Jason's Princess: A King Brothers Story (14 page)

“Arson. They used gasoline; lots and lots of gasoline. It’s all preliminary but the fire chief says it’s pretty obvious. When were you here last?”

Jason thought a minute. He hadn’t been here since he retrieved his bag Saturday afternoon. He gave all the information he could think of to Jarod, who asked multiple questions about how the house looked when he left, especially if he had remembered to lock his doors. He was positive that he had done a full lockdown.

Jarod said, “Ok. Good. One of your neighbors reported that they saw a black pickup parked in your driveway before noon today. The description of the truck, and the men who got out of it, match that of the suspects who harassed Julie at the construction site.”

Jason heard loud sobbing before a woman threw her arms around him forcing him to let go of Julie.

“Oh Jason! Are you hurt?” He looked down into emerald eyes that matched his own and a face full of concern.

“I’m fine, Mom.”

“Give him some room, Camille.” Jason’s dad said. “He’s alright but you’re frightening Julie.”

“Julie!” she yelled, throwing her arms around his girl and showering her with motherly concern as well.

Julie mumbled something into his mother’s hair before he reached over and untangled her from his mother’s grasp. Once he had her free, he put her right back at his side,
where she belonged
, and held on tight. Thank god she didn’t fight him, he would’ve lost it.

Jarod bristled, “Dad. What are you doing here?”

“Are you kidding? Like you could keep us away; and don’t take that tone with me either, Jarod. You may be wearing a uniform but you’re still my first born, dammit. I want you to let Dane,” he gestured to the older man next to him, “do what he does best. I think you need all the help you can get on this case. These ‘accidents’ are getting way too dangerous.”

James King, his father, was not someone you argued with at a time like this. He grabbed his mom’s hand and pulled her close. Both his parents were wearing the same look; fear and concern for their children. Jason had seen that look many times growing up and he loved them for it.

His mom interrupted his thoughts with an invitation. “I’ve planned an impromptu family dinner tonight and I want you all there.” She grabbed Julie’s free hand with her own and said, “I want you and Charlie there as well, dear.”

“Thank you, Camille. That’s very sweet of you to think of us.” Jason held Julie a bit tighter, glad she hadn’t tried to weasel out of dinner, either. Damn, she was cooperative today.

Then his mother looked at him with authority, “I’m having your rooms freshened up for you, honey. So don’t even think about staying at a hotel or with one of your brothers.” She smiled at him and touched his cheek.

Before he could say anything, Jarod interrupted, “Mom. No. I’ve asked Jason to keep watch over Julie and Charlie. He’s already set-up in her spare room.” Jarod abruptly turned to their father’s head of security. “Dane, please come with me,” effectively ending the conversation.

Relieved that he didn’t have to explain further that he was sticking to Julie like glue, he gave his brother an appreciative nod. Jarod winked at him before leading his father’s man away.

CHAPTER 13

CARAVAN

As Julie watched Jason’s house being reduced to a smelly pile of ash, she gripped him tighter relishing the contact. Even though she had harbored bad feelings for this strong man for as long she could remember, she suspected that things were not as they seemed so long ago. The events of the past week had proven to her stubborn brain what her heart had suspected for a long time; Jason was a frog prince waiting for his princess to find him and bestow a kiss.

No one deserved to have their house burned down. She realized that all of these events linked them dangerously.

But why and… who?

The fire was out but still smoldering. There was absolutely nothing left. Julie couldn’t fathom being so calm after such a personal loss. Other than his momentary loss of speech, Jason seemed like it was just another day. His strength amazed her. She always thought of him as too controlling and pushy. She might even have been a bit afraid of him. But now she saw him in a whole new light. She’d misunderstood his authority, knowing now that without the ability to command, his life would be in total chaos.

There was nothing left to see of the burning house. She had texted Charlie to let him know what was going on and to dress appropriately for dinner at the King’s. Jason hadn’t let go of her except when he had hugged his mother. Julie smiled as he was now pulling her toward his truck. He had already confiscated his keys from her, ready to be in control once more.

Thank God
.

“I’ll meet you guys at mom and dad’s.” Josh said, heading towards his own truck.

Julie waved at him before crashing into Jason’s back, who had stopped short. He tugged her closer to him and she felt his body tighten. A small, black convertible pulled in behind both their trucks. A blond man with light blue eyes stepped out of the car. Walking toward them with a smirk that was all too familiar, Billy raised his hand in greeting.

“What the hell are you doing here, Billy?” Josh’s question was laced with menace. Julie realized that both brothers had positioned themselves in protective stances on both sides of her, almost blocking her from Billy’s view. Jason still held her tight.

“Nice to see you too, Josh.” His icy blue eyes shifted to Julie. She felt the chill all the way to her soul. “And what about my girl? No tearful hello from the woman who said she’d love me forever?” He shook his head at her, risking as his smile morphed into something marring his once handsome face; it was all teeth and didn’t reach his eyes.

“Why are you here?” Jason ask. He sounded very calm but because he was touching her she could feel the tension vibrating throughout his large, muscular frame.

“I heard about the fire. I’ve wanted to say hello since I got back to town but I haven’t had the time. I thought I’d come by to offer my condolences. Do you need any help?”

Julie thought he sounded sincere but she didn’t really know him anymore. She realized now that she probably never truly knew him.

“Thank you for your consideration, Billy. I’ve got this handled.” Jason said as he wrapped his arm around her.

“Yes, I can see that you do, Jason.” She heard the contempt in his voice. “I just wanted to come by and let you all know that I’m here… to stay this time.”

Then quietly, he said to Jason, “You’ll be hearing from me again. Have yourselves a good evening.” Julie watched him slither back over to his expensive convertible and drive away.

Julie shivered. She felt Jason’s arms tighten around her reassuringly.

“Let’s get Cafe Armstrong and bring it to my parent’s house. It’s gated and will be safer there than at your house, out in the open.”

“Do you really think that’s necessary? Won’t your parents mind? It’s kind of an eyesore.”

“Never mind the eyesore, Julie.” Josh said with cold steel in his voice as he followed them to the vehicles. He was one of her best friends so she knew when not to question him.

Jason cleared his throat. “Billy’s showing himself now and he’s not afraid, Jujyfruit. That comment about seeing us again; that was a threat, babe.”

She felt like a idiot. The man who just left in the sporty convertible was a stranger to her, not the boyfriend of her youth who broke her heart.

Remembering that, she decided to trust Jason and her heart . “Alright, but I don’t want to impose on your parents.” All of a sudden, she had an intense desire to please Jason. She couldn’t explain this new feeling. Maybe she was just sick of fighting him. It didn’t seem right to fight with him after what he’d lost today.

Josh said, “Dad will insist after we tell him about Billy’s visit. The fire has them both so freaked out that Mom mentioned some nonsense about all of us moving back in with them.” He shook his head but glanced at Jason in that brotherly way that Julie often witnessed between them. She imagined it was some sort of sibling telepathy. She and Charlie shared a common bond but because of the age difference and that she had became his guardian, the bond was different.

“We’ll talk more tonight at dinner.” Jason said, giving Josh a glare.

“I’ll follow you two back to the construction site to make sure nothing else happens. What about Charlie?” Josh asked.

“Maybe James and Camille pick him up? Let me know, and I’ll text him the plan.” Julie said.

Driving Cafe Armstrong into the King’s gated property felt weird. She had always kept close tabs on her business vehicle and leaving it on someone else’s property didn’t sit right with her.

Their parade was comical. She followed Jason in her food truck while Josh had followed behind her. She giggled a bit as Jarod flashed his lights behind Josh, making quite an entrance into the palatial gated home; a large pickup, a food truck, another man-sized pickup and a sheriff’s cruiser.

All we need is a clown car,
she giggled.

Camille and James came out the side door, Camille waving and James pointing where where everyone should park. He looked like a person working at an airport waving in large aircraft. All he needed were the cone-shaped flashlights. Doing as she was told she parked on the far side of the house out of sight of the street.

James strolled over to Cafe Armstrong as she was getting ready to lock the doors. “I’ve always wanted to see the inside of one of these”, he smiled at her. “Mind if I come in?”

“Not at all.” She opened the door wider for him and squished back as far as she could to let the big man inside. “It’s not much to look at, James. It’s all pretty basic. Just a small kitchen on wheels.”

“You’re too modest Julie. I’ve had your fare and you are a very accomplished chef.” He gave her a wink before turning around and stepping out of the vehicle so that she could lock up.

“And
you
have a way with words, Mr. King, but thank you for the compliment.” She took the elbow that he offered her.

James King had the same air of authority that the rest of them had but he was a lot like Josh; or Josh was a lot like him. They both had open, friendly ways about them that made people feel comfortable. Even though she was surrounded by wealth she didn’t feel out of place. They were regular people who just happened to have a lot of money, that she knew from Josh was hard earned.

Maybe that made a difference because Billy certainly never made her feel comfortable when they were in his element. He had a trust fund and his family had been rich long before he was even born. She remembered now that he seemed to find delight in her discomfort whenever they were with his family. Funny how she had forgotten about that. She shook herself from the memory to concentrate on the people she was with at the moment, people she truly cared about and who also cared for her in return.

CHAPTER 14

NO CHOICE

Jason smiled at Julie being escorted by his father from her truck to the house. It gave him a sense of peace and rightness to have her here with his family, knowing how much everyone loved her and her brother. He wondered how the evening would go, though, when she discovered that they were all staying here until this problem was resolved.

“When are we going to tell her?” Josh said as he stepped up to his brother.

“I think we should leave it to Mom. She has a way with Julie that neither of us has.”

“True enough, but what about her house? Aren’t we leaving it unprotected if no one is there?” Josh asked, concern etched in his brow.

“Don’t worry about her house,” Jarod said as he sauntered up behind them. “I’ve got a cruiser going by every hour and I’ve talked to the Neighborhood Watch director in her neighborhood. If anything suspicious comes within 5o yards of her house we’ll know about it.” Jarod patted Josh on the shoulder while making eye contact at Jason. He nodded back at his older brother.

“What are you three hunks up to?” Jason felt feminine arms wrap about his waist. He looked down to see Lauren’s smiling face shining brightly at his.

“Planning your demise. What’re you doing here?” Josh asked with a laugh, slinging his arms around her shoulders in a brother hug.

“Very funny, Playboy.” She pushed him back playfully. “Camille asked me to spend the night. Said she was having a dinner party and couldn’t live without my winning personality or my social skills in delicate situations.”

She grinned her special, evil grin. It was all teeth and her eyes locked onto his big brother. Jarod just groaned and stalked off.

“I meant with Julie,” she said with a wink. “It’s going to take some convincing to get her to stay here. But it looks like you guys have got the two most important things already here; her brother and her damn truck. She can’t put up too much of a fight with those two concerns taken care of.” As she glanced at his brother’s departing back she giggled, “Oh, this is going to be a fun night.”

Jason rolled his eyes. He almost felt sorry for Lauren if she thought she could break through Jarod’s cold heart of stone. His older brother only tolerated women when he needed them. They had spent many nights discussing the reasons why neither of them were married yet; Jason because he was in love with someone who hated him and Jarod because he didn’t trust women. Too bad Jarod was so stubborn.
Lauren would be good for him,
Jason thought to himself.

They all walked into his parent’s massive home. Even though Jason had technically moved out of his childhood home when he went to college he still loved this house. His father had bought the property when King Construction was just beginning to turn a big profit. The house sat on 50-plus acres of farmland surrounded by other ranches and farms in the county. Lush and green, his father had incorporated the natural setting in the landscaping directly around the large mansion with the outlying acreage to the west staying natural; the east with paddocks for the myriad animals that his mother liked to keep. The house, barn and outbuildings were surrounded by a security fence. It was safe enough on its own. However, his father had state-of-the-art security plus Dane and his team of merry men. They would be safe here tonight.