Vote Then Read: Volume I

by Carly Phillips

  “What do you want, Dad?” Jason stepped up to the other man and asked.

  Robert looked at his wife. “I want to talk.”

  “But Mom doesn’t want to see you.” Jason put himself between his parents, taking his mother’s side.

  Staring at the man, Faith could see where Jason got his good looks. He was a true combination of both parents, who were now at a standoff as they looked at each other. A glance at Savannah, and the longing in her face was obvious. She still loved her husband.

  “This is really between me and your mother, son.” Robert sent a pleading stare to his wife.

  “But Mom ran here, so that makes it my business. Now if she wanted to see you, I wouldn’t get involved. But seeing as how she made it clear she wants to be left alone…” Jason let his voice trail off, his meaning obvious.

  Faith really felt bad for him, a son stuck between both parents, although Jason didn’t really seem torn.

  “Can we do this upstairs, please?” He glanced at the doorman, who, caught watching, looked down immediately. Then his stare came to Faith, a stranger to him.

  Jason pulled her close. “She’s with me and she stays. You don’t warrant an introduction,” he muttered. “As for talking, it’s up to Mom.”

  Savannah looked shaken but she stepped forward. “Five minutes,” she said softly.

  They took the elevator up in awkward silence. Jason let them into the apartment, unset the alarm, and glanced at his mother. “Should I stay or go?” he asked.

  “Stay,” his father said, surprising Faith. “You need to hear this, too.”

  “Fine.” Jason’s curt tone told Faith all she needed to know about his mood.

  She squeezed his arm in understanding and comfort. “I’ll go wait in the bedroom.” She started to walk away only to find herself pulled back against his chest, his arms wrapping around her middle. “I want you here.”

  Then she wasn’t leaving.

  Chapter Nine

  Once upon a time, Jason had a good relationship with his father. When Jason thought Robert Dare was just their father, his, Alex’s, and Sienna’s. After their world blew apart and Robert shattered his image as a dad to look up to? Well, not so much. Jason couldn’t imagine why his father wanted him in the room now. Maybe he thought he’d get support from his son. If so, Jason hoped the man wasn’t holding his breath.

  They settled into the family room, his mother and father on opposite sides, Robert taking the chair, his mom on the far end of the sofa away from him, with Jason pulling Faith close to him on the other side.

  Why did he want to subject Faith to his father’s drama? Because he needed her support and he wasn’t ashamed to admit it.

  Dealing with his father was draining, keeping track of his truth and lies difficult. But here they were.

  Jason had no intention of making it easy on his father, so he waited in silence for the other man to speak.

  Finally, Robert cleared his throat. “I want you back, Savannah. I made a mistake and I’m sorry.”

  Jason frowned. Mistake was putting it mildly. Jason might make a lot of mistakes over the course of his life, but cheating on a woman would never be one of them.

  “We went through this,” his mother said. “I’m not interested in taking you back. It’s not like you cheated once and corrected your ways.” Savannah leaned forward in her seat. “You burned Emma in ways I can’t comprehend, and I hate myself for staying with you anyway. So you’re not going to convince me you’re a different man now.” Her cheeks were flushed and her voice steady.

  Faith eased back against him, obviously knowing it wasn’t easy for him to hear his mother talk that way about herself. It hurt. But from that pain would come renewed strength. Jason was seeing it firsthand for himself.

  Robert had the grace to look ashamed as he glanced at the floor before meeting Savannah’s stare once more. “Look. I’m no angel, we both know this.”

  “That’s an understatement,” Jason muttered.

  His father ignored the dig. “I’m a prick. I’ve done shitty things to Emma and the rest of my kids. I never knew how to handle the dual life. I actually felt guilty about hiding you all, and I took it out on them, not giving them the parent they deserved. I didn’t love their mother, so I wasn’t good to them. I can’t justify it…” He trailed off, then looked down at his hands, which he was twisting together.

  “Robert,” she began.

  He drew a deep breath, paused, then said, “Please let me finish. I love you, Savannah. I always did. I’m weak. I never admitted that before. But I want the life I have with you.”

  Jason glanced at his mother to find tears trickling from her eyes. Faith clasped his hand tight.

  Jason blew out a long breath. If he had to say whether or not he believed his father … the best he could say was Jason thought Robert believed his own words. Did it change anything? Did Jason trust the man to change? Hell no.

  “Well? Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?” Robert asked.

  Jason held his breath, and so did Faith by his side.

  “No.” His mother rose to her feet, her pretty silver dress sparkling and seeming too nice for this awkward moment. “You cheated on your first wife. You cheated on me. You’re a no-good, worthless excuse for a man and I’m done. I’m going to like myself for a change, and for that to happen, I need to get rid of you.”

  Robert jumped up, surprise on his face. He’d really thought Savannah would forgive and forget. “But–”

  “No. The door is this way.”

  Jason and Faith remained sitting, letting his mother precede him to the door. He heard mumbling and then the door opened and slammed shut. He assumed his father was gone. Footsteps told him his mother was going directly to her room.

  “Are you okay?” Faith asked softly.

  He shifted in his seat so he could meet her gaze. “Yeah. This family drama? I’m becoming immune.” He managed a laugh. “Or at least I’ve learned to distance myself from it. But I’m so damned proud of my mother.”

  “She is pretty awesome,” Faith said, resting her head on his shoulder. “It’ll be okay, you know.”

  He pulled her tight, breathing in her sweet scent. “Yeah.” On the family stuff?

  He agreed.

  On life in general? That was anyone’s guess.

  The next morning, Savannah, looking strong and satisfied with her decision, broke the news that Sienna had asked her to come stay with her. She didn’t have a nanny, nor did she want one, though her husband could well afford it. But she did need her mother, and since Savannah was here, Sienna wanted her. And Savannah was thrilled to help with the baby and spend time with her granddaughter.

  A win-win all the way around, Faith thought, as she sat sharing her last cup of coffee with the woman she’d come to like a great deal. Savannah was warm and friendly, genuine and real.

  “It’s been nice getting to know you,” Faith said, glancing at Jason’s mother over her coffee cup.

  The other woman smiled. “I feel the same way.”

  “You remind me of my mom,” Faith said.

  Savannah tipped her head to the side. “You miss her.”

  Faith nodded over the lump in her throat. “It’s hard. And I had her necklace that she wore every day, but my brother took it when he ransacked my apartment.” She wiped at a tear that fell. “Jason has his PI looking for it in pawnshops, but I’ve resigned myself to the fact that it’s lost forever.”

  Which seemed to be a theme in her life. Things lost to her. Her father. Her mother. Even her brother. All gone. And one day soon, Jason would be, too.

  “I like the time I spent with you. I just wanted you to know that,” Faith told Savannah.

  “You never know, you might end up sticking around,” she said, hinting at something more happening between Faith and Jason.

  Faith shook her head. “I hate to burst your bubble, but honestly, Jason doesn’t want the same things I do.”

  “Which are?” Sav
annah tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned in close, waiting for her to answer.

  “One day, when danger isn’t lurking? I want a husband, a family. Kids,” she whispered. And though she knew without a doubt she wanted those things with Jason Dare, he’d made it clear he wasn’t ready. Would probably never be ready.

  “Listen, honey. He went through a real life-altering tragedy. I have to believe he will come out the other side … with the help of the right woman.” Reaching out, Savannah took her hand. “I know I’m meddling but I’ve seen how you two look at each other. I believe you’re that woman. It’ll take patience … and faith,” she said, laughing at her own joke.

  Faith grinned. “We’ll see. But you have a lot more to worry about than Jason and me.”

  “Yes. Yes, I do. But I believe I’ve taken the right first step.”

  Faith smiled as Jason walked into the room. He’d been taking a shower. His hair damp, he wore a pair of jeans and a tee shirt, his standard outfit for daytime at the club. He changed there for the nighttime shift. They’d agreed to stick to the same work schedule with Renault as her bodyguard.

  He really did need to be at work and she understood. Now that they’d discussed it like rational adults, without him just pulling away, she had no problem with the change. In fact, she was so grateful he was going out of his way to help her like this. The only way she could think of to repay him was to let him go easily and the way he wanted when this nightmare with her brother was over.

  “Are you all packed to go to Sienna’s?” Jason asked his mother.

  “Yes. I can’t thank you enough for letting me intrude on you two.”

  Waving away the comment, Jason grasped his mother’s hand. “Just be happy.”

  Once again, Faith found herself with tears in her eyes. This was a man capable of deep love, affection, and understanding. If only he would extend those same things to himself, he, too, could be what he wanted for his mother.

  Happy.

  A week after his mom moved out, Jason sensed Faith’s restlessness. She wanted her brother caught and she wanted it yesterday. Jason sensed the man was merely biding his time, waiting for the right moment to strike. He probably hoped to find Faith alone, something that wouldn’t happen under Jason’s watch.

  Jason, on the other hand, hoped to prolong their situation as long as possible. It wasn’t that he thought Faith desired to leave him; no, she just wanted her life and her freedom back. Sadly, they were both aware that came with the end of their relationship as it existed now. She would move out. She’d work days. He’d work his long hours day and night. And he’d have to let her go … to find what he’d heard her telling his mother she wanted. A husband and kids.

  Before he could delve deeper, his phone rang and he saw it was Jack Renault. “Hey. What’s up?” Jason asked.

  “We got a break,” Renault said in his always deadpan voice. “I’d sent out pictures of the necklace to other PIs and friends of mine and someone found it. They’re going to drop it off at the club, because believe it or not? The pawnshop was right around the corner. We’d checked the place once before, so we’re thinking it was pawned off more than once. Either way, it’s in our hands. And we’re tracking it backwards. Hope to have more soon.”

  Jason’s heart beat harder. Faith was going to be so happy she’d have this piece of her mother back. “Thanks. That’s great news.”

  “I love results,” Renault said. “And your girl is fine. I’ve got eyes on her now. So everything’s good. Check in with you later.” He disconnected the call.

  Your girl.

  The words stayed with him, even as he collected the necklace from Renault’s associate and headed over to return it to Faith.

  Faith had just finished a batch of strawberry lemonade truffles and placed them in the front case when the bell over the front door rang and Jason walked in. Whenever she looked at him, it was like seeing him for the first time, and that ripple inside her was just as potent.

  Kelsey came out from the back to see if she could help and stepped close to Faith. “You’re one lucky woman,” she whispered, eyeing Jason, then returned to the kitchen in the back.

  They’d just had a busy spurt and now things at the shop had died down, so she headed out from behind the counter and strode up to him. “So what brings you by?”

  “Good news.” His eyes sparkled with a happiness she hadn’t seen there before.

  “What is it?”

  He grasped her elbow and led her to a set of chairs, nowhere near where Renault lingered in his own corner. The man acknowledged Jason with a tip of his head and gestured toward the door. Since Jason was here, he was obviously going outside. As much as Faith appreciated the security, she was beginning to feel smothered by people constantly being in her space.

  Not Jason, though. “So are you going to tell me?” she asked.

  “Look what turned up.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled something out. She noticed a flash of gold, and then he dangled a very familiar necklace in front of her.

  “Oh my God!” She held out her hand and he dropped the piece into her palm. Tears welled in her eyes as she curled her hands around the cool piece of jewelry. “This means everything to me.” She looked up at him in disbelief.

  “I told you I’d do everything I could to get it back to you,” he said in a gruff voice.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close, breathing in his masculine scent as she hugged him tight. “Thank you.”

  Stepping back, she asked, “Will you put it on for me?” She didn’t want to take the heart necklace off again for a long time.

  “Sure.”

  She lifted her hair and turned, her back facing him so he could wrap the chain around her neck and hook the clasp. His big hands fumbled a little and he grunted before finally succeeding. “Got it.”

  She was about to release her hair when he leaned down and brushed his lips over the sensitive skin on the nape of her neck. She shivered, her nipples puckering and a sudden swell of desire rushing through her veins.

  “Jason,” she said softly, dipping her head.

  In reply, he swept his mouth over her skin and bit down gently with his teeth.

  She shivered, backing against him, feeling his hard body come into contact with hers and the ridge of his erection nudging her back. She turned, cupping his face in her hands, and kissed him, sliding her tongue into his mouth. But she was aware of where they were, and having been caught once before by a customer, she kept it brief, stepping away despite wanting so much more.

  She brushed her hair out of her face and glanced at him, his eyes dark with need.

  “How do you expect me to go back to work now?” he asked, not so discreetly adjusting himself.

  She grinned. “At least I know you’ll be thinking about me.”

  “I’m always thinking about you, sweetness.”

  She was more affected than she should be by that nickname he’d given her. “Thank you again for my necklace.” She touched the heart that now lay around her neck, a reminder of the mother she loved so deeply.

  “You really should be thanking Renault and company. They scoured the shops,” Jason said, deferring the compliment.

  She patted his cheek. “But it was your idea to hire him to look for it, so just accept my gratitude and go back to work. I need to help Kelsey in the back.”

  “One more thing?” he asked.

  “What’s up?”

  He blew out a long breath and said, “We’ve hired the first live act for the club and they’re playing a week from Friday.”

  “That’s great! Did Grey say yes?” she asked, happy for him.

  His frown took her by surprise. “I wish he had. But no. His former bandmate, Lola Corbin, is going to perform instead.”

  “From Tangled Royal? I love her!” Faith clapped her hands like the excited fan she was.

  “She’ll be singing with Charlotte Jasper,” Jason said, shifting on his feet, his expression taut
.

  “She’s a big name, too, right? So what’s wrong? You seem uptight about it.” She rubbed at the throbbing in his right temple, a clear indication he was bothered by this whole conversation.

  “Charlotte’s my ex,” he said, as if bracing for an argument.

  Faith narrowed her gaze. “And?” She hadn’t thought he was celibate before her.

  “I just don’t want you to be…” He trailed off and she could only guess at what he had been about to say.

  “Jealous?”

  “More like uncomfortable with the idea of her being around, I guess.” He shoved his hands into his pants pockets.

  Faith was a lot of things, but a clinging female wasn’t one of them. “If she’s an ex, I don’t see the problem. Unless there’s still something between you?” At the thought, jealousy began to seep through her, and she didn’t like the feeling.

  “Not for me,” Jason rushed to assure her. “It’s just that she was persistent when I ended things, and I’m worried she’s going to take the opportunity to perform as something more than a professional invitation.”

  Faith tipped her head to the side, staring at Jason. She thought about the pop performer, a gorgeous raven-haired beauty who preferred red lips to Faith’s light gloss and who was much thinner than Faith with her curves. Charlotte was famous and seemed to have it all. But Jason had obviously ended their relationship, so he didn’t want the other woman. He was with Faith.

  Should she be jealous? Maybe. Was she? Only to the extent that any woman would be.

  She and Jason had a solid relationship for what it was. She knew better than to expect a future, but she did require fidelity. Given Robert Dare’s history and Jason’s reaction to his father’s behavior, Faith wasn’t worried Jason was a cheater.

  She reached out and grasped his hand. “Will you be coming home to me after she performs? If so, I don’t see a problem.”