by Taylor Lee
Sister Eloise flushed with obvious pleasure at Viviana’s praise. “Thank you, Sergeant Moreau. Yes, we are adding new facilities every month. In addition to the chapel, which we encourage the girls to visit every day, we now have an exercise room and are bringing in yoga and Pilates teachers three days a week. They work with the girls on relaxation and focus. This fall, we are hoping to institute an on-site GED program in cooperation with the San Jose public education system. We are very close to raising the funds to make the innovative project possible.”
Taking advantage of the nun’s description of their programs, Viviana pressed her on her reference to fundraising. “I’m curious, Sister. Where do your funds come from? I guess I always assumed that the church provided your financial support.”
“The church provides basic support, but we could never offer all the things that we do and serve as many girls as we do without the generous support of foundations and wealthy individuals. I don’t know if you are aware, but Annabelle Simpson, Mayor Simpson’s wife, chairs our board of directors. She has been a true godsend to us and the work we do. Why, in this last year alone, Mrs. Simpson has recruited no fewer than five new board members, all of whom have made significant pledges to our foundation. It is their generosity and leadership that will make our GED initiative possible.”
The tingling sensations chasing up the back of Viviana’s neck confirmed that she was closing in on an important clue. She struggled for nonchalance. “I know both Mayor Simpson and Annabelle Simpson. You are fortunate to have them as supporters. I’m curious who else is on the board of directors? If I know them, I want to be sure to tell them how much I appreciate their good work.”
“That would be wonderful, Sergeant. Please come into the conference room. I have a board roster that you can have that gives the background of all the members of the board.”
Seeing the group of smiling, clearly prominent men and women in the mural-like photograph decorating one wall, Viviana sucked in a deep breath. She held it, trying to quiet the rush of emotion storming her. It was impossible to breathe normally, knowing that in this benign-looking group of prosperous men and women were the hideous individuals who had raped and abused Ariel . . . and God knows how many more young girls. Seeing Sister Eloise’s quizzical expression, she forced herself to speak as casually as she could. It wasn’t easy, given that her heart was beating so hard. She was surprised that the unassuming nun couldn’t hear it.
“Thank you, Sister Eloise, of course I recognize the Simpsons and several other board members.” Pointing to the picture of the woman who’d been as horrified by her outrageous dress as Annabelle Simpson had been, she said, “I believe I met that woman at the mayor’s party the other night.”
“Oh yes, that is Penelope Williams, and standing beside her is her husband Rodney Williams. We were thrilled when they joined the board. They are well-known donors to causes like ours.” Pointing to a white-haired man standing next to the Williamses, Sister Eloise intoned, “And this gentleman is none other than Peter Stratford, a prosperous financier who joined the board specifically because of our education initiatives and the fact that we focus on abused young women.”
Viviana clutched the printed roster the smiling nun handed her and did her best to appear nonchalant. It wasn’t easy, given that, according to Ariel, several individuals in the photograph were serial rapists and child pornographers.
***
Viviana stretched out on her chaise lounge, nursing her third Maker’s Mark, trying to deal with her stunning discoveries. Not only had she learned of Ariel’s abuse but she was inches away from determining who’d systematically raped and abused her young informant as well as countless others. Struggling to deal with the hideousness of Ariel’s abuse, she tried to focus on the fact that she was damned close to identifying the perpetrators. At that moment, her phone vibrated, confirming a call from Jax. As agitated as she was, she knew how hard it would be to keep him from sensing her angst. But she knew she couldn’t blow him off. It would only make him more suspicious. Planting a false grin on her face and hoping that it somehow informed her voice, she reluctantly answered his call.
“I’m glad I caught you, sweetheart. Where have you been all day? Mick was clueless, which isn’t a surprise, and of course Bannon was as clueless as Mick.”
Needing to keep him at bay, Viviana went on the offensive. “Checking up on me, Jax? Needing to know what I was doing every minute of the day? Just so we’re clear, I don’t have a clue what you were doing today either. But I presume it was important work and that you’ll tell me about it when you can.”
“As I will, my prickly princess, when we are together. Now if only I could be sure that when I have you in my arms again you will be as forthcoming.” Viviana didn’t respond to his on-target assertion. She knew that as prescient as he was, if she gave even a hint of the horrendous crimes she’d unearthed and the possible identity of the perpetrators, Jax would be all over her. She also knew he wouldn’t stop until he’d pried every horrific detail from her. Only somewhat embarrassed at her deceit, she played on the certainty that he had missed her as much as she’d missed him. “Jax, let’s not argue. I . . . I miss you. I wish you were here. I can’t stop thinking about what we did on the trail. I still can’t believe what I allowed you to do to me . . . ”
Jax was silent for a moment, as if considering her not-so-skillful change of the subject. Confirming that he knew her as well as he did, he didn’t hide the irony in his knowing response. “I’m confident that you couldn’t miss me any more than I miss you, princess. I’m also confident that you know I’m aware that you are changing the subject. However, I’m pleased to accommodate your not-so-subtle attempted deflection. Know that our outrageous escapade off the Thunder Hill trail has not been far from my mind.” When Viviana didn’t respond, Jax took the initiative. “By the way, while you were vacillating between outraged tears and shrieks of excitement when I was administering the well-deserved spanking I gave you, I took the opportunity to snap a picture of your rosy red ass. I’ve been studying it every chance I get these last two days. Check your messages, I’m sending the picture now to remind you what will happen if you continue to misbehave.”
Viviana gasped in shock at the sight of his handprints on her admittedly curvy ass. To say it was lewd didn’t begin to capture the outrageous photo. Seeing her bare backside splayed helplessly across his lap, her ass in the air, five hundred feet from a busy hiking trail, sent a flood of sensations across her groin. God, how could she have let him do such a dishonorable thing? And why, even now, did the memory send erotic shockwaves through her body?
As if to torment her, Jax changed the subject. “While you are contemplating what is likely to happen whenever you are disobedient, against my better judgment, I’ve agreed to attend an office party of sorts. Mac McElroy specifically invited Greg and me, which made it hard for me to decline. He said he hoped that you would come with me. He wants to introduce you to his wife, Sheryl.”
Forcing herself to sound as nonchalant as possible, Viviana said, “It sounds interesting. Commissioner McElroy has always supported me, even when a lot of the higher-ups did not.”
When she hesitated, Jax interjected, “In answer to your unasked question, yes, George and Annabelle Simpson and several other dignitaries will be there.”
Viviana sniffed. “Humph. Why would I care if they are there or not?”
“Hmm, given your newfound interest in society women, I assumed that you would very much care.” Ignoring her slight gasp, he added, “Don’t bother to deny it, Viviana, or create some new fabrication. You’ve already tipped your hand. But we’ll deal will that issue later. Right now, before you hang up, I want you to do a couple things for me. Knowing that the most you’re wearing are booty shorts and a tank top, I want you to take off the top, sweetheart, then slip off those racy pants.”
“Jax, for God’s sake . . . ”
“Uh-uh, baby. For the next several moments I’m in charge. All you h
ave to do is exactly what I tell you to do.” When she couldn’t hide her soft moan, he said, “The halter, baby, and then the shorts.” He waited for a moment, then said softly, “Now that you are stark-naked, my sweet, sexy lover, lay back and spread your legs, then put your phone on video. Now focus the camera on your bodacious breasts, then travel slowly down over that taut stomach of yours. That’s the way. Now, go a little lower.” He heaved an audible sigh. “Aah, yes. Stop right there for a long moment, sexy woman. I want to feast on your swollen pussy lips that are gleaming with what I’m confident is musky-smelling dew.”
Viviana drew in a sharp breath, horrified at his outrageous requests. Make that his outrageous commands. Fighting against the waves of sensation flooding her, she fought to maintain her composure, not react to his outrageous orders. As if he could see her attempt to stifle her response, he chuckled. “Uh-uh, darlin’. You know you want to do this as much as I want you to. Just to confirm, darlin’, position your phone so that I can see all the salacious things I tell you to do to yourself.” At her agonized whimper, his voice dropped dangerously low. “Now, baby, just so we are on the same page, insert two fingers into your luscious cunt. Mm-hmm. Like that. Hold them up for me so that I can see the juices coating them. That’s the way. Now, Viviana, suck on your fingers, and let me hear your passionate whimper.”
After he’d dragged at least three orgasms from her and Viviana was lying naked and exhausted on her chaise lounge, Jax brought her back to reality. His voice was low, sexy, but there was no way that she could miss the command underlying it.
“One more thing, my darling woman. Know that when I do have you in my arms again, we most definitely will make mad, passionate love. But you also will give me a detailed report on what has you desperate to keep your partner, your commander, and your lover—who happens to be your police chief—in the dark. Understand Viviana, it ain’t gonna work. I’m not Mick O’Reilly, Greg Bannon, or Francis Fleming. I’m Jaxton Hughes, the man who is wildly in love with you. I’m also the man who can see through your subterfuges, your layered deceptions—as skillful as they are. To confirm: when I get back, you and I are going to have a comprehensive discussion about the case you are working. You are going to tell me how it involves the mayor’s wife and God knows who and what else. You got that, baby?” At her soft groan, he said, “Good. Now for good measure, one more orgasm . . . ”
Chapter 20
I don’t know how you do it, Sergeant Moreau, but each time I see you, you stun me anew with your beauty.” Dragging his gaze over her slender frame, pausing for an instant at each of her most bodacious features, Mac winked at Jax, who was holding Viviana’s elbow, securing her next to his side. “You better keep a firm grip on her, buddy. In addition to yours truly, there isn’t a man in this room who wouldn’t gladly take your place.” Turning back to Viviana, the smiling commissioner shook his head. “I’m not just trying to stroke the police chief’s ego, Sergeant. I’m still trying to figure out how this arrogant SOB managed to capture the ‘un-capture-able’ Enchantress.”
Jax guffawed and said with an ironic grin, “The fact that I do need to keep a grip on her should confirm that Sergeant Moreau continues to be hard to contain.” Tugging her closer to him, he added blandly, “Although I don’t have to use restraints at all times to keep her in line as I used to have to do. I’m hoping that is progress of sorts.”
Greg Bannon joined them at that moment. “Hmm, Jax, you didn’t mention restraints when you were telling me how important it was that I keep tabs on Sergeant Moreau. Maybe if I’d known that, I could get her to meet for more than five minutes every third day or so.”
Knowing that the last thing she wanted to do was to let Jax know that she was still blowing off her new commander, Viviana smiled sweetly at Commissioner McElroy, then appealed to his attractive wife standing beside him. “You’ve been around these men longer than I have, Mrs. McElroy. Are all former special operatives as demanding as these guys are?”
Sheryl McElroy raised an arched brow and poked her husband playfully in the chest. “Please, don’t think for a moment that my husband doesn’t share all those traits, good and bad, that former special operatives exhibit.” The bold woman shot Jax a knowing glance and said with a smile, “Although my husband hasn’t had to deal with the competition that Chief Hughes does.” Turning back to Viviana, she said, “You must know that you have put my longtime friend Jax Hughes in an unaccustomed position. Over the years, I’ve watched every woman within ten feet of this handsome rogue try to capture his attention. But now, even the most persistent Jaxton groupies concede that the elusive Jaxton Hughes has been snared—by the Enchantress, no less. Instead, Jax has had to deal with the fact that, as my husband cheerfully confessed, every man in the room would kill to be in his place.” Grinning appreciatively at Viviana, she added, “As one who’s watching from the sidelines, I have to admit you and Jax provide great entertainment.”
Viviana was surprised. She was unaccustomed to a woman who wasn’t threatened by her. The fact that she also was willing to take on the trio of accomplished men, including Viviana’s arrogant lover, made the commissioner’s wife an interesting anomaly. She shot Sheryl a sincere smile. “Thank you. It’s nice to know that someone other than me has figured out how trying and entertaining these powerful men can be. I just wish that I wasn’t always included in the entertainment, given that I’m only trying to do my job unobstructed.”
Jax shook his head, slipped his hand over her backside, and pinched her butt. At Viviana’s surprised squeal, he shrugged and said to Sheryl, “Trust me, wise woman. No matter what this unrepentant loner says or does, it is always entertaining—as well as annoying.”
Greg Bannon snorted. “I’m glad that all of you have figured out what makes this unusual couple tick. I will only add that I have been a bootlicking admirer of Chief Hughes from the time he deigned to put me on his Delta squad. But I’ve never been more impressed by his omnipotence than I am now. Given that at least as much as anyone could, he seems to keep my uncontainable sergeant somewhat contained, my respect for him has hit astronomical levels.”
Viviana tossed her head and said with an impish smile, “Sorry, Commander Bannon, hate to burst your hero-worship bubble, but containment has never been my bag, nor will it be. Suffice it to say that the only reason Jax has my attention is because he is smart enough to give me room to excel. And yes, while he is annoying as hell and as arrogant a man as ever walked the earth, he does have some good qualities.”
To underscore what those qualities might be, Viviana looked up at him, then salaciously licked her lips and sucked her bottom lip into her mouth. At her saucy gesture, all three men laughed. Jax pulled her up next to him and said in an audible stage-whisper, “I’m glad to know that I’ve impressed you at least on some level, Sergeant Moreau. We’ll discuss my other commanding attributes later—when we are alone.”
Mac put up his hands as if in defeat and shared a collegial glance with Greg Bannon. “What can I say, buddy, except that once a superstar, always a superstar?” Pulling his attractive wife next to him, he added, “Fortunately for me, Sheryl has provided more than enough entertainment for this randy old goat. All I can do is wish both Jax and Viviana a smidgen of the happiness that we have had in nearly twenty years of wedded bliss.”
Sheryl punched him in the arm and said in mock disgust, “Nice recovery, hotshot. Now if you can just take your eyes off the delectable Sergeant Moreau long enough to greet your other guests, you may not have to sleep on the living room sofa tonight.”
Glancing across the room, Viviana saw Annabelle Simpson standing next to her friend Penelope Williams and the man she now knew was Penelope’s husband, Rodney. Determined not to make Jax suspicious, she did her best to hide her interest. Somehow she needed to get close to the trio without piquing Jax’s suspicions. Tugging on his arm, she said, “Any chance that this thirsty sergeant could have a drink? From what I can tell, the commissioner and his wife have a fully stoc
ked bar.” She smiled at Sheryl. “While Jax is getting me some well-deserved single malt, can you direct me to the ladies’ room?” After Jax walked away, a slight frown marring his handsome face, Viviana said to Sheryl, “I trust you understand, but I need a break from these overbearing men. One can only take so much overt testosterone unaided by good scotch.”
Sheryl laughed a throaty sound and shook her head in agreement. “I understand. Although surely you must be used to the pheromones that follow you wherever you go—as long as there is a man in the vicinity.”
Viviana shrugged and agreed as she moved in the direction Sheryl indicated. “Yes, I am. But that doesn’t mean I don’t need a break. The problem is that most other women aren’t confident like you, Sheryl. They see me as a threat when that is the last thing I am.”
Not hiding her appraising study of Jax’s compelling backside as he strode toward the bar, Sheryl said with a saucy grin, “Girlfriend, you are a lot of things that threaten other women. All I can say is that I admire the heck out of you. I’ve known Jaxton Hughes for nearly as long as I’ve known Mac. In all those years, I’ve never seen him fall for a woman. But, Viviana—if I may call you that—if I’ve ever seen a man crazy in love with a woman, it is the studly police chief and how he feels about you. Congratulations. You have accomplished what those of us who know and love Jax considered an impossible feat.”
Viviana managed to hide her reaction to the refreshing woman’s claim. She acknowledged that she hadn’t yet come to grips with what being in love with the sexiest, most demanding man she’d ever known required. Good God, it was bad enough that if he was within two feet of her, her libido soared to missile-seeking heights. Not to mention the swarm of butterflies that fluttered in her gut. Or if she was truthful, the telltale dampness in her nether regions that appeared at the thought of him, much less his actual presence. Rather than reply to the woman standing next to her, who was clearly interested in her response, Viviana brushed aside her comment with a shrug. Determined to change the subject, she glanced across the room and pretended to see Annabelle and her friends for the first time.