Page 10 of Big Easy

SUTTON

It's the end of a somber day. On my way home from work, I can't help but let today's events weigh heavily on my mind.

Just a few short hours ago, Mr. Sanders passed away.

That is the part of my job that never gets easier, but I take solace in the fact that today was a good day for him.

He was coherent, and he was not in any pain.

And the part that is troubling me the most is that his son was not there.

In fact, I had tried for several hours to contact him, only to have his phone go straight to voicemail every time.

I haven't seen Peter since the unsettling incident in the parking lot several days ago.

He has not been back once to see his father.

Shaking those thoughts away, I pull into my parking spot in front of my apartment and cut the engine.

Climbing out, I make my way up the stairs.

Just as I unlock the door, a feeling of being watched passes through me.

Peering over my shoulder, I scan my surroundings but don't see anyone.

For a moment I think I hear a noise coming from the apartment beside mine, but quickly squash that idea.

The unit has been empty for a few weeks.

I quickly enter my apartment and lock the door behind me, not liking the eerie feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I live in a safe neighborhood, but you can never be too sure these days.

Once inside, I toss my purse and key onto the table beside the door, make my way through the living room and past the kitchen to my bedroom.

Upon entering my room, I notice straight away something is different.

My closet door is wide open, and the assortment of perfume bottles I keep on top of my dresser has been moved around.

For a split second, I panic, but quickly come to the conclusion Maci probably came in here to borrow some clothes, and she often will use my perfumes.

Just then, there is a knock at the front door.

Looking down at my watch, I note the time and wonder who it could be.

I'm due at my parents' house in forty-five minutes, so I know it's not one of them, Collin or Lilly.

Padding back out into the living room, I peer into the peephole of the door to see Jaxson standing there, and I smile.

Disengaging the locks, I swing the door open. "Hey."

Taking a step forward, Jaxson snakes his arm around my waist, pulls me against his chest, and takes my mouth with his in a scorching kiss, stealing my breath. A few seconds later, our connection is broken, and my eyes flutter. "Hi," I repeat breathlessly.

"Hey, babe."

And just like that, all it takes is being in Jaxson's arms and an earth-shattering kiss to melt my lousy day away.

"How was your day?" he asks.

"Better now that I've seen you," I tell him honestly.

"Good." Jaxson kisses me again on the tip of my nose before lowering me to my feet. "The guys and their old ladies are gettin' together at the clubhouse, and I want to take you to meet them."

"Oh. Um, I can't tonight. I really want to meet your brothers, but I have dinner with my family every Thursday."

"No problem. We can eat with your family first, then head to the clubhouse after."

"We?" I ask nervously.

"Yeah. I'm going with you. I have to meet your parents sometime. Now is as good a time as any."

"Are…are you sure? You don't feel like it's too soon? We haven't been seeing each other for very long. I figured meeting the parents would be later down the road."

Jaxson looks at me intently. "Sutton, you're mine. We've established that shit already."

"Yeah, but…"

Jaxson cuts me off. "But nothin'. You are mine. Today, tomorrow, next week, and a year from now. That means you're going to get ready, then be on the back of my bike. We'll have dinner with your family after visiting with them. I'll take you to meet my men later. Are you good with all that?"

Unable to hold back, I smile. "Okay."

Forty minutes later, Jaxson and I pull up to my parents’ house. Cutting the engine, he waits for me to climb off before he follows suit. Taking the helmet from me, he places it on the seat.

"Fair warning, my dad will probably grill you. He's a good guy, though. He just worries about my sister and me. There is also the fact that he knows about you and your club."

Jaxson hooks his fingers into the belt loops of my jeans and pulls me close.

"I fully expect your dad to grill me, babe.

I'd expect nothin' less from any father.

I respect a man who looks out for his daughter.

And as far as my club and my patch, that's just somethin' they will have to accept.

I am who I am. My club and my brothers are my life.

That is somethin' that will never change. "

I shake my head. "I wouldn't want you to change. I only ask that when it comes to my family, have patience. I know once they get to know you, they will see you the way I see you. All my parents want is for me to be happy. Once they see how happy you make me, the rest won't matter."

Taking my face in the palms of his hands, Jaxson leans down and kisses me.

"You don't know how fuckin' thrilled it makes me hearing you say that, babe."

A moment later, our kiss is interrupted when a voice beside me says, "Are you two going to suck face in the driveway all night, or are you coming inside?"

I break away from Jaxson and give my sister a pointed look.

She ignores my glare and turns her attention to Jaxson.

"I'm Lilly. I just wanted to be the first one to tell you that if you hurt my sister in any way, I will cut off your balls and feed them to you.

My father and brother are the least of your worries. "

Damn, I love my sister.

"Duly noted." Jaxson gives my sister a chin lift.

"Perfect," her tone turns from serious to chipper as she holds out her hand. "I'm Lilly."

Jaxson's lip twitches as he holds back a smirk. "Jaxson. Nice to meet you."

Lilly shifts her attention back to me. "You guys better come in. Dad has been spying on you through the living room window for the past ten minutes." Both Lilly and I giggle.

Taking my hand in his, Jaxson tosses me a wink, and some of my nerves fade. With a deep breath, I follow my sister into the house with Jaxson at my side.

"Okay, Dad, they're here. You can stop being a creeper."

Dad enters the foyer. "You are the biggest pain in my ass, Lilly," he scoffs, giving my sister the stink eye.

"You love me," she sing-songs as she scampers off in the direction of the living room.

"Lucky for you," Dad grumbles over his shoulder at her. He then turns his attention to me. "Hey, baby girl." He pulls me in for a hug.

"Hi, Dad." I squeeze him back and kiss his cheek. Releasing me, he turns his attention to Jaxson and offers his hand. "I'm Liam, Sutton's father."

"Jaxson Carter. It's good to meet ya, sir.

" Jaxson takes my dad's offered hand. I watch as both men hold each other's stare, and stay locked in a handshake for a long moment.

It's as if they are communicating without words.

I don't dare interrupt. I just stand there as my eyes dart back and forth between the two.

After what seems like forever, Jaxson gives my dad a curt nod. "Understood."

Understood? What the heck does that mean? They didn't say anything.

"Good," Dad replies with a nod of his own.

Men are weird.

"You must be Jaxson." My mom walks over, interrupting the strange scene that just took place.

"I am. It's good to meet ya, Mrs. Murphy."

"You, too. And please call me Eva." After introducing herself to Jaxson, Mom gives me a hug. "Hey, sweetie."

"Hi, Mom." I smile.

"Dinner is just about done. I hope you like pot roast, Jaxson."

"Love it," Jaxson replies.

"Great! Let's eat then."

Entering the dining room, I ask, "Where's Collin?"

"He had to work late but said he would stop by when he got off," Dad supplies.

An hour later, after we have finished with dinner, we are all sitting out on the deck when Dad speaks up. "So, Sutton tells me you two met at the cancer charity event."

"Yes, sir. My club and I participate in the event every year. My uncle passed away from pancreatic cancer."

My dad's expression turns somber, and he raises his beer. "I'm sorry to hear about your uncle."

"Thanks," Jaxson expresses.

Changing the subject, Jaxson adds, "My club is actually involved with several charities. In fact, there is one my brothers and I are attending in a few days down in New Orleans."

"What charity is that?" Mom asks.

"It's a rally for veterans. The president of the Kings of Retribution Louisiana Chapter is a good buddy of mine. He has invited me and my club to come out for a few days. In fact, I was going to ask Sutton to go with me. I grew up out that way and my family still lives there."

"Really?" I perk up at the news. "You want me to go with you and your club to New Orleans?"

Jaxson puts his arm around me. "I can't think of anything better than having you on the back of my bike and at my side when we arrive at the rally."

"What will you and your club be doing there to raise money?" This question comes from my sister.

"I'm a tattoo artist and my club owns a shop. My brothers and I will be inking anyone who wants a piece."

"That's so cool," Lilly tells him.

"Matter of fact," Jaxson continues. "My club is opening a bar in a couple weeks.

The Kings are going to ride down for the grand openin'.

I'd like to extend an invite to you all, so you can meet my friends.

That way you can make up your own mind about me and my brothers.

You'll find there's no better group of people to have at your back.

My club and the Kings are loyal to a fault.

Now that Sutton is mine, that loyalty extends to her and her family. "