One Night

By Jodi James

A tragic past. A mysterious, fascinating woman. A deadly new case.

A Protective Hero Romantic Suspense from best-selling, award-winning author Jodi James.

Firefighter Engineer Jackson "Jax" Honeycutt thought he found the woman who could finally chase away the ghosts of his uncle and aunt's untimely deaths. Bu

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Venture Press Inc
• Release date: Apr 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781737811954

Jodi James

Jodi James was born in California, raised in the heartland of Iowa, she wrote her first book in Colorado and currently resides in Florida. Blessed with a successful career in the hair and beauty industry spanning three decades. Married to her best friend, he is the heart of all her stories.She's fulfilling a lifelong passion for writing. Her journey has transcended and evolved from reading to being inspired by the authors that wrote the words.She believes in the happily-ever-after. Writing makes her heart sing.If you like small-town intrigue, surprising twists, and simmering chemistry, then you'll love her heart-stopping stories from her thrilling Brothers of Solemn Creed series. Legacy, In The Heat Of It All, To The Core, and One Night.Her first Rom-Com Merry Frickin' Christmas, was a short story in the Holly Jolly Rom-Com Anthology, celebrating the holidays and bringing you all the feels.She writes about tormented heroes who believe they are unworthy of love and the strong women who show them anything is possible. Honoring perseverance, positivity, and passion.Jodi James, Best Selling & Award Winning AuthorSaving Hearts One Hero At A Time

Book preview

Chapter 1

Sure as hell, shit had hit the fan again in Solemn Creed Colorado. Drugs, bikers, guns, kidnappings, and the DEA flipped this sleepy mountain town upside down. It was time to cool off the flames with a cold one. Someone they knew almost got killed. Firefighter, Jackson Jax Honeycutt and Military Liaison, Jeffrey Richards strolled down the street from Solemn Creed Trauma Center and through the doors of Johnny’s Bar. A stride they had made more than once over the past two years. Nate Roberts in typical form was wailing a tune accompanied by the jukebox in front of a packed house of patrons.

Jackson had remembered hearing Nate sing most of his life. They bellied up to the bar and ordered a celebratory round of beers from the news that Analina Ortez was out of surgery and would recover from her gunshot wound. Her starry-eyed beau his cousin, Cade Winslow, was at her side professing his love. Jackson knew it was only a matter of time before the two were together. After all they’d been through, they should have their happily ever after.

I hope Lina will be okay? Jax said.

Me, too. Tough is in her DNA as long as I have known her, she’s resilient as granite. Her family was against her going to college and being a career woman. They wanted her to marry young and have babies. She put herself through college on her own, worked during it, and fought for what she believed in. Jeffrey clinked his mug of ale against Jax’s glass. She fought for children to have a better life. Who knew all of that would land her in the middle of Cade’s DEA case? Being kidnapped and fighting for Cade was expected. And with Cade at her side, she won’t have a choice but to recover.

Damn straight. I’ve never seen Cade like this. Talk about a tough guy. All he’s been through, his childhood from the bottom feeders that were cruel and didn’t deserve him, the military, survived bullets, a roadside bomb, police and then DEA training. He never crumbled from all that stuff. Other than when Connor was in the fire and the building collapsed. I haven’t seen anyone penetrate his shield, but with Lina that’s as close as I’ve seen him near breaking point. I mean it was destroying him and he’s a tough motherfucker. Those two are great together.

They sure are, we called that one coming a mile away. The guys clanked their mugs again before they took a long swig.

Nate finished his rendition of Pearly Shells as the crowd roared for another song. Jax stood and whistled to the crooners’ delight. He eyed the end bar stool Nate always occupied and viewed his almost empty blackberry brandy next to his old wooden pipe and cherry scented tobacco. We’ll have two more and get Nate one and put it on my bill.

The bartender delivered the drinks in front of them. Thanks, Honeycutt. I so need this drink after the past events that have to come to light this year. Jeffrey pulled the beverage closer.

Yeah, me too. I’m drained just thinking about all of this. First Connor almost dying in the warehouse fire and what Ellie went through at the hands of James Devland and her hit and run. Lina and Cade with the Ryder dude and motorcycle club. I wonder what else will happen? He lifted his beer and downed half his ale. I don’t think I want to know. The fam needs a break from all of this shit.

I second that my friend, Jeffrey said. I just can’t get over the fact that James Devland was up to his beady eyes and slimy personality in all this. I wish he never resurrected from his grave. If I didn’t hate him earlier for all he did to Ellie, he almost got her best friend and family killed too. Jeffrey pinched his bottom lip. And… with Cade’s birth parents, they are evil to the core. Who would have thought our lives would have so much in common before we even met one another? I guess this puts a new spin on the six-degrees of separation.

You aren’t kidding. You can’t make this shit up. But something in my gut feels we’ve only scratched the surface on this mess and it’s far from over.

Oh, please don’t say that.

Nate walked over to the bar. Well, if it isn’t Jackson Honeycutt in the flesh.

How are you tonight, Nate? You sounded good.

Thank you. He eyed another glass with the deep purple hue. Did you buy me another drink, son?

Jax nodded.

You are such a good man. I appreciate it. Hey, are you still single or do you have a pretty lady? Or several lined up like every whippersnapper out there?

Still single. Waiting for the right one to come along. Jackson thought of the redhead he couldn’t get off his mind since he first met her.

You know I should introduce you to my granddaughter. Maybe you can go out on a date. You two have a lot in common.

Oh, no you don’t. No set ups, but I appreciate it.

The crowd chanted for Nate to sing another song. He waved at them, lifted his glass and took a drink. Ah. This stuff is not only helping my stomach, but it soothes the vocal cords. Better get back to my fans. Let me know if you change your mind about meeting my granddaughter. She’s something special. Nate waved his hand above his head as he walked away.

I’m sure she’s nice and all, but no thank you.

Dodged that bullet, hey. Where were we? Jeffrey asked.

This mess. You know, when we talked to Cade at the police station, I couldn’t believe the bike club had something to do with the drugs and his case he was working on. The more I think about it, the more I find myself feel like I am missing something important and that nags all too familiar. Jax shook his head and tapped his fingers on the bar. I’m not a detective, but I can’t shake it either.

What are you talking about?

When we were at the hospital earlier Connor said he needed to tell me something and the look on his face has the pit of my stomach getting worse by the second. He said it was important and had to do with his parents. Jackson looked down at his beer as he swirled the amber liquid around. I think a lot about my aunt and uncle. I still hear echoes of the explosion and smell the smoke as the vehicle burned. He shook his head. I grieve to this day of their tragic loss. When I see Connor’s twins, I only miss them an iota of what Connor and Cade must. My Aunt Beth and Uncle Thomas would have been over the moon for those kids.

That’s weird, don’t you think he said it had to do with them?

Yes, I do. I thought about calling him, but they’ve been to hell and back lately. He said we’d talk in a few days when things die down. He’s holding tight to his wife and kids right now, and I don’t blame him. I’m sure we will all get together when Cade brings Lina home and recovers. Guess that’s what we all need to do is be thankful no one got hurt worse than they did.

They are all coming to my house to stay and the twins will be there. There is no way they can go back to their house until the repairs are done. I’m glad to give them a safe haven for a few days.

Do you need a place to crash? You can stay at my place. There’s plenty of room, and when I’m on shift you can have the place to yourself. I have a spare room.

I’d appreciate that, but I think I need to be there at the house. I want to spend as much time with them before I leave town. They’ve all been through a lot together; they probably need the time to talk it out and I’d like to help.

Jackson smacked him on the back. You’re a good man, Jeff.

Thanks. I try. I only wish Ellie and I had met your aunt and uncle when they were alive. They sound like exceptional people. By looking at Connor and Cade, I know they were outstanding parents. Both of them have my respect. We’re jazzed to be a family.

I couldn’t agree more, my cousins are the best guys I know. He nodded and took a drink of his beer.

You’re not so bad yourself, Honeycutt. Just saying. Let’s get some grub.

Yeah, whatever.

Jax laid in his bunk at the station, his shift was almost over. Damn pillow was hard as a rock. He tossed it across the room and laced his fingers behind his head. His phone buzzed; it was a message from Cade.

I need to meet you and Connor ASAP this can’t wait, it’s about Mom and Dad.

When and where? I’m off in an hour, but I have to run to the hospital first.

I’ll meet you at the hospital and then we can meet Connor and the rest of the family.

Memories swirled and swirled. The accident where his family lost their lives gave him a sucker punch, and he remembered it like it was yesterday.

He was in the car with his Mom and Captain Dan McClain as they pulled up to the scene of a vehicle and truck on fire. At first, he wasn’t even aware it was them, but he saw Connor running and everything was in slow motion. His mother screamed her brother Thomas’ name and Dan cussed and jumped out of the car before it was barely in park. Dan grabbed the fire extinguisher he had in the trunk and his bunker gear and darted to put out the flames. Connor was still trying to get his Dad out of the vehicle. Uncle Thomas pushed Connor away and the next thing he saw was Connor flying as it exploded. Shrapnel plummeted down and Connor slid across the gravel. Dan was thrown in the other direction and laid on the pavement.

Mom took off after Cade. He was on the side of the road with Aunt Beth. Connor covered in blood, belly crawled frantically across the pavement to get to them. Is this real? It was something out of a horror movie, but it was his family and all he could do was watch as motorcycles sped by. Their engines loud. So loud. He was sucking air. Inhaled exhaust. Three of them. Three motorcycles. One guy in the lead. Another guy swerved behind the truck. A body on the hood. He blinked. This shit was real. Another motorcycle with a guy and the girl. She looked right at me. Scared. So scared.

Each step was heavy, but he pounded the asphalt to his family. They wept. Mom tried to save Aunt Beth. My Aunt Beth passed away. He held all of them for dear life. The memories ingrained. Imprinted in the soul. My aunt and uncle, Mom’s only brother, Dan’s best friends and Connor and Cade’s parent’s dead.

He wiped the sweat off his brow, shook off the horror. Jax leapt up and threw his stuff in his duffel bag and headed for the showers. He had to get his last-minute duties done before he could leave and head to the hospital.

That day was one of the saddest for his family. How could they ever rally from the heartbreak? From the shock? His mission from that day forward was to lead, to comfort, and he did it the only way he could. With humor. He had to manage the horror he saw. And what his mother and cousins witnessed. That was his job, even now. Connor, Ellie, Cade, Lina, Mom, Dan and his little sis were his to defend.

Everyone went to counseling for six months together. He needed to protect them. He could shoulder the weight. After six months Cade enlisted into the military, but his cousin ridden with guilt, Connor never seemed to recover. Over the years, Solemn Creed rebuilt the town after the heartache. Connor was different after he met Ellie and it was a straight up a blessing she came into his life.

Jackson growing up at the station with his uncle and cousins were the best memories and no matter how difficult his Uncle and Dan said some of their calls were, it didn’t detour Connor or him from wanting to be firefighters just like them. The day of their pinning ceremony was also the worst nightmare for their family. The tables forever turned. He and Connor had to stick together especially when Cade left. They had to have each other’s back at station house 56 with Dan. They were a family in more ways than one. When Cade came home for good from his army tour the trio were back together again, but loss reared its ugly head on his family when Connor almost perished in a warehouse fire. Jax was stupid to risk his own life and go back in to save his best friend, but he’d do it again. A common thread in their DNA that worked.

What was Cade going to tell him? And why did this have something to do with his aunt and uncle?

Chapter 2

Blaze Andrea Johnson had spent her entire life trying to keep up with her father and older brothers, but the same rules did not apply to her as they did for them. She always wanted to help people, but Daddy and his overprotective gene forbid her from entering the family business. Andy wanted to help the firefighters in some way, and becoming a firefighter was against the rules. The last straw was when her sister ran away. She turned her anger into becoming a nurse and changed her name to make her way on her own. She had a stubborn gene herself, and the new Andy Roberts was doing it her way.

While working her shift at Solemn Creed Trauma Center, she heard a page for Blaze Johnson. This was not an emergency or work related. This was personal, and she knew exactly who it was. Oh, jeez. You have got to be kidding me. Daddy, you better stop embarrassing me. Two things distracted her. Number one was Jackson Honeycutt. She peered around the corner. She was breathless and her pulse quickened. She winced when she heard her name announced over the intercom again. Maybe, if she ignored it, he would go away and leave her in peace for her break to watch Jax for another private moment. She had it bad for him.

Andy, there’s your scorcher, again. Suzanne brushed against her and whispered.

Andy jumped. If she had claws, she’d be stuck to the ceiling. Girl, you scared the living poo out of me, she squealed. Do not sneak up on me like that.

I didn’t. Girlfriend, you were in a trance drooling all over yourself. I was simply getting a bedpan. Can’t believe you’re lurking in the corner like a stalker.

Was not.

Why don’t you get it over with and talk to him or something. It’s not like you haven’t already. He’s delivered toys for those precious babies here every Thursday like clockwork. When you see him, you go AWOL. It’s been a year except for that one night when you drank up some liquid courage.

You know I can’t just walk up to him now.

Why not? Hello! Suzanne snapped her fingers and waved her hand in the air. I think it’s the perfect time to saunter straight to him and apologize for bailing on him that night. All you have to do is say hello you, hunk-a-hunk-a-burning love.

Shut up. I will not do that ever—ever. Andy drew out the last word and pointed her finger at her friend. Tsk. Tsk. You know why I can’t do such a thing. My father will jinx it.

You need to get over the thought every guy is trying to get a leg up in their career like the dummies before.

How can I not? That’s exactly what happened, and more than I care to admit. I’m tired of everybody referring to me as the Fire Girl. Why do you think my sister ran off? And I went away to college? Even though not much changed after I got back. It’s hard living in Daddy’s shadow. I never wanted to swoon over a firefighter, but here I am. A firefighter just like my father.

You had to go to extreme measures to get out from under your father’s reputation and name though. Speaking of your father, here he comes, and he’s with your brothers.

Oh, boy, the incredible Johnson trio. I love them and all.

Do you think he found out about you know—the other job at emergency dispatch? Suzanne asked. Hard to get anything past him in this town. He seems to have a pulse on everything that goes on.

Nope, he’s smiling. I can usually tell when I’m about to get a tongue lashing. She snickered. Oh, guess what? I just found out they picked me out of fifty candidates from dispatch to be on the mobile team. I am so excited. Andy gave her co-worker a high-five.

I’m not surprised, girlfriend. You have earned it, Andy. I know how hard you studied and working two jobs while you did it is respectable.

Thank you. I’m a little fried, but I know it will pay off. She fidgeted. I better go see what my father wants. Is the coast clear? Andy craned her neck.

Yes, go. Hurry. Your superhero is nowhere to be seen at the moment.

There’s my pretty, Blaze.

Daddy, seriously. She stopped dead in her tracks. I don’t go by that name anymore.

I still don’t get why you don’t.

Really? Come on. You’re being serious? She wrapped her arms around herself and bit the inside of her cheek. It’s embarrassing enough Cinder and I had to go by those names and got teased a lot. Fire Girl, this. Fire Girl, that. And that’s not the half of all of the other names they plagued us with. It was forever ago, and I still can’t shake the nickname.

Come on Sis, it’s cute.

Oh, stop. Brady. And don’t even give me that look, Roman. She looked to one of her brothers, then the other. You have normal names. Let’s all admit that our parental unit’s subjected half of us, meaning us girls, to cruel jokes. Maybe Dad should have called you Ash or Heat. How about Spark or Burn? How would you like it? Hey Sparky. You know all the boys teased us, including you two.

Her brothers looked at one another and shrugged. Sorry Sis, it was all in fun. They were not fazed and not any better than her Dad when it came with over-protecting her against anyone of the male species. Like father, like sons.

Sorry, Pumpkin. I’ll play by your rules and call you Andrea when you’re at work, but in my house, I call you your given name first and last name.

She rolled her eyes. How many times do I have to tell you, it’s not about you? I did it for me. This was going nowhere like all the other conversations, so she changed the subject as fast as she could. Daddy. Why are you here anyway? I should get back to work.

Can you come to the house on Sunday? Mom wants everyone together. It’s been awhile since we did.

Andrea looked over her left shoulder and darted her gaze down the hall. She lunged forward and took her Dad over to the corner, and her brothers followed. Is Gramps coming?

I’ll make sure of it.

Hey, why are you acting all weird, Sis? Brady asked.

Yeah, what are you up to? Roman questioned.

Andy tucked her hair behind her ear and repeated the action again. Nothing. I just have to get back to work and I’d prefer leaving our personal family stuff outside of the hospital.

You only do that thing with your hair when you’re nervous. Brady said as he pointed.

Are you embarrassed of us?

No, Daddy. I’m not.

Come on, Pipsqueak. You can’t give us that, Roman said.

She gripped the papers in one hand and willed her other to not tuck her hair again. Professional courtesy. I’ve got to go. Patients to see. Come on group hug, fellas.

Andy spun around and darted to the nurse’s station when she saw Jax head in her direction with a little boy and his mother at the end of the corridor. She ducked into the doorway of the break room and hid behind the door, fanning herself with the