Bullets & Bonfires

by Autumn Jones Lake

  “You’d risk your job for this girl?”

  “Absolutely.”

  He cocks his head and studies me through narrowed eyes. “You marrying this girl?”

  “That’s really none of your business.”

  “You’re being a real insubordinate ass right now, Hollister.”

  “Yes. I’m marrying her.”

  He lets out a long, slow breath and flicks his gaze to the wall behind me. “Take a vacation.”

  “What? I didn’t do—”

  “It’s not a punishment. You’ve racked up plenty of time. Use it.”

  “All right.”

  And I know exactly where my first stop will be.

  The Joseph family lives in an affluent suburb right outside Empire City. The homes here are not the run-of-the-mill McMansions you find in most suburbs. Most of them date back to the nineteenth-century. Federal judges, neuroscientists, and venture capitalists call this area home.

  A lot of crooked-as-fuck politicians and their lackeys do too.

  I park my truck in the circular driveway and stroll up the sidewalk. Officially on vacation, I’m wearing jeans and a simple, untucked, button-down shirt.

  I ring the bell and a woman I don’t recognize opens the door. “I need to speak with Mrs. Joseph about her son’s case.”

  I hold the manila envelope to my chest and follow the woman further into the house. Mrs. Joseph is at the dining room table speaking on the phone in a low voice. She ends the call when I enter.

  “I’m here to speak to you about your son’s case.”

  No dummy, Mrs. Joseph looks me up and down. “Who are you?”

  “Liam Hollister. A friend of Brianna’s.”

  Her expression hardens and she stands. “Get out before I call the police.”

  “Ma’am, are you actually aware of what he did to her? Why he was in jail in the first place?” I ask as I approach the table.

  “They got into a silly argument.”

  “He gave her a black eye.”

  “She probably provoked him,” she argues.

  That stops me cold. Is she that delusional about who her son really was? “Are you kidding, lady?”

  I unclasp the manila envelope in my hand. “Sit down,” I order in my hardest voice.

  She sits and I lay out a row of photos in front of her. From the first beating. The one that landed Chad in jail.

  They’re harsh. Brutal.

  “Please tell me what kind of provocation warrants this?”

  She shoves the pictures away. “My son wouldn’t do that. She must have done it to herself.”

  “That is a deep river of denial you’re swimming in, lady.”

  I pull out more pictures. From the day her son was killed. The bruising around Bree’s neck. “This is what he did not even two hours after you posted bail and he was told to stay away from her. You trying to tell me she deserved that too?”

  “I…” Tears well up in her eyes, but I don’t give a shit if I’ve upset her. Her son turned out to be a monster who tormented Bree and got what he deserved. I refuse to have Bree be bullied by this family ever again.

  “You need to drop this she-lured-him-to-the-house bullshit and let them close this case. I’m sorry you lost your son, but he gave her no choice.”

  I place my hands on the table and lean forward. “Do you understand me?”

  She glares right back.

  I lower my voice because I want her to listen very carefully. “If you don’t drop this nonsense, I will leak these pictures to the press and let everyone know what kind of son you raised. Not everyone’s going to be as blind as you are.”

  She uses one finger to pull the first picture closer and studies it for a while. “I always thought she was so good for him. They seemed happy together,” she says.

  “Chad fooled a lot of people.”

  She winces. “I don’t understand it. He wasn’t abused. We raised him better than that, I swear we did.”

  I’m not here to dissect her parenting skills, but I can’t imagine the pain she’s going through right now. “Some people just aren’t wired right, Mrs. Joseph. That’s not your fault.”

  “We gave him everything.”

  Maybe that’s the problem.

  But I think I’m making progress with her so I don’t voice that opinion.

  “Will you do the right thing?” I ask.

  Her jaw tightens and she meets my stare. “Yes.”

  “Thank you. Get Chris some help, Mrs. Joseph.”

  This woman’s done taking orders from me. Her eyes narrow. “Get out,” she spits at me.

  I gather up all but one of the photos because she’s still holding on to it. Maybe she needs the reminder, so I let her keep it.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  After a few weeks of moping around, I finally feel ready to do something besides hide out. Don’t get me wrong, if a person needs to hide out there’s no better place than the Hollister compound. But I’m also restless.

  Liam and I are staying at his parents’ to help Kimber with her recovery. I’m sure our friends think that’s weird, but I’m happy and it feels like home. Always has.

  It’s also a way for us to save money since Liam hasn’t gone back to work yet. Something that I know is my fault, but Liam assures me is fine.

  It’s a hot July afternoon, but up in the mountains there’s actually a breeze, so Kimber and I are sitting in the backyard.

  “Where are you, baby girl?” Liam calls out.

  “Out back!”

  Kimber picks up her head at the sound of Liam’s voice and stares at the back door until he comes through it. I set my book down and turn around.

  His lips curve into a smile the second he sees me, and he places a kiss on the top of my head. “Feel like going for a drive?”

  “Sure.”

  Kimber and I follow him out to the truck. He hoists her into the back seat where she immediately sticks her head out the window and waits for the ride to begin.

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.”

  When we’re on the highway, I realize we’re headed toward campus. “My Teaching Assistant job doesn’t start for another six weeks,” I remind him.

  “I know.”

  Forty-five minutes later, he steers the truck onto a small tree-lined street near the university and pulls into the driveway of a modest brick bungalow.

  “Where are we?”

  “You’ll see.”

  Kimber waits patiently for Liam to lift her out of the truck and set her on the ground. I take her leash.

  “Who lives here?”

  He answers my question by taking a set of keys out of his pocket. “We do.”

  “What?” I stare at the keys as he drops them in my palm.

  His hand settles at the small of my back and guides me up the sidewalk. “Come on.”

  Inside, the place is empty. Light hardwood floors reflect the sunlight streaming in from the large bay windows in the front of the house.

  Slowly, I walk through the kitchen, living room, and bathroom. “Liam, how?”

  “I rented it. They allow dogs.” He tilts his head toward the sliding glass door that leads to the fenced backyard. Kimber wags her nub as she stares through the glass at a couple of squirrels frolicking on the patio.

  Liam chuckles and follows me to the bedroom at the end of the hallway. “This must be the master bedroom—” I let out a gasp when I see the built-in window seat on the left.

  “As soon as I saw it, I knew this was our place.” Liam’s hands settle on my shoulders. “You like it?”

  “I love it.” I turn and stare up at him. “It’s perfect.”

  “We can rent to own if you decide you really like it here.”

  A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. “But I thought you hated the city, country boy?”

  “Well, I better learn to love it, because I just got accepted into the Empire Police Academy.”

  “Oh my God! You did?” I st
op jumping around for a second. “But you loved your job. I don’t want you to give that up because of me.”

  He pulls me into his arms. “I love you more.”

  “Liam—”

  “Bree, this is a good change for me. It pays more. I have a better chance of being promoted. It’s going to be good for us.”

  I raise an eyebrow and trail my fingers down his chest. “You won’t be my sexy sheriff anymore.”

  His arms tighten around me. “I’ll always be yours.”

  Hearing that never gets old.

  “But wait, why do you have to go through the academy again?”

  “It’s not as intense, but some of the training differs. It’s fine. I’m excited about it.”

  I start jumping around again. “Then I’m excited for you.”

  Vince and I slap palms as I approach our favorite booth in our favorite bar later that night. “How’d it go?” he asks.

  “Good. She loved the place.” I slide into the booth across from him.

  “Where is she?” he asks.

  I point to the bar, where Bree stopped to talk to her friend. “I think she wants to play matchmaker tonight.”

  “I’m not interested.” He glances at the girl and raises an eyebrow. “Maybe. She’s tiny though. I’d break her in half.”

  “Jesus.” I almost spit beer all over him. “Not you.”

  “Who?”

  “Never mind. I want to ask you something before she comes over.”

  His blue eyes, so similar to Bree’s, widen. “Oh, Christ, please don’t tell me you’re asking my permission to marry my sister.”

  I cock my head and stare at him.

  And stare.

  Because, yes, that’s sort of what I’m doing. “I’m not asking your permission. I’m just giving you the heads up. If you have any objections, now’s the time to spit ’em out.”

  It’s probably the shitty lighting in here, but I swear Vince’s eyes shine a little. “You’ve given her everything I always wanted her to have. How could I object?”

  “Thank you.”

  Before we both start bawling and hugging each other, Keegan joins us. “Things look uncomfortable over here. I thought you were over it, Vince?”

  “Shut up,” Vince grumbles, shifting to the middle of the round booth to make room for Keegan. He lifts his gaze to me and I slightly shake my head. I don’t want to tell anyone about my plan to propose to Bree in a couple days.

  Sully approaches our table next and that’s when Bree finally joins us, dragging her friend over. “Liam, you remember Aubrey? Aubrey, this is my cranky brother, Vince, our friend Keegan, and you know Sully of course.” Then she not-so-subtly shoves Aubrey into the booth next to Sully.

  I reach out and take her hand, pulling her down next to me. “Obvious much?” I whisper against her ear.

  She shrugs and leans into me. “What were you and Vince talking about so seriously?” she asks.

  “Nothing exciting.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  “Bonfire at mom and dad’s, we don’t want to be late,” I call out as I enter the house.

  “I’m almost ready!” Bree shouts, hurrying into the living room to meet me. “Can you put this on for me?” she asks, thrusting a tiny silver necklace in my face.

  She turns and sweeps her hair up, but instead of fastening her necklace, I kiss the back of her neck.

  “Liam.” Her voice quivers. I place another kiss on the side of her neck and she tilts her head to give me better access. I set the necklace on the table next to me and slide my hands up under her sundress.

  Her breath hitches and she presses her butt against me. “What are you doing? You just said you didn’t want to be late.”

  “I know, but I need to have you first.”

  A short moan slips from her throat as I dip my hand into her underwear. “Spread,” I whisper against her ear and she inches her feet apart.

  “You’re all nice and wet for me.”

  “A common occurrence,” she teases.

  I form a V with my index and middle finger, slowly working them over her clit. She gasps and leans back against me, hooking one arm around my neck. “Like that?” I ask, kissing her forehead.

  “Y—Yes. I…”

  “Are you coming for me already?” I ask unable to keep the satisfaction out of my voice.

  She rolls her hips, chasing my fingers and I press harder, rub faster until she explodes.

  While she’s still moaning, I tighten my hold around her waist and walk us to the couch, bending her over the back of it. Hooking my fingers in her underwear, I yank them to her knees.

  “Ready for me?”

  “God, yes,” she gasps as I undo my belt, unzip and free myself.

  My hands grip her hips, positioning her the way I need to, pushing myself inside her in one, long, slow thrust. “You have no idea. I’ve been thinking about having your sweet, wet pussy wrapped around my dick all day,” I murmur into her hair.

  Her fingers dig into my arm around her waist. “I love my dirty-talking Liam.”

  “I know you do, sweetness.”

  I stay at a slow and steady pace until she comes again, bucking against me. Triumph flows through my veins and I increase the power of my thrusts. I lean over and place my forehead between her shoulder blades. “You feel so good.” My orgasm brews at the base of my spine, pleasure jolting through me while I lose track of everything except how good she feels. How good we feel together. I shudder and groan through my release, my breathing ragged.

  It takes a few seconds to collect my thoughts and peel myself from Bree. “Are you all right?”

  She pulls her dress up around her waist and bends to pull her underwear up, giving me one filthily-spectacular view. “I might need to go change,” she says, tossing a teasing glare over her shoulder.

  A short laugh bursts out of me and I reach out to squeeze her butt. “Come on, I want to take a quick shower before we leave anyway.”

  “Oh, no. I know what a ‘quick shower’ means in Liam-speak. It means ‘quickie-in-the-shower.’”

  I don’t bother denying it.

  “We’re definitely going to be late,” I say, glancing at the clock on Liam’s dash once we’re in his truck.

  “I’ll take the fall for it.”

  “You better.”

  A smile twitches at the corners of his mouth. He’s up to something, I can feel it.

  “What are you up to, Hollister?”

  He glances over with a wide-eyed, who me expression. “When did you turn so suspicious, Avery?”

  “Hmmm. We’ll see.”

  His parents’ driveway is blocked with cars and we end up parking on the grass. Liam helps me out of the truck and takes my hand. “What’s going on?”

  “You’ll see.”

  Liam opens the front door and ushers me into the house.

  My gaze lands on a big “Congratulations Graduate” banner hanging over the fireplace. There’re wild claps and cheers from everyone in the room. Confused, I stare up at Liam.

  “Mom wanted you to have a graduation party,” he explains.

  The room blurs from the tears gathering in my eyes, but I recognize Amanda’s voice. “We’re so proud of you, Bree,” she says, giving me a tight embrace.

  “Thank you.” I tilt my head toward Liam. “What about him, he’s graduating from the academy soon.”

  She reaches up and pats his cheek. “I know. I’m so proud of both of you.” She gives me an extra squeeze and pulls me closer. “How are you really doing?”

  “Good. Really good.”

  Liam leads me into the living room and I start to process who’s here. My brother, Sully, Keegan, Aubrey, and Emily, along with a few people I don’t recognize.

  Vince sweeps me into a big hug. “How’s the new place?” he asks, giving Liam only a slight glare this time. He’s been swinging between happy for us and annoyed since we moved in together. I’m sure he’ll get over it soon.

  “I love it,
” I answer.

  “Hey, Bree,” a deeper voice behind me says.

  “Marcel! You’re here too?”

  Amanda gives him an affectionate side-hug that totally surprises me. Liam raises an eyebrow.

  “You were late,” Amanda scolds her son. “Marcel was kind enough to help me carry in the bags of charcoal, since you were late,” she adds again.

  A bright smirk twists Marcel’s mouth up as he meets Liam’s stare. Amanda squeezes Marcel’s hand and he gives her a genuine smile full of respect and affection. “Anytime, Mrs. H.”

  He silently laughs as Amanda heads into the kitchen.

  Liam stands there working his jaw, while his mom heads into the kitchen and Marcel silently laughs.

  “I didn’t know you knew Liam’s mom,” I finally say to break the tension.

  “Sure,” Marcel answers easily. “She used to read to me at the library when I was a kid.” He holds his hand down low to indicate how much smaller he was. He lifts his chin at Liam. “When he invited me, he said early afternoon, so that’s when I showed up.”

  I turn to Liam. “You what?”

  “Yes, I invited him,” Liam admits grudgingly. “Although, now I can’t remember why I thought it was a good idea.”

  Not offended in the least, Marcel chuckles and slaps Liam’s shoulder. “Congratulations, Bree.” He gives me a quick hug before moving across the room to talk to Sully and his brother.

  Next, Liam takes me over to meet his former partner, Brady. “Lost my wingman and my partner, you know. But I can definitely see why,” he says, letting his gaze roam over me.

  “Are you flirting with his girlfriend right in front of him?” Sully asks, coming over to join us.

  Liam laughs and gives Brady a friendly punch on the shoulder.

  The rest of the night is celebrating with friends and family. Eating, drinking, dancing, and goofing around.

  Much, much later, after Liam’s parents have retired to their room, a few of us are still outside sitting around the fire. Liam and I are snuggled up in one of the larger Adirondack chairs.

  Vince walks by and drapes a blanket over us.

  “Keep your hands where I can see them, Hollister,” he growls.