Vengeance (The Pirate Series) Read online

  “Your wish is my command.” He grins, winking at me.

  I shove him playfully. “Well, maybe later.”

  He pouts and I kiss him full on the mouth, long, deep and hard. When I pull back, his eyes are blazing.

  “We had to give them a little show, wouldn’t have been fun otherwise.”

  He grins and kisses me again.

  “Alright, alright, enough of that.” Mack mutters.

  Hearing Mack’s voice makes me tense up and Jax notices.

  “You ok?” He asks quietly.

  “Yeah.”

  I let my legs go and stand, taking Jax’s hand and not letting go.

  “So, what have we come up with?”

  Jax takes me onto his lap, and we sit. Mack smiles at me, but I turn away. Yes, yes, I know, I am being petty.

  “Ben must be hanging around waiting for us. We are thinking we will draw him out, tell him we have the treasure. Ambush him.”

  “Ben is far too smart to fall for that.” I say to Jax.

  “Maybe, but he is also getting desperate. He wants the treasure; he will do anything to get it. That is why we figure it would be best if you were the one to make the call. Say you are sick of it and want it over with, you betrayed me once; he will believe it more.”

  I flinch, and Jax stops talking. “Sorry mate.”

  “It’s fine. I lied and cheated my husband, must make me a low life. I guess in his books I wouldn’t stop being that way.”

  Jax tenses and leans into my ear. “Baby, you know I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “No, good plan Jax. Honestly. It will work.”

  I say it in a rude way; I didn’t mean it to come out like that because I truly do think it will work. Ben will believe I would be the only one to betray Jax again.

  “Jade…”

  I turn on his lap and kiss him. “It’s fine. I am being serious; it is a good plan.”

  “I think it’s ridiculous!” My mother snaps. “You really think it’s ok to put her life on the line? Some husband.”

  “Mom!” I snarl.

  “No, Jade, I got this.” Jax says, standing and depositing me on the chair beside him.

  I watch as he walks over to my mother and leans in very close to her face. She actually looks terrified and backs right up on her chair.

  “Don’t you ever question the love I have for my wife. I will not put her anywhere near danger, doing this avoids it because all she has to do is make a simple call. I will then have her put in complete safety until it is dealt with. Don’t judge others lady, when you can hardly brag about your life and the things you have done. Don’t pick on her, and don’t tell me I am a bad husband. I am more a husband than the man you married.”

  She is gaping; wide eyed and taken aback. Jax’s voice is like steel, cold, hard steel. She stammers, but I don’t understand what she says. I believe it is sorry. Jax stands and turns back to the group.

  “Anyone else got something to say?”

  No-one speaks.

  “Good, then it is set. We will organize more tomorrow, for now I am going to spend time with my wife and daughter.”

  Jax takes my hand, and I give everyone a brief smile. We walk inside and stop in the lounge.

  “Come here squirt; give your dad a cuddle.”

  Lilly leaps up from the floor and into Jax’s arms.

  “I missed you daddy.”

  “Missed you too baby girl, I got you something.”

  “You did?”

  “Hmmmm, let’s see if I can find it.”

  I smile as he digs through his bag and comes up with a beautiful necklace. It is gold with pretty colored diamonds inside small flowers. She squeals as he sticks it around her neck.

  “For the most beautiful girl.”

  “What about mommy?”

  “Mommy is the most beautiful woman, she gets something better.”

  Lilly pouts. “What?”

  Jax grins at me, and then turns to her. “That’s a grown up secret. Now off to bed for you.”

  “Aw, one more game with Jack?”

  “I will put her to bed.” He promises.

  “Ok, one more.” I say, kissing her.

  “Night little girl.”

  “Night daddy, night mommy.”

  Jax takes my hand again, and we walk into the bedroom. I shut and lock the door behind me.

  “So, no present for me?”

  He grins and leans back onto the bed, propping himself up on his elbows.

  “You can find a present, right there in my pants.”

  I leap on top of him with a laugh.

  “All that will earn you is a swift kick in the pants.”

  He grins. “So long as you are doing something to my pants, I am fine by that.”

  “I can iron them?”

  He groans and tickles me harder. “Sadist.”

  “Perve.”

  We roll about tickling until our lips find one another’s, then we roll about kissing. Our kisses are hot, desperate and needy. It has been three weeks; that is far too long. Jax groans and rolls on top of me, kissing me so deeply I can hardly breathe. I will never tire of the taste of my husband. I will never become bored with his body, or his rugged good looks. I will never get sick of hearing his voice, or feeling his touch. He is mine, he is my other half.

  “Make love to me Jax.”

  He pulls back from me and looks down. “Make love?”

  “Don’t you want to?”

  He smiles, showing those perfect dimples. “Oh baby, I want to.”

  “Then please, do it.”

  He returns to kissing me, this time softly. I moan and let my head sink into the soft pillows on the bed. His kisses are soft and teasing as he moves down over my neck and shoulders. When he reaches my breasts, he tugs at my shirt, and I slide it off. He smiles at my braless state and draws a nipple into his mouth. I moan, oh yes. I grip his hair, noticing it has gotten a little longer, I tug, and he smiles against my skin.

  “Greedy?” He murmurs, and I feel it rumble against my flesh.

  “Yes.” I breathe.

  He slides lower, pressing small kisses on my belly and swirling his tongue around my navel. When he drops lower, he shoves at my pants and yanks them off. I hear him suck in a deep, long breath and then he presses his lips to my flesh. I moan, as quietly as possible. He drives his tongue in ways that should be illegal. He is skilled, talented and so good. I grip his shoulders, kneading the muscled flesh in my palms. God, yes.

  “Jax,” I whimper. “Harder.”

  He drives harder until I am smothering my screams with a pillow, which I so clumsily shoved over my face. I erupt, and my body shakes beneath him as it shatters into a million pieces. I am still convulsing and shuddering when I feel him press into me. He takes my hips and lifts them, then drives in so hard I yelp.

  “Too big, too big.” I whimper.

  “Fuck, say that again.”

  “Ahhhh.”

  He pulls out and slams back in until I am gripping the sheets with white knuckled force. Oh good lord. I can hear his skin slapping against mine, he is thrusting that hard. What happened to making love? Before I can ask the question, he has slowed. I know it isn’t over, that much I can feel. He leans over me and takes the pillow from my face. He is flushed and panting, and boy does he look sexy. He kisses me deeply, then pulls his hips out and slowly, pushes himself back in.

  “I was going to make love, I just had to fuck a bit first.”

  I open my mouth to answer, but he closes his over mine. The taste of him; oh God the taste. He has that flavor, that manly flavor. It makes everything inside me come alive. His hips move slowly, even lazily, and his body is slick with sweat. I run my hands up and down his back, taking the time to feel every inch of him. Every God Damned beautiful inch. He moans as our bodies become more desperate. We are building, higher and higher.

  “Jax, I can’t…I can’t hold on.”

  “Hold on, just a minute.” He pants into my ear.
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  I grip his shoulders, clenching my eyes shut as I force back the pleasure that is about to explode in my body. His muscles tense and his moans become deeper. I can’t hold it, God, I can’t. His hips thrust faster and that only makes it worse. I groan into his hot, wet flesh, and he thrusts deep and hard.

  “Now, NOW!” He roars.

  On command, I explode with a shriek. His hand clamps over my mouth and his head buries into the pillow as he bellows his own release. When it is over, we lay panting, unable to move. His head is still in the pillow beside me, and his body is still shuddering.

  “Are you dead?” I whisper.

  He snorts and lifts his head. “Nearly.”

  “That…was amazing.”

  “Isn’t it always?”

  I smile. “Yeah, but that…”

  He rolls off and lays beside me, pulling me into his arms. I trace the tattoos on his chest and breathe in the smell of sweaty, sex driven man.

  “What do you think was your best time?”

  I smile and think back. “I can think of a few. I liked our wedding night.”

  “When you un-manned me?”

  I laugh. “Yep and I liked the day you spanked me in the kitchen.”

  He growls. “Oh yeah, that is on my list too.”

  “What was yours?”

  He kisses my hair. “The first time.”

  “You liked that?”

  “Oh yeah, I loved that.”

  “I was so inexperienced.”

  “That was the best part.”

  “Second best?”

  “The kitchen spanking, and the night I made love to you but I must say that day in my ship before I left was a memorable one.”

  I sigh. “Yeah, that was nice.”

  “You never disappoint darlin.”

  “Ditto.”

  “I did get you something.”

  “You did?”

  He sits and leans over the bed, digging through his jeans. He pulls out a box and hands it to me.

  “What is it?”

  He smiles. “Open.”

  I open the box and gasp. Inside is a locket; I already know what will be inside. I pull it out with shaking hands and open it, to see three pictures. One of Jax and Lilly, the other of our baby son Rusty Junior, who passed away. I yelp loudly, and my hand covers my mouth. Jax is beside me in seconds.

  “It was too soon, wasn’t it? God baby, sorry.”

  “No, this…it is perfect. Thank you,” I whisper. “You have given me a way to have all of you with me.”

  Jax sighs, with relief I think. “I miss him bad.”

  “Me too.”

  “Do you think…we will go back for another?”

  “I don’t know Jax, I really don’t.”

  “You know if you become immortal too, we can’t have any more kids.”

  I look over at him. “I know.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  “After RJ, I just…couldn’t bear if something went wrong again.”

  “Yeah, I get that.”

  “What about you Jax, do you want another?”

  “I nearly had a son, who I lost and the other I barely get to see.”

  I stroke his hand. “Sorry, I know it must hurt.”

  “I will do the best I can for Aiden, but…I am happy right now. I have you and Lilly, and I am happy.”

  I smile weakly. “You know, I think you are right.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then you will consider touching the treasure?”

  “I will, yeah. Just not right now.”

  He nods, though I can see it bothers him, he doesn’t argue.

  “Well, I don’t know about you, but I am shattered. Big day tomorrow. What do you say to a few more fucks and a cuddle?”

  I laugh loudly. “You always know how to make me laugh.”

  “I was kidding about the fucks, but I am up for that cuddle.”

  I shove him. “We all know you don’t cuddle Watts.”

  He grins. “And as always, for you I make exceptions.”

  “In that case…”

  I lean over and fall into his arms, he holds me close to his chest, and I can hear his heart beating steadily.

  “Who says I don’t want the fucks too?” I murmur into his skin.

  He grins and flattens me onto the bed.

  “In that case…”

  CHAPTER 10

  When I wake in the morning, I am wrapped in six feet of solid male. I smile. I wiggle and slide out of Jax’s arms. He is in a deep sleep and doesn’t even flinch. I stand and look down at my sleeping husband, so relieved he is home with me. I dress and quietly sneak out of the room. I make a coffee and then settle on the front porch. I can see the police car out front.

  “Morning.”

  I look over and see Mack walking out.

  “Hi.” I say simply.

  “Still sulking?”

  I gape at him. “Why are you being so harsh to me Mack, I don’t understand. Did I do something wrong?”

  My words seem to hurt him because he winces. “Is that what you think I am doing, being harsh?”

  “You never speak to me like…like…”

  “A father?”

  I realize it is that simple. I am hurt because he is being a father, when really, it is what I want and need.

  “I…never…I guess.”

  “It’s hurting you?”

  “Well, you yelled at me and…I never…thought you would. I am not saying it is bad, but you are usually so soft and gentle, you call me sweet names and you hug me a lot. Yesterday, when you yelled at me, after everything that happened between us, I felt like maybe you don’t love me anymore.”

  He takes my face in his hands, and I take a good look at his face. Mack has aged, but only slightly. He has not a speck of grey, his eyes are as blue as mine, and he is handsome, very handsome. I am lucky.

  “You think I don’t love you? Do you know why I spoke to you like that? It was because I do love you; I love you more than my life, more than anything. You are my baby, since the day you were born and I missed out on most of your life. I was devastated and never able to forgive myself for what happened on your wedding night, but don’t you ever doubt that I love you. I don’t want you hurt, and I know sometimes that takes me being a father. If that is what I have to do, then it is what I will do.”

  My lip trembles at his words and he sighs, pulling me into his arms. I melt into him; I love my father, and I hate that we have been so tense.

  “I am sorry for what I did to you, the way I spoke. I never…never wanted to lose you for that long.” I whisper.

  “I know angel.”

  “I was hurt yesterday because I thought…well now I know I thought wrong, so it doesn’t matter.”

  “You matter to me, always have, always will. No matter what, don’t you forget that.”

  “Daddy?” I ask, sitting back.

  “Yeah?”

  “Do you still love her? Mom I mean.”

  He sighs and rubs his head. “Yeah.”

  “And Sam?”

  “Of course, it is different though. Your mother was the one; you know? She was the love of my life, and she chose another man, took my daughter and broke my heart. I love her, but I can never want her again. I can never move on from the hurt. Sam is sweet, beautiful and loves me the way I loved your mom. I love her back, I just don’t want her the same. I will be content, however, to live the rest of my life with her.”

  “And you won’t have regrets? You know you could have her back don’t you?”

  “No angel, no regrets and I couldn’t have her back. Your mom was made for that life, even if she doesn’t believe it sometimes.”

  “Can I join this conversation?”

  We both look up to see my mother standing at the door. Mack smiles, and stands. They hug one another, and I stare intently at how beautiful both of them are. Together and apart, they are dazzling. I smile, even though I would love to see
my parents together, I know they are better apart. Mack turns, leans down and kisses my head.

  “You know you are my number one girl, till the end.”

  I smile up at him. “I love you.”

  He smiles, beaming and real. “You too kiddo.”

  Mom sits down with a smile and watches Mack leave. She takes my hand, and we stare out at the ocean.

  “You know, it melts me every time I see him with you. The love, it pours off him. You don’t see it because you aren’t looking, but he stares at you, smiles at you, he is hurt when you are, happy when you are, he loves you Jade.”

  “I know.”

  “He was the best father I could have ever picked for you, even if others didn’t believe it. Jax is the best father you could have picked for Lilly, even if sometimes people don’t believe that.”

  I look at her and tears well in my eyes. “Thank you.”

  “I am sorry, for putting him down. He loves you; God knows he is rough and tough, but he loves you. I have never seen a man look at a woman, the way he looks at you. He is perfect for you Jade, and you him. I hope you forgive me for speaking the way I did.”

  “Of course. I love you; I wish you knew how much.”

  She smiles and hugs me. “I do know how much. I have to go back today Jade, it is time to face it.”

  “I wish you didn’t have to, and I hope it works out.”

  “Don’t ever forget how much I love you Jade.”

  “I never will, and I hope you know the same. I miss you terribly when you are away.”

  “I will visit again soon.”

  I hug her close. “I hope so.”

  She leaves three hours later, and I hug her furiously when she gets into the taxi. None of us thought twice about sending someone with her, we watched her get into the taxi, no one was around, and she was only going to a busy airport. How wrong we were. As I wait for her call to say she arrived safe, I sit on the porch drinking tea. Jax is inside with Rusty, going over the plan and Mack has gone out with Sam. A delivery van pulls up at the front of the house, and a young man walks up the steps.

  “Package.”

  “Oh the owner is out.”

  “That is ok, it doesn’t need signing.”

  “Ok, thanks.”

  I take the small box and see it has my name on it. Oh, maybe Jax had our mail re-directed. It wouldn’t surprise me. I open the box and unravel the paper around it. Then, I scream. I scream so loudly Jax comes barreling out of the house with his gun drawn. His eyes frantically search the yard, and then fall on me. I can’t move my eyes, I can’t breathe. In the box is a severed hand, but that is not what made me scream, it is the beautiful diamond ring on the hand that made me scream. The ring that is my mothers.