The building erupted in the noise of men in heavy boots running up the stairs. As the first man burst into the room, he stopped frozen at the sight of Axel with a gun to Eduardo’s head. As more and more men arrived they pushed into the room; the front line of men being pushed closer and closer. It would’ve been humorous if Axel hadn’t known that this was freedom or death. If he got it wrong, he wouldn’t live to walk out of this room.
When the noise in the stairwells stopped, Axel performed a mental count and calculated that everyone was here. He spoke.
“Does everyone see this?” He asked in a voice so low they had to strain to hear him. Axel indicated the gun that he held to their bosses head.
The men nodded.
“Does anyone dispute that I’m now the Lord of this house?” Again his voice was low.
There was a mass headshaking this time.
“Good. I want you to know that as is my right, I am disbanding this community. Should I see any of your faces ever again, I will shoot you on sight and without question.”
Again they nodded. At that moment, the entire Police Department plus at least two more from the surrounding areas, burst in through the stairwells, the roof, the windows and even the elevator shaft.
It was fall before Axel went looking for Julie, even though he knew she was nearby. He had completed his transformation, including having the worst of his tattoos removed. But not all of them, a man had to have some autonomy. He spotted Julie walking from class, freshman seminar he guessed and fell into step beside her.
Julie looked at him and smiled her polite smile, the one she reserved for strangers. He had to choke back laughter when she did a double take and stood stock still on the path.
“Axel?” She looked both pleased and frightened.
“Professor Kehoe to you.” He said sternly.
“What? Professor?” She looked around and sat on a nearby bench. “Are you really professor here?” She asked.
“Adjunct professor of criminal studies, law enforcement and prison culture,” he said. “For a start.”
“I didn’t know you were qualified,” she said, still somewhat dazed.
“Back before I fell in with the wrong crowd,” Axel said. “I’m not as uncultured as you might think.”
“I never thought you were uncultured,” she said. “You are a very cultured criminal.”
“Cultured ex- criminal,” he said pointedly.
“Really? Ex- criminal?”
“Yes.” And he held out his hand to her. “Why don’t you come back to my place and I’ll show you just how reformed I am.”
He pulled her to her feet and she threw her arms around him. When they broke apart, he walked her the three blocks to his apartment. There was so much heat between them, they could barely get through the door. He pushed her up against the wall and kissed her with all the gentleness of a werewolf at the full moon. She pushed him away.
“I tried to find you,” she said. “I wanted to tell you that I loved you, but I couldn’t live a life of crime.” She sounded sad and Axel couldn’t bear it.
“There will be none of that,” he said. He pulled her through the living room and into his bedroom, which was dominated by a king-sized bed. She got the better of him, twirled him around and pushed him backwards onto the bed, climbing on top of him. She sat on his stomach grinning down at him.
“None of what?” She asked.
“None of any of it,” he said. “No crime, no sadness, no lowlifes, no prison.”
“Good,” she said. “I won’t tolerate any of that. In fact, I think I must punish you for the crimes of the past.” She bent down and kissed him full on the lips.
Axel reached up to pull her flat against him, but she batted his hands way.
“You are forgetting this is your punishment,” she said. “Lay still.”
She unbuttoned his shirt, pushing it aside to run her fingertips over the hair on his chest. She felt him harden against her ass and liked the feeling of power over him. She licked his nipples until he writhed and bucked against her, his breath ragged.
“Stay,” she said, standing above him to shimmy out of her silk panties. He groaned as she danced overtop him until she took pity and leaned down to slide down his zipper. The movement brought her vagina inches from his face and she gasped as he slid his tongue between her labia. He sucked her clit and it was her turn to moan and writhe. The she slid his erection into her mouth and the tables were turned yet again.
She left off torturing him to sit up and say, “Enough of this,” and she turned and lowered the warmth of her vagina over his penis. She rocked her pelvis over him, moaning and gasping until he could take it no longer and bucked into her until they came together.
Julie slid down next to Axel; resting her head on his chest and he pulled her close.
“Why did you decide to give up your life of crime?” she asked. “It had to be more lucrative than teaching community college students.”
“I had my reasons,” he said softly.
She smacked him on the shoulder.
“Yes, and I’m asking what they are,” she said.
“Babe,” he said. “It was because I knew you wouldn’t have me unless I went straight. So I had to.”
“Too right,” she said crossly, smacking him sharply on the chest. “Don’t you forget it.”
But Axel could see her face in the reflection of the dresser mirror. Julie was smiling, she was his forever.
THE END
Part VII
Her Fighter
Romantic Comedy
About the Book
What do you do when you have the most perfect life you could possibly have but fate decides to throw a hot fireman at you?
Ivy Simonett had it all, a promising award winning career, her own home, independence, and she’d overcome the odds stacked against her. She doesn’t need a man and her independence is far more important than any love could ever be. An accidental encounter with Liam Howell sparks her interest, but only casually, the last thing Ivy needs is a man in her life, especially one that wants to coddle her.
How do you charm a lady when she can’t see the best part of your charm?
Liam Howell lives his life, saving lives, and now he wants to save Ivy, even if Ivy doesn’t need saving. Calendar worthy hot with a smile that can cause panties to disintegrate, Liam isn’t used to having to hold conversations and actually make an effort but when he finds out Ivy can’t see, he has a new mission in life, protect Ivy, even if it does make him look like an overbearing jerk.
When fate decides to throw them together and give them the exam to end all exams, will Ivy and Liam pass the test? Can they find their way out of the darkness when Liam’s sight is cruelly taken and the only person Liam can turn to is Ivy? Choices have to be made and lessons learned but fate continues to turn, always teaching a lesson. Can Ivy and Liam keep up?
Chapter 1
Ivy Simonett prepared for the evening ahead as most women do. She had a light snack, immersed herself in a nice relaxing bath, shaved her legs, lined her jade eyes with makeup, dried her short black hair in an attractive way that framed her face, and put on a beautiful black silk dress that complimented her slim frame and olive complexion. Then she left her apartment and waited for the taxi scheduled to pick her up, to take her to the awards banquet she was headed to. Her latest novel had won a prestigious award and she was on her way to accept it. Happiness, success, and independence were hers.
Ivy listened as a car pulled up and a heavy person stepped out of the car. Ivy smiled at the person as they walked over to her and waited for the greeting.
“This way, please, Ms. Simonett.” A hand at her elbow guided her in the direction of the car and Ivy settled in.
“My name is John, ma’am, I’ll be your driver this evening. Is your destination still the Plaza Hotel?” The driver asked as he put the car into gear and moved away from the curb.
“Yes, John, it is. Is traffic bad this evening?” Ivy asked,
her face pointed in his direction.
“Not bad at all, ma’am. We should be there in ten minutes.” He replied, and Ivy settled back into her seat.
When she arrived at the Plaza, her door was opened and a female voice greeted her. Ivy held her hand out and slid out of the car.
“Good evening, Ms. Simonett, I’m Avery, an employee of the hotel. We’ll sort out the taxi for you. Please, if you’ll follow me we will get you to the banquet hall unless you need to make any stops first?” Ivy liked the sound of Avery’s voice, the scent of her perfume.
Ivy replied that she didn’t need to make any stops and followed along with the woman who had her elbow.
As she walked past the courtesy desk, she heard some of the people there talking and smiled to herself, pride in her accomplishments quite evident.
“That’s Ivy Simonett, she’s here tonight for an awards ceremony. You’d never believe she was blind would you?” the speaker used a whisper but Ivy could still hear them, her hearing better than most people’s.
Ivy smiled knowing that her hard work had paid off and she was gliding across the floor as if she could see what was in front of her. Ivy wasn’t ashamed of being blind, but she hated being treated like an invalid and that was how most people treated her when they found out she was not sighted. She sometimes needed a hand, a little guidance, but she’d made an effort to face the world bravely and being treated as though she wasn’t capable of taking care of herself was vastly frustrating. Her thoughts were interrupted by something smashing into her and knocking her down.
“Oomph!” Was all Ivy managed to get out before a male hand was slipping into her own, pulling her up from the floor.
“Oh, please excuse me miss, I wasn’t paying any attention to where I was going. Are you alright?” It was a nice voice, deeply pitched and warm, with a note to it that said laughter was never far away. Ivy liked the sound of it and the way the man smelled, cologne mixed with a warm spice, cinnamon perhaps. Moving her face in his direction, Ivy smiled and brushed off the concern.
“I’m fine, don’t worry over it. Are you alright?” She asked, hoping to deflect attention.
“Oh, I think you’ve stolen my heart with that smile of yours, but I’ll live without it.” The man’s voice still had that laughter in it but it wasn’t aimed at Ivy but at himself. She liked that.
“Well, perhaps I’ll give it back some day but for now I’ll keep it.” Ivy wasn’t sure what had come over her, a corny line such as that one deserved a sneer and a dismissal but there was something to this man that made her hesitate and play along. Maybe it was that note of self-confidence that seemed to say that the man could get away with such antics because he wasn’t the usual man but something special. She wasn’t sure but she was going to be late if she stood in the hallway with him much longer as Avery reminded her quietly.
“It was very nice to meet you; I hope you enjoy your evening, sir.” Ivy held her hand out in the direction she could sense he was standing in and wasn’t surprised when he took it, slipping a card into her palm as he did so. Now what was this, she thought with a quirk of her eyebrow. She’d have her assistant check it later.
“Good evening, miss, I hope to hear from you soon.”
Ivy’s smile widened as Avery walked her away from the man and guessed the card included a phone number. She decided to let some of her private thoughts show through and asked Avery a question.
“Was he wearing a wedding ring, Avery?”
Avery’s response came quickly, “No, Ms. Simonett. I believe he’s with the group of firefighters having their annual ball in our ballroom this evening. I can find out more about him if you’d like?”
Ivy dithered for a moment; not sure it was a good idea but decided to throw caution to the wind. “Yes please, and can you tell me what this card says?”
Avery took the card stock, presumably a business card, and spoke to Ivy, “This says his name is Liam Howell and lists his phone number and address. I can find out more about him with that information.”
“Thank you, Avery. I’ll be sure to meet up with you before the end of the evening.” Ivy stopped as soon as Avery’s movements revealed the first sign of stopping, and waited.
Avery placed Ivy’s hand on the back of the seat and left her side, Ivy’s assistant Emily assuring Avery she could leave now with a smile and a thank you.
“I’ve just had the most incredible experience, Emily. I’ve met a man who gives really bad pick-up lines and I accepted his card. Can you set up an appointment with a psychologist for me?” Ivy spoke with a laugh, letting Emily know she was only joking.
“Really?” Emily asked in shock. “You didn’t kick him in the groin and stomp over him as you walked away?”
“Shocking isn’t it?” Ivy asked, very pleased with herself. Perhaps it was only a momentary insanity or a giddy feeling from how well things had been going for her lately but Ivy had done something she normally wouldn’t have done and she was thrilled about it.
“Very. Do you intend to call him then?” Emily asked, her employer also a very good friend. You couldn’t be around Ivy long or do the things Emily had to do for Ivy without forming a bond, an understanding and closeness that did not come with most job choices. She had no qualms about encouraging Ivy’s adventures or confidence in speaking with her. Besides, Emily sometimes thought that Ivy spent far too much time on her own. She’d like to see Ivy happy with someone special in her life.
“I’ll find out more about him later and decide. Now, tell me more about the room please.” Ivy changed the conversation abruptly but she knew she didn’t have long before she’d have to know where she was, who the people around her were, and where she’d have to walk to accept her award. Living without sight brought its own challenges but with some planning and care she would be able to navigate her way through conversations and know what to expect.
Ivy felt triumphant and well pleased with herself. At 27, she was about to receive a very prestigious award for one of her books; she had her own home; she’d learned to navigate a world without sight, and she was still alive. Ten years ago, she’d been in a car accident that took her sight; and nearly took her life. Her achievements defied fate and what her own doctors had told her to expect from life. Even her family had tried to coddle her, tried to keep her from going out into a world meant for those that had sight.
In the first year or so of her life without sight Ivy had allowed the coddling, drowning in the depths of a deep depression. She’d been timid, afraid to leave home without someone glued by her side. Then one day she woke up in her bedroom at her parents’ home sick to death of hiding from the world that now terrified her. As she waited for her mother to come and guide her to the bathroom so she wouldn’t fall over something she couldn’t see, the pressure in her bladder growing, she became angry with herself. She was a grown woman and could take herself to the bathroom if she just paid attention to what was around her. She knew the path from her bed to the bathroom like the back of her hand and made her first successful attempt out into the world without anyone there to guide her.
She used the stick she’d been given, but never used, to feel for any impediments and walked close to the edge of the wall so she’d know where she was and made her way not only to the bathroom but to the kitchen. After washing her hands she went through to the kitchen, prepared a bowl of cereal, and was sat eating it when her mother walked in, shocked to see Ivy out of her room and eating.
“Who’s here?” Her mother had asked sleepily.
“Just us, Dad’s gone out to work I guess. What are we going to do today?”
“Just us? But how did you get out of your room?” Ivy’s mother, Jean, asked, confused about how Ivy had ended up in the kitchen with food in front of her.
“I did it Mum, all on my own.” Ivy said proudly.
Ivy then explained and asked her mother to take her out to a non-profit organization her doctor had been trying to get her to go to for months. The organization helped those
with disabilities find their independence. They helped Ivy get her first apartment on her own, helped her with her finances until she started writing successfully, and taught her to live without someone always there to help her. She regained her independence before she was 19 years old and by the age of 20 she had her first writing contract. From there she’d only moved forward. It had been a lot of hard work and she’d had a few romances along the way but nothing had ever worked out. Ivy wouldn’t let go of her independence and that bothered both the men and the women she’d had relationships with.
Over the last year she’d been too focused on her latest book being published and promoting it to worry about relationships. Maybe it was time now? Her publisher wanted more books while she was hot but perhaps a couple of weeks or months off would do her some good? Ivy was distracted from her trip down memory lane by a speaker calling the room to attention and refocused on what was happening around her, but she couldn’t decide now which was making her antsier; holding that award in her hands finally or finding out more about Liam Howell.
Liam wandered into the ballroom, pleased with himself and expecting he’d just made another conquest to add to his tally. He found his fellow firefighters in a huddle in the corner and wondered what had them laughing, he wanted in on the fun too. As he got closer to the group of men he started to hear what they were saying and his smile faltered.
“He was standing there, oozing that Howell Charm that just makes you want to punch him so you can have half a chance with the ladies and you could tell he had no clue who he was talking to. My wife saw them first and said; that’s Ivy Simonett, doesn’t he realize she’s blind? She can’t see him at all and the Charmer is working overtime on that little lady for all he’s worth, I tell you. I had to run in here before I started laughing myself to death. Gina says the woman is one of her favourite authors and said that it was one of the reasons we came tonight, so she could sneak over and hopefully meet her. But there was Howell, trying to charm her pants off and she couldn’t even see our handsome boy giving her his all. Ah, here he is. How does it feel Howell?” His buddy, Andy, seemed to be well pleased with his little speech and Liam had caught on by now.
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