by Marie James
“Your sins include so much fucking more than breaking up with me!” Her scream is high pitched and hard on the ears.
Just as I was about to tell her there was no relationship to end, I’m interrupted.
“Enough!” I turn my head toward a red faced Randall Holt. “My office. Now.” I turn from her desk and begin making my way to his office. “You too, Riley.”
I can hear her stutter and begin to try to talk her way out of it. She stops talking and I know that Holt just gave her a don’t-fuck-with-me look which stopped her words.
Once in the office Jessica sits primly in the chair in front of Holt’s desk. I opt to stand against the wall because even being this close to her may be harmful to her health.
She begins to talk as soon as Holt closes his door. He holds his hand up stopping her once again as he takes his seat behind his desk.
“I have no fucking clue what that shit out there was about, and I have too much else going on to even fucking get into it.” He glares at both of us. “Badges and guns.” Jessica starts to argue, blaming me for the altercation in front of the entire precinct. “Both of you are on administrative leave until Monday.”
I unclip my holster and badge from my belt and place them on his desk in front of him.
Jessica does the same only she more slams them down.
“I’d like to file a complaint against Detective Perez for harassment.” She states calmly.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I yell. I turn my attention back to Holt. “If she does that then I’m filing one against her as well. I won’t be the only one with a write-up in my jacket for this shit!”
“On what grounds?” She asks.
“For sending those pictures to my fucking wife!” I declare.
She narrows her eyes at me and then turns back to Holt who’s watching the whole thing play out with his eyebrows raised.
“Were you aware that Garrett Hale was not only a groomsman in Detective Perez’s wedding but his cousin Ian Hale paid for his honeymoon?” She informs my boss.
“How the fuck would you know that?” It’s apparent she’s been either stalking me or at the least checking into my personal shit.
“Why are you so concerned Detective? Afraid people will find out about you working on Hale’s case or altering evidence to get your friend off?” Her voice is low and accusatory.
“Stan Rhodes is lead on that case and there has been no impropriety on my part.” I hiss back at her.
Holt clears his throat. “Was he in your wedding? Did his cousin pay for your honeymoon?” He turns his attention to me.
“Yes, sir,” I answer honestly. I have nothing to hide and have no control really over the case since I’m not the lead on it.
“You didn’t think that was something to inform me of!” His voice is harsh. “Do you understand what this means?”
I shake my head no because honestly I don’t.
“I have to call internal affairs in to make sure you didn’t fuck up the case!” He explains.
I watch Jessica’s eyes go wide. “I don’t think that’s necessary, Sergeant. I shouldn’t have said anything. I was just angry.”
“Too late now, Detective. Riley you’re on admin until Monday. Get your shit together and calm the fuck down. Perez you’re on admin until I.A. says you can come back.” I nod at him. “Now get the fuck out of my precinct I have work to do.”
I don’t say a word as I turn and leave. I collect my things from my desk and head home. I could never be upset with spending time with her, even if it means my job is being threatened and my work ethic and integrity are being questioned.
I hit the grocery store for a gallon of chocolate milk and then head home to my wife.
Chapter 27
Garrett
Fuck I think to myself as I come inside Alexa for the second time today. My fingers tingle to touch her, to run down her beautiful back.
I pull out with a grunt and leave the room, heading to the ensuite in our master bedroom. I know I’m an asshole. I know I don’t deserve her. I know she deserves way better than what she’s been getting from me lately. But I need her. The only time the racing thoughts and my demons are calmed is when I’m deep inside of her.
It’s been like this for weeks. I do my best to stay away from her but when the shadows start to creep in, I seek her out. She’s tolerated everything I’ve given her. She’s not once said no or used her safe word to stop a scene. I went too far the very first day after the judge arraigned me and cut me free.
Free.
Like that’s really the case. Free means Ian put up two million dollars as collateral so I didn’t have to go back to a jail cell. Processing out and having that Hernandez prick shove my head into the wall was bad enough. I couldn’t imagine having to sit in there any longer.
Alexa hasn’t left the apartment more than a handful of times and when she does leave she’s only gone for a few hours tops. I’m certain she quit her job but we haven’t really spoken since all this shit started. Well, I’m not in a very talkative mood. I know she’d love to sit down and have a conversation with me but I just can’t stomach to be around anyone right now.
I’ve practically closed myself off in the office at the penthouse and kept to myself. The police haven’t called me back to the station to ask more questions and my attorney tells me that they have been unusually quiet. A gang war in L.A. has pulled most media attention away from Denver so my name has never been mentioned in relation to the charges. I should count my blessings I guess; hard to do facing murder charges.
I have been leaving the office door open the past couple of days. I don’t have a reason behind it, maybe I do want Alexa to come in and insist I talk to her, but I’m afraid I’ve broken her. I’m certain I’ve ruined any chance to fix our relationship. A relationship I valued more than anything else in the world. A relationship I single handedly destroyed during my grief and anger over losing my business, a man I would consider a friend, and being arrested.
I didn’t even go to Darren’s funeral. My attorney thought it best to stay away from the situation altogether. I sent flowers, it was the least I could do.
Small amounts of information have trickled through. Police discovered Darren was at Ampere, because he and his partner Chase Phillips had a huge fight and Darren ended up there getting drunk at the bar because Chase kicked him out. It was just a stroke of terrible fucking luck that some mother fucker decided to burn the place down.
Johnny calls at least every other day to check in on me. I have to admit that it’s beginning to get on my nerves, but the man is out of a job and I feel guilty as shit about that and my other employees, so I haven’t put an end to it. He’s staying at a low rent motel because he couldn’t make rent on his apartment. I offered to pay until he could find another job, but he shut me down. His pride won’t allow him to take money from anyone and I understand the pride thing completely.
Pride is what keeps me from walking through the penthouse and making love to my girl.
I can’t fathom why she hasn’t just walked out on me yet. I’ve used her as practically nothing more than a sex slave for the past few weeks and yet she stays. She comes running when I call for her. She comes repeatedly every time I’m inside her even though I haven’t done anything specifically to her to make it happen. My cock appears to be enough.
I miss her and she’s no more than twenty yards from me at any given time. I miss her taste. My mouth hasn’t been on her in weeks and what I’m able to lick off my fingers when she’s blindfolded hasn’t even come close to being enough.
I scrub my hands over my face and step out of the shower, toweling off as I walk into the bedroom. Alexa, who recently has been staying out of my way until I go back into my office, is walking out of the closet. She has clothes in her hand but she’s just as naked as I left her in the living room fifteen minutes ago.
My cock jumps at the sight of her flushed skin and even more so at the red irritated marks around her ankles an
d wrists. I didn’t break the skin, even at my worst I’ve never taken it that far with her, but the welts from the rope haven’t had time to go away.
The urge to take her in my arms and kiss her senseless is strong. Knowing that when I do, when I allow that emotion back into my head I will break, keeps me from doing it.
Her eyes go wide at seeing me walk into the room then her gaze darts lower and she sees my straining cock. With a devious grin, like I haven’t been inside of her twice today, the last time less than an hour ago, she slinks up to me. She lets the clothes in her hands fall to the floor and sinks to her knees at my feet.
I wasn’t expecting her to do this and the fact that she’s trying to take control almost has me taking a step back. She’s quicker and before I can react I’m tunneling into the hot wetness of her mouth. My knees almost give out. To say that Alexa gives the best head is an understatement. This woman’s talented mouth should be given a Nobel peace prize for physics. Not once has she taken me in her mouth and it not elicited an explosion.
I know she wants to get fucked and that’s why she’s sucking so voraciously on me. She’s well aware I’d rather go off inside of her than any other place. I wish I had the restraint, but honestly I need her like that again as well. My orgasms are the most rewarding when I feel her come on my dick before going off myself.
“Enough,” I bite out and shove her shoulders until she’s sprawled out on her back on the soft carpet.
Her heavy lidded eyes gleam at me. It’s the first time since my arrest that I’ve faced her this way without a blind fold. I can see the pain at my distance in her eyes and it guts me. She deserves so much better.
The scene has already started so I’m committed and she brought this on herself. I lift her legs high on my hips and kneel between her legs. This raises her lower body off of the floor giving me complete control. I raise my eyes to the ceiling and slam into her, repeatedly.
I can never seem to get enough of this woman. The best times of my life have happened when I’m inside her. I bite my lip when I remember her telling me she loved me as I came inside of her all those months ago. That was the day I was set free. It was also the day I reacted poorly which sent her away and she was shot.
I’m destroying her again, but I’m terrified that she’ll leave and I won’t have her anymore. I’m too selfish to do the right thing by her.
“Garrett,” she pleads.
I look down at her and she smiles softly.
“You want my eyes, Angel?” I say in a harsh tone she doesn’t deserve. She nods. “You think you can suck my cock anytime you want without asking?” She whimpers. “I own you.” I say sliding my hand up her body and settling my grip around the base of her throat, squeezing her beautiful neck slightly.
“Yes,” she pants.
I don’t know if she’s agreeing to my ownership or if she’s turned on by my grip on her delicate neck. The closest we’ve come to breath play is when I force her to choke on my dick. I squeeze tighter and she moans, her eyes rolling in the back of her head.
Less than thirty seconds of restricted breath and Alexa is coming like a freight train on my cock, sending me over the edge with little to no warning. This woman. Perfect.
I release my grasp on her throat and nearly come again at the sound of her first full breath. Fuck, she never disappoints. Sated and completely exhausted I pull out of her and crash on the carpet beside her.
I glance at her and notice her eyes are closed as she continues to pant, calming from her explosive orgasm. I don’t know if the tear rolling down her cheek is from my treatment of her or the result of her obstructed airway. I die a little more inside as I watch it meet her hairline.
This time she’s the one who eventually gets up and leaves, walking to the bathroom and shutting the door behind her.
“I love you, Angel,” I whisper as I hear her turn on the shower.
I don’t know how long I lie on the floor wallowing in self-pity but I scramble up and grab some sweats when the shower cuts off.
My phone rings in my office as I’m tugging my shirt over my head. I quicken my steps even though I know it won’t be any good news from my attorney. I’ve just about given up hope that the charges are going to be thrown out. We go for discovery next week and from what my attorney has been told by the Colorado State Attorney General’s office the evidence is pretty damning.
William seems to think I’ve been framed but I’m certain I’ve not made any enemies; not ones that would go to this extreme to retaliate against me for something. He asked about Alexa and her shooting. I assured him that wasn’t it. All of those fuckers, including her shooter Blake Evans are dead; Evans was murdered in the jail and the others were killed during Josie’s rescue.
I grab my phone off of the desk and answer it.
“Hale,” I grunt into the phone.
“Hey, man.” Ian.
“I haven’t skipped town,” I tell him as a sick attempt at a joke. He doesn’t laugh. “What’s up?”
I hear him sigh. “Lorali is pestering me to get everyone together.” I can tell by his tone he knows what my answer will be and he’s only going through the motions to get her off his back.
Strange thing is I know Alexa will want to go and since I can’t give her the happiness she needs, maybe visiting with her friends would be a consolation.
“Sure, man. What time?” I ask looking at my watch. It’s only three in the afternoon.
Three in the afternoon and I’ve already taken Alexa three times today? She has to be sore and I know leaving the house would be in our best interest. If anything a deterrent to keep me from trying to get inside of her again.
“Huh?” He’s confused since I gave him an answer he wasn’t anticipating.
“What time?” I repeat myself.
“Anytime,” he says. “We’re here. Do you have to wait for Alexa to get off work?”
“Alexa hasn’t been to work in over three weeks.” I inform him with no further explanation, mainly because I’m not sure why. Maybe she’s taken vacation or some shit. “See you in an hour or so.”
We say our goodbyes and I palm my cell phone and walk back into the bedroom. Alexa is at her vanity blow-drying her hair. I busy myself by getting dressed, waiting for the noise to go away so I can speak to her.
She turns the dryer off and watches my reflection in the mirror without turning her head to face me. Distance. She seems so out of reach.
“We’re going to Lorali and Ian’s,” I inform rather than ask her if she wants to go.
She smiles at me and nods her head but the affection is muted and I know it’s only a matter of time before I lose her completely.
Chapter 28
Ian
Opening the door for Alexa and Garrett I realize just how long it’s been since I‘ve seen them. Garrett called not too long ago to see about hitting the gym but I was busy and couldn’t make it. The last time I saw him was when Lorali and I dropped him off at home after seeing the judge weeks ago.
Today he’s sporting a full beard and I’m certain he hasn’t shaved since his arrest. I notice Alexa also looks less that her normal put-together self. She gives me a weak smile when I peck her on the cheek and I know instantly that things at home aren’t how they used to be, both of them look broken.
I follow them as they head into the living room.
Lorali gets up off the couch and gives Garrett a hug. He allows it but doesn’t hug her back as Alexa sits down beside Josie on the couch.
“Josie,” Garrett says in acknowledgement. She tells him hi but doesn’t move to get off the couch.
Garret turns from the women and makes his way toward the door to the basement. I shrug my shoulders at Lorali, kiss her on the cheek and follow behind him.
I close the door behind me and as soon as I clear the last stair I make my way to the mini bar. I pour two glasses of scotch because the conversation I’m sure to have with Garrett will not be covered by beer alone.
I hand him a
glass and sit in the leather recliner I always sit in when we hang out down here. The TV is on, Sports Center of course, but the sound is muted. Garrett doesn’t sit; instead he paces back and forth like a caged tiger, looking for a way to escape.
“I’m ready when you are,” I tell him and sit further back in my chair, crossing one leg over the opposite knee.
“Where’s Kaleb?” He asks. I don’t know if he actually cares or if he’s checking to see if there’s a possibility that he may show up tonight. “Working?”
“Josie said he’s hanging out with a friend tonight. I got the feeling that he doesn’t feel welcome over here,” I tell him. Who blames him; last time he was here he was treated pretty shitty just for doing his job.
His grunt tells me Kaleb’s assessment is right. Garrett’s in a rough position no doubt, but Kaleb is as well.
“He’s not working because he’s been suspended for not letting his sergeant know about his connection to us.” Garrett stops pacing and turns to look at me. “He can’t go back to work until Internal Affairs clear him for his involvement on your case.”
I watch him to gage his reaction to the news. “Fuck,” he puffs out. “He doesn’t deserve that shit. Why didn’t he tell them?”
I shrug. “Lorali thinks that Kaleb was trying to work every angle to clear you. He knew if he was pulled from the case he wouldn’t have access to the information and tips that were coming in.”
He begins to pace back and forth the length of the room, stopping periodically to refill his tumbler with more scotch.
“You going to tell me what’s going on with Alexa?” He doesn’t stop pacing but his step falters a bit at my question.
“What are you talking about,” he finally asks.
“It’s apparent that there’s trouble in paradise.” I set my empty tumbler down because I have to work tomorrow and it will be impossible if I have a hangover for the all-day video conferences I have scheduled.
“Is it?” He asks and finally stops the pacing and sits in the leather recliner beside me, hanging his head in his hands. “I’m fucking losing her, Ian.”