Oracle Saving (The Phoenix Files Book 3)

by Morgan Kelley

  She punched him.

  “I was talking for the people, not me,” he muttered, rubbing his arm where she struck him.

  “Yeah, right. You wish I was a hussy.”

  Yes, yes, he did.

  “Anyway, in the end, we’re doing what Avalon wanted to do—help people.”

  She looked up at her fiancé. “Nate?”

  He knew what she wanted. “Go ahead.”

  Avalon hugged him. “Thank you. I appreciate what you’re sacrificing for us. With your help, we’ll be able to help so many more people, Lucian. We’ve lost the FBI, but this will make life easier to hide.”

  Nate knew what the man was giving them. It was a gift. With his assets, and ease of moving around, they could travel unnoticed.

  He owed him.

  “I believe in what you’re doing, Avalon. It’s not a sacrifice. It’s doing good work to help people. That’s what I’ve always done. That’s what I’m meant to do. I’m scared for my wife’s safety, but if I force us to stay here, I’ll worry about her sanity. She needs to use her mind.”

  When Avalon set him free, Bishop grabbed him by the shirt and kissed him silly.

  As she released him, she was grinning. “I love you, Lucian. You’re the best rich sucker this gold digger could ever find. I’ll play hussy all night long.”

  He laughed. “You’re welcome, shameless hussy.”

  “We should get ready,” Avalon said.

  Nate heard it in her voice. “He’s taking another one tonight, isn’t he?”

  She nodded.

  “Then you go do your thing, and we’ll do ours.”

  He watched Avalon being led away by Lucian.

  “So, partner, what’s on our agenda?” she asked. “The night is still young.”

  “We need to rest. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to suck big time. My gut is screaming.”

  “Yeah, mine too.”

  “Well, then let’s go have a beer and watch our psychics work.”

  “That’s so weird.”

  Nate laughed. “Yeah, tell me about it.”

  Only, it was now their lives. At least he wasn’t in it alone.

  Jagger drove as if someone was chasing them. Roxy was so worried, she wanted to climb into the back and use all three seatbelts to buckle in to protect herself.

  To say he was angry would be an understatement. It was funny because he was focused, but out of control.

  “Are you okay?” she finally asked. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “There’s nothing to discuss. My team is moving on, and I’m not going with them.”

  She heard it.

  He was hurt.

  “Because of me?”

  Jagger didn’t look over. Instead, he parked his ride and got out. Instead of heading straight for the cabin, he stopped at her door to help her out.

  He was pissed, but this was his wedding night. There was no way he was ruining it for Roxy.

  Never.

  She took his offered hand.

  “We should go to bed,” he stated. Once inside, he closed the door and started stripping out of his gear.

  “No. I’m not going to bed.”

  He looked over. There was so much anger in his eyes. It was burning there, and it was clear he was ready to let it devour him whole.

  “Why not?”

  She had to know. “Do you regret getting married? Now that your team is leaving, and you won’t live in Fire Bay, do you hate what we started?”

  He hoped she didn’t think that.

  “I don’t regret us, Roxy.”

  “I think you do.”

  “No, I had to make a choice, and I knew what needed to be done. If I go with them, what about you and our child? What about my sister? I’d have to die, and she couldn’t handle that. There was a whole lot that went into this.”

  Well, at least Roxy knew it wasn’t all about her.

  “I’m a little hurt, Jagger.”

  “Why?”

  “You made the choice without me. We’re married. Shouldn’t you be making the choice with me—not FOR ME?”

  He stared at her.

  He’d never thought about it like that. Honestly, he didn’t think she’d even consider going.

  Why would she want to?

  Maybe it was all about how protective he was, and how he was simply accustomed to keeping people safe.

  “That’s no life for a child or you, Roxy. You’re going to go back to being a coroner in Ravenswood. I know it. You’re looking forward to it.”

  “Know what I’m looking forward to more, Jagger? Let me tell you since you’re too damn stubborn to figure it out on your own. I’m looking forward to being your wife. I can’t do that if you resent the world. Had you asked me, I would have gone with you.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, the idea of traveling the world is exciting. There are lots of places I’d still like to see. With this scenario, I can, and we’ll be together.”

  All that was well and good, but there was one thing stopping him with that way of thinking. He pointed at her stomach.

  “So you don’t think experiencing lots of things will be a good thing for a child. God forbid she learn languages, eat new foods, and see the world. You’re right. We should stay here, live boring lives, and let her rot her brain with video games like all the other kids. Smart choice.”

  He stared at her. “You’re really okay with this?”

  “Had you asked, you would know I am.”

  Okay, maybe he’d jumped the gun. Maybe he’d been hasty in thinking that he had to be the man and take control.

  Then he realized this was no reason to celebrate.

  “I’d still have to kiss my sister goodbye. I can’t let Jaxon think I died.”

  “Tell her. Call her on my cell, and tell her. Warn her up front. Just don’t tell her where we’re going.”

  Could it really be that simple?

  “Yes, it can be,” she said, knowing what he was thinking. “I want to go with you, and Jaxon seems like the kind of person who would want you to be happy. As long as she knows you’re safe, she won’t be crying and mourning you.”

  “Do you think it will work?”

  “Will we be out of the US forever?”

  “No, just until the heat is off Avalon. I will have to die and get a new identity.”

  “So? I’ll die with you. We’re a team, Jagger. We’re married now, and that means something.”

  “You’ll have to say goodbye to Silas.”

  She knew that would be hard, but she’d warn him too. He already expected the worst with Jagger’s father being Michael O’Banion, so he wouldn’t be too shocked. She’d keep Avalon’s secret and tell him they were going under to hide from his father’s enemy.

  It could work.

  “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

  He couldn’t believe she was offering him this.

  “Yes.”

  “You can really say goodbye to Silas. He’s like your father, Roxy.”

  “I’m going to miss him, but I’ll warn him. He’s going to hate it, but I’ll call him when I'm outside the US. He’ll get it.”

  “You’d do this for me?”

  “Yes.”

  Roxy pulled her cell out. “Call her.”

  He did.

  As it was ringing, he was sick to his stomach. He hoped Jaxon would forgive him for what he was about to do.

  “Hello?”

  “It’s me, Jax.”

  “Jagger, are you okay?” she asked. “I didn’t recognize the number. Has something happened?”

  “Honey, yes, it has. I don’t have much time, Jaxon. I need you to listen to me.”

  “Oh my God, what?”

  “I got married, Roxy and I are in danger—along with the rest of the team. I have to leave the States, and you’re going to hear I’ve died. I haven’t.”

  “Oh, Jesus.”

  “I’ll try and get back in touch with you, but the government has gone
sour on us, and if they find me, or anyone else, they’re tossing us in Leavenworth. You have to keep this conversation between us. Tell your husband and that’s it.”

  She wanted to cry, but for Jagger, she wouldn’t. For her brother to break silence and tell her this was happening, it had to be huge. He was trusting her, and she’d have his back.

  “I’m sorry, Jaxy.”

  “Go. I’ll be fine.”

  “I’ll contact you, Jax. I swear to God, I’ll find a way to let you know I’m okay.”

  “Elephants.”

  “What?” he asked.

  “When we were kids, what was my favorite toy?”

  “A big stuffed elephant named Leo.”

  “When you get where you’re going, and you’re safe, send me one. If you keep sending them, I’ll know you’re not dead. When they stop, I’ll know, Jagger.”

  He heard her voice crack.

  “Oh, Jaxy, I’m so sorry.” He heard voices in the background. “Is that Tony?”

  “Yes, we were having dinner.”

  “Put me on speaker if it’s safe.”

  She did.

  “Tony, you take care of her. I’m not going to be able to, but I know she chose a good man who will protect her. I’m sorry I rode your ass about not being good enough for her. You were always perfect for my sister. You have to take over for me now. I need to know that you’ll keep her safe, love her enough for both of us, and never leave her alone.”

  Jaxon was weeping.

  “I’ll take good care of her. I promise. I can ask Elizabeth if you need help…”

  He cut him off.

  “She’s getting us out. You can’t tell her I called my sister. I was supposed to let her think I was dead. I won’t do that to her. Please. Protect her. Then I can worry about protecting us. I will be fine. I have our team. I can’t do this if I think she’s not safe. I made a promise to our mother that I’d keep her safe. I need your help keeping it.”

  “I’ll keep it, Jagger.”

  “Thank you, Tony. You’re my brother now too. I love you both.”

  Her heart was breaking.

  “I love you, Jagger. I hope I get to meet your wife one day,” she whispered.

  “You will, kiddo. We’re only getting out until the heat is off. Promise me you’ll think about me.”

  “Every day, Jagger. Every damn day until I get you back again.”

  “I love you, honey.”

  “We love you,” Roxy corrected. “I’ll take care of him,” she vowed. “I promise, Jaxon.”

  “Thank you. I love you, Jagger. Be safe.”

  He wanted to weep.

  This was the hardest thing he’d ever had to do.

  “I will, Jax. I’ll be back. I promise. You may not see me, but I’ll leave you that one present whenever I can.”

  It would have to be enough.

  “See you later, alligator,” he said.

  “After a while, crocodile.”

  The call went dead.

  Jagger hung up the phone. From his, he sent Elizabeth Blackhawk a text. It had only two words.

  ‘I’m in.’

  He waited the response.

  ‘I didn’t doubt it for a second, Captain. Good luck, my friend. We’ll meet again. If you need me, we discussed how to contact me off the grid. I have your back.’

  They’d be okay.

  He could feel it. The stress had lifted off his shoulders once he knew Elizabeth would have Jaxon’s back too. While he was mourning losing Jaxon for a while, he knew he’d return.

  One day, he’d find a way back into her life. It was safer with him gone. The government couldn’t use her to get to him.

  “Thank you, Roxy.”

  She hugged and kissed him. “You look beat.”

  “It’s been a long day. Don’t get me wrong…it was a good one, since I got married, but everything after that…yeah, tough.”

  She got it.

  “I have an idea.”

  “What?” he asked.

  “You, me, hot shower, and we’ll rest. I know it’s our wedding night, but we have plenty of time to celebrate.”

  “We do?”

  She grinned. “Yeah, the rest of our lives.”

  Jagger knew they weren’t out of the woods quite yet. This killer would be coming for her.

  He knew it.

  The battle was only beginning.

  * * * O R A C L E * * *

  Nate and Avalon’s

  Room

  Nate was watching her.

  She was moving around their room, getting out of her clothes. Avalon looked beautiful. She was back to being blonde, but he didn’t understand why.

  She knew what he was thinking.

  “They saw me as a redhead. Elizabeth said they’d never think I was going to be blonde again. She didn’t want to choose another color. Besides, I know you like me like this.”

  He did.

  Nate had always gravitated toward blondes, but the day he saw Avalon, their memories had all been erased.

  She did it for him.

  “I do love you as a blonde. It turns me on.”

  She turned and stared at him. Avalon knew they didn’t have long before the killer started, but she wanted to give Nate something. He had made a huge sacrifice for her.

  All of them.

  Avalon moved toward him. “I love you, Nathaniel Carter.”

  His heart thumped.

  “How about you tell me what you’re keeping from me?” she asked, touching his cheek.

  “We don’t have to get married now. Since we’re on the lam, as soon as this is over, it doesn’t matter.”

  “It matters to me.”

  “Does it?” he asked.

  “Yes, because we’re going to be together the rest of our lives. You’re my other half. We don’t need that paper, Nathaniel. We can make the vows, take that promise, and be married.”

  She was right.

  Gently, she tugged his mouth to hers. When Avalon made love to it, simply with lips, teeth, and tongue, he moaned in pleasure. It turned her on.

  “More,” he begged, as her hands slid down his torso and to his belt.

  He was thinking about her mouth on his body. He needed it more than he needed anything in that moment.

  “Please, Avi. I need you.”

  She didn’t hesitate. Dropping to her knees, blindly she used her fingers to unzip his pants. He was already hard, and with each touch, he got harder.

  “Nathaniel,” she whispered, before blowing warm breath across his erection.

  “Hurry, Avi, I need you.”

  He slid past her lips and into the warmth of her mouth. It was absolutely heaven. When she began moving him in and out of her mouth, he couldn’t even speak. It was hard enough to breathe.

  When his hands found her hair, it was soft, silky, and still damp.

  “I’m so glad you’re back to being blonde,” he whispered. “I missed you, Avalon.”

  She missed her too.

  While she knew what Maura wanted to do by changing her hair color, she knew she needed to be herself.

  For her.

  For him.

  His legs began shaking as she worked him hard. She might be younger and only had sex with him, but she had learned a lot in the last half a year.

  Avalon was a pro at destroying his defenses.

  Her hands slid up his thighs, reminding him how wonderful her touch was, and how it always sent shivers down his spine.

  The entire time, he watched her head bob up and down his erection as she swallowed him whole.

  Nate tried not to think about cumming.

  He tried to be good, knowing he should be taking her to bed to bury himself in her body, but he couldn’t help it. The visual was killing him.

  He could see down her shirt, his dick was slick with saliva, and now she was sucking on the tip.

  Jesus!

  He wasn’t going to last.

  When she added her hand and began driving him down
her throat faster, he knew he was screwed.

  “Avi, I’m going to cum. You need to…”

  She didn’t give him a chance. She slid her teeth roughly up his erection, until he couldn’t control what was coming anymore.

  The heat boiled up, and his whole body reacted to what he knew was inevitable.

  His hand found the back of her hair, and when he slid into her mouth, he braced it on the back of her head, refusing to let her go.

  Then he came.

  And came.

  And came.

  Until he was spent.

  Releasing her, he fell back onto the bed and stared at the ceiling.

  Avalon giggled as she moved toward the bed and to his side. She longed to cuddle. She had a few minutes before she had to get to work, so she’d take them.

  “I love you,” he muttered. “You are the only woman for me. That was the proof.”

  She nuzzled his chest with her cheek and let him drift in the pleasure.

  Soon, he began breathing deeply. She listened to the telltale inhale and exhale of his breath.

  It was cathartic.

  Avalon couldn’t leave him like that. So, she felt for his dick, tucked him away, and then zipped him up.

  He muttered something.

  Then he was gone again.

  “I love you, Nathaniel. I will always love you. I swear,” she vowed. “That’s my promise to you. I’ll never forget what you’ve given me.”

  With that, she fixed her hair, headed out to the living room, and prepared herself to fight for Roxy’s life.

  The killer was on the move, and tonight, he’d claim his fourth victim.

  They were running out of time. She knew that before long, the killer wouldn’t be taking Roxy, but instead, he’d be taking someone more important.

  The wedding didn’t change fate.

  Jagger was going to die.

  That meant one thing.

  She couldn’t be Avalon tonight.

  No.

  It was time to be Oracle.

  She had a brother to save.

  * * * O R A C L E * * *