J2 Fic: A Life Less Ordinary Part 13/?
Title: A Life Less Ordinary
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Rating: NC-17
Word count: 6,817
Warning/spoilers: mobsters, explicit violence, sexual situations
Disclaimers: I own nothing, this is pure fiction from my crazy mind when you don’t get enough sleep. Please don’t sue.
Summary: Jensen Ackles had always led a quiet and unassuming life until one fateful night when a young boy comes to his door, begging for help. Little did he know how one kind decision had invited the most powerful mob boss in the country into his life. With rival mobsters chasing after him, dodging police with his every movement, Jensen must decide… is having a life less ordinary, worth giving up the life he always had? Story has been beta’d by the phenomenal oldbatj
Part 13
“I wanted to talk to you about something, Jamie. Do you have a few minutes?” Jensen asked his brother. He leaned against the doorway in Jamie’s bedroom, noting the additional personal items belonging to Colin scattered across the messy room. Apparently the young Padalecki had continued to stay in Jamie’s room. This revelation surprised Jensen. He knew how much Jamie valued his personal space and was therefore very possessive of his bedroom which he considered a private sanctuary. Even Jensen had always asked for permission before entering Jamie’s room.
“Sure, just finishing up my homework.” Jamie replied, looking up from his textbook, his pencil still clutched in his right hand as he wrote his last calculations in his notebook. He sat at his desk and watched curiously as his brother closed the bedroom door and tentatively sat on his unmade full size bed.
“What do you want to talk about?” Jamie asked, twisting his seat around to face his brother directly.
“I’m going to be graduating a few months from now and I’m planning on entering the NASA space program internship, which will mean moving to Houston, Texas.”
“Yeah, I know...” Jamie replied somewhat morosely as his gaze dropped to the floor. He didn’t want to think about Jensen leaving him in a few months. He didn’t know what he would do without the constant presence of his big brother in his life. The very thought had anxiety and loneliness threatening to consume him.
“And I wanted to know what you’d think about coming with me to Texas?”
“What? You want me to come with you?” Jamie gasped, shocked eyes nearly bursting from his head.
“Of course, buddy! I wouldn’t leave if you didn’t agree to it. So I’m hoping you’ll say ‘yes’.” Jensen replied, grinning happily to see excitement glittering in his brother’s green eyes.
“Heck yeah, I’ll go with you! But what about Jared and Colin? Would Jared be able to live in Texas? I thought with his work, he needs to be near New York.”
“Why should I be concerned with Jared and Colin?”
“Well… they are coming with us….right?” Jamie asked. When his brother remained silent he rolled his eyes and pushed, “I highly doubt Colin would be okay without his Pops. Plus Jared won’t do well without you for long periods of time. I saw what he was like when you were missing. It wasn’t pretty.”
“I don’t know if Jared and I are long term…”
“Bullshit.”
“Jamie….language.” Jensen barked but his brother raised his right eyebrow at him.
“The guy enlarged our house. He moved his family in with us. If you think he’s not in it for the long haul, you’re just lying to yourself, big brother. What is the real reason you’re hesitating about him? Is it because he’s a bloodthirsty, powerful mob boss? Or that he’s a man? Or that he’s extremely obsessed with you? Or all of the above.”
“He’s not what I pictured my future to be, Jamie. I never asked you this question before, because I was afraid of your answer. But I need to know…now... Do you have a problem with me being with another man? Especially after what happened to you?” Jensen asked, his green eyes were full of guilt.
Jamie looked away, memories of the past roaring back into his mind. “Honestly, I never had a problem with you being with another guy. So if you’re going to use me as an excuse for not being with Jared, then stop. I only care about you being happy, Jensen. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
Jensen smiled, the twisted fear in his gut subsided after Jamie’s answer. “He lives a very dangerous lifestyle. No matter how much I want to separate it and keep the violence away from us, it’s bound to cross over. Like what happened to me. I don’t want to risk you….”
“I don’t want you to base your happiness on me. I love you, Jensen, but you deserve to be happy. Being near Padalecki is dangerous. But so is getting into a car and driving to school. Anything can happen. You could get into a five-car accident on the highway. I guess the point is… you have to decide what type of life you want to live. Do you want an ordinary life, where there are no faceless gangsters plotting your death, that will be filled with mundane events, and be boring and predictable? Or do you want a less ordinary life? One filled with constant danger and excitement but most importantly has both Jared and Colin in it?”
Jensen narrowed his eyes at his brother. “When did you get so wise, little brother?”
“Haven’t a clue. But clearly it’s not genetic.” Jamie snarked. Jensen glared and grabbed his brother in a mock headlock. He ruffled Jamie’s dark blond hair in retaliation, momentarily forgetting how his brother hated anyone to touch him. He froze when he realized his mistake. But instead of yanking out of his older brother’s arms, Jamie wrapped his slender arms around Jensen’s waist.
“I just want you to be happy,” he murmured against Jensen’s chest.
“Funny, I was going to say the same thing to you.” Jensen responded, a tender smile spreading across his face.
“Jensen, where are you?!” Jared hollered. He could hear loud, pounding footsteps racing through the spacious house.
“I’m in Jamie’s room, stalker! And you better not come in!” Jensen yelled, annoyed. For the past few days, Jared had refused to let Jensen out of his direct line of sight. This had been the first time the grad student was able to escape his constant surveillance. Instead of retreating footsteps, he heard loud stomping moving ever closer to the bedroom.
“I mean it, Jared...” he growled, his bright green eyes glaring at the door. He watched the doorknob twist slightly but surprisingly the door remained closed.
“Jamie, may I please enter your room?” The mobster asked politely through the closed door.
“You fucker, I told you that you can’t come in!”
“It’s not your room now, is it? It’s Jamie’s.”
“You guys are so annoying.” Jamie groused, interrupting their quarrel. He moved forward, gently disentangling from Jensen’s arms. He sighed, watching as his normally calm brother stalked toward the closed door and began arguing with the mobster through the dense wood. He had no doubt about what Jensen’s final decision would be. He just wondered how long it would be before his hardheaded brother finally accepted his obvious fate.
“Jared, you can come in,” he called out.
“Jamie, why did you let him in?” Jensen yelled, outraged that his brother took Jared’s side of the squabble.
“Because I want to finish my homework and don’t want to hear you guys flirting for the rest of the night,” Jamie replied.
“We were not flirting!” Jensen denied hotly as the bedroom door swung open, revealing a victoriously smirking mobster standing in the entryway.
“Thank you, Jamie, for inviting me into your room. Your brother can be very unreasonable at times.”
“Unreasonable?! You have been dogging my every step! I needed some space.” Jensen snarled.
“Every time I closed my eyes, I remembered how it felt when you were gone. I didn’t know if you were being tortured, suffering and calling out for me. Or if you were dead and I was praying for a hopeless cause.”
“Jared…” Jensen said tiredly, his hand reached out and touched the mobster’s face.
“I got my impossible miracle when you came into my life. Fate almost stole you away from me twice.”
“Don’t be an idiot. I didn’t come back because of Fate or luck. It was because I wanted to come back. My family is here and nothing or no one will stop me from coming home. But you are driving me crazy. I need to breathe without you constantly watching me.”
“I had to face my greatest fear, losing my family,” Jared admitted. Jamie gaped at the powerful man. He never thought he’d hear the most dangerous mob boss in the country admit to having fears. The two men stood closely together, their bodies inches apart, their sole focus remained on each other. Jamie felt like he was intruding on an intimate moment but he couldn’t force himself to look away. He saw possessive love and devotion reflecting on Jared’s face. He shivered, unnerved at the powerful emotions shown so starkly on the older man’s face.
“You haven’t lost me. I’m standing right here.”
“Then let me hold you again.”
“Idiot,” Jensen had muttered but he had willingly submitted to Jared’s desires, burying his face into the older man’s neck, while his body melted into the mobster’s strong arms.
“I don’t want to lose you.” Jared whispered into Jensen’s ear. The grad student closed his eyes and inhaled the familiar masculine scent of his lover.
“You won’t.”
“Can you guys make out in your own room…please? I’m about to get ready for bed.” Colin announced from the doorway before sauntering into the bedroom in his pajamas. His words seemed to snap the spell that Jensen was under. The engineer immediately grumbled and jabbed his elbow into the muscled abs of his lover, silently demanding the big man to release him. Jared ignored his request and continued to hold him.
“Jared!” Jensen hissed, flushing beet red, embarrassed by their intimate gestures in front of Colin and Jamie.
“Dad, you better let Pops go before he explodes. He’s so red that he’s turning purple.”
“I wouldn’t call his coloring purple. I would say it’s closer to crimson...” Jamie added. He silently chuckled when he saw his brother’s embarrassed expression quickly turn to annoyance.
“You both better have completed your homework already,” Jensen retorted.
“Please, I’m at the top of the class; my homework was already done hours ago,” Colin boasted as he stood next to Jamie. He causally placed his arm around the teenager’s shoulders.
“Brat,” Jensen mumbled.
“Hey, I heard that! Dad, aren’t you going to say something?” Colin whined.
“Jensen’s right. You are a brat.” Jared replied distractedly as he nuzzled the pale neck only inches from his face.
“You’re just saying that because you’ve been stalking Pops all day and you don’t want him mad at you.”
“And that is why you are my son. Wise beyond your years.” Jared replied, unconcerned that Colin had discovered his plan for getting Jensen to forgive him.
“Jamie....defend me!” Colin ordered, poking at the teenager.
“Ouch…fine. You’re an adorable brat.” Jamie replied.
“You are not supposed to call me a ‘brat’!”
“Are you claiming that you’re not a brat? Or not adorable?” Jamie countered.
Colin pouted, knowing that the slick teenager had him backed into a corner with his calm logic. However his annoyance abated when he felt Jamie tugging him into a hug.
“Well, at least I’m your brat.” He whispered into Jamie’s ear.
“You are indeed.” Jamie affectionately replied, hugging the scrawny pre-teen tighter to his chest.
Jensen smiled at the boys, thick emotions clogging in his throat. This was the second time he had seen his brother willingly accept someone’s touch but it was the first time he had seen Jamie initiate a hug in a very, very long time. His gut twisted in anger at his parents’ casual abandonment of their son. He still couldn’t understand how they were able to walk away from Jamie after his recent disappearance or even their behavior toward Jamie after the molestation had been discovered. They had treated the teenager differently, like he was damaged. It had shown in every interaction they had had with him. Jensen knew how it had hurt his brother. Jamie often ‘acted out’ in retaliation, but instead of changing their behavior, his parents had ignored his outbursts and continued their cool and distant demeanor.
Jensen had doubted that Jamie would ever return to the outgoing, loud, garrulous boy of Jensen’s old memories. But he had hoped to see the constant pain and bitterness in the teenager’s eyes abate somewhat as time went by. When Jared and Colin had entered their lives, they were the first people who treated Jamie like any other typical boy. Colin acted like a younger brother, often times challenging the younger Ackles, pushing him to his wits’ end. But Jensen knew how sweet Colin was and he had suspected that the pre-teen was exactly what Jamie needed in his life. He already saw their developing close bond. Colin appeared to be helping to heal some of the deepest emotional wounds in the teenager.
Even Jared made a positive impact on Jamie. Jensen knew he loved his brother too much and that he often overcompensated for his parents’ lack of involvement. As a result, he could never set firm boundaries for the teenager. Jared on the other hand, represented a stern father figure. The mobster treated Jamie like any typical teenager by not coddling or pitying the younger Ackles. Jensen was still amazed at how quickly the Padalecki family had welcomed him and Jamie into their lives. Despite the short time that they spent with each other, it felt like they had known each other for years.
“Come on… let’s leave these boys so that they can get ready for bed.” Jensen said, gently tugging out of Jared’s arms. However the mob boss gripped his right hand, refusing to let go. Jensen glanced at the massive hand wrapping around his wrist and raise his right eyebrow in question.
Jared smiled and said, “I want to hold your hand.”
“What? Afraid you might get lost?” Jensen teased.
“Of course. Especially when I am staring into your beautiful green eyes.”
“Oh brother….when has my Dad become so cheesy?” Colin groaned nearby.
“He may be lame but at least he got his guy in the end.” Jamie noted, not realizing that he had inadvertently defended Jared.
Jensen couldn’t help the answering smile curving on his plush lips at their small interactions. Jamie’s previous words about deciding what path in life he wanted to choose had stuck in his mind. He still had no idea if he wanted Jared and all his mob ties in his life permanently. Nor how he truly felt about the powerful man. But as he stood there gazing at his family, he knew he was exactly where he should be. And that sobering thought frightened him the most.
+++++++
“I’m surprised not to see your big ass ‘shadow’ standing behind you. Then this would have been an awkward conversation. How did you get rid of him?” Momoa asked Jensen as he lounged across from the engineer on the Ackles’ living room couch.
Jensen silently groaned. For the past month, Jared had bodyguards posted on him every time he left the house. He usually never noticed them since they remained quietly in the background and blended in with the crowds. However, the mob boss’s new decree had the guards physically near him at all times lately. He couldn’t turn around without immediately running into one of them. It drove him nuts. But he knew that their presence provided peace of mind for Jared.
He still remembered the first week that he returned to his graduate classes. The big man had refused to leave his side. Jared had accompanied him everywhere and cast a looming, vigilant presence that intimidated all his classmates. By the end of the week, he had several peers and a few professors come to him and ask that he attend class alone, their eyes were full of fear while their voices quaked with terror as they made their pleas. He was only able to persuade Jared to stop dogging his every step by agreeing to have a small army of men constantly surrounding him.
“He’s probably next door listening to our conversation.” Jensen grumped, still annoyed at Jared’s behavior. After one month, the mobster was still paranoid about his safety, constantly checking in on him throughout the day.
“Really?” Momoa asked in astonishment. But he burst into amused chuckles at Jensen’s baleful glare.
“Did you get the information that I asked? Or did you come to torture me?” Jensen complained.
“Of course I got you what you need. But tell me exactly why you are looking into Detective Tom Welling again? And what’s up with all the cloak and dagger bit? I’m assuming that you don’t want Padalecki to know that you’re nosing around a cop?”
“It’s a hunch I have about the cop.”
“And?”
“He’s been after Jared for the past few years. My gut is telling me that it’s personal. I can’t start asking questions with an entire detail of bodyguards trailing after me. That’s too much attention and might tip Welling off that I’m after him.”
“You think Welling is a bad cop?”
“No. But he’s obsessed and it seemed that his mission in life is to take down Jared by any means possible. This makes him unpredictable and dangerous. For me to try and figure out his next moves, I need to know more about the man.”
“And you think a few interviews with past colleagues and childhood friends will shine light into the inner-workings of this police detective’s mind?” Jason questioned.
“I need to know his history, what made him into the man he is today.”
“Why are you so interested in Welling? Did he have anything to do with your kidnapping? Because if he did, you better inform Padalecki or the FBI.”
“I don’t think he was directly involved.”
“Then why the investigations? Shit, Ackles. You better not get yourself hurt again. Or I will tell Padalecki.”
“What is up with you and tattling to Jared? Last time I checked, you were my friend.”
“I am your friend. I’m trying to look out for you. Like or not, you are not a typical, average guy anymore. You are surrounded by danger and due to your association with Padalecki, now have a target painted on your back. Therefore you need bodyguards to keep you safe and alive.”
“Then I guess that means you don’t want me to go to your National Championship Game.”
“How did you know that our football team got into the Sugar Bowl?”
Jensen rolled his eyes. “Just because I haven’t gone to your last few playoff games doesn’t mean I don’t know how well you’ve done. Since I had to endure all your earlier games this season, it would only be fitting that I be there for your last game.” Jensen replied. He smiled when he saw the relieved happiness reflecting in his friend’s dark brown eyes.
“Are you going to check with Padalecki?”
“Why the Hell would I need to ask for Jared’s permission?” Jensen snarled, shooting emerald fire from his angry eyes.
“Were you not listening to me earlier? You are considered a moving target, the biggest link to one of the most powerful mobsters, if not the most powerful, mobster in the country. If you attend a football game, you will be out in the open, vulnerable to any assassination attempts. Come to think of it, I don’t know if it’s a good idea if you come.” Momoa worriedly said. His shoulders slumped at the idea that Jensen would not be present at his Championship game.
“Listen very carefully to me, Momoa. It seemed that you are having a hearing problem so I will tell you this one more time. I am going to your damn Sugar Bowl. I don’t care what Jared thinks about that.”
“But Jensen….”
“No excuses. I couldn’t come to any of your playoff games these past few weeks and I’ll be damned if I miss your most important game as well. I’ll talk to Jared about it. Even if he’s not happy, I’m still going. Gotta’ support my buddy.”
“Thanks, Jensen. But I want you to be safe. If anything happens to you because of me, I don’t think I could ever forgive myself.”
“Let me worry about my own protection. You need to focus on winning the Championship game,” Jensen replied, patting his friend’s shoulder.
“I’ll talk to Jared and convince him on the idea. Now where’s that file of information that you have for me?” Jensen smoothly countered when he saw the argumentative expression on Momoa’s face.
“I’m not worth dying for...” Momoa retorted as he dropped the flashdrive onto Jensen’s open palm.
“No one is going to die, you big drama queen.” Jensen muttered, his attention riveted to the shiny flashdrive in his hand. There were too many small things about Welling that didn’t make sense. Perhaps the information on the jumpdrive would bring the puzzle pieces together for a more cohesive picture.
Momoa studied his best friend. He was already familiar with the concentrated expression on Jensen’s face. He knew that the grad student was already formulating multiple plans. He inwardly sighed. He really hoped that Jensen took his warnings seriously. Although he was excited for his friend’s presence at his Championship game, he didn’t want it to be at the cost of his life. But he was only too familiar with Jensen’s stubbornness. No matter how much he argued, once the grad student made up his mind, he would not change his decision. Momoa hoped that it was the right decision that Jensen made for both of their sakes.
+++++++
“I have to tell you something…” Jensen griped walking into Jared’s study. He froze at the doorway. He had pushed open the close door and began speaking without realizing that there were several people present in the room with the mob boss.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t realize that I was interrupting a meeting.” Jensen murmured blushing beet red in embarrassment. He quickly averted his eyes from the men wearing expensive suits. It was his first time walking in on a meeting. He wondered if the men in the room were also involved with organized crime. Despite Jared living with him for the past few months, Jensen had never been confronted by the mobster’s lifestyle. He liked it that way. He could continue to ignore the violence and danger that the big man brought into his life if Jared kept the exposure to mob business at a minimum.
“You are not interrupting, beloved. We’re done here.” Jared smoothly interjected, casually dismissing the men in his presence. Jensen stepped aside and allowed the men to leave. He was surprised when one man stopped in front of him.
“I’m glad that you weren’t too badly hurt,” The blue-eyed, long-haired man said to him.
“Ahh…thanks.” Jensen awkwardly replied, uncomfortable with the man’s intense attention on him.
“I’m glad he has you in his life. He will be better for it,” the man continued to say.
Suddenly, Jared was in front of him, a wall of muscles pressed against his face. “Get the fuck away from him.” Jared growled, shoving the shorter man roughly into the wall.
“I meant no harm, Jared.”
“I know exactly what you meant. Now get the fuck out of here or else our truce ends.” Jared snarled, his body vibrating with suppressed violence.
“What was that all about?” Jensen mildly asked after he heard the other man leave the room.
“Negotiations.”
“Really? Do I even want to know?” Jensen mockingly asked, knowing that Jared would never discuss his business with him.
“I will not conceal anything from you, beloved. Simply ask and I will answer you.” Jared replied as his multi-colored eyes bored into shocked green ones.
“Is that so? Then what did that hippie with the long hair want?” Jensen challenged.
“To beg for the life of his sister.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I negotiated terms for her survival. But in truth her life is not mine to decide.”
“What did she do to you?”
“She almost destroyed my family. Twice.”
Comprehension filled Jensen’s green eyes. “Holy shit… was that Alexis’s brother?!”
“Yes.”
“What are you going to do with them?”
“Ensure that they will never be a threat to us again.”
“You are not going to kill her!”
“It is not my place to decide.”
“You’re talking about Colin...?”
“Yes. Ultimately the decision will be his to make for she is his mother.”
“You’re seriously going to make him decide if she lives or dies? That’s fucking cold, Jared.” Jensen rebuked, incensed that Colin would be forced to make such a hard choice. His gut told him that the boy still loved his mother. He wanted to spare Colin the angst, pain and heartache. “No child should have to make such a choice!”
“He is a Padalecki. He will be forced to make many difficult decisions in his life. But you can teach him your values. Let him decide what type of man he will be.”
“And you will be okay with that?”
“Of course. He will also be raised with my life lessons. It is only fitting that he know your ethics since he is also your son.” Jared nonchalantly replied.
All the angry words on the tip of Jensen’s tongue immediately died at the gravity of Jared’s words. He had never seriously considered himself as Colin’s father. But to hear the mob boss openly acknowledge Jensen’s silent claim on the boy filled his heart with deep emotions. He realized that he had been deluding himself. There had never been a choice since the night he made the decision to help that scrawny, terrified kid on his doorstep.
He looked at the man standing in front of him. He had never pictured himself being sexually attracted to a man before he had met Jared. He still didn’t find any other men physically attractive. But there was something about Jared that made his heart speed up and his cock harden and throb with lust. Even if he could ignore the desires of his body, he still couldn’t deny the strong emotions that the man made him feel. Never in his life had he felt so passionately about someone. Or felt so safe and protected. Despite what had happened to him in the past, he knew that Jared would burn the world down in order to keep him safe. Instead of being afraid at the lengths that Jared would go to for him, he silently admitted to himself that it made him feel secure. No one had ever loved him to a point of obsessive madness.
“Sly bastard. Don’t know why I love you.” Jensen groused but immediately froze when he let the words slip out of his mouth. He stared up at Jared, anxious for the big man’s reaction. Jared smiled as he wrapped his big arms around him and hugged his unresisting body tight against his massive, muscular frame.
“Let’s get married after you graduate in May. It will be a good time. Then after the wedding we can focus on moving our family down to Texas.” Jared mused, dropping a quick kiss on Jensen’s flabbergasted lips.
“You want to do WHAT?!” Jensen choked out.
“Or we can move first to Texas then get married but I think we would be too busy getting the house ready. Plus Colin and Jamie will both have to enroll in private school. Therefore… marriage first. Then the move.” Jared calmly replied, ignoring Jensen’s outburst.
“Whoa, who said anything about marriage? I finally told you that ‘I love you’ and your response is marriage?”
“Yes.” Jared promptly replied.
“What the Hell?”
“Are you telling me that you are not serious about our family? That you consider what we are doing a fling? A fuck?”
“No, of course not! You know how committed I am to us. To Colin.”
“Then are you ashamed of me?”
“Fuck no! Anyone that says anything bad about you will have to deal with me.”
“Then why are you objecting?”
“Because it’s too damn fucking fast! I just told you that I love you and you want to get married right away?”
“Not right away. After you graduate.”
“That’s only four fucking months from now.”
“I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I don’t want to wait. Besides, by the time May comes around, you will finally accept the decision.” Jared reasonably replied.
Jensen continued to sputter, too overwhelmed to make any coherent protests. The mobster leaned closer and whispered into his ear.
“I already asked for permission from Colin and Jamie. They both gave us their blessings. No more excuses, beloved. You were mine the night we met.”
+++++++
“I’m surprise to see you here, Jensen. Does Padalecki know that you’re here? Do you need me to send an extraction team to your house for your little brother?” Felicia asked Jensen. She was shocked to discover the engineer waiting in her office.
Jensen grumbled, “Why does everyone always ask if I got permission from Jared. I’m not a freaking pet.”
“I wasn’t implying that you are. I know how very dangerous Padalecki can be. I’m concerned about your safety.”
“Hold it right there, Agent Day. I’m not here to discuss Jared. There is nothing wrong with my safety. I have five billion bodyguards on me at all times, so don’t go there.”
“Is he holding you hostage?”
“For Pete’s sake Agent, no. Jared is not holding me captive. He’s my freaking fiancée. Oh shit…” Jensen griped, silently cursing himself for letting the information slip past his lips. He still wouldn’t admit to Jared that he had accepted the man’s proposal. Yet when Agent Day began insulting Jared, all of his protective instincts came out in full force.
He saw the shocked expression on the Federal Agent’s face. He wondered again why he had approached her. His gut had told him to trust her even though his brain told him to be careful. She was a Federal Agent and as such would inherently want Jared behind bars. He knew Jared would rather die than spend the rest of his life in prison. In fact, he doubted any prison would be able to hold the powerful man for long.
“I wanted to talk to you about one of the investigators you had on my case.”
“Why?”
“I may have come into some information. And I don’t know who to trust.”
“Why haven’t you told Padalecki who’s your fiancée? Why me?” Felicia suspiciously asked. She was shaken to hear the news that Jensen planned to marry the mob boss. She wondered what kind of game he was playing with her. It made her angry for misjudging the man. She was so certain that he was a good, decent, young man that had simply fallen in with the wrong crowd. But to hear that he was willingly agreeing to marry an infamous mob boss made her re-evaluate the engineer. She was now leery of what Jensen wanted from her. Perhaps he was not as innocent as he appeared to be.
“Because I want this man to be brought to justice for what he has done and not simply killed. I’m not saying that Jared would kill him, mind you, just to be clear.”
He’s not bloodthirsty after all, thank goodness, Felicity thought. Relieved that her gut steered her in the right direction.
“So you think we got an bad egg in the FBI.”
“Not the FBI.”
Felicity raised her left eyebrow at Jensen’s sharp response. “Then who?”
“Local police department. A detective by the name of Tom Welling.”
“Welling? Doesn’t he have a deep interest in Padalecki? You saying that someone is paying him to go after your fiancée?”
“No, I’m saying that he has a personal grudge against Jared’s family. He’s been illegally using police resources and committing his own overlooked crimes to ensure the downfall of the Padalecki family.”
“Those are some mighty big accusations, Mr. Ackles. Do you have any proof?”
Jensen smiled. “Do you really think I would come waltzing into the FBI offices if I didn’t have something for you? A plan? Do I look that stupid?”
“I don’t know…you are kinda’ pretty looking and a blond, after all.” Felicia snarked. She watched the engineer roll his bright green eyes at her.
“A federal agent who’s a comedienne... Awesome.”
“What can I say, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” Felicia continued to tease, quietly chuckling at Jensen’s groans. She knew that she was acting unprofessional but there was something about Jensen that made her feel comfortable around him. Maybe that was why she had pushed him to leave Padalecki. Because in him, she saw all the potential that he was capable of. All the good he was destined to do. But if he continued his relationship with the mob boss he could endanger his future. In him she saw what he represented. Hope.
+++++++
“Since I’m going to be Dad’s best man, it’s obvious that you will be Pops’. Oh, I know. We should totally get matching suits, Jamie. What do you say?” Colin excitedly asked. Jamie glanced over at his brother’s stormy expression and wisely remained silent.
“I don’t remember agreeing on getting married.” Jensen growled.
“I think getting matching suits is a great idea. Although you would be wearing a tuxedo, similar to mine.” Jared replied, grinning at his lover’s glare. Jensen fumed when he realized that the big man had outplayed him. His mind raced with retaliation ideas. He then gave a wicked grin, which caused the mob boss to narrow his eyes.
“Did Jared let you guys know about Momoa’s upcoming Championship game this Friday? Guess what….we are going!”
“Really, that’s awesome!” Jamie exclaimed.
“What’s so great about seeing that loser playing?” Colin groused. Jared gave Jensen a victorious look at his son’s reaction. However his triumph was quickly derailed when Jamie started convincing Colin how much fun they would have at the game. Before long Colin was as enthusiastic as the younger Ackles.
“I told you how dangerous and ill-advised it would be if we go to this game.” Jared lectured.
“You have an army of bodyguards, figure it out. Because come rain or shine, we are going to that game. And you are going to wear a Tigers’ jersey...”
“Tigers’ jersey?”
“That’s the Princeton football team’s name...duh.”
“I will not.”
“If you don’t wear it, then I’m wearing it. I’m going to wear the one with Momoa’s name on my back.”
Jared gave him a murderous glare. Jensen defiantly returned his glower, refusing to back down. He knew it would greatly disturb the big man if he wore a jersey with another man’s name on his back. Jared was a very possessive man when it came to Jensen and his family. However he wanted to show Momoa his support. And since he knew that Jared would have an issue with him wearing Momoa’s jersey, it meant that the big man himself had to wear the Tigers’ colors in his place.
“Fine, I’ll fucking wear the damned Tigers’ jersey.” Jared snarled grudgingly.
“Thank you.” Jensen replied before leaning up and giving Jared passionate kiss.
“Is this my reward?” Jared muttered after they pull apart.
“And if it is?” Jensen asked raising his right eyebrow.
Jared gave him a heated smile. “Then I’ll take it.” Before once again crushing Jensen’s lips in a breath-taking kiss.
“You would think they would get tired of always making out in front of us.” Colin complained watching the lovers embracing each other.
“Right there with you, buddy. Old people kissing...gross.” Jamie replied.
+++++++
“Are you certain that the target will be present at the Sugar Bowl? Padalecki is not a fool. He’ll know how defenseless they’ll be. Especially in a crowded football stadium.”
“We got confirmation that the family will be present. However they will be in the VIP box, which will be even better for you. The crowds won’t block your view. You’ll have a perfect kill shot.”
“Mr. Veselovsky still wants me to kill this innocent boy? Why not kill Padalecki and just be done with it?”
“Sergei, you have your orders, do not make me repeat them. He wants you to kill the boy publicly. To send out a message to those that cross him, there will be no mercy. Do you understand?”
“We do not make war with children.”
“Today we do. Understand?”
Sergei lowered his head and nodded. “Yes, message received.”
+++++++
Momoa took a deep breath seconds before stepping onto the football field. He heard the crowd chanting for his team, yelling for victory. His teammates passed by him as they ran toward the field. They were familiar with his pre-game ritual. Before each football game, he always took a few minutes to visualize their victory. Instead, this time he said a quick prayer. He knew that Jensen was watching him from somewhere in the stadium. Despite the engineer’s assurances of his protection, his gut was telling him that danger was lurking in this crowd. He stared up at the bright New Orleans moon above their heads.
“Please be alright. Please be safe…” He muttered in his prayers, hoping that his pleas were heard.
+++++++
Jensen looked around in the skybox. When Jared had finally relented and allowed them to come to the Sugar Bowl he wanted a few concessions. One of the compromises was that they watched the game from the VIP box. Jensen was initially against it. The skybox was too expensive. In addition, part of the fun was sitting among the crowd and cheering Momoa on. However the mobster was adamant. No skybox, no football game. Eventually Jensen agreed. And he realized it was the best decision that he had ever made. He forgot how much Jamie hated crowded areas. The skybox they settled into was very spacious. The only people seated with them were their own bodyguards.
“Aren’t you glad that you listened to me?” Jared whispered in his ear as they watched the boys goofing off in front of them.
“For once you were right. Go you.” Jensen griped.
“Do I get my reward?”
“No.”
“Come on, quick bathroom break? I’ll make it worth your while.” Jared growled, reaching over and palming Jensen’s half-hard, jeans shrouded cock.
“Shit…later tonight.” Jensen hissed, shifting away from the mobster. He did not want to sport a hard-on throughout the night.
“That is so far away. How about during half-time?” Jared whined. He leaned down and began nuzzling Jensen’s neck. Suddenly popcorn hit both their faces.
“Can you guys keep it together until after the game? We’re trying to watch a game here.” Colin complained. Despite Jared glaring at his son, Jensen spotted the amused smile that the mobster was trying to conceal from his son.
“Eyes front, Son. I’m discussing something very important with Jensen.”
“Sounds like you’re just trying to get into his pants.” Colin retorted.
“Which is very important.” Jared stated.
“Eww, old people making out. Jamie, save me.” Colin cried out.
“Alright, pipe down. No more making out.” Jensen stated until he saw Jared’s crestfallen face. “Until after we get home.” Jensen conceded. He ignored the boys’ groans and shifted closer to the mobster. Jared put his arms around him and they quietly watched the game amidst Jamie’s and Colin’s chatter.
+++++++
Sergei gripped the M24 sniper rifle in his hands. His blue eyes tracked the target in the scope. He watched the teenager laugh, throwing popcorn at the Padalecki heir. The target looked young and carefree, without any worries as he sat in the VIP box watching the college football game progressing.
The assassin lowered his gun and waited for his signal. In his normal assignments, he typically picked the location and time when he eliminated his targets. Yet this was a special case. Veselovsky wanted absolute control, as if he was personally making the kill shot. As a result, Sergei was forced to watch his target spend time with his family, laughing and enjoying himself, the innocent teen not realizing that he was only seconds from dying.
“I need to retire,” Sergei muttered sitting back from his position on the rooftop. His hidden location was an office building across the street from the stadium. Once he made his kill shot, he knew he would be able to make a quick exit before the ensuing chaos reached anywhere near him.
BING
He glanced down at his cell phone and read the text message.
It was time to eliminate the target.
May God have mercy on the teenager’s soul, he thought. He didn’t bother to think about his own. He knew he had sold it long ago and damned himself for all eternity in the process.
The assassin raised his rifle, adjusting the familiar weapon to his body. His blue eyes zeroed in on his target through the long-range scope. His finger caressed the well-worn trigger of the M24.
A single shot sliced through the night in the midst of the crowd screaming in victory.
+++++++
Author’s Note 1: Holy smokes, massive thank you in the size of Jared’s big frame goes to my beta, oldbatj. She is simply amazing. Not only did she take hours for this super fast turnaround, but also she added details to the story that made it better. Thank you so much hon!! ☺
Author’s Note 2: As you know, comments are an inspiration and will motivate me to write faster! ☺ So if you want to know what happens next, please comment. If not, thanks for reading!!
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Rating: NC-17
Word count: 6,817
Warning/spoilers: mobsters, explicit violence, sexual situations
Disclaimers: I own nothing, this is pure fiction from my crazy mind when you don’t get enough sleep. Please don’t sue.
Summary: Jensen Ackles had always led a quiet and unassuming life until one fateful night when a young boy comes to his door, begging for help. Little did he know how one kind decision had invited the most powerful mob boss in the country into his life. With rival mobsters chasing after him, dodging police with his every movement, Jensen must decide… is having a life less ordinary, worth giving up the life he always had? Story has been beta’d by the phenomenal oldbatj
Part 13
“I wanted to talk to you about something, Jamie. Do you have a few minutes?” Jensen asked his brother. He leaned against the doorway in Jamie’s bedroom, noting the additional personal items belonging to Colin scattered across the messy room. Apparently the young Padalecki had continued to stay in Jamie’s room. This revelation surprised Jensen. He knew how much Jamie valued his personal space and was therefore very possessive of his bedroom which he considered a private sanctuary. Even Jensen had always asked for permission before entering Jamie’s room.
“Sure, just finishing up my homework.” Jamie replied, looking up from his textbook, his pencil still clutched in his right hand as he wrote his last calculations in his notebook. He sat at his desk and watched curiously as his brother closed the bedroom door and tentatively sat on his unmade full size bed.
“What do you want to talk about?” Jamie asked, twisting his seat around to face his brother directly.
“I’m going to be graduating a few months from now and I’m planning on entering the NASA space program internship, which will mean moving to Houston, Texas.”
“Yeah, I know...” Jamie replied somewhat morosely as his gaze dropped to the floor. He didn’t want to think about Jensen leaving him in a few months. He didn’t know what he would do without the constant presence of his big brother in his life. The very thought had anxiety and loneliness threatening to consume him.
“And I wanted to know what you’d think about coming with me to Texas?”
“What? You want me to come with you?” Jamie gasped, shocked eyes nearly bursting from his head.
“Of course, buddy! I wouldn’t leave if you didn’t agree to it. So I’m hoping you’ll say ‘yes’.” Jensen replied, grinning happily to see excitement glittering in his brother’s green eyes.
“Heck yeah, I’ll go with you! But what about Jared and Colin? Would Jared be able to live in Texas? I thought with his work, he needs to be near New York.”
“Why should I be concerned with Jared and Colin?”
“Well… they are coming with us….right?” Jamie asked. When his brother remained silent he rolled his eyes and pushed, “I highly doubt Colin would be okay without his Pops. Plus Jared won’t do well without you for long periods of time. I saw what he was like when you were missing. It wasn’t pretty.”
“I don’t know if Jared and I are long term…”
“Bullshit.”
“Jamie….language.” Jensen barked but his brother raised his right eyebrow at him.
“The guy enlarged our house. He moved his family in with us. If you think he’s not in it for the long haul, you’re just lying to yourself, big brother. What is the real reason you’re hesitating about him? Is it because he’s a bloodthirsty, powerful mob boss? Or that he’s a man? Or that he’s extremely obsessed with you? Or all of the above.”
“He’s not what I pictured my future to be, Jamie. I never asked you this question before, because I was afraid of your answer. But I need to know…now... Do you have a problem with me being with another man? Especially after what happened to you?” Jensen asked, his green eyes were full of guilt.
Jamie looked away, memories of the past roaring back into his mind. “Honestly, I never had a problem with you being with another guy. So if you’re going to use me as an excuse for not being with Jared, then stop. I only care about you being happy, Jensen. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
Jensen smiled, the twisted fear in his gut subsided after Jamie’s answer. “He lives a very dangerous lifestyle. No matter how much I want to separate it and keep the violence away from us, it’s bound to cross over. Like what happened to me. I don’t want to risk you….”
“I don’t want you to base your happiness on me. I love you, Jensen, but you deserve to be happy. Being near Padalecki is dangerous. But so is getting into a car and driving to school. Anything can happen. You could get into a five-car accident on the highway. I guess the point is… you have to decide what type of life you want to live. Do you want an ordinary life, where there are no faceless gangsters plotting your death, that will be filled with mundane events, and be boring and predictable? Or do you want a less ordinary life? One filled with constant danger and excitement but most importantly has both Jared and Colin in it?”
Jensen narrowed his eyes at his brother. “When did you get so wise, little brother?”
“Haven’t a clue. But clearly it’s not genetic.” Jamie snarked. Jensen glared and grabbed his brother in a mock headlock. He ruffled Jamie’s dark blond hair in retaliation, momentarily forgetting how his brother hated anyone to touch him. He froze when he realized his mistake. But instead of yanking out of his older brother’s arms, Jamie wrapped his slender arms around Jensen’s waist.
“I just want you to be happy,” he murmured against Jensen’s chest.
“Funny, I was going to say the same thing to you.” Jensen responded, a tender smile spreading across his face.
“Jensen, where are you?!” Jared hollered. He could hear loud, pounding footsteps racing through the spacious house.
“I’m in Jamie’s room, stalker! And you better not come in!” Jensen yelled, annoyed. For the past few days, Jared had refused to let Jensen out of his direct line of sight. This had been the first time the grad student was able to escape his constant surveillance. Instead of retreating footsteps, he heard loud stomping moving ever closer to the bedroom.
“I mean it, Jared...” he growled, his bright green eyes glaring at the door. He watched the doorknob twist slightly but surprisingly the door remained closed.
“Jamie, may I please enter your room?” The mobster asked politely through the closed door.
“You fucker, I told you that you can’t come in!”
“It’s not your room now, is it? It’s Jamie’s.”
“You guys are so annoying.” Jamie groused, interrupting their quarrel. He moved forward, gently disentangling from Jensen’s arms. He sighed, watching as his normally calm brother stalked toward the closed door and began arguing with the mobster through the dense wood. He had no doubt about what Jensen’s final decision would be. He just wondered how long it would be before his hardheaded brother finally accepted his obvious fate.
“Jared, you can come in,” he called out.
“Jamie, why did you let him in?” Jensen yelled, outraged that his brother took Jared’s side of the squabble.
“Because I want to finish my homework and don’t want to hear you guys flirting for the rest of the night,” Jamie replied.
“We were not flirting!” Jensen denied hotly as the bedroom door swung open, revealing a victoriously smirking mobster standing in the entryway.
“Thank you, Jamie, for inviting me into your room. Your brother can be very unreasonable at times.”
“Unreasonable?! You have been dogging my every step! I needed some space.” Jensen snarled.
“Every time I closed my eyes, I remembered how it felt when you were gone. I didn’t know if you were being tortured, suffering and calling out for me. Or if you were dead and I was praying for a hopeless cause.”
“Jared…” Jensen said tiredly, his hand reached out and touched the mobster’s face.
“I got my impossible miracle when you came into my life. Fate almost stole you away from me twice.”
“Don’t be an idiot. I didn’t come back because of Fate or luck. It was because I wanted to come back. My family is here and nothing or no one will stop me from coming home. But you are driving me crazy. I need to breathe without you constantly watching me.”
“I had to face my greatest fear, losing my family,” Jared admitted. Jamie gaped at the powerful man. He never thought he’d hear the most dangerous mob boss in the country admit to having fears. The two men stood closely together, their bodies inches apart, their sole focus remained on each other. Jamie felt like he was intruding on an intimate moment but he couldn’t force himself to look away. He saw possessive love and devotion reflecting on Jared’s face. He shivered, unnerved at the powerful emotions shown so starkly on the older man’s face.
“You haven’t lost me. I’m standing right here.”
“Then let me hold you again.”
“Idiot,” Jensen had muttered but he had willingly submitted to Jared’s desires, burying his face into the older man’s neck, while his body melted into the mobster’s strong arms.
“I don’t want to lose you.” Jared whispered into Jensen’s ear. The grad student closed his eyes and inhaled the familiar masculine scent of his lover.
“You won’t.”
“Can you guys make out in your own room…please? I’m about to get ready for bed.” Colin announced from the doorway before sauntering into the bedroom in his pajamas. His words seemed to snap the spell that Jensen was under. The engineer immediately grumbled and jabbed his elbow into the muscled abs of his lover, silently demanding the big man to release him. Jared ignored his request and continued to hold him.
“Jared!” Jensen hissed, flushing beet red, embarrassed by their intimate gestures in front of Colin and Jamie.
“Dad, you better let Pops go before he explodes. He’s so red that he’s turning purple.”
“I wouldn’t call his coloring purple. I would say it’s closer to crimson...” Jamie added. He silently chuckled when he saw his brother’s embarrassed expression quickly turn to annoyance.
“You both better have completed your homework already,” Jensen retorted.
“Please, I’m at the top of the class; my homework was already done hours ago,” Colin boasted as he stood next to Jamie. He causally placed his arm around the teenager’s shoulders.
“Brat,” Jensen mumbled.
“Hey, I heard that! Dad, aren’t you going to say something?” Colin whined.
“Jensen’s right. You are a brat.” Jared replied distractedly as he nuzzled the pale neck only inches from his face.
“You’re just saying that because you’ve been stalking Pops all day and you don’t want him mad at you.”
“And that is why you are my son. Wise beyond your years.” Jared replied, unconcerned that Colin had discovered his plan for getting Jensen to forgive him.
“Jamie....defend me!” Colin ordered, poking at the teenager.
“Ouch…fine. You’re an adorable brat.” Jamie replied.
“You are not supposed to call me a ‘brat’!”
“Are you claiming that you’re not a brat? Or not adorable?” Jamie countered.
Colin pouted, knowing that the slick teenager had him backed into a corner with his calm logic. However his annoyance abated when he felt Jamie tugging him into a hug.
“Well, at least I’m your brat.” He whispered into Jamie’s ear.
“You are indeed.” Jamie affectionately replied, hugging the scrawny pre-teen tighter to his chest.
Jensen smiled at the boys, thick emotions clogging in his throat. This was the second time he had seen his brother willingly accept someone’s touch but it was the first time he had seen Jamie initiate a hug in a very, very long time. His gut twisted in anger at his parents’ casual abandonment of their son. He still couldn’t understand how they were able to walk away from Jamie after his recent disappearance or even their behavior toward Jamie after the molestation had been discovered. They had treated the teenager differently, like he was damaged. It had shown in every interaction they had had with him. Jensen knew how it had hurt his brother. Jamie often ‘acted out’ in retaliation, but instead of changing their behavior, his parents had ignored his outbursts and continued their cool and distant demeanor.
Jensen had doubted that Jamie would ever return to the outgoing, loud, garrulous boy of Jensen’s old memories. But he had hoped to see the constant pain and bitterness in the teenager’s eyes abate somewhat as time went by. When Jared and Colin had entered their lives, they were the first people who treated Jamie like any other typical boy. Colin acted like a younger brother, often times challenging the younger Ackles, pushing him to his wits’ end. But Jensen knew how sweet Colin was and he had suspected that the pre-teen was exactly what Jamie needed in his life. He already saw their developing close bond. Colin appeared to be helping to heal some of the deepest emotional wounds in the teenager.
Even Jared made a positive impact on Jamie. Jensen knew he loved his brother too much and that he often overcompensated for his parents’ lack of involvement. As a result, he could never set firm boundaries for the teenager. Jared on the other hand, represented a stern father figure. The mobster treated Jamie like any typical teenager by not coddling or pitying the younger Ackles. Jensen was still amazed at how quickly the Padalecki family had welcomed him and Jamie into their lives. Despite the short time that they spent with each other, it felt like they had known each other for years.
“Come on… let’s leave these boys so that they can get ready for bed.” Jensen said, gently tugging out of Jared’s arms. However the mob boss gripped his right hand, refusing to let go. Jensen glanced at the massive hand wrapping around his wrist and raise his right eyebrow in question.
Jared smiled and said, “I want to hold your hand.”
“What? Afraid you might get lost?” Jensen teased.
“Of course. Especially when I am staring into your beautiful green eyes.”
“Oh brother….when has my Dad become so cheesy?” Colin groaned nearby.
“He may be lame but at least he got his guy in the end.” Jamie noted, not realizing that he had inadvertently defended Jared.
Jensen couldn’t help the answering smile curving on his plush lips at their small interactions. Jamie’s previous words about deciding what path in life he wanted to choose had stuck in his mind. He still had no idea if he wanted Jared and all his mob ties in his life permanently. Nor how he truly felt about the powerful man. But as he stood there gazing at his family, he knew he was exactly where he should be. And that sobering thought frightened him the most.
+++++++
“I’m surprised not to see your big ass ‘shadow’ standing behind you. Then this would have been an awkward conversation. How did you get rid of him?” Momoa asked Jensen as he lounged across from the engineer on the Ackles’ living room couch.
Jensen silently groaned. For the past month, Jared had bodyguards posted on him every time he left the house. He usually never noticed them since they remained quietly in the background and blended in with the crowds. However, the mob boss’s new decree had the guards physically near him at all times lately. He couldn’t turn around without immediately running into one of them. It drove him nuts. But he knew that their presence provided peace of mind for Jared.
He still remembered the first week that he returned to his graduate classes. The big man had refused to leave his side. Jared had accompanied him everywhere and cast a looming, vigilant presence that intimidated all his classmates. By the end of the week, he had several peers and a few professors come to him and ask that he attend class alone, their eyes were full of fear while their voices quaked with terror as they made their pleas. He was only able to persuade Jared to stop dogging his every step by agreeing to have a small army of men constantly surrounding him.
“He’s probably next door listening to our conversation.” Jensen grumped, still annoyed at Jared’s behavior. After one month, the mobster was still paranoid about his safety, constantly checking in on him throughout the day.
“Really?” Momoa asked in astonishment. But he burst into amused chuckles at Jensen’s baleful glare.
“Did you get the information that I asked? Or did you come to torture me?” Jensen complained.
“Of course I got you what you need. But tell me exactly why you are looking into Detective Tom Welling again? And what’s up with all the cloak and dagger bit? I’m assuming that you don’t want Padalecki to know that you’re nosing around a cop?”
“It’s a hunch I have about the cop.”
“And?”
“He’s been after Jared for the past few years. My gut is telling me that it’s personal. I can’t start asking questions with an entire detail of bodyguards trailing after me. That’s too much attention and might tip Welling off that I’m after him.”
“You think Welling is a bad cop?”
“No. But he’s obsessed and it seemed that his mission in life is to take down Jared by any means possible. This makes him unpredictable and dangerous. For me to try and figure out his next moves, I need to know more about the man.”
“And you think a few interviews with past colleagues and childhood friends will shine light into the inner-workings of this police detective’s mind?” Jason questioned.
“I need to know his history, what made him into the man he is today.”
“Why are you so interested in Welling? Did he have anything to do with your kidnapping? Because if he did, you better inform Padalecki or the FBI.”
“I don’t think he was directly involved.”
“Then why the investigations? Shit, Ackles. You better not get yourself hurt again. Or I will tell Padalecki.”
“What is up with you and tattling to Jared? Last time I checked, you were my friend.”
“I am your friend. I’m trying to look out for you. Like or not, you are not a typical, average guy anymore. You are surrounded by danger and due to your association with Padalecki, now have a target painted on your back. Therefore you need bodyguards to keep you safe and alive.”
“Then I guess that means you don’t want me to go to your National Championship Game.”
“How did you know that our football team got into the Sugar Bowl?”
Jensen rolled his eyes. “Just because I haven’t gone to your last few playoff games doesn’t mean I don’t know how well you’ve done. Since I had to endure all your earlier games this season, it would only be fitting that I be there for your last game.” Jensen replied. He smiled when he saw the relieved happiness reflecting in his friend’s dark brown eyes.
“Are you going to check with Padalecki?”
“Why the Hell would I need to ask for Jared’s permission?” Jensen snarled, shooting emerald fire from his angry eyes.
“Were you not listening to me earlier? You are considered a moving target, the biggest link to one of the most powerful mobsters, if not the most powerful, mobster in the country. If you attend a football game, you will be out in the open, vulnerable to any assassination attempts. Come to think of it, I don’t know if it’s a good idea if you come.” Momoa worriedly said. His shoulders slumped at the idea that Jensen would not be present at his Championship game.
“Listen very carefully to me, Momoa. It seemed that you are having a hearing problem so I will tell you this one more time. I am going to your damn Sugar Bowl. I don’t care what Jared thinks about that.”
“But Jensen….”
“No excuses. I couldn’t come to any of your playoff games these past few weeks and I’ll be damned if I miss your most important game as well. I’ll talk to Jared about it. Even if he’s not happy, I’m still going. Gotta’ support my buddy.”
“Thanks, Jensen. But I want you to be safe. If anything happens to you because of me, I don’t think I could ever forgive myself.”
“Let me worry about my own protection. You need to focus on winning the Championship game,” Jensen replied, patting his friend’s shoulder.
“I’ll talk to Jared and convince him on the idea. Now where’s that file of information that you have for me?” Jensen smoothly countered when he saw the argumentative expression on Momoa’s face.
“I’m not worth dying for...” Momoa retorted as he dropped the flashdrive onto Jensen’s open palm.
“No one is going to die, you big drama queen.” Jensen muttered, his attention riveted to the shiny flashdrive in his hand. There were too many small things about Welling that didn’t make sense. Perhaps the information on the jumpdrive would bring the puzzle pieces together for a more cohesive picture.
Momoa studied his best friend. He was already familiar with the concentrated expression on Jensen’s face. He knew that the grad student was already formulating multiple plans. He inwardly sighed. He really hoped that Jensen took his warnings seriously. Although he was excited for his friend’s presence at his Championship game, he didn’t want it to be at the cost of his life. But he was only too familiar with Jensen’s stubbornness. No matter how much he argued, once the grad student made up his mind, he would not change his decision. Momoa hoped that it was the right decision that Jensen made for both of their sakes.
+++++++
“I have to tell you something…” Jensen griped walking into Jared’s study. He froze at the doorway. He had pushed open the close door and began speaking without realizing that there were several people present in the room with the mob boss.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t realize that I was interrupting a meeting.” Jensen murmured blushing beet red in embarrassment. He quickly averted his eyes from the men wearing expensive suits. It was his first time walking in on a meeting. He wondered if the men in the room were also involved with organized crime. Despite Jared living with him for the past few months, Jensen had never been confronted by the mobster’s lifestyle. He liked it that way. He could continue to ignore the violence and danger that the big man brought into his life if Jared kept the exposure to mob business at a minimum.
“You are not interrupting, beloved. We’re done here.” Jared smoothly interjected, casually dismissing the men in his presence. Jensen stepped aside and allowed the men to leave. He was surprised when one man stopped in front of him.
“I’m glad that you weren’t too badly hurt,” The blue-eyed, long-haired man said to him.
“Ahh…thanks.” Jensen awkwardly replied, uncomfortable with the man’s intense attention on him.
“I’m glad he has you in his life. He will be better for it,” the man continued to say.
Suddenly, Jared was in front of him, a wall of muscles pressed against his face. “Get the fuck away from him.” Jared growled, shoving the shorter man roughly into the wall.
“I meant no harm, Jared.”
“I know exactly what you meant. Now get the fuck out of here or else our truce ends.” Jared snarled, his body vibrating with suppressed violence.
“What was that all about?” Jensen mildly asked after he heard the other man leave the room.
“Negotiations.”
“Really? Do I even want to know?” Jensen mockingly asked, knowing that Jared would never discuss his business with him.
“I will not conceal anything from you, beloved. Simply ask and I will answer you.” Jared replied as his multi-colored eyes bored into shocked green ones.
“Is that so? Then what did that hippie with the long hair want?” Jensen challenged.
“To beg for the life of his sister.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I negotiated terms for her survival. But in truth her life is not mine to decide.”
“What did she do to you?”
“She almost destroyed my family. Twice.”
Comprehension filled Jensen’s green eyes. “Holy shit… was that Alexis’s brother?!”
“Yes.”
“What are you going to do with them?”
“Ensure that they will never be a threat to us again.”
“You are not going to kill her!”
“It is not my place to decide.”
“You’re talking about Colin...?”
“Yes. Ultimately the decision will be his to make for she is his mother.”
“You’re seriously going to make him decide if she lives or dies? That’s fucking cold, Jared.” Jensen rebuked, incensed that Colin would be forced to make such a hard choice. His gut told him that the boy still loved his mother. He wanted to spare Colin the angst, pain and heartache. “No child should have to make such a choice!”
“He is a Padalecki. He will be forced to make many difficult decisions in his life. But you can teach him your values. Let him decide what type of man he will be.”
“And you will be okay with that?”
“Of course. He will also be raised with my life lessons. It is only fitting that he know your ethics since he is also your son.” Jared nonchalantly replied.
All the angry words on the tip of Jensen’s tongue immediately died at the gravity of Jared’s words. He had never seriously considered himself as Colin’s father. But to hear the mob boss openly acknowledge Jensen’s silent claim on the boy filled his heart with deep emotions. He realized that he had been deluding himself. There had never been a choice since the night he made the decision to help that scrawny, terrified kid on his doorstep.
He looked at the man standing in front of him. He had never pictured himself being sexually attracted to a man before he had met Jared. He still didn’t find any other men physically attractive. But there was something about Jared that made his heart speed up and his cock harden and throb with lust. Even if he could ignore the desires of his body, he still couldn’t deny the strong emotions that the man made him feel. Never in his life had he felt so passionately about someone. Or felt so safe and protected. Despite what had happened to him in the past, he knew that Jared would burn the world down in order to keep him safe. Instead of being afraid at the lengths that Jared would go to for him, he silently admitted to himself that it made him feel secure. No one had ever loved him to a point of obsessive madness.
“Sly bastard. Don’t know why I love you.” Jensen groused but immediately froze when he let the words slip out of his mouth. He stared up at Jared, anxious for the big man’s reaction. Jared smiled as he wrapped his big arms around him and hugged his unresisting body tight against his massive, muscular frame.
“Let’s get married after you graduate in May. It will be a good time. Then after the wedding we can focus on moving our family down to Texas.” Jared mused, dropping a quick kiss on Jensen’s flabbergasted lips.
“You want to do WHAT?!” Jensen choked out.
“Or we can move first to Texas then get married but I think we would be too busy getting the house ready. Plus Colin and Jamie will both have to enroll in private school. Therefore… marriage first. Then the move.” Jared calmly replied, ignoring Jensen’s outburst.
“Whoa, who said anything about marriage? I finally told you that ‘I love you’ and your response is marriage?”
“Yes.” Jared promptly replied.
“What the Hell?”
“Are you telling me that you are not serious about our family? That you consider what we are doing a fling? A fuck?”
“No, of course not! You know how committed I am to us. To Colin.”
“Then are you ashamed of me?”
“Fuck no! Anyone that says anything bad about you will have to deal with me.”
“Then why are you objecting?”
“Because it’s too damn fucking fast! I just told you that I love you and you want to get married right away?”
“Not right away. After you graduate.”
“That’s only four fucking months from now.”
“I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I don’t want to wait. Besides, by the time May comes around, you will finally accept the decision.” Jared reasonably replied.
Jensen continued to sputter, too overwhelmed to make any coherent protests. The mobster leaned closer and whispered into his ear.
“I already asked for permission from Colin and Jamie. They both gave us their blessings. No more excuses, beloved. You were mine the night we met.”
+++++++
“I’m surprise to see you here, Jensen. Does Padalecki know that you’re here? Do you need me to send an extraction team to your house for your little brother?” Felicia asked Jensen. She was shocked to discover the engineer waiting in her office.
Jensen grumbled, “Why does everyone always ask if I got permission from Jared. I’m not a freaking pet.”
“I wasn’t implying that you are. I know how very dangerous Padalecki can be. I’m concerned about your safety.”
“Hold it right there, Agent Day. I’m not here to discuss Jared. There is nothing wrong with my safety. I have five billion bodyguards on me at all times, so don’t go there.”
“Is he holding you hostage?”
“For Pete’s sake Agent, no. Jared is not holding me captive. He’s my freaking fiancée. Oh shit…” Jensen griped, silently cursing himself for letting the information slip past his lips. He still wouldn’t admit to Jared that he had accepted the man’s proposal. Yet when Agent Day began insulting Jared, all of his protective instincts came out in full force.
He saw the shocked expression on the Federal Agent’s face. He wondered again why he had approached her. His gut had told him to trust her even though his brain told him to be careful. She was a Federal Agent and as such would inherently want Jared behind bars. He knew Jared would rather die than spend the rest of his life in prison. In fact, he doubted any prison would be able to hold the powerful man for long.
“I wanted to talk to you about one of the investigators you had on my case.”
“Why?”
“I may have come into some information. And I don’t know who to trust.”
“Why haven’t you told Padalecki who’s your fiancée? Why me?” Felicia suspiciously asked. She was shaken to hear the news that Jensen planned to marry the mob boss. She wondered what kind of game he was playing with her. It made her angry for misjudging the man. She was so certain that he was a good, decent, young man that had simply fallen in with the wrong crowd. But to hear that he was willingly agreeing to marry an infamous mob boss made her re-evaluate the engineer. She was now leery of what Jensen wanted from her. Perhaps he was not as innocent as he appeared to be.
“Because I want this man to be brought to justice for what he has done and not simply killed. I’m not saying that Jared would kill him, mind you, just to be clear.”
He’s not bloodthirsty after all, thank goodness, Felicity thought. Relieved that her gut steered her in the right direction.
“So you think we got an bad egg in the FBI.”
“Not the FBI.”
Felicity raised her left eyebrow at Jensen’s sharp response. “Then who?”
“Local police department. A detective by the name of Tom Welling.”
“Welling? Doesn’t he have a deep interest in Padalecki? You saying that someone is paying him to go after your fiancée?”
“No, I’m saying that he has a personal grudge against Jared’s family. He’s been illegally using police resources and committing his own overlooked crimes to ensure the downfall of the Padalecki family.”
“Those are some mighty big accusations, Mr. Ackles. Do you have any proof?”
Jensen smiled. “Do you really think I would come waltzing into the FBI offices if I didn’t have something for you? A plan? Do I look that stupid?”
“I don’t know…you are kinda’ pretty looking and a blond, after all.” Felicia snarked. She watched the engineer roll his bright green eyes at her.
“A federal agent who’s a comedienne... Awesome.”
“What can I say, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” Felicia continued to tease, quietly chuckling at Jensen’s groans. She knew that she was acting unprofessional but there was something about Jensen that made her feel comfortable around him. Maybe that was why she had pushed him to leave Padalecki. Because in him, she saw all the potential that he was capable of. All the good he was destined to do. But if he continued his relationship with the mob boss he could endanger his future. In him she saw what he represented. Hope.
+++++++
“Since I’m going to be Dad’s best man, it’s obvious that you will be Pops’. Oh, I know. We should totally get matching suits, Jamie. What do you say?” Colin excitedly asked. Jamie glanced over at his brother’s stormy expression and wisely remained silent.
“I don’t remember agreeing on getting married.” Jensen growled.
“I think getting matching suits is a great idea. Although you would be wearing a tuxedo, similar to mine.” Jared replied, grinning at his lover’s glare. Jensen fumed when he realized that the big man had outplayed him. His mind raced with retaliation ideas. He then gave a wicked grin, which caused the mob boss to narrow his eyes.
“Did Jared let you guys know about Momoa’s upcoming Championship game this Friday? Guess what….we are going!”
“Really, that’s awesome!” Jamie exclaimed.
“What’s so great about seeing that loser playing?” Colin groused. Jared gave Jensen a victorious look at his son’s reaction. However his triumph was quickly derailed when Jamie started convincing Colin how much fun they would have at the game. Before long Colin was as enthusiastic as the younger Ackles.
“I told you how dangerous and ill-advised it would be if we go to this game.” Jared lectured.
“You have an army of bodyguards, figure it out. Because come rain or shine, we are going to that game. And you are going to wear a Tigers’ jersey...”
“Tigers’ jersey?”
“That’s the Princeton football team’s name...duh.”
“I will not.”
“If you don’t wear it, then I’m wearing it. I’m going to wear the one with Momoa’s name on my back.”
Jared gave him a murderous glare. Jensen defiantly returned his glower, refusing to back down. He knew it would greatly disturb the big man if he wore a jersey with another man’s name on his back. Jared was a very possessive man when it came to Jensen and his family. However he wanted to show Momoa his support. And since he knew that Jared would have an issue with him wearing Momoa’s jersey, it meant that the big man himself had to wear the Tigers’ colors in his place.
“Fine, I’ll fucking wear the damned Tigers’ jersey.” Jared snarled grudgingly.
“Thank you.” Jensen replied before leaning up and giving Jared passionate kiss.
“Is this my reward?” Jared muttered after they pull apart.
“And if it is?” Jensen asked raising his right eyebrow.
Jared gave him a heated smile. “Then I’ll take it.” Before once again crushing Jensen’s lips in a breath-taking kiss.
“You would think they would get tired of always making out in front of us.” Colin complained watching the lovers embracing each other.
“Right there with you, buddy. Old people kissing...gross.” Jamie replied.
+++++++
“Are you certain that the target will be present at the Sugar Bowl? Padalecki is not a fool. He’ll know how defenseless they’ll be. Especially in a crowded football stadium.”
“We got confirmation that the family will be present. However they will be in the VIP box, which will be even better for you. The crowds won’t block your view. You’ll have a perfect kill shot.”
“Mr. Veselovsky still wants me to kill this innocent boy? Why not kill Padalecki and just be done with it?”
“Sergei, you have your orders, do not make me repeat them. He wants you to kill the boy publicly. To send out a message to those that cross him, there will be no mercy. Do you understand?”
“We do not make war with children.”
“Today we do. Understand?”
Sergei lowered his head and nodded. “Yes, message received.”
+++++++
Momoa took a deep breath seconds before stepping onto the football field. He heard the crowd chanting for his team, yelling for victory. His teammates passed by him as they ran toward the field. They were familiar with his pre-game ritual. Before each football game, he always took a few minutes to visualize their victory. Instead, this time he said a quick prayer. He knew that Jensen was watching him from somewhere in the stadium. Despite the engineer’s assurances of his protection, his gut was telling him that danger was lurking in this crowd. He stared up at the bright New Orleans moon above their heads.
“Please be alright. Please be safe…” He muttered in his prayers, hoping that his pleas were heard.
+++++++
Jensen looked around in the skybox. When Jared had finally relented and allowed them to come to the Sugar Bowl he wanted a few concessions. One of the compromises was that they watched the game from the VIP box. Jensen was initially against it. The skybox was too expensive. In addition, part of the fun was sitting among the crowd and cheering Momoa on. However the mobster was adamant. No skybox, no football game. Eventually Jensen agreed. And he realized it was the best decision that he had ever made. He forgot how much Jamie hated crowded areas. The skybox they settled into was very spacious. The only people seated with them were their own bodyguards.
“Aren’t you glad that you listened to me?” Jared whispered in his ear as they watched the boys goofing off in front of them.
“For once you were right. Go you.” Jensen griped.
“Do I get my reward?”
“No.”
“Come on, quick bathroom break? I’ll make it worth your while.” Jared growled, reaching over and palming Jensen’s half-hard, jeans shrouded cock.
“Shit…later tonight.” Jensen hissed, shifting away from the mobster. He did not want to sport a hard-on throughout the night.
“That is so far away. How about during half-time?” Jared whined. He leaned down and began nuzzling Jensen’s neck. Suddenly popcorn hit both their faces.
“Can you guys keep it together until after the game? We’re trying to watch a game here.” Colin complained. Despite Jared glaring at his son, Jensen spotted the amused smile that the mobster was trying to conceal from his son.
“Eyes front, Son. I’m discussing something very important with Jensen.”
“Sounds like you’re just trying to get into his pants.” Colin retorted.
“Which is very important.” Jared stated.
“Eww, old people making out. Jamie, save me.” Colin cried out.
“Alright, pipe down. No more making out.” Jensen stated until he saw Jared’s crestfallen face. “Until after we get home.” Jensen conceded. He ignored the boys’ groans and shifted closer to the mobster. Jared put his arms around him and they quietly watched the game amidst Jamie’s and Colin’s chatter.
+++++++
Sergei gripped the M24 sniper rifle in his hands. His blue eyes tracked the target in the scope. He watched the teenager laugh, throwing popcorn at the Padalecki heir. The target looked young and carefree, without any worries as he sat in the VIP box watching the college football game progressing.
The assassin lowered his gun and waited for his signal. In his normal assignments, he typically picked the location and time when he eliminated his targets. Yet this was a special case. Veselovsky wanted absolute control, as if he was personally making the kill shot. As a result, Sergei was forced to watch his target spend time with his family, laughing and enjoying himself, the innocent teen not realizing that he was only seconds from dying.
“I need to retire,” Sergei muttered sitting back from his position on the rooftop. His hidden location was an office building across the street from the stadium. Once he made his kill shot, he knew he would be able to make a quick exit before the ensuing chaos reached anywhere near him.
BING
He glanced down at his cell phone and read the text message.
It was time to eliminate the target.
May God have mercy on the teenager’s soul, he thought. He didn’t bother to think about his own. He knew he had sold it long ago and damned himself for all eternity in the process.
The assassin raised his rifle, adjusting the familiar weapon to his body. His blue eyes zeroed in on his target through the long-range scope. His finger caressed the well-worn trigger of the M24.
A single shot sliced through the night in the midst of the crowd screaming in victory.
+++++++
Author’s Note 1: Holy smokes, massive thank you in the size of Jared’s big frame goes to my beta, oldbatj. She is simply amazing. Not only did she take hours for this super fast turnaround, but also she added details to the story that made it better. Thank you so much hon!! ☺
Author’s Note 2: As you know, comments are an inspiration and will motivate me to write faster! ☺ So if you want to know what happens next, please comment. If not, thanks for reading!!