“Lani, is Jase going to be able to make it tonight?” Kerrigan asks.
Who the fuck is Jase? I’m instantly pissed.
“Not until it’s time to go home,” Alani replies with a wink and a smile at Kerrigan.
My next tattoo is going to say ‘Jealous’. I’m fucking jealous.
“Excuse me, I’m getting a beer,” I say, heading towards the bar. I don’t need to hear anymore.
Alani doesn’t wait until I’m out of earshot before I hear her ask, “What’s his problem?”
“Oh, I think he wanted to take you home,” Kerrigan answers.
And Kerrigan is right, I wanted to take Alani home. I knew Alani was fighting her feelings for me, but I didn’t know she was fucking some tool. It’s not like I’ve been waiting around for her, but that’s only because she’s told me to leave her alone. I guess I assumed that if she didn’t want me, it meant she didn’t want anyone. I know that sounds arrogant, but it’s the truth.
“Please, Evan doesn’t want to take me home—I’m not some leggy model,” Alani replies.
She thinks she’s not my type? Well, it used to be the case. But for some reason, leggy models no longer appeal to me, short bitches do. So I decide to lay it all out right now, I don’t care who’s around to witness it. “Oh, girl. I’d fuck you right here,” I tell Alani. I would, too. I’d bend her over this table and shove my cock so far up her ass for everyone in the bar to see.
Alani looks rattled, her face is red, and she’s looking down at the floor. I can see her rubbing her hands against her legs. Finally, after a few seconds, she stands up to go to the bathroom. If she’s planning on sleeping with another man tonight, I’m making damn sure that I’m in her head. I intercept her, lean down, pull her against me, and lay a kiss on her. At first, she doesn’t kiss back and tries to step out of my hold, but I won’t let her. I’ve waited for this moment for too long. I can feel her shift from unsure to wanting, and she starts kissing me back. Alani places one hand at the top of my pants and the other around my back pulling me closer to her. As much as I want to stay in this kiss, I need to break it off.
“Now, you girls have something to talk about,” I announce smugly. I play it off like I wasn’t really affected by the kiss, but I’m left standing a little dazed as I rub my fingers across my lips. I can still feel her softness on them, and I can taste peppermint in my mouth. Fuck. This can’t be happening. I don’t just want to sleep with Alani, I want her to be mine. I’m getting two tattoos tonight—’Jealous’ and ‘Mine’. I need to leave the bar. There’s no fucking way I’m watching some asshole come and take her home.
Chapter 2
Evan
I’ve been miserable for the past couple of weeks. I didn’t realize that Kerrigan leaving meant I’d see less of Alani. Feeling that loss made concentrating at work impossible. I haven’t been hanging out with my brothers, and I’m going stir crazy being alone in my apartment. I can feel myself slowly going insane, so when Maddox called earlier, I agreed to meet him and Brayden for dinner. Noah is working, but he said he might be able to get away for a bit and join us. Considering my mind is in a constant state of chaos these days, I doubt I’ll be very good company for them.
My brothers and I grew up in an abusive household. Although, abuse doesn’t cover what we went through—it was torment. I remember the day my mom left. I’d forgotten to put away my train set, and she’d stumbled on it. She was beyond pissed—she threw out my train set, smacked me around, and called me ungrateful. Later that day, my dad took Noah and me fishing, and when we got home that night, she was already gone.
My dad blamed Maddox. He fucking blamed a two-year-old. I wanted to tell my dad that it was my fault, but I was only four and afraid of getting hit. Of course, that just makes me feel like such a pussy now, but it didn’t matter. Not saying anything didn’t stop my father from hitting me. I was lucky though—I didn’t get it to the extent that Noah and Maddox did.
For the longest time, I thought my mom left because I had left my train set out, but I now know that wasn’t true. She did me a favor by leaving. At the age of four, it was such a profound moment in my life that I’ve never forgotten anything else since then. I made sure that whenever I studied, I did it for hours. Even though I already knew the material, I would go over everything again to make sure I didn’t miss anything, not one little detail.
I graduated as the valedictorian of my high school class and summa cum laude from law school. My law school professor and mentor nearly had a stroke when I told him I’d be working in a legal aid office in Downtown Chicago after law school. He thought I was discarding my true potential and wasting my brilliant mind when I could be doing so much more with my talents. He didn’t understand my need to help others—hell, I didn’t either. But that’s what I did for two years before I was offered a position at Monroe & Monroe. It’s the most prestigious law firm in Chicago and nobody with a lick of sense would pass on an opportunity to work there. Thousands of hopeful lawyers vie for a position every year, but I didn’t. Apparently, knowing I was still at legal aid after two years, my old professor made a call to George Monroe, Sr. I was contacted for an interview and a few weeks later, I was offered the position and I accepted.
After only three years at Monroe & Monroe, I made partner when George Sr. retired and sold his share. When I asked him why he chose me, he said that I had a cold heart, I didn’t let pussy get in the way, and I was an arrogant asshole. He was right on all three counts. I spent the next several years taking on every case I knew I could win. Within three years, I was a millionaire. I bought everything I could—this highrise condo, several cars, designer suits, and I took exotic vacations. All in the hope that I’d finally feel some sort of self-worth. I finally figured out that money buys nothing but more misery. I still love my job, but I stopped focusing on money and tried to focus on what would make me feel alive.
With the resources I had, I dug up information on my mom. I’d hoped that maybe my four-year-old brain had it all wrong, but it didn’t. I had been looking for something to make me feel better about what happened in the past, but I didn’t know what it could be at that time. Once I found it, I didn’t know what that made me. A murderer? A vigilante? Or both? It didn’t matter—the moment I witnessed my father take his last breath was the moment I felt most free. I know I did my brothers and myself a favor that day, but they know nothing about it. I’m not ashamed that I killed my father and that I plan to kill my mother once I locate her, but my brothers don’t need to be worrying about me or trying to talk me out of doing something I need to do.
Lani
Jase and I just finished with dinner and are heading to Hansons for a quick drink before we head back to his place. With Kerrigan gone, I’ve been occupying myself with work. I finally caught a break on a case a while back when Missy identified Jackson Morgan as her rapist. Okay, she didn’t actually say it was him, but she started shaking when she saw him. She doesn’t remember much about the night she was raped, so her reaction may have been subconscious. I’ve been very busy trying to locate and follow the three men involved, and from what I’ve learned, they aren’t model citizens. Unfortunately, Jackson is the governor’s son, which means I have to tread carefully in my investigation, but I’m closer than I’ve ever been.
“You sure you don’t want to just head back to my place?” Jase asked.
Dude, it’s a beer! I yell at him in my mind before replying out loud, “Nah, let’s just relax here for a little bit.”
“I know a way I can help you relax,” he says, pushing his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. It takes everything in me not to snap at him. Or laugh.
“One beer, Jase, then we can go.”
“Okay,” he concedes, opening the door to Hansons. We walk straight to the bar and sit down. Ari is working, and her face lights up when she sees me. She looks so much like Kerrigan, only way more girly.
“Lani, hi!” greets Ari. “I’ve been wanting to stop by to see if you mayb
e wanted to hang out and go clubbing sometime.” I let out a little laugh because of our age difference—she’s twenty-one and I’m twenty-eight.
“I’d love to,” I reply. “Give me a call.”
“Okay, I will,” says Ari. “So, what can I get you?”
I look to Jase, and he replies, “Whatever, you order.” His tone is clipped. I can tell he’s uncomfortable in a bar, so I’ll hurry this along.
“Okay, two Coronas,” I say to Ari before turning to Jase. “I’m sorry if you’re not having fun.”
“It’s okay, don’t worry about it,” he says with a smile. “I never did get into the whole bar scene, but I’m okay. I promise.” Suddenly, I want to gag. It’s a bar and a beer. Man up, and RELAX!
He finally loosens up when he realizes that Hansons isn’t a college hangout, but a place where young professionals go to unwind before heading home. Jase and I talk for a while before I excuse myself to go to the bathroom. Once I stand up, I lock eyes with Evan. Oh God, he’s beautiful, and my heart starts to race, as memories of what it felt like to have his lips on mine flood my mind. Though the kiss pissed me off, it was incredible. I didn’t believe sexual chemistry existed, but it does. And Evan and I had it in spades. I felt that kiss in every part of my body.
I gather my thoughts and focus in on this moment. Again, I lock eyes with Evan, but I notice Maddox trying to keep him back. Oh shit. Now what? I sit back down—I’ll just ignore him. I know it’s a stupid idea since Evan Stone can’t and won’t be ignored.
“Alani, it’s nice seeing you again,” he says, but I don’t look up. Shit. No one but Evan calls me Alani. Kerrigan did when we were teenagers, but once everyone started calling me Lani, she followed suit. Hearing Evan say it in his deep, manly voice stirs something in me. Stop! I need to ignore him—he’s a distraction that I don’t need.
I decide to stick to my plan of ignoring him, and I turn to face Jase. “Jase, you ready to go?”
Jase notices the irritated tone in my voice. “You alright, Lani?”
“I will be,” I answer, “as soon as we get home.”
“We just got here,” Jase states.
What the hell? He didn’t want to be here and now he wants to stay? “I know, let’s just go okay?” The words jumble as they come out of my mouth.
“Why are you running, Alani?” Evan’s damn sexy voice questions me from behind. I hate the arrogance laced in his voice—must be nice to know that you’re hot as hell, rich, and desired.
“I’m not running,” I reply, “I’m just avoiding you.”
“Excuse me,” says Jase, “but I think you’re making Lani uncomfortable. You should leave.” It’s sweet how Jase wants to defend me, and it’s the first time I’ve ever viewed him as a protector. Hmm. Interesting.
“I’m not making her uncomfortable, it’s the kiss we shared,” Evan, the ARROGANT asshole, announces. “That’s what’s making her want to run—she’s afraid.”
I swear, I want to shove a pineapple down his throat.
“Lani?” Jase interrogatively glares at me.
“I’m leaving. Have a good night, boys.” I need to get out of here. Evan was right, I am afraid of him. I know he wouldn’t physically hurt me—no, the kind of pain Evan could inflict on me is the kind I can avoid and have no intention of going through. He’s the type of guy that girls would fall hard for—I would. Men like Evan know they’re gorgeous, and they don’t stick around very long.
“Not until you tell me what’s going on,” Jase demands.
“Jase, first of all, we’re not dating.” And second, I didn’t kiss that asshole. He kissed me.”
Evan
I admit—watching Alani squirm in her seat is fun. I affect her, and she knows it. Why the hell is she fighting us? And this—this twig—is Jase? It’s almost laughable. Almost. But I can’t really laugh since he’s fucking the girl I want.
I decide to have a little fun. “Oh, she kissed me, Jase,” I tease. “Her tongue was definitely all over mine.”
“Well, her tongue was all over my dick last night,” he shoots back. “Looks like I win here, buddy.” The second those words leave his mouth, I want to rip his head off. I don’t want to scare Alani, so I just stand here, envious and PISSED OFF.
“Both of you can shut up,” Alani quickly says. “I don’t belong to either of you, so please stop.” She can probably tell that I’m about to kill her boyfriend.
“You belong to me. Hear me now, Alani. You, are fucking mine,” I growl. I am about to prove to both of them that Jase has nothing on me. I know he doesn’t kiss her like I do, so I pull her in tight, lean down and kiss her. This time, she doesn’t fight it. Inside, I’m pounding my chest—I know without a doubt, Alani is losing her battle to hate me. Though for show, she shoves me back and slaps me. It’s alright, her perfect peppermint kiss was all I needed today.
After my encounter with Alani, I need to fuck the shit out of someone. Since it won’t be her, I leave with the two blondes Maddox pointed out earlier and head to a hotel.
Sadly, after five hours of alternately fucking both girls, I still wanted Alani.
Chapter 3
Lani
It was a big day at work today. With a new development in the high school rape case, I’m a giant ball of nerves as I’m driving home. I am unable to locate Jackson, but I’ve found his brother, Devin. And aside from Jackson’s DNA sample, that’s as close as I’m going to get to a DNA match to Missy’s son, Cade. I know it won’t be an exact match, but there should be enough similarities to connect Jackson to Cade. I’m hoping it will be enough to convince a judge of a reason to bring Jackson in, wherever he may be. But first, I have to get that DNA sample from Devin Morgan.
As luck would have it, this weekend is my ten year high school reunion, and Devin married the queen bitch of my graduating class, Casey Miller. She made my already miserable high school years a living hell. I tried ignoring her, but she made it impossible. She made sure that I felt ugly, insignificant, and insecure whenever I was around her. I still haven’t figured out why she felt the need to do that since I was never a threat of competition to her. I’m not really looking forward to seeing her again, but I know I have to go. I want to move on—I need all of this behind me.
I’m both anxious and excited for what’s about to happen—in order to have closure, so many pieces will have to fall into place. As I open the door to my apartment, I find an envelope that someone must have slipped under the door. That’s weird. It’s addressed to Alani—I wonder who it could be from. Maybe this has something to do with the reunion since no one, other than Evan, calls me Alani anymore. I open up the envelope and read the letter inside.
My Dearest Alani,
I had my eye on you that night, the nice innocent virgin who disobeyed her parents. I remember what your tits felt like in my hand. I’m happy you came looking for me. I’ve been thinking about you.
I think your car is cute. I really like when you wear that short black skirt. I’ve been lucky enough to see your panties as you part your legs to get in.
I thought it would make me jealous watching another guy fuck you, but it doesn’t. He doesn’t fuck you the way I will.
Keep on searching for me. I’m closer than you think.
Love,
Your Jax
P.S. Tell Missy she is turning my son into a sissy. I’ll be around to collect him soon.
What the hell?! How does he know all this? He knows where I live? And that I was looking for him?? He knows about my car, what I wear, and has even watched me have sex! I feel the fear and panic start to rise inside of me. I look around my apartment, trying to figure out what I should do. I can’t take this to my parents—they already hate that I chose my line of work instead of taking over the family business. And my brother Nick wouldn’t know what to do either. At this moment, I realize for the first time that I’m in way over my head.
I don’t bother to grab anything before I run out of my apartment. I am back to my car in
no time, but where am I going to go? I can’t drag Ari into this. I’d never be able to live with myself if something happened to her because of me. The only other person I can think of is Maddox. He’s the only one I can trust with this, and that’s why I left instructions for him to have access to my lock box at the bank in case something happened to me. I already know I’m dead—Jackson knows where I live and what I’ve been up to.
Uncovering Stone Page 2
