Jason (Kings of Guardian #4) (18 page)

Jason took another swallow of the chamomile tea he’d asked Sonya to get for him this morning instead of his usual coffee. Her immediate look of disbelief forced a chuckle.

“My throat is sore.” It wasn’t a lie. The pepper had fucked up his throat but good.

“Are you getting sick?” Sonya took a step forward, concern written all over her face—the mom in her bursting front and center.

“No, must have been something in the air last night. Maybe an allergic reaction.” He snorted into his mug at the memory of the conversation. Yeah, something was in the air, in his nose, down his lungs, and in his eyes. Lord, living with Faith was not going to be boring.

Sonya’s voice floated over the intercom, jerking him back to reality. “Jason? Jewell is here.”

“Send her in.”

He leaned back in his chair and waited. The door burst open and Jewell stopped about three steps into the office, looking around. “Hey, great room. When did you get this?”

“When I agreed to take over as CEO for Gabriel.”

“What?” Jewell twisted back around to him.

“What, what?”

“When?” Her eyes swept the walls.

“When, what Jewell? Could you please, for once, talk like a normal human being?”

“When did you take over as CEO?”

“We are in transition now. Hence, you copying both Gabriel and myself on all reports and memos for over a month and a half.” How could someone with such a scattered brain be so damn smart?

“I thought you were just coming back as Dom Ops. Well, hell. Congratulations. Does the rest of the family know?”

“The entire organization knows. Seriously, how do you not?”

“Oh, you know me. If it isn’t directly related to what I’m working on I don’t really care. But seriously Jace, that is really cool. So you’ll be my supervisor, huh?”

“Yeah, and I’m not going to put up with your tardiness just for the sake of a few cookies.”

“Oh. No worries, I’ll bring chocolate from now on.”

“Damn.”

“Yep. I know how to get my way.” Her snicker should have made him mad, but what the hell, he was going to be getting a regular influx of chocolate.

“So what brings you out of your hole today?”

“Oh! I set up a chat room for me and the guy in Russia.”

He did a double take. “You mean the hacker?”

“Uber-hacker actually. Best I’ve ever seen.”

A cold chill touched his soul. “You’ve talked to him?”

“No, silly. I’ve, well… let’s just say I think I’ve enticed him and given him a place to contact me.”

“And the benefit of this would be?” Jason could see several, but he wanted to know where Jewell was going with this.

“Wow, they made you CEO and you can’t see the possibilities?” Jewell laughed and held up a hand. “Kidding, Jace. Well, besides the obvious chance to track him and possibly locate him, which I don’t think will happen because he’s got mad skills…” Jewell leaned back in the leather chair across from his desk and chewed on her fingernail as she stared out into space. Scattered? Nah… try ADD.

“Jewell.”

“Huh?” Her head whipped toward him.

“You were going to tell me the benefit of setting up a chat room?”

“Oh, well, depending on the guy, I can try several angles. We can attempt to establish a rapport and recruit him. Guardian can throw some serious cash at the guy. But I’d like to try something else.”

“And what would that be?”

“If this guy tries, and I suspect he will, I want him to think
he
can recruit
me
. That way I can try to access his systems, find out about those children the bastards are selling. Like where they are getting them and why they’ve been able to quadruple in numbers in the last three years.”

“And you know about this operation how?”

“Dude? Seriously? Do you think there is anything in the company I can’t find out? Both you and Gabriel got real interested when I mentioned Yuri and the Russians. I may not pay attention to the noise of the world, but when you two get quiet, I start digging.”

He took a drink of his tea and weighed his options before he responded. “Alright. Continue with the chat room, but—you need to listen, hear and assign meaning to what I’m about to say, Jewell.” He stared at her to ensure she was paying attention. “If he makes contact with you, your first, last and only course of action is to contact me immediately. You do not respond, do not talk to him, and do not attempt to engage him in any way without my express and direct involvement and consent. Do you understand what I’m directing?”

“Do you think I’m an idiot?”

“No, I think you’re brilliant. Now answer my question.”

“I heard you.”

“That isn’t what I asked. Do you understand your directions?”

Jewell scrunched her nose at him and glared.

“Don’t try to buck me on this, little girl. Within the next two weeks, I will be the CEO, and I will not tolerate anyone in the organization striking out on their own. You
are not
a field worker. You have no experience in counterintelligence and I
will not
authorize any direct contact with this uber-hacker without trained eyes on the interaction. Are we clear?”

“Crystal. I’ll stay in my sandbox. For now.”

“You’ll stay as long as I tell you to stay. Now, what do you have planned for next weekend?”

Jewell tapped her watch and pulled up her calendar. “Just the normal. No trips or conferences.”

“Will you come to Las Vegas with me?”

“Why are you going to Vegas? Oh! To see Justin’s new restaurant? I haven’t been yet. The reviews have been off the hook. I have a Google alert set up for them.”

“Well, if he’ll let me, I want to have the reception there, yes.” Her face brightened as the information filtered into his sister’s mind. The jerk of her head as the word ‘reception’ registered and her wide-eyed surprise when she figured it out.

“You’re marrying the lady from Savannah? She has a little boy, right?”

He cocked his head at her.

“Jared asked me to run a background on her. She’s had a rough life. I only saw her driver’s license photo, but she looked lovely.”

“Her name is Faith, and yes, she has a son, Reece.”

“R’s, huh? That’s cool. You could pick some awesome names starting with R.”

He laughed. “Who said we were going to have more children?”

“Right, a King that doesn’t reproduce like a rabbit. Doesn’t happen.”

“Joseph and Ember?”

“Any day now, I’d bet. You guys can’t help it. Just look at poor Tori! Pregnant again. You’d think they’d figure out what caused that.”

“She threatened castration.”

“Holy shit! I can’t blame her, and growing up on a ranch, she could do it, couldn’t she?”

He shifted in his chair at the thought. “I wouldn’t want to find out.”

Jewell snorted and lifted from where she sat cross-legged in the chair. “I’ll let you get back to work. Let me know what time the plane to Vegas leaves. I want to meet her before she’s Mrs. King.”

“Dinner, Friday? You, Tori, Jacob, Christian.”

“No Jared?”

“Jared doesn’t do well around Christian. He’s met Faith and shown his ass in the process.”

“Huh, I can’t wait to hear the backstory on his pant-less escapades. It’s sad he can’t behave around Christian. For all his good points, the man
is
mule-headed.”

“True. And blind.”

“As a freaking bat. But you can’t
not
invite him. You know that right?”

“I know it.”

“Good. What time Friday?

“Seven. O’Malley’s.”

“Cool. See you then.”

He waited until the door closed before he picked up and dialed the phone.

“Justin, I need reservations for seven at O’Malley’s for Friday night. Unless you’re in town, then it will be eight.”

“Well, hello to you too, Jace. What’s the occasion?”

“Introducing my fiancée to the family in the area.”

“Seriously? Was this a whirlwind romance?”

“Not really, but events in the last few days have definitely moved my timetable up.”

“Is she pregnant?”

He laughed. “Not that type of event, you idiot. But she does have a little boy and he’s amazing.”

“Damn, bubba, I’m glad to hear that tone in your voice. I’ll come to town just to meet her.”

“Thanks, and since I have you on the phone, can I book your new restaurant for the reception?”

“Sure, when?”

“Next Saturday. The whole damn family, and that includes the guys at the Ranch.”

“Shit. I’ll have to close down for the event. Let me work that, but yeah, count on it.”

“Thanks. I’ll pay for the revenue you lose.”

“Nah, don’t need you to do that. Take care of yourself, big guy.”

“I will. You stay safe.”

“Always.”

He hung up, glanced at the clock and placed another call.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Tori, it’s Jason.”

“Hi, Jace! What’s up? Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine. I was wondering if you and Jacob would be available for dinner Friday night.”

“Sure, I don’t think he’s got anything planned. I’ll need to get a babysitter, but that won’t be a problem.”

“Could you see if the sitter could watch one more?”

“Ummm, I guess… what’s going on?”

“Got a minute?”

“Yeah, I just got the twins down for a nap and Talon is playing.”

“Well, sit back, because I need to catch you up. About six weeks ago…”

Faith pulled at her dress again. The fabric was too clingy. Why
did
she buy it? Because Tori told her it made her look fantastic. And that woman could be a supermodel. Tall, thin, long beautiful blonde hair, and blue eyes that any movie star would kill to have. Yeah, when a lady like that takes you shopping and tells you to buy it, you do.

And then you put it on at home.
Uggg
. Another tug. Tori told her the dark brown embroidery around the small collar, the cap sleeves and the hem of the creamy, silky material made her eyes stand out. Faith forced her hair into something that resembled a French twist and pinned it. She’d never actually worn a lot makeup, so a dusting of blush, a sweep of mascara and lip gloss was as fussy as she was going to get. She stepped into the three-inch heels and dared a look in the mirror.

Her reflection blinked back at her. Well… okay. The dress did look nice. The cream colored heels with the dark red soles made her legs look miles long. Normally that would be a bad thing, but not anymore. Jason towered over everyone and she didn’t have to worry about her height. Heck, just about everyone she’d met in Jason’s world was tall.

A vibration skittered her phone across the gold and brown marble vanity. She cast a glance at the face. A text from Max. She’d read it later… after she figured out how to make the dress she was wearing not feel like she’d been turned into a mummy. The phone’s repeated alert brought a warm feeling with it. Max had been checking on her. She hated ditching work without giving notice, but in typical Max fashion, he’d been wonderful. The majority of his texts today had been detailing her potential replacements’ wacked-out answers to interview questions. The running text conversation had been amusing, and if she was willing to admit it, it made her a little homesick for the fatherly love Max had lavished on her.

Her heels echoed on the tile of the bathroom floor. The inordinately loud sound reminded her that for the first time since she’d arrived in D.C., she was alone in the house. Christian had taken Reece over to Tori and Jacob’s house so she could get ready. Reece loved the babysitter, a very well-paid, professional nanny vetted by Guardian to watch their children.

She shook her head and watched her reflection again. In one week her world had been set on its ear. Her life in Savannah, including Max, was a thing of the past. Although she knew Max, Helena, and Cal were alright, she missed spending time with them, missed the casual hospitality of longtime friends.

“Babe! I’m home.” Faith smiled at the shouted hail. Jason hadn’t once come in the house without announcing himself since the pepper incident.

“In the bedroom.” She gave one more glance at her reflection and went to meet her man.

Jason strode into the bedroom and stopped almost mid-stride. “Holy shit!”

“What? Is the dress wrong? I know it’s kind of tight. But Tori liked it and said it would be okay.” She ran her hands over the material, tugging it away from her hips.

“Princess, you look amazing.”

Color rushed to her face. She so needed to hear that. “Thank you.”

Jason reached for her hand and made her spin around. “Perfect… except…”

“What? Is something wrong?” Her breath caught. She hadn’t bought anything else. What did she forget? She could just stay home, maybe have Christian bring Reece back. Jason could go to dinner without her.

“You’re missing something.”

“What?”

“This.” Jason dropped to his knee in front of her and lifted a baby-blue ring box in his hand. “Faith Marie Collins, will you marry me?”

Nestled in the white silk of the box was a diamond engagement ring. Tears filled her eyes. She nodded, because speaking wasn’t an option right now.

Jason lifted off his knee and put the ring on her finger before he kissed her softly.

“Don’t cry.”

“Happy tears.”

“Mascara.”

She half sobbed, half laughed, at the comment. “Waterproof.” She held her ring up, putting her hand on his suit jacket.

“A princess cut diamond for my Cinderella.”

“It’s beautiful, but…”

Jason’s smile slid off his face. “If you don’t like it, I’ll get something else.”

Her stomach fell at the hurt look on his face. “No! No, I love it, but…”

“But what?”

How the hell did she tell him? “Ah… your brother… he’ll think I’m using you.” She felt the tears as they fell streaking down her cheeks. So much for the makeup.

“Oh, God. I’m going to kill that asshole.” Jason pulled her to his chest and rocked her in his warm, strong arms, rubbing her back gently with those massive, gentle hands. “The ring is a symbol of my love. It has nothing to do with my brother.”

“But it’s too much. It’s too big. I can’t wear it, he’ll think I’m using you, and I don’t want that. I don’t need an engagement ring. I’m happy with a simple band.”

“You may be, but I’m not. Every man in viewing distance will know you’re mine. I want you to wear my ring. No one will say a thing.”

“But they’ll think it, won’t they? I mean, I’m nothing…”

He cupped her face in his hands and made her look at him. His image wavered through the tears that banked in her eyes. “Wrong. You’re everything to me. You’re everything to Reece. You deserve more than I can ever give you.”

“Will the rest of your family hate me, too?”

“They’ll love you. Jared has his own issues, and we aren’t going to buy into any of them. This ring is a symbol of my love. Wear it for me?”

“I’m scared they won’t like me.” She’d be okay if they didn’t, but Jason and Reece needed the family’s approval. God, how could she deal with the ramifications if his family hated her and forced him to choose?

“I’m not.”

“Why?”

“Because I love you. They know that, and because of it, they’ll love you, too.”

“Jason?”

“Mmmm?”

“Thank you. It’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen.”

“I love you and Reece.”

“And we love you.”

“As much as I’d like to take advantage of that fact with Reece at the sitter, I think we need to head out.”

“Rain check, Superman?”

“Guaranteed.”