Jen's Journey

by Avery Gale

  She’d turned and the beautiful eyes that were usually such a sparkling crystal blue were darkened with the turbulence of a churning sea. Their gazes had locked for just a few seconds, but it had been long enough that he’d seen how much she regretted the depth of emotion she’d just revealed. Though a part of him was pleased to have witnessed such a candid moment, a much larger part of him was deeply ashamed of the fact he and Sage had put the sadness in her expression. Jen had clearly felt abandoned when they’d left her at the club and he wasn’t sure why that surprised him. Pushing his fingers through his hair in frustration, he’d known she’d slept through most of the arrangements they’d made that night, so she hadn’t heard all the care they’d taken to be sure she’d be protected until they returned. And their lack of contact the past few days had only reinforced the feeling she’d been handed off like a baton in a relay.

  When she’d only hesitated briefly when he’d told her to stop, he’d known they had their work cut out for them. Walking away hadn’t been what her heart had wanted to do, but it had been what she thought was best for her. Her trust was shattered and winning it back was going to be an uphill battle. Sam wanted to kick himself for how inconsiderate they’d been of her feelings. Fuck! I’ve become so accustomed to working with men whose lives often depended on following my orders I’ve forgotten how to make a woman see what she might gain by obeying. I’ve broken one of the fundamental rules of BDSM—hell of all relationships, to make sure your partner feels cherished. The quiet snick of the door as it closed behind her had sounded like a cannon in the quiet room. Turning his attention to Jax McDonald, he snarled, “You didn’t tell her, did you?”

  “Fuck you, skippy, this isn’t sixth grade and I’m not responsible for passing your notes to the pretty girl in the front row. Hell, I warned you this would happen.” When Sam and Sage both straightened from their positions against the door’s oak frame Jax waved them off. “Yeah, I told her—mostly. But she wasn’t interested in my, what did she call it?” he looked over at Micah and grinned, obviously enjoying his and Sage’s predicament. “Oh yeah, now I remember. She explained in clear and concise terms that she wasn’t interested in second-hand excuses from my boulder noggin’ buddies.” The ass had the nerve to pause for dramatic effect before continuing, “And she thought it necessary to explain there wasn’t any reason a free-spirited woman couldn’t enjoy the mattress mambo with a couple of players without needing to touch base with them again. And I believe the phrase ‘no harm-no foul’ was in there somewhere too, but truthfully by that point I was trying to tune her out because that was too much information from the woman I consider a second sister.”

  He heard his brother groan beside him as Sam buried his face in his hands. It must have been all it took to break the tension in the room because all four of their former teammates burst out laughing. Jax shook his head and motioned them into the room. “Jesus, McCall, you’re too easy. And yes, I gave her the message. But the rest of it was true as well and honestly, we’ve stalled her about as long as we dare.”

  Micah stepped forward and shook their hands, “Glad to have you guys here. But I think you did Jen a huge disservice by not calling her. Might want to give those courting skills a dust-off, guys.”

  Jax’s entire demeanor seemed to shift as his eyes narrowed, “About that. While we’re on this topic let me just put it out there and explain this as clearly as I can—hurt her and you’ll deal with me.”

  “And then me,” Micah added.

  “Oh for the love of all things holy, the testosterone level in this room is going to peel the paint off the walls and melt the paint off those lovely Remington oils my husbands value so highly.” Tobi West had entered the office and stood with her arms crossed over her chest like a disapproving schoolmarm. Well, as much as a petite, totally stacked blonde beauty could play the role anyway. Sam and Sage had both been completely charmed by their friends’ new bride when they’d met her at Jax and Micah’s wedding to Gracie seven months earlier. It had been abundantly clear how smitten Kyle and Kent West were and why.

  Tobi was obviously whip smart and her irreverent way of humbling her Dominant husbands seemed to endear her to everyone she came into contact with. From what Sam had seen, Tobi was as kind and as genuine as they came—and those traits were what made women beautiful in Sam’s view. It didn’t matter how lovely the wrapping, if a woman only saw what was in a mirror, she didn’t hold any appeal for him. Smiling to himself, Sam thought back on a conversation he’d had with Tobi early on the morning of the wedding. He’d seen her hovered over a table by the pool just before dawn and had gone outside to investigate.

  What he’d found had floored him. Hell, she’d married into one of the wealthiest families in the state but she was super-gluing her flip-flops back together and muttering about how you couldn’t buy anything that lasted anymore. When he’d inquired why she didn’t simply replace them, she’d shrugged and said, “I paid seven dollars for these, damn it. They should last more than two years.” When he’d chuckled her cheeks had flushed bright pink. The irony that most of the women who ran in the social circles that could afford the steep membership fees of the Prairie Winds Club wouldn’t wear a seven dollar pair of shoes to take out the trash, let alone wear them for more than one season hadn’t been lost on him.

  When Tobi started tapping her foot in the same impatient way he’d seen his mother use with his dad, Sam’s attention returned to the present and he realized she was staring at him with her head tilted to the side as if she were trying to decide whether or not he was listening to her. Umm, that would be a big no, darlin’. “You didn’t hear a word I said, did you? Good Lord, you aren’t going to be another wall of human flesh that I talk to are you? Because really, I’m pretty well covered on that front. After you helped me with my…umm, little project,” he watched her eyes dart guiltily between her husbands before she went on, “and you didn’t make fun of me, I thought maybe you were different.” Yep, feeling like a major ass now.

  “Project, kitten?” Kyle’s voice was curious, but his question was more of a command for her to be forthcoming than just an inquiry.

  Sam saw her start to roll her eyes and wanted to smile when she caught herself. Good save, sweetie. “Drown me.” Sam saw the corner of Kent’s lips curve up despite the fact he was trying like hell to fight the smile. “I was fixing my flip-flips the morning before the wedding and Sam helped me.” Waving her hand she said, “I know, I know, I’m not supposed to do that, but damn it those were expensive and they should last longer than that.”

  Kent hadn’t been able to hold in his snort of laughter and even Kyle was grinning as he spoke to Tobi. “Kitten, the reason we don’t let you use the super glue is because you glued your fingers to the table—twice, not because we’re opposed to you fixing something. Although I do have to wonder why you didn’t simply buy another pair of shoes. And we’ll be chatting about your disobedience later, my love.”

  “In the meantime, tell Sam and Sage what you have to say without the snark. They are still friends and Masters who deserve your respect.”

  Kent’s words obviously surprised her and her eyes jerked back to Sam’s. She looked at Sage as well before nodding and returning her attention to Sam. “I didn’t mean to be rude, but I’d gotten the impression when we first met that you were men who knew the value of a woman’s trust. When you didn’t make fun of me or run off tattling, I assumed….well, never mind that. Let’s just say I expected more from you.” Her posture softened a bit as she continued, “I’ve spent the past few days trying very hard to distract Jen from becoming a rolly-polly bug.”

  Sam felt his brows knit together in confusion and Tobi didn’t miss it. “You know, those little black bugs that curl into a tight little ball when you touch them? Well, anyway that is what she wanted to do. Curl into a ball and protect herself…use that hard outer shell to defect the danger of being touched by someone that was ultimately going to hurt her.” Sam could see the unshed tears in
her eyes and felt like an ass for involving her in their mess. “You can’t be inconsistent with someone who has experienced abandonment, guys. It is just too painful.” Kent and Kyle flanked her and it was clear she felt grounded by their touch. “But I really came to let Jax and Micah know that Gracie really is feeling punk, I’m worried she is becoming dehydrated. And to let you know Jen has called a cab and plans to leave within the hour.”

  For a few seconds no one moved. Tobi had swung a baseball bat in a room filled with the finest crystal and she’d done it with such finesse they’d all been blindsided. Holy hell that woman is a force to be reckoned with. As the room erupted into a flurry of activity Sam saw Kyle pull Tobi into his arms and kiss her soundly before turning her into his brother’s waiting arms. That is what I want with Sage and Jen, because heaven knows it is going to take both of us to keep up with her.

  Chapter Ten

  Sage walked beside Jen as she stalked through the arrivals corridor at Dulles marveling at how she could walk so fast on a slick marble floor in spikey heels and not bust her ass. Incredible. Once they’d shut down her hastily assembled plans to travel alone to Washington, the security team had put together a safer plan and made the arrangements easily. Sage was convinced the only reason she’d agreed to wait was that Jax had refused to get her an ID and she’d known she couldn’t board a commercial flight without one. Of course, the hour long chat Bill and Carol McDonald had with her behind closed doors had seemed to cool her temper considerably as well. A true Southern belle, Carol McDonald was fire wrapped in pure class. God he loved southern women. They could smile and “honey-pie” you even as they lit the fuse that would launch your ass right off their planet. He could just see Carol brushing her hands together saying “See there? Problem solved” as whoever had annoyed her was rocketed into oblivion.

  The plane ride had been frosty, hell, Sage hadn’t seen a ray of warmth from her since that first “lock-on” in the West’s office. Oh, her eyes had given her away completely in a moment so brief Sage might have missed it if he hadn’t been totally focused on her, but the longing and desire he’s seen had been shoved deep ever since. Once they’d worked out a plan to accompany her back to Washington, Jax and Kyle had drawn the short straws to tell her. They’d watched from the safety of the control room as she’d lobbed argument after argument at both men before storming out of the room spitting like a pissed off kitten.

  Micah had chuckled and said, “Well, that went well. Anybody interested in taking bets on how long it takes for our phones to start ringing?” The words had no sooner left his friend’s mouth than Kent’s phone started playing, Kenny Chesney’s “You Had Me From Hello”. There hadn’t been any question who was calling when he’d visibly cringed before cursing Micah for jinxing him. Kent had been vindicated when Micah’s phone had started playing The Starland Vocal Band’s “Afternoon Delight” in less than a minute.

  Since the only bag they’d checked was the one with their weapons, their stop at the security center had been their only delay in leaving the mayhem known as Dulles International. It had only taken them a half hour to make their way to long-term parking where Jen had left her car. And in truth, calling it a car was a generous over-exaggeration. Both he and Sam were six foot three and when they stood staring at her Mini Cooper, Sage saw Jen smile for the first time in two days. “Feel free to rent your own vehicle, gentlemen.” With that she unlocked the door, got in and started the motor leaving them to scramble into the sardine can with her. Sage now understood why his dad had been so adamantly against his mom buying a sports car. Jesus, Joseph, and Mary the tiny tin can he was riding in couldn’t possibly protect the driver or passengers from serious injuries. Christ, it’s a skateboard with a tin can tacked on top. As soon as they got her back to Texas they’d see about getting her something suitably safe to drive. Giving himself a mental head slap, he thought, maybe you should concentrate on just getting her to talk to you first before you try to dictate what she can drive, McCall.

  Sage had dealt with Jen’s silent treatment for about as long as he intended to. Sure, he understood why she was frustrated. And he was willing to concede that maybe Tobi and Gracie were right, they’d had their heads up their asses. Damn, even Mama McCall had ripped them a new one when they’d Skyped with her last night. But really, how long could she stay mad? Why can’t women be more like men? We pound the shit out of each other and then it’s over.

  As they walked into the lobby of her apartment building, he saw Jen visibly tense. Sage immediately stepped in front of her and stopped her progress, “What’s wrong?”

  To her credit she didn’t brush off his question, and the worry was easy to see in her beautiful blue eyes. “I don’t know, really. There is just something amiss. The hair is standing up on the back of my neck and I’ve learned ignoring those signals never works out well for me.” When she opened her mailbox Sage heard her gasp. Looking over her shoulder, he could see the contents of the box were a jumbled mess.

  Jen turned toward the man standing behind the reception desk, and extended her hand, “Hi, I’m Jen Keating, where is Matthew?” The guy didn’t look like he could be a day over eighteen and suddenly Sage felt every one of his thirty-four years. Jesus, was I ever that young and naïve? And if he doesn’t stop looking at our woman like she is some snack for him to taste he’s not going to live to be old enough to buy his own damned booze.

  “He got stabbed. Right here in the lobby. I got called in from the agency to pinch-hit and I told them I wanted hazard pay, ya know? Guess the old goat wouldn’t answer some prick’s questions so the guy stuck him.” Sage stepped up and wrapped an arm around Jen when she swayed on her feet. He wanted to punch the kid for his insensitivity. Yeah, great example of do as I say, not as I do, McCall.

  “And Tommy?” When the kid didn’t seem to understand her question, she added, “Our regular mail carrier? I can tell he wasn’t the one to put the mail in my box.”

  “Oh yeah, guess he bailed early. That’s what one of the old ladies upstairs said. The day after the old guy was stabbed here in the lobby, the mailman got roughed up outside so he moved. People said something about some lady named Jen planning a party.” NASA’s missing rocket scientist looked like a light bulb had just lit up over his head, “Hey! Are you the Jen that was doing the party?” Sage had to hold back his laughter when he heard Sam growl behind them.

  Sam stepped around them and asked Einstein, Jr., “Where are the security feeds for the lobby and street cameras stored? Did the police take them? Are they off-site or recorded here?” The kid looked confused and unfortunately he seemed to be suddenly getting a clue that he was talking too much. Sam hadn’t even given him time to answer when he turned to Jen, “Do you have a weapon in your car by any chance?”

  “No, my pistol is in the safe upstairs.” Sage hated the way her voice was shaking, but glad she was aware what they were hearing was probably not a series of unrelated events. He and Sam pulled their weapons out as they took the elevator to her floor. Since they wouldn’t leave her in the lobby unarmed, she was between them as they stepped off the elevator and made their way down the hall. They had nearly made it to her door when they were greeted by a woman whose beehive hairdo added a full foot to her four foot height. She was wearing a shocking pink jogging suit and carrying a small dog that looked like something out of a Saturday morning cartoon.

  “Jen, darling. I’m so glad to see you are finally home. Things have just gone to hell in a hand basket here, dear. Matthew was stabbed right there in the lobby, he’s still in the hospital but expected to make a full recovery. I signed your name to the card, honey, so don’t you worry about that. Oh, and did that dweeb downstairs tell you about Tommy?” Dweeb? Holy shit, where did an eighty-year-old woman learn that term?

  “Yes, Betty, he mentioned that. Can you tell me anymore about it?” Jen had hugged the woman and was absently scratching the dog’s ears. It was obvious they were well acquainted and Sage found himself grateful she’d had p
eople in her life that seemed to care for her. It was easy to see Jen was one of those people that others naturally gravitated toward and he’d found it interesting to watch how she charmed everyone she encountered. Hell, even the surly checker in the airport’s snack stand had smiled and wished her a good day before growling at the next customer.

  “Well, it started the day after you left. That was the same day my son sent me the pictures of Brandon in that little sailor outfit. You remember? I showed you that little blue number out on the street the day the big SUV nearly hit you.” She turned to Sage as if to explain, “Drivers in D.C. are insane. They think if they are driving a big truck with tinted windows they are clandestine. Wannabes is what my Herb always called them. Did I tell you my husband was a Marine? Oh, yes, he was a real hottie in his day.”

  Sage was starting to get dizzy trying to track the conversation but when he looked at Jen, she was patiently ruffling the pooch’s ears and smiling. “Well, anyway, first Matthew was stabbed, and then Tommy was assaulted outside. He was really shaken up. I saw him before the ambulance took him. He just kept saying that he didn’t know where you were, but the guy wouldn’t believe him. Then there was your cousin, my those scars are awful. Was he is some kind of a fire?”

  Jen had gone completely still. “Cousin? Fire?”

  Betty looked aghast and then started shaking her head. “Damn. I thought it was odd that you hadn’t called me. After all, I could have packed up things for you and sent them. Men just don’t pack like women do, they forget the important things sometimes. I met him in the hall and he said you’d had a death in the family…bet that wasn’t the truth either, was it?” She didn’t wait for an answer before plunging ahead. “The lying dirt bag said he was getting a few things together for you. I didn’t tell him I had a key or offer to let him in because, well to be perfectly honest, those scars are a bit off-putting if you know what I mean. He seemed distant, but pleasant, and although it seemed weird…this is Washington D.C. and the whole damn city runs on weird. Fiddle faddle, honey, I’m sorry. I should have called the police and let them sort it out, but sometimes I’m not as sharp as I used to be.”