by C. M. Steele
“I was one of the many bystanders. I was treated for shock, too.”
“You were just too quick for me. I won’t let that happen again.”
“You won’t get another chance. I’m well protected.”
“We’ll see and this time, I’ll aim for his head. Jimmy boy was lucky he moved along, or I’d finish the job. This one doesn’t seem so smart.”
“I knew it was you who shot James, you lying son of a bitch.”
“That’s not a nice thing to call my mother, and she wouldn’t appreciate you speaking about her that way.” God, this guy was psychotic.
“You tried to kill me, and now you’re worried about how I speak about your mother? Ken, I wish you would just leave me be.” I was so drained.
Reggie took the phone and clicked the end call button before giving it back to me. “We have more than enough to nail his ass, and I also have a lead on his location. Excuse me.” He got up while I held my phone in my hands, lost in Ken’s threat. After a few minutes, I woke from my dazed mind and looked around. I didn’t hear him walking around and started to panic.
I searched from room to room, wondering where he went. He said he’d be right back. Twenty minutes passed after I realized he’d left and still nothing. I hoped Ken hadn’t gotten into the building and somehow past the guards. I would be dead if he did and so would Reggie. Needing something to calm me down, I went into the kitchen and made a cup of tea. The warmth from it settled my racing heart. I was halfway done when I heard the elevator ping. Thinking quickly, I grabbed a kitchen knife. I looked down at it and realized I was shaking terribly. I can’t show fear.
“Selene,” I heard my name called out. It was Devlin. I blew out a harsh breath.
I ran out of the kitchen to see Devlin standing there with his coat on looking like he’d been through hell. I dropped the knife and rushed to him. “What are you doing out of the hospital?”
“What are you doing with a big ass kitchen knife?”
“I got scared when Reggie left me alone. I panicked and grabbed it,” I said shakily as he wrapped his arms around me.
He brushed his hand over my hair, cradling me in his embrace. “Babe, I’m not going to let anybody get to you. Come, let’s go sit down.” He walked us slowly to the nice brown leather sofa. He sat down and pulled me onto his lap. I hadn’t expected it, although with him, I should have. I blushed when I felt the ridge of his cock on my ass. How could he be so turned on at a time like this?
“Maybe I should get off you. Aren’t you sore?”
“No, babe, don’t get up. I like you right there,” he whispered gruffly against my ear.
“You have a lavish home,” I said, trying to distract the conversation that seemed to be going to sex.
“Yes, this is my place, and before you ask, no other woman has been here.”
“I wasn’t going to,” I lied.
“Bullshit, Selene. I know when a woman is jealous.”
I pushed up and off his lap. I wasn’t in any humor to tolerate his teasing. “I think I should leave. It’s late, and I need to find a place to stay.”
“You don’t. You’re staying here and don’t think of arguing with me.” He grabbed my waist and pulled me back down. “Tell me; is he the reason you don’t want me?”
“Ken? He’s not the only reason.” I wasn’t going to lie about my feelings.
“Thanks, babe. That makes me feel good,” he replied sarcastically.
“What would you like me to say? I like that you fucked the whole city or that you offered me a position as your mistress.”
“I wasn’t very nice that day. I didn’t take your rejection very well. For that, I apologize. Secondly, it isn’t like the media plays out. There are definitely not that many women in my past. I just never found one I wanted to keep around until a trip to the museum.” He gave me a gentle kiss before adding, “I wanted you even though you had kids, and not as a mistress, but to be with me, living here. You’ve got no idea how I wanted to kill the man who’d put babies in you.”
“No man has.”
“Not yet, but I will. I want you swollen with my seed. I want you bred with a little Devlin.”
“The third?” I asked, half-jokingly. This man must be on a lot of meds because he was talking out of his ass. We barely knew each other, and he almost died because of me.
“You bet, baby,” he said before kissing me again. I moaned as his soft but firm lips pressed against mine. “I want you so bad,” he groaned as his lips moved down to my neck, breaking down any barriers I’ve built these past two years. “But it’s going to have to wait. We both need rest. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be one hell of a busy day.”
I only nodded as we walked to his bedroom. “Here, change into these for the night.” He tossed me a pair of pajama bottoms that would probably float on me and a tee shirt. “Seeing as you had all your things packed in your car today, I think it’s best if we get you some new stuff tomorrow.” I took the clothes and went into his large bathroom. After about ten minutes, I came out to a nervous looking Devlin. “I was worried you were going to sleep in there.”
“Sorry, just a little lost in thought.”
“That I understand, my sweet Selene. Come let’s get cozy and sleep as long as we can.” I wanted this; I needed his intimate tender touch. I climbed into bed beside him. He reached over me and hit the lights, then pulled me into his strong, warm embrace.
Chapter 7
Devlin
My feelings for her have grown since the moment we met. Every hour every day, to the point I never wanted to let her go. I couldn’t believe someone tried to kill her. It tore me apart that someone was willing to take her from me. So much so, that I went against doctor’s orders and checked myself out.
I was already on my way back to the house when Reggie called me with the recording. I dialed the police and gave them the lead I had on the bomber. I’ll give them the recording after Reggie transfers it, making sure to keep a copy.
When I came in I could tell she was happy to see me, yet scared at the same time. I watched her drop the big ass kitchen knife, telling me she wasn’t afraid of me. My heart swelled in ways I’d never felt before. It was in that moment I knew what I was feeling; I was in love with her. It wasn’t normal to be with someone you’d hardly spoken to, but it couldn’t be helped. She was magnificent on paper and reality.
~~~~
I looked down at her soft pale skin while she slept so peacefully. If my phone hadn’t been ringing off the hook this morning I’d still be in bed, wrapped around my Selene. Instead, I had to meet with the police. I called my mother and asked for a favor. It was nearly noon and I needed to wake her up. The cops would be here in an hour and fuck if I would let them see her like this. My shirt tugged downward in her sleep, revealing one of her hard, raspberry nipples. I was tempted to take the peak into my mouth and suck it until she woke up.
The buzzer rang, so I walked to the front entrance. “Good morning, son,” my dad said, followed by my mother who was holding three shopping bags.
“Sorry, I didn’t have a lot of time. I hope this will work.”
“Thanks, mom. I just feel bad that she doesn’t have anything. It was all lost in the explosion.”
“Good mo…” she stopped when she saw my parents. I turned to see her looking messy and sexy all at once.
“Babe, my parents came to drop some stuff off for you to wear.”
“Oh goodness, thanks.” She smiled so prettily.
“I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I tried to pick something neutral,” my mother said.
“Thank you. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go make myself presentable.”
“Thanks, babe. If it had been the cops, I might be going to jail for knocking them out.”
“Ridiculous,” she said, rolling her eyes with a hidden smile. She scurried off to the bedroom.
“How are you feeling?”
“I had the best night of sleep ever. And I mean sleep b
y the way.”
“That’s so good to hear. I’ve asked my guys to give you the extra support you need, if you want it.”
“No, Dad. I think we’re good. He was picked up at four in the morning for questioning. Come on, I need some coffee to deal with all this.” I grunted as I shuffled into the kitchen. My parents followed behind cautiously.
“Devlin, are you sure you should be up and about?” my Dad asked just as I winced while reaching for the coffee.
My parents stared at me anxiously. “I’m sure I shouldn’t be, but what can I do?” I asked.
“You can sit down and let me deal with it,” my mother said, pushing on my shoulder to have me sit at the table.
“The police should be here any minute to take our information and listen to the recording.”
“Have you listened to it?”
“Not yet, Dad. I didn’t want to get angrier than I already was. Another sleepless night wasn’t what I needed.” If I’d heard it, I would have been up planning this shithead’s demise. Thoughts of gripping him around the throat and squeezing played in my head during my short stay in the hospital.
“I’m sure it helped. You look better than you did yesterday, but you still need to recover.”
“I know, Mom,” I grumbled. I could hear footsteps coming from the bedroom and was pleasantly surprised to see Selene walk into the kitchen looking beautiful.
“These jeans fit perfectly. How did you know my size?”
“Devlin got it from your clothes this morning.”
“Thank you for everything. I can pay you back for the items.”
“Stop that young lady; it was my pleasure.”
“Babe, I forgot to tell you, but the police will be here in about fifteen minutes.”
“Oh,” she uttered. I saw the frustration on her face. They didn’t believe her before and it cost her so much. She was living on the run with no money and full of fear.
“Come here, babe.” She came up to me. “Don’t worry about it. We have every word he said to you recorded. He screwed himself.”
“I’m sorry, but I won’t believe it until it happens. I could identify him, and they still didn’t arrest him.”
“I know. We’ll get through this though.” I pressed my lips to her hand, then massaged the backside.
“Thank you, Devlin. You don’t have to do this for me.”
“Babe, I’m not doing it just for you, but for us. He’s trying to take away our future and I refuse to let that happen.”
“Selene, do you want some coffee?”
“Oh please. I’d love some.” She gave my mom a grateful smile and I wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her. I was hurting and trying to take it easy, so I didn’t. Plus, walking around with a stiff one wasn’t going to do anyone any good. I wanted to spread her over the table and fuck her until she came all over my hard cock before emptying myself in her. Alas, that wasn’t going to happen for a while.
Selene went around me to make her own coffee. My mom shooed her away and I tugged on Selene’s hand to make her sit down. “Relax, Selene this has been a rough day for you, but it should be looking up.”
“It already is, Mrs. Jacobs,” she said, turning her smile to me.
I couldn’t stop the raging need to respond. My hand slinked around her neck, cupping it and pulling her face to mine. Locking eyes with her, I gave her a wink before kissing her hard, deep, and passionately. With her ass half off the chair, she rested her hand on my knees. I growled against her swollen lips and claimed another.
The buzzer rang, jolting us out of our kiss. I looked around to find my parents had left the room.
“Oops, I suppose we have to meet with the cops now.”
Chapter 8
Selene
After introductions were made, we all sat around the coffee table in the living room. The laptop had been set up for all to hear. The second I heard Ken’s voice, I started to shake. Devlin tightened his arm around my waist, pulling me closer. I could feel the tension radiating off him.
“I don’t want him to see the light of day again,” roared Devlin Sr. “This is more than enough to convict him of both crimes.”
“Yes, it should be to lock him up for the stalking as well. Three cases of attempted murder.”
“Three?” I asked.
“Yes, James Nolan, Mr. Jacobs, and yourself. Just because you didn’t get injured, didn’t mean he wasn’t gunning for you. It’s clear on here that he was.”
“Good, I don’t want him even breathing.” Devlin was riled up and I found his anger calming. Ken no longer had the power over me that he did before.
“Mr. Jacobs, please don’t do anything dumb. I’m going to press the DA to ask that he not be allowed bail. It’s clear he’s a serious threat.”
“That would be great,” I sighed. All I wanted was for this to be over. I felt like I’d aged ten years since meeting Ken.
“Excuse me,” Detective Lane said. He stood and walked around the sofa while making a call. “This is Lane. Charge him for the attempted murder of Mr. Devlin Jacobs.” He finished the call with a couple, “Yes, and no,” answers.
“Miss West, I need to ask you a few questions before we leave.”
“Okay,” I agreed, nodding and squeezing Devlin’s hand.
“Can we speak in private?”
“You can ask what you need to right here.”
“Miss West, did you and Mr. Matthews at any time have a sexual relationship?”
“No, God, no. We were only co-workers. He used to ask me out and I always told him no. Dating someone you work with wasn’t smart. Besides, I got a creepy vibe when I met him.”
“He asked you out? When, at work?”
“Yes, he would find me in the breakroom getting coffee or while I was leaving for the day.”
“Why are you asking her these questions? She’s the victim here,” Devlin accused.
“It’s only because he can claim he was in a fit of jealous rage with the first instance. I’m just trying to lay it out for the DA to bring him up on as many counts as possible.”
I patted Devlin’s knee. “Detective, I didn’t know Ken outside of work and as a teacher it wasn’t like he could sit in my classroom all day trying to talk to me. I thought it was harmless, and since I always turned him down, I don’t know what spurred him to believe otherwise.”
“Miss West, we can’t explain why some people become obsessed to the point of violence, but it happens.” I could feel Devlin stiffen beside me, then straighten and reach for his coffee. It may have appeared natural to those looking, but I could feel the difference. He intentionally pulled away from me and it hurt like hell.
“Well, that’s all we need for now. We’ll let you get back to your lives and contact you when we have more information.”
“Thank you, Detectives,” I said, shaking each of their hands.
After they left, Devlin walked past me and said, “I have to go to my office.” I looked at his back and wondered what went wrong. Did he realize I was too much of a risk to get laid? I just stood there with a lost expression that fell when I heard the door close down the hall.
Mrs. Jacobs came up beside me and said, “Come, you need to eat.” I didn’t feel like eating anything.
Chapter 9
Devlin
Fuck, my behavior was almost as bad as his. I wanted to beat up anyone who gave her a second glance. Hell, even a first one. I forced her into a relationship, and as much as I hated it, I had to let her go.
“Son, what’s going on? You turned into an ice-cold dick all of a sudden.”
“That’s not new.”
“It is when it comes to Selene. Did you have a change of heart?”
“No! I love her, but she didn’t choose me. She told me to back off like twenty times and I didn’t. I just gave her space for a few hours and that was it. She is only here because it was dangerous, and my men had the place secured.”
“Yeah, and now you essentially dismissed her. If
you saw the way she looked as you walked away so abruptly, you wouldn’t be thinking that.”
“What do you mean?”
“She couldn’t have seemed more defeated. If you’re going to be a good husband, you need to not be so selfish.”
I was up on my feet despite the pain in my head, but before I moved an inch I passed out.
~~~~~
I woke up in my bed with my mom and dad around me, but Selene was nowhere to be found. “Where’s Selene?” I asked in a panic.
“She had some calls to make.” I didn’t like the way my mother said that. It came off as bullshit.
“Bull, where is she?”
“She’s in the other room.”
“Why? Can you call her in here and give us a minute?”
My parents left, then Selene came in. I looked at her tearstained face and felt my heart crumbling. I did that to her. It wasn’t intentional. Shit, I wasn’t even aware of it before I passed out.
“Selene.”
“Devlin, please, you don’t have to say anything. I’m going to get a place soon.”
I sat up in a flash, feeling dizzy, though I could hear her saying, “Stop moving, you dummy.”
“I am one because I gave you the wrong damn impression.”
“I know.”
“So, you’re leaving because you don’t want to be in this relationship?”
“You’re the one who jumped into it based on fading feelings.”
“What? I didn’t. I don’t want you to leave—ever.”
“I think you hit your head when you fell.”
“I know I did, but that has nothing to do with it. My dad came and told me that I upset you and I was about to tell you I didn’t mean to at all when I collapsed. Come here,” I ordered. She shook her head. “Are you going to make me get you?” I threw the blanket off me.
“Don’t do that,” she exclaimed, thrusting her hands out to stop me as she came over to me.
I took her hand in mine and pulled her onto the bed. She stumbled and landed her body on mine, just like I wanted. I lifted her a little so her legs straddled me.
