Benson Siblings Series: A Dark Romance Boxset

by Sarah Bailey

  “Whatever you do, Jensen, do not let her go,” she hissed, her tone laced with warning.

  “I don’t plan to.”

  “Don’t think this means I approve of you dating a younger woman. And I sincerely hope you will be on your best behaviour this evening.”

  I rolled my eyes as she pulled away and put her arm in Dad’s before they started towards the entrance. Fi looked up at me, her blue eyes wide.

  “What was that about?”

  I pulled her towards the door.

  “Just getting a warning.”

  “About what?”

  I held back a smile.

  “Oh, you know, not to fuck anything up tonight.” She raised an eyebrow. “I think she likes you.”

  I looked down at her face which was tinged pink.

  “She does?”

  I nodded, leaning down and kissing her forehead before we walked in.

  “She doesn’t approve of our age difference, but you’ve charmed her anyway,” I whispered.

  Fiona’s hand in mine tightened but she didn’t say anything else. Her eyes were on the hall which we’d just entered and the sheer number of people who’d turned up. It was beautifully decorated with flowers on the tables and fairy lights strung up along the beams on the ceiling. There was a large buffet table and a band set up. Skye and Ben had outdone themselves. Wasn’t exactly surprising considering he was the golden son. Not that my mother had ever really approved of his choice of business nor the tattoos all over his skin. Didn’t matter. He wasn’t the son who couldn’t save her daughter.

  I shook myself, trying not to let those thoughts ruin this evening. We weren’t here to rehash the past anyway. This was about the future and rebuilding my relationship with my family with Fi by my side where she belonged.

  The next half an hour was spent saying hello to my parent’s friends and some of their cousins. I was about to take Fi over to get something to eat when a small child slammed into my legs.

  “Uncle JenJen!”

  I looked down, finding Sadie attached to me, her bright green eyes shining.

  “Hello squirt. I was wondering when you’d find me.”

  I reached down and picked her up, placing her on my hip.

  “Do you like my dress?”

  I couldn’t help smiling as I looked her over. Sadie’s mood was always infectious. She had a way of melting the heart of everyone she came into contact with. She’d always reminded me of Hailey. They looked so similar.

  “You look just like a princess.”

  “Are you my prince? You looks like one.”

  I shook my head, laughing. Sadie thought all princes wore suits, which I’d explained to her on several occasions wasn’t the case, but there was no swaying a three year old’s judgement.

  “No. I’m someone else’s prince.”

  I looked over at Fi and winked. Her expression was soft.

  “Who?”

  “Well, I think you may have met her before, but this is my princess, Fiona.”

  “Are you Shrek, Uncle JenJen?”

  I rolled my eyes. Trust her to immediately compare us to her favourite film characters.

  “I’d like to think I’m a little more attractive than an ogre, squirt.”

  Fiona giggled and shook her head. Sadie looked over at her and her green eyes widened.

  “Twin!”

  “Hello again Sadie.”

  “I members you. Are you Uncle JenJen’s Princess Fiona?”

  “Yes, I suppose I am.”

  Sadie clapped her hands together.

  “You’re pretty.”

  “Well, thank you. You look beautiful in your Elsa dress.”

  Sadie rested her head on my chest and patted it.

  “I likes her, Uncle JenJen.”

  Fi’s face at Sadie’s declaration made my heart stop. She looked so unbelievably happy, like having Sadie’s approval meant everything to her. I felt like the luckiest man alive as Fi leant her head on my arm.

  “I’m glad. She makes me very happy.”

  “There you are, don’t run off like that,” I heard Skye’s voice next to me. “Hello Jensen.”

  My sister in law looked out of breath and a little harassed.

  “Did she run off again?”

  “I told her not to, but she was excited to see you. Val said you brought someone.”

  I took a breath as I handed Sadie over to Skye and tucked my arm around Fi.

  “Yes… I believe you’ve met, but this is my girlfriend, Fiona.”

  Skye looked between me and Fi, her eyes widening a little. She quickly covered up her expression with a smile.

  “Well, it’s nice to see you again, Fiona. I do hope you’re okay.”

  “Yes, sorry about last time. Wasn’t feeling too hot that day,” Fi replied smoothly although I could feel her trembling a little next to me.

  Skye wouldn’t think anything of me dating Fiona, but Ben would. I was half dreading the moment I introduced the two of them.

  “I didn’t realise you knew Jensen.”

  Wanting to save Fi from having a difficult conversation, I took over from her.

  “We met quite by accident in Ellie’s bar, Frankie’s. Fiona only discovered our connection later on, didn’t you?”

  Fi nodded slowly, eyes widening as she trembled harder. I followed her gaze until it landed on Ben striding towards us with a deep scowl etched into his features.

  Oh, here we go.

  “What are you doing here with her?” he demanded as he arrived next to us.

  “Ben!” Skye hissed. “Do not make a scene at your parent’s anniversary.”

  “I brought my girlfriend to meet my family, that’s what I’m doing here with her,” I said quietly.

  He looked between us, green eyes blazing with irritation and disbelief.

  “Are you fucking joking? She’s almost the same age as Hailey would’ve been if she was still here. What the hell is wrong with you?”

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Fiona

  Jensen radiated tension next to me as I shrank back a little from Ben’s revelation. The man beside me had never told me how old he’d been when Hailey died so I didn’t realise we would’ve been of a similar age if she was still alive. It didn’t matter to me because I loved Jensen and his age had never been a concern. What was concerning me was how pissed off his brother looked.

  “Don’t bring Hailey into this,” Jensen said, his voice uneven.

  “Oh, I’ll bring her into this. Does she even know what happened?”

  “Ben, stop it,” Skye said, tugging on his arm whilst Sadie squirmed on her hip.

  “Listen to Skye, we’re in public.”

  Ben’s eyes blazed with fire. He was so similar to Jensen in appearance but the two of them couldn’t be any more different right now. People around us were beginning to stare. My skin prickled all over. I’d hoped this evening would go off without a hitch when Jensen’s parents seemed to like me. His dad was lovely and his mum had been very interested in what I did.

  “I don’t give a shit. I don’t know why I’m surprised you’d start screwing a girl who’s almost half your age. You have no morals whatsoever.”

  Skye let out an audible gasp whilst Jensen’s muscles tensed further and I wanted the ground to swallow me up. There were a few things which Jensen had told me about his past since we’d got back together. He elaborated on what happened between him and Ben’s ex-girlfriend. How he hadn’t meant for it to happen, but they were both drunk and Ben’s grief over Hailey had taken a toll on everyone. No one was perfect and grief did funny things to people. Having lost my mother when I was a teenager, I knew exactly how it felt to have someone so close to you stolen away. It made me understand what kind of strain Jensen and his family must’ve been under.

  “Nice to know your opinion of me hasn’t changed in fourteen years. If I was just screwing her, I wouldn’t have brought her here
. She’s not a diversion or whatever else you might think she is to me. I care about Fiona deeply.”

  Skye looked between them before huffing and striding away, taking her daughter with her. I didn’t blame her. Quite frankly I wanted to get away from this argument but not because I didn’t support Jensen. I’d just been through enough arguments and fights in my own family to last a lifetime over the past few weeks.

  “So what, you’re saying it’s serious? Yeah, fucking right. You’ve never been serious about anything in your entire life.”

  Jensen took a step towards Ben, his face contorting with frustration.

  “You think I’m not serious about anything, huh? You do know I run my own successful business. The one I set up so I could help people like Hailey. It’s not my fault you’re so blinded by your own grief. What happened to her had nothing to do with me. She couldn’t be saved. I’m done being your punching bag. I’m sorry for what I did in the past, but that doesn’t give you the right to continue to behave like I’m the reason she killed herself. If you want to blame someone, blame those fuckers who made her feel like she couldn’t live in the world any longer. I’m done. I can’t keep apologising for something I didn’t do. Deal with your grief instead of putting it all on me.”

  Ben looked utterly stunned by Jensen’s words as he took a step back. No one moved for several moments, then Jensen turned to me, his green eyes hard and his expression grim. I had no idea what to do, only that I needed to get him away from his brother. I gently tugged on his arm and he came away towards the other side of the room with me willingly.

  “I need a fucking drink,” he muttered when we were in the corner away from everyone else.

  “Do you want me to get you one?”

  He looked down at me, his jaw ticking as if he was trying to keep himself under control. I stroked his arm.

  “I’ll be back. Please stay here, okay?”

  His eyes told me he understood. I wandered over to the bar and ordered a double whisky for him and a glass of wine for myself. As I turned around, I was faced with Avery and Aiden, who had Afie in his arms, clinging onto him for dear life.

  “Oh… Hi…” I said, not really wanting to speak to them at that moment because I needed to get back to Jensen.

  “James told me you’d be here. I was kind of surprised to hear about you and Jensen, although I’ve only met him once,” Avery said with a smile.

  I shrugged a little, unable to smile back.

  “You okay, troublemaker?” Aiden asked with a raised eyebrow as he looked down at the drinks in my hands.

  “Yeah. I guess so… Actually not really.”

  “What’s wrong?” Avery asked, concern flooding her features.

  “Um, Jensen and Ben had an argument.” I indicated the glasses in my hands. “Hence the whisky.”

  “Shit, was it bad?”

  “Just a little. Ben’s not exactly impressed with Jensen bringing me.” I looked up at Aiden as I figured he probably knew about what happened to the Andrews. “You know, what with me being Hailey’s age.”

  Aiden nodded slowly.

  “Sensitive subject for him.”

  Avery looked between us, a little confused. I guessed Aiden hadn’t told her. Perhaps he didn’t feel like it was his place. It didn’t seem to be something Jensen’s family had dealt with very well and I couldn’t really blame them.

  I looked over at where Jensen was. My heart broke for him and I knew I couldn’t dawdle any further.

  “I’m really sorry, I should get back to Jensen.”

  I gave both of them a nod before I hurried away, leaving them staring after me. When I got back to where Jensen was leaning up against the wall surveying the room with irritation, I shoved the tumbler in his hand and watched him knock it back in one.

  He grimaced. “Christ, that tastes like dirt.”

  “It was the best they had.”

  I knew about Jensen’s particular tastes when it came to whisky, but I figured he needed something strong to take the edge off his argument with Ben.

  He looked down at me, his eyes softening a fraction before he reeled me in with his free hand. I tipped my head back to look at him, careful not to spill my wine.

  “Thank you, little one. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” he murmured.

  I reached up and stroked his cheek. He placed a kiss on my palm before he gave me a small smile. The sight of it warmed my heart.

  “Are you okay?”

  He shook his head. I had questions but I thought it might be best not to ask them here. Jensen had been through enough without that.

  “I wish I hadn’t said that to him here. No doubt my parents will blame me for making a scene despite the fact it was Ben who pushed me.”

  I glanced around the room but no one was looking at us so I was unsure how much of a scene they’d actually made. People seemed to be chatting animatedly and the band looked like it was about to start up.

  “Doesn’t look like it’s ruined the evening or anything.”

  His eyes darted about before coming to rest back on me.

  “No, that’s something at least. It won’t be the end of it. I’ll have to deal with Ben tomorrow. You want to eat before I whisk you onto the dancefloor?”

  I raised an eyebrow, holding back a smile.

  “You dance?”

  “I know my way around the floor.”

  I was a little sceptical but decided not to comment. At least he’d perked up a little and didn’t look so annoyed any longer.

  “Okay. Food then dancing.”

  He grinned and took my hand, depositing his empty glass on a table as we made our way towards the buffet. After we’d piled our plates with food, we sat with some of Bob and Valerie’s ex-army friends who regaled me with a few stories from their military days. Jensen disappeared to get another drink but was back before long. I felt a lot more relaxed once I’d eaten and finished my wine.

  “You’re amazing,” Jensen whispered in my ear when I sat back and was surveying the room.

  “I am?”

  “Mmm, I feel lucky to have you by my side, little one. You’re my sun.”

  I squirmed a little in my seat at his words. Those butterflies I’d had in the beginning when we’d only just met were back, swirling around and making me feel on top of the world. There was no doubt in my mind Jensen was the one. He made me happy when he said things like that because I knew he meant them.

  I turned to him, running my nose up his cheek and smiling.

  “I love you,” I whispered in his ear.

  Despite everything which had happened over the past few weeks, my heart was full to bursting because of this man. He’d made my world shift on its axis the moment he’d landed in it. I adored every inch of him. His beautiful physique. His green eyes which shone with affection and heat when he looked at me. The deep sultry notes to his voice which had me wanting to do everything he said. His darkness and all his flaws.

  I could never regret Jensen Andrews.

  The man who owned every part of me including my soul and had the power to take my breath away in more ways than one.

  His grin as he stood and dragged me up with him was wicked. Leading me out onto the floor, he only had eyes for me. His lifeline. His sun.

  The song was slow, the base thrummed through me as he wrapped a hand around my waist and tugged me closer. The world faded away as our bodies moved in unison to the beat. He leant close, his breath dusting across my heated skin.

  “I never told you how stunning you look this evening.”

  “You’re not so bad yourself.”

  His lip quirked up.

  “Thank you for being here with me. I don’t tell you enough how much I appreciate you.”

  I bit my lip.

  “You don’t have to. I already know, particularly when you put that wicked tongue of yours to use in other ways.”

  His eyes darkened.

  “Wicke
d, hmm?”

  “Very.”

  He let out a frustrated grunt.

  “You’re not playing fair, little one. I’m in half a mind to find a cupboard so I can punish you for making me want to stick my wicked tongue in your tight little pussy.”

  I held back a smile, hoping our voices hadn’t carried to the people dancing next to us.

  “Patience.”

  “When it comes to you, I have none.”

  He pulled back, his eyes speaking of promises for later. Promises he’d have me at his mercy whilst I cried out his name, though perhaps he’d have to keep me quiet because we were staying at his parents. I couldn’t help but feel a little thrill at the prospect.

  ***

  Jensen stroked my bare stomach. His head was resting on my chest and my hand was on his shoulder. When we’d got back from the party with his parents, he’d taken me straight up to bed and made good on his promise. It had been a fast and furious mess of clothes flying off us and tangled limbs, neither of us wanting to wait any longer. Apparently, he didn’t care that we were at his parent’s house. The savage way he’d pounded into me almost made the headboard slam against the wall repeatedly until he dragged me onto the floor on my hands and knees. Then he really went to town. My pussy still throbbed from the brutality of his thrusts. And I couldn’t deny I’d loved every moment of it.

  “Why did she do it?” I whispered into the quiet air.

  He stiffened for a moment, his body tensing at the question. I knew talking about Hailey was hard for him, but I wanted to understand. Especially after what he’d said about it to Ben earlier.

  “She was being taunted by these guys on base for months until one night it went too far. They grabbed her, hustled her into a car and drove her to the woods off base before taking turns with her.”

  My breath caught in my throat. My heart ached and tears pricked at my eyes.

  “She never told anyone. She thought they’d leave her alone after that, but they didn’t. The taunting got worse, especially as they all thought they’d gotten away with it. She ran to me a month later and then… you know what happened. She left a letter on my kitchen counter detailing everything. It was eleven pages long. Handwritten. The police took it away for evidence so I don’t have it. To be honest, it was too fucking haunting anyway.”