Vivian, Midnight Call Girl (Iron Orchids Book 6)

by Danielle Norman

  Piper: OMG, Vivian and Aaron sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G.

  Obviously, everyone I knew was watching the press conference because my new messages were already over fifteen, so I flicked my phone to silent and tossed it aside to keep watching.

  “I expect everyone to treat them with respect and afford them their privacy. I’m the ballplayer, not them. I’m your news story, not them. Let’s get our ethics back on track.” Aaron stepped back from the podium as questions were shouted and then he turned and strode from the room.

  I turned off the television and went back to sand, glaze, and a giant wall. I wasn’t sure how long Ireland and I had been painting before we heard the garage door. I set my brush down and wiped my hands off on a rag.

  “I’m going to go see Aaron real quick.”

  “Do you love him too?” Ireland asked.

  “Yes I do.”

  “Are you two going to kiss?” Ireland made a kissy face.

  “I hope so. I one hundred percent hope so.”

  As I turned for her door, Aaron was already there, grinning. I didn’t walk, I leapt into his arms.

  “I love you too.”

  “Good, because I think I fell in love with you the night you became my midnight call girl.”

  Epilogue

  Ireland

  One year later . . .

  I pulled on my favorite jean shorts that had a ruffle around the legs made of Orlando-Lightning-printed fabric. Then I dug through my drawers until I found the dark blue T-shirt that said Sixes and headed out of my room.

  “How do I look?” I twirled in front of Vivian and Aaron for their opinion. I couldn’t hide my smile when Vivian started laughing, since that was the reaction I was going for.

  “Aren’t you absolutely adorable? Is Sixes going to become a sports place?” Vivian asked.

  I nodded. “Mm-hmm. It should be, or at least you need to make a sports wall. I can help if you need me to. I loved decorating my room.”

  “That’s definitely a possibility.” Vivian pulled me into her arms and gave me one of her huge hugs.

  “You don’t care if I wear this, do you?” I glanced over at Aaron, who was in a suit.

  “Today is your day, you can wear whatever you want,” he assured me. “We are just meeting the judge in his chambers.”

  “Like what you and I did when you brought me here?”

  “Exactly like that. Now, tell me, how do I look?” Aaron twirled just like I had done.

  “Handsome,” Vivian said before I could say anything.

  “You look so pretty, Vivian.” I rubbed my fingers along the silkiness of her dress. “This looks good on you, but I don’t like dresses.”

  “That’s okay, you look pretty just the way you are.”

  “All right, you two, let’s go,” Aaron said as I turned for the doorway that led to the garage.

  I raced to his car because I was so excited and climbed into the backseat. It didn’t take too long, like eight songs or so, before we arrived at the courthouse.

  As we walked up the marble stairs, people stopped and stared. This was the norm since Aaron was famous. I clasped on to Vivian and Aaron’s hands as we finally reached the judge’s office. When the door opened, I gulped. Everything in the room was dark and had a funny smell.

  “Ugh, what’s that smell?” I asked Vivian.

  She giggled, “Shhh, it’s called Liniment.”

  “What is lemmament for, cause it stinks.”

  “Shhh.” She leaned over and whispered in my ear. “Older people use it on their achy muscles, it is supposed to help.”

  “I never want to be old if I have to use that.”

  “I don’t blame you,” a female voice said from behind me.

  “Rut ro raggy,” I said in my best Scooby-Doo impression.

  The woman in the long black gown smiled. “Hello, I’m Judge Temperance Olson. Today is a busy day for you three, isn’t it?” she asked me.

  “Yep.”

  “Well, let’s get started.” Judge Olson moved around her desk and took a seat. “Let’s make sure we are all on the same page. Mr. Skkye, you and Ms. Haines wish to marry, is that correct?”

  “Yes,” I answered for them. I was too excited.

  The judge gave me a wide smile as Aaron and Vivian also said yes. “And you, Ireland, you want Aaron and Vivian to adopt you?”

  “Well, just Vivian since I’m already Aaron’s,” I explained. Aaron’s big hand squeezed mine.

  The judge stood and came around to where we were. “Are you both ready?”

  “Ready,” Vivian agreed.

  “Very well, do you have rings?” Aaron handed two rings over to the judge.

  “Please face each other. Today, you enter as individuals, but you will leave here as husband and wife, blending your lives and beginning the story of your life together, which is yours to write. And Ireland, are you excited to be a part of their story?”

  “Yes.” I nodded.

  “Please place the ring on each other’s finger but don’t push it over the knuckle.” The judge waited as Vivian and Aaron did as asked. Then she asked them to tell each other they were giving a ring. I thought that part was stupid, because even I could see they were giving each other a ring.

  “Do you, Aaron, take Vivian to be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, standing by her through sickness and health, through good times and bad, for as long as you both shall live?”

  “I do.” Aaron’s voice was firm as he looked at Vivian, who was smiling wide. He pushed the ring onto her finger.

  “And, Vivian, do you take Aaron to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, standing by him through sickness and health, through good times and bad, for as long as you both shall live?”

  “I do,” Vivian announced as she pushed the ring onto Aaron’s finger.

  “By the power vested in me by the State of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” When the judge said that, I closed my eyes, because I didn’t want to see them kissing. They did that a lot.

  “Now, Ireland, it’s your turn,” Judge Olson announced.

  “Do I have to say all of that stuff?” Everyone laughed, but I didn’t think it was funny because none of that stuff they had just said made sense to me.

  “Of course not, this is the easy part.” The judge moved around her desk and took a seat again. I sat in the middle chair with Vivian and Aaron on either side of me as we faced her desk. “Ireland, do you want to be adopted by Vivian and Aaron?”

  “Yes please. I would also like to make Lacy my middle name so I can have Skkye as my last, okay?”

  “I can do that for you,” the judge promised. “Vivian and Aaron, I need you to sign these papers.” I watched as they both signed. “Very good. Once again, I’m excited to announce that the three of you are a family. Ireland, do you have anything you want to say?”

  “Can I now call you Mom and Dad?” The answer they gave me was to pull me into a hug that was so tight I could barely breathe. Vivian kissed my face all over. “Hey, you were just kissing him with tongue, he probably licked your lips, gross. Don’t be kissing me now.” Ireland wiped her face.

  When we left the judge’s office, we headed toward the front doors but then stopped before pushing them open.

  “Are you ready, Ireland?” Aaron asked, and I nodded. We walked out of the courthouse and photographers were all around snapping pictures. The three of us walked up to a podium. “Let me begin by thanking you all for being here. I’m hoping that by having this conference you all will learn the truth here and now from my mouth and will leave us alone in regards to our personal lives. I would like to introduce you to my wife—” Aaron said, and all of the reporters started shouting questions, but Aaron ignored them. “My wife, Vivian. And this is our daughter, Ireland. If you will excuse us now, we have a reception t
o get to.”

  We walked into Sixes, and I froze in awe.

  “Surprise,” people shouted.

  “Ireland!” My friends Bee, Harlow, and Gianna raced up to me.

  “My mom said that you can call her Aunt Sophie, and I’m like your cousin now,” Harlow announced.

  “Then that makes her my cousin too, since we’re cousins,” Bee added.

  “Oh, you fabulous diva, did you dress yourself? Turn around, let ole Ringo take a look at this concoction.” I turned for Ringo. He was a friend of my mom’s, and he was a guy but liked to dress up like a girl and sing. He was funny. “I do believe we have our next fashionista in the making.”

  I turned in a circle and took in everything around me—all the people, the badges, helmets, and Dad’s jersey from when the Lightning won the season finals last year. Home, this was home.

  ____________

  The Iron Orchids story continues…

  Ever since Piper became the first female motorcycle deputy, Orange County has been busy. Now, there’s two. A new edition to the Iron Orchids—meet Sadie, the newest deputy to join in Sadie, Doctor Accident. Tap on the title to purchase or Read for FREE with your Kindle Unlimited membership.

  Continue flipping the pages in this book for a sneak peek of Sadie, Doctor Accident and to find a list of all of my books including those included in Kindle Unlimited.

  Now Available

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  Kat, Knight Watch

  Kat joins Sadie, Bridget, Piper, and the gang of motorcycle deputies in their quest to keep the streets of Orange County safe. Tap on the title to purchase or Read for FREE with your Kindle Unlimited membership..

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  Ringo, Slippery Banana - 08/11/2020

  Ringo is Here! Ringo gets his own book. Available now on Preorder.

  Binge Read Me

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  Suggested Reading Order

  Original Iron Orchids, Books 1 through 7

  Tap the links to find each title

  Ariel, Always Enough - Book 1

  Sophie, Almost Mine - Book 2

  Katy, My Impact - Book 3

  Leo, Kiss Often - Book 4

  Stella, Until You - Book 5

  Vivian, Midnight Call Girl - Book 6

  Ringo, Slippery Banana - Book 7

  Iron Orchids—Badges Series, Books 8 through 11

  You met some of them in the Iron Orchids. Now these women motorcycle officers will ride into your heart.

  Sadie, Doctor Accident - Book 8

  Bridget, Federal Protection - Book 9

  Piper, Unlikely Outlaw - Book 10

  Kat, Knight Watch - Book 11 (New Release)

  Iron Ladies, Books 1 and 2

  A whisper network of women. Women who help the wives of controlling men. You don’t want to cross these ladies.

  Adeline, Getting Even - Book 1

  Sunday, Sweet Vengeance - Book 2

  Iron Horse, Books 1 through 3

  The love stories of three sisters who struggle to run a cattle ranch and to prove the strongest cowboys can be a girl.

  London, Is Falling - Book 1

  Paris, In Love - Book 2

  Holland, At War - Book 3

  Box Set Madness

  Read for FREE with Your Kindle Unlimited Membership

  Iron Orchids Collection

  Tap the links to find each title

  Iron Orchids, Box Set 1 - Ariel, Always Enough and Sophie, Almost Mine

  Iron Orchids, Box Set 2 - Katy, My Impact and Leo, Kiss Often

  Iron Orchids, Box Set 3 - Stella, Until You and Christine, The Stars

  Iron Horse Collection

  Iron Horse Box Set - London, Is Falling, Paris, In Love and Holland, At War

  Sneak Peek—Sadie, Doctor Accident

  Book 8, Iron Orchids

  Chapter 1 - Sadie

  Damn, I made this shit look good.

  I stared at myself in the mirror for what had to be the tenth time this morning, making sure that my pins were perfect and my shirt was pressed. The only things that weren’t sexy were the boots, but hey, I didn’t mind them, since they were part of the standard uniform of all motorcycle deputies. Who would have ever guessed that I, Sadie Kathryn Lazar, would become a motorcycle deputy? I still got butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it. I mean . . . why wouldn’t I? I was getting ready to roll out on two wheels of county-owned property, and it would be up to me to save the people of Orange County, Florida from danger. Okay, more often than not I was saving them from their own stupidity, and I wasn’t doing it alone, but whatever. There were other deputies and city police officers and state troopers, but I was part of that team. I was twenty-eight fucking years old, and even though I wasn’t a kid any longer, this was a lot of responsibility. A lot of pressure.

  I grew up watching Cops with my daddy. I was all about bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do thanks to that show, and I never wavered from my career choice.

  My ten-minute warning alarm signaled it was time for me to get my ass in gear. After sliding my gun into its holster, I grabbed my helmet and marched out of my small duplex. I opened the door to my tiny garage, which was truly meant for storage, and rolled out my motorcycle before reporting in to dispatch.

  “Thirteen twenty-two, ten-eight.”

  “Orange County copies. 05:57 hours.” Dispatch confirmed that I was logged in and on duty.

  I fired the engine on my bike and then rolled back on the throttle. To many, the roar of the engine might as well have been a foreign language, but to me, it was my native tongue.

  As the early morning sun warmed my cheeks and the wind whipped against me, I hummed and maneuvered through the rush-hour traffic. It wasn’t even ten minutes after beginning my shift that my call signal rang out across the radio.

  “Thirteen twenty-two.”

  “Thirteen twenty-two, go ahead.”

  “Are you available to support a search at Mills and Colonial?”

  “Ten-four, show me fifty-one, be there in under five.” After letting dispatch know that I was on my way and less than five minutes out, I upped my speed, only slowing when I spotted the three deputy vehicles along a side road. “Hey, what’s going on?” I asked Colton. The guy had been on the force about as long as I had.

  “Hey, Sadie, this is one of those stories that is totally Cops worthy.”

  “Oh, do tell.”

  “It seems that Wanda”—he pointed to a tall woman in gold stilettos and a catsuit (the pleather kind, not the furry kind)—“and her best friend Pammy are no longer best friends.”

  “Why?” I asked with all the fake concern I could muster, and Colton nodded with his own fake concern for their friendship.

  “Wanda believes that Pammy stole her client.”

  “Well, that isn’t a very best friend-like thing to do, is it?”

  “Nope. Not at all.” Colton was clearly trying to keep himself from laughing.

  “Apparently, his name is John, and he’s a very loyal . . . client.” Colton raised an eyebrow.

  “It’s six o’clock in the fucking morning. If that doesn’t say loyal, I don’t know what does. So, why the sudden change of heart from our friend John the Client?”

  “Oh.” Colton finally lost it and let out a chuckle. “I’ll let them tell you. I don’t want to deprive you of any of the joy.” Colton gave me a knowing grin and I shook my head as I flipped him off and made my way over to the two women.

  I walked over. “Oh, good, missy, you need to arrest her. She’s a thief.”

  “I ain’t no thief, I’m a hooker.” I looked over my shoulder to Colton, who had moved to stand with Dan and Enzo. All three were watching me with bored expressions. I knew better, and would pay each one of them back for this nonsense. Three male deputies, and they called me.

  “Ladies, since the dispute has to do with business, this is actually a civil case and not criminal. You need to get an attorney and sue through the court
s. Perhaps you can even try to get loss of income.” Yeah, I said that last part with a straight face, looking to all the world like nothing more than a helpful officer handing out helpful advice.

  “Wanda, I ain’t taking no Johns from you,” Pammy said. “I’m gonna be truthful, okay? I stole some of your Oxys. But, girl, you got so many from that guy you blew, you didn’t even miss none.”

  I wanted to groan. Fuck, I needed to do a search.

  “Okay, ladies,” I said as I pulled out black plastic gloves. “I’m going to need you to step away from each other. If you could please face the car.”

  “What you doing, bitch? You ain’t arresting her, she’s my best friend.” Wanda, who just seconds ago was claiming that they were no longer friends, looked ready to fight for said friendship.

  “Ma’am, I’m going to need for you to step back unless you would like to wait in the back of one of those patrol cars.” Being called a bitch was my official breaking point. For a second, I thought she was going to argue, but then Enzo opened the door for her and she quickstepped back four or five paces. Pammy didn’t bother to argue as she assumed the position and pressed her palms flat.

  Between the two women, I found seven Oxycontin and a few rocks of heroin, so off to the station they went…