Untouchable: Kohl Family: Johannah & Jaxon

by C R Riley

  Untouchable

  Kohl Family: Johannah & Jaxon

  C. R. Riley

  Copyright © 2019 C. R. Riley

  All rights reserved.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of C. R. Riley.

  Cover design: C. R. Riley

  Edited by: R. Schulz & A. S. Nelson

  Printed in the United States of America

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Epilogue

  Suddenly Enthroned

  Also by C. R. Riley

  Synopsis

  Johannah Kohl has the kind of job that keeps her from having an active social life. It’s been years since she's been involved with a man. However, an annual girls' trip quickly changes her relationship status, and she finds herself involved with a man unlike any she has ever met.

  Jaxon Cristiano keeps his distance from most people. He has an issue that ails him and is difficult for most to understand. He maintains a very secluded life that centers around two close friends. The three of them run a business together, one that keeps him very busy, which is exactly how he likes it because it makes him feel safe. Until he meets a woman in a bar while on a work trip who turns his world upside down. From that point on, everything shifts, and Jaxon finds himself in the unknown.

  Together, they will discover a new life neither expected. Jaxon will have to learn to adjust and realize a life with others isn't as scary as it once was. Johannah will have to learn how to balance her demanding job and personal life. It won't be easy, unseen forces are determined to keep them apart, putting both their lives in danger. Will those forces win or only end up driving them closer to each other?

  *Contains sexual contents not suitable for those under 18.

  This page is dedicated to those are willing to die for the ones they have sworn to protect. It takes a special person to do that for someone, especially someone not related to them just because it is his or her job.

  Thank you for your service.

  God Bless You

  Chapter One

  Jaxon Cristiano has gathered in a boardroom like this one several times over the years. It's nothing new to find himself facing off with an angry CEO. One who has recently learned a part of his company is now under new ownership. In fact, it occurs quite often, at least four or five times a year to be exact.

  Whenever Jaxon exposes a weakness in a company he has his eye on, he strikes. And when he strikes, he does it in such a way to ensure he acquires what he desires. It's how he has grown his company to the size it is in only ten years. It's how his father taught him, a well-known lethal businessman himself.

  Since the day Jaxon turned sixteen, his father insisted he work for him. It was his father's approach to make certain his son understood the dynamics of the business. Schooled him in how to conduct business in the manner he believed it should be done.

  His father forced Jaxon to be his gopher during all available weekends and summers. He got yelled at when circumstances didn't go how his father thought they should. He was taught that nothing was personal in business. Business was business. If it made Lucas Jackson money, then it didn't matter who paid the price. The man didn't think twice about yanking the rug out from underneath anyone before they saw it coming.

  It was a lesson Jaxon was taught the summer he turned seventeen. The summer he watched his father rip his best friend's father's company to shreds. Heard the lies Lucas told Mr. Boyd, the promises he made to help bail him out. Except once he got his hands on the other man's company, it was all over. Piece by piece, Lucas sold off the struggling corporation and made millions, all while the other man lost everything. His only explanation for his actions was that Boyd should have predicted it. Instead, the other man was too trusting when it came to business. After all it was exactly what Lucas was known for.

  Jaxon hated his father for what he had done. He hated him more than before, and wasn't sure how that was possible. On that day he vowed to never be like the man that was biologically a part of him. Swore he would never work for Lucas Jackson once he graduated from college.

  He made a promise to his best friend, Austin Boyd, later that same year. The same day they watched Mr. Boyd's casket get lowered into the ground. The stress of the entire ordeal had not only destroyed Austin's father's business, but also the man. Before it was too late and while there was still a valid life insurance policy available, his best friend's father took matters into his own hands. He saw no other way to support his family. So, on that day, Jaxon promised his friend that one day he would get it all back for him. One day they would watch Lucas Jackson as he came to appreciate that sometimes it was personal and not just business.

  Today Austin is seated to his right. He is going over the legal documents of the transaction. Disclosing the final details they have been debating over this week. The man has an aura of pride encompassing him, and Jaxon can't blame Austin for displaying it like he is. It's only taken them fourteen years to get to where they are now. It feels good knowing they will correct the past by doing what should have been done all those years ago.

  "You can't be serious about this, Jaxon?" That question comes from the man seated opposite him down the long conference table.

  "I am very serious, Mr. Jackson. As you can conclude from the report on your quarterly financials, I don't believe you can afford to..."

  A hard-solid fist slams into the table, making the entire surface vibrate. Jaxon remains unaffected even though the rest of the room seems shaken by this man's explosive behavior. He holds his father's gaze and doesn't even blink.

  Another lesson he learned years ago was to hold your ground and wait for the other man to retreat. The first man to blink loses. As a young boy, you never wanted to lose against Lucas Jackson.

  Still holding his gaze Jaxon continues, "As I was saying, very serious. Your company can no longer afford to support these three properties. I believe the price we are offering is more than adequate. I heard you could lose so much more if this transaction doesn't happen. Meaning, I bet you'll sign on the dotted line without blinking an eye. After all, it's just business,
right?"

  Lucas Jackson curses under his breath. "So it is. Business should never be personal."

  "So, I've been told. Making it personal only gets in the way, correct? I even bet you grasp that sometimes when it is personal it can also be very rewarding." Having said all he has to say, and knowing his father will never break eye contact, Jaxon turns towards Austin.

  He notices the other man is also staring Lucas down, the sight of that makes him chuckle. Austin is a very laid-back man, although right now you would never know that.

  "I guess we will have to wait and see about that son." The way Lucas refers to him as son has Jaxon whirling his head back at him again. "This is a war you don't want. One you won't win. One you are not prepared to embark upon."

  Emotions are hard for Jaxon to understand when it comes to his father. While he should experience something more than what he feels for the man, he can't help how unattached he is from him. Once again, another lesson he was taught early in life. Probably the first lesson he ever learned from his father, in fact. It is one of many lessons the man taught him repeatedly.

  "I think it might surprise you how prepared I actually am." Jaxon directs his attention back to his team. "You are all dismissed. I'd like to speak with Mr. Jackson alone now."

  Lucas dismisses his team as well. While the room clears, he leans back in his chair and waits. The entire time his eyes stay fixated on Jaxon.

  "I don't have much to say, however, I don't believe everyone else needed to hear this." Jaxon's voice is steady and monotone. "I will slowly destroy everything you have built. Everyone you have betrayed while you have constructed your empire, I will do my best to undo the damage. I will make good on those promises you broke. Austin's father was the first of many I watched you destroy with no remorse. You lied and cheated his father out of everything, and then you destroyed the man himself. You never even blinked or felt guilty about it."

  Lucas cuts in, "You have no idea what you are talking about. Boyd knew what he was inviting when he came to me for help. Just because the man tried to point fingers once things didn't go his way, don't let that deceive you."

  "I know because I was there, remember? I watched as you laughed at the man behind his back. I was there when you sat down with him, assured him you would help him. The moment he walked out of your office, I witnessed you mocking him and his confidence in your word. Your word, father, should be solid. It should mean something when you give it. But you only see dollar signs. You don't care how your actions affect those around you. Now you will experience what everyone you have ever given your word to has felt. Without a doubt, you will slowly empathize with them. I believe you said it best to me once." Jaxon leans forward to make sure his father is aware he no longer intimidates him.

  "Obviously, you never paid attention to anything I taught you, otherwise you wouldn't be doing this. But since you are so sure of yourself, why don't you remind me what it is I said." Lucas also inclines forward.

  "Your sins will one day catch up to you. Your lies will be revealed. Unworthy men, such as yourself, will never make it in a world I control." Jaxon repeats several statements his father used against him as a young boy. He ends with the one he heard the most; right after it was spoken, his father would punish him for the crimes he’d accused him of. "One day you will understand why I have done all this to you. You will appreciate it, and then you will be a better man for it."

  "You should understand your place, Son," Lucas growls through clenched teeth.

  "I believe I do. It's right here. Right here in front of you. The man you perceive before you, is also the man you taught me to be." Jaxon presses a button and the door to the conference room opens. "Mr. Jackson is ready to leave now."

  Two men step inside. They are part of his security team and here to escort Lucas from the building. Jaxon knows his father well. He was prepared to avoid any problems that might occur after a very unpleasant meeting.

  One of his men addresses Lucas. "Sir. I believe Mr. Cristiano is ready for you to join the rest of your team."

  Lucas forcefully yanks his suit jacket off the back of his chair before he shrugs into it. As he buttons it up, he addresses Jaxon one last time. "I suggest you watch your back. And get a haircut, you look like an unkempt bum."

  "Is that a threat?" Jaxon relaxes back in his chair. "I suggest that you get your affairs in order as well. Decide what's most important to you and focus on that. Otherwise, you may wake up one day soon and realize it has all slipped through your greedy little fingers. Goodbye, Lucas," and just like that his father is gone.

  Jaxon waits for the door to seal before he allows himself to relax. Nothing prepares you for a confrontation like that. And while he feels nothing for the man, he also realizes he poked the bear. Something he would have never done when he was younger. Both actions are something he never would have done back then. Relaxing meant letting your guard down. Letting your guard down only allowed the monster that was his father to see more than you ever wanted him to.

  No one really saw Jaxon. No one got close enough to him to glimpse the man behind the mask. A mask he has been constructing since he was six years old. It was thick enough now to conceal his emotions from everyone. And only when Jaxon was alone, did he dare take it off.

  There is a knock on the door, giving Jaxon enough time to slip into it again. Austin steps inside with an enormous smile on his face. A smile Jaxon hasn't seen on his friend's face in a very long time.

  "So how did he take it?" Austin asks as he plops down in the chair Lucas occupied a few moments ago.

  "Like a man in his position always takes something unexpected. He told me to watch my back. I've been watching my back around him since the day I came to live with him when my mother was so sick." Jaxon stands and motions for Austin to join him.

  "So, are you ready for our trip?" Austin rises and follows Jaxon down the hall. "I for one am ready to celebrate. Ready to enjoy our previous purchase and determine what all the fuss is about. Maybe even get a few ideas about what to do with the ones we just obtained."

  "I am ready for that too," Jaxon lies.

  "No. You're ready to work, as always. I'll be lucky if I can get you to relax for a day, let alone for an entire week."

  Austin starts to slap his friend's back, but before he does, he lets Jaxon know his intention. He steps in front of him, wearing a grin as he presents his hand, lifting it higher. "It's why I invited Geoff to join us."

  Instead of slapping him, Austin faintly grips his shoulder. This is an acceptable gesture that doesn't seem to bother his untouchable friend so much. Having known Jaxon since he was fourteen, he is familiar with how certain actions affect this man.

  Jaxon's skin heats in the spot where Austin deposits his hand, even for that brief few seconds. It's a gesture he has learned to tolerate without reacting when he perceives it coming. He will suffer from that touch, unfortunately, for the next several hours.

  If Jaxon could avoid touch altogether, he would, but to not allow anyone to ever touch you is unrealistic. Avoiding the simplest of contact with a perfect stranger is challenging enough. But avoiding contact from those who are closest to you is impossible. So, he stomachs the briefest of contact. The ones he has expressed acceptable without going into detail. No one ever wants to know the reason you avoid physical human contact. Therefore, he has learned to just express he has an issue with personal space and leaves it at that.

  "You invited Geoff? I'll never get any work done like I planned now." Jaxon grumbles.

  "Which is why I invited him. Man, you gotta loosen up a little or you're going to die a lonely man." Austin has been trying desperately to get his friend to find a woman, more so lately.

  Jaxon cringes and tosses his friend a horrified expression. A lonely man is precisely how he likes things. He has no room or purpose in his life for a woman. After all, women don't appreciate his personal space issues when around him. They always want to invade his, and he can't handle that. He comes off as the guy with
issues they at first want to fix. Then it quickly turns ugly. They no longer want to fix him, but start looking at him as if he is a freak, which he guesses isn't far from the truth.

  "Don't," he warns Austin.

  "Jaxon, one of these days." Austin pauses outside of his office door. "I have faith, man. Faith God has someone out there for you just like he does me. Surely we have paid our dues by now."

  Jaxon lost his faith in there being such a woman for him long before he understood women. No woman would put up with half the crap he has to deal with daily. Plus, the women he has met are more interested in how he can improve their social status. Most are not interested in the man he truly is. And since no one ever gets to meet the man he really is, he avoids as much contact with the opposite sex as possible. He only socializes with them in a group setting where it is safer for him all the way around.

  "Please, just don't." It exasperates Jaxon to be having this discussion again.

  Austin chuckles, "Lost cause, I know."

  Chapter Two

  The noise of a crowded bar is not a favorite of Johannah Kohl's. She has never been a fan of mingling like this. Even if her two best friends drag her inside one a couple of times a year. Johannah will be with them for the next week, celebrating their thirtieth birthdays. She has a hunch they will spend most evenings inside this one.