“Lean up,” he demanded throatily.
I had no idea what he was talking about. He leaned over me and grasped my upper arms lifting me almost to a kneeling position. When he pinched my nipples I knew why. The sweet pain. Blood roared to my breasts. The sensation of everything he was doing to me was too much. The orgasm ripped through me as Brack held on. He kept stimulating my breasts at the same time his cock drove into my ass. Gentleness was over. He rode me as my body shook and my cries filled the room. The sexiest sound I’d ever heard left his throat. Deep inside my body the heat of his cum filled me. In such a nasty way he claimed me. The puzzle pieces locked again.
A few moments later, he laid me forward. He pulled out and left the room. Hell, he left me a jellied mess. I heard the water run in the bathroom. When he returned, he wiped my ass and legs down with a warm wet towel. Somehow, this was far more intimate than what we’d just done. I no longer cared. I belonged to him—body, heart, and soul. There was no part of me this man didn’t own.
Chapter Thirty-Six
I don’t know what I expected love to be like. Violins playing, little cupids flying around with bow and arrows, hell maybe just cuddles in bed for hours. That wasn’t what happened the following morning. Brack paced across the carpet of my living room with his cell to his ear listening to one of his men on the other end. He cast a glance or two my way. I could tell before the call ended that he would try his non-communication shit with me again.
I was right.
“What’s the news?” I asked the second he lowered the phone.
He came over and sat beside me. “Nothing to worry about.”
I gave him my I’m-about-to-slam-you-with-a-tennis-racquet look. “Bullshit.” I was beginning to notice his tells. The fingers traveling through his hair was a sign that he didn’t want to enlighten me. I waited.
He breathed out a slow and steady breath of air. “Mack didn’t see his attacker, but he heard him before he lost consciousness.”
My heartbeat accelerated. “Okay. Spill it.”
“Mack told Herman that most of it was incoherent. Ty went on and on about purging evil and what will happen when you consummate your marriage if you aren’t a virgin.”
I actually laughed. “Let the purge begin because I’m as far from a virgin as any woman can be.” My cheeks flamed with my next thought, but I said it anyway. “There isn’t a virginal hole in my body after yesterday.”
Brack’s arm went around me. “I’m glad you’re taking this so well. Religious fanatics can be the worst. They’ll turn anything to their twisted thinking.”
I had a thought. “You’ve been through my statements to the police right?”
He rubbed my shoulder almost absently. “Yes, before we met at the hospital.”
“Ty spoke about modesty a lot. The clothes he sent me would work a hundred years ago. I think the religious angle is a good one.” I considered a few things. “I haven’t been to church since I was fifteen and won my first championship. My dad forced me before that. Not because he’s particularly religious, but because it looks good politically. Shortly before Ty began stalking me, I attended a wedding of a friend of Bethany’s. It was at a church. Is it possible he saw me there?” My heart clenched when I said Bethany’s name.
Brack gave me a gentle squeeze. “It’s a shot in the dark. I’ll take anything right now, though. Grab a pen and paper. I want the name of Bethany’s friend, contact information, and anything else you can think of.”
It was nice to have something proactive to do. Brack handed over my old cell phone when I asked for it. As I went through Bethany’s texts, sadness overwhelmed me while I read our communications.
Hey girlfriend. My guy dumped me right before my friend’s wedding. I need a date. You available? Lots of alcohol and hot non-tennis delish dishes.
Even that far back, I was sick of dating the same type of guy. I went with her for the hell of it. I really liked Bethany and wished we had had more time to party. A tear slipped down my cheek as I read through the next few messages until I came to the date and time information. I jotted it down and wiped my cheek. I’d have time to mourn after Ty was out of my life.
We had an hour before practice. I was already dressed in the shortest skirt I possessed. It wasn’t for Ty’s benefit but for Brack’s. Driving the man to a painful hard-on was on the agenda today. If I got really lucky, Ty would see the evidence that Brack was the man I chose. I no longer cared if I pulled on the tiger’s tail. Ty needed to come after us. Not Brack alone. I wasn’t following that dictate. The two of us would take him down together.
With paper in hand, I walked into my bedroom to find Brack doing pushups minus his shirt. Well, fuck me. My nipples went hard and my panties wet. He rose up and down with ease as I imagined myself under him. I wanted those muscles caging me in. A wiry tennis body no longer did it for me. The man kept going, barely breathing hard at all. My mouth watered as each muscle rippled in synchronicity. A faint sheen of sweat peppered his skin. The musky scent of sweaty man floated through my room. My man.
I fought the need to touch him. Jerry would kill me for being late again. A quick fuck would lead to another shower. Another shower to a longer fuck. My lower belly tingled at the thought. Brack’s cell phone chirped and he stopped mid-pushup, hopped to his feet, and reached for it off the dresser.
“Yeah,” he answered using his other hand to wipe sweat from his brow. He was turned away from me, though I had no doubt he knew I was there. He listened for a moment before barking out orders. “Get us a secure car to take her to practice. If this guy is within a mile of the country club I want him taken down.” He tossed the phone back onto my dresser and turned. “My car is compromised. He left a gift for you on the seat. The police are on their way. If we don’t leave here, you’ll be stuck answering more questions.”
I never thought about my or Brack’s cars, which was quite stupid of me. Yes, I could play tennis, but obviously security wasn’t my thing. “I’m ready, but you need a shower.”
“Two minutes if you’re not in there with me.” He turned and entered the bathroom.
Damn, this sucked. I guessed I would be on time for practice today.
Ten minutes later, we left by a side door to the apartment complex. Brack’s man called and said the media was worse and the cops were there.
The country club had the same problem minus the cops. At least the reporters stayed outside. I noticed Meagan speaking to a few before we moved through the gate. Several reporters took photos. I gazed straight ahead, as did Brack. He had a tight hold on my hand. With a father in politics, I truly hated the press, though I knew they were a necessary evil.
Trees lined the country club courts, which were located in the western area of the thousand plus acres of property. The car dropped us off courtside. Jerry walked over and I couldn’t help noticing his hate-filled look toward Brack. The two men didn’t shake hands. I’d been with Jerry for many years. I knew this side of him existed, but he’d never directed it toward me. Not that I ever gave him cause to. His attitude was seriously pissing me off.
I began my warm ups half-assing my movements.
“Pick it up, Stradmore,” he yelled.
“Kiss my ass, Jerry.” He ignored me, so I pressed it. “You have another wannabe for me to partner up with today? The bitch you had yesterday is spilling her guts to the media. No telling what lies she’s telling about your tennis darling.”
Jerry came closer. I backed up when he got in my face. Not because he scared me. Brack’s training had me naturally staying out of Jerry’s reach.
“I’ve put years into training you…” he looked me up and down with distaste. “Darling. You would be a nobody without me.” He really couldn’t believe that. Though, from the look on his face, he did. “You have no idea what I’ve done for you. Daddy’s money did not make you the caliber of player you are today.”
I cut him off when he took a breath to continue his tirade. “No. My ability did it, you son
of a bitch. I’ve toe every line you’ve thrown me. I followed all the rules while on the court. My winning built your name, not the other way around. You’re good, Jerry, but not that good.”
Jerry looked over at Brack then back at me. “You think your sexcapades escaped my notice. At least in the past you had enough class to keep it to other tennis players. What the hell are you doing with that guy? Is it because Daddy won’t approve? Grow up, Stradmore, and realize your days are numbered on the court.”
His last statement hurt. My days were numbered. There were already several young starlets paving their way to the top. At twenty-three I was approaching the has-been age. Men might play until thirty, but women bottomed out after twenty-five. I knew it. Jerry knew it. And my father knew it. This didn’t mean I liked it. My plan was to go out on top. This was not the year I planned to do it, though. Next year or even the next was my goal.
“You’re fired, Jerry, and don’t let a ball hit you in the ass on your way off the court.” I turned around and headed to my bag and my phone. I didn’t watch Jerry stomp away, so I didn’t notice Brack come closer. My hands shook as I dialed my dad’s number.
I fumed as the phone rang. My dad’s curt answer was not what I got.
“Hello, Olivia. I’ve been waiting for your call. You usually check in with Daddy every day, but lately you’ve been a poor excuse for a daughter.”
Ty.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
My heart stopped. Dread and terror filled me. Colors danced before my eyes making it hard to see. The whoosh of blood traveling into my head made it hard to hear. I had to get control of myself. I gulped in air. “You goddamn son of a bitch. If you hurt my father I’ll kill you.”
“He that blasphemeth the name of the LORD shall be put to death and stoned. Remember that when you feel the pain of my hand, Olivia.”
Brack startled me by gathering me close and placing his head against mine so we both listened. “Where’s my father?” I demanded.
“That’s better. I have instructions for you, Olivia. You will follow them to the letter. Please bring that man with you. The one you’ve been with lately.” His voice took on an eerie quality. “If a man commits adultery with another man's wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death.” He breathed heavily and then gave a sadistic laugh. “You may choose your father or lover to pay for your sins. One shall die and the other walks away.”
“But…”
He laughed again knowing he controlled me. “I will only give direction once.”
“You’re nuts. We aren’t married,” I shouted.
He ignored me and began relaying his instructions. “Wear the gown I left for you,” were his last words before ending the call.
If Brack hadn’t taken the phone from my fingers I’d have dropped it. He immediately took out his cell and started dialing numbers and giving orders. My mind felt scrambled and following his rapid-fire instructions was beyond me.
My father. He was all I could think about.
“Snap out of it, Olly. We have a tracker on your father’s phone. It’s still at his home.”
I realized Brack was speaking to me, so I processed what he said. “What about the security team? They should be with him. How could this guy be at my dad’s house?”
“No one is answering their phone. The police are on the way as well as my team.”
Panic rushed in again. “He’ll kill my father if the police go there.” The look on Brack’s face said it all. Ty would kill my father anyway. I couldn’t allow that to happen. “No. I’ll give him what he wants. Me. I’m the answer to this mess.” I grabbed Brack’s arm and squeezed. “Do not get my father killed. You can’t do this. I’ll go to Ty.” The last came out through my tears. Brack’s expression remained hard. “No, no, no,” I said as I released him and backed away.
“Olivia…,” he tried to speak.
“No, dammit. Don’t do this.” I turned at the sound of the car engine approaching us. It was Brack’s driver. Brack picked me up off my feet at the same time I decided to run. Kicking and screaming did no good. Brack launched himself back into the door opened by Sander bringing me with him.
“Olly, stop. We’ll do everything we can to protect your father. Without the police, we don’t have the gift Ty left for you. It’s in police custody and we need it. I’m on your side. Now stop.” He tightened his grip around me practically cutting off my air.
The calmness of his words registered. “Then they can’t go to the house. Please, Brack.”
“They know what they’re doing. We’re heading that direction and waiting to hear that the coast is clear. Ty didn’t ask us to go to the house anyway. I have a feeling he left as soon as he ended the call. The phone’s there. That’s all.”
I tried to breathe. Gathering air felt impossible. Brack turned me in the seat so I faced him. His hands captured my cheeks. “You’re okay. You can handle this. I’m here and I’m not leaving you.”
I looked into Brack’s dark glasses. “He… he’s going to kill you.”
He removed his aviators and gazed at me with the eyes I loved and trusted. “No, Olly. No one else dies.”
I took a slow, deep breath and continued focusing on Brack’s eyes. I’d never noticed the matching gold flakes that ran through both blue and green eyes. “I’m okay,” I said against his lips. “I’ll be okay,” I breathed again. His lips grazed mine before he pulled away and moved me to sit beside him. Our shoulders touched and his scent filtered through my senses. I should have paid closer attention to Brack’s phone calls and now felt stupid that my hysterics took over. “Did you give the police the location Ty said to meet him?”
“No, I trust the police to a point and we really do need them. They never ruled out that Ty is a cop or former cop, so some things stay within my team only. Are you with me now?” His lips tipped upward gently.
I lifted my finger and ran it across his bottom lip. “Yes, I’m sorry.”
He ignored my apology. “I have someone heading to the location Ty gave. He’ll be careful and Ty will never know he’s there. When we know your father’s house is clear, we’ll go there and meet Detective Fuller. He’s bringing the package.” Brack looked quickly out the window before returning his attention to me. “It contains a dress.”
Brack was terrible at keeping secrets from me. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“It’s a long black gown.”
The implications ran through my head as I repeated the word, “Black?” Mourning… funerals. The color said it all. “Ty doesn’t know me very well.” I gave Brack just a hint of smile. “I’d never be caught dead in black at a funeral. Navy maybe, but never black.”
“That’s my girl. You can wear a low-cut red dress to Ty’s funeral.”
“With fuck-me pumps.”
We both smiled. I was back in control—scared shitless but controlled.
Brack pulled out his phone and began making more calls. This time I paid close attention and didn’t need him relaying the information. His team seemed endless and Brack had absolute faith in them. I did, too, because I trusted Brack.
“Head to the senator’s house,” he told Herman after he ended a conversation with Sander. We were only ten minutes away. I peered out the window watching the busy streets change to sweeping old tree-lined lanes as we drew closer.
The gate to my father’s house was open and there were several vehicles parked in front. No police cars. One ambulance. Detective Fuller stood at the front door and I realized his car must be unmarked. Though it was such a small thing, I breathed easier. Fuller gave me a tight smile then directed his attention to Brack.
“The senator’s security team is alive. They were Tased and zip tied. Medical is checking them out. We have a name and positive identification on your man.”
“And,” Brack asked.
“Leonard Tyler Cochran. Apparently his mother has worked in the senator’s household for years.”
The name was a punch in my gut. I pla
yed with Leo as a child. Hell, when we were five years old, we planned to grow up and marry someday. Oh hell no, I thought as memories swamped me. “I married him.”
Two shocked faces turned my way. Any other time and I would laugh at the priceless look on Brack’s face. “I was five years old and we said vows.” I turned and pointed out into the yard. “Under that tree right there. I think Leo was six or seven. My dad paid for Leo’s private school and I don’t remember him much after that. For several weeks I loved him, though.” I had. I remember his smile, minus a few teeth as he impatiently waited for them to grow in. “He tried to kiss me after we said our vows and I punched him in the nose.” I was having trouble adjusting to the fact that Ty was someone I’d known years ago. “What about Marcy, his mother?”
Detective Fuller turned back to Brack, but not before I saw the look on his face. “I dispatched a car to her home and just received a call a minute before you pulled up. She’s dead. Shot several times at close range.”
My legs were trying to buckle again. Brack placed his hand on my arm and squeezed really hard. I snapped out of it. No more hysterical drama for me. Ty was not the man I knew from my childhood. He was a killer.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The inside of my father’s home was a crime scene. We sat on the couch in the front room away from the forensic team that arrived a few minutes before. The media camped at the gates added to the growing chaos.
Even knowing Ty would eventually call, I jumped when my cell phone chirped. The display read “Unknown.” My fingers trembled as I picked it up and answered, “Hello, Ty, or should I call you Leo?”
His husky laugh sent goose bumps across my arms. “I told you not to call the police. You wouldn’t listen and you’ll pay for disobedience.”
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