“I get it, Emma.” Jake stood up and picked up the chair. “I’m working here at home instead of at the downtown office today. When her tutor gets here, bring in Joshua and Drake.” He felt like a fucking monster.
He knew what it was to be different, to spend his childhood alone—if one could call what he’d endured a childhood. He planted both hands on the table, caging Emma in as he leaned down. “I’ll talk to her, honey, but I’ll retaliate later for the reprimands.” His gaze burned into hers, hot, sexy, a promise of things to come.
“You deserved them,” she pointed out, looking a little wary, but her eyes clouded with desire.
“I know I did.” He leaned closer to lick the corner of her mouth. “I need you to go into town later and pick up a dress for the Bingley thing.”
She pulled back to stare up at him, wide-eyed. Distressed. “What Bingley thing?”
“It’s an important party, Emma. I hate those things and this one will be particularly difficult, so I’ll need you there.”
She shook her head. “No way. Parties aren’t my thing, especially in that circle. No way, Jake, not even for you.”
She actually looked scared. Jake brushed his mouth against hers. Soft. Tender. Coaxing. “I need you, honey. The enemies will be there. I want someone I can trust with me, someone to watch my back.”
Her first reaction was disbelief—he saw that in her eyes—but she kept staring up at him, her fingers plucking nervously at his sleeve.
“Do you mean that?”
“I want you there with me.” He wasn’t going to ask again.
She took a breath and his heart turned over at the capitulation he saw in her eyes. She squared her shoulders, overcoming her fear and revulsion of such an event. She knew they would try to embarrass and humiliate her, but she would put herself in that position for him. It was another victory—a big one. Another proof that she cared about him, was committed to him. How many times would she have to prove herself before he believed? How many ways?
“How dressy?”
“Wear something sophisticated but sexy for me. A cocktail dress. I’ll have jewelry. High heels, Emma. I know you don’t like them, but I’ll love the way your legs will look in them. I’ve fantasized over that more often than I should have.” He brushed several kisses over her soft, upturned lips before putting his lips against her ear. “Make it a little swingy and longer, just above the knee so you can just wear a garter belt and stockings and leave off your panties.”
She went crimson, just as he knew she would. “I’m not leaving off my panties.”
“We’ll see,” he said, deliberately wicked, tracing her ear with the tip of his tongue. “Are you wet for me?” he whispered. “If I buried my finger inside you, would I find you aching and hot for me?”
She pushed at the wall of his chest, laughing. Blushing. “Yes. Now go away.”
Satisfaction swept through him as he sauntered out. Emma. No matter how outrageous, she would struggle to accommodate his needs, even when it was a little frightening to her. He had to be careful not to let his need for control and assurance push her too far. Those were two of his greatest failings. He would want—no, need—constant affirmation of her loyalty, of her complete commitment to him, because he wouldn’t be able to fully believe and trust in her.
He made his way to the guest room where he knew Susan was staying. With his acute hearing, even through the solid oak door, he could hear her sniffling. His radio crackled.
“Mr. Bannaconni. The tutor’s here and he’s brought Miss Hindman’s governess with him.” The disembodied voice held a note of disgust. Drake obviously didn’t like either of the strangers.
“Let them through, but don’t leave the children or Emma alone with them. Conner can watch the two of them in the house.” He slipped his radio back on his belt loop and resolutely knocked on Susan’s door. He’d promised Emma. He smirked to himself. He’d promised her retaliation as well for the two hard kicks she’d given him—and he always kept his promises. There was silence, nose blowing, and then Susan timidly opened the door.
Jake smiled at her. “Come on out of there and talk to me for a minute, Susan.” He held out his hand, his voice gentle but commanding. Susan hesitated, but she put her hand in his and followed him over to the long, wide stairway. He sank down and patted the step beside him, waiting until she sat. “I was careless this morning when I spoke to you. I spend so much time rushing through my work, I sometimes forget how to talk to people. I’m grateful that you’re here to help Emma. She says you’re great with our children and I really appreciate that.”
Susan sniffed again but smiled shyly. “They’re so sweet. And Emma’s been so good to me. She talks to me . . .” She trailed off.
He nodded, pretending not to notice the tears welling up again. “She’s like that. Did she show you the ring?”
Susan’s eyes lit up. “I saw the ring on her finger but I was afraid to ask. You’re getting married?”
“We have two children. I’d say it’s about time. I want more, so we’d better make certain we’re married before I get her pregnant again, don’t you think?” At her nod, he stood up. “You’ll have to come to the wedding.” Jake held out his hand to her. When she put her hand in his, he drew her up. “I’m glad Emma has such a good friend in you, Susan. You’re welcome here anytime and you can stay as long as you like. Hopefully, over time, you’ll get used to how abrupt I can be.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bannoconni.”
“Jake,” he corrected, keeping his voice gentle. He walked away from her but turned back at the door. “I really appreciate you speaking other languages to the children. We’re trying to give them as much exposure as possible. You’re very fluent.”
She beamed, raised her hand until he was out of sight and ran back into the kitchen to find Emma. “Emma! Let me see the ring! Jake said—” She skidded to halt when she saw the company waiting for her, the joy fading from her face.
“Is that appropriate behavior for a young lady?” Dana, her governess, demanded with a little sniff. “You address the hired help with far more decorum, Susan, and less enthusiasm. And it’s Mr. Bannaconni to you, miss.”
Susan turned bright red, her gaze flicking to Joshua and Drake, who lounged idly against the sink. Andraya had her arms wound around Joshua’s leg and Kyle stood slightly behind him, nearly hidden from their visitors. She almost didn’t see the third man standing with his back to the door. He was so still he made her heart tremble.
Joshua snorted and winked at Susan. “That would be me, Susan, the hired help.”
Emma’s expression didn’t change. “Your governess has come to check on you, Susan, along with your tutor.” She glanced at Drake, uncertain how to handle their visitors and the clear attack on Susan. They made her uneasy and Susan looked close to tears. It was no wonder the senator had told her he was worried about his daughter.
She heard the soft click of the radio and a brief crackle as Drake or Joshua opened the line to Jake.
“You should have warned us ahead of time that you were accompanying Mr. Givens, Ms. Anderson,” Drake said, his voice one of absolute authority. “Mr. Bannaconni doesn’t like surprises, and he said to inform you that if you showed up again without an invitation or the courtesy of a call ahead of time, you would be refused entrance.” He deliberately addressed Susan’s governess, reprimanding her publicly as she had her charge.
Color whipped into the woman’s cheekbones and her mouth tightened ominously. She looked down her nose at Drake, taking in his faded jeans, the T-shirt stretched across wide shoulders and thickly muscled chest, and with a little sniff of disdain, dismissed him as inconsequential.
“Please lead us to a room suitable to carry out Susan’s studies,” Dana snapped to Emma. “We don’t wish to be kept waiting. Jim—Senator Hindman—requires promptness and expects his orders to be carried out. We can’t have Susan falling behind again.” Her coyness implied intimacy with the senator as she delivered her second strik
e at the girl.
“But, Dana,” Susan protested, “I’m not behind at all. I tried to tell Dad, but you—”
“Do not contradict your elders.” Dana glared at her. “It’s important to know your place, Susan. Your father is a great man. You wouldn’t want to embarrass him.”
A rumbling sound, much like a growling cat, filled the room. The deep-chested growl raised hair on the back of people’s necks, caused hearts to speed up, and everyone fell silent, froze, turning almost as one to see Jake’s frame filling the doorway of the kitchen. He stood in the way he always did, utterly still, eyes fixed and focused, head at an angle like a stalking animal, a predatory hunter about to devour prey. Emma found herself holding her breath as silence fell, unable to tell if the harrowing sound actually emanated from Jake, but it chilled her to the bone nonetheless. She tried not to be afraid, but she knew Jake, and he was at his most dangerous.
Joshua and Drake shifted almost imperceptibly, shielding the babies with their bodies.
Jake’s eyes had gone to savage, glittering gold. “Joshua, I would greatly appreciate it if you would take the children outside.”
Without a word Joshua wrapped an arm around Kyle and Andraya and lifted them to his hips, striding for the door. Conner opened it for him and Joshua took the little ones outside.
“Susan?” Jake beckoned her with his finger. He waited until she crossed to his side and he dropped his arm protectively around her.
The silence stretched until Emma’s nerves were raw. He didn’t take his eyes from Dana’s face. “I believe I have something of yours. My people are very good at tracing electronic equipment.” He pulled a small plastic bag from his pocket. The microchip could clearly be seen. He tossed it toward Dana contemptuously, deliberately just out of reach, so the damning evidence fell at her feet for everyone to see.
Dana went stiff, her face very white and set, but she didn’t speak, anger flaring in her eyes. Jake set Susan very gently behind him and stalked across the kitchen floor, moving in that silent, fluid way of his, roped muscles shifting powerfully, his eyes never leaving the woman’s face. He inhaled, as if scenting her.
“You even smell like a traitor. You and your friend will be escorted off my property now. Don’t ever make the mistake of coming back.”
It was Harold Givens who bent down to pick up the microchip. Dana snapped her fingers. “Susan. Come with us now. This is an unsuitable place for you, not with this man and his little slut flaunting their bastard children to the world. My God, look at the hickeys all over her neck, like she’s some whore.”
Emma gasped, terrified of what Jake might do. Her hand crept up toward her neck, but Jake caught her wrist without looking at her and pulled her hand down to her side, holding it there. A long silence stretched, everyone’s nerve endings taut.
Jake’s smile was slow, humorless, utterly frightening, his white teeth gleaming, and he never took his eyes from his prey. “Susan will stay here. The senator will send your things to you. I doubt you’ll be able to get a job anywhere unless it’s with the Trents or Bannaconnis, who you obviously work for.”
“I’ll have you charged with kidnapping.”
“Drake, remove this disgusting excuse of a human being from my sight immediately.” Jake turned his back on the couple in dismissal, took Emma’s elbow and waved Susan ahead of him, guiding them from the room.
Behind them, Dana sputtered, “Get your hands off me.” “I don’t much care how we do this, sweetheart,” Drake said. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re garbage to be thrown out. I don’t have to be nice.”
Dana shrieked again. There was the sound of a scuffle. Harold grunted in pain. The door slammed and the sounds faded.
“Are you all right, Susan?” Jake asked.
Susan nodded. “But she’ll tell my father lies. She always does.”
Jake picked up the phone. “Not this time. Do you need a tutor? I can have one here in an hour.”
She shook her head. “I know more about calculus than that man ever did. He’s Dana’s friend, but my father believes everything she says.”
“Your father will listen to me,” Jake assured, his voice certain. “Go riding with Emma and have fun. Don’t worry about any of this. People like that try to make everyone around them feel small and useless. You’re not. You’re smarter than they are. And you’re stronger, too strong to ever let someone like that make you feel bad about yourself.”
“I’m a little afraid of her,” Susan admitted.
“She wanted you to be afraid. That way you would never go to your father because you didn’t want to know if he’d believe you or not. She destroyed your trust in him, that’s what people like her do. There’s no reason. I’ll deal with her. Go change into your riding clothes.” He reached out and caught Emma’s wrist, preventing her from leaving the room while Susan headed for the door. “Susan.” He stopped her, waited until she turned back toward him. “If you’re ever put in a position you’re uncomfortable with again—any situation, including when you go on a date—you call me. I’ll give you my private number, which you won’t give out to anyone at all. Understood?”
Susan’s smile blossomed across her face. “Understood.”
Jake waited until Susan’s footsteps had faded down the hall and her door had closed before he swung Emma around in front of him and cupped her chin. His mouth was gentle, tender even, when he brushed his lips over hers. “Did she hurt you?”
“Calling me a slut? Or calling the kids bastards?”
“The children have a father. Me. My last name is on their birth certificates. And not just a slut—you’re my slut. Let’s remember the difference, Emma.” He kissed her again, a teasing smile on his face. “You’re my everything, so screw her.”
“She didn’t hurt me, Jake,” Emma said, knowing it was true. “Do you think Senator Hindman will believe you? I think Dana will try to cause trouble for you—for Susan—maybe even for all of us.”
“Don’t you worry about that traitor,” Jake said, his voice so low it terrified her. “She’ll find out what it’s like to lose everything and live on the streets, servicing anyone who can buy her for a nickel.”
“Jake.”
“She fucking called you a whore, Emma. She called my children bastards. She tried to spy on us. But worst of all, she abused her position of power over a sixteen-year-old kid. I’m going to take her down.”
He kissed her again and she tasted his anger. He tasted wild, primitive and all male. She opened her mouth to try to soothe him, but he rained kisses all over her face.
“I’m more furious that I couldn’t protect you from someone like her in our own house.”
“What do you think she was after, planting the microchip?”
“I think my enemies want one or both of our children. I’ve locked down the house and you’re a complete mystery to them. They needed a way to collect information.”
Emma frowned up at him. “Do you think Senator Hindman is involved?”
“No.” Jake picked up his phone. “The senator has a viper in his home. Trent and the Bannaconnis have been trying to find a way to blackmail him for years. He’s never been controlled by them. They obviously planted Dana Anderson in his home.”
Maybe it was obvious to Jake, but it wasn’t so obvious to her. “I’m glad I don’t have to be the one to figure out what’s going on,” she said.
Jake kissed her again. “Go have fun riding with the kids and Susan, and don’t worry about anything.”
He watched her turn away and then turn back toward him, shyness in her usually confident eyes. “What is it, honey?” he asked gently. He loved her like this, soft and so vulnerable to him.
“I just wanted to make certain you were all right. You’re always so busy taking care of us, but did she hurt you with the things she said?”
He stepped close to her, to her warmth, drawing her slowly into his arms, pressing her soft body against his. He just held her, his chin on top of her head, his hand cupp
ing the nape of her neck as he nuzzled the silky waterfall of red hair cascading down her back. Emma slid her arms around him and held him tightly, as if she were trying to comfort him.
Perhaps the memory of his childhood was too close, having witnessed Susan being made to feel so small and helpless, but he held Emma even closer, knowing this moment was another first for him—his first genuine offer of comfort from another human being. He wasn’t in need of consoling, not because of the likes of Dana Anderson, but for all those lost childhood years, for all of his long, empty years isolated and alone as an adult.
She was tearing down his walls too fast, and he had to stop her before it was too late for him. His heart raced, adrenaline pouring in, flooding his veins. Hard knots formed in his belly. It was frightening to know a part of him wanted to strike at her, push her away, take back the control she didn’t even know she had stolen from him. Already his fingers fisted in her hair, tight, close to her skull, deliberately pulling on her tender scalp as he forced her head back. He was breathing hard, great, ragged breaths, as he stared down into her face.
Emma felt the difference in him immediately. He went from Jake to a cornered beast, his eyes that slashing gold that indicated a fight for survival. She stayed pliant and unresisting, wanting to cry for him, for the feral animal trapped in those eyes. “I love you, Jake,” she said softly, knowing it was true.
The eyes glittered at her, lips drew back in a snarl, baring white teeth as they snapped together. “Don’t say that to me.”
“I love you,” she repeated, unafraid. His face was a mask of burning fury, but she felt his body shudder against hers in a kind of surrender.
The fingers tightened to the point of pain, bringing tears to her eyes. “Don’t say it,” he hissed, his heart already gone. Panic set in. She was so fragile. He could break her neck with one movement. He could tear out her heart. He could destroy her so easily, yet she looked at him without fear, her expression radiant. Absolute. “Like in the damned pictures,” he whispered, and brought his mouth down on hers, afraid she would see—would know—about the burning in his eyes and the lump clogging his throat.
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