Southern Romantic-Suspense Boxed Set (Southern Romantic-Suspense Novel Book 0) Read online

  It was time to end that fight. “I won’t give up on you, Jaynee. I know I said I’d quit the force when you got pregnant, but I don’t care anymore. I just want you back. If you wake up, I’ll call right now. I’ll put in my resignation at the force. Nothing matters to me but you.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Five years ago...

  “Happy Birthday, my love.”

  Jaynee smiled at Jordan’s rough, yet seductive morning voice. He reminded her of a kitten she’d had growing up. At the crack of dawn, the frisky calico would be meowing for her to get up.

  She didn’t open her eyes. “Does this mean I get to sleep in?” She was exhausted from the late evening at their reception and the even longer, but incredible night once they’d returned home. Then a thought occurred to her. She opened her eyes and frowned. “How did you know it was my birthday? I purposely didn’t tell you.”

  “I’m your husband. You don’t think I noticed all the times I had to write down our information — to get married, the helicopter ride, and then again with the car. And naturally, your grandmother made a point of reminding me,” he admitted, lifting her chin up to kiss her.

  “Oh ... that makes sense. But I don’t know yours?” She was embarrassed. Jordan took it upon himself to know everything. She didn’t even consider questioning when his birthday was.

  He winked at her. “March twenty-fifth. You have plenty of time.” He obviously noticed how contrite she felt. “Would you like your gift now or later?” he asked with a crooked grin.

  “Jordan, haven’t you spent enough,” she complained, but then sidetracked by the ‘later’ comment, winced. “What’s later?” she groaned. “Tell me you haven’t planned any kind of party, please.”

  He shook his head and laughed. “I didn’t. I couldn’t bear sharing you today. I’m partied out myself anyway. I never was comfortable with excessive socializing.”

  “Thank God for that.” She sighed with relief.

  “So, now or later?” he pressed.

  “Um ... what ... oh yeah, now would be as good of a time as any I suppose.”

  His eyebrows narrowed at her lack of interest. “You don’t sound very enthusiastic.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m just tired, and we have to meet my family for breakfast and drive them to the airport. I’d rather just stay here. It’s our last morning together, right?”

  “Only a week ... not even a week. I’ll go in late on Saturday, and ...” he drawled, his voice trailing off, “we still have plenty of alone time this morning. You actually woke before seven.”

  “No ...” She Laughed. “You woke me before seven.”

  Jordan waved it off as if it weren’t important, producing a tiny box that he’d hidden under his pillow. He held it out for her to open.

  Jaynee opened the lid, peering inside at the elegant gold cross. It was beautiful. The delicately etched cross contained one small diamond in the middle. It wasn’t gaudy or too big; it was perfect. She remembered the cross her grandmother had given her a few years back that had disappeared from her jewelry box — at least that was the last place she’d left it.

  She looked up at Jordan, and he grinned widely. “Do you like it?”

  “I love it ... it’s perfect. How did you? When did you? Never mind ...” She shook her head. He was always full of surprises.

  His fingers lifted the little heart around her neck. “I noticed you only wear the same charm around your neck, and I wondered ...” He didn’t continue with what he was saying, but she knew what he was suggesting. He was jealous.

  “Jordan ... my stepsister gave me this. She wasn’t my stepsister long; she was the daughter of one of my dad’s passing marriages. You thought ... you actually thought I would wear something my ex had given me?”

  He looked down sheepishly before speaking. “I wouldn’t begrudge you, if that were the case. But yes, I did wonder. And yes ... I admit it ... I am insanely jealous, and I’ve never felt this way about anyone. I don’t even like to imagine ... the thought of you —” He stopped talking as pain filled his eyes. He sighed, then continued, “When I think about you with someone else, I feel things I don’t want to. When I even think of him or anyone else who has ever ... wounded you, it makes me want to hurt them, and I know that’s not a Christian attitude, but —”

  “Well then,” she cut him off, “don’t think about such things. I’m here with you, and I love you more than anyone else in the world.” She rested her hands on his clenched fists.

  His hands encircled hers. “So you’re not angry that I’m ridiculous — and jealous.” His eyes were concerned, as though he’d admitted a great weakness.

  She pulled her hands away and reached behind her neck to unhook the latch of her necklace. “No, it’s actually rather flattering. As long as it doesn’t get out of control,” she amended. “As long as you understand you have no reason to be jealous.”

  Noticing what she was doing, he moved to assist her, but she’d already unlatched the chain. He held out his hand for the necklace and removed the heart, placing it in her hand, proceeding to put the cross on the chain. She threw the heart across the room as further proof that it meant nothing. She’d have to remember to find it later and dispose of it properly.

  “Allow me,” he said, draping the chain around her neck, fastening the latch, and then straightening it until the catch was behind her neck and the cross rested in the center of her chest. “Perfect. Happy Birthday, my bride.” He leaned forward to kiss her, but then pulled her down onto the bed and gathered her in his arms. “I love you too, more than you can imagine.”

  They held each other in silence; just their breaths filled the air. Her eyes filled with tears at the overwhelming emotions. Just lying next to her husband, she could feel the love he held for her and the love she undeniably felt for him. He was everything she’d ever hoped and dreamed of in a companion. She couldn’t see her feelings ever changing and could only hope it was the same for him. Tomorrow, he’d return to his job as a police officer, and that made her anxious again, worried about his safety.

  What would she do all day? College wouldn’t start again for almost four months. She could write ... lengthen the story she’d been writing. She could add a love interest, something she hadn’t contemplated before; it was a depressing story. There had only been the love between a divorced mother, her father, and her son. But now, she could envision it, there could be another character. A love interest who would accept her heroine for who she was, despite her preceding difficulties, a gentleman who could offer her character hope to love again. Yes, she could visualize it and knew exactly how she would write the new development into her story.

  Jordan reached up and touched her face. “What are you thinking about?”

  She rolled over on her side, facing him. “You ... always you.” She traced patterns over his chest and down his side. With her fingers, she outlined the strong muscles of his lats and felt consumed with a hunger for him. “Make love to me, Jordan.”

  “I thought you’d never ask,” he said casually, but then moved with indomitable speed as he flipped her to her back. She gasped at the suddenness of his attack, but felt overcome with excitement as she searched his eyes. They burned with desire. “You’re mine, Jaynee, forever,” he said with vehemence. “I cherish what I love, and I’ll do everything in my power to prove that to you every day.”

  She thought that his words — rather his claim — should annoy her. Instead, she felt engulfed by his statement, wanting only to drown in his fervor, but still she hoped his possessiveness wouldn’t inundate her.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  This morning ...

  Jordan called his mother and asked her to come to Jaynee’s room. After the news from the doctor that Jaynee had woken up — even if for only a couple seconds — she’d been on the phone, telling everyone.

  Dr. McMullen had explained to Jordan that the hospital had to inform the detectives that Jaynee had woken up.

  It was t
he perfect time then. Not that he wanted to leave Jaynee’s side, but he was a detective too, and it wasn’t often things slipped his notice. He’d been too distraught the last couple of days to pay attention, but something had been eating at him. Something he planned to resolve permanently.

  When Pat walked into the room, her eyes widened. “What is it, Jordan? What happened?” She must have discerned his look. She knew him well.

  He shook his head. Now wasn’t the time to calm down. It was time to prepare. “Nothing, Mom. I just need a moment, and I don’t want to leave Jaynee alone. Do you hear me; don’t leave her side. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” he said, walking out of the room with determination. He looked first into the undersized waiting room designated for the ICU unit and then descended the stairs to the main waiting area when he didn’t find the person he was looking for.

  As he exited the stairwell, he saw him, leaning back in a chair, looking a little too composed, as if he’d just received good news.

  He sucked in a deep breath and attempted to control his tone. “Hey, Brian!” he said, catching the loser off guard.

  Brian’s chin turned up instinctively. An expletive escaped his mouth. It was all Jordan needed. He crossed the floor in seconds, jerked him from the chair by his jacket, and dragged him outside as onlookers gawked in disbelief. Brian was taller than he was, by about four inches, but Jordan was larger and angry. He had the man by at least twenty pounds, he estimated, even with the difference in height.

  It was cold, but Jordan couldn’t feel anything but fire pump through his veins as he held the scumbag up. “Who the hell do you think you are, and why are you here?” Jordan exploded, not waiting for an answer. He gripped Brian by the collar with his left hand and cold-cocked him with his right. The degenerate struggled to stand erect while Jordan pounded another punch into his mouth. His face turned blood red under his hands.

  “She doesn’t belong to you! You had your chance, and you blew it. She Belongs to Me!” Jordan seethed. “Now you want to return, and take what’s mine?” He punched him again, but then pulled back. “She almost died because of you.” He released a breath. He needed answers, and a crowd had started to stream out of the hospital. Jordan released Brian’s collar, allowing him to plummet to the concrete.

  Brian gasped for air. “It’s not what you think,” he blurted out. “I just wanted to see her. I didn’t hurt her. I would never hurt Caycee.” He started to stand, but cowered under Jordan’s glare. Brian lifted his hands to shield his face as Jordan pulled back to deliver another blow.

  “How did you know she was here? How long have you been seeing each other?” Jordan’s throat was raw with emotion. It was hard enough to believe something; it was another thing altogether to have his worst nightmare confirmed.

  Brian didn’t try to get up this time. “We weren’t seeing each other, but I was there Friday night. I saw her —” His words broke off as Jordan launched again.

  He could see nothing but red as he hurled his body at Brian. This sleazeball had been at his house. How could she? A police siren wailed from behind him, but it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered anymore.

  “Listen!” Brian shrieked as Jordan encircled his throat with his hands, ready to squeeze the life out of him. “I wasn’t with Caycee. I was watching her. I know it was wrong, but you have to listen ... there was someone else, a woman ...”

  Jordan stopped, but he didn’t release his hands from his throat. “You weren’t having an affair?” He removed his hands from the man’s throat, but grabbed a handful of his jacket with his fist.

  “I wish,” Brian snorted, but obviously witnessing the fierce look in Jordan’s eyes, recoiled. “Sorry, dude, it’s been a long time. I just wanted to talk, but she refused.”

  So they had talked. He knew something had been wrong, but was thankful it wasn’t what he’d thought. It still irritated him, though, that Jaynee had withheld information. How could he protect her from losers like him if she didn’t tell him about them.

  A car screeched to a stop behind them. Jordan turned around, but continued to hold onto Brian, pulling him to his feet.

  The officer jumped out of the patrol car, but crouched behind the door, gun drawn. “Hands over your heads,” the officer yelled.

  Jordan immediately let go of Brian and raised his hands, noticing Brian did the same. Brian was certainly accustomed to the familiar drill.

  After assessing the situation, the officer straightened up and walked toward them. “What’s going on here, gentlemen?”

  “A misunderstanding, sir,” Brian answered without a moment’s hesitation.

  Jordan let his eyes wander from the officer for a second, glowering at Brian. Why would he let him off? He’d just pummeled the guy. He should’ve wanted the officer to arrest him.

  Another police car pulled up, this one an unmarked car. Out stepped two detectives: Nelson Williams and Len Powe.

  “Mornin’, Monroe, having troubles?” Detective Williams drawled, smiling.

  The uniformed officer glanced at the detective, then jutting his chin toward Jordan, asked, “You know this guy?”

  “Yeah, he’s one of ours,” Powe responded. “Is everything okay, Jordan? We heard your wife woke up.”

  Jordan lowered his hands after a glimpse to the uniformed officer. “Yeah, everything’s cool, but we need to talk.”

  Detective Powe walked over to the uniformed officer. “Officer, my partner and I need to interview Jordan. Is it okay if he comes with us?”

  “Unless this man wants to press charges for assault,” the officer retorted, gesturing his chin at Brian.

  “Like I said,” Brian repeated. “It was a misunderstanding.”

  The officer turned and walked to his patrol car, shaking his head as he left. Jordan didn’t know how he felt that Brian was giving him a pass, but again, he was grateful. Of course, now a discussion needed to occur between the four of them.

  Brian rubbed his chin. “Man, dude, you got a mean blow,” Brian complained as he followed them into the hospital. “I think you knocked my jaw loose.”

  Jordan couldn’t suppress a grin. He’d been holding back, afraid to inflict too much damage and not retrieve answers. He’d always wanted to do that for Jaynee’s sake anyway, so he was thankful to have gotten the opportunity. He now realized why Brian hadn’t wanted to press charges. The loser was surely on parole. No matter who got the blame, it wouldn’t look good to be in a fight. For that matter, he probably wasn’t supposed to leave Florida, so Jordan could use that against Brian if necessary.

  “Williams! Powe!” Jordan called ahead. They both turned. “Hey, take Brian to the cafeteria. He was at my house the night Jaynee was shot. I’ll be there in a few minutes. I want to see if my wife is awake.” Jordan glared at Brian then turned his back on the men, bounding up the stairs two at a time, the elevator too slow for him.

  Jordan pushed through the heavy metal door, making his way back to his wife’s room, hoping she’d not awoken while he was gone, but that she would wake up the instant he returned. He was selfish, he realized.

  Pat was sitting by the bed, her nose buried in a novel, Jaynee’s hand in hers. She scowled as he entered the room. His mother missed nothing.

  He ignored his mother’s glower. “Anything new happen?”

  Pat shook her head and stood to let Jordan take her spot. He shot a glance at the monitor at the change in the rhythmic beeps. Jaynee’s pulse had quickened at the sound of his voice. He felt triumphant. Jaynee had been upset, scared even, but she wasn’t having an affair with Brian. He didn’t know how long Brian had been harassing her, and for the life of him, he couldn’t fathom why she wouldn’t tell him about his stalking if she were aware of it.

  He lowered his head to her ear and whispered into it the way he did when she’d oversleep and he wanted her to wake up. “Jaynee, I’m here. Please wake up.” Familiar feelings soared through him, feelings he hadn’t felt in months. She still loved him, he assured himself.

&n
bsp; She’d been attempting to tell him about Brian when she whispered the word baby. Jaynee knew he would remember her request not to call her by that endearment and understand why she was frightened. He wondered whether he should mention it, but decided it wasn’t important, and it might upset her.

  Her hand moved in his. It wasn’t a squeeze, merely a subtle movement. His eyes darted to hers in expectation. She was squinting, trying to open her eyes.

  “Mom, turn off the light!” he demanded. She complied, and Jordan saw the most beautiful sight, Jaynee’s hazel eyes, green and gold, sparkling again, staring at him. “Oh, God, Jaynee!” he cried out, not concerned by the tears swarming his eyes. He laid his head against her cheek. He wanted to kiss her, pull her up in his arms, but all he could do was be close to her. Wires still connected her to the bed. “Oh, God, Jaynee. I was so worried.” He stared into her eyes again. She looked bewildered. “You’re in the hospital, love. There was an accident, and you were shot.” He shook his head. “It’s not important.” He turned to his mother. “Mom, get the doctor.”

  Jaynee struggled to make sense of everything. Jordan was here, and he was upset. Her head was throbbing, and she was extremely thirsty. She tried to speak, but nothing emerged.

  Jordan saw this and reassured her. “It’s okay. You don’t have to speak. Nothing matters except that you’re awake. It’s been three days.”

  A doctor stepped in, and Pat and the nurse backed out of his way, but Jordan remained seated, an unmovable force.

  The doctor held a device to each of her eyes. “She’s responding well,” he said with a smile aimed at Jordan. “I think you’re going to be fine, Jaynee,” he reassured her. “How do you feel? Can you talk?”

  Jaynee opened her mouth; her throat felt like flames.