I watch Lana as she quietly walks away, and I’m left alone. I let a few more minutes pass before exiting through the same door that Jasper went through. As I step outside, my eyes scan the crowd, but Jasper is gone. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I quickly dial Rush’s number as I walk to the side of the building.
In typical Rush fashion, he answers after the third ring.
“Get the fuck off my lap,” he growls harshly at someone in the background. “Yo.”
“You busy?”
“Not anymore.” He lets out a harsh laugh. “You just saved my ass from making another bad decision.”
Shaking my head to myself, I let out an exasperated sigh. “I don’t even wanna know.”
Rush snorts into the speaker. “Dude. This bitch straight up told me to knock her up.”
And this is one part of life with Rush that I don’t miss. He acts like he’s surprised by this shit when this isn’t the first time this has happened, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
“A mini version of you is a fucking scary thought.”
“I can barely take care of myself, let alone a clone of me,” he scoffs. “Fuck outta here.”
“With your track record, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s already a bunch of baby Rush’s running around out there.”
“Fuck off,” he growls. “What’d you call me for anyway?”
Rush may be judgmental of everyone and their mother, but he never judges me. I’ve been by his side through all the bad calls he’s made, so he has no room to judge. With a past like his and the baggage he totes around, he’s already got a first-class ticket to Hell and I’m still flying coach.
Running my free hand over my head, I let out a sigh. “I need a ride home,” I admit, somberly.
I hear muffled voices in the background and the sound of Rush’s car door as he slams it shut. “Where are you at?”
“Mirage.”
“That new club on Ocean Drive?” he asks me with conflicted curiosity. “What the fuck are you doing there?”
“I’m trying to fucking leave,” I bark. “Jasper drug me out here.”
“This is so fucked,” he mutters and lets out a deep breath. “You’re chillin’ with the enemy and fucking his girl.”
“I had to come,” I whisper harshly into the speaker. “He fucking knows about us.”
“Jesus Christ.” Rush falls silent for a moment. “I’ll be there in ten.”
Without another word, he ends the call and I tuck my phone away in my pocket. Taking a deep breath of the stale humid air, I lean my back against the wall and close my eyes.
He’s right.
This is completely fucked.
We’re completely fucked.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Jaslyn
THE SUMMER NIGHT breeze dances softly across my bare skin as I dip my toes into the pool. Stepping in, the warm water kisses my tanned legs as I ease my way until my body is fully submerged. Tipping backward, the water cradles my body and I float on my back, just above the surface. My long, jet black hair spreads like ink in the water as it fans out around my head.
Staring above, the bright stars shine brightly in the clear night sky as the moon casts its light down upon me. The moonlight illuminates the water surrounding me as I float in the silence. A calmness settles within me and my eyes close peacefully as my mind begins to drift.
I could finally see everything clearer, as clearly as the water surrounding me. Since my father died, all I did was beat myself up for it and take the endless abuse from Jasper as my punishment. Part of me always wondered how this became my life. My life ended up like this because I let it. I let Jasper destroy me. And it wasn’t until I met Axel, until I fell for him, that I could finally see everything for what it really was.
My life doesn’t have to be this way anymore and with Axel, it never will be.
Smiling to myself, I let the thoughts float from my mind as they mix with the water and seep into my pores, embedding themselves under my skin. It won’t be long until I’m freed from this hell that I’ve been living in and free to live my life the way I want to—the way I deserve to—with Axel.
A large splash takes me by surprise and the waves of water pull me under. Stretching my legs out, my feet fail to find the floor of the pool and an overwhelming panic floods my senses. Somebody is in the pool and they’re going to drown me.
Working my legs against the water, my arms flail as I struggle to come up for air. Large hands slide over my waist and grip my hips, hoisting me out of the water. As my head comes up from the surface, my lungs constrict as I try to suck in a deep breath. Water rattles inside as I’m overcome with a coughing fit, choking to get the oxygen my body craves.
“It’s okay,” Axel murmurs in my ear as he holds me upright, lightly pounding on my back. “I got you.”
Taking in a deep breath, my lungs are finally free of any water and my chest expands as I suck in the humid Florida air. Abruptly spinning in his arms, I find myself chest to chest with Axel, staring into his ocean blue eyes.
“What the hell was that?” I demand in a harsh whisper as I clutch his shoulders.
The waves within the dark blue depths of his eyes crash as his gaze penetrates mine. “I thought you were fucking dead.”
“So, you just decide to barrel into the water, cannonball style?” I stare at him incredulously. “People swim at night, Axel.”
“I’m sorry for being worried after your asshole fiancé came home this morning,” he snaps, holding me tightly against him. “You were floating in here like a lifeless corpse. We both know that’s not a far stretch with Jasper.”
“Where is he?” I ask, glancing around. “He didn’t come back with you?”
Axel’s eyes grow dark as a storm brews within them and he shakes his head lightly. “Rush picked me up.”
Closing my eyes briefly, a sigh falls from my lips. “Is he coming back tonight?” I ask quietly.
“No.” Axel’s chest heaves against mine as he lets out a ragged breath. He’s standing close enough that I can feel the warmth as it skates across my face. Lightly releasing his biceps, I run my hands over his shoulders and drag my fingertips along the back of his neck.
“Jaslyn,” he growls, dropping his face down to mine. His cock swells and presses against my stomach as he slides his hands up the sides of my waist. “We’re going to get burnt if we keep playing with fire like this.”
“Hmm,” I breathe, wrapping my hands around his neck, pulling him until his lips barely graze mine. “I never took you as one to be afraid of fire.”
Nipping at my bottom lip, he gently bites down and runs his tongue over the teeth marks. “We are the fire.”
“So, burn with me.”
He lets out a low growl as he captures my mouth with his. He kisses me feverishly with the hunger of a starving man. I let him in as our tongues slide together, caught in a consuming dance and I feed the hunger.
Together we feed the fire.
His hands are everywhere at once, pushing, pulling, teasing. Within seconds, my bathing suit and his clothes float away from us in the water. Our lips melt together as his hands slide to the backs of my thighs and he cups my ass, lifting me up.
Wrapping my legs around his waist, he sinks into me deeply with one fluid thrust. A moan falls from my lips and he captures it with his, stealing the air from my lungs. Every sound, every touch, he takes them all. What was once a dance becomes an inferno.
The fire burns fiercely and we’re consumed by the flames as we lose ourselves in each other.
It’s late into the evening and I still haven’t left the house. After Axel found me in the pool, he carried me to his room and tucked us away for the night. I made the same mistake, spending the night with him, but this time I didn’t wake up to Jasper coming home.
Not wanting to risk anything or take any chances, I made my way back into our house for a much-needed cold shower. I washed away the scent of Axel, but no amount of water could w
ash away his touch or the way he made me feel.
When Jasper still didn’t return home in the afternoon, I called and canceled the appointment for my dress fitting. I had almost forgotten about it, when Nina came to remind me. She’s had her suspicions, but she didn’t question me when I fed her a lie about how sick I was feeling.
“You’ve been very busy lately.”
Turning around slowly, my eyes find Jasper’s as he stares at me with a dark expression on his face. “What are you talking about?” I ask hesitantly.
Closing the space between us, Jasper strides across the room, stopping as his toes meet mine. “Don’t act like you don’t know, Jaslyn,” he sneers as he glares down at me. “I know that you’re fucking him.”
No.
Instantly, all color drains from my face. “What?” My voice is small, barely a whisper, confirming his accusation.
Rearing back, Jasper roughly slaps me across the face. My ears ring as my cheek grows warm from the stinging handprint left on the side of my face. Blinking rapidly, I force away the tears as they quickly wash over my eyes.
“I brought that piece of shit here to make us money, not to stick his dick in you.”
A panicked feeling floods my body and I quickly shake my head. “Jasper, you’ve got it all wrong.” My eyes are full of fright as they desperately search his. “It’s not what you think.”
“Is that so?” “How do you explain what I saw on the security footage?” “It’s funny how much you can see through a window when dumb fucks forget to close the curtains.”
“This isn’t on him, Jasper. This is all my fault, I seduced him.”
“You think I care about who did what?” Jasper barks out a harsh laugh. “If he’s fucking my fiancée, he’s a threat to my money.”
“He’s not a threat, I promise,” I plead, desperately searching for an answer to this situation. “Let’s go to the courthouse, we’ll get married and then everything that is mine becomes yours.”
Grabbing a lock of my hair, Jasper slides it through his fingers and chuckles lightly. “How was your dress fitting?” His eyes are menacing, and his voice is tender, but it drips with venom. “Since you want to act like you're engaged now, you’re probably going to need a gown.”
The color drains out of my face as I stare at him blankly. I was an idiot for thinking that I could miss that appointment without him noticing. Feeling the lump growing in my throat, I swallow hard and shift my weight nervously. “I—uh—I wasn’t feeling well and figured it was best if I rescheduled it.”
Pursing his lips, Jasper nods. “Oh, okay.” Falling still, he narrows his eyes at me. “So, is that the story that we’re going with?”
My head jerks to the side as he slaps me across the face with the back of his hand. The blow catches me off guard and I lose my balance. Stumbling sideways, I almost fall when Jasper’s hand darts out as he grabs my arm, holding me upright.
“Do you really think that I’m that stupid, that I wouldn’t find out that you canceled your appointment?” Jasper chuckles as he gets in my face. “If you were smart, you would have canceled your dick appointment instead.”
My mouth falls open as my brain struggles to catch up, to find something to say back to him. Digging his fingertips into my skin, Jasper pulls me away from him with one hand and hits me again with his other. It doesn’t take long for his opened hand to ball into a fist. It doesn’t take long for me to lose count of how many blows I take to the head.
My legs give out and Jasper follows me to the ground as he continues his assault, raining his fists down on my face. Slowly, I lose all feeling as my vision grows narrow and my sight grows blurrier. The only sound I can hear is the blood rushing through my head and I begin to lose consciousness.
One final blow to the temple silences any sound and I’m left with nothing as I fall deep into the dark abyss.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Axel
I’VE BEEN ON EDGE and uptight since Jasper came home earlier today. After spending the night with Jaslyn, I know what she means to me and I know what I must do.
It’s time.
Fidgeting on the couch, I’m restless as I sit and stare at the blank TV screen. A ringing sound breaks through the silence and interrupts my thoughts. Glancing at my phone, the screen lights up with Jasper’s name. Sighing with irritation, I accept the call and reluctantly raise it up to my ear.
“Hello?”
“Axel,” Jasper barks loudly. “We need to have a talk.”
Fuck.
Swallowing hard, I quickly sit up straight. “About what?” My words are hesitant, and I struggle to keep my voice flat with the thickness building in my throat.
“You have five minutes to get up here,” Jasper clips.
This can’t be happening.
“Or what?”
He loudly barks out a harsh laugh. “Keep wasting fucking time and you’ll find out.”
Jasper abruptly ends the call and his words hang heavily in the stale air. My lungs constrict and I can’t breathe. Grabbing my t-shirt from the floor, I quickly throw it on and slip my feet into my sneakers. In a rush, I run through the room and out the door. My feet don’t stop, and my steps never falter as I take off across the yard and up to their house.
Jasper is a threat to everyone, but he’s lethal to Jaslyn. If he knows about us, he’ll make sure that Jaslyn pays and it won’t be in US dollars. The currency he’s fucking with isn’t the color green… it’s blood red.
And that’s how Jaslyn will pay.
He’ll make her pay in blood.
♦♦♦
The front door is slightly ajar, and I lightly kick it open. As I step inside into the dark, silence falls upon me as I slowly ease farther into the house. Light shines across the hallway from the large living room. My steps are cautious and calculated as I inch closer to the doorway with my guard up.
My senses are heightened, and I strain my ears, listening for any signs of life. Clenching my fists, I wish I had a gun, but my hands will have to suffice. I know how to use them well enough to deliver a life-ending blow. Hopefully I’m not bringing my fists to a gunfight.
Slipping into the living room, my eyes scan my surroundings as I take in the scene I’m walking into. The room is trashed with broken glasses, tipped over furniture and lamp fixtures. As my gaze travels to the side of the room, I see her flat on her back in a pool of her own blood. My breath catches in my throat and I rush blindly inside, dropping to the floor beside her.
Her body is a mangled, bloody mess. Her face is badly beaten and almost unrecognizable. She doesn’t move as I gingerly touch her face and whisper her name. A ragged breath falls from her lips as her chest heaves uneasily. Her breathing is erratic, uneven and shallow. Feeling along her neck, my fingertips find her pulse and it’s as unstable as her breathing.
She’s alive.
Barely… but she’s still alive.
“There he is.” Jasper chuckles from behind me. Jumping to my feet, I spin around and find him making himself a drink.
“What the fuck did you do?” I growl through clenched teeth as my knuckles turn stark white.
“What did I do?” He barks out a harsh laugh and takes a slow sip of his drink. “I taught that whore a fucking lesson.” Reaching around his back, Jasper pulls a pistol from his waistband and lazily points it at me. “And now, it’s time for you to learn your lesson too.”
“Go ahead,” I challenge him, ignoring the gun in his hand as I stride across the room to him. “If you’re gonna shoot me, then fucking do it.”
Jasper’s eyes grow dark with a sinister glimmer and he grins. “Shooting you isn’t going to teach you anything.” His hand drops slightly, and he aims the gun past me to Jaslyn on the floor. “But, shooting her will.”
He’s a loose cannon and an irrational sociopath who’s beyond any reasoning. Jasper’s unhinged anger isn’t justifiable; it isn’t controlled like mine. It’s simply a byproduct of the ticking time bomb inside his min
d.
“I fucked her,” I declare, staring him down as I lie through my teeth. “She didn’t want it, but I saw something I wanted and I took it anyway.”
I watch as his lips fall into a flat line and he glares back at me with his eyes dark and wild. For a moment it seems like he believes my lies but looks can be deceiving.
Throwing his head back, Jasper laughs loudly. “Just look at her,” he sneers. “She’s a fucking whore.”
Tearing his eyes away from me, Jasper glances at Jaslyn, giving me the perfect opportunity. Without wasting another second, I lunge at him and tackle him onto the ground. Falling onto his back, Jasper grunts as I land on top of him on the hard marble floor. Grabbing his hand, I struggle against him to pry his fingers from the gun. His index finger twitches, pulling the trigger and he fires a bullet just past me.
Neither of us looks to see where the bullet landed, and he fights against me as I work to free the gun from his hand. Jasper catches me off guard as he takes his free hand and drives his fist into the side of my face. The blow throws me off balance as my vision blurs for a fraction of a second.
I taste the blood on my tongue and all I see is red. He gave me exactly what I needed without knowing. The fight instinct inside me kicks into overdrive and adrenaline floods my body. Jasper’s arm jerks in front of me as he holds the gun with both hands and points it at my chest.
Wrapping my hands around his, my knuckles turn a stark white color as I squeeze his as tightly as I can.
“Your time is up, you grimy piece of shit,” he spits. “This is a fight you won’t win.”
My teeth grind together as I tighten my grip on his hands, watching the color drain from his face as he winces. Jasper may be lethal, but he doesn’t know that he’s finally met his match.
“You’re wrong,” I growl, slowly wrenching his hands, bending his arms as the pistol points up to the ceiling. Jasper’s arms flex and he fights against me as I continue to push down until the end of the gun brushes underneath his chin. Wrapping my fingers around his, I quickly squeeze the trigger, firing a bullet directly into his head. Blood sprays across my face as the back of his head opens, splattering brain matter across the floor and onto the wall.
Mirage: Veiled Love Duet: Book One Page 12