Page 27 of Vengeful Reign

“Shamus, we need to be ready to depart by tomorrow morning.”

“You’re leaving?”

“We’re all leaving, Nora. Did you think we’d stay here? Our home is back in Chicago where we belong.” Ugh, this city is nothing compared to my hometown. I roll my eyes with disgust at the idea.

“Chicago? I don’t want to go back there,” she says, shivering at the notion, and I wonder how many ghosts haunt her.

“Sweetheart, is there a reason you’re afraid to head back to the city?”

“I haven’t been back since I was eighteen and I bought this house. Besides, I have two more days of school.”

“Well, I’m sorry. We’re leaving tomorrow, and it’s not up for discussion. The school year is officially over for you and John, so you better call your bosses and tell them you’re taking an unexpected trip to see your family in Chicago because that’s where we’re going.”

She slams her tiny fists into my chest. “You’re an asshole. You can’t just uproot my life.”

I grip them in one of mine. “If you want to stay, that’s fine, but I’m not leaving without my brother.”

Her pretty hazel eyes widen in dismay and hurt. “You can’t take him away from me. He’ll freak out.”

“He will, or you will?” I ask with a wide grin.

“He will…”

I cup her chin a little forcefully and give it a good tug. “Don’t lie to me, little felon. I know that he’ll be upset, but so will you and like I said, I’m not leaving without you. So, come tomorrow, you’re leaving with us and we’re getting married.” With a stomp of her foot, she storms into the kitchen. I hear the sink running and then the dishes, so I follow. “What are you doing?”

“As much as you’ve pissed me off, I can’t leave this place a mess. Dishes in the sink will only create a chance for pests to invade.” She’s scrubbing them furiously and I find it comical. I want to slide up behind her and ease that tension she has radiating through her body.

“You’re taking it better than I expected,” I remarked with a teasing smile.

“Look—Julia feared for her life, and it’s freaking clear she had a good reason for it, so it’s only wise that I follow along like a good little girl.” I can’t imagine harming her, but I’m not going to lose the leverage I have.

Julia? Is there another woman involved? My mind goes straight to the detective. “Why did you call her Julia?”

“Because that’s her name. Julia Sanchez.”

“No, my brother’s nanny was named Joanne Rodriguez.” I open my phone and show her a picture of the woman who had been taking care of John since he was born.

“That’s Julia.” She points to the woman I’ve known as Joanne. How the fuck has she gone all that time as John’s caregiver without us finding out her true identity?

“And how long were you neighbors?” I asked, wanting to know if it was a short time. She could have been lying to Nora and her real name is Joanne.

“From the time I was ten until she helped me run away just before I turned eighteen.”

“Why don’t you get started packing some of your things, and I’ll have the guys get you some luggage for John’s belongings. I was in such a hurry I’d completely forgotten to get those things.” I lift my shoulders and say to my men, “Gentlemen, let’s leave Ms. Harrison alone and go to the hotel and store. I’ll be back this evening.”

“Boss, are you sure we should leave her alone?” Shamus asked.

“She’s been alone with John all this time. I’m not worried about her with him because she’s not running anywhere, right?”

“Of course not. I’d never keep your brother from you again.” I pull her into my arms and cup her chin, causing a soft gasp to leave her perfect cupid’s bow lips. “That’s a very good thing, beautiful.” I drop my lips onto hers, tasting them briefly before pulling back to find her eyes closed and looking dangerously tempting. “Go on and get packed. Don’t worry about John’s things. We’ll pack them. I don’t want anyone touching your panties.”

She slowly sucks in her bottom lip and then massages them over each other. “Yes, Jack.”

“Good girl.” I’m so damn hard that I could take her in the middle of the room standing straight up, but it’s not the time or the place. And just in case I need a reminder, John comes rushing up to me, headbutting my crotch. “Fuck,” I grunt, swallowing the pain.

Nora giggles and snorts while trying to get John off me, but he clings to my leg. “Sorry. He’s feeling a bit clingy, I guess.”

“No, he used to do that a long time ago, but he was shorter so it wasn’t a big deal.”

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