Jackie's Journey: La Patron's Den

by Sydney Addae

  "Yeah, he's got a nice voice. I've got most of his music." He didn't bother asking if she liked Ray Charles, her surprised expression over his response made it highly unlikely.

  "Nionis' brother sings all of Ray Charles music perfectly. If you closed your eyes you'd swear Mr. Charles was in the room singing."

  Mr. Charles? How old was she? "Hmm, I doubt I'd be fooled. I've seen several of his performances over the years, have a few autographed albums and been collecting his music for a while."

  She chuckled. "His number one fan and a snob."

  "On all things Ray Charles, yes." He grinned and pulled into the parking lot. "They have really good food here." He slid out the driver’s seat and was on his way to open the door for her when she stepped out the car. Together they headed inside.

  "Hello Quinn," Ms. Jones the owner called before she walked into the kitchen.

  He waved and took a table near the back overlooking the parking lot. Once seated he pulled the laminated menus from behind the napkin dispenser and handed her one. "Everything's good, you won't go wrong with anything you choose." He glanced at his menu and replaced it.

  "What are you ordering?" Jackie asked looking at her menu.

  "Liver and onions."

  She grimaced but didn't look away from her menu. "I don't see that."

  "It's not on the menu. I always ask for it and she cooks it for me."

  Jackie's brow rose. "Sounds like you're spoiled."

  He laughed.

  She glanced at him and shook her head. "You do. I'll have the ribeye and fixings."

  "Me too." Pleased she ordered his favorite meal.

  "What? No liver?" she teased and he appreciated her sense of humor.

  "Not today. Today I need a slab of beef. They cook it just right here." He looked around the restaurant. "Where's your security?"

  She shrugged.

  "Had a chance to look at the menu?" Ms. Jones asked, placing two glasses of water in front of them.

  "Yes. Two rib eyes and fixings," he said.

  "Cooked the same?" she asked, glancing at Jackie.

  "Yes, that'll be good," he said.

  "What's the same?" Jackie asked looking at Ms. Jones.

  "Done on the outside, red inside. He likes it a special way, took us a few times but we finally got it right." She winked at him.

  "That'll be fine, then," Jackie said.

  Ms. Jones chuckled as she walked off.

  "You don't trust me?" he asked watching her.

  "Nope. Not with my food."

  He smiled." Got it. Never order for you."

  She nodded.

  "Why do you need security? Nionis said her dad's a state Alpha but won't say which one, so I get why he'd have security on her. Is your father an Alpha too?" He wanted to know more about this beautiful woman but wasn't sure why.

  "I don't want to talk about it," she said surprising him. "How long have you lived with Ramos and Antwan?"

  "A long time. Where do you live when you're not visiting friends?"

  "Texas. Have you always lived in Tennessee? She asked.

  "No. Louisiana for a while. Do you have siblings?"

  She paused. "Yes, three. Do you have siblings?" She took a sip of water but continued holding his gaze.

  "Not anymore." He slammed the door on the death of his parents and litter mates at the hands of rebels. "Did you guys get in trouble this morning when you arrived home?" He'd wondered if the security guys discovered they had slipped out last night.

  She grinned. "It was reported we slipped out but Nionis has a special gift and is granted leeway. They tagged your car, so they know where we are. Plus, we have to keep trackers on us at all times."

  He frowned. "So, you won't be returning to the ranch?"

  "Probably not. I don't want to do anything that would put you guys at risk."

  "What about Craig? He was crying for you this morning." Quinn didn't want her to feel guilty over bonding with the pup, but the idea of her not returning to his home bothered him. Since he couldn't explain why he felt that way, he latched onto Craig's early morning response.

  "I'm so sorry," she said and he sensed she meant it, which made him feel worse for using the pup. "We'll work something out. I don't want him to feel abandoned."

  "Abandoned? After spending a few hours together?" Quinn needed to backtrack this whole idea of Craig needing to see her. The pup quieted once he realized she had to return home. Ramos had the entire matter under control.

  Straightening in her seat she glared at him. "Traumatic hours. His entire world was turned upside down. Those memories last longer than normal, everyday ones. So yes, abandoned."

  He held up his hand and shook his head. "Whatever." When Ms. Jones delivered their platters of ribeye, home fries, corn on the cob and home-made rolls he breathed a sigh of relief into the silence.

  "Thank you," he said taking his knife and fork.

  "This smells delicious like my mama's cooking," Jackie said.

  Ms. Jones' smile widened. "Enjoy. I'll check on you later." She walked off humming.

  For the next few minutes neither spoke, unintelligible moans of delight rose from their throats as they polished off their meals. Done, he smiled at her empty plate. "Dessert?"

  "If it's as good as this was, definitely," she said.

  "It's better," he promised.

  Jackie watched Quinn as he passed the menu to her again. When she looked at the homemade desserts and thought of her mama’s delectable baked goods. It wasn't often but sometimes she'd go into a baking jag where she filled the counter-tops and table with cakes, pies, cookies, danishes, breads and pastries.

  "Suggestions?" she asked although she planned to take two slices of the red velvet cake back to Nionis' for them later.

  "Pound cake sundae is my favorite."

  "Ice cream, chocolate syrup, nuts, whipped cream and a cherry on top of a slice of 7-up cake?"

  He nodded. His eyes were lit like a pup's first run. "No whipped cream or cherry, though."

  "So far you've batted 100. I'll have that too, plus a couple slices to go."

  When Ms. Jones returned for their plates, Jackie placed their dessert orders. She met Quinn's amused gaze and smiled. "When did you go to med school?" She had wondered about that since discovering his training.

  "A long time ago. I passed the human board registered under a different name. Uncle Ramos doesn't count them as the real certifying agency."

  "I see." The bias against humans and dual-natureds went as deep as breeds and full-bloods in some areas. "What schools did you attend?"

  He shrugged. "I don't want to talk about it." The gleam in his eyes said he would be as recalcitrant as her.

  "That's fair." She wasn't accustomed to small talk with strange men. Typically, she discussed work or military strategies or business matters.

  Ms. Jones placed their desserts on the table. His smile brightened as he looked up at the older woman and Jackie wondered if anyone had ever looked at her in that manner. Certainly not with the near reverence as he looked at that tasty dessert, not that she wanted him to gaze at her that way, she clarified.

  "Thank you, this makes my day," he told the owner.

  Ms. Jones giggled.

  Jackie blinked. The woman had to be in her 60's and she stood there giggling over Quinn's, gooey, sincere words.

  "You always say that," Ms. Jones cooed, tapping Quinn on the shoulder. She glanced at a stunned Jackie. "He's a sly one. Enjoy and I'll bring your to-go desserts in a few minutes." She left their table with Quinn moaning after his first bite.

  "She warms the cake just enough so the ice cream melts, the buttery taste, it's damn good," he said chewing slowly and licking his lips.

  Instead of eating, Jackie watched him eat scoop after scoop, licking his lips and moaning. The sounds he made went straight to her head like a fine wine, intoxicating her. Tingles pooled in the pit of her belly at the sight of his tongue on the spoon. His spoon stopped midway.

 
"Try it." He waved his spoon toward her untouched bowl.

  Without leaving his gaze she dug in, pulled out a scoop and ate. Chocolate syrup on top of cold vanilla ice cream, plus the warmth of the cake, all the flavors burst on her tongue. Understanding dawned as she also moaned in delight and licked the chocolate from the spoon. Eager for another taste she savored every spoonful until the utensil hit the bowl.

  Stuffed, she looked at Quinn to ask how often he ate here.

  The hunger in his gaze stripped the question from her mind. She glanced at his bowl, it was half-full. "What?" she asked unsure what to say.

  He shook his head. "You know how to eat, um, ice cream," he said in a husky tone. He took another scoop of his and within a few moments was done.

  Shaken by his heated gaze and the dark timbre of his voice, Jackie pushed away her empty dish. Nionis was right, Quinn was interested. She inhaled and released it slowly. Why did knowing that make her nervous? He wasn't the first man to show carnal interest and wouldn't be the last.

  Ms. Jones placed a plastic bag on the table and the check.

  Quinn dug in his pocket, pulled out a small roll of cash, gave her a large bill and a smile. "The rest' s for you." He winked.

  She took the cash, check and smiled. "Thanks, Quinn, come back soon." She smiled at Jackie and left.

  "You're ready?" Quinn asked looking at his watch.

  Where did he need to be? She wondered at his rush. "Yeah."

  Walking out the restaurant, they waved to Ms. Jones and headed to the car. Just as Jackie placed her hand on the door handle, two full-bloods raced at her.

  Quinn leapt forward, kicking one in the back, sending him flying past Jackie, face-down he skidded across the pavement and rolled over holding his shredded face. Jackie moved lightning fast, jumped and landed feet first on the full-blood's chest, knocking the breath from him. He grimaced, and bucked to knock her off balance. Jackie dug the heel of her boot into his chest and pulled the small blade from her pocket. Gasping for his next breath, the full-blood stilled as she moved aside, bent forward and placed the blade against his neck.

  Quinn ran forward, jumped and kicked the other beneath the chin, lifting him before sending him jetting backward. He hit a sewer concrete riser with a loud thwack, and hit the ground at an awkward angle. She winced, knowing it would take time for his back to heal even if he shifted. Quinn glanced at her, nodded and headed back to the restaurant.

  The full-blood beneath her blade growled. The air around them warmed. "You shift out here, you die," she whispered and pressed the blade drawing blood. Her stomach recoiled at the sight of blood rolling down his neck but as long as she kept the blade in place, he would continue to bleed.

  Grunting, he clamped his lips tight together while writhing beneath her hand. The skin on his face re-knitted over embedded gravel and dirt causing more pain than the blade at his neck.

  "What the hell are you doing attacking us like this in front of humans?" she said close to his ear. When he didn't speak, she leaned forward, and growled in his ear. "I will rip you apart and toss you in the damn creek if you don't talk now." She slid the knife deeper into his neck.

  He yelped. "You took our pups, we want them back," he huffed.

  Rebel. She looked at Quinn who talked down an angry and upset Ms. Jones who wanted to call the police. "Nionis?"

  "Almost home."

  "Two full-bloods just attacked." She explained what happened and wanted to know if they should contact KnightForce or the Alpha or local pack security.

  "Be there in a minute," Nionis said after getting their location. Sure enough, Nionis, Chip and an unmarked van arrived at the restaurant within five minutes. Chip lifted the rebel who'd hit the concrete riser. He hadn't moved since he landed. Another security guy grabbed the one Jackie had been holding. Chip nodded with an approving grin at her blade as he walked by.

  Nionis looked at each rebel before they were loaded into the back of the van.

  Ms. Jones watched the van drive away with a worried frown. Whatever Quinn told her replaced the frown with a smile. Seconds later she strode inside the building and Quinn walked over to meet them.

  Chip watched Quinn with curiosity.

  Jackie suspected Chip realized there was more to Quinn.

  "Ready?" Quinn asked Jackie after greeting Nionis and Chip.

  Nionis hid a smile and returned to Chip's vehicle.

  Chip watched Quinn and Jackie until they were in their vehicle before returning to his own.

  Once they were on the road, Jackie looked at Quinn. Those rebels weren't the only ones who underestimated his fighting skills. Living in the compound, she had seen the best of the best in the Nation practice and compete. Quinn could definitely hold his own with any of them which surprised her. He'd remained calm, level-headed and handled the threat immediately. "How'd you sense them?" It bothered her she was so human deep she hadn't picked up on the threat until he flew past her.

  "Practice. I train breeds to be human-deep but still aware. It's second nature now."

  "Teach me," she said without thinking. A bad habit she had around him.

  He nodded. "Okay. Did he say why he attacked?"

  She repeated what she learned.

  "Looks like I'll be trading this truck in," he said after a few moments. "I'd like to meet you."

  "What?" she said confused.

  "Breed to breed. I'd like to meet you if you don't mind."

  Unsure if that was a good idea, Jackie tried to think of a reason to say no and couldn't find one. "Okay, but only while we're driving. Once on pack lands I'll put them back up."

  He nodded. Moments later she smelled his beast.

  Her beast leapt in her chest, she flew forward, almost hitting the dashboard.

  Quinn's truck swerved.

  Horns honked as Quinn pulled off the road onto the shoulder. Taking gulps of air, he looked at her. His eyes had lightened to a coffee creamed brown. A sheen of sweat and an incredulous look covered his face.

  "What's wrong?" she asked in a breathy voice trying to control her beast. "I'm having a hard time holding her in." Scared she'd need to call her parents for help she pressed her stomach, closed her eyes and counted. His scent wrapped around her head. Tiny pinpricks penetrated her skin. What the hell?

  "Don't move," he growled.

  She glanced at him holding his head in both hands. "Human deep too long?" she asked wondering if this was what Ramos meant.

  He groaned. "No. It's you. Your scent is... my beast wants you... I want you. It hurts holding back."

  Jackie stiffened as his words worked a weird magic. Shaking her head, she opened the door and stumbled out. "No," she whispered and took a large gulp of air. The need to submit to him lessened but thrummed beneath her skin. Rubbing her suddenly chilled arms she took a step from the car.

  "Nionis!" she called out.

  "What's going on? Why are you on the side of the road?"

  Jackie looked up as Nionis and Chip pulled up behind them. Happy to see her friend, Jackie fought against her beast to move toward Nionis' car.

  Nionis and Chip stepped out and moved toward them.

  Fangs bared, Quinn jumped out his vehicle and growled at Chip.

  Nionis held up her hand with a slight smile. "Stay back Chip, he'll kill you and no one will blame him."

  Hands up, Chip stepped back.

  Confused, Jackie's head whipped from Quinn, to Chip who returned to the driver's seat, to Nionis. "What're you talking about?"

  "You released your beasts?" Nionis asked in a soothing tone, watching Jackie and then Quinn who walked over to them.

  It took everything in Jackie not to rub against him, he smelled so damn good. Quinn wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her against him. They fit perfectly.

  "Yes," Quinn said, his voice rubbed against her skin like smooth velvet.

  She throbbed low in her belly.

  Nionis' smile widened. "Great. Now you know what Ramos and I suspected. You guys are mat
es."

  "What?" Jackie yelled.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  "Mates?" Quinn whispered. The word caught in the air, drifted high and settled around his shoulders. Mate! His beast agreed. Internally, everything clicked. His initial attraction to her. Allowing her to hijack his mission. The burning desire to see her again today. If nothing else, the unrelenting hard-on from watching her eat ice-cream should have told him she was different.

  Hands on her shoulders, slowly, he turned her to face him, lifted her chin with his finger and lost his train of thought in her cerulean hued eyes. "Mates."

  Confused, uncertain, tempted, all those emotions flashed through her gaze as he leaned forward to taste her. Their touched lips set off a firestorm of exquisite need. Heat, desire, need, and crazy lust crashed through his chest, destabilizing him for a few seconds. Hunger replaced gentleness. His grip tightened as he plundered her mouth to satisfy his innermost craving to be a part of her.

  Desperate to get closer to his skin, Jackie wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him closer. Liquid heat blazed through her at his taste, and delectable scent. She needed to get closer. His hand gripped her hip. For some insane reason that inflamed her. Raising her leg, she moaned in his mouth when he lifted it rubbing her against his hardness.

  They broke apart gasping for a few seconds but it was too long. Grabbing his hair, she kissed him while lifting her other leg. Grabbing her ass, Quinn lifted and placed her achy core against his cock. Legs wrapped around him she continued tasting him, searching for secrets, losing herself in his scent.

  "Jackie," Nionis called from a distance.

  A part of Jackie knew she should stop, but a new, unknown part of her couldn't let him go. Not yet. She and her beast liked his scent and taste too much.

  Nionis tapped her shoulder. "Stop. Ease up. You're on the side of the road; people are slowing down to watch."

  Quinn pulled pack, breaking the connection.

  Breathless, Jackie rested her forehead on his chin. "Goddess, this... this is crazy. I can't get enough of him. I'm burning inside for him. Never happened before," she told Nionis. Fire raced through her limbs. Everywhere he touched itched, ached for more. Thirsty for his taste, she licked his chest. He groaned as his fingers dug into her hips, holding her tight.