Page 63 of Traitorous Lies
“I’m glad the universe did something right and gave me you, too,” Jax murmured as he touched a kiss to her temple, and Monique was sure she must be blushing up a storm.
Images of last night flashed through her mind. The delicious torture of Jax working her to the edge but not letting her come over and over again, until when that orgasm finally did hit, it was the most powerful thing she’d ever experienced in her life. Then they’d taken a shower together and he’d made her come again, and after eating they’d fallen asleep in each other’s arms.
Forgiving and making the decision to move on meant she could have a lifetime of moments just like those ones.
“I’m Essie. Are you going to marry Uncle Jax? Can I be the flower girl?” a little girl of around five asked as she pushed her way through the adults.
Monique chuckled at the earnest expression on the child’s face. “You are just adorable, I bet you would be the absolute best flower girl in the whole entire world,” she told the girl, who beamed.
“My daddy is going to marry my new mommy, and I’m going to be their flower girl. And Uncle Cooper is going to marry Willow, so I gets to be their flower girl too. And Uncle Cole is going to marry Susanna, and Uncle Connor is going to marry Becca, and Uncle Jake is gonna marry Alannah, and I gets to be the flower girl for all those weddings,” the child rambled.
“Actually, no one other than your daddy and I are actually engaged, cuddle bug,” a woman with wild red hair and pretty green eyes told the little girl.
“Well I knows they are going to even though they haven’t gotten ‘ngage yet,” Essie said with a huff.
The woman, who Monique knew must be Essie’s former nanny and now soon-to-be stepmom, rolled her eyes and tugged on one of the child’s pigtails. “You might be right, but it’s polite to let the guy do the proposing. Or the girl, I guess. Hi, I’m Gabriella.”
“Monique,” she said as she shook the other woman’s hand. “And she definitely deserves to be a flower girl as many times as she wants. She’s so cute, how do you stand it?”
“It gets easier,” the man who must be Essie’s father said dryly. “Cade. Sorry, we didn't meet in France. I thought it was best to stay here with Essie and Gabriella.” The big man’s hand shifted to rest on the stomach of his fiancée, and Monique knew that Gabriella was pregnant and that so far was yet to carry a pregnancy to term. They were all praying that this time it turned out differently, and Monique would gladly join in with those prayers. The couple were clearly deeply in love, and she hoped they could add their baby to their little family.
“We’re glad you're here,” Cole said, stepping forward. “Sorry I didn't stick around and let Cassandra fly back here alone so it wasn't just the two of you against those men yesterday.”
“We handled it together,” Monique assured him. “And you were where you needed to be. I’m Monique,” she said to the woman with long dark hair and pretty green eyes who was holding Cole’s hand.
“Susanna Zangari. I think we might have met a few times when we were kids.”
“I remember. I’m glad you were able to get away and build a life where you can be yourself and be happy,” she said sincerely, then shuddered. “Your dad, he … gave me bad vibes.”
Surprise flitted through the green eyes that looked back at her. “He wasn't a good man, even though most people didn't see that. But I'm free from him now. Really free.” Pushing up onto tiptoes, Susanna touched a kiss to Cole’s cheek. “Now that I’m believed.”
“Always,” Cole said. Then caught Susanna’s chin between his thumb and forefinger and kissed her properly.
“That’s Cooper’s girlfriend, Willow,” Jax said, pointing to the pretty blonde who smiled and offered her a warm smile. “Connor’s girlfriend, Becca,” he continued, pointing out the stunning woman with pitch black hair and dark blue eyes, who also offered her a smile. “And lastly, Jake’s girlfriend, Alannah. They only just got together, but Alannah grew up in the house behind ours, so she’s always been like a part of the family,” he said, pointing out the other blonde, who stepped forward and gave her a hug.
“We’re all glad you're safe and that you're here now where you’ll be protected,” Alannah told her. “Those guys are quiet, but they’re the best. No offense,” she added, looking to Jake and his brothers.
“None taken,” Jake quickly assured his girlfriend.
“Steel, Dragon, Blade, Voodoo, and Thunder,” Jax rattled off, indicating one of the silent men with each name.
The only indication the men gave were almost imperceptible nods of their heads. Their gazes were always attentive, always roaming the area, and she got the feeling they’d rather head inside rather than stay in the open.
She was more than happy to oblige, not just because she didn't want to make the guys uncomfortable, but also because she needed to make a phone call. Monique hadn't wanted to call her dad until she had the official results of the DNA test, and then yesterday, after she’d gotten the email, she and Jax had been attacked. After that, she hadn't had a moment alone to talk to her father.
Now they were here she couldn’t put it off any longer. Not only did he need to know that he had another daughter, but she wanted to find out where he was staying so she could organize a meetingfor him with Jax and his brothers. They needed to be able to eliminate her dad as a suspect as the fourth rapist so they could focus on finding the real guilty man.
She liked all these people, wanted them to be happy and free. They deserved it after everything they’d been through. She could help them get one step closer to finding that freedom, and she couldn’t wait to do it.
Chapter
Seventeen
November 11th
12:20 P.M.
For the first time in … almost as long as Jax could remember … things felt good.
