Cody turns his red-rimmed dark green eyes to me, guilt clouding them. He’s worse than me with this shit. I rip his head into my shoulder and hold him firmly as his arms squeeze me like a vice grip. Hunter falls into Jenna’s embrace while Devlin and Jordan watch us all silently.
“You guys wanna hear some happy news?” Emily asks as the crying finally stops for the traumatized teenagers.
“Please,” Jordan breathes out with relief.
“We’re gonna have a baby,” she says through a smile directed at me.
“What?!” Jenna screeches, jumping up and down. Hunter moves away from the jostling with a chuckle.
“Are you okay? Is the baby okay?” Cody asks in a panic.
“We’re both fine, sweetheart. Everything’s gonna be just fine,” she replies confidently.
I hope she’s right. I could live a life of fine. I need a life of fine with these people…my family. Everything will be fine. I’ll make certain of it.
“We’re going to be back in the hospital when you give yourself a hernia. I’m supposed to walk, Garrett,” I attempt to complain as he carries me into the house.
“No,” he grunts.
My grunty, growly man is in overdrive. He hasn’t left my side and he’s barely strung together two sentences since he first got to the hospital. Four days of that, until I was released this afternoon. Now I’m only getting one word here and there. Mostly affirmatives and negatives. He’s struggling.
I lied to law enforcement for the second time in my life. It’s becoming quite the habit as of late. I didn’t really lie so much as I didn’t disagree with the detectives’ hypothesis about what happened to me. The story goes, I left my dad’s house after a visit and was carjacked. The carjacking was a ruse to hold me for ransom from my father who is well known in the city. It’s not a bad story and the evidence is there to support it. When Switch grabbed me, he took my car and someone dumped it in a rough neighborhood.
There were traces of sedatives in my system when I was tested at the hospital. I said my memory was foggy. A lie. A lie they believed. A lie that needed to be told because I know Garrett, Caleb’s club and a team of my father’s men went after the people that did this, namely Angelique. No one will tell me what happened to her, but the news has stories splashed all over about a mob hit taking place at Ladies. I’m pretty good at math so…
One more person needs to be dealt with in all of this.
Adam.
He fed me to monsters. I don’t know how he pulled off the thing with Jordan’s phone, but a very creepy man named Zero that’s in Mayhem believes my phone was cloned. What that means or how it works, I have no idea and I wasn’t about to ask Zero any questions.
Adam has millions upon millions of dollars in my name in off shore accounts. Money he earned through a massive prostitution ring.
A prostitution ring.
I spent two years of my life with this man. This devious, hideous human being that preys on women. Women he gets through human trafficking and other salacious means. I really believed I loved Adam when I was with him. I never loved him. My gut knew he wasn’t worthy of love. If only my eyes could have seen the devil in front of me all those years.
I’m an idiot.
Garrett lays me down in our bed, fluffing pillows behind my head. My brooding man fluffing pillows is a sight to behold. His constant angry brown eyes are not. I want desperately to set him at ease, but I know there’s nothing I can do. Not until he finds Adam.
Cody crawls in the bed next to me and snatches the remote off Garrett’s bedside table. Cody refused to leave me right along with Jordan and Garrett. Jordan just went home to grab some clothes before he comes back to stay here. I’d feel smothered if it didn’t feel so good.
“Arlene and Beverly made a shit load of food. Are you hungry?” Cody asks, flipping through the channels.
“Some soup would be good.”
Garrett grunts and walks out of the room, no doubt to get me some soup.
I grimace a bit as I try to get comfortable. My leg is killing me. I can’t take much to manage the pain because of the pregnancy. I have a long road of physical therapy ahead of me. There was a lot of damage to my muscle, but the bullet missed my bones and arteries. It could have been worse.
The nightmares started two nights ago. Switch getting to me and me missing when I try to stab him. Every time he gets me, seething in my face before I wake up screaming. I know they’ll end eventually. I’ll start seeing a counselor next week. I refuse to let this ruin my life after I fought so hard to live. I’ll keep fighting.
Exhaustion creeps up on me as Cody settles on ESPN, cuddling against my shoulder. I fall asleep trying to beat away the terror that’s hiding behind the curtain of unconsciousness.
I wake up when my body’s being moved against a chiseled naked chest. I inhale a deep lungful of wood and musk, nuzzling further into Garrett. I can feel the tension seeping from his pores as he strokes my back with his rough hand.
“Is Jordan here?” I croak sleepily.
“Yeah.”
“I never ate.”
“Hungry?” he asks, moving to sit up.
“No,” I lie. I don’t want him to get up.
He pauses for a moment and then returns to rubbing my back.
“Cody needs to get back to school,” I whisper.
“Yeah.”
“Do you think you’ll start talking again anytime soon?” I ask genuinely.
“No,” he grunts, pulling me almost entirely on top of his body.
I wince as my leg repositions, but I don’t try to stop him. He hasn’t been able to hold me in almost a week. I need this. He needs this. We need this.
“Okay,” I mumble against his grandfather clock.
Garrett presses a long kiss to my hair before quietly ordering, “Sleep.”
“I love you,” I say tenderly before his steady heartbeat lulls me to sleep.
Right before I nod off he whispers, “I love you, Emily.”
A grin crests my lips and no nightmares find me while I’m in Garrett’s safe embrace.
I hate crutches. I can’t do anything without wobbling or dropping one or something else less graceful. So I’ve taken to hopping around when I’m alone. It’s been three weeks since I was shot. Physical therapy hurts, but it’s working. I can put some pressure on my leg now as my muscle begins to heal.
I take a few hops from the island to the stove and then back again as I try to finish up dinner before Garrett and Cody get home. Jordan’s practically living here too. He’s at his house right now, but he’ll be here for dinner.
I grab a stack of plates and cradle them to my chest before hopping to the kitchen table. The door into the house from the garage opens when I’m hopping back. Crap.
“Emily,” Garrett’s menacing growl hits me mid-hop.
“Hi, guys,” I say brightly as I continue hopping. “How did your day go?”
“Where’re your crutches?” Cody growls much like his brother.
I point to them leaning against the wall before rounding the island and stopping at the stove. I haven’t looked at either of them. I know they’re mad. I don’t need to look at them to feel the irritation vibrating through the room.
Garrett’s heavy footfalls stalk toward me and then I’m flying onto the island. I let out a squeal and brace myself for pain to radiate from Garrett manhandling me, but it doesn’t come. He cradles my leg at the ankle, shielding my wound.
I grasp onto his broad shoulders as he gently lowers my foot to dangle. He steps in between my legs, cups my cheeks and forces my gaze to meet his constantly brown angry eyes.
“Don’t,” he grunts harshly.
“I’m fine,” I say dismissively, pressing my mouth to his.
He growls and nips my lower lip.
“I thought we agreed no kitchen sex,” Jordan snarks before he slams the front door.
One of Garrett’s hands leaves my face and I’m certain he’s flipping Jordan off based on
the deep chuckle from my friend.
I’d like some kitchen sex. Garrett won’t touch me. He’s been nothing but gentle and tender with me, but I need some intimacy with him. I don’t have any restrictions from the doctors. I’m ready for sex. Any kind of sex, kitchen or otherwise.
Garrett walks away, snags my crutches and helps me off the counter. Then he pats my butt with a warning in his gaze that says No more hopping.
I roll my eyes but use my crutches to head back over to the chili simmering on the stove. The timer dings a few minutes later and I pull out fresh bread bowls. Jordan and Garrett are drinking a beer while Cody talks about the upcoming winter formal at school. He doesn’t want to go. Imagine that.
“Alyssa’s going,” I chime in.
“With who?” Cody asks in an annoyed tone.
“I think his name’s Bennett,” I respond in a shrug. Three boys asked her to go. Jenna is so excited to dress Alyssa up and Caleb’s demanding that Alyssa not go.
“She’s not fuckin’ goin’ with him,” Cody snarls.
“Why?” There’s no way Caleb or Jenna will let her go if this boy’s an issue.
“Because.”
“That’s a great reason, man,” Jordan teases, tipping the last of his beer to his lips.
“I’ll take her before I’ll let that dick anywhere near her. He runs through girls like a turnstile at Grand Central.”
That’s a vivid description. If Caleb finds out, Alyssa won’t be allowed to go. He’s insanely protective of her. It’s beautiful to witness.
“I’ll call Jenna and see if she knows anything about Bennett.” It’s better for me to talk to her about this. “Can you come help me?”
“Let Caleb deal with this,” Jordan instructs me as he climbs to his feet to help along with Garrett and Cody.
“Caleb threatened to have her home schooled because a boy carried her backpack for her last week. I don’t think he’s the rational one in the equation.”
I flop down into my chair as the table gets loaded up by my guys. Then I pour a ton of vinegar in my chili before digging in. This pregnancy is making me crave sour food. I’m eating sauerkraut like it’s going out of style. It’s gross and I can’t help myself.
Jordan turns his nose up at me but doesn’t comment.
Cody hasn’t taken a bite because he’s furiously texting or something on his phone.
“Cody,” Garrett grunts.
“Sorry,” he apologizes, putting his phone in his pocket. He shovels a few mouthfuls in and then moans. “You’re such an awesome cook, Em.”
“Thanks, sweetheart.”
“Have you looked at anymore of the applications?” Jordan asks me.
“A few,” I lie.
I have to hire at least a baker, but probably another staff member too. Between what happened with the kids and now me being shot, I’ve missed almost two months of work. It’s time to do something about it, but I can’t bring myself to.
“You gotta do it, Em. Arlene and Beverly can’t keep this up. I know they keep tellin’ you they’re fine, but they’re not young women. They can’t keep the hours you and I do. I’m not sayin’ this to be a dick, but you’ve gotta hire some help.”
“I’ll set up interviews tomorrow. I promise.”
I will. Jordan’s right. I’m being selfish. Plus this pregnancy makes me really tired right now. I don’t think I’d be able to work like I was if I wanted to. I could do the work, but I’d sleep the rest of the time and never see Cody or Garrett. I’m not leaving the shop. I’ll always be there, but I’ve got to let it go a little bit.
“I will not be mad if you hire the redhead,” he says with an eyebrow wiggle.
“I’ll be sure to take that into consideration,” I scoff.
Cody’s phone beeps and when he reads the screen, he sneers before shoving it back in his pocket.
“I hope you’re not havin’ a girl,” he grumbles before gulping his Gatorade.
“Why?”
“Because they’re a pain in the fuckin’ ass. They don’t listen. They act one way and then another way two seconds later. They cry for no goddamn reason and then get pissed when you don’t understand. Clothes and make-up are the center of their world. Their friendships are sick and manipulative. Girls just suck,” he huffs.
“Thank you,” I huff back.
I don’t mean it, but I want him to see he’s not thinking about all women right now.
Cody’s cheeks burn bright red and his dark green eyes close. “I didn’t mean you, Em.”
“From a teenage girl’s perspective, boys are no better. They only think about sex. They refuse to show emotions. They’re immature. They put more effort into their friendships than their relationships. And they stink.”
Jordan and I chuckle before he says, “Bein’ a teenager sucks, bud. Girls get better.”
“Sometimes,” Garrett grunts his opinion.
I get ready to tune up an argument, feeling hormonal and sensitive, but Garrett hits me with one of his looks that says If you insinuate I mean you, I will not be happy. So I keep my mouth shut. I know he doesn’t mean me. My hormones on the other hand want to bicker. At least then he’d talk to me or growl at me.
I hate that he’s all closed down. I’m not hurt by it. I’m hurting for him.
“I’d still rather have a nephew than a niece,” Cody announces with a big stretch.
“We’ll know soon,” I say through a contented smile, rubbing my belly.
Garrett lifts his chin at Jordan slightly, drawing my attention to him. But then Jordan speaks.
“Garrett and I are gonna head over to Mayhem to work on Caleb’s Chevelle for a little while. You good here with Cody?”
“Why are you askin’ me instead of Garrett?” I grind out.
“It was my idea,” Jordan responds through a shrug.
I have the same niggle of suspicion running through me like I used to get with Adam. I don’t like that feeling in my body. I don’t think Garrett would cheat on me. And I know Jordan would never help him cover for that. But they’re both lying to me.
“We could come with you and hang out with Jenna and the kids,” I probe.
“No,” Jordan and Garrett snap instantly.
I glare at my best friend before turning icy eyes at Garrett.
“We’re goin’ to the clubhouse. Jenna and the kids are at Caleb’s place,” Jordan tries to cover.
It’s not working on me.
“Have a good night,” I say quietly, climbing to my feet.
I leave my crutches and hop to the stairs, using the narrow walls to swing myself up. I collapse on the bed and curl into myself. When the first tears leak from the corners of my eyes, the door opens and my crutches clatter to the floor.
“Emily,” Garrett growls at the edge of the bed.
I don’t respond and I don’t look up at him. His hands fist at his sides as he fights his frustration with me.
“Emily,” he demands again.
“If you cheat on me, I will leave you. I won’t be this woman again. So, if you’re gonna go screw someone else and you’re usin’ my best friend to cover for you, I suggest you tell me now so I can pack my stuff and leave. Is this why you won’t touch me? Did you find someone else while I’ve been recovering?”
I’m pinned on my back beneath Garrett before I notice he’s moving.
“Don’t,” he snarls in my face, with black furious eyes glaring at me.
“You don’t,” I protest, trying to push him off me.
It’s a fruitless effort so I close my eyes to block him out. I know he’s not cheating on me. There’s no way. That was the crazy pregnant lady ranting. But whatever he’s doing tonight, he’s lying to me and that’s no different.
Garrett drops his face to my neck and purrs, “Never.”
Never gonna let you go.
He said that so many months ago. And with one word, he’s reminding me of that. He’ll never hurt me. He’ll never leave me. He’ll never stop loving me.
I breathe out a sigh of relief and relax beneath his heavy frame as he nips and suckles my skin. I thread my fingers through his chocolate-caramel hair to urge him on. I need this so badly.
“Please, Garrett,” I moan as he tugs on my earlobe.
I wrap my good leg around his hip and grind against him, pleading with him to take me. He rumbles and takes my mouth in a rough kiss, devouring me. I cling to his shoulders as I whimper with need.
One of his calloused hands glides up my ribcage until it finds my sensitive nipple. He tweaks and pulls through the lace as I hiss at the contact. It hurts, but I’m not stopping him. Sore nipples be damned.
His other hand runs down my good leg before grasping the hem of my maxi skirt. I can’t wear jeans with my injury so my man’s got easy access. Thank God!
With the material bunched at my waist, Garrett leaves my mouth and settles his broad shoulders between my thighs.
“Yes,” I whisper.
He grabs a hold of my lace panties and rips them away from my body. Then his tongue is inside me, spearing and lapping. Garrett’s massive arm holds my hips still against the mattress as I yank and tug at his hair.
My orgasm is already building. Just feeling his warmth around me gets me worked up, but him consuming me like I’m his last meal breaks the dam. His tongue expertly flicks its way up to my clit as he drives a finger inside me.
And when he softens his tongue, laving me with just the right pressure, I explode. A tremor works its way from my toes to my scalp as I climax with force.
I’m panting when Garrett sits up and pulls my skirt back down my legs.
“Hey,” I protest.
We were just getting started.
“Later,” he grunts.
I start to argue when I catch his eyes. Kaleidoscopes. Tears are instantly streaming from my eyes at the sight. No more angry brown.
“Sugar,” he says quietly, swiping my cheeks.
“Kaleidoscopes,” I sob. “I’ve missed these eyes so much.”
He nods his understanding.
“Love you,” he mutters before pressing a firm kiss to my lips.
Mugs of Love Page 33
