Текст книги "Unlawful Justice"

Автор книги: K. Langston

Соавторы: K. C. Lynn
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Текущая страница: 13 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

I giggle.

“Got it?” he asks.

I nod. “Yeah, I got it.”

“Good.” He drops his forehead against mine, giving me the intimacy I love. “Never be unsure with me, Liv.”

He really seems bothered that I was. “I’m sorry. I could tell you were upset at supper. I didn’t know if you would want some time alone.”

His eyes close and he blows out a frustrated breath. “No. I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m pissed off about what happened here while we were gone, and my talk with Dixon only made it worse. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, baby. Just know that no matter what kind of mood I’m in, I always want you, Liv. I always want your company. Never doubt that.”

His reassurance offers me the courage to press for more. “Do you want to talk about what happened with the sheriff?”

He shakes his head. “It’s not something you need to worry about.”

“Yes, it is, because it’s bothering you so it bothers me.” I pause, placing a hand to the side of his stubbly face. “You don’t always have to protect me, Grayson. I’m actually pretty strong.”

His deep blue eyes never waver from mine. “You’re the strongest girl I’ve ever known.”

Warmth invades my chest with his words, especially when he has seen me at my weakest. “I want to be there for you, too,” I tell him. “Let me.”

I see the moment he makes his decision. “All right, but on one condition.”

I quirk a brow. “What’s that?”

He moves away from the door, carrying me in his arms with my legs wrapped around his waist, to sit on the couch. “You sit right here.”

I smile, straddling him, thinking there’s no other place I would rather be. “Deal.” With his hands under my dress, resting high on my thighs, he leans back against the couch, his expression troubled once more. “What’s wrong, Grayson?”

“Remember that day outside of the courthouse, when all hell broke loose?” he asks, his expression sullen. I nod. “I saw Terrell getting his ass kicked by a group of those bastards. I ran for him as fast as I could, but there was so much chaos to get through it took me some time. As I was pushing through people, I saw Prichard standing off to the side, watching it all go down. He saw what was happening, and instead of stepping in to help he turned his fucking back on him and walked away.”

I frown. “What? That doesn’t seem right. Do you think maybe he didn’t see him?”

“He saw him. I’m fucking positive.” He’s vibrating with rage and certainty.

“I don’t understand why he would do something like that.”

“Because, obviously, he’s a racist motherfucker.”

I tense as I remember something. “Wasn’t he the one accused of hurting Daryl Baker?”

“Yeah, he was.” He shakes his head with a heavy sigh. “I don’t know. I’ve worked with the guy for a few years. Terrell said something to me a while back, asking me if I was sure he didn’t do it, even though he was cleared. The thought never even crossed my mind, but after what I saw outside that courthouse… I think he did fucking do it. He shouldn’t be on the force.”

The thought that he may have hurt Daryl Baker because of the color of his skin infuriates me. “Well, what did Sheriff Dixon say when you told him?”

“He doesn’t believe it. He thinks I misread the situation because it was so chaotic. He doesn’t think Prichard would do that. I know what I saw, Liv. He turned his back on Terrell. If I hadn’t seen him who knows what would have happened.”

Pain slices through me at the thought. I couldn’t imagine my life without Terrell, and I know Tania would never survive without him.

“I feel like I don’t know anything anymore.” Exhaustion dominates his handsome face. “I’m seeing sides of people I never thought possible, and it makes me wonder if it’s because of everything that’s happened, or if I’ve just been so goddamn blind this whole time.”

It kills me to see him so defeated. It reminds me of how he looked when he showed up at the farm after the courthouse incident. “I’m sorry. You’re right, he shouldn’t be on the force and it should be investigated. But you’ve done all you can, Grayson. You told the sheriff and if he doesn’t take it seriously that’s not on your shoulders.”

“But it is. I can’t just sit back and do nothing now that I know what he’s done.” He pauses, something flickering in his tormented eyes. “The day I graduated from the academy was the week before my father died. When I walked off that stage he shook my hand, and said something to me that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

“What’s that?” I ask softly.

“Seek the truth and you will find justice.” The words are so simple yet so powerful, they burrow inside my heart and quickly take root. “I know the truth, I know what I saw, and I’ll find a way to expose him for what he is. Something is off though, and I haven’t figured it all out yet, but my gut tells me it’s all tied together with this case. Hell, I think it goes deeper than all this. I’m going to figure it out, and I’m going to bring it all down along with every single person involved, if it’s the last thing I do.”

Hearing him talk like this terrifies me, but it also makes me fall even more in love with him because it proves the kind of man he is.

Framing his face between my hands, I lean in and brush my lips over his. “You are the most honorable and courageous man I’ve ever met. If anyone can do right by this mess it will be you. Just…promise me you’ll be careful. I can’t lose you. I’ve lost so much already, I wouldn’t survive it.” The last of my words fall from my mouth in a choked whisper.

With swift precision he flips me over to my back on the couch, positioning himself between my open legs. Cupping the side of my neck, he drags a rough thumb across my cheek. “You’ll never lose me, Liv. Nothing on earth will ever take me from you. You’re stuck with me, baby. Always.”

I melt beneath his touch and the intensity of his gaze. Before I can respond he takes my mouth in a searing kiss, branding my lips and soul with his promise. Then he made love to me with a tenderness and passion I’d never known, his body saying so much more than words could ever convey. I knew in that moment that no matter what awaited us, as long as we always have this, as long as we always have each other, we will always be okay.

CHAPTER 23

Grayson

I’ve been on high alert, anticipating the next strike, but the last few days have been quiet around here. Which I’m thankful for, but I know there’s more to come.

The one good thing about this is I’m able to be around Liv all the time—watching over her, touching her, and pleasuring her. She’s still a little shy at times but she’s opening up, giving more of herself to me, and slowly letting go of the insecurities those fuckers left with her. She’s less hesitant now, and it makes me feel good knowing she feels safe and comfortable with me. That she knows she will always have me.

I never want her to doubt that.

Henderson called yesterday to let us know he and that prick, Larson, would be stopping by today around noon to discuss some things regarding the trial.

So here we are, in the living room after exchanging pleasantries, but I’m feeling far from polite, especially around Larson. Ever since he walked in I’ve wanted to knock him on his ass for the way he’s looking at Liv, but I’ve managed to control myself, remembering what’s important here.

Liv walks back in with drinks for everyone as I take a defensive stance in front of the fireplace, too anxious to sit. Walt sits in what I’ve come to learn is his chair, while Larson and Henderson take the couch. Liv automatically moves to the arm of Walt’s chair, her hands wringing together nervously. Her big brown eyes find mine; seeking the reassurance I know she needs. I lift my chin, offering her a tight smile.

She immediately relaxes, turning her attention to Henderson as he begins. “Thanks for seeing us today, Olivia.”

“Of course. Anything I can do to help. I want this over as quickly as possible,” she replies softly.

“We do too, which is why I’m here. This is how I plan to approach the jury. I want them to live through exactly what happened to you. I want them to feel it and know how badly you suffered at the hands of Reginald West.”

I tense, not liking where this is going.

“Although we have some incriminating evidence with the chain, and your recognition of his voice, there’s no doubt the defense will try and find a way to discredit all of it. Making it that much more important for us to have the jury’s sympathy. I know this will be extremely difficult for you, but I think it would be beneficial to put you on the stand so the jury can hear everything you do remember.”

“No fucking way,” I say, my jaw tightening with anger.

“Well it’s not up to you, it’s up to Olivia,” Larson pipes up, walking around to stand next to Liv.

My body goes rigid, eager to pounce.

“Not happening,” I fire back, before redirecting my attention back to Henderson. “She’s been through enough. You’re not putting her up there.”

Before he can respond, Larson opens his mouth again. “Obviously, you don’t know her all that well. She’s a strong woman, Taylor. She can handle it.”

The second his hand meets her shoulder a red haze blurs my vision. I stalk toward him but Liv meets me halfway.

I point at him over her shoulder. “You ever touch her again and I’ll break your goddamn arm off, you got it?”

“Grayson, please,” Liv pleads before turning to Larson. “Clint, stop picking a fight.”

“Larson, we discussed this before coming out here,” Henderson snaps. “Rein it in or you’re out.”

His jaw flexes but he backs off.

“I agree with Grayson,” Walt says, speaking up. “She’s been through enough. Surely you can convict him with what you have.”

“We do have a few things in our favor, but not as much as I’d like. Which is why I need to play up the sympathy. However, if Olivia is not comfortable then I do have another suggestion.”

Henderson’s eyes swing to mine.

“What’s that?” Liv asks nervously.

“We can have Taylor take the stand, and he can tell them what he saw that day.”

Fuck.

I run a frustrated hand through my hair. “What about the investigation? You know that’ll be the first thing Jones brings up.”

He gives a curt nod. “That’s why it was my second suggestion.”

“It doesn’t matter if they bring up the investigation or not,” Liv says. “Grayson did nothing wrong.”

Larson scoffs. “The hell he didn’t.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she snaps, coming to my defense.

“Nothing.” I glare at him, silently warning him to shut his fucking mouth.

But the fucker doesn’t. A cocky smirk lifts one corner of his mouth, and I know I’m about to be outed. “He never told you?”

“I mean it, Larson. Shut the fuck up.”

Liv spins in place, her questioning eyes finding mine. “Tell me what?”

“That he beat the shit out of West. Fucked him up good. I’d be careful if I were you, Olivia. Man like that…no telling what he’s capable of.”

“That’s it. I warned you, motherfucker.” I make a move for him, but Liv’s small hands land on my chest.

“Grayson, no, stop!” The fear in her voice has my steps faltering, but my entire body continues to shake with fury.

Henderson stands. “I told you that was enough, Clint. Go wait for me outside, now. I’ll be out in a minute.”

Larson obeys, walking out with a smirk on his face. Obviously, proud of the shit he stirred.

“I’ve never liked that asshole.” Walt grumbles.

“I’m sorry about that. It was very unprofessional.” Henderson apologizes. “Listen, I want this trial to go as smoothly as possible for you, Olivia. I understand if you aren’t up for taking the stand. We can put Grayson up first. I think his testimony will be just as emotional for the jury. If I think we need yours too then we can revisit the idea at a later time. But let’s try this first.”

“What about the investigation though?” she asks, stepping away from me.

The distance she puts between us kills me.

“If he brings it up I will object. Grayson is not the one on trial. This isn’t about the arrest. It’s about what happened to you, and I will make sure it stays that way. Okay?”

She nods. “All right, thank you.”

“No problem.” Henderson’s attention returns to me. “We will need to go over your testimony so you know what to expect when I call you up. Come by my office tomorrow, around three?”

I give him a tight nod then he walks out the door. Leaving us in a room filled with silent tension.

Walt is the first one to cut through it. “Well, I should get back to work. You okay, darlin’?” he asks, dropping a kiss on Liv’s head.

“Yeah, Pap, I’m good,” she replies, but she damn sure doesn’t sound like it. “You go on and finish what you need to do.”

“I’ll be out shortly to help you.” I add. “I just need a minute.”

“Take your time, son.” He leaves through the kitchen, making his way out the back door.

I vaguely hear the tractor fire up before Liv finally addresses me. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asks, hurt thick in her voice.

“Because I didn’t want you to worry about it. You had enough going on.”

“So you did do it?”

I try to gauge what she’s feeling but for the first time I can’t, and I fucking hate it. “Yeah, I hit him, but it didn’t go down like that asshole said.”

“Then tell me what happened.”

I shake my head. “You don’t need to worry about it, Liv. I have it under control. I promise.” Dropping a kiss on her head, I leave out the back door and head over to the guesthouse to change.

Yeah, I’m running, but I don’t want to have this conversation. I just want to forget about what went down in there before I lose my shit and go find Larson to beat the fuck out of him.

Unfortunately, Liv doesn’t let it go and follows me into the house. I continue to the bedroom, removing my shirt to grab a different one to work in.

“Don’t, Grayson. Don’t shut me out. It’s not fair. Not when I’ve shared everything with you.”

Her pleading voice has me turning around. Tears glisten in her eyes, making me feel even worse.

I pull her into my arms. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to shut you out. I just don’t want you to worry about it right now.”

“I want to be there for you.”

With a deflated breath I take a seat on the bed, and bring her down on my lap. I take my time, choosing my words carefully. “The arrest was intense and got out of hand,” I start, trying to give her the abbreviated version. “He managed to escape out the back before I could grab him. Son of a bitch assaulted one of our rookies with a baseball bat then took off. When I caught him he resisted, and was able to get a shot in on me.”

She reaches up and trails her fingers across my jaw. “That day when you came by after. That’s what happened to you?”

I nod. “Yeah, but I still kept my cool. But then…” I trail off, grinding my teeth as I think about what happened next. “He said something and it pushed me over the edge.”

“What did he say?” she asks hesitantly, fear razor-sharp in her voice.

I shake my head. “Don’t. Please don’t ask me that, Liv. It’s not something you need to know.”

It’s something she will never know if I can help it.

“It was about me.”

“Yes.”

Thankfully, she doesn’t push for more. “You should have told me. You shouldn’t have kept it from me.”

“I didn’t want you to worry. And maybe…”

“What?” She urges.

“Maybe I didn’t want to see the disappointment in your eyes.”

Her forehead gently presses to mine. “Never,” she whispers. “I could never be disappointed in you. You may have crossed the line, Grayson, but he crossed many too, including assaulting you and another officer.”

Relief swims in my blood. “Once IA investigates what went down, I feel confident they will reinstate me. Especially under the circumstances.”

“Well they better if they want their best deputy back,” she says with a sexy smile that has my dick going hard.

My hands slip under her dress to palm her lush ass. “Best deputy, huh?”

“Mmmhmm.” She wraps her arms around my neck and settles herself over my straining cock. The heat of her satin-covered pussy burning me through my jeans.

With a growl I steal her lips in a deep kiss. All of my pent-up frustration from earlier easing as I take it out on her magnificent fucking mouth. Reaching for the hem of her dress, I pull back only enough to peel it from her body, leaving her in nothing but her bra and panties. Before I can do it myself, she reaches back and confidently unhooks the clasp, allowing the garment to slide from her arms.

“Jesus, you’re so fucking sexy.”

“Thanks. So are you,” she replies breathlessly.

A chuckle erupts, but it’s cut off by her mouth, her lips fevered and desperate. Groaning, I reach for her panties to remove them, but she moves away from my attempt.

“Uh-uh. Not so fast, Deputy.” She tsks with a mischievous smirk before laying the palm of her hand to my chest.

I allow her to push me to my back, because no matter how bad I want to rip her panties from her body and pound into her, I love the confidence she’s showing me right now. I’m eager as fuck to know where she’s going with this.

I have a pretty good idea when her hands and mouth explore my heated skin, trailing down to the waistband of my jeans. She kneels down on the floor between my legs, fumbling slightly with the button before releasing my hard cock. Her brown eyes lift to mine, heavy with pure desire but still a little hesitant. I reach down, my thumb stroking her soft cheek. “What do you want, baby?”

She licks those sweet, plump lips of hers, making my dick jerk in response. “I want to make you feel good, like you do to me.”

Jesus, can this woman be any more perfect than she already is?

“You already do, Liv. Always.”

She gives me a sexy smile. “Good, but now I want to make you feel even better.” Her voice is determined, thick with lust, and blood pumps viciously through my body, all of it heading straight for my dick.

There’s no fucking way I’m going to deny her that, or myself. Wrapping her hand around the base of my cock, she strokes once, twice, before taking me in her hot, hungry mouth, sucking me all the way to the back of her throat.

“Ah, fuck,” I grit, lost in the mind-numbing heat of her mouth.

Her wet lips glide up and down my length, while her hand continues to stroke. I’m trying not to fuck her mouth but it’s a challenge. Her eagerness to please me already has me close to the edge. “Jesus, Liv. You suck me so good. Those pink lips stretched around my dick have got to be the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.”

She whimpers around my cock, and I can feel her breathing has picked up by the way it heats my skin with every downslide of her hot little mouth. I know I’m about to lose my shit any second, but I’m not going without her.

Threading my fingers in her hair, I give a slight tug, pulling her back. “Get up here, baby.”

“Why?” she asks, clueless as to what I’m suggesting, which makes me pretty fucking happy.

“I want you to fuck my face while you suck me off. Let me taste that sweet pussy of yours.”

I hear her inhale sharply, her cheeks flushing pink, but I’m not sure if it’s because she’s unsure about it or the thought intrigues her. Whatever it is, it doesn’t stop her from following the command. I quickly get rid of my underwear and jeans, then slide those white lace panties down her thighs before she climbs on the bed. Slowly, she crawls up next to me and twists around. I scoot back enough to grab her hips and swing her over to straddle my face.

“Oh.” She gasps.

“This good, Liv?”

“Yes,” she answers breathlessly.

Pressing my tongue between her wet slit, I find her clit. Her hips begin to move, seeking more. She cries out as I drag my tongue along her pussy, gathering up all her wetness, right up to her tight little…

“Oh God, Grayson.” Her scream is almost enough to send me over the edge.

“Fuck, you taste sweet everywhere, baby.”

With a moan her hand and mouth return to my cock, working me faster than before, grasping and sucking me in a needy way that has me ready to explode. The sounds coming from her as she begins to work her pussy back and forth, fucking my face and taking her pleasure, send me into an animalistic frenzy. I can feel my release clawing up the base of my spine, racing head-on into what is sure to be one hell of an explosion. Her orgasm strikes first, and she cries out around my cock, shuddering and convulsing as she continues to suck.

Knowing I’m not far behind, I give fair warning. “Baby, ease up. I’m close.” She doesn’t, she only sucks harder and faster. I grab her hip with a growl. “Unless you want me to come in that hot fucking mouth, Liv, you better pull off now.”

She takes me deeper, renewing her efforts.

“Fuck.” A loud roar erupts from somewhere deep inside and my mind dives into a hazy pool of need, lifting my hips to enter her mouth in one final thrust.

A few seconds later she eases off me as I try to recover, but before she can get too far I grab her by the waist, bringing her to lie down beside me. Then I take her mouth so she can taste how fucking good we are together.

Moaning, she moves right over me again, her warm, naked body draping mine. She pulls back only enough to take in air, and rests her forehead on mine, giving me a soft smile. “That was fun.”

I grunt. “It was more than fun. It was intense, explosive, and incredible as fuck. Take your pick.”

She giggles. “Mmm. All of the above.”

I grin. “Agreed.”

Wiggling down, she burrows her head against my chest while I trail my fingers up and down her smooth back. “I like being with you like this. If I could I would stay like this forever.”

“Me too, baby.” Little does she know she will have this forever, no way am I ever giving her up.

She’s mine.

A few minutes pass, and I think about what took place earlier, wishing I could lock her away from all this bullshit until it’s over.

“Liv?”

“Mmm.”

“When Henderson calls me to the stand…” I feel her stiffen in my arms, and I hate myself for ruining the easiness we found. “I want you to stay here with Walt. I don’t want you to be there.”

She tilts her head up, finding my eyes. “What are you saying? Of course I’ll be there. Especially now that you’re taking the stand.”

“Jesus. Would you just listen for a minute? You’ve been through enough. You don’t need to relive that shit.” My chest tightens at the thought. “Don’t do this. Stay here. Let me take care of it.”

Her eyes soften with understanding as her fingers lift to fan my jaw. “I know you want to protect me from this but you can’t. I need to be there. I need to see this through.”

“Why? You have nothing to prove.”

“Yes, I do. For me. I need to prove to myself that I can sit in that courtroom for every second of that trial until I watch him get locked away for what he did to me. I need to take that power back and not let him have it. I know it won’t be easy. But that’s why I have Pap and Tania.” She rises up and presses her lips to mine. “And you.”

With a sigh of defeat, I pull her in closer, knowing full well there’s no way I will be able to talk her out of this.

“Please understand,” she whispers, her eyes pleading.

I nod. “Yeah, baby. I understand.”

But I don’t fucking like it. Not one bit.