Jester

by Lilly Atlas

  “What? What’s happening?” Emily asked, a flushed and bewildered expression on her lovely face.

  “We have a visitor.”

  She inhaled sharply as Acer stepped into the gazebo.

  “This better be fucking good, dipshit. And if you saw one inch of what’s hiding under this dress, you better start running.”

  Emily giggled, and slapped his arm. “Play nice, Jester.”

  A slow smile spread across Acer’s face. “Yeah, brother, play nice. I’m a gentlemen and I didn’t see a thing. Heard a lot though. Sounds like you were enjoying the cake. I’ll be sure and tell the happy couple you approve.”

  Emily flushed and rolled her eyes at Acer. After months of being with Jester, she’d gotten used to the guys’ brash and overly sexual way of doing just about anything, including their humor. Besides, she couldn’t deny it. The cake was delicious, as was the feeling of Jester’s mouth licking it off her skin.

  Jester scowled at Acer. “Is there a point to this little convention?”

  Acer smiled again and nodded, his eyes on Emily. He looked unbelievably sexy in his suit. This was the first time she’d seen any of the guys in something other than jeans and Tshirts. Of course, they wore their cuts instead of jackets, but somehow it only made them sexier. A combination of elegant and badass, all in one.

  Without saying anything Acer took a step toward Emily. Ever protective, Jester pulled her slightly behind his back.

  Acer raised a brow at him. “Seriously, brother?”

  Without a word, Jester stared at him. Emily rolled her eyes again, and slipped her arm from Jester’s hold. There wasn’t a chance Acer would try to harm her. She stepped around Jester’s big body, and looked directly at Acer. “What’s up?”

  “I’m heading out, and I hadn’t had a chance to catch you away from the fray. Just wanted to let you know that Johnny’s doing well. Really well. So well, they offered to let him out a few weeks early, but he elected to stay the full six months.”

  She hadn’t realized how much she needed to hear that until her knees buckled with relief. Jester wrapped a supportive arm around her middle and prevented her from collapsing to the ground. “How do you know?”

  “I read his chart.”

  “What? How? Lila called multiple times for me and they wouldn’t even tell her anything. How did you—”

  The combination of Jester’s light squeeze at her waist and firm set of Acer’s mouth ended her inquiry. “Right. Don’t ask, don’t tell.”

  Both men laughed.

  “Well, however you did it, thank you. I’ve been worried.”

  Acer nodded. “I know.” He winked at her and rolled his eyes when Jester cleared his throat in an overly dramatic fashion.

  “Hey, sorry about a few minutes ago,” Jester said, his voice gruff. “I’ve been a little overly protective since…you know.”

  “No worries. It’s how you should be.” With a nod to Emily, Acer turned and left them alone in the gazebo.

  Jester spun Emily in his arms until she could look up and see his concerned face.

  “Is something going on with him?” she asked.

  He shrugged and slid his hands down her back and over her bottom, drawing her to his body. “Not sure what it is. He was in L.A. last weekend and he’s been all broody and weird in the eyes since he came back. Don’t worry, babe. He’ll snap out of it.”

  “Hope so. We need to get him a girl.”

  He grunted. “Good luck there. He’s one closed up bastard. A woman would need some serious explosives to bust down his walls.”

  Emily wasn’t convinced.

  Jester pressed a tender kiss to her lips. “Love you so fuckin’ much, Em. You own every part of me.”

  Emily stood on her toes and fused her mouth with his. The men in her life were safe, and she was free to allow herself to revel in the ecstasy she found with Jester.

  Thank you so much for spending some time in the No Prisoners’ world. If you enjoyed the book please feel free to leave a review on Kobo or Goodreads.

  Join Lilly’s mailing list for FREE No Prisoners Bonus Content.

  www.lillyatlas.com

  Facebook

  Twitter

  Instagram

  Keep reading for a preview of Acer, No Prisoners MC Book 3

  On Sale January 30, 2017

  Acer Chapter One

  Fia stepped into the ballroom and ran a trembling hand down the front of her dress. She plastered what was probably an overly syrupy smile on her face and nodded at the son of a California State Senator who raised a hand in greeting. It wouldn’t serve her well to wear her anger on the outside, so she put years of practice and grooming to good use and played the rich socialite.

  The senator’s son abandoned his conversation and strode toward her, a smug, women-love-me-for-my-money-and-looks smile curving his thin lips. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Gordon had been perusing her for a while now, and she had less than no interest in the man who thought he was God’s gift to all women.

  “Good evening, Serafina. I must say, you look lovely tonight.”

  She winced. Strike one.

  “Hello, Gordon. You’re looking very handsome yourself. Please call me Fia.”

  He wrinkled his perfect nose. “I don’t know why you insist on people referring to you by that foolish nickname. Serafina is a lovely name, and you should be proud to have it.” He took her hand and drew her out on the dance floor.

  It took every ounce of strength she possessed to avoid ripping her hand from his limp hold. Arrogant jerk didn’t even have the decency to ask if she’d like to dance with him. No, he just assumed any woman would be honored to have the privilege of being lead around the floor by him.

  Sure, his five-hundred-dollar haircut had each dark strand laying in a perfect arrangement, and his manicured nails were impeccable, but the soft hands they adorned did nothing for her as a woman. Neither did the figuratively turned up nose and literal lack of work ethic. Some things a thousand-watt smile and gorgeous, deep green eyes just couldn’t overcome.

  She hated these events. If rich people actually donated as much money to the charities as they spent on the balls and banquets, the unfortunate would be much more fortunate. But, tonight’s event was for a cause she believed in, so she was here. And, with no desire to embarrass herself or her family, she’d behave. Even if that meant enduring a dance with a man who viewed himself as an angle sent to earth for the sake of women everywhere.

  Fia preferred her angels with a bit of a crooked halo.

  Her own was pretty off kilter. At least according to her family.

  She allowed Gordon to draw her into his embrace and swayed with him to the music, careful to keep a bit of distance between their bodies.

  Too bad he couldn’t take a hint.

  He leaned down and brushed his nose along the curve of her neck. “You smell lovely, Serafina.”

  Did the man know any compliments besides lovely?

  “Fia,” she ground out.

  He chuckled against her ear as though she were a child who’d said something endearing, and she pulled her head back, narrowing her eyes at him. He really was handsome. He was tall and wore a suite well. Unfortunately, she’d seen him at the country club, and what was under the suit could only be described as soft. He was a man who spent his time indoors, behind a desk.

  Not her type.

  “Okay, fine, Fia.”

  “Thank you.”

  Gordon rambled on about his ambitions to take over his father’s seat in the senate, and she tuned him out, instead letting her gaze drift around the room. Her focus landed on a man standing in the corner with a scowl on his face as he listened to another, older gentleman speak.

  She couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was about him that captured her attention. At first glance, he looked like any other male in the room; expensive tuxedo, expertly styled dark blond hair, flawless facial features. But the energy he gave off was almost palpable, like a cage
d tiger seconds away from escape. She shivered. If all that power was unleashed, the effects could be devastating.

  Gordon turned them and Fia lost sight of the intriguing gentleman.

  With a laugh, Gordon let out a surprising and unrefined curse. “Shit, there he is. And I wagered this would be the year he finally quit showing up and upsetting his family.”

  Fia pulled back and looked up at him. “Who are you talking about?”

  He spun her a second time so they both faced the very man she’d been staring at, only he wasn’t in the same spot he’d been in seconds before. She followed his retreating form as he trailed after the man he’d been speaking with.

  “See the blond guy, the one walking out of the room?”

  “Yes, I see him. Who is he?”

  “That’s Adam Wellington.”

  Her jaw dropped and Gordon laughed. Adam was a bit of an urban society legend. He was the only son of corporate developer Reginald Wellington. Story was, he’d dropped out of society and joined a gang after a friend of his went to prison for assault.

  Fia wasn’t stupid enough to believe the story was that simple, but it was fascinating.

  “He comes to this one charity event every year. No one knows why. Some say he’s planning something. Biding his time until he can get back at everyone he blames for his low status in life now.”

  Fia rolled her eyes. “That’s a little melodramatic, don’t you think?”

  The man in question turned, meeting her gaze as though he heard her from fifty feet away. His eyes smoldered with a mixture of anger, frustration and…could that be interest?

  Unnerved by the intensity, she tore her gaze away and stepped back from Gordon as the song ended. “Thank you for the dance, Gordon. Please excuse me, I’m going to get some air.”

  He nodded. “Would you like me to join you, Serafina?” His tone suggested she’d be getting more than air.

  Striker three.

  “No, Gordon, I’d like a moment alone. And if I have to tell you to call me Fia again, I’ll be doing so while you’re doubled over with my knee against your balls.”

  She turned and walked away, certain she heard the sound of Gordon’s jaw hitting the well-polished floor.

  Whoops. So much for acting like a lady.

  Relief was instantaneous as she stepped outside onto a balcony and into the warm night air. The air wasn’t fresh, as it was L.A., but at least she was no longer surrounded by hundreds of society’s most elite and pretentious.

  Today had been long day full of frustrations and failures. What she really wanted, was peace, quiet, and a warm bath full of bubbles. And wine, lots of wine. But she believed in the cause and wanted to show her support.

  Once a year, at a different one of his hotels, Reginald Wellington held a large gala to raise money for state penitentiaries in whichever state the ball was held in. The money was used to provide counseling services to inmates.

  A friend from college ran into some trouble with the law, and spent a year in jail. When he was released, he turned his life around for the better. Now, he was a successful defense attorney, but his time in prison had taken a large psychological toll, and she’d watched her friend struggle with depression for years.

  This fundraiser meant something to her, and with her own career in jeopardy, it gave her something to focus on besides her own troubles.

  She grasped the railing of the balcony and stared at the glittering lights of L.A. She had some significant decisions to make, and no clue which direction to travel in.

  About the Author

  Lilly Atlas is a contemporary romance author, proud Navy wife, and mother of two spunky girls. By day, she works as a Physical Therapist at a hospital in Virginia. For years, Lilly has been daydreaming and plotting characters in her head while driving, showering, and sometimes when she was supposed to be paying attention to something else. She finally decided to get the ideas out of her head and into books.

  Every time Lilly downloads a new ebook she expects her Kindle App to tell her it’s exhausted and overworked. She’s been waiting for the pop up asking to please give it some rest. Thankfully that hasn’t happened yet, so she can often be found absorbed in a new book.