Chief of Perversion_a power broker novel

by Sadie Haller

  “They want to keep you here for a while. But when you get out, you’re going to need someone to care for you while you heal. I’d like you to stay with me, so I can be that person.” I shoot her an evil grin. “And let’s face it, if you don’t, I can guarantee your only other option is going to be convalescing at the parental abode, because whether you like it or not, if your dad doesn’t pull the parent card, my mom sure will.”

  “Jesus, fuck. You guys would really bully an injured woman into submission?”

  “Georgia, we’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you heal in a safe place. As for submission, I very much look forward to the day you’re ready to give that to me.”

  Her eyes sparkle as she gives me a slight, crooked smile. “I guess you’re going to have to put up with me for a while.”

  “I thought that’s how you’d roll. You look tired, so I’m going to go for a bit. I’m betting your dad will be back in to sit with you, whether you’re awake or not. He’s barely left your side since he got here.”

  “I know. We’ve talked some.”

  “Good. Now get some rest, and I’ll be back later. Is there anything you want me to bring?”

  “Not that I can think of right now.”

  I lean down, lightly brush my lips over her forehead, and turn to leave.

  “Heath?”

  I stop.

  “Thank you for coming when you did. In my head, I screamed and screamed for you, but was sure you wouldn’t because you were on your way to Toronto.”

  “My heart must have heard you, then, because I had this desperate need to see you that I couldn’t ignore. I just wish I’d heard you sooner.” Guilt fills my chest, making it hard to breathe. If I hadn’t been so fucking high-handed with her… “Rest, so you can heal and I can bust you out of here. I’ll see you soon.”

  George and my mom are in the hall as I leave Georgia’s room. “Everything okay?” Mom asks.

  No.

  “It’s fine. It’s just so hard to see her in there like that. With all the security measures I put in that building—there was no way for me to prepare for a cop being the bad guy.”

  “You can’t take that on,” George says, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “You did the best you could with the knowledge you had. I’m sure Georgia doesn’t blame you, so maybe you should stop beating yourself up over it. She’s going to need you, and you won’t be able to give her your all if you’re wallowing in misplaced guilt.”

  “It’s not just the security, we had a fight. It’s my fault she was there instead of my apartment.”

  “Do you hear yourself?” my mom admonishes. “It’s done. Nothing can change it. All you can do is move forward and learn from your mistakes.” She turns her attention to George. “That goes for you, too, my love. You can’t fix the past, but you can work making things better between you both from now on.”

  George kisses my mom on the lips. “Thank you, Franny. You are a wise woman, and I’m the luckiest man alive to be married to you. I’m going to go sit with Georgie for a while, would you care to join me?”

  “You go ahead. I’m going to get some things together for her to help make her stay less depressing. Heath, can you take me to her apartment?”

  “Of course. She said she didn’t need anything, but I have an idea of at least one thing she might want,” I say, thinking about that photo of hers.

  46

  Georgia

  It’s been weeks since I left the hospital, and every time I try to get Heath to touch me, he uses my injuries as an excuse.

  Not this time. I’m fed up with that asshole Jim fucking up my life. I need more than tender kisses and gentle hugs. I know I’m not up for the kind of rough I enjoy with Heath, but I’m definitely up for some dick.

  Heath should be leaving work soon, so I need to work fast. I pull out my phone and call.

  “Hey sweetheart. Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, just checking when to expect you so I can go ahead and order supper.”

  “I just have a couple things to finish up here, so should be there inside an hour.”

  “Perfect, I’ll see you then.”

  “I love you.”

  God, every time he tells me this, my chest squeezes. “I love you too.”

  As soon as he hangs up, I call our favorite Thai place and arrange for us to have a good two hours of peace before the food arrives.

  Forty-five minutes later, I hear Heath come through the door, and I scramble across the room to position myself, kneeling, at the foot of our bed. My heart races, and I work to slow my breath. I shouldn’t be this nervous, but there’s a tiny piece of me wondering if he’s only with me now out of pity.

  Heath comes into the bedroom and spots me on the floor. “Hey, what’s all this about?”

  “I want to go back to how things were before…”

  “We will, but not before you’re all healed up.”

  “That’s not going to work for me. I know I’m not ready for things exactly as they were, but I’m ready for more than nothing, which is what I’m getting now. If you’re done with me, Heath, nut-up and tell me so I can stop making a fool of myself.”

  Crouching in front of me he cups my cheek. “Sweetheart, I am nowhere near done with you. And I am sorry I gave you any reason to think I am. I’m just so scared of damaging you.”

  “You won’t.”

  His expression hardens, making me go all gooey inside. “You’re right, I won’t. And you’d better safeword if you feel even the slightest bit of discomfort, because I don’t want to wait a minute more than absolutely necessary to fuck you until you beg for mercy. In the meantime, I’m sure I can come up with something to make you beg. Before we go there, though, I think it’s time for you to pay the piper for terrifying me. Up on your knees and open wide,” he says unbuckling his belt.

  I do exactly as I’m told, and a moment later, his cock is sliding down my throat. “Georgia, this is going to be fast, because it’s been a while, and I want to be able to take my time when I fuck you.

  My belly flutters as his hands fist in my hair and he pumps deep and fast into my mouth. Minutes later, I’m eagerly swallowing his last spurts of come.

  “Up you get,” he says, taking my hand and helping me to my feet. “On the bed on your back, legs spread and arms above your head.”

  He quickly undresses, and joins me on the bed, kissing his way up my body until we’re eye to eye, mouth to mouth. “This is going to be slow and gentle. I want you to know exactly how precious you are to me.”

  Sliding into me, he rocks his hips, then grinds against my clit. After all the rough sex we’ve had over these last months, I’m convinced there’s no way he’s going to give me enough of anything to get either of us off.

  He brushes his lips against mine, slipping his tongue into my mouth, twirling it against mine. I push my hips up to meet his, and his head pulls away, looking intently at me. “Even slow and gentle, I’m in charge. Now behave and let me love you.”

  That gruff voice of his makes me weak. He kisses me again, this time he slides his hand between us and uses his fingers. My orgasm is slow to build, but when it comes, I’m completely lost.

  Later, while we’re sitting in the kitchen eating dinner, Heath sits back in his chair and folds his arms. “Georgia, I’ve got to be honest with you, sweetheart. What you do scares the hell out of me. I know you’re well-trained to handle whatever situation you’re faced with, but every time your phone rings, you’re still walking into a dangerous situation.”

  I take a deep breath, ready to blast him with both barrels for being a paternal ass-hat.

  “I’m not done,” he says, raising his finger.

  I’m irritated, but I’m willing to hold my tongue. May as well give him all the rope to hang himself.

  He cups my face and touches his forehead to mine. “I will never ask you to give up your job. But I need to trust you’ll follow protocol to the letter and never go into another situation where you kno
w the person in any capacity. Can you promise me that?”

  “I promise.” I made a huge mistake, with terrible consequences, but I learned from it.

  “I love you so much, and I have no idea what I’d do if I lost you.”

  Blinking back tears, I shove the table out of my way and climb into his lap. His arms wrap around me as I bury my face in his chest. I never thought I’d hear those words from anyone, and I’m overwhelmed.

  Heath holds me tight and just lets me be while I work through my emotions and gather the courage to say it back.

  I take a big shaky breath and let the last barrier around my heart fall away. “I love you, too.”

  “Enough to marry me?”

  I pull back, giving him a teary-eyed death glare. “I hope that wasn’t your idea of a proposal.” I know it is, and my stomach does back flips.

  “Would it have been better if I spelled it out in cane stripes on your ass? Because I can do that.”

  “Tempting…but no thank you.”

  “For real, Georgia. Will you marry me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Soon? Like, really soon?”

  “Depends. Does it need to be a big wedding with all the trimmings and a thousand guests?”

  “Only if that’s what you want.”

  “I want small. Closest friends and family only.”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  47

  Georgia

  One month later…

  * * *

  I wake up early, and alone, in the family suite of the Esmonde. For some reason, Heath insisted we sleep apart the night before our wedding. I thought it was a stupid idea, but some battles just aren’t worth the effort, no matter how good the make-up sex.

  I’m thrilled that Katie will be able to come to the wedding. We went to some extraordinary lengths to arrange it, but I need her here to help me get married.

  I use the Keurig machine and make myself a nice dark roast coffee. Because it would be inappropriate to start my wedding day with a large glass of vodka. I still have the odd glass, but never to handle stress. I only partake on social occasions, now.

  I take my coffee back to bed and flip the TV on. I’ve still got hours before the wedding. Given my dress is a simple cocktail length, I don’t wear makeup, and I’m doing my hair in a French twist, it shouldn’t take me much more than an hour, ninety minutes tops, to get ready. And since Heath is refusing to see me beforehand, it’s not like I can kill time having sex. So, Netflix binge, it is.

  I’m flipping through romantic comedies when my phone rings. I don’t recognize the number.

  “Hello?”

  “Ms. Black, it’s ADA Sofia Lopez, I wanted to let you know Jim Miller was released this morning and the charges against him were dropped.”

  “How the hell could that happen?”

  “Unfortunately, evidence disappears, witnesses lose memories and recant statements, and a slam-dunk case becomes unwinnable.”

  Heath is going to lose his shit when I tell him. But I can’t put it off because if Jim has any inkling about the wedding, he may be watching for Katie.

  I pull out my phone and call Heath. “Georgia, we’re getting married in just over two hours. What is it that can’t possibly wait?”

  I can hear the smile in his voice and that makes me feel guilty. “I need to talk to you. It’s urgent.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  A few minutes later, Heath comes flying through the door and drops to his knees in front of me. He takes my hands in his and looks deep into my eyes. “What’s wrong?”

  I tell him about conversation with ADA Lopez, and the anger rolls off him in waves.

  “We need to get Katie out of here.”

  “We will. After the wedding. I’ll have it all arranged for her be on her way to somewhere safe before you and I leave the reception. I promise.

  After Heath leaves, I give up on the prospect of a relaxing bubble bath. Instead, I climb into the shower and let the massager spray beat down on me. One of the best parts about a hotel is never running out of hot water.

  When I finally come out, there’s only two hours left until I’m supposed to walk down the aisle. I’m towel drying my hair when I hear a knock.

  I slip on a robe before opening the door.

  Frances smiles at me, looking simply stunning in her adorably chic baby blue drop-waist flapper dress. We had a wonderful time shopping for it. “I know you want to get ready by yourself, lovey, but I wanted to make sure you have all the things you need. May I come in for a moment?”

  “Of course.” I move out of the way so she can enter.

  She opens her purse and holds out a small square jeweler box. “This covers both old and blue, from your dad. They were your mother’s. He would have liked to give them to you himself, but he didn’t want to intrude.”

  I open the box and there is the most exquisite pair of sapphire stud earrings. “I remember her wearing these.”

  She reaches into her bag again, this time pulling out a long thin black velvet box and hands it to me. “This is your something new. I think every woman should have a nice set of pearls. You don’t need to wear them, maybe they would work in your bouquet.”

  “No, they’re beautiful,” I say as I lift them out of the box. “Could you help me put them on?”

  The smile Frances gives me lights up the room. “Of course, sweetheart.”

  Once she’s done, her hand disappears into her bag, “Last thing. Something borrowed.” The ivory linen handkerchief is embroidered in the corner with a tiny violet F.

  Holding back tears, I launch myself into Fran’s arms. “Thank you. For everything. For never giving up on me.”

  “I love you. You’re everything I could ever want in a daughter. Now finish getting ready, I need to go check on your father. He’s a complete wreck, and I’m finding it highly amusing.”

  48

  Heath

  It’s all I can do to leave Georgia alone after getting such shitty news, but I need to come up with an action plan for Katie.

  Georgia and I had talked in general terms how best to help Katie, and we agreed that she needs a good Dom who’ll give her the pain she craves in a safe way.

  I immediately thought of Dair—she’s just his type—but I wanted to give Georgia a chance to meet him before suggesting the option.

  I thought we’d have more time to work out logistics But, since we don’t, I need to get things moving. I’m not concerned about getting Katie to agree. Now that her asshole husband is free and clear, I can pretty much guarantee she’s going to agree to anything that will keep her safe.

  Dair is the one who’s going to take some convincing. And timing will be everything. Which is why I won’t discuss it with him until the reception. A sense of urgency and a woman in peril? He’ll balk at first, but he won’t be able to resist. The man has a savior complex the size of New York. I’m being a total manipulator, but the ends justify the means.

  Knowing Katie would be coming, I’d arranged extra security for the wedding and reception, but with the change of situation, I need to coordinate with Amy’s House and Katie’s security detail.

  I put a call in to the pilot of the company jet and ask him to file a flight plan and get the crew assembled for an evening departure to Reagan. Then I call the front desk and ask them to have one of the hotel cars waiting at the celebrity entrance for eight tonight. There’s a reason people who value their privacy stay at Esmonde hotels.

  I’m just finishing up on my last call when I hear a knock on my door.

  When I open it, Grant is there with a pizza box.

  “I’m starved. How did you know?”

  “I had a hunch. And it’s a wedding. Everyone knows you should fill up on real food before a wedding. Makes for better alcohol consumption.”

  “What are you, nineteen?”

  “Practical.”

  “Want coffee?” I ask.

  “I’ll make it, you get eating. So what were you doing
that had you so busy you didn’t have time for breakfast?”

  “Making alternate security arrangements for Katie. The assault charges were dropped and her piece of shit, soon-to-be-ex-husband has already been released. Georgia only got the call this morning, so, it’s a scramble.”

  “What the fuck? How does that work. They had him dead to fucking rights. Evidence. Witnesses. Photos of Georgia’s injuries.”

  “Yeah, but he’s a cop with friends, and now the case has blown to smithereens.”

  “Shit. What about Georgia? Won’t he come after her again?”

  “Probably not. There is only so much you can ask of your friends. And there can’t be that many cops in his life who would be willing to make evidence disappear and witnesses lose their memories twice on the same victim.”

  “That makes sense. But some of these guys aren’t as smart as they think they are.”

  “True, that’s why Georgia is going to have light security. For a while, at least.”

  Nodding, Grant and looks at his watch, then at me. “So, have you taken care of everything you can?”

  “For now, yes.”

  “Then you’d best finish getting ready, you have a wedding to get to.”

  49

  Georgia

  Taking a deep breath, I start my solo walk up the aisle. I’ll face this new era the same way I’ve faced pretty much every other stage of my life—on my own two feet.

  I know it hurts my dad to be sitting in the front row rather than doing the traditional fatherly wedding duties, but he understands.

  We’ve come a long way in mending our relationship, but we’ve got an even longer way to go.

  Heath is waiting for me at the end of my journey, his grin is bright and his eyes sparkle.

  The officiant smiles at us, then looks out to our guests. “We are gathered here today to witness the exchanging of marriage vows between Heath and Georgia. If there is anyone present who knows of any reason why this couple should not be married, let them speak now or forever hold their peace. Please face each other and join hands.”