JD's Redemption

by Lauren Firminger

  “Was I ignoring you? I’m sorry, Princess.” She let out a squeal and gripped on to my shirt. Standing her on her feet, I looked down at her as she bounced against my legs.

  “Who would have thought the big bad JD would melt over a little Princess.” I stuck my tongue out at Abby and she made a face back at me.

  “How can anyone not melt over her. Cutest damn kid I have ever met. She takes after her Uncle.” Everyone around the table groaned but for once, we were all smiling. Our family was happy, healthy and most of all we were safe. We had conquered our demons and now, we could enjoy the peace. I looked over at Ellie who was watching me, and I winked at her. Mia sat down in my lap and began to play with my tie. I took it from her and leant over and took the bunny that Chaos held out to me. Tucking it against her, she put bunny’s ear in her mouth and I couldn’t help but chuckle. I moved my arm to rest over the back of Ellie’s chair as everyone talked around us. When Mia laid her head against me, I rubbed my free hand over her back. She was such a daddy’s girl, but whenever she was with me, she would without fail, always fall asleep. Looking over at Chaos who was in conversation with Raven and Tucker, he looked back at me. Motioning my head down to Mia.

  “I think someone has had a big day. Want me to put her to bed?”

  “Do you mind? If one of us tries to take her, it will jostle her too much and she will wake back up.” I nodded softly and carefully picked her up from my lap and laid her against my shoulder. I moved over toward the house and quietly walked inside and made my way to the nursery. Laying her down, I covered her over with her blanket and tucked her bunny into her arm. I watched her for a few minutes as she slept peacefully. There was something so relaxing about it. So angelic and innocent.

  “Never change Mia. Don’t let the big bad world out there make you cold. Bad things can happen but never close yourself off, baby girl. It can be a very empty life for someone. You deserve so much love and happiness. You have people looking over you and we won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “So do you, you know.” I looked over my shoulder at the whispered voice behind me and saw Katy standing there. “She is so peaceful when she sleeps. I sometimes catch Thomas in there watching her, making sure she is okay before he comes to bed.” I moved away and chuckled softly.

  “He is one of a kind, that man.” I pressed a kiss to her temple. “Thank you for including me today. It means a lot to me. Chaos has always been like a brother to me and to be up there as he married the love of his life, was once in a lifetime.” She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed me tight.

  “I wouldn’t have had it any other way. You may be a dick most of the time, but we do love you. I know you don’t believe it right now, but you deserve this too. One day, Bub.”

  “Katy… I need your help.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Ellie

  I watched JD with Mia and to say I was shocked with the change was an understatement. He was so good with her and I loved seeing that side of him. It reminded me of the man that I knew who I had first fallen in love with, not the one who’d broken my heart when he cheated on me. He had been my loveable clown and I just wished he would see that the random sluts he kept fucking were nothing and it was just going to leave him feeling empty. Until he saw that and stopped sleeping around, there was no way I was prepared to put my heart back on the line. I would just end up hurt again and there would be no going back from that. I knew it was pathetic to hold on to something for so long, but there was that voice inside my head that would always wonder ‘what if’ if I actually let him go. Was he the man that I was supposed to end up with? I had no fucking clue, but no one knew me better than he did. Hell, there was shit that he knew about me that not even the rest of the boys knew. I trusted him like no one else. Again, stupid I know but he had never let me down. He was always there when I needed him. Being the owner of an escort agency that brought in a lot of shady people from time to time, it was good that he was like that. If we ever got into trouble, he was just a phone call away with the boys to back up my security. Luckily though, I could count on one hand the amount of times I had had to make that phone call.

  Looking up, pulling myself from my thoughts, I watched as JD and Katy came back into the reception. They were talking amongst themselves in whispers before they finally came back and took their seats. Thomas looked over at Katy with a raised brow and she shook her head. Something told me that she would tell him later. The conversation around us picked up again and just as he had done before, JD put his arm on the back of my chair. Every so often, his thumb would rub softly against my shoulder. The longer we sat here, the more comfortable I felt and the more relaxed I was. Could also have something to do with the champagne that kept turning up, but who was I to argue? If I needed too, I would just call a car to come and pick me up and come back for my car in the morning. I couldn’t help but notice though, Abby kept looking over at us. Resting my hand against JD’s knee, I leant in to him and whispered.

  “Okay, I have tried to ignore it by tell me again why Abby keeps looking over here like she is waiting for something to happen?” JD looked over at Abby and moved in closer to me.

  “She thinks that I am going to try something on with you and warned me against it because if I hurt you, I wasn’t going to know what hit me.”

  “Are you going to try something on with me?” I picked up my glass of champagne and took a sip to try and clear the lump in my throat as I waited on his answer. Instead, he stood up, took my glass from me and took my hand in his and pulled me to my feet. Leading me outside and away from the ears that I was sure were listening in, trying to hear something. I followed him toward the house until we were both standing on the wrap around balcony that overlooked the entire property.

  “Ellie, how long have we known each other now? Fifteen years or something like that?” I nodded. It was about that. “So you have seen everything, the good, the bad and the downright stupid shit that I have done.” Again, I nodded.

  “I have. I will also be here to continue to see the stupid shit you do, because with you Jason, it’s inevitable.” He let out a snort in argument but we both knew that it was true.

  “I only have one regret in my life and that was the day that I hurt you. I would give anything to take that back and you know that. I know you say that it just wasn’t meant to be, but I don’t believe that. I haven’t done the best job of showing it, but you are one of the people in my life that I can’t even stomach the thought of losing. Watching Chaos up there today with Katy and knowing that Raven will soon be next, it has reinforced to me what I have known for a while and have been trying to ignore, but Ellie I need to ask you something. Is there anyway, that you and I can put the past behind us and give what we had another try? I know I have given you no reason to think that my feelings for you are still there, but they are and if I don’t at least ask the question then I will spend the rest of my life wondering what could have been.” I sat in silence for a few minutes and just watched him. His words were genuine. I knew when he was pulling out lines to try and pick up and when he actually meant what he said. I loved the man standing in front of me, but could I trust that he wouldn’t revert back to the asshole playboy who was chipping away at every single woman in this town? I mean, hell, he had covered most of them anyway.

  I looked away from him and chewed on the inside of my lip. I hated to do this, I really did but I needed more time. My head was blurry, and it wasn’t just the champagne. “Jase, you know I love you and I always will. Nothing you do will ever take that away. Can I think on this though? My head says yes, but I can’t trust it right now and my heart is afraid to trust you again. Before I say yes or no, I want to think on it. I don’t want to be wondering all the time if it’s going to happen again or what you are getting up to at the club. I want to go into this with nothing but trust. Can you give me time?” He nodded and knelt down in front of me. Cupping my cheek in his hand, he met my eyes.

  “Not only am I going to give you tim
e, I am going to show you that I can be the man that you deserve. I love you, Goddess. To show you that I mean what I say, I won’t be coming into the agency unless it’s to see you. You are going to be the only one I will be sleeping with when you are ready to make that step. I want to date you and do this properly. Will you give me that chance when you are ready?” Leaning forward, I pressed my forehead against his and closed my eyes.

  “I will. No girls and we can see where this goes. One slip and you will lose me forever.” JD pulled his head back from mine and pressed his lips lightly to my forehead before wrapping his arms around me. I relaxed and just let him hold me.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  JD

  After our talk away from the table, I walked Ellie back inside and we rejoined the conversation. We talked, laughed, dance and when it was time, Raven and I did our speech after Hailee and Abby. Toward the end of the night, I noticed that Ellie had switched to water.

  “You okay?” I raised my brow in question. She gave me a nod.

  “I am driving so I need to stop the champagne, so I can actually drive.”

  “If you don’t feel like driving, I have the guest cottage at the back. You can take the bed and I will sleep on the couch. You can get some rest and head back into town in the morning.”

  “I am not going to make you sleep on the couch, Princess. You will bitch that your back hurts tomorrow and you need your beauty sleep.” I heard some of the boys throats clear as they tried not to crack up laughing but that didn’t last long. I picked up my glass and took a slow drink from it in an attempt to hide my smirk.

  “Fine, Goddess, you take the couch.”

  “Hmm as amazing as that sounds, my king size bed at home is more appealing than a couch.” I raised my hands in defeat.

  “Hey, I was just being a gentleman and offering you a bed so you didn’t have to drive all the way home, but whatever blows ya dress up, Darlin’.” I watched her as she took a drink of water. She was perfect. The way her curls fell around her face and bounced every time she moved, to the little crease between her eyes when she raised her brow at me as she tried to figure me out. Her eyes met mine and it took all I had in me not to lean over, take her face in my hands and kiss her. I didn’t though. If Ellie wanted to take this slow then I would respect that. I would go at whatever pace she wanted as long as she gave me the chance to show her that I was serious about making this work. No more going into the Phoenix unless it was to see her or take her home after she finished work. I couldn’t be that man-whore forever. It was time for me to grow up and be the man my dad was and one that my mom wasn’t ashamed of. I wanted to be able to show my face and I knew Ellie was my forever girl. I knew now that I had to leave Paige in the past. Pulling myself out of my thoughts, not realizing someone had been talking to me until Corey threw something at my head.

  “What?”

  “Finally back with us?”

  “Yes, fucker, I am.”

  “Good. The guys are going out riding next weekend. Are you in?”

  “Yeah, where are we heading?”

  “Mountains. Got a lead on something.” Looking over to Chaos, he gave me a nod.

  “Alright, let’s do it. You run point on this one. We’ll get Duke to fit up the bikes with the shit we ran for the last mission.” Corey gave me a nod and I downed the last of my drink. Raven was still out for the time being. Katy hadn’t cleared him to be back on a bike and now she and Thomas were going on their honeymoon so that put me at the head of the table for the next week or so. We had discussed it in length and while I thought the idea was completely stupid, they out voted me. I had been VP for the time being, so I knew this wasn’t a big step, but the Reapers were not something I wanted to mess up. We had put so much work into this club since we had taken it over and I didn’t want to let them down. I moved my arm to rest against the back of Ellie’s chair and my eyes met Corey’s. I knew, no matter how much doubt I had in me, he would have my back. As if he could read my thoughts, Corey leant across the table, arm stretched out with a closed fist. Reaching over, I bumped my now closed fist against his. We’ve got this.

  One by one, everyone started dropping off until it was just our table left standing and we decided to call it a night. Corey got a very drunk Abby into the car and left with Tucker. Hailee and Raven left too after a very long goodbye with Katy. It was as though the two of them were never going to see each other again. Thomas took Katy off to the house after that leaving me alone with Ellie. Placing my hand on her back, I led her over toward where her car was parked.

  “The offer still stands. You can come and take the bed and I promise to be the perfect gentleman.” I poked my finger softly against her side, but it was hard enough to make her squirm and tuck herself closer to me.

  “As tempting as that is, I have to head to the club early in the morning. We have a delivery coming in and no one else will deal with it. Plus, I need to see what mess they have left for me before the club opens so I can undo it.”

  “Your security coming to help with the delivery?” She shook her head and took her keys out of her bag.

  “No, I won’t see them until the stock is all put away.” I took my phone out of my pocket and sent a text to the prospects.

  “What time?”

  “Six.” I added the time to the text message and sending it, I put my phone back away.

  “There, use them as you please. Let them do all the hard work and send them back when you are done.” I knew Ellie. She worked hard for everything and refused to ask for help even when she needed it most. I knew how much alcohol was in those deliveries she got, so she was getting help to at least take it inside and down into the store room. Ellie rested her hands against my arms and pressed her lips against my cheek.

  “Thank you.” I closed my eyes at the feel of her so close to me. My restraint was at breaking point right now. I wasn’t sure how long I was going to last not kissing her, touching her, making her mine but come hell or high water I was going to fucking do this. For her, I could do it. I moved my hands to rest against the side of her neck, my fingers brushing lightly over her skin, I kissed her head.

  “You’re welcome, Goddess, now go and get some sleep. Text me when you are home, so I know you are safe or I am coming after you to make sure of it.” Ellie’s gaze met mine as her head tilted back a little. Her words were soft.

  “I will.” I kissed her nose and pulled away before I changed my mind and took her back to the cabin just so that I could keep her safe. Opening her door for her, she got in her car and put the key in the ignition. I stepped back and closed the door as she started it up and I watched her reverse. I would call the prospects in the morning to check on them that they were doing what they were supposed to be doing before Corey and I started to plan the run into the mountains. I refused to let any of them down. I had this.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Ellie

  The drive home last night was the longest drive of my damn life. Mainly because I didn’t want to leave, but I knew for the time being, for the sake of my heart, I needed to get in that car. I got home and sent JD a message that I was home safe before getting in the shower and changing into my pajamas. I woke up to my alarm the next morning and my phone still in my hand from texting back and forth for a little while with JD the night before. As tired as I was though, I couldn’t help but smile as I thought about him. I took another shower, decided on what to wear and got dressed so I could go and meet not only the prospects that JD had coming out to help me, but the delivery drivers who had my stock for the next week, my linen truck and the cleaners before I opened up at ten. Then I had to hand out the assignments for tonight and deal with the snootiness from some of the girls that others weren’t requested by certain clients and then deal with whoever walked in the door. Did I tell them that we were losing a client in JD or did I leave that for them to find out on their own. Deciding against telling them anything, I took my grey and white bra and panties from the draw and pulled them on. Taking my grey
pants out, I put them on and took a white blouse of the hanger and buttoned it up. Taking the matching vest and jacket out, I put the vest on over my shirt and slipped my feet into a pair of nude Christian Louboutin’s and carefully laid my jacket over my arm. Picking my phone up from the bed, I slipped it into my pocket and walked downstairs. I took the coffee pot out and filled up my travel mug. Adding my sugars and milk to it, I stirred it and put the lid on. Picking up my keys and collecting my handbag on the way out, I turned my alarm on and headed out to my car. Unlocking it and setting my bag on the passenger seat, I climbed in and sat my coffee mug in the cup holder, then started the engine and waited for my Bluetooth to connect before pulling out of my driveway and heading for the Phoenix.

  The Flaming Phoenix was my baby. When I left college, I had no idea what I wanted to do despite starting out with a degree in journalism, I quickly worked out that it wasn’t for me and left. I helped Cameron and Thomas get JD out of prison because I knew he was innocent. After he and I started dating, we talked about the options that I had and we joked about me starting an escort agency for bikers and even though we broke up at the time, the idea still stuck, so I went with it. I took the inheritance I was left by my nana and put it into buying the building and getting it kitted out the way I wanted it before we called in the girls. Sure, we had a high turnover, but it was nothing that I couldn’t handle. JD had been the one pain in my ass. He needed a different girl every time he came in and it had been getting harder to find new blood for him to keep him satisfied. My other clients didn’t mind having a regular but not him. He had to be different.

  I couldn’t help but feel a little smug about that changing now. Especially now Mischa would never get her hands on him and I knew the little tramp was just itching to get her claws into him. I wouldn’t be surprised if she thought she had the magic vag that would make him rethink his bad boy ways and want to settle with her as his old lady. I was just biding my time though to be able to prove that she was just as un-important as the rest of them. She wasn’t entirely stupid though. Mischa knew I wanted her gone and the second she put a toe out of line, I would be replacing her ass faster than she could blink. I couldn’t stand the whore, but she got the big money and more business for the club. If she dared piss me off now though, I wouldn’t hesitate to do it.