Текст книги "Reciprocity"

Автор книги: K. I. Lynn

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Текущая страница: 10 (всего у книги 14 страниц)

CHAPTER 19

Lila was different. That was the only word I could come up with to describe the change. Over the past few days, she’d shed a lot of the crap that held her back for years. It always dwelled in the back of her mind, ever since she left her father’s house—when will he come for me?

The unsurmountable weight that pressed upon her was lifted. Chains that held her down released, shedding away the girl like a cocoon and opening up the woman inside. Adam was going to be in jail for a long time, and the judge had approved the restraining order on her father.

It was the first time in over a year I felt like my words really penetrated her. After years of suffering, others finally saw the monster that Adam was. It was validation.

Life returned to its normal pace. It was hard to believe how fast the days were passing. Even more unbelievable was how even we were—no more ups and downs. I was thankful for the change, for the monotony of getting up, going to work, and coming home with my wife—dinners together, talk of what to do on the weekend.

“Hey! That’s mine.” Lila swatted at my hand, knocking the fry away.

I snuck another one and popped it in my mouth. “We’re married—what’s mine is yours and vice versa. Right?”

She glared at me and moved her plate away. “You’re right. What’s yours is mine, but what’s mine is mine as well.”

“Oooh, man, you better step back from her plate.” Drew cackled from across the table.

Caroline was howling in laughter, and I felt like I was being ganged up on. I needed to change my tactics if I was going to get any more fries. Though, I had to admit I was cracking up on the inside watching Lila guard her plate as she ate, giving me the stink eye.

“You said you’d do anything for me, baby.”

“You finished your fries. These are mine.”

I gave her my best puppy dog eyes. “Just one or two?”

She moved her plate further away. “No.”

More snickering from across the table.

“Just think when she gets pregnant. All food will be hers.” Caroline slapped her hand on the table as she tried to talk between snorts of laughter. “Try stealing food from a pregnant lady, you’ll draw back a bloody stump!”

Drew’s jaw dropped. “Dude, what if you end up with the cravings?”

“And lose his taut bod?” Caroline gasped.

Lila joined in, giggling with them but still guarding her plate. The back of my head tingled, like someone was watching us. Granted, with all the commotion, I was certain half the restaurant was staring at us in annoyance.

Drew pointed a fry at me. “You better watch it or you’ll end up gaining weight with that sweet tooth of yours.”

I glared at him and snatched a fry from his plate.

His eyes narrowed at me. “What the hell?”

I shrugged. “Payment for your jabs at my expense.”

Drew pulled his plate back and leaned over it, one arm blocking the front.

I looked over at Lila, who was conversing with Caroline and not protecting her plate as much. It wasn’t that I was hungry, but it was now a game, one I was determined to win. With my wife distracted, I planned my attack. I slithered my hand in the space between her arm and ribs. My fingers grazed her breast, and I cringed when metal slapped across my knuckles.

I pulled my hand back, hissing as I shook it out.

“No!” Lila glowered and pointed a fork at me.

I stared at her in shock for a moment, then shook my head. “Oh, hell no.”

I grabbed hold of the back of her neck and pulled her to me, kissing her hard. She squeaked and tried to pull back, but I held her tighter, kissing her deeper until she melted against me. There was no way she could resist me.

When I pulled back, her eyes were glassy and unfocused. I reached over and grabbed a few fries and tossed them on my plate.

Drew shook his head.

I stuffed one into my mouth. “What?”

“Nothing.”

Caroline snorted. “And that’s lunch, boys and girls.” She pushed back from the table and stood up. “I have a meeting in half an hour.” She grabbed Lila’s arm. “Come on. Walk with me while your husband pays for lunch.”

“Me?”

Lila stood, then grabbed my head and crashed her lips to mine. My cock jumped, lust coursing through me as her tongue lapped against mine.

Fuck.

She was pulled away by Caroline, who rolled her eyes. “You two are like teenagers. Sheesh.”

Drew nodded. “It’s Lila’s turn, but since you had to lust her brain out for a few fries, it’s yours. After all, what did you say? What’s hers is yours.”

I sighed and pulled out my wallet, placing my credit card on the check.

“Where are you going?”

Drew turned back to me. “Gotta call Dana.”

I waved him off and waited for the waitress to return for payment. While I was sitting there, I watched some basketball game on one of the TVs. I smiled up at the waitress as she took the check and returned to the screen.

After a moment I turned, looking for the gaze I felt drilling a hole in my head, but there was no one. It happened multiple times over lunch, and I didn’t like the feeling of being watched.

I thanked the waitress when she returned a moment later, and signed the slip before putting my card away. I took one last sip of soda and stood before heading to the door.

“Nate!”

I turned toward where my name was being called. A group of people were being seated, and walking toward me with a familiar smile that greeted me was Tom Preston. We’d worked together in the prosecutor’s office. As my mind compared the image in my memory to the man in front of me, I noticed that the years hadn’t been the best to him. He had to be in his mid to late forties. His once black hair was more than salted with gray, and what had once been fine lines were now carving deep into his skin. Even his once well-kept physique had added a good twenty or so pounds.

“Nathan Thorne. I’ll be damned,” he said as he walked up to me and stuck out his hand.

I gave his hand a stiff shake and smiled at him. “It’s been a long time.”

“Yeah. Last time I saw you, the judge was throwing you out of the courtroom, a bailiff on each arm dragging you down the aisle.” He let out a harsh chuckle. “I thought they were about to drag you off to the nut house.”

My lips were set in a thin line. “Well, it wasn’t the best time in my life.” I was certain there’d been much talk about me after that.

“I had a lot of hope for you.” His eyes scanned me up and down. “What are you up to these days?”

“I’m working for Holloway and Holloway.”

His head tipped back as he nodded. “Ah, your father-in-law. How’s that going?”

“Pretty good. I spent about a year as a transactional attorney after a few years off, and now I’m in the real estate division.”

“Quite different areas.”

I shrugged. “It was necessary. I wasn’t ready to go back into the courtroom.”

“Well, now that you’re back in the game, maybe we can get together. I could really use you.”

“On what?”

“I’m building a case against Vincent Marconi.”

It felt like the blood rushed from my body, and I began to sweat. Why hadn’t I looked into who was working on the case Noah told me about? “I don’t want anything to do with your case.”

“What? How can you say that?” He frowned at me, his arms crossing over his chest. “Nate, you have all the information we need. No one has ever gotten a conviction, and you did. I know you have more information on them. Help us.”

I shook my head, my jaw set. “I can’t.”

He leaned toward me, his expression imploring, and I stepped back. “These are bad people who need to pay for their crimes.”

“You don’t need to tell me that. I understand, more than anyone, but I’m sorry. I can’t help you, Tom.”

“Why not?” he asked, complete confusion in his aged features. It didn’t seem like he could comprehend my reluctance. Couldn’t he put two and two together?

I leaned in closer, almost spitting on him between my clenched teeth. “Because the last time I was involved with them, my wife and son were murdered and, for a few seconds, they killed me as well.” It dawned on me that we were both being watched and our innocent conversation was being noted. “Fuck. Even talking to you now is bad.”

He shook his head. “You’ve become paranoid. Do you really think they’re keeping tabs on you? They’ve induced you with fear.” His arms relaxed, waving around in defense. “I’m not downplaying what happened. It’s a tragedy what they did to Grace. She was a wonderful woman, but they aren’t still watching you. They hurt you. They got what they wanted.”

I gaped at him, stunned. “You really have no idea what you’re getting into. Don’t you realize they’re watching your every move? They’re watching mine as well, and this little meeting could very well get my family killed. So, back the fuck off!”

“You’ve gone off the reservation, Thorne.” He looked at me like I was out of my mind.

“Don’t be cocky. That’s how I was, and you know what happened. You think a family like that doesn’t have connections or the money to buy people? They know. I was informed by a third party they were tailing me again and anyone working on the case. Probably waiting for a meeting like this to crop up.”

I pulled at my neck, the tension rocketing to sky-high proportions.

“I’m not cocky… I’m realistic.” He looked at me with sad eyes. “You should look at seeing a psychiatrist. There are obviously some issues left over from your accident.”

I scoffed at him. “I have a therapist, but thanks for that. I assure you, I’m quite sane, and my paranoia comes from truth.”

He stared at me for a moment, but then his eyes flickered around the restaurant. “What do I do?”

“You walk away before they come after you or your family.”

Tom lost his fight, his voice lowering, as it seemed to dawn on him that I was right. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to do everything I can to keep my wife safe.”

He looked at me like I was insane. “Grace is dead.”

I shook my head and gave him a small smile. “Not Grace. I’m not that crazy, Tom. I got married a few months ago. Her name is Lila.”

A genuine smile lit up his face. “Congratulations. I mean it.”

“Thanks.” I held out my hand. “I need to get going. Take care, and think about what I said.”

“You, too.”

I turned to walk away.

“Hey, Nate,” Tom called, making me turn back around. “At least think about what I said as well. Do the world a little good to get a man like him gone.”

I pursed my lips and nodded, glancing to the corner of the restaurant as I pushed the door open and walked out. Lila was waiting for me at the edge of the parking lot, Drew and Caroline already gone.

“Who was that?” she asked when I got closer.

“No one.”

She grabbed onto my arm and halted my steps. I turned to look at her, the playfulness of lunch gone and replaced with concern.

“What’s yours is mine, and that includes your burdens.”

My chest tightened, the truth in her words almost strangling me. It wasn’t right to keep him or my concern bottled up from her.

“His name is Tom Preston. We used to work together. He’s the one building a case against Vincent Marconi.” I pulled at my neck, trying to work the growing tension out.

She stared at me, then nodded. “He wants your help.”

I swallowed hard. “Yes.”

“You told him no.” She looked into my eyes. I nodded. “Because of me.”

Again, I nodded, unable to find the words.

She wrapped her arms around me and held me close, kissing my neck. “It’s all right. I’m here.”

I was confused by her words until I realized I was shaking. A harsh breath left me, and I pulled her close.

She agreed to be with me, knowing the danger, but was I so selfish to risk her life further?

CHAPTER 20

The next day, I was a wreck.

Meeting Tom was a mistake.

Granted, it wasn’t like I planned to run into him. That was what made it worse. If Marconi had someone watching us at that moment, I was screwed. It was a chance meeting that could get Lila killed.

An innocent fucking errand that brought the devil down.

After what Noah told me, I knew it wasn’t an “if” someone was watching. I’d recognized one of his men sitting in the corner as we talked. Marconi probably thought I was working the case.

I needed to figure out a way to keep Lila safe.

My mind was cracking, and the beast paced, whimpering. Everything was spiraling out of control. I was losing my grip.

It was times like this the beast in me was let out. Nothing calmed it more than Lila. My body ached only for her touch. I needed it to survive. I’d die without it—without her. She let me ravage her, letting go in ways no other would. Euphoria and comfort—the soothing balm to my screaming agony.

I couldn’t go hunt her down and drag her off. I needed her to come to me, so I picked up my cell phone and texted her.

Need you. Now.

I tossed it back down on my desk and rubbed my face. My foot tapped on the floor as I listened to the tick of the clock, waiting for her response. Wound tight, my muscles locked down. I needed to relax.

There was a light knock on the door, and I sighed. I didn’t even have to say anything before the handle spun and Lila walked in. She flicked the lock on my door, a devilish smirk on her lips.

In her hand was a fresh cup of coffee, which she set on my desk as she walked up to me. She was silent, reserved…submissive. Exactly what I needed.

I turned my chair, following her movement as she sunk down to her knees in front of me. I wet my lips as I leaned forward, my hand gripping the back of her neck as I kissed her. It wasn’t soft—it was rough and needy.

I stood up and moved to free my aching hard-on. Her eyes followed my hands as they moved to my crotch. I palmed my cock and groaned at the hungry look in her eyes as she stared at it.

“See how much I need my cock slut?”

She nodded, licking her lips as I pulled down the zipper and reached inside. My cock was hard and hot, ready to mark her as I pulled it out. I moaned, pumping it in my hand as I looked down at the sexy sight of my wife on her knees before me, looking up at me, eager for my cock.

“Stay still.” I adjusted my stance and ran the head across her lips, my mouth open as her lips parted, tongue teasing my slit.

My eyes rolled back and my toes curled when her lips wrapped around the head of my cock, the sensitive edge overstimulated, making me shake. Nothing in the world was better than Lila wrapped around me. Her sweet mouth moved down, making me shake as my entire length slid in and the tip eased down her throat.

I hissed out a “fuck.” She’d gotten so good at deep-throating me over the last year.

My fingers tangled in her hair, fisting it as I guided her luscious mouth up and down my hard shaft. I was seconds away from holding her head still and fucking the shit out of her mouth. The twisted and sexy thing was that she’d let me, and she’d enjoy it.

Lila made it all disappear. Being inside her, all my thoughts and worries were replaced with white, mindless bliss.

My balls were so tight, cock so hard—I was about to come.

My eyes flickered around, trying to take my mind off the intense pleasure of her mouth. I needed more, needed to last longer. Her coffee cup was sitting on the edge of my desk, steam coming off the top. It was black, and not the way she took her coffee.

A wicked grin formed on my face, and I looked down at her.

“Do you want some cream in your coffee, slut?”

She hummed around me and tried to speak—the vibration made my eyes close and almost tipped me over the edge. I was so close to exploding. My hands released her hair, and I leaned over, my cock popping from her lips as I grabbed her cup. She chased after me with her mouth, her tongue lapping at my tip.

I grabbed my cock and gave it a tug, then slapped it against her lips. She smiled up at me as my hand worked up and down, teasing the underside of the head, getting me that last little bit further before I popped.

Her mouth was open and waiting. My whole body tensed, every muscle coiled tight. The first explosive bursts landed in her mouth, then I pulled away and let the remainder land in the cup.

“Don’t swallow,” I said with heavy breaths. She did as I asked, her mouth open as I finished off, emptying into her coffee.

When I was done, I held the mug in front of her as she let my come roll off her tongue into it. I set it back down on my desk, a hard shudder running through me as she sucked the last drop from the tip.

I felt lighter and a bit sleepy as I slumped back down in my chair. “Fuck, I needed that.”

She grabbed a tissue from the box on my desk and wiped away any leftovers. My hand reached out and ran through her hair, straightening out the mess I’d made. “I have a meeting, but don’t worry. I’ll get you tonight.”

She smiled and stood up, then leaned forward for a kiss. “Can’t wait.” She turned and headed for the door.

“Don’t forget your coffee,” I called after her.

Turning around, she picked it up and brought it to her lips, taking a sip. She let out a little moan, smiling as she licked her lips.

“Perfect.” She winked at me and took another sip, then headed out the door.

Fuck, she was naughty. I fucking loved it.

My little afternoon tryst with Lila helped calm me, but didn’t disperse with the threat hanging over me. Making it worse was that it wasn’t just me anymore—I had Lila to protect. With my dying breath, I would make sure she was safe.

Which led me to my current dilemma.

I walked into my home office and sat at my desk, swiveling the chair around to face the closed closet door.

It was mad…crazy…insane for me to think about what was in there and what I could do with it. The box was buried under other file boxes. A label reading “Taxes 2008” was affixed to the exterior.

The only tax documents inside were Via Marconi’s. My insurance resided there as well.

Phone records, witness accounts, photos, etc.—enough evidence to tie Vincent Marconi to over five deaths and seven felonies. It only scratched the surface, but it was enough to get him put away for life and begin having his operation dissected, which would lead to his empire being torn apart.

I wasn’t going into the situation again believing that everything would be fine. His daughter still had five years left to serve before even the possibility of parole. Until then, and probably even after, I was a marked man.

What pissed me off was that the little bit of invisibility I’d had, the shadowing from his vision, was blown away because someone in an office where I no longer worked was forming a case against him. Marconi knew what I had on him—I was stupid enough to gloat in his face that he was next. Between that and the death of Grace and my baby, he was satisfied for the time-being. Happy to keep me scared and buried in my own personal hell.

It was to the point of being damned if I do, or damned if I don’t. Seeing me with Tom would raise a red flag to Vincent. His first intuition would tell him I was working with them.

I was a dead man.

“Nate?”

I looked to the door to find Lila standing there, a worried expression on her face. “Yeah?”

She walked into the room and stood in front of me. “Didn’t you hear me calling?”

I shook my head. “Sorry, I was lost in thought.”

She pursed her lips. “What’s wrong?”

I sighed and pulled her close, leaning forward to rest my head on her stomach. “Running into Tom Preston has fucked things up, and I’m afraid for us.” Her fingers moved through my hair, nails scratching, calming. I pulled back to look up at her. “What do I do to protect you?”

“Protect me?”

“You know from who, and now I’m left with this decision. We’re at a fork in the road, but which way will kill us?” My chest clenched, and I nuzzled into her. “I’m not sure there’s an alternative at this point.” I looked back up at her, pleading to anything that would listen. “The most important thing to me is keeping you alive.”

Her brow scrunched up, and she shook her head. “There is no life for me without you.”

My chest tightened, and I pulled her to my lap, holding her close. I didn’t know if there was enough hope and prayers to deities above to keep her safe, but I’d do whatever it took. Even if it meant killing the devil myself.

The next morning, I pulled three expanding files along with a manila file out of my bag and set them on my desk. After soaking in my wife, I’d broached the box that haunted me and emptied its contents. They stared at me, and I stared back. It hurt me to even touch them, to bring them back out into the light of day.

Memories and heartbreak tore at me all evening. Nightmares that were too real haunted my dreams. I couldn’t stop touching Lila, my worst fears killing me from the inside out. My heart begged me not to do it, but at the same time, it wanted justice—the files could help with that.

I sat at my desk, my fingers running across my lips as I looked at their worn edges. Sending them to Tom would make things worse. Then again, I was already on the Marconi hitlist. The information would help in his case—I had no doubt about that—but I had to be discreet about delivery. There was no way I could walk up to Tom and hand it to him—we’d both be dead that day.

I sat back and rubbed my face.

Sending the files could help keep Lila safe. If Marconi was convicted, he might leave her alone. He might stop keeping tabs.

I stood and picked up the files, heading out of my office and down the hall. I needed help and guidance. Who better than someone I trusted and had lost the same person I had?

“Hey, Cassie, is Jack available?” I smiled down at his secretary.

“Hi, Nathan.” She looked down at her computer. “You’re in luck. He’s got a break right now and he just got off the phone.”

“Thanks.” I stepped forward and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Jack called from inside.

I opened the door and walked through, closing it behind me. He smiled at me from across his desk, his gaze narrowing on the files in my hand.

“How are you doing, Nate?”

I sat down in the chair across from him and placed the files on the edge of his desk as I leaned back.

“I ran into Tom Preston the other day.” I jumped right in.

“Oh yeah? How’s he doing these days?”

“He’s working on a case against Vincent Marconi.”

The smile slid from his face. “Jesus.”

“I’m pretty sure we were spotted together.”

“How do you know?”

“Lila’s foster brother is a cop. He told me Marconi’s men, along with some dirty cops, were tailing those involved with the case. The list includes me.”

“But why you? You aren’t involved with it.”

I leaned forward and placed my finger on the stack of files. “Because of this.”

His face paled. “All of your information on them.” He looked back at me. “You kept it all?”

I nodded. “It was a bit of insurance, along with not knowing what the hell to do with it. You know how bad things were back then.”

He leaned back and ran a hand through his white hair. “Nathan… What do you want to do with it? Why is it here?”

I pursed my lips. “That’s the big question I’ve been struggling with. Grace died because of them. If there’s a strong case against them, I want to give them more ammo. But…”

“You’re afraid.” A pained look crossed his face.

“They already saw me talking to Tom, even if it was only a chance run-in and small talk. They know I have all this.” I waved my hand at the file. “Pretty certain the whole fucking thing red flagged me. If my life is in that much danger because they think I’m helping them, I’d rather someone put this to use.”

“Do we have to go through all this again?” His head was down, shaking. “You’re so happy now.”

I tried not to think about Lila, but it was useless. The road was about to get very rough, and I’d need her strength.

“I’m not resigning myself to death. I have too much hope for a future to do that. But I’m not going to live like everything is fine, oblivious…not like last time.”

“Have you talked to Lila about this?”

I sighed. “A little. She caught that something was off. She’s been so happy since the trial, and I made her cry last night. We’ve even been working on a b-baby.” I stuttered on the word. My chest was tight, and I rubbed at the spot.

Jack’s eyes were soft. “What can I do to help?”

I let out a shuddering breath. “I can’t just hand this file to Tom.”

“You’d be dead before the day was over.”

I nodded. “I need a way so it’s not traceable to me.”

Jack stared at the files, humming as he tapped his fingers on his desk. “You know, Mary has a niece that works for Michael Lawson. Last I was down there, his office was two doors down from Tom’s.” My eyes grew wide, hopeful. “And Jenny, Mary’s niece, just so happens to be coming over this weekend.”

“Is that far enough removed?” Bad enough I was involving Jack, but my former mother-in-law and her family as well?

He lips set into a thin line. “No, you’re right. We need another step.”

My brain fired off ideas, each wilder and more extreme than the one before. “What if she put it in a courier envelope with a random address and sends it to Tom?”

Jack thought it over for a moment. “Do you want to risk it with this information?”

I blew out a breath. “What other choice do we have? Besides, I asked around, and Michael Lawson’s name did not come up as being associated with the case against Marconi. No one would be watching his office.”

Jack scratched at his jaw as he stared at the files. “I’ll get it wrapped up in a code-locked courier bag and have her send it that way.”

“How do we get him the code?”

“Leave that to me. I’ll figure it out.”

I was silent, unsure of how to thank him. “I can’t let it happen again, but I don’t know what to do to stop it.”

Jack’s eyes were soft, full of understanding. “This will help. And try to stay calm—Lila needs you.”

“Not as much as I need her. She’s stronger than I am.”

Jack shook his head. “When it comes to you, Lila is the weakest woman on the planet.”

I blinked at him. Fuck. He had a point. We were so codependent on each other that it was almost debilitating to even think of life without the other.