Branding & Saving Lily Box Set: Books 1 & 2 (Jacob and Lily's Duet)

by Gracin Sawyer

  I half laughed at his words. He was always telling me I was safe. And when he said it, I believed him. I couldn’t think of any person who would protect me more. I turned to look at Diesel and Carter. It was true. I was safer than the damn president. I wasn’t sure I should tell Jacob what happened or what deal Diesel and I had. Carter was already pissed enough at us, I could only imagine what Jacob would do or say. But then again, he had promised the same thing at one point.

  The moon overhead reminded me of the night I escaped Knox. Its silvery glow illuminated the road ahead as we headed to Lupe’s. The old man was growing on me like family and I was eager to see him again. I was secretly excited to tell him how well I did. But, I’d leave out the part when I got caught.

  Headlights came toward us fast, the other vehicle not slowing down or giving berth down the road. It had to be Angel coming for us. We were only a half mile from Lupe’s and I wondered if we could make it to his small fortress in time.

  Carter cursed and hit the brakes as he turned the wheel. Both vehicles came to a rest, dirt billowed like clouds in the headlights.

  A door slammed and I jumped not able to see who it was. Jacob reached in the glovebox and pulled out a smaller glock before opening the door. Everyone was already out, their guns drawn and aimed at the SUV.

  “Lily!”

  I knew that voice and climbed out of the truck. Jacob grabbed my arm and pulled me behind him, keeping me between him and the truck.

  The dirt settled and Garcia came around the vehicle. “Lily! Jacob, tell me you have her. Damn it, Lily!”

  “Dad?” I whispered as I saw him in full view. Jacob was still tense, but I walked around him and went to Garcia. “You’re okay? When Knox shot you, I didn’t know if you were even alive. I was so worried.”

  “Shit. It takes more than a bullet to put me down.” He held me out, grasping my upper arms. “I thought you hated me.”

  I had many reasons to hate him. And if Leman told us the truth, I might have more, but right now I had to worry about Jacob. “I do, but you’re still my dad. I’m glad you’re alive.”

  He scoffed. “It’s a good thing I don’t have a heart, or so I’ve been told. Or I wouldn’t be here. Barely missed it.”

  “Lily?” Doc’s voice echoed behind me.

  I hadn’t realized how much I missed him until he was there. I ran to him and hugged him. “Grandfather.”

  He held me back just as tightly. “Oh, Lily. I was so worried. When Garcia said he was coming, I couldn’t stay back there. I had to come.”

  I pulled back. “I’m glad you did. Jacob needs you.”

  Doc’s brows furrowed together. “Jacob’s hurt?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, he was shot two days ago.”

  “It’s nothing.” Jacob tried to blow it off, but I could see the pain etched on his handsome face. I hated seeing him hurt so much. He leaned against the truck and held his arm out for me. I couldn’t refuse him and rushed to him. His touch was a soothing balm to my emotional soul. It was hard to admit how much I needed this man.

  Doc gestured to the truck. “Let’s get to Lupe’s and fix you up.”

  “So that’s how Garcia knew how to find us.” Jacob smirked at Doc. “I think he let you come for his own selfish reasons.”

  He climbed in the backseat while Bear jumped in the bed. “Hell, I don’t care why he let me come, I’m just glad he did.”

  Lupe was out by the gate, a rifle raised as we pulled up. He eyed the other truck with Garcia. Carter explained who it was, but Lupe was unconvinced to let him in. Jacob winced and leaned against the glass. “Lupe, I promise, he’ll sleep in his truck. Just let us in.”

  I nearly snorted in laughter. Jacob wasn’t ready to trust Garcia either and that fact alone made me feel better about my own doubts.

  Lupe let our truck in, but told Garcia and his men to stay outside the gate. I could only imagine the amount of uproar that ensued. I was glad I wouldn’t have to deal with Garcia right now. I wasn’t ready.

  The men decided to take turns doing a protection lookout through the night. I wasn’t included, but was okay with that. That meant I could stay with Jacob. No one trusted Garcia, and no one knew where Angel was, so that meant everyone was on high alert and no one would really sleep anyway.

  Maria rushed to the door and ushered Jacob to a small room with a bed. For a tiny woman, she was demanding and no one went against what she said. Even Lupe stood back and let her direct the men. Then she came to me and touched my face. “I fix food. You go to him.”

  I wasn’t about to argue with her. Food sounded lovely, but being with Jacob sounded even better. Doc already had Jacob’s shirt stripped and was examining the wound. “It’s not infected, but it’s still oozing blood. I’m gonna have to stitch you up.”

  Jacob winced, but nodded.

  I grinned and sat down beside him on the edge of the bed. “It could be worse.” I leaned in close to whisper. “He could burn it.”

  It was meant to be in jest, but Jacob grimaced. “Lily, I’d have done anything else for you. You know I didn’t want to hurt you. And hell, you could burn me right here and I wouldn’t think twice about you doing it. I deserve it.”

  I took his hand. “Jacob, I was teasing.”

  He leaned back against the stone wall. “How are you doing? This can’t be easy on you. You’re still healing too.”

  I shrugged. “I’m sore, but it’s not bothering me much anymore.”

  Doc came back with rags, needles and thread. “Lily, you can go out there if you want.”

  “No,” Jacob and I said together.

  I smiled at Jacob but spoke to my grandfather. “I’m not leaving.”

  Doc kept getting ready, unfazed by my unwillingness to leave. “Okay, then you just hold his hand. This will hurt. I have front and back to close up.”

  Jacob didn’t take his eyes off mine as Doc began. He tensed and his muscles jerked, but he held my stare. I could see the pain rip through him but he never uttered a word. I wanted so much to take it all away. I touched his face as Doc finished wrapping his shoulder. A few days of growth covered his jaw in a rough attractive shadow. “I love you.”

  He moved so he could kiss my hand. “I love you, too.”

  “Okay you two lovebirds. I’ll be right outside if you need me.” Doc winked at me before leaving.

  Finally, I was alone with the man I loved. The man I actually killed for. But I wasn’t going to think about that right now. Maybe not ever. I was getting good at blocking things out.

  “Come here, honey.” Jacob held his arm out, beckoning me to curl up next to him. “I need to feel you next to me.”

  My heart sputtered and stalled. He still had a way of making me blush. I climbed fully up on the bed and tucked myself under his arm, resting my head on his chest. Hearing his heartbeat was the best thing in the world. It meant he was alive.

  More tears pelted my face and pooled onto his bare chest.

  “Honey, don’t cry.”

  I didn’t want to cry. I just couldn’t contain all the emotions that pent up over the last few days. “They’re happy tears,” I half lied. I was happy, but I was also exhausted.

  He kissed the top of my head. “Lily, look at me.”

  I turned my head up to stare into his gorgeous amber eyes. It was like staring into a pool of caramelized honey. I could stare into those eyes forever.

  He raised his hand to gently graze my cheek. He winced slightly.

  I pulled back. “Jacob, don’t. It hurts you.”

  His good arm held me tight, not letting me pull away farther. “It will hurt more if I don’t touch you.”

  My heart sped up as his lips neared mine. I wondered if he could feel how much he affected me.

  His mouth hovered over mine. The tantalizing heat from his breath warmed my lips. “I’d spend my last breath kissing you.”

  Our mouths weren’t even touching and my body melted against his. It was torture the way he was savoring the moment. If
torture was pleasurable.

  The moment his lips touched mine it was like the world left and only we remained. He pressed harder, crushing my mouth with a need I matched. He wasn’t just kissing me, but was rebranding me as his.

  Everything in me agreed and accepted him as the only man to sear my heart with his name. Lost in the moment, I captured each second in my mind to relive later. My hands gently grazed his chest and lower along the band of his jeans. He groaned and my heart skipped a beat. I loved hearing that, but knew he wasn’t near ready for more. He’d just been shot for hell’s sake.

  And, the fact that we were in Lupe and Maria’s bed didn’t evade me. It just wasn’t time, no matter how much I wanted it to be.

  I hated what I was about to do, but pulling back was the only way to save him from my building desire. I sucked on my bottom lip and could still taste him as I lay back on his chest.

  His chest shook as he slowed his breathing. “It’s a good thing you stopped. I’m not sure I would have.”

  “I know,” I whispered against his skin, loving the connection we still had. It wasn’t without difficulty. I wanted to rip off my clothes and feel his body next to mine. I needed to feel him inside of me. Saving him was killing me.

  Chapter 19

  Jacob

  Last night was possibly one of the longest nights in my life. Having Lily so close after being ripped apart but not being able to take her and show her how much I needed her tore at my soul. Everything in me, especially the primal, predatory, protector part of me craved her. I couldn’t contain the silent growl in my head as my body pleaded with me to sate the building desire.

  Lily’s head fit perfectly in the crook of my shoulder. The steady rise and fall of her chest was calming. I slowly pulled my arm out, trying not to wake her, but her eyes fluttered open. “Shh, honey, go back to sleep.”

  “Where are you going?” She tried to sit up, but I pressed her gently to the pillow.

  “I smell coffee. You just sleep. I’ll be here when you get up. Promise.”

  She yawned and snuggled into the mattress. “You better.”

  I moved the hair off her face and smiled. I still couldn’t believe I was lucky enough to have her as mine. Standing, I stretched the best I could and tried to lift my left arm. I was surprised at how much farther I could move it compared to yesterday. It hurt, but was tolerable. The makeshift sling Doc made me was on the small dresser across the room. I picked it up and fit my arm gently in it, shifting it until it sat comfortably around my neck. No shirt, I would have to go out and grab my bag from the truck for a new one.

  It was early, but Doc and Bear were still out patrolling, and everyone else but Fox sat around a round table. Lupe and Maria had a more modern home for the area with most of their rooms under the same roof. Lupe had built it himself and every square inch of what sat under it.

  Fox had his feet kicked out and crossed with a woven blanket tossed over his torso. Sleeping on the hard floor would have killed my back, but he was still young. I envied Fox’s ability to drown out the world and just sleep.

  “Hey, boss. You look like you’re doing better.” Jax handed me a cup full of Maria’s strong brew.

  I took in a deep breath and accepted the cup. “Thanks. Yeah. It won’t be long and I’ll be good as new.”

  “How’s Lily?” Diesel asked, his face set hard. He glanced toward the door where she slept but quickly averted back to me.

  What the hell was going on? “She’s good. I told her to get a bit more sleep. She’s been through a lot.”

  Diesel nodded and Flapjack scoffed. “I think I’ll go out and take watch for Bear.” He downed the last of his coffee and kissed Maria on the cheek as he set his cup down. “Thank you, it was just what I needed.”

  Maria blushed and slapped him with her apron. “You get out of here before I trade you for my husband.”

  Lupe laughed and grabbed his wife from behind. “Mi Amor, you couldn’t trade me. Who else would know where you like to be kissed?” He kissed her neck quickly before jumping back to miss the swing of the wooden spoon in her hand.

  I smiled. It was good to see them act so normal, so in love. I glanced at the door where Lily slept. It gave me hope for us. This world could be hard, but if these two could still love through it all, then I knew Lily and I could make it.

  Flapjack left to relieve Bear and I grabbed his seat. The legs scraped against the wood floor. I took a sip of coffee and nearly choked. It was some of the strongest I’d ever tasted. I was certain I could stand a spoon up in it, like tar. It would definitely wake a man up in the morning. I set the cup down. “So, what do we know?” I went right into our normal morning hunting routine.

  Bear tossed his thumb over his shoulder as he closed the door behind him. “Who pissed off Flapjack?”

  “He’s just pissed he can’t cook like Maria,” Jax playfully flirted with Maria. It was the way they were. Lupe knew that not one of my men would ever disrespect his wife. And nothing but pride shown in Lupe’s eyes as he watched his wife receive the compliments.

  Diesel chuckled and swallowed the rest of his coffee with a wince. He covered the top when she went to pour more. “No thanks, I want to sleep sometime in the future.”

  Lupe held his cup up for more. “You can fill mine up, Mi Amor.”

  She sloshed the hot liquid over into his cup and grinned at him. Yes, those two definitely gave me hope.

  “Alright, back to business. What do we know?” I hated being the one to sober our mood, but the fact remained that someone was still out there watching for us. Angel was desperate to find Lily, and it was my job to protect her.

  Maria somberly walked to Lupe and placed a hand on his shoulder. He reached up and clasped her hand, holding it tight. These kinds of talk were hard for them, but they never shied away from them. The more women they could help, the more they felt closer to their daughter. I still hated that I couldn’t bring her home for them, but they never blamed me or hated me for it. In reality, it brought us closer. They truly were family to me and I would do whatever in my ability to protect them as well.

  Jax reached for a warm biscuit on the table. “We know Angel is still out there. We know he wasn’t the one behind your attack. And we know that Knox is still after Lily.”

  I nodded. “What else?”

  “We know we’re being watched,” Bear grumbled taking his own biscuit and shoving half of it in his mouth. He raised the other half up for Maria and grinned. “And it’s true, Flapjack is not near as good a cook as you. Damn, woman. You should leave your old man and come cook for me.”

  Maria rolled her eyes and rolled a mix of Spanish words off her tongue. But her smile said everything. She lost her daughter but gained a whole house of sons.

  “We know we can’t trust Garcia,” Lily said walking up behind me.

  I hadn’t even seen her sneak out of the room. She really did have the same talent as Flapjack, I mused. Her arm went around my neck as she leaned down and kissed my cheek. I pulled her around to sit in my lap. Shit, she was gorgeous. My heart thumped wildly in my chest thinking every man in here could see her looking so damn good in her morning glow. I was the luckiest man in the world.

  “She’s right.” I looked around to everyone. “We can’t trust Garcia. We don’t know who Knox was working with, but it stands to reason it was Garcia Ramirez. They’d been working together for so long, I don’t see how it could be anyone else.”

  Lily dipped her head, her gaze not even meeting mine. It had to be hard knowing your father wanted you dead. Hell, I killed my father, so I could understand a bit more, if not differently.

  I lifted her chin to look into her incredible blue eyes. “Honey, don’t do that. You have nothing to hide or be ashamed of. We are your family now and there isn’t a man,” I looked at Maria and winked, “or woman, who wouldn’t protect you. Don’t let that man devalue your worth. Cardosa’s don’t fucking hide.”

  I knew I’d used my name as hers, but damn, she was
mine. She might as well be a Cardosa.

  Her mouth parted softly as if to respond or argue, but a radiant blush flushed her cheeks and she pursed her lips together in a shy smile.

  “Jacob’s right. Don’t let Garcia make you feel like your fucking less than him. You don’t owe that cocksucker anything.” Diesel pushed himself away from the table and rubbed his jaw. “Jacob, I have to tell you something.”

  Lily tensed. “Diesel.” It was a warning, but he couldn’t heed it. He’d already started and now he had my rapt attention.

  “When you were being held, you had me protect Lily.”

  I nodded. My arm wound its way around Lily’s waist, both for my comfort of having her close, and so she couldn’t bolt.

  “I treated that order as if I were protecting my own. Like you said, she’s family now.” He held my stare, only his were filled with remorse while mine were the opposite.

  I tried to remain calm, but my nerves flared thinking Diesel could have touched Lily, or worse. What the fuck did he mean he treated her as if she was his?

  “Jacob, I told her she could come with us to get you. It was under my orders she came. It was my fault.” He looked at Lily but his face hardened and he turned away.

  “What the hell are you talking about, Diesel? What happened?” I gripped Lily’s waist tighter.

  Diesel flicked his tongue against his teeth and grabbed the back of the chair for support and leaned over. “I almost killed her.” He stood up and there was no mistaking the grief pouring from his soul. “You need to know, because if something happens, I’m not entirely sure I’d change my mind. You know, if you place her in my charge again. With what we’re talking about doing, going after Knox or Angel, hell even Garcia. If something happens…”

  “Diesel, we agreed. This wasn’t just you.” Lily stood up and looked right at me. “He did it because I wanted him to.”

  “Somebody better fucking tell me what the hell is going on, because I don’t take someone almost killing you as a good thing.” I grabbed her hand before she could get any farther away and pulled her back to me.