Gabriella
Soft warmth consumes my mouth, and hard flesh presses against me. Tingles shoot through my veins, and I part my mouth, gliding my tongue against his.
My eyes flutter open.
“Morning, baby,” Javier’s gravelly voice mumbles against my lips, and I reach around him and pull him between my legs.
“Morning.” I kiss him back and bend my knees, bucking my hips up. I grip his ass and push him into my body.
His girth slides in me, and his deep, throaty groan fills the air.
“Oh,” I shakily breathe.
He stills, giving me time to accept him, plunging his tongue further in my mouth, intensifying the flutters that consume me.
I rock my hips. “Deeper...oh God...I need you deeper.”
He thrusts and dips his head to suck on my neck. “Like this?”
“Yeah...oh...”
My eyes close and I swallow hard, digging my fingers into his ass.
“What else do you need, baby?”
“I...oh...I...” I can’t finish my thoughts as heat sweeps through me, and sweat breaks out on my skin.
“Feels so good,” Javier murmurs.
“Yes. So good. Oh God…”
He licks my ear and slides his arms under me.
“I’ve decided you’re my most favorite thing on earth,” he mumbles.
“I am?” I pant.
He brings his face to mine. “Yeah.”
I hungrily kiss him between trying to fill my lungs. Nothing in the world feels better than him. No one is sexier, and for the first time in my life, I feel safe and whole.
He thrusts faster, and adrenaline bubbles and oozes in all my nerves.
“Javier,” I whimper. “Oh...oh...” My body quivers under him, ready to combust.
“I got you, baby,” he growls, his chest heaving into mine. His eyes twinkle with gold, and his chiseled face is slightly flushed.
I lean up and savagely suck on his bottom lip.
His eyes shut. He grunts and thrusts harder, hitting my sweet spot.
My toes curl, and fireworks explode in all my cells. I see stars and cry out.
“Fuuuuuck, Gabriella.” His body oscillates on mine. He tightens his arms around me, and he buries his face in my neck.
Our orgasms collide, our limbs pretzel around each other, gasping for air.
When the energy weakens, I slide my hands up his body to his hair. He pulls his head back. “Good morning again.”
I giggle. “Good morning to you, too.”
“I think we can go outside today.”
“Really?” I excitedly ask.
“Yes. Fresh air will be good, but I can’t say I won’t miss being locked up with you.” He rolls to the side and pulls me into his chest.
“Want to go for a run after you cook me breakfast?” I ask.
“Connor should never go to Vegas.”
I trace the Semper Fi tattoo on his chest. “I think that should apply to you and Beckett as well.”
He snorts. “Point taken. You hungry?”
“Yeah.”
He sits. “All right, beautiful. Let’s throw some clothes on, and I’ll get cooking, then we can go for a run.” He rises and pulls me off the bed, and we quickly get ready and go downstairs.
Everyone is already in the kitchen. Beckett is making pancakes, and Connor is opening bacon packets.
“You’re finally up.” Gracie smirks.
I try to hide my happiness but can’t.
Mia pats the seat next to me, and I fill a coffee cup and sit down.
Beckett throws a loaf of bread to Javier. “You’re on toast duty.”
“Got it.” He opens the bread and throws four pieces in the toaster. “What do you think? Are we good to venture outside today?”
“I’ve already been,” Connor says. “All good.”
“Yes!” I do a victory pump in the air.
A door slams.
“I bet that’s Hudson and Ryland,” Gracie says.
Mia goes to the front window then comes back.
“What’s up?”
She shifts nervously. “Hudson, Ryland, and Chloe are here.”
“Good. I like Chloe,” I say.
“Hudson…umm…he looks angry.”
Gracie rolls her eyes. “He probably just found out Javier is here.”
Javier gives me a don’t worry about it look.
I turn to Beckett, and he says, “Don’t worry. I’ll jump in if there’s an issue.”
“Thanks.”
They continue making food. Chloe, Ryland, and Hudson walk in. Hudson scowls at Javier but doesn’t say anything.
Beckett stops flipping pancakes. “You’re all alive.”
Connor hands Hudson a carton of eggs. “Just in time. You’re on the eggs. Ryland, you’re on the fruit.”
“Chloe, come have coffee with us.” I pat the seat next to me, relieved that Hudson seems to be shutting his mouth.
“We aren’t helping?” she asks.
“Nope,” Gracie says, popping the P.
“They lost,” Mia says.
“What did they lose?”
“The tournament.”
“The tournament?”
“Yep. Poker, Black Jack, and Crazy Eights. We annihilated them. They have to clean up, too,” I inform her.
Chloe passes Hudson and Ryland coffee, and we engage in some small talk until the food is ready. Once everything is cooked, we have a fun breakfast. I’m relieved Hudson and Ryland aren’t questioning me about Javier.
I lean over and peck him on the lips, and I catch Hudson scowl again, but he still doesn’t say anything.
The phones ring, and everyone jumps a little at the noise, as they’ve been out for a few days now.
Chloe pulls hers out of her purse, and Javier takes his off the charger as well. They scroll through messages and then stop.
Chloe’s hand goes over her mouth. She stares at Javier.
The blood drains from his face, and he stands. “We need to borrow one of your trucks,” he says to the other guys.
“What’s going on?” Ryland asks.
Chloe is pale.
“Why are you staring at me, Chloe?” Mia asks her.
She glances uncomfortably at Javier, and he nods. She turns back to Mia. “I’m sorry to tell you this, but Casey Cline is dead.”
Mia’s hand flies to her mouth.
Beckett pulls her to him. “What are you talking about?”
“They tied him to the flag pole outside his house. At some point during the storm, he died,” Javier states.
Mia stands so quickly her chair falls to the floor, and she runs to the bathroom. Beckett follows her.
“They, meaning Twisted Hearts?” Hudson asks.
“Yes,” Chloe confirms. “Several other people around the Manatee and Sarasota Counties have also been found in a similar position. The Twisted Hearts must be trying to send a message.”
Goose bumps pop out all over my skin. “What kind of message?” I ask.
“I don’t know yet,” Chloe replies.
Javier’s jaw clenches. “Was Triker released?”
“I haven’t gotten confirmation either way. Ryland, we need your truck.”
He hands her the keys.
“Hudson, do you have your gun?” Javier asks.
He pats his belt. “Yeah. I’m sure we’re going to have looters.”
I still can’t believe Hudson carries a gun, and none of us knew. Well, at least Gracie, Connor, and I didn’t.
Javier turns to me. “You stay with Hudson while I’m gone. None of you leave this house until we get back. Tell Connor.”
Javier and Chloe’s phones vibrate with another message.
“Chloe, what is it?” Ryland asks.
She ignores him and concentrates on Javier. They both say nothing.
“Chloe?” Ryland asks again.
She blinks hard. “I can’t talk to you about it. We need to go.”
He puts his hand on her cheek. “Okay. Be careful.”
Javier pulls me aside into the other room. “Whatever you do, stay inside.”
“Can I go in the backyard for some fresh air?”
“Five minutes, with Hudson, then back inside, okay?”
“All right. Can you tell me what’s happening?”
He puts his hand on my cheek. “I’m sorry, baby. I can’t right now. Please just trust me.”
“I do.”
“Thank you.” He kisses then releases me. “Five minutes, and that’s it.”
“Got it.”
He leaves, and Beckett, Ryland, and Hudson follow them outside. When they return to the house, I turn to Hudson. “Javier says I can go out back for five minutes of air, but I have to go with you. Come with me, please?”
“I can use some air, too,” Ryland says, and he follows Hudson and me.
As soon as we get outside, I take a deep breath and am only exhaling when Hudson demands, “Why didn’t you tell me about Triker?”
“It just happened, and then the hurricane hit. But I’m fine. Ryland tore him off me.”
“It’s not fine, Gabriella.”
“I didn’t say it’s fine. I said I’m fine. You should listen better.”
“Triker is dangerous. What are you doing to protect yourself?”
“I’m tired of having this conversation so many times. I should send a memo out,” I grumble.
Hudson sternly says, “Gabriella, this isn’t a joke.”
“Don’t you think I know that?”
“Hudson, ease up,” Ryland says.
He scowls at him then turns back to me. “You need to learn to shoot a gun.”
I throw my hands in the air. “What is it with everyone telling me to shoot a gun. I don’t like guns and am never going to.”
Ryland crosses his arms. “I agree with Hudson.”
“Of course you do. You both are probably going to lecture me on Javier next, too.”
“No, I like Javier. I’m cool with it,” Ryland says.
Hudson snorts. “Of course you would say that. You’re banging his partner.”
Ryland clenches his fists. “You’re just asking for it.”
I step between them. “Enough. I’m sick of everyone fighting. We’re all old enough to date whoever we want. And I like Chloe. You seem to be the only one who doesn’t like her or Javier, Hudson. Why is that?”
Ignoring my question, he barks, “What are you doing to protect yourself?”
“I promised Javier I wouldn’t go out alone. I’ll be fine.”
“Gabriella, you don’t know who you’re messing with.”
“I’m not messing with anyone.”
Hudson scrubs his face. “I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant. But you need to learn to protect yourself. I don’t want something to happen to you. Let me teach you how to shoot.”
“No.”
“Gabriella—”
“Stop it!” I scream. “I’m tired of all of you on me about this. The answer is no.” I turn and stomp inside and slam the door.
Mia and Beckett are coming out of the bathroom. Her eyes are bloodshot and face pale. I pull her into a hug. “I’m so sorry, Mia.”
Tears fall. “I haven’t even come to terms with the fact he’s my father but...oh my God...” She puts her hand over her mouth. “They tied him to a pole and left him out in the storm? Who could be that evil?”
“I don’t know. I’m so sorry.” I squeeze her tighter, and a muffled noise from outside makes me release her.
Beckett runs to the door and breaks up Ryland and Hudson, who are in each other’s faces and yelling.
“Knock it off,” Beckett growls. “My wife just lost her father. Do you think you could behave for a few moments?”
Ryland and Hudson both freeze.
“I’m sorry,” Ryland says.
“I’m sorry, too,” Hudson follows.
I give them a dirty look and steer Mia to the family room couch. I tuck a blanket over her, and Gracie brings hot tea. We sit on both sides of her, trying to comfort her and make sense of everything that is happening.
Hours later, Hudson tells us we can go into the backyard for some air. Ryland and Beckett go out front and clean up the yard, and the rest of us stay in the back with Mia. She seems to be in shock, and none of us know what to do to help her. We all keep checking on her and Gracie, and I stay by her side.
Javier finally returns, carrying a manila envelope and box.
I jump up and run to him. “Sorry. Hudson told us we could all come outside if we stayed in the back. I didn’t want to be inside alone,” I tell him.
He scowls at Hudson but kisses the top of my head. “Are you feeling okay?”
I hug him. “Yes. Now that you’re back.”
He pulls out of the hug. “How’s Mia?”
“Not good.”
He frowns.
“What’s that?” I point to the contents in his hand.
He shifts and takes a deep breath. “It’s for Mia. Casey had it in his desk drawer with her name on it.”
I put my hand over my mouth, and he kisses the top of my head and motions for Beckett. They talk, and he hands him the envelope and box.
Hudson approaches us, and Javier moves me behind him.
“The next time I say to do something that involves Gabriella’s security, you need to adhere to it,” he snarls.
Hudson glares at him. “Don’t you dare tell me what to do regarding my sister’s safety.”
“Then you won’t be trusted to be left alone with her.”
Hudson steps closer to Javier. “Did you just threaten to keep my sister away from me?”
Javier pushes me further away from him. “If it has to do with protecting her, then yeah, I did.”
“You mother—”
“Enough,” Connor growls and steps between them.
Beckett is quickly at our sides. “That’s it. Everyone inside. Kitchen table, now.”
No one moves.
“I said, now!” Beckett barks.
I pull at Javier. “Come on.”
Mia and Gracie glare at Javier and Hudson. They go inside. Mia carries the yellow envelope and box.
Javier turns to me, and I lead him inside. Beckett and Connor come in with Hudson.
We all sit at the table. Hudson and Javier scowl at each other.
“What’s the situation at Casey’s?” Beckett asks Javier.
“I’m sure you both know more than I do,” he accuses.
Hudson stands. “Out. Everyone except Beckett out now.”
“Same old story,” Connor mutters.
“Yep,” Gracie snarks.
I angrily say, “No—”
Javier puts his hand on my leg. “It’s okay. Go. I’ll join you later.”
“Why?”
He locks eyes with me. “Can you please go and not ask me why? This involves my work.”
“And my brothers?”
He tilts his head angrily at my brothers.
“Yeah, it does involve us,” Beckett says.
“Beckett,” Mia quietly says.
He kisses her. “It’s okay. Just go to the other room with everyone else.”
She hesitates and bites her lip.
“Please,” Beckett tells her.
She reluctantly agrees and walks out of the room.
Gracie rises. “Let’s go, Connor. We have better things to do.”
They leave, and Javier cups my face. “Please go.”
“If this has to do with Triker coming after me, then I shouldn’t be left out of this conversation.”
Javier closes his eyes. “Gabriella—”
Hudson slams his hand on the table. “Gabriella—”
Javier jumps off his seat. “Do not talk to her like that.”
“Enough,” Beckett bellows. “Gabriella, out. Sit down, Javier.” He turns to Hudson. “And you cool it.”
Javier slowly sits.
“Gabriella, please go,” Beckett urges.
“Please.” Javier strokes my cheek.
I rise. “Don’t kill each other while I’m gone. And, Hudson, Javier’s in my life, so deal with it. I treated Kate like a sister all those years, so I expect you to treat him like a brother.”
Hurt then anger crosses Hudson’s face.
I leave.
It’s a low blow. I know it is, but I’m over having to defend my relationship with Javier to him. And I don’t know why I can’t stay in the room, but whatever they need to hash out, they’d better do it quickly. I don’t need this added stress in my life.