Our War (The Family Book 4) Read online

  “I’m offering you everything.”

  “But love.”

  “Love is an overrated emotion. Now, if you would like we can go to hating each other and spending every single moment wishing we were elsewhere. Or we can form a truce.”

  “A truce?”

  “One that gives us both pleasure and makes this situation easier.”

  “Do you think that is even possible?”

  “Anything is possible. I don’t want to lose you, and I refuse to spend the rest of my life hating it and you. Unless of course you’re a bitch, but I’ve got a feeling you’re not.”

  She gritted her teeth and refused to tell him a thing.

  “You can hate me all you want. The truth is the truth, and I checked you out.”

  “You had me investigated?”

  “Of course, I did. Why wouldn’t I? I was about to marry a woman I knew nothing about, but I think I know enough now. You help the homeless even though your father hates you doing it. You also have a thing for abandoned pets, and you’re always trying to save them. You don’t work, but your charity work keeps you busy. I was surprised to find that you weren’t some pampered princess.”

  “I do not need your approval.”

  “Fine by me. You’re not getting it. I’ve got a shitload of work to get through. I don’t want to think about my lonely wife waiting at home. You won’t be fucking anyone else but me, just so you know.”

  She rolled her eyes. “This is messed up. You have to admit this is messed up. I didn’t want to get married.”

  “I didn’t want to be part of The Family that sold its women to the highest bidder. I watched that happen, and I know it nearly destroyed my friend. I have no intention of letting our children be auctioned off. This is a business deal, and even though neither of us like it, we can make this work,” Jake said.

  The music came to a stop, and he took her hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. Part of her wanted to tear her hand away and glare at him. What use would that be? Besides the fact it would make a scene, he was offering her a chance to actually be happy.

  She nodded at him and removed her hand, leaving the dancefloor. Smiling at their guests, she left the hotel’s main room, and rushed out, going toward the street. Holding onto the wall at the side of the hotel, she pressed a hand to her stomach. She felt sick, scared, tired, and she didn’t have the first clue what she was going to do.

  The choices had been taken from her. This was all her father’s instruction of what he wanted from her. It wasn’t fair. She hated it and wished there was a way to fight back.

  “Baby,” her mother said, coming up behind her.

  Tulip rubbed her arms, trying to offer her comfort. “I know you’re not happy right now, and for that I’m sorry.”

  “Mom, don’t. You married Dad because you loved him. I don’t even like that man in there, and yet I’m married to him. Bound to this stupid relationship, and I’m scared.” She would never admit her feelings to anyone else but her mother.

  “Jake’s a good man, Emily. Your father loves you, and he wouldn’t have done this with just anyone. I promise you. We’re going to keep an eye on you. Nothing bad will happen. You never know, maybe you will fall in love with Jake.”

  “Yeah, and hell will freeze over.”

  Chapter Two

  “Stop looking at me as if I’m going to pounce on you. It’s not going to happen. I don’t believe in rape, and I’m getting tired of telling you,” Jake said, glancing over his cards to stare at her.

  “This is not exactly how I imagined my wedding night.”

  “Me neither, but then we can’t be too choosy about what we do. Neither of us has that power.” He picked up the card, saw it was a jack instead of a king, and put it down. “Your father has told me that we’re going to be honeymooning on his island.”

  “What?”

  “Yes. It’s a rare treat, or so I’ve been told. Something for us both to enjoy. We’ll be in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by vast oceans, beautiful views, and a beach house where we can get to know each other.”

  “Yay.”

  “I was about as thrilled as you were. Still, everything is arranged so we can go tomorrow.”

  “Did my dad threaten you?”

  “No. He merely told me that a man takes charge of his future and his happiness. We want this to work, so we are going to do just that, make it work.” He looked at Emily as she bit the corner of her lip. The pins holding up her blonde tresses had been removed, and she looked every inch the beautiful bride. She looked more like she was the kind to run away. He was sure if Tulip hadn’t gone outside when she had, there was a chance Emily would have run. No matter, he’d have followed her anyway. There were times when he had been trained by his father, and learned the stuff about The Family that he had wanted to run and hide.

  Tonio, Donnie, and Luiz all kept him sane.

  “We’re going?”

  “Yes, we’re going. It’ll be good. Your mother has already packed you a bag, and it would be totally rude not to go.”

  “You care about being rude to someone?” she asked.

  He chuckled. “Not so much. Some people don’t listen.”

  Emily won the game of cards, and he smiled, taking a sip of his whiskey. They had left the wedding party an hour ago. He’d carried her over the threshold, and rather than get naked to fuck, they were playing cards.

  “Is that dress irritating?” he asked.

  “It is, but I don’t know how to get out of it. My mom, and your friends’ wives helped me into it. I don’t even have a clue where to start.”

  He started laughing. “Stand up, turn around.”

  “You’re not taking my dress off.”

  “I’m going to help you. Stop being a worrywart, Mrs. Carter.” It was the first time he called her by her new name. She was his wife, and instead of being repulsed, he liked it.

  She turned so her back was to him. “This is really strange.”

  “How so?”

  “I don’t know. I didn’t expect our wedding night to go like this. I don’t know anything about you.”

  “Nothing is going to happen that you don’t want. I can promise you that.” He tugged on the strings that kept the bodice together. It was a beautiful white dress, and it had taken every single ounce of control that he possessed not to stare at her all day.

  “Do you ever think of running away?” she asked.

  “I did once. We all did. Luiz, Tonio, Donnie, and myself. That’s all we ever wanted. A fresh start away from all the danger and the risks of war. To make sure our families were taken care of.”

  “Did you want children?”

  “Someday. Do you dream of running away?” he asked, curious once more.

  “Yes, I do. I love my parents and my family. There’s a time that my father talks about, and it makes me wish that we could go back there.”

  “What time?”

  “After he was disposed of. When he became a no one. He told me that no one knew but a few that he was alive. For several years, he lived with that freedom, and then slowly, he began to build his own army.”

  Jake chuckled. “Is that how you see us, two armies?”

  “Is it not the case?”

  “I guess it is.”

  “What about you? What about your family? I didn’t see anyone there, your father, your mother?”

  “I have no one.”

  “You’re an orphan? Is that why you’re close to the others?”

  Jake paused. “I’m not an orphan. I had a family. I don’t anymore. My father was a traitor, and he tried to reject the four of us. We had a plan for The Family, and we intended to see it through. My father betrayed us, and I killed him.”

  Silence fell as he spoke.

  “Do you miss him?” she asked a few seconds later.

  “No.”

  “Surely you must miss him. Even though my father decided to sell me for peace in the name of marriage, I wouldn’t want to see anything bad ha
ppen to him. He is my father, and regardless of what your dad did, you must love him.”

  Jake paused. The main bodice opened up revealing a pale, unblemished back. She had full hips and a generous curve to her ass. Emily was a fuller figured woman, with nice tits and ass. He’d noticed that about her the first time he met her. He’d also noticed her kind eyes, even as she was trying to put on a cold bitch show. She was a beautiful woman.

  “I didn’t love my parents, Emily. From a young age, I was taught that my life was expendable. Our parents were always trying to keep us apart. I was simply a guard to take the bullet meant for my friends. We found a bond in our hatred of our lifestyle. They are my family, and that is why I will never run. They will not leave, and I will not leave them. They need me.” He ran his fingers down her back, and he heard her sigh.

  “You’re touching me.”

  “You’re not telling me to stop.” But he pulled away, giving himself space.

  Emily turned, holding her bodice against her chest. “You really don’t miss them.”

  “Where you love your father, and he spent Christmas and your birthday with you, loving you, handing you toys and stuff, my father gave me a beating. He taught me how to be hurt, and how to take the pain without saying a word. I would be cut and bleeding badly in a cold, darkened room, and he would leave me for days without any food or water. That was my memory. Every single birthday was a step closer to that fated day that I would take my place within The Family. He was a good dad I guess. He didn’t disown me.”

  “Is that the kind of life you’re wanting to keep?”

  Jake shook his head. “You can think what you want. We wanted a different way of life. All four of us wanted to leave The Family behind. Start afresh.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  She was so naive.

  “Someone is always willing to take our place, Emily. Monsters that hurt women and children. We decided that together we’re the lesser of two evils.” He ran fingers through his hair. “I need a drink.”

  He made to pass her, but she caught his arm, halting him. The angle that he stood gave him a clear view of her cleavage. There was only so much a man could take, and he was hanging on by a thread.

  “What part do you play?”

  Jake stared at her, waiting for her to flinch away. “You really want to know?”

  “I don’t want to be in the dark. I’m a big girl. I can handle this.”

  He smiled and reached out to touch her chin. Running his thumb across her lips, he wondered how much he could push her. Just be honest. “I handle the soldiers. Seeing as I was always supposed to be one, it makes perfect sense. I deal with the drugs as well. I handle distribution, and I make sure none of that shit hits back at us.”

  Her lip trembled.

  “I’m not a good person, Emily. Don’t even think for a second that you married someone good. I’m not. I’ve killed people and laughed while I did. I’m never going to be perfect, and you know what? I don’t care. I’m going to be a good man to you, a good husband. Go and get showered. If you want to play more games, then I’ll see you back here in twenty minutes.”

  With that, he left their hotel room. He needed to clear his head.

  Being a married man wasn’t how he imagined. Emily was proving to be different from what he expected.

  He liked her.

  ****

  Emily didn’t linger as she changed into a pair of jeans and a long shirt. They were comfortable, and right now that was exactly what she was after. She removed each of the flowers that had been placed in her hair, and wiped the makeup from her face.

  As she changed each little part of her, it was like she was removing the fake, and allowing for the real her to shine through, which she liked. She had never been one to wear makeup, not liking the feel of it on her skin.

  Leaving her hair down, she put some slippers onto her feet, and made her way out to find Jake already there.

  “Are you ready to play?” he asked.

  The innuendo was clear even as he shuffled the cards.

  “Yes, I am, and I’ve been thinking about what you said, and I’m sorry about your dad and about your childhood.”

  “No need to be sorry. It’s what helped me become the man I am today.”

  “A man determined to do everything it takes for his friends?”

  “You got it.” He started to deal out the cards. “Please don’t be worried. I’m happy with the way I am. I won’t keep any secrets from you. That I can promise you.”

  She nodded. “I was wondering what you thought about ground rules?”

  “Ground rules?”

  “Yeah, to make this marriage work. We didn’t want to be part of it, but I have to say as much as I hate to admit it, I do in fact, see the benefits of it.”

  “This should be good. What rules do you have?”

  “I know my parents had them, and it helped keep them together for over twenty years and they’re happy.”

  “I can see that they are happy. I never thought I’d be the kind of guy to follow rules.”

  She chuckled. It was strange to actually be having fun with him. It wasn’t something she ever imagined when she thought of him. He was even smiling at her, which was a step up from the constant growl he seemed to keep.

  “I don’t want you to keep anything from me. I’m your wife, and I made a vow today. I intend to keep that vow. I will never tell another living soul what we discuss, not even my father.”

  “What if he asks?”

  “I’ll tell him I’m a married woman, and he wouldn’t want Mom spilling his secrets, so don’t expect me to.”

  Jake sat back, taking another swig of his whiskey. “I underestimated you.”

  “And so did my father. If for a second he thought he could use me against you, he’s mistaken. Not that I think that. My dad is an honorable man. It’s what got him hurt in the first place from your parents.”

  “I’m aware of that now. Donnie, Luiz, Tonio, and I, we want to make this work. For the longest time people have thought we’re just a bunch of kids that don’t know what they’re doing. They’re wrong. We’re strong, we know what we’re doing, and we’re determined.”

  “I saw the respect my father had for you. He won’t underestimate you. You mentioned that you dealt with the drugs.”

  “I do.”

  “I don’t want you to ever take them. I’ve seen what can happen to people who become addicted I do not want that for you.”

  “You’re worrying about me, Emily?”

  She sighed and took his whiskey from him, taking a sip herself. “I’m in a marriage I didn’t want. I don’t know how many times you want me to tell you that, but I am. I’m trying to make the most of this the best way I can. Is that so hard to believe?”

  “You’re very passionate.”

  “Life has taught me that I have to be to get what I want.”

  “What is it you want?”

  “I want to be happy. That’s what I want. I don’t want to live my life feeling utterly miserable.”

  Silence met her answer, and Jake took back his whiskey.

  “I can understand what you want, and I will agree to it.” She watched as his throat gulped down his whiskey, draining the glass. “I won’t be taking the product that I sell. I promise you I don’t need that shit to make me happy.”

  “Good. Thank you.”

  “Another rule?” he asked.

  “I want you to be home at a reasonable time every single night. We want to make this work, I’ve got to find some way to like you, and you need to find some way to like me.”

  The smile on his lips turned him into a rather handsome man. No, she refused to think about what it did to his looks.

  Jake was a sexy man. He knew it, and so did she.

  “You know that could get me some stick from the other guys.”

  “I’m not married to the other guys. I don’t care what they say.”

  “Deal. I’ll do it.”

  �
��Good.”

  “Anything else?” Jake asked.

  “I’ve got lots more.”

  “I want to hear them then,” he said, pouring them both another glass of whiskey. He handed her one, and she thanked him, draining the glass.

  “You must put the toilet seat up. If you’re drunk, don’t stand up to take a piss. I don’t want to have to deal with that mess. I don’t care if we have a housekeeper or whatever. I know what I like, and pissy toilets isn’t one of them. Next, don’t drink out of the milk cartoon. It’s gross,and rude. Only ever use your own toothbrush. Don’t cheat on me. I like to help with the crossword puzzle—”

  Jake held his hand up. “I told you I wouldn’t cheat.”

  “You were in love with someone else,” she said.

  “I’m not in love with her. Besides the fact she loves pussy, I realized a long time ago that I simply cared for her. I mistook that caring for actual love. It’s not. She’s gone, and I don’t miss her.”

  “Oh,” she said. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. I don’t miss her. I don’t wait for her call or anything. I don’t even call her anymore. She calls me. I won’t cheat on you.”

  “Okay.”

  “So now that you have made your demands, I think it’s only fair that I make mine.” Jake moved from his chair to sit next to her.

  She bit her lip as he sat close. He’d removed his jacket and was only in a crisp white shirt, and his pants. The top buttons of his shirt were already undone, and she was finding it difficult to concentrate on anything else but him.

  “What do you want?” she asked.

  “I like your demands. I know neither of us wanted this, but we’re here now, and I intend to make the most of it. I will be home in time for dinner. Can you cook?”

  “Yeah, I can.”

  “That’s good. I love good food. If not the other guys’ wives will show you what I like.”

  She found that particularly funny. “You’d make them teach me?”

  “Yes. How else would you learn?”

  Holding her hands up, she nodded. “Fine. What is it you would like?” she asked.

  “I want you to be happy, and one day I want kids. I know you’re not wanting sex tonight, but one day soon, I’m going to want it. I’m a man, I have needs, and I don’t believe in taking what I want.”