She awkwardly patted Gabriella. “No problem, and with Ronnie joining us, David will still have a date and a better one than Cristal could ever hope to be.”
“Thanks Jo,” Ronnie whispered next to her.
“That’s what family does.” Wiggling from Gabriella’s grip, Jo straightened her dress. “Now let’s go wow the men.”
~ ~ ~
They turned onto the road that led to their home.
“I can’t believe you got rid of Cristal without a big arrest scene and you found the perfect woman for David all in less than fifteen minutes,” Rhys said.
“What can I say? I was motivated. I did not want our Valentine’s turning into a grade-A disaster again. As for Cristal, I hope you won’t get pissed at me, but I sicced Narcotics on her. She’s dealing dope out of her shops, and that’s unacceptable. Parents go there with their kids, and those women who pay her rent for their booths trust her. Hicks and Nyles will weed out those employees who helped stash and distribute the drugs and those that are innocent.”
Rhys raised their linked hands, and he pressed a kiss to the back of hers. “My hero.” He pressed a button, the garage door rolled up, and they parked.
Unwilling to let her out of the car, he held her hand tighter while pressing the button to close the garage door. “Now, I believe a red bustier was mentioned . . . ”
Jo laughed as she lunged for the door. “Think we’ll make it to the kitchen?”
He grabbed her before she’d rounded the hood of his Audi. “I doubt it. I think my car could use a polish.”
Her breath left her with a whoosh when he tossed her on the cold metal. “Jesus Rhys, it’s freezing.”
“I’ll warm you up.” He held her in place by covering her with his body.
Lost in the heat of him, she could only gasp “okay” as he staked his claim. Her jacket slid from her arms providing an ineffectual barrier between her and the cold metal. He dragged the dress from her leaving her in the bustier with the sheer thigh-high stockings held up by the thin straps of her garter belt. She had a moment of doubt when Rhys stepped away from her. Bright colors were not her. And harlot red was bright enough to attract a bull from a mile away. Worried, she raised her gaze to his. A blazing inferno lived in his gaze as it snapped over her, melting her. Each place his eyes touched left an electrical sizzle as he tore his clothes from his body and yanked her rear to the edge of the hood.
Overwhelmed with sensation and tuned into Rhys on a molecular level, she felt him still, sending an icy tendril of doubt back into her. “What?” Was she making a fool of herself with the lingerie? Had she dented the hood?
“No condom.”
Oh. A bright smile replaced the frown. “I have one in my purse.” She had barely said ‘purse’ before he dropped to the concrete floor fumbling inside her handbag. “Watch the gun, you wouldn’t want it to go off.”
His head popped up over the hood. “Are you talking about me or an actual gun?”
Jo laughed. “An actual gun. You have better control.”
“Damn right I do,” he grumbled, turning it into a crow of triumph as held the small package aloft.
The teasing helped cool her and allowed them to build the heat again. When he finally pushed into her, she was so lost in him, she couldn’t find where she ended and he began.
Chapter 15
Overcast and rainy February flowed into March that fluctuated between cold and warm as if trying to shake off winter. Jo lost hope of ever finding Lucy. Fear had seeped into her family. Rian and Evan were so paranoid about Lucy coming to kill them in their sleep, the two had barely left the house. Lisa, Rhys, Jo and her family had tried everything they could think of, but the boys weren’t budging. They still went to GlenCare since they felt that was secure, but restaurants, shopping, or the movies were out.
To find a balance, Joseph worked with them every other day on hand to hand. While he taught the boys, Juliette and Jo’s family helped by taking Lisa and Charlotte, the new helper, to the gun range. Jenna had beefed up their security so it couldn’t be hacked from outside and hired two new guards that monitored it and patrolled the grounds.
All of it provided peace of mind for Jo and Rhys but not for Rian and Evan. But for her life moved on and one of the most challenging meetings of her life was today. Her nerves were getting the best of her with her dry mouth and churning stomach that felt like a Tilt a Whirl on speed. The closer they came to their destination the more she struggled to find her calm.
“You’re quiet over there,” Rhys said, taking a right deeper into downtown banking district.
“Just nervous.”
“Why?”
They had needed to kill time after their bank trip this morning and had gone to their favorite bistro where they had dragged their lunch out as long as possible. Even with lunch lasting more than an hour, they would still be early. Jo lifted the coffee and took a sip as she formed an answer. “I don’t know what to expect, I’ve never been to Joseph’s house. Do you think it’s done in silver and black with guns and grenades?”
“I don’t think his guns and grenades will be displayed, otherwise guests could walk out the door with them.”
She was more nervous about going to her father’s house than going to the bank this morning. Seeing how much Rhys was worth had left her gasping for breath and reeling when he’d put her name on everything. Every account, every piece of property, and into the will to watch after Rian should something happen to Rhys. To be trusted with his brother had
