by Aimee McNeil
“I love you, Lexie.”
“I love you too, Mom. See you soon.”
Lexie hung up the phone and looked at Jackson, who was awaiting the new information. “My mom wants me to meet her tonight.”
“Lexie?” The both turned toward Evan. “I need to talk to you.”
Lexie followed Evan as he led her upstairs to the spare bedroom. Her stomach felt heavy because she knew Evan was going to try and talk her out what she needed to do. He shut the door and leaned against it.
“Lexie…” he began, his tormented gaze pleading with her. “Don’t do this. This whole situation is fucked to no end. You’re going to get yourself killed. There are two dead men downstairs, lying in pools of blood, and you’re putting your faith in a stranger whose intentions are God knows what. He’s not stable. I don’t believe he’s a cop for one second. I saw the way he completely lost it down there.” Evan reached for her, but Lexie took a step back.
“Evan, what we did that night was a mistake.”
“Don’t say that.”
“Evan, listen.” Lexie took a deep breath and forced herself to continue. “I love you—I do—but we were never meant to be more than what we were. I know you know it in your heart. I miss your brother every moment of every day, just like you. Us being together isn’t going to make it easier. It won’t make us miss him less. It won’t solve any of our problems. It will only make things worse. It’s not going to fill that hole we feel.” Lexie felt emotionally drained as she spoke, but she needed to say this. She had let things go too far. She needed to be clear where the boundaries fell. “After we were together, I know you felt regret. I could see it in your eyes, and I could feel it in my heart. I also can’t have you trying to protect me. If anything happened to you, I wouldn’t be able to live with it. The only person I want you to worry about is yourself. I can take care of me.”
“He’d want me to protect you.”
“Look where it got him, Evan.”
They both stood silent for a moment, staring at each other. She couldn’t remember the last time Evan smiled. He had always been so easy going, care-free, but now he couldn’t get through a day without getting high. Like her, he wasn’t dealing well with their loss. It left them confused and in the dark when it came to moving on with the rest of their lives.
“I have to meet my mom tonight. I need you to stay here with Stephanie.”
“Lex…”
“Do this for me, Evan. I put you both at risk coming back here. I have to face this. It’s no longer a choice for me. More and more of those men are going to keep coming until my mother and I face this. Jackson knows what’s coming for us. He might be our only chance to survive it. I trust him. Promise me, Evan. I need to know that you two are safe.”
Evan looked so tormented. She knew he wanted to say more, but he held his tongue, and she was grateful. He gave the slightest nod. She threw her arms around him and squeezed him tight. His arms wrapped around her.
“Don’t blame yourself for Alex’s death, Lexie. I know if given the choice he would have given his life for you a thousand times.”
Lexie buried her face into Evan’s shirt. “Remember that day when you, Alex, Stephanie, and I spent the night at Russet’s Cove?”
“Yeah.”
“I think about that a lot. How we spent hours by the campfire talking about our futures and where we would be in ten years. I remember laughing so hard my face hurt. Life was so perfect then. I wish we could go back to that night.”
“Me too, Lexie, me too.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Jackson
Jackson stood out on the back porch of Stephanie’s house. “I’ve got four bodies I need to make disappear.” Jackson didn’t bother with pleasantries when Max answered the phone.
“Fuck, Jack. Sliding over to the dark side, are you? Be careful where you step. Even you can get caught stepping in shit if you’re not careful.”
“Yeah, well, desperate times.” Jackson ran his hand through his hair. He knew he was heading into territory that he might not able to return from. “Can you take care of the bodies?”
“Yeah, I got it, but you owe me big.”
“Done.” Jackson rattled off the necessary information before he ended the call. He barely slid his phone in his pocket when it rang. He held it up and looked at the name of the caller, Giles. “This is fucking great,” Jackson mumbled before he accepted the call. He knew better than to ignore this call.
“Giles.”
“When you asked for time off, you failed to divulge that you were running off doing God knows what. What are you up to, Jacks? I know you’re not sitting poolside like you led me to believe.”
“I have a meeting with Mary Connors. Don’t take me off this, Giles. I’m close. I can feel it. I need these answers,” Jackson argued. “I won’t do anything stupid.”
Giles was quiet for a moment before he continued.
“You found her?”
“Yeah.”
“I think it’s a little too late to not do anything stupid. Fuck, Jackson. What am I going to do with you?” Jackson could hear his exaggerated sigh on the other end of the line. “What makes you think she’s going to give you the answers you’re looking for?”
“I have her daughter.”
“Her daughter?”
“Yeah, turns out Mary had lots of secrets. I suspect she’s John’s.”
“Mary is part of a much bigger picture, Jackson. You can’t lose your head. It won’t bring him back, and it will leave us none the better.”
“I know, Giles. I’m good. You know it.”
“Jackson, I can’t believe I’m saying this…I’m sending some backup. Don’t make a move until they’re with you. I want you to keep me posted about every goddamn move you make.”
“You won’t regret it.”
“I already do. I want Mary brought in. Don’t hurt a hair on that woman’s head. Do you hear me, Jackson? Bringing her in can finally be the break the case needs.”
“Yeah. Keep the circle close, Giles. Only need-to-know basis.”
“I will.”
“I also need protection for a few of the daughter’s friends. They were on the radar. I don’t want to leave it to chance Stodden’s men won’t go after them once we leave.”
“I’ll make some calls and get some bodies on them.”
Jackson gave Giles the rest of the details and planned a meeting location for the men Giles was sending. He slipped his phone into his pocket and sat down on the step.
“What am I missing, Dad?” Jackson spoke thoughtfully to himself. He had gone over his father’s notes from his last case more times than he could possibly count. He knew the answers to his father’s murder were tied with it. None of it added up; there were too many holes.
The door opened behind him, and he looked up into those blue eyes that made the rest of the world fade away. Every time he looked at her, it was like being hit with a bucket of cold water. The emotions she stirred in him were overwhelming. A part of him wanted it all to go away, but another was desperate to hold onto it, to her. He turned back around and took a deep breath. He needed to stay focused.
“Is everything all right?” Her voice broke through his dark thoughts.
“Yeah. We need to go.”
“Evan is taking Stephanie to his place until…” Lexie nodded back toward the house. “Everything gets cleaned up.”
“It won’t be long. Someone is on the way,” Jackson assured her.
“Will they be safe?” Lexie asked before biting her lips, her beautiful eyes wide with fear.
“Safer than with us,” Jackson offered.
***
Jackson pulled into a gas station about thirty minutes from the diner where they were meeting Lexie’s mother. They still had a few hours before Mary would be expecting them, and he intended to spend it with Lexie. She was quiet for most of the drive, twisting the hem of her shirt in her fingers. She seemed so far away—lost in thought.
&n
bsp; He knew what should be on his mind, but instead his thoughts were of Lexie, the feeling of her soft lips against his. She had opened her heart to him, and he glimpsed the beauty within, the bright light that was haunted by sadness and guilt, and he wanted her.
These thoughts both thrilled him and terrified him. He had lived most of his life on his own, relying on no one but himself, but when it came to Lexie, he felt his resolve slipping away. His focus was suddenly pulled toward her, and he was scared she would knock his feet out from under him. He could already feel his world begin to tilt. Even when he closed his eyes he could still see her, still see those beautiful deep sea eyes that pleaded for answers. He was scared she would find the answers she was looking for. He knew it was only a matter of time now before she discovered the truth.
Jackson parked the car in front of a pump. The lot was nearly empty with only a few vehicles next to the small building. Jackson did a quick scan of the perimeter before he turned off his car, satisfied they were alone. He looked over at Lexie sitting beside him. She was watching him. So many questions looked like they were ready to burst from those beautiful lips, but she remained quiet, waiting for him to make the first move. He placed his arm on the back of her seat and flicked her hair, eliciting a small smile.
“Everything will change once we meet your mother.”
“I know,” Lexie said, releasing a deep breath.
“I’m not good with words, Lexie,” Jackson said, his eyes set on hers. “I have so much I want to say to you.” Jackson broke eye contact and looked out the window, trying desperately to reach inside himself. The feelings that swirled around deep inside him were scarier than any situation he had ever been in, and he had been in many situations that seemed impossible to walk away from alive. “I want to tell you how I feel about you, but I don’t know how.”
Lexie bit her bottom lip. “Show me then,” Lexie whispered.
Jackson smiled, completely captivated by everything that she was. He pulled his door open and stepped out. He grabbed the nozzle for the pump and began fueling his car. He ran his fingers through his hair and wrestled with his better judgement. He knew he should not be making this move now. Every logical thought screamed at him to stop this before it went any further, but he couldn’t help himself. He wanted to know what could have been.
Jackson pulled Lexie’s door open and held his hand out for her. She slipped her hand into his…the contact made his blood heat.
He placed his hands on either side of her, leaning against the car. He could see how nervous she was as he gazed into her beautiful eyes. He wanted to memorize every detail of her so he could relive this moment again and again when it was nothing but a memory. Jackson pressed his body against hers, loving the feel of her body against him. Lexie felt too good to be true, and it made his head swim. Running his fingers along her jaw, he tilted her mouth up to meet his. She tasted so good, like strawberry lip gloss, and he wanted to devour her as he explored her mouth. She filled his mind with thoughts so wonderful he wanted to grab hold of every one so they would never disappear.
Lexie’s hands grasped his shirt, pulling hard until it threatened to rip. Jackson leaned back, taking a much-needed breath. Her eyes were filled with both lust and fear. “Not gentle,” she gasped. “Gentle is for…”
“Love,” Jackson finished. He stepped back and grabbed the nozzle, placing it back on the pump. “Come with me.” Jackson laced his fingers into hers and headed toward the building. He pushed the glass door open to the station and waved to the man behind the counter. “We’ll be right back,” Jackson called to him. The cashier nodded his head as he watched them head to the back of the store.
Jackson swung the washroom door open and pulled Lexie inside with him. She didn’t question his intentions. She knew full well what was on his mind; he made it very clear that he was a man desperate to dive into all the pleasures she could offer him. She was a drug, and he was an addict. He threw the lock on the door and turned his savage eyes on Lexie.
She backed against the wall with a playful look upon her face. Jackson waited for reality to come crashing down on him. This was a piece of heaven that mistakenly fell into his hands, and before the error was realized, he planned to take advantage of it. He grabbed hold of her waist and pressed his lips against hers, sucking her bottom lip into his mouth, pulling his teeth along her soft flesh. He swallowed her moan before her kiss became just as frenzied.
Jackson lifted Lexie up and pinned her against the wall, supporting her weight. She wrapped her legs around his waist, positioning her body perfectly for him. He wanted to be inside her. He throbbed with need to the point of pain as he pushed against her. Her gasps of arousal excited him. The skin on her neck and stretching down toward her chest turned beautiful shades of pink, and he kissed every inch of it.
Jackson pulled her skirt up and wrapped his fingers around the delicate material of her underwear, pulling them aside. He could feel her excitement melt around his fingers. Instead of being overwhelmed with the need for release, he wanted to stay in this moment forever. He wanted to freeze time and have Lexie’s legs wrapped around him until the end of time. He wanted to touch her, kiss her, look into those eyes that reached deep inside of him and made him want more. This was where he wanted to spend the rest of his life. He wanted her to want him to be gentle, but Heaven was never meant for men like him.
Lexie grabbed for his belt, unfastened it, and pushed his pants down. There was no denying how much he wanted her. He was a man on fire, and she was his relief. Lexie clung to his shoulders as he pushed inside her. He could feel her nails digging into his flesh as he pushed himself deep into her center. The combination of pleasure and pain made his head reel. He was driven by instinct, with deep thrusts as he pushed Lexie into the wall. Her moans of pleasure grew in intensity as she clung to him. He couldn’t think past the hot pool of bliss he was enveloped in. Lexie had an ability to pull him in and make him lose touch with reality. An escape that was addictive. This would never be enough. He would never have enough of her.
She represented everything he thought he could never have. Now that she was in his grasp, he knew it was only a matter of time before she slipped through his fingers, and he knew it would be of his own doing.
Lexie ran her fingers through his hair, pulling him in to her kiss. Her hunger made him dizzy. He could feel her body tense in his hold. He forced himself to hold on until she found her pleasure before he found his own. Lexie’s teeth sunk into his shoulder. She moaned against his skin, and it sent an explosion of pleasure to his groin. He held onto her melting body as he came, hot and hurried, inside her.
Her limp, sated body collapsed against him as he held her tight, his arms wrapped around her, clinging to the moment a little longer before setting her on her feet. He brushed her hair back off her shoulder, letting his fingers trail along the soft skin of her arm. He leaned in and pressed his lips softly against hers; he was overwhelmed with the desire to let her know that what he felt was more than sex and pleasuring needs. She meant something to him.
“Don’t.” Lexie pulled back, her eyes filled with tears, but they never fell. He gave her a slight nod in understanding. He crossed the boundaries she set. She didn’t want gentle with him. He refastened his pants and let her situate herself. Neither one spoke, and as quick as it came, the moment they shared was over. Jackson had an overwhelming feeling of loss as he pulled the door open.
“Fuck…you’re early.” Jackson sighed when he noticed two men standing on the other side of the door. The men Giles had sent were both standing next to the aisle, their gaze dropped to Lexie behind him. There was no denying he crossed the line. He could see the “you’re in deep shit” expression on Dane’s face.
Jackson knew both Dane and Teddy well. As relieved as he was with the choice of men Giles sent him as backup, he knew they would both voice their opinions about what he got himself into. Dane was a straight shot, could probably hit a target with his eyes closed. Jackson met him the first
day of the academy. They both had a similar past, growing up surviving the streets, wanting to rid the world of some of the darkness that lurks like a disease, the same evil that almost brought them to their knees when they were lost in their youth.
Teddy joined the force because his sister was raped and murdered when she was only twelve years old. He wanted answers for the injustice. He needed to follow a path that gave him a way to fight the evils that could destroy such a young beautiful girl before she had a chance at the life she deserved. Jackson understood his feeling of loss. He understood the feeling of being cheated of the joys of life.
“Grab something to eat, Lex. I need to talk with these guys.” Jackson stepped back to let her pass. Lexie gave both men a quick look before she slipped down the aisle.
“I can’t blame you. She’s fucking A,” Teddy said as his eyes followed Lexie.
“Fuck off, Teddy,” Jackson said impatiently.
Teddy raised his hands in surrender.
“You should be glad Giles sent us. We actually care what happens to your ass,” Dane said.
“I know. I need your ugly faces, but she,” Jackson nodded his head toward Lexie, “is off the table. I don’t want your opinion.”
They both nodded in understanding. Both men were dressed in plain clothes. No one could tell they were loaded with weapons, carefully concealed. The three of them brought together by some force of nature and shared an unusual bond. “Does anyone else know you’re here, besides Giles?”
“Rosh, he was with us when Giles briefed us,” Dane said. “And a few others that Giles is keeping close. He said it was on the down low.”
Jackson nodded. He knew his father’s old partner would want to know any details on this case. He was with his father when he lost his life. He understood he would need closure as well.
