and remembering it from when we were kids. Luther had given the two of them a blade each but had accidentally handed over the wrong name to each of them. They’d decided to keep the ones with each other’s names on and had carried them everywhere with them ever since. I set the blade down, wondering if I really was being granted my freedom as I started cleaning up after breakfast.
JJ emerged as I finished washing up and I frowned at him as he slumped down in a chair at the breakfast table, looking dejected.
"What's up?" I asked curiously, tossing some toast on for him and pouring him a pity coffee.
"My cut is due in two days and I just got off the phone to Estelle at the club and I haven't got enough to give Luther."
"Is that normal?" I asked curiously, realising that I didn't have any cash to give Luther either. But then again, I'd never made any promises to give him shit beyond his family being reunited and Shawn's head in a sack, so I wasn't fussed.
"I used to have more than enough every month. But recently it's been a bit harder to pull the money together."
"Why?" I asked.
JJ cleared his throat and looked away from me. "Don't worry about it, pretty girl, I'll figure it out."
I frowned at that statement, wondering why he didn't want to tell me before figuring it out for myself.
"It's because you stopped escorting when we started hooking up," I said, knowing that was the answer without needing to phrase it as a question.
JJ winced a little then nodded. "It's my own fault really. Once I got into the swing of the escort game, I just kinda saw it as easy cash. I mean, sure, I had to blank off my emotions and play up to all kinds of bullshit, but I was raking in the dollars. I guess Luther got used to me being able to pull that kind of money in on the regular and now he expects it. I know Fox would have my back if I told him I wanted out of that side of the game, but he'd also wanna know why..."
I pursed my lips and leaned forward over the kitchen island. "Maybe it's time we told him the truth then," I suggested. "What's the worst that can happen?"
"Are you fucking kidding me? You saw the worst that could happen when he found out Chase had betrayed him. And he hadn't even gone against a direct order. In fact, fuck that - you didn't see the worst that could happen because he banished Chase instead of shooting him right there on the beach."
"Fox wouldn't have-"
"There's a whole lot you don't know about Fox these days, Rogue," JJ growled. "He's not just Luther's number two because he's his kid. He's a fucking animal when he has to be. Brutal, ruthless, and as cutthroat as they come. I've seen what he does to men who betray him and as much as I might like to think that him being my brother means something to him which might save me from that wrath, I've had more than enough evidence to prove it won't. I fucking hate lying to him and I swear I wouldn't about anything else, but..."
The look he gave me melted my heart into a puddle in my chest and I found myself walking around the kitchen island to him before my mind even caught up to what my body needed.
JJ turned on his stool and I stepped between his thighs, running my hands up his chest until they were clasped at the back of his neck and I was looking right into his honey brown eyes.
"I'm not giving this up for anything, J," I promised him, pushing my fingers into his hair and breathing him in. "You're my sunshine when I'm caught in the dark. You make me feel alive even when I'm struggling to hold myself together. You make me feel like I'm worth something even when it's hard for me to see it. You're my rock, Johnny James. I think I need you more than I need the Green Power Ranger."
A breath of laughter escaped him and I stole the smile on his lips by pressing mine to it and drinking it in. His hands came around my waist and he dragged me closer, groaning as I pushed my tongue into his mouth and wound my arms right around him.
"Don't ever let me go, pretty