“One dance.” He took her hand spinning her out towards the dance floor.
“Oh no! Jace is about to bust out his best moves ya’ll!” He heard Ryan’s voice echo over the chatter.
“You better get your ass out here with your woman too, Asshole.” Jace yelled back.
“Challenge accepted. Come on, Babe. Let’s show these fools how it’s done.” Abbi grabbed Ryan’s hand and pulled him out onto the dance floor.
A few others from the group followed loosely behind them as they gathered around on the dance floor. Jace watched as Judy and Abbi began bouncing along to the music over to the side.
“Let’s see what you got boys.” Judy smirked. “DJ hit it!”
Suddenly the music shut off as the DJ switched the record and Bust a Move by Young M.C. started playing through the speakers. Jace shuffled across the dance floor as whistles and shouts came from the crowd. He shook his hip and snapped his fingers with each step before sliding to the ground into a split and back up again. Turning his back towards Ryan he back stepped into the Moon Walk turning back to him just a few steps away and pretending to faint to the ground moving into the Caterpillar.
Judy cheered and laughed from the side as he jumped back up and passed the floor back over to Ryan who looked more like he was having seizures than dancing. Jace let out a loud laugh as Abbi attempted to help him. As the crowd filled into the empty spaces around them his hands traveled to Judy’s hip and pulled her to him.
“Who knew you had moves like that!” She laughed as her hips swayed against him, as she brushed off the front of his suit.
“I keep those locked away for special occasions. Birthdays, weddings, Bar Mitzvahs…”
“Right.”
Jace’s hands traveled down the sparkling material of Judy’s dress. She looked stunning tonight. When she’d stepped out of the bedroom in her black dress and heels he wasn’t sure at first he was going to let her leave the house. She curled her hair into loose ringlet curls with dark make-up encompassing her eyes.
“Well, well. What do we have here? I feel like it’s my birthday not yours and you’re that sparkling present I can’t wait to unwrap.” His eyes lit up as she came down the hallway towards him.
“Oh yes, those eyes were what I was going for.” She spun a circle in the middle of the room. “You like?”
“I love.” He made his way to where she stood in front of the fireplace. “We can always bail on the party and go back to the bedroom.”
“Oh no. I am going to make you work for it.”
“I am suffering already, Baby.” His hand grabbed hers and placed it onto his growing erection.
Her fingers traced the outline of his cock against his pants. “Mmmm. We could always have a quickie. We do have this big house all to ourselves for once.” She grinned up at him as she slid the zipper down on his pants.
Her fingers slowly released his belt before opening the button of his pants. Her eyes never left his as the glow from the fire bounced off of her face. He could see the flames in her eyes from both the fire and her passion. He took her hand and led her over to the couch slowly bending her down onto the seat. His fingers ran slowly up her thigh as he lifted the black material of her short dress up exposing her bare ass.
“Already ready.” He leaned down and placed a kiss against her ass cheek.
“I was hoping this dress would get me laid before we left.” She eyed back at him. She leaned up against him as he knelt on the floor pillow behind her.
His hands traveled down the front of her dress running his finger into the low cut V skimming across her hard nipple. He could hear her low moan as his lips pressed against her throat. He grabbed his cock and slid it deep into her causing her breath to hitch as her nails dug into the fabric of the couch. He placed his hand onto her upper back and gently bent her down onto the couch. He reached around her hips and slid his finger along her clit.
“Oh fuck, Jace.” He could feel her body shaking as he thrust his cock back inside of her.
“Do you like the way I fuck you, Baby?” His words were deep as his fingers circled her clit.
“Yes, Jace.” She sucked in a deep breath as her eyes fluttered closed and her hips rocked backwards towards him.
Jace could feel his cock getting harder as he thought back to before they had left for the party. Judy turned rubbing her ass against his hips as her hand gently slid back between them rubbing and grasping at his growing erection.
“You keep that up and you are gonna be leaving the party early.” He leaned down whispering in her ear.
“That was my plan.” She eyed back at him.
*****
Judy’s head buzzed as she and Jace made their way back over to the VIP section. They had been dancing for what felt like hours and the five inch stiletto heels she had decided that she’d had to wear were starting to make her claves burn. She plopped down onto the couch next to Abbi.
“Oh man! I need another drink.” She slurred as the waitress came by.
“What can I get you?” The waitress smiled.
“A Mojito please and a water.” Judy answered.
“Two waters please.” Abbi breathed heavily towards the waitress
“I think we are getting old.” Judy giggled as she leaned back onto the couch.
“Speak for yourself!” Abbi laughed. “I have an excuse. I am pregnant.”
“Ok. I am getting old.” Judy laughed out.
“You’re like a fine wine, Dear. You just get better with age. Jace wrapped his arm around the back of her seat.
“Overall tonight has been great. I am so happy you were all able to come tonight.” Judy looked around at the crowd. Aaron and his wife were cozying up in the corner, Gabe and Mason were both chatting about military techniques, and the rest of the party all laughed and chatted.
“Ok Judy. I would like to make a toast if I may.” Aaron’s wife Bridgette stood in the middle of the crowd.
“As long as it’s good!” Judy laughed up at her as she took Abbi and her drinks from the waitress.
“I have known Jace for a long time and though you haven’t been a part of our little family here for as long as some, I would just like to say thank you; thank you for putting the light back into Jace’s eyes. I see it every time I run into him at the office and it’s all because of you. You have become such a special part of all of our lives and we are so happy to be able to celebrate this special day with you.” Bridgette smiled over at Judy before raising her glass. “Cheers to Judy and happy birthday, Darling.”
“Ok. You’re all gonna make me cry on my birthday!” Judy smiled as she sipped her drink.
“My turn.” She heard Mason’s voice chime out from the other side of the room.
“Oh no Mase. You really will make me cry.”
“Always good tears, Sis.” He stood. “I have been gone for a long time. I, along with many of you here, have been away fighting a war that felt like it would never end. Jace, I would like to say thank you to you. Judy has always been my reason for coming back home. She has taught me so much over the years. I am so thankful and happy that you have been by her side and taken care of her when I couldn’t. Judy, I promise that I will never leave again like I did. I am gonna be the brother that I should have been. I can’t wait to see what the next few years have in store for us, Sis.” She could see him swallow back the lump in his throat before he continued, “Happy birthday and I hope we have many more to celebrate.” He raised his glass to the group.
Judy felt Jace wipe the tear that was running down her cheek. So much had happened over the past year. She had never in her wildest dreams imagined that she’d have this amazing group of people around her. She couldn’t doubt the love and support they had for her.
“You assholes.” She laughed as she wiped at her cheeks. “Thank you and I love all of you. Thank you for coming tonight and sharing this special day with me.” She smiled up at Jace as she continued, “I could not have asked for a better man,” she looked ba
ck to the group, “Or family.”
“What do you say we go freshen up?” Abbi grabbed Judy’s hand giving it a light squeeze.
“I will be right back, Babe. Can I get my phone from you?”
“Sure, Babe. Make sure one of the guys accompanies you.” He handed her phone to her before planting a light kiss on her cheek.
Mark followed closely behind Abbi and her as they made their way to the back of the club. After waiting for the line to empty out Mark stepped into the bathroom getting strange looks from the attendant. After checking the stalls and giving them the go ahead he walked back towards the door.
“I will be right outside.” He said as he slipped back out towards the angry curse words from the other women that had been waiting.
Judy stumbled into the first open stall she could reach to use the bathroom. She glared down at the fuzzy words on her cell phone screen. Attempting to see it better she placed her hand over one eye and tried to bring it into focus.
One missed call from: Number Unknown.
Her heart started racing as she finished in the stall and rushed out towards the sink that Abbi stood at touching up her lip gloss.
“Abbi, there’s a missed call.” She slurred.
Abbi slowly reached over and grabbed the phone from her. “There’s a message too. Do you want to listen to it now or wait?”
Judy thought for a moment that she should probably wait for Jace, but that all went to hell after about five seconds.
“Let’s listen to it. You’re sober so you will be able to remember it.”
“What if it’s bad Judy?” Abbi’s eyes were concerned as she glanced over at the irritated bathroom attendant.
“What if it’s from Ashley?” Judy countered.
Abbi looked at her for a moment contemplating what to do before pressing the voicemail button and placing the phone to her ear. Judy stretched up onto her tiptoes trying to listen to the message. She couldn’t really hear anything but mumbled words.
“What are they saying? Who is it?”
“Shh.” Abbi whispered trying to listen harder to the message before pressing a button on the phone and handing it back to Judy.
“Well?” Judy’s eyes were big as she looked up at Abbi.
“We need to go get the guys. Now.” Abbi grabbed Judy’s hand before throwing some money into the attendants tip jar.
“Thank you ma’am!” The bathroom attendant gushed as she noticed the amount of the tip.
“What’s wrong Abs?”
“Mark, we have a problem.” Abbi stopped outside of the bathroom door.
“It’s about damn time.” One of the irritated women who’d been waiting spouted out.
“Hey!” Judy stepped up in her face. “You shut the hell up! We have a problem! Didn’t you just hear her?” Judy held her stare as a hiccup escaped from her mouth.
“Ok, Rocky. Time to go.” Abbi tucked her arm into Judy’s and led her back toward the VIP section.
Judy tried to hear what was going on but everyone’s words were becoming fuzzy and mixed together.
“Judy, Honey you can’t fall asleep yet.” Abbi’s words were warm.
Before she knew what was happening the group was leaving. She attempted to walk until her heels caught on the ground. Jace scooped her up into his arms as he carried her the rest of the way out of the club.
“But I wanted to keep dancing.” Judy tried to protest.
“I promise we will come back out again. I will take you dancing anytime you want, Love. But we have to go now. It’s not safe.”
The last words that left Jace’s lip resounded through her head, It’s not safe. She wondered briefly what had been on that message. As Jace got her settled into the limo she could feel the exhaustion setting in; too many shots and too much dancing. She fought to keep her eyes open until the darkness came over her. She could feel Jace wrap his suit jacket around her as his lips softly brushed against the top of her head. As she settled into his arms she drifted off to the vibrations of the limo speeding off towards home.
Her mind fluttered briefly through random images. The sonogram they had found in the box, the morning Alexis had come to their apartment. Her wild curly hair spinning off in every direction as her smile and eyes warmed the room. Judy held onto that image of Alexis. She wanted to remember her friend as beautiful and vibrant. That’s what Alexis would have wanted.
Chapter fourteen
“I want the address and I want it now. No more dicking around Antonio. We have waited long enough.” Jace spoke into the speaker of the phone in his office.
“You will get the address when I tell you it’s time. You are not my boss, Ese.” Antonio’s voice came through the speaker of the phone.
“If you don’t give it to me I will find it myself; and if that happens Antonio you won’t have a body left to pay your debt. How do you think your boss will feel if you don’t have any proof to show him?”
“If you could get the address you would have already gotten it. But since you’re calling me with this shit I assume you can’t. Can you?”
“The fucker was at the club last night. He was at the club within reach of my girlfriend and all of my friends. Did you know that? Did you follow him there?”
Silence resounded through the room as Antonio let out a long breath.
“Your homeboys aren’t doing a very good job of following him and he’s gonna get out of reach at any moment. It’s fucking go time. No more waiting.” Jace said sternly.
“I have to get it approved first. I will call you back.” Antonio’s thick Hispanic accent came through the speaker.
“The hell you will! You will give me that damn address right now.”
“I said I. Will. Call. You. Back. Did you hear me that time?”
“You have twenty four hours and then all of my trigger happy friends and I are going to come find you to satisfy the need.”
“Got it.” Antonio said angrily before hanging up the phone.
Jace sat at his desk staring off out of the window. He didn’t know what to think last night when Abbi came up to him with Judy’s phone. His first thought was that Antonio had called with the green light, and since they’d all been out drinking there was no way he would have been able to get the team together. But as he listened to the accidental message that had been left on Judy’s phone he began making out their own voices. He listened to the conversations that they’d been having amongst the party before Trent’s familiar voice interrupted. He hadn’t been able to make out exactly what he’d been saying but he could hear the anger and desperation on Trent’s voice.
He’d replayed the message a hundred times since they had gotten home last night and every time he listened to it, it fueled the hate he had inside of him towards Trent. Tonight was the night that they’d go after him. Tonight they would make him pay for what he’d done to the girls, for what he had done to Alexis. They wouldn’t have his murder on their hands but they would make him beg for it before handing him over to the gang.
As Jace played out different scenarios through his mind the door to his office opened and Mason came through.
“What’s up Mason?”
“Nothing much, man, just wanted to talk with you about last night.” Jace could see the fire in Mason’s eyes as he took the seat in front of his desk.
“I just got off the phone with Antonio. I am waiting for him to call back with the address but we should be good to go tonight.”
“How the fuck was that asshole able to get so close to use without anyone seeing him?”
“I don’t know. He had to be under some kind of disguise. My question is who the hell was with him? We are going to have to start running scenarios that when we enter that apartment that he might not be alone.”
“Ok. Who all are we getting together for this?” Mason asked.
“Listen, Mason. I know that you want to get revenge as much if not more than I do. But we have to think about Judy too.”
“What about Judy? She wi
ll be under protection when all of this goes down.”
“I am talking long term Mason. What happens if we go in there and he has a group of street thugs who put bullets in each of us? What is Judy going to do then? She will be all alone.”
“I get where you’re going with this Jace and I respect that you’re looking out for Judy. I know that she is your top priority. But you and I both know that neither of us can sit back. I fought alongside the same brothers you did on the front lines. I won’t back down from this. The sight of Alexis beaten and bruised keeps replaying through my head. This is something we have to do.”
“I know.” Jace let out a deep breath.
Mason had a point. Both of them were too invested to sit it out. They would have to go in execute it perfectly to assure that nothing happened to them. He had made a promise to Judy to not put himself in harm’s way but this was something he would have to do to make sure that she would be safe. He didn’t know what he was going to say to her or how he would explain it but he could only hope that she would understand.
“As soon as I hear back from Antonio I will let you know. In the meantime get Aaron, Mark, and Ryan over here so we can talk strategies.”
“Ten four. I’m on it.”
“You can use my office. I am gonna go see how Judy’s feeling.”
Jace left his office and walked across the hall towards his and Judy’s bedroom. Peeking in he could see her black hair splayed out across the bed as her small body was wrapped up into their covers. He crept silently across the room and sat on his side of the bed. For a moment he just took her in. He allowed himself to remember the hurt and pain from the night he’d been told she had been shot. He would let that pain run through his veins to remind him of how she would feel if anything happened to Mason or himself.
Quietly he reached over into his nightstand and removed the old worn dog tags that lay next to the picture of Ryan and him in the desert of Iraq. He ran his finger over the letters stamped into the worn metal. He needed to get his mind right and start thinking like a warrior soon. He’d never worried about going into battle and losing someone before.
Cherish Me (The Protected Love Series) Page 10
