Chapter 51: Chapter 29: It’s Over

JOCELYN

It’s been a few weeks since I was rescued, and Nate wanted to have a party with everyone to celebrate. My bruises have healed, and I look normal again.

Mary and Kerri were given the option to stay here, and we will all attend school in the fall now that we don’t have any other threats. Mary and Carlos and Kerri and Luis. Now we just need to find someone for Kyle.

This afternoon is the party and we girls got new swimsuits just for the occasion. We all got two-piece suits. Mine is red, while Kerri got an aqua suit, and Mary got a teal one.

We get ready then head downstairs and see our men waiting for us. They are wearing low-hanging swim trunks and Jessie is looking mighty gorgeous right now.

We get to the bottom of the stairs and launch ourselves at them, giggling while they give us kisses. They set us down, and when we start heading out, my dad and Nate stop me and Jessie.

“Jocelyn, can you give us a few minutes to talk to Jessie?”

I nod my head at Nate and head out to my friends, thinking the worst.

JESSIE

To say I am scared as hell right now is an understatement. I see them look at me, and I have a feeling shit is about to hit the fan. They motion for me to follow them and I think that’s it.

They are going to reassign me, and I won’t be allowed around Jocelyn anymore. Either that or I’m getting a bullet in my head.

We walk toward a conference room and when we walk in, I see the jeweler they regularly use. Now I am really confused. Why would they need the jeweler here?

“Jessie, have a seat. We need to talk.”

I slowly lower myself down into a chair, looking at her dad, and the jeweler comes to sit next to me with his briefcase. I look at them and Nate nods his head.

I hear the click of a briefcase opening and inside are tons of diamond rings. I just stare at them and then back at Caden and Nate.

“The family has decided you have earned the right to be with Jocelyn. We would like nothing more than for you to pick a ring for her. I would like nothing more than to have you be my brother-in-law.”

“Are you guys serious?”

“Jessie, I see the way you look at her,” Caden says. “You look at Jocelyn the way I do at her mother. You have proven yourself multiple times on what you would do for her. I would like nothing more than to call you ~son~.”

I can feel the tears well up, thinking I am going to be able to be with Jocelyn forever. I look over at the rings, see a single diamond, and choose that one.

I can feel them staring at me and just say, “It’s because she is my only one and nothing else can compare to her beauty.”

They nod their heads in understanding, and the jeweler puts it in a box, handing it back to me. They hand them a card. I try to hand mine over, but Nate stops me. He holds up the new card and shows me it has my name on it.

“You’re part of the family now. It comes with a pay raise.”

I just shake my head and walk over to give Nate a huge hug. Same with Caden…well, now soon-to-be Dad. We finish up and Caden speaks up.

“I will hold it until I make an announcement and he can ask her then. The rule still stands though—no sex or babies till after she turns eighteen!”

“You got it, Boss!”

We finish up and head outside where I quickly grab a beer and find Jocelyn. I was so nervous I was gonna get my ass kicked. Now I’m nervous about even asking her.

I wrap my arm around her while we chat with friends, and we see her little brother, Jace, running around with his friends.

He never goes too far and always checks in with Jocelyn. When he found out she had gotten kidnapped, he didn’t handle it well. He has gotten better since; before, he wouldn’t leave her side.

We make our rounds and Jocelyn decides she is hungry. I grab her some food and sit with her on my lap. Her friends, along with Luis and Carlos, come sit and start to eat also.

We are chatting and laughing when I hear a microphone turn on. I see Caden and Nate look at me and motion for me to go up with Jocelyn.

I set our stuff down, grabbing her hand and making our way up to the front, hand in hand. When we get up there, I see the puzzled look on Jocelyn’s face and know it will be a big surprise.

“As many of you know, we recently had incidents involving our daughter. Jessie was assigned to watch her. He has been shot and hit with a car and still was willing at a moment’s notice to give his life to keep her safe.

“He is the one who found her and shot her kidnapper to prove how much he loved her. Except the family already knew. We have made the choice to accept Jessie into our family.”

He sneakily hands me the ring box and I know it’s now or never. I grab it, take a deep breath, and turn around to Jocelyn. I get down on one knee and open the box.

She quickly puts her hands over her mouth and screams ~yes~. Well, I guess I didn’t need to ask. I put the ring on her finger and smash my lips to hers, lifting her up into my arms.

I slowly pull back and mouth, “No sex and no babies till after high school.”

She just jumps into my arms, kissing me on the face. I can’t help but laugh at this crazy girl. The cheers are deafening around us as we stare into each other’s eyes.

I hear the DJ start playing music and I get tapped on the shoulder. I turn and see Caden reach out for a handshake. I shake his hand and then Nate pulls me in for a hug.

Man, I can’t believe I am engaged! I see Jocelyn look at the ring with a questioning stare. My heart is instantly crushed, thinking she doesn’t like the ring.

“Jocelyn, baby, what’s wrong?”

“I am curious as to why you chose just a single diamond.”

“I chose a single one because you are my only one, and nothing can compare to your beauty.”

Her face turns to look at me as tears start to pool in her eyes.

“I love you more than anything. You are my goddess.”

I swoop in for a hug and kiss then Kerri and Mary come running over, screaming and jumping up and down. Maybe if Carlos and Luis pop the question, also, we can have us all get married in the same year.

Then the only one left would be Jace. Wonder if he will ever find his goddess…

^FIVE YEARS LATER^

JOCELYN

I am so excited because in a few days I will turn twenty-one. Jessie and I have been married for a few years now, although we decided to wait on kids. My parents were very appreciative of that.

Mary got married to Carlos, and Kerri got married to Luis. We all still live on the same estate that we moved to in order to hide from Ricardo.

I work with my friends and family at Maxwell Industries, and we are moving right along. We all have offices on the top floors and had to hire extra assistants.

Nate and Mandy have had a little girl since Mason. Her name is Missy and, boy, does she live up to her name! Her sass is one to be reckoned with. She definitely gives them a run for their money.

She will give an attitude, but when Aunt Jocelyn steps in, she knows she has gone too far. She is definitely an auntie’s girl, and she knows it!

My mom and dad have moved over so they can be near the grandkids all the time. Same with Uncle Frankie and Aunt Rita. Tank and the guys are still over at the other estate, and most of the married guards are there also.

Life has been moving pretty quickly and doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

Jace is now a senior in high school and is followed everywhere by the girls. When we pick him up, we laugh because we almost have to beat them away with bats.

Poor kid. He is built like all the men in the family, and we can’t take him anywhere without girls fighting for his attention. We all just laugh, but you can tell he gets tired of it all.

We have been working and expanding the business and have had to shuffle people around. All of us young couples have taken over at the building while Dad, Tank, and Frankie have taken over the shipment aspects.

Grandpa Fernando passed away last year and is finally with his Gracie. Mom and Uncle Frankie were sad, but we knew it would happen sooner or later since he was getting really sick.

Today, I’m sitting at my desk across from Jessie, working on paperwork, when my stomach starts feeling funny and turning again. I rest my head on the desk, trying to get it under control. Jessie notices and comes over to rub my back.

“Is it happening again?”

I nod my head then quickly jump up and run to the bathroom. I start throwing up and don’t stop until everything I have eaten during my entire life has seemed to come up.

I brush my teeth and sit on the floor, just in case something else comes up. After a few minutes, I see Jessie walk in holding a box. I look at him questioningly. When he hands it to me, I see it’s a pregnancy test.

I start laughing then I look up and realize I’m the only one laughing. Well, all right then…looks like I am taking a test. I kick him out, then read the instructions and take the test. I sit there and wait…and wait…and wait.

After what seems like an eternity, I just stare at it. This can’t be right. We have always been so careful to not take a chance. How could this happen? Well, I mean I know how it happens, but shit!

I slowly walk out of the bathroom, holding the test. I stop in my tracks because I swear the whole family is piled in my office. I just hand it to Jessie and watch his eyes go wide as he looks at me.

He screams, making everyone jump, and picks me up, spinning me around. Everyone erupts in cheers, and as much as I am excited, I am so nervous.

There are two people I don’t see in the room—my mom and dad. I pull out my phone and call up my mom. She picks up, putting me on speakerphone so Dad can hear.

“What’s wrong, dear? Is everything okay?” my mom asks.

“How would you like to add another grandkid?”

“WHAT? Jocelyn, are you pregnant?” my mom asks.

“Yes, Mom! We will be adding another little one soon!”

“I am so happy for you and Jessie, baby girl!” my dad exclaims.

“Thanks, Dad. I will talk to you guys when we get home.”

JACE

As my alarm clock goes off, I quickly wake up and shut it off. Damn, I am not a morning person. I throw back the covers and make my way to the bathroom. I brush my teeth and jump in the shower, hoping to wake up.

I rinse myself off and step out to dry off and get dressed. I look in the mirror at my slightly wavy brown hair and my light green eyes. I am built just like all the guys in the family, with washboard abs, and take pride in my appearance.

I throw on some loose ripped blue jeans with a tight black shirt and my boots. I grab my leather jacket, spray on some cologne, and head out the bedroom door.

I make my way downstairs and see everyone running everywhere to get ready for work. I grab a muffin and am already headed toward the front door, Tank comes in, tapping his watch. I laugh, follow him out, and jump in the SUV.

We make our way to the high school and as we pull up, it gets very quiet. I jump out and start walking toward my locker that’s located in the middle of the school. I see a bunch of girls hanging around it and just roll my eyes. It is way too early to deal with this crap.

When I walk up, I have to get through the girls to even get to my locker. I quickly open my locker, dropping off books and ignoring all the girls around me. I’m not interested in any of them as they only want me for the name.

Who wouldn’t want to be a Maxwell? I mean, we own half the town and have an empire anyone would be jealous of. I have even had a girl go around saying she was my girlfriend. I had to shut that shit down really quick.

When I turn the corner and make my way to my first class, I see a girl sitting outside the class that I have never seen here before. She probably has just transferred in.

She’s wearing worn-down shoes, some ratty stained jeans, and a faded hoodie. I can barely see her face since the hoodie covers it. I can only see her long, ratty, blonde curls hanging down, and I wonder what is under the hood. I walk up and can tell she is nervous.

“What do you want?” the girl asks.

“I want to talk to you. What is your name?”

“My name is Cami. Now please leave since there is nothing to talk about.”

“Cami, if you don’t want to talk here, we can talk elsewhere.”

“What if I don’t want to talk, period?”

“Well, then, I can’t force you nor would I.”

“Why are you being nice to me? No one is nice unless they want something.”

“Well, I don’t want anything from you.”

“Fine. I will follow you to talk, then please don’t talk to me again.”

“Okay, fine. Follow me.”

I walk away and I see her get up to follow me. We round the corner of the building where there is nobody around. I turn toward her as she runs straight into me. She loses her balance which knocks her hoodie back.

I wrap my arm around her waist to steady her on her feet. She stands there nervously, looking down. I place my other hand under her chin and lift her face to look at me.

My God, she is gorgeous, but she is covered in bruises and has a busted lip. Jesus Christ, what the hell? I look at her face and I see tears start to fall.

“Who did this to you, Cami?”

“My alcoholic parents. Don’t worry—I turn eighteen in a week and will be out of that shithole soon enough. Don’t bother to pretend you care because no one does. The county hasn’t, so why would anyone else?”

“Cami, baby, I do care! You are a gorgeous girl. If you don’t want me involved, fine, but if you want out, I can get you out. Just give me your phone, and I will put in my number. Text it and I will get you out.”

She just looks at me, trying to figure out what’s in it for me. She slowly pulls out her phone and hands it to me. I take her phone and enter my number, showing her where to find it.

“Your name is Angel?”

“Oh, no, Cami, baby. My name is Jace Maxwell. If you want out, text and I can be there within minutes and will get you out.”

“Why me?”

“Because, Cami, you are my goddess!”

—End of Book Two—