Shelby
The Ranch feels different. I can’t put my finger on it. The muted light in the great room casts a warm, earthy glow across the space, the furniture has been rearranged just so, everything neat and tidy and in place. It’s quiet with no signs of the men in residence. A welcome relief, this peacefulness that’s settled over the Ranch.
Yet someone buzzed me in at the gate.
Jaxson? Is he here?
“You missed the fireworks, amiga.”
Not Jaxson. I shake off my disappointment and turn my attention to the handsome man who has entered the room wearing nothing but a pair of worn jeans. No shirt. No shoes. All muscular male. Except he’s not the man I’m anxious to see.
Or the other man I’m dreading confronting. Yeah, first things first.
“Is Hayden in his office?”
“Gone.”
“He’s not here?” I scowl. That was fast, unless he’d already left when I contacted him earlier.
“The news angers you? Trust me, chiquita, you should be relieved that he’s off and away on business. I’ve known Hayden since we were teenagers. So let me give you some advice. You poke that tiger the wrong way and he’ll kill you without a second’s hesitation. Better remember that. We all need to remember that.”
Jesus. Is that what I’ve done—poked the tiger? What the hell, he doesn’t truly believe I told the Pricks about Freedom’s Bluff? About TORC?
“How upset is he?” I demand, searching for answers.
Diego whistles, a brief, low-pitched sound, expressing his disbelief. “Upset? No. Wrong word. Pissed off beyond belief. Better count your blessings you arrived after the show.”
“The show?”
“Dios mio. It’s a wonder no one got killed . . . though Hayden’s famous for biding his time . . .”
There’s a chill in the room like someone’s turned on the air conditioning, and now I want nothing more than to bid Diego adios and seek out the warmth of Jaxson’s presence.
“I always thought you’d be the death of him.”
“What did Jaxson do?” I manage, my pulse in a mad race with my thoughts. Me . . . the death of him. The death of Jaxson. Not a chance. No way.
“Protected you.”
Now not only is there a chill in the room, but it feels like Diego hurled a bucket full of ice water into my face. I blink, and gasp. “Where is he?”
“Recovering.”
“Re . . . recovering? From what?”
Diego whistles once more. Same tone, same sense of disbelief. “He punched Hayden in the mouth.”
My eyes widen. I’m speechless.
“Hayden was holed up in his office for most of the day. On the phone . . . probably with whoever he’s gone to meet. He summoned Declan into his office. Soon afterward, Jaxson was called in. I fully expected to be next, which is why I was in the great room when all living hell broke out. I’m glad to be headed to Mexico soon so I won’t be around for the fallout.”
I stare at Diego, who begins pacing back and forth. “Jaxson hit Hayden.”
“Several times. The punch to the mouth the worst of it. The fight began in the office then spilled out into the great room. That’s why there’s one less chair and the room is darker after the three broken lamps . . .”
I can’t breathe. Jaxson fighting with Hayden. Jaxson recovering. Jaxson protecting me.
“Diego, I didn’t do anything. I swear it.”
“That’s what Jaxson said. Told Hayden to go fuck himself. Reminded him how he was the one who brought you on board. An amateur. With little training. Too good for the likes of us. That if you messed up, it’s his own damn fault.”
“I didn’t mess up,” I grind out.
“Someone’s been telling TORC secrets.”
“That suspicious, no-good bastard.”
“He has reason to be. Novák’s men have been reported outside the gate. Our assignment—your assignment—at risk. TORC in jeopardy.” He stops pacing and studies my face, a myriad of emotions reflected in his own. Suspicion. Exasperation. Empathy. “For Jaxson’s sake, it’s a good thing you’ve come back to the Ranch. Declan’s out on assignment.”
“What?” Oh my God. Six days of silence and my consequence is that TORC’s best hit man is looking for me? Terrific. “Call Declan, please. Tell him I’m here. Just as Hayden ordered.”
“Done. Now a word of advice. Stay at the Ranch and wait for Hayden’s return. Make amends. And if you find yourself struggling whether or not to face the consequences of your actions, think about Jaxson. Because, chiquita, he’s the only one of us who will risk his neck to help you.”
Diego brushes by me.
“But by telling me all this, you just helped me.”
He shakes his head. “No. I did it for Jaxson.”
Jaxson . . . fighting Hayden. Jaxson . . . recuperating . . .
I hurry from the great room, search his bedroom, the kitchen, everywhere I can think of until the gymnasium is the only place left to look.
The room is pitch black. For a second, I think I’m alone. Then I hear it . . . the distinct sound of fists slamming into a punching bag.
“Jaxson,” I call out.
Pa-dum. Pa-dum. Pa-dum.
I let out a sigh of relief. If this is how he’s recovering from a fight, it can’t be all that bad, right?
Wrong. The proof of which hits me like a rebounding punching bag as I approach and am close enough to get a look at him. Close enough to see what that bastard has done.
Black eye.
Swollen right cheek.
Busted lip.
Hayden . . . did this? And that’s just Jaxson’s face; hard to tell what bruises he bears on his body as he’s wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants. But judging by the way he’s tearing into that punching bag, he can’t be that hurt. Nothing broken. Recovering . . . right.
“Jaxson,” I whisper.
Pa-dum. Pa-dum. Pa-dum.
I grit my teeth, knowing he knows I’m here. God, the playfully wicked man I’ve grown to love would be all over me by now. Clearly, he’s upset. And I’m part of the cause.
That bastard, Hayden.
Okay, so when he’s ready, he’ll talk. I’m not the kind of girl to run and hide, least of all from him. I fold my arms across my chest, prepared to wait.
It doesn’t take long.
“You really have a knack for bringing a man to his knees,” he tells me, grabbing the bag with both hands to steady it.
“Is that what I’ve done?” I murmur. “Brought you to your knees?”
“In a sense, yeah. Diego tell you where to find me? He warn you how Hayden is pissed?”
“Yes. I swear to you, Jaxson—”
“Shhh. Come here. I’m going to go insane if I don’t touch you soon.”
“I’d say you’re already there,” I reply, before throwing myself into his open arms. “Jesus, Jaxson. You got into it with Hayden? He’s not likely to let this go. And you going through another Hell Camp might not be enough of a consequence. Not for a ruthless, manipulative, misguided bastard like him. You got physical. Why? What did he say?”
I feel his lips on my temple, then his gentle kiss. “Doesn’t matter. He might be a bastard but he’s a smart one. He’ll figure out who exposed TORC. Who ruined a year’s worth of work. You’re here. You’re safe. That’s all that matters.”
I look up at him, then reach up to lightly touch his swollen cheek. “You defended me? You believe me?”
“Kylie, when I told you we were going to be a thing, I meant every goddamn thing. Trust. Sex. Love.”
I blink. Did he just drop the L word on me?
“Yeah, I trust you. You think I’d let Hayden kick my ass if I didn’t?”
Jaxson releases me, only to scoop me up into his arms. He carries me out of the gymnasium, back inside the main house, and down a long corridor. Kicking open his bedroom door—the one I closed behind me earlier—he stalks inside and deposits me onto his bed.
Then he kicks off his sneakers.
My mouth goes dry with anticipation. God, how I missed him. Yet to my surprise, he climbs into bed then pats the mattress next to him. “I know that you want me, fireball,” he informs me, with a wickedly familiar glimmer in his eyes. Then he adds in a soft, tender tone, “I just need to hold you.”
I can’t get by his side quick enough. “Jaxson,” I breathe.
He rolls into me and wraps an arm around me, drawing me in tight.
Never in a million years would I have said that anything could compete with Jaxson’s prowess in the bedroom . . . beneath trees, on dining-room tables . . . But tonight, he’s fought on my behalf, dropped the mother-loving L word, and is now cuddling with me.
And I’ve never loved him more than in this moment.
Still, I can’t quite relax, knowing how he’s put himself on the line for me. I press my fingers to his puffy lip, and he places a feather kiss to them. “Stop worrying,” he murmurs. “Once I terminate Novák, Hayden will forgive and forget everything.”
“What?” I shriek, sitting up.
“Given the recent threat of exposure, I’ve been ordered to terminate our target.”
“You have.”
Jaxson frowns and pulls himself up beside me. “Is that a question?”
“Novák’s mine,” I hiss. God, I’m furious. Why didn’t Hayden order me do the hit when I had the chance? What did his outside source tell him to change his mind?
“Why does it matter who makes the hit?” Jaxson asks, carefully watching me trying desperately not to turn what was beginning to be a beautiful end to a horrible day into the worst night ever.
“He murdered my father. My pop was sitting out on the front porch, reading a newspaper, and minding his own business, when the Pricks drove by. A drive-by shooting. I heard it happening. Ran outside just as their shiny Mercedes sped off down the street. That’s why I was spying on their compound. I was going to turn them into Homeland Security, since our local police refused to investigate his murder. Then . . . you came along . . . and Hayden promised me revenge.”
“Fuck.”
“Yeah, fuck.”
“Fine. We’ll make the hit together. Tomorrow night per Hayden’s instructions.” He places his arm around my shoulder and tugs me into him. “We’ll have to figure out how to draw Novák out of the compound.”
I bite my lip, thinking. “What if I invite my contact to the Palace Motel for a girls’ night out? She’ll be thrilled one wickedly handsome man has crashed our party. I’ll get Novák’s number from her and send him an anonymous text about her trading up for another man. He shows up, we make the hit.”
“What if he brings an army of men with him?”
I think about earlier at the diner, and what Veronica said about him not having an audience hovering about. “I don’t think Novák likes to mix business with pleasure. She says he’s possessive. Chances are he’ll come for her himself.”
“If it’s revenge you want, I’m in.”
I smile. God, in a short time, he knows me well. “We’ll make sure he heads to Franco’s house first. I’ll call the mobster himself to confirm how many men are with Novák. Better safe than sorry.” Of course, it’d be easier if Francis were a part of this. But after him pulling his Houdini act earlier . . .
“You know, you’re sexy as hell right now? I’ve got a hard-on waiting just for you.”
I laugh. “Nothing like murder on the mind to get a man hot and bothered.”
“I missed you, Kylie.”
“I don’t want us to be apart anymore,” I reply.
“Enough. We’ll figure out the details tomorrow.” He leans down. And as his lips touch mine, I stop worrying. He pulls me into him, deepening our connection, his wicked tongue reminding me of all the naughty things we’ve done, all the pleasure I’ve found in his arms. Driving away my worries, my sadness. Finding comfort in his strength.
It’s like time stands still and it’s just him and me.
Always.
Forever.
When he finally breaks free, I lean my forehead onto his collarbone.
“Miss me that much, huh?”
“Yes. More than you can know.”
“Not true.” He pauses, giving me a funny look. Then makes a face, rolls his eyes, and mutters, “Damn it.”
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s something else you need to hear. Straight from my lips.”
Jesus. I was beginning to feel better about things. This can’t be good. “What is it?”
“You’re my first.”
“First what?”
He glances down then back up. His lips lift and his eyes soften and I get that light, tingling feeling deep inside me. Like I’m melting. All this man has to do is smile at me and I’m melting butter.
“I’ve never loved someone like this before.”
My jaw drops and I fear I’ll never find the strength to close my mouth again.
“You heard me right before, and now.” He leans in and lightly kisses me. “I love you, Kylie.”
“You do?” I whisper. But there’s no need. I knew what this thing was before he did, after all.
“Yeah, I do. I guess you figured it out a hell of a lot faster than I did.”
I’m speechless but manage a nod.
“I’m a physical guy—”
“If that isn’t an understatement.”
He grins. “You’re better at putting your feelings to words.”
“Are you kidding me? Hello, Jaxson. Meet Kylie.” I shake his hand.
“There. That’s settled. Now back to business.” I squeal as he grabs me by the hips, flips me onto my belly, and stretches out half on me, half beside me. “I missed you, fireball. Tonight and every night going forward, it’s you and me.” He nuzzles my cheek, then whispers in my ear words I’ll forever hold dear.
“I love you, Kylie. And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”