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

by Karice Bolton

  “It’s the husbandly thing to do.” I smiled and watched my father trundle off in the same direction, pushing the doors open to find his wife and daughter.

  Jaxson’s brothers had found seats near their mother, but Jaxson stayed close to me.

  With all the emotions running so wildly through me, I was honestly worried that if I looked at him, I’d start crying. I felt like a horrible person who had a good mission. Or maybe I was a good person who had a horrible mission.

  “I’m sorry for acting like such an ass back at the warehouse.”

  He touched my chin, tilting it up so I had no choice but to see him.

  “You had every right to be.”

  His gaze lulled me in place, calming all of my worries. From the moment I’d met him, I knew he would protect me, and he’d never failed.

  “I had absolutely no right to be.” He shook his head. “I’d thought about having that conversation since I found out who you were, and it never went quite that way.”

  “Surprises are endless around us.”

  “Apparently.” He took a step closer and kept his gaze on mine. “I thought if I pushed you away, it would be better for you. You wouldn’t see your cousin every time you looked at me. You wouldn’t have pent-up anger every time we spoke. I just thought it would be better if I ended it before we had a chance to begin.”

  “What changed your mind?”

  “I knew I’d be far too miserable of a bastard if I stayed away.” He smiled and glanced at his brothers.

  “They told you that you were being a miserable bastard.”

  “In so many words.” He brought his gaze back to mine. “I know my lifestyle isn’t for everyone, and I understand if you might not want—”

  “I want.” I grabbed his hand. “I really want.”

  I looked over at Mama V, who was watching us carefully.

  “But I’m not sure she wants,” I whispered.

  “She’ll come around.” Jaxson brought me into him. “And if not, then we’ll just cross that bridge when we get to it.”

  I laughed, feeling safe in his arms once more. “You know, you play that whole icy, ruthless mobster a little too well. I truly believed you never wanted to see me again.”

  “Well, I promise never to play that role with you again.”

  “That’s not the only promise you’re going to have to make.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Elena

  Three Months Later

  “I can’t believe my sister is just up and moving from New Hampshire to Washington.” I popped an olive in my mouth and leaned against the granite countertop. “That’s entirely across the country.”

  “Well, you’re on point with your geography.” Jaxson smiled and came over, sweeping me into his arms. “I understand why she wants a fresh start, though, don’t you?”

  “Why are you always so rational?” I teased.

  “Someone has to be.” He placed a soft kiss on my lips. “Olives. Yum.”

  “Do you think it has to do with that Zack person?”

  “Oh, the guy who saved her life?” he joked, letting go of me to pour himself some ice water. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that out of all fifty states, that’s where she chose.”

  “I don’t either.” I huffed. “Well, at least the family can get together one last time before she takes off next weekend.”

  My phone buzzed and it was a text from Mama V.

  Pierogi and cabbage rolls are on the way, just like you requested. Need anything else?

  Happiness filled me from seeing the sixth text from Mama V this afternoon. She’d finally warmed up to me. It actually didn’t take very long. We’re all very passionate people who only want the best for the ones we love, and once she realized that about me, things seemed to go much smoother. Plus, her son was as hopelessly in love with me as I was with him.

  “If Mom’s leaving her apartment, she’ll be here in fewer than ten minutes.” He pulled his brows together.

  “Are you trying to say we have time to sneak a little something in?” I teased.

  He set his water glass down and wrapped his arms around my waist.

  “Don’t tempt me,” he growled.

  “I don’t know. It’s kind of fun.” I let my fingers dance along his thighs and he let out another growl.

  “I’m so relieved your mom is happy with me.” I grinned, backing away to eat another olive. “And I wouldn’t want to do anything to get her to think twice about me.”

  “She’s happy with you because she’s hoping you’ll be supplying her with a grandchild soon.”

  “Ha.” I nearly choked on my olive. “I’d kind of like to get married soon.”

  “Well, you’ve already moved into my apartment.”

  I looked around the beautiful kitchen, which opened into the large gathering room that overlooked Manhattan’s skyline.

  “It’s not a bad place to live,” I teased.

  “And it has enough bedrooms.”

  “Bedrooms for what?” I asked, smacking a towel at him.

  “Kids. Maybe two or three.” He smiled. “Or four.”

  Just hearing him talk about having kids with me made my world tilt into such a special place. Only months ago, I’d imagined living my life alone, writing blog post after blog post and possibly opening my home to a cat.

  The doorbell rang, and I nearly squealed with excitement. I hadn’t seen my sister for over a month and I missed her fiercely.

  Jaxson made his way to the door, and the room filled with greetings and laughter as my parents and sister made their way into the apartment. Jaxson’s apartment wasn’t quite like mine. You could see everything from my front door, but his apartment was so expansive, the foyer alone was the size of my entire living room.

  As soon as I saw my sister, I ran toward her and clutched her as tightly as possible. There was nothing like feeling her in my arms. My mom and dad came in next as Jaxson’s brothers and their fiancées and wives made their way into the kitchen with Mama V right on their heels.

  The amazing smells of Mama V’s cabbage rolls filled the kitchen as I stood back to take everyone in. Mia sat her daughter on the counter as Drake rubbed her expanding belly.

  Devin’s arms were wrapped around Avery as they swayed back and forth, enjoying the city view, while Blake and Ava had already begun devouring the snacks I’d laid out.

  I noticed my sister already on her phone, and I had to wonder who was on the other end. I had my suspicions, but only time would tell.

  Jaxson linked his fingers with mine and slowly led me into the gathering room. I noticed that everyone quieted and turned to watch us, which only made my heartbeat quicken.

  “Elena, ever since you came crashing into my world, I was yours. It obviously didn’t matter what obstacles we had in front of us. I was determined to step over them,” Jaxson began as our family and friends chuckled. “You’ve made my life one that’s fun to live again. I’d lost that along the way, and I never thought I’d get it back.”

  “I feel the same,” I whispered, and he smiled as Mia carried her daughter over.

  Jaxson pulled a small box from the baby’s fingers and got down on one knee.

  “You’re my everything, Elena, and I’ll always protect you. I’ll always do right by you and for you and your family. Elena, will you be my wife?”

  Tears filled my eyes as I bobbed my head up and down, and he slid the ring on my finger.

  “That was a yes, right?” Mama V asked, and my parents laughed.

  “A definite yes,” I cried, looping my arms around Jaxson’s neck.

  “Forever and always,” Jaxson whispered.

  “Forever and always.”

  Love the Volkovs? Check out Blake, Devin, and Drake! All books

  in the V Mafia Series are available now.

  Curious about Zack and Ian? Be on the lookout for my next romantic suspense series coming out in 2018! Sign up for my newsletter and receive an email from me on release day
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  Keep reading for an excerpt of Mia (Drake Volkov’s story)…

  Mia Excerpt

  Chapter One

  Mia

  “Come on, Mia. You can do this,” Ginger Mesnet coaxed me. She shook her head full of blonde curls as she climbed up the steps with her black stilettos clacking.

  I looked up the long flight of marble stairs that threatened to carry me straight to hell. Granted, it was a hell I chose, but I didn’t expect things to feel so wrong once I arrived.

  On the surface, the idea sounded like a good one, possibly even fun. Enjoy a night of drinks, meet a few good-looking men, and help out my brother, Luke.

  Luke owned one of the largest private security firms in the country. Celebrities and politicians regularly tapped his company for services that law enforcement couldn’t provide. He also specialized in countersurveillance and risk management, which often meant being proactive when it came to the bad guys, which was what led me here tonight.

  My brother’s line of work often put him in complex situations with outcomes bordering on downright dangerous. Thankfully for him, he managed to run into the right woman who was about as twisted as he was, and they both loved the adventure of it. In fewer than two weeks, they’d be walking down the aisle, and because of that, I volunteered to keep an eye on someone for my brother so Luke could spend a blissful three weeks away from work.

  My preference? I tended to enjoy a paintbrush and a blank canvas rather than sneaking down an alley to spy on someone, but here I was in all my sparkly glamor.

  I think my willingness to help my brother out was because his relationship with Hannah had secretly given me hope that screwed-up people could find love. Plus, he’d caught me in a weak moment. I’d just broken up with another quasi-boyfriend before coming to New York. I seemed to specialize in men who were as walled off as me. Usually, it was a win-win.

  Regardless, I now stood at the entrance to a singles event in the middle of Manhattan with a gallery owner I didn’t want to disappoint and a mission to spy on someone for my brother, of whom I’d only seen a photo.

  I watched Ginger tread up the stairs as a group of men, with satin and feathers wrapped around their heads, meandered up the steps.

  Was this what my life had come to?

  Why, yes. I think it had.

  “I don’t hear your feet trying to catch up.” Ginger’s voice rang through the air as her red silk dress cascaded down the steps behind her.

  One thing I learned about Ginger was that she lived for any type of affair that would allow her to dress up and drink, which was probably what made her the perfect owner of an art gallery. She was also the perfect unsuspecting companion for the night.

  A woman with a black cape hopped up the stairs, and I kept in a groan.

  Did I mention the singles event tonight was a masquerade ball? I guess that would explain the capes, masks, and feathers a little better. Truthfully, the idea of hiding behind a disguise seemed like a great idea yesterday.

  Now?

  Not so much.

  It didn’t provide nearly enough protection from the world I was about to enter.

  It was like Eyes Wide Shut met a New York Furry Convention.

  It didn’t matter how much gold glitter I’d painted around my eyes. I didn’t belong here. Where I did belong was back in my studio on the beach in California, painting to raging music and blissfully ignoring the outside world.

  A man clad in a rented tuxedo zipped past me and glanced over his shoulder as I stood rethinking my life. His peacock mask made me cringe as his beady eyes stared back at me like I was a disgrace to singles everywhere.

  I probably was. I didn’t like dating, relationships, or any complication that involved emotion. I reserved those pesky feelings for the canvas.

  The man hopped up the rest of the steps to join the other singles, and I debated whether I wanted to make a run for it. No client of my brother deserved this type of devotion. Besides, how would I know who was who with masks on everyone? As a team, we didn’t think this through very clearly.

  I sucked in a deep breath and glanced around. It was definitely time to get out of here. Ginger would have to forgive me, and so would my brother.

  “Don’t even think about getting out of here.” A man’s sultry voice snuck up on me from behind. He sounded like pure sex. The huskiness intrigued me, but I refused to turn around to give him what he wanted.

  When I didn’t acknowledge him, the man placed his fingers on the small of my back and an unexpected thrill spiked through me.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” I snapped, turning to face the guy who was beyond brazen, but instead of being angry, I was in awe of the man in front of me.

  His icy blue eyes rested on mine as I studied him. His chiseled features looked like a carving from one of the masters, and he filled out his expensive suit to perfection. My eyes dropped to his pouty lips before bringing my gaze back to his, and that’s when I realized how much he resembled the photo of Drake Volkov, the man I was supposed to be watching from a distance.

  I stiffened at the realization but forced the worry away. There would be absolutely no reason for Drake to know anything about me or why I was here. Luke would’ve made sure of that.

  I turned my gaze to the street below. My brother’s instructions had been simple. Keep an eye on Drake from afar and find out who he was here with and where he was going after the event. By the looks of it, I’d say Drake Volkov was here alone.

  “Well?” I asked again, attempting to sound annoyed. “I’m waiting for an answer.”

  Intrigue flashed through his eyes, and my pulse increased slightly. I’d never gotten nervous around men.

  Ever.

  In fact, I liked to believe I made them nervous. I’d always managed to maintain control of my life. Relationships had never been a priority, and they never would be. I didn’t need a man to be satisfied. I had my work. I had a full life back in California. If I had needs, I made sure they were met and moved on.

  “My hope is to convince a very beautiful woman to stay and endure the horrors of the evening with me. You don’t belong here, and neither do I.” The man could cast a spell with just his words, and they curled around me like magic.

  “When you put it that way, why would I ever run away? Sounds like a delightful event.” I couldn’t hide my smile, but a pulse of worry dashed through my veins. “If you can tell me one good reason to stay at an event with a bunch of men in feathers, then maybe I’ll reconsider.”

  “Because I’m not one of them.” His eyes glinted with satisfaction, and I had to chuckle.

  Drake was confident and smooth, two characteristics that usually got me in deep trouble.

  “Which reminds me. How did you get away with wearing no mask to a masquerade ball?” My brow arched.

  “I’m not much for rules,” he replied simply as he held out his arm for me, and rather than run away, I slipped mine through his.

  Drake slowly led me up the stairs, and I had to remind myself that he was completely off-limits and the man my brother wanted me to tail.

  “What made you come tonight if you’re dreading it as much as me?” I glanced at him and noticed the dark stubble along his jawline. This guy was beyond sexy and definitely my kind of trouble.

  “I’m here on a dare. How about you?” he answered.

  I let go of his arm and glanced toward the crowd of people congregating near the bar. I didn’t see Ginger, which wasn’t a surprise. She managed to get swallowed into whatever affair she was attending.

  “I wish I could say the same.” I smiled and saw a number of women slow their steps purely to admire how handsome this guy was. I couldn’t say I blamed them. Besides, he wasn’t mine to claim.

  “There you are,” Ginger said, rushing over with a martini in her hand. “There are men all over the place.” She barely gave a glance in Drake’s direction. “How about we move toward the dance floor?”

  “I’m not feeling much like danc
ing,” I confessed.

  Noticing Ginger’s expression fall, I quickly changed my tactic. After all, I didn’t want to blow my chances at her art gallery because I’d brought her here under false pretenses. In Ginger’s eyes, I was here to find a date for my brother’s wedding.

  “Maybe it’s just my nerves. He’s already caught me trying to escape once.” I pointed my thumb in Drake’s direction, but she didn’t bother to look at him.

  “It’s true. Really, you should be thanking me that she’s still here.” His low voice held an intensity that unsteadied me. I wasn’t used to this kind of reaction. I always knew how to keep a safe distance between desire, need, and lust, but as I stood here next to him, the line was starting to blur. Maybe it was because I knew he was off-limits. That had to be it. I knew I couldn’t have him, so I wanted him even more.

  Made sense.

  I snuck a look at Drake, but his eyes were already fastened on mine. His gaze was filled with some sort of possession I’d never encountered before, and it sent an unexpected shiver through me.

  “Umm . . .” I bit my lip, completely taken aback at my response. I was rendered speechless.

  I was never rendered speechless. I always had too much to say about everything and everyone.

  “Let’s get you a drink and get you loosened up.” Ginger pulled me with her before I could gather my thoughts or object.

  I felt Drake’s eyes on me all the way to the bar, and I was quite tempted to give him another look, but I resisted.

  “So you can thank me later for pulling you away from the most notorious bachelor in all of Hell’s Kitchen.” Ginger laughed nervously. “Not to mention, he’s the son of a mobster. Not wedding date material.”

  I leaned against the bar and tapped my fingers along the white marble as I waited impatiently to place my drink order. Leave it to my brother to skip one or two important details before sending me here.

  “That doesn’t automatically make him bad,” I whispered, thinking back to my own rather cavalier ideas about relationships and sex. I liked having zero commitment. And as far as family not always sticking to the right side of the law, I wasn’t one to judge. Not all of our family was on the right side of the bars.