Sweet Vengeance

by Cindy Stark

"They're going to pay, Allie. And I'm going to be the one who makes them."

  Allie wished she could have made Jase see reason, but he refused to talk about giving up his vengeance again for the rest of the evening. When he walked her to her bedroom door, he made her promise to try to remember something. She agreed only because she couldn't stand to tell him no. He left her then and continued to the next room down the hall.

  She flipped on the light and walked inside, shutting the door behind her. Trying to convince Jase to give up his need for revenge was like trying to convince a mobster to give up racketeering. Hopeless.

  Even so, she knew she'd keep trying.

  Her room was beautiful. White furniture, creamy walls, with a gorgeous pink and lavender patchwork quilt covering the bed. She walked over and sat on the edge, allowing herself to fall backward. She could still smell the campfire, and she lifted a strand of her hair, finding the scent clinging to her. She loved it.

  It was like she'd gone on vacation and checked into one of those all inclusive hotels she'd seen on TV. Perhaps she'd take a long, luxurious soak in the tub to prolong her fairytale dream. She'd only have this kind of elegance for a few days, and then she was sure Jase would move her somewhere else. Somewhere where she'd live and go to college. The thought of school excited and intimidated her. A whole new life.

  But for now, she was going to enjoy where she was. She'd been through hell, so why not enjoy heaven?

  She rubbed her hands over the soft cotton quilt as though she were making a snow angel. Why was it so hard for people to appreciate what they had? She would give anything to live this kind of life. Yet, Jase willingly gave it up to go shoot at mobsters. Not her. If she were him, she'd walk away from Chicago in a heartbeat and never look back.

  She rolled over and sat up, intending to find the tub, when a satiny white nightgown hanging on the closet door caught her attention. She grinned, recognizing another of Carole's tactics. Was this her attempt to make Allie look like a so-called Miss America? She snorted. Whatever. She grabbed the garment and headed for the adjoining bathroom. Miss America or not, the nightgown looked fit for a princess, and it fit perfectly into her fantasy.

  Where did these people come up with all their extra clothes, she wondered as she shut the bathroom door.

  * * *

  Something creaked in the darkness, and Allie jerked open her eyes. Nothing in the room seemed to move, but with her surroundings so unfamiliar, it was hard to tell if there was anything in there that didn't belong. She took a deep breath, trying to slow her heart rate. She was far away from Chicago and most certainly safe, but she couldn't seem to convince her subconscious mind of that. She should have asked if Boo could sleep with her, but she hadn't seen him again after they'd arrived.

  She rolled over and pulled the soft covers up to her chin. Biting her bottom lip, she tried to ignore the obvious.

  She missed Jase.

  This was the first night she'd spent alone since Joey's violence had trampled her world. She needed Jase, his comfort, his protection to help her get to sleep. But she was on her own tonight. If she could just relax, she'd fall asleep.

  Another sound from outside jolted her. She threw back the covers, her bare feet hitting the soft carpet as she climbed out of bed.

  Her door opened without a squeak, and she closed it softly behind her. The house was completely quiet, the hallway much too dark. She hurried the few feet down the hall that separated her door from Jase's. His, too, opened without a sound. Muted moonlight came in through his open blinds, and she could hear deep breathing coming from the big lump in his bed.

  She was crazy for doing this. What was she thinking, creeping into a vigilante's room in the middle of the night and slipping between his sheets? That was one question she couldn't answer as she lifted the corner of his covers and gently climbed in.

  He made some incoherent noises as she laid her head on the vacant pillow next to his. He moved and rolled. She stiffened as his hand came across her belly, and he pulled her closer to him, mumbling. She didn't know what else to do, so she relaxed into him.

  It felt perfect.

  Then it was his turn to react. It was as though he'd finally realized she was there. His hand went from her belly, across the satiny material over her hip, to her bottom and then back again. The feel of his touch was so sensual, she had to stifle a sigh of pleasure.

  "God, woman." His voice was hoarse in her ear. "You're going to be the death of me." She waited for him to say something else or to let go, but he did neither. She wasn't even sure he wasn't dreaming and talking in his sleep. But he didn't kick her out, and she had no intention of leaving on her own.

  * * *

  Carole was lucky Jase didn't pull a gun on her when she barged into his room without bothering to knock. "Good thing I brought enough for your friend," she said, carrying a loaded breakfast tray. She smirked as Allie sighed in her sleep and rolled over next to him.

  What the hell could he say to that? "It's not what you think, Carole," he whispered softly as his gaze drifted back to the sleeping vision who occupied his bed. Her dark hair rested in a tangled, sexy mass over her pillow with several strands reaching out toward him. Her slender arm was bent, with her fist tucked under her chin. Her curled up position left the swell of one breast threatening to escape the flimsy piece of lingerie that covered it.

  More than anything else, he wanted to pull her into his arms and wake her up with a good morning kiss, and then do all the things he'd thought about doing all night.

  Carole cleared her throat. Jase widened his eyes before he turned to her, grateful the sheets didn't give away his thoughts. "What?" he whispered again. "Thanks for the breakfast."

  "Mmm-hmm." She grinned as she set the tray on a table near the window. "I'll just leave you two alone." She winked as she left the room.

  Jase rolled his eyes as he fell back onto his pillow. He'd never explain away this one. He turned to Allie, studying her closed eyes and softly parted lips. She was right there. All he had to do was reach out and touch. There was no doubt she wanted him. He'd heard her contented sigh when he'd pulled her into his arms the night before. And there was no doubt about the desire that simmered in her gaze every time she looked at him. In a heartbeat, she'd be his.

  But that wouldn't be fair to her. She deserved her dreams of a family and security. He couldn't give her that. His future was already determined, and she'd be better off when he was just a memory.

  He wished he could make her understand why it was important to exact his justice, but people who hadn't been in his situation would never be able to relate. Allie might feel differently if she'd tried to plug the bullet holes in her mother, like he had with his sister, while her life blood gushed out.

  Things like that changed people.

  He threw the covers off and walked around to her side of the bed. He touched her shoulder, shook her lightly until she roused. "Carole brought breakfast. You should eat." Without waiting for an answer, he stomped off toward the bathroom looking for one hell of a cold shower.

  CHAPTER TEN

  "This is too much." Allie glanced at the dollar amount of their shopping cart on Macy's webpage. She and Carole had picked out everything from underwear to jeans to a lovely leather jacket, and the price tag totaled several hundred dollars. "I'll never be able to pay this back."

  "Who said anything about paying it back?" Carole finished typing Jase's credit card number and clicked on the enter button.

  Allie let out a long, slow breath and swallowed. "It's so much money. I can't—he shouldn't spend that on me."

  "Why ever not?" Carole honestly looked surprised. "He's got plenty, and he loves you."

  The cuteness of Carole's matchmaking skills had started to wear on her. The woman had obviously pushed Jase too far, because he'd mentioned his need to escape, and Allie hadn't seen him since. It wasn't fair for Carole to keep teasing him when his intentions toward Allie were strictly compassionate. "Carole, I really appreciate your ki
ndness. I wish Jase could see what a gem he's found with you."

  "Oh, he knows, all right." She loaded up another website that showcased footwear. "How about some fancy shoes? Black, strappy leather ones with three-inch heels? That'll turn a man's head. Not that I could walk in them anymore."

  Allie put her hand on Carole's arm. "Please, just listen."

  Carole stopped and shifted her attention from the computer screen to Allie. "Sure, honey."

  "Carole, it's really not what it seems." She held up her hand when Carole tried to interrupt. "Jase helped me out of a very difficult situation, and what you see as love is really him being kind to me." How did she explain this without breaking her promise to Jase? "Something...bad happened, and Jase kept things from getting worse."

  "Does this have anything to do with his so-called business in Chicago?"

  That surprised Allie. She lifted her eyebrows, pretending ignorance. "I don't know what—"

  "Oh, hogwash. He thinks we're so daft here, but he should know better with a bloodhound like me. It has something to do with what happened to his parents, and whatever it is, I know it's not good. I was hoping you'd brought him home to settle down."

  "I'm sorry. I only know he brought me here to help me get a better future, but my future won't include him."

  Carole snorted in disgust. "That makes no sense. I've seen the look on his face when he watches you. He's a man in love."

  Allie's heart flip-flopped. Did he really look at her that way? Could she hope? The only way they'd have a chance was if he was willing to give up his revenge. "Carole, I'm pregnant."

  The older woman threw her hands up. "Don't tell me you don't have a future together when you have a child on the way." She pushed back her chair and stood. "If that man is sending you away because he doesn't want his child around—"

  "It's not his." Allie hated the look of disappointment on Carole's face. It was like watching a balloon slowly deflate. "I was pregnant before I met him."

  "Where's the father?"

  "Dead." Allie pursed her lips, not wanting to divulge too much information.

  Carole studied her with an intent gaze. Allie wanted to leave, to run away and hide from Carole's prying eyes, but she couldn't move. A long minute passed before either woman spoke.

  "Well, what's done is done. So what's the plan, missy?"

  Allie supposed she could tell Carole that much. "I'm going to be leaving in a few days and going to college. I...I want to give my baby to a stable family with a good mother and father." She waited, watching Carole's expression. For some unknown reason, she found herself wanting the woman's approval.

  Relief washed over her when Carole nodded. "And this is what you want?"

  "Yeah. I consider myself lucky to have this opportunity." She couldn't admit what she really wanted was to stay where she was forever and raise her baby in the fresh Oregon air. That was obviously a pipe dream. "It will be the best for everyone."

  Carole shook her head and sighed. "Well, if that's how you say it is, then it must be true." She shrugged as she headed out of the room. "I was sure that man was in love with you."

  * * *

  Two days passed and life was storybook perfect. Allie spent her time exploring the lush green hills that flanked Jase's property. It was like she'd been whisked away and taken to an alternate world. A place of peace and beauty, and none of the poverty and violence that was such a huge part of her life in Chicago. Carole had backed off with her matchmaking attempts and life around the house was relaxed and happy. The only flaw in Allie's fairytale was that, although she still crept into Jase's bed every night to sleep, he kept himself busy and unavailable during most of the daylight hours. Then again, what did she expect?

  Jase's patchwork family had finished dinner earlier, but dusk was still over an hour away. There was time for her to make a trip out to the quiet stream that wound through his property. It had become her favorite place to go. The sounds of the water soothed her and seemed to regenerate her soul. She'd miss that spot the most when it was time for her to leave.

  She slipped into her new black leather jacket and headed for the rear entrance. Express shipping was a wonderful addition to the Internet shopping experience. As she passed through the dining room, she caught sight out the big picture window of Robert and Carole sitting on the porch swing. Robert reached up and tucked a stray auburn curl behind Carole's ear. The look on his face was filled with tenderness, and Allie found herself entranced by their interaction.

  To see them together at dinner, there was no sign of this underlying attraction, but the sight of them sitting closely together on the swing had lovers written all over it.

  "Allie?"

  She startled at being caught spying and twisted around. Jase stood in the doorway, his arm resting against the frame. His light blue shirt accentuated his dark eyes and hair. She liked seeing him in something besides black and dark blue all of the time. It made him seem less menacing. She could almost picture convincing this man to stay in Oregon.

  She put a finger to her lips and nodded out the window. Jase walked up just as Robert pressed a soft kiss on Carole's lips. "They pretend nobody knows," Jase whispered. "They'd die of embarrassment if they knew we were watching."

  Robert's kisses quickly took on a new meaning as he pushed Carole's hair to the side and started his descent down her neck. Allie swallowed. The scene had gone from sweet to sensual in a matter of seconds. Allie widened her eyes as Robert popped open the first button on Carole's shirt and leaned in to kiss the top of her breast. Carole ran her hands over Robert's head, holding him to her. It was hard to tell exactly what Robert did with his mouth because he'd shifted his position so she and Jase could see only the back of his head, but whatever he did left a rapturous look on Carole's face.

  "Damn," Jase whispered beside her, breaking the silence in the room.

  Allie moved back from the window, embarrassed she'd not turned away sooner. Jase cleared his throat as he joined her. He raised his brows, letting out a low chuckle. "I guess it's good to know you don't lose it with age."

  "Yeah," Allie agreed, suddenly overwhelmed by the temperature in the room. "I was just about to go for a walk." She thought about letting him off the hook, but then changed her mind. "Do you want to come?"

  Jase hesitated and then nodded. "Okay. I wanted to talk to you anyway."

  Not another talk, Allie thought as they headed out the front entrance, leaving Robert and Carole to their privacy. Neither Allie nor Jase spoke until they were out of sight of the house, with only a dirt trail leading the way through the maple and fern covered landscape. Boo had joined their walk, but he ran ahead of them, poking his nose into lush green bushes, searching for something to occupy his attention.

  Allie tucked her hands inside the warm pockets of her jacket. Now that they were outside, the temperature had cooled her heated skin. Shadows deepened as the sun made its descent. Nearby, she could hear the tinkling of the stream as it passed just beyond the trees. "You have a beautiful life here, Jase. You should stay."

  "I have unfinished business in Chicago." He slanted a warning glance in her direction. "You know that."

  He wanted to talk? Fine, but he was going to have to listen, too. "Yeah, I know. Your precious vengeance. Do you have any idea what a waste of your life that is? Do you really think this is what your family would have wanted?"

  His jaw worked, showing his emotion. When he spoke, his voice was low and controlled. "I honestly don't know. I don't think they ever expressed their wishes of what they'd like if they were gunned down on a dirty street."

  "They wouldn't want you to live in Chicago, never knowing when a bullet will find you." She knew the topic would make him angrier, but damn it, he'd helped her, and she wanted to return the favor, even if he didn't understand her good intentions. "They would want you to be here, remembering the good times you had with them."

  He stopped in the middle of the trail and turned to her. His eyes were dark, full of the vengeful
monster who lived inside him. "Look, I know you grew up on the streets, and you've seen some pretty crappy stuff during your lifetime, but until you've watched your sister drown in a pool of her own blood, don't pretend you know enough to psychoanalyze me." He kicked a fallen tree limb with enough force to send it flying through the air. It cracked as it hit hard against the trunk of a pine tree.

  Her breath caught in her throat. She understood this side of Jase, but she didn't like it very well. He was in pain, and her heart ached for him, but until he let go of the past, he'd never heal. Maybe he wanted it that way. Maybe that's what kept him going.

  Jase turned and started walking again, the sound of his footsteps muffled by the green plants growing over the trail. Boo waited at her feet, letting out a small whimper.

  Allie hustled after Jase, not ready to give up, yet. "I'm sorry," she said as she finally matched his stride. "I just want to help. You're hurting." She took his hand. "And I want to help you like you've helped me." She pulled him to a stop. "Please."

  But it was too late. His mask of indifference and self-control was firmly back in place. "If you want to help me, then go to college, protect your new identity, and stay the hell away from Chicago."

  She blinked and took a step back, unsure of this new wall he'd placed between them. "Okay."

  "That's the best thing you can do for both of us." He looked at her belly. "For all of us."

  She nodded, feeling her stupid emotions welling again. Boo nosed her hand, and she gave him a quick scratch behind his ear.

  Jase reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a crumpled manila envelope. "This is for you."

  She didn't want to take it. Somehow, she knew her future rested inside that envelope, and in no way, shape or form did it include the man standing before her. That broke her heart. He shoved the envelope toward her again, and this time she took it.

  "I'll leave you alone to read it. Memorize every detail." He eyed her, his face a plane of hard angles. "Your life depends on it." He turned and headed back toward the house. Boo stayed beside her.