chapter 20
I am a truly lucky man, Jonas thought to himself as he watched JJ make her way around the dance floor. When she noticed him watching her, her eyes heated and she sent him a sultry wink. He shifted in his seat, chuckling softly at the power she held over him. The woman could tempt a monk to sin with nothing more than a look.
Earlier that evening, she’d made a comment after shopping with Lucia about being all dressed up with no place to go. She’d been joking, but the words had cut through Jonas like a knife. No matter what was going on, he never wanted JJ to feel that he was keeping her locked up, away from the world. It was always going to be a challenge to temper his need to protect her and keep her safe, with her need to be free. But that was love, wasn’t it? Balancing your own needs with the one you cared for. Giving up certain things to gain something far more precious?
It was astounding what he was willing to give up if it meant days and nights with JJ by his side.
She caught his eye from across the room, and immediately her lips curled up into a soft, secret smile. He loved that smile. It always seemed like she was plotting something or up to some mischief. Which wasn’t ever far from reality. She was dancing with Lucia and both women were dressed to impress with silky gowns that enhanced curves and had the power to make a man forget his own name. As he glanced over at Noah, he knew his friend felt the same way. They had found the dream.
“They’re teasing us,” Jonas mumbled.
Lucia had her eyes closed and was swinging her hips, in a world all her own, probably unaware that her husband was on the verge of knocking the heads off all the men currently ogling her. JJ, on the other hand, was completely aware that she was driving Jonas crazy, and she loved it. The little vixen watched him through hooded eyes as she danced, then executed a shimmy that almost made him come in his pants. He reached beneath the table and discreetly adjusted himself, thankful that the long tablecloth gave him some privacy. It was bad enough that he had Oskar and the rest of the guys ribbing him about how whipped he was already. The last thing he needed was to give them more ammunition. Not that he really cared.
Besides, they were just jealous. He could understand. If he had to watch someone else with JJ, he would be jealous as all hell, too. Just the thought made him grind his teeth.
Jonas cursed when he noticed a guy sidling closer to the girls. Then the man turned and met his gaze. Jonas’s eyes must have communicated his intentions because the other man suddenly turned and walked the other way.
Jonas chuckled. He wasn’t fooling himself that he was that powerful. No doubt it was Noah, Oskar, Ryan and Dylan also glaring at him that did the trick. He was lucky to have a crew that loved her almost as much as he did.
“It’s been a long time since we went out like this,” Noah commented. “It’s good to get out. I’m surprised Lucia hasn’t said something before.”
“There’s been so much going on. But things are finally settling down now. It’s time we start living our lives. Hell, maybe JJ and I will have a few babies so Isabella has someone to play with.”
Noah chuckled. “Look at you, all domestic and shit. I would have never thought I’d see the day you were playing house with a woman.”
Jonas sat back in his chair, the idea settling in his mind like it had always been there. It would have scared the hell out of him a year ago to talk this way, but then he glanced over at JJ again and it just felt … right. She was his and there wasn’t a single doubt in his mind about that. The thought of being with her forever wasn’t scary at all. Hell, he never knew what the crazy woman would do next, so it wasn’t like he’d ever be bored.
“She's worth it.”
Noah clapped him on the back. “That she is. She’s a handful though, so kudos to you for being man enough to handle her.”
“I’m sure he doesn’t mind handling her at all,” Ryan commented with a little grin. He dodged the punch Jonas threw his way easily. “No disrespect intended. It’s just awfully hard to be around couples who can’t keep their hands off each other. I thought Noah and Lucia were bad. I know you guys thought you were keeping it on the down-low when you started hooking up, but you guys are the worst secret shaggers known to mankind.”
Oskar snorted. “At least they kept it to his office.”
Jonas winced. “Geez. A guy gets caught with his pants down in the hallway one time … ”
“Twice,” Dylan corrected. “And you tried to play it off like you just happened to lose your trousers on the way to the bathroom.”
“Pretty sure it was more than that,” Oskar said. “There was the time when we ordered Chinese and then that Saturday morning when they woke up Isabella. Then the time when they sneaked off in the middle of movie night. It was a Star Wars marathon, too. Some people have no appreciation.”
“Wasn’t there a laundry room incident?” Ryan added.
“Okay! I get it.” Jonas ignored their laughter. “You’d better not say anything to JJ about this. I don’t want you goons embarrassing her.”
Suddenly JJ plopped down in the seat next to him, bringing the fresh sunshine scent that was uniquely her own. “Tell JJ what?”
“About how much you and Casanova here are boning in the office,” Oskar drawled.
Jonas groaned and dropped his face into his hands. If he wasn’t built like a brick wall, Oskar wouldn’t get away with half of the shit he said and did. He could only hope JJ wouldn’t get offended or think he was talking about their sex life behind her back. But before he could even respond, JJ slid a hand into his lap, perilously close to his dick.
“Well, maybe if you could lay the pipe like he does, you’d be getting some in the office, too!”
The guys all dissolved into laughter at the stunned look on Oskar’s face. Jonas knew his mouth was hanging open but couldn’t seem to gain control of it until JJ patted his cheek.
“Everything okay, Casanova?” Her eyes sparkled as she teased him.
Jonas turned so his lips brushed over her forehead. “Perfect. Everything is perfect. And so are you. I love that smart mouth of yours.”
“And so do we,” Ryan chimed in, still laughing. “Anyone that can put Oskar in his place has my vote.”
Lucia was snuggled into Noah’s lap, and the rest of the guys looked relaxed and happy. At least as relaxed as any of them ever were. But it was a good reminder that no matter how much they went through, they’d always have each other’s backs. Blake Security was their family and Jonas was grateful for it.
“Let’s go home. Maybe we can bone in the laundry room again. The smell of detergent turns me on now.”
JJ covered his mouth with her hand. “You are a sick, sick man.”
“Oh, that’s going too far?” he asked incredulously.
The entire group was in great spirits as Noah paid the check and they walked out to the parking garage. Jonas opened the door for JJ, and she hopped up in the cab of the SUV. A loud yawn burst from her lips and she giggled.
“Damn. I used to tease Lucia about not being able to hang. All this boning with you has worn me clean out,” she teased.
He leaned into the interior of the vehicle to kiss her. “I’ll put you to bed as soon as we get home, Miss Jones.”
“Promise?” The erotic gleam in her eyes had Jonas rounding the vehicle much faster than usual to get to the driver’s side.
JJ watched as the lights and familiar buildings of Manhattan rushed by. She was tired, it was true, but more than that, she was content. As much fun as it had been to take a night out for dinner and dancing, she was excited to be at home with her man.
Her man.
She smiled to herself at the private glee the thought of Jonas always brought to her. After so many years believing that being alone was the only way to be independent, it was a bit of a shock to discover that not only did she enjoy sharing her life with a man, but she was coming to need him. Jonas had proven himself and his intentions. No matter what went down, she trusted him to be there for her with no questions. After what had happened with David …
JJ shivered. She couldn’t pretend that it didn’t worry her to know that he was still out there. It was a bit of a mind fuck actually, to have this mental image of him walking around New York, able to show up and scare her at any moment. But she was assured that Noah and the guys were on it, and with Matthias tracking him, it wouldn’t be long until he was located. They had told her that he was an ORUS agent, so he knew how to hide, but even an agent could only remain underground for so long. Once he poked his head out of whatever hellhole he was hiding in, they’d have him. The whole time she’d dated him she thought he was a bouncer at a Manhattan nightclub.
And she doubted they’d be turning him over to the authorities.
“What are you thinking about over there?” Jonas asked. He couldn’t keep his eyes on her face since he was driving, but she could still see his worry in the crinkle of his brow, even in profile.
She definitely couldn’t tell him her thoughts. They’d made a pact to be honest with each other and she took that seriously, but there were some things that would only bring him torment. Telling him that she was worried about David would only make him feel guilty that he hadn’t been able to protect her. No matter how many times she’d told him it was ridiculous, he carried guilt over that. Apparently Jonas thought he was superhuman and could foresee the future. But JJ knew the truth, which was that sometimes life was a bitch and just threw curveballs to keep you hopping. It wasn’t anyone’s fault; it was just the way of things. She didn’t want him beating himself up over her past mistakes coming back to haunt her.
He’d shared more with her about his mother, his memories, and his greatest regrets. JJ had listened, comforted and cried more than a few tears over the fate of a gentle woman who’d wanted nothing more than to be loved. Jonas would always have a certain sense of responsibility to protect the women in his life because of his past. She knew that and accepted it, even when his overprotectiveness drove her up the wall.
“JJ. Everything okay?” Jonas glanced at her again.
She cleared her throat. “I’m fine. Just thinking about everything that’s happened.”
At his scowl, she reached over and squeezed the hand that wasn’t on the steering wheel. “I know you guys are taking care of things. But I can’t wait until it’s all over. I don’t want any of you getting hurt because of me.”
Jonas picked up her hand and brought it to his mouth. The brush of his lips over her skin brought to mind a litany of erotic images. Scenes she knew they’d be acting out as soon as they got back home.
“There’s only one person who’s going to get hurt in this scenario. And that’s David West. Or whatever his real name is.”
JJ sat back abruptly. His real name. It shouldn’t have been such a shock to hear the name he’d been using was an alias, but somehow it was. How strange that a man who’d had such a profound effect on her life and her distrust of men, probably wasn’t even who she thought he was.
Sensing her distress, Jonas pasted on a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I shouldn’t have said anything. We’ve got this. Okay?”
They rode the rest of the way back to Blake Security in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. By the time they pulled into the underground garage, Noah and Lucia were already out of their vehicle waiting for them. Her friend had already lost most of the baby weight and now just looked like a curvy pinup due to her new motherhood-enhanced chest. They’d been shopping earlier, and every one of the tops and dresses Lucia had chosen displayed quite a bit of that chest.
JJ smiled at the thought. Lucia had been waiting her whole life to have cleavage. She could hardly fault her for flaunting it now, although if the look on Noah’s face was any indication, he wasn’t enjoying the thought of anyone else seeing it.
Lucia put her arm through JJ’s and hugged her close. Her friend’s eyes were slightly glassy. After abstaining from alcohol since getting pregnant with Isabella, she’d lost the little bit of alcohol tolerance she’d once had.
“I had so much fun tonight,” JJ told her. “And I can tell you did, too.”
Lucia grinned. “Yes, I did. After eating that delicious meal and not worrying about the calories and having a glass of wine, I’m going upstairs to rock my hubby’s world!”
There was a snort of laughter from behind them. JJ turned just in time to see Noah smack Oskar on the back of the head.
“Well, before we lose you, do you mind if I come with you to check on Isabella? I need my baby fix.”
Playtime with her favorite almost-niece was one of her favorite things. She’d been down for bed before they left so JJ hadn’t had a chance to play with her. It hadn’t escaped her notice that Jonas adored Isabella as well. Every time she saw him holding the baby, her imagination went crazy with images of him holding their child.
She placed a hand on her stomach. It was almost too much to imagine. Being with Jonas forever. Having his baby. A sudden sense of unease swept through her, making JJ shiver. It seemed like too much to hope for. Like she was tempting fate.
“Of course. Izzy loves you.” Lucia presented her face and held still for the retinal scanner and they moved to the back to wait for the rest of the guys to get on the elevator. Once they arrived at the penthouse, they all went their separate ways with a chorus of good nights sounding behind them.
“I’m just going to kiss Isabella good night,” JJ said.
Jonas smiled. “I’ll come with you. This is good practice for us. For one day.”
Even though it mirrored her earlier thoughts, it was a thrill to hear him say it. JJ grabbed his hand and dragged him behind her. Noah and Lucia trailed behind them.
“It’s so quiet in here. Usually Matthias would stick his head out to say hi or something.”
Jonas shrugged. “He’s been in a mood lately. Probably just doesn’t feel up to making conversation.”
JJ wasn’t so sure about that. Matthias had been plenty chatty before they left, all smiles for the babysitter. Katie was a sweet girl, working her way through college toward a degree in sociology. Not who she’d have expected to ring Matthias’s bells, but whatever. She was happy for him. Everyone should be in love.
Well, just look at me, she thought. A regular Hallmark card.
She turned the doorknob to the nursery and took a deep breath of the soft baby powder scent that perfumed the air no matter the time of day. It was almost midnight, so she hoped the baby would be sleeping soundly and wouldn’t even notice them. The curtains were drawn, so the room was dark save for the small princess nightlight near the bed.
JJ tiptoed forward, stopping next to the crib. The room was decorated in all the frilly, lacy things that Lucia loved. It was like a Disney cartoon threw up in there. But for safety reasons, there were never any pillows or blankets in the crib itself. Noah had been even worse than Lucia in drilling the safety rules into all of their heads. Blankets, pillows and sheets were a suffocation hazard for infants.
Which was why JJ was puzzled to see that the baby was swaddled heavily in blankets.
“Lucia, did you tell Katie to swaddle the baby?” Immediately she reached into the crib to pick up Isabella. She wasn’t sure why Katie would have done that when she knew the rules better than any of them. Noah had chosen carefully from a list of potential babysitters and they all had been experienced in childcare and CPR certified.
Lucia moved to her side. “No, of course not.”
“Well, she did. I don’t know what she was thinking.” JJ pulled back the first layer of the blanket. When the baby’s face was revealed, her blood instantly turned to ice.
“Oh my God.”
She turned around. Lucia, Jonas, and Noah watched her in confusion. Later, she’d wonder how she’d kept breathing when her heart had stopped beating.
“What’s wrong?” Lucia asked. Then she saw the baby’s face.
And screamed.
“Isabella? Where is Isabella?”
She snatched at the doll in JJ’s arms, examining it as if it would magically transform into her beloved daughter.
Tears spilled from JJ’s eyes as she scanned the room frantically. Noah already had his phone to his ear barking out orders. Jonas approached her slowly, before putting his hand gently on her shoulders.
“I don’t understand what’s happened. Where’s Isabella? Why would Katie put a doll in her crib?”
His eyes were heartbreakingly kind as he pulled her into his embrace. JJ let out a soft moan as she took her first deep breath in what felt like ages.
“She wouldn’t,” Jonas said quietly. “Oskar just called. He found Matthias in the living room unresponsive. Katie’s gone. And so is Isabella.”
JJ pulled back slightly. “Why would she do this? Money?”
“I don’t know the answer to that, but we are going to find her. You can believe that.”
Lucia’s wails sounded from behind them, and JJ’s heart broke for her friend. That someone could hurt an innocent child … It was chilling.
The baby doll lay on the ground at their feet, forgotten. JJ picked it up, mainly to make sure Lucia didn’t have to lay eyes on it again. It was a standard doll, with a small wisp of dark hair on top and big blue eyes. However, someone had painted the lips a bright crimson red. She touched the lips and her fingers came away smeared with lipstick.
I’ve always loved you in red.
The memory slammed into her as crisp and clear as if it had just happened. David loved for her to wear lip color but he had particularly loved it when she wore red lipstick.
JJ turned to Jonas, clutching the macabre doll to her chest. “He was never really gone, was he?”
Jonas pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. “Who, sweetheart?”
“David,” she murmured.
“We’ve had all our contacts watching out for Chamaeleon. You don’t need to worry. You’re safe,” he promised.
But JJ had gotten the message. Loud and clear. She wasn’t safe and she never had been.
And neither were the people she loved.
THANK YOU for reading the first book of the FORCE duet. The next book, Enforce, releases on 8/29/17.
While you’re waiting for Enforce, catch up on Noah and Lucia's thrilling trilogy SHAMELESS! Keep reading for an excerpt.
I am the thing that goes bump in the night. I am a liar, a protector ... a killer ... I am Noah Blake.
There is only one light in my darkness, one bright ray in the storm of my life. Lucia DeMarco. And I’ll do anything for her. Anything except show her who I really am: an assassin. Well, former assassin. I don’t really do that anymore ... usually.
It would be easier if she didn’t call me names. Asshole, control freak … shameless. It would also be easier if she didn’t look at me with those trusting gray eyes. If I didn’t dream about the perfect curve of her — Never mind all that. The point is she’s digging into my world, my secrets, and it’s going to get her killed.
But first, we have another more immediate concern. Lucia is going on a date—with someone else ...
And I’m not allowed to kill this one.
Excerpt of Shameless © May 2017 M. Malone and Nana Malone
Noah watched the date from the comfort of his SUV. All the while silently fuming.
What the hell did Lucia think she was doing? His team hadn't vetted the guy. They didn't know anything about him. So far, she'd broken all of the dating rules he'd given her.
For the first date, always meet your date at your designated location. And of course, she'd let this doofus pick her up for their date. As if he hadn't told her a million times to do the exact opposite.
He'd also been very clear not to get in the car with her date. So that was rule one and rule two broken right off the bat. As if he hadn't trained her on how to be careful and what to watch out for. But oh no, Lucia didn't listen to shit. Every time he turned around, there she was, careening headfirst into trouble.
Maybe she didn't see her date as a potential threat, but dammit she needed to be more careful. What the hell did she even know about this guy?
"What the hell kind of name is Brent anyway?"
Noah hadn't even realized that he'd spoken out loud, until the voice in his comm unit laughed. "Last I checked, Brent is a perfectly normal name. Lots of guys have it."
Noah barely restrained a growl. "Matthias, when I want your input, I'll give it to you."
There was a chuckle on the other end of the line. Noah made a mental note to give Matthias some really horrible surveillance duty for the next month. This wasn't funny. This was Lucia. They all cared about her well-being.
Maybe you more than the others.
Yeah, so what? He cared about her. And maybe it wasn't the easiest thing in the world watching her date loser after loser. But it was his job, no strike that, it was his responsibility to look after her. He owed Rafe that much. But how the hell was he supposed to look out for her when she kept making it so damn difficult? Lucia was obstinate, infuriating, pigheaded, and—
Beautiful.
No. She was like a little sister to him. Yet somehow his dick couldn't seem to get with that program lately. More and more frequently, some very unsisterly thoughts wormed their way into his consciousness.
"Matthias, give me something on this Brent guy. Aren't you supposed to be some kind of super-hacker?"
"You better believe it. But, there's nothing on him. Everything is normal. Boring. Most interesting thing about this guy is he likes adventure sports. He skydives, bungee jumps, that sort of thing. Does some triathlons. Maybe he's some kind of adrenaline junkie. But there's nothing else on him. No flags. He lives here in New York in the East Village. No roommates, rent isn't exorbitant. Works for the city. No large withdrawals of cash, good credit. As far as I can tell, he's clean. But that's just his electronic trail. Maybe you're right on this one and he's a little too clean. I mean, there's not even an online dating profile on him. To me, that's weird. Who doesn't have an online dating profile?"
Noah chuckled and then lifted his binoculars again. Lucia was laughing at something. So Brent thought he was a comedian, huh? What the hell was so damn funny? There was too much interference to use the boom mic, otherwise he'd know.
Brent reached across the table and took Lucia's hand, and Noah nearly chipped a tooth from grinding his teeth so hard. He could see Lucia's eyes go wide. Was that surprise? He hoped it was disgust.
Did she actually like this guy?
His gut clenched at the thought. Perfect, just what he needed. Lucia liking this fucking idiot.
It wasn't that she hadn't dated before. She had. Mostly in college. Most of those guys had merely needed a strong reminder to mind their Ps & Qs with her. But this guy, this guy was random—unknown. Which meant it would take more work to scare him off. But Noah was up for the challenge.
Lucia deserved to be happy, just with somebody vetted and approved. After the shit she had survived in her life? The girl needed some happy endings.
Fuck. Not happy endings.
He groaned and turned his attention back to the restaurant. Brent raised a hand and signaled their server. Shit, they were leaving. The real trick was guessing where they were going. He'd put a tracker on her phone, so if he guessed wrong, he could always follow. But what if something happened to her before he could get there?
"Matthias, turn on the listening device on her phone. I'm heading to the house in case that's where they go."
There was a beat of silence. He could almost hear Matthias's silent condemnation. "The thing is, Noah, she's not going to like that."
"The thing is, Matthias, I don't care," he muttered using the same singsong tone.
Yeah, he knew he sounded like an asshole. But this was Lucia. If she wasn't going to take care of herself, that left it to him to do it for her. They had one simple rule: He vetted all her dates. And sometimes, without her knowing, he'd scare them off. But that was really beside the point. It wasn't his fault she couldn't pick a decent guy.
He made a left turn on 10th Ave, right near the USB Theater, then he sped through Chelsea before making a left on 28th Street, heading toward Chelsea Piers. He made a right at the stop sign, turning onto her quiet street. The street was lined with lofts and new apartment high-rises, all boasting a name with Arms, or Manor.
Before she'd moved, Noah and his team researched the building's owners and the neighborhood crime rate. Everything to make sure she would be safe. Well as safe as she could be in Manhattan. It also didn't hurt that he watched her every move. And not in some creepy, stalkery way, but more like a big brother way. Sort of ...
Never mind that. He drove past her building and around the back to the lot he paid for specifically for these kinds of situations. Yeah, so maybe he also paid most of her rent. She thought she’d gotten extremely lucky with a rent-controlled apartment in the heart of the city. In reality, he paid most of the tab. He also paid for two parking spots. Not that Lucia had a car. But in case she ever got one, she’d have somewhere safe to park it. Somewhere right next to the damn elevator. He paid almost as much to secure that spot as he paid for the apartment. His spot was in the darkened shadows somewhere she’d never think to look. He didn’t mind though, because in most scenarios, he was the thing that went bump in the night.
"Matthias, talk to me. Where are they headed?"
"They're stopping for ice cream at Benny's then he's going to take her home."
Okay, so Noah had about ten minutes. Benny's was a local mom-and-pop ice-cream place about five blocks away. He jogged along the parking garage to the side stairs. While he'd insisted that she get a building with a doorman, there was no accounting for the additional exits and entrances into the building. Luckily, this one was exit only. Only confirmed residents had keys. Unfortunately, even your average guy could pick these locks, and he happened to be better than average.
In less than a minute, he was through the door and took the back stairway up to her apartment. She'd listened to him and employed the deadbolt. Problem for her was he had a key.
In seconds he turned off her security alarm. Well, at least there was that. Lucia had been so against it in the first place. At least she realized that a woman living alone needed some security. He glanced around and noted that she'd changed a few things. Was that a new pillow?
Matthias spoke into his earpiece. "You've got about five, boss. They've stopped outside the apartment. I'm going to go ahead and turn off the mic on her phone now if that's okay with you."
More judgment from the youngest member of the team. Whatever. He'd deal with that later. Now, the real question was where to wait for her.
What if she brought the guy in here?
Oh hell no. The mere idea of it had him gripping the edge of the countertop. She had better be coming in alone.
Didn't she know the first thing about dating? Damn it, this was their first date. She was supposed to make the guy twist in the wind for a bit first.
How many one-night stands have you had?
No. He was not going to think about that. It was different. That's all. Besides, Lucia was a good kid. And there was no way Nonna DeMarco would approve.
He'd give her a few minutes to run the guy off herself, and then the two of them were going to have another conversation about dating and personal safety.
She couldn't really be interested in this guy, right? He was boring. Unlike you? Noah grimaced. Yeah well, she didn't need to date anyone like him either. If she did, Noah would have to employ more drastic measures to keep her safe.
No. Lucia needed a nice guy, but someone more interesting than a records keeper.
Okay, if he was going to give her the chance to send Brent packing by herself, he needed to wait somewhere other than the living room. If she caught sight of Noah first, and if she was carrying that Taser he'd given her for Christmas, he might end up as fried toast. He jogged down the hallway and turned left into her bedroom, gently closing the door behind himself.
He hopped onto her bed, bouncing slightly and leaned back against the pillows. I’ve always loved how girly she is, he thought, enjoying the scent of her perfume in the room and looking around at the four-poster bed, the soft colors, and all the ruffled pillows. He also loved that when she completely lost her temper her curls went flying and her eyes snapped with anger.
It was probably why he enjoyed pissing her off so much.
Something caught his eye as he lay back against the pillows, readjusting them for his comfort. Her bottom drawer was open.
Do not open it. Leave it be. She won't appreciate — Oh fuck it.
He pulled it open and took out his phone, shining the flashlight directly inside.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"