s side of the bed as Judy headed into her closet, smiling when she heard Abbi gasp.
“I take it you found it.” Judy laughed sticking her head out of the door to see Abbi studying the leather riding crop.
“You weren’t shitting me. You really spank each other.”
“It’s actually nice. Here let me see it.” Judy said reaching out for the crop and taking it from Abbi. “Bend over.”
“What!” Abbi gasped.
“Oh come on. You might as well have been cut from the same cloth as me. Just bend over.” Judy said propping her hands on her hips and eyeing Abbi.
She laughed as Abbi slightly bent over the edge of the bed. She took it easy the first time just gently tapping Abbi’s behind. “See, that’s not so bad huh?”
“Not terrible no.”
Then she before Abbi realized it Judy popped the crop across her behind enough that Abbi could feel the bite of the whip.
“Ow!” Abbi laughed. “That shit hurts.”
“Babe everything ok in here?” Jace peeked his head in the door. Judy and Abbi looked up like two children that had just been busted in the cookie j
ar before bursting out in laughter. “What on Earth is going on in here?”
“Abbi wanted to know what it felt like.” Judy gasped in between laughs. She could barely catch her breath as she collapsed down next to Abbi on the bed.
“Jace everything ok with the girls?” Ryan called from Jace’s office.
“Yep. My girlfriend is just spanking your fiancé. Nothing out of the ordinary.” Jace laughed as he headed back into the office across the hall.
“Oh they will never understand us.” Judy took a deep breath to regain her composure. “Now to find my leather ball gown!”
Chapter Thirteen
It had taken a bit of convincing from both Ryan and Abbi for Jace to agree to a night out, but as he watched Judy laughing and enjoying herself, along with the wives and girlfriends that had come tonight, he knew this was what she needed. From the first day he’d laid eyes on her she’d been through hell and back because of him. He wanted her to have a good time tonight and try to let loose.
After their private dinner at Red, the newest restaurant in town, they had all loaded into the stretch Hummer limousine and headed toward the nightclub. Sitting back in the VIP section of the club, Jace kept a watch toward their three body guards that stood at the front of the roped off area. He couldn’t help but feel exposed. Checking Judy’s cell phone one last time for any missed calls he tucked it into his suit pocket and made his way over to where Judy stood.
“Are you having a good time, Love?” He grabbed her around the waist as her hips danced along to the music.
“I am! Thank you for bringing me out. I can’t believe everyone who came out with us tonight!” Her words buzzed from the champagne that she’d been sipping.
“Well, they all love you as much as I do.” He grinned.
“You wanna come dance with me?” She grinned up at him as she turned, gyrating her hips towards him.
“That might lead to dangerous things. Like me stepping on your foot.”
“Oh come on! Just one dance.” She pouted her beautiful red lips up at him as the beat of the next song began pounding off the walls.
Cherish Me (The Protected Love Series) Page 9