by Bec Botefuhr
“Yeah Cap, he is.”
“Cheers.”
We walk down the halls and stop at Sam’s door. Jax raps on it a few times and Mack answers, shirtless and sleepy. I look away, seriously, the man still needs to get fatter. I might sneak some fatting things into his food. He isn’t meant to look nice, he is meant to look old…and fat.
“Nice tatt.” Jax grins.
Mack looks down at my horrible name plastered across his chest and grins.
“Nice tatt, nasty daughter.”
“Hey!” I whine.
“Kidding baby, what’s up?”
“She wants to talk about the treasure.”
“What do you want to know?”
“I…just want to know the pros and cons.”
“Well, you are immortal, that is a pretty big pro. You will be much the same as you were before, not getting sick things like that. You can’t die, or grow old. It will freeze you as you are. The cons are much the same as before too, you will have the issue of not feeling normal, of people becoming complacent with you.”
“I want to be safe, I don’t want to grow old when Jax won’t but…I just don’t know.”
“Take some time and think about it, you don’t have to rush.”
“For her safety now, she should do it.” Jax says.
“Perhaps, but at the same time, it has to be her choice.”
“Did you regret it daddy?”
“Yes and no. I liked it for what it did, but life got long and boring.”
“And it can be undone?”
“Once, yes.”
“And you wouldn’t consider undoing it?” I ask Jax.
“Right now I can’t answer that.”
“Ok, thanks. I need to process; can I have a few days?”
“Yeah of course.”
“Thanks daddy.”
“Anytime.”
I hug him tightly before leaving the room with Jax.
“You ok?”
“Yeah, I will make a choice Jax, I just need a bit of time.”
“Ok. I get that. How are you feeling being back on the ship?”
“Honestly?”
“Yeah?”
“Horny.”
He snorts loudly and stops, staring down at me. “Did I just hear things or did you just say horny?”
“I said horny, hot and horny.”
He laughs loudly. “Well…I am not sure how to take that.”
“Take it any way you want.” I whisper, and his gaze grows hungry.
“I am going to take it every way, because God, I need it. Let’s go.”
He grips my hand and hurries me down the halls, and up onto the deck. When we get into his room, he kicks the door closed and pulls me into a kiss so hot, my breathing becomes shallow. I moan into his mouth and grip his shoulders with greedy desire.
“Now Jax, no foreplay.”
“None?” He says against my lips.
“None.”
“Where?”
“Bed, on your lap.”
“God.” He growls.
He falls back onto the bed, and I straddle him, he scoots back so he is leaning against the head board. I slowly remove his shirt, leaning down to take his nipple into my mouth so I can fondle with the piercing. He growls and presses me closer, his skin is soft and hot, it tastes…like Jax. He has that sort of skin taste that makes you want to clamp down on it. With that idea in my mind, I do just that. He hisses and lets out a feral moan.
“Stop woman or I am going to come right now.”
I slide my dress off and toss it to the side, then remove my bra. Jax’s gaze grows hungry, and he leans forward to draw my nipples into his mouth.
“No foreplay.” I pant.
I shove my panties off and then work on unbuttoning his jeans. When I have them down, and off, I straddle him again. I wrap my arms around his neck and press him close. I sink slowly down onto him, and his mouth opens slightly as a moan of raw pleasure escapes. I feel my body break out in tingles as I lift, then slide back down. Oh yes. I wrap myself around him, wanting him as close as I can get him. Slowly, up and down, I make love to him, but it just isn’t enough.
“I need more.” I pant, desperate for release.
“How?” He rasps.
“I don’t care Jax, just slam me.”
With that, he is up and carrying me to the closest wall. My back slams against it and his hips thrust hard and fast into me. I scream now, oh yes, this is exactly what I wanted. I clutch his shoulders and turn my hips so he can thrust faster. Our moans drag together, and we are moving so fast the wall creaks behind me. With a scream, I erupt around him and moments later, his own growl of release joins mine.
“Holy shit.” He pants.
“I think that about covers it.” I whisper, letting him put me down.
“Damn girl, you are getting wilder than me.”
“Mmmmm,” I murmur, falling back onto the bed. “Up for another round?”
He stands, fully naked and looking glorious covered in sweat and panting. He cocks an eyebrow and puts his hands on his hips.
“You are kidding, right?”
I let my gaze slowly travel down over his body, and then back up again. “And if I’m not?”
He walks over and crawls on top of me, forcing me back down on the bed.
“Well, I can’t let my wife go to bed deprived, now can I?”
I grin as his lips meet mine and we fall into yet another, deep, glorious kiss.
CHAPTER 15
I can see her hand, all I can see is her hand. Just sitting there, bloody and alone in that box. What happened to her? No one ever told me what happened to her. I want her back, I want her back, it is all my fault.
“Mommy.” I whimper.
It is dark, and Jax is snoring beside me. I crawl from the bed, unable to control my emotions. Tears are thundering down my cheeks, and I am shaking so much my teeth are clattering. I run from the room and out onto the deck, my body slams against the railing as I grip it and wail.
“Mommy!”
I just want her back, I need her back. It is all my fault, I just want her back. I crumble to the floor and continue screaming for my mother. I wail so loudly it hurts. I feel arms go around my body and I hear Mack’s soothing voice.
“Hey, hey, I got you. I am here.”
“Mommy, I want her back,” I scream. “My fault, all my fault.”
“No, shhh, no.”
“Mommy.” I whimper again.
“Mack, what is going on?”
It is Jax.
“I don’t know mate.”
“Mommy, dead, because of me.”
“Hey,” Jax leans down and takes my face in his hands. “Not your fault, come on, not your fault.”
“Mommy.”
“I knew this was coming.” Mack says gently.
“Yeah, me too. Bring her in Mack.”
“No Jax, just let me sit with her, please.”
“Alright.”
When we are alone, Mack rocks me backwards and forwards as I call desperately for my mother. I scream and cry so much I feel the pain being lifted from my chest. I didn’t realize I had been carrying it around so heavily. When my crying subsides, Mack continues to hold me, even though he must be stiff and sore.
“Daddy?” I croak.
“Yeah baby?”
“I…I miss her.”
“I know angel, me too.”
“It is my fault.”
“No, it isn’t. I said horrible things to you, but it wasn’t true. She didn’t die because of you. There are bad people in the world Jade, who do anything to get things they want. I have had people chase me and kill loved ones for the same thing, it doesn’t mean it’s my fault.”
“H-h-how did she die?”
“Just a single bullet, it wasn’t painful. It is confirmed her hand was removed after she was dead.”
For some small, tiny reason, that helps. I never wanted my mother to suffer.
“Do you think she
is happy now?”
I feel his breath on my cheek. “Yes, I do. She never loved the life she had, she never found the love she wanted. She was trapped, now she is free.”
“You are wrong.”
“About?”
“She did find the love she wanted, she found you.”
His grip tightens around me, and I feel a small tear trickle down my cheek, I know it isn’t mine.
“She loved you, you believe that don’t you?”
He nods.
“She told me you know? Told me she loves you and always has. You changed her life, and I think you made it better. Even though she got trapped, she always had those memories with you, and because of you, she had me.”
“And you changed both our lives, you tore us apart, and you brought us back together.”
I nestle closer and breathe in the scent of Mack, who eases my pain.
“I am glad I found you, I am glad she got to see you again. It made her happy.”
“It made me happy too.”
“I am happy you are in my life, even though it has been rocky.”
“Baby girl, you have no idea how happy I am.”
He holds me a while longer, then helps me back to Jax’s room. Jax is sitting on the bed, shirtless and clearly worried. He stands as soon as I walk in and rushes over.
“Scared me.” Is all he says.
“She is ok now, I will leave you to it.”
“Thanks Mack.”
“Always.”
Mack kisses my head and I smile. “Thanks daddy.”
“Always.” He repeats again, and then leaves.
“You ok?” Jax asks.
“I feel a little better.”
“It wasn’t your fault Jade.”
“I know that.”
“If anything, it is mine.”
“No, don’t Jax, we can’t do this to ourselves.”
“I’m gonna get him, and make him pay.”
I look deep into his eyes. “I know that.”
“Come back to bed.”
I let him lead me back to bed and we sink back into a deep sleep, it is a lot better this time. When morning comes, Jax is gone from the bed, and a light rain is patting on the roof. I look out the glass windows and see nothing but a grey mist. I love rain. I snuggle further into the blanket and breathe in the scent of Jax. Best smell ever.
I get up and shower, before dressing and making my way down towards the dining room. I get in and I am wet again, Damn Jax for having his room on the deck. When I step in, everyone looks up. They are all chatting in a close circle about something. I smile and walk over, then listen in to the conversation around me. They are discussing Ben.
“He is playing with us.” Jax says, taking my hand, but not looking at me.
“What is happening?” I ask.
“Ben has purposely been sighted on shore, or so our eyes on shore have told us.”
“Why isn’t he coming after us? God, is Lilly in danger?”
“He isn’t near Russia, he is back near America.”
“I don’t get it.”
“He is playing with us, either trying to make us come in closer or planning a surprise attack. If we think he is on shore, he can pounce on us easier.”
“So what now?”
“We stay out here, he will come for what he wants, one way or another.”
“And everyone is safe while we wait?”
“Lilly is safe baby, trust that.”
“I am worried Jax, maybe we need to quicken things up by coming up with a plan.”
“A plan?”
“Yeah, something to get him off shore.”
“He knows we are out here, he knows we have the treasure. He will show.”
“I guess he will.” I sigh.
“Hang in there mate, I know it’s hard.”
“What if it wasn’t Ben on shore?”
Jax looks at me. “It was, the sighting was clear enough.”
“And you are a hundred percent sure that it was him. What if he is setting us up to believe he is on shore, it makes a sneak attack that much better.”
“I doubt it, and I trust my eyes on shore.”
“What if those eyes are wrong, are you just going to trust that and forget it?”
“Yes I fucking am Jade, now back down.” He snaps.
“Fine, do it your way, but don’t come crying to me if you are wrong.”
Silence fills the room.
“Don’t speak to me like that on my ship Jade.”
“Oh really? We are going back to that? You are going to treat me like a crew member?”
“While you are in this meeting, you are a crew member, and I won’t be doing you any favors. You want to speak with me like a dog, then I will return the favor.”
Ouch.
“In that case, I am more than happy to stay in my room, if you insist on turning back into the pig you were before.”
“That’s enough,” He growls. “Stop it right now, this is my ship, and it is run my way.”
“And I am your wife.”
“I don’t give a flying fuck,” He yells. “You still do as you are bloody well told. It is dangerous, and I don’t need you stuffing things up.”
“Then why bring me Jax? Huh? For a bit of fucking when you feel like it.”
He clenches his jaw and his fists. “Enough, I mean it. Shut your mouth right now.”
“Or what?”
“Jade, lass, perhaps this isn’t the time.” Rusty says gently.
“When is the time Rusty? I am his wife, not a crew member and I was giving him an idea. He refuses to believe I could be right, because that means he is wrong, and God forbid Jax Watts is ever wrong.”
“You had a good idea, and we will take it into consideration. We will keep guards up, I promise.” Rusty says.
“Thanks Rusty, but that doesn’t make it ok for him to speak to me like that.”
“Well don’t come running in here, jump in a conversation, then go on to tell me I am wrong and I wouldn’t have to speak to you like this.” Jax cuts in.
“I was coming to see my husband, you bad tempered asshole.” I spit at him.
“Yeah and I am addressing my crew, you snot nosed little brat. Learn your place.”
I slap him, hard. He reels back and grips his cheek.
“Go to hell.”
I storm out and make a point of slamming the door very loudly. I go to my room, and I lock the door, then I shove a chair against it just for kicks. Asshole. I sit on the bed and sigh, Jax and I haven’t fought for a while, and it hurts. It really does hurt. We shouldn’t be so nasty to one another, but he just fires me up so easily. And I him. Damn being on a ship at a time like this, when I can’t hide anywhere.
Deciding after an hour, that I am not going to hide from my husband, I join the men for breakfast in the dining room. Jax glares at me when I walk in, but I simply ignore him. I get my food and sit at the end of the table with Sam and Margy, chatting happily away about my little brother Eli, who is also staying at the palace while we are away.
“I got shit to do, no one disturb me.” Jax announces, and then goes to leave.
“Aye aye Captain.” I say loudly.
He shakes his head. “Stay in your room tonight, I don’t want you in mine. In fact, don’t come near me again until I tell you to.”
Wow, that hurt, much more than I ever would have guessed. He turns and leaves and I am left feeling ashamed and embarrassed. I guess I deserved that. I finish eating and then make my way back to my room. I pass Jack on the way, and he stops me.
“Hey, are you ok?”
“Sure, I am fine.”
“He is just mad, you shouldn’t have done that Jade. He is trying hard to be everywhere at once and is trying hard to protect you.”
“I know.”
“Don’t go see him now, it will only end in disaster.”
“I know that too.”
“Here, I got this for you. It can’t hurt to carry it aroun
d.”
He hands me a dagger and I glance at it, very nice. It is old school, with Celtic swirls on the handle and a black blade.
“It’s pretty.”
“It is mine, I want you to have it.”
“Really?” I smile.
“Yeah, it has saved me a good number of times, keep it with you Jade, no matter where you go.”
“Thanks Jack, I will.”
He kisses my head.
“See you later ok?”
“Jack?”
“Yeah?”
“You didn’t call me angel.”
He gives me a half smile. “Sorry angel, see you later.”
When he is gone, I tuck the dagger into my shorts. It does make me feel a little better. I plod up onto the deck, and Jax’s door is closed. In your face Jade. I take a seat and just stare out at the ocean, an hour later Jax comes out, storms past me and down below deck. Wow, he really is mad. When he comes back up, and storms past me again, I call out.
“Really, you are just going to ignore me?”
He walks in the room and slams the door. Oh wow, we are going the whole nine yards. I walk up and bang on the door, over and over. He doesn’t answer.
“Jax, grow up!”
He still doesn’t answer.
“Fine, have it your way then, you overgrown child.”
The door swings open now.
“I said I didn’t want you in my room, get the God Damned hint and leave me the hell alone.”
“Is there any need to be so cruel?”
“You treat me like a fuck head in front of my entire crew, so yeah, there is a need. Get lost Jade, I don’t want to see you here.”
I step back, really hurt.
“O-ok.” I whisper and turn.
He makes an odd noise, but he slams the door anyway.
“I am going to sit here Jax, even if you don’t like it.”
And that is just what I do, I sit, and I sit. Two hours pass, and I feel awful. He is right, this is his ship and wife or not I disrespected him.
“You’re right,” I yell out weakly. “It was wrong of me to speak over you like that. I was rude, disrespectful and out of line. You are the Captain and that sticks, no matter what I am to you. I was wrong, and for what it’s worth, I am really sorry Jax.”
It starts raining, slowly and lightly. I crawl onto the small bench outside his room and curl up. The drops soak me in minutes, but it is somewhat relaxing and cool. I don’t move, I won’t. The rain gets harder and louder. I drift in and out of sleep, God only knows how, but I have always loved the rain. I hear a curse, and then I feel myself being pulled into a set of arms.
