Chasin's Surrender (Gemini Group Book 5)

by Riley Edwards

  Jameson’s smile faded and he shook his head. “Two things,” he started. “Right now, where Jonny’s head’s at, that would not be a good idea. That woman looks like she could handle herself, but the way Jonny is, he’d chew her up and not mean to do it. Second is, I find it doubtful you’re separating those two. They’ve been in there giggling their asses off for the last hour. That is, after they were done picking you apart. Good news for you is, Bobby’s on your side. Bad news is, Genevieve shared what a twat your mother is. It’s not a secret but it’s not something you often talk about, so I was shocked as shit you’d told Genevieve in the first place.”

  Jameson was not wrong, Chasin rarely spoke about his mother. However, he wasn’t concerned that Genevieve had told Bobby, especially if that meant he had an ally in Bobby.

  “You were listening to their conversation?”

  “Fuck, yeah. Though it was hard to miss, considering I was in the butler’s pantry and they were in the kitchen.”

  “Did they work their shit out?”

  “By the sound of it, yes. I hafta say, I wasn’t sure about Bobby. But the way she laid it out for Genevieve, she reminded me of Silver. Straight shooter and the woman didn’t mince words.”

  Chasin got the sense that Bobby was like that all the time, she didn’t strike him as a woman who held anything back. Normally Chasin liked that, admired it even. But after the morning Genevieve had, including Chasin pushing her in the kitchen, he was worried that in Genevieve’s vulnerable state, Bobby laying anything out for Genevieve would be too much for her.

  “But Genevieve’s okay? After Bobby talked to her?”

  Jameson studied his friend a moment before he shook his head and smiled. “Told you they’re in there laughing their asses off.”

  That didn’t mean much; Genevieve was a master at hiding. But before he went into the house to check on her himself, there was something else Chasin needed to know.

  “Jonny dealing?”

  “Fuck, no.” Jameson gave him the answer he feared.

  It hadn’t been that long ago Jonny had found himself in an impossible situation. A situation so fucked, Jonny was forced to kill his own brother. This was after his brother had shot and killed their father. Worse, Jonny’s niece Aurora was there to witness the carnage. The little girl was on the mend thanks to her mother, Macy, and Chasin’s teammate, Alec. There was no shortage of love in that family and they were pulling Rory through.

  But Jonny had been holding himself apart, blaming himself for his brother’s fucked-up actions.

  “We gonna step in and do something about that?” Chasin inquired.

  “How many times have you approached him? Did he seem receptive to you getting in his business?” Jameson shot back.

  “He’s not. Doesn’t mean we stand down and wait.”

  “Yeah, I agree. Let’s get your woman safe, then we’ll deal with Jonny.”

  That sounded like a good plan. Especially the part about Genevieve being Chasin’s woman.

  “Let’s get inside. I have a woman to piss off.”

  “You think she’s gonna fight you about moving to the farm?”

  Oh, yeah, Genevieve was going to pitch a fit, Chasin knew it and was looking forward to it. Genevieve Ellison pissed off was hot as hell.

  “Absolutely.” Chasin smiled.

  “You’re a crazy fuck,” Jameson muttered and started toward the house.

  “Wait. What?”

  That was Genevieve.

  Chasin had found her and Bobby in the kitchen and he didn’t waste any time filling them in on the current situation—including Genevieve’s need to move to the farm.

  Genevieve was staring at Chasin with a scowl and Bobby was looking at him with her lips twitching.

  Yeah, Bobby knew his game.

  She was also on his side, and she confirmed it when she said, “I agree with Chasin. If the alarm isn’t set up, you need to go with him.”

  “You’re coming, too,” Chasin told Bobby, and the woman narrowed her eyes. “We’re not leaving you unprotected.”

  “I’ll be fine here,” she argued.

  “We’re not taking that chance. There’s plenty of room at the farmhouse. The property’s secluded. The only two neighbors are Nixon and Weston, which means privacy. Holden also lives on the property which means an extra set of eyes. Genevieve can go outside without the chance of someone seeing her and she doesn’t have to be locked indoors with curtains drawn. And there’s space for both of you to work.”

  Chasin took a moment to take in Genevieve. When he’d come into the house earlier, he was surprised to find Jameson hadn’t exaggerated. He could hear Genevieve’s laughter from the front of the house. His chest had seized, hearing the sound he hadn’t heard from her since their weekend together.

  It was real, it came from her belly, and it was full of wild abandon—the same way she’d laughed with him.

  Fuck, he’d missed that sound.

  Looking at Genevieve now, Chasin was pleased Jameson’s assessment was also correct, it seemed like she and Bobby had worked out whatever had come between them.

  “Do you really think it’s necessary?” Genevieve’s soft voice took him by surprise.

  “I do,” Chasin answered. “I already don’t like how visible this house is. Anyone on the public dock can see the front lawn. A passing boater can see into the front windows. You can’t sit up on the widow’s walk because patrons from the restaurant a block over have a clear line of sight.”

  “But they’re so far away they wouldn’t be able to tell it’s me. Just that someone is here,” she argued.

  “Maybe. But I’m not worried about people, I’m worried about the sick fuck who’s stalking you.”

  “Do you think he knows I’m here? I mean in this house?”

  Chasin was momentarily taken by surprise. Clearly, Genevieve was still not understanding the severity of her situation or the lengths a stalker would go to get their fix.

  “Babe. He knows you’re in Maryland.”

  “But you think he knows about my uncle’s house?”

  “You’ve been here for two weeks. You weren’t even gone a week before the first letter was delivered to your home, warning you he knew you weren’t there.”

  “Warning me?”

  Christ.

  Chasin didn’t want to do it but he had no choice. Once and for all, Genevieve had to understand who they were dealing with.

  “Yes, warning. He needs you to know he has knowledge of your whereabouts. He craves the connection he’s convinced himself the two of you share. Before you left Tennessee, he believed you wronged him. He’s sent gifts, letters, pictures of wedding rings. Since you didn’t respond, he now feels humiliated and rejected. Before, he was expressing his devotion to you—as jacked as it is, he wanted you to know he loved you. Now, he wants you to know he’s chasing you. There’s no hiding from him.

  “And, babe, it shits me to tell you this, but he craves the connection, he won’t go long without it. He’s shown he’s willing to put a fair amount of effort and money into following you. He is going to find out you’re in Kent County and he will come here. No doubt about it. Our job is to make sure when he gets here, you’re protected and safe. And by that I mean, he will not get to you and I will keep you safe. To make that job easier, I want you out at the farm. No one has any business being out there.”

  “He’s gonna come here?”

  The wobble and uncertainty in Genevieve’s voice made the left side of Chasin’s chest tight. He hated that she was scared but needed her to understand the threat.

  He pushed off the counter he’d been leaning against and made his way to her, grabbed her hand, and pulled her out of the chair. Once she was standing, his hands went to her face. He tipped it up and their eyes locked.

  Fear and confusion were two things that never had a place in her pretty face, yet both were clear and unbridled.

  “He’s not going to get to you,” he promised.

  “But
he’s coming here?” she whispered.

  “Yeah, honey, he’s gonna come here. His compulsion won’t allow him to stay away.”

  “But—”

  “I’m gonna keep you safe.”

  “And Bobby?”

  “And Bobby.”

  “Okay. We’ll go.”

  It was good Genevieve agreed, but Chasin hadn’t planned on giving her an option. Not that he was dumb enough to tell her that. Not while he was staring into her eyes, and staring back were the prettiest golden orbs he’d ever seen—and they were clear of fear.

  “Good, honey, you and Bobby go pack up. I’ll call the guys and get them over here to help move your stuff.”

  Genevieve bobbed her head taking Chasin hands still cradling her face with it. The urge to kiss her was so overwhelming, he pressed his lips against her forehead in an effort not to take her mouth.

  “Go.” Chasin’s hands fell away from her face and he took a step back.

  With all due haste, Genevieve took off with Bobby on her heels. Jameson cleared his throat, and when Chasin turned to his friend, he looked troubled.

  “What?”

  “You know what you’re doing?” Jameson inquired.

  A wide, cocky smile tipped Chasin’s lips. “Yeah, brother, I know what I’m doin’.”

  “Not talking about that jackass. You’re in deep and she’s a country mega-star who lives in Tennessee. So, I’ll ask again, you know what you’re doing?”

  The answer was no, Chasin didn’t know what he was doing. What he did know was he hadn’t waited thirty-four years to find a woman who was perfect for him in every way, only to puss out because of her career and geographical location. Even if that career was as one of country music’s golden artists.

  “I’ll figure it out.”

  “You sure?”

  “Positive.”

  “You thinking she’s the one?”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  “Damn.” Jameson let out a low whistle and shook his head. “Then you better find a way to make it impossible for her to leave.”

  It didn’t matter if he did or didn’t. If leaving Tennessee was a deal-breaker, he’d gladly follow her back there. As much as Chasin hoped it wouldn’t come to that, he was not a stupid man and he’d had enough bad in his life to know when he’d found beauty. Therefore, there was no chance in hell he’d let it walk away.

  Not again.

  14

  Chasin drove us down a long dirt lane and I took in our surroundings. Nothing but farmland all around us. Then my gaze went back to the interior of the car and I didn’t bother to hide my snicker before I looked back out the window.

  “What’s funny?” Chasin asked.

  “Nothing,” I sputtered.

  I took in neatly planted rows of corn, then the farmhouse that had come into view—pear trees, red maples, and a large magnolia that I instantly fell in love with surrounded the two-story house.

  “What’s so funny?” he repeated.

  My eyes went from the house I’d be staying in to the man driving. I examined his strong features—square jaw, great nose, perfectly set hazel eyes, hair clipped short on the sides and back but longer on top, nicely shaped eyebrows. Boy-next-door handsome, if the boy next door had a chest carved from granite, six-pack abs, thick powerful legs, biceps that bulged, sexy forearms, and work-rough hands. And those were just the polite attributes. One could argue that the equipment Chasin was packing and how he used it was better than his muscled physique.

  “Y’all aren’t from around here, are you?” I muttered.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Well, for starters, you’re driving a Charger up a dirt lane. You’re not avoiding the ruts. And you’re driving too fast,” I told him.

  “And from that, you concluded I’m not from around here?”

  “Yeah.”

  Chasin’s head tipped back, his peal of laughter filled the car.

  I felt his laughter sear through me.

  A sound I’d allowed myself to fall in love with over a weekend.

  When Chasin laughed, it wasn’t something you just heard, it was a feeling that seeped deep and warmed you all over.

  And I’d missed it so damn badly. Hearing it again, feeling the warmth, I realized I’d missed it more than I’d known.

  “I grew up in Ohio. There were no unpaved roads in sight. Then I joined the Navy and that’s where I learned to navigate dirt and sand.”

  “Well, that explains it.”

  “Explains what?”

  “You’re driving like we have the Taliban on our tail. I fear for y’all’s suspension, not to mention the undercarriage is being chewed up from all the rocks. And I don’t even want to think about your paint. You know we’re not in a Humvee, right?”

  “Hey, babe. I know we’re not. But I want you out of sight.” He chuckled.

  Nothing like being snapped back to reality.

  “I thought you said the farm’s private?”

  “It is. But the drive through town wasn’t. Weston and Alec are both in their vehicles behind Jameson and Bobby, making sure no one saw you and followed us. But until they give me the all-clear, I’ll risk needing an alignment…and my paint.”

  That felt nice—him looking out for me. But I didn’t get a chance to tell him because the lane made a sharp right bend and a horde of cars came into view.

  “Fuck,” Chasin hissed.

  “What?”

  Chasin didn’t answer, which made my nerves that were already in an upheaval shift straight to alarmed. He parked, cut the engine, turned to me, and thankfully didn’t make me wait.

  “The women are here.”

  Women? What women?

  “Huh?”

  Chasin didn’t answer. His gaze went out the window, then he spoke. “Micky, Silver, Kennedy, and Macy. Which means, Rory, Caleb, and Jocelyn. At the minimum. There may be more people if they carpooled.”

  “Huh?” I repeated, my heart rate spiking.

  That was a lot of people.

  “Possibly Mandy, if she’s home, and Zack. And though I don’t see her car, Becky, too.”

  That was three more people to the already long list of strangers.

  “Why are they here?”

  “They’re the welcome committee.”

  “The what?” I gasped, not understanding why there were fifty-two million people at the farmhouse when Chasin said he lived there alone.

  He’d explained that the farm belonged to Nixon. It was his childhood home and he’d inherited it after his father passed, but he now lived with his wife, McKenna, on an adjacent piece of land. So, McKenna being there would make sense—it was her house, too, after all.

  But everyone else? I didn’t understand. And I wasn’t sure I wanted to understand because I wasn’t ready to meet fifty-two million people that, by the look on Chasin’s face, meant something to him, even if right then at that moment he looked annoyed. But annoyed in a way that wasn’t really annoyed because these people were his people.

  Christ on a cracker.

  “Oh, and Dylan.”

  “Who’s Dylan?”

  “Weston and Silver’s son.”

  Oh, well, I could handle a child. I loved kids and they normally loved me.

  But everyone else? I wasn’t so sure about that.

  “They’re harmless,” he told me. “This is what they do. They know you’re going through something so they’re gonna rally around you. They’re not doing this to be nosy, get in your shit, or crawl up your ass, though they’re gonna do all of that. But it’s gonna be in a way that’s blanketed in care and concern. I’d like to warn you off of them only because I want you to myself, but they’re here, and I promise you, they’re good women. But if we get in there and you’re overwhelmed or you don’t like them being here, give me the word and I’ll toss them out on their nosy asses.”

  That was nice.

  That felt really good, Chasin looking out for me, again.

  But then, he’d
been taking care of everything since I stepped in his office, even though I was supremely pissed at him and tried to freeze him out. And since I’d had my talk with Bobby earlier, I’d come to a few conclusions that meant I needed to talk to him about a variety of things, one of those being I forgave him for being an extreme dick. I also needed him to understand a few things about me.

  However, sitting in a car with a house full of nosy women waiting to welcome me, and as Chasin put it, get in my shit, it was not the time to get into everything I needed to say. But he needed to know I appreciated what he’d done and was still doing for me.

  “Thank you for taking care of everything.”

  Chasin’s head tilted and a million emotions flitted over his features before his eyes went soft and warm. That look made me hark back and wonder if I’d thanked him since he’d been back in my life. The sad answer was no, I hadn’t shown any appreciation.

  I wasn’t entirely sure what that said about me but I was pretty sure none of it was nice and it made me kind of bitchy. And having a lot of bitchy people in my life, I tried not to allow myself to be one—even when I had reason to be.

  “And thanks for hauling all my crap out to your car and packing up the groceries. It was really cool of you to be…well…so cool about it.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “And I’ll be okay with everybody. But thanks for that, too.”

  “If you’re not—”

  “I’ll be fine. You’ll be there and so will Bobby.”

  Something else moved over his features and his eyes flashed. “Yeah, honey, I’ll be there.”

  The way he said those five words, the rough voice, the look, made me believe he meant them—but more than that they meant something more. And whatever they meant, I wasn’t ready to process it sitting in a car with the impending welcome committee waiting on us.

  Thankfully, Jameson’s truck and Bobby’s rental pulled in next to Chasin’s Charger, ending our conversation. I started to open the door but stopped when I felt Chasin’s hand wrap around my forearm. I slowly turned my head to look at him.

  “Leave everything in the car, I’ll come out and get it in a minute.” I nodded but he didn’t let go. “I’m serious, they get to be too much, tell me and they’re gone.”