Hollow Justice (Cowboy Justice Association Book 13) Read online

  With no help from you, asshole. Too little, too late.

  There was more but it wasn't anything earth shattering. Reynolds wanted Misty to visit him in his family home in northern California. Totally at her convenience. He apologized again and begged for contact, saying that he only wanted to make amends. He'd understand if she didn't reach out.

  Jared looked up from the letter, folding it and sliding it back across to his wife. She had that look on her face that he'd seen before. They were going to have a disagreement. He might end up sleeping on the couch. Then they'd make up and compromise if they could. If they couldn't, one of them was destined to be disappointed.

  I think it's going to be me.

  "You're not seriously contemplating replying to this letter, are you?"

  Shit, I didn't mean to start out like that. I should have eased into it. Too late now.

  Misty's chin firmed and he knew immediately that he was fucked.

  "I don't particularly enjoy being spoken to like that, Jared. Do you want to try again? Maybe this time you can act like I'm an adult and not Lizzie or Nate."

  Sighing, he searched for the words that would make this all okay, but dammit, he wasn't that eloquent.

  Or bright, apparently, if his wife's expression was to be believed. She'd crossed her arms over her chest waiting for him to say something.

  "What I meant was–"

  "Yes, what did you mean?" Misty broke in, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "Because you sound as if there would only be one possible outcome to this situation. Yours. We've been down this road before and it looks like we're going to do it. Again."

  She spoke the truth. He had a tendency to see things in black and white, assuming that he was always right. In the beginning they'd had a few arguments over this issue and he'd become much better about it. But every now and then, old habits reared their ugly head.

  "You're right," he admitted. "I am seeing this from my own perspective, but I swear I'm trying to put myself into your shoes. I honestly cannot fathom how you would think to give this waste of skin five minutes of your time after what he did to you. He left you, Misty. He ran scared. That's not what a man does."

  She smiled slightly and sighed. "That's certainly not what you did. You stepped forward when I got pregnant."

  "It was the best decision I've ever made in my life."

  He didn't say it to kiss up. He said it because it was the truth. He couldn't imagine his life without Misty in it. He loved her and walking away from her and their baby had never crossed his mind.

  "But that's not what he did," she went on. "I'm glad that you didn't run but he didn't make the same decision. I'm guessing he didn't have a Gerald Monroe helping him to become a man like you did."

  From what Jared had been able to find out about the Reynolds family, Adam's father had been just as selfish and ruthless as his son.

  "He doesn't deserve anything from you."

  "You're right. He doesn't. But let's talk about what I deserve."

  "You deserve everything."

  Misty laughed at this, reaching across to place her hands on his. Her skin was warm, and he tangled their fingers together.

  "I don't know about having everything. Where would we put it all?" she teased him. "Seriously, let me explain to you why I'm thinking about this and I hope you can understand."

  "I'm listening."

  She cocked her head and smiled again. "I know and that's what I love about you."

  "That's it? My listening skills? You don't love my manly physique? Or my sense of humor?"

  Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. "Definitely not your cornball sense of humor. Now shut up and listen to me. The kids won't stay quiet forever, you know."

  No, they wouldn't. They'd be demanding dinner soon.

  "First of all, if I decided to contact him - and I haven't decided that yet - it would be because of my needs, not his. Second, I think there's still an open question as to whether he's even my father. My mother said she wasn't sure who my father was, and I have no reason to disbelieve her. Knowing her, she might well have been with more than one man during that period, especially if Adam wasn't around all the time. She was all about grabbing at life and living it to the fullest. If he walked away, Jared, it may have been from someone else's child."

  "He didn't know that, though. He's not a good person on a technicality."

  "True," she conceded. "I don't have any preconceived notions that our reunion will be filled with rainbows and ponies. I have hard questions that he may not want to answer, but I also have easier ones about my mother. He knew her before I was born, and I'd like to know more about her during that time."

  "After you get the answers, give him a swift kick in the ass."

  "I might do that," she laughed. "From what I've read about him online today, he richly deserves it."

  "He's a total jerk," Jared agreed. "He doesn't pay people well, and he treats them badly. He's not terribly well-liked by anyone."

  Misty rubbed at her chin. "I guess I'm just curious. When I was younger, I wondered about my father and now I'm being given a chance to actually talk to him."

  "Have you thought about him lately?"

  "No, but that doesn't mean that I'm not curious. I'm not looking to establish any sort of relationship with him. I think I just want to talk to him. Maybe. I need to think about it. It's a big step."

  "Take all the time you need. You know that I'll support any decision that you make."

  Her brows rose. "Are you sure? I can tell that you don't want me to reply."

  He shook his head. "What I don't want is for you to get hurt. That's all. I just want to protect him from being a jerk to you again."

  She squeezed his hands. "You can't protect me from everything. That isn't practical. It's sweet, but not a realistic goal."

  "It isn't going to stop me from trying."

  "I never thought it would."

  She knows me well.

  "So what happens now? You just...think on this? You'll let me know sometime in the future?"

  "It won't be too long. He says he's dying and trying to get his affairs in order. I would imagine that I need to make the decision sooner rather than later."

  Jared tapped on the letter sitting between them on the table. "Don't let your loving and forgiving heart let you feel sorry for this guy. He's earned his spot in hell."

  That statement seemed to amuse Misty because she laughed, her hand over her mouth to muffle the sound. "What makes you think I'm so loving and forgiving? I can be a real bitch sometimes."

  Jared shrugged. "You forgive me all the time."

  "That's because I love you."

  "I love you too, baby. More than you can ever know."

  He’d do anything to make sure that no one hurt her. Especially not Adam Reynolds. That guy was going to find out that redemption was something that all the money in the world couldn't buy.

  4

  Later that night, Misty was soaking in a hot bath. The kids were asleep, Jared was downstairs in his home office tapping away at his laptop, and she was relaxing back, her head propped up with a bath pillow while her skin turned prune-like. She savored the silence, enjoying the peace and quiet that came so rarely in the household. She wouldn't trade her life for anything in the world, but a few more moments like this would be nice.

  "Can I wash your back?"

  She didn't have to open her eyes. She could feel her husband's presence in the room.

  "Does that offer come with strings attached?"

  "Definitely."

  Giggling, she opened her eyes to Jared standing above her, a wicked grin on his gorgeous face. He was in a playful mood, and she wouldn't mind playing right back. It might get her head into a better space.

  It certainly would be pleasurable. Jared would see to that.

  He was waiting for an invitation, his fingers hovering at the hem of his t-shirt. He could rip it off immediately and then tear off his pants. All she had to do was say the word.


  "I guess you could join me."

  Maybe it was his time in the military, or maybe he was simply gifted in certain respects, but Jared Monroe could strip off his clothes faster than the speed of light. He was basically a blur for a few seconds and then he was bare-assed naked, climbing into the bathtub.

  It was plenty big enough for two.

  They'd wanted a large tub when they were looking for houses and this beautiful bathroom had been one of the major selling points of the home. They'd put it to good use many times.

  Water sloshed against the sides as his large body sunk into the water. He'd positioned himself so that he was lying on the opposite end, her feet propped on his muscular thighs. He lifted one up and began to massage her instep with his strong fingers, dragging a groan of pure heaven from her lips.

  "That feels amazing. Don't ever stop."

  "I'll have to stop eventually."

  "No, don't stop."

  Jared chuckled, his fingertips digging into an especially sensitive spot on her heel that had her almost coming out of the water. "Only Stevie thinks everything is going to be forever."

  Stevie did think that. When they left, she thought they were going to be gone forever. When they petted her, she thought it would be forever. She always looked so disgruntled when Misty would have to go back to what she was doing and take a break from petting her or scratching her belly.

  "A girl can dream."

  "Can't argue with a dream."

  He moved to the other foot and did the same magic, rotating the ankle and then sliding his hands up her calf to massage the muscles there. Her arousal had already begun to build, and she moved restlessly under his ministrations.

  "This is why I married you."

  "You married me because I give foot rubs? Good to know. Want to know why I married you?"

  "I already know."

  "You do?"

  "Of course. You have no secrets from me."

  "It does make life easier."

  Eventually his hands drifted farther up to her thighs and he pulled her closer until she was sitting astride him, her hands planted on his wide chest to keep her balance. And because she really liked touching him.

  Leaning down, she brushed his lips with hers and his palm came up behind her head, holding there so he could deepen the kiss. Their tongues played tag as hands explored one another, gliding up and down. Her skin tingled and burned everywhere he touched and she squirmed on his already hard cock, letting him know of her impatience.

  His fingers tickled her ribcage and his lips nibbled at her ear, building her urgency even more. Her entire body buzzed with pleasure and her heart beat madly, drowning out any other sounds but their sighs and moans.

  His large palms cupped her breasts, the thumbs stroking the pebbled nipples until she thought she might scream but she didn't want to wake Lizzie and Nate.

  "Now, Jared."

  This time he wouldn't argue with her. He often liked to play and tease, extending their lovemaking as long as possible, but one look at his expression told her that this wouldn't be one of those nights. His jaw was tight and his pupils blown wide. He was as aroused - or more - than she was.

  Raising herself up on her knees, she then sunk down on his cock inch by delicious inch. This was the part where she liked taking her time, feeling all of him rub those deep, secret spots that drove her out of her mind. When she was fully seated, she paused to savor the moment, although his hands were at her hips urging her to move.

  She began to sway her hips slightly, then circling them before rising up and down. Slow at first to build the tempo, and then faster as the pleasure built, pushing her to the edge of the precipice. White hot heat poured through her veins as they found the perfect tempo, pushing both of them higher into the stars. She was so close...

  His thumb found her clit and that was all it took. She burst into a million pieces, white lights flashing behind her lids. Jared's body bowed and his fingers tightened on her bottom as his own climax sent him over the edge. Eventually, she collapsed on top of him, resting her head on his chest where she could hear his galloping heart.

  They didn't move for a long time, content to be close. They whispered softly about the weather for tomorrow and the next television show they wanted to binge. When the water cooled, they had to reluctantly climb out of the tub. Jared dried her off and then himself while she slipped into a pair of pajama shorts and a t-shirt.

  They tossed their towels in the hamper, brushed their teeth, and then slid into bed to watch some television. Misty snuggled next to Jared, but her mind was far away from the two of them. She'd been thinking about it and she'd made a decision.

  To be honest, she'd made the decision before she was even in the bathtub. He might not be happy about it, but she couldn't deny the need in her heart.

  "I want to meet Adam Reynolds."

  Jared didn't respond right away so she looked up at him, trying to figure out what he was thinking by the expression on his face. To her surprise he just looked normal, as if she'd mentioned wanting to take a trip to the grocery store.

  "I had a feeling that you were going to say that. I'll talk to Jason and Logan about taking a long weekend."

  "Are you mad?"

  He shook his head, his smile gentle. "No, baby, I'm not mad. I'm not thrilled with Adam Reynolds but it's only natural that you'd want to meet him. I get that, and I actually agree. You can meet him and talk to him. Then decide for yourself what you want to do from there."

  She was going to meet her maybe father, and she wasn't sure how she felt about it all.

  She only knew that if she didn't take this chance, she'd regret it.

  Okay, let's do this. Let's meet Adam Reynolds.

  5

  Jared drove the car through the imposing iron gates and down the long driveway toward the home of Adam Reynolds. From the gate neither he nor Misty could see the house, and it took a few minutes of driving before a section peeked out from behind the large trees lining either side of the road.

  The trees were lush with green leaves at this time of the year. With the car windows down he could smell the rain that had only stopped falling a few miles ago, making everything around them fresh and new.

  The grounds of the Reynolds estate were beautiful with plentiful trees and thick green grass that would have made Pebble Beach cry with envy. The large house was set far back from the road for optimum privacy and there wasn't a neighbor for miles. The home itself could only be described as a mansion, built in stone with an impressive entryway with six pillars guarding the front door. Above the entrance was Adam Reynolds’ monogram.

  In gold letters.

  "I can see he doesn't have a problem with conspicuous consumption," Jared said, his gaze taking in the luxurious surroundings. "I'm waiting for a butler in tie and tails to tell me that Lady Mary is expecting us for tea in the east drawing room."

  Laughing, Misty pushed open her door. "We'll never know until we ring the doorbell. Are you ready?"

  Was he ready? He wasn't entirely sure. Was she? She'd been fairly quiet for most of the drive.

  This had all happened so quickly he'd barely had a chance to process it. After Misty had decided to reply to her possible father's letter, she'd called the attorney back the next day. Within twenty-four hours they'd made arrangements for the kids to stay with Reed and Kaylee and for Jared and Misty to travel down to northern California to meet Adam Reynolds.

  Lizzie and Nate were thrilled because they were going to get spoiled beyond belief with Uncle Reed and Aunt Kaylee. The dog and cat were even more happy because they got to hang out with Reed and Kaylee's Golden Retriever named Isabella.

  Misty was excited because she might be meeting the man that was her father, plus they were getting away for a few days–just the two of them. They hadn't done that in over a year.

  Jared? He wasn't as happy as everyone else. He still wasn't sure this was a good idea, but he was open to being convinced. Hopefully, Reynolds wouldn't be as much of a jerk as
he was purported to be.

  I'm the eternal optimist.

  Now two weeks later they were ringing the doorbell of a man that might be his wife's father. Maybe. He wasn't convinced yet.

  "Just remember, babe, if at any point you want to leave just say the word."

  They'd already chosen a "safe word" of sorts - umbrella. Misty would ask Jared if he'd remembered to bring their umbrella. If she said that, he'd hustle her out the door without a backward glance to their host. Fuck Reynolds. The only person that mattered here was Misty.

  "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

  He hoped that as well, although he couldn't shake a nasty case of foreboding about this entire trip to meet Adam Reynolds. He doubted anything good was going to come from this, but he really, honestly wanted to be wrong. He wanted Misty to get whatever closure she needed, and her questions answered.

  Although if it had been Jared, he would have told the billionaire to pound sand.

  None of the research he'd done in the last two weeks made him feel any better about this meeting. Few people had anything nice to say about Reynolds. He was well-respected by other shark businessmen, but regular folks weren't as kind. His own sister didn't speak to him.

  "You can still change your mind. We can make a run for the car."

  "They'd probably know. I'm guessing they have a lot of security."

  At the very least there had been a camera at the entrance. The gates to the estate had opened for him without him having to even pick up a phone or send a text. He ran his gaze around the immediate area, but he didn't see any other cameras. They had to be there, though. A billionaire couldn't be too careful. He was actually surprised there wasn't a guard at the gate. Anyone could have climbed it if they were determined enough.

  Jared rang the bell and waited, placing his arm around Misty's shoulders. He wanted her to know he was here for her. This had to be an extremely emotional meeting and his wife had such a soft heart.

  The door opened and a middle-aged woman in a gray dress stood on the other side. She wasn't smiling in welcome, but she hadn't slammed the door in their faces either.