Lies Beneath the Surface (Buried Secrets #2)

by Silla Webb

  After tying up the boat, Colton steps up to the dock, then takes my hand in his and helps me from the boat. He wraps his hand around my hip and leads me up to the house. “If you wanna relax, darlin’, I’ll throw some food on the grill.”

  “Sounds good, baby. I’m gonna jump in the shower. I’ll be down shortly.” He presses a swift kiss to my lips then swats my ass as I walk away. I waddle up the steps to the bathroom. Adjusting the faucet to a mild temperature, I step in the shower and flinch as the water cascades over my sensitive, sunkissed skin. I wash the sea salt from my hair and wash quickly, so I’m not causing supper to be late. Drying off, I leave my hair down and pull on a simple sun dress before meeting Colton on the back deck.

  He’s sitting at the table with his legs stretched forward, completely relaxed in his chair as he watches the tide roll in. Walking around the table he pulls me into his lap and buries his face in my hair. He inhales deep, and a low moan rumbles through his chest.

  “Supper ready, baby?” He pats my hip and I stand up, taking a seat next to his.

  “I was enjoyin’ the moment.” He grunts as he fixes our plates.

  He grilled primerib and corn on the cob. We eat together quietly, then after clearing the table, Colton pulls me back into his lap.

  “This has been an unbelievable few weeks.” Colton says looking out at the night sky.

  “Yeah and I hate to see it come to an end.”

  “Damn it, don’t remind me, woman.” He laughs.

  We talk about our favorite moments over our wedding and honeymoon. So many memories made. Standing up he places my feet on the wood planks and wraps his arms around my hips. “Dance with me, darlin’.” He croons against my ear.

  “Baby, there’s no music.” I remind him.

  He cradles my face in his hands and presses a chaste kiss to my lips. “Just listen to my heart beat, darlin’.” I melt into his chest and my knees quiver beneath me. We sway together to the steady rhythm of our beating hearts, the only other audible noise around us the swooshing of the waves.

  Colton hums low in his throat and his hands begin to wander up and down the contours of my back to the swells of my ass. He trails his hand up the side of my face, and peers down into my eyes hungrily. His lips find mine and he kisses me with an instense fervor. He wraps his arms around my knees and lifts me to cradle in his arms. He charges through the back door and to the stair case, where I begin to squirm in his arms. “Put me down!” I squeal against his throat and he groans deeper. I’m seven months pregnant and he’s insisting on packin’ my fat ass up a flight of stairs. And for what, sex appeal? I try to stifle my faint laughter by covering my mouth with my hand. He cocks his eyebrow up at me in amusement, shakes his head from side to side then charges up the steps taking two at a time. Hot DAMN.

  After Colton’s swift detour up the stairs my brain is in an unadulterated haze, tongue hanging from the side of the mouth, drooling over my husband. Colton winks and a devious grin twitches on his lip. He kicks the door open and sets my feet to the floor after carrying me through the entryway. Gripping my hips firmly in his steel hands he pulls me as close to his chest as he can get me, breathing a hot sultry breath against my face. Sliding his finger through the strap of my dress he says, “I’ve been thinkin’ ‘bout this for days, and I just can’t get it outta my mind.”

  “What?” I ask outta curiousity.

  “You wanted to shake your ass at the beach, on full display for everyone in sight. So let’s see you shake it now, darlin’. ” He takes a step backwards resting his ass against the dresser.

  “What?” I mutter and Colton cocks his eyebrow up at me. Pulling his phone from his pocket, he scans through his playlist before pressing play on Addicted by Saving Abel. What the hell? Since when did my sweet country boy hear about this song? I was half expecting something like Country Girl (Shake It) by Luke Bryan, not some nasty freak me song. His dark as night eyes are even blacker if that’s even possible, hooded in lust. That carefree bravado I felt dancing on the beach has now closed up shop and is sitting in the stands watching the show. I feel completely insecure now that only his eyes are on my body.

  “Darlin’, dance. Now.” He hums. Pulling his shirt over his shoulders my chest heaves frantically as heat blankets over me.

  Doing as he asks I take a deep breath and close my eyes letting the beat of the music sway me. The rhythm is different than anything I’ve ever danced to, but my hips move with ease to the sulty, seductive song. I pull the dress over my head letting it pool at my feet on the floor. Glancing up at Colton, his eyebrow is cocked up and the top of his shorts are unbuttoned. Sweat begins to bead across his pecks and I have to squeeze my knees together to keep from coming apart at the seams just by the sight of him. His tongue trails across the bottom of his lip and my knees quake. I close my eyes and go the extra step freeing my breasts from the restrictive bra. Hooking my thumbs in the side of my panties, I swing my hips to the side, twirl slowly on the balls of my feet and turn may ass towards his face. Swaying to the beat of the song, I slide the thin lace panties down my thighs, shaking my ass slowly from side to side. Colton’s fingers dig into my ass cheek, pulling my back against his hard dick. He bites down on my shoulder then pulls me with him towards the bed. I slip my hands in the side of his pants, and shove them down his legs before he kicks them to the side.

  Sitting on the edge of the bed, he releases me from his grip and switches the song. “Dance,” he says laying back against his elbows, his eyes never leaving my body. I trail my hands up the sides of my body slowly, rocking my hips as I roll my shoulders and chest with the beat of the song. I fist my hair in my hand and twist my ass down towards the floor then grind my way back up. Colton rises up from the bed and wraps his arms around my chest, caressing my breasts as he grinds up against me. His lips find the soft contour of my throat and he trails blazing, hot kisses down my collar bone.

  Turning around, I push him to move backwards until his knees hit the edge of the bed. He sits instinctively and I climb up on his lap, pressing against his chest to lay him back. He chuckles low in his throat and I know he’s enjoying this as much as I am. Locking our fingers together I pin his arms down by the sides of his head and sweep my tongue across the bottom of his lip. Suddenly, he grips my hips in his large steel hands and flips me to my back pressing me against the mattress. My eyes grow wide and I can’t hide the grin on my face. Excitement courses through me and I lock my legs around his hips.

  “Didn’t think you were gonna have me on my back, did ya darlin’?” Wild passion flashes through his black eyes as he glides the tip of his cock against my slit, teasing me. “Damn, you’re wet.” I spread my legs wider and his mouth falls to my heavy breast sucking my nipple as he shoves his dick inside of me roughly. Colorful spots float around my eyes and my vision blurs as Colton rocks in and out of me. His chest rattles as he releases a low groan and a searing heat rips through my core as the swirling intensity continues to build. Pressing his head against my shoulder I trail warm kisses down his jaw, the unshaven scruff scratching against my swollen lips. When I reach the front of his throat I swirl my tongue around the throbbing pulse point before pulling his warm flesh between my teeth and biting down. I dig my fingers into the top of his shoulders and my back arches up off the bed as I come apart around his cock. Colton’s chest vibrates against mine, sweat dripping from his forehead and trailing down the center of my breast. He grips the nape of my neck in his hand and continues to pound in and out of me. Finally, his movements still but his eyes remain locked on mine and I shudder beneath him as he spills his release into me.

  Fully sated and high on lust driven desire, he rolls me to my side pressing his chest to my back and tightens his arms around my breasts. “That, darlin’, is my favorite honeymoon memory,” he whispers against my neck before nipping at my ear.

  Chapter 32

  Getting back into the swing of work after two weeks of relaxing on the beach is just pitiful. When the alarm clock blared
in my ear at five AM it took everything in me not to smash it into the wall. Colton told me to stay in bed and rest, but there’s only a few weeks before the baby is born and I need to get all of my ducks in a row at Simon Energy before I take maternity leave.

  So here I sit, going through an endless stack of mining violations with the Superintendents. What a nice day to spend our first day back to work, right? MSHA has been straight up our ass lately. I know the inspector is hoping that I’ll break and just start lining his pocket to let the violations slide, like Daddy did. But I refuse to run an unsafe coal mines. These men break their backs for my company. The least I can do is provide them with safe equipment and a safe work environment.

  “Carly, you have an urgent call on line one.” Shelly says peeking her head into the conference room. Colton’s eyes pierce me as I stand and exit the room, heading towards my office. Taking a seat at my desk, I pick up the phone just as Colton closes the door behind him, leaning his plump ass against the corner of the desk.

  “This is Carly Weston.” I say, answering the call.

  “Carly, this is Jodie at Michele Runyon’s office. She has requested a meeting with you immediately. When can we expect you?”

  “I’m in a meeting with my Superintendents now,” Colton taps the desk, gauging my attention. He nods, silently telling me he’ll take over for me. “I can be there in thirty minutes. Will that work?”

  “Yes ma’am. I’ll let Ms. Runyon know you’re on your way. Thank you.” She replies, ending the call.

  Hanging up the phone, I turn to Colton who is staring me down inquisitively. “That was my attorney’s office. She requested a meeting immediately. They have been looking into the sabotage at Black Ridge for a few months now.”

  “Do you need me to come with you?” He question.

  “No, I can handle it. Just finish up the Superintendents meeting, lay the law down to everyone and I’ll catch you up to speed once I get back.” Tipping up on my toes, I kiss him quickly before grabbing my purse and keys and leave the office.

  Driving downtown to Michele’s office, my anxiety never wavers. I know that for her to call with such urgency whatever news she needs to share is bad.

  Jodie escorts me down the long hallway to a large conference room where Michele, Tiffani and another woman I’ve yet to be introduced to are thumbing through case files. “Mrs. Weston is here for her appointment, Ms. Runyon.” Jodie announces

  Michele glances up from the file in her hand and slides her glasses down to the tip of her nose. “Mrs. Weston, congratulations on your wedding.” She smiles as she stands to shake my hand then waves her hand at a chair, silently asking me to sit.

  Bracing myself with the arms of the chair, I slowly sit down on the edge of the seat. “Thank you, Michele. Now, can we skip the chatter? Being called in so urgently has me overwhelmed at the moment. What’s the issue?”

  “First, I’d like to introduce to you Jennifer Hurley, she is Tiffani’s assisting investigator.” She motions to the woman to Tiffani’s right. “I’m very sorry that it has taken longer than planned to present you with the evidence we’ve compiled. Tiffani had some medical issues that halted the investigation for a short while, until we were able to bring Jennifer up to speed on the case.

  “You’ll be pleased to hear that during the course of the investigation, Tiffani and Jennifer were able to find enough evidence to tie the sabotage at Black Ridge to a,” pausing, she glances over the case file, “Mr. Bo Eldridge, supply man at Black Ridge mines. There is more than enough evidence for an arrest warrant, we just wanted to present this information to you prior to filing the charges.”

  “Without question, file the damn charges. Maximum. Hit him with everything that you can.” Michele nods. Looking to Tiffani she sighs as she leans back in her chair.

  “Carly, there is more.” Tiffani adds. “In investigating Mr. Eldridge, we couldn’t figure out his motive behind destroying Black Ridge. He has been employed with Simon Energy for over fifteen years, his employee record is stellar and he has no criminal history. Jennifer decided to take a closer look at his financials, which is what slid the noose over his neck. Mr. Eldridge has a gambling problem. He’s already had one vehicle repossessed and his home was in foreclosure. That is until he was paid off to sabotage Black Ridge.”

  “Ladies, please forgive me for being rude but can you just bluntly tell me the facts? Who paid him off? Why? What happens next?” I bark impatiently. How many damn times with the sausage, y’all. Not how it’s made, just how it tastes. Sheesh.

  “Jennifer, get Carly a water please. I’m sure we will be here for a while.” Michele instructs Jennifer. Turning to me, she pushes her glasses back up her nose and places a legal pad in her lap. I sit for an hour listening to the facts being told. Shockingly stunned into utter disbelief.

  “Joshua Moore began making deposits into Mr. Eldridge’s personal bank account in November. The deposits ranged from one to five thousand dollars with the total lump sum paid to Mr. Eldridge totaling fifty thousand dollars. We checked with the bank and Mr. Eldridge’s mortgage has been pulled from foreclosure. I sat on the Destin Andrews ownership specifically for the reason that I was suspicious of Josh and Drew’s involvements in the sabotage. I want them to be charged for every crime they’ve committed. Had I unveiled their ownership in Destin Andrews prior to this investigation, these charges would have been overlooked and I don’t feel that justice would have been served properly. One phone call, Carly. That is all it will take to put the wheels in motion. I already have the documentation drawn up. I just need to call in a favor to a judge to expedite the arrest warrants quickly. When you’re ready, say the word.”

  Anxiety grips me and anger surges through me as the story unfolds. I suspected that Drew was behind the sabotage, but knowing that it was in fact Josh, causes my blood to boil.

  “How long will the process take?”

  “Tiffani can file the charges at the courthouse now and I just have to call in my favor to Judge Thornhall. The arrests should be made within forty eight hours, seventy two hours at the latest. You need to understand, Carly, once charges are filed that can’t be reversed. Josh and his entire family will be scrutinized under a fine tooth comb. I’ll also be sending the evidence we gathered of their involvement with Destin Andrews to the attorney over the class action law suit. The shit storm brewing is about to hit the fan, hard; and it’s gonna stink this town up for a long time.”

  A means to an end. I know that Savannah may hate me for pulling the string that will completely unravel her family; but this may be her only chance at escaping Josh’s abuse. I know this path we are about to walk down will be hard for her, but I’ll do my best to be by her side every step of the way. I just want to protect Savannah and do what’s best for her and the kids.

  I pull in a heavy ragged breath and push myself up from the chair. “Call me when it’s done,” I say without sparing them a passing glance.

  Colton seethes in anger, his usually tan face is now a deep red and his chest rattles with a deep grumble as I relay the facts to him. It’s taking every ounce of his inner strength to compose himself right now, but I’ve said repeatedly that it’s in the hands of the law, we just have to sit by and let them handle the case.

  “Savannah might just come unhinged after this, Carly Jo. You need to prepare for that.”

  “I know, baby. I feel terrible, almost at fault for putting the wheels in motion but I have to protect Simon Energy. In doing so, I’m protecting my family as well and I can only hope that she will understand that. I’ll be there to help her through it.” Rolling my head from side to side, trying to ease the tension in my neck, I release a pent up breath of air.

  “Darlin, you need to quit stressin’. You’re too worked up over this, I can see the tension rollin’ off of you in chaotic waves. You need to go home and rest.” Colton orders.

  “There is too much work to do here, Colton! Did you get everything straightened out with the other Superintendents?�
� I ask, turning in my chair to pull reports from the file cabinet.

  “Carly Jo, it’s handled. Get home. Now.” He orders. Turning me towards him he removed the files from my hands before he pulls me up from the high back leather chair. He grabs my purse and ushers me out of my office.

  “Can I at least take some files with me to work on from home?”

  “Hell no! Woman, you’re thirty two weeks pregnant. You’re tired, stressed out and worryin’ ‘bout this shit ain’t good for your blood pressure. Now, get your cute little ass home, sink down in a nice warm bubble bath and read one of them stupid romance books you’re always readin’.” All but dragging me outside, he helps me up in the Tahoe and waves me off as I pull out of the gravel parking lot.

  I know I’m doing the right thing, but I can’t dismiss the foreboding sense of despair that fills my veins. Savannah may hate me after all is said and done, but one thing I know without a doubt is after Josh has been arrested, she’ll no longer have to worry about suffering at his hand.

  With my mind wandering endlessly, I find myself in the parking lot of the Village Diner instead of home. I haven’t been here in so long and I don’t know why I’m here now. Looking around the gravel lot in slight confusion, I know when my eyes lock on the shiny black Harley why I ended up here. Slowly waddling into the diner, I wave to Tabby as I make my way to the back of the diner where Luke is sitting.

  “Ain’t you supposed to be home, readin’ some love story or somethin’, Carly?” He asks as I approach his table, his eyes not even settling on me yet. How the hell does he do that? “What’re ya doin’, beauts?”

  “How’d you know it was me behind you?” I laugh as I try to force my belly into the booth.

  “I can feel ya, Carly. I always know when you’re near.”