“A note?” Shawn looked at Vincent.
“Yup. Instructions on who to send the drive to. There’s also a full video confession on here, taken with a pin camera we’re guessing, from the angles, and the slightly muddy voice quality. But it has enough to it to implicate and convict everyone in the picture.”
“Except Harold,” Mallory said softly.
“Well, he’s dead.” Vincent shrugged.
Trent was still frowning at the original image. “Vincent, is it me or does the guy in the back row, third in look really familiar?”
“Ah, good of you to notice. And no, not just you, buddy,” he said. A couple taps to his pad and the image blew up a bit. Then the corresponding picture of an older man settled in beside it. “Does that help you?” Vincent asked.
Trent shared a stunned look with Shawn. “Holy son of a bitch,” he whispered. No wonder they wanted the drive back enough to kill for. This was going to rock everyone’s world.
Chapter Nineteen
Two days later…
Leaning back against Trent, Mallory shivered. His arms around her tightened and she felt the brush of his lips to her cheek. It was a beautiful, sunny day and yet she couldn’t help but feel like they were on the edge of something more.
Dozens of reporters lounged about, camera crews set up their equipment, and various people ran around preparing for the speech about to be given. The courthouse was the backdrop for what was about to come. Mallory just hoped that it would be the end to the madness that had wrapped around her life.
“You have to breathe, Mal,” Trent whispered softly to her. “It’s going to be okay. The cops and Feds are here and this will be all over soon.”
She gave a slow nod and smiled at him. Mallory was thrilled that her nightmare was finally going to be concluded. The excitement at knowing someone was going to pay for what had happened to her. That justice would prevail.
Unfortunately, that led straight into other thoughts. Ones of equal, or greater concern. It would all be over, but did that mean Trent would be leaving, too? While he’d said he wouldn’t leave unless she said so, Mallory still had this niggling fear he would. She didn’t want it to be over with him. She wasn’t ready for it to end, not now, maybe not ever. Damn it, she really wished they’d talked more about it and then maybe she’d know if her fears were for naught. Tightening her hold on his wrist, which she already held in a death grip already, they waited for the doors of the courthouse to open.
A couple reporters moved in front of their cameras and started their opening bits. It surprised Mallory that there wasn’t any bleed-over, as close as they were to each other. It seemed chaotic and loud, yet there was a certain order to it, as other reporters took up their microphones. When the courthouse doors were pushed open, everyone stilled and an eerie hush settled over the room.
At her back, Mallory felt Trent tense. She did, too, and tightened her hold on him even more. This was it. It would finally be all over. Just a few more minutes.
Through the doors walked several men in suits and sunglasses, the security teams. They settled into place in what looked to her like a semi-circle, the podium in the middle at their backs. One man lifted his wrist to his mouth and she watched his lips move.
Two minutes later another man, smiling big in his tailored suit, walked out, waving to the crowd of reporters and onlookers. A woman was a step behind him, giving a demure smile to the crowd before turning a proud and happy look to the man.
The man went to the podium and raised his hands up a bit to make quieting movements. He didn’t get to go much further, though, as the Feds and local cops swooped in.
“Judge Emerson Alfredson, you are under arrest. For collusion of attempted murder, aiding and abetting people or peoples with the intent to commit bodily harm, or commit murder and payment to individuals with the express purpose of funding the aforementioned crimes.” The lead Fed said as some others wrenched the judge’s hands behind his back and cuffed him.
The judge and the woman, his wife, Mallory guessed, both look stunned. “What is the meaning of this?” the judge demanded, his face hardening. “Why the hell are you arresting me, you buffoon? I’ll have your badge for this. You’ll be lucky to work at a fast food restaurant after this.”
“You may try Mr. Alfredson,” the Fed said. “Take him away,” he ordered his men.
Along with the judge and his wife went several of the security team. The remaining men from the photo and the army squad.
The Fed stepped up to the microphones and smacked one hard to get the reporters attention. “An official statement will be released from the Bureau tomorrow morning. At this time, I can only inform you that Emerson Alfredson has been remanded into our custody on suspicion of war crimes. These crimes are being investigated internationally as well as by the Bureau and other agencies. I’m sorry, but that’s all I can say at this. Thank you.”
Relief ripped through her body and she sagged into Trent. He never once let go of her as the reporters shouted questions to the Fed who walked down the stairs. All were ignored as far as Mallory could tell.
“It’s over,” he said.
Nodding she turned in his arms and wrapped her own around his waist. “Yeah, it’s over,” she whispered softly. Holding tight, she tipped her head up and looked into his beautiful blue eyes. “Take me home, Trent. Please?”
“Of course.”
With a quick kiss to her lips, he tugged her to his side and led her away from the courthouse steps. Stopping by the car, he released her long enough to shake a woman’s hand. “Thanks for the heads up about this, Rhonda.”
The detective she’d met very briefly that morning grinned and gave a shrug. “Figured you two needed to see it happen for yourselves. Besides, it was quite a show. Gordon definitely knows how to leave the reporters salivating for more.”
Realizing she must be talking about the Federal agent that had spoken to the crowd, Mallory had to agree with that. The man definitely knew how to give the reporters enough of something without giving them all that much. Just a few words and they’d all been foaming at the mouth for more.
“What happens now?” she asked the detective.
“He’ll be questioned here while the international boys go through the evidence. We can hold him for forty-eight hours before having to charge him, but the Feds can then take him off our hands and tie it all up for a bit longer. I just wish they’d let me in to interrogate him. I’d get some answers out of the bastard,” Rhonda said with an evil grin.
Trent laughed at that and shook his head. “Well, thanks again, Rhonda. I need to get Mal home and help get her mind off all this.”
“Yeah, you do that,” the woman said with a smirk. “I’m sure it’s the same way that Shawn gets Tamara’s mind off of things.”
“Probably,” Trent agreed.
Leaving Rhonda making faces, Trent got her into his truck and they were on their way. Leaning her head back against the seat, Mallory closed her eyes and held onto Trent’s hand. She wasn’t ready to say goodbye to him yet. Actually, she wasn’t ready to say goodbye to him ever.
While they hadn’t met under the greatest circumstances, the last few days had been amazing. Yes, the whole death threat hanging over her head had sucked. But the time with Trent, behind closed doors, had been amazing and perfect.
She didn’t want to lose him. Not then, not ever. He’d come to mean a lot to her. She would have to tell him and, maybe, they could find a way to make their lives work together.
When the truck slowed down, she opened her eyes, lifted her head and looked around. Frowning, she sat up and peered out the window as he pulled into the driveway of a house. “Trent, where are we?”
He just smiled at her, put the truck in park, turned off the engine, and slid out his door.
Undoing her own seatbelt, Mallory pushed the passenger door open and slipped into his arms. “Trent?”
He just winked and took her hand to guide her up the walkway.
No
t sure what to make of his behavior, she let him pull her along. At the door, he unlocked it and let her inside, pausing only long enough to disarm the security system before guiding her deeper into the house.
It was a beautiful home. Hardwood floors, wide open spaces and an airy feel to it with all the windows. The kitchen, though, stopped her dead. It was a chef’s dream come true. It was better than her kitchen at her apartment by a few thousand dollars and nearly triple the space.
She felt him move around behind her before his arms slid around her.
“What is going on, Trent?” she asked, suddenly very nervous.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
“Of course. It’s gorgeous,” she told him. “So spacious and well done. The stove alone has me about ready to weep in pleasure.”
“So, you might be willing to cook in here with me from time to time.”
“Sure,” she said with a frown. “Why?” Mallory tried to turn her head enough to get a look at his face, but he wasn’t allowing it.
“Because I want you in here, with me,” Trent told her. “Here and everywhere else in the house.”
“Okay,” she said, not sure what to make of his words.
“I want you to move in with me. Maybe not right away, I know it’s too soon, but one day,” he said squeezing her tighter.
Stunned, she twisted around to stare up at him, her hands finding his hips and holding on tight. “What?”
“I know, it’s too fast. But I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I just want you to think about it, okay? You don’t have to answer now, just keep it in mind.”
Mallory could only nod. She didn’t know what to say then, even if she could speak. Wiggling her arms up through his, she wrapped them around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. Groaning against his mouth when he took control, she let out a happy sigh.
She smiled when he scooped her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Mallory didn’t care where he was taking her, figuring she’d find out soon enough.
Not all that surprisingly, they ended up in his bedroom. It was a big room, a big bed, and had a definite masculine edge to it without being too obvious. But she didn’t get more than a glimpse before he was tugging her shirt off over her head.
With his mouth back on hers, she went to work on his belt and jeans. Slipping her hand into his pants, she cupped his cock. Moaning at the feel of the hot and hard length, she pushed at his jeans.
“Naked,” she begged him.
With a laugh, Trent let her go. “Only if you do the same.”
Not about to argue, Mallory let him go and tore at her own clothing. She stretched out on his bed and watched as he rolled on a condom. Biting her lip, she held out a hand to him and tugged when he took her fingers in his.
When he was over her, kissing her again, Mallory wrapped her arms around him and lightly scraped her short nails down his back. Smiling at his low growl, she did it again.
One of these days, she’d get him at her mercy again and see what else would make him growl. But for now all she needed was him. “Trent, I need you,” she moaned, arching her back and rubbing her already wet pussy against his latex covered cock.
“Not yet,” he said, one of his hands sliding between her legs.
Gasping as he thrust two fingers into her body, Mallory tightened her hold on him. He was driving her nuts, completely crazy, and so fucking fast. The man knew just how and where to touch her to make her body burn. Twisting under him as he stroked her while taking one of her nipples in his mouth, Mallory whimpered.
“Trent, now, please,” she begged him. “I need your cock inside of me, now!”
He let out another low growl, this one definitely pleased, as he scraped his teeth across her nipple.
For a few minutes more he tormented her, his mouth on her breasts, his fingers pushing her inner ache to new levels and then he pulled back.
She sucked in a breath and let it out on a low moan as his cock slid through her slick folds and settled deep inside, filling her perfectly.
Slowly, so slowly, he began to thrust. Wrapping her arms around him, she drew him in for a kiss and stared up into his eyes. “I love you,” she whispered. It was too soon, too quick and way too early to mention it, but she had to. She needed him to know, because she didn’t know what tomorrow would bring.
His eyes went wide before the corners crinkled and he smiled. “I love you too, Mallory,” he whispered against her lips.
Everything would be all right, she thought, kissing him with all her love. Everything would be perfect.
Epilogue
Three months later…
“Sorry I’m late,” Mallory called out as she closed the front door behind her.
“No worries, sweetheart. We’re in the kitchen,” Trent answered loudly.
Grinning, she shrugged out of her jacket and hung it up in the closet. Biting her lip she walked through their home and into their kitchen. She’d moved in a month after she’d told him she loved him. And, after two months, things were only getting better between them.
They talked all the time, learning new things about one another. She knew that he only watched chick-flicks because she liked them. He knew that she despised brussel sprouts with a passion few could match. She knew that he loved playing strip poker with her, mainly because she sucked at poker. He knew that she had a small, very small, shoe addiction for the pretty shoes she never got to wear, so she tried hard not to buy them, then usually did anyway.
Mallory smiled at him as she entered the kitchen. Going straight to him, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him with complete and total abandon. Like every time they kissed, she got a little lost in him and it took her a couple of minutes to register that they had guests.
She knew they were expecting the other couple, could even remember his words indicating they were there but, as usual, she had only been focused on Trent.
Mallory finally let him go and turned with a small blush to the other couple. “Hi,” she finally said, ducking her head.
“Hi,” Shawn grinned back, big and goofy as he wiggled his eyebrows. “Do I get one of those?” he asked with a wink.
His wife, Tamara, whom Mallory adored, smacked his arm as Trent growled at her back and wrapped a tight arm around her shoulders.
“Sorry, no,” Mallory said. She knew for a fact that Shawn was completely and hopelessly in love with his wife. Anyone with a pair of eyes could see they were totally wrapped up in one another. But she also knew that Shawn loved to poke Trent now and again, and she sometimes, went along with him.
“Oh, well,” Shawn sighed in faked disappointment. “How about you? Care to give me some sugar?” he asked his wife with a leer.
Tamara just laughed and smacked his chest before sighing into the kiss he laid on her.
Shaking her head, Mallory looked up at Trent and found he was looking at her. Smiling, she lifted a hand and ran a finger over the cleft in his chin. I love you, she mouthed.
His lips curled into a grin. I know, he mouthed back.
Mallory rolled her eyes and faced the other couple again. Shawn had a big grin and Tamara looked decidedly flustered. “So,” she said. “Let’s eat, shall we?”
****
After dinner, Mallory and Tamara cleaned up the kitchen, chatting like old friends. Watching her through the window, Trent let out a sigh.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Shawn asked from his spot at Trent’s side out on the deck, leaning against the railing.
“I love that woman,” he said.
With a snort, Shawn shook his head at him. “Like that’s a shocker.”
Shooting the man a dirty look, Trent felt it melt away into a grin when he heard Mallory burst out in laughter. “I’m going to ask her to marry me.”
“About time. Congratulations,” he said, holding out his hand.
Trent shook it and grinned. He couldn’t help it.
“When are you planning on popping the question?” Shawn lift
ed his beer to take a drink.
“This weekend. She’s off at the restaurant, so we’re getting out of town for the two days. I’m taking her up to my family’s cabin for a weekend just for us. Figure I’ll pop it there and pray she doesn’t turn me down.”
“As if. She loves you, anyone can see it,” Shawn told him. “Welcome to the club, by the way.”
Frowning slightly, Trent shot him a look. “What club?” he asked, even as his head told him not to.
“The hopelessly-in-love club,” Shawn said with a grin. “It’s a great place to be.” Pushing off the railing, he met his wife as she and Mallory came out of the house.
But Trent’s eyes were on Mallory as she walked toward him. Opening his arms, he let out a breath as she stepped in and wrapped her own arms around his waist. Resting his cheek against her hair, he smiled. Yeah, Shawn was right, it was a great club to belong to. Giving her a squeeze, he pressed a kiss to her hair and closed his eyes. He never wanted to be anywhere else but right there, with her, forever.
The End
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Dangerous Secrets Page 10
