Pulse (Rockstar Book 15): a #JUCY and #SAGE short story Read online

  Pulse (Rockstar Book 15)

  a #JUCY and #SAGE short story

  Anne Mercier

  Contents

  Pulse

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Acknowledgments

  Pulse Playlist

  PREVIEW - Refrain

  Also By Anne Mercier

  About Anne

  Copyright

  Pulse

  Rockstar Book 15

  Copyright ©2018 Anne Mercier

  ISBN: 9780996262170

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are products of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is purely coincidental.

  Cover Image: Sara Eirew at Sara Eirew Photography.

  Cover Design: Anne Mercier.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or if it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and please purchase your own copy.

  PERSONAL NOTE: The only pirate I like is Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, which means I'd appreciate if you'd keep my books to yourself. Pirating shows a clear lack of respect for the author—me. I'd rather not meet you on bad terms, so let's not do that, let's not meet that way. Let's meet at a signing or conference instead, or let's go have a cup of coffee or a drink. Thank you for respecting the time and effort put into each book. I appreciate it very much.

  Pulse

  Rockstar Book 15

  a #JUCY and #SAGE short story

  Jesse and Lucy need a break. They look and feel like cast members from The Walking Dead, and I'm not talking about the humans. It's only an overnight break, but it's exactly what they need.

  Cage and Sera attend a charity function and run into an unwelcome enemy. They spend a special night together before they get to work on a plan of how to keep one of their own safe.

  Dedication

  Melissa—the best friend and PA a girl could ever have.

  Thank you for your support, your friendship, your kindness, listening when I need to talk something out, and for offering advice when I need it. I appreciate you more than words can say… this one’s for you.

  Chapter 1

  Sera

  Charity functions are fun when they’re like this one. It’s not formal and it’s bidding and it’s all about taking care of animals—endangered species to be exact. The room is filled with the wealthy socialites I’ve come to know and definitely not respect. They think money can buy reverence; I prefer actions. So far, I’m not impressed.

  We’re standing, thumbing through the pamphlet looking at all the creatures who are entirely too beautiful to let fade away. Some are well known, others are not.

  African wild dog.

  Amur leopard.

  Amur tiger.

  Asian elephant.

  Bengal tiger.

  Black-footed ferret.

  When we get to the black rhino, Cage rubs his thumb over the image.

  “What is it?”

  His mouth is set in a hard line. “I know someone who hunts these.”

  “Let’s hunt him. See how he likes it.” My blood is boiling. Hunting defenseless animals like that. Arrogant, entitled prick.

  Cage’s lips twitch. “My darling Fee, I’d love nothing more.”

  “Let’s do it. A game of cat and mouse.”

  “Hmm,” is all he says, but I know that means he’s thinking about it. Fun, fun, fun for me!

  Now I laugh out loud and Cage raises his brows. I point to the image. Black spider monkey. “Lucy.”

  His lips twitch again.

  I page through the pamphlet and I’m heart broken. I just can’t…

  “Fee.”

  I look at my gorgeous husband and pout. “I can’t pick just one. Can we support more than one?”

  “We can support them all if you like. We can spread our donation out. We can also pursue other avenues to help these animals,” he informs me.

  I lean in and hug him. “Thank you.”

  “Fee, you never have to thank me. I’d do anything for you.”

  And just like that, I’m a complete puddle of goo again. This man. This quietly controlled, formidable man can bring the best of opponents down to his knees. I won’t even mention what he does to the worst. But me, he cherishes. He treats me like a queen and loves me so completely, I’ll never get enough. Ever.

  I’m pondering how I got so lucky, when I feel it. I don’t make it obvious. I just slide my eyes, looking around the room. It’s then that I see him. Dark hair. Large build. Mean mug.

  I continue looking about the room, and still he stares.

  “I don’t know who that is, but he keeps staring at me,” I whisper to Cage.

  “Fee. You’re so beautiful everyone can’t help but stare,” he replies.

  I melt a little inside at his words. No matter how many times he tells me I’m beautiful or how much he loves me, it feels like the first time.

  I slide my eyes in the same direction of tall, dark, and creepy, and he’s still staring. Blatantly.

  “Babe,” I nudge him with my elbow.

  “I see him. Just… act like you don’t. Damian’s on it.”

  I want to look behind us to see exactly what Damian’s doing, but I don’t. I know better. I’ve been trained better. I, just once, would like to see the Enforcers do their thing where I’m not the thing they’re doing.

  Wait.

  That sounded so dirty. I bite back a smile, calling on my discipline to show nothing but indifference. I’ve gotten so well at it, my family’s starting to worry. Well, the ones who aren’t involved in la Famiglia.

  “Is he familiar?” I purr into Cage’s ear as I curl into his side, pressing my breasts against his arm, playing the role. It’s amusing to me when people assume I’m arm candy and nothing more. They sure do get a rude awakening when I pull out my gun or knife, or just kick their ass in hand-to-hand. The best is the men—the big, muscular ones who think that’s enough to get by.

  Not in this business. In this business you need to be lethal, constantly alert, and not afraid to get hurt or even to die. Not many women are that dedicated which is why there are only a small handful. Me, Celeste, Bella—we set the tone. Really, Celeste set the tone. She was in the business as long as Cage, though not always in a physical sense. She started out doing leg work, paperwork, all the mundane shit they give women to do. She was also a very young sixteen when she and Cage became friends in Joan’s group home, Harmony House. Damian was a part of that group, too. I’m sure there are others that I haven’t learned about yet, but this is the inner circle of it all.

  Cage’s body tenses up and I look up to see what’s wrong.

  “I know who he is. We need to leave. Now,” is all he says before he wraps an arm around me and we leisurely weave our way through the crowded room.

  I feel his gaze on us as we exit t
he building, and I know what Cage is about to tell me isn’t going to be good.

  Chapter 2

  Lucy

  The chaos surrounding me as Jesse and I get ready to walk out the door makes me want to rip my hair out. Four toddlers, three children, and umpteen adults all talking at the same time. So, I do what any good mother does. I soothe my children.

  “We’ll only be gone overnight. Uncle Xan, Aunt Tera, Aunt Summer, Uncle Ethan, Aunt Nicole, and Uncle Ben will be taking care of you. You can play with Kadi and Maria and Antonio. Daddy and I will be back at lunchtime, okay? The boys nod, Kiki cocks her head to the side. “Okay mama.”

  I hug them all and tell them I love them as does Jesse then, finally, we’re out the door—thirty minutes later than planned. We climb into the back of the car—security. Always security. Never a moment to ourselves anymore. We need this overnight—I need this overnight. I’m feeling claustrophobic in my life. I feel guilty for it. I love my family. I truly do. I just need a breather. Just—peace. Just—Jesse.

  “Almost there, Cupcake,” Jesse informs me. I’ve been staring blankly out of the window, not seeing the sunshine, not seeing the people, not seeing the beauty of life.

  “I’m sorry, Jesse.”

  “Don’t be. Never be sorry for how you feel. Truth is, I could use some down time myself,” he admits.

  I look at him hopeful. “Really?”

  He nods.

  I let out a relieved breath. “I’ve been feeling like such a horrible mother and friend. I swear to you, one more night in that house would likely drive me insane. I was ready to make a break for it.”

  Jesse intertwines his fingers with mine. “Not without me, you don’t.”

  “No,” I realize. “I could never go without you.” I rest my head on his shoulder.

  “Luce. We’ve gone damn near three years without a break from everyone and everything. We went from meeting, recording, touring, having kids, writing, recording, touring, and now we’re back to writing songs. It’s okay to need a recharge. Hell, I could sleep for 48 hours straight without blinking an eye.”

  I snicker. “The apple of your eye, your she-devil, only wants her daddy now. Well, you and Princess RaRa.”

  “Tera does kinda look like that Princess Jasmine a little.”

  I nod against him. “I see it. Never a dull moment with Kiki, that’s for sure.”

  “Lord have mercy. I’m so grateful we didn’t have four girls. I’d be institutionalized.”

  At that I laugh. I can’t help it. “Kiki is definitely a handful. She’s not a brat. She’s not a pain in the ass. She’s just… spirited.”

  “I beg to differ, baby. She definitely can be a pain in the ass. Especially when she interrupts some amazing sex that I know is going to end in a phenomenal orgasm,” Jesse disputes.

  “Oh, God. You’re so right on that part. That one night…”

  His hand gently squeezes mine when I let out a moan.

  “Don’t even remind me. You were right there and I’d been hanging on the edge, trying to make it last just a little longer. God damn, it felt so good. To turn up the heat a bit between us and hear Kiki ask us what we’re doing—”

  “—From right next to the bed.”

  Jesse groans. “I wanted to send her out for just one more minute so we could both come. Worst case of blue balls in the history of blue balls.”

  “Is there a female version of blue balls?” I wonder aloud.

  Jesse chuckles. “I don’t know but if there is, you fucking had it that night.”

  I tilt my head up to look at him from where my head’s still resting on his shoulder. “How does she always know?”

  He rubs his free hand over his face then lets out a chuckle. “Fuck if I know, but that kid has radar for anyone fucking. Did Xander tell you about the time he and Tera were fucking in the shower and Kiki kept pounding on the door?”

  This time I let out a loud laugh. “Serves him right for spoiling her like he did. And now with her obsession with Princess RaRa…” I laugh again. Kiki stopped in her tracks the first time she saw Tera. She just stopped and stared. Her face full of wonder and surprise. She told Tera she looked like Princess Jasmine from Aladdin and ever since then, they've been best princess pals. I am in no way jealous of their bond. I'm grateful she can brush someone else's hair and tell all her tales. She needs more than just me--as much as I'd love to keep her all to myself.

  The car stops.

  “We’re here,” Jesse mutters. “Thank Christ, we’re here.”

  I moan longingly for the silence and the comfort of a bed no children will be crawling into, doors no one will be knocking on unless we request it. We’re on the top floor—extravagant for one night, but fuh-huhu-uck me I’m exhausted.

  Chapter 3

  Cage

  We get to the car and I immediately dial Gio. He picks up on the second ring.

  “Tell me,” he says as if he already knows it’s a shitstorm in the making.

  “Murphy.”

  I hear him shift in his chair swearing under his breath.

  “Was it him or one of his men?” Gio asks.

  “One of his top guys. Kept staring at Serafina,” I tell him through gritted teeth. I didn’t let on just how much that pissed me off. Everyone looks at her. She’s a beauty like no other. But him. He stared even when he was caught. A blatant show of disrespect.

  “We’ll meet at eight tomorrow. This needs to be contained.” He pauses. “Have you told her yet?”

  “No, but I will.”

  “She’s going to want to intervene.”

  I can’t hide the pride in my voice even with the annoyance that thought brings me. “Of course she will. She’s one of us.”

  He lets out a sigh. “So she is. You talk with her. I’ll call Frank.”

  “Done.”

  With that, we hang up. She’s watching me, my Fee. The woman who loves me so much I can feel it. The woman I love so much it hurts. The woman I’d die for. My wife. My life. My forever.

  “Straight up?” I ask her.

  She nods. “Always.”

  “Murphy is Nicole’s father.”

  She immediately sits ramrod straight, her face flush with emotion. “No.”

  “That was one of his crew we saw tonight and he showed a very clear disrespect for who we are and who we represent.”

  “They know?”

  I nod.

  “Are they…?”

  “No. He’d like to think so. He isn’t held in high enough esteem. He’s a mean bastard and the turnover of his crew is a lot.”

  “I notice you say ‘crew’ whereas we’re Famiglia?” Fee questions.

  I nod. “Few stay with him long enough for him to have a large enough group and he’s killed all but one of his brothers.”

  “Jesus, Cage. What are we going to do? She just got well. She’s doing so great in school. And those babies…” my Fee frets and worries. She’s taken a special liking to Coley. She admires her strength. I think in some ways she sees a bit of herself in the young lady.

  “We’re meeting at the house at eight tomorrow. Gio knows you’ll want to be involved. He’s calling Frank,” I reiterate.

  “Oh my God. I didn’t even think of Frank.” She sits back and slumps into the seat, looking out the window as the lights glow in the darkness of night.

  I pull her over into my lap and hold her close.

  “It’ll be okay, Fee. We’ll handle him. He’s nothing compared to la Famiglia.”

  “He wants to hurt her. I know he does. He wants to hurt her for leaving and evading him for God knows how many years. He’ll hurt her then he’ll kill her,” she says softly.

  “We won’t let that happen. I’ll snap his neck before he gets close, though he’d have to get past Damian first. He cares deeply for her,” I divulge.

  “No way,” she exclaims, looking up at me.

  I chuckle. “Not like that. Like she and Kennedy are. They connected on a different level than she di
d with anyone else. Likely because he was on the run for a long time, too.”

  “I didn’t know that. I don’t know much about Damian’s past and he doesn’t talk about it.”

  “Of course, you’ve asked,” I tease.

  “Well, yeah. It’s Damian. He’s important to me,” she admits.

  I nod. “One day he’ll tell you his story. I would, but it’s not mine to tell. I will tell you he was one of Joan’s kids the same time I was. It’s how we met. Celeste too.”

  “Celeste too? Wow. She’s a little younger than you, isn’t she?”

  “Yes. Six years. Damian’s younger by three years. We were quite the mix,” I confess with a wry grin. “Those were hard times for all of us.”

  “I know, baby,” Fee coos, then hugs me tightly to her.

  “I never thought I’d make it to thirty-two. I certainly never even imagined I’d be married to the woman I’ve loved for nearly half my life.”

  “But here you are. Cage Nichols. Successful business man. Friend to many. In some ways you care for others the way Lucy does, it’s just not as obvious. Wonderful husband. Phenomenal lover. My very best friend. You made this of yourself, baby. You. No one else. I am so proud of you and all you’ve become,” my Fee whispers to me sweetly.

  “I love you so much I don’t know how to contain it sometimes. I want to hug you so tightly you’re never away from me. I want to tuck you away in my pocket for safe keeping.”

  She snorts. “You only want me in your pants so I’m closer to your cock.”