Rules of Her Sins (Their Sins #1) (15 page)

Chapter Thirty

Jesse

I make it downstairs and sink into Aedan’s oversized couch in his movie room, which looks like a family room. The room has a fireplace with a TV above it and is open all the way to the kitchen. I ask him if this is his man cave and he laughs at me.

“So, when are you going to show me this ‘man cave’ you keep claiming to have?”

“Come on. I’ll show you before Laney gets here.” He grabs my hand and walks me through the rotunda.

There is a set of French doors past the staircase. He opens the doors, and it’s completely dark in here. He turns on the lights. The first thing I see is a wall with a projector screen and black oversized leather theater seats. On the walls are the large posters you see at the theaters. Multiple action heroes stare back at me, daring me to make a move, but one poster really catches my eye,
Hoosiers
.

I look at him and he smiles.

“I love basketball and Gene Hackman rocked in that movie.”

“I visited both gymnasiums that the movie was filmed in. Butler University is beautiful. Not like IU, but nice. And the small town of Knightstown was cute. I’ve never been to a place so small. It’s amazing the pride the citizens of the town take in The Hoosier Gym,” I reply.

I smile as I remember the road trip Laney and I took one weekend we had free. We were in search of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in New Castle. I love basketball too. I played, but I happened to be better at softball. We eventually made it to the museum only to find it had closed for the day. We decided to eat at Pizza King before we headed back to Bloomington. That was such a fun day living life to the fullest, as anyone should. Fun that ended once Chet entered my life.

I frown at that thought.

“What’s wrong, Jesse?”

“Nothing. I was thinking about the day I visited the gym.” I look around some more and I see a picture of Aedan holding a number thirty-four jersey, posing for a picture. I walk to the picture and notice it’s Aedan holding an IU jersey and standing beside coach Mike Davis.

“Holy shit, Aedan. You played ball at IU?”

“Yes, for three seasons. I blew out my knee and I couldn’t continue playing. I was able to stay there on academics. I actually graduated the December before you went in the fall. Your father had told me that was where you were going when I interviewed with him. He said my knowledge of the campus would come in handy.” He smiles a big toothy smile.

“Do I even want to know what that means?”

“No, ma’am.” He chuckles.

“So, what else should I know about you? It seems we kind of put the cart before the horse in this…this whatever you want to call it we have.” I smirk.

“Well, I do have my masters in Public Administration from CU. I’ve been through all the Homeland Security courses that the government offers and all the training to be a police officer, if I wanted to be one, but I really like working for your father. He’s never given me a reason not to like the job, besides the whole trying to seduce you plan. I could see his reasoning behind it, though. I didn’t have to like it; I had to do my job.” He looks at me like he regrets lying to me.

“What is done is done. Now I have to get this company. A lot can happen in a week.”

Before Aedan can answer, his phone starts ringing.

“Hughes—yes, you can get in. The alarms are off. Thanks. Laney will be here in a few moments.”

I smile. I can’t wait to see her. As soon as I hear the door open, I rush to my friend and hug her before she can make it through the front door.

“Are you okay?” she asks. She looks me over to make sure I’m telling the truth.

“Yes, as okay as I can be after someone has trashed my house.”

“Exactly what the fuck is going on, Jesse Rae?”

***

Aedan

I step in before Jesse can open her mouth.

“Laney, it’s a pleasure to see you again. Looking as lovely as ever.” I give her my best smile and wink.

“Cut the shit, Aedan,” Laney seethes.

“We will discuss it all later. Now, we are going to get in my car and head to dinner and go shopping. Is there anything that you need from the house? I will have Johnson pick it up while we are out.”

“My laptop and camera. Hopefully it’s still there. Is it as bad as it sounds?” She looks at Jesse, expecting an answer from her.

“Yes,” Jesse whispers.

“I’m so sorry, sweetie. We need to find the asshole who did this and make them pay.”

“Oh trust me, they will. Laney, I’ll let you freshen up and then we will go. I need to make a phone call and then I will be ready.”

I head to my office and shut the door. I pick up my phone and call McCoy. When I called him earlier, he was livid. Whoever this person is will be found, and McCoy will personally be dealing with them.

“McCoy,” he shouts into the phone.

“Sir, I have Ms. Spears in my possession. I am taking the ladies out and then going shopping.”

“Did you get my itinerary from Wade?”

“Yes, sir. I will be waiting for you at the air strip when the jet lands.”

“Are we any closer to finding out who did this?” He sighs into the phone.

“No, sir. I still think it’s an inside job. Everything is too neatly done for this not to be someone who works for you.”

“We need to flush the fucker out.”

“Yes, sir.” The phone line goes dead.

I hang up the phone and head back out to the ladies. A greasy hamburger sounds good. I hope they agree. I’ll need to either run ten miles after today or work out with Jesse, in my bed.

Chapter

Thirty-one

Jesse

I show Laney briefly around the downstairs area and the way to the powder room. She isn’t in there very long and meets me back in the rotunda. I take her to the family room because I never know how long Aedan is going to be on the phone. I think he talks more than a woman.

“Holy shit, bitch. I didn’t think Mr. Asshole would live in such a fabulous house.”

“I know. It makes me miss our old house. Do you remember coming over when you were younger?”

“Oh my God, yes. I thought I was going to get lost in that monstrosity. The house was huge compared to my aunt’s house.” She laughs.

“How is your aunt doing?” I loved Laney’s eclectic Aunt Moon. Yes, her name is Moon. She is definitely a child of the stars.

“She has her days. She is glad I am back in Denver. I think she was a little sad that I didn’t move back in with her, but she understands.”

“I hear you there. I moved in with my grams, but I couldn’t even think of living with my father.” I shudder thinking about seeing Chantelle daily.

“Are you ready, ladies?” Aedan asks as he walks into the room.

“Yes, I’m starving. And don’t say it. I know, I’m always hungry.” Both of them laugh because they know how true that is.

We walk out to the garage. I thought we would take his car, but I was wrong. I don’t know how I haven’t noticed that he has a black SUV. The thing is a beast. I don’t think I’ve been in anything so big. I give Aedan a look.

“Jesse, I know how women are when they shop. I grew up with my sister. Don’t be hating on my Yukon. Just get in and you won’t complain.” He winks.

I climb into the jacked up black monster and Laney gets in the back. Okay, so maybe this is pretty nice.

“What sounds good to eat, ladies? I am thinking a burger, but I know we had that yesterday, Jesse.” He pulls out of the garage and turns around in the driveway.

“What else have you neglected to tell me, Jesse? Seems like everything has blown up in the past twenty-four hours.” Laney smirks.

“Laney, we will talk about it later. We need to relax right now.”

“A burger is fine.” Laney rolls her eyes.

“Same here,” I say, smiling.

“I have the perfect place in mind.” Aedan winks, and that wink is downright sexy.

The gates seem to take forever to open. I glance out the window at the cars in the driveways as we drive out of the neighborhood. There’s a man sitting in one of the cars, and I swear he looks like Chet. I shake my head. I’m sure it’s my overactive imagination.

Aedan glances at me with a concerned look and I shoot him a smile. I don’t need him worrying about my mind playing games with me.

***

Laney

Holy shit. You can cut the fucking sexual tension between Jesse and Aedan with a knife. I’m no sweet and innocent chick. I call it how I see it, and I definitely call people out too. I’m just as naughty as Jesse, but I don’t give a shit what people think of me. I just happen not to care. I can’t wait to hear the dirt on these two from Jesse. The way these two keep looking at each other, I know they have done the deed. I like this guy. He thinks he is in control, but Jesse has complete control of this man.

When I moved back to Denver, I didn’t expect all this drama. Lord knows that Jesse and I had enough back in Indiana. Although I don’t know the complete story, I bet anything it all leads back to Chet. I hate that fucker.

When Jesse met him at IU, I thought it would be a short-term fling. I’m sure the pregnancy was what changed that. I tried telling her that she didn’t have to get married because she was pregnant, but she didn’t want to disgrace her father. She ended up doing just that by marrying Chet.

I don’t know the details of what has happened between her and her father. However, it doesn’t make sense because Mr. Mac has always had a soft spot for Jesse. She is the spitting image of her mother and I can’t see him being this cold to her. I guess people can change.

I pull out my cell phone and text Jesse.

Me: I love you. Sorry for being so pushy.

I hit send and moments later, I hear my ringtone she has set for me on her phone. She digs around in her purse and grabs her phone.

Jesse: I love you too. I should have told you. There’s a lot that I’ll tell you tonight.

Me: Ok. You fucked him, didn’t you?

Jesse: OMG, Laney Lou! Is it that obvious?

Me: LOL Yes. He looks like he could devour you.

Jesse: Good Lord. Well, let’s just say that things between Aedan and I didn’t escalate as quickly as you’re thinking.

Me: Whore. You can’t leave me hanging like that.

Aedan clears his throat and I look up into the rearview mirror. He’s smirking. He knows we are talking about him.

“So, Aedan. Do you have a brother or any single friends? I’m totally available if they are as hot as you.” Jesse stifles a giggle in the front seat.

“I do have a younger brother, Fin, but he is overseas. He’s a Marine. He will be back at the end of the year. As for friends, the guys I work with are pretty outstanding. I don’t know if you are looking for the kind of relationships most of them want.”

“Oh, what would that be? Kinky shit?” I smirk.

“No, a long-term relationship.” He laughs.

“Ouch. That hurt. I’m a long-term relationship type of girl. A week is long enough. I’m young and I like to get out and meet people. Mmm…Johnson is pretty cute. Is he single?” I smile.

He looks at me like I am crazy. He starts to say something but closes his month. I wait for him to answer and he doesn’t. We have arrived at the restaurant.

“To answer your question, Ms. Smart Mouth, he is single, and I think he could teach you a few things. We are here.”

I look out the window. We are at Smashburger. Oh yum, I totally forgot about this place.

“This used to be me and Jesse’s place. I didn’t live too far from here,” I say as I think of my aunt. I need to visit her.

We all get out and go in. The smells and the atmosphere brings back so many memories. Oh, to be innocent again…

Chapter

Thirty-Two

Aedan

I bet Laney thinks I don’t know much about her. She is very wrong. McCoy wanted me to make sure to keep track of everything to do with her in Indiana and I continued to do so when she came back to Denver. I probably knew Laney had her new job before Jesse knew.

Laney is one wild woman. She is a serial dater and doesn’t keep a boyfriend. She comes off as a shy person, the complete opposite of Jesse, but she’s not. She might fool a lot of people, but not me.

I’m not a matchmaker, but I would love to hook her up with Johnson. I would love to see if he could tame her wild ass. He would be a good man for her. I’ll have to talk to him once all this drama shit goes away.

While we eat, the ladies talk about what stores they want to shop in after we leave. Jesse looks exhausted, but she doesn’t seem upset. I hope that I do that for her. I really hope that she realizes I want her forever. I won’t take no for an answer.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I look at it and see a text message from a number that I don’t know. I open the message, and it’s a picture of Jesse and I walking out of her house with a gun crosshairs targeted at her. I become enraged, but I try not to let my emotions show because I don’t want to alarm Jesse.

“Ladies, I need to make a phone call about Jesse’s house. When you’re finished, I’ll meet you out at the SUV.”

I get up and kiss Jesse on top of her head. I’m not a huge fan of PDA, but I want to make sure she knows I do care for her.

As I get out the door, I dial Craig.

“How’s Ms. McCoy, Hughes?” he says.

“She is safe right now. I need a text on my phone traced, STAT. I just received a very fucked up text message. The photo is of Jesse and me at her house from today. This is a message that they could take her out at any time. Whoever this is, it’s a game to them, and I want to know who it is immediately.”

“Let me get into your phone…got the text message. Let me run a trace on the number and see what I can find out for you. Give me twenty minutes.”

“Text me the info. I have the ladies with me and we are getting ready to go shopping.”

“Yes, sir.”

I end the call as Jesse and Laney make it out to the SUV. She looks at me with a concerned face.

“Everything okay?” she asks, looking to see if I’m telling the truth.

“Everything is good, as expected. Laney, your computer was still in the house, so Johnson grabbed that along with your camera and suitcase that was by the bed.”

“Awesome. I’m sorry that your stuff was destroyed, Jesse.” Laney gives Jesse a hug.

“Okay, everyone in. Let’s get shopping,” I say with no enthusiasm.

Both girls laugh and get in. They tell me that they want to go to Town Center. They want to shop at Hot Topic and Macy’s. I hope there is somewhere to sit because I’m sure we will be here until closing. Looking at my watch, I see closing time is three hours away. I hope we won’t be there that long.

***

Jesse

I love shopping. I mean, what girl doesn’t? However, I’m ready to be back home, my home, and in my bed. At this rate, I don’t know when that will happen. I’m hoping tonight, when we sit down to talk to Laney, that something will click in my head. I want this to be over. I’ve had enough bullshit in my life for a couple people.

We park in the mall parking lot. Aedan grabs my arm before I’m able to open my door.

“Use this credit card. I had all of your personal cards deactivated and a fraud alert placed on all your accounts. You won’t have new cards until next week. I didn’t want to take a chance of someone getting that information from your laptop.” He gives me a sweet smile.

“Fuck, I didn’t even think about that. I can’t spend your money, Aedan.”

“You can and you will. It’s not a big deal. You can pay me back later.” He smirks.

“Okay. I’ll get the cash to you as soon as I can get to the bank.”

I take his card and put it in my wallet. He gets out, comes to my side of the SUV, and opens our doors for us. I really hope this sweetness isn’t an act. He is pretty much a dick at work.

I’m starting to fall for him, but how much do I really know about him? He has me at an unfair advantage. He knows everything about me and, from what he said, he knows stuff about my life that I don’t even know.

I’m embarrassed that he knows everything about Chet. Ugh! He was the worst mistake of my life. Laney is right. I really need to stop beating myself up. I can’t take back the past, but I guess I can improve my future.

I’m ready for my father to be back from NYC. We have a lot to talk about, and the first thing I’m going to say is I’m sorry.

“Earth to Jesse…Jesse?” Laney asks, trying to get my attention.

“Oh, sorry. I was lost in my thoughts.”

“Well, hooker, get your head out of your ass and let’s get to spending some money,” she says as she pulls me toward Hot Topic.

“I’m going to sit out here in a massage chair, ladies. Come and get me when you’re finished shopping.” Aedan smiles.

“Aww, you’re not going to help us pick out our panties?” Laney says.

“No, because I like seeing Jesse in nothing.” He turns and heads for the chairs while me and Laney’s mouths hang wide open.

“Damn, girl. He has it bad for you.”

I sigh. “Maybe.”

We get into the store and try on everything that catches our eyes. We try on clothes for each other like we are putting on a fashion show, and we laugh at the crazy clothing combinations we make.

I finally pick out some clothing I like and take them to the register. I feel awkward using Aedan’s card, but I really don’t have an option right now.

“Are you Jesse?” the sales associate asks.

“Um, Yes.” I give him a puzzled look.

“A gentleman dropped this note off for you,” he says as he hands me a folded piece of paper. Why would Aedan be writing me a note when he can text me?

I open the paper.

Roses are red.

Violets are blue.

You’re one dumb bitch I could put a bullet right through.

Blackness takes over my vision. All I remember is dropping the piece of paper…