Jenn’s mom moans in the audience.
When it’s the defense’s turn again, Gage takes the stand and walks everyone through the pictures of the fake electric company van that was spotted outside Ashbury Central, at their home on the day Jenn’s pills were tampered with and on the day she jumped. He also links it to The John Riley Company.
“What does all that tell you?” Damien asks.
“The electrical company doesn’t exist. The plates belong on another make and model of vehicle, Jenn’s pills were tampered with, and the hallucinogenic mushrooms at Ashbury Central were laced with LSD. This all seems to point to a setup.”
“Your honor, we expect more expert testimony from this witness,” Damien says.
The judge nods.
Aubrey stands. “There still is the gun the police found while searching the defendant’s current residence.”
“Your honor, I’d like Ms. O’Connor to respond again as my expert witness,” Damien says.
The judge nods.
“Ms. O’Connor, you also reviewed video of the search when the police claimed they found the gun where Mr. Anderson was staying?” Damien asks.
“That’s correct,” Maureen says. “Detective Leong and officers Chou and Lee presented themselves with a warrant. However, we’ve been granted a hearing after the holidays to challenge the validity of that warrant. When they arrived, we turned on the office video cameras and you can see them from all angles. At no point do you see anyone locate a gun. You do see them destroy about ten thousand dollars’ worth of items in our office. They also planted fifteen bugs throughout our space, and the computer the warrant said they were looking for remained sitting in Mr. Anderson’s bag in his room.”
Aubrey stands up and yells, “Objection.”
The judge looks over his glasses at her. “Ms. Simmons, you are welcome to offer rebuttal witnesses.”
“Your honor, this is all conjecture.”
Damien places copies of the information on the DA’s table and hands the file with photos and documentation to the bailiff, who gives it to the judge.
We’ve only been meeting for twenty minutes, but the judge takes off his glasses and calls the district attorney and Damien up to the bench. I can’t make out what he’s saying. When they turn around, Damien is all grins and the DA’s face is carefully neutral.
“Given what the court has learned, we are dismissing the case against Hunter Anderson with prejudice.”
Hunter looks at Fiona. “What does with prejudice mean?”
“It means they can’t come after you again,” she singsongs. “This is over, Hunter. You’re not responsible for Jenn’s death.”
Jenn’s parents hug Hunter’s parents.
Once we’re dismissed. Damien approaches Maureen and Gage. “You both did a phenomenal job. Thank you.”
“We just followed the evidence,” Maureen says.
With a wave to the rest of us, Damien practically sprints out of the courtroom.
The DA walks over to Maureen and Gage. “You both just put a lot of cases in limbo. They’ll go back and look at everything Frank Moore has signed an affidavit for,” she says.
“Honestly, I’m surprised someone didn’t spot it before,” Maureen jabs. “It wasn’t hard to find.”
Gage and Maureen turn to go, leaving Fiona and me standing with the DA. “Thanks for not being too hard on Aubrey,” she says. “It would have been far worse if this had been in open court and not the arraignment.”
“That was Damien Lewis’s idea,” Fiona says. “Plus, I think he wanted to see Hunter have a good Christmas.”
“Makes sense.”
We look over at Jenn’s parents, who are embracing Hunter.
“Enjoy your holiday,” the DA says, collecting her bag.
I nod. “You too.”
Once she’s gone, I turn to Fiona. “I’m going to take you home and take you to bed. I’m going to make love to you for the rest of the day and all day tomorrow. In between, we can pack for Paris.”
Fiona smiles. “I love that idea, but I’ll need to go by the office tomorrow at least long enough send everyone home.”
Chapter 27
Fiona
The next day, I send everyone home right after lunch. It’s Christmas Eve. It’s also quiet, and our current work can all wait until next week. As we’re packing up, I let Maureen know about the meeting in Paris.
“Sheeeit,” she says. “Are you going to be okay?”
I shrug. “I’ll have Bash with me, which helps.”
“Will you be at church for Christmas?”
“Maybe St. Dominic’s for midnight mass.”
She nods. “I might see you there. I think that’s where my parents are talking about going.”
“Good. Either way, merry Christmas.”
I work for a few more hours, wrapping things up and leaving instructions in case I don’t return. As I walk out of the office, I turn and look back at what I’ve built. I desperately hope I’m coming home again. If not, I guess Maureen can hold down the fort, and I’ll have Bash bring my team into Clear. We’d cover our costs, and all I’d ask is that he look out for my team. None of this has anything to do with them, and they shouldn’t suffer because of it.
Even with a plan in place, it’s hard to think that everything I’ve worked for could be gone. If my life here is over as I know it, I’ll miss my only friends, Maureen and Marci Peterson. Marci will never know how much our short-lived friendship has meant to me. And Bash will be the hardest to leave. I fight back tears. I’ve waited my whole life for him, and he showed up just as everything was falling to shit. But I know the generals will break it down for him. My guess is that’s why he’s been invited to the meeting.
When Dominic pulls up, I can see Bash in the back of the Suburban. As we pull away from the curb, I rest my head on his shoulder. I love San Francisco. It will always have my heart. Even if I get to return as a general, I’ll have to live in seclusion. Enjoying the city I love won’t be possible.
“What should we do for dinner?” Bash asks.
“You know, I’d love to walk to Antonio’s,” I tell him. “It’s a few blocks, but maybe we can take a stroll and enjoy what’s left of the afternoon before we eat. And I think I’ll need a high-carb meal for endurance.” I wink, and Bash grins like he just won the lottery.
We drop our things at his place and change out of our work clothes into something more casual. When he emerges from the closet, Bash is wearing what I’ve determined is his signature look: jeans that hug his perfect ass, a white T-shirt, and a black cashmere sweater. He belongs in a Ralph Lauren print ad. I put on leather pants and a sweater, and we’re ready to go. I’m determined to put all my inner turmoil aside and enjoy this evening.
Bash holds my hand as we walk down the sidewalk. People rush all around us with their arms full of packages and bags. I’m grateful to be done with my holiday shopping, but I do love being out amidst their energy. Everything seems so beautiful to me, and I savor every moment as we stroll and explore.
Antonio’s is busy when we arrive for an early dinner. Faces filled with joy, sadness, and anxiety are everywhere—friends hanging out together, couples, families having lunch, and a single soul sitting in the corner staring at his phone while savoring every bite of Antonio’s daily special.
It takes us a few minutes to be seated, but we immediately order Bash’s favorite all-meat pizza. How can he be so buff when he eats pizza, and the only vegetable on it is the tomato sauce? We sit next to each other in the booth and cuddle close. Amazingly, neither of our phones is going crazy.
“Here’s your pizza,” the waitress says brightly when she returns.
“Thanks.” Bash flashes her a smile, and she’s all giggles.
He’ll land just fine after I’m gone.
Just like that, the tsunami of sadness is back again, doing what it does best. Waves of anxiety, sadness, self-doubt, fear, and self-loathing shake me to the core. In the same moment, I questio
n my choices, my worth, and my future as if the world around me has come to an abrupt stop.
I close my eyes and breathe for a moment, and I can feel Bash squeezing my hand. Somehow he knows not to say anything, just lets me work through this. The situation is way beyond my control. I need to enjoy my time with Bash before it all comes to a crashing halt.
After a moment, I feel a little better. I open my eyes and squeeze his hand back. “I’m okay,” I tell him.
He gives me a questioning look, but nods.
I pour myself a beer. Over our pizza, we laugh about court yesterday and things going on at Clear. Then I bring up Erin’s invitation to The Dungeon.
“What would you want to do there?” I ask him.
Bash stops mid bite. “Honestly?”
“No, lie to me.” I roll my eyes. “Yes, I want to know what you’d like to do to me in a BDSM sex den.” I hold my breath.
“They have that room with the giant bed and silk sheets...”
I know the one he’s talking about. It’s a sexy room filled with all sorts of implements for pain and pleasure.
“I’d like to sit in the leather chair and watch you strip for me,” he says.
I shiver with anticipation.
“Then I’d lay you down on the bed and tie you spread eagle. It would be all about giving you pleasure. I’d want to see how many times I could make you come.” His eyes are hooded.
“We’ve kind of done that already. It was fun.”
“Yes, it was, but there I’d have more at my disposal to make sure you enjoyed yourself.”
I level my eyes with his. “Like what exactly?”
“I’d start with my tongue and fingers, but there are plenty of devices—vibrators, nipple clamps, paddles, not to mention honey dust—and I’m sure I’d enjoy a chocolate sundae with you as my bowl.”
I smile, but he must see something in my eyes.
He leans in and kisses my temple. “Try not to worry about your meeting,” he says softly. “I’ll be there with you, and we’ll manage it together. You don’t have to be strong by yourself.”
I fight tears. “I’m so scared,” I whisper.
“I know, baby. Me too.”
Once we finish eating, we walk hand and hand back to the loft. We decorate the sad artificial tree we found in Bash’s storage unit, and when he’s not looking, I put a few gifts for him under the tree.
Bash stops and looks at me. “When did you have time to go shopping?”
I shrug. “You may not like any of these. And don’t feel obligated to reciprocate. I have been living here rent-free for over a month, and that is a huge gift.”
“I have a few gifts for you, don’t worry.”
My eyes grow wide. “Can we open them now?”
“Let’s play a game instead. What do you think?”
I’d much prefer to open presents, but I can be accommodating. “Yeah. Sure. Whatever you want.”
“Have you ever played Truth or Dare?”
What is he up to? “I know the rules, but I’m not sure I’ve ever played it.”
“Would you like to?”
“Sure.”
We sit down next to the tree.
“All right. It was your idea, so I’ll start. Truth or dare?”
“Truth,” he says.
“What do you think about our teams working together?”
“Clearly it worked out great, and we may have even bridged the issue between Maureen and Gage. My turn. Truth or dare?”
“Dare,” I say with a grin.
“I’ll go easy on you. Dance for me while singing any song you like.”
“Hey, that’s not easy. I suck at dancing,” I protest.
“Well, the choice of song is up to you. So that makes it easy.”
I stand up and do my best impression of Marilyn Monroe singing “Happy Birthday.”
Bash points to his crotch, and I can see his cock straining beneath his jeans. “Nice choice, but it isn’t my birthday.”
“We can pretend. I could give you a birthday blowjob,” I offer.
“We’ll get there. Now you need to tell me what you want.”
“I’ll take a truth.”
He looks at me, making me wait before he asks. “What part do you like the most about sex?”
“The foreplay—particularly with you.”
“Why do you say that?” he asks.
“You get off on me getting off. You don’t see foreplay as a means to an end.” I stretch my arms above my head and watch his eyes follow. “I guess that leads me to a truth question for you.”
Bash looks smug, so I’m going to throw him a curveball. “Why do you fight being selfish sometimes?” I ask. “I mean, even if I want to suck you off, you don’t let me until I’m putty so I don’t do nearly as good a job as I know I can.”
Watching him react is a treat. His Adam’s apple bobs, and his jaw clenches. I commit this moment to memory to use later. I’ll always remember tonight.
“You give the world everything, with no expectation of getting anything in return,” he says. “It’s the least I can do when we’re together. I love doing that for you.”
I’m completely blown away. I love this man. I have no doubt that I’ll never love anyone as much as I love him, and I trust him completely. I know he’ll do everything he can to protect me.
Bash reaches under the tree and pulls out a small, red box. “I want you to know that I bought this for you before you moved into the loft. I didn’t know I saw the world in black and white until I met you. You bring color wherever you go. I fell in love with you long before we were together, and I can’t imagine my life without you. Will you do me the honor of being my wife? We can have as long an engagement as you need—”
I launch myself into his arms and try to kiss his lips right off. No moment will ever feel this perfect again.
When we finally break, I look at the ring in the red box and feel the emotions surging through me. “It’s beautiful,” I finally sigh. “But what do we do if the generals require something that separates us?”
Bash’s eyes glitter. “We’ll tell them we’re a package deal. I have no doubt they’ve done a thorough and complete background check. They know what I have to offer. If they want to tattoo me, I’ll do whatever it takes to be with you.” He takes my hand. “You haven’t answered my question. Will you marry me?”
I nod. “Yes, I will marry you. And by the way, your body is perfection.”
“Go to the couch,” he commands. “Undress yourself, spread your thighs, wet your finger, and circle it around your nipples. But don’t touch them.”
His confidence turns me on. Feeling fire within, I walk over to the couch and stare at him as I lift my sweater over my head. I knead my nipples beneath my leather bra.
His eyes are glued to me.
Turning around, I unbutton my pants and bend over, slowly pushing them to the floor and giving him the view of my ass. I spank it before hooking my thumbs in my G-string and inching it down my thighs.
“I want to see how wet you are,” Bash rasps.
I shake my ass back and forth. “What do you want from me?”
“I want you on your back with your legs spread wide.”
I cross my feet at my ankles, bend over again, and slap my ass cheek. “I’m in a naughty mood.”
Looking over my shoulder, I can see Bash has stretched his legs out and his cock is tenting his jeans.
I run my finger through my slit. “I’m so wet.” I suck on my fingers before dipping them again into my center. I circle my clit and moan just for him.
“If you prefer to do it all yourself, I’ll enjoy watching.”
I smile. He’s always in control. As instructed, I move to the couch, spread my legs wide, dip my fingers in my wetness, and circle my nipples until they’re coated with my arousal. “Take your clothes off and play with your dick for me,” I demand.
Bash stands up and is out of his clothes in moments, his cock waving hello. I’v
e kept playing with my nipples, and I’m close to coming. Just as I have this thought, I moan into my climax. It’s not as good as the ones I get from Bash, but I can see it affects him.
When I’ve recovered, I sit forward and crook my finger at him. He saunters over as I marvel at his size and girth. I can’t help myself. I want it in my hands. I want to play with it, to take it in my mouth, to lick every part of it, to taste his cum deep down my throat. “Please let me do this.”
He smiles.
My grip is firm around his cock. His stance is wide, and his veiny dick and balls are tight. Without taking my eyes off of his, I lick the tip. “Ohhh, you taste so good.”
“You want to drink my seed?”
I bite my lower lip as he reaches for my breast and palms it. “Pretty please?”
“You’re going to be exhausted by morning.”
I give him a sexy smile and suck one of his balls into my mouth, caressing it with my tongue while I rub the slit at the end of his cock.
Bash moans in pleasure. “Damn, you’re good.”
“I’m just getting started.”
I repeat the same process with the other ball, and Bash squeezes my nipple almost to the point of pain. I strum my clit and revel in all the sensations.
“Are you ready?” I ask.
“I’m pretty big, baby. Don’t worry about going too deep.”
He has no idea what he’s in for. I move him to sit on the couch, and with my thumb at the base of his cock, I rub a small circle. I lick the entire head, and I’m ready. I swallow him, and he goes deep, hitting the back of my throat. My cheeks hollow as I suck.
“That’s it, baby.”
I go a little deeper and repeat.
“You’re driving me crazy.”
I lick and suck until his cock is wet and sloppy. Then I lean down and take him past my gag reflex, deep into my throat. I bob up and down while watching him and circling my clit.
“Holy shit, woman.”
I begin to sing a song I hear on the radio, just loud enough that my throat vibrates.
Bash throws his head back. “Fuuuuuck.”
Unwrapped: Clear Security's Holiday (Clear Security Holiday Book 2) Page 21