Jaxson: A Romantic Suspense (V Mafia Series Book 3)

by Karice Bolton

  Jaxson’s stride was confident and his face was void of all expression, but that didn’t make him any less attractive.

  “I’m not leaving you with this monster,” she hissed softly.

  “Yeah. You are.” I turned my attention to my sister as Jaxson continued to walk in our direction. “You have no choice.”

  Anger darted through my sister’s gaze, but she nodded slowly as Jaxson approached.

  His dark hair was smoothed back and his blue eyes sparkled with an obvious curiosity. Surprisingly, I didn’t see any anger as he slowed in front of us and ran his gaze up and down my body. My heart fluttered unexpectedly, but I remained expressionless.

  “Well, this is interesting, the Egorov sisters roaming around one of our properties with no particular place to go.” He crossed his arms across his chest, the dark suit fabric pulling across his biceps.

  “Actually, that’s not entirely true,” my sister said. “I’ve got a dinner date that I don’t want to be late for back in the city.”

  She reached for my hand, which I took.

  “I’d like to know what you two are doing here when it is clearly abandoned, fenced, and clearly marked No Trespassing.” His gaze hardened as his eyes locked on mine. “Would you mind answering that question, Elena? I really don’t feel like calling the police and charging you with trespassing unless I have to.”

  I cleared my throat. “My sister has nothing to do with it. Let her take off and I’ll be more than happy to fill you in. Maybe you can give me a ride back later?”

  I let go of my sister’s hand, and she stayed frozen in place, but her eyes flashed to Jaxson’s and a smile touched his lips.

  “You don’t want to leave Elena,” he stated, clearly amused.

  Sadie glanced around the abandoned property and raised a brow. “Would any good sister?”

  “Probably not.” He gave a half-nod. “But nothing will happen to her. You have my word. In fact, take a picture of us both standing next to one another.”

  My sister’s brows squeezed together. “Why would I want to do that?”

  “I can guarantee that no murderer wants to be pictured standing next to his victim before the crime happens.”

  A chill ran through me, but I knew he was right.

  “Might as well,” I agreed as my sister pulled her phone out of her pocket.

  My heart hammered as Jaxson took a step forward and brought me into him. My sister held up her phone and took a photo. I pushed away the thought of Joey’s murder scene right behind us but was left with a tide of rising nausea.

  “There.” Jaxson nodded but didn’t let go. “Now, if I only knew why you were scared of me…?”

  “Maybe because you beat that guy’s head in on the first night we met?” I teased. “And for the record, I’m not worried.”

  “I said scared.” His eyes stayed on mine.

  My sister’s expression remained blank as she eyed Jaxson.

  “But, what I’d like to know is how you knew we were here?” I asked.

  “Which time?” he asked, and my heart stilled.

  He knew I’d been here twice.

  “You’ve been here more than once?” my sister questioned.

  “Just today.”

  She nodded slowly.

  “You didn’t answer my question.” I turned my attention back to Jaxson.

  “It may be vacant, but we still have security cameras.” He pointed around the building.

  I’d searched for them when I’d come here the first time and, like now, couldn’t spot any.

  “They’re small,” he added. “So I’ve answered your question. How about you answer mine? Why are you here?”

  I glanced at my sister, who nodded reluctantly and retreated toward her car.

  “I’ll see you at home,” she said over her shoulder, but I could feel the anger rolling off her.

  Turning toward Jaxson, I was taken aback at how closely he was studying me. His penetrating eyes stayed on mine as I took a slow and steady breath.

  “I wanted to get inside the building,” I said simply.

  His brow arched. “And why’s that?”

  “My idea was wrong, so I’d rather not say.”

  He shook his head and a curt smile covered his mouth. “Not how it works, babe.” He took a step forward and touched my chin. “Why did you want in there?”

  “How about you show me inside and then I’ll tell you?”

  He cocked his head and his smile widened. “Why do you think I need to bother with letting you inside one of our buildings?”

  “I’m sure you don’t have anything to hide, so why not?” My pulse quickened as he stepped closer, and I tried to come up with an excuse as to why I was here. It had to be believable and completely unconnected with Joey.

  “Only because you intrigue me will I go for this.” His eyes narrowed, and he drew in a deep breath. “Follow me.”

  A chill ran down my spine, and I glanced in the direction my sister went. The sound of his shoes hitting the pavement brought me out of my daze.

  I needed an excuse for why I wanted inside. Squaring my shoulders, I let out a silent breath and followed him around the building.

  Lanky weeds sprang from the cracks along the foundation near the rusty steel door where he stopped. He quickly punched some numbers into the keypad, unlocking the deadbolt with a click.

  “This had better be an entertaining story.” Jaxson sounded amused, and all I could think about was what I needed to come up with.

  Sweat pooled at the base of my neck even though the temperature outside was near-freezing. I glanced at Jaxson and hoped he wouldn’t see right through me.

  The sound of metal scraping along the warehouse floor echoed into the air as he stepped aside to let me in. The building looked large from the outside, but inside, it felt enormous.

  Enormously empty.

  A metal staircase to my right led up to a loft area where I assumed offices were located. Exposed support timbers propped up the ceiling, and several long tables had been scooted against the far wall.

  “So, does this meet your expectations, Elena?” His brow quirked, and he shut the door behind him. The clunk of the heavy metal made a shiver inch down my spine as I took a few more steps.

  “It does.” I turned to face him and crossed my arms. “And I’m quite relieved.”

  “I wish I could say the same.” He took a step closer and cocked his head as his eyes stayed on mine. “You know, I’ve let a lot of things slide around you.”

  “How so?” My brows furrowed, but fire burned in the pit of my stomach. The way he looked at me made my world spin into a place it should never go.

  “Your stubbornness at the bar that night we met would have gotten most people thrown off their barstool. Let’s see. I warned you about the councilman’s people when it really had nothing to do with me. I also cleared my schedule when you came barging into my office. And lastly, rather than call the police, I let you inside the very property you’re trespassing on.” He touched his chin, which showed a day’s worth of stubble, and he pushed away a smile.

  All things I shouldn’t be noticing.

  “So, it sounds to me like I’m simply irresistible.” I smiled, and heat flashed through his eyes, sending an unintended spark through me.

  He took another step forward, closing the gap between us. “Is that how you see it?”

  “I don’t know what else it could be to make you so lenient in my presence.”

  His gaze intensified, and I pushed down a swallow. Being this close to him nearly unhinged me.

  “Why don’t you tell me why you and your sister were here?” His voice was steady and his eyes were still heated.

  I took in a deep breath and dropped my gaze to the concrete floor.

  “I—” Bringing my eyes back to his, I saw a mixture of desire and pleasure running through his gaze. My only worry was that it would soon turn to anger, and I’d yet to see a Volkov angry. “I thought I’d check all of your
vacant properties.”

  “And why would that be a hobby of yours?”

  “You’re a friend of the councilman. His niece is missing. Police always look at friends and acquaintances first.” I stopped myself, watching the amusement quickly fade.

  “You think I might have had something to do with his niece’s disappearance?” He bit his teeth into his bottom lip before letting out a large sigh.

  “You asked. I didn’t want to tell you for, obvious reasons. I knew it was a long shot, and I realized I was wrong before you showed up.” I stood up straighter, but it gave me no extra confidence with Jaxson being almost a head taller than me.

  “And you thought you’d swoop in here with your sister, find a woman tied up, and then what?” I detected a hint of sarcasm, which I’d gladly take over many of the other emotions my harebrained idea could have produced.

  “I hadn’t thought that far ahead.”

  “I don’t buy that for a second.” His sarcasm completely vanished. “Do I really strike you as the kind of man who would kidnap a poor young girl?”

  He didn’t strike me like that in the least bit. He reminded me of a man who would kill the person who did it.

  “No, which is why I prayed I was wrong,” I said softly.

  “I see.” He brought his hand to my chin and slowly ran his thumb along my jaw, sending a rush through my body. “You never cease to amaze me. One minute, you want to help me find answers, and the next, you want to put me in the same box as the monsters of society. Do I look like a monster?” His blue eyes filled with apprehension, as if my answer could crush him.

  Nothing about the Volkovs fit the mold I’d imagined of the most ruthless mobsters in New York’s history, which would only add depth to the story I wanted to write.

  “You look like anything but a monster,” I breathed as he took his hand away.

  “Good.” A smile coated his lips, and he dipped his head slightly, his eyes falling to my lips.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered, bringing my arms around his neck. “I don’t know what got into me.”

  “I’d much rather have a woman be honest with me than not.” His smile only grew, and the energy running between us couldn’t be denied. “I’m getting the sense that the longer you’re around, the more interesting my life might be.”

  My eyes accidentally slipped to his mouth, and that’s when he brought his lips down to mine. His kisses were as strong and demanding as the man himself.

  A riot of emotion spilled through me as his lips parted, and I fell into his arms, feeling his strength wrap around me. Every part of me knew to run, but the way he teased and taunted me as our kisses deepened made me immune to the reality of the situation.

  He tasted so good, and his kisses held some kind of promise, as if he could unwrap every secret fantasy I’d ever had. Jaxson’s strong hands slid down my back, and my body trembled even though my mind knew better than to fall for this.

  Desire pulled at me as his tongue tangled with mine in a rhythm that felt completely out of this world. A little moan escaped my lips, and a deep growl was returned as his hands skimmed my hips. He kissed like a man who knew what he could get from the world.

  Jaxson’s phone buzzed in his pocket, but he ignored it. Our kisses only intensified as his hands traveled along my hips, but his phone buzzed again.

  And again.

  I slowly eased away, and his lips parted from mine, leaving me in a whirlwind of sensations that I’d never experienced before.

  I wanted to believe the emotions crashing around me were because I’d tasted the forbidden, but I feared it was more than that.

  He pulled his phone out of his pocket but didn’t take his eyes from mine, which only made the buzz running through my veins intensify.

  “It sounds important.” I bit my lip and his eyes darkened.

  “Doubtful.”

  He drew a breath and finally glanced at his phone. His body stiffened, but he let out a heavy sigh.

  “A girl’s body matching the description of Missy has been called in.”

  My blood froze and a shiver ran through me.

  “I can drop you off at your house and then I’ll go check it out, but maybe—”

  “I want to go with you.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He shook his head. “But something tells me you’d find your way there one way or another.”

  “You know me well already.”

  “I hope to get to know you more.” He slid his arm around my waist, and I finally allowed myself to catch my breath.

  There was no turning back now. I would finally be able to expose the Volkovs and all of their dirty sins.

  Chapter Ten

  Jaxson

  Bloody handprints stained the white tile wall behind the young woman’s body. Thick twine bound her ankles and wrists as her lifeless body slumped toward the mop sink. Stringy hair covered most of her features except for her pale blue lips.

  It wasn’t a scene for the faint of heart. I knelt and glimpsed enough of the woman’s features to know that this was Harner’s niece.

  “Think it’s her?” Johnson asked. He was the detective who’d contacted my brother about the body.

  “Pretty sure.” I stood and lowered my voice. “Think it’s connected to the others?”

  “Probably, but since nobody wants to admit any of the murders are connected, I’d say finding answers is going to go nowhere quickly. Of course, you didn’t hear that from me.”

  I stayed silent for a few seconds, taking in the scene. “Thanks for letting us know.”

  “You done?”

  “I got my answer.” I nodded and walked outside to see Elena standing behind the police tape, watching me.

  Several detectives were keeping onlookers at bay. It was only a matter of time before the press showed up.

  I walked over to Elena, and we moved away from the crime scene in silence.

  “Do you think it’s her?” she asked, concern filling her voice.

  “Yes. It’s really—”

  “Thank God you’re here,” Harner interrupted, glaring at an officer standing at the yellow tape in front of him before fully turning his attention to me. “These fools won’t let me see the girl. I know it can’t be Missy.”

  I hadn’t even seen Harner come up, and from the sound of it, he didn’t know I’d already viewed the body.

  “What makes you think I can influence them?”

  Elena stood next to me, and Harner’s gaze dropped to hers. His scowl deepened before beginning again.

  “You know as well as I do that you—”

  I spotted the captain and turned away from Harner. The less he said, the better.

  With Elena by my side, we made our way to Captain Jenkins, who was watching his men keep Harner behind the lines.

  “What can you tell me?” I asked.

  “Good to see you too,” the captain said, his stern look breaking into a smile.

  The Jenkins family had been in law enforcement for generations and had been longtime family friends.

  “How’s Mama V?” The captain pulled his bushy, grey brows together and eyed Elena carefully.

  “As ornery as ever.” I grinned and shook his hand. “Harner really wants behind the line.”

  “Can’t do it.” He shook his head. “I need you to convince Harner to head over to the ME’s office with her parents for identification. I won’t risk our investigation for some squirrely politician.” His eyes landed on Elena again. “And who do I have the pleasure of—”

  “Sorry. This is Elena Egorov, a friend of mine.” A slight hint of disappointment scattered across her expression as she reached her hand to the captain’s. For some reason, her reaction pleased me.

  “Nice to meet you.” She smiled and shook his hand.

  “Does he always take you on dates that involve a murder investigation or a nightcap at the city morgue?” Jenkins chuckled and Elena blushed.

  “I wouldn’t know.” She smiled warml
y and let go of his hand. “He hasn’t actually taken me out… yet.”

  “Long story,” I grumbled over Jenkins’s laughter.

  “It always is with you. Well, Elena, it’s nice to meet you, and I think Jax owes you a dinner for this one.”

  “I tend to agree,” she said.

  Her smiled warmed me up, and I knew only having dinner with her wouldn’t satisfy me. But now wasn’t the moment for my mind to go wandering.

  I glanced around the six-story brick building where a new group of onlookers had congregated. I was surprised I didn’t see any of Harner’s people surrounding their leader.

  “Let me in there,” Harner’s voice charged through the air, and the captain drew a slow breath.

  I glanced at a scuffle breaking out between two officers and the councilman and shook my head.

  “Pardon me.” Jenkins took off toward the politician and Elena let out a heavy sigh.

  “So sad to see someone in the midst of something like this.” She turned and looked into my eyes in a way that burned my soul. “I can’t fathom the pain her parents will feel, her family.”

  I had a sudden need to hold her, and I didn’t even know why. “Losing someone you cherish is—”

  “Volkov,” The captain yelled in my direction, and Elena jumped.

  “I feel like I’m about to be asked to do something I really don’t want to do.”

  Elena slid her hand into mine, surprising me. She squeezed it quickly and let go of it just as fast.

  The crowd was growing, and several more detectives went inside the building as we made our way over to Harner and the captain. Watching two men who felt they owned parts of the city squabble over a dead woman’s body was a stark reminder of the city I lived in. Nothing was as it seemed. A dead woman couldn’t even interrupt the constant swirling of power plays and egos.

  “Jaxson, please tell the councilman that he needs to meet the rest of the family at the medical examiner’s office. He won’t listen to me, and I don’t want to haul him away in cuffs.”

  “Rick, listen to the captain. You need to go meet your sister and brother-in-law. Don’t do anything to jeopardize the case or your career.”

  Elena was studying the councilman, waiting for his reply.