Episode 03: Conjugal Visits
Ashley
My son is turning into his father.
“Mom? Are you even listening to me?”
I yawn and rub away the sleep from my eyes. “If you’re going to show up an hour before I have to be at work, at least bring coffee.”
Max sighs, runs his hands through his dark hair, and then storms over to the coffee machine. I follow him into the kitchen admiring how grown he is. It’s hard to believe I used to hold him after nightmares and would have to check under his bed for monsters. Now he’s the one trying to protect me.
“I can’t go,” I tell him simply. “I have work.”
After he gets the machine started, he swivels around to face me, arms crossed over his chest. His scowl is an exact replica of his father’s. “Call in.”
“Right,” I mutter, “so your ex-girlfriend will really have an excuse to fire me?”
He blinks at me, scowl twisting into a confused expression. “What?”
“Never mind,” I say, brushing off my theory. Turns out, Boss Bailey hates me for other reasons. Max is innocent. “I’ll just call him later. I don’t want to drive all the way there and back. You know it takes all day. Plus, Marley needs the car this evening. She’s going job hunting.”
Max’s vein across his forehead bulges angrily. It used to do that when he was a little guy trying to potty train. Took that poor kid much longer than Marley to learn how to poop on command.
“You’re reckless and insane,” Max grumbles. “Seriously.”
“Watch it, buddy. I’m still your mother.” I give him my toughest Mom glare which isn’t too difficult this early in the morning when I haven’t even had my first cup of coffee.
“Which is why I’m trying to protect you.” He curses under his breath and then turns to pour two mugs of coffee. “You had me pick you up from a restaurant last night because some fuckface had a picture of Marley. Now you’re acting like none of that happened.”
My heart rate quickens, fear trickling in. Matteo scared me last night. And I know I need to talk to Jax. But, did my son need to come in so aggressive this morning? He knows I need my caffeine before I can function.
“I can’t take you because I have a work meeting, but Jude is off today. I’ll have him pick you up within the hour,” Max says as he hands me a mug so I can doctor it up the way I like it. “Call in and go see Dad. Take this seriously. Please. For me.”
I’m not happy with having my entire day rescheduled because of the men in my life, but I’m also not stupid. There’s something going on and I need answers.
“Fine, but tell Jude I don’t want to hear about Minecraft.”
Max snorts out a laugh. “We were into that when we were teenagers. When was the last time you saw Jude?”
I honestly can’t remember. High school graduation maybe?
“Jude’ll take care of you. Call me later, Mom.”
***
Who is this man and what did he do with the scrawny, pimple-faced kid who used to practically live at our house? I don’t recognize the man driving the truck beside me. For one, he’s massive. Taller than Max and Jax, and definitely more muscular than my son.
“What are you doing these days, Jude?” I ask, frowning at the way his bicep flexes when he reaches to turn down the radio.
“A little personal training. Volunteer firefighting. Playing guitar on weekends at the nearby bars with my band.” He smirks at me. “Why, Ash? Looking for a personal trainer?”
Jude’s half grin ignites a hot flash in me. Warmth dances over my skin and a sweat breaks out over me. The thought of Jude bending over me to show me how to use machines and touching me as he suggests adjustments to my techniques are something straight from one of my filthy firefighter romances.
I wonder if he smells smokey if I get up close and personal…
Oh God.
I need help. Seriously. What kind of woman am I? It’s like I’m not in my forties, but more like a horny teenager who drools over any guy with a sinful smile and muscles.
Focus, Ashley.
“What happened to Momma Ash?” I ask, voice terse. “No respect anymore?”
Jude chuckles, the sound deep and dangerous. “I certainly don’t see you looking like anyone’s mom right now.”
I realize I dressed in a cute pair of cutoff denim shorts that show off my toned thighs and one of Jax’s old concert T-shirts. The chucks I’m wearing I stole straight from Marley’s closet. With my long dark hair braided down one side in front of my shoulder, I can see how my appearance is more youthful than usual.
We ride in awkward silence the rest of the way to the prison. I can’t help but notice everything about Jude Montgomery. Dark jeans that hug his thick thighs. Scuffed up black boots that have seen better days. Intriguing scent of a cologne I’ve never smelled before. He’s pretty to look at and I hate that I’m looking.
I used to make him peanut butter, banana, and mayonnaise sandwiches for crying out loud.
While Max and Marley gagged over how gross he was, I dutifully made the kid what he wanted. He was always so happy afterward and ate every crumb.
Now he looks like he could benchpress me, Marley, and Boss Bailey if he wanted. All at once.
“Max is worried about you,” Jude says, frowning.
I huff and cross my arms over my chest. “I don’t need a babysitter. I’m fine. He doesn’t need to worry so much.”
Jude makes a chuffing sound before muttering, “Then maybe stop giving him reasons to worry.”
He thrums his fingers on the steering wheel in time with the music. I notice scabs along his knuckles. Wonder where he got those…
“Firefighting or personal training or guitar?” I ask, flicking my chin toward his hand.
He grunts and shrugs. “Don’t remember.”
Whatever.
Another cryptic man.
***
I forgot how much I hate being here. It’s been a while since I visited Jax. The last time was with the kids. He’d been trying so hard to appear normal for them, so we didn’t talk much then. I’m unsure how today will go and that worries me.
When they bring him in to the visitor’s room, my heart leaps inside my chest. You don’t share your entire life with someone for twenty-six years and then suddenly forget about it. I miss so much about him. Mostly, just having my best friend to talk to every night. Someone to kiss and hold me.
Tears prickle but I blink them back.
As soon as Jax’s dark eyes latch onto mine, my body thrums with electricity. He greedily devours every inch of me with his hungry gaze. If it wouldn’t get him in trouble, or confuse the hell out of both of us, I’d leap into his arms right now.
I force myself to remain seated and give him a small smile. “Hey.”
His lips curl into a breathtaking grin. “Hey, beautiful. How do you get better looking with time? Fuck me.”
Another inmate smirks at us but then looks away quickly when Jax glances his way. It’s then I realize Jax is bigger. Do they make them work out all day or something? His orange prison uniform stretches over muscles he never had before. His build, compared to Jude’s, makes Jude seem like the kid I always remembered him as.
Jax is a beast.
“More tattoos?” I ask, motioning to his forearm.
He turns his arm toward me, revealing “Ashley, my love,” in fancy cursive writing made of thorny vines. My stomach flutters unhelpfully.
It’s so strange seeing him all tatted up when he was an ink-free suit all his life.
This new Jax is rugged, borderline feral, terrifying to everyone around him.
Except me.
Apparently, my heart beats for danger.
“Are you okay, baby?” he asks, eyebrows pinching together. “I’ve been stressed as fuck.”
My eyes threaten to water with tears and I hate it. I hate how he can destroy our lives, make me despise him, and then make me yearn so deeply for him it hurts.
“I’m fine,” I say in a clipped tone, dropping my gaze back down to his new tattoo. “What is so important you had to do it in person?”
He smirks. “The in person part was purely selfish on my part. I needed to see my pretty girl.”
My pretty girl.
God, he breaks my heart when he talks like nothing happened.
“Well, I’m here. This could have been a phone call Jaxon.”
He frowns at the use of his full name. “Babe…”
“Just tell me about Matteo Moretti,” I say, voice rising. “I’m tired of these emotional games. I need to know what I’m up against. He had a photo of our daughter, Jax. Our freaking daughter.”
A murderous expression flashes over his face. At one time, Jax wasn’t a threat to anyone. Now? Now he looks like he could Kool-Aid Man his way out of the prison if he really wanted to.
“Why did you go out on a date with him?” Jax asks, hurt lacing his tone.
“I didn’t know who he was,” I bite out. “Someone finally showed interest in me. Excuse me for getting a little excited. Once again I was being used.”
Jax leans forward and pins me with a heat-filled stare that makes my pelvis ache. “Are you kidding me right now, Ash? You’re a fucking knockout. Always have been. Every damn guy with a working dick who passes you by checks you out. Been dealing with this shit my entire adult life.”
I frown at him. “Whatever.”
“No,” he growls. “You’re fucking hot as shit. If I didn’t think it’d cause a scene, I’d drag you over into my lap and let you feel just how hard my cock is for you right now.” Leaning even closer, he murmurs, “If we were still married, I’d be jumping through hoops to get conjugal visits. I’d probably put two more babies in you after the first thrust.”
He’s always been a dirty talker which turns me on, but damn.
This kills me.
“I’m technically old enough to be a grandma,” I tell him with as much sass as I can muster.
“Grandma I’d like to fuck.” He grins wolfishly at me.
“Focus, dammit,” I snap, forcing the heat that’s burning through me to cool. “Tell me about the Morrettis and what you stole from them.”
Jax looks all around and when he deems no one is listening, he says lowly, “I didn’t steal from them, baby. I worked for them.”
“So, you didn’t work in corporate finance,” I grind out, betrayal cutting through me like a knife. “Another lie. Surprise, surprise.”
“I did,” Jax growls, imploring me to believe him with his intense gaze. “I just didn’t realize who the Morettis were when I got involved. They own people, Ash. Judges, cops, other businessmen. Every damn person in this state owes them something.”
“Including you,” I say hotly. “Great.”
“No.” His jaw muscle ticks in frustration. “I moved money for them, but I didn’t steal any. I’m not that stupid. Who steals from the mafia?”
“Then what happened? Where is it? Why are they following me and our daughter around?” I demand, voice rising enough to earn us a warning glare from one of the guards.
“They’re putting the heat on me,” Jax mutters, “but I can’t produce what I didn’t steal.”
“What about the embezzlement charges?” I ask. “Multiple companies testified against you. Our entire life was liquidated for restitution. You’re here because of it.”
He sighs heavily but gently runs his thumb over his tattoo in a loving way that makes my heart patter wildly. “That’s what I’m trying to explain. It’s all a setup. I’ve been framed. Divorcing you was to protect you from the fallout, but I was always going to get you back when it was over.”
He’s delusional.
The man is looking at decades in the pen.
“You’re waiting until these guys are after me to tell me all this?” I tremble with fear. At one time I could have counted on Jax to protect me from the scary things in life. Kind of hard to do when behind bars.
But what if what he’s saying is true?
This is a dark, twisty web and we’re caught right in the middle.
“I’m sorry,” Jax murmurs. “I don’t know how to fix this. Any of this.”
At least that’s the truth. I can feel it in my bones.
“I’ll be careful,” I say flatly. “If we’re done, I’m going to go home. Maybe I can get Jude to drop me off at the grocery store so I don’t lose my job.”
Jax stiffens. “Jude took you here? Jude Montgomery?”
“Yeah, Max’s friend. He used to sleep over all the time.”
“Listen, baby,” he hisses, leaning close. “You need to get away from that guy. He’s not who you think he is.”
Great. So now Max’s best friend is a criminal too? Is everyone a freaking criminal?
“For crying out loud, Jax,” I bite out. “Is there anyone in our lives who isn’t involved in all your bullshit?”
“Jude was working for the Morettis before I went to prison,” Jax growls. “He’s dirty. Stay the fuck away from him.”
What happens next?
A. TRUST JUDE. Jax has lied to me for years. Why should I believe him now? Get in Jude's truck and confront him about what Jax said to clear the air.
B. TRUST JAX. My ex-husband might be a criminal, but he's still trying to protect me. Call Max to come get me.
C. TRUST NO ONE. Pretend everything's fine, ride home with Jude, and secretly start digging into both men's pasts.
What will Ashley do next? ***Newsletter subscribers get to vote each week for where the story goes next. If you're not on my newsletter, you can sign up here: https://authorkwebster.myflodesk.com/newsletter