by Lisa B
Chapter 80
With her face buried in her hands, Brenda sat in the cold,unyielding waiting room chair. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from losing control. Brenda had been sure Joanne would be able to help her. That she would be able to find Jax. Instead, Joanne was panic striken. Looking at Joanne, she was met with the same deep fear she was sure was mirrored in her own eyes. Joanne promised to talk to Sean and then planted herself by Jock's side. So now Brenda waited and wondered, helpless to do anything. She couldn't get Jax out of her mind. His hand reaching out to catch her blown kiss and mouthing the words I love you. Would that be the last time she ever saw him? Brenda squeezed the sides of her head trying to erase the visions of Jax beaten and bleeding or worse, from her mind. Each time she tried to concentrate, she pictured Jax on their wedding day. Remembering the way her heart stopped the moment she'd seen him, she longed for the sense of serenity that his presence gave her. But it was more than his looks, it was the man inside that attracted her. Since the first moment she became friends with Jasper Jacks, he had offered her himself, wanting nothing in return....well nothing but her love. It was a small price to pay. Their wedding in Como was quickly pushed from her mind by the look on Jax' face when he found out about her betrayal. His face twisted in agony when he realized she had offered her body and soul to another man. She shuddered as she remembered the months of seperation. The empty void that had consumed her. The beauty of their reunion was to painful to contemplate. It's when she began to feel whole again. The balance of their life tipped in a moment. The demons threatening to consume her once again.
Jane sat beside her daughter-in-law having faith that her husband would find their son. After all these years, Jane knew John Jacks always got what he wanted. Still she was afraid. The thought of Jock McGillen laying unconscious, battling back to life, reminded her what these people were capable of. She was afraid for her boy. If only John would get back, it seemed like he and Sean had been gone forever. It was the waiting that got to her. Jane wanted to go with the men but someone had to stay behind with Brenda. She brushed the tears from her eyes. Would this nightmare never end?
Jane was the first one to notice the men coming down the corridor. A smile broke through the tears as she watched the graceful gait of her youngest son. She gently placed her hand on Brenda's shoulder when she saw the boy walking next to his father. She squeezed....willing Brenda to look up. Staring at Jane's face, Brenda followed the direction of her gaze until she found Jane's point of focus. The tears welled up in her throat. Practically stumbling, Brenda raced down the corridor. She blindly reached for her husband, barely able to see him through her tears. He waited with outstretched arms to pull her into a loving embrace. She was home. Jax lifted her up, bringing Brenda closer to him. She circled her legs around his waist as she showered his face with kisses. Tracing his features with her fingers to convince herself it was really him, she was home.
Sean Moriarty quietly slipped into the control room. This moment of intimacy deserved privacy.
John put his arm around his wife's shoulder. She rested her head against him comforted by his strenth.
"How's the boy?" Jane asked unable to take her eyes off of her son.
"Just fine mother. He got snagged by one of ours. Gloria Martinelli...." John chuckled envisioning the predicament he'd found his son in...."it's a good thing she's on our side. I suspect she had him knocked out, dragged and hog tied before he knew what hit him."
Smacking John on the chest, Jane countered "I see nothing funny about any of this. He had me sick to death with worry never mind Bre....." Jane stopped herself. "Just look at her all over him...." her brow furrowed in disapproval.
"Yes, reminds me of us when we were their age......" John smiles and pulls his wife into an embrace. Reaching out, he pushes the hair from Jane's face...."Ahh, Jane...look at you....eyes swollen with tears and still beautiful.....I see you're starting to soften up towards the girl."
Pulling away, she glared at her husband. "Soften towards that two-timing snip....hardly...."
John pushed her towards the other room...."My dear, sweet Lady Jane.....let's leave them be...our two young lovebirds. You can talk to him later. Right now Brenda needs him and he needs Brenda."
Jane stood in the doorway watching as her son hungrily kissed his wife. The love Jax and Brenda shared was undeniable. Now Jane was afraid for her son's heart and his life.
Stepping forward, Jax made is way to a bench and sat down with Brenda on his lap. He kissed away the tears that spilled from her eyes.
"Shhh.....honey.....I'm fine. It was a mistake that's all."
A new wave of sobs choked back Brenda's words. She kept touching his face and arms, examining his hands. Barely audible, Brenda whispered...."Jax, Jax, Jax.....I love you....ohhhh....how I love you."
Cupping her face in his hands, he brushed away the new tears with his thumbs...."I know." He pulled her towards him until her head rested against his chest. The beating of his heart filled her mind and thoughts. Jax safe, Jax safe, Jax safe....is what it seemed to say. The soothing rhythm helped to ease her fears.
"Brenda, I love you too. I love you more than I ever thought I could. No person or thing will ever come between us again. This madness has got to end. I will make it end." The look in his eyes changed from the soft muted shades of love to a cold, steely blue. His family had been held hostage long enough. In that instant, Jax decided it was time to take the offensive..... to end this siege on the Jacks family.
Brenda raised her head and studied her husband's face. His eyes instantly softened the moment his thoughts returned to her but not before she caught a glimpse of his rage. The battle had just begun.
"Go see how Jock is...." she urged Jax.
"Mmmmmm....." savoring the feel of her body next to his, Jax didn't want to move.
"Jax, it's bad. Joanne is terrified. See how he is, find out what's going on and....." she stopped before she uttered the selfish request that consumed her to the depths of her soul.
"And?"
"Nothing."
Cupping her face again, Jax studied her face....."And?! Honey, what is it....just tell me."
Shaking her head...."I can't..." her words said but her body betrayed her. As she spoke, she subconsciously rubbed her body against his....needing to connect with him. Jax was immediately aroused by her movements and understood. He devoured her mouth in an intoxicating, soul wrenching kiss. Brenda gasped when he broke his mouth away from hers. He looked around to make sure they were alone and slipped his hands under her shirt. Her skin felt hot to his probing fingers. She arched her back as he tweaked her nipples. She could feel his arousal heightening beneath her. Jax squirmed wanting to join with Brenda now but knowing they had to wait. He raised a corner of her shirt and covered her breast with warm, moist kisses. She reached down and stroked him through his jeans. The passion bubbled in each of them.
Hesitating, Jax lowered her shirt. Resting his head against the top of the chair, his breathing came in short raspy bursts. Jax was drunk with love and longing.
Regaining his composure, he said what Brenda was thinking...."Let me see Jock. Then I'll talk with Dad and Joanne and whoever else is in charge here. Then....." He nibbled on Brenda's ear and kissed the nape of neck. "I want to go to the hotel for a couple of hours." Jax kissed Brenda on the mouth...slow, leasurely. Her lips parted giving entrance to his exploring tongue. Heart racing, Brenda felt her face burn from the fire Jax ignited within her. Jax broke away from Brenda abruptly. He picked her up and gingerly place her beside him.
"Tell Dad I'm in with Jock.....you...." he laid Brenda's palm against his cheek....."you better not get to close to me.....I don't know how much longer I can control myself."
Brenda reached for him with her free hand....she smiled as she watched him moan with delight and agony. Rising, she kissed his forehead...."I'll go round up John. Don't be long."
Watching as Brenda walked away, Jax vowed to find out who was tormenting them. Heaven help them when he did......