Lost Until You (The Sorrentino Brothers Series Book 1)

by Grant, J. R.

  Well, shit. I didn’t think he would get to come home today. Dad said he was stuck in New Jersey due to the weather.

  “Oh my, God! Brayyyyyy,” Jazz pushed past everyone and jumped in my little brother’s arms.

  Damn…if she only got excited like that when I walked through the door.

  “All, hell. Look who it is,” Brayden kept his hold around Jazz and grabbed my ass.

  I turned around and punched his shoulder. “Fucker,” I joked and gave my brother a hug.

  He kissed the side of my girl's head and then stepped in toward me.

  “It’s good to see you, dude. It’s been a hot minute.”

  “Yeah, man. It’s been a while. How’s everything been?”

  “Not too bad. Busy with work and the baby,” I smiled, glancing over at Jazz. “How does it feel playing ball for a living?”

  The glow on Bray’s face told me his answer. My little brother got lucky as shit. He was drafted into the NFL his junior year at the University of Delaware, signing with the Washington Redskins. We all knew it would happen, but we weren’t expecting it until his senior year. When he picked up an agent, it was only a short time before he ranked in the top one hundred. The rest was history.

  For the last four years, Brayden had been going strong, working his ass off, and making a career for himself. I couldn’t be more proud of my little brother.

  “Crazy, dude. It’s a dream come true. I just wish you were out there with me, you know.”

  “I know. I guess the big man had different plans.” I wrapped my arm around Jazz’s shoulder. “It was meant to be.”

  Brayden’s cell phone rang in his hand. He lifted his finger indicating for me to hold on and then walked outside.

  Jazz gave me a kiss and sat down on the floor with Ma and the baby. I made my way through the living room and sat on the couch, propping my legs up on the coffee table, watching everyone mingle amongst one another, happy to be together. With four guys going in different directions, my parents were left by themselves more than they liked. I knew for certain Ma hated it. If she could have us all home, under one roof, her life would feel more complete. She loved us boys fiercely.

  Family had always been important to us, especially to Jazz. Not having her parents growing up, she had always been the first to help Mom pull us all together. I was content, living the dream with my two girls, but my brothers and cousin needed to hurry up in the baby department. Lately, with the way things were going, Savanah would be the only grandchild in the foreseeable future, unless I could talk my wife into having another baby. Jazz swore she needed to wait a year or two before getting pregnant again, but we would have to see about that. If I had my way, we would have our own damn football team running around.

  **

  “You mean to tell me, Brax went with you to see The Fault in Our Stars?” Tanya whipped her head toward Brix. “That’s so not fair. He can take his wife, and yet you refuse to take me, but we’ve been together longer than they have.”

  Brix rolled his eyes as if he had been waiting for this to come up. “Baby, B’s just a little bitch. He enjoys watching chick flicks. It’s sort of his thing.”

  I picked an ice cube out of my cup and shoved it in Brix's ear. “I got your bitch.”

  He leaned back in his chair and tripped over his boots, landing on his ass. “See. Little bitch. My point exactly.”

  Everyone around the table laughed, ignoring Brix’s whining from the floor. Jazz squeezed my thigh, giving me that “fuck me” look.

  Shit, I growled again. She better watch it. I was ready to pull her tight little ass up in that bathroom and take her against the counter, letting everyone hear her sweet fucking moans. Family or not, my girl knew better than to tempt me.

  I sat back in my chair and wrapped my arm around her neck, pulling her head toward my shoulder. Leaning my head in, I whispered in her ear, “Be careful, baby. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”

  Jazz sat up straight and looked at me, batting her eyelashes. “Is that so?” she murmured, testing my patience. She was asking for it.

  I moved my chair back, acting like I was picking something up off the floor, and placed my mouth on her thigh. Blowing hot air through those sexy-ass leggings that shaped her ass to perfection, I bit the shit out of her inner thigh. If she thought I was playing, I was just going to have to show her.

  Jazz shrieked, grabbing a hold of my hair, pushing my head away from her leg, laughing hysterically.

  “Man. Take that shit somewhere else. Nobody wants to see you fuck your girl at the dinner table. There are kid—”

  “Brayden James,” Ma fumed, “watch your mouth, son. You don’t speak like that to your brother, especially at the dinner table.”

  Brayden threw up his hands. “Well, tell your son to stop trying to face fuck his girl and I’ll shut up.”

  “That’s enough, Bray. No one wants to hear that shit. Now shut the fu—”

  “Anthony—” Ma threw her hand over Savanah’s ears, “my Heavens. What is wrong with you boys tonight?”

  She pushed her chair back, unbuckling the baby from the highchair. “When the three of you have some cotton pickin’ sense, my grandbaby and I will be in the living room. For the rest of you, help yourself to the food.” Ma took Savanah and left the dining room.

  “See what you two pricks did?” Dad shouted, slamming his hands down on the table. “I swear, the older you get, the worse you act. Grow the fuck up.” He stormed out of the room.

  What in the hell just happened? First of all, Ma almost never curses. And Dad? He had never talked to Bray or me in such a hateful tone.

  Jazz grabbed my neck, pulling me in for a kiss. “Sounds like something’s going on with your parents.”

  I hated to say it but I think she was right. I didn’t know what it could be, but I was sure we would find out sooner or later. However, right now I wasn’t going to push their buttons. They were both too pissed to bother with my curiosity.

  The rest of the night was uneventful. The tension in the house floated around entirely too thick. Jazz and I waited until eight-thirty and then said our goodbyes, leaving everyone else there to pick up the slack.

  We got the baby settled in her jacket and put her in her car seat before giving everyone a hug and kiss goodbye. Ma cried, as usual, not wanting us to leave, and Dad seemed like he was happy to finally watch us go.

  Something was definitely up; I just wish I had some sort of an idea of what it was. I hated seeing my parents not getting along. They had been the main constant my entire life.

  “Hey, cuz. You got a minute?” Brix jogged out to my truck.

  Jazz took the car seat out of my hands and put the baby inside where it was warm, so I could talk to Brix.

  “Yeah. What’s up?”

  “Has Stone called you?”

  “Not in a few days. Why?”

  “He has some new information. He said he was going to call you sometime next week before getting with Jazz.”

  I looked at my cousin, hoping he had more information than what we had discussed before. “What do you know?”

  Brix shoved his hands in his front pockets. “I think he found the grandparents. I don’t know the details of it, but from my understanding, everything he searched for came back. Just be on standby. Jazz is going to need you through all of this.”

  I turned and opened the door. “Thanks, Brix. I’ll wait for his call. As for taking care of Jazz, I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

  “Cool. Cool. Be careful driving. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “You too, man.”

  We shook hands and then I hopped in the truck, cranking up the heat. Brix ran back up to the house and walked inside, shutting the door behind him.

  There were so many things happening in our lives lately, I felt like I was starting to suffocate. I didn’t know how Jazz was going to feel once she found out about her birth family, but she would never be alone. What my wife wanted, she got. No questions asked.

/>   **

  “Well, that was interesting.” Jazz laid her head back on the seat.

  “I’d say.”

  “Do you think your mom was mad because of the way Bray was cursing? Or do you really think her and your dad are fighting? I’ve just never seen her that pissed before. Wait, before you answer,” she held up her hand, “your mom’s heard you boys curse at each other for years. Yeah, she’s always told you guys to stop but nothing this extreme. I mean, come on, B. She was livid.”

  I grabbed her hand, bringing it to my lips. “I know, baby. I have no idea what’s going on. It was definitely strange.”

  With Brody and Brayden basically living on the road, I had intended to hang out with them a little longer. But after everything was said and done, Jazz and I agreed it was best if we skipped out and headed home. There was no use in making things worse. Obviously, my parents needed space, and we needed to respect their privacy.

  The rest of the drive home was quiet. Savanah fell asleep as soon as we got on the road and Jazz wasn’t far behind her. The fog wasn’t much better than it was earlier today, and the snow was coming down at a steady pace. But at least it wasn’t sticking to the roads. Either way, I decided to take my time. Getting Savanah and Jazz home safe was my main priority. I never wanted to think about something happening to my family. Still, with the conditions as bad as they were, you just never knew. If I had to go under the speed limit to get them back in one piece, then so be it. Putting my family in jeopardy wasn’t my style.

  Forty minutes later, I pulled into the driveway and shut off the engine. I grabbed my keys and ran up to unlock the door before going back to the truck for the girls. Jazz got up and helped me carry everything inside. I laid Savanah in the bed, while Jazz made a bottle for in the morning.

  When Savanah was tucked in, I hopped in the shower, threw on a pair of pajama pants, and then walked back into our bedroom. Jazz was in the bed sound asleep. I quietly walked across the room and shut off the lights. I armed the alarm and crawled into the bed beside my wife. I pulled her back against my front and wrapped my arms around her waist. Jazz sighed and rolled over, laying her head on my chest.

  “I love you, B,” she whispered, nibbling down on my nipple ring.

  I grabbed under her arms, moving her body up toward me, and kissed her lips. Jazz didn’t hesitate, allowing my tongue inside her mouth. I deepened the kiss, giving her all that I had, showing her how much I loved her.

  Sliding my fingers down her ribs, she squirmed under my touch and threw her leg across my thighs. I rolled over and pushed her back against the pillow, inching my way up her beautiful body. She looked at me with so much desire; it was taking everything I had to give it to her slow. Jazz needed to be shown how much I cherished her, even though I wanted nothing more than to ram my dick inside her tight little pussy, fast and hard.

  Slipping off my pants, I moved to her panties, then her t-shirt. Once we were both naked and pressed against each other, I pulled her thighs apart and slid down her beautiful body. She lifted her hips letting me know she was ready and yearning for my touch.

  “Slow down, beautiful. We’ve got all night.”

  Jazz mumbled something under her breath that I couldn’t make out, but I didn’t waste any time trying to, either. I knew she needed to feel me just like I needed to be inside of her. We were made for each other.

  I placed one hand under her ass and lifted my other hand toward her breast. Pulling and twisting her swollen nipple, my mouth dove in between her folds, licking at her juices.

  “Oh…B…right there,” she moaned, grabbing a hold of my hair.

  Bringing both hands in front of me, I pushed her lips apart. I slid one finger inside her tight pussy and then added another. After a couple of strokes inside her heated spot, Jazz buckled and her walls tightened around my finger. The pace of my tongue remained slow and steady, while I worshiped her beautiful body.

  When Jazz was spent, I knew I had done my job. I sat up and grabbed a hold of my dick, placing it at her entrance.

  “You ready, beautiful?”

  She nodded her head. I didn’t think twice before thrusting deep inside my girl, needing to feel her tight walls wrapped around every part of my cock. She lifted her hips, matching each one of my thrusts. I wrapped my arms around both of her legs, pushing them against her chest.

  “Look at me, baby,” I said, ready to explode.

  Jazz opened her beautiful brown eyes, staring down at me, crying out as she reached another peak. A few more thrusts and my body started to jerk and my legs locked as I embedded myself inside my girl. I lay on top of her body, panting, feeling completely satisfied.

  “Thank you, B. You always know what I need.”

  I kissed her lips and moved beside her, lying down on the pillow. She gripped the blanket, pulling it over our bodies, and turned toward me.

  “I love you, Jazzy. Sweet dreams.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Chapter Eight

  Jazz

  This week had dragged. Literally. Time normally went by fast while I was at work but not this week. It had been slow to the point of annoyance. I was over it. On the plus side, I had been able to get many tasks cleared off my to-do list. Seeing as how far behind I was, maybe it had been a blessing in disguise.

  I gave Pam Thursday and Friday off while she visited with her grandchildren in Ohio, leaving me by myself in the studio. She was a great assistant and made my job a lot less stressful, therefore she deserved having a few days to herself here and there.

  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I normally brought the baby with me to work, however Amelia asked if she could have her both yesterday and today instead. The woman’s group at her church was hosting Kid Appreciation Week, and Amelia wanted to take Savanah. Thankfully, it gave me time to get everything in order.

  The little girls at church loved Savanah. I got a kick out of them whenever Brax and I would visit. Dressing her up in costumes and pulling her all over the place, they treated my daughter as if she were a baby doll. I loved this age when toddlers developed their own personalities. It was fun to watch them grow into little people. At least I had another year or two to prepare for another child. I had to let my body heal first from having Savanah before I even thought about it.

  I was finishing up a few edits when the doorbell chimed. I set my pen down and looked up to see Stone walking through the door.

  “Hey, Stone.”

  “Hey, you got a few minutes?” He walked around my desk and took a seat beside me.

  “Yup. Just give me one…second.”

  Saving file two-fourteen, I closed the lid to my laptop and leaned back in the chair, crossing my hands together.

  “What’s going on?”

  Stone set his briefcase on the table to the left then pulled out a large manila folder. Sliding out the stack of papers, he placed them down on the desk.

  “You sure you’re okay with this? If not, we’ll end it all right here, right now. I have no problem either way. I just want you to be sure before we go over my findings.”

  Was he crazy? I was more than okay. I had been waiting my whole life to find out who these people were, to know about my birth family. It would be unwise not to dig deeper now that I had someone actually willing to help lead the way.

  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, making myself push forward. I had to do this. It was now or never.

  “Yes…let’s do it.”

  Stone grabbed the first piece of paper in the file, reading it aloud. “Your maternal grandparents reside in Milford, Delaware. They’ve owned their house at four-nineteen Frankford Circle since the early two-thousands.”

  Sliding the paper across the table, I took it from his hands, soundlessly reading it to myself.

  Current Residence for Phyllis and Pat Lander:

  419 Frankford Court

  Milford, DE 19963

  Previous Residence:

  200098 Riverside Dr.

  Annapolis, MD 21411
<
br />   Maternal Parents of Peyton Lander

  Phyllis and Pat Lander

  Peyton Lander:

  DOB: 12.29.1968

  Brown hair

  Brown eyes

  One hundred and fourteen pounds.

  Donor

  Last known Residence for Peyton Lander:

  200098 Riveside Dr.

  Annapolis, MD 21411

  Cause of death:

  Cerebral Artery Aneurysm

  Approximately three minutes and nine seconds following the delivery of her daughter, Pia Lander.

  Birth Name Noted “Unknown” on Birth Certificate.

  Date of Death: 05.05.1987

  Location:

  Anne Arundel Medical Center,

  Annapolis, Maryland

  I threw my hand over my mouth, gasping for air. “Oh, my God! Oh, my God!” I shouted. I couldn’t believe this was happening. I couldn’t believe this was really real. “They lived so…close. So close, yet…so far away.”

  Stone leaned across the table and grabbed a hold of my hand. “This is a lot to take in, Jazz. I can’t imagine how you’re feeling right about now, but I’m here with you. We’re all by your side. Just promise you’ll take one step at a time. We’re going to get to the bottom of this, get all your questions answered, and give you a sense of peace once it’s all said and done. But I need to make sure you’re okay and not just pushing yourself because you think you need to do this. You are my main priority, babe, not them. None of them.”

  I covered my entire face, allowing the tears to fall. My wish was finally coming true. I had waited so long to get answers, to finally have some kind of peace. But now that it was sitting right in front of me, I wasn’t sure I would be strong enough to face it without breaking down. I knew it had been a long time coming, and I deserved to know the truth. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around everything.

  Stone walked around the table and squatted down in front of me. He pulled me into his arms and whispered, “Let it out. I got you.”