Forever Mine

Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

JAY

The anger was just beneath the surface, ready to fuckin’ burst through at the tiniest of provocations. Even Kota’s touch was barely keeping me together. We sat as close as possible in the back of Wes’s car, but it still felt hard to breathe.

I was glad Dakota hadn’t seen that note. He probably would eventually, but the longer he went without seeing that, the better. That fucker crossed a line today.

From what Patrick told us, none of the kids saw it. They got rid of the box and were quickly able to distract them after I bolted. But what if it was Molly or Henry that opened the box? Or one of the other older kids that could read. Kids shouldn’t be exposed to what was in that note.

Henry was worried, Patrick told me, but most of the other kids didn’t even notice. I felt shitty about that though. Henry was a cool as fuck kid, I didn’t want to make him feel bad or worry about me. I’d have to apologize to him. That is, if Kota’s family even let me around them anymore. All I saw was fucking red when I opened that pizza box and I had to get out of there before I hurt someone.

Of course I didn’t tell Dakota everything. He’d find out soon enough about the very detailed description of him fucking me with details that only someone who saw it would know. I scratched at my arm, seriously feeling like I was coming outta my skin. He put that shit in a pizza box at a kid’s birthday party. By now, every adult in Dakota’s family likely read very intimate details about his sex life.

“Where are we going?” Dakota broke the heavy silence by asking Wes.

“Well, Beckett very strongly suggested I bring you both back to my place, but I figured that you’d need some alone time. Luca has a safe house that’s not too far that Diego got me access to. You guys can spend a night or two there while we figure out a game plan.” Wes had already been on his way when Patrick called him, just to canvas the place, and ease our worries. After checking that no one was there anymore and threatening the manager at the trampoline place for the security cameras, Wes offered to drive us back. Since neither of us were in the right headspace to drive, we agreed.

I smiled, only imagining what Beckett’s strong suggestions entailed. “Where are they? They can’t go back to the apartment.” My voice was rough, and I probably sounded worse than I thought, judging by how Kota looked at me with concern.

“They’re at my place. They’re safe, Jay. I swear.”

I had to take him at his word. Wes had gone outta his fuckin’ way to help us, way more than he needed to. It was one thing when he was trying to keep his son outta jail, but he didn’t owe me and Dakota shit, yet here he was, sticking out his neck for us.

“Thanks.” I should say more than that, but Wes met my eyes in the rearview, and I realized that was enough. I settled into the seat some, and curled my fingers into Dakota’s hair.

“Luca’s still not back?” Dakota asked softly.

“No.” Wes’s jaw was tight, but he didn’t elaborate. Was that normal? I didn’t know fuck-all about the kind of jobs Luca and his guy’s took, but it had been over a month. It seemed like a long time. Poor Wes.

The safe house was maybe forty minutes away. I vaguely wondered how the fuck Kota and I were supposed to get to work, but I guess that was tomorrow’s problem. It was a cute-looking cottage and completely destroyed every image I had of a safe house when Wes pulled into the gravel driveway. Though the security pad on the front door that only worked by fingerprint helped restore the image some.

Wes led us in. “There’s food in the fridge, clean linens and towels in the closet, and brand new toiletries in the bathroom. If this becomes more long-term, we’ll need to pick up clothes, but for now, there’s brand new underwear still in the package and some sweats and t-shirts that should fit you. Do not open the door for anyone. I’ll come back in the morning and there’s a landline in the kitchen you can use in an emergency.”

That was right. Wes took our phones for Diego to check. They had already scanned our phones for bugs after the truck incident, but they were worried they missed something. The psycho was hearing us. He was seeing us. He knew where we were. I didn’t love someone else having my phone, but I understood it.

“Thanks, Wes. We really appreciate you doing all this for us,” Dakota told him.

Wes smiled. “It’s not a problem at all. This is what family does.”

“Oh, one last thing. There’s a lock box with weapons in the bedroom. Here’s the code. I take it you know how to use a pistol?” My jaw tensed, but I nodded.

“Okay, if you need it for any reason, that’s where you’ll find it, plus some other goodies.”

“Thanks,” I told him again.

“Alright. I’ll leave you two alone, I’m sure you need some time. If you need anything at all or anything looks suspicious, call me immediately. To reach Diego all you have to do is dial 09.”

He left after that, leaving Kota and me alone finally.

I stood in the middle of the room, numb. There were probably thousands of things I should be doing. I should be comforting Dakota, making sure he was okay, but it was hard to see past the urge to take to the streets and crack skulls until I found out who was targeting my Dakota.

I had to, though. Kota looked as lost as I felt, and I vowed to do better and be better. He showed me time and time again that he was fuckin’ in it for the long haul, enough for me to finally, usually, believe it. I needed to show him the same. Maybe my brain and mouth couldn’t connect to say the fuckin’ words, but I’d show him. That meant I had to keep my temper in check and be here for Kota.

I cupped his face and touched my forehead to his.

“Tell me what you need, sweetheart.”

Kota swallowed. He looked so fuckin’ vulnerable it was killing me. I felt helpless. All I wanted to do was ease his worries, and I didn’t know how.

“I just need to not think for a while. Just make me forget.”

Crap. He was breaking me. My eyes stung, but I vowed to be the strong one for once.

“Anything, Kota. I’d do anything to take away your pain.”

I kissed him then, pouring everything I could into the kiss. Held him still, not allowing him to move his head at all. He wanted not to think? I’d make sure that happened.

I walked Kota back to the couch and dropped us both down, careful not to crush him. Never letting my mouth leave his. Kota’s fingers curled in my hair, and I think both of us were devastated when we had to stop to breathe.

My mouth trailed down his neck as my hands slid under his shirt and pushed it up. “Kota,” I muttered into his skin. “Fuck, sweetheart.”

I stood up so I could kneel between his legs, but Dakota stopped me. “Let me. I need to be the one.”

My nose scrunched in confusion, and I went to ask what he meant when Kota knelt between my legs. I sucked in a breath as he unbuttoned my pants and pulled them down to my thighs, exposing my hardening dick. He took it in his mouth, not really sucking, but more getting it wet and causing my cock to thicken. Unsure of what was going on or what was needed, I just stood there, one hand gently resting in his hair.

“Fuck my mouth, Jay. Make it so the only thing I could think about is breathing and pleasing you. I belong to you, not some fucker terrorizing us. Claim me and make both of us forget.”

I gasped, my fingers tightening in his hair and my eyes burning with unshed tears. Holy fuck, this man…

“Anything, sweetheart. You’re mine, and I’m yours. Fuckin’ forever.”

Dakota opened his mouth, and I pushed in, giving him everything he asked for and everything he needed.