Joseph (23 page)

Ember paid the cab driver and then turned back to look at the impressive villa he’d dropped her at. Twice she clarified the mansion was the correct address. The red Spanish tile roof topped the white stucco finish of a facade bordered by perfectly manicured greenery. A grand stairway of granite led up to a double oak and glass door boasting ornate iron scrolls throughout the wall of windows on either side of the door. Ember put the key Joey had left her into the lock and sighed, closing her eyes momentarily when the tumbler turned. She pushed the door open. Joey’s home sprawled in its reserved splendor in front of her. The character of the home was so like the man it brought instant tears to her eyes. The white marble floor flowed throughout the great room first floor. The furnishings of oversized couches covered in soft brown leather reminded her of the furniture in his Wyoming cabin. The fireplace mantel boasted a massive painting of a brilliant blue ocean hosting a gala of brightly colored boats. Splashes of the same bright colors were used as an accent in the formal dining room and in the obscenely large kitchen. The home’s open concept allowed for an unobstructed view of the pounding surf from every room.

“Excuse me, Miss?”

Ember jumped and screamed. Her hand flew up to her chest. The small woman wearing a maid’s uniform held up a hand. “I’m so sorry, Miss! Forgive me, please. We expected you later. Your flight must have come in early.”

Ember sucked in a lungful of air. Her knees shook as adrenaline from the shock pounded through her system. “You’re expecting me? I…I wasn’t expecting
you
!”

The little woman smiled. Creases in her face bunched around her eyes and mouth. “Oh Miss, didn’t Mr. King tell you?”

That statement knotted Ember’s gut, pulling hard against her barely existent emotional control. “Ah…no. No, he didn’t.”

“That’s okay. Mr. King gave us explicit instructions, Miss. I am Consuela, your maid, and cook. My husband, Jose, he is the gardener, handyman, and chauffeur. He is not here right now, but he will return soon.”

“Wait. You work here? For me?” Ember had planned on staying long enough to see the stars and leave. She had booked a hotel for one night and had a purchased a return ticket for tomorrow. Joey had provided a one-way ticket in the packet Chief had given her.

“Why yes, of course, Miss. Please follow me to your room. I have everything arranged just as Mr. King directed.”

Ember fell behind the little woman and then stopped. “No, wait. I’m not staying here. I have reservations at a hotel in Orjanstad.”

The tiny woman stopped and cocked her head at Ember. The smile on her face was nothing less than angelic. “You
have
had a long day have you not? Why don’t you take a nice relaxing bath? Everything has already been arranged just as Mr. King directed. Orjanstad? Too many tourists, too much noise and traffic. Not what is needed for you tonight.”

Ember shook her head. “I don’t think so. I came here to look at the stars from the balcony. I’ll leave after that.”

Consuela looked at her and blinked rapidly as if what Ember said didn’t compute. “Yes, Miss, the balcony is upstairs off the Master’s bedroom. That’s where I’m taking you.”

“Oh. Alright, lead the way.”

The older woman beamed at Ember. “Yes, Miss, please this way?”

Ember followed the diminutive woman up a wrought iron stairway to the second story. The woman led her down a protracted travertine hallway to the only door on the right-hand side. The maid smiled and curtsied. “Here you are, Miss. If you have a need of me, please dial two on the phone.”

Ember’s brow creased as she watched the elfin-like woman walk away. A tendril of distrust ignited into a small flame. Something didn’t feel right. Tentatively, Ember opened the door and peeked into the bedroom. The entire beach side view of the second floor opened to the panoramic vista. A king sized bed faced the majestic seascape but was dwarfed by the vista of nature heralded through the vast expanse of open balcony. The sea breeze pushed white silk curtains to and fro gently. Gossamer canopy fabric stirred against the bulky wooden bed frame. Ember walked as if in a trance across the room and directly out onto the balcony. The expanse of royal blue ocean kissed soft puffs of white clouds and hypnotized with its beauty.

The sound of voices pulled her eyes away from the panorama. A white arch and seats in rows had been erected on the beach past the mansion’s pool on the white sand beach. Ember held onto the banister and swung out looking to the right. A few men walked towards the far end of the estate. Another massive house stood next to Joseph’s. Someone was planning a wedding. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and willed the thoughts of her loss to the back of her mind.

She cautioned herself, “Tonight. Just make it through this evening.”

The sea breeze swirled around her. A small whiff of a familiar scent popped her eyes open. She tensed immediately and then crumpled. It was his bedroom. Of course, it would smell like him. If she didn’t turn around she wouldn’t have to admit he wasn’t really here. She could pretend, just for tonight.

“Oh, Joey. I miss you so damn much.” Ember’s words could barely carry the weight of her loss.

“I missed you too, Baby Girl.”

Ember twisted violently at the shock of the spoken words. He stood at the edge of the bedroom. Grasping the balcony’s top rail to keep on her feet, Ember couldn’t move. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t think. “How? What?”

Joey walked out of the room and dropped to his knee. Holding a ring in his hand, he looked up at her and smiled. “Baby Girl, we’re free. Will you marry me?”

Her non-stop emotional roller coaster sent her on a final loop she couldn’t keep up with. Black swirled before her eyes and the world shifted radically.

*

Joseph lurched forward and caught Ember as she fainted. He lifted her into his arms and carried her to their bed.
Great fucking work, King, save her life, then shock her to death.
Her freckles stood in sharp relief due to the pallor of her skin. The dark circles under her eyes tore at his gut. He wanted to go to her, to contact her, but they had to be sure neither he, nor she, was followed or targeted. Guardian had provided surveillance from the second she left the ranch. Fury’s demise had shocked the international community and several deep probes had attempted to disprove his death. None had succeeded. He was free to be Joseph King.
Whoever the hell that was.

He laid her down carefully and checked her pulse. It beat strong and true. Color slowly crept back into her features.
He bolted into the bathroom and dampened a washcloth. Returning to the bed, he sat down beside her and gently stroked her face with the cool rag.

Ember woke in stages. The fluttering of her eyes under her eyelids and a quickening in her breathing signaled her return. A slight roll of her head and a deep breath preceded what he knew to be her mind finally engaging. He moved aside quickly when she bolted upright, almost colliding with him. He grabbed her arms and pulled her to him. “It’s all right little one. I’m here. I have you. We’re safe.”

Her body shook violently in his arms. Her hands lifted and she cautiously touched his shoulders. A muffled sob against his chest preceded her vicelike grip around his neck. Pulling her long legs across his lap, he stroked her hair and rocked her while she cried.

Ember pulled away from him. She knelt on the bed and touched his face. “You’re alive? You’re really alive?”

Joseph nodded right before a punch caught his chin and twisted his head violently.

“You Prick! You’re alive! You sadistic son of a bitch! You’re alive and you didn’t tell me! I thought you were dead! How dare you? Of all the vile, demented….bullshit things to do! The whole world thinks you’re dead!” She pushed away from him as she spit the accusations.

Okay, you deserved that one King.
Joseph slowly brought his face back around to the front of his body. He moved his chin carefully.
Damn, she packs a punch.

She doubled up again and reared back. “How could you!”

He blocked her next attempt at smacking him into next week. Joseph grabbed both her hands pulling them together, holding her immobile. He put his face directly in front of hers and forced her to look at him. “Em, think about what you just said. The entire world thinks Fury is dead.
Fury
. Is. Dead.”

“No, you’re not! You’re right here! You’re alive and I’m so damn mad at you!” Her struggle to free herself from his grasp continued.

He grabbed her chin with his free hand and held it in what had to be a painful grip. “Ember Lyn Harris, damn it, shut up for two seconds and listen to me! The assassin, Fury, is dead. I’m not him any longer.” His shouted words shocked her into stillness.

He watched as the realization of what he said sunk in. Ember shrieked and launched from her knees forward pinning him beneath her body reigning kisses down on his face. Laughing at her, he pulled her down to him and rolled over trapping her against the bed.

“So how about it, Baby Girl?”

Ember stroked the chin she had punched moments before. Her eyes locked with his and the depth of her emotion hit him harder than her doubled up fist ever could.

“How about what?” Her cheeks were flushed. When she licked her lips and pulled the bottom one in between her teeth, his hips punched forward automatically.

“Will you marry me tonight?”

“Tonight?” He loved it when her voice squeaked with surprise like that.

“Tonight. The whole family is here. You actually flew in with Jasmine and Jade. They said you didn’t seem to notice them.”

“I did? They’re here? All of them?”

“Not here. They are staying at a resort in Orjanstad. I thought we might need our privacy.” Joseph dropped his eyes to her mouth. He slowly pressed his lips against hers and licked his way inside her delicious mouth. The fresh, clean taste and scent of his woman combined to wreck his carefully prepared agenda. With the last of his resolve, he lifted away.

“It was a test of sorts. If their travel incited any chatter in the community, I wouldn’t have been able to reveal myself to you. There was zero interest. We are free, baby girl. Now are you going to make me ask you again?”

Her eyebrow arched ever so slightly. “Maybe. I’m still mad at you.”

He lowered again and pressed into his kiss driving his tongue into her forcing her surrender. When she mewled, he ran his hand down her side tucking it under her ass squeezing the soft globe. “You can be mad at me. Mad sex with you would be awesome, but you still have to marry me.”

Her swift intake of breath and hips grinding against his cock notched his need up into the stratosphere. “You want me, Ember?”

He watched the flush of red overtake her chest, neck, and face. His grip tightened and he pulled her closer grinding into her. Her breathless “Yes” drifted to him.

“Tell me you’ll marry me, baby and I’ll make love to you.” He nipped the creamy white skin exposed at her neckline.

“That’s blackmail!” Her accusation lost all credibility when she ground against his cock and groaned.

“True.” Joseph rolled her on top of him. He grabbed both cheeks bringing her legs as far as her tight skirt would allow on either side of him and pumped up against her core. “Give me my ransom, wench.”

Ember threw her head back and laughed. The happiness in her expression and the sound of joy in her laughter made all the sacrifices of the last six months’ worth the price.

“Alright, I’ll pay your ransom. Tonight. I’ll marry you.”

Joseph pitched to the right and dumped her onto the bed lurching towards the balcony. “Joey! What the...? Where are you going?”

He stopped and bent down picking up her engagement ring where it had dropped when he caught her. The three-and-a-half carat, marquise-cut diamond winked at him in last rays of the setting sun. He smiled at the woman sprawled across the bed. “Don’t worry, little one, I’m never leaving you again. But I will require you to display my ownership.” He held her gaze with his as he stalked back ready to brand her as his possession. “Since I’m technically out of the assassination business, I had to figure out how to ensure every male on the planet knew you were mine.” Slipping the ring on her finger, he kissed it before he slid his arm around her waist and lifted her from the bed.

Joseph walked to the center of the room and let her feet touch the floor. Stepping away from her, he held up a hand when she made a move to follow. “No.” He backed away until his legs touched a big, wing-backed chair. He sat down and made a motion with his hand indicating she should turn around in a circle. Ember’s blush spread instant and deep, but she complied. Her white button down was tucked into one of those skirts that fit her like a second skin all the way down to where it flared at her knees. Her stiletto heels had that little strap around the ankle.
Fuck me now…oh hell yeah, the shoes are staying.

“Take off your clothes, Em. Slowly.”

“But Joey…”

He cut her off before she could finish. “No. Do exactly as I say, little one. Take it off. Slowly. The shoes stay on.” Damn he loved those spiky heels.
Fucking sexy
.