For Sparrow (The Dream Dominant Collection Book 3)

by Pandora Spocks

  He took his drink and walked over to the black wrought iron railing at the edge of the roof. Across the street and beyond the rooftops, he could see the rich pinks and oranges of the setting sun. Below, strung parallel over the street, rows of lights began to blink on against the falling dusk.

  He breathed in deeply. He’d had it in his mind to head to Miami, but maybe this was the place for him. Just maybe he could start a new life here after all.

  “Hi, Gary. We’ve been looking for you.”

  Gary froze. The voice was friendly, almost kind. But he wasn’t fooled. Slowly, he turned around. A tall, pleasant looking black gentleman in a blue suit fixed him with an interested, watchful gaze. Several agents in tactical gear fanned out behind the man, and their automatic weapons were trained straight at Gary.

  He started to reach for his pocket, but the man shook his head. “No, man, it doesn’t have to go like that.”

  Pausing, Gary sneered at the man. “Doesn’t have to go like what?”

  “There’s a sniper on the roof across the street. These men behind me all have a bead on you. It doesn’t have to go like that. We can talk, figure out a better way to handle this thing.”

  Gary snorted, crossed his arms, and leaned against the rail. “What would we talk about?”

  “We found your mom, Gary. What happened to her?”

  “I don’t have to answer any questions.” He lifted his chin indignantly.

  The man smiled and shook his head. “No, you don’t. But I just wondered, what could a little old lady do to deserve to be left that way. She was a mess, Gary. Surely you didn’t mean for that to happen.”

  Gary flinched. No, he hadn’t intended for her to die. He just...wanted her to be quiet. But she wouldn’t, she never would just shut her effing mouth.

  Suddenly, he noticed that the other agents had edged closer. “Stop! Don’t come any closer!”

  The negotiator held up his hands and smiled kindly. “Okay, okay, we’re not trying to crowd you here. We just need you to come with us someplace where we can sort this thing out. What do you say?”

  “What do I say?” He laughed humorlessly. “Since when did anybody care what I had to say?”

  “We care now, Gary.” His tone was genuine.

  Gary laughed again. “Yeah. Now.” He shook his head. “It’s too late now.”

  Taking a step closer, the agent shook his head. “It’s never too late. Trust me, we can work this out.”

  Gary gazed at his feet. There would be no new life, in West Palm Beach or anywhere else. He looked back to the agents, hands on their weapons. Taking a slug of his drink, he simply leaned back, tumbling backwards over the railing. Falling wasn’t nearly as frightening as he’d thought it would be. He even glimpsed faces peering at him over the railing before everything went dark.

  JESSI AND SARAH HAD brought home Chinese take-out for a late Monday night dinner. They’d worked tirelessly all day coordinating final details for the elegant wedding that would be held on Palm Beach at the end of the week.

  Pulling off a flawless event would ensure that Sea Star received a great many high-end referrals. Not helping matters, though, was the fact that the mother of the bride kept changing her mind about the arrangements.

  Although her house didn’t officially close for another week, Jessi had agreed to let the new owners move in early. With the help of Sarah and her son Jason, she’d moved what little she took with her into a storage unit, and she had gratefully accepted Sarah’s hospitality until she found a place of her own. Janice, the realtor, was already looking for the right spot.

  The friends settled in at Sarah’s kitchen island over moo goo gai pan and crab Rangoon. Sarah clicked on the local news. Behind a reporter was a smashed storefront blocked by crime scene tape.

  Jessi was only half listening as she forked chicken fried rice onto her plate. “As you can see behind me, the accident caused quite a lot of damage to this pizza restaurant. Four people were taken to the hospital as a result of the accident. But that’s not all. While attending to the injured victims, a fire rescue paramedic was shot, apparently by the serial shooter who has been targeting first responders across the nation.”

  The screen changed to a photo. “According to County Fire Rescue, firefighter paramedic Judd Farris was shot twice—once in the shoulder and once in the leg—while he worked to help the victims of this accident...”

  The fork fell from Jessi’s hand as she watched Judd’s official fire rescue photo fill the screen. “Oh, my God!”

  “Farris was taken to the trauma center at St. Mary’s where he remains in critical condition at this time.”

  Jessi, eyes wide, looked to Sarah. “I have to go. I have to see him.”

  Sarah nodded. “Go, hon, don’t worry about anything.”

  WINDSHIELD WIPERS SWIPED a rhythmic pattern against the light rain falling as Jessi drove blindly through the sporadic late night traffic. By the time she pulled into Emergency parking, it was nearly midnight. The portico outside the entrance to the Emergency room was crowded with firefighters and even a few cops, many of them off-duty, but there to support their brother, a fellow first responder.

  For the first time, Jessi realized she had no idea what she would say to Judd, even if they allowed her to see him, which they most certainly wouldn’t. It was the middle of the night, and she wasn’t family. Frustrated tears filled her eyes, and she turned to head back to her car.

  “Jessi! Hey, Jessi!” called a familiar voice.

  She turned to see Alex pushing through the crowd and striding toward her. When he reached her, he engulfed her in a huge bear hug.

  “Alex,” she sobbed, “I saw it on the news and I had to know that he’s okay.”

  “He’s hanging in there,” Alex assured her. “No reason to think he won’t be just fine.”

  He released her, and Jessi peered up at him through her tear-wet lashes. “I’m so sorry I ditched you and Trish. I love you two so much, but it was just too hard.”

  Alex smiled kindly. “I know, Jessi. We both understand.” He glanced around. “Let’s see about sneaking you in there to see him.”

  Jessi followed Alex into the ER, where they skirted a nurses’ station and made their way to a door, which he pushed open. “Go ahead,” he whispered, nodding over his shoulder.

  Jessi stepped into the room and was immediately struck by how pale Judd seemed. He lay propped up against a mountain of stark white pillows, a thermal blanket drawn up to his mid chest, his hands resting across his stomach. He wore a green hospital gown, with tubes and wires snaking out from the sleeves and neckline. An oxygen line rested beneath his nose and his eyes were closed. Slowly, Jessi made her way to the side of the bed, hesitantly reaching for his hand. It felt cold to her touch, and she raised it to her cheek.

  “Oh, Judd,” she breathed, as tears again ran down her cheeks.

  His eyes fluttered. “Jessi?” he wheezed.

  She leaned closer. “I’m here. I just had to know that you’re okay.”

  “I was shot.” He coughed lightly, and grimaced from the effort.

  “I know. Just be still. You don’t need to talk.”

  “I do. There are some things I need to say,” Judd whispered.

  “Here we go,” chirped a bright voice, “I managed to scare up some butter pecan fro-yo. But after midnight, it wasn’t easy, so...”

  Startled, Jessi whirled to see a pretty blonde nurse, who seemed equally surprised to see her there.

  “Jessi?” the woman asked.

  Jessi recognized her from that humiliating day at Judd’s. What was her name? Stacy?

  She turned back to Judd. “Anyway, I have to run. I just...” She choked back a sob. “I didn’t mean to intrude. Get well soon.” With that Jessi rushed out of the room.

  She was grateful that Alex was nowhere in sight, and she quickly made her way to the car and drove off into the night.

  Chapter 52

  Early Saturday morning, Jessi drove to the off
ice to load up what she’d be taking to the wedding. Sarah would be along later to retrieve her portion of what they’d need for the reception. Jessi wore an elegant sheath of black crepe, fitting for either a wedding or a funeral, which suited her mood just fine.

  Since reassuring herself that Judd would recover fully, she’d been punishing herself for having ruined what they’d had together. He deserved to be happy. And she deserved to be miserable. Which she was. But she was professional enough to put on a game face and do her job.

  “YOUR CHARIOT AWAITS,” laughed Alex, as he pushed a wheelchair into Judd’s hospital room.

  Judd grimaced incredulously. “Seriously?”

  “Seriously, my man. Nurse Stacy will have my balls for a rearview mirror decoration if I let you walk out of here on your own steam.”

  “Did I hear my name taken in vain?” Stacy popped into the room, discharge papers in hand.

  “I was just saying that if one had to be a guest of this fine establishment, being cared for by a skilled medical professional like yourself at least makes it tolerable.” Alex flashed her his best smile.

  “Bullshit,” she laughed. She turned to Judd. “Alright, here’s your paperwork. Take it easy, no surfing, no skydiving, no space travel for a few weeks.” She winked at him. “Seriously, no work until you get the okay from your own doctor.” She handed Judd the sheaf of papers. “And you are free to go. As am I, in a couple of hours. I have a hot date tonight.”

  Judd smiled. “Another paramedic?”

  “Nope, I’ve given up on first responders. I’ve moved on to entrepreneurs. I met a guy who owns his own restaurant seating business.” She winked again. “Alright, gentlemen, I’ll catch you later.”

  Alex wheeled Judd out to his red Tahoe, but Judd insisted that he could get in the truck by himself, with the assistance of a cane he’d learned to use in physical therapy. Alex climbed into the driver’s seat. “Okay, homie, let’s get you back to the beach.”

  “Wait a sec,” Judd responded. “I need you to take me to Jessi’s.”

  Alex frowned. “What?”

  Judd shook his head. “I’ve been trying to call her since she came by the other night. But I can’t get through. I have to see her.”

  “Ooooo-kay,” Alex said doubtfully, and he drove away from the hospital.

  Jessi’s Volvo wasn’t in the driveway when Alex pulled in front of the house, but Judd had the door open before the truck even stopped. Leaning heavily on the cane, he hobbled as fast as he could up the front walk.

  When a strange man opened the front door, Judd’s heart sunk. She’s seeing someone. He shook his head. It didn’t matter. He needed to say what he needed to say. After that, all bets were off.

  “Is Jessi here? I need to speak with her.”

  The man frowned slightly. “There’s no Jessi here.” His eyes widened. “Oh, wait. Jessi is the woman who sold me this house. Sorry, I don’t know where she moved, but we live here now.”

  “She sold the house?” Judd was stunned. “Um, thanks. Sorry to have bothered you.”

  Slowly, Judd made his way back to the truck. Alex eyed him curiously.

  “She doesn’t live here. She sold the house.”

  Alex nodded. “Okay, so now what?”

  Judd considered for a moment. “Let’s try her office. Maybe she’s working today.”

  THINGS WERE REACHING a fevered pitch at Bethesda by the Sea. The bride and her attendants were getting ready in the pastor’s study, while the groomsmen were in a parlor putting the finishing touches on their tuxedos. The groom, however, had yet to show up, and the mother of the bride was having a meltdown.

  Jessi did what she could to defuse the situation, and discreetly began trying to call the missing man. Guests continued to arrive, oblivious to the drama playing out, which was as it should be.

  She finally got in touch with the groom, who had gone for a quiet walk on the beach, and had returned to his car to find he had a flat tire. Quickly, she dispatched the best man and another groomsman to pick him up, while she sent a tow truck for his car.

  That emergency handled, she made a quick call to Sarah. “Holy cats, it’s hectic today,” she told her partner.

  “Well it sounds like you got it all handled. I’m still at the office, but I’m just about to head out to the reception venue. Can I bring you anything?”

  Jessi laughed. “A huge bottle of tequila?”

  Sarah laughed, too. “Hang in there, hon. This too shall pass.”

  “Will do. I’ll see you at the reception.”

  WHEN THEY PULLED UP to the Sea Star office, a car was in the lot, but it wasn’t Jessi’s. Judd got out and headed to the front door. Just as he got there, a short blonde woman came out juggling a large box.

  “Sarah, I need to find Jessi.”

  Alex, close behind Judd, took the box from her.

  “Judd! How are you? Jessi was beside herself worried about you.”

  “Where is she? I’ve tried calling her, and I was just at her house. She sold it?”

  Sarah nodded. “That happened pretty quickly. In fact, she’s living with me until she decides what she wants to do. And she dropped her phone in the pool. That silly dog knocked into her. She has a new phone, and a new number. I’m sure that’s why you couldn’t reach her.”

  “Please. I have to talk to her,” he said desperately.

  “We have a huge wedding today. She’s there now, at Bethesda by the Sea.”

  Judd was already hobbling back toward the truck. “Thanks, Sarah. I owe you!”

  THE PROCESSIONAL MUSIC began, and Jessi breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone was finally in place and the wedding would be starting on time. She watched as the mothers were seated, then she sent the twin flower girls down the aisle.

  She was just about to signal to the first bridesmaid when she heard his voice.

  “Jessi. I need to talk to you.”

  Whirling around, she saw Judd, still pale but looking better than he had that night in the hospital. He seemed out of breath, and he leaned heavily on a cane.

  “Judd, I—“

  “Do I go now?” the bridesmaid whispered loudly.

  Jessi nodded. “Yes, yes, go now.”

  She turned back to Judd. Alex was standing beside him, and Jessi frowned, confused. “Alex? Judd, I’m busy right now.”

  The door opened behind Alex and Judd. Sarah came bustling in. “I’ve got this, Jessi. You go talk to Judd.” She hustled over to the second bridesmaid and nodded to her. “Go, hon. Next?”

  Jessi took a step toward Judd.

  His eyes were dark, intense. “I have to talk to you.”

  She nodded, and took his arm, leading him to the pastor’s study, just off the vestibule. They slipped inside, and closed the door behind them. Alex took a sentry post in front of the door, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

  Inside the study, Jessi wrung her hands restlessly. “You look good. Much better than that night in the hospital.”

  Judd nodded. “They just let me out. I tried all week to call you. I made Alex drive me to your house to try to find you.”

  Jessi’s eyes widened. “Oh, well, I have a new phone. It’s a whole story. And...I sold the house.” She regarded him sheepishly. “I should have done it months ago. You were right, and I was such an ass.”

  Judd shook his head. “I don’t care about that. I shouldn’t have pushed you. That night...God, Jessi, that night I failed you.”

  Her mouth fell open. “What? That’s just, well, that’s crazy. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

  His lips were a tight line. “I should have put you on your knees, given you time to calm down. I should have put you over my knee and spanked your ass. Then we could have talked it over, found a solution.” He nodded miserably. “That’s what a proper Dom would have done.”

  “It was my fault,” Jessi said quietly. “And now you have someone else.”

  “No. I don’t.” Judd breathed out heavily. “I mean, I did, for a fe
w weeks,” he admitted. “I...doubted myself, doubted my Dominance. I tried to settle for a vanilla relationship. But it was never right. Because I was in love with you. Still am.” His gaze was hot, intense.

  A tear trickled down Jessi’s cheek. “And I love you.”

  Judd cupped her cheek, using his thumb to swipe at a tear rolling down her cheek. Jessi covered his hand with hers and turned her face to kiss his palm. She met his eyes again, then lowered herself to her knees, assuming the position he’d taught her.

  Exhaustion overtook Judd, and shakily, he lowered himself onto the sofa just behind him. Jessi looked up in concern. He smiled tenderly. “I’m not quite up to full speed yet,” he admitted, petting her hair gently. “If I were, I’d put you over my knee right now.”

  He sighed deeply. “I almost died the other night.” He gazed past her. “It was a wake-up call. What the hell am I waiting for?”

  He looked back to her. “Life is short. And all that matters is being with the ones you love.” He grasped her hands in his. “I love you, Jessi. And I don’t ever want to be without you.”

  He shook his head. “And this is coming out all kinds of fucked up. You’re on your knees, I couldn’t kneel right now if I tried...”

  Eyes sparkling with passion, he gazed down at her. “I don’t have a ring yet. But I want to marry you, Jessi. I want us to belong together for the rest of our days. And I don’t care if we live in your house, or my townhouse, or a cabin in the woods, or a shack on the beach, or a van someplace...” Jessi smiled warmly. “Wherever it is, we’ll be together, and that’s the important thing.”

  “Jessi,” he said breathlessly, “will you marry me?”

  Tears streaming down her face, Jessi beamed at him. “Yes! Yes, I will marry you.”

  “Help me up,” he told her. Jessi stood and held his hand as he pushed up with the cane. He tilted up her chin. “Oh, Angel, I’ve missed those lips,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss her, heat radiating all the way down to her core.