Scandal: The Reckless Series, Book #3 (The Reckless Crew) (14 page)

M
y flight leaves
in four hours. It’s a late afternoon takeoff putting me into Tennessee well into the depths of the night. At the time, it was a sound plan flying in during the darkness and hiding out in a hotel until nine am the next morning. But now it seems like a death trap looming above my head.

We’re at a local steakhouse having dinner with Ava and Zane before I take off. Rhett’s parents have Charlie, letting the young parents enjoy a nice dinner. The only problem is Kip and I aren’t great company. I refuse to talk about last night, but Kip admitted to me that he told Zane everything at the gym this afternoon while I packed my bag.

He hasn’t broached the subject of going with me to Tennessee. My common sense screams to drag him along, but it’s my heart that knows I need to do this on my own. If evil is that rampant in the world, I guess it will win this battle. I’m not willing to give up and need to stand on my own two feet.

My skin still has chills from waking to that man in the room. Kip’s response scared the shit out of me as it also comforted me. I had a fucking gun in my hand ready to shoot at anyone who entered. That’s not right or just on any level.

Kip tucked a Taser and pepper spray into my bag after showing me how to use them. I’d refused taking a gun with me. It just feels vile to me.

“Darby called earlier today and everything is going great,” Ava says.

“Really?” I perk up with the great news.

“Yes, they have the little boy with them already. I guess he’s going to need lots of physical therapy to help with motor skills he should’ve already developed.”

“He couldn’t be in better hands,” Kip offers up.

I grab the top of his thigh and squeeze it. I love this man so much. Yet, hold buckets of fear close to me knowing it could all be gone within twenty-four hours. I know the night at the beach house he gave me all of him. I felt it in each of his touches.

“When do you fly back?” Zane asks.

His question shocks me and I feel uneasy talking about the subject.

“I fly out later tonight. Court is in the morning and then I’ll be flying out later tomorrow evening.”

“I’m happy for you,” he offers.

I give him a weak smile so unsure of everything.

“Do you mind if we say a prayer together?” Zane holds up his two hands, palms up.

Ava takes his palm and offers her to me. Tentatively I place my shivering palm in her and she squeezes it. Kip takes my other hand and then I watch the strong, brave man clutch his best friend’s hand openly in public. There’s no shame in it. Actually, it looks like a wave of relief has washed over Kip.

He leans over and places a kiss on my cheek before he bows his head.

Zane’s deep voice settles over our table in the bustling restaurant. “Dear God, we come to you as four of your children praying for the safety of Chloe. She’s endured enough and is doing the right thing. Please guide her on her journey laying your hands on her, protecting each one of her steps in this path. She needs your safety and love. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”

We all keep hold of each other’s hands for a few silent seconds after we all whisper amen. When we drop them, we finish our meal in silence. Our goodbyes are just as somber.

Saying goodbye to the man who saved me is something I never thought I’d have to do. It’s in his rich chocolate brown eyes that my heart truly lies. He’s my forever and I’m walking away. I fight to keep the feeling of losing him tamped down deep inside me.

“Last time I was here you were packing me,” I whisper into his chest.

“I was.”

“Thank you for letting me do this. I know it’s selfish in a way, but I need to do it.”

“I know.” His hands lace in my hair and he grips to it tightly. “This is the fucking hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”

I remain in his chest and let him hold me until the final minute. My footsteps are heavy as I walk away from him. I refused to kiss him goodbye because this won’t be a goodbye.

The city becomes tiny with all the lights just a mere speck and I regret not kissing Kip. My breathing races out of control and I know I just made the biggest mistake of my life.

S
leep never came
and am I shocked? Hell no. I texted Kip when I landed and was safe in my hotel room, he immediately called me and I talked to him for hours. Now, my hands shake so violently I can’t even get the keys in the ignition of the rental car.

I throw the keys into the passenger seat knowing I have more than enough time to get to the courthouse. My notebook peeks out of my large purse and I pull it out. I clutch the ragged pages to my chest knowing it’s my everything. After a few moments, I flip through and skim my progress up until now.

I ache for the Chloe who was broken and wrote such nasty words about herself. I smile when I see a few entries about crazy best friends and swoon when I read about the strength Kip’s given me.

When I flip the page, I see his sexy handwriting after my last entry and I smile wide.

Chloe,

Just a quick note to tell you what you are to me…everything.

Love,

Kip.

It’s simple, sweet and right to the point and just what I needed. I pick up the keys again and place them in the ignition. I fasten my seatbelt and don’t worry to look around to see if anyone is following me. With my chin held high and solid courage deep in my roots, I drive to the courthouse.

I walk in on steady legs and don’t make eye contact with anyone. I’m a few minutes early and take a seat on the bench in the hallway. It’s quiet with just a few people lingering around. None of them seem interested in me and that makes me happy.

A tall man dressed in an impeccable suit approaches me and holds his hand out to me. “Chloe, I’ll be representing your lawyer today. I have all the information I need.”

I stand and shake his hand. He doesn’t offer up any more information. I feel safe standing next to him as the doors open to the courtroom and a flood of people step out.

I sense him before I even see him. The evil vibe fills the hallway. Everything seems to collapse down on me and I feel wobbly. I focus on coping techniques my counselor helped me develop.
Focus on the good. Feel the positives. Know you’re strong, Chloe. Go to a good place and know you’re worth it.
I repeat the words over and over in my mind until I’m back to a stable state.

I feel like a fucking bouncy ball being tossed around a cemented wall by a toddler. Bouncing back and forth with no solid path. I knew this wouldn’t be easy, but good hell, I could use a break right about now.

I glance up when the lawyer nudges my arm and come face to face with my parents flanking Zack’s side as they enter the courtroom first. My father glances at me with disgust covering his features. The little girl in me cracks and a lone tear runs down my face.

I wipe it away and take my seat next to the lawyer at our table. The proceeding flows by with all sorts of fancy talk. It’s all numbing to me until I glance back and see my mother patting her eyes, drying up fake fucking tears. She and Zack’s mom are arm in arm really putting on a show for the crowd.

I lean in and whisper to the lawyer, “Do you know everything?”

He nods to me, not impressed I’ve chosen this moment to ask.

“Lay it on them, fuckers,” I hiss.

His eyebrows shoot up into his hairline with my words, but when it’s his turn to speak, he does just what I ask. It’s not easy seeing my body appear before the court on an oversized screen. It’s bruised and battered. Picture after picture of the abuse flows on the screen.

I turn to look at my parents and they’re looking back at me. I bore holes into the assholes and then turn around. By the end of the longest day of my life Zack signed the papers, didn’t fight a thing I asked for, but insisted this case be sealed.

Of course, the weasel dick wanted it sealed so his esteemed career wouldn’t be tarnished. I mean, in the end it’s still all about the façade these assholes have to keep up with. The chains of my own personal prison break link by link and I finally feel free. The scandal is over and I’m no longer trapped.

I stand to my feet and thank my lawyer. I catch someone escaping the courtroom that must have been sitting on my side, but the figure is gone so quickly I have no idea who it was. I hope like hell it was some media leach looking for a story. That would be the cherry on top of this perfect fucking sundae.

I hear someone call my name. I used to call her mother, but she no longer has a place in my life, so I don’t even stutter in my long strides out of the courtroom. The fresh air hits me. I want to sprint to the fucking airport like a lunatic fleeing from the law.

I concentrate on taking the stairs one at a time and not somersaulting down the unforgiving bastards. Once on the sidewalk, I look up to the sun and soak in it’s warmth before my eyes are focusing back in and finding my rental car.

There’s a man leaning up against it with his arms folded across his chest. I’d recognize that dazzling smile anywhere. It’s Kip. I sprint to him, not caring who is watching or how crazy I look. I’m only steps away when he throws his arms open to me and I bound into them.

Sobs wrack my entire body. Happy, freeing, and satisfied tears flow down my face into my man.

“You were in there, eh?” I finally manage to get out.

“I couldn’t stay away, baby.” He pulls back a bit to kiss the tip of my nose. “Please, don’t be mad. I had to see you bury that fuckface.”

“I could never be mad at you, Kip. Never.”

Our lips meet and I kiss him like I’ve never kissed in my entire life. I kiss like a free woman who has a whole new future ahead of her and endless possibilities dancing in her eyes.

He pulls back enough to ask me a question. “I was wondering about something.”

“What’s that?” I lick his face being goofy.

“Want to go steady?”

I laugh like a lunatic. Giggle until it hurts and look up to the sun again, thanking God for this amazing man.

We finally both climb into my rental car after I officially mauled Kip and he told me he Ubered here from my freaking hotel. He starts the engine and I’d give anything to be in his lap while he drives, but that’s not happening. He inches the car out of the parking spot and he brakes for the pedestrians crossing.

I don’t look away and stare Zack right down along with my parents. Kip chooses to flip them off and eloquently burn rubber out of the parking lot.

Kip continues to drive like he’s freaking Jeff Gordon back to the hotel room. His hand never leaves the top of my thigh as I remain leaned over kissing him. I start on his cheek and then linger down to his neck.

“I’m liking this going steady shit,” he growls.

“Me too, but I’ll like it more when your hands aren’t occupied.”

He leaps from the car and races to my side. Kip doesn’t let me get out on my own, and instead he scoops me in his arms and races to my room. I fumble like a fool to find the key and slip it into the door. He has me pressed up against a wall with my legs straddling around his waist.

We attack each other like young and very horny teens unleashed. There’s no taking time or absorbing the moment. We are consuming each other, tearing clothes and biting at skin.

Kip settles me on the bed on my hands and knees and settles behind me. “I’ve been fucking imagining taking you like this, baby.”

I moan in approval.

“Hold on because I’m going to fuck you hard.”

He holds up his end of the promise, slamming into me without warning. There’s no slow and steady pace in his movements. It’s grueling and delightful as he slams himself into me. With each movement he throws me into an orgasm that doesn’t stop. I scream his name and reach back to cup his balls as he pumps into me.

His hands squeeze into the sides of my hips, causing me to finally succumb to my orgasm with screams and cries. Kip growls loudly and releases into me, his warm liquid coating my walls and promising me the world.

C
hloe’s flight
left last night. I have some extra business to attend to here in the fine state of Tennessee. Zane and his family picked Chloe up at the airport and will be looking after her until I fly home tonight.

The fucker waltzes out of his office adjusting his tie with a smile on his face. My knuckles morph into a pure white color gripping the steering wheel. When he’s a few feet from his car, I step from my rental car and right in front of his car with my arms folded over my chest. My biceps painfully flex with the urge to release energy. I’m going to kill the bastard.

“Really?” He drops his briefcase to his side.

“Really.” I nod.

“I’ve had enough of your trash ruining my life.”

A sardonic laugh rolls of off me. “The thing about me is, I always get the last word.”

“Then get it over with. I have a business dinner to manage damage control.” He checks his watch, irritated.

He has no idea that he just gave me the perfect conversation starter. I swing hard with my right hand, clocking him in the temple. I’ll give the fucker credit since he only stumbles back, dropping his fancy ass briefcase to the asphalt.

“I’d love to have this conversation.” I grab his ear lobe, dragging him to me until he’s close enough to head butt. I lunge so hard with my head crashing into the side of his skull I see stars for a moment. He falls to the ground, groaning in pain. I tried memorizing all the entries in Chloe’s journal about the abuse she endured.

“That’s my second point and here’s my third.” I pull the dirty sock from my back pocket, go down on my knees to straddle him and stuff it in his mouth. The slimy fucker is stronger than I gave him credit for. Everything inside of me is ready to beat the living shit out of him, but I remain patient, giving him exactly what he deserves.

I reach behind me and remove the roll of duct tape from my other back pocket. I bite off a long piece, ensuring it covers his mouth from ear to ear.

I lean back and position my camera in front of him. “Say cheese, fucker.”

He doesn’t give up on the fight, struggling to say something.

“Threatening me, are you?” I slap him across the cheek. “After I leave you in the same state I found Chloe, then feel free to call the cops.”

I pat his chest and flash him a grin. “All of Chloe’s broken bones, untreated fractures are all documented. I’ll go to the media. A sealed case doesn’t mean fuck to me. So, I dare you fucker, to turn me in.”

My self-control snaps. My fist pounds into his face time and time again. Blood flies and bones crack and I don’t let up until I see a tear fall from the corner of his eyes.

“There’s no way I could do everything to you that you did to Chloe. You deserve to rot in hell.”

I check my watch and know I only have few more minutes to pay this fucker back. I take his right arm and twist up and back until the sound of bones slivering fills the air.

“You come near Chloe again or even think about thinking about her, I’ll fucking kill you and trash like me don’t break promises.”

I give his arm one last twist for good measure, spit in his face, and begin to walk away. I remember one last thing Chloe shared with me about the fucker. Her hair.

“Remember when you shoved Chloe’s face into her own blood and raped her?”

His eyes bulge out of his head and I laugh. I kick him in the ribs until the fucker rolls over on his belly. My boot presses down on his cheek, shoving his own flesh into the pool of blood that’s drained from him. I reach over into the rental car and pull out a golf club.

I’m pushing the time limit and know the security guard will be back any minute making his rounds. I’m still fucking shocked this place doesn’t have any security cameras.

I take a few healthy swings at the top of his thigh. I’m fucking Tiger Woods on a high right now. His dress pants rip and the blood pours from the gap. I don’t stop swinging until his flesh is dangling from the end of the club.

I bend over and leave with him my final message. “It’s not just Chloe. If you ever touch another woman, I’ll fucking kill you.”

When I look down at his face, my own mother’s face flashes before my eyes and then the monster that killed her and for a flash second I feel like him, but I ignore it. I fight the urge to finish him off, but there’s no way in hell I’m willing to lose my future with Chloe over this slime. I spit down on him one last time before getting in the car and driving away.

I can’t get to the airport fast enough to get back to my girl.