No

Longer

Weak

LYRA PARISH

Copyright © 2015 Lyra Parish

Published by Lyra Parish

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the author at the email address below.

lyraparish@gmail.com

www.lyraparish.com

facebook.com/lyraparishauthor

twitter.com/lyraparish

pinterest.com/lyraparish

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

Book Layout ©2014 BookDesignTemplates.com

Cover Design ©2014 by Ari at COVERIT! Designs

No Longer Weak/Lyra Parish. -- 1st ed.

To those who constantly messaged and emailed me about this book, this one is for you

Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.

―OSCAR WILDE

FINNLEY

Prologue

I remember how the rain streamed down the windshield when I drove to the scene of the accident. The streaks were long and thick, like the tears that ran down my face. Inside, I was dying, panicking, in a state of shock so strong that I didn't feel human. My movements were robotic, done out of memory and nothing else. Control slipped through my fingers like liquid as I parked on the street.

The flashing lights of the ambulance and the blank faces of the police officers and firemen as I rushed through the crowd told me what I didn't want to hear. Adrenaline coursed through my veins and my legs went weak when I saw the mangled metal of the car, if it could even be called that anymore.

I remembered the first time I ever played the piano in front of people. Mum had insisted that everything would be okay, but my fingers had trembled with fear. My voice had shaken with every word. I'd had no control over my legs, and everything had seemed to shake with adrenaline. She insisted that the feeling was good for people, that it proved they were alive. My body could have overdosed on the natural drug, but once I had started playing, everything changed. I'd found myself. I'd found my confidence.

Today, there would be no confidence, no release, no sense of calm. There were no white and black piano keys to relieve me of my biggest fear. My world quickly evolved into a hellish nightmare that I would never wake from. For the first time in my life, I was terrified. With the massive whoosh of adrenaline humming through my veins, I couldn't control my body any longer. I fell to my knees and tucked my face into my hands as the rain poured over me. The medical staff rushed over with an umbrella, and an older gentleman helped me up from the ground. My shirt dripped cold water, and I was wet from head to toe. But I didn't care. Nothing mattered anymore, and it never would again.

A group of medical staff and firemen brought me to the back of an old, white pickup truck that had the city's name spray-painted across the side. With a sorrow-filled face, the coroner met me. When he opened his mouth, I heard nothing but complete silence. Everyone talked around me, but all I could focus on was the rain and the indescribable feelings that were encapsulating my body and soul.

The angels were crying with me—crying because I had lost my wife and my son in a fatal crash.

They had been ripped from my life in a blink.

I changed indefinitely. I became hard. I became strict.

I became Finnley fucking Felton.

Years passed. I married my job. I fucked random women. I stayed in control of my surroundings and lived without love . . . until I met Jennifer Downs.

I could have lost her for good. If that had happened, I would have turned bitter, and angry, and I probably would have lost all control. If the scars of loss had been forcefully ripped open, what little faith in love I had left would have been lost forever. Just the thought of it all sickened me. It was dangerous. It wasn't a game, but I knew that Jesse was bat shit crazy and didn't fully understand the audacity of her actions. Before it was all over, I would find her. Nothing in life was free. For every action there was a consequence, and Jesse would pay.

* * *

As I rolled onto my side, the warm glow of the bedside lamp warmed her face. Brown hair scattered across the pillow and surrounded her porcelain-smooth face. The smell of her skin next to mine made me want to move closer to her warmth. She looked so peaceful, so pure, and she was mine. I slowly wrapped my arm around her waist, holding her close to my chest, and then closed my eyes. Jennifer moved in closer and released a small moan. The pieces of me that knew how to unconditionally love another person were slowly making their way to the surface.

Love. It was powerful, and it was dangerous. It was frightening to love someone so much again, but I couldn't live in fear of loss. Just the thought of losing her for good woke a beast that was slumbering inside me. I was morphing into a man I hadn't seen in years—a man I thought had died long ago. I would protect her. I would be there for her no matter what.

The wounds were slowly healing, but I had become used to the pain, almost to the point of not noticing it anymore. It's funny how something can hurt so badly that it doesn't really hurt at all. Her breaths were slow, then her face squished and she moved her arm slightly. Her breathing increased, and I wished I could see what she was dreaming. I've asked her to tell me several times, but she refused. The nightmares had become an issue lately. The constant state of paranoia made life difficult, but I understood.

Abbot agreed to stay on board until we found Jesse. He wanted her dead. I just wanted revenge.

Revenge was as dirty as recycled heroine needles. It infected people, causing them to lose themselves until they were spiraling completely out of control. Vengeance was the ugly brother of hatred and obsession, which were often seen together.

I kissed Jennifer's forehead and promised her that nothing would ever happen to her again. I would protect her with my life. If Jesse wanted her, she would have to go through me. She had no chance, and never did.

JENNIFER

One

Finnley shook me from the nightmare that had haunted me every night since I'd been rescued. He squeezed my fingers three times; it was his little way of telling me I love you without speaking a word.

"You were thrashing again," he said. The only tone in his words was concern.

I sat upright in bed, and tried to catch my breath and calm down. I balled my hands into tight fists and dropped them beside my body as I lay back on the pillow. My heart was beating a million miles per minute, and a thin strip of sweat had formed on my brow. The thought of Jesse having this much control over me pissed me off, and exhaustion blanketed me. Once again, sleep had evaded me.

"Jennifer, come here." Finnley brushed the little strands of hair from my face, and I turned and looked at him. He wrapped his arms around my body and held me close. The moonlight drifted in through the windows and lit his face just enough for me to stare into his eyes.

"I won't let anyone hurt you. I promise," he said.

I loved his British accent and how the simplest things sounded sexy. I loved the care in his tone. I loved him.

"I believe you." And I really did. I knew as long as Finnley was close, no one could inflict pain on me, not even crazy Jesse. Abbot and his men kept watch throughout the house twenty-four hours a day. No one would get past them; there were absolutely no doubts about that.

"It's two in the morning. Come on, you've got to rest."

I pulled the blankets to my waist. Finnley was right. For the past two nights, I’d had less than six hours of sleep total. Each time I slipped into that deep realm, I found myself running away from Jesse and waking up in a panic. Although my surroundings changed in the nightmare, the scenario was always the same: she found me, chased me, and then it ended with her blade slashing through me somewhere. Each time I was helpless and woke up screaming.

I had promised to talk to a counselor, but the truth was, I'd rather work through the issues myself. I'd dealt with my parent's death, and I could deal with Jesse. Her methods, her hauntings, were driving me crazy. The more I thought about her, the more I resented everything that she was, and everything she represented. Sometimes love was worth fighting for. I would fight. I would win because I had a fire inside me. She may be relentless, but hopefully by the end of this, I would be too.

Everyone has experienced a turning point in their lives that has changed their ultimate paths. For some, it may have been a horrific event. For others, it may have been an amazing one that was so powerful it changed the world, as they knew it. The shift could happen so quickly that it passed in a blink, so fast that one was left wondering what had happened. On the reversal, the moments that transformed a person may drag on for what felt like an eternity, so slow that one wished for it to end.

My life had changed so drastically that at times, it didn't feel like my own. I'm not sure whether the shift in me happened when my parents died, when I moved to Vegas, when I met Finnley, or when Jesse took me. All of it combined morphed me into the person I was today. It was a rolling change, one that seemed to keep happening. For once, I wanted things to settle, for my life to be quiet. I wasn’t sure that would happen until Jesse was found. When I replayed the situations I had been thrown into during the past year, it left me in a whirlwind. I often wondered whether I was wearing another person's skin and living her life. Regardless of whether I admitted it or not, everything had changed, but at least I was still breathing.

Silence surrounded us. The clock on the wall ticked, and I could almost hear my heartbeat. I closed my eyes, then what felt like moments later, I woke to an empty bed. The sun hadn't risen yet, so I knew it was still early. I ran my fingers through my hair and tucked the loose strands behind my ears. I looked down at the ring on my finger. My pinky and middle fingers were already used to the metal touching them. I twisted the ring in circles. Round and round and round it went. Then I slipped it off and put it inside the drawer next to the bed. At first, I felt naked without it, but I knew it was too dangerous to wear it.

I rubbed my eyes, and walked down the stairs. The only light in the living room was coming from the warm glow of the crackling fire. Finnley’s shadow danced behind him as he stood, staring at the rising flames. Without hesitation, I walked to him. Before I could touch him, he turned with a smile resting on his lips. It had only been a few days since the incident, but we had fallen into a routine. We woke, ate, and went to sleep at the same time every day. I felt like I wasn’t living, and if something didn't change, I would go mad. No matter how much I tried to forget what had happened, thoughts of Jesse continued to haunt me. I hated it.

"Why are we up so early?" I groaned. My eyes burned from falling to sleep just hours prior. As I looked around, I noticed the house was decorated from top to bottom with tinsel. Finnley walked to the other side of the room and flipped a switch. A giant Christmas tree became the center of attention, with its warm lights and golden, glass ornaments. Dark-red-and-green striped presents were stacked under the tree.

Just last night the house had no Christmas cheer. Not even a tree. Santa must have visited.

"How? How did you have time to do all of this?" I asked. His arched eyebrow was accompanied by a half smirk that said, "I'm Finnley Felton. This is what I do."

A smile crossed my face when I realized this would be our first Christmas together, and so far, it was more than I ever imagined. Before pure happiness swept me away, a small tug pulled me back to reality. This was also the first Christmas without my parents.

Finnley wrapped his arms around me, pulled me close to his body, then kissed me on the forehead. Love sprinkled through his touch, so much that it was almost unbelievable. I never imagined someone could really care this much about me after my parents died, but I understood because I felt the exact same way about him.

Abbot entered the living room and turned on the main lights. We shielded our eyes from the brightness, and Finnley shooed him off. Abbot's eyes widened when he saw us standing there, then his mouth turned up into a smile.

"Carry on, then," he said, then switched the lights off and walked back to the kitchen. Finnley shook his head as Abbot disappeared from sight.

"Does he ever sleep?" I asked.

"No. He's a vampire," Finnley joked.

"That explains it." I couldn't stop yawning. A small part of me wanted to crawl back into bed to try and sleep until nine. A soft thumb grazed my cheek, and I leaned into his touch. Our mouths were attracted to each other. Once our lips touched, we exchanged light kisses that grew in intensity. When a light jingle of keys echoed from the other side of the door, a smile brushed against my lips, but he pulled away. I watched him move to the door, more slowly due to the bullet that had grazed his side when he had come to rescue me, but still as fast as he could. Both the physical and mental wounds would take time to heal.

The door swung open, and Finnley burst into laughter as he embraced his brother. When we made eye contact, Luke smiled even bigger.

"Merry Christmas," Luke said. It was barely past five, and I couldn't believe Luke was here.

Finnley must have seen the confusion spreading across my face. "It’s tradition. We always tried to stalk the tree before Mum and Dad knew we were awake. So every year we try to outdo each other. The earlier the better. Didn’t get me this year, little brother. Didn't get me this year," Finnley said.

Abbot turned on the lights in the living room and joined us all with mugs of hot cocoa and marshmallows. Without hesitation, we took them. Chocolate, cream, and melted marshmallows somehow tasted just like Christmas. After a few more moments, Finnley stood and walked to the tree, then distributed presents among us.

"We agreed to no presents," Luke said.

"I don't really like to play by the rules," Finnley said.

I smiled and shook my head as he handed me a small envelope with a silver bow stuck to the outside.

"Merry Christmas, baby," Finnley said.

I looked down at it, then up at him. Carefully, I ripped from a bottom corner of the cream envelope and pulled out a photo of a cabin covered in snow. I gave him a quizzical look, but he was nothing but smiles.

"I’ve got a cabin on Lake Tahoe. It will be fun," Finnley said.

"I’ve never been before," I said, smiling.

"Do you think she will follow us there?" I whispered loud enough for only him to hear over the unwrapping of paper. As crazy as Jesse was, it didn’t seem so farfetched. Finnley sat next to me and placed his arm around my body. His face softened. It wasn't lost on me that he didn't say no. One thing I loved about him was that he didn't give me false hope. He promised I'd be safe. He'd guaranteed nothing bad would happen to me. He couldn't offer any more than that.

Luke opened a box and pulled out a photo album. Finnley smiled as Luke burst into a deep hearty laugh. "Really?" Luke said. "How did you find time to do this?"

"I had Mum help," Finnley said.

Luke thumbed through the pages. "It's every picture we ever took together."

"It is. Love you, little brother," Finnley said.

"Okay, okay. So it's my turn." Luke stood, walked to the front door, and whistled. Within a minute, their parents were bustling through the door.

"Mum. Dad!" Finnley stood, love and adoration covered his face. Abbot walked toward the door with a huge smile, and I followed in behind them. Hugs and kisses were exchanged, laughter filled the room, and the cheer of Christmas spread among us.

"So happy to see you're safe, honey," Emma said to me as she hugged me. "My boys better be taking good care of you." Her hand fell on Finnley's and Luke's shoulders, and she smiled. Franklin and I exchanged a warm hug as well.

"Yes ma'am. They are taking really good care of me," I said. Heat rushed to my face as I glanced over at Finnley, who glanced down at my ringless hand. Not much was lost on him. Especially that. I was surprised it had taken him that long to notice.

Shit.

"Breakfast," Finnley said. Just as if he had given a command, everyone followed into the kitchen. The whole family helped prepare the food. I sat at the bar top with my feet dangling and watched how they all interacted with each other. Finnley occasionally looked over his shoulder at me. After everything was fried and placed on our plates, Finnley distributed the breakfast. He leaned over my shoulder and placed my breakfast down in front of me. The smells of sweet bread, eggs, and honey bacon rose from my plate.

Before he walked away, he whispered in my ear, "We need to talk." His low voice dripped seductiveness. He lightly grazed my shoulders with fingertips light as feathers, then walked away. Chills raced up and down my arms. I knew he wasn't happy with me. I knew him.

I swallowed as he walked around the table and sat directly in front of me. Luke sat beside him. Abbot plopped into the chair next to me, while Finnley's parents sat at the heads of the table. We passed buttered biscuits and strawberry jam around. Emma laughed about the trouble that Luke, Finn, and Abbot would get into when they were younger. Too bad she didn't know they still got into just as much trouble, maybe even more.

I stretched my leg under the table and trailed my toe up Finnley's leg. He shot me a sanctimonious look, then shook his head slightly. Finnley didn't want to play; too bad I wasn't on the same page as him. I watched as he added salt and pepper to his food, and took his first bite. As soon as he did, I grazed up his leg with my toe again, and tucked my foot between his legs. I could feel his growing hardness. He wiped the corners of his mouth with his napkin and stared at me as I slowly massaged his dick with my toes.

"Finnley. How's work going? How are you, son?" Emma asked.

He swallowed, glanced at me, then turned and looked at his mother. He was a master actor.

"It's going great. I promoted someone to take over while I’m away, and she's keeping everything moving smoothly. It's like I'm not even gone. I'm doing fine. Just a little sore, but that's to be expected."

"When will you return to work?" Luke asked.

"Not sure yet. I want to get back as soon as possible though," Finnley said.

I knew the day would come when he would go back to work, but it'd been nice to know that no matter what, he would be here. Once I was left completely alone, I would have to deal with my demons. While it was what I wanted, I wasn't sure whether I was prepared.

Once more, I ran my toe up the side of his leg and down his shaft. He grabbed my toes with a strong hand and massaged the pad of my foot with his thumb. Emotions swirled through me, and though I knew he was upset, I didn’t want him to be. There were methods behind my madness, reasons that he would have to understand. I wanted to be with him forever, no doubt about that, but I couldn't wear the ring, yet.

He sipped his orange juice, and I couldn't take my eyes off him. After breakfast was finished, we all helped clean up. Emma and Franklin were slightly jet lagged and wanted to nap it off. Luke was heading back home, though we had all planned to get back together this afternoon. After we said our goodbyes, Finnley grabbed my hand and pulled me up the stairs.

My nervousness played Ping-Pong in my stomach, and my heart raced. When we walked into the bedroom, I turned around and watched Finnley lock the door behind him. He crossed his arms and leaned against the door. I wasn’t sure I would ever get used to admiring him, or calling him mine.

His cotton jogging pants hung low on his hips, and his grey t-shirt fit his body as if it had been made just for him. He ran his fingers through his messy hair and stared at me. He was waiting for me to start the conversation, but I couldn't find the words.

How could I tell him that I wasn't ready for this yet?

FINNLEY

Two

I stared at her. There were moments when I couldn't believe someone as beautiful as her felt so strongly for me. It felt like a dream. She couldn't avoid this conversation. She tucked her brown hair behind her ears, sat on the edge of the bed, and stared at me. Her eyes roamed from my legs, to my hips, and up to my mouth. I stayed leaning against the door.

She opened her mouth, then closed it and looked down at her hands. My patience waned. Slowly, I walked to her without taking my eyes off her. I sat down on the bed, and she turned to look at me. A single tear ran down her face, and I wiped it away.

"I can't, Finn. I can't wear the ring right now. If Jesse sees me on the street with that ring on, it will provoke her. I can't risk myself or us."

I ran my fingers through her hair, leaned in, and pressed my lips against hers. A volcano of emotions erupted inside me. "I'm not giving up on you, Jennifer. I'm with you until the end. Ring, no ring. Marriage, no fucking marriage. We are in this together, forever. It's okay if you're not ready, but you have to be honest with me, in all things. No matter what." I whispered the last part into her mouth, then grabbed the bottom of her chin and forced her to look into my eyes. I wanted to see her soul.

"There is not a single doubt inside me when it comes to being with you. Not one. I just need time."

She moved in closer. Her hands lightly trailed up my stomach, and then we were kissing, kissing to save our lives, kissing to prove our love. We fell back onto the bed, trying to breathe each other in. I needed her, more of her, and I couldn't seem to ever get enough. As her hands memorized every inch of my body, an imprint of this moment was burned into my memory. We had nothing to lose but ourselves, and I was ready. I needed her so badly. It had been too long since we'd had our time together.

"You're like a dream, Finnley." Every word she whispered was between kisses and touches.

"If this is a dream, I never want to wake." I pulled away and looked into her golden brown eyes, then chuckled slightly. She had destroyed me, completely broken down every barrier that I had built around my heart. Being with her made me whole, and I knew I couldn't be with anyone else. Ever.

She rolled over and straddled me over my clothes. Then she dipped down and devoured my lips. Her hair surrounded my face as she hovered inches above me. I smiled, then she leaned in and stole my breath away. With soft hands, she lifted my shirt then slowly kissed her way down my stomach. My breathing increased, and it was just the reaction she needed to continue. She stood and took her shirt off, then slipped her pajamas and panties off her body. In front of me was a beautiful goddess that only the angels themselves could have created. Every curve, every muscle of her was pure perfection.

I tucked my hands behind my head and smiled as she walked sexily toward the bed. She crawled over to me then hooked her fingers on the band of my jogging pants, and slowly peeled them off my body. She glanced at the wound on my side and trailed her fingers across it. I sighed and she smiled. With soft lips, she kissed up my legs, licked down the length of my dick, then placed me inside her mouth. I moaned when she ran her fingers up my legs and teased me with her tongue. It was almost too much for me to handle. I closed my eyes and fully took in every single touch.

"What are you doing to me?" I asked. Her mouth trailed up my stomach. She licked my nipple then met my mouth as she slid onto my dick. Being inside her felt like home. She gasped and flung her head back as I filled her with my length.

"You're so fucking naughty, Ms. Downs."

"You haven't seen naughty yet," she said.

Without rushing, she rocked her hips back and forth. From the tip of my dick down to the bottom, she took me, all of me. Then her speed increased, and she leaned down and kissed my mouth. Our tongues swirled and fought a battle that neither one would win. I grabbed her waist, and we were both still, as close as two humans could possibly be, skin upon skin. I intertwined my fingers with hers and flipped her on her back. Control. I needed it. I craved it. I wanted her to feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. I wanted to worship every inch of her body, so maybe she would understand that what we had was real.

Her breasts rose and fell with each deep breath she took. I kissed her neck then sucked the bottom of her ear. Nails scratched down my back as I pushed deep inside her. I nibbled on her bottom lip as she gasped. I picked up the pace, and she moaned and screamed my name.

I laughed into her neck. "My parents are downstairs, Ms. Downs."

Her eyes bolted open. "I wasn't being that loud was I? Oh God."

"I'm kidding. They can't hear you." She slapped my chest and relaxed, but I didn't stop.

She grabbed the sheets, knuckles white, and I knew she was close. She panted with passion and leaned up to kiss me. Her mouth dropped open, and then she was losing herself on me, moaning. With hard, slow thrusts, I continued on.

"Come, Finnley. I want to feel you," she said.

Being with her was different from the one-night stands I had before I met her. I used to fuck without feelings, without care. Being with Jennifer held something deeper—emotions wrapped in love.

We were both breathless, lost in the moment of being together. She released a sigh of satisfaction as I stayed inside her. I brushed my nose against hers, leaned down, and kissed her.

"I'll never be able to get enough of you," I said.

"I hope you never do," she said.

I wouldn't.

JENNIFER

Three

I loved the smell of his skin.

We fell asleep and slept until the sun was high in the sky. I woke to Finnley's lips pressing against my cheek. My eyes fluttered open, and he smiled and pulled me close. I snuggled against him. An hour passed, then he scooted out of bed, grabbed my hand, and led me to the shower. The steam from the hot water filled the room. The water fell over us as we washed away our sins. With strong hands, he lathered my body with soap and massaged the tightness from my shoulders. I melted in his touch, as warm water covered our bodies. I looked up and kissed the bottom of his jaw. After I was clean, I took the time to wash every inch of him as well. I knew people said sharing showers conserved water, but considering we weren't in a rush, I didn't think that was possible.

He stepped out of the shower and held a towel out for me, then lifted an eyebrow.

"What?" I asked, feeling a little self-conscious.

"You're just so fucking beautiful." He leaned down and kissed me on my forehead, and my heart swelled.

We finished drying off, and before he walked out of the bathroom, he spoke. "Wear something nice. We are going out today. It's time."

I swallowed then quickly followed him out of the room.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"It's a surprise." He turned and looked at me with that smirk on his face, before he walked into the closet that was as big as a room.

"I don’t like surprises," I said.

He slipped on a pair of dark gray suit pants and looped a black belt through belt loops. He pulled a hanger with a crisp white shirt, and buttoned it from the bottom up.

"Which tie?" he asked. He pulled a blue, black, green, and gray one.

"Black. No doubt. It's classic," I said.

He looped the black tie under the collar of his shirt and looked in the mirror as he tied it in a knot. I wondered how many times he had done that. Thousands probably. I looked at him, and his reflection peered back at me.

"Have you ever been in love before?" His question caught me off guard and sort of confused me. I had answered this before, I thought.

"I've only ever been in love once. One time, I thought I was in love, but after really being in love, I realize it was nothing more than a childish infatuation."

"Sometimes I feel like we were two needles in a haystack that somehow found each other." Finnley slipped the vest over his shoulders, buttoned the quarter-sized buttons, then placed the suit jacket over his arm. When he turned and looked at me, I lost myself in the depths of his irises.

"Are you going to get dressed? I won't complain if you'd like to wear the towel, but it's a tad inappropriate and cold out." He walked toward me, and I took a few steps back until my back pressed against the cool wall. He dipped his head down and bit my bottom lip, then smacked my ass.

"Fine. Wear the towel," he said and walked out of the closet. I heard the door to our bedroom close behind him, and I let out a deep breath. My heart thumped in my chest. He was driving me crazy. Nuts. And he looked so fucking hot in that suit. I squeezed my legs together and exhaled. I needed to get control of myself before I completely lost it.

In the back of the closet hung the clothes that Finnley had picked out not so long ago, though it felt like years had passed. I laughed when I spotted the wool coat dress that had no buttons and a ripped seam. The thought of him tearing the dress off my body and the look on the woman's face when he'd said he would purchase it regardless was priceless. Some memories couldn't be traded for anything in the world.

I went for the black Gucci dress with the sewn-in pockets, thigh highs, and four-inch heels. I'd be eye to eye with Finnley. Just a little mascara and gloss, and I was out the door.

I walked down the stairs and, at the bottom, Finnley waited for me against the railing. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't hold back the smile that met my lips. The lights were off in the house though the sun beamed through the windows. He held his hand out to me when I hit the bottom step and interlocked his fingers with mine. I sucked in a deep breath, and before we reached the front door, he stopped. "I've got to tell my parents where we are going."

I smiled at him and he walked to the door at the end of the hallway and knocked. I heard him mumble something, and after they replied, he closed the door.

Abbot sat up on the couch and lifted both of his eyebrows when Finnley returned. Finnley said something quietly to him, and Abbot settled back down, though I knew he didn't want to. This was a time for us to be together, alone, without anyone watching or hunting us.

The smells of his soap and shampoo conjured all sorts of feelings inside. It was one of the things that I remembered most about him: the way his skin smelled. The curves of the black Aston Martin Vanquish reflected the bit of sunlight that fed through the clouds. Finnley led me to the car and unlocked it. I slipped inside, then buckled and smiled.

When he got in, he leaned over and sighed. I looked over at him, and he swallowed down the pain from his wound. I knew it was bothering him, but he wasn't a complainer. He would suck it up and pretend nothing was wrong.

He cranked the car and looked over at me, smiling. Then he brushed my hair from my shoulder and leaned in for a kiss. I met him without hesitation. He broke away, biting his bottom lip.

When we pulled from under the covered parking, sprinkles coated the windshield. I glanced over to him.

"Are you going to tell me where the hell we are going?"

"I don't have to answer to you, Ms. Downs. You go where I go," he said.

I laughed at his words.

"Oh, you think that's funny? We will see. Indeed, we will see," he said.

Instantly, I stopped laughing. I wasn't quite sure I wanted to know.

We followed pavement for thirty minutes, and noticed were driving away from the city. We pulled into what looked like the back entrance to an airport, and I turned my body in shock. He kept driving and never turned to look at me.

Finnley pushed harder on the gas, and we sped toward the end of a group of secluded buildings. He turned the wheel hard and the car spun around, then he slowly backed into a space next to the metal building. He leaned his head against the seat and looked over at me. Before I muttered a word, he was out of the car and walking around to open my door.

I opened my mouth and shut it. He laughed, then walked over to the door of the hangar and unlocked it. With the touch of a button, he opened the garage door. Inside sat two planes, one with blue and brown stripes down the side, and a silver bullet. My eyes widened, and I looked over at him.

Finnley stepped up the side of the plane, walked across the wing, and opened the hatch. He turned and curled his finger toward me. I tilted my head at him. He walked to the edge of the wing and held out his hand. I slipped off my heels then took the side steps and walked up the wing of the plane. I felt like I was dreaming. His lips brushed the top of my forehead, then slipped inside. Inside were brown leather seats, buttons, dials, screens . . . it was a little overwhelming. I sat in the passenger seat, and he leaned over and buckled me in.

"Shut the door," he said, pointing up at the latch. My adrenaline spiked. I was nervous and excited all at the same time.

"You're a fucking pilot?" I asked.

"There is so much more you need to learn about me, isn't there?"

"Obviously." I smiled.

"Clear!" he yelled out the window then started the plane. The deep grumble of the first engine was soon followed by the second. He placed a headset over his ears, then handed me mine. I couldn't stop staring at him.

"Turn your volume down here if it's too loud," Finnley said, indicating a knob. He never ceased to amaze me. Just when I thought I knew everything about him, he surprised me with something else.

"You're looking at me like you can't believe I can fly," he said as he punched numbers into the computer on the dash.

"I'm speechless."

"Better find your words, Ms. Downs. There is much more to come."

Finnley began flipping switches. "Las Vegas ground, Baron five-seven-zero-nine-Juliet, we'd like to taxi for departure up north."

A man on the headset replied back in an aviator language I didn't understand. They went back and forth in conversation. When Finnley had permission, he moved the plane forward down the runway. Once in position, he called traffic control for authorization to take off. I had no idea there were so many runways, or that the Vegas airport was so large.

"Are you ready?" His voice dropped low, and I couldn't stop staring at his lips.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

He pulled the yoke toward him, and the engine roared down the runway. Clouds and sky surrounded us. I couldn't hold back the squeal when I looked down below and saw cars and buildings that looked like miniatures, and the dark-colored mountains that surrounded the city. We were leaving Las Vegas in Finnley's plane.

His words in the headset startled me because I was in my own little world.

"Do you see the strip below?" He pointed over to the huge buildings.

"There's the Elite building, hovering over Vegas. It looks like a monster, even from way up here."

He sounded like a proud parent when he spoke of the Elite. I smiled as I thought about everything that had happened. Too many what-if's flashed through my thoughts. I knew that everything had happened exactly how it should have, or I wouldn't be right here in this moment.

The plane separated the clouds, and I couldn't see the ground below or anything but white cotton. My body tensed when we hit a little turbulence.

"No need to be nervous. I've had lots of practice." He was laughing at me.

I leaned my head against the seat and closed my eyes until we had cleared the clouds. I wondered how many other women he had impressed with his flying skills.

"Is this the first time you've ever brought a girl up here?"

He laughed at me again. "Seriously?" He turned his head and looked at me. Our arms brushed against each other's. "You're not the first, Ms. Downs, but I can guarantee you'll be the last," he said.

Hearing those words made my heart swell.

FINNLEY

Four

I loved how much she trusted me. It was true. Jennifer wasn't the first woman I brought in the sky. Though I had traded in my player card, it didn't mean I had forgotten how to play and make the game my own. Flying was an instant panty-melter, one of my secret weapons. But I wasn't trying to melt panties tonight; I could do that without even trying, especially when it came to Jenn. I'm not sure she even wore panties anymore. Maybe she'd learned. I laughed thinking about all the panties of hers I'd ruined.

"What's so funny?" Her voice sounded so cute in the headset.

"You." I winked at her, and she bit her bottom lip. God, I loved her more than I loved anything in the world. Anything. I could have nothing, and as long as Jennifer was with me, I would be the richest man alive.

The clouds opened up and we were soaring in smooth skies. It was days like this that made me love flying.

I wouldn't tell her where we were going. It would be a surprise. She needed something to get her mind off what had happened, and I knew as long as we were in the sky, we were safe. No one could follow us up here.

I looked over at her, and she slid her hand up the side of her leg, moving the thin material of her dress aside. She popped the top of her thigh high then slowly peeled one from her leg. I couldn't take my eyes off her as she lifted the other side of her dress and pulled the other down too.

I opened my mouth to speak, and she instantly interrupted me.

"Shhh," she said, then slowly unbuttoned her dress. Fuck, she was driving me crazy, knowing that I was trapped in the pilot's seat. Carefully, she removed her arms from the sleeves and tucked the material beside her. Her breasts moved up and down with every heavy breath she took. She looked at me, asking with her eyes whether it was okay to unbuckle. I reached over, slid my hands against her bare stomach, and pressed the button in to free her. When her back pressed against the cool metal door of the plane, she let out a long sigh and her hands drifted over her breasts, down her belly button, and into her panties.

Holy fuck. I wanted to rip those lacy panties off her body. I wanted her to feel the pain and pleasure that came from the snap. I wanted to feel her. I sat back in my seat and turned on the autopilot. We were at a high enough altitude to let the plane fly itself.

The warm glow of the afternoon sun reflected off her hair and washed over her body. What I would give to lay her down and worship every inch of her body again. I'd had her earlier in the day, but it was never enough. My cravings could never be met. She pulled her hand from down below and slowly slipped the straps of her bra from her shoulders. Her nipples were hard, and little chill bumps covered her breasts. I fucking needed her.

I trailed my fingers up her leg and gently caressed her soft skin. She smirked at me, wearing nothing but those black lace panties. I released a deep growl while admiring her beautiful body.

"You're a fucking goddess," I whispered. She knew exactly what she was doing to me as she ran her fingers under the waistband of her panties, teasing me. I couldn't take my eyes off her, and I couldn't stand looking at that lace any longer. I leaned over in the seat, lightly trailed my hand up her leg, then grabbed that thin lace with a strong grasp and pulled.

Snap.

Her mouth flew open and she gasped. I bunched the panties in my fist and tucked them into my pocket.

"Continue on, Ms. Downs. Don't start something you don't intend to finish," I said.

"Oh, I plan on finishing, Mr. Felton," she said. She took her sweet ass time exploring every inch of her body. My dick hardened, and I didn't know how much longer I could be able to hold out. Fuck. The control she had over me at this moment was scary. The wings cut the wind in half, and the sun gleamed through the window. Watching the sunset was one of my favorite parts of flying, but at this moment, my eyes were gravitating to Jennifer.

"Do you like that?" she asked.

I nodded. As if I were giving her approval, she dipped one finger inside her pussy and moaned. I leaned over, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her to me. We were eye to eye.

"That's mine." I grabbed her finger and sucked on it, tasting her sweetness, and not letting her eyes move from mine. Then I leaned over and kissed her, hard, so hard that when we pulled away my lips throbbed. Her hands found their way to the button of my pants. With a hard pull, she popped the button right off. The zipper was down and Jennifer got on her hands and knees in the co-pilot chair, then kissed my lower stomach, teasing me with her lips. Then she grabbed on to my dick, which was so fucking hard, and placed her mouth around the tip. I threaded my fingers through her hair as she licked and sucked me, but I pulled away before she took me all in.

"I can taste you," she purred, then twirled her tongue on the tip. I swallowed and leaned my head back in the seat, and she took me rough. Between gentle licks and sucks, she pushed me deeper into her mouth, almost gagging on my length. Each time she did it, my dick begged for more.

I couldn't deny being a member of the Mile High Club but I had never let someone give me a blowjob while I flew. Damn. This was something more. This was intense. This was an uncontrollable feeling that I couldn't push away.

I moved my seat back just a little, and when Jennifer stopped to look up at me, I grabbed her arm and pulled her toward me.

"Don't touch the yoke," I said. "Now fuck me."

She straddled me and carefully slid me inside her. She gasped as my hardness filled her. We were close, so fucking close, and I could hear her breathing increase in my ear as she rode me. I wrapped my arms around her back, holding her closer to me as I slammed my dick inside her. I needed her to know what she did to me. I cupped my hands around her ass and lifted her.

"Fuck," she screamed out. The smell of her filled the cockpit.

Her lips found their way to my neck, and she used her teeth to bite and suck.

"Fuck me," I whispered in her ear. She became more animalistic with her movements as I thumbed her clit. Jennifer was wild and greedy, taking in every inch of me as hard and fast as she could. We were gasping and struggling for get air as the impending orgasms searched for us. With strong hands, she grabbed my shirt and ripped it open. She was fierce. She was in control, but when she came, I was.

She moaned out and screamed my name.

"Finnley. Oh. My. God. Finnley. I love you," she said. She leaned in, kissing me, panting, struggling to regain control of her body, but she wasn't done yet. She took the time she needed then rocked her hips in slow circles. Once she had recovered, she picked up her pace into long, deep movements that caused her ass to slap against my legs. Before I came, I forced her to look deep into my eyes, to see me, see inside me, see what she did to me. Then that was it. I couldn't hold back any longer as I stared into her deep, brown eyes. We were there, together, in the sky, breaking firsts for me and for her. Time seemed to stand completely still as we fully took each other in. Words couldn't dare make this moment any better. Emotions said everything that we couldn't.

Jennifer Downs wasn't the first woman in my plane, but she was the first woman I had made love to while flying.

"You're mine, forever," I whispered.

"Forever," she said then climbed off me and sat in the co-pilot's chair with a genuine smile on her lips. Her bun was a mess, and little strands of hair stuck to the sweat that had formed on her forehead. She leaned her head against the seat and stared at me. Happiness spread across me, and I couldn't hold back the smile that overtook my face.

"You know exactly what you fucking do to me, Jennifer. I don't even have to tell you."

"You're right," she said, with a knowing smirk on her face as she pulled at her clothes that were stuck between the seats.

Air traffic control bleeped across the radio, and I spout out the information needed to land. When she heard the word Houston leave my mouth, Jennifer's face instantly lit up. Maybe she knew what she did to me, but I was always a few steps ahead.

JENNIFER

Five

"Houston? Are you kidding me?" I asked. Memories of home flooded me along with a thick happiness that covered me like a third coat of paint. Finnley was the master of surprises and I couldn't stop smiling. Houston, I couldn't wait to see that beautiful city.

"When I spent the holidays in the States, away from my family for the first time, it was hard. I know your family isn't here anymore, but I thought if we visited for a weekend, it might help you. I know you're home sick."

"Thank you. Thank you so much," I said, wishing I could hug and kiss him.

"No need to thank me, babe. I just want you to be happy."

He knew me all too well. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't hide my excitement. I put my thigh highs back on, then buttoned and zipped my dressed. I buckled for the landing and watched Finnley try to adjust himself and make himself presentable. He ran his fingers through his messy hair, which did absolutely nothing, then zipped his pants. Moments later, he was spouting more words, and turned the plane to line up with the runway below. My heart raced as the plane touched down. We slowed and made our way to a private sector of the airport. Finnley pulled off to a cement pad with a big letter on it and stopped the plane. He looked down at his shirt and at the threads that were hanging without buttons. He chuckled as he removed the shirt.

"Your death grip ruined my shirt and pants," he said.

"Oh no, Mister," I teased. "We are even for all the panties and dresses you've ruined since I met you."

"Even? I don't think so."

"We are!"

"No. We aren't." He unbuckled his seatbelt, and I unbuckled mine. He reached across my body, heat drifting off him, and opened the door to the plane. I stood and walked down the wing, carefully turned and placed my foot on the metal step, then stood on the pavement as Finnley opened the back door and pulled out a few suitcases. I couldn't keep my eyes off him.

I sucked in a deep breath as I stood next to the plane. The air in Texas was very different from the air in Las Vegas. It was thicker and hotter. We had changed at least twenty degrees in temperature, and the wind was blowing hard. The sun peeked through the clouds and revealed nothing but the fading skies and setting sun. Though it was winter, green surrounded me. God, I had missed Texas.

Finnley stepped down beside me and placed a pair of black Ray-Bans over his eyes. He was nothing but smiles as he carried a bag over his shoulder and wheeled another. A man dressed in a suit stood next to a silver BMW outside the metal building. Finnley traded keys with the man, opened the back seat, threw in our bags, then opened my door. I buckled, and after he exchanged a few words with the stranger, he climbed inside.

"Gotta love last minute planning," he said, then handed me an envelope. "Go ahead. Open it," he said.

Inside were tickets to the Houston Ballet. "Seriously?" I asked.

He lifted an eyebrow and gave me one of those knowing looks that said, "Of course." He shifted the car into drive, and we took a side road until we were on the main road that led to the highway.

"Navigate," he said. The GPS instantly responded, requesting a direction. "Hotel Sorella."

He shifted into the next gear, and we were flying down the beltway. I stared out the window as we traveled at high speeds. The buildings, the city, and the highways that seemed to go on forever—it was home. Home. I couldn't wait to be there. I knew the saying, "Home is where the heart is," but nothing could ever replace the feeling of being in a place that I had visited almost every weekend growing up. Houston, Port Arthur, Beaumont—they were part of the Golden Triangle. It was home, and I loved being back. What made it even better was Finnley being with me. A smile crossed my face as he exited. We passed the Red Oak City ballroom and turned into the parking lot. Finnley got out like he owned the place, grabbed our bags, and laid out his limitless credit card to the lady at the front desk before he slipped her the keys to the car for valet.

"Mr. Felton, here are the cards to your penthouse suite. If you need anything, please let us know. We appreciate you choosing to stay at Hotel Sorella."

"Thank you, Miss. I appreciate it," he said and met her hand as she slid the keys across the counter.

When we walked away, I turned and looked at the woman, whose mouth was wide open. Finnley did have that effect on women. I completely understood.

I shook my head as we walked toward the elevator, not saying a word. The look in his eyes when he glanced at me was almost too much. Funny how a simple look could still make me weak in the knees, make my heart palpitate, and stir a million different emotions inside me. We stepped into the elevator and I smiled as we rode to the top.

"Hold on to your panties, Ms. Downs. I've heard this room has the best view," he said.

"What panties, Mr. Felton? You've already ripped them to shreds."

He grabbed my hand and led me down a long hallway. At the end, he scanned the key and opened the door. I couldn't hold back the gasp that escaped my mouth. Wooden floors, beautiful light fixtures, full bar and kitchen, and a living room with windows that had the most perfect view of the outskirts of the city. We weren't quite downtown, but I was okay with being away from the hustle and bustle of the heart of Houston. Finnley walked past me, and I followed him into the bedroom. He laid the suitcases on the bed and turned with his arms folded.

"Shower. Dinner. Ballet. And another shower?"

I walked to Finnley and opened up his coat jacket. I ran my fingers up his t-shirt and smiled. "No need to boss me," I said, and he laughed at me as he unzipped my dress. I stood wearing just my bra and thigh highs in front of him. When I turned around to walk to the bathroom, his hand connected with my bare ass. The pain of his touch shot through me. I turned and placed my hands on my hips, and looked him up and down.

"That's all you've got?" I whispered. He released a deep groan. I bit my bottom lip as a smirk crossed his face. I turned toward the bathroom, and he followed close behind, leaving pieces of his clothing in our wake.

"Houston, we may have a problem," Finnley whispered into my ear as I stood in the bathroom admiring the stark whiteness of everything.

"Problem?"

"I don't know how I'm going to be able to keep my hands away from you during this trip."

"Then don’t," I whispered into his mouth, and his arms instantly looped around my waist.

"Yes ma'am."

We exchanged a moment, his hands brushed across my body before he turned the water on scorching. Together we stepped inside. Steam rose to the top of the shower, and soon the glass doors fogged.

Finnley poured gardenia body wash into a loofah and washed every inch of me. I could get used to this sort of treatment. The sweet smell of honey-like flowers filled the room. I took the loofah and poured more body wash on top of it, then rubbed over it Finnley's abs and chest. Suds dripped down his stomach and legs. His hair was completely wet and slicked back. Each time I touched him, he closed his eyes and fully took in my touch. It was so sexy. We had gone full circle. Our adventure had started with him bursting into my room while bathing, and now we were bathing each other. It was crazy to think how much had really changed between us. It seemed like a century had passed, though it had been less than a year. Some people were just meant to be in one's life, and once they were there, it was hard to imagine a day without them. I smiled, and he watched me.

"I don't think you realize how much you mean to me, Jennifer."

Little shots of electricity coursed through me when I realized what Finnley had said. He opened his arms, and I leaned into his touch. The hot water poured over us as we stood in a close embrace, our bodies pressed against each other. I never wanted to let go.

Once our skin pruned, I turned off the water and opened the door. Steam flooded from the shower. Finnley handed me a robe from the hooks beyond the glass doors of the shower, then he took one as well.

"I just realized I didn't pack any clothes," I said.

"I've got you covered, literally," he said, then grabbed my hand and led me back to the bedroom. He leaned over and unzipped the suitcase, then pulled out navy lingerie and panties, a black dress with buttons lined up the front, and a pair of heels that seemed to go on for days. I grabbed them and looked at him.

"Elite training, babe. They teach you to walk in heels way higher than that."

"Last time you're choosing my clothes."

"Doubt it. One must dress to impress for the theatre. It's etiquette," he said and pulled a suit from inside a zip-up bag.

I lay on the bed in my robe, stared at the ceiling, and yawned. I hadn't realized how tired traveling had made me.

Finnley zipped up his pressed dress pants and buckled his belt.

"We have a few hours before our reservations for dinner. We can visit the city tomorrow. Take a nap. You look tired."

That was all the permission I needed. I smiled, closed my eyes, and instantly drifted off to dreamland.

I tried to run away, but she always caught me. No matter how quick my feet were, I couldn't escape her wrath. The sharpness of the blade hummed as she swooshed it close to my face. The breeze from the swipe moved loose pieces of hair that had fallen from my ponytail. Since she missed, she aimed even lower. I felt it rip through my blue jeans and calf. I fell to the ground. The pain—it felt so real. It burned. I cried out, but no one was around to hear my pleas. With every bit of upper body strength I had, I tried to crawl away from her, but Jesse kept coming toward me with that snarl and maniacal laugh.

She wanted me dead. She would succeed.

I turned to look back at her as she gripped the knife, her knuckles white. Streaks of mascara ran down her cheeks as if she had been crying, but I knew her soul was too black for emotions like that. Her blood red lips curled into a smile. "You're dead," she whispered as she reared the knife back. As she inched closer, my heart rate increased, and I screamed again.

"Stop it. Stop. Stop."

I tried to kick her away, but it was useless. She stood over me and sat on my chest. She was too heavy for me to push away. With both hands around the hilt, she lifted the knife above her head and stabbed it into my heart. My life slipped away and pain filled me. Her laugh—all I could remember was her laugh.

FINNLEY

Six

She woke up screaming. I rushed to her side and pulled her into my arms. No matter how deeply she breathed, she couldn't seem to get enough air.

"I'm here, baby. I'm right here," I whispered. I rubbed my hand across her back in the hopes of calming her until she was fully awake, until she knew she was safe, until she realized I was by her side.

"It's never going to stop. This is never going to end," she said between gasps.

"It will. I can promise you that." And it would. I would make sure that this stopped.

I pressed my lips against hers, trying to kiss away the pain and fear that clouded her. I wanted to take it all away. She looked up at me as if I could save her from herself, and if I needed to be that man for her, I would be. She placed her hands on her face and sucked in a few deep breaths. Then, just as if nothing had happened, she changed the subject.

"My childhood dream was to perform in the Houston ballet. It was something I wanted. As I danced through college, I thought of quitting business and doing something I loved."

"I almost forgot that you danced. How silly of me," I said.

"I'm glad I didn't pursue it, though."

She received a raised eyebrow as a response.

"Because I would have never met you," she said as she interlaced her fingers with mine.

"I'm happy you didn't either, but who knows. We could have still met, fallen madly in love, and gotten married even if you were a ballerina." I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her close. My heart was so full of love for her. The cotton robe dropped to the floor, revealing the smoothness of her skin. I brushed my hands over the bare skin of her shoulders. Little chill bumps formed on her arms, and I dipped my head down to kiss her shoulders. I walked to the closet, pulled her dress from the hanger, and handed it to her.

"The Nutcracker. It's so magical. It's a piece that ballerinas have been spinning to for years. We danced to it every December as kids, and dreamed of dancing to it professionally as adults."

She buttoned the dress to the top and slipped on the high heels. She sat and pulled a makeup bag from the bottom of the suitcase I had packed. After she had brushed mascara over her lashes and put gloss on her lips, we stood eye to eye.

"Do you want to talk about the nightmares?"

Her eyes moved from mine, and she stared off in the distance before shaking her head. I wouldn't force her to talk about it. I had promised her that. It was time to change the subject.

"Have you ever been to Gerald's Steakhouse?"

She gasped and I smiled. "That's one of the best steakhouses in Houston. How did you get reservations? They are usually booked months in advance. Never mind. I know the answer."

She looped her arm in mine, and we walked out of the hotel room. When we stepped into the elevator, I couldn't take my eyes off her, from the way her hair fell down her back so perfectly, or how plump her bottom lip looked. Every time she licked them it drove me crazy.

"I want to kiss you so badly right now," I said.

"Then do it." When the door shut, my mouth attracted to her like a magnet. She tasted sweet like candy, and was everything I'd ever wanted. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and when the elevator stopped on a floor and an older couple stepped inside, we hurriedly pulled away from each other. We were both disheveled with pink lips, smiling.

The BMW waited in front of the hotel for us, and the valet opened the door for Jennifer. Once he got a good long look at her ass and shut the door, I waited with my arms resting on the roof of the car.

"Like what you see?" I asked with a grimace on my face. He opened his mouth to say something then closed it immediately.

"She isn't a piece of fucking meat for you to drool over. Got it?"

He nodded and walked away with quickness in his step.

I slipped inside the car, started it, and made sure to leave the treads of my tires behind as I peeled off. That asshole needed to keep his sleazy eyes to himself.

Jennifer glared at me.

"No one openly gawks at my woman's ass. Plain and simple, babe. Gonna have to get used to my protectiveness."

"Oh, I'm your woman now?"

"You've been my woman since the moment I rocked your world."

She couldn't deny it.

"Rocked my world?"

"You know it. And if you keep it up, I'll fuck your world senseless."

She laughed.

I took an exit and sped down a side road that led downtown. The steakhouse was in a high rise that overlooked the city. The lights of the buildings lit the sidewalks with a warm orange glow.

"Can we park and walk? I kind of want to enjoy the city."

I found the next available place and parallel parked on the street. We got out of the car and noticed a line that wrapped completely around a building. It couldn't be where we were going. I looked over at her, and she shook her head. I smiled mischievously. The temperature had dropped, so I wrapped my arm around Jennifer as we continued forward.

"Is that Finnley Felton?" I heard someone whisper, and I knew I had been spotted. It was hard to go out in public these days without being recognized by someone, and it was a tad annoying. I gave a quick smile and placed my hand on the small of Jennifer's back as we passed the hordes of people in the line.

"What's the crowd for?" Jennifer turned around and asked me.

I shrugged.

A woman dressed like a punk rocker openly answered Jennifer's question. "Grand opening of Jackson Square, the hippest club in Houston," she said.

Jennifer turned around and grabbed my hand. "Let's go inside. Fuck dinner. Fuck the ballet. Let's have fun." As soon as the words had drifted from her mouth, the music inside the club rushed through the streets.

I pulled her toward me until her body was against mine. "Are you sure?"

"Abso-fucking-lutely. I want to let loose. I want to have fun again. I want to dance," she said.

I interlocked my fingers with hers and we turned toward the entrance of the building. We passed droves of people. A golden rope separated the regular line from the VIP line of Jackson Square. A tall husky man blocked the entrance with his arms crossed. When he made eye contact with me, he lifted both eyebrows. I gave a small flick of my head and he walked over.

"Can I help you?" His voice was deep and pure husk.

"We'd like to get in," I said.

He looked at me as if I had told the funniest joke in the world, then burst into laughter.

"I'm sorry. What fucking planet are you from?" He leaned down until his face was level with mine. I ran my tongue across my teeth.

"Which fucking planet are you from that you couldn't understand what I fucking said? We'd like in."

"I don't think so, asshole. No one gets in unless they are on my list. Pretty sure you aren't on my fucking list," he said.

"Come on, Finn. Let's go," Jennifer said, tugging on my hand.

"Who's your superior?" I asked him.

"It's not like you'd know her, you fuckin' twat," he said, then turned his back and walked back to his position against the large wooden door with a J engraved in it.

"We'll see about that." I walked to the car with Jennifer trailing behind me.

"What are we doing?"

"Get in the car. I need to find some information." I opened my phone and did a quick search on the Internet then burst into a heavy laughter. "Oh, this is fucking great!"

Jennifer shot me a quizzical look.

"Remember the blonde? The tennis player everyone thought I was fucking a few months back?" I couldn't hold back the bubbling laughter inside me.

Jennifer lifted her eyebrows. "Natasha Dragtonsa? The tennis player? How could I forget?"

"It's her fucking place. Let me make a quick call," I said, then immediately dialed Natasha's number and stepped out of the car.

FINNLEY

Seven

"Hey, babe. So, I'm in Houston tonight and heard you were opening a new place downtown," I said.

"Finnley fucking Felton. Babe! Wait, you're in town? You better come to fucking Jackson Square!" Natasha's voice was full of excitement, and I could tell she had been drinking.

"I'm actually standing outside looking at the line. Damn, girl. You always knew how to throw a party."

"I'm coming out right now. If you're pulling my leg and you're not really here, you'll be sorry, Felton. I'll chop off those cute little balls of yours. You know not to get a lady all worked up and then not commit. Meet me up front."

"I've already warned you not to talk about my balls. I'll be there, just see. Call my fucking bluff." I ended the call, walked around the car, and opened Jennifer's door. She gave me a so kind of look, and I nodded my head. I always got what I wanted.

I grabbed Jennifer's hand. Natasha stood outside of Jackson Square yelling my name. Everyone in the crowd turned and looked at me as I smiled at Tash. Without hesitation, she walked around the giant bouncer and came to us. When her blue eyes met mine, she leaned in and gave me a kiss on both cheeks like we were stars, then did the same to Jennifer.

"You must be the infamous Ms. Downs whom I've heard so much about," she said to Jennifer.

A hint of pink touched Jennifer's cheeks and I smiled.

"You might not want to say too much, Tash," I said jokingly.

"Oh, I'm sure she knows you think the world of her already."

I nodded my head as Natasha led us to the front door with her arms looped between Jennifer's and mine. The bouncer stood there with a blank look on his face.

"I'm sorry. What fucking planet were you from again?" I asked him as we approached.

Natasha shot me a look of confusion as the man apologized to me.

"It's nothing, Tash. He called me a fucking twat earlier, but we both know who the real pussy is." I stared him down as we walked into the club. Before we could go any farther, our ID's were scanned and we were asked to sign a black book with gold-lined pages. Tash smiled as golden bracelets were slipped onto our wrists.

The music blasted through the halls. Slow beats drove the small VIP crowd as they danced. I admired the tall ceilings, the bar that outlined the rectangular room, and the dance floor with colorful lights that changed to the beat of whatever song was currently playing. Mirrors lined the ceiling, which reflected the lights that flashed around. An upstairs area overlooked the bottom floor and, from what I could see, black leather couches and tables were scattered around.

"Good fucking job, Tash. This place is outstanding."

"Thanks, Finn. I'm so fucking excited the two of you are here. Come upstairs to the VIP area."

Jennifer looked up, and I watched as her eyes followed the staircase that led to the luxury area.

Natasha's long, toned legs led the way, and she shook her ass with every step she took. The woman was on fire in a red, skintight dress. I still remember the night Tash had told me over dinner that she loved women, and since then, she had been one of the guys; she even threw punches like one. Who knew tennis players were so fucking strong.

We walked past another bouncer in a suit who nodded at us as Tash passed him. She elegantly took the stairs, and when we hit the top step, a woman with a champagne tray greeted us. Jennifer took a flute, and so did I. She smiled over the rim and laced her fingers with mine. I'd do anything to make her happy.

Tash waved us over to a group of people standing around, conversing.

"Mr. Jones and Mr. Roboche, this is the infamous Finnley Felton, owner of the Elite and voted most successful entrepreneur of the year."

"Oh, Mr. Felton, I've read about your company. It's very interesting, and I'd love to learn more about it."

"Sure, Mr. Jones. Here's my card. Call me and we will talk business. Tonight, I'd love to relax and enjoy this amazing atmosphere that the beautiful Ms. D has created. Gentlemen." I nodded, shot a smile to them, and downed my champagne.

"You're fucking brilliant. Those assholes have been annoying me all night," Tash whispered in my ear, then smiled.

Jennifer gulped the last of her champagne as well, and Tash led us over to a table with a large candle in the middle.

"Hungry? I've got tons of food. Please eat it or I'll have to throw it away at the end of the night," she said.

Tash snapped her fingers, and within a few minutes we had shrimp drizzled in a sauce with a side of vegetables.

"You're like magic, Tash," I said.

"Thanks so much," Jennifer said.

"Let me know if you need anything else, you two love birds," Tash said. As she walked away, Tash mouthed, "She's fucking hot. A 10!"

I shook my head, picked up a fork, and looked over at Jennifer. The yellow glow of the candle lit her face as she chewed. She tucked her hair behind her ear, and I couldn't stop looking at her with a smile across my face. I loved the way her eyelashes brushed the top of her cheeks and how her plump lips felt against mine.

"You're so fucking hot, Ms. Downs. I'd love to rip your clothes off and show you what I mean."

"If you rip my clothes off, Mr. Felton, you might get fucked," she whispered.

"Oh, touché. You're a feisty little thing, and I love it," I said.

"You've not seen anything yet, Mr. Felton."

"I will, Ms. Downs. I can promise you that," I said. And I knew I would.

We finished eating and had a few more glasses of champagne. We walked to the balcony and looked at the crowd below us. Jennifer closed her eyes and her body swayed to the beat of the music. I wrapped my hands around her waist and pulled her in front of me. The music and lights poured over us, and I pulled her from her darkness. We had found each other, and being with her had made me feel complete again. Our bodies were pressed together, and her hands wandered from my neck, down my chest, then teased at the top of my pants with her cold hands. I threaded my fingers through her hair and pulled her face close to mine.

"Don't start something you can't finish," I whispered.

"I always finish what I start." She turned around and wrapped her arms around the back of my neck as her ass pressed against my dick.

Clubs were dangerous. Dancing was dangerous. It was like fucking with your clothes on, and I didn't know how much more I could take before I took her, took what I wanted, and what my body needed. Though I had a feeling I wouldn't be taking anything. Jennifer wanted this, and maybe I would give it to her. I ran my hands down the side of her breasts, then the side of her waist, and grabbed her ass with both hands. She pushed herself into me harder, then turned around.

I leaned in and pressed my lips against hers. The intensity was too much. She gave me everything she had in that kiss—her love and herself—and it was almost too much to handle.

"Fuck, what are you doing to me?"

"The same thing you're doing to me, Mr. Felton."

I groaned and turned her around until her back was pressed against the railing of the balcony. Lights continued to flash as the music changed to a slow pulse. Her hand slid between our bodies, and she grazed my dick with her fingers. Fuck.

I shook my head, then leaned in and dragged my teeth across her neck and lightly bit down. She gasped for air and leaned over the railing, her hair flowing down her back. Cool air swooshed around us as the air conditioning kicked in. Then I glanced over her shoulder and thought for a moment that I had seen a familiar face. My face went blank, and I gently moved Jennifer out of my line of sight. My heart raced, and I swallowed. It couldn't be. How the fuck did Jesse know we were here? Anger rushed over me, and I balled my fists.

"What is it?" Jennifer asked with a tinge of worry in her voice. Jennifer pulled away from me, and turned and scanned the people below.

I narrowed my eyes back through the crowd and didn't see her anymore. Was it just my imagination, or had I really seen Jesse down below? Maybe I’d had too much to drink? Maybe I was going crazy? Or maybe she had found us and was here. What were the fucking odds of that?

Jennifer grabbed another drink from a lady that was passing out champagne. Her worry-filled eyes met mine.

"You're not going to tell me, are you?"

"It's nothing, babe. Nothing at all." I'm not sure she believed me.

After a few minutes, she excused herself to the bathroom. I followed behind her and pulled my phone from my pocket. I had one missed call from Abbot and immediately dialed his number.

"You're not going to like the next few things I have to say," Abbot said.

I ran my fingers through my hair as anxiety coaxed me.

"Fucking tell me. I don't want a charade of it. Go on," I said.

"Jesse is in Texas . . . and your parents went home because it was safer for them," Abbot said.

"Fuck."

"I'm hopping on a fucking plane and flying out there tonight. Take care of yourselves."

"Does she know we are here?" I asked.

"Not sure. But I'm not taking the chance," Abbot said.

"Now what?" Jennifer startled me when she spoke from behind me.

I turned and shook my head. "All right. Call me when you land in Houston," I said, then ended the call.

"What's wrong?" Jennifer asked again, but this time a hint of worry met her voice, causing it to crack. I wrapped my arms around her body, and she looked up at me.

"Abbot. He's coming to Texas."

She pushed back from me but didn't walk away. I released a slow breath, wanting her to stay calm, but I could tell that she was slowly unraveling. Though I knew terrible thoughts were racing through her head, I wouldn't lie. Solid relationships weren't built on lies, and I refused to create false hope. She had to know the truth.

"Jesse is in Texas. I don't know where, but she is. Now listen to me. She isn't going to ruin our plans. Don't let this worry you. Houston is one of the largest cities in the state, and I'm not running from her."

"Okay," she whispered. "Okay."

"Okay," I said.

"You saw her, didn't you? You saw her down there in the crowd."

I swallowed, not wanting to answer the question. "I'm not sure. I thought I did, but I didn't see her when I looked again."

"I'm going to kill her, Finnley. I'm sick of her shit already. I'm done feeling weak because of her. I don’t want to be weak anymore. I'm fucking done. If she knows what's good for her, she will stay away from me. I have too much anger inside me right now because of her."

"Oh shit. You really are feisty today. I fucking love this side of you."

I pushed her against the wall and lifted both her hands above her head. She didn't struggle but smiled seductively, then whispered, "fucking give it to me, take away my worry."

JENNIFER

Eight

He grabbed my wrists and slammed them against the wall. I loved that he wasn't treating me like a fragile little doll. I loved Finnley's sweet side, but there were times when I just wanted him the way we used to be—the banter, the chase, the hot sex. God, I wanted that to last forever.

I’d read about too many couples in Cosmo, who were so comfortable with each other that their sex lives basically died. I didn't want that to happen, ever.

His tongue flicked up my neck, across my jawbone¸ and met my mouth. The intensity grew, and I just couldn't wait another minute to have him. He stood so close in front of me that we were almost touching. No words passed between us, just the air of our breaths. I arched my back and pressed my body close to his. He let go of my wrists and unzipped his pants. I looked around and saw that no one but us were in the low-lit hallway. His hands drifted up my leg until he was touching my center.

"No fucking panties. Naughty, naughty girl."

"You would have just ripped them anyway."

"You're learning," he said and growled.

I wrapped a leg around his waist and he thrust himself inside me. Length and girth filled every inch of me, and I gasped. He placed his hand softly over my mouth, and stared into my eyes as he pushed just an inch deeper. My body crumbled around him. Knowing someone could walk around the corner at any moment made it that much hotter. His hand grabbed my ass and he squeezed. Then pushed himself in and out of me. All of my worries instantly disappeared. I disappeared. It was just Finnley and me.

After a few more moments, we were both panting. I ran my fingers through his hair and tugged as he bit my bottom lip. It was almost too much to handle. We were starved for each other, not able to get enough to be satisfied. It didn't matter how many times I had him today, I wanted—no, needed—more. It was as if I were tied in a tight knot and Finnley had found the end of the string to untie me, unravel me, and make me into whatever he wanted. As he pushed deeper inside me, his breath danced across the softness of my neck, and I completely lost control. I was no longer Jennifer Downs: I was Finnley Felton's. Something inside me was breaking as he fucked me against the wall with everything he was, and he was piecing me back together as his own.

Jesse had nothing. I had everything.

Deeper. Harder.

I was moaning and didn't care who heard. His hands memorized every inch of my body as he molded and shaped me like clay. He stopped moving for a brief second, and I silently I begged for him to give it to me all over again. The void that had previously filled me was replaced with something else: Finnley fucking Felton. And I loved every single moment. My body ached for him, and when he picked up the pace, it was instant gratification. His fingers dug into my thigh, but the pain shot spikes of pleasure, and I knew that if he kept going deep and hard, I would soon lose myself. The build moved in my stomach until every muscle in my body tensed. I was savoring the moment I had craved so badly. He continued to fuck me, moaning into my mouth as he kissed me, until I couldn't take it any longer. The orgasm completely overtook every single cell in our bodies as we lost ourselves in the moment, panting and loving.

He leaned over and kissed my neck, then nibbled on my ear.

I sighed with happiness. Though we had just fucked like primal animals against a wall, I wanted more of him. "I can't get enough of you. Thank you for loving me."

"Thank you for saving me," he said.

"You didn't need saving."

"Everyone needs saving sometimes," he said, then gently pressed his lips against mine.

We rearranged our clothes, and I excused myself to the bathroom to clean up. As soon as I walked out, Tash came around the corner and laughed when she saw us. I glanced at Finnley, who leaned against the wall with swollen lips and messy hair. I knew exactly what we looked liked. She clapped slowly and looked us both up and down. "Someone has already christened this place. Damn. I really thought it would be me."

Heat rushed to my face, and Finnley shot her his signature side smirk that made his bottom lip look suckable. Between those lips and that hair, damn, I was a lost cause. Add the suit, which was enough to make any woman completely lose it, that sexy voice, and that snarky ass attitude . . . I openly sighed as I admired him. He shot me a confused look, then glanced back at Tash. I couldn't even deny what had happened, and thankfully, her timing had been perfect. Just a few minutes sooner and she would have witnessed one of the best orgasms of my life . . . or would have ruined it.

I couldn't keep my eyes off him, and it all hit me at once. I was undeniably, madly in love with Finnley Felton. I tried to imagine my life without him, and I couldn't. I tried to imagine the next five years without him, and it didn't seem possible. Every thought included him, and for the first time, it didn't scare me at all.

I looked forward to my future with Finnley.

I was a woman in love with a man who would rock my fucking world any moment I wanted. He was mad about me, and just knowing that made me feel like the luckiest woman in the world. Maybe Lady Luck really did love me, or Cupid did; either way, I had someone to thank.

"You're looking at me like I'm chocolate," Finnley said as we followed Tash to the bar.

"I'd eat you in a heartbeat," I said.

He leaned against the bar. His sports jacket was open, and I couldn't help but admire how his pants sat low on his hips. Before he could give a rebuttal, Tash handed us shots of tequila. We slammed them down without hesitation.

"Tash. Do you have a list of everyone in the club at the moment?" Finnley asked, setting his shot glass down on the bar.

"I do. What's up?" she asked.

"Can you search a name for me? I thought I saw someone I know, and I want to make sure."

"No problem, babe. Let me go downstairs and get the info."

My heart raced as I swallowed. Finnley wrapped his arm around my shoulder, leaned in, and kissed my head. "We're VIP, babe. No one fucking comes up here unless they are special. We're safe. Plus, I don't want you killing anyone tonight."

I slapped him in the stomach and turned to the bartender to order a drink. As long as the alcohol was streaming through my blood, the small shit didn't matter. Finally.

Tash walked up the stairs with a black book pressed against her chest. It was far from small, and leather bound. She thumbed through the gold-lined pages then handed it over to Finnley. The book hit the bar with a boom, and he slowly began ran his finger down the page, searching. I leaned over and watched as he went through every single page. When he was finished, he started back from the beginning to make sure he hadn't missed it.

"How accurate is this?" Finnley asked Tash.

"Every single person who walks through that door has their ID scanned. Once they make it through security, they are forced to sign the book before they can get their bracelet and move on. It's 110% accurate."

Finnley released a steady breath and shot a smile at me. Then it was like everything happened too fast. Finnley received a phone call on his cell, and the next thing I knew, he was grabbing my arm and pulling me out the door of Jackson Square. A black suburban sped down the road and screeched to a halt at the front door. The people in the never-ending line watched as a man in black rushed out of the van with a semi-automatic weapon, grabbed the two of us, and pushed us inside.

JENNIFER

Nine

Memories of the night I was taken flashed through my mind. I still remembered the roughness of their touch and the stale stench of cigarettes that had filled the car. In that moment, I didn't know whether I would be saved. I didn't know who had taken me. I had been like a ship lost at sea. Thankfully, Finnley had rescued me, but here we were, inside a strange vehicle that was speeding down the freeway.

Finnley squeezed my hand and stared at the men in black in front of us, completely unamused. Then one of them spoke, in a thick Texan accent.

"Abbot said you needed saving," he said.

"Abbot actually didn't say much, other than to get the fuck out and that someone would be picking us up in two minutes," Finnley said.

The man chuckled as if Finnley had said something funny, but he hadn't. I sat completely still and tried to calm my breathing. Finnley wrapped his arm around me and pulled me closer to him, trying to calm and protect me all at once. He kissed my forehead and rubbed his hand over the outside of my arm. I closed my eyes and remembered an article I had read about the women snipers in WW2. They could slow their heart rates making their shots more accurate. If they could do that, the least I could do was calm myself.

"You'll want to buckle yourselves. Never know when the crazies will just pop out of nowhere," the man said.

Finnley released a breath then licked his lips, and we both buckled. He leaned in and whispered in my ear, "It's going to be okay, babe." I wanted to believe him.

"So Jesse. She's a fucking psychotic bitch, isn't she? We've had eyes on her. Lucky you were rescued. It could have been a dangerous situation inside that club had she gotten to you. Oh. My name is Bart. How fucking rude of me. Abbot and I go waaaaaay back," he said in an arrogant tone.

Any chance I had of calming down diminished because my fears had been confirmed. I turned and looked directly at Finnley.

"We tracked her license plate down, along with the fake ID. She has her own trackers. She's working closely with the underground rats in Vegas, but I guess she didn't realize Abbot had her figured out," Bart said.

I swallowed. So much happened behind the scenes that I didn't know about. I understood that Finnley wanted to keep me safe, but I needed to know what was going on. I didn't want to be kept in the dark anymore.

The suburban veered off the freeway and took the exit going way too fast. I tried to locate which part of Houston we were in, but I couldn't tell. I interlocked my fingers and sat quietly, waiting, memorizing the face of the man before us. His long nose had a little hook at the end. On the edge of his eyes were wrinkles, with one in the middle of his forehead. I guessed he burrowed his eyebrows quite a lot. He had a strong jaw and thin lips. Scruff lined his jaw, and when he looked up at me, I saw nothing but emptiness in his eyes. But I didn't turn away. Abbot once mentioned that people in his profession didn't have souls. As I looked into Bart's cold, dark eyes, I knew exactly what Abbot had been referencing. How many people had this man in front of me killed? Was he a skilled killer, a hired killer? What other horrible things had he done? When he smiled at me, I saw his front teeth somewhat crossed each other. I turned my head.

"Where are we going?" Finnley asked.

"Abbot instructed me to take you to the compound, and not let you leave until he arrived," Bart said.

"Abbot doesn't give instructions for me," Finnley said.

"Well, Felton, tonight he does. He said you'd talk back, that you wouldn't appreciate it. But he said he didn't fucking care, that you weren't to leave."

"How much is he paying you?" Finnley asked.

"Enough," Bart said, and I knew the conversation was over. No more words would pass between us, not until Abbot arrived. I could tell the whole situation agitated Finnley, but if it meant our safety, I was happy for Abbot's persistence. Hell, I welcomed it.

I stared out the window and gasped when recognition hit me. Finnley squeezed my hand, bent down, and whispered in my ear. "What is it?"

"We are at the killing fields," I said, not whispering.

A smile lit Bart's face. "The highway of hell."

Finnley's eyes widened and a chill swept over me. We were twenty miles outside of Houston in League City. Too many women had been found in that field, and just the thought of it made me ill. What if we weren't safe? What if this was all a big joke and we were being taken there? Pretty soon, we were taking an exit and traveling down a secluded dirt road. There were no houses or even street lamps, only overgrown pastures. At the end of the road sat a large adobe house, reminiscent to the ones in Mexico.

The SUV pulled close to the front door, and Bart stood guard in front of the parked vehicle with his gun drawn. A group of men stepped out of the shadows and looked out into the distance, waiting, almost as if they expected someone to be following us. We stood quietly, allowing the night air to kiss our skin. Nothing but darkness and overgrown fields surrounded us. I refused to relax until I knew we were safe, which wouldn't be anytime soon. Since being taken, I had found it hard to trust any situation that I was thrown into. Finnley stood close beside me until Bart opened the front door to the compound.

Inside, there were tall walls and an open floor plan, with tables and bar stools all around a large, low-lit room. Pool tables and a bar were in the far corner. This place looked like a sports bar that should have been in the city, not like a deserted compound that was offering us safety away from the grasp of a psycho Jesse. Behind the bar hung a large black flag with a bone-white devil, flames, and a script underneath that read Southern Devils, Established 1905.

After I had fully taken in the space that surrounded me, I noticed the room was full of men wearing leather vests with the same devil embroidered on the back. Every so often, I saw barely-dressed women hanging from a few of the men. They looked like cheap prostitutes.

I looked over at Finnley, who was also memorizing every detail.

"Where are we?" I asked.

A man with a handlebar mustache walked past us, with a blonde woman under his arm. He burst into hefty laughter, then grabbed the bottle of whiskey from the cute blonde girl.

"You're at the Southern Devils’ compound, baby doll. The oldest motorcycle club in Texas.  And if you want, you can join me and my girl for the evening upstairs in my room," he said, taking a step back, drinking in every curve of my body. Finnley wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close to him.

"What, you wanna join in on it too, pretty boy? Not really my type, but I could let you watch."

The man shrugged at the two of us then stumbled up the stairs.

"I'm kicking Abbot's fucking arse when he arrives." Finnley popped his fingers.

Bart walked up to the two of us. We were completely out of place. I noticed that on the breast of his leather cut it said secretary. I looked up at him. "Relax. This is the safest place in Texas. Have some drinks and at least try to enjoy yourselves. You're in one of the safest places in Texas."

Finnley ran his fingers through his hair and gave me a look. He was pissed. I could almost see the steam coming off him. We walked across the room, and everyone seemed to stop and stare as if we were lepers. I tried to ignore the eyes that tracked me, and followed him to the bar top. A woman with tattoos up and down her arms stood behind the countertop in cut-off shorts. Her hair was thrown into a sloppy ponytail, and though her body said thirty, her face told me she was much older than that.

"We've got hard liquor. Whatcha want?" She wasn't happy to see us there, and we weren't happy to be there, so it looked like the two of us had something in common at least.

"We've got whiskey, vodka, and rum. Take your pick." Sarcasm coated her voice as she moved her hand across the bottles as if she were presenting liquid gold.

Finnley looked at her, completely unamused. "Surprise me, then," he said.

She leaned over the bar, her lips only inches from his. "Good choice, bub. And I'm Rosie."

This woman had the confidence of an army, and the attitude to back it. She slammed a rocks glass on the wooden bar top, pulled a bottle of whiskey from the shelf, and poured, and poured, and poured until the shot filled the entire glass. She gave him a smile, then turned around and placed the bottle back. Finnley picked up the whiskey, took it all in one gulp, and slammed the glass back down on the bar. Rosie gave him a side smirk, leaned back over the bar, and stared at him.

"You're harder than I thought," she said.

"You have no fucking clue."

I needed to keep my mind clear. Finnley asked about the restroom, then stood.

"Come with me."

I looked up at him. "No. I'm fine right here."

"You're coming with me. I'm not fucking leaving you here alone." Finnley grabbed my arm, and I stood and jerked it from him.

"Don't. The bathroom is right there. I'll be fine sitting here for two minutes. His nostrils flared, but he knew there was no way he was forcing me.

"Fine. Don't you fucking move. I'll be right back." He rushed off, and I watched the bathroom door close behind him. I knew wouldn't be gone for long.

"What about you, sugar?" Rosie asked.

"I'm good, thanks." I sat with my hands crossed in my lap.

A tall man with a mustache and chops walked behind the bar and began screaming at Rosie. "I ordered you to stay the fuck away tonight," he said.

"Bart said you'd have company and needed more protection. I thought I could help," she said.

"You don't know how to take instruction. That's your problem, Rosie. That's why you'll never be someone's old lady. You don't know how to fucking listen either," he said.

She went to open her mouth and speak, but he reared his hand back to slap her.

I stood up, pushing the bar stool out from under me. "Don't you fucking do it," I said. Anger raged inside me. They both tilted their heads at me and narrowed their eyes. Everything in the room seemed to stop and people quieted.

"Who tha fuck is this broad? Anyone? Anyone fucking know who is brave enough to interrupt my business?"

"Jennifer Downs, and I'm not a fucking broad."

He walked over to me, not taking his eyes off mine. His eyes were brown, the color of chestnuts. A single scar ran from the top of his eyelid down to his cheek, and he had one solitary smile wrinkle on his face; probably from the devilish side grin he instantly shot me when he leaned against the bar. I didn't stand down. Instead, I stood strong. No man would talk to a woman like that in front of me. I glanced at Rosie, then at the flag with the open-mouthed bone-white devil behind him. My eyes moved from one devil to the one that stood in front of me. My eyes focused on his leather cut with the word President neatly embroidered on the breast.

"You were saying?" he muttered.

"That I'm not a fucking broad."

Instantly, he started clapping his hands together and laughing. "Looks like we have a little firecracker here. One who doesn't know her damn place," he said, inches from my face. These people wouldn't know the definition of personal space if it hit them in the face. Right now, as I felt his breath sweep across my face, I realized we were both too stubborn to back down. Texans.

Finnley walked up and placed his arms on the counter, acting as a protective barrier. The man narrowed his eyes then took a step back.

"Carry on, everyone," the man said.

"Baxtor," Finnley said.

I shot him a smug look. Finnley actually knew this man?

"It's been awhile, Felton."

Of course Finnley knew him.

JENNIFER

Ten

"I should have known this little firecracker was yours," he said.

"Did you expect anything less?" Finn shot him a devilish grin, and pulled his arm from between Baxtor and I.

"Jennifer, this is Baxtor, president of the Southern Devils," Finnley said without any amusement or care in his tone. He pushed his glass forward and Rosie instantly filled Finnley's glass to the rim with whiskey. This time he took it slower.

"I love the way it burns going down," Finnley said. Looking at him, a person would see a clean-cut guy with an air of arrogance, but when he switched to bad boy, mmmmm, it was hot. He ran his fingers through his hair and took a small sip of whiskey.

"Been a while, old friend," Baxtor said again. His rough voice reminded me of a rumbling rally car engine. Slivers of grey shone through his dark brown hair and were magnified when the light struck them at just the right angle.

When Baxtor realized the conversation wouldn't go any further, and that Finnley had no desire to talk to him, he sauntered back to Rosie and jerked her chin until her eyes were forced to meet his. An unspoken warning passed between them. When he pulled his hand away, I could see red marks from where his hard grip had touched her.

"What the fuck are you looking at?" she asked me.

"A bunch of bullshit," I said.

Finnley ever so gently placed his hand on top of mine and moved his fingers across my skin. Even with a simple touch, he seemed to ignite a fire in me. Though the gesture was small and could have been easily missed by anyone watching, it was comforting and brought me back to my element.

"It's dangerous for you to run your mouth here. You need to learn your fucking place, because this one here"—she pointed at Finnley—"can’t be able to stop Baxtor's wrath if you keep smarting off. Sorry, cookie, but learn to shut the fuck up. You don't know how this works, and you need to stop before you get yourself in too deep."

I sucked a deep breath in through my nose and released it through my mouth. My adrenaline spiked and my blood pumped through me at a high rate. Her words brought me to a point of a rage I hadn't visited in a long while, or maybe my pent up anger had finally freed itself.

Time seemed to stand still as we waited for Abbot to arrive at the compound. After a while, the music seemed to scream over the rowdy crowd. It was the witching hour for bikers, apparently. At least twenty-five members drank, laughed, and tried to talk over each other. As the night progressed and the alcohol flowed, it only got worst. Push did eventually lead to shove, and a few men in the corner broke out into a fight, but everyone just stood around and watched as if it were normal. Too much testosterone swarmed through the room.

As I sat there staring at the stark whiteness and detail in the devil's face sewn into the dark flag, I heard a familiar voice echo from my behind me. I turned around, and my eyes landed on Abbot, who was wearing a black t-shirt that hugged his body, dark blue jeans that sat low on his hips, and the type of rugged boots that people wore to kick someone's ass. That man never dressed to impressed, complete opposite from Finnley on every front.

Abbot exchanged a few handshakes with the men as he entered, until his eyes landed on Finnley, and then finally shifted to me. Finnley didn't even turn to greet him, and I knew he'd heard Abbot, because I had. He was closed up and locked tight, not allowing anyone to interrupt his thoughts. I had seen him act like this once before, when I had picked up the picture of his late wife. The situation may have changed, but something was going on, and I was determined to get to the bottom of it.

After a few more hard handshakes, Abbot walked to the bar, stood next to Finnley, and waited with his arms crossed. When he realized he wasn't getting any sort of acknowledgement, Abbot spoke. "I'm not fucking apologizing, okay? I know how you feel about him, but it was either call in a favor or risk your damn lives. I chose the favor route."

Finnley stood immediately. The bar stool fell to the ground, creating a loud crash, but no one even noticed. Finnley stared Abbot down. If looks could kill, one of them would be dead.

"You made the wrong choice," Finnley said. His voice was husky and barely over a whisper. Abbot didn't make a move, and neither did Finn. The tension was high and rising. I wasn't sure who would snap first, and I didn't want to find out.

We had the same goals, and this shit had to stop. With a deep breath, I placed my body between them and faced Finnley. "Stop this, please," I said. Finnley kept his eyes on Abbot for a long moment, and when he turned his body, he shot the rest of the whiskey then slammed the glass down on the wooden bar.

"I'm tired. I want to go to bed," Finnley said.

Rosie pulled a set of keys from a hook beside the long mirror that ran the length of the bar, then handed them to Finn. "It goes to the spare bedroom upstairs," Rosie said.

He headed for the stairs and waited at the bottom step for me. Abbot lifted his hand and shooed Finnley away. Finn folded his arms. They exchanged a silent conversation before Finnley walked away. I turned and looked at Abbot. Rosie poured him a shot of whiskey, but Abbot looked at it and left it where she had placed it.

I narrowed my eyes at him and leaned my back against the bar so no one else could hear what I was saying. "Why didn't you drink the shot?"

Abbot narrowed his eyes back at me. "You don't miss much, do you?"

"I've learned to watch my surroundings. Why didn't you drink it?" I asked again.

"Did you have any?"

I shook my head.

"Precisely. I don't drink from bottles I don't buy. I don't trust many people, and I don't trust anything that comes from this place. When you're in this business, you have to work smarter, not harder."

"What about Finnley? He had two shots."

"He fucking knows better," Abbot said between gritted teeth and slammed his fist on the bar.

"Watch him. He starts acting strange, you find me."

I gave him a side hug and thanked him for coming, but his words kept echoing through me. I knew Finnley was pissed at him, but he really did have our best interest in mind. I couldn't fault Abbot for that. I had to go upstairs and make sure Finn was okay. If he weren't, I wouldn't know what to do.

JENNIFER

Eleven

I walked away from Abbot, and before I went upstairs, I gave him once last glance. When I turned around, a strong hand wrapped around my arm and pulled me down the stairs. I tried with everything I had to pull my arm from Baxtor's death grip, but it was no use. His fingers dug into my flesh. They were strong and unwavering.

Work smarter, not harder.

"Hey, sweetheart." Baxtor's breath reeked of alcohol and cigarettes.

"I'm not you're fucking sweetheart."

"Ooowwwwww. I love that smart mouth." He chuckled then narrowed his eyes on me. "Now let me make this clear."

The mood became dark, serious, and I knew he was like a poisonous snake waiting to strike. I glanced over at Abbot, then at Rosie. Both watched with worry in their eyes. Abbot stood up straight and made his way toward me, ready to pounce at any moment.

Maybe I should have felt fear, but as Baxtor tightened his grip, the only emotions that flooded through me were hate and anger.

"The two of you aren't running fucking shit here. I know your girl, Jesse. I know where she is, what she wants, and how much she'd pay to have the two of you right this moment. But she refuses to make a deal with the devil. Abbot's paid for your protection tonight, but it can be easily outbid, sweetheart. So watch your pretty little ass, and keep your smart mouth to your fucking self. It's an embarrassment." He let go of me, and my arm pounded like he had burned his fingerprints into my skin. My emotions were in overdrive. He knew Jesse, where she was, and what she wanted: me dead.

Abbot pulled me away from Baxtor. I stared the devil down, knowing that something had finally snapped inside me. We turned and began our trek up the stairs. "Oh, and Jennifer . . . " Baxter said.

I stopped walking but didn't turn around to acknowledge him.

"If you need a good fuck to straighten out that little attitude of yours, just let me know, baby girl."

I rolled my eyes and kept walking. Abbot grabbed my arm, and we walked faster. When I got to the top of the stairs, I balled my hand into a fist and punched the wall. Pain instantly swept through me. It was almost an instant relief.

"Ha. Never imagined seeing that." He smiled at me. "Don't worry about that asshole. We will be out of here in the morning." Abbot was convincing.

I turned my head and noticed the warm glow billowing from the doorway at the end of the hall. After I focused, I saw Finnley leaning against the entrance, watching Abbot and me. He wasn't supposed to see that moment of weakness, neither of them were. When I stepped inside, I turned and looked at Abbot, who had his arms crossed over his chest. Finnley and him exchanged looks again, then Finn slammed the door closed and locked it. He looked around the room, which seemed normal. A queen-sized bed with two pillows thrown on top of the blue comforter took up most of the space. Pictures of motorcycles were randomly placed on the walls, and there was a single window facing the long dirt road that led to the house. Dark tiles spread across the floor, and a single dresser stood lonely in the corner. The room was nothing special. It was the definition of plain.

He roughly rubbed his hands across his face, mumbling something. In a blink, he reared his fist back and punched the wall, opening the drywall up to the insulation. My eyes widened and my mouth dropped open. What the hell had come over him? Maybe it was the same anger that had jolted through me just a moment prior? I'd seen him angry before, but nothing like this.

He brought his hand down to his side, and when I looked at it, I saw blood.

"Fuck," he yelled.

"What the hell?" I understood being frustrated—hell, I understood being angry—but I couldn't stand there and watch him completely unravel.

"I'm not going to ask again," I said, giving him every ounce of sternness I still had in me.

He moved toward the bed and sat, staring down at his bloody hand. "I didn’t want this weekend to be like this. I've failed you," he said.

"What are you talking about? You haven't failed me. We're safe, aren't we? We're alive."

"Safe?" He laughed sarcastically. "Safe? That's a fucking joke."

That's when the worry hit me like a slap in the face.

"Yes, Finnley. We are safe. For tonight, at least," I said.

His head shot up and he stared at me. "Did you notice the scar on his cheek? The one that runs down his eyelid almost to his chin?"

I nodded.

"I gave that to him ten years ago. I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I don't follow orders from other people very well, especially for things I don't agree with. I have a conscience. I have morals. I could have been like Abbot, and if I hadn't left London when I did, I would have been Abbot. Even though I was in the States, trouble seemed to follow me, and hanging with the wrong crowd when I arrived didn't help. I had a lot of growing up to do when I came here. I learned a lot of hard lessons. I did regrettable things. I was fearless. But it seems that my past continues to haunt me, while Jesse tries to ruin my future."

"I don't want any lies. I want to know everything. You want me as your wife, and there is so much about you that I don't know," I said.

"Do you trust me?" His words were few, but they held so much behind them.

"Yes."

"But do you? Do you really trust me? No matter what?"

"That's not fair to ask of me, Finnley. But I can tell you this. Love holds no bounds. It's not like if you told me you've done something horrible that my heart will instantly stop loving you. Of all people, you should know that love doesn't work that way."

The room was so quiet I could hear the wind brushing against the window, creating a low howl in the night.

"I've had too much to drink. I'm saying stupid things," he said.

"A drunk man's truths are a sober man's lies."

"I shouldn't have drunk so much at the club. I shouldn't have had those fucking shots."

Finnley fell back on the bed and closed his eyes. Then he began to speak, "When my wife died, I didn’t think I could ever go on without her. She was my world, my everything; all I could see was her and me, and me and her. We are never guaranteed another day. Tomorrow may never come for either of us." He turned his head and looked at me.

I had moved to the window and was staring out into the darkness. I watched him in the reflection, then turned to him.

He looked at me with everything he was, seeing everything I was. "When I found you, it was like someone had lit a match inside me, temporarily pushing away the darkness and loneliness that had taken over. I never expected to feel that again. Sometimes it scares the shit out of me, because you're so easy to love. Love isn't easy, though. It's tough. We both know that. There will be things about me that you won't like. I've watched horrible things happen to people, people who deserved it, and some who didn't. Abbot . . .  he brought us to the lion's den. You do realize that, don't you?"

"He was trying to protect us," I reminded him.

A broken laugh fell from Finnley's mouth. "Baxtor tried to steal my wife from me. I never forgave him. He is the type of man who takes what he wants, whether a woman wears a ring or not."

All the pieces seemed to fall into place. His anger and hatred stemmed from his past. Finnley would go to the extreme for me, and I'm sure not much had changed. Love made people say and do stupid things, even violent things, and the heart never forgot. A ten-year-old grudge made sense.

I moved to the edge of the bed and placed my hand on his upper thigh. He grabbed my arm and pulled me down beside him. Gently, I ran my fingers through his hair, and soon we were closing our eyes and kissing, the types of kisses that stemmed from pain and hurt, and I wanted to take it all away from him. We were two broken people, hoping our shattered pieces could mend and create some sort of happiness. Finnley held me tightly in his arms until we fell asleep. Today had been long and stressful, and I was more than happy to forget it had ever happened.

FINNLEY

Twelve

I woke to the sound of revving motorcycles and hard pounding on the door. Jennifer and I shot out of bed, neither of us ever having fallen into that realm of sleep where rest existed. For a moment, I was disoriented, and it took me a few seconds to realize I was at the compound. My head pounded like someone had hammered nails into my skull.

"Who is it?" I asked, walking to the door. My throat was dry, and I would have done anything for a glass of cold water.

"Abbot."

I unlocked the door, and Abbot slipped inside the room. Jennifer looked out the window. When I glanced over, I could see the taillights of the motorcycles traveling fast down the dirt road. The party must have ended.

"The cops are here. We need to get the fuck out while we can. They are making arrests, and the last thing either of you need is to be linked to any of this," Abbot said. He locked the door, then moved across the room, past Jennifer, and opened the window. "Out." He pointed.

Jennifer turned and looked at me like Abbot had lost his mind, and for a moment, I thought he had.

"Get the fuck out, now. I'm going to wait a few minutes, unlock the door, and follow you. I've got keys to a few motorcycles in the garage."

I shot him a scowl, and he gave me one of those I-can't-help-it looks.

I crawled out the window behind Jennifer. The roof, for the most part, was flat, so we ducked around the corner and waited for Abbot to follow. After a few minutes, he did as promised. We walked around the house until we found a side that had very few windows, and we waited. Abbot peeked around the corner and kept watch. Sounds of crashing furniture and muffled yelling echoed through the house. Jennifer and I pressed our backs against the adobe walls and watched the sun rise over the treetops. She rested her head under my chin and wrapped her arms around my waist. My head pounded with the beat of my heart.

Abbot whistled and waved us over. We followed him back into the bedroom. The dresser had been tipped over and clothes had been thrown from the closet onto the floor. The pictures of motorcycles had been ripped from the walls.

Abbot poked his head out of the room and quickly looked around. "Let's go," Abbot said, and we followed him down the creaking stairs. The entire house had been turned upside down. Abbot threw me a pair of keys, and we made our way to the garage.

"Felton," a familiar voice said. My blood seemed to pump faster upon hearing the rasp of Baxtor's voice. The man had no soul, no regret, and didn't feel remorse for anything. All he knew was revenge. I slowly turned and looked into dangerous, dark eyes.

"Jesse. I'm going to find that bitch and kill her myself," he growled.

I narrowed my eyes at him, confused.

"She caused this shit. Planted cocaine on one of my boys. The cops jumped at the chance of finding drugs at the compound. That cunt bitch. I'm going to track her down and skin her alive."

Jennifer's eyes widened.

"I'll find her first," Abbot said.

"She's a dead bitch walking," Baxtor said. "Dead. Bitch. Walking. Don't take the bikes. Your car is here." He reached into his pocket and handed me the keys. I looked down at them, then up at him.

"Nothing like a common enemy to bring two people together. You aren't still holding that grudge, are you?" Baxtor taunted me.

I balled my hand into a fist. The pain from last night coursed up my arm as each one of my swollen knuckles cracked.

"My offer still stands, Jennifer," Baxtor said, and that was the last thing I remembered.

Anger swallowed me whole and spat me out. Then the next thing I knew, my fist was in the air and my knuckles were connecting with his face. All control was lost. He threw punches back, and somehow got his hands around my neck. I gasped for air, kicking and struggling to get free so I could continue unleashing my anger. Abbot pushed Baxtor off me.

We were heaving for air, both of us. Jennifer stood with her hands over her worried face, and when Baxtor and I went back in for round two, Abbot stood between us, yelling, "Fucking stop it. This is enough. You both want the same thing."

I shook my head, knowing damn well we weren't on the same team and our goals were on two different ends of the spectrum.

Baxtor spit on the floor, blood mixed with saliva. "You're a fucking psycho, Felton. Always have been. Always will be."

"You tend to bring out the worst in people, Bax. Always have, always will."

We moved around Abbot, determined to finish had been started years ago. I saw a flash of metal, and Abbot charged Baxtor, just fast enough to grab a fistful of hair and place the knife at his throat. Baxtor's mood soured as he stood completely still.

"You two need to call a truce. It's been over a fucking decade. Let's end this now," Abbot said.

Anger swirled in Baxtor's eyes. Was it possible I saw a hint of regret there as well? If so, it wasn't because he actually regretted trying to steal my wife, but regretted that Abbot had the upper hand. He couldn't escape this one. A grin snuck onto my face and I narrowed my eyes at him. His chest heaved with every careful breath he took. I glanced over at Abbot, knowing how skilled he was with a blade, knowing that he would kill Baxtor right here if I made the call.

I should do it.

I seriously contemplated it.

Time stood still.

"I knew you weren't like us. You never could finish people off. You were a pussy, no matter what anyone did to you, and I don't think you've changed at all in ten years," Baxtor said.

Abbot tightened his grip on Baxtor's hair and pulled his head back, exposing his neck.

"Unfortunately for you, I'm not Finnley," Abbot said.

"True, very true," I said. "Why did you do it, Baxtor? Why did you try to steal the only woman I loved? Why did you tell her terrible things about me? Fucking why?"

It was a stare-off.

"I wanted to know she was loyal to you. Loyalty helps keep relationships strong. If you can't trust them before you marry them, then why would you trust them afterwards? She loved you, Finnley. She would have never taken my offer." He hung his head low and truth flashed in his eyes as his shoulders slumped. Baxtor lived and killed over loyalty. I should have realized his tactics long ago. The man didn't show a sign of weakness, nor did he tell his truths. Part of me didn't understand why he would tell me now. Because it was the truth and time had passed? The grudge had to stop now.

My insides felt like they were melting in on themselves. My heart was crushing. For years, I’d hated a man for nothing. I glanced over at Jennifer, then back at Abbot.

"Let him go," I said.

Abbot questioned me.

"Yes, let him go."

I felt like I was losing myself, losing everything I was. There were too many emotions streaming through me, which I hadn't felt in years. When Baxtor talked about Jackie, all I could remember was that feeling of loss from the day she died. Six years. Six long years, and still to this day, it pained me. With Jennifer, I was learning to be stronger, but losing someone was something that the heart never forgot.

Abbot let go of Baxtor, and I turned and walked away. I didn't want to look at him again. I wanted to forget it had all happened. My face stung from being punched by ringed fingers. If it weren't for feeling pain, maybe I wouldn't have felt anything at all.

Jennifer caught up to me and laced her fingers with mine.

"I'll find Jesse, Finnley," Baxtor yelled as we walked away. "I'm going to find her and make her my bitch."

JENNIFER

Thirteen

I had to see my parents' house and visit their graves before going back to Vegas. Finnley booked a last minute reservation at a hotel in Port Arthur. No penthouse suites awaited us, just the regular, two-star hotels that lined Highway 69. We drove through Baytown and down the boring road that was hugged by pastures of nothing. I always hated driving this way, but it was quicker than going around, so I didn't complain. Men on motorcycles followed us, and Abbot stayed close behind us. Would this be my life now? Would I always have an entourage?

The GPS said we would be there in less than ten minutes. Finnley placed his hand on my leg and squeezed. Everything would be fine, his touch assured, and I had no reason to believe otherwise. We turned down Pure Atlantic and made another turn until we were on the road that held my childhood home. A thick heaviness weighed on me as we turned onto the paved driveway and slowed up to the front of the house. Christmas lights still lined the porch, and lighted wreaths were neatly placed on every window. Finnley came around and opened my door, then grabbed my hand and led me up the stairs.

"It's going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay," he whispered.

We opened the door, and Mrs. Becky Hanley, the woman who had purchased my childhood home and had turned it into a bed and breakfast, greeted me with a huge grin and a hug. It felt good to be home.

"We made space for you when we got the call from Finnley that you wanted to come home and see the house all decorated for Christmas. I'm happy you're here, hunny. It's good to see you back."

"Thanks, Mrs. Hanley. I appreciate you all being so accommodating to me and my fiancé."

Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open as she laid eyes on Finnley. I smuggled a little chuckle. He grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles. He was really bringing out the British charm. I couldn't help but admire the small things about him—the way he shot little side grins to older women, or how his hair sat messily on his head. He shot me a wink when he noticed I was staring, and all I could do was smile. Finnley was mine.

"I'd like to thank you again for making room for us, Mrs. Hanley. We have reservations already but would love to stay if it won't be too much of a hassle for you," he said, his voice thick and sweet like chocolate.

"Oh. Oh. It is no problem. I'm happy you're both here," she said quickly then handed us the key to our room. "You'll be staying in the old guest room."

The house looked like Christmas had exploded inside. Tinsel, white lights, mistletoe, and garland hugged the walls and stairs, and I loved it. Finnley squeezed my shoulder, then stepped outside and went straight to Abbot's car. The motorcycles lined the driveway. Mrs. Hanley peeked out the window then glanced back at her husband.

"You've got a parade following you, hun," she said.

My face flooded with heat, and I could only imagine what she thought of me at that moment. People didn't often have an entourage in Port Arthur.

I released a small chuckle. "Yeah, some of Finnley's friends insisted on giving us fanfare in celebration of our engagement," I said. What a stupid lie.

Finnley headed up the steps of the porch with our suitcases in tow. He met me at the stairs with a smile. I gave Mrs. Hanley a hug and thanked her again for allowing us to stay, and then we made our way up the stairs. The extra bedroom was the second door on the right. It was the spare room my parents had kept for visiting guests. I sucked in a deep breath and opened the door, expecting it to be exactly how I had left it, but that was wishful thinking. The room was completely different, down to the renewed wooden floors and vaulted ceilings with recessed lighting. The walls were a cream yellow and gave just enough brightness to remind me of the flowers that grew in the pastures during spring. This was home, and though it didn't look the same, I had missed it. My breath was unsteady. The ache in my heart slowly faded and was replaced with a sliver of happiness. I was here, and I would enjoy it while I could.

Finnley leaned our suitcases against the wall and slowly shut the door.

"I'm going to meet with Abbie while I'm here," I said, knowing that it was something that I had to do. It was hard not calling her on Christmas. It had been hard not having her in my life. It was time to make amends, no matter the mistakes she had made. Images of her and Finnley flashed through my mind but I pushed them away. Time healed wounds, and if I could forgive the person who had killed my parents, I could forgive her lapse of judgment. She was my best friend and the closet thing to family I had left.

"I think it's a good idea." Finnley placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed, releasing the built up tension.

We both stood there, not saying a word. Sometimes talking wasn't necessary. Sometimes words didn't need to be said. I walked to the window and looked out. The pastures seemed to go on for miles. The crispy flat grass was still greener than anything in Vegas. I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed Abbie's number. I dreaded making the call, but it had to be done. No more dodging. She didn't answer, so I left a message and hoped she would call me back.

After a few seconds, she did. "Jenn, babe, is that you?"

"I'm home. Can we meet for coffee like old times?"

"Is everything all right?"

"Yes, everything is fine. I just want to get together with you. I leave tomorrow, and there are things I need to talk about. I need to see you in person. None of this phone bullshit," I said.

"Okay. Yeah. Sure. No problem. I'll meet you. Now?"

"Now would be good." I hung up the phone and placed it in my pocket. Finnley leaned against the door and stared at me. I held out my hand for him to give me the keys.

He shook his head. "I'm not letting you go alone," he said.

"Why? I'm capable of driving myself," I said.

"You are. But I can't let you. It isn't safe. If something were to happen to you and I wasn't there to stop it . . . I couldn't live with myself. I'll drive you. I won't go in with you, but I have to know that you're safe."

I sucked in a deep breath. "Does Jesse know we are here, at the house?"

"I'm not sure, but we need to leave first thing tomorrow for Vegas."

For all I knew, Jesse was on her way to making my nightmares a reality.

I threw on the hoodie and blue jeans that were tucked deep in the bottom of the suitcase, then I laced up a pair of old tennis shoes and walked out the door. Finnley followed behind me. Abbot sat in a Range Rover outside with the seat leaned back. I glanced at him, then back at Finnley.

"Is he going to sleep out here all night?"

Finnley opened my door, and I slipped inside. "Probably. He said he wasn't leaving. I'm not going to argue with him."

He started the car and I gave him the address. Finnley and fast cars seemed to go together. When he drove fast, he was in his element—calm, cool, and in control. I tilted my head and watched him as he switched lanes and weaved through traffic. Soon, we were exiting and heading toward the green sign with the mermaid. I almost forgot Abbot was following close behind until I saw the reflection of the Rover in the Starbucks's windows. Abbie's Mustang convertible was in the parking lot. She was already here.

Nervousness coated me. We hadn't seen each other since she'd left Vegas. So much had changed. Finnley squeezed my shoulder and gave me a smile. I couldn't help but stare at the plumpness of his bottom lip and how his teeth rested in the crease when he smiled. I made eye contact with him then swallowed, trying to drum up courage, and stepped out of the car. Abbot rolled down the window and waved Finnley over. He walked around the back of the car, and jumped into the Range Rover with Abbot. I could only imagine what they were discussing. I took one last look at them before stepping inside Starbucks.

The smells of freshly ground coffee beans and heaven filled my nose. Most of the tables were taken, but that was normal. I searched around and saw the back of Abbie almost immediately. She was sitting in the table we always sat at, with two cups of coffee. Almost as if she felt my eyes on the back of her head, she turned around and smiled. I smiled back. She always arrived before me and ordered our coffees. It was easy to fall back into the old routine with her.

For a moment it really did feel like old times, like I had never gone to Vegas, and we were meeting like we did every weekend. It would almost be easier to go back to that. Life seemed simpler then, or maybe I had been too naïve to notice its complexity. I had learned so much about people in the past few months. I steadied my breathing and walked to her. She greeted me with a huge hug and a smile, and we sat. She was trying. Honestly, I thought it would be more awkward, that I wouldn't know what to say, but after the ice was broken, my nerves calmed.

Abbie sipped her coffee and asked me all sorts of general questions: when I was leaving, how long I had been in town, how life was.

"I don't know how to say this," I said. My voice was quiet, and for once, I was happy the machines, chatter, and music were loud. Her eyes searched my face, and I felt as though she were reading me like a book. Not much got past her either. Funny how I surrounded myself with that type of person.

"I'm afraid for my life," I said, finally admitting something I had never spoken out loud.

She licked her pink lips and leaned in closer to me, then she grabbed my hands and squeezed. Her eyes searched my face. "What is going on?"

"Jesse. She's a psycho bitch. She's jealous of Finnley and me. She wants me dead, and I keep having horrible nightmares that she finds me and does exactly that. I'm scared. I felt like I needed to see you just incase—"

"Don't you dare say it, Jennifer. Don't you fucking dare even speak that into existence. Finnley isn't going to let anything happen to you. He won't." She squeezed my hands and gave me a small smile. I'm not sure whether she believed her own words.

My emotions were in overdrive, and the urge to cry overcame me, but I didn't. I had to be strong. As a child, I was taught that crying was a sign of weakness. It was something that girls did, as if being a girl were a bad thing. I didn't want to be weak then, and I didn't want to be weak as an adult. The stigma of crying seemed to have followed me through life, and during times when crying was okay, when it was necessary to let emotions fully take over, I had refused it. I had denied that release and by keeping it bottled up. Eventually, when I did allow myself to fully give in to my feelings, I had doubted they would be able to stop, that my tears flow like a faucet with a stripped seal and never stop pouring. I swallowed it down and pushed it back, again.

"I've got something to tell you too," Abbie said. Her eyes darted around the room as if she were checking something. If someone had looked over at us, we would have looked like two grown women telling secrets, but it was much more than that. Much more was at stake.

"A woman came looking for you. She didn't say much. I'm not sure how she found me, but she asked a few questions," Abbie said.

My mouth fell open and I whispered, "Jesse."

"She didn't give her name, but I've never seen her before. She said she was related to you and asked where you were. She mentioned she had visited your house."

I closed my eyes to try and take control of the rollercoaster of emotions. Jesse was telling people she was related to me to learn more about me. She had stooped to a level so low, so despicable, and I had to tell Finnley and Abbot as soon as possible. What if she was at the house, staying in one of the rooms at this very minute? My paranoia kicked into overdrive.

"She seemed really nice and genuine," Abbie said.

"Most psychos do, Abbie. She is a dangerous woman. She will not stop until I'm dead. I'm not kidding when I say this. I am in danger, and I'm scared for myself, and for anyone who knows me. So you have to be careful. I'm not fucking kidding. She could have killed you."

Abbie looked at me, completely confused. "This woman didn't look like she would hurt a fly."

"What exactly did she look like?"

"Brown hair, skinny. She kind of had the same frame and look as you. You know, like you could be sisters or something."

My heart pounded. It was true that Jesse and I were around the same height and weight, and I supposed we sort of looked alike and had similar bone structure. If she had dyed her hair from blonde to brown, then I could almost see the resemblance.

"Come with me to Vegas. You can move into my old townhouse and I can provide protection. I have to make sure you're safe. I need to know that she won't hurt you. You're the closest thing to family that I have left."

Abbie tilted her head at me, and shot me a smile, shaking her head.

"I can't, Jenn. I've got too much going on. Plus, Mom hasn't been doing too well. I need to stay here in case she needs me. Don’t worry about me. But Jenn, please forgive me for what I did. I know it's not the same as it used to be between us. I'm sorry for everything I said and for everything I did," she said.

"I should have told you about how I felt about Finnley. I shouldn't have lied, but you shouldn't have believed me either. We will make it through this. I'm just worried about you. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you. Please come to Vegas," I said, pleading. I knew she saw the fear and worry in my eyes.

"You acted like you were happy being single. You dodged my questions about him. You were convincing in your demonization of him. But it was still my mistake, one that I’ll have to live with. I should have never pursued him, and if I could go back in time and do it all differently, I would. I love you like a sister. We've been through everything together, and I can't stand the thought of losing you over my ridiculous lapse in judgment. I'm sorry. I want your friendship back. I miss you," she said.

I realized I should have told her the truth about my feelings instead of hiding them. She was my best friend, the closest person to me, the one who had been through hell and back with me.

"I forgive you," I whispered.

She squeezed my fingers, and I noticed tears streaming down her face.

"It's okay," I said trying to calm her.

"I can't help the tears. I regret what I did so much. I'm so sorry." She placed her hands over her face and quietly cried it out.

"I know, Abbie. We’re friends for life regardless. Nothing happened. We have to move forward with our relationship. But while you are here, I have to know you're safe. If you feel like you're in danger, please call me. Seriously."

Abbie wiped the tears from her eyes and slowly opened her coat jacket. Inside, I saw the handle of a gun. My mouth fell open for the second time that day, and my eyes widened. "You're packing?"

"Got my concealed carry license. Can never be too prepared. So please, don't worry about me. I'm going to be fine. You will too," Abbie said in a soft voice.

Abbie checked her watch then looked at me. "I don't want to leave, but I have to bring Mom dinner by eight. If you want, you can come with me. It will be fun. I promise."

"I shouldn't. Tell Mom I said hi and that I miss her. I promise once life settles down, I'm coming home and staying for a month. When I lived here, I hated it. I just wanted to get away. Now that I'm away, I just want to come home. They say home is where the heart is, but that's shit. Home will always be here in this crappy little town with nothing to do. Home will always be here, but my heart is in Vegas and with Finnley. I can't live without him."

"You have to live, Jenn. Home will always be here when you want to visit. You're finally living and you're in love. It's one of the most beautiful things to witness. Enjoy it."

She stood and so did I. She gave me a hug, then walked out the door. I hadn't even taken a sip of my coffee. I grabbed it and brought it with me. Then I noticed Abbie had stopped at the Range Rover, so I picked up my pace. She glanced over at me and smiled before she walked to her car. Abbot sat there in the seat with a devilish grin slapped across his face.

"What the fuck was that?" I asked.

"Your friend's hot. I was just complimenting her," Abbot said.

"No. That's off-limits."

"Nothing is off-limits for me." He chuckled, and I rolled my eyes as he rolled up the window.

I slipped inside the BMW before I could slap that smile from Abbot's face.

Finnley started the car and shook his head at me while laughing. "You let him get to you too much. He knows that, so he makes sure to keep doing it."

"Sometimes he's so aggravating."

"That's Abbot. You'll learn to love him though. When he's not killing people, he's actually a pretty nice guy."

"Oh God. You say it so simply, like being a monster is normal."

He lifted his eyebrow at me and slammed on the gas. "Baggage comes with being the leader of the gang of London. If it's between us and someone else, he will always choose our safety. Have you ever heard the saying 'there is no free lunch'? It's the basic principle of economics, and well, it's true in all aspects. Nothing is free. Ever. Someone is paying for it somewhere. Abbot pays with his freedom."

JENNIFER

Fourteen

The sun had fallen behind the trees and its orange glow filled the sky. When it looked like this, it reminded me of early morning. We rode in silence, so the sounds of the road and revs of the engine filled the car. I looked in the side mirror and saw Abbot following our every lane change until we were exiting toward the house. An emotion bubbled inside me, one that meant change was coming, and soon it would completely boil over. When I caught sight of the Christmas lights, a smile touched my lips. From the end of the driveway, one could see the twinkling ten-foot Christmas tree through the open bay windows. I loved the way the house looked.

Finnley came around and opened my door. I grabbed my coffee and walked over to Abbot. When I knocked on the window, he narrowed his eyes at me. We had somehow acquired some weird brother and sister relationship. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Abbie said Jesse was going around asking questions about me. That she dyed her hair brown. I warned her to be careful, but . . ." I really didn't want to ask the next part, but I knew I had to. I turned and faced Finnley, then Abbot. "Can you make sure she's okay and that nothing horrible happens to her? I just . . . I would blame myself."

If anyone could protect Abbie, it was Abbot. The man was a warrior.

Finnley gave Abbot a nod, and Abbot gave me a small smile.

"Consider it taken care of," Abbot said, then turned the running lights off on the Rover.

"Thank you," I whispered to Finnley. I glanced at him, then turned and looked out from the porch. Home. Randomly, I thought about the sounds of summer and how I missed them. I'd sat on that porch countless times growing up. I'd cried, laughed, and mourned on those steps. The chill of the night air spread across my arms. Finnley opened the front door and waited for me with a sexy smirk on his face.

When I stepped inside, he grabbed my arm and pulled me close. Our lips gently brushed up against each other's.

"I love watching you get lost in your thoughts. Sometimes I wish I knew what you were thinking," he whispered, and the softness of his voice carried me away to another place. Soft, sensitive Finnley still caught me off guard, and at times, it was hard for me to comprehend. I expected him to be an ass every hour of the day, exchanging pointless banter with me, but that wasn't him. What we had now was miles away from senseless fucking. It was different. It was love.

"And I'm sorry for this weekend," he said.

I pushed away from him, then looked into his glimmering green eyes and knew he'd meant it.

"Whoa. No. Don't you dare be sorry. As long as I'm with you, nothing else matters. Nothing. Do you understand?"

"I'll make this up to you, even if it's the last thing I do."

The low-lights spread across the room, and all was quiet. I leaned against the front door and crossed my arms. Finnley moved toward me, erasing the space between us. He laced his fingers with mine and brought my hand above my head. The warmth of our breaths swirled between us, then our mouths went into attack mode. I closed my eyes and fully took in the softness of his lips on mine. Each movement was slow, precise, and full of so much love. His tongue traced my mouth as if he were trying to memorize it. I almost lost it when Finnley sucked and nibbled on my bottom lip, then swept his hand down the side of my face and lifted my chin upward. He forced me to stare into his eyes. When I did, nothing mattered because I fell and got lost with him. Could I be stuck in a dream? Was this really my life? What had I done to deserve this?

Lightly, he brushed his lips across mine like the soft tips of butterfly wings and ended the kiss with a smile on my mouth. My heart fluttered, and a knot of want tied in the pit of my stomach. Forcefully, I slipped my fingers in the loops of his pants and pulled him as close as he could get. The smell of his body, his soap, and the faint hint of cologne whisked me away. Finnley was all man and all mine.

He bent down and bit my neck, causing bursts of fireworks and pain to shoot through me. I ran my fingers through his hair and pulled his face to mine. "You keep on with that and you might regret it."

"No, Ms. Downs. I'll never regret anything with you, ever," he said.

"Call me Ms. Downs while you can, Mr. Felton." I smirked and he tried to kiss it away. Finnley grabbed my hand and led me up the stairs that no longer squeaked. I smiled thinking about how the house had changed but the memories of the little things were still there.

We walked into the bedroom, and I heard the click of the door locking.

"One day you'll be Mrs. Felton. When that happens, I'll be the happiest man alive," Finnley said. His voice was husky, low, and full of sex appeal, want, and need. He unbuttoned his shirt, and I stared at his sculpted abs and the pink wound from where the gunshot had grazed his side. I moved to him and gently brushed my hand against his side.

"Does it hurt?"

"Yes. But losing you would have hurt more."

I exhaled a deep breath through my mouth, then wrapped my arms around him and hugged his waist.

Finnley removed his shoes and socks, and lay on the bed. I undressed down to my underwear and bra, and he grabbed my hand and pulled me close to him. I laid my head on his bare shoulder and rested my arm over his stomach. With light fingers, he traced circles on the outside of my arm. Being with him like this made me feel alive, like a bird with its wings spread, soaring through summer clouds, free from the shackles that had once held me down. Everything I had ever wanted was mine. Just the thought of him, even though he was right beside me, stole extra beats of my heart.

Finnley propped himself up on one arm, brushed his fingers across my stomach, and trailed them up between my breasts. His touch was as sweet as his words.

"What are you doing to me?" I whispered.

"Loving you with everything I am."

He leaned over and kissed my shoulder. His long eyelashes brushed the tops of his cheeks.

"I love you, Finn."

"I love you more, Jenn."

The next morning, we woke with a start. No nightmares had ruined my sleep. I hadn't had one in days. I packed my things and set my suitcase by the door. We were due back at the airport in the afternoon, but before we left, I had one thing I had to do.

"Can we go to my parents' graves, please?"

"Of course," Finnley said as he zipped up the suitcase. We gathered everything and walked downstairs, where Mr. and Mrs. Hanley were serving a full breakfast to their guests. She lifted her head and smiled, trying to wave us over. She walked into the hallway, wiping her hands on her apron, and insisted that we eat.

"Thank you so much, but we really have to get going," I said.

She handed Finnley and me a muffin each, gave us hugs, wished us safe travels, and demanded we come back soon.

"Thank you, Mrs.," Finnley said. British charm.

The temperature had dropped even more, and I shivered as soon as I walked outside. Finnley had started the car from inside with the key, so it was warm. I looked down the driveway and saw the Rover in the distance. Abbot must have slept there all night.

Though the cemetery was just a mile down the road, it felt as though it were cities away. The clouds were death, doom, and destruction, and I knew that we would be having one of those signature Texan thunderstorms, where the sky wept and filled the streets with rain all within a few minutes.

Finnley pulled in the driveway, and I pointed to where he should park. Abbot pulled in behind us and got out of the Rover, but Finnley shooed him away. This was a private matter, and he knew that. Abbot stayed leaning against the dark blue Range Rover.

My parents were buried under an oak tree that stayed green throughout the year. I always thought it was so morbid that they knew where they would be buried, but now I understood. It was almost comforting to know. My heart raced when we made our way down the pathway.

When we made it to the tree, I gasped. Heaviness so smothering weighed down on me when I saw my parents' headstones turned over and cracked. Tears of anger, question, and disgust streamed down my face. Who would do such a thing? Finnley wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"Who . . .  who would do such a terrible thing?" My voice was small as I pushed with everything I could to talk. I couldn't handle what I was seeing. I dropped to my knees and covered my face with my hands.

"Mom and Dad. I'm so sorry. This is my fault." I felt like I had lost them all over again.

Finnley balled his hands into fists, and when I looked at him through tear-filled eyes, I could see the anger streaming through him. His nostrils flared, and he was grinding his teeth.

"Fucking Jesse," he said more to himself than to me. "I'm going to fix this."

I felt like the sky. I felt like letting it all pour out, flooding the streets to the point of not being able to see. Finnley held me close as we walked back to the car. Abbot shook his head and gave me sad eyes. Finnley and I got inside the car, and he slammed the door behind him.

In July, I had ran away from Texas. I could admit that now.

Seeing their headstones in pieces awoke an anger inside me that I had never experienced before. Ripples of rage shot through me, and I wanted revenge. No longer would I run from my problems; instead, I would go after them head on.

FINNLEY

Fifteen

We made it to Houston in record time, despite the traffic that filled I-10 at all times of the day. My anger fueled how fast I drove, and I was surprised Abbot was able to keep up with all the lane changes and accelerations. But then again, he was an expert when it came to car chases. The rental company allowed us to drop off our cars and gave us a shuttle to the private hangar that I had rented for the weekend.

Jennifer hadn't said a word since we had left Port Arthur. She had sealed herself completely shut, and I refused to push her to talk about it. The look on her face killed me, and I felt myself being destroyed from the inside out. The urge to protect her, and to somehow take her pain away, gnawed at me. I never wanted to see her look so broken again, and I would make sure I stayed true to that. My heart couldn't handle it. I couldn't handle it. Someone had destroyed her parents' place of rest out of pure disrespect, and I had no doubt in my mind that it was Jesse. She was an evil, vindictive bitch like that.

I opened the door to the plane and held my hand out for Jennifer. I gave her a smile, and she gave me a sad one in return. Abbot climbed in the back, and soon we were making our way down the runway. It hadn't started raining yet, but I knew it would at any moment, which always made flying more interesting.

Once we were in the air, I grabbed Jennifer's hand and squeezed it. She had to know that she wasn't alone in this, and that I was there for her. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back on the seat. We continued forward through the rain and turbulence, but I had learned to fly through this shit and enjoyed the challenge. Though challenges usually got me in trouble.

Abbot spoke, almost in a whisper, and pulled me from my thoughts. "They've tracked her down, ya know."

Jennifer's eyes shot open, and she turned to look at Abbot.

"Her phone has been traced and was last seen in Arizona. It's believed that she went to Port Arthur, stopped in Houston, spotted you all, tried to do everything in her power to fuck you up, and is now driving back to Vegas. She's also in a rental car. And I've gotten word from Baxtor that she's recruiting men, paying them large amounts of money. Finnley, when we get back, I need you to check everything you can at the office to make sure she isn’t funneling money. There is no way she can pay for all of this, and it sickens me to think that you're paying for your own demise."

I closed my eyes and massaged my eyelids. "Thank you, Abbot. I'm planning to go back to work tomorrow. There are several things at the office that can't wait."

Jennifer looked at me. I hated telling her this way, but she had to know that I couldn't stay home.

"Abbot will be with you at all times," I said.

She leaned her head back and closed her eyes.

"I'm not that bloody annoying," Abbot said, almost offended.

I stifled a laugh. "You can be."

She was now officially closed tight.

We flew through a patch of turbulence that felt like it would rip the wings off the plane. I thought I heard Abbot release a high-pitched scream, and I burst into laughter. One of the scariest, most frightening men I knew screamed like a girl.

"You're scaring the shit out of me," Abbot said.

"Nature is scaring the shit of you, not me."

Soon the view opened up to blue skies and wisps of clouds. The storm was behind us, but somehow I felt like I was flying straight into it. After hours of silence and flying, we approached the airport. I gave the calls and was given permission to land. It was always my favorite part of flying—landing and taking off—because at that point, I really felt like I was in control. I loved being in control in all aspects. I supposed that was why I hated being a target; when I was in the line of fire, I had very little control.

Jennifer had fallen asleep but soon awoke when we landed. Everything felt wrong. A sad tug pulled at my heart, and I had to fix it. The weekend was officially a failure. No matter what I tried to do, no matter how much I tried to make her happy, it all seemed to fall through. I supposed that was my luck, and I was a bit perturbed by that.

The hangar waited with the sliding door open, and I pulled in. We were soon unloading the bags from the plane and then walking toward the car. The keys waited on a hook by the door. One of the garage managers locked up, and I watched in the rearview mirror as he closed the sliding door. I reached my hand over, interlocked my fingers with Jennifer's, and squeezed.

She continued to stare out the window.

My heart crushed when I thought about everything that had happened.

I watched her unwind as we pulled into the driveway of the house. Luke's Volvo was parked in the driveway, along with other random vehicles that belonged to Abbot's men. Liam, Abbot's right-hand man, had stayed behind and taken charge while he was in Texas.

A small smile touched my lips when I saw her shoulders fully relax. This may not be the house she had grown up in, but it was a place where she felt safe, a place where no one would hurt her, and that was enough for now. You can take a girl out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the girl's heart. I'd learned that.

The sun set over the mountains and a rusty color filled the sky.

We walked inside, and Luke stood from the couch. His eyes met mine, then slid to Jennifer. She gave him a small smile, then headed up the stairs without saying a word. After a minute, I heard the door click shut.

"Fuck," I said.

"What's wrong? I've never seen her like that before. Are you okay?" Luke asked.

"They're fine. Pissed though," Abbot said. He took his leather jacket off, threw it on the back of the couch, and stretched.

"I've got to take care of this. I'm sorry. Abbot can fill you in," I said. I walked to Luke and gave him a huge hug, then made my way up the stairs.

I wanted her to know that it was okay to be upset and that crying didn't mean she was weak.

FINNLEY

Sixteen

I walked inside the bedroom, where she was curled into a ball on the bed. She didn't acknowledge that I had entered. Slowly, I climbed onto the bed and wrapped my arms around her, then pulled her against my warm body. With care, I brushed her hair from her neck and rested my chin against her warm skin. She inhaled deeply.

"I love you, Jennifer. If you don't want to talk, I understand, but I want you to know that I'm always here for you. You don't have to put up a front for me. It's okay to be yourself and feel how you feel."

She rolled over until her face was inches from mine. The puffiness around her eyes gave away her faded tears. I brushed my thumb against her cheek, leaned in, and kissed her. She poured her emotions into the kisses, but she still hadn't said a word. Warmth from her body covered me.

"Finnley." Her voice was hoarse from not speaking. I had waited hours for her to talk, though I knew she eventually would. The look in her eyes and the slump in her shoulders screamed defeat.

"It was like I lost them all over again. I expected everything to stay exactly the way I had left them, but it seems each time I go back home, everything changes. It's one of the only constants in my life—change. My heart can only take so much. Seeing their headstones broken and on the ground like that did exactly what Jesse intended it to. It made me weak. My tears were those of anger, hate, and pain." She paused and sucked in a deep breath "I’m pissed and upset. And I just want it all to go away. I don't want to feel these emotions pulsing through me anymore. I don't."

"I wish I could take it all away." I wanted to pull her away from the shadows of her dark paradise.

"You can," she whispered.

I looked at her with hooded eyes. She knew I would do anything for her, anything she asked, and right now, Jennifer was the person in control. I would fold for her, lie down, and give her everything I was.

Her lips brushed across my neck and nibbled up to my mouth.

"Fuck the pain away," she whispered.

I ran my fingers through her hair and pulled her head back until she was forced to look into my eyes.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" I asked with warning in my tone. If I fully let myself go with her, I might not be able to stop.

"Fuck me like you hate me. Break me," she said.

When it came to Jennifer, I'd always tried to stay in control, but she wanted this, and if this would take her away her pain, I would give her everything I had.

"One condition," I said in a low voice in her ear.

Her eyes widened and she gasped as I pulled her hair harder.

"I'll give you all of me. But. If it becomes too much, you have to say so," I said.

"Yes, sir," she said.

I growled, and with a strong hand, I ripped her shirt from her body. Her breathing steadily increased, and I hovered over her. Brown eyes stared into mine. I dipped my head down and sunk my teeth into her shoulder, then kissed the pain away. She moved her hands to touch me, and I yanked them above her head, holding them by her wrists.

"You're under my control, Ms. Downs. You do what I say." For a moment, I thought I saw something flash behind her eyes—admiration. I swam in the sounds of her heavy breathing, and my heart picked up its pace. Carefully, I unsnapped her bra and inched her pants down, then I stood beside the bed and memorized her body as I removed my shirt and pants. Black lace panties hugged her hips, but they would be gone soon, torn straight off her body.

I lay down beside her and licked my way down to her nipple, then twirled it in my mouth and nibbled. She gasped and arched her back as my hand slid down to her pretty little panties. I put pressure on her clit, just enough to make her beg for more, then pulled my hand away. I loved teasing her to the point of annoyance before allowing her the release her body begged for.

I ran my hand over her belly button then dipped my hand inside her panties. She sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes, pushing herself into me. I tried with everything I had to hold back a grin of satisfaction. I slipped my fingers under the string that connected the panties to her body. With a quick twist of my fingers and a yank, they snapped, leaving marks on her upper thigh. She sighed as if the pain had opened some sort of entrance to her heart. Jennifer was chocolate in my hand, melting into syrup. Everything about her in this moment marked her as mine. Hands ran down my chest, and I growled at her. Instantly, she placed her hands back above her head. A shiver ran over her as my fingers moved up to her breasts and traced the softness of her skin. Light moans escaped her, while her breathing increased. She tucked her bottom lip into her mouth and lost herself in the moment. Beauty lay in front of me, with cream-colored skin and gorgeous curves. Never in my life had I seen anyone as sexy as Jennifer was right then, confident in her sexuality, taking every touch I gave her with greed.

I was not a weak man, but seeing her like this twisted a knot of want and need inside me that was so powerful, and the only person who could undo it was Jennifer. I gently grabbed her by her chin and her eyes flew open.

"I love you," I said, needing her to know, wanting her to hear those three powerful words in this exact moment. When she smiled, I knew my words had touched her heart.

"I love you too. Now fuck me." She ran her fingers through my hair and yanked me closer to her face. Our breaths mingled, and I couldn't hold back anymore. If this was what she wanted, this was what she would get.

She pushed me onto my back and took complete control. Slowly, she straddled me and took all of me. I sighed, and so did she. Fingernails scratched down my chest as she moved her hips with forceful intention. She wildly swung her head back and whispered my name. Knowing I had to take control, I rolled her onto her back and switched positions. Then I gave her every bit of me, hard, just how she begged for it. At first her moans were soft, then with every long stroke they became more powerful.

She gave me her body, her heart, and herself. Words escaped me as my heart ached for her, even though I had her.

What was she doing to me?

Allowing me to fall in love, encouraging it even.

We were in love. We were together. We shared an emotion that couldn't be broken by anything other than death. Our hearts had intertwined, rooting to each other. I experienced emotions so controlling that I could have easily lost myself, and slowly, I was. The only thing I could blame was love, real love. The type that poets wrote about, artists sung about, and actors performed. Jennifer was my drug, and I had to have her as much as possible.

Though earlier she was at her lowest, right now, Jennifer was a bird soaring in the sky, piercing clouds with silky wings, losing everything that she was with me. She had changed. I had changed, but one thing was for certain: tomorrow would be a new day and no matter what happened, as long as we were together, we could handle it.

JENNIFER

Seventeen

Finnley hovered above me, his hard body pressed against mine. I needed to feel him, every inch of him. Red marks already lined his chest, and when he slowly pushed himself inside me, I ran fingernails down his back. He loved it. He loved me.

I leaned up and bit his shoulder as he pushed deeper, harder, and faster. All I could focus on was him, and how his hair fell in his face, and how fucking good I felt when he was inside me. My heart hammered and my body slowly let go of all stress from the inside out. It was just Finnley and me. Nothing mattered anymore. Nothing. He didn't stop fucking me hard. My moans climbed in pitch, and I became more passionate, wanting more and more of him, though he was giving me everything. He dipped his head down and pulled my nipple between his teeth.

"Oh fuck," I whispered, knowing exactly where this was going. I was an instrument that he was playing, strumming every chord in every scale. My eyes fluttered shut, and I pulled him closer. Our panting escaped us at the same time, and his body glistened with sweat. What had I done to deserve him?

Sometimes the little voice in the back of my head told me I didn't deserve him. The thought diminished when Finnley's lips pressed against mine. The way I felt was almost indescribable. My body was no longer mine. It was as if I had given it away, and I was floating in space, hovering where gravity didn't exist. I needed him more than even he knew.

He kissed me sweetly on the cheek, and I didn't know how much more of him I could take. The orgasm teetered, but Finnley wouldn't let me have what I wanted until he was ready. His movement slowed significantly, and I let out a huff of annoyance. A smile touched his lips, and I lifted my eyebrows at him.

He returned the gesture. "Do you need something, Ms. Downs?" he whispered in my ear then nibbled on the bottom of my earlobe.

Tingles shot through me. "You. More of you," I said then begged with my eyes.

He chuckled, then fucked me.

I gasped and completely lost myself in the orgasm. Moments later, he was letting go inside me. He was pure ecstasy, my own personal addiction.

Waves of satisfaction poured through me. I didn't know who I was or where I was, and I didn't care.

Every worry and every care I had experienced earlier was replaced with Finnley, and I wouldn't have it any other way. This was what I wanted, needed, and would have begged for had he told me no.

Finnley lay beside me and wrapped his arm around my stomach. I stared at the ceiling, gasping for air. Too many emotions streamed through my body, but the only one that stood out was the electricity that Finnley's touch left behind. Oh God. His body had taken me to another place, one that I hadn't visited in a while. He didn't look at me like he pitied me, but rather like he would save me, and he had. He had saved me from myself, from the darkness that haunted me. When Finnley unlocked his dominant side and took control the way he had, it made me want to beg for more, for more of him in the raw.

A smile touched my lips, and it wasn't lost on him. He gave me a side smirk, his bottom lip so full and sexy. He tilted his head at me. That man knew exactly what he was doing. How could he not?

We didn't just make love; we fucked, hard, and it was exactly what I needed. My eyes trailed from his eyes, to his lips, then down his abs to the sexy V that pointed to his hardness.

"Like what you see, Ms. Downs?"

I shook my head no, then smiled. "I love what I see, Mr. Felton."

I rolled over on my side and ran my hand down the side of his neck, then leaned in to kiss him. Our lips were at war with each other, fighting, despite how much we had experienced. He pulled away and met my eyes, and I felt so much emotion in his burning gaze. Want. Lust. Love. Then, as if an unseen force had pulled us together again, he leaned over and softly touched his mouth to mine, sucking on my bottom lip, and lightly tugging on it with his teeth.

"I'd do anything for you. You know that, don't you?"

I smiled. I could listen to him talk all night long with that accent. "Yes, and thank you. Sometimes I feel like you're a dream, and I'm going to wake up and this will all be gone. I'm so used to losing everything that I'm fearful you're next. This is all real, right?"

Finnley shot up in bed and turned toward me. "Baby, this is as real as it will ever be. I'm not going anywhere. Only death itself can separate us, Jenn. And death better put up a damn good fight."

There were days when I felt so lonely, but when I saw Finnley's face, it all disappeared. He made me want to be stronger. I knew that when we were together, nothing could harm me. It was comforting to know that no matter what, everything would be okay, guaranteed.

He held me in his arms and our bare skin stayed pressed against each other all night. I slept without nightmares, but with dreams.

JENNIFER

Eighteen

The next morning, I woke to lips pressing against my forehead. The early morning light glowed behind Finnley, and he almost looked like an angel. I didn't want this day to come, but I couldn't stop time.

"I don't want to leave you," he said. He was already dressed in black slacks and a white, button-up shirt. The tie hung around his popped collar.

I looked at him with sleepy eyes and smiled. "They will be happy to have you back at work," I said.

"I suppose." He climbed on the bed and streamed his fingers through my hair, then gently rested his hand on my neck and pulled me close. His soft lips pressed against mine, and I wanted to pull him into bed with me and never let him go. If I asked him to stay, I had no doubt he would, but I wouldn't do that. It wasn't me.

He checked his watch, adjusted his collar and tie, and glanced back at me. "I've got to go. Meet me for coffee and lunch. Eleven sharp." A smirk hit his lips, and I leaned up and kissed him one last time.

I watched him walk away, and before he closed the door, he spoke, "Abbot is officially your shadow. Not quite as sexy, but he will do." Then, as if he already knew my reaction, he laughed and clicked the door shut.

Finnley's pillow smelled like him, and I breathed in his scent. I lay perfectly still, with hopes of falling back to my dreams, but after a few more minutes, I realized it just wasn't happening. Might as well get up and start the day. I threw the covers off my body, then pulled on a pair of pants and boots, and threw on a button up shirt and a scarf from the closet. Once I put them on, I looked like I gave more fucks than I really did. As I brushed my teeth, the memories of last night floated through my mind. I remembered Finnley's skin, lips, and touch on me, and I wanted more. Before I left the room, I made the bed and picked up our clothes that littered the floor.

Downstairs, Abbot leaned back on the couch with his feet dangling off the edge. When my foot hit the bottom step of the stairs, he moved the book from in front of his face and glared at me.

"Shakespeare? Really?" I asked, reading The Works of William Shakespeare on the outside cover.

He slammed the book shut, set it on the coffee table, and sat up with a shit-eating grin on his face.

I narrowed my eyes at him, but it didn't change his reaction.

"Are you ready to be followed every single place you go?

Finnley had settled back in work, and was interviewing women for the spring convention. He texted me explaining how much his approach had changed, that it was nothing like it had been with me. It satisfied me to know that he didn't treat everyone with the same intensity. Apparently, I was a special case. I liked the thought of that.

I met him at a coffee shop down the street from the Elite office. Abbot sat in the car and waited like he always did. He was my new shadow, and a part of me was okay with that, considering how much of a monster he was at home. Finnley had told me stories. While those stories should frighten me, they didn't. They made me feel safe, and I think Abbot knew that.

I waited inside with a newspaper at our regular table, with his coffee and a ham and cheese croissant. He passed the window, tapped on it, and I looked up from the classifieds. He came inside and removed his jacket. The green in the tie matched his eyes perfectly.

He leaned over and kissed me on the mouth, then sat.

"You look beautiful, love," he said. His phone rang and he picked it up immediately.

"Sure. Yes. I'll be back in ten minutes. Tell her to wait there," he said.

I lifted my eyebrows and stared at him.

"I've got to go. Sorry, Jenn. It's really important." He stood and kissed me on the forehead, then left me there with two cups of hot coffee and sandwiches.

"It's okay."

"I'll make it up to you tonight," he said.

I looked out the window and made eye contact with Abbot.

He shrugged, and I waved for him to come in.

"No use letting it go to waste. Might as well join me," I said.

He sat down with a side grin and sipped the coffee.

"Oh, it's still warm. Thanks, Finnley," Abbot said into the cup. Curiosity got the best of me, and I wanted to know what was so important that he had left our lunch date so quickly?

We finished our croissants, and when we stood, I noticed Finnley's wool coat on the back of the chair. Abbot saw me staring at it and grabbed it.

"We are stopping by the Elite real quick," I said.

Abbot lifted an eyebrow at me, almost as if he knew I was up to something, but he didn't protest. I was sure he liked my antics.

We stepped outside. I looked up and down the sidewalk. Abbot put his arm around me and walked me to the driver's side. A car zoomed by, almost knocking him off his footing. My nerves went haywire.

"It's all right. Just some arsehole with no consideration. I'll drive," he said. I handed over the keys and walked around to the passenger side. My little V had barely been driven, and she still smelled like a new car. I ran my fingers across the dashboard and admired the embroidery on the seats, then sunk back into its comfort. Abbot knew exactly where we were going, and he drove fast, like he was on the open Autobahn. We arrived in less than five minutes. I got out of the car and grabbed the jacket, and he joined me inside.

I promptly walked to the elevator and pressed Finnley's floor. Abbot leaned against the wall and watched the arrows. It wasn't his first time at the Elite office.

Finnley's secretary greeted me and asked us to have a seat while Finnley was in his meeting. Abbot and I waited at least twenty minutes. I gripped Finnley's wool jacket so hard that my hand throbbed with pain. After another ten minutes, I walked right past her until I was eye-to-eye with the engraved golden plaque with Finnley's name elegantly written across it in script. I swallowed before opening the door.

Finnley sat on the edge of his desk and spoke with a woman with dark brown hair. For a moment, I thought it might be Lori. His face when I walked in—shocked; no other word could describe it. I had completely caught him off-guard.

"I thought I would bring you your coat," I said.

His mouth dropped open as the woman turned and looked at me.

Then my mouth dropped open. In front of me sat the spitting image of a younger version of my mother. It took a moment for me to find my words; there were too many stumbling through my mind, and I couldn't think straight.

"Who are you?" I asked. My voice was meek and trembled.

She stood, and so did Finnley.

I walked up to her. "Who are you?" I demanded, finding my confidence at the bottom of my core.

"Hi, Jennifer. I'm Cait. Caitlyn Jenson." She turned and looked at Finnley, then back at me.

"I didn't want it to happen this way. I wanted it to be different when I told you," she said.

"What are you talking about?"

"Jennifer"—she swallowed— "I’m your sister."

My world crashed down around me, and I temporarily lost my balance.

"You're lying. I don't have any siblings," I said.

Finnley lightly grabbed my arm and sat me down in the chair in front of his desk. My heart pounded so hard I couldn’t hear anything other than the beat. Finnley sat in the chair next to me and rubbed my back. His touch comforted me.

She waited until the shock wore off before she spoke. "Our parents had me when they were both sixteen and put me up for adoption. It was kept a secret. I only found out after I started researching my family tree and found out I was adopted. It took me years to find who my biological parents were and unfortunately, I was too late. While I was in Port Arthur, I found one of your old friends. Abigail, I think it was. I told her we were cousins. She didn't question me much. So here I am."

"I have no words. I-I—You . . . you were the one who met Abbie?"

Finnley continued to rub his hand across my back. "She called me and told me she was getting on a plane to Vegas. I had no choice. I was going to tell you tonight," Finnley said.

"I'm an only child. My parents had me when they were twenty. I was their first."

She held a sad smile and shook her head. Resentment flared and burned inside me. How could they not have told me this? They let their secret follow them to the grave. I had gone through everything in the house. I had no reason to believe that my parents had had another child. Nothing.

I stared out the window of his office. The clouds were gray and rain splashed against the glass, leaving streaks all the way down. Somehow, the universe knew exactly how I felt.

Deep down inside, I knew Caitlyn wasn't lying. The almond shapes of her eyes and the dimple in her cheek gave her away. She was my mother and father's daughter, and she looked so much like my mother that I ached for my parents. Unable to hold in my emotions any longer, tears streamed down my face. All of my life I had wanted a sibling. I had wanted someone to share my life with and after my parents died, I knew I was alone. Until now.

Finnley held my hand. Concern filled his face.

"I'm sorry. It's just unbelievable," I said.

"I'm going to leave you two alone," Finnley said. He rubbed my back. I heard the door click behind him. When he was out of the room, she turned and looked at me.

"I couldn't believe it either, until I did. I went through the list of emotions, and after I accepted everything I thought I knew and replaced it all with the reality of what had really happened, I knew what I had to do. I had to find them. I had to find you."

"You look so much like my mother. Our mother. It's frightening almost," I whispered.

"That's what Abigail said. She was hesitant until she realized I looked like you. I tried to find pictures of them online but couldn't."

"I have photo albums with me. I'm sorry. I'm still in shock. So you're twenty-six? What do you do for a living? Where do you live? Are you married? Do you have kids? I have so many questions for you," I said.

"Yes, I'm twenty-six. I'm an interior designer, and I live in Houston. Not married. No kids. And that's okay. What about you? It seems Mr. Felton has a crush on you."

I laughed for the first time that day. "Twenty-two, but I feel like I'm thirty. I graduated with a degree in accounting, and I live here, in Vegas. Engaged to Mr. Felton. No kids and not for a long time," I said.

"Engaged? Wow. Congratulations. He seems to have you in his best interest. I could tell there was something there. Whenever he talks about you, his whole demeanor changes. He's not so uptight. One day you'll have to tell me how you met. I want to know everything about you. About your life. About our parents. Your dreams. Your goals. I've felt so alone for so long, and now that I'm sitting in front of you, I just want to bombard you with questions. It's taken me years to find you. Lots of research and time. I finally feel like a million pounds has been lifted from my shoulders. I'm sorry. I'm rambling."

"You sound like her too, and your mannerisms, the way you talk with your hands when you're nervous," I said. After a few more moments, I ran my palms over my face and wiped away the wetness from the tears.

She smiled at me and placed her hand on my back. It was such a sweet gesture. She was comforting me. I should be the one comforting her, because she hadn't gotten to live a life with us. I should have been telling her how sorry I was she had been put up for adoption. But the words didn't come.

"Where are you staying?" I asked.

"I'm staying at the Bellagio," she said.

I chuckled slightly, and she gave me a quizzical look.

"That's where I stayed when I first arrived. You can stay with us. We live on the outskirts, but still really close to the strip."

"I wouldn't want to impose."

I grabbed her hand and squeezed. "You wouldn't be."

"Okay, then," she said.

We stood, and for the first time, I hugged my sister. Sister. The word seemed foreign and awkward.

"I'm so glad I found you," she said.

We walked to the door and opened it. Outside in the hallway stood Abbot and Finnley.

"Holy shit," Abbot said. "They look just like each other."

Finnley elbowed him in the side and gave us both a huge smile.

"Excuse us," I said to everyone and pulled Finnley into his office. He shut the door behind him and leaned against it with his arms crossed.

I looked up at him. "She can't stay at the Bellagio. It isn't safe. She has to stay with us."

"I know," he said. And that was it. No use arguing, and no need to try and convince him otherwise. He knew. He opened his arms, and I fell into them. He smoothed the hair on my head and spoke softly. "It's going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay, I promise."

JENNIFER

Nineteen

Finnley had a few appointments in the afternoon and couldn't leave work. Abbot drove me home, and I barely said a word to him. Not prying or forcing me to speak when I didn't want to was one of his better qualities. I didn't even care that he was driving way too fast downtown, or that the pavement was slick from rain. Nothing really mattered, other than the fact I had a sister. Finnley had arranged for Charlie to take Caitlyn around town and pay for whatever she needed. She had refused, but he had insisted, and being as persistent as he was, he'd won. His secretary cancelled her stay at the Bellagio, and she was set to arrive at our house at six, which meant I had four hours to compose myself.

I couldn't think of anything else.

"Holy fuck," Abbot yelled and jerked the wheel off the road. My seatbelt locked, and I was instantly in panic mode. Dust lifted from the road as the car spun around. I turned my head to try and figure out what had happened. A black van had swerved halfway off the road and then sped up.

"I don't fucking think so," Abbot said. He slammed on the gas pedal, spitting rocks and dust in our wake. "Call Finnley," he said and threw the cellphone toward me. I picked it up with shaky hands and dialed Finnley's number. He answered on the first ring.

"Someone just ran us off the road. Shit," I said.

Abbot pulled a gun from inside his coat. It had a silencer on the end. He racked the slide and it clicked.

"Jennifer. What is going on?" Finnley sounded calm, but I knew him better than that.

We were only a few feet behind the van, following it, tailing it. It swerved off the road, and the rear tires shot gravel at the car. Abbot rolled down the window and aimed the gun out.

"Hold on to the wheel, Jennifer. Keep it steady. Don't fucking let go of it no matter what," he said.

I dropped the phone in my lap and steered from the passenger side. Abbot let go of the wheel and placed both hands on the gun, aimed, and fired. Direct hit on the back tire.

He sat back down in the car and grabbed the steering wheel as the van spun off the road. I could hear Finnley yelling on the phone, and I picked it up with shaky hands.

"Jennifer!" he said.

"Finnley. We are on Highway 95."

"I'm here, baby. I'm right here. I'm heading that way."

The van slammed into a telephone pole on the side of the road. Smoke rose from the hood. My heart raced as Abbot slammed on the brakes and made a U-turn. Then he turned and looked at me.

"Now listen. Climb in the driver's seat, and if something happens to me, you drive the fuck away. You drive fast. You got it?"

I nodded.

"I don't give a shit what happens. Do not get out of this car. You drive away." Abbot searched my face. I nodded again.

"What did he say?" Finnley asked.

As soon as Abbot exited, I climbed behind the steering wheel and watched as he stood confidently behind the van. He held the gun to his chest with one finger on the trigger and peeked inside the back, tinted windows. I slid farther down in the seat just in case something happened.

"Finn. I'm here. Abbot just got out of the car." My voice shook and was barely over a whisper.

"Listen to Abbot. He knows what he is doing. You're safe with him. I'm leaving right now and I promise I'll find you."

Abbot tried to open the back door, but it was locked. He stayed low as he went around to the driver's side. With his elbow, he broke the glass, unlocked the door, and pulled a man out and onto the ground. Blood dripped from the man's forehead, but Abbot didn't seem to care. I don't think he had the "taking prisoners" type of mindset. He grabbed the man by his collar and slammed him harder to the ground. Abbot yelled something, but I couldn't hear a word he said. Not one word. I could only hear the ringing in my ears. Then I watched as Abbot placed his gun to the man's temple and pulled the trigger.

I dropped the phone.

I covered my mouth and screamed. Abbot picked the man's pockets and pulled out a cellphone and wallet. Then I watched as three men burst from the back of the van and waited for Abbot. From what I could tell, they were carrying knives, and one had his gun drawn. Before Abbot could tuck the gun back into the holster strapped to his chest, the men rushed around the van. Abbot heard their feet pushing gravel, so he placed his back against the metal of the van and cocked his gun. He rushed around the other side and aimed his weapon. It all happened so fast; the three men didn't even get to see their killer's face.

Before Abbot came to the car, he opened the back of the van. It was stacked high with explosives. After a few minutes, he was running toward the car screaming for me to drive. He jumped inside and screamed at me, "Get the fuck out of here now."

I didn't hesitate and slammed on the gas.

A boom echoed around us as pieces of metal flew and fell. In the distance, flames and black smoke rose to the sky.

Abbot buckled his seatbelt and shook his head. "It doesn't matter where I go in this fuckin' world, the scum are always the fuckin' same." His nostrils flared as he sucked in deep breaths.

I pulled over on the side of the road and leaned against the steering wheel. Abbot's cellphone rang and he picked it up.

"We're fine." Abbot laughed. He was the calm before the storm. "Some arsehole was driving a van full of explosives and tried to run us off the road. I know we were the targets, maybe even the Elite building. Guess he didn't realize I live for this shit."

Today was too much for me to handle. I could hear Finnley saying something on the other line but couldn't make it out.

"She's fine. I'm bringing her there now. I'll keep you updated with what I find," Abbot said then hung up.

"I'll drive," he said.

I didn't move.

"Jenn. Seriously. Trade me before someone else comes after us."

I sprang into action, and we switched places. The entire way back I was on high alert, panicked almost. My nerves were shot. My emotions ran loose while my heart hammered. I spiraled into a pit of memories of being taken. Jesse was after me.

"Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, it seems to me most strange that men should fear; Seeing that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come," Abbot said as he drove forward.

"Shakespeare," I whispered.

His eyes never left the road. We pulled up to the house, and I couldn't do anything but try to process what had happened.

Abbot turned to me. "Are you okay? Jennifer, are you okay?"

I turned toward him. I never noticed his eyes were blue, dark blue, with little specs of darker blue in his irises. I think it was the first time that I had really looked at him and seen who and what he was: a killer.

"Are you okay?" he asked again.

Three knocks on the window caused me to jump. I gasped for air.

"I think she's in shock," Abbot said. "She needs to go inside."

Finnley pulled me out of the car and walked me up the stairs. He undressed me down to my bra and panties, then unfolded the blankets from the bed and laid me down. Then he crawled in next to me and held me. Together we were two pieces of different puzzles that fit perfectly together.

Not a word was muttered. I closed my eyes and tried to forget the men who had died today. To forget the look on Abbot's face, or how he felt no remorse after he had ended them. He made it seem easy, like he didn't have to process what he was doing. Abbot was a robotic killer with the motions of murder memorized.

I rolled over to face Finnley.

"He killed several men without even thinking twice about it," I said.

Finnley ran his thumb down my jaw and across my lips. "If it's between you getting hurt and someone else, Abbot will always choose you. That's what he is here for. Just think if he weren't with you. What would have happened? I can’t lose you, Jennifer. I won't."

He pulled me closer until we were chest to chest, and we lay there. "You're in shock. You need to try to rest," he whispered. Finnley kissed my forehead and turned off the light, though the afternoon sun scattered across the floors. He left me to deal with my demons alone.

I fell into a nightmare. Jesse chased me through the woods. The sounds of crisp leaves crunched with every step I took. I ran into blackness. I ran so hard I couldn't catch enough breath. It burned like iced air. When I turned around to see whether she was behind me, she disappeared. I stopped running and searched for her until I heard the click of a gun and felt a coldness on my temple.

"I'll always find you, Jennifer. I'll find you. I'll find your sister. I'll find Finnley. I'll find Luke. All of you will be dead," she whispered in my ear, then licked up my neck with a tongue long and slithering like a snake's. I struggled to get away from her and screamed.

"Shhh. Shhh. It's going to be okay. Jennifer. It's going to be okay," Luke said. He had turned on the light and was shaking me awake. I sat up, tears streaming down my face. He opened his arms, and I fell into them.

"I was helping Finnley set up the spare bedroom and heard you screaming. You're okay," he said. Luke spoke softly, as though I were a child.

"The nightmares. Ever since—" I pulled away from him.

"I wish I could take it all away. All the memories of what happened. I wish it wasn't something that you had to live with every day, and I can't help but blame myself for it."

"It's not your fault," I said.

We hadn't really talked about it since the day after I was rescued.

"I wish a lot of things were different," he said.

I swallowed and looked up into his eyes. I knew he was referring to us.

Finnley walked into the room and leaned against the doorframe. All the air seemed to escape from the room. Luke reached over and squeezed my shoulder. Finnley smiled and left the room.

"We have to talk, Jennifer. I feel like I've been avoiding you. Avoiding seeing you. Avoiding everything that has to do with you."

I sucked in a sharp breath that cut as it went down and swallowed. "I'm sorry."

"I'm not. I'm not sorry for feeling the way I did for you, and I never will be. I know you've chosen my brother, and I really believe the two of you are meant for each other. That's obvious. But I like to think that in an alternate universe, Jennifer Downs fell in love with and decided to spend the rest of her life with me."

"I don’t know what to say," I said. It all seemed like too much.

"Nothing at all." He placed his hand on my shoulder and gently squeezed, then trailed his fingers down to my hand and squeezed again.

"You woke something in me that I hadn't felt in a long time, and though it sometimes pains me to look at you, I know that you're happy, and that my brother is happy, and that makes me happy. I don't fault you for loving him. He's a wonderful guy. He would do anything for you, and I can feel the love flowing between you when you look at each other. It's beautiful, and I hope one day I'll get to experience that too. I'm not over you yet, and there are days when I can't stop thinking about you, but I know it has to stop, and I have to let you go because you're already gone."

I squeezed his hand back and stared into his deep blue eyes. "You're going to make someone very happy one day, Luke."

It all happened way too fast. Luke grabbed the bottom of my chin, leaned in, and pressed his soft lips against mine. By reaction only, my lips moved against his, and then I pulled away and stood.

"Luke. I'm sorry. I can't," I said, pressing my hand against my mouth.

His eyes were full of hurt, and his face displayed too many emotions. "I just had to know."

I walked out of the room and stormed downstairs.

I couldn't. I couldn't do this. I couldn't handle this.

Finnley was downstairs laughing with Abbot about something, and as soon as he looked at me, he knew something was wrong. He rushed to me and grabbed my hand, then brought me into the living room.

"What's wrong?" His voice was a low growl.

Before I could even open my mouth, Luke was standing at the top of the stairs staring down at us.

Finnley's nostrils flared, knowing what had happened without me even uttering a word. I knew rage was circulating through him.

FINNLEY

Twenty

I glanced up at Luke, then back at Jennifer.

"What did you do, Luke?"

This had to stop. It couldn't go on any longer.

I shook my head, turned quickly, and climbed the stairs two at a time toward him.

"I kissed her," he said, smugly crossing his arms. He stood strong, not backing away from my bubbling rage.

We had already discussed this previously. He had said he was over it, but clearly he wasn't.

I stood in front of him, then reared my hand back and allowed my anger to connect with his face.

In the distance, I heard Jennifer gasp as Luke stumbled backward until his back crashed against a picture on the wall. Then his face contorted, and he was wrapping his arms around my waist, pushing me down on the ground. We wrestled with each other, throwing punches.

"Stop being a dick, Luke," I said as I straddled his chest and punched him repeatedly. "You're an arsehole!" I screamed. Before I could continue, I felt strong hands on my shoulders, pulling me off him.

"It's not worth it," Abbot said low in my ear.

I breathed heavily. My knuckles burned and I smoothed back my wild hair. Luke pulled himself from the floor and ran toward me. Abbot stood in front of me and stared Luke down.

"Don't ya bloody do it," Abbot said.

Luke stared him down but knew not to even tempt Abbot, whose fists were like steel from all the fighting he did in London.

"Not backing down? Ya know, maybe you and Finnley should fight it out. Might be good for the two of you," Abbot said then stepped out of the way.

Jennifer screamed and ran up the stairs as Luke's fist connected with my face. I stumbled before planting my feet, and threw more punches. I slammed his body against the wall and held him by his throat.

"You're my bloody brother." I stared into his eyes; his right one was already swollen from the beating, and the bruises were coming to the surface.

"I deserve this, but I'm not sorry for loving her first," Luke said to me, then proceeded to head butt me. Blood dripped from my nose, and my lip swelled up. I grabbed his shoulders and slammed his back against the wall. Pictures fell to the ground and the glass shattered.

"Stop, please," Jennifer said. She tried to come toward us to stop the beating, but Abbot held her back by her shoulders. We were relentless with our blows.

"Stop this. You didn't fucking love her first, Luke. And she doesn't love you back. She never has," I said, trying to stab him in the heart with my words. He wrapped his hands around my throat, and I instantly placed mine around his, both of us squeezing as hard as we could.

"Stop! Please don't do this!" Jennifer screamed. The sound of her desperate voice tore me apart. My world began to fade as Luke took all the air from my lungs, and I knew his was fading too.

"Okay. Just kidding. That really is enough." Abbot let go of Jennifer and broke us apart. Luke and I both huddled over, gasping for air.

I stood up and cracked my knuckles. "You touch her again and I'll fucking kill you."

Luke looked at me and knew I wasn't joking. I glanced at Jennifer and sadness filled her eyes.

"No you won't," Abbot said. I looked at him throwing darts in his direction.

"Do it, Luke. And we will all find out whether I'm bluffing." I walked away, my face and hands burning with pain. When Jennifer saw my face, she covered her mouth with her hands. Drops of blood stained my shirt and I needed to clean up.

"Your sister will be here soon. Let's get cleaned up for dinner," I said, not waiting for a response. Luke and Abbot passed me as I walked toward the bedroom. I made eye contact with both of them and slammed the door behind me.

I had so much anger and frustration building inside me. I walked to the bathroom, turned on the hot water, then removed my shirt, when a few knocks echoed on the outside of the door.

I walked into the bedroom with my arms crossed against my chest, waiting.

Abbot entered with a smile. "The two of you are fucking insane," he said, laughing.

My nostrils flared.

"It's going to be okay, though. Spoke with your brother, and he really is sorry for being such a bastard, but not for kissing your fiancé. You really gave it to him, Finn. He might have two black eyes."

I wiped the blood away from my nose and continued to look at Abbot. "He deserved it. He said he was over it. That I could trust him. Then the first time they are alone, he fucking kisses her? Jennifer is already an emotional wreck. I don't need him confusing or adding more pressure on her. She doesn't feel that way about him. She never has."

"Then what are you worried about?"

Abbot's words echoed out as the door cracked open and Jennifer stepped in. The air in the room was heavy, unbreathable almost. "How about a little fucking control, Finnley? Did you see what you did to Luke? It killed me inside to watch that and not be able to stop it. Like Abbot said, you have nothing to worry about. I'm not going anywhere. That"—she pointed toward the living room—"was unnecessary."

Abbot burst in with hefty laughter, though nothing was funny. "I think she just told you off."

I walked back into the bathroom and slammed the door. I didn't want to look at either of them. Luke had to know this wasn't a game, that Jennifer was mine. He would have to control his emotions. I stood in front of the mirror, hovering over the sink and looking at the scratches, while feeling the tenderness on my face. Abbot swung the door open. Privacy didn't exist in his world.

"I thought instead of making a scene, I would tell you both what I've learned. The driver's name was Darrel Freeman. I dialed the last number in his phone, and a familiar voice answered. Jesse. She asked if I had the van parked in the garage at the Elite building. I muttered it was done to shut her up. So we were the targets. She also asked whether Jennifer was taken care of, and I told her yes. The problem is, when none of these things happen, she will most likely spiral into an uncontrollable rage. I've dealt with psychopaths like her before. We must be a step ahead of her at all times. If we aren't, someone could get hurt, or even killed." Abbot glanced at Jennifer, then me.

How many curve balls would get thrown at me today? How many could I catch? "I understand. We should prepare for what will happen next. How much time do you reckon we have?"

"Twenty-four hours. Forty-eight at the most." Abbot patted me on the shoulder then walked out of the bathroom.

I turned back to the sink without acknowledging Jennifer. I couldn't, not right now. I needed to calm down first.

Jennifer stepped into the bathroom as I undressed and stepped into the shower. "Are you worried?" she asked.

Blood mixed with the warm water that streamed down my body. I closed my eyes and tried to ignore that she was even talking. I didn't want to say something I would regret.

She pulled the glass door open and stared at me as I washed my hair. "Are you fucking worried?"

Her eyes didn't move from mine when I looked at her. "Worried about what?"

There were so many things that I could be worried about at the moment: Jesse, Luke, and life in general. How could I answer that question?

"That I'm going to leave you for him? Do you trust me at all? I don't understand what your issue with this is. You know love better than anyone I've ever met. It's not that easy to turn your feelings off. Let me reiterate, just in case you somehow forgot: I don't want anyone but you. But let me say that beating your brother to a bloody pulp because he kissed me was unnecessary. I wanted to tell you because you needed to know, but I didn't have the chance before you went into attack mode. You're my fiancé, the man that I plan to spend the rest of my life with. I didn't expect you to beat the shit out of him for a kiss that meant nothing to me. I promised to be honest. I'm disappointed with your lack of control." She slammed the glass door closed, followed by the bathroom door.

Her words repeated over and over in my head as I washed my burning bloody skin.

You know love better than anyone . . .

Jennifer had a point. I did know love, and I knew loving her was easy. Could I really fault Luke for falling in love with Jennifer? No. But I could fault him for making moves on my fiancé, especially since he’s my brother. Maybe he lost control, just like I had on his face.

Though he was wrong, it would be my responsibility to make this right.

JENNIFER

Twenty-one

I couldn't believe they would fight each other like animals over a kiss. If I would have felt something—anything—when it had happened, I could have understood his reasoning. But I hadn't. There was a complete void of emotions. Kissing me meant something for Luke, and that was where the problem lay.

I picked up my cellphone and texted him, needing to make sure he was okay.

Me: Luke, I'm so sorry.

Luke: I'm not. I would do it all over again just to feel your mouth on mine. It's something that I will remember and treasure for the rest of my life. I often think back to Paris and have too many what if's left unanswered.

Me: We can't do this.

Luke: I know. It won't happen again.

Me: You have to come back so we can talk about this like adults.

Luke: No.

For some reason, I felt like I had done something wrong, though I knew I hadn’t. Should I have told Finnley? Yes. There was no doubt about that, but then again, I hadn't expected that reaction from either of them. Emotions were soaring, and though Abbot found the whole thing extremely comical, the rest of us knew how serious the situation was. I didn't want to be the person who ended a brothers' bond.

The smells of Finnley filled the room. I looked over and saw him standing at the edge of the stairs. His face was pink from the fight, but somehow he had walked away with mere scratches and no black eyes. He glanced at me then walked into the kitchen. I leaned back on the couch and stared at the ceiling. This was a mess, and I couldn't stand the tension.

I stood and walked to the kitchen, where Finnley was pouring a glass of water.

"What is your problem?" I asked, leaning on the door.

Finnley took two steps toward me, completely erasing the space between us. He looked down at me, not saying a word, and that was more powerful than anything he could have said.

"My problem is that I don't like to share."

I swallowed and sucked in a deep breath. "You don't have to," I said. "But Luke is your brother. Your only brother."

"I don't care who he is. I will not share you with anyone. He should have never done that. Ever. It's disrespectful in every sense. It's almost unforgiveable." Finnley's tone was harsh, full of anger, and he didn't try to hold back how he felt. His walls were down.

"I-I-I don't expect you to."

He grabbed my chin between his fingers and forced me to look up at him.

My arms fell beside my body, and I gasped.

"I won't," he said, then leaned down, kissed my neck, and trailed kisses up to my ear. "So don't expect me to. I will always react this way when it comes to you."

A chill swept over my body. Hearing him say those words made me melt from the inside out. He leaned his body against mine until my back rested against the doorframe. All I could smell was his clean body and soap that reminded me of fresh mountain air. His palms rested on the side of my neck. He pulled me closer to him, then dipped his head down and connected his lips with mine, but with more behind the kiss than before. Protection, hurt, and anger mixed together and created a combination of strong emotions that he poured into his touch.

"What will you do when our love isn't new anymore? When we fall into a routine of just being with each other? When it doesn't feel like this?" I asked.

"I will never stop trying. Every day I want to win your love. Every day I want to fall in love with you all over again. Just because I will be married to you, doesn't mean I won't date you, court you, or go the extra mile to impress you for the rest of our lives. Isn't that one of the most beautiful thoughts in the world? To be able to win your love every single day. I know that today I lost control. I know that I should have handled myself better, but when it comes to you, I lose myself."

I had no words. I swallowed and looked into his green eyes as love swirled within me.

"Every day that you're with me, I fall in love. I never want to be without you, Finn. I can't. I wouldn't be whole. This is my life now, and I wouldn't have it any other way. And I've accepted Abbot. I've accepted Luke and the fact that I have a sister. I won't lie; it's a lot to take in all at once. Most of all, I've accepted your love and you. You're mine forever."

"I love you, babe," Finnley whispered over my mouth.

"I love you more."

As Finnley dipped his head down to kiss me, the doorbell rang. We stared at each other, and it rang again. Finnley went to the front door and opened it. Charlie stood there with buckets of chicken, and pints of sides. Behind him stood the ghost of my mother. My nerves teetered on edge as Finnley instantly transformed into the perfect gentleman.

"Thank you, Charlie. Caitlyn, welcome." Finnley stepped to the side and allowed them both to come in. Abbot drifted down the stairs and helped Charlie with the plastic bags full of food.

"Hi Cait!" I gave her a hug because Texans were huggers. Charlie set the food on the table, and I grabbed plates and silverware from the drawer. Finnley helped me place them around.

"Charlie, you'll stay for dinner, won't you?" Finnley asked.

"No, sir. I appreciate the offer," Charlie said, shooting a wink in my direction.

The smells of mashed potatoes, fried chicken, and corn filled the room. We passed around buckets and pints of sides, with spoons stuck inside them. We all acted as if nothing had happened just an hour earlier. I hated it, but understood it was an act. What kind of impression would that make for my sister?

"I'm terribly rude, Caitlyn. This is Abbot, one of my best friends, and of course, you've met us," Finnley said, giving her that cute little side smirk that drove me crazy.

"Hi Abbot, it's a pleasure to meet you," Caitlyn said. She even sounded like my mother.

A few more bites of chicken and potatoes later, and a loud bang rang out on the front door. Finnley looked at all of us, then excused himself and went to the front door.

I heard him chatting with someone, his voice muffled. The front door clicked shut. We all looked around the table at each other. Caitlyn was clueless, Abbot was on full alert, and I was curious to know what was going on. I wiped my mouth with my napkin and excused myself.

I heard Finnley outside, yelling at the top of his lungs, and then I heard Luke yelling back, apologizing. He'd said he wasn't coming back, but he had. He cared and that made me happy. I continued to listen to the heated words they were throwing back and forth. As long as it wasn't their fists, I was okay with that.

"I can't help the way I feel, Finnley. Fucking give me a break. It will never happen again. I promise," Luke said.

"Do you have any idea what you do to me when you act like this? Do you have any idea what you do to her? You're selfish and you weren't thinking about anyone but yourself when you fucking kissed her. The consequences of your actions didn't even cross your mind. She is my fiancé. Next time you feel so compelled to do something, fucking think first. Think about what it will do to other people. Do you understand what you've done? Can I even trust you?"

"It was stupid. I understand that. I drove around for twenty minutes and knew I had to come back. I don't want you upset with me. I don't want Jennifer to be upset with me. It was a lapse in judgment."

Silence. I heard nothing else.

The door swung open, and I was busted.

Finnley tilted his head, narrowed his eyes, and then tucked the edge of his bottom lip into his mouth. I gave a small smile, then looked over at Luke, and back at Finnley.

"Join us for dinner, won't you?" Finnley asked Luke.

Luke nodded and walked past me with his eyes glued to mine. I mouthed, "I'm sorry," and Luke shook his head then followed Finnley into the kitchen.

Caitlyn and Abbot were cutting up. Tears streamed down her face from laughing so hard. I smiled and glanced over at Finnley, who was watching me. Luke looked like total shit, with two swollen eyes and a bruise on his upper cheek. When Caitlyn looked at him, both her eyebrows lifted.

"Hi. I'm Luketon Brand. You can call me Luke. Finnley's little brother," Luke said, stretching his hand across the table to shake hers. She wiped her hand on a napkin then met his. She searched his face, then smiled at him, and he smiled back.

"Don't mind my face. I got in a little fight, but I'm fine," Luke said. He placed a piece of chicken and some potatoes on his plate, and then sat across the table from Caitlyn.

Abbot's phone rang, and he picked it up and waited. Whatever was said on the other line must have been serious, because he hung up then checked his watch.

"I've got to go. I hope you'll excuse me. It was a pleasure, Cait," Abbot said, kissing her hand.

A pink hue met her cheeks, and she smiled at him.

Blushing? Oh hells no. Abbot was a cold-hearted killer who was openly flirting with my sister.

This couldn't happen.

JENNIFER

Twenty-two

Caitlyn stood and helped me clear the dishes from the table. I still had no clue what I was supposed to say to her. Awkwardness flowed between us, and it needed to stop.

Luke helped us carry plates, then sat them down in the kitchen and walked away. He barely looked at me, and I hated that it had come to that.

"I can stay at the Bellagio if it's too weird," she said as she ran the dishes under the hot water.

"No. That's not necessary. Seriously. We just have to get to know each other, that's all," I said.

"True. So, tell me about yourself. Your childhood. Our parents. I want to know everything. How you ended up in Vegas. Everything."

I couldn't blame her. I would want to know too.

"Okay. Vegas. I had a job interview with a large firm and completely bombed it for being one minute late. It would have jump-started my career, but sometimes life throws curveballs. Honestly, I feel like I was meant to be here all along. The city seemed to call to me, so after I sold the house, I banked on the interview and moved here. My turn. What do you do? How did you find me? How long have you known that you were adopted?"

Finnley walked in, placed a few cups on the counter, and gave me a smile before he walked out of the kitchen.

"I'm an interior decorator and hobby photographer. My parents told me I was adopted when I turned eighteen. It crushed me because so many people told me how I looked like my mother, but to find out she wasn't my birth mother . . . I couldn't believe it. I was hurt. I was angry. But then I got over it and thanked them for loving me like I really was their child. It was a hard year. They didn't know anything about my parents, other than they were young and were from Texas. I had some friends help research everything. We tracked down the hospital that I was born at, as well as one of the nurses who happened to still work there. Thankfully, she had a memory like an elephant. I learned their names, and it crushed me to hear they had died before I could meet them. I had searched for so long and wished I had worked harder. It took me eight years to solve the mystery. I had almost given up, but then I realized I had to know. I was almost obsessed about it."

I placed plates in the dishwasher. I tried to put myself in Caitlyn's place and realized that I couldn't. It was too hard for me to imagine, and I would have done exactly the same thing: kept searching.

"When I found out I had a sister, I seriously broke down because I wanted a sibling all my life. It was like all of my wishes had come true, and now you're here, standing beside me, and it makes me so emotional," she said.

My eyes watered and for a second I thought I would cry, but I swallowed it back. "I always wished for a sibling too, especially after Mom and Dad passed away. I hated them for not trying harder for another baby, and it's like they keep sending little miracles to me." I choked up and didn't think I could finish.

Caitlyn wiped her hands on the towel and hugged me. We stood in the kitchen and cried. This is what it was like to have someone and even though we weren't close, we were all we had, as far as blood family.

"I'm so happy I found you," Caitlyn said. When we pulled away, she started laughing.

I laughed and watched as she wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"How long have you been madly in love with Finnley?"

"Months, though it feels like years. I used to take those stupid little relationship quizzes and would read my horoscope in the back of women's magazines. I remember wishing I would find someone who could turn my world upside down and make me feel all those little tingles that women spoke about in the articles. And now that I've got it, it all makes sense. I couldn't live without him," I said.

"So the guy with the black eyes is Finnley's younger brother?"

"I am," Luke said. He was holding chicken in his hand and sat it in the refrigerator.

A pink hue hit Caitlyn's cheeks and I smiled.

"How old are you?" Caitlyn asked.

"Twenty-seven, and you?"

"Twenty-six," she said.

"Who gave you that black eye?" Caitlyn was blunt, straight to the point, and I loved it.

"My brother punched me in the face for a mistake," he said, glancing over at me, then back at Caitlyn.

"Oh. You must have deserved it, then. Finnley seems like a nice guy."

Luke burst into laughter, and I started laughing as well. She looked confused. Finnley walked into the kitchen and leaned against the door. I glanced over at him, at the t-shirt that hugged his muscles, then down lower.

"Are we laughing at my expense?" Finnley asked. A smile touched his lips. I loved how he didn't hold grudges. God, I loved him.

I walked to Finn and wrapped my arms around his waist. He kissed my forehead and wrapped his arms around my neck. Finnley laced his fingers with mine and walked me to the dining room. I hated to leave Caitlyn and Luke alone, but they seemed to be getting along fine.

"Abbot called me. Baxtor found Jesse. He has an insider working with her, and she's planning to make her move in exactly three days, but we should be ready for her at any point. We all know how she loses it and randomly does things without planning. Apparently, she's livid. She wants us all dead."

Two knocks pounded against the door, and I heard a car speeding off. Finnley rushed to the door. When he opened it, the taillights were already fading in the distance. I followed behind him, and on the ground lay an envelope. He bent over and picked it up and slowly ripped the side open. I placed my hand on top of his and squeezed.

"Should we wait for Abbot?"

"We can't. But I'll need to call him."

He tilted the envelope, and a letter slipped out the side and drifted to the floor. Luke and Caitlyn walked in, laughing about something, and when they noticed something was wrong, they followed in behind us. Finnley opened the letter and read. With a strong fist, he crushed the letter in his strong hand then pulled out his phone and walked away. Luke and Caitlyn glanced at me, and I hurried to follow Finnley up the stairs.

"You're scaring me." I closed the door behind me. Finnley continued to speak with Abbot on his phone and handed me the letter. I smoothed out the paper and held it with shaky hands.

YOU'LL ALL BE DEAD WITHIN THE WEEK.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS WHILE YOU CAN.

I HOPE YOU MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE, FINNLEY.

YOU DUG THE GRAVE, AND NOW YOU, JENNIFER, AND LUKETON WILL LAY IN IT.

I'M ALWAYS WATCHING. I'M ALWAYS AROUND.

I CAN'T WAIT TO WATCH YOU TAKE YOUR LAST BREATH.

I CAN'T WAIT TO WATCH YOU ALL BLEED OUT.

I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE DEAD AND ONLY A MEMORY.

SOON.

I dropped the letter on the ground. A tremor coursed through my body, and it was all because the physical fear that overcame me. Finnley ended the call and pulled me close to his chest.

"Abbot is sending ten guys to watch over the house. We will be safe through the night. I've got to inform Caitlyn and Luke of what is happening. They will both need to stay here."

I nodded, and he left me in the middle of our bedroom to drown in my worry.

This wouldn't end until someone was dead.

FINNLEY

Twenty-three

I awoke to an empty bed, and I couldn't ignore the knots in my stomach. I sat up and stared out the window because time meant absolutely nothing. I threw on clothes, and I didn't care whether they matched or not. I was on a mission, and I had to see Finnley. Something bubbled inside me, and if I didn’t speak up now, it would boil completely over.

I walked down the stairs. Caitlyn and Luke were sitting on the couch, laughing. Abbot walked out of the kitchen drinking a cup of milk, and I grabbed the keys from the counter. He slammed the milk down on the bar and followed me out the door.

Abbot picked up his phone and quickly dialed a number. "Liam get the men together and watch Luke and Cait. I've got to go." He ended the call and stared at me.

"Oh, you're going with me?" I asked sarcastically. He had to go with me. He was my shadow, my protector from the darkness that stalked me.

"At least let me drive." He held out his hand. Without arguing, I handed him the keys.

"The Elite building."

Abbot slammed on the gas and weaved around cars. It was nice having someone drive who was in a hurry to get everywhere for no apparent reason. But then again, the open roads encouraged people to push fast cars to their limits. I understood his need for speed.

He parked on the street, and I got out of the car without waiting for him. He jogged to keep up with me. The elevator waited. We stepped inside and rode in silence to Finnley's floor. I know Abbot thought I had completely lost my mind, but it wasn't like that. I was on a fucking mission.

The secretary sat at the round desk outside of Finnley's office making appointments for the upcoming week. I asked to see Finnley, so she made a call and I was asked to wait, again. So I sat. Abbot leaned against the wall looking bored to be in the Elite office. The man made looking like a badass seem easy, with his leather jacket, boots with huge buckles, and scruff. I rolled my eyes. He really did love annoying me, though it was like having a big brother.

"Mr. Felton is ready for you," she said.

For some reason, I was nervous. I walked in, and he looked up from his computer and stopped typing, with a smile on his face.

"Surprise," I said.

"Come in. Is everything okay?" Worry hit his eyes and I gave him a soft smile.

"I've been doing some heavy thinking, and I realized something I can't stop thinking about. It's consuming me." I glanced out the large windows behind Finnley, then looked over at the wall where this had all started when I'd joined the Elite. I remembered his mouth on mine, and his hands in places they hadn't belonged, but all of that had unlocked something inside me that couldn't be closed again: my heart. Love. Adoration. I would have waited the rest of my life for Finnley, but right now, I couldn't.

"What's that?" he asked.

"I want you. All of you. I'm ready to be yours forever."

Finnley walked around his desk until his face was inches from mine. "What are you saying?" His eyes searched my face.

I opened my mouth to take in my air and courage, because I needed them both. "I don't want to wait any longer to be Mrs. Felton. I want to be with you. I keep having these horrible thoughts that Jesse is going to find me and take me away from you before we make it official. I want you. I want you forever. I've waited for you for all my life. I've waited for love like this for as long as I could remember, and now that I've got it, I keep asking myself what I am waiting for. The answer is: nothing. There is nothing stopping me from being your wife. If you'll still have me, Finnley."

His eyes searched my face, and I opened my mouth to take in air. Fear of what he would say, his reaction to this, streamed through my veins and pumped with my blood. I admitted it was a lot to throw at him randomly, but I couldn't hold it back anymore. He needed to know how I felt, how important it was to me.

"I would marry you right here, right now."

At that moment, I had never felt so much happiness. Everything seemed to fall into place, and I knew this was the right thing. A smile swept across my face. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and his arms hugged me around my waist. He spun me around, then dipped me down in his arms and kissed me.

"Mr. Felton. I have one small request. Can we go away?"

"Deal. Any place in particular? And I have one request as well."

I shook my head. It didn't matter, as long as I was with him. His lips curled up into a sexy side grin. "I want Luke and Caitlyn to join us. I've got the perfect place in mind. It will be a surprise. Do you trust me?"

"Of course, and yes," I whispered.

"I'll make arrangements. Pack when you get home. We will leave tomorrow morning," he said. His lips softly brushed against mine, then he walked away, smiling. Happiness covered my body, along with an excitement that I had not experienced before.

"I love you," Finnley said as I moved toward the door.

"I love you too." I blew him a kiss, and he caught it and tucked it in his pocket.

"I can't wait to fall in love with you every day for the rest of our lives."

"You already are. Oh, and you can't see me until the wedding. Starting as soon as you walk out of that door," Finnley said as he sat behind his computer.

I walked back into the office, pushed his chair back, climbed onto his lap, and kissed him like I had never kissed him before. When his tongue brushed against mine, I didn't know whether I could stop. We pulled away, both gasping for air. I touched my forehead against his and stared into his eyes.

"Deal," I said, knowing that was the last time I would kiss him for God only knew how long.

I glanced behind me before I shut the door, then I leaned against it. My heart raced, and the reality of what had just happened hit me like a ton of bricks. Tomorrow we would leave. Soon we would be married.

I let out a long sigh as I held my hand over my heart, and the clearing of a throat pulled me from my paradise of love.

Abbot shook his head, so I stood up straight and tucked my hands in my pockets.

"You're so weak for him," Abbot said as he led the way to the elevator.

He had no idea.

Abbot climbed in the car, and before he started it, I told him that we needed to go to a bridal shop. He pulled his hand from the ignition and turned toward me.

"A wha?"

"I think it's called Couture Bride on South Durango Drive. Apparently they know how luxury is done."

His eyes widened, and he knew what it meant. "When's the—"

"Wedding? We leave tomorrow. I'm sure Finn will tell you, but I cannot leave until I get a dress. I can't not have one."

Abbot cranked the car, shoved it in drive, and sped down the street. As if he had the address memorized, he pulled up to the suite and parked. I picked up the phone and called Caitlyn to meet me. Abbot gave me a sweet, little smile, and I returned it.

In the back of my mind, I feared Jesse would appear at any moment, but I pushed those horrible thoughts away. Abbot would protect me without hesitation, and that was comforting because I knew what he was capable of. I relaxed as we sat in the parking lot and waited for Cait. The goal was to make sure to pick out the most perfect dress, and I needed to focus on that.

FINNLEY

Twenty-four

This trip was my opportunity to make sure everything was perfect. I called Luke and announced the good news, then called Caitlyn and let her know. Abbot got the call, but he already knew. I expected him to, since he was Jennifer's shadow.

I purchased the plane tickets and made sure we were on opposite sides of the plane. It had been years since I’d flown coach, but to add to the excitement and to pamper my bride, I'd do anything. We would fly in secret so no one would follow us. Abbot worked on a diversion so there would be no chance of us being followed. Flights were being booked in my name to three different states while our flights and reservations were made in Caitlyn's name. Perfect. No one knew of her yet, not even Jesse.

Surprises were my specialty. When I watched the surprised reaction on someone’s face, it created an excitement inside me that I almost couldn’t contain. Jennifer couldn’t even dream of what I had in store, and that brought a smile to my face.

Two knocks pounded on my office door, and I couldn’t wipe the crazy grin away. It was tough being in love, and so madly and deeply that I had no control over something as simple as a smile.

Lori walked in with a huge grin covering her face, and I gave her one of those confused looks. Since Jesse had been fired, Lori had stepped up as though she were meant to wear the pants and run the place. She was my second in command, who was professional at all times, courteous to others, but refused to take crap or kiss anyone’s arse. Leader came to mind when I thought of her. Some people were born with it, and I truly believed she was.

"Finnley. Wait. Why are you smiling like a lunatic?" She flipped her hair over her shoulders and sat at the desk in front of me.

"What are you smiling about?"

I had a feeling we were both happy about different things, but I couldn’t be sure.

"I can’t say," I said. Everyone had been sworn to secrecy, and though I wanted to tell her, I couldn’t.

"I can’t either," she said.

Well then, I guess we were at a stalemate, and neither one of us had any more moves.

"Okay, well I can’t hold it in any longer. We are planning a spring thing, so I wanted to ask you if I could request a few weeks off in April. We are trying to buy plane tickets for our honeymoon."

I clapped my hands and leaned back in my chair. "A wedding. Congrats, Lori. You deserve to be happy, and since I’ve got you, what’s one thing for your wedding that is a must for you."

"Good cake. I don’t care about anything else."

I burst out in laughter, and when she stood, I walked around my desk and gave her a big hug. I couldn’t have been happier for her.

"Yes, April is fine. Let me pay for your trip."

"I couldn’t let you do that," she said.

"It’s my gift to you. Contact travel. Fly first class. Book your hotels. I’m paying for it, no ifs, ands, or buts about it."

Her mouth dropped open and she covered it with her hands.

I nodded at her glistening eyes. "Okay. Don’t start crying now and getting all soft on me. You know I can’t handle that," I said, pushing her toward the door. She said thank you, gave me a firm handshake, then left. Lori would be married in April. I felt terrible for not telling her about Jennifer and I this weekend, but I couldn’t, and I didn’t want to take away her thunder. It was her moment, and she deserved to enjoy it.

Mrs. Jennifer Felton would receive the greatest gift of all. Knowing she would take my last name made me so proud, and I couldn’t think about anything else. I closed my eyes and imagined every little detail about that day—the happiness on her face, the beautiful dress, and the blueness of the sky. What stuck out the most for me in my daydream was Jennifer. God, she was breathtaking.

A thought struck me, and I quickly texted Abbot to tell Jennifer because I knew they were together.

Me: Tell your shadow sister that she is responsible for writing her vows.

Abbot: Insert groans. LOTS of them!!!!

I hadn’t expected anything less from him.

Being away from her, or at a distance from her for forty-eight hours, would be hard, but I would make sure that I followed through, and I would make sure Caitlyn kept Jennifer in check and that they were safe. Everything was changing so quickly, and once the snowball started downhill, I knew it would eventually become an avalanche. I welcomed the chaos. I welcomed Jennifer Downs into my life forever.

Knowing I couldn't work any longer, I scheduled a few days off with Lori, then grabbed my briefcase and left. Before I got into the car, my phone rang, and I noticed it was an unknown number. I held the call up to my ear and waited, just as Abbot always did.

"It’s Baxtor," that scruffy voice mumbled into the phone.

"Yeah?"

"Jesse is going to make her move tomorrow. Be ready. Not sure what’s planned, other than she has a plan."

"Abbot know?"

"Yes."

"She knew we were flying out tomorrow?"

"That’s what caused this change of plans on her part."

Baxtor hung up without saying anything else. I couldn’t risk one of the most monumental days of our lives being ruined. There would have to be a last minute change in plans. I rushed to buckle up and slammed on the gas while I called the travel department to change our plans.

We would leave by nightfall.

We would leave within the next few hours so we would all stay safe.

JENNIFER

Twenty-five

"Today?" I questioned Abbot. "Finnley said tomorrow."

"Change of plans, sweetheart." He had just enough sarcasm and annoyance in his tone to set me off. I shook my head at him and he smiled. Jerk.

I threw clothes into two suitcases. Winter clothes and summer clothes, lingerie for every possible occasion, a bathing suit just in case, and toiletries.

Liam, a younger man with dark brown hair and golden brown eyes, walked in carrying my dress like precious cargo. He handed it to me, and I thanked him.

I glanced over at Abbot, who was nodding his head as though he were the boss. "I had you covered. Couldn’t leave town without the dress, princess."

I walked to Abbot and gave him a huge hug. It took a minute for him to hug me back, and then he laughed. I narrowed my eyes at him, knowing that some of that bad boy persona was an act. Come on, I knew deep down inside he was a sonnet-reading, Shakespeare-loving kind of person, or maybe he was fooling me.

Abbot handed my bags to Liam and rushed me around.

"You’re going to make me forget something."

"Tough. Have your hubby buy it for when you get to—"

My eyes widened because when he almost gave it away.

I grabbed a little notebook and decided I would write the vows Finnley was forcing me to write on the plane. What would I say? There was too much. How did a person know when to stop, or whether they had enough? My nerves were getting the better of me, and though it had only been hours since I'd seen Finnley, I already missed him.

"All right. Got to go. No more wasting precious time." Abbot shoved me by the shoulders out the room, down the stairs, and into the back of the limo where Caitlyn was waiting for me. Between her fingers, she held a black cloth. She twisted it then smoothed it out. She looked down at it then back at me.

"What’s that?"

"Here," she said, handing me a small little envelope. On the back was a seal, one I recognized from the Elite. I hurried and opened the letter, then read it.

The next time you see me will be on our wedding day.

Caitlyn has instructions for you.

Listen to her.

Can’t wait for you to be my wife.

I love you.

-Finnley Felton

A chill swept over me and a grin touched my lips when I saw the curly F’s. Finnley’s perfect little F’s.

I tucked the letter back into its envelope and placed it in the front of my backpack.

"So you’ve got instructions for me? I’m ready." This was a game that I couldn’t wait to win.

"You must wear this blindfold until we get on the plane."

I looked at her as though she were crazy. "Through the airport?"

She nodded. "Actually, starting now."

Shocked was an understatement. I turned my body in the seat and allowed her to place the blindfold on me.

"Can you see?" she asked, and I tried to peek, but before I could answer, she was placing another blindfold on top of that one. "For good measure Finnley insists."

He knew me too well.

After minutes that felt like long hours passed, I heard the revving of an engine speeding down the driveway, and I knew it was Finnley. My heart sped just at the thought of seeing him because I knew that I couldn’t, and that made me want to so much more. The trunk slammed in the back of the limo, and I could smell him when he slipped inside. I wasn’t ready for the car to speed off.

"Oh, this is not fair. You get to see me, but I don’t get to see you."

Caitlyn laughed, and so did Luke. Luke? But I never heard Finnley, though I could feel him in the car, staring at me. I imagined he was wearing his signature smirk, and that alone made me release a wavering breath. Caitlyn and Luke chatted with each other like they were the best of friends.

"Oh, you should see the dress Jennifer picked out. It’s absolutely stunning," Caitlyn said, nudging me. Then all I could think about was how the bottom of the dress flowed like sheets in the wind, and how it fit my body perfectly, and really would after the alterations.

"I have no doubt that it is as beautiful as she is," Finnley said, and I found myself breathing more heavily, my heart beating more rapidly, and all my thoughts focused on him. His voice was pure seduction, low and sexy, as if he didn’t want me to hear him talk as he sat right in front of me, facing me, watching me. He gave me just enough for me to crave more of him. I was halfway tempted to rip the blindfold from my face, but I knew the rules, and I had to follow them. Finnley had always been the referee, and I was always the player.

Heat hit my cheeks, and the car felt warm. Slowly, I removed my jacket and unbuttoned the top button of my shirt. For a second, I thought I heard him swallow. I unbuttoned another one to show just enough cleavage to drive him crazy, and that's when I heard him inhale. I sat back, crossed my arms, and smiled. He may have won the first round, but I think I just secured a victory for the second.

Caitlyn looped her arm around mine and led me through the airport. While the bags were checked, I stood by the wall in the dark. I wondered what people thought of me as I stood there with a blindfold strapped around my head. When we reached security, Caitlyn undid the material. I turned and searched for Finnley, but he was nowhere around. As soon as I went through, the blindfold was placed back over my eyes, and she led me to a plastic chair. We waited, and I closed my eyes, almost falling asleep. As I dozed off, Caitlyn grabbed my arm, pulled the blindfold off, and handed me my ticket. I glanced down at the ticket, then back at her.

"Hawaii?"

She gleamed as she handed the flight attendant her ticket and headed down the metal hallway that led to the plane. As soon as we stepped in, we were escorted to first class and were the first ones on board.

I glanced down at my ticket and realized we had one connecting flight at LAX, Los Angeles. I couldn't wait to feel the warm California sun, even if it was only for an hour. The seat swallowed my body whole, and I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep. I woke up when the flight attendant asked if we would like drinks. I shook my head and tried to fall back to sleep, but I couldn't. The sun was setting, and I watched out the window as the sky faded from a warm glow to darkness.

My thoughts wandered to Finnley being somewhere on this plane at this exact moment. I sucked in a deep breath then exhaled. Finnley. All I wanted to do was to feel and taste his lips on mine. Slowly, I was crumbling at the core, and soon I would be nothing more than dust.

Caitlyn grabbed my hand and squeezed it, then leaned in close to me. "I'm so happy for you," she said.

California was warm, but I didn't get the chance to see the sun shining or the water gleaming. It was close to eight o'clock, and I was starved. We stopped and ate quick sushi. Though I never saw Finnley, I knew he wasn't far. No, Finnley wouldn't allow that. Once we were finished, we made our way to the waiting area for Honolulu. The flight would take six hours but would feel like nothing in business class. Soon we were boarding again.

Extra large leather seats that reclined lined the windows.

"Welcome to the business Elite experience with Delta, please let me know if you need anything. Enjoy your flight," the flight attendant said. She guided us to our place, and we both snuggled into the comfort of the seats. Flying like this should be illegal. There really was luxury at every altitude as they claimed.

Six hours and I would be surrounded by white sand and blue water, but I was most excited to see the man who had stolen my heart, captured my breaths, and haunted my dreams.

Finnley fucking Felton.

FINNLEY

Twenty-six

I watched her board from a distance and quickly called Abbot.

"Are we still safe?"

"I've got men watching the four of you until you board. Jesse has no fucking idea and I love it. Make sure to have lots of sex. See you when you get home. If I hear of anything you'll be the first to know. My silence means you're safe."

I relaxed and ended the call as I continued to watch her. It would have been so easy to walk up to her, pull her into my arms, and take her breath away. If it weren't for Luke telling me to wait, I probably would have. Though I had massive amounts of control, when it came to Jennifer, it seemed to all slip through my fingers like sand.

I memorized the way she laughed and smiled when she was happy. Her eyes wandered around, and I knew she was looking for me, trying to spot me before she got on the plane, but she never would.

"You really love her, don't you?" Luke asked.

"Yes. More than I ever thought possible. I don't know what I would do without her. She's like hot metal that has somehow forged itself beyond the steel wall I had put up. I didn't think love like this existed, but every time I look at her, happy like she is right now, it does something to me. It drives me crazy. It melts me to a liquid," I said.

Once they were out of sight, we handed our tickets to the flight attendant, who gave Luke and me that look. The one that said she would rip my clothes off and try to rock my world. It was hard for me to even look twice at another woman because I only had eyes for one. Luke turned around and smiled at the cute little blonde as we walked down the hallway that led to the entrance. Our seats were in the back, and I knew that by the time the flight was over, I would be miserable. The things I did for love.

Night flying was boring when flying over water. I much preferred day flights, but I'd had no choice. I closed the window, not even caring what was outside, and after we took off, I ordered drink after drink. The flight attendant refused to cut me off, though she should have. At one point, I thought about bursting through the doors of first class just to see her. Luke shook his head at me and explained how that was a bad idea. Damn, I needed her like I needed fast cars, expensive wine, and sex. But it was important to me that the next time we were intimate we were man and wife. Being apart from each other would make our flame blaze with passion.

Instead of listening to my heart and going to her, I pulled out a small notebook and pencil that I had tucked into my pocket. Vows. They had to be written, and I had hours to put my feelings into comprehendible sentences. I wrote a few sentences, ripped the paper from the book, and crumbled it into a little ball.

"Fuck," I whispered.

"Just imagine she was sitting right here, and they were the last words you'd ever be able to say to her," Luke said.

"I'd tell her to take off her clothes and quit playing. Will that do?" I burst into laughter and realized that I really did need to sleep off the booze, even if just for a few hours.

I woke when the plane landed. My hair was a mess, and Luke looked at me as though I were crazy.

"Was I snoring?"

"No, but you better duck before your bride-to-be sees you."

I tucked my head to my knees and watched Luke lift his hand and wave. Busted.

"Are we taking the same car to the hotel?"

"Of course we are. I know it drives her crazy that I'm right there, but she can't touch or see me," I said.

Luke stood and grabbed his bag from above the seat. "You're evil, Finn."

"Oh, Jennifer is just as evil as me. Just wait. You'll see that side of her." My head was pounding, and I needed an aspirin. Cheap booze and flying were a horrible combination.

Jennifer and Caitlyn waited by the sign that said Felton. Her arms were crossed, but her eyes were shielded. I stood behind her, breathing in her scent, and she tensed, feeling me close. For a moment, I thought she would lean into me, but she stopped herself. She swallowed and her breast rose and fell heavily. She was going crazy inside, and I loved it. Cait turned and shook her head at me and nodded as Luke rolled his eyes. Maybe I was evil, or maybe I just enjoyed pulling Jennifer's strings tight.

The limo was waiting outside the airport at seven in the morning, and it drove us to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. I checked my phone—no missed calls. We were safe. The sun had barely risen over the mountains in the distance, and I soaked in the colors of Hawaii. There was no other place on earth like this. It had been so long since I had visited the blue water, white sand, and that rainbow on the side of the resort. After I slept off the flight and alcohol, I would walk to the beach and complete my vows. I only had today, because tomorrow was our big day.

Jennifer leaned her head against the seat, and it took everything I had not to touch her in some way. Just one brush of my hand or lips against hers would hold me over until tomorrow. I unbuckled my seatbelt and leaned over her, my lips inches from her. Our warm breaths mixed, and when her bottom lip parted and she leaned in to connect the electricity that drew us toward each other, I pulled away. She exhaled an annoyed breath. Luke and Cait both shook their heads at me and smiled. This would be much harder than I had thought, but there was nothing wrong with being a tease. I wondered whether Jennifer knew she was my weakness.

JENNIFER

Twenty-seven

After the flight, we all slept. Though I hadn’t seen him in almost a day, Finnley had played me like a piano, one key at a time. He was so close to me at times that I wanted to lean into him, touch him, kiss him, rip his clothes off, and stop the silly charade. Chords struck inside me, creating a resonance that would continue forever. I honestly thought he would be the one to sneak in and see me, but when he didn't, I realized he was taking this seriously. I was once again was his pawn. Just the thought of seeing him made me nervous.

He booked the spa for Caitlyn and I. That night, we stayed in, ordered room service, and watched ridiculous movies. The morning came early, and my nerves were singing "Flight of the Bumblebee."

I showered, then stood in front of the full-length mirror and just stared. Caitlyn unzipped my dress and helped me inside it. Carefully, I made sure my makeup was perfect, and I twisted my long bangs back and secured them with a bobby pin. After everything was absolutely perfect, I turned and looked at her, and she tilted her head at me.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm nervous." I held out a shaky hand, and she grabbed it, then she placed her warm palm on my cheek. It was like my mother was here with me. A jolt of both sadness and happiness streamed through me. My emotions were conflicting with nerves. I sucked in a deep breath and smiled.

"That's normal. Now what does your heart say?"

"I can't live without him, and that I love him with every single cell in my body. I am not myself without him. Finnley makes me whole."

"Then what are we waiting for? You've got a groom waiting for you, Jenn, who feels exactly the same way."

I sucked in a deep breath and swallowed down my doubt. We rode in silence to the top of a hill. My mouth dropped open as I saw a field of purple. No matter how hard I tried to picture my wedding, I couldn't, because this was too magical to imagine.

I stepped out of the car, and so did Caitlyn. The smells of lavender and dots of purple surrounded us. The scene took my breath completely away, and I didn't want to catch it. I closed my eyes to burn the images into my mind. This was really happening.

"Don’t be nervous. This is the beginning of the rest of your life, and you look so beautiful. You're steps away, Jenn. Don't make him wait." She swept a strand of loose hair out of my face and gave me a hug. I held a small bouquet of yellow flowers tightly. My hand shook, and Cait placed hers over mine then smiled. I smiled back, then turned and faced the open field.

In the distance, Finnley was standing with his hands in the pockets of his crisp, black tux, with one foot on the bottom step of the gazebo on the hillside. I couldn't focus on anything but him. I swallowed, but my feet seemed glued to the dirt path that led straight to him. One step at a time, I repeated.

The fields of purple were only bushels grouped together. It was beautiful to think that something as small as the lavender bushels could create pastures of purple.

My heart pounded in my chest as I thought about the walk to meet him, but I knew this was right. Not a single doubt lingered inside my body, and to know that, to really feel a strong peacefulness about my choice, brought so many emotions alive that I couldn't fully describe them. When our eyes met, a burning fire spread. I kept walking toward him, not stopping, not wavering in my step. He smiled, and I wanted to bottle up the look he gave me and keep it forever. Love. True love radiated from him, and it was for me. When I turned my head, I caught sight of Luke with a violin in his hand, and Caitlyn moved in beside me.

Was I living a dream? And if so, when would I awake? There, at that moment, I had everything I had ever wanted back in my life: family.

I had lost so much over the past few months, but as I walked forward, I realized how much I was gaining.

The space between us slowly diminished. I was a comet entering the Earth's orbit, breaking into smaller pieces until it was gone. Soon, Jennifer Downs would be no more. Soon, I would be Jennifer Felton.

At the edge of the patch, Luke smiled with so much joy and happiness as he placed his instrument on his shoulder. Then he played beautiful, moving music. Chills ran up my arm and streamed down my legs, and I was smiling at Finnley, who smiled back at me. I had never seen him so happy. Together, as I walked to him, we were lost in each other's gazes. Emotions overcame me, and I felt so overwhelmed that a single tear streamed down my face. Finnley grabbed my hand and wiped it away.

The Vera Wang dress hugged my waist and flared at the bottom. As the breeze blew, the chiffon clung to the wind, allowing fabric to flow like waves in the sea. It really was like Vera herself had created that style specifically for me, and I felt like the most beautiful person in the world wearing it.

As I stood beside him, he grabbed my hand and squeezed three times, his way of saying "I love you" without ever saying it.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered.

I was living a real-life fairytale.

A short plump man wearing black slacks and a collared shirt gave us a wide grin, and as soon as the music stopped, he began the ceremony. Luke and Caitlyn stood on either side of us.

"I've been told that you have written your own vows. Please don't let me get in the way."

Finnley pulled a small piece of paper that had been folded and unfolded several times from his pocket. His hand shook, slightly.

"Love. The word is simple. Four letters. One syllable. There is nothing special about how it sounds when it leaves my mouth. It's almost bland, and if one were to look up the definition of love, it would say something simple like a deep feeling. The word and its definition incompetently describe the emotions that it draws. It's not extravagant or pretty, and when I say it, it doesn't fully justify the meaning whatsoever. But when you've experienced and really felt love, it holds something more. I. Know. Love. I have cried tears of love. I have hated, laughed, almost died, and would fight the rest of my life for love. There are people in this world who have no idea how powerful that one tiny word is. No idea that it even exists. They read the definition and move on. I pity them. There are others who have experienced love, but no longer have it, and they may never find it again. Love is nothing more than a memory for them, but at least they experienced the power of it at one point, and that . . . that can never be taken away. Love tends to leave an impression of itself on our hearts and has the ability to move our souls. Human life is so beautiful, so precious, and we are lucky enough to be able to fully comprehend and understand the emotion. Love and moments mix together and create memories that we, as humans, can cherish until the day we die.

"When I look at you, Jennifer, I feel love. I know love, and I vow to love you for the rest of my life. Love you when we are old. Love you when you are mad. Love you no matter what. As long as you are with me, love will live. I love you, my friend, my partner, my lover, and I can't wait to spend my eternity loving you and falling in love with you over and over again."

Tears streamed down my face. Tears of happiness. Tears of love. Tears of feelings I couldn't comprehend. My words were insignificant compared to his. I swallowed down my emotions and pulled the little folded piece of paper from the pocket in my wedding dress. I had folded and unfolded it maybe as many times as Finnley had his. When I tried to speak, the wind seemed to carry my voice. It was shaky and uneven. He squeezed my hand, and that was all I needed to start. The only person with me was Finnley. It seemed the entire world around us had disappeared.

"I tried to imagine a world without you, and I couldn't. When I thought of my future, the only constant thing in it was you. My parents loved each other every single day of their lives together. I've always wanted that same kind of relationship, and I know that with you, I will. No matter what happens, good or bad, I want to experience it with you. I want to start a family with you. Grow old with you. Make traditions with you. I know that I love you more than I did yesterday, and tomorrow I will love you more than today, because when I'm with you, love has no boundaries. It's infinite. As your wife, I want to inspire you. Make you happy when you're sad. Encourage you to follow your dreams. Find you when you're lost, and make you feel whole when you're a half. Forever. Because you already do that for me. I promise to always be faithful. I promise to always be truthful. I promise to love you with everything I am. Not long ago, you asked me whether I knew what love was, and today, I can firmly say yes, I do. You are love, Finnley, and I choose you for the rest of my days," I said as tears streamed down my face. I wanted to kiss him right then, right there. I wanted to hold him, to touch him, to be one with him. The emotions inside me had spilled over into a pool around me. Never in my life had I felt such love and adoration for one human being, until now.

"Please exchange your rings."

Finnley pulled a diamond eternity wedding band from his pocket and slipped it on my finger. I watched him, smiling the entire time as he placed it on my finger. Caitlyn handed me his ring, a black titanium band with black diamonds along the top, and I slipped it on his. After it was on, his fingers intertwined with mine. I couldn't stop smiling as I stared into his eyes. He mouthed, "I love you."

"I want you two to remember this day for the rest of your lives. Look at each other. Memorize the looks on your faces, the way you feel, how you felt when you gave your vows. Look up at the sky, look at the people around you, and then look back at each other. Soak in the moment. Treasure it. Let it be imprinted on your hearts so that this memory will live with you forever. Mr. Felton, you may kiss your bride."

Finnley threaded his fingers through my hair and kissed me so passionately that he very well may have stolen my soul. He let go of my hands, wrapped his arms around my waist, and pulled me closer. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and ran my fingers through his messy hair. After we kissed as husband and wife, Luke whistled and Caitlyn clapped.

Finnley's smile brushed across my lips and broke our kiss. I burst into laughter, because the moment had completely encapsulated us both.

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Felton," the man said.

Finnley shook his hand, and I gave him a simple nod.

We were as we were supposed to be: together, as man and wife.

Finnley looped his pinky with mine as we walked down the dirt pathway. The smells of lavender and purple surrounded us.

Finnley leaned down and kissed me. Over my lips, he whispered, "I love you so much, Mrs. Felton."

"I love you too, Mr. Felton," I said, and I meant it with every piece of my being.

Before we walked any farther, Finnley lifted me into his arms and carried me back to the car. I turned my head and saw Caitlyn and Luke laughing at us. I waved at them and they waved back.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I said over Finnley's shoulder.

Luke shook his head with a huge smile on his face. Then Finnley set me down by the rented BMW and stole a kiss.

"I think I'm the happiest and luckiest person in the entire world," he said as he opened my car door.

I turned and looked at him.

"Don’t look at me like that, Jennifer. It makes me want to do bad, terrible things to you sexually," he said. When he leaned in to kiss me, I grabbed his bottom lip between my teeth and tugged. He growled, and when I let go, he bit where I had just held. I sat inside, and he shut the door then walked over to Luke and Caitlyn. He gave Luke a huge hug, and then one to Caitlyn. We were a family. I had a family. I couldn't stop smiling.

Finnley was wrong.

I was the happiest person in the world.

JENNIFER

Twenty-eight

"I love it here," he said as we drove toward the coast.

"I love being here with you."

He took my hand in his and held it as he zoomed down the streets that lined the crisp blue water. It was as if he knew Hawaii like the back of his hand. After a few more turns, I could see the blue water or the sun barely hanging on to the horizon. Pinks and purple streaked the sky with a tinge of yellow that hugged the water. It looked just like the pictures. Palm trees hung over the streets as we pulled into the paved driveway of a large house that looked like it was made of glass. The beach was so close that the tide might wash it away, but I knew better.

"What do you think?" Finnley asked.

"I should have expected something like this," I said with a smile on my face. "It's gorgeous."

"It's ours," he said.

I leaned back in my seat and jerked my head toward him. "Wait, what?"

"It's ours. I couldn't imagine spending the first night as man and wife in a hotel, or in a bed that other people had shared. I purchased a place that we could visit and make our own memories in."

"I don't know what to say."

"I've already managed to steal your voice, Mrs. Felton. That's cute."

When he called me Mrs. Felton, butterflies fluttered inside me. A big smile crossed my face, and Finnley ran around the front of the car to open my door. Always the gentleman. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, and I wrapped mine around his waist as we walked inside.

"Our suitcases?"

"We won't be needing those." He lifted an eyebrow and smirked.

I gulped.

He punched in a code, and the front door unlocked. We walked inside. Mason jars full of candles and a layer of sand had been arranged all around the house. He leaned down and kissed me so sweetly, then walked to the kitchen and grabbed two champagne glasses. When he turned around, I saw a small white wedding cake with a plastic couple topper.

"You thought of everything, didn't you?" I asked.

"I wanted it to be everything you’ve ever wanted," he said. He opened the champagne, and the cork didn't fly. I smiled, thinking back to the moment when he had explained the proper way to open champagne. He poured two glasses and handed me one. Then we intertwined our arms and sipped.

"Our first drink as man and wife," he said.

With a knife, he cut a small bite-size piece from the cake. I grabbed it while he cut another. I placed the cake in his mouth, and he did the same for me. Vanilla and sugar mixed together to create the most wonderful cake. Before he pulled his finger from my mouth, I sucked. With intense eyes, he watched. Just like a magnet, his mouth was on mine. His lips were soft and greedy as we exchanged breath-stealing kisses. I didn't want to wait any longer. I wanted and needed him as much as I needed air to breathe.

He took his suit jacket off and laid it on the back of the chair in the kitchen. While walking toward me, he undid his tie. Then our hands were locked together, and he was leading me down a hallway.

At the end, the master bedroom faced the ocean. The entire wall was made of glass, which opened up to the patio. From the bedroom, I saw white sand and blue water, and I could hear the sounds of crashing waves.

"I know you hate the beach, but my goal is to change your opinion. I think after tonight, you'll love it."

"I already do," I whispered.

Finnley leaned in and kissed the softness of my neck. His lips trailed up to my earlobe. "You're beautiful, Mrs. Felton," he said. I didn't think my body could take anymore. He ran his fingers through my hair as he kissed the other side of my neck. Teeth mixed with kisses as he unzipped the back of my dress. I stepped out of it, and he took a step back.

"My wife," he said.

I gave him my best sultry look as I tilted my head sideways. I walked to him and unbuttoned his shirt, then unzipped his suit pants. "Mr. Felton," I said.

"I've always loved it when you called me that."

"I know, Mr. Felton." I kissed the crook of his neck.

His hands ran across my back and unhooked the strapless bra. I kissed him across his chest and slid my tongue down to his nipple where I flicked. Moans escaped him. He backed me up toward the king-sized bed and slid his underwear to the floor. If anyone was on the beach, they would be able to see everything that happened in this room, but I didn't care. As Finnley laid me down on the bed, my chest rose and fell with each breath. My heart wouldn't stop pounding. This was exactly what I had wanted—to be one with him.

He lay beside me and propped his head up with his arm and smiled. I smiled back, feeling more nervous than I had when I had given him my virginity. So much had happened since the night he had officially stolen my heart. He slid the tips of his fingers over my skin. Chill bumps formed in every place he touched, and I closed my eyes as he memorized my body. He took his time as he lightly touched my breasts, my stomach, and rubbed between my legs and over my panties. He leaned over, closer to my face, and placed his lips over mine. When I pushed up to kiss him, he pulled his head away.

"Uh-uh. Not yet, Mrs. Felton." His voice was low and gravelly. To tease me further, he ran his open lips across mine but refused to press.

"You're driving me crazy," I said.

He slid his lips across my cheek until his mouth met my ear, and then whispered, "Good."

I swallowed. His feather-light kisses continued to tease and tempt me. I was experiencing some sort of euphoria.

Finnley wrapped the little strings of my panties in his fist and pulled, snapping them completely off my body. I opened my eyes and turned my head to him.

"What can I say?" he said.

I chuckled. While it seemed everything around me had drastically changed, the little things hadn't. Finnley fucking Felton was still a panty ripper.

Once my panties were off, he lifted himself on top of me. My legs parted instantaneously. The tip of his dick played on the outside of me.

"You're so fucking wet," he said, staring into my eyes. I lifted my eyebrows, and he leaned down and gave me his mouth. His soft lips, I wanted them so bad. And when I had them, a feeling of relief flooded me. Then slowly he pushed himself inside me. I gasped as I trailed my fingers up his back. His movements never picked up pace. They were slow and precise as he pushed his dick deeper, harder. I pressed my body against his, and together we panted.

"Oh my God," I said into his mouth as he kissed and tugged on my bottom lip with his teeth. It had never felt like that before. Never. We had crossed from fucking to making love. His chest was against mine, and his breathing was heavy and thick. I could smell his skin, his soap, everything about him, and it made me feel alive. He lay on his back, and I climbed on top of him, allowing every hard inch of his erection to fill me. Instead of moving, I sat there with him fully inside me. His hands roamed up my stomach to my breasts, and I leaned over, claiming his mouth as mine. Slow and steady, I rocked my hips, taking him from the tip all the way down the shaft. He groaned deeply as I moaned, rocking harder. His thumb playing with my clit as another pinched my nipple. Harder. Faster. Then it seemed the entire world shifted on itself as I came. I threw my head back and rode him until my orgasm finished, but I didn't stop there. I wanted him to fill me with himself, with every last drop.

My insides screamed out with pleasure every single time I pushed him deep inside me.

He was close. I knew he was. His muscles tightened.

He grasped my waist more tightly, and then it happened.

Warmness spread throughout me, along with a happiness that I never wanted to end. I toppled on top of his chest, and he wrapped his arms around me. I felt and heard his heart beating wildly with mine.

The sun had set, and the only lights in the room came from the flickering candles in the jars. I moved beside him, and we just lay there, holding each other with our eyes closed.

This, I knew, was love, a love that couldn't be stolen, a love that would never be lost. Today, we had shared something so private, so intimate, that our hearts were mended as one. Nothing could break our bond.

Finnley pressed his lips against my forehead, and I looped my leg over his. Somehow, I knew that no matter what happened between us, we would inevitably be like this—tangled together by love.

The light from the rising sun woke me. I reached my arm over and felt warmth, but no Finnley. As soon as I sat up in bed, he walked in with two cups of coffee. Pajama bottoms hung carelessly from his waist, and I could see the outline of him. I bit my lip at the thought of him and last night. It seemed like a dream, and if it were, I wanted to sleep forever.

Finnley handed over a cup of coffee. "Milk and two sugars, just like you like," he said.

I happily took the cup and sipped the liquid warmth, then set it down on the nightstand.

"Come here." Finn took my hand and led me over to the giant windows. He wrapped his arms around my body and smelled my hair, kissed my forehead, then held me. I would treasure his gentleness and love for the rest of my life.

I turned around and stared outside. His reflection bounced from the window, and every few seconds I would look out at the beach, then back at him. Finnley stood behind my naked body and draped his arms over my shoulders as we watched the early sun peek over the horizon. Orange and blue skies looked as if they would swallow the beach in one gulp.

He twirled me around, and leaned down and kissed me. Soft, warm lips barely touched mine. Then they were rough, ravenous, full of want and desire. My back pressed against the cool glass, and I sighed in his mouth.

"I thought I would have you for breakfast," he said.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he lifted me into the air. We were starved for each other. I breathed him in, all of him, and memorized his fingers on my skin. The intensity in the room grew, and with every kiss, Finnley stole my breath away. My heart and body both wanted the same thing—him. I was magnetized to him, unable to focus on anything else in the room. The brightness of the rising sun and the smell of the freshly roasted coffee had all faded away. All I knew was Finnley, and all he knew was me.

He leaned down and nibbled on my neck. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. Between his teeth, he tugged on my nipple. I sighed when he pushed himself inside me. My body was ready, wanting to feel him. I couldn't get enough of Finnley, my drug.

My back pressed against the glass window, and I was brought back to the moment in my townhouse. Finnley had taken it slow, then had gone hard and fast. I ran my fingers through his hair and pulled hard. He growled into my neck as I screamed out in sweet satisfaction.

"Fuck me like you hate me," I whispered, and tugged his hair even harder.

Our sex went to the next level. Rough. Aggressive. Greedy. He tucked his arms under my legs and steadied me against the glass. We kissed each other so hard my lips pounded.

"Harder," I whispered in his ear. He did exactly as I said. He slid effortlessly inside me, and I opened my legs as wide as I possibly could, making sure I took every inch of him. After a few more moments, Finnley let me down and pressed my bare breasts against the glass. He wrapped my hair around his fist and pulled my head back to look into his eyes. The moment was too intense. There were too many emotions streaming through me at that moment. Then Finnley loosened his grip and I lifted my ass in the air. He grabbed onto my hips and slid himself between my part. After teasing me for a few more minutes, he pushed himself deep inside me. I moaned and pressed my hands against the glass. We were like a lock and key, made for each other, forever, both useless without the other.

He drove himself into me deeper, and I knew it wouldn't be long until I lost all control.

"Fuck me," I whispered. "Fuck me, harder," I demanded.

Finnley didn't let lose. He panted behind me and gave me everything he was. I wanted him to break me, finally, break me as he dove deep inside me as he held my legs up. He fucked me until I felt something I had never felt before, a euphoric feeling almost.

"Your pussy is pure perfection," he said into my neck. Finnley reached around and played with my clit, and that's all it took before I was losing myself on him, gasping for air and panting with pleasure. He turned me around and kissed my lips, then dipped his length back inside me. His thrusts became slower as he rested his forehead against mine. Our lips were lost, and he only pulled away to tell me he was coming. He breathed me in, and we stood in each other's embrace. Skin on skin, heart to heart, together.

"That was the best breakfast I've ever had," he whispered. "I can't get enough of you. I don't want to. You're exactly what I've always wanted, needed. I love you so much."

I smiled at him and wrapped my arms around his neck. "I love you, too. Forever."

JENNIFER

Twenty-nine

Finnley had me for breakfast, and I ended up having him for lunch. We lay in each other's arms for hours, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. I didn’t have a worry or care in our world, just the two of us—our skin, our touch and our love. It was all I needed and wanted. Finnley made a call and had Chinese food and wine delivered to us. The paper bag was full of white boxes with dragons on the outside. I opened them and saw wontons, eggrolls, fried rice, and lo mein.

Two empty crystal glasses waited to be filled with red. Finnley ripped the end off the chopsticks and handed me mine. He rubbed them together and positioned them perfectly in his hands as he portioned our plates.

"I love this place. I know it's just Chinese food, but it's the best damn Chinese food in the entire world," Finnley said.

When I took my first bite, I knew exactly what he was talking about. My mouth burst alive with the fresh flavors of the food, which were then drowned with a dry wine. Needless to say, I was in foodie heaven. I struggled with the chopsticks and Finnley laughed at me. Then he grabbed a rubber band from a drawer and wrapped the top of the sticks. He leaned over my shoulder, and the heat from his chest pressed against me.

After we were finished, Finnley slung a bag over his shoulder and grabbed my hand.

"Do you trust me?" he asked

"Of course," I said.

Torches lined the walkway and the flames lit the way. Our footsteps echoed off the wooded planks, and when our feet hit the sand, he slipped off his shoes. He lifted his eyebrows, encouraging me to do the same. When I didn't immediately take them off, he dropped to his knee and slipped my sandals off. I hated the beach, but being here, like this, made me adore it.

"You have to experience the sand between your toes. No ifs, ands, or buts about it," Finnley said. We walked a few feet until the water was a foot away. Finnley pulled a blanket out of his bag and laid it on the beach. We sat on the blanket on the white dusty sand and watched the sun set in the sky. Pinks painted across the sky, and pretty soon, it was the color of plums. I leaned my head on Finnley's shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around me. Eventually, the deep purples faded into darkness. The moon was a beacon in the dark sky, surrounded by shining diamonds.

"Have you ever thought about the moon? Finnley asked.

I shook my head and looked over at him.

A white glow lit his face. "Maybe the moon and Earth were once lovers and something happened, so instead of forcing himself upon her, he continues to follow her and light her darkness. Control her tides and brighten the dark nights."

"Well, maybe the moon is the woman of the relationship."

"Can't be. Everyone knows it's the man in the moon. Sorry, love."

I moved closer to him. The warmth of his skin radiated off him. Cool wind swept from the ocean, and the sounds of crashing waves moved through me.

"It's a big world out there," Finnley said. "I'm happy to be able to share it with you."

"How do you always find a way to take my breath away?"

He pulled me onto his lap. I ran my fingers through his messy, windblown hair and kissed the softness of his neck. Scruff on his chin grazed my skin. My blood pumped quicker through my veins, which acted like streets to my heart. Flutters, butterflies, all those little feelings that characters in movies experience, I had them. Finnley had forged a path into my heart with himself. He had broken down my walls, the barriers that had taken years to construct. With one look, one touch, they had crumbled to dust, only to be blown away by the sweet wind.

He grabbed my face with soft hands and kissed me so softly I thought I would melt into him. It felt like the beginning of my life, like I had died and come back just for him.

The stars shone and the moonlight reflected off the water like shards from a white kaleidoscope. Finnley wrapped his arms around me and lay back on the blanket, smiling.

"Can life get any better than this?" he whispered as he looked up at the night sky.

I rested my head on his chest and lay there, listening to his steady heartbeat. Time seemed to stand still, and a small piece of me never wanted this to end. I wanted to stay relaxed on the beach with Finnley forever. I wanted to let Hawaii capture me with its white sandy beaches and beautiful skies. There were no worries here, no Jesse. I actually hadn't thought of her since we'd landed, not until just then. I steadied myself until my face was directly above Finnley's.

"Yes, Mrs. Felton?"

"Can we stay here forever?"

He laughed, then rolled me onto the blanket and kissed me. When he pulled away, he was nothing but serious.

"We can't, Jenn. I would love to stay here, but I've got business to take care of. We fly out tomorrow. And don't give me that look."

Stink face, I had mastered the look years ago. I knew we couldn't stay, but the thought was nice while it lasted. I was never one to run from my problems, so I knew going back was what had to happen, but I secretly hoped Abbot had found Jesse and had taken care of the problem while we were away. He had promised me he would find her, and I trusted Abbot with my life, almost as much as I trusted Finnley.

JENNIFER

Thirty

We awoke and drank coffee on the patio. I wanted to suck in every bit of Hawaii that I could. I wanted to remember the way the air smelled, and how it felt when it brushed against my skin. I tried to memorize the sounds of the waves and the feeling of the warm sun kissing my skin. I made Finnley promise me that we would come back to actually see the city and be ridiculous tourists and do all the silly things. On this trip, we were too busy enjoying each other, but I had no complaints. No, what we'd done would stay with me for the rest of my life.

After we finished our coffee, Finnley started packing. I knew it was time to go. I packed my bag and took one last tour of our house. I would miss the blue walls and high ceilings, the view of the beach from our bedroom, and most of all, the uninterrupted time we had spent together. Finnley loaded our bags into the car and basically had to drag me out of the house.

"We will come back. I promise," he said, kissing my forehead.

"Your promise is as good as gold."

Luke and Caitlyn were waiting for Finnley and me outside of one of the nicest resorts in Hawaii. They stood inches apart and seemed to be talking about something. The conversation stopped as soon as we pulled up. They both slipped inside the car and exchanged nothing but smiles. The quiet ride to the airport gave me the opportunity to think about everything that had happened. Finnley and I were married. I glanced down at the ring, then over at him and grabbed his hand. He squeezed my fingers three times, and I smiled.

A silver bullet with wings awaited us on the other side of the window. Our bags had been shipped to the private jet that Finnley had insisted on renting because it was more comfortable for everyone. As we walked through the private entrance of the airport, Finnley grabbed my hand. Luke and Caitlyn followed behind. Occasionally, I would look over my shoulder and smile at them.

My hair was in a side braid, and little strands of it kept falling out, so I would tuck them behind my ears. Finnley was dressed casually in a pair of brown slacks, a black quarter-sleeved shirt tucked in the front, and Ray-Bans. Just thinking about his style put a grin on my face. Just thinking about how he was mine warmed me to the core.

He pulled my backpack over his shoulder and looked over at me. Happiness radiated from him. If an outsider looked at us, would they think we were in love? I was sure of it. Doubt had no place to stay, because love had filled the empty space.

We walked through a tunnel, then toward the stairs of the jet. The inside had leather seats that fully reclined. The jet was big enough to easily fit twenty people. Wood-grain accents were throughout. Finnley walked to the front and shook the pilot and co-pilot's hands, then thanked them. Luke and Caitlyn sat next to each other at the front of the plane, and Finnley met me at the back.

"Window?" he asked.

I shook my head. The seats were plush leather, and I knew it wouldn't be long before I fell asleep. He sat down beside me and locked his hand with mine.

"What is going on with those two?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

I broke into a whisper. "Oh God. They like each other, don't they?"

Finnley stood and walked to the front, then sat in the seats that faced them. I leaned over and watched. He laughed and smiled along with them. Randomly, he would look back at me and nod his head. He even gave me thumbs up. I shot him a disapproving look.

The pilot spoke over the intercom to let us knows that we were next in line for take off and that we needed to buckle our seatbelts. The plane moved down the runway, and Finnley rushed back to me and buckled.

"Good news. They are madly in love with each other and will be getting married next week," he said, joking with me. I slapped his arm, and a few moments later, the plane picked up speed and lifted into the air. The dropping in my tummy happened almost instantaneously, and before long, we were in the air soaring through the clouds. I leaned my head against the seat and watched Finnley scroll through emails on his phone. He hadn't checked it the entire time we were gone. When he caught me staring at him, he set the phone down, leaned over, and kissed me.

"We will be on this plane for hours," he said, lifting an eyebrow.

I burst out in laughter. "Wait. Here?"

He couldn't be serious, but when I looked into his eyes, I could tell that he was.

"There is a couch right over there." He pointed to it.

I turned my whole body toward him. "Seriously, Mr. Felton? Your brother and my sister are right there."

Finnley unbuckled his seatbelt, stood, and closed a curtain in the middle of the hallway. Then he curled his finger, telling me to come. I hesitated, and he tilted his head at me then shook it. After another minute, I unbuckled and walked to him. He lay me down on the couch and slid in beside me. I was the sun in the sky, beaming as happiness drifted all around me. Was this my life? Surely this was just a dream.

Finnley unbuttoned my pants with a quick snap. His hand slid down inside my panties. I arched my back as he thumbed my clit. With his teeth, he grabbed onto the skin on the side of my neck, and I sighed with relief.

"Fuck," I whispered.

"Oh, we will," he said.

I closed my eyes as he continued on. I pulled him close to my mouth. "Fuck me, Finn," I said.

He stood and unbuckled his belt, unzipped his pants, and pulled down his boxers. Then he was on top of me, pushing deeper into me. Chill bumps raced up and down my arms, and I gasped. I ran my fingers up his shirt and pulled him closer. His face hovered above mine, and as he fucked me, hard, his breath covered me. I softly moaned.

"You're so naughty," he said.

"Learned from the best. Now fuck me harder."

He didn't hold back. At all. Tomorrow, I would feel every single movement. Tomorrow, I would have a permanent smile plastered across my face. Not caring anymore, I relaxed and scratched my nails down Finnley's back. I was so close.

"Harder," I said between gritted teeth.

Finnley panted into the crook of my neck, fucking me like he hated me, but oh God, I knew he loved me so much.

I grabbed his ass and pushed him deeper inside me as I came all over his dick. A few more thrusts, and he leaned down and kissed me as he filled me with his warmth. Sweat covered his forehead, and his messy hair stuck to it.

"You drive me crazy, Jennifer."

I grabbed the bottom of his chin, then leaned up and kissed him. "What do you think you do to me?" I asked.

"Rock your fucking world. Oh, I must officially welcome you to the Mile High Club," he said.

"I thought I was already a member from when we flew?"

"That was just the initiation flight." Finnley smiled.

I lay there, completely relaxed, when he stood and buckled his pants. I lifted my butt from the soft cushions, then cleaned him from me before I did up my pants.

"Do I get a members jacket or something?" I smiled and rebraided my hair, which had turned into a fuzzy mess.

Finnley walked over to a small refrigerator in the back of the plane and pulled out a bottle of wine, then poured us each a glass. Once our faces were no longer pink, Finnley opened the curtain that separated us from our siblings.

Luke walked to the back of the plane and lifted his eyebrow at me. I flushed with embarrassment and smiled, then sipped my wine.

Finnley tapped his glass against mine and whispered, "To being a member of the Mile High Club, You don’t get a members jacket until you've done it ten times. Kind of like a punch card," he said then kissed my cheek.

Caitlyn entered as well, and Finnley stood and walked to the back of the plane to be with Luke. She sat in the seat in front of me with a smile on her face. She glanced at me, then to Finnley, who was a few feet away.

"So, little sister," she said.

I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Luke," she said.

I sat up in my seat and stared at her.

"Something happened in Hawaii," she said.

This couldn't be more awkward, staring at a woman who looked exactly like a younger version of my mother. Even her smile was exactly the same, and the tone of her voice. It was my mother reincarnated, and at times it was hard looking at her. Though at others, I was grateful she had found me. I didn't rush her. I just sat there, waiting, already having a feeling of what she would say.

"I really like him," she said. "Like a lot and well, I want to have your good graces before I pursue anything. It's important to me that you approve of this because of your history, you know."

"We have no history. It wasn't like that," I said.

"I know how he felt about you at one time. That's all. I wasn't trying to imply anything."

"Cait. Luke is a great guy. One day, he is going to make someone happy. Very happy. If you want to go on dates with him, then go for it. But I'll tell you this. Don't you dare break his heart. You're my sister. You're my blood. But so is Luketon. I love him too much to let him get hurt again. And if you get together and break up, you're both coming to Christmas dinner. I don't care how bad the breakup is. I want you both there."

She laughed. "That's a deal. He makes me feel. I can't even describe it. It feels right for once."

I leaned forward in my seat and reached my arms out. She came in and we exchanged a hug.

"Thank you," she said. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome."

Caitlyn stood with a huge smile on her face and walked toward the back of the plane. I knew it wouldn't have mattered whether I had given my graces or not. They were adults and could do what they wanted. Finnley sat next to me with a grin plastered across his face.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing." He kept smiling.

"What? Tell me!"

"You can't demand me. That's not how this works." He crossed his arms and laughed.

"You better tell me, Finnley Felton, and you better tell me right now."

He turned his body to me. "Luke asked me if he could date your sister."

"She just asked me if she could date your brother," I said, narrowing my eyes at him.

We both stood and turned our bodies toward the back of the plane, where Luke and Caitlyn were kissing against the wall. Both of our mouths fell open, and we sat.

"That didn't take long, did it?" Finnley said.

"What did you tell Luke?"

"I told him to not be ridiculous."

"That was it?"

"I told him to not be ridiculous, and if he finds love, he better keep it. That if it's real, to not let it slip by, but he better not pursue anything unless he knows it's right because it's your fucking sister."

I shook my head and laughed. "Of course that's what you said."

"At least it isn't one of the Elite. God, I thought I would never get him away from those women."

"Are you happy?" I asked.

He turned and looked at me. "Happy doesn't even describe how I feel right now. You make me feel. That's all that matters."

Luke and Caitlyn passed us, holding hands. I looked at Finnley, and he kissed my forehead.

The plane landed and we all wore our travel faces. I couldn't wait to get home and sleep in our bed. Outside the airport, two black limos sat waiting, along with several unmarked SUVs.

"I'm confused," I said.

"We're like the fucking president and first lady. It's basic divide and conquer," Finnley said.

Abbot stepped out of one of the many black SUVs lined behind the limos. He leaned in, gave Finnley a strong hug, and exchanged a few words that I couldn't hear. I couldn't believe so many SUVs were waiting for us. Charlie stepped out of the second limo and gave me a huge smile.

"Congrats, Jennifer," he said. I smiled back and winked before I slipped inside, followed by Caitlyn and Luke. Finnley stood outside, pointing in different directions as he spoke with Abbot and a few men who I had never seen before. Then Charlie opened the door and Finnley slid in beside me.

He held me in his arms and kissed my neck. Luke and Caitlyn whispered in each other's ears. I closed my eyes and let the sound of the tires on the road whisk me away.

No one knew we were married. The secret was our own, just like the ceremony. It was important the secret was kept ours, because I knew deep down in my heart that Jesse was in the shadows, waiting for us to let down our guard, to catch us at our weakest. She would try with everything she was to destroy us both.

I couldn't have that.

ABBOT

Thirty-one

Finnley upped the ante with protection, but with unlimited amounts of funds, why wouldn't he? Baxtor's men and gangsters, who were looking for extra cash, filled the SUVs. Each person was packing weapons and knives. I had gotten wind from Baxtor that he’d found a Russian who was working with Jesse and had questioned him. Apparently, it had gotten bloody, but they'd worked something out. Usually when it came between life and death, deals could be made. But then again, money made people talk, and good ole Bax had played his cards carefully. He would never give me exact information: just enough for us to know something was going to happen. He played in the purgatory between Jesse and me, because he wanted to kill her himself.

Today I had gotten the call that Jesse would make a move.

Not on my fucking watch.

The sky was dark and gloomy. Grey clouds washed against a dark-colored sky, and it reminded me of London in the winter. For a second I thought it would rain, but then remembered where I was.

I gripped the steering wheel, knuckles turning white, and checked my surroundings as the two limos followed each other ahead of us. I kept searching around, waiting for something to happen, and as if I’d had a premonition, one of my men called on the radio with bloody murder in his voice.

"Fucking crazy bastards are shooting at us. They are here," he yelled so loudly I could barely make out everything he said. I glanced over at Liam, who breathed in a deep breath then cocked the hammer of his pistol.

I took a quick glance in the side mirror and watched as black vans fell in line behind us. Gunshots ricocheted off the bulletproof vehicles, but I knew if they used anything larger, the protection that the Suburbans offered wouldn't be enough. In front of us, the road split two ways. One limo was planning to go left and another would go right. Fuck!

I picked up the phone and dialed Finnley's number. He picked up on the first ring.

"Plan B," I said then hung up, not having time to explain everything that would happen. We’d planned this out perfectly. We had every scenario taken care of, thanks to the insider information. When the limos went separate ways, I jerked the wheel of the Suburban and made a U-Turn. The wheels slid in the gravel, and after another moment, I regained total control.

"How the fuck? There are so many of them," Liam said, counting the vans. Jesse went hard, but I had dealt with fucks like her for the past decade. This had to end today. No more playing her childish games. No more allowing her the upper hand. By dusk tonight, she would be no longer, and I wouldn't stop until that thought was a reality.

Liam rolled down the window of the Suburban and steadied himself as he hung out and began shooting at the tires of the vans. Other drivers made U-turns and followed our lead. Jesse's men were insane with a death wish, almost like kamikazes, as they veered head-on into our lanes. I knew they had a mission, but to risk their lives so destructively for the wrong side almost didn't make sense to me. But I learned a long time ago that people who did this type of work weren't completely there. Sociopaths, psychopaths, thieves, drug addicts, compulsive liars—those were the people hired help for this type of work. Even I had a few of them on my team, but most of my men had structure with their crime and were driven by greed. I was okay with that.

A large majority of the vans kept following the line of Suburbans that had followed the limo right. After we passed the last black van, Liam tucked back inside and buckled himself up. I turned the wheel hard again and followed behind the caravan of vehicles. They were not stopping for anything, and I was sure that had been an order.

We were driving fast, almost too fast. In my vision, a white Mercedes passed us like a ghost.

"Stop that car," I said into a walkie-talkie. My drivers pulled out in front of the car, but nothing seemed to stop it. And that's when the explosions started. A Suburban flipped off the road and rolled three times before it came to a stop. I knew what could cause that type of damage—RPGs. How the fuck had she gotten a hold of those? Another Suburban flew off the road and burst into flames.

"It's the third van back. It's following the car and taking us out as it passes."

The van in front of us slammed on its brakes, and I swerved around it. As we passed, Liam aimed his gun out the window. Direct hit. The van veered off the road. There were five more, but I had to catch up to the white car, and the van following close behind it. Each one of my men who were driving were skilled drivers and would randomly slam on their brakes, go off road, and jerk the wheel into the other lane if needed.

The white car got near a Suburban that was following close behind the limo, and he tried everything he could to stop it. He slammed the side of the Suburban into the car, which caused it to temporarily lose control. But somehow it made its way back onto the road. One Suburban crashed into a van, pushing it farther off road, until the driver turned the wheel. Liam began shooting at the tires of the van, leaving them flat. I slammed on the gas until I was a few feet behind the car, racing at high speeds. The Mercedes passed the limo, and so did I, staying close on its tail.

The limo turned off onto a back road, and moments later, the white car was back. Dead end. We were trapped. A man holding a gun stepped out of the car and walked to the limo. I parked the Suburban and pulled out both guns. Liam followed, and that's when the entourage of vans and Suburbans filed in.

"Stop," I yelled.

The limo driver stayed in place, not opening the door. When the man turned and looked at me, his face was distorted and his mouth was curved up in a huge smile. I swallowed, knowing exactly what type of man he was. When I went to take a step forward, the man opened his jacket and flashed what looked like a bomb strapped to his chest. While the limos were bulletproof, they weren't bomb proof. I knew that, and so did the driver who didn't hesitate when he saw the explosives. The psycho immediately pulled a gun and held it to the driver's head. Psycho whispered something, and reluctantly, the driver unlocked the car door. The man ran to the back of the limo in a hurry. Bullets grazed past me as I ran toward them. The last thing I fucking needed was to get shot.

Liam stayed at the Suburban and started shooting at those who were shooting at me. My men were fighting Jesse's in the middle of the street. Thankfully, Liam never missed a shot, and people were dropping like meteors in a shower.

When the man opened the back of the limo, I burst into laughter as I ran toward him. His curved lips transformed into a thin, straight line, and he narrowed his cold, dead eyes on me. We were just a few feet from each in a total standoff. He quickly opened his cellphone and only said one word before I placed the gun on his temple and pulled the trigger. I felt absolutely nothing when I did it. Maybe I really had lost my soul somewhere during the transition. I watched as blackness pooled on the ground, mixing with the gravel. Gunshots continued to ricochet around me, and I took cover inside the limo.

The driver rolled down the window, and I screamed for him to bring us to Finnley's house, the destination of the other limo. Liam jumped in the back of the bulletproof limo, and the driver turned it around. As we passed our men, I opened the door to let them in. Some were bloody, but others didn't have a scratch on them. The amount of adrenaline pumping through our veins right now was at lethal levels, but it seemed to calm me, almost as if I were in hyper speed. Pretty soon, twelve of us were sitting in a ten-passenger limo. When I turned around to look at the scene, all I saw were bodies laying on the ground. To say it was a fucking mess was an understatement.

I pulled out my cellphone and called Finnley.

He didn't answer, and I knew we had to hurry.

Though I'd had a plan, it had gone all wrong.

JENNIFER

Thirty-two

Finnley's phone rang, and the conversation lasted mere seconds. He pressed a button and spoke to Charlie. "We are on Plan B," Finnley said. We turned left, and I watched the line of SUVs and vans follow the other limo. My heart raced like crazy, and I looked at Finnley, who was completely calm, as if he knew this would happen. I couldn't count the amount of vehicles that were in the caravan following the limo. It was a mixture of danger, and I was scared.

He pulled me close to him and smiled. "They really aren't the smartest people in the world, are they? I thought at least one would follow us," Finnley said.

Charlie slammed on the gas, and we travelled at high speeds to the house. Finnley opened a briefcase that sat in the seat next to him. Inside it were guns, bullets, clips, and silencers. He placed a clip in the bottom of the gun and racked the slide, then handed it to Luke, who took it and placed it inside his jacket. Finnley repeated the process for two more guns, then placed a holster around his shoulders and slipped the two guns on each side of him. A few knives were passed around too. He glanced over at me and swallowed. His nostrils flared, and I knew at that moment the threat. Charlie zoomed down the driveway to the house and pulled close to the door.

Finnley opened the car door, and I followed quickly behind him. As soon as my feet hit pavement, I heard the click of a gun. Finnley's mouth dropped open, and so did mine when I saw Jesse coming toward us from the side of the house, alone. I slammed the door shut so she wouldn't know that Luke and Caitlyn were in the limo. Adrenaline streamed through my body, and I wasn't sure I could handle it all. My hands trembled, and all I heard was the beating of my heart echoing through my ears.

Finnley pulled me close to his body and slowly reached to his side to pull the gun from his holster.

"Drop the fucking guns, Finnley," she said, then burst into hysterical laughter. She was proud of herself, always too proud of what she had done.

Chills formed on my skin, and my arm hair stood on end. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion as Finnley dropped the guns.

"You really didn't think you would get away, did you? Please tell me you aren't that stupid. You're smarter than that, Finnley. Much smarter," she said, and I knew it was nothing more than the calm before the crazy Jesse storm. She would lose it. She always did.

Jesse stood a few feet in front of us. The front door of the house was right there, just on the other side of her. Why couldn't we have run to it or slipped back inside the limo? Hindsight really was 20/20. She stared me down while disgust spread across her face. Her eyes were deep sockets of pure blackness with nothing behind them. I think that was more frightening than the end of the gun she rested on my forehead. Finnley grabbed my hand and squeezed three times. Jesse threaded her fingers through my hair then jerked my head with all the strength she had until I looked into Finnley's eyes.

"You chose her? Her? Look at her. She's a fucking child. She has nothing going for her. She's weak. You make me sick, Finnley. You could have had me. All of me. I would have died for you and now I'll kill because of you," she said. A single tear streamed down her face, then quickly, she pointed the gun at Finnley. I turned my head, and he stared her down with nothing but disgust and hate in his eyes.

My nightmares flooded me. My nightmares were becoming a reality.

"Now she will die for you. Do you have anything to say?" she asked.

He sucked in a deep breath and exhaled. Finnley didn't say a word. He was too strong to give her the satisfaction, to provoke her.

"Is it worth it? Is she worth it? Is she worth dying for?" Jesse's voice was low and menacing as if the devil himself was forcing her to speak.

I had to do something. I had to stop this. She released my hair, and I inched forward as she focused on Finnley, then Jesse pointed the gun in the air and shot a silenced round straight up.

"Fucking stop. Don't you fucking move, or I'll kill you both right here where we stand. I'll do it. I'll fucking do it," she screamed at the top of her range and her hand shook with anger.

She took another step toward me and placed the metal under my chin.

"I want to do it so badly. I want to watch you bleed out. I want to watch you take your last breath," Jesse said and pulled the trigger of the gun.

Click.

No bullet.

She laughed. "Oh, you're so lucky you didn't get one of my three rounds."

A tremor of fear rushed through me. She pulled another gun from the back of her pants and pointed it at Finnley.

The thought of Caitlyn and Luke sitting inside the car watching this killed me. I didn't want to die today. I didn't want to die until I was supposed to, and it wasn't my time, not like this.

I opened my mouth to speak, then shut it when I saw something move in my peripheral. I focused on her dark eyes and the hatred that swirled within them. Her hot breath brushed against my face, and I swallowed while tears streamed down my cheeks. I hoped she wouldn't play bullet roulette with us again, but I knew we wouldn't be so lucky. After a few more seconds, she placed one gun to my head and one to Finnley's.

"On the count of three, we are going to see who drops dead first. One of you, maybe both at the same time. This is going to be fun," Jesse snarled.

Finnley squeezed my hand.

"Three. You should have chosen me, Finnley. Two. This is the biggest mistake you've ever made. One."

That’s when I saw Luke run in a quiet sprint toward Jesse. A glint of something reflected from his hand as he stayed light on his feet. I couldn't quite see what he had. I swallowed and watched as he jerked Jesse by the hair, took her into a chokehold, and whispered something in her ear. Fear covered Jesse's face, and she had enough time to look at me then Finnley before Luke sliced through her carotid artery. Blood sprayed across Finnley and me, and Jesse dropped one of the guns and grabbed her neck to stop the bleeding. With her last ounce of her strength, she pulled the trigger of the other gun before she dropped to her knees. Click. No bullet.

When Jesse's face hit the pavement, darkness poured from within her.

Luke dropped the knife and looked at me. I had no words as tears streamed down my face. Everything that I had been holding back released itself forcefully. My emotions were consuming me like a black hole consumed matter. I was stuck in a singularity where nothing made sense. Finnley pulled me close. Caitlyn rushed out of the limo and slammed herself into Luke's blood covered body. Tears ran down her face. She was a sobbing mess.

"I can't lose you," she whispered.

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. "We are safe now."

I sucked in air trying to comprehend everything that had happened but I couldn't. Thick and heavy shock moved through me. I was trembling, and Finnley held on to me tightly. Adrenaline and shock had that effect on people. He whispered in my ear as I let every built up emotion pour out of me. "Babe, it's okay. We are okay. You're okay. We are safe. No more worries. It's over. I love you."

Luke walked over to us and we exchanged hugs and tears.

"Sometimes love is worth killing for. She made me do terrible things that are still hard for me to live with. No one messes with my family," Luke said. He opened both arms, and we stood there, all three of us hugging each other. Cait squeezed in and my family was complete. We were together. We were safe.

Charlie stepped out of the limo and pulled us all away from the bloody scene.

"We need to call the police," Charlie said.

"Yes, of course," Finnley said, calm, cool, and collected.

Caitlyn and Luke kissed each other between tears. Finnley wrapped his arms around me and ran his fingers through my hair. Blood coated our clothes, and I couldn't stop replaying what had happened.

Finn looked down at me, then grabbed my face and forced me to stare into his eyes. I felt myself falling into a solid state of shock. Finnley repeated himself, and the chains broke inside me, releasing me from fear.

"It is over. She's gone," I said in a whisper, allowing it to fully sink in.

"I'll never let anything happen to you. I promised you that. I love you so fucking much." He pulled me into his chest and the warmth of his breath lingered on the nape of my neck.

Charlie called the police and explained that we had been held at gunpoint and one person was dead. Self-defense.

Finnley grabbed my hand and pulled me inside the house. Before we stepped in, a black limo sped down the driveway and slammed on its brakes. We all stopped. Finnley pulled out his gun, ready to shoot, but when he saw Abbot, he placed it back in the holster.

"What the holy fuck happened?"

He glanced at us, at Luke and Caitlyn, and then at Charlie, before he saw Jesse's body on the ground with the knife and guns beside her. He bent down, grabbed Jesse by her hair, inspected the wound, then dropped her face on the pavement. None of it fazed him, but I hadn't expected it to.

I couldn't watch. It was too much. Bile rose in my stomach, and I dry heaved.

"Nice fucking work. Clean cut. I wish I had been here to kill the bitch myself though. Who's responsible?"

"I am," Luke said.

Abbot gave him a nod and a smile. "I'm here to talk about this if you need it."

A silent conversation passed between them and I knew it was over.

It was all really over.

FINNLEY

Thirty-three

Weeks had passed since the incident, and our lives were beginning to settle down, to become some sort of normal, which I enjoyed. Abbot and his men had traveled back to London. The mobsters, gangsters, and bikers had been paid to keep quiet, and we had made a pact. It was over, and now we could all move on as if it hadn't happened.

I hadn't felt this happy in years. Finally, I was myself again. Jennifer's love was like the white sand in Hawaii. Somehow it had pushed itself into the smallest of crevices of my heart, filling all of my voids, and I could never get her out of there. I didn't want to. For once, I had a reason to live, and I was no longer married to my job. It was time to start living again, and I couldn't wait. Truth be known, I had been living since the day since I kissed her. A smile met my lips when I thought back to that moment and how feisty and beautiful she was. Jennifer was different, eccentric, and beautiful in her own way. She was mine.

I still couldn't believe we were married. It seemed like a dream, and every morning when I woke up and realized this was my reality, I made sure to kiss her. Being thankful for having her in my life didn't quite describe how I felt. It was almost too much to comprehend. Love tended to do that to people. Love. She was the definition of it. She was the reason my heart continued to beat, and why I woke up every morning. Jennifer Felton, my wife, lover, best friend, and confidant was my reason to live. Now that I had her, I would never be the same. My life now revolved around her and her happiness.

The sun hadn't risen yet, but I was wide-awake, staring at the ceiling. Small breaths escaped from Jennifer, and I knew she was sound asleep. I rolled over and kissed her on the neck, then slipped out of bed.

The cold floor caused a chill to run through me. I put on some slippers and walked down stairs. The clock on the coffee pot blinked five a.m. Too early, but something was lingering on my mind, something that I had to do and that couldn't wait any longer. I poured coffee beans into the grinder and turned it on. The fragrance of freshly ground beans made my mouth water. Caffeine, I needed it desperately.

Not that it made the coffee brew faster, but I watched the dark liquid drip until it was finished, then pulled a cup from the cabinet and poured a fresh cup. Black. Hot. Steaming. Delicious. I sat at the table and sipped my coffee, thinking about what I would do.

I wished things would have turned out differently for Jesse, but I refused to blame myself for her death. Not often did people fool me so easily, but this wasn't my fault.

I took another sip of coffee and continued to stare into the blank space of the living room. Then, without hesitation, I picked up the phone. After I finished my conversation, I walked upstairs and climbed into bed. Jennifer rolled over and looked at me with hooded eyes.

"Where'd you go?" She pulled the blanket up to her neck and slowly closed her eyes.

"I had some business to take care of." I climbed under the covers and wrapped my arms around her. We fit together like perfect pieces of a puzzle, and I loved it.

"I've got a surprise for you," I whispered.

"Hmm," she said, slowly drifting in and out of sleep. "I've got a surprise for you," she whispered.

I narrowed my eyes at her as curiosity swept through me.

"You go first," she said.

"You."

"Nope," she said.

I shook her arm and waited.

She opened her eyes and stared at me. "Do you have any idea what time it is?"

"I purchased your parents' house."

After she shot up in bed, she turned her body to me and just stared with her mouth open. I reached over and turned on the lamp beside the bed. The warm glow filled the room. I could see Jennifer's hair was a mess, and a huge smile filled her face. Then, after another moment, she placed her hands over her face and quietly sobbed. I sat up and pulled her to my chest.

"What's wrong? I thought this would please you."

She didn't say a word, and I didn't force her to, not until she was finished. Minutes passed, and she pulled away and wiped the tears from her face. "It makes me so happy. I never . . . never thought it would be mine again." More tears streamed down her face and I wiped them away with a smile.

"So these are happy tears," I said.

"What about Mr. and Mrs. Hanley?" she asked between sniffles.

"Oh, they were overly pleased with my offer, and can't wait to hand the keys over to us."

She reached over and hugged my neck, and I wrapped my arms around her waist. Next thing I knew, she was straddling me, leaning down and kissing me, and pouring herself into me.

I placed both hands behind my head and gave her my signature look. "It's your turn," I said.

She placed a finger over my mouth, and I sucked on her finger.

"Your turn, Mrs. Felton."

She shook her head, and that's when the tickle war started. She laughed so hard and tried to wriggle free to the point that I started laughing.

"You're going to make me pee myself, stop!" She tried to sound demanding, so I temporarily stopped and threatened her with my fingers.

"You've got until the count of ten until you get more tickles."

"No! Please. Not tickles."

"Dun dun. Dun dun. Dun dun," I said, moving closer to her.

She rolled on top of me and pinned my arms above my head.

"I kind of like you dominating me, Mrs. Felton. It's fucking hot."

Her face turned serious for a moment before she leaned down and kissed me. I gave her everything I had, all of me, every single piece.

"I'm pregnant," she whispered into my mouth, and then kissed me, and that's when the tears began streaming down my face. She pulled away and stared at me with a huge smile on her face, then leaned down and began kissing away my salty tears. I rubbed my hands over my face.

" You're . . .?" I had to ask again. I had to know that I had heard her correctly.

"Pregnant," she whispered.

I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close to me, as close as she could be.

"Since when? How do you know? Do you feel okay? Can I do anything for you?"

She chuckled and propped herself up on one arm. "Only a few weeks. I took a pregnancy test when I missed my period and saw a faint line. I feel fine. Love me."

" I'm . . .  I'm going to be a father," I whispered.

She nodded her head.

"I will love you forever, Mrs. Felton. Forever. With everything I am. I'll love you and our baby. I can't wait to be the perfect daddy to our little one. Right now I'm the happiest man in the world. When I'm holding our precious baby, I'll be a million times happier than I am right now, which doesn't even seem possible. I love you so much. So so so much." I leaned over and kissed her, then ran my fingers under her shirt and over her stomach, feeling her smooth skin. I never wanted to forget this moment, and I never would. It was the morning that my heart melted and my world completely changed forever.

I would be a father.

Jennifer would be a mother.

Together, we would be a happy little family.

JENNIFER

Epilogue

The moment I looked into the face of our little boy, my only reason to live was for Finnley Felton, Jr. He had the sweetest smell, like cinnamon and baby powder, and his scent filled the room. We agreed to call him Little Finnley, or even Junior, but I knew he had to be named after his handsome father.

When Finnley first laid eyes on little Finn, tears streamed down his face. He whispered to his son and held him so close to his heart that I didn't even notice I was crying.

"I'm your daddy, Little Finnley. You're going to have the best life ever, little dude. You have the most beautiful mother in the world, and the best dad. I'll always be here for you, and I'll never let anyone hurt you. I love you so much, son."

My heart swelled when I heard little sounds coming from Finnley.

Finn looked at me with the biggest grin on his face. Love and happiness had overcome him. I had never seen him so happy.

"He knows!" he said.

"He does."

I was so tired. I just wanted to sleep, but I couldn't stop staring at my husband and son, and at how beautiful the moment was. It was a moment that I never wanted to forget for the rest of my life.

When the nurse entered, she stood at the door and just smiled at us.

"He seems to be doing just fine," she said.

"Thank you," I said, but I couldn't take my eyes off the scene. Finnley kissed Junior on his head so many times, and told him how handsome he was and how much he loved him. To think we could have so much love for a human that was so small. As soon as little Finnley had taken his first breath, it was like he had breathed a tunnel straight to our hearts. After a few more kisses, he placed Junior in his bassinet. He walked over to me and fell to his knees. As his green eyes looked over me, a smile spread across his lips and took over his body.

"He is so beautiful. You are so beautiful," he said, then leaned over and gently kissed my lips.

I had never felt so alive, or the amount of love that flooded through my veins. My emotions were almost too much to comprehend. Finnley and I had created the most perfect baby in the entire world.

A few knocks pounded against the door, pulling us from our moment that I wanted to last forever. Luke and Caitlyn walked in, hand in hand, with huge smiles on their faces.

"There's Uncle Luke and Aunt Cait," I said, returning a huge smile. Luke came over to the bed, leaned down, and gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek.

Cait leaned down and kissed me on the cheek too. "I love you, sis. Looking as beautiful as ever."

"Pssh. You don’t have to lie."

They walked over to baby Finnley and leaned over his bed.

"Holy shit," Luke said.

"Shhhh," Finnley said. "Don’t teach my kid to curse this early. Language!"

Luke tucked his lips into his mouth to hold back laughter, but after he realized Finnley was only half joking, he whispered he was sorry. "He looks just like you when you were a baby, Finn. I mean, identical."

Cait had so much adoration in her eyes as she looked down at baby Finnley. Even if I had wanted to, I couldn't have stopped smiling. True happiness tended to do that to people.

"He's so beautiful, Jenn. The most beautiful baby I've ever seen," she said. Luke wrapped his arm around Cait, and they just looked at their nephew with so much love and happiness.

"Can't wait to teach you how to spit and curse, little buddy," Luke said, taunting Finnley.

"I'll kick your arse, Luke," Finnley said. He stood, carefully lifted Little Finnley from his bed, and placed him into Luke's arms.

Luke immediately placed his hand on Little Finnley's head and just held him. I almost thought I saw a tear run down his face, but when I looked over at him, it was gone. I just wanted to tell him it was okay to love his nephew that much, but I didn't want to tease him while he took his moment. Caitlyn took baby Finnley from Luke's arms, and the two of them couldn't take their eyes off each other. Caitlyn and Luke were really in love. I could see it from a million miles away. Something passed between them at that moment, and it wasn't just a beautiful baby boy. It was a silent communication. I could recognize love from anywhere. Finnley turned and looked at me with an arched eyebrow. He had noticed it too.

After an hour, Luke and Cait gave me goodbye kisses and hugs. I could barely hold my eyes open.

Finnley sat on the edge of the bed and moved the loose hairs from my face.

"I love you so much, Jennifer. I can't imagine my life without you or baby Finn."

"I love you too, Finnley. You're going to be the best daddy."

"I can't wait to watch him grow into a man. I can't wait to raise him with you. Also, I have something to tell you," he said.

"Hmmm?" I asked, not understanding.

"I've found buyers who are interested in purchasing the Elite. I'm done, Jennifer. It's time for me to focus on us, on our family," Finnley said.

I had no words. He had been married to his job since I'd met him, and now, now he would only be married to me. I couldn't be happier.

"I support whatever decision you make, babe. You know that," I said.

"And I choose you. I will always choose you."

I just smiled as I rested my head on the pillow and allowed him to rub his fingers over my skin. Finnley completed me in every way possible. He'd given me a reason to live when I'd had no one to live for. Without him, I wouldn't be the person I was today: Mrs. Jennifer Felton, wife, mother, sister, best friend, and lover. I owed him so much, and I intended to pay him with my love for the rest of my life. That's all he wanted, anyway.

Love. It didn't seem as foreign as it once had. Love was precious and kind. Love was a long lost friend who had no intention of ever leaving, and I was okay with that. At one point in my life, it was an emotion that was filled with a void—a blackness that I thought would never subside. When I used to think of love, I only thought of my parents then I would go blank, lost in an abyss of mourning. But because of love, the memories of them stayed in my heart forever, and I was grateful for those previous moments that would creep in at random times—little memories that my heart replayed so I would never forget them. I knew they would have loved baby Finnley with everything they were, and I planned to tell him all about his grandparents and how wonderful they were.

Love had saved me; it had rescued me from my darkest days. Love had given me a reason to breathe when I had thought I had no breath. It had molded me and pushed me in directions that it wanted, no matter how much I fought. Love was powerful, and no matter the war that waged inside me, I was never supposed to win because love always won. Finnley was the definition of love, the giver and taker of love, the man who continued to win me over with one simple look. We no longer needed words to convey our feelings; we had kisses and hugs, and Little Finnley.

Love molded me from a broken girl into a woman, and made me whole again.

Because of love, I was finally living.

Because of love, I was no longer weak.

The End

To receive news of upcoming releases and special announcements, make sure to join Lyra's newsletter.

Note to the Reader

No Longer Weak was one of the hardest books I have ever written. It took me exactly 67 days to finish the first draft and there were points when I didn’t know if I could. They say once you know your characters, the writing comes easy, but that’s a lie. It’s never easy saying goodbye and it’s sure as hell not easy writing the end. One year ago, I published Weak for Him. I introduced Finnley Felton and Jennifer Downs, two characters that stole my heart and refused to give it back. Their love for one another and passion was so strong that I had to write their story.

When I started this literary journey, I thought I would be a young adult novelist who wrote about magic and fantasy. As I reflect on this series, I realize that romance is magical and though I left out the wizards and witches, romance can be fantasy as well. If you would have asked me years ago I would have said that writing romance wasn’t for me. But I am the hopeless romantic who randomly looks up Shakespearian sonnets just like Abbot.

Love drives my characters. It’s an ongoing theme in every story I construct and I feel like it will always be this way. Five days before I published, I rewrote the ending. I couldn’t let it sit how it was. It was crazy and insane and I’ve never done something so last minute in my short career, but it was the right thing to do. It felt right and I knew the ending had to happen exactly the way it did.

I hope as you read No Longer Weak, you were able to fall in love with the characters all over again. I hope you are able to find that light in your life that takes away the darkness and replaces it with love.

Thank you for giving me a chance x3 and following me to the end. I hope it’s everything you imagined it would be and more.

P.S. Though the Weakness Trilogy is finished, you will get Luke's love story in the near future. Eep!

P.S.S. You will see more of the Southern Devils Motorcycle Club too!

More by Lyra

Weak for Him (Weakness #1)

Weak Without Him (Weakness #2)

No Longer Weak (Weakness #3)

Eluded (Abbot's Story)

**Luck in the Stars (Luke's Story)

Single: Vol. 1

**Single: Vol. 2

**Single: Vol. 3

**Allegiance (Southern Devil's MC #1)

**Denotes coming soon

Love Lyra?

Join Lyra's Lounge to discuss her works

Facebook LIKE Page

www.instagram.com/lyraparish

www.twitter.com/lyraparish

www.pinterest.com/lyraparish

Lyraparish@gmail.com

www.lyraparish.com

If you enjoyed this novel, please leave a review.

Word of mouth is extremely powerful!

THANK YOU!

About the Author

Lyra Parish loves to write, glamp, and sing obnoxiously loud at the top of her lungs in the shower. Sweet love stories (along with the dirty ones) make her gush. She is a firm believer that a person can never have too many cups of coffee, cats, or happily ever afters. When she isn't busy writing, she can be found sipping various beverages from her non-alcoholic drink buffet, pimp slapping excel spreadsheets, or riding her bike. Lyra lives in Texas with her glassblowing, guitar-playing hubby and black cat named Nibbler.

For more information or to contact, please visit:

lyraparish.com

Acknowledgements

Oh man, this is hard. I usually sit here and let the blinking curser taunt me but this time I'm going to go for it. Please forgive me if I forget someone, it's an inevitable part of writing these.

Thanks Hubs for allowing me the time, as always, to dive head first into the Weakness world and allowing me to bounce ideas off of you. It's so hard to ask people about plot points because I don’t want to ruin the story. You made that easy. Thank you so much, I love you!

Thanks Tab for going through No Longer Weak without me this time and sending over your notes. It was helpful and helped make it better.

Special thanks goes to Heather Carver for rereading book 1 and 2 then 3 so quickly. You helped me more than you'll ever know. You are the bomb(dot)com and I appreciate you so much!

Rachel Brookes, your insight was on point. Thank you for all of your help and bringing it when it came to critiquing. The story is much stronger with your insight. I couldn't have done it without you. #2015 #LTOB #WWAGD

Pepper Winters: Thank you for being a true friend. When I wanted to give up on this one, you listened. You're one-of-a-kind and I appreciate you always being there. It means a lot.

To the ladies in Lyra's Lounge: YOU ROCKKKKK!!! You pump me up when I'm deflated and inspire me so much. Thank you for being that constant stream of support and for all of the amazing messages and keeping me honest with my deadlines. <3

To my TGNAFN ladies: Thank you so much for everything you do. Writing is a lonesome profession but it's so much more fun when you have people to make you laugh in the process. So happy I've met you all! <3

To Jennifer Sell: You are amazing. You make my word shine and are such a pleasure to work with. Thank you so much for being so accommodating with my last minute changes, bookings, and for being so pleasant and good at what you do! I really couldn't do this without you!

Elizabeth Darkley: This is the first time I've worked with you and I'm so pleased! Thank you for all of your hard work and transforming my words into flowers. I've learned so much already. You are a Godsend! Can't wait to work with you again in the future.

Love Between the Sheets: Thank you so much! Natalie I love how you're on my brain wave! You've been such a huge help for the past year and I couldn't imagine doing this without LBTS help! You ladies are diamonds! Thank you so much!!

To the blogs that helped with the Weakness Trilogy, YOU ARE AMAZING!!! I couldn't have done this without you. Thank you for all of your support, tags, and messages. It really does mean the world to me.

To my readers: THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! If you've been with me since the beginning, I cannot even put to words how much it means to me. If you're new, Hi! You gave me a chance and doing that has completely changed my life. Weakness may be over but there is more to come! THANK YOU TIMES A MILLION! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3