Cherish Me (The Protected Love Series)

by Culbreth, Jennifer

  “Yeah well when you’re both outcasts it’s easy to gravitate to each other. We used to run those dirt roads like it was no one’s business. Smoking, drinking; you name it, we did it.” Alexis said proudly.

  “So ladies, what’s on the agenda today?” Jace changed the subject.

  “Alexis what are your plans? How long are you in town for?” Abbi asked.

  “No plans. I am just winging it. I got a little pad over on the other side of town a week or so ago. Nothing this fancy but it’s got a mini fridge. So I will be around for a bit.” Jace caught the boldness in her smirk as she caught his stare.

  “Great.” Jace murmured under his breath.

  “What Honey?” Judy turned up at him, a smile beaming across her face.

  “Oh nothing, Babe.” He smiled over at her. How could he be angry when she looked that happy?

  “Well how does the beach sound? Do you have a bathing suit Lexi?” Judy said standing.

  “Not on me, but I can run back to my hotel and grab the one I brought.” She stood to make her way to the door.

  “No, no. You can wear one of mine. From the looks of it, we can still wear the same size.”

  “We are going to run home and get the truck packed and we will meet you at the beach house?” Abbi questioned as she and Ryan made their way towards the apartment door.

  “Sounds good.” Judy and Abbi exchanged hugs as Abbi pulled Ryan towards the door.

  “Rendezvous at bravo point at 1300?” Ryan shot Jace an apologetic look.

  “Roger.” Jace said as he headed towards the bedroom to find his swim trunks.

  *****

  “So what’s up with your boy toy? He permanently angry at the world?” Alexis asked as she slipped one of Judy’s bathing suit cover ups over the bathing suit Judy had lent her.

  “No. He is a little stressed out after everything that’s happened. I think you just caught him off guard that’s all.” Judy said pulling her hair up into a messy bun.

  “So you gotta tell me girl. Where the hell did you find him at? And Ryan, can I say yum!”

  “Ha! Yes Abbi and I got very lucky with those two. They both own VIP Bodyguard Services here in LA. We actually met by accident. Long story. Bad story actually. But it turned out great in the end. We weren’t really serious until after everything happened at the club. Needless to say we have been inseparable ever since.”

  “Well if you find anymore hot bodyguards lying around, pick one up for me.” Alexis laughed as they made their way back toward the front of the apartment.

  Judy made her way into the kitchen and over to the pantry grabbing bottles of water and a few snacks to throw into the cooler that Jace had left on the counter. After filling it she grabbed their beach bag and sunscreen.

  “Babe I got the umbrella. Did you pack the cooler?” She heard Jace call out from the other room.

  “Yeah I got it. Can you carry it please?”

  “Coming, Princess.”

  She smiled feeling the blush spread across her cheeks and down her body. This man started a fire inside of her like no one she had ever encountered before. She watched as he came into the kitchen. His board shorts hanging low on his hips with an Angels t-shirt and a navy ball cap. He was beautiful and she had no idea what she had done to end up with someone as amazing as him.

  “You know that’s considered gawking?” Jace joked as he came up to her.

  “I can’t help it. Do you know how sexy you are?”

  “It’s been mentioned before. Once. Maybe twice.”

  “You’re such an ass.” Judy smiled as she leaned into his lips.

  “A sexy ass though. But not as sexy as yours.” She felt his hands travel down to her ass cheeks, slipping underneath her cover up grabbing them and placing her up onto the bar stool.

  “Mmmm.” She moaned out. “Is it too late to back out of the beach and just stay here running around naked all day?”

  “Ok you two. Get a room!” Alexis said with disgust as she came into the kitchen.

  “I have one, in the back of the house. Jace you big stud! Take me to bed or lose me forever!” Judy smirked.

  “I wish I could.” He whispered into her ear. “Come on Meg Ryan.” She took his hand and they headed out the door to the hall elevators.

  The ride to the beach house Ryan had bought for his parent’s took no time. Usually the heavy LA traffic had Jace spouting rampant curse words at all of the other drivers on the road. However the constant chatter between Judy and Alexis caused the drive to go by a bit faster. Pulling into the driveway Judy noticed that Abbi and Ryan had already arrived. Abbi’s large black Range Rover sat in the driveway in front of the large two story white house.

  “Damn, all of you have nice ass houses.” Alexis leaned up in between the two seats taking in the large beach house.

  “This is actually the house that Ryan bought his parent’s for Christmas last year. They usually fly out every month or so, especially since they have a grandbaby on the way.” Judy gushed.

  “Ah, so Abbi is knocked up. Hell I would be too if it meant a hot ass man would put a ring on my finger.” Alexis joked as she got out of the car.

  “Abbi didn’t do that to get Ryan, Alexis. They were engaged before she found out she was pregnant.” Judy felt a slight tinge of irritation at Alexis’ accusations towards Abbi.

  “Oh no, man. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that, Girl. Come on you know me better than that. I just meant… Oh hell I don’t know what I meant. I’m sorry.” Alexis looked apologetically over at her.

  “It’s ok, just try and contain those kinds of comments around Abbi please.”

  “Yes ma’am.” Alexis winked, adding to the irritation Judy felt towards her immature comments.

  Judy made her way to the back of the car and grabbed the bag from the trunk as Jace removed the cooler.

  “I am going to take this around back, Babe. I will meet you two inside ok?” Jace leaned over and kissed her.

  “Ok.” Judy watched as he lugged the heavy cooler around the side of the house towards the beach.

  As she shut the trunk door she suddenly had a strange feeling come over her. The feeling like she was being watched. Spinning around in the driveway she looked out onto the busy drive that ran in front of the house to find nothing but speeding cars going by. She looked in the direction of the neighbor’s house, no one outside or even on the sidewalk that ran along the freeway. She heard a low beep and watched as the wrought iron gates at the front of the drive came together and shut.

  “Uh, Judy. You ok?” Alexis came up to her side looking out into the same direction.

  “Yeah.” Judy brushed the stray hairs from her face. “Yeah I’m fine. Can you help me get this upstairs please?”

  “Sure, I will get the umbrella.”

  “Thanks girl.” Judy made her way up the stairs to the front door. She didn’t knock, she just opened the door. “Knock, knock.”

  “I’m in here.” Abbi called out from the kitchen.

  The two girls came in and met Abbi.

  “Barefoot in the kitchen with a tub of ice cream. Could you get more cliché?” Judy joked.

  “Hey come on! It’s hot outside!” Abbi rebutted.

  “So Judy tells me that you got a bun in the oven? How far along are you?” Alexis asked as she hopped onto one of the stools at the kitchen counter.

  “I am twelve weeks now. But I feel like I have enough cravings to be further along.” Abbi said finishing the small tub of Ben and Jerry’s.

  “So do you know what you’re having?”

  “Not yet. We should find out the sex in about a month. Ryan of course wants a boy; I just want a healthy baby.”

  “Ah, cool. So when are ya’ll getting married?” Judy’s stomach clenched as Alexis asked.

  “Well, we haven’t really picked a date yet.” Abbi looked questioningly at her.

  “We have plenty of time for that.” Judy tried to change the subject. “First we have to pick the dress, that
’s the most important part.”

  “Shit, we are gonna have to pick a date before my ass isn’t able to get into a dress any longer. These hips are going to start exploding soon. I can feel it.” Abbi grabbed her hips as if they were going to rupture at any moment.

  “I think your hips look beautiful, Love.” Ryan came in through the sliding glass door from the balcony.

  “Thanks, Babe.” Abbi leaned up to kiss him before she continued. “I did get a stack of wedding magazines so while we are working on our tans we can plan!” She said with enthusiasm.

  “Oh joy! I love wedding planning can I join?” Jace said over enthusiastically as he came into the door.

  “Why of course you can. The best man is responsible for planning a very calm and quiet bachelor party. No strippers.” Abbi grinned at him.

  “What! This man is going to be tapping old faithful for the rest of his life and you want to keep him from his last constitutional right to watch Candie shake it in her Army uniform?” Jace protested.

  “I will murk you and throw you in the ocean if you ever call a stripper by name again.” Judy punched his arm as the room erupted in laughter.

  “You have nothing to worry about Princess,” he took her into his arms, “Though I would like to get you one of those little outfits to wear. But just for me.” Jace leaned down and whispered into her ear.

  “That could probably be arranged. Do I get the one with the whip?” She watched as his eyes lit up followed by a beaming grin.

  “How the hell did I get lucky enough to find you?” He growled as he hoisted her up over his shoulder. “Come on! It’s time for a good old fashioned ass whooping at volleyball. Judy and I against the three of you!”

  Judy squealed out trying to cover her butt as her dress went flying up.

  “Yeah right man. I am gonna drive you into the sand.” Ryan hollered out from behind.

  This was the only family Judy needed in her life and she would do anything she could to hold on to them.

  Chapter Three

  The following Monday Jace found himself staring at the same stack of folders that had been on his desk since that morning. His mind was anywhere but on the Japanese security deal that he needed to be eating, breathing, and sleeping. They were a tough group to get on board and if this deal went south because Jace couldn’t get his head out of his ass, then he might as well kiss his multi figured salary goodbye. As he reached for the black folder sitting on top of the stack his door came open.

  “Good morning, Mr. Alexander.” Tina, his not so bright personal assistant came into his office. “I brought you a coffee.” She sashayed across the room in her skirt that was clearly two sizes too small for her.

  “Thanks, Tina.” Jace glanced up nodding before burying his nose back into his folder. The only reason that he hadn’t fired her yet was because Ryan told him he’d have to suffer through a year with her. Jace was pretty sure that Ryan was just making sure that he’d really seen the light with Judy and wasn’t just stringing her along.

  The truth about it was, since thinking he had lost her, Judy was the only thing he could think about at all. His world had never seemed as bright as it did now. He just hoped it would never change. The threat of retaliation still rang out in the back of Jace’s mind; until they knew it had been neutralized, he wouldn’t stop protecting her and the world they had made together.

  “Hello? Mr. Alexander?” Tina beamed from in front of his desk waving her hand around erratically.

  “Huh? I’m sorry, what did you say?”

  “I asked if you needed anything else.” She smiled as she bent over in front of him.

  “No, Tina. Thanks.” He said flatly, seeing the disappointment in her face. “Close the door behind you please.”

  Tina exited the room rather hastily. Damn he wasn’t trying to be a dick but it seemed like ever since Judy had come to the office to meet him for lunch Tina seemed more persistent than ever. He heard the handle to the door turn.

  “Tina I’m good.” He said irritated by her blatant advances.

  “Dude. Really?” Jace put down his folder to see Gabe standing in his doorway. “I mean I know I look hot, but those skirts just aren’t going to do it for me.” He strolled over and took a seat in one of the chairs in front of Jace’s large wooden desk.

  “Sorry man. Got my mind on other things. What’s up?”

  “Nothing much, I just wanted to follow up with you and see how Judy and the girls were.”

  “Ryan still not letting you back on the detail with Abbi?” Jace let out a deep breath. I get it I do, but Jesus it wasn’t Gabe’s fault. Fucking Ryan is just a hot head.

  “Nah, though he actually made eye contact with me today so I figure that is a step in the right direction. I mean shit, he didn’t fire me and I still get to talk to Abbi when she comes into the office.”

  “Don’t worry about it man I will talk to him. But I have something else I want you to work on for me. Ryan’s a douche sometimes and you know how he is about Abbi. The girls are good though, we spent the weekend out at the beach house. How’s Ashley, you two still talking?”

  “Hell I don’t know, I have been trying to get in touch with her and haven’t had much luck. I don’t know what to think about her. The last thing she mentioned was going to spend some time up at her parent’s house. But the girls said that they were always gone.”

  “You don’t think she’s using do you?” Jace looked at him with concern. After all, this was Judy’s best friend.

  “To be honest, I have no idea.” Gabe paused before he continued. “So, what you got for me boss?” He gave him a questioning look.

  “Well, one of Judy’s friends from back home showed up out of the blue this weekend. By out of the blue I mean on my fucking doorstep with no warning, no call, no explanation.” Jace stifled his irritation.

  “Did Judy give her the address or did she just show up?”

  “No, surprised her as much as it did me. I want you to get eyes on this Alexis Reynolds and check her out. Maybe hang outside of her apartment for a few weeks, see what she’s up to. But this needs to stay between the two of us man. Neither the girls or Ryan need to know about it.” Jace looked at him sternly as he handed him a folder from the locked cabinet of his desk. “Here’s all of her info, I pulled it this morning. See what all you can find on her.”

  “Ten-four boss.” Gabe took the folder and stood.

  “Hey, keep it quiet.” Jace called out to him.

  “Need to know basis, boss.” Gabe turned to exit, almost running into Ryan’s large frame that was coming in the door. Gabe froze a few steps in front of him.

  “What’s need to know?” Ryan passed him entering Jace’s office and taking the chair Gabe had just vacated.

  “Just some shit on the summer bonuses.” Jace nodded toward Gabe and watched as he left the office.

  “Yeah? Gabe your new pencil pusher? I thought you and Tina were getting along better?” Ryan shot him a cocky grin.

  “Back off Gabe won’t you? He’s actually a pretty cool guy if you don’t remember.” Jace leaned back in his chair and folded his hands across his lap. “He was a close friend of Abbi’s at one point.”

  “I don’t want to get into that right now. Besides, I enjoy watching him sweat every time I get within five feet of him.” Ryan let out a laugh.

  “You’re such a dick.” Jace stifled a laugh. “So, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

  “You got all the information on the Japanese deal?”

  “Covered, I have a meeting with them this afternoon.”

  “Good.” Ryan looked over at him, not a look of doubt in his eye, he knew Jace had this. Ryan shifted in his chair as the silence spread throughout the office.

  “Spit it out.” Jace looked at him.

  “Any word from your sources?”

  Ryan knew that Jace kept a few less than civilized contacts in his pocket and only pulled them out when needed. He knew about them, but never wanted details and didn’
t like talking about it.

  “Nothing. The bastard is one step ahead of us. No traces of phone conversations, no sightings, nothing. The dick lick is laying low.”

  “Ok. Well if you hear anything...”

  Jace interrupted the sentence before Ryan could finish. “You will be the first to know.”

  Ryan stood to leave the office stopping at the doorway. “See you at the meeting.”

  “Yep.” Jace watched as he closed the door and left.

  For a moment he sat waiting on the next person to come in, but the door remained closed. Attempting to try and get some work done he immersed himself back into the stack of folders that seemed to be growing taller by the minute.

  *****

  “So, still no word from your family?” Abbi asked as she slid a napkin across the table at Judy and her overstuffed mouth.

  Swallowing the cinnamon roll and taking a large sip of her coffee to wash it down Judy grabbed the napkin and wiped her face. “No. Nothing. Not even from my brother and I really thought I would have heard something from him at least. I mean I know I hadn’t talked to him in a while but we have always been on good terms.”

  “Well give it a little time. I know it has to be hard getting communication overseas. You said he’s in the Marines right?”

  “Yeah, I talked to him at the beginning of last year when he had been promoted to Staff Sergeant. I am so proud of him and happy as hell that he was able to get the hell out of that damn town. I knew if he stayed he was going to end up busting shift work out at the mill just like our dad.” Judy tried to shake off the images of her angry father. “At least they still keep in contact with him.”