The Legacy series: The Love series, the Wrapped series, and the Burning Souls series.

by Mj Fields

  ���Tomas she just went under the deck, okay, yep I���m watching.���

  He saw them grab her and she fought them off, she reached for her gun, and it was knocked out of her hands. They quickly had Catherine on the ground and detained.

  ���Great job, guys��� he stood and went to grab her head she pulled away.

  She was shaking and ran to the bathroom and threw up, he held her hair. She finished and began to cry. He held her in his arms.

  ���Tessa it���s okay now, it���s all over. We can go now.���

  ���No! Collin don���t you open that door I want to stay here! Please don���t leave, please don���t make me go out there,��� she begged.

  ���Alright we can stay here as long as you���d like.��� He picked her up and walked her to the bed, he lay down beside her and held her as she cried, and finally, she fell asleep.

  ���Tomas can you handle the rest? I need to stay here until Tessa is ready to come out. Yes she is a bit shaken if you need me you know how to reach me and thank you, excellent job.���

  He laid next to her and fell asleep.

  * * *

  It was still dark when Tessa woke up, and he wasn���t there. She got up to use the bathroom. She opened a toothbrush that lay on the counter next to the sink. Some of her clothes were brought and hung up on a hook in the corner. On the shelf next to the shower were two towels and a washcloth. Next to them were a razor, body soap, shampoo, and conditioner. She undressed and turned on the shower. She stood under the hot water for a long time trying to process what had happened today or yesterday she wasn���t sure of the time. She thought of what a tyrant she must have seemed when she heard that her dog had been poisoned. She thought about how it must have seemed so insignificant to Collin. Paling in contrast to what was happening, and what had happened to him the beautiful man with thick wavy brown hair, blue eyes, bronze skin, full- lipped, Adonis. It wasn���t even that she felt drawn to. Collin���s desire to care for her, to make sure she was safe. To be concerned about how she feels about her dog, her family, her friends. The love he had shown her in less than two weeks is so much more than she had ever felt from anyone in her life, without force or fight. Lucas, Ben, and Toby were all amazing in their own way. But Collin had the sex appeal, need, and desire she felt for Lucas, the comfort and safety she found refuge in from Toby and Ben���s smile, spunk, and heart. If you could multiply that by a hundred, she was sure Collin Abraham would be in the answer box. All of the above times one hundred she thought to herself. Tessa was head over heels for this man, and it scared her to death.

  She dried off and dressed and towel dried her hair as best she could. She opened the door and walked into the dark room. Tomas sat at the desk working on the computer.

  ���How are you feeling ma���am?���

  ���Fine thank you, where is Collin?���

  ���I messaged him when you woke up. He was leaving the justice building and should be here any minute.���

  He flipped on the monitor and she saw Leia, sleeping and breathing,

  ���Dr. Mackey is on the phone for you,��� he handed her the phone.

  ���Your girl���s a fighter, I don���t know how she made it this far.��� Tessa winced as he went on, ���she needs to stay calm, and we���re going to keep her sedated for a couple days. I really think it best if you don���t visit; I get the sense that is going to be very hard for you. Mr. Abraham has gone to extremes to ensure you are able to see her.���

  ���Do you think she is going to make it?���

  ���I didn���t think she would make it this far. That���s a very good sign. If I were a betting man, I would bet on her. Her vitals are strong��� she���s truly doing great.���

  Tessa thanked him and hung up the phone.

  ���He���s a good man, I hope you know that,��� Tomas said.

  ���I do Tomas, I know.���

  This was the first time she had seen Tomas with his sunglasses off. He had deep brown eyes, he was very attractive, very military looking.

  ���How long have you known him, Tomas?���

  ���Twelve years Ma���am.��� he responded.

  There were three beeps, and she heard the locks unlatch. Collin walked in, he was wearing a black suit pants and a gray shirt with a black and gray woven tie, ���How are you this morning Tessa?���

  ���I���m good, I���m sorry I was so awful yesterday,��� she ran to him and wrapped her arms around him, ���I hope you can forgive me.��� Tears started to flow down her cheeks.

  ���I accept your apology Tessa, you were a trooper.��� He pulled her hair back gently so that her face met his, his long thick fingers wiped her tears away, and he kissed her lips gently.

  Collin looked deeply into her eyes and their foreheads touched. They stayed like this for a long time intensely looking at each other seeking to figure out what one another was thinking.

  ���Excuse me sir, the lawyers will be here soon,��� Tomas walked out.

  She released him from her grip, ���How are you doing Collin? Are you alright?���

  ���Tessa if you���re okay, I am,��� he smiled.

  She looked at him with concerned eyes, ���How are you really?���

  ���I have to say I���m great. She���s where she belongs; she has done so much damage to me, my sister, my brother, and now you Tessa. She���s locked up and will be for life, God willing. I���ll make sure of it.���

  She pulled his chin down towards her. ���Collin, kiss me.���

  His phone buzzed, and it was Tomas letting him know the lawyers and DA had arrived.

  ���Tessa I���ve got to go up now, you ready to get out of here?���

  ���I would follow you anywhere.���

  Collin grabbed her and lifted her, she wrapped her arms and legs around him and kissed him and held her tightly against him.

  ���Gotta go Tessa,��� he growled. He tossed her around him, so she was wrapped around him piggyback. ���Ready?���

  ���Absolutely,��� she laughed.

  It was good to hear her laugh, he smiled to himself, real good.

  He ran up the stairs. He was very aware that those beautiful breasts were bouncing on his back. He stopped at the top of the steps and swung her around in front of him, she was laughing He took comfort in seeing the joy in her eyes.

  Tessa was standing on the deck, and she looked over at her house he followed her eyes. Officers were searching the grounds as other men worked inside.

  ���They should be done soon. It���s being cleaned, all food has been taken out, and they���re going to make sure everything is safe. When they are done Tomas and my people will be over there for awhile,��� he watched her eyes widen as she stared ahead and took a deep breath.

  He turned her to him and lifted her chin and kissed her head gently. ���It���s going to be ok; I won���t let anything happen to you. I want you to sit in on the meeting. I think it���ll help you to feel safe again.���

  They walked into the office; it was filled with people in suits and uniforms. He pulled a chair out for her and she sat. He sat next to her.

  ���Good morning gentlemen this is Tessa, she���ll be sitting in on our meeting today. I want to go through the events step by step. Tomas will be heading this if anyone has questions, please write them down and we will have Q and A at the end. Tomas the floor is yours,��� Collin grabbed her hand and gently caressed it.

  ���I���m sure you have all had a chance to go through Catherine���s rap sheet so we will begin with her release from Bedford
Hills on August 20th; the suspect was released and reported to her parole officer that afternoon. She was allowed to move to New Jersey where she stayed in the house that Dr. Abraham had purchased for her. She reported to her parole officer in New Jersey where she was instructed to attend NA meetings as well as bi- weekly meetings with a psychiatrist that Mr. Abraham also paid for. On August 22nd, she was reportedly at a bar drinking and trying to find drugs. She paid her bar tab with a check from an account Mr. Abraham had started for her upon her release, which is our first break. We have access to her account and have copies of the check which is in the packet in front of you. We also have her on camera at the bar talking to James Rico, a known drug dealer in Trenton, a copy of his rap sheet is also in the packet. While making meth, they burnt down the house that the suspect was residing in. Again we have evidence proving that she bought the ingredients needed to make it. On September 9th, the house burnt to the ground and both suspects were hospitalized. Catherine had drained the bank account set up by Dr. Abraham the day before, she purchased a car. Dr. Abraham was in contact with the authorities in New Jersey because Catherine had served her sentence in full they would not extradite her to New York. The judge���s decision was to send her to a rehab facility believing that with counseling and the fact that she had served her sentence with good behavior she was not a high risk. Dr. Abraham contacted a facility and worked with them to set up a recovery plan for Catherine. He traveled to New Jersey and took part in a few very intensive therapy sessions with his mother. Catherine���s counselor believed this could help to make it personal and less the institutional garbage that doesn���t work,��� he looked at Collin with anger in his eyes and shook his head. ���James was to spend a week in jail, and then be released. Thanks to pictures found on Facebook we can place James at a pier downtown, he was looking through binoculars in the distance watching Collin, Tessa Ross, and some guests. He can also be seen in the bushes on the opposite side of Miss Ross���s home, through more pictures on facebook. Two days later he went to the rehab facility, and they walked out the door, got into the car and drove here. The rest is in the report filed this morning by Mr. Abraham,��� Tomas sat down.

  Collin stood and loosened his tie, ���The ball is in our court, the most serious offenses were committed here in Massachusetts. Stalking, prostitution, felony assault, animal abuse, attempted murder, and trespassing,��� he stated. ���Who was in charge of searching Miss Ross���s home next door?���

  An officer stood ���Sir, we suspect that some of the food was tampered with. There was a hidden camera in the main bedroom upstairs, it was connected to the Wi- Fi in the house and had a live feed going live online. We have people checking into it now.���

  Collin asked, ���Who searched the car owned by the suspect, and what was found?���

  Tomas spoke, ���The preliminary report was faxed a while ago. There were detailed logs of when you or Miss Ross left the property. Details about the places you went, photos from the whale watching trip with guests from next door, specifics about the dog, including where her food and water dishes were, dates and times of the volunteer work Tessa was doing at the church.��� He saw Collins eyes narrow and watched him try to control his temper by breathing deeply. ���There was duct tape and rope along with a sleep- inducing drug, there were notes on how they were going to execute their plan. I have made copies of our surveillance tapes and have given them to the detective.���

  Collin took a deep breath and looked at the woman in the navy suit, ���Do you think the evidence is enough to convict and put these people away for life?���

  ���Yes sir, without a doubt. Neither party has the means to pay for an attorney; they will be appointed attorneys, an airtight case Mr. Abraham.��� She sounded very sure of herself.

  ���I want a detailed list of anything confiscated from the house next door. Tomas, you and your men get a few hours sleep, and then you go through her house again,��� Collin instructed.

  ���Already done sir, there���s a team at the church doing the same thing now,��� Tomas replied.

  ���Ok, when that���s done I want the boat done as well,��� Collin instructed. ���Alright any questions?���

  He looked around, and no one spoke.���Good, thank you, ladies and gentlemen if anyone needs me you all have my cell number. I���m taking Tessa away from this mess for the day. This house is clean, I ensured that myself.���

  ���Do they have names of my family and friends? Will they be safe?��� she asked quietly.

  ���No names ma���am, just photos, and we have them, and the electronic media they used; they won���t get them back, ever. They don���t even know your last name,��� Tomas smiled softly.

  ���Okay, that���s a wrap, great job everyone. Tomas show them out please,��� he said and turned to Tessa, ���I have a date to get ready for.���

  She forced a smile and stood as everyone left.

  Collin looked at her, ���It���s been a long day, we���re going to go and rest before you take me out and sweep me off my feet, again.��� He took her hand, and she followed him out the door.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  He pushed the remote and it beeped, and the lights flashed.

  ���Did you go car shopping Collin?��� she asked as he opened the door for her, she sat, and he climbed in the driver���s seat.

  ���Do you like it?���

  ���Yes it���s nice but������ he interrupted her and pulled up the console between them.

  ���Now you can sit next to me,��� he smiled.

  ���Collin you bought a car so I could sit next to you?��� she asked confused.

  His face turned red and completely changed from the powerhouse in control man in a suit to a confused little boy. ���Yes I did, does that offend you?���

  ���No, Collin it���s kind of cute, but a little extravagant,��� she said softly.

  ���The other vehicles needed to be checked out anyway,��� he sounded a bit pouty.

  She laughed out loud at him, ���You���re so���adorable. Sometimes you look like you did in your office in such control and command and then like you do now.���

  A beautiful distraction she thought and laughed again.

  * * *

  It was one in the afternoon when they arrived at the Hyatt. Collin pulled the car in front and jumped out, he grabbed the bag that he had obviously already had packed, he was a busy boy.

  He opened the door and took her hand. He checked in, and the blonde behind the counter was clearly being flirtatious with him as Tessa stood there arms crossed looking like hell. He looked towards her. His black pants fit him perfectly, his gray shirt without the tie unbuttoned, how could this woman not look at him all goo goo eyed. He grabbed her hand.

  ���You okay?��� he asked flashing a dazzling smile.

  She smiled and shook her head yes. She turned back towards the woman behind the desk who was seriously checking him out now. Tessa was getting pissed off, all the anger she had held back since yesterday morning could easily be expelled by kicking her ass she thought.

  She looked at him and wrapped her arms around his waist, ���Take me to our room now please,��� she said loudly enough for the woman to hear her and then she kissed him. She turned towards the woman and raised her eyebrow and gave her the back off look.

  Collin, who was oblivious to what was going on before, finally caught on.

  ���Are we done here?���

  She handed him the room key, and he smiled down at Tessa and pulled her into his side.

  ���Let���s go upstairs, beautiful,��� he kissed her head and led her to the elevator.

  In the elevator,
he stood holding her hands facing her, he liked seeing her jealous, it wasn���t something he was used to, and it was kind of hot.

  The elevator door opened on the fifth floor, and a couple women who had clearly been drinking got on, they giggled and looked at him the same way the woman at the desk did. Tessa���s nose flared while he laughed out loud. She gave him a dirty look. They rode the elevator all the way up to the top floor where Tessa and Collin got off.

  ���Ladies,��� Collin said as he got off the elevator laughing.

  Tessa stepped back in and looked at him and waved goodbye. He gasped and stuck his foot in the door so that it wouldn���t close and walked in and grabbed her hand and pulled her into him and the door closed.

  Collin laughed as he took her hand.

  ���It���s not funny Collin. Do you like being ogled?��� She snapped.

  ���Never noticed,��� he said, ���Nor would I have had you not looked so damn hot angry,��� he laughed again.

  ���Seriously Collin, I want to know,��� she demanded.

  ���To be honest I have never checked into a hotel with a woman next to me,��� he said, ���So I would not have noticed.���

  ���Well, how about on dates do women swarm around you,��� she asked scowling.

  ���Never been on a date Tessa, I told you I don���t do dates.���

  ���Oh, well then I have thought of a new idea for that room in the downstairs of your house,��� she said.

  ���You going to hold me hostage?��� he looked excited about the idea.

  ���Maybe I will,��� she said and turned away ���you can think about that while I call the vet and check on Leia.���

  He held up his phone and showed her the message he had received ���She���s doing great.���

  She grabbed the bag and looked through it trying to find her things, ���Collin where is my phone?���

  ���Oh, sorry Tessa the authorities confiscated all the electronics, I ordered you a new one, it���ll be delivered here within the hour. I also bought a new computer; it���ll be here at the same time.���