by C. M. Steele
“You can tell me when you get it, okay?”
“Okay,” I agree, kissing him on the lips then hop off his lap. I still have to clean up the dishes. He’s going to freak out that we’ll be rich pretty soon. It’s not enough to live off forever, but it’ll set us up nicely for our retirement and our kids’ colleges.
Chapter 9
Derek
We enter the station and three of my deputies are present. They all take notice of Tracy at my side. I fucking hate the way they look at her. It makes me want to shoot all of them on the spot. “Let’s go into my office.” I press my hand to the small of her back and lead her into my office, closing the door behind me.
“What’s wrong? Are you embarrassed that they think we’re together?”
I laugh out loud. “I put a fucking neon sign that we’re together on your finger. Pretty soon, I’m hoping there’ll be a very telltale sign that you’re mine.” I rub my hand on her flat abs. “I’m not embarrassed at all. I want them to stop staring at you. Every damn day since we met, I’ve been doing all I can not to blind the guys around here,” I finish with a grunt. I’ve never had a reason to be jealous before. Now it’s like even the slightest smile thrown her way is liable to make me lose it.
She expresses her amusement with my territorial behavior. “Makes sense now why you didn’t want me to work with Blake. I thought you were just looking out for Amelia.”
“Yes and no. I don’t want anyone eyeing you like their next meal. You’re only mine.” She shakes her head and rolls her eyes before taking a seat.
I just take my seat around the desk when I hear a loud commotion in the hall. It’s a woman hollering, and furniture being kicked about.
I open the door to find my sister being escorted into one of the holding cells and another guy, I clearly recognize being taken into another. I turn to Tracy. “Stay here.” I step out and close the door behind me. I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t want Tracy to get hurt in any way.
“What the hell is going on?” I call out. Deputy Sanchez, the one who just locked up the man turns to me and says, “These two were caught back at the scene of the crime. We let them sneak in. It seems they were trying to find something they dropped. We have it right here,” he chuckles out, holding a small piece of paper with a phone number. It’s probably their contact, especially if they were willing to come back for it.
I look over to my sister who at this moment is so damn high she doesn’t even recognize me. “What the hell are you looking at lawman? I bet you’d like me to service you after hours, right?”
Holy fuck, I don’t know whether to be fucking revolted or depressed. I’m feeling both at the moment. “Call me when the detectives arrive,” I tell Sanchez. I refuse to look in her direction, instead, I go straight into my office. I can’t believe that woman out there is my big sister. It’s a damn travesty what drugs do to you. As fucked as it was that she went after Tracy, something tells me she would be willing to go after Amelia if Blake wasn’t around. I wonder if they had staked out the bakery, but my run-in with her last week had fucked up her plans. There are so many questions I want to ask, but I can’t until she’s somewhat sober.
As soon as I’m in my office, Tracy looks up from reading the Houston newspaper that’s on my desk. “What’s wrong?” I guess I didn’t mask the pain in my heart. Fuck. How do I tell her my sister’s been arrested on charges related to her attack? Or how she accused me of planning to accost her later? A shiver runs through me in disgust. “Seriously, what’s wrong, Derek?” she asks, standing up and walking to me.
My intercom in my office buzzes. “The detectives are here.”
“Give me one minute,” I respond.
I pull Tracy into my arms for a brief hug, letting her go before she pushes me away. I know that would have gut me to feel and witness. “I know this is going to sound very fucked up, but if you want to leave me I’ll do my best to convince you not to go.”
“You’re scaring me, Derek.”
“I don’t mean to. The thing is…the woman screaming has been arrested for breaking into your apartment.”
“Oh goodness. Tell me it isn’t your sister.”
I run my hands over my face because fuck if there’s anything I can to do to erase all of this. “She is.” Tracy sits down, then starts to get up, then sits back down.
She looks up at me and concern crosses her face. She stands up and wraps her arms around me. “I’m sorry.” My heart drops. She’s going to leave me. I can’t do this. I can’t let her go. Before I can respond she sees the panic on my face. “I’m sorry about your sister. I’m not going anywhere, Derek. This isn’t your fault. I know you love her, but this time you’re not paying for her sins. You deserve to be with me if that’s what you want.”
“It’s all I’ve wanted from the moment I met you. I love you so much, Tracy.”
I open the door and let the detectives in. “Hello, I’m Sheriff Derek Wright.”
“I’m Dennis Johnson and this is my partner Aaron Reeves.”
“Let me introduce you to my fiancé, Ms. Tracy Hope,” I say, grabbing her hand and pulling them close.
“Wow, this is an interesting development. Have you updated Ms. Hope about the arrest?”
“That’s what I was doing when you arrived. Please, let’s have a seat.” I give Tracy my chair while I stand behind her. The detectives take the seats in front of my desk.
“Well, so here’s the deal. We believe they are working for a trafficking ring that abducts women and teens for prostitution. As we speak the FBI is infiltrating the main operation. They were already onto the group and were about to strike when we contacted them.”
“I wouldn’t let them traffic me.”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Hope, but most of those women who fight, die. Very few escape. It’s not like they treat you good. They beat you until you can’t fight them, then inject you with heroin until you become compliant and addicted. Then you’ll do whatever they say.”
“Are you telling me that’s what’s wrong with my sister?”
“Yes and no. She’s been arrested for straight prostitution on the street. She hasn’t been trafficked she chose that life. Although, she may have not always chosen it. She had a chance for help about ten years ago but refused to roll on her handler.”
“They refer to that behavior as Stockholm Syndrome. I’m sorry, but it’s a strange phenomenon that alters their perception of their captor. Along with the drugs, she may be unreachable.”
“Do you think that she can get help?” Tracy asks.
“I don’t know. She needs a lot of help that she can’t get around you all.”
“After her time served, if you want Tracy, we can check to see if she wants to get to know us.”
“I wish you all the best. We’re going to take them into our custody if you could please sign them over.”
“Of course.” I turn to Tracy. “Please stay in here. She’s not in her right mind and I’m afraid of what she’ll say or do.” I lean over and kiss the top of her head, then walk out with the detectives.
About twenty minutes later, my sister and her cohort are carted off to a Houston jail. I feel nothing but relief. “I’m calling it a day,” I tell her. There’s enough staff here to make sure everything is okay. I only came in to deal with the break-in.
“Maybe we should talk to Amelia about this.”
“Let’s save it for another time. Right now, I want to go home and make love to you and forget the past hour.”
“Lead the way,” she tells me, swatting my ass before we exit my office.
“You’re in trouble for that, woman.”
Chapter 10
Tracy
He tosses me onto the bed, and I’m giggling all the way down. He needs this. We need this. He lifts his shirt over his head, dropping it to the floor. I love his body. It’s so sexy and full of muscles. “Strip, woman.”
I lazily slide my jeans down my legs, then I raise my top over my head, taking my time. I can
’t see him, but I hear him growl. A laugh escapes me. I finally take it off, and just as I do, he’s on top of me. His mouth crashing into mine. Thrusting his hands into my hair, we fall back onto the pillows. He pulls away from our kiss but grinds his cock onto my pussy. It’s then that I notice that while I was teasing him he had taken off the rest of his clothes. His thickness rubs against my soaked panties. I want him in me now before I scream. My hips rock up into his, hoping that he’ll take me, but instead, he takes his strong hands and runs them down my body. One cups my ass, while the other caresses my entrance. The material that rests between his fingers and my heat adds an extra sense of pleasure. His thumb dips under the fabric and slips into my cunt. I’m gushing with need. Then he presses the pad onto my clit. I’m on the edge.
“I need you now, Derek,” I plead. He smiles down at me, then pushes my panties to the side and thrusts into me.
“Is that what you need?” he asks, taking long strokes inside.
“Yes, give it to me, Sheriff.”
“Fuck, baby. You’re going to make me come quick talking like that,” he mutters, grabbing my breasts, then bending down to take one into his mouth.
I wrap my legs around his waist. He picks up his pace, grunting and moaning as the headboard slams against the wall. I love the sounds of our heated bodies make as our flesh slap together. I can feel him tense, then I squeeze. I want all his cum inside of me. The thought is all the push I need. I come hard; pulsating and gripping his cock until he gives it all to me.
He rests his head on my chest as we get our breathing under control.
“Can we get married tomorrow?” I ask. I want to be his wife more than I can even explain.
“Wow, baby. You’re going to make me fuck you again with words like that.”
“Well, in that case, I can’t wait to be Mrs. Wright,” I tease. He thrusts his hips forward and we begin our next session with the constant words of love.
Chapter 11
Derek
One Month Later…
I walk into the bakery looking for Tracy when I see a young man talking to her, smiling and laughing. I want to break his jaw instantly. I make it to the counter and around it without a word. I pull my wife into my arms and slam my mouth to hers. She hesitates for just a second then joins wholeheartedly. I pull back a few seconds later because I’ve proven my point. The young man stares nervously like I’m going to kill him, but I just address my wife, “Baby, you almost ready to go home?”
“Just as soon as I’m done helping this customer and I’ll be ready.”
“Okay, baby.” I grab her ass and stand there while the guy who had been flirting with my wife finished his choices.
As soon as he walks out of the door, she turns to me, slapping my chest. “What’s the matter with you caveman?”
“What? I saw the way he was looking at you.”
“I think you’re crazy.”
“Well, I don’t give two shits. I don’t want guys jaws dropping every time you’re around.”
“They definitely won’t be for long,” she says, rubbing her belly. It takes me a moment, but then I get it. I pick her up and spin her around nearly taking out one of the glass counters.
“Oops. Let’s get out of here.”
“Okay, I’ll be ready in a few. Carly and Carter are cleaning up the back.” She doesn’t enter the kitchen before knocking. I don’t have to know what that’s about. She told me about walking in on them kissing passionately. Things may have gotten dirtier if she hadn’t walked in. Carly and Carter are newly married as well, so they’re fucking whenever and wherever they can. That’s what I planned to do to celebrate the fact that I filled Tracy with my baby.
“Thank you, Tracy,” Carter says, coming out to lock up. “Hey, Sheriff. How’s it going?”
“It’s going great. I’m on cloud motherfucking nine right now. You?”
“I will be too when I get my woman home,” Carter remarks. He’s a doctor who’s moving his practice in town to be close to her business. He’s a good guy and obsessed with her like I am with Tracy.
“Have a good night,” I tell him, walking out of the shop with my wife. We wave them off and head home.
The entire drive home, I’m smiling brightly. By the time we got to the house, my sweet wife is sleeping. I carry my little family inside then tuck them into bed. This is just as good. I surrender to sleep.
Epilogue
Tracy
“I need you to come right now. I'm having the baby,” I cry out over the phone. My belly hasn't stopped cramping for the last few hours, but he's been at work all day.
“I'm on my way, sweetheart. I'll be there in ten minutes. Hang in there for me, please, baby.” I hear the nervous panic set in his voice as he tries to calm me down. I love him even more for it.
“I will,” I grunt out. “Ouch,” I say, ending the call as the pain gets to me. I might drive myself to the hospital if he doesn't get here soon enough. Everything is packed and by the door. I try to sit down, but a painful cramp hits me forcing me back up on my feet. I walk outside, searching for any kind of air I can get. It’s November, and the weather is a little chilly but being in Texas it's still pretty warm compared to up north. The breeze hits me, and I feel ten times better. I hear the sirens in the background over the sound of my own tears. This sucks terribly.
He was supposed to be off but one of the guys came down with the flu and he was needed for backup. He's already told me he's hiring three more patrol officers. The crime has gone down since the rash of burglaries ended with the capture of a group of teens. Now staffing is a matter of getting people to shift out for each other. Right now, there's only five of them and even though our town is small they are still several Petty crimes that they have to take care of every day. Derek pulls in quickly. I hold on to the railing and go down the few stairs leaving the bags on the steps because I know that he'll be mad if I try to grab them. “I got you baby. I got you.” He scoops me up into his arms and carries me to the car. Instantly the pain feels like it's gone away even if I know that it's going to be back in a second. I know I have him by my side now. “Okay let's get you seated right. I love you, baby. And I can't wait to meet our son.”
“Me either.”
“Just give me one second while I grab our bags, babe.” He grabs them, and we fly out toward the highway and to the hospital. Thank heavens he’s got the squad car. We were there in less than ten minutes and they are checking me in within the next five.
Every labored breath is only eased with him holding my hand. His phone goes off and he answers, “Hey, pumpkin. Tracy and I are at the hospital right now.” He smiles up at me as he talks to Amelia.
“Yay we're having our baby now,” she cries on the other end. “We will be there as soon as you can. So excited,” she squeals I can hear her from the bed.
A small laugh escapes me as he ends the call. “I guess you know she's coming.” I nod because another pain hits me just then. Derrick dashes to my side, holding my hand. “I love you so much, Tracy. You're all I can ever think about.”
“I love…” A pain rips through me this time and it’s deeper than the last one.
“I’ll get the doctor.” A nurse nearly collides with him as he opens the door.
“She’s in pain.”
“Yes, sir. We know. Her sensors went off at our desk.” Derek returns to my side and the woman sits on the bed between my legs after putting on some gloves. “Mrs. Wright, I need to check you. Just relax as best you can.” She lifts the covers and drops them fast. “Oh heavens, it’s time for the doctor.” She jumps up and calls for the doctor. It’s then they prepare for the actual delivery. Derek squeezes my hand and kisses my brow. I look at him and suddenly, I’m a bit ticked off.
Twenty minutes later, I’m giving out the final painful push of my son’s broad shoulders.
“You did it,” he says as our son cries out in the room.
They lay my little man on my chest. He’s not so little. He goes
from my chin to my crotch. I can’t believe he fit inside me. “He’s beautiful,” I sob, kissing his head. Derek kisses both of our foreheads and I can see the tears in his eyes.
“Sorry, I have to get him cleaned up.” The nurse takes him from us.
“He’s perfect, my lovely wife.” He kisses my lips this time. “Thank you for giving me a son.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you by my side, Derek,” I tell him.
“You weren’t saying that about five minutes ago.” I shrug in embarrassment. I was kind of a total bitch.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so mean,” I apologize.
He brushes my stray hairs away from my face, then runs his fingers down my cheek. “I’m not bothered. Baby, I know that I wouldn’t like the person who has my body being ripped in two. I’m sorry that you had to go through so much.”
“I love you, Derek,” I whisper, looking into his happy face.
“My love for you knows no bounds, Tracy.”
Derek
A year later…
“Amelia, are you ready?” I ask my daughter. I know this is hard for her, but there are some things that need to be done. She nods, holding Blake’s hand. We go into the coroner’s office in Houston to make the ID. A week before her trial, she got enough heroin to send her over. She overdosed and now it’s our job to handle the identification even though they know it’s her.
The viewing will only take a moment. Since Amelia has only seen her once she didn’t need to be here, but she wanted to see her. As if to say a final goodbye. We’re in and out of the glassed window viewing area.
“Are you okay, pumpkin?” I ask her. She throws herself into my arms, crying softly.
“Yes, I am fine. It’s sad that she did this to herself. I know she’s partly a victim of circumstance, but she lost out on so much because of it. I feel sorry for her and you.”
“Pumpkin, thank you for being the woman I’d hoped you’d be. I’m sad for her, but I lost her a very long time ago. I’m sorry that you missed out on having a normal life.”