Surviving Jordon (Surviving Series Book 3)

by Virginia Wine

  During the past hour I had started to make careless notes, that is, until I heard several key words which sent up red flags. Then I began to record it.

  “Yes, tonight. I’ve waited long enough,” Carrington said.

  I watched the grainy picture focus as he moved to his library chair and reached for a cigar. Then he cut the tip and lit it. My pulse jumped with each word, frustrated the caller on the end couldn’t be heard.

  “Abe!” I yelled, then watched him run to a skidded stop. “Why don’t we have audio on the caller? Carrington is loud and clear, but who the fuck is he talking to?”

  We fell silent as he continued speaking.

  “I paid you to finish the job. No more excuses. Tonight. I’ll meet you there, but this is the last time.”

  Flynn walked in then, and all three of us froze, eager for our next piece of information. We all knew what was at stake here.

  “Fine, I’ll be there,” Carrington said.

  I held my breath, needing that final lead.

  Then the line went dead.

  The shower door opened as a cloud of steam poured out.

  “Can you hand me my razor?”

  He pointed to the area on his side of the sink. My body ached at the sight of his beautiful face. I took in his wet, dripping physique, his muscles glistening over his sun-kissed skin.

  “What?”

  He chuckled, then let out a deep, low growl, overly pleased with himself and my lack of restraint. Yet my body acted on its own accord, clad in a matching white lace bra and panty set.

  As pleasure gathered down below, his gaze tracked the length of me, and his eyes seemed to darken. Through the glass his arousal stood proud.

  Then he opened the door.

  “Get in here.”

  I disrobed quickly as his hand reached around my bicep, yanking me into his arms.

  Then it slid under the backside of my bare leg, lifting and wrapping it around his hip. I felt how hard he was pressed against my folds.

  His magnificent face turned me inside out, consuming me with his focused gaze. His strong hands felt the warmth of my body, which was now wet and slippery against his.

  “Tell me.” I heard the desperation in my own voice. “What’s your pleasure?”

  He claimed my mouth, his tongue eagerly searching mine. My breath faltered as I dragged my mouth off his. Cupping my face in his hands, he pulled me in close.

  “On your knees,” he whispered.

  I thought I would erupt at his silky heated voice. I wanted to please him, make him crazy, and take him to the edge ready to explode, knowing it was me—all me.

  His strong hands braced mine as I lowered, and he threw a towel on the shower floor. My knees rested upon it, instantly soaked from the water, and the shower shifted to a lighter spray.

  My fingers drifted over his thick length. The texture was like silk covering steel. I was kneeling between his legs, his cock eager and waiting as I closed my lips around his crown, licking and sucking. His hand tightened the grip wrapped in my hair. I continued moving my mouth slowly back and forth.

  “Ah. Fuck.”

  I swallowed hard and heard moans as the power shifted, holding my head still so he could penetrate at his desired speed. Hips pistoned harder as his gaze locked on mine.

  “Christ, you’re sexy.” His voice hardened. “I won’t come, baby.” But he was begging for release, and I wanted to pleasure him this way.

  I moaned, the vibration causing his head to fall back as he pulled away reluctantly.

  “You’re dangerous woman.”

  His breathing was fast, and his chest was rising and falling in a quick cadence. He lifted me, and my legs naturally wrapped around him. I felt his hot flesh pressed against me, then he thrust deep inside me, filling me.

  I knew his need ran too deep, taking him to the edge, but his manhood wouldn’t leave me wanting. His fingers found me, coaxing me to abandon my will and come with him. As he began to move, buried in my heat, his strokes were rhythmic and grew with intensity. I felt the fierce flare of yearning as electrical charges began to fire.

  As he was filling me, the familiar, hot longing approached. On the cusp of exploding, my inner walls tensed.

  “Jordan.”

  His scorching gaze reached mine as his fingers gripped roughly on my hips, riding out his intense climax. I flew apart, finding my release as waves rippled in a powerful pulse as he continued to pump against me, prolonging my pleasure.

  Eventually our breath evened out. We showered and dried ourselves off. Wiping the foggy mirror, I began to get ready.

  “Going somewhere?”

  “The three of us girls are meeting in the city for happy hour. A girl’s night.”

  “Sounds fun. Maybe I’ll call Alex and meet him for a beer. Where are you ladies going?”

  “That’s a secret. We don’t want our men crashing our party.”

  “Who are you kidding? You can’t keep a secret.”

  “Says who?”

  “Says me. Have you ever waited until my actual birthday to give me a gift?”

  “That’s lack of patience. That has nothing to do with keeping a secret.”

  “Fine, fine. Go have your secret fun.”

  His brows arched mockingly.

  I had to hand it to him. He was the total package. How I got so lucky, I’d never know.

  I arrived at six o’clock. The sun had disappeared, casting shadows from the evening sky. I scanned the busy street, forced to park curb-side along the poorly lit back street. As I made my way around the corner, the sidewalk came to life, spilling light on the pavement as I made my way into Valentine’s on Third Street. I opened the glass door to the rich scent of coffee overpowering the small restaurant inside.

  “How many in your party?” the hostess asked.

  I saw Eden already seated, drink in hand.

  “I’m joining friends,” I said, offering a smile and crossing the room to Eden’s table.

  She was beautiful, young, gifted and had the biggest heart of any one I knew. In the beginning, I had seen her as fragile as a rose pedal. It hadn’t taken long for that preconception to fizzle as she sets the world ablaze. Now she stood, offering a hug, which I accepted gracefully.

  “I’m so glad you could make it,” she said, taking her seat. “Madison texted me, and she’s on her way. Are you drinking?”

  “Sure. Just one. Sangria.”

  She managed to catch the server’s attention. He arrived with a genuine smile and gazed a beat too long at Eden and she ordered on my behalf.

  “There you are,” she said with a smile, as Madison greeted us belly-first. “How did you ever convince Alex to let you come out tonight? He’s such a helicopter husband.”

  “Yeah, no kidding, right? He thinks I’m at a Mommy’s R Us gathering.”

  “And he bought that?” I asked.

  “Hook, line, and sinker. Oh, I’ll have a virgin strawberry daiquiri, please.”

  The waiter quickly returned with our drinks.

  “A toast.” Madison raised her glass. “To the three luckiest bitches I know, each of us snagging the hottest men in Nevada.”

  Whoa, I got a feeling where this was headed. Our glasses clinked, and the night began.

  “How do you feel, Maddie?” Eden asked.

  “Like someone knocked me on my ass.”

  “You mean knocked you up?”

  We all laughed, hoping she was only kidding. Then the door opened, and several people walked in. My gaze jumped past Eden, noticing Nick, the FBI agent. I flashed back to that day, and a good dose of guilt churned in me, followed by a strong desire to make things right.

  “Ladies, I know her.” I nodded my head toward the bar. “I’m going to say hello.”

  “Ask her to join us. The more the merrier,” Madison offered.

  I nodded and cautiously approached the other woman. My nerves jumped around as she turned, meeting my gaze with a curious look.

  “Nick, right?�
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  She looked as if she remembered me, which wasn’t exactly in my favor.

  “I didn’t mean to run out on you the other day.”

  “Oh, I understand.”

  “You do?”

  “Of course. Jordan, we’ve all been there.”

  She had a sense of compassion I admired. I watched as she took a long pull from the beer she’d ordered, then refocused back on me.

  “Good, because it had nothing to do with you, and everything to do with me. I never got closure, and never understood the reasons why he pushed me away. There’s no lingering feelings. I’m happily engaged to the man I’ve had my eye on for years.”

  “I’ve had similar experiences, so don’t give it a second thought.”

  “If you’re with Steel, I wish only happiness for both of you, and since he’s friends with their husbands, you might want to meet the wives.”

  I wrapped my hand around the nook of her elbow.

  “We kissed.” She let out a nervous chuckle, “God, why did I just say that? I’m still processing it.”

  “It’s okay, a kiss is good. Now, come on, you’ll fit right in. Join us and meet my friends.”

  She shrugged as if it was a foreign concept, hanging out with the girls. Maybe it was. Once we reached the table, I began the introductions.

  “Ladies, this is Nick.”

  “Nick,” she added.

  “She’s a bad-ass FBI agent.”

  “I’m impressed. Have a seat,” Madison offered.

  “Nick, meet Madison—designer, pregnant, married to Alex, and all in that order.”

  I received a frown Madison.

  “Am I wrong?”

  She only laughed.

  “And over here is Eden, artist extraordinaire. Her work is highly regarded across the globe. She’s also married to the dreamy Dr. Grant.”

  “And finally, me, newly engaged to Ben Storm, Alex’s brother. We like to keep it in the family.”

  I turned to give Nick my full attention.

  “So, you and Steel, huh?” I asked her, genuinely curious.

  “Not officially. There’s still details to work through.”

  “I love how he looks without his shirt,” Madison said over the rim of her drink, slurping the last drops through a straw.

  All eyes swung to hers.

  “What?” she asked. “Just giving the man his due.”

  “And Madison is the sober one in the group, although there’s truth in that statement, a little something to look forward to.”

  “Steel, he doesn’t play by the rules,” Eden added.

  “You don’t have to tell me. I’ve been working with him.”

  “What about you?” Nick asked, her gaze on me.

  “Me?”

  Was I ready to share my newfound happiness? My face burned at the memory of Ben taking me against the shower wall.

  “He’s gorgeous, and he knows it, although he’s been around the block a few times, he’s still swoon-worthy.” I let out a smug sigh. “But, he’s all mine now. In reality, he should be called Stallion.”

  The table couldn’t control the burst of laughter, and even a few surrounding tables got wind of our racy jokes.

  “No one warned me that the first trimester was riddled with lust hormones. Alex is sexy as all get out, which has only fueled my insatiable appetite, and at first, he thought he’d won the lottery. He is a guy, after all.” Madison leaned in as far as her growing belly allowed. “He couldn’t keep up, though. He’s groveled profusely as he’s attempted to reclaim his manhood.”

  She leans back, rubbing her round stomach.

  “And now? All I want is for someone to push me up against the wall, lean in, and whisper, I’ll do all your housework.”

  Madison had us in stitches as we all let out deep belly laughs. More drinks arrived, and my second sangria tasted even smoother than my first.

  “Any of yours do this?” Eden’s gaze jumped to each of us. “Men’s guide to washing pans. Place dirty pan in hot soapy water, tell yourself it needs to soak, and go watch TV. Then wake up go to work.”

  The easy laughter continued around the table.

  “Not yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised,” I answered.

  “Fact.” Nick joined in. “Instead of mating, female octopuses will sometimes strangle males and eat them.” Tears spilled from laughter and I figured she was one of us now.

  I glanced around the table, each woman unique in her own way. The laughter and fun was unexpected, and a welcome surprise. It felt like we were a family, soaking it all in, growing closer. Something familiar was happening, weaving my life with theirs. It was humbling and honest. It had been far too long since I’d had a group of friends who I could count on.

  Another hour passed, and after a quick bite, I was ready to sink into the arms of the man waiting for me.

  “I know you won’t believe this, but…”

  “Enough already,” I interrupted. “I’ve laughed so hard, I can’t take anymore.”

  “God, that’s the truth. I have work early tomorrow,” Nick said as she offered to accompany me to my car.

  I accepted, based on her ingrained need to protect.

  We shared hugs and well wishes around the table, then I secretly paid the bill on my way out, Nick on my heels.

  I looked out into the darkness as she approached by my side. The sidewalk was pitch black. “It would help if they had overhead lighting on the street.”

  Something wasn’t quite right, and I had a strong sense I was being watched. My subconscious saw a shadow when there was none. Something told me it wasn’t my imagination, not this time.

  Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t.

  “Where are you parked?” Nick asked.

  As I pointed to the third car on the left, I pressed my key fob and it lit up.

  It materialized out of nowhere, hidden within the darkness. A van slowed, then with a sudden stop, the side door opened, and a chill ran down my spine. In the flash of a second, a needle was forced into Nick’s neck, rendering her immobile as I stood frozen. Then her limp body was thrown into the van.

  Fear turned into horror as my blood ran cold. I began to run, sucking air into my lungs. In the deep, dark night, danger lurked as the panic consumed me. I ran faster as the pain shot through my legs, intense spasms snaking through me. My shaking intensified as I felt him closing in.

  Shallow breaths escaped me as I searched for a place to hide and rest.

  But instead, I stumbled forward, my body hitting the ground and skidding across the rough concrete. I felt blood gushing from my knees, elbows, and palms, but the adrenaline disguised the pain.

  To my despair, he’s caught up with me, one arm wrapped tightly around my waist, imprisoning me in a death grip against his back. I tried to fight his hold, but he was too strong.

  Then a hand covered my mouth, muffling the sound of my cries. I was unable to see his face, but a soft voice whispered in my ear.

  “Don’t scream, and no one gets hurt.”

  Yet his calm words were deceiving.

  “What do you want?” I muttered through his fingers.

  His palm was callused and pressing hard as he dragged me inside the van. Then there was the sharp prick of a needle, and the fear, the pain, and his face all faded to black.

  I woke to find my wrists restrained, held tightly around my back. They were raw and burning as I struggled against them. My legs were secured at my ankles as the pain ripped through me. I could hardly move, and the cold concrete floor tore my body heat from me.

  I forced my eyes open, and took in a vast, abandoned warehouse. I surveyed the large room. Cobwebs hung low. There were piles of broken down boxes, and trash gathered in corners.

  The only light flickered through a window across the room. The sharp pungent odor of garbage and mildew was strong as nausea rolled in my gut.

  The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. The menacing silence was
equally frightening. I was losing my hold on reality.

  Nick. Where was Nick?

  I latched on to any hope that I wasn’t alone, and more importantly that she was okay. I winced as I forced my body to roll, and it took several attempts, only to discover it hurt to breathe.

  Then I saw her. She was tied up, trapped as well. Tears burned in my eyes as disbelief churned in my brain. Blood was dripping from her head, a small pool oozing below the blow clearly visible on her forehead. Had she awakened, only to be met by the attacker? It made sense she would fight, and that he would render her helpless.

  I shut my eyes, blinking back tears, unable to focus on the scene in front of me. A million questions followed by a million scenarios played out in the span of a minute. Why was this happening?

  “Nick,” I quietly called out.

  I didn’t want to attract unwanted attention, but she didn’t stir. Worry gripped me as fear allowed the demons in. Maybe she was seriously hurt.

  Excluding the inability to breathe without pain, I cataloged my injuries. All minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises, but they still stung. If an escape was possible, I was confident I could make it out at a reasonable pace.

  I began to shiver. Obviously, the concrete was damp and cold, but shock was probably playing a role, too. I glanced over once again at Nick. The pool of blood didn’t seem to be noticeably larger, so that was good.

  “Nick,” I tried again.

  Nothing.

  Suddenly there was a sound, as if someone had dumped ice-cold water on me. I was focused, all my senses on high alert. The door opened and clicked shut as he stepped through, carrying a military-style duffel bag filled with God knows what.

  He glanced my way, coming to a dead stop.

  My pulse hammered as he turned toward me, the duffel now on the floor.

  “Good, you’re awake.”

  Why? Why is that good?

  He dropped a cigarette onto the floor and crushed it with his boot.

  His tall frame and large body were made to intimidate. He was dressed surprisingly well, in black trousers and a black button-down. His pockmarked face and pointed chin were enough to cause a cold chill to race down my spine, yet his hair was neatly trimmed, and when a slight curl of his lip appeared, I saw a brief peak at his white teeth.