by Anne Mercier
She just stares at him, her eyes squinted a bit.
Mr. Sherman pales and inhales sharply.
“Just relax,” she soothes.
What the hell is going on here?
Her head tilts to the side. “Oh. I see,” she says softly, Mr. Sherman’s eyes widening.
And just as quickly as it began, it’s over. She uncrosses her legs and stands. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Sherman. I apologize for any inconvenience.”
That’s it. That’s it. What?
I look at John and Chris who look like this is an everyday occurrence.
When we get to the car, I turn to Carlotta. “What the hell was that?”
Probably not the smartest move after seeing that.
She laughs softly. “That was what my granddaughters refer to as my ‘mojo’. I merely prodded Mr. Sherman’s mind a little and retrieved the information I needed.”
“Um… I can’t even pretend to know what to say to that. That sounds crazy,” I reply, shaking a bit with fear.
“Of course it does. I assure you I didn’t hurt him. I just needed the name or names and now I have them.” She turns to John. “It’s not who we thought.”
He grunts and nods.
I rub my forehead with my hands. This is so surreal. Does this freak anyone else out? I need to talk to Jace.
I meet this woman for the first time and she does all that, she’s the wife of a powerful mob boss, and I’m considered part of their family.
I meet her gaze. “I guess I should feel lucky I’m in the family because anyone on the outside is pretty well screwed if they cross you.”
She nods. “Now you’re getting it. Just relax. They involved you and now I’ve un-involved you. I refuse to let whatever is happening on the business end of things affect those who aren’t directly involved. Gio feels the same. We protect our family.”
I just look at her. She seems so harmless at first glance. But looking now, I see the power, the strength, the eyes that see too much. She’s a formidable force, one to be reckoned with.
“Would you like to see?” she asks.
Would I? Will it hurt? Jace wouldn’t allow someone around me who would hurt me.
I nod once.
She tilts her head and then I hear her voice in my head. “Trust him. Jace will always take care of you and none of us will ever hurt you. That’s not what we’re about. We’re about protecting our own. We don’t go around looking to hurt people—not even Gio or his men. They only do what is necessary to protect. We don’t instigate the wars, Summer. We’re always pulled in and we have to take a stand or we will look weak, and the business cannot have that. You see?”
I nod.
“Good,” she speaks aloud.
“That didn’t hurt at all. Why did Mr. Sherman look so pained?” I ask.
“Fear. He crossed us,” she states, smoothing down her skirt.
“I can see that. I’d pee my pants if something like that happened to me,” I say without thinking.
She smiles. “I didn’t allow that while we were in there. I held his bladder tight, but let it go when we walked out of the room. I didn’t want the stench of his piss distracting me.”
“Well then.”
Now she laughs, really laughs. Goodness she’s beautiful. I see where Sera and Lucy get it.
“We’re here,” she says.
“Where’s here?” I ask.
“Regina and Anthony’s residence. They’re having a barbecue for supper.”
“I don’t know how it’s possible after being so afraid, but I am starving,” I admit.
“Regina will love that you eat. Women who don’t eat don’t fit in well with her,” Chris tells me.
“They’ll all love that you didn’t turn into a whining little bitch today,” John announces and I frown.
“I’d never be a whiny little bitch. Afraid, yes, but not whiny. I’ve not had an easy life and I’ve never whined about it,” I tell him, earning, what I believe to be, his respect.
“Summer!” Kadi calls out, running to me the minute I step through the door.
“Hi, sweetness,” I answer, lifting her and giving her a hug. I kiss her forehead, looking her over. “How was your time with Joan today?”
Her eyes get wide and she leans in to whisper in my hear, “My mommy was there.”
Now my eyes are wide. “Was she?”
Kadi nods. “Yep. She and a nice lady who likes flowers.”
“Sera’s mom,” Jace says, coming up behind me, wrapping his arms around both of us. He kisses my neck.
“Do you feel better now?” I ask Kadi.
She nods again. “She will always be with me but I can’t see her. I don’t like that I can’t see her, but Daddy says that’s what we have pictures for and Mommy took lots!”
I hug her again. “I’m so glad. If you ever need to talk about your mommy, you know you can talk to me, too, right?” I ask.
“Yes. Because you’re my Summer and you help Daddy take care of me,” she tells me, and I tear up unexpectedly.
“That’s right. I’ll always be here,” I tell her and she hugs me again.
“I love my girls,” Jace whispers against my neck.
“We love you too, Daddy!” Kadence exclaims, trying to hug him too, and choking me in the process. I can’t help the laugh that bubbles up. This little girl. She’s stolen my heart. She’s so strong, stronger than anyone her age should have to be, and I have to credit her incredible mother for that. Sydney must have been one hell of a woman and mother.
“Princess Kadi,” Sera calls out. “Come eat with me and the gentle giant!”
Kadi wiggles down and runs outside.
“How’d it go?” Jace asks me, turning me to face him, wrapping his arms back around me.
I lift my arms and hold my hands together behind his neck. “It was very interesting. Did you know Carlotta Russo was going along?”
His brows raise. “No. No, I didn’t.”
“The woman scared the hell out of me Jace,” I admit. “She did this thing to Mr. Sherman…” I shake my head. “I didn’t know what to think.”
“Her mojo,” Jace says.
“Yes! That’s what she said they called it. Then she did it with me. It didn’t hurt or anything. She just talked in my head and she knew what I was thinking. Apparently she went into Mr. Sherman’s mind to find the names she needed, then backed out. It’s… different. I didn’t know people like that truly existed.”
“Yeah, I didn’t either until Lucy and Sera mentioned it. I’ve never seen her use it, though,” Jace admits. My stomach growls loudly and he smirks. He takes my hand and leads me outside to the food.
There is a huge spread of food inside a massive screen tent. I stop in my tracks and start to laugh. I laugh so hard tears spill and my stomach aches.
“What’s going on?” I hear Xander ask.
Jace shrugs. “I’m not sure.”
“You drove her insane, didn’t you?” Meggie teases. “I know I’d go insane if you were the love of my life.”
“Hell yeah,” Ethan agrees.
“Completely loco,” Kennedy announces.
When I stop laughing I just look up into the eyes of the man I’ve fallen completely head over heels in love with.
“Is there anything about you all that is normal?” I ask loud enough for everyone to hear.
I hear a chorus of, “hell no”, “nope”, “‘fraid not”, and “not if we can help it”.
Jace’s smile is wide and bright and happy. He pulls me into his arms. “Darlin’, what’d be the fun in that?”
“True enough,” I agree. “Think I’ll ever get used to all of this?”
He shrugs. “I still haven’t, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“How would you feel about coming to work with me?” Joan asks.
I turn to her, surprised. “I would love that. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you and the things you do for the children and families.”
/> “I’ve heard the same about you. I think we’ll make a pretty good team. I’ve been looking for someone to help so I could take on a couple more kids and fill the house like I used to, but I couldn’t find anyone I liked. But you, you I like. You’ve got what my daddy used to call gumption. I can see you’re a fighter and you’re strong. You’re going to need all of that to work with this lot,” she tells me.
I nod. “I imagine so. When would you like me to start?”
“Tomorrow too soon?” Joan asks with a laugh.
“Tomorrow is perfect.”
“There are three others who help at the house, not including Cage, Ernesto, and Sera. The band members sometimes help out too, mostly Ben and Nicole.”
“That sounds like the perfect setup. I’m beyond honored you asked me, Joan. Maybe my getting fired was a blessing in disguise,” I mutter.
“No,” Joan says sternly. “It most certainly was not. What it means is there’s another disruption in the business for Cage, which means I’ll worry more.”
“Cage can handle himself,” Jace says walking up.
“He can, but it’s a mother’s prerogative to worry,” she corrects.
“That’s the truth,” I agree.
“What are you two whispering about over here?” Jace asks.
“Joan offered me a job and I accepted. I hope that’s okay. I never even thought to ask you,” I wince. “I’m not used to having someone to answer to.”
“Darlin’, you don’t answer to me. It’s nice if you’d like to keep me in the loop or ask my opinion on some things, but your work is your choice. Work, don’t work, that’s all fine with me. Whatever you decide.”
I sigh and lean into him, kissing his lips, forgetting everyone around us. I rest my hand on his cheek.
“How did I get so lucky?”
He grins that cheeky grin. “You had a VIP pass.”
I laugh. “So I did. But then again, so did you.”
“Damn sure did. A VIP pass right into your—”
We hear a cough and look over at Joan.
I blush. “I’m so sorry.”
She laughs. “Don’t be. I love watching people in love. I just don’t need to hear Jace go into detail.” She winks and walks away.
“I’m so excited to work with her, Jace. She’s the best around. Her reputation is flawless.”
“She wouldn’t have hired you on if you weren’t the same. Joan’s very choosey when it comes to those kids. Only the best for them,” Jace assures me.
“I’m so honored to be part of something so life-changing.”
Jace nods. “You’re amazing, Summer.”
I blush again.
“When do you start?” he asks.
“Tomorrow.”
He laughs. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
Now I laugh with him.
This is the happiest I’ve ever been and I owe it all to this man and his—our—amazing family. A family that’s scary, loud, crass, loving, caring, and nosy. A family that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.
31
Sydney
My Dearest Jace,
You’ve made it to my last letter—for now. There are more for later, when you need them, and you’ll know when that is.
I hope you find love again, Jace. You have so much of it to give. Don’t close yourself off from it. Embrace it. When you find the woman you can’t stop thinking about, the one who makes your heart beat slower and faster at the same time, the one who steals your breath when she walks into the room—Love her. Love her every minute of every day and treat each of those minutes like it’s the last—because it just might be. We never know when our time comes, unless you get sick like me, but all too often so many people lose their loves when they least expect it.
Mrs. Newbury’s husband died today. He had a massive heart attack and was gone before they got him to the hospital. He knew. I don’t know how but he knew he was going to die. He told Mrs. Newbury all the things he wanted her to do, how he wanted to be buried, how he wanted her to be happy for the time they’ve had together instead of sad for not having more of it. “We’ve lived and loved, Vera. We’ve had a lifetime of happiness,” is what he told her. “And that’s more than most people get.”
I hope you find that, Jace. I hope you find that special someone who will love you and bring you happiness like it’s the best day of summer every day of the year.
Show Kay Kay what true love is. Teach her how a man should treat a woman. Teach her to never settle for less than she deserves. Teach her all of these things so she finds that forever love who will be worthy of her and everything she has to give.
Thank you for all you’ve done and all you’ve yet to do for me and for Kadence.
I’ll talk to you soon. I promise.
Always yours,
Sydney
Part V
The epilogues.
32
Jace
“You ready for this, dude?” Xan asks.
Am I? “Fuck yeah, I am.”
He grins.
“You’ve only been together seven months,” Kennedy reminds me.
“I’d have married her that first weekend if I could have. She’s it, man.”
“Let’s hope she gives you the answer you’re looking for,” Jesse teases.
“Thanks a lot, fucker,” I growl.
“You got this,” Ben tells me.
“Everything’s ready,” I say, nervously. I run my hands over my jean-clad legs, drying the anxious sweat. “You fuckers better not ruin this.”
I send a glare to Jesse, then Xander.
Xander laughs. “If you have anyone to worry about it’s the anti-cupid here, Ethan.”
“Nah. I support Jace. He and Summer are a good match,” Ethan counters. “I’d be worried about the silent one. You know how they are,” he says, giving Kennedy a look.
“Not my style,” is all Kennedy says and then we hear a door slam.
“Oh fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I curse, shaking out my hands, jumping up and down, and acting like an idiot while the guys move out to the beach.
Summer walks in looking like the best thing I’ve ever seen and my nerves melt away. I’m not just sure. I’m positive.
“What are we doing here, babe?” she asks, looking around the beach house.
Yeah, we’re at Lucy’s Malibu beach house. It’s the only place I could find privacy.
“This is Lucy’s,” I say stupidly.
“Yeah, I figured,” she replies, setting her purse down. “What’s wrong with you? You have this weird look.”
“Nothing, I’m fine. Let’s go walk on the beach.” I grab her hand and all but drag her out the door.
“Jace,” she mutters with a laugh. “Let me take my sandals off at least.”
“Shit. I’m sorry,” I tell her, bending down to unbuckle her sandals and slip them off her feet. She’s got those short pants on so she’s good. I’ve already rolled my jeans up, just in case the waves decide they’re in love with me.
“There,” she laughs. “You’re so weird sometimes.”
“But you love me anyway,” I tell her, pulling her to me and giving her a kiss. I leave my arm around her while we walk down to the sand.
“We don’t have much time. It’s already getting dark,” she murmurs.
“I know, but it’s so nice out tonight. I just wanted the fresh air and quiet.”
She nods. “It’s been pretty hectic lately.”
“That’s the truth. Between recording, writing, all of Kadi’s activities, and your work, we’ve hardly had any time together outside of the bedroom—not that I’m complaining,” I tell her.
“I’d never complain about that,” she agrees. “Hey, where’s our tail?”
“They’re there. You just don’t see them like you normally would. I asked for some privacy so we could have some peace.” It’s not a total lie. Hell, it’s pretty much the truth—just not all of it.
“We better turn
back,” she says, as the sun is already halfway set.
I nod and we head in the other direction. When we get close to the house, I note the black SUV Jesse and the guys brought here is gone. I hope I don’t fuck this up.
“What’s that?” she asks.
“What’s what?”
“That pink paper under the rock,” she says, then heads straight for it. I follow her slowly, standing a few feet away as she studies it. “A treasure map?”
I shrug.
She grins. “Playing games with me? Okay. It better be one hell of a treasure to make me dig after such a long day.”
She grabs the shovel and follows the directions. Ten steps east. Four steps south. Fifteen steps east. There’s an X in the sand and she jumps up and squeals.
I can’t stop the chuckle. She’s like a kid in a candy store—or the Willy Wonka factory. It’s no everlasting gobstopper, but I think her prize is pretty amazing too.
She digs and it’s not long before she hits the box. Yep, I went all authentic. I used a treasure chest, only this one is small and unlocked.
She pulls it out of the hole and sets it in front of her. She lifts the lid to find seashells inside. Her scowl is so cute I chuckle again.
“If this is it, it’s not very nice, Jace,” she chides.
I just shrug and watch as she lifts shell after shell out onto the sand and when she sees the turquoise bow wrapped around a very tiny treasure chest, her breath catches and she looks up at me through her lashes.
I give nothing away. None of the anxiety or fear. None of the excitement or happiness. Nothing. Stoically I watch—and wait.
She lifts the chest and unties the ribbon. When she tries to lift the lid, she can’t. She turns the chest over.
Face me is written on the bottom and there’s an arrow pointing away from her.
Find the key that belongs to you.
She smiles softly at the clue and walks toward me, her hands going to my chest—my heart. She pulls the thin black cord up from around my neck, and she finds the key. She reaches behind me and unties the cord, her breath shaky, but she says nothing.
