Saving Reli

by Brooke Summers

  Cage’s eyes grow wide. “Havers? Fucking Havers wants her?” he barks; his jaw clenches as he glares at me.

  I move toward him, needing to know what he does. “Who the fuck is Havers?” I demand.

  “He’s a fucking asshole. The lowest of the lows. He owns Nightshade,” Cage tells us. Nightshade is the club downtown. That place is a goldmine for drugs and pussy.

  “His real name is James Haversham. He’s been linked to trafficking, prostitution, and drug smuggling.” He continues, “If he is the one that wants Reli, he’s not going to stop until he gets her. John, this asshole has too many connections. Including cops.”

  Fuck. Of course he does.

  “We need to make sure that Reli is safe. I won’t let him near her.” I’d fucking die to protect her. Nothing can get to her. I won’t let it.

  He claps his hand on my back. “Nothing is going to happen to Reli-beli.”

  I roll my eyes at his damn nickname for her. He’s been calling her that since he saw her. He thinks it’s funny, as does Reli. The two of them are close and I’m glad that she has someone else to talk to. They don’t talk about anything heavy, but joke around and have fun.

  “So how are we going to stop this asshole?”

  Cage rakes his hand through his hair. “Right now he is being watched by the cops; there’s no way he’s getting anywhere near your girl.”

  “Is that supposed to make me feel better?” That’s not fucking good enough. “How are the cops going to stop him from getting to her? You said it yourself, he’s got cops on his payroll. He’s got connections, Cage.”

  Cage sighs. “Trust me, Grady’s working this case. He’s deep undercover.”

  Fuck, Grady’s our cousin; he’s a good cop, one of the best. “Fine, call him and tell him what’s going on. Hopefully he can bring that motherfucker down before he finds out where Reli is.”

  “I will; when he knows who Reli is to you, to us, he’ll do everything he can to protect her with his life,” Cage assures me. “We’ll set up our own surveillance on Havers too.”

  I know he’s right. Grady is married and has two kids. The man loves working undercover; it’s who he is, who he has always been. I’m still on edge and will be until that motherfucker is taken down, but knowing that Grady’s on the case is somewhat of a comfort.

  “Good; I don’t want Reli knowing anything about this shit,” I tell them as I leave Zeke’s office. The two of them will do what they can to set up the surveillance.

  It’s Reli’s birthday tomorrow and I’ve organized a party for her. It’s small with just our family and my team, but they all love and care about her. Just as I do. These past three months I have fallen hook, line, and sinker for her. She was made for me.

  Things between us have been heating up and I’ve been pushed to my limit. Reli’s very sensual and whenever we kiss, we both get carried away. I’ve managed to pull it back before it gets too far. I almost blew my load when she ground her pussy on my lap. Fuck, it was the hottest thing I had ever seen; the memories of it are what take me over the edge when I jack myself off in the shower.

  She still believes that she’s broken. I know for a fact she isn't. When she was grinding herself against my leg, I could see her passion building, I was so close to coming that I put a stop to it. She was upset but I want her first orgasm with me to be in a bed, where I can worship her properly.

  She’s in the shower; whenever she’s had a particularly bad day with her counselor she comes home and showers. I understand why she feels the need to do it, she told me that she feels dirty after speaking about the sexual abuse that she suffered through and that she wants to wash it away. What got to me was when she told me that she doesn’t touch me until she’s showered as she doesn’t want to taint me. I could have fucking cried right there. I’ve explained to her that she can’t ever taint me because she’s not fucking tainted.

  I’ve ordered dinner from Ferrari’s. It’s an Italian restaurant that has the best food in the city. Lance has gone to collect it for me; he’s staying in the guest house next door, as a precaution. He’s just as much on edge as I am. Other than me, he’s the one who’s spent the most time around Reli. He’s become her personal bodyguard. Since finding out who Havers really is, we’ve all stepped up the security around Reli and in our home. Not only is Lance in the guest house, Cohen and Matt are renting the house across the street. We’re not taking any chances of anything going wrong.

  Footsteps sound and I turn to the door, where Reli’s walking in wearing a pair of shorts that showcase her tanned, toned, long legs and her perfectly pert ass, with a tank top that’s tight across her tits. Fuck, she’s trying to kill me. She walks over to the sofa, a beautiful smile on her face. Happiness radiating from her with every step she takes.

  “You’re in a better mood,” I comment as she sits on the sofa, tucking her legs under her phenomenal ass. “Lance is getting dinner.”

  She nods. “Great, I’m starving.” Her smile widens. “My counselor has told me that I can reduce our sessions down to once a week.”

  Now I’m the one smiling. “Fuck, baby girl. That’s amazing.” She’s working hard at overcoming her past.

  “Yes, and we even talked about us moving our relationship forward.” Her cheeks heat as she blushes. She’s so fucking adorable.

  I grit my teeth; there’s only so much I can fucking take. She’s sexy as hell and whenever I’m around her, my dick doesn’t know when to behave. There isn’t a moment that I don’t want her.

  “I also spoke to her about my feelings for you. I was worried that what I was feeling was gratitude.”

  I stare at her, not sure what the fuck I should be saying. If it is fucking gratitude, there isn’t much I can do about it.

  “She asked me a question. She asked me what my life would be like still having you in it, but us living in separate houses and seeing each other once a week. I was confused at first; I didn’t understand what she meant.”

  I stay completely still, needing her to finish this. Is she fucking letting me down gently?

  “Then she asked me how I would feel if you moved on and found someone else.” She looks at me with a shy smile. “I realized that I’d be heartbroken. That I’m not here because of gratitude. I could have easily moved in with your parents. I felt something for you. I do feel something for you.”

  Thank fuck.

  “I love you, John. I really fucking love you.” There’s tears streaming down her face. “I know that it’s soon, and I’m hoping one day you’ll feel the same.”

  God, she’s just poured her heart out and she thinks I don’t feel the same?

  I pull her into my arms and kiss her. The kiss is hard, possessive, dominating. “Listen to me baby girl. I love you. You’re mine, and I’m never letting you go.”

  She bursts into tears and shoves her face into my neck. “I love you.” She sobs. “I’m so happy. I never thought anyone could ever love me.”

  “I’m going to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much I love you,” I promise her.

  The doorbell rings; dinner’s arrived. “Dry your eyes, baby girl. No more tears.”

  She smiles up at me. “Okay,” her words soft as she swipes away her tears. “Feed me.”

  I chuckle as I lift her off my lap and give her ass a gentle tap. “You got it, baby.”

  Seventeen

  Reli

  The creaking of the door opening sends fear and trepidation coursing through me. My nostrils are filled with a soft citrus scent and that fear dissipates a tiny bit. It's John. Sometimes I wake up disoriented and wondering where I am. Those mornings, the fear hits me like a freight train, but then I slowly remember that I’m not back at that house; instead I’m here, safe, with John.

  Sitting up, I pull the sheets over me. I’m dressed in his t-shirt and a pair of panties. I watch with wide eyes as John walks into the room with a birthday cake in his hand, softly singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to me. Tears sting my eyes; this ma
n is something special, that much I know for sure. I look past the cake to see that he’s just in his boxer shorts.

  I take this time to soak him in, detailing every single inch of him. His thighs are thick and muscular. And, oh my God, he has a V that runs down the lower part of his stomach, leading to his boxers and his eight-pack is on full display. My mouth dries as I continue to gawk at him. His chest is scattered with thick dark hair, not enough to make it too much, but enough that it looks good on him. When I reach his face, he’s jaw is chiseled and it’s got that five o’clock shadow covering it, plus those green eyes of his are heated as he stares at me.

  He puts the cake down on the nightstand, blowing out the candles himself, before placing his hands either side of me pressing into the mattress. His breath is hot against my face as he’s mere inches away from me. “Baby girl.” His voice is so deep with that morning gravelly sound to it that it sends shivers throughout my body. My nipples pebble as he leans even further into me. “I had the best intentions walking into this room.”

  I bite back my whimper as his lips graze mine.

  “But watching you eye-fuck me has changed things.”

  My tongue slips out of my mouth, running along my lower lip. His eyes watch the movement. “What are you going to do?” I question breathlessly. I’m feeling bold and brazen right now. Things between us have been hotting up and I’ve been dying for it to go further, but he’s been adamant about letting me heal first and I have. I think there’s always going to be a part of me that will jump at shadows, and have nightmares on occasions, but I’m better. So much better. I’m able to be around women I don’t know without panicking, I don’t see everything as a threat anymore. I’m actually doing okay. Something I never thought would be possible.

  “Baby girl, I’m going to show you what it’s like to make love. I’m going to worship every inch of you. By the time we’re finished, you’ll be spent, but you’ll know you’re not broken.”

  My body reacts in ways it never has before; my back arches so that we’re touching. I actually want him to do everything he has planned for me and so much more. My hands lift and my fingers tangle in his hair as I press my lips against his. I’m being bold, doing something I had never thought possible, but in the space of three months this man has changed the way I perceive things. With him I’m not afraid; with him I’m free.

  He kisses me back feverishly; we’re all tongues and teeth. I’m clawing at him, pulling his hair, wanting more. No, needing more. He doesn’t hesitate, he gives me everything I want and so much more. His lips move from mine and I let out a sigh as he grabs the hem of the t-shirt pulling it up and over my head ; as soon as it’s off he throws it to the floor bending in once more to kiss me.

  He pulls away from me again breaking the kiss, so he can take his boxers off. I swallow hard when I see his dick; it’s thick and long. God. “John…” I whisper, I don’t know why I’m reacting this way with him, but I’m not going to question it.

  “I got you,” he says softly as his fingers go to my panties. “Do you trust me?”

  I nod instantly. “Yes,” I say breathlessly as he tears my panties off my body. I do, I trust him with every fiber of my being.

  “Good,” he murmurs, his finger gently caresses my pussy, causing me to quiver. “That’s it, baby girl.” He begins to finger fuck me and for the first time in my life, I’m actually enjoying it, I’m letting my inhibitions go. His fingers move in and out of me; he’s a magician making my pleasure rise.

  “Give it to me, Reli,” he demands and I do. I detonate. “Fan-fucking-tastic.”

  I smile. “I’m not broken.”

  God, she didn’t break me. I’m not ruined.

  He shakes his head. “No, you’re not. Do you want to carry on?”

  My hands once again tangle in his hair and I pull his lips to mine. My legs wrap around his waist. His dick is at the entrance to my pussy; it won’t take more than a thrust for him to be inside of me.

  He chuckles. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  He thrusts inside and I cry out as he fills me. I feel every single inch of him. So much more pleasure than the dildo that Talia used on me. He starts to move slowly, letting me adjust to having him inside of me. It doesn’t take long until I’m moaning, matching his thrusts, needing more. He pounds harder into me and I’m loving it.

  “Give it to me.” The demand is one that’s not to be ignored. “I want it all, every single inch of you.” This is just like my dream: this is what I’ve wanted.

  My pleasure is rising in ways I’ve never felt before. “Come for me, baby. Come all over my dick, soak me with your juices.” His voice is gravelly but it holds so much authority that I’m not able to ignore it.

  I’m no longer able to resist. I detonate, doing exactly as he asked. I come long and hard. “Yes, Reli,” he groans as he thrusts into me again. "Fucking amazing," he growls as he comes inside of me, filling me up with his hot cum. “I love you so fucking much, baby girl.” He pants as he stares down at me.

  Looking at the love he has for me, I feel cherished, safe, secure, loved. I feel whole.

  “I love you too,” I whisper as I kiss him again. Needing to have this contact between us. He never fails to give me what I want. This kiss isn’t hard like it usually is; it’s soft, gentle, and loving.

  “Happy birthday, baby girl.”

  I smile at him. “Thank you.”

  This is already the best birthday I have ever had. Nothing can ever top this feeling. I don’t want it to either.

  “Are you all ready for your party later on?” he asks as he pulls out of me, placing a kiss to my temple. I whimper at the loss and he chuckles. “I promise, we’ll be doing a lot more of that.”

  “Yes, I haven’t seen your mom in a few days.” I adore the Princeton family. Cage and I are closest in age and we get along like a house on fire. The first couple of times we met were a bit awkward, but soon it was as though we’d been friends our entire life. The other brother’s treat me like their younger sister, and Markus and Sharon treat me as though I’m their daughter.

  I know that this is what my dad would have wanted for me, to be around people that love me. Being with the Princetons lets me be closer to him even though he’s no longer here.

  “She’s taking you shopping tomorrow; just be prepared to endure hell,” he quips, but I can hear the affection he has for her as clear as day.

  “I’m looking forward to it.” I haven’t been shopping in such a long time and I’m excited. I’ll be like a child as I browse all the stores.

  He pulls me from the bed. “Come on baby girl, we have to shower.” I watch as his dick stands erect.

  I giggle as I reach for it and he growls pulling away from me. “We’re going to have a shower. We have things to do today.” He leads me out of the room and toward the bathroom.

  I have a smile on my face the entire time.

  I feel lighter and free.

  I just hope it stays this way, but I have a feeling in the pit of my stomach that something’s coming. I don’t know what, but I feel it.

  Eighteen

  Reli

  Four Weeks Later

  I smile as I walk into John’s office building. It’s the first time that I’ve been here. Today, I’ve had Lance at my side. John had to work, and I’m glad that he’s finally able to get back to the way life used to be before I took up his time.

  We had our first argument this morning. I was getting a bit of cabin fever stuck in the house, only going from home to see my counselor. Even when I went shopping, his mom was there but also Cage. I feel like I’ve left one cage and jumped into another. I felt trapped, my wings clipped.

  “Reli, it’s not safe,” he growls as he runs his hands through his hair, a clear sign of his frustration.

  I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him. I’m not afraid to argue with him. I had been dreading this moment, our first argument, but I know with one hundred percent certainty that John would never harm
me, not intentionally.

  “I love you, but you can’t keep me locked inside this house. It’s not fair. I need to finally be able to live. John, I need to be able to be free.” My voice is calm and gentle as I try to make him understand what I’m saying.

  His eyes soften a touch when I tell him that I love him. “Baby girl, I’m not trying to keep you locked in the house. I just need you to be safe.”

  I scoff. “No, what you’re doing is ordering me about.”

  He shakes his head in dismay. “If that’s what it takes to keep your ass inside this house where it’s safe, then so be it.”

  I gasp. God, when did he become such an ass? “I can’t believe you! Listen to me: I will not be treated like I am a child. I’m a grown woman and I can make my own choices.”

  “Dammit!” he yells and I flinch at the hardness in his voice. Of course he sees it. “Don’t fucking do that, Reli. I have not nor will I ever harm you. You have no reason to fucking flinch away from me.”

  He’s right, but I didn’t flinch because I thought he’d harm me, I flinched because I’ve never heard him so angry with me before. Now I’m pissed. Tears threaten to spill, but I manage to keep them at bay. “I don’t think you’d harm me. You have shown me more love and compassion in these past few months than I have felt in years. I would never think you could hurt me. Ever.”

  He continues to glare at me and I’m done with this conversation.

  “I am not someone that is broken or weak,” I tell him, a little wobble in my voice as my frustration pours out of me. I watch as he frowns. “I have worked too damn hard at getting my life back. To claw back from the depths of despair. You should know this, you’ve been here every single step of the way. Why, John? Why are you doing this?”

  He opens his mouth to speak but I don’t let him.

  “Don’t you dare say it’s to keep me safe.” The tears that I’d managed to keep at bay start to tumble down my face. “Of all people, I never thought you’d be the one to try and keep me locked away.”