by Tigris Eden
Seeing her sitting at the desk reading and looking beautiful and calm did something to him. She hadn’t even realized he’d finished his shower. He wrapped the towel tighter around his waist and walked up behind her. Her head was bent into the book, completely focused. He kissed a path up the back of the nape of her neck, and whatever had originally had her attention was now forgotten as she relaxed into his touch and closed the book. She tasted amazing. Anna used coconut oil on her skin, and it did nothing but add to her unique flavor.
Jackson grabbed her ponytail with his hand and maneuvered her head to the side as he nibbled her ear. He dragged his lips across the skin there, making her moan. He loved the sound of her voice when she vocalized her passion. He kissed the tops of her ears before biting down gently. He couldn’t stop kissing her even if he tried. Slowly, he removed the strap of her tank top, giving him total access to her shoulder where he bit down. His fingers massaged everywhere his free hand touched. Her stomach, her breasts, her neck. All soft and warm beneath his hand. The sounds of her need went straight to his dick. Jackson lifted her hair, slipped it free of its band, and tightened his hold, making her hiss.
“Look at me, baby,” Jackson said, tugging her hair.
Anna tilted her head, and when she did, he devoured her mouth. On a quiet sigh, she gave in. Even when mentally exhausted, being near her set him on fire. He’d kissed her up good and well before they finally made it into bed. It had taken two tries. Two long, magnificent, hunger-filled couplings, but finally, they were snuggled up and ready for sleep.
“Your friends are interesting, Jackson,” Anna said into the darkness. To this, Jackson groaned. He’d just finished putting indents into the carpet with her ass, and she wanted to talk about other men?
“Annabelle, I just got done fucking you.”
“Loving me,” she corrected.
“That too, but I don’t want to talk about the Gaineses.”
“Noted, but can I say for the record, you asked them to stay here. Not me. Had I known you were bringing eye candy—”
She didn’t get to finish her statement. Jackson sat up and quickly pulled Anna underneath him, pressing her into the mattress. She squealed with laughter, and even though discussing other men after sex was not his idea of fun, hearing her laugh and seeing her this happy was a beautiful thing.
“You finished?” Jackson asked after she’d settled down.
“Did I wound your pride?” Anna asked playfully.
Instead of answering her, he spread her legs with his knee and settled himself between her thighs.
“I’m a man, Anna. I’m not a boy. I don’t compete with other men. I could give two shits about what you think when it comes to them. What I do care about, is what you think of me.”
Jackson dipped his head and kissed her parted lips. He gave Anna his weight while using his hands to make sure she was wet. She’d made him hard again. When his fingers came back glistening, Jackson positioned himself at her entrance, watching her eyes in the darkness the entire time as he slid in slowly, inch by inch. Insatiable. That’s what he’d become.
“What do you think about me, Anna?” He breathed against her lips as he continued to work his way inside of her. She was tight. Swollen from their earlier activities. Her body shivered. “Tell me, baby. I need to hear it.” Jackson pushed in all the way to the hilt and settled, unmoving.
“I need you to move.”
“Not until you tell me.”
She tried to squirm, but he pushed down further, adding more of his weight. Her chest let go of the air she was holding, and Jackson eased out slowly, letting the tip of his manhood rest at her opening. She clamped down, making him suck air through his mouth.
“Give me what I want to hear,” he demanded.
Slowly, he slid back in, and this time, her eyes rolled up behind her eyelids, before she focused on him again.
“You, Jackson. I only think of you. What a good man you are to me, and the wonderful father you are to Ava. How you’ll be with our kids.”
Good.
That was all he needed to hear.
This time, when she screamed her release, he couldn’t have told you if they were far enough away to not draw attention. But he did know one thing for certain, she didn’t say one more word about the Gaines brothers.
Two weeks later.
Jackson and Gaines were both back in New York. Anna was with him this time. She was looking for a wedding dress, while he and Gaines discussed the Peretti case.
"Shit’s getting real," Gaines commented. They were inside a bridal boutique as Anna tried on gowns. Jackson was not letting her out of his sight while he was here.
"Tracey was caught on camera meeting with Fabiano a few days back."
Jackson's fists were clutched tightly at his sides, and he was giving his molars a workout.
"When do we get to move?"
"We don’t. Not yet. Gathering more intel."
"This is bullshit, Gaines. More people will die. And I know Fabiano is dying to finish his job. I want my family safe. I've been playing it cool for weeks. Anna knows something is up. Even Treat. He may not know what, but I'm sure he suspects."
Gaines shook his head.
"A container came into the docks last night. But when we got there, the fucker was empty. We're missing something, man. I can feel it.”
Jackson agreed with Gaines.
"How'd you find out about the container?"
“Anonymous tip, by way of pizza messenger.”
That was odd.
"Who was the pizza delivered to?"
"It was left at the front desk. It had my and Morales’s names on it.”
“Which means someone knows you’re still on the case."
If they knew Gaines was on the case, they could suspect Jackson was, too.
"We need to assume we've been compromised," Jackson said.
"I agree, but now I need to activate Catcher. Everyone thinks he's retired."
Catcher was Oliver’s older brother and part of the CIA's Ghost Unit. Last time Jackson had seen the older brother was in a decimated village in West Africa. That had been six years ago.
"You really think it’s necessary to bring in Catch?"
"Yeah. Dorian, Ryland, and he have taken on contract work; they’re between jobs. We need all ground covered, but without being obvious. Someone on the inside is working both angles, in your camp and mine."
“I want Catch on Anna, and Dorian on Joey and Treat. Ryland can help run the team your brother has in play. My family is still in the dark, which means your brothers need to play it cool, but not too cool."
It was safe to say they were stepping it up a notch. Tracey had been sniffed out, but there was someone else. He was about to comment on his thoughts when Anna stepped out with another woman.
"You find what you needed, baby?"
"Yup, think so."
"Don't think. Know."
"Just because you have a dick doesn’t mean you can act like one. I told you, you didn’t need to be here, but oh no, the mighty Sheriff Jackson had to come. This is chick territory."
Fuck. Now he had to listen to her bitch.
"Save it, Anna, I don’t have time for this shit."
“You don’t have time for this shit?! Time for this shit!" she said in a hushed, but clearly angered whisper. "Last time I checked, you asked me to marry you. I was all about a small wedding, Jackson, but you wanted the glam and glitz. I don’t know what's crawled up that ass of yours, but you need to pull that shit out and fast."
Jackson took a deep breath. It wasn’t her fault this shit was going down. But now he'd taken what should have been a good experience and fucked it up.
"I'm going back to the hotel. You are not to follow, you and Oliver do super sleuth shit and keep me out of it. You think I don’t know what's going on, Jackson? Well, I'm not stupid. But you are, if you think for one minute that I’m in the dark. You're not sleeping, you pretend to be, but I can tell. You put on a happy fa
ce, but you're stressed all the time. I may not be your best friend, but I'm going to be your wife. That means no secrets, Jackson. Even if it freaks me out. I need to know. That way, I’m ready and know how to deal."
He watched stunned as Anna said something to the other woman and then stormed out. He wasn't going to let her be alone in New York. There were people after them. He looked to Gaines and said four words.
"Put them in play."
He walked out and followed her. He stayed two paces behind until she hailed a cab.
"Not letting you out of my sight, Annabelle."
He had hold of the cab door before she could get it closed.
"Jackson,'' she huffed out. “I just want to go to the hotel. I need time to think."
"Too bad. You can think, but I'll be with you. And before you interrupt me with sass, you’re right."
If he could take a picture of a woman who looked shocked, surprised, and flat out confused all at the same time, it would have been Anna.
The look on her face was one for the ages.
He slid into the cab beside her.
“You can close your mouth now, baby.”
“You gonna tell me what’s bothering you?” she fished.
“Later.”
“Later? How much later?”
He pulled her into the comfort of his arms and kissed the side of her head.
“I will, baby, but later.”
Later came much later. Jackson walked into their hotel room to be confronted by none other than Tracey. He’d taken the penthouse, and somehow she’d talked the desk manager into letting her up. She was sitting in an armchair in nothing but a lace thong and bra set. Anna was not a happy camper. She took one look at Tracey and gave Jackson a look that said if she’d been aiming a gun at him, he’d have been shot dead center. She was going to lose her shit.
“Get her the fuck out of our room, Jackson. Make it quick, and hope to God I’m still in the lobby when you’re finished.”
“She’s pretty understanding of your affairs, Jackson,” Tracey purred.
The bitch was too stupid for words. Seriously, what was he? Like a magnet for crazy bitches or what?
“Anna,” Jackson barked.
“What!” she snapped back.
“Sit your ass on the bed.”
“Fuck no! How do I know she didn’t spray it with her venom to mark her territory?”
“Anna, you are not to leave my fucking sight. You make one move toward the elevator, you won’t be sitting on that ass of yours for a week.”
“Says the Neanderthal. This ain’t no erotic romance novel, and you threatening to spank my ass has me thinking a future call to 911 may be in order.”
“Annabelle Macon,” Jackson roared.
That got her attention. She ceased moving and stayed her ground.
“Put some fucking clothes on, Tracey.”
“She’s a real hoot, Jackson. What is it with women who’ve had a ride on your cock, huh? Do you have a dick made of crack, or is it heroin?” Anna said irritated.
“She hasn’t seen any part of my dick.”
“Seriously, Jackson, let’s not keep the lie alive. Anna should know how we really feel about each other.”
There was so much shit going through his head at this very moment, his gut started tweaking. That meant something was way off. He took a step back toward Anna and looked at Tracey. Really looked at her. She seemed normal, but there was a bruise on her right arm. Her wrist even looked raw.
“Tracey, talk to me, you really want to do this?” As he spoke, he took another step toward Anna. She still hadn’t moved. She was now taking a closer look at Tracey, too.
“Do what, Jackson? This is nothing new for us, baby. This is routine.”
“Nah, I told you, Tracey. This is never gonna happen. You should have played it safe darlin’. Now you got yourself caught up in this mess.”
Tracey closed her eyes and dipped her head back, exposing her throat. There were marks on her neck, like she’d been choked. The imprint of a man’s hand was clearly visible. Jackson wanted to help her, but it was too late for her. She’d made her bed, and now she’d have to lie in it. Jackson took another step and had a hold of Anna’s hand now. She didn’t move, but she did squeeze his fingers.
“No one is safe, Jackson. Not you, not me. Not even Anna. Fabiano always gets his mark.”
Jackson saw the wire then. Thin, almost non-existent. To the untrained eye, it was hard to see, but not to Jackson.
“Tracey, you should have come to me. I would have helped you.”
“How, Jackson! How would you have helped me? I sold national secrets. Committed treason. Espionage. Would you have waylaid the death penalty for me? Life in a high max prison instead? Yeah, I don’t think so.”
“We could have figured it out.”
Jackson turned to Anna and asked her directly, “You trust me to keep you safe, Anna?”
“Always.”
Jackson didn’t take the elevator; he pulled them toward the stairwell and told her to run. He practically dragged her with him as she tried to keep up. The stairwell was only a few more feet when he heard Tracey yell.
“They’ll find you, Jackson. No one is safe,” Tracey screeched.
The moment they hit the stairs, the room exploded. The lights went out, and although it was dark, he could still see the light coming from the fire as it illuminated their path. Fire alarms sounded, and the sprinkler system went off.
“Jackson, I’m scared,” Anna said against his back.
“Don’t worry, baby. We’re gonna be fine, let’s get out of here, and then we’ll worry about everything else.”
Anna didn’t say another word. She took the stairs two at a time until they hit the ground floor. When Jackson hit the emergency exit, he went the opposite direction of the crowd. Took the back alley, and when he knew they were clear, he called Gaines.
“We’ve got problems,” Jackson said harshly over the phone.
“What happened?”
“Tracey’s dead. She was in the penthouse when Anna and I got there. She’d been beaten, but she was hell-bent on taking me out anyway. Peretti set the place with controlled bombs. The penthouse at RIU is no more.”
Oliver used choice words that had even Jackson pulling the phone from his ear. Anna was in front of him, shaking. She was in shock, and he was sure the adrenaline coursing through her veins was taking her for a ride. He was pissed as fuck that she even had to go through something like this. This was what he didn’t want to happen. He’d been doing his best to keep her clear.
“Gaines, I’ve gotta go. I’ll call you when I’m somewhere safe.”
“All right man, keep Anna safe.”
At any cost. He’d give up his own life to ensure her safety.
“Baby, we gotta move. Get somewhere secure.”
Her eyes were closed, and her breathing was ragged as she fought for control.
“Baby, look at me.” He could hear the sirens as people clamored out of the building. Peretti was a relentless son of a bitch. If Tracey was expendable, there was someone higher up that was partnering with Peretti and giving him the intel he needed to get away with what he was doing.
“Baby, breathe with me.” Jackson pulled her into his arms and felt her tighten slightly before she finally relaxed.
“Okay, I’m okay.”
Jackson pulled back to look at her face. It was flushed, but there were no tears. Not one single tear. His Anna was strong, resilient. He should have known she’d find a way to deal. She shouldn’t have to, his mind supplied.
“Okay, we need to go somewhere safe, baby.”
They also needed to dry their clothes.
“Where’s safe?”
Good fucking question.
There was no one in the department he could trust. But now his family was in danger. He had a lot of things he needed to put into action before he could be truly safe.
"Who do you know in the city?"
She'
d lived here a while, and Jackson prayed Peretti hadn’t dug deeply into Anna’s background.
"Shay. We can go to Shay’s. She's in Brooklyn."
Jackson had Anna call her friend while he called Treat and gave him the rundown of all that had happened and what most likely was coming down the road.
"If my sister didn’t love you so much, I'd break my goddamned foot off up in your ass. I should have never been in the dark, Jackson," Treat yelled.
"You have Xavier on the way."
“All the more reason to keep me informed. Where are you and Anna going?”
"Someplace safe. I need you to set things in motion there. Bear needs in on this. Get people ready to move. Also, let’s assume no one in our department is trustworthy. Gaines activated Catch and his other two brothers."
“That makes me feel better. Catcher is going to decimate Peretti."
Damn straight. Catch did not play around. Jackson ended the call.
"You get a hold of Shay?”
"Yeah, she's leaving a key under the flowerpot on the stoop. She's on her way to Paris."
"Great." Jackson pulled Anna in for a hug. As they held each other, he reminded her that everything was going to be okay.
"I know, Jackson. I trust you with my life.”
"That's good to know, baby."
"We're still having the talk,” she reminded him.
"I know, darlin’, we will. Let's get to Shay’s."
Until Her: Chapter 16
Shay’s place is in Park Slope in Garfield Place and one of the most expensive places to live in Brooklyn. It’s what model money will get you if you do the job right. When we arrive, Jackson lets out a low whistle and walks right up to the door, finding the key Shay left behind. He walks in as if he owns the place.
Typical.
