“Remind me to tell Jace that you are never allowed to have a secretary.”
When he finally caught his breath again, he pulled me up onto his lap, and I relaxed against his large chest. He let out a huge breath and held my face close to his body. Strong fingers ran over my face and down through my hair.
“He doesn't get to touch you,” he whispered.
I groaned. “You weren’t supposed to be thinking about him. You were supposed to be thinking about my mouth and maybe me pretending to be your secretary next week.”
“I was. Then I started thinking about some other guy getting that and I saw red for a moment.” I sighed at his words and he rushed to say, “I’ve got it under control.”
“I never doubted that you didn’t.” I rubbed my hand across his chest, enjoying the hard planes, followed by the tough ridges on his abdomen.
Lane was physically the strongest person I had ever met, and yet his self-control was even more tenacious. He didn't rile easily and he didn't allow others to egg him on. I had witnessed guys in the gym try and coax out the beast inside of him, but he never let it escape until he was in one particular controlled environment—the boxing ring.
I’d only witnessed him in the ring the few times I decided to join his workouts. I marveled at the power each of his fists possessed and the lithe movements he made as his feet carried him around. I had never known someone with that much muscle who could hold back the way he could. Outside of the ring, he was calm, easygoing, and gentle. But on the inside of the ring, he fully let himself go, using all of his energy and hard-earned strength. He was absolutely beautiful.
Regrettably, I still needed to take a shower and get somewhat ready for tonight. I turned in his lap and glanced at the papers he had been reading before I interrupted his work. Usually, his papers were filled with numbers and spreadsheets. It was all so confusing, and I generally tried to stay away from it.
But today the papers appeared different. The first thing that stuck out was an official-looking seven-pointed star. At a closer glance, I saw the words Policia Federal and then Miguel Flores. That stupid name. Would I ever be able to escape it? I’d hoped to never see nor hear that name ever again. I thought that was behind us.
“What is this?” My voice was only a whisper.
“Charlie faxed it over.”
“You’re still keeping tabs on him?”
“I told you that I intended for him to pay for his crimes. I know how corrupt it is down there. My friend, Mateo, used to work for the police in Mexico before he quit because of the double-dealing fraudulence.”
“So… what do these say?” I tapped the stack in front of me.
“Well, his happy ass is still sitting in prison. It could take a year until he’s sentenced, but so far Charlie said it sounds like they have a pretty damn tight case against him.”
“Any chance he could pay his way out?” I asked nervously.
“I’m sure there’s always a chance. But for now there seems to be media attention that’s persuading the judges to keep him there.” His words caused me to breathe a little easier. “Don’t worry.”
“I’m done hearing about him, Lane. I’m going to trust that you will keep us safe, so I don't want to hear his name ever again. Even if he gets life in prison or the damn death penalty, please don’t tell me.” Maybe it was weak of me. Maybe I was running from my problems, but that man stole four years from me. I was done giving him any more of my thoughts.
“Deal.” His quick response was finalized with another heated kiss.
Sadly, I slid from his lap and walked toward the bedroom to get ready, knowing I had to face another unfortunate part of my life I wish I could bury forever. My nerves were skyrocketing at the thought of seeing Adam. I had a bad feeling about why he was here. If he wanted more time with Braden, or even—God forbid—shared custody, I just didn't know what I would do. I didn’t want to give up any of my time with Braden, and Adam didn't deserve his time. But could I keep Braden from his real father?
LANE -
I stood on the front porch with Raegan and waited for the asshole to arrive. Unfortunately, he pulled up at exactly seven p.m. He probably understood that I would have taken her out to dinner myself if he had been at all late, and there would be no second chances. Damn him.
She started to pull away when he came to a stop in my driveway, and I noticed that he made no move to get out of the car… probably another good move on his part. I tugged her back into my arms and tilted her chin to look up at me.
“You got my phone?” She nodded her head and I continued, “Call Jace if you need me. I’ll answer.”
“You two aren’t going to secretly follow us, are you?” she asked, smiling.
“Should we?” My stomach was flip-flopping and I didn't like the idea of her being alone with him—not even for a second. But there was absolutely nothing I could do to stop it.
“No!” she laughed. “Lane, this will be over fast. I’ll call you if I need anything.”
“I don’t like this.” I had to be truthful, even if it made her uncomfortable.
“I don’t either. I’d rather hang out with you guys any night.” Her voice was filled with melancholy, and I pulled her tighter into my arms and kissed the top of her head.
“This is only to talk about Braden, right? You’d tell me if it were something else?”
“Of course! I love you, Lane. Please know that.”
“I do. Now, show your douchebag ex how much you love me.” I smirked down at her, challenging her to do as I asked.
She complied with ease as her hands wound behind my neck and her fingers threaded through my short hair. She rose up onto her tiptoes and lifted her face closer to mine. I wanted her to take me. And yeah, I wanted Adam to see her doing it. Her lips crashed against mine and without words, she told me everything she loved about me and everything she would let me do to her later tonight.
I pulled back before she made me so hard I would have to hold her hostage for the rest of the night. Her cheeks were flushed and I grinned from ear to ear.
“Damn, I love you. Now, hurry along.” I swatted her ass and she giggled. “Come back to me as quick as you can.”
She skipped down the walkway, and I noticed Adam had the windows down on his car. I leaned over to view him eye-to-eye through the opening. “Drive safe,” is what I said. What I knew he understood I was saying was, “If you do anything to her, I’ll hunt you down and tear you apart, limb from limb.” And he knew I was damn well capable of it, too.
~~~~~~~
“Why are we at Uncle Jace’s house?” Braden asked from the backseat.
I pushed the car into park and unbuckled my seat belt. We had hopped in the car almost the second Raegan and her ex-boyfriend turned off my street. She had asked if Jace and I were going to follow them tonight, and I couldn’t say that the thought hadn’t crossed my mind a time or two today. But I was really only here for one reason.
“I need to hit the punching bag in Uncle Jace and Jaxon’s barn.”
“Oh! I want to come too!” Braden exclaimed. I reached back behind me and helped them unclip their straps.
“Can I go see Auntie Audrey and the baby?” Kate asked. I knew that she would ask that. I loved how easily Braden and Kate had become part of my extended family. Everyone had been so great with them and accepted them as if they really were their niece and nephew. I nodded my head at both of them. “Yay! I hope Auntie Em is over there. She’s so funny!”
At the sound of her name, Braden turned to look at Kate. “I like Aunt Em too. She’s pretty.” I couldn’t believe it, but he actually blushed!