Secrets

Secrets By: Erosa Knowles Mr. Baxter, died and left Chastity the bulk of his estate. Great right? That was until she faced his greedy relative in a court battle over the estate, which opens a can of Secrets. Court exposure sets off a string of events that reach as high as the United States Senate Chambers and as low as State prison walls. Through everything, Chastity once again must face her past Secrets. Desperate measures won’t allow her to push her childhood friend, Lt. Cmdr. Kenton Stone to the side, she needs his help, even though she hides the biggest Secret of all from him.

Published by Sitting Bull Publishing Smashwords Edition This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author‘s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, businesses, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only. The publisher does not have any control over or assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their contents. SECRETS Copyright 2011 by Erosa Knowles 2011 All Rights Reserved ISBN: 9781937334079 First Edition Electronic August 2011 All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Erosa Knowles. ABOUT THE E-BOOK VERSION: Your non-refundable purchase of this e-book allows you to one LEGAL copy for your own personal use. It is ILLEGAL to send your copy to someone who did not pay for it. Distribution of this e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden without the prior written permission of both the publisher and the copyright owner of this book. WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in Federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Edited by: Vicki Zalascek

Chapter 1 Chastity March admitted she’d lost this round. After multiple refusals to attend mediation, today she waved the white towel in surrender as she strode down the eerie halls of the old Philadelphia law firm. The clicks of her serviceable low-heeled pumps against the beige ceramic tiles competed with the loud thumps in her chest. Tendrils of cold seeped from paneled walls plastered with portraits, a pictorial morgue of men and women who were long dead. Like a fox salivating over sheep, their faces leapt at her as she passed. Slashes of smiles, gruesome in their attempt to appear benevolent, mocked her. She suspected these vultures had created gold nests from the fear and ignorance of people like Ms. Cook, the elderly housekeeper at the ranch. The thought leached all moisture from her mouth and throat. Each dreaded step to the opened doorway at the end of the hall sent the nausea already churning in her gut, up a notch. An acrid taste filled the back of her throat as she drew closer to the room. Closer to the inquisition. Closer to the disaster with her name on it. Today, she'd dressed in her best black suit, each of the five buttons securely fastened on the boxy jacket. The straight skirt fell a respectable distance below her knees. She'd pulled back her dark, thick curly hair into a chignon lying on the base of her neck; stubborn tendrils escaped from the sides, caressing her dark face. Her goal was to look professional, act professional, be professional; but most of all, don't kick Maude Stone’s lily-white ass. Not that the woman deserved her consideration, she didn't; however, since she represented Mr. Baxter's estate she'd put her personal feelings aside. For the next few hours anyway. Inhaling, she bolstered her wavering courage before stopping at the doorway. Sunlight glinted off three drinking glasses set on the long table at the rear of the room. Two people sat around an oval mahogany table in the middle of the room, talking softly. One was an older white male with brownish-blonde hair, average build, and a large round face with buck teeth. The other was an anorexic-looking older woman with blondish hair, pale skin and thin, almost nonexistent, lips. Chastity’s eyes slid to the corner of the room, widening in pleasure at seeing Mr. Jamison, Mr. Baxter's attorney, well, her attorney now, who sat looking at some papers. One knot in her stomach eased at the sight of someone she knew who wasn't overtly hostile toward her. Entering the room, head high as Mr. Baxter had instructed, she headed toward her attorney, aware that all

conversation had stopped. Either he heard her approach or he’d been watching the doorway, because he stood with a welcoming smile and extended his hand to her. Mr. Jamison pulled out a chair for her. "Hello, Chastity. How are you?" His deep husky voice brought a smile to her face. Calm and soothing, she wondered if he practiced to get it just right. Another knot unfurled in her stomach. Moisture returned to her mouth, allowing her to return his greeting without stammering. She sat and pulled her chair toward the table. "I'm fine, sir." "Call me Richard. I'm your attorney now." His palm rested on her tightly clasped hands lying on her lap. "Don't worry, things will be fine. This is just a preliminary. David told me he discussed this possibility with you." His brow rose in question. She nodded after realizing he spoke of Mr. Baxter. "Yes. Yes, he did. But, I never liked the idea, plus it’s a long drive from the ranch." She slid her hands from beneath his and looked around the table. He leaned forward and spoke softly. "I understand. David explained you've only left the ranch a few times in the past ten years." She nodded. In order to keep her tough skin tight, she veered away from all discussion about the ranch. "We'll try and wrap this up quickly, then you can be on your way." He smiled and returned to the papers he'd been looking over. Exhaling, Chastity fought the rising nausea at the thought of answering questions about her life, about Mr. Baxter, about the ranch. Some things should be left alone. Two more people entered the room. "Damn." She glanced at Mr. Jamison's scowling face and followed the line of his gaze. Her stomach dropped, kicking her heart into high gear as she recognized the overblown, plasticized face of Maude Stone, Mr. Baxter's sister. The greedy bitch who had started this mess. At five foot three and two hundred pounds, she'd stuffed herself into a light pink suit. Her belly hung over the top of her skirt and the tight sleeves of her jacket threatened to cut off her circulation at any moment. Next to her stood a short, gray haired woman with large lips that appeared frozen in a pout. Not

at all attractive on a woman her age. Chastity's stomach knotted back up with a vengeance. A buzzing sound that she recognized as nerves, serenaded her mind. Pushing everything away, she focused on her reason for being here. Mr. Baxter had given her the ranch. It was hers. People counted on her to be strong and win this battle. Little by little, her discomfort eased. At least she could sit without losing her breakfast. Besides, this wasn't about her. No matter how they worded the request for mediation, she knew better. Time to squash her fears and do what Mr. Baxter had told her to do, exactly as they'd rehearsed. She sat straight. Random thoughts flew around her mind, but she refused to allow dread and anxiety to lodge in her psyche. "Mr. Jamison, I see your client is here. The plaintiff is here as well, shall we begin?" The anorexic woman's deep voice startled Chastity out of her reverie. "Yes, thank you,” Mr. Jamison answered. The woman nodded. "Good. My name is Ms. Jackson. I will serve as Mediator today. Due to the nature of this claim, I have asked Mr. John Abrams to assist since he has a lot of experience with these types of cases." She pointed to the man seated next to her before looking across the table at Maude Stone. "As attorney for Ms. Stone, we appreciate any assistance in setting these matters straight as expeditiously as possible." Her attorney flipped through a stack of papers, before glancing across the table to Mr. Jamison. The mediator nodded. "A grievance was filed against the will of Mr. David Baxter by his sister, Mrs. Maude Stone— “ “Why am I here wasting my time?” Chastity blurted, unable to hold it in any longer, her jaw tight. “Mr. Baxter had the right to leave his money and property to whoever he wanted to.” Brows raised and head tilted, she stared at the shellacked hair on Maude Baxter’s head and wished she had a match to send it sky-high in flames. “If he weren’t unduly influenced, which I believe he was,” Maude snapped, her eyes narrowed in challenge. The heifer wants to play. Bring it on. “So you’re rewriting the law now?” She shoved a tendril of hair behind her ear. “Just stating it so you can understand.” Her tone dripped acid.

“Cut the crap, you’re fighting his will ‘cause I’m black. If I were white, your nose’d be so far up my ass, I’d be breathing for you.” He’d told her to come out fighting, throw down the gauntlet. Maude Stone's neck and shoulders tensed at the distasteful confrontation. “What’s up with you people?” She chuckled with an evil grin and pushed herself forward, her breast squashed against the table. Chastity’s teeth snapped together as her face blazed. “You people?” Eyes widening, she leaned forward, palms on the table, and stood. “Oh hell no, you didn’t.” This bitch doesn’t know me. Maude rolled her eyes. “Yeah, anytime something happens, you scream it’s because of your color. That’s getting so old. Somebody says something against the President, it's because he’s black. If the police make a mistake, take down the wrong person, it’s because he’s black; if the rent goes up, it because he’s black; if the sun don’t shine, it’s because of somebody black. Damn, the sun don’t just shine on black people. Listen, the only color that matters in the world today is green. And I’m fighting my brother’s will because you’re a gold-digging whore.”

Chapter 2 Although Mr. Baxter had warned her, Mr. Jamison had hinted at it, and Ms. Cook had flat out told her the woman was going to be a bitch about not getting the lion's share of her brother's wealth, Chastity hadn't fully believed it. Why would a woman who had never talked to or visited Mr. Baxter, who had known he couldn’t stand her, think she was entitled to anything from him? “Ask your husband who’s the whore? Huh?”Chastity pointed across the table as Mr. Jamison pulled her back down into her chair. “Can you believe that…that,” she trailed off as her attorney turned away, listening to the Mediator. The hum of voices flew as the attorneys discussed protocol. Her eyes returned to Mr. Baxter's sister. According to Mr. Jamison, the bitch knew there was no way to overturn the will, yet she persisted in this mockery, wasting everyone's time. As if she read Chastity's thoughts, the woman turned and met her glare. The old bat's lip turned up at the corner, gloating. "Ms. March? Ms. March, did you understand the question?" The mediator stared at her, annoyance clearly visible on her face and in her voice. "No, I didn't hear the question." She turned from Maude’s smug appearance and looked to the head of the table. The woman pursed her non-existent lips together, eyed her a moment longer, and repeated the question. "Ms. Green, the attorney for Ms. Stone, asked if you had a physical relationship with Mr. David Baxter." A frown marred her brow. "No. Despite the kinky fantasies of his sister, Mr. Baxter was simply my employer." The other attorney looked at her papers. "Why do you live in his home?" "I work there." "Doing what?" "I am, or was, Mr. Baxter's administrative assistant." "Really? Were you ever trained?" "Yes." She tapped her fingernails on the table, her nostrils flared at the attorney’s condescending tone. The attorney looked up from the paper she held and glanced at her, a look of distaste flashed

in her eyes. "By who?" "I took an online course." She didn't bother to mention her Bachelor’s degree in Business, the less they knew about her, the better. The witch nodded. "Of course. So, what were your daily duties as Mr. Baxter's assistant?" Her tone was just above a sneer. Chastity swallowed her frustration at the woman’s attitude and unclenched her fist in her lap. Think of Mr. Baxter and the others. "I collected the mail, both snail and electronic, sent responses to those he assigned to me. Mostly vendors and family." For a moment, she enjoyed the red tinge climbing up Ms. Stone's face. "I also set up his appointments with his managers, accountant, and legal counsel. During the past three years, I sat in on every meeting as Mr. Baxter downsized." "Did he offer to give you the company?" "No." "No? Come now, Ms. March. Isn't it true you now run the company, the one you stole from Mr. Baxter?" Chastity’s smiled widened at the naiveté of the two women across the table. Stole something from Mr. Baxter? That was priceless. "I fail to see the humor, Ms. March. Did my comments hit too close to the truth?" This time the opposing attorney flat out sneered. Pulling herself back from the brink of delivering a brutal verbal smack-down, she gave herself a stern reminder. Business, remember what Mr. Baxter said."Obviously you haven't done your research." She folded her hands in front of her on the table and stared at them. The woman's chest puffed. "I assure you, I have." She glanced at Mr. Jamison. He winked at her. "What business did I steal from Mr. Baxter?" Maude Stone had no inkling of her brother’s true nature; therefore, she had no clue who her opponent was in this charade. No one stole anything from David Baxter. The man’s mind was solid to the end. "His finance company, Baxter and Gains. According to my records, as of two days ago, you signed off on correspondence as his AA. Do you deny that?" "No, I do not." "Do you deny you are running that company?" "Yes, I do." The opposing attorney glared at her.

The attorney spoke to the mediator. "I don't see how we're going to make progress here when she finds this serious matter, funny, and refuses to be truthful." "Not true," Mr. Jamison objected. "Ms. March spoke truthfully. Your information is incorrect; she does not run B&G. Mr. Baxter sold his rights to that company two years ago. That's old news, Maude." Mr. Baxter's sister's jaws trembled. "That's not true, we have the records here. She stole the company and is running it under your nose." He shook his head, a slight smile on his face. "How did she steal it from Robert Gains? His son and daughter run the firm from their offices in upstate New York. They've also decided to keep the name for now. None of the company's intricate dealings are available to you or anyone else without Ms. March's approval. She holds guardianship rights over the remains of Mr. Baxter's enterprises." He sounded so smug; it took all of Chastity’s energy not to high-five him. Instead, she stared at the two women as they conferred and flipped through their files. She looked at her watch and loudly whispered to Mr. Jamison. "One more hour, then I'm leaving." He nodded. Ms. Jackson looked at the two women. "Are you finished? Has Ms. March's position satisfied your claim?" "No, it has strengthened it." Maude Stone pointed a finger at Chastity. "Why would my brother leave his business affairs to you? Why not my son? Or someone he's related to?" "Like you?" She asked with a sly grin. She’d waited for this opening since the woman called her a whore. Maude's face flamed red as she nodded and tilted up her chin. “Yes.” “He never forgave you for forgetting to tell him his wife called before she died. He hated you. Said you were a whoring, heartless, greedy bitch, And he wouldn't leave you a roll of toilet paper to clean your nasty ass,” she said in a monotone voice as if she were reading a script. Maude jumped to her feet, jowls jiggling, and hands clenched. "You lying bitch. My brother never talked like that until he met you." Mr. Jamison stood as well, holding his glasses in his fingers. "Yeah, he did, and you know what she's saying is true. Hell, he said worse to your face in front of others, on the phone whenever you called to beg for money, and even in reply to the emails you sent him begging for money. Talk about dishonesty. Why are you trying to portray your relationship with David as

sisterly? That's a lie and you know it." Face reddened, she snarled at him. "Fuck you, Richard." "Never again, Maudie." He sat with a frown stamped on his face. Chastity glanced at her easygoing attorney and then at Mr. Baxter's sister. "Ewww," she said, leaning toward him. Mr. Jamison's head whipped up. He caught her horrified expression and chuckled. "It was a long time ago." Mr. Abrams spoke for the first time into the silence. "Since there was a sizable amount left to Kenton Stone, Mr. Baxter's nephew, are you aware of any reason why Mr. Baxter didn't leave the guardianship of his estate to him?" Mr. Jamison looked at her. Chastity looked at Maude Stone. "When was the last time Kenton saw his uncle?" The woman's jaw clenched tight. "I don't know." "It was the last time you saw him, Ms. Stone.” The chill in her own voice sent waves of goose bumps over her arms. This woman pushed her buttons and pissed her off. “Four years ago before he left to go overseas. He'd contacted Mr. Baxter from time to time, but due to the sensitivity of Kenton's work, they discussed very little. Almost all of their brief chats were vocal and not online. Whether Mr. Baxter considered his nephew to run his affairs, I don't know. I do know he began training me three years ago." Mr. Abrams nodded as he wrote on a pad in front of him. "How much is the business worth?" "There is no business." Chastity snapped, tired of answering the same questions. "How much are you guarding and who're you guarding it for?" the mediator asked. "Not important." "Yes, it is important," the other attorney said, sitting forward like a bloodhound on a fresh trail. "How about, I'm not going to say." She sat back in the chair, crossed her arms on her lap and sent a smug grin to Maude. No one spoke. A judge could make her provide the books, but no one in this room could, and they knew it. The mediator's long, bony fingers tapped the table, her nails making a clicking sound. "Ms. March, we are trying to settle this matter as quickly as possible, but we need your

cooperation. Is there a reason you won't disclose this information?" She nodded. "Mr. Baxter instructed me not to. He said if his greedy sister took his will to court, Mr. Jamison had a DVD for the trial and another will takes the place of the current one." All eyes turned to Mr. Jamison. "Is that true?" The mediator asked him. He pursed his lips and nodded. "I have a DVD in my possession that is to be played in court and admitted into public records if anyone contests Mr. Baxter's will. He knew Maude would be the only one to try for more money, and he absolutely refused to leave her another dime. There is a new will that makes sure she gets less than the first." He turned and looked at the red-faced woman. Her body shook as she returned his glare. "He had professionals; doctors, psychologists, even a judge to prove his mental state, and the law says he can give his money and property to whomever he chooses. Don't make this worse on yourself." "You knew all this, you bastard," Maude uttered beneath her breath. Chastity stood in preparation to leave. They'd wasted too much of her time. "One moment, young lady," the opposing attorney said. "Who are these children?" She pushed three pictures across the table. A shaft of fear slammed through her. Slowly, she returned to her chair and stared at the pictures lying on the table. A fissure, a cracking of her resolve, shifted inside. Her throat constricted at the smiling face of Jonah, the laughing gaze of Micah, and the teasing lights in Mariah's eye. A tingling sensation zipped down her spine as she glanced into the calculating gleam of the witch's eyes. "Why?" Chastity stalled, trying desperately to rewrap the confident veneer around her shoulders. "Why not? Are they anything to you?" The attorney paused. "Are they yours?" The silkily asked question fell like a thunderbolt into the silence. Beads of sweat popped on her forehead. You're doing this for Sven, Ms. Cook, the children, and Mr. Baxter. But never at the expense of the children. "Why?” she asked again. “Why do you want to know who they are?" She tried to remember what to say. Mr. Baxter's instructions slipped from her mind like wisps of smoke. "Is this another question Mr. Baxter instructed you to remain silent on? These children live on his ranch, the ranch he left to you. Once again, I ask you, who are these children?" "None of your business." Chastity stood, vibrating with the heat of either fear or anger, her

heart beat too fast to decide which. She turned to Mr. Jamison. "I'm done. Let them petition the courts to deal with Mr. Baxter's will." She glanced at the women salivating at the table. “You don't get it, do you?” Her eyes zeroed in on Maude. “You haven't seen mad until you mess with Mr. Baxter. Even from the grave, he's running this show, and he's gonna kick your ass. See you in court. Good luck.” Mr. Jamison replaced his files into his folder and stood to leave with her. "Wait," Maude yelled, standing. Chastity ignored her and walked toward the door. Her head ached with all the back and forth. Her heart raced with the knowledge that someone had breached the ranch’s security. As she left the room, Maude’s voice echoed down the hall as she made a final appeal to Mr. Jamison. "Richard, please. I need to know what's at stake here." "For you, everything," he said. A moment later, he met up with Chastity and walked her to Sven and their waiting car.

Chapter 3 News of his uncle’s death had reached Lieutenant Commander Kenton Stone five days ago. The funeral had taken place sometime in the past two weeks. He hadn’t seen his uncle in four years and guilt rode him hard knowing he’d never see or talk to his favorite relative again. Uncle David was dead. Death wasn’t unfamiliar to him. He’d delivered it more times than he liked to remember. As a trained operative, he knew ways to make a man take his last breath without breaking skin. This last tour had been more brutal than most, he’d done his duty, but that didn’t make it more palatable. But this loss hit home. Neither the old man nor anyone else had let on how sick his uncle had been, or that there were any problems. If anything, his uncle had made it seem as though things were going extremely well. Anger swelled inside him and then deflated. It was his fault. Deliberate evasive maneuvers. That's what he'd been doing the past four years. No, check that. He'd been hiding his feelings for his uncle's assistant for as long as he could remember. Since they were teens he'd tried everything, including following her around like a lovesick puppy, to get her to notice him. Nothing had worked, she was polite but uninterested. The last time he'd seen her, he'd made a mess of things. He hadn't been back to the ranch since. In retrospect, his reasoning for not visiting his uncle seemed selfish and immature. Guilt tasted ugly. Shame was worse. His cell rang. Glancing at the caller ID, he smiled. His preference ran more to darker complexions with full curves and curly hair. He hadn't given up on winning his dream woman, but Renee, a sexy brunette he'd met fourteen months ago in Washington D.C., made a nice interim distraction. “Hi, Renee. I just got in and I'm on my way to my uncle's.” He paused, listening to her husky voice. She understood his need to go and check on the ranch, pay his respects. They were both itching to see each other again. It’d been too long since he'd laid between a woman’s soft thighs and she’d made it clear she wanted him between hers tonight. “Yeah, I'm coming to see you later. How long you in town?” She traveled constantly with her job at the travel agency and had specifically arranged to be here during his leave. His cock hardened as she told him precisely what she intended to do to him tonight. It sounded like his

sexual hiatus would definitely come to an end as she worked him over with her new tongue ring. He clicked off, uncomfortable in his jeans. His cell rang again. This time when he looked at the caller ID, he scowled. He let it go to voice mail. Why was his mother calling him? They hadn't spoken in years. Four years, to be exact. When he'd needed her most, she'd showed her true colors and betrayed him in a way he’d yet to forgive. Although, she’d tried to repair the breach, he'd cut off all communication with her. But after receiving the missive regarding his uncle’s affairs, he'd decided to call a truce to make sure his uncle’s final wishes were carried out. Damn. He grabbed his cell and returned her call. “Kenton, oh thank God. Are you here?” His mom gushed. “I’m headed to Philly. I have a date with a friend later on.” He refused to be cordial. A truce wasn’t forgiveness, didn’t mean things were back to normal. “You've come at the right time. I had a meeting earlier and things went well. Soon I’ll be rid of that dreadful girl.” A sliver of unease rolled down his back. “What dreadful girl?” He hoped this wasn’t about his uncle’s ward. “The one that’s stealing from my brother. She ruined his affairs, I think she ran off with his business, and that old fool still left almost everything to her. Well, I’m not going to stand for that bullshit. Now that you’re here, you can help me set the record straight. I know how close you were with him. I’m sure he meant to leave us…I mean you, more money in his will.” Everyone, including his mom, knew Uncle David didn’t like her. He'd never leave her much of his money if anything at all. “If I were you, I’d leave it alone.” “But…but, it’s millions of dollars.” “Maybe. I don’t know, but it was his to give away. He didn’t give it to either of us and you need to be okay with that. Respect his wishes.” Hearing her heavy breathing, he knew the idea of all that money slipping through her fingers like grains of sand sent her heart racing. Money had been her god for so long, greed ruled her life. Family meant nothing, he'd learned that lesson well. “I’m thinking of taking this to court.” “You’ll lose.” “How can you be so sure?” “Uncle David was nobody’s fool. If you push it, he’ll make you look like one. Besides, you

have no grounds to move forward. I’m telling you it’s a waste of time.” “I think I might have something.” Another shiver ran down his spine. He white-knuckled the steering wheel. “Let it go. Can’t you respect his wishes just this once?” “No,” she snapped. “That asshole won’t win this time. Since that incident with his wife, all those years ago, he’s treated me like last year’s trash. Every time I tried to make-up for my mistake, he’d tell me to fuck off. How can anyone hold a grudge for forty years?” “Well, you were supposed to tell him his wife called and needed to speak to him, that it was urgent. You forgot to tell him.” “I know that, damn it.” She paused. “I know, and I hate that I forgot with every fiber of my being. It was an accident. I just forgot to tell him she called. How was I to know she was sick? Was it my fault the next day when he got home, she died?” “Uncle David thought — “ “I know what that asshole thought. He never let me forget it. The doctors were wrong; she would’ve still died had he gotten there earlier.” His mom always skewed the facts so she could live with herself. All the medical professionals agreed his aunt would’ve survived if she’d gotten treatment earlier, instead of twenty-four hours later. His uncle blamed his mom for not taking a minute to call him. “Hmmm. So this is about revenge against Uncle David and you’re using Chastity?” “Well, they were pretty cozy at that ranch.” His unease upgraded to a tremor. “I believe she worked there.” “Hmpf. That’s what she wants everyone to believe. I think she fed him something over the years to bend him to her will. The man left her everything, for goodness sake. Why would any man do that unless there was something more to their relationship? She was his mistress, and she killed him for his money.” “That’s some conspiracy theory you got going there. You’re forgetting one thing.” “What?” She snapped. “Uncle David was nobody’s fool. If he left her everything, he wanted her to have it and nobody, including you, will be able to snatch it from her. Despite his seventy plus years, he still worked as a consultant to top government agencies with a high security clearance. He wasn’t senile; the man was a genius who'll beat you down from the grave.” And I'll help him if you don't

back off Chas. “Not this time. I have something on him. Even if I don’t win, his name will be damaged. I'll knock him from his high pedestal. There’s winning and there’s winning.” “Whatever. Just so you know, I’m not going to be a part of this plan of yours to strip my uncle’s will. I plan to pay my respects and offer any assistance needed to clean up the mess you wrote me about. Other than that, I plan to leave his estate alone.” “Are you going to the ranch?” “Probably,” he hedged. “Good. Let me know what you see there so— “ “No.” “No?” “I’m not telling you anything. Go to the ranch yourself or send dad.” His dad lived with his mistress in another county, except on the weekends. Everyone knew, but no one talked about it. “David banned me from the ranch years ago, they won’t let me in.” She ignored the comment about his dad. No surprise there. “Tough, gotta go. Someone’s expecting me.” He clicked off. **** A loud squeal from Ms. Cook, the housekeeper, rang in his ears as he walked toward the front entrance. Swinging open the screened door, her arms opened, offering a motherly embrace. Careful of the sling on his right arm, he allowed her to hold him tight as she rocked from side to side. Her head only reached to his chest, her slight frame radiated warmth. Gray hair floated around her shoulders as the smell of lemon and vanilla accosted his nostrils. The woman smelled like home and he held on a few seconds longer, savoring the genuine welcome. If only everyone would be as happy to see him. “It's so good to see you, Ken. You've gotten taller and much bigger. How've ya been?” She pointed to his obvious injury. He didn't want to talk about that. “You want something to eat, drink?” Some things never changed, she always tried to feed him. After he set her down inside the hallway, she moved back, pushing strands of hair from her lined face. He took a quick look around the foyer. He'd tossed his hats and gloves on the solid wood hat tree, lost many toys in the large ceramic umbrella urn, left his new jacket on the coat

hooks lining the dark paneled walls. Each item sparked memories from his childhood. Relief spread through him that things remained the same. “No thank you. I'm good. Sorry I missed the funeral. It took the note a while to find me.” She patted his arm. “That's okay, you know your Uncle had everything picked out and planned, all the way down to the catered repast. Everyone just followed his instructions, as usual.” Her last words caught his attention. His uncle was a precise and strategic man. “I can only imagine. How was he at the end?” Ms. Cook walked into the living room. He followed. They sat on the beige and brown swirled sofa. Her smile dropped as she gazed out the large picture windows facing the mountains. A look of sadness replaced her earlier joy. “He cheated the diabetes and lived longer than the doctors expected. I don't think he was in a lot of pain. He wheezed some, coughed a little, but mostly he worked.” “Worked?” “Yeah. Strange, huh?” She sighed, holding her clasped hands on her lap. Her black and white plaid dress hung loosely around her shoulders, she’d lost weight since he saw her last. He wondered, not for the first time, what his uncle’s relationship had been with Ms. Cook. She’d been around since he was a small boy. “It was like he knew time was running out and he had to finish whatever he was doing. Him and Chastity stayed locked up in that room for hours. Sometimes Sven or his attorney would visit and talk to him. But mostly, it was just the two of them.” He frowned, not sure he understood the implications. “Chastity’s still here then?” His mom made it sound like she'd ran off and left his uncle's estate in a state of disarray. Her eyes latched onto his, as she tilted her head to the side. “Of course she’s still here. Where else would she be?” He shrugged, more confused by his mother’s rant. “So, she helped in the office?” “Yeah. She's a smart girl. Got her a college degree in business. I seen it myself. She worked hard for it. We’re proud of her.” He didn’t know that. “How'd she help him? I mean, what did she do?” “Well, I don't rightly know. She's got all that college education. Baxter asked her to work for him and she did.”

He scratched the five o’clock shadow on his face. “I didn't know she went to college. I guess I've been gone longer than I thought.” “Yeah, lots of things changed.” He glanced at her. Once again, the tone of her comment made him think more was going on than she let on. If there was a weak link on the ranch, it was Ms. Cook. She couldn’t hold water. No one else would spill secrets. “Like what?” “Huh?” She blinked at him. “You said lots of things changed. Like what?” He glanced at her sideways. She smiled. “Well, Mr. Baxter left a ton of instructions with Chastity and Sven. You know, no one tells me much. But, the last few years Baxter worked hard with Chastity to make sure she could handle— “ A loud bang came from the other side of the house, followed with childish yelling and squabbling. “Ms. Cook?” Kenton’s brow rose. He didn’t know there were children on the ranch. She smiled as she stood and walked slowly to the hall. “Stop that yelling, I’m in the livin’ room.” She looked at him. “They’re always ripping and a-runnin' through here. Probably hungry.” Curious, Kenton turned toward the doorway. His mouth dropped open when two small boys rushed inside, stopping short of knocking the older woman down. They were similar in appearance, but not identical. The light brown eyes, light toast colored complexions, and dark wavy shoulder length hair gave credence to their sibling relationship. He figured they were under ten, maybe in elementary school. One of them had his permanent front teeth. The other’s was missing. All in all, two handsome boys. “Micah, Jonah, this is Kenton Stone, Mr. Baxter’s nephew. He’s in the military and just found out his uncle died, so he came all the way from around the world to make sure everybody on the ranch is doing okay. Isn’t that great?” Ms Cook winked at him while the boys stared at him in awe. “Wow, do you know how to shoot a gun?” The one without teeth asked. “Did somebody blow off your hand?” The other pointed to the cast on his right arm. “Yes, I know how to shoot a gun. No, I still have my hand. I got hurt and the cast keeps it safe while it gets better.” He smiled at the genuine interests in their eyes. “Before you ask a million questions,” Ms. Cook turned their attention to her. “Why were

you yelling for me?” “Oh, that’s right. Mr. Robbie sent us to fetch some old towels for the stables.” Ms. Cook nodded and headed toward the hall. “Mind your manners, I’ll be right back.” Both heads turned toward Kenton as she left the room. He had the impression they communicated with each other in some telepathic way he couldn’t comprehend. He waited for the inquisition. It didn’t take long. “I’m going to be a Navy Seal like Uncle Sven when I grow up and catch bad guys like Bin Laden.” The one missing his front teeth said. “I’m going to be a doctor so I can patch up the horses when they get sick.” The other said pointing to his chest. “That’s lame.” “No it’s not.” He shoved the other. “Yes, it is.” Both eyes turned toward him. “Tell him it’s lame to be a horse doctor. It’s more fun to save the world from evil people.” The toothless wonder sneered at the other one. Kenton knew they were brothers. They had to be. Only close relatives would be so mean and loving at the same time to one another. They waited for him to speak. He‘d never dealt with kids, but what the hell. “It’s never lame to follow your dream. Be who you want, do what you want. If— “ “See, I told you. I’mma tell mama you called me lame.” He stalked toward the hall. “No I didn’t. I didn’t call you lame. You always telling. I said a horse doctor’s lame. You’re not a horse doctor.” They walked away arguing. Kenton stared at the doorway. Who were they? There was something familiar about them, but he couldn’t place it. The puzzle flew around his mind until Ms. Cook limped slowly into the room. Concerned, he stood to assist her. “Are you okay?” She nodded and sat slowly. “What happened? You’re limping.” He sat watching her. Did those boys do something? He hadn’t heard anyone else in the house. She chuckled without humor and glanced at him. “I’m old. That’s what happened. I can’t move like I used to and when I try, these old bones remind me they’re tired.” He looked at her, hard. She’d been here some thirty years. He’d never thought about it

before, but she looked to be in her sixties. “Ms. Cook, sixty is not old.” “Darn right it aint. But eighty-one is pushing it.” She moved to the side while he snapped his mouth shut. “No way. You’re not in your eighties.” He stared at the gray strands and moderately lined skin, and wondered if she had Indian in her lineage. “Then I guess my mama's a liar and my daddy a cheat.” She eyed him from the chair, hers crinkling at the corners. “No, no, that’s not what I’m saying. You, you just don’t look that old.” He paused as she squinted at him. “Not old. I mean that age. You don’t look like you’re in your eighties.” “Yep, God’s been good. I was here with Janine, your uncle’s wife. I moved here to help her.” Well, that explained it. Aunt Janine had died before he was born. Too much had happened over the years between his mom and Aunt Janine for him to head in that direction. Instead, he asked, “Where’s Chastity?” “Chastity?” “Yeah.” He figured she needed a minute to change directions from Janine to Chasity. “She’s in Philadelphia. Some type of mediation.” The look she sent said he should know that. “Mediation?” “Yeah.” “Is it about my uncle?” He was puzzled. No one had mentioned any of this to him. If he was going to be involved in cleaning up his uncle’s estate, shouldn’t they have at least notified him if they couldn’t wait? “Most definitely.” She twisted her lips and rubbed her leg. “Do you know what the mediation is about?” “You just said it, your uncle. Anything more, you’ll have to ask her when she gets back. Should be in the morning.” Not the morning, he planned to leave soon and meet up with Renee for some stress release. Ruthlessly, he tamped down feelings of guilt that arose. He wanted Chas, but he had Renee. Besides, celibacy wasn’t a good look on him and he intended to shed it within the next few hours. After visiting with Ms. Cook for an hour or so, he stood and glanced at his watch. “Well, I

hadn’t planned to stay tonight. I have a dinner date in the city. Tell Chas and Sven I’ll talk to them tomorrow.” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “Be good, I'll see you in the morning.” She smiled. “You be good, I know what kind of evening you have planned. Big handsome, dark eyed man like you, I’m sure it’s long overdue.” His neck and face warmed at her knowing look. There was no need denying it, so he walked outside toward his car. The boys raced nearby. He returned their wave, thought for another minute, and returned to the house. “Whose boys are those?” he asked Ms. Cook, who’d moved to the recliner. “Boys?” “Yeah, the two who were in here earlier?” Sometimes he’d grit his teeth at her asking questions in response to his questions. “Jonah and Micah.” “Yes, you introduced them already. Who are their parents? Do they live here?” She waved his questions away. “Of course, they live here with their mama. Chastity. Where else would they live?” Once again, her look said he should know that. He couldn’t think past the gut punch at the news. “Chastity has boys? How old are they? Who’s their father?” Numbly, he returned to the living room couch and sat. Her words bowled him over like an out-of-control Mack truck. His chest lurched at the thought of her married with a family. The devastating news shredded his calm and destroyed his lifelong plans. “I think they’re seven or eight. Maybe nine. I don’t know for sure, you can ask them. I don’t rightly know who the father is, she won’t say. You ask her, she might tell you.” “Why? Why would she tell me?” Thoughts swirled around his mind. His mother’s note was beginning to make sense. Had his uncle impregnated his ward? His mouth went dry and his belly clenched at the idea of Chastity and his old uncle, together, having sex. Nausea rumbled in his belly. He’d always thought his uncle admirable, and held him in high esteem. Was that why she never left the ranch? He pulled his hand through his short hair. Good Lord, his uncle had been in his late seventies. Chastity was younger than his own thirty years. No wonder those boys looked familiar, the one missing his teeth had a nose and mouth that reminded him of his uncle and mother. A definite Baxter trait. Sick at heart, he stood and waved goodbye

to Ms. Cook. The idea of taking anything from his uncle’s estate left a vile taste in his mouth. How could his uncle take advantage of a woman fifty years his junior? Chastity thought his uncle could turn water into wine, she’d have done anything for him. Did she? Head pounding over the possibilities, he cranked his car and pulled out. Slowly, he drove along the driveway. Disappointment swamped him. Ms. Cook said his uncle had worked hard the last few years with Chastity, alone. Probably giving her pointers on how to raise his boys. His uncle had sons. That’d make them his cousins. Strange, he felt no joy in that revelation. He hit the steering wheel and sped out the driveway, kicking up gravel in his wake. Thinking of the two boys running around his uncle’s ranch, he knew his mom was dead wrong. Obviously, she didn’t know about her nephews. Why’d his uncle keep his sons a secret from him? Anger boiled beneath the surface. What the hell were they thinking? His uncle was too old to be a father. He’d have been in his late sixties when he impregnated her. Now he’d left his sons without a daddy to cheer them at games, see them graduate from school, or talk to them about life’s challenges. No child should suffer through parental neglect; he could write a book and give lectures on the subject. Sven, Robbie, and the men that worked the ranch, would have to step up to the plate and help. Whenever he was stateside he’d make sure to spend some time with them. “Wait a minute,” he murmured. “If Chastity had two sons by his uncle, then they’d be next in line for everything. Why did mama say things were a mess?” Hope rose; maybe she hadn’t been with his uncle. Then dashed just as fast, she’d been with someone. Someone he didn’t know. His cell vibrated. Thinking it was Renee, he answered without checking the caller ID. “Hey.” His voice deepened to the tone she’d told him turned her on. “Kenton, have you left the ranch? Did you see any children?” He stared at the phone. Maude Stone. Shaking his head at her gutsiness, he debated how to answer. “Yes, I’ve known for a while, but I know you aren’t bringing innocent children into this?” His jaw clenched at the thought. “How’d you know?” “I met them.” “When?” She screeched.

Something told him to hold the information close. “Does it matter?” “Yes. No. No, it doesn’t. I think they’re hers, and I plan to expose her as an unfit mother and have them taken away.” Goosebumps exploded over his heated flesh. An acidic taste hit the back of his throat as shame filled him. His mom would split a family for no reason other than spite. Did she have no conscience? He stiffened his resolve. “What happened to your conspiracy theory?” “My attorney didn’t think that would work, either. But she thinks this is better. We have a chance of stripping the children from her and get them tested. If they’re my brother’s, then I get custody as his last living relative.” Not his last, I’m still here. “You do that and I’ll never see or speak to you again. Not only that, I will do everything within my power to help defeat you.” “Why?” she whispered. Her voice shook, before it strengthened. “Why would you do that?” “Why would you tear up a family? For money? For revenge? My uncle is dead and you’re bullshitting around with someone’s life just because he didn’t like you. Fuck that.” “Watch your tone.” “Watch your targets. You wanna go after a dead man, help yourself. But I’m sworn to protect the living. Back off from Chastity.” “That whore? She’s no better— “ “Than who? Who? Than your married friends who sleep around and head up important social committees. Some of the city’s biggest sluts parade as the upper crust. Upper crust my ass. Uncle David wasn’t stupid. If he left something for Chastity, then you’d better believe he’s taught her how to protect it. You need to find a way to deal with your dead brother and leave her alone.” He figured his words fell on deaf ears. She couldn’t hear past the sound of stacked dollar bills. “Are you coming to see me?” Her voice softened. “Probably not. This truce is for Uncle David. Just like he didn’t forgive your selfishness, I haven’t either.” He’d warned her, which was the most he could do for now. “You’re just like him, so righteous, so full of your moral code. Although I’m surprised how quickly you picked up your uncle’s mantle as protector of his ward. Did you have any intimate dealings with her?”

Images from the two nights he’d spent with Chastity flew through his mind. His cock rose in tribute to the unforgettable events. Her soft milk chocolate skin, full lips, half-closed eyes. She was a siren, a temptress he’d desperately tried to make his own. “No. Uncle David would’ve killed me.”

Chapter 4 The phone in his pocket vibrated. “Hold on, let me see who’s calling.” Representative Justin Rivers placed his best friend, Mike Griffin, on hold while he checked his personal cell. “Damn. It’s the old man. You wanna hold on? It won’t take long.” He grinned when Mike said okay. They were planning a ‘men only’ weekend next month and he wanted to be sure everything went off without a hitch. “Senator, how are you this fine day?” He asked, glancing at some pictures Mike had sent over on his cell. “I’m fine, just fine. How’s everything with you?” He leaned back in the chair, scrolling through photos. “Everything’s good. The girls are in Montana at some type of camp. Brianna’s home with a heavy schedule; charities, committees, and such. When are you coming for a visit?” “I have some free time next month. Maybe we could spend a weekend together.” Not on your life. “Sure, that sounds good. Hopefully, your time off is the same as mine. I’m going to be out of town quite a bit.” “Oh? Congress will be in recess.” “True, but I have to meet with a lot of people when I get home. I’m thinking of taking on Tom Jenkins' senatorial seat.” “How’s that was going?” “Good. I need to up my finances, and that means a lot of ass-kissing.” The old man grunted. “I know. Well, that was the only weekend I have free next month. We’ll get together when you’re back in town.” “Sounds like a plan. I’ll see you after recess.” He disconnected and picked his throwaway phone back up. “Sorry about that. He wanted to visit during recess.” Mike’s chuckle had him smiling. “I’ve got some serious entertainment lined up for you. Don’t cancel at this late date.” “Not even. I’ve been a good boy for a long time. Respectable and all that shit. I’ve earned this weekend and no one’s going to deny me my fun. Now I’ve looked at the pictures and the

little brown doll sent a tingle through me. How old did you say she was?” “I didn’t. She’s six.” His breath hitched with excitement. There’d been a special place in his heart for brown dolls since losing his first brown doll over twenty years ago. Mike said she’d died in a car accident. This doll wasn’t as pretty as his brown baby girl had been, but she’d do. “Untouched?” “Of course.” “Good.”

Chapter 5 After placing her overnight bag in her bedroom, Chastity smiled as she heard the sound of running feet. Legs braced apart, she prepared to catch the twin tornadoes headed toward her. “Mama!” “Mama’s home.” Two sets of hands wrapped tight around her waist. She squeezed and inhaled the fresh clean scent that was unique to her handsome treasures. “Hiya doing man cubs?” She tickled Jonah and then Micah. Both boys laughed so hard they fell backward on the bed. She continued kissing their cheeks as she tickled them. “Mmmm, man cubs, good man cubs.” She deepened her voice and squeezed them again. “I missed you yesterday. Robbie said you behaved and even helped him with some chores. For that, I have a surprise for you.” “For real?” Micah asked. “A surprise?” Jonah’s lack of front teeth sent a spray of fluid onto his brother’s cheek. “Ewww, you sprinkled me.” “Did not.” “Yes you did. Mama, didn’t he spit on me?” Two light brown eyes peered seriously at her. Her heart raced at the thought of any harm coming to her babies. They were so precious, so innocent. It was her job to make sure they remained that way. The only thing she’d requested from Mr. Baxter was to teach her how to keep her children safe. After a short argument, in which she remained adamant, he’d agreed. It had taken years of apprenticeship as he taught her business principles, but she’d learned at the master’s knee. Inhaling her renewed purpose, she winked at her sons. “I don’t know.” She stood, laughing at their light-hearted teasing, the sound of security. The sound of joy and happiness. A sound she’d missed at their age. Moving toward the kitchen, she removed the box of Cinnabons from the pantry, sliced one, and placed each half of the sticky treat on the counter. Arguments temporarily forgotten, they tore into the pastry. She set out another danish and a cup of coffee for Ms. Cook before calling her into the kitchen. Mariah followed close on the heels of the housekeeper. It was rare to see one without the other, the older woman doted on the child.

“Oh my,” she said softly. “You're a sweetheart to be thinking of me at a time like this. You’ve got a lot of work to get to and all.” She sat in front of the coffee and took a sip. Her lips spread upward. “Ah. This is delicious. Much thanks to ya.” Chastity smiled and dropped a kiss on Mariah’s cheek. Her daughter had eaten more than her share of sweets and was now cheerfully munching on the bowl of cereal she’d placed in front of her. “I talked to a Navy Seal and he told me I should be one.” Micah spoke around the pastry in his mouth. The smile on Chastity's face froze. Her system shut down at the news that someone she didn’t know had been around her children. That’s how kids were abducted; making small talk, making them feel safe and comfortable around strangers. Her eyes narrowed as Jonah joined in. “He said you should follow your heart.” Micah shrugged. “Same thing.” Neither noticed the tightening around her eyes, or her pursed lips. “What Navy Seal? Where did you meet him?” Chastity hadn’t meant to snap at them, but fear of the unknown always lurked just beneath the surface, ready to strangle her fragile strip of peace and rip her sanity to threads. Startled, they glanced at her, then nodded toward the front of the house, their actions mirroring one another. “In the living room, yesterday. Ms. Cook said he came from around the world to check on us.” “Someone came here yesterday?” She gazed at Ms. Cook who’d just put her cup down. “Huh? Yesterday, somebody came here?” The older woman squinted at the boys. “Yes’m. You introduced me and Jonah to the big man with the dark hair and light eyes, said he came to see us.” Confusion evaporated from Ms. Cook's face, her mouth opened and closed on a large smile. “Oh, yes.” She clapped her hands. “Kenton's back in the country and came by yesterday to check on us. He said he’d be back today. That’s right. Robbie sent the boys in for something and he met them in the living room.” Chastity's fist balled by her side. Fear and anger wrestled inside. Robbie knew the rules. No one was to get near her children. That’s why she took Mariah with her and Sven yesterday, so he could keep the boys safe here. Did Maude ask her son to come to the ranch and look around? To

get information about her children? The old witch was definitely up to something. “You said he just got back into the country?” “Hmm. Yes, I think he said that. He didn’t stay long. Just asked about his uncle and the boys.” Ms. Cook took another bite of cinnamon bun as Sven walked in. “Who asked about the boys?” He asked while pouring a cup of coffee. Ms. Cook grinned up at him. She’d forgotten to put in her partial plate and large gaps were highlighted in her smile. “Kenton asked yesterday when he came to see us.” Sven looked at Chastity. “That’s great. Haven’t seen him in a while. I hope Jamison gets here soon. We can knock out a few things before Kenton comes back today.” She looked at him, brow raised. “No one said he was coming today.” “I know, but he will. His uncle is dead and he has questions.” He looked at her meaningfully. She nodded. Sven had been Mr. Baxter's right hand for over twenty years and knew more about the deceased's family than he let on. The sound of a car door closing caught everyone’s attention. “Kids, put your plates and bowl in the sink, and go to the family room. I’ll be in as soon as I finish my meeting.” She waved them up. Panic teased her belly, her children would not be exploited under any circumstances. “Play fair on the games and have at least one tea party with Mariah.” She gave each one a kiss on the forehead and sent them marching toward the back of the house, safely away. Inhaling, she ignored Sven’s raised brow and headed toward the office. A moment later, he followed. After Ms. Cook brought Mr. Jamison to the office, they sat down to strategize. An hour later, they were still no further along. “If she takes this to court, there’s not a whole lot we can do about it, is there?” “No, she won’t win. She can’t win. Mr. Baxter had every legal right to leave his money to whomever or do with it however he pleased,” Mr. Jamison said. “I’m stumped as to why she’s doing this.” “She hated him and this is her last dig at him for ignoring her all those years.” Sven paced the floor, stopping just short of the dark paneled walls. “So she thinks this is one way to make sure he doesn’t get what he wants?” Chastity asked. Sven nodded. “She’s crazy. That doesn’t make sense.” “It doesn’t have to. She hated the way he treated her, now it’s her turn.” Sven waved away

her comment. “But he’s dead.” Chastity tried to make sense of the woman's rationale. “She plans to stop his last request.” Mr. Jamison said thoughtfully. He laughed. “No wonder David put so many things in place. He knew his sister well.” “You ready to go to court?” Chastity asked, completely stumped. “Believe it or not, I think David Baxter planned for her to take his estate to court. Once they file the papers for a trial, another packet will be released to me from his vault. His banker has already contacted me with a few triggers.” “Triggers?” Chastity wondered when this rollercoaster would end. All she wanted was the chance to raise her children in peace, without the debilitating fear from her past choking her. “Yeah, I’ve got some packets coming to me,” Sven said, rotating his neck. “Mr. B. made a lot of contingency plans. Some of the big envelopes contain plans and information to be used in case certain things happen. He worked on them for years. I think his banker has all the packets in a vault along with DVDs from Mr. B and written instructions for the triggers.” “Sooo, if she decided to drop this whole thing?” Chastity asked, looking at the two men. Sven, true to his Nordic heritage stood six and a half feet tall, with a wide chest and long blonde hair threaded with gray that he wore in a ponytail. His face sported lines in his forehead and around his mouth. If she had to guess his age, she'd put him in his fifties. Mr. Baxter had hired the ex-Navy Seal to head up security on the ranch. The big oaf took his job seriously and was like an uncle to her. Mr. Jamison looked small, almost effeminate next to Sven. That’s probably why he sat, while Sven prowled like a large cat. “If she had, then the information for the court case would remain sealed. We're still dealing on a need-to-know basis. No one knows everything he put in those packets; like I said, he’d worked on them for years.” She frowned. Years? They’d only come to their agreement four years ago, after she’d gotten pregnant with Mariah. “Hello, Kenton.” Ms. Cook's pleased voice echoed down the hall. Chastity looked toward the door when she heard the voices. Her eyes darted to the papers Mr. Jamison returned to his briefcase just before the knock sounded on the door. Sven opened it and greeted Kent with a fist pound and embrace. “What’s up, my man?” Sven smiled and ushered him inside.

“Not much, got into a small problem on afar-away island and was out of it for a while. Came here as soon as I got word about Uncle David.” He turned toward her and nodded at Mr. Jamison, although his eyes never left her. What happened to his arm? The cast held his fingers in a splint. It looked uncomfortable. Other than that, he looked good. The man stood a few inches shorter than Sven, his chest just as wide. What did they feed them in the military? The short hair cut, high cheekbones, hazel eyes that changed with his emotions. Now, they were dark green. A little worn around the edges, his eyes had lost that haunted look since the last time she’d seen him four years ago. She warmed under his intense stare. “Kenton.” “Chas. How are you?” The inflection in his voice said he was asking about more than his uncle’s death. No matter, they weren’t friends. His mother had made it her life’s mission to make Chastity’s existence hell, she didn't trust anyone living who was related to that woman. “I’m dealing.” She pointed to Mr. Jamison. “You remember your uncle’s attorney? He needs to talk to you about your uncle’s will.” “Yeah, Mom wrote and mentioned something about his affairs being messed up.” “Really?” Sven turned and watched him closely. Kenton looked at him and then at the attorney. “Is there a problem?” “Other than your mother trying to overturn your uncle’s will, no.” The attorney pulled a sheaf of papers from his briefcase. “Yeah, she mentioned that. I told her it was a waste of time. There’s no way she can win. But, if she listens to me, it’ll be a first.” Chastity’s heart raced as Kenton watched her closely, as though she were a puzzle he needed to figure out. “Your uncle left you a few things in his will,” Mr. Jamison said. Kenton nodded, but continued staring at her. She broke the staring contest and looked at Mr. Jamison. “Who’s the executor of his will?” Kenton asked. The room stilled. No one spoke. Chastity’s brow rose at his question. No questions about his uncle’s final condition? He hadn’t come to see his uncle in four years, and she knew he’d been stateside since he’d been here last. The fruit damn sure didn’t fall far from the tree.

“I am.” Her tone dared him to challenge her. He nodded. “Good. That’s the least he could’ve done.” She gazed at him, trying to decipher his coded words. “What do you mean?” He sighed, raked his hand through his hair and looked at her. “I met the twins.” She nodded slowly. The frown on her forehead dug deeper than before. “They told me.” She spread her hands and shrugged. He stood and looked at Sven. They stared at each other for a moment. “Uncle David’s their father, right?” He sneered, his words dripped with disdain and something more. “What?” She whispered. As his words registered, her stomach lurched and she heaved. The coffee she’d had earlier hit the wastebasket. Tears filled her eyes as she stared at him. At that moment, she hated him and his mother. “You son of a bitch and I do mean that literally. Your uncle was a man of honor and integrity, worth ten of you. How dare you…how dare you say such a foul thing. You’re a fucking— ” “Whoa, wait…I thought, I mean they look— “ His face paled and then reddened. “How dare you stoop so low? Your mother, yeah. Expected. But Mr. Baxter loved you like his own.” Her voice cracked under the weight of his betrayal. Her face and neck heated, grew tight. Words stuck in her throat as her face crumbled and she broke down in tears. “I didn’t… Damn, Chas. I’m sorry. I jumped to conclusions and thought they were his kids. I didn’t mean to make it look like— “ Her head snapped up and she glared at him through tears. “What the hell were you thinking? He was in his seventies. Can men that old still have sex? Or even want to? She looked at all the red faces in the room and swiped the moisture from her face. “Never mind. If that’s the new angle your mother is going after, she’ll be disappointed.” “My mother only suspects the boys are yours. She’s thinking of an unfit mother angle.” The moment the last word left his mouth, her eyes widened and then narrowed. I will kill that bitch. Fire leapt in her veins. She hadn’t realized she’d moved until she stood in front of him, vibrating under the force of her anger and conviction. “Tell that bitch to bring it on. I will crush her.” She turned and left the room. In all the years he’d known her, he’d never seen her shaken. If asked, he’d have said she didn’t get riled or happy. The pain and sorrow in her eyes when he mentioned his uncle fathering her sons, ripped through him. But that last look, when she cursed his mother, was death on two

legs. No fear, no compromise, no games. He didn’t doubt for a moment she’d do exactly as promised. “You’re an asshole.” Mr. Jamison shoved some papers at him. “Here’s the paperwork for the Bentley and the Jaguar convertible he left you. Although you probably think she fucked him to get you those as well.” Jamison stood. “Your uncle was a respectable man, with a large heart and a strong sense of justice. He hated seeing the innocent punished and the guilty go free. What you implied is an insult to his memory and to that courageous young woman. Call my office, leave your account information, and the money he left for you will be transferred. Or we can mail you a check.” He turned and walked out, closing the door tightly behind him. Kenton was so stunned by the turn of events, he couldn’t think. Last night, instead of enjoying Renee the way he should have, he’d spent most of the night matching memories and events. He'd finally settled on the idea that his uncle had fathered the boys, the only logical conclusion to his mind. “What’s wrong with you? Even if you believe that bullshit, why’d you throw it out there like some jealous bastard?” Sven asked, leaning against the wall. Shaking his head, Kenton stood holding his arm and ignored the jealous comment. Of course, Sven would pick up on his true reason for anger. “Man, I saw them yesterday. Say what you want, but there’s a definite family resemblance. Those kids got some Baxter in them.” Sven straightened and stared at him. “Not from Mr. B.” His tone adamant. “Look, I’m not trying to start shit. I already told my mom, if she goes down that bullshit unfit line, we’re through. I mean that. There’s nothing wrong with those boys. Chastity's done a good job.” “Yes, she has. And if that’s the angle your mother decides to play, then she’ll come against a mama bear that takes no prisoners.” Sven nodded toward the door. “She might not fight too hard for herself, but for her kids, she’d go against God himself.” “I saw that.” Kenton exhaled. “It’s none of my business who the father is. If you say they’re not my uncle’s, then I guess I’m wrong and owe her an apology.” “You are wrong and you owe her a big ass apology. Let me ask you this.” Sven walked closer and looked down at him. He looked up at the older man. He’d always respected him. Sven had been instrumental in Kenton's decision to join the Navy. “What?”

“How many times you have sex with her?” Kenton blinked. His mind raced as thoughts jumped and fell over each other. How did he know? He doesn’t-he’s fishing. Why would he ask that? We don’t even talk. In the end, he blanked his face. “What?” “You heard me.” Sven stood facing him, his face pink. Not red, that’s a good sign, right? All the men on the ranch were very protective of the two women that lived there. “Why would you ask me that?” “Why won’t you say never?” “Never.” Sven leaned forward and ran a hand through his hair, releasing the ponytail. “Shit, that’s the first lie you’ve ever told me.” It wasn’t. Kenton had taken some things from Sven’s bag once when they’d gone camping and he denied it. He'd been ten or somewhere near that age. But that wasn’t important. “What are you talking about?” “You were too upset about her being with another man to have not staked a claim, even subconsciously.” “The man was my seventy-year-old uncle. She was his ward, that’s fucked up.” His face heated as the thought of her with his relative singed his pride. Wait, pride? What the hell? Sven shrugged and backed up. “Okay. Good to know. Now what? How do you feel about her having children with another man? Someone else got the goods. You're okay as long as it’s not your uncle, right?” He nodded, too twisted inside to speak. The thought she’d moved on burned a hole in his gut. He schooled his face, forcing it to remain placid, calm, frigid almost. “Glad to hear it man. I’ll let Robbie know.” Sven turned toward the door. Without thought, his hand clamped down on Sven’s shoulder. His voice dropped an octave. Veins stood out on his neck. “Who? I know you didn’t say Robbie.” Robbie was the ranch manager and single. He had nothing against the man except he shouldn’t be looking at Chastity that way. Sven shrugged to remove the hand. Kenton tightened his grip. “I said Robbie.” “What the fuck is he doing hanging around Chastity? He’s old enough to be her father. I thought you were head security. How the hell did he get close to her?”

“I guess the same way you did, when I wasn’t looking. I trusted you and didn’t dog your steps. But the fox got inside the chicken-coop anyway.” Sven shrugged again, and this time Kenton's fingers loosened and fell away. “How many times did you have sex with her?” Sven asked again. Kenton swallowed, ashamed that he’d betrayed the trust of two men he greatly admired. “Two.”

Chapter 6 Three days after their disastrous attempts at mediation, Chastity received a call from Jamison. The judge, who was an old friend of Mr. Baxter’s, and who’d sent the case to mediation, had an opening and wanted them in court the next morning. Waiting for Sven to escort her inside the courthouse, she glanced around the quiet hall. The calm before the squall. The children were at home with Robbie, who'd been given specific instructions. No one gets near her kids, period. She figured Maude would send someone to the ranch while she was at court or something underhanded like that. Chastity hadn’t seen or heard from Kenton since the incident in the office earlier that week. Despite the crazy words he'd spouted, seeing him brought back memories from her teen years. He'd changed and so had she. A wave of disappointment rolled over her and she fought it back. Life moved forward. Catching sight of Sven and her attorney dispelled her gloomy thoughts. Perfect, now they could settle the matter of Mr. Baxter's will with as little fanfare as possible. No sooner had the thought eased her mind, but Maude Stone, her attorney, and three additional people who looked suspiciously like the press, barreled around the corner yelling questions. “Ms. Stone, do you believe this young woman stole money from your brother and is hiding it in other countries?” “Do you think this is some sort of love triangle?” “Are you implying she was in some way responsible for Mr. Baxter’s death? What do you hope to prove?” Chastity pushed her legs to move at a faster clip in her low-heeled pumps, just shy of running into the appropriate courtroom; dodging the questions thrown at her. “That bitch,” she huffed, pissed at the turn of events. Sven pushed her further inside, toward the front of the courtroom with Jamison, while he stood near the door, limiting her contact with the press. Breathing a sigh of relief, she sat down next to her attorney. “This is turning into a circus.” Chastity glanced at the media people who stood in the back of the courtroom. “It’s supposed to be a quick hearing, what’s happening?” Worry threaded her tone and shot down her spine until

she glanced at the opposing table. Maude Stone wore a smug smile on her face. What was she planning? Glare for glare, the two women stared at each other. Did Mrs. Stone want everyone to know what her brother had in the files? Jamison had warned her, the woman’s greed led her into places her ego wouldn’t be able to tolerate. Chastity grabbed Jamison’s arm. “Please tell me this will be over today.” He rubbed her hand as Sven took the seat beside her. “It should be, although Maudie seems confident about something.” Tell me something I don’t know. “Really? I wonder what?” The sarcasm she’d tried to hide slipped through. He shrugged. “We’ll have to wait and see.” Sven placed a file in front of him as he sat facing the front. She glanced at the unlabeled folder. Her fingers itched to look inside. His eyes slid to hers and he shook his head, pointing to the letters on the front. Mr. Baxter’s moniker, NTK only. The only way to find out the contents in that file was if she needed to know. Nerves shot, she looked around the room and bit her lip in frustration. Her eyes narrowed as they landed on Kenton, who sat two rows behind her. They stared at each other before he nodded and looked straight ahead. Damn. Was he here to support his mom or his uncle? If Mr. Baxter could’ve counted on Kenton to carry out his wishes, he would have the file instead of Sven. In her mind, Kenton had proven he lacked the heart to ride through tough battles. She’d waited to hear from him for weeks after her birthday. Nothing. Not even to check to see if she was okay. As usual, the selfishness of the male species didn’t surprise her. At the end of the day, you have to look out for yourself. Mistakenly, she’d thought he’d be different since he was Mr. Baxter’s nephew. That fruit had rolled into another orchard, he was nothing like her benefactor. He was just as selfcentered as another bastard she’d met long ago. Gypsy baby my ass. They stood as the judge entered, and after they all sat back down, he stated the case. Maude and her attorney wasted no time painting Chastity as a gold-digging whore who’d hood-winked an elderly, borderline insane David Baxter. They stated the boys were Mr. Baxter’s sons and Chastity was an illiterate whore, unfit to take care of the children. They cited witnesses who’d seen her prostituting and taking drugs. Maude Stone, as sister to the deceased, petitioned the court for custody of her brother’s children. Stunned at the magnitude of the lie, Chastity sat glued to the seat as men she’d never seen

before came and pointed fingers at her, claiming to have purchased sexual services. One man had worked at the ranch five years ago and claimed the two of them smoked pot together. Sven’s hand tightened around hers when Jamison cross-examined the man and left glaring holes in his testimony. Sven slid two papers to Jamison, who read them twice and smiled. The next witness claimed Mr. Baxter told him the three children were his. Her attorney cross-examined him ruthlessly. The man constantly wiped his forehead and upper lip. Jamison had him twisting in his seat. “When did Mr. Baxter tell you he impregnated his ward?” “He said it was right after she turned eighteen. He’d waited for her to be legal.” The man smirked. “Are you sure he told you he made her pregnant, or did he say they just had sex?” “Nope, he made her pregnant. I’m positive. He had a DNA test and everything.” “Did you see the DNA test?” “No, no. He was a good friend; I took his word for it.” Jamison walked to the table, picked up the two sheets of paper, and approached the judge. Maude's attorney joined them. “Your honor, I have copies of David Baxter’s medical record. It clearly documents that he had a vasectomy when he was thirty-five years old. That was before Ms. March was born. Every five years, as these records show, he went and had things checked. His doctors affirmed his sterility and inability to impregnate anyone.” Chastity’s mouth dropped open, her hand flew up and covered her surprise. Ohmigod, Mr. Baxter had had the big V. Sven squeezed her hand as the judge flipped through the pages. She looked at Jamison. “Is the doctor available to verify these documents?” He turned and looked around the courtroom as a short, balding man stood up. “He is, Your Honor.” Maude’s attorney glanced at the pages and returned to her seat. The two women conversed as the doctor took the stand. Chastity watched the women instead of listening to the testimony. If Mr. Baxter used this guy, then he’d be good. Her fingers twitched in anticipation of watching the DVD Mr. Baxter had left for the court. Mr. Jamison said it was bad, which meant it was good for them. The judge released the doctor from the stand. “It’s apparent Mr. Baxter isn’t the father of

Ms. March’s children. Therefore, you have no rights to them or anything left on their behalf. As for deciding her fitness as a mother, that has no bearing in this discussion since the children are not related to you or Mr. Baxter. Do you have any other witnesses?” The two women talked for a moment or two. The attorney stood up. “Yes, we call Lieutenant Commander Kenton Stone.” Chastity jerked and turned. Kenton sat frowning at his mother without moving. “Is the Lieutenant in the courtroom?” “Yes, he is.” Maude turned and pointed at him. “He’s sitting right there.” “Young man, are you Lieutenant Commander Kenton Stone?” He stood. “Yes, ma’am.” “You’ve been called as a witness. Please take the stand.” He shook his head as if to clear it and walked forward. After being sworn in, his face blanked into name, rank, and serial number mode, Chastity had hated it whenever he pulled that one with her. Now she was glad he had, since he only did it when he was pissed. Biting her lower lip, Chastity wondered why they’d called him to the stand. It was obvious this wasn’t planned. Even wounded soldiers got in the crossfire of greed. After stating his name for the records, the questioning started. “Lt. Cmdr Stone, is Maude Stone your mother?” Maude's attorney asked. “Yes.” Kenton stared straight ahead. “Were you aware of this lawsuit?” “No.” “No? Didn’t your mother tell you she was planning to sue the defendant?” “No.” “Yes I did,” Maude yelled. After the judge censured her, the attorney continued. “What did your mother tell you about this case?” “She was thinking about taking it to court.” “What did you tell her?” “Not to waste her time. If Uncle David had wanted us to have the money, he would’ve left it for us. She didn’t listen.” “Why would she ignore the advice of her only child and possibly damage her relationship with you over this, if she didn’t believe she were doing the right thing?”

“Greed. She wants his money.” “If she wants his money, then she wants it for you, his blood relative.” He faced the judge. “If what her attorney is saying is true, then we can end this now. I don’t want the money. Uncle David was a smart and generous man. It was his money to give to whomever he wanted. I say let his last wishes stand.” “Hell no!” his mother screamed. “How dare you go against me!” He shrugged and stared at the red-faced attorney. Chastity’s heart expanded at his words. Sven squeezed her hand, bent forward and spoke near her ear. “That didn’t go as well as she thought.” “Commander Stone, are you intimately involved with the defendant?” Maude’s attorney asked. The room went silent. “Lt. Cmdr Stone and no.” “My apologies on your correct title. Have you ever been?” “Objection, relevance.” Mr. Jamison shot up. “Sustained.” “Is it possible the children are yours?” “Objection.” Maude Stone’s attorney stood facing the judge. “If the children are Lieutenant Commander Stone’s, then the relationship portion of the case remains valid.” Kenton’s eyes skewered Chastity to her chair. His face paled and then darkened as the argument raged between the two attorneys. If his lips tightened any further, they’d be a slash on his face. Her heart sank as awareness crashed over his countenance. “I disagree, Your Honor,” Jamison said. “The father of Ms. March’s children has no bearing on this case. It is David Baxter’s will being contested, not Lieutenant Commander Stone’s. It’s been proven Mr. Baxter is not the father. Maude Stone is grabbing at straws because she has no claim on Mr. Baxter’s estate.” After a moment of deliberation, the judge sided with Mr. Jamison, and Kenton didn’t answer the question. Chastity released a breath. Another bridge she’d cross later. Now it was time for her attorney to represent Mr. Baxter. ****

Chastity kicked off her shoes and sank onto the sofa in the living room. Finally, it was over. Mr. Baxter’s DVD was admitted into evidence, in which he spoke so eloquently of his sister’s greed and his heartfelt desire that she not receive a dime of his money. He then announced he’d sold the house she lived in to an investor. She had two weeks to move. The person the house now belonged to was in court with his copy of the deed. Mr. Baxter suggested his sister move in with her husband and his mistress. The reporters had a field day with that one. The leased car she drove had been picked up that morning, and her monthly allotment was to be terminated immediately. All the while she’d thought her husband had supported her, but it’d been her brother. Maude Stone left the courthouse homeless and in tears. Her son left slowly behind her. The new will was validated. Sven walked into the living room and sat next to her. “I’m glad that’s over.” “Yeah, for a minute she had me scared.” “When? When they asked Ken if he had sex with you?” She leaned back and stared at him, frowning. “Noooo. When she started bringing out all those liars, saying they saw me doing all kinds of stuff. Especially smoking and drugs. Jamison earned his pay today.” “Um hmm.” He clicked on the TV. The kids were down for the night and she wanted to unwind. Just as she stood up to get something to drink, the news came on. Her eyes widened as the screen filled with an image of Sven and Jamison flanking her as they left the courthouse earlier that day, refusing to answer questions. Sven visibly tensed as the camera stayed on her a moment longer. “What the hell? How’d that make the news?” she said, walking toward the kitchen. “If anything, they should’ve shown Maude’s backside as she ran out of court.” She returned with a glass of lemonade for each of them. Sven sat with his hands clasped on top of his thighs, head bowed. Recognizing his tense posture, her heartbeat sped up. Something else had happened. “What’s that matter?” She stared at his bowed head until he looked at her. Glassy-eyed, he parted his lips and closed them again. His head hung low, chin touching his chest. Clearing her throat to push back the fear that threatened to choke her, she sat across from him in the overstuffed chair. She bit back the scream in her gut. “Please tell me what’s going on? What just happened?” she whispered, afraid to say the words aloud.

“That was another trigger.” “What? What trigger?” She scooted to the edge of the chair, desperate to understand what was happening. “This up and down shit has to stop. If somebody doesn’t tell me something that makes sense, I’m packing my kids and getting out of here.” She owed Mr. Baxter more than she could ever hope to repay, but not at the expense of her sanity or her children. “If this went public, if your picture went on television at all, it’s a trigger and another set of packets have been released with instructions. My part is to up security to a code red. I have to personally clear everyone that comes near you or the children.” Water filled her eyes as he spoke. Mr. Baxter had been a cautious man who’d never exaggerated. That meant something bad was heading her way. “Why? What's he afraid of?” He stood, the lines around his eyes more pronounced, the man had aged in the past few minutes. “There’s a packet for you in case this happened. I’ll go get it from my place and bring it back.” “Tomorrow will be fine. You’re tired.” Her head hurt and she was tired. “Neither of us is going to get any sleep tonight. We might as well get this behind us.” He walked out into the night, heading for his apartment over the garage. Eyes closed, her head hit the back of the sofa as she wondered what all this meant. “Gypsy baby.” She jerked upright as the words floated across her mind before vaporizing as the morning dew in the heat of the sun. Goosebumps pricked her suddenly clammy skin. Shivering, she pulled the fleece throw around her neck and stared around the quiet room. This house had represented safety to her for years, now it would become her prison if they couldn’t figure a way to stop whatever Mr. Baxter had feared was after her. Sven returned to the living room holding three large envelopes. He handed her one. His brow rose at her hesitation to take it. Cursing the dread that plagued her, she plucked it from his hand and opened it. Inside she saw a DVD, a smaller packet and several sheets of paper. Sven was reading one of the pages from his packet. Her eyes landed on the third packet, she reached for it. He moved it out of her way. “That’s for Kenton.” Butterflies did somersaults in her belly as she noticed the NTK insignia on the front. “What’s he got to do with this?” Sven’s brow rose. She licked her lips and pulled out the papers from her own packet,

deciding to leave Kenton out of this for the moment. Eventually they’d need to talk, but not now. “I called to tell him about the packet and he was already on the road headed this way. Said he’d be here in ten minutes.” A car door slammed. “I guess it’s been that long.” She gulped down the rest of her lemonade and pulled the fleece closer around her waist. “You gonna be okay?” Tossing her head back, she glanced at the window as if she could see through the wall. “Yeah, why not?” She balled her fist beneath the cover to stop the small tremors running through her body. “Listen,” Sven drew her attention, ignoring the light knocks on the front door. “Some serious stuff’s getting ready to go down. I need your head clear; the time for bullshit is over. Tonight we’re going to wade into some deep shit. Tell me the truth, are you going to be okay dealing with him?” She swallowed hard, the bullshit comment stung a bit. “Yes. I have to be.” He stood and walked to the front door. Seconds later, the two men came into the room. She drew her foot further beneath the cover. Sven picked up the third packet and handed it to Kenton. He nodded to her, sat down, and started reading. Beneath lowered lids, she watched him. His face reddened, then a scowl appeared, followed by an incredulous look. She wished she knew what was on his papers. Hers told her to listen and follow instructions, three pages saying basically the same thing. Nothing new there. Kenton held up a disk in his left hand, his neutral voice at odds with the glower on his face. “He left a DVD for me to watch with both of you.” “No telling what’s on that. Let’s go into the office.” Sven stood and looked down at her. “You coming?” She nodded. He walked down the hall. Her head hurt. Court had been long and stress-filled, and then there was the three-plus hour drive home. Her bed with its soft warm cover and goose-down pillows called her name. Unfortunately, she’d never be able to sleep without knowing the underlying cause of Sven’s upgraded code red. Standing slowly, she stretched. Arms overhead, her top rose, the cool air against her exposed flesh felt divine. Tendrils of curly hair had escaped the confines of the band she wore and flew around her head. The blanket hit the floor. Bending, she picked it up and replaced it on the sofa. A noise, perhaps an inhalation of breath, had her spinning. Fear spiked

before she saw Kenton standing in the hall watching her. The white cast on his arm stood out against his dark blue shirt in the dim hall. His eyes had darkened, reminding her of a hawk sizing up his prey. “We’re waiting for you.” His voice rumbled before he turned and walked away. She placed her hand against her pounding chest and followed him, breathing heavily. Sven sat in a chair near the desk, holding the remote. He looked at her and then Kenton before turning on the DVD player. The dark paneled walls of this very office were the first thing she noticed on the screen. Her breath caught at the sight of Mr. Baxter. Lord, she’d missed him. Her eyes teared up as he coughed before he spoke. “Well, Chastity my dear, if you’re watching this with Sven and Kenton, then the shit’s hit the fan…”

Chapter 7 “First off, let me make a few things clear to everyone in the room.” David Baxter’s patented crisp voice stirred latent memories. He’d always been a get-to-the-point person. “Chastity, you’re not the child of my loins, but the daughter of my heart. When I discovered you all those years ago on the side of the road, I felt God had given me the child my lovely Janine and I had wanted so desperately before she died. You weren’t the only child in the car wreck; there was a small boy and another girl. But you stole my heart with your determination to live, to survive.” He chuckled and dabbed his eyes with his fingertips. “A father at fifty-five.” He shook his head. “I was scared shitless I’d mess up without Janine’s guidance. You gave my life purpose, and I am so proud of the woman and mother you’ve become. I’ve loved you as my own for years and there is nothing more important to me than your safety and long life. So don’t get any ideas of running off on your own young lady. Be patient and listen. I think we can beat this thing if everybody remains smart.” Code: do what I tell them. Tears ran unchecked down her cheeks. Love. That word choked her at every turn. It’d been used to lure her into giving up her most precious gift, used by people who had no idea what it meant, thrown at her like scraps of food to entice her to become what they wanted. She’d been starved for it. Now, the word flowed through lips she respected and trusted. She loved her children and Mr. Baxter, but hadn’t ever uttered the word to any of them. Experiences of hollow promises in conjunction with the word and fear of losing those closest to her, kept a tight leash on emotions. Instead, she’d tried to demonstrate her deep commitment to him every day. No one could’ve asked for a better parent, he’d saved her life and her sanity when she’d been broken and abused. In the lock-box of her heart, her love for him beat safe and secure. Words had always been inadequate to express their relationship. Actions, in her mind, always won the love lottery. “Now, Kenton and Sven should be there with you as well. If not, get them.” He paused and looked at some papers. His first sentence sent shock waves through the room. “Kenton, all three of Chastity’s kids are yours. If you’d take your head out your ass and really look at them, you’ll see what I did years ago. The Baxter traits run strong through them. And they most definitely aren’t mine or your mother's. So, that leaves you.”

Her fist balled in her lap. I’m going to kill him for putting my business out there like this. A loud snapping sound cracked the air. Hesitantly, she looked at the broken pen in Kenton’s hand. Oh, shit. “I had Sven adopt the children to keep them safe from your mother or anyone else who’d try to use our blood connection to rob or hurt my grandkids. Chastity’s life would be in danger if your mother thought she’d get her hands on their inheritance through you. Everything will be corrected once this situation is resolved. No one else knows about the adoption other than the attorney. The fewer people who know, the better, including the children. You’re probably angry at my interference, but if I’d heard a peep from you after you had your way with my daughter then I’d give a damn. But you hit and ran, leaving her to deal with the situation. Know this —“Steely eyes peered into the camera. “If she’d told me who the father was, I’d a come gunning for your ass. But since she held that information tight, I felt like things were consensual between you two and you didn’t do a mind job on her. No one will take anything from her ever again. You got that?” The only sound in the room was Kenton’s fast, heavy breathing. Her face and neck burned with shame. She refused to look in his direction. If her imagination was halfway correct, fire was flying from his nose and mouth. He'd never been the type of person who worked well when forced. As soon as they got a free moment she'd let him know she had no expectations of him. “There’s a reason for you to know all this now. I hired Sven when I brought her to the ranch years ago and shut it down. You should remember those days; you and I’d meet at the house near Pittsburgh and spend time together there rather than at the ranch. During that time she had the worst nightmares. I couldn’t let anyone near her.” Chastity’s eyes widened and snapped shut. In the darkness behind her lids she shrank and stiffened in the chair. No. Please don’t tell them about that, she silently screamed. The words locked in her throat, choking her. Sweat popped on her forehead as shadowy recollections swam in her mind like sharks, circling, teasing her sanity. Gripping the seat, she trembled in shame as wisps of her past wafted from beneath the tight seal holding her sinister memories. Memories she’d tried to kill to no avail. Like the mythical Phoenix they rose, shining the light on a time in her life that was so filthy. She still didn’t feel clean. “I know this hurts, honey.” Mr. Baxter’s words pierced the fog surrounding her. “But I’m not there anymore, and they need to know who and what they’re up against.” She swallowed hard as

his words washed over her. He knew. After all these years, he knew she still remembered the awful things from her childhood. Relaxing the death grip on the chair slightly, she opened her eyes and listened. Listened to what he saw, and what he felt about what he saw. He’d never told her before. “When she was five or six, my little girl was stolen from foster care and sold into slavery, child pornography and prostitution. It’s bigger than either of you boys knows. They took everything from her. When I brought her to the ranch, she’d been beaten, was dehydrated with a high fever, and dark deep bruises covered her body like someone had used her as a chew toy. The doctor who treated her wasn’t sure she’d make it. But she’s a fighter.” He smiled. Fighter? She stared , amazed by his impression of her. “Like I said, she had these bad nightmares. Real bad. I figured it’d run its course, but then she started talking in her sleep. That’s when I discovered the child prostitution ring, the heavy players that’d raped her, and the name of the guy in charge of the ring. Some of the names she called out sounded familiar. I began taping her ramblings and investigating these people.” He paused. Her heart raced as she tried to remember names and came up blank. “They’re bad news. Let me go back a moment. After I rescued her and two other kids from the car, I discovered from some contacts that someone wanted these kids either returned to the ring or taken out. The other girl was around Chastity’s age, seven or eight, and the little boy, Frankie I think is his name, was nine. I hired Sven to beef up security and keep her safe. He discovered through his contacts that a contract had been engaged to take out all the kids. They killed the little girl, but to my knowledge, the little boy who is now a grown man, is still safe. If Chastity’s picture has been flashed on television or through any other media venues, then I’m afraid the contract to terminate her may be reactivated.” She gasped and tried to breathe through her tight throat. Her hand flew to her mouth. Hands trembling, she fought to think, to listen through the hysteria bubbling beneath the surface. He paused and stared hard into the camera. “Kenton, Sven, these men are dangerous and have a lot to lose if word gets out that they’ve engaged in sexual relations with young children. They’re powerful pedophiles and criminals with clever masks who live in the cream of society, married, with kids of their own, yet they victimize helpless children. The arm of organized crime that provides this lucrative service won’t go down easily either. I don’t expect any of you to engage these assholes. No. Your job is to keep my family safe. The FBI has information on these

rodents and turn over the information for prosecution. Over the years, I’ve had to be careful, I couldn’t risk anything backfiring, and allowing these assholes to bolt. Within the past eight months, I finally got the critical pieces I needed to make sure they all fry. It took longer than I wanted and from time to time, we sent information to the Bureau for small busts, to help the children, but now you can bring them down permanently. Back to the criminals . . . if they've seen her in any type of media, they will come after her once the FBI starts arresting them. Chastity will never testify, and never allow her name to be mentioned in the press over this matter. I’ve amassed enough information on those sons of bitches that if the FBI can’t haul them in, then fuck it and on to Plan B.” Kenton coughed. Chastity's stomach clenched. She refused to glance in his direction even though she felt the heavy weight of his stare. Fear of Kenton’s viperous mother had kept her silent all these years. Maude Stone was a wicked woman who’d use anyone to get her way. Neither she nor Mr. Baxter put it past Kenton’s mother to have Chastity disposed of so she could get her hands on the children’s money. That’s why Sven's adopting them had been a good idea. The flood of information Mr. Baxter unloaded made it clear he expected them to deal with their personal problems quickly and move on. The news that someone had searched for her before and wanted to kill her, took a little longer to digest. “Since my name has been linked to Chastity's in the press, someone from the FBI will be contacting her soon. I’ve done some consulting jobs for them in the past, and to close out my security clearance, they’ll check to make sure you know nothing about the cases I worked on. Let me make this clear, they will be interviewing her as my assistant, not because they think she knows anything personal. Sweetheart, the only people I’ve ever told of your past are sitting in this room, and they just heard it from me. I trust them to keep your secrets safe. Sven, vet the agents first, make sure they’re on the up and up. I trust you on this. Kenton, I need you to stay nearby, during the interview. Use the excuse of being my nephew to get into the room if she needs you. It should be standard, but it pays to be vigilant.” A pent-up breath slipped through her lips and her shoulders relaxed. No way would she talk to anyone about her childhood. She’d never even discussed it with Mr. Baxter. After her first few weeks with him, he’d stopped asking. “Chastity, I need your co-operation. Please stay close to Kent or Sven. When Kent returns to

his assignment, Sven will assign someone else to stay with you and the children. Not Robbie, he’s not trained. Someone with training similar to him and Kent. “You and Kent need to work out whatever problems you have, chop-chop. For the kids’ sake, I hope you’ll forgive him. He’s a stubborn knucklehead, but underneath, a good kid. That being said, security gets kicked up, no visitors to the ranch. Not even Maude. She’s bound to come begging. I’m done with her. If she hadn’t been so greedy, my hand wouldn’t be forced to move now instead of later when the kids are older. After the FBI starts their investigation against the men who violated my daughter, things will move fast and may get ugly. Buckle down. Be prepared. I wish I were there with you, but I’m counting on all of you to remain strong and weather this storm.” He paused. “One last thing. Don’t let anything happen to my family.” With that last growl, the screen blanked. Silence filled the room. A million thoughts ran through Kenton’s mind. They all looped to the first announcement. He had three kids. Impossible. Three? Who was the third? Chastity raped? A child prostitute? By old men. No wonder she had barfed when he mentioned her and his uncle. He'd been such an ass. His uncle was running this op from the grave? What the fuck? Was he the only one who thought that was wild? Three children? Child prostitution? Someone wanted to kill Chas? Criminals after them? His kids? Even the Twilight Zone hadn’t been this bizarre. Another thought weighed him down. Sven adopted his kids? He’s old enough to be my father. Why? To keep his mom from taking them. Yeah, she would’ve tried. Still might if she knew. His uncle had a very small sense of humor and wasn’t the type to joke around, so on some level everything must be true. His head beat like an untuned drum as he tried to absorb all the information. Sven broke the silence. “I hired three men six months ago and I trust them to a point. They’ve been watching the perimeter of the property, but I’m bringing them closer in.” He slid some pictures to Chastity. She looked at each one as if memorizing every detail before handing them to Kenton. He looked them over and returned them to Sven. “Before Mr. B died, we had the security system upgraded with a few backup generators. But he wasn’t sure how you’d take this information, Chas, so he bought another large house in Arizona. It’s in your name. If you want to move out there, we can do that. That house has similar features to this one: pool, game room, lots of bedrooms and an outdoor play area for the kids. It only has ten acres, and it’s mostly flat ground. It’s up to you to stay or go.”

“I, I don’t know. This is a lot to digest. I don’t remember the names of those people, it was a long time ago. That he remembers and is still protecting me from the grave—“ She shook her head as tears pooled in her eyes. Kenton knew exactly how she felt. Confused, amazed, and grateful. Without his uncle’s heads up, they would’ve been caught unprepared. “What do you need from me?” He looked at Sven. “I need you packing heat in a way that doesn’t scare the kids. You got anything small?” Thinking of the things he had in his locker, he slowly shook his head. “Small? No, but I can get something. How much time do we have?” Sven stood and placed the remote on the desk. “Don’t know. Mr. B gave me our packets before he died in case your picture went live. I’m not sure when the packets went out to the FBI. It could’ve been this morning or last week. No telling. I expect them to contact me within the next day or so. But the hit could happen anytime if it’s a simple reactivation.” Kenton nodded, not liking the truth, but accepting the hand dealt him. “I have something you can use until you can outfit yourself later. How much leave time you got?” He held up his arm. “Until the doctor releases me. I had surgery a couple of weeks ago and I’m scheduled for PT in two weeks if everything looks good.” “How good is your left?” “Not as good as the right, but good enough to have it ranked high.” Sven smiled. “I thought so.” “I don’t want guns or weapons around the kids.” She hadn’t looked at him all night, and even now, he doubted she was speaking directly to him. “Chas.” Sven sighed, drawing out her name. “How can he work without a weapon?” “Aren’t Seals trained to fight without weapons? What if the gun goes off by accident? Or one of the twins see and try to touch a knife or something. Anything could happen.” Her breath hitched. Kenton’s heart thudded heavily. It hurt seeing the vulnerability in the chocolate depths of her eyes. Hearing that someone wanted her dead justified her fear. “First off,” he said. “I’m not a Seal. The boys asked questions about Bin Laden and assumed that was my handle. No guns or long knives. But you have to allow me to remain close enough around you and the children to

use my body as a shield.” She flinched and blinked repeatedly. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt,” she whispered. “I don’t know if we should run or stay. My children—they’re all that matters. None of this is their fault, they can’t be punished for my, my past.” Her head fell into her hands as wept silently. Shards of pain ricocheted through him shattering his heart with her words. Without thought, he went to her and wrapped her in his arm. She slid between his loose embrace to the floor and rolled in a fetal position, arms tight around her waist. Her face twisted in pain while she rocked. Horrified he looked up as the door closed. Sven had left him to deal with her breakdown. Sliding to the floor, he pulled her up so she lay in his lap. Awkwardly, he moved his battered arm around her waist and pulled her closer beneath his chin with his left. Agonizing pain shot up his shoulder with each shudder she made. His throat worked as he tried to bring his emotions under control. “Chastity, this isn’t your fault,” he said in a gruff whisper. “You’re innocent in all this. Those men are the guilty ones.” His large hand stroked her hair as he rocked her gently, cradling her in his arm. She shook her head violently. “He said it was my fault.” The waterlogged words were mere whispers. Kenton stilled. “Who said that?” “The man, the one who called me his “gypsy baby.” He said if I weren’t so pretty, so innocent-looking, he would leave me, a…alone.” She burrowed deeper into his chest, staining it with the tears of her tortured confession. Hot rage streamed through him. Killing that bastard quick would be a kindness he’d never permit if he ever got his hands on the asshole. “That, that pervert,” he said through clenched teeth, “would’ve said anything to justify what he knew was wrong. You are beautiful, but that doesn’t give anyone the right to take anything from you. He was wrong, Chas.” He kissed the top of her head. “You were five-years-old, good and pure. Nothing that happened during that time was your fault.” Her pain choked him. Feverishly he tried to think what to say to ease her hurt and misery. His uncle’s DVD had ripped off the band-aid from her childhood suffering. Now her raw sores were bleeding all over again, staining his soul. “I cut my hair.” Her voice sounded tiny, uncertain and eerily childlike. “Huh?” He placed another kiss on the soft spiral curls.

“He said he loved my hair and played in it all the time. They’d wash and comb it just before he would come to see me. That’s how I knew he'd do it again. I hated it. I hated my hair. I cut it real short and they…they beat me.” He stroked her hair, her back, any place he could give comfort. “It didn’t stop him.” She sniffed. “He said his sister had died and left him. He needed me to stop him from missing her. I think she and I were the same age.” Kenton closed his eyes. A shudder of anger wracked his frame. The man was an incestuous monster who’d had sex with his younger sister. No wonder his uncle had been afraid. No public official would ever permit this type of secret to go public. It’d destroy them. He held her tighter. “It’s okay, he can’t get to you anymore. He’s as good as dead.” If not by his uncle’s plans, then he’d take out the bastard himself. He clenched and unclenched his wounded arm ready to make the shot. Violently, she shook her head. “No, no he’s not dead. He’s not.” Tormented eyes searched his face. “Promise me they won’t get my kids.” She grabbed his wet shirt. “Promise me.” “I promise on my life, no one will get our kids.” He stared, waiting for his words to penetrate. Her nostrils flared. She released his shirt and pushed him away. Slowly, he stood. Watching as she pulled herself together, applied her mask of indifference, and slid on the tough veneer that she wore to hide her secrets. Too late, he’d seen the soft, vulnerable woman beneath the wall and he’d never forget. “Sven?” She looked around for the older man. “He left.” He stepped back. “Why? Why didn’t you tell me?” That had puzzled him ever since his uncle dropped the bomb. Cold eyes swung to face him. “I did when you called to check up on me after my eighteenth birthday.” She paused, placed one hand on her hip and a fingertip on her chin. Tilting her face, she looked heavenward. “Oh, that’s right. You never called or came back, did you?” Oh yeah, her tough sarcastic cover was back in place. No problem, he’d been dealing with this Chastity for years. He crossed his arms and tilted his head. “No doubt, that was an asshole move and I apologize, but I came back four years ago and you never mentioned anything.” Her facial features sharpened, thinning her full lips to half their size. “Apologize?” she snorted. “Keep it. You came here that night broken, on the verge of collapse, distraught over your fiancé being pregnant by some other man. You were barely coherent and could hardly stand.

What was I supposed to say? Oh, forget about her kid, you have two of your own?” Her face twisted in disgust. “I don’t think so. You did what men always do. Leave. Carry on with your own selfish plans. You didn’t think twice about what we did that night. You got your rocks off, and the next morning you ran so fast, all I saw was dust following your ass. You are not the damn victim here,” she hissed, her eyes narrowed at him. The force of her words slammed into him. There was nowhere to hide from the truth, so he accepted her words and let them whip his ass. He’d been a coward, not once but twice. He hadn’t asked how she’d fared, because he was afraid of the answer. Afraid she'd been disappointed once they'd done the deed and would tell him to stay away. He'd been too ashamed to face her. Rational thought always took a holiday around her, he constantly second guessed himself. In retrospect, he should've bitten the bullet and returned to the ranch. They could've talked, he should've told her how he felt about her then. Fear, sharp and crisp, had prevented him from opening up. Chastity March was his Achilles heel. No one could hurt his heart like this slip of a woman. So, he'd avoided her, even asked another woman to marry him knowing he wasn't in love with her. It wasn't a sterling moment in his life. His pride had taken a hit, but rallied when Chas had opened the door and her arms four years ago. That presented an interesting point; a question niggled in the corner of his mind. “If you felt that way, why’d you have sex with me the second time?” “I already told you,” she snapped, wrapping her arms around her waist, turning from him and pacing the length of the long desk. Slowly, he shook his head running through her accusations in his mind. “No, you talked about the condition I was in, but not why you let me back into your bed. Not that I’m complaining, I’m just curious if you hated me as much as it sounds like you did.” “I don’t hate you.” “You don’t like me.” “No. I don’t,” she agreed. That hurt. He changed the conversation. “Thank you for having my babies.” “I didn't do it for you,” she snapped. Inside his smile broadened. “Maybe not directly, but I thank you all the same for taking such good care of the boys.” He moved closer, eying the fast rise and fall of her chest. “Stop it.” She yelled. “Just stop acting like you care.”

His eyes gravitated down her high, round ass and long legs. Life from his seed once filled her flat stomach and he’d missed all of it. Damn. He wished his uncle had kicked his ass, at least he would’ve known about his family earlier. Chastity was his, he'd always felt that way. Now, he’d never let her go. His evening brightened at the thought. “Chas?” “What?” “Why’d you let me back in your bed?” He stepped closer. She eyed his movement. He stopped and stared down at her. She gave a loud exaggerated sigh. “Because…because you seemed so lost. So hurt that night. You were talking out of your head, saying wild stuff like you didn’t think you were a man, you weren’t good enough, no one wanted you, that kind of crap. It struck a chord inside me. I wanted to comfort you. Truthfully, sex never entered my mind. We just talked and things got heated from there.” “You felt sorry for me.” A pity fuck, the realization of what they’d shared hit hard. “You felt sorry for me,” she threw back at him. “Just now, you pitied me and tried to comfort me.” “Jesus woman, it’s not the same. Don’t you dare compare what happened between us those two times to what happened to you! Those assholes raped you as a child. They stole something from you. No one deserves that. I wish I could turn back the clock and save you from their abuse, but I can’t. The only thing I can do is offer comfort from your past, protect you now, and help secure your future.” She gave him her back. “Why're you trying to make this into a big deal, you don't even remember that first time.” Indignant, he straightened his spine. “You don't know what you're talking about,” he growled, spinning her around to face him. Her eyes widened. “This is a big deal for me. For the first time in years, I'm close to having what I've always wanted. You know what, I'm glad you had my babies, it should've been you.” “You're crazy; four years ago you probably told your fiancé the same thing.” She stepped back. “No. I've never said that to anyone else.” He stared at her a moment. The woman was clueless to his feelings for her. That was his fault and he planned to correct it. “It's always been

you, Chas. Always.” As far as he was concerned, they’d both messed up. Despite her excuses, she should've told him about his kids. Now wasn't the time for that discussion, but they'd address it later, like after their tenth anniversary. “Stop lying. You've been with a lot of women.” “Not really. But they didn't mean anything. Like I said, it's always been you.” He exhaled. He was scared shitless, but he had to do it. They needed the air clear between them. “And if I'd had any idea that you cared for me, any at all, I wouldn’t have wasted everyone’s time.” “Are you...are you saying it's my fault?” Her voice rose an octave. “All of this is my fault? You can't keep it in your pants and I'm the one wrong.” Backing up, she pointed at him. “You've lost your mind. You know that.” She moved to pass him. He grabbed her around the waist, spun her around so her ass rubbed against his groin. The moan caught in his throat, she felt so good. “I'm not crazy.” He held her tight against him as her arms flailed wild. “Stop, Chas, you're going to hurt yourself.” She tried to kick him. He squeezed her tighter. “Listen, she-cat. If you'd paid me any attention at all, gave me any indication you liked me, the only person I would've been engaged to is you. That's all I'm saying.” She stopped struggling. “I didn't like you,” she huffed. “Yes you did.” She turned and looked at him. Her breath evened out while she looked at him with a whatthe-hell expression on her face. “Now you're telling me what I feel? Who I like? What's next?” Ignoring her question, he reminded her of the day of his commitment. “You took my promise ring.” “What? I didn't,” she sputtered. Turning her to face him, he hauled her closer; the tips of her breast grazed his chest as she looked up at him. “When I gave you my large purple cat-eyed marble.” She stared a moment and burst out laughing. His heart hammered in his chest at the twinkle in her eyes. The woman's beauty touched off so many sparks inside him, he felt wonderfully alive. “You're crazy. You were what, thirteen-years-old at the time?” Pleased she remembered, he corrected her. “No, I was fifteen, you were twelve. A marble, especially a purple cat-eye, is the equivalent of a promise ring in every society.” Sobering, he gazed in her darkened eyes. “Tell me I messed up by not calling you, or that I'm a jerk for allowing my pride to override my common sense. But never tell me I don't remember what we

shared those two nights.” She tried to pull back. Shaking his head, he pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. Leaning back, he smiled. “You have a birthmark over your left butt cheek in the shape of a bird or dragon; I was scared it’d break the mood if I took too much time to examine it.” He winked at the look of surprise on her face. “Your long, toned legs cradled me tight between your thighs, we fit perfectly. Your breasts fill my hands, just the right size. Your cream tastes better than my favorite dessert. I licked my fingers long after I left the ranch, trying to find remnants of you. Your unique fragrance is engraved on my mind, your touch the standard everyone else is judged by.” He finished in a rush, his face on fire as he blurted his secret thoughts. “Like I said, tell me I'm an ass for not knowing about my kids, or for asking a woman I didn't love to marry me. But never tell me I don't remember what we shared, they are two of the most important events in my life and I'll never, ever forget them.” The look of shock on her face was priceless. Taking advantage of her condition, he pulled her close and kissed her. Nibbling on her lower lip, he bit down lightly before he slid in his tongue. Home. His hand held her head steady as he reacquainted himself with the woman who'd taken possession of his heart years ago. She was the mother of his children and would soon be his wife. It took a moment for her to respond. Her arms wrapped around him tight as she chased his tongue and nibbled on his lips. Chest heaving, she pushed him back. Her hand touched her lips, a look of wonder on her face. Her eyes dropped from his, she looked around the room like a lost kid before glancing at him. Slow, he reminded himself. “Like I said, it's always been you.” He left the room, his cock hard and aching. .

Chapter 8 “No. No, stop it” she screamed. “I don’t want you to touch me, please leave me alone.” Whimpering, she rolled her head from side to side, caught in the grip of her nightmare. Large, sweaty hands reached for her. She ducked and tried to run, but couldn’t move. Her legs were tied to the bed. Her feet kicked as the dark head leaned toward her stomach. Absent of face, her mind filled in their features, magnifying them in her mind. Monsters, all of them. Men with wedding bands, ministerial collars, old, fat, tall and skinny, they all leered at her. Laughing as she struggled to break the bonds holding her captive. Pain unraveled from the top of her head to her loins. Shaking from the sudden cold locking her joints, she opened her mouth in a silent scream of denial. They wouldn't win this time. A voice from her darkest nightmares stole her breath. “C’mon Gypsy baby. I brought you some chocolate candies. I know you like them. Be a good girl, touch me the way I like it and I’ll give ’em to you.” The fetid smell of his breath made her gag. Ineffectively, she tried to push him away. “Don’t bite me. Take care with those teeth. I’ll beat your ass if you hurt my cock.” “Bitch.” She cried aloud as the belt flayed her tender skin. Fire ran down her nerve endings as she tried to escape the memories of her beatings. “You broke her arm. That’s going to cost you more.” “I’ll pay. She’s worth it. Clean her up for next time.” “No. No. No.” She screamed. “Stop. No more.” A hand touched her shoulder. She swung. “Chastity. Chastity.” Both her hands were secured, she couldn’t move them. Oh hell no. She swung around and tried to lash out with her feet. A grunt and then a weight landed on top of her. Warm flesh, fast heartbeat, pinned, helpless, she couldn’t budge, the memory looped. Gulping in air, her mouth opened, her brain focused on getting help. “Chastity! Wake the fuck up.” The snarl boomed into her ear. She froze. Chest heaving, she peeled her eyes open and groaned. A semi-naked Kenton lay across her, holding her hands above her head. “I’m…I’m okay. Get up.” She mumbled near his bare chest.

He peered at her in the darkened room and released her hands. “You hit my arm, that’s why I had to hold you down. I’m sorry about that, but the surgery’s only a few weeks old.” She nodded. “I’m sorry— “ The overhead light flashed on and two pints of fire stood in the doorway taking in the scene. “What're you doing to my mama?” Jonah pointed at Kenton, who rose slowly off her. Chastity cringed thinking about what her children must think. Kenton wore a pair of boxers and nothing else. Since he came to her bedroom, she must’ve been screaming. Oh Lord, she’d woke her kids. Now they thought…they thought he’d done something. Shit. “I…nothing.” Kenton frowned. “I’m not doing anything— “ Jonah ran, grabbed him around the legs and started punching. “Hey, stop that.” Kenton twisted, trying to shake the little leech off. Micah followed suit and started throwing punches a little higher. Kenton gave him his back and looked at her completely at a loss while his sons hit him, avenging their mother. Boys, you are too late for that. Holding his injured arm above the fray, he glared at her. “Stop this.” She nodded, wiping the smile from her face. “Jonah, Micah. Stop.” She could tell they were getting tired and Kenton seemed exasperated that they’d think he’d do something so vile. Both boys stopped and backed away in sync. They stood in front of her. Pride rose in her chest, these were her man-cubs. “What are you thinking?” Kent asked in a low angry snarl. His red face stared at each boy, but neither backed down. “My mama screamed,” Micah said. “You’re in here holding her down. Naked.” Jonah pointed at him. “Yeah. Naked.” “I’m not…I’m not naked.” Kenton snapped and turned toward the door. He pointed at them. “Don’t move.” Jonah released his breath and looked at her. “You okay?” She stroked his forehead before placing a kiss on the soft skin. “Of course I’m okay. I have my two strong defenders standing in front of me.” She kissed Micah. “But, he wasn’t doing anything. I had a bad dream and he woke me up.” “Why?” Jonah’s nose twisted in a frown as he stared at her. “Isn’t it bad to wake people

when they’re asleep?” What to say? How to explain? “Sometimes, if it looks or sounds like someone is having a rough time, its okay to wake them. Then they can go to sleep again.” “Then why wake’em up to go back to sleep?” “It helps.” She stretched and yawned. Kenton stalked into the room in a tee shirt and sweats. Pity, she thought he looked good in his boxers. After everything he'd said earlier, she looked at him differently. They'd known each other a long time, and she knew he'd been telling the truth. His confession surprised her. The boys turned and looked at him. “Mama told us she had a nightmare and you woke her,” Micah said. “Now she’s going back to sleep,” Jonah added. “Sorry about hitting you. But you were lying on top of my mama.” “And she screamed.” “No man’s ever laid on her before.” “No man’s been in here before, but since you helped her, its okay.” Kenton held out his hand, stopping the alternating half-hearted apology. “First off, do you always attack first and ask questions later?” The boys looked at him and nodded. “Guess so.” “Yeah.” Kenton shook his head. He'd been like that growing up. Sven or his Uncle David were constantly pulling him from the middle of a fight. A part of him was proud they’d jump to their mother’s defense, another part worried they lacked foresight and good judgment. Things that eluded him until he went into the military. “You did good, jumping in to save and protect your mom.” He sat in the chair near the bed and looked into their eyes. The only time he’d seen them, he recognized familiar features. The one missing his teeth, Jonah, favored him the most. The intense look, the blade nose, and firm lips were a combination of Stone and Baxter genes. Of course, he’d been the twin to start the fight. Was he the one who wanted to be a navy seal? Kenton couldn’t remember. “But what if you’d hurt my arm? You know now I hadn’t done anything wrong, but you didn’t know then. You have to think a little more before you act.” Mentally, he patted himself on the back. His first lecture as a father and he’d handled it well.

“Mr. Kent.” The long-suffering sigh in Jonah’s voice surprised him. “Neither one of us went after your arm. We’re not blind. We see the cast. That’s why we hit your legs and lower back.” Jonah pointed to the area of Kenton’s body to which he referred. Kenton’s neck and face warmed as they instructed him. “Yeah, we did think before we fought,” Micah said jumping in. “Otherwise we woulda hit your private part or your sore arm. But since mom wasn’t fighting or screaming, we figured it must notta been so bad.” Although not vocalized, Kent heard Micah’s addendum, dumb-ass, all the same. His face tightened as Micah nodded and then stretched, yawning. He walked toward the door. “I’mma get some sleep. Mama, if you need me— “ “Us,” Jonah snapped following his brother. “If you need us, we’re right here.” They disappeared out the door arguing softly. A giggle punctuated the silence. Kenton looked at Chastity. The dark glimmer of horror had disappeared from her face, replaced with a large grin. “What’s so funny?” He asked, although he suspected he knew. The boys had gotten the better of him. A small price to pay for her feeling better. “Your face when you gave them such wonderful advice was so full of pride until they burst your bubble.” She chuckled. “I should’ve warned you, those two are an amazing handful. The moment they walked in and asked the question?” She gazed at him, a teasing glint in her eye. Kenton nodded. Happy for this moment alone with her, the high walls of caution she normally kept in place had disappeared, allowing him another peek at the warm woman inside. “That was their moment of scoping and plotting. Trust me, if they thought I was hurt, one would’ve left to call Sven or Robbie and the other would’ve hit you in the balls. Sven trained them in basic self-defense. But this is the first time I’ve seen them use it.” He grunted and stared at his clasped hands. “They don’t like me.” She looked over at him, her eyes wide. “They don’t know you. Honestly, don’t sit there and whine.” She pulled the cover up to her chest. Glancing at the clock, it read four in the morning. He knew she needed more rest, but he wanted her to tell him things would work out. That one day soon his kids would know who he was. “I’m not whining. I’m stating a fact. Have you thought how I feel?” “Not at all.” He didn’t believe her, at her core, she was a nurturer. “I just discovered I’m a father,” he said

stubbornly. “So, you’re going to whine.” She sighed. “Just because you get someone pregnant, doesn’t make you a father.” The flippancy of the words scraped his raw ego and he saw red. His tightly clenched jaw made a grinding sound. She glanced up at his hot face and snapped her mouth close. “Dammit, I know that,” he hissed. “But if you or anyone else had told me I had children, I would’ve been here for them as much as I could and at least they would know me. I want to know them. And so you know. I allowed them to hit me, but that will never happen again.” It’d burned his ass that his sons had done that. He’d been taught to respect all adults. She nodded. “I know. I don’t allow them to raise their voices at me, let alone their hands. “When are we going to tell them?” He sent her a look that said his patience had left the building. “Before or after the FBI gets here.” Swallowing hard, she covered her head with the comforter. “Whichever you choose. Just let me know. I’m too tired to deal with anything else.” “Right after breakfast. I need to talk to them about security and show them the pictures of the new security men. We can include them to a point; use their eyes and ears, unless you think that’ll make things worse.” “Worse?” she mumbled and chuckled dryly. “Jonah and Micah will think it’s an adventure. You’ll have to rein them in or your attention will be divided so many ways, you won’t be able to do your job.” “I haven’t met the third child,” he said, wishing he were beneath the covers with her. “Mariah.” Chastity yawned. “She’s what, three or four?” “Don’t be lazy, do the math.” “Three, almost four? What’s she like?” “Wait and see. Did I mention I was tired?” He stood and walked to the door, he didn’t want to leave. He’d need to buy some patience if necessary, to woo his woman. This was the most significant mission he’d ever undertaken and he’d win it. “I’ll be nearby.” **** The next morning, Sven walked in as they finished breakfast. “Two men from the FBI,

Walkers and Spice, will be here around three o’clock. I’ve already cleared them. My people will be in place. They received the file the same day the judge ordered the case to trial, before you went to court. One of them was at the courthouse watching.” Chastity remained still as the news flowed over her. This was really happening. The FBI, the hit, the bad men, all of this was real. Inhaling, she stood, placed her bowl into the sink and stared at the steel fixture for a moment or two. “Mama, can we go to the barn and help Robbie?” She tilted her face toward Micah, ready to grant permission, when Kenton spoke up. “Your mama needs to talk with you guys before her appointment this afternoon. Where do you want them to go, Chas?” Tension spiraled down her back. The herbal tea she’d drank earlier percolated in her gut. Lord help, she wasn’t ready for all this. Biting back a sharp retort, she tamped it down. “In the family room. Everybody go ahead with Kenton, I’ll be there in a moment.” Blindly she reached for the pain medication in the lower cupboard and swallowed two pills. After rinsing them down with a glass of water, she turned to see Sven standing in the same spot from before, watching her. It’d take the medicine a minute to kick in and dull the edge of the killer headache buffeting her. Rather than meet his eyes, or let him see her pain, she turned and looked at the pale yellow ceramic tile on the floor. “You okay?” She nodded. Her eyes fluttered shut as the throbbing behind them beat a Samba tune. “What happened?” He’d come closer, she felt his heat behind her. “I had a nightmare last night.” Her throat and voice were both raspy. “What? It’s been years since that’s happened.” He paused before resting the heavy weight of his palm on her shoulder. “Damn. The DVD from yesterday, Mr. B reopened that gate. I hadn’t thought about what it would do to you.” He squeezed lightly. Taking a chance, she glanced at him; saw the genuine concern in his eyes. The pressure behind hers eased. “I can change the appointment until tomorrow, give you a day to regroup,” he offered. She knew he would do that without missing a beat. That’d just delay the inevitable. “No, best to get it over now.” She offered a weak smile as she moved toward the family room. “What’s happening in there?” He pointed toward the hall after the children and Kenton.

She shrugged. “He’s going to meet his kids.” “So soon?” “Yeah, with a contract out on me, no need to wait.” Her lips tilted in an awkward grin. Sven walked toward her and wrapped her in his arms. His chin lay on the top of her head. “It’s going to be all right, pumpkin. Nothing’s going to happen to you, I promise. Mr. B laid everything out.” She leaned back and stared up at him, her lips curling upward. “You do realize a dead man is protecting me and my children from the grave.” His blue eyes crinkled. “Weird right? If it were anyone but Mr. B, I’d think I was crazy to follow his instructions. But I watched how he methodically mapped out plans and counter plans. Hell, I helped him put some of the safeguards into place. I still trust his plan. If it falls apart, we’ll know in plenty of time to change it.” “The infamous Plan B?” Her brow rose as she tried to decipher the pink tinge on his face. “Yeah. But there’s also a C and a D.” He tapped her nose and released her. She grabbed his arm and kept it around her waist. “A whaaa—” Sven was no longer watching her, but stared down the hall. “The kids are waiting for you,” Kenton said watching her and Sven step away from their embrace. Flustered by his keen look, she stepped toward him and pointed at Sven. “This conversation isn’t over.” Sven chuckled as he left the room. Side-by-side, she walked in silence with Kenton to the family room, thankful her headache had abated. “Mama,” Mariah cried, attaching herself to one of her legs. “Micah’s being mean to Jonah.” “Am not.” Micah sat squinting at her. “Unh huh.” She peered at him from behind her mother’s legs. Bending forward she picked up her daughter and sat next to a quiet Jonah. “I need to talk to all of you about something really important.” Four sets of eyes looked expectantly at her. Pinpricks of awareness tap-danced on her skin. She glanced at Kenton. He watched the children and nodded. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears. “I want to…The thing is…Remember when you asked who—who your father was?” Sweat

beaded her forehead as Jonah frowned and Micah glanced at Kenton. Mariah lay unconcerned on her chest. How precious and innocent they were at this stage. Jonah nodded. “You wouldn’t tell us.” He looked over at Kenton and then at her again. She licked dry lips and pointed at him. “Kenton Stone is your father.” The words tripped over themselves as she rushed to say them before losing her nerve. “You sure?” Micah, her studious one, asked staring at Kenton. “Pretty much. A woman knows these things.” Her dry chuckle fell flat in the silence. “You’re Mariah’s dad too?” Jonah pointed to his sister. Kenton nodded. “Yes.” Chastity glanced at his white knuckles and wary eyes. “How come you didn’t say nothin’ the other day? How come Ms. Cook introduced us to you? You didn’t say nothin’ then,” Micah stated, a deep frown marring his brow. Kenton looked at her. She nodded. They needed to be honest with their children. “I didn’t know.” No one spoke. “Because you were in the war?” Jonah asked, his voice hopeful. “No, because I never called your mom and asked. I’ve been out of the country for a while, but that’s no excuse. I should’ve checked on her.” “You don’t have a phone?” Jonah asked frowning. Kenton nodded. “Yeah, I got one.” “Why didn’t you call and tell him?” Jonah and Micah looked at her, their confusion obvious. Her breath hitched at the simplicity of the question. Children had no concept of ego and pride when it came to matters like these. Had she been wrong to allow her fear of his mother to keep them from their father? Yeah, she had. Being wrong hurt like hell. “I don’t know. Selfish. I wanted you to myself. I was wrong. Will you forgive me?” Water filled her eyes as she waited. “Yeah.” Micah reached over and hugged her. “Yeah, Mama. Don’t cry. I’m not mad.” Jonah kissed her cheek and looked at Kenton. “Are you mad at mama for wanting to keep us to herself? She didn’t mean nothin’ by it.” Kenton swallowed hard, his pain obvious to those looking. “I missed a lot. I didn’t get to see you as babies, or read you stories. No hugs or kisses, no playing or anything. I didn’t teach you how to fight or play football. We don’t know each other and that hurts. I want to know my kids.”

“Yeah, well, she apologized about that,” Micah said. “We can show you some pictures and a DVD from Christmas. Will that help?” His hand in his mom’s making it clear who had his allegiance. Kenton nodded. “I’d like that.” Chastity smiled as the boys ran to their rooms to get the photo albums and DVD. “Mariah honey, did you hear me?” Her lips brushed her youngest’s forehead. “I said Kenton is your daddy.” Mariah turned and looked up at him. They stared for a moment, and then she lifted her arms toward him. He reached forward and picked her up. Kenton’s heart had pounded fast and hard from the moment he entered the family room, which was really a large playroom. All sorts of video games and frilly girl things graced the area. The boys apologized again for hitting him. After accepting their backhanded apology, he warned them never to do it again. They agreed, but he didn’t believe it for a minute. Mariah squeezed his neck and kissed his cheek. His heart melted like goo, he inhaled her sweet scent. So fragile, so perfect, and she looked just like his mother. No wonder Uncle David said he knew she was his. Mariah was a darker version of Maude Stone’s childhood pictures. He kissed her cheeks and silently vowed to keep her safe from all harm, especially his mother. They sat in the family room looking at pictures and watching DVD’s of family events. Mariah wouldn’t leave his lap and finally fell asleep. He laid her on a cot in the corner set up for her. At first Micah and Jonah sat at a distance from him, talking over one another, explaining each picture. After the first DVD, they sat next to him, and by the third, both boys had their heads in his lap and he stroked their hair. Pride filled his chest as he looked at all three tiny Stones. For the time being he’d allow Sven’s adoption to stand, as much as it hurt. His mother was a real threat and his job was dangerous. He’d make plans to change both situations. As long as his kids knew who he was and made room for him in their lives, he’d continue the masquerade for their safety. He glanced at Chastity, who’d fallen asleep during the first DVD. Light snores escaped through her lips. The boys covered their mouths and laughed each time she snorted. He smiled. Glad to see her sleeping, if they knew the demons that chased that strong, beautiful woman, they’d cheer that she was able to sleep at all.

Chapter 9 The tension in the office had thickened to the point Chastity would swear she could see smoke curling in the air. Tentacles of aggravation squeezed her head as she explained for the umpteenth time. “No, I don’t know anything other than what I’ve already told you. I don’t know anything about Mr. Baxter’s security clearance, other than he had one. He simply said you’d be contacting me to wrap that up.” She spoke through clenched teeth, tired of saying the same thing over and over. “I understand, Ms. March. We appreciate you seeing us. But a lot of the information Mr. Baxter provided on his last job is incomplete. If you could—” “I can’t,” she snapped. Sven and Kenton had come in at her request after the first thirty minutes. They leaned forward in their seats while she struggled to pull it together. “Look, you’ve been here two hours,” she said, “asking the same questions over and over. That’s two hours of my life I’ll never get back. If the information you received is incomplete, maybe that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Maybe he expects you to figure out the rest of it. Maybe he just gave you a pointer, a heads up, something to get you going in the right direction.” She threw her hands up. “I sure as hell don’t know.” Standing up from the desk, she cut off the computer. “I’m done, gentlemen.” “Ms. March, I have one more question. Do you know Matthew Griffin?” “No. And that’s the last question.” She glanced at Sven and Kenton. “I’m gone.” Sven nodded and stood. “Gentlemen, that’s it.” Chastity headed for the kitchen. Kenton followed. Grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator, she gulped it down, hoping it would cool her off. Head throbbing, she reached for the pain meds in the cabinet and popped a pill. Kenton sat quietly on one of the stools, fiddling with a fork on the countertop. “Assholes.” She threw the empty bottle toward the trash can, it teetered on the rim before hitting the floor. Sven walked in and looked at her. “They want another meeting.”

“No.” Picking up the plastic bottle, she tossed it into the waste bin. “I told them you'd say that.” He sat on the stool next to Kenton. Turning to face them, she noticed the frown on Sven's face. “What?” “Something was off about the whole thing,” Sven said. “They never mentioned any specific jobs or security questions. Actually, they seemed more interested in you than the jobs Mr. B worked on.” “I noticed that too,” Kenton said, setting the fork aside. “They wanted to know who provided the information to Uncle David instead of focusing on his terminated security clearance. I know they need to check all angles, but they were stuck on you.” As their words sunk in, she asked, “Why?” “Huh?” Sven looked at her. “Why would they care about me at all? I was an administrative assistant to Mr. Baxter. Why would they ask me if I know these people?” A shiver of dread crawled down her back. Maybe they knew more than they let on. “Did you see pictures of the men when you vetted them?” Kenton stared at her and then looked at Sven. “Just one of them, Spice. There wasn't one on Walker.” “He's the one that did most of the talking, right?” “Yeah, he did.” Sven stood and pulled out his radio. “Check the perimeter; I want to know when our guests leave the property.” Lips pursed, he paced the floor waiting for a reply. “I saw the car pull out of the driveway, but...hold on; I see it on monitor now. It's leaving through the west gate.” The voice said with a tinge of surprise. “Damn it,” Sven shouted, “what’s out there?” She and Kenton looked at each other and then watched Sven pace. There was no reason for the agents to be on that side of the property, they’d made a deliberate detour. The question remained, why? The voice on the radio spoke after a few moments. “Everything appears in order.” A collective sigh rose in the room. “Good, eyes alert. I want to know if a frog farts, got that?” “Yes, Sir.” “Farts?” Chastity snorted while sitting on a stool near Kenton. Fear, her old companion, had latched onto her throat the moment Sven made the call. Although she knew there was no reason

to be afraid, her breaths were rapid and shallow. Ms. Cook had the kids in the family room, and everyone else that she cared about was in this room. Still, an acrid taste of despair clung to the back of her throat like a parasite refusing to leave. One day, she vowed in silence, she'd no longer be under fear's thumb. One day she'd be free of this quagmire of guilt and shame from her childhood. Sven waved off her comment and sat down frowning. Lost in their own thoughts, they didn't notice Micah limp into the kitchen until he spoke. “Mr. Kenton, I need you to tell Jonah to stop hiding. I told him he'd won but he won't give up.” He stood shame-faced in front of his parents, gazing at the floor. Chastity took in his scuffed sneakers, sweaty, dirt-stained tee shirt and jeans as his words sank into her conscious. “What?” she whispered as her heart thundered in her chest. “What'd you say?” Micah's face crumbled, tears leaked from his lids. “We were playing hide and seek outside and he won.” Chastity closed her eyes. Fright eclipsed her view. Darkness thundered in the distant edges of her mind. “I thought we told all of you to stay in the family room with Ms. Cook.” She heard Kenton’s comment and gripped the countertop, determined fight off the rising panic to hear the conversation. “Ms. Cook said we were too loud and told us to go outside while she took a nap with Mariah.” A cramp gripped Chastity’s stomach, followed by roiling nausea. Words refused to form, her hand reached out, found Kenton’s and squeezed. “How long were you outside?” Sven asked, his voice low. “I dunno. Mr. Kenton, are you going to tell him?” Micah pleaded. “Nooooooo,” the wail burst through her lips as she shot up and ran toward the back door. They had her baby; she knew it like she knew her name. “Those assholes took my baby,” she screamed. “What?” Micah asked, his voice shaky. Fear recognized fear. She forced herself to calm down. Tears ran unchecked as she faced the knowledge that her innocent son was now a victim because of her dark past. They'd hurt him because of her. The name. The FBI guy asked about a name. She couldn't remember but somehow it was all connected, it had to be.

“Oh God, please don't let them hurt him,” she prayed as arms wrapped around her from behind. Her legs weakened and she collapsed. “Micah, I need you to go wake up Ms. Cook and help her with Mariah,” Kenton said as she burrowed her head into his chest. Feelings of inadequacy swamped her. She needed to pull it together, be strong. “Who's going to hurt my brother?” Micah’s voice squeaked. “No one, son. Let me take care of your mama and then, we'll get Jonah.” “You promise?” Chastity trembled at the fear in her son's voice. Lord please help us. Strong hands rubbed her back, easing the tension. “I promise,” Kenton said, the strength of his conviction soothed her nerves. The light shuffling of feet stopped. “Thanks, Daddy.” She felt Kenton's nod and the racing of his heart. Damn, she hadn't thought of how this affected him. Jonah was his son as well. “Sven, do we have the information on that car yet?” Kenton asked, his voice harder, more determined. “Yeah. It belongs to Spice. I'm sending them a surprise on the road.” Chastity stole a look around Kenton at Sven. Wiping her face with the back of her hand, she pushed away and watched him work his hand-held gadget. “What're you doing? What about Jonah?” “Tracking.” He glanced at her. “You don't think we'd let a strange car on the ranch without making sure we could find it, especially since I couldn't identify Walker?” He winked at her. “My men should be intercepting them right about now.” He stared a moment longer and smiled as his phone beeped. “I guess the frog farted,” she whispered aside to Kenton, trying hard not to think about Jonah with kidnappers. “On my way.” Sven walked toward the door. “I'm going.” Kenton released her hand and followed Sven. “You have to stay here with Chastity and the kids.” Sven reminded him. “I promised my son I'd find his brother and bring him home.” The two men stared at each other and then looked at her.

Each second Jonah was away from her, she died a little inside. “Please, just bring him home. I'll get my gun, and anybody that breaks in will get a bullet in their ass for their trouble.” “I know Annie Oakley, but I can't leave you here alone.” He handed the tracking device to Kenton, gave him the instructions and called his team. “ Lt. Cmdr. Ken Stone is on his way to the point to pick up the package, make sure he leaves unharmed.” Kenton nodded and left the room. When the sound of the front door slammed, Sven made another call. “After the package is retrieved, make sure the car is picked cleaned. Take care of the bones.” Chastity's eyes widened as he clicked off. “Plan B?” “Nope, that was Plan A. They lied. Nothing pissed Mr. B off more than criminals masquerading as the good guys.” **** Kenton reached the intersection just outside the ranch in minutes. He pulled out Sven’s Sig and met a bald giant standing nearby. The giant wore a small tattoo he recognized. Sven’s security team was a group of professional mercenaries. They nodded and walked off a distance. The man introduced himself as Levi. “They don't realize we’re aware the package is missing. Right now they're blustering about being Feds and all that bullshit.” The giant spit in the direction of the car. “I want them out of the car. Make sure they aren't wired. No matter what it takes, get them away from the boy,” Kenton demanded as he took in the scene. All thought of protocol vanished the moment he promised to bring back his boy. Those involved would pay a price for causing Chastity a moment’s worry. And in the spirit of full disclosure, he’d been terrified himself. The giant nodded and returned to the car, a collective sound of clicks filled the air as he reached for the door handle. “Exit the car.” Kenton listened. His gut burned with anger and the need to act now, but years of training made him wait. Perhaps he’d gain some information or evidence that’d help Sven track the bastards after Chastity. His left hand tightened on his gun, familiar and yet not. Gently, he wiggled his fingers on his right hand, pleased at the moderate pain. Adrenaline pumped through him as the men in the car argued, refusing to leave what they believed was their safe haven. Fools. The giant snatched Walker out of the car. With one hand he patted the man down, took his

phone and something else from one of his pockets. Another man placed a gun on Spice's forehead and opened the door. Silently, Kenton congratulated Spice for having the sense to stand down and leave the car on his own. One of the men ran an electronic device over both men. Walker decided he didn't like the hospitality and swung wildly. The giant punched him in the face, a cracking sound split the air as Walker spun and hit the ground. When flipped onto his stomach, he didn't move. Someone placed a booted foot on his neck as his arms were stretched downward next to his side. Other operatives checked the car with the electronic device while Kenton downloaded the information from each of their cells to a device he’d received from the giant, before smashing the phones. Later, he and Sven would check the phone logs to get a handle on the players involved. One of Sven’s men placed some papers and a briefcase retrieved from inside the car on the hood. Satisfied there were no tracers other than Sven's, Kenton strode toward the car, staring at the briefcase. Slowly he eased it open, his eyes widening at the pictures of Chastity as a little girl. His stomach tightened as each shot revealed more of the hell and degradation those assholes had heaped upon her. Small glassy eyes and listless features gave testimony that they'd drugged her, and from the change of clothes in the pictures, it happened often. There were large, masculine hands holding and gripping her, marking her skin. There were glimpses of men, obscene in their enjoyment of this abuse as they licked her skin. His flesh crawled. In some, her eyes were swollen or her lips bruised. How had she survived the beatings? His fingertips traced whip marks on her legs and back. Someone had taken pictures of this brutality, and then sent these assholes after her. Anger roared through him and he shook from the force of his rage. Itching to beat the shit out of the two men on the ground, he grabbed the case and papers for Sven to go through later. Before this ended, someone would pay for the abusive shit that had happened to Chastity. Finally, he understood with utmost clarity, his uncle's thirst for vengeance. No man wanted to see any child, let alone his own, treated in this manner. Now, Sven's blind commitment made sense. His uncle's vendetta was larger than his mom's greed, larger than Chastity’s horrific beginning. This was about stopping the systematic abuse of children by those who use them for no other reason than profit and selfishness. Furious, he stalked to the back and opened the trunk. The damn thing was empty. He waved the giant over. “Did they stop?”

“No. But we can back-track their movements with the tracking device.” “I'll do that.” He picked up the case and left, ignoring the pleas from the men on the ground. “You'll never find him without me.” The words rose and expanded on the air, snaring Kenton as surely as a spider's web. Placing the briefcase down, he stopped, turned and stared. No this motherfucker didn't just admit to touching his son. “Excuse me?” Moving forward a few feet, he bent down and pressed the barrel of the Sig behind Spice’s ear. Sweat from his forehead landed on the man’s face, the thought of Jonah being bound or hurt somewhere clouded his head and he cocked his weapon. “I know where he is.” The dead man whispered. “Who? Who are you talking about?” He needed the extra minute to think, to calm down before he capped these government masqueraders himself. Inhaling, he centered his energy and focused on Jonah, pushing the pictures of Chastity to the background in his mind. The man tried to lick his lip, the boot on his neck pressed slightly. “The boy,” he whispered and sealed his fate. Kenton removed, and secured the gun, then he leaned forward and lifted the man in one swoop. He cocked his fist and slammed it into Spice’s face. The man spun, Kenton caught him before he hit the ground. Grabbing both lapels, he snarled into the man’s face, ignoring all pleas for leniency. “For that you will die.” He punched Spice in the stomach, doubling him over. Spice bent over, one hand on his knee, the other trying to ward off another punch. “Wait, wait, let me tell you…” “The only choice you have right now is this. Do you die alone or will your wife and children die with you? You have thirty seconds to tell me exactly where you left him.” All his life he'd played by the rules, but with those two words, the rules flipped. These men worked for people who abused and prostituted children. They breached his world and snatched his son. They spent two hours antagonizing a woman he respected more and more each hour. Oh yeah, the rules changed and he'd use all the knowledge Uncle Sam taught him to make those responsible pay. Spice's eyes shut tight at the click of a gun. “Your word. Your word nothing happens to my family?” “I haven't seen the condition of the boy and that will be the deciding factor.” “I didn't hurt him, just tied him up until we could come back later and pick him up.”

“And I don't give a damn. Your time’s about up. Where is he? And be specific.” His gun joined Levi’s pointing at Spice’s heart. The man swallowed hard. “I left him near some trees where he'd been playing a game of hide and seek. I marked the path with some red paint. Reverse our trail until you come near the edge of Baxter's property and veer left in the woods, you'll see the red paint on the ground. Walk straight ahead, he's covered under some bushes. There. Now give me your word.” Bushes? Kenton pointed his gun at the man's head. Images of Jonah rolled across his mind. The boy was almost eight, he had to be terrified at being tied and stuffed under leaves. Steady handed, his fingers tightened on the gun, his mind in the midst of a war. Kill the bastard or go get Jonah. The need for retaliation, not just for his son but for Chastity as well, rode him hard. Seconds passed as he debated his next move. Finally, the need to find Jonah overruled everything. Turning, he ran to his car and left. In the rear view mirror, he saw the giant lift Spice and tear off his shirt. Knowing his uncle, those men were dead the moment they touched Jonah. Sven probably gave the order as soon as he left the ranch. He dismissed the fate of those assholes and retraced the path to find his son. As soon as he reached the ranch, he called and gave Sven an edited update. Seeing the path, he jumped out the car and ran alongside the barely noticeable trail until he came upon the red paint. Walking slowly, he searched the area for anomalies. To the side, off the trail a few feet, he spotted a small quivering mound of leaves and bushes. Rushing forward, he pushed away leaves and found Jonah. Rope bound his arms and legs. Gray tape covered his mouth. Quickly, he untied him and peeled away the strip from his face. “Owww,” Jonah yelped as the tape pulled small hairs from around his mouth. He then collapsed into Kenton's arms. “It's okay, son. I've got you.” Pain radiated from the middle of Kenton’s chest, leaving him breathless. He hugged the boy close. Jonah sobbed, his small body shaking in anguish. “He...he snatched...me. I was...I was p-p-p-playing with Miiicah.” “I know. I know.” His breath hitched as he stroked Jonah’s hair, holding him tight with his left hand. Sharp pains shot up the right side of his body as his son hugged his right arm pulling the cast. “You're safe. Micah came and got me. He's home with your mom and Mariah, waiting for you to come home.” Jonah nodded and held him tighter. He sent up a silent thanksgiving for the quick retrieval.

Thinking of Chastity's past, it could've been so much worse. “Let me get you home, your mama is scared and worried.” He picked him up. Jonah wrapped his arms around his neck and his legs around his waist as he walked to the car. The entire time tears soaked his shoulder and intermittent shudders went through his son's body. Physically, Jonah seemed okay. However, today's experience was a basic ingredient for nightmares. If his son didn't need the comfort of his mama and familiar surroundings right now, he'd return to the intersection and pull the trigger on Walker and Spice. After placing Jonah in the car, he called Chastity. Mother and son talked all the way back to the house where she greeted them at the door. Jonah hopped from the car and launched himself, crying, into his mother's arms. “Baby,” Chastity cried, holding him tight and placing kisses all over his face. Jonah's head lay on her shoulder as she moved inside, Kenton nodded as his son stared at him. He and Sven stayed outside near the car. As soon as she was inside, he pulled out the briefcase and handed it to Sven. “Look at these and then get rid of them. It would kill her to know these existed, let alone that we saw them.” Sven eyed the case and then looked at him. “You care about her, don't you?” Kenton met his piercing gaze. “Yeah, always have. I was too much of a chicken-shit to do anything about it before, but not now. I plan on being in her life permanently.” Sven's brow rose. He ran his hand through his hair, the long length brushed the top of his shoulder. “I know.” He sighed. “She'll fight me all the way, but I'll still be here.” Sven’s heavy hand clapped his back. “She'll fight, but you're halfway there already. Notice she allowed you to comfort her, the boys turned to you for help. Your family's forming. don't fuck it up.” Micah had sought him out, not Sven, not Chastity. And he'd called him daddy. A satisfying heat wormed its way through him. Daddy, he liked the sound of that.

Chapter 10 Congressman Justin Winters leaned back in his chair, thinking over the conversation he'd just finished. His friend, Mike, had a new girl he wanted broken in. She was six, and if the picture he'd received on his phone was accurate, very pretty. A knock on his office door broke the erotic images developing in his mind. Placing his private cell phone in his pocket, he took a sip of the bottled water on his desk before responding. “Come in.” He expected Molly, his administrative assistant. Instead, a tall Hispanic male and thin white female entered his office. Frowning at the intrusion, he stood and greeted them. “Hello, I'm Congressman Winters, how can I help you?” They didn't look like his constituents. Their erect postures and bland faces pegged them as some type of government officials. “I'm Special Agent Green and this is Special Agent Morales. We're here to ask you some questions about some information that has been brought to our attention.” Mind spinning, he returned to his seat. “What information?” Morales walked to the desk, pulled out a picture from a folder and handed it to him, face down. Sweat beaded on his forehead as their eyes locked. Morales reminded him of a bully from high school. Always so calm, so confident, so cocky. He'd hated that punk and made sure his dad's friends made life hell for the boy's family. He laughed the day the family moved away after losing their home. Snatching the picture, he flipped it over and froze. His heart stopped and then raced at the face of his Irish Rose. Eyes closed, shiny tears on her face, she lay on the bed with her small hand tangled in his hair as his puckered lips placed a kiss on her stomach. It was a beautiful picture. She'd been his favorite until she turned eight. Idly, he wondered what had happened to her. Not that it mattered. “Is there a reason you're showing me this picture?” He threw it down on his desk and snarled at the agents. Morales smiled. A toothy please-push-me smile. Without answering, he handed him another picture. This one was of Rose Petals, an Asian child who had pleased him for a year or so. In this picture he lay on his back, eyes closed, her tiny hands wrapped around his thick cock. A nearby

mirror showed the diminutive doe-eyed beauty’s concentration, and if he remembered correctly, fear. There was no doubt she was a child. He shifted in his seat to ease his erection. Damn, he'd never thought to have pictures, these were hot. He threw the picture on the desk. “So someone's found someone who can Photoshop pictures. Is it Macanis? Is this what he came up with to ruin my re-election chances?” He glanced at the pictures and then at the hulking agent staring down at him. Instead of responding, Morales pulled out another picture. Justin's palms sweated as he reached for the photo; part of him was aroused and the other afraid of who this might be. He glared at Morales, refused to look at Green, and turned the photo over. His stomach dropped. Heidi. He'd wondered what happened to her after their last time together. She'd refused to have anything to do with him. In anger, he'd gotten carried away with her punishment. If she'd been obedient, he wouldn't have disciplined her. Everyone knew children needed discipline to stay in line. This picture showed the pain and agony on her face as he whipped the small child with his leather belt. Welts and beads of blood ran across her reddened thighs and stomach. Her hands were tied to the bed and his other hand pinned her legs. He'd been under stress to get married during that time, and he'd taken it out on her. There was a gleam of determination in his eyes, his face a mask of fury, jaw tight and teeth clenched. It wasn't one of his prouder moments. He cringed in shame. Heat scorched his face and neck. For moments, no one said anything. “Do you need to see more?” Green asked, her voice low and filled with loathing. He studied the picture. Instead of responding, he wondered what a jury would say if they saw these images. He didn't fool himself, he knew there were more, and if he didn't handle it right, these pictures could make the evening news. Everything would be lost. His wife, his daughters, his home and career. Hell, those things were probably beyond his reach now. “Can I have a moment alone?” “No.” Nausea roiled in his stomach as he picked up his cell and punched in a number. It rang twice before a familiar voice answered. He closed his eyes, calculating the years he'd spend in prison. His voice shook when he finally spoke. “Daddy, can you come to my office? It's urgent.” **** Senator Alfred Rivers strode into his son’s office, deep worry lines across his face. Had

Justin put those there? He’d deliberately called him daddy to shake him. He hadn't called him that since his mom and sister were killed in a senseless car accident over twenty-five years ago. Being a public figure had its drawbacks; even so, he knew his dad would do anything to help his only child. The Senator nodded to the blond woman and the taller man standing near a window. Justin knew the moment the old man pegged them as either FBI or CIA; he’d hesitated before zeroing in on him sitting at his desk. “What's going on?” He looked at the agents, waiting for them to identify themselves. “Who are you and what are you doing here?” His lips turned down at the corners, robin's egg blue eyes darkened into his infamous scowl while he stared at the interlopers. At five feet nine, his nononsense persona made him appear taller. Taking in the precision cut of his hair and formal dress, Justin wondered what he’d interrupted. Most likely a fundraiser or something in that vein. He should feel pleased that the old man had dropped everything to be there for him. Instead, a curious numbness enveloped his mind. Reining in a sigh, Justin watched the fireworks as his dad, the Senior Senator from Wisconsin, worked the room. How long before those eyes changed? Or that proud tilt of his head waivered and fell? He'd wait and see. No longer sure of his options, Justin reclined in his chair, disassociating himself from the conversation. “I'm Special Agent Green and this is Special Agent Morales. We're here because the Congressman has engaged in illegal behavior, including rape and sex, with a number of minors over the years. We were about to read him his rights. He asked us to wait until you got here before we take him in.” “Whaaaat?” The Senator shook his head, and stared at the woman as if she’d spoken in German. Justin pushed down a childish giggle that threatened to erupt at the shocked expression on his father’s face. No question, he’d finally done something his esteemed parent hadn’t expected. Morales walked over to the Senator and handed him a picture from that blasted folder. Gazing at the picture, his old man's face tightened while turning beet red. Slowly, he turned and glared at him before looking at the image again. Justin wondered who was in that picture. There'd been so many over the years, he couldn't begin to guess. His father released the picture as if it burned. It fluttered to the floor as he strode

forward to the desk, eyes glancing over the photos beneath Justin’s hand, stopping at Heidi’s. He couldn't blame him. It was brutal. Their eyes met. “Did you do this?” His father asked without words. Figures, even with proof in front of him, the old man would back him if he said otherwise. The depth of his father's faith in him was humbling. He played with the idea of lying, claiming the pictures were photo shopped or some nonsense, but who knew what else the asshole had in that folder. It looked thick. He shrugged without releasing his father's eyes. The old man shrunk while standing there. Amazing. This is what it took for his father to see him as he really was? A messed-up freak who preferred children as long as they weren't small white girls like his sister. No, he drew the line there. No one could compare to her beauty. He'd never betrayed his promise to her or her memory in all these years. Special Agent Green walked to the desk and read him his rights. He maintained eye contact with his father the entire time. He wasn't sure why, it just seemed easier with the old man there. The Hispanic agent motioned for him to stand, and went to cuff him. His father's face hardened into a mask of rage. “Don't handcuff him like a common criminal,” he snapped as the agent clicked the cuffs closed. “He's a United States Congressman, treat him with respect.” “He gets the same respect he gave all those five-, six- ,and s seven-year-old girls over the years,” Morales snarled, his face tight with anger. “None. Nada. He is a common criminal. There's no jail set aside for pedophile Congressmen, he'll share a cage with all the other criminals.” With that, he pulled Justin forward toward the door. Once the door opened, his assistant and staff ran up to them, asking questions. The FBI agent ignored them and walked him out to the waiting car, where other agents proceeded to follow in some sort of motorcade. He never glanced back.

Chapter 11 News of the congressman's arrest hit the airwaves and spread like wildfire. Someone had found the picture of him and the Asian child on the floor in his office and gave it to the press. Day after day, news channels discovered more “shocking news” on the secret life of former Congressman Justin Winters. Chastity stared at the screen as the monster from her nightmares walked into a courtroom wearing an orange jumpsuit and blank face. The close-up of him leaving the courtroom showed gray strands forming on the edges of his hairline; deep lines bracketed his mouth, his eyes still looked dark and empty. In her young mind, he'd been a larger-than-life devil, soulless with no conscience. Looking at his pathetic ass now, she hated the years she’d allowed this shallow asshole to control her through fear. How the hell did he win an election and serve in the House of Representatives? Didn't anyone investigate his past? The camera zoomed to his father, Senator Rivers and Mrs. Rivers, Justin's wife, leaving at a fast clip from the courtroom. Sympathy rose in her chest for the beleaguered-looking woman. She'd been married to the man for years, and didn't know he raped and abused children. Gazing down the length of her own right hand, her eyes landed on the scar from the stitches she’d received after that monster broke her finger. Anger and disgust filled her memory. She’d been too slow falling to her knees to service him and he’d bent her small finger until it broke. The bone hadn’t been set and knitted wrong. Mr. Baxter had the surgeon fix the break when he repaired her fractured leg and rib. The pain had been agonizing and she’d fought Mr. Baxter and Ms. Cook whenever they came near to change the dressing. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she pulled back from the abyss of those dark memories. Kenton walked into the office from putting Mariah to bed, and sat next to her on the love seat. Since the incident with Jonah days before, they'd become closer. She couldn't explain how or what happened, only that she felt more comfortable around him, and the kids thought he walked on water. “One down.” She pointed to the TV. “That's Justin Rivers. I never knew his full name, but I recognize the demon. He used to call me 'gypsy baby.'” She shuddered at the memory. “The FBI arrested him on multiple counts of child rape, sex with a minor, and possible homicide.” She

wished Mr. Baxter were here to see his plan in action and to comfort her from the rising tide of brutal nightmares. He always knew the right words to beat back the murky clouds surrounding her. “Homicide?” Kenton turned toward her. “Yeah, they're looking for the body of a small child they believe died by his hands from a beating.” Tears welled up in her eyes. But for the grace of God, that could've been her. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. The warmth of his breath tickled her ear. Snuggling closer to his warmth, she felt safe in his arm. “Hey, it's okay.” His voice lowered as he rubbed his chin on the top of her head. “This will all be over soon. I know it's hard to see him after all this time. But believe me, he'll be going away for a good while.” Unbelief ripped through her. “His father's a senator. He might get him off.” Although she no longer feared Justin, she knew people in power somehow got all the breaks. “He better hope not.” His voice deepened into a growl. She leaned back and looked up at him. “What was that?” “My opinion—he'll be safer in prison.” He returned her stare. “What makes you say that?” She searched his eyes for the answer. His blanked face made it impossible to read his thoughts. He shrugged. “I'll kill him if he gets off. And before you object, let me say there's a line ahead of me. You don't think you're the only one affected by what he did, do you?” His look said otherwise. She sighed, not sure what to say or think. They didn’t think the same. Kenton got things backward. He thought she had sex with him out of pity. Pity never entered her mind. Giving him what he wanted and thought he needed, was a silent way to repay his uncle for his kindness. It was all she had to offer. During the past three years of working by Mr. Baxter’s side, she realized there were better ways to show gratitude, but didn’t regret her earlier mistakes. Ironically, those acts turned out to be her salvation. Her children gave her a reason to wake up and live. “For every child he raped,” Kenton said, “there's someone who wants to fuck him up on her behalf. The men working for Sven, to a man, would love five minutes alone with him. When the news hit, they asked for time off if the Congressman's acquitted.” He touched the tip of her nose. “And they know nothing about you.”

Her mouth opened and snapped shut. Warm lips grazed her forehead. A tingle of pleasure shot through her. “I've got you. Nothing will happen to you or our kids. Relax for a while,” he murmured against her brow, pulling her closer to him. “Hmmm.” She released it all on a sigh, closed her eyes and enjoyed the luxury of his embrace. His large hand rubbed from her shoulder to elbow. The rough texture of his palm added the right amount of friction, goose bumps rose across her arms in tribute to his slow strokes. “You smell good.” He chuckled. “Did I say that out loud?” She didn't bother opening her eyes. Her body had entered a relaxed state that felt too good to move. He kissed her cheek. “Yep.” “How come you're kissing me?” One eye opened and caught his devilish grin. For the first time in her life there was no agenda, no script or plot, just her relaxing in the pleasant company of a good-looking man. “I haven't kissed you, yet.” At that statement, both eyes popped open to stare at his reddened lips. “You haven't?” she whispered, entranced by the sight of his naughty smile. “Not even.” He leaned forward and licked her bottom lip before nipping it with his teeth. Tingles shot down her spine. Eyes widening, she tilted her head, catching his eyes. “Do that again.” “Let me do this, instead.” He cupped her face, gently nuzzled her cheek as he worked his way to her mouth, placing kisses everywhere his lips touched. By the time he fully kissed her, she was a quivering mass of jelly. “Ummm, I'm not sure this is a good idea.” Her words choppy as she tried to catch her breath. “I am.” He captured her lips again and slid his tongue inside slowly. She froze at the invasion, then melted as he stroked her face. Tremors shot to her core, heat throbbed between her legs as she pushed closer to his hardness. A needy moan ripped from her throat. Gasping, they broke apart. Her fingertip traced her lower lip in awe of the tingling sensations. “Interesting,” she murmured, trying to make sense of what she felt. Something tugged low in her belly, wanting, no – needing, something she couldn't define.

His brow rose. “Just interesting?” Pulling his head to her, she kissed him. His tongue thrust through her lips. Panting, she allowed him in and pulled him even closer. Angling her head, she followed his lead, repeated his actions and fell, as a willing captive, into the silken web he wove. He released her on a sigh and rested his forehead on hers. “You’re addicting.” “Huh?” How could he talk? Her mind was mush, talking seemed a chore she couldn't undertake. “I want more of you.” Slowly, fighting through the fog of desire, she opened her eyes and stared into twin dark pools of need. The stark lust on his face awakened things within her. Lust called to lust, she shivered as his lips took hers again and again, until she was mindless with an unsated yearning. “Kenton,” she whispered into his ear, her voice saturated with longing. The shudder that tore through him ignited one in her. “Hmmm?” He said after a moment. An unfamiliar ache pulsed, radiating hunger through her core. Uncertainty filled her. Each of his touches sent heat between her legs. What was happening? “Something’s wrong. I feel funny down there.” He pulled away and looked at her. “Down where?” Nodding, she bit her lip, glancing at him through lowered lids. He slid his hand beneath her dress and up her thigh.” Her eyes widened at the pleasurable sensation as his palm cupped her between her legs. “Here?” She froze and then parted her thighs, allowing him greater access. “Uh huh.” Her breath hitched as his thick fingers rubbed against her wet panties. “You’re wet.” She pushed at his hand. “No. Let me please you.” “It’s…it’s not right. It causes problems.” She pushed his hand away and pulled down her skirt. “What kind of problems?” He watched her intently. “You know.” Heat pulsed between her legs. She needed to think.

“The kids?” He frowned. “You think you might get pregnant?” Her eyes widened. “No. I mean, I don’t want to get pregnant. But that’s not what I’m talking about.” “What?” “I was raped.” “I know.” “It was because of sex. They sold me to men for sex.” Her mind spun at the ugly truth. A truth she’d hidden for years. She’d hated herself for being a girl. For having this thing men wanted so bad that they took her from her mama, brothers and sisters. Beat and almost starved her. Treated her worse than an animal, selling her to whoever could pay, as if her humanity had no value. Ripped away her youth and discarded her virtue with the midday trash. All because they thought she was a pretty girl. They mocked her name, Chastity. Opening the lid on her darkest shame and secrets exhausted her. The wound from her past lay open and oozed fresh blood. “That was the root of everything.” She dropped her head back against the chair. “They’d never have stolen me away if it wasn’t for that.” Her voice slipped to an agonized whisper. The warmth of his stare grilled through her into the seat. Heat rushed up her face and neck, she wiggled to move to further away. His hand on her arm stopped all movement. “Look at me. Chas, look at me.” He leaned closer. His breath kissed her cheeks. With incremental movements, she turned and gazed at his nose. He placed his hand between her legs again. Her eyes shot up and met his. “Rape is more about power than sex. If any of those men had simply wanted sex, they could’ve gotten it from grown women. Some sick bastards out there will attack someone smaller to make themselves feel bigger. Trouble is, the feeling doesn’t last. Children grow up and they’re stuck in a sadistic loop of their own making. You did nothing wrong.” He brushed a kiss against her lips. “Nothing like that happens between a man and his woman.” His fingers stroked across her clit. She jerked at her quivering response. “Wha-a-a-t are you doing?” His finger moved over her wet lips, flicking now and then, sending tendrils of pleasure through her. “I’ve played here before, how does it feel now?” “Gooood, but it shouldn’t.” She pushed at his hand, careful not to bump his other arm.

“It should. Let me show you.” He slid to his knees in front of her, pushed the fabric of her dress back and placed kiss after kiss on the center of her heated desire. It was wrong. She knew it was wrong, but his mouth felt soooo good. “What?...Why?...Ohmigod!” she yelled as his tongue lapped her core. Somehow, he’d removed her panties, and his mouth now feasted on parts of her she’d never imagined lips or a tongue would ever touch. He pulled her hips closer while his tongue worked magic on her pussy, feeding the growing ache until she couldn’t hold back. Her back arched taut as waves of ecstasy rolled over her. Slumped, she stared as he licked the juices from his face with his tongue, a happy grin on his face. Was he serious? He liked that? Fascinated, she took his offered hand as he stood and walked to the large, thick rug in front of the fireplace. Bending to his knees, he removed the rest of her clothes, kissing everywhere he touched. “You’re an exquisite woman.” He breathed against her stomach. “Beautiful brown skin,” he whispered as he pulled her down beside him. His lips grazed hers while his fingertip traced an invisible line down her throat, circled her breast and pinched her pointed dark nipples. Heat rushed between her legs. She’d never felt so alive. Tremors shot through her, rippling her core. His lips suckled one hard peak while his fingertip explored the rest of her body on its downward journey. Her flesh quivered under the onslaught of awakening. The string of pleasure between her breast and pussy tightened, ratcheting her need, leaving her panting, wanting more. Without thought, her legs widened to allow his questing fingers have their way. His mouth moved to the other breast as his finger penetrated her. A moan of bliss escaped her parted lips, while her head thrashed from side to side. An itch, that’s the only way she could describe the feeling deep inside, needed scratching. Her hips moved in tandem with his thrusting fingers. He pushed deeper, faster. Her breath quickened as she met him thrust for thrust. Sweat rolled off her chest. She placed her feet on the floor and bucked upward to reach her goal. Then it hit her. Spiral after spiral of ecstasy so strong her entire body shook. Her legs gave out and she hit the floor. From a distance, she heard what might have been soothing words. “I’ve got you.” Kenton’s hand stroked her stomach as she shook through the last of her release. He kissed her pussy and gently lapped at her wetness. “You’re addicting.” She smiled and reached out, touching his silky hair, stroking it in wonder. He looked up at

her, his darkened eyes hot and needy. This man wanted her. With all her baggage, despite her demeaning beginning, he wanted to be with her. Amazing. “If you’re doing this so you can have access to the children, you don’t—” He kissed her swollen nether lips again, his eyes never leaving hers. “As much as I want my children, this is most definitely not about them. This is about you trusting me. To be with me and only me.” Her breath hitched at the word trust. She wasn’t sure she could give him that. “I’m willing to wait, Chas.” He kissed her mound. “You’re so worth it.” His words buffeted the garrison containing her heart. Her wanton display a moment before dispelled her notion of the dirtiness of sex. The feelings had simply been divine. That knowledge acted as a cleansing agent on the wound from her past, allowing proper healing and hope for a normal future. “I…I don’t know what to say.” Her hands continued stroking his hair. His face relaxed into familiar smile. “Say you’ll give me a chance to be here for you, to show you the difference between a man who loves you and an asshole who had no idea what love was. Give me a chance to love you.” Her brow shot up as her mouth opened and then closed slowly. This man was full of surprises. “Love? Hmmm, when did that happen?” He scooted upward on his good arm until his face met hers. “A broken man came to your door four years ago. He’d just had his ass handed to him by a woman his mother approved of and his father said he could do better than. Since he despised his cheating father, he stuck with the woman although he had no deep feelings for her. His pride and ego took the real beating. On the advice of his mother, he’d placed a significant amount of money down on a house and set aside large sums of money to pay for a wedding that never took place. He discovered his mother knew his fiancé was involved with another man and was four months' pregnant before he returned stateside.” Chastity’s eyes widened at his story. That night long ago, she’d had no idea why he’d looked so devastated. “Somehow, the money had disappeared; his mother couldn’t remember what she’d done with it all. His ex-fiancé’s parting words were, “I only agreed to marry you because your mother said it wouldn’t really happen. That you’d call it off once you returned. Supposedly, you’d get

money from your uncle once you became engaged.” She’d laughed and added the final twist. “I’d never marry a man with her as a mother-in-law.” “That bitch,” Chastity snarled. He waved away her comment. “You’re missing the point. I came here after that, glad to be free of both women for good. I came to you. I wanted to see and talk to you.” What? “You were hurting that night, I remember.” He nodded and lay next to her on his back. “I’d just discovered my mother made a fool out of me for no other reason than greed. Without telling her what I knew, I left town, cutting off our relationship. I hadn’t talked to her until I returned to see about Uncle David’s affairs. She wrote to me every once in a while, but I never responded.” Chastity tried to imagine doing what Maude Stone had done to Jonah or Micah. The thought turned her stomach. That woman needed her ass whipped in a major way. Lost in their own thoughts, neither spoke. “The only person I could think of, that I’d thought of since I was fifteen, was you. I’m not going to lie and say there weren’t women willing to offer comfort, there were. Many had been my ex-fiancé’s friends. But after cutting the tie to my mother, I wanted to be with the one person who knew I loved to sketch and play marbles in the mud.” She smiled in memory of watching him do those things. “Who despite the fact that I’d behaved like a jack-ass, sent kind emails and kept me updated with general news of the one place I'd always felt was home. I wanted to be with you, Chas.” He touched her chin. “That first time we got together, you’d just turned eighteen, and in my bumbling way I wanted to impress you. Let you see me as something more than Uncle David’s nephew. I’d been crushing on you for years and in my inebriated mind, this was my opportunity to bind you to me.” “You gave me a sketch. That was sweet of you.” She stroked his muscled arm. “I’d been watching you for so long that I drew it from memory one day while in my dorm. Truthfully, I didn’t know it was your birthday that night I stopped by, but I had the sketch in the car.” “You drew it at college?” She was surprised and decided to ask the one question that bugged her. “Why’d you leave without saying anything? I think that hurt most of all, thinking you used

me like all the others. He stiffened and then released a long sigh. “That’s not true. I've never been like those assholes. Look, it was a male ego thing, hard to explain and in retrospect makes no sense now. Since you didn’t act liked you enjoyed anything I was doing to you, so I figured you didn’t like having sex with me. I’d made a mess of things that night and ran off embarrassed, no closer to my goal of making you my girl.” “I didn’t know what to do.” She defended. “Come on, you didn’t enjoy it, not like tonight.” “No, I didn’t. I have…” She coughed. “I had issues over things like that.” He rose above her, his face serious. “I want you. I’ve been in serious like with you for years. That changed to something deeper four years ago when you comforted me because I hurt. No questions, no condemnation, no hesitation. Over the years when things got tough in the field, I’d tell myself there had to be something between us, that you had to feel something for me to take me in like that. I didn’t know about your past and I admit I built up a relationship between us within my mind that fell like bricks when I met the twins. The thought of you and another man crushed me. In a fit of jealousy I left the ranch, thinking to forget you in the arms of another woman I’d met about a year ago.” He kissed the frown off her forehead. “I couldn’t get it up. The damn thing wouldn’t get hard. My little man knew what I refused to admit aloud. I needed you.” He chuckled mirthlessly. “I left the next morning, determined to have it out with you, to take you from my uncle or whoever else was in your life. But I just made a bigger mess.” Chastity closed her eyes remembering his harsh words. “You hurt me when you accused me of having sex with Mr. Baxter. He was my father in every way that counts.” “I know. All I can say is I was so jealous, I couldn’t see straight. I’d told Sven the boys had Baxter in them, but didn’t think beyond that.” He kissed her. “Forgive me?” Too full of happiness to speak, she inhaled his delicious masculine scent. She nodded. “Give me a chance.” He shook his head. Determination gleamed in his eyes. “No, give us a chance.” “You were always pushy,” she snorted, smiling to take away the sting from her words. “I didn’t have a choice. You always pushed me away and I wanted to be with you.” He lowered his voice and bent forward. “I should’ve known back then you were a fever in my blood.

I’d beg to come to the ranch, hoping to spend time with you. The sketch I gave you on your birthday was one of many. You were my favorite model and I became obsessed with getting you just right on paper. Even then I thought of you as mine.” “You knew better than to say anything.” She tapped his solid chest. He nodded. “Uncle David told me to leave you alone, and you didn’t give me the time of day.” She sighed, releasing the last of her tension. Could she have a real relationship with him? If anyone had asked a few months ago if she’d consider having a man intimately in her life, she’d have said hell no. It wasn’t that she though all men were rotten, she’d met some good ones along the way. And despite their young rocky beginning, she’d enjoyed Kenton’s company. They were parents, but had never been lovers. Lovers, hah. Even as she mentally scoffed, an image of the two of them intertwined on her bed all those years ago resurfaced. He’d held her tight and stroked her back so gently. It’d felt good, natural, until she banished those thoughts from her mind. A flash of pleasure from earlier that night zipped through her. “It took a while for me to trust Mr. Baxter,” she said, picking her way through damaged emotions. “Words meant nothing. Lies had been my diet for years. But he allowed me to grow at my own pace, never betraying my trust. In fact, I’m discovering he knew things about me I didn’t know myself.” Her hand cupped his chin as she searched his eyes. Pleased with the sincerity she saw in the dark depths, she walked out on the shaky limb of faith. “I’m scared, Kenton.” She placed her fingers over his lips as he started to speak. “I can’t help it, that’s the way I feel. An hour ago, I had no idea my body could respond to a man the way it did. I’ve never imagined sex as something good, something desirable. You’ve turned my world upside down and I won’t ever be the same. I’m not sure yet if I should thank you for that or not.” Licking her lips, she stared at his. “But I am sure that there’s not another man on the planet that I’d allow to touch me the way you have, or who can make me feel something more than shame and guilt. For the first time I can remember, I feel free, possibly normal. I’m not sure. The look I see in your eyes when you’re looking at me says I’m more than I thought I was, that I matter. While it should be a given, in my darker moments that’s simply not the case.” She inhaled, trying to explain the overwhelming feeling rising inside her chest. Words were inadequate to describe the liberation of a trapped mind and desecrated body. Misty-eyed, she spoke from that barricaded, pulsing mass beneath her

breast. “I seriously like you, too.”

Chapter 12 Senator Winters sat in his office overlooking the busy street as cars packed the road heading out of town. For a moment, he wished there was somewhere he could travel and be free of this travesty involving his son. How could the boy have turned out so warped? This whole situation was a public relations disaster. Justin’s wife didn’t want him around their daughters, and if they were younger, he’d agree. However, it seemed his son had a penchant for little girls under the age of eight. The thought left a foul taste in his mouth, his stomach clenched and burned. What a sick fuck, I should let him swing. For a moment, he savored the idea. But in the end, the image of his wife’s eyes so full of love as she looked at their son, overruled his jaded thought. Criminal or not, the fool was still his flesh and blood. He had to try to help. Picking up the phone, he placed a call to an investigator who had a reputation for results and discretion. “I need you to check into some things for me.”Twirling the pen between his fingers, his mind raced, cataloging and dismissing details. “I saw the news.” “Me too,” he snapped, unamused. “I need background information on all those young girls, the places where the acts took place, and any and all parties involved. Those pictures were old. Justin was in his twenties, that’s a long time to hold onto information like that.” “Good point. You got anything to point me in the right direction. It has to be someone willing to wait a long time to settle a score. I wonder why’d they wait? He could’ve been stopped a long time ago. Why now?” Nodding, he realized those were good questions. “That’s what you need to find out. Hire as many men as you need, just get me some answers.” “You think it has anything to do with his re-election?” Thinking hard for a moment about the challenger and the older photos, he made a decision. “I don’t think this is politically motivated; otherwise, it would’ve come out during his first campaign. I thought it might be aimed at me, but that doesn’t make sense either. My son has lost everything; and while this touches me some, it's not a real threat to my career. No, I think this is rooted in his past by someone smart, with a lot of patience. Perhaps he messed with the wrong person’s family or didn’t pay off someone. I’m not sure. But, this is the type of revenge that was

celebrated every time Justin rose professionally a notch. They knew he’d fall so hard he’d break with no chance to recover. I want to know who they are and what else they have. Contact Mike Griffin. Tell him I sent you. His cousin married my son. If anyone knows anything about this mess, he does.” **** Special Agent Morales glanced at the clock in their small cubicle. “You don’t have to do this. I can go solo or bring in Smathers for the arrest.” She met his look; they’d been partners for ten years. “No,” she snapped. “If I can’t handle these cases then I need to turn in my badge.” “Okay, just let me handle the pictures. Shake him up a bit before we close in the connection with the Congressman.” Special Agent Green nodded, numb inside. He left the room and headed for the interrogation room where Mike Griffin and his attorneys waited. After the Congressman’s arrest and the leak of the damning photo to the press, it’d been decided to bring in everyone else for questioning. Massaging the tension from her forehead, she sighed and sucked it up. Any of those sordid pictures could’ve been her younger sister, Becca. She’d been five-years-old when someone stole her from their neighborhood park over fifteen years ago. Two years later, a kid playing with his dog in a different park in New Jersey came upon her sister’s broken body. The coroner’s report said she’d been raped repeatedly and badly beaten. After passing her probationary period, she’d transferred to the human trafficking division in the Bureau. This is where she made a difference, returning stolen children, freeing slaves and locking predators behind bars. Stiffening her back, she prepared to tackle the man who they believed was a major player in the human trafficking and child prostitution underground, Mike Griffin. Their anonymous tipster had sent numerous photos, copies of deeds, dossiers on employees, and bank deposits covering a span of over ten years. She’d been a part of the team verifying the documents and building the case against Griffin. The case was solid, but they’d kept it low profile to prevent him from running. He was in the interrogation room, no doubt with his attorneys, waiting for them. Morales waited for her next to the door. His eyes lit in anticipation of taking this hood down. If she gazed closely, she’d see the shark in her partner surge to the surface, smelling the scent of blood. Griffin would be sliced and diced by the end of this meeting. Pleased, she followed

Morales inside. Tall and dark with a nice build and handsome face, sort of a Tom Cruise clone, Mike Griffin stood behind the table quietly talking to a small Asian woman, probably his attorney. He flashed a toothy smile his dentist must love. Too bad she wasn’t his dentist. Most people wouldn’t believe this All-American-looking man could be guilty of the numerous charges they had against him. That is until you gazed into his soulless, vacant eyes. And that’s when everything about him solidified in her mind. Mike Griffin cared for no one. Not even himself. This ultimate gamester had overplayed his hand, walking into their office with his attorneys, confident of his ability to get off whatever they threw at him. Clueless, he wore a cool, tough, polished veneer. But they'd crack through it soon enough. He watched them walk in, summing up her and Morales. She’d bet her new Sig that his attorneys were gathering as much information on her and her partner as possible. Not that it’d do them much good. Whoever had accumulated this information on these men had dotted their I’s and crossed their T’s. Even if Griffin had recently turned over a new leaf, which she doubted, he’d done enough in the past five years for them to take him down for a long time. Inwardly, she grinned at the prospect of this piece of filth going to prison. She wished he could be sold as a slave in a foreign country to suffer sexual abuse as well as being forced to work hard labor. “Well, I’m here as promised. Can we get started?” His deep-modulated voice grated her nerves. He glanced at her and then Morales. Standing straight, she faced him and sat at the table in front of the other two attorneys. Her hand remained on top of her thick file. Her job was the dessert. Morales would handle the main course. As soon as everyone was seated, he bypassed the appetizers and hit hard with the main course. “We appreciate you taking the time to see us, Mr. Griffin. We have a few questions we’d like to ask about some of your associates.” Morales rifled through the folder, pulling out a photograph which he then passed to Griffin. “Do you know this man? Ten years ago, he went by the name, John Stiles. But he has numerous aliases. Fred Gripp, J.P. Grimes, and Big John to name a few.” Surprise flew across Griffin’s face as he looked at the picture of the farmer he’d killed ten years ago in a hostile takeover of a rival child prostitution ring. Quickly, he wiped all emotion from his visage. “No, I’m afraid I don’t know this gentleman.” He leaned back and watched Morales warily; there was a definite crack in his polished veneer. Obviously, he’d expected

questions about the Congressman, and seemed rattled by their alternate path. His attorneys glanced at the photo. Special Agent Green’s partner nodded and pulled out another picture. “What about her? Her name is Lucy Briag. She worked at one of the properties you owned on the outskirts of Houston, Texas.” “I don’t own any property in Texas.” “You’re correct. You sold the property three years ago. But at the time Ms. Briag worked at the ranch, you did own that property. Do you recognize her?” Morales pushed the photo of the plus-sized woman Griffin had hired to keep the children in his prostitution ring fed and clean. “No. I don’t recognize her, either.” He handed it to his attorney, who returned it to Morales. “This is Hector Friench,” Morales said, pulling out another photo. “Your former accountant and manager of one of the properties you owned in New Jersey. When was the last time you saw him?” He placed the picture on the table in front of Griffin and his attorneys, tightening the noose around their quarry’s neck. “It’s been a while. I can’t remember.” His jaw clenched as he looked at the picture. “Last year?” “No. Maybe. I said I don’t remember.” He fidgeted in his chair and glanced in her direction. Her lips curled at the corners. He frowned as Morales slid another picture across the table. “This is Sarah Brine. Do you recognize her?” Griffin visibly tensed at the smiling picture of the beautiful, busty, blonde-haired woman. “I may have seen her around.” He hedged, staring at the picture before looking at Morales. The two stared at each other for a moment before he glanced at her. Got you, you bastard. Morales pulled out another picture. “This is a picture of the two of you leaving a club in New Jersey. This is a close up of the dress she was wearing that night. The last night anyone ever saw her alive.” Morales placed another picture on top of that one. “Notice this picture of her, two days later when her body was discovered in a wooded picnic area, covered by leaves. See anything familiar?” He paused, tapping the picture. “Same dress she wore while with you two nights previous.” “Hey, what is this? You trying to set me up for a murder rap?” He shook his head and looked at his attorney.

The petite woman stood. Her associates followed suit. “Mr. Griffin came to answer questions regarding the Congressman, not to be interrogated himself. We’re advising him not to answer any more questions.” Morales shrugged, and stood. “Mike Griffin, I’m arresting you for the murder of Sarah Brine and her unborn child, engaging in the affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activities, conspiracy to conduct the affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activities, conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, conspiracy to possess heroin, cocaine and marijuana with the intent to sell. As we complete our research I am confident a host of other charges will be added.” Green stood and recited his rights. Griffin’s face turned red as he glared at her. All three of the attorneys watched, stupefied at the turn of events. Once she was finished, the attorneys screeched and talked over each other against the charges, flimsy evidence, and whatever else their two-hundred-dollar per hour vocabulary decided might sound professional. In the end their complaints were scattered to the wind. Everyone in that room knew Griffin wouldn’t be granted bail; the man was a serious flight risk. He sat amongst his squawking attorneys, glancing at the pictures and at the files she and Morales had. Obviously, he’d been blindsided by the older murders, his game face had slipped when he’d seen the farmer’s picture. Pretty soon he’d discover there’d be no deals. Last night was indeed his last night of freedom. His last night sleeping on high thread count sheets and having a room alone. Justice might be blind, but she saw the devastation on his face as reality kicked his ass and smiled. The world seemed brighter as she watched him try to figure out how they’d come by their information. After she read him his rights, the door opened and Special Agent Simmons walked in, face grim as he handed her a piece of paper. Her stomach dropped. She handed Morales the note and looked at Griffin. The agent placed a CD player on the desk and pushed the play button. Everyone froze as Griffin’s voice filled the room. “I saw her on TV last week. I thought you couldn’t find her.” He paused. “Well, you can find her now. She was leaving court, something to do with a will. This time finish the job, no excuses. Don’t talk about it, be about it.” “Care to tell us who the victim for this hit is?” Morales asked staring at Griffin’s blanched face. “I hope you had proper authorization for the taping of this conversation,” the small attorney

snapped. Green and Morales glanced at her before returning to Griffin. “Last Friday, at one thirty-six in the afternoon, you commissioned a hit on an unidentified person. Who is the contract for?” Tiredly, Griffin sat back in his chair. His lips tilted up on the corner; hands clasped at his waist, he gazed at them. “Are you offering me a deal?” **** Later that week, Senator Winters sat in early morning committee hearings. Fortunately, his staff had prepared his questions and done the necessary research, otherwise he might look like a bigger fool than he suspected folks thought he was. The pitying looks, the slaps of camaraderie on his shoulder, the sudden silences when he entered a room, and low poll numbers all pointed to the end of his tenure in the Senate. A few more pictures of his son had surfaced. One showed the bastard beating a small girl, and enjoying it. Head pounding, fist clenched, he sat, uncertain which course to take. Mike Griffin had been arrested for a bevy of crimes and was more toxic than Justin. He’d been trying to get his son to see a psychologist, but the fool refused to talk to anyone since his wife kicked him out of their home. The session finally concluded. He gritted his teeth in aggravation as he nodded to his colleagues while moving at a fast clip to his office. Closing the door, he leaned against the heavy wood and inhaled. The stares and pity pissed him off. He needed to help Justin either beat this thing or get him sent away for mental help. None of them could continue under this cloud much longer. He walked to the bar in the corner and poured a ginger ale. Sipping the cool beverage, he noticed a manila envelope on his desk. He opened the door. “Stewart!” he barked, looking at the envelope. The younger man ran to the door. “Yes sir?” “What is that envelope doing on my desk?’ His assistant craned his neck around the door to see the packet. “I’m not sure, Sir. I didn’t place it there. Would you like me to take it outside and check it?” The Senator stared ahead for a moment, thinking over everything that’d happened during the past forty days. What if it’s more pictures of Justin or someone else? He didn’t want his staff knowing the depth of his son’s perversion. “No. I’ll take it from here.” The younger man nodded and turned. “In order to enter the building, it had to be scanned, so

it should be okay. If you need me, I’ll be right outside.” He closed the door behind him. Senator Winters walked at a tepid pace to his desk. His nerves jumped in his forehead as he stared at the damning small package. Sitting down, he picked up his long envelope opener and sliced through the top. A DVD fell out. And a few pictures of Justin with an older man. For a moment, he stared at the items. A barrage of possibilities ran through his mind. Justin, his wife, their children, congress, old and new friends. The video could be about anyone, including himself. Resigned, he booted up his computer and slid the disk in. Beads of perspiration dotted his forehead as he waited to see the images. An acrid taste hit the back of his throat. He tried to dispel it with the ginger ale and failed. Within seconds, a clear picture of Justin and the man from the photograph filled the monitor. He frowned the moment he realized Justin was drunk. His son leaned back and snarled in the face of the other, smaller man. “I said to get me a girl in here, damn it. Not a white one. I don’t screw little white girls. Gotta keep my promise.” “I understand that. But right now I don’t have anyone else available. Just those two in the back. I should be getting a new shipment in next week.” “Mike sending them, or somebody else?” “Mike’s sending them from his place in Houston.” Justin threw back another swallow from his glass and stretched out. His khaki-colored pants had stains near his zipper. His father watched in disgust and shame. Disgust that he personally knew the pervert, and shame that he planned to do everything within his power to keep his son out of prison. “Okay then,” Justin said. “I’ll make some excuse to be here next weekend. Just make sure and tell Mike to have some damn variety. Mix it up. Make his clients happy.” He smiled a large toothy grin. His father shook his head at the waste his son had become. No wonder he refused all psychological help, this was who he truly was. “He does make his customers happy,” the man said. “You’re the only one that won’t touch little white girls.” Justin stood, knocking over a bowl from the table, its contents hit the floor. “I’m not breaking my promise to Anna. I told her she’d be the only one and I meant it.” “Bullshit.” The man laughed. “You’ve tagged more virgin pussy than anyone I know.”

Justin shook his head. “Not like Anna’s. Anna was my first, and nobody looked like her. She was perfect. Long blond curls, small lips, light blue eyes. She loved me. Would do anything I said. So…so I promised her it’d be me and her forever.” Senator Winter’s froze as a fine tremor shot through him. His head shook from side to side in slow motion. His heart stammered in shocked denial. “No,” he whispered without taking his eyes from the monitor. “What are you doing here then? Go get your true love.” The man shooed at him. “Some drunk asshole killed her. She’s dead. My sweet Anna is dead and I’m all alone.” The Senator sat dumb at his desk. His mind a cocktail mix of varying degrees of hate, rage and sadness. His son had had sex with his little sister? Not his princess. Not his little Anna. Eyes closed, he couldn’t escape the damning words his son spoke. “I’m not breaking my promise to Anna. I told her she’d be the only one and I meant it.” His head dropped into his hands, his body shook as the enormity of Justin’s perverseness rocked him. “He had sex with his sister,” the Senator whispered, still unable to believe. “He had sex with Anna. My baby girl.” Whoever sent this tape knew what it’d do to him. He’d thought he was safe from whoever was after his son. But they’d just struck a mortal blow to his heart. For years he’d felt guilt for not driving his wife and daughter home that fateful night. He’d decided to go back to his office and get more work done. Anna had cried and clung to him, asking him to come home. Had she been afraid to be alone with her older brother? Damn, he couldn’t remember. All the times Justin had been alone with Anna in their rooms, had he been raping his baby girl then? Tears fell from his eyes, soaking the packet and pictures. His wife had often bragged to her friends how good Justin was with his little sister. What fools they’d been not to notice any signs. She loved me. Would do anything I said. The words tormented him. Had he threatened her? Did he beat her? Kiss her? Questions flew around his mind, refusing to land, refusing to verify the horrific truth. His son had molested his sister, and it started him on this corrupt path. The fool claimed to love Anna, and hadn’t been able to break the pattern since his sister had died so young. Turning toward the window, his heart ached as he stared at the sunset signaling the end of the day. Rage boiled in his chest. How dare Justin touch his precious angel? He'd betrayed his mother’s trust and his father’s heart. Bitter gall rose in his throat at the thought of any man’s

hands on his tiny child. Fist balled, he hit the armrests on his chair. He’d failed his wife and his daughter. Justin had been a pervert even in his teens and he’d had no clue. Popping out the DVD, he returned it to the packet and picked up his cell phone. It answered on the second ring. “I need you to do a job for me.”

Chapter 13 Chastity was playing a game with the kids in the family room when Sven strode in. She glanced at him and her smile disappeared at his glower. Her heart raced in fear. Kenton. Had something happened to him? “What’s wrong?” She walked over to where he stood. “Someone shot at that punk,” he snarled. His entire body shook under his fury. Frowning, she didn’t follow him. “Who? What punk?” She tapped his crossed arm to gain his attention. “Winters. He made bail, and as he was leaving with his attorney, someone took a shot at him, winged his shoulder. Damn!” He spun around, fists clenched. “Now he’ll get special treatment, they may not go as hard on him.” He faced her, pissed. “Who the hell jumped the gun like that?” “One of ours?” “No. I’ve already checked.” Straightening, he looked around. “Where’s Kent?” “He told you he had to see the doctor this morning about his arm. He should be back in another thirty minutes or so.” She bit her lip. “He didn’t do it.” “How can you be so sure?” “Because it would draw attention to me and the kids. I’m telling you it wasn’t him.” Sven pulled through his hair and exhaled. “You’re probably right. He wouldn’t risk you guys. That makes it worse. We’ve got a loose cannon out there working against our plans.” “What exactly is the plan?” She moved closer so the children wouldn’t hear their conversation. “The guilty are supposed to go to prison and experience some of the same things they’ve done to others.” Her hand flew to her mouth as her eyes crinkled in pleasure. “Justin will be somebody’s bitch?” She smothered a shout. “Oh my god, that’s so wild, so perfect, so necessary.” Closing her eyes, she savored the vision of her captor on his knees begging to be left alone, begging some big man to stop fucking him over and over. The ultimate punishment, he’d suffer what he put his victims through. Clapping her hands, she smiled. “I wish I could be a fly on the wall to see him

cry and plead. But knowing he’ll pay for what he did will help me sleep better at night.” “Yeah, but I need him alive long enough to pay.” He stomped to the window and gazed outside. “So far Mr. B’s plans have worked. First the congressman, then the leader of the trafficking ring, the people that worked the houses, a couple of accountants and attorneys. From what I’ve been told, they’ve all been picked up and charged.” “So I’m safe? The kids can go outside and play again?” He rubbed his chin. “I don’t know the status of the hit. Someone could still be waiting in the wings to take you out.” “But they’ve arrested Griffin without any information about me.” She hated the whine in her voice, but being cooped up under lock and key was taking a heavy toll on her nerves. “True. But he didn’t know that. What if he took out the contract before his arrest? We still need to be diligent.” He patted her shoulder. “It won’t be much longer.” “Hmmm, I’ve heard that before,” she grumbled. “You and Kent seem to be getting closer.” He sat in the recliner near the door and smiled at her. “Really? What makes you say that?” “He’s moved from his room into yours.” Heat raced to her face at his sly grin. “We…we’re trying to figure things out.” Sven nodded. “Is that what they’re calling it?” He laughed. “Hey, it’s good. I like Kent for you, and Mr. B always hoped the two of you would get together. Everyone’s happy. Maybe not as happy as you…” “Bald spot.” She sang watching his hand fly to his head. The man was vain about his hair and she teased him mercilessly about his thinning hair on top. Joining her laughter, he held up a fist. “One day, little girl.” A moment later Kenton walked in and went to the kids. “Hey Jonah, Micah, Mariah, I’m back. You guys been good for your mama?” She knew he hadn’t seen her yet. Her eyes latched onto the flexing of his hips and thighs as he moved to the sofa where the boys sat playing a game. This past week he’d taken her to hills and mountaintops of pleasure. Moisture gathered between her legs as she remembered the heights he’d taken her to last night. His lips, fingers and tongue were lethal as they brought her repeatedly to orgasmic bliss. One thing marred their time together, he wouldn’t let her pleasure him in any way. She’d been scared, reluctant at first. But

that passed after they spent the first night together. Cuddling with him in bed, feeling his warmth and his tenderness released her reservations about having sex. No matter how many times she rubbed against his boner, he insisted he would wait. Everything was for her. Time out for that heroic stuff, her body demanded more. Her core throbbed as her eyes latched onto his crotch. That was what she wanted. The itch returned deep inside, her stomach flipped as the hunger for him grew. So caught up in her need, she hadn’t realized Kenton kneeled in front of her. “Babe? Chas are you all right?” She watched his lips move, but couldn’t process anything but the deep, dark timbre of his voice. It set off fireworks in her overheated body. A moan escaped her lips. He looked at her and smiled at what he saw before kissing her as if she was the air he breathed. Chastity melted into his arms. Need spiraled, fogging her mind. The tight bow of craving she’d refused to acknowledge snapped. Gasping for air, they broke apart. She saw the mask of need on his face and prayed he wouldn’t refuse her. Not now. “The children,” he whispered. Her hands flew to her face as she looked around him. The room was empty. “Where…where are they?” He turned, looked around the room, rose and headed out the door. She followed. They met Ms. Cook near the kitchen. “Have you seen the children?” “Yes, they’re with Sven. He said to tell you he's taking them to his apartment; they needed a break from the main house.” The older woman shrugged and walked away. Kenton squeezed her hand and pulled her to his bedroom. Once there, he called Sven and verified he had the kids. “He has them. Did you say something to him? About us?” “I told him we were trying to work things out or something like that. Why?” “He said for us to spend some quality time together today. The kids will be back tonight after supper.” Her body hummed at his words, she licked her lips, desperate for more of his taste. He pulled her tight. “I always liked the way that man thinks.” His kiss was bruising, his tongue unapologetic. That was fine with her. She pulled him closer. He was hers and Lord knows she wanted all of

him. His warmth and taste created a sense of home. Her body dissolved. She felt the thud of her heart as their lips and tongues merged, and the answering beat of his as they came together in a desperate hunger. His large palms stroked her back. Did she feel half as good to him as he felt to her? Did her taste and scent ravish his senses as his did for her? Her mind reeled as new sensations swamped her. His back tensed as she stroked the hard muscles under her hands. His hips jerked. “I need you.” His raspy voice filled her with hope. “Inside me.” She leaned back and gazed at his lust-filled face. “I want you inside me.” She absorbed the shudder that went through him. He pulled her to the bed, stripping off her dress and panties. His tongue flicked her pebbled nipple. “You too, take off your clothes. I want to see you.” Her hands pushed up his shirt, careful of his arm before helping him with his pants. “My lord,” she whispered in awe as his large member sprang free from its entrapment. It stood magnificent during her inspection. Pale, long and thick, with a wide mushroomed cap, his cock bounced against his stomach as he maneuvered them on the bed. Trailing his tongue from her jaw to ear, he nipped the lobe, gaining her attention. “You okay?” He rubbed his nose against her neck. “Yeah, it’s just, I don’t remember it being so big.” She swallowed her rising panic. His hand stroked down her arm, and then taking her hand slid both hands to his cock. “Feel him. He’s warm and hard for you,” he whispered. “You do this to me. I want you so bad, I hurt.” His hand rolled hers over the head, spreading the pre-cum over the mushroomed tip before guiding her down the wide column to the base. “It’s hard and soft,” she said in wonder, not realizing he’d removed his hand and she stroked his erection alone. More fluid escaped from the slit. Intrigued, she bent forward to taste it. Spicy and sweet. “Umm, tastes so good.” Encouraged by his moans, she licked the head again. But this time, she took the cap into her mouth and sucked, hard. Kenton jackknifed up from the bed, almost gagging her. Shaking, he pulled her close. “I…I can’t handle that right now...too close to the edge…love it, but can’t…” His lips took hers as they fell backward onto the bed. Her hands touched him everywhere, loving the hard feel of his chest, stomach and thighs. His hand parted her folds and played with her clit. Vibrations of

pleasure radiated from her core. Kenton worked her body like a master craftsman. The sounds of her panting and his fingers' slippery thrusts resonated in the otherwise silent room. “Please,” she moaned. “You sure?” She hit his chest with her fist and then grabbed his cock. “Is this for me?” His breath hitched. “Yeah.” “Then give it to me, I want it.” Her hand slowly stroked the thick pulsing rod . His thighs trembled as his hand grabbed hers. “Stop before you end it now.” Removing her sticky palm, he placed a kiss in the center and licked away his fluid. “Now,” she whispered, turned on by his touch. Her legs fell open in invitation. His eyes stared at her lower wet lips. She stopped his downward descent. “No. Cock only.” His brow rose, but he remained silent. Reaching over to his nightstand, he retrieved the foil packet. Tearing it open, he rolled the condom over his hard erection. She licked her lips. Hungry. “Please,” she whimpered. Rising, he thrust forward and slid inside her tight sheath. Her back arched at the pain of his invasion. “Umpf.” He stopped and looked at her. “You okay?” The pain lightened. Her curious need returned and she rolled her hips. “Shit, you’re so hot, so tight. Give me a minute. I need—” Ignoring his plea, she rolled her hips again, enjoying the friction. “You feel so good.” He remained motionless above her, teeth gritted as she fucked him from beneath. Panting and grunting as pleasure twirled in her belly, she sensed it building. Her movements became frantic as she tried to reach the pinnacle. Frustrated, she slapped his ass. “I’m close, what’s wrong?” Leaning forward, he kissed her sweaty brow. “You need me.” With that proclamation, he slammed forward into her, his balls slapping between her thighs. Her body caught fire. The muscles on his lower abdomen flexed and bunched, contracting hard with every plunge. “Ohmigod, ohmigod…” she screamed. Her head thrashed from side to side as his thrusts lit a fuse inside. Explosion was imminent. Mouth open, incoherent words competed with grunts and moans flying from her mouth. Colors flew across her lids. A tightening in her belly burst free,

hard enough that her vision blurred and her ears felt as though they were going to explode. Her toes curled as she panted for breath. Slowly her eyes opened to see Kenton leaning over her, sweat dropping from his face onto hers, their fast breaths filled the room. “You okay?” He whispered with a cheeky grin. She nodded. Damn if he hadn’t earned that grin. Kenton groaned as he moved slowly within her again. Her pussy had been made for him, it fit tight, greeting him on every thrust in homecoming. He wanted to replace their previous two joinings with new memories. This was his woman and he loved the look of shocked bliss on her face as she came. His ego demanded he put it there again and again. He wanted her to equate him with her pleasure. Stoking the embers of her release, he bit down lightly on her ear, just hard enough to hurt a little. Her moan of contentment pushed him over the edge, he groaned while pumping furiously into her tightness. Intoxicated by the cries filling the room, he intensified their rhythm. God, he was so lucky having her. Her passion fueled his. It felt like they passed their unquenchable need for one another back and forth between them. Her cries for more humbled and spurred him on. His heart expanded as he received her most treasured gift, her trust. Words failed him. Every part of him merged with her during this taking. His arms tightened as he filled her, giving her his heart. He prayed she understood his feelings, he’d never let her go. His body spasmed through the last of his release. Her lips brushed against his cheek, clearing away the wetness he hadn’t been aware of until that moment. “That was…I had no idea,” she whispered holding him tight. “Why’d you keep this from me?” Her teasing tone was meant to lighten the mood. He couldn’t follow her lead, not when his heart was so full. “I was scared, I guess.” He moved to the side bringing her with him. Removing the condom he tossed it into the wastebasket. Feeling her hands on his chest, he covered them with his own. “Scared?” She leaned up and stared at him. “Why?” Quietly, he gave her the words to his actions. “I knew after we made love, I’d never be able to let you go. I wasn’t sure how you’d handle that.” Her hand rubbed his chest. He wondered if she felt the fast beat of his heart. “I’ve wanted to make love with you for so long, I didn’t want to blow it.” “You didn’t blow anything.” She sat forward and hoisted her leg across his thighs.

Straddling him, she smiled, brightening his bleak thoughts. During the past three months, his world shrunk to this woman and three children. He needed them like he needed water. Chastity held his heart in her hand. Her past made her wary of commitments and overtures of affection. Mentally, he got that. But his heart and body didn’t give a damn. He’d tried to be patient and understanding. When she demanded he fuck her, every cell in his body screamed hell yeah, immediately overriding his common sense. Now, his emotions were out there, he was exposed, and vulnerable. Taking a chance, he placed his hand on her waist and pulled her forward. The only sound was their breathing, deep and steady. “I love you.” He kissed her. Her tongue tangled with his as he tasted and captured her flavor, engraving it in his mind. Forever, he’d recall this moment when he’d spoke from his heart and she didn’t knock him down. Breaking apart, she stared into his eyes, searching for who knew what. His hand trembled on her waist as she gazed into his face. Could she see his impending sadness from her rejection? Or how lost he’d been without her all these years. Did she feel the wild thump of his heart, which beat for her? Desolation warred with desperation as he dropped all pretenses and let her really see him. She gasped. Without releasing him from her gaze, her fingertips traced his lips. “I love you too.” Too shocked to do anything more, he pulled her head to his chest and stroked her back. He’d dreamed, hoped, but never thought he’d hear those words from her lips. Like a dying man, he closed his eyes and thanked the powers above for this chance with her. “Say it again,” he said hoarsely. He felt her lips curl against his chest. “I love you.” “You can’t take it back. You can’t leave me, Chas. I mean it.” Her muffled chuckle vibrated through him. “Same here, big guy. You can’t take it back or leave me either.” The woman had no idea how wrapped up tight she had him. There was no other place he’d rather be than right here. His hand dipped low between her legs, testing the waters. “Mmmm.” She rubbed against his rising erection. “What’s on your mind?” “I haven’t had my lunch, and you’re on the menu.” He rolled her over, slid down, and tasted their combined flavors.

Chapter 14 Sven stormed into the office, red faced and tight jawed. Dread crawled down Chastity’s spine. Not again. When will all of this be over? “What’s up now?” She asked as Kenton followed behind Sven. His face equally grim. “Bradley’s not in the country right now. His manager’s running things.” She gave him her best, 'okay, so what?' look. “Someone took a shot at a guest from Bradley’s spread, near the western tier of our property. It winged her shoulder and knocked her off her horse. She called Bradley, they called me, and I signaled the okay for the ambulance to pick her up.” Confused, Chastity looked at each man. “This was an accident right?” She plowed ahead without their agreement. “Soooo, what’s the problem?” Her eyes widened when Kent wrapped his arm around her waist and sat her on the loveseat. Dark eyes pierced hers. “Why was she on your property? Did you give her permission to hunt or ride across the obvious fences and no trespassing signs?” Wheels turned in her sluggish mind. “No, I didn’t.” She glanced at a silent Sven and then returned to Kent. Something told her that in a few minutes, she’d be unhappy. “Since when did black females start visiting Bradley’s ranch?” Kenton asked. It was a rhetorical question since everyone knew Bradley was a big time bigot. He and Mr. Baxter had come to blows a few times over the years. “One that decides to ride your property for the first time, and someone takes a shot at her.” He leaned back, his eyes roved over her body. “The two of you are similar in height, build, and she wore a hat. From a distance, could someone mistake her as you?” Flustered at his words, she swallowed hard. “I don’t know. Is that what has you upset?” Kenton pulled his good hand through his longer hair. “Yes and no. Yes, I’m upset that she was on the property and someone took a shot at her. We had to report it and now the police have the right to access the ranch. It’ll be hard to contain everyone coming in and out. Besides, a sniper could’ve come in with the police or ambulance today. As diversionary tactics, it was brilliant,” he growled, a deep frown marred his forehead. “Why no?” He stared at her.

She cleared her throat. “You said yes and no.” “I meant her being on the property wasn’t all that has me upset.” He paused, glanced at Sven. “Another attempt was made on the Congressman’s life. The Senator is in a rage and wants to take alternate actions for the protection of his son. He claims his son won’t make it to trial if the FBI can’t protect him better. They’re giving him some type of special team.” Sven growled while pacing the room like a cornered bear. “This is bullshit. Somebody’s fucking up our game. I need to find out who’s trying to kill that bastard and put an end to this.” “Listen to yourself. We are not the law,” Chastity stood, and marched to stand in front of Sven. “You don’t put ends to anything. If somebody kills Rivers before the trial, he dies. We should let it go. Mr. Baxter didn’t plan on us turning into vigilantes, he just wanted justice.” Sven stared at her for a moment. His mouth opened and then shut. Squeezing his eyes shut, he rubbed them and turned away. “Okay.” Chastity spun to face him. “I know what that meant. It was a pat on the head and a push to the side. You’ll keep me out of the loop while executing your plan.” His face remained stoic. “Don’t do this,” she cried out. “If anything you do will affect me and the children, I want to know.” “No, you don’t.” He turned from her and left the room, leaving her alone with Kenton. Moments after he strode out, she continued staring at the door. “What did he mean?” Her eyes sought Kenton’s. “How can he say I don’t want to know?” Kenton sighed. Damn Sven for opening this door without closing it. They all knew how she was, she wouldn’t let it go. “You think you understand what Uncle David wanted, his motives, his plans. But you’ve never seen his instructions to anyone other than yourself. It’s as though you have him on this pedestal and can’t see him for the type man he was.” Her nostrils flared with each word he spoke. Her lips thinned tight. “Mr. Baxter was a good man.” He recognized her pissed off mantle. Shit, there was too much happening to placate her right now. “Yes, no one said he wasn’t. He was also ruthless. A man not to be crossed. A man who wouldn’t hesitate to protect the ones he loved, or rain down his wrath on those that harmed his.” A myriad of emotions crossed her face. “Sven is a retired Navy Seal. All of the men he hired to protect you and the ranch were approved by Uncle David. They’re mercenaries. Uncle David employed a small army of hired

killers to watch this family. If Sven had given the orders, no one would’ve known Marie was on your land. Every trace of her would’ve been erased.” “Mr. Baxter wouldn’t—” “He hired them,” he snapped. Softening his tone at the look of hurt on her face, he continued. “He wanted the best of the worst. They follow instructions and provide results. The Congressman, the trafficker, the men and women that allowed you to suffer, none of them gets a free ride. I believe Uncle David has made provisions for them in prison. He waited a long time to punish those people and we want to see them get what he planned.” “Listen to yourself. Mr. Baxter is dead. You don’t have to risk us by going after those assholes. I need you here. The kids need you. Don’t mess up and lose everything in this mad scheme of vengeance. Not for me.” His jaw clenched. What those bastards did to her would never go unpunished. He meant it when he said he’d kill the motherfucker himself. “I was in it the moment I found out what they’d done to you. Don’t ask me to be someone else. This will go down according to my uncle’s plan or we will take them out.” “What happens if something happens to you? How will I live with that? Or is this all about male egos? If it’s really about me, I don’t want you to take a chance getting caught doing something illegal.” Her breath hitched. “I’m not coming to see you in prison.” He grabbed her close. “Baby,” he murmured, moved by her concern for him. It touched dormant places inside that he hadn’t realized were there. Gently, he tipped her chin up and gazed into her eyes. “Kenton, I lost Mr. Baxter. I won’t make it if I lose you, too.” Her hand gripped his arm. “Please don’t do this, let it go.” Her words humbled him. Swallowing his pain, he struggled to explain his position, and prayed she’d understand. “I lost Uncle David, too. He poured the last twenty years of his life into reaching this moment, stopping the madness for our children and children everywhere. Putting these men behind bars and crippling the organization that profited on the sale of kids was his main goal. Think about it, if Mariah was taken— ” She stiffened and pulled back. He held on tight without releasing her gaze. “No. Hear me out. I have a little girl now; and my perspective has done a full rotation. None of us, Uncle David, Sven or myself, helped you during the time they abused you. We didn’t know. Now that we know these things are happening, we can’t ignore the boy or girl

out there praying for justice. For a chance to believe things really do work out in the end, bad people get caught and pay for the wrong things they’ve done.” He rested his forehead against hers, hoping she heard his heart. “Baby, I’m your man. I can’t let them get away with what they did to you, to all those kids. That wouldn’t send the right message to the punks waiting to step up and continue playing the game.” His heart broke as she hid her face against his chest. “No child should be afraid to walk home from school, or think twice before a relative gives them a hug. I wouldn’t be the man you think I am if I walk away and don’t finish this. I love my kids, but somewhere out there a parent is wondering, hoping for a fair deal against the damage rendered.” Sniffling, she nodded and pulled away. “I hear you, don’t like it, but I hear what you’re saying.” Tilting her head up, she stared at him. “That was a low blow using Mariah to make a point, but I got it. So many nights when I was alone, waiting for whoever was coming for me , I cried, wishing someone would save me. Anybody who could stop them from hitting me, from making me do the things they wanted. I missed my mama, my family. I played mind games, pretending I was still home and everything that was happening around me was a bad dream.” “Chas.” His voice deepened, filled with pain for what she went through. “Now that I’m safe, my kids are safe; I’m turning my back on kids who’re going through the same hell I went through.” Her eyes squeezed closed. “There’s no excuse for my selfishness. I know Mr. Baxter worked for years to put those motherfuckers away. I…I’m sorry. Just, just do what you need to do.” Her eyes found his. “Thanks for reminding me there should always be balance. Mr. Baxter used to say that a lot. They did wrong, they need to pay.” His lips captured the sweetness of hers. Healing was a process that went layers deep. He hoped she’d reach out one day and contact her mother or brothers and sisters. In the meantime, he needed to connect with Sven about their next step. Sven walked into the office, and they broke apart. “We’ve got company.” He looked at Kenton. “Who?” Chastity said, trying to move, but Kenton wouldn’t release her. She’d just had an emotional outpouring and he wanted to make sure she was cool before he left her alone. Sven crossed his arms. “Maude Stone and a woman she claims is your girlfriend, Renee.” Chastity snatched away from him. “Girlfriend?” Chastity asked.

“Renee?” Kenton said. They spoke at the same time. Kenton looked at her. “Remember, I told you I spent the night with a woman my first night back in town.” “Uh huh.” She frowned. “That was Renee. I met her fourteen months ago and we spent a few nights together then, that’s all. She wants more, but I never promised her anything. She must have called Maude, looking for me, and that woman latched on to her as an excuse to come to the ranch.” He ignored Sven and looked at Chastity, praying she believed him. “What does she want?” “I don’t know, I haven’t called or talked to her or Maude since that day I talked to you here at the ranch.” He couldn’t imagine why Renee had allowed his mother to bring her here. Chastity spun toward the door. “Where are the children? Are you letting her in?” Sven straightened. “The children are with Robbie. It’s up to you whether they come on the property or not.” “I want to meet her.” Chastity sent him a mischievous grin. Kenton groaned. “Why?” She shrugged. “I want to see the type of women you like.” “Look in a mirror, I love you.” Sven laughed. They both frowned at him. He held his hands out in a placating gesture. “I need to talk to the men. What do you want me to do?” “Let’em through,” Chastity said. “Turn them away,” Kenton said at the same time. She scowled at Kenton. Her full lips were in a delicious pout, corkscrew curls had free reign on her head. He kissed her. At first she stiffened, but then relaxed in his arms. “You’re so sexy. Do whatever you want. Just remember, you’re the one who let in the snake.” “She’s your mother.” “True, but I said turn her away. I’m aware of her capabilities.” Sven looked at her while talking on his radio. Moments later, Levi, the giant, walked in with a red-faced Maude and terrified-looking Renee. “Kenton…what’s going on?” Renee’s eyes roamed the room before landing on her. “What’re you doing here, Renee?” He thought his voice sounded calm, mild, but she still

jerked backward when he spoke. She pointed to Maude. “Your mother said we should come see you. That you missed me and would appreciate a visit.” She glanced at him and then around the room. “I shouldn’t have come.” “No, you shouldn’t have allowed her to use you. I can tell you from personal experience she cares nothing for anyone other than herself. I haven’t talked to her since the day I saw you.” Renee’s face reddened as she stared at Maude, who stood in the middle of the office glancing around. “Why? Why’d you tell me he wanted to see me? Get my hopes up after he’d made it clear he was still in love with someone from his past?” Maude shrugged. “I didn’t know?” Her voice callous and uncaring of the other woman’s feelings. “I told you what he said, but you kept calling and lying.” Renee stopped and looked at Kenton. “I feel like such a fool, I’m sorry for this.” She turned to Levi. “Please, take me to my car.” She glanced at Maude, who glared back at her. “Find another way home and lose my number.” “That’s all right, my son will see me home.” She smiled, alerting everyone to her original plan. “No, that’s not happening,” Kenton said, pushing Maude forward. “Take this one as well. Make sure she clears the property and stays off. She can walk or call a cab, for all I care. Just make sure she’s off my uncle's land.” “No,” Maude shrieked, struggling against Levi with no success. Renee laughed as the giant hustled both women out the front door. Just as they entered the foyer, Ms. Cook and Mariah came running, and bumped into the two women. Maude fell to the floor, landing on her ass, and looked at Mariah. Her eyes widened. She shook her head and then stared at the child. “My God,” she murmured. Mariah leaned against Ms. Cook’s legs as Levi hoisted Maude up and pushed her through the front door. Kenton, Chastity and Sven came just in time to see Maude staring at the doorway, face devoid of all color. “What happened?” Sven asked Ms. Cook. “All the noise woke us up. We came to see what the boys were doing, but it wasn’t the boys. It was Mr. Baxter’s sister-in-law, the one he hated. And another skinny woman. We bumped into

them, they fell, and the nice man helped them up and walked them outside. Kenton closed his eyes. “Did Maude see Mariah?” Chastity gasped behind him. “Now that you mention it, she stared at the little one for a minute longer than necessary. Her face got all pasty white too.” “I thought Mariah was out of the house with Robbie,” Chastity said her voice weary. “Yeah, but she wanted to come home with me, so we took our nap.” The woman had no idea how close he was to strangling her at that moment. “I understand Ms. Cook, but we had the children out of the house for a reason, and that reason just walked out the door. We’d appreciate it if when you change our instructions, you let us know. This would’ve been avoided if we knew Mariah was in the house.” “Sure, but like I told you before, nobody tells me nothin’, so I can’t very well tell you something I don’t know, you got me?” He nodded. She was right. He hadn’t told her not to bring the children inside, he’d told Robbie. “Got you. I’ll work on my communications skills so this doesn’t happen again.” She nodded and returned down the hall. Chastity held Mariah. He waved them back into the office and closed the door. Sven’s face was an implacable mask. “I respect you,” he said looking at Kenton. “But Maude doesn’t get the kids. Under no circumstances will I allow her to get close to these kids again.” Kenton knew he could take that a few ways. One being that his mother would cease to breathe, the other being that he would cease to breathe; both would make that statement a reality. “I know and I trust you to do whatever it takes to make sure my family’s safe.” The two men stared at each other a moment longer before Sven nodded. “What do you think she’ll do?” Chastity asked, rocking her baby back to sleep. “Well, she knows Uncle David can’t have kids. The doctor drove that nail in deep,” Kenton said. Sven grunted. “She just saw a miniature version of herself with a tan. Her mind’s spinning. Let me check what she’s up too.” He made a call, and after asking a few questions, clicked off. “The girl, Renee, had guts. She drove off and left Maude outside the gate. Maude’s waiting for a taxi. He said she’s sitting on a rock, waiting and staring like she’s shell-shocked. He said it was creepy.” He looked at Chastity. “Did you see what you wanted to see?”

She hung her head. “Yes.” “That was crazy, you know.” Her eyes slid to Kenton before landing on Sven. “Not to me. I wanted to see the type of women he dated, and I saw.” “So what do you plan on doing with that information?” Sven persisted. Kenton watched the bantering between the two, glad Sven asked the questions so he wouldn’t have to. Her curiosity added another layer of complication they didn’t need. “Nothing, I just needed to know, okay.” Her voice rose an octave. Sven turned to Kenton. “Come over in an hour and we’ll go over the rest of the plans. We’ll need to modify some of them for Maude, but that shouldn’t be a problem.” He glared at Chastity and stormed out. After a few minutes of silence, she spoke. “Go ahead, blast me for my jealous insecurities. I put Mariah in jeopardy. Maude’s not blind, she’ll figure out the kids are yours.” He placed his arm around her, inhaling her citrus-y scent. Today her emotions had been all over the place. “I’m honored that you care. You hold my heart, and regardless of what happens, we’re a team. If Maude figures out the truth, so be it. At the end of the day, as long as you’re here with me, nothing else matters.” He kissed her forehead. “I think she liked you.” Here we go. “Maybe, but I told her my heart was taken.” “I can’t believe you did that. What if we didn’t work out?” “Doesn’t change how I felt about you or about her.” She stared at him, biting her lower lip. “I love you.” “I know.”

Chapter 15 Chained at his ankles and wrists, former Congressman Justin Waters moved at a sluggish pace down the shiny corridor to his cell. After his attorneys had discovered the overwhelming amount of evidence against him, the first group refused to go along with his not guilty plea. The second attorney had taken his case with the stipulation that he’d plead guilty, while they worked a deal for a shorter sentence. The prosecution had asked for life with no parole. Thankfully, cooler minds prevailed, and in twenty years, shorter with good behavior, he’d be free. After the second attempt on his life, his wife had filed for a divorce. No surprise there. She’d never been the 'till death do us part' type anyway. They’d married for reasons other than love, more like status and financial advancement. Pity he was flat broke; she’d been furious at that piece of news. The divorce decree stated he’d have no contact with his daughters. He balked at first; he loved his kids. The attorney convinced him that once he got out of prison, they’d be old enough to decide if they wanted to resume a relationship with him, so he signed off on the paperwork. Now he was free, in one instance at least. The real surprise had been his dad. Initially, after the news of his arrest broke, the old man had called him every day. After the attempts on his life, his father had screamed bloody murder, and had insisted the Bureau provide special security for him. For a short time, he thought the nightmare would blow over, and his dad would work a miracle to get him out of this mess. He’d expected his father to pull a rabbit out of a hat at the sentencing. But, the old man hadn’t shown or sent word through the attorney. Frowning, he tried to recall the last communication he’d had with his dad. Reality had settled in earlier this week when he’d arrived at the intake facility. He was in prison. The clang of the cell door broke his concentration. A bunk bed, a sink, toilet, and beige walls greeted him. He glanced around while the guards set about releasing his chains and making snide comments about someone coming to see him or something like that. Over the course of his trial he’d learned to shut out the sneers and taunting remarks from the cops, and now the guards. Even now, in the back of his mind he still believed his dad would swoop in and somehow make all this go away. Stepping into the six by eight foot cage, that belief shattered under the hammer of reality as he stared at the concrete wall in front of him, and felt the cold steel of the bars at his back.

Something twisted in his stomach. Fear? Dread? Disappointment? Daddy didn’t fix it this time. Of all the times for the old man to gird up to teach him a lesson, this sucked big time. A tingling started at the base of his neck. His heart beat in his ears. The door closed, leaving him alone with his clamoring thoughts. Prison? It wasn’t supposed to go down like this. In a stupor, he plopped down onto the bottom bunk, head in his hands. How long, he couldn’t be sure. He wondered what had happened to Mike. What would happen to him? He’d heard stories, sickening stories that his forty-three year old mind refused to contemplate. In the distance, the heavy sound of footfalls caught his attention. He stood and backed up against the wall near the stainless steel sink. For some reason, his mind zeroed in on the beat of the steps, his heart picked up the rhythm, binding them together. Sweat dripped from his forehead as the steps drew closer. Intuitively, he knew his cell was their destination. A myriad of scenarios crossed his mind, none of them pleasant. Three men walked into his cell. Even as new as he was to the system, he knew two beds and four men in the same room spelled trouble. His mouth was so dry he couldn’t speak if he wanted. Nothing to do but wait it out. “Welcome to the dungeon,” the black male said in a low-pitched voice. His scowling face at odds with his greeting. He flexed his large tattooed biceps before crossing his arms and widening his stance. Shirt open, displaying large pecs, and pants low enough on his hips that wisps of pubic hair waved above the band. Fear lodged in Justin’s throat, they’d come to rape him and no one would interfere. He barely managed a nod before the large Hispanic male spoke. “We are here to make sure you have a nice visit and to instruct you on the rules of engagement.” He peeled off his shirt. Justin’s eyes widened at the various tattoos covering the man’s wide chest and arms. His back hit the concrete wall. All three men grinned, stepped forward, and closed the cell door behind them. The third man was Asian. “You have done the warden a favor.” He pointed to the other men with him. “As a general rule, you’d never catch the three of us in a room together working toward a common goal. But you, Congressman Winters, you have done the impossible. You have given us each a reason to work together.” Justin’s breath hitched. He wanted to speak, to explain, but nothing emerged from his throat. Dots danced before his eyes as the shorter Asian man stripped off his shirt as well. A beautiful red and green dragon graced chest and stomach, with the tail ending in his pubic area. Tremors

wracked his body as the Asian stepped closer to him. Breathing became impossible as the reality of the situation crashed over him. The Asian stood, arms akimbo, an evil sneer on his features. “My name is Lei. Remember it, Bitch. I won the coin toss, so I get to break you in first.” Justin vomited over the floor and fell retching to his knees. “Check this out, Julio. The motherfucker understands his position already.” Lei snatched him by the hair and pulled his head back. “Unh,” Justin grunted at the excruciating pain. The three men laughed. “I should make your lick up your shit.” Lei pulled his hair so hard a few strands floated to the floor. His breath grazed Justin’s cheeks. “If you ever do that again, you will lick it up.” Justin’s face heated. His heart beat so hard and fast in his chest, he’d swear everyone in the room could hear it. He wished the gun would’ve found it’s mark rather than suffer through this. The Hispanic male moved closer to his face. “Is it true you don’t like white meat?” Justin didn’t have time to wrap his mind around the question; Julio pulled out his long thick cock and slapped it against Justin’s face repeatedly. “I heard you were very particular about where you put that pecker of yours,” the black male said, crowding closer. Justin couldn’t think, couldn’t speak, as the three men circled him like sharks smelling blood. Lightheaded, his head dipped only to be grabbed beneath his chin. “Do you want to live through tonight, hombre?” The dangerous growl bounced off the walls. Justin’s eyes opened wide as the hand on his neck tightened. Unable to speak, he nodded. “Open wide, muthafucker. There’s some Asian cock on the menu. We heard you like Asians, and blacks, and Latinos. So this lineup is just for you.” He squeezed Justin’s jaws until his mouth formed a wide 'O'. A musty smelling cock brushed against his lips before someone squeezed his jaw again. Opening wider against the pain, before he could blink, his mouth was rammed full. He gagged. “You bite it, you die.” Mouth full, he did the only thing feasible in his situation and sucked hard. An hour or a day later, Justin groaned, rolling onto his side. His bleeding ass was on fire, his jaw had to be unhinged. Semen covered his ass, face, hair, and chest. In the past few hours, he’d learned three things. First, they weren’t going to kill him, not yet anyway. Lei had said death was too good for him. Kicking his ass until he wished he were dead was another matter. Second, he

was a toy someone had given to these gang leaders and they planned to fuck him daily. In their minds, he was their bitch. Individually, each man outweighed him substantially and could beat the shit out of him. All three of them together, well, he was just fucked. Third, the prison administration was aware of tonight’s events. There would be no Calvary coming to his rescue. If he wanted to live, he needed to come up with a plan that would get him off his knees. If the warden allowed this violation, that meant he had no fear of reprisal from his father, the Senator, or anyone else. A cold shiver slid down his spine. Not only had he been thrown under the bus, but the damn thing had ran over him. Glancing through lowered lids, Justin watched the black guy pull up his pants. That bastard had rammed him so hard in the ass, Julio and Lei had laughed while his insides were re-arranged. The black son-of-a-bitch snickered down at him. “You best be glad you didn’t fuck anybody I knew. No amount of free shit would stop me from killing your punk ass.” “Move it, Rodney,” the guard said before closing the door behind him, leaving Justin alone with his roommate, Julio. “Get over here, slut.” Julio motioned to the bottom bunk. “I can’t mov— Ow,” he yelped as Julio yanked him by the hair and dragged him on his knees to the bed. His chin bounced on the iron rail, teeth rattling as he blinked back tears of pain. “Have you forgotten the first rule, Bitch? You don’t open your mouth unless I tell you, and that’ll be to suck whatever cock I tell you. Now get your ass up on this bed and clean me up.” Julio laid on the bed, cock pointing to the upper bunk, and glared at him. Jaw aching, knees bruised, without a word Justin leaned forward and began the arduous process of licking his roommate clean. A security guard walked to the darkened cell and spoke through the bars. “By the way, Anna said she’d see you soon.” Justin broke down in tears.

Chapter 16 “The jury returned with a guilty verdict against Mike Griffin after two hours in deliberation. He will be sentenced tomorrow.” The anchor went on discussing more news. “Yeah!” Sven shouted as he shot out of his seat. Chastity smiled at his enthusiasm. You’d think he was personally responsible for the man’s capture and sentencing. “It’s about time. Tomorrow we’ll see if the system is just and fair.” “In a few days, he’ll be in prison. Do you know which one he’s going to?” She picked up the dish she’d washed and placed it in the cabinet. “Don’t matter which one. Mr. B’s got’em all covered.” His lips spread into a wide grin. “Griffin was a big fish, all the others copped a plea. Since he took it to trial, all the evidence will became public, and more people will know about human trafficking and child prostitution.” “I was surprised how many people protested against Winters and Griffin. It’s a shame so many children suffer through abuse. It’s not right.” She thought of her own children, how she’d feel, what she’d do if anything happened to them. The thought left her cold and achy. Kenton walked in and kissed her cheek. He nodded at Sven and handed her a folder.” I picked this up from the front gate; Fed Ex had just delivered it when I drove up.” Opening the seal, she pulled out a manila folder. Flipping the packet over, she recognized Mr. Baxter’s NTK insignia on the flap. Her eyes slid from the packet to Kenton and then Sven. Both men watched her. “Who’s sending these?” Kenton shrugged and looked at Sven. “I don’t know, but I doubt it's one person, he was too careful for that.” Sven sat on a stool, waiting. Breaking the seal, she saw a DVD, some pictures and sheets of paper. Inhaling, she pulled the sheets out first and read. After a few moments, she crumpled the pages and closed her eyes. “No, no, no,” she moaned collapsing into a chair. Unbelievable pain raced through her, tingles of cold ran through her veins. “What is it?” Kenton asked, kneeling in front of her. “What’s wrong?” She shook her throbbing head. “Why?” Pushing aside his questions, she returned to that question.

“Why what?” Kenton asked. Holding the paper up, she looked at him. “Mr. Baxter says my mom died ten years ago, breast cancer. Why am I just finding out now?” She pushed him back, stood, and looked around the room. “How could he have kept that from me?” No one spoke. She glanced at the paper in her hand. “I’m from Georgia, did you know that?” Kenton shook his head. “No. I didn’t know.” His voice pensive. “All this time, Mr. Baxter knew and he never told me. My oldest brother, Joey is in Macon State prison for assault and battery. My youngest brother, Rodney, who I don’t remember by the way, is in the same gang as Joey. His whereabouts couldn’t be verified, but he may be in another prison in another state. I have no idea how old he is. Why don’t I know that? He’s my brother for God’s sake.” She ran her hand through her messy curls, pacing in front of the desk while slapping the letter against her thigh. “I have two sisters. Two. Yvonne and Ashley. Both of them live in Colorado Springs with their husbands. Military. I have no clue what their last names are, what they look like, if they have kids, or anything about them. Not that it matters because I’ve been stuck here in Pennsylvania for the past eighteen years. The rest of the world doesn’t exist for me, does it?” She shouted at the letters in her hand before balling them tighter and throwing them into the unlit fireplace. “This is my life, damn it. He should’ve told me. I should’ve made the decision whether or not to contact them.” She looked heavenward, her throat tight as it squeezed out the next words. “You’re not God, Mr. Baxter.” She turned toward the door and ran outside. Her feet propelled her toward the barn, muttering as she worked out her frustration. Mr. Baxter never let on he was searching for my family, not once in all this time. What if he knew about mama before she died? Is it possible he discovered where she was from right after he found her? “He said he believed God brought me into his life,” she murmured. The last part of his letter reverberated through her mind. Forgive me for being selfish and waiting until after my death to give you this information. If your mother had been alive, I would have contacted her immediately. Since that was not the case, and your siblings were in either foster care or placed with relatives, I decided to wait until you were stronger and more secure. Once again, forgive me for my high-handedness. I assure you I have only your best interest at heart. Everything was about him, what he wanted, what he thought was best. But he wasn’t her. He

had no idea how many nights she had laid awake crying for her mama, scared shitless that the foggy image in her mind would one day disappear altogether. Or the hazy images a four-year-old had of her brothers and sisters that were replaced or mistaken with those of other kids in servitude with her. Despite whatever situation her family had been in, they were still her family and she’d needed them. Sniffling, she waved away a group of gnats flying in front of her and the sting of a mosquito. She spun at the small sound behind her. That’s when she realized how far she’d walked from the house. The sky dimmed, her head wobbled, cotton filled her mouth. Blinking she moved toward her fortress of safety, knowing she’d never make it. Sluggish, the thought of her children, made her push through the darkening fog. “Fighting won’t help. I shot enough drugs into you to take down both of the men guarding you.” The voice sounded familiar, but she couldn’t place it. Chastity’s legs buckled beneath her, hands grabbed her around the waist. “You,” she whispered before darkness consumed her.

Chapter 17 Kenton picked up the balled paper from the fireplace and read it. His jaw tightened in frustration with his deceased uncle. The man went too far sometimes. He wasn’t kidding when he told Chastity his uncle was a ruthless man. Silently, he handed the note to Sven who read it and placed it on the desk. “She’s pissed.” Sven stated the obvious. “More like hurt. If Uncle David isn’t careful, he’s going to fall from that pedestal she has him on.” Sven grunted. “Go watch her. I’d told her I wasn’t sure it was safe for her to go outside. I don’t have the assassination information pinned down yet.” Kenton hustled toward the front door when Jonah and Micah barreled into him. “Daddy, tell him I’m going to be taller than him when I get big like Uncle Sven. He said short people couldn’t be Navy Seals.” Jonah pointed at Micah who stood with his arms crossed and a sneer on his lips. “You’re going to be taller when you grow up, Jonah. Both of you will.” He nodded at Micah, who looked hurt. “Do you always have to take his side?” Micah asked, pouting. Confused, Kenton glanced at Sven, who turned away smiling. “I’m not taking his side, I’m making a point. Both of you are going to grow taller as you get older.” Jonah walked around him into the office, looking around. “Where’s mama?” Sven’s head snapped around. Kenton eased the boys into the office and walked quickly to the door. “I’m going to get her now.” Cursing beneath his breath, Kenton hurried across the path searching for Chastity. Eyes sharp, he refused to call out for her until he was further from the house. No need to worry the kids. After passing the barn with no sight of her, he grew concerned. There was no sign of her. He called her name and walked further from the house towards the wooded area of the property. His cell rang. Without stopping, he pulled it out and snapped it open. “Yeah?” He peered up ahead, there seemed to be something on the ground. “Robbie’s not answering his cell,” Sven ground out. “Chastity with you?”

“No, I’m still looking for her. I think I see something…hold on a minute.” He bent on his knees, there were three sets of footprints. Two had deep heels, like boots, and the other impression had a series of crisscrosses reminding him of rubber soled shoes. Icy dread sliced into him. “Kenton, Kent?” “Somebody accessed the property through the woods. Have your men complete an all out search. Chastity’s not here.” Kenton clicked off and searched the ground to follow the footprints, agonizingly aware that the number dropped to two. They ended a half mile into the woods. He called Sven. “I found their camp,” he said before giving the coordinates. “They’ve been here a few days, probably watching, waiting for an opportunity to grab her.” He continued to search the area for more clues. “They carried her off, so I’m assuming she’s been drugged.” His stomach clenched as he methodically worked the area as he’d been trained. “I’m not sure how they were able to hide a vehicle here, but judging by the tire tracks, it’s an all-terrain model. It left by way of our neighbor’s property. Check the cameras for any anomalies, I’m sure one of them was off-line or on a loop recently. I’ll follow the trail the jeep took to be sure it crossed over to Bradley’s spread. Have someone pick me up on the way. Make sure they’re hot.” “Yeah, got that. We got another problem.” Kenton walked the trail the jeep left behind, swatting gnats and bugs. He wished he had his gear that was stowed in his room. Sven’s words stopped him cold. “What?” “Robbie is knocked out. Someone accessed his apartment, got to him and trussed him like a thanksgiving turkey.” Kenton’s mind processed the facts. He hated the man got hurt, but he didn’t see the problem until Sven continued. “Ms. Cook and Mariah were here with him. They’re both missing.” The bottom of his world fell out. His baby girl and his woman? Fuck that. “What?” he whispered, needing to hear the words again to be sure. “After talking to you, I came here since he didn’t answer his phone. That’s when I discovered him tied up, and Ms. Cook and Mariah gone. I’ve got my crew combing the ranch.” “It’s over a hundred acres, they could be anywhere.” “Not anywhere, there are a few places uninhabitable.”

“For who? Not a damn professional, and something tells me that’s who we’re dealing with. How were they able to bypass the security system and a team of trained mercenaries, many of which are former Seals?” Smoke blew from his nostrils as he stomped through the woods, determined to find where the jeep went after leaving his uncle’s property. Sven sighed. “I’m pissed and don’t have any answers right now—” “Where are my sons?” He stopped and looked back in the direction of the house. “They’re with me.” “Are you going to keep them with you or are you going hunting?” Sven growled. “I’m keeping them with me until you get back. Where the hell are you?” “I’m following the trail of the jeep. It looks like it crossed over into Bradley’s ranch. Get one of your men to pick me up and find someone you trust to watch my sons. I need to get my gear to hunt this motherfucker.” “Kent, let us do—” “Send somebody to pick me up. Now, Sven,” he demanded. Breathing hard, he clicked off and continued following the jeep's trail. He wasn’t surprised when it ended at an opening someone had made in the fence that separated Bradley’s property from his uncle’s. He glanced at the white boards on the ground and stepped across the unseen line. Minutes later, Sven, Levi and the rest of the team picked him up as he continued to follow the jeep’s tracks. Anger choked him. He grabbed the bag Sven threw his way and changed into his camouflage gear. “Robbie has the boys in the basement. Security cam was on loop just as you suspected. All my men were accounted for and on post. This asshole came in as a ghost.” Kenton made no acknowledgement of the information. “Don’t seem like he’d leave a real trail for us to follow, after all that work,” Levi said what Kenton had been thinking since he started tracking. “I left a group of men at the ranch just in case this is a decoy and they think to circle round for the boys.” Sven pointed ahead. Kenton nodded, his thoughts on Chastity and her fears. He prayed she was still alive and that she didn’t know Mariah was missing. Shame lanced him. He’d promised her they’d be safe. Now both his females were missing. Sven broke the quiet. “Any ideas who took them?”

“Not yet.” “Could Maude have orchestrated this?” Kenton thought hard. “If she could’ve found someone who could’ve pulled this off, she was definitely capable of doing so. Problem. Uncle David cut off her money supply, she doesn’t even have a car. My dad hasn’t taken care of her in years. How would she pay for a hit?” Sven nodded in contemplation. “Good point. But I don’t put anything past her.” Kenton remained silent. No need defending his mother, she would’ve hired a hit if she could benefit from the results. The woman was a greedy con. He hoped she enjoyed the first and last sight of her grandchild, there’d be no repeats. The tracks stopped at Bradley’s large detached garage. Kenton looked at Sven. They jumped out of their jeep and walked toward the parked jeep in front of the garage. Kenton knew someone had deliberately led them on a goose chase. Either Bradley or his son had played some role in Chastity’s disappearance, but he wasn’t sure to what extent. Sven went over the jeep with his electronic equipment while Kenton stood behind the jeep; hand on the hilt of his gun. The doctor had removed the cast on his right hand, but his movements were still stiff. “At one point she was in this vehicle.” Sven placed the equipment in his back pocket along with one of her earrings. They walked toward the door of the garage. Before they could open it, a bullet slammed into the wood near the handle. Sven dropped to the ground, holding his shoulder. Blood welled up through his shirt as he tried to stop the flow. Kneeling beside him, Kenton pointed up high toward a window facing the garage. “You’re trespassing on Bradley property. Leave now before I put a bullet in your ass,” someone shouted and sent another bullet into the wood above their heads to make a point. Sven crawled backward and ushered him toward him. Gunshots flew back and forth, eating up precious time he needed to look for Chastity. Sweat poured off his body as another volley of shots rent the air. Quiet followed the aftermath. They lay quietly for a few minutes. Soon, the sound of gunfire and screams in the distance said the mercenaries had earned their pay. Levi loped down the back stairs and waved them in. Sven’s team cleaned out Bradley’s spread, erasing any clues of their involvement. They headed out. Sven waved him over. “Those assholes were Griffin’s men and didn’t have a clue why they were sent to draw them out. Bradley’s son gave them the key, but he wasn’t here.” Kent nodded and looked at the blood on his friend’s shoulder. “You need to stop that

bleeding.” “I will, I’ll get it sewn up as we head out. Pick up the boys, head to Mr. B’s place in Pittsburgh. It’s smaller and we can watch it better tonight. The ranch is too big with the few men I have left.” Sven’s cell rang. Kenton nodded and ran to the jeep, headed for the ranch.

Chapter 18 Heaviness weighed down Chastity eyes; she couldn’t lift her lids. Cotton balls filled her mouth; a light buzzing sound irritated her ears. A chalky taste lay stale on her tongue. Thinking, even short forays to decipher her discomfort, took too much effort. In the distance she heard muted sounds, perhaps voices. They triggered a memory, something she needed to do. Fuzzy, her mind refused to cooperate and put the pieces together. Something happened. What? Sluggish gray cells released the pertinent information in slow motion, before realization hit. Someone had shot her with a needle or something. In her mind’s eye, her hand reached up to massage the throbbing spot between her neck and shoulder. Except, nothing moved. Inhaling, she heaved and tried to pull her hand up, to no avail. Fully awake, her eyes popped open and darted around the darkened area. Drapes, ceiling fan, dresser and bookcase on the far wall. The bedroom looked somewhat familiar. A frown creased her brow in concentration. Where am I? Footsteps neared the closed door. She snapped her eyes shut before it opened, listening hard. The door closed, the steps came closer. Her heart raced with uncertainty. “I know you’re awake. Time for us to have a little girl talk.” The husky voice held a hint of humor that seemed out of place for the situation. Intrigued, Chastity opened her eyes and gazed into the pale face of a woman she’d met, but couldn’t place. “Who’re you?” “You don’t remember me? I’m disappointed.” The overhead light drew attention to a silver ball on the woman’s tongue. Her pout pushed her thin lips forward, lengthening her angular face. Dark slanted eyes, thick eyebrows, and a button nose completed an unremarkable face. Thick reddish-black hair, her best feature in Chastity’s mind, was pulled up in a long ponytail that hit the middle of her back. “No.” The woman’s face darkened, she put her hands on her hips, threw her head back and made an announcement. “I’m Renee. Kenton’s jilted lover.” Confusion chased surprise beneath her skin. “What? You shot me with a needle over Kenton?” The harsh rasping sound of Renee’s laugh filled the room. She glanced at her watch. “No, no. Not at all. He was a good fuck, but not that good. This is all about business.” “Business? I don’t understand. Where am I and what do you want?”

“Cool, unruffled, I like that. Did David Baxter teach you that?” Renee walked around the bed, her fingertip scraping the ropes. “Maude Stone had a lot to say about her brother, the infamous Mr. Baxter. That’s how we knew about the rocky pathway through the ranch, this house, security at your farm. You’re a rich woman now, aren’t you?” She bent forward, her breath warm against Chastity’s forehead. She whispered, “Tell me the truth; how much did you have to fuck that old man to get all that money?” Chastity’s jaw clenched, her fist balled tight as rage boiled through her searching for a release. Straightening, Renee moved to the side and sat next to Chastity before leaning forward.“How often did you suck that old, soggy cock? Every day? In the mornings? Did he get off on that slave girl bullshit?” Her glassy eyes leering. Chest heaving in outrage, Chastity pulled moisture from the depths of her soul, and spit in Renee’s face. The other woman grinned evilly as the fluid rolled down her chin before leaning forward. She wiped the spatter in Chastity’s hair before grabbing it by the roots and shaking her hard. Gritting her teeth, Chastity winced at the pain. A low growl brushed against her ear. “Do that again and I’ll cut your fucking tongue out of your mouth. That won’t kill you. I might even leave my initials for Kenton to see as he picks up your broken body from the floor.” She threw Chastity’s head back on the bed. Crawling over her, Renee straddled her waist before sitting back on her legs. Tendrils of fear rolled through Chastity as she locked gazes with the slender woman. What the hell is she doing on top of me? “It seems Mr. Baxter has been a busy man. Poking his nose into areas where they don’t belong. An acquaintance of mine wants all the information Baxter has on him. And you’re going to give it to me.” Chastity’s breath caught at the mention of information. Why would Kenton’s ex want information about Mr. Baxter? There was more going on here. “Who are you?” That one question had rolled around her mind since the woman walked in the room wearing that black lycra jumpsuit. “That’s not important. What’s important is the answer to this question.” She paused. “Do you want to see the sunrise? Any sunrise?” She clarified, shifting slowly so that her weight rested on Chastity’s thighs. “Yes. But, who are—” “Don’t ask me that fucking question again.” Renee’s voice dropped an octave, her jaw

tightened, and her face reddened. Chastity’s chest pounded in fear as the woman’s eyes narrowed and then relaxed. This bitch is crazy. “Okay.” The woman nodded and brushed the strands from her face. “Mike Griffin put a contract out on you almost twenty years ago. But you disappeared. I guess Baxter found you and you’ve lived with him all this time. Recently, Griffin recognized you on TV and decided to eliminate you before he got arrested. Since then he’s lost his case and is headed to some serious time in prison.” She leaned forward, her face hovered over Chastity’s breast, the long ponytail brushed and rested against the heaving mounds. “So, what do I do with you now? You never testified against him anyway, they had a solid case without you. Yet, he wanted you dead. Why was that?” Scared, and uncomfortable with the woman’s closeness, she sipped small amounts of air and shrugged. “Come, come now. You have to know why a big crime boss like Mike Griffin wanted you taken out.” Chastity’s heart beat so loud, she was sure they could hear it in the other room. Thoughts took off and landed without connecting. Nothing made sense. Right now, her life didn’t make sense. After everything, she still wound up alone on a bed, stretched out as a victim. “I don’t know why.” Renee slapped her across the face, the sound loud in the room. The sting against her skin provided a wake-up call to the reality of the situation. If nothing else, it cleared her mind. Fear left and anger stormed in. Immediately, her mind catalogued everything in the room, searching for a way to kick this bitch’s ass. Weird thing to focus on, but it worked at stopping the pity party. The two women stared at each other. “I have some time to play before I kill you. If you give me the information I want, I promise to make it quick.” She winked and sat back on her haunches. “I found two manila envelopes in the other room. It made for interesting reading. Baxter had the names of some organized crime operatives as well as incriminating evidence. Now why would a filthy rich financier have that info? What was he planning? To send it to the FBI?” Chastity nodded. She watched the expressions cross the woman’s face and wasn’t surprised in the least when the calculating gleam filled Renee’s eyes.

“He sent the information about Griffin and that Congressman didn’t he?” Chastity nodded, afraid she knew where this was going. “I didn’t recognize all the names in that envelope, but he’s had a private task force all these years,” she said, her voice slow and thoughtful. Her eyes widened and then narrowed as she gazed downward. “Why? Because of you? Did something happen to you? No, not you. His sister? No, not that bitch.” Staring at Chastity, she rubbed her chin in deep thought. “His wife, that’s it. Maude said his wife died young. There was some problem. Was he one of those old guys that blamed the world for his problems?” “No. He wasn’t.” “Hmm. Okay. So he tracks the bad guys and turns the information over to the cops to get rid of the bad guys.” She leaned forward, her hands flat on the bed beside Chastity’s ears. “What was in it for him? Why’d he spend thousands of dollars doing that shit?” Having a woman that close to her mouth freaked Chastity out, she turned her face only to have it snatched and held in place. “Answer me. Why’d he do it?” She spoke through tight lips. “He said somebody had to help the cops, they couldn’t see their own asses.” Another quick squeeze to her cheeks and then a release. Gingerly she rotated her jawbone for relief. If Renee noticed, she didn’t comment, instead she looked hard at the wall as if it held all the answers to her questions. After a few moments, she spoke in a crisp tone. “Here’s what I’m willing to do.” She looked down, her face devoid of all humor and life. A chill snaked down Chastity’s spine, nothing that came from this woman’s mouth was going to make her happy. “I want all of his files from, let’s say the past two years. I only found two envelopes in the desk, and I searched the room pretty good after that. He must have more information somewhere else.” “What room? Where are we?” She frowned trying to make sense of her predicament. “I told you Maude told us her brother had a large house outside Pittsburgh. It wasn’t hard to find.” “We’re in Mr. Baxter’s house and you found envelopes with information?” Her mind tried to grasp the enormity of the situation. “Yeah, like—”

“Excuse me, did you say someone lives here?” Renee glared at her before answering. “It looks like it.” “Who? This house is supposed to be vacant.” Without realizing it, she’d slipped into Admin mode. “I don’t know, don’t care. Focus on what will keep you alive. The information Baxter’s been collecting the past two years. I want it. Give it to me and I’ll let you go.” After watching years of crime television shows, Chastity didn’t believe that for a minute. There was no doubt in her mind that her life was forfeit the moment she gave this woman anything. “I’m waiting.” The snap was back in her voice. “I worked at the ranch, and haven’t seen anything dealing with an investigation. I’ve been here once, maybe ten years ago, and I didn’t know he worked here or had files.” Discomfort wormed through her in the following silence. Fast breaths slipped through her dry lips, and her pulse leapt in her throat. Renee stared at her. “You’re cute.” Chastity started at the change in conversation. Speechless, she had no idea how to respond. Fingertips played with springy strands of hair. “Your spiral curls, clear skin, nice body.” She placed a palm over one of Chastity’s breast. Despite how hard she tried to remain unmoved, a shudder of revulsion ripped through her. Renee smirked as she squeezed the full globe. “Never been with a woman? Nice, these feel real. I don’t like the fake stuff. A woman needs to be real, don’t you agree?” “Yes.” Her voice whispery soft as the woman released her and stood. “Look, it’s an easy choice. Give me the information and you and yours leave.” Chastity’s eyes widened at her comment. “What…what do you mean me and mine leave? Who are you talking about?” Confusion warred with fear, her throat tightened while waiting for a response. “Oh, didn’t I tell you?” Renee clapped her hands and smiled, although it never reached her eyes. “You’re not our only guest. We have a couple more. Would you like to see them?” Too afraid to speak, she nodded. A tingling spread up her arm. There was something dark and disturbing in Renee’s eyes as she placed a call. Moments later, a bedraggled Ms. Cook stumbled into the room. Her head flopped against her chest and she stared through vacant eyes as

her captor forced her to sit in a chair nearby. “What’s wrong with her? What’ve you done to her?” Chastity asked, horrified at seeing Ms. Cook. The woman had been babysitting Mariah. Please, please God, let Mariah be safe with Sven or Kenton. The situation pushed against the walls of her reason. Uncertainty rose within her. How much more am I supposed to take before breaking into hundreds of pieces? Her children had to be okay; they simply had to. “She was a little high strung, took exception to leaving the man behind. So we gave her something to calm her down.” Bending forward she peered into the older woman’s eyes. “She’ll be coming out of it soon. Maybe, she can help convince you to cooperate with me. Give me what I want and I’ll let you go.” Fear for Mariah kept her quiet. She continued praying for her daughter’s safety. Moments later, on a gasp, Ms. Cook coughed and inhaled in a continual loop. Hacking sounds from the older woman sent goose bumps all over Chastity’s body. Still coughing, Ms. Cook pushed up from the chair, stumbled to a nearby door, opened it and almost fell. The sound of running water and subsequent slurping filled the room. “Where’s the toilet paper?” Ms. Cook yelled. Chastity looked at Renee who lounged against the wall watching. She shrugged. “Anybody…” Ms. Cook coughed. “Anybody there?” “No,” Renee answered, with a sardonic grin. Mumblings from the bathroom drifted to the bedroom as the older woman reappeared. Still haggard-looking, but at least she was alive. Renee moved closer, standing between the bed and the door. Words regarding Mariah burned Chastity’s throat. Just as she opened her mouth to ask, Ms Cook went on her tirade. “Chas? Why’re you lying down?” Bending forward she looked closer; her hand touched the rope. “Why you got ropes on you?” She frowned. Renee answered. “I took her from the ranch when I took you. But she doesn’t want to answer my questions. How’d you know this was Baxter’s place?” “I’ve lived with David Baxter for over forty years; we came here a lot before he got sick. It’s been a long time, but I still remember.” Her voice took on a wistful quality as she looked around the room. Their captor laughed, the rasping sound chilling in its insincerity. “Sorry Chastity, I got it all wrong, you weren’t the one banging the old man.”

Chastity’s eyes widened as the impact of Ms. Cook’s words rifled through her. All this time and she didn’t have a clue. Wetting her lips, she spoke slowly, “Ms. Cook—“ she stopped as Renee pressed the barrel of her gun against her calf beneath her pant leg, shielding it from the older woman’s view. Instead of finishing her sentence, Renee continued speaking to Ms. Cook. “Any ideas where Baxter hid things in this house, important papers, documents? Did he have a safe hidden away?” The older woman frowned in concentration, her teeth pulled her top lip. “I’m not sure. Did you check the basement?” Renee nodded. “What about the attic. Sometimes he’d disappear for hours, but he didn’t leave the house.” “Have a seat here.” Renee pointed to the chair and waited for the woman to comply. “Can I get you anything? Some more water? I think I saw some juice and crackers in the kitchen.” “Water or juice would be fine thank you.” Ms. Cook settled in the chair before looking over at the bed. “Chas, she asked if we wanted anything? You want something?” I wanna wrap my hands around her neck. “No, I’m good.” Renee chuckled and walked out, locking the door behind her. “I’m tied up on the bed.” She spoke into the silence, wondering if anything bothered the older woman at all. Ms. Cook yawned. “Why?” “Renee tied me up so I wouldn’t leave.” “You want to leave? What’s going on?” “I don’t know.” Her head hurt. “Where’s Mariah?” “Mariah?” “Yes. Where is she?” Please God, please, please. “I…I don’t know. I think she’s on the ranch, but I’m not sure.” Tamping down her fear and irritation, she took a deep breath before speaking. “When did you see her last?” She enunciated each word for clarity. “At the house, no maybe in the barn. No, that was yesterday.” “Was she with you when they brought you here?” She ground out, her patience waning because of fear. “Hmmm, lemme think. Where was I?” The moment stretched as the older woman replayed her recent activities. Mumbling punctured the silence in the room. “Can’t remember fully. I’m

sorry, Chas. I’ll do better next time. I’m sure Kenton or Robbie has the children.” Hollow words to a grieving mother. Unclenching her fist and jaw, Chastity wasn’t sure there’d be a next time. Yelling at Ms. Cook wouldn’t do any good. She hoped her family was safe and turned her attention to their pressing need to get away. “Did you see any men when they took you?” “Men?” Swallowing back a frustrated sigh. “Yes, is there anyone else with the woman who’s bringing you a drink?” “I don’t remember seeing anybody coming here.” The older woman’s shoulders slumped. Neither spoke. “Are we in trouble?” The quiet question arrested Chastity’s attention. Pleased that Ms. Cook’s cognitive skills had kicked in, she nodded before she realized the woman couldn’t see her. “Yes. At least I am. I don’t know about you.” “Why?” “She wants all of Mr. Baxter’s work for the past two years and I don’t know where it is. I doubt anyone knows where everything is.” “Didn’t ya tell her that?” “Yeah, she still wants them though. She’s going to kill me if I don’t give them to her.” Chastity wasn’t sure why she voiced the threat, maybe she wanted someone else to know what happened in case something did happen. Confused, she tried to think of a way out of this mess. If Kenton had the kids, she prayed he stayed far away. “Kill you? For David’s things? Why’d she do that?” David? “Ms. Cook did you and Mr. Baxter have an intimate relationship?” She asked both out of curiosity and to change the subject. As far as she knew, Ms. Cook didn’t know anything about Mr. Baxter’s activities. “Intimate? You mean did we have sex?” “Yes.” Ms. Cook laughed. “Not as loud as you and Kent.” Chastity’s face heated, she had no idea others had heard them. “After my cousin, David’s wife Janine, died, he asked if I would stay and run his house. I had no place to go, back then family stayed with family. Anyway, after about five years, he came to my bedroom and asked if he could sleep with me.” She chuckled. “He

explained that he’d never remarry, but he had affectionate feelings for me.” “You loved him.” Like fireworks on the fourth of July, Chastity remembered the soft touches, glances, and smiles between the two. “And he loved you.” “Yes. I’d never been with a man before David Baxter or after. We had a wonderful life together.” “I didn’t know. I’m sorry I didn’t know.” “No matter, we didn’t want a lot of fanfare. Things were good as they were. He always took good care of me. He bought me this house so I could leave whenever I wanted.” “You never left.” “I couldn’t live without my heart. No more than you can live without Kenton now that he holds yours. Love binds us together in ways that may not seem rational to others, ours was a secret to those who couldn’t see; yours, a long path of misunderstandings with a clear spot in the middle. Me and David had our day and it was good, real good. Now you’ve gotta think about your life with Kenton, and your children. Live for them, girl, live for them.” Surprise at the words of wisdom from Ms. Cook didn’t begin to explain Chastity’s feelings. Dumbfounded, she stared for a moment, speechless. Renee stormed back into the room holding a bottle of water. A glow of excitement lit her face. She thrust the bottle at Ms. Cook and walked over to Chastity. Without speaking, she untied the ropes from Chastity’s hands and feet. Needles of pain shot through her as she tried to sit up. Blood rushed to her abused parts. “I found a room with a safe. Come open it.” She pulled Chastity forward until she stood, but her leg buckled. Catching the bed, she steadied herself as the gun barrel pushed into her side. “Let’s go.” Chastity’s stomach growled. She looked over at Ms. Cook. The woman’s head lolled on her neck, her mouth open and eyes closed. Her stomach dropped. “You drugged her again.” Renee shrugged and pushed her with the gun. “I’m not telling you again.” They walked down the hall toward the kitchen and down into the basement. Chastity had hoped the safe was in the attic, but that hope fell through like everything else lately. As they rounded the corner, she saw a full-sized pool table in the middle of the room, surrounded by comfortable chairs and loveseats, a poker table and chairs, a bar with a full kitchen and a huge flat screen television. The boys would love this. The thought dashed her flagging spirits. She may never see them again.

Renee poked her past the rec room toward the bedrooms and baths. Since she’d never been in this area, she was surprised when they stopped in front of a paneled wall where a hidden door stood ajar. They walked in. Mouth agape, she turned in slow motion, taking in everything. “You’ve never been here,” Renee said. Since it was more a statement than question, Chastity continued looking around the room. Her eyes landed on the safe embedded in the concrete on the far wall. That was definitely something Mr. Baxter would do. “The old man was smart, we almost missed it.” She pushed Chastity forward. “Open it.” “How?” Curious, she walked up to the steel contraption, looked it up and down, searching for a clue. She’d never seen anything like it. “Seriously, how does it open? I don’t see any hinges, or dials, or key pads.” “If I knew…” Renee left the sentence hanging. Chastity looked around the room, surprised at its bareness. Like a switch she flipped into snoop mode, touching the walls, looking for a hint of something, anything. A patch of wall moved, she spun at the swooshing sound from the other side of the room. For a moment, she forgot she and Renee were enemies, smiling with glee as she headed toward the opened door. “What is this?” she asked her nemesis. “Don’t ask me, you were his assistant. Obviously, he didn’t tell you everything. Pity.” Thinking of Ms. Cook’s revelation, she agreed. Inside was a desk, filing cabinets, and two computers. Thick dust covered the desk and furniture. “Turn it on.” Chastity flipped the switch and the computer whirred as the screen came to life. Her breath caught as a picture of herself filled the monitor. She’d never seen this image before. Swollen face, eyes black and blue with red strips in the white area, lips split and doubled their normal size, blood and something else matted in her hair. Heart pounding and with trembling fingers, she typed in her personal code. The screen changed as the computer greeted her. While her fingertips flew over the keyboard, she couldn’t shake the screen photo from her mind. Mr. Baxter never allowed himself to forget what had happened to her, while that was all she wanted to do. She stood and waved Renee over. “I’m in.” Her voice strained with the uncertainty of her actions. Falling back a ways, her mind raced through time. Mr. Baxter had spent the last twenty plus years of his life amassing information to stop the abuse and prostitution of children. He’d become their voice, their unseen

hero, feeding the police and FBI information to set those children free. Free to return home to parents or loved ones in safety. What seemed a simple solution a moment before seemed monumentally wrong now. Who would free those children if she gave away his information? Someone continued Mr. Baxter’s work, she didn’t know who, but didn’t doubt an underground operation worked somewhere. “There’s nothing on this one. Boot up the other one.” Renee pointed to the other computer. Tucking her hair behind her ear, Chastity strolled to the other computer and turned it on. This time a generic screen saver graced the monitor, she recognized the tiny NTK emblem at the bottom of the screen. Tension twisted through her neck and down her shoulders as Renee watched her every move. When the password prompt appeared, she typed in the letters to destroy all the coded files. A virus would permanently erase those documents before anyone could access them. There were names, addresses of informants and witnesses in those files. Too many lives were at stake, she couldn’t sell them out like that. Not when they put their lives on the line to help end the debasement of children. She’d just destroyed her bargaining chip. The screen opened and she motioned Renee over. When she attempted to stand, the woman’s hand clamped down on her shoulder. “Stay. Show me what’s on this computer. **** A short while later the two women climbed the stairs. The thrill of their discovery had long passed. After all that time, they’d discovered nothing. Peace ascended on Chastity’s shoulders, she’d protected Mr. Baxter’s important work. Once they reached the kitchen, Renee motioned for her to stop and kneel down. A sound from the back room caught her attention. Renee’s smug smile warned she wouldn’t like whatever headed her way. She’d barely turned in the direction of the noise when Mariah’s scream split the air. Chastity’s heart stopped as her daughter barreled into her arms. Tiny arms locked around her neck, reducing her airflow. Mariah sobbed onto her shoulder. Tears pooled in her eyes and fell into her baby girl’s hair as the realization struck. The prayers she sent up fell flat. Pulling the child close, she murmured comforting words and stroked her hair. “I’ll give you one more chance to get me those files. If not, I have to kill all three of you.” “You’ll kill us anyway. You know Kenton won’t stop until he finds you over this. No matter what.” Renee nodded. Her eyes sparkled as if she’d just laughed long and hard. “He is kinda anal

about things like this. That’s why I need the files to buy me some protection. I think I’ll take those two computers and let the guys work’em over, see if they can find whatever you hid.” She waited a beat, Chastity continued stroking Mariah, the child had calmed to a mild whimper. “You’re going to let your daughter die rather than give up some files from a man who’s already lived his life and is dead? What kinda mother are you?” Her head whipped up as she snarled at the whore standing in front of her. How dare she criticize her? “The kind who wants my grandchildren to sleep safely in their beds without nightmares of grown men raping and abusing them. The kind of mother who knows all it takes is one man to stand up against this bullshit to wipe it out. The kind of mother who believes the men and women who sell or rape innocent kids should get the death sentence. I’m that kind of mother.” Silence thundered in the room. “Enough preaching.” Renee picked up her cell. “Bring in the other one, and then you and Clint go downstairs and pack up those computers, we’ll take ’em with us.” She clicked off. Moments later a tall handsome Hispanic man carried Ms. Cook into the kitchen and laid her on the floor next to them. He headed downstairs. Sweat rolled down Chastity’s back. A part of her knew she had to remain strong, and if it were just her, she’d gladly face death for what she believed in. But Mariah hadn’t lived yet. Could she allow her child to die because of her beliefs? “I can turn the child over to a friend of mine. Maude Stone would love to have her once you’re dead,” Renee said watching Chastity. “Okay, take her to Maude.” She tried to push Mariah away; the child clung tighter, crying into her neck. Biting back a sob, she spoke harshly into her child’s ear. “Go with the lady, she’s going to take you to daddy.” Mariah wailed louder. “No. I want you.” Her small hands pulled Chastity’s shirt, her hair, anything she could grasp as she pushed the child aside. Guilt, shame, and pain clawed at her heart. But above all that, she wanted her daughter to live, Kenton would find Mariah, as long as his daughter lived, he’d find her. “Live for mommy,” Chastity whispered as she stared at the tear stained face of her child. “Daddy’s coming to get you. It’ll be okay.” With those last words, she slid back on her knees, further away from her child. “Can you have her stay with one of your men so she doesn’t see this? One less witness,” she added hoping it’d work.

Renee whipped out her phone and spoke sharply. A moment later a large white man wearing a baseball cap walked into the kitchen and picked up a screaming and kicking Mariah, before heading back downstairs. Releasing a burdened sigh, Chastity faced the gun pointed at her. Ms. Cook gasped and coughed. Her leg lashed out and hit Renee’s leg just as she pulled the trigger. The shot went wide, hitting what sounded like an appliance. The deafening sound ricocheted in the room. Shock held Chastity immobile as she heard the gun slide across the floor. Ms Cook had a fistful of Renee’s hair in her hand, but the wildcat fought the old woman hard. Chastity leapt on Renee’s back, grabbed her head from Ms. Cook and hit it on the tiled floor repeatedly. A cracking sound and Ms. Cook calling her name pulled her through the red haze of anger. Her stomach heaved. Blood pooled on the light colored slate tile as she released her hold on the head. Legs shaky, Chastity stood and helped Ms. Cook rise. The older woman continued coughing before taking a sip of water from the faucet. Renee’s phone lay a few feet away. Picking it up, Chastity called Kenton. He answered on the second ring. “Hello?” Choked, and overcome with emotion, she could barely speak. “Help us…” She said the first thing that crossed her mind. “I’ve got to get Mariah. The men are coming back.” “Chas, thank God, Chas?” Kenton said. “Where are you, I’m coming. Tell me where you are.” Ms. Cook had lifted the gun from the floor with a paper towel and held it expertly in her hand. Chastity made a mental note to talk to the woman about some of the television programs she watched. Right now, she was ecstatic to be alive. Ms. Cook limped toward the basement opening, turned and fired another shot. Unprepared, Chastity jumped, dropped the phone and stepped on it. Pieces flew all over the floor. Hand on her heaving chest; she glared at the older woman, wondering if she’d lost her mind. “They needed to hear two shots,” Ms. Cook whispered, nodding downstairs. Understanding filtered through her, although it took a moment longer for her heart to slow down. Dizzy and hungry, she leaned forward, hands on her knees, as she tried to catch her breath. After a few minutes had passed, Ms. Cook waved her toward the basement door. They’d made two steps forward when two things happened simultaneously. Kenton ran into the kitchen, surprising Ms. Cook, who not expecting him, fired a shot,

which missed, thankfully. Mariah screamed and they all ran down the stairs, Kenton leading with his gun. Sven and his team surrounded the lone Hispanic man who held a struggling Mariah against him. After he saw Chastity, he released the child and knelt down, hands on his head. Mariah ran to her mama, but pulled her daddy’s pant legs on the way. He shouldered his gun and kissed her head, kissed Chastity, and squeezed them both tight. His murmurs of “thank God,” echoed her sentiments exactly. “There’s another man,” she said, her voice muffled against his shirt. “We got him,” Sven said, walking over to her, waiting. Gradually, Kenton released her and Mariah. Mariah wouldn’t budge from her daddy’s arms. Chastity reached for Sven and was engulfed in his warm, familiar embrace. For a moment neither spoke. If Mr. Baxter had been her surrogate father, Ms. Cook her mother, then Sven would be her uncle or godfather. A storm of emotion swept through her in gratitude for the family she had now. “How? Where’d you come from?” she asked against his chest. He waited until his men marched the Hispanic male from the area and closed off the paneled room. They moved further into the recreation room. “Let me get the boys in here.” Sven made a call and clicked off. “Jonah and Micah will be here soon. Levi’s driving them around, McDonald’s or something like that.” “Thanks,” she squeezed him again before looking around for Kenton. He and Ms. Cook stood talking quietly in the corner. “How’d you get here? How’d you know?” Sven told her about what happened at the Bradley ranch. How the busted security system at the ranch prompted them to come to the Pittsburgh house. She nodded, glad they’d come in time. Her stomach growled again, louder in her mind. Sven smiled and gestured to the stairs. She shook her head. “No, Renee’s up there on the floor.” Sven’s brow rose, he waved two of his men up the stairs. “Isn’t Renee the woman who came to the ranch with Maude the other day?” Ms. Cook heard his question and walked closer. “I thought I remembered her. She tried to kill Chastity. Had a gun on her.” Embarrassed by the sudden attention, she sputtered. “She planned to kill all three of us until I asked her to take Mariah to Maude.” “What?” Sven barked. Kenton stared at her, his lips in a thin line. “Why?”

“I didn’t want my baby to die. I figured you’d eventually get her if Maude had her. At any rate, Ms. Cook saved the day.” Without fanfare, she explained the events leading up to Kenton rushing the kitchen. “The last thing I heard was a gunshot,” Kenton said, his face bleak. “I was scared shitless when the connection died. I called Sven and that’s when he told me security had been breached here as well. He planned to enter through the basement’s hidden entrance and told me to come through the front door.” Everything stopped as Renee’s body was carried through the paneled room and out the basement secret entrance. “Why’d she want to kill you?” Kenton asked his brow wrinkled in confusion. “She had the contract on me.” Sven and Kenton stared without blinking for a second. “No…” Sven breathed in awe as Mariah reached for him. He made cooing noises in her ear as she laid her head against his shoulder. “You’re kidding. I met her last year when Uncle David was still alive.” “I know.” Chastity soothed, seeing him getting upset. “The two of you meeting had nothing to do with this. She got the contract after the trial with Maude, put the pieces together from that information, and called Maude looking for you. Because I wanted to see your ex, she got a positive ID on me. Maude ran her mouth about the ranch and Mr. Baxter’s holdings. They used this house as a base and the rest as they say, is history.” Kenton pulled her close and kissed her hard. Hungry for more of him and damn grateful to be alive, she melted into his embrace. They broke apart, gasping for air, without noticing the others had left the room. Reaching in her pants pocket, she pulled out the purple cat-eyed marble he’d given her all those years ago. Showing it to him, she offered a shaky smile. “I’ve been carrying it with me ever since you mentioned it the other day.” She kissed it. “I believed it was my good luck piece.” Tears filled her eyes. “I was scared. I thought I’d die without telling you how much I love you one more time.” Palms on the sides of her face, silently he held her gaze. “I’m so glad to be alive, here,” she whispered, heart in her eyes. “With you. You’re the air I breathe; I want to be wherever you are.” His face tightened as he pulled her close, her face in the crook of his neck. A shudder went through him as he breathed hard and fast. Her hand stroked his wide, strong back. He’d planned

to come wherever she was to save her; at that moment she knew life without him wasn’t living. His head lifted, he tilted her face upward. They gazed into each other’s eyes, promising so much without words. “I love you so much, Chas. You have to marry me, take my name like you have my heart. I’ll have the marble made into a ring if you want.” The earnestness of his soft-spoken words tore away the last of her reserve. His joy at holding her in his arms was contagious. A smile filled her entire body as the answer bubbled forth. “Yes, baby. Whenever, wherever.” Smiling through her tears, she let him know the full extent of her commitment. “I’m willing to leave the ranch to be with you.” He picked her up and spun her around. **** Sven had Levi bring food in for everyone, and they all ate before retiring that night. Mariah refused to sleep without her mama and daddy. Understanding how stressful how stressful her day had been, they agreed, just this once. Jonah and Micah fussed at missing all the excitement. Sven and his men erased all traces of Renee and her team’s existence from the house. Later that night they had an in-depth discussion with the Hispanic male, Raymond, before dispatching him along with the other two. Sven checked and rechecked the equipment in the hidden offices. He deactivated the virus, which would’ve eliminated years of hard work. Now that Chastity was safe, his new job clicked in. He’d take over where Mr. B left off. He sat behind the computer and prepared another packet for the FBI. This time, he sent information on Maude Stone, the woman had gone too far aiding and abetting Griffin’s men. It didn’t take much to get the full story from Bradley’s son. He and Maude had worked a deal to gain access the ranch; she sent the black female riding and then took the shot at the woman. Bradley’s son had been left paying the woman off to avoid a lawsuit. With Griffin in prison, Maude hadn’t been able to collect the last of her money. She’d been desperate when she came to the ranch with Renee. She’d called him as he was leaving Bradley’s spread. “Sven, please help me convince Kenton it’s okay for me to see my grandchildren. Oh my god, the little girl, she looks just like me.” She sobbed on the phone. “I’ll do anything, anything to make things right. I… just want the chance to know her. Please help me.” Initially, he’d been pissed that she figured it out so soon. Then, he thought of a way to

restore balance. He agreed to help her and had her meet him and Mariah at a hotel. He played the “you’re her grandmother and have every right” angle knowing she’d believe him. Maude showed up to the hotel room as Sven sped toward Pittsburgh to find Chastity. The room she entered was empty except for a note from him saying he was running late and for her to make herself comfortable. On the bar was a new bottle of Chivas Regal Scotch, her favorite. He knew she’d take a sip and moments later pass out from the drugged liquor. His man placed the dead body of the man she’d been seeing in the bed, stripped her and placed her on the sofa near the gun. He figured that ought to keep her tied up for a while, at least long enough for Chas and Kenton to get settled. Smiling, he placed pictures of her and the deceased in the packet. The sales receipt for the gun, and notes in her handwriting arranging to meet with the dead sucker. When she woke up in the hotel room, the gun, minus prints, was found near her and the dead body of Griffin’s man. Last he heard, she was squawking in jail, trying to make bail. Pity, he blocked her number from everyone’s phone. Payback was a bitch. ****The End****

Erosa Knowles has a love for the written word. She lives in the Southwest with her husband and son. Her favorite pastime is reading and people watching. Coming from a large family, most of her stories incorporate extended families, realizing it takes a village to raise a child. Please visit her website: www.erosaknowles.com for other books. The following excerpt is a FREE story written for readers of the Men of 3X CONStruction series entitled Not This Time and can only be found on that website. www.menof3xconstruction.com. This story is between Veronique, Cherise’s mother, (Have I Told You Lately) and Frank, Red’s oldest brother, (Ready for Love). Enjoy.

Not This Time Erosa Knowles Chapter One There was nothing special about the small hotel lounge other than it smelled clean. Not a pine scent or anything commercial like that, in reality it was more what it didn't smell like that grabbed her attention and appreciation. The absence of stale cigarette smoke and unwashed bodies overrode the lack of décor, the small liquor selections and insufficient seating. Three large flat screened TV's droned on in the background with various news and sports programming. It was the sort of place you could chill in peace at the end of a long day if you weren't a smoker. “Another rum and coke.” Veronique motioned to the bartender as she put an empty glass on the bar. Without looking, she scooped a handful of peanuts from the half-full basket on her left. It had been a long day. She needed a quick drink to unwind before she reclaimed her hotel room. Her married sorority sister Pam, had borrowed her suite earlier to engage in illicit relations with a man she'd met at their Sorority's ball last night. In other words, her girl was humping like a rabbit and didn't want her husband or any of the other women to know of her loose morals. Obviously, she didn't care that Veronique knew. What the hell should she think of that? She tried to muster interest at the question and realized she didn't care. Why waste time thinking about her friend's immorality when she'd be on her back as well, if she'd met someone interesting enough to place her there. Glancing at her watch, she grunted. Hell, it'd been two hours, if they were still at it, her girl would be on stage and she'd be the audience. She was tired and her well of benevolence was bone dry. Taking a glance around at the half-filled tables, she spotted an empty one by the door. “Here you are.” She took the drink, left a five on the bar and headed for that table. After a few excuse me's she reached her goal, and placed her purse on her lap. Once seated, an unheard sigh echoed in every quadrant of her weary body. Her feet hurt, her stomach growled, and her head sent signals of its unhappiness. Shit, she was getting too old for these events. Next year, she'd pass on her sorority's annual gala and after-party. This afternoon's step competition showcased the best and the brightest from every fraternity

and sorority. What made her think she and her contemporaries could still get down with those young, boneless newbies? Her cute red and white pumps had screamed stop-this-shit right now the entire time. Payback was a mutha-, and her feet had taken her prisoner. One foot toed off her shoe. “Ummm...” She sighed in exquisite bliss. Then the other did the honors for the other foot. Wiggling her toes, she'd swear they tingled in joy, expanded in the open air, and wept merrily for their new freedom. Sipping on her drink, she looked around the hotel's bar or lounge. The room was filling up. Lots of men dressed in suits, with precision haircuts and buffed nails. There was a time when those men drew her like ink to paper. It didn't take long to realize she didn't like soft, well-manicured hands. Or someone who read the labels on their shampoo and conditioner. And a man that took longer than her to match his attire worried her last nerve. Nope, she'd moved to the admire from a distance column with a lot of her colleagues, it made for better friendships. Who'd that leave? A woman had to be realistic if she wanted a man. Since becoming an attorney and her divorce, she'd never paid blue-collar workers that much attention. Cherise, her daughter, had met a man in construction. Tall, rock solid, good head on his shoulders, with a don't-mess-with-me persona. It seemed those kind of men ran in packs. The men that worked for Three X Construction were mouth-watering in so many ways. Not the mention the women, the few she'd met, all seemed to have silly smiles on their faces. Her daughter glowed with so much happiness and contentment; she'd thought they had a baby on the way. Although Cherise denied pregnancy, it wouldn't be long, not with the way Ross stayed on her. Hedrick, her ex was military. He missed the professional column and the blue collar. The past two months, they'd been playing tag. Him tagging her ass and her allowing him. His frustration that she wouldn't allow them to move past the casual sex phase irritated her. Casual was all she wanted right now, especially with him. Sex with him had always been good, but trusting him in another relationship, that was off the table as far as she was concerned. Not only had he cheated on her, but he married the bitch a few months after their divorce. Cheaters who lied and married the Cheatees, didn't get second chances with her heart, her body wasn't as discriminating. Thoughts of him, their past, sent her spirits into a downward spiral. “Hell, I can be depressed in my own room. Time to go.” Placing her glass on the table, she leaned over to pick up her shoes and bumped into a pair of jean covered long legs. Pushing back

quickly, she bumped her head on the table. “Ow.” She rubbed the bruised spot. “I'm sorry, didn't see you... down there.” The deep cadence of his voice reignited her long held crush of Barry White. She'd bought every record that dark chocolate God released. His music had been her panty-wetting-let's-screw anthem. Eyes closed, she basked in the memories of days and nights of fast and hard loving with Barry crooning “can't get enough of your love,” in the background. “Are you okay?” The deep sexy-as-sin voice shot straight to her core. Damn. Now visions of tangled sheets and long nights ran through her mind with the voice. And she hadn't even seen the body it came from. Sitting straight in her chair, she eyed him while she rubbed the side of her face. Damn, he's fine. “I'll live.” “Can I get you another drink?” The dark eyes pinned her to her chair. A flutter of interest rose in her breast. She nodded, her pussy tingled at his look of interest. “What're you drinking?” He smiled. And Veronique defense attorney extraordinaire, swore the sun came from behind a dark cloud since her world seemed brighter. Sappy, but true. “Oh, a glass of Zinfandel will be fine.” Any buzz she'd had earlier evaporated under the heavy dose of lust that'd swamped her. Although he wore jeans, his shirt was professional grade. Could he be in the gray area? A professional with blue-collar tendencies. Hmmm, watching him weave through the crowd, she marveled at his size. Tall, broad shoulders, dark hair and eyes. All around nice package. Her lips puckered and smacked wanting a taste. God, please let him have a halfway decent conversation. No matter how hot and horny he made her, she'd long past the stage where she screwed dumb men. Even brief flings had to bring more than solid meat to the table. Placing her shoes into her large Coach bag, she watched him maneuver the crowd holding her wine and a beer. He handed her the glass as she sat next to her. “Thanks, I appreciate it. I'm Veronique by the way.” She looked at him from beneath her lids as she took a sip of the cool liquid. “I'm Frank. Your name's different. Are you from Philly?” He took a pull from his bottle. The weight of his gaze warmed her.

“No, I'm here for a conference. Two more days to go.” She gazed at his dark eyes, the heat singed her core. His eyes blazed as he watched her lips on the glass. Yep, he was he interested. “Is this home for you?” “I live an hour away, had some business in town and came in here to unwind before heading out.” He looked at her and winked. “Glad I did.” Me too. “How about that? I was on my way out when you bumped into me. Must be kismet, huh?” She smiled as he placed his bottle on the table, leaning toward her. “Yeah, kismet works for me. Let me buy you dinner before you leave. You seem like an interesting person, Veronique. I'd like to know you better.” Tingles shot down her spine when he said her name. “I am.” She stood, picked up her purse. He followed. “Is there anything you prefer?” “Lean meats.” She smirked, her eyes roved slowly over his muscular frame. Did she say he was fine? Regardless, his body demanded another bravo for finess. He placed his hands in his pocket and walked behind her. “Lean meats? Hmmm, lean and juicy, I hope.” “Juicy works. Nobody likes dry meat.” She stopped and looked around the hotel lobby for the name of the in-house restaurant. Spotting it, she headed in that direction. “We can eat here.” “Sounds good. I like lean and juicy myself.” He grinned. They walked to the entrance and the hostess sat them in the back after she explained her problem with her shoes. After they'd been seated, she glanced at him over her menu. Damn. The man was handsome. Thick, dark shiny hair touched his collar, a small close-cropped beard, and a nice smile. He reminded her of Russell Crowe and Mel Gibson combined in a delicious package. A package she planned to unwrap before the night was over. Frank O'Connor slid the bulge in his pants in search of a comfortable spot. The woman sitting next to him had his mouth watering, an unusual occurrence for him. Her smooth chocolate complexion reminded him of his favorite candy, Milky Way. He couldn't wait to taste every delectable inch of her. Her hair was pulled up in the back showing her long neck, while curls framed her face. It seemed like a lot of work to bring attention to a beautiful face. Large eyes stared at him with a teasing challenge that ripped into his calm facade. This woman seemed secure enough to take him on for the short time she'd be in town. That

rocked for him. Without her shoes, the top of her head reached his nipples. The red dress accentuated her curves, especially her ass. Nice. High, round and firm looking, his cock twitched in excitement. Black women's ages were always harder to gauge. He'd placed her in her midthirties, much younger than his forty-one. Sharp, intelligent eyes peered from her heart shaped face. A full lower lip, slightly larger than the upper teased his imagination, he wanted to taste all of her right now. Patience. What was it about her that drew him like an infant to a nipple? Sitting across from her, he pretended to read his menu. He'd have the steak dinner, he'd had it before. She'd be dessert, he had to convince her to be on the menu. “Have you eaten here before?” No, I've never been between your legs, but I hope to real soon. “Yes, the steaks and chicken dishes are pretty good. Can't go wrong with those.” He moved to get comfortable. “Thanks. I think I'll have the chicken picata with a salad.” He nodded as the waiter placed two glasses of water and a basket of warm rolls on the table. “We're ready to order.” The waiter nodded and took out his pad. Frank waved at her signaling she should go first. He wanted to hear the huskiness of her voice again. It called to something in him. Made him sit his big ass down in a bar, when he knew he needed to leave before nightfall. He'd been in too many late night driving accidents, it wasn't his favorite thing. Yet, something dark, primitive unfurled when he gazed down at her near the floor. His mind drew all sorts of erotic images. Seeing her so close to his cock in the bar had sealed her fate for the night, he liked the visual and decided her lips around his rod was the right thing to do. He hadn't counted on her being so damn sexy and hungry. Her full lips tilted at the corners at his stare, letting him know having her in his bed tonight wouldn't be automatic. He revised his strategy. Now they sat at dinner and all he could see was his cock between her breast, in her mouth and then the tight sheath beneath. Conversation, although a necessity, bore him. Action, the need for it, prompted him toward civility and the niceties. His twin brothers were Dominants, and lived an alternative lifestyle. While he didn't want a slave or submissive twenty-four, seven, he recognized all of the O'Connor men were dominant to a point. There was a baseness in them, almost primitive, that pushed them to conquer. As the oldest, he'd like to think he was more level headed, more polished, more flexible. Then there were times like this when all he wanted was to pick this woman up, sling her over his shoulder and take her to a quiet spot and fuck the challenge out of her. The need burned in him. The more she acted as

though it didn't matter, as if tonight might not happen between them, the harder his need pressed to prove her wrong. Damn. He was in trouble. In the few minutes of their acquaintance, he knew they'd butt heads. “Sir?” Frank heard the waiter over the rushing wind of his growing need. “I'll have the steak, medium rare – juicy.” He winked at her. “Veggies, no potato.” He handed the menu to the waiter, took a sip of water to cool his raging hard on. The pain in his groin increased. There was no more room in his pants. A quick glance around the near empty room eased his tension. Fewer eyes to see his condition. It'd been years since anyone evoked such a strong reaction from him. For that alone, he owed her a good, solid fuck. They sat staring at each other as if they were in a poker game. Neither moved nor spoke. A loud crash from their right broke the stare-fest. “What are your plans for the evening?” he asked, although anything other than being with him was the wrong answer. “I'm going to get some rest; it's been a long day.” The huskiness of her voice soothed and aroused him. Although her mouth spoke, his eyes fastened on the twin pointed peaks on her chest. “Tired?” “Not really.” “Good. I'd hate for you to be worn out so soon.” He smiled as her brow rose. “So soon? It's been a long day.” Her lips tilted at the corners letting him know she was game, but he'd have to work for it. “Perhaps, but the day wouldn't be complete without seeing some of Philadelphia's better sights.” She leaned forward slowly, licking her lips. His eyes followed the trail of moisture glistening in the dim light. “Better sights; is that what they're calling it these days?” The teasing glint in her eye set off a spark in him. He liked this one. “Yeah, you should see Liberty Hall at night,” he said straight-faced. “There's nothing quite like it.” “I have. And you're right, it's ridiculously beautiful. Oh well, since I've already seen it my

night will be less eventful.” She glanced up as the waiter placed their drinks on the table. “Part of the beauty is buried in the guide, the one that unleashes the untapped depths of our relics. You haven't seen anything in Philly, if you haven't seen it with me.” He trapped her with his gaze. Tonight belonged to them, his eyes dared her to refuse. Veronique enjoyed the cat and mouse banter with the hunky stranger. For a moment, she felt young and carefree. It'd been a while since she'd been so ardently pursued; it did wonders for her ego. Most of the men of her acquaintance lacked the hard-core alpha appeal that rolled off her dinner date in waves. No one she knew would throw out such a challenge. “You're probably right,” she agreed. He nodded and visibly relaxed. “I'd like to spend more time with you tonight.” Really? I hadn't guessed. “Are you married?” He frowned and held up his hand. “No.” She waited a beat. “Aren't you going to ask me?” He shook his head. “You're not the type to cheat. I think you'd say fuck it, and walk away.” Since he was right, she didn't comment. “Children?” “Not yet.” “I'm here for two more days. What do you think you can show me that I haven't already seen?” His eyes darkened as they stripped her naked. Exposed, she battled the panic rising inside. It wasn't fear that he'd hurt her physically, she wouldn't have accepted his dinner invite if she'd picked up those vibes. It was his uncanny ability to pinpoint her need that rattled her. Tonight, she needed a strong assertive man. Someone confident in himself to chart their course and give her what she desired. So far he'd hit the ball, the only thing left was to reach the bases. “Veronique.” His voice deepened. Her thighs clenched. “I'm not sure if two days between your legs tasting and pounding your pussy will satisfy your hunger for this cock I plan to give you tonight, but it'll be a start.”