by C R Riley
Johannah rolls her eyes. "Nate also works for the USSS. Although I do believe that I outrank you, Nate, so if anyone is going to fire someone..."
"Stop it." Their mother orders them, looking a little embarrassed. "Poor Jaxon doesn't understand all this sibling rivalry babble. Can we act like we are civilized before we scare the man off? Remember, Johannah will get her chance when you all begin to fall soon enough."
"Oh, no. That's not happening." Patrick is the first to protest.
"Women are too much trouble." Dillon fist bumps his twin.
"Totally agree with my fellow brothers, Mom. Sorry to say, but I believe Jo is your only hope. Jaxon, sorry to put the pressure on you man, but someone's gotta take one for the team. Since you seem to be willing, by proclaiming you're her boyfriend before she agreed to it, I vote for you. Don't you agree Caleb?"
Caleb keeps his mouth shut as his gaze travels toward the ceiling.
Dillon elbows his twin. "Don't tell me he is the first of us to fall. I had faith in our leader to hold strong."
"Who's the lucky lady?" Patrick eyes his brother.
"That would be me." A female voice answers from the door.
Jaxon notices a petite woman standing there holding a small child in her arms. By the reaction of the room, they don't know her. Or maybe they do, since Hannah smiles at her after the initial shock.
"Faith Parker. Oh, my word." Johannah heads for the woman, then hugs her and the small child. "And who is this little cutie?"
Caleb looks guilty but jumps in. "It's Faith Kohl. And that little cutie is our daughter, Abby." He stands and strolls over to his wife, where he relieves his daughter from her mother's arms.
And that little news, Jaxon is certain no one knew, except perhaps his mother. Because she is the only one who doesn't seem totally shocked right now. Well, he guesses Caleb is the one to take one for the team, which he gladly passes the baton off to. Takes some of the pressure off him for now at least. Nothing quite like a little family drama to give him the chance to breathe.
Caleb wraps an arm around his wife and then explains. "Not exactly how I planned on sharing this, but I guess there's no time like the present. We've been married for a few years now. When I realized Faith was pregnant with Abby, I stepped up and did the right thing. I wanted to make sure she got medical and all. I know, not the most romantic reason to get married, but as you all are aware, we have had our share of issues.
"Long story short, Abby has been the glue that forced us to work on our problems. Six months ago, my girls finally moved in with me, and we have been living as a family ever since. We love each other. We just did things backward and took the more complicated route.
"Don't hold any of this against Faith. She wanted to tell everyone years ago, but I didn't want to put the pressure on us. If it didn't work out, then I didn't want you all blaming her. Since we live in Baltimore, it was easier to keep it a secret. I'm not saying what I did was right, but what's done is done. Plus, Abby is going to be a big sister later this year. We planned to do all this once Jo got back from vacation. But Dad decided he needed to have a heart attack and move things along, so."
"Welcome to the family." Johannah hugs the woman again. "And congratulations. Then let me just go on to say, I'm sorry my brother's an idiot. I wish I had known, so I could have kicked his sorry butt for you."
"He's not an idiot at all. He was right to encourage us to wait. I still think we should have told you all, at least when we realized it was the real deal, but I got vetoed. I think he liked keeping us a secret. His way of protecting what's his and all."
Faith takes one look at Jaxon and nearly swoons. "Oh, my word. You're Jaxon Cristiano. I work at your real estate office in Baltimore. I stare at that face every day."
"He's Jo's boyfriend," Caleb informs his wife. "Or he wants to be her boyfriend possibly, but Jo is holding out for some reason. I bet he is glad you showed up and took the pressure off of him. Maybe we can use that to our advantage and get you a raise."
"Done," Jaxon replies without hesitating.
The room burst into laughter. It surprisingly makes Jaxon feel so much more relaxed than when he first showed up.
Chapter Ten
It's been an intense day for Johannah and her family. Shortly after Caleb's family arrived and got settled, the doctor came in. He then shared what was going on with her father.
Timothy Kohl was recovering nicely after suffering from a mild heart attack and car accident. They not only removed some blockage but also had to repair a fractured leg. He will have to stay in the hospital for a few days, but expected to recover completely. While it will take him several months to get back on his feet, the doctor doesn't expect it to keep him down long. Her father is healthier than most men his age, and the doctor admitted he was surprised to learn Timothy was seventy.
Now that they all know everything is fine, Rochelle insists her children go home and return in the morning. Since the doctor plans on keeping her husband sedated for the night, she sees no point in them all sticking around. Once he is settled, she will join him and let them know if things take a turn for the worst. Since they all know better than to argue with their mother, they say their goodbyes.
Jaxon and Johannah are the last two left in the room. Johannah can be just as stubborn as her mother when she wants. She won't leave until she sees her father with her own eyes, then helps get her mother settled in his room.
"I hope we haven't frightened you, Jaxon." Rochelle addresses him when her daughter steps out to use the restroom.
"Not at all. I'm not going to lie; it was a little overwhelming at first, but…" He stops there because he isn't sure how to explain it.
Rochelle lets out a small laugh. "Overwhelming is my life, son. Those boys have kept me on my toes since the day Caleb was born. Then you add my baby girl in the mix, and it's like watching a live drama play out right before your eyes. Do you have any siblings?"
"I have one half-brother. I don't really know him though. He's only ten. My father never married my mother or his so… well, it's just complicated, I guess. He lives with his mother in the Chicago area. I make sure they have what they need, but I have never actually met him."
Jaxon knows how bad that sounds, however he has always been leery of making a connection. With the issues he has, he never thought it wise to expose himself to the boy. How do you explain to a child they can't touch you?
"You make sure they have what they need?" Rochelle questions. "Your father doesn't take care of them?"
"I have no idea what my father does. We are not close and don't really speak." He sees the questions and sadness on her face.
"That's too bad. Well, at least you make sure they have what they need, I guess then. You're a good man, I can see that." Rochelle states watching him much the same way her daughter tends to.
"I try to be."
Johannah walks back into the room, at the same time a nurse comes to let them know her father has been moved. Jaxon stays where he is while she leaves with her mother. He doesn't want to overstep his boundaries more than he already has. While he is waiting, he makes a few phone calls to the west coast. Since the time difference is significant, it is not unusual for him to still be conducting business at this hour.
He's not sure how long she has been watching him. He was so enthralled in his call that he never even noticed she had returned. That is until he turns to find her sitting in a chair by the door, studying him carefully. Apparently, she has been there long enough to realize what he was up to.
"I need to go, Seth. Get the office space set up for me, and I'll think about my living arrangement. For now, I'll stay at the executive suite in Cristiano Towers. If it's not available…" He pauses while Seth talks. "Perfect, then for now that will work."
After a few more words from his assistant, Jaxon hangs up and waits. He can tell Hannah has an opinion about what she heard.
"Ready?" She asks even though she doesn't move.
"If you are. Martin
and I will drop you off wherever you need to go." Jaxon remains standing where he is, still waiting for her.
"I'm going home for the evening, which is in Georgetown. If that is out of your way…"
"Hannah, I'm taking you. You can't get rid of me that easily." Jaxon warns her.
Johannah stands and starts walking toward the elevator. "Didn't think so."
Jaxon can sense she has pulled back from him some. He isn't sure if it is from seeing her father, or the fact that they are alone. Maybe right now, she is trying to figure them out in her head. He doesn't plan on letting her push him away. When he catches up to her, he takes her hand and is pleased to find her sliding her fingers between his. Maybe she is just tired and needs to get out of here.
Once they get in the car, Johannah instructs Martin to head to Georgetown. Giving him her address off Olive Street. It will take about a half-hour to get there this time of night, so she relaxes back in her seat and stares out the window.
Her mind is going a thousand different directions right now. Seeing her father down like that was not easy for her. It reminds her he is not invincible like she used to believe he was when she was a little girl. That he is getting older and fragile, maybe not as fragile as other men his age, but still. She has always been close to her father, followed in his footsteps because she always wanted to be just like him. Wanted him proud of her, which he was and never forgot to tell her. She was his little girl and always would be, but seeing him like that has gotten to her.
Then there is Caleb and his announcement. How did she not know that her brother and Faith, not only were married but also had a baby? She was an aunt, and her niece was already two. Keeping that news from her hurt, because she would have liked to have been there for both of them. She always liked Faith. Even knew they had issues. Mostly because Caleb was unwilling to commit. Strung Faith along for several years. Apparently took advantage of her as well, since she ended up pregnant. At least he stepped up, even if his reason sounded stupid—so she had medical. That so sounded like Caleb when it came to him and Faith. He always worried more about if she was taken care of financially and neglected the rest. She thought they had broken up because of that nearly three years ago. That is a story she'd like to hear completely one day. One she plans on making sure she hears, eventually.
Was she so out of reach that Caleb felt like he couldn't even come to her when he needed her most? She hates to think that her job interfered with her family’s lives that much.
What else had she missed? Did her other brothers have secrets they were hiding as well?
Nate had one she knew he was unaware she knew about. But since she sees him regularly because of work, he can't hide as easily. One of these days, very soon, she is going to call him out on it as well.
And then of course there was the man sitting next to her. What was she going to do with him? What did she want to do with him? Was it even fair of her to allow him to rearrange his life, just so they could be together? What if he did that, and it all went to pot after only a few weeks?
"I can feel you thinking, Hannah." Jaxon's voice breaks through her thoughts. A voice she hopes she never tires of hearing. "We need to talk."
"Yes, we do." Johannah sits up straight and glimpses at Martin, who is sitting there bobbing his head to the music. "But not here."
"Are you hungry? When did you eat last? Maybe we could go to the hotel and eat in my suite while we talk. Martin can always drive you home later." Jaxon suggests.
"I need a shower first. But the food part sounds nice." Johannah pulls out her phone.
"I brought a few of your belongings with me. You are more than welcome to shower in my suite while I order room service." Jaxon lays his hand over hers. "You're even welcome to stay with me tonight if you don't feel like making the trip home. It has two bedrooms." When he notices her nod her approval, he doesn't waste a second. He instructs Martin to head for Cristiano Towers instead of Hannah's place. "Thank you for trusting me, Hannah."
They head toward Capitol Hill and Pennsylvania Avenue. It is where the newly named Cristiano Towers now exist. It is a beautiful building, with one of the best views of the White House, Mall, and the Capitol. Johannah quickly discovers that the moment she steps into Jaxon's suite. It is when she gets the full view from the large window located off the sitting area. Her city has never looked more magnificent.
Jaxon gives her a few minutes to take in the view before he interrupts. "I put the suitcase with your stuff in the room to the left. Anything particular you want to eat?"
"Breakfast food." Johannah conveys as she studies his reflection behind her. "If that's okay with you and it's something you can order."
Jaxon smirks and answers her honestly. "Hannah, I own the hotel. I can order whatever I want. If it isn't on the menu, then they'll go get it for me. Breakfast it is then."
"Jaxon." His name so freely slips from her lips. "Are you sure about this?"
"Go take a shower. I'm going to place our order and clean up myself, and then we'll talk. Okay?" He wraps his arms around her and breathes her in all at the same time.
Yeah, he is sure about this.
Forty minutes later, Johannah emerges to find Jaxon standing in the same spot she was earlier. Except this time, he is wearing a gray pair of lounging pants and nothing else. His hair is still damp and hanging perfectly around his face, which is tilted forward. His hands are pressed against the glass in front of him, making the muscles in his arms and back flex. The waistband of his pants sets low on his hips, hugging his backside like a dream.
The man before her appears so powerful and forbidden, almost sinful. He is causing her to think about the kinds of things she would chastise Kendra for verbalizing. The golden tone of his skin has intensified after all those days they spent on the beach. Making her wish she could run her hands against it. The man could model for a living if he chose to do so.
"Enjoying the view, Hannah." The sound of his voice causes her gaze to find his, which is now directed her way. "I was just having a brief conversation with God while I was waiting on you to get done."
"And here I thought it couldn't get any better, but you just proved me wrong. Not only is the view itself stunning, but you standing there was breathtaking. To hear you admit you were having some one-on-one time with God while standing there like that. It makes it even better. And I should probably watch my step and make sure he doesn't strike me down for admiring you like I was." Johannah can't believe she just admitted all that, but the expression on Jaxon's face makes her glad she did. He is grinning like a boy instead of a man.
"Shall we partake of our feast?" He closes his eyes when he realizes how that might have sounded. "I mean, eat our dinner. They just brought it up."
He leads the way to the small table where he has set everything out. He pulls her chair out for her and then takes the one next to hers. Before he digs in, he takes her hand and offers a prayer. Asking God to bless the food and the conversation they are about to have.
They eat in silence for a few minutes before Johannah asked a question that has been on her mind lately. "Was your mother a religious person?"
Jaxon swallows and nods. "She was. Julea Cristiano met Lucas Jackson when she was nineteen. Her life was anything but easy, and she worked hard to get by. Lucas was old enough to know better than to take advantage of a young woman like her. But as he has proven time and time again, knowing better and acting better is not something he chooses. He made promises to her, flashed his money her way until he got what he wanted. Then once he got bored with her, he left. Once he realized she was pregnant with his child, he made sure she had enough money to make life easy for both of us. Came around when he pleased, all while he continued to do as he pleased. She wasn't proud of that fact. In fact, she was very much ashamed of it.
"When she got very sick, my father moved us into his home, so he could make sure she needed nothing. But he never loved her. All my mother ever wanted, was for him to love her, even though she knew Luc
as Jackson was incapable of it.
"A year before my mother died, she hired Martin and his wife Lucille to take care of me. Requested that my father keep them on after her death since she handpicked them. He honored her request. Most likely because that meant he didn't have to deal with me. They raised me. Took me to church with their family when my father allowed them to, which wasn't often. Both of them made sure I was well-trained and understood who God was and is.
"When I ventured out on my own, I brought Martin and Lucille with me. I no longer require the services of a nanny, but I do require a maid and a cook. I pay them well so that when they decide to retire, they will want for nothing." Jaxon shares more than he intended, but once he got started, the information kept spilling out.
"Wow. Thank you for sharing that with me." Johanna takes a sip of the coffee in front of her.
"All you need to do is ask, Hannah. My life will always be an open book to you." Jaxon finishes his plate and shoves it aside.
"Don't move your business here just because of me. What if…" Jaxon's glare halts her from continuing. "I'm serious, Jaxon. I'm not sure you understand how demanding my job is."
"So, I should just forget about us then. Is that what you're telling me?" Just saying it has Jaxon's hands sweating.
"I don't know. But moving your company so soon seems extreme, don't you think? Plus, you don't even know if you like me." Johannah sighs when he crosses his arms in denial. "Okay, so you like me. Vacation me, at least. However, you don't even know the real me. The me who will most likely make a phone call first thing tomorrow morning to let my team know I'm back in town. Take a day to make sure my father is doing as well as the doctors' claim. Report back bright and early Friday morning. Then most likely work all weekend, so I can catch up on all I missed."
"What are you saying, Johannah? You want me to go home and forget how you changed me? I can't do that. I can't forget you that easily. It's not that simple for me. You and I need to figure this out, and quickly. My life without you in it isn't an option. I'll take an hour, if that's all you have to offer me, as long as it is an uninterrupted hour. My world changed the moment you walked into it. These last several days have been the highlight of my life, Johannah. Don't ask me to walk away from the only person I am capable of being normal with."
