by Sherri Hayes
Brianna held her, not saying anything, until the girl calmed down. “Were you able to sleep last night?”
Mel wiped the tears from her eyes and lowered her head as she released Brianna. “A little.”
“We’ll give you two some time to talk,” Agent Marco said, motioning me to return to the hall with him.
Brianna met my gaze. “I’ll be next door,” I said.
She nodded.
For the next hour, I sat and watched through one-way glass as Brianna talked to Mel. Brianna told her about going to see her counselor and how it had helped her. And that having me, someone who loved her no matter what, had made things easier. Even after everything she’d gone through, she’d found a way to be happy.
It was gut wrenching to listen to. I even saw Agent Marco cringe a few times.
At eleven forty-five, Agent Marco’s cell rang. “Marco. Yeah. I’ll be right there.” He disconnected the call. “That was Agent Gibbson. Melanie’s parents are here.”
We went to get Brianna and Mel. I had no idea how this was going to go or even if Mel would want us there, but I didn’t envy either party. Mel’s parents had to be beside themselves. I had no idea how much Agent Marco had told them, but even if he’d told them everything, I knew they truly had no idea what was in store. The nightmares. The fear that cropped up out of nowhere.
Granted, Mel hadn’t suffered for ten months like Brianna, but she was also younger. Much younger. The experience would leave its mark.
Agent Marco knocked on the door, and then let himself in, not waiting for an invitation. Both Brianna and Mel looked up at his entrance. “Your parents are here,” he said.
Mel griped Brianna’s hand in what looked to be a death grip. I saw Brianna let out a loud breath. She had demons of her own she was fighting.
“Will you come with me?”
The shaky timber of her voice reminded me so much of Brianna. It had every protective instinct in my body kicking in and wanting to do something. Anything.
Brianna looked at me and I nodded. I wasn’t sure if she was asking or wanting reassurance.
Agent Marco led us back to the side of the building where his office was located. We didn’t go there, though. Instead, we got into an elevator and made our way down to the first floor.
No one said a word on the way down. Mel hadn’t let go of Brianna’s hand. Brianna looked nervous but determined. And Agent Marco stood with his back ramrod straight as if he were preparing for battle.
The elevator doors opened, and we walked down the short hallway. Agent Marco stopped in front of a door and looked at Mel. “Are you ready?”
Mel hesitated, but then she nodded.
He opened the door.
In the room stood a petite woman with short blond hair and a man who looked as if he hadn’t seen the inside of a gym in at least a decade. But that wasn’t what struck me the most. It was the relief in their eyes when they saw their daughter.
Mel’s mother let out a little noise that sounded somewhere between a squeal and a whine before rushing to embrace her daughter. Her dad followed suit, enveloping both in a hug.
Even with her parents’ exuberate response, Mel hadn’t released Brianna’s hand.
“Oh, baby,” her mom said, pulling back from the hug enough to look her daughter over. She brushed the hair away from her face and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
With the emotion of the initial greeting over, Mel’s parents seemed to register the other people in the room. Agent Marco cleared his throat. “Maybe we could all take a seat.”
Mel’s mom, unable to let her daughter go, took hold of the girl’s other hand and began leading her to a couch along the back wall. Reluctantly, Mel let go of Brianna’s hand. She looked back at the loss of contact, almost pleading with her eyes for Brianna not to leave her.
With that in mind, I took two chairs from a nearby table and placed them close to the couch. Mel was sitting in between her parents, but at least Brianna could be close to her.
I motioned for Brianna to take the seat across from Mel, leaving Agent Marco to figure himself out. He’d barely sat down at the table when the door opened again, and Agent Gibbson walked in. She was carrying a folder and a pad of paper. She took a seat beside Agent Marco.
Both agents were solemn as they addressed Mel’s parents. I thought at one point Mel’s mom was going to need medical attention as Agent Marco laid out the situation in detail and informed them how the case would proceed and what they needed from both them and Mel. From the conversation, I gathered that they hadn’t said much to them over the phone other than that Mel had been found.
Agent Marco stood. “I think we have everything we need for now. I’ll be in touch once I’ve gone over things with the prosecutor,” he said.
“Can we take her home to Texas?” Mel’s dad asked.
“I’d like it if she could stay for another day or so, just in case we need anything more from her. Then you should be able to take her home.”
Mel’s father nodded as he held onto his daughter’s hand.
“Do you all have somewhere to stay?” I asked. Knowing they’d flown in with little notice and not knowing how long they would be here, I doubted they’d even thought that far.
“Yes,” her mom said. “We’re booked at the Marriott for the night. We’ll have to see if we can stay longer. We didn’t realize you’d need us to stay.”
“Cases like these are complicated. This more than most.” Agent Marco hadn’t gone into a whole lot of detail regarding Wilks’s past other than to say that this wasn’t the first time he’d done something like this, and that Brianna had been one of his other victims.
It was probably a good thing he hadn’t gone into the fact that had we not intervened, Mel could have ended up in a similar situation as Brianna had. Her parents didn’t need those thoughts going through their heads.
The two agents left the five of us alone. As I watched Mel interact with her parents, it felt as if we were intruding on a private family moment. We needed to go and give them time to reconnect. As scared as Mel was, she was going to have to confront her fears. It was the only way out.
I turned to Brianna. “Why don’t you give Mel your number so she can call you?”
There was still a pad of paper on the table. I handed it, along with a pen, to Brianna. She scribbled down her cell phone number and handed it to Mel.
The girl took it, folded it neatly, and shoved it in her pocket.
Mel’s mom got up from the couch and hugged Brianna, then me. “Thank you, both for saving our daughter. I don’t know how we can ever repay you.”
“If you’re ever down in Texas,” Mel’s dad said, “come see us. You’ll always be welcome.”
A hushed silence fell in the room as Brianna walked over to Mel. Silent tears streamed down the girl’s face. Brianna knelt in front of her, taking Mel’s hands in hers. “You’ll be okay. You survived. Remember that. When the memories come, remember you survived.”
Mel sniffed.
“If you need to talk, call me. Sometimes talking about it makes it less scary.”
The girl collapsed into Brianna’s arms.
After a few minutes, her father put a hand on her shoulder. Mel righted herself and brushed away her tears.
“Maybe we could meet for breakfast tomorrow,” Mel’s mom suggested. She looked as if she were about ready to dissolve into tears again. I had no doubt she’d probably cry herself to sleep tonight.
“That sounds like a great idea,” her father said. “What do you say, Mel?”
“Would you?” Mel’s gaze went from Brianna to me.
“Text Brianna with the address of the hotel and we’ll meet you there tomorrow morning,” I said.
Knowing she’d see Brianna again soon seemed to help Mel relax. It was going to be a rough night. I didn’t envy any of them.
Brianna was quiet on our way home. Once we were in our condo, I guided her over to my chair in the living room and situated her on my lap. We
needed food, but that could wait. I had a feeling my girl needed to talk.
Chapter 28
Brianna
We ended up having breakfast with Mel and her mom for the rest of the week. Her dad had to fly back to Texas after that first day. He hadn’t wanted to leave, and seeing the way he was with Mel, gave me hope that one day she’d be okay. She had people who loved her and that was what was most important. I don’t know where I would have been without Stephan.
Friday afternoon, Stephan drove Mel and her mom to the airport. It was difficult to say goodbye. I knew Mel didn’t really want to leave. She’d finally broken down and told her mom why she’d run away.
The look on her mom’s face had been both chilling and comforting at the same time. She’d called that same day and told her husband who then contacted local law enforcement. Mel and her mom had an appointment with a detective Monday morning.
I gave Mel a long hug goodbye as we stood outside security. “Thank you,” she said. “I don’t . . . I don’t know if I’d be going back home if it weren’t for you. And Stephan.”
“Your parents love you. I think you can talk to them. They may not understand, but that’s okay. Stephan doesn’t always understand what I went through either, but he still helps me when the bad stuff tries to take over.”
“You’re so lucky,” she said, glancing over her shoulder to where Stephan was talking to her mom. “He’s really cute, too.”
I ignored her comment on his looks. “I am lucky. You are, too.”
Mel nodded. “I guess I am.” She hugged me again before joining her mom. “I’ll call you.”
Stephan stood by my side and we watched as Mel and her mom got in line to go through security. “You doin’ all right?”
I looked up at him, then back at Mel who’d turned back to give us a little wave before stepping up to the scanners. “Yes. Just worried about her.”
“I think she’ll be okay.” We waited until they disappeared into the terminal before heading back to our vehicle. “I spoke with her mom. Between that and dealing with Mel’s nightmares throughout the week, I think she’s as prepared as she can be. She’s going to get Mel into counseling.” He gave me a pointed look. “I gave her my advice on that as well. I don’t want Mel to go through what I did. In her current state, it could lead her to run again.”
“Mel likes you,” I said, changing to a lighter subject.
“I like her as well.”
“I mean likes you likes you.” He looked down at me with a confused look on his face and I giggled. It felt good to laugh after the last few days. “She thinks you’re cute.”
His eyes widened a little. “Aren’t I a little old for her?”
“You’re only thirty.”
We arrived at our car. He opened my door and waited until I was seated inside. “She’s only fourteen.”
"I don’t think that matters. You’re quite handsome.”
He leaned down, bringing his mouth a breath away from mine. “Handsome, huh?”
“Yes.” My breath caught in my throat as he ran his hand up my thigh, stopping to tease the edge of my panties.
“Take them off.” Then he backed away and shut the door.
It took me a moment to register what he said but I was already lifting my hips to wiggle my panties off by the time he slipped into the seat beside me. He held out his hand once I’d kicked them loose from my feet and tucked them into his coat pocket.
Stephan didn’t say more until we were out of the parking garage. “Spread your legs.”
I did, already feeling the cooler air gliding over my sex. As he drove, he reached into his other pocket, removed a small vibrator, and handed it to me. “Put it against your clit and keep it there until we’re home. You aren’t to come until I put the car in park again.”
It was a thirty-minute drive if there was no traffic. Lucky for me, it was still early enough on Friday that we shouldn’t hit too much. At least I hoped not.
Within five minutes, I was ready and that was before Stephan placed his hand on my bare thigh and began rubbing the sensitive flesh.
Another ten minutes went by and I was biting the inside of my cheek. “Sir? I don’t know if I can—”
“Yes, you can. Keep that vibrator on your clit. I don’t want you cheating. I want that clit of yours nice and sensitive by the time we get home.”
I closed my eyes and concentrated on what we’d had for breakfast this morning, the book I was reading. Anything other than the vibration between my legs.
The car eventually stopped, and I heard the most glorious words ever. “Now.”
My body detonated, fully primed from the long car ride. I struggled to keep quiet, knowing we were in public.
Stephan’s mouth covered mine, swallowing my cries, as I rode out the orgasm that seemed to last forever.
He rested his forehead against mine. “I love watching you come.”
If I hadn’t already been flushed from coming, I probably would have blushed.
Taking the vibrator from me, he put it back in his pocket, readjusted my skirt, and then got out of the vehicle. He came around to the passenger door and let me out. Once I was on my feet, he crushed me to the vehicle and covered my mouth with his. I could feel his erection pressing into my stomach and I knew what was coming as soon as we got upstairs.
He released me with a reluctance that said he wished he could take me right there against his vehicle. I knew he’d never do it, though. Too many people could see, including building security, and he wouldn’t want that for several reasons.
Circling an arm around my waist to keep me steady, he guided me to the elevator that would take us to the top floor of the building. We were alone on the ride up, but again there were security cameras, so he kept his hands to himself.
All that changed the minute we walked through the door of the condo. He was on me as soon as the door clicked shut.
I moaned as his lips devoured mine and his hands went to work on removing my clothing. My shirt was first, dropping to the floor, followed by my bra, and then my skirt. The only thing I was left in were my shoes.
Stephan picked me up and carried me to the couch. He laid me down, spread my legs, and dove in with his mouth. My clit was still sensitive from the vibrator and I screamed out as he began sucking, licking, and nipping at my sex. I wanted to come again within seconds.
When I was about to ask for permission to come again, he stood, unfastened his pants, and kicked them from his legs. He got rid of his shirt just as quickly.
He’d been gentle with me all week, afraid to hurt me after my injuries. But the cut on my side was almost completely healed. It didn’t hurt anymore, and he could be as rough as he wanted.
Once he was naked, he made himself comfortable between my thighs. This time, he began working his way from the junction between my legs up my stomach to my breasts, kissing and licking his way, taking his time. I threaded my fingers through his hair and arched my back up to meet his mouth.
“Lie still, or I’ll have to tie you up.”
I stopped moving, forcing myself not to react the way my body desperately wanted to.
His teeth scraped against my nipple and I had to grit my teeth to keep from pushing up into his mouth to beg for more. He took his time, making sure both my nipples were hard and sensitive before he resumed his journey upward.
A faint red line was still visible on my neck and he traced it with the tip of his tongue. As he continued to explore the rest of my neck, his hands returned to my breasts. He pushed, pulled, and twisted them until I was aching to have him inside me. I was more than ready, and I wanted to feel him filling me.
“Are you getting impatient, sweetheart? Do I need to get that rope and tie you down or are you going to behave?”
I hadn’t realized until then that I’d started moving my hips against him. “I’m sorry, Sir. I couldn’t help it.”
“Hmm. That didn’t answer my question. Are you going to keep your hips still or do I need t
o get the rope?”
It was hard to think at that moment. “I don’t know if I can stop it, Sir.”
To my disappointment, he pulled away and stood. Then, he was lifting me off the couch and carrying me into the bedroom.
He placed me on the bed, and then went to the closet. The few toys we had here were in a chest at the back. It felt like he was gone for ten minutes but was probably closer to a minute. He returned with two lengths of rope draped over his hands. “The rest of the rope is at the house, so we’ll have to make do.”
Taking hold of one of my ankles, he secured it to one corner of the bed, then did the same with the other to the opposite side. I still had full movement of my upper body, but even that was hindered once he climbed onto the bed and laid on top of me, pinning me down with his body.
Stephan grabbed my wrists and placed them on the bed above my head. “Keep them there. I wanted uninterrupted access to what’s mine.”
“Yes, Sir—” The words died in my mouth as he picked up where he’d left off. It wasn’t long before I was back where I was before, only this time I couldn’t move anything but my hands and my head.
By the time he entered me, I think he kissed every inch of my body he could reach between my thighs and my neck . . . multiple times. My entire body felt as if it were humming, alive, and desperately wanting him. I released a cry as he filled me.
He sat on his knees between my thighs, pulling my hips to him and thrusting at the same time. The blanket on the bed scratched against my back, adding to what I was feeling.
Then he started rubbing my clit and I cried out again.
“Are you ready to come, Brianna?” he asked.
“Yes, Sir.” I fisted the blanket in my hands trying to hold on.
Instead of giving me permission, he switched hands and began rubbing harder, swirling the moisture around and even pinching my clit. It felt amazing, but I wasn’t going to last.
“Come. Now!”
The flood gates opened, and I came. Hard. It started in my sex and vibrated throughout my limbs. I arched my back and screamed out my release.