by A. A. Dark
“I’m curious. I mean, I can say without a speck of hesitation I feel that for Lucy. I want to know if Anna feels that for Braden.”
I studied Boston as he did the same to me. “I love Braden. We’ve been through a lot. It’s taken us time to work through what happened, but I think we’re finally getting there. Losing Roman…” I cleared my throat and shifted at the way my insides twisted. “Losing Roman almost killed me. I pushed everyone away, including Braden.”
“But the death of your son wasn’t the only reason you isolated yourself from the detective, was it?”
My stare cut to Dr. Patron, and Boston looked between us, confused.
“What does he mean?”
“Janneke.”
Coffee sloshed over the side of my mug as I slammed it against the coffee table.
“How did you know about her?”
“Anna.” Dr. Patron took a deep breath, keeping his words and actions slow. My pulse was slamming so hard, I was shaking all over again. “I know now is not the time, but I felt the opportunity was there since Boston brought it up. Detective…Braden, he moved on when he thought you were dead. He moved on with this woman, and it clearly hurt you. I’m not sure you’re dealing with the pain appropriately.”
“It was coffee,” I ground out. “Coffee. Maybe dinner, and it wasn’t even a date like that. Nothing happened.”
“Your anger over the subject tells me you believe otherwise. Is this change in your mindset helping you, or hurting you? Denying the truth will not benefit you or him if you’re wanting to continue your relationship. The hurt you harbor over this betrayal will return. It’ll come in arguments. It’ll worm its way in during your happiest moments. Is that what you want? To live a life built around unresolved issues?”
“He was seeing another woman? So quickly?” Boston couldn’t hide his disgust or shock. It brought the raw emotions back a hundred fold. I swore to kill Janneke. I clung to the fact that her death would reset us…but would it? No. Dr. Patron was right. I was pushing the truth away. My love for Braden was causing me to ignore the facts. But the facts weren’t the way he was insinuating. In my gut, I knew the truth, even if it hurt.
“Braden had no one. Janneke went to our church. We used to be close friends. When months went by, time took its toll. No One…he wasn’t just torturing me, he was torturing Braden. It’s easy to drop names,” I said, glaring at Dr. Patron, “but the fact is, you weren’t there. You have no idea what either of us went through. Sure, it hurt to know Braden chose her of all people to vent to. But it was circumstance. A run-in that brought them together. Nothing more. Neither searched out the other in the beginning. She helped him when he otherwise would have been isolated and killing himself over the guilt he held. When you tell me to face this, when you spout her name to try to convince me to deal with what happened, know I do. Every fucking second of the day, I do.”
Silence was met with Boston grabbing my hand. Whatever he thought about the situation he didn’t say. But I didn’t care. Boston would never understand, because he wasn’t like everyone else. He had the curse of obsession. It worked with Lucy, but that was over. The real definition would kick in now that he lost her. If that meant a new target, or the condition clung to a dead girl, the consequences for either could be disastrous.
Chapter 34
M
Did I think things would go so easily? Did I assume Boston would return to his and Lucy’s hometown for the burial? That we could work through his grief and build some sort of close partnership as doctor and patient while he killed again? Yes. But with each hour, each day, nothing had gone as planned. He didn’t rely on me for help at all like I’d become hopeful of. Boston was out of control, making decisions I would have never imagined.
“Tell me again what is going on with my son? Rockford? Why would he bury Lucy there? Why is telling me he’s not leaving?”
Joy couldn’t contain her anger. It was so out of character for her personality, but I knew the events and fears were taking hold. And she had every right to be afraid. Even I wasn’t sure what to think.
“Boston is lost right now. He’s not seeing past his need to see justice for Lucy. I believe he thinks her killer is still in the area. With his condition, I should have expected this. It would be natural for him to hold an attachment to the last place she was alive.”
“But Rockford? I want him home.”
“I know. We both do.”
“He suffered a traumatic brain injury. Traumatic, Doctor, on top of the obsession. Look at him. He never leaves that woman’s side. I can’t help but fear, is she the new Lucy? Am I going to have to worry about him killing her…lover? She’s with the detective. God, if Boston—”
Joy furiously wiped away the tears, looking across Anna’s living room at the guests who were paying their respects in the dining room area. There weren’t many, but after Anna took Boston to church, the stream of support for him seemed never-ending. People came over at odd times. They brought food and offered him prayers. It was so unlike anything I had seen Boston exposed to. And he appeared okay with it. Even embracing their presence at times.
“Traumatic or not, it has nothing to do with his actions. Give him some time. This is the worst thing that could have happened. Time will heal his wounds. When they do, I’ll bring him home.”
“Surely, you’re not staying much longer?”
“I can’t deny I have appointments coming up. I’ve already canceled so many, but I can give it a few more days. After that, I’ll bounce around. I do have a good base in the area, and that helps.”
“Thank you. You’ve done so much for our family.”
“Don’t thank me,” I said, giving her a quick hug. “Boston is like a son to me. You know that.”
“I know. I don’t even want to think where he’d be today without you.”
“Then don’t. And don’t worry over the future either. He has me. He always will. Why don’t we go talk to him? I think a break from everyone would do him good.”
Joy let me lead, and Anna, Braden, and Boston looked over at us as we approached. The dog sitting at Braden’s side stopped wagging his tail as we got closer. I ignored the way the lab watched my every move. I didn’t like animals. Especially long-haired dogs, but I kept my dislike at bay. A couple shook Boston’s hand, and I waited for them to move before I brought us closer. Darkness was permanently etched under Boston’s swollen eyes, and he reached up, rubbing them, as if he could detect my focus.
“Your mom and I were just talking. Why don’t we go for a walk or a drive? It would do you good to get out for a little.”
“I’m okay.”
“Boston.” Anna grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze. “You look tired. It’s been a long day. Fresh air might do you some good.”
Confliction surfaced while his stare stayed rooted to hers.
“Might do you good too.”
Silence played between them, and Braden’s jaw flexed repeatedly. Anna gave us all a smile before pulling Boston off to the side. I couldn’t hear her as she whispered to him, but I had no problems reading their lips.
“Boston, you have to go.”
“I don’t want to leave.”
“Not even if I think it’s best for you? Not even if I want you to?”
“Anna, don’t.”
“We both know what’s happening here. I’m saying no. You have to go. Take a walk, nothing more.”
“He hasn’t been caught yet. You’re not safe.”
“I am. I have Braden. Besides, I’m pretty good at defending myself. I think you’d be surprised if you knew just how good.”
Interest flickered. “Will you show me?”
“Right now? Let’s not scare the normals. They might suspect we’re different.”
Boston smiled, and then laughed—something I hadn’t seen him do since Lucy. He leaned forward, pressing his lips to Anna’s cheek. His eyes were clouded with tears, but he nodded.
“A small walk,” he said, turning
to face us. “Just a block or two.”
“Excellent.”
Braden’s narrowed stare followed Boston’s retreat, and I took note, letting my dislike of him fester. I headed into the crisp evening air, moving in next to Joy and Boston as we cut across the yard to the sidewalk. Boston surprisingly kept his pace at a slower speed, breathing in deeply as he scanned the neighboring houses. We made it half a block before Joy’s voice broke the silence.
“Honey, while we’re away from everyone, I was hoping to ask you a few questions.”
Boston kept his attention off his mother, but his face hardened.
“What do you want to know? I thought we already discussed everything. I’m staying.”
“Yes. About that. When you say staying, do you mean long-term? Do you mean you’ll be putting roots here?”
“Roots?” He glanced over, anger and pain flooding through. “My roots are already buried, and not by any choice of mine. So, yeah, I guess you could say so. They’re here, Mother. They’re not leaving.”
“But why?”
“Joy.” I tried not to wince, but she didn’t understand.
“Please. Boston needs to help me. I’m confused. This place was a nightmare for Lucy. This wasn’t her home. Florida, I could understand. But here? Boston, honey, you’re distraught over what happened. Let me make arrangements. There has to be something we could do to move Lucy’s body—”
“No!” Boston jerked to a stop, panting through his anger. “We’re not leaving. Not until… No. I’m not going to have her so far away while I’m here finishing this. She and I, we stay together. Together! That’s forever.”
Tears raced down Joy’s face as Boston stomped away. He tore off the suit jacket, throwing it at the ground. The tie quickly followed. It didn’t have a chance to hit the cement before he took off running.
“Go inside. I’ll take care of him.”
I didn’t wait for her response. I took off in jog, keeping my distance, but not losing sight. Boston rounded the corner, and he just kept going. Air burned my lungs, and cramping took over after a good mile and a half. We weaved deeper into residential areas, continuing until he bent over, heaving in someone’s front yard. I took my time approaching, feeding on his heartbreak. My hand settled on his shoulder, offering a comfort I knew he didn’t want. He was so distant toward me, and I had to correct that.
“I couldn’t even tell her goodbye face-to-face. I lost the only person I’ll ever love, and I had to stare at a fucking casket to make my peace.” He sobbed, lifting as he tried to catch his breath. “What kind of shit is that? A fucking casket is what I confessed my love to.” He shook his head, gripping his hair as a deep roar left him. “When I find him. When I find Daniel—”
“You’ll make him suffer like no one ever has.”
Boston nodded. “Yes.”
“And I’m going to make that happen. If Daniel has one person he thinks he can depend on, that person is me. It’s only a matter of time, Boston. He’ll call, and when he does, you and I will be there to make him pay.”
“But how long is that going to take? I…I need him now. He needs to pay now!”
Warmth trickled into my chest, and I glanced around the unfamiliar location like the hunter I was.
“Daniel can’t pay just yet, but what if I knew someone who deserved to die? Would you be interested?”
“Who?”
“Walk with me.”
Boston followed, staring at me intently as we strolled back in the direction we had come.
“Through my talks with Anna, I’ve discovered a man. One she wants dead more than anything. She’d clearly kill him herself, but each opportunity she has gets botched by one thing or another. I happen to know he just returned to town. Perhaps we can take measures into our own hands? I mean, if anyone deserves to die, it’s the one person who helped Anna’s kidnapper keep her a secret. He lied to the cops, Boston. He knew she was being tortured, and he allowed it to happen.”
Boston came to a stop, his eyes blazing with fury. “Where do we find him?”
I glanced down at my watch. “He’s a night runner. The opportunity is there. If we can catch him at the end of the path, we can make our move. It’s dark there, and the safest spot for an abduction.”
He paused as suspicion crept in. “You’ve thought this over. You’ve already planned it.”
“For Anna,” I stressed.
“Anna. Running. Of course…” Boston closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. “I don’t think so. This is Anna’s thing. I wouldn’t want her taking Daniel away from me.”
“I understand that, but Anna’s trying to find herself right now. You heard her. With Braden always there and her confusion on where their life is going, perhaps this wouldn’t be such a bad thing. What if her head isn’t in the game and she gets caught…or worse? Davis takes very good care of himself. He’s always running or working out. He could easily overpower her. Do you want something happening to her? Think about it. You’ve lost Lucy. Can you risk losing Anna too?”
Boston snarled, jerking me an inch from his face. “No one is going to hurt Anna.”
“My thoughts exactly,” I said, breaking free. “She never has to know. It can be our little secret. Let’s finish this for her so she can begin to heal. What do you say?”
Chapter 35
Detective Casey
For the first time in what felt like ever, heaven was upon me. The visitors were gone, the house was empty of everyone but me and Anna. Bliss. I didn’t think it would ever come. Especially after Mrs. Marks appeared back at the house upset. Supposedly, Boston had run off and Dr. Patron went after him. She waited three hours before she got a call. They were both okay, and Dr. Patron managed to talk Boston into a session. It was pure relief when they picked her up and left. Now, it was just me and Anna, and with the way she was staring at me, nude beneath the blankets…the night was ours.
I lifted my hand, fitting a loose curl behind her ear as I moved in to brush my lips over hers. The hunger that met me brought my fingers deeper into her hair, squeezing against the silky strands. A gasp separated us only a moment before her mouth crushed into mine. Anna pushed her breasts into my chest, applying pressure as she rolled me to my back. The smile that flashed was quick and full of seduction. She wanted me. And not just wanted, but desired. The depths were limitless. The black hole of desperation that took us over had a current we couldn’t escape. It was me and her. It would always be us.
Weight settled over the underside of my hard cock, registering against my stomach and chest as she lowered herself on top of me. Gentle rocking was met with her wetness as teased herself along my length. I couldn’t stop myself from squeezing into her ass and grinding against her. Firmly, I held the back of her neck. The more we kissed, the more we moaned at the friction.
“I’ve been waiting for this,” I breathed out. “I want you.”
“Show me.”
I spun her to her back, trailing my mouth along her neck to suck at the sensitive skin. Anna’s legs spread wider, opening to me even more as I nipped over her chest. I brushed the pads of my fingers over her folds, extracting a deep sigh as I eased one of my digits into her channel. The deep arch of her back had me lifting. The sight didn’t compare to what I saw in my dreams. Blonde curls from her hair cascaded over dark sheets, and her full breasts were thrust toward the ceiling. With how far her legs were spread, she held no restraints to what was happening. She was embracing it. Embracing us.
Deeper, I entered, only to withdraw and ease another finger inside. She was so wet and ready. Her body’s response matched the pleasurable sounds that grew louder with each breath. They blanketed me, warming my heart as I reached forward to squeeze against her nipple. They were already so hard. Everything about her told me this was it.
“Braden.” Brown eyes opened, and she held my wrist as she moved against my thrusts. I bit my lip, easing the direction of our hands until they were level to where I was pleasuring her. When I took her ind
ex finger, leading it to her clit, surprise dawned. It faded just as fast as she flattened over the sensitive nub and began moving in a circular motion. The sight turned my blood to fire. I barely remembered reaching up to tease her breasts again. I watched, fascinated, and so hot for her, I couldn’t think straight.
“Fuck, baby. Don’t move. Keep doing that.”
I removed my fingers, laying on my stomach as I worked my tongue along the inside of her folds. When I dipped into her entrance, Anna cried out. Faster, she worked over her clit, moving against my face as I pushed in. Fingers clutched my hair and her head was raised. The taste took me over, and I couldn’t get enough as I began to fuck and suck all over her pussy. For minutes, we didn’t stop looking at each other. I wasn’t sure either of us could.
“That feels so good. I…Braden. Come up here.”
A tug pulled at my hair, but I shook, letting her juices wet my face.
“Come, then I’ll give you what you want.”
“Braden.”
“You’re so close. I want to taste it. Come.”
I eased my tongue back into her channel, fucking to her rhythm. It didn’t take long before spasms and screams filled the space. Anna’s body jolted as I moved her fingers and sucked over her clit. When I went back to taste her, the savoring didn’t last. Impatience had Anna pulling at me, harder, and I was all too happy to move up and inch my way inside her.
Tightness gripped my cock, causing my blood to heat even more. When I surged forward, joining our mouths, I couldn’t help but grind and bury myself inside her. I kept my pace slow, relishing in how she reacted to each thrust.
“I want to make this permanent with us again. Anna…I need you.”
I didn’t slow or stop as I let her search for an answer. I kept our eyes connected, still kissing as little whimpers broke free of her lips. Nails dug into my back, and I saw her surrender long before she spoke.
“You want to be exclusive again? A couple?”
“Until you’re ready for more. But I won’t lie. I want it all. There is no one for me but you. So long as we love each other, we can work through anything. Look at us.” I kissed her hard, wrapping my hand around the back of her head so my thumb could stroke her cheek. “Look at us,” I emphasized. “We’ve weathered the worst, and we still love each other. That’s real. True. Let’s make it official. Be mine again.”