chapter 6
Jonas didn't exactly know how to walk with his JJ blanket. The moment he'd been released on bond, JJ had attached herself to his side and refused to let him go.
Not that he was angry about that at all. All he wanted to do was hold onto her tight. Right about now he might never let go of her. His lawyer had already notified him that Isabella was fine and that she was just at the hospital getting checked out. So at least that weight was off his mind.
And JJ was with him. So as far as he was concerned, all was right with the world. The only thing left hanging was the question of how many ways they could kill David West.
The moment the elevator doors to the penthouse opened, Jonas was enveloped by a simultaneous feeling of security and chaos. The whole crew was in attendance. Dylan, Ryan, Matthias, Oskar. Rafe was on a job, but he’d be in later.
Even the team doctor was there. Noah had probably called him just in case Jonas needed anything for shock. Which was ridiculous because he was fine. Though, he couldn’t deny he’d been more than a little alarmed at the possibility of spending the night in jail. The thought of running into anyone he’d helped put away years ago made him a little twitchy.
Everyone gave him the awkward man hugs, and then from the back room he heard a baby cry. His heart stuttered for a moment.
Lucia came out from around the back hallway, with Isabella in her arms. “Someone heard her Godfather was home, so she insisted on seeing you.”
Jonas's gaze went straight to hers. "Is she okay?"
Lucia nodded and nuzzled her daughter’s cheek. "Yeah. She's perfectly fine. It seems like she wants to be held by her godfather."
JJ released him, and he missed her warmth immediately. But when Lucia placed a squirming Isabella in his arms, he had to fight back the stinging in his eyes. "Hello, Angel. We had quite a fright looking for you. I'm so glad you're okay.”
Isabella reached up with a tiny fist, and Jonas was pretty sure he was about to get hit in the nose again. But then she opened her little hand and patted him gently on the cheek as if to say, It's okay. I'm fine. You worry too much. And then she made a series of very loud baby sounds. As if she was really trying to have a conversation with him.
Unfortunately, he didn't speak a word of baby, so he held her and rocked her instead, whispering little cooing sounds. After a moment she scrunched her face and kicked her little feet before letting out a wail.
Lucia giggled. "She's hungry. I think they were feeding her formula at the hospital. She probably didn't like it, so I need to go and feed her real quick if that's okay."
Jonas nodded. "Of course.” He gave the baby back to Lucia and lifted his gaze to find Noah leaning against the wall.
"You good, Noah?"
His friend wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand. "Yeah. I'm good. She's home. So, I'm trying to be grateful for that and calm my murdering instinct."
"I have the same instinct," Jonas said.
JJ tugged on his hand. "Can we not talk about murder for just a minute? Okay? We just got him home."
Everyone followed them into the living room, the men taking their usual spots; which meant Oskar and Matthias on opposing sides of the main couch, fighting over the remote control; Ryan, as usual, by the door looking for his fastest possible exit; and Dylan, as he was the youngest and wanting to prove himself the most, taking his ever-watchful post at the window. Even though he knew no one could get up here. Not anymore, anyway.
Anyone who wanted to try would have to bypass biometrics and a series of security checkpoints below. It was no cakewalk getting up into this penthouse now. But still, he watched the street.
JJ liked the softer couch by the window so she sat in it, and Jonas followed easily, wrapping his arm around her. God he loved this woman. He was so happy to be home. Noah just leaned against the wall and watched them all.
"So, when Rafe gets back from watch, we need to figure out a plan."
Matthias nodded from the couch. "I vote to kill him. Fuck Orion, mate. He's known this whole time where that wanker was and who he is. He's known that West was stalking JJ. He needs to be put down like a rabid dog."
Jonas nodded. "I wanted to kill him days ago. But you guys stopped me."
Matthias shook his head. "Rafe and I were down for it. Look at him,” he inclined his head at Noah. “He was the one who said we couldn't kill him."
Noah nodded. "I know what I said. And I stand by my decision then. Because that was the information we had at the time. But now we have new information, so I'm all down for the plan of killing the asshole."
JJ raised a hand. "You guys know I'm still here right? And you're just casually talking about killing people?"
Matthias flushed a little, but he asked, "You don't want us to kill him?"
Beside Jonas, JJ stiffened. "No. Are you insane?"
He could only stare at her. "You don't want us to kill him?"
She shook her head. "No. Of course not." She turned to face him. "I want to do it myself. I want to get close enough to him to stab him in the nuts and keep stabbing him until he dies."
A thick silence fell over the room with every single one of the guys wincing.
Jonas shuddered. "Wow, okay. A for enthusiasm. But we're not letting you anywhere near him. He's dangerous."
"So am I. He tried to hurt me. And then he took my best friend’s baby. And then he sent my man to jail. So pardon me if I want a little bit of payback."
Jonas shook his head and only held her closer. Jesus he loved her. "You really do know how to pick them sweetheart. Your ex is one sick fuck. Good thing I am too."
"So you'll let me kill him?"
From the wall, Noah vetoed this. "No. No reason you should have all the fun, JJ. We're going to come up with a plan that we can all agree to. And then Chamaeleon is going to stop breathing. Posthaste."
The bottom had fallen out of JJ’s world. David had planned a fresh kind of hell for all of them, and they’d all fallen right into his trap.
She had to fight the rage she felt every time she thought about how he’d managed to put a man like Jonas in jail. They were lucky they’d gotten him out so quickly.
Oh, her man was strong. And he was tough. And to hang with this gang, he was clearly a fighter. Maybe he was even capable of being a killer. But he was just, and he wouldn’t go looking for a fight. He wouldn’t put someone down just to prove that he was the biggest, baddest guy on the block or whatever the hell they called it in prison. And if he was unwilling to kill for his own survival, that refusal would get him killed in prison. Especially once everyone found out he was a former cop.
Even though she’d known the team had it covered, she’d been scared. For those forty-five minutes she’d been at the police station waiting for him to be released, she’d been terrified.
The lawyer on retainer had been waiting at the station before Jonas had even been brought in. And he had the time-stamped footage of Jonas leaving Blake security, proving that Jonas couldn’t have killed that girl.
They’d been out in forty-five minutes. And just in case that hadn’t done the trick, Matthias had been on standby to hack whatever system the police used and pretty much make Jonas disappear from existence. Matthias had a new name and new identity ready to go for him if it had come to that. But that would have meant Jonas would have to disappear for a while.
Which was fine by her, as long as Matthias made her one, too. Because there was no way Jonas was going anywhere without her. Fact.
But it hadn’t come to that. The police didn't have enough to hold him, but since Katie had died in his apartment, he was still a person of interest. But JJ knew they wouldn't find any evidence and he would be exonerated.
Given the timeline on Katie's body and how long she'd been dead, he was lucky that he’d been held up at the office for so long where there were security cameras everywhere. Which was all well and good, but then the police started asking questions about why someone would kill a girl in his apartment and why they’d leave a kidnapped baby there.
The less they said about David West the better. The last thing they wanted was the police looking too closely at their lives.
JJ smiled as she watched Oskar reach out to hold Isabella. The baby clutched onto Lucia Koala-style, but eventually transferred to Oskar. And wonder of wonders, Isabella gave Oskar a wide smile. Right before — oh no.
The baby hiccupped and let out a torrent of vomit all over Oskar’s face. JJ used her hand to cover her mouth before ducking out of the room to laugh.
She was laughing. Actual, real laughter. Poor Oskar. Poor Isabella. Poor thing probably had to burp. Who knew what kind of food Katie and that maniac had been giving her? The doctor said she was fine, but that baby was about to get spoiled rotten.
“How did I know I would find you out here laughing?"
JJ turned to face Jonas and leaned against the wall. "Because that shit was funny. Did you see the look on Oskar's face?"
"Why are you laughing at Oskar’s woes and misfortune?"
"I’m not. But that was funny. She knows he’s too uptight."
His lips twitched. He was clearly fighting a smile and working hard on his stern face. She could see right through it. Eventually the chuckle broke through. "Yeah you're right. That shit was hilarious."
From the living room, they could hear Oskar cursing softly in German. It was funny, his German accent always became thicker when he was irritated or pissed off. But irritated or not, he used hushed tones for Isabella. “No, my darling. We talked about you saving spit up for your Uncle Rafe. He’s the one who’s truly deserving.” Then he muttered under his breath. "Noah, your offspring is fucking with me."
The best part was every single man in that room, Noah, Rafe, Matthias, Ryan, and Dylan all muttered, "Language."
As if they all weren’t bad about it themselves. Everyone was aware that Isabella was going to grow soon, which meant the usual sailor talk would have to be curbed. The crazy thing was JJ was worse than any of them. As Isabella’s godmother she took it as her personal mantle to teach that girl how to curse properly.
JJ had already resigned herself to being the cause for Isabella’s first appropriate use of the word fuck. Hey, they all had their cross to bear.
JJ slid her hand into Jonas’s. "Are you sure you're okay?" She shook her head. “I can’t imagine the scene you had to walk into today or how terrifying it must have been to face the possibility of jail.”
He nodded. "I'm fine. I promise. Believe me, I’ve seen worse. Plus it was only jail, not prison. I had our lawyer. They processed me in, asked a couple of questions and watched the security footage then they processed me out. That's it. Nothing bad happened to me.”
She nodded even as she held her breath and tried to hold back the sting of tears. She’d been terrified when Oskar had broken the news and worried about what could happen to him in there. "I just —" she sniffed. "I was worried."
He pulled her close and kissed her forehead. "Aww, come on now. I'm too pretty to be someone’s jailhouse bitch."
She whacked him on the arm. "I'm being serious. You don't know David. He's crazy."
Jonas gently traced his fingers over her lips. "What I want to do right now is focus on you. I want to take your hand, lead you back into your room, strip these clothes off and sink into you. How does that sound for a plan?"
Well then, that was one way to shut her up. Because the moment he said the word sink, her core clenched and the hum of electricity danced on her skin. It had only been hours since she’d seen him, but she’d missed him.
It had been a long day. And with everything that had happened, she needed him. Now.
Jonas took JJ's hand and tugged her behind him. Once in the bedroom, he closed the door behind them and reached for her. But JJ knew what he was up to, and she wasn’t going to be distracted.
She pushed him back by the shoulders. "No. You got arrested today. We know David could have killed you. I want you to care enough."
Jonas licked his bottom lip as he narrowed his gaze at her. She knew that look. It was all intensity and lust and need. "I know you were scared today. And I do care. A part of me was scared, too. But I know my team. There is always a way out. I trust that. Trust that no matter what, I’m not going down without a fight. You can’t control the world around you, baby."
Her lip quivered. "Right now, I need control. I need to remind myself that you're alive, and that you're here, and that I didn't almost lose you today."
His gaze softened, and he leaned back against the door. "Okay. In that case, I'm all yours. Do your worst."
And she had every intention of it. "Stay there. Do not move. Do you understand?"
The grin he gave her was all cocky. But he nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
Hastily she tugged her blouse out of her skirt, unbuttoned the tiny row of buttons then shrugged it off her shoulders. Jonas’s gaze homed in, and he turned that laser focus to her breasts. With every movement, jostle, and wiggle, he licked his lips. "I know what you’re looking at. You're only torturing yourself. It’s gonna be a long night. Ready?"
"Woman, I just got out of the joint. My patience can only take so much before I jump you."
"Well in that case, I better get down to business." JJ slipped out of her skirt, leaving only her stockings and her shoes on. When she stepped over to him, he groaned low.
She began working on his shirt, her bare hands tracing the planes of his chest, and he hissed. "Woman, you're killing me."
"That's the plan. To show you what you’ve been missing all day. Teach you not to get arrested next time."
His chuckle was low as she slid his shirt off his shoulders, and pressed a kiss to his nipple. "Yeah, I don't really have much to do with that. See, what happened was—"
"Hush. I'm busy."
Jonas cleared his throat and then laid his head back against the door. "Yeah, I can see that.
When his shirt dropped to the floor with barely a sound, JJ kissed across his fine pecs, and then shifted down to kiss each of his ribs and over his abs, sinking lower onto her knees.
"Oh God. JJ. Jessica —”
"Sssh. Woman at work here. Try to focus."
"Fuck, I am focused. You’re all I’m focused on. I just —"
She was in no mood to listen to him. She just unbuckled his pants and smirked at the designer belt buckle and the dark wash of the $300 jeans. Jesus Christ, the man loved clothes more than she did. Even his boxers were designer. But of course they would be, because this, her big man, this was Jonas. All of him.
Once free, his cock bobbed in front of her face, fully erect, completely at attention, and begging for mercy. "My, my, someone has been missing me."
"I've just been to prison,” he muttered through clenched teeth.
JJ chuckled. "I thought it was only jail?"
Jonas groaned when she teased her nails over the skin of his balls. "I need to get conjugal visits. JJ – fuck." He panted as she stroked him up and down gently, teasing the head then stroking down and cupping his balls.
“What were you saying?”
"Jessica, I need —" But he was done talking when she leaned forward and wrapped her lips around his dick. He stopped talking altogether. All that came from him were a series of moans and groans, as she worked him over with her tongue and her lips, and occasionally very gently with her teeth.
He dug his hands into her hair, and she relished every moment. The possession of it, the visceral nature of it. He was tugging on her hair. He was here. He was safe. He was hers.
He tried to pull her back, but she wasn't having it and instead took him deeper, forcing the back of her throat to relax and defer to him.
"Oh my God, JJ," he growled. "I'm going to come."
Instead of drawing back like he wanted, she planted her hands on his hips and dug her nails into the top muscle of his ass and took him deeper.
His muscles tensed and bunched as he held her in place, and finally, he let go. When she eased back, Jonas's harsh pants tore out of his chest as he stared down at her. "Woman, Jesus."
"See, you like it when I'm in charge." She rose to her feet, intending to take her time with her stockings. He probably needed a minute, and in that time, she could grab a shower — before she knew what was happening, Jonas had her flat on her back in the bed.
He didn't bother removing her thong, but instead shoved the flimsy fabric aside and sank into her deep as he kissed her.
She gasped. "Jonas."
"You didn't think we were done did you? After all, I've just come home from prison. And I’m in my woman’s bed. We’re gonna be here a while. So you might as well go ahead and get used to the size of me inside you."
The thing was JJ was so down for that.
It didn't take long. Two deep strokes, a quick flick of his thumb over her clit, his tongue sliding over hers, and she was flying.
JJ jumped with him into the abyss of bliss, finally letting go of the fear and the worry and the panic from today. He was home, he was safe, he was hers. And she was never letting go.