Текст книги "Beautifully Loyal"

Автор книги: Nicole Edwards

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Текущая страница: 8 (всего у книги 25 страниц)

Chapter Sixteen

No, I don’t want to think right now.

After leaving the warehouse, Ashlynn didn’t bother to tell Jase where to take her. He already knew that she would need some time to herself. So when they pulled into her garage, then allowed the door to close behind them, she let out a sigh of relief.

It was good to be home.

Visiting the warehouse—which was nothing more than a metal building centered on ten acres of land and guarded by two local cops who Max paid handsomely to look the other way—was something she never looked forward to. Regardless of the reason, it never turned out well and only put a dent in her mood. Not that she cared one way or the other what happened to Tony. Truth was, she had never liked him. The little fat bastard had always treated her as though she were beneath him, usually insisting that he talk to Max if he didn’t agree with something she’d said. Fortunately, Max didn’t play that way. He backed her regardless, and through the years, Tony had been forced to deal with her.

Despite her distaste for him, it was rather unfortunate that Tony had to die today. It meant more work for her, because she would have to find someone else to handle the shipments he’d been moving for the past three years. But she’d had to make an example out of him. For the last few months, he’d started running his mouth, insisting that he was moving up in the organization. Not true at all, but Ashlynn had managed to overlook it.

Until the last shipment had disappeared.

Five hundred grand was now twisting in the wind somewhere. She could only hope that Snarly would manage to get the information from Tony before he did whatever it was he did.

When Jase opened the door for her, Ashlynn climbed down and went directly into the house, greeted by Derrick Malone, Jase’s older brother, who was responsible for keeping an eye on the house while they were away.

“All good here?” she asked, stopping to smile up at him.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Ashlynn liked Derrick, although she didn’t know him all that well. He’d started working for her nearly six months ago—after Jase had mentioned his brother was seeking employment after being laid off from a mechanic shop in the area. Still single at thirty-two, with no personal attachments other than their mother, Ashlynn hadn’t seen any reason not to hire him. If Jase vouched for him, she considered him worthy. Sure, Derrick had quite the troubled past, but in her line of work, that wasn’t shocking. Rap sheets were long within their organization.

“Have you eaten yet?” she asked when Jase joined them.

“No, ma’am.”

“Good. I’ll have Cowboy make enough for everyone. Can you let Leo and Teddy know?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Ashlynn had long since asked Derrick not to call her ma’am, but apparently his appreciation for the job wouldn’t allow him to call her anything else, so she had learned to let it go.

Jase placed his hand at the small of her back, and Ashlynn continued into the house. The slight touch soothed her in a way she needed at the moment. Still shaken up from dealing with Tony, Ashlynn would’ve preferred Jase wrap his arms around her and hold her tight, but for now, this would have to do.

Her thoughts drifted to Leyton.

What she wouldn’t give for Leyton to let go of his denial and simply hold her, to chase away some of the ice that filled her veins. As it was, Leyton had seen through her tough façade, noticed the slight slip of her composure back at the warehouse. She’d been shaken up, and though it was usually fairly easy to mask that reaction, it was clear Leyton had been concerned about her. She’d seen it in his eyes earlier, he’d wanted to take her in his arms, but his loyalty wouldn’t allow him to cross that line.

When Ashlynn entered the kitchen, Cowboy greeted her in that thick Texas drawl that she found highly entertaining, “Hey, sugar.” His smile revealed a chipped front tooth and a missing upper lateral incisor, making him look sinister. She allowed him to plant a kiss on her cheek as he moved around with ease, never stopping his preparations.

Simon “Cowboy” Rhodes had been working for Ashlynn since she’d moved out of her parents’ house at sixteen, shortly after Max and Leyton had moved out. Cowboy had started out as an enforcer, but after she’d learned that he was quite adept in the kitchen and preferred to be there, they’d agreed that would be his place. At thirty-nine and divorced, with a bitchy ex-wife and two children still in high school, Cowboy spent most of his time there. He had his own room, came and went as he pleased, but more often than not, Ashlynn knew she could find him right there at the cutting board, working on something that would make her mouth water.

“Smells delicious,” she told him as she took a seat at the bar that separated the spacious breakfast area from the prep area.

“Bourbon chicken.” Cowboy winked at her. “Heavy on the bourbon.”

She liked the sound of that. “You have enough for everyone?”

“Of course.” For a brief moment, Cowboy paused and stared back at her. “Everything okay?”

Nodding, probably too quickly, Ashlynn forced a smile. “Just hungry. And tired.”

“You’re in luck. Dinner’s almost ready. Three minutes, tops.”

When Jase brought her a glass of wine, Ashlynn allowed her hand to cover his momentarily before hesitantly releasing him. He stared back at her, their eyes locked. He knew what she needed, and part of her wished he’d make the decision for her, sweep her off her feet, and carry her up the stairs to the privacy of her bedroom.

Instead, he leaned in and pressed his lips to her ear. “I promise. I’ll take good care of you. After dinner.”

She nodded and then gifted him with a smile that she hoped told him how much she was looking forward to it.

A little over an hour later, after they’d listened to Leo and Teddy try to top one another’s stories, and after everyone had devoured the delicious meal Cowboy had prepared, Ashlynn said good night to the men in charge of her protection and slipped up to her bedroom. She stripped out of her clothes and her heels, leaving them on the floor where they landed as she made her way to the bathroom. Turning on the water in the enormous Jacuzzi tub, she then returned to the sink to brush her teeth. With that out of the way, she then grabbed her hairbrush. While she detangled the long strands, she stared back at her reflection in the mirror.

Her attention was drawn to the sexy man stepping into the bathroom, his gaze slowly sliding over her as he did.

“Do you know how stunning you are?”

Ashlynn’s eyes met Jase’s in the mirror. The question was rhetorical, but if Ashlynn had to answer, she would’ve told Jase that her soul was too dirty for her to be stunning. However, she appreciated the compliment.

“Join me?” she suggested, nodding toward the bathtub as he crossed the room to turn off the water.

His smile as he once again met her gaze in the mirror made her insides churn, desire coiling deep in her womb. The man was panty-melting hot; between the naughty grin and the wicked gleam in his eyes … he could stop traffic if he tried hard enough.

“My pleasure.” Jase pressed up against her back, his fingers sliding her hair to one side, lightly grazing her skin and sending a shiver down her spine. When his lips caressed her neck, she sighed and leaned into him. His big hands cupped her shoulders, the sheer strength in them soothing her.

Jase always knew what she needed, knew just how to temporarily silence the demons she battled.

“Turn around,” Jase murmured against her skin, reaching for her hand.

Setting her brush on the counter, Ashlynn turned until she was facing him. His callused hands leisurely glided over her hips, her waist, the sides of her breasts. He was so sensual, gentle. Closing her eyes, she allowed the sensations to take over.

When his tongue lashed her nipple, Ashlynn sucked in a breath but didn’t open her eyes. Gripping his shoulders, she steadied herself, resting her bottom against the sandstone countertop, allowing herself to feel.

“Have I told you how fucking good you taste?” Jase’s lips wrapped around her nipple, sucking her into the raspy warmth of his mouth while he tormented the pebbled tip with his tongue, making her insides quake.

Jase knew how sensitive her breasts were, how much she enjoyed when he focused his attention on them. Pleasure ignited in every cell of her body when he hefted them in his rough hands, sucking and licking while mumbling those dirty words that made her pussy wet.

“Let’s get you in the bath,” he whispered softly, his lips trailing upward, over her collarbone, her neck, and finally settling on her mouth.

Wrapping her arms around him, Ashlynn didn’t want to let go. She got lost in his kiss, enjoying the way he explored her with his tongue. When he pulled back, she resigned herself to what came next. If it had been up to her, he would’ve continued his exploration of her body with his tongue for hours on end.

Taking his hand, she followed him to the tub, then proceeded to climb in. Once she was settled, Jase began to strip, his eyes never leaving hers as he peeled away his clothes and gave her a scrumptious view of his sleekly muscled body, the considerable breadth of his shoulders. He was honed to perfection, hard planes and angles, rigid contours that contracted when he moved.

When he was naked, he joined her, forcing her to shift so that he could ease into the water behind her. While he wrapped her in his strong arms, she leaned back against his chest, her head on his shoulder. His fingers picked up where his mouth had left off moments ago, toying with her nipples. Just enough to make her crazy with need.

“Tell me again what it was like when you kissed Leyton,” she muttered, closing her eyes and relaxing into him.

He’d shared with her the details of that kiss on the way home from Max’s after it had happened, and she’d been so turned on that they’d fucked in the Escalade after they’d pulled into the garage.

“His lips were gentle yet eager,” Jase explained. “His tongue soft. There was no doubt he’d been holding back.”

“So he wanted it?”

“Oh, yeah,” Jase murmured. “So fucking much.”

“What did you wish could’ve happened?” she inquired, thrusting her breasts into his hands while she slid her hand down into the water to play with her clit.

“I wish you would’ve come in and seen us. I’d give anything for you to watch us.”

“What would you do to him if I were watching?”

Without hesitation, Jase answered with, “I’d order him to his knees, make him free my dick, then admire the way he wrapped his lips around me. I’d watch while he teased the head with his tongue, then sucked me deep into his throat.”

Ashlynn moaned, and Jase shifted beneath her, his cock sliding against her back.

“I’d fuck his mouth while he gripped my thighs and took all of me.”

“Would you come?”

“Oh, yeah,” he groaned, pinching her nipples, lightning bolts of pleasure-pain darting straight to her clit.

“When you were finished, would you kiss him? Taste yourself in his mouth?”

“Fuck yes,” he sighed, the short stubble on his jaw brushing against her hair as his hard cock ground into her back. “Then I’d go to my knees and take his dick in my hand. I’d use my tongue to torment him, licking his balls until he was begging me for more. Only then would I suck him. You don’t know how bad I want to taste him.”

Ashlynn’s pussy clenched.

Jase reached around, shifting her so that his thick fingers slipped inside, her leg propped over his arm while she lay across his body. Water sloshed from the movement, but she didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was feeling Jase’s hands on her, the vibrating rumble from his voice against her back, the soothing way he played her body so easily.

“What if I wanted him to fuck you?” she asked on a raspy moan, her gaze straying to the mirror.

“Anything for you,” he answered, fucking her briskly, his fingers curling as he sought her G-spot.

“And if I wanted … you to fuck me … while he fucked you?” He was sending her closer and closer to the edge.

“Heaven,” he groaned, his fingers picking up speed.

“Or I could use a dildo,” she whispered, her pussy gripping his fingers as her body coiled tightly. “And fuck his ass while he sucked your dick.”

“Come for me, Ash,” he growled.

Ashlynn didn’t need the instruction; she was already there, her body exploding—glorious heat and sensation uniting into a firestorm that consumed her. Brilliant flashes of light danced behind her closed eyelids as she gave herself over to the pleasure.

“So fucking beautiful,” he whispered, his lips brushing her forehead as he held her in the water.

Finally feeling safe in his arms once again, Ashlynn relaxed as she caught her breath. Her thoughts drifted to Leyton, and the fact that the man couldn’t seem to stop watching them. Even when he didn’t think she’d noticed.

If only he would give in and join them.

Chapter Seventeen

Voyeurism is so fucking sexy (and frustrating).

After helping Ashlynn out of the tub, Jase jumped in the shower, his mind spinning from what had just happened between them. Not necessarily the fact that he’d gotten Ashlynn off with his fingers while they discussed one of their most popular fantasies, but more so the fact that Leyton had been watching them.

Fucking watching them.

He was almost certain that it was pure fucking luck that he’d noticed. Jase had happened to look up into the mirror while he’d been finger-fucking Ashlynn when he’d caught sight of Leyton, standing in Ashlynn’s bedroom, his eyes locked on their reflection. It hadn’t even occurred to him that Leyton had been there on official business. The fact that he’d sought them out in Ashlynn’s bedroom rather than having someone call for them had been more than he could process at the time.

And like every time before—at Devil’s Playground on Ashlynn’s birthday, in the hallway of Max’s house, and again last night at the penthouse—Leyton had remained where he was, watching the entire encounter. If Jase could’ve convinced the man to join them, he certainly would’ve tried. But he knew better. Whatever Leyton had come to the house for, it hadn’t been to slip into Ashlynn’s bed with them.

“Leyton’s downstairs,” Ashlynn told him when she returned to the bathroom. Her gaze perused his naked body as she tightened her silk robe and secured the tie at her waist.

“I know,” he told her, grabbing the towel from the ledge.

“You saw him, too?”

Jase nodded. “What does he want?” He ran a towel through his hair and then dried his body quickly before grabbing the clothes he’d discarded earlier. He had his own room at Ashlynn’s house, right next to hers, though he spent most of his nights in her bed. That didn’t mean he’d moved into her closet, so he had to go back to his room in order to get clean clothes.

“He said it’s important. For us to come downstairs when we can.”

Ashlynn was watching him, her eyes still reflecting the heat he’d sensed there earlier. He wrapped the towel around his waist, hiding his cock from her view.

Her eyes snapped up to his face and he smiled. “I need to get dressed. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

“We’ll be in the office.”

“’Kay.”

It only took a few minutes for him to get dressed and meet the two of them downstairs in Ashlynn’s home office. The place looked a lot like Max’s, complete with dark wood walls and bookshelves that contained more knickknacks than books, an expensive desk along with two long black leather sofas and two matching chairs that all faced one another. Like the rest of her house, there wasn’t any clutter, not even on the desk, where only a laptop sat opened on the top.

“So what is it we need to talk about?” Ashlynn inquired when Jase entered the room and closed the door behind him.

Leyton was watching her intently, and Jase didn’t think he’d even heard what she’d said.

“Leyton?” Ashlynn took a seat on the leather sofa, leaned forward, and rested her elbows on her knees, creamy cleavage escaping the black silk robe she wore. Come to think of it, Jase couldn’t actually blame Leyton for being tongue-tied. Though Jase had the pleasure of seeing her in even less than that, he still found himself at a loss for words when he looked at her.

But the truth was, it wasn’t merely Ashlynn’s physical attributes that caught his attention. The thing he noticed about her most was her eyes. The hazel shimmered, but it was what he could see in their depths that drew him. She’d lived through so much, seen so much, and she was, by far, the most remarkably put together woman he’d ever met.

Jase cleared his throat when it was obvious Leyton was lost somewhere in his own thoughts.

“Yeah?” Leyton glanced back and forth between them.

“You said it was important,” Ashlynn said.

“Right.” Leyton broke from his reverie and took a seat in the leather chair across from Ashlynn. “We’ve got a situation,” he told her, then turned to Jase.

“Can I get you somethin’ to drink?” Jase asked before Leyton could get too far into the details.

Leyton waved him off, so Jase took a seat on the sofa beside Ashlynn, making sure to remain close to her.

“What situation?” she asked, subtly leaning into Jase.

“Snarly took care of business tonight.”

Ashlynn nodded. “I’d expected him to. What’s the situation?”

“We’ve got some complications,” Leyton said with a sigh. “Turns out, what we thought was idle bullshit from Tony was something else entirely. You mentioned he’d been working with the Moroso family…” Leyton glanced over at Jase. “Which honestly was news to me … so I did some more digging. You were right, they were workin’ together. When Tony said he was moving up in the organization, he wasn’t talkin’ about ours.”

Jase cocked an eyebrow.

Leyton continued, “Tony wasn’t just working both sides.”

“What does that mean?” Ashlynn inquired.

“It means he was a Moroso. Technically, he’s Marco’s half brother. Was.”

“Really?” Ashlynn didn’t sound as though she believed it. “How the hell did that get past us?”

“I’ve got someone lookin’ into that.”

“I don’t buy it,” Ashlynn added.

“It’s true,” Leyton confirmed. “He was workin’ with his brother in order to get a stronghold on our guns.”

It made sense to Jase, in a way. And he had to hand it to them, it’d been rather brilliant considering no one would’ve ever thought Tony was working with the Moroso Crime Family, much less part of it.

“So what’s the issue?” Jase inquired, sliding his arm over the back of the sofa and pulling Ashlynn toward him. “With Tony outta the way, Ashlynn’ll find someone else to move the inventory, and we’ll move on.” Jase glanced between them. “At least that’s the way I see it.”

Leyton swallowed hard, then leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees. Dropping his head into his hands, he ran his fingers through his sandy-blond hair momentarily. He was still wearing the same suit he’d had on earlier in the day, looking good enough to eat though Jase could sense his stress. His hair was slightly mussed, as though he’d been running his hands through it for quite some time now.

“I wish it were that simple. Turns out Marco was very protective of Tony.”

Jase waited for Leyton to go on although he knew exactly the direction they were headed. They could never predict the actions of the people they worked with. In their world, business was based on greed, not necessity. Everyone wanted to be on top, and as Max and Ashlynn could attest, being on top always meant there was someone ready to knock them down.

“What is it, Leyton?” Ashlynn seemed anxious for the news.

“The Moroso family… After they got word of Tony’s death … they contracted a hit.”

Ashlynn’s sharp inhale told Jase he hadn’t been hearing things.

Leyton’s eyes hardened as he stared at Ashlynn. “On you.”

Jase sat up straight, yanking his arm from behind Ashlynn. “What the fuck are you talkin’ about?” A hit? Leyton couldn’t fucking be serious. “Do they know who they’re dealin’ with?”

“I’d say so,” Leyton stated firmly. In the blink of an eye, Leyton pulled himself together, now appearing not at all fazed by this news, and Jase had a difficult time believing that he wasn’t. “It’s a stupid move but not surprising. Marco wants revenge for his brother’s death.”

Glancing over at Ashlynn, Jase noticed her eyes were wide. She clearly understood what this meant.

“Who took the contract?” Ashlynn inquired, her tone smooth, even. As though she weren’t worried about the fact someone was now targeting her for death.

It was a damn good question, though. Jase wanted to know who’d be stupid enough to go up against the Adorites and expect to live through it.

“I’m lookin’ into it,” Leyton replied.

“Where’s Max?” Jase asked. “Why the fuck isn’t he here to deal with this?”

“He’s aware of the situation. As soon as I heard, I called him.”

“Please tell me he didn’t cancel his plans for this?” Ashlynn stated.

“Not yet. He’ll reach out to Moroso if I don’t hear back from him today. Once he hears something, he’ll let me know.”

“Good,” Ashlynn said, leaning back into the cushion. “This is bullshit and Moroso knows it. The man’s a fucking rat, just like Tony.”

Jase couldn’t hold it in any longer. “A hit, Ashlynn! He put a fucking hit out on you. Do you understand what that means?”

Ashlynn glared at him, and Jase realized how belligerent he sounded. He couldn’t help it. The mere thought of someone wanting to kill Ashlynn… It made him fucking crazy.

Son of a bitch. A fucking hit.

The only way to deal with an ordered hit was to counter it with one of their own.

Leyton’s expression changed, from nonchalant to serious. “We won’t let them get close to her.”

“And how the fuck do you plan to do that?” Jase barked. “Put up a sign that says no trespassing? Come on, Leyton. Don’t be fucking naïve.”

Ashlynn’s soft hand on his arm had Jase leaning back, taking a deep breath. He knew he was overstepping, confronting Leyton the way he was, but he couldn’t help it. He damn sure wasn’t going to sit back while they waited for someone to come after her.

“Max will deal with this,” Leyton assured them. “He wants us to call him in the morning. First thing.”

Jase nodded. He agreed that this had to be dealt with immediately. No waiting for surprises.

“I need to talk to Max,” Ashlynn said.

“He’s in a meeting. He told me not to let you out of my sight. Which is why I’m here.” Leyton didn’t look at all happy about that, and Jase understood why. Not because he didn’t want to protect her but because he feared he’d give in to her if given the chance.

The man was falling for Ashlynn, no matter what the fuck he said. This had to be eating at him, knowing that the woman they both wanted was now the mark of a fucking rival crime family.

“We need to put all security on her,” Jase insisted, getting to his feet and pacing the room.

“I’m gonna meet with Moroso as soon as I can. I’ve already reached out, told him if he made a move tonight, we would take down his entire family within minutes.”

“Great. That threat probably didn’t go over well.”

Leyton pinned Jase with a glare. “Marco’s got a sister, so he gets it.”

“What does he want out of this? What’ll it take to call off the hit?” If that was even an option.

“That, I don’t know,” Leyton admitted. “But trust me, I plan to find out.”

Jase couldn’t believe how calm Leyton was. Sure, the guy was a businessman, he knew how this worked, and Jase was nothing more than hired muscle, but he couldn’t stand the fact that neither of them seemed to be as worried as he was.

No one said anything for a good two minutes. Then Ashlynn got to her feet. “Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate it.”

“Ashlynn…” Leyton was on his feet, moving toward her.

From across the room, Jase stopped pacing and watched them. Yeah, if Leyton was trying to pretend he didn’t care about her, he’d just failed miserably.

“I’ll be fine,” Ashlynn told him, taking a step back. “I’ve got Jase. He’s all I need.”

Leyton looked as though he’d just had his heart ripped clean from his chest. Jase almost felt sorry for him, but then he remembered that Leyton had been watching them earlier. It only bothered Jase because Leyton continued to deny himself, although it was quite clear that he’d give his left nut to be with Ashlynn.

As for Ashlynn, Jase wasn’t sure why she was acting so cold toward Leyton all of a sudden. She’d obviously seen him watching them as well. Sure, knowing he was there had been hotter than hell, and likely had spurred them on, but knowing that Leyton wasn’t going to act on that desire only pissed Jase off. Perhaps she was growing tired of the game as well.

“You should go.”

“I’ll leave Sal here tonight,” Leyton said.

“No! What if that’s their plan? You need Sal and Rock. I’ve got Jase. And Teddy, Leo, and Derrick. Cowboy’s here tonight as well. We’ll talk to them. They’ll be vigilant. You don’t need to worry.”

Right. Like that was going to happen. Jase kept his thoughts to himself.

Leyton glanced over at him, and Jase nodded, agreeing with Ashlynn. Regardless, he would keep her safe. “I’ll walk you out.”

Leading the way, Jase headed out of the office.

“I parked in the garage,” Leyton informed him.

Without a word, Jase made his way through the house with Leyton close on his heels. After telling Derrick to round up Teddy and Leo and then wait for him in the kitchen, Jase walked Leyton out.

“Keep an eye on her at all times,” Leyton commanded.

Jase spun around to face him. “Like you did earlier? Did you enjoy that?”

Leyton frowned.

“Which did you enjoy more? The fantasy you overheard or watching Ashlynn come with my fingers buried in her pussy?” Jase stepped closer.

“Does she know?” Leyton asked, the uncertainty in his tone surprising Jase but not enough to diminish his anger.

“Of course she knows. We saw you.” Jase stabbed a finger into Leyton’s chest. “She doesn’t play games. You keep this up and you’ll only piss her off.”

“Keep what up?”

“Pretending you can’t have her but watching her every chance you get. You need to figure out what you want before it’s too late.”

“It’s already too late,” Leyton droned. “I told you, it doesn’t matter what I want.”

Jase nodded. He didn’t understand, but if Leyton was going to continue to spew the same bullshit, there wasn’t a damn thing he could say that would make a difference. “Fine. Believe what you want. But stay the fuck away from us.”

“I can’t do that,” Leyton hissed.

“The hell you can’t. I’m more than capable of taking care of her. And I’ve proven I don’t need your fucking help.”

When Leyton’s gaze dropped to Jase’s mouth, he fought the urge to kiss him. As much as he wanted Leyton, as much as he wished the guy would fucking give in to what he desired, he was growing tired of the games.

“I’ll bring her to your place in the morning,” Jase told him. “And we won’t leave until we figure this shit out. Even if it means I go talk to Moroso myself.”

With that, Jase turned on his heel and went back inside, slamming the door behind him.