The Runaway Viper (Viper #2) (8 page)

“Yes, we should,” Jace counters fast. “You can’t keep running from everything. Delvine dictated a lot of your life, don’t let her take this from you. She is one of the reasons you never came back here. You didn’t want to come back and realize you missed it and wouldn’t have it back for years. I know you, Lee. You didn’t want to come back and face the music and know you couldn’t return until she was done with you.”

“But we can’t come back now,” I whimper at him.

“Yes, we can,” Jace admonishes my negativity and forgets all about my pessimism. “And we will. When I know what’s going on, we can choose to stay here. I saw how you were with your mom; your dad will be no different.” He tightens his grasp upon my knees and gives me a smile. “You took too long out. Think of it like The Hamptons, had we not gone back,” he says, and I immediately interrupt.

“I wouldn’t have been forced to do what I had to,” I reply, miserably allowing myself to think about that day all over again.

“We wouldn’t have gotten to this point,” he states clearly to me. His tone is hard and convicting and has me listening. “Had that never happened, we wouldn’t have gotten out. We’d have been creeping around and you’d have had far more time between us getting free. If you’d never have gone back, I’d never have gotten to married you.”

I nod, trying to dissect and implement his words into my mind. I need them to register, so I can deal with optimal clarity.

“Now will you stop with this pessimism you’ve picked up and look at what you’re getting back today,” he grins at me, looking around. “You’re getting your family back. Regardless of what else is going on, you are getting the most important things back. Now smile and realize your father will be back and will expect his daughter, not a shadow of her.”

“It’s good to see someone talk some sense back into my daughter,” my father speaks, interjecting Jace. He stands before us, tie now undone, his hair a dishevelled mess where he’s evidently pulled and ran his fingers through it. “I’m going to bet you’re my daughter’s husband?”

“I am, Sir,” Jace says as he stands up. “I would have asked your permission for her hand, but obviously due to our circumstances, it wasn’t possible.” I can see Jace is nervous now that he is meeting my father. “It’s lovely to finally meet you. I’ve learned a lot about your family from Joely in the time I’ve known her.”

“He’s got
manners, I’ll give you that, Lee-Lee.” My father throws an old nickname and a wink at me and I feel my body relax from all the stiff tension. “Call me Carl, not Sir. It makes me feel old.”

“Carl,” Jace says and approaches my father with an extended hand.

I watch them shake and my shoulders square again – this is make or break for Jace.

My father nods impressed at the shake Jace offers him.
“Strong shake, confident. I’m impressed.”

“Thank you,” Jace answers hesitantly, making my father laugh.

I am relieved that my father and husband are already on an even playing ground with one another. That is until Jace comes back to me and my father places his gaze upon me, his dark blue eyes burning into me.

“You just going to just sit there?” he asks me rhetorically. “Come and give your old man a hug.” I listen and stand, but I’m wary. I know I shouldn’t be, but this has now been a reunion years in the making. “
C’mere,” he demands, waving his hand at me. I listen, obey, and head toward him. When I’m the right distance, he puts his hand out, grabs a hold of me and pulls me in for a body crushing embrace. I struggle to get my arms around him but manage slightly and just enjoy a moment basking in his cologne and arms. I feel myself slump against him, my mind relaxing more. I have found my spot with two of the most important people in my life. My brother and sister are the only ones left.

“I’m sorry for just disappearing,” I apologize when his arms slacken their grip. I pull away and look up at him. “I just needed to get away and then I found it hard to come back.”

“Why did you disappear?” he asks and I can see the gauntlet of questions about to fly at me. “Where did you go? Where have you been? Who have you been with?”

“Dylan. New York.
Only New York. A whole horde of people and Jace.” I state his questions with enough answers to goad him into a seat. We all sit, my mother and father opposite Jace and me. “What I’m going to say isn’t the best, but I can’t look back with regrets.”

“What is it?”

“Mom already knows some,” I state and look at my mother who nods offering her support for me to join. “I worked at a club known as The Viper Rooms. Well, I do. I have a contract I signed. I worked myself up in the club and became a head girl. I did things I’m not proud of, but Jace was one of my clients. He was the first man to think about me. He loved me from the first time we met, and he kept me as safe as he could.”

“This club,” my father begins, “Is it a sex club?”

“Sort of,” I reply honestly. “I signed my life away to the boss who offered me everything when I had nothing.” I can see my father’s eyes ignite, emblazoned with anger.  “I wasn’t a prostitute as such,” I clarify, praying my voice doesn’t quiver. “I got lucky and had clients who just required my company.” I can see my father’s jaw click as he bites down. “Please, don’t think any less of me!” This time my voice gives out, my tears becoming evident. “I was lost when she found me. She offered me everything when I was vulnerable. I tried to leave, but it was too late.”

“Joely, you could have come home,” my father’s statement is fiercely spoken. He’s enigmatic with his ferocity. 

“I couldn’t,” I grind out, choosing not believe those words. “It wasn’t an option so soon after Dylan. I ran and when I finally stopped my boss found me and the only reason I am here right now is because of Jace.”  I reach for Jace in that moment. “Believe me, he is the reason I have survived.” I reach for my husband’s hand and cling to it. “He gave me purpose back, and he’s the one who helped me see a way out. Even when I thought it was all a waste of time, he saved me.” I know I have to admit one more final truth to them – the worse one. “We’re on the run.”

“What?” my parents gasp in unison.

“We ran from the club.” Jace jumps in now, defending me, helping me. “Joely’s predicament with the club was one I couldn’t leave her in anymore. Events led to us being forced apart, and I couldn’t leave her there anymore. Between a friend within the club, Josh, and my brother, I was able to keep tabs on Joely and find the perfect way to get her out without being caught.”

“But you’re still on the run,” my mother utters.

“Yes,” Jace agrees despondently. “We were country hopping for months. I finally married Joely and promised her a life in Australia. She was writing music again, like really writing it,” he pauses when my parents both smile. “We were happy, until Clara Delvine, Joely’s boss, found us.”

“I know it’s insane,” I butt in, “but until we can find a way to break my contract with Clara we’re not going to be stopping much. But Jace wanted me to have you back before we found ourselves darting everywhere and anywhere in a bid to hide.” I look between them. “He gave me you back.”

This time the dams burst. The enormity of the moment catches up, drawing me in and kicking me out emotionally weakened. I have my family back, no matter the degree; they are back in my life. I dip my head but can sense my parents moving, Jace distancing us to allow us a moment.

It’s my father who voices their game plan in mine and
Jace’s life.

“No matter what the cost, your mother and I will help.”

***

My reunion with my brother and sister wasn’t pretty. There were a lot of tears the moment they saw me, and I felt like asking for forgiveness wasn’t going to be a huge fight. I wasn’t going to have to jump hoops or prove my worth. They forgave me the moment they saw me – just with a heavy, ugly watershed.

My parents saved face when asked where I had been. Apparently I had moved to New York and fallen in love – there was no viper business involved.

Now, I’ve been sitting with Spencer and Carrie for a while, but we haven’t spoken much. I feel numb and awkward being here all together. It’s hard to explain it. I know I should take this moment with both hands and enjoy it to the absolute max, but at the same time, I feel awkward to speak. In case they really don’t want to hear it.

But I can’t let this moment slip away.

“Hey, Car.”
I reach out to my sister. She looks at me and I smile at the young woman she has grown into. “Remember we always used to laugh about love being some simple, stupid word,” I ask, and she bops her head. “And how it only took someone to give it the right definition?” I ask her, but look away. I look at Jace who is speaking to my parents.

“That’s him?” Carrie asks and pulls my attention back.

I smile brightly, feeling a hint of bashfulness taking over. “That’s him.”

“You have it all,” Carrie sighs at me.

“No, I don’t,” I counter, unable to accept that claim. “I didn’t have you for so long. I had the man, I had the love, but I didn’t have the life or the family. I was missing that for so long.” I offer a meek smile. “Never aspire to be like me. I’ve lived a life I never wanted to.”

“You’re still my big sister,” she utters to me fiercely, and I’m rocked to the core. “That never changed.”

I tilt my head, ready to reply, but see Jace advancing toward us. He mentioned earlier that he needed to head to New York tonight. His business needed him, and he wanted answers about how Clara found us. He’s furious, but he’s keeping a tight lid on that part of his emotional spectrum. I know it’s so he doesn’t scare me, but I want to see him angry. I want to see him truly hate that woman like I do.

“I’ll be back,” I tell Spencer and Carrie and get up. I watch Jace bid them a farewell, saying he’d be back in a few days. He then states he’d be here for my birthday, and I have to admit I had stupidly forgotten. March fourth crept up upon us quickly. My parents give him a proper goodbye, my brother and sister still not warmed to him.

“I wish I could go with you,” I whine as he heads for the front door.

He opens the door and turns to me. “You know that’s not possible,”

“Okay,” I pout. “I still wish you didn’t have to go.”

He chuckles. “Not a possibility either. Don’t make this harder than it is. Please.”

“I’m sorry,” I apologize sincerely. “But I’m worried. I don’t want her to catch you.”

“She won’t,” he vows, and it’s hard to find comfort in the sincerity of his words. “Now give me your hardest goodbye.” He uses my own saying against me and pulls me tight against his body.

He kisses me goodbye and for a moment my body melts against his, but it all quickly disperses. As he pulls away my body pours with worry for his safety - for my safety. It aches with anticipation for his arrival even before he’s left.

“See you soon, Mr. Mason,” I comment quietly. “I’ll try not to get too lonely.”

He shakes his head, laughing at me.

“You’re stuck with me, little lady. No chance of loneliness now!” Josh shouts out, breaking the moment.

“I think I’ll count you as safe and occupied now,” Jace concludes confidently. He pulls me close, giving me one more kiss and leaves me on the doorstep of my family home.

I’ve been sitting on the sidelines,
admittedly sulking over Jace’s absence. No one knows that’s the real reason I’m sitting here, nor do they know I wanted to take in the sight of my family. I wanted to remember them so happy. When I left before it was a time of such heartache and misery, of abuse and ridicule, but now it seems that we’ve grown from the grief.

It’s been three days since I saw Jace last, and I miss him. The ache reaches deep within, and I’ve not confided in anyone how I’ve felt over his absence. Not even Josh and he is the only one who knows the God’s honest truth of our predicament. My family, immediate and extended, have embraced me once again, and I have found myself thrust right back into my old life.

Today’s my birthday, and Jace hasn’t even called to say if he’ll be back or not. My despondency ebbs from me, and I have placed the fakest of smiles upon my face. My parents threw a party together in my honor, but I don’t feel deserving of it. This just makes its worse for me to actually enjoy.

I look down at my rapidly disappearing beer and decide to finish it. I quickly realize I have to fight my way through the crowds of family and friends to make it to more alcohol, so I stand slowly. Josh clocks my movements and looks at me. I offer a smile to tell him I’m fine, and he nods his head curtly.

I step out and away from my seat and straighten the skirt of my dress down. When I look back up I see him, standing before me, just staring between the crowds. Alcohol forgotten, I’m caught up in the sight of him. Jace offers an apologetic grin and holds up a single red rose. I cock an eyebrow, and he laughs at me.

When I place my hands upon my hips, he starts the slow walk to me. People look at him strangely, unaware of whom this random man is. I love the way Jace doesn’t care. He just forgets about the people around us and approaches me. There’s a small crooked grin on his lips, and I can’t resist the urge to smile.

“Now you show up,” I comment with a berating tone.

“Couldn’t miss my wife’s birthday,” he states steadily, raising the rose back up.
“For you.”

As I take the flower, he pulls me close and issues me with a tender kiss. It’s long and indulgent and I don’t care as the world around me falls away and I’m left in this beautiful oblivion with him. This is his easy hello to me, reacquainting our bodies to one another,
reconnecting with one another. This is his way of apologizing for taking so long to come back to me.

“I was worried,” I say as we begin to part. My breathing is a slight pant, and I keep him close.

He rests his forehead to mine. “I couldn’t get an easy flight out, but I’m here now.”

“You’re here now,” I repeat and set the rose down on the table I have sat at all afternoon. We sit together, and I reach for him. “How’s the company?” I ask, curious as to how life in New York is.

“Surprisingly thriving,” he comments and laughs. “My team is phenomenal, and we’re looking at more expansion.”

I sigh, happy that Jace isn’t losing anything else from his life. “That’s good.”

“It is, but we aren’t discussing any of this right now,” he tells me, and I nod. There’s a time and a place. “Later.”

I nod and hear giggling. I recognize who immediately. Christie, who lives down the road and was always a little like my arch nemesis, saw my ring when she arrived earlier and told me my husband was imaginary. I told her even if he was; I was still able to buy myself nicer
jewelery than her own husband. Now Jace is here, she’s making a strike.

“Get ready,” I breathe at him, agitation scratching at my throat.

“Born ready,” he utters back, causing me to giggle.

“Christie,” I say as she sashays over with
all the attitude she can possibly muster. “Jace,” I begin and slip my fingers between his. “Meet Florida’s equivalent of Cassidy.” I stand up, gleefully ready for this moment. “Christie, meet my husband, Jace Mason.” I feel Jace stand up and again I am throttled with the feeling that we are a power couple. When he is beside me I feel unstoppable, I feel indestructible. “He was away on business but knew he had to come back today.”

“You actually got him?” she asks, pointing to Jace.

I just giggle. “I get him a lot,” I say and wink at her, giving her a double meaning to that. It causes her to screw up her face, and Jace tries to withhold a snicker.

“Well that’s good, I was expecting him to be a lie,” she says sarcastically and her two lapdogs beside her laugh in unison, goading her.

I just roll my eyes. “Your comebacks have gotten worse as you’ve matured.”

“Why did you come back, Joely?” Christie asks me, tilting her head to side, allowing her next blow to ready upon her lips. “We all would have thought after killing our beloved Dylan, you’d never show face.”

And there it is, a ridicule from the past. Jace quickly puts his arm around me, steadying me. I know the truth, but it still hurts to have his death used against me. Time doesn’t lessen all wounds.

“She never killed him,” Josh interposes the conversation. His voice is darkened, heavy with a grudge over his brother’s death. “If I remember correctly, Christie, your father was the one that signed that car off. He’s the one who didn’t fix the brakes.”

The reaction to that comment had Christie turning around and disappearing into the crowd. She didn’t argue, didn’t apologize, just ran off without another word. I have to admit, it’s nice to see her shut up once in a while!

“Well that happened faster than I expected!” Josh gloats happily. “Now birthday girl, do you have to leave so soon?” His question is met with a glance between Jace and me.

“We’re safe here for now,” Jace comments, and I see Josh nod, agreeing that we are.

Famous last words, my inner self curses from the deep, dark, torturous recesses of my mind.
I decide I want some quiet for the moment, alone time – preferably with my husband. “I’m going to head inside a moment.”

“You okay?” Jace asks worriedly.

“Yeah, I just want some quiet for a moment.” I smirk, hoping he’ll understand my true reason. “Meet me upstairs in five minutes,” I whisper my innocent command at him. “Room to the right at the top of the stairs. I want some alone time.”

I hear Josh cheer Jace on as I make my way toward the back of the house. The partygoers are spread around the house, but the closer I get to the stairwell the quieter it gets. I make my way up the stairs, taking each one slowly so I don’t have to spend too long on my own. When I make it, I go to my bedroom door and open it. I’m met with a plain
colored room. The rooms are cream, but covered and adorned in photos and anecdotes of the past.

I go over to the window, pull back the blind, and look down at the party below. Jace is no longer outside and the excitement riles up within me. I’m brought back when there’s a knock on the door. I turn as Jace steps in.

“We’ve got to be quick,” he mutters, his lips closing the distance with mine. “Your mother is bringing your aunt up to show her the changes to the back two bedrooms.”

Great!
I decide it’s time to take action. “I don’t need forever.”

“Didn’t think so,” he agrees, picking me up. I have no time to respond as I’m thrown onto the bed and he uses his time wisely by unbuckling his belt and undoing his pants. He doesn’t know that I’m not wearing any underwear today. I’d envisioned him coming to wake me up, but when he didn’t I kept hope he was going to arrive earlier in the day. I decided to be prepared for my reunion with him.

When he crawls up the bed, I see eagerness in his eyes, and I bite my lip. It’s becoming a behavior I need to rid myself off. But he builds so much anticipation in me, it erupts and takes over. As he towers over me, I lay down, his hand coursing up my thigh, his fingertips dancing upon my skin until they reach under my skirt, guiding toward my wet core. I know he’s getting ready to free me of my underwear, but I love the surprise I’m giving him.

“You naughty girl,” he says as he finds no panties to yank from me.

When we hear my aunt coming up the stairs, Jace leans down to kiss me as he slams deep into me. I gasp, striving to make noise, but he kisses me harder. I’m grateful as I hear voices outside the door. I feel myself freeze as I worry they’ll bust us, but Jace doesn’t stop. As his hands run down my arms, our hands clasp together, and he keeps me pinned as he works my body to that blissful rapture.

Even with my mother and aunt just outside, he pounds into me then withdraws and repeats to keep a steady rhythm going. I close my eyes as I feel my orgasm build and when I fall from cloud
nine, my orgasmic groan is suffocated beneath Jace’s lips. He carries on the rhythm and the kiss until he comes, and we both become intimately wrecked together.

As he finally parts and gazes down to me, I just smile. “Welcome home, Mr. Mason,” I whisper to Jace as he just holds me.

***

“I really haven’t missed this room one bit,” I quip as we enter our motel room. Having stayed at my parents, the dankness is even more than ever.

He chuckles an agreement and turns to face me. I can tell the last few days have been hectic. The weight of it all lies within his eyes - the pressure, the stress. It’s all evidently there, and I would do anything to chase it all away.

“Want to tell me how the hell she found us?” I ask, going for the blunt route. I can tell he knows, I can tell he’s wanted to tell me from the first moment he stood in my parent’s backyard. “Leave nothing out.”

“There’s nothing to tell,” he admits and rubs his brow. “She’s apparently watched every move. She saw you leave that night, saw us jump on a plane and country hop ever since.  According to what Eli heard, she just allowed us to bide our time.” Again Jace rubs his brow and then allows his hand to drop to his side. “Which doesn’t sound like a very Delvine way to deal with a wayward girl slipping from her clutches.”

“It does,” I counter, pointing out the truth in a blasé tone. “It’s called torture, Jace, and we both know she fucking loves that!” My hands fly up to rest on my head as I begin to pace our small room. “She allowed us freedom to goad us into thinking we were safe. It makes sense. She waited until we both thought we were safe and then she made a move.”

I flare my nostrils as I strive for composure. I don’t want to lose my cool over this. I want to remain stoic and face this new twist in our fate with optimism. Jace is so strong that at times I feel like a weak and timid shrewd in his life.

“We are going to do just fine,” he offers me the solace of his vow and I have to believe it. I cannot continue to be a cynic.  “She knew where we were in Australia, but Eli said she was going crazy over losing us. She hadn’t planned for us to leave via boat.” His gaze narrows on me suddenly. “As for the men who burnt our house down, they were all
taken care of
.”

I can pick up on what the emphasis of the words sorted mean, and I pale. Shaking my head, I decide to move this conversation on. After all, if Clara will get rid of those failures, what fate do I have left?  “What’s happening with that place?” I ask, the solemn thoughts creeping upon me. “I mean all that money, and we watched it burn.”

Running a hand across the back of his neck, Jace just gives me a small grin. “Jake is taking care of it.”

“That brother of yours is going to get you killed,” I state, mocking Jake’s abilities. “He’s so devious at times, it’s scary.” I mean it, but not in a way Clara is. Jake works solely for the good, for Jace it’s to help cover tracks and protect us. But there is a lot to Jake we don’t know. He has contacts and a
demeanor that Clara would love to have on her side.

“That’s what big brothers are for,” Jace quips sarcastically. “I’m pretty sure you led Carrie and Spencer astray at one point or another in life.”

I don’t respond, but smirk at him and his way of always being right. “Does she know you went back?” I ask him suddenly. “Does she know you’re back here with me?”

He shakes his head. “I didn’t go near the club. After I met with Eli outside New York and he told me, I decided going in would make me a dead man.” The end of the discussion closes in and I feel relief wash over me. Jace makes a point of letting me know he didn’t dare enter the lion’s den. “I couldn’t run the risk.”

“I’m glad,” I mutter, pleased he had sense. I just wrap my arms around his neck, resting my cheek against his chest, listening to his heart thudding away. His stress levels have it pumping heavily and hard. I know he has a lot to deal with, besides me - he has a company to run, offices now worldwide, and now he has to cope with Clara’s need to get me back.

I hear commotion in the hallway and it breaks Jace and me apart, but I think nothing of it and just look at Jace. He looks alert and upright by the noise and turns to the door, his body slightly in front of me. It’s an overreaction. We’re in a low rated motel with thin walls. We hear everything and have
ran into people less stellar than us. It’s like a halfway house for drunks and junkies. We’re here to hide - they either can’t afford more or live here. But when I hear the shouting getting closer, I start to worry. My palms slicken and I come over all clammy, my leg muscles tighten as if gluing me to my spot. It only worsens as the first kick comes, and I jolt, almost taking a step back. With a second forceful kick, the door weakens and on the third it flies open.