“Ma’am?” The detective stopped her before she had made more than a couple of steps.
Jenna turned around and faced the man. It didn’t register at first that he was speaking to her until she heard the word “dead.” That caught her interest.
“What?”
“I need to talk to you about what happened. Your ex-husband is in bad shape. He might die,” the detective said.
“I hope he does. He killed Todd and made my life a living hell.” She hugged herself. “Can we go sit down?”
“Sure. The kitchen is clear.” He held out his hand to indicate she should lead the way.
Jenna immediately went to the coffee pot and began making coffee. She needed a cup to clear her head. Everything felt so surreal. Nothing felt real anymore. It was if her entire life had been put in a blender and turned on high.
“I understand your ex-husband used to beat you. He nearly killed you a few weeks back.” The detective took out a little notepad and began to write.
“Yes, he’s crazy. He just got out of prison a few weeks ago. No one even bothered to tell me.”
“How well do you know Riley?”
Jenna bristled over the mention of Riley. “Long enough to know he is a good man.”
The detective sighed. “Ma’am, he may have killed Gregg. I’m not saying the man didn’t deserve what he got, but you can’t take matters into your own hands.” He leaned back in the chair he’d taken at the kitchen table.
Jenna crossed her arms and leaned against the cabinet as she waited for the coffee to brew. How dare he insinuate that Riley had purposely killed her ex-husband? What if he had? The thought peeked inside her brain. So, what if he had? Like the detective said, the bastard had deserved it. It wouldn’t matter to her if he had.
“I don’t think he would do that. He was in the army for a long time. He abides by rules, and the rule is you don’t kill someone unless it’s in self-defense.” Jenna turned and pulled down a cup. Her hands weren’t as shaky as earlier.
“So he never said he planned to kill him when he got the chance?” the detective asked.
“No, he never said that.”
“So you don’t think he might have done it?”
“No. I don’t believe he would.” But Jenna knew he could and probably had.
The detective sighed and closed his book. Then he put it away inside his shirt pocket and stood up.
“If you think of anything later, be sure and let me know.” He handed her a card with his name and phone numbers on it.
“I will.”
* * * *
“I tackled him, and he fell on the knife. I’ve told you this at least a hundred times already.” Riley was getting pissed all over again.
He wanted to know how Jenna was. No one would tell him anything. He and Morgan had been separated almost from the beginning. He knew it was to get separate statements and compare them. It didn’t matter to him. He was telling the truth. The fact that he hadn’t twisted the knife still amazed him. He had the chance to kill the man responsible for nearly beating the life from Jenna, and he hadn’t taken it. Why? Because he hoped somehow he could have a life with Jenna. He had to admit it to himself. There was no running from it anymore. He loved her.
“Look, if you’re finished with me, I want to check on Jenna and Tyler.”
“Don’t plan on leaving. We aren’t finished with you yet. We know you killed him,” Hudson, the officer from that morning, said.
“Last I heard, he was still alive and on his way to the hospital. If I had wanted him dead, he would be dead. Not just hurt but dead all over.” Riley walked away, heading for the house.
He found her sitting in the kitchen, bundled up in a robe with a cup of coffee sitting in front of her, untouched by the look of it. She held herself as if she’d fly apart in a thousand pieces if she didn’t hold on. She looked so small and vulnerable sitting there. He didn’t make a sound as he walked around the table and knelt in front of her. When she looked up at him, a frown marred her features.
“What are you doing here?”
“Checking on you. I was worried about you.” Riley reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I’m fine.” She searched his face. “What about Gregg?”
“I didn’t kill him, but he might not make it.”
“If you didn’t kill him, what happened?”
“He fell on the knife he was trying to use on me. I could have finished the job, but I didn’t. I didn’t want that between us.”
“Is it wrong that I hope he dies?” she asked with tears in her eyes.
“No, I don’t think it is. He made your life a living hell. He deserves whatever happens to him.”
Jenna sighed and squeezed her eyes shut. He could tell she was trying to keep the tears at bay.
“Don’t, Jenna. Cry if you need to.” He cupped her face in his hand.
“Why did you come back?” she asked.
“I never left. I thought we could draw him out by my giving him the opportunity to get to me, but he outsmarted us and went after you instead. I’m sorry I wasn’t here to protect you, baby.”
“You shouldn’t have put yourself in danger. I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if something had happened to you because of me.” Jenna rubbed her face against his hand.
“Nothing happened to me,” Riley said.
“Except there’s blood on your shirt and it’s ripped in a few places.”
“Just some scratches is all.
“Let me see.” She rolled his shirt up and gasped at the bandage on his chest and the small cuts across his abdomen.
“See, just some scratches.”
“Let me see your chest.” She gently pulled the bandage away on one side to reveal an ugly cut. “You need stitches in this. It’s deep.”
“It will heal fine without them,” he said. He didn’t want to go to the hospital and leave her alone for one minute.
In fact, he didn’t want to ever leave her alone again. He’d almost lost her. It wasn’t lost on him that he was talking about forever. He pushed that aside and concentrated on Jenna.
“Please. I’ll even take you if they will let me get dressed now.” She scowled toward the men in the living room.
“They’re taking evidence. It may be awhile before they let you have any of your stuff back. Why don’t we go to Logan and Tina’s place?”
“You need stitches.” She huffed out a breath.
“First we’ll go to Logan’s. You can probably wear something of Tina’s,” Riley suggested.
“I’m holding you to letting me take you to the hospital for stitches,” she reminded him.
“First, we get you something to wear. You can’t traipse around in a robe all over town.”
He stood up and switched off the coffee pot before holding his hand out to Jenna. She smiled at him and let him pull her to her feet.
“At least they let you wear your tennis shoes,” he offered. “You’re going to look cute enough on the back of the bike wearing this.” He indicated the robe with a tug.
He held her hand as they walked outside toward where a group of police and the detective in charge stood discussing something with Logan. They all looked up when he and Jenna walked up.
“I’m taking Jenna to your house, Logan. She needs something to wear besides the bathrobe,” Riley explained.
“I’m on my way home, too,” Logan said.
Riley turned to the detective. “You know where to find us if you need anything else.”
The detective looked at the three of them and nodded. Hudson grabbed his arm.
“He’s a flight risk. He doesn’t even have a permanent address, for God sakes.”
“He isn’t guilty of anything. We can’t hold him just because you don’t like him, Hudson. Now let the man go.”
Riley looked at the hand holding his arm and then back up at the policeman. The other man paled and let him go. Riley stared just a few seconds longer then turned a
nd headed for the bike, pulling Jenna behind him.
“I’ll ride with Logan. I’m afraid I’ll hurt you if I ride with you,” Jenna said.
“You won’t hurt me, baby. Come on and ride with me.” Riley held out his hand again.
Jenna smiled up at him and took it. He grinned and put the helmet on her and fastened it. He waited as Jenna climbed on behind him. When she held on to his waist, he knew she was ready.
They arrived at Logan and Tina’s place a few minutes later with Logan right behind them. Tina was waiting on them outside. Evidently, Logan had called ahead. She grabbed Jenna and hugged her then drew her inside the house.
“Tina will take care of her,” Logan said, looking at Riley.
Riley resisted the urge to follow the women inside. After everything that had happened, he didn’t want her out of his sight even with friends around them.
“Are you going to have trouble with those guys back there?” Logan asked.
“I don’t plan on it. I’m not wanted for anything if that’s what you mean.”
Logan laughed. “I wouldn’t say that. Jenna wants you in a bad way.” He slapped Riley on the back.
“Seriously, though, if her ex doesn’t pull through, are they going to try and pin it on you? I know and you know that you didn’t do it with intent to kill him, but that one policeman has it in for you for some reason.”
“True, but he isn’t over the case. The detective is, and he doesn’t seem to blame me. I’m not worried.”
Logan nodded and then followed Riley’s eyes to where a light had come on upstairs.
“So what are you going to do about Jenna? She loves you, you know.”
Riley drew in a deep breath and then let it out slow. “Yeah, I know.” He looked up at the window and smiled. “I love her, too.”
Chapter Twelve
Jenna let Tina lead her upstairs to the spare bedroom with attached bath.
“You need a hot shower and something to put on. You’ve got blood all over you.” Tina stopped and teared up. “Oh, Jenna. He might have killed you. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“I’m okay. I’ll have a sore face, but I’ve had a lot worse.” She tried for a grin to relax her friend, but it wasn’t very convincing, judging by the frown on Tina’s face.
“Really, it’s over now. They don’t think Gregg will pull through. Even if he does, he will go to prison for a very long time for killing Todd.” Jenna squeezed Tina’s hand.
“Don’t be thinking about it. Just be glad you’re okay.” Tina walked over to the bathroom.
“Riley needs stitches, but he won’t go to the hospital. I need to get dressed and make him go.”
“Then let’s get you showered and dressed. You go ahead. I’ll find something for you to put on. Of course, anything I have will swallow you and be a little short on you,” Tina said.
“I am sort of a stick figure, aren’t I?”
“No, you’re built like a model. I’m the plump one,” Tina fussed.
They looked at each other then broke out in hysterical giggles. Jenna figured the stress and tension had gotten to them. She climbed into the shower and enjoyed the hot water sleuthing over her skin. It felt good to her battered muscles from her fight with Gregg. Once she was out and had dried off, Jenna found a change of clothes minus a bra on the bed waiting for her.
So was Riley. His brooding stare had her wishing she hadn’t left the towel in the bathroom.
“What is it?” She crossed her arms over her breasts.
It didn’t do much good. He didn’t say anything. Instead, he stood up and crossed the room to where she stood in the middle. He cupped her face in his hands and lowered his head. She knew he was going to kiss her. Her body waited in anticipation of those luscious lips on hers.
He placed gentle kisses against her lips and the corner of her mouth that was split. He kissed along her cheek and the bruise blossoming there. He continued down to her jaw and around to her neck. Riley pulled her arms away from her breasts then his large hands enfolded hers and pulled her into his arms. He gently hugged her against his chest. She didn’t dare push against him for fear of hurting him and his many cuts.
“Baby, you scared me to death when I realized he had you.” Riley rubbed his hand up and down her back in a soothing motion.
It was probably more to soothe him than her, Jenna figured. She soaked up the comfort he was offering, though, wishing with all her heart it could be forever. Still, now she knew he really did care. He hadn’t left her after all. Instead, he had gone on with his plan of putting himself out as bait. She pursed her lips and drew back from his embrace to scowl at him.
“What?” he asked, clearly confused by her expression.
“You went ahead with that stupid plan to make yourself a target after I told you not to do it.”
“I should have been with you. I’m sorry, Jenna. I screwed up.”
“No, that’s not what has me so pissed at you. I’m mad because you deliberately set yourself up to be hurt. That is what has me so upset. You could have been killed.” Jenna walked over to the bed where the clothes were laying and began dressing.
When she was finally clothed, Jenna turned back around to find Riley leaning against the door, smiling at her. It was her turn to look confused.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because you’re only going to have to undress again. You’re not going anywhere anytime soon.”
“You’ve got to have stitches.” She growled, crossing her arms again.
“That’s already been taken care of.” He smirked and pushed away from the door to walk over to where she stood.
“What do you mean?”
He grinned and removed his shirt. All his cuts and scrapes where clean, and a fresh bandage covered the gash on his chest. He carefully pulled the bandage back for her to see the five stitches that now held the edges of the wound together.
“Who sewed you up?” She gasped.
“Logan. Both of us have done it in the past. Remember we were in the army. You learn skills like that.”
“At the very least, you need a tetanus shot.” She knew she was pouting, but she couldn’t help it.
Jenna had wanted to baby him, but he wasn’t going to let her.
“I had one two years ago. Don’t need another one right now.” He moved closer still. “I’m all taken care of. Let’s see about you. What can I do to take care of for you, baby?”
He ran a finger down her chin to the V in the neck of the blouse she was wearing. Then he brushed her nipple through the cloth of the shirt. Since Tina had larger breasts than Jenna, she didn’t have on a bra. Instantly, she became aroused and wanted him. He could do that with one touch. Riley smiled that half smile that turned her insides to molten lava. In seconds, she was wet for him.
He breathed in and closed his eyes. God, he could smell her arousal. The thought both embarrassed her and turned her on. She took a step back from him. The back of her knees hit the bed, and she sat down on the mattress hard enough she bounced.
“Take off your blouse for me,” he ordered.
She slowly slipped the buttons through their slots and let the material slide down her arms to the bed. He hummed his approval with half-closed eyes.
“Now the pants. They come off, too.”
Jenna smiled her best come-hither smile and carefully unbuttoned then unzipped the pants. She didn’t bother standing up. Instead, she lifted her hips and shimmed out of them until they pooled on the floor around her feet.
Riley went to his knees and removed her shoes then lifted her leg up to his mouth. Chill bumps popped out along her arms as he slowly licked and kissed his way from her foot to her knee and then higher. Once he reached the back of her knee, she squirmed. He continued up her thigh and stopped at the edge of her panties. He blew a warm breath across the crotch, causing her to shiver all over with pleasure. Then he gently nipped at her pussy through the underwear. She groaned at the sensation
.
Riley slipped one finger in on either side of her panties and pulled them down. They would only go so far before he had to lean back in order to pull them all the way off her legs. As soon as they were off, he held her legs wide for him and dove in to lap at her wet pussy. His fingers held her pussy lips apart as he licked and sucked at her juices as fast as they appeared. She squirmed, but he held her still with his arms against her thighs.
Jenna reached down with her hands and held on to him by his ears until he was laughing against her pussy. She realized what she was doing and let go only to buck and yelp when he shoved a finger inside her. She was so close to climax that most anything more would send her off now. She fought to hold it back. She wasn’t ready for it to be over yet. It felt too good. He felt too good. Jenna dug her fingers into the bed sheets when he pushed a second finger inside of her. Oh, God, closer, so much closer.
He pumped his fingers inside her over and over again while he licked all around her pussy. Then he began sucking on her clit, and the lights brightened all around her as her climax drew a scream from her mouth. He rode her until she settled down. With one last lick, Riley stood up and very deliberately began unbuttoning his jeans.
Jenna loved button-down jeans, but his slow teasing was getting on her nerves. She wanted him inside of her now. As if knowing he was torturing her, Riley dragged it out even more. Finally, he had his jeans down around his ankles. He didn’t bother taking off his boots to remove them. Instead, he grabbed her by her legs and flipped her over, pulling her to her knees. He positioned himself between her legs at her opening and surged forward to the hilt inside of her. She screamed again. Fully seated inside of her, he waited a few seconds to let her body adjust to his girth before he began riding her.
He pumped his hard cock in and out of her, pummeling her over and over. Jenna met him thrust for thrust, backing into him until flesh slapped flesh. His balls slammed against her pussy near her clit with each slap.
Another climax began to build inside her. She felt it racing toward her and knew she wouldn’t be able to hold it off as she had before. Instead, she met it head on. It burned from within her and spread out inside her body until she felt it in her fingers and toes. White-hot light flashed behind her eyes.
In The Still of the Night [The Protectors 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 15