“Good night, and thank you, Michael,” Zayda said goodbye.
“Wait,” said the lawyer. Kyle’s wife turned. Michael rolled down the window. “Would you mind if I brought someone with me?”
“Ummm, that means you’re dating someone who is not called Heidi, or Lady, or any other ridiculous name, right?”
“Very funny.”
Kyle appeared in the threshold of the door. He waved at Michael. Seeing him, Zayda smiled widely.
“Of course you can. In the end, my daughter will get double the birthday presents.”
“You can count on it.”
Michael waved to his friends, and then set off home.
***
She stared at the Chicago Tribune again. The woman was incredibly beautiful. He hadn’t told her about the gala. In the end, why should he tell her? She had nothing to be jealous about. Michael was not her husband or her boyfriend, only... What was he? Her exclusive date for sex and long conversations? It was not easy to put a label on it because even though it felt like they were dating exclusively, he hadn’t set any limits.
She put the newspaper down. She stared at the corkboard in her office, which held some pictures of her parents and her sister, and some snapshots from important moments in her life. She’d spent two days in Los Angeles, with so many meetings, one after the other, that she did not even know she was still alive until she got back to her hotel room and made her way through the bottles in the minibar.
When she left the office, she’d have to look for a birthday present for Michael’s goddaughter. Friends were always good sources of information, and familiar spaces encouraged it.
It had been a week since she’d heard from Piper. That worried her, though she knew that the police were very efficient when it came to protecting witnesses. Or informants, in her sister’s case. Perhaps Piper would like the idea of shopping for toys and electronic devices with her. Of course, she did not plan on spending a fortune on the gift, but she also did not want to give the little girl any old trinket.
She took the elevator to the basement where she parked her car. She left the parking structure in a hurry and headed towards her sister’s apartment. It was in the Hyde Park area. The prices were decent there, and at least Piper had agreed to let Rachel pay half her rent. Good progress thought Rachel.
When she reached the five-story building, she parked.
The officer in charge of protecting Piper, Dalton Callaway, searched her and interrogated her until he was sure that she could come in without posing any physical threat to Piper. She liked knowing her sister was safe. When she opened the door, the surprise on her face was clear.
“Rachel... wow, if everything okay?”
“Of course. I know you have the day off today, so I was wondering if you’d like to come shopping with me.”
Piper’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
“Really?”
“Of course. I have a birthday party for a ten-year-old girl, and I’d like you to come to help me choose her present. Are you busy?”
Piper laughed.
“Dalton is in charge of watching my back. And in fact, he has to come with me. Part of my security system.”
“Sure, he’s coming with us,” she replied, ecstatic at the idea of spending the day with her sister, who rarely even allowed herself a smile, much less left her apartment to go places other than the coffee shop where she worked. Rachel understood.
They spent the afternoon shopping at Water Tower Place, an eight-story shopping mall that would drive any shopper strolling along Michigan Avenue wild. Piper’s mood improved as they went from store to store.
The sisters tried on shoes and blouses and spent a considerable amount of money on makeup in Sephora. Actually, Rachel did, and Piper let herself be spoiled. Little by little, it felt like the walls were coming down and she could try to be more like the person she had been years ago, at least with her little sister.
Exhausted, but smiling, they walked out to put their shopping bags in the car. Then they found a place to eat, so they could replenish their energy. Or at least that’s what they hoped a Butterfinger milkshake and a delicious, greasy burger would do. They wolfed down their food and chatted about the latest movie premieres. Piper told her anecdotes from the coffee shop, and Rachel about Paul, but she never mentioned Michael.
“You should date somebody, Rachel. You’re so young and beautiful. You remind me so much of mom...” said Piper, wiping her mouth with a napkin. “Why don’t you agree to go out with this Paul?”
“I told you, he’s my boss. Do you really think I look like mom?”
“Yes... I carry them lovingly in my memory. Rachel, I’ve been thinking of leaving the city.”
“What? You can’t be serious! You just got out, and I need you, please, Piper... besides, they have to arrest Gordov. Who knows what he’d do if he saw you, or sent his goons...?”
The desperation in Rachel’s voice made Piper take her sister’s hand. She squeezed her fingers lovingly.
“I’m glad you came to see me today. Rachel... it’s hard for me to tell you this because I know how much you worry.”
“You’re my only family... you and aunt Ariel! But she’s so far away. I don’t want to lose you.”
“Rachel, Gordov is after me.” This left her speechless, so Pipe continued, “Dalton is aware of it, as is his partner Edward, who takes the night shift, standing at the door to my apartment. I’ve told you before that sometimes information flies on the streets. I know he’s been asking about me. I did not have a day off today, I was forced to quit for the safety of the coffee shop’s owners; they’ve been so good to me.”
“But...”
“Listen, little sis. Gordov hired a law firm to defend him and put his businesses in order. I don’t have the money to defend myself in case he tries something, and believe me, that drug trafficker is capable of anything. I don’t want to go back to prison, I don’t want to go through hell again.” Piper lowered her gaze.
“Rachel, I know they’re looking for me. I’m not an idiot. And Dalton and Edward have carefully explained how this situation works. That’s why I don’t leave the apartment. Do you understand? I have to be careful.”
“Do you think they’re following us now?”
She shook her head.
“It’s dangerous for you to be around me. Please, don’t come to see me again, Rachel.”
“I have money,” she said, desperately. “I have a perfectly good, buoyant saving account at the moment. I can pay for any law firm you want. The best, Piper.”
“Yes, but there are some things no lawyer can prevent.”
“Such as? Gordov’s people planting fake evidence?”
Piper’s sad expression melted Rachel’s heart.
“Killing me is easier than going to all that trouble.”
Rachel felt a chill down her back.
“What firm is representing Gordov, Piper?”
“One of the big ones.”
“If you find out, will you send me a text to let me know?”
Piper frowned.
“What do you need that information for, Rachel? You can ask Dalton, they sometimes warn me about things. They’re good people. They don’t judge me.”
“They have nothing to judge you for; you’re innocent.” Piper was not going to argue with her sister, whom she knew was hard-headed. “besides, I need that information, because then I can find their rival firm and hire them.”
The ex-convict let go of her sister’s hands and leaned back into the worn chair.
“That won’t be necessary. This will be the last time we meet. I’m moving tomorrow, and I’ll keep doing that until this mess is resolved. No, don’t try to make me change my mind or argue.” Rachel slumped in her chair. “It’s best for both of us. Or at least until the police find a way to catch Gordov and my neck is not on the line. I’ll send a text to your phone. Always, like now, from a different number.”
Rachel felt like crying. Screaming.
“How will I know where you are, or if you’re all right?”
Piper smiled.
“I’ll let you know, though not explicitly. You’re very smart.”
Feeling a mixture of impotence and rage, similar to what she’d experienced years ago, Rachel drove to where Piper was staying. Dalton followed them closely, in a discreet car.”
She tried to hold back her tears when Piper hugged her, telling her they’d see each other again soon, and that she shouldn’t lose hope that things would work out. She waited until her sister closed the door, and then walked silently towards Dalton.
“Officer, can I ask you a question?” she said softly.
The muscular, intimidating, six-foot-five man nodded.
“Please, if you have a heart, please tell me what law firm Gordov hired. You know, don’t you?” Dalton remained silent. “Please, officer, Piper is my only family. I know I’m asking for something out of the ordinary, that you would not give me the information under any old circumstances, but I’m just asking you to put yourself in my shoes. Piper is my sister. We missed out on over a decade together. Help me, tell me what law firm is representing Gordov.”
When she was about to lose hope, she heard the police officer’s deep voice speak softly, only for her ears.
“Salmann & Buckend.”
“Thank you,” she muttered with a knot in her throat, which slowly dissolved.
Once she was in her car, Rachel stared at the box containing the Beats headphones she’d bought for Michael’s goddaughter. She was furious. And with that rage, she started her car and sped off.
CHAPTER 10
Michael hated having to work from home, but he did not want to stay at the office until the early hours of the morning. This time, he had no other option, especially when he had just been commended directly by Dereck regarding a case they were both working on, related to the merger of the city’s two largest banks. He decided to go to his personal study. The house was quiet, and he had made sure to keep some law books here in case of a contingency or emergency.
It was almost ten o’clock when he heard the doorbell. He frowned and put his pen down. He was in his shirtsleeves and black slacks, with bare feet. The floor had wall-to-wall carpeting, so he preferred to leave his shoes in the bedroom and work comfortably. And always with a steaming cup of coffee, though the one he had at the moment was already pretty cold, due to his intense concentration. When this happened, he lost track of time.
Had it not been for the doorbell, it could have been four in the morning before he realized it.
He got up wearily and rubbed his eyes. The temperature outside was below freezing, but he was very comfortable with the central heating. He looked through the peephole of the door and immediately opened.
“Wow, what a wonderful surprise, Veronica,” he said, smiling sincerely. Michael frowned when he opened the door wide and she, instead of saying anything, greeted him with a ridiculous bob of her head. “Veronica?”
She still would not answer, but she was staring at him. And as their eyes met, she took off her scarf. A pair of gloves and a leather jacket followed. She pulled off the hairband that contained her bright red hair. She bent down towards her boots, not caring that the V-neck on her blue dress let him see her breasts and bra almost unimpeded. She slid down the zipper on the side of each boot and tossed them to the side. Decidedly and sparingly, she peeled off her black leggings, leaving her legs bare. The dress was too short to wear that way.
Michael felt his erection start to grow.
“I assume the silence is part of your seduction, right?” he asked, coming closer. He caressed her bare arms with his. She felt goosebumps.
Rachel’s smile had no lust in it, the only rage, but that was not Michael’s interpretation. And deep within her, Rachel knew that the thin line dividing the two was what brought her to the sexy lawyer’s home. She was aware she could not throw her anger in his face and felt that this was the way to expel all her demons without ruining her plan.
“I hope that at this moment, the last thing you want to talk about is my strategy in coming here,” said Rachel, lifting her hands to her neck to slide down the zipper of her dress. It fell like a silk cloud at her bare feet.
Michael’s deep laugh became a groan of admiration. He took her face in one hand and stroked her lower lip with his thumb. This woman knew the way to drive him crazy. What man with red blood coursing through his veins did not like being surprised on a Friday night by a woman tempting him with pleasure.
“You’re gorgeous, Veronica,” he said before kissing her.
She did not yield to the soft pressure he wanted to apply. On the contrary, she clung tightly to his lips and devoured his mouth with rage and intensity. She dug her fingers into Michael’s hair and when he met her blazing fervor with his own, their tongues came together, their throats cried in anguish, and their bodies moved as one to the closest place they could find. The piano room carpet was to their right.
There was no laughter, no words. This was only the most basic and primitive exchange of fierce desire. Rachel practically tore off his shirt. The buttons scattered on the floor. Rachel’s gray silk panties and matching bra were quickly tossed aside. Ruined. They rolled together on the thick carpet in a tangle of hands, tongues, and lips.
Naked and sweaty, they kissed and dragged each other to unimaginable heights of desire. Rachel’s hands masturbated Michael’s thick, long member, while he suckled her breasts with abandon; he cared about nothing but hearing her moan, while his fingers played among her moist folds, without penetrating her, only making her wet, tempting her.
Rachel bit Michael’s shoulder; he did not complain, and his caresses on her breasts intensified. He started to slide his lips along the groove that separated Rachel’s breasts. She was forced to let go of his manhood, and before she could complain, Michael trapped her hands in his, over her head.
“Let me go,” she requested, squirming.
He shut her mouth with his lips, possessing her insistently.
“None of that; you came here seeking pleasure, right? he asked, gasping and staring at her, his breath jagged. She was in the same condition, but her fierce eyes decided to take the reins, were different from his. Michael had no idea that an emotional volcano was brewing inside Rachel.
She squirmed under his weight. He was too strong. Damn him. What she wanted was to drive him crazy, not the other way around.
“Let me go! I don’t want you to be in control,” she insisted, turning her mouth away from his, moving her hips in an attempt to free herself, but he was quicker than she was and positioned himself between her legs. His pulsing member lay just at the entrance to Rachel’s most intimate orifice. “Michael...” she said in a demanding, determined voice, which got lost in the sea of desire that filled her words.
“Impossible to reply to than when you’re under me,” he whispered against her lips, before penetrating her in one powerful thrust.
Rachel stopped fighting. She had been overpowered by his strength, the exotic aroma produced by two sexually compatible bodies, and the skilled way he penetrated her. She looked at his smile, concentrated and determined to give her pleasure. She hated having to accept how weak his caresses made her. And how much she enjoyed them.
Holding her by the buttocks to position her better as he thrust into her, Michael continued to move his hips back and forth, feeling her respond, tense up. He grits his teeth, determined to pleasure her first because Veronica’s pleasure was his own. When he felt her go soft in his arms, with a scream of release, he let himself gush into her and then buried his face in her delicate shoulder, which exuded Veronica’s essence, as well as her perfume.
Several seconds passed before Michael recovered and broke away from the embrace. With closed eyes, trying to contain her tears, Rachel felt her body lose the most intimate contact with his. She tried to catch her breath as she heard him look for their clothes. She wanted to seduce him again, show him that he coul
d not dominate her, that their sexual encounters were not more powerful than her desire for revenge.
“Veronica?” he asked with a whisper. He stretched out his hand and stroked her cheek. It was wet. “Darling, what’s wrong? Was I too rough?”
She turned her head away from him.
Damn it. Why did the tears have to burst out now? She shouldn’t have let her rage control her after she left her sister’s. It would have been better to go to the gym. Take out her frustration and the unmistakable feeling of unjust impotence in the nine-o’clock kickboxing class; that would have been rational. But when it came to her family, or what was left of it, she could not be.
She had not managed to prove anything. Only how weak she was when she tried to be strong. Every kiss, every whisper and word from Michael’s mouth seemed to burrow beneath her skin. Like a sweet poison that consumed her, and she enjoyed the subtle, delicious torture. She was lost.
“Veronica, talk to me,” he asked, stroking her closed eyelids with his thumb.
She finally looked at him.
“Hello...”
“Hello, gorgeous. Do you want to talk about it.”
“About what?” she asked, pretending not to understand.
Michael held Veronica’s breast in his hand and softly massaged it, looking her in the eyes.
“A sexy woman comes to my house. At ten o’clock. She surprises me by stripping in the hallway, and then her body invites me to let myself seduce her... if in exchange I give her the same pleasure. With these beautiful breasts,” to show they were, he bent down to kiss the nipple his hand was caressing, “and silky skin, and maddening lips.” He bent down to kiss her long and tenderly. “She also has a spectacular spot that makes me lose myself in delight.” He illustrated his words by sliding his hand down to Rachel’s sex, and feeling her wet, he penetrated her with his deft fingers.
“Michael, no...”
“Michael, yes,” he replied and for a long time, neither said a word.
She let him caress, kiss, and pamper her. He explored every part of her. Every little corner of her body. He made her beg for more and did not let her give anything back. He was extremely tender. He turned her onto her stomach and slid a hand down her belly while she, yearning, moved her backside against the erect manhood pressing against her buttocks. Michael penetrated her from behind, feeling the softness of her swollen, moist orifice, while also caressing the smooth skin on her perky buttocks. Veronica was all softness to him. The sounds emerging from her throat were soft, but they’d lost that impetuous note.
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