“I have Advil in my bag.”
“Advil?”
“Yes, it’s a painkiller.”
He located the bag and held it up. “What is this thing?” Sam asked staring at the zipper.
She sat up. “It’s called a zipper. Bring it here and I’ll show you how it works.”
“Sweetheart, don’t overdo it, please.”
“I’m fine.” She pulled out her Advil with a sigh of relief.
Sam pointed to the container. “What is that strange bottle?”
“It’s plastic. They use plastic for everything now… I mean later.”
“How do you open it?”
“It has what they call a childproof seal. So, you have to push down on the lid and turn… like this.” She demonstrated. “Then, just pull it off.” She took out two of the brown tablets and popped them into her mouth. He handed her a glass of water and she sipped.
“What else do you have in there, Angel?”
“You haven’t looked?”
He shook his head. “Why does that surprise you?”
“Um, because I totally would have!”
“I didn’t want to intrude. I knew you’d show me eventually.” He gave her a mischievous grin. “I also didn’t know how to open it.”
Rayne laughed. “Ah, the truth comes out.”
* * *
Rayne pulled items out and explained each one in detail. He blushed when she pulled out a tampon and gave a brief description of what it was for. She pulled out her round pill packet and saw that she had only two days left before her sugar pills began. “These are modern-day contraceptives.”
“Do you mean to stop pregnancy?” His expression didn’t appear happy.
“Yes, except I take them more to regulate my cycle…” She frowned down at the packet. “But it would appear I won’t have that option anymore. I hope you’re prepared for psycho Rayne once a month.”
“I want to have children, Rayne,” Sam said quietly.
She glanced up at him. “I do, too.”
“I don’t want you to stop anything.”
“I’m not.”
He raised an eyebrow at her. “Then why didn’t you show me these earlier?”
She dropped the pill packet back in her bag. “Sam, it’s not like I was hiding them.”
“I want you to get rid of them.”
Rayne’s hackles started to rise. “Okay, first of all, they’re almost finished, but even if they weren’t, it would be my decision if I wanted to continue taking them, Sam. My body, my choice. Second, you’re overreacting.”
Sam scowled. “We’ll discuss it later.”
“No, we’ll discuss it now.”
“You’re not well, sweetheart, and I don’t want to argue with you.”
Rayne started to shove things back into her bag. “Then don’t piss me off.”
Sam ran his hands through his hair. “Rayne.”
“We’re going to have children, Sam. God willing,” Rayne said. “But I refuse to be barefoot and pregnant at your whim. We’ll make the decision together or we’ll abstain.”
“Abstain from what?”
She zipped her bag closed. “You’re a smart cookie, you can figure it out.”
Pulling her bag from her hands, Sam pushed her gently onto her back and leaned over her. Rayne laid her hand on his chest. “What are you doing?”
He kissed her neck and she couldn’t stop a sigh. Sam grinned. “How long do you think you’d last?”
“Longer than you,” she retorted.
He chuckled. “So, this isn’t affecting you at all?”
“Nope, not in the least.”
Kissing her neck again, he looked up and grinned. “I can see that.”
Rayne tried to open her eyes wider in an attempt not to look so affected.
He leaned over to kiss her.
Rayne groaned and broke the kiss. “You are evil.”
“I’m simply proving a point.”
“Well, my head hurts, so stop pointing,” she grumbled.
“I’m sorry, Angel.” He cupped her cheek. “I seem to have gotten carried away.”
“Okay, fine. It’s not easy to say no to you, Sam. I just want this to be a joint decision.”
“I was simply caught off-guard.” He stretched out beside her.
“I want to wait to have kids for a while. Are you okay with that?”
Sam studied her for several seconds. “How long?”
“I don’t know. I just got here. I’d like to get used to this place first.”
“I suppose that’s fair. However, there will be no abstaining.”
Rayne giggled. “I suppose that’s fair,” she mimicked.
“We should probably get ready for dinner.” He stood reluctantly. Reaching down, he grabbed her hands and pulled her up off the floor.
She rested her hands on his chest and kissed him one more time. “How am I going to get through dinner when all I’ll be thinking about is screaming into a pillow?”
“You have a point. And now I’ll be thinking about you screaming into a pillow.”
Rayne giggled quietly and kissed him quickly before making her way to the wardrobe. Opening the doors, she let out a loud gasp. “What the—?”
Sam passed her and kissed her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
“Where did all these clothes come from?”
Sam grinned. “The dressmaker.”
“Oh, funny,” she retorted. “Did you have these made for me?”
Sam laid a hand on his chest and raised an eyebrow. “Me, Angel?”
“Yes, you, devil.”
“No, it was for my other wife.”
“Just how many gowns did you have made? You had some at your parents’ place, then at the hotel, now here. I feel like I’m standing in Macy’s and staring at the Jessica McClintock collection.”
“Once again, I have no idea what any of that means.” Sam chuckled. “However, in answer to your question, I had fifteen commissioned.”
“What? Babe, that’s too many. I’ll never have time to wear them all.”
“Of course you will.” He adjusted his cufflinks.
Gently running her hands across the gowns in reverence, she smiled over her shoulder. “They’re amazing. The fabrics are exquisite.”
“I’m glad you like them.” Wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, he kissed her shoulder. “Will you please wear the burgundy tonight?”
“Yes. I’d love to wear the burgundy.” She leaned back against him. “No more, though, okay? Seriously.”
“Perhaps.” He set her away from him and then made his way to the bureau. “I have something else for you.”
She pulled the gown out of the closet. “You’re going to spoil me, Sam.”
“It’s my prerogative, don’t you think?” He opened a drawer and pulled out a long box and handed it to her.
She opened it to find a pendant with a large pear-shaped ruby surrounded by diamonds. “Sam,” she whispered. “This is too much.”
He shook his head. “No, it’s not nearly enough.”
“Thank you, it’s beautiful.” She ran her finger over the gem. “This is why you wanted me to wear the burgundy?”
He smiled slowly. “Yes, it is.”
They dressed quickly and when Rayne was ready, he fastened the pendant around her neck and led her to the mirror. He stood behind her and kissed her temple. “You are the most beautiful woman on earth.”
She leaned back against him and sighed. “You make me feel beautiful.”
He turned her to face him and kissed her. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Are you ready?”
Sam rubbed her shoulders. “I am, however, I must tell you something.”
“That sounds ominous.”
“Gwen will be here for dinner.”
Rayne took a deep breath. “You’re just telling me this now?”
“I only found out when I got here, and I didn’t think bringing it up while w
e were making love would be appropriate.”
Rayne sighed. “Probably a good call on your part.”
He ran a finger over her collarbone. “Are you still jealous, Angel?”
She grabbed the lapels of his jacket and smiled. “Honestly? No.”
“That’s a quick change.”
“Weird, huh? I know you love me and you’d never do anything to betray me. I’ve never felt that way about a man before, and it makes me a little nervous to say it out loud, but there it is.”
He settled his hands on her waist. “I will never do anything to betray you. Always know that. I am wholly yours forever.”
“Same here.” She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. “Dang, you are tall, babe.”
He chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her back to lift her for better access before he kissed her again. Rayne forced herself to break the kiss. “Let’s go meet your ex.”
* * *
Walking into the parlor, Rayne nearly groaned out loud as a beautiful young woman rushed toward them.
“Sam!” the woman squealed and clapped her hands.
Rayne glared up at her husband briefly before turning back to greet her.
Gwendolyn Simmonds was an exquisite beauty with what could only be described as a rich chestnut mane of hair that was styled in an ornate mass of curls at the base of her neck. She was full figured and a couple of inches taller than Rayne, with dark-green eyes, which bordered on emerald, and flawless skin.
Rayne squeezed Sam’s hand and gave him a look of silent retribution before he caught Gwen in a bear hug. Sam set Gwen on her feet and she turned to Rayne, grinning as she held her hand out. “No wonder he fell in love with you! I’m Gwendolyn, but please call me Gwen.”
Rayne shook her hand and nodded. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“This is my husband, Andrew.” Gwen moved away from Sam, but apparently not enough for her husband, who continued to glare at Sam. Gwen sighed. “He’s the one who has a strange throat condition, much like my brothers’.”
Rayne laughed when she heard Andrew groan. Gwendolyn’s husband had warm eyes and although he had a scar on the side of his face, he lit up when he looked at his wife. Rayne thought he was adorable. Sam took hold of Rayne’s hand and brought it to his lips, winking at her as they moved into the parlor.
“You didn’t tell me Gwen was drop-dead gorgeous,” Rayne whispered.
“Is she? I hadn’t noticed. Especially with you in the room.”
“Nice try.” Rayne narrowed her eyes. “You also didn’t tell me how handsome Andrew is.”
Sam squeezed her hand. “You will refrain from noticing that in the future, Angel.”
Rayne laughed. “I love you.”
He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Good to know.”
She grinned and they went to greet the rest of the guests. Hannah was sitting on the sofa with Christopher standing behind her, his hands on her shoulders. Gwen whispered something to him and he scowled at her. As they approached them, Rayne overheard part of her teasing.
“Chris, where’s Hannah going to go if you take your hands off her shoulders?” Gwen laughed.
“Gwen, don’t poke the bear,” Andrew said.
Gwen shrugged. “I just think it’s silly to make her sit the entire night. What do you think she’s going to do? Break into a waltz?”
“Gwennie,” Christopher growled.
“See, Rayne?” Gwen looked up with a grin. “Chris has the same condition as Andrew. It’s bizarre.”
Hannah obviously tried not to laugh as she let her husband off the hook. “Gwen, it’s fine. Knight was just going to get me a drink. Weren’t you, lovey?”
He looked at her with amusement and then nodded. “Yes, I’ll return shortly.”
When he walked away, Gwen flopped down next to her and started to giggle. “You have him completely lost. I love it.”
“He just wants me healthy and safe.” Hannah laid her hands on her belly. “You teasing him like that doesn’t help, you know.”
Gwen shrugged. “I can’t help it. I have been doing it my entire life.”
“Not Jacob, though.” Quincy approached them with Victoria. “Only Chris and I are the subject of her annoying little habits. Why is that, Gwennie?”
“Perhaps because Jacob doesn’t call me ‘Gwennie.’”
Quincy laughed and kissed her on the cheek. “Welcome home, little sister. I have missed you.”
“Thank you. I missed you, too.” Gwen smiled. “I’m dying to see the rest of the house.”
Victoria held her hand out. “Come on, then. I’ll give y’all a tour.”
* * *
Dinner was served shortly after the tour concluded, and the group stayed late into the evening, playing charades and even a game of poker. Rayne laid down her cards and grinned at her husband. “You owe me four million dollars, baby.”
Sam slapped his cards on the table. “Where did you learn to play poker like that?”
“It’s a secret.”
At midnight, Sam insisted they turn in. He had to return to the prison early the next morning and he also wanted to make sure Rayne rested. They said their goodnights and made their way up to their bedroom.
Against his better judgment, Rayne coerced him into making love to her. They fell asleep exhausted but smiling, Rayne firmly in Sam’s arms.
SAM LEFT EARLY the next morning without waking Rayne. He met Crow just as he was leaving the prison and they discussed the process of trying to sort out the truth behind Rose Johnson’s accusations. Crow left to interview the guards and Sam made his way inside.
He greeted Christopher as he entered his office and noticed Hannah going over some notes. She had interviewed Rose at the request of Christopher and agreed something wasn’t quite right. Christopher handed her a glass of water. “What are your thoughts, sweetheart?”
“She has some severe bruising…” Hannah let out a frustrated sigh. “But Rose does not appear to be acting like a rape victim.”
Sam settled into his desk chair. “How does a rape victim act?”
Hannah sipped her water and then set it aside. “For one, they usually want to bathe. Several times. To wash the feeling of the rapist away. She has not asked once for a bath. Another flag is that she doesn’t seem frightened. If she were in fact raped by one of the guards, then she would show fear toward the other male guards. However, she’s still playing the damsel in distress, bordering on flirtation.”
“What’s your suggestion?” Christopher sat down across from her.
Hannah laid her notebook down with a slap. “I think Stephen should examine her.”
Sam shook his head. “We already had a doctor examine her.”
“But he didn’t check for vaginal tearing or other rape injuries.”
Sam cleared his throat, unaccustomed to such a personal conversation with a woman. “Is that significant?”
Hannah nodded. “It is to determine rape. I hate to say this, but it’s possible she was beaten up, but not raped.”
Christopher let out a grunt. “That would be just as bad!”
“It would be if the guard did it, Knight.” Hannah frowned. “But I think you need to consider another option.”
“Which is?”
“Her brother did it,” Hannah said.
Christopher shook his head. “How could you say that? As cruel as Tim might be, he would never hurt Rose.”
“Unless she asked him to.”
“Could you explain your theory, please?” Sam asked.
Hannah nodded. “What if Tim’s beating of the guard was so that his fists were battered enough to hide the fact he was planning to beat Rose for purposes of her crying rape? Or, perhaps she got the idea once she saw how bad his hands looked.”
Sam shook his head. “When would he have done it? We’ve had guards on them at all times.”
Hannah glanced at her husband. “Didn’t you tell me she tended him after he beat the guard?”
Christopher nodd
ed. “Yes.”
“Her face was unharmed when she left him.” Sam leaned his forearms on his desk. “We would have noticed.”
Hannah crossed her arms. “He could have done the body beating while they were alone. She could have taken care of her face on her own.”
Christopher frowned. “Rose is the ultimate southern lady, Hannah. She would have never beat herself.”
Hannah stood and started to pace. “Knight. If I had a mission that could affect the outcome of this war, you better believe I’d do whatever I needed to do in order to complete it.”
“If this is all true,” Sam said, “she’s obviously not someone to trifle with.”
Christopher squeezed Hannah’s arm. “Well, you’re the expert in this area. If you say we need Stephen, then I’ll send him a wire.”
“Good.” Hannah lifted her chin for a kiss and quickly put her hand on her stomach. “Ooh.”
“What’s amiss?” Christopher frowned.
“Your son is doing cartwheels.”
“Sit down, sweetheart.”
Sam stood. “Should I get a doctor?”
Hannah laughed from her chair. “No, I’m fine. The baby’s just moving a lot. He’s going to be a rugby player.” Christopher squatted in front of her. Hannah smiled. “Knight, I’m fine. Here, feel.” She placed his hand on her stomach and held it in place as the baby kicked.
Sam decided to give the couple some privacy and quietly left the room. He spent the next hour making his rounds, checking every area of the prison. So far everything was calm. The guards were alert and aware of the events of the past few days, so were taking extra precautions, and for now the prisoners were behaving themselves.
Sam made his way back to his office, surprised to find Rayne waiting for him inside. “Angel?”
She turned and smiled. “Hi.”
“Are you all right?”
“I’m great. I was hoping you might have time for lunch.”
Closing the office door, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “I’d love to have lunch. Of course, there are other things I’d rather do.”
“Don’t you dare start,” she admonished. “I woke up frustrated after a very vivid dream.”
“Oh?”
Whispering as she ran her hands under his jacket, she placed her hands flat on his chest. “Yes, you were doing things to me that I probably shouldn’t say out loud, but I’ll show you later if you like.”
The Bride Star Page 18