by Rissa Brahm
“Antonio…please, God. What is happening?”
He shook his head at her but kept silent. He nodded toward the parking lot, at the Town Car that Jake was in, waiting there.
“Antonio.” She said his name as a quiet directive.
“Jana,” he whispered, “do you trust me?”
Did she? Her life, now their lives, were being derailed because he got into bed with a dirty thug for goddamn money. So did she trust him?
She looked up at him, shaming and damning him with a slow shake of her head. They’d been so close to freedom. She inhaled hard and fast, lifted her hand, and slapped him hard across the face. “I’m not doin’ this. Keep your fucking sewer money. I will not—”
“You will. There is no choice here, Jana.”
How dare he? She glared, nostrils flaring, then she lifted her other hand to slap him again, but he caught it midair. Then he gently released her wrist as his eyes dug deep into hers, a dark gravity in them. “I. Need you. To trust me,” he said in a dead calm tone.
But she didn’t trust him or need to do a damn thing he said. She turned and walked to hail a cab from the busy avenue. One stopped in a matter of moments. She got in and shut the door.
In a flash, she saw Antonio, one hand on the car hood the other motioning to the driver to stay put.
He said nothing as he opened the back door to usher her out, then bent down and whispered in the sweet and calm tenor she was used to, “Princess, five minutes more.” Then he stood up and raged at her. “Get the hell out of the car! Now!”
Confused, she slid out, fuming, degraded, terrified. Shattered.
She wasn’t sure what was happening, but she was certain of one thing: There was no need to replace one unbearable burden for another. When Jake’s dirty cops came, she would not be cooperating. And after the phony police leave, she’d be gone too, because Antonio Ruiz wasn’t the goddamn man she thought he was.
*
Jake was still in his lot, watching, making certain they’d cooperate.
Jana was too, but she looked awfully sick.
God, where were they?
And as Jana vomited on the pavement, he saw the flashing lights of not one of Jake’s friendly in-his-pocket cops, but twenty-five US Marshals led by Antonio’s student, fifth degree black-belt Detective Sean Alexander.
Antonio came behind Jana, grabbed her shoulders, and quickly pulled her into the garage, and proceeded to shut all the bay doors with a push of a button on the wall. Jake Demonte was surrounded, and the evidence had all been picked up by the hidden cameras in Antonio’s offices.
Antonio was sure that Jake Demonte was no longer a threat to Jana, to him, or to anyone else for that matter. The man would be in prison for no less than money laundering, witness tampering, and threatening bodily harm or intent to commit murder, having threatened Jana in writing, all picked up on video. Johnnie was also clinched now. And he and Jana would be in Mexico—where Jake Demonte wouldn’t dare go—way before any high-powered defense attorney could even hope to get either Demonte out.
CHAPTER 61
She got off the phone with Luly, wiped her tears away, and took Antonio’s non-driving hand. “I am going to miss her.”
He kissed her hand. “You’ll talk and video-chat plenty, and hell, we’ll fly her down. Her and her little crew. And by the way, I’m really liking my chauffeur cap on you,” he said, with his searing eyes that just wouldn’t quit.
She smiled, enjoying the thought of her dearest friend merging with her new life. Luly’s kids and her future children playing together on the beach; dear God, it was a dream.
Antonio’s phone buzzed her back to present. He took his hand back from her and struggled to pull the cell out from his back pocket. By the time he got it and handed the cell to Jana, the buzzing stopped.
“Isabel.”
“Oh, call her back for me, princess?”
Jana hit ‘call back’ and handed him back the phone.
When her future sister-in-law answered, Jana got to hear Antonio’s beautiful Spanish, which always melted her from the inside out.
“Estamos llegando hogar, m’iha. We are coming home.”
Then he pressed speakerphone so Jana could hear.
If Antonio hadn’t told her that Isabel was his favorite, she would’ve known by the tone in his voice as he spoke to her. And she couldn’t wait to meet her. She couldn’t wait for real siblings, a loving, caring family…how alien and unfamiliar, but so damn wonderful her heart beat harder in her chest.
“Antonio, are you really? Don’t mess with me…I’m in no shape.”
“We are. We’re halfway already.”
“How are the girls? And Celeste? The car must be packed to the brim!”
“No, Isa. They’re in Jersey. They’re staying. For a while more, at least.”
“Then who’s ‘we,’ Antonio?”
He smiled and leaned over and kissed Jana sweetly, his eyes still on the road. “My soon-to-be wife is with me, Isa. Her name is Jana Park. I found her, Isa, I found my love, but lost everything else.” He laughed out loud.
He hadn’t really. They’d been lucky that the original buyer of Antonio’s limo company didn’t spook after all the police chaos. It was a quick, albeit deeply discounted, cash out sale, and Jana and Antonio, as well as their future family, would be more than comfortable for many years to come. Four hundred and fifty thousand dollars was a true blessing.
Isabel’s shriek of joy completely overpowered Antonio’s laughter. And it made Jana tear up, laughing and crying. Antonio smiled, practically speechless.
“Isa, you will love her. And she’ll love you too. To death. You’re on speaker, say ‘hi!’”
“Jana? Hello. I can’t wait to meet you,” Isa said, now sobbing as well. “My brother has waited too long for the perfect one. I am so happy for you both.”
But Jana couldn’t call up words to answer. She just couldn’t do it through her own tears. She only nodded because she, too, had waited way too long for Antonio, for her one.
“Jana’s nodding,” he said, then he laughed. “It’s all pretty sudden, and crazy-emotional, you know?”
“Of course, I do definitely know.”
“Yes, you of all people. And speaking of sudden, listen, Isa, I am sorry I gave you no notice, but can we crash in your guest room for a few weeks when we get there? So I can finalize things with the beach house? We’re gonna be there, what, in another week?” he asked Jana.
She nodded. They were going to stop in Nashville, New Orleans, and then Austin along the way.
“Of course, yes, you guys will absolutely stay with us, but I’m afraid you can’t stay in the guest room. The pullout’s the only option. Unless you can both fit in a crib….”
“A crib, you said?”
“Yes. I said a crib.”
“No!”
“Yes.”
“Are you kidding me? Isa’s pregnant,” he told Jana as if she wasn’t next to him, hearing the same conversation.
Jana smiled at him and then watched his face change.
He stayed quiet, but the raw emotion in his eyes, his welling tears made her heart turn to liquid love.
“My baby sister…is having a baby,” he said to Jana, now putting on his turn signal and pulling over to the side of the eight-lane highway. Jana had heard only briefly about Isabel and the tremendous tragedies in her life. Far worse than the traumas in Jana’s. Antonio didn’t think a relationship or children would ever be part of Isabel’s future, not after her first several marriage attempts had ended fatally. But now, finally, Isabel was getting the happiness she deserved. Antonio squeezed Jana’s hand tight. She watched him swallow back the tears she knew were threatening him. “I’m speechless and thrilled for you, Isa. And for Zack.”
“Thank you, brother. Tio. And we’re going to name her after Mommy.”
He broke down then, handed Jana the phone, and just looked out his side window, hand covering his eyes.
“
Oh Isabel, that’s wonderful news! How are you feeling?” Jana took the baton, giving Antonio a chance to check his emotion and his breath, letting him just be like he’d let her a billion times before.
“Oh, Jana, I feel perfectly, amazingly sick to my stomach. But perfect!” She laughed. “I feel perfect.”
“I’m so happy for you,” Jana said as she reached over to kiss Antonio on the cheek. “And I think your brother has to call you back to talk more, Isa. He’s just…collecting himself.” She laughed.
“I’m sure you know by now, Jana, that my brother is steel on the outside, but a pure, squishy ball of fluff on the inside.”
“I do know. And I love it. More than life itself.”
*
He had to let her drive then, too emotional to focus. He reclined his seat and found himself completely content in the passenger seat. Isa was pregnant, and he and Jana were heading back to Puerto Vallarta. It was all so very right.
Jana had gotten them off at the scenic highway toward the Blue Ridge Mountains and was cruising along smoothly, confidently. He felt safe with her at the wheel, and he hardly felt safe being driven by anyone.
He watched her facial features change with the moving sun. He loved how enthralled she was with the views, the curves in the road, the foliage. She opened the windows to feel the mountain air. Then she’d look at him to be sure he was seeing what she was seeing. He loved that she wanted to share it all with him.
“Princess, a reminder from your driving instructor, here. Keep the pointing to a minimum and your eyes on the road,” he teased, his hand reaching for hers.
“Oh God, babe…I totally had déjà vu!”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah, wait, no.”
“What?”
“A dream. This is all from a dream I had. That first night at that asshole’s apartment I fell asleep…lights on, clothes on. The last thing on my mind that night before I drifted off was…was you.”
He felt his face flush. Had she felt the connection that early on like he had?
“Don’t go getting a big head about it or anything,” she said with a wink. “Anyway, I was driving, clutching the steering wheel with the windows open, down a winding, scenic road like this one. I mean strangely exactly like this one. I felt like I was in heaven. And you…it was you”––she took the chauffeur cap off her head and placed it on his and let her eyes linger on him for a moment––“Now I know it was you who was with me. In this exact scene, babe. It was you and me.”
He smiled at her, in awe of her excitement, in awe of her glow.
She looked down at the mp3. “This calls for road trip music. Like in the movies!” She smiled at him. “You control the music in your limo, right?” She laughed.
He leaned forward, kissed her neck as his hand reached for the device. “Especially now that I’m sitting shotgun. It’s officially my job.”
He hit play and hiked up the volume. The voice of an angry angel filled the vehicle, and it competed with the torrent of wind rushing in from the open windows.
“Oh my God, Antonio. It’s the song…I’m not kidding,” she said. Then she leaned over, pulled him to her by the nape of his neck, and kissed him. Then pulled away to return her attention to the road. “It was this song playing in my dream, babe. I swear to God!”
She started to sing, no wail, the words, “Never doubt you are the one. The phoenix…” while he took a long deep breath in, leaned his head back, and let the sounds of perfection take him and his princess warrior south…to paradise.
THE END
AUTHOR’S NOTE
So that’s Antonio and Jana’s story, from my soul to yours—I hope you loved it as much as I loved writing it for you!
Now, do you want more good stuff featuring all the sizzling hot couples in the Paradise South series—for free? Just go to [www.RissaBrahm.com/Join] and you’ll get a deleted scene from each of the Paradise South books as they come out:
Tempting Isabel — (Isabel & Zack)
Taking Jana — (Jana & Antonio)
Catching Preeya — (Preeya & Ben)
Satisfying Ali — (Ali & Dev)
Freeing Kyla — (Kyla & Liam)
And…
You’ll receive 1 Free Novelette called P.S. in Paradise — (Full Epilogues for all 5 Books, which will only be sold as part of the Paradise South series Box Set) — for FREE! So, head to [www.RissaBrahm.com/Join] and get your free stuff on!
Also reserved for my newsletter subscribers: first-to-know news on release dates, fabulous giveaways and other cool bonus material like character sketches and interviews, failed flings, and more! So, go check it out! xo~Rissa
P.S. Your candid and detailed review of Taking Jana posted on Amazon helps other romance readers know if my stuff is for them. Your opinion really matters and is so appreciated! [www.RissaBrahm.com/Taking-Jana]
P.P.S. I always love hearing from you directly! Reach out anytime…
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OTHER BOOKS BY RISSA BRAHM
Paradise South series:
Tempting Isabel, Book 1
Taking Jana, Book 2
Catching Preeya, Book 3
Satisfying Ali, Book 4 (2016)
Freeing Kyla, Book 5 (2016)
P.S. in Paradise (The series’ Epilogue Collection Novelette, 11.2016)
From unsought soul mates to second chances, the couples of Paradise South will spike your temperature, your heartbeat, and your need to read more of my soul-deep & sensual romances. So enjoy them all: www.RissaBrahm.com/Books
Acknowledgements
Infinite thanks:
To my content editor, Tessa Shapcott; and copy editor, Kristie Stramaski, and proof readers Michelle Josette, J.F. and Markham Correct.
To my beta readers Phyllis B., Penny L., Gretchen H., Kerrie K., Penny L., Saleena C., Kirsty F., Tammy R., Rachel N., Liz W., Amy P., for your feedback and love of the story.
To my Launch Team: Lauren S., June M., Saleena C., and everyone else who shared, tweeted and cheered!
To my soul sister in Vegas, a truer friend could not be had.
To my mother, for her first and twentieth impressions!
To my dark hero for his constant motivation, inspiration, and collaboration.
To my girl, for whom I want to write strong, smart, self-secure heroines.
To VK and GRP, for your ever-loving push on the path.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
American contemporary romance author Rissa Brahm writes full time while roving the world with her husband and their young daughter. The gorgeous paradise of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, the core setting of her soul-deep & sensual debut series, Paradise South, is Rissa’s most recent and beloved home.
When not chained-by-choice to her MacBook, she loves laughing to tears with a good rom com; reading scintillating scorchers and mind-bending philosophy; biking, taking long walks, and yoga; zoning out to killer music from across the decades and the globe; and getting lost just to discover a new and exciting route home again—wherever home may be at the time. You can connect with Rissa on Facebook, Twitter or by email anytime by heading to www.RissaBrahm.com.
Copyright © 2016 Rissa Brahm
TAKING JANA / TAKING JANA, BOOK 2 /
TAKING JANA BOOK 2 OF THE PARADISE SOUTH SERIES
All Rights Reserved
Visit the author website:
www.RissaBrahm.com
Taking Jana is a work of fiction. All of the names, lyrics, characters, organizations, businesses, places, events and incidents portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information
storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.
ISBN 978-1-944557-06-5 (print)
ISBN 978-1-944557-07-2 (epub)
ISBN 978-1-944557-08-9 (mobi)
Published by: 108 degrees™
Brahm, Rissa (2016-04-01)
Illustrated Romance Cover design by: Damonza
TAKING JANA (Paradise South series, Book 2)
TKA Distribution. Kindle Edition
