Paying the Price

by C Davis

  “Come with me, Jenna. I want to talk to you.” I offered her my hand, which she gladly took. She held the notebook to her chest as I led her to the backyard.

  “Where are we going?”

  “To be alone. I need to talk to you.”

  Leading her to the picnic table, I helped her sit down and whispered. “He can’t hurt you anymore. He can’t hurt anyone anymore. I’m free, baby.”

  She laid the book down and ran her fingers through my hair. “Colton, what are you saying?”

  “My father—he can’t hurt anyone. Not you. Chloe. Nobody.”

  “Are you okay?” Jenna asked, burying her face into my neck. She brushed her lips against my neck, making me suck in a breath.

  “I’m more than okay, babe. I’ve got my sunflower here with me. I couldn’t ask for more.”

  “Colton, take me to the bed.”

  “There’s one more thing I want to do.” I said, kissing her lips.

  I stood up and twisted her body to face me. I took her hands and sunk down on one knee. “Jenna, baby, the mother of my child, you mean the world to me. If it weren’t for you, I would’ve lost myself. It was you that brought me back to the light when all I could see was darkness. You’re my angel, my savior and I love you. I love you so much.”

  “Colton—”

  I reached into my pocket and pulled out the ring I’d been holding for four years. I kept it hidden until the right time. “Let me finish, sweetheart. Jenna Bradley, will you marry me? Be mine.”

  She nodded, crashing her lips against mine and whispered. “Yes. Yes, Colton, I’ll marry you. What took you so long?”

  I slid the ring on her finger and murmured. “Baby, this ring has been burning a hole in my dresser for four years. I was going to propose the night everything went to shit. I’ve always loved you. I’ve loved you since the day I laid eyes on you.”

  I cupped Jenna’s face and pressed my lips against hers as she wrapped her arms around my neck. When I pulled away she had tears streaming down her face. “Please, don’t cry.”

  “No, these are happy tears. I love you, Colton. I love you so much.” Jenna pulled away and grabbed both of my wrists and placed them on her belly. “We both do.”

  “Sorry to interrupt this moment, but I needed to speak to both of you. I received a call from the prison, Colton. Your father was found in his cell earlier. He’s dead.”

  Good one, Benjamin.

  Nice cover story.

  I raised my head and met his gaze, a smile ghosting my face. “That’s unfortunate.”

  “Colton?” Jenna whispered.

  “I told you baby, he’s never hurting anyone again. And, if you’re wondering, no I didn’t kill him. He was still alive when we left him.”

  “Thank you, Colton.”

  “For what?”

  “For doing the right thing. For being the man I needed you to be.”

  Benjamin glanced at the ring on Jenna’s finger and smiled. “Now, we’re family.”

  “Family.” Jenna and I whispered together and pressed our lips against each other.

  Family doesn’t have to be blood. You don’t choose you’re blood family. They can be deceitful and conniving. Betray you without batting an eye. With this family though, we all chose each other. We’re loyal to one another. Take care of each other. Just because you’re blood doesn’t make you family, you have to earn that. The famous words of “Supernatural’s” Dean Winchester have so much truth in each word.

  “Loyalty. Respect. That’s what makes a family.”

  “So, when’s the wedding. Chloe and I already have our date. Now, it’s up to you to pick yours out.”

  “I—” Jenna trailed off.

  “One day at a time. Ain’t that right, baby.” I finished for her.

  “One day at a time.” She replied.

  Chapter 27

  Jenna

  Colton crushed his mouth against mine as he loomed over me. Deepening the kiss, I moaned out his name. “I need you to fuck me.”

  “Patience, I want to make you feel good. Let Daddy show you what pleasure really feels like.” Colton rasped as he slid his hands down to my waist. He leaned back and cupped my now very full breasts and squeezed gently.

  “Don’t be gentle, Colton. I’m not going to break. Let me see Daddy come out to play.”

  He took each nipple between his thumb and index finger, rolling them around and pinched. “Do you know what you’re asking me to do, little girl?”

  “Please, Colton. I need you to be rough. Be the badboy for me.” I breathed out breathlessly.

  He released my tightened buds and trailed his finger down my swollen belly and mused. “Are you sure you want Daddy Colton to come out to play with you?”

  “Yes.” I breathed out as he continued to trail his finger downwards. Goosebumps rose as he circled my belly button and darkened his eyes.

  “There’s one thing about Daddy, sweetheart. He likes to be in control. I need you to understand that.”

  “I understand.”

  “Tell me if I hurt you and I’ll stop.” He whispered as he slid his shirt over his head and pulled down his shorts.

  He positioned himself between my legs and slid inside as mouth kissed the swell of my breast. “Mmm, so sweet.”

  I reached up and tried to wrap my arms around his neck, but he hissed. “No. Arms at your sides.”

  “Please, Daddy. I need to touch you.” I whimpered as he took my nipple between his teeth.

  Colton pulled out as he released my nipple and growled. “Turn over, Daddy wants to take you from behind.”

  I slowly rolled over and glanced back to him. He slammed back inside me and gripped my hair in his fist, pulling my head back. “Still want Daddy to play?”

  “More than ever.”

  Colton’s hot breath on my neck did something to me. The way he grunted in my ear as he fucked me made me weak in the knees. I loved this side of him. So rough. Dominant. In control of my body as he thrust into me over and over. Until I couldn’t hold on anymore.

  “Colton, right there.”

  “Is that my babygirl’s sweet spot.”

  “Yes. Yes. Yes. Oh god, Colton—”

  “Babygirl, I’m not going to be able to stop myself if you keep moaning like that.”

  “Then, don’t stop. Please, Colton, Daddy.”

  Colton reached around and flicked my clit as he spilled inside me. Making me become something completely different. A desperate woman to bend at his every command.

  “Fuck, that was so good. So damn good.”

  “You have to let Daddy come out more often. I like it when he plays with me.”

  “So, I’ve been thinking. Benjamin and Chloe have this room.”

  “What kind of room?”

  “A kinky room.”

  “Oh?”

  “After you have my baby and your body heals, I want to take you in there. That’s Daddy’s playground, babe. You don’t have to decide now, but I’d like you to think about it.”

  “I want to experience it. I want to see all of Daddy come out.”

  Chloe

  I laid my head on Benjamin’s chest as he played with my hair. “Do you think they’ll be okay?”

  “Hmm?” Benjamin hummed.

  “Jenna and my brother?”

  “They’re going to be just fine, baby. Colton and Jenna can finally move forward and make a new chapter of their life. How are you feeling about all this?”

  “I’m glad he’s dead, but you know what?”

  “What?”

  “I know my father didn’t just die accidently. What really happened? You and Colton came back and you have two suits. I know you better than you know yourself. This Mr. Valentino had something to do with it, didn’t he?”

  “I can’t tell you that. I will tell you this though, your father suffered for every bad thing he did. He begged for Colton to help him, but Colton felt nothing. He told him to go to hell. That, my sweet Chloe, is justice served fo
r the innocent. That’s all I’ll tell you, though. Omerta.”

  “What’s that mean?”

  “It means you talk to much and need to rest. I can’t have my future wife exhausted for when our guests arrives tomorrow. It’s a big day for you.”

  “Benjamin Grayson, what are you planning?”

  “It’s time you finally meet the man who made all of this possible. It’s time you’re introduced to Angelo Valentino and his family.”

  “Are they good people?”

  “They’re not saints, but they are good people. Hush now, close your eyes and get some rest.”

  Tomorrow would be a big day for everyone. It will be the day I meet this mysterious man. Angelo Valentino. Sounds Italian or something. But, right now, I’ll clear my mind and rest as Benjamin told me to do. I just hope this party won’t end up in disaster.

  Chapter 28

  Colton

  Jenna stood in front of the mirror, and let out a frustrated breath. She tugged at the fabric, trying to contain her breasts. “Dammit, it’s no use.”

  I peered over to her and set my phone on the bed. Getting up, I walked to her and wrapped my arms around her waist. “Calm down, babe.”

  Jenna shook her head as she began to cry. “I look terrible. I’m fat and my boobs are about to fall out. This guy is a rich businessman and he’s—”

  I spun her around and pressed my finger to her lips. “Shh, sweetheart. It’s going to be just fine.”

  “God, what’s wrong with me?” Jenna wrapped her arms around my neck and laid her head on my chest.

  “Look at me.” I demanded, “I think you’re beautiful no matter what. Angelo just wants to meet the girls he brought justice for. It’s going to be fine. We’re going to go down there and meet the man. He’s going to eat dinner with us. And then, you know what?”

  She shook her head, “What?”

  I brought my hands up and cupped her face. “Then, I’m going to bring you back up here and make love to my fiancée. I love you and so will he.”

  Jenna and I joined everyone downstairs and met Benjamin’s gaze. I nodded towards Chloe and whispered, “Go catch up with Chloe. I’ll be right back.”

  Benjamin looked tired. He had dark circles underneath his eyes and his hair was disheveled. “You okay?”

  “Chloe kept me up. She wanted to rearrange the bedroom at two o’clock in the morning.”

  “Tell me you didn’t let her lift anything.”

  “Hell no.”

  I glanced to the clock and sighed, “When is Angelo coming?”

  “Should be any moment.”

  Benjamin and I stepped out the front door to see a familiar SUV pulling into the drive. Angelo got out with Matteo and Vito, a slender blonde trailing behind them. We met them halfway and shook Angelo’s hand. “Bloody hell, this heat is dreadful.”

  “Welcome to Oklahoma. One day it’s hot. The next day it’s cold.” Benjamin chuckled.

  Angelo cleared his throat. “You already know Matteo and Vito. This here, is Vivianna, Matteo’s sister.”

  “Angelo Valentino.” The blonde hissed, “Quit being a dick.”

  Matteo snickered, “You’re the one who married her, boss.”

  “Dammit Vivianna, if you would’ve been patient, I was going to tell them. Meet my wife. She’s lovely, isn’t she?”

  “Fuck you, Angelo.”

  Angelo grabbed her arm and whispered in her ear. Her eyes lit up like Christmas. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go inside.”

  “Manners, Vivianna, or do you need a reminder?”

  Benjamin cleared his throat and nodded to the house. “Let’s all go inside.”

  We led them inside and Benjamin offered them a seat. Angelo and Vivianna sat down, while Matteo and Vito stood. I excused myself and stepped into the kitchen. Jenna and Chloe were looking at the same notebook I saw them with before. “What’s this?”

  “It’s her Colton Journal.”

  “Colton journal?”

  “It’s nothing. Chloe’s making it up.”

  “Oh yeah,” I teased, “Then, you won’t mind if I read it.”

  Jenna slammed the notebook shut and held it to her chest. “You can’t. It’s—private.”

  “I’ll find out what’s inside, babe. It’s only a matter of time. Angelo and his family are here. He wants to meet you two.”

  I led the girls to the living room and wrapped my arm around Jenna’s waist. “This is Jenna, my fiancée and this is Chloe, Colton’s sister”

  Angelo sized me up and smirked, “Good to know I’m not the only possessive one.”

  Jenna held out her hand and shook Angelo’s hand, “It’s great to meet you, Mr. Valentino.”

  “Pleasure is all mine. Benjamin, who is this lovely lady?”

  “We’re not so different after all, Benjamin. I just wanted to come by and meet the women I brought justice to. I also was hoping to see Jeff Scott. He’s been dodging my calls.”

  “He owns the bar downtown. It’s only about five minutes away.”

  “I do fancy a drink. Care to join me Benjamin and Colton?”

  “Babe?”

  “Go ahead, we’ll be fine.”

  “Vito and Matteo will stay here with Vivianna.”

  “Boss?” Matteo questioned.

  “I’ll be fine. Just make sure Vivianna doesn’t scare the girls with those damn pregnancy stories.”

  Benjamin, Angelo, and I pulled up to the bar and stepped out of his vehicle. We entered the bar and scanned the area. Bottles had been smashed and Jeff was passed out at a table. I raised a brow at Benjamin, but he shook his head. Angelo was the first to speak. “This is normal, yes?”

  “No.”

  Benjamin shook Jeff and whispered, “Wake up. You’ve got company.”

  Jeff raised his head and opened his blood-shot eyes, croaking out. “Amber—she—I—”

  “What happened?”

  “She’s gone.”

  “What do you mean gone?”

  “I—I told her the truth. I told her—”

  “Told her what?” Angelo asked.

  “I told her I used to work for the mob.”

  Angelo sighed and ran his hand over his face. “Where did she go?”

  Angelo was about to say something when his phone went off. “What is it? You’re certain. Okay. I’ll be there soon.”

  “Come on, Jeff let’s get you out of here.” Benjamin said, slumping his arm over his.

  “That was Matteo on the phone. Apparently, a girl named Amber showed up in tears. I’m assuming that is the Amber you were talking about.”

  “Yes.” I answered.

  “He can’t go there. What do we do, Benjamin?”

  “I can hide him in the garage until I figure it out. Then, what?”

  “I don’t know. We’ll just have to figure it out as we go.”

  Angelo pulled up to Benjamin’s house and helped sneak Jeff into the garage. He sighed, “I can’t help but think this is my fault. I have been trying to get Jeff to come manage one of the clubs in Vegas. He never returned any of my calls, so I assumed he wasn’t interested.”

  Benjamin shook his head, “Amber can be—what’s the word? A little dramatic.”

  Chapter 29

  Jenna

  Chloe and I sat across from Vivianna as the two bodyguards stood behind her. She was a young, beautiful blonde. The two men were a different story. While one looked angry, the other one looked more amused as they looked at each other. Okay, maybe they didn’t like each other.

  “Is this your first child?” Vivianna asked.

  “Yes.” Chloe and I answered at the same time.

  Vivianna clapped and squealed, causing both men to wince. “Oh, this gives me a great idea.”

  “Vivianna, no.” The more angry one hissed.

  “Lighten up, Vito.”