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

  “Shh, Jordan, it’s going to be okay,” she whispered, trying to comfort him. He didn’t deserve to be comforted.

  “Jaynee, I have to tell you something. Nothing happened but still I have to confess. I’d want to know.” He looked deep into her eyes, ashamed. “The night it happened,” he couldn’t bring himself to mention her shooting herself and almost dying, “I was drunk, and I’m sorry. Lorraine called, and I asked her to drive me home. She made a pass at me. I swear nothing happened, but ... I ... it could have ... I was so stupid.”

  “I know. Lorraine told me.”

  Jordan’s eyes widened. “She told you?”

  “Yes ... I know you didn’t do anything — even drunk.”

  “No ... I didn’t,” he admitted. “I love you, Jaynee, only you. And I want only you, forever.”

  “Forever,” she agreed, smiling, but then her hands went to her head.

  “Does it hurt? Do you want me to call the nurse?”

  “Yes, but no. I want to stay awake. I just realized that my hair ...” She whimpered, and her eyes glazed over as the realization hit her fully.

  Jordan understood what she was thinking. It was the first thing he’d noticed when he saw her after surgery. Her long beautiful hair was gone, but he’d gotten used to it over the last few days.

  “Don’t cry. It’ll hurt.” He soothed her forehead with his hands again, tracing her features with his fingers.

  “But I’ll be ugly.”

  “No, you won’t,” he offered with a chuckle. “You’ll be my G.I. Jaynee.”

  Jaynee laughed in spite of herself; it obviously hurt her head and she moaned in reaction.

  “You should rest, Jaynee. I’ll call the nurse for more medication.”

  “No, Jordan, please. I want to stay awake a little while longer. There was something else I wanted to say.”

  His stomach flipped. Though the last one was a good one, he wasn’t sure if he wanted any more surprises. He didn’t want to hear about her meeting with Brian, knowing the conversation would have to turn around to him eventually. He still wasn’t thrilled that she hadn’t told him. He hoped he could keep his jealousy intact when she mentioned his name. The idea was ridiculous, he knew. He had no reason to be jealous ... heck, even Brian admitted that.

  She smiled fractionally. “You look worried.”

  He shook his head, attempting a smile, but knew it was shallow, so she’d see right through him.

  “Don’t be. I just wanted to explain the question you asked the other day. What was keeping me so busy that I didn’t have time for my husband,” she repeated his question, looking up at his response as he blanched at her words, ashamed.

  “I’m sorry — ’’

  She cut him off. “Don’t be ... I was trying to keep myself unavailable. Everything I read said you should use alternate protection for two months after going off the pill, but I wanted to surprise you. But ... I really was busy too. I finished my novel, Jordan.”

  He looked at her bewildered, then. She hadn’t told him that she’d been writing a book, only that she wanted to.

  “I began writing the story that I told you about when I started college, and as I neared the end, I couldn’t stop. An agent requested my manuscript after receiving my initial query. And ...”

  “Yes ...”

  “She’s interested, and she wants to represent my book. So, that is what has been keeping me so busy.”

  “That’s fantastic,” he exclaimed, holding her head gently between his hands as he kissed her again lightly. “I’m so proud of you and happy you’re going to get everything you ever wanted.”

  She moved her head slowly back and forth. “I already have everything I ever wanted, Jordan. This is just icing.” She moved her free hand to her stomach. “And now, you’ll have everything you ever wanted too.”

  He covered her hand with his. “I already had everything I wanted; I just didn’t realize it. But thank you, this will definitely be icing.”

  She smiled, and her eyelids drooped as the darkness threatened to take her again. “Jordan,” she murmured through half-shuttered eyes. “You need to get some rest. No offense ... but, you look awful. Although, I do like the start of the beard. It reminds me ...”

  He watched as her eyes closed completely. He was sure she was right about how bad he looked. He’d probably lost ten pounds in the last few days. But he wasn’t going anywhere. He laid his head beside hers on the bed and caressed her arms until he was confident she was deep asleep. Then he rested back in the recliner, thinking he could sleep for the first time in days. Len would call him. No news is good news.

  Jordan jumped when he was shaken awake. His eyes darted around the room expecting danger, but instead he saw Bobby standing over him.

  “Hey,” Jordan said confused. “You were supposed to stay with the girls.”

  “It’s over, Jordan.” Bobby released a heavy breath. “John called me from the station to pick him up. The detectives demanded he go down and sign an affidavit before releasing him.” He paused for Jordan to reflect on his words. “John gave me the complete story on the ride back. What the heck was Ronny thinking?” He lifted his large hands in the air. “Who would have thought he was capable?”

  Jordan caught up with Bobby’s words, relieved to hear that at least John was safe but wasn’t sure what happened or what he wanted to have happened to Ronny. He didn’t know how he’d ever face Rachael again.

  “What about Ronny ...” Jordan asked.

  Bobby released a puff of air through his nose. “He’s probably still too drunk to know what’s going on. John explained how he called you when he was trying to stall Ronny. He’d asked him if he could have a drink and then offered him one. Before he knew it, Ronny was talking about Rachael, practically crying over her according to John. He kept refilling Ronny’s glass, and he kept accepting. John always could drink anyone under the table. Not that you or I were ever competition for him even when we did drink.”

  Jordan nodded. “True.”

  Bobby paced around the room. He always looked like a trapped bear. “John said he saw the police surround the house through the back window, but Ronny was too far gone by then to notice. John made eye contact with Len and lifted his glass to explain. Len just laughed according to John. When all was said and done, all John did was open the back door for Len to step inside.” Bobby released a nervous laugh.

  Jordan knew what he was thinking. He too wondered how they could have worked and lived beside Ronny and not have known he was capable of such atrocious acts. If Jordan had thought to question him once, he was sure he would have seen through him. But he would never have thought to question his own brother-in-law.

  “Does Rachael know?” Jordan asked, wondering how she was coping with the news.

  “Yeah ... I called her on the way over. I almost feel sorry for Ronny.”

  Jordan glowered at Bobby.

  “Not for what he’s done,” he quickly explained. “Because of Rachael. She didn’t even care; she was embarrassed more than anything. Not once did she ask if he was okay. How’s that possible? I’d like to think that no matter what I did, no matter how repulsive, Melissa would still have some vestige of concern. And to think, John said he was crying over Rachael.”

  Jordan nodded. “I guess that makes sense.” He reflected back on how he felt when he thought Jaynee had cheated on him or had attempted suicide and still, his largest concern was only her safety. He hadn’t cared about what she’d done as much as he’d worried about her wellbeing, even if it meant losing her. “Still ... I could kill him.”

  “Me too,” Bobby agreed.

  “So ... where’s John?” Jordan hissed.

  Jordan watched the confusion crease Bobby’s forehead, unmistakably noticing the sneer in his tone. Apparently, John hadn’t told him everything.

  “He had me drop him off at his house; he was in a hurry to get to Lorraine. I wanted to go too, but he asked me to come here instead and let you know what happened.
He assured me that he’d let us know if anything changed in her condition.”

  This news surprised Jordan. If Ronny was in custody, then there was no reason for John to be anxious to see Lorraine. Maybe he was just trying to appease him, lessen the beating he was going to get.

  Bobby rested his bearlike hand on Jordan’s shoulder. “Why don’t you get cleaned up, eat some real food, and get some sleep? Jaynee looks as if she’s gonna be out for a while, but I’ll sit with her all night if you want.”

  Jordan didn’t like the idea of going home alone and leaving Jaynee. But Bobby was right, and Jaynee had told him he looked awful. It wouldn’t do any good for them to both be sick.

  “Okay,” he acquiesced, standing. “But, can I go to your house instead? It’s a lot closer, and I don’t want to return home alone.” He thought of the mess he probably had to clean up and grimaced. He leaned over Jaynee to kiss her goodnight and then turned to walk out of the room.

  “Sure, bro. I’ll call Melissa and tell her you’re on your way.” He paused for a second. “Oh, and, Jordan ...” Jordan looked over his shoulder at his giant, but gentle brother-in-law. “It’s safe to go home. When Melissa picked up Boomer, she took care of everything.”

  “Thanks, Bobby. You’re the best brother a man could have.” Jordan walked out of the hospital room. Exhausted as he was, he still couldn’t help but feel incredible. His wife was going to be okay, and hopefully soon, he’d be a father. It’d been a rough two months, but in the end, life was good.

  Of course, he still had to deal with John. He’d look forward to that little bit of aggression release.

  Epilogue

  Two weeks after the accident — as Jordan liked to refer to it — Jaynee was out of the hospital, but not before taking a pregnancy test. She was right, of course; she was pregnant. Once again, Jordan felt as though he were the happiest man in the world.

  He kept his promise and gave his captain his two-week resignation to quit the police force. Not willing to leave her side during her recovery, though, he took advantage of his comp and vacation days and only showed up on the last morning for a going-away breakfast, consisting of bagels and doughnuts, thrown by his coworkers. Money wasn’t an issue. His construction company was booming, Jaynee had a book deal, which would bring in a little money, and she never let him spend money on her anyway, so they had more than enough savings.

  Convicted on two accounts of attempted murder and one account of conspiracy to commit murder, Ronny received the maximum sentence of twenty years in prison, which meant he’d be out in seven to ten. Jordan figured there was no concern, though. He knew Ronny didn’t hold a grudge against him or Jaynee. He hated Rachael. Jordan was sure when he got released, he’d hightail it out of the area faster than he could beat a stick. He probably figured Jordan would seek revenge for his crimes against them.

  Jordan decided, as sick as it sounded, if Ronny attempted repentance, he’d set him up in another state with enough money to start his own business. Jaynee, obviously, thought he was crazy ... maybe he was. But he figured if his Savior could forgive, then so should he.

  Jordan also located Brian in Florida through information he received from Len Powe and offered him a deal as well because of his gratitude for protecting Jaynee.

  Brian scoffed at Jordan. “I don’t need a handout,” he protested, but listened when Jordan assured him he wasn’t about to hand over anything; instead, he would offer him an opportunity he’d never received.

  Brian had been a latchkey kid because his mother worked two jobs to support them, and he’d grown up around drug users and the worst society could offer. He’d been in and out of detention homes since he was thirteen. Although Jordan felt there was no excuse for choosing to lead a criminal or immoral life, no matter your circumstances, he decided to give Brian a chance to prove, if given the opportunity, he could make something of himself.

  Jordan explained to Brian he wouldn’t give him money, but would pay for his college if he chose to finish.

  Reluctantly, Brian agreed; he was shocked but grateful. Jordan never told Jaynee what he did for Brian and was relieved that other than a couple of phone calls of thanks, Brian had not attempted to contact either of them. His last call had been when he was at his four-year mark.

  Brian informed Jordan how he’d met a girl — “Get this,” he’d explained to Jordan on the phone, his voice ecstatic. “She’s a preacher’s daughter ... she helped me make Christ the center of my life, and we’re planning to get married right after I graduate in the spring.”

  Jordan, thrilled by his conversion, but apathetic about Brian’s insistence that Jaynee and he come to his wedding, promised to consider it objectively. Brian understood and thanked him again for giving him a chance, telling Jordan, he now understood the power of forgiveness and why Jordan offered him this gift.

  Because of the time John spent with Lorraine while she was recovering, Jordan never did get an opportunity to deliver the beating he’d intended.

  Then when John confessed his feelings about Lorraine, Jordan couldn’t mess up his face. Instead, the next time they sparred, he held back nothing, and even through the pads John wore, he knew he’d have bruises for weeks.

  Lorraine’s near-death experience enabled John to realize how he’d always felt about her. Lorraine, however, took a little convincing. She couldn’t comprehend how John would ever stop his womanizing. He’d assured her he could be patient and would prove his love. They’ll celebrate their third wedding anniversary in two months and their son’s first birthday in three.

  And today was, as always, Jordan’s favorite day of the week. Now that he wasn’t a detective anymore, he could sleep in any day. It was Jaynee who woke up at the crack of dawn, but only because she insisted on doing everything.

  She spoiled him. So he decided she deserved a little spoiling this morning. He brushed her hair back off her neck and planted tiny kisses down her throat.

  “Mmm,” Jaynee murmured.

  “Good morning, my love ... did you want to sleep in, or can I interest you —”

  A tiny knock and then a whimper behind their bedroom door broke off his words. “Mommy ...” Justin whined. “Johanna won’t share.”

  Unfortunately, their four-year-old twins had other ideas for Sunday mornings.

  Jaynee tilted her head up toward the door to hear her son. “What is it, Justin ... what won’t Johanna share?”

  “The remote to the TV,” the little voice answered.

  “For the love of —” Jordan started, but Jaynee placed her fingertips over his lips. He continued anyway, “There are three televisions in this house. Don’t make me come out there,” he shouted playfully. They both heard giggling and scampering as the two retreated from their door.

  “See,” Jaynee teased. “You can’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  He nuzzled his head between her jaw and shoulder. “I know,” he said between kisses.

  She giggled as his breath tickled her neck. “But they’re worth it.”

  Jordan shrugged and continued his trail of seductive kisses. “Most of the time,” he whispered. “When they don’t interrupt my attempts to spoil you. Where was I?”

  Almost ten years and Jaynee still felt the familiar thrill soar through her body. “I think you were here.” She pulled his hand around her waist.

  “We probably don’t have very long,” he groaned.

  “That’s okay. We’ll wear out the kids today, and then you can take your time tonight,” she suggested.

  Jordan’s eyes widened, and his breathing accelerated. “That’s all I needed to hear, Mrs. Monroe.” He pulled her closer, tightening his grip around her. “I love you,” he crooned.

  “I love you too, Jordan, forever.” She kissed him back fervently then pulled back. “Oh, incidentally,” she said, “I was thinking.”

  Jordan pulled back a few inches, narrowed his eyebrows, and gazed into her eyes warily. It was unusual for her to stop him when he kissed her. She laughed at his
expression.

  He held his breath. “Yes, what is it, Jaynee?”

  She waited, allowing him to reflect for a moment.

  “You’re killing me; you know how I hate —” he grumbled.

  She smiled and wiggled herself under his body to get exactly where she wanted. “Well, it’s the office. I don’t think we need it anymore, since I can’t do any work in there and leave the twins alone downstairs to their own devices. And it takes up the entire back of the house. So I was thinking maybe we could remodel it into two rooms instead.”

  “Two rooms? What in the world would we do with two additional rooms if we don’t need an office?” He shook his head in confusion. “Why would you want —” He stopped mid sentence.

  He bolted upright, staring at her, waiting. They hadn’t been trying, but they hadn’t been not trying to get pregnant either, and they were starting to get worried. She was thirty-two, he was thirty-seven, and they both really wanted more children.

  “Jaynee, are you saying? Are you pregnant? Are you positive? How far along are you?” His face went from a curious countenance to a thrilled expression in a matter of seconds.

  She grinned widely, delighted by his excitement. “Yes, yes, and yes, and about six weeks. You always were a top-notch detective, Mr. Monroe.”

  He jumped out of bed with a hoot and a holler.

  “Hey, where do you think you’re going? I wasn’t finished yet.”

  “Oh, sorry,” he said, jumping back beside her even more enthused than before. He kissed her hands, her neck, and then her belly. Lightly touching the soft flesh, he stopped ... “Two rooms?” he asked. “Twins again?”

  She nodded.

  Jordan sighed, and a glorious look washed over his face. He rolled over on his side and pulled her with him. He cupped her face as he kissed her, then his hand moved to caress her hair down her back.