by J. A. Owenby
“You’re strong. You can prop yourself over me. I swear if it hurts, I’ll tell you,” I assured him.
“Babe, as much I’m dying right now, the doctors said no.”
“Listen to me.” I carefully propped up on my elbows. “If you’re careful and don’t slam into me … just take it nice and easy. Take your damned clothes off and make love to me.”
Vaughn tossed his jeans and shirt on the floor, then crawled up the bed. He positioned himself between my legs and hovered over me.
“See. We’ve got this.” I wanted to touch him, to wrap my fingers around his cock, but I promised I would be still and not cause any pulling on my injury.
“I love you,” Vaughn whispered, finally giving in to me. He guided himself at my entrance, then slowly eased into me. He groaned. “It’s been too long. You feel so damned good.”
“You, too, babe.” I wanted to plant my hands on his back and feel his muscles flex beneath my touch while he carefully slid in and out of me, but I didn’t move.
A soft moan escaped me as I enjoyed every inch of him.
He lowered his mouth to my ear, his upper body not touching mine. “I’m not going to last long. Are you close? I want you to come again.”
I peered up at him and cupped his face. “You’re the only man that’s ever asked me that.” I tightened the walls of my core around his throbbing dick. “I love making you feel good. When you come, I will, too.”
Vaughn grunted and tensed, still hovering over me while he released inside me. I leaned up, kissed his collar bone, and gently sank my teeth into his skin while I orgasmed. Panting, I fell back onto my fluffy pillow.
Vaughn peeked at me with his blue eye. “Did I hurt you?”
I shook my head. “No. It was perfect.” I touched his cheek. “You’re perfect.”
“I’m not perfect, but I hope my love for you is.” Vaughn brushed his lips against mine.
“More,” I whispered, motioning for him to continue.
He laughed, rolled to the side of me, and kissed me leisurely.
“This is the first time we’ve made love since …” He paused, grief consuming his expression. “Since you died.”
“I’m here, Vaughn. I came back for you.”
He nuzzled my neck, the tip of his nose grazing my ear. “Do you remember much from the park? I’ve not wanted to ask because I didn’t want to upset you, but … you said someone else was there.”
“When I was in the hospital, there were times that I tried to wake up, and I couldn’t. I knew I needed to warn you, but when I was awake, I couldn’t remember what it was. Finally, the last time I regained consciousness; I was able to tell you I thought there was someone else.”
“Did you see them at the park?”
“Maybe. Vaughn, it’s not clear. The dreams I had, there were only feet.” I chuckled quietly. “Then Betty White talked to me.”
Vaughn laughed softly. “You were on so many drugs. I wouldn’t be surprised by what you dreamed. Not to mention, you had multiple organ failures. When the doctor stabilized you again, another would fail. First it was your lungs, then your liver, and last your kidneys.” Vaughn frowned. “The weird thing about it, they were able to remove the bullet. You might have fragments left, but that was it. When it entered you, it hit your small intestine, and your blood pressure plummeted. Most people would have died … well, you did. You went into shock. The first time was in my arms. The second was a few days after your surgery.”
“I died twice?” My brows knitted together while I tried to connect the dots the best I could.
“Anyway, Betty White is amazing and not to mention hilarious. What did she have to say?”
“She said she was my subconscious and she’d been trying to get my attention, and since she had it, we needed to talk fast. Betty told me I was still in grave danger. I didn’t realize I’d died a second time, so maybe that was when I talked to her. I don’t know, but it would make sense that my brain was struggling to tell me what was going on. Right?”
Vaughn nodded. “It would explain it, I think. I’m no dream or subconscious specialist, but it’s my best guess.”
“I think that’s what it was.” I leaned up to kiss him. “You wore me out, and now I’m super sleepy.” I stifled a yawn. “I guess I should put my pants back on first.”
“You and me both.”
Dressed and tucked under the blankets, I puzzled over what Vaughn had told me. Twice. How? If the doctors weren’t sure why my organs were failing … An image flashed through my mind and exited just as quickly. I realized Vaughn had a good point about my experience, but something still nagged at the corner of my thoughts.
Finally, I drifted off into a fitful sleep.
31
A soft rap at the door woke me.
“Yeah?” I asked, rubbing my sleep-filled eyes. I glanced at the clock. I’d slept for a little over an hour. Where was Vaughn?
“Dammit,” he said, darting out of the bathroom. “I was hoping you wouldn’t wake up.”
“It’s okay.”
Vaughn opened the door and motioned for Pierce to come in.
I carefully pulled myself up into a sitting position. “Hey, Pierce.”
“How was your checkup and new nurse?” He leaned against the wall, his attention bouncing between us.
I wondered if he’d had client meetings today. The blue-and-white pinstriped button-down and black slacks were suit-worthy.
Even though he’d not said it, I think it was still a little weird for him to see us together.
“As long as she keeps her paws off my guy, she’ll do.” I brushed the hair out of my face and yawned.
“What?” Pierce strolled into my room, frowning. “That sounds incredibly unprofessional. I’ll call the company tomorrow and request someone else.”
“Don’t. She didn’t realize that Vaughn and I were in a relationship. She was very attentive to me, checked me out … She was actually pretty cool once we got past the awkwardness of her flirting with him.”
“You sure?”
“I’m too tired to argue with you, bro.”
Pierce laughed. “Fine, but if there are any more issues, just say the word. I’ll handle it.”
“Believe me. I will. I get if a woman makes a mistake and comes on to your boyfriend, but after she’s been set straight and does it again. Oh hell no, the bitch is going down.” I cocked my head to emphasize my words.
“You’re getting more and more feisty. That’s a good sign.” Pierce couldn’t contain his wide grin.
“Right?” Vaughn asked.
“Claire,” Pierce said, his tone growing serious. “If you’re up to it tomorrow, we need to talk about court.”
And the fucking shoe dropped. I nearly fell out of bed. Dammit. Couldn’t I hide a little longer?
“This isn’t a cut-and-dry case? Can’t Vaughn testify? He was there, too.” I shook my head, refusing to entertain the idea of testifying in court against Coen and Dillon Montgomery. The thought of staring into their cold gaze sent butterflies scattering wildly inside my chest.
“I’m going to testify, babe.” Vaughn sat next to me and massaged small circles on my back, calming my nerves.
“I’ve requested that the judge interviews you in his private chambers due to the magnitude of your injury.”
I rubbed my forehead. Apparently I thought I was going to live safe and protected in my little bubble forever.
“Gemma and Mac will also be called to the stand. You’re not alone. I know this will be hard, but you’re the one that can put them all away.”
“Lucky me,” I muttered. “I need to sleep on it.” Inwardly, I rolled my eyes. There was no way I would sleep tonight, pain pills or not.
The next afternoon, Pierce, Sutton, Vaughn, and I met Franklin Harrington at his downtown Spokane location. I was like a kid in a fucking candy store, elated that I was out of the house even though the reason sucked.
Franklin’s door was open, and he waved us in. H
is office was straight out of a magazine. Floor-to-ceiling windows allowed the sunlight to stream in and offered a breathtaking view of the Spokane River.
Franklin stood and hugged Sutton. “It’s good to see you. Is he treating you well, or do I need to talk with him?” Franklin chuckled as he slapped Pierce on the back, his blue eyes flashing with affection.
Every time I saw him, I marveled at how much he and his son, Hendrix, looked alike. Both of them were incredibly handsome.
“He’s always good to me,” Sutton responded. “If not, I’m pretty sure my sister could handle him.” She grinned at me.
“There she is. You’re looking well, Claire.” Franklin pulled out a brown leather chair for me.
“Thank you. I’m feeling better every day.”
“I hear congratulations are in order.” Franklin walked behind his large oak desk, moved a few files out of the way, then sat down.
Confused, I glanced from Franklin to Sutton.
“From what Pierce shared with me, you managed to tame one of the most eligible bachelors in Washington.”
Vaughn laughed and sat next to me. “She most certainly did. I had no idea what hit me, but it’s the best thing that’s ever happened.” He threaded his fingers through mine and smiled.
A stupid grin eased across my face. I loved how open Vaughn was about his feelings for me. It was a wonderful change.
Sutton and Pierce settled in, and Franklin leaned back in his chair.
“I’ve already spoken to Gemma and Mac separately. Since I’m not opposing counsel on this case, I wanted to make sure that I followed protocol and talked with them individually so they wouldn’t be accused of conspiring against Dillon Montgomery. Fortunately, everyone’s testimony applies to each individual …” Franklin paused, his focus landing on me.
“I just wanted to review what happened to you and ask questions that Dillon and Coen’s attorneys will ask you. You’re much deeper in this than Mac and Gemma are. Plus, your situation is more recent. I’m here as a friend to help you and Vaughn prepare your testimony.”
“Should we just hire you as their attorney?” Pierce asked, shifting in his seat.
“I wish you could. I know this case like the back of my hand, but I’m too close to it. Gemma is my soon-to-be daughter-in-law, and Mackenzie is my stepdaughter. I don’t see them that way—they’re just my daughters—but it’s a conflict of interest. I can, however, show up for you off the clock, and we can talk things through. This case is … if he’s not convicted … if Dillon, Coen, or Saul aren’t convicted … I highly recommend you leave the country and change your name, Claire.”
My mouth gaped open. It wasn’t as though I’d not considered that very possibility with Vaughn, but the idea that they could walk away free men was befuddling.
“They could walk?” Sutton asked, her voice climbing an octave with each word.
“I don’t understand,” I said, leaning forward and grimacing.
“Are you okay?” Vaughn whispered.
I nodded at him. “They shot me. I died. The files I uploaded for the FBI were decoded and gave them more than enough information on drugs, trafficking, sex dungeons, and plans for each abduction. How could they go free?” My heart thundered. No wonder they didn’t want to talk to me about the case until I was well on my way to recovery.
“From what I’ve learned, the defense is accusing you of planting the evidence. It happens all the time, so it’s certainly not unheard-of.”
“Coen shot me.” My hand went instinctively to my wound.
Franklin’s eyes darted between each of us. “It wasn’t him, Claire. There’s no gunpowder or residue on the weapon. It wasn’t fired that day.”
“What about Dillon?” Sutton asked. “Didn’t he have a gun?”
“No, only Coen did.” My shoulders slumped forward. I looked at Vaughn, my panic blooming into full-grown terror. “I thought this was over.”
“I can help. Let’s talk everything through, nail both of your testimonies, and see if we’re missing anything,” Franklin offered.
My head snapped up. “I know everyone thinks I was hallucinating from all the drugs they pumped into me at the hospital, but someone else was there. I didn’t see them, but … a little farther off in the trees.”
Franklin sat up, ramrod straight. “Which direction, Claire?”
I shrugged. “I … I … It all happened so fast. I was so scared. It was as though my senses were seriously heightened. The sunlight glinted off metal. It’s what made me move in front of Vaughn.” A cry escaped me. “I know I have to relive all of this over and over until the bastards are put away, but it’s hard.”
Vaughn squeezed my hand, attempting to calm me.
“I can’t even imagine what you’re going through, but we’re all here with you. We will all be in the courtroom with you.” Franklin’s sharp blue eyes softened with his words of encouragement.
“I thought I might get to have a recorded testimony with the judge?” I asked Pierce.
“It was denied, Claire. I’m sorry.” Guilt washed over Pierce’s handsome features.
Sutton bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. There was no doubt in my mind that my sister was struggling, too.
“Tell me more. Why do you think someone else was there? And just to be clear, you’re saying it was someone else other than Coen, Dillon, Vaughn, and you?”
“Yes. I was facing them, and Vaughn was a few feet behind me. The woods were to my right, not far from Dillon. When I realized Vaughn was about to get shot, I ran in front of him. That’s why I thought Coen shot me.”
Franklin folded his hands on top of his desk. “The bullet entered your stomach, and where Coen was positioned, he could have fired and hit your belly at an angle. You were hit directly. It all happened so fast that you only remembered that you were shot. You twisted just the right way, exposing your abdomen to the shooter.”
“Shit,” Pierce said. “Why didn’t we know this until now?”
“The prosecution is gathering the information they need now. Until the report was reviewed and Coen’s gun was cleared, we didn’t think the hospital documents would offer anything new, but they did.”
“So you’re saying that unless we find the third person, Coen could walk or have a light sentence?”
“It’s possible. Our side thinks they have plenty of evidence for an airtight conviction, but as you all understand, once the defense plants seeds of doubt …” His voice trailed off. “Coen’s gun is that seed.”
A heavy silence settled over us while my mind sifted through the event over and over again, scrambling to find any piece of information I might have forgotten.
“We have some time on this, but not enough. We need to get busy and work with what we have,” Franklin said.
After several long and emotionally painful hours, we left Franklin’s office. Exhausted didn’t even cover how I felt. Mentally and physically, I’d been pushed to my limit, and all I wanted to do was crawl into bed and curl up in Vaughn’s arms. My legs wobbled beneath me, and Vaughn slipped his arm around my waist while we walked into Pierce and Sutton’s house.
“I’m starving,” I said, glancing up at Vaughn. “Mom always made me grilled cheese sandwiches when I was sick.” I batted my eyelashes at him.
“That’s all you want? I know it’s late, but I’ll make you something from scratch if it’s what you need.”
“Three, please.” I gave him a tired smile. “And I want to keep you company. I’m tired of spending all my time upstairs. I sat in Franklin’s office all day. I can handle another chair. Besides, I’m just achy. No sharp shooting pains or anything like that.”
“That’s great news.” Vaughn steered me into the kitchen, grabbed me a chair from the breakfast nook, and placed it at the island.
“You know I’m more than capable of making my dinner, right?” I quirked my eyebrow at him.
“It has nothing to do with you cooking or not. It’s an opportunity for me to show you I lo
ve you.”
“Mm. I love you, too.” I propped my elbow on top of the granite island and leaned forward. “Vaughn?” I asked while he collected the ingredients for my sandwiches.
“Yeah?”
“Do you think I’ll be safe in Spokane after the trial is over? Anyone left in the MC club will know where I am. We are all well aware that Dillon has evil minions ready to do his bidding for him. There could still be a hit on me. Plus … I realize my brain is tired, but the bullet entered my body from the wrong angle. It wasn’t Coen.”
Vaughn turned on the stove burner and warmed up the skillet. He leaned over the island. “Say the word, and we’re out of here. If you can’t testify, or at any time you think you’re … Dammit. What am I saying?” He rubbed his hands over his face. “Franklin confirmed there was another shooter.” Vaughn’s lips pursed together. “We should talk about what to do. I can’t take a chance of losing you again. At least now Sutton and Pierce will help us.”
“I hope so.” My stomach clenched as countless possibilities flashed through my exhausted mind.
32
For now, we all agreed that I would stay in the house where I was safe. Some days I was relieved to feel protected. Other days it twisted me into a million knots. Dillon and Coen had already stolen my life from me. This time, I’d not been able to dance and release all the pent-up stress. The day I returned to the studio couldn’t happen soon enough.
Over the next several weeks, Sutton and Pierce had invited Gemma, Hendrix, Mac, Cade, Franklin, and Janice over several times. We even planned a Friendsgiving. Pierce offered to host, and Sutton and I dove into organizing the get-together. I’d never had a Friendsgiving before, so I was super excited.
All the holiday planning and hanging out kept me sane. I also suspected the girls were just as scared as I was. Gemma, Mac, and I texted more often, too. We talked about anything other than the trial. Mac was hilarious, asking me about Vaughn in the bedroom. It was all harmless fun, and I loved her and her quirky personality. She had a heart of gold. I guess when you’re forming friendships over tragedy, the bonds are deeper much faster. I honestly didn’t know where I would be without them.