“Then have me,” she whispered back. “Have me anyway you need me, Everhart.”
Oh, he would.
He drove himself into the wetness, and she moaned his name. His mouth covered hers, as their bodies became one. As Hart moved, his kisses were timed to each stroke.
His brain was on overload.
She was clinging to him.
It was perfect.
As he heard the music from the living room, he knew he didn’t have much time. He needed to get them both off, and fast.
With one last thrust, as she was tightening down on him, Hart exploded. It was the most amazing orgasm, and he felt it to his toes.
Jesus!
He had to have this woman as his own.
How the hell was he supposed to give this up after having the last few days with her?
He couldn’t.
He’d be as miserable as sin.
Lennox followed Hart into the orgasm. She let the pleasure wash over her as she was enjoying the way he held her as she was wrapped around his body.
This…yeah, she could get accustomed to it.
She already was.
“That was pretty amazing,” she whispered in his ear when her tongue stopped feeling fuzzy from the pleasure.
“Mmmmmm. Now I want to climb back into bed.”
She laughed. “To sleep?”
He lifted his head and the molten color of his eyes stole her breath.
“No, to spend the next week fucking you until neither of us can move.”
What was a girl supposed to say to that?
“Yes, please?”
He laughed. The words were on the tip of his tongue. He desperately wanted to tell her he loved her.
He loved her more than himself.
He was crazy for Lennox Easton, and he was ready to take on everything that came with that.
Tonight, when they were alone, he would tell her everything, and then he’d do whatever it took to make the woman his for the rest of their lives.
Hart focused on his surroundings.
It was time to get back to reality—Ivy.
He was still buried in her body, she was perched on his counter, and his daughter was in the next room.
Yeah, this was dangerous.
“We need to get ready to leave soon,” he said, giving her another kiss. It was slow, silky, and gave him chills.
Instead of banking the fires, it turned him on again.
Here was the proof.
She was the one.
“Maybe later,” she said, pulling away with his lower lip still between her teeth. That alone got the response she wanted.
“Keep that up, and it’ll be now.”
She laughed. “Want to help a girl down?” Lennox asked, before he did just that.
Lennox picked up her destroyed panties, and then dropped them in the trash as Hart zipped back up.
“Lennox?”
She glanced over at him. “Yeah?”
“When this case is over?”
She didn’t want to know. She was pretty sure he was going to break her heart. Instead of letting it ruin the moment, she cut him off.
“We’ll discuss it then. For now, let’s just live in the moment.”
His heart skipped in his chest as all the hopes and dreams he’d been creating in his mind began crumbling.
That couldn’t be good.
It set the mood for what was coming, and he knew it. This sucked.
Here was his proof.
Lennox didn’t want to talk about a future. It was only the moment. That didn’t bode well for his situation. Just because she’d been kind to his child, didn’t mean she wanted to get on this crazy train.
“We should get ready,” she offered.
Hart agreed. “I’ll drive us to the office. Julian is going to want to blow this place as soon as possible.”
She watched him head off to grab his daughter.
His mood had changed. What the hell had happened? They were fine two minutes ago.
It made Lennox’s heart hurt.
Here was her proof.
When this was all over, he was going to leave. In order to protect herself, she had to do the only thing she could.
She locked the words away where they’d be safe. When Everhart was gone, she’d use them to survive.
If that was even possible after you lost the only man you’ve ever loved.
* * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *
It had been one hell of a night. As Julian tried to get some sleep, all he could focus on was his business and what was coming. Deep down, he knew it wasn’t going to be pretty.
Already, his attorney had warned him that NO ONE was to have any contact with Shelby.
No one.
That was going to be hard when the woman was dangling herself in front of the angry Natives. Julian had a feeling that Tori was going to lose it first.
That’s the last thing he needed.
His pregnant wife turning up in the papers would be a hot mess for them. So, he had to play this cool. As far as she was concerned, it was under control.
She didn’t need to make herself sick.
As he sat at his desk, waiting for everyone to arrive, he began signing off on some papers. It was hard not to be worried, especially when his wife wasn’t texting him back.
When he heard a sound, he glanced up.
It was Beau.
Perfect.
They needed to have a few moments alone to work some things out.
“Have a seat. I need to talk to you.”
“Is Nyx okay?”
Julian laughed. The man was just like him. That’s probably why he fit into the family so damn well.
“She’s fine. I guess. They are probably sleeping. If I know Tori, she was up late working.”
“Okay, then what?”
“It’s about Shelby.”
“What did she do now?”
“You’re not to see her no matter what. I know you’ll stay away, but we have to make sure we keep Tori away from her too. It’ll have to be a joint effort. Your sister is going to want to hurt her for this stunt.”
“I know. I feel horrible about this, Julian.”
“Don’t. This isn’t your fault. I’m not telling you make you feel bad about it. I’m telling you because the attorney said we’re all likely going to be called to the trial when she throws down the civil lawsuit against our family.”
He closed his eyes. “There are days I wish I didn’t find Victoria. If I didn’t, then your lives wouldn’t suck.”
Julian got up and walked around his desk to talk to the man. “It would suck, Beau. If Tori didn’t have you, what would her life be like?”
He wasn’t sure.
“What would Nyx’s life be like?
Again…he wasn’t so sure.
“We’re good. I promise. This is a bump in the road, and we’ll clear it.”
Beau stood up and hugged his brother-in-law. This was the first time in his life he felt like he belonged. It was all because of the Littlemoons.
He owed them.
Despite what Julian had said, he’d find a way to clean up his own damn mess. It’s what soldiers did.
Julian patted the man on the back. “You’re family, Beau. We fight for our family.”
“Thank you, Julian.”
“Let’s head downstairs. Hart and Lennox should be here soon. Hopefully, they had a better night than we did.”
Beau hoped so.
He missed Nyx, and sleeping alone sucked. He hoped she’d forgiven him by now.
The two headed downstairs, Julian’s arm over Beau’s shoulders in support. Julian hated that Beau’s mother had done this to him. Shelby should be ashamed of herself.
This was not how you took care of your children. Then again, look at Shelby’s track record.
She sucked.
When they got downstairs, Clarissa was waiting for Ivy. She looked nervous.
“What did you do?” Julian ask
ed.
“Do you think Everhart will let me watch Ivy? Now that your sister and her husband moved away, I miss me some grandkids.”
Julian knew that his mother missed Liana and her brood. It was one of the reasons he’d moved her off the Rez to be across the street from them.
His mother needed to feel important and part of something bigger than herself.
They all did.
“Yeah, I think he will. Hart is a really decent guy, and I’m sure he gets it. We’ve all wanted to punch someone out at least once in our lives.”
“Then I’m not so bad,” Clarissa said.
“I said wanted, Mom. We don’t actually do it. It’s called impulse control.”
She laughed. “Gee, thanks, Dad.”
Julian rolled his eyes as Beau peeked out the door.
Hart had arrived and as he was locking up his truck, the media was trying to get to Lennox. Suddenly, he laid on the horn and nearly deafened the reporters who stood in front of his truck.
It worked.
They backed up.
Then again, it could be the look on his face. He’d been a detective, so he knew how to handle the media.
Here was the proof.
Ivy raced toward the door and Beau let her inside. She immediately went to Clarissa to sit on her lap.
When Hart and Lennox got in next, Julian knew they were going to need to play the game again, having Justin fool them. There was no way they were going out the front.
“You guys ready?” Julian asked.
Hart was ready, but Lennox…she was quiet.
He glanced over at Clarissa. “Do you have her?” he asked. “Are you sure you want to watch Ivy today?”
Julian waited for the man to break Clarissa’s heart, and he understood it. His mother had decked someone in front of his child. Hart had been a cop. That wasn’t going to sit well with him.
“If you don’t want me to…”
“I’m only warning you for your own protection.”
Clarissa didn’t understand.
“Show her.”
Lennox turned her purse around and there was a black pony drawn on the pink leather.
Julian laughed. He realized in that moment that he and Tori had chosen well. Everhart Rose fit.
“She’s into drawing now, thanks to Lennox. If I were you, I wouldn’t turn you back for a second. She’s sneaky.”
Clarissa hugged the little girl. “Thank you, Hart.”
He smiled at her. “Don’t thank me yet. You have a long day ahead of you.”
“Color?” Ivy asked.
“See?”
The Native woman led her toward the elevator. “I think we’ll play at Julian’s today.”
“HEY!”
His mother winked as the door closed.
“Well, team? Shall we go back to Lennox’s house and work on that mess now that this one is over?” he asked as he was dialing his brother’s number for a diversion.
Hart was good with that.
The sooner they got back to the estate, the sooner Hart could take some time to talk to Lennox.
He really needed to know where they stood.
Was this a fling?
Did he have a chance?
Would she be the last person for their family to be complete?
He needed to know the answers to all of these questions. He was dying inside.
And only Lennox could save him.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Easton Estates
Tori didn’t have the luxury of sleeping in late. To make sure they were indeed safe, she had Nyx bunk with her. They stayed in the same bed, and that was handy.
They got up at the same time.
Caffeinated, dressed, and on the road, Tori headed toward Jessie Russo’s address.
They were running out of people to interview, and nothing was popping up. Tori knew that the body was going to be key.
She’d bet money on it.
“Are you ready for this interview?” Tori asked. Nyx had been quiet all morning.
“Yeah.”
“What are you thinking about?”
Nyx was thinking about Evangeline. She could hear her in her mind. The woman had opened up her gift, and she was begging to stay.
Nyx didn’t think Tori would enjoy hearing that.
When they spoke of Evangeline, no one liked her. They didn’t get the woman. She’d been broken and then pushed into death, and Nyx felt bad for her.
She knew what rape was like.
She knew how hard it was to overcome it.
So, she was keeping her mouth shut about her gift.
For now…
“I’m thinking about your sexy brother and all those tattoos. I like the one right above his…”
“Stop! I already feel queasy today,” she admitted, placing her hand over her baby bump. “The last thing I need to hear about is my brother’s dick.”
“I was going to say the tattoo over his heart, but if you insist...”
Tori laughed.
She’d walked right into that one and deserved it.
“I’m actually looking forward to this interview. I’ve never been to one. Beau and I are just getting to the point where we do interviews. It’s mostly been surveillance.”
“How do you like the job?” Tori asked.
“Well, it’s okay.”
She glanced over. “Okay?”
“I miss working in my shop. I miss the card readings, the crystals, and the other things. That’s all.”
Tori sympathized. “I get it. There are days I miss the FBI. It becomes a part of you, and you mourn its loss.”
Nyx agreed.
“It gets better right?” she asked.
“Are we talking about the job or my brother? I get the feeling that this isn’t all about the job.”
Nyx nodded. “All of it.”
“It will, but you realize that if you don’t like being a PI, you don’t have to be. I don’t want you to feel obligated.” Tori had been worried about that from the start. Just because Nyx was a psychic, and her shop was in their building, it didn’t mean she was trapped.
“I’m not obligated. I love working with Beau. Maybe I’m just off my game because of my gift being gone.”
Tori patted her leg as she drove. “You’ll get it back. I have faith.”
Yeah, that made it even worse for Nyx. It was back, and she couldn’t tell anyone. They were her friends, and more importantly, her family.
She felt guilty.
“Tori.”
“This is the place,” Tori said, pointing at the small house. “It looks like we caught her before she left for the day.”
Nyx let it go.
“She doesn’t work for the Easton Estate anymore?”
“Apparently, from the gossip I got from the one maid, after she was found playing ‘tied up sausage tickle’ with the one son, Estella fired her.”
“Well, can you blame her? There was that awesome picture of her son’s bare ass on the front cover of the tabloids as he rode his driver.”
Tori snorted. “Yeah, I know. Now Julian won’t jump me in a vehicle. That’s going to be in the back of his mind.”
She snorted as she got out of the vehicle. She couldn’t help it. Tori was picturing it in her head.
“How do you want to do this?” Nyx asked.
“Why don’t you do the questioning?”
Her eyes went big.
“Seriously?”
“I’m here to catch you if you fall.”
What choice did she have? If Nyx wanted to work in the field, she had to do it.
“Okay.”
Together, they walked to the door, and Nyx knocked. It didn’t take long for the woman to open it. She was wearing a pair of panties and tank top.
Uh, that was a big enough clue as to the kind of girl she was. Tori didn’t even need to have her open her mouth.
“Jessie Russo?” Nyx asked.
“What’s it to you?”
Yeah, this woman wasn’t hired as a driver because of her charm. Tori could see that now.
“We need to ask you a few questions about the Easton family.”
Her face said it all.
“No.”
“Why not?” Nyx asked.
“I don’t talk about them and their sick games.”
Tori didn’t get it. “What games?” she asked, forgetting that this was supposed to be Nyx’s questioning.
“I did what they wanted. I let them have their fun, and then the old lady fired me. Yes, she paid me off, but still! I deserved more.”
Tori listened. Sometimes, a suspect would ramble, much like this woman. This was investigator gold.
“I let those two assholes stick their dicks in me, and all I got was an STD and fired from a cushy job. I only took the driver job because it paid well. When they approached me to play in their ‘dungeon’, I went along with it for the drugs.”
This was all new to Tori.
So far in the case, they’d not come across either of those things, and especially not the drugs.
“What happened in the ‘dungeon’?” she asked.
“Sex. They liked to put on these robes, chant, and then fuck like animals. I didn’t mind, since whatever they gave me was pretty strong.”
“And you did this willingly?”
“I did it for the thousand dollars a pop. It was paying for my place. I wanted a good life, and you don’t get that playing ‘Driving Miss Daisy’.”
Tori was putting it together in her head, and it wasn’t adding up to a pretty picture. The Eastons did have a shitload of secrets, and none were pretty.
“What kind of things were they chanting?” Nyx asked.
“Some weird language.”
Nyx said something in Latin.
“Yeah! Like that!”
“They smeared symbols on me as they fucked me, and then Mrs. Easton.”
“Which one?” Nyx asked.
“Mariah. She got into it too. She loved watching her husband get off.”
Yeah, the Eastons had some secrets, all right.
Here they were.
“So they fired you?”
“I think it was because we got caught by the media. Mr. Easton wanted a fast fuck, and I agreed to it, but he said we couldn’t do it at the house. The car seemed safe.”
Tori would have laughed if she didn’t want to break the momentum on this interview. How the woman thought that a vehicle, which was surrounded by clear glass, was safe was beyond her.
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