Rule
The moment I saw Laikyn and Jinx on the couch, my heart jumped into my throat.
I knew she was back in LA because Creed had texted earlier to let me know she made it safe and sound. I hadn’t realized that she’d come straight home, though. Part of me had expected to learn she had gone back to her mother’s. After all, she told me yesterday that she never wanted to see me again.
I’d spent a good part of last night lying in bed with Jinx beside me, trying to figure out the best way to fix this. If anyone was capable, it was me, right? I was the Hollywood Fixer. Fixing things was literally in my title.
And I would. Fix this. No matter what it took, when I was staring at the ceiling, reflecting back on every vivid memory of Laikyn, I decided I wasn’t willing to let her go. Laikyn and Jinx were the best things life had given me, and I was smart enough to know that they were worth fighting for. With that said, I honestly figured it was going to take time simply to get her to talk to me again, much less to come here. So, seeing her there, sleeping against Jinx’s side … it was difficult to breathe.
When I moved closer, Waldo lifted his head and gave me a cursory glance before huffing and going back to sleep. The sound was enough to draw Jinx’s attention, and he turned to look at me.
It felt ridiculous to admit, but I was seeing Jinx differently than I had before recent events. Last night had changed my outlook completely. I hadn’t realized until he forced me to that I’d never surrendered myself completely to him before. I’d never allowed myself to truly accept what we had. My feelings for him were now as vivid as the blue sky overhead. I loved him.
Yeah, it was weird to acknowledge it, but it was like I didn’t have a choice. I loved him. It was a fact. I couldn’t change it, and I didn’t want to. Now I had to learn to live with it.
“How long has she been here?” I asked, keeping my voice low.
Jinx glanced at the cell phone sitting on the arm of the couch. “Two hours, I guess.”
She looked peaceful. Much different than she had yesterday when she was ripping me a new one in the hotel room. It was hard to admit, but I missed her. I’d gotten used to having her in my bed each night. Jinx had, too, and though we hadn’t slept alone, her absence had been palpable.
“Is she open to conversation?” I asked, trying to gauge what I was dealing with.
“Yeah.”
I was still getting used to hearing his voice. I couldn’t explain the feeling I got whenever he spoke. I’d known this man for two decades, and I’d never heard a word out of his mouth, so to hear it now … it was a gift I’d never expected to receive.
Laikyn shifted, coming awake slowly, blinking a few times before her gaze locked on me.
“You’re home.”
The fact that she referred to this place as her home gave me hope.
“Yeah.”
“You think maybe we could talk?” she asked as she sat up, brushing her hair back from her face and swiping her fingers under her eyes.
I bit back the retort that hovered on the tip of my tongue. Reminding her that I’d tried yesterday wouldn’t help anything. She was here now, and that was all that mattered.
“I talked to Knox this morning.” Laikyn shifted over, putting some space between her and Jinx. “He explained to me about the trust.”
If she expected me to ask about it, she would be waiting for a while. I didn’t care about the money. Never had. Not for myself, anyway. I’d only ever wanted it for her. So she would have peace of mind and no longer have to be under her mother’s thumb. As I’d learned, Laikyn wasn’t safe with Monica.
“I’ve got a letter from my father,” she said, gesturing into the house. “I haven’t read it. I wanted to wait.”
“Until?”
She lifted her head and looked at me. “Would you please sit down?”
“No.”
Her forehead creased. “Why not?”
“Why’re you waiting to read it?” I asked, unable to answer her question. There was no way I could possibly relax when I didn’t know whether she intended to stay or if this was merely her coming to say goodbye.
Laikyn looked over at Jinx. “I wanted to wait until I was with you both. I … um … I wanted to be somewhere I felt safe before I did.”
My chest squeezed.
“I know my reaction yesterday was a bit over the top, and I’m—”
“Don’t apologize,” I said, cutting her off. “You had every right.”
Her eyebrows slammed down. “No, I didn’t. I mean, sure. I had a right to get upset. But I didn’t have the right to say the things I did. They weren’t true.”
As for which words she was referring to, I wasn’t sure.
“I was mad. I felt blindsided, and yes, I reacted too quickly without listening, as Creed kindly pointed out.” She exhaled, and her shoulders relaxed some. “You never said you married me so you could get your hands on the trust. You said you married me for the trust. I didn’t give you time to tell me it was so I could have the money.”
Well, at least someone was able to explain it to her.
Her eyes implored me. “Do you at least understand why I was upset?”
“Of course.”
“Do you get that there was a better way to do this?”
“At the time, there wasn’t,” I told her honestly. “But yes,”—I glanced at Jinx—“I was made aware that I needed to come clean.”
Laikyn looked at Jinx. “You’re not completely blameless.”
“I’m not,” he admitted. “It’s as much my fault as Rule’s. I get that.”
I stared at him in awe and wondered when I would stop doing that. I loved hearing him speak. I loved hearing him say my name.
Evidently, Laikyn’s reaction wasn’t much different than mine because she had tears in her eyes and a sweet smile on her face.
“I want to figure this out,” she finally said as she sniffled and wiped her cheek.
“What do you want, Laikyn?” I asked because, ultimately, that was all that mattered.
She frowned as she looked up at me. She hadn’t expected the question, but now that it was out there, I needed her to answer it.
“For starters, I don’t want a divorce.”
Something powerful inflated in my chest.
She said for starters. “And…?”
It took her a moment, but finally, she sat up straight, tucking her hair behind her ears. “Remember that first night when you caught me in your shower.”
Jinx chuckled.
“I’ll never forget it,” I admitted. Like literally. It was forever etched in my brain.
“You asked me a question right before you joined me. Do you remember?”
That was a conversation I definitely wouldn’t forget. I’d felt guilty about it, worried I hadn’t given her a choice.
Both of us.
That doesn’t sound like a question.
It wasn’t. Both or neither. It’s your only option.
“I’m pretty sure he didn’t phrase it as a question,” Jinx supplied.
Laikyn giggled. “No. He didn’t.”
“What about it?” I prompted, wanting to see where she was going with this.
“You gave me a choice between both of you or neither.”
I nodded.
“I chose both.”
“And…”
“I choose both,” she said firmly, glancing between us again. “If you’ll still have me, that is.”
I was almost convinced a blood vessel had ruptured in my head because there was a roaring in my ears. It took a moment to realize it was merely my blood pumping hot, elation flooding my system and effectively drowning the fear that had consumed me since I walked out of that hotel room yesterday. Fear that I’d fucked up the best thing to have ever happened to me. Because intentional or not, Laikyn gave me and Jinx the happiness we’d never had. She completed us in ways nothing else ever would.
“Will you?” She sounded concerned. “Still have me?”
“Depends,” I told her, moving closer until I was only a foot away.
She stared up at me. “On?”
I looked at Jinx, hoping he could see the apology in my eyes. I’d intended to talk to him about this before I did it, but that was when I thought I would have to plan for the right time. This felt like it, and I didn’t want to wait any longer.
“What are you doing?” Laikyn asked as I lowered myself to one knee before her, pulling the small box from my pocket as I did.
I took a deep breath. “Will you marry me?” I flipped open the box. “Both of you.”
Laikyn gasped.
Jinx smirked and shook his head in disbelief.
Yeah, I think it was safe to say he accepted my apology.
“I’ll never be perfect,” I told them both. “I won’t even pretend I’ll change because we all know that ship has sailed.” I exhaled heavily. “But I promise I will never take either of you for granted. You’re all I’ve ever wanted and everything I never thought I’d have.”
Laikyn was crying, and Jinx … well, the big, muscled, tattooed bald guy was, too.
“So, is that a yes?” I asked when neither responded.
“Technically, I’ve already said yes,” Laikyn said, her sassy tone back. “But I won’t say no to the ring.”
She snatched it from the box and put it on her finger before turning so we were both looking at Jinx.
“Now it’s your turn,” she said with a grin. “Marry us, Jinx. Let us promise to be a pain in your ass for as long as we all shall live.”
I held the ring box toward him, where two bands remained. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
“You two say the sweetest things,” he answered, taking one of the rings and placing it on his finger.
Two hours later, I found Laikyn in her studio. She was staring at one of her paintings.
“Reminiscing?” I asked, leaning against the doorjamb as I watched her.
She glanced back at me, her tone registering surprise. “You know what this is?”
“Sure.” I stood tall and walked inside. “It’s the sunset the first time I took you to the beach.”
Her smile was shy. “Yeah.”
“The first night I kissed you.”
This time, her smile amped up a few watts. “That’s what inspired it. That kiss.”
“I’m not a sentimental romantic,” I admitted. “But I’m not completely oblivious, either.”
She turned to face me. “No. Jinx is the romantic in this relationship.”
“He is.” I nodded toward the room. “This was his idea. All of it.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah.” I noticed the envelope sitting on the small table beside her. “Did you read it yet?”
Laikyn looked down at it. “No. But I opened it. Does that count?”
“What are you scared of?”
She shrugged. “Nothing. Everything.”
I chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
“I remember thinking the same thing that day I came home to find you in my bed, wearing my shirt. You asked me what I was afraid of.” I brushed her hair back from her face. “Not much scares me, Laikyn. But you did. Hell, you still do.”
“How so?”
“You’re so vibrant and full of life. I’m not.”
She put her hand on my chest. “That’s not true.”
“Sure it is. From the first time I saw you, I was taken by you. I can’t explain it. You were a kid at the time. But I’d never felt terror like I did when I learned you’d been kidnapped. I didn’t even know you, and it shredded me to think you were in danger. I hunted for you for fourteen days. Ask Rhyan or Jinx. I was not fun to be around.”
“But you found me.”
“Yeah. Thank God.” I looked away. “And I kept watch over you after that, unable to take a chance that something might happen to you.” I met her gaze. “You were supposed to be a job. No, I wasn’t getting paid for it, but you were still a job. That’s what I convinced myself, anyway. And then I met you and…” I shook my head. “My life hasn’t been the same since.”
“A good thing, I hope.”
“Damn good thing.”
Her smile lit her eyes.
“I want you to know you don’t have to be afraid. Of anything. If I do nothing else, I will spend the rest of my life ensuring no one ever hurts you again.”
She patted my chest. “If you make me cry again…” She giggled softly. “I’m tired of crying.”
“Then don’t. It’s time to move forward.”
“And I do that by reading that letter?” Laikyn glanced down at it.
“I think that’s a good start, don’t you?”
She sighed and stepped back. “Yeah. I guess it is.”
“I’ll leave you to it. When you’re done, we’ll figure out dinner.”
Laikyn nodded. As I was walking out the door, I heard her sigh.
I wouldn’t hover, but I would be close. In case she needed me.
And I could honestly say I hoped she did. I’d never wanted anyone to need me because I wasn’t reliable. Or so I’d thought. Jinx had proven I was wrong about that. About pretty much everything. I’d needed him from the beginning, and we’d come to rely on each other.
Now we had Laikyn, and for the first time in my life, I finally felt complete.
* * *
Laikyn
When Rule left, I used his encouragement as strength and grabbed the letter off the table. I carried it over to my desk and hopped up on it, curious and terrified about what awaited me from beyond the grave.
Inside were two sheets of paper, folded and tucked in separately. One had MY DEAREST DAUGHTER written in bold, black letters on it, so I set the other one aside.
I unfolded the paper. It was only one page, hand-printed and signed at the bottom.
“Here goes nothing,” I whispered before looking at the first line.
My dearest Laikyn,
As I sit here writing this, I’m not sure whether I address it to the adorable two-year-old I’ve gotten glimpses of on the television or the beautiful young woman I know you’ll turn out to be. I figure both deserve to know how much I love you. One of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do was not fight to have you in my life. I want to. God knows I want to. But your mother has asked me to stay away. She says it’s best for both of you, and I have to trust she knows better than me.
Your mother … although she’s not the most affectionate person I’ve ever met, she has a good heart. She’s young and ambitious, and I respect that. More so because she has her entire life in front of her, and I don’t have the heart to force her to share that life or the spotlight she’s seeking with anyone else. And she would have to. I wasn’t exactly forthcoming with Monica when I met her. She didn’t realize I was not single or available—at least not in the way she needed—and I didn’t correct the misunderstanding. I was captivated by her beauty and charm and more than a little flattered that she could look at me the way she did.
Our love affair was brief. For a short time after, I thought about her with a smile. Then came the phone call that changed my life. She was pregnant and wanted me to know, but she was adamantly refusing support for herself or you. Not unless I was willing to walk away from the life I’d built for myself. She wanted to present a perfect image to the world, and she insisted the only way to do that would be for me to forsake my family. I couldn’t. I could never do that to Knox. He’s my whole world, and I know if I had just a little time with you, I would feel the same about you.
So I’ve done what your mother asked of me. I’ve kept my distance. I’ve watched you from the sidelines, thankful for every slight glance I’ve had. My health is deteriorating, so I know that by the time you read this, I’ll no longer be here, but I want you to know that you’ll forever be in my heart.
I hope one day you’ll be united with your brother, and you can have the family I fear neither of you has now. I won’t pretend I’m the best judge of character when it comes to the ladies I’ve shared my bed with. Too much information, I’m sure. Unfortunately for me, I usually learn my lesson the hard way, and in this case, my penance is that I don’t get to see you grow up. But please know I love you with all that I am, and the regrets are all mine.
Love,
Your father, Jeremiah
P.S. I’ve set up a trust for you so you can have the life I wished I could’ve given you. Do me a favor, Laikyn. Remember that money buys material things. It doesn’t buy what’s important. If it were possible to put a price tag on love, it would be worth far more than any amount of money.
Jinx
I understood that Rule wanted to give Laikyn space while she read the letter Knox had given her, but I couldn’t be as accommodating.
As soon as he told me what she was doing, I headed for her studio and stood outside the door. I wanted to be there for her if she needed me. She wouldn’t. Laikyn was a strong, independent woman who would deal with whatever was in that letter as she’d dealt with every hand life had dealt her. With fierce determination and an abundance of courage.
I heard a couple of sniffles, but I resisted the urge to go in there, respecting her privacy as much as possible. I paced. Back and forth, wondering if I should go back to the house. I didn’t want her to think I was hovering, but I was definitely hovering.
There was a heavy sigh from inside, and I stopped moving.
A second later, “Oh. My. Gawd!”
I hurried to the door. “What’s wrong?”
Her eyes were enormous in her face as she glanced in my direction.
“This.” Laikyn waved the paper toward me. “Holy shit, Jinx. That’s … not three million dollars.”
“Did you think it would be?”
Her forehead creased. “Yeah. Kinda. It’s the number I had in my head this whole time. Look.” She waved the paper again.
“It’s not my business.”
“Just. Freaking. Look!” She all but shoved the page in my face. “I want to make sure I’m not seeing things.”
I glanced at what looked to be a printout from an account, and yes, I’d admit, I was momentarily stunned by the numbers. That was a lot of money.
“That’s more than three million, right?” she asked, her voice still high-pitched.
I nodded. It was significantly more than three million. Hell, she wasn’t even a millionaire. She was a billionaire. More than enough for her to never have to worry about it again.
“He left my mom money, too,” she said. “It’s at the bottom.”
I skimmed the last couple of paragraphs, and sure enough, Jeremiah Montgomery had left Monica the sum of eighteen years worth of child support. Thirty thousand dollars a month. The footnote stated that Laikyn was the beneficiary on the account, and if she chose to give it to her mother, it was at her discretion how it was distributed.
I handed the page back to her.
“This is crazy, Jinx,” she said, her voice husky. “I would’ve been content with the letter.”
Suddenly, a few tears began to fall, so I walked over and pulled her into my arms.
“I would’ve preferred to have met him.”
I didn’t respond. There was nothing to be said. They’d both missed out. I was sure if her father were alive today, he would’ve been proud of her. I only hoped she had the opportunity to get to know her brother.
“Rule mentioned something about dinner,” she said as she pulled back and wiped her eyes.
I grinned. “After all that, you want food?”
“Well, yeah. Don’t you?”
“I could eat,” I admitted.
She stood up and pressed her palms flat on my chest, leaning in so her mouth was close to mine.
“You really do have a sexy voice,” she whispered. “I can’t wait to hear all the dirty things you’ve got to say when you’re—”
I crushed my mouth to hers, silencing her with a kiss. If I let her finish that sentence, there was a good chance we wouldn’t make it back to the house. For a few hours.
“I see what you’re doing,” she said when I pulled back.
“Do you?”
Laikyn giggled and took my hand. “Come on. Let’s figure out dinner. But first, I get to drop the B bomb on Rule.”
“B bomb?”
She turned and walked backward, pulling me with her. “Yeah. You know they call Knox the filthy hot billionaire, right?” She giggled. “I googled him. Couldn’t help myself.”
“I heard something about that.”
Her eyes glittered with mischief. “I think I’ll be known as the sassy hot billionaire.”
I laughed. “Yeah?”
“Suits me, right?”
Yes, I guess it did.
She spun back around, still dragging me behind her. “Come on. First food, then sex. Lots and lots of sex. We’ve got to make up for all those hours we were apart.”
Why did I get the feeling she wasn’t kidding?