“Yes, baby?” James asked from the door way.
“Want to join me in the bath?” She asked as she stripped her shirt off and tossed it on the floor at his feet.
“Abso-fucking-lutely,” James said and started to strip off his clothes.
“I’d hoped you’d say that,” Rachel told him with a sly grin.
James walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. “I will never turn down a chance to be wet and naked with you.”
“I will be sure to make it a possibility every chance we get.”
“I sure as hell hope so,” he responded and released her. “Now, fair lady, your bath awaits.”
“Mmm, why thank you, kind sir,” she responded with a giggle as she stepped into the overly large tub.
James stepped in and sat down before she settled between his legs and leaned against him.
“I love you,” he said as he wrapped his arms around her and splayed his hands over her stomach.
“I love you too,” she responded and wiggled her ass against him a little.
“Keep it up, woman, and we will be getting dirty rather than clean.”
She giggled and wiggled again, causing him to groan a little. “Maybe I wanna get dirty.”
“Your wish is my command,” he told her as he brushed his lips across her neck.
“Mmm..” she moaned and leaned her head back so he could have better access.
He trailed his lips up her neck and gently suckled on her earlobe for a second before gently nipping it. “I am going to make you beg before I’m finished with you.”
“James,” she whispered softly as he trailed his hands up and gently cupped her breasts.
Grinning slightly, he rolled her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers as he nibbled on her neck.
“James,” she whispered again, slightly louder.
“Yes, baby?” He asked as he released one breast and trailed his fingers down her stomach.
“Oh, God,” she moaned out as his hand gently brushed over her.
“Oh no, baby. This is all me,” he told her softly as he slipped a fingertip just inside her.
As he gently stroked her clit, he rolled her nipple and gently bit her neck, just where it meets her shoulder. Her body responded immediately and he smiled against her neck.
“That’s my girl,” he whispered as he continued to stroke her, applying just a little pressure to her clit. When she started shaking slightly, he circled her clit with the tip of his finger and nibbled her earlobe softly.
“Oh, God,” she cried out as her hips rose from the tub. He slipped a finger inside her just in time to feel her clench around him as she came hard.
“Yes, baby,” he whispered as he grabbed her hips. “Face me, love.”
When she turned in the tub and straddled him, he gently lifted her hips and slid into her slowly. Once he filled her completely, he kissed her deeply before slowly starting to move.
Nipping his bottom lip, she started moving with him, slightly faster than the slow pace he’d set. Her hands gripped his shoulders as she broke the kiss and threw her head back, riding him hard.
“Fuck, Rachel,” he grunted out as he felt himself spill inside her. “Too fucking fast.”
“James,” she panted and he felt her grip him tight as her short nails dug into his shoulders, her orgasm as hard and fast as his own.
“Fuck, Rachel, I wanted that to last longer,” he told her and laid his head on her shoulder.
“James, what’s wrong?” she asked, confused by disappointment she could feel rolling off him.
“I’m sorry. I just couldn’t stop myself from coming. I wanted that to last longer.”
When she laughed a little his head snapped up from her shoulder and his eyes locked on hers.
“James, why is you coming quickly a bad thing? You usually don’t that fast so I don’t understand why you’re disappointed. Did I do something wrong?” She asked and started to pull away from him.
His arms tightened around her waist and he brushed his lips across her neck. “No, baby. You are beautiful, and amazing, and perfect in every way. I came way too fast. I am disappointed in myself for not being more thorough and pleasing you more before I came.”
“James Lukas O’Brien, are you serious? I am very pleased. I always am.”
“I’m sorry, Rachel. I never want you to question how much I want you all the fucking time.”
“And I haven’t, but when I can feel the disappointment coming off you in waves after we make love then it makes me question if I did something wrong. I’m still new to this, remember?”
“I remember,” he answered and heat came into his eyes. “I think it’s time we got out of the tub and go to bed. I want to show you, over and over again, just how much I am not disappointed in you.”
She nodded and he saw a heat in her eyes that matched his own.
“James, just so you know, even if I don’t come it does not mean I am not satisfied or pleased,” she told him as she stepped out of the tub and grabbed a towel off the shelf.
“Can we please not talk about this?” He asked as he grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist. “I want to show you how much I want you and I can promise you that you will come several times before I am finished.”
She smiled at him and dropped her towel on top of the shirt she’d discarded earlier. “What are you waiting for?”
“Absolutely nothing,” he responded and scooped her into his arms.
“We have the rest of our lives, love,” she reminded him as he gently sat her on the bed.
“That’s true, but for right now, we only have tonight,” he replied and proceeded to show her just how much he desired and craved her with everything that he is.
Chapter Nineteen
“Morrison,” Mike answered, anger filling his voice.
“They have the papers that were in the safe,” the voice on the other end of the phone told him.
“Fuck!” Mike shouted as he poured another scotch, “We’re dead.”
“What do you want me to do, boss?”
“Start gathering your men and getting them and their families out of town,” Mike advised and sighed. “Fuck, no, we can’t do that. Running isn’t an option at this point.”
“No, it isn’t, but we need those who have wives and children to get them out of town fast.”
“Get that in motion. I have a few phone calls to make then I want everyone in the warehouse on Market Street in two hours.”
“Yes, boss,” the man replied before ending the call.
“Fuck,” Mike spat out again before dialing a number he’d hoped he’d never have to use.
“Richardson,” the calmness in the man’s voice unnerved Mike a little.
“Richardson, Morrison here. I need help.”
“Young Michael, I was wondering how long it would take you to call me after your father died.” The excitement in Richardson’s voice made Mike shiver.
“The Manning family is trying to destroy me. I need your help.”
“No can do, my young friend. Manning kept me on retainer for years. When he was killed I vowed to track down those who killed him and his lovely wife. His daughters are under my protection and I am looking for the one who killed young Elisabeth and kidnapped sweet Rachel. Do you know anything about that?”
Mike swallowed audibly and sweat covered his brow. “I may know who did it.”
“Oh?” Richardson mused and Mike could hear his chair squeak as he straightened in it. “Please do tell.”
“It was the Chakravarthy family,” Mike lied smoothly.
“Bullshit,” Richardson responded as soon as the lie left Mike’s lips. “Chakravarthy and Manning were as close as brothers. No way in hell he’d have anything to do with harming those girls.”
Mike swallowed again as fear raced through him. He knew that being caught in a lie to Damon Richardson would most likely cost him his life. “That’s what I heard, Richardson.”
“From
who?” Richardson asked, and Mike could hear the impatience in his voice.
“I heard it from one of the Manning family’s men,” Mike lied again without hesitation.
“Morrison, you are just full of the stories today. You must not value your life overly much.”
“I’m telling you what I know, Richardson,” Mike countered with more confidence than he felt.
“I’m going to check into this and when I find out that you’re lying, because I know you are, I will be coming after you and I will destroy you,” Richardson told him and ended the call.
“I am so fucked,” Mike said aloud to the empty room as he leaned back in his chair and ran his hand down his face.
Looking around the office of the safehouse he was in, Mike rose to his feet and starting pacing swiftly across the deep carpeted floor. His thoughts going back to the day his father and Manning made the deal for him to marry Elisabeth. He’d hated the idea at the time, but after they explained the amount of power he’d have after the marriage, he knew he’d do anything to have that much control.
Marrying Lis wouldn’t have been that bad. She was sexy as fuck and was a fucking good lay, but he knew he’d never love her. Sometimes love wasn’t what you needed in order to make it in this life.
Shaking his head at his thoughts, Mike walked out of the office and into the bedroom. Grabbing his suitcase off the floor, he started packing the few things he had with him. When he was finished, he grabbed his suitcase and his briefcase and headed out to the SUV that was waiting in front of the house.
“We’re making a stop before heading to the warehouse on Market Street,” Mike told his driver.
“Yes, sir,” the driver answered and pulled away from the house. “Where to, sir?”
“The Manning estate,” he told him and the driver nodded.
“Sure thing, boss,” he replied and turned toward the Manning estate as he looked at Mike through the rearview mirror. “Are you sure you wanna do that, boss?”
“Of course, I’m sure,” Mike answered and leaned back against the seat. “I wouldn’t tell you to go there if I wasn’t fucking sure.”
“Yes, sir,” the driver responded with a shrug.
The next few minutes passed in silence as they drove toward the Manning estate. When the driver stopped outside the gate Mike looked over to where the house was and gasped in surprise.
“What the fuck?” He asked as he gazed at the place where the mansion had once been.
“Sir, the Manning estate was sold and the house demolished a few days ago. That’s why I was a little confused about your desire to come here.”
“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me before we drove all the way the fuck out here?”
“Well, sir, you were adamant about coming here, so I figured I’d keep my mouth shut.”
“I wouldn’t have wanted to come here had I known everything was gone. Did the police find any bodies? Any sign that Elisabeth, Jackson, and O’Brien were dead?”
“No, sir. As far as everyone can tell, they are alive. No one knows where they are though.”
“Fuck,” Mike said quietly and punched the seat. “Take me to the warehouse, and keep the car running.”
“Yes, sir,” the driver responded with a grin as he pulled away from the estate site.
Chapter Twenty
“Jackson,” David answered on the first ring.
“Morrison is at the warehouse on Market Street with about two thirds of his men. They are meeting to organize an escape plan. Pretty sure he is going to flee the country within the next twenty-four hours.”
“Well, well, isn’t that interesting. Maybe we should give him a reason to stay here for now. I’ll call you back in two minutes.”
“Okay, boss,” the man responded and hung up the phone.
“Dakota, Michael is gathering his men. They’re all at the warehouse on Market Street at the moment.”
“Perfect. Call Billbe back and let him know that Ballard will be there in a few minutes. Have him get Morrison out, but make sure some of his men are still there.”
“Sounds like you have something planned, bro.”
“I do. Lis turned the papers over to Ballard this morning. He now has enough to arrest and hold Morrison on extortion, attempted murder, murder, and a slew of other charges. Morrison, if he isn’t dead soon, will be in prison for a very long time.”
“That makes me a very happy man,” David said with a grin. “I’ll call Billbe back, you call Ballard and let’s get this party started.”
“Take Rachel and Elisabeth to the warehouse and wait for Morrison to come out. Make damn sure he sees them both.”
“Okay, bro,” David answered and grinned. “I’ll keep them safe. I promise.”
“I know you will,” Dakota replied and grinned. “You like your balls attached too much not to.”
“You’re funny,” David responded with a grin. “I’ll get them and go now.”
“Call Billbe then go. Be safe, brother.”
“Be safe, brother.”
Once David was out of the room, Dakota pulled his cell phone from his pocket and dialed Ballard’s number.
“Ballard,” the gruff voice answered on the first ring.
“Morrison is at his warehouse on Market Street with a multitude of his men. Just wanted to let you know,” Dakota told him quickly.
“Thank you, Jackson,” Ballard responded with a grin.
“Just get them,” Dakota replied and ended the call. Whistling quietly to himself, he walked to the kitchen and grabbed his keys off the counter.
“Where are you going?” James asked as he entered the room.
“Market Street. Wanna ride?”
“Hell yeah,” James answered, grinning ear to ear.
“This should be fun,” Dakota told him and chuckled.
“Very fun,” James agreed as they walked out the door.
Five minutes later Dakota stopped the SUV half a block from Morrison’s warehouse. He angled it so they could see the SUV Lis and Rachel were in and the SUV driven by Billbe.
“Here we go,” Dakota said when he saw Morrison exit the warehouse.
He and James watched as Morrison walked to the SUV. When they saw him stop and go ghostly pale, they looked over to where the girls were standing beside the SUV they’d been sitting in a moment earlier.
“Looks like he saw a ghost,” James commented with a chuckle.
“Wanna make him see another one, or two?” Dakota asked as he pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed a number.
They watched as Morrison pulled his cell phone from his pocket and put it to his ear.
“Who is this?” He asked as soon as the call connected.
“Turn around, old friend,” Dakota told him. When he turned to face them, they both waved and watched him go even paler.
“How the fuck are you alive?” He asked in shock.
“Miracle from above,” Dakota answered and James chuckled. “Better get going, Morrison. Ballard is on his way and he’s looking for you.”
They both laughed again as Morrison jerked the SUV door open and almost hurled himself in.
“Run like the scared little rabbit you are, but remember, there is nowhere for you to hide that I cannot find you. You’re a dead man when I do, Morrison. You are a dead man walking.”
“You may have survived, Jackson, but that does not mean you’ve won. You’re still just a simple man and Elisabeth will soon tire of you. When she does, call me.”
Dakota laughed and ended the call without saying anything else. He and James watched as Billbe pulled away from the curb and chuckled a little at how secure Morrison felt at the moment.
“If he only knew,” James said quietly after the SUV was out of sight.
“He’ll know soon enough. Now let’s get our girls and get out of here. Lis and I have a wedding to plan and I’m sure you and Rachel won’t be far behind.”
“Dakota, I need to take Rachel away for a couple of days after your wedding. I
need to show her where I come from.”
“I understand,” Dakota told him. “Lis will too.”
“I know you both do, but I wanted to tell you.”
Dakota nodded and pulled away from the curb. He fell in behind the SUV David was driving just as Ballard and his team pulled in front of the warehouse.
“Let the games begin,” Dakota whispered as a grin spread across his face.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Hello,” Lis answered her cell phone hesitantly.
“Hello, dear Lis. It was very nice to see you alive and well earlier today.”
“Who is this?” Lis asked and waved Dakota, Rachel, and James over.
“You’ll find out who I am soon enough, but for now tell Jackson, O’Brien, and that beautiful sister of yours I said hello and that I am watching you all.”
“Who the fuck is this?” Dakota asked, anger evident in his tone.
“Now, now, Jackson, anger doesn’t become you. Patience is a virtue.”
“Fuck patience,” James said loudly.
“O’Brien, how nice to hear you’re there as well. I presume Rachel is there also. Tell me hello, beautiful.”
Rachel looked at James and when he nodded she took a deep breath. “Hello, who is this?”
“You will find out when I am ready. Until then, watch out for each other,” the man ordered then the line went dead.
“Who the fuck was that?” Dakota asked and looked around at everyone.
“I don’t know, but he called from Dad’s cell phone number,” Lis answered and looked at Rachel. “Dad’s cell phone was not in the SUV the night they were murdered.”
“So, whoever that was, was there the night Mom and Dad were killed,” Rachel stated and Lis nodded.
“Whoever that was most likely had a hand in your parents’ murders,” James said and Dakota looked at him.
“We need to talk to Chris and see if he remembers anything else from that night,” Dakota told them and pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “He’s the only one I know for a fact we can trust who was there.”
“Where is he? Wasn’t he staying here too?” Rachel asked in confusion.
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