On The Run (Men of honor Book 1)

by Rhonda Lott

  David opened his mouth to speak and his cell phone chirped. Groaning, he picked it up from the night stand. “I got to take this.” He told Alex.

  “I’ll find us some breakfast then.” She kissed him, covering up with his robe from the foot of the bed. Alex took Jordan’s hand, singing to him as they headed out the door.

  “Yeah, what’s up Ace?” David barked into the phone.

  “I’m five minutes from you. I got some info on Blanco.” Ace replied, calmly.

  “Ok, see you in five.” David abruptly hung up. He didn’t want to think about Mac this morning. He wanted to stay in his bed with Alex. He wanted them to play with little Jordan and enjoy being together.

  Never in his wildest imagining did he think he would fall in love with someone so quickly. Love for Alex and Jordan. There it was though, piercing his cold calculating heart. David knew he was fucked the first time he saw her. His Allie, complicating his ordered world. Strangely, he loved every second of it.

  David was more than aware that Mac would have to be handled soon rather than later. If he had any chance of convincing Alex to share his life with him. David reluctantly got up and started to dress. His mind formulating a plan of action. He wasn’t waiting for Mac to make a move again. No, he was taking the fight to Mac’s door.

  *ALEX*

  Lord, that Ace Jackson was a good looking man, Alex thought. She watched David and Ace talking in the den. He had perfect pecan brown skin, not a blemish to be seen, and a warm smile that lit up his dark brown eyes. Then there was his body, Oh, but that body. He was the same height as David, a bit broader in the shoulders, but they were evenly matched in the muscle department. Alex had to admit that even with all he had going for him, Ace couldn’t hold a candle to her Mr. Handsome.

  The living room sat across from the big den. Dark was the color of the day for David’s home. Black and silver. A man’s place for sure. There were a few pictures of him and Kane, but that was all. The condo, like the lake house sported nothing but the bare essentials. It screamed, subtle elegance and practicality, like the man himself.

  Alex munched on an apple while Jordan watched a cartoon on the wide screen TV. She wished she knew what David and Ace were discussing, they had been in the den for almost an hour in deep conversation. Alex kept peeking glances at David, his face was severe, expressionless. Well, that was his normal face so no help there.

  Her curiosity was getting the best of her. What the hell had happened now? Alex was getting a bit worried. As if reading her mind David turned her way and gave her one of his special smiles. Only for me, she thought. His smiles are all mine. Alex smiled back as the door bell sounded, startling her.

  David broke off his conversation to open the door, revealing Kane and Dawn. Alex and Jordan screamed, jumped up and ran for Dawn.

  Alex pulled up short when she noticed how pale and weak Dawn appeared. She hugged her friend gingerly. Jordan grabbed onto Dawn’s leg.

  “Here you go little man.” Kane picked Jordan up, allowing Jordan to kiss Dawn on the cheek but kept him from going into her arms. Kane handed the baby over to Alex. “She wouldn’t stay another hour in the hospital. Crazy woman.” Kane explained, sounding exasperated.

  “Too many people there. Besides, I’m much better. I had a slight concussion that’s all.” Dawn made a face at Kane, who took her by the arm and led her to the sofa.

  “That’s all, ha.” Kane muttered.

  “Keep quiet, Kane.” Dawn whispered to him.

  There was something going on there, Alex thought as everyone found a place to sit. Alex sat on one side of Dawn with Jordan in her lap, Kane sat on the other. David and Ace took seats on the two chairs opposite them.

  You could hear pin drop in the room. The tension was so thick it gave Alex an itchy feeling under her skin. David had something up his sleeve.

  “What the hell’s going on?” Alex couldn’t hold back any longer.

  “Alex.” David cautioned.

  “Don’t Alex me. I’ve been patient, David. I know somethings up. You and Ace were talking about it and I can see the three of you guys passing looks between yourselves. So tell me what’s up. It has to do with us.” Alex waved her hand between Dawn, herself and Jordan. “We deserve to know.”

  “Alex.” David calmly said again.

  “Again with the Alex. Listen, I’ve been accosted, burned out, and shot at. I have no clothes, I’m standing around in a fucking t-shirt for Christ sake. My hair is a mess, my baby has no sippy cup again, and my nerves as shot. So tell me what you’re keeping from me right fucking now!” Alex screeched. She was standing with her hands on her hips.

  Her last word echoed through the room. Every eye was glued to her, except for Dawn’s, they were shooting hot daggers between Kane and David.

  “That was cute, Al.” Kane quirked with a grin.

  David raised an eyebrow at her and nodded to the couch.

  “Please sit down. I’ll explain.” He didn’t use his regular harsh voice. He never used that voice with her, even with her yelling at him like a crazy person. Damn him. Alex flopped back on the couch, folding her arms, she glared at him and waited.

  “Take Jordan to the guess room Kane.” David ordered his brother, never breaking eye contact with Alex.

  She felt a cold chill run down her back.

  “I don’t want to miss this.” Kane complained.

  “Stop being a dick and take him.” David demanded with a scowl for Kane.

  “Kane’s a dick, Kane’s a dick.” Jordan chanted as Kane picked him up and reluctantly started for the bedroom.

  “You got that right Kido.” Dawn murmured under her breath.

  “You see what you started.” Kane threw over his shoulder, leaving the room.

  Alex was impatiently tapping her foot on the hard wood floor. David looked guilty as hell. She got a knot in her stomach the size of a baseball. A hum began to vibrate in her body. Alex knew something bad was about to happen.

  “I contacted Mac and set up a meet with him.” He stated calmly but his body was tense.

  “Meet with him for what?” Alex whispered, her breathing starting to escalate. Subconsciously she scooted to the edge of her seat.

  “To give him Jordan.”

  Alex’s mouth fell open, her eyes went wide. Slowly she rose to her feet and stalked over to David.

  “Fuck you.” She yelled in his face, then sprinted for the bedroom and Jordan.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  *DAVID*

  David caught her before she could make it to the guess room. He tossed her slight weight over his shoulder, taking them to his room instead. Alex fought him like a wild thing, trying to get away. She landed a good punch to his jaw before he could get her on the bed and cover her with his body.

  “Damn it Allie, stop fighting and listen to me.” He barked out.

  “I did listen to you. I trusted you, and now you talk about giving Jordan to that monster. You might as well kill me now, because I would rather die than let that happen.” She screamed in his face, looking at him with anger and hurt betrayal. That look cut his heart to ribbons.

  David held her firmly, she twist from side to side. She was strong for a little bit of a woman.

  “I had to tell him that to lure him out, sweetheart.” David held both her hands above her head with his one hand, with the other he grabbed her face and forced her head still, her eyes to his. They blazed liquid gold.

  “Ha, You bastard. I can’t believe you fooled me.”

  Alex bucked her body violently, but David held firm. He moved between her legs, settling his weight on her to try and pin her to the bed.

  “I have no intention of letting him anywhere near Jordan. Men like Mac understand one thing only. Money. He proved he doesn’t care about Jordan when he had his man set that fire. Alex don’t you know how much you both mean to me.” David felt her go still, her breath rapid burst across his face.

  “You say give Jordan to Mac in the same sentence, I don’t care
if you’re the pope, I don’t trust you.” Her troubled eyes locked onto his. “You’re making plans that affect me and my family without involving me. That scares me.” She stopped struggling but her body was as rigid as a board.

  “I didn’t want to scare you in the first place that’s why I wanted to have everything set up before I came to you with the plan.”

  “You can’t do that though David, not with me. I know you don’t answer to anybody because you’re the boss in your business, but not between you and me.” She sighed and tugged at her hands. David released her.

  “What I feel for you Alex is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I don’t do relationships, but I know I want that with you.” David leaned in and kissed her with all the emotions that were battling inside him. He pulled back, resting his forehead to hers. “I want us. You, me and Jordan. I want the way it was in bed this morning.”

  Alex put her hands on his shoulders. “I want that too, but not if it means you run the show entirely.”

  She was still angry, but at least she was giving him a chance to explain.

  “I need to run the show completely, Alex.” He stated seriously.

  She frowned deeply, pushing at his shoulders, anger flaring back to life.

  He grinned down at her.

  “Damn you.” Alex punched him, then sighed. “This is not the time for you to try and grow a sense of humor. I’m being serious.”

  “I know and I understand how you feel. Your opinion matters to me, you matter to me. But there will be plenty of times I’m going to piss you off. When it comes to the safety of you and Jordan, I’m going to do what I have to and I will not always stop to ask you. I’m doing whatever it takes.”

  “I don’t know.” Alex grabbed his face with her hands. “I’m not a control freak. I’m not. I dropped the ball once and it cost me Ann. I can’t be in the dark about anything ever again. I won’t lose anybody else by not having my shit together.”

  David lowered his head and kissed her. She tensed up and his heart plummeted. What if she couldn’t let him in? Alex had to fight for so long on her own. David prayed she would give him a chance to prove himself to her.

  “I’m not taking over your life, we are merging our lives. I can’t promise to include you in every decision I make. You have to trust me. I have your back now and always. If you drop the ball, I’ll pick it up for you.”

  Alex was silent for a long while.

  David waited, he could see that she was thinking, making up her mind.

  “Ok, I get that and I will trust you. You’ve saved us over and over again. I guess it would be out of character for you to try and harm us. But this is extremely difficult for me. ” She pulled him down, planting small kisses along his jaw line, rubbing her feet up and down his jean clad legs.

  David was instantly hard and ready. Hell yeah, make up sex with his golden eyed vixen. He started to pull her shirt over her head when someone pounded on the door.

  “Hey, I don’t think Kane can hold Dawn from busting the door down any longer. “ Ace called out.

  “Fuck.” David said through clenched teeth. He looked down at Alex, her shirt was up exposing luscious brown breast with chocolate tips, beckoning to him for just one taste.

  “I promise you, when all this shit is over, we’re going to my mountain cabin, the two of us and I’m fucking you till we both can’t walk.” He righted her shirt and stood up.

  Ace pounded again.

  “Were coming.” David yelled. “Let’s go babe, time to tell everyone my plan to take down that piece of shit Blanco.”

  *ALEX*

  Alex stepped from the bedroom into a mad house. Jordan was screaming and crying. Ace held him at arm’s length, looking at the child like he was a two headed alien and Ace didn’t know whether to run from him or cry with him. The big cop was definitely out of his element.

  Kane was holding Dawn around the waist, her feet peddling in mid-air. Her normally straight black hair was all over the place as she thrashed about. She looked like a contortionist twisting and turning in her mad fight to get away from Kane’s hold, calling him every dirty name in the book.

  An ear splitting whistle from David made everyone in the room stop and stand still as statues, even Jordan stopped crying. Their heads swung to her and David.

  “Put me the fuck down.” Dawn demanded, her voice hoarse from yelling.

  “Everybody calm down.” Alex shook her head as she proceeded to take Jordan from Ace who gladly handed him over. “I’m ok, everything’s ok.” Alex took Dawn by the hand and led her to the sofa.

  “Um, ok. Everything is not the fuck ok. We need to get out of here. Allie, what are you doing?” Dawns eyes were bright with fear. She tugged Alex’s hand all but pulling her off the sofa.

  “Dawn please, David has a plan—”

  “Yea, I know. He wants to give Jordan up.” She pulled harder on Alex’s hand. “Again I ask, what the hell are you doing? Let’s go!” Dawn was bordering on hysterical.

  “Be calm, Beauty.” Kane said, taking a step closer. David and Ace stepped back.

  Dawn whirled around. “You keep away from us.” She snarled. “You can’t do shit with Jordan, he’s not yours to barter with and we are out of here. Now, back the hell up.”

  “Dawn no one is going to do anything with Jordan.” David said in a calming voice.

  A calming voice, David. Alex shook her head. That was new.

  “D, I overreacted. I didn’t let David finish what he was saying earlier.” Alex, tried to pull Dawn down to sit next to her.

  “Overreacted. What the hell do you mean overreacted? Is he that good in bed that he has you dickmatized or something?” Dawn jerked away and glared at Alex.

  Alex’s face hardened. She calmly stood, handed Jordan back to Ace, who looked terrified once again.

  “Would you please take him out of here for me?” Alex asked him, not waiting for his answer, she turned back to Dawn. Shit was about to get real.

  “Don’t get shit twisted D.” Alex shoved Dawn onto the sofa, leaning in close so their eyes were level. “You don’t get to judge me. I trust David. He only wants to lure Mac out from where he’s holding up. We are not putting Jordan in any danger.” Alex held eye contact with Dawn who was glaring right back at her with a defiant stare. “I know you have my back in all things. Know that I got yours and Jordan’s”

  “I…” Dawn sighed, closed her eyes then leaned back. “I trust you Allie, but I don’t trust them. It’s…it’s hard. I don’t have anyone but the two of you.” Dawn’s brown eyes misted over.

  “I know.” Alex felt all her irritation drain away. She sat next to Dawn, wrapping her in her embrace.

  “You don’t have to trust them. Just trust in me. I promise I won’t let you down the way I did Ann.” Sadness squeezed Alex’s heart and she in return squeezed Dawn close.

  “Stop that shit.” Dawn held her back just as hard. ‘I’m sorry I said that about you being dickmatized and all.” She chuckled in Alex’s ear.

  Alex drew back to look into her friend’s dark eyes. “You sure have a potty mouth lately.” Alex pointed out. “What happened to my shy friend?”

  “She doesn’t exist anymore.” Dawn murmured, turning her face away.

  “D, I’m so sorry, I wish—”

  The doorbell blared.

  David went to the door, returning with three large bags.

  “My assistant brought somethings for you all, Cloths and such.” David handed Alex and Dawn the bags. “I guessed at the sizes.” He told them.

  “Thank you David. After the fire we really needed new everything.” Alex said.

  A very bedeviled Ace returned to the living room. “Jordan’s sleeping, what’s up?” He asked.

  Alex gave him a dazzling smile. “We have clothes now, you don’t have to look at me in this big old shirt anymore.”

  “I do not mind one bit.” Ace said, giving her a sexy grin.

  “What the fuck you say bro?” David asked with a
murderous glare.

  “Nothing.” Ace said, raising both hands. His brown eyes dancing with devilish delight.

  “That’s what I thought.” David told Ace before turning to Alex. “While you guys freshen up, we’ll head on up to my office and wait for you there.” He went to leave then turned and gave her a sly grin. “We won’t discuss anything important till you join us, promise.”

  “Davie’s a dick, Davie’s a dick.” Alex couldn’t help mimicking Jordan.

  David belted out a booming laugh as he walked up the stairs.

  Alex smiled as she listened to the deep thunder of his laugh.

  Ace and Kane stood there with their mouths hanging open.

  “Did he do what I think he just did?” Ace whispered to Kane.

  “Yeah, now I owe your ass a hundred bucks. Shit.” Kane stumped up the stairs after his brother.

  It was Ace’s turn to laugh as he took the steps two at a time.

  Hell yeah, I did that. Alex thought. I melted the ice giant. She did a happy dance off to the bedroom.

  “Dickmatized little idiot.” Dawn mutter under her breath, following.

  *DAVID*

  David sat in his leather chair across from his brother and friend. His condo was designed to suit his lifestyle therefore, all the living spaces were downstairs and the entire upstairs was his office.

  “What’s up with you two?” He asked, giving them his most brutal glare.

  Kane and Ace looked at each other then back to him.

  “What’s up with you, bro? That’s the question.” Kane grinned.

  “Yeah, you slipping man. It’s almost like you’re…I don’t know… human.” Ace said, pretending to think a minute. “Nah, must be my imagination, pussy could never crack your hard shell, but then again…”

  “Fuck off.” David told them coldly and distinctly.

  “Yep, my imagination.” Ace joked. Kane started laughing. Ace joined in. David’s face remained impassive as he watched them. That made them laugh even harder.