Sweet Jayne (40 page)

If I ever speak out against Logan, she completely shuts down. Ames tells me you can’t help who you love…even if that person is a psycho prick. And unfortunately Kase loved Logan in some warped way. He did father her two children but I don’t see how she feels anything in her heart for him.

Once breakfast is over and I’ve kissed them all goodbye, I head out to my Camaro. Again, thanks to Donovan, I haven’t been bombarded by the media or nosy citizens. Apparently, his umbrella of protection really does cover my family too. When our story first hit the news, this town was a goddamned circus. But Donovan coordinated a one-day media event with CNN. He and Nadia handled the interviews, giving the media something to sink their teeth into, which kept them away from my family. All requests and correspondence goes through him. In a nutshell, they all stay the fuck away from me, my sister, her kids, and my girlfriend. I’m not complaining and am thankful for Nadia’s bravery.

Today, the air is extra brisk. A snow storm is on the horizon. Tay’s never seen snow so I’m hoping he’ll get his wish.

I sink into my seat and fumble with my music. Once I’ve turned on “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, I put my car in drive and cruise toward the station. It still feels weird sitting in Logan’s office. I’m interim Chief until Mayor Dunaway officially appoints the position to me. With good music starting my day, the drive to the station is a quick yet relaxing one. The stress I used to carry with me is no longer present. Soon, I’m hustling into the building to escape the freezing ass wind.

“Mr. Jayne is waiting to see you,” Lena says as I enter.

I nod my head and stride down the hallway. Sure enough, Donovan leans against the doorframe of my office. “Hey man,” I say as I unlock my door. “What’s up? Any word from Logan’s attorney?”

Our biggest concern is Logan tearing the lid off what happened with Frank’s death and the cover up that followed. Since Logan broke federal laws that also implicated some local judges and his case is such a high profile one, the Supreme Court took the case. He’s being held in a maximum-security penitentiary in Florence, Colorado until his hearing. With five counts of kidnapping, five counts of attempted murder, two counts of non-consensual sexual acts using violence or force including non-consensual sex with a minor, multiple counts of racketeering, and the countless laws he broke while in his employment as a government official, he’ll no doubt be put away for life. Donovan and I both hope they’ll execute him by lethal injection but our attorney says he hasn’t done anything hefty enough to warrant that judgment.

“Actually,” he grunts as he follows me into the office. “Yes.”

I shed my coat and then take my seat. “What is it?” Anxiety swells in my chest. Donovan has the best attorney this side of the US but I still worry. He doesn’t deserve to go to prison. Nadia and Van need him.

He tugs a folded piece of paper from his pocket and pushes it toward me. I frown as I pick it up to read it. The outside has Donovan’s name scrawled in Logan’s familiar handwriting.

Donovan,

I know you don’t understand my reasons and you hate me for everything I did to the woman you love. I’m not about to explain myself to you or anyone else. But, I’m betting you’re sweating it right now. Wondering what I will tell them about the past. Here’s the deal... We may not be friends right now. And we certainly haven’t been for a while. Yet, that night, you were my brother. That night, I’d have done anything for you. I did do everything for you. I have no regrets and like we vowed outside Len’s Tatt shop all those years ago, we take it to our grave. My tattoo reminds me each day of that. Just like your brother’s name we both have inked on us. You have my word.

Harmony after annihilation.

I hope you have finally found the harmony you had your sights set on. Please take care of my children. And Kasey is your responsibility now. Look after her. Taylor would have wanted you to carry that torch since I’m no longer able to.

PS – I never would have allowed them to drown…

Logan

I read the note three more times before I look up at him. His jaw clenches and his eyes darken.

“I guess we have our answer,” I say with a huff. “But my sister isn’t some burden. I’ll take care of her, Donovan. You have your hands full with your family.”

He carefully folds the letter once I give it back to him and tucks it in his front pocket. “I will always make sure you guys are taken care of. That’s what family does for one another.”

I laugh and can imagine Taylor looking down on us with a triumphant smile on his face. “Is that what we are? We’re one big pretty fucked up family then, huh?”

He chuckles. “That we are.”

“It’s snowing!” a cheery voice chirps from my doorway.

I lift my gaze and lock eyes with Nadia’s molten chocolate ones. I’ve never seen the girl smile so much in her life. She’s happy. Truly fucking happy. And that makes my heart swell.

“Tay’s going to be thrilled,” I say as I stand and grab my coat. “Do you care if I steal your wife for coffee?”

Donovan darts a questioning look at Nadia and she nods.

“Just drop her off at the lodge when you guys are done. I have some work to get caught up on,” he agrees.

He draws her to him and kisses her lips so gently, as if he thinks she’s made of glass. Their love is thick and palpable and fills the space around us. A month ago, I’d have said it was perverted and sick, considering their age difference and what he was to her when he was married to her mother. But like Ames says, they’re in love. And I’m jealous of that kind of love. I wonder if Amethyst and I will have anything remotely as intense one day. With the way things ignite anytime we’re near each other, I’d say we have a pretty good shot.

“Coffee, huh?” Nadia questions as I usher her out the door. “Is this where you kidnap me? I’ve gotta say…been there, done that. You’ll have to do better than that.”

I roll my eyes. “Not funny.”

She laughs as we head to my car and I find myself laughing too. Once we get inside my warm car, I hand her my iPhone.

“Play something good,” I say with a growl.

She bites the end of her glove and tugs it from her hand. As if she knows which song she’s searching for, she scrolls down through my selection. This. Our love for the same kind of music. That’s Donovan’s doing. He pushed that shit on everyone.

Carly Simon’s husky voice fills the car as she sings “You’re So Vain.” I cut my eyes to Nadia and her face is bright red as she giggles. She forces me to endure her over the top, loud-ass, off-key singing of that song as she uses the iPhone as her microphone to sing it to me the entire way to the coffee shop. When it ends, I flip her off.

“You’re a dick.”

She swats at me. “I learned it from watching you.”

We both smirk as I pull into the Mocha Bean, a quaint little coffee shop on Main Street. This is what’s so weird between us. I like her. I truly like her. She’s funny and selfless. When Kase breaks down crying, Nadia is over at my apartment in like eight minutes flat. I can’t help but love her for how she loves my sister. Their friendship had been brief and budding that first day before Kasey was taken but they picked right back up the day Nadia was forced down into that basement too. Their bond is tighter than mine and Kase’s is and we’re siblings. I’m thankful for Nadia. So fucking thankful.

Once we’re settled on a low comfy couch with a steamy cup of coffee each, I turn to regard her. She’s so serene and settled. It’s a good look on her. Her wedding ring glistens in the warm light. I still can’t believe she and Donovan went down to the courthouse and got married a couple of weeks ago on a whim. It was a surprise to everyone.

“Where’s Van?” I question.

She beams. Pride and adoration paint her pretty features. “With Mamá. She came over to the lodge this morning so Donovan and I could run some errands. He loves her so much.”

I grin back at her. Guilt, the ever present emotion, though, floods through me. Letting out a sigh, I narrow my eyes at her. “Nadia, we need to talk.”

She pats my knee and sets her mug down. “Water under the bridge, Kasper.”

I shake my head and run my fingers through my hair in frustration. “No, we need to talk about this. I’m sorry. For everything. I hated you for so long. Blamed you for something that was out of your control. It was fucked up. I’m fucked up.”

Her gaze hardens and she purses her lips together. “Your sister was stolen from you and I was the only witness. It’s understandable.”

I huff and set my mug down on the table beside hers. Taking her hand in mine, I squeeze it gently. “It was over the top. I turned into a fucking monster. Every day I thought up new ways to fuck up your life. To ruin you. Hell, I even tried to use you for sex. Don’t you see what an asshole I was?”

She arches up a dark eyebrow and smirks. “Was?”

I chuckle and roll my eyes. “I’m being serious. I kissed you. Put my hands on you. It wasn’t right, Nadia. I took advantage of you.”

“You weren’t the only one with guilt. When Kasey and I plotted on how we’d get out of our prison, we discussed in great detail how we’d involve you. I was prepared to sleep with you and make you fall in love with me if it meant you finding a way to get us out of there. We all played parts that we’re ashamed of.”

I groan. “I just feel so stupid. So fucking blind.”

“It is what it is. I have only ever loved one man and you only carried hate for me. It would have been awkward and weird even if we had gotten the chance. Luckily, you’re good at your job and put together the pieces before I was forced to see your ‘monster.’ That’s Ames’ cross to bear, thank God.”

Heat floods through me. I’m going to kill my girlfriend. “What the fuck, Nadia?”

She bursts into a fit of giggles earning us a glare from a college student studying at another seating area. “Who names their cock ‘monster’ anyway? Is it hideous or something?”

I yank my phone out and text Ames.

Me: You’re in so much fucking trouble, Lames.

When Nadia finally calms down, she sips her coffee and turns her twinkling brown eyes on me. “Thank you, Kasper. Thanks for seeing past your hate for me and being open to a bigger, invisible story. Without that, I could still be under Logan’s hateful thumb and they would still be down there.” Her smile falls and tears well in them. “You saved us. So quit your shit about feeling guilty. You’re my friend and if Donovan ends up traveling next month for an acquisition in California, I’m going to need someone to go see Aerosmith with. I can’t even take my best friend. Kasey likes country. Country!”

We both shudder at that dirty word.

“Okay,” I extend my hand to her.

“When we leave here, it stays. Got it?”

I nod. “Got it.”

My phone chimes while we shake and when she lets go, I pick it up.

Ames: Apparently your monster’s reputation has gotten out… Jason works tonight. Maybe you should stop by and give me a spanking. I’ll cook your favorite. :)

Me: I want you bare assed and ready.

Tay got his wish. It snowed and I got a kick out of all the pictures Kasey sent to my phone throughout the afternoon. My heart is full having her back in my life with her two kiddos in tow.

I shiver as I trudge through the snow up Jason’s front steps. Amethyst has been looking for an apartment but is staying with her brother-in-law until that time comes. We’ve hardly found any moments alone in the last few weeks. A stolen quickie here or there. But tonight is all ours.

When I raise my hand to knock on the door, it swings open. My beautiful blonde stands there looking sinful as hell. Her wispy hair has been braided into two schoolgirl braids on either side of her face. She’s makeup free tonight except for a pink, shimmery lip gloss that coats her full lips. But it’s her outfit that makes me crazy. Her lips tug into a grin as she spins for me to see. And boy do I see.

“Don’t you think that skirt’s a little short, missy?” I say with a growl. It’s a red and black flannel pleated skirt with a buckle on the side. The damn material barely covers her ass. Her white knee socks are sexy as fuck. She’s a naughty girl.

Her cheeks tinge pink and she flutters her eyelashes at me innocently. “Oops.”