by T. N. King
She couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if she didn’t take it upon herself to give Tristan the opportunity to bury himself again. A twinge of guilt kept festering deep within her. She was the reason Tristan Crawford’s life was being turned upside down.
She felt a hand slide into hers and it extinguished her guilt almost immediately. She looked at Jensen and smiled. It wasn’t her fault. Tristan was not a good person and he deserved everything he got. She took a deep breath.
“We have, Your Honor.”
Megan squeezed Jensen’s hand as she waited for the verdict. Even though Tristan was arrested with no bail before his trial, it didn’t stop Megan’s phone from ringing. Every time it was an unknown caller and every time she only heard light breathing before the person hung up. Jensen got the same thing a few times. They didn’t know how Tristan was doing it, they only had thoughts and assumptions.
“What say you?”
“We, the jury…”
Megan held her breath. She didn’t want to worry about looking over her shoulder any more. She wanted the phone calls to stop. She wanted to move on with her life and forget Tristan Crawford even existed. Her eyes were glued to the foreman of the jury.
“…find the defendant, Tristan Crawford, guilty of two counts of attempted kidnapping with intent to rape.”
Megan closed her eyes, feeling tears surface. She hugged Jensen tightly.
“Do you wish to say anything before sentence is imposed, Mr. Crawford?”
Tristan kept his head down and shook it slowly from side to side.
“Very well. I hereby sentence you to fifteen years in prison. Your sentence will be carried out in the HM Prison Wandsworth. Take him away.”
“You did it,” said Jensen. “Thanks to you, Tristan is now where he belongs.”
She was happy, but still wondered if she was safe. She watched as the officers took Tristan by the arms and led him away from his lawyer, who was shaking his head and keeping his eyes on his paperwork in front of him. Tristan watched his lawyer until the officers got him to the center of the court room, where his eyes moved from his lawyer to Megan. The look he gave her was cold and angry and she caught herself leaning in toward Jensen.
“Don’t let him intimidate you. He’s not going to bother us anymore. Come on.” Jensen stood up and took Megan’s hand. “Let’s get out of here.” It took Megan a few moments to realize it was over. When she stood up, Jensen put his arm around her and escorted her out of the court house. Once they got outside and back to his car, he pulled her close to him and kissed her deeply before opening her door. She clung to him and let her body enjoy his kiss. When he let her go and stepped back, his fingers caressed her face. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “Much better now. I feel like I can breathe again, like we can breathe again.”
He opened her door and let her into the car.
The ride back to the penthouse somehow felt more free. Jensen caressed her hand as they drove along the streets away from the courthouse. “How about a little celebration?” he asked.
“I’d like that.”
“I’ll invite everyone for a little party at the penthouse tonight. Time to celebrate a new freedom away from the harassment and bullshit.”
“Well, with Tristan anyway.”
Jensen looked at her, cocking his head. “What do you mean?”
“You still have Kristina to deal with.”
“Honestly, this has been the longest it has been since I have heard from her. In fact, I haven’t heard from her, seen her or heard anything about her in quite some time now.”
“Really? How long has it been?”
“Since I handed her the restraining order at the fashion show. I guess she finally realized I was serious about never wanting to see her again.”
“Let’s hope so.”
That evening at the penthouse, Megan stood in the living room and looked around at everyone. She finally had a group of friends she trusted and she could call her family. Stella, Elle, Black, Lorena and her new boyfriend, Rhys from Paris gathered around and watched as Jensen held a bottle of champagne out. When he popped the cork they all cheered and held their glasses out.
“I just want to say,” Megan said, taking a small breath, “thank you to each and every one of you for being there when I needed you most,” she said looking at Jensen. “for helping with the investigation,” she looked at Elle and Black. “for standing behind me when I needed you most,” she said smiling at Lorena. “and for making a huge difference in my life.” She looked at Stella and smiled. “I couldn’t ask for a better circle of friends in my life. Here’s to being truly happy and enjoying what life brings to us next.” She raised her glass and was truly ready to move on with her life.
Everyone but Jensen took a sip. “Wait a minute, wait a minute,” he said, putting his hands up. “I forgot one small detail in order to make this small get together just a little bit better.”
He handed the champagne bottle to Elle and winked at her before turning away. Megan looked at Elle who had a slight grin on her face.
“What’s going on?” Megan asked her. Elle shrugged and didn’t say a word. When Jensen returned, he handed a small box to Megan and looked at Elle who was standing on the other side of her. She glanced at Jensen and then at Elle, who was holding her cell phone up as if waiting to take a picture. When she turned back toward Jensen, he was kneeling down in front of her. She quickly covered her mouth and gasped. “What’s going on?” she asked again, with a shaky voice.
“Open the box, Megan.” His eyes were soft and his voice was like velvet. He smiled at her with a smile that hinted on a nervous twitch along his beautiful lips. She hesitated only for a moment then opened the box. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds set on a white gold ring. She exhaled slowly and looked at him as he took her hand. “I have to confess even with my success that I have been pretty unlucky in love and with life. I have had to work my ass off to make my company successful and I felt like no matter what I did, the results never came without consequences. That is, until I met you. When you came into my life, it was as if things began to make sense again. The morning I opened my door and saw you fall on my front porch was the morning I fell… in love with you.”
Megan blushed at the memory of passing out in front of him from lack of food.
“Megan Jenkins, I love you with all of my heart and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?”
“Yes!” she said without hesitation. “Yes.” She giggled and slammed into him, hugging him tightly. She felt a tear trickle down her cheek when she squeezed her eyes closed and she realized that she has never been so happy as she was that very moment.
Everyone in the room whistled and clapped at the special event and congratulated the couple on their new engagement. Megan watched as Jensen took the large ring from the box and slid it on her finger. It fit perfectly. She marveled at its beauty.
“It has to be the most beautiful ring I have ever seen,” she said. She spun around and held her hand out toward Lorena and the others.
“Oh, I am so happy for you!” She hugged her tightly, tears streaming from her eyes.
Megan stepped back and looked at everyone in the room.
“I have never been happier. I can finally say I have a family I am proud to be a part of. Thank you so much for caring about me.”
She looked at Jensen and for the first time in her entire life, she could see that her life had a purpose, her future ahead looked wonderful.
Sweet Revenge
ROXIE ODELL
Prologue
Even with the air conditioning on, the room was warm in the presidential suite of Houston’s famous downtown hotel. Courtney was spread out on her back, naked and waiting for the moment to come when her life would forever change. The man on top of her grunted as he thrust her nipple into his mouth. She arched her back, knowing ho
w much he loved to watch her squirm. In truth, it didn’t take much acting anymore. Her new husband, Dr. Jared Wright, certainly knew what he was doing in the bedroom.
“I can’t believe you are finally mine,” murmured Jared.
She laughed, “Why? I have been trying to land you for months!”
“I just never thought a woman as young and beautiful as you would fall for an old man like me,” he responded.
She raised her eyebrow, resisting the urge to ask him if that’s what he had said to all the woman he slept with or if she was special because he married her. Instead, she replied, “Oh Jared, you are only forty and you're stunning. How could any woman not fall for you? I’m the lucky one. Of all the woman, you actually picked me.”
His eyes darkened at the mention of another woman, “I will be faithful to you Courtney, just as I have been since you won my heart. Can you promise me the same?”
The breath caught in her chest and she touched his face tenderly, “Jared, I have and will always be yours and only yours my love.”
He smiled and lowered his head back down to her waiting body. Blind to Courtney’s heartbeat as it quickened from the lie.
“Tell me you love it, baby,” he whispered to her.
She kept her eyes closed and replied, “of course I love it. I love everything you do to my body Jared.”
“You’ve made me the happiest man alive Courtney,” replied Jared as his lips moved lower onto her body.
“I love you, Jared,” she whispered to him as his mouth reached her core.
When his tongue touched her, her mind stopped its torture. For a short time, Courtney forgot about her desire for revenge. She would have all the time in the world to plot her next move. At that moment, all she wanted to do was enjoy one of the few rewards of her plan. The good doctor’s hands covered her body and she knew it wouldn’t be long until he brought her to a fevered climax. Her fingers tangled into his hair and she felt a name on her lips.
“Kyle,” she whispered.
As soon as it slipped from her lips, she felt his body freeze and she knew she had just made a grave error. Her new husband's name was not the one that just slid from her mouth in delicious pleasure.
Chapter One
Courtney Spellman pulled her ancient Cadillac off to the side of the road and took a ragged breath before checking her reflection in the mirror. The wind had sniped through her hair, but it somehow managed to fall back into place as it always did. If her mother were still alive, she'd say it was because it was impossible for Courtney to ever look anything less than like a supermodel.
“No time for a trip down memory lane,” she muttered to herself before checking the address on her phone one last time.
Assured that she looked presentable, Courtney pulled back onto the cobblestone road on the outskirts of Houston, Texas. She wasn’t surprised when she pulled up to the address her best friend had given her and saw it was nothing short of a mansion. Sprawling gardens covered the outside of the late seventeen hundreds style manor. The pillars on the porch seemed to reach up to the sky itself.
Courtney parked her car just as a stunning brunette woman came bounding out of the manor in a designer outfit and matching pumps. If it weren't for her enthusiasm, Courtney would have thought she seemed very professional.
“On my Lord! I can’t believe you're here!” shrieked Katherine Dillion.
Courtney childhood best friend ran to embrace her warmly, and Hanna reciprocated, “it’s only been three months Katherine!”
Katherine smiled and pulled away, “I know, but now you’re really here! Not for spring break or summer vacation either!”
Courtney laughed at her friend’s enthusiasm. She was right though; it had been four years since Courtney had been home for any length of time. As soon as she finished high school, Courtney had left for Princeton and stayed away for as long as possible. It wasn’t that she didn’t like her hometown, it simply brought out too many painful memories for her to want to stick around. Now though, she had a reason to come back.
“I’m so happy that you're finally here,” continued Katherine as she pulled Courtney up the front steps. “I just have a few more things to do here then we can get you settled in at my apartment. I hope you don’t mind?”
Courtney smiled, “I don’t mind one bit,” she said earnestly.
“I’ve told the doctor so much about you, he said he wanted to meet you, but I think he was just being polite,” chatted Katherine.
“Oh really? This is Dr. Wright isn’t it?” asked Courtney as she looked around
“The one and only,” replied Katherine
“Well, I would love to meet him,” she said sweetly
“Maybe later before we leave. I have to run back to the office. The gardens are through that door if you want to look. If you need anything, just text me okay? I’ll go as fast as I can,” said Katherine, already looking down at her phone.
“I'll be all right, go do you thing,” said Courtney as she headed for the gardens.
The grounds were even more beautiful from the rear. They extended out over acres of well-manicured lawn. Trees and flowers sprung up from guarded beds in random locations throughout the sightline. Courtney was falling in love with the manor very quickly when she heard laughter radiating from inside the house somewhere. She spun around, looking in the direction of the noise. Katherine was walking out towards the gardens. On her side was the doctor and a woman that Courtney didn’t recognize.
“Courtney!” called Katherine, waving to her friend
Courtney walked over to meet the approaching party. She couldn’t help but notice how attractive the doctor was. He was in his late thirties maybe, but he obviously took great care of himself. He was everything that a woman would dream about ending up with; tall, dark and handsome with classic good looks. The woman on his arm was the same age but stunning in her own right with auburn hair and hazel eyes. Courtney’s trained eye picked up a slight twitch when the woman thought no one was looking though.
“Courtney, I’d like you to meet Dr. Jared Wright, world renowned surgeon, and my boss, so be nice,” joked Katherine
Courtney laughed, “I’ll do my best, hello Dr. Wright. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“All good, I hope,” he replied, holding out his hand
Courtney smiled but didn’t provide an answer, she knew that not responding would eat away at him. Instead, she turned her attention to the woman at his side, “you aren’t by chance Amber Middleton, are you?”
The woman smiled and shook Courtney’s hand, “I am, how did you know?”
“My mother always thought that your father was the greatest mayor this city ever had, I recognized you from clippings she sent me while I was in college,” replied Courtney
From the corner of her eye, she saw the amusement in Dr. Wright’s glance. She didn’t think that he was brushed off by many women. Courtney had no intention of falling all over herself though to keep in the man’s line of sight. Amber was talking about politics and her family, the same thing that all socialites liked to do and Courtney played the part, smiling and nodding until the doctor intervened.
“Darling, I am sure that Katherine and her young friend would like to go,” he said coolly.
Courtney smiled, “your right sir, it’s getting late. I’m sure you two would like to have your supper soon. Amber, it was a pleasure to meet you.”
Dr. Wright’s jaw dropped, the jab at his age and meal time since it was only four in the afternoon wasn’t caught by the woman, but Courtney could see that he understood it. Before he could comment, the two woman set off for the front door, making plans for the weekend ahead. Courtney knew that it wouldn’t be the last time that she saw the doctor and his girlfriend, she would make sure of that. For now though, she just wanted to get settled and catch up with Katherine. Something seemed different about her, but Courtney couldn’t pinpoint it.
Chapter Two
Courtney enjoyed the drive to Katherine’s modest t
wo-bedroom apartment downtown. It gave her time alone to decompress after meeting Dr. Wright while she followed Katherine’s little sports car through the backroads. She hadn’t been prepared to meet him so soon and now she was kicking herself for not having her wits about her more. As they drove, she took note of her surroundings.
She had grown up in Houston, but she was from a different part of town entirely. Her parents had been happily married, her father a wealthy businessman until they divorced when she was five. She and her mother fled Georgia and settled down in a modest home on the other end of town. Her mother had money, and a great deal of it, but she said she would never be a part of ‘their’ world again.
“Living with those people will bring you nothing but drama Courtney Spellman, mark my words,” her mother had said.
Courtney had winced hearing her formal name, “mom, I have no desire to be their best friends, I just don’t see why we can buy a bigger house and move a little closer to where all the action is.”
She’d been sixteen and foolish. Her mother had just replied, “it’s not a world I want you in. That’s why your father and I split. You need to find your own path, not follow one society thinks you should go down.”
“Fine, I will find a way to do it myself,” she’d hissed at her.
Now, nine years later, Courtney would give anything to hear her mother’s voice just one more time. She’d been taken from Courtney two years ago, and it had almost ended Courtney’s life too. Her mother had been a strong woman. Now it was her turn to be strong and to find a way to make things right once more.
Katherine’s car slowed down in front of an old Georgian style apartment building, and Courtney followed her into the parking space behind her. She climbed out and looked around, they were right in the heart of the city to Courtney’s joy. She’d always wanted to be in the middle of the nightlife and now was her chance.
