Protecting What's Mine

by Ella Goode

  It smells like smoke and ash down here along with an underlying acidic tone. The furnace in here never goes out. I flip open the lid of the gun trunk and lift a still dazed Adam out. I place him on the floor and pull out my gun. “You can do it yourself in the next ten minutes or I’ll do it for you.”

  I leave the gun on the floor and exit. Aidon’s waiting for me. “Turner. It’s been a while,” he greets me, pushing away from a cement post.

  “How’s married life?” The famous criminal boss got married last year to a Vieth Orphan although I heard she wasn’t really an orphan but the actual daughter of Karen Vieth, the head of the Vieth organization.

  Aidon’s hard face lights up. “Good. You should get one of your own.”

  “Trying. Had to clean up a few loose ends.”

  “I didn’t think you’d ever use the favor.”

  “It’s a valuable marker. Didn’t want to waste it.”

  “But this was worth it?” He tips his head toward the steel door. We hear a bang. Neither of us flinch.

  “Yeah.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Violet

  I debate if I’m crossing the line or not. On one hand I’d snuck into Sebastian’s phone and stole a phone number, but on the other I was trying to show him that I’m really in this relationship. I thought this was the perfect way to do that. If we’re going to be together, this is going to have to happen one way or another.

  Knowing that if I stare at the number too long I’ll chicken out, I hit send on the call. It rings three times before someone picks up.

  “Hello,” the woman answers.

  “Hi, Mrs. Turner. This is Violet.” The line goes quiet for a long moment. I start to get nervous and want to hang up, but I don’t.

  “Sebastian’s Violet?” she asks. Oh wow. I really love the sound of that.

  “That’s me. I was calling to invite you over for dinner. I know you all normally have one on Sunday so I was hoping you’d like to come over here so we can finally meet each other.” I close my eyes and hope she says yes.

  “Dinner is always at our house.”

  “I’m aware of that, but I was hoping being here would allow you to get to know me better.”

  “And you don’t leave your home. Correct?” I can’t read her tone, but if she was trying to be friendly she wouldn’t have said anything at all about it.

  “I’m working on that. Sebastian has been helping me. Your son is a bit of a hero in my life. I was kidnapped a while back, and he saved me. He does that a lot. Save me.” I tell her the truth. Sebastian is my hero in more ways than one.

  “Oh dear. I didn’t know all that.” Her tone softens. “Sebastian doesn’t talk much about his work.”

  I try to latch on to that. “I might be able to pull some stuff out of him over dinner for you.”

  “Well, let me talk to my husband, and I’ll get back to you.” I want to tell her to give me a chance, but I refrain, not wanting to sound desperate.

  “Okay. You can call me back at this number,” I tell her.

  “Violet, can I ask you one more thing?” she asks.

  “Yes, you can ask me anything you’d like.”

  “Do you have a phobia of babies or marriage?” Her question takes me by surprise.

  “No. Not at all.”

  “Okay then. Send me the address and we’ll be there Sunday at seven.”

  “I’ll see you then,” I say before we end the call.

  I sit there and think about her question for a few minutes. I hadn’t thought babies and marriage were a possibility for me, but Sebastian has changed that. I know now that I do want those things with him. That I want a real life with him.

  The thought of wearing his ring and having his children excites me. I’ve always dreamed of having a family of my own. As much as I love my brother and Eden, it’s been a bit hard seeing them have it all. I want that too, and I want it with Sebastian.

  My phone goes off in my hand with a message from the front gate. I read it twice, taking a deep breath before making my way to the main house. When I enter, I see my brother, who is already heading toward the front door.

  “Miles,” I call after him.

  “They can fuck off” is all he says as he keeps on going.

  When Miles pulls open the door, a woman and a man are standing in the front entryway in ill-fitting suits. There is no missing the badges clipped to them. Sebastian stands about ten yards behind them.

  “I’m Detective Reid, and this is probation officer Carrie Dell.”

  “Skip the introductions and get to the point of why you're here. Your time is ticking. My lawyer has already been alerted and is on his way.”

  “Can you call your men off?” the Reid guy asks.

  “No,” I say before my brother can even answer. He lifts his brows at my quick response. “What do you want?” The detective shifts on his feet, clearly intimidated by Sebastian. He should be. If Sebastian thinks for a second this man is a threat to me, things won’t turn out good for the officer. Is it weird that I find that both hot and adorable?

  “James Adam has gone missing. We wanted to make sure you’re aware,” Detective Reid says. The woman next to him doesn't look like she agrees with what he’s saying. I can tell she’s watching my every move and looking to see if I have any sort of reaction to the news of Adam’s disappearance.

  “You didn’t make me aware when he’d gotten out of prison. Why are you here telling me this bit of information about him now?”

  “Where were you yesterday?” the woman asks. Her eyes narrow on me.

  “This conversation is over.” Miles cuts in.

  “I spent the day with my Sebastian.” I mix the lie with some truth. Sebastian's eyes stay locked on me, his face giving away nothing.

  I had spent most of the day with him. Except for the few hours he’d slipped out. Only to return to tell me Adam would never be a problem again. I didn’t ask questions. I knew he'd answer them, but I didn’t need him to. I made a vow to trust his judgment, and I stuck to it. The next girl might not be as lucky as I was in regard to Adam. I’d been saved before the unthinkable could happen to me. So I refuse to have any sort of sympathy for that man.

  “You’re lying,” the woman hisses. She’s awfully angry over some scum going missing.

  “Carrie,” Reid snaps at the woman.

  “She’s lying. She’s covering for him.” Her eyes slide over to look at Sebastian. “I know he had something to do with this.” Detective Reid pins her with a hard look, letting her know he’s had enough.

  “I’m sorry for the interruption. Here’s my card in case you hear from Adam.” Before I get a chance to take it, Miles is snatching it out of his hand.

  “You have any more questions for us, contact our lawyer. I don’t want to see you on our property again unless you have a warrant.” Miles makes it perfectly clear that they’re not welcome here.

  We all watch them get back into the car and take off down the long driveaway. If anything, I’m happy that happened today and not tomorrow during the wedding.

  I make my way toward Sebastian, jumping into his arms. He easily catches me. “Missed you.” I say, dropping a kiss on his lips. I hear my brother groan before going back inside.

  “Missed you too.” He brushes his mouth against mine. My body starts to heat. It’s his fault. He got me addicted to the orgasms he can give me.

  “I think a few of the alarms on my windows aren't working right,” I lie.

  “I should check on those.”

  “You should. Right now.”

  “I’m at your service.” I let out a small scream as he tosses me over his shoulder before carrying me through the house and out the back.

  I know one day I will rejoin the rest of the world. I can already feel my fears slipping away. For now I have everything I need right here.

  Sebastian.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Sebastian

  This time I don’t put her down in the living
room, light a fire, make some tea. I’m already burning up and so is she. I charge to the bedroom and throw her onto the bed. She bounces and laughs.

  “In a hurry?”

  “You have no idea,” I growl, tearing at my clothes. The police coming by to search for Adam sets my teeth on edge. They’re not going to find him. There’s nothing left to find. The Kasteros’ furnace is hot enough to incinerate the hardest materials. I don’t think even steel, let alone bone, stands a chance in those forges. But even the merest prospect of losing Violet, being separated from her in any way, ignites my berserker tendencies.

  I kick off my jeans, toss my shirt over my head, and dive between her legs. Her nipples are hard, and her cunt is wet. The way she’s ready for me is another trigger. My dick’s marble hard, and the cockhead throbs with the need to be inside her hot, juicy cunt. I grab the base of my cock and squeeze until I see stars.

  “Are you hurting yourself?” She tries to knock my hand away.

  “I’m about two seconds from coming all over your pretty tits so, yeah, a little less blood flow to my cock is a good thing.” I release my shaft to stroke the outside of her warm thigh. “You reduce me to an eager boy. I do have some self-control.” She wouldn’t know it the way I’m always on her if she gives me even the slightest hint of interest.

  “I don’t want your self-control.” She winds her arms around me and tugs my head down to hers. “I just want you.”

  The softly spoken words drive me crazy. I slam my mouth against hers, driving my tongue between her teeth, licking every surface, tasting every essence. I cup her breast and thumb one pert nipple into a hardened peak. The need to taste it pulls me down. I close my lips around the nipple and take a hard draw. She lets out a moan which spurs me to reach between her legs to see how much she likes the tit play. The state of her soaked pussy gives me all the intel I need. I move to the other breast and give that nipple the same care and attention.

  Under my hands, Violet writhes in excitement. “Sebastian, please…” She digs her nails into my shoulders as I drift lower, kissing her stomach, laving her belly button, pressing kisses to the sides of her hips before stopping when my face is level with her cunt.

  “You got a pretty flower here, babe.” I scissor two fingers into her channel and stroke the tender skin. Her thighs start trembling. There’s nothing sexier than the woman that you want wanting you back. And from my viewpoint, I can see how very excited she is. Her pussy lips are swollen with want. Her liquid essence coats my fingers. Even her erotic scent that fills my lungs tells me of her need. I stroke her slow and methodically, enjoying the sounds and sight of her. I sip at her font, drinking down her orgasm as tremors shudder through her body.

  Rolling onto my back, I place her on top of me. “You got to work for it now.”

  The slow, careful way she positions herself over my shaft makes my body burn. She tugs the corner of her lip into her mouth and gasps as my cockhead pierces her center. “Did you get bigger since yesterday?”

  A laugh catches in my throat. “I will if you keep talking like that.” I circle her waist to steady her. “Don’t tease me too much. Remember that lack of self-control?”

  “It just feels bigger in this position.” She wriggles a little, and my cock slips in another inch.

  “Are you trying to kill me? Is this on purpose?” I narrow my eyes.

  An impish smile sweeps across her face. “Maybe.”

  “Minx.” I thrust upward, and this time it’s her breath that catches.

  “Sebastian,” she cries.

  “Take me. Take all of me.” I clamp my hands around her hips to hold her in place while I drive into her, thrusting hard and deep. Her hands fall to my chest, and her breasts sway like pendulums as she rides my cock. “Violet!” I command sharply. “Eyes on me.” Her gaze flies to meet mine. “This is how it’s always going to be between us. Hot and fierce. Full of fire. It will never die. You hear me?”

  She nods jerkily. “I hear you.”

  “Good. Remember that. I’m always going to be here for you. Nothing will make me leave you. Nothing.” I power upward, stroking her with my thick cock until she throws back her head and lets out a guttural cry of release. Her cunt walls clamp tight around my shaft, and there’s no holding back for me either. I feel so hard, so big, so powerful. I could take on the world at this moment. I explode inside of her, powerful threads of cum jetting to her core.

  I flip her over onto her back and keep thrusting into her until there’s nothing left. Spent, I collapse at her side. She’s flushed and gorgeous, and I’m a sweaty mess. I pull her close and flip a blanket over us.

  “You okay?” I worked her hard.

  She cups my face and gives me a tender, slow kiss. “Never better.”

  My heart nearly flies right out of my chest. Embarrassed at the emotion that’s come over me, I tuck her head under my chin. “You know, Violet, I’m scared you’re going to leave me too. My parents are difficult. I work a difficult job. I don’t have anywhere near the money your family does. You’re taking a risk on me, but I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life proving my worth.”

  “You were born worthy, Sebastian. I guess we belong together then.”

  “I guess we do.” I drop a kiss on her crown. “Better rest up. I’ll be ready for another round in an hour.”

  “That long?” she teases.

  “Babe, don’t tempt me or I’m going to fuck you so hard, you won’t be able to walk tomorrow.”

  “Promises. Promises.”

  Sleep is off the table, I guess.

  Chapter Twenty

  Violet

  I run my fingers through Sebastian’s hair as he sleeps peacefully with his face practically nestled between my breasts. The wedding yesterday was incredible. Seeing my brother and Eden stand up in front of everyone and declare their love for each other sparked something inside of me.

  At that moment I knew I wanted the same with Sebastian. Adam had taken enough from me, and I refused to let him take more. For so long I thought I was broken, but Sebastian’s love had put me back together.

  The silver lining in all of this is that Adam brought Sebastian into my life. Then Sebastian made sure he would never harm another woman. I have no doubt the police will never find Adam.

  “Morning,” Sebastian says, lifting his head but keeping his eyes closed. I don’t tell him it’s almost afternoon.

  “Morning.” I lean down to press a kiss to his mouth. “I need you to let me out of your hold. My brother wants to see me.”

  “He called?” Sebastian opens his eyes.

  “I just know.” I shrug one shoulder. It’s always been that way between Miles and me.

  “Come back to me.” He loosens his hold on me.

  “Always.” I slip from the bed, putting on my robe and slippers before I make my way toward the main house. Miles is standing on the back patio waiting for me. You'd never know there was a wedding here last night with over fifty guests.

  I walk right up to my brother. He pulls me in for a giant hug. “I got what you asked for,” he says when he breaks the hug. He pulls the box out from his pocket, handing it to me.

  “Thank you.” I hold it tight in my hand.

  “No thanks are needed. You know I’ll always do anything you ask.” I do know that without a doubt.

  “I know.” Both Sebastian and my brother are a constant reminder that there are a lot of good men in the world, and I need to remember that.

  “I made a few calls and sent our lawyer digging. The cops have nothing in regard to what happened to Adam, so don’t go worrying over it.”

  “I wasn't,” I admit. I don’t think Sebastian would ever do anything that would end up with him being taken from me.

  “Eden’s pregnant.” His next words don’t really shock me in the least. Not the way those two are always all over one another.

  “Miles!” My eyes start to water with excitement for him.

  “I know we’re not supposed to say anyth
ing yet, but I had to tell you.” We’ve never been good at keeping secrets from one another.

  “It’s crazy how fast life can change.” Six months ago, none of this seemed possible. Both Miles and I were stuck in a rut. It goes to show that with love anything is possible.

  “You can have this, too.” He gives me a knowing look.

  “I am going to have it. Except the wedding. Mom got to live out that dream with you so she can deal with a small one when it comes time for mine. And I mean only a handful of people,” I clarify. Our mom has been calling Miles and Eden’s special day a gathering instead of a wedding because she kept saying it was too small. It wasn’t.

  “Good luck with that one.” He laughs. He gives me another hug before he heads back inside to leave for his honeymoon.

  I put the box in the robe of my pocket as I make my way back to the pool house. When I enter I see Sebastian is in the kitchen staring down at his phone. He already has a cup of coffee made for me on the counter.

  “Why is my mom asking if she should bring a side dish over for dinner tonight or if we’d prefer a dessert?”

  “I invited them over.” I pick up my coffee, taking a sip. As if it were perfectly normal that I invited them for dinner.

  “Are you sure you want to do this? They can be—”

  “Difficult?” I finish for him.

  “Pretty much.”

  “They're your parents. We’ll need to do this sooner or later. I can deal with them. Besides, I think once your mom realizes she’ll get grandbabies one day she’ll relax.”

  Sebastian stills. “We haven't talked much about that.” We haven’t, but we sure have been working on it plenty.

  “Didn’t think we needed to at this point. You know everything about me, so you know I’m not on the pill. You don’t use condoms. I’m no doctor, but I could already be knocked up with how we’re always going at it,” I tease him.