“Hello.” The flat note in my voice conveys all the disdain I’m feeling at the sight of her.
“Oh, come on.” She grabs a towel from the deck chair and begins wiping water from her flawless skin. “With a greeting like that, I’m going to think you don’t like me.” The flirty tone of her statement causes my stomach to churn.
“I definitely don’t like you.” Gage’s voice echoes my sentiments as he passes through the opposite side gate onto the patio. The summer sun has transformed his biceps into bronzed perfection.
Cash is sitting beneath one of the umbrella tables beside his pool. The open front of his shirt dangles at his sides, revealing the delectable ripples of his abdomen. His feet rest on a wicker ottoman in front of him. Droplets of water glisten like diamonds in his dark hair, like he’s finished a recent swim. My heart skips a beat every time I see him.
“Where the fuck have you been?” His voice lacks his usual warmth.
“I—I ran a few errands on the way home. Why?” I glance from Athena to Gage and back to Cash, looking for clues about his sour mood.
“It’s been an eventful day,” Cash says. The darkness of his eyes sends a shiver down my back. I never know which side of his personality I’m going to get until I see his face. This evening, I’m dealing with the ruthless gang leader. Something has set him off. “The next time you’re going to be late, I’d appreciate a call.”
“My phone charger died, and I stopped to pick up a new one.” I frown at him. “Why are you being a dick?”
“He’s always a dick. Haven’t you noticed? It’s part of his charm.” Athena walks straight to me, invading the bubble of my personal space. Up close and without makeup, her complexion is stunning. And how does her hair manage to look sleek and styled when she just surfaced from the pool?
Cash drops his bare feet to the concrete. “Jagger, come. Sit.” His demand rubs me the wrong way. I can understand having a bad day, but it’s no excuse for this kind of treatment.
“I’m not your dog.” I stay where I’m at, despite Athena’s close proximity.
“Goodness, our baby girl has sass.” She tries to caress my arm.
I grab her wrist, halting the gesture in midair. “Don’t touch me.”
Surprised laughter bursts from her lips. Danger glints in her narrowed eyes. “Careful, sweetheart. I bite.”
“So do I,” I reply.
“Enough.” Cash’s quiet voice carries more warning than the loudest shout. “Let her go, Jagger. Athena, you need to back down.”
“Fine.” She pulls her wrist out of my grip. Over her shoulder, Gage’s approving gaze meets mine. It’s good to know I’m not the only one who doesn’t like this crazy Amazonian bitch.
“Come here, baby girl.” Cash stands and pulls me into his arms. “I was worried about you,” he murmurs into my hair. “A ton of shit has gone down since you left this morning.” His hands travel up and down my back, massaging my spine. Even when he’s being a dick, his touch always feels oh-so good. “We need to get you up to speed.”
“You’re freaking me out. What happened?” I tilt my head to study his expression. An undercurrent of tension skirts about his square jaw. Something is wrong.
He pulls out the chair between Cash and Gage for me. Athena sits across from us, wearing her cocky smirk. The tilt of her body toward Cash makes me wonder if they’ve had sex, although she seems more intent on me than either of the men. Her interest could be a diversionary tactic, however, meant to drive cracks in my confidence and my relationship with Cash.
She smiles, wrinkling her nose, holding my focus. As always, the emotion doesn’t reach her eyes. They remain flat, empty, a smoky void. “You’re wondering if we’ve slept together. The answer is yes.” She hisses the end of the word like a reptile. Her southern accent is deceptively sweet. “All three of us. Together. At the same time. Your darling Calliope even joined us a few times. Her body is tight but she’s got nothing on you, baby girl.”
In a lightning fast strike, Cash is on his feet. “Don’t call her that.” His chair tumbles over, and his arm snakes across the table. He grips her throat, squeezing until she makes a surprised chirp. The color drains from her face. His nose lowers to hers. “Not. Another. Word. You don’t look at her like that. You don’t talk to her. Only if it’s business. Understand me?”
“Yes,” she croaks.
Warren’s warning echoes in my head. He’s a loose cannon. I blow out a soft breath through pursed lips. Has Cash’s good behavior been a front to lull me into a false sense of security? He seems to battling between his light and dark sides this evening. On the other hand, Athena deserves to be throttled. I only wish it had been by me instead of him.
“Are we going to have this damn meeting or not?” Gage growls.
The heat is making everyone cranky, even good-natured Gage. Cash rights his chair and reclaims his seat. Athena picks at her fingernails, keeping her eyes downcast. I wipe a bead of sweat from my neck. Cash drums his fingertips on the table. The heavy air crackles with tension. “The feds were here with a warrant today, Jagger, and searched the place. They didn’t find anything, but I have a feeling they’ll be back.”
“Why?” I sit up straighter. “What were they looking for?” Fear slices through my chest. I glance from Gage to Cash, hoping someone is going to explain. “Are you okay?” No wonder he’s been a dick. The amount of stress he’s under has to be unbelievable.
Cash’s expression softens. “I’m fine, baby girl.” He drags the backs of his fingers down my cheek. “The warrant was for stolen merch that I no longer possess.”
“They were here to harass you.” Gage’s furrowed brow betrays his calm demeanor. He’s worried, and now I’m worried, too.
“I think Callie was right. The feds are gearing up for a huge bust. It’s an election year, and the Bureau needs a distraction from all of their recent controversies.” Cash’s voice is cool but holds a note of foreboding. “According to Matt, some kind of ‘clean-up the streets’ campaign is in the works. Yesterday, they raided the Fiorelli warehouse in Boston. Took down twenty of their men. Today, in a separate raid, they shot Tommy Fiorelli on the front steps of his house.”
“The Fiorellis always ran a sloppy business. They take stupid chances and never cover their tracks. They’ve been asking for it.” Athena leans forward, gaze sharpening. “Why should we care?”
Cash’s hand tightens around his water bottle until the plastic crackles. “We care because they’re coming for me next.”
Twenty
Jagger
My blood turns to ice. Everything goes numb—my hands, my legs, my brain. I don’t hear the rest of the conversation because I’m too freaked out for coherency. If Callie knows all of this, why isn’t she trying to help us instead of tearing us apart? I wish our conversation hadn’t ended so badly. That’s what I get for letting my temper control my actions.
“So, what’s the plan?” Athena stretches her legs across the deck and drops a pair of red sunglasses on her nose.
“I’m working on an exit strategy.” Cash’s hand finds my thigh. The squeeze of his fingers on my thigh centers my whirling thoughts. “One that will allow me to live off the grid. Gage can run the warehouse. Jag can take over the business side of things. Everything can continue on without my name attached.”
“You’re quitting?” Gage sits up in his chair, his blue eyes blazing.
“Not quitting. Retiring.” Cash’s hand slides higher on my thigh, sending a delicious pulse to my core. “I’m thirty-eight. I’ve been at this shit since I was fifteen. I got more than enough money, and I’d like to think about starting a family someday.” His gaze locks with mine. “Before I’m too old.”
My pulse stutters then accelerates. A family? There’s no mistaking the heat in his dark eyes. It’s the second time he’s mentioned kids. The idea of being pregnant by Cash kickstarts my biological clock and sends it into overdrive. A sexy smirk twitches his lips like he can read my mind. Oh, goodness,
yes. That smirk is everything.
At the end of the meeting, Gage jogs into the house, ready to rally Cash’s men. Athena follows him at a more leisurely pace. The house is in a shambles. Drawers are emptied. The furniture is in disarray. In our bedroom, our clothing and toiletries are strewn across the floor. I start throwing things into the dresser, righting the overturned chairs, hanging our clothes in the closet. Anything to distract my mind from the impending doom. The FBI is closing in on him. On us. What if something happens to him? I can’t lose him when we’re just getting started.
“What’re you doing?” Cash’s voice comes from directly behind me. I gasp and drop the cosmetic bag in my hands. The nylon case lands on the soft carpeting. The contents scatter at my feet. “Let it go. I’ll have someone clean this up tomorrow.”
“I’m freaking out.” I can’t face him, so I keep my chin tucked to my chest and kneel to collect my makeup. My hands shake as I try to retrieve the dropped items.
“Why?” Cash crouches beside me, grabs a tube of mascara from beneath the bed, and hands it to me.
“This is crazy. We aren’t safe. You need to leave with me. We’ll go to my house. A hotel. Anywhere but here.”
“Oh, baby. You’re scared.” He stands with me and watches as I close the zipper of the cosmetic case and toss it onto the dresser. “You don’t have anything to worry about. I’ve got it all under control. I promised to protect you, and I will.” He reaches for me. I don’t respond. His hands fall to his sides.
“How? They’ve already been inside the house.” I snatch my lingerie from the floor and shove it into the nearest open drawer. “I thought I wanted this kind of life, but I’m not so sure anymore. People are dying, Cash. I’m scared. What if you’re next?”
“Nothing’s gonna happen, baby girl.” His tone softens. Lines of worry bracket his eyes and mouth.
“What if you go to prison or die?” The thought of losing him is more terrifying than any federal agent. Until today, this life seemed like a fun fantasy. Now, it’s becoming a nightmare. “I don’t think I could survive.”
“Everything will be fine.” He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. “I knew this day was coming. I have friends in high places. Dodd and Warren have no idea who they’re messing with.”
“They were here today. In your house.”
“And they found nothing.” He wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Before I met you, I would’ve gone to war with them. But I’m not thirsty for blood anymore. I just wanna hang out with my girlfriend on a yacht in the Mediterranean. This is the perfect opportunity for me to disappear and start over.”
“You’ve really thought this through, haven’t you?” I tilt my face up, rest my chin on his sternum, and study his expression. There’s no shield hiding his emotions. His feelings for me are evident in the smile on his lips and the sparkle in his eyes.
“Course I have.” He lifts one of my hands to his mouth and kisses my fingertips. “You just gotta trust me, baby girl.”
“Okay.” My rapid breathing slows to a normal pace. A sense of calm washes through me. “I can do that.”
“Great.” His embrace loosens as he backs away. “Now I just gotta find a girlfriend for that yacht.”
“Cash!” I punch his chest playfully.
He laughs, catching my fist in his. “I need to get ready for my meeting with the guys, but I look forward to finishing this later.” I sink onto the bed and watch as he changes into a clean T-shirt from one of the piles on the floor. He glances at our reflections in the dresser mirror and catches my admiring gaze. “Before I go, what’s up with you and Athena? She’s extra feisty with you. I asked her to stay here for a while—until we get a handle on things. Is that gonna be a problem?”
“She doesn’t like me, and I don’t like her, either.” I don’t foresee a world where I could ever trust that woman. Evil lurks behind her beautiful body and face. “She only cares about herself.”
“You sound like Gage.” A shadow passes over his features.
“Well, maybe Gage knows what he’s talking about.”
“Why do you say that?” Cash crouches in front of me, resting his forearms on his thighs. The movement puts us at eye level to each other. He searches my face. “I can move her into a hotel. But I’m gonna need a reason.”
“She’s a cold, calculating psychopath. Isn’t that reason enough?”
“A person of her particular skill set is an asset for my business.” He sweeps the hair from my face, letting his fingertips caress my cheek, jaw, and chin. My body remembers his touch and responds by heating. “She can be dangerous, but I know how to handle her. It’s better to have her with us than against us.”
“I’ll never feel safe with her around.” He moves his hands to the outside of my thighs. The brush of his palms on my bare skin creates a pleasant tingle inside my panties. I cover his hands with mine. “When you sent Callie and Athena to rob Roman Menshikov’s masquerade party in England, I was there.” His eyebrows arch. So Athena hadn’t told him, after all. I relay the story in abbreviated form. “Athena wasn’t happy to see me. She put a pistol between my eyes and threatened to kill me.”
Cash’s lips curve in a humorless smile. “Sounds like her.”
“If she’s so loyal, why didn’t she tell you I was there?”
“I don’t know, but I sure as hell plan to ask her.”
“You slept with her.” Jealousy eats at my soul. The thought of him touching that pit viper turns my blood into molten lava.
“I’ve slept with lots of women before you.” He rubs the back of his neck. “To be honest, I didn’t give it a whole lot of thought. We were unattached, bored, and horny. She was convenient. That’s it. I don’t have feelings for her.”
I study his face, memorizing his high cheekbones, the angles of his jaw, the sharp blade of his nose. Every time I look at him, my heart skips a beat. With each passing second, I’m more conflicted. No man has ever made me feel as desirable or as valued as Cash, but is it enough? Being with him is like riding a rollercoaster. The highs are higher than the most magnificent mountains, and the lows are treacherous pits filled with sharks and alligators. “You’re making me crazy, Cash Delacorte.”
“I like crazy.” A lopsided grin illuminates his features. My tummy flip-flops. He strokes my arm with the backs of his fingers.
“How would you feel if I employed a former lover? Someone I’ve slept with? Someone like her?” The ache in my chest spreads through my ribs. I stand and head to the door. This day has been overwhelming. And it’s all too much. “I’ve got to get out of here. I need time to think.” I need time to myself to work through the complications of a life with him. If I don’t leave now, I won’t have the strength to continue. “I’m going to go stay with Em for a few days.”
“Wait. Jagger, please.” The gravel in his voice halts my footsteps before I reach the door. “Gage has always been my righthand man, but he was stretched too thin, so I put out a call for a mercenary. Someone to do my dirty work. Give him a little time to catch his breath. Athena answered.” Without turning around, I wait for him to continue. “She has military training. The kind only a select few are given. A woman with her looks and abilities can gain access to places a man would never be able to set foot in. I’ve got a lot of enemies, Jagger. Today has made that perfectly clear.”
I slowly pivot. The anguish on his face catches me by surprise. It’s the first time he’s shown anything but complete confidence. His head falls into his hands. I can’t help myself. I return to his side and wrap my arms around his shoulders. “My soul is rotten, Jagger. I told you once that I’m a bad guy, and I am. But not when it comes to you. I want to be the guy who makes your dreams come true. Not the jerk who breaks your heart.” He takes my hands in his and looks so deep into my eyes I can feel the tug on my soul. “I want you, Jagger. All of you. The good parts. The bad. Can’t you do the same for me? I want you, and I won’t stop trying to make you happy. If you truly wanna leave, I won’
t stop you from going, but you’re gonna break my heart.”
He leans forward to kiss the tip of my nose. The gentle brush of his lips reminds me of this morning and the tender way he made love to me. A war erupts among my head, my heart, and my body. I lean into him, absorbing his body heat, the sharp scent of his cologne, his peppermint breath. I don’t want to leave him, but how can I stay? “This is so much more than I bargained for.”
“You can handle this.” His lips deliver slow kisses to my neck, my collarbone, the ticklish spot behind my ear. “Baby, I love you.”
My pulse accelerates. He loves me? Me? Plain, silly Jagger Jones? I try to make sense of everything he’s said, but it’s difficult when my body is screaming to have him inside me. His kisses dip to my cleavage, the tops of my breasts. I close my eyes, letting my head tip back to give him better access. Each brush of his mouth on my skin erodes my common sense. I push away. “I can’t think straight when you’re doing that.”
Hurt fills his eyes. “You don’t want me.”
“It’s not that simple.” This rare moment of vulnerability stabs my heart. Another layer appears in his complicated persona. And I know. I know with all my heart that I want to spend the rest of my life unpeeling those layers.
He holds his temples like he’s got a terrible headache. “You think we’re too different, but you’re wrong. Chicago proved it. You loved the danger, the excitement, and the illicitness. I can give you all of those things, Jagger.”
“I know.” When I open my eyes, his emotions are on full display. The color of his irises has softened from black to a rich chestnut.
“Don’t make any decisions right now. Stay the night. Stay here. With me. I need you by my side, baby girl. Let’s pretend everything is okay for one more night.”
I’m tired. Tired of fighting my feelings for him. Tired of demanding normalcy from a man who is unique. Part of my attraction to him stems from his mystery and the many facets of his personality. He’s the sexiest, most intriguing man I’ve ever met. No one will ever compare. He’s ruined anyone else for me. “Okay.”
Absolute Trust (Absolute Power Duet Book 2) Page 13