Текст книги "Unlawful Justice"

Автор книги: K. Langston

Соавторы: K. C. Lynn
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Текущая страница: 10 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

CHAPTER 18

Olivia

Pacing the front porch, I clutch my cell phone tightly, wondering where Grayson could be. The knot in my stomach hasn’t loosened since leaving him this afternoon. It’s only gotten worse since nightfall.

I just need to know he’s okay.

I take a seat on the swing, bouncing my right foot up and down as I check my phone again.

Nothing.

I sent Tania home after supper. She’d been worried about Terrell and anxious to check on him. I still haven’t heard from her either. The waiting is driving me crazy.

Pap went to bed an hour ago since he needs to be up early in the morning. He tried to get me to come inside but I can’t, not until I see for myself that Grayson is okay. He texted hours ago and said he would come by. Surely if he changed his mind he would have let me know. I’ve been debating on texting him but I don’t want to bother him if he’s busy. I nearly give in to the urge but then see headlights in the distance. Jumping to my feet, I rush down the steps as he parks the truck. He barely shuts the door before I throw myself into his open arms.

He grunts with the force of my affection but doesn’t miss a beat, catching me easily and hugging me tight. “I’ve been so worried about you. Are you okay?” I’m on the verge of tears as his signature scent invades my lungs, sending overwhelming relief to soar through my body.

“Yeah, Liv, I’m okay,” he replies quietly, but I can tell by the sound of his voice he’s far from it.

I lean back to look at him and gasp. A dark shadow darkens one side of his face but the dim porch light is bright enough for me to see the cut above his eye and his busted lip. “Oh God, you’re hurt,” I say on a choked whisper, my fingers fanning gently on his bruised jaw.

“Just some scratches, nothing I can’t handle,” he says, but his eyes tell me a different story. They’re dimmer than usual, troubled. He looks almost…lost.

It completely breaks my heart.

I shake my head, my throat growing thicker by the minute. “Come on, come inside. I’ll clean you up.”

“I’m fine, Liv. Really, I…” He trails off when I give him a silent warning not to argue. Then a soft, sexy smirk transforms his face, making my tummy flip. “All right, baby, let’s go inside and you can fix me up.”

After he places me on my feet, I take his hand and lead him inside the house. “Go on and take a seat.” I point to the kitchen table. “I’ll be right back.”

He does as instructed while I grab the first aid kit from the bathroom. As I walk back in the kitchen and get a better look at his face, my heart aches all over again. Pulling up a chair in front of him, I get to work. My hands shake when I open the small gauze packet, wetting it with alcohol and applying it to the nasty cut above his eyebrow.

“Who did this to you?” I ask, trying to keep my emotions in check.

He watches me carefully, his eyes roaming my face, but I continue to focus only on his wounds. “I don’t know,” he answers quietly. “There were a few of them, and their faces were covered because they’re a bunch of fucking cowards.”

My eyes shoot to his at the fury pouring from his voice. “It got worse after I left?” I voice it as more of a question, even though the answer is obvious.

He nods, his expression hard. “Yeah. It did.”

I drop my gaze from his, not wanting him to see the tears threatening to fall. My eyes land on his right hand. It’s even more battered than his face, proving he threw some punches of his own. My breathing grows heavier as I struggle to hold in the burning emotion fighting to erupt. I shield most of my face with my hair, thankful it’s loose from its usual braid as I dig through the kit, having no idea what I’m looking for.

Grayson’s other hand reaches up, brushing my hair aside and cupping the side of my face. “Liv, look at me.”

I shake my head as hot tears track down my face and onto his hand. No matter how hard I try to hold it in, I can’t. The dam breaks free and my forehead falls to his injured hand as an uncontrollable sob spills from my lips.

Grayson leans down, bringing his mouth close to my ear. “Hey, come on, baby. Don’t cry. Please don’t cry.” He pleads. “Everything will be okay. I promise.”

I shake my head. “No, I don’t think it will be, not anymore. Every time I think it can’t get any worse it does, and after what I saw today I know it’s nowhere near over.” I hiccup, trying to catch my breath. “I don’t know how much more of this I can take. I’m so tired. I haven’t slept in weeks. Every sound I hear I think it’s them, coming back to finish what they started,” I admit for the first time, fear sneaking up my spine with heated ease. “I hate that I’m so afraid. But with Reggie pleading not guilty and everything that happened today… I’m scared, Grayson. I’m terrified what this means for us all.” I cry harder, clinging to him for comfort, because right now he’s the only peace I know.

He’s been the burning candle guiding me through all this darkness.

“Liv, look at me.” He doesn’t give me a choice. He lifts my face, forcing my gaze to his. “Listen, I know things are bad right now, but you need to stay strong, just like you have been. There’s nothing to be afraid of. I’d never let anything happen to you.” He leans in closer, eyes fierce and determined. “No matter how bad this gets, no one will ever fucking touch you again. I promise you that.” His extreme confidence quiets the anxiety I feel and my tears begin to subside. “Trust me. Trust me to keep you safe.”

“I do trust you, completely. When I’m with you I feel safe, but when I’m not…” I stop myself, not sure how to explain it. The fear of leaving the house and never knowing what I’m going to encounter, especially after what happened today, leaves me anxious. And what about the men who are still out there, the ones who had a hand in my attack—do I pass by them and not even know? The thought instills an incredible fear inside of me.

“Don’t hold out on me now, baby.”

Exhaling a deep breath, I shake my head. “I don’t know. It’s hard to explain. I guess it’s just going to take some time before I feel safe again.”

Grayson’s eyes hold mine, so many emotions raging in their blue depths. Remembering I was in the middle of cleaning up his injuries before my meltdown, I instantly feel guilty. I reach for the bottle of alcohol again but Grayson gently pulls it from my hand. “Wait, what are you—” I gasp as he stands and picks me up off the chair, cradling me in his arms. “What on earth are you doing?” I ask, winding my arms around his neck.

“Where’s your room?” My eyebrows shoot up at his question, causing his sexy lips to lift in a smirk. “I’m going to lie down with you until you fall asleep.”

Oh.

My face heats with embarrassment at my assumption. “But your injuries. Let me finish cleaning them.”

He grunts. “I’m fine, Liv. You need to sleep. Let me do this. Let me hold you.”

The thought of falling asleep wrapped up in his arms sounds like heaven right now, and my eyes immediately grow heavy with the thought. Nodding, I point in the direction of my room. “Down the hall, second door on the right.”

He heads that way, carrying me in his arms as if I weigh nothing, and I can’t help but think about his words earlier.

Trust me. Trust me to keep you safe.

My room is bathed in moonlight as he enters. He lays me down on my bed before closing the door quietly, then shuffles next to the bed, removing his shoes. His eyes stay with mine, making silent promises. The bed dips with his weight, and I turn on my side to face him. His arm curls over my waist, pulling me in close to his hard body.

I soak up the intimacy and the warmth he offers without hesitation. His mouth is but a breath from mine. Reaching up, I gently touch his wounded lip with my finger. “I don’t like seeing you hurt,” I whisper, feeling my throat clog with tears again.

“I’m fine, baby. I promise.”

I contemplate asking more about what happened after I left but decide against it. We’ve had enough heaviness for one night. Perhaps even a lifetime.

My fingers hover above his lips, tracing the outline, remembering how they moved against mine with such effortless grace.

With his intake of air, I lift my eyes, seeing his darken with desire. “Stop looking at me like that, Liv.” He warns.

“Why?” I don’t want to stop. I need to feel his lips on mine as much as my next breath.

“Because if you don’t stop I won’t be able to control myself.”

Desire pulses through me, my heart leaping in my chest. I’m desperate for his kiss, his touch. Rising up, I place a kiss to the wound on his lip, tender and slow.

“Liv, I’m serious, you need sleep.”

I push forward, ignoring his warning.

“No. I need you to kiss me.”

With a curse he moves in quickly. His hand racing around the side of my neck, aligning our mouths in heated bliss. Blood ignites inside my veins, desire flooding every part of my mind and body. The need rushing through me is something I thought I would never feel again, and Grayson seems to only intensify it.

I latch on to my craving for him, unwilling to let go, and throw a leg over his hip to bring myself closer to him. His steady hand coasts up and down my bare thigh, drifting to my hip before pushing me onto my back, covering me. I wind my arms around his neck, sighing into his mouth as he continues his delicious assault, his tongue tangling with mine in a fevered pitch of give and take. The hardness between my thighs begs for the lift of my hips, seeking more of him. I whimper when the hard denim of his jeans graze my wet panties.

A groan erupts from him before he rips his mouth from mine to trail his lips along my throat, sucking and nipping the tender flesh. My sweater slips down one shoulder as he continues to rain warm kisses across my collarbone, coming to a stop just above the swell of my breast, silently awaiting permission.

“Yes.” My breath locks in my chest as his fingers slip the straps of my nightgown past my shoulders, baring me to his stare. My nipples pebble beneath his heated gaze, straining for his touch.

My imprisoned breath is released on a gasp when his hand brushes across one sensitive bud. “So pretty,” he whispers, “just like I knew you would be.” His mouth moves to my other breast, sucking my aching nipple while his fingers tweak the other.

With a whimper I arch up, threading my fingers through his hair as I revel in the pleasure he brings me. Lifting my hips, I seek friction, the ache between my thighs growing painfully intense. “Grayson, please.” I beg, completely unashamed of my need for him.

A primal growl rumbles from his chest as he looks into my eyes. “What do you want, Liv? Tell me, baby. I need to hear you say it. I don’t want to fuck this up.”

I quickly realize he’s being cautious—holding back—but he doesn’t need to, not with me. Especially right now when I’m desperate to remind myself of the woman I am and not the victim I have become. “I want you to touch me.”

He moves his hand to the center of my thighs. “Here?” he asks, gently skimming his fingers over the center of my panties. A shiver ripples through me, bringing with it wave upon wave of desire. “You want me to touch you here?”

I nod, unable to speak for fear of the sounds that will come out of my mouth.

“I was hoping you’d say that,” he says, a playful grin tugging his lips.

His hand reaches between us, slipping inside my panties and swiping his fingers through my wet flesh. “Oh God!” The words are spoken on a hot whimper when he finds my swollen clit.

“Shh, easy, baby,” he croons. “I don’t need Walt coming in here with his shotgun.” I sink my teeth into my bottom lip in an effort to stifle my moans, but continue to move my hips with his skilled fingers. He leans down and kisses me, continuing to stroke me where I need it most. “God, Liv, you’re so wet. So hot.” His words are tight with restraint, and I can feel him hard against my leg.

I move my hand down to his belt buckle, wanting to touch him too, but he backs away from me. “No.” He shakes his head. “If you touch me I won’t be able to stop. And when I finally take you, Liv, there will be no keeping quiet. Not from either of us. Tonight is for you.” His fingers speed up, his pressure intensifying, bringing me to teeter on the edge, and he senses it. “Give it to me, baby. Let me feel it all over my hand.”

Those words send me flying over the edge. His mouth covers mine, devouring every single tremor and moan that escapes me. Although his fingers slow, they continue drawing out every last bit of pleasure until I’m boneless and content beneath him.

It takes me a moment to join reality once again. As my eyes flutter open I see Grayson watching me, in a way that has my heart stalling in my chest. He stares down at me like I’m the only other person in the world besides him, as if I matter, as if…I’m his.

Reaching up, I cup his swollen jaw. “Thank you,” I whisper, not knowing what else to say in fear of what I will reveal.

He kisses the inside of my hand, then mouth, and then one to my forehead before shifting beside me and pulling me close. “Sleep, baby.”

My eyes fall closed, the safety of his arms allowing me to embrace the peaceful slumber that awaits.

CHAPTER 19

Grayson

Sunlight peeks through the sheer curtains as I slowly open my eyes. Glancing down next to me, I find Liv sleeping soundly. She looks every bit of the angel she is, with her head buried in the crook of my shoulder and an arm draped over my stomach. Heat invades my blood as I remember last night. Jesus, the way she felt beneath me and how she fell apart from the lightest touch of my fingers… It has me dying to know what she’ll be like when I take all of her.

I had no intention of doing any of that when I brought her to bed. I only wanted her to feel safe so she could sleep but when she begged me to touch her—I was fucking done for. After last night I realize it’s time to take this to the next level. With everything that’s happened I’ve been taking things slow, not wanting to rush or scare her. Last night proved she’s as ready as I am, which is why I’ve made the decision to take her to the cabin for a few days—if she’ll come.

I want to get her away from all this bullshit before the trial starts. Hell, I want to get away from it. After what I witnessed yesterday, I know shit is only going to get worse before it gets better, and I need to decide how the hell I’m going to handle Prichard. No way am I going to let him get away with what he pulled. He can’t be trusted and shouldn’t be on the force. I just need to figure out how to tell Dixon that.

While sitting at Clover Hill for hours yesterday, trying to clear my head, I thought about what my father would do, how he would handle this. His last words continued to echo in my mind…

Seek the truth and you will find justice.

It’s exactly what I’m going to do, not only regarding Prichard but Liv’s case, too. I will find out who else was there, and I’ll find the evidence needed to put West away along with everyone else.

With or without the badge, I will find justice.

I shake myself from the thought and ease out of bed, careful not to wake Liv. Leaning down, I drop a light kiss to her forehead before quietly leaving the room.

I walk into the kitchen, hoping Walt might still be in bed, but skid to a halt when I see him sitting at the table with a cup of coffee in one hand and a newspaper in the other.

Shit!

“Mornin’,” he greets.

I’m having a hard time gauging his mood by the indifferent expression on his face. For all I know I’ll soon meet the barrel of his shotgun after walking out of his granddaughter’s room.

“Morning, Walt.” I tug the back of my neck, feeling awkward as hell and a little guilty. I’m well aware that Liv and I are adults, but this is Walt’s house and the last thing I want to do is disrespect him. “Listen, I’m sorry. I wanted Liv to sleep so I laid down with her, I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I meant no disrespect.”

He glares at me, his hard features not wavering in the least. I start wondering if I’m about to find a bullet in my ass when he raises a mug. “Cups are next to the sink, help yourself and have a seat. We need to talk.”

This is about to get real awkward.

After pouring myself a cup of coffee, I take my time sliding into the seat across from him, scanning the room to make sure there’s no sight of that shotgun. Without a word he pushes the newspaper across the table. I take a tentative drink from my cup, swallowing hard as I focus on a disturbing image staring back at me from the front page of the Harmony Falls Herald. The photo has my forgotten rage spiking hard and fast, reminding me of the madness that took place yesterday.

The headline reads:

Hate Fills the Streets of Harmony Falls

Walt watches me for a reaction, taking a long drink from his mug before placing the cup in front of him. He leans forward, resting his forearms on the table, contemplating his words. “She’s been through a lot, my Livy. Losing her parents so young. Then her grandmother passing away a few years back. God rest their souls.” He shakes his head with a pained sigh. “Now this,” he says, staring down at the newspaper. “Last night was the first time I haven’t heard her pacing the floors.”

He pauses, lifting his eyes to mine.

“I’m not going to lie, I don’t enjoy watching a man walk out of her room. If I had it my way I’d keep her to myself forever. She’s all I have left.” His voice grows thick before he clears it, shifting in his chair. “But I know that’s not possible and it’s not fair to her. I’m not gonna live forever, hell, who knows how much longer I got, then it will be her who has no one. She’s built her whole life around taking care of me, which is why she still lives here and not in the guesthouse. It’s time someone takes care of her. It’s obvious she feels safe with you, and for that I’m grateful. I need to know there’s someone to look after her when I’m gone.”

“I will.”

His turbulent eyes remain locked on mine, desperation bleeding from dark brown orbs. “Promise me, no matter what, that you won’t let anyone hurt her again.”

“I promise. I’m not going anywhere. I care a lot about her, Walt. No matter what happens between us, I’ll always keep her safe. No one will ever fucking hurt her again.”

He gives me a stern nod. “Good. That’s what I wanted to hear and that’s why I’m not gonna kick your ass for sleeping in her bed last night.” He tosses me a wink before he gets up to refill his cup.

Fair enough.

“I want to take her to my cabin in Arkansas for the weekend. Get her away from here for a few days.”

“I think that would be good for the both of you. I’ll drive up to Stockton then, there’s a tractor for sale I want to check out, but I didn’t want to leave her here alone.”

“You sure you don’t need help with that?”

He waves me away. “Naw, I’m gonna see if Fletch wants to ride with me. We usually head that way together when we need supplies, and it will be good to catch up with him. With all this bullshit goin’ on it’s been hard to do that.”

“That’s a good idea,” I’ve been meaning to check in with Fletcher again but haven’t had the chance.

“What’s a good idea?” The sound of Liv’s soft voice pulls my eyes to the entry of the kitchen.

Fuck me.

She’s still in her nightgown but wears that sweater she likes so much. It does nothing to stop my imagination from conjuring up what’s beneath it. Especially after the tiny glimpses I got last night. My eyes move back to hers, and by the blush staining her cheeks it’s clear she knows exactly what I’m thinking.

“Morning, Livy,” Walter greets her, interrupting our silent exchange.

“Morning, Pap.” She makes her way over to him and kisses his cheek. “So are one of you going to fill me in on this good idea you two were talking about?” she asks, looking back at me with a raised brow.

“Think I’ll go see about Rosie,” Walt says, emptying his cup into the sink.

“What about breakfast?” she asks.

“I ate a bowl of oats earlier.”

Liv eyes him suspiciously then shifts to look in the sink. “Where’s your bowl?”

He clears his throat. “I washed it and put it away already.”

“Pap!” Her growl makes me grin and so does the way she props her tiny hands on her hips.

She’s hot as hell when she’s fired up.

“Oh, all right, give me one of those damn nutritious bars, and I’ll take it out to the barn with me.”

She grabs one down from the cabinet and hands it to him, but doesn’t release it right away. “You better not feed this to Rosie or I’ll know.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He kisses her on the cheek then points the offending nutritious bar at me. “You better be a breakfast man or you’re in trouble, son,” he says, before trailing out the door.

“The stubborn old man,” she grumbles.

When she moves to walk past me I grab her wrist, catching her off guard, and pull her down to straddle me. Her gown rides up to reveal smooth, bare thighs. Those soft pink lips part, and I move in, cutting off whatever she was about to say by claiming her mouth the same way I want to claim her body.

A sexy moan vibrates from her lips and she immediately softens against me, winding her arms around my neck, giving as good as she gets. The growl that rumbles from my chest is low and deep as the taste of her floods my mouth.

I slow the kiss, not wanting to get too carried away. I narrowly escaped Walt’s gun earlier, if he walked back in here right now I’m not sure he’d be so forgiving again. I press my forehead against hers, holding on tight to those big doe eyes that are hooded with desire.

“Mornin’,” I say, giving her another soft kiss.

“Mmm. Good morning,” she responds breathlessly, making my dick harder. “What was that for?”

“Because I wanted to, and because you’re sexy as hell when you’re bossy.”

She giggles that sweet laugh of hers that always hits me like a punch to the chest.

I cup her delicate cheek. “How’d you sleep?”

“Better than I have in weeks, thanks to you.”

My hand drops to her leg, grazing the silky skin. “Good.”

Her fingers gently press around the cut above my eye. “Swelling’s gone down,” she points out before bringing that same finger to the cut on my lip. “Here, too,” she whispers, giving me one of her soft, sweet kisses. When she pulls back she fixes her eyes on mine. “So what were you and Pap talking about when I walked in?”

I continue to caress her thigh, unable to stop touching her. It makes me wonder how the fuck I’ve made it this long without her. “I want to take you away for a couple of days. I have a cabin in Arkansas on a lake. It belonged to my father. It’s quiet up there, no one around for miles. I think it’ll be good to get away from all this. I want to spend time alone with you, without any distractions.”

She smiles, filling my chest with warmth. “It sounds wonderful, but…” She trails off, unsure.

“What?”

“I’m not sure about leaving Pap. Especially with everything going on. What happens if someone comes here to hurt him?”

I wrap my arms around her waist and bring her in closer. “Baby, if anyone can take care of themselves it’s Walt. I was afraid for my own safety walking out of your room this morning.”

She vehemently shakes her head. “No, he cannot. Just look at this morning. He almost didn’t eat breakfast. If not for me that man would live off coffee, bacon, and beer.”

“What’s wrong with that?” She gives me the same disapproving look she did Walter earlier. I chuckle. “I’m kidding. Come on, he’ll be okay. You heard him, he thinks it’s a good idea, and he wants to take a trip up to Stockton anyway.” She stares back at me indecisively. I can tell she wants to say yes but she’s worried. “I’ll ask Terrell to come by and check on him if that makes you feel better.” I offer.

Excitement sparkles in her eyes. “Yes, that’s perfect. I’ll also ask Tania to stop in and make sure he’s eating properly. If there’s anyone else that can get Pap to listen, it’s her.”

Jesus, Walt wasn’t kidding, she’s tough on him about this diet shit. “I just need to run to the house and pack a few things. Think you can be ready in an hour?”

She nods, a stunning smile lighting up her face. “I’m excited. I’ve never really gone anywhere before.”

I frown. “Never?”

“Not really. With Pap being the only one around here and Grams’s poor health it was hard to travel. Tania and I had plans to go to Paris after graduation. I bought my plane ticket and everything, but then Grams passed away and I couldn’t go. I felt horrible for backing out on her, but I just couldn’t leave Pap. A mutual friend of ours ended up buying my ticket and they went together. She wasn’t pleased about it though. She wanted to stay behind with me, but I convinced her to go.” She shrugs, fiddling with the hem of her nightgown. “I’m fine with it all. Vacations or not, I loved my childhood. Growing up here was everything to me. This farm means everything to me.”

It’s clear to see that. I love that she appreciates the simpler things in life. But someone as vibrant as she is should at least see some of the world. I’m starting to understand what Walt meant during our talk this morning.

“But now I’ll get to go on my first vacation with you,” she says excitedly, as if I’m taking her to the Caribbean instead of a fucking cabin in the Ozarks.

Well shit. “Don’t get too excited, baby. It’s not much, but it’s quiet and does have some kick-ass scenery.” I love it there, but I haven’t been since my dad died. I haven’t wanted to face the memories, but it will be easier with Liv there. She’ll be the perfect distraction.

“Mmm.” She leans in close and presses a warm kiss to my mouth, her lips titled with a smile. “It’ll be perfect because I’ll be with you…alone,” she whispers, giving me another kiss.

I clutch her hips with a growl, trying to restrain myself from throwing her on this kitchen table and taking her right now. “Yeah, baby, we’re going to be alone, and I’m going to put that time to good use.”

Her cheeks flush red, desire swirling in her warm brown depths. Jesus, if I don’t get out of here now I’m going to lose my precious control, then Walt will really put a bullet in my ass.

I stand, lifting her with me then drop her to her feet. “Pack a bag, Liv. I’ll be back soon.”

“Now look who’s being bossy,” she sasses with a smirk.

Curling my hand around her neck, I tug her close and drop a hard kiss on her mouth. “Pack a bag, Liv… Please.”

“Okay,” she replies breathlessly, making me chuckle.

“Be back soon, baby.”