Redemption is Here (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 9)

by Morgan Kelley

“In that moment, I knew I wasn’t normal. After that, my father put me in lock down. There weren’t any more trips to the park. Instead, he bought a fortress and gave me my own park. There was a pony, carousel, and anything else I wanted. I wasn’t allowed to have friends, people over, or public school. It was literally my mom, Jagger and myself.”

  That had to be lonely.

  “So, by the time I turned twelve, I had an inkling that something wasn’t kosher. Jagger is four years older than me, so we decided to do something we weren’t supposed to do. We did research on my father.”

  “Uh oh.”

  She laughed. “Yeah, you could say that again. We were never allowed to watch the news. God forbid if we were to find out our dad was a soulless monster.”

  He ran his fingers down her leg.

  “Jagger had just left for the Marines and my mom, who was the best,” she began, her eyes filling with tears, “had gone out to get her hair done. While my dad was super protective with Jagger and I, he wasn’t so over the top with her. Looking back at it, I can see that she wanted out, but wouldn’t leave us behind.”

  “She died, huh?” he asked.

  “Yeah, she was gunned down. My mother never had a chance. Jagger missed her funeral, and I went alone. My asshole father had ‘business’ to take care of. There was more proof that he didn't really love her.”

  Tony knew how hard that had to be.

  “So, when people find out he’s dead, and they ask if I miss him, the answer is no. He destroyed lives, and I’m glad he’s out of mine. If he was alive, I’d never speak to him again. My father was Irish mob and deserves his death. Are you religious, Tony?”

  “No.”

  “Well, I was at one time. My father reaped what he sowed. Justice was done the day he died. It set me free and now I can live my life.”

  Tony moved closer to her.

  “I know that sounds horrible, but it’s the truth.”

  He appreciated that she’d share that. He knew it was time to do the same thing.

  “My mom was working late the night she was abducted. He left her car and purse, but nothing else. For a while, I honestly believed maybe she left because she didn't want me anymore, but as I got older I realized the truth.”

  She rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Tony.”

  “I was too for a long, long time. Now, I just hope one day I find her. I want to put her to rest and release that demon. Then, I can go on. It’s the one part of my past that I can’t let go. Once she’s found, I’ll be free.”

  She could hear the pain in his voice. While he looked secure and strong on the outside, there was no doubt he was hurting.

  “My mom wasn’t the best or worst,” he offered. “She was a young kid, saddled with a child she didn't want. Yes, I had love and hugs, but there was always this sadness when she looked at me. I guess, I look like my father. I have his eyes,” he said.

  Staring up, Jaxon gazed into the serene pools of aqua. “I love your eyes. They’re absolutely beautiful. I’ve never seen a color quite like it before.”

  He smiled gently at her.

  “I would catch my mom staring at me. Then, sometimes she’d cry. I hope it was because she missed my father, and not regretted me, but I’ll never be sure.”

  “What happened after she died?” she asked, hoping he didn't mind.

  “Ah, well that’s a fun time. I went into foster care. I was a preteen, angry, and hell bent on being horrible. I went from home to home, never finding a permanent place. My only saving grace was I had a brain. In school, I became lost in learning. I soaked it in and tried to escape life.”

  She moved into his lap. “I love that you’re smart. Intelligent men are sexy.”

  His body reacted to her perched in his lap. “Yeah?” he asked, staring at her lips. God, he wanted to get lost in them too.

  “Uh huh,” she said, moving closer. When she paused, just an inch from his mouth, Jaxon whispered, “Can I kiss you?”

  His whole body was on fire that this beautiful woman wanted to do that, and that she was asking permission. Hell, she could do whatever she wanted with him.

  “You can always touch and kiss me, Jaxon. I’m always willing,” he replied, waiting to see if she would. If she took this little step, it would be one more string which bound her to him.

  Jaxon moved in, bringing her lips to his. They moved over his softly, and then heated as the kiss progressed. Turning toward his body, she moved to straddle his lap.

  Tony moaned as her lips and mouth plundered his. It was delicious and crazed all at once. He’d never experienced this with anyone before.

  Her body was pressed to his and fit perfectly. The key opened the lock, and his heart was hers.

  It was nearly earth shattering.

  Jaxon fought to kiss him and yet still remain afloat. Tony Magnus was incredible. Not only was he sweet and gentle, he wanted her for all the good and bad in her life.

  He knew her past and still wanted her future.

  Her heart soared.

  When her fingers went lower, to the buttons on his shirt, he was ecstatic. His brain kept screaming over and over, pleading for more. There was nothing like feeling her touching and wanting him.

  As she began undressing him, he did the same thing.

  “Tony,” she whispered, breaking the kiss.

  He couldn’t speak. All he wanted was to give this woman everything in the world. In that moment, he knew he’d love her until their last breath.

  In fact, he was ready to tell her. He would begin planning their future, and the way to keep her at his side.

  As she got him free of his shirt, he had done the same. Now, he was faced with the creamy swells of breasts and the beautiful form of her body.

  God, he was lost.

  Pulling her against him, he dove into another kiss. As she ground her body against his, he was driven mad with need. Tony wanted to have her over and over again.

  Through the kiss, her fingers wandered over his chest, making him insane. He was to the point he couldn’t handle it anymore. Pulling away, he stared into her eyes.

  “Get naked,” he demanded, pushing her from his lap.

  If he didn't have her, he was going to go crazy. There was something about the scent and feel of this woman.

  Jaxon didn't hesitate. Jumping up, she dropped her shirt, and undid her pants. The entire time, her pulse throbbed as Tony watched her. He reminded her of some big cat, watching his prey in the wild.

  His eyes traversed her body, heating her blood and making her want to do anything he asked. There was something so powerful about his eyes, and she was helpless to the lure.

  When she was finally completely naked, he watched her. Jaxon’s body was amazing. There was something so alluring about the curves.

  It made his mouth water.

  Before he could stand and strip himself, she was moving toward him. As she knelt before him, he watched, trying to keep his heart from exploding.

  “I want to taste you,” she said, waiting for him to say something.

  Holy hell! His brain was on overload. One minute she was a fiery storm, the next she was kneeling before him and asking permission.

  Yeah, this woman was an enigma.

  “Please,” he said, groaning as her hand set him free. With gentle fingers, she stroked, teased, and got him to shake. He wanted her in the worst way.

  “What do you want?” she asked, staring into those amazing eyes.

  What didn't he want? At that moment, he wanted to bend her over the arm of the couch and make her scream his name.

  “I want your mouth on me.”

  She didn't hesitate.

  As Jaxon began taking him in and out of her mouth, Tony could barely think. The hot wet glide of her tongue and lips over his erection was maddening.

  He couldn’t stop thinking about how she was offering to pleasure him. It pulled the barbarian in him closer to the surface. Yes, he wanted Jaxon to service his needs.

 
Did it make him a horrible person?

  Here was this younger woman willing to offer him a world of pleasure. He’d be crazy not to accept it.

  When she began working him hard and fast, his heart skipped in his chest. She was his.

  There could be no other way.

  “Stop!” he ordered. Part of him wanted to see if she’d obey and when she did, his heart pounded faster.

  Jaxon stayed where she was, waiting for him.

  “I want you in my lap,” he said huskily.

  The way he was watching her, drove Jaxon crazy. If he wanted her to tap dance, she’d do it. Climbing up, she positioned herself above his throbbing erection.

  “Now?” she asked.

  “Yes, take all of me.”

  She didn't hesitate. In fact, she eagerly slid down, encasing him.

  Tony’s body shook. This was amazing. It was like Christmas morning, and he’d discovered a new present. This control and power was intoxicating.

  “May I offer you pleasure?” she purred in his ear.

  He almost wanted to laugh. “Yes,” he hissed. One taste of this side of Jaxon, and he could never go back. Now, he’d want to immerse himself in this feeling forever.

  It was all she needed.

  Holding onto his shoulders, Jaxon began her ride. At first she was moving fast, offering them both pleasure.

  “Slow down,” he ordered and again to his shock, she obeyed.

  Jaxon began moving much slower, burying his body in hers over and over again. With each stroke, he moved further into her life. He was what she needed, and they both were now fully aware.

  In bed, she could be wild and free, but sometimes, she liked to feel safe. With Tony, she did.

  “Faster,” he stated, enthralled that she was doing as he directed. It turned him on, since this was new for him. Never before had there been a woman who would want to put his pleasure first as she shared everything with him.

  As she bounced in his lap, her heart became free. In his eyes, there was peace and pleasure, and it ebbed from him, right into her.

  “Stop!” he ordered.

  She did exactly as he asked, even though she wanted desperately to continue. Her breath was labored, her eyes filled with lust, and her heart was pounding. She was about to beg for more.

  “Off my lap, Jaxon.”

  When she obeyed, he nearly lost it. Oh, he’d die to keep her in his life. The most elemental part of him was now unlocked. “Over the arm of the couch.”

  He pushed his luck, unsure if she’d comply. When she did without hesitation, he nearly lost his mind.

  Jaxon wanted him more than anything in her life. Staring back at him, she saw the most handsome, sexiest man in the world. When he began stripping, she couldn’t help but admire his, strong body. There was something so erotic about her older man.

  She swallowed as the word played through her mind.

  Hers.

  Moving closer, Tony couldn’t wait to bury himself back in her body. Taking her like this felt so primitive and wild, that it made his pulse thump. As he positioned himself, ready to make the slide, his big hands slid down her ribs and to her hips.

  Jaxon shuddered.

  Tony couldn’t believe his fortune.

  As he pushed into her, she moaned his name. Tony nearly lost it right there. It took him a second to regain his composure.

  “Please,” she whispered.

  Slowly, he began the primitive dance of claiming the woman he loved. When he slid almost free of her body, she made a whimpering sound. It made his blood surge, and he got harder, if that was possible. Thrusting into her, he watched her react with more shivers sliding down her skin.

  His little minx was making him crazy.

  “Please, Tony. I need you,” she begged.

  He gave her want she wanted. Picking up the pace, he began thrusting deeply into her body as his hands held her in place. The moans and sounds of pleasure were almost too much. When she glanced over her shoulder, Jaxon’s eyes said it all.

  She needed this, and him.

  Her heart thundered. Never before had she felt like this. Tony understood. He got her. Always, she felt out of place in a man’s bed, needing so much more. She needed the experience of an older man who knew his way around her body.

  Someone secure.

  Strong.

  Virile.

  She needed Tony Magnus.

  As he continued to batter her body deliciously, she found herself on the edge. Just as she was about to rupture apart, Jaxon heard his voice.

  “Wait for me!”

  It was an order and despite her desire to fall, she was compelled to obey.

  She struggled to stay in control, even as his body deliciously broke down her defenses. She was seconds from exploding.

  Tony wanted to see if she’d truly listen. When she did, it pushed him to the edge. With a shout, he signaled his fall, giving her permission to join him.

  Jaxon took the leap, tumbling into the beautiful decent of pleasure. Never had it been so good.

  Only Tony gave her that.

  He was the missing piece to her life.

  As he rested his body over hers, his lips were so very close to her ear. “You’re my minx,” he whispered. “I can’t live without you.”

  Her heart filled.

  Jaxon knew the truth.

  She couldn’t live without him either.

  ~ Chapter Eighteen ~

  Strolling into the morgue, everyone was hard at work. They were getting everything ready for the bosses to arrive. Since Doctor Legend had already begun, Elizabeth took a spot and listened to him dictating his findings to a tech.

  Once he realized they were there, they had his full attention. Soon, the questions would be flying.

  “Well?”

  “COD is definitely strangulation. Her hyoid is broken and under the lights in here, I can see slight bruising around her neck. I can tell you that she was likely dead before he began his slashing.”

  “Okay, our perp is losing it but is still using the same method of killing.”

  “Yes, Director. Unfortunately, I don’t have much more to give you. She was fully dressed, undergarments were intact, so I’m willing to bet that there wasn’t sexual assault.”

  “Yeah, we’re thinking our perp can’t get it up, so that fits. He’s more into the rage and God,” she offered.

  Blackhawk made his notes. They would likely be revisiting them later. Eventually, the threads would come together, and they’d have their man.

  He hoped.

  “Where’s Merry?” she asked, looking around.

  She popped her head in from the room where they were locking up their evidence. “I’m here, ma’am,” she offered, entering the room.

  “I know we only gave you an hour, but what do you have so far?” she asked, hoping it was something.

  “I can tell you that the killer left tracks. With his shoe prints, they’re a man’s size twelve.”

  “Okay, so he’s getting sloppy.”

  Ethan corrected her. “It’s more than likely that he was lost in the killing haze and didn't realize he was leaving a trail. He’s so far over the edge right now, that logic isn't going to be his strong suit.”

  “Uh, it wasn’t before,” stated Callen.

  Elizabeth agreed. “He’s a few nuts short of a box of Cracker Jacks.”

  That had the tech team snickering.

  “What else did you find?” Elizabeth asked.

  Meredith continued, “We managed to track him all the way back to where his car was likely parked. Other than the footprints, he didn't really leave us anything substantial.”

  Truth be told, that was more than enough. It was one more piece of the puzzle and would help them get closer to finding the killer. They now had his shoe size.

  “Did we get him on any cameras?” Ethan asked.

  “Yeah, we did as a matter of fact. Nothing clear, showing his face, but we now know he drives a white Toyota Camry. We tracked it
pulling out of the business parking lot and through town. We lost it over on Fillmore Avenue.”

  “That’s amazing work team and only in an hour. I can’t wait to see what you find by tomorrow.”

  Blackhawk knew what their agents were going to be working on next. “We want you to run all the suspects on our list. Find me their cars, and if they ever owned a white Camry.”

  They nodded.

  “We’re going back out. For now, we have to head to the church and torment some religions folks,” added Elizabeth. “I can’t wait.”

  “Uh, are you going to charm them like you did the Natives?” asked Callen.

  She laughed, slapping him on the ass as they exited the room. “Darlin’, you know I’m an equal opportunity offender.”

  Yeah, they were both aware.

  “That’s what we’re worried about.”

  At the church, they waited until the funeral was over. They stood back, watching some eighty year old man being lowered into his final resting place. His much younger wife sat weeping on a fold out chair.

  “Anyone want to bet he was loaded?” Elizabeth whispered to the men in her life.

  Neither man was taking that bet.

  In their line of work, they’d seen this scenario all the time. It would be all fun and games until the man’s children contested that will. They weren’t far away from the widow, and their faces told the tale.

  The fun had yet to begin.

  As the group disbursed, the three Feds approached Father Dowell. He was wearing his robes and still carried a somber face from the graveside service.

  “Excuse me, Father,” stated Elizabeth. “I know you’re busy, but can you round up your people and meet us inside?” she asked.

  “Is it important? We’re just about ready to head to Mr. Wilcrantz’s home to celebrate his life in a wake.”

  Elizabeth’s patients were wearing thin. “Yes, or I wouldn’t be here. We need to see you, Dustin Sims, and your faithful groundskeeper, Miles Copeland, as soon as possible.”

  “I don’t get the urgency.”

  She pulled up her phone and out of irritation showed him the second of their two pictures. It was of the woman eviscerated and missing her eyes.

  He swallowed sickly. “I see.”