Krystal Clear (Shattered Book 2)

by Claire Lalique

  I punched in and started my rounds. I was still assigned to the round that included the loading dokay Even though I was anxious to get to that area to check on the crates, I kept to the proper route, as per protocol. It seemed to take forever. Finally, I got to the loading dock area. I was in luck, no one was there and no truck was parked by the dock to load or unload. The crates were still there from last night, covered by the blue tarp.

  I walked around the loading and storage room, checking for people, and I also looked to see if I could find any cameras, hidden or otherwise. I didn't see any, so I went behind the tarp-covered pile of crates and moved it off one corner of them. With my crowbar, I lifted one corner of the lid to the crate. It made a bigger racket than I expected, but after waiting for a few minutes, no one came to see if there was a problem.

  I lifted the edge, and I saw what appeared to be a load of different types of cooking herbs. I reached in to stir them, and just underneath them, and just were, ziplock baggies of a white powder. I knew at that point I had probably discovered another drug supplier. I groaned as I straightened the packages and re-nailed the lid. Here I was, minding my own business, hiding from a Mexican drug cartel in witness protection with my girl, my unborn baby and my sister. I was not looking for trouble. However, it seemed trouble was looking for me. I was glad I had called Derick to come. We would have to decide what to do.

  I finished the night with no trouble, as far as I could tell. No one looked at me suspiciously.

  I clocked out, ready to go home and get some sleep. I hoped Derick was already there so I could give him my information.

  I unlocked the door and turned off the alarm to the house, noticing Derick’s leather jacket on the coat stand in the hallway. I was relieved that he was here. I figured the best way to wake him was to start some coffee so he could smell it from the kitchen to the couch in the living room.

  When I went through the living room to the kitchen, he wasn't on the couch. He hadn't been outside. I began to wonder if his and Maeve’s relationship was moving faster than I had realized. So I started the coffee and got some mugs from the cabinet.

  I was sitting at the kitchen table when I heard steps coming down the hallway and when I looked up, Derick was walking into the kitchen wearing a pair of jeans, a tee shirt and bare feet. His dark hair was tangled, and he was rubbing his eyes.

  I poured him a cup of coffee and slid it over to him as he sat down. He took a gulp and said in his low, quiet tone, “So what's going on Sam? Why’d you need to talk to me?”

  I explained to him about the crates and white powder. He groaned a long heartfelt sigh, and muttered, “How do you do it Sam? Can't you just stay out of trouble and away from criminal activity?”

  I laughed. “Derick, you're the one who got me that job. Believe me, I'd rather be working a day shift. What's going on in Louisville, anyway? Flower and I are going to have to start getting baby stuff soon. I'd hate to bring it here, then have to pack it up and take it to Louisville.”

  “I can see your point Sam, but the Favoloras’ seem to have dived undercover. I'm hearing a tiny amount of intel, but mostly they've disappeared. They haven't been a presence in drug dealing or gun running lately in Louisville. Information I'm getting says they are still in play, selling plenty of drugs and guns elsewhere that seem to be coming from nowhere. I'm just not seeing the connections. I know there has to be some. Favoloras isn't leaving Louisville without taking care of you and Krystal.”

  “Well someone has plenty of drugs to run here in Tennessee. I figure we need to stop it.”

  Derick nodded his head soberly. “Sam this can't be the Favoloras Cartel. It just would be too much of a coincidence.”

  “Yeah, I agree. So do you need to let the locals know what's going on or do you want me to see what else I can find out?”

  Derick looked at me with his seemingly always calm demeanor and spoke softly. “I'll talk to the FBI, but I don't want to bring the local police in yet. This is a small town so I just wonder, if whoever is running the drugs has some help within the police force. Until we have a better idea who we are dealing with, I want to keep this quiet."

  "Sam, this was supposed to be a safe place for Maeve and Krystal, not a fucking undercover job.”

  I was amazed at the angry intensity that Derick’s voice held, but I understood how he felt. My whole job was to protect my women and my baby, and instead, I had landed them into another dangerous situation. I would do anything to keep them safe, but so far it seemed I had just managed to put them in more danger.

  Derick and I finished our coffees and I started up the stairs without us saying much more to each other. Derick was going to stay around for a few more days to see what he could find out from the FBI. I figured he wanted to spend more time with Maeve, as well.

  I went into our bedroom where Flower was still sleeping. Ziva gave a low growl deep in her throat. I shushed her quietly and she stopped, but I immediately felt better about Flower and Maeve’s safety. Ziva obviously took her responsibility very seriously to protect my girl. I didn't actually know if she would attack an intruder, but just her growling and barking couldn't hurt to scare someone away.

  I made a note to talk to Ariel about what it would take to train the dog to actually be a guard dog for my Flower. I groaned under my breath and realized how tired I was. I'd been shorting myself on sleep over the past week and I knew part of that was how strongly I felt the responsibility of keeping Flower and my sister safe. I also realized how much better I felt better having Derick here. I felt my shoulders loosen and started stripping off my clothes. After I finished a shower and brushed my teeth, I slid into bed behind my tiny girl. I pushed Ziva off the bed with my feet and told her to go to her bed. She grumbled under her breath, but did what I told her. I knew once we were asleep it was likely she'd be on the bed again. It seemed as far as she was concerned, her proper place was always no more than a few inches away from Flower. But I had something else in mind, and it did not include the dog being in bed with us.

  I scooted one arm under Flower and wrapped my other over the top of her, pulling her close to me. I smirked, realizing that I wasn't any different than Ziva. I never wanted to be more than an inch away from my girl either. She had both of us as her worshippers for the rest of our lives.

  I put my hand over Flower’s silky soft breast and gently pinched her nipple. I noticed her breasts were getting fuller, fitting in my hand just a bit differently. I liked her tiny perky breasts but I knew she was proud that they were getting bigger. As I played with her breasts, rolling the nipples and pinching the now stiff tips, I heard Flower give a little moan. I rolled her over so she was facing me and I could get a mouthful of her breasts. I sucked on her nipples, savoring her taste until each areola was moist and bumpy, her nipples hard and elongated from excitement.

  Krystal

  I woke up surrounded by Blue, his scent, his body, the rough feel of his fingers touching me, and his mouth sucking on my nipples until they were hard. I moaned and he chuckled. There was no light showing because of the blackout curtains.

  “Are you awake my little girl?” He asked. His voice was low and husky from his own excitement and I felt the pressure of his stiff cock against my stomach. I felt liquid from my pussy trickle down in between my legs, causing me to shiver with pleasure.

  I moaned again and his kisses started down my body, never missing a piece of my skin on the trail to first my belly button and then lower. I was losing control and thrust my hips up toward Blue’s mouth trying to entice him to put his lips where I wanted them most.

  He laughed against my skin causing my pussy to clench and unclench. “You want me sweetie? You need me? Tell me how much.”

  I moaned again, writhing against his big, warm body, so lined with muscles. He was my soulmate, my dearly beloved, and I always wanted him with an intensity that shocked me. “I want you, Blue, I need... " I couldn't talk anymore, so I grabbed his hair and ran my fingers through its silky softness, and
then I wrapped my arms around Blue’s neck and moaned once again.

  Blue chuckled and pulled my legs apart, and continued to kiss down my mound until he reached my slit. He gave a long lick from bottom to top. He whispered, “Open yourself up Flower girl." Then as I spread my legs, he reached and opened my folds until he could touch my swollen nub with his tongue.

  He circled my clit with his hot tongue giving an occasional sultry lick right across the top. I knew I wasn't going to last long. I felt Blue’s hard cock against my leg get impossibly harder and longer. It was like a steel rod that was covered with a heated velvet overlay.

  He had added two fingers to my soaking wet pussy and was pumping in and out, giving a push against my sweet spot at each outward motion. I started to shiver and clench around his fingers when he lifted his head and said, “Don't come, sweet girl. I want to come together.”

  He pulled me under his body and captured me, holding me still by pressing almost his entire weight against me. Then, at the same time his beautiful cock plunged into my pulsing, needy pussy, his mouth crashed against mine and we were kissing, our tongues circling each other. I could taste myself on his mouth.

  My ascendance towards bliss had lessened just a bit, but the fast but even movements of his hard thick cock in and out of me brought that excitement back. The pressure of his body against mine gave me that extra sense of security so that I could just let go of myself even more. “Blue, please," I whispered in a tight voice.

  “Are you ready, darlin’?” Blue plunged into me even further, pushing against the end of my cervix with each movement downward. Then, his movements became disjointed, our kisses hungry, grasping as we were lost in erotic pleasure.

  “Scream my name, Flower,” he said in a tight, hard growl.

  I couldn't help myself. “Blue!” I shouted hoarsely, then he let loose with stream after stream of warm thick fluid into my vagina. I let loose as well and I pressed my body against his, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck as if I wanted to merge our two bodies into the bright white light that surrounded me. Then, my body shook with satisfied tremors as the light lessened to soft colors that pulsed with my heartbeat and burst against the inside of my eyelids. I soared upward to meet them, a beautiful rainbow. Slowly, both of us relaxed our bodies against each other, sweat pooling between us, limbs so entangled it wasn't possible to know where one of us started and the other ended.

  Blue rolled over so we were on our sides which gave the baby a little room. She showed her approval by giving a little kick against the inside of my belly.

  Blue reached over and put his lips against my tummy, blowing a raspberry. I jumped and giggled and grabbed his shoulders, wrapping my small body around his larger one as much as I could, trying not to give him any room to tickle me further with his mouth or hands.

  His playfulness and my happy response surprised me. We hadn't had much time to experience happiness in the life we led together. We had been running or fighting against criminals the whole time. Living in the old trailer park with my alcoholic mother was also not a preferred lifestyle for a young girl. However, I knew I would not change anything about my life and what happened to me because it led me to Blue and my life with him was worth all of it.

  Chapter Six

  Krystal

  I had walked to the park this beautiful day while Blue was sleeping and Maeve and Derick were off somewhere alone. I was aware of one of my FBI bodyguards behind me. Even in civilian clothes, his stiff body posture made him different from most of the other people lounging, playing Frisbee, or studying in the university’s park.

  The sky was blue and the sun was shining brightly, which made the temperature nice and warm, even though it was heading toward autumn. I was sitting on the grass with Ziva and drawing pictures of trees, people, and birds, just quick sketches. I really missed the fact that I had been planning on going to the university to take art classes in Louisville. I wanted to grow in my artistic abilities and at this point I didn't think it would ever happen.

  Suddenly, Ziva gave a small, almost under her breath growl, and I glanced up from my sketch pad. Coming towards me was a handsome man with dark brown hair that was combed back, but still messy touching his shoulders. His eyes were a golden brown like a dark iced tea, and he was smiling a quirky little smile. As he came closer, I noticed he had a piece of paper in his hand. I gave Ziva hand motions to be quiet and stay down. She did, but when I put my hand on her, I could feel the vibrations of her now inaudible growls. I took a quick sideways glance at my guard. He had taken a few steps closer to me and was carefully watching this stranger.

  He sat down on the grass next to me and handed me the piece of paper without saying a word. I was completely surprised to see a small, perfect drawing of me. It showed the gentle bump that was my baby, and on my face was a tiny, wistful smile where I sat down at my sketch book.

  This person didn't know what I was thinking, but he caught my feelings perfectly if he was the one who had drawn the picture. I looked at him and said somewhat suspiciously, “Did you draw this?”

  “Yes,” he said, “I hope you don't mind, but you looked so beautiful while you were drawing, so fruitful, in so many ways. I just had to put you on paper.”

  I was automatically suspicious of him, since I didn't know him. I was never comfortable talking to people I didn't know, especially men. That had been true since my first kidnapping. He didn't look like he could be a member of a Mexican Cartel, but I was never sure that anyone around me might not be the person sent to kill me.

  Finally I said in a small voice. “Well, it’s a nice drawing.”

  “Thank you,” he said. “I teach a ‘Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain’ class for the adult education classes at Lee University. I was wondering if you wanted to come. It’s ongoing and free. Right now, there are only six people and I'm open for eight.”

  He grinned sheepishly at me and searched his pockets. I stiffened in fear, waiting for him to pull a knife or gun from his pocket. Ziva stood, and her growl became a bit more audible. Finally, he triumphantly pulled a wrinkled pamphlet from his cargo pants pocket and handed it to me. “This tells you about the class and about me. I hope you decide to join us. I think you would enjoy it."

  I relaxed suddenly and the adrenaline flowed out of me. In relief, I smiled at him. He was cute. Not as handsome as my beautiful Blue, but cute. I said softly, “I'll think about it”. Then, he stood, gave me a little wave and strode out of sight. Ziva finally relaxed next to me.

  I packed my supplies into my backpack and got up. I was a little stiff and stretched while Ziva grumbled that I hadn't given the command for her to stand as well. I told her “Break, break.” She jumped up eagerly, always ready to walk home. As I walked, I read the pamphlet. His name was Carl Santino. I had studied some of his paintings during art classes in high school. The guy was a pretty well-known artist. He had shows in New York City, Chicago, Nashville, and Tampa, to name a few. The pamphlet told a bit about the class and what right brain/left brain art was. Even though I was uncomfortable with him singling me out at the park, the class sounded interesting, and I wanted to be learning something, anything, about how to improve my art. Suddenly, I felt happier and more encouraged than I had in a while. He was a famous artist; surely he couldn’t be part of the Cartel? I was beginning to see Cartel members behind every bush. I laughed at myself, relaxed, and continued to walk home with an easier gait.

  Ziva and I reached our house that had the porch swing I had painted with a sunflower mural. Sitting in the swing was my beautiful Blue. “What are you doing awake?” I asked, “You need to still be sleeping.”

  Blue looked at me with sleepy eyes as he grabbed my waist and pulled me next to him. He had such blue, blue eyes, almost the exact color of the sky. He pulled me closer so that my small body tucked under his arm perfectly.

  “I don't have to work tonight,” he grumbled, “And I couldn't sleep without you in the house, so I got up. I thought I'd wait out here for
you. I want to take you to dinner.”

  “Really?” I said happily, “This day keeps getting better. Where are Maeve and Derick? Are they going to come with us?”

  “Naw, darlin’, they’re not here. Besides I wanted time to be with you, without us being horizontal, or me being asleep."

  I burst into laughter, raucous and loud. I stopped suddenly when I saw Blue’s suddenly surprised face.

  He said, “I've never heard you laugh like that. It sounded great.”

  “I'm just happy, Blue. Despite all that's happened, I have you and little Bug and Ziva, not to mention Maeve, and probably Derick. I have everything I ever wanted. I'm just happy. I want to tell you about what happened in the park today. I’ll go get ready for dinner right now. Where are we going?”

  Blue laughed and replied to my burst of enthusiastic questions. “Nothing too fancy; why don't you wear that pretty little red dress you just bought?”

  Ziva and I ran up the stairs. After a quick shower and teeth brushing, I threw on the red dress. My baby bump showed just a little. I couldn't wait until little Bug showed enough that there was no mistaking my pregnancy. I told Ziva to stay in the bedroom while I was gone. I left with Blue, excited to be going on a real date.

  Blue took me to this cute quirky little restaurant called ‘The Farmhouse’. He said it had been recommended for their great burgers. While we were eating, I told Blue about the man in the park and I showed him the pamphlet, telling him about the art class. “I really want to do this, Blue. Do you think it would be ok?” I looked at him with pleading eyes. I hoped he knew how important it was to me.

  Blue smiled at me and then looked over the pamphlet I had brought with me. He thought for a minute, then said, “Let Derick check it out, and one of the guys will have to go with you. Maybe one of them has an interest in art. I know how much this would mean to you, so hopefully we can work it out.”

  After that, Blue and I ate the scrumptious hamburgers while we flirted with each other, occasionally interacting with the staff and other customers. It was fun, a little bit different for me, but mostly it was just special for Blue and I to be able to spend some time together by ourselves without worrying.