Letting Go of You (Anchored Hearts #2)

by J. M. Witt

  “She needs to get out of there.”

  “I agree. She doesn’t. She thinks he’s losing it, letting his guard down and said she would make contact with us when she could.”

  “God. I don’t like her, but I don’t want her to get killed trying to help us.” If her call was legit I was truly scared for her. She was putting herself in danger, and for what? What could she possibly gain from helping us?

  “Hey, my place or yours tonight?” We’d been spending most nights at my place, with a few here and there at the hotel. “The pool’s finally operational at the hotel, but not open to the public. Come swimming with me.”

  That sounded wicked the way he said it. “I don’t have a suit.”

  “So?”

  I laughed, “You’re evil.”

  “That’s why you love me.”

  ~ JAMES ~

  “You’re sure no one will walk in?”

  She was petrified we’d get caught. “Cassidy, the cameras aren’t hooked up yet and I have the only key. Get in!” The key part wasn’t entirely true, but the workers had long since gone home for the day.

  Removing her robe—shit, she looked good in the matching bra and panty set in white—she quickly dove into the deep end. I watched her swim the breast stroke a few lengths before she came up. Slowly, I moved around her as we treaded water, waiting to see who’d make the first move.

  “The water’s perfect. Not too hot, not too cold.”

  “I’m glad you like it. You can swim here whenever you like.”

  “It’s kind of nice being the wife of the owner. Any other perks I should know about?”

  “Hmm, let me think.” Swimming closer I said, “Not only do you get to swim here whenever you want, you can do it naked.”

  She laughed, “You’re pushing your luck Mr. Benedict.”

  She splashed me and tried getting around me, but my reach was further than she could swim in one stride. I wrapped my arms around her waist and drew her close to me. She didn’t try to resist me, instead her hand traveled back and down into my shorts.

  “Hmm, someone isn’t quite ready for me yet.”

  Turning her I whispered against her lips, “Give me a minute with your hand there and I’ll be ready to go in no time.”

  “Another perk, huh?” She kissed me and her tongue stroked my own with the same determination as her hand stroked my dick.

  Her ankles wrapped around the back of my knees as I moved against the wall of the pool. She pulled her mouth from mine and began sucking on my ear and neck as my hands trailed up her thighs. I pushed the strap of fabric aside, exposing her for my touch.

  “Mr. Benedict, you’re being very naughty.” She pulled on the string of my shorts and began pushing them down my hips, just far enough for me to spring free.

  “Naughty’s my middle name.” Gripping her hips, I yanked her closer. “There’s going to be more friction in the pool. Hope you’re ready.”

  She clung to my shoulders as she pressed her opening against me. The water made her almost weightless as I moved her with ease. She was wet and I pushed in as she groaned.

  “Oh, I’m so horny. I want to fuck you so bad.”

  “Do your worst.” She pulled me in further as I cupped her ass.

  She was wet, but there was definitely more friction than normal. I think she liked it. She was almost immediately in a fever, rocking herself up and down my shaft as the water moved around us. Her hands were braced on my shoulders as my hands traveled up and unhooked her bra. Her beautiful pink nipples were puckered, waiting for me to bite them. And bite them I did.

  “James…”

  Her body was beginning to stiffen and her eyes got that lost look in them that they always did when she was close. Her nails were digging into my skin as she thrust harder on me.

  “Do it, fuck me, Cassidy.”

  She pressed herself flush against me, only her hips moving. I gripped her ass and helped her move with full determination, getting all of me as she began crying out. Her cries echoed so loudly that I covered her mouth with my own. She was clenched so tight around me, but her movements were subsiding. She needed to keep moving, I was so close.

  “I’m almost there baby, hang on.”

  Turning her quickly, never pulling out, I pressed her back against the wall as I shoved into her further. It only took a few seconds, her head limp on my shoulder, before I shot into her. Biting on the flesh of her neck to drown out my own screams.

  “Are you okay?” She barely murmured as I carried her out of the pool, still wrapped around me. “Come on. Let’s get you up to bed.”

  ~ CASSIDY ~

  The next morning at work I headed right for Cecily’s office. Finally, all the paperwork was in order, including the waiver she asked James to sign. She wasn’t there, so I just left the large manila envelope on her desk. Soon, it would be my office. It was surreal. Everything was going so well. Even Eva’s health seemed to be improving. Ever since she found out that we had eloped, it was like she had something to look forward to. She wasn’t dependent on her wheelchair as often and James and I were definitely living like happy newlyweds.

  Chapter 19 ~Valentine

  ~ JAMES ~

  February

  It was Valentine’s Day. A day I normally dreaded. But this year, I was looking forward to it. Cassidy’s Mustang was finally in. She’d been preoccupied with work and content driving my truck. I ordered the GT500 Shelby with all the bells and whistles, but then it went right to the body shop for a paint job. She wanted the black one with the red racing stripe, but I had a feeling I knew what she really wanted, something they didn’t have. She was going to pick me up from work and then we would head to her place, where she’d find it sitting in the driveway, possibly covered in snow. We were having a hell of a winter, reaching record highs with the snow accumulation.

  When she picked me up, I asked to drive and then I blindfolded her. As I pulled in the driveway I grinned like a fool. It was covered in the lightest dusting of snow and the license plate was perfect. The paint job looked great, I just hoped she would like it.

  “Stay here.” I got out of the truck and walked to her side. Opening the door, I helped her down, positioned her where I wanted her and then removed the blindfold. I was practically bursting with excitement.

  “What did you do?”

  Oh, shit. She didn’t like it. “It’s the Mustang I promised you.”

  “I know what it is. What did you do to it? I didn’t think it came in that color.”

  “You don’t like it?”

  “Like it? It’s amazing!” She turned and hugged me fiercely. “When can I drive it?” Chuckling, I threw her the keys. “I can’t believe this shade of purple. It’s amazing.” She was walking alongside it, trailing her fingers over the car.

  “When I saw it I knew you’d love it.”

  She stopped in her tracks and her eyes darted from me to the license plate. “Really? I thought you hated that nickname.”

  Shrugging my shoulders, I said, “I thought it was perfect for what’s mine.”

  She rolled her eyes, chuckling, “MRSJB3 huh? I like it. It’s hot!”

  “I think she’s hot too. Come on. Let’s take her for a ride!” She unlocked the doors and we climbed in. She was fondling the stick and I grew hard, having to adjust myself.

  Her eyes moved to my eyes and back to my crotch. “You okay there stud?”

  “I’m okay. You better drive before I haul you inside and drive you.”

  She winked, “Yes, Sir.”

  As she drove, she headed for the freeway, and I reveled in the smile on her face. For someone who hadn’t driven a stick in a few years, she knew exactly what she was doing.

  “You’re a pro.”

  “Eh, Dad wouldn’t let us drive automatics until we knew how to drive a stick. I can’t wait until summer when I can really open her up.”

  “Stop talking that way. Dammit.” Adjusting myself again, I saw the evil smirk on her face and knew sh
e was purposefully egging me on. I was going to show her a good time in this car if it was the last thing I did. My phone started ringing and I answered it. “Whoa, slow down. What? Okay, we’re headed there now.”

  “What’s going on?” I was silent, I knew something like this would happen. “James, you’re scaring me.”

  “The hospital, it’s Melissa.”

  “What happened?”

  “Looks like a drug overdose, but she’s been badly beaten too.”

  “Oh, my God.”

  We didn’t speak for the rest of the drive. We both knew who was behind it and didn’t have to say his name. Rushing into the hospital, hand in hand, Smith met us in the emergency waiting room and gave us an update.

  She had been dumped roadside and if the Good Samaritan hadn’t found her when he did, she would most likely be dead. She was still unconscious as we waited for another update.

  “How did they know to call you?”

  “Apparently she had my number programmed in as her emergency contact.” That surprised me that she had picked Smith, but just reaffirmed that she was smarter than I thought she was.

  “She needs a guard watching over her, one of mine.”

  “There’s an officer with her.”

  “No. There was an officer with Derek too and look where that landed all of us. One of our guys twenty four seven. I’ll work it out with the hospital if I need to. This has Dan all over it. I told her she wouldn’t be safe.”

  “I told the cops that Dan was who we last knew her to be with. They’re looking for him.” Smith grabbed my shoulder, “This isn’t your fault.”

  How could it not be? I was the one who pulled her into that mess. She’d been clean for months, if not years. She would be devastated when she woke up. If she woke up.

  “James?” I looked to Cassidy and she took my hand in hers. “She’s strong. She’ll pull through this.” I nodded to her as a doctor came out and looked to Smith.

  “Mr. Westin, your sister is being transferred to her room. A plastic surgeon is going to be checking on her and he’ll have more info for you. Now we just wait and pray that she wakes up and can tell us who did this to her.” He shook Smith’s hand before nodding to Cassidy and me and left.

  “Sister?”

  “They wouldn’t let me see her unless I was family. I sure as fuck wasn’t going to tell them I was her husband.”

  We shared a small laugh and headed to the cafeteria. Turning to Smith, I asked, “Did you call Paul? He would want to know.”

  “I’ll take care of it, brother. Why don’t you two grab some food and I’ll join you in a bit.”

  ~<>~<>~<>~

  Melissa was out cold for a few days. I was at work when Smith called, saying she was awake. He also updated me that the cameras they were having trouble with, the footage was finally viewable. He said it was a little scrambled, but they got it. Our hope was to get it to Melissa and see if she could identify anyone. First, we needed to talk to her. I headed to the hospital, praying she’d have some information so we could put this all behind us.

  Smith met me there and we went to her room. She was sipping on some water and looked worse than I imagined she would. She had a large bandage on her forehead and her left eye was swollen shut. She spotted us and froze. I felt so bad for her.

  “Come on in.” She winced as she tried repositioning herself.

  Smith kept quiet while I started asking questions. “How are you?”

  “Dandy. How are you?” Sarcasm was always her defense. Cassidy could be the same way. If their forces were ever to join, God have mercy on the poor soul.

  “Do you remember anything?”

  “The doctors said it might be a while. Last thing I remember was probably a week ago. I was pretty out of it. He’d taken me to a friend’s place to get high. I already told the cops that.” She averted her eyes. “Two years of sobriety out the window.”

  “Melissa, I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay. You just don’t understand. I’m trying to refuse the pain meds. I can’t go back down that road…” She didn’t finish her statement.

  “Has your father come to see you?”

  She shook her head. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

  She was hiding something, had been for years. “Melissa, what happened between you and your father?”

  “I wouldn’t talk about it then and I won’t talk about it now. Back off. I’m not going down memory lane with you. Go home to your wife.”

  She was lashing out and I understood. “Okay. You can call either of us at any time. The last of the footage is also up and running. We could really use your help.”

  “Can you bring it?” She was looking at Smith and we both nodded.

  “That’s fine.

  “I’ll bring it later tonight. Get some rest.”

  Smith left the room and I followed him. We talked to our guy, who was standing outside her room and reminded him under no circumstances was he to leave her alone. We went over the list of approved visitors before Smith and I left. When I got to Cassidy’s she was home and I filled her in on Melissa over dinner. Neither of us ate much before calling it a night.

  ~<>~<>~<>~

  A couple more days passed when I got a phone call from Smith. “Melissa is starting to remember. Can you meet me down there?”

  “Yup. On my way.” It was a Saturday morning and Cassidy got dressed to come with me.

  “I’d like to see her, even if I don’t talk to her. I’ll stay in the lobby if you think its best.”

  “Sure. We’ll take it one step at a time. We can go see mom after.”

  She drove us in the Mustang and when we got to the hospital, Cassidy decided to hang back. “I don’t want to make her uncomfortable.”

  I kissed Cassidy before heading in, Smith was already with Melissa. When I walked in she looked to be in rough shape. She was walking around, pacing really, and had broken out into a sweat. I looked at Smith who just shook his head.

  “She’s jonesing. She’s working through it. They stopped the pain meds last night at her insistence.” He walked over to her, “Melissa, we’re ready when you are.”

  She whipped her head toward me and then began pacing again. “I remember I was coming down, angry that I let it get that far. I wanted to leave. It wasn’t worth it.”

  “Should the cops be here?”

  Smith just shook his head whispering, “They already took her statement.” I glared at him and he just motioned me to listen.

  “Then they held me down while Dan injected me with more, but not before beating me. I was floating in and out of consciousness as they took their turns with me. Then I heard Dan talking and then his face came into view. ‘You all think you got me and now I got you. I had everything setup perfectly. James was going to go down for Derek’s murder and then that redheaded bitch ruined everything.’”

  I was suddenly glad that Cassidy was in the waiting room. She didn’t need to hear it.

  “’Now you’ll be dead and no one will care.’ His guys took their turns with me again. When I woke up I was in the backseat of a car. Gagged and tied up. I was thrown to the side of the road like a piece of garbage. My binds came loose and that’s when I managed to make it to the road.”

  She sat back down, curling her body up and began rocking back and forth. I grabbed a blanket out of the warmer right outside her room and wrapped it around her. When I placed it around her, she looked up to me. Her words shattered me.

  “You were supposed to save me. All I ever wanted was for you to save me.” The tears were streaming down her cheeks. She fell asleep like that, curled up in her bed.

  “James.” Her voice caught me off guard. She was standing in the doorway, white as a ghost. I walked to her as she whispered, “I didn’t know it was so bad. I, this is all my fault.”

  “How much did you hear?”

  “All of it.” Shit.

  “This isn’t your fault. He’s a lunatic and now he’s going to pay.” The three
of us walked back to the lobby and found Paul waiting there. My arms were wrapped around Cassidy as I told Paul, “She could use some company. Tread lightly.” He nodded and headed back to Melissa’s room. “Smith, are the cops on top of this?”

  “Yes. They put out an APB for him, armed and dangerous. Melissa also told them what he said about Derek. It should be enough to corroborate Jane’s story. I’ll call Annie now and give her the heads up. I would imagine charges will be dropped against Jane.”

  “Okay.”

  “There’s more. She’s pretty sure that one of the guys who, well, you know, is on the hospital footage. He was pretty good about keeping his face hidden, but she doesn’t know his name.”

  “Christ. All right. I’m going to get her out of here. You got this handled.”

  “Yup. I’ll stay in touch.”

  I put Cassidy in the passenger seat and took my place behind the wheel. “Cassidy, this isn’t your fault. You hear me.” Her eyes looked to mine and she just nodded. Her eyes looked hollow and filled with guilt. “Melissa is strong. She’ll be okay. You said so yourself.”

  We skipped out on visiting mom, waiting until the next day. Instead we spent the day curled up on the couch watching movies.

  “We should pick one place to live. I don’t want to keep going back and forth between here and the hotel.” She was right. It was time. “I’ll move to the hotel if you want, but Chessa’s coming with me.”

  Smiling I replied, “I’ll move in. I know you don’t want to live at the penthouse. But until Dan is caught, things are changing around here.”

  “You will!”

  “You’re my wife. Of course. But seriously. We’re installing an alarm system, I should’ve done it months ago. And you’re getting a gun. I might even get you a dog. A big ass mean looking one.”