He kissed the side of her mouth and slipped off her, not looking at her, afraid she'd see him--see too much.
EMMA poured Jake a second cup of coffee as he finished his breakfast. Susan had remained very silent throughout the meal. Emma wasn't certain if she was so intimidated by Jake that she couldn't speak, or if she was bursting with questions and was afraid one might slip out before she could stop herself.
Emma frowned at Jake and tossed her head toward Susan. He made a face at her, took a fortifying gulp of coffee and tried.
"How long are you staying with us, Susan?"
She dropped her fork and turned bright red. "Not very much longer."
Jake gave a long-suffering sigh. "I wasn't implying I wanted you to leave, I was merely trying to be pleasant."
Emma kicked him under the table--hard.
"Ow!" He jerked his injured shin out of reach and looked down at his immaculate shirt. He'd managed to keep his arm steady and no coffee had spilled. He let Emma see the promise of a later retaliation in his eyes. Okay, maybe his tone had been a little condescending, but he'd talked to the girl, hadn't he?
Emma leaned forward. "I forgot to tell you, Jake. Susan's father is sending her calculus tutor, Harold Givens, here this morning. Would you add him to the list at the gate for Jerico's men?"
"How long will he be here?" There was a bite in his voice he couldn't quite hide. He didn't like strangers in his home at all.
A regular security sweep was conducted once a week, varying the day and hour, but it didn't matter to him anymore, not after the small microchip was discovered. Anyone coming on the property was now suspect, particularly Harold Givens, as he'd been one of the two suspects they had. As a rule he had his employees sign an ironclad privacy contract before he hired them, insisting on complete silence during and after employment. He couldn't very well do that with unwanted visitors, as much as he would like to.
"I can ask him not to come," Susan said hastily, lowering her eyes.
Jake scowled at her. "Did I say I didn't want him here?"
That earned him another kick. He moved his legs out of harm's way once again, and this time reached under the table and put his hand on Emma's inner thigh. High. Her gaze flicked to him, but the warning in his eyes kept her from pulling away.
"He's just going to stay a few hours, Jake," Emma said. "We told Evan and Joshua to meet us at the stables at one. He'll be gone by then. And of course he has to come, Susan. I promised your father we'd make certain you continued with your studies."
"Maybe he should stay home and pay more attention to his daughter instead of pawning her off on other people and having them make certain she does her school work."
Susan burst into tears, jumped up, knocking her chair over, and rushed out of the room.
Jake swore.
Emma glared at him. "Of anyone, Jake, you should have empathy for that child. Do you have any idea how utterly alone and isolated she is? She has a father who is never home. Her mother's dead and she's turned over to strangers all the time. Strangers like Dana Anderson, who has no interest in her at all and does everything she can to make her feel small and miserable. She's highly intelligent and can't relate to other teens her age. She's too young to be taken seriously by adults."
"I get it, Emma." Jake stood up and picked up the chair. "I'm working here at home instead of at the downtown office today. When her tutor gets here, bring in Joshua and Drake." He felt like a fucking monster.
He knew what it was to be different, to spend his childhood alone--if one could call what he'd endured a childhood. He planted both hands on the table, caging Emma in as he leaned down. "I'll talk to her, honey, but I'll retaliate later for the reprimands." His gaze burned into hers, hot, sexy, a promise of things to come.
"You deserved them," she pointed out, looking a little wary, but her eyes clouded with desire.
"I know I did." He leaned closer to lick the corner of her mouth. "I need you to go into town later and pick up a dress for the Bingley thing."
She pulled back to stare up at him, wide-eyed. Distressed. "What Bingley thing?"
"It's an important party, Emma. I hate those things and this one will be particularly difficult, so I'll need you there."
She shook her head. "No way. Parties aren't my thing, especially in that circle. No way, Jake, not even for you."
She actually looked scared. Jake brushed his mouth against hers. Soft. Tender. Coaxing. "I need you, honey. The enemies will be there. I want someone I can trust with me, someone to watch my back."
Her first reaction was disbelief--he saw that in her eyes--but she kept staring up at him, her fingers plucking nervously at his sleeve.
"Do you mean that?"
"I want you there with me." He wasn't going to ask again.
She took a breath and his heart turned over at the capitulation he saw in her eyes. She squared her shoulders, overcoming her fear and revulsion of such an event. She knew they would try to embarrass and humiliate her, but she would put herself in that position for him. It was another victory--a big one. Another proof that she cared about him, was committed to him. How many times would she have to prove herself before he believed? How many ways?
"How dressy?"
"Wear something sophisticated but sexy for me. A cocktail dress. I'll have jewelry. High heels, Emma. I know you don't like them, but I'll love the way your legs will look in them. I've fantasized over that more often than I should have." He brushed several kisses over her soft, upturned lips before putting his lips against her ear. "Make it a little swingy and longer, just above the knee so you can just wear a garter belt and stockings and leave off your panties."
She went crimson, just as he knew she would. "I'm not leaving off my panties."
"We'll see," he said, deliberately wicked, tracing her ear with the tip of his tongue. "Are you wet for me?" he whispered. "If I buried my finger inside you, would I find you aching and hot for me?"
She pushed at the wall of his chest, laughing. Blushing. "Yes. Now go away."
Satisfaction swept through him as he sauntered out. Emma. No matter how outrageous, she would struggle to accommodate his needs, even when it was a little frightening to her. He had to be careful not to let his need for control and assurance push her too far. Those were two of his greatest failings. He would want--no, need--constant affirmation of her loyalty, of her complete commitment to him, because he wouldn't be able to fully believe and trust in her.
He made his way to the guest room where he knew Susan was staying. With his acute hearing, even through the solid oak door, he could hear her sniffling. His radio crackled.
"Mr. Bannaconni. The tutor's here and he's brought Miss Hindman's governess with him." The disembodied voice held a note of disgust. Drake obviously didn't like either of the strangers.
"Let them through, but don't leave the children or Emma alone with them. Conner can watch the two of them in the house." He slipped his radio back on his belt loop and resolutely knocked on Susan's door. He'd promised Emma. He smirked to himself. He'd promised her retaliation as well for the two hard kicks she'd given him--and he always kept his promises. There was silence, nose blowing, and then Susan timidly opened the door.
Jake smiled at her. "Come on out of there and talk to me for a minute, Susan." He held out his hand, his voice gentle but commanding. Susan hesitated, but she put her hand in his and followed him over to the long, wide stairway. He sank down and patted the step beside him, waiting until she sat. "I was careless this morning when I spoke to you. I spend so much time rushing through my work, I sometimes forget how to talk to people. I'm grateful that you're here to help Emma. She says you're great with our children and I really appreciate that."
Susan sniffed again but smiled shyly. "They're so sweet. And Emma's been so good to me. She talks to me . . ." She trailed off.
He nodded, pretending not to notice the tears welling up again. "She's like that. Did she show you the ring?"
Susan's eyes lit up. "I sa
w the ring on her finger but I was afraid to ask. You're getting married?"
"We have two children. I'd say it's about time. I want more, so we'd better make certain we're married before I get her pregnant again, don't you think?" At her nod, he stood up. "You'll have to come to the wedding." Jake held out his hand to her. When she put her hand in his, he drew her up. "I'm glad Emma has such a good friend in you, Susan. You're welcome here anytime and you can stay as long as you like. Hopefully, over time, you'll get used to how abrupt I can be."
"Thank you, Mr. Bannoconni."
"Jake," he corrected, keeping his voice gentle. He walked away from her but turned back at the door. "I really appreciate you speaking other languages to the children. We're trying to give them as much exposure as possible. You're very fluent."
She beamed, raised her hand until he was out of sight and ran back into the kitchen to find Emma. "Emma! Let me see the ring! Jake said--" She skidded to halt when she saw the company waiting for her, the joy fading from her face.
"Is that appropriate behavior for a young lady?" Dana, her governess, demanded with a little sniff. "You address the hired help with far more decorum, Susan, and less enthusiasm. And it's Mr. Bannaconni to you, miss."
Susan turned bright red, her gaze flicking to Joshua and Drake, who lounged idly against the sink. Andraya had her arms wound around Joshua's leg and Kyle stood slightly behind him, nearly hidden from their visitors. She almost didn't see the third man standing with his back to the door. He was so still he made her heart tremble.
Joshua snorted and winked at Susan. "That would be me, Susan, the hired help."
Emma's expression didn't change. "Your governess has come to check on you, Susan, along with your tutor." She glanced at Drake, uncertain how to handle their visitors and the clear attack on Susan. They made her uneasy and Susan looked close to tears. It was no wonder the senator had told her he was worried about his daughter.
She heard the soft click of the radio and a brief crackle as Drake or Joshua opened the line to Jake.
"You should have warned us ahead of time that you were accompanying Mr. Givens, Ms. Anderson," Drake said, his voice one of absolute authority. "Mr. Bannaconni doesn't like surprises, and he said to inform you that if you showed up again without an invitation or the courtesy of a call ahead of time, you would be refused entrance." He deliberately addressed Susan's governess, reprimanding her publicly as she had her charge.
Color whipped into the woman's cheekbones and her mouth tightened ominously. She looked down her nose at Drake, taking in his faded jeans, the T-shirt stretched across wide shoulders and thickly muscled chest, and with a little sniff of disdain, dismissed him as inconsequential.
"Please lead us to a room suitable to carry out Susan's studies," Dana snapped to Emma. "We don't wish to be kept waiting. Jim--Senator Hindman--requires promptness and expects his orders to be carried out. We can't have Susan falling behind again." Her coyness implied intimacy with the senator as she delivered her second strike at the girl.
"But, Dana," Susan protested, "I'm not behind at all. I tried to tell Dad, but you--"
"Do not contradict your elders." Dana glared at her. "It's important to know your place, Susan. Your father is a great man. You wouldn't want to embarrass him."
A rumbling sound, much like a growling cat, filled the room. The deep-chested growl raised hair on the back of people's necks, caused hearts to speed up, and everyone fell silent, froze, turning almost as one to see Jake's frame filling the doorway of the kitchen. He stood in the way he always did, utterly still, eyes fixed and focused, head at an angle like a stalking animal, a predatory hunter about to devour prey. Emma found herself holding her breath as silence fell, unable to tell if the harrowing sound actually emanated from Jake, but it chilled her to the bone nonetheless. She tried not to be afraid, but she knew Jake, and he was at his most dangerous.
Joshua and Drake shifted almost imperceptibly, shielding the babies with their bodies.
Jake's eyes had gone to savage, glittering gold. "Joshua, I would greatly appreciate it if you would take the children outside."
Without a word Joshua wrapped an arm around Kyle and Andraya and lifted them to his hips, striding for the door. Conner opened it for him and Joshua took the little ones outside.
"Susan?" Jake beckoned her with his finger. He waited until she crossed to his side and he dropped his arm protectively around her.
The silence stretched until Emma's nerves were raw. He didn't take his eyes from Dana's face. "I believe I have something of yours. My people are very good at tracing electronic equipment." He pulled a small plastic bag from his pocket. The microchip could clearly be seen. He tossed it toward Dana contemptuously, deliberately just out of reach, so the damning evidence fell at her feet for everyone to see.
Dana went stiff, her face very white and set, but she didn't speak, anger flaring in her eyes. Jake set Susan very gently behind him and stalked across the kitchen floor, moving in that silent, fluid way of his, roped muscles shifting powerfully, his eyes never leaving the woman's face. He inhaled, as if scenting her.
"You even smell like a traitor. You and your friend will be escorted off my property now. Don't ever make the mistake of coming back."
It was Harold Givens who bent down to pick up the microchip. Dana snapped her fingers. "Susan. Come with us now. This is an unsuitable place for you, not with this man and his little slut flaunting their bastard children to the world. My God, look at the hickeys all over her neck, like she's some whore."
Emma gasped, terrified of what Jake might do. Her hand crept up toward her neck, but Jake caught her wrist without looking at her and pulled her hand down to her side, holding it there. A long silence stretched, everyone's nerve endings taut.
Jake's smile was slow, humorless, utterly frightening, his white teeth gleaming, and he never took his eyes from his prey. "Susan will stay here. The senator will send your things to you. I doubt you'll be able to get a job anywhere unless it's with the Trents or Bannaconnis, who you obviously work for."
"I'll have you charged with kidnapping."
"Drake, remove this disgusting excuse of a human being from my sight immediately." Jake turned his back on the couple in dismissal, took Emma's elbow and waved Susan ahead of him, guiding them from the room.
Behind them, Dana sputtered, "Get your hands off me." "I don't much care how we do this, sweetheart," Drake said. "As far as I'm concerned, you're garbage to be thrown out. I don't have to be nice."
Dana shrieked again. There was the sound of a scuffle. Harold grunted in pain. The door slammed and the sounds faded.
"Are you all right, Susan?" Jake asked.
Susan nodded. "But she'll tell my father lies. She always does."
Jake picked up the phone. "Not this time. Do you need a tutor? I can have one here in an hour."
She shook her head. "I know more about calculus than that man ever did. He's Dana's friend, but my father believes everything she says."
"Your father will listen to me," Jake assured, his voice certain. "Go riding with Emma and have fun. Don't worry about any of this. People like that try to make everyone around them feel small and useless. You're not. You're smarter than they are. And you're stronger, too strong to ever let someone like that make you feel bad about yourself."
"I'm a little afraid of her," Susan admitted.
"She wanted you to be afraid. That way you would never go to your father because you didn't want to know if he'd believe you or not. She destroyed your trust in him, that's what people like her do. There's no reason. I'll deal with her. Go change into your riding clothes." He reached out and caught Emma's wrist, preventing her from leaving the room while Susan headed for the door. "Susan." He stopped her, waited until she turned back toward him. "If you're ever put in a position you're uncomfortable with again--any situation, including when you go on a date--you call me. I'll give you my private number, which you won't give out to anyone at all. Understood?"
Susan's
smile blossomed across her face. "Understood."
Jake waited until Susan's footsteps had faded down the hall and her door had closed before he swung Emma around in front of him and cupped her chin. His mouth was gentle, tender even, when he brushed his lips over hers. "Did she hurt you?"
"Calling me a slut? Or calling the kids bastards?"
"The children have a father. Me. My last name is on their birth certificates. And not just a slut--you're my slut. Let's remember the difference, Emma." He kissed her again, a teasing smile on his face. "You're my everything, so screw her."
"She didn't hurt me, Jake," Emma said, knowing it was true. "Do you think Senator Hindman will believe you? I think Dana will try to cause trouble for you--for Susan--maybe even for all of us."
"Don't you worry about that traitor," Jake said, his voice so low it terrified her. "She'll find out what it's like to lose everything and live on the streets, servicing anyone who can buy her for a nickel."
"Jake."
"She fucking called you a whore, Emma. She called my children bastards. She tried to spy on us. But worst of all, she abused her position of power over a sixteen-year-old kid. I'm going to take her down."
He kissed her again and she tasted his anger. He tasted wild, primitive and all male. She opened her mouth to try to soothe him, but he rained kisses all over her face.
"I'm more furious that I couldn't protect you from someone like her in our own house."
"What do you think she was after, planting the microchip?"
"I think my enemies want one or both of our children. I've locked down the house and you're a complete mystery to them. They needed a way to collect information."
Emma frowned up at him. "Do you think Senator Hindman is involved?"
"No." Jake picked up his phone. "The senator has a viper in his home. Trent and the Bannaconnis have been trying to find a way to blackmail him for years. He's never been controlled by them. They obviously planted Dana Anderson in his home."