The #2 GUY: A SALVATORE SYNDICATE NOVELLA
Page 8
Ignoring her, I find a bathroom, turn on the shower as hot as my skin can stand and just stand under the water with a bowed head.
I hear her come in, but I don’t turn around.
“John,” her arms wrap around me, her head rests against my back. “You’re my world. I only fly with you. Please, don’t shut me out now.”
“I can’t stop loving you, but I can’t turn off the hurt, babe.”
“Then let me. Let me take it away. I’ll prove myself to you every day.” She comes around in front of me, still cradling her injured hand. Her wrist is triple in size. She kneels on the tiled shower floor, taking my hand. “Marry me, Johnny? Be my husband, my protector, my best friend? In return, I’ll be your Christine, the one you loved, grieved for, and thought you lost. I’ll be your everything if you just give me one more chance.”
I can’t help it. The corners of my mouth turn up. “I didn’t see that coming.”
She shrugs. “Our story deserves a unique ending. The princess saved her dark prince and proposed.”
I lift her in my arms, then sit on the shower bench with her cradled against my chest. “But do they still get to live happily ever after?”
“That depends…”
“On what?” My eyes are glued to her pouty lips.
“If the prince truly forgives his princess.”
“I forgave you before you were even born.”
“John.”
“Baby…”
“Love me, but more importantly, trust me.”
My heart is at the edge of the abyss again. I lean my forehead against hers. “I can’t survive another crash and burn. And I’m still mad as hell at you.”
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking. I was just on cloud nine… laying in your arms while thinking about a future we could have—the guilt that my brother thought I was dead… I just thought it was one thing I could fix. Immediately. Are you going to answer me or leave your princess hanging?”
“I’ll marry you. Right after I spank this ass raw, put a baby in you and mark you with my teeth.”
Her lips part. Her lashes blink nervously. The pupils of her eyes dilate. That’s right baby. I might have forgiven you but that doesn’t mean I won’t punish you for all the heartaches I’ve endured. Despite my raw words, I gingerly kiss her injured wrist. “I love you for doing this for me. When I saw you like some kind of badass avenging angel, I knew what I felt last night was real. I’m yours to have and to hold forever, baby. But first, I’m gonna blow your mind, taking it off the pain.”
After I gingerly towel dry her, I take her to bed. “Johnny…, how do you have so much stamina?”
“I laid it down good on you. Didn’t I?” I smirk against her neck. “I’ve been in a dry spell, wishing for you…”
“Even though—?”
“Yes.” I confess, “My ‘Big John’ was lonely and only wanted one woman.”
She smiles, snuggling against me. “We can’t sleep. You can’t with your concussion.”
“That’s okay. We’ll make a fire, down all of Rog’s stash of Wild Turkey and talk like we used to… plan our future.”
“I’ll grab the booze, you make the fire.”
“Rog texted, by the way. He’s blindfolding a doctor and bringing him by in a bit to look at your wrist and bring us some drugs.”
“You’re my drug.”
“And you’re mine, baby.” I swat her rump as I help her into a pair of lounge pants I found in one of the drawers. “It was hot as fuck watching you take out that crew.”
“My field training was tight.”
“Yeah, I get that.”
“Actually, I’ve been thinking… what was all that about anyway.”
“The Chinese mob was hunting on our turf.”
“Hunting what?”
“People to traffic.”
“Roque and I partnered with Creed MC a while back. We shut that shit down. But they tried again. We set two hundred women and children free from a wharf in Cali. They wanted payback. Rog is retired Creed. They came after him thinking we had stashed some of their merc in his basement.”
She shudders. “It could have been me. If Johnny hadn’t come, they would have taken me. I want in. I have skills… you can shut it down with my help.”
“No. I won’t have you near danger. You’re my woman to protect not put in the crossfire.”
“I have connections…”
“Old ones. Besides, if the Feds could shut it down, they would’ve by now.”
“You’re probably right.”
“I know I am. Come on, I’m starving. Rog must have food somewhere.”
“I love you John.”
“I love you too, my resurrected princess.”
“Forever?”
“And one day.”
11
Christine
We stayed up all night. I was too nervous to let him close his eyes. We laughed, kissed, cuddled by the fire, and drank until dawn. I finally let him sleep but I check on him every ten minutes. I stroked locks of his hair from his forehead, kept pulling the blanket over his bulky muscles. He said he forgives me, but doubt is an ugly thing. Johnny has no one but Roque and he’s moved on. I need a grand gesture. Something that will leave not a crumb of doubt in his mind about what he means to me. Maybe I’m a sneaky bitch but I grab his cell, unlocking it. I watched him tap in the six-digit code when he thought I had fallen asleep against his chest.
Biting my lip, I scroll until I find her name. Before I can think twice, I hit call.
“Uncle Johnny? I want to know everything. Spill.”
“Hi Chloe. You’re just like the actress who played you.”
“Christine?”
“The very one.”
“If you hurt him again, I’ll kill you.”
“You really are Roque Salvatore’s daughter.”
“I am. So, don’t fuck with him.”
“I asked him to marry me.”
“What???” I need to pull the phone away from my ear when she starts shrieking. I hear a deep male voice in the background asking her if she’s okay. She mumbles something then she’s back.
“I need your help. Johnny and I are trapped in a cabin in the woods, laying low for a while… but we need to get married fast. I’m taking a page out of your father’s book. I can’t testify against Johnny if he’s my husband.”
“Is that the only reason why you want to marry him.”
“No. He owns my heart.”
“Is the sex still off the charts?”
“How old are you again?”
“Old enough.”
“Not going to answer that. I need a Justice of the Peace, a wedding dress, a tux and two rings.”
“I’m on it.”
“I-I want this to be a surprise. I don’t want him to know.”
“A shotgun, mob, surprise wedding?” She shrieks. “This is going to be epic. Might even be a better ending than Savage Poet.”
“Yeah, we watched that by the way…”
“My parents melted the screens.”
“They sure did, Chloe. But Johnny and I are going to steal their spotlight with our own happy ending.”
“I know some people…”
“I think John is a bit jealous of Romeo Roque. He’s always been the guy behind him. It’s his turn to be number one.”
“Long overdue. I agree. Ok. Start jotting down some notes.”
“For what?”
“The screenplay. We’ll need a title though… Roque and Romina can write the rest.”
“I’ll think of something. In the meantime, I’m a size six. I want something simple, classic. Sexy.”
“Valentino. I’m on it. Do you have a phone?”
“No. Just his.”
“We’ll need a secret code. I’ll text Uncle Johnny something and you’ll know it means the wedding is on…. Something like… oh I know. I’ll text that Ro’s pregnant again.”
“Is she?”
“Who knows? They
’re always doing it.”
“I gotta go, check on John.”
“Christine?”
“Yeah?”
“Fucking betray him again and it won’t be pretty,” she warns. “Don’t pull any runaway bride crap.”
“The only place I’m running is to his arms.”
“Good. I’ll be in touch.”
I carefully put Johnny’s phone back where he left it then curl up next to him. This man is going to be my husband and I’m going to cherish his stubborn ass every day our of lives.
“Roger? You didn’t tell me you were stopping by.”
“Yeah, well I figured you needed some supplies. And Roque’s in town. He wants to meet.”
“Where is she?”
Oh shit. I peer around the corner where I was towel drying my hair. The stunning brunette is shooting sparks. She’s petite next to Roger. Must be his wife.
“Right here.” I step out, squaring back my shoulders, meeting her gaze dead on. I need to show her I’m not afraid.
She puts her hands on her hips. “Now, Dev… I told ya’ babe to chill out.” Rog tries to stop his woman, but she won’t be stopped.
“He is hot, and I was alone for a while with him.” I shrug.
“Oh fuck,” Rog mutters.
“I’m going to rip your hair out.”
“Bring it.”
“She has a broken wrist.” Johnny tries to get to me, but Rog holds him back.
“We’ll work this out,” I wink. “I take it your Devon?”
“That’s right bitch. I am.”
“Don’t hate me, I was just your husband’s dirty little secret. The hostage he kept in the cellar.”
“Oh, believe me. I already gave him hell about that.” She finally reaches me and for some stupid reason I smirk. Baiting her. She leans in close.
“Did you bring my dress?” I whisper.
She shakes her head. “You’ll fit in fine. If you weren’t tough, this life would trample you. You’ll fit right in with me, Shanna, and Luce. Romina… I’m not so sure. She’s scared the shit out of me.”
“I saw the movie.”
“You did?”
“What did you think?”
“That closet scene was hot as fuck.”
“It was. Gave me baby number three. I’m named him Romeo. Romina and I caught because we both names our baby boys the same.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep. It’s the number one baby trending baby name this year.”
“This is too much. All of them,” I giggle.
“You ladies good? We are stepping out for a bit.”
“Yep, we’re good!” Dev calls out.
“Babe?”
“I’m fine, John.” He looks worried but I shoot him a wink. Dev leads me into the bedroom.
“We only have an hour to do something with your hair and get some makeup on.”
“What’s in an hour?”
“Your wedding.” My heart pounds. “Chloe wanted to surprise you, too.” Just then the cabin door slams open.
“We’re here!” The cutest pixie teen girl with bright eyes and rosy cheeks storms in carrying a gown. My heart melts. I can understand in seconds why she melted the hardest heart on the planet in Roque. And why Johnny would kill for her.
“Oh shit.” Romina isn’t far behind. It feels weird. Like Seeing a celebrity for the first time in the flesh. I feel awkward as hell, half in awe while the other part of me is terrorized. She truly is a woman on fire with her deep red hair and emerald eyes.
“So, you’re the one.”
“Guilty.”
“You almost cost me everything.”
“Almost but didn’t.”
She points a finger at me. “If you hurt John…”
“I know, I know.” I raise my palm. “Your daughter already warned me. But I thought you two kind of hated each other?”
“He’s stubborn as fuck, annoying and has a juvenile sense of humor but he kind of grew on me.”
“He is a bit immature. But that’s just part of his charm.”
She eyes me coolly then snaps her fingers at the guards standing behind her. A man is escorted inside. His hands are tied behind his back and a hood is over his head. What the fuck?
She pulls the hood off. “JACK?!” I scream rushing forward.
“Agent Jackass to me. Figured you couldn’t get hitched without any family present. Consider him my wedding gift.”
I remove the gag from his mouth. “I knew they were mob.”
“For life,” Chloe and Romina fist bump.
My throat is thick with tears. “Jack. I can’t believe it.”
“I’m going to kill them all. Fuck jail.” He fights his restraints.
“No, Jack. They’re my family now. Your’s, too.”
His eyes bulge. “Never.”
I sigh. “I want this, Jack. Want John. Forever.”
“Oh fuck, no.”
“You aren’t going to protest when it’s time to say my vows are you?”
“Don’t worry, we’ll gag him again,” Chloe singsongs.
“Don’t push these people, Jack. But I’m so glad you’re here. Come, I’ll get you some water and food.”
Chloe puts the guards to work. String lights are hung from the rafters. Dozens of wildflowers and roses are brought in and put on the mantle and tables. Someone makes a fire.
“Come on! We don’t have much time!” I swallow thickly as Devon and Romina usher me into the bedroom and carefully help me into the gown, gingerly moving my arm. The doctor Rog had sent put a cast on my arm for my wrist. They fuss over me, curling my hair and applying make-up. A knock on the door interrupts them.
It’s him. My eyes widen. Heart pounds. Lips part.
“Fuck no. You eye fucking my man now, too?” Romina growls.
“Easy there, love. I kind of have that effect on women. It’s my Romeo Roque status.”
I roll my eyes. “You aren’t as hot as John.”
He shrugs. “Snitches aren’t my type.” He straightens his cufflinks coming in. He walks over to me, pulling out a scrap of lace from his pocket and wraps it around my cast.
“What’s this?”
“Something old.”
“God, I’m such a bitch. And you’re being so nice to me. You could have had me killed…”
He shrugs. “I love Johnny. Afterall he’s my number 2.”
“He’s my number one,” I whisper, trying not to cry.
“I’d have Jack escort you out but he’s kind of being a bit of a bitch. Allow me?”
I swallow hard. “Thank you. It’s not everyday a girl gets walked down the aisle by the Savage Poet.”
“You ready?”
I nod. “But will it be legal? I mean everyone thinks I’m dead.”
“I handled it. Forging paperwork is what I used to do. Rog is a Justice of the Peace…,” Romina smiles.
I smirk. “I did watch the movie. Twice.”
“It’s all good. We have a few federal judges whose wives are major fans. I hinted there would be another book and movie featuring you. We got the license and your legal documents back online You’re no longer presumed dead.”
“That was weird seeing me portrayed in the movie how you saw me. The world must hate me.”
“Now, you’ll get your turn to share your side.”
“I will. Won’t I?”
With tears in my eyes and the Savage Poet on my arm, I walk behind Chloe, Ro, and Devon. The cabin’s been transformed into a fairy land. They added more twinkle lights, white and pink roses, and thick, white candles. The stray cat that became my pet, Scruffy is curled up at John’s feet.
Roger stands next to John in front of the hearth holding a Bible. Jack is seated, bound, and gagged, but he’s here.
“It’s perfect. The most beautiful wedding ever.” I murmur.
John’s eyes are all fire as he looks at me like I’m the only woman in his world. When we reach him, he lifts my hand to his lips.
Afterword
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed Johnny’s happy ending! If you haven’t had a chance to read THE CHASE, or my CREED MC series, you are in for a treat. Roger and Devon’s story is UNSCRIPTED. See the sparks fly when Johnny and Christine first hook up in THE CHASE.
Please follow me on AMAZON and BOOKBUB to see what I’ll drop next.
Thank you for reading and supporting me on this journey.
JAX
Acknowledgments
Thanks you to the Z’s. Lisa, and Heather for the kickass cover.
Many thanks to my edit and ARC team for helping my book get better!
Thank you to all my readers who have followed the cast of characters that make it from my head onto the pages. Let’s hope 2021 is a good one. I know I have lots more stories instore for you!
JH