Her Daddy's Jewel (MC Daddies Book 5) Read online

  “Because I wanted him to come in here,” he said darkly. “Then I could teach him that no one threatens my woman.”

  His woman?

  His. Woman.

  “What’s happening right now? I’ve been drugged again, right? I’m having a dream. You’re an illusion. None of this is real.”

  Losing it. She was finally losing it. And who could blame her? She sometimes felt like she’d been hanging onto the edge of her sanity for years.

  “They drugged you?” he asked in a low, grumbling voice.

  “I’m having hallucinations. Because there’s no way you’re actually here. In this bathroom. Nope.”

  “Why is there no way?”

  “Because why would you be? How would you even get in here? It’s heavily guarded. There’s no way in.”

  “Well, obviously there is. Or I wouldn’t be here.”

  She shook her head, pacing up and down, her hand on her stomach trying to calm it. “You have to leave. No, wait. I need to go first. He’s right out the door. Then you’ll sneak out. Oh God, what if you’re caught? Can you leave without the way you came in?”

  “I’m not leaving.”

  “What? Yes you are. You have to.” She grasped hold of his arm. “Oh fuck, you’re real.”

  “I’m real.” He placed his hand around the back of her neck. It was a mark of possession. Of protection. And for a moment, her eyes closed as heat filled her, chasing away the cold.

  No. This was bad. She couldn’t fall for whatever piece of safety he was offering.

  She attempted to step back, fully expecting him to let her go. Shock filled her as he tightened his hold on the back of her neck. He drew her slowly towards him.

  “Jason,” she whispered. What was happening? She was confused.

  Sure, she had always felt this attraction to him. But he’d never shown any sign of interest in her. Had he? She’d thought he just saw her as a friend.

  And she’d told herself that was for the best. He was younger. He was quiet. He wouldn’t understand the darkness she had inside her. The things she’d done to survive.

  How fucking ashamed she was of some of the things she’d done.

  Sometimes the shame was so thick that it was hard to breathe.

  How could she ever tell someone like this everything? Sure, she didn’t know much about him, but he was a guy who seemed to live an easy life.

  There was nothing easy or simple about her.

  Complicated. That was the best word to describe her life.

  “What the fuck is this?” He ran his finger over her cheek. His tea-colored eyes flashed dangerously. His light-brown hair was tamed back into a low ponytail.

  He was so big. So warm. She wished she could sink into him. So badly.

  But she couldn’t.

  “It’s none of your business.” Yeah, she sounded like a complete bitch. But if that’s what she had to be in order to get him to leave then that’s what she’d do.

  Because he could not be here.

  It felt like ants were crawling over her skin. Shoot. She’d been in here too long. She was shocked the big goon wasn’t beating on the door. But it wouldn’t be long until he was, and then Maxwell would get involved.

  And she’d be toast.

  But more importantly, so would he.

  His gaze narrowed. Oh, he didn’t like that. Not at all.

  Well, tough titties.

  Really, Jewel? Tough titties?

  She licked her lips. Crap. “Go, Jason. There’s no reason for you to be here.”

  “Pike.”

  “What?”

  “My woman calls me Pike.”

  She sucked in a breath. She knew that Pike was his real name. “You know the obvious reply to that, right?”

  Who was this guy and what had he done with the quiet, easygoing Jason? Because that wasn’t the guy she was looking at right now.

  “What’s that?” His gaze was still on her cheek. She didn’t know how he’d spotted the bruise. The swelling had gone down and she thought she’d done a good job of hiding it underneath foundation. But he couldn’t seem to move his gaze.

  “That I’m not your woman, therefore I don’t call you Pike and there’s no reason for you to be here. If you came here for me.”

  He made a scoffing noise. “What other reason would I have to be here? You think I came to watch men bash each other until one of them collapses with a head injury?”

  She winced, remembering the last fight.

  “I’m walking out that door, and I’m going to pretend you were never here.” She turned away. It was hard. So fucking hard.

  Because she wanted to throw herself at him. She wanted to demand that he take her with him.

  So. Damn. Bad.

  But this was for the best.

  Grabbing her around the waist, he spun her towards the wall.

  Her heart raced. His large hands grasped hers, pinning them to the wall as he pressed himself against her back.

  “You’re not going anywhere. Now that I’ve found you, I’m not letting you leave me.”

  Her hands were transferred to one of his and held above her head. She was helpless. Unable to move. Her mouth was dry, her heart in her throat, and she couldn’t answer. Couldn’t do anything except whimper.

  It should have frightened her, but instead of tensing or attempting to fight back, her body wanted to melt into his. To give him whatever he wanted. A heaviness invaded her limbs.

  Obey him.

  No. This wasn’t right. She tried to fight the feeling.

  He moved his free hand to the front of her throat, his mouth down to her ear.

  “Who do you belong to?”

  She didn’t answer. She couldn’t. Biting the inside of her cheek, she stood there, unable to move.

  Thump-thump-thump.

  Her heart raced. The taste of copper filled her mouth.

  He pushed himself against her.

  “Obviously, you don’t know. That’s my fault . . . ”

  What was going on here? What did he think he was doing?

  “Jason—”

  “Pike.”

  My woman calls me Pike. She shook her head. A sob built inside her.

  “I can’t. You have to let me go.”

  “No.”

  “Where is this even coming from?” she whispered. She wanted to scream. Why hadn’t he made a move before now? Why now? When she couldn’t do anything about it? When her life wasn’t her own?

  She had to get rid of him. Even if she broke herself doing it.

  “You know it’s been building. Don’t tell me you haven’t felt it because I’ve seen the looks you give me. I know you feel the same. My mistake was moving too slow.”

  Maybe she should have been frightened or angry. He was big. He was being aggressive. Possessive.

  Things she hated in Maxwell.

  And craved in someone else. Someone who actually cared. Who put her needs first. Giving her what she required.

  Firmness tempered with tenderness.

  Love with unwavering loyalty.

  It was something she’d give back ten times over, for the right man. Unfortunately, she’d never met the right man.

  Or maybe she had. Just at the wrong fucking time.

  “Let me go.”

  “No. You’re coming with me.”

  “Okay, how did I never know that you were fucking insane? I’m not coming with you.”

  “You are.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why? Tell me what he threatened you with and I’ll take care of it. Who is Luc Darrins to you? How do you know him?”

  She closed her eyes, leaning her forehead against the wall. She wished she could tell him everything. “Someone’s going to come looking for me.”

  “I’ve taken care of that, but we do have to get out of here soon.”

  What did that mean? He’d taken care of it? How?

  “You’re not listening, I can’t go with you.”

  “I’m l
istening.” Gently, he spun her around to face him. He cupped her bruised cheek, staring down at her. “Just don’t like what I’m hearing.”

  “Jason.”

  “Pike,” he reminded her.

  “You need to leave.”

  “You’re coming with me.”

  “No.”

  He leaned down, placed his face up against hers to whisper in her ear. “Don’t like the word no, especially from your lips.”

  “Well, get used to it. Because I use it a lot.”

  Why did she always have to save everyone? Why couldn’t someone save her?

  That’s what he was trying to do. Only he couldn’t save her because this world wasn’t one he could handle. This wasn’t some MC with rules and a good leader. This was hell.

  And she wasn’t dragging him in here with her.

  “Every time you tell me no, I might just have to retaliate,” he warned.

  “Have you had some sort of personality transplant?” she blurted out.

  “Something like that. I was given some bad advice about how I should act and now I’m disregarding that. You could say that this is the real me.”

  “I’m not sure I like the real you.”

  He gave her a knowing look. “Lying to me isn’t a good idea. That will end with a hot ass.”

  “Yeah? I get to spank you, huh? You should have led with that. Always thought I’d make a good Domme.”

  He ran a thumb over her lip. “Don’t even start with me. We both know who is the dominant one and it’s not you.”

  His gaze moved over her, darkening. “I prefer your usual wardrobe. Much as I like the view, I don’t want anyone else staring at what’s mine.”

  She preferred her usual wardrobe too. This tight, sequined dress barely covered her nipples and if she bent over, she had to be careful not to flash her bare ass. Apparently, Maxwell didn’t want to supply her with panties. She missed her denim and tight tops, and . . . what? Staring at what was his?

  “I’m not yours,” she hissed.

  “You are,” he countered.

  “Did you get hit on the head? Have you been drugged? What the fuck is wrong with you?”

  He opened his mouth, but a knock on the door interrupted him before he could say anything. Probably just as well. If he said anything more caveman and possessive, she was likely to knee him in the balls.

  She shot a frightened look at the door. “You need to hide. I’ve been gone too long. I’ll take care of this. Just hide until you can leave.” She pushed him towards the toilet cubicle.

  He grasped hold of her neck again. “No.”

  Fuck.

  “I don’t like the word no, either.” She glared up at him.

  “Tough.”

  Tough? Seriously! If this wasn’t such a bad situation she might have kicked him in the shin for that.

  “Besides, it’s not who you think it is. It’s a sign for us to go.”

  “I’m not leaving with you, Jason.”

  Who knew that he’d have a tic by his eye when he got mad? But there it was. Beat. Beat. Beat.

  “You are. Even if I have to carry you.”

  He had to go. All that mattered to her right then was that he was safe.

  Him and everyone else she had to protect.

  When did the safety of the world come down to her? She had thin shoulders, she couldn’t bear it all.

  Stop whining.

  Taking a big breath, she stood tall. She had to make him leave and never return.

  “And you’ll end up getting shot or worse. Because Luc doesn’t like when someone else touches me.”

  “Luc,” he said quietly, his eyes narrowing.

  “Yes, the guy I’m here with. You best go before he finds you. He’s the jealous type.”

  “Jealous?”

  “Yes, nobody is threatening me. I’m here because I want to be.”

  “You want to be.”

  What was up with him? Why did he keep repeating things she said?

  “You want to be with him.” He tilted his head to the side, studying her.

  Fuck. This was hard. So hard.

  She wanted to scream her denial. Of course she didn’t want to be with him. He was a fucking psychopath who was ruining her life, who hurt those around her, who . . .

  Vault. Put it in.

  “I came here to be with him. So whatever you think is between us, I’m sorry, but it’s all in your head. I don’t want you. I don’t care about you. I’m with Luc and you need to leave before he sees you here and kills you.”

  She turned away, towards the door. Just keep moving. Don’t look back. Don’t think about what you’re leaving behind.

  This is for the best.

  “Sunny misses you. She’s terrified something bad has happened to you.”

  She paused. Swallowed. But didn’t turn. Fuck, it hurt. It hurt so bad that she almost bent over. She almost collapsed under the weight of all the agony, of everything she had to carry.

  This wasn’t fair.

  Life isn’t fair. Now stop whining.

  That bitchy voice stopped her from falling down. So did the thought of what would happen to Jason if she didn’t get him to go. She couldn’t have his death on her conscience. She could take what Maxwell dished out to her, but she wouldn’t have him hurt anyone that was hers.

  That included the huge, stubborn man standing behind her.

  “Tell her I’m fine.”

  “Tell her yourself. Call her. If you’re really here of your own free will that shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

  She closed her eyes briefly. Fuck. That bastard knew exactly what he was doing, didn’t he?

  Suddenly, he was at her back, the heat of him infusing the chill that had settled deep in her bones.

  “I find it weird.”

  She had her hand on the door handle. Jesus, just go, Jewel. Don’t make this harder.

  “What?” She forced her voice to go cold.

  “That for someone who chose to come here, to be with that asshole, that you look so fucking miserable. He. Hit. You.”

  “That wasn’t him. It was someone else. He defended me.”

  Why did he have to smell so damn good? Why couldn’t he smell like old gym socks?

  He brushed her hair away and placed his lips on her neck. “Liar.”

  This was madness. What if Maxwell walked in and found them? What if he had cameras in here? She wouldn’t put it past him.

  He would destroy Jason.

  So yeah, she should step away. She definitely shouldn’t just stand there and let him kiss his way up her neck towards her ear.

  “I’m not lying.”

  “I’ve watched you for a long time, Jewel. It’s what I’m good at. What I’m not good with are words. So actions will have to do.”

  His arm came around her waist, pulling her firmly back against him. “We’ll deal with your lying later. I know you’re doing it because you think you need to protect everyone around you. But you don’t. I’m not leaving you here. Even if I have to knock you out and carry you.”

  Terror filled her. She couldn’t let him do that. Turning, she glared up at him. “You do that and I’ll never forgive you. Understand me? There is stuff going on you know nothing about and if you do that then he will kill someone I love. And that cannot happen.”

  For the first time, doubt entered his eyes.

  Quickly, she turned and grabbed the door handle.

  “Jewel,” he said in a low voice.

  Please, stop talking. Stop forcing me to be the bad guy.

  “Jason, you’re delusional if you think I want to go with you.” She glanced over her shoulder. “You’re nothing to me. I don’t know why you’ve developed this obsession with me, but you need to get over it. I don’t want you.”

  God, those words.

  They hurt. They hurt so bad that it felt like she couldn’t breathe. She wanted to take them back, to fling herself into his arms.

  “Take care of yourself,” he warned. br />
  Fuck. Fuck.

  Instead of throwing herself at him, she unlocked the door and darted out into the passage. She had no idea where her guard was. Should she wait for him or go back to Maxwell?

  “There you are.”

  She nearly jumped at his voice. Fuck. Shit.

  She needed to steer him away from the bathroom.

  “Where have you been? Where’s Rich?” Maxwell asked.

  He grabbed her arm, holding it so hard she knew it would bruise.

  “I don’t know where Rich is. Maybe he got sick of waiting for me and left. I was just coming out to find you.”

  His eyes narrowed. “What took you so long?”

  “I still have an upset stomach from the drugs you gave me. I was busy puking my guts up.”

  He shook her. “That excuse is getting old fast and it’s not going to save you.”

  She swallowed, her mouth dry.

  “Blame whoever drugged me. It’s not my fault.”

  He shoved her against the wall. His fingers on her shoulders gripped tight, inflicting more bruises. She was going to be black and blue tomorrow. His hold was so different from Jason’s. Jason’s touch didn’t bruise. He didn’t move her around to intimidate her. Well, he did but not in the same way. Maxwell did it because he was a violent psycho, while Jason . . .

  Fuck, she was starting to think that she knew nothing about Jason.

  Until tonight, she’d have said that Jason didn’t have a dominant bone in his body. He was always in the background, watching, observant and quiet.

  Seems you might have misread him.

  The man in that bathroom wasn’t the man she knew.

  But she wanted to. Her pussy was wet, her clit throbbing. His calm dominance had nothing on Maxwell’s manic violence.

  Suddenly, Rich lumbered out of a room down the passage. He was rubbing at his head. He moved from side to side, nearly banging into the walls.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you?” Maxwell demanded. “Where have you been? You were supposed to be watching her!”

  “I don’t know. I woke up in the cleaner’s room. I don’t remember going there. I think there was a woman.”

  “So you didn’t do your fucking job because of a piece of ass? Is that what you’re saying? What? She offered you a blow job so you left your post and snuck into the closet with her?”

  Maybe she should have felt sorry for him, but this was one of Maxwell’s guys. Meaning he wasn’t a good guy.