Lang, Chloe - Wilde Nights [The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada 4] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) (14 page)

“You both kept the truth from me. I’m not sure what you want me to do or say to that.”

“Nothing. Just hear us out.” Her dad’s tone was so much more like how she remembered it before her mother had gotten sick. “Please, sit.”

“I’d rather stand.”

“Okay.” Her boss nodded. “We’ll keep this short and sweet. After you left, your dad and I eventually calmed down.”

“Only after the sheriff hauled our asses out into the street.”

“That’s true. I wish we’d done that before I got this.” Lee pointed to his eye. “I’m not sure how I’m going to explain this back in DC.”

“You? I’ve got a meeting with New York’s Attorney General day after tomorrow. Mine is going to be nice a blue by then. Anyway, Jessica, we ended up at the local watering hole.”

“The Horseshoe Bar and Grill. I know it.”

“We cleared the air, Jessica. That night your mother told me about sleeping with Lee, I flipped out. She never told me when their time together had happened. There was more to the story than I knew. Lee, fill her in.”

“I knew your dad was about to pop the question, so I put on the full-court press. I’m not proud of that, but I loved your mom with all my heart. Your mom knew your dad was pushing for more commitment from her. She was mixed up. The night before your dad asked her to marry him, I got her to meet me for a drink. She admitted to having feelings for me, and one thing led to another. After, I told her she had to make a choice, me or your father. But she couldn’t. She loved us both.

I left New York that night. I didn’t know about you, Jessica. Not for years. Your mother called sometime after she found out about her cancer. I told her I would be on the next plane. I wanted to meet my daughter. She begged me not to come. She told me that if I ever loved her, I would honor her wishes. So, I didn’t.”

“So you knew when you offered me a position at the agency?”

“Yes. I kept tabs on you. Not really hard to do.”

Jessie brought her hand up to her mouth. “The initial request to submit a resume…that came out of the blue, too.”

“Yes, Jessica. I wanted to be near you, to get to know my daughter.”

“So what do you expect me to do with all this information? My mother wasn’t who I thought she was. My dad isn’t my father. My boss is.”

Her dad stood up and pulled her into his arms. “Sweetheart, I am your father. I hate that I let my pride ruin so many years for you, for both of us. Screw biology. You’re my little girl.”

Jessie melted into his embrace. It felt so good, so right. She had her dad back.

Lee stood up beside Jessie and her dad. “I understand why you might want to quit the agency, Jessica. But I hope you don’t.”

She grabbed his hand. “I’d like to take some time off since my investigation is complete.”

“That’s great. What’s the verdict?” Lee asked.

“The mine isn’t at fault. It all rests on a saboteur named Paul King, who works for the mine.”

“Disgruntled employee?” Her boss frowned.

“Not sure, but the local law enforcement are on it.”

Her dad looked very concerned. “Who’s to say he won’t come gunning for you again, Jessica?”

“I talked with the sheriff and they know Mr. King has fled town. Wilde is the safest place for me now. Besides, I have some things I need to work out here.”

“Take all the time you need,” Lee offered. “If you decide to come back, your job will be waiting.”

“Whether I come back or not, I want to get to know you better.”

Her new dad wiped the tears from his eyes. “Ouch. I shouldn’t have rubbed my eyes. Your dad delivers a pretty good punch, though mine is better.”

“Just like law school.” Her dad smiled. “You haven’t changed.”

“That’s true, buddy. Jessica, I want to learn more about you, too. Why don’t we sit and order some of those delicious King Cakes?”

Jessica grinned. “I’d love to.”

After they were halfway through their meal, her dad asked, “Are you sure you know what you’re doing with these Wilde brothers?”

“No. But I want to see what happens.”

“Can’t say I understand anything about such things, but I trust you, sweetheart. You’ve always had good instincts. You just need to trust them yourself.”

Lee nodded. “She’s something. You should be really proud of how she turned out.”

“I am, Lee. I’m really proud.”

Her new dad smiled. “All I want is for you to be happy, Jessica.”

Her dad grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Me, too.”

* * * *

The blood pooled at the head his dead wife. Paul held a knife in his hand. The next victim on the target list was the special investigator from MSHA—Jessica Greene.

Chapter Ten

Sir ordered Jessie, “Strip, sub.”

She stood next to the open shower at The Masters’ Chambers. Jackson, Phoenix, and Dallas stood to her left. They were beaming with pride. Her nerves were jumpy, but she was doing it. Q and Davis were there, too. A gay couple stood to the right and watched, also.

Jessie folded her clothes in a neat pile. Immediately she was trembling from a touch of jitters and a large dose of excitement.

“Step into the shower, sub.”

“Yes, Sir.” She obeyed.

Sir sent her a wink that only she could see. “Turn the water on and clean your filthy body.”

“Yes, Sir.”

There was plenty of soap, wash cloths, and shampoos to choose from. In no time, she was lathered up and washing herself.

“Sub, is your pussy dirty?”

“Yes, Sir. Very dirty.”

“I want you to scrub it clean.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Three more people joined her onlookers, and that thrilled her. Give them a show and make Sir and his brothers proud.

She closed her eyes and washed her pussy and breasts. Her body began to heat up, and she licked her lips. She heard someone in the audience let out a sound of approval, and that got her even hotter. She pressed the cloth on her clit, and her head started to spin.

“What do you think about my sub, Master Q?”

“She’s something else. You sure you don’t want to share her with me?”

Jessie’s eyes popped open.

Sir smiled. “Don’t worry, little one. He knows I only share with my brothers. He’s just jealous that he doesn’t get to sample your delights.”

“You can say that again.” Master Q nodded.

Jessie closed her eyes again and continued washing her body. Her mind was swimming in an erotic, dreamy space. She loved how she felt. Then a voice jolted her back to reality.

“What the fuck!” Austin stood like an angry god behind Master Q. “Everyone but my brothers and Ms. Greene, go back to the main room.”

The crowd did as they’d been commanded. Jessie covered herself with the tiny cloths. He was clearly pissed, but she didn’t know why.

“What’s the matter with you, Austin?” Sir asked.

He walked over to Denver and pointed at the middle of his chest as if daring him to take a swing. “Get her out of my club and don’t ever bring her back. Understand?”

Jackson, Phoenix, and Dallas positioned themselves in front of her. She dressed quickly.

“I understand you’ve gone off the deep end.” Denver glared at his older brother. “She’s the one, Austin. We all know it. Why can’t you just give her a chance?”

“Fine. Marry her. You’ve known for years that I’m not interested in the Wilde family way. Get it through your thick skulls, brothers.”

“Why not, Austin?” Jessie asked, pushing her way past Jackson to stand next to Denver. “Is it me? Do I repulse you so much?”

Austin didn’t answer. He only stared at her, causing her to tremble. He looked back at Denver. “I suggest you worry about keeping Paul King away from your sub. It looks like he’s the one behind all the accidents.”

“Yeah, we figured that out for ourselves, bro,” Phoenix chimed in.

“Congratulations. You’re all growing up.” Austin’s tone wasn’t sarcastic as much as sad.

She mustered all the courage she could. “I have a right to know, Austin. You didn’t answer my question.”

“No. I didn’t. You and my brothers have been scheming, planning, training for this very moment. All of you thought you could trick me, bend me to your will. Not happening.”

“Am I ugly?”

He snorted. “You’re gorgeous, Ms. Greene, but you and my brothers don’t know what you’re asking of me.”

“Tell us,” she begged. If he walked out now, she would never see him again. No one would.

“No,” Austin said flatly then turned back to Denver. “Like I said. Get her out of here. Now.”

Jessie was desperate. She grabbed at the only weapon she could think of. “What are you afraid of, Austin? Me? You’re acting like that little boy who Malcolm and Paul tied to the tree.”

He jerked his head around and glared at her. He didn’t make a sound and didn’t move an inch.

His brothers looked dumbfounded. They didn’t know about the tree. She bet they were hoping, even praying, she could reach Austin. If he would even consider spending time with her, they just might get their brother back if she didn’t screw it up.

It terrified her, but she had to press on. “I’ve been to that tree, Austin. You’ve turned it into your own BDSM training ground, haven’t you? It’s the same tree.”

He grabbed her arm hard. “Be careful, Jessie. You don’t know what I’m capable of.”

She gulped but continued. “And you don’t know what I’m capable of, either. Try me if you dare.”

He nodded then looked at his brothers one by one. “You guys sure about this? I don’t think you understand how this could end.”

Denver looked him straight in the eyes. “You will honor her safe word?”

“What kind of Dom do you think I am? I’m the one who taught you, Denver. Of course, I will.”

“Then, yes. I’m sure.”

Jackson said, “Me, too.”

Phoenix and Dallas nodded.

“Okay then. I’ll do it. One week. Me and her alone. No phone calls. No visits.”

“Agreed.” Denver pulled her tight to his side.

Jessie’s insides leapt for joy. Somehow, she’d prove to Austin he should reconsider.

“Say your good-byes to her. I want her in my office here at the club in five minutes.” Without another word, Austin left.

“Jessie, you did it.” Jackson was smiling from ear to ear. “How did you know what to do?”

“I didn’t. I just threw the only thing I knew about him.”

Dallas shook his head. “My God, the tree. It’s the very same one. I never knew that.”

“Our Jessie has amazing insight.” Phoenix kissed her hair.

Denver cupped her chin. “I love you.”