by Lauren Wood
Jake shook his head sounded more like the cop just didn’t feel like working. But he didn’t care, as long as Uncle Ray was caught.
“Hello I’m detective Dan Snyder, how can I help you?” Jake watched as a distinguished looking man approached him.
“Hi, I’m Jake Newton; I have some information about the hit and run today.” Jake began.
“You can just give that report to good old Bob there at the front desk.” Dan turned and pointed at the man who had hemmed and hawed his way out of taking the report.
“I also have some information about a disappearance from four years ago.” Jake stated.
“Oh okay. Come back to my desk, I’ll take the report.” He led the way to his desk.
Jake sat down and looked around. He knew that his Uncle Ray had done this; he could feel it in his bones.
“So tell me what you know.” Dan said.
“Well first off, the disappearance of Shelly Stock, I know what happened to her.” Jake began.
“Okay. Yeah I remember investigating that one. She moved to Florida.” Dan stated.
“No she didn’t, did you ever check with them?” Jake demanded.
“I don’t know I think my partner at the time did; let me pull the file up. Hold on. Yeah here it is Detective Browning called and checked, and she was located.” Dan explained.
“Is that Chad Browning?” Jake asked.
“Yeah sure is, good man.” Dan said.
“Well I think you may have a bigger problem than you thought then.” Jake said.
“Why is that?” Dan asked.
“Chad Browning is my Uncle Ray’s best friend. They grew up together. He would protect my Uncle with his life, and seems like he helped to cover this up. My Uncle Ray told me the other night that he chopped up my Aunt and fed her to the pigs.” Jake stated.
“What? Why would he do that, they just got a divorce.” Dan looked shocked. “Raymond Stock is a big businessman in the city; he wouldn’t do something so bad.” Dan was trying to process what Jake had told him still. “Hold on a minute. First off we need to talk to the Captain, come with me.” Dan stood up and led the way into the Captain’s office.
“Captain Case, we need to see you now.” Dan said.
“Sure come on in, what’s up?” The Captain said.
“This here is Jake Newton and he has some information on a possible disappearance case that was cleared four years back.” Dan explained.
“Okay.” Captain Case looked at Jake.
“My Uncle killed my Aunt and fed her to the pigs. He told me the other night as he was telling me his plans to kill the mayor. Detective Snyder here said that Chad Browning was on the case too. He’s my Uncle childhood friend, best friend, and he covered it up to keep my Uncle out of jail.” Jake explained.
“Wait did you just say he was talking about plans to kill the mayor?” Dan sat forward in his chair.
“Yeah I hadn’t gotten to that part yet. That’s why I think he was the guy driving the car that crashed the mayor’s car today. He blames the Mayor for my Aunt not wanting to get back with him. But the truth was that he was beating my Aunt and she was afraid for her life. The mayor was trying to help her get out of town. My Uncle stopped her though, he killed her. You know someone had to have seen that today; it’s in a busy area. Why didn’t anyone report seeing that accident? Have you guys thought about this?” Jake asked.
“Who’s on the desk?” The Captain looked at Dan and asked.
Dan closed his eyes and shook his head. “Browning is on the desk today.” He said.
“Go get him now.” Captain Case ordered Dan.
“Yes sir.” Dan left the office.
“Now son are you sure about all of this. You could be sending not only your Uncle but a man who I thought was a really good cop down the river.” The Captain looked at Jake.
“I wouldn’t make it up sir. Up until today I would have protected my Uncle with my life too. But I learned a few things about him, and now know that he’s not the man I thought he was. Sir it’s not right, you know Lalena Swan was the one injured in that accident, she may not make it.” Jake told the Captain.
“Yes I had heard she was in the car, she’s the mayor’s head of security now. It’s a horrible thing indeed, and if we find out that your Uncle is the person who committed this crime he will be arrested. I just can’t believe that Browning was a part of this.” He commented and shook his head.
There was a knock on the door and Jake looked back to see Chad Browning walk in with Detective Snyder.
“Hey Jake, everything alright?” Chad asked Jake.
Jake shook his head. “No Chad it’s not. I know you lied to protect Uncle Ray. He told me what he did to Aunt Shelly last night. How could you protect him? He killed her?” Jake asked.
Chad’s face hardened quickly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I called Florida and talked to her myself.” Chad stated.
“So you won’t mind taking a lie detector test to verify that?” The Captain spoke up.
Chad turned to the Captain quickly. “What? You believe him?” Chad asked.
“Just answer my question, are you willing to submit to a lie detector test right now?” The Captain asked once more.
“I think I want to call my lawyer.” Chad stated.
“Lock him up after he makes his call.” The Captain said to Dan. “Send the squad out to pick up Stock too.” He ordered.
“Yes sir.” Dan led Chad out of the office.
“Son I want to thank you for coming forward today that was a really brave thing to do.” The Captain stood up and shook his hand. “You know you’ll have to be present to testify in court though, right?” He asked.
Jake shook his head. “I’ll be there.”
Chapter 9
Rico sat beside the bed it had been ten days now and he had barely left her side the whole time. He held her hand like every other day he had been beside her.
“Please baby pull through this, if you do I’ll give you anything you want in this world.” Rico said.
He felt her fingers move against his hand. Rico looked up and saw her open her eyes slowly. He hit the nurse button and let them know she was waking up.
The nurses came in and checked her vitals and welcomed her back to the real world. Finally they left and Rico resumed his spot by the bed. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m so happy you’re awake. Oh my God I thought I had lost you.” He kissed her again. “Please don’t ever leave me again. I love you.” Rico said.
Lalena looked up at him and smiled a tear formed on her eye and it slowly slid down her cheek. Rico wiped the tear up and kissed her again on the top of the head.
“I love you too.” She said.
“Will you marry me?” Rico asked, and pulled out a ring box from his pocket. “It’s my mother’s ring, I hope you like it.”
“Oh it’s beautiful.” She cried. “I love it!” She tried to sit up and give him a hug.
“No don’t try to sit up so quickly. Here let me raise the bed up.” Rico hurried to hit the button.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. “Rico Zess I love you so much. I swear I fell for you that first night when you whispered in my ear.” She admitted.
“You had me under a spell as soon as I looked in your eyes that night. I tried to fight the feelings. But I had to have you for myself, forever. I love you.” Rico commented.
They kissed.
“Excuse me.” They heard a voice and pulled apart.
“Jake, what are you doing here?” Lalena looked shocked.
“I was checking on you. Glad to see you woke up. Hi Rico, how are you?” Jake said.
Lalena looked between the two men confusion on her face. “I’m not sure I understand.” She said finally.
“Jake and I have been talking since you’ve been in a coma. We learned a lot from one another, and we’re good now.” Rico explained.
“Yeah there was a lot of things I didn’t know
about, and well in all honesty you know I wasn’t really planning on staying in town. I know I loved you, but I couldn’t offer you the things you needed. Rico here and willing to do it, but he knows if he hurts you he has me to answer too.” Jake stated.
“Like I told you Jake, she’ll be taken care of by me. I won’t ever hurt her. She’s in good hands.” Rico told him.
“So did she say yes?” Jake asked.
“Yes, I just got done asking her.” Rico said.
“Congratulations you two, I’m really happy for you.” He said.
“Thank you Jake, really for everything.” Lalena said.
“So when is the wedding?” Jake asked.
“Whenever the lady is ready, I’m ready.” Rico commented.
“Oh I don’t know I would do it now if we could.” Lalena said.
“I’m the mayor of course it’s possible. Jake do you mind being my best man?” Rico turned to him.
“Of course I’ll be your best man.” Jake said.
Rico made a few calls and shortly there was a priest in the room.
Lalena couldn’t believe this was happening; she pinched herself during the ceremony.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The priest said.
Rico kissed Lalena and whispered, “We’ll have to wait for our honeymoon celebration until you’re out of here.”
She shivered in anticipation of that day. “When will I be allowed to leave?” She asked.
“We’ll ask your doctors a little later on today when they stop in.” Rico told her.
**
“I’m so happy to be home.” Lalena smiled as they walked in the door. “I wish it would have been sooner though.” She admitted.
“I was lucky to get it cut down to 4 more days stay. They wanted to keep you at least a week.” Rico laughed. “Don’t worry; the first place we are going is to the bedroom. I’m going to enjoy making love to my wife.” He said seductively.
“I’m looking forward to it too.” She smiled.
He picked her up and carried her over the threshold. He didn’t stop and headed straight up the stairs and stopped in the bedroom. “My lovely wife, I would now like to ravish you for the rest of the day!” Rico stated.
She looked into his eyes and saw the passion that sparked in them. She sighed and took her clothes off.
He watched her the whole time she undressed. He smiled at her, you are so beautiful.
“Even with these scars, you still think I’m beautiful?” She asked, looking down at the scars from the car door that had hit her on the side.
“Your beauty is here.” He said and pointed to her heart. “I love you Lalena.” He kissed her.
She stuck her tongue into his mouth and attacked his tongue with hers. She moaned as he pushed her back onto the bed.
Rico looked at her body and then lowered his head to her sex. He smelled her juices and lightly ran his finger up her slit. Lalena arched her back with pleasure.
He pushed his finger into her slowly and licked her clit lightly. She moaned loudly. He sucked her clit into his mouth and nibbled on it. She screamed out as a climax shot through her.
Rico licked up the juices that flowed from her pussy from her orgasm. He came up and kissed her on the mouth. His cock spread her lips and entered her love cave. They moved together slowly.
“I love you Mrs. Zess.” He said as he pushed into her again.
“I love you too Mr. Zess.” Lalena purred.
He kept good on his promise of making love to her for hours. They fell apart exhausted and spent hours later. Rico pulled her close to him. “I never want you away from me. I really thought I lost you.”
“I’m here baby, don’t worry I’m not going anywhere.” She kissed his chest and ran her fingers through his chest hair.
Chapter 10
The trial for Raymond Stock and Chad Browning was starting today. Lalena sat in the courtroom. Raymond Stock had almost killed her and she wanted to see him go to jail.
Jake was on the stand testifying right now. She listened intently as he told the story that Raymond had shared with him that one night. Lalena couldn’t believe that this man had killed his wife and fed her to the pigs.
He was a big man in town, a man who had it all. He could have easily found another wife.
Stock got up on the stand, even though his attorney had suggested he not go up.
The story he weaved was completely different from Rico’s story, that he had told Lalena the day before. He claimed that Rico had slept with his wife. Stock said that because of Rico he wasn’t able to be with his wife, who he loved very much.
The DA got up and questioned Stock who stuck to his story. But there was far too much evidence against stock, when Chad Browning testified. He had been given a deal to roll on his child hood friend. If he told the truth he wouldn’t have to go to jail.
Browning had been a cop for years now and had put several men in jail. It would be the jail he would be sent to if he was convicted.
“Please state your name for the jury.” The lawyer said.
“I’m Chad David Browning.” Chad said.
“What is your relationship with Raymond Stock?” The lawyer questioned.
“I’ve known Ray for all my life; we grew up beside one another.” Chad answered.
“Did you help hide the fact that Raymond Stock killed his wife four years ago?”
“Yes I did. I made up a story about talking to her in Florida, but I knew he had beaten her to death. He had a problem with hitting her; I would always suppress any reports that came in about it.” Chad stated.
“Do you know if Raymond Stock was driving the car that hit the mayor’s car on February 13, of this year?”
“Yes it was his car. There was a report that came in from an eye witness. I didn’t report it.” Chad said.
“Thank you Mr. Browning that will be all.”
“Judge I’d like to approach the bench.” Stock’s attorney stood up and said.
“Please come up.” The Judge said.
The two attorneys walked up to the bench. “Sir we’d like to plea bargain.” Stock’s attorney said.
“No we got him convicted I’m not offering any deal.” The DA answered.
“You heard his answer.” The Judge said. “Go back to your seats.”
“The state rests.” The DA said when he got back to the table.
“Do you have any more witnesses?” The Judge asked Stock’s attorney.
“No sir.” He shook his head.
The orders were given to the jury, who only took ten minutes with their decision.
“How do you find Mr. Stock on the charges of attempted murder?” The Judge asked.
“Guilty.” The foreman of the jury answered.
“How do you find Mr. Stock on the charges of first degree murder in the death of Shelly Stock?”
“Guilty.”
“Mr. Stock I hereby sentence you to life in prison. With an added 20 years for the attempted murder charge.” The Judge announced and slammed the gavel on the bench.
Lalena hugged Rico in the gallery. “Oh thank goodness. You know that Sally had a feeling that it was him the whole time. I should have listened to her.” She told him.
“It is okay honey, I didn’t think it was him either. Even with the story I knew about him.” Rico answered.
THE END
Sports Romance Collection
HAVING THE QUARTERBACK’S BABY
Prologue
Chase Richards had it all: money, fame, a big house, fast cars, and women standing in line to have sex with him. But most of all, he had a promising career as an NFL quarterback, that is until his world comes crashing down the night he gets drunk and slams his Porsche into a tree.
Chase was lucky to be alive. He escaped death, but his right arm – the arm he threw all those touchdowns with – was broken is six places.
Like Humpty Dumpty, the doctors could put Chase back together again, but his arm – and his life -- woul
d never be the same.
Mollie Carter had loved Chase Richards from the moment they high school. He was the budding football star and she was the head of the yearbook committee. They couldn’t have been more different. Maybe that’s what made their attraction so strong. No one would have imagined they would ever part; least of all Mollie.
Then, Chase is drafted into the NFL and everything changed. Mollie never saw Chase again after he went off to training camp. He broke up with her over the phone a few months later.
Now, two years later, Mollie learns that Chase has been in a horrible wreck and is barely clinging to life. As she looks down at the beautiful little boy sleeping in her arms, she wonders if she will ever see Chase again.
Then Mollie hears that Chase is coming home, a broken man with no money or prospects.
What will Chase do when he learns that he has a son by the only girl he’s ever loved?
And will Mollie be willing to help Chase put the pieces of his broken life back together again after he broke her heart all those months ago?
Chapter 1
Chase Richards
I sat in the chair next to the window in my tiny private room at the Atlanta Memorial Rehabilitation Center watching ESPN on the TV that hung high on the wall facing the bed.
I had the volume down because loud noises still give me headaches. I wasn’t paying attention anyway. I was just wondering if they’d say anything about me getting released from rehab today.
Even after all these months of being out of the public eye, the narcissist in me still longs to hear my name and see my picture on TV or in the tabloids or on the web.
Sadly, the most-view photo of my entire life in the spotlight is the one of the paramedics pulling me from the wreckage of my car. It’s hard for me to look at without crying. The sights and smells and sounds of that night crash into my brain like angry waves against the shore. My eyes fill with tears as phantom pains rip through my body. No, I won’t look at the picture. Not eve again.