The Unraveling of Raven (The Unraveled Trilogy Book 1)

by Theresa Sederholt

  She’s smiling like she’s already won at this game of chess. “Duke, this works for both of us, don’t you see? I get my revenge on Jax, and you get your revenge on a half-sister who took away your claim to any of your mother’s money and your birth right within your Chicago Mafia family—”.

  “—Wait! What the fuck are you talking about?” I cut her off, unable to process the words that just flew out of her mouth. “Mafia family? Birthright? I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

  “Duke, your adoption was arranged by the FBI. Your father is, Vincent Giaconna. He is the head of Chicago’s largest crime family. That is your birthright Duke, that’s what was taken from you.

  “You have lived in near poverty when you didn’t have to; never knowing your true family. As for me, because of Jax, I have been permanently banned from top businesses all over the world, and disowned by my family. It’s time they both pay, and pay dearly.” She hands me a file. “This is everything I could get on your sister.”

  “What’s the next step? I mean, have you told anyone else who she really is?”

  There’s that sinister look again. “Not yet, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t have a plan in place to protect myself.” I get her threat loud and clear. I’m seeing a side of Erica I didn’t know existed. She gets up to leave, and then leans into my ear, “Just go to work tomorrow like you know nothing and I will be in touch.” With that, she’s gone, leaving me with the file.

  I open it. It is filled with pictures of Raven and everything detailing what happened to our mother, including pictures of my father and grandfather. Reading everything, I realize I’m in way over my head here. It’s not about a kidnapping anymore. It’s about saving my own neck. This can of worms has been opened and there is no turning back. It’s time to make a phone call and meet dear, old Dad.

  MICHAEL TAKES BELLA AND Mum home, in case they try to contact him there. I decide to stay in my office. I can’t go back to my house. Everything smells like her, and when I close my eyes, I see her everywhere. I don’t understand how could she have become so embedded into my life, so quickly?

  The sun is starting to rise and I go into the break room to get some coffee. On my way back, I notice another interoffice envelope on Duke’s desk. It’s addressed to me. I really don’t think much about it, since I am running a major corporation—life goes on. I open it and watch a note fall out. Oh fuck!

  I run into my office, “Joseph, they’ve made contact!” I yell.

  Joseph jumps up. “Wait, don’t touch it!” He opens the letter using gloves so he might be able to get some prints.

  “What does it say?”

  Joseph stares at the note, his eyes going left to right as he reads. “They are giving you the boy back for a transfer of fifty million to an off shore account.”

  “But what about Raven?”

  Joseph is pale and visibly shaken. “They say that ‘the teacher goes to the highest bidder.’ They are contacting all the major crime families and letting them bid on her. They’ll allow you to enter the bidding, too.”

  I look at Joseph in total disbelief. I pick up the phone to call Michael and Bella, letting them what is going on before I call my banker and arrange the transfer.

  Joseph is sitting here, blank look on his face, obviously in shock. He finally looks at me. “I understand you're going to pay the fifty million for your nephew, but what are you going to do about Cara?”

  As I pour myself a scotch, I turn to Joseph, “I will do whatever I have to. I need her back safe with me. But something is bothering you, I can tell. What is it?”

  Fear washes over Joseph’s face. “Jax, this is a bad can of worms that is being opened, and it might not be that easy to get her back.”

  I never thought it would be easy, but I would never tell him that. “Why? I have enough money to outbid everyone, and I will.”

  He nods and shuffles a finger at me and my canteen of scotch. I pour him a glass. “Jax, it’s not that easy.” He takes a quick sip as soon as I hand it to him. “These families are ruthless. They didn’t get to where they are today by playing by the rules.”

  “Neither did I.” I raise both my eyebrows before taking another swig. Before I know it, my whole family is back in my office, including Junior’s dog, Vito. Apparently, Vito has not stopped crying since Junior’s been gone.

  Duke comes in to offer everyone some coffee and food, but Vito starts freaking out. Duke puts everything down on the table and backs out of the room. Vito is trying to get out the door, his fur standing up. Michael tries to calm him down, but he’s not moving.

  Max starts pacing and I know that’s not a good sign. I pull him aside, “Max, what’s the problem?”

  He shakes his head. “I don’t know, Jax, I just feel like something is off. I spoke to Jackie. She was supposed to be on that playground, not Raven. They switched at the list minute. They have a set schedule, which apparently, someone new about.” He resumes his pacing and intermittent shaking of his head.

  I’m about to question him further when Max’s right-hand man, Tony, comes barrelling into the office. “I’ve got them. I’ve narrowed it down to a one mile radius of warehouses in Trenton, New Jersey.”

  Michael and I jump up to go, but Joseph yanks my arm, pulling me back. “Where do you guys think you’re going?”

  Michael grabs Joseph. “My son is in there; Where do you think?”

  “Did you think I would leave it up to you to find them?” Max barks, gaining Joseph’s attention. “ You're welcome to come with us, Joseph, but stay out of my fucking way!”

  THE AREA IS DESERTED. No cars. Nothing. Max has a heat sensor that can detect body heat. Focusing on a row of abandoned buildings, the screen suddenly lights up with two body figures. One looks to be the size of a child, and the other could possibly be a woman. This gives me hope. Joseph grabs his radio, alerting his team and the paramedics which building we are at. The strange part is, there are no other figures. Before we can question it, Max is storming into the building. Michael, Joseph, and I are right behind him. All the rooms are empty until we get to a small room in the basement. That’s when we find them huddled together. They’re not moving.

  Max yells, “They’re alive, just drugged! Get the paramedics in here now!”

  So much is happening so fast: yelling, pushing, and men holding us back. They set up IV’s, put them on gurneys, and they’re out the door in record speed with Michael and I running behind them.

  When we arrive at the hospital, I have them put Raven and Junior in the same room. The doctor examines them both carefully and says they’ll be fine—little dehydrated, but the IV will fix that. All we can do is wait until they wake up. The room fills up with family. The nurse starts to protest but Joseph just gives her a death glare that even makes me shiver.

  Raven starts to stir. She is whimpering, “Daddy, don’t die, please don’t die.”

  My heart goes to my throat and I glance at Joseph. He’s got tears running down his cheeks. I realize this is reliving a nightmare for him, losing his best friend and partner. I want to say something to him, but what could I possibly say?

  I look over to Junior, and his eyes flutter open. He see’s everyone and smiles, but then he springs up in bed, “Miss Raven, where is Miss Raven?” he yells.

  We move so he can see her sleeping in the bed over from him. “Daddy, is Miss Raven okay?”

  He strokes Junior’s face. “Yes, son, she’s just sleeping, same as you were.”

  Just then, Raven’s eyes open and she yells for Michael. Quickly, it seems to register with her where she is, and Junior calls to her that he’s okay. This seems to calm them both. Raven spots Joseph. Her eyes fill with tears, as do his. Their silence, I think, speaking volumes for both of them.

  Finally, Joseph picks up Raven’s hand. “My beautiful, Raven.”

  “Joseph, it’s been so long. I’m sorry . . . so very sorry,” her voice, soft.

  “Shush, I will hear none of that sorry nonsense.
None of this is your fault, not the first time and not now!”

  Raven turns to me, and I get hit with those beautiful eyes. Violet to blues. “Hey, no more tears, sweetheart.”

  Before anymore can be said, Joseph starts asking questions and then Marco steps up doing what he usually does—lots of fussing. It hits me, just then, that Raven doesn’t know that Marco works for Joseph.

  Just as that realization hits me, Joseph grabs my arm. , “Step outside with me, Jax, now.”

  We step into the hall, and before he can say anything, “This is the part where you’re going to ask me to keep my mouth shut about Marco.” I beat him to the punch. He raises his eyebrow as if he is surprised. “Joseph, I didn’t get to where I am today by being a fucking idiot. I’m a leader, not a follower, and I’ll decide what I want her to know. For now, your secret is safe, but I can’t make any promises. Now, I’m going back to my girl.”

  Michael is not letting anyone question Junior right now. He is taking him home, which sounds good to me.

  “Raven, the doctor gave the all clear, so I’m taking you home now.” Before I can say anything more, she starts laughing and so does Junior.

  All eyes turn to the two of them, but they just keep laughing. Bella looks at Junior. “What exactly went on with the two of you?”

  “Uncle Jax, which doctor gave the all clear?” Junior tries on a curious tone but starts chuckling again.

  Bella turns to Raven, “Please, don’t tell me my brother got to you into Doctor Who, as well?”

  Raven and Junior are too busy laughing to even answer. I’m glad they found a way to get through this together.

  I DECIDE TO TAKE Raven to the Ivory Tower tonight. “You know, Jax, you don’t have to carry me I can walk.”

  I cradle her in my arms even tighter. “I know you don’t need to be carried, but right now, I need this.”

  She lifts her head, “Oh.”

  “Yeah, oh,” I whisper. I head right to the bathroom so we can have a shower. I want to check every inch of her beautiful body.

  “Jax, I have a confession to make.” I put her on the vanity and look into her eyes. I’m nervous about what she might want to confess.

  “I had a dream the other night about your shower and I have to say, I think I had an orgasm in my sleep, dreaming about it.”

  Okay, well, not quite the confession I was thinking. “Raven, I would like to think that it was the man in the shower with you who gave you the orgasm and not the shower!” I start to undress her and she is smiling at me—pulling at that fucking ear. I pull her hand away from her ear and start kissing her wrist. I feel the jolt go right through her. Oh yeah, gotcha, sweetheart. We step into the shower. I want to kiss every inch of her beautiful body and she lets me. I kiss her cheek where a bruise has formed, and my blood starts to boil.

  “Jax, it doesn’t hurt much. I’ll be okay.”

  “It slays me to think someone hit you, sweetheart.” She is so strong.

  “I’m okay.” She kisses me so tenderly and I just want to be inside her. Right now though, it’s not about what I want. It’s all about her and my girl needs comfort, so I do just that. I put her into bed and head to the kitchen to prepare something for us to eat. My housekeeper was in today and left macaroni and cheese—now that’s comfort food. I head to the bedroom with a tray of food and wine, but when I enter, I find Raven asleep in the throes of a nightmare.

  “Please don’t die, Daddy, Pleeeeeease!” My heart is in my throat. I take her in my arms and rock her. Finally, she wakes and starts crying. “Jax, I’m sorry, so very sorry.”

  I hold her tighter. “Raven, if you keep saying you’re sorry, I’m going to lose it. You have nothing to be sorry for, you’re so strong and so brave. You put Junior’s life ahead of your own. I’m in awe of you.”

  She tilts her head back to look into my eyes and I know she gets it. Little by little she is knocking down my walls. “You need to eat. My housekeeper made mac and cheese.”

  She sits up, takes a sip of wine, and a few bites. “Jax, I was so scared, not just for me, but for Michael. He’s the same age I was when I was kidnapped, all those years ago.”

  I need to keep her talking so she can try and get past this. “I know you were being brave for him. They sent a video. You were both laughing. It surprised us all. Why were you laughing?”

  She gifts me with the most beautiful smile. “I had to distract him, he was getting very quiet. We talked about the things that he loved: his dog, Vito, and Doctor Who. You know he loves that show almost as much as you do, but, Jax, I think what he loves more is the bond the two of you have over it.”

  I don’t know when it happened or even how, all I know is, I’m in way too deep to turn back now. I have fallen in love with this woman very hard. There’s no going back and I don’t want to.

  “I’m glad that I have that connection with Junior. Family is very important to me. I cherish and respect it. I know how fragile it is, I’ve seen it disappear overnight. I think that’s part of why I’m a little overbearing. Enough with all this talk; you need to eat.”

  Just like that, the conversation was done.

  MORNING COMES AND I’M having the best dream. My cock is hard and warm, wet kisses are caressing it up and down like soft light flutters and it’s the most amazing feeling. I slowly open my eyes and see Raven between my legs, slowly licking my cock up and down. Oh fuck, I died and went to cock heaven, if there is such a thing.

  She locks her violets on my blues and takes me deep; really deep. My conscience thinks I shouldn’t be doing this, she just got home from the hospital, but my cock has other plans. I’m about to stop her when she bares her teeth. I grab her head. I’ve lost all control. I’m screaming, slamming into the back of her throat, and start coming hard. The tidal wave finally slows down. I try to pull her towards me, but she shakes her head. She pleads, “No, Jax. I need this, please.” She crawls up my chest, kisses me, and impales herself on my very firm cock.

  “Sweet Jesus. It's okay, sweetheart, take charge.” I understand right now she needs that, it was something that was taken away from her and she’s reclaiming it. She take’s my hands, leans in and licks and nibbles each of my nipples, back and forth, just like I do to her. She’s riding me hard and I know I’m not going to last. I tilt up to meet her, and my cock hits the tip of her cervix. She starts bucking and screaming. “Eyes on me, baby, now!” Fuck me! Our eyes lock, and we crash together. I pull the comforter back over us and hold her tight, letting us drift back to sleep.

  We wake and it’s about an hour later. I’m still buried balls deep. I start to stroke her back, and she hums, “Thank you, Jax.”

  “Sweetheart, why on earth are you thanking me? As I remember, you gave me quite the fab morning!”

  She giggles, and it’s such a beautiful sound. “Yeah, I can feel you're ready to go again. Are you even human?”

  Hmm. “Oh, believe me, I’m human. It’s just the affect you have on me.” I tilt my hips up, down, and around again.

  “Jax, you have such a beautiful body. How often do you workout?”

  “I do some sort of exercise six days a week, including weights. I eat healthy, so I’m able to have little indulgences without the guilt.”

  She slowly runs her tongue around my lips. “Six days a week is a lot. I’ve never seen you workout.”

  I can’t help but laugh at her. “Sweetheart, you’ve been giving me my daily cardio!”

  She smiles at me as she’s working herself up and down, and I know I’m not going to last long. We lock eyes, and I know she’s there. Then she does it! She does that fucking clench thing and I swear she needs to patent it. I explode so hard, I swear by all that’s holy, the tip of my cock is going to burst!

  “Jax, are you okay?”

  I can’t put two words together and she wants to know if I’m okay? “Sweetheart, when you do that clench thing, I swear—let’s just say you need to patent it.” I sigh “Cock heaven.” I add in a whisper.

&
nbsp; “We need to get ready. We’re supposed to meet with Joseph this afternoon to answer questions.”

  She’s not moving, and I can sense her apprehension. “Jax, I just want to put this all behind me and move on. Do we have to go?”

  I feel sorry, but we don’t have a choice. I know this is not over, and there’s stuff she isn’t even aware of yet. “Yes, we have to go, Raven. We can’t just move on because there are more questions than answers. I’m not willing to take a chance that this might happen again. We were very lucky this time. I won’t give them another chance. Done. In the shower you go, and I’ll be in shortly.”

  Raven heads to the shower and I call Max. “Max, have you found out anything yet?”I know he’s working non-stop on this, but he knows, when it comes to information—I want everything yesterday.

  “Not just yet. However, there are a few things that are really bothering me.”

  Knowing Max, he’s probably pacing. “Yeah, I could tell yesterday in my office. What’s going on?”

  He’s distracted by something. “I’m not sure yet. I want to check a few more things. I’ll meet with you before you see Joseph.”

  I hang up and head into the shower. My girl is so beautiful. She renders me speechless. I realize, yeah, she is my girl and there is no going back—ever! I just need to convince her of this. I stand in the doorway, watching her. She has her back to the door, her head tilted back, and water cascading everywhere. Fuck it, I’m hard again! Stepping into the shower, I trail kisses down her back, slowly turning her, dipping my fingers in and out, nibbling, and licking. She starts to quiver. She yells my name; a benediction from her beautiful mouth. I work my way up her gorgeous body, worshiping every inch of her and lift her up. “Wrap your legs around my waist.” My beautiful girl doesn’t hesitate as I lower her slowly onto my cock.

  She throws her head back. “Ohhhhhhh.”

  I sigh, “Yeah, baby, ohhhhhh.”

  She knows I need this slow right now, and she lets me. Up and down then, a swivel of the hips. First to the right and then to the left. She leans in and nibbles on my lower lip. “Jax, I can’t hold it much longer.”