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Smooth Jazz Ch. 02

By: Dlovely



*I'm still developing the story so please leave feedback and comments, letting me know what you think. These characters have a lot of depth and potential. With your help I can continue to develop them even more. I hope you can relate to them both and that your anticipating whats going to happen just as I am!* PS. I am really trying with grammar, hopefully you can follow the story! Oh and things get a little hot in this one! ;-)

*

JAZZ REARRANGED THE PAPERS ON HER DESK TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS IN ORDER. At least things seemed about right. But they weren't. Maybe it was the light playing from the desk lamp?

It was hunched forward, shedding light on her work , and copying her movements. The lamp seem to mock the stressful slouch of her back and the tension in her neck. She rubbed the ache at the core of it. She was trying to work out the kink, but with little success.

Her office had become her cave for the past six months. A place she could escape to when the sadness overcame her. She frowned, thinking of the last time she wasn't sad and or depressed. Those moments came few and too far between.

A whole six months had passed since she found a lawyer and sign the divorce papers. Now the battle was underway. William wanted to walk away with everything.

The only thing Jazz managed to hold on to was the property they had next door. Her and William owned and rented the house out to tourist, spring breakers and a whole host of others. Even that, William wanted to take for himself.

Yet she wanted it. Jazz was the one who decorated, and invested the most time and money. The home felt more like hers than the home that they had lived in. It had been a source of joy for her. The home was something that was a project of hers. She wanted to create a sense of comfort for anyone who graced it with their presence. It mattered to her. No wonder William wanted it.

He still thought she was pathetic. And what had she done to dispel that theory? Nothing. She had locked herself in her office and shut out the world.

Her family rarely got a hold of her and she rarely answered any of their concerned questions. At least the ones like where have you been?, are you okay? , and how is William? The divorce made her feel like a failure. Admitting it was a sign of that failure, so she avoided the questioning.

She barely had any of her friends left. She had managed to shut them out before and after the divorce. She never noticed how much she wrapped herself up in William. And why? Well William was sweet when they courted. She was a southern girl trying to make it as a pianist in the big city. She needed someone like him to guide her, so she thought.

When they met at that recital, she was wide eyed with her nose right open. He was distinguished, prestigious, and though a little pretentious, he seem to have so much going for him. He made her feel important, like she was somebody. At first she didn't mind the guidance.

It started out as small suggestions like, what she should wear, her hair, the house. Then suggestions became commands and orders. Then guidance became control. Then here she was now, letting the divorce drown her. Slowly but surely she was trying to come up for air.

Jazz was hoping it was all a bad dream. Although, every morning she woke up it was getting easier to face the sunlight. It was getting easier to go over the reasons why she loved him. She was starting to doubt ever being in love with William Price. She was also doubting ever loving herself.

Isn't that why she married William? For love? When they met at that dinner recital, Jazz realized one of the kids she mentored to for piano lessons, his nephew, was one of her brightest students. When they first met she thought he was a classic gentlemen.

William was all class and he seemed to be taken by her. She was a small figure in the community, but she was pushing for more funding for the arts programs. She was teaching piano lessons to wealthy children in the suburban area, and receiving financial help from her parents. She got her bachelors degree from a esteemed performance of the arts school in Sacramento.

Her dream was to have her own arts center in the community and other communities. She wanted to branch out of her home and help children, no matter what race or class, reach their full potential.

She was gaining recognition for her stellar performances, guest starring, at the local school recitals and in some venues downtown. Many people respected her relentless efforts and wanted to help keep her dream of the organization thriving. Jazz was hoping to make it broader, but soon William would take over and crush her dreams.

He felt that it didn't suit them as a couple. People within his political circle were talking. Jazz was confronting some touchy issues, such as , where money was going in the community? And why certain programs received more money than others?

William didn't want any part of the drama that might ensue, because for him, it was all about image. How they looked in public or in front of his friends when together, not what they meant to each other, is what really mattered to him. He was always the endearing husband in public.

People seem to envy them and their facade of happiness. William seemed to adore her. Then when they got home, he would scold her like a child. She never "behaved" good enough for him. She never dressed well enough. He nitpicked until he tore her down. Until she sought for his approval. And god forbid she complain.

On the wedding night she gave herself to him. He was not her first but neither she his. Yet he complained. Jazz ignored him. She was just ready to make love with her husband. To experience wonderful climaxes of passion and be taken to new heights. Afterward she was disappointed.

For Jazz, it wasn't love making but mediocre sex. It lacked the passion. Even so, she felt if she loved him that the sex wasn't important. He said he loved her and everything they had was perfect.

As long as they made adjustments and sacrifices then it would stay that way. Wasn't Jazz the one who made all the adjustments though and the sacrifices? He didn't have to give up a damn thing. Since William made most of the money, he made most of the decisions.

He wouldn't even allow her to decorate their house herself. Someone with a keener eye and delicate taste had to do it, Jazz had little input.

It wasn't a marriage she thought bitterly. It was never about them but about him. Why couldn't she just face that and leave? That was the question she really wanted no answer too.

She knew it had to do with her self-esteem, her self-worth. Was it that low? That she had allowed him to take over her entire life. Jazz was starting to see there was nothing to do but go forward. She had to pick up the pieces and move on. Focus on the now. The divorce.

Jazz looked over the papers Ellen had faxed her. Basically a list of Williams demands. Jazz snorted. Even after the divorce he was still trying to tell her what to do. She scanned through them quickly. He was leaving her the house of course, and all of her possessions. She was fine with this.

Jazz had made that decision in court alongside her lawyer, who wanted to rake his cheating ass over the coals. Jazz just wanted it to be over. She decided that he could take what belong to him, and she what belong to her. She didn't even point out the new found relationship he had with his divorce lawyer/mistress. William seemed pleased with her, and even thanked her on preserving herself as a lady.

She wanted to rip him a new one but only smiled.

Then things turned ugly. She wanted the property and for some reason he didn't want that, anything but that. When he said no and she told him she would fight him on it, he called her a worthless bitch. Jazz again just flashed him a forced smile.

She wouldn't let him see her crumble; she had plenty of time to do so in her nights alone.

She was only twenty-eight. She married early and maybe that was her own fault. She would try not to brood over it for long. Jazz knew she had to gather all the strength she could and be grateful. She was grateful, thank god she didn't have any of his kids.

She cut the lamp off in her office and rose from the oak wooden chair. The office was spacious enough. She had bothered to put blue striped wall paper on the once plain walls. Now that William was gone she could make the changes that she wanted. She smiled, one small victory at a time.

The three windows which were always pulled open poured in a series of sunlight as if to compliment her smile. She gave the room another once over. She wanted to keep everything efficient and professional.

The upgraded fax machine, computer, and lab top were now necessary. Her clientele was growing. Her in home program was booming. Jazz just needed funding, and few good hands to get her program rolling. She had plans to speak and perform at an upcoming banquet and political fundraiser. She was making some serious moves, without William holding her back.

She had even saved up enough money to add another piano to the home. Living in the sub burbs there were plenty of parents who wanted their child to receive private lessons. Parents would come up to her after her performances ,at schools in the community, and beg her to take their child under her wing.

She also spent time traveling, guest-speaking at private schools, and passing along some techniques. Sometimes she even got to perform, which was always a stress reliever. She glanced at the paper of "demands" once more.

William had left her the house next door, now he wanted to take it away. Suddenly as if he had forgotten something he wanted it back.

Jazz looked at her watch and frowned. She was running a little late. She had a guy name Connor O'Malley coming over to look over the house, before they finalized the paper work. They only had communicated through email, and she was anxious to talk to him in person. She was anxious to make a little money and honored to provide the solider a place to stay, while on break from the Army.

Apparently he was never on leave for long and usually stayed with his father, use to living on base. However, now he was on leave for six months. Apparently for reasons he cared not to discuss, but he needed a permanent residence for the time being.

She could only hope that he was a patient man. Through his emails she could tell he knew what he wanted and how to get it. She couldn't help but notice he was a little flirtatious as well but wondered if she was reading too much into his words.

Dear Mr. O'Malley,

I'm excited for you to see the home. The pictures I sent you really don't do it justice. Sorry about hounding you for a picture, I just like to know who I am meeting a head of time. Are you sure you don't need one of me. I want to make sure your completely comfortable before our meeting.

Dear Ms. Simmons,

I assure you I am more than willing to oblige your request for a picture. Trust me I know there are some real creeps out there. I am more than capable of handling myself. I''m not worried about us meeting. However, If you are crazy I must warn you I am trained in combat. I wouldn't hesitate to restrain you, but then again some crazy women like that sort of thing. Although I'm sure a woman such as your self doesn't think the way I do. Or do you?

Dear Mr. O'Malley,

I don't think we share the same mind at all. Its nice to know your trained though. I can have my own personal body guard near by. However; unlike most women I can not say I am crazy for a man in uniform.

Dear Ms. Simmons,

What about a man out of Uniform?

Jazz laughed as she thought about their emails back and forth. Was she flirting back? She had never met him but for some reason she found herself attracted to him and they hadn't even met. She figured it was due to her current loneliness. There was no way she could be feeling something from a few flirtatious emails.

Still there was something about him that stirred something inside her.

Jazz walked over to the house next door, she looked around and the place was empty. Thank God. She remembered she had forgotten to check the bedrooms on the way over. Jazz went to go check on the master bedroom first.

She walked in, made up the bed, and straightened everything out. Then she plopped down finally finished and looked at her watch again. Where was this guy? She started to get agitated, but remembered she was late as well so she couldn't really complain.

She pulled his photo out of her purse. It was a picture of him standing next to his Navigator. She got up and looked out the window, but didn't see Connor or his car. She had printed a picture off of him to be on the safe side when they met. Ever since the incident in the alley she had been on edge, but she couldn't say she wasn't excited to meet him.

What about a man out of uniform? She thought about his words. Jazz looked down at his picture. She surely wouldn't mind, he was fine. Those jade green eyes were beautiful, a contrast to his dark hair.

She could tell he had been out in the sun, as a result, his skin held a golden tan. Jazz shifted back on the bed, as she thought about his eyes staring into her and him standing over her. Staring her down with those Jade green eyes.

She pictured them standing in front of each other. They would stare into each others eyes passionately. She could run her fingers through his hair, and over those broad shoulders. She imagined him lifting her up in his strong arms, and laying her on the bed. She placed a hand on her thigh imagining it was him touching her.

It had been so long since she had been touched. About 10 months, three weeks and two days, but who was counting.

Jazz ran a hand across her silky white dress shirt, rubbing her breast, and caressing herself as her breath got a pace quicker. She laid herself down on the bed as if he had pushed her body down, and lifted her pencil skirt to her waist.

She rubbed the outside of her black panties, imaging his fingers running over her pussy, moving her panties to the side, and sticking his fingers inside of her. Then he would make her taste herself. Taking her lips with his while he rubbed his dick in between her legs and up against her clit.

She moaned in pleasure rubbing her clit faster, her eyes closed. He would enter her slowly at first. He would take his time, and inch by inch he would push his dick inside of her. He would make her feel all things she hadn't felt before. He would lift her legs and put them on his shoulders, and push in and out of her wet pussy.

She arched her back and cried out as she rubbed her pussy even faster. She could feel her wetness on the tips of her manicured fingers. She could feel her climax getting closer and closer, as he pumped his dick into her, but faster now. Each stroke was more powerful then before, as he only desired to bring her to the edge.

Kissing her neck, biting her gently as she cried out for more. Crushing his chest against her breast, and whispering in her ear how bad he wanted her. She massaged her clit wanting so badly to cum all over his dick that she imagined making love to her.

Faster he pounded into her, lusting for her. Taking her breast into his mouth, one hand on her neck, her pussy gripping him for dear life. She cried out louder, wanting to feel all of him she moved down on his dick. Pushing against him, as they rocked back and forth. Nothing but passion between them.

WHERE THE HELL WAS SHE? Connor thought as he walked over to the house next door. He had been knocking at her door for over five minutes. He knew he was late, but damn.

That's when he figured his future landlady might be at the house next door. He twisted the knob and it was unlocked. This must be it, she did say the door would be open. Still, he didn't just want to walk in. He was already nervous. He was on leave for six months. It felt like they were casting him aside. His nightmares had gotten worse.

His refusal to seek help had caught up with him. To avoid being honorably discharged he was on temporary leave to get himself "better." What the hell was better? The army was his life. His means of escape, now it was his nightmare.

Connor couldn't blame them. He was an officer, a leader. He couldn't lead if he wasn't in the right emotional state. So he would take this time off. Enjoy himself, and get "better." Maybe he could start doing that once he finalized the papers. He couldn't do that without his landlord. He looked at his watch. Fuck it.

His patience was really wearing thin. So when he called out , knocked again and she didn't answer he decided to step in and wait. This was what he was looking for, something temporary but not a bunched up apartment with all the rules and regulations. He gazed around and it was a pretty nice house.

In her email she said he would be impressed and he was. It was ranch style. The outside was made of red and brownish bricks. It looked like she had built a path, and had planted the beautiful flowers that were on the outside of the house. Even the welcome sign on the front door added to its charm.

Soon as you walked in the door the living room opened up to you. The polished wooden floors didn't creak, and looked as if you could eat from them as they shined with pride.

The lady who owned the place knew how to keep it tidy. The windows were against the wall to the left of the door. They were long if not narrow and were covered by shades that went up and down by a handle whether then string.

The love seat was a dark gray, his favorite color, to his like and amusement. The couch was a matching color and was a pull out, which was cool. Then what was a house without a fireplace? Connor thought.

The mantle held a shelf where he could place photos if he decided too. He had yet to unpack his roller and army duffel bag. He always traveled light.

No more then what he needed it, and if he needed anything he could very well pay for it. The big screen TV was a plus and the fact that the house came fully equipped. It was also already decorated and she had pretty good taste.

"Mhmm very nice. Very nice." His dad had recommended the place to him. He told Connor he had seen her ad online. Since his dad didn't complain that Connor didn't want to stay with him on his leave, he accepted his help with no complaint. He didn't want to stay with his dad. Especially if he wanted to bring back a lady friend, which would just be awkward.

Connor never let the women he dated meet his father. He didn't like the idea of his dad getting attach to them and expecting them to be around. His dad had a tendency of putting thoughts of marriage in the conversation when Connor mentioned a lady friend. He knew his dad wanted that for him. Connor was damn near thirty, at twenty-nine years old.

Sorry to disappoint his dad, but he had to be honest that marriage was the furthest thing from his mind. Connor had seen a lot of men try the whole marriage thing, but when it comes to the army its hard to make it work. He had seen many relationships destroyed at the hands of protecting and serving the country.

Sometimes it worked but Connor figured it wouldn't for him. The distance was a big strain on relationships. He brought his attention back to the time, when he heard a loud cry coming from the back of the house where the bedrooms were.

He felt his instincts kick up immediately and he ran to where the noise was. He moved swiftly, immediately pinpointing the noise, and fell upon the first bedroom. He then stopped in his tracks. There she was. Damn.

The source of the noise, she was sprawled out on the bed and rubbing her pussy like crazy and writhing in pleasure. Connor looked on. She was beautiful, her hair sprawled across the bed as she writhed in heat.


Smooth Jazz Ch. 02



Her eyes were shut, and her luscious mouth was open wide in pleasure. Her brown skin looked so smooth, as if it would be soft to the touch.

He had to do something as he was starting to get hard, and feeling quite perverted at his thoughts. He imagined himself sliding into her, doing what her hand alone couldn't do. He decided he had to act before his mind wandered any further. But he wanted to let her finish first and couldn't tear his eyes away.

"Mmm yes, Fuck me!" She cried out gripping her breast with her free hand and spreading her luscious thighs further. Connors dick strained against his pants even more.

He thought he would burst from the sight of her pleasure. Her freshly manicured hands were going to work on her pretty pussy. He nearly growled as his hand stroke the outside of his pants.

"I'm going to cum." She moaned and he wanted to tear his eyes away but couldn't. She then climaxed, screaming out in ecstasy, and then her hands fell at her side. Connor watched as she sucked her fingers of her juices and breathed heavily.

Connor wish he felt that same relief because his hard on was raging a war against the front of his pants.

Connor knocked on the bedroom door, and Jazz jumped, her eyes meeting his.

"Shit! Oh my god!" She looked at him in such shock and embarrassment that he had to stop himself from laughing. How could she go from writhing in passion sexily, to being cute and embarrassed. She quickly pulled down her skirt.

"It's okay, its okay I'll be in front." Connor put his hands up and quickly walked away as the image of her rubbing her pussy burned in his head. A sense of familiarity washed over him. Where had he seen her before? Besides his wildest dream, he thought.

There was something so familiar about her.

"I am so sorry...so sorry." Her tantalizing voice broke through his thoughts. He immediately turned around and there she was. She was a work of art.

The episode in the bedroom had failed to show the softness of her face. Her luscious mouth was painted with lip gloss and looked great for sucking the breath out of a man. His gaze slid down her body, taking her in.

The soft lines of her breast rustled against her white blouse, and a little bit of cleavage made Connor want to gravel for more. The play of her small waist and curvy hips led him down to her legs, which under the skirt flexed in her sensible black heels.

They were the most beautiful legs he had ever seen. He thought about how they would feel wrapped around his waist. Or if he had joined her on the bed and bent her over. If he had taken a hand full of her light brown hair, and stroked her into that climax.

He didn't remember her hair going passed her shoulders in a wave, but he liked how it framed her lovely face. Her hair cupping her face helped draw attention to the big doe eyes, hazel and illuminated in the light.

"Hmm? Oh don't worry about it, sometimes we need that." He winked at her and she blushed. She was so damn striking though; it had knocked him off center.

He cleared his throat and she finally met his eyes again. She didn't seem to recognize him though, so he wouldn't mention her familiarity. He wondered why even when she sent him a shameful smile, her eyes held sadness behind them. Who had put that there? And where could he find them so he could kick their ass?

"OKAY THEN LETS GET STRAIGHT TO IT." Jazz tried to tuck away the embarrassment she felt. He had caught her on the bed rubbing her pussy like a mad woman. She didn't like the way he was looking at her now either.

He seemed to be flashing her knowing looks, like he knew what she was thinking about when she was masturbating. Connor eyes seemed to grow dark and his voice was strained. He looked so sinew and dangerous.

He was pure masculinity Jazz thought. He was in no way "proper." There was something inside her which stirred like it never stirred before. His broad shoulders and muscular build was breathtaking up close. His dark hair was sun streaked with a hint of dark brown and was cut close to his ears.

He wore camo pants, a white t-shirt, dog tags, and his timberland boots that sounded lightly on the wooden floor. His sun kissed skin seemed like perfection. He moved in strides, his shoulders always straight and his head never bending.

His mouth was ripe and seemed capable of oh so many things. God Jazz, wipe the drool from your mouth. Get a hold of yourself. She tightened her legs together to keep them from shaking as he walked closer to her, his beautiful eyes unwavering. His voice was rough, deep, and sensual.

"Shall we?" He flashed her smile, stunningly so, it made her knees want to give out. What kind of weapon was that, to which god would give a mere mortal to posses?

She cleared her head and led them to the kitchen. Connor pulled out her chair, a gesture that was natural and gentleman like and all the more charming.

"Well Mr. O'Malley-"

"Connor is good. I think were passed that at this point." He assured her and she blushed some more but relaxed.

"Connor." She said teasingly and he suppressed a shiver. He couldn't explain what was happening to him. He only knew that he wanted her and he wanted her bad.

She captured him. The way she moved, swift but with short measure. The way her eyes took in a room and didn't falter in a thorough assessment.

"Let's see, well if you like the house we can finalize the papers today. I just need to know if your going to pay in monthly installments or-"

"I'd rather pay for the full six months up front." Connor said stopping her short, he gave a smirk as she quirked her full lips out at him as if to say rude. He wanted to lean over and take them as his. Though he never enjoyed a good slap.

"Mr. O'Ma-Connor, you do realize that you may not want to stay the full six months, and once I deposit it its highly unlikely you'll be able to be refunded. I can't start housing money, it's not wise for me to do since me and William-" She stopped short again this time interrupting herself and color rose on her honey suckle skin.

Who was William? His blood burned as he thought of her already being with someone else. He shook it off. He had to get a grip. He didn't even know her, and it wasn't his place to pry.

"Williams your husband?" Oh the hell with not prying, Connor thought.

"He was." She left it at that and gave a look that said mind your damn business. Still the sadness was there and she shifted uncomfortably under his direct gaze. Connor couldn't help but pry further.

"Divorced?" Connor watched as her mouth almost gaped open. Then she closed it and stood up. He was amused at the shift from her calm and cool demeanor, to her fast temper, and found it refreshing and such a turn on.

"Mr. O'Malley my past marriage is non-"

"Connor." He corrected her and her eyes turned to slits as she beamed her beautiful hazel jewels at him. Something caught in his chest and squeezed at his heart. What was wrong with him?

She was so damn sexy, even more when she was fired up. Whether it was writhing on the bed or shooting him daggers which she was doing now.

"Connor! My business is none of your business, we are here to discuss this business, okay? So do you want to rent the house or not!" Jazz's head was swimming. Why was he so damn sexy? She thought. So much so that he was infuriating.

"With your welcoming hospitality Ms. Simmons, how could I refuse?" He gave her a knowing smile, knowing he was pissing her off.

"Its Jazz." She closed her eyes and he tried not to chuckle as she seemed to be counting backward from ten. He usually didn't infuriate women, at least never had and enjoyed it.

"Jaz? or Jas as in Jasmine?" he questioned.

"No just Jazz, J-a-z-z." She said frustration leaking out of her pores.

"Hmm, Jazz. I like it." Why did he make her name sound like sex she thought as it rolled off his tongue. Why did he look like sex? Maybe cause you haven't got any in almost a year.

"In all seriousness. I would like to pay up front, with your kind of welcoming you could have up the price." Jazz looked at him and he could tell she was trying not to laugh, but then she broke and did.

"Alright, you can give me a check or wire the money to my account. You can just settle right in okay?" He fished in his pocket and handed her a check. His hand brushed against her hand and she jolted back when he took it in his.

"I don't bite." Connor teased as she backed up a little. Her hand was soft and delicate, just like he imagined her skin would be. Still he longed to know how it would taste.

Maybe like the honey in her voice for her skin were a light caramel and her southern twang a little more evident with her temper.

"I'm sorry I don't know why I'm so jumpy. Today has just been crazy. I hope we can start over, I really hope we can be friends Connor." She lied and didn't know why. There was no way she could deny the fire of his touch. That she wanted more. Down girl.

Never had she felt something so powerful from a simple gesture. Was it those jade green eyes? They seem to see through to her as they took her in. They were almost transparent and filled with warmth and barriers.

Did he think she couldn't see that he was hiding things? The walls were there, she knew the signs because she had been putting them up as well. She never had a man look at her with such desire, or who made her feel weak at the knees like this.

"Yea me too." Connor skimmed her with those translucent eyes going dark again and Jazz shivered, his focus seem to zero in on her like a target. What was his aim?

"Its pretty slow pace around here, you have to go to the city for any fun really. Being in the army you must not be use to this kind of calm. You'll get a chance to catch up from those sleepless nights don't worry."

His eyes kind of pulled back and it amazed her how she could see and feel the shift in him at the mention of his work. The barriers were up and his defenses ready, he stood and placed his back to the wall as if ready for battle.

"I wouldn't know, I sleep pretty easy." He said a little more distant and absently. She wasn't buying it. She nodded as she had struck a chord, and wanted to hide her sympathy for him because she knew what it was like to not want it.

Connor tried to shake off his nervousness. He didn't mean to be rude but he didn't want to think about that right now.

He came closer and her gaze went to his ear for the first time. She noticed he had a bandage around it that was poorly wrapped.

"How did that happen?" She inquired as she moved to him for a closer look. This was the closest she had ever gotten to him. Her body almost pressed completely against his.

He stuck his hands in his pocket to keep from wrapping her in his arms. Connor wished he could wrap his big arms around her and bring her close.

HE SMELT SO GOOD, JAZZ INHALED HIM. She almost purred as he shifted, putting his hands in his pockets caused his muscles in his arms to flex. She tried to focus as she moved a hand across his ear and he flinched and grunted in pain.

"A bullet clipped it. " Jazz's face turned to one of genuine concern and grabbed at his heart.

"Oh my god Conner, you should have wrapped it better than this and I know you have the skills, but just not the good sense to." Jazz scolded him, and he tried not to smile as she made him feel like he was a little kid who had skinned his knee and refused to get stitches.

"What can I say, I was in a hurry to get home. Had I known my landlord was so sexy, half my ear might still be hanging off." He joked and her eyes went low in disapproval.

"Don't try to compliment me to change the subject, you could get an infection." She was still concerned that his ear could get worse. She grabbed his wrist but knew she could not lead him seeing how solid he was, and was grateful that he followed and allowed her to pull him to sit once more.

JAZZ WENT TO GO GET THE KIT THAT WAS KEPT IN THE SMALL DRAWER IN THE CORNER. Connor shut his eyes and wanted some cold water. His mouth had gone dry as her ample bottom caught him off guard.

A nice ass too. Good god help me. He thought. What didn't she have that he wanted. Each succulent cheek seemed like it would be easy to grip and be full inside his roaming hands. Down boy. He couldn't help but acknowledge that he was acting like a horny teenage boy.

He would keep himself in check. He could hear the clacking of her bracelets as she bent down further into the bottom drawer of the small desk and his blood flowed south. So much for that.

"Now I don't want you to panic, because this may sting." She came back holding peroxide and cotton balls in one hand and bandage wrap and cream in the other. Her face was direct and serious. She was intent on taking care of his negligence, and he tried not to think of the last time he's felt cared for in such a way.

He took the stuff from her and set it beside him and then she bent forward. The peaks of her chocolate breast peaking from her shirt. He put his knuckles in his mouth.

"Does it hurt?" She asked

"More than you know." He told her trying to calm himself before he embarrassed himself with another hard on.

She bent forward some more to unwrap the bandage. Connor took in a breath and moved his hands to her waist as it was his ear ,not his dick, that hurt this time. Jazz didn't seem effected. She gasped as a small piece of his ear looked to be stitched back on. She wanted to ask more questions but restrained herself.

"It's okay, I know it hurts." She wanted to help him relax and began dabbing it with the peroxide. His fingers were less tense as she talked to him. The voice was soothing and he seemed to get lost in it.

Connor didn't even notice as she put the cream on his ear, that his hands were starting to rub up and down her hips, and her breathing had changed. Then it came more rapidly and her hand was little shaky.

She rubbed the cream on his ear softer and when she was done she closed her eyes. His big hands touched her and relaxed her for the first time in months. His touch was unlike any others.

Connor wanted to take her right there on the table, but before he could make a move her eyes opened and she moved back. "All better." She said clearing her throat.

"Thank-you" He met her hazel eyes. They were tempting, so damn tempting. Before he knew it she was picking up the check and getting ready to leave. Before he could think it through he acted on his feelings.

Connor moved in behind her, without thought he turned her around, laid her on the table, and moved between her legs. She shrieked in surprise, her eyes becoming wide and bigger if possible.

He stared down at her, as her breathing was heavy. He had caught her off guard. He brought his face closer, and bent down to kiss her full lips. Closing his eyes he was ready to taste her, then he felt a hard slap to the side of his face.

"Excuse me!" Jazz broke out out of her daze and pushed him back. She lifted herself and then smoothed out her skirt. "I don't know what kind of "ho"," She said her eyes slanting at him, but it was hard to take her seriously with her hair sticking up ,in the back ,from it rubbing against the table.

"You take me for Connor but just because your hot off the press and obviously I'm sexually deprived doesn't mean I'm desperate." She stalked past him, and he chased after her.

"HEY!" HE CALLED TO HER AS SHE WALKED OUT THE DOOR. She felt her body grow hot and it was too overwhelming. She had to escape and get out. The quick attraction to him was driving her insane.

Never even in her four years of marriage had she ever felt this way. So wild, so hot and bothered. And it was scary that she didn't stop him, when his big hands were rubbing her hips. Maybe cause it felt so good.

She turned as she reach the end of the walkway. She wanted to purposely leave some space between them. Afraid if he asked her to come back in and even to bed, she would go and beat him there.

"Yes." Jazz turned to him now that she was a little composed.

"Have dinner with me, next week, next Friday." He wanted to see her again and had a feeling she was going to avoid him. He wanted her, he wanted to get to know her. He needed to know why he was feeling this way, all tangled up. He needed to get closer to put his finger on it.

"I can't, I have a recital." Jazz smiled, pleased she had a good excuse to avoid him.

"Okay then the Friday after that or after that. I have nothing but time." She started to open her mouth but Connor easily spoke over her. "I'm a wounded soldier and it's the least you could do." He hit her with that and she frowned and then laughed when he gave her the puppy dog eyes and rubbed his ear.

"Fine! one outing, next Friday. But its not a date." Jazz noted.

"Yes mam." He walked out the doorway and didn't fail to notice when she took a step back. "Should I come to you, eight o'clock good?"

"Yes, eight o'clock is good. You have my number right?"

"Sure do neighbor." He winked and she fought the urge to invite herself back in. She walked away and didn't know how to feel. He watched her hips sway and her round ass walk out of his reach. He reached out, pulled back and bit his knuckles again then rubbed his face, he had to get a grip. She was driving him crazy, he even had to pull the broken hero card.

Wounded solider, hmm? Jazz thought. Then what help could she be. For she was wounded as well.



Smooth Jazz Ch. 03



Next chapter should be posted within a week!

*Still working on developing this story. Jazz and Connor are slowly opening up. I hope you see more into them, and are rooting for them to make it through. I think anyone who has ever lost someone knows how difficult it can be. And a bad relationship can be hard on self-esteem. I hope I captured that well. 

Ps. Thanks for the feedback on longer chapters! I added a little bit more to this one, next one should be longer!

*Loving ALL the feedback and support. Keep it coming.. BAD AND GOOD criticism is more than welcomed. Tell who you love? Who you hate? how it makes you feel?! It only helps me better the story. Again my grammar is a process!! ha-ha. But thanks for all your help! It really means a lot!*




CONNOR DROVE AWAY FROM HIS DADS HOUSE. He always left his car at the house whenever he was on tour for an extended period of time. Connor enjoyed the time him and his father spent together. He was finally starting to feel like himself again. It couldn't be because of a certain someone. 

He had to admit his spirits had been lifted, but he didn't want to admit that he was so entranced by her. Even in his denial, Connor felt like his father knew Jazz was different and special to him, especially when he asked his dad to accompany him downtown. 

He wanted his father's help in finding something nice to wear. He felt a little out of touch. He was used to being in uniform most of the time. Connors father had helped him pick out the Burberry gray sweater and black slacks from the nice clothing and tailoring shop downtown. 

The outfit suited him well enough, well more than well enough. Women in the store more than murmured in approval as he came out the dressing room. He showed his Dad his attire of choice, and he had many voices chime in yes, yes that's looks purrrrfect on you sweetheart, hell yes, will you marry me? Some were old and some young but none were dead or immune to a good looking man.

His father just grinned as a woman asked for Connor's number and he politely turned her down. 

"I know what you're thinking?" Connor told his father as they left the store and his dad had a silly grin on his face. 

"What? That those women were ogling at me instead of you?" His father was more lean but still had taint muscles, even in his older age his dad stayed very active. He could even hang with Connor during a workout or two, but only to a certain extent. 

Though he and Connor were still the spitting image of each other, his dad's sun streaked black and brown hair was getting gray at the edges. Yet with time, it only seemed to add to his handsome looks and charm. It was in their eyes and their smile, the most crucial weapons. 

"No, I didn't see any blind women in the store, so that can't be it. I'm talking about me buying these new clothes. Before you open your mouth, I needed something nice to wear that's it that's all." Connor said definitively and his father shrugged. 

"So what you've never dressed up before for a date-I'm not saying anything...and maybe you never took a girl flowers before. And maybe you've never turned a good looking woman down." His father laughed as Connor gave him a steely look. 

"She mentioned last week some parent gave her daisies at a recital, but she doesn't like them and wishes she had time to get forget-me-not flowers. So I picked them up and left them at her door. I was being a good neighbor." 

"Okay Mr. Rogers." And Connor laughed. "Just admit that you like her." His dad pressed, as they got in the car.

 "Okay I like her."

"A lot." 

I like her."

"A-"

"Okay a lot! I like her a lot. She's beautiful, she's smart, and when she laughs...it makes me laugh. Hell when she's angry it makes me laugh too. She makes me-" He didn't want to admit these feelings to his Dad. He didn't want him to know that he felt excited as a teenage boy on prom night. 

"Happy, nervous, excited, and all at the same time, I know how that feels. I had that same feeling when I met your mother." His Dad gazed out the window as they pulled off and Connor put a hand on his dad's shoulder.

 "Dad you don't have to-"

"No, I'm okay." He reassured Connor and continued. "Your mother was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She made my blood boil, and my heart stop. She was so kind, so giving. She made me happy. I want you to find someone that makes you happy Connor. Sometimes that person only comes around once in a lifetime. And you don't want to let them slip away." 

His Dad caught his eye in the rear view mirror and Connor gripped his Dad's hand briefly. Letting him know he understood. 

"I'm sorry Dad. If it hadn't been for me, you would still have that." Connor gripped the steering wheel tighter. There, he had said it. He was ready for it. He was ready for all the feelings to come out, for his dad to lash out at him. For his dad to scream, yell, call him out for stripping him of his dreams and future. 

"Connor, if you really feel that way, then I have failed you as a father." Connors eyes shot to his once more but in surprise and in disbelief. "Have you really felt that way, all this time? Connor, no, no son, you have it all confused." He watched as tears came to his dad's eyes.

 "I've always felt like it was my fault. Ever since I knew, I've felt ashamed. That day I got into a fight up at the school, with that ginger kid. Everyone was calling me a murderer and that's how I felt." Connor tried to blink away his own tears; he had been keeping so much inside. 

"Oh my god Connor, I am so sorry. I'm sorry that happened to you, and I wasn't there to protect you from that. I told you what happened because I didn't want to lie. I didn't tell you to make you feel ashamed or guilty. The truth is your mother and I knew the risk. I didn't want her to have children and risk it but she insisted." His dad wiped at his eyes and Connor listened intently.

 "She wanted so bad to have a child. She would always tell me that she just wanted to hold, love and cherish a life that we created, out of our love. Your Mother wasn't in touch with her parents. Her dad was a drunk and very abusive towards her and her mother. She left home at eighteen and never looked back. She wanted different for her child, for you."

"She had you. She fought to stay alive during the whole birth. But your mother had a platelet blood disorder. One of the things that come along with that is excessive bleeding. After you were delivered, she was losing so much blood. The doctor said she should have been dead an hour after she gave birth. She told me and him that she wasn't going, until...until she held you in her arms."

 Connor let the tears fall down his eyes and his dad gripped his hand. "Her bleeding stopped for a short while, as if her will, her love was strong enough to make it so." 

"She loved you so much. She held you, and she kissed you. She told you what a blessing you were. She told you how much she loved you and me. She told me to love you, take care of you, to give you what me and her never had. So I've been trying to do that."

"I know I'm late, and I'm sorry I never emphasized this enough. Connor, you were and always will be our greatest blessing. Your mother gave me you, and she knew it was enough to keep me strong. She loves you, and I love you. I will always be grateful for you. Please, please don't ever forget that." Connors pulled up to the house and stopped the car, and started drying his eyes. 

"You're not a failure as a father. You've been the best Dad I could ever hope for. It's something that I believed. It wasn't anything you said or did. It was all me. Had I known she wanted...and she loved-" Connor got choked up and put his hands to his eyes, and started to cry. 

"Come here son." His dad grabbed his head and brought it to his chest. He rubbed Connors hair and kissed him on the top of the head and slowly let him go. "Now you know. If you ever doubt, come to me. It's not too late Connor, to change, to heal."

"Thank-you so much Dad, thank you." Connor couldn't explain all the feelings mixed up inside him. His father's words were beginning to change his whole perspective. She wanted him and she loved him, even when she knew she was dying. 

"Now, that's enough crying. You got a date to get too." Connor wiped his eyes and smiled. 

"You're right. Maybe if all goes well, you could...meet her." Connor said and his dad tried to contain his smile. 

"I don't know if that would be a smart move. It wouldn't be wise to introduce her to your old man; I know a thing or two about seducing women. Surprise you didn't ask me for any pointers." His dad said with a cockiness and swagger that made Connor snort a please. 

"I don't think so dad. She already let me know that she isn't desperate." Connor laughed as his dad brought him to his chest again but this time to give him a nuggy on the head. 

MAYBE HE WOULD LIKE HER? Connor thought as he sped toward her house in his black navigator. It was about time his Dad met someone he liked. Plus it was time he stopped pushing his dad away. Now that he knew the truth, he could begin to heal. 

His mother wanted him, loved him. He was loved. He never knew how important it would be after all this time to hear those words. It made him wonder if maybe Jazz felt the same way. If she felt unloved or unwanted.

Connor rubbed his tongue across the top row of his teeth; she was what he wanted and what he would have. She was resistant from what he could see. Then again so was he. Still, there was something in those eyes, something so familiar that he felt the need to protect her.

He knew he could take care of her, and he was shocked that he wanted to. He got this urge to want to protect her. He had just met her though, so why did these feelings come so fast? They had been talking sparingly for the past two weeks. Yet she had been away for a conference and recitals, the reason he rarely saw her. Twice she had pushed back the date for this day, but he remained persistent and patient. 

The few times he did see her coming from the house, as soon as she saw him, she ran tail tucked in between her legs. Hopefully she wouldn't run tonight. He had freshened up at his father's so he didn't have to stop by his place, and pulled straight into her drive way.

     JAZZ TRIED NOT TO FUSS OVER HER HAIR, AS HOURS EARLY SHE SAT IN THE CHAIR AT A HAIR SALON IN THE CITY. She told herself that a haircut was way overdue and it wasn't because of Connor or that it was her first date in months. 

It's not a date she reminded herself. She breathed easy as she allowed James, the only man she trusted with her hair, to cut her bangs from in front of her face. They had grown long enough to where she could get them cut at a slant. 

Jazz wanted her bang to sleek to the right. He sniped away and she tried not to fidget nervously. When he was finished she leaned forward to observe herself in the mirror. 

The bang was definitely the way to go, as it lay over her forehead nicely and she was pleased with how sexy it made her eyes look. She was happy he was able to squeeze her in before they closed. It was just him and her for the pass two hours, fussing her hair into perfection. 

"Jazz, girl your hair is the bomb dot com." James gloated as he put the finishing touches on her hair. 

The light brown and dark brown shined glamorously in the light, and her hair shaped her face cupping it softly. The bangs on her face gave more attention to her eyes and she blew a sign of relief. 

She did it, she was taking the steps back to the real her. The person she wanted to be. William would never approve of her new look. Fuck William. She smiled. She was going to start doing what she wanted to do. 

Jazz looked down at her black toes with teal green flowers matching her nails. The teal green dress would be a perfect fit. 

She had bought a whole new outfit, figuring she deserved it. The silk material was form fitting and left nothing to the imagination. In the store, it hugged her almost like second skin. The dress only had one sleeve and was cut horizontal across her chest, and stopped just below her knees. 

Jazz didn't want to admit it but she wanted to drive him crazy. The thought of Connor mesmerized by her made her tremble. She thought about his hands on her body and his lips trailing all over her, tasting, and touching her in favorable reception. 

She opened her eyes and was embarrassed; James was looking and smiling at her as if he could read her thoughts. 

"I see somebody is gone get some tonight! I aint mad at you honey, you betta work that boy." James moved his body rolling dramatically making her laugh. She had known him since she had moved from the south to Sacramento, almost six years now. They had met at the performing arts university where James had studied dance. 

When they first met, she thought he was attractive, but too artsy for her. His spiked hair and circle sunglasses were too much for her to handle, along with his hipster jeans, and beanie. Yet his brown eyes were kind and his chocolate skin was beautiful. 

He had a strong jaw line, and pronounced features. With his full lips and pretty smile she thought he could be a model. They hit it off immediately. She suspected he was gay because he was quite flamboyant. She received her answer when she just came out and asked him one day. He responded with a Z snap, and the rest was history. 

James knew how down she had been feeling lately and was happy to see her smiling again. He never liked William bald head ass anyway. He knew what an asshole William was but also knew Jazz was star gazed over that clown, and had to figure his ratchet ass out for herself. 

"I'm not working anybody." She paused, her face serious. "He gotta work for me!" She rolled her body copying his movements and they both laughed, slapping their hands to one another in a high five. Jazz was laughing so hard, but then she started to cry. James put down his combs and grabbed her hands. 

"What's wrong Honey?" James hoped she wasn't changing her mind about the date. Two hours spent, shit she was going, in a strait jacket if she had to. 

"I'm just happy. I feel good about me. I haven't felt this way in so long. I don't know. When you've been consistently told you're not good enough. You start to believe it. Day in and day out you strive to be good enough and fall short every time." James wiped away her tears. 

"You were always good enough Jazz. William was the unworthy one. And now you're starting to see that. It's okay to enjoy yourself. If Connor makes you feel special then give him a chance."

"I know, it's just I don't know. Am I ready? When I think about how weak and pathetic I was and how William always said -"

"No, no more William. Listen to me honey; he -is- your- past! Pathetic, no, misguided and naïve, yes, but Jazz you have to move on from that. Instead of throwing yourself a pity party, which is what you've been doing for the past six months! You are strong, confident, passionate, beautiful, and any man would be lucky to have you."

"You've listen to Williams's voice for too long, where's your voice? Believe me when I tell you William aint worth a god damn! Who you gone listen to, me, your confidant, your speaker of the truth! The one who knows all!" He pointed to the sky dramatically and stomped his feet. "Or William, Mr. clean, what's it gone be?" He asked extending both his hands out as if weighing the options. 

"You a fool," she said and they busted up laughing. "But your right, I have been naïve. I have listened to his voice for too long. I've been sad, angry and every kind of emotion I can think of. I'm tired of letting him run and control my life. I need to start loving and looking out for me."

"I still need to talk to my Mom. She'll be so disappointed, she didn't raise me to live my life for a man, yet I fell into that with ease, and let William put his feet up on my back. I think the divorce was the best thing that he's ever done for me." She smiled through her blurry eyes, she knew it was true. She was going through the storm because there was a rainbow on the other side. She truly believed that. 

I'm just gone let go tonight. Just try to be cool. Make em work!" She snapped, and they high five'd and James blew a sign of relief. Okay crisis avoided, and he wouldn't have to cut nobody. 

"That's right girl, don't make it easy for him. These men these days don't wanna buy the cow if they can get that heffa for free." Jazz pulled out a picture of Connor after they calmed down from their laughter. "Well damn! He can get the 1%, 2%, whole, vitamin c, d, e, f, and g looking like that!" James exclaimed and they broke out in laughter again. 

"So much for your support," Jazz playfully snatched the picture back. Looking at the time, she quickly gave both his cheeks kisses and bounded out the door. 

James did a happy dance and smiled. He hadn't brought up the fact that she had been M.I.A since the divorce. He was just glad to see her smiling again. Although, if he knew William he would try to find a way to fuck it up, he just hoped Jazz would be stronger this time around. 

JAZZ GOT OUT OF THE TUB THAT SHE HAD PUT HER FAVORITE HONEY BUBBLE BATH INTO. The Vanilla salt and candles gave her skin an excellent glow and feel. It filled the air with a lovely aroma.

After she stepped out the tub and blew out the flames, her nervousness caught up with her again. Lathering herself up in Vanilla scented lotion and spraying her body with some red door perfume, she felt butterflies in her stomach. 

What the hell? Jazz thought as she slipped on some lacy black underwear. She wanted to feel sexy tonight. She turned on some Maxwell to elevate the level of sexiness she was feeling. 

She hummed to her favorite song by him, called fortunate, as she pulled the dress up and smoothed it out. The tub was drained and the candles put away. She was done with her makeup, which didn't require much effort. 

She was very light with her hand. Her skin was nice and smooth. She didn't require much. She gave herself the once over, added another coat of gloss to her lips and was satisfied.

Jazz's heart did a quick flip as the doorbell rang. She tried not to fall over as she quickly tried to slip into her black and gold pumps, the four inch thick heels giving a little height to her five four frame. Jazz grabbed her black clutch and turned off the lights to the bedroom. 

Then she paused, went back, and quickly put in her small gold hoops and clasped a gold small watch over her wrist. Glancing herself over one more time, she walked to the door and opened it.

"Sorry I," She paused her heart stopping as he was leaning in the doorway. His masculine and muscle bound physique filling in the frame of it. The shadow of the porch light played over his face. His bronze skin looked as if he was carved out of gold. 

His face was shaven, leaving only a little stubble which added to his manly sinew. His jade eyes were like deep waters as his gaze ran up and down over her. She thought her knees would buckle under his direct stare. 

His cupids bow mouth was ripe and smiled in approval as he gave her a thorough once over. He didn't look bad himself. The slacks seem to hug his lean hips and rustle against his toned thighs. "...Was getting my accessories." She finished as she drunk him in as well. He had yet to say anything and she was getting nervous again. 

"You apologize a lot don't you?" Jazz smiled sheepishly and stepped out the door, but tripped over the entrance and fell right into him. He grabbed her arm to steady her and had her against her door in a second flat. 

His hands were now on either side of her. She looked down, as she felt shy and scared. No one had ever made her feel this way. She was so unnerved and off balance. 




Smooth Jazz Ch. 03



Her breathing hitched as he ran a finger down her bare arm and he smiled as she shook under his touch. He kissed her exposed shoulder, and she bit her lip as he kissed the inside of her neck and inhaled the scent of her.

"Connor," she spoke but was quickly silenced by his finger. 

"Look at me." Connors voice was raspy, deep, and warm. The roughness slid across her skin and her temperature rose. He was barely touching her and already she was hot and about to get bothered for him. She hated that this seem to happen each time he came around. 

She wanted to dig her fingers in his already tousled hair and feel her body against him. He titled her head up by her chin and stared into her eyes. He had her undivided attention. She almost pulled back but he held her still. 

"You are so beautiful, every day, but you are radiant tonight. I have to be honest with you Jazz. I want you. I have half a mind to take you back into this house, and show you just how much. This dress..." He rubbed his hand down her bare arm again and she breathed deeply taking in his words. No man had ever expressed such a desire for her, a real desire that she could feel.

She leaned into him more, and then William flashed in her mind instead of throwing yourself at me like some whore. She pulled back and put a hand to his chest in protest. She hated herself for it, but didn't stop. 

"I can't handle that, this, right now Connor, I'm not ready." Jazz looked at him trying to gauge his reaction. The silence only for a second seemed like an eternity. 

"I'm sorry." Jazz said she felt like a chicken and a coward. His lips were hovering above hers and she denied him. She wanted him, but didn't want to. She was afraid; the thought of bringing down her wall frightened her. It was just a friendly outing and that was all. No need to complicate things. Punk 

"Okay. As long as you stop saying you're sorry." He broke his intense gaze and gave her an easy smile, and she finally smiled back and relaxed. 

"Look Jazz I don't want to pressure you. But I'm not going to lie, and say I'm going to stop wanting you. But if you want this to be a friendly outing then that's what it'll be. Just let me show you a good time, and keep that smile on your face that I love to see." Connor pulled away from her and let her from underneath him and muttered a curse silently. 

Way to go Tarzan. He wasn't usually this eager, and felt highly unnerved. But he had to keep it cool, he didn't want to scare her off, which is what he seemed to be doing. 

Each time he came on strong she looked like a deer in head lights, he laughed to himself. He had to slow his role. She wasn't like other women he had met. They were eager and always ready when he was. She was different. He liked different. 

"Okay, I think I can do that." Jazz laughed as he did a small dance and extended his arm out to her. She hooked her arm in his, and let him lead her to the car. 

A friendly outing she kept repeating but the way he made her feel was betraying that notion. She was staring up at him when she almost got tripped up again as he abruptly stopped in his tracks. 

"I'm sorry." Connor said, pulling her closer, and his tone sounded very strange to Jazz. Connor looked around. Why did he feel like they were being watched? He peered out into the darkness and thought he saw something, when Jazz tugged his arm.

"Hello, earth to Connor. Are you alright? Did you forget something, a previous engagement maybe? Another date?" She half serious, half-jokingly questioned and he snapped out it.

"Well there is this one..." He trailed off and Jazz hit his arm and he laughed. "Of course not, I'm all yours tonight." He stared her down but this time she met his gaze with a look of her own, and he quivered inside. 

"Tonight," she questioned and he laughed with pleasure at her tone. 

"Since this is a friendly outing." He said and Jazz smirked tongue in cheek. He had gotten her. 

"Right," Jazz said and hooked her arm in his motioning for him to lead the way. He laughed knowing she had been caught red handed, trying to play this let's be friends game. Connor would see about that. 

He laughed but couldn't help but look out into the distance again. He hoped his paranoia wasn't returning. 

WILLIAM LOOKED ON WATCHING FROM HIS CAR, DOWN THE STREET, THAT WAS HIDDEN IN THE SHADOWS. He zoomed in on Jazz and Connor with his camera and snapped pictures. So he wasn't the only one getting a little on the side. The divorce wasn't even final and she was already publicly displaying her little affair. 

"Got this bitch," he thought aloud, but couldn't help but feel a little jealousy that his conscious wouldn't allow him to admit. She looked happy, something he didn't expect from her without him at her side. 

"This is ridiculous William; it's obvious they just met." Ellen closed her eyes and massaged her temples. Six months of this bullshit, she was ready to get this over with and get the money he promised her. 

She didn't have time for petty stakeout games. She was better than this but allowed William this one. He wouldn't be making too many more decisions. She couldn't afford to waste time. 

"Yeah and he's staying in the fucking house! Don't you understand that's a problem? What if he finds it?" William wiped the sweat from his brow. He was getting nervous just thinking about it. He couldn't believe how stupid he was, forgetting that he had used the rental home for safe keeping. He also couldn't believe how she was throwing herself at him.

Look at her in that skin tight dress, whore, all over him. 

He was expecting her to still be miserable, maybe gain a little weight. He wanted her to suffer. She was keeping him from his money and his colleagues were getting antsy, not to mention Ellen. He didn't want to piss her off and have her walk out on him, or even worst, cross him. He knew what she was capable of, part of the reason he was attracted to her but fearful of her as well. 

Ellen was the best thing that happened to him. Everything he wanted and desired. Finally, William thought when they first met, a woman with lust for power, and a woman that knew how to control a man like him. He secretly lusted to be dominated. Jazz was too weak. He found pleasure in controlling women like her, but Ellen, she fed another fetish, his desire to be ruled. 

"I understand that very well. You suggested we stake them out but this was a waste of fucking time. We need to break into the house." She said, her cat- like cobalt blue eyes gleaming with excitement. 

She loved and needed the rush. The rush and the money he promised. She was becoming impatient with this Jazz Simmons. She didn't expect her to be such a fighter, she respected Jazz but she was in the way, so she was starting to hate the bitch. 

"We can't. You know how rigged the house is. I sought to it because of what's inside. It's not that easy, but I have a better idea." William rubbed his hands together. 

"And what's that?" Ellen asked impatiently "I'm tired of sitting around, we need to act!" She said grabbing him by the collar. "You said we'd be on the beach living off millions right now. You think I like being behind a desk all day doing nothing!" She brought his face to hers, still holding on to his collar. 

Her red nails dug into his shirt harshly, she smiled her pearly whites against his mouth. She looked reserved, her black suit jacket and black skirt crisp, and her hair up in a tight sturdy bun. She was slender but her grip was strong, and she was anything but reserved. 

Ellen was pale, porcelain white with skin like milk. She knew what she wanted and how to get it. She had William right underneath her finger. She called the shots. She guessed she had to remind him who was boss. She climbed on top on him from the driver's seat. 

"I want that money, and I want that bitch to pay for keeping it from us. You're going to let her run you? Control you!" She slapped him across the face and he moaned as she lifted her skirt and started to undo his pants. "I control you right?" She grabbed his penis and he nodded profusely. 

"Right baby, your right! But we just can't break-ughh" He stopped as she gripped his penis tighter. 

"Shut up! Stop being weak," she griped the sides of his face now scrunching his lips and cheeks together. She pulled the lever at the side of the seat and let it down. She hiked her skirt up further and positioned her pussy over his face. 

"Pull my panties to the side and lick my fucking pussy." She commanded and he didn't waste time obeying her. He spread her pink pussy apart and assaulted her clit with his tongue. He dove in generously lapping up her juices, and sucking on her clit.

"Mm that's right, lick mamas pussy like a good boy." She pushed her pussy down on his face, wanting to smother him. 

"Ellen." William moaned his dick growing hard. He loved it when she dominated him. She pressed her pussy harder on his face and he worked even more eagerly then before. He stuck a finger in her ass, as he moved his tongue expertly. Ellen moaned in response, she loved it. She loved that her pussy was power.

"That's enough." She said and he stopped immediately. She licked around his mouth. Getting all of the juices she could. She reached her hand down to his pants, and smiled against his mouth at his hard on. 

She freed his dick from his pants and ripped her panties off. 

"Mm," she moaned as she slipped him inside her, and slowly let herself down on his cock. "I don't do weak, do I?" He laid his head back and closed his eyes in ecstasy and she purred. She loved the control she had over him. 

"No, baby you don't, oh my god you feel so good, Ellen!" He slammed her hips on his dick and moaned again when she rolled her hips, and tightened her grip. He felt her pussy gripping his dick tightly, and started pumping his hips up to meet her enthusiastic bounce. 

She rested her hands on his shoulder, and threw her head to his neck. She bit down hard, and laughed lustfully with his squeal. "Tell me you like the pain!" She bit him again pushing down deeper on his cock, wanting her pussy full with him. 

"I like it!" He screamed, as she took him inside her more and more. Deeper and deeper her pussy engulfed his dick. He needed this. He needed to be controlled, and told what to do. He wanted to submit to her. 

It was something about Ellen that made him want to give her everything. Ellen was his weakness. She was powerful, controlling, jealous, and devious. He loved it. He laid back the seat some more. She placed her feet on the inside of his thighs and used his chest as leverage to push her ass down on his cock even faster. 

"Mm, now tell me how you're going to get me my money." She slapped him again, and ripped at his shirt, biting his chest. She reached back and gripped his balls, as she rocked back on his dick at a fast even paced. 

"We use this to stage a secret affair." He said sweating and breathless as she wore him out with her energy. "Tear her down in the community. Tear her down in court! Shit, pounce on that dick." He licked his lips and stared into her cobalt blue eyes with his dark brown ones. 

"How! Tell me how." She pinched his balls tighter and he groaned loudly as she kept working her hips around his dick.

"We have evidence. And then if that doesn't work I'll have to put my moves to work." He lifted her hips and aided her in slamming down on his dick some more. 

"Excuse me?" She said scoffing. He was hardly as competent as he thought he was. The only reason she was bothered with him was because the sex was good. And he was easy to manipulate. She rolled her hips more and gripped even tighter and this time he screamed out. 

"I want her to suffer! I want power, control, money, danger. We need to do more! Don't you want more?" She said bouncing even harder, her small and porcelain breast slapping together. He gripped her tits. 

"Yes, oh I'm about to cum." He squinted, and she wrapped her hand around his neck.

"No, don't cum until I tell you to. Tell me you'll destroy her. Tell me you'll do whatever it takes, even if it means someone gets hurt." William closed his eyes, wanting so badly to cum. 

"Yes! Yes, whatever it takes! Please baby let me cum, please!" She smiled, and gripped his neck tighter. 

"Cum bitch," Ellen gave him permission with a devious smile. 

"Oh shit!" He screamed as he released his load in her. She slid off him, and back to her seat. Pulling down her skirt and fixing her hair. 

"We did it your way, now were doing it my way, and I have something a little more devious in mind for little Miss Simmons." She reapplied her red lipstick, and laughed as he remained spent on the passenger side. 

"Yes baby anything you want." William said dazed. 

"That's right." she said and rolled away from the curb, oh she had something for little Miss Jazz. She knew more about Jazz then she could imagine. She knew all her dirty little secrets. She needed that money. William and Jazz were merely a pawn in her ultimate plans. Plus it wasn't as fun if someone didn't get hurt.





Smooth Jazz Ch. 03



It was big and had plenty of room. The singer on the stage crooned out a nice, slow and soulful tune. The mood was set. As more couples made their way to the floor the lights were dimmed. Couples danced those that could and those that couldn't. People were having a good time regardless. Jazz felt like she didn't have a care in the world. Everyone else in the room seemed to disappear. 

Jazz let him take the lead as he pressed her body against his. She could feel his strong abdomen against her, so strong and firm. One of his large hands was at the small of her back and the other entwined with one of her hands. His seemed to swallow hers, and they seem to float. 

She then placed both her hands on his shoulders, as both his hands moved around her waist, bringing her closer. She laid her head on his chest. It all seemed like a dream. He felt so damn good to her. He smelled so damn good to, the perfect combination of soap and spice grabbing her senses.

She felt his lips trail the crook of her neck and his hands tightened at the small of her back and he pulled her even closer if possible. She rubbed her hand up the back of his neck and sighed. This is what it felt like to fit inside the arms of a man. This is what it felt like to feel like you belonged. She didn't want the feeling to go away.

CONNOR LEANED BACK AND LOOKED INTO HER BEAUTIFUL HAZEL EYES; SHE WAS FINALLY CLOSE TO HIM. It had been a long time since he had felt a woman in his arms like this, and it was driving him crazy because this wasn't any woman. She was special, he hadn't known her for long, but it didn't take much time before he realized it.

"I don't want this." She met his eyes searching, and he wondered what or was it who? She was looking for.

"Want what?" He never missed a step as they moved into the next slow song. He stroked her cheek and she moved her face into his palm.

"To feel like this." Her hazel eyes swam with reluctance. She was holding back.

"Why don't you tell me about it? What you're feeling." He wanted her to tell him how she felt when she was with him. He needed to know, that she felt the same things he was feeling. She seemed to absorb him, take him in with such feminine finesse it heated his bones all the way through to his core. 

Her small and soft hands on his skin, made something electric stir inside him and he braced himself. He wanted more; she made him greedy to feel her, all of her. This wasn't enough.

"It gets hard to breathe or think when you touch me Connor. My mind is just a haze of colors and all there is, is you, crowding every space in my head. Right now, it feels like it's just us. I like it, I love it here in your arms but I don't know." Her voice was a whisper and hoarse with all those desires she was fighting to hold back from him. Jazz was surprised at her confession but honesty seemed to pour from her.

"I've never felt this way about anyone before, no man has touched me this way, and I've never wanted any man the way I want you. But this is all so soon, and I don't think I can just accept that Connor."

"Yes you can, this is new for me too. Why do we have to deny ourselves? I want you, and you want me. Simple." Connor knew it wasn't but it could be.

 If she just let him have his way with her. She had told him more than he ever thought she was feeling. It warmed his heart and squeezed it. It made him even surer that this, him and her, was right. 

"Connor, I'm going through a divorce right now. It's a nasty divorce, with a man that has broken my heart. And now wants everything else. How can you tell me that you can handle that? That you want to pursue me? You don't know what you're saying."

"I have my own mind Jazz. I don't care about him. I care about you. Yes it's soon but you know you feel it too. Something is pulling us together Jazz and it's more than attraction. I'm willing to be here for you. You want a divorce right?"

"Yes. I'm ready for it to be over."

"You love him?" Connor asked tightening his grip mocking the feeling in his chest as he awaited her response. 

"No. I don't think I ever did, and I know he no longer loves me. That's not the point Connor. I'm still trying to rebuild." He spun her around and back into his arms, after he released the breath he had been holding. 

"And I have more than enough wood for you to do so- Ow!" He laughed as she hit him. 

"I'm serious Connor." She hit him but was starting to soften at his words. She wanted so bad to believe him. To believe that they were here for a purpose and that these feelings she had for him so quickly were real. 

"I am too. I'm not asking to be your savior Jazz. You're a strong and competent woman, whether you believe that or not. I'm asking you to give me a chance, to acknowledge there is something between us. And give us a chance to find out what that is. I'm scared too but I don't want to let that stop me, sometimes chances like this only come around once in a life time." Connor remembered his Dads words and knew he was right. 

"You really want this, there's more you know?"

"Let me tell you what I do know. You gave your heart to someone. But he didn't deserve it. You loved hard because you don't do things half way. You're here because you refuse to give up. Even though days are hard you're fighting. I'm only asking to join you. I'm trying to rebuild too. There's so much pain that I've been through, but since meeting you, I find I'm more courageous and open then I've ever been."

"The look in your eyes, that underlining sadness, inspires me to want to be a better man. You're so damn beautiful in and out Jazz." They both had stopped swaying and were now looking intensely in each other's eyes. Connors hand was at the back of her neck now, pulling her closer.

Jazz knew it was going to happen. She couldn't stop it, not even if she wanted to. As his mouth crushed hers, she resisted but then fell to his whim. His mouth, his glorious mouth, filled with fire and passion. Their tongues waged war, all the heat and sexual tension bursting between them.

 Connor was going under. The taste of her mouth, the essence of her kiss was drowning him, and he refused to come up for air. She whimpered at his assault, helpless as he made something churn within her, and as he finally released her she leaned into him to remain balanced. 

"Tell me you didn't feel that Jazz. Or do I have to take it a step further, to show you." His hand, still at the back of her neck, gripped a little tighter in possession, his jade green eyes dark with desire. A fever made its way through her body, and she felt wetness between her legs. 

"Our foods here," Jazz quickly took the opportunity to once again pull away as she caught the server setting their table out of the corner of her eyes. She pulled away from Connor and walked to the table and although he enjoyed the view, he was enjoying more what was happening before she took that excuse to run off. 

She had lit something inside him. Never had he felt so wild and out of control of his emotions. Since when did he find it so easy to express how he felt? 

Connor would let her and his thoughts be for now. He was making Jazz very nervous though and he liked it. The way that dress was hugging her small waist and hips was a sin. He would try to keep his hands to himself for the rest of the night, but then he had promised himself the same thing in the car. 

He smiled as he made his way back to the table, he would definitely taste those luscious lips again. For the rest of dinner though he would behave.

THEY ATE, TALKED AND LAUGHED. They talked about everything, sports, politics and agreed on almost nothing. They poked fun at each other's taste in teams, and he poked fun at her taste for sushi. They were enjoying each other's company and after they finished eating they decided to go for a little walk.

Connor had always avoided the topic of his or his current flings personal life. Yet with Jazz he yearned to know more. He took his chance to do just that as they fell into an easy stroll. They walked side by side, and Connor grabbed her hand and was satisfied when she didn't pull away. 

"So tell me where you were born and how?"

"Okay, I grew up in Georgia. And when a mother and father love each other very much they-"

"Okay, so maybe I walked into that one." He laughed. "Georgia? I knew there was a southern belle in you. You got that cute twang going on. How did your parents meet?

"Well, my father played in a Jazz band. He was a saxophone player. My mother told me she wasn't really into that stuff, like musicians and whatnot, but she heard him play one night and walked in on one of his sets," Jazz got a dreamy look in her eyes.

"She said she was mesmerized by him and how he played. She fell in love with him, that night, and fell in love with Jazz." Jazz got a faraway look in her eyes she loved that story.

"Now your name makes perfect sense. That's pretty cool, the whole love at first site thing."

"Yea, what about you, you believe in that?"

"I don't know I've never been in love. But that's how my parents said it was for them too. My dad was totally in love with my Mom when he first saw her. He loved her after too, for as long as she lived." Jazz could sense his anxiety about the topic, and didn't want to push him, or pressure him to talk. 

"You've been in the army your whole life?" She changed the subject and he nearly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Right out of high school and worked my way up to special ops. I get a good amount of time for my leave after a long tour. Then I go back." He hated that he knew he was hiding the real reason he was on leave from her. He didn't know how to tell her, and didn't want her to think he was "crazy or dangerous." 

"WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LEAVE? WHEN WOULD YOU COME BACK?" Jazz didn't know if she wanted the answer to that. She knew that this was the start of something and neither could deny it. Yet she couldn't help but feel like she was falling head over heels, only to eventually be left behind.

"I don't know yet, but listen to me." He stopped Jazz and stood in front of her but she stopped him with the palm of her hand to his chest. 

"You don't owe me an explanation Connor. I understand how it feels to be dedicated to a cause, and I know you'll do what makes you happy. I don't expect to change that." She shrugged it off. What did she care whether he went back and never returned? She tried to tell herself she didn't care, but she did. 

"Are your parents supportive?" She continued on with the conversation walking on and Connor reluctantly followed.

"My dad is, but there has never been a time in my life where he hasn't been .My dad makes up most of my family, he's practically the only family I have." Jazz didn't miss the tightness in his voice.

"And your mother," she knew that she shouldn't have asked. But she wanted him to open up to her. His hand seemed tighter on hers and all the sudden it was an inch away from being painful.

"She died while giving birth to me, she was never meant to have children." Connor looked up to the sky, as if he would see her up there.

"Connor I'm so sorry." She felt like an idiot for tumbling over it and causing the pained look on his face. "I'm sure she would be really proud of you. I'm sorry I pried." She looked at him with genuine and sincere eyes and that he could accept, not sympathy. 

"Again with the sorry," he teased twirling her around and into his arms and she squealed with delight when he squeezed her tight and placed a kiss on her forehead. 

"Come on, wanna have a drink. My guy Martin works here." They walked towards the alley as Connor pulled out his phone to give Martin a call to let them in the back door. He was hoping Martin would let them behind the bar for some free drinks. 

Before he could dial, Jazz's face became one of horror and she was retreating back at a quick pace. When she saw the bar and then the alley Jazz could feel her head spinning, she thought about his voice, his harsh and unbearable breath, and his hands roaming all over her. 

She had barely escaped when the unthinkable was about to happen. She thought about her long run home, how she threw up and was sick to her stomach. The sleepless nights that she faced days after, she had just recently gained back some composure.

"I can't Connor. Connor I can't." She started shaking and he took both of her arms. He tried to calm her but it wasn't helping. Memories blocked her hearing and his voice seemed so far away.

"What's wrong?" He demanded. His eyes were swimming with confusion. He followed her as she walked away and found a bench next to a lamp post and set down attempting to slow her pacing heart.

"It's nothing." Jazz said but as Connor bent on his knees in front of her, he made her put her head between her knees and take deep breaths. Something was wrong.

"Tell me Jazz, what the hell happen back there?" She finally caught her breath just as he was about to take her to an emergency room. He forced her to look at him and she had tears in her eyes.

He didn't have a lot of experience with crying females and she could tell he was going to panic, if she didn't calm down and it almost made her laugh.

"I got attacked in that alley. I got attacked, by a man. It was the day that William told me he was leaving me and wanted to be with another woman. I was just so depressed and went to the bar. I got drunk. I thought I could walk home. I stepped into the alley and he jumped on me."

"He tried to rape me, but another man came and I didn't know what happened. I just tried to escape." Tears ran down her face and Connor wipe them away with his thumb.

"It was like six months ago, in the alley right?" Jazz nodded.

"I remember Jazz. I was there. I was in town. I saw it when I walked past the alley. I tackled him and then you splashed water in my face. I didn't get a chance to see who you really were."

"Oh my god Connor, that was you! I remember now." She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to get a vivid picture. She remembered a set of green eyes piercing through the night. Reality set in that he was her savior and she jumped into his arms. 

"Thank you. Connor, thank you so much." Jazz embraced him her arms around his neck as she sobbed onto his chest. She couldn't help but think about what would have happen to her if it hadn't been for him.

"I knew I would see you again." He held her tightly, and let her get it all out. He was always going to protect her, no matter what lurked in the darkness.

ELLEN STOOD IN THE DARKNESS OF THE ALLEY. "Is that her?" Ellen said.

"Yeah that's her. Mmm that sweet honey was almost mines. That's the prick that stood in my way and took me in." He grimaced, and now that same prick had his hands on what he felt belonged to him. He was lucky his father had connections in the legal system. 

He had been on the loose in the city for a while, feeding his hunger and desires. When he saw the pictures of Jazz and Connor Ellen had sprawled across her desk, he couldn't believe his luck. Six months ago and he was still thinking about the one that got away. 

"Perfect." Ellen's eyes gleamed with pleasure. 

"I need you to stay low. No more playing dress up and feeding your...habit." She said and he grunted in disapproval. Ellen grabbed his tie and brought him forward choking him as she brought his ear to her mouth. 

"I mean it. You'll have your honey, but we need to spook her first. I want this bitch to suffer, and bring her little army brat out of that house."

"Yes. Okay." He said gasping for air, and she let him go and he fell against the wall trying for his breath.

"Stick to the plan idiot. Or I'll turn your ass in without thinking twice. And this time daddy won't be able to come to your rescue." She threw him to the ground and pressed her heel to his chest to show him she meant business and clicked off down the alley and out of sight.



Smooth Jazz Ch. 04



*I'm trying to get these out as soon as possible! The next chapter should be posted within the next week. It takes a little longer because of the italics. And I am a college student and my weeks are hectic!!! But thanks for bearing with me!

Again leave comments, criticism, tell me what you love, hate and etc.! I love the comments! I enjoy reading them all and again I take them seriously. You guys have helped me bring so many ideas to the table from your words and help me decide whether to continue!!!



JAZZ PULLED UP TO THE BANQUET WITH JAMES IN TOW. "Where is yo man candy honey? I want to see him in person, up close and personallll." James purred and she rolled her eyes.

"Don't worry, I invited him and he said he'd be here by the time I performed. He was spending time with his dad and some friend of his today." Jazz didn't want to admit how bad she wanted him to be here. She couldn't wait to see him again. They had been spending time together as of late, and she couldn't get him out of her head.

"As long as he comes I'm good. I want to meet this mystery man. Okay, now let's work." James and her walked up the stairs, arms hooked, and in sync as if they had stepped off the run way. James opened the door for her and they both did their model walk.

"Okay, now pause for effect...okay they ready!" They stopped for some photographs and then kept going, laughing at their silliness. They always had a good time where ever they went.

"Are you going to behave tonight?" Jazz asked him as he made eyes at a quite attractive male server.

"It's bad enough I'm in here looking like I'm dressed for junior, not even senior, prom day in this white suit, and you looking like the next top model in your dress, which I picked out, and now you don't want me to have no fun." James pouted.

They both looked at the waiter, he winked back, signaled a call me, then walked away, and Jazz busted out laughing.

"Okay, so your gay-dar is pretty good. And you look nice in your suit, I have excellent taste." Jazz gave him the once over. James had his hair cut in a fade for the event. His chocolate skin looked good in his white tux. He was lean and tall but the suit was fitted showing his athletic physique.

His dark and intense eyes shun tonight. He was a handsome man, his features strong, his jaw line very masculine, and his lips not big but just the right size to be succulent. He had women looking his way a lot, till he opened his mouth.

"Oh I will always look good girl, come on lets hit this floor." James grabbed her hand.

"I see some of these old white folks bout to slip a disk out here." James whispered and she tried to keep a straight face as Mr. Pennington was approaching them.

He damn near waddled towards her. In his black and white tux, his belly poked out straining against the material. He was a large and short man, which in the tux, made him look like a penguin. A very rich and influential penguin, he and Jazz had been conversing about possible funding. 

Mr. Pennington was the CEO of St. Mary's, a regional and widely known hospital in Sacramento. He also owned many other businesses in the downtown area. He was very powerful. He was known to be an avid sponsor for political campaigns. 

His word and his money were more than credible. If you were running for office you wanted him to be behind you. If money talks, then his would not shut the hell up, and Jazz knew with his funding and support she could go far. 

He was elderly and a little forward at times, but she wanted him to sponsor her art program. "Mrs. Simmons it's a pleasure to see you again, where's William?" He asked and James saw her tense up.

"He's on the curb, where he was kicked to." James muttered and Jazz again tried not to laugh.

"Sadly, William and I are getting a divorce, Irreconcilable differences." Jazz smiled hoping to change the subject. 

"Most of my time has been spent helping the kids you see here tonight develop their talent and potential. Mr. Pennington you always talk about moving towards the future. Well these kids that I have here are-"

"Good," he grabbed her hand ignoring her completely. He had other pressing matters on his mind tonight, and was trying not to let them show. 

"I'm glad you have something to keep you busy. A woman needs that." Mr. Pennington gave her a pitying look as if she was a damn widow and not a divorcee. Jazz kept her thoughts to private, but James couldn't help himself. 

"Yes I agree." James said intervening. "Just like an elderly man, like yourself, needs Viagra to get busy." Jazz almost died at the look on the poor man's face as James pulled her away.

"I thought you said you would behave!" Jazz yelled at him but started giggling as they were out of his ear shot. Jazz couldn't help but be pleased as they looked back and he was still looking dumbfounded.

"He'll be fine, serves his ole' sexist ass right." James waved him off and grabbed her by the waist as they started dancing. He was pretty smooth on his feet.

"Are you okay?" He said looking down to her eyes in genuine concern.

"I'm fine. Thanks for having my back, back there." She knew no matter what she could count on James to listen to her and lift her spirits. She was sad she almost let their friendship slip away but would put it behind her.

"Always girl, now tell me the scoop on you and your man candy." James eyes widen in prospect of the 411. Jazz had been tucked away for the past weeks and he hoped it was because she was getting her boots knocked, instead of sulking over William. 

"He's wonderful, too wonderful." He called her each night to make sure she was tucked away safe. He bought her flowers and took her on lunch dates. He even let her teach him a few keys on the piano, even though it ended with him putting her on top of it, and given her a nice tongue lashing. 

Jazz always stopped him when things got too hot and heavy, and he would quickly oblige. He was patient, kind, strong, sexy, and everything she wanted, but still.

"Me and Connor have been spending these past few weeks together. We've been taking it slow and he hasn't been pressuring me, which I like. It's just he's going to leave in like four more months, and I'll be alone, left, again." The thought of it made Jazz's heart ache.

Jazz didn't want to run the risk of getting attached when he was going to walk out on her. She knew she shouldn't see it that way, but she did. 

She had just spent the past six months getting over a man who she thought she loved. She didn't want to make the same mistake. Falling and trusting so quickly.

"This is not the same. Connor is leaving for a good reason, his job. William is an asshole. He couldn't handle how amazing you are. He was afraid you would outshine him. He was trying to hold you back Jazz."

"Connor on other hand makes you shine, glow even. And not to mention he did save your life, I'm just saying you could have at least given the man a hand job." Jazz eyes widened and she shushed him.

"Oh yeah," Jazz whispered, "that would have been great, as I'm sobbing in his arms for saving me; I pull out his dick to whack him off, real sexy." Jazz rolled her eyes. 

"I'm just saying a little token of appreciation. Well, if you're not going to jump his bones, are you at least willing to admit he's a good guy and that again as always I was right." 

"Never," Jazz laughed. "Connor is a good guy though, but I'm just scared. I don't want to lose myself in some man, not anymore." Jazz said and James stroked her cheek.

"What about finding yourself in one, by experiencing what a real man is? I know you're scared, don't be honey, enjoy him. Just enjoy yourself, which you never got to do. And just promise me you won't go M.I.A again. I know where you stay." He warned her and she smiled, nodded, and agreed.

"I promise and I'm sorry. I missed you. I was just so down in the dumps and didn't know what to do."

"That's what friends are for...and some good dick." Jazz slapped his arm and scolded him as the last part was loud, and she could see an older woman put a hand to her chest at his words.

"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about grand mama." James said to her and Jazz could only put her forehead to his chest, as it was obvious to her he wouldn't behave tonight.

CONNOR STARTED TO WRAP THINGS UP WITH HIS FATHER AND FRIENDS.

"You'll meet her soon enough." Connor said as they groaned and complained about not meeting the woman who had Connor M.I.A for the past weeks. 

"Yeah we gotta meet this girl. Me and your father have never seen you so whipped." Marcello said looking at him in pity. He was put on the same special ops team, at the same time as Connor. They hit it off immediately, and Marcello was proud to call Connor his leader. They were one in the same. Both of them coming from a very deep and painful past, using the army as an escape. 

"Yea Marc is right, you look all dopey now." Martin teased. And Marcello threw him a look. He didn't care for Martin and didn't like to be called Marc, especially by Martin who he didn't know that well. 

Sure Martin was a bartender at a hot spot in downtown, and he let them get free drinks all the time. Still, Marcello couldn't seem to get along with him.

"Says Goldie locks?" Connor raised an eyebrow and Marcello laughed, as Connor flicked Martins long black hair, now with golden streaks in it.

"Hey! Lots of men dye their hair. Right Dave," he looked to Connors dad for some help and they busted out laughing when he only took a swig of his beer in response.

"The women weren't complaining when we were out to lunch." Martin reason as he had snagged a couple of numbers. 

They were all striking together. Marcello pure Italian, olive skin tone, daring eyes and a wonderful head of black hair, long enough to run your fingers through. His mouth would be described as pure sex, full and his masculine jaw line made him look even more menacing.

Marcello and Connor had the same build both of them 6'4 but Marcello was leaner. Martin was the short one but held his own. His long hair was always straight at his shoulder or pulled back into a pony tail.

Martin was a little meatier than the two but was still in pretty good shape, and what he lacked in looks he made up for in charm. His cobalt blue eyes knew how to look genuine and sincere. 

He had a smooth baby face, and a long aristocrat nose that dominated his other features. His mouth was thin but slick. He knew how to woo women.

"Yeah they do, in boy's town." Marcello quipped referring to the gay district in downtown Sacramento, and Martin cut his eyes at him. Marcello was always japing at him, but more and more lately he was starting to take offense to it. 

He knew Connor and Marcello were closer than he and Connor would ever be. He tried to respect the boundaries of their brotherhood, and knew it was something he couldn't understand. He couldn't help but be a little jealous. They usually got most of the female attention when they went out.

Now Connor had found a new girl and seemed smitten by her. He wondered when it would be his chance to find a woman that knocked him off his feet. 

"Well excuse me; I didn't realize that it was a crime to be a man of maintenance. I mean look at you, its looks like you haven't shaved in over a week, Markey." Martin made the crucial mistake of patting Marcello on the cheek and he grabbed Martins wrist, twisting it, as Martin cried out.

"Keep ya hands off my faccia." Marcello dropped his wrist, and then patted him on the cheek. 

"Marty." Marcello smiled and Connor shook his head. He was wondering if Marcello would ever grow to like Martin, but their personalities were too different. 

Marcello was more harden and serious. He could only open up and joke with those he were close too, which was no one except Connor and his Dad. 

"So touchy, I would deal with you Marc but I have somewhere to be tonight." Martin grabbed his coat off the chair and stood, slipping it on. 

"I'll see you around man." He said embracing Connor, hugging his dad, glancing at Marcello wearily, and then showing his self out.

"Why don't you like him?" Connor asked Marcello when Martin was out the door.

"I just don't like being called Marcky and another grown man's hand on my face, and who knows where the hell it's been." Connor could only laugh, as Marcello wore a look of amusement probably happy that he made Martin squeal like a girl. 

"Come on Marcello, you know he does that shit to get to you. It's just his way of joking around. You take it so seriously." Connor tried to get Marcello to understand Martins ways.

"The guys a pig Connor, you see the way he looks and talks about women when we go out. Now I'll be the first to say of course I look at women, hit on women, enjoy their company, but he stares at them, he... I can't explain it." Marcello tried to move his hands as if the motion of them would help it come to his mind.

"He says shit that just throws me." Marcello left it at that.

"You know how some guys are. You act like you haven't had your share of women." Connor said defending Martin.

"Well sometimes a guy just rubs you the wrong way, and obviously with Martin that's the case. End of discussion." Connors dad gave them both a look and they shut up, then he looked at his watch. 

"Hey Connor, isn't time for you to go?" His dad said, and Connor looked at his own watch and began to slip on his jacket. 

"Yeah, your right, I still need to change too."

"Marcello, you need me to take you home?" Unlike him they had all been drinking. Connor couldn't he had Jazz's event tonight.

"No I'm going to stay here with Dad. Plus I'm not a light weight like you. I've had like two beers, more than enough of what you could handle." Marcello knew Connor got worried when his Dad started drinking, sometimes he took it over board, and Connor gave him a nod as a silent thank you.

"Fuck you, alright boys, I'm gone. I'll give you a call tomorrow dad." Connor embraced his dad, slapped hands with Marcello and then saw his way out.

YOU THINK WE'LL EVER GET HIM BACK?" Marcello said looking at Connor walk away with a twinkle in his eye.

"Nope, I know that look. He's a goner." His dad knew that look all too well. "It's your turn now." He teased.

"Hell no," Marcello said drily. "I can't, relationships are too complicated, they require-"

"Patience," Connors dad finished. 

"That I don't have." Marcello wasn't cynical just honest. He had experienced enough love and enough lost. He had finally built himself up and wouldn't jeopardize that by letting someone else in. 

"That you don't try to have, you can't ward women off from commitment with that stern face for long, one day someone will break through."

"Then you'll be just like good ole Connor, hopeless." He laughed as Marcello gave him the same steely look that Connor gave when he was speaking truth.

"Nunca," never Marcello said. 

"You think I wanna walk around pussy whipped, no. I love women, and women love me. We enjoy each other's company, but without the commitment, with no bullshit, same thing woman after woman."

"So a hoe," Connors dad said and Marcello laughed putting down his drink before he could take a sip. 

"I prefer free agent. Plus it's not like I'm sleeping with every broad I see. I'm selective. I just don't want a commitment. And I'm not going to lie to a woman, just to get in her pants and have her think it's something that it's not, women these days are different."

"Oh are they? Enlighten me." Connors dad was beginning to become amused. 

"It's not like it was in your day, when dinosaurs roam the earth and women-hey!" Marcello pushed back from the table to avoid being hit. 

"No but seriously papá, it's different. Its hard being a career solider, most men maybe come in with a wife or girl. But once you're already in service, no woman's going to want to deal with that. "

"You don't know that Marcello, you're taking a misconception you have and making it fact."

"Maybe so," he didn't want to think about whether what Connors dad was saying was true or not. He was happy with the way things were, right? 

"Well just think about it, okay?" He slapped Marcello on the back when he nodded.

"You look tired son, why don't you head out? I'll be fine." 

"You sure," Marcello looked at him suspiciously. He couldn't tell if he was tipsy or not but he looked fine.

"Well alright. Give me a call if ya need anything papá. Thanks for the words of wisdom." 

Marcello appreciated how Dave had taken him under his wing. They were the only family he had. With them he could be himself. To others he was hard up and closed off. 

"No problem, help me throw away these beers and then go get some rest." Marcello did just that, stayed about twenty minutes longer, and then he was gone.

As soon as Dave heard Marcello's car drive away he immediately went and changed. He had plans tonight as well and as he slipped out the door, he could only hope that Connor would forgive him. 





Smooth Jazz Ch. 04



"Oh yes, is that her?" She squinted her eyes as if she had trouble seeing. 

"I think she's on the dance floor with that rather dashing handsome man." Ellen purred in his ear and Connor followed her eyes. There she was but with who? 

"Thank you." By the time he turned around to say it, the woman was gone. 

Connor took Jazz in from a distance and once again his blood boiled. She was a vision in red. The long red gown hugged every curve imaginable, and ones he didn't know she had.

The dress exposed her back, but elegantly. The part missing hung in a U-shape. Other than that it had no sleeves and the front of her was fully covered. The material clung to her wonderful breast, and fell just above her ankles.

After he stared her down he noticed the man holding her, and his blood boiled for a different reason now. 

He couldn't help but feel fire in his lungs as the man's hand sat at the small of her back intimately. They looked close, too close for Connors liking as they laughed into each other's eyes.

Connor moved across the room swiftly. He zeroed in on Jazz and her eyes caught his and she stopped dancing. A smile broke across her face, but soon he zeroed in on the man she was with, and he didn't look happy at all.

"Who the hell is this?" It came out of Connor's mouth before he even had a chance to stop himself.

"Connor," Jazz's eyes went wide as he gave James a once over.

"Honey, you betta say something before he whoop both our asses." James looked at Jazz; she knew he loved this.

"Connor, this is my good friend and-"

"Her hair stylist and fierceness wardrobe coordinator," James added and she sent him a look that said, you doing the most, and he laughed. 

Connor let it all sink in and was beginning to see he was going to look like a jackass by the end of this introduction.

"Yes Connor, and all of that. What the hell is your problem?" Jazz looked at him as he had come at them like a bull with horns. Then it dawned on her and she gave him a piercing look. 

"James, give us a minute." James gladly went about his way in search of the cute waiter boy who winked at him.

"I'm sorry Jazz okay; I thought that he was-"

"My date, Connor, James is not interested in women. And even if he was, were just friends." She scolded him and shook her head when he gathered her in his arms, seemingly pleased.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?"

"Connor don't try to change the, oh." She gave a small moan as he nuzzled into her neck and his hand slid to her bottom and gave a soft squeeze, and she jumped. 

"Stop it. People are watching. My kids are here!" Jazz swiped his hand away.

"This is the first time I've gotten to get this close to you in weeks Jazz. You've been running from me." He placed a finger under her chin and she averted his gaze. 

How could he blame her? She gave him a once over and once again doubted the strength of her knees.

His hair was cut even lower, exposing his gorgeous face even more. He stared into her with those jade green eyes. He licked his cupids bow mouth in approval as he gave her a full once over and she shuttered as he ran a hand down her bare arm.

Connor didn't wear a suit jacket. He wore a white shirt with a dark gray vest fitted for him to a tee. As always his slacks were crisp, with the crease still in them. The slacks hung on his hips just right, and his build was complemented in all the right places.

"No more running tonight Jazz," Connor whispered in her ear holding her close. 

She immediately melted in his strong arms. He once again lifted her chin and placed a soft kiss on her lips. As always she melted and he always looked forward to the moment when she would bend to his will.

"Girl, I don't mean to mess up y'all moment in time, but you're on in ten." James reminded her and she looked at Connor nervously.

"Don't worry; I'll be right in front. Go." Connor gave her reassurance with another kiss and she went and started gathering her four small pupils.





Smooth Jazz Ch. 04



Jazz was ready to give into every need, desire, and want that she had. Jazz kissed back and rubbed against the front of his pants, feeling the hardness of his dick against her hand.

She was driving him insane. He wanted more of her. Connor's brain was pulsing with his blood rushing out and downward. She smelled of flowers and vanilla pecan. 

He bit her neck and then soothed it with wet and open-mouthed kisses. He put his arms underneath her and lifted her. Connor moved them into the master bedroom, setting her down, and then jumping on her again.

They slammed against the walls ravishing each other, as she pulled on his tie and started to unbutton his shirt. Her fingers worked quickly and he finally laid her down on the bed. She started to push down her dress but he crawled over her and stopped her hands.

"Let me-please baby-let me." Connor had been waiting to take off her dress all night. His voice cooed over her and she shivered. He put her hands above her head, held them there single-handedly, as his other hand slowly slipped the rest of the dress off and he kissed her uncovered skin. 

He quickly unhooked her bra and she arched up to him as his finger grazed her nipple, and both of them became erect. Her face mirrored full ecstasy and he was just getting started.

He took her caramel succulent nipples in his mouth and used both of his hands to push them together, showing them equal attention. He leaned back to admire them. They were round caramel globes and he tested the weight of them in his hands. 

She was so fucking beautiful to him. Her hazel eyes opened wide at the new sensation as his tongue flicked over each nipple and he sucked, bit and teased her breast till she was on the edge. 

"Mm that feels so fucking good." She cried out as he tasted her. He wanted to take his time; the taste of her on his tongue was almost too much. He groaned and moved downward. 

Letting her dress fall to the floor, he laid kisses all over her stomach while rubbing his hands all over her breast. Nothing could have prepared him for how soft her skin was, and how good she tasted and she felt beneath his fingers.

"These have to go." He grunted and ripped her panties off as easily as he took off her bra. He kissed her stomach and loved how her breath hitched as he got closer to her pussy, and her stomach caved in at her deep breaths. 

He rubbed his finger over her pussy, and found her dripping wet for him. He began to rub one of his thumbs on her clit and slipped a finger inside her.

"Connor!" She screamed his name in pleasure and bucked under the stroking of his now two fingers. He moved over her, but kept his fingers in place, wanting to see her face as she reached her climax. 

"Look at me baby, I wanna see you cum." He watched Jazz open her eyes, call his name and he crushed his mouth to hers needing to taste her again. She bucked and squirmed as he stroked faster and then lost it as his thumb stroked her clit again. 

He watched her eyes glaze over; biting her bottom lip she arched up, her nails digging into his back. Then her eyes closed as she came back down again. 

HER BREATHING WAS ROUGH, NEVER HAD SHE FELT SUCH A RELEASE. The taste of him was in her mouth, the heat and the passion. The fever that was all over her body, had sweat gliding over her forehead, and she was in sweet bliss. He was kissing her again. His mouth possessively taking all she could give. She urged him on tying their tongues together and pushing deeper. She wanted to taste him. 

"I want you." She managed to speak, though her breath was nearly gone. He rose from the bed complying with her satisfaction. He finished the job of taking off his dress shirt and his tie. His body was breathtaking. 

His muscles were defined and sculpted to a T. She took all of him in. His broad shoulders and strong arms were beautiful. He was glad he had kept himself in shape, as she made an approving purr and admiration gleamed in her eyes. 

Connor took off his pants after his shoes and she bit her lip at the v-cut leading down to his dick. She pulled him to the edge of the bed by the waist band of his briefs. She kissed around his hips and he gave a groan of encouragement. 

Jazz pulled his briefs all the way down and Connor stepped out of them. Her eyes tried not to show fear at the length and thickness of him. She stroked his dick and moved her tongue around the head and his hands went in her hair. 

She moaned over his dick, as she took him deep into her wet and hot mouth. She tried to get him as deep into her mouth as she could and when she slurped, she felt his hands tightened in her hair.

"Baby, if you keep that up I won't be able to last. Come here." Connor pulled her away, helped her up by her hair and pushed her on the bed. 

He bent down to kiss her and surprised her as he laid her down, hooked an arm under her and around her waist, and pulled her further up the bed, with little effort. 

"You're so fucking gorgeous. Spread those legs for me baby." He moved down her stomach again. Her hands fisted in his tousled hair as he started to lick her pussy. Connor spread her lips apart and started fucking her pussy with his tongue. 

She tasted so fucking good to him as he worked his tongue inside her. Jazz couldn't help but writhe in pleasure; he was making her feel things she didn't know her body could feel. 

Her juices flowed down and all over his mouth and he quickly lapped them up, making her dig her fingers into his hair, and push his face further into her pussy.

Then when she was on the brink of pleasure, she couldn't take anymore and attempted to slide back. 

"Don't run baby; bring that pussy back to me." Connor pulled her by her hips back to his tongue; he continued his assault lapping her juices up even faster. He loved the sounds of her moans, and he loved how her legs quivered around him, and how she started to thrust her hips in the air, her love coming down, as he sucked on her clit. 

"I want you inside me, please," She moaned and he found his way back to her mouth. He stared into her beautiful eyes, meeting them with dark green ones. Both of their eyes were filled with desire, he lifted her legs on his shoulders, and slowly entered his dick inside her wet pussy. 

"Ohhh shit!" Jazz said as she felt the head of his dick thrust inside her. Her pussy gripped around him tightly. 

"Don't move-god dammit Jazz -don't move baby. You feel too good." His mouth crushed over hers and her nails dug into his back, as he moved in and out of her slowly. Her tightness gripped him like a vice and brought a wonderful feeling to both of them. 

Connor finally put the rest of his dick inside her. Jazz could feel every inch of his dick deep inside her pussy. Her fingers spread and went up and down his strong back and over his beautiful shoulders. He was all man, and took over her body possessively. 

Connor pumped in and out of her. He went deeper and she raised her hips to meet his thorough strokes. He was so damn thick and filled her pussy, as he climbed inside her walls. 

"Yes, oh yes!" She screamed as he rocked back and forth in and out of her pussy. She gripped him even tighter, as he rolled his hip while inside of her. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head as he bent down, hooking his arms behind her knees and bending her legs further back. 

He stretched out his legs on the bed and did push up's in her pussy. His dick was slipping straight down into her, his balls slapping against her ass, as he stroked her pussy into sweet bliss. 

He reached deep inside her and she cried out as his strokes became quicker, he tried desperately to pound his entire dick in her. He was so thick and Jazz felt tears fall down her cheeks at the overwhelming pleasure she felt. 

"I'm gone cum baby!" 

"Let that go, cum for me!" Connor grunted as he was about to cum as well, as her tight pussy wrapped around his dick. He wanted to give her the loving of a life time. He let one leg down to wrap around his waist, and kept the other one on his shoulder. 

He leaned to the side and started to hit her pussy at a side angle, and she lifted her hips, and cried out even more as he was digging into her spot. 

"God damn," she leaned her hand back as she knew she was about to climax. 

"Cum with me," this time she went the highest she ever went, and could feel herself go blind with pleasure. Nothing made sense. Connor pounded even harder, wanting her love to come down in a wave all over his dick.

"Fuck Jazz!" Neither could hear their own cries, all either could do was feel, a pleasure never felt before- and love neither knew they had left. 



Smooth Jazz Ch. 05



*Sorry it took a little longer to drop!*

*Just some notes to clarify-Marcello is the Italian one and is Connors special ops buddy, Martin is the one that works at the bar and Marcello does not like him. Connors dad is the one that was sneaking out the house and had something to hide!*MARCELLO IS NOT GAY! (James obviously is! Haha)

*THANK YOU, to everyone who leaves comments, votes, favorites me or the story or who just likes to read them, I anticipate every time a new chapter drops because of you guys!!! *

Ps. you guys have excellent insight into what's going on! Whether it be their emotions and or experiences! 



ELLEN PULLED ON THE BACK OF HIS NECK. She loved the feeling of sweat dripping between their rocking bodies. She felt the coolness on her back as she hit the surface of the desk, which the young intern was currently fucking her on. She loved the fact that he was a mere 18 years old and pounding her brains out. She had come upon him in the bosses' chair, feet up, pretending to be a big shot, when she had walked in. He nearly fell out of the chair. He then proceeded to gather the papers he was sent to retrieve; he begged her not to tell anyone. 

Ellen pondered her options, her red lips poking out. She inspected him. He was attractive. 

"What's in it for me?" She replied deviously and he responded by then proceeding to fuck her brains out.

Now she was pulling at his blonde hair, pulling him down so she could taste his lips. He was so young and had so much eagerness and energy. Not to mention his tall, slender frame and baby blue eyes. 

"Mmm fuck me, give me that cock." She urged him on, and watched his face scrunch up as he attempted to fuck her harder. She laughed in delight as her breast slapped together, joyfully, at his hard thrust. She gripped the desk as books and paper fell to the floor. 

"Ellen,"

"Call me Mrs. Price." She became amused as his eyes widened at the prospect of her being married. 

"Keep fucking me and say it!" She urged him, hoping he didn't think he was going to stop shoving his cock into her pussy.

"Shit, you're so hot Mrs. Price."

"That's a good boy." She licked her lips and threw her head back, as he lifted her legs on his shoulders and pulled her to the edge of the desk. Ellen rubbed her clit as he stared to pound her pussy more thoroughly. Ellen could only cry out even more, but for other reasons than sexual pleasure. She was more than satisfied when Mr. Pennington entered his office, closed the door, and his papers dropped to the floor along with his mouth. 

"Aaron!" Mr. Pennington called his name. Aaron turned to him horrified, he stopped mid-stroke, slipped out her pussy, and quickly fought to get up his underwear.

"Oh, so that's your name." Ellen laughed at the horrified look on the CEO/ wealthy businessman's face. 

"Sir, I'm so sorry, please don't tell my dad." Aaron pleaded with him, as Ellen just laughed. 

"Cut him some slack, he's a great fuck by the way." Ellen's eyes lit up with pleasure. 

"Shut up! You," he said pointing to Aaron. 

"Pull up your pants son, go home for the day, and so help me god you better not mention this to anyone, not even your buddies."

"I won't sir, I promise." Aaron's face was red with embarrassment. 

"If I find out you talked, you'll never get a recommendation from me, and your father's job around here is finished. You understand me?" Mr. Pennington looked at him with stern eyes. Aaron nodded profusely and quickly pulled up his pants and left. 

"You have a sturdy desk here Richard." Ellen teased and his face grew red with anger.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing here?" He screamed but then lowered his voice. 

"Listen carefully, I told you to stay the hell away from me and my office. Then you fuck my intern on my desk, do you know I could have you arrested?" Mr. Pennington waddled over to his other desk that belonged to his assistant; he would have to put in an order for a new one, today. 

"Arrested? Your own daughter," she asked, dramatically frowning and then breaking into a smile. 

"Not when your so called son plays dress up and assaults women. That would be hypocritical don't you think dick?"

"He's not my son and you are not my daughter." Mr. Pennington said drily. She always put a bitter taste in his mouth. 

"I'm not, except by blood, and seeing as you fucked both our mothers! I can assure you I am. DNA doesn't lie Richard."

"But let's skip this little family reunion and get right to the reasons I'm here. I need more money." Ellen walked over and set on top of his desk. Her closed and black pointed heels clicked across the floor. She looked like a savvy business woman in her pink and black pinstriped suit, and her hair back in its usual bun. She crossed her long and slender legs looking quite comfortable. It made him sick. 

"I just gave you and your brother money last month. And why should I give you more? We had a deal, I give you and your brother money and you two disappear. I can't have you popping up, especially not now,"

"its reelection time and I've got big money and interests riding on candidates that will help me expand my business, which I know is why you fucked my senator. You know how much money it took to clean up the mess you've made!"

Mr. Pennington could just strangle her. Never had he known that she would be so vindictive and conniving. Many times he thought about the mistakes he made and how it was costing him now. He often thought about hiring someone to kill her and her brother. If only to put him out of his misery. 

Ellen checked her nails absently. 

"I had to do something to get your attention Richard, you were ignoring me. And you know how I hate being ignored."

"Bottom line I'm running low on funds. I had a deal in the works with this lawyer I'm fucking but it's not moving fast enough for me. That's where you come in." She smiled at him. 

Crazy bitch; he thought and tried to breathe easy. He was a man of power, fortune and yet she had a hold on him. It was blackmail at its fucking finest. 

"Well maybe if you and your brother would stop spending money on drugs! You would have something; you're just like your mother, a crack whore." He dismissed her with a wave of his hand. He wouldn't play these games with her. 

Ellen became enraged at the mention of her mother. 

"Says the fucking ex-junkie himself! She got the drugs from you dipshit. After you knocked her up and cast her aside like old news, you thought she would just go away? She loved you, only to find she wasn't the only mistress and you had a son on the side!" 

"She knew what it was! She knew I had a wife, obligations, she knew I was only using her. She was young, eager and just like you naïve." He smiled loving how the power was shifting as she became emotional and erratic. 

"I'm nothing like my mother you sonofabitch! Unlike her I see you for the piece of shit you are." She rose and went to the inside of the desk to sit in front of him, but first knocking off anything in her way. Mr. Pennington only seemed amused in response. 

"For years I watched you feed her drugs, lies, using her as your personal prostitute, whoring her out to every congressman you thought would gain you some fucking clout. When she asked me to join her, sixteen years old, you think I didn't know you were behind it? Me and my mother made you! So tread carefully because I can break you just as easily." 

That was the last straw, and Mr. Pennington stood up and gave her a hard slap across the face, his hand connecting with the side of her face in swift satisfaction, when her head snapped to the side and back. 

"Sleeping with a few politicians certainly doesn't qualify as a vital part of my success, don't sit here and talk to me about rights and wrongs; don't act like your so fucking above it!"

Ellen only smiled which had him leaning back carefully. She felt the blood in the corner of her mouth. She simply licked it off the side, and stayed seated on the inside of his desk. 

"Was that supposed to put me in my place? We both know you're not in control here. I am. What kind of fool do you take me for? You know it's the truth, and it kills you; we made you Richey."

"Don't hate the player, hate the game. You put yourself in this situation, because you couldn't keep it your dick in your pants. Now you're paying the price for all that power WE gave you. There's nothing more disgusting then watching you sit here spitting your bullshit-I was sixteen!" 

Ellen screamed in his face. She remembered every call in the middle of night. All the weekend trips and expensive gifts, and it was all for sex. Her mother had convinced her that this was what they had to do. That Richard needed them and that in the end he would leave his wife. In the long run, who cared, they were having sex and making thousands of dollars. 

Ellen's mother told her, that her body was a small price to pay for the power in the end. She believed her. Yet in her heart she knew Richard would never give up a happy home for a used drug addict. Her mother realized it too. When he was solidified in his career, he no longer needed their services.

Richard had found her mother when she was young, working as a stripper to make ends meet. She had been abandon as a child and once she escaped from the foster home, she never looked back. She was tired of being in the system, and hit the streets. Then she met Tony. The club owner was a dirty bastard and at the age of sixteen allowed her mother to work there. Richard was an up and coming business owner. When he knocked her up, he paid her to keep quiet. He took care of her, bought her out from Tony, and eventually started using her for his own gains. Then when Ellen got old enough, he felt it was time for her to work for her keep too. 

"Please, get off your fucking high horse Ellen. You're like a black widow, mating then killing your prey. I see it in you, that lust for power, the same as me, and the desire to get it by any means necessary. If you're so disgusted by me then why take my money? You have plenty of men you could prey on."

"Oh, but they're not as fun as you," Ellen rose from the desk again. She realized she was losing face and had to calm down. She was losing control, she couldn't lose control. 

"Your right I choose to prey on you, because I want you to pay for every fucking thing you've done to me and my mother. You know it would be a shame if that son of yours was ever found out." Ellen brought her nails across the desk. 

"Now wait," He said getting nervous now. 

"We agreed he has an issue, I've tried to offer him women but he doesn't want them. He enjoys the...hunt he says." Mr. Pennington knew he was wrong. Yet if he turned him in, he had threatened to reveal he was his son, and what he had done to his mother as well, but he was drugged up, in a different place when he did those things. 

"I've been feeling a change of heart though Richard. I mean can we really just let him continue to roam the streets and hurt innocent women?" Ellen frowned and Mr. Pennington grew red again. Dammit. She always found a way to gridlock him. 

"You're bluffing, turn him in if you want, but it'll be you, not me."

"Oh you'll do what I ask."

"I don't take to kindly to threats!"

"Well I don't take to kindly to being slapped across my fucking face Richard! Besides, this one I don't think will go away quietly, your son fucked up. You know that pretty little brown skin woman you're always discussing "arts" with." She watched his wrinkled white face flood with confusion and then it dawned on him.

"Jazz, what's she got to do with this?" He asked, not sure what she had under her sleeve. Jazz was a nice woman and quite attractive. A couple of senators asked him about her but he knew she wouldn't be interested.

Plus, he respected her; she was a lovely young woman. She was trying to do some good. He considered sponsoring her, but wanted to know what benefits it would give him, besides good publicity. 

"Oh, allow me," Ellen pulled out her phone. She turned on the video. She was glad she had him record some footage when he was in Jazz's house. Mr. Pennington became horrified as the video showed pictures throughout the house of Jazz up on the mantle. 

Then he moved to her bedroom, turning the camera on himself he removed some of her underwear from a drawer and smelled it. 

"I want her Dad. I want her." He smiled into the camera and then the video cut off. 

"Stop this! Right now, do you know what the fuck you're doing?"

"Oh don't worry he didn't attack her, she got away. Her lone solider was there to stop that-"

"You're really going to help him! I can't allow this; it's too close to home. He'll be caught."

"You think I give a fuck about her or your son? Oh I know he'll be caught, I read up on Connor O'Malley. Special ops and quite a bad ass rap sheet. Oh he'll find out, but trust and believe it'll be too late. I'm betting on your son getting caught, right after he defiles her." Ellen laughed. 

"We're going to get it on video too, maybe play it at your next banquet-" 

"Bitch! Mr. Pennington pulled her head down on the desk, and slammed it by her suit jacket. Her head bounced and she rolled to the floor. 

"You'll stay away from her! I'm not fucking playing with you; I'll go to the police." He threatened

Ellen looked up to him from the floor. 

"Money is the only thing that'll keep my lips sealed," Ellen breathed. Her heart was beating rapidly from the adrenaline rush of rolling off the desk, after having her head hit it with such force. 

Mr. Pennington was huffing and puffing as well. He put in the code to his safe in the corner of the office and took out ten stacks. He grabbed a small duffel bag and loaded them into it, zipped it, and threw it at her and to the floor. 

"Take the money and get out, stay away from her Ellen I fucking mean it. Stay away from me!" 

Ellen struggled for a second but finally got up from the floor; she grabbed the duffel and swung it over her head, and let the strap lay on her shoulder. 

"As always Richard, it was a pleasure." Ellen smiled and walked out his office, and then her expression went dark with anger. 

The motherfucker had put his hands on her for the last time. Oh he thought Jazz was so fucking special? What was so great about her? Her hate for Jazz was only increasing, and it was time to act. She was long tired of taking the back seat, coming in last. Her life was about to change. She was going to the one in control, she was going to set fire to it all and watch in satisfaction as it burned down in memory of her foolish mother. Then she would walk away, victorious and unharmed. 





Smooth Jazz Ch. 05



"I know your upset but we'll make it back. I love you baby, and I know I've been messing up, but we'll get this money."

"I know we will, because I'm taking over now."

"That's good, I trust you, I know I should have just let you take the lead on this." William wanted to say anything he could to please her. He hated when she was angry at him.

"By the way, what was up with this guy who came by today looking for you? He said you and him had plans you needed to discuss."

"None of your business William, this is my plan and you're not going to fuck it up." 

"But who is that guy?" William asked again and she turned around a piece of ice tucked in the corner of her mouth, as she looked at him in annoyance. 

"Are you questioning me?" 

"It's just you've been gone a lot honey, and you haven't been letting me know where and I don't know. I don't want to think anything but-" William trailed off. 

"But what," Ellen raised her eye brow and then laughed.

"Oh, am I fucking other men? Of course I am. I'm going to fuck Black too. We need to get on his good side." William stood in shock at her words. She was sleeping with other people? She had said it so casually and without feeling, he doubted his hearing was right. 

"When did you start this? I thought we were exclusive, you said we-"

"William stop bothering me! Don't be so foolish. You belong to me, and I belong to no one. You understand?" She paused and looked at him as his eyes watered up. 

"Oh god William, don't tell me you're in love! This is about money, power, and lust. We can have it all but it'll be on my terms baby, and you knew that." Ellen poked out her mouth and smiled mocking his emotions. William could not explain the wave of sadness and emptiness that washed over him. 

He loved Ellen. He thought she wanted to build a life with him. He was wrong, for her it was just about the money. Sure he wanted money too but only so that he could get back at Jazz and move on with Ellen. The reality burned deep inside his chest but unlike the brandy, it wasn't going down so smooth. 

"Ellen I don't know what to say, I thought this was more to you than a fling. I want to marry you." William advanced toward her, convincing himself it was just his fuck ups that had her feeling this way.

"I'll get it together, trust me. You can sleep with whoever you want, get it all out your system before hand and then by the wedding we'll be good." William took her hands, kissing them in hope. 

"I'll go visit Jazz, and I can make her trust me again. I've done it before." 

"William trust me, if I thought it was possible I would let you, but I already have a visitor for her, that'll be a little more persuasive," Ellen's eyes gleamed with excitement. Her thoughts were still with that bastard, Mr. Pennington. 

"And of course we'll marry. Once we get this money we'll settle down, you'll be a devoted and faithful husband, and I'll be doing as I please." She assured him. 

"I like you. You listen to me, you do what I say, and you're perfect. All you have to do is play your role William, and don't over step your boundaries. Okay?" Ellen patted his cheek and swallowed the ice whole.

She put on her jacket and put back up her hair.

"At first I was hiding my little rendezvouses from you for the thrill."

"Now since you know, there's no reason for me to hide it. I'm leaving to go find and fuck Black, don't worry I'll pacify him. Leave it to me." 

"By the time I'm done with him, we'll have all the money and the drugs and he won't see a dime." She gave William a firm kiss on the mouth, washed back another glass of Brandy and clicked her way out the house. 

When she was gone all William could do was collapse on the couch and cry. He knew he was too in love to leave, and would do anything to be with her. Even give up his pride and his man hood. It was Jazz's fault. Ellen was acting this way because she was frustrated about the money. If he made it right she would stop fucking around on him. She would want only him. He had to destroy Jazz, he had to step up and show Ellen what he was capable of. She wanted devious, then that's what she would get.





Smooth Jazz Ch. 05



"I'm gonna go to the restroom, stay away from my woman. I'll fight you old man," Connor warned playfully and left out the room. 

"You know, I'm really glad you're here." Dave smiled at her warmly and took her hand.

"Thank-you for having me, I have to admit I was nervous. Connor means a lot to me Dave, I feel like I can tell you that."

"He better be treating you right." Jazz laughed

"Connors a sweetheart, he's so kind, and just such a gentlemen. You raised an awesome son." She gave his hand a squeezed and he squeezed back.

"Well I'm glad; it wasn't easy on my own, little brat." He said but with so much endearment in his tone Jazz smiled.

"I hope you don't mine me saying but Connor told me about his mother, I'm so sorry for your loss." He smiled at her sincerity; he could tell she was genuine. 

"Your fine, his mother meant the world to me and I can tell Connor means a lot to you. But you're holding back, why?" Jazz was going to deny, protest and refuse the claim, but one look in those jade green eyes, that were the same color but different then Connor's, and she gave in to the truth.

They were so wise and knowing, and so warm with understanding and love for Connor.

"Yes, it's just I'm scared," Jazz tried to find the words.

"Long story short, I thought I loved someone before, but I didn't. It wasn't right, and this time I feel like it's real but if Connor goes back I don't-"

"It's gonna be okay," he wiped under her watery eyes. 

"It'll work out, but you have to talk to Connor about it. I know he can be a little stubborn, but I can tell he cares about you very much." 

"I know, it's just hard," She sniffled. 

"Look at me, I'm a mess. I'm sorry. This is probably not the best first impression." Jazz laughed. 

"Anybody who can put a smile on my son's face like that doesn't need to impress me. I'm already impressed. I'm just glad I have a beautiful face to go along with the light that has come into my son's life. He's been through a lot and I feel in my heart you're here to lead him on a better path."

"Listen to your heart, good or bad it'll always lead you in the direction you're destined to go. I've haven't always listened to mine, and its put me in some pretty tough spots." Dave wanted so bad to follow his own advice but could not. He didn't want to hurt his son. He knew he was wrong. 

He let go of her hand and Connor came back in and eyed them both suspiciously. Maybe they had a heart to heart, which knowing his dad wasn't farfetched. His dad had a knack for making people open up. 

"What's going on in here?" Connor smiled, still happy that they were getting along so well. 

"Nothing, just going to get some pictures and show her what a fat baby you were," His dad got up and moved towards the photo album in the living room. 

"Oh damn, it's time to go Jazz." Connor grabbed her arm and she wiggled loose.

"I love chubby babies!" She laughed and his father went to go get the pictures right away.





Smooth Jazz Ch. 06



*THANK YOU!! As always for reading, rating, commenting, and favoring* 

*Sorry for the wait!* P.S I love you guys and all your support, your awesome!! 

***** 

JAZZ SCRAMBLED TO THE FLOOR. Her chest was beating a million beats per minute and fear etched its way into her heart. She looked around frantically as the figure banged against the jaded glass, which was covering their identity. 

She fearfully searched for her phone. She cried out in hope as she spotted it in the corner. When she dropped it, it had skidded across the floor underneath her desk. She raced for it, but then paused when the knock sounded again and a familiar voice broke through. 

"Jazz I know you're in there! Open up! It's me." Williams's voice sounded in her ears and she froze. What should she do? She couldn't let him think she was crazy. He would surely use that against her in court. 

As far as her lawyer was concerned they almost had the case in the bag. Even though Ellen seemed quite intelligent, she lacked knowledge of the law and interest. She wasn't much of a lawyer in Jazz's opinion. 

Jazz quickly gathered all the photos and the letter off the floor and stuffed it back in the drawer. She forgot about her phone and quickly tried to run her fingers through her frizzled hair, and smooth out her shirt. She walked to the front of the house and opened the door as he came around to greet her. 

Jazz was taken aback. She hadn't seen him outside of a courtroom in a while. He looked like a wreck. 

"Jazz can I please come in, I really need to talk." His sad brown eyes met hers. He didn't look like the William she knew. His hair was longer, no longer in a smooth cut fade. His facial hair had grown scruffy and a little unkempt. 

He wore a t-shirt and sweats, something he usually didn't wear. He refused for her or him to own a pair when they were married. Yet now he stood before her wearing them, along with red-rimmed eyes. It looked as if he had been crying. 

"What are you doing here William?" Jazz was trying to give a damn but failing miserably. For some reason seeing him like this neither satisfied or dissatisfied her. She felt nothing, and liked it that way. He wouldn't be draining any more energy from her, not for love nor for hate. 

"I was dropping off my key to the house and checking on you as well." His lean body was at an angle leaning against the door. Jazz never noticed how lean his body was. He was just as tall but didn't nearly have the presence that Connor had. Now that man knew how to fill in a doorway. 

William dropped the keys in her hand. Then she felt her mind start to race. Wait. He still had a pair of keys to the house? She shook her head. How would he have any idea though? It couldn't be him behind this...the photos maybe but not the letter? 

As she played thoughts of paranoia through her head, she looked William in his eyes; she felt it in her gut that something was wrong. 

She knew she couldn't let it show but cursed herself when she realized her phone was in the back of the house. She made a mental note to change the locks ASAP. 

"You dropped off the keys, great, now please leave." Jazz didn't trust him; she didn't want to have a civilized conversation like they were old buddies. She didn't want to ever speak to or see him again. 

She could care less about him. Gone was the familiar ache that she used to have, when she saw him. Gone was the anger that she held inside her. 

She was done with feeling anything for him. He had humiliated her enough. She didn't even want an apology; she just wanted him out her life for good. 

"I can't do that, not yet, I have a question." Jazz sighed loudly; couldn't this muthafucka take a hint? 

"Okay, go for it." She gestured with her hand. 

"Jazz can I least come in?" William pleaded. 

"William I'd rather you not. To be honest I don't have shit to say to you. I'm two seconds from telling you to fuck off, but I'm trying not to be nasty and stoop to your level." 

"I'm still your husband-" 

"Ex-husband! William what are you trying to prove? You think you can just come to my door, and expect me to have pity on you. It looks like you've been having a hard time, and I wish bad on no one, but this...we, are over." She motioned between them to emphasize her point. 

"Don't say that!" He pleaded desperately. William looked around and then lowered his voice. 

"Jazz I miss you. Can't you see I'm a wreck without you? I left Ellen; I couldn't continue lying to myself. Telling myself that I could live without you, I know I messed up. I messed up bad. I lied, cheated, and broke your heart." He reached out for her and she stepped back. 

"Jazz please forgive me, please..." William started sobbing on the porch and Jazz looked out and around hoping no one was seeing this pathetic display. 

"William you've missed my birthday, forgotten anniversaries, mistreated me for our entire marriage and never once have you apologized. And now! All the sudden you're so sorry! Well I'm not. I'm glad I got to see you for the low-life you really are." 

William wiped his eyes and looked up into hers; they were different somehow. He was starting to see this wouldn't be as easy as he thought. He expected her to be falling over him crying and sobbing by now. 

"All that pain and humiliation you took me through, has only made me better and stronger. All that darkness you cast over my life, has only led me to brighter days William. If anything, that's why you're at my doorstep right now. You're trying to figure out how you can somehow fuck that up too." 

"Well that's not going to happen. Thanks for the performance William, but I'll pass. Bye." Jazz started to close the door when he stopped it with his foot. 

Jazz didn't have time to think as he stood up straight and tightened a hand tight around her arm, which made her fall to her knees. She squeezed her eyes shut; the pain was swift and sudden. 

"Get in the fucking house." William pushed her into the house, and closed the door. He pulled Jazz by her hair from the floor and slammed her against the wall. 

Jazz's breathing was short as her head started pounding. She opened her eyes staring right into his. 

William smiled. He loved this. He was so use to being dominated by Ellen and now he had some power back. He had forgotten how much he missed it, dominating someone. 

He wanted her to bow to him, to fear him. How dare she talk to him like that? Like she was better than him? 

"I tried to reason with you. I tried to offer you your life back. I guess fucking that white boy has got you thinking your shit doesn't stink!" William held her to the wall, and looked into her eyes wanting to see the fear. His eyes widened when Jazz smiled and then spit in his face. 

"Fuck you! I was wondering when the real you would show up. You've been following me haven't you?" William let go. How did she know? 

"That's how you know about him." Jazz rubbed her throat, and then decided to make a break for the door, rather than the phone but was caught. He was still a little stronger and quicker than her. 

"Oh no you don't, I haven't been following you. People have seen you two around, you haven't been discrete about your little affairs. I have eyes everywhere." 

"Then what about the photos and the letter? You're sick. You know that?" 

"Shut up! You listen to me! You're going to give up that property and move that bastard out of my house!" 

"You think I'm still scared of you, don't you?" Jazz laughed she wouldn't let him have the satisfaction of her fear. 

"Do what you gotta do William, cause I'm going to do what I have to do." She took her free hand and brought it to the side of his face as hard as she could. This time she would fight back. 

"You bitch!" He held his eye, and she took her opportunity to push him back and race for the door as he fell. She was nearly there when his hand reached out and grabbed the back of her leg. 

Jazz tried to kick him off of her but his grip was strong. The fight wasn't over. She knew that all too well when William pulled, while Jazz tried to open the door, and she fell to the floor with him. 

CONNOR DROVE ON NEARING JAZZ'S HOUSE. He couldn't believe that his dad had been holding his "secret" girlfriend in for so long. He never imagined that his dad was still holding on to his mother's thoughts and feelings as Connor was. Still, Connor was happy for him, but knew they had things to discuss later. 

Connor played it cool as Natalie and his Dad sat and talked. She was an educated and beautiful woman. Connor liked her immensely. He had never seen his Dad so off balance. 

He could tell his dad was nervous about them meeting. He looked at Connor every five minutes, trying to gauge his reaction to everything that was going on around them. 

Eventually, Connor decided to let them enjoy the rest of their night. He was ready to get back to Jazz. He needed someone to talk to about how to approach his dad. He knew Jazz would be able to help him out. 

She was good at listening and offering unbiased feedback. He had watched her do it with James, and even some of the mothers of the kids she mentored. 

He was happy to see her car in the driveway, but was wondering who owned the car next to it. He thought about turning the car around in case she was in session, but felt something in his gut telling him not to. 

He turned off his car and immediately his sharp ears tuned in to a faint scream as the door popped open and a thud sounded from inside. 

Connor felt the adrenaline rise in his body and he acted quickly. He hoped out the car shutting the door and stuffing a gun in his back pocket; he rushed into the house. His eyes were quick as he accessed the scene in seconds. 

"Connor!" Jazz screamed his name and he couldn't think straight, as he became enraged. William didn't have time to cry out as he felt the hand pull him back by the collar and up against the wall. 

Then he felt a fist to the side of his face. The pressure of Connors knuckles cracked against his jaw as blood flew from his mouth and he hit the floor. 

"Get the fuck up!" Connor screamed and kicked him in the stomach. 

"You wanna hit on women, get your ass up and fight me!" Connor was like a lion ready to maul, as Jazz caught her breath from the floor. She could barely watch as Connor repeatedly kicked him in the stomach and turned her head when his boot connected with Williams face. 

He dragged William up and threw him against the wall once more. William doubled over in pain. The attack happened so fast, he didn't have time to process what was going on. 

"Are you okay baby? Go outside and call the police." Connor threw her his phone, but she didn't want to leave him, as William held on to the mantle trying to recover. 

"Baby I don't wanna leave you," 

"Jazz just-" 

"Connor!" Jazz screamed his name as William came behind him and smashed a vase over his head. Connor tumbled forward into the couch from the blow and William laughed in delight. 

"Not so tough now huh big guy," William wipe the blood from his mouth and Jazz quickly ran out the door, hoping he would follow her and leave Connor alone. She had to call the police. 

What had she done? Connor could be seriously hurt. She tried not to think about that. He was going to be okay. She was going to get away and call for help. 

She had to be quick. She felt William coming after her. She looked back as he attempted to make his way out the door, but he was hurt. All the sudden she saw Williams eyes bug out as he was yanked by his collar back into the house and the door was shut closed. 

Jazz heard his screams and Connors roars. She dialed quickly; Connor was okay. Now, she just hoped he didn't kill William. 

CONNOR WANTED TO KILL HIM. The fury that swept through him watching him attacking Jazz could not be described in words but shown in action. His ears were still ringing from the blow to the head, but he had regained enough composure to see him breaking for jazz and interfere. Now he belonged to Connor, and it was just them. 

William tried to lock Connor in a head lock but he broke loose. Trained in combat, he easily reversed it on him, wrapping his arm around Williams's neck. He thought about snapping it, or breaking every fucking bone in his body. 

Connor satisfied himself by slamming William to the ground in a swift take down, and then cracking his arm over his knee breaking it in three places. 

"Ahhh fuck!" William screamed out in excruciating pain, and Connor finally pulled the gun from his waist. Connor wanted it as a last resort, but knew with William he needed to send a message. 

Connor put the Glock to Williams head. He pulled his head back forcing William to look him in the eyes. 

"Listen to me; if you ever put your fucking hands on my woman again, I will personally decorate these walls with your brain matter. You fucking understand me!" 

Connor cocked the gun and William cried out again as he scrambled to break free but his arm was broken. 

"Do you fucking understand me!" Connor felt such a rage his finger started to move towards the trigger, when Jazz busted back in the door. 

"Connor stop, please! I called the police baby, I called them. Please don't kill him; he's not worth it." Jazz looked in horror as Williams left arm was contorted at a weird angle. 

Blood and sweat ran down Williams face and Connor looked like a mad man, rage in his eyes. He tightened his grip on Williams's neck as his legs started flaring wildly. 

"Connor," Jazz turned her head thinking Connor was going to snap his neck, but breathed a sigh of relief when he merely put William to sleep. 

As soon as William hit the floor, and passed out she ran to him looking at his head first. 

"Are you okay? Please tell me you're okay?" Jazz checked him all over before Connor held her hands still. 

"I'm fine. I'm just glad I got here in time. I can't imagine what I would have done if he-" Connor couldn't even finish the sentence, as he stood and gathered her in his arms tightly. 

Jazz winced and groaned in pain and he pulled back. 

"I'm little bruised up, it's okay. It looks worse than the pain actually is." She laid a reassuring hand on his face. 

Connor felt his hand on his gun tense as he looked at the bruises on her arms and neck. Still, he had to act quickly and put his emotions aside. 

"Listen, go to my place, take your phone, and go call James. I want you to go to the hospital after the police arrive. Hurry there's not much time. They're just around the corner," Jazz was confused but followed Connors orders. She handed him back his phone, went to grab hers and left out the back towards his place. 

Before Jazz even left, Connor went to work. He searched William's pockets. He found his wallet and took pictures of his entire photo ID and credit cards. 

Connor quickly took Williams car keys and searched the car outside; he found a high tech camera and immediately took out the memory card. He also found some paper work he felt could be important. 

Before the cops pulled up he had everything put away for safe keeping. 

If his instincts were right there was a reason William was coming around and acting crazy. It definitely had to do with the property he wanted, and he knew he had told the courts he wanted Connor out of it. Connor was going to find out why? 

He gathered himself as the sirens closed in outside. Connor promised himself and Jazz that he would protect her at all cost. If William compromised that mission again, he would not hesitate to terminate him. 

* 

"What the fuck do you mean nothing you can do? If it hadn't been for Connor, that Bitch could have kilt her!" James screamed in the officer's face, and Jazz put a hand on his arm. He had arrived five minutes after Connor called him and gave him a synopsis of what happened. 

"James please, it's okay. Look I don't have evidence that he took the photos or wrote the letter, but I'm telling you what he said and he clearly attacked me." Jazz looked in the officer's eyes pleading with him to do something. 

Since he and his partner had arrived they seemed disinterested, and way too informal when arresting William and putting him in the back of the police car. 

"The best I can do Miss is get you a restraining order. Plus, he's alleging that your boyfriend here attacked him when he came to give you back the keys. I got two different stories here." 

Jazz was annoyed that he was hiding his eyes behind his shades. All she could see was his largesse build, thick black eyebrows and thin mustache to match. 

"I told you that's false. My neighbor told you that he was banging on the back of my window and that there were two cars in the driveway, mines and his before Connor even arrived!" 

"So I'm going to take him in for questioning, and let you recover mam', but he is also alleging that your boyfriend here is the one that beat you up." 

"That's ridiculous! Connor was protecting me from him. Look at this mark on my neck. Connor did not assault me, he did, and he's not even in cuffs! And you're driving his car for him?" Jazz said pointing to him in the back seat of the cop car with his broken arm wrapped. 

"His arm is broken Miss. Look I'm sorry you got attacked, and I believe you if you say your boyfriend did not attack you. I will take him in for assault but the charge may not stick, and if you want you can come down to the station and issue a restraining order." 

The cop stared at her drily and Jazz felt like crying. It wasn't enough. She knew William knew people in the legal system; her charges would go through hell to get through. 

"James, take her inside. I think she's had enough for today. Baby, I'm going to give him my statement and then I'll be right there." Connor kissed her forehead and she nodded as James wrapped an arm around her shoulder and led her inside the house. 

Connor waited till Jazz was out of sight before he let the officer have it. 

"We both know his story is bullshit. The door is clearly roughed up. There's a dent in the wall where the door knob hit because he forced his way in and attacked her." 

"She has bruises on her arm and neck and it would be a lot worse if he would have finished the job." Connors voice was tight with simmering rage. 

"We both know I didn't attack her but for some reason you haven't called for backup. Haven't searched the house for details, haven't even asked to take the pictures in for evidence, and I'm wondering why since you've been here; you refuse to do your fucking job." 

"Okay buddy! You're overstepping your boundaries. You're lucky I'm not taking you in and taking your girlfriends word. Police work is complicated, I understand you're a soldier but this isn't combat, you could have killed him!" 

"And if he comes near her again I won't hesitate to do so. Either you keep him away from her or I will, permanently." Connor made eye contact with William from the police car and he turned away from his gaze cowardly. 

"This isn't the Wild West, we don't make the laws we follow them. Do I need to confiscate your gun Sir? Or take you for a trip down to the station?" The officer threatened him hoping to get him to back off so he could follow Mr. Pennington's orders and leave. 

"Put me in a car with him and we'll be taking a trip to the morgue." 

"Let me do my job Mr. O'Malley. Stay out of this, or next time I'll have to make good on that trip." 

The police officer turned away and jogged back to the car. He got in and slammed the door. 

"Jeez that guy is scary." He told William. 

"He snuck up on me from behind. Punk." William snorted but was secretly glad he escaped with his life. 




Smooth Jazz Ch. 06



"Sure. Where to? Partners got your car." 

"To the hospital and don't mention anything to Ellen, you hear me?" William warned the officer on his payroll. It was a stroke of luck him and his other buddy were always called to this area. 

"Of course not," he said and William put his head against the window. If Ellen found out what happen she would be furious. He had no idea how Jazz knew about the photos he had been taking or what she meant by the letter. He just hoped he hadn't blown their cover. 

* 

ELLEN PULLED HER DRESS BACKED ON, AS BLACK ROLLED OVER AND LIT A BLUNT. She loved this thug fucking that they were doing. He even had introduced her to some of his friends. She was enjoying her time with him. He had power, money and control. 

She admired the respect that he got in the streets and the power in his name. Ellen was almost sad that she had to play him, but that's the way the game goes. She was almost there with convincing him. 

"So what's sup with you and that bitch boy William? You fucking around, loving the crew and shit. You disloyal, I don't like that. That aint a good sign for me," Black puffed on his Kush and watched her through slanted eyes. 

Ellen was a nice white bitch for him. She sucked a good dick and had some decent pussy. Plus, she was letting the crew get some love and he was making some change from it. Still, there was something about her that screamed snake. Yet, Black was too cocky to think she could get over on him. 

"On the contrary, I'm not disloyal. William accepts the lifestyle I choose to lead. He encourages it even. He likes being dominated by me. But he's neither here or there. You're doing business with me now. Unlike William I don't slip." 

"Is that right? Well tell me more about this old guy, with this safe." 

"Of course, he's a wealthy businessman. Really into politics, has tons of money, and owns a lot of shit. He has a safe in his office. He keeps millions of dollars, untaxed money he gets under the table from services he provides to politicians trying to get a leg up." 

"I'm interested. Where is this office?" 

"Downtown area, I work there, I have access to it, and he trusts me with his life. Simple. We go in, when he's there alone. Rob him. Take all his cash." 

"Sounds good shawty but this is a wealthy man were talking about. He got cameras, security, and if he's smart he know people are plotting on him." 

"You underestimate me Black. I can easily set up a meeting with him, make it late night, no security. Turn off the cameras." 

"Okay so why not rob him yourself, or take the money while he's not looking." Black felt like it sounded too good of a come up to be true. 

"I don't know the code and to be honest I lack the guts. He'd also recognize me all too well. This has to look like an outside job. Look I know you're just out of prison. You're trying to get back to your hustle." 

"You're making money but since you've been locked up, I can tell things have changed. Until we get those drugs in an effective way, this is the next best thing." 

Black thought about it long and hard. She did have a point. The game had changed on him in the short stint he had done. There was more money circulating and he was slightly out of the loop. This could be just what he needed until he got the drugs back. 

"This betta be secure, because I'm not going back to jail." Black looked her dead in her eyes and she smiled. 

"It's secure alright. My only request is we keep William out of the plan. He always finds a way to mess shit up." 

"Done. Hey before you leave go holler at my man Rico." Black winked at her and Ellen licked her lips. 

"With pleasure," Ellen walked out to go find her next venture. It reminded her of when she was with her mother, the sex, drugs, and the thrill. She was in the never ending cycle, not knowing that it only led to self-destruction. 

Ellen was blinded with unseen desire. She couldn't wait till it all was hers. She would set Black up to rob the office and then get him caught. Once he was locked up for life, she would be the one on top. 

* 

JAZZ SAT AT THE EDGE OF THE BED. Connor hadn't talked to her much since they had left the hospital and they gave her a check-up, some antibiotics and cream for her soreness. She was worried he would be done with her, after this little incident. 

Jazz couldn't blame him if he did leave. He didn't sign up for this. It's not like she came with a sign that said crazy ex-husband alert. Jazz wished she had paid more attention, wished that she wasn't so blinded by the glitz of love, wished she hadn't been so young and stupid. 

"Give me the letter and the photos you found." His deep voice broke through her thoughts, she was surprised he spoke to her, and reached over to retrieve them from her bedside. 

Connor put them in a black book bag he had grabbed from his place along with his laptop. 

"Are you leaving?" Jazz's voice was tight. Connor didn't answer her. He was in his own world. 

"You're going to James house tonight. I already spoke to him about it." 

"And where are you going?" Jazz questioned not liking how his voice sounded, demanding, like she was a child that needed to be watched. 

"Connor I'm perfectly fine, staying alone if you want to run off somewhere. I'm not holding you here." 

"Jazz don't fight me on this." 

Jazz knew she was being foolish. She was trying not to let it show that his coolness was bothering her. As he loaded stuff into his bag she could see he was tense. She knew he was probably looking for a way out at this point and she would give it to him. 

"Connor, what do we have?" Jazz turned to him as he put the last item in his bag and zipped it closed. 

"What do you mean?" Connor's face was hard to read. Jazz felt herself shrink. He didn't seem to have any emotions at this point. He had expressed so much rage and slowly she had watched him decline to silence. 

"What do we have? In other words, how do you feel about me?" She faced him and stepped closer. His Jade eyes went a shade darker. He was putting his wall up. Jazz folded her arms, prepared to put up her wall as well. 

Jazz was sad on the inside. She just wanted to protect herself. She just wanted to save herself from getting hurt. Jazz needed to hear what she already knew, that he wanted to leave. 

"Is this really the right time to discuss this, now? You know how special you are to me." His voice was tight and crisp. Was it frustration that was fuming off of him to her? What was it that was hidden behind those clear almost translucent green eyes? 

"Yes you tell me that, but-" 

"But what, You want me to make a commitment?" His edgy tone had her looking up at him with disbelief in her eyes. What did he have to be defensive about? 

"Are you serious Connor? I haven't asked you for anything! You have offered your time and that was all on your own." 

"I'm asking how you feel about me, since I'm sleeping with you, I feel I'm entitled to know, but I'm not pushing you for a commitment." 

"Then what's the problem? And don't tell me it's about how I feel about you? I care for you, you know that." 

"You've told me that before, but I could hear that from any man I'm sleeping with!" She let it slip out and he turned to her and grabbed both her arms a dangerous gleam was in his eyes. Jazz cried out in the slight pain. 

Jazz instantly wished she could take it back, because underneath it, she saw the hurt. He cursed under his breath and let her out of his grip. It seemed a vein was pulsing in his neck and steam was coming out from him. 

"And who else are you sleeping with?" She shrugged him off in disgust, and walked away. 

"Nobody else but you Connor and it wouldn't matter if I did; you don't know what I am to you." 

"I don't share Jazz, especially when it comes to you and what's the point of putting on labels when-" 

"When you'll be gone in three more months, yeah I agree." Her tone was one of accusations and she knew she had shot darts into his heart. They had skipped around the subject of the possibility to him leaving. 

Jazz knew she was picking a fight, but she was hurting. She felt so much guilt for what had occurred. She was so scared that what they had was over. She had to end it before they both got hurt. 

"So that's what this is about? Me possibly leaving -you knew that Jazz." Connor silently pleaded with her to let it go. 

"Your right Connor, I knew, I knew what I was getting into. I knew when I first met you that I was going to need you, and ache for you. I knew that I was going to start falling in love with you!" 

"Damn it Jazz! What the hell do you want me to say?" His loud voice boomed and had her stepping back. She saw the intensity and fury in his eyes and tried to meet his gaze with her own. 

"Nothing Connor, get out! Fuck this!" She spat it out and felt the perfect world she had built around them crumble. It was happening again. Her world was being rocked, and she should have seen it coming. 

This time it hurt worst. It was more intense to her than ever before. 

"Did I say that I didn't want to be with you? I'm confused, because now you're putting words in my mouth." He advanced towards her and cornered her against the wall. 

The muscles in his jaw were tense and his tongue was tucked in his cheek. 

"I don't care Connor, leave me alone." She tried to move, but he was too solid. 

"What do you want from me? Why are you starting this fight? We don't need to be fighting baby, we need to be coming together." He calmed his rage as tears swarmed in her eyes. He could see that this went deeper for her. 

"You haven't even said one word to me since the hospital. I know it's my fault and I put me, and you in danger and I'm sorry Connor. If I could change so much, I would. He won't go away. You need to go and save yourself." Jazz let the tears fall and Connor wiped them away with his thumbs and sighed. 

"That's what this is about? Baby I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be cold towards you but I have a lot on my mind, mainly you and your safety...sit down." Jazz dried her tears some more and sat on the bed as Connor sat beside her. 



"William is more dangerous than you think Jazz. From everything you've told me it's more to that property than you realize." 

"Like what? I don't understand, you know, William has money." Jazz grabbed the tissue offered from Connors hand. 

"Exactly, that's what I'm going to figure out. I'm worried about you and I need you to be alert and safe, more safe and cautious than you've been. And stop working against me." 

"I know babe. I'm scared, I feel guilty, but I don't want you to leave Connor. Even though, I know this could be dangerous for you. Still, I don't want to be selfish and put you in harm's way." Jazz stared into his eyes and Connor rubbed a hand to her cheek softly. 

"You can't believe that. This is not your fault, and I'm never going to leave your side. I just need time to figure this out. Were in this together, I promised you I would protect you. You're my woman Jazz, my only woman, and I'm crazy about you. I love you." 

He kissed her fiercely and his heart seemed to soar along with her doubts and worries. 

"You mean it baby? Connor-" She started to speak but he kissed her again. Jazz placed her hands on his strong jaw covered with his rough stubble. 

Connors tanned skin was flushed against his jade green eyes that held so much depth in them. His body was slowly pressing against hers in tenderness and intimacy. They were so close to each other and still it didn't seem close enough. He kissed a trail over the curves of her breast and she moaned. 

"I love you Jazz all I need to know is if you love me too." 

"Yes, Connor I'm in love with you. I love you." She laughed as he brought her down on the bed, but tonight he would be gentle with her. Jazz's breath hitched as he slowly removed her clothing. 

He put a hand on the back of her neck and sighed, at the sight of her bruises his eyes watered. 

"I'm sorry Jazz. If I would have come sooner," 

"Ssh, this is about us right now." She put a finger to his mouth and took his lips with hers. He lifted her naked body off the bed as gently as possible and laid her down in the middle. 

He removed his clothes, and met her on the bed. He kissed her bruises, apologies on his lips as he wanted to take the pain away. His hands gripped her breast and she arched up wanting more of his touch. 

Lapping across her, he licked and teased. His breath slid across her body. She started to feel wetness between her thighs at the anticipation of him being inside her. 

They explored each other, he willed her to slow down. Jazz was eager. Her pain was forgotten as she moved down his body. She took him in her mouth. Swallowing him whole she felt his hands in her hair, as she swirled her tongue around his head, before deep throating him again. 

Her hands moved and caressed him, stroked him, while her mouth hummed around his thickness until her name was on his lips and he grunted it out harshly, as if cursing her for what she was making him feel. 

Jazz swung herself over him. She lowered herself down on him and the world turned upside down. The earth seemed to move and their bodies were merciless on each other. Jazz gave him all of her, hands pressed to his chest and his hands on her bare breast. 

"Connor, mm," Jazz rode him, throwing her head back, and screaming his name in ecstasy. 

"Mm, that pussy so tight baby," Jazz leaned forward and he took her caramel breast in his mouth. Her pussy felt so good engulfing his dick. Connor loved the feel of his hands all over her. 

"I wanna make love to you." He stared into her eyes and then turned her on her back. He lifted her legs and slide inside her wet pussy. Jazz arched up to meet his long and thorough strokes. 

"Shit, you feel so good Jazz." Connor pressed his forehead against hers and they stared into each other's eyes. His strokes only got deeper. She felt his dick filling her pussy, as he took his time making love to her. 

"Mm, baby don't stop. Give me that dick." Jazz moaned as her toes curled. Sweat was running between them, as he slowly dicked her all the way down. His dick was hitting all her spots, he bent her legs back further pounding her pussy inch by inch, and slowly bringing her to edge. 

"You're so fucking beautiful baby, open up for me," He spread her out wider and slipped in and out of her wet pussy, even more thorough then before. 

"There you go, you gone come for me?" He sped up his stroke and Jazz cried out his name. 

The love making was so intense that tears flowed free from her, as pleasure pulsed through her, until she started to buck losing control. 

Jazz wanted him deeper, faster, and harder. He turned her around on her stomach. His hands entwined with hers and she bit into the sheets as he entered her pussy from the back. He laid his chest down, as he stroked into her in long and seductive strides. 

Jazz's headboard banged against the wall, but they couldn't hear anything, but the sounds of their love making. 

"I'm gonna cum baby, Connor don't stop, shit," whispers of sweet nothings were no longer whispers, but shouts and curses. 

"I love you," She arched up into him, as her love came down like a wave crashing ashore. Jazz told him she loved him, and he told her he loved her as his climax followed after and his roars of ecstasy sounded in her ear. 

They fell to the bed and Jazz wondered if she was paralyzed. If she was, it was worth it. He loved her? Shit, he loved her. Her soul seemed to go free, and finally was at peace. She cuddled close to him and they kissed with so much passion, she felt her wetness return but knew she didn't have the energy for round two. 

"I meant every word I said Jazz, I love you. I want you and everything that it means." 

"I love you too, I want you and I trust you." 

"I won't leave until I know you're safe." He rubbed her hair and kissed her on top of the head. 

"Promise," Jazz asked and he lifted her by the chin to meet his eyes. 

"I promise, and a soldier never breaks his promise." 

* 

"She'll be safe here, don't worry. I packs the heat. Let his bald head ass run up in here, he'll be on the news honey. I don't play that shit." James let Connor in his loft apartment, as Jazz fell asleep again in the car, and now lay asleep in his arms. 

"Thanks, I know it's late but my buddy just hit me back and I want to get going on this right away." He laid her down in the guest bedroom and laid the covers over her, after a sleepy goodbye and kiss. 

"Let me know if I can help, and whatever you find on his trifling ass. Oh, and just a tip. I would look at Ellen's ass too. She has to know something, William aint that bright. He got the degree but he not street smart, but that bitch, oh she's cunning. I can tell. Look into her too." James suggested. 

"Thanks." 

"Is she okay? She was acting like she was fine at the house, but I don't know. I know her, and she's scared. I just hate that this happened to her. Jazz is good people, she was the first person I met that accepted me for me and was just a genuinely nice person." 

"She's family you know, I don't want anything to happen to her." James looked worried and Connor put a hand to his shoulder. 

"I know what you mean; she's special to me too. I love her, and I'm going to figure this out, before anything else happens. Just keep your eyes and ears open. I'll be sharing information as we go. I'll be back for her." Connor gave him a reassuring nod, and left out. He immediately got in the car and dialed Marcelo. 

"Meet me at the spot; it's time to go to work." 

"I'm already here, set up. Let's nail this bastard." Marcelo was already running the pictures Connor sent through his computer. 

"Like a coffin and I want eyes on the house, if he comes near her we terminate on site, Understood." Connors voice was tight with Malice. 

"Understood," Marcelo could hear it in his voice he wasn't playing around. Whoever, this guy was he had messed with the wrong one. Connor hadn't been himself in a while, and Marcelo was glad he was being active again. Still, William had awakened a sleeping bear. Only danger would follow.



Smooth Jazz Ch. 07



*Were nearing the end sooner than you think!!* Thank you for all the love shown as always!*

*Closer to the truth...we go*

*Also, just discovered I get feedback to my email! If anybody wants a response back on their feedback or want to give personal advice. Please do! I appreciate all the support shown!

Keep reading, commenting and rating!!!



JAZZ PACKED HER CLOTHES; SHE WAS READY TO RETURN HOME. She had slept at James for almost a week while Connor was off playing investigator. Connor was supposed to meet her today with Marcelo to debrief her and James on what was going on. She was anxious to know what they had found. For days she had been feeling restless.

She tossed and turned without Connor by her side. Then she had begun to get sick. After the incident she could not seem to stop throwing up. Jazz washed her face and brushed her teeth, after another round of purging after her breakfast.

Jazz looked in the mirror. She felt different. It must be the stress.

"Here girl, take these tums. Maybe it's your stomach. What have you been eating?" James held his nose and sprayed all over the bathroom dramatically. Jazz just rolled her eyes.

"It's really not that bad. And I don't know. My period is coming up; I always get a little ill around the time of the month." Jazz brushed it off. It had to be the stress making her tired; she had been through a lot in these past months. 

"Mhm, that's why I'm glad I'm not a woman, y'all got too much going on down there." James offered her the bottle and she downed two pills, she felt her stomach cramp again, and doubled over. James rushed to her side.

"You okay?" He was starting to get concerned.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Like I said it's that time of the month; I get symptoms before it hits. It'll pass, it should be here by the tenth, and I can bear it till then." Jazz reassured him, James scrunched his face up.

"Are you sure; the tenth of this month?"

"Yes, I think I would know James." Jazz stood up once her stomach settled and went back to packing, when James tapped her on the shoulder with his phone greeting her face when she turned around.

"You know it's the twenty second Ms. Thang," James smirked and Jazz grabbed the phone in disbelief. How had ten days and more gotten away from her? She couldn't believe she had let this week and a few days slip past her radar.

"Shit, shit, shit....oh my god." Jazz started pacing back and forth.

"Okay let's not panic. So you forgot your period date. It's not the end of the world Jazz. There's been a lot going on. Let's just breath in and out, in and-"

"No! That's not it, James I didn't forget the day." Jazz put a hand to her head.

"Then what is it!"

"I'm late!"

"Oh! I call dibs on godfather."

"If you do not shut up-" Jazz struck him with her hand and he giggled.

"Oh girl you gotta white baby daddy-"

"James! Stop it okay. I'm not...that...let's not even say the word. It's no big deal, the stress has just thrown my cycle off and it'll be back to normal soon enough." Jazz breathed in and out, and then gave James a death stare as he grabbed a paper bag to hand to her.

"And you better not say anything to Connor; I don't want him freaking out over nothing. I'm not going to panic, everything's fine." Jazz reassured herself and James, as she gave him the death stare. As always he was amused at her frazzled-ness. 

"Girl I won't say nothing, but you need to talk to him. And as long as y'all have been wrapping it up, you have no reason to panic." James stated.

"Give me that damn paper bag."





Smooth Jazz Ch. 07



"Rich people do coke baby." Connor pointed back to the grid. 

"If Black controlled all these areas and went to jail, along with his top "dogs", then usually we would see what's called a drought."

"What's that?" Jazz asked, feeling quite non street smart.

"Oh girl, that's when a big drug dealer gets pinned, and since he's the primary server if you will to those major communities, him being locked up, crime, drug, and illegal activity goes down for a while, till new guys come take over."

"With Black being locked down we don't see that happen, during that time business is booming more than ever, and gathering some figures we found it's increasing."

"What does this mean though?" Jazz was starting to get nervous.

"It's common for drug dealers when in prison to keep a lock on things on the outside. Since Blacks posse was in prison with him, he must have found someone on the outside. Dirty cop scenario all the way." Connor explained. 

"What Connor means is cops don't make a lot of money, sometimes they make deals with drug dealers and crooks to let shit slide for a fee or service. We think William got desperate. He started collaborating with Black to help him keep his drug thing poppin'" 

Marcelo broke it down and Jazz stood and started pacing. She had a million thoughts running through her head. 

"There was an investigation, at Williams's firm, not too long ago. They found drugs in a closet. A pound of coke, and they were during a thorough investigation to find out how they got there. During that time, me and William went away." 

"He was so insistent on us going away because of the scandal; he was even considering leaving the firm. Then he always had money, more money on him than usual. It's the little things that's starting to make sense to me."

"William though, drugs, and money...criminal activity? He was always so straight and narrow. I don't understand."

"What's this got to do with me, you don't think I was helping him? Connor I wouldn't-"

"Calm down Jazz, of course I don't think that." Connor took her hand in his and rubbed it. 

"Then why is he following me, haggling me and all this other bullshit."

"The property." Marcello said. 

"There's something in that property. There must be. He's so insistent for a reason. He has to have drugs and money there."

"No way! I cleaned the entire place before Connor came, and found nothing. Plus, he wouldn't have the nerve to- right were not talking about a sane person here clearly. Connor you really believe all of this is true."

"Yeah I do. I got eyes on Black, me and Marcelo are going to pay him a visit." Jazz looked at him in disbelief. 

"No! Connor no, that is out of the question. Let's just take this to the state police. They'll do something about this. I talked to my Ma today too. She said we can come down until things pass over."

"Jazz, trust me baby I know what I'm doing. We still need records on Ellen, we gotta talk to Black and we gotta find what's in that damn house." 

"Okay, Connor this is just too much to take in right now. I feel so confused and just... I don't know. This is just too much, too much. I need to sit down."

Jazz sat down beside James as he rubbed her back. Jazz felt her body start to overheat. Never had she reacted to stress so physically. 

"Marcelo, go check on that location for Black, and go over to the house. I need to talk to Jazz alone. I want you to stay in the house while I'm gone." 

Marcelo nodded and took the keys. His bags were already packed and over there. He laid a hand on Jazz's shoulder and she gave him a thankful smile. 

"I'm going to head out too guys. Call me and be safe you too." James kissed Jazz on the cheek and shook hands with Connor and left out as well. 

"Baby just breathe, I know this is a lot to take in right now. But were going to get this all straightened out okay but I need you to accept this and be strong for me. For what I have to tell you."

"What else is there Connor? How can this get any worse huh?" 

Jazz looked him in his eyes as if begging for him to stop with this series of bad and horrible news. 

"Jazz I need you to get it together baby. You can't break right now. You have to trust me. We have the leg up now; we know something they don't that we know that's the first thing. Secondly William is a bitch Jazz and he won't be hurting you ever again. I promised you didn't I?" 

"Yes, yes you did. Your right baby. I'm ready. Just tell me."

"The letter Jazz, I took a sample of writing you gave me from William and had one of my guys compare it to the letter. It doesn't match. Yet the finger prints on the letter match the finger prints on the photos that were there along with yours. I'm running the prints through the system trying to get a match."

"You think William is working with that guy who attacked me?"

"I don't know. We found a video but we need a convertor it was done on an apple phone and then put on the memory card but doesn't show. I'm gonna have my buddy Martin look at it."

"This is a lot of information to sort through. That's why we have a lead, suspicion and a strong hunch right now, and we have to start talking to people. In the meantime baby this stress is getting me concerned about you, so we're going away for a couple of days."

"We, where are we going?"

"I talk to your Mama, right after you, we're headed to Georgia." Connor held up the tickets and Jazz jumped up into his arms and started sobbing. Connors kissed her on the top of the head and rubbed her back. 

"I'm taking you home baby, I'm taking you home."





Smooth Jazz Ch. 07



"As I recall I courted you woman. Truth is you only liked me for my looks. And I was in a band." Her daddy came into the room and he was as tall as Connor but lean and sturdy. His glasses stayed at the tip of his nose.

"Dad," Jazz jumped into his arms nearly knocking his glasses off and he laughed deeply as he squeezed her tight. 

His salt and pepper hair made him look studious but the suspenders gave a nice touch to the farmer's eyes he seem to have, ones that seem to know the strain of hard work. He had a weary look in his eyes as they fell on Connor.

Connor felt that any minute he would tell him to leave his daughter alone and go get the shot gun.

"Oh hush Thomas, don't pay him no mind Connor. You go and wash your hands for dinner." She kissed his cheek and gave him a warm hug. He was shocked and touched in the same instant. 

Connor went to Jazz's father who hadn't said a word to him just looked him in the eye and shook his hand firmly.

"Nice to meet you sir." He tried to keep eye contact, it was a man thing and respect is what he knew he needed.

"Call me Thomas and come in the den, let's talk a while, after you wash your hands of course." He motioned for Connor to go on, and he did. 

"Now don't you be harassing the boy Thomas and hurry up cause these rolls is nearly finished. Come on baby, help mama set this table." She passed Thomas one more warning look knowing how he could be and they started setting the table.





Smooth Jazz Ch. 08



*TO CLARIFY; whoever the serial rapist is has been dressing up and doing this. So even though its clear Connor knows this person, they were heavily covered in all kinds of heavy disguise at the time. Also without Jazz present the charges most likely wouldn't have stuck and when Connor comes back again and they meet it's a year later!*

Thanks for all the comments, questions and suggestions guys! Oh and the emails!

Comment, rate, favorite!

*

CONNOR AND MARCELO SAT IN THE CAR BEFORE HIS LUNCH DATE WITH HIS DAD.

"So we agree to keep it."

Marcelo said. He, Connor and Jazz had debated on what to do with the money for a long time. They finally decided that with the threat of the police being on Williams's team they would keep it.

"Yeah, I didn't want to bring this up in front of Jazz but we need the drugs to get close to Black as well."

Connor didn't need her worrying or stressing. He had taken notice she hadn't been herself lately. The trip down south was good for her, but she slowly seemed to regress back to her original state of stress.

"Your right let me get the scoop on Ellen first before we make any other moves."

Marcelo was confident he could get a finger print from her. They had a suspicion that she was connected in this in some way. Marcelo had already been keeping tabs on her.

"Good, stay on her and get those prints for me. Meanwhile, I'll bear through this lunch with Dad and Natalie."

Marcelo eyed Connor oddly

"Well you sound excited."

Connor chuckled.

"It's not that. It's just Jazz has been so stressed. I know I don't understand everything she may be going through but I'm trying my best to support her. I just feel like I'm not doing enough."

"Well it's not every day you have a serial rapist after you Connor."

"So now I'm insensitive right?"

"No, I'm not saying that. I'm just saying she has reason to be stressed. There's nothing you can do but figure this out as soon as possible. That's what we're going to do."

Marcelo reassured him with a hand on the shoulder.

"I went to the police station and they have no record of anyone being brought in that night. I think it's been a year so maybe I was off on the description but he looked like an older guy...medium height...brown eyes...I don't know. But nothing turned up, we gotta find this guy."

"I know. I just don't know how, but I'm certain this guy's connected to William and Ellen. How else does he get in the house to leave the letter and photos that were taken off Williams Camera, but without Williams fingerprints on em?"

"Yes, but why would William work with a serial rapist? Is the guy that sick? Being face to face with him, he's not nearly as big and bad as he appears. There's no doubt he's psycho, but this is another level of mental disturbia."

Connor shook his head. They were slowly connecting the dots but there were so many gaps to fill.

"I hear ya, hey I know you want Martin on that video thing but I want to be there with him. I told him we can meet up and do it together. He insisted on it being you, so I told em' you would be there and I'm going to join in unexpectedly."

Connor shook his head.

"Still don't trust him huh? You need to let that argument you guys had go. I think Martins going through a lot lately. He talked about losing his job."

"I just don't get a good vibe like I said. Call it a six sense I have about that stuff. I just know."

"Okay Mr. sixth sense we'll see if you're right about this woman Ellen. I won't lie I'm with you on that one something's off."

"Definitely, but don't worry I'm on it. Jazz is going to be in the downtown area meeting with Mr. Pennington about sponsors today. William's office is close by and Ellen is down there all the time. I'll be covering Jazz and hopefully I'll see her."

"Don't stay on her too close. She has a personal day out, routine she says, and insisted that she be left alone. Apparently it's pretty personal. Even I can't come. She said something about needing "me" time. I don't even wanna know what that means."

Connor shook his head again.

"I know what those are; trust me you're not missing out. I can keep a distance if you want. I know how to be unseen."

"No, I can't have you following her without her knowing. She's already being stalked by one weirdo."

Connor teased.

"Hey watch it asshole. Don't forget whose breaking all the rules for you."

"I appreciate it man, really. Call me if anything comes up."

"I'm on it."

Connor hoped out of Marcelo's car and back into his Navigator. He left the park parking lot. A neutral spot they had chosen to meet.

He drove away to meet his Dad for lunch. Connor couldn't shake his thoughts of Jazz, and the way she had been acting lately. He quickly dialed Marcelo back.

"Hey Marc, Unseen huh?"

"Say no more. I got it."

Marcelo hung up and Connor hung his head. He hoped he was doing the right thing. He tried to convince himself it was all about her safety but secretly he knew there was something else going on, he just had to figure out what it was.

*

JAZZ WALKED AROUND MR. PENNINGTONS OFFICE AS HE WENT TO GO FINISH UP A MEETING. Truth was she was as nervous about their meeting as what was to follow. She finally decided it was time to go see a doctor.

She has been tossing and turning all night over the prospect of what could be. Then there was her silence. She hadn't spoken to Connor about it. Then due to the shaming from James, she hadn't even told him about her doctor's visit today.

Jazz felt confident she wasn't pregnant, yet she had failed to get her period so far. She kept replaying the idea of stress being the cause in her head. With everything going on, pregnant was the last thing she needed to be. Then how would Connor react? Would he be angry, upset, happy?

Jazz smiled what if he was happy? What if they could be a family? She secretly held a little excitement inside that she might be carrying his child. She always wanted children, but the situation and circumstances just made it seem all wrong.

Jazz looked at Mr. Pennington's family picture. She was surprised that he didn't have any kids. She also knew that he had been divorced for quite some time. She picked up the picture of him and his various affiliates he considered family.

She squinted as she realized everyone in the photo was somebody. This guy had connections. That's why you gotta sell this; now get your head in the game Jazz. Jazz gave herself a pep talk and put the photo down, when a stack of papers caught her eye.

Jazz looked around the room and out the door to see if anyone was coming. She felt a chill go down her neck as she read the headline as a police report. She spotted her and Williams's name. Why would he have this? Jazz saw the red notes on the side and heard his voice down the hall.

Jazz knew she had to act quickly and slipped the papers into her brief case before taking a seat and casually looking as if she was passing time by on her phone. She felt her heart race as Mr. Pennington walked through the door.

"Jazz! It's good to see you. So sorry for the wait, a meeting came up and they needed my input."

"It's not a problem sir. We haven't talked since the banquet. If I knew better I would say you were avoiding me." Jazz commented and watched his face turn a little red as he laughed sheepishly.

"Not at all, you know its politics all day every day around here. Keeps an old man like me on his toes and with little time, but were here now and I'm excited to hear your proposal." Mr. Pennington offered her to sit again in front of his desk and he moved behind it.

"Well, as you know. I've gotten an E-board together to-" Jazz couldn't even finish her sentence before his phone rang.

"I'm so sorry. I have to take this, it might be important."

"By all means," Jazz assured him. She needed a moment to calm down. She was trying to keep her cool but so many red flags were going off.

Mr. Pennington stood after answering the phone. He couldn't move too far because of the spiral cord.

"I'm in a meeting right now. We'll talk later." He covered the mouth piece and whispered to Jazz it was another client.

"No! Don't come up. I-" Jazz looked away as she heard the phone click on him, and he stared at it in frustration.

"I'm so sorry, I need-"

"It's okay." Jazz put up her hands. "I totally understand. We can make arrangements to meet another time?"

"Yes, of course." Mr. Pennington walked around his desk and seemed to hurriedly rush her on and out of his office.

"I'll direct you to my assistant to do just that." He directed her out his office and down to the end of the hall. Jazz could barely get a goodbye before he was rushing off downstairs. She walked on to see his assistant but would definitely take the papers to Connor and Marcelo.

Mr. Pennington did know William on a business and personal level before he met Jazz. He could of did a favor for William and help him with the police. Yet, Mr. Pennington didn't take her as that type of man. Looking back on William, she had been wrong before and it almost had caused her great harm. She wouldn't make the same mistake this time.

Connor told her any feeling she got, to trust it. That's exactly what she was going to do.

*

MARCELO WATCHED ELLEN FROM A NEUTRAL SPOT ON A BENCH WITH A NEWSPAPER SEEMINGLY COVERING HIS EYES. He watched as she barked orders into her cellphone and headed towards Mr. Pennington's building.

He eyed her for suspicious activity. She definitely gave off a feeling of hostility and frustration. There was something about her that seemed to elude him. In her sensible cream heels and black power suit, she blended right in with the downtown business crowd. There was something too well blended about her.

She seemed to downplay her true nature on purpose. Marcelo decided it was time to act. He grabbed his business papers. He had covered them all in the right substance that would create the imprint he needed, and it was a hot day.

He knew she would have some sweat. If his calculations were right he could run her prints within an hour, and run her through the system.

Marcelo walked across the street. He had timed everything perfectly and intercepted with her in a way that seemed completely accidental.

As hoped his papers and her brief case flew everywhere and instead of saving them he grabbed her by the waist before she fell.

Marcelo and her eyes locked as she felt herself falling back but a strong arm broke her fall. Ellen looked into a gorgeous face with a pair of serious gray eyes behind his smile.

"Sorry about that. Let me get this up."

He grabbed her briefcase and as he hoped she began helping him with his papers. Gathering up nearly all of them to his pleasure, he opened his briefcase and motioned for her to slide them inside. He didn't want to touch them anymore and mess with the prints.

"I think you might have spilled something on your papers. They were a little wet."

Ellen assessed him already considering how she could get him in her bed.

"I'm sorry about that again, thanks for your help. I hope I didn't bang you up to bad." Marcelo eyed her up and down as well. Ellen wasn't all that appealing to him but he knew how to play the role.

"No you didn't. I'm a tough girl, I can take it." Ellen winked at him and Marcelo wasn't fazed, because this was his arena; desperate women one on one.

"Oh, in that case I don't feel as bad." Ellen laughed and he took an opportunity to move closer.

"To be honest with you I've been watching you since you've stepped on this sidewalk. I finally got the courage to come talk to you, and of course I nearly knock you over. Now, I'm starting to think its fate."

Marcelo smirked sliding a hand down her arm, and Ellen just smiled lustfully.

"Well I'm sure glad you decided to come over. Why don't you take my number and give me a call sometime."

Ellen gave him her card with a name he could run later. He was pleased that he had gotten more than what he had come for.

"Will do, Ms. Price?"

He said reading her name off the card before putting it in his pocket.

"Expect me to be calling you within the next week so we can set something up. My names Anthony by the way."

Marcelo lied.

"Don't play with my emotions now Anthony; I'm counting on you contacting me."

Marcelo smiled.

"Oh I can assure you, you have nothing to worry about. I'll definitely be seeing you again."

Marcelo extended his hand and Ellen pulled him in and whispered in his ear.

"The next time you see me, I probably won't be wearing any clothes."

Ellen kissed his neck and sashayed off down the street. Marcelo looked after her as if appeased, and then shivered when she rounded the corner. That was so easy. He found himself disgusted.

He hoped back in his car in the parking garage and made the call to get the prints dropped off. He scooted down as Jazz walked into the garage looking a little worried herself.

Marcelo made sure she was secure in her car, and watched a couple of turns she made from the garage.

He finally pulled out to follow her after he had a pretty solid idea of the direction she was going and there was enough distance between them to not be considered suspicious.

Marcelo tailed her for a while, having to make a couple of wrong turns to keep her suspicions down.

Marcelo finally watched a couple of blocks away as she reached her destination. He followed her path and parked in the parking lot.

When he looked up and saw a sign that read Mercy hospital, it was his turn to start worrying.

*

ELLEN COULDN'T BELIEVE HER LUCK. She was still thinking about the handsome gentleman she had run into while on her way inside the office.

Those gray eyes were so beautiful. Not to mention his broad shoulders. She was starting to think Black had some competition.

So far he was top on her greatest fucks of all-time list. She loved how rough he was with her. They hadn't had sex in a while. He much preferred to pass her along to others.

Ellen knew she was getting old to him. She didn't feel badly, because she knew what she had in store for him.

Ellen knew it was only weeks away until the heist. Black was smart. He decided to hire some of his guys to do it at the last minute.

She knew he didn't want to get his hands dirty, especially not after he had just been released from jail. Ellen insisted it had to be him.

She let him know that she was afraid they would take it for themselves. She reasoned that these people hadn't been in his camp for long and hadn't established loyalty.

Being around Black and his crew she was learning some important aspects of the streets.

Loyalty was a deal breaker most of the time. Before any transactions took place that was the key in the conversation, can this person be trusted?

She used that to her advantage to persuade him to do it himself. She knew he was pimping her out. She played her role as a loyal and down ass bitch.

Ellen had played her role perfectly. She did everything that Black asked when he asked for it. She had stolen for him, made him money from tricking and anything else to gain his trust. Once she eliminated him she would run the drug game. It was a good fit for her.

She had the guts, the courage and the business smarts. Above all she was manipulative, calculating and didn't give a fuck who she had to cross.

She knew in her cold heart, that the straight and narrow life wasn't for her. She wanted to get her hands dirty. After she eliminated Black she would build her female empire.

Ellen knew in order to do that she had to shake off anything that could be seen as a weakness. As soon as she got the call from her brother that William had confronted Connor and got his ass whooped she knew they were in trouble. All he had done was draw more attention their way.

She thanked god that Mr. Pennington had grabbed the police reports. She made sure he made note of police officers and the badge numbers.

Ellen would know who to go to from now on if any other instances arrived. She had called Mr. Pennington and demanded the copies.

She didn't care if he had a meeting. She was starting to see that she had the power and would use it to her advantage. Ellen walked into Mr. Pennington's office to see him looking around frantically on his desk.

"Knock, knock daddy, you got the papers."

Ellen raised an eyebrow in amusement as sweat poured across his face, as his energy was exerted in his search.

"I can't find them. I swear I thought William handed them to me. He's on his way now. Maybe he has them."

"Just my luck dealing with two idiots,"

Ellen complained and Mr. Pennington wiped at his forehead and regarded her wearily.

"I'm going to ignore the fact that you insulted me and rudely interrupted a meeting I had with an important client."

Mr. Pennington sat down in exhaustion.

"A client more important than me, I can't imagine such blasphemy Richard."

"Making money is more important to both of us. Didn't anybody tell you to not bite the hand that feeds you,"

Mr. Pennington coolly remarked.

"Ouch Richard; your misconception of whose feeding who only magnifies your ignorance, and don't forget a week or so from now we meet here. You give me the cash, I give all the evidence I have on you. And we meet alone."

Mr. Pennington had been anticipating the night for days.

"What about your brother? He's still in pursuit of Jazz. You said you would handle that. You also failed to tell me he knows Connor!"

It was Ellen's turn to be surprised.

"Knows Connor? He didn't tell me he knew him. He's been acting like this whole time he has never even heard of the guy. You think Connor knows?"

Ellen was starting to get nervous now. How could that idiot leave that part out, and play her. Ellen started to get angry. She didn't like being deceived.

"Apparently not, he claims Connor has no suspicions of him. You know how your brother is; he's elaborate with his disguises. Plus if he's still alive, then Connor doesn't know. You need to talk him down. Convince him to take the money and leave the country with you."

Mr. Pennington was hoping they would both go away. He could finally have peace with the two of them gone. Then he could start over with a clean slate.

"Good. Your right he's pretty intense, and don't worry I'll convince him. He'll do whatever I say. As long as you keep your end of the deal then Jazz won't meet our serial rapist again, and she'll never find out who left those photos and that letter."

Ellen eyed him until he nodded in agreement.

"Right,"

Mr. Pennington wanted to believe so badly that she was telling the truth. He needed to believe that she could be honest with him.

WILLAIM STOOD OUTSIDE THE DOOR LISTENSINING. Ellen's brother was a serial rapist? And he had attacked Jazz? He couldn't believe that Ellen had kept this from him.

No wonder Jazz was blaming him for the photos and the letter he knew nothing about. That meant that Ellen's brother was the one Ellen had recruited to scare Jazz.

Now it seemed it was much more than that. He knew that Ellen was lying to Mr. Pennington. Ellen and her brother were constantly talking around Williams head about their plan. He paid no mind to it, being use to Ellen excluding him.

He thought they were talking about getting more money from Mr. Pennington. He shifted his arm in the sling he wore across his shoulder.

He'd admit that he wanted Jazz to suffer. He wanted her name to be ruined, to ruff her up to scare her into moving out that damn white boy, but rape her? Kill her?

That was another level that he knew he couldn't stomach. He wanted Jazz to hurt but this... he didn't think Ellen was so twisted.

If he loved her he was supposed to do anything for her. He was supposed to stand by her no matter what. He knew she found out about his scuffle with Connor. He had called this meeting to apologize, to show that he was on track again, and to propose as a surprise to Ellen.




Smooth Jazz Ch. 08 Pt. 02



I am so sorry i submitted the edited version before chapter nine but it didn't get posted. I posted the rest of chapter 8 in the comment section for chapter 8 in case people didn't see that heres a submission of the rest of chapter 8...so sorry 




CONNOR DROVE ON TO JAZZ'S HOUSE AND KNOCKED AT HER DOOR. He got worried when he didn't see her car in the drive. He went back to the car forgetting he could have easily called. He figured she should be back by now. He looked at his phone and saw that he had over ten missed calls from Marcelo. He quickly went to his voicemail. When he heard Marcelo's words he felt all the color drain from his face. 

He rushed back to the car and began to drive towards the hospital. Incident, he kept replaying those words in his head. That could mean so many things. He couldn't believe this. He knew something was going to happen. They were too late and something had happen out of their control. 

He knew he should have just gone with her today. He couldn't imagine what happened that Marcelo couldn't prevent either. The message wasn't very detailed and Connor wanted to call back but just focused on getting there as soon as possible. He was pretty sure he had broken a couple of traffic and speeding laws. When he skirted into the parking lot he was out the car and into the emergency room door in seconds. 

As soon as he hit the door he ran passed the secretary as well when he saw Marcelo through the small windows on the door that was separating the lobby from the emergency rooms area. 

"Sir! Aw hell, fuck it." She threw up her hands as he whizzed past her and immediately to Marcelo. 

"Where is she? Is she okay? What the hell happened?"

"Calm down, she's stable. I tailed her to the hospital. I got out the car when she came out and argued with her for a while about her not telling anyone she was here. Then she started doubling over in pain and it was so intense she went into shock and passed out. They gave her some oxygen and have been monitoring her. She's awake." 

Connor immediately calmed down. Jazz was okay. That's all he cared about. Now it was the mystery of why she was here and what the hell was going on? Connor patted Marcelo on the back and thanked him before entering the room to see Jazz sitting up talking to the doctor. 

"Well your stable now. If you want we can monitor you for a few more hours but you're free for release. Unfortunately, hospital procedures you have to roll out of here in a wheelchair." Jazz nodded and then looked up and saw Connor. 

"Is this your husband?" The doctor said and Connor came forward. 

"Yes, is everything okay? What happened?"

"Well your wife was brought in because she was having serve cramps and went into shock. She's fine now but her stress levels are high and she's at risk for developing an ulcer which could be bad for the-"

"Doctor, please. I've really had enough for today. I'll be back in a few weeks and we'll talk then." 

Jazz cut him off and he eyed her suspiciously. He decided not to get involved and left her alone with Connor. 

"I'm sorry. I would have been here earlier. Like an idiot I didn't have my phone turnt up. Are you okay?" Connor took her into his arms and smoothed her hair back to kiss her forehead. 

"Yeah I'm fine. I was just in so much pain." 

"Do you think it's the stress causing those cramps, or your time of the month?" Connor questioned and Jazz started to feel uneasy. 

"Can we just get out of here please," Jazz wanted to wait until they got home to talk to him about what was going on. 

"Of course, I'll let you get dressed." Connor kissed her lips and then went outside to where Marcelo was waiting. 

"She's getting dressed and then we'll go home. Thanks for taking care of her man." Marcelo didn't think Connor knew yet and decided to keep quiet. That was for Jazz to tell him. 

"No problem. I got the prints. Call me tomorrow." 

"Damn, good work. Sure thing," By the time Marcelo was gone and pulling off Jazz was ready to go. 

JAZZ WALKED IN THE HOUSE AND WENT TO THE COUCH. Connor followed her and sat across from her. In the car she had said she wanted to talk. He knew they needed too. The doctor said the stress was getting serious. He was going to have to kick things into full gear to figure this all out. 

"So can you explain to me why you were at the hospital in the first place, without letting anyone know?" Connor leaned forward and Jazz leaned back. 

"Listen Connor, I've been stressed for a while and it hasn't just been because of all this William crap. I haven't had my period for some time. I've been nauseated and just feeling weird."

"So what are you saying?" Connor scooted forward even more. 

"I went to the doctor to see if I was pregnant, and I am. I'm five weeks pregnant to be exact." Connor stood up at her words and walked over to the window in the living room, putting his hands through his hair. 

"Are you serious?" Connor turned around to meet her watery eyes. 

"He said the blood tests are pretty accurate Connor." Jazz felt her chest become tight. Was that anger in his tone? This is exactly what she feared, his rejection. 

"You said you've thought about this for some time right? When exactly were you planning to tell me Jazz?" Connor was hurt. She had deliberately kept it from him. 

"When I found out if I was or not, I didn't want to worry you. I didn't want you to think that I was when I wasn't."

"Bullshit Jazz, you didn't tell me because you don't trust me, you don't trust us!"

"I do trust us! But I wasn't going to make things even more complicated when I wasn't certain myself!"

"Yeah, that's good Jazz. It's all about you. I've been busting my ass trying to figure this shit out. I've been losing, sleep, hair; shit my sanity trying to figure out how to make you happy. How to make things right, and this whole time all you've been doing is keeping secrets and lying to me!"

"I appreciate everything you've been doing. I think about everyday how you've saved my life and everything you and Marcelo have done. I haven't lied to you about anything but this one thing and as soon as I found out I was pregnant I planned on telling you baby. I swear." 

Jazz stood and walked towards him. She reached out to him and for the first time he pulled away. 

"I don't know if I believe that. How do I know this is your first doctor's visit? How do I know you haven't known this for god knows how long, tell me the real reason you didn't let me know Jazz. Just be honest with me." 

"Fine! You leaving soon has something to do with it. Just thinking about being pregnant and alone scared me. Also I didn't want you to think I was trying to trap you or trick you into marrying me."

"That's ridiculous Jazz. My career is flexible as it's going to be at this point. Even if it's not we can work it out, it's not impossible. But you've already made up your mind about me. How do you know I wasn't already thinking about marrying you? You're so caught up in me hurting you. I'm not William Jazz." 

"I know that!"

"I can't tell! Look at how you treat me. I don't know how to prove to you that I love you and I'm willing to do anything for you and to be with you." 

"Except stay," 

"What do you want from me?" Connor braced his teeth and walked towards her. 

S

he was asking for more than he could give. How could he tell her or explain to her all the confusion about her whirling in his head? He didn't want to go over sees and leave her alone. 

He didn't want to die. Still, he wanted to protect his country and he felt he had a duty to his men and his commanding officers too. He had invested so many years into this; it had become all he had known. How could he give it up? He was crazy about her, couldn't she just see it. 

"I want you to leave me alone." He looked into her eyes and saw the tears swimming in them, and about to fall. He tried to hold her close to him but she denied him this time and turned away.

"Jazz, I can't leave you like this."

"What's the difference between now and two months or so from now," Jazz knew that one hurt as Connor stepped back from her. Jazz felt the tears run down her face. 

"Listen baby I'm sorry, I just need you to trust me Jazz. I need to be able to trust you and know that we love and believe enough in each other to see this through."

"When you look at me, I need you to see me and not make me pay for the mistakes of a man that has nothing to do with me."

"I don't want this anymore Connor. I need you to go." Jazz felt her words burn in her throat. This was her best defense. She needed to push him away to protect herself. 

"Jazz, don't do this to us. You don't mean that." Connor grabbed her fiercely and kissed her unmoving lips. 

"Connor, please leave." Jazz turned away from him gripping and rubbing both her arms. She told herself that she was doing the right thing. She pushed the pregnancy far from her mind. She knew she wasn't being rational. 

"Please," She choked on her tears and he damn near fell apart himself. 

"Jazz,"

"Connor go!" He backed away and walked out the door. 

CONNOR WALKED BACK INTO HIS DOOR AND PACED. He screamed and punched a wall, what he used to do when he thought of his mother. The anger and confusion boiled inside him just like in the past. 

How could he expect that he would fall so fast? He was tumbling with his eyes closed, and blindly reaching out for her. And she was always there. Always ready to listen and be his support. Now she was pushing him away. 

"Fuck!" He braced the counter, and after hours of calling Jazz with no answer he gave up. He dragged himself up to bed and tried to sleep and found himself restless. It was almost three o'clock in the morning, and he knew he wouldn't find sleep. He stayed awake and pondered one question...What the hell was he going to do?



Smooth Jazz Ch. 08



He ignored his indecisive feelings. What did he care about Jazz? She had let her boyfriend break his damn bones in two with no regard. He had held a gun to his head.

He let the anger build and surpass any sympathy he might have for her. Fuck Jazz, he would propose to Ellen. Then after all of this was behind them and the money was theirs they would leave the country.

William walked into the room as the conversation came to a close. He knew once he gained trust back she would tell him everything.

"Oh thank god you're here. Do you have the police reports?"

Mr. Pennington asked him and he took his hand off the ring box.

"No I gave them to you. Maybe I left them at home."

"Surprise another fuck up! Does your incompetence know no bounds!"

Ellen yelled at him and William fumbled over himself with an excuse.

"Listen, I'm sorry. I might have left-"

"Shut up!" William felt Ellen's hand swift across his face.

"Ellen! Stop, its okay they probably got misplaced calm down."

Mr. Pennington stood knowing how quick Ellen was to anger and administer her abuse.

"No! I'm so tired of him messing up everything. He could have possibly blown our cover and now he doesn't know what he did with the police reports. I'm glad I'm getting rid of you."

Ellen let the words slip out of her mouth but once she realized she couldn't take it back she didn't care. She had no need for him anymore.

"Ellen I understand your angry, but I didn't mean to ruin anything. I'm trying to build with you. That's why I brought this." William pulled out the ring box and opened it.

"I know it'll take time but I want to gain your trust and get back in your good graces."

Mr. Pennington watched the scene with quiet pity. When William was married to Jazz he hadn't know he was so weak. He had thought William a great leader until his involvement with Ellen. She had clearly torn him down to this.

"You really believe I'm going to marry you still, after all you've done to ruin my plans? I told you this was about money. This was about power. You were once valuable to me. You were once a reliable source. Now you're nothing but an obstacle, a weight, a hindrance, a weakness. "

Ellen snatched the ring and scoffed at his absurdity. She slipped it on her finger.

"I could probably get some good money from this though. At least in the end you'll be good enough for something."

"In the end, what do you mean in the end? Ellen we can work through this. You're speaking out of anger-"

"No I'm speaking out of enlightenment! I'm not giving you anymore chances to fuck this up. I'm done with you William. To be honest I'm getting tired of your idiocy, less amused at the growing pain in my ass you've become, and just plain bored with you. You're too easy to control, and run over. Even now, you sit here crying and sniffling like a bitch."

"Stop it." William shook his head as tears ran down his face at her cruel words.

"It's the truth. You're a sorry excuse for a man William. Pathetic, worthless, spineless-"

"Stop it Ellen, don't say that!" Ellen started to laugh as she watched his feelings crumble on the floor.

"Oh you can't handle the truth. Everyone knows it. That's why Jazz got over you and went and found her a real man, who wiped the floor with you before you could get a sorry threat from your mouth!"

"Stop it!" William pulled out a gun and pointed it to Ellen.

"Oh, you're going to shoot me. You don't have the fucking guts."

"Son put down the gun!" Mr. Pennington bent down beneath his desk as Ellen walked closer to William until she pressed her chest to his barrel.

"Do it. Don't you know you're not supposed to pull out a gun if you're not going to use it? Come on William!"

Ellen screamed in his face and William turned the gun on himself.

"Tell me you'll stay."

William threatened his own life in desperation. The tears would not stop running down his red blood shot eyes. He felt his insides turn.

Her words had hit him hard. His stomach was in knots, and his heart fell to the floor. Once again she stepped on it with no regard to his feelings. He felt his sanity fall to pieces with every word that she shot at him.

"Why don't you pull the trigger? Do us all a favor."

Ellen gave a final look of amusement and shoulder checked him before she clicked off and out the door.

William collapsed to the floor and Mr. Pennington rushed to him and took the gun away. He watched in silence as William laid down sobbing. He shook his head.

He knew Ellen was vicious but she had just shown how manipulative and downright crazed she could be. He couldn't wait to be rid of her. Ellen was like a poison. Everything she touched got infected with weakness as she grew more powerful.

*

CONNOR WAS ENJOYING HIMSELF DESPITE HIS WANDERING MIND. Natalie was great for his dad. He was sad he hadn't met her before.

"So when will I get to meet Jazz? She sounds so wonderful."

"She is, she's beautiful and such a nice woman. Connor hasn't brought her by because there's been a lot going on."

Dave wanted to ask so badly how she was doing, but knew Connor was so protective they couldn't let anybody know what was going on.

"I'll have to bring her by soon. I planned on doing just that today but she had a meeting. She's trying to get sponsors for her new program I was telling you about. She's an amazing pianist mentor. She just needs more funding to expand to neighborhoods that could benefit from it, but don't necessarily have the funds."

Connor explained.

"Wow, I've worked for a lot of non-profits. I even helped start one primarily for relief work in other countries for at-risk children. If she wanted to sit down and talk I would be more than willing. I'm doing pretty well for myself and have some money to invest towards a good cause."

"That's great; I don't know what to say. She'd be ecstatic."

Connor saw his opportunity to help Jazz and jumped on it. She needed more good things coming her way.

"Have her call me. Maybe I can connect her with others who may be interested. Do you know if she's gotten any good collaborators so far?"

"Well she had a meeting with Richard Pennington, I don't know if you've heard of him. He's a wealthy businessman and involved in a lot of politics?"

"Oh I know who you're talking about, the Pennington scandal. Connor it was before your time but Honey do you remember that?"

Natalie tapped Dave on the shoulder and he shook his head.

"Connors mother and I didn't move here until later on probably."

"Well you missed the big drama of the 70's around here. Mr. Pennington was an up and coming business man at the time. Early, I mean early 70's. He was married and he and his wife started to build influence in the city. They started backing some major politicians."

"Just when they were about to take off, there were some photos that surfaced of him going and in out a local strip club. The pictures also spotted him leaving with what appeared to be a young woman and she appeared to be pregnant!"

"Later on it came out she might have been underage to. All the sudden though, the pictures they went away. Senators left and right wing came to his defense. The evidence was gone away and his own wife divorced him and we never heard of her again either."

"Just like that huh?" Connor found he was very intrigued.

"Just like that, this scandal went on for a while. I mean there were other women making statements that he had coerced them into sleeping with certain politicians and did drugs with them. It was huge. Then there was no evidence and everyone just let it go. I still remember and till this day I think the guys a slime ball."

"That's just me." Natalie shrugged her shoulders.

"I'll have to ask Jazz what she thinks. If this guys a snake she shouldn't be doing business with him, thanks for that. I'll be sure to give her your card."

"Please do. And don't let me steer you off with my bias. I'm just telling you what I know and think."

"Trust me. Instincts have never been a better tool these days."

Speaking of those, Connor was starting feel worse about his untrustworthy hunch towards Jazz.

*

JAZZ SAT IN THE ROOM WAITING FOR THE DOCTOR TO RETURN. She had been waiting patiently to see her results. In her heart she knew she should have brought Connor.

She felt guilty the whole drive over. She knew it was wrong to exclude him from this process. She tried to tell herself it was her choice. She was a woman; it's her body and their not married.

The truth was it was her body, but she chose to share it with him. If she got pregnant it would be just as much as his child as hers. Jazz eyed her phone. She dialed Connor's number but then hung up before it got a chance to ring.

She wanted so badly to have the courage to tell him where she was. That this whole time she had been worried that she may be pregnant. Instead she had kept it to herself. She trusted Connor with her life, with her heart. So why was she holding this back from him?

The prospect of him leaving was so strongly a force that guided her decision making. She imagined herself pregnant and alone. Connor was more than a lover. He was her best friend.

Connor was the one that at the end of the day she could complain too, let out her frustrations, and lean on whenever she was down. She knew it wasn't his fault he had to go.

He had promised to see a therapist while on base. They had let him know if he wanted to return he could. Jazz was happy for him. She smiled and they kissed after the news. They made love. Yet inside it was killing her.

The problem was to Jazz he was gone already. Instead of cherishing the time they had left, she had already said goodbye in her mind.

There was a part of her that was determined to figure this out. That way Connor wouldn't stay because he wanted to watch over her. Jazz wanted her life back.

The key was figuring this mess out, getting her the justice she deserved, and letting Connor go off properly.

If she was pregnant she would just have to find a way to tell him. Then she would let him make whatever decision about them he had to make.

She hoped her mother was right and she would be prepared for whatever decision he choose. Whether it was to stay or leave.

Jazz braced herself as the doctor came back into the room and sat down.

"Alright Ms. Simmons, we ran the test and your pregnant."

He looked into her eyes glasses at the tip of his nose just like her dad wore them. Jazz let it sink in. She didn't know what to think. She knew it. She always knew but never wanted to believe it was true.

"Are you sure?" Jazz gulped and the doctor chuckled.

"The blood tests are quite accurate Ms. Simmons, but you're welcome to get a second opinion."

"I'm sorry. It's just I wasn't expecting this. I don't know what to say."

"Well I know an unexpected pregnancy can be very scary and worrisome. I know this is hard to take in right now Ms. Simmons, but I assure you that everything will be okay."

"If you want we can discuss some options you might have. I don't know if you would like to wait for the father-"

"Oh my god Connor, he should have been here. I'm so stupid." Jazz didn't know how she would explain this to him. She thought she was pregnant for weeks and didn't tell him.

Now she is and he's not even here because she had lied that she needed "me" time. Which included me deceiving you to go to a doctor...but I'm pregnant now so yay! Yeah this won't end well.

"Okay, let's slow it down. If you want we can set up an appointment when it's convenient for you and the father to be here. Your about five weeks pregnant and there's still options."

"Options, what options?" Jazz rubbed her knees with the palm of her hands as she tried to calm down. She couldn't believe that she was five weeks pregnant.

"Well you are in the early stages Ms. Simmons. It seems that the father is very important to you in this process. If you want you both can consider abortion, adoption, and there are other options you can consider as well. Of course this would be at your, and if included, the fathers discretion."

"Abortion, adoption, I haven't talked to the father yet and this just a lot to take in right now."

Jazz immediately calmed down at the mention of that. She had to be rationale. This was about their child. She was pregnant. Her next course of action was to find out what she needed to do to make sure the baby developed healthy until they made a decision together on what to do.

"Alright, well you're in the first trimester. In another five weeks or so we can have you come back in for an ultra sound, blood work and other ultra sounds that will check for abnormalities. That is, if you decide to keep the baby."

"Abnormalities," Jazz was starting to get nervous now.

"I didn't mean to say that to scare you. It's routine. Just making sure the baby isn't at risk. Look there's a lot to cover. Today your wound up, anxious and I don't think we can get it all in today."

"I want you to go and make an appointment with Sharon up front. I suggest you talk to the father and bring him in so we can talk to both of you together. You can set up an appointment with me, or whoever you consider your primary caregiver if you have one."

"Right, is there anything I need to be doing? Any breathing or-"

"Anything that will relax you would be good." Jazz smiled as she knew she was looking quite unsettled.

"No drinking, smoking, as you probably already know. Five weeks you might start to experience, if you already haven't, nausea, breast tenderness or soreness, fatigue and or mood swings. Also morning is a good time for it, but nausea can happen anytime of the day."

"Nausea should be mild. If you find you're doing it too often and it becomes severe please come in. Or go to your primary physician. Some tips for it, eat often not a lot though. Just whenever you're hungry and eat snacks throughout the day."

"An empty stomach might escalate the queasiness. Also avoid acidic, spicy and if you can a lot of fried foods. Look for foods that are high in protein and rich in vitamin B like yogurt. You don't want to restrict yourself or not eat, but try to avoid those foods a majority of the time."

"Also another note of importance watch your stress levels. Minimal amount of stress is normal. New baby and life is happening. Extreme and or chronic stress though can bring some complications. I see you here today and I'm a little worried about that."

"Things have been stressful but I'm working towards bringing some stability to my life. I guess if I have any more questions I can get a book?" Jazz would always see those new mommy books in the book store, never once did she think that she would need one anytime soon.

"There are some pamphlets out there and articles on line that will tell you the same thing. Here's a book, matter fact." He gave her a new mommy book and Jazz smiled.

"Thank you so much. I'm going to set up another appointment with you, if you don't mind." Jazz liked him. He was patient and informative.

"No problem. Please do and come back before then if anything else concerns you."

"Will do," Jazz left out of the office to make the appointment. She didn't know what Connor would say but whatever decision they made, she wanted it to be the both of them together.

She was starting to see that she was wrong for not getting him involved. She only hoped he would forgive her.

*

JAZZ WALKED OUT MINUTES LATER FEELING A LITTLE BETTER. She would tell Connor and everything would be okay. She was ready to take on whatever responsibility she needed to. The doctor and his words about stress stood out in her mind.

She thought about the tussle she had with William. She hoped it didn't do any harm. Jazz got lost in her thoughts and nearly screamed when she bumped into a hard body. She looked up and jumped when Marcelo was standing in front of her.

"Is everything okay?"

"Were you following me? I told Connor I was taking a personal day." Jazz threw up her hands and walked to her car. How could he have Marcelo follow her? Didn't he trust- okay so maybe she shouldn't be pulling that card.

"Don't change the subject, what's going on? Why are you at the hospital and didn't tell anyone? Jazz," Marcelo followed her towards her car. He reached the driver door before her and stood in front of it blocking her path.

"Marcelo move."

"Jazz talk to me, what's going on?" Marcelo was starting to get scared as she started to sweat. What the hell was going on with her that she couldn't tell Connor or had to be so secretive about it?

"I told both of you I don't need a baby sitter!" Jazz stopped when she felt a pang in her side. She doubled over like she had plenty of times before and Marcelo quickly supported her.

"Jazz, calm down, Connor just cares about you. Are you okay?"

"I don't know. They've never been this painful before." Jazz never had cramps so serve and so suddenly. She felt a pang again and this time she nearly fell to the ground. Marcelo was right there and lifted her into his arms.

"I'm taking you back in and calling Connor."

"No! I don't want him to find out like this." Jazz shook her head and shut her eyes as the pain was so intense.

"Jazz I don't know what's going on but-"

"I'm pregnant. Marcelo I'm pregnant and I can't let Connor know like this. I can't-"

"Jazz!" Marcelo started running, as her eyes fluttered shut. The intensity of the pain was probably causing her to lose consciousness. He busted into the doors and ran to the emergency room.

"Sir, you can't do that!" The secretary yelled at him as he got her to a stretcher and pulled a doctor his way.

"Help her, she's pregnant!"

"Is she-"

"She's going into shock help her!" Marcelo grabbed him by the collar and he nodded profusely.

"Nurse, let's get her some oxygen." The doctor and his team sprung into action as Marcelo gripped his phone and ran fingers through his hair.

Marcelo had to do it. He dialed Connor, and nearly threw his phone when he didn't answer. He left a voicemail.

"Hey man I don't know where you are but get to Mercy hospital as soon as possible. Jazz had an incident. I'll explain when you get here."

Marcelo felt like he did the right thing while still respecting her. He knew that she should be the one to tell Connor he was the father. He watched as they rolled her into a room and Marcelo quickly followed.

He wouldn't leave her side until Connor came. He knew she meant the world to him, and he just prayed that nothing happened to her or the baby. He was starting to consider her family as well and he had lost enough of them in his lifetime.

He knew Connor was tough but he didn't think he could go on if anything happened to Jazz in the baby.

*

CONNORS PHONE VIBRATED ON THE SEAT IN THE CAR. He left it as he ran into a flower shop quickly to grab Jazz her favorites. He knew she would find out he had Marcelo tail her.

He knew at this point he had been stupid to think she was hiding things from him. They trusted and loved each other. He smiled as he paid for the flowers. He only hoped she would forgive him for being so foolish.



Smooth Jazz Ch. 09



Sorry about the unedited chapter 8. I upload mines through word and I have so many copies of the chapter, I uploaded the wrong one. If you haven't already read the NEW CHAPTER 8 WITH AN ENDING TO IT!! 

To make up for it, I made this chapter my longest yet. THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE THE FINALE 

Finals week is here so expect ten to drop soon, cause I'm trying to get it out before other work piles up! 

***** 

JAZZ TRIED NOT TO THINK ABOUT CONNOR AS SHE ATTENDED ONE OF HER STUDENT'S RECITALS. A few more notes, and she could stop wearing a stupid fake smile on her face and making idle conversation. 

It had been a few weeks and they hadn't seen or spoken to each other since that night. She couldn't deny that she had the urge to apologize. Maybe she did overact she thought, but felt in that moment it had to be said. 

She thought about the possibility of him having found a new woman and swallowed it with a bitter taste. She didn't even want to think about it. It was possible; it wouldn't be hard for him to find someone else. 

He needed someone who could accept the temporary obligations. She couldn't understand how any woman could only want something temporary with a man like him. 

Once she had a taste of the fulfillment of his kiss and the smooth caress of his touch, she didn't understand how she ever survived without it. His laughter ran through her and brightened up her day. She smiled a little as she remembered on their times together poking fun at each other. 

She loved how sometimes when her recital didn't go how she expected he would talk to her. Boost her ambition, hold her, and kissed the top of her head. His broad shoulders were perfect for laying her head on and drifting to sleep as he laid soft kisses on her. 

"So how's it going?" She turned in surprise as Marcelo walked up on her with James in tow. She had been ignoring Connors calls but he was adamant in his voicemails that until everything was solved Marcelo would still tail her for safety. 

"Great baby sitter," She crossed her arms in defiance. She hated that he was always lurking nearby but secretly it made her feel safe. 

"I prefer security, thank you very much. You look down." 

"That's because her ass going through withdrawal." Jazz could have sworn she saw Marcelo hold back laughter. 

"Am not, what do you know anyway." Jazz waved James off defensively. 

"I know those pregnancy hormones must have made your damn brain turn to soup. Jazz you know you and Connor are meant for each other. So why don't you stop being a crazy person with yo baby mama drama and return his calls!" 

"Oh my god this is not the time for a lecture. We are at a damn event. And besides whose best friend are you again-oh yea mine so I suggest you zip it." Jazz ran a zip across her mouth. 

"Well if I could give a word of advice-" 

"No not you either." Jazz said pointing at Marcelo before he could get a word out. 

"This is the best thing to do. Connor wants the army to be his career. He doesn't want to settle down with me. Not that I expected him too anyway." 

"Jazz that's just real convenient huh, lots of men are in the army and aren't lonely like Marcelo." 

"Thanks James." 

"No problem, Jazz we both know you're using that as a cop out! Connor wants nothing more but to marry you and put a ring on it, and you up in here acting like you tryna be the bag and cat lady." 

"He would only be marrying me because I'm pregnant and didn't I say keep your voice down." 

"Ohhh Marcelo you better get her. I have never met someone so frickin' stubborn! You meet William he's a total asshole and you fall head over heels and fight for him tooth and nail. Then you meet Connor all he wants to do is love you and is the father of your future baby and you let him go. How ass backwards is that!" 

"Well if you love him so much why don't go be with him!" 

"He has a nice ass and seems to be the only one with some damn common sense, so I think I just might! Call me when you get in touch with the real world!" James stormed off and Jazz found everyone staring at her as the applause died down and his last words were heard. 

Jazz stormed off and headed to the bathroom when Marcelo stopped her. 

"What? Are you going to tell me what an idiot I am too?" Jazz turned to him with tears in her eyes. James was right. William, his punk ass, and she was so in love. Then when she finally gets a real man she ruins it. 

"No, I'm going to tell you that Connor loves you and you need to return his calls. This goes against the guy code but Connor really misses you and he really wants to be at the ultra sound Jazz. Even if you don't want anything to do with him...you're having his kid. You guys need to talk. That's it." 

"That's it?" Jazz said expecting much more scrutiny with him being Connors best friend. 

"I can storm off dramatically if that helps." Jazz laughed. 

"There we go a smile. Just think about it okay?" Marcelo told her and she nodded. He hoped she made a decision quick because Connor was a wreck. 

* 

CONNOR WALKED INTO HIS DAD'S HOUSE AND PLOPPED DOWN ON THE COUCH. He had went running to clear his mind of all the stress that was pumping through. He just wanted his mind to settle so he could come up with a good solution. 

There seemed to be no way around deciding how to handle the army situation, and still be here for Jazz's pregnancy. It was clear they wanted him back but only if he agreed to therapy. He was planning on staying for another year or so and then joining his father's business. 

There were so many things to consider. First, he had to get a chance to talk to her. He was sure she would come to him and make a peace offering. After weeks had passed he hung up that idea and decided to come see his father. 

He always gave Connor advice and seemed to know what to do in crisis situations. He made too much sense sometimes and it always made Connor mad how his father could see right through to him. It seemed that he always went under the surface, underneath all the typical bullshit, and found the source. 

He wished that he could see through Jazz. He was the best at building walls around the hurt. He had finally met his match. Jazz seemed to be able to strip them down with one nod or simple gesture. She always looked to him with nothing but admiration. 

She never probed him about what he did on his job. She didn't flinch when he told her that he had killed plenty of man. She even stood by as he told her that he had a habit of not staying the morning after. He was a fighter in the past all through high school. He had a knack for following the wrong crowd. 

"That was a long time ago baby, who you were back then, has led you to who you are now. I admire who you are now. You have so much strength and kindness in you. You have so much to offer and you are a good man, one of a kind." She had told him and he had knew she meant every word. How could she say something like that and expect him not to fall in love. 

How could she look at him with a knowing smile, and know when something was bothering him. Then massaged his shoulders and ease away all his stress with her touch. He got loss in her, and her beauty that shined from within her. 

Jazz was the kind of woman that a man could get use to coming home to. The kind of woman a man would be dumb as hell to let go. It made him bitter that he could join that list with William. She hadn't returned any of his calls. He felt good knowing she had at least allowed Marcelo to keep her safe. 

He wrapped a towel around himself when he finished his shower. He turned the water off with a simple flick of his wrist. He stared at himself in the mirror. He looked sort of tired, but it was only because he no longer was getting sleep. 

In a matter of weeks he had lost the light that shined within him when he had her. He slipped on some shorts and a Nike t-shirt and ran a hand through his tapered black and brown streaked hair, which was still a little wet from his shower. 

Connor walked into the kitchen and found his father-in his black jeans and short cowboy boots. His dad was lean and tall enough to be a cowboy he thought. He was grabbing him a beer, unexpectedly he tossed one behind him, and Connor caught it with one hand. 

"What no think fast?" Connor said mildly. 

"Nope, that gives you time to think." His father said. 

"Yea you do that. Think but don't hurt yourself." Connor smirked. 

"Oh I won't. I'm gonna sit down, drink a beer with my son, and I'm gonna figure out how a woman put the sad lost puppy look in his eyes." 

"Why does it have to be a woman?" Connor said bitterly, cutting his eyes at his father. His father suppressed a chuckle remembering the days when he was in love. Connors mother had the ability to make him mad, sad, and when they fought he seemed to spit venom. 

He almost felt bad for his son; he wasn't use to the wrath of love. At least he never had been before, but now maybe he was getting an understanding of the up's and downs. Since it was clear he could just toss Jazz aside, but in Connor's case that wasn't an option. This was what put her apart from the others; his father got a hopeful smile in his heart. 

"Have you talk to her?" 

Connor grunted. 

"She's not really fond of picking up her phone these days." 

"When you call, are you asking about her, or the baby?" His father was trying to contain his happiness at the prospect of being a grandfather. He knew they had things to get sorted out before he got too heavily involved. 

"I haven't got a chance too. I don't even know if she's keeping the baby. I haven't even got a chance to wrap my head around the fact that she's having my child!" Connor shook his head. He always thought that he would never have kids. 

He was excited, and nervous. Yet the fight gave him no chance to express that. All he could think about was how she lied and kept things from him. How she deceived him and shut him out and now for good. 

His father gave him a sympathetic slap on the back and they drained the rest of the beer. He needed to spend some time with his dad. Take his mind off of Jazz for a little bit. Even so, it wasn't doing him any good when he felt like he was in the wrong. 

All he wanted from her was the truth. He didn't mean to blow up at her like that. He usually had a better control of his emotions then that, but he was so angry and hurt. 

"Damn Dad, I don't know what to do. I don't know what she wants. If I knew I would give it to her." His father gave him a sideway glance and he sighed. 

"Okay so maybe actually talking to her would help, but she won't talk to me." He slammed a fist on the table and his dad just shook his head. 

"You just sat here and told your old man that you're in love with Jazz, and then you ask me how you fix it. Connor, Jazz is having your child. That's what you have to focus on, because it's bigger than the both of you. The two of you have to be adults and talk it out. You can't force her, but be patient. She'll come around son." 

"Yea sure she will, and plus she hasn't told me anything about our child anyway." 

"Have you asked?" His father interjected. Not liking how simple that sounded. His father's eyes were patient and calm as always. He hated how his demeanor could be so cool as if the situation was simple. 

"She should just-" 

"Okay so you didn't, maybe you should stop focusing on winning her heart. You already have it. Ask her about the child. Give her room to breathe. There's a lot going on. Just give her time. The way the situation sounds is she wasn't trying to hurt you as much as she was trying to protect herself. No she wasn't right but she wasn't trying to be low down and you know that." 

His father had amusement in his jade green eyes. He strolled to the fridge for another beer, like a man with all the answers. He jutted out his strong chin, toasted to himself pleased with his good advice, and took a good swish of his second beer. 

"Your right. I'll let her breathe but I'll only wait for so long before I kick down the door. She's making it hard not to be barbaric at this point." 

Connor shook his head. He couldn't let her go. First he made sure she was safe and then he focused on the relationship and what to do. He figured with that out the way they could finally focus on them. He dialed Marcelo. 

"Drop Jazz off at James for the night we have work to do." 

"As always, I'm on it." 

CONNOR SAID HIS GOODBYES AND DROVE BACK TOWARDS HIS HOME. It was late at night when he returned after he finished dinner with his dad. When he approached his home he saw a figure sitting on the porch. He slowly pulled into the driveway and when his lights flashed on the steps, he saw William. He looked as if he had been waiting for some time. 

* 

JAZZ ARRIVED AT JAMES, SLIPPED OFF HER HEELS, AND WENT TO THE GUEST BEDROOM OF THE APARTMENT. 

Jazz decided it was time to call her mother back. She hadn't gone into depth about her doctor visit and was afraid her mother would not be pleased. 

"Hey suga! What's going on with cha?" Her mother's voice was dipped in honey as always. 

"Nothing much, sleep over at James while the boys do more detective work." Jazz chuckled half-heartedly. 

"You sound a little worried." As always her mother could see right through her. 

"Well I went to the doctor and I'm pregnant." Jazz decided to just drop the bombshell right then and there. She started to shuffle nervously when she didn't hear anything but silence. Then she felt worse when she heard her mother's sniffles. 

"Mama I know this isn't the way you thought I would-" 

"I can't believe I'm going to be a grandmother. Oh my goodness Jazz that's wonderful!" 

"What?" Jazz had to take the phone away and look at it. Not those words coming from her traditional Christian southern belle mother. 

"Of course you know I want you to be married but Connor had already asked for your father's blessing when y'all was down here. Is that the reason? Oh hell, who cares, Jazz a baby is a precious gift. Nothing to be ashamed of or upset about; you're grown and I been wanting some grandbabies. Ohh weee Thomas!" 

Jazz tried to take in what her mother had said. 

"Wait momma wait! Did you say Connor asked for my hand in marriage from daddy when we were down there?" 

"Yes! Your father told me when you guys left. I thought he must have talk to you about it. Did I ruin the surprise? Did the boy propose yet?" Jazz felt her stomach give. 

He had wanted to marry her before he knew she was pregnant. Before he knew anything of the sorts he wanted her hand in marriage she felt her eyes tear up. She couldn't believe how foolish she had been. 

"No momma and he won't. He won't because I broke it off. I was selfish and I didn't tell him I thought I was pregnant until I went to the hospital and found out. I was so wrong and when he confronted me I got angry and I broke it off...I pushed him away because I thought-" 

Jazz couldn't help but hang her head in misery. 

"I was so afraid. So afraid to have real love, and accept that. Now I've ruined it. He's tried to call but eventually he stopped. He's given up on me now and I can't make it right." Jazz sniffled and wiped her tears with the back of her hand. 

"Now who ever said that there was a rule out there somewhere that says when you in the wrong you can never make it right? Huh sweet pea?" 

"No one," Jazz gave a sad chuckle. 

"Don't you fret, what's done is done. I'm still proud of you Jazz. You're a strong woman but you have to see it for yourself. You deserve love but you have to know it. We just want you to be happy and if Connor makes you happy, then you need to let him love you. You're never too old to learn from your mistakes. Give it time and you can make it right." 

"Connor loves you and he'll love that child. In the meantime you need to get him involved. No matter what's going on. He deserves to be in that child's life Jazz." 

"Of course he does. We just haven't had a chance to talk about all of that but we will." 

Her mother gave a laugh that Jazz knew was making her matching hazel eyes light up and her skin slicked with coco butter shine from the southern heat. 

She let the feel of home calm her. Her mother petite but tough frame and her father's lean and tall grace. Her daddies steady eyes that peeked from over his reading glasses. She smiled and felt a weight lift off her shoulders. They just wanted her to be happy. 

I'm gonna make it right Ma soon." 

She relaxed and caught up with her mother on the latest gossip and loved how her mother hooted, when she told her that she was about seven weeks now and she would have an ultra sound in just a few more. As always her dad was out tending in the fields and would call her back later. 

JAZZ GOT OFF THE PHONE AND SOUGHT OUT JAMES. She found him in the living room flipping through channels. He hadn't spoken to her since Marcelo dropped her off. She knew he was still mad about the fight. 

"James, you can't ignore me forever." Jazz plopped next to him and he didn't even spare her a glance. 

"Come on are you seriously still mad at me?" 

"If I was talking to you I would tell you yes, and that I was trying to be real with you as always but I guess these days I just like hearing myself talk as I watch my words go in one ear and out the other." 

"I'm sorry okay. I know I was being stubborn." 

"If I was talking to you I would concur extremely with that statement." James tried not to smirk as he could see he was irritating her. 

"Can you please talk to me regularly? Who else is going to watch basketball wives with you?" Jazz pulled on his arms and James turned the other way. 

"Come on you were right and I was wrong." 

"Whew, I was wondering when you were going to say the magic words honey. Tick tick honey the season finale will not be watching itself." Jazz laughed and pushed at him. 

"You're such a jerk but you were right. Hopefully it's not too late to make it right." 

"It's never too late. I was listening in on your conversation with your Mom." Jazz rolled her eyes as she was not surprised at all. 

"You can make it right. For all of us, because you are in a much better mood with a dose of daily dick." 

"James!" Jazz hit him with a pillow and they laughed. She hoped Connor wasn't still too upset, at least not so much that he would not accept her apology. She wouldn't disturb him tonight though; Marcelo said they were pretty close to figuring things out. The sooner that was out the way the sooner her and Connor could focus on them. 

* 

ELLEN SAT WITH BLACK AT THE DINNER TABLE TO DISCUSS THEIR PLANS FOR THE UPCOMING WEEKS. The heist was finally coming together. 

Ellen had cooked him dinner tonight as was becoming routine. She was ecstatic to tell him she had finally cut off William. He then wondered how he was going to get his money and drugs back. 

They had forgotten all about that but Ellen had something for that too and was ready to bring Black to the light about their devious plans. Of course she would have to dress it up so that it would be appealing to him. She knew how to twist her words. 

"So I finally got him to agree on midnight for the time. It'll be perfect. All those people who try to overdo and be up the boss's ass pulling late nights should be out of the office." 

"So this old man is really convinced that you have all this dirt on him." Black still was a little on edge about the plan. He handed Ellen a rubber band and she quickly pulled his dreads back as to not disturb him while he ate. She was getting use to his silent commands. 

"He doesn't have to be convinced. He knows. Who do you know that is more manipulative and deceptive than me?" Ellen kissed his neck and tugged at his ear. 

"No one, again you've proved you're loyal. I know you're not stupid enough to cross me. But I need an outside man. I trust your capabilities but we need a third party. Somebody gotta be there to take the fall if we get caught. You a nice looking white bitch, and like you said conniving. They'll believe anything you say." 




Smooth Jazz Ch. 09



"Your right and what you don't know is I have the perfect person in mind." Ellen went to the door and called her brother from the car. He walked in and sat at the table. Black immediately felt a hand shift to his gun; the guy seemed off to him. 

"Ellen told me you guys needed a third man. I'm that man. I know the guy better than Ellen. If the fall has to be taken I'm more than willing. I owe her one, she saved my life." Ellen was so proud as he played his role to a tee. 

Black couldn't lie he was impressed. He knew Ellen's manipulative powers knew no bounds. The girl had skills. His pride shielded him from thinking she would dare lie to him. She was too loyal and submissive to him. Black secretly felt that Ellen had feelings for him but wouldn't stir that pot by bringing it up. 

"Really and how do you know him?" Black inquired. He stared into blue cobalt eyes with his own dark and cold ones. 

"He fucked my mother." He said frankly and Ellen tried not to panic. He wasn't supposed to say that. 

"Back in the day when he was up and coming they did drugs together. He's been paying me off to keep quiet. Dirty politicians will do anything to keep their secrets out from the light." Black's eyes passed between them. 

"That means that he's your father too Ellen; you didn't tell me that." Black felt his hand slid further on his gun. 

"That's because we have different fathers. My mother fucked another guy before she got a hold of the senator. She was a common crack whore, who got lucky cause she got in touch with a senator who liked the same drug." Ellen saw his body un-tense and she tried hard not to shoot her brother a look. 

Black took his hand off his gun satisfied with her answer. 

"Let's run through the plan." Her brother suggested. 

"Let's" Ellen took her seat at the table. It was clear she was in control and she liked that. 

"Well at midnight I'll go in and distract Pennington with conversation. Meanwhile my brother will come in. He's expecting both of us. This means that he will be able to get passed him and disable the cameras and such without him knowing." 

"Won't he get suspicious that way," Black questioned. 

"No, we'll inform him that there was supposed to be no security. Once we do that then I'll send him to go check things out to make sure no security is present and he'll disable everything during that sweep." 

"Then you'll come in. I'll yell at my brother for setting us up and you'll pistol whip me around a bit and threaten his life. Tell him to give you all the money in the safe. We get the money leave and you take me as a hostage." 

"What if he calls the cops?" 

"Trust me Black. He won't. He's a spineless old man and his reputation is everything to him. He wouldn't dare give that up. He has more money than he knows what to do with." Ellen's brother interjected. 

"What about the other drugs and money what's up with that. Last I heard William was close to getting property rights from his ole girl without having to smoke the white boy." 

Ellen laughed. 

"William got his dick knocked in the dirt by the white boy. I know you didn't want things to get dirty but at this point they have too. Those drugs and money could put anybody on the map. What if they try to sell it to someone else?" 

Black considered this. 

"They wouldn't do that. Plus, how would they find it anyway." Black said. 

"That solider is more resourceful than you give him credit for. I don't think he's found it but he's getting suspicious. My brother has been keeping tabs on him. There's only one way to get the drugs and money. Fortunately, it requires no effort on your part." 

"I'm listening." Black was intrigued by her next scheme. 

"We are going the traditional route, ransom bit, that woman is everything to him. We kidnap her he'll do whatever we want. He nearly killed William." 

"And what do you think he'll do to both of you when he finds out you have her?" Black could only imagine how postal and or loco he would go. He happened to see William after the tussle and by the looks of her brother it wouldn't end any better for him. 

"His hands will be tied and he'll have no choice but to bend." Ellen said reassuringly. 

"He won't have any time to act but in the way we want him too. Black you worry me; I think you doubt my skills. I feel I have proven myself." Ellen did her best to appear offended. 

"Yes you have. If this works, then there will be no doubt in my mind how crazy you are. Then you'll be solidified if I can get back into this game. If I eat then we all eat you feel me. I got people thinking I fell off." 

"Well I'm here to change that. The money we get from daddy Warbucks and the kidnapped princess will be more than enough to put you back on the map. So are you in?" Ellen extended her hand and was satisfied when Black shook it. 

Ellen knew he was right. Since she was fucking all his crew she eavesdropped often. There was word in the street that his trap wasn't jumping. She knew people were talking about him becoming a living ghost of drug kingpins past. 

Once she eliminated him she would take that throne. She was already working on her persona. She would dick black and then pose as him. Nobody would know where he had gone. It wasn't enough to put him in jail; she was starting to see she had to kill him. 

As soon as she got rid of his body she would take his alias. She would pose as him. Using his name and serving his product as if it was coming from him, and her and her crew serving as delivery men. She was already scoping the city for potential members. 

She knew how to crawl into the depths of the streets and find those that were desperate. She was even convinced she could get his crew to turn on him. She knew they were envious of Black. Against his word she had been slowly short changing them on their profits. 

When they questioned her she would say they were Blacks orders. She knew they wouldn't dare go to him to clarify. They were way too fearful. She used that fear to her advantage. She was slowly turning them against him. Soon everything would be hers. 

"I promise you won't be disappointed." Black shook hands with them both, not knowing he had just signed off on his own death sentence. 

"I hope not." Ellen and her brother went towards the door when Black stopped them. 

"Hey! I didn't get your name." He said to Ellen's brother. 

"My names Martin," Ellen turned to him again surprised. 

"Alright man, see ya'll in a few on that heist." 

They stepped out into the cool air and Ellen immediately pounced on him. 

"Why would you tell him your real name idiot?" 

"Hush Ellen he doesn't even know me. How he would blow my cover? I tell lots of people my real name. He knows yours." Martin looked at her with cool eyes. He had no doubt in his mind they would pull this off. 

"You need to stop with your cockiness. What if Connor finds out how to open the video dipshit, which I think he stole from William." 

"He hasn't; he's been waiting on me to meet up with him. Once we meet up I'll knock him out and take Jazz for myself right on their floor. It'll be magical." He laughed sinisterly. 

"No, not in the house, take her to the usual spot. I use that spot myself sometime for that type of get away. I'm sure you'll have hours to enjoy her there." Ellen smirked in disgust. She didn't see the allure he found in that. She found making people want you much more satisfying. 

"Oh I won't waste a moment. I haven't had a fix in months. I've been saving myself for her. I can't lie it makes me a little angry that Connor got to her first." 

"I'm glad you neglected to tell me that you knew him you sonofabitch." 

"I couldn't let you know just yet. Now that you do you should have no doubt that the job will get done. The only person that could be an obstacle is his other friend Marcelo." 

"Who? Sounds hot," Martin scoffed. 

"Please, he's a nobody. He lags behind Connor like a lost puppy. I finally got him to agree to let me meet with Connor instead. Connor won't be on such high alert because he trusts me. It'll be perfect." 

"You better be right. I don't deal with fuck ups. You see what happen to William. I need you to stay focused. As soon as you get a shot on Black, I want you to take it." 

"As soon as we leave the place with the money get in the back seat. I'll make sure to be driving and I want you to pull the trigger and blow his brains away. Then we'll make him disappear." 

"I'll do whatever you want, as long as we still get Jazz." 

"Of course, who do you think is going to take over the drugs and money? We are." Ellen smiled at him. Little did he know there would be no we, because she had plans to get rid of him too. She had no room to share. There was only room on the throne for one. Once he took the blame as the culprit she would be running her pin and sucking Mr. Pennington dry for killing off his little problem child. 

* 

CONNOR WAITED OUTSIDE IN SILENCE WITH WILLIAM UNTIL MARCELO CAME. As soon as Marcelo pulled up he hoped out and pulled a gun on William. 

"I'm glad you didn't want to shoot him without me." Marcelo eyed him with pure malice. 

"I'm not here to cause trouble, I'm here to help." 

"Well, I don't believe after that ass whooping' you would come here to start trouble, but help? To be honest with you Connor I think its total bullshit. And you have five seconds before I put a bullet in your ass." 

"Wait, Jazz." Connor and Marcelo crossed looks. 

"Call her, and I'll keep him here." Connor kept his gun on William the whole time as Marcelo made the call and came back. 

"James said she's knocked out and safe. It checks out." Connor lowered his gun but only slightly. 

"Listen I know you have no reason to believe me, but I had weeks to think this through. Ellen left me and I tried to commit suicide. In the mist of that you can say I had a revelation, I realize that I was wrong and I let shit get twisted. I want to help. Don't think I'm a saint. I'm doing it for me. I'm doing it because I know karma got me and I have to do something to make it right." 

Connor and Marcelo looked at one another again. 

"Search him." Connor said and William was made to slip out of his jeans and t-shirt. 

"He's clean." Marcelo said. 

"Give me your keys." William tossed them at Marcelo and he searched the car top to bottom. 

"Nada," Marcelo shrugged his shoulders. 

"Maybe he's just stupid. Just because he came with no weapons doesn't mean he's here for a peace offering." 

"I know who's after Jazz. They're relentless. I know you guys think you know a lot but you don't. I don't doubt you could figure it out, but by the time you do it will be too late." William eyed them both as he watched them consider him. 

He had long days to sit in pity. He cried and did suicide attempts and then he realize how low he had come. He realized that he had been tricked by power. He was nothing in Ellen's eyes. He never was and all she did was use him. This was his chance to get back at her. Fuck that karma shit he wanted revenge. 

"You know who is after Jazz? So that means you were involved." Connor cocked the gun and William stood. 

"No I swear I didn't. I really had no idea. Ellen kept me in the dark. I was going to leave the photos in her mail box to scare her. I will admit but I didn't know Ellen had plans so devious. Please, give me a chance to explain. It could save her life." Connor began to pace trying to think. 

This went against all the rules. He knew this guy was snake. He had attacked Jazz. His plan was to get this guy put away but now he was a valuable source. 

He could put the pieces together for them in a way that they couldn't. He was right they were running out time and he seemed to know a lot. 

"I could shoot you for trespassing. Have my buddy here plant a gun on you. Don't fuck with me." William held up his hands. 

"I'm here to help. Ellen humiliated me. She used me. I want my revenge and of course to make things right. I don't care about getting back at Jazz. I'm ready to let that go. To show how committed I am. I'm willing to do a written and taped confession that I did attack Jazz. I'm willing to do the time." 

William knew on the inside he might have protection. If Ellen found out he told jail would be the safest place for him to be. 

Connor tapped the gun to his head in indecision. He looked to Marcelo. 

"Let's find out what he knows. Have him do the confession. If anything sounds off we can always kill him." Marcelo looked William in the face and smiled. 

"I have nothing to lose." William swallowed pride he didn't have. He knew Ellen had reduced him to nothing and now he would redeem himself and she would rot with him. Marcelo poked the gun at William's back and guided him inside. 

William turned around to Marcelo's fist cocked back. 

"Sorry buddy but we gotta take precautions." With that Marcelo decked him out cold. 

"Was that necessary? I'm sure he would have gone in the chair willingly." Connor laughed. 

"That was for my own satisfaction." Marcelo replied. 

William woke up minutes later to find himself strapped to a chair. Marcelo and Connor sat on the couch waiting for him to gain consciousness so they could talk. 

"You fellas really don't trust me huh?" William asked once he could see straight. 

"Just a formality," Marcelo carved his apple with a knife. He figured he might as well have a snack while they waited and popped a piece in his mouth. 

"Okay, so we have some information we already know. We'll ask you some questions; if you answer honestly we'll move on. If not, well let's not even think of such horrific things." Connor said and William gulped. 

"First question, how do you know Black?" Marcelo asked. 

William thought about lying but knew better. He had to tell the truth. They had him tied, literally. 

"He was a client of mines. Big time drug dealer who got caught up, I did the best I could but he caught five years, including prison time for his buddies." 

"That had to make him angry. Without him there would be a drought. A new dealer would take his place but that didn't happen why?" Connor asked and William felt himself start to sweat. 

"Fine, I sold the drugs for him. I sold them, housed them, and made money. I housed them at the rented apartment, and that's why I wanted the property from Jazz. I found out you moved in and I wanted to stage it as if Jazz was having an affair and doing all sorts of things. I wanted to ruin her name, but that wasn't enough for Ellen." 

"And who is Ellen; is she really a lawyer?" 

"I don't even know. I met her that way. She said she was a lawyer for Mr. Pennington and then a lot of things happened." 

"There's the connection!" Marcelo jumped up and grabbed the police reports Jazz had given him. 

"She found these on his desk." Connor showed them to William and he nodded. 

"Yes, he helped me get the charges erased. He has connections everywhere. He's Ellen's father." Connor stopped in his tracks at the mention of that. The wheels in his head were spinning. 

"The Pennington scandal..." Connor said and Marcelo looked confused. 

"Why does Mr. Pennington not want to acknowledge Ellen as his daughter?" Connor fired out. 

"I don't know. I think he was married and Ellen's mother was his mistress. Plus Ellen is crazy. She robs him for money. They plan on robbing him again with Black, and then setting Black up, her brother is in on it too. He's Jazz's attacker and-" 

"Wait! Slow down." Connors held up his hand. 

"I'm assuming Black wanted his drugs and money back. You and Ellen told him you would get it back. Hence her being the lawyer, probably because she black balled the senator into giving her a job. She has a brother and he's in on it too. He's also the serial rapist, which explains how he probably got your keys and planted the shit in the house." 

Connor summed it up. It all fit like a puzzle piece finally coming together. 

"Where can we find him?" Marcelo popped up ready to get the sonofabitch. 

"Wait, how do we know she's really his daughter? It fits but-" Connor wasn't sure. 

"I ran her prints. She pops up as many aliases. This woman has changed her appearance a lot. She also isn't a certified lawyer. She's his daughter. Been picked up under a different alias for prostitution and drugs, but always manages to get away." 

"Prostitution and drugs," Now it was Williams turn to be surprised. 

"How does her brother look?" Connor asked. 

"That's the thing he looks different each time I see him. The guys a makeup genius, I think it's how he gets away with attacking women." 

"Fuck!" Marcelo was angry. He wanted to be able to ID him. 

"Calm down. This is perfect. We intercept the robbery and kill two birds with one stone. First we have to get to Black. Get him to help us snag them both." 

Connor suggested. 

"Doing business with a woman beater and now a drug dealer, Connor were crossing the line." Marcelo warned. 

"Would you rather do business with the rapist and the psychopath? We have no choice. They're playing dirty, and we have to play dirty too. We planned on getting close to Black anyway with the drugs. Once we reveal Ellen to him we use him to get them both." 

"Ellen's brother is psycho. He has a problem. Ellen uses that to manipulate him. He does whatever she says. Ellen is no better. She's pure evil. I do not doubt you. I'm just letting you know Ellen is very powerful. She has everyone on her side. She had me." William hung his head in shame. 

"We'll stop her. Unfortunately, you can't leave our sight. We still can use you so we won't turn you in just yet." Connor motioned for Marcelo to meet him in the kitchen after they made sure William was secure. 

"Can you believe this shit?" Marcelo was amazed at this web that was beginning to spin itself. 

"We need to get a tracker on Ellen. You think you can do that?" Connor asked. They were so close. As soon as they nabbed the attacker and put Ellen and William away they were home free. Connor hated they had to get a little dirty first but if that's what they had to do. 

"Definitely, I think it's time for Anthony to give her a call." Marcelo rubbed his hands together. 

"I'll keep William here until I'm certain we need to let him loose. Get the tracker on Ellen and then we make the move on Black. Once we get him aboard we can get him out the picture. We need Ellen and her brother. That's it. The third party would just ruin it." 

"Your right but no worries, as always-" 

"You're on it." Marcelo and Connor slapped hands, the end was finally nearing. 

* 

MARCELO WAITED PATIENTLY AS JAZZ FUSSED OVER WHAT HE WAS TO WEAR. 

"I fail to understand why I have to look so presentable for a fake date." Marcelo had filled Jazz in on all the details. She was just as perplexed as them. 

She was on the fence about Williams's involvement but Marcelo made it clear that she would have no contact with him. She couldn't help but agree with their methods when she heard his recording confession. She figured he must have really wanted revenge on Ellen. 

Jazz was starting to get nervous. They were so close to ending it all. All they had to do was track them all the way until the robbery and tail all of the evidence. 

"I'm sorry but Ellen's desperate but not enough to want the wolf man. You needed to shave, and get dressed up. Haven't you been on a date before?" Jazz teased. 

"My dates usually only have one purpose. You see where love gets you?" He poked her stomach. 

"Hardy har har, very funny big guy, has Connor mentioned me?" Jazz was still un sure about how to approach him. He seemed to distance himself even more from her and she was worried it was indeed too late despite the advice. 

"Well seeing as this elaborate scheme revolves around keeping you safe you've come up." 




Smooth Jazz Ch. 09



"Smart ass, oh and James is working tonight he can't babysit. So I'll be alone for a window of time, unless Connor will be next door. Plus, I think we can let our guard down for now." 

"Never, I can have Connor come over while I'm gone if you want." Marcelo eyed her knowingly. 

"No, it's okay. As long as you guys are in calling distance I should be fine. I need time alone." 

"Chicken shit. This is your chance to talk to him." 

"I have a feeling when I do that I'll get tongue tied. I'm nervous. I'm not use to apologizing. We women are rarely ever wrong you see." 

"Right, but if you don't call him then I will. He's on William duty tonight though." 

"Isn't it illegal to keep somebody hostage?" 

"Isn't it illegal to steal police reports?" Marcelo laughed when she twisted her mouth. 

"Fine point taken but seriously I think it's time to let him go. He doesn't seem to be going anywhere and we have the goods from and on him." 

"He's under witness protection as well; he let us know he was scare of what Ellen might do. Your right, I doubt he'll stray far." 

"Well if it's not too much I can go over there." 

"Absolutely not, Connor wants you having no contact with him." 

"Why not, I would actually like to hear the information from the horse's mouth." 

"Well it's from the farmer so deal with it. I think we'll get him put up with a guy of ours. He specializes in hostage guard type stuff. He'll be able to take care of it. Are you done woman?" Jazz straightened out his purple tie and stepped back.  

"I swear I should go into fashion design." 

Jazz loved how the cool gray sweater over his white long sleeve shirt complemented his frame. She had also chosen the purple tie to play off his intense Gray eyes. He was a handsome man and she knew for Ellen his charm, when he chose to turn it on, would do the rest. 

"Don't start clapping for yourself. I'll make the calls and be right back so Connor can come over." 

Jazz looked in the mirror at her high bun and sweats. She even had a drip of ice cream on her hoody. If Connor was coming over she couldn't be looking like such a drag. 

Jazz ran to the bedroom and quickly jumped in the shower. After she was dry and her hair was blow dried she slipped into a cream silk blouse, sleeveless, with a slit that left little to be desired. She also slipped on some brown shorts with the buttons on the side. 

A pair of heels to complete the outfit and she quickly made a bun out of her hair and inserted some pearls into her ears. By the time Marcelo was yelling her name she was ready. She came back out the room and he smirked when he saw her. 

"Are you expecting someone?" Marcelo teased. 

"I can't look nice. Is Connor coming over?" She asked absently. 

"Yeah the drop off is being secured then he should be right over. You want me to wait or-" 

"No I think I'll just relax and get some dinner started." 

"Wow pulling out all the stops huh?" Marcelo teased knowing it was killing her that him and James was right and she would crack first. 

"A food is a way to a man's heart right?" 

"Right, save me some by the way. Ellen's easiness makes it hard to keep down food." 

"That bad," 

"Been around the block? More like around the world." 

"Damn. Remember be charming and stop wearing that scowl you always have on your face. You should smile more often." 

"That is my face, and I'll wear a big smile when we finally catch your attacker. That'll make me happy." Jazz smiled and gave him a big hug. 

"You guys are the best." 

"I'm doing all the dirty work, tell your pretty boy to start doing dates with the mistress of darkness." Jazz laughed. 

"I thought you liked your friends alive." 

"This is true. Wish me luck." 

"By the looks of Ellen you won't need it." Jazz fussed over his clothing some more and then finally let him go. When she got a text from Connor that he would be on his way she hurried towards the kitchen. 

JAZZ WALKED AROUND HER KITCHEN HUMMING. Jazz had never cooked for Connor before. Connor and her had dinner before. They had been around the whole town. They went bowling, movies, carnivals and fest. She never thought she could have so much fun. 

When she was with him she felt so beautiful and free. She laughed more than she ever did and smiled so much lately her cheeks were forever aching. Then there were the passionate nights, where he would take her under again. His love making, the thoroughness of it, shattered her very earth. 

She shivered thinking of the different ways he took her. She thought of him now as she was making dinner for them. How he had her bent over the stairs, on the kitchen counters and tables. He even had her in the shower when she had given him a key to her place. He thought it fun to sneak up on her and ravish her. 

She had to admit that the spontaneity of their love making kept her on her toes. He never missed a beat telling her how gorgeous she was to him. Jazz was in love with him. She was starting to realize she couldn't stop herself even if she tried. 

They only had the two months left. He had to make a decision and she knew that he had responsibilities to fill. She knew that he wanted her and that he craved her as she did him. She knew that she cared for him very much, and he cared about her too. 

He didn't hesitate to tell her she was special to him, but he always seemed to avoid the topic of his leave coming to an end. Then when she pushed he pushed back. She knew she shouldn't have approached him defensively, but not talking about it wouldn't help either. 

At first she didn't push. She felt he would tell her on his own time. Then when he didn't she got doubtful and nervous. She turned against him, then she deceived him, and it all blew up in her face. She couldn't lie she wanted him back. 

There were plenty of times where she woke up in the middle of the night, reached for him, and was sad when he wasn't there. She thought to herself this was what it would be like when he re-enlisted. 

Except he wouldn't be coming back, and she had almost cried at the thought. She shook off the feeling. She took the steaks out the oven as she had grilled them earlier. She tossed the salad in the vinaigrette, added the chopped cheddar cheese in, and tossed it again. 

Jazz was satisfied with her salad, steak and her soup. She had put tomatoes, beef, and pieces of steak in the soup as well. She sprinkled the top with cheese and tortilla chips. 

"Mmm smells good." Connor walked in the house opening the door with his key and she could hear his deep and sexy voice cut through the air and make her juices stir. She felt her heart leap out her chest. It had only been a few days. Jazz tried to act calm. 

"Thank you. The foods practically ready," She didn't notice him come closer. 

"Oh the food too, but I was talking about you." He growled and kissed the crook of her neck and she let out a small moan. He always knew how to get her hot, and had learned all of her spots. 

She tried to keep her composure and had yet to turn to look at him and he was annoyed. He turned her around prepared to give her a piece of his mind based on her dismissive attitude lately when she jumped on him and wrapped her legs around his waist. 

"God baby I missed you." She kissed all over his face until she found his lips. This was the earth shattering feeling she was missing out on. The waves of need crashed over both of them as he pushed her against the cabinet and his hands roamed under blouse. When he found she had no bra on he smiled against her mouth. 

"So you were expecting me?" It was impossible; she couldn't pretend that she didn't anticipate his touch when he returned to her. 

"Connor, baby wait!" She tried to gain some control. She put her fingers in his hair, and pulled his face to look at her. 

"I made dinner." She had worked hard on it. 

"You made me dinner? Right," from the expression his face she guessed no woman had made him dinner before. She stroked his cheek with her hand, and he kissed all of her fingers. 

"Yes, I wanted to have dinner with you here." 

He grunted and looked into her eyes and kissed her mouth passionately. It touched her that it was his way of letting her know he appreciated it. Then he went deeper giving her a long and teasing kiss. He nipped at the bottom of her lip and ran his tongue over her lips and took her breath away. 

"Maybe I should make dinner more often." She smiled and he lifted her off the counter and squeezed her bottom, tapping it and walking off to wash up for dinner. 

SHE HAD NO IDEA HOW MUCH IT MEANT TO HAVE SOMONE MAKE DINNER FOR HIM. He never had a woman make him dinner before. He had never stuck around long enough for them too. For the time that he had spent with his friend Marcello he had missed her, and craved for her. 

Seeing Marcelo with her every day was killing him. He wanted to be the one watching over her. He knew it was better that way for the time being. Jazz needed her space. He hadn't planned on ravishing her when he came in but it just happened. 

As soon as he saw her in her outfit standing over the stove he lost it. More now than ever being around Jazz made him yearn to have her forever. Losing her for any short period of time was unbearable. He could imagine them having a family and he could see her in a white dress. He shook his head. Was he going crazy? He was sounding like his father. 

He scowled at himself in the mirror. What had the woman done to him? He had this calm about him and was no longer on edge at least not completely. 

Jazz knew how to search his eyes, and he almost wanted to break down and tell her that he didn't want to leave. But he felt he had too. He found himself wanting to ask if she would wait for him. 

They could write letters, and it could work. He loved her so why- He stopped as it slapped him in the face. He loved her. That had to be it. It was as simple as that. He loved her, was in love with her. That was reason enough. 

The need to have her next to him was forever burning in his loins. She was everywhere he went. He carried her with him. He decided to put it behind him for tonight. He would focus on dinner. He sat his overnight duffle bag in the closet, and walked back down the hall into the dining room. 

She had stayed true to her word. The lights were off, she had candles lit, and the scent of her filled the air. The scents of food in a colorful presentation had his stomach rumbling. She shot him a nervous glance as she came around the table; he pulled her chair out for her, and stole a quick kiss. He sat across from her and grabbed her hands. 

"I appreciate this Jazz. I really do. Thank you." 

He kissed her hands and she smiled at him. The candle flickered across her skin. She was a woman made for candlelight he thought to himself. The softness of her face danced in the light of the flame. Her hazel eyes seemed on fire and they were even more open and intense. He tasted the food and made a groan, which passed for approval. 

"You're welcome, so you like it?" She carved a piece of her steak and tasted it admiring her own cooking. It was juicy and tender. 

"Hell yea, I love it." He beamed at her and could tell she was happy. He noticed the light in her eyes. 

"Good, Marcelo said you guys are really close?" He looked to her as she looked genuinely concerned about if it was really all coming to an end. 

"Yeah we are. Unfortunately we had to work with William as I'm sure Marcelo told you. Apparently this guy is really intense. Apparently he likes to change his appearance. So who we saw and who William saw are basically two different people. This guy has been eluding authorities for years." 

"That's crazy; you really think we need to include Black though. Why not take them out all together?" 

"I have no beef with Black. I don't know what the guy is doing and not doing. My main concern is you. Plus, there are dirty cops working with him too. I just need him out the way so we can get who we intend to get." 

"Makes sense, I was telling Marcelo that I really appreciate all you guys do. I know I haven't really been showing that, especially not towards you." Jazz met his eyes with apologetic ones. 

"It's okay. I just want you and the baby in my life." Connor put down his knife and fork and grabbed her hands. 

"How are you and the baby?" 

"Were good, I'm sorry Connor. I know I was being foolish and selfish. I'm sorry that I lied to you. I do want to keep the baby and I want you to be a part of our lives too. I love you." 

"And I'm going to be. No matter what happens. No matter if I stay or leave. Jazz I know you're worried about it. And I'm sorry that I haven't been transparent with you about the whole ordeal and that's my fault." 

"I think it would make me feel better if I knew what our options were, and if there was a way to work things out." Jazz just needed reassurance. 

"There is a new clause that gives fathers maternity leave but it's only for ten days. If I go with you to the doctor, you can get a concrete due date, and I'll be happy to come back around that time. That way I can be there for the birth, sign the certificate, and all of that." 

"Really Connor?" Jazz took her hands away and put them to her face. It would mean so much to her if he could be there with her. 

"Yes baby, we can make this work. If both of us are willing we can try. I was going to retire soon anyway and join the family business. My dad is getting older and can't do it all himself. We had plans for me taking over in the next year or so. There are a lot of options Jazz but there's still separation ahead." 

"I need to know you can handle that. I need to know that you won't walk out on me and leave me again. I can't handle that again." Connor met her eyes filled with so much emotion like his own. 

"I won't I promise; I'm willing to wait. I'm willing to wait and work this out. I love you so much." 

"I love you too and I can't believe your having my child. Aren't you supposed to be showing?" Jazz laughed. 

"It's still soon. We won't be able to know what we're having until another 10 weeks or so. That is if you want to know." 

"I want to know. That way when I'm away I can get things along the way and send you whatever you need. Jazz I didn't say this before and I know it's unexpected but I want you and our child. Come here." Connor stood from the table and Jazz met him falling into his arms. 

"I can't believe I acted so childish." Jazz muttered into his chest. 

"Why don't you go get more comfortable while I handle the dishes?" Connor whispered into her ear and Jazz shivered. She knew that tone and knew their love making was way overdue. 

CONNOR FINISHED UP IN THE KITCHEN AND MADE HIS WAY TO THE BEDROOM. There she was standing in a silk black negligee waiting on him. He found her sexier than ever before. 

Knowing she was carrying his seed stirred something inside him. It made him desire her even more. He took his time. Undressing himself, while undressing her with his eyes. He had seen her plenty of times before in sexy clothing, barely clothed before his eyes. 

Yet this time and any time it always felt like the first with Jazz. She was already laid out for him. He let his hands slowly caress up her legs and thighs, revealing each piece of skin the more her silk dress moved upward with his hands. 

Her pussy peeked out and he ran his finger over her slit and Jazz moaned in encouragement and anticipation. He kissed her stomach with butterfly kisses. He couldn't believe that soon she would blossom like a flower, and her belly would become round with his seed. 

Connor continued running a hand over her pussy as she spread her legs for him. He felt her began to drip wet for him and he groaned grabbing her breast with his other hand. He pulled the silk to the side uncovering one breast and began to suckle it. 

He pulled and teased at her succulent caramel globes as she only grew wetter until she was soaking his fingers in their entirety. 

"I wanna taste you. Spread those legs for me baby." Jazz opened them with little hesitation. She shivered when he kissed her pussy as he stroked a hand up and down over her opening. He was teasing her slowly slipping his fingers in and out of her pussy. 

Then he would rub his hands vigorously over her clit. Connor stood over her and putting his middle and ring finger inside of her he began to finger her faster, loving the feeling, and sound of her wetness splashing against his hand. 

Jazz went crazy and grabbed on his wrist but he didn't stop. 

"Oh my god baby, Wait Connor! Damn. " She lifted herself and he kept at it, biting his lips as he pounded his fingers into her faster. He loved watching her writhe in pleasure as her juices flowed down his hand and she came down with the intensity of a wave crashing ashore. 

"That's right, come for daddy." He watched her come down and then slid out his fingers putting them in her mouth and watching her greedily suck them turned him on even more. He was already pitching a tent in his pants and Jazz was quick to attend to him. 

Connor stood and Jazz came to the edge of the bed and pulled down his boxers. His thick dick sprung free and Jazz immediately too him into her mouth. She loved how he moaned when she took some of her pussy juices and rubbed it over his dick and then slurped it off. 

She cupped his balls in her hand, and massaged them as she pushed her mouth all the way on his dick until she was deep throating him, and then she popped him out of her mouth. 

"You like that don't you." She stroked his dick with her hand and bent her head back to meet his eyes as she took him in her mouth again and moaned over his dick. 

"Get your ass to the middle of the bed." Connor pulled her off his dick by her hair and Jazz quickly obeyed and spread her legs rubbing her clit waiting for him. 

Connor stepped out of his boxers and continued stroking his dick as he met her on the bed. Jazz spread her legs and Connor pushed inside of her. Jazz gasped as he held himself deep inside of her pussy. 

"Mmm I missed this pussy girl." Connor started to stroke in and out of her and Jazz started to remember as well how good his dick was. 

"You gone keep being on bullshit Jazz and keeping my pussy from me?" Connor dug deep into her and sped up his pace. Jazz couldn't help but blink back tears as he started to ravish her pussy. He slammed his dick into her until he was balls deep inside of her. 

"No! Baby I won't." 

"You sure," Connor slammed his dick down into her deeper and wrapped his hand around her neck. He put her legs together and leaned them to the side and continued his pounding. Jazz could only cry out in ecstasy as he would not slow down. 

"Yes Connor, yes. Ohh shit yes!" Jazz cried out as he slapped her ass, and slid in and out of her pussy going deeper and deeper each time. 

"Turn that ass around. Put your face in that pillow. I'ma show you how to act right." Jazz did what she was told and pushed her face into the pillow. 

"Oh fuck! Connor shit!" Jazz started to scream as he grabbed her hands and pulled them behind her and started to fuck her pussy from the back. He slammed his dick into her pussy, pushing her further into the pillow with each stroke. 

"You not gone pull no shit like that again, are you?" Connor slapped her ass and held her arms together with one hand as he drilled his dick into her wet pussy. She was soaking and clenching around his dick so good he had to throw his own head back. 

"No! Oh my god baby fuck me!" Jazz was overcome with pleasure as his stroke didn't seem to let up. He kept slapping both sides of her ass as he rode her into submission. 

"Where you going huh?" Connor asked as he released her arms and grabbed her waist, sliding in and out of her pussy at a pace that he knew was going to make her cum all over his dick soon. 




Smooth Jazz Ch. 09



"Where you going? Look at me!" Jazz turned her head to the side and looked at his green eyes growing dark with passion. 

"Nowhere baby!" Jazz moaned. 

"That's what I thought. Cum with me!" Connor dug deep into her pussy and felt his own climax building. Jazz gripped the sheets, started bouncing her ass back on his dick, and wanting so badly to cum with him. 

"Don't stop baby, I'ma cum with you!" Jazz worked harder pushing her ass back as she felt her climax rising. 

"Connor!" She cried his name as she came all over his dick at the same time she felt his hot cum pumping deep inside her pussy. Connor pulled out of her slowly and he collapsed as she collapsed in his arms. 

"I really mean that Jazz. I need you to be all in. I want to be a family with you, but you have to be honest and trust me." 

"I know baby. I promise I will. I want this. I really do love you." Jazz looked into his eyes and they kissed. 

"I love you too. Once this gets figured out it'll be about us and building on what we have, I'ma make sure that nothing or no one is standing in our way." 

Connor looked down as she drifted off to sleep. He looked down at her stomach. It was getting even more crucial now. If anyone wanted to bring harm to Jazz or his child, they would be going through him first. He hoped he wouldn't have to put a bullet in any one before it was all said and done, but if he had too he would. 

* 

MARCELO AND ELLEN LAUGHED AS THEY FINSIHED UP DINNER. Things were going smoothly. He had managed to get a tracker on the car but still needed it somewhere he was sure would get her. 

"So no siblings," Marcelo asked with a dashing smile. 

"Oh god no, can't you tell I like being in the spotlight. My parents had no choice but to make me an only child. What about you?" 

"I have a brother, a sister. Family is really important to me. You'd be surprise what you would do for them." Ellen watched him with her eyes over her wine glass as she took a sip. 

"A family man, I like it. Kids? Wife?" Ellen smiled. 

"No, no kids. No wife of course. I wouldn't be here. I'm not that type of guy." 

"I didn't think so, but men cheat for all sorts of reasons. I don't judge. If a man is unhappy at home, he's unhappy at home you know. Plus, it's hard for me to believe a handsome man like you is single." Ellen circled her wine glass seductively.  

She had been trying for hours to get him out the restaurant and to her bed but he seemed to be playing hard to get. She was enjoying this game of cat and mouse. She enjoyed being the hunter anyway. 

"It's true. A couple of dates but nothing serious, you're a professional. A lawyer at that, you must be married to your work as well." 

"I am." 

"And where were you certified." Connor enjoyed watching her choke on her wine. 

"Sorry, excuse me. I went to Harvard law, graduated, took my bar and passed with flying colors. Then I did pro bono for a while and the rest is history." Ellen gathered herself quickly. She wasn't expecting that. 

"Interesting, and you work for Mr. Pennington? I saw you go into the building after we chatted." Marcelo pointed out and made note of her discomfort at his questions. 

"Yes and no. I do private work but I do some work for him. Enough about me though. How about we get out of here, I have a private spot across town." Marcelo considered it. He still needed something to track. Going to her place, at least he would know where she stayed. 

"Sounds great, let's get out of here." 

MARCELO WAS CONFUSED AS THEY PULLED UP TO A CABIN. 

"This is a private spot I own to get away. Make yourself comfortable." Ellen knew she couldn't take him back to her place. Black vacated it and drugs and money did as well. 

"This is really off the grid." Marcelo took note of that. Literally when he and Connor mapped out the city this outer area wasn't on the market. He found that strange. 

He was really on guard when he saw all of the elaborate makeup. 

"Glamour girl, what can I say?" Ellen smiled seeing his eyes go to the dresser. She wished her brother would put his shit away. As if to prove it she took out her infamous red lipstick and applied it. 

"You always have that with you." 

"Anthony you are very observant. It was a gift. It was my mother's; I carry it with me wherever I go. I managed to keep the enclosing and get a new balm put in. It's tedious but worth it. I'll be back. Don't go anywhere." 

"Oh I won't." Marcelo watched as she put it in her purse and left it on the dresser and went deep into the cabin into another room. Marcelo acted quickly and grabbed her lip stick tube. He grabbed his small tracker and put it on there as well. He returned to his same spot when he heard her voice. 

"I thought I would slip into something more comfortable." Ellen came out of the room in nothing but red lace panties and a bra. She even had the black heels to go with it. 

Marcelo eyed her appreciatively. She was a little too pale and devious for his liking. Plus, unless doing her would propel the mission forward he wouldn't be stooping that low. 

"Wow you look incredible." Marcelo walked to her as she sat with a satisfied smirk on her face. 

"I've been trying to get you alone all night but you've been holding back." 

"I don't usually consummate on the first date." 

"Well Anthony, there's a first time for everything." Ellen dropped to the floor and started at his pants. 

"Whoa easy, I would love to do that tonight but we should wait. I want to get to know you better. Plus it's late and I got an early morning at the office." 

"If you don't want me all you have to do is say so. No need for excuses." Ellen turned away from him angrily that she wasn't getting what she wanted. She grabbed her robe off a chair and wrapped it around herself and tied it. 

"Listen. I want you. You don't understand how hard it is not to do this but I want things to be different. I feel a connection with you Ellen." Marcelo stared at her intently with false emotion in his eyes. 

Ellen smiled. He was already falling for her. She could see he would be another one on her list that was easy to control. 

"I mistook your reluctance for rejection and I apologize. Your right, let's wait and let things grow." Ellen heard her phone vibrate. She saw a text from her brother that he would be arriving shortly. 

"Let's call it a night. You have the early morning and I remembered some paperwork I left at the office. I need to change." 

"Well alright. I'll call you." Marcelo said and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. 

Damn he moved slow Ellen thought to herself, but she would wait. She showed him out the door reluctantly. 

MARCELO FELT HIS INSIDES BURN. They were right. If his instincts were clear she was definitely involved. Marcelo could barely hide his contempt and disgust. It was going to be so sweet when they nailed them. He got in his car and drove off when he saw a familiar car headed towards the cabin. 

It sped by so quick he had no time to register it but let it go. He made a mental note of the various roads he went down to get back to the house. He had a feeling they would be returning to this spot again and soon.



Smooth Jazz Ch. 10



*To clarify: People were asking why Marcelo and Connor didn't ask for a name. Honestly I don't know If Martin told William his real name or not, I haven't written it in haha, even so I don't think a similar name, and no proof of correct identity is going to convince someone their best friend is a serial rapist. Especially since when Connor saw him he didn't look the same (because he changes identities)* Thanks for those comments. 

SO WE COME TO THE END!!!! Wow time flies, this is the final chapter of the saga of Jazz and Connor. I've learned so much through this process of making my writing public. THANK YOU to everyone who read, favorite, commented, and or rated the story. Thank you for the good and critical feedback!!!! 

*Rate, comment, favorite, and re read!!! 

P.S Marcelo may be getting a story ;-) 

CONNOR AND MARCELO PUT THEIR T-SHIRTS OVER THEIR BULLET PROOF VEST AND MADE SURE THEY HAD ENOUGH ROUNDS IN THEIR GUNS. 

"I don't think this is necessary guys." William spoke but quickly stepped back when Marcelo looked his way while loading his gun. 

"We're going into a trap house with captive drugs, money, and to convince a drug dealer that we haven't stole it but we are giving it back to him. Being that he probably knows Ellen cut you off, I wouldn't be so cool." Marcelo quipped. 

"Do I get a gun?" William asked hopefully. 

"Ah no," Connor said shooting down his hopes. 

"Don't worry we need you alive. We won't let you get hurt. You can carry these bags though." William sat in the back as Marcelo threw the duffel bags of drugs and money in his lap. 

"This isn't even half the drugs." William was starting to get nervous. 

"I thought you sold drugs before? Why would we take all we have if were using the drugs as a bargaining chip..." Marcelo questioned and then William felt dumb. 

"Okay I'll shut up."

"That's what I wanna hear. Connor let's get it." Marcelo slammed the door and got into the Passenger seat, because Connor was driving. 

"Heads up Connor, if they start shooting at us I call William as a secondary shield." 

"What?" William looked horrified and Connor and Marcelo laughed. 

*

"Park on the side street," Marcelo suggested and Connor did just that. They hopped out the car and Connor and Marcelo made sure their guns were tucked in reachable places. 

"Go ahead William and give us the signal when were clear. If we sense any funny business we'll come in and take you and all the boys out." Marcelo warned him. 

"I told you I got this." William was tired of looking like a chump. This was his chance to prove himself. He kept revenge on Ellen on his mind. He was getting closer and closer to seeing her go up in smoke. If he went up too then so be it. It was all worth it. 

William approached the house carefully. He knew Black was expecting him. As soon as he stepped into the house he was searched and patted down. Black was sitting on the couch. William couldn't believe Black had been reduced to selling Marijuana. 

He had heard that people were black balling him. Nobody wanted to spot him any drugs so he could get back in the game, at least not the heavy kind he needed. Then since he lost the drugs with no profit his plug had left him hanging as well. 

"What the fuck you wanna meet with me for. Yo bitch already let me know you got scraped by ole boy and aint no closer to getting me my money. So what is there to talk about?"

"That's it. I got you the money but there's a lot more going down then you know."

"What chu saying?" William tried not to get nervous as Black peered into him with his dark eyes. He put down the PS2 controller, and his two home boys came into the living room as well. 

"I'm saying that Ellen is not who you think she is. She's tryna play you. She's trying to set you up."

"Stop talking in circles and tell me what it is cuz'. Set me up how!" Black could feel his anger boiling up inside him. He just wanted his money and now he had two muthafuckas he felt was tryna cross him. 

"The robbery, she wants you to rob Mr. Pennington so she can set you up. For what reason, I can't really say, but I heard her and her brother talking about it." William started to sweat when he saw both of the men put their hands on their gun. 

"She told me she cut you off. How I know you aint in here on some flexin' shit just tryna throw shots at her cause she den' left you in the dust. Plus, that bitch knows better than to try to play me. She know who I am." Black looked at him as if he had some nerve to assume that Black was being crossed right under his nose. 

"I understand it's hard for you to believe. She cut me off, because she was done using me. That's what she does. Once she gets what she wants it's over. She doesn't care about no one but herself, but your pride won't let you see that."

"Cuz who tha fuck you think you talkin too!" Black pulled his gun out on William. 

"I run this shit here, and I just told you what it is. I gave you a chance to get me back my money and my drugs from that white boy and you didn't show and prove. Now Ellen gotta do it. At the end of the day she got more heart than you."

"She willing to take a charge getting her hands dirty and you not built for that. Now you tryna throw shade at her and you think I can't see that? You think I'm stupid?" 

"Listen. I told you I got the money and the drugs. The white boy and his friend are with me, and they'll be able to explain how you can help us with Ellen." William knew that he had said the wrong words when Black looked more enraged. 

"You brought them here!" Black stood up and grabbed William by the collar. 

"Where are they?" Black screamed in his face. 

"They're outside waiting for my signal. They came to bring you the money and drugs, and make a deal. Ellen's been lying to you. I'm trying to tell you. You gotta listen!" William was trying to get him to see how blind he was. 

"This is what you're going to do. You're going to signal for them to come in, so I can blast they asses away. You hear me?" Black held a gun to Williams head. William closed his eyes. He had to think quickly. He knew he couldn't set them up. 

"Black please, you don't understand. They're not what you think. They not here for any trouble. They got what you want, and they just wanna talk to you so they can show you the truth." Black threw him to the ground. 

"You got ten seconds to make a decision, because I don't trust any of you. Tee aim that shit at the door brah. If somebody come in this bitch blast em'" Black barked and his foot solider nodded. 

"You too Bry I'm not playing." Bry, Blacks other soldier, threw William towards the door. 

"Give the signal." Black barked and William went towards the door. He prayed that he could think of some way to let them know that everything had gone array, and he had ultimately failed. 

William put his hand on the knob and opened the door. He immediately felt the gush of wind as Connor and Marcelo shot passed him. 

William watched as Marcelo tackled Bry to the ground pistol whipping taking his gun. Connor flew across the couch kicking Tee in the chest with both his feet and disengaging his gun from him as well. 

Before Black could blink he had four barrels staring him down along with four pair of eyes that didn't look like they were fucking around. 

"You gone stick me up in my own house," Black had his own gun aimed at Connor and Marcelo. 

"William already told you why we're here. Now if you want to change that to putting a bullet between your eyes then that's your choice." Marcelo was already eyeing the spot where he wouldn't miss. 

"I can't tell y'all came running in here on bullshit. Why bring guns if yall here to talk?" 

"For the same reasons there was guns aimed at the door waiting to greet us. We already told you we got your drugs and money. We're here to help you. Ellen is playing you. You really think you're going to hit a lick at his office. It's a place of business not a bank. He can't be keeping that much money there." 

Black lowered his gun a little as he began to think about what they were saying. 

"He a senator I'm pretty sure he keeps more than enough dough."

"Wrong again, he's affiliated with senators. He's not a senator himself. Do you know what connections this guy has? Even if you do make off with money, you'll be found. You'll be the one taking the fall."

"No her brother already agreed too!" Black was starting to get angrier the more they seemed to be right and he seemed to be a damn fool.

"Plus he won't because they got the dirt on em'"

"Oh yeah he won't take them to jail but the cops are just waiting on you to slip up. You paroled and you really think Ellen is going to save you. If she has so much dirt on him she could have been requested the money. She's been black balling him for money. Isn't that right?" Connor looked towards William. 

"Black, he's telling the truth. Mr. Pennington gives Ellen money all the time. All she has to do is threatened him and ask. She has no reason to rob him except to set you up. Let me go get the money and the drugs and show you. We have proof. I have records of every transaction." William didn't make any move to get off the floor, neither did Black's henchmen they didn't want those problems. 

"Go, show me. You two don't move." He pointed to Marcelo and Connor. 

"We didn't plan too." Marcelo kept his eyes on Black's gun. If he saw any movement he was letting his trigger go. 

William came back with the papers, and records. They watched patiently as Black shifted through them, willing to lower his gun. 

"This bitch been making bank off this old man. Damn. All you see is deposit, deposit, deposit. Mmm? So she was trying to set me up. I had a bad feeling about her, but I didn't think she would cross me."

"Charge it to the game. We brought you some of the drugs and the money. You get the rest when you help us get Ellen." Connor offered. 

"Shit, the way this bitch tried to get me cuz I'll get that bitch caught up for thee free. You feel me?" Black was boiling inside with anger. All that snake shit that hoe was talking and she the real one. Damn he had to admit he got caught up, by a snow bunny at that. 

"We need you to go through with it. Act normal. Don't change routine. You'll wear a wire. We want her to confess to the plan and all of that. Once you get there we'll nab her and her brother." Marcelo wanted both their assess going down.

"I don't know how ya'll plan to do that. Chick is crazy and she got connections. I'd rather kill her and her snake ass brother." Black suggested. He wasn't for that snitching shit. 

"I understand that, but the best thing to do is let them rot. Especially her brother, he's a serial rapist who's been on the loose for a while. We want an id on him. He likes to play dress up, so who you saw may not be who he really is." Connor told him

"That's fucking sick. I knew that dude was weird G. It was just something off about him. Ellen white but he was pasty as hell. If it helps he told me his name was Martin, but I don't know if that's his real name or not."

"I have a friend name Martin. You got a last name." Connor said, and when he said that he got a chill up his spine and exchange looks with Marcelo. 

"Naw I don't. It's a lot of Martins out there though. Unless ya'll got time to search all of San fran then I suggest y'all try to pen him that night. I must be honest I'm not too comfortable with this snitching shit."

"Ellen was willing to set you up to basically either kill you or send you back to prison. Killing her would accomplish just that. She works with the police. Your best bet is to go with us on this, while we get the police on our team." Connor told him.

"How do you plan on doing that?" Black questioned. 

"We go to the source." Connor smirked when Williams's eyes got wide. 

"Mr. Pennington!" William said. 

"Bingo. You in," Connor extended his hand to Black who eyed it suspiciously. He had trusted one snake and didn't want to trust another. 

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"I have a feeling you already know what they have planned for my lady. I want nothing more than to see them both suffer. However, I'm trying not to play too dirty. As long as she's safe they can rot in prison for all I care. I could have easily turned your drugs and money in. Or bargained with Ellen, instead I'm cutting you a break." Connor told him and Black nodded. 

"Alright white boy, Thanks for the heads up." 

"No problem. Just hold up your end and I'll get the rest to you." Connor slapped hands with him and after removing the clips from the guns tossed them back to Blacks friends. 

"You aint gotta worry about that player; they both going down." Black watched them leave and then banged his fist on the table. 

"Watch that bitch when she come back, and clean up. Them white boys wipe the floor with ya'll." Black dismissed them and rubbed his hands together. That bitch was tryna play him and now he would have the last laugh. 

*

Marcelo drove downtown back in front of the place where he saw Ellen go in, and where William had directed. They called Black to make sure she was secured at his place and then let William lead them passed the front desk. 

"Hey we're here to see Mr. Pennington." William hoped they were doing the right thing coming here. 

"Of course Mr. Price go right in. He's cleared today." She smiled and eyed Connor and Marcelo appreciatively. She nearly melted when Marcelo sent a wink her way before they proceeded upstairs. 

William was the first to go in, and Mr. Pennington greeted him with a smile. Then when Connor and Marcelo followed the smile immediately faded. 

"Hi, you must be Jazz's guy. She was just here talking about you." Mr. Pennington stuck out his hand but didn't get an extension from Connor. 

"Sit down and let's talk." Connor said and Mr. Pennington eyed the door nervously as it was only slightly closed. Marcelo unplugged the phones, and took them off the hook. 

"Hey, what's the meaning of this, William?" William stood to the back and let Connor and Marcelo take over. 

"I need you to listen and listen good okay?" Connor said and Mr. Pennington shut up and nodded. 

"We know that Ellen is your daughter and that the serial rapist is your son." Marcelo watched the old man's face twist in denial. 

"Are you kidding me? Ellen is no more my daughter than William is my son. They both have worked for me yes, but my daughter? And who is this serial rapist?" Marcelo looked to Connor practically begging him with his eyes to pull out his gun. Connor held up his hand stopping him. 

"In no way did we come here expecting for you to be forth coming. Can you explain this?" Connor slapped the police reports on his desk, and the bank statements. 

"I didn't know William was involved in a dispute with Jazz. William is this true?" Mr. Pennington tried his best to appear surprised and appalled. Marcelo had enough of the talking. He pulled out his gun and cocked it. 

"Listen old man, let's cut the shit okay. We brought William here because he told us everything. Plus, we've been on to you. We know about the scandal and how you got that stripper pregnant and had her running through politicians like a well seasoned track star. We also know Ellen and your son is a product of that and you've been paying them off."

"This is ridiculous! William will you please tell these gentleman the truth? How dare you come into my office with these false accusations, which were put to rest years ago? Ellen is not my daughter and I don't have a son!" 

Mr. Pennington stood but sat back down when Marcelo pointed to him with the gun. 

"Mr. Pennington they know the truth. This has gone on long enough. Stop thinking about yourself for once! Stop letting Ellen rule your life and your son commit these horrible crimes. I was there too but it's time for both of us to step up and pay for what we've done! It's time for you to put them away for good!" 

William came from the back and stood in front of Marcelo confronting Mr. Pennington with tired eyes. William was desperate to end it. Ellen had to be stopped. The more he got pulled in with Connor and Marcelo the more he realized how crazy this all had become. 

"Why should I have to pay for their doings? Don't you think if I could stop them I would have already! None of you have the right to judge me, for what I've done. This city has thrived under my leadership!"

"Women have been raped and assaulted under your leadership! And you've sat back and watched it happen. You've sat back and watched Ellen take money from you and business's. What about the families that work for you? What kind of leader sells out his own people to save his own ass?" 

Connor moved closer and William moved out the way. 

"Do you think for a fucking second that you get to sit here and act like you have no right to be attacked? You know your son was gunning for Jazz. I have no doubt in my mind that you knew how sick he and your daughter really are." 

Connor's voice got louder, and more filled with vile. 

"Yes I knew. I've known for a long time that my daughter is a psycho and my son is too. When I slept with their mothers I tried to get them to abort both the babies, but they wouldn't. They wanted money and then when they died their children wanted money. I've been paying for my mistakes every day, they black mail me! I can't stop them. I have tried. Ellen's going to move away!" 

Mr. Pennington wanted to convince them that all of this was coming to an end. 

"I'm paying her off. Next week we're meeting here and she's going to take the money and leave. She promised me she would convince her brother to do the same. It's all going to be over you see? There's no need for this. Jazz will be safe, now how much do you want? Huh? Name your price." 

Mr. Pennington quickly got out his check book as his hands were shaking. He knew it was only a matter of time before it all caught up to him. 

Now though since Ellen was leaving and hopefully with her brother he could put it behind him. All he had to do was pay Connor off and he would go away too. 

"Them going away is not good enough. They both need to be in prison. You're going to help us make that happen. You're going to sit down, call your police buddies, and tell them to back off. Then you're going to call in to report a threat of a robbery." Connor ordered him. 

"Why would I do that?" Mr. Pennington asked but picked up the phone when he saw Marcelo's finger graze the trigger. 

"Cause you're going to be robbed and we'll be here to intercept it." Marcelo told him. 

"By who?" 

"By your loving son and daughter, now make the call." Connor and Marcelo crossed looks and started combing the office for pictures or anything else that could give them a clear ID and found nothing. They would have to just wait for the moment to come and then nab him. For now, they stood by patiently as he made the calls. 

"Why should I do this? You can't come in here and just force me with no evidence." Mr. Pennington thought about it, and hung up the phone. 

"Except this," Marcelo took out a recorder and played back Mr. Pennington's confession, and he picked back up the phone grudgingly. Then he thought about it again. This was the opportunity to finally get rid of them. 

"I can do more, I can get them put a way for a long time with your help, but I want off scott free." Mr. Pennington told them. Connor considered it and then nodded. 

"We'll see how much you actually do." Marcelo said before Connor spoke. Whether or not they liked it they had to make a deal with the devil to get what they wanted. 

*

Martin stood on the other side of the door listening. He couldn't believe they were on to him and Ellen. He also couldn't believe she had plans to persuade him to leave the city. She hadn't mentioned anything to him about Mr. Pennington paying her off to leave. Martin knew that she was playing him. She was keeping him out of the loop for a reason. 




Smooth Jazz Ch. 10



He wasn't stupid. He knew she was using him. Yet he hoped that she would give him what he wanted. Now it seemed as if he would have to take matters into his own hands. He knew what he had to do. He would set Ellen up for failure. 

Once she was all set up to do the robbery he would ditch her, and let her be taken to jail. Leaving a note that he had fled, and once everybody thought everything was fine. He would make his move. He slowly slid away from the door and out of the office. 

He was tired of Ellen telling him what to do, and reaping all of the benefits. Now it was his turn to get what he ultimately desired. Once Ellen was out of the picture, he would be able to make his father his puppet. 

*

Connor and Marcelo talked to Black on the phone reviewing the plan. They made sure the robbery was still in motion for tonight and then let him go on to play his role. Jazz could not stop pacing in nervousness. She didn't know what would happen. 

She was worried that something in the plan would go wrong. Ellen never planned on doing the robbery but Black managed to convince her to carry a gun, and use it if she needed too. Connor and Marcelo hoped that in the heat of the moment Black would order her to pull her gun on him, as Mr. Pennington played dumb. 

"Are you sure this is the only way to get him? Mr. Pennington couldn't ID his own son?" Jazz stopped pacing when she was grabbed by Connor, and he rubbed her stomach. She was 12 weeks now and starting to get a little bump already, which surprised her but the doctor said every woman shows at their own pace. 

"He doesn't know anything about the kid. He goes by different alias. Changes appearances, apparently he is the real deal. All we got was medium height, possibly blue or brown eyes, maybe a natural brunette, and maybe goes by Martin and or Tom." 

"We know he's white, but we can't get a concrete ID nabbing him is the only way." Connor assured her. 

"And are you guys sure you can trust this Black character?" Marcelo placed a hand on her stomach as well.

"I don't know. Why don't you tell us what's in your crystal ball forming." Jazz swiped his hand away. 

"You guys can make fun of me all you want but this is serious. I don't want you two to be putting yourselves in danger for me. It's bad enough you got into a fight a Black's place." 

"A fight would imply that they actually landed a punch." Marcelo said and he and Connor laughed. 

"I'm over you too." Jazz went back to packing to go over to James for the night, or at least until they returned. 

"We're just telling you that you have nothing to worry about baby. We're taking extra precautions. Our job is to keep you safe, and it's important to get this guy off the street for all women. This is bigger than us. This could be huge, maybe we can get some women to come forward."

"I'd testify in a heartbeat." Jazz said and Connor and Marcelo looked at her. 

"Are you sure?" Connor asked.

"Yes, who's to say if you nab him he'll be put away. I'd be willing to testify. I was one of the lucky ones. Plus, I have you guys behind me."

"Of course, and I honestly think at this rate William would be willing too. As much as it kills me to say, he's been helpful. He's hell bent on doing his time. Maybe he can change his life around." Marcelo finished tying his boots. 

"I guess it took him hitting a big low to realize how crazy he was being." Jazz zipped up her bag and Connor picked it up before she could swing it across her body. 

"Sometimes you have to hit a low before you can build back up. Come on we gotta get a move. It's about midnight." 

Connor and Marcelo dropped off Jazz at James, and then took the guns out the glove compartment to make sure the clips were full. 

"Remember we lead, once we give the signal they'll go in." Marcelo reminded him. 

"I won't forget. I only have one issue." Connor admitted.

"And what's that."

"Not to shoot him on sight when I see him." 

"Well think of it this way, he'll be locked away forever once we get through with him. Then it'll be over."

"I hope you're right because for some reason it doesn't feel like it. 

*

Ellen looked around in disbelief. Martin was supposed to be here right now. She sat in the car with Black. 

"Hey just go in without him. He said he would be running late anyway." He urged knowing Connor and them was waiting around back. 

"Who's going to give you the signal?" Ellen was starting to get angry. His stupid ass was supposed to be here to take the fall. 

"Don't worry about that. He wouldn't dare not show his ass here, go in and do what you need to do so we can get this money you promised me. Unless you flaking on some scary shit. Either you gone ride or not?" Black remarked and Ellen shook her head. 

"Of course I am. Your right, he'll show." Ellen couldn't break the deal now. She couldn't let him know she was getting nervous. Martin was supposed to be the one to pull the trigger as well on Black. 

"Don't forget your gun. You have five minutes and I'm running in if he doesn't show. Don't worry about the Cameras I'll mask up." Black assured her and she nodded again, still nervous. 

Ellen had never felt such a bad feeling before. Ellen always felt so sure of herself. Now she didn't know. She refused to look weak as if she needed her brother to make it happen. She got a text he was on his way and breathed a sigh of relief. 

"He's on his way no need. Watch for his signal. I'm going in." Ellen got out the car and opened the doors and slid in. As soon as she disappeared Black called Marcelo and Connor. 

"She's inside but her brothers late." 

"Its okay, play it cool he'll show." Connor told him and Black shook his head. 

"Alright man. And make sure the police don't shoot my black ass." Black reminded them and clicked off the line. 

He looked around, and still saw no sight of Ellen's brother. If he didn't show, then Black would have to improvise. 

*

Ellen joined Mr. Pennington and chatted trying her best to distract him. She smiled on the inside knowing any minute now her brother would come, and then she would be able to set him and Black up. 

"I'm not sure if I'm ready to relinquish you just yet." Ellen kept her eyes on the door and smiled when she felt movement behind it. By now the cameras should be disengaged and Black should be running in any minute now. 

"Listen Ellen we had a deal. I don't need any funny-"

"Get your fucking hands up!" Black burst through the door and Ellen screamed, and Mr. Pennington hit the floor as well.

"Throw your cell-phones to the middle of the floor. Do it!" Mr. Pennington and Ellen quickly obeyed. 

"You!" Black pointed his gun at Mr. Pennington. 

"Get yo old ass up and hit that safe." 

"What's the meaning of this? How did you get in here?" Mr. Pennington stood up preparing to play his confused role. 

"Just do what he says idiot, who cares." Ellen yelled at him from the floor, wondering where the hell her brother was. 

"Shut up bitch! Listen you gone open up that safe, give me all the money up in that bitch, and no one will get hurt." Black leaned more into him waiting for him to take the cue. Mr. Pennington turned around and pretended to spray Black with pepper spray. 

"Ellen help! Get him!" Black ordered and Ellen didn't know what to do. She kept looking towards the door as Black circled around wildly dropping his gun to the floor. 

Mr. Pennington stepped back letting Ellen grab it and turn it on him. 

"Get the fucking money out of the safe!" Ellen had the gun pointed at Mr. Pennington as Black regained his sight back. 

"Ellen this was you? All you had to do was ask for the money, why are you robbing me?" Mr. Pennington looked at her in disbelief, and Ellen felt torn. Her plan was falling apart. 

"Get the money out the safe!" 

"Ellen there is no money in the safe!" Mr. Pennington went and opened the safe door. Ellen was appalled when it was empty. 

"What happen to the money?" Ellen pulled on his collar putting the gun to his side. 

"You took it all! You've been sucking me dry for days." 

"Lies!" Ellen threw him to the floor and Black stood up. 

"What the hell? I thought you said he was loaded?" Black walked towards her and Ellen back up slowly not sure what to do. 

"I don't know what he's talking about. It's supposed to be here. I haven't taken anything from him." Ellen's stomach was slowly starting turn. She felt walls caving in on her. 

Black peered into her face, and Mr. Pennington's eyes were on her as well. She was starting to realize that her brother had left her. Ellen became paler if possible. Her mouth was dry and wordless. 

"Then where's the money? He said he's been giving you money!" Black grabbed her by the arm.

"I didn't lie!"

"You set me up!" Mr. Pennington yelled and pushed her back and ran for the door. 

"Ellen! What the hell?" Black turned around and grabbed Mr. Pennington back. 

"Are you her father?" 

Ellen felt herself start sweat. Where was her brother? 

"Yes." Mr. Pennington said and he enjoyed watching Ellen's face lose color. She wasn't use to being caught in a lie. 

"He's lying! My brother flaked out on us! We have to get out of here Black." Ellen pulled on Blacks arm. 

"Naw he's your father too. You lied to me!" 

"Who cares? Yes he's been giving money but nothing but scraps. He's loaded. He can give us so much more! Don't you want to be on top again?" Ellen's blue eyes were wild with desperation. She had to salvage the plan. 

"Write us a check. Do it!" Ellen pointed the gun at Mr. Pennington but it was now shaking. 

"Ellen this is mad. Stop this!"

"The money he's been giving you could have been given to me! You've been keeping it to yourself. Cause you're a lying ass bitch." 

"Why else would you have me rob someone with no money, you tryna set me up too." Ellen shook her head, and rested her arms at her side. 

"Listen to yourself. I've always been loyal to you."

"No you haven't." Black told her. 

"You've only looked out for you." Mr. Pennington said. 

"You thought you would get over on us." Black said and Ellen's heart started to race fast as Black stood beside Mr. Pennington pointing his gun at Ellen. 

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Ellen's heart was beating out of her chest and she started sweating. She didn't like how things were unfolding on her. 

"Naw this is real shorty. You've been doin your dirt. Fucking people over and now it's time for you to pay." Black and Mr. Pennington hit the floor right on cue when the police swarmed into the room and Ellen stood with the gun in her hand. 

"Help, she's trying to rob me." Mr. Pennington screamed and smiled in Ellens face as she stood in disbelief. The police tackled her to the ground and she started flaring. 

"You sonofabitch! You set me up! You framed me you bastard. Stop this or I'll tell everyone your fucking secrets! I swear to god, I swear to god!" Ellen screamed as tears ran down her face and her eyes were raccoon eyes, with black mascara smeared as she tossed and turned. 

"Whose gonna believe you now? You've been convicted of robbery. You're a felon, and no longer credible Ellen. Plus, William is willing to testify against you and your brother. We've been recording you." Mr. Pennington told her and she only screamed more as it took more officers to subdue her in her crying rage. 

"Where the hell is the brother?" Marcelo and Connor came into the room when they had no call in for him. 

"I can take you to him! Just get me out of here! Please," Ellen pleaded with them and Connor shook his head. Marcelo made eye contact with her and her eyes widened even more. 

"Anthony! I know him! I've never stolen from him." 

"Tell us where your brother is Ellen." Marcelo told her. 

"Get these fucking pigs off me. This is your entire fault. You made me this way, you fucked me and my mother over! I hate you!" Ellen screamed at Mr. Pennington and Connor motioned for them to get her out of here. 

"No! No! Please, let me go!" Ellen was meeting her worst fear. She was losing. The burning and twisted feeling in her stomach she felt at the failure. All her dreams of being on top were crumbling down. She was losing her power and reduced to begging. 

Ellen wouldn't leave like this. She wouldn't let Mr. Pennington get away with it. She took the opportunity when they laxed control, when they felt she was calm. They went to put cuffs on her and she grabbed the gun from one of the officer's holsters. 

She fired a shot right into Mr. Pennington and she was immediately pulled down as he fell to the floor. 

"Get her out of here!" Connor ordered them as Marcelo dialed the ambulance. 

"I hope you bleed to death! I hope you die!" Ellen screamed as they got cuffs on her and wrestled her away. Marcelo saw he had been shot in the shoulder. He immediately began to put pressure on it. 

"Hey! Stay awake." Marcelo slapped him on the cheeks as he was bleeding all over the place and his eyes were shuttering in shock. Mr. Pennington felt the bullet cool in his shoulder and screamed out in pain. 

He deserved it. He knew he deserved it. If he died maybe he would finally be at peace. All the wrong he had done. All the evil things he had done and let happen. All of the lies he had told. All the greed felt heavy on his chest as he struggled to stay alive.

As his eyes fluttered shut once more all he could hear was sirens in the distance. He was tired of fighting. He was tired of living a lie. He was so tired of living with grief hanging over his head. Maybe if he died he could do it again. 

He thought all of this as he slowly felt himself slipping away with the screams of Connor and Marcelo in the distance. 

*

"Is he dead?" Ellen talked to her brother on the phone, as she was still in her jail cell awaiting trial. 

"No, he's yet alive but he's in a coma. He's in no condition to testify." Martin set across from his sister still playing his role. 

"I can't believe you got away." Ellen couldn't hide her envy. 

"I came around back and saw them waiting in their car. I recognized Connors car right away and ran off. I thought about calling you but I didn't know what to do. I feel like this is my fault." Martin tried his best to look sad. 

"There was nothing you could do but save yourself. I wish I wouldn't have shot him. They're trying to get me for attempted murder. Now that he's in a coma he can't be bribed to use his power to get me out. I fucked up." Ellen swallowed her pride with Malice. 

"I wish I could help, I really do Sis. You know I can't testify. I have to lay low. I'm not even supposed to be here, I'm meeting with Connor later on this week to do the video. That's when I'll make my move." Martin smiled and Ellen finally lifted her head. 

"Yes! That's it." She quieted down when she caught the guard's attention. 

"You can avenge me. You can get them to get me out of here." Ellen grabbed his hands.

"Hey, no touching," The guard told her and Ellen released them, and motioned for him to bring his ear closer. 

"You kidnap Jazz, and tell them unless they let me go that you'll rape and kill her. Jazz is the key that's what this is all about. You have to help me. I can't spend another day in here like some kind of animal." Ellen pleaded with him. 

Martin smiled on the inside. Now it was her who needed him. Now it was his turn to have the power. He enjoyed watching her beg and plead for his help. He was the one in control of her destiny. 

"I'll think about it." Martin said and Ellen's face turned to one of shock. 

"No you won't think about it, you'll do it." Ellen spoke with a tight lip. 

"I don't think you're in any position to be calling the shots here Ellen. You want my help then you'll be honest with me. You tried to set me up didn't you?" He watched her face twist in malice again. 

"You don't call the fucking shots, I do. I was the one that helped you. I was the one that let you roam the fucking streets. Don't fuck with me Martin. I could easily tell your pals about you." Ellen smiled and Martin smiled too. 

"That might be a little hard behind a cell Ellen."

"No not at all. They've been asking me about you and where you are. I can tell them. The only thing stopping me is that I want to see them suffer, because I want them to pay. Now either we can cut the shit and help each other or play against each other, but if I go down I'm taking you with me."

"Fine, I'll put money on your books before I leave. I'll go through with the plans. I also will be back tomorrow." Martin knew he had no choice. She was right. She could just as easily give him up. 

"That's what I like to hear. You get what you want and I get what I want." 

"Precisely," Martin said but in the back of his mind he couldn't help but be happy. Once he got what he wanted he would flee, and then Ellen would spend the rest of her life behind bars. 

*

"Do you think you could stop worrying about it and be in the moment honey?" Jazz rubbed Connor arms. Jazz was more than happy that Ellen was behind bars. 

For Connor it wasn't enough. He was still persistent on catching the brother. Jazz and Marcelo had figured he was out of dodge by now. He clearly had somehow been tipped off. 

Connor was weary of Black but he promised that he hadn't said a word. Jazz believed him. He had played his part to a tee. 

"I can't I know he's still out there and I leave soon. I was planning on having him put away by now." Connor took his foot off the pedal as his absentness was causing him to be pushing nearly ninety. 

"Baby, I'm pretty sure he's gone by now. Black said he hadn't heard anything from him. Plus, Mr. Pennington is in a coma. As bogus as it sounds who are they going to blackmail for help. It's basically over for them." Jazz tried to reason with him but he had been on edge since everything had gone down that night. 

"It's not over. He knew somehow and got a way for a reason. I don't believe he's given up. Martin's going to come over today and run the video for me. We finally figured out how to convert it. Martin has the program I was looking for."

"Am I ever going to get to meet him? He hasn't come around at all." Jazz figured Martin wasn't as good at the detective work as Marcelo and didn't want to tag along. She couldn't blame him. He didn't know her well enough to be putting himself in harm's way for her. 

"He lost his job and hasn't been in contact with me for months. Plus, we had an opportunity to nab him face to face we gave up on the video. And who says the person on the video will be the real him." Connor breathed a sigh of frustration. That was the point of catching him in the act, which they had failed to do. 

"Then what's the point of pursing the video then?" Jazz asked. 

"Cause maybe we can get a print of the face, and run it through the system. Then there may be enough consistency in the picture to run a background check. Unfortunately, the prints from the pictures and letter didn't pop up as anything. I just feel like were so close but too far away." 

"I want you to focus on us and stop focusing on this guy. He hasn't made a move in months Connor. I really think this guy has given up. If he was lying low he's really backing off now because he knows that the heat is on." 

"You're right. It's about us today baby. I'm sorry. I just really wanted to get this guy so I can leave knowing you'll be okay." Connor took her hand, and kissed it and Jazz smiled. 

"I will be. Now stop worrying and let's go inside and enjoy this moment. Today we're going to find out what the baby is." Jazz sung happily. 

"Yeah we can finally stop calling the baby an "it"," Connor said and Jazz shook her head. 

"You're the only one who calls our baby that. I feel like we should be going in with name possibilities." 




Smooth Jazz Ch. 10



"Absolutely not; I wasn't going to let you get our baby's name from a book. I want it to come from just us." 

"What's wrong with looking for suggestions?" Jazz smirked. 

"You wanted to buy a baby names book off Amazon, baby I think you went a little too far." Connor teased. Jazz shoved him and he grabbed her hand pulling her close to him. 

"Are you hoping for one or another?" Jazz asked. 

"Nope I'll be happy either way. I'm totally unbiased." 

"A BOY, WE'RE HAVING A BOY!" Connor jumped up when the doctor said he was 99% sure. 

"Whew! I wanted my first born to be a boy." Connor put a hand to his chest and Jazz laughed in disbelief. 

"So much for being unbiased baby," Jazz looked at him and Connor smiled sheepishly and sat down. 

"I mean, a boy that's great doc. There's still that one percent chance though Jazz." She cut her eyes at him and he laughed. 

"Jazz was hoping for a girl." Connor knew remaining neutral till the end wouldn't jinx's him. 

"Unlike you I am truly happy either way. We're having a boy." Jazz was so happy she could cry. She was also happy that Connor was enjoying the moment. For the first time in months he wasn't bringing up the worries and the stress. 

Jazz sat back and enjoyed watching him beam. She jumped when she felt a push against her naval. 

"Baby come feel." Jazz reached out for his hand and moved it over her dried tummy. Connor felt something push against his hand. 

"He's moving." Connors eyes widened in delight, and Jazz saw the genuine happiness in his translucent green eyes. 

"I know, when you push he pushes back. I think he might be getting that from you." Jazz smiled as Connor kissed her stomach. 

"I love you" Connor rested his lips on her stomach and Jazz ran her fingers over his low cut hair. 

"I love you too.

*

Connor watched Jazz gaze out the window in bliss as they left the restaurant in celebration. 

"I can't wait to get home so we can call everyone!" Jazz looked at him all smiles. 

"I know baby that sounds great but I'm meeting with Martin. We need to go over that video." Jazz smiled died on her lips and Connor felt his heart sink. 

"Connor not tonight baby. Can we just enjoy this good news and be normal for once? You've been working on this for so long. Let's just have this night." Jazz pleaded with him. 

"Jazz I already set up to meet with him. He's only available today. We've been using too much military tools to do this illegal shit. I need a neutral party." 

Jazz didn't have the energy to argue with him. Her yelling and screaming he was ready for and could handle. Her silence though was killing him. 

"Jazz, I'm only doing this for you and for us. I can't leave knowing this guy is still out there Do you understand that?"

"This day was supposed to be about us Connor. For one night I just wanted us to celebrate. Your leaving soon and we need to spend more quality time together as a family." Jazz placed a hand on her stomach and looked him in his eyes. 

"I know baby, I promise you I'm so close. I wanted to take you to James tonight."

"No I'm not going to James tonight. Connor I want to sleep in my own my bed with you." Jazz loved James but she was tired of packing bags and sleeping at his place. She wanted to be at home with Connor making love, and falling asleep in his arms. 

"Jazz I understand this is getting tiresome for you. I don't like you moving around like this but it's for your-"

"Safety, I'll be next door Connor. I'll be fine. You can just come over when you're done. How long is it going to take to watch a video?" Jazz was hoping for at least a compromise.

"Alright, maybe your right, it shouldn't take me long." Connor pulled into her place and walked her to the door. He caught her around the waist before she could storm into the house. 

"Listen, I'm not trying to be neglectful. I just want to make sure you and him." He said putting a hand on her stomach. 

"Are taken care of when I'm gone. I'll be back soon okay. Call me if you need anything." 

"Sure thing and I don't think you're being neglectful. I just want all of this to be over and I was hoping that with Ellen put away it would be." Jazz sighed. She was just so tired of it all. 

"It will be soon. Trust me."

"I do. With our life," She placed her hand over his and gave him a kiss. He was right. She promised that she would start trusting him. 

"Good because you two are my number one priority. Remember that." Connor kissed her on the forehead and once she was safely inside he was off. 

*

BY THE TIME CONNOR WAS WALKING OVER TO THE HOUSE IT WAS RAINING. He was soaked and changed as soon as he got inside. He paused as he pulled his shirt over his head. He could have sworn he heard the floors creak. 

Connor quickly finished putting his shirt on and grabbed his gun. He tried to convince himself he was being paranoid but slowly moved around the corner quietly letting his gun lead the way. He heard the creak again towards the head of the house. 

He peeked around the corner and thought he saw feet moving. He continued to walk slowly. 

"Hey." 

"Don't move!" Connor turned around when he felt a tap on his shoulder and aimed his gun. 

"Wait! It's me Martin. Connor it's just me. Chill out." Connor saw Martins face and brought down his gun. 

"I'm sorry man. I've just been on edge lately. Thanks for coming by finally." Connor rubbed the back of his neck. 

"Sorry about that again," Connor knew he probably looked like one who flew over the cuckoo's nest. 

"Your fine man but how about we leave the guns here for both our safety." Martin teased and Connor nodded and to his pleasure put the gun back and away. 

"I'm not that dangerous but if you insist." Connor left it and led Martin back to his work space.

Connor took out the laptop and the chip for Martin to convert. 

"We need it converted. We found it on the camera but it had been deleted. We manage to recover it but can't get it to play. I knew you could get it open if anyone could." Connor looked at his watch. He figured Marcelo had decided not to come after all. 

"Take a sit I'll walk you through it; its better you have the know-how then me just doing it for you." Martin pulled out the seat and watched him sit down. 

"Where's this Jazz of yours I thought we would get to meet." Martin inquired hoping she was close by. 

"She's over next door resting. She's had a long day. We just found out were having a boy today." Connor beamed with pride. 

"Wow she's pregnant I have missed a lot while I've been in this funk." Martin tried his best to appear sad. 

"I understand. Trying to find work is a frustrating process, but you did do a good job scaring the hell out of me." They both laughed as Connor set everything up.

"The door was ajar so I thought you had left it that way for me. Okay so put the chip in there and then download this software. I have the cd with me, here." Connor inserted in the CD and Martin walked him through the downloading process. 

After the software loaded the chip automatically began processing. Connor had never seen anything like it. 

"What software is this?" Connor asked. 

"It's not on the market. I created it myself." Martin beamed.

"I knew you were good with computers but, man this is amazing. It's almost ready." Connors eyes stayed glued on the screen as Martin pulled out the cloth from behind him and a small bottle filled with liquid. He poured the liquid onto the cloth and came up behind Connor slowly. 

"Yeah man no problem. I appreciate you having me over." Martin got closer and pressed one hand on his shoulder. Then when the video was uploaded and Connor leaned back he made his move. 

"Here it is." Connor said, and widened his eyes when the video popped up. Was that Martin?

"What the hell?" Connor managed to get out before he felt a hand over his mouth. Before he could identify that it was chloroform he had already inhaled and felt his body hit the floor as he passed out. 

Martin acted quickly taping the cloth to his mouth. Knowing the effects would wear off quickly once it was taken away. 

He put his hoody up and zipped his jacket and prepared his lines over in his head. He had to calm down. His hands were shaking with anxious ness. His dreams were finally coming true. He would finally have what he always wanted and he knew the perfect spot to take her. 

*

Jazz rubbed Vaseline on her stomach, because her mother told her it would help with any stretch marks. She loved how her mother was constantly given her wisdom. As a new mother she couldn't help but feel anxious. 

She was eating everything the doctor suggested and making sure to get rest. Tonight though she was restless, she wanted Connor here to rub her back while she hugged her wrap around long pillow. She perked up when she heard a knock at the door. 

Jazz walked to the front door. Not thinking it would be anyone but Connor. She opened the door and stepped back shocked to see a man that wasn't him.

"Hi, I'm Connors friend Martin." Martin decided he would draw this out. He couldn't believe she was in front of him again. He looked at her hungrily and Jazz felt herself sitting in discomfort.

"Nice to meet you is Connor okay?" Jazz looked into his cobalt blue eyes. There was something that seemed familiar to her about him.

"He's doing okay. He'll be better when he wakes up. It's just a little gas. You look more beautiful than the first time we met." Martin's hands were shaking again. 

Jazz's heart started racing as she slammed the door and went to lock it when he pressed on it hard and knocked it open. Jazz fell to the floor and scrambled away from him as he stood in the doorway the pouring rain as his back drop. 

She quickly got to her feet and ran towards the back of the house trying to get her phone. She grabbed it, and ran towards the back of the house to get out the door. She looked back to Martin walking towards her with a smile on his face as he was covered in rain. 

"I've been waiting for this moment Jazz for so long. Don't ruin this for me by making this difficult." 

"Get away from me!" Jazz grabbed the vase off the table and threw at Martin and he turned his head and put up his arms as it fell to the floor. 

"You bitch! Come here!" Martin started running for her, and Jazz screamed. Running for the door when he disappeared from view, Jazz felt her heart beating out of her chest. 

"Please, just leave me alone!" Jazz pulled out her phone and dialed frantically. 

Before she could press talk, Jazz felt him grab her from behind and the phone dropped to the floor. 

His hand covered her mouth and she bit down on it and he screamed. Jazz took the opportunity to go into the bathroom and lock her-self in it. She backed into the corner, leaned against the sink, held her stomach, and breathed harshly.

She felt tears well in her eyes. What was she going to do? She looked around and saw no signs of escape. He could have killed Connor. She started crying as she thought of it. He was trying to protect her. He had told her to go but she didn't listen. 

"Shit!" Jazz screamed as she saw the door pop back as Martin ran his body into it. Jazz looked around the bathroom for a weapon when she felt the baby kicking in her stomach. She wanted to cry even more as there was nothing she could do for her or the baby. 

"Come on! Open the fucking door Jazz. Stop making this harder than it has to be!" Martin busted against the door again. 

"Connor!" Jazz screamed as she felt the baby moving frantically, and she began to cramp up. Jazz slid down the wall to the floor. 

"He can't help you Jazz, he's a little preoccupied!" Martin laughed as he finally busted through the door and Jazz let the tears stream down her face, as he aimed his gun at her. 

"I'm tired of fighting with you. Get up and get the walking." He quickly yanked her off the floor and led her towards the door. 

He pressed his gun to her stomach and Jazz showed no restraint. She had to stay alive. She kept telling herself that she had to stay alive. Resisting and fighting him would not work. It had bought her some time but now he was getting agitated. 

"Okay, just don't hurt me." Jazz let him led her out of the house and next door into his car. Jazz tried to peek into the house and or consider making a run for it. 

"The sooner you realize that I'm the one in control, the better your chances of not getting hurt." He pushed Jazz into the car keeping the gun on her. 

"Your right you are in control." Jazz saw him lower his gun at her words and she tried to hold in her disgust as he smiled. 

"Good. Now let's get moving our getaway awaits us." Martin pulled off into the night towards his special place that he had already set up for her. He wasn't in any hurry he fully intended to savor this moment. 

*

MARCELO HATED THAT HE WAS RUNNING LATE. He forgot he had promised Dave he would help out at a site today where they were short. He pulled into the drive hoping he didn't miss too much. He tried to call Connor to meet him at the door but got no answer. 

He got out the car and jogged to the door. The door was still unlocked so he walked right in. Marcelo immediately sensed something was wrong. He went into the back of the house and turned when a stretched out arm on the floor caught his eyes. 

He pulled out his gun and went into the room quickly assessing it. Then he saw Connor on the floor and ran to him. 

"Connor!," Marcelo saw the cloth and removed it from his mouth. 

"Fuck, Chloroform. Hey Connor wake up!" As soon as the cloth was removed Connor immediately started coughing. Marcelo dragged him to his feet and forced him to the sink of the nearest bathroom. 

He turned on the cold water and began to throw it over Connors face. He felt Connor struggle. 

"Hey! It's Marcelo drink it, you got gassed." Connor obeyed as his mouth was extremely dry and he needed help with his dizziness. 

He turned around and leaned against the sink trying to catch his breath. 

"It's Martin. Marcelo its fucking Martin!" Connor screamed and Marcelo's eyes widened. 

"That sonofabitch, he's the one that's been eluding us. I thought I saw his car so many times but I didn't think-Jazz, Connor where is Jazz?" Connors face drained of any color as he grabbed his gun and ran for the door with Marcelo behind him. 

They busted into her house and Connor fell to the floor to grab her broken cellphone. 

"Shit! He has her. I'll kill him!" Connor banged the wall and Marcelo grabbed his shoulder.

"How can we find her we've been tracking Ellen shit!" Connor tapped his gun to the wall. He couldn't believe this shit. He hadn't been there for her. He had told her that he wouldn't let anything happen to her. He had promised her and the baby. 

"Wait, Connor. Wait, I know where they are! I know where they are," Marcelo's mind flashed back to the cabin. 

Connors head shot up from the wall, and he looked into Marcelo's eyes desperate for a solution and for the answer. 

"I know where she is Connor, let's go! There's not much time." Marcelo pulled his shirt and Connor snapped back into it. He couldn't get scared now. He had to tell himself that Jazz was okay. She was smart and strong. 

"Your right, call the police,"

"We can't wait on them."

"We won't be. Make the call." Connor packed in a new clip as they sped off. He could only pray that they would get there in time before the unthinkable happened. Connor shook it from his mind before he lost his sanity. 

*

JAZZ FELT SICK AS THEY PULLED UP TO THE CABIN. Martin pointed the gun at her and motioned for her to get out. Jazz slowly got out the car as he did keeping the gun on her. He looked around and made sure they hadn't been followed. He doubted anybody would find Connor anyway. 

They had planned to meet alone. 

"This is a nice place." Jazz needed to make small talk hoping to distract him. 

"Thank you, I prepared it just for you."

"Really, wow that was nice of you." Jazz commented tried to give him a forced smile and he ran a hand down the side of her cheek and Jazz wanted to cry. 

"I'm glad someone appreciates me," Martin pushed her into the house. 

"Sit down." He motioned for Jazz to take a seat and she did. She had to think of a way she could buy time as he started taking off his jacket. 

"Let's go to the bedroom," He said and Jazz felt her stomach drop again. 

"I thought this was supposed to be special Martin. Don't tell me you've waited all this time to just do it like this. Let's have a drink."

"You're pregnant," 

"I can still make you a drink, plus how can I do anything if I have to pee." Jazz told him and looked him in his eyes. 

"Get up." He walked her to the bathroom and watched her as she went inside.

"Can you please close the door? I'm in your house there's nothing I can do. Can I at least have a little privacy please," Jazz eyes started watering. Martin liked it better when she seemed to be enjoying herself. 

He wanted her so badly, and couldn't continue to deal with her coldness towards him.

"Fine, I'll be outside the door. Don't try any funny stuff."

"Thank you so much," Jazz cried 

"I just don't want you to hurt me. I promise I'll do whatever you say." Jazz pleaded and watched him smile at her submissiveness. 

"That's what I want. Now hurry up." Jazz closed the door and quickly assessed her situation. She peed and then went to the sink and turned on the water. Instead of washing her hands she slowly and quietly went through the cabinet. 

She needed something that could help her. He was a rapist which means he would have drugs, drugs that could help her. She saw a white bottle. She opened it up and knew what they were immediately. Date rape drugs, she put some in her pocket and turned off the water. 

Jazz opened the door fast and found him standing against the wall in a robe. 

"I'm ready for you."

"I wanna make you a drink first. Please, for all your trouble." Jazz begged him.

"Fine, then we head to the bedroom."

"Of course, I just want you to be appreciated. Nobody appreciates you. Hell Connor and Marcelo thought it was Ellen behind this the whole time." Jazz walked to his kitchen. She noticed that the counter was set up so it would cover her hands. 

"Fucking idiots and you'd be surprise, but it always happens to me. She always takes all the credit. She thinks she made me. I made me. I made my own costumes. I plaster my own faces, and features. I never get credit for my talent." Jazz nodded and took out a glass and poured the liquor slowly. 

"You're really good. How do you think you've gone undetected, Connor and Marcelo never even suspected you for a second. They were running around chasing everyone else." Jazz giggled and Martin smiled and laughed as well. She crushed the pills in between her fingers and put them into the drink. 

She stirred it with her finger, and then poured more into the glass. 

"Your right, I was one step ahead the whole time." 

"Exactly, they really didn't stand a chance. Here sweetheart. Drink up, so we can get this party started." Jazz smiled and he took it from her willingly. He took it straight to the head and smacked his lips. 

"A little punch there towards the end. I like it." Martin rubbed her cheek and she smiled. 

"Thank you. Could I have a robe too?" Jazz asked and Martin nodded. 

"Of course you can. Maybe after you put it on you can do a little dance for me." Martin slapped her on the butt and Jazz tried not to cringe with repulsion. All she had to do was play the game and the drug would eventually take effect. 

"I don't know I'm pretty shy." Jazz giggled again and grabbed a robe from the hook. Jazz went into the bathroom and closed and lock the door. 

"Jazz! Don't lock the door!" Martin banged the door upset at her defying him. Jazz backed into the Corner. She could wait him out in the bathroom until the drugs came on.