Authors: Terra Lorin,P. S. Love
Laura nestles into my arms and gives me a kiss.
“You feeling better?” I ask her.
“Yes. Much.”
“I’m glad. I know that visit to your father took a toll on you.” I stroke her hair as I hold her close.
“I’ll get over it. I’m not going to let him become my nightmares. I’m just glad justice has been served for Spence and my mom.”
“Hey, I almost forgot,” I say as I release her. “I’m cooking tonight.”
“Oh, oh. Should Jade and I take an antacid in advance?” She chuckles cutely and I want to paddle her bottom for that remark.
“I’m barbequing steaks so don’t worry, I’m fail-proof,” I counter.
“I sure hope so, because I’ve had enough stomach-turning events for the week.”
“This is no way to build confidence in someone, you know.” I cross my arms over my chest and give her a comical stern look.
She laughs. “Sorry. I’m sure your steaks will be yummy . . . just like you.” She slides into my arms again.
I pull my head back so she can see my face and cock my eyebrow. “Oh, you ain’t seen nothing yet. The way I prepare my meat will make your toes curl.” Okay, that sounded a bit raunchy and crude and I didn’t mean it the way it came off. I honestly meant the beef. Unfortunately, I can’t take it back.
But she seems to take it in good stride and laughs.
“Hope I’ll get more toe curlings even after dinner,” she says.
“Well, if your stomach survives, room service will be knocking on your door.”
I bend to kiss her lips. She’s so luscious; I can’t get enough of her. With all that’s been going on, it’s nice to have her loving arms around me, to feel her sensuous body touching mine.
Yup, tonight I’m going to definitely curl her toes in more ways than one and I’m going to do it again and again until she begs for merciful sleep. Laura brings out the most incredible desires in me, both emotionally and physically. I’m glad she’s going to be staying here indefinitely. I can’t wait to love her more and more each day.
Laura Walker, I’m all yours.
~* Marcus *~
“Marcus, this is Agent Crowley, I have some news.”
I hope they’ve had a breakthrough. I anxiously await his next words.
“We got access into the company’s computer system and traced any unusual logins to data that might’ve been used to setup the kidnapping. There are certain levels of data that only key executives have access to. By the way, your father’s partner was very helpful and the information he provided helped us narrow things down to find the culprit.”
So it isn’t George after all.
“The culprit logged into the high level data using your father’s username and password. Thanks to a security script that logs which workstations are accessing the data, we were able to trace it back to Vivian Sanders, your father’s private secretary.”
Oh my God. And here I thought she was the one I could trust.
“Have you arrested her?” I ask.
“Yes. She had fled across the border, but we tracked her down and picked her up from the trail she left using her credit card. Seems she wasn’t too bright about that.
“She’s confessed to the kidnapping, but she said that the boat accident wasn’t her doing. Seems as though that might’ve been an actual accident.”
I don’t know how I feel about that yet. I guess I should be relieved, but my family still died, accident or not, so it’s hard to put any positive emotion on it.
“Did she plan the kidnap alone?” I ask.
“Evidently, she was in cahoots with a man by the name of Frank Johnson. He was with her when we caught them. Turns out Johnson was the older brother of the kidnapper who your sister killed.
“The two planned it and hired Cline and the younger Johnson into their scheme. Seems Cline didn’t know the identities of his employers though. He had been given a false lead just in case he couldn’t be trusted and talked if he got caught.”
I’m in shock that Vivian would do this. She must’ve tried to pin it on George, putting the attention and false lead on him to buy her time to flee. I feel terrible that I mistrusted George and was so easily swayed by Vivian to go against him.
“Did she say anything else?” I ask when Agent Crowley pauses.
“That’s the gist of it, but I’ll give you a copy of her full statement when the paperwork’s done,” he tells me.
“I’d appreciate that. Thank you again, sir, for all you’ve done. If it weren’t for the FBI, this might’ve had a tragic ending.
“That’s our job, son.”
* * *
“Hiya, sis,” I greet when I see the caller ID on my cell.
“Hi, Marcus. God I’ve missed you,” she says, her voice cheerful.
“I’ve missed you too. How’s the retreat been?” I ask.
“I have so much to tell you, but not on the phone. I’ll tell you all about it when I see you.” She sounds excited. Good sign. Seems the retreat has helped her.
“I can’t wait. I’ll be there to pick you up at noon tomorrow, right?”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary. The FBI guy who’s been assigned to me said he’ll bring me home.”
Really? I’m sure this isn’t in his assignment scope, but that sure is nice of him. Hmm, maybe he likes my sis. It’s about time Angela has some male companionship other than me.
“Okay, I’ll be waiting anxiously to give you a big hug,” I say.
“Can’t wait.” I can sense she’s smiling on the other end. “See you soon. Love you.”
“Always.”
I smile as I hang up and hold my cell to my chin. She sounded really good. Things may be looking up for Sis. I sure hope life goes well for her from here on. She’s been through so much and deserves a better life than what she’s been given so far. With everything that’s happened to her, I’m sure this retreat wasn’t a cure but at least it’s a stepping-stone towards her healing, so with her future therapy sessions and our support, hopefully she’ll heal in time. She sure sounded in high spirits, so I have a good feeling she’s going to be just fine.
I go out to the backyard where Laura and Jade are chatting away. Seeing those two come together, becoming sisters again, is awesome. Jade’s let down her walls a lot since that night she attempted to slash her wrists, and now with Spence’s death avenged, it’s as though her soul’s been set free. She’s like a different person. This must be the Jade who Laura said she was like as a child. I like this Jade—I hope she stays this way.
“Jade, no offence but I think you’re due for a new wardrobe,” I tell her as I join the two on the back porch.
They both turn to look at me. I hold my breath hoping she takes my bold comment well.
She laughs. Whew. “What? Does what I wear make you uncomfortable?”
I feel some heat rise to my face. “Yeah, it does, to be honest. But more importantly, how does it make you feel?” I ask.
She contemplates my question.
“Well, I did start dressing this way to hurt Dad, and yeah, it makes me feel trashy. But I’ve been dressing like this for so long, I don’t have anything else.”
“Okay, ladies, get off your asses cuz we’re going shopping,” I tell them with a smile.
Jade and Laura look at each other.
Laura shakes her head. “Marcus, you’ve gotta stop spoiling us. We owe you so much already that the only way to repay you is to become your slaves.”
“Hmm, that sounds like it might be fun . . . and kinky.” I grin at her devilishly.
Their eyes go wide and we all laugh.
“C’mon, it’s my treat. I won’t take no for an answer. You both can use some new clothes, right? Think of this as an early Christmas.”
Jade is on her feet ready to go, but Laura still hesitates. I grab her hands and pull her to her feet. My arms embrace her and I give her a delicious kiss.
“Don’t refuse me,” I say as I plant a kiss on her forehead, then on her cheeks, her nose, then back on her plump lips.
I then whisper in her ear in my most sexiest voice, “You can repay me with room service if you like.”
She squirms and I know I’ve aroused her.
“
Ahem.
If we don’t get going, some of us will need new panties too,” Jade sounds out.
“Jade!” Laura exclaims.
“Hey, I call it like I see it.” Jade smiles.
I let out a laugh.
“Hey, new panties aren’t a bad idea anyway. Can I help pick those out?” I tease.
Laura slaps me on the arm. Ow. Okay, I’m adding shoulder pads on my own shopping list.
“Okay, guys, let’s go before we all get arrested,” my lovely and awesome woman says.
Hand in hand, Laura and I walk behind Jade as we head out the door.
This is my family now—Angela, Laura, and Jade, and I’m going to take care of all of them, and protect them, as long as I’m alive.
As I hold open the car door for Laura, she turns to me and says, “I love you.”
Her smile captivates me and with my heart pounding away as fast as a runaway locomotive, a feeling of overwhelming love for her comes over me. I smile back at her with all the love in my heart and reply . . .
“Always.”
.
~* END *~
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