Relentless Chase 4 (Troubles Brewing)

by Posey Parks

She leaned in. “He’s not here anymore,” Samantha growled.

  “I’m well aware. But there could be someone else in the shadows.” My eyebrow arched.

  “Girl, when you return, we’re definitely training.”

  “Being the women, we are, you know it’s true someone could want revenge. What if there was another guy out there?”

  “No, Jacob, Sebastian, and your new family the Magarelli’s put it to bed.” Her perfect eyebrow arched.

  I peeked at the kids then at Samantha. I ran a tight hand over my messy ponytail. “You better be fucking right,” I barked in a whisper.

  Sam grabbed my bicep. “Look at me,” she growled.

  My brown eyes met hers.

  “If there is another motherfucker out there,” she whispered.

  “We’ll find the asshole and gut them,” she said through gritted teeth.

  I exhaled and placed my mug on the coffee table. “Thank you, Sam.” My arms looped around her neck.

  “Train first, then let’s find the loose end that has me on fucking edge.”

  “All for that. Let’s take the little ones swimming.”

  I sat back. “Pool time, guys!”

  The babies stared at us and Charlotte clapped.

  ∞

  “Do you enjoy living in Seattle or L.A.?” Samantha sprinkled rosemary on the chicken breast.

  Pouring the chopped spinach into the Vita Mix, I peeked at her. “Due to the turn of events that have happened lately I enjoy living here. And if it were up to me, I wouldn’t return to L.A.”

  “What!” Sam slammed her palm on the custom countertop.

  “But, lucky for me I have you, Jacob, Sebastian, and the beautiful babies to brighten my bleak days.”

  She slid the glass dish in the oven. “I won’t allow you to give up on L.A. I remember a time when I missed home.”

  She stirred the piping hot spinach on the stove.

  “Jacob, was the only reason I moved to L.A.”

  A head darted around the corner. He placed his finger against his lips. Sam stared into the pot.

  “I’d live anywhere as long as it was with Jacob.”

  He slipped his hands around her waist. “Right answer, baby.”

  “Eek!”

  His lips melted into her neck.

  “You’re here.” Samantha turned in his arms.

  “I had no choice. You know I hate being at home without you and the kids. Sydney cost me two extended days next week.” He winked.

  I grinned. “Thank you, Jacob.”

  “This is becoming our home away from home. Where’s your husband? I think I need him to sell us a house in the neighborhood.”

  “You guys are wonderful. Sam and I discussed retraining me for the field. She said you might help.”

  “Sure. Whatever you need.”

  “Maybe Sam and I can run something past you and Sebastian over dinner.”

  “Yeah. I’ll let you ladies continue cooking dinner and I will find Sebastian and the kids.”

  Seeing Jacob almost every day lately, I sometimes forgot he was a movie star. The man every woman screamed and damn near had heart attacks over the second he stepped out of an event or on to the set. He didn’t care about all those women. He proved himself time and time again. The way he fawned all over my cousin like the sun rose and set on her ass was simply beautiful.

  I’d say all the attention your man receives when you’re out on the town can be a nerve-racking experience. Our husbands have to work that much harder to shower us with affection due to the lingering eyes on them. I’ve never been more secure with a man until I met Sebastian. He wanted me. Needed me. Desired me. Now he had me. I’ve given him a hard time lately. Holding him at fault for our baby’s kidnapping. I didn’t feel remorse for murdering Stephanie. Killing had become second nature to me since I became an assassin. Apparently, it was in our gene pool to be skilled with weapons specifically a sniper rifle or a Glock.

  A smile curled my lips. Truth. I enjoyed killing…dirty motherfuckers. Stephanie was as dirty as they came.

  “Sydney. Sydney.”

  A hand gripped my arm. I met Sam’s gaze.

  “Where were you?”

  “In a dark place.” My smile rose and fell. “Let’s set the table.”

  After setting the long table in the backyard, we grabbed the kids.

  Sebastian and Jacob stepped outside.

  “Can you hold Caden?”

  “Of course. Come to daddy little man.”

  Jacob set up the high chair, then strapped Charlotte inside. “Take Hunter, Jacob.”

  “Little man, are you ready to drink that good old breast milk, mommy made for you?” He relaxed in the chair, cradling Hunter.

  His little lips curled upward.

  We laughed.

  “I’d say he’s ready.” I smiled.

  Samantha placed the bottle in Jacob’s hand. Turning the bottle upside down, the milk shot out slapping his wrist.

  “It’s ready.”

  Sam sat beside him, draping a blanket over Madison, who disappeared into feeding land.

  Hunter knocked the bottle away. Tears slid down his cheeks and he wailed.

  “Jacob, he doesn’t want the bottle.”

  He followed Hunter’s eyes to Samantha. “Baby, I don’t think he likes Madison getting the goods in front of him.”

  Her nose wrinkled, and she sighed. “Fine.”

  Jacob turned his back to us and positioned Hunter in Samantha’s other arm, covering the babies under the blanket.

  “There all set up.” He smiled.

  “Aren’t they going to burn up under there?”

  “Nope. Samantha created a blanket with mini battery-operated lightweight fans. They have tiny grates so the babies can’t poke their fingers inside. They stay cool while feeding.”

  “I’m not breastfeeding anymore, because I want to have another baby. But I need that blanket when the time comes.”

  Sebastian choked on his vodka. Eyes fell on him around the table.

  “I wasn’t aware we were having another baby so soon.”

  “Yup.” I smiled.

  Jacob slid the knife through the chicken breast and slipped a sliver into Samantha’s mouth. It was cute he fed her while the babies ate.

  “Jacob, can you give me a spoiler for the fall season?” My face brightened as I slipped a forkful of mashed potatoes into my mouth.

  “Sydney, we go through this every time. I cannot give you inside show info.”

  “Ok, how about this? Blink twice if my favorite demon is returning.”

  “I will do no such thing.”

  “Please, Jacob.”

  He sighed, stared at me and blinked twice.

  I threw my hands in the air. “Yes! This will be the best season ever.”

  Laughter filled the table.

  “Now you can tell Sebastian and I what’s on your mind.”

  I peeked at Sam.

  “We think. Or rather I think there might be someone else out there. I have this eerie feeling.”

  “There’s no one. We wiped out any possible threat,” Sebastian said. He pushed the bottle nipple into Caden’s mouth. His little hand rested on the bottle as he drank.

  “You two are the only computer hackers I know, but if you think I won’t work around you and ask Brandon for help, you both are mistaken.” I glanced between them.

  “Oh, and you think, Brandon will help you between working fifty hours a week and taking care of his family?” Sebastian’s eyebrow rose.

  “I’ll text Zoey and find out.”

  Jacob blew out a breath. “Fine, I’ll help you. What are you thinking?”

  I didn’t meet Sebastian’s angry gaze. I knew my husband enough to say he was foaming at the mouth. He wanted this shit to be over. I did too. But I needed to reassure myself this was all over.

  “I need you to hack a certain someone’s financial records. Search for any patterns in the last two years.”

  “Yeah,
I can do that.”

  I peeked at Sebastian. He sucked down the vodka.

  “Baby, please try to understand.”

  “No, this shi-.” He glanced at Charlotte. She was smearing mashed potatoes all over the table.

  “This is supposed to be over. We ended the threat,” he growled.

  I placed my hand over his. “Don’t you want your wife back?” I choked back tears.

  His gruff face softened. Sebastian squeezed my hand.

  “Yes.”

  “Great!” I turned to Jacob.

  “Tomorrow, can you and I train?”

  He slid a forkful of green beans into his mouth. “Sure.”

  Sam smiled, leaning over kissing his cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “No problem, baby.”

  I know Nicki always felt indifferent about Jacob, but I was always fortunate to see how good he was to Samantha.

  CHAPTER THREE

  SYDNEY

  After dinner, Samantha persuaded me to walk to the park with the kids. Glocks in holsters, I felt secure. Moms sitting on benches around us whispered and pointed.

  I peeked to my right. “Is there a problem?”

  The dark-haired woman grimaced. “Yes. How can you carry a weapon around these children?”

  A fake smile widened across my face. “I’d like to know if some perv tried to take my child, I could stop them. I doubt it would come to that. If the perpetrator noticed I was packing, they’d probably think twice. Don’t worry, I’m a perfect shot.” I winked.

  She grimaced, collected her child and fled the park. I waved her off.

  Samantha, Jacob, and the kids settled in for the night on the other side of the house.

  Leaning against the bathroom doorway, I moisturized my hands, staring at Sebastian. He laid bare chested in our bed, tapping away at the laptop keys.

  He glanced my way. “What?” his thick brow rose.

  “So, you’re sleeping here tonight? You know to keep up appearances?” My nose wiggled.

  “I could leave and return early in the morning before everyone wakes up. Or we can work on having the second baby, I didn’t know we were having any time soon.”

  “Oh, so you are on board to have another child?” I smirked.

  “No. I am not. You can’t even take our son out of the house without carrying two Glocks. Not to mention you are holding a grudge against me for what happened to Caden.” He tapped his forehead with his fingers. “Excuse me if I don’t feel attracted to you right now.”

  My eyes narrowed as I strolled to the other side of the bed. “Oh, you don’t?” I climbed in bed, slamming his laptop shut, slipping my tongue along his neck.

  “You aren’t attracted to me anymore, Sebastian?” I moaned.

  He swallowed hard and his head thudded the headboard. His body tensed as I straddled him, shoving his laptop aside.

  My eyes bore into his. “Baby, answer me.” I placed my hands against his muscled hairy chest.

  He didn’t say a word. Just stared.

  My pussy became wetter against his rock-hard cock. I circled my core over his dick.

  Pressing my lips against his, I gripped the back of his hair. “I know you want me, Sebastian,” I purred.

  His teeth attacked my neck and his fingers dug into my hips.

  “Fuck, Sebastian. I want you so bad.”

  He halted, chest heaving against mine. “Nope, I won’t do it. Sex can’t fix this.” He placed me on my ass on my side of the bed. Sebastian grabbed his laptop.

  “You can go to therapy alone or we can go together. But until you make a conscious effort to save our relationship, I won’t fuck you.”

  “Do you want a divorce?” Tears filled my eyes.

  He exhaled. “Of course, I don’t.”

  Sebastian pulled me close. “I want my fucking wife back,” he choked out.

  My fingers slipped through his silky chest hairs. “Are you sure you’re all right with me digging into Caden’s kidnapping?”

  His lips melted against my hair. “If it will help you put this shit to rest. Yes.”

  “Will you help us?”

  I peeked up at him.

  “Why do you think someone else is out there?”

  “Baby, I get this aching feeling and the small hairs stand on my arms every time I leave the house. I feel like someone is watching us.”

  His eyes softened. “I hate you feel that way. I will help.”

  My fingers traced over his gruff face. “Thank you.”

  “I love you, Sydney. There isn’t another woman I want.”

  My fingers slid over his shoulder. “I know. And even though I’ve been rotten to you. You are the only man I want.”

  “Oh, I know. You showed up at the hotel, because you didn’t want to be apart.”

  “I love sleeping in your arms, baby.”

  “No sex, Syd. I am sticking to my guns.”

  “Fine,” I huffed, grabbing the remote control, flipping on the TV.

  ~

  A heavy fist rattled the bedroom door.

  “Rise and shine, sleepy head. Training time,” Jacob’s deep voice penetrated through the thick wooden door.

  I sprung forward, gripping my messy locks.

  “Jacob, she’s coming,” Sebastian answered for me. He clutched his pillow facing the door.

  “All right, I’m going for a run. I’ll be back in twenty minutes.”

  “Ok,” Sebastian said.

  I peeked over his shoulder. “Really?”

  He turned. “What? Get moving, baby.”

  Sebastian closed his eyes, tucking his head into his pillow as I strolled by. A scowl took my face. He really planned to hold the dick in restraints. Unfucking believable.

  After, my hot shower, I hopped into a fuchsia tank top, gray leggings, and matching sneakers. Tossing my hair into a ponytail holder, I strolled down the wide staircase in route to the kitchen.

  Giggling spilled into the hallway.

  “Behave Samantha, and I’ll give you what you want in a couple of hours.”

  “Jacob, promise.”

  “Oh, baby, you know I’ll give you what you want.” His velvet voice dripped with lust. I peeked around the corner. Samantha sat on the kitchen counter. Her legs were wrapped around Jacobs waist. Their lips locked as she clutched his neck, moaning.

  I cleared my throat and strolled toward the fridge.

  “Hard to believe you two have known each other for years. You can’t even keep your hands off each other.”

  Samantha snickered. “Someone sounds a little bitter.” She kissed Jacob again.

  I slammed the fridge, clutching a bottle of cold water. “Damn, right, I am bitter. He won’t give me what I want.” I hopped up on the counter next to Samantha, grinning at Jacob.

  He grimaced, stepping back from Samantha.

  “Jacob, relax. While you and Sam tangle in the sheets later, I’ll watch the kids.”

  The corner of his lips turned upward. “Yeah, now we’re talking.” His smile dropped. “Shit, Me and Sebastian need to walk through the house up the street, we’re buying.”

  Her eyes widened. She jumped off the counter, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Thank you, baby.”

  “You’re welcome.” His lips fell upon her forehead. “Come on, we’ll train Syd together.”

  I clapped my hands, hopping off the counter. “I’m ready!”

  ∞

  Leaning forward, hands and feet wide, I peered between Sam and Jacob. They were also dressed in workout gear.

  The grass clippings slipped up my nostrils, and the sun heated my back.

  I lunged at Jacob. He grabbed my arms and swept his leg under my feet. I landed on my back.

  He leaned over me, resting his hands above his knees. He grinned, glancing at Samantha. “Someone’s rusty. Sam, I can’t believe this is your recruit.”

  “I guarantee you, Jacob-,” Samantha muttered.

  I wrapped my legs around his neck, dragging him to t
he ground. He braced himself on his palms. “Good, shit, Syd. Release me and let’s get down to it.”

  He jumped to his feet. Scowl in place, pointing at Samantha. “Don’t.”

  A wide devious smile filled her lips.

  All right, now for the test of all tests.” He nodded at Samantha. She turned, reaching into a duffel bag. I placed my hands on my hips. “What is this test?”

  Sam walked toward me, placing headphones over my ears. My eyes widened.

  She pointed at the fence behind me. I turned and walked to the opposite end of the yard.

  Birds chirping and lawn services cutting my neighbor’s lawn were blocked. Careful steps with anticipation of what would come next sent a surge of heat through my body. About face at the fence then I strolled toward the oak tree.

  Samantha and Jacob were deep in a conversation. Really? I thought either of them would attack. The fourth time I walked past them, they were engaged in a lip lock. What the fuck? I grimaced. Was my need to brush up on my skills a joke to them? I wouldn’t ask either of them to stop fucking around because then they’d ignore me the entire day or worse refuse to help.

  I pivoted and strolled toward the fence. The nanny should arrive in a few hours. She’d assist us with the…A firm arm squeezed my neck from behind interrupting my thoughts. My heartbeat thudded my ears. That brutal day came rushing back to me. Tugging my neck down on the muscled arm, I peeled his fingers from my head, flipping him to the ground.

  Chest heaving, I stared at Jacob, and snatched the headphones off my ears.

  “I thought you’d never make a move.”

  He hopped to his feet, dusting himself off. “That’s the point. I needed to catch you off guard.