Tempest: A Stepbrother Romance

by Brother, Stephanie

  “Yes”, Leighton said. “I’m sorry.”

  “You’re lucky you’re not stood alongside Ms. Logan here. That can be arranged if you’d like me to do so?”

  “No, thank you, your honor. That won’t be necessary”, Leighton said, acquiescing back to his seat.

  “Right then. Does anyone else want to manhandle the defendant before we begin?”

  Alexis’s mutters were just about picked up by the judge.

  “Mrs. Logan, do you have something to say?”

  “Just get on with it”, Alexis spat, low enough this time for the judge not to pick up on.

  “Right”, the judge said, banging her gavel enthusiastically again. “Gracey Logan, good morning, my name is Alicia Cornwell.” She held up the plate in front of her that carried her name.

  Gracey looked to Alex before responding to the judge. “Good morning”, she said eventually, the words getting caught as they came out.

  “Good. You’ll have to speak up if you want the court to hear you. Detective Foster, good morning.”

  Foster nodded a good morning to the judge.

  “Spritely as ever. Would you like to tell us all why you’ve brought this young girl in here and got us all out of bed so early.”

  “We have reason to believe that Gracey Logan is responsible for the death of her stepfather, Philip Mandrake De Vries. Philip was poisoned at his home on the sixteenth of September 2015, with digitalis, a poison derived from the Foxglove plant which grows naturally within the grounds of the family estate. After forensic sweeps of the property, we found fingerprints on the glass Philip drank from, and traces of the poison hidden in Gracey’s bedroom. As far as I am concerned, this is a first degree murder charge.”

  Alicia nodded thoughtfully. “You have conducted tests? You have the relevant paperwork.”

  Benjamin Pope approached the bench to pass a document to Alicia.

  “If I may?” he said after returning to stand alongside Detective Foster.

  “Please give your name. I haven’t seen you on the TV yet, nor in here.”

  Benjamin smiled. “I’m Benjamin Pope”, he said. “I’m a scientist, well lab technician really. The tests we conducted twice, just to make sure. You have everything in the documents. Digitalis was found in the glass Philip had been drinking from, and inside Gracey’s bedroom. It’s fairly conclusive.”

  “Was it found anywhere else in the house?”

  “No”, Benjamin said, rather enjoying his moment in the spotlight.

  “Alex Dibbell?”

  “Here, your honor”, Alex said, putting up his hand.

  “I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure before. It says here that you practice in New York. What on earth are you doing here?”

  “I’m on a sabbatical.”

  “Is that right? Well let’s see if it’s been worth it then, what have you got?”

  “I’m not questioning the veracity of the tests conducted, because I believe they are correct. Gracey’s fingerprints were on the glass Philip drank from and a residue of the digitalis that killed him I believe was found in her room, it just wasn’t put there by Gracey. There is enough doubt in this case, that it should go to trial, but it isn’t Gracey that should be taking the stand.”

  “Liar”, Alexis shouted, which gained her a couple of silencing bangs from the gavel and a stern glare from Alicia.

  Alex continued. “We are conducting our own tests within the property, after which I believe we will be able to say with much more accuracy who is truly responsible for his death.”

  “Gracey, do you have anything to say?”

  Gracey looked around at the courtroom, first her lawyer, then Detective Foster, and finally behind her into the darkness of the public gallery, to search out Leighton.

  “I didn’t do it”, Gracey said. “I don’t know who did but I didn’t do it.”

  “This is your first time in any kind of trouble like this, right?”

  Gracey nodded.

  “And how would you describe your relationship with your stepfather?”

  “Just the same as all of us. He was a difficult man. We didn’t get along for a long time, but right before he died. I mean, before he was murdered, I was trying to bridge the gap that had developed between us. I could see he was lonely, like he was shutting himself off. I could tell he was hurting inside. I don’t know, I just wanted to be his friend. He didn’t have any. None of the others-. That’s it really.”

  “Thank you, Gracey.”

  “Detective Foster, do you have anything else to add about this case? Anything about the rest of the family? You had Mr. Tempest arrested I believe, and then subsequently released, can you explain your thinking on that?”

  “Pandora and Isabella, the eldest and second eldest of Philip’s children, Gracey’s two sisters, have signed a statement suggesting they saw Mr. Tempest and Gracey together at the property a week before he died. I also have a conflicting statement from Mr. Tempest’s PA saying that they spent that night together. I didn’t think there was enough evidence at this stage to keep him arrested. I thought it would be better dealt with at Gracey’s trial.”

  “Right, thank you Detective, as clear as always.”

  Alicia took a moment to study the lab report, which had been annotated with red pen in all the important places, and then looked even more closely at Gracey. After a while Gracey had to look away.

  “Do you know what digitalis is, Gracey?” Alicia asked.

  “Yes”, Gracey admitted.

  “Do you understand what first degree murder is?”

  There was a moment before Gracey responded. “It’s defined as an unlawful killing both willing and premeditated.”

  “Murderer”, Alexis shouted again.

  “Remove that woman from my courtroom”, Alicia insisted, this time pointing the gavel instead of banging it.

  “It’s the most serious of crimes”, Alicia said when the guards had dragged Alexis out, kicking and screaming. “You seem intelligent enough to know that.”

  “Yes, your honor.”

  “Is there anything else, or shall I proceed?” Alicia said, her question addressed to Alex. “I presume you know the formality, Mr. Dibbell? New York isn’t all that far away after all.”

  “Please”, Alex said.

  “Gracey Logan, you are being charged with first degree murder, how do you plead?”

  “No”, Gracey said, shaking her head.

  “Louder”, Alicia commanded.

  Alex took a moment to hold Gracey by the wrist, but it wasn’t enough to stop the tears. After all that had happened, now was the moment reality was setting in.

  “I need to know what you are pleading?”

  “If I may?” Alex said.

  Alicia nodded.

  “My defendant would like to enter a plea of not guilty”, he said.

  “Detective Foster”, Alicia said, turning her eagle like head towards him. “Is there any reason why you believe that bail should not be offered in this specific case?”

  Detective Foster cleared his throat. He took a moment to look at Gracey, caught eyes with Leighton and discovered an empty space where Alexis had been sat.

  “My only concern would be a repetition of the crime”, Foster declared. “The rest of the family have come to me over concerns for their well being. As you can imagine, this has had a huge effect on Gracey’s sisters and her mother. That and her relationship with Leighton Tempest.”

  “Go on”, Alicia said.

  “It is of my opinion that with bail set at any amount, it won’t ever be high enough to be out of reach for Leighton.”

  “What is your point, Detective Foster?”

  “That it makes the issuing of it redundant if he can cover the amount so easily.”

  “Objection”, Alex called.

  “Overruled, Mr. Dibbell, Detective Foster has a point. Because that happens so infrequently, we should listen to him, don’t you think?”

  “Your honor”, Alex complained.
Gracey looked at him nervously, while Leighton leaned forward in his seat, impotent and concerned. Esmeralda took the opportunity to squeeze his knee. This might be going the way she wanted after all.

  “Well that’s it, really”, Foster said.

  “Do you believe the Logan family to be in danger?” Judge Cornwell asked.

  “I don’t believe it is out of the realm of possibilities, no.”

  “Do you believe that Gracey will skip her trial?”

  “I don’t believe it is out of the realm of possibilities either”, Detective Foster added. “Especially if she has unlimited resources at her fingertips.”

  Alicia sighed. “This is a first degree murder case”, she said. “Poisoning of a family member. An unlawful killing both willing and premeditated. Bail is not usually set in these cases. Gracey, how old are you?”

  “Twenty one”, Gracey said, tears staining her cheeks.

  “Twenty one”, Alicia repeated. “Detective, it is your responsibility to protect the Logan family, it is mine to determine whether Gracey is likely to return to the courts for her trial. In this case, I believe she has every intention of doing so. For that reason, and the reasons you have been kind enough to inform me of, I’m suggesting that if the Logan family truly feel that their lives are in danger, that they must seek adequate protection. Gracey has never been in trouble before, and as far as I can tell, she is an intelligent, mild mannered, hard working member of her community. Despite that, she is here on charges of first degree murder, and there is strong evidence to suggest she may be responsible. This case will go to trial and a verdict will be reached. In the meantime, I don’t believe she should be lost in the prison system while she waits. I’m setting bail at ten million dollars-”.

  “Yes”, Leighton shouted, an outburst that earned him a daggered stare from Alicia.

  Gracey put her hands to her mouth and dropped to her knees in shock.

  “-with house arrest until trial.”

  “House arrest?” Alex Dibbell complained.

  “Yes, Mr. Dibbell. House arrest until trial. I expect you understand what that means? Or would you prefer me to rescind that?”

  “No, thank you, your honor. I think that’s a very fair judgment.”

  “Very well then”, Alicia said. “As soon as bail is paid, Gracey can go back home. I trust with his wealth of experience, Detective Foster can organize the requirements of the house arrest.”

  “Yes, of course, thank you your honor.” Foster said.

  Gracey didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. House arrest, sounded like something from a film. She had no idea what it would mean in practice.

  Alicia banged her gavel on the wooden slate. “All rise”, she said.

  Esmeralda’s hand fell off Leighton’s leg as he quickly stood up. House arrest sounded like the worst outcome in the world to her. That was like a sex slave Leighton would have whenever he wanted. Leighton wasn’t thinking that far ahead though, all he wanted to do was get to Gracey, take her home and get her into bed.

  “Court dismissed”, Alicia said firmly, and banged her gavel down firmly for the last time that morning.

  Chapter 31

  Gracey rubbed her ankle where the electronic tag bit into it. It was bulky, heavy and very ugly.

  “I think they’ve done it up too tight”, she complained. “It feels like it’s putting pressure on the bone.”

  “They have to make sure that you don’t run away.” Leighton reasoned. “You’ll get used to it I guess.”

  “Thank you”, Gracey said, her arms going around his neck. “I didn’t say it before, but thank you.”

  “You haven’t had much of a chance until now.”

  Leighton pulled her into him to press his lips against her neck. “Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t run in this thing.”

  She pushed herself away from him, and then took him by the hand. “The house is so empty.”

  They began to climb the stairs.

  “I’m going to stay, you know. If it’s alright with you.”

  Gracey turned to walk backwards in front of him, her hand going casually to the buttons of her shirt. “What about your business?” she said, the top button pinging open.

  Leighton was impressed by her game. Every time he tried to get closer, she held her arm out to indicate the gap she wanted him to keep to. He wasn’t the only one who’d waited, but Gracey was the one who wanted to make sure she was in control. She continued unbuttoning her shirt, teasing him with her flesh.

  “Someone else will look after it.”

  Gracey stopped, which made Leighton stop too. She reached out and took hold of his tie, distracting herself with the pattern. Leighton could see the bra that she was wearing, barely covering her tits. Her milky skin looked as smooth as silk.

  “Who is the good looking PA?” Gracey said.

  Leighton moved towards her, but she lifted her finger to indicate for him to stop.

  “Esmeralda”, Leighton said casually, as though offering some kind of apology.

  “Hmmm”, Gracey said. Earlier today she was facing a long wait in prison. She wasn’t completely free, but house arrest was so much better than a two meter by three meter cell. The reclamation of at least part of her freedom filled her with a confidence she hadn’t encountered before.

  “She isn’t you.” Leighton offered, trying to reach for her again.

  Gracey twisted around, and while still holding Leighton’s tie over her shoulder, pulled him towards her. Leighton took the opportunity to lunge forwards and wrap his arms around Gracey, pulling her tightly towards him. Gracey ground her ass up against Leighton’s crotch and then fought away again.

  “That’s right”, Gracey said. “I’m not that easy.”

  She leaned against the door frame at the entrance to her room, the ankle with the tag on it placed delicately against her other leg, her arm stretched up towards the ceiling so her shirt fell open to reveal the delicate skin at the edge of her torso. Leighton pulled his tie off and then began unbuttoning his shirt.

  “Are you going to let me come this time?”

  Gracey’s eyes went wide, but she couldn’t help but smile either. “You want to be careful”, she said.

  “Why’s that?” Leighton asked, his shirt now fully unbuttoned.

  “I’m a dangerous woman.”

  Gracey began to unwrap her skirt.

  “How’s that?” Leighton asked, dropping his shirt to the ground and casually slipping out of his brogues.

  “Oh, you know, some people think I murdered my stepfather.” Gracey let her skirt drop to the ground and then casually stepped out of it. She looked even better than Leighton had remembered. His hands went to the fastening on his pants, his cock swelling and screaming to be let out.

  “That can’t possibly be true”, Leighton said.

  Gracey took her shirt off, spinning as she did so. When she was down to her panties and bra, she smiled and disappeared into her room, leaving Leighton out on the balcony, the door closed behind her. Leighton shook his head and smiled. This was exactly the kind of thing that he liked. It was like casually waving a red rag in front of a bull with no idea of the consequences. He took the ten paces to the door, raised his hand ready to knock, decided against it and pushed his way inside. Gracey was lying down diagonally on the bed, facing away from him, her head propped up in her hands, her legs crossed and flapping like the tail of a giant, tropical fish. Leighton leaned against the door frame casually, folded his arms across his chest, cocked his head to the side and took a good look at her naked body.

  “You going to stand there all day?” Gracey said after a while. “Dangerous girls need dangerous men you know.”

  Leighton let his pants fall to the ground and stepped out of them in one casual stride that took him to the edge of the bed. He grabbed Gracey by the legs and flipped her over like a piece of chicken in a pan. She hadn’t expected it and initially wasn’t quite sure how to react until she saw his throbbing cock, and just how despe
rate he was to have her.

  “Esmeralda thinks I’m going to keep you here like a sex slave”, Leighton said, dragging Gracey towards him. Gracey wasn’t ready for the game to be over quite yet, however. She kicked out and struggled away, making Leighton climb onto the bed and pull her back towards him. This carried on three or four more times until Leighton had to lie down alongside her and pull her into him to stop her getting away. Gracey lifted her head and let him kiss and caress her neck.

  “Are you going to lock me up?” she asked.

  “If I have to”, Leighton said, smoothing the skin across her belly and moving his hands towards her breasts. Gracey could feel him in behind her, and pushed her ass towards him like a cat in heat.

  “In a tower?” Gracey panted, Leighton’s rough fingers teasing her nipples erect.

  “Here”, Leighton said, his knees going up into the backs of hers, opening her up to him.

  “I can’t leave”, Gracey said, the reality of her situation slowly dawning on her.

  Leighton throbbed against her opening. He linked his hands with hers and slid them across the bed sheets, spreading her whole body wide.

  “You won’t have to”, Leighton moaned, kissing the words in patterns across her back.

  Gracey reached behind herself to take hold of his enormous cock. She lifted one leg and straightened another, until she found herself in the right position to guide him inside her.

  “I thought I’d never see you again”, she moaned, her pussy more sensitive that she realized.

  Leighton tried to push her hand away and take control, but Gracey wouldn’t allow it. “Let me”, she said, and began rubbing his tip against her clitoris, every so often putting it at the entrance to her pussy hole and allowing Leighton to dip inside her. If he went too far, she’d grasp his cock tightly, and he’d know to pull out again, or she’d just lift her hips and pull herself away from him. No one else had made him feel this way. No one else had teased him so much he felt like he was losing control. Like he was going to come before he’d done anywhere near enough to warrant it. Leighton could have easily taken control if he had wanted to, but something about this situation made that the last thing he wanted to do.