Jamie wondered what would happen after the wedding. Would she come home after marrying Henry? Would she live there and stay with her new husband once in a while? She didn’t like that idea, and wouldn’t want to be away from Henry. She knew that it would be the last night in the home she had grown up in. And perhaps even the last time she would see her father like this. “I love you, Dad, always remember that.”
He narrowed his eyes, but a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “What are you keeping from me?” he asked, and her heart nearly stopped. “You’ve been so distant from me recently.”
Jamie wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. “It’s nothing Dad, really. I’m just happy to be home.”
Slowly he enveloped her in a hug and tapped her back. “Okay, but you know I am here for you, no matter what,” he said as he pulled away from her, and she nodded.
She knew that he was, but she couldn’t tell him about Henry. Jamie moved to Cynthia, Henry had told her she should tell Cynthia how she felt, so she quickly wrapped her arms around the older woman. She was the one who essentially raised her. “Cynthia, I love you as if you were my mother.”
“Oh Jamie,” was all she said. It brought tears to her eyes and gradually she pulled away from her. “I love you too sweetie, always have and always will.”
Jamie smiled at her, and knew that no matter what happened, her father would have Cynthia to take care of him. She walked out of the library, alone. She wasn’t hurt anymore that they were keeping their relationship from her. She understood why they had. She was doing the same thing, well except that Cynthia knew about her relationship with Henry.
As she made her way back down the hallway, she saw Ryan. He was wearing what all of the guards wore around there, his shirt, pants, and shoes were all black. He wore a white ear piece in his ear. He looked good, but she had a weird feeling that he was up to something. She hoped that he wouldn’t try to talk to her, but of course that didn’t happen.
Just as she started past him, he grabbed her arm. “We need to talk,” he whispered in her ear.
Jamie shivered. She didn’t want to be alone with him. He used to be sweet and loving now he seemed bitter and cold. “I don’t think-”
He cut her off by moving his face close to hers. “I know about you and the butler.” His hazel-blue eyes stared into hers, and her heart crashed in her chest. He moved his face away from hers, but he wore a malicious smile on his charming face. “Now I think you might want to talk about this without people listening in?”
Jamie glared at him and tore her arm away from his grip. “I don’t trust you.” She didn’t, and the malicious smile on his face didn’t help his cause.
Ryan snickered, and arched a single eyebrow at her. “You used to.”
She sighed, because she knew that she would have to talk to him, if only to see what exactly he knew about her and Henry. “Fine, but just down the hallway.” Jamie didn’t want to be in a closed room with him, and then she remembered her personal bodyguard and she wondered where he was. She hadn’t seen him since after her father and Cynthia’s kiss. “Where is Matthew?” Jamie placed her hands on her hips.
“I out rank him, and sent him to do something for me.”
She really didn’t like the idea of being alone with Ryan, and it worried her that he’d sent Matthew away, but she walked past him, knowing he would follow. When they reached the end of the hallway, she turned to face the man she had once loved. No, she thought, I have never loved him, not like I love Henry.
“Did you really think no one would find out about you and him? You are being watched all the time, even when you think you aren’t,” he hissed.
Jamie felt her eye widen, she wondered what people have seen and who. “Wha sd wthatt are you talking about?” She tried to keep the panic out of her voice, but failed.
Ryan laughed, and walked closer to her, and she backed up until her back hit the hard surface of the wall. “Jamie…Jamie…Jamie, you have hidden cameras everywhere. In your purse, on your phone, on your make-up lid, and even in your bedroom. But the best camera, well besides your bedroom of course, is the one in the basement.”
She wanted to pass out, she didn’t know about all of that. That seemed to be a little overboard. Ryan grabbed her hand in his, and brought his other hand up to cup her cheek; she narrowed her eyes. “Get your hands off of me.” She had never wanted to hurt someone else like this before; she also had never been so pleased that her father had her trained.
He shook his head and winked at her. “We aren’t done talking. I am the one that can make sure no one else finds out about you and your dirty, Blue boy…come back to me.”
That was when he made his mistake; he let go of her hand and she took that time to smack him as hard as she could across the face.
Ryan turned his angry eyes back to her, out of the corner of her eye she saw a red handprint forming on his left cheek. “You ungrateful little girl, I was trying to help you because you and I could rule this world together. We would make a great team like we used to.” He pressed his hard body against hers, and took each of her hands into his. “You will be mine again, even if I have to kill him.” He leaned down to kiss her, and as soon as his lips were on hers, she bit his lip. “Ahhgg.”
Jamie could taste his blood in her mouth, she turned her head to the side to spit it out. Jamie wished her dress wasn’t so heavy so she could really hurt him.
“Ryan, you better step away now from Miss Moore.”
Thank goodness, Matthew had come! she thought. She didn’t know what she was going to do next. Ryan’s eyes darkened as he looked at her and her eyes were drawn to the blood that was dripping down his chin. He brought up his hand to wipe away, and he slowly took one step to the side allowing her to walk pass him.
“Make the right choice, Jamie,” he growled at her as he held his wounded mouth.
Jamie nodded, she knew what the right choice was, but she didn’t care. There was only one choice for her. She walked passed him and toward Matthew and to her surprise, Henry. “I am.” She looked over her shoulder at her ex-boyfriend.
Ryan looked sad at her, and shook his head. “You really aren’t,” he said and looked down at his feet as he walked past her. She watched him walk away, and she knew she would have to tell Henry what he’d just told her.
Matthew smiled down at her sd dto . “I really don’t know why anyone thinks you need protection. You seem to be able to handle yourself pretty well.”
Jamie rolled her eyes, she could take care of herself, but no one let her. Her father’d had her trained as if she was part of the Black army, just in case she needed protection and no one was around.
Matthew handed her a dark blue napkin, and she wiped her mouth off. Hmm…she was going to need another touch up. Emily wasn’t going to be too happy about that. “It would seem that the men in my life think I need all of this manly protection, but the truth is I can take care of myself. I was trained to do so.”
She looked at Henry, and he narrowed his eyes. “You bit him?”
Jamie had to bite her own lips to keep her smile back because she saw the fury on his handsome face. His dark blue eyes seem a little darker, and his beautiful white smile was nowhere to be found. “Hmm…yes it was the only thing I could think of. I didn’t want him to kiss me, so I bit his lip as he tried.” She smiled at him, and he just arched a dark brown eyebrow at her. “This damn dress is too heavy I couldn’t knee him and he had my hands in his, so I couldn’t punch him. At the time it seemed like my best option. Now if I had known you and Matthew were behind us I wouldn’t have bit him.” Now it was her turn to arch an eyebrow.
“We got up here as you bit him,” Henry said, and only his eyes soften. Jamie wanted him to take her into him warm strong arms. But now she didn’t want to look at him too long in fear someone else would figure it out. She looked down at the floor away from his gorgeous dark blue eyes. “What is it?”
She didn’t look up at him. “Ryan knows,” she
whispered and heard his gasp.
“How?” Jamie looked back up at him, and smiled sadly at the man she loved with every fiber in her body.
“I am watched even when I don’t know it,” she said and turned to look at Matthew. “I need to get back to the ballroom before people start to wonder about me.”
Slowly he nodded, but his eyes went to Henry. “Fine.”
“I am heading home now. Your father gave me early leave for today since I won’t be needed. I will be back after I get dress.” Henry stepped closer to her back side, and she felt the heat from the front of his body. He stuck out his hand so Matthew could shake it. “I love you Jamie, I will see you later,” he whispered against her ear and she had to hold back her shiver that she felt.
When the heat vanished she wanted to run to him, but she just stood there staring at Matthew as he smiled down at her. “Damn, you two really do have it bad for each other.”
Jamie didn’t trust her own voice, so she nodded her head slowly.
“Ballroom?”
She took a steadying breath and turned to walk to the ballroom. Kickers were still on stage, and Cynthia was back working on the tables. This was her black and blue ball. She thought about why she’d chosen those colors. Blue had always been her favorite color, even if she wasn’t allowed to wear it. Momentarily she wondered what color she would wear after tonight. Maybe she would mix the two together since she would be technically both.
Jamie smiled at Cynthia, and that was when she noticed her red puffy eyes. She had been crying and she had a good feeling it was because of her father. Jamie walked over to the older woman and placed her hand on top of hers. Cynthia looked at her and dimly smiled at her.
* * *
Henry walked into his house and smiled; his little, fiery red-head was perfect. When he saw Ryan with his hands on her, he’d wanted to kill him, but Matthew held him back. He understood why he did, but it didn’t cool his temper. He just wanted to get dress so he could be with her again, and soon she would be his wife; he just didn’t know for how long.
Henry walked toward his bedroom where Cameo had said she’d leave a black tux for him. He knew that he was putting himself and Jamie in danger tonight, but she wanted him there and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her.
After he was dressed he held the royal blue mask in his hands. The fabric was soft. He would bet it was silk, along with the black string that would tie on the back of his head. Henry walked into the bathroom to pull his hair back. He smiled at himself in the mirror. He was getting married tonight, and he was marrying someone that was too good for him, but he didn’t care. He was selfish and wanted her and he didn’t care if it cost him his life.
“Henry?” his mother called for him.
“In the bathroom.” He took a deep breath, turned to face the opened door and his mother appeared. Her long dark brown hair was up in a tight ponytail, and she smiled at him.
“You look handsome,” she said and walked to him. His mother didn’t take any time in wrapping her arms around him, pulling him into a snug hug. “You know you don’t have to go through with the wedding, if you want, we can call it off,” she said as she pulled away from him.
Henry grinned at her, there was no way he would do that. “Mom, I’m marrying Jamie Moore tonight. I love her more than I have ever loved anything in my life…besides you of course.” He winked at her and she laughed.
“Fine, I guess I am going to have a Moore as a daughter-in-law.”
He touched her cheek. “Mom you are going to fall in love with Jami soveg he just like I did. She will take your heart before you even know what she has done.” He felt his heart grow because that was what happened with him.
“You really do love her don’t you? Henry I just want you happy and if she is the one that makes you happy, then I will love her,” she said and took a step back away from him, smiling with tears in her light sapphire eyes.
“Well, Mom I need to get going so we can get back here. Thank you for doing this for me. I love you Mom.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek.
Chapter Fourteen
Midnight Wedding
Jamie and Emily were dancing to the music with Mike and Matthew closely behind them. She kept looking for a royal blue mask with vivid light blue peeking through. He should have been there already and she was getting worried, what if he was in trouble or what if he was hurt? Jamie stopped dancing and looked around. Everyone was wearing a different colored mask and they seemed to be having a good time dancing.
She leaned into her best friend. “Em, I’ll be back. I need a drink.”
Emily nodded and Mike took her place dancing with her.
Matthew moved up next to her before she could say anything to him. Jamie pushed her way through the dancing couples to the tables. She had the phone Henry had given her in her little, sparkling green clutch purse. She’d run to her bedroom to get it just before the ball started. She pulled out the slim black phone and pressed the top button to see if there was a message from him. There wasn’t. So many thoughts ran though her head, but the one she kept settling on was ‘what was going too happened after the wedding?’ Jamie wanted to have forever with the man she loved, and she knew she wouldn’t. Ryan wouldn’t keep her relationship a secret for much longer and that meant Henry would be taken from her. She didn’t want to imagine what would happen to him in the tower. She knew what they did to Blues and she didn’t want that to happen to Henry.
Where are you? she typed into the phone and pressed send. She stared at the screen. A few minutes later the phone vibrated in her hand.
Patience, Miss Moore.
Jamie grinned at the phone. She had no patience. Not when she wanted to be in his arms. She missed him and it was getting close to midnight.
Matthew touched her hand and leaned closer to her. “Can I get you a drink?”
She nodded and he got up. She turned her attention back to the phone in her hands. My patience is gone, Mr. Roarke, I need you now. She smiled as she sent the message.
You look too beautiful sitting alone.
She read the message and glanced around looking for her prince charming. She looked around for the royal blue mask, but she didn’t see one, reds and whites stood out, but not a blue.
Jamie stood up hoping to see him, and finally she did. He was walking toward her. Henry wore all black besides the mask she’d given him. When he was standing in front her she gasped. Words couldn’t describe how beautiful he truly was and he was all hers. “You are beautiful,” she said and he smiled at her.
“I believe that is my line,” he said as he leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Are you ready to get out of here and become my wife?” He gently kissed her neck and she felt her body burn with desire for him.
“Are you ready to become my husband, because I know I’m not easy to handle,” she moaned as he kissed his way up her neck to her earlobe. Holy crap she was about to lose it! It had been a while since she had been with anyone, and she and Henry had been building their tension for days now.
“That is what I love about you.” He reached down to take her hand in his.
She didn’t question him. She just let him lead her out of the ballroom and toward the back of the mansion. Jamie felt her heart race because her life was changing so fast, but she didn’t want to stop it.
They walked out of her home and to his motorcycle. She knew she couldn’t take of the mask until there were away from the house, but stopped him. “I will ruin my dress if I get on that bike.”
Henry laughed and it made her smile. “I know, that’s why Emily is waiting for you.” He brought her hand to his sweet lips and gently kissed her knuckles. “I can’t wait to peel this amazing dress off of you…layer by layer.” His voice was deeper than normal and she bit her lip.
The man was driving her completely crazy, and she loved it. “I think we should just cut it off,” she said and he chuckled as he wrapped her in his arms.
“Hmm…I think I will take my time
with you.” He rubbed the tip of his nose against hers, and she giggled. “Emily is waiting for you.”
She followed his gaze and saw her best friend in Mike’s arms. Jamie was happy that both she and Emily had found someone. “And I want to get going so we can start on taking my dress off.” His soft lips brushed hers. She craved more of him and knew that soon she would have all of the beautiful man.
They walked over to Emily and Mike as they kissed one la {kis.
Jamie nodded.
“See you later, babes,” Mike said and winked at Emily which made her giggle. Good at least Jamie wasn’t the only one that giggled. He turned to face Henry and grinned. “Are you ready to hand your balls to Jamie?”
Henry winked at her, and her cheeks heated up. “She can have them whenever she wants.”
Black and Blue (Black and Blue Series) Page 15