10. Missing Link

10 MISSING LINK

Koen

It wasn’t often we used the sirens in our federally issued SUV for personal use; as in it was forbidden. However, when the call came in from Jade, forbidden took a flying leap off a very short cliff. Keaton agreed with my fuck-it-all attitude, and since he was driving, I flipped the switch. What were they gonna do? Fire us both?

“You should’ve let me drive,” I muttered.

“Why? So you could get us both killed?” He turned on his blinker, switching lanes to pass an eighteen wheeler. “Use the time to get your head on straight.”

We had our weekly briefing with the DEA an hour away from Huntington on neutral ground. The purpose was to share any information the other had uncovered, which usually added up to less than nothing. This time though, Lanie had overheard a phone call between Little and a man he referred to as Z. They’d set a date, time, and place for a meet. Problem was, we had no idea what they were meeting about.

One thing we knew for certain—courtesy of Lanie’s exceptional hearing—was this Z character had a Russian accent. And if the look Keaton gave me meant what I thought it did, he may have recognized the initial from the notebook my brother sent. Of course, we weren’t ready to divulge that tidbit of information to the DEA quite yet.

“You didn’t hear her voice, K. She’s freaked.”

“And that’s exactly why you have to rein it in. The way you handle yourself will trickle down to her. Be in control and she’ll match your calm.”

Easier said than done, especially when I didn’t know the extent of what we were walking into. Jade had been able to get out that she’d been served papers about custody before she broke down in hysterics. Henley snatched the phone from her and assured me she had my girl until I could get there, but emphasized the need to hurry.

Tires screeched forty minutes later as Keaton slammed on the brakes outside of Over Easy. I was out and running before the vehicle came to a stop.

Sal, Shirley’s husband, held the door open and pointed toward the back, not that I needed his direction. I’d clocked my girl before my boots ever hit the ground. Jade was curled in on herself in the corner of a booth; arms wrapped tightly around bent legs with her head resting on top. Her unfocused, glassy eyes flared with my approach.

“Koen.”

My name on her lips was filled with anguish. Scrambling around Henley, she launched herself into my waiting arms. I swayed on my feet at the impact and quickly lowered the both of us onto a nearby chair, where I could get a better grip on her trembling body.

“I’m here, Angel. I’ve got you.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, she buried her face in the side of my neck and released a heart-wrenching sob. Helpless to stop what happened next, I did the only thing I could.

I held her tighter as she shattered within the safety of my arms, absorbing the burn as the jagged edges of her panic sliced me to the core. All while whispering words of love in her ear.

Time ceased. The diner, along with our friends, faded into the background. Nothing else mattered except Jade. When her wails turned into whimpered hiccups, I knew exhaustion had finally won out.

“What happened?” I vaguely heard Keaton ask.

Henley answered, her voice clogged with emotion. “They’re trying to have her removed as Jett’s guardian.”

Jade stirred then, pushing back from my chest. Her voice cracked when she uttered, “I can’t lose him, Koen.”

Fuck that and fuck them for putting even an ounce of doubt in my girl.

“Dry your eyes, Angel. Those assholes have gotten the last tear from you they’ll ever receive. They don’t deserve them, and they’ve never deserved you or Jett.”

“You’re absolutely right.” She sat up straighter, gripping the front of my shirt in her fists. “Fuck them.”

“Hell, yes!” Henley yelled.

“I’ll fight them with everything I have?—”

“We’ll fight, Jade,” I interrupted. “You aren’t alone in this.”

“Sorry. We’ll fight and we’ll decimate them on the stand.” Rising from my lap, she began to pace.

“Preach it, Mama Bear,” Shirley shouted while her partners in crime, Betsy and Mitzy, contributed their own words of praise.

But my girl didn’t hear any of it. She was lost in her anger, and it was fucking beautiful to witness .

“He’s not some toy for them to play with. He’s my goddamn brother ! Mine,” she growled, spinning to face me, “not theirs.”

“Definitely not theirs,” I agreed. “So how do you want to play this? It’s your call.”

“We need a lawyer.”

“My company has one on retainer,” Keaton offered. “He may not be an expert in family law, but I’m positive he’d have a few recommendations.”

Keaton was the owner of a big-time security firm, left to him by his scumbag father. Though he’d turned the everyday operations over for someone else to run, he still held the controlling interest.

Jade’s face fell. “Shit, I can’t afford a lawyer.”

“ We can.” Nodding to my friend, I gave the go ahead. “Make the call, K.”

“Wait.” Betsy pushed her way through our small group. “My nephew is a lawyer. He’s got an office about an hour north of here. Let me call him. I’ll make sure he gives you the family discount.”

“What’s the family discount?” Henley asked.

“No charge, otherwise, I stop sending him cases of my famous apple pie moonshine.”

“Betsy,” Mitzy admonished, then winked in my direction. “There are two hot feds in the room. I’m not sure bringing up your not-so-legal distilling operation is such a good idea.”

Ignoring the two women, who continued to banter back and forth, I took a hold of Jade’s hand and gave it a squeeze. She was still a little shaky and pale, except for the tip of her nose, which was red from crying, yet she’d never shined brighter.

Fear was a big motherfucking motivator. Where her pride may have prevented her from accepting help in the past, the stunt her parents pulled had awakened a whole new level of protectiveness. An inferno was building deep behind her tired dark eyes. A fire fueled with anger and fanned by the flames of her love for Jett. Essentially, they were fucked and I couldn’t wait to watch her burn their sorry asses to the ground.

“Show me the papers, Angel. Let’s get a feel for what we’re up against.”

Seven days.

Seven short days to prepare for the fight of our lives.

“How the hell did they find out about Jett’s little indiscretion? We kept that shit tight.”

Keaton had a point. Due to his age and the deal he made with the prosecutor, Jett’s name and the nature of his crime were never released to the media. Yet, somehow, the details were laid out in front of me on the petition to have Jade removed as guardian. The papers stated her alleged neglect could have led to irrevocable harm to “the minor” in question.

“Maybe they have some kind of connection with Chase or his dad,” Henley suggested.

Chase McArthur was the little bastard who hired Jett to hack into the university records, claiming he’d submitted the wrong paper for a class. He was currently awaiting trial for a litany of charges, including an assault on Jade and Henley. Fortunately for us, his congressman daddy had pretty much disowned him in order to save his political career.

The bell above the door chimed as Jett strolled into Over Easy. The four of us had been so immersed in our discussion, we’d lost track of time and the fact he would be stopping by the diner after school. Jade scrambled to shove the documents back in the envelope as he made his way toward the back, where we’d gathered around a large table, but I stilled her hand.

“You can’t protect him from this, Angel. He has as much of a stake, if not more, than any of us in the outcome.”

She blew out a breath and closed her eyes. “Dammit. Why do you always have to be right?”

“Oh, there have been plenty of times where he’s been wrong. Remind me to tell you about them later.” Keaton flashed me a toothy grin.

Dick.

“What’s going on? Why are you all here? Did something happen?”

“Take a breath, kid.” I pushed a chair with my foot. “Park your ass and we’ll explain everything.”

It didn’t take long until his initial worry shifted into something darker, something much harder to combat.

“This is my fault.”

Guilt.

“No, Jett,” Jade started.

“How can you say that? If it wasn’t for my greed, they wouldn’t have anything against you.”

“Bullshit,” she hissed, then her head swung to her best friend beside her, while rubbing the back of her arm. “Did you seriously just pinch me again?”

Henley shrugged unapologetically before speaking. “What your sister is trying to say—not so eloquently—is you made a mistake out of love not greed. There’s a big difference.”

“Exactly. Though I could’ve gotten my point across without being bruised.”

“They would’ve found another way, Jett,” I told him gently.

And I wasn’t lying. People who felt they were owed something they didn’t earn did deplorable things, including dragging the two people in this world they were supposed to love unconditionally through the mud.

Shit like this made me wish my family lived closer. Jade and Jett would get to experience what it meant to be part of a true family, instead of the dumpster fire they were born into.

Mom already couldn’t wait to meet them, same with Riley and Willow. I was looking forward to a trip home, though I wasn’t too keen on the ass-kicking they’d dole out when they found out we were married. Luckily, we had time before we had to jump that hurdle.

Jett stared at his sister with a look on his face I couldn’t get a read on. He blinked and whatever I saw was gone.

“You need to be careful. They’re dangerous.”

“I can take care of myself, little brother.”

“I’m serious, Jade. Nothing can happen to you. You’re the only parent I’ve ever had.”

His worry was not to be taken lightly.

“I’ve got you both, Jett. We’ve all got you.”

Jade

A week wasn’t nearly enough time to prepare for a battle against an enemy. When that enemy was your own flesh and blood, even a lifetime wouldn’t be long enough. Nevertheless, after two rather lengthy meetings with our new lawyer, Betsy’s nephew, Michael, we were ready .

According to Michael, there wasn’t actually anything to worry about. He said the case was pretty much a slam dunk, especially since I’d kept the letter my parents left four years ago. Yet there I was, the evening before, with more anxiety than blood coursing through my veins.

“We should stop her before she hurts herself,” Jett spoke, not so quietly.

“Or at least open some windows,” Phoebe suggested. “All those chemicals can’t be good for our lungs.”

I was trapped in a frenzy; a cleaning frenzy to be exact. Otherwise, I’d explain how the products I used were harmless to both humans and animals. Not that we had any pets, though the thought of getting a kitten or a puppy had crossed my mind a time or two lately.

Jesus! What was wrong with me?

We were in the middle of a crisis and I was thinking about fur babies. This was why I needed to clean. It was the only thing, besides sex with my husband, which seemed to settle my racing mind. And considering we had a house full of people, an afternoon quickie was off the table. Or maybe it could be on the table.

Gah! Scrub the floor, Jade.

“Leave her alone. She’s nesting. It’s perfectly healthy.” That was Lanie.

When Koen called earlier and said the team was coming over for dinner, I wasn’t expecting the whole team. When Lanie and Noah sauntered into my house like they hadn’t disappeared from our lives for weeks, I was shocked stupid. Then I lost it. Actually, we lost it. Henley and I both. Total and complete emotional breakdown. We didn’t even try to blame it on the impending court case, she knew we’d been worried.

“Nesting? Like pregnant women do?” He frowned, then glared at Koen. “You’d better not have knocked up my sister already.”

“Jesus, kid,” he sputtered through his laughter. “That’s really none of your business.”

“Lanie misspoke. She meant nervous energy, not nesting.”

“I said what I said, Henley. Now that I’ve mentioned it though, I’m thinking the wrong person might be nesting.”

That got my attention in a hurry. Something seemed off since they’d all arrived, I just couldn’t put my finger on it. Setting the mop back in the bucket, I joined my friends in the living room. Koen patted his lap, so I took him up on the offer of a comfy place to sit.

“What the hell are you babbling about?” Noah raised a brow.

“Minus the crazy cleaner and the two teenagers, everyone else in this room has some form of alcoholic beverage,” Lanie’s hazel eyes swept over our friend. “Except Henley. And do I spy a tiny baby bump?”

“Are you calling me fat?”

“Never, but I am calling you out. Something you wanna share with the class?”

Smiling wide, Keaton threw his arm around his fiancée. “We’re pregnant.”

“I thought we weren’t telling anyone until after the first trimester?”

“This isn’t just anyone, Little Bird. This is our family.”

Rushing over, I nearly tripped over my own feet in an effort to yank her into my arms. “Oh my God. You’re gonna have a baby!”

“Sorry I spoiled your surprise,” Lanie joined in. “We needed some happiness to counteract all the doom and gloom. ”

“It’s okay. I’m actually relieved you guys know. I wasn’t sure how I was going to get through the next month without spilling the tea.”

“Congrats, man,” Koen offered behind me.

“You’re next,” Keaton quipped and my heart skipped five beats, maybe ten.

Kids.

They’d never factored into my equation. I had Jett and he was more than I’d ever need. Though that was before I married, then subsequently fell in love with a man who made me feel whole for the first time ever.

Koen was my missing link. My ride-or-die. My white knight in a smokin’ hot Camaro. He’d turned our lives upside down and made it better in ways I never imagined possible. We were already a family. Was it too selfish of me to want more? The whole idea seemed like first world problems when we were in the midst of a third world disaster. Once we made it through tomorrow, I’d allow myself to dream of our future.

Two arms circled my middle, drawing me back into a hard chest. His warm breath tickled along the shell of my ear. “What are you thinking about so hard, Wife?”

“Everything…nothing.”

“It’s going to be okay.”

“I know.”

In my mind, I knew the chances of the judge siding against us were slimmer than slim. Michael even said he’d be shocked if the whole case wasn’t thrown out within the first few minutes. There was nothing concrete, only hearsay from an unknown source. Unfortunately, anyone could petition to have a guardian removed, even two individuals with an arrest record longer than my arm.

Unlike my parents, Jett was never charged with a crime. Not only that, we had statements from Waverly and Nelson outlining his internship with the FBI. Besides, he was old enough to voice his own wishes if push came to shove.

“It’s getting late.”

“Eight o’clock is not late,” I disagreed.

“When you’re dying to be deep inside your wife, it is.”

“Wow. Look at the time.” His rumbled laughter vibrated against my back. I elbowed him in the stomach, then stepped out of his hold, grabbing his hand on my way to the steps. “You all can see yourselves out.”

I didn’t stick around, but by the time we reached our bedroom door, I heard footsteps on the wood floor heading toward the front door.

Gran was probably rolling over in her grave at my less-than-stellar hostess skills. I could almost hear her voice. “The lady of the house never leaves her guests unattended.” Well, this lady was low on patience and high on life. In other words, I was horny as hell.

I barely registered the click of the lock before he pushed me against the wall, slamming his mouth to mine. Tongues tangled; hands explored as our desperation for each other reached new heights. Nothing else existed. Just him and me and the love we had for each other. There wasn’t room for anything else, except for our explosion of desire.

We broke apart long enough to strip each other bare, then we were moving. When the back of my legs hit the edge of the bed, the urge to taste my husband hit me full force. In all the times we’d made love, my hands had been on him plenty, but never my mouth. Dropping to my knees in front of him, I nearly came on the spot at the heat emanating from his emerald eyes. He wanted this as much as I did. Maybe more.

“You want to suck my cock, Angel? ”

I nodded once, my gaze locked on the hand he wrapped around the base, moving it up and down in slow, measured strokes. He was long and thick and so damn impressive that wetness pooled between my thighs while I watched him pleasure himself.

“Put your hands on my thighs and open your mouth.”

Scooting closer, I did as he asked and was rewarded with a deep groan when the wide head of his cock slid along my tongue. On instinct, I closed my lips around the tip and sucked gently; tasting a hint of salt mixed with musky undertones.

“Yes,” he hissed.

Growing bolder, I drew him farther inside my mouth, relishing in the sounds of pleasure he made with every downward motion. He gathered my hair in his hands, pulling it away from my face, but not using the grip to control my pace.

“Such a good girl,” he praised. “But I need to be inside your pussy, Wife.”

Stepping back, he forced me to release him with a pop, then lifted me to my feet. Without warning, he spun me to face the bed.

“Hands on the mattress. Legs spread. Ass in the air.”

Holy hell.

His demanding presence in the bedroom––the absolute control––had been a huge turn-on. However, this new level of dominance filled me with so much need it was dripping down my thighs. It was exactly what I wanted…what I craved.

His hands caressed the globes of my rear before coasting in opposite directions. One tickled along the ridges of my spine, sliding around my front to cup my breast, molding the flesh between his fingers. The other zeroed in on my clit from behind, spreading the evidence of my desire over my most sensitive area with two fingers.

“You get this wet from sucking my dick, Angel?” His tongue licked a path from my shoulder to my ear, as his fingers pressed down and circled my bundle of nerves.

My breathy, “yes,” was followed by a gasp when he lightly slapped my pussy, then resumed his ministrations, rubbing slightly harder than before. The pleasure was so intense, my knees nearly buckled.

“Don’t you dare come until I’m buried balls deep.”

“Then you’d better hurry the hell up,” I snapped.

His chuckle was followed a moment later by the wide head of his cock pressed against my center.

“I love you, Jade Banks.”

There was no chance to reciprocate my feelings or respond to my new last name before he slammed inside, stealing the breath from my lungs. Fast and furious, he set an insane pace. This wasn’t making love. This was fucking. And I. Was. Here. For. It.

Dropping my chest to the bed, I turned my head to the side, fisting the duvet tightly as he powered into me. His hand left my side, coming down sharply on my ass. Not hard enough to actually hurt, but the sting jolted me forward, sending him deeper with each snap of his hips. Damn, I loved every second of it.

“Oh God,” I gasped as an orgasm blasted through me without warning.

“Fuck yes. You’re squeezing my dick so tight.”

I was lost in unimaginable bliss; caught somewhere in between the pages of seventh heaven and cloud nine. Which was how I missed what happened next.

“Do you trust me?” He grunted, his tempo never faltering, even as his wet thumb began to circle my other hole .

Did I? The answer was an unequivocal yes.

There wasn’t a person on earth I trusted more with my brother, my heart or, in this case, my body.

“Always. I love you, Koen.”

He pressed harder, slipping past the tight ring of muscle, then he stilled, his cock buried to the hilt in my pussy, while my body adjusted to the intrusion. The feeling was indescribable. A pinch of pain, followed by an overwhelming fullness. I could barely catch my breath. Then he began to move, slowly at first. In and out. His thumb and cock working me into a frenzy. My vision grew hazy. Flashes of bright light mixed with inky dark spots forced me to close my eyes rather than risk passing out from pleasure. It was so intense, yet my body was begging for more.

“Give it to me, Angel. I’m right behind you.”

I moaned his name, my limbs convulsing as I splintered apart. Three strokes later, he followed me over the edge, pulling out to splash his release against my ass and back.

“Jade.” My name, whispered on his lips like a prayer, was the last thing I heard before I succumbed to the darkness.