《Her Savior》 Chapter 1 Becoming a killer I¡¯ve shot him. I¡¯ve killed a man. I¡¯m a murderer. Her mind traveled to her dead husband, and how she had killed him. She was only twenty-three, she had married her abusive husband right out of college. He was a wealthy man who runs a very sessful venture. He was ruthless in his business, people feared and admired him at the same time. She knows nobody would believe her if she came forward with her usations. The worst part was that she had been abused even before the marriage. She was in love with him, as also her husband who would confess to her after every time he ridicules and beats her up. These instances would happen once and maybe two times every couple of months. But her love for him vanished the day he made her lost their baby. That was thest straw. She was a broken woman, like many other women in an abusive marriage. The dreadful day came when Benjamin came back home drunk and beat her up badly. ¡°Bitch! don¡¯t tell me what to do!¡± She whimpered as he ps her in the face so hard that she falls, yet he was not satisfied when he continues to kick her while she shields herself with her arms. That was the time she decided that she have had enough. She was struggling to walk but she was finally able to get the gun which she has been hiding for months but didn¡¯t dare to use it. The gun which she bought with a cash payment couple of days after she had lost their baby. He was sleeping, sprawled on their marital bed. She did not hesitate when she finally pulled the trigger and put a bullet to his brain. Then moments after that she left the house and walked her wounded self until she couldn¡¯t take it anymore and fainted on the sidewalk. That night she was was brought into a hospital. She was ushered in with a gurney carried by the EMTs, then hurriedly received by the hospital emergency staff. She was unconscious. Her body was bruised and battered, her clothes were smeared with brownish color of dirt and blood. There were traces of tears mixed with dirt on her cheeks. She looked pale and lifeless. Doctors and nurses were busy reviving her body. There were shouted instructions, and more procedural was done down at the emergency room before she was hauled up to a recovery room. ¡°Has the husband brought in for questioning?¡± ¡°God. Are you sure this is domestic abuse? She looked so young.¡± ¡°You know we got these cases several times a year, and the cops are putting them on the back burner after all their homicide cases¡­ we should do our best with the evidence.¡± ¡°These women, I don¡¯t get why they waited so long, why they stick around¡­¡± The nurses were whispering, talking after they got back assisting the doctors at the emergency room. They were bagging andbeling all of her belongings, tagging them to her possession. Another was scribbling her status on her already thick hospital files.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. She was indeed a regr at that exact hospital, she had been seen by many doctors and advised by several counselors. But all couldn¡¯t do anything further as she had denied and refused all suggestions after all of those emergency visits. But in the past year, she had beening to the hospital more frequently. And one of the doctors had been checking with other surrounding hospitals. That same doctor found out that she had visited different hospitals within months, sometimes just weeks apart. The doctor would inform her findings to her counselor. Once a police officer was brought into the meeting for assurance, but then she sobbed and trembled and they had to put her under sedation. She didn¡¯t recollect her memory, until the next day when she finally wakes up conscious at the clean hospital bed. ¡°Hey, you¡¯re up. Let me get the doctor for you.¡± An older woman in a nurse uniform said softly at her. She was looking around her room, her brain was busy remembering how she gets there. Up until she remembered about the night she shoots her abusive husband in the head when he was passed out drunk on their bed. ¡°Good day¡­ Jane, I¡¯m Dr. Reba Nelson.¡± The young intern doctor was flipping her chart. Knowing that her patient was the abused Jane Doe that she has been keeping her eyes on for thest couple of months. ¡°How are you feeling today?¡± she asked softly while taking her vitals. The kind doctor looked at her, knowing that it was her worst injury ever and that was making her worry. ¡°Good¡­ I think I¡¯m good to get back home today.¡± The still pale-looking woman answered, with her croaked voice. ¡°Jane, we¡¯ve met less than a month ago. I know a great shelter ce¡­.¡± ¡°No¡­¡± she said, after sipping the water which the nurse on her side offered earlier. ¡°I¡¯m good, I just need my clothes and shoes¡­¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s currently in our deposit counter, but nurse Murphy here will get some clean clothes that you can wear. But I still need to observe you for another day. Jane, please reconsider my offer?¡± the nice doctor patted her hand, trying to reassure her to take her advice. ¡°I¡¯ll think about it.¡± It wasn¡¯t the answer that she was wanting, but she was still d that Jane didn¡¯t say no. She will have another go in persuading her tomorrow. Maybe even get another police officer, perhaps a woman this time. But the next day she was gone from the hospital after she could make herself stand up and tried walking around in her room. That early morning she left the hospital before the nurses do their morning rounds. She was cold but kept on walking and pushing through the cold morning air until she arrived at the nearest bus station. Finally. She sighed and quickly walked into the terminal. People would look at her battered face but were being their normal human self, as they ignored her and carry on with their activities. She went straight to the women¡¯s bathroom and went to the second stall from the left. She reached for the little space just behind the toilet. She was scrunching her nose and holding her breath from the odor while feeling for the key that she taped there. It was a relief when she finds it, then she quickly retreated with the key and rest her ass on the closed toilet seat. She was trying to get her strength back before she goes to the station¡¯s public locker area. She could feel her body ache all over, her left arm was bind and was in a cast. The doctor said they had to put a pin inside since she was still healing from the previous injury. They were making sure that it would heal nicely, and that she would not injure that same arm easily. The doctor also said that she should get back for a check-up next month. She had done her research, she had been preparing herself to be on the run. She had been scheming her allowance and putting her cash, and personal belongings in a duffle bag and put them in public lockers at several bus terminals and train stations. She was doing it gradually, as she was doing her daily errands outside the house. She was trying not to evoked her husband¡¯s suspicion. She had also bought a used car and told the shady dealer to keep it under someone else¡¯s name, which then she paid extra for. She had been preparing for months until that night finally came and her life was abruptly turned for the worse. She was on the run. She was homeless. She was all alone. Chapter 2 The Golden Boy ¡°Detective Taylor, meet me in my office.¡± His captain called in his golden boy, his best crime-solving detective Ian Taylor to his office. Ian walked with his cup of coffee in one hand and his stacks of unsolved cases in the other. ¡°How¡¯s your workload?¡± ¡°I¡¯m done with one case got two more ongoing, one of the family is hiding something while the other seems to have ovepping alibis. Do you want me to focus on a case?¡± His captain would do this sometimes. He would need Ian¡¯s full attention on a certain case if the heat of the media was too close to their tail. ¡°No, just handle it as is. The mayor wanted me to add more female detectives for our public appearance. I¡¯m thinking we get Garcia on board. What do you think?¡± What the captain didn¡¯t know was that he had been casually sleeping with the female officer. In fact, he had a hot date with her that exact night.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I think you will make the best decision as always.¡± He nodded to him and calmly sipped his coffee, he would never lie to his captain. Dave looked at him and nodded back to his answer. They discussed the case and talk for a couple of minutes then he was dismissed and dived back into his workload until it was time for him to question the suspects. Ian Taylor was one of the detectives who was having difficulties in working with others. He would do a better job on his own and has been doing it for more than four years since he lost his partner to a gang fight. He was a special case, his captain allowed him to do so after trying to partner him up several times and failed miserably. That afternoon Ian was feeling good about the hours ahead knowing he was going to end his day by going to Garcia¡¯s ce for their sexy hookups. He wouldn¡¯t tell her about his talk with the captain. He would let Dave break the news to her when he deemed necessary. ¡°Hey, how¡¯s work?¡± Garcia opened her door and greeted him sweetly. ¡°Can we cut the chitchat? I¡¯ve been doing work desk all day, now I need to do you.¡± Ian pulled her roughly to his body and crushed his lips with hers. He closed the door and locked them both inside her apartment. She moaned to his kisses and let him push her body against the wall. Her hands were to his chest and quickly unbutton his shirt, then she kissed him back when her hands touched his hard abs. ¡°Hands up officer.¡± He whispered sexily in her ear. She chuckled but then quickly bit her lip and put her hands above her head and let Ian roamed his hands freely after he stripped her naked. He groaned as he feels her wetness then moved her to the couch and let her watch as he stripped naked and cover his length with a condom. He was on top of her in seconds and thrust inside her, filling her and making her moan louder. ¡°Ian! more baby¡­ oh God¡­¡± He holds her still and lets his sexual frustration out. He fuck her hard until she shuddered and they both climax momentster. ¡°Damn¡­ I needed that.¡± He breathed out his words. Garciaid back in content while she kissed his chest and then both rxed on her couch for a couple of minutes until they move to her bed. That night he fuck her again one more time before he left her sleeping just after midnight. Ian sighed and rest his head back on the driver¡¯s seat. His thoughts were back to his unsolved cases and put the car in gear and drive into the night back to hisrge empty house. He was naked to his briefs wheny back on the bed. Ian is a thirty-five years old single man who was building his career. He had a very skeptical view of life and was certain that he didn¡¯t want a woman to hold down his career. He is a homicide detective who had seen people at their worst. People who would kill to get what they want, who were greedy and clouded by their survival instinct to diminish others who would cross their path. Then some people were just in sociopaths and needed to kill for their sick pleasure. That night just like some nights he was restless and couldn¡¯t get to sleep. He was thinking of the little girl who had lost her parents to a robbery gone bad. The little girl would go to childcare tomorrow because her uncle had just confessed to murdering her parents for mary gains. He had told Ian that he staged the robbery to get their money because he was deep in debt since he was unemployed and been doing drugs and got involved with some bad people. He drinks his malt and dragged his cigarette trying to calm himself down. Then he turned on the news trying to dilute his thoughts. He sipped on his malt slowly while looking out his window at the dark night sky. He could hear in the background the news anchor was talking about a wealthy businessman who was shot in his own house and that his wife was missing. Ian shook his head and took another drag of his cigarette thinking about the crazy world he was living in. He kept on thinking about how people could do such a thing to their closest ones, their loved ones. His mind then wonders back to his biological parents until he finally gave up and put out his cigarette and drink down his malt. He turned off his tv and went back to bed. He didn¡¯t sleep well, but at least he had let out his sexual frustration and closed one case that day. One small step at a time, he thought as he closes his eyes and imagine what would it feel like to live in a world where people actually care for each other. He sighed as he slowly drifted off to sleep just before dawn. Chapter 3 A wanted life ¡°I need to get out of the state, I need to find a ce to live. I need to¡­ oh God! I fucking killed my husband.¡± She said to herself in frustration while taking another sip of the cheap beer which she bought earlier from the small store just around the corner. She was pacing back and forth at the sleazy motel that she rented for the night. She had taken her duffle bag, and retrieved her money from the public locker. She took off her oversize denim jacket and boots and put her cap on the bedside table. Then secondster groaned in pain, and finally, let herself take the pills for the pain. Years of having beaten had made her resistant to the pain, she had managed to carry the bag and put on her disguise while her arm was still in a cast. Her determination was bigger than the pain itself. Earlier she was looking for the nearest convenience store when she finds herself in a small diner. She ordered herself a steaming hot cup of coffee and pie of the day. The waiter nced at her cast and her battered face, yet she said nothing. Not realizing that she was hungry, she eats and finishes her meal quickly before she continued with her n. That was two hours ago, now she had finished dying her hair to the darkest brown color. It was a very streak difference from her previous light blonde color hair. Then she puts on the dark brown color contacts, she looked at the finished result and was satisfied with the result. Minutester she was flipping the TV channel searching for the news, and there it was. The murder of a well-known businessman Benjamin Turner. His body was found yesterday, the news anchor stated that he was murdered. And his wife was presumed missing and had be a person of interest since there were no signs of forced entry. That was when reality hits, and she finally breakdown and cry. The tears that she shed earlier were nothingpared to that exact moment where she was alone, withplete privacy to sob and feel sorry for her miserable doomed life. She was crying for her future self, a wanted person, wanted for the murder of her abusive husband. There were days where she would try to end her life, but she just couldn¡¯t. Deep down she knows that all was not her fault and that she was the victim. That her love for him was making her defend him to every beating which she ever received. That night she finally closed her eyes with the news on a low volume, she was truly tired from all the thinking and all the crying. The next day she struggled to get herself out of bed, she groaned quietly from the pain. Not remembering that she was in another bed alone, without her abusive husband who would p her when she made a noise showing off her pain. She took a deep breath and exhale trying to strengthen herself to start her day. Months before, she had dreamt the day she would be free of her abusive marriage. But when the time came, she was afraid that she might lose her self-confidence to be independent and face the world alone. Half an hourter she was finally out the door, she had put her makeup on to disguise her bruises and put her hair down to cover her bruised neck and shoulder. Her sunsses wererge enough to give extra protection to her identity. That day she had spent meticulously executing her n, where she took her getaway car from the monthly paid parking lot and carried on to several other public lockers which she hides her bags full of her cash and essentials. It was just after dinner time when she crossed the state country lines. She had chosen this town randomly when she had to browse for her getaway destination months before. It was the average city setting where she thinks she could handle it. She didn¡¯t want to move to a small city where neighbors would talk. She needed her privacy, and a medium-size city seemed best. But little did she know, that exact city was where she loses it all. It happened the same day she arrived in that city, just after she had her dinner. She couldn¡¯t find her car at the parking lot, where she had locked it and left it to unwind and let herself have a decent meal for the day. Her mind was frantic, she was cursing herself for having the wants to unwind. Secondster she was taking a taxi to the motel, knowing she had her receipt and motel key in the car. But then she slumped when she looked at her trashed motel room. Her clothes were scattered and all her cash was gone. With less than a hundred dors in her pocket, she closed her room door slowly, as she suddenly lost the strength to even get mad when she was once again got the short end of the stick. An hourter, she falls asleep on the bed hoping that she would still be able to sleep in one tomorrow night. That night was the first night where she had her nightmare. With all her insecurities creeping up behind her, she was taken back to the many nights when Benjamin would abuse her. shes of images were presented to her, of how he beat her, p her, and one day he even pushed her a couple of stairs down just because he said she was blocking his path. She had broken more bones that year and was convinced that he would eventually kill her if she didn¡¯t kill him first.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. This is too hard, maybe I should just let him kill me. Maybe he was right, maybe I was just a whore for his money. Her thoughts were always diluted by his words, even in her dreams, he could still rob her of her value. She woke up early morning with her body drenched in sweat, her cheeks were wet with fresh tears. She was holding her naked knees which were still visibly bruised from hisst beatings. I don¡¯t think I can do this. I don¡¯t think I¡¯m strong enough. Maybe he¡¯s right. The words keep on ying in her mind until she woke upte that afternoon with the ringing sound of her motel phone informing her that check-out time was in another hour. This is it your shitty days have just begun. This is the first day you¡¯re homeless. Even in his absence, he kept on haunting her, tormenting her, ridiculing her mind to diminish her self-worth. Chapter 4 Homeless It was day three and she had been staying in the dingiest cheapest room avable within the city. She was burning her money fast. It was lunchtime when she started counting her money. She had been walking around the city trying to find a job but couldn¡¯t find any, and soon it would be dark. She didn¡¯t factor in the exact emergency situation, it would be easier for her to get a job in a smaller city where more people would still help a stranger in need. In a bigger city, no one was willing to hire a homeless person, when so many other qualified people were still in need of a job. She even went to a small diner, where the owner said that they couldn¡¯t afford a new waiter with the current economy. ¡°And how can you even work with that cast on your arm girl?¡± thest owner of an old antique shop asked her, to which she just shrugged. Perfectly knowing that it would be impossible for her to find a job. And even more impossible for her to get a bus to get to the suburbs and try her luck there with thest couple of dors in her hand. By the end of the day she was sitting down crying on the park bench, it was almost dark and she didn¡¯t have a ce to sleep for the night. She was finally homeless and was ying different scenarios in her head. From sleeping under a bridge that she had passed earlier toying herself on that exact bench which she was sitting at. Her stomach was rumbling, but she didn¡¯t dare to spend more of her money before she could get a job. She had decided the afternoon sandwich that she had bought half price because of its expiration date was her meal of the day. ¡°Hey miss, are you okay?¡± She was stunned when a policewoman tapped her on her shoulder. Her heart beats a thousand miles per hour, she couldn¡¯t even hear her from the busy sound of her heartbeat. ¡°Miss¡­ I¡¯m officer Garcia¡­ are you lost?¡± She must¡¯ve seen her cast peeking from her oversize denim jacket and her bruise color skin tone on her cheek and jaw. The officer didn¡¯t try to push her with more probing questions. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡­¡± she was trying to form her sentence, though she was afraid that the police would recognize her from the news. ¡°I know a nice warm shelter just around the corner. They have food and a bed, they will take you in to rest for the night, you don¡¯t have to worry about anything else. Come on¡­¡± Officer Garcia managed to convince her to take her to the shelter. That night she did sleep under a roof in a warm clean bed along with other homeless people. She had never felt so low about herself. She was perfectly aware that she was at the lowest point of her life yet, without even knowing what would happen tomorrow and the day after. Her life had just gotten worse with each passing day. Years before she thought she was at her breaking point when she was trapped in an abusive marriage. Then she thought she was done when she had lost her baby. And days earlier she thought she was finally free when she killed her husband. But she was not prepared when life gave her another twist of fate. That night she slept holding her bag close, and the rest of her money even closer. She was not taking any chances with a room full of homeless people. Just like herself.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. ***** Morning came too fast, she was up on her feet and was leaving the shelter once she saw people leaving for the day. Where do homeless people go? What do homeless people do? She was asking herself these questions, while she slipped her way out of the shelter. That day was spent trying to find another job and miserably failed. Looking at the town¡¯s library, she decided to use their inte and cruise through the online employment list. She typed down jobs with basic skill employment. Though she did have a degree in finance, obviously without the paperwork it would be useless. An hourter she was back on the street with several ces she had jotted down that might hire her. Then she decided it was time to get her meal of the day when she looked at a little girl who was going to get into trouble. The barely teenage girl was slipping bread and some chocte bars into her oversized jacket when the store clerk saw her. The girl was about to run when she bumped into her. ¡°Go¡­ I got you.¡± She whispered to the girl, then she paced her steps and run as fast as she could. ¡°You! Don¡¯t you fucking dare run!¡± the clerk was about to get the girl when she stood deliberately standing in his way and was about to make a run when she was roughly grabbed by a strong hand. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± his smooth deep voice seemed to stun her, aside from his strong grip on her still bruised arm. She hissed from the pain, yet he didn¡¯t appear to care. He had been watching from the corner of the store, and to his view, she was covering for her shoplifter friend. And to him, her hissing in pain was her way of trying to slip away from her crime. ¡°Come, you¡¯reing with me to the station.¡± Her eyes were wide as she listened to his words, the one ce she dreaded the most and she was dragging herself for being stupid enough to put out her neck for a stranger. ¡°Hey how about the money? Who¡¯s going to pay?¡± the clerk was standing with his hands on his waist, not letting them pass. ¡°Just be d that I¡¯m here to process all of this dude, now move out of my way. I said MOVE!¡± His harsh words made the clerk move aside, but it made her tense and made her hyperventte in seconds. ¡°Woman, don¡¯t y with me. Come on.¡± His grab on her wounded arm was getting tighter. Then the dizziness came and she suddenly lost the ability to stand on her own two feet. ¡°Shit! Dude, open the fucking door!¡± He took her into his arms and carry her to his car, she wasid on the back seat of his ck SUV then he quickly opened all of the windows. Somewhere in his mind, he was quick to think, that he didn¡¯t want toy her on the dirty floor of the small convenience store. ¡°You need to stay with me, don¡¯t close your eyes¡­ calm yourself down¡­ breathe in and out slowly¡­¡± he was putting her bag on the car floor, and resting her back to his body trying to regte her blood flow and make her breathe easier. Then he cursed when he starts to see her closely and finally notice her delicate face, which was decorated with bruises that were just starting to heal. Secondster he realized a slight difference weighing her right arm, making him instinctively roll up her oversize denim jacket uncovering her medical cast. Then he rolled her other side revealing more bruises, where his hand had just grabbed her with force. ¡°Damn it¡­ who did this to you?¡± there was concern in his voice, but she was still in her panic state as she wasying in a police car. Her life shed in front of her, fearing that she would get jailed then sentenced for her crime, and put on the death sentence. Maybe it¡¯s for the best. The woman¡¯s thoughts wondered, she was tired of running, she kept on thinking that maybe it was her time to surrender for her crime. But her survival instinct got the best of her when she eventually formed her words. ¡°No hospital¡­ please¡­ I¡¯m fine, I will be¡­ I just need to¡­¡± her small weak voice just made his heart hurt. That voice just brings back the memory of his mother and his abusive father. He was five when his mother passed away by his father¡¯s bare hand, as he beat her to her death. The system had taken him in, and by sheer luck, he was adopted by a nice wealthy couple. But the memory stayed in his head. That was why he decided to dedicate himself to fight for the weak, and enrolled himself in the police department. He knew all the signs having dealt with domestic abuse daily before his career took off and he had be one of the best homicide detectives in the country. He must¡¯ve gone mad when he rolled up the windows and decided to take her back to his house. He had broken all rules but deep down he had a strange feeling about her and knew that he had to go with his gut and save her. ¡°Just stay still, I got you¡­¡± Chapter 5 Stranger Danger She was struggling to stay conscious, she needed to stay awake. But the stress and theck of food finally catch up to her. She could feel herself drifting away when her eyes slowly close as it was bing too hard for her to stay awake. Not realizing that she had fainted, she was surprised when she woke up in a cleanfy bed. The grey sheets and the fluffyforter were spoiling her, but she was quickly alert of her surrounding. She tried to get up and abruptly felt the hurt on the left arm from the grip of the cop. Oh.. oh¡­ please.. please¡­ let this be a nightmare¡­ She rubbed her eyes trying to get rid of her tiredness and failed to know that it was real. As real as her life has been since thest dreadful couple of days, but then sighed when she saw her bag by the end of the bed. The room was empty and quiet, she slowly got up and silently get her bag, and put on her jacket. She was squirming and squinting her eyes as the pain hit her senses. Years of living with her husband had made her an expert in swallowing her pain, hiding them to the deepest corner of her mind. She was tiptoeing, walking across the posh manly master bedroom. She didn¡¯t even want to think, about how she got there. She was focusing her mind on getting out of the house, back onto the street, and blending into the surroundings while keeping herself safe. Then to once again be on the run from thew, from killing her abusive husband. But she wasn¡¯t expecting a man waiting across the bedroom door, sitting quietly on the grey couch. His long legs crossed outwards, while his fingers were typing silently on his phone. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± his deep smooth voice reached her ear, making her tense as she realized that it was the voice of the cop who had grabbed her hand forcefully earlier. ¡°Leaving, why am I here?¡± she asked looking at him trying to sound brave. Though her heart was beating so fast, that it numbed her from the pain when the weight of the bag was hurting her shoulder. He must¡¯ve sprained my shoulder when he grabbed my arm earlier. Damn him¡­ The realization made her curse on the inside. ¡°Who hurt you?¡± His words were straight and authoritative, making her wince instinctively. It reminded her of Benjamin¡¯s when he would demand her to answer him, just seconds before he would hit her. The cop studied her behavior, he had searched her belongings carefully and couldn¡¯t find any ID on her. He only saw nice clothes and a Gi leather wallet which looked authentic, it only contains a couple of dors on the inside. Not even a disposable phone. He was a hundred percent sure that she was a runaway, not sure from where but she was definitely abused. He had been racking his brain, thinking that if he turned her in she could be picked up by whoever was abusing her, and she might go back with her abuser. ¡°I fell.¡± She answered automatically, just like each time a nurse or a social worker at the hospital asked about her injuries. He nodded thinking he was right that she would protect her abuser, or she just simply didn¡¯t want to be found. And thest possibility was better, but his mind kept on thinking and wondering if she could pull it off. He was thinking that he needs to help her, there was just something about her that made him want to do things for her. It was weird, he had never wanted to care about anyone else before. He always feels the need to detach himself from his work, from the victims, knowing that it would hit close to home with his childhood experience of losing his birth mother to his abusive father. ¡°Right. Sit down.¡± ¡°No.¡± She surprised herself when she answered him with a no, but deep down she knew that he wouldn¡¯t hurt her. And she needed to hurry and find herself a job, seeing out the window and noticing that the day was almost dark already. ¡°You¡¯re not going anywhere. You still need to rest.¡±This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°And you¡¯re acting as my guardian angel? don¡¯t you have work to do?¡± Again, she was trying to be a rebel as she spites him off with her words, trying to annoy him to get him to just let her go. But he was not budging and dangled her the key to the front door while smirking and arching his eyebrow then telling her silently to sit. She sighed and put her bag down, wincing a bit as her shoulder felt the sudden pain. He looked at her and shook his head, then swiftly got up and get a bottle of ibuprofen and a ss of water and gave it to her. ¡°When was thest time you had your arm cast check?¡± He asked again knowing that she would probably ignore his question. But he had looked at it, the cast still looked clean probably less than a week old. So, he assumed that she was probably from another state. He had reminded himself that he would look into a missing person database once he was back in the office. He had called in earlier stating that he had an emergency, his captain asked him if he was okay. To that he answered fine, knowing he had never called in for any emergency before. Not even once, in his years of service with the department. ¡°Do you live here alone?¡± He smirked again, liking her attitude already. At least she was not one of those fragile women who trembled under pressure. She has spunk, and the will to push through. Maybe she could pull through. He thought as he waited for her to swallow the pills. ¡°Drink then maybe we can have a real conversation, where I ask and you answer them.¡± ¡°Why am I being detained here?¡± She asked again, but drink the pill with the ss of water then drank the rest of it when she realized that she was parched. ¡°I¡¯m detective Ian Taylor, and you are?¡± ¡°Thank you, detective, you can call me Jane.¡± She answered smirking at him while putting the ss down on the coffee table. ¡°I resisted myself from taking you to the station, looking at your bruises. I don¡¯t usually do this¡­¡± He was right, she looked tense when he mentioned that he intended to bring her to the station. ¡°But I¡­ look, I¡¯ll pay for the girl¡¯s stuff.¡± She realized that she would spend herst dors on her, but she would do anything to avoid being taken down to the station. ¡°So, she¡¯s not with you?¡± ¡°No¡­ I didn¡¯t know her, and she looked hungry.¡± ¡°And you¡¯re not?! you practically fainted I¡¯d guess you haven¡¯t had lunch? when was yourst meal?¡± She was starting to annoy him, he was upset that she would use herst dors for some juvenile delinquency. He had looked into her wallet and counted herst dors. If she was running away, today would be herst meal day. And tomorrow she would be digging out of the restaurant dumpsters for food. Looking at her, he doubted that she had ever looked at a real dumpster before. Whoever abused her, must¡¯ve been someone she really loved. She appeared to be smart enough to handle herself on the street, but like most of the nice upper-ss people, she tends to feel sorry for the poor and fall for the juvenile act. His expert eyes looked at her and studied her carefully, she was ying with her fingers when he decided to pause with the questions and let the situation sink into her mind. ¡°What am I doing here again? I¡¯m confused¡­¡± ¡°So am I¡­¡± ¡°Do you do this often? I mean picking up strangers bringing them to your home? I could be one of those stranger danger people.¡± She said casually, but in a fraction of a second, he could see right through her. That her question for him was not without a reason. What did she get herself into? His mind wandered, still trying to arrange the puzzle, and figured her out. She had intrigued him, and he hadn¡¯t had anyone piqued his interest in years. Aside from her beauty and slender figure and apparently her resistance to pain, he knew that there was something more about her, something bigger that she was hiding. And the detective side in him was craving to know and was willing to risk his job, his career that he had meticulously built without a scratch of red marks on his report. Chapter 6 Nosy Detective He was not letting her out of his house, while she kept on insisting that he should. ¡°Sit, dinner will be served in a moment. Look¡­ Jane, just stay for the night. I have a spare room, you can have a nice peaceful rest before you go out on the streets again tomorrow.¡± He wasn¡¯t finished with her issue, he always likes puzzles and she was proven to be a difficult one to solve. ¡°So you¡¯re what, making me your good deed of the year?¡± she asked but sit down, then thanked him when he pulled out the chair for her. He made a mental note that her table manner was as good as expected, confirming his suspicion. ¡°Yeah, so Santa can get me what I truly want in life.¡± ¡°And that is?¡± she asked with her hands pointing to her surrounding, clearly mocking him. ¡°Wishes are not meant to be shared, or did you not know this? It wouldn¡¯te true.¡± ¡°Pfft¡­ you¡¯re so superstitious¡­¡± Pessimistic. Not surprising. He thought as he ted the leftover meatloaf. They ate in silence while he kept on watching her while she eats and finish her meal, then he showed her to the extra bedroom since she insisted that she was not going to sleep in his room. She looked around the guest bedroom. It was clean, nice and warm, and most importantly safe. She decided to take a shower when the nosy detective came to the room and gave her a clean towel. Carefully taking off her clothes, her tears fall from the pain every time she moves her arm. But she finally managed to undress. Looking at her battered and bruised body in the bathroom mirror, she bites her lip when she was reminded of the unfortunate turn of events that she has to endure. Never in her still young mind that she thought she would end up as a killer. Having stained her hands with the blood of her husband, being the sinner for taking another person¡¯s life. She has not yet listened to the news again, as she fears that her picture would be stered all over his death. She watched herself in the mirror, not recognizing herself anymore. Her darker hair had made herplexion paler than ever before. She had thrown away her contact lenses, finding it not practical for her homeless lifestyle. Homeless killer on the run. Years ago, she had thought that she has her life on track by graduating from college and marrying the love of her life. She should¡¯ve backed down when he started using his hands in their arguments. But having no one in her life, she had thought that he would change her future for the better. Though a couple of her college friends had warned her about him, but she was wooed by his words, his wealth, and his handsome features. She was ttered that he would want her, knowing now she understood why. He had wanted her because she was alone and weak, and she had be his punching bag throughout their marriage. On the other side of the door, the nosy detective listened as the woman try to drown her sobs with her shower. But failed miserably as he could still hear her, his hands grip the door frame trying his hardest not to burst in andfort her.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Hearing her cries had taken him back to the many nights, where his mother would cry in the shower. Then she woulde out with a fresh bruise, telling the little boy that she fell and that she would be okay. Turning his back, he finally forced himself to leave her be. She was safe in his house, tomorrow he would think of a n to keep her away from her abuser. He walked to the kitchen, and retrieving his stash of the strongest malt, and poured himself a ss. He took his pack of cigarettes just before he goes outside, and sit on his back porch. He lit and dragged his cigarette trying to rx. And then he sighed when he feels the burn of the malt on his throat, as he took a sip from his ss. He closed his eyes, and let his mind relive the night when his father came home drunk and beat his mother to death. Finishing off on his drink, he didn¡¯t feel the serenity. And that was when he decided to go back into the house. He was still agitated, his mind still wanders back to the homeless woman in his house. She was tossing and turning in her sleep until she finally drifted off to slumber. But it didn¡¯tst long as the nightmare returned, he was back, he was alive and he was beating her over and over again. She was sobbing in her sleep, his words hurt her as much as his hands. Her hair was pulled, her stomach was kicked. She was kicking and screaming in her sleep, up till she felt a pair of strong arms holding her. The deep soothing voice was calming her down. She didn¡¯t dare to open her eyes, while she kept on sobbing. Her hands were holding onto her stomach where he had kicked her. She was crying for the loss of her baby, while the deepforting voice lulled her back to sleep. The detective was not prepared when he heard her screams, he had almost fallen asleep when he quickly got up and burst into the guest bedroom. She was kicking and screaming, and he quickly pulled her into his arms. He didn¡¯t think twice, but her agony was real. She was deep in her nightmares as she kept on crying and holding onto her stomach. And his heart breaks for her when she wouldn¡¯t let go of her lower abdomen while whispering her apology to the baby. What the fuck? He cursed on the inside, but kept his arms around her body and pulled her closer to him. ¡°It¡¯s okay¡­ Jane¡­ you¡¯re safe. You will be fine now, you will be good, better. You¡¯re free of him. He will no longer hurt you. Not anymore. You¡¯re safe.¡± He pulled theforter, cocooning both of them while he kept on repeating his words. He finally rxed when he feels her slowing down on her sobs, and finally, hear her steady breathing when she falls back to her sleep. His hold on her was strangely possessive, and he was surprising himself that he was not one bit irritated by the feeling. Women have been such a nuisance for him over the years, he was focusing his life and surrounding himself with his work. Although his adoptive mother was busy setting him up with several potential future wives. He was at his prime age of thirty-five, and ording to her, he needs to find a wife soon and bnce between his work and his personal life. That wisdom words of hers have been repeated over and over again for several years, he was immune to her setting him up on blind dates. He had never had a steady rtionship in years, the closest he has been in a rtionship was with his co-worker with who he would do casual hookups now and then. But there was something he finds unsettling about holding her in his arms, but he pushes that thought aside as his mind was busy thinking of the research that he was going to do on her. Dark hair, light greenish hazel eyes, very pale skin, lots of bruises, medical arm cast on her right arm. He quietly listed all of her specific traits, while he was holding her and slowly caressing her arm. Up until he too falls asleep with her snuggling cozily to his chest. Chapter 7 Wounded The next morning he woke up from Jane¡¯s loud shriek. She was surprised when she finds Ian in the same bed as hers, causing her to fall to the lush carpet under her with a loud thump. ¡°Damn it, Jane, you¡¯re going to break more bones. You need to stop falling, the sun isn¡¯t even up yet.¡± Ian was quick to aide her, getting her up to her feet. ¡°What are you doing in my room?¡± she asked looking up at him. ¡°Well, this is my room too.¡± ¡°Okay, then I should get going.¡± She was about to walk when she realized that she had sprained her ankle from the fall. ¡°My luck just keeps on getting better and better.¡± She said wincing from the pain. He was checking her ankle immediately. She was used to sprain limbs, the pain was a bit ufortable but she did try to walk on it slowly. ¡°Jane! just don¡¯t move¡­ you probably sprained it.¡± He gently pushed her shoulder making her sit on the bed. ¡°I¡¯ll live detective. I just need to walk it off.¡± She was sleeping in her thick trousers and oversize t-shirt, she didn¡¯t like wearing those but she packed for practicality, and for thest few days it had protected her from the cold. ¡°You should rest your feet. Don¡¯t go anywhere.¡± ¡°But I need to leave, you said I could leave today. Wait¡­ why am I being held against my will? There¡¯s something wrong about this arrangement.¡± She was being smart with herebacks and he was liking her attitude, more so than her fragile statest night. ¡°Are you seriously questioning my intention towards you? Just moments after you mentioned about your luck? Maybe this is me trying to change your luck?¡± ¡°You¡¯re one weird detective.¡± ¡°It¡¯s Ian, only my captain called me detective.¡± ¡°Okay, look Ian. Why?¡± ¡°It¡¯s too early, still dark outside. I need coffee. You sit. I¡¯ll be right back with some ice for your ankle.¡± He was ignoring her question when in actuality he didn¡¯t even know why he was keeping her in his house. He nced at her, then leave her to the guest bedroom. He needed to do his morning stuff while waiting for the coffee to be ready. She finally found her ankle wraps in her bag, she had stashed a couple of straps and an emergency kit in her bag. She was prepared for any kind of emergency. Just not from people stealing the getaway car and money. She thought to herself, as she was putting on her ankle straps. Not wanting to dwell on her stupid mistake, she was trying to continue her day. She tried to walk it off, then let out a small smile as she felt that it wasn¡¯t that bad. She went to the kitchen and mindlessly tried to return his kind favor for putting a roof over her headst night. Though she still wasn¡¯t sure why he was in her bed, but her thick and oversize clothes were still intact and she was the one who was clinging onto his naked upper body. Damn. She was cursing on the inside, but her hands were busy with her pancake batter. And she was juggling her task with preparing their coffee. She wasn¡¯t sure how he takes his, so she just leaves his coffee ck with sugar on the side. He had just finished putting on his t-shirt,st night he was in such a hurry to her room that he was only wearing his pajama pants. And it has been a while since he sleeps through the night with a woman by his side, and he didn¡¯t realize that he was liking it. He liked the feel of her soft slender body to his own. God! I should really getid. His mind was wandering aimlessly when the smell of pancake reached his senses. He smiled and took his phone, then go to the kitchen. But secondster his anger was simmering when he remembered that she had just sprained her ankle, and he didn¡¯t like seeing her walking back and forth in the kitchen preparing breakfast. He had checked her ankle earlier, it was swollen and he had specifically said that she should stay in bed. ¡°Jane! what do you think you¡¯re doing?!¡± He snapped at her, he was upset that she didn¡¯t listen to her. But his raised voice must¡¯ve triggered something inside her as she dropped the milk bottle shattering it to pieces. And her reaction was a sheer terror as if he reminded her of someone else. ¡°Damn it, Jane! stay don¡¯t move!¡± He cursed some more on the inside, he should¡¯ve known better not to snap at her. Quickening his steps, he finally reached her just before she took another step. Then he put his arms under her legs and carry her to the couch. Analyzing her feet, he was satisfied when he sees her injured foot was clear of any shattered ss. Then he inspected the ankle wrap, which she expertly put on herself. He looked at her while she was still biting her lip, her eyes were watery and she was looking at him with her nk expression. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for yelling, but I told you to stay put. Your ankle is still swollen and now your pants are wet. Do you still have a clean pair? you need to change.¡± But she was still shocked, her heart still races a thousand miles per hour. The thumping sound was loud on her eardrums. She couldn¡¯t even hear what he was saying. But she could feel the sharp pain in her other foot. ¡°Hey, Jane¡­ look at me, you¡¯re safe. I¡¯m not him. I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± he knelt in front of her, his hand stroked her cheek slowly taking her attention to him, and finally focusing on his words.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Pain, right foot¡­ hurts¡­¡± her words were weak, but he had heard her clearly. He was quiet, but he clenched his jaw as he med himself for not inspecting her other foot carefully. ¡°Come on¡­¡± he picked her up to his bathroom and putting down the toilet seat cover and seated her there, where he cleaned and patched her wound. The cut didn¡¯t need stitches, but it was big enough that it would take a couple of days to heal. ¡°Here, change to my pajamas pants. Wait, just use my shorts. I don¡¯t want you to slip and fall from the length. I¡¯ll put your pants in the washer.¡± He handed her the shorts, which looked too big for her. But she was taking it, her shock had slowly faded and she was able to think and thanked him for patching her foot. ¡°I need my privacy.¡± She stated looking at him. ¡°Seriously? your left foot is sprained and your right is still hurting from the cut. And you¡¯d think I¡¯ll leave you to fall and what¡­ break your hip?¡± She was getting irritated by his too attentive attitude, she rolled her eyes but start taking off her pants. She was getting cold and sticky from the milk already, and she couldn¡¯t care less about him seeing her in her panties. But she was surprised when she heard him cursing while looking at her. Oh.. oh¡­ Chapter 8 Battered and Bruised His insides burned with the deepest darkest hatred for her abuser. His knuckles were white from holding down his anger when he saw her legs were full of bruises. Big and small, ck, blue, even greenish-purple. They were all, showing off the continuous beatings which she received. He perfectly knew the victims who get this kind of beatings, will end up dead sooner orter. Taking a deep breath, he looked at her as she was looking back at him. ¡°I¡¯ll heal, you don¡¯t have to give me the pity look.¡± Her face was stoic as if she was used to people giving her the looks. That was when he gathered, that she has had hospital visits before. Meaning that she was once in a much worst condition, and that information made him take another deep breath. ¡°Have you documented this?¡± ¡°The hospital did, but I¡¯m done with him.¡± She shrugged trying to appear non affected by his question, but he had familiarized himself with too many abused victims to recognize the slight changes in their vulnerable stance. He was itching to pull her into his embrace and told her that she would be okay. He gritted his teeth and ran his fingers to his short strands frustratingly. It took him moments to finally give her his pair of shorts, but she was having difficulties with her cast and her sprained ankle when she eventually asked his help. ¡°Could you? I feel like Humpty Dumpty.¡± She let out her nervousughter, but he was helping her in seconds. His heart beats so fast when he was looking at her bruises at a closer range. He never wanted to kill a man so bad in his entire life, he was actually considering jail time and things that he could get away by killing the bastard. But his hate for her abuser was mistaken by her, as his resentment towards her bruised body. She sighed knowing that she was no longer attractive, but then secondster she was wondering why would she want him to find her attractive? I¡¯m on the run, I don¡¯t have time for a fling, and he¡¯s a cop! Snap out of it woman! He was pulling his shorts upwards through her slender thighs, his hands trailed her bruises while she was biting her lip. It has been ages since a man touches her softly. He was having all kinds of mixed feelings, but he was sure that his desire was ying a big part and he was cursing himself on the inside feeling like a pervert taking advantage of a battered beautiful woman. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± his words were a bit dry. But he raised himself facing her, standing taller inches apart before her. She was looking at him, staying silent under his gaze. And she kept on staying still when he lowered his face down to hers and softly touched his lips to hers. Both were quiet, and pleasantly surprised when none was backing down. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t¡­¡± it took all the power in him to pull himself back from the kiss. He could still taste her, he could still feel her fragile body and her soft skin under his touches. He had never been so fucking hard in his life, and at the same time feeling like such a bastard for taking advantage of her. Yet he didn¡¯t expect that she would step closer, and put her hands to his waist and her cheek to his chest. He had never felt such possessiveness towards someone when he mindlessly wrapped his arms around her body and kissed the top of her head. He could feel her rx in his embrace when he slowly rubbed her back, then both stayed holding on to each other for the longest time. ¡°The coffee is getting cold, and I haven¡¯t finished with the pancake.¡± He hugged her onest time before he moved back and caressed her cheek. ¡°I¡¯ll finish everything for you, the maid will clean upter.¡± He picked her up with all her objections and put her down on the couch. ¡°Stay.¡± He said softly whispering in her ear then kissing her temple, while she instinctively closed her eyes liking the way he treated her. It didn¡¯t take long for him to finish making her coffee and pancakes. ¡°This is a good batter, what did you put in it?¡± ¡°Hmm? Oh¡­ lemon, couldn¡¯t find baking soda, so I just added milk and a squeeze of lemon to bnce the acidity¡­¡± ¡°Did you study culinary?¡± he was quick in his question trying not to alert her. ¡°Nope, finance.¡± She was quick to realize that he had just tricked her into answering and revealing more information about herself. Damn him. She cursed on the inside while gulping her coffee trying to hide her annoyance. But then was liking the taste of the brown sugar in hertte. ¡°This is good coffee.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± He replied as he takes his seat next to her. ¡°So, when will you let me go?¡± she asked while taking the first bite of her pancake. Not realizing that she was starving, she quickly took another bite of the fluffy pancake. ¡°I¡¯m not holding you against your will, I¡¯m guessing you have a degree in your financial education. Meaning you¡¯re smart enough to deduce that you better off living with me, at least until you¡¯re healed.¡± ¡°You like taking in stray puppies?¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re more like a lost kitten.¡± He smirked and took another bite of his pancake. ¡°Hmm¡­ you¡¯re trying to get close to me why?¡± ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°Because I¡¯m homeless?¡± she stated as she puts away her empty te. ¡°Because of certain circumstances.¡± ¡°But you¡¯re a cop.¡± He took their dirty tes and put them on the sink for the maid to clean. ¡°Detective.¡± ¡°So you¡¯refortable living with a stranger?¡± she asked from the couch while finishing off on her coffee. ¡°You¡¯re not a stranger, you¡¯re Jane. Or are you not?¡± He knew that she was hiding her identity, and he was slowly scraping the surface trying to reveal the real her. ¡°You can call me Jane.¡± He took his seat back and finish off his coffee, then put their cup aside. ¡°You mean I can moan Jane and you won¡¯t be offended?¡± He was mocking her, whispering to her ear while lightly trailing kisses to her neck. ¡°Jane¡­¡± he whispered taking her knuckles and kissing them. ¡°Jane¡­¡± he took her face and kissed her temple. ¡°Jane¡­¡± his hand caressed her cheek and kissed the tip of her nose.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. She was lulled by his small little kisses, none was sexual but it makes her body want him. And she was blushing at the fact that she even considering it with her battered limbs. Then he was going in for the kill when he moves closer, and his hand resting casually on her upper thigh. His lips inches from her ear then he breathed out¡­ ¡°Jane¡­¡± To which she finally moaned. ¡°ir¡­¡± Damn it! Chapter 9 Being Cautious ¡°So¡­ ir, nice to meet you¡­¡± He smiled smugly at her, while she pouted looking annoyed by his tactics. ¡°Could you keep this between us?¡± ¡°For now, I¡¯m not promising anything. I¡¯m trying to help you out here. Look, ir, just stay here for a while then let see what I can do for you. I have friends at shelters, you can survive this. Get a new identity, a new life¡­¡± He was battling himself as to why he wanted to help her so badly, and why he couldn¡¯t seem to keep his hands off of her. And on the other side of the couch, ir was cursing on the inside, while hermon sense kept on telling her to get the hell out of there. ¡°Ian, I¡¯m not¡­ this is not good, you can¡¯t help me. I just need to get out of here. I was on my own before my car and money got stolen. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve felt sorry for me, but I can do this on my own. And¡­¡± ¡°ir, I need you to think¡­¡± he got up and start pacing back and forth in front of her, his fingers trailing his hair in frustration. His chest was full of mixed feelings of him wanting to protect her, and it was scaring him to the point where he was thinking to just letting her go. But his other side of the brain was obviously winning the argument, as he kept on pushing her to stay. ¡°¡­ you¡¯re hurt, you don¡¯t have a ce to stay, you don¡¯t have a job, you don¡¯t even have money for your meals!¡± he was baffled by her drive in trying to survive on her own. ¡°Ian¡­¡± He sighed for the second time he heard her saying his name. He wasn¡¯t sure the first time, but he was still not sure when he heard her for the second time either. The slight ping on his chest echoes again when his name rolled out of her perfectly shaped lips. ¡°I can¡­¡± She was still being a stubborn woman, she didn¡¯t know why she needed to debate every word that came out of his mouth. Deep down she knew that he was right, but she needs to get away, he was a cop. Her wanted profile might already be sent out to his precinct. ¡°ir, do I really need to bring you to work just to make sure you¡¯re not wandering around the city aimlessly?¡­ I can help with your work too¡­ I know small business owners but they won¡¯t hire people who can¡¯t function.¡± She finally silences herself when his words threaten her, then he was taking a breather knowing that his words finally sink in and that she would stay at his. For now. Then what? what are you trying to get yourself into dude? Again he was busy with his thoughts when he eventually snapped out of it, feeling his phone buzzed from his pants. ¡°Detective Taylor. Yes sir. This morning sir¡­¡± he left her for some privacy. She rests herself back on the couch. Closing her eyes and letting her mind work out her issues. She was nowhere near any solution when he came out of his room looking sharp and ready for work. Her heart beats a little bit faster, her fingers were itching to put back a couple of strands of his hair which were out of ce.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I need to go to the office, the maid will be here in a couple of hours. She usuallyes every couple of times a week, but I had texted her toe every day. I don¡¯t want you to do any house chores. Listen, if you really want to get away from here just heal yourself first¡­¡± Her mind was trying topose her words, but she was stumped looking at his handsome features. Again her inner self was baffled by the realization. All the years she was with Benjamin, she never even had the slightest urge to take a second look and appreciate his looks. But when Ian was in front of her, she couldn¡¯t even take her eyes off of him. ¡°What? is there something in my face?¡± he asked while his hand was feeling his face. ¡°No, nothing¡­ you look¡­ okay¡­¡± she tugged the end of her lips. Her words poured out of her mouth effortlessly. She walked and stand before him, her dainty fingers touched his short strands and tidy his hair. She¡¯s beautiful. Too damn beautiful. He tried to hold himself from wanting her so badly, but she was closing in on him. And he was losing the battle when he took her hand and put it on his chest, then he caressed her cheek and lowered himself down for a kiss. ¡°ir¡­¡± The kiss was getting hot in seconds and he could feel himself getting hard from it. Her fingers dug onto his shirt, pulling him closer as they both started to feel the heat. She was moaning in seconds, he was groaning to her needs, both tongues were molded sensually until Ian pulled back and she rests her feet down onto her heels. She didn¡¯t even realize that she was tipping on her toes while reaching out for his kiss. She was still blushing when he backed down a bit admiring her shyness. ¡°I have to go, Rose will be here in a couple of hours. I already informed her about you being my guest, I haven¡¯t revealed your name to her. Just stay here, oh¡­ there¡¯s money stashed in the cookie jar for any emergency or if you want to order lunch. But Rose will be making yours and the rest of our meals and put them all in the fridge.¡± He was saying his words in a hurry, but then pulling her in for another quick kiss. ¡°I¡¯ll be home for dinner, just make yourself at home. Damn¡­ I really need to leave.¡± She let out the most beautifulughter he has ever heard, he would smack himself in the head if someone would say the words. But at the time he was fascinated by her, and it made him wonder once again. Standing still in her sleeping attire, her beautiful blush framed her face as she looked at him with her desire reflected in her eyes. ¡°Okay¡­¡± That was all she managed to let out. The intense kiss overwhelmed her, knowing she had spent years kissing Benjamin yet nothingpares to the kiss they just shared. Not even all those kisses they shared in the early days of their marriage, not even when they were just dating. She closed the door after him then rest her back on it, her head touched the wooden door as she sighed and her mind was fighting for her attention. Need to be careful, Jane. He knows your maiden name already. Her fingers touched her swollen lips, her eyes close as she relived the kiss in her mind. I¡¯m in trouble, big big trouble. I need to get away from him. And I need to do it quickly. Chapter 10 New Circumstances She spent her morning by sleeping some more in the guest bedroom, then screamed and almost pped the maid. Thankfully she couldn¡¯t raise her arm high enough, because of her cast.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I¡­ I thought you¡¯re¡­¡± she managed to stop her words before she revealed herself to the older woman. ¡°No¡­ it¡¯s my fault. I¡¯m Rose, the maid. Mr. Taylor had asked me to make sure that you have your lunch and take your pain medication.¡± ¡°Rose, nice to meet you I¡¯m¡­ Jane. I¡¯ll¡­ be up¡­ oomph¡­ damn it¡­¡± she was struggling to get herself out of the bed until Rose helped her up. ¡°Thank you¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re wee, Miss Jane.¡± ¡°Oh Rose, please just Jane. I don¡¯t care much for titles.¡± She smiled at her, knowing that she had a wanted title in front of her real name. Rose smiled at her and apanied her to the dining area where she had arranged her lunch. ¡°This is too much for me, have you eaten? You want to join me?¡± ¡°No mam, I mean miss ¡­ I mean Jane.¡± She nervously replied to her, knowing that Ian Taylor doesn¡¯t usually have a woman sleeping over at his. And when she put more thought into it, the cold and overworked Ian never leave a woman unattended in his house. She knew she would be questioned by his mother when she finds out about this. Rose was assigned by his mother to attend to her son¡¯s residence while he¡¯s away at work. She was to tidy up and cook for her son every couple of times a week. And his mother would definitely look for her when Rose won¡¯t be avable for her weekly high tea preparation with her closest friends. All because Ian had asked her, to be fully avable for him all days of the week for this week. ¡°I¡¯m going to do hisundry, do you want me to take yours from your room?¡± ¡°No¡­ I¡¯ll do it.¡± ¡°But Mr. Taylor said¡­¡± ¡°Rose, please¡­ I may be injured but I¡¯m still able to take myundry to you. It might take a while but I need to walk it out.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± Rose wasn¡¯t sure looking at her condition. But she was backing down and didn¡¯t want to push further. Jane seemed nice enough, and her words sounded genuine Rose thought to herself. ¡°But tell me if you need anything, just yell out for me. I don¡¯t think you should move a lot.¡± ¡°Rose this is not my first time¡­¡± she identally spilled out the words and was quickly masking it by starting to eat her lunch. Rose took a glimpse at her nervousness, and asked herself what happened to the nice young woman? And she was also secretly hoping that Ian, would take good care of her. She had known him since the first day the little boy arrived at the Taylor¡¯s. He has always been very nice to everyone, he treated the help with respect. And that didn¡¯t happen from being raised by the Taylor¡¯s. Though they¡¯re a very nice couple, but there was something about the rich that would still distance themselves from the help. Momentster she excused herself to do her usual housework, before finishing off cooking for Ian and his injured house guest. ir had just finished her lunch and was done taking her pain medication that was left by Ian. And then she struggled with the simple task of collecting her clothes until she finally breakdown and cry from the intense pain. Her sprained ankle turns out to be getting worse, and it was getting swollen and hurting her with each step she took. She was sobbing when Rose passed her room, and decided to check up on her. ¡°Jane? are you okay? oh my God¡­ it¡¯s swollen. Here, let me help you to the bed. Please try not to walk on it for the time being.¡± It was taking all of her willpower and energy, to finally get to the bed with Rose¡¯s help. ¡°Thank you, looks like I¡¯ll be needing your help after all.¡± ¡°Oh child, please¡­ let me help you, it¡¯s my job and Mr. Taylor would be upset if I didn¡¯t help you.¡± ¡°Did he really ask you to call him Mr. Taylor?¡± she asked when she finally reached the bed. She was sighing in relief when her legs were up, and Rose helped her some more by putting a pillow under it. ¡°Actually no, I was just being respectful to you. I call him Ian.¡± ¡°Well, can you call him that when talking about him?¡± she asked, making the older woman smiled at her. She was liking this Jane person, she just really hoped that she would get well soon. ¡°There, you¡¯re settled. I¡¯m going to do someundry, I¡¯ll be checking in on you in the next thirty minutes. Try to rest?¡± She was sleepy from the pain medication, then the stress was catching up to her. It had exhausted her to the point that she was finally able to just sleep it off. It was dark when she woke up and decided to go to the bathroom, she smiled when she managed that simple little task. Her feet were feeling better, the swollen had lessened and the cut was less painful. She was about to go and get some drink when he yelled at her. Beads of cold sweat start to appear, her heart beats faster, her palms were sweaty. Her mind was taking her back to the past. Her face was pale. His loud voice was triggering her trauma, and her body reacts just like it used to. Her arms were covering her head, her body was t to the nearest wall, her face was shielded to the wall. She didn¡¯t think twice, she was squirming, quivering, getting ready for the big hit. She was still trembling when he pulled her into his embrace. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t realize¡­ it¡¯s me, it¡¯s Ian. You¡¯re safe.¡± He was upset when he saw her walking after Rose had told him that she found Jane crying from the pain. She said that Jane was trying to take herundry. And he was even more upset when he saw how she was affected by his raised voice. Histe mother would do exactly that. He used to think, that she was ying hide and seek with his father. Her face was to the wall, her hands on her face. Monthster he finds out, that it was her way to protect herself, every time she was about to take a beating from his father. ¡°ir? look at me¡­ I would never hurt you. Never.¡± She was still in her own mind until he reached for her wet cheek and took her face to look at him. She was still closing her eyes, her body trembled, her tears rolled down her very pale face. And that was when he decided to carry her back to her room, andy beside her, not letting her go. Hisforting words flow steadily to her ears. Until he could finally feel her getting more rxed, and she was pulling her body closer to him. ¡°I got you, ir, you¡¯re safe baby¡­¡± He was feeling all kinds of emotions towards her. ¡°Ian¡­¡± her voice was small, but he let out his breath knowing that she had finally acknowledged him. Then he was pulling her closer while rubbing her back slowly. She was afraid, yet felt safe at the same time. It was a weird feeling, it was a new one for her. Chapter 11 The Why She was deep into his embrace, she was taking in his warmth when she was back feeling her parched throat from when she woke up earlier. ¡°Ian¡­ I was going to the kitchen for some water. What time is it? ¡­ did you just get back?¡± she was tilting her head to face him. His expression was unreadable, but there was wary, and a look of pity that she had recognized all too well. ¡°I¡¯ll get it, and I¡¯ll bring your dinner here. It¡¯s almost seven, I was back since six. Rose said you¡¯ve been sleeping the whole afternoon.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°ir¡­¡± Backing away from him, she was sitting and resting her back on the headboard. Her fingers were fiddling with the end of her t-shirt, trying to get her mind off of him. But he was not letting her be alone with her thoughts, as he put her strands of hair to the back of her ear and lower himself to peck her cheek. ¡°Whatever you¡¯re thinking, stop it. I¡¯ll be right back. Then we can talk it out.¡± It wasn¡¯t long before he was back with her water and their dinner. He set the small folding table onto herp carefully, then put his tray on hisp. ¡°So, you¡¯re Jane again?¡± he started to open the conversation. ¡°Oh¡­ this is good noodle soup. Did Rose make this?¡± She was digging into her bowl, obviously ignoring his question. ¡°Yes she did, I¡¯m d you like it. She¡¯s a great cook. Anyway Rose was worried about your bruises.¡± ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s nice. Too formal for my taste, but I like her. I like talking to her.¡± She was enjoying her meal and the conversation with Ian. It has been forever since she has a nice friendly conversation with anyone. After she married Benjamin, he had kept her distanced from her friends. And Benjamin was not talkative with her, his hands do more of the talking for him. ¡°She¡¯s to clean my house every couple of days a week. She was assigned by my mother, the talking was all hers.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ so you¡¯re one of those momma¡¯s boys?¡± she couldn¡¯t help herself not to tease him. He was swallowing his dinner then washing it down with some water before he replied to her question which was supposed to mock him. But he was serious when he started telling her about his past. ¡°The Taylor¡¯s adopted me when I was six, I was in the system and was surviving in an orphanage when my birth mother was beaten to death by my biological father. They can be a bit strict, but they¡¯re the best thing that happened to me and I¡¯ll forever be grateful to them.¡± It was the first time he had ever been that open to someone. He wondered to himself why, yet he continued eating his dinner trying hard not to be affected when she put her hand over his. As if she was trying tofort him. She was stunned and almost choked on her chicken noodle when he told his past about his mother being abused and being one of the victims.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Her mind was quick to think that might exin the why, in his behavior. But he was still a cop, a detective, he might even be a homicide detective. He surely had known that she was abused, hence why he was taking her in. He would probably think that she was running away. He wouldn¡¯t think that she had killed her husband, shoot him in the head like a cold-blooded killer. The brief thought made her shiver, and it didn¡¯t go unnoticed by him. ¡°Come on, finish your dinner and I¡¯ll set your bath and redress your foot.¡± The idea of getting a bath, all the fuss, all the hurt that she was going to endure made her forget about her thoughts of Benjamin just seconds ago. ¡°Ian¡­ I didn¡¯t go anywhere, I didn¡¯t sweat, why do I have to take a bath?¡± She was whining, making him chuckle seeing her act like a five-year-old. ¡°And there¡¯s the real ir¡­ wee¡­¡± he moves in closer to her and kissed her cheek, just inches to her lips, just as she was about to take a slurp at her noddles. ¡°Are you trying to steal my noodles now?¡± She was ying with him, she was feelingfortable enough to toy with him. ¡°Nope, already did that when I was prepping your dinner.¡± He said while winking sexily, raising a certain kind of feel and warming her insides, a lot warmer than the noodle soup that he had brought her. ¡°Okay now try this¡­¡± he was back from the kitchen with a tray of tropical fruit for their dessert. He was feeding her a cube of mango dipped in in yogurt. Their dinner was done, and they continued to enjoy their dessert time. She was moaning in seconds, and it was making him stretch his pants ufortably. Damn¡­ maybe I should just leave her to enjoy her dessert alone. His mind was still trying to control his urges when her plump lips were smiling at him and she was asking him for more. Fuck. I really need to getid. It has been weeks maybe even months since thest time he had sex. He couldn¡¯t even remember, he was always too busy with his job. He would masturbate to porn several times a week, and that seemed to suffice and calm him down until his next sexual urges. But since she was staying under his roof, he has been jerking off every time he hit the shower. ¡°The pineapple¡­¡± She was pointing at him and he was feeding her again. He clenched his jaw when the pineapple burst inside her mouth and the juice dripped from the side of the lips when she let out a smallugh. And that was when he finally put his hand on her neck andtched his mouth to hers. ¡°I¡¯m ¡­ sorry, your taste so good ir¡­¡± their kiss became heavy in seconds. He was about to back down when she whispered out her words. ¡°¡­ more¡­ Ian¡­ please¡­¡± her plea was making him even harder. He had never wanted someone so bad before. Dude, calm down. She¡¯s still hurt. Physically and mentally¡­ you need to slow down¡­ ¡°We need to slow down¡­¡± he finally ended their kiss, while she blushed, ashamed that she actually begged him to kiss her. And he was noticing her, as he analyzed her little movements and gestures. ¡°ir¡­ finish your dessert, I¡¯ll go set up your bath.¡± She was biting her lip still feeling the embarrassment from her plea. But he made her blush to another shade of color when he whispered that he was hard as a rock and he needs to calm down. He was back from the bathroom looking incredibly hot with only his work pants, his hand was holding onto his wet work shirt. He was gone earlier saying that he was too hard for her, and they both needed a breather. But she was not expecting him to be half-dressed, looking like sex on a stick with well-defined pecs and abs and v trails she would only see on Instagram. Bruised and battered ir! concentrate on your pain ir! you don¡¯t have time for him ir! ¡°Okay, water is done. Sorry about this, have an ident with the hot bathwater.¡± He stated while she was still looking at him, her mouth gaping adorably cute. He was pleased when he looked at her as she was checking him out. But he didn¡¯t give her much time to think when he swiftly picks her up and carries her to the bathroom counter where he seated her and started to help her with her clothes. ¡°Ian¡­¡± she was stubbornly holding on to her shirt. ¡°ir¡­¡± he was slowly pulling off her t-shirt. ¡°I¡¯m embarrassed¡­¡± she was biting her lip, as she was down to her bra. ¡°Why? you looked beautiful¡­¡± though he was cursing on the inside when he looked at her bruises. Her front and her back were decorated with purple and greenish shades of bruise colors. His eyes were analyzing her back through the bathroom mirror, and he was looking at the positions of the bruises and was amazed that she waited until that many beatings until she finally left her abuser. ¡°Ian¡­¡± she looked up at him, knowing that he was looking at her bruises. And her shyness turned to sadness in seconds. Her mind was regretting that he was seeing her bruises, that he wouldn¡¯t want her now. She was tearing herself on the inside, and couldn¡¯t help herself when she started crying. ¡°I¡¯m ugly Ian¡­ please just leave me, I can manage from here¡­¡± Chapter 12 Beautiful and Desired He was truly upset hearing her words where she again retreated to her fragile state. She was fine seconds ago. His urge to protect her was bing greater, his possessive feel for her was deeper carved into his mindset, his willingness to kill the bastard was threatening him to be one of those bad people he had locked away and waited their time on death row. ¡°You are the most beautiful woman I¡¯ve ever seen, your struggles had made me feel things I shouldn¡¯t. This is not supposed to happen, I should not have kept you here, I should follow the protocol and entrusted you to the city. But¡­ I can¡¯t¡­ ir, you¡¯re too beautiful. You made me want to keep you to myself, you¡­ ¡± he stopped his words to give her a kiss, a soft sensual kiss leaving her breathless. ¡°¡­ you made me want to keep you in a ss cage, far from anyone who might want to hurt you. This is not me ir¡­¡± he stopped again to help her stand and strip her off her pants, she was biting her lip but letting him carry on with his task until she was down to her panties. His heart boiled with anger seeing her bruised legs, but he tried to keep it all in as he took a deep breath and stand towering above her. She looked up at him, looking straight into his eyes as he did the same, then he was back to cherishing her with his small sensual kisses. ¡°This is not right ir¡­ but I just couldn¡¯t help myself¡­¡± She was lulled by his deep sexy voice, his kisses, his words, when she was letting him, took off her bra and her panties. She was bare naked for his eyes to see, and she didn¡¯t see pity, what she sees was anger, then within seconds, she was brought into his embrace. She shed a tear for his confession, she had never in her whole life been treated as gentle as that moment she was in his arms. He was slowly picking her up and gently putting her in the bathtub, her cast was positioned on the edge of the tub keeping it dry with an extra towel. ¡°No more tears ir, I got you¡­ trust me?¡± he asked kneeling from outside of the tub, wiping her tears, and slowly giving her another kiss. She nodded to his question, she couldn¡¯t voice her words from the intense feeling that she was having, the feeling that was bubbling inside her heart. You¡¯re going to be ruin ir¡­ this guy is going to ruin you one day when he finds out and walks away from you. Her inner voice was telling her to be rational, but she was falling, she was a romantic at heart and he was making her feel all his words. He kept on showering her with her words, while he washes her hair softly. She sighed at his caresses and his small little kisses until she finally finished with her bath and he helped her to stand up. She was naked when he wrapped her body gently with the fluffy towel, he even dry her hair with another towel for a couple of minutes until it was slightly damp. Then he carried her back to his room and she didn¡¯t object. He was dressing her in his oversize t-shirt and his boxer shorts. ¡°Rest now, I¡¯ll take a quick shower then I¡¯ll join you.¡± He tucked her into the lush greyforter, where she woke up the first time she was in his bed. She rests her still damped hair on the pillow-covered towel that heid out for her. Her eyes were heavy from the pain medication which he insisted she take after dinner, she was asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow. The nightmares came again that night, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. He was taking her onto his naked chest, her cast arm was rested to his naked stomach, her cheek was to his chest. He wrapped her in his arm possessively as he kissed her hair repeatedly while whispering his soothing words. ¡°Ian¡­¡± ¡°Hmmm¡­?¡± ¡°One day¡­ when you find out the truth about me, will do you me a favor?¡± ¡°ir¡­ just rest, we will figure this out tomorrow¡­¡± ¡°But I¡­ ¡± she was back to her fragile self again. Her consciousness was weighing the good and the bad. And at that moment, she needed him to know that she was bad for him. He was too nice for her, and she didn¡¯t want to betray him. She slowly seated herself on the headboard, trying to distance herself from him. He was letting her go and giving her the space that she needed. He was struggling with his wants to just protect her, but he was giving her the chance to say what was on her mind. ¡°I¡¯m a bad person Ian. I¡¯ve done a very bad thing. One day I will have to go and leave you. You are too good for me¡­ and I¡­¡± she started crying, but she took a deep breath and wiped her tears away. He was itching tofort her, but he was giving her the chance to speak. Knowing that maybe her words could help him figure out and eventually find a solution for her. ¡°¡­ I¡­ oh God Ian¡­¡± But she was still not giving him the details and her cry was making him upset, that was until his self-preservation was gone and he was pulling her back into his arms. He didn¡¯t give her the chance to dive back into her sadness as he starts kissing her, his hand softly slithered under the t-shirt and giving the soft touches that she craved. She was moaning in her kisses, he was hard for her and was giving all of his feelings for her. ¡°ir, stay¡­ just stay and¡­ we¡¯ll figure¡­ this out.¡±Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. She was deep into his kisses, he was being gentle with her. It was a strange feeling for her, the first time she had experienced it, and she was cherishing the moment not knowing when she would be touched and kissed and adored in such a manner ever again. ¡°You are beautiful ir, I can¡¯t keep my desire down from you. We shouldn¡¯t be doing this¡­¡± ¡°Ian¡­ please¡­ I want this, I¡¯ve never¡­¡± she didn¡¯t get to finish her sentence when Ian started kissing her ugly bruises as if he was painting her a new memory to her bruised body. He was carefully hovering above her, slowly raising the shirt and kissing upwards while he kept on saying his words. She was letting out her little moans, up until hetched his lips to her nipples and licked and gently sucked them alternately. She was taken higher and was desperately seeking something, something she never could reach before. ¡°Oh Ian!¡± she was blushing when his kisses started going down. She had never experienced such great pleasure of a man¡¯s tongue between her legs. It was the first time for her, and when he finally made her climax, she was stunned. Years of having sex with Benjamin she never reached such high, she was assuming that she was frigid, just as he would insult her with the words, over and over again. He was hard for her, but hearing her climax was all the satisfaction that he needed to feel. He knows how to please a woman, but when he heard her reaching her high it was the greatest feeling for him. He knows, at that exact moment that she would be the only woman he would ever need. Chapter 13 Reality ¡°Hey, that was¡­ I¡¯ve never¡­¡± she started her words, the second he was back from the bathroom. ¡°Your first orgasm?¡± he slumped next to her and pulled her still blissful self closer to him, she looked even more beautiful with her peaceful and sated look. He knew it was her first and his caveman self was pounding his chest with his knuckles in a very proud way. She curled up closer to him, not wanting to answer him.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°What took you so long in the bathroom?¡± she had listened to him earlier, he was moaning and grunting in the bathroom. She had an idea what he was doing, but she just needs to confirm it. She didn¡¯t have to, but she wanted to. ¡°Jerking off.¡± He whispered huskily teasing her by licking and kissing her ear. ¡°Oh¡­¡± that was all she could say, though she was smiling wildly on the inside liking that she was affecting him that much, yet he did not push her with his needs. ¡°Sleep now ir, you still need to rest.¡± That night he holds her, knowing she had crept into the deepest corner of his heart. He perfectly knows that she could be the one who¡¯d ruin his career and he didn¡¯t even give a damn. Morning came too soon, he groaned when his rm beeps, but then smile when he feels her nuzzling closer to him. And then groaned again when he feels his morning boner, he was feeling like a teenager with a constant hard-on. The bathroom floor is going to be so slippery with my cum. ¡°ir baby, I need to get up.¡± He kissed her hair and rubbed her arm softly. She sifted from his side and go back to sleep. He was itching to touch more of her, but he holds himself back and decided to get a quick shower, a very cold one. He was dressed and was making coffee already when she appeared from his room. She was looking sexy, with her morning hair, wearing his oversize t-shirt and boxers. ¡°ir, just stay in bed. I¡¯ll get these to you.¡± He was ushering her back to his bed, then check on her sprained ankle. He was d that it looked a lot better than yesterday. ¡°You¡¯re leaving?¡± she asked, her fingers fiddling with the end of the t-shirt. ¡°Well¡­ yeah, it¡¯s workday.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ okay.¡± She looked disappointed but quickly masked it with her smile, but he didn¡¯t fall for it. ¡°Rose will be here to apany you today.¡± He set her breakfast tray above herp, then sat down next to her sipping his coffee while waiting for her to drink hers. She appeared to be overwhelmed with his attentiveness towards her, and he was patting himself on the back knowing that he was gaining more points in winning her affection. ¡°Ian, this is¡­ thank you.¡± She said looking at the simple coffee and toast that he set up on her tray, her insides warms up to him as she had never had anyone treat her as he had for a couple of days that she was staying at his. They enjoyed their morning coffee and the small talk until it was time for him to go to the office. ¡°Look, baby¡­ I really got to go, there¡¯s this new breakthrough on a case and I need to move fast. Here¡¯s a phone, you can text me for anything. It might take a while but I usually check my phone every couple of hours.¡± He got up, cupped her cheek, and kissed her slowly, she was opening her plump lips to him letting him taste her, then weing his tongue as both of them indulge in their sensual kiss. She was letting out a very soft and sexy moaning sound making him curse and kiss her even deeper knowing that he waste for his team meeting already. ¡°ir¡­¡± he retreated from their kiss, resting his temple to hers, his hand was still cupping her cheek as if he was having a hard time leaving her for the office. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sorry for holding you back. You should go¡­¡± she looked into his eyes, then down to his sexy curved manly lips. She was shocked that was still wanting more of his kisses. She never enjoys kissing before, for her it used to be for Benjamin¡¯s pleasure. She didn¡¯t like his rough kisses, she never gets to feel the rush, she didn¡¯t get why people like sucking other people¡¯s mouths. But she was craving for his since the very first time he kissed her. And she couldn¡¯t get enough of him. I wish he could stay all day, and what? wake up ir, he¡¯s a cop. You need to keep your distance¡­ ¡°I will go, and yes¡­ you¡¯re holding me back, in a good way ir. I like it. Text me okay?¡± His words made her happy, she was feeling like one of those characters that she would read on her kindle. She was a sucker for romance books, her marriage was supposed to be her ever after as the books had recited over and over again. But it was her tragedy, there won¡¯t be a happy ending with her. Not even with Ian. ¡°ir?¡± he asked again when she seemed to drift off to nowhere just seconds ago. ¡°Hmm? yeah¡­ okay.¡± He decides to give her another kiss, a longer, deeper, and more sensual kiss. He was making sure that she won¡¯t ever drift off again whenever she was with him. She finally moaned his name louder, making him satisfied with himself. Then he breaks away from the kiss, then kissed her temple, and left her for the day. It was two hourster when her phone beeps loudly, surprising her, almost causing her another fall. I¡¯m at the office. Might be homete. Will let you know. Miss you. Ian She was smiling like a kid in a candy store, she was biting her lip while replying to his message. Okay. Rose had just arrived. Miss you too. Jane. She was feeling a bit yful with him and signing her name as Jane when she ended the text. Tonight then, let¡¯s see how you like it when I moan your name¡­ Jane. She was giggling and about to reply to his text when there was a woman¡¯s voice talking to Rose outside his bedroom. She instantly freezes, though she knows that it was his home, but she still feels like an intruder. And she was not ready when an older woman opened his bedroom door and finds her sitting on his bed. She could see that she was upset seeing her there. So, she waited until the older women talk to her. To be precise, insulted her. ¡°Who are you? and why are you in my son¡¯s bed being catered by Rose?¡± His mother. Oh¡­ damn! ¡°I¡¯m Jane, I¡¯m sorry. I will leave.¡± She was d that she had already showered and put on her clothes, she couldn¡¯t imagine her face if she came earlier. She had never felt so embarrassed in her entire life before, but the embarrassment didn¡¯t top off to the risk of his mother digging out the truth about her. But Rose was looking at her, then trying to convince his mother. ¡°Mrs. Taylor, I¡¯m sure Ian has his reasons. Maybe you should call him first?¡± Rose clutched on her apron, worried that his mother would snap at her. ¡°It¡¯s okay Rose. I¡¯ve taken too much of his kindness already. I will get my bag.¡± She was still walking slowly, but she managed to get her bag and say her words. ¡°Mrs. Taylor. I¡¯m really sorry. You¡¯ve raised a great son, he deserved the best. You will never see me again.¡± ¡°Your phone.¡± His mother¡¯s words were cold and harsh, she didn¡¯t want to take his phone. But she didn¡¯t want to stay there longer and exin more to her. She was crumbling on the inside already. She had never in her life been viewed as a slut. So, she took his phone and put it inside her bag. ¡°Thank you, Rose, you¡¯ve been very nice to me.¡± Rose couldn¡¯t stop her from going, so she walked her to his front door. ¡°Where should I say when he asks where you¡¯re going?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know Rose, but I don¡¯t want him to worry. Just say that I will go to a friend.¡± But rose knows, deep down she knows that Jane didn¡¯t have a friend. And before she could ask further, she was called back into the house. ¡°Go, I will be fine Rose. Please take good care of him.¡± She smiled at her before she turned her back from his house and started walking. She sighed when she felt the bag on her back once again. Then she wiped her tears, and just kept on walking, then more walking until she was too tired to walk and finally sits down when she reached a bus stop. It¡¯s for the best ir. Chapter 14 Finding Her She had been sitting at the bus stop for almost an hour when she decided to check her money. She needed to n her next meal, but she didn¡¯t expect to find bills of twenties and hundreds in her wallet. Ian. She sped her mouth with her hand trying to calm herself from the shock, while her other hand took the note from her wallet, then zipped her bag back up as she started reading it. I don¡¯t expect you to find this. Ever. If so, then you must¡¯ve managed to run away from me. ir¡­ please be safe out there. I still hope that you¡¯deback and let me help you. Just don¡¯t go back to him. ¨C Ian. She shed a tear when she knows that he must¡¯ve slipped those bills while she was sleeping. There must¡¯ve been more than a thousand dors there. She could sleep under a roof that night, she wouldn¡¯t have to skip her next dinner and breakfast. After calming herself down and drying her cheeks, she opens her wallet again and retrieves a couple of twenty-dor bills for her meal and a taxi ride to the city center.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. She was thinking to search for a fanny pack, making sure that the money would always be with her at all times. That afternoon she had looked for a job, but found none. It was almost dark when she gets herself to a decent motel. She was careful not to go too cheap on the motel and endanger herself. The ce looked and proven to be shady, as they didn¡¯t ask for any kind of ID from her. But at least there were no signs of druggies who might put her life in danger. The walls were thin enough that she could hear all the sexual activities from both sides of the room. Luckily she was on the top floor, freeing her from the above would be noise should she be given the lower level room. She was tired, her feet hurt, her back need to rest. It should be easy for her to fall asleep from exhaustion. But after her shower, and re-dressing her wounds she was still tossing and turning on the bed. Half an hourter she decided to change into her thank top and just sleep in her undies. The AC was broken and it waste and she was too afraid toe out of her room, or even call the front desk for maintenance. She was back to tossing and turning, couldn¡¯t make herself fall asleep. Then she cursed on the inside when all she could think of was Ian. Her tears finally fall, as she hugged her knees and sobbed. She was missing him, she hated that he could make her feel that strongly by just within that short couple of days. Her mind knows that this was the best arrangement, they couldn¡¯t be together without jeopardizing herself and obviously his career. She would go to jail, her mind wanders if she could make it in there. Maybe she should just give herself up, she was feeling tired already. The guilt of having to lie, and being on the run was a big issue for her. She didn¡¯t like the constant worry of having to look to your back for police officers, then getting tense every time a police car went by in front of her. But somehow she falls asleep, though only to be wakened up screaming herself from her nightmare where Benjamin abused her, hitting her so bad that it felt so real. She was still in deep shock when her door was harshly knocked. She trembled, covering her body with the nket, she was back to crying and sobbed harder when the door was knocked again. She was afraid of her life, afraid of who was behind the door. It could be the cops, they might actually catch up to her, or it could be some random assant. Her hands were muffling her hysterical sounds that we threatening to burst with the loud thump of her heart. She was having a panic attack, when she finally retreated to the corner of the room, balling herself, hugging her knees close, then screaming when her door was finally burst open. Her body shook, as panic set in. She didn¡¯t even dare to see who it was, she knows that it was her end. Until she heard his voice. ¡°Shit! ir¡­ baby, please it¡¯s me, Ian. I¡¯m sorry¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­ I couldn¡¯t reach your phone.¡± He was holding her close, he was engulfing her in his arms, rocking her body gently, slowly until she stops sobbing and move in closer to his body. A couple of hours ago, he was furious when he got home and his mother was there, and ir was gone. Then she was telling him that she had thrown away the slut that he was keeping in his house. She was upset with him, she never expected him to have a woman in the house,zily staying in his room just waiting for him toe home. At that same time, he was looking for her stuff and relieved that she had taken her bag, meaning she had the money which he hid yesterday night. He was really upset with his mother, but he patiently exined everything to her, knowing that it¡¯ll cost him more time, and get her further away from his grasps. But he owed his mother the truth, though she was still not convinced by his exnation, he didn¡¯t care. And so he leaves her with Rose, as he was going back out again trying to look for her. Her phone was the first thing he tracked, and luckily it was still on. He was just about to knock on the door when he heard her screams, he was hoping that it was her nightmare, that no one was in there with her. He had asked for her description and the receptionist was telling him to go right up when he showed him his police badge. He even gave him the extra key to her room, saying that he didn¡¯t want any damage to the door. And then he was shocked to find her in a state of panic, the nightmare must¡¯ve been that bad. She was gripping herself tightly, she was wrapped in the cheap motel nket and looked like she had seen a ghost. ¡°I¡¯m scared, Ian¡­ I killed him, he¡¯s haunting me. He still beats me, it hurts¡­¡± He was tense the second she revealed her deepest darkest secret to him. But she couldn¡¯t handle it anymore. It was too much for her. If she has to be on death row because of her abusive husband then be it. She was tired of running away. The realization hits her, just seconds before. She rather gave up everything and let it all be over and done with. She was tired, so tired that she just gave up. The beatings never stop, not even after his death. The nightmare was so vivid that she was feeling the bruises that weren¡¯t even there. ¡°Sssh¡­ it¡¯s okay baby, let me help you¡­ I got you¡­¡± He did have her in his arms, but he was still feeling her slipping away. He could feel her desperation as if she was giving up. As if the burden was too much for her. He kept on cursing on the inside, his brain was busy racking out a n for her, but none wasing to form. He was clueless, he just wanted her safe in his arms. If he could kill the bastard just so she won¡¯t be having these episodes he would do it in a heartbeat. He kept on holding her in his arms, kissing her hair, caressing her back, trying tofort her while he was still in shock from her words. A murderer, she¡¯s a fucking murderer! you have really done it this time Ian! His inner self was mocking him. The golden boy, the captain¡¯s favorite go-to guy was hoarding a killer. Chapter 15 Conviction She had finally calmed down, he sighed when hegot her to get up from the floor and move her to the bed. He was feeling the suffocation, the AC in the room was not working. But she was still holding on to the nket as if it was her life vest. He decided to open the window and let the cool night air into the small motel room. ¡°Look, why don¡¯t you get dressed, we¡¯ll go back to my house and¡­¡± He didn¡¯t get to finish his words, she was already shaking her head.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Okay, we¡¯ll go to another motel? or better yet a decent hotel? Look, ir, please¡­ let me take care of you?¡± He knows¡­ he knows, that he was going up against all that he believes in. But he couldn¡¯t care less, he wanted to help her, he needed to keep her safe. She¡¯s a killer, she had said it and deep down he knew she really was, and he knew that there was more to the story than she lets on. He needed to know, he has to know the truth to help her. And he was making her, his mission. He barely knew her, and he was ready to give everything up knowing that he needed to help her. It was a very strange feeling for him, and he was feeling the urge to fix it all for her. ¡°Just hold me?¡± she begged him, and he relents to her wishes. He stays for another half an hour holding her until she was breathing steadily in his arms. The cool midnight breeze was flowing into the room, making it all better. But he still didn¡¯t like the neighborhood. He wanted her back, he wanted her to be by his side. Keep her safe. Momentster he slowly put her down to the bed and sighed seeing her practically wearing nothing but her panties and a tank top. She was beautiful, bruised but still lovely, he could see the outline of her nipples and the mound between her legs. He quickly pulled the nket to cover her body, not wanting his mind to stray far. Because at that time, he needed her issue solved to protect her. ¡°You areing with me, I know somewhere safe. And this ce is not safe.¡± ¡°Maybe¡­ maybe you should just arrest me? I¡¯m so tired Ian. I¡¯m tired of running away.¡± ¡°We will move from here, then you will tell me everything. And I mean everything that made you kill him.¡± That was all he said, then he gets himself busy with packing up her stuff and cleaning the room from their fingerprints. He was wiping every surface down, making sure that they didn¡¯t leave any bread crumbs. She was decent when he was finished. She looked as if her mind was millions of miles away and all that he could think of was pulling her back to him. He was crazy to think that he would make any arrangement for a killer, but he had a gut feeling that it was self-defense, or at least that was what he had hoped for. She was silent the whole ride to the mountainside, he would caress her cold hand every couple of minutes but she was still not talking. ¡°Markov? Yes, I¡¯d be cashing out on that favor. The safe house, the red cabin I need to use it. It¡¯s a confidential manner, a private matter. And I would need your best IT guy on loan¡­¡± He had contacted the Russian mob before they leave the motel. He was that desperate. Maxim had owed him a favor, they both had a thing where he would scratch his back and he would do the same. He had never asked for a personal favor, and Max was a bit startled but agreed to what Ian asked knowing that one day he would be the one who would be on the other line asking for a favor. In Max¡¯s business principle everyone should be within his reach. It¡¯s best to keep the authorities close. And he had run a thorough background check on Ian years ago when he was in deep shit. His men reported that he was clean, a career-oriented cop. One thing he hates was a corrupt cop looking for kickbacks. Ian finally got ir to the red cabin, it was a small secluded ce deep in the woods. He hade across the ce when he was hunting down a suspect and the Russian was tangled in the crime. He was deep in the case, and no one in the precinct knows about the ce. Maxim had negotiated a term with him, and he was liking the odds, and that night he struck a deal with the mob. ¡°Come on let¡¯s get you inside first, I¡¯ll get your stuffter, I need to put the car in the garage.¡± It was almost dawn when they got to the safe house. The keys were where Max had told him to be. He had let her into the house, and she was asleep on the couch when he was done parking the car and putting her bag in the bedroom. He had also put their impromptu grocery shopping stuff into the kitchen cabs. He sighed when he finds a bottle of vodka on the shelf. Pouring himself a ss, he sipped the clear liquid slowly then chugged it down in one go when the taste hit his buds. Momentster he puts the ss aside and carries ir to the only bedroom in the small cabin. The room was cold, he had just turned on the heater. She was suddenly awake when her cheek touched the cool pillowcase. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I overslept.¡± She sat up feeling a bit groggy with all that was happening. But then he couldn¡¯t help himself but lower himself down to kiss her. She was quick to drown herself in his kiss. He has always been gentle with her, and she was feelingfortable with him taking care of her. She was bearing herself to him and she didn¡¯t even care anymore. She was feeling the need to feel more of him. She stopped their kiss to take off her jacket. Her cast hand rest on his lower abs while her other hand was greedily touching him. He groaned louder when she deepens her kiss andy on her back, while she pulled him above her. He was hovering on top of her when she was looking deep into his eyes, and her slim fingers were unbuttoning her blouse. ¡°ir, maybe we should¡­¡± She was embarrassed with her boldness, thinking he didn¡¯t want her to move this fast. She was ashamed that she wanted to feel him so bad, that she wanted him to erase Benjamin from her thoughts. We just met. And I acted like a slut for wanting him, a bruised and battered slut. Her thoughts were all over, and her self-confidence was gone. She was back to being the timid wife of Benjamin. Where she quickly tried to button up her open blouse. Her eyes were teary, and she bites her lip trying to hold herself from falling apart. ¡°Hey, baby¡­ please. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want you. I thought that¡­¡± ¡°I need to forget about him, I need you to make me forget about Benjamin. I need you to get rid of his touches¡­¡± And she finally couldn¡¯t take it anymore and her tears finally fall again. His heart clenched, his hand wiped away her tears, and he lowered himself down and start kissing her. ¡°Ssh¡­ I¡¯m so sorry, I got you baby¡­¡± Chapter 16 Confession ¡°Oh God Ian, please¡­¡± she was pushing herself upwards as he was licking and sucking her nipples. He was carefully maneuvering himself above her, trying not to touch her bruise. They were carved deep into his mind, he was secretly bubbling with the need to kill the guy if she hadn¡¯t already killed him already. She was shyly helping him take off his shirt and feast herself on his beautiful manly body, he was getting hard when her hands trailed his chest. She bit her lip feeling that he was liking her simple touches, it was making her want him even more. ¡°Ian¡­ more¡­¡± He was kissing her under her tits where the purplish color bruise had started to change to a lighter color. His hand grazed her greenish color hip and caressed it, wishing that he had the power to take it all away from her. He had been hit before, he had these kinds of bruises before and he knows exactly how much it hurts. And this beautiful woman had acted as if she was not hurting at all, and he hated her for being so damn strong and taking all the hits without fighting back. ¡°I got you, ir, I¡¯ll take care of you¡­¡± She sighed listening to his words, wishing so hard that it was true. But then she gasped when he slowly pulled her panties down. She suddenly hesitated about what was going to happen, she had never been with anyone else but Benjamin. Her self-confidence was distracting her from enjoying the moment, and he was noticing it and obviously thinking that he might have gone too far and she was changing her mind. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I thought¡­¡± ¡°No¡­ oh God, this is so wrong¡­ I¡¯m¡­ I can¡¯t¡­ I can¡¯t do this Ian. You¡¯re a very nice person, I¡¯ll ruin everything for you. Just¡­¡± Knowing her and studying her, he had deduced that he was not the reason for her sudden change of mind. ¡°ir? this is not about me¡­ not at this instant, what is it?¡± She hated him for being such a good detective, even in bed. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ve never been with anyone else, and he said that I was¡­¡± He let her keep on going, and start to take off his pants when he knows what she was trying to say. He was down to his briefs when she was stuck with her words. ¡°You were saying?¡± he smirked teasing her. She was back to biting her lip again, as her eyes feast on his briefs she could see the imprint of his hardness and it took her a while until she pulled away and back to looking into his eyes. Which were as of that moment was looking at her like he was ready to devour her. ¡°I don¡¯t even remember.¡± She finally smiles at him and moaned when he started kissing her again. It was not long until he wasbetween her legs giving his sexy kisses, then within moments, she pleaded for more. And that was when he abruptly stops and back to kneeling between her slender tighs. She whined but then saw his expression. She had also gotten to know him, and she knows that that look. Sitting herself up she was facing his impressive bulge, he was looking down at her, waiting for her to make the next move. And he eventually groaned when she decided to pull down his briefs and let his impressive length greet her. ¡°ir¡­ oh fuck¡­ slowly baby, it¡¯s okay¡­¡± She was eagerly licking him and sucking his length just like Benjamin said every woman should. She gagged a couple of times wanting to please him. But he softly cupped her cheek and set a slower rhythm for her. She rxes her jaw and enjoys her time, making him let out his sexy sounds. That was the first time she was actually getting wet from giving orals. ¡°Enough baby, you¡¯re going to make me burst¡­¡± his voice was low and full of desire. She couldn¡¯t believe that she had made him want her. ¡°On your back¡­¡± He could tell that she was nervous, but he was confident that he could show her how sexual intercourse should be enjoyed between men and women. He knows for sure that she hadn¡¯t felt the real intimacy and how it was supposed to feel ¡°¡­ and let me show you how it¡¯s done¡­¡± he tugged his lips then kissed her briefly. She was giggling from his cockiness. She was liking him for making her feelfortable, and a bit too confident with his sexual knowledge. But then she moaned his name when he slowly pushes his sheathed shaft into her. He was looking deep into her eyes, he was watching her, eagerly wanting to satisfy her, and make her feel the high. ¡°ir, baby¡­ you¡­ feel¡­ so good¡­¡± he was lowering himself down and whispered hoarsely on the crook of her neck. His forearms held his weight as she moaned louder and clenched him tighter as she feels the high that she had never felt before. ¡°Ian oh my¡­ god¡­ I¡¯m going to¡­ can you?¡± He was looking at her, intensely studying her expression with every thrust. He knows when she needed more when she craved for more when she was closer to the climax. And he wanted nothing but to take her there, to give her the pleasure that no one had ever given her. To be the only one that would take her there.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Yes, he was surprised with himself as thest thought emerged in his mind. ¡°Come for me baby, let go¡­ I got¡­ you¡­¡± She screamed his name and climax hard, he followed secondster filling the condom with his cum. He might be her first experience in sexual orgasm, but she was also his first in wanting her to be his only one. He was keeping his emotion hidden as he was still shocked by the realization. He didn¡¯t know what to do with her, until he finally covered her naked body with the nket and cuddled her onto his chest after he discards the condom, then helping her with a damp towel. ¡°Talk to me ir¡­¡± he said kissing the top of her head as she was snuggling in closer to him. She looks up at him then rests her head back to his chest and finally starts telling her story. ¡°Benjamin was my husband, I married him right out of college¡­¡± She stops to strengthen herself before she continued. He rubbed her naked back, silently telling her to continue. ¡°¡­ I love him or thought I did, he¡¯s a very sessful businessman from a very wealthy family. I wondered how they didn¡¯t catch me up to now. He was on the news, and so was I. A blonde version of me, I died my hair¡­¡± She paused for a moment, while he entwined his fingers with hers. ¡°Ian, I¡¯m so tired from all of this. And you¡¯re being so nice to me, why?¡± He was taking in her story, noting down all in his mind. He would arrange his own investigation and hopefully help her out. But when she asked why she was stirring up his emotion. ¡°You reminded me of my mom.¡± ¡°You have a motherplex?¡± He chuckled at her, he couldn¡¯t believe that she would still sometimes joke after all that she had been through. He knows¡­ he knows that deep down she was a real fighter. And that he was willing to fight for her. ¡°No, silly¡­ my real mother was just like you¡­¡± ¡°Right, your father¡­¡± She remembered that he had told her about his real parents. ¡°It was a long time ago, ir and the Taylor adopted me. I¡¯m good now.¡± He sighed and kissed her hair softly, he was feeling all kinds of emotions with her. No one had ever shown him so much bravery and sadness and lust in one instant. ¡°Rest now, we¡¯ll talk again tomorrow. I have someone I want you to meet. You¡¯re going to be just fine baby.¡± She sighed and closed her eyes to a dreamless sleep. She had decided that she would trust him, she didn¡¯t have any choice. And strangely deep down she did trust him with her life. Or maybe I was just hopeless. She thought to herself, as she was finally drifting off to sleep. Chapter 17 Back up ¡°I want you to have an open mind about this¡­¡± he started his words as they were having their morning coffee. He looked at her appreciatively, as she was looking fresh and beautiful from her shower. ¡°Ian, I don¡¯t have any other choice, of course, I¡¯ll have an open mind.¡± She smiled when he hugged her from behind, and kissed her hair. He didn¡¯t want to discuss her issues, he was savoring their intimate moment between them in the secluded cabin, knowing that he had to get back to the precinct in a couple more hours. ¡°Mhh¡­ hmm, how open?¡± he took her cup and turn her around, he couldn¡¯t seem to get enough of her. Though they had only slept for a couple of hours, he was wanting her again already. ¡°Ian¡­¡± she was moaning his name the second his kisses travel down to her neck. ¡°I should let you rest, I can¡¯t seem to get enough of you.¡± But she was feeling the same, she was liking his small little gesture towards her. She was liking that she woke up in his arms, she had never felt that before in her whole life. ¡°Oh fuck¡­ baby,¡± Grabbing him closer, she was not letting him pull back as she slitter her hand to his ass and bravely squeeze his ass making him curse. She was giggling, liking the idea that her touches could make him hard. She knows because she was feeling him while his breaths were hot against her neck. ¡°He¡¯s going to be here at any moment. We should, damn it, ir¡­¡± ¡°I like you, Ian, I can¡¯t seem to stop myself too.¡± They were kissing, breathing heavily when there was a knock on the front door making him tense immediately. ¡°Got to the bedroom and stay there, until Ie for you.¡± He kissed her onest time before he pulled a gun from one of the kitchen drawers making her gasp. ¡°Go, now¡­¡± he whispered in her ear, and pulled her for a chaste kiss on her temple. She was overwhelmed but did as she was told and go back to the only bedroom and wait for him. Pacing herself back and forth, she was getting impatient, but then let out her breath when he came back into the room. ¡°They¡¯re here,e I¡¯ll introduce you.¡± He took her hand and ushered her out of the room. ¡°Max, Luka this is ir. ir, this is my friend Maxim, and Luka, they¡¯re in¡­ private security and they had agreed to help me out with your case. So, you will need to give them your full name andplete story if we want this to work.¡± She nodded and sit next to Ian, then Luka straightens his sses and starts to unpack his backpack. Max started talking to Ian, while ir was nervous about the whole situation. ¡°¡­ my name is Olivia ir Wright, I killed, shot my husband Benjamin Turner¡­¡± She started her words, she looked pale Ian had thought. He took her hand and feel the cold palm matching her nervous expression. ¡°ir, you¡¯re among friends. Rx, okay?¡± Ian said rubbing her knuckles engulfing them with his hands. Luka was setting up the recording device and told her to carry on with her story. ¡°Right¡­ so, he had been abusing me¡­ for a long time, I finally had enough when he killed my baby. After that incident I¡¯ve been nning my getaway for months, even bought a gun which I hid in my hiding ce. Then he came home one night, and beat me until I thought I was going to die¡­¡± She could see that Ian was trying to look unaffected but he was showing. He looked terribly upset at that exact moment. ¡°¡­ I killed him in his sleep, shot him in the head. Covered his face with a pillow and just shoot him¡­¡± Luka was typing for information, then writing down some notes on his pad. ¡°Then I was like a zombie, I couldn¡¯t think, my body was hurting. So, out of customary it was making me walk myself to the nearest hospital. They say I fainted by the side of the road¡­¡± Ian was getting himself to the kitchen and retrieves the bottle of vodka. She saw Maxim was joining him for a ss. She knows he could still hear her, she knows her story was hitting him too close to home. To his mother, and she was feeling sorry for him. ¡°The young intern doctor took my vitals, I know she remembered me from previous visits. She offered me shelter, but I declined. I was going to run away and execute the rest of my n.¡± ¡°I think her name is Reba¡­¡± she answered when Luka asked for the doctor¡¯s name. ¡°And she documented all of your bruises, from that day and the previous ones?¡± ¡°Yes¡­ she has a thick file each time she visited for my check-up. I think she also has my files from other hospitals that I¡¯ve been¡­¡± ¡°I¡­¡± she wiped her tears when she was remembering all those hospital visits. She was upset with herself for being so stupid and letting Benjamin hurt her for so long. Ian was by her side instantly, Max was carefully watching them. Then he was to Luka¡¯s and was reading his pad and hisptop screen. They were whispering quietly, he was pointing at the screen several times. ¡°What?¡± Ian asked them, not letting go of his possessive hold on ir. ¡°Reba, I think I know her. Luka is breaking the hospital records right now for her picture. Just to make sure we were thinking of the same Ba.¡± ir was tensed and Ian was pulling her closer to him. ¡°This could be your easy way out, ir. We already know it was self-defense, but her running away would not look good on trial. If your doctor was the same Ba and her documentation was¡­ wait, here¡¯s the picture.¡± Max said as he twists theptop screen to face ir and Ian. Then they all rxed when she nodded to her picture. The beautiful young intern doctor was as she remembered. ¡°I don¡¯t know how I¡¯m going to¡­ his family, they¡¯re going to¡­¡± ¡°I got you, they have so much dirt that they would wish that their kid didn¡¯t marry you in the first ce.¡± Luka smiled deviously while typing on his expensive-lookingptop. He was showing Max hisptop screen. ¡°We have some dealings with them, if you want we could keep it hush-hush. And let the matter settle down on its own, you may need to get out of the country for a year. I can help you with that.¡± Maxim said looking at her then at Ian. He knows the probability of getting her out of the country was slim, looking at how attached his detective buddy was to ir. He was a bit taken back by his call, then his favor, but in his business favors will get you a long way. And one thing he despises was men abusing their women, he was a family man. A ruthless mob, but still a man who hates those who beat women for their enjoyment. ¡°I think she has enough for one day¡­e let me get you back to the bed, you should rest. I¡¯ll finish up with the guys.¡± Ian excused themselves and took her back to calm herself down. She was tucked in, then he was back talking to Max and Luka. He knows it was the right decision to call on the Markovs for a favor. He knows they could get things done faster and could dig dirt deeper. And knowing with their business range he was hoping that they would smooth things out for them, then was d when they could give him a solution. ¡°You really cared about her.¡± Max opened the conversation while pouring him another ss. ¡°She hits too close to home.¡± Both Max and Ian converse, while they¡¯re waiting on Luka to give them hisplete preliminary findings. ¡°We need to clear her name, fast.¡± ¡°We will don¡¯t you worry.¡±Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Both drink, as Ian was thinking that he¡¯d get his ass fired when they find out that he had been spending time with the mob boss in his cabin hideout harboring a killer. Chapter 18 Case File It has been a week since she stayed in the cabin. Ian had gone back since day two, but Luka the mob¡¯s IT guy had set up a secure line where both of them couldmunicate daily, even a couple of times a day. She had calmed down and trusted everything to Ian. She had hope for the best, while Ian was busy with his high-profile murder case at the office. But he was keeping close contact with Max and Luka. ¡°Thank you for this¡­¡± he was talking to Max on the phone in between his working hours keeping himself updated with ir¡¯s case. Luka had hacked into the police main database for ir¡¯s case and retrieved all of the incriminating evidence against her. Ian should be upset that the guy had easily cracked the police database, but he couldn¡¯t care less. He just wanted everything solved quickly. He was d that it was self-defense, but the premeditated murder would definitely put her in a maximum-security prison, along with the other high-profile murder case. And knowing exactly what might¡¯ve happened in that kind of prison, he was trying everything that he could to keep her out. ¡°This one is on me, I know you look at us as the big bad mob. But we actually protect our own, and she is an abuse victim, definitely needed our protection. We are a tightly-knit family, and wouldn¡¯t want any of our women to be in her position.¡± Ian didn¡¯t know how to reply to that, so he just said another thank you and let him exin everything. They have agreed to meet up at the cabin two hourster. ¡°I¡¯m bringing Ba, she hade to work at my clinic. And she still has her connection and her doctor¡¯s license, I also know the best defensewyers, they could prepare everything for her. Look I¡¯m trying not to overwhelm her, but her case is looking good, detective. We will talkter.¡± Minutester he hangs up on Max and was back behind hisputer and drowns himself with more paperwork, though his thoughts kept on going back to ir. After an hour he decided to go back home and pack an overnight bag, so he could leave straight to the office the next day. ¡°Detective, do you have a moment?¡± He cursed on the inside when his captain called him into his office. ¡°I understand you had closed the double homicide case. Good job detective. Now, while you¡¯re doing the boring report work we have an open murder case. They believed that the suspect had fled the city and was trying to blend into the bigger City area rather than the rural side of town.¡± Ian was trying hard to keep himself calm when his captain opened the file in front of him revealing a blonde-haired woman, looking fragile and beautiful just like one of those Stepford wives. ir.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°So it¡¯s not our case?¡± ¡°No, they¡¯re just letting out a bulletin for several potential cities where the suspect might¡¯ve fled to and ask us to be on the lookout.¡± ¡°Right.¡± ¡°Her name is Olivia Turner, she might go as her maiden name, Olivia ir Wright. They believed that she had shot her husband in his sleep¡­¡± he patted the case file and look straight at him. Ian could feel his heart skip a beat, thinking that his captain could see right through him. ¡°¡­ and tomorrow I¡¯m getting you paired up with Garcia for her transition in being a detective.¡± The captain looked at him again, intensely, for a couple of seconds, knowing Ian had been changing partners several times already. They didn¡¯t seem to click with him, since he always does his own thing and keeps his partner in the dark. Though it was not his wants that was just how the way he works. He didn¡¯t mean to keep them in the dark, but they were just too slow for him. His captain knows about it, and since he closes ny percent of his homicide cases, more than his other detectives in the force. He was letting Ian do what he wants, but his captain would sometimes pair him with new detectives because he has always been such a great mentor to them. ¡°Right, Turner¡¯s Case, officer Garcia. I got it. I¡¯ll take a look at the case, then head back for the day.¡± Ian quickly exited his office eager to know what they have on ir. He was about to sit down when her voice called him out. Crap! ¡°Officer Garcia.¡± ¡°Detective Ian Taylor, the captain said you would mentor me¡­¡± she smirked at him and he smiled back at her politely, but a curse on the inside realizing the double meaning of the words. ¡°Yes, he just told me about it. Congrattion on the promotion.¡± He was ushering her to his office, thinking that he badly needs to check on ir¡¯s case file then hid it away deep in his drawers. ¡°We may need to limit our nightly visits,¡± she voiced her words. ¡°I¡¯m seeing someone.¡± He replied quickly. ¡°Oh¡­¡± That was all she could reply to him as they reach the captain¡¯s door. He smiled again then open the door for her. ¡°Sir, officer Garcia is here.¡± ¡°Thank you, Detective Taylor, you¡¯re dismissed.¡± He decided to skim through her files before Garcia was out of the door. Thinking he¡¯d read the rest tomorrow, he was alreadyte anyway. He took some pictures from the file but leave the rest, Luka had probably downloaded the file already. He was on his way out five minutester, then packed his stuff in a hurry when he arrived at his ce, and finally leave for the red cabin not wanting to keep ir waiting too long for him. It was well after dinner time when he arrived at the red cabin, the ce looked empty and quiet from afar. But he knows that she was in there already with the country¡¯s most dangerous mafia boss. The possessive feel stirred deep inside his heart. No can¡¯t be¡­ His thoughts suddenly emerged when he saw her open the door. ¡°Hey, you¡¯rete.¡± She took his hand, while he was still stuck in hisst thoughts. But snapped out of it when Max called out to him. ¡°Taylor! your woman makes a mean meatloaf.¡± ¡°You cook?¡± he asked her, as they walk into the dining area where there was Max, Luka, and one woman having their diner. ¡°Yeah, well¡­ I don¡¯t have anything to do¡­¡± ¡°ir, don¡¯t work too much you¡¯re still¡­¡± ¡°Hurt, I know. But Reba is here,e I¡¯ll introduce you to her.¡± ir introduced Reba the young doctor to Ian, then they had dinner where he was actually surprised by her cooking ability. ¡°ir, you can actually cook.¡± His heart warms when he saw her smile at hispliment. The meeting took ce for another two hours where Luka gave them the full report and Reba showed them ir¡¯s file. Ian holds her hand throughout the whole meeting, she was nervous, but everyone else was confident with her case, while Ian burns with rage after hearing and seeing Reba¡¯s file on ir and her exnation on the abuse. The timeline, the bruises, the extent of the wounds, andstly the intervals between the abuse all were tied up to one conclusion, self-defense caused by domestic abuse. ¡°I know the right attorney for you. Next, you just need to decide when you want to turn yourself in and surrender.¡± Max said to ir, taking his drink and finishing it in one gulp. ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± she was stuttering when Ian interrupted her. ¡°We will discuss it, give her a couple of days to decide. But for now, I think she¡¯s overwhelmed with all of your data. Shit, Luka, I should be worried that you retrieved the same file as I did¡­¡± Fuck! Ian blurted out his words, then cursed when he saw ir just realize that he got her file, that they were catching up with her. And all she could think was her sick mother, she must¡¯ve seen her on the news by now. Her eyes were teary when she excused herself back to the bedroom. ¡°Shit¡­ guys, I think¡­¡± ¡°We¡¯ll go and give you some privacy, but Reba will need to change her cast, and take an x-ray for her arm, she can use my facility in our clinic. It¡¯ll be safe, but I think she needs to do it soon, preferably before everything goes down.¡± Max said as he got up getting ready to leave. ¡°Ok, I¡¯ll keep in touch. Again, I owe you.¡± Markov looked at him seriously, then just nodded while Luka and Reba were already waiting for him. Then they were gone within moments, leaving both in the secluded cabin. Chapter 19 Preparation ¡°Hey¡­ I¡¯m sorry about earlier. I should be more sensitive.¡± He found her wiping her tears away looking out through the window. ¡°My mother, if¡­ I haven¡¯t watched TV, the news, I¡¯ve been living here without knowing the outside world¡­¡± His protective instinct was quick to have her wrapped in his arm. He did just that within seconds, then turn her to face him, tilting up her chin making her look straight at him. ¡°I¡¯ll protect you, ir, we will contact her as soon as we can. Is she the reason why you stay with him?¡± ¡°She¡¯s all that I have, we¡¯re not rich and she was sick. Brain Cancer. This was also why he called me¡­¡± ¡°Ssh¡­ he was an ass. You thought that you love him, we¡¯re going to leave it at that.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± He didn¡¯t give her the chance to object as he lowered himself down to kiss her. ¡°I missed you, the days I¡¯ve spent away from you have been messing with my mind.¡± She was kissing him back feeling the same way towards him. She hugged him, resting her cheek on his chest. ¡°You have your work, you need to solve those cases¡­ and mine¡­¡± ¡°ir¡­ you¡¯re going to be just fine. I¡¯ll check on your mother tomorrow, look Max said that Reba needs to look at your cast, maybe need to change it. He said preferably before we start with the process of clearing your name. Yes, you¡¯re innocent, we just have to make the world see it that way too.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so tired Ian¡­¡±Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I know baby, I¡¯m here for you, why don¡¯t youy down and get some rest?¡± He took her to bed and tucked her in, then told her that he was going to take a quick shower before joining her and rest for the night. She was asleep when he was back from the shower, so he decided to read into her files and work on her case while sipping on the stashed vodka from the kitchen. It was well after midnight when she found him bare-chested with his jeans hanging low on his waists. He was hovering over the dining table, flipping between the pages of her case files. He looked tired as he was pouring himself the liquor. He was feeling more and more depressed reading her file, knowing that she had endured so much pain all for her mother, all for the money needed to take care of her, while she was thinking or maybe even convincing herself that she loved him. He was drowning in her case and didn¡¯t hear her when she finally came up to him and took away the bottle from him. ¡°You should stop drinking, I¡¯ll make you some coffee.¡± But he was feeling the desperation after reading her file, after all the notes. He was feeling the anger, the aggravation, the sadness, he needed to feel her as he pulled her in for a deep sensual kiss. He needed her to feel that he would take care of her, that he would be there all the way. ¡°Ian? what¡¯s the matter?¡± she was trying so hard to back down from his kisses, as she was wanting him the same. But she was feeling something else from him, then she looked at his working space and saw all his notes all over Luka¡¯s printouts of her file. ¡°Ian, I¡¯m okay¡­ you said it before. I trust you¡­¡± But he was not letting her go when he finally carried her back to the bedroom. He let her down and she was standing in front of him, her body was t to his as they resumed their heated kisses. Then he was taking off her clothes carefully minding her cast arm, her bruises were still there but barely visible under the nightlight. She was letting out her little moans with his soft gentle kisses, she was making him hard for her. Her hand was caressing his naked chest, which made him groan with needs. ¡°I¡¯m sorry baby, I¡¯m sorry for what happened to you. I need you to know that I¡¯ll take care of you.¡± ¡°Ian, please¡­¡± she missed him, she needed to feel him, all of him, and finally moaned louder when he was touching her wetness. She was getting braver as her urges were making her zip down his jeans and touch his bulge under his boxers. She sits herself down on the bed while pulling his jeans down uncovering his very erect dick to her face. ¡°ir, you don¡¯t¡­ have to¡­ oh damn baby¡­¡± His curses started to flow as she licked his tip, her hand slowly stroked his length, then she started sucking him as he was moaning louder. She never thought she would enjoy giving orals, but hearing him, feeling him twitched to her tongue was strangely building up her arousal. She was feeling herself getting wet from taking him deeper into her throat. He was telling her to stop, but she still wanted to please him, she selfishly still wanted to taste him as it was making her feel sexy that she could actually make him let out his manly aroused moans. ¡°ir baby, enough¡­¡± he was straining his voice until he couldn¡¯t take more of her deep throating him that he pulled himself back, and kissed her hard. Then it was his turn to kneel on the floor and start licking her. ¡°Fuck baby, you¡¯re drenched¡­¡± he was taking her legs to his shoulder keeping them in ce as she moaned louder to his tongue caressing her. ¡°Ian¡­ baby¡­ so good¡­¡± He was building her, making her moan louder, making her beg for more, taking her closer to the edge until she finally climaxes with her legs trembling from the intense orgasm, her hand was still grasping his short strands. ¡°Ian! enough¡­ I¡¯m¡­ oh mmph¡­¡± she was biting her lip when he kept on licking her and sucking her dry. It took him seconds to get naked and reach a condom from his wallet and sheathed himself, she was still sated with her legs spread between his when he thrusts hard inside her. He was done being gentle with her, he needed her to feel his passion, his desperation, and his strength. She was kissing him hard, tasting herself making him thrust deeper. Yet, his hold on her was strangely calming her down. She was feeling his domination but she was feeling safe at the same time. It was a first for her, and she was liking it, and she was wanting more of him. ¡°More¡­ Ian, harder!¡± he was stretching her, filling her, pounding her sweet spot over and over again while he was groaning to her tightness. Her tits were sexily grazing his chest making him lusts for more. He never had someone who made him feel this good. And that realization just made him fall even further down, and deep down he knows that she was it, that he was falling for her. ¡°Come with me ir, together baby¡­¡± his words were all it took for her to shatter and climax hard under him. He bursts the second he felt that she had reached her orgasm. Their breaths were heavy as he looked deep into her eyes, pumpingzily inside her while they both were climbing down from their high. ¡°I love you, ir.¡± He blurted out his words, making her gasp. ¡°Shh¡­ don¡¯t say anything. I just needed you to know that.¡± He whispered kissing her between her eyes lovingly. She looked back at him, biting her lip as a tear trailed down her cheek. He kissed her tears while caressing her hair. ¡°You will be okay ir, I promised you.¡± Chapter 20 Check Up ¡°Hey, you¡¯re awake already? How are you feeling?¡± Ian woke up the next day only to find the bed empty,st night he had said the word, and he had felt nothing but eptance from her side. Somehow he knows that she was feeling the same, but didn¡¯t want to burden her with everything that was going on in her life already. ¡°Morning¡­ coffee?¡± she asked him but getting the pot and poured him a ck one already and set it beside hers for him. Then she was back to making their pancake breakfast,st time she remembered that he liked them, so she wakes up early that day and tries to make him breakfast in bed. But she fails to realize that he was a morning person, with his job he was always an early riser. She was trying to thank him for all that he had done for her, then obviously for his confessionst night. Him saying that he loves her was the sweetest, and he was saying it as if he couldn¡¯t contain himself by blurting out the words in their most intimate moment. ¡°I asked how are you feeling baby?¡± he whispered behind her as she was ting the pancakes. ¡°I¡¯m good, nervous¡­ but good.¡± ¡°Why? are you still taking your pain meds? I¡¯m thinking of taking you to Max¡¯s clinic on my way to the office.¡± He turned her to face him, cupped her face, and give her his sweet kisses that she likes. ¡°Yes, Reba had taken a look at them and adjusted the dosage for me yesterday. But I¡¯m nervous about my case, my mother, us¡­ I want to get it done sooner thanter.¡± ¡°Do you want to do it today? I mean we can do it after we went to the clinic? This is a big decision, ir¡­¡± ¡°Today.¡± She said firmly while looking straight at him. ¡°You will go straight into questionings, I will try my best to talk to my captain with all the evidence that we have, I will ask Max to have hiswyer present. But baby, there¡¯s one more thing you need to know about Max.¡± He seated her in front of him and held her hand in his. ¡°He¡¯s dangerous isn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°Yes, but he has connections that can prevent you from being locked in a cell. Look, even with all the evidence that we have, I alone can not keep you away from being locked up. I am the system¡­¡± For the next hour, Ian and ir discussed everything, until they finally settled on contacting Max and heading on to his clinic. From there they would go straight to Ian¡¯s precinct where he had made an appointment with his captain. ¡°I¡¯m with you ir, I¡¯ll do my best to keep you safe.¡± ¡°I know, I couldn¡¯t ask for more Ian. You¡¯ve helped me so much than I could ever¡­¡± she was teary again, her life was on the edge now. She was scared shitless but knew that she needs to do this, she tried to be on the run but that life was not for her. Ian was quick to hug and calm her down. They were on their way back to the city after they finished their breakfast and have a quick change. Ian packed everything, telling her that he wanted her back in his house. She just nodded, still convinced that she¡¯d be locked up though they say otherwise. She was leaving everything to Ian and Max. Her face was stoic as she looked out the sparse traffic in front of her, he would look at her while her mind seemed to be elsewhere. Then his phone buzzed with her name on it. He cursed knowing he had to answer it cause it might be work-rted. ¡°Taylor here, you¡¯re on speaker I¡¯m on my way to the office I¡¯ll be there in a couple of hours.¡± ¡°Hey, I know we¡¯re partners now and keeping things professional¡­¡± ir looked at Ian trying to conclude what the woman was trying to say but the sudden jealousy was creeping up behind her. ¡°Garcia, I¡¯m with my girlfriend. We will talk when I arrived at the office.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ right, okay I¡¯ll see youter.¡± He ended the call momentster, and then there was silence. ir was still looking out the window, wanting to ask why the woman wanted to keep things professional? Meanwhile, Ian was trying to think of a way to exin his casual sexual partner but then decided just to give her the facts. ¡°Garcia and I, we used to have sex, casually. I don¡¯t date, don¡¯t have time. I had ended it.¡± ¡°Right.¡± She answered quickly, not knowing what people usually say in this situation. She had never been jealous before, and it stings, and she hated the feeling. But then he took her hand and kissed her knuckles lovingly. Her feelings were still a roller coaster when they arrived at Max¡¯s clinic. Reba was there to greet her, while Max and Luka were nowhere to be seen. She did her standard check-up on ir, then she changed her cast after a quick x-ray. ¡°You¡¯re healing nicely ir, better than expected. Let¡¯s finish changing this cast then I think by the next month we could change it into a splint.¡± ir just smiled and nodded at her, while she kept looking at Ian who was busy calling on his phone. The ache was back and she didn¡¯t like it. ¡°He¡¯s a nice catch ir, and he seemed smitten by you,¡± Reba said as she saw ir keeping her eyes on Ian. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m good for him.¡± There she finally said it, she was feeling theck of self-confidence in their rtionship. She knows she wanted him, she had wished that he would like her the same. But when he said that he loves her, reality kicks in, and she was feeling the uncertainty. How could I do this to him? He has his whole future in front of him. His job, his family¡­ She kept on thinking how selfish she had been, while Reba looks at her and shook her head in disapproval. ¡°ir, you¡¯re a good woman, beautiful and strong, it¡¯s time that you have your happiness¡­ maybe his your good karma.¡± Both women were silent when Ian was back to ir¡¯s side and kissed her temple. Reba had just finished with her cast ¡°I just talked to Max¡¯swyer, he¡¯s going to meet us at the station. So, are you ready for this?¡± he asked rubbing her shoulder looking straight into her eyes. She had never been treated this nicely before, she had never had this many people supporting her. And it was overwhelming her to the point that she was teary again.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s okay baby¡­ we could go back to the cabin and wait until you¡¯re ready. I¡¯ll think of something¡­¡± ¡°No¡­ no I¡¯m ready¡­¡± she shook her head and wiped away her tears roughly. Reba was giving them some privacy as she excused herself saying that she was getting her prescription ready. ¡°ir baby, look at me¡­¡± Her vision was blurry again, but he pulled her into his arms and hugged her for the longest time. She was taking in his warmth, his loving feeling, then she bravely pulled his face down and kissed him. He sighed and kissed her back and finally released her when she peeled herself away from him. ¡°I¡¯m ready. Let¡¯s do this.¡± Chapter 21 Surrendering They arrived at his precinct, she was wearing her oversized hoodie covering her face while he kept on holding to her very cold hand. She could feel her cold sweat trickled down the back of her spine, as she kept on holding his warm hand firmly until they both arrived at an opened office door. It was spacious,rge enough for her to know that Ian had taken her directly to his superior¡¯s office. They walked down the precinct hall, passing several cops working on their desks, while it was all a blur to her. She kept focusing on her heart, which was beating so hard that she felt as if it could blow up at any given moment. ¡°Captain.¡± ¡°Ah, detective Taylor, nice of you to finally show up¡­¡± his captain was a man in histe forties, still buff, and had a respectful authoritative aura that made her feel even more like a cat in a lion¡¯s den. She was gripping her hold on Ian¡¯s hand tighter. ¡°You¡¯ve met Lisa before, and who¡¯s this?¡± his captain asked as he looks at her cast arm, then study her appearance from head to toe. A beautiful woman in her thirties inspects her with a worrying look. ir was alert instantly, it was as if she could see right through her. And she gasped while quickly getting her bearings when Ian let go of her hand and closed the door behind them. He was back to ir¡¯s side in seconds, while the woman whispered something in his captain¡¯s ear. He nced at ir with a judgemental look, and she was considering herself to run away but her feet felt as if it was cemented to the linoleum floor. He studied her just like Ian did the first time he saw her, from head to toe. But then his facial expression changed as if he had recognized her right there and then. ¡°Detective, don¡¯t make me say it.¡± His words were low and strangely sipping to her bones, her heart thump harder, she thought she was about to have a panic attack until Ian¡¯s hand touched her back, calming her down within seconds. ¡°She¡¯s a person on interest for her husband¡¯s death, she¡¯s Olivia ir Turner.¡± ¡°Detective Taylor, I¡¯m going to ask this once. Think, and honestly answer my question¡­ have you known about her when I gave you her husband¡¯s case file?¡± ¡°Yes Sir, and I have my reasons,¡± Ian said calmly, while he kept his hold on her. ¡°Damn it, Ian¡­¡± The captain cursed and trail his fingers through his hair, frustratingly. ¡°Dave, you might want to listen to them. And I need to call Shani, he could cause her harm.¡± Lisa tried to calm him down, Ian had known about her. She had helped him in a couple of his cases, and he was instantly alert when she stated that ir could be harmed. The woman came forward and introduced herself to ir. ¡°Hello, my name is Lisa. I¡¯m a friend of Dave and also work with homicide for their unsolved cases. They outsourced my service, I¡¯ve also worked with detective Taylor before. And now¡­ I will help you.¡± ¡°Lisa, she¡¯s a fugitive. We need to do this by the book. Her case is all over the news. I don¡¯t need the bad press, damn it Taylor you¡¯re putting me in a bad situation here.¡± But before Ian could speak, there was a knock on the door. ¡°Good morning everyone my name is Albert Simmons and I will act as Mrs. Turner¡¯swyer. I hereby dere that she is not a flight risk. She is voluntarily surrendering herself and I will be herwyer and will pledge for her bond. Morning, Captain.¡± His words were calm, then addressed Dave knowing he had met him and dealt with him on several asions before. The olderwyer was opening his leather folder and put the paperwork on the captain¡¯s desk. While Dave groaned knowing that he would have the rest of the day busy with documents andmunicating back and forth with Turner¡¯s hometown police department. ¡°Get Garcia to escort Mrs. Turner and Simmons to interrogation, then I want you back here and exin everything before you¡¯re suspended. This will go on your wless record Ian, I hope she¡¯s worth it.¡± ¡°Dave¡­¡± Lisa warned him again and silently told him to calm himself down. But he was frustrated with his best man for harboring a murderer. ¡°Her reasons better be good.¡± ¡°Trust me Dave¡­¡± she told him as she patted his hand, while she kept on looking behind her. ir was following her gaze but found nothing behind her, while Ian¡¯s hand gripped her tighter for a couple of seconds. But he let ir go, telling Simmons to keep her close while he calls for Garcia. ir was surprised when she saw Detective Garcia, she knew she remembered the name but she didn¡¯t expect that it would be the same woman. Meanwhile, detective Garcia was busy looking at her surrounding, looking at all the people in attendance. Then she fixed her eyes on Ian who was standing and acting a bit too friendly with the woman she seemed to remember from somewhere. ¡°Sir, I¡¯m here.¡± ¡°Yes Garcia, please escort Mrs. Turner and herwyer to the interrogation room. Get her details, fingerprints, and file her for self-surrender. Ian, I don¡¯t believe she has been briefed on the Turner¡¯s case. Give her the file she will be reporting to me, you will be suspended until further notice.¡± Detective Garcia was taken back by the captain¡¯s order but tried to keep a straight face. She was quick to usher the woman and herwyer to the interrogation room, leaving the rest behind. ¡°He¡¯s following her, Dave. He¡¯s a very evil man, I don¡¯t have to see the file to know what happened. You have to make this right, Dave.¡± Lisa said as soon as Ian leaves to get the Turner¡¯s file from his desk. Lisa Monroe had been the precinct outsource help, because of her ability to see the dead. Dave had outsourced her parents before both died in an ident. Lisa had struggled with her ability, but after their passing, she managed to pick herself up, and now be the recement of her parents. She would see them lingered among their loved ones, or in ir¡¯s case his murderer. ¡°You saw him, didn¡¯t you?¡± Ian asked Lisa soonest he was back with the case file. He put it on Dave¡¯s desk but was back to questioning Lisa. ¡°Taylor, you¡¯re dismissed.¡± ¡°I¡¯m suspended I get it, but I need to know. Sir, her body was covered in bruises. I was trying to get her to the station for petty theft. She was protecting some teen from stealing bread. Then she fainted fromck of food and rest, so I decided to care for her.¡± His captain sighed and sit his ass down knowing that he needs to hear Ian¡¯s side of the story, and let the precinct¡¯s paranormal exin more about the murdered husband. Lisa joins the conversation and sits on thest vacant seat. ¡°¡­ then I burst into the motel room, and she was screaming and crying telling me that he was haunting her¡­¡± Ian was telling his side of the story, perfectly in line with the timeline and at that time Dave knew why Ian was missing a couple of times in the past few days that he was looking for his best detective. ¡°He is haunting her Ian, his aura is bad. She is not to be left alone. I don¡¯t want him to enter her mind and toy with her sanity. He could make her kill herself. I¡¯ve seen him, and he¡¯s one of the very bad ones. I¡¯ll get Shani to meet her and we could do a cleanse. I have to talk to Shani first¡­¡± ¡°Dave, promise me, promise me you¡¯d take care of her. Don¡¯t let her spend time alone in jail, her mind will make her do things. He will kill her.¡± Dave looked at her intently knowing that she always speaks the truth with him. He nodded and she finally rxes back to her seat. They talk for another hour until Lisa left but promised to keep in touch with Ian.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You¡¯re lucky that Lisa was here. I will let you know when you can get back to work. You might as well take care of her. Look, I¡¯m sorry that she had to go through it, but we are the system, Taylor. You of all people shoulde to me, the first time to know about her. This is your strike one, you understand me?¡± ¡°Yes sir.¡± ¡°Good, now go while I¡¯ll think of a way to report to them that she¡¯s here in our city. She¡¯s not to stay at yours Taylor. Put her somewhere else, but not at your residence. I don¡¯t want it to reflect back to my precinct.¡± ¡°Yes sir.¡± ¡°Go¡­ now, and get Simmons and Garcia to my office. You can apany her until the bail is set and paid. Make herfortable, it¡¯ll be a long wait with the judge even with Simmons as herwyer. But I¡¯d still say that she¡¯s lucky to find both of you¡­¡± Chapter 22 The Haunting ¡°You¡¯re suspended because of me.¡± She stated knowing exactly why he was with her at the hotel. Ian had told Albert to put her in a room under thewyer¡¯spany¡¯s name. And he said to put all her expenses under his ount, telling him that he will take care of all her bills. Albert agreed knowing that Ian was good with the payment. He knows exactly who Ian was, the Taylor¡¯s family name was well known within the upper ss. And Albert had met his parents at a charity function couple of months back. ¡°I think you look better in brown, the blonde color hair makes yourplexion paler.¡± He caressed her strands while keeping her close in his arms. ¡°Thank you¡­¡± she turned to face him and pulled his face down for a kiss. His hand cupped her cheek and gave her his sweetest sensual kiss, making her tiptoe as she reached up for more of his kisses. The whole day had been stressful for her. And Lisa topped her fear by warning her about Benjamin, telling her that his spirit was still lurking around her. ¡°Will you stay here with me? I¡¯m scared, Lisa said..¡± ¡°I¡¯m not leaving you alone. Look, I¡¯ve had Albert contact your mother, I think it¡¯s best if we let him handle the matter. At least she knows that you¡¯re not on the run and he¡¯s processing your case.¡± ¡°Can I talk to her?¡± ¡°Of course, but we have to wait for Albert. He will advise you on what to say to her¡­ look, baby, everything will be okay. You want to rest now?¡± She looked at him and nodded, she was feeling tired, so tired that she thinks she could fall asleep right away. Ian left ir to rest on the bed while he took her stuff from his car. He was back in her suite fifteen minutester, and she was still sleeping peacefully. Then he treats himself with a mini gin from the bar while resting his exhausted body on the sofa. He was about to fall asleep when his phone buzzed. ¡°Ian, where are you?¡± his mother¡¯s voice was calm but cautious. He knows her well enough that she was trying to be on his good side just because she loves him too much. From early on, he had always been a good boy for the Taylor¡¯s. It was one of his way of showing his gratitude for taking him in. He was still very young when he was adopted, but being a kid in an abusive family he grows up too damn fast. ¡°I¡¯m with ir, mom, we¡¯ve just finished processing her. She¡¯s resting, I will stay with her. She needs me.¡± ¡°Look Ian, I¡¯m sorry about earlier¡­¡± There¡­ He had known that she would y the guilt card. And she also knew that it would get to him every time. ¡°Mom, I love you. But I love her too now.¡± He could hear her subtle gasped from the other line.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. ¡°Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s a bit fast my son?¡± He chuckled at her words. ¡°Mom, you have practically been shoving women, parading them for me to choose as a wife. But I love her mom, why don¡¯t we start fresh? Let me introduce you again when this is all over?¡± ¡°You know you¡¯re my favorite son, and I¡¯d do anything for you.¡± ¡°Mom, I¡¯m your only favorite son. And I love you to death, I would never want to disappoint you. So please? trust me on this one?¡± Ian was still talking with her mother while ir was deep in her sleep. She was drifting in her world, pitch ck, cold, and silently eery. She knows she was having a dream, and she was trying hard to wake herself up but she couldn¡¯t. She was shocked to hear his deep cold voice behind her. ¡°Bitch! you killed me! And I¡¯m taking you with me.¡± With his words, she could feel her hair was being tugged so harshly that her scalp burns from the pain. She tried to yell but she couldn¡¯t get her voice out, she could feel her tears falling and she flinched when he grabbed her neck trying to choke her. She could finally let out a small scream rming Ian instantly. ¡°What the¡­ Sorry, mom, I gotta go. She¡¯s having her nightmares.¡± His mom was about to say goodbye but he abruptly ended the line telling her that he¡¯d call her back. ¡°ir! baby, wake up! I¡¯m here¡­¡± Ian cuddled her in his embrace, and she was finally awake and sobbed in his arms. Her voice was throaty until he saw the handprint on her neck. He didn¡¯t let her go, while with his other hand he calls for Lisa. ¡°Lisa, it¡¯s Ian sorry to bother you¡­ yes, you know? How do we fix this?¡± Lisa was known for her sixth sense, and Ian already knows about her ability, she had helped him in several unsolved cases. So he did not question her when she said that she knew about ir¡¯s nightmare. ¡°Hold her, do not let her go. I¡¯ll call Shani. Text me your address and I¡¯ll let you know when she can be there.¡± Lisa answered in a calm and assuring manner. He hung up minutester, then ushered ir to the sofa where he turns on all the lights and handed her bottled water while keeping her close in his arms. ¡°You will be fine ir. Lisa will send her friend, she¡¯ll help us. She will get rid of him.¡± ir was still in shock, she didn¡¯t say anything, she couldn¡¯t. She just drinks the water and lets him pull her closer in his embrace. Ian carried her back to the bedtest night knowing she would rest better in afy bed. She was still sleeping in his arms when morning came. His warmth had cocooned her into a dreamless state of sleep until she finally stretched and opened her eyes, then smiled at him. ¡°Did I snore?¡± ¡°More like purring, like a cute little cheetah.¡± ¡°Cheetah?¡± ¡°Yeah, they¡¯re the only big cats that purr.¡± He answered wrapping her in his arms. ¡°That loud huh?¡± she was backing away, but he was pulling her t to his naked chest. ¡°But cute, no baby¡­ I¡¯m kidding. You sleep peacefully.¡± He said kissing her hair. ¡°Why don¡¯t you freshen up while I order breakfast and coffee?¡± he finally let her go and she leaves him to go to the bathroom. She was still changing when Ian walked in on her. ¡°What? I¡¯ve seen it all before.¡± He smirked looking at her from the bathroom mirror as he brushed his teeth and washed his face. She shook her head but keep on dressing in her casual jeans and a loose blouse. Minutester she joins Ian who was sitting at the dining table where their breakfast was already spread beautifully by room service. ¡°Ian you should stop spending money on me, a simple breakfast would do. This case could take a while, maybe I should move to a motel. This suite would cost more for me to stay longer in.¡± ¡°Hmm, talking like a true housewife already.¡± He teased, but she was not backing down on him. ¡°I¡¯m serious Ian, I¡¯m not¡­¡± Worth it¡­ He knows before she even said it, it was the stereotype of the abused woman where they would feel worthless and not meant to be cherished. But he was not letting her believe that about herself. ¡°ir, just eat¡­ we will talkter Shani is on her way here.¡± He convinced her while caressing her hand and she finally relents and started sipping on her coffee. Chapter 23 The Cleanse ¡°Shani, pleasee inside, I¡¯m Ian and this is ir.¡± ¡°Oh my¡­¡± Shani looked at the hand mark on ir¡¯s pale neck. ¡°¡­ I¡¯m sorry for not being able toe sooner. Let¡¯s do this now shall we?¡± ¡°I¡¯m grateful that you¡¯re here now,¡± ir said as she ushered her toe inside. ¡°He¡¯s full of vengeance ir, and your fear for him feeds his strength. He¡¯s growing stronger because of it, but don¡¯t worry I¡¯m here now. I¡¯ll get rid of him.¡± She smiled sweetly at her. Ian stood back and watched Shani while standing close to ir for her support. He had only heard of her from Lisa and Dave, his captain had met the witch before. He still couldn¡¯t believe that he was living in a town where the supernatural has been a part of its people for hundreds of years back. The things he saw and experienced, he would not believe if he hadn¡¯t seen it for himself. And he couldn¡¯t imagine the paperwork that his captain has topromise for closing several of their paranormal and out-of-the-ordinary cases. ¡°Please sit here, Ian, you can let go of her hand. She¡¯s safe in the circle.¡± Shani instructed as she made ir sit within the circle that she just made with the ck sand. She was chanting her words in anguage that they both didn¡¯t understand. But ir was calm, so he retreated and watched her from outside the circle. Candles were lit, the lights were dimmed. Shani was back to her satchel and took out some incense and started lighting them as she circled ir while still chanting her words. The candles flick several times, then it gets bigger. ¡°Calm down ir, say nothing, don¡¯t let him scare you. I¡¯m here, I¡¯ll protect you. Trust me okay?¡± Shani said calmly as she prepared her and said that she was going to summon him and cast him back to his dimension where he belongs.ir nodded to her words and smile at Ian telling him silently that ir was okay. It only took moments until a shadow appeared, ir looked shocked and Ian was trying hard to hold himself back. He did not want to disrupt the seance that Shani was holding. ¡°You are not wee in our world¡­¡± ¡°You stupid witch you think you can stop me?¡± his voice was cold and harsh, Ian could see that ir was teary already. But Shani was calm and keeps on burning her incense and voicing her spell over and over again. ¡°¡­ your attachment with her is done. She will be under my protection¡­¡± Shani sprinkled the dust that she had prepared earlier, and the shadow hissed and diminished, but was trying to appear back again. It was forming himself into a silhouette of a man, with his face clearly shown. Benjamin. Ian thought as he recognized him, just like his picture on the case file that he saw previously. ir was targeted, she screamed when he almost reached her. But Shani was quicker as she swiftly raises her voice and blows the sand onto his face making him shrink back and howling in pain. Then within seconds, he was gone. The ce was a mess, but Ian kept looking at Shani as in seeking her permission to go get ir back into his arms. ir was in tears, he could see that she was scared shitless from the entity. ¡°She¡¯s safe. He¡¯s gone.¡± That was all he needed to hear when he leaped to get her and carry her body into his arms. ir hold on to him tightly and cried in his embrace. Shani let the couple have their moment while she gathers her stuff then make a new batch of protection sand to be dusted on the charm she was leaving behind and some incense and candles for them to burn just to give the ce a good vibe whenever she was feeling vulnerable. ¡°I think you need to leave a big tip to the cleaningdy.¡± Shani smiled as she opens the conversation. She needed to talk some more before she leaves the couple to go back to the coastal region. Ian wiped ir¡¯s tears and let her stay on his side, as she was still in shock from the previous seance. ¡°Shani, thank you very much for all of this.¡± ¡°Ian, I¡¯m here to help¡­ ir may I?¡± Shani pointed to the bruise on her neck. Then hover her hand inches from ir¡¯s neck when she gives her the approval. Shani voiced out her spell, while ir kept her hold on Ian. But then she felt the soreness was slowly diminishing until it waspletely gone. ¡°You¡¯re healed. It¡¯s the only kind of bruise that I could heal with my power.¡± She smiled warmly at the couple, then continue by exining to them about her amulet just in case the entity decided to have aeback. ¡°You mean, he could show up again?¡± ir asked as she feels her body tensing from the information. ¡°Not when you have this amulet. I have sealed him to another dimension. But I don¡¯t want to be too confident and put you in harm¡¯s way. There is a very slim to none chance that he could get back. But with the amulet, you¡¯re protected.¡± ¡°And the very important thing is you should be braver, he had been sucking your energy from years of abusing you. And even after he¡¯s dead you¡¯re still afraid of him and that fear feeds him to be the bad entity that we saw earlier.¡± ¡°Oh God ¡­ this is my fault.¡± ¡°No ir, it¡¯s your ex¡¯s. I believe everything happened for a reason.¡± She pointed at Ian and ir¡¯s closeness and the undeniable love they have for each other. It warmed Shani¡¯s heart knowing that she will have someone who loves her to help her get through this ordeal. They talked for another half an hour before Shani leave them and let ir rest for the day. ¡°So one problem down,¡± Ian stated as he closes the door behind him. ¡°Hopefully¡­¡± ¡°Hey baby, you have me I¡¯ll be with you every step of the way.¡± He cupped her face and kissed her slowly, she sighed and slitter her hand to his chest and step closer into his embrace. ¡°Ian?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± he paused his kisses and waited for her. ¡°Will you help me forget about him?¡± she asked while unbuttoning his shirt slowly then slipping her hand and feeling his warmth. ¡°Baby, I¡¯ll do anything you want.¡± He said shedding his shirt dramatically to the sofa making herugh. ¡°Really?¡± she asked biting her lip, secretly wanting to feel more from him. She giggled when he swiftly carry her to the bedroom andy her next to him. He helps her with her blouse then strips her naked while trailing his kisses all over her body. She was looking at him with lust, then back to biting her lip when he took off his jeans and boxers in one go. They have been having sex a couple of times already, but every time it felt like a new experience for her. She kept on feeling not sure about herself while he kept making her feel as if she was the most beautiful woman on earth.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°What is it ir?¡± he asked hovering sexily above her body. ¡°I don¡¯t want you to treat me like I¡¯m fragile.¡± He knows right away what she wanted from him, and it made him want to protect her even more. The possessiveness was up another level, the way she trusted him to treat her in another manner was making him so proud of her. He knows she was a strong woman, but he didn¡¯t realize that she was changing so fast in front of his eyes, and it was making him fall deeper for her. ¡°I love you, ir, so much.¡± He said looking deep into her eyes and searching for any doubts. But he couldn¡¯t find any, as she was showing off determination and lust which he dly shared with her. She was moaning under him the second he kissed her with a new passion inside him. She was wanting his desire, he was willing and wanting to give his all for her. Chapter 24 Mother鈥檚 Love ¡°I love you, Ian, please make me yours.¡± He stopped his kisses the moment she voices her words. His heart swells with love that he never knew could be so overwhelming. He kissed her hard and whispered harshly in her ear saying that he loves her too. ¡°Ian¡­ more¡­¡± He looked deeply into her eyes and sheathed his dick and push into her in one hard thrust, she moaned as he hits her in the right spot. She thought she wouldn¡¯t like rough sex after Benjamin, but now with Ian, she was practically begging him. He cursed and they both breathed heavily from the sheer intensity that they share. He sucked her neck, carefully minding her cast arm, and garb her in all the right ces making her squirm for more. She was clenching his dick tighter as each thrust was deep and hard. Her short nails dug deep into his back, he could feel her passion as she bites his shoulder making him groan and push himself even deeper. He was stretching her, then holding her waist down, keeping her still, and took her legs to his chest. The sex was hotter than he had ever imagined it could be, she was wanting him, begging him over and over again until she finally climaxes and shuddered under him. But he didn¡¯t stop there as he kept on saying that he loves her, erratically moving above her thrusting repeatedly. He didn¡¯t want to pull away from her, and she started rocking her hips when she was building herself for another climax. ¡°Damn it, ir! you¡¯re going to be sore if you don¡¯t slow down baby.¡± He stopped himself for a second, kissing her delectable lips deeply. ¡°Ian, please make me sore, make me forget about him¡­¡± she replied in between their kisses. And that made him lose it and finally gave his all to take her higher. He breaks away from their kiss and moves down to kiss her arousal, she was moaning louder as she felt his expert tongue pleasuring her relentlessly. Her hand grabbed his short strands, while he parted her legs wider and devour her until he felt her legs trembling as she was nearing her orgasm. Then he swiftly moves up and thrust hard inside her, lifting her hips and pushing deeper and faster. Her legs gave up and he was holding them up to his chest, parting them to his liking and he moaned her name louder telling her that he was going to climax. ¡°Now baby¡­!¡± It took her seconds when she arched her back and climax again, her hips were trying to move back but his hold on her was possessive and strong while he moves until he finally climaxes within seconds from hers. ¡°Are you okay? Was it too much?¡± he asked with a still heavy breath, but she let out a sexyugh and pulled his face down a kiss. ¡°I could never get enough of you Ian. I love you.¡± ¡°I love you more ir¡­ and I¡¯m liking this side of you.¡± He whispered and kissed her hair, then slowly pulled out and slumped to her side. *****Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. It was almost dinner time when there was a knock at the door. Ian was out getting his stuff, she was hesitant in opening the door. But finally did as her voice was heard from the other side of the door. ¡°I know you¡¯re in there Ian, please I need to talk to you.¡± His mother? How did she find him? Her calm voice was as cold as the day she was cast out of his residence. And ir knows that she had to face her, so she decided to rip the bandage and get it over with. After ir knows that they both love each other, there was nothing more to lose. She would face it, Ian had said that she was strong. So she was preparing herself mentally as she opened their hotel room for his dear mother. ¡°ir¡­¡± ¡°Mrs. Taylor.¡± She nodded in respect and open the door for his mother. She walked into their suite with a calcted step, as if she has so many thoughts and questions for her. ¡°My son is in love with you.¡± ¡°He is, as so am I.¡± The older woman nodded to her reply. They conversed in choppy sentences as both were trying hard to calm their emotion down. ¡°You murdered your husband.¡± ¡°I did, self-defense after years of abuse.¡± There was still a tremble in her voice every time she recited the words. She thought she could handle herself better, but she was not as strong as Ian thought she was. ¡°You have regrets.¡± His mother stated when she saw her expression. ir moves to the small coffee station as she decided to busy herself and make coffee for both of them. His mother looked at the young fragile-looking woman with a cast on her arm. She was beautiful, his mother understands how Ian had fallen for her. He had talked about her earlier and now Carol was alone with her and was trying to understand her better. She loves her son very much, and she wanted to understand him better. She was afraid that he would jeopardize his career and all his hard work for a husband killer. ¡°Yes, I was trying to live on my own when your son found me.¡± She put her cup in front of his mother, then was back for her cup. The cast still restrained her mobility and she hated how it had kept reminding her of the incident. ¡°Your arm.¡± ¡°My husband, it was almost healed when he decided to push me down and kick me¡­¡± her voice started to get shaky, she hated this. She wanted to be strong in front of his mother, she didn¡¯t want to be pitied by her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry ir. Look Ian has told me about your story, I¡¯m just trying to protect my son. You don¡¯t have to¡­ I¡¯m not pushing you here.¡± ¡°I understand that Mrs. Taylor, your son is too good for me, that was why I decided to leave his house when you came.¡± His mother was slowly easing up on her, she could see that ir was telling the truth. She had spent decades of her life talking to the fake upper ss and she knows exactly when people are lying to her. And when she heard and saw ir, she knew exactly that her tears were real. That she was scared of all that was happening to her. ¡°Please, it¡¯s Carol.¡± ¡°Thank you, Carol.¡± She was teary once again, she¡¯d never imagined that his mother would see her for who she was. But seeing the son that she raised, ir understood where Ian gets hispassion side from. He had told ir that he was still a toddler when he was put into the system. She knew he would probably grow up differently with all the rage that he has as a child who grew up in an abusive family if the Taylor¡¯s didn¡¯t adopt him. ¡°Have you had dinner yet?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m actually waiting for¡­¡± Ian came through the door before ir had the chance to finish her words. He looks at both women a bit confused. ¡°Mom?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry for barging in on both of you, but I needed to talk to you.¡± His mom started talking, while he looks at ir whose eyes were still a bit red. He knew she had shed her tears, but she looked fine as she gives him a little smile that warms his insides instantly. ¡°¡­ so, we have a talk and I¡¯m sorry about our first meet ir. I should not judge you too soon.¡± She took her hand sincerely and ir shed another tear because of it. She was overwhelmed with all the attention and the help she had in the past couple of weeks, and all she could do was keep on crying. Knowing that she had given up on her own life if it wasn¡¯t for her own mother that needed her. ¡°ir¡­ hey, it¡¯s okay, I¡¯m sorry mom. She gets overwhelmed easily.¡± Ian quickly went to her side and hugged her. His mother was relieved seeing her son with ir, she was more honest than a couple of the women she had lined up for Ian. She wanted him to settle down, to have a bnced life. Though they have a bit of a rocky start, hopefully, ir would have a smooth journey ahead of her. She could see how he fell so hard for ir, the protectiveness was easily shown and she was proud that she had done her job in raising her only son. The son that she had adopted the day when her husband surprised her with a visit to an orphanage. ¡°I¡¯m okay Ian, thank you. And can we invite your mom for dinner?¡± she smiled shyly at him, making his heart want to have her for good. He was a bit stunned by hisst thoughts, yet he smiled and told his mom to have dinner with them. Chapter 25 Meeting His Family It was two weekster when her case made it to a judge. The Taylor¡¯s had assured Simmons that they didn¡¯t want the case to go public, and wanted everything done behind the closed doors of theirwyer¡¯s office. Last week ir finally met Ian¡¯s dad, his mom told her toe for a family dinner. She hesitated and remained tensed until the end of dinner when he eases her up with some jokes and Ian rubbed her back, silently telling her that she was doing great. Then when the day came she had both his mom and dad assuring Markov¡¯swyer, Albert Simmons that they wanted everything to speed up and finished quickly. Albert agreed with them, the only thing that had prevented ir¡¯s case from going national was another case that has been taking up the news, hogging up airtime, leaving the headline of a husband killer so mediocre. ¡°Ian, I don¡¯t know if I can do this if I can face his parents.¡± ¡°ir, baby¡­ listen to me. I¡¯ll be right next door. I¡¯m not leaving you, I¡¯d be there by your side if I could but Albert said it¡¯s a bad idea. And he¡¯s absolutely true, you understand that right?¡± ¡°I do¡­ it¡¯s just¡­¡± ¡°Baby, focus on all the things you have achieved to get to where you are right now. This is not your fault. And tomorrow we will be meeting your mom. Albert had arranged everything, I know you have been wanting to see her for a while and if you go through with this you¡¯re one step closer to meet her¡­¡± He pulled her in giving her his sweet kisses and hugged her onest time before she goes to confront her ex-inws. ¡°¡­ just take everything one at a time, ir, don¡¯t get yourself too worked up?¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± Her voice was small but she was handling herself as well as she could. And she knows when the meeting is over Ian would be there to hold her. That was the only thing that was keeping her sane. ¡°ir, it¡¯s time¡­¡± Albert interrupted their time together as thewyer announce that the Turners had arrived in the building. ¡°I would like to seat you down, I don¡¯t want them to intimidate you as you walk to your chair. I need them to see that you are calm and not in any way scared of them.¡± He was right she was d that he decided that they¡¯d go in first because the look that the couples had was vengeful. ¡°You changed your hair color, clearly you¡¯ve been nning this.¡± Her ex-mother-inw spat at her as her husband pull out a chair for her. ¡°Mrs. Turner, please¡­¡± Simmons calmly remind her and patted ir¡¯s hand, knowing that sentence alone had shaken her insides making her face a shade paler. ¡°We will conduct the matter legally, anything you say will be on the record, our stenographer will¡­¡± ¡°¡­ will put everything in the report, I know Simmons, this is not our first rodeo. But it¡¯ll be herst, I¡¯m sure husband killer will go along well¡­¡± ¡°Your son abused me, for YEARS!¡± ir finally burst as she tries to defend herself, her eyes were starting to get teary while Albert kept on whispering to her to stay calm. ¡°Honey, please¡­ let just hear them out.¡± Her husband was trying to calm the situation down. ¡°She killed your son! Your only heir! I told you he shouldn¡¯t marry that gold digger. I bet she¡¯s trying to clear her name and get his money. Telling everyone that my son abused her!¡± Albert looked pissed at the woman as he starts disying her medical file with injuries dated until a year back, then he mmed the medical record stating that she had a miscarriage due to a blunt force trauma. Mrs. Turner¡¯s face had gone a shade darker as the rage was piling up and she was using ir that it could be someone else¡¯s baby and she was trying to get rid of it. ir slumped in her seat and tears starts to fall, she was trying hard not to fall apart as the woman kept on saying how she was not worthy of her son. That was until Albert pick up a box of files from underneath his desk. And spread pictures of Benjamin having sex with other women. Then more medical files were spread on the table, showing their bruised and battered body.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Both ir and Mrs. Turner were shocked while Mr. Turner looked at it calmly. As if he had known about his son¡¯s sick abusive manner all along. ir felt numb, she felt so dumb to have kept her marriage. He had been fucking other women and beating them, she should¡¯ve known when some nights he woulde home smelling like other woman¡¯s perfume. ¡°How did you get these pictures? This won¡¯t hold on court.¡± Theirwyer stated to their defense. ¡°No it can¡¯t but it can be leaked to the media, by anyone¡­¡± Albert threatened. ir was silent throughout the meeting, she kept looking at the pictures. Then the empty table after Albert decides to clean the table and start their negotiation. Their words were like a high pitch sound while her brain was filled with total silence. She would look at Albert and nod to his gesture, then look at the Turners as the wife was sobbing probably because they had just stained the memory of her precious son. And she was still numb when the meeting was over and Albert asked her to sign some paperwork for the legal proceedings. She refused to get up from her seat saying that she needed more time. Her mind kept on reying years of her life wasted for a cheating abusive husband. She was holding on to his words when he said that he was sorry after each beating. But at that moment she felt betrayed, she felt stupid, so fucking stupid that her tears couldn¡¯t stop falling. Then she finally sobbed when Albert left her alone in the meeting room. ¡°Hey baby, I¡¯m here.¡± Ian quickly grabbed her and hold her as she sobbed in his embrace. Albert had told Ian that she was a mess, and he was sorry that she had to find out about Benjamin¡¯s other women that way but he needed her true expression and Albert was right. The moment theirwyer saw how shocked ir was, he was exhaling and shaking his head to Mr. Turner. They had been meeting the night before and revealedst-minute findings that Luka managed to dig up. And they were right Mr. Turner had known about his son for years and had been keeping his demeanor out of public consumption. ¡°There¡­ were¡­ pictures of him¡­ with other women¡­ how can I be so stupid?¡± ¡°Hey¡­ those pictures were taken by a private investigator, hired by the abused woman. Luka said she was about to ckmail him in return.¡± ¡°You know about this?¡± she looked shocked at him. ¡°Justst night¡­ hey baby, believe me, I wish I could tell you before. But Albert said they need to see your true expression. I¡¯m sorry baby, I¡¯m so sorry¡­¡± He kissed her hair and hugged her tighter, while she hugged him, grasping his back like her life was depending on it. ¡°¡­ Luka also said that while he was doing so Benjamin was also caught with another woman. And those women magically disappear, Luka said there was money trail to their ount from one of his father¡¯s offshore¡¯s ount¡­¡± He kept on exining to her hoping that she would not feel bad about herself. That this was way beyond her, that he was truly a sick and abusive man and that it was not her fault. ¡°¡­ by killing him, you just save another woman¡¯s life. This could be the best thing that could happen to the other women he was having affairs with¡­ baby, look at me¡­¡± He wiped her face and nose and kissed her forehead lovingly. ¡°I love you, baby, let¡¯s just go home.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± that was all she managed to say, her voice was throaty from the crying. Then he handed her sunsses and she wears them as they both walked out of Albert¡¯s corporate office. Chapter 26 Being Affected ¡°Albert said that his family will keep everything quiet. Your case will be fast-forwarded as self-defense and hiswyer had agreed.¡± Ian kissed her cheek and rubbed her back affectionately as shey by his side in his bed safely tucked at his house. He was satisfied with today¡¯s result. ¡°¡­ and Albert said that you can get the house and his¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want anything his, I just want to go back and see my mom.¡± She said sitting straight and asking if she could go to her mom earlier tomorrow. He gives her a yes only if she sleeps early. ¡°You had a very long and tiring day baby, you should get some rest and let me take care of you.¡± ¡°Are you sure we¡¯re good staying at yours? I think I should get back to the hotel. Your captain, colleague¡­¡± ¡°The case is done, I¡¯ve reported everything to my captain and honestly I felt you¡¯ll be safer here. We still got the Amulet and Shani is on our speed dial.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m good ir, I¡¯ve cleared everything with my work. I just need you to be home with me.¡± She smiled at him and rest back on his chest. ¡°I love you, Ian.¡± ¡°I love you too ir, sleep now and tomorrow wille soon.¡± He rests back and listened to her steady breaths until she drifted off to sleep. Then he carefully moves away from her and headed to the kitchen and grabbed a cold bottle of beer. He couldn¡¯t believe that her case was finally over, that she managed to slip away with domestic abuse. He took a deep breath as the case had taken a deeper toll on him. For decades he had suppressed his memory about his parents, and in the past couple of weeks, his childhood memory was slowlying back to him. It was so vivid, he would stare into nothing and he swear that he could hear histe mother crying and sobbing from the pain. At other times he could hear his father screaming at his mother.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. He decided to let out some steam and exhaust himself to help him sleep better. He entered his home gym and put on his hand wraps and start hitting the punching bag. An hourter sweat was making his body sleek and his shirt drenched, but he kept on abusing the sack. Repeatedly. That night he couldn¡¯t make himself stop until his vision was blurry and he finally hugs the sack as he remembered the actual event of when his mother was killed. ¡°Do not touch him!¡± He pulled the little screaming kid away from his mother and pped her hard. ¡°You bitch! the little bastard is not even mine.¡± ¡°No he¡¯s not! and he won¡¯t have your anger too.¡± ¡°You know it¡¯s because of you that she got my beatings right? Because you decided to show up, you little ungrateful bastard.¡± Ian was shocked remembering the truth, he slumped to the floor and sobbed quietly. ¡°Ian?¡± ir was shocked when she looked at Ian hugging his knees on the floor. He quickly wiped his tears, and slowly stood up. He winced from the pain, he knows his knuckles were probably bloody under the wraps. ¡°Hey, baby? I¡¯m sorry I¡¯m not by your side. Did you have a nightmare?¡± He chastely kissed her cheek and went to the adjoining bathroom to unwrap his knuckles. And calm himself down, quickly. ¡°Let me help you¡­¡± She took his hands and slowly took off his wraps, she could see that he was distraught but she just didn¡¯t know why. The wraps came off easily and he clenched his jaw while she hissed from looking at the bloodied knuckles. ¡°It¡¯s not as bad as it looks, I forgot to wear my lotion under the wraps. This happens, should¡¯ve been¡­¡± ¡°Should¡¯ve stopped when it hurts, you shouldn¡¯t push yourself too hard.¡± She dotted him then positioned the knuckles under running water. ¡°I just couldn¡¯t make myself stop.¡± She could feel that there was something that was bothering him. But she didn¡¯t want to be nosy, so she waited until he speaks about what was on his mind. The wounds were cleaned, and she decided to take off his wet shirt then get him under the shower. He was letting her take care of him, his mind was still going back and forth and he sighed when the warm water hits his body. She watched him, watch how his naked body moves under the shower. She would¡¯ve joined him if she didn¡¯t have the damn cast on her arm. She cursed on the inside as he was stirring sexy feelings within her. He finished quickly and she greeted him with a fresh towel when he came out of the shower. He looked at her and kissed her slowly, she was smiling secondster. ¡°Thank you¡­¡± ¡°Eh¡­ yeah, we should put something for your knuckles.¡± She bit her lip when he ended the kiss, then looked down at his erection. ¡°Right¡­¡± he said then chuckled when he noticed that she was peeking at his hard dick. He covered himself with the towel then hold out his hands for her to treat. She took the vaseline from him and put a thinyer on his bruised knuckles. There were a couple of cuts but nothing looked serious, the bleeding had stopped and he didn¡¯t even flinch from her touch. ¡°Just Vaseline?¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯ll be fine and just¡­ these¡­¡± he gave her a few Band-Aids as she carefully patches him up making sure it covered the cuts nicely. ¡°Come on let¡¯s get you back to bed.¡± He kissed the tip of her nose. ¡°Ian¡­ are you okay?¡± she put her hand on his naked chest stoping his step. ¡°I will be baby, as long as you¡¯re with me.¡± He had missed her for sure, he lowered himself to kiss her then both were drowned in their hot insatiable kisses. He grabbed her ass and put her down on the bathroom counter. Her legs parted as his hands trailed her thighs, then he took off his shirt that she was wearing to sleep earlier. She moaned when she was finally naked and exposed to his view. ¡°Ian¡­¡± ¡°I need you baby¡­¡± His voice was needy and she was letting him trail his kisses down to her nipples. She grabbed his back when he lowered his kisses down and start kissing her arousal. She was letting out more sexy sounds when he was licking her deeper, and then he abruptly helps her to stand and made her face the bathroom mirror. Her bruises were almost gone and he made sure that she realized that she looked beautiful. She shyly gazed at the mirror while he was kissing and licking her neck. Then she gasped when his fingers yed her and he made her look at her reflection. ¡°You¡¯re beautiful ir, you¡¯re even more beautiful when you¡¯re aroused.¡± His knees parted her thighs were wider while his other handhold her stand. She was biting her lip as both looked at each other through the mirror. He paused his kisses as he reaches a condom from his drawer and sheathed himself. She had never in look at herself in such a manner and she gasped at the mirror when he entered her from behind. His hold on her was possessive, and she was liking it. She was loving the fact that he slowly thrust in her wetness, making her wetter with each thrust. He was pulling her hips to his hard erection and she moaned looking at his sexy grab on her from the mirror. ¡°Ian, baby more¡­ I need more, I so close¡­¡± He twitched to her plea and started stroking her wetness and pacing himself faster taking her higher and whispering harshly in her ear to let herself go. ¡°Now my love, together baby.¡± She was holding onto his hand and tilted her head back to his chest, her eyes were closed and she finally let herself go. She was back to their reflection on the mirror only to see that Ian hadn¡¯t taken his eyes from her body. ¡°Beautiful baby, I can¡¯t wait to see my cum trailing down your thighs. You look so beautiful my love.¡± She was a bit taken back by his words. But didn¡¯t get the chance to process his words when he turned her to face him and nted a hot scorching kiss making her forget about everything else. Chapter 27 Inner Feel Ian and ir arrived at her mom¡¯s house, it was situated outside the city area where thend was vast and people has horses at their properties. The house looked a bit run down, but you could actually see that it used to be a big beautiful house. ir knocked on the door and an older woman opens the door for her. She recognized ir and excused herself to do some housework in the back of the house. ir called me toe closer and we let ourselves into her childhood house. ¡°Mom?¡±Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. She greeted her mother who was sitting in front of the television. She was holding a book on herp, then looked at ir the moment she calls for her. But it only took seconds when her mom used her with a low shaky voice as if she was withholding so much emotion inside her. ¡°Murderer¡­¡± ¡°Mom¡­¡± she stopped in front of her, she bit her lip and held back her tears. Ian moved to her side within moments. ¡°Adulterer¡­¡± she spat another word when she looked at Ian. He knows that she would crumble if she stayed there longer. So he quickly gets ir out of the living room, they were outside within moments. And although the air was warm and sunny ir was shuddering and trembled in his embrace. He kissed her hair and whispered softly in her ear. ¡°Do you mind if I talk to your mother alone?¡± ¡°Maybe we should just go?¡± she was sobbing and crying in his arms while he kept on rubbing her back slowly. The only person she¡¯d expect to take her back with open arms was ripping her heart out. ¡°Baby, we¡¯re here already. Let me just try this. Okay? Just wait for me.¡± She was hugging him tighter, she didn¡¯t want to let him go. But finally did after he kissed and hugged her one more time. He had convinced her that they would go if her mom wouldn¡¯t listen to him. ¡°Mrs. Wright, my name is Ian Taylor. I don¡¯t know if Albert Simmons had informed you or not¡­¡± ¡°You are an adulterer, you acted on sin by sleeping with a married woman.¡± She must¡¯ve seen his protective demeanor earlier, but he didn¡¯t back down and sit in front of her. ¡°First of all, I¡¯m sorry if I have made that impression on you. But let me tell you about myself¡­¡± He took out his badge and give it to her, while he introduced himself telling her that he has been with the police department for over a decade. She looked at it and still holding it when he started telling her their side of the story. ¡°¡­ I met your daughter as she was trying to defend a teen who was stealing bread at a small convenience store. I was going to bring her to the station when she fainted. From there I found out everything. Please keep an open mind that what you saw and heard from the media might not bepletely revealing¡­¡± He continued telling her about the bruises and how she was starving on the street. She looked taken back when he told her that they have her medical records of her bruises which her husband had inflicted on her, almost killed her and that he had cheated on her. ¡°You can check with herwyer, her case had been moved for spousal abuse and self-defense. His family, her inws had been concealing the fact¡­¡± Her mother was silent the whole time he was exining to her about ir. Then by the end, she didn¡¯t say anything. But when Ian decided to stand up and leave, she stopped him. He could see her eyes were red from withholding the tears. He could sense that she was struggling with her decision. ¡°Wait, your badge.¡± He nodded and took back his badge from her, he was about to go out when she told him to get her. ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Wright¡­ and please, I love ir. I only have good intentions for her and her future. But if you couldn¡¯t handle the fact that she took her abusive husband¡¯s life then I will take her back with me.¡± It was his turn to be silent, he looked straight at her and waited for her reply. ¡°Of course¡­ I¡¯d like to talk to her, and let her tell me why.¡± He clenched his jaw when she said her words. He just hopes that she wouldn¡¯t me herself when she finds out that her daughter was getting beaten for the money needed for her treatment. Ian nodded and excused himself to get ir for her. ir hesitated but agreed after he said that he¡¯ll be there for her no matter what the oue. ir walked into the living room, it still looked the same, and feels the same. It even smells the same as when she used to sit there, spending her days watching television with her mother. There have always been the two of them since her dad passed away when she was three years old. Her mother never remarried, she had always seen marriage as a sanctity union between two individuals. That was why it pained her, embarrassed her mom when she saw the news of her son-inw who was murdered in his own home and that his wife, her daughter, her only child was a person of interest since she went missing. She had med herself for the woman ir had be. ¡°ir, honey he had told me his side of your story. Why, my child? If he abused you, you could easily tell me in one of your visits and calls?¡± she couldn¡¯t contain her feelings as her voice was getting emotional. ¡°Mom, I love you. I looked up to you. I truly want my marriage to work out, I¡­ I always thought that it was my fault, that I wasn¡¯t a good enough wife for him¡­¡± ir sat in front of her mom, she was wiping her tears repeatedly. While her mom slowly got up from her seat and took the empty ce beside her. She wrapped her arm around her and kissed her forehead lovingly. ¡°The money, it¡¯s all my fault isn¡¯t it?¡± She could feel her mom¡¯s tears trail down her cheek, and ir wiped it away looking into her mom¡¯s beautiful eyes. ¡°No mom, I¡¯m a grown woman I should know better. I should find a job and leave him the first time he hits me¡­¡± Both women talked, while Ian patiently waited outside. Carefully listened in to the peaceful surrounding and was d that the mother-daughter couple seemed peacefully talking it out. He didn¡¯t want to interrupt their moment and decided to call the office. He asked for his captain and was connected momentster. ¡°Taylor, I got your message. I just open the email from ir¡¯swyer, it seems that the Turner¡¯s case was being settled quietly. I haven¡¯t heard anything from the precinct that issued the bulletin.¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m d¡­¡± ¡°Right, so now that I got you on the line I need you back. There are cases that need to be solved and I¡¯m one best detectives down. When can you start working?¡± ¡°I thought I¡¯m still suspended?¡± ¡°I¡¯m your captain, I can do anything I want. And right now you¡¯re back on the clock. So, what time can you start working?¡± ¡°I¡¯m actually at ir¡¯s mom, a couple of hours out of town. Let me talk it out with her and arrange stuff, she¡¯s still talking it out with her mom inside. I need to be here for her.¡± ¡°Okay, shit¡­ why don¡¯t you take a day off thene back to work tomorrow? or the day after tomorrow. But Ian, I need your best head in the game, there¡¯s a missing woman and we¡¯re stump with the evidence and the clock is ticking.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ okay, tomorrow. I¡¯ll get everything done today, and I¡¯ll see you for a briefing tomorrow morning.¡± Ian could hear him sigh from the other line. He ended the call just in time as ir wasing out of the house. The expression was unreadable, but at least she wasn¡¯t crying. Chapter 28 Caring for Mom ¡°Ian, I¡¯m staying here for a couple of days.¡± She was in his arms within moments, the air was breezy and ir just realized that she was missing the beautiful scenery surrounding her mother¡¯s house. ¡°ir¡­ are you sure? ¡°Ian, I just talked to her nurse and she said her condition has been declining since my disappearance. I need to call her doctor and assess her condition, I don¡¯t know how I¡¯m going to¡­¡± ¡°Give me her doctor¡¯s number, let me take care of everything for you.¡± He caressed her cheek and kissed her softly. ¡°Ian¡­¡± she didn¡¯t like to owe anyone a favor, especially him who she had already depended too much on. But then she knows that there was no way she could afford her mother¡¯s medical at the moment not without a job and a husband. ¡°ir, don¡¯t do this to yourself. Let me help you, I love you¡­ people help their loved ones you know that, don¡¯t you?¡± he smiled and pecked her nose sweetly. She pulled his body closer and hugged him tighter. Resting her head on his chest she sighed and finally agree with him. ¡°Actually I just had a conversation with my captain and he wanted me to be on a case as soon as possible. So, you staying here will be better than if I leave you alone in the house. Do you have your stuff here?¡± She smiled at him then told him that she has her clothes and everything she needs there. That afternoon right after lunch Dr. Steven arrived and gave her the bad news after he checked on her mother. ¡°She¡¯s not doing so good, her stats are way down than myst visit. I¡¯d say she has a couple of months left, we could give her further tests and examinations but at her age and her condition I¡¯d like to give her the rest she needed¡­¡± ir was holding on to Ian while he never let go of his hold on her. She was wiping her tears repeatedly. ¡°It¡¯s all my fault¡­ I should¡¯ve¡­¡± ¡°¡­ actually no¡­¡± the doctor cut her words before she could me herself. He knows in his line of work and being an oncologist for decades that family members would often me themselves for everything. ¡°¡­ with her age and the stage of her cancer, she has surpassed my expectation. But as I said years earlier when your mother was first diagnosed, the life expectancy might differ from each patient¡­¡± Dr. Steven kept on exining to them, and at some stage, she finally stops crying while Ian did not once take her arm off of her shoulder. Half an hourter Dr. Steven was gone after he adjusted her mom¡¯s dosage and talked to nurse Amelia regarding her medication, IVs, and herte-stage cancer home care. It was dark when ir and Ian headed for dinner at a nearby restaurant. He decided that she needs a break before he heads back to the city. Her mom was already asleep from spending the whole day talking to ir then the doctor¡¯s examination and consultation. ¡°¡­ I¡¯ll call you once I arrived at my ce. Then I¡¯ll get back here a soon as I have a day off. I¡¯m going to miss sleeping next to you.¡± He took her hand and kissed it, she smiles at him and took her hand back in seconds. He chuckled, making her pout at him. She was still notfortable with the public disy of affection and he knows it. ¡°You are a rare gem, you know that right? you¡¯re so innocent yet wildly arousing at the same time.¡± He teased her knowing that she would bite her lip and fiddle with her hand in her nervous state. So sexy. That night they both sleep miles away from each other, both feeling like they were missing someone next to them, both toss and turn for the longest time until they finally drift off to sleep. It was early in the morning when he called her mobile, informing her that he was getting ready for work. ¡°¡­ okay, please be careful.¡± ¡°I will, I love you, ir, take care of yourself and be strong for me okay? call me if you need anything, text me if you can¡¯t reach my phone.¡± ¡°Okay, I love you too. See you in a couple of days?¡± she was missing him already and they barely parted for more than twenty-four hours. ¡°Gosh¡­ I missed you baby. I think I¡¯m sleep deprived, couldn¡¯t sleep without you next to me.¡± She was smiling like a maniac hearing his confession, as she was feeling exactly the samest night. But she took a deep breath and replied with a simple me too. Though in actual she wanted to scream that she was missing him so much more. They ended the call when he had another call on his phone, then she starts her day with her morning routine then go to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. She greeted her mom with her breakfast specials every time she visits her. But that day her mom was having her off days where she was having her delirium and having difficulties inmunicating her thoughts. ir was always down every time her mother was experiencing her off moments, and at that time she wished Ian was there tofort her. ¡°Hey baby, have you had your lunch?¡± His low manly voice made her miss him even more. She longed to be in his arm, to be soothed by his words and just to be loved by him. ¡°No, my mom is having her bad day. I wish you¡¯re here with me Ian¡­¡± ¡°I wish I could, you know I would, right? do you need me to call her doctor for you?¡± ¡°I know¡­ and no, she would have this kind off days, Dr. Steven had already told us to expect more of her episodes. Hopefully tomorrow she would be better. There¡¯s a possibility she will stay like this again tomorrow, but I¡¯m hoping she would get better.¡± They talked for another half an hour then ended the call after Ian told her that he would call her again that night. ¡°Are you cheating on your husband?¡± her mom was suddenly behind her. ¡°Mom?¡± ¡°I heard you, and your husband¡¯s name is not Ian.¡± She helped her get back to her chair and pull her nket on for her. Her tears fall as she didn¡¯t know how she was going to exin to her mom about what has been happening to her. ¡°Mom, Benjamin had died.¡± ¡°What? when did that happen?¡± then she started crying for ir¡¯s loss. ¡°He¡¯s such a nice young man, you looked good together. And why did you change your hair color? Oh¡­ honey, was it because he loves you in your natural hair color?¡±Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. She hugged ir, while they both sobbed for all the wrong reasons. But she just let her mom be, then nurse Amelia came and brought her medication. ¡°It¡¯s important that your mother had her steroid treatment for the swelling before two pm so she wouldn¡¯t have insomnia tonight. Dr. Steven had changed her dosage since hisst visit.¡± Amelia gave ir an assuring smile, and her heart broke looking at her mom who was sitting there, tears dried and just looking out her living room window as if she didn¡¯t just sob in ir¡¯s arms moments ago. She backed away and gave Amelia some space to work while she suffocates and paced her step faster then dropped to her knees when she reached the front porch. Why¡­ why do I have to go through all of these? ir¡¯s thought as she rests her back on the porch wall. Chapter 29 Dreadful Feelings ¡°Hey Taylor, are you with me?¡± Garcia called him out when he was not responding to her question. He had just ended his call with ir and he was having a difficult time getting himself in the game and back to thinking about the case. His mind was thinking back to his girlfriend, he was wanting nothing but to be there for her. Though deep down he knows that she could make it, that she was strong. He sighed and finishes his coffee then look at Garcia, nodding back to her and telling her that he was thinking about the case. She looked at him with doubt but then was back to the pile of documents in front of her. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize being a detective will be more aboutbing through the paperwork. I thought we¡¯re looking for clues in the field.¡± ¡°Well we do, but in some cases, this is what we do and traffic cams are the worst. And we haven¡¯t even gone there, so what do you want for lunch? We¡¯re ordering in and getting everything done soonest. Hopefully, by tomorrow we can do some leg work.¡± She rests back in her chair and finishes her second cup of coffee. While Ian took off his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves and start a fresh page on his yellow pad. Garcia looked at him, she was admiring his manly posture. She regrets that he has had a girlfriend recently, cause after having him she was having difficulties finding his recement. He was her easy fix, he was that good and obviously easy on the eyes. ¡°Kimmy, eyes on the files,¡± Ian said when he noticed her looking at him with interest. He was with her for almost a year to know that she was wanting him. ¡°Yeah, sorry. It¡¯s been a while. Look, just get me a sandwich from across the street I¡¯m good. I¡¯ll get us more coffee.¡± She said getting up from her chair and getting both of their empty cups and going to the pantry to refill their coffee knowing they still have a long day ahead with their case. It was after nine when Ian calls ir as he steps foot into his empty house. He reheated his diner which Rose had left him in the fridge while waiting for the call to connect. He tried several times and was thinking the worst until it was finally connected and his heart finally slows down. ¡°Hey, did I wake you?¡± ¡°No, sorry I just had a long bath. Today had been a very challenging one. Mom was asking about us, she thinks that I was cheating with you. She thought that Benjamin was still alive.¡± ¡°Oh, baby¡­ I¡¯m so sorry. I hope I could hug you right now, and be with you. I love you, ir. My day was boring as hell, but better now that I¡¯m talking to you¡­¡± he chuckled trying to cheer her up. ¡°I thought that you have your case. The missing woman?¡± ¡°Yeah, but we¡¯re at a stage where we¡¯re following the paper trail, looking for the hidden clues¡­¡± They talked for an hour as they both seekfort in each other¡¯spany until he told her to rest saying he¡¯d call her again tomorrow. The next day her mom was getting worst, she was lethargic, and was at a point where she would be in and out of consciousness. Her doctor came to adjust her medication and told her that her mom¡¯s health was declining fast. ir tried to call Ian but goes straight to his voice mail, she was trying to be strong but her feelings were bringing her down. She was all alone, her mother was all she has left and she would do anything for her. But being there watching her as she slowly fades away was making her crumble. The situation went on for days and Ian tried tofort her. But the case was getting too close and he couldn¡¯t manage to get away and be with her. He knows that he could save the woman, and they were waiting for the abductor toe out of hiding and that they were closing in on him. ¡°I know Ian, I¡¯ll be fine¡­ there¡¯s nothing you can do here this is the process and I have to wait it out. But you can save her¡­¡± Her period was making her more emotional. She was wiping her tears, she was trying to be strong, she was withholding her sobs trying not to make him worry so he could do his job and save the missing woman. ¡°I love you ir, please stay strong. I¡¯ll be with you as soon as I can.¡± ¡°I know¡­ I love you too.¡± She tried her best to be strong and sleep it off. But that night everything in her world decided to crumble at the same time. She woke up the next morning and had a very bad feeling. Then it was confirmed when she finds her mom lifeless and her body cold in her bed. She finally hugged her mom and cry, shes of memories of her mother wereing to her in one big wave. She was sobbing, her throaty voice was telling her mom that she was sorry. Her mind keeps on ming herself for not being with her that night, she was ming herself for letting her die alone. ¡°ir, this has been expected.¡± Her mom¡¯s nurse, Amelia, was trying tofort her. But she knows that they would all break down. For decades she has been a hospice nurse, yet it still breaks her heart every time her patients leave their loved ones. ¡°I know, Amelia, I just¡­¡± ¡°Sshh¡­ just be with her I¡¯ll call Dr. Steven toe for her death certificate. Do you have anyone that could help you with the funeral?¡± ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°Hey¡­ sshh¡­ it¡¯s okay ir, let me see what we can do to help you with everything. Your mom had left me herst letter to you. Let me get it for you.¡± ir was taken aback by the fact that her mom had left herst words for her. ¡°It¡¯s also one of my jobs to take care of the family member, ir. They¡¯re as much as affected by this terminal disease as much as the patient.¡± Nurse Amelia was back with a white envelope signed by her mother. ir was teary again when she recognized her mother¡¯s handwriting. ¡°I asked them to sign their letters, but I helped them in writing theirst words for their loved ones. I¡¯ll call Dr. Steven and give you some privacy.¡± ir sits down beside her mother and holds her cold hand while she reads her mother¡¯sst words for her. My dearest ir, I love you, please live your life after I¡¯m gone. You have been in the worst situation because of me. I want to be buried in any ce of your choosing, no ceremony just your prayer will be enough for me. I love you, my child, please remember my good days, our happy days. With so much love, Mom. ir cried over her mother¡¯s body, then half an hourter nurse Amelia came up to her and told her that Dr. Steven had arrived with an ambnce.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°He will take your mother¡¯s to a funeral home, I already prepared her dress which she had picked days ago¡­ ir, please be strong. She would want you to be strong¡­¡± the older woman caressed her shoulder knowing that she was handling this all on her own. ¡°Would you like to call your boyfriend? the burial would likely be tomorrow. I will stay here with you until then. I will help you to pack up or dispose of her medical waste.¡± She said as she was looking at the used IVs, catheters, and medications. ¡°Maybeter, but thank you, Amelia, I¡¯ll go talk to Dr. Steven.¡± She hugged her briefly and walked out of her mother¡¯s room to greet her mom¡¯s doctor. She put one step after another, deep down knowing that there was something still bothering her feelings. Chapter 30 Never ending Disaster Trying to keep herself strong, she called Ian for support only to be connected to his voice mail. She had a very bad feeling, but kept brushing it off and continue with the preparation for her mother¡¯s funeral. Until it waste at night and he hasn¡¯t returned any of her calls and texts. Then she took a deep breath as she was certain that there was surely something going on with him. And she just realized that she didn¡¯t even know how to reach him except for his mobile. That was until she decided to call his precinct and miraculously she was connected to Dave by one of his officers. ¡°Hi Dave sorry to bother you thiste, I was trying to contact Ian. I was¡­ my mother passed away this morning and I¡­¡± ¡°Oh¡­ ir, my condolences. But I¡¯m afraid I have more bad news for you. Ian was involved in a shooting this afternoon¡­¡± ¡°No¡­¡± she was suddenly teary, she thought that things were supposed to be going smoothly but instead it falls apart just like a fucked up house of cards. ¡°¡­ but his partner reported that it was non-life-threatening, he had been treated and now resting. The doctor said that he should be okay in¡­¡± Dave was still talking while ir was not sure how to handle the news. She was suddenly speechless. Her heart beats faster and she was suffocating from the sheer feelings altogether. He¡¯s fine ir, he¡¯s a cop. Cop gets injured¡­ She thought to herself while wiping away her tears with her shaky hand. ¡°ir? are you still there?¡± ¡°Yes¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll try to go to his ce soonest I¡¯m done with my mother¡¯s arrangements.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m sure Ian would understand. And he will surely get back to you once he¡¯s able to reach you¡­¡± She ended the call not long after since she didn¡¯t know what to say and how to handle the situation. That night she was back to having her nightmares, but it wasn¡¯t Benjamin. Instead, it was of Ian, how he was shot and died in her arms. She had never felt so much sadness and desperation in her twenty-three years of living. She woke up drench in sweat and parched, she couldn¡¯t get back to sleep. So she decided to pack up her mother¡¯s belongings. Her hand ached and she finally gave up after doing all the manualbor single-handedly for almost three hours. Nurse Amelia found ir sleeping on her mother¡¯s bed. She saw boxes full of her mother¡¯s personal belongings scattered around the bedroom. She sighed and put a nket over ir¡¯s body. Nobody should go through this alone the nurse thought as she tidies up the rest of the medical equipment and put them all into a separate box. She let ir sleep for another hour while she prepared the young woman a simple breakfast, making sure that she was set for the long day ahead of her. ¡°ir honey, wake up. I¡¯ve made you breakfast and a cup of hot coffee.¡± ir woke up groggily and joined Amelia for breakfast ten minutester. She was not ready but she needed to get her day started as she needed to get back to town and check on Ian. She finally got through her mother¡¯s burial, it was a simple ceremony attended by several of her neighbors. She made small talks but her mind was elsewhere. There were several of their friends and neighbors that came out of respect, but there were some who were there out of curiosity about ir¡¯s recent news. Nurse Amelia was with her and ushered her once the burial was finished. She knows that ir needed time for herself and she was making sure that their nosy neighbors were out of her way. It was almost four when ir arrived at Ian¡¯s house. She was a bit nervous still not sure about her standings with him. Should she even be there? will he be okay with her visiting him? She was still hesitant when the front door opens and a beautiful-looking woman was on the other side. Officer Garcia, his casual sex partner. ir looked at her not knowing what to say to the woman who stands there barefoot, wearing an oversize t-shirt and short jeans. She was one step closer to going back to her mother¡¯s house but Garcia stopped her as the woman greeted her with a question. ¡°Wait¡­ I know you, you¡¯re the homeless woman I took to the shelter aren¡¯t you?¡± Garcia gave her a calcted look, knowing that she still has feelings for Ian. And that she sincerely didn¡¯t want him to be fooled by a homeless desperate woman, who had killed her husband. ¡°I am and thank you. I¡­ I talk to Davest night and he said that Ian was shot¡­¡± she was still waiting for Garcia to let her inside the house. Somehow she could feel that Garcia didn¡¯t want her there, and it was making her ufortable on the inside. But ir was mad at herself knowing that she gets herself into this situation. She should¡¯ve waited for Ian to call her back. Maybe Garcia was the ideal woman for Ian, and ir was starting to doubt herself all over again. ¡°Maybe¡­ maybe I should go, I mean you¡¯re here and he¡¯s good¡­ so¡­¡± ir was feeling awkward when the woman didn¡¯t even let her inside the house. She wanted to see him, to make sure that he was fine. But Garcia¡¯s demeanor was making her feel unwanted. ¡°Yes, he¡¯s actually resting. Maybe you should wait for his call?¡± she still looked at her with a condescending look. ir knows when she should retreat, she has been doing this numerous times already when she was still married. She knows when she was unwanted, and she finally backed away and took a taxi back to her mother¡¯s. The driver kept on looking at her from his rearview mirror, asking her if she was okay. She wiped her tear telling him that she was okay and that she was fine, while on the inside she was ready to break. She gave the money that Ian gave her to the driver once they when arrived at her mother¡¯s. The ce was quiet and dark, and it was making her feel more depressed. The house was empty, Amelia had gone back home to her family. ir was getting herself ready for bed, she had decided to skip dinner when there was a knock at the front door. ¡°ir¡­ are you back?¡± His voice was heard and she hurriedly wiped her tears and go to the door. ¡°Danny?¡± ¡°Hey, I thought I saw your lights. I bring you some food, Celia wanted to cook you something¡­¡± She opened her door for Danny, she met him at her mother¡¯s funeral along with a couple of her surrounding neighbors. The Dubois and their ranchmen from next door were there to express their condolences for her mother. Henry, Celia¡¯s dad, had known about her story from the television. The father and daughter talked about it more as they were all alsoforting ir for her mother¡¯s passing. Being in the suburbs and around the same age, Danny, Celia, and ir used to be inseparable. They used to be her best friends growing up in the suburbs until she grew up and went to college. Celia had invited her for dinner that morning, but ir politely declines telling her that she was getting back to the city. ¡°Danny, thank you. I was about to skip dinner since I was too tired.¡± ¡°Well, you should eat. You¡¯re too skinny. God ir, if I had known about Benjamin I¡¯ll kill that motherfucker myself.¡± He quickly moves around her kitchen and set a te for ir, he was telling her to sit and getting her a ss of water. Since they were kids Danny had always been the girls¡¯ protectors, he always acted brotherly towards them. One day Emilie, Celia¡¯s older sister told her that he was that way because he was from an abusive family. And luckily their father came to his rescue and in the end adopted him legally as his own.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. But being Danny he didn¡¯t want to be a freeloader, so since he was ten he has been helping around their ranch. And when he heard about ir¡¯s mother he dashes off to the funeral home taking the whole family and giving her his big brotherly hug and making sure she knows that they were all there for her. I think I could live back here, she thought as she eats her dinner while Danny was busy reporting to her about what has been going on around the ranch. He was deliberately taking her mind off of things and she was silently thanking him for it. Chapter 31 Best of friends The next day Danny was back with Celia, they all had a big hearty breakfast. ¡°What? No fucking way? Emilie is going to flip when she finds out!¡± ¡°I assure you that that woman has been a baby factory the minute that Russian mob doctor has his eyes on her. Yeah we know about his bad mob thing, just don¡¯t tell dad. I think he still wants Max to look innocent and just be a very sessful surgeon who flies with his private jets.¡± She drinks her coffee while continuing with her words babbling on about the mob boss. ¡°¡­ God I can¡¯t believe that my obnoxious brother-inw saves your ass. You know¡­ gosh¡­ I can¡¯t believe that I have to thank him. His head is going to swell like a giant balloon.¡± Danny shook his headughing while Celia pouted at her own words. ir still couldn¡¯t believe that she didn¡¯t know about Emilie¡¯s wedding. They used to keep in touch but everything¡¯s changed when she married Benjamin. ¡°No¡­ no¡­ no, don¡¯t go there ir. It¡¯s not your fault you didn¡¯t know about Emilie¡¯s wedding. And she¡¯s freaking happy with her husband and their little minions.¡± Danny said knowing her nk gaze ¡°Andddd¡­ it¡¯s obvious that we forgive you for not inviting us to your wedding with that psycho.¡± Celia stands up and gave her a big warm hug.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You should ride with us, it¡¯s been a while for you right? we¡¯ll take it slow with your cast. When are you taking it off?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, maybe next week or so¡­¡± ir replied with a small smile. She always loves going on horseback riding with them. She was about to say so when her phone buzzed with an iing text. It was her savior doctor, Reba. Hi ir, I just heard the good news from Luka, so when are youing to get your cast check? maybe we could change it into a splint if it¡¯s better. (Ba) ¡°Reba, one of Max¡¯s doctors from his clinic. She¡¯s asking me to check on my cast.¡± She exined to her two friends, as they were looking when she checked her phone. ¡°I can take you to the city right now if you want? I could use a change of scenery. It¡¯s been a while for me.¡± Danny volunteered in seconds. ¡°We could all go! just like the old days!¡± They allughed and cheered at their little reunion. ir smiles wider d to know that her friends still have her back and that she¡¯d have something to fall back to after everything that had happened to her. They finally scheduled her doctor¡¯s appointment at four that afternoon, and they all leave with Danny driving his car just like when they were all teenagers wanting to sneak into the city to get away from their boring daily suburban life. ¡°God, I missed this¡­¡± ir let out a littleugh when they were on their way to the city. ¡°Yeah me too! Damn! I¡¯ve been hanging with the boys for too long, I need my girly time. Hey, we should schedule our spa day with Lionel! It¡¯s been years then we could try the famous whiskey cake at Barney¡¯s! Emilie has been yapping about that bistro for months. I heard they have an open bar now, I know it¡¯s not much excitement as we¡¯re legal now.¡± Danny let out his famous thunderousugh making the girlsugh with him. ¡°Seriously, did you remember the first time we went to one of those dingy bars for beers? damn, I almost have to drag you girls out of there with all those old men looking at both of you drooling with those very short shorts I told you girls not to wear.¡± They allugh and ir had to actually hold her stomach fromughing too much and told them to stop with the jokes. ¡°You guys! Slow down, I haven¡¯tughed this much in years!¡± But she wasughing her ass off enjoying the sunny warm afternoon with her very best of friends. It was exactly four o¡¯clock when they reached Max¡¯s clinic and he was there after being treated for a knife wound by Reba. ¡°Don¡¯t tell your sister it¡¯s this bad okay?¡± Max whispered to Celia making herugh. ¡°What why? It¡¯s not like she¡¯s not going to notice when you guys do the nasties.¡± Celia mocked him, smirking as if she was winning a point ahead of him. ¡°Eh¡­ yeah right, but she won¡¯t know that it was this bad.¡± ¡°I swear, you guys have the weirdest marriage ever,¡± Celia muttered at her brother-inw, one of the country¡¯s most feared mob bosses who fears his wife¡¯s rants the most. ¡°Okayyy¡­ I¡¯ll keep quiet just because you saved my best friend ir here, and for your information, you can tell that fact to her, I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll go easy on you with the knife wound,¡± Celia said as ir was being ushered to an examination room by Reba and they waited for her at the waiting room. ¡°Yeah? thanks for the tip Celia, my Barbie has her moments but can¡¯t stop loving her, still puzzles me¡­¡± ¡°Okay¡­ okay, we¡¯re here for ir.¡± Celia cuts him before he starts babbling about his wife making all of themugh. ¡°Thanks for saving her man,¡± Danny said as he took a seat beside Celia. ¡°She¡¯s been through a lot¡­¡± Max started their conversation as they wait for her, he stayed with them while his men were guarding the front entrance of the clinic. ir was finally out with a brand new splint, her cast was off and she looked better already. It was as if her cast lifted more than herfort but also her emotional pain. ¡°So, Ian is working then? I thought you guys will be attached to the hips by now.¡± ¡°Ian¡­ he¡¯s injured, got shot two days ago. His partner is looking out for him. So¡­ you want to go to the dingy bar first or Barney¡¯s?¡± ir quickly asked Celia, trying to avoid any more questions from Maxim. ¡°What? No dingy bars for my sister-inw. Just go to Barney¡¯s. Anyways I¡¯ll call Ianter, got some business I need to take care of¡­¡± Max got up and scribble his number on a piece of paper and gave it to ir. ¡°Call me if you need anything and that detective of yours is too busy for you. Any friends of Celia and Emilie are also mine. I got you, ir.¡± They said their goodbyes after ir scheduled another appointment with Reba for her next check-up. ¡°So, who is Ian and why haven¡¯t you talked about him? from Max¡¯s remarks you two sounds like a couple,¡± Danny asked sounding protective already, while Celia was busy with her whiskey cake. ¡°It¡¯s a long story, but he was the first one to pick me up from the streets. You realized that Benjamin took me so far away from you guys and made sure that I would not have the chance to secretly meet you guys without him noticing.¡± She tries to steer the questions away from Ian, but Danny was not backing down on her. So she finally told them the whole story, up until yesterday when she visited his ce and Garcia was there. ¡°But he may not know that you¡¯re there!¡± Celia was siding with Ian while taking a big chunk of her second piece of cake. ¡°But he should call her the second he was conscious if he really loves our ir!¡± Danny was not giving Ian a chance, he was ming him from the start already, and it irked her that he might be right. ¡°Lisa!¡± she greeted the police paranormal aid investigator. ¡°ir? oh my, wee! didn¡¯t know you¡¯reing here¡­ I¡¯m sorry,¡± Lisa was interrupted when one of the waiters came up and whispered to her, then both look at a tall man dressed as a chef peeking from the kitchen area. Lisa was gone but was back ten minutester with her waiter behind her and serving them all with what looked like Russian coffee. ¡°You work here?¡± I asked but was thinking she might be the owner, and I was right. She shook her head telling them that she¡¯s the owner of the ce. ¡°Wow, you¡¯re a real busy bee aren¡¯t you?¡± Sheughed again but then asked ir about Ian since she knows about his incident. ¡°I¡­ he, well¡­ ehmm¡­¡± ¡°Hey, it¡¯s okay. Couples do have rocky starts, just be patient he¡¯s one of the few good guys that I know. Please believe in him?¡± Her words were cryptic but ir was nodding her head as Lisa was quick to leave them, telling the three friends that she was going to bete for a dinner date with her husband. ir didn¡¯t realize that it was getting dark already, and the same darkness sipped into her mind as she was reminded about Ian. It was not until she was alone at her mother¡¯s trying to get to sleep that she was teary again. Her hands keep on fiddling with her phone. It has been two days and he still hasn¡¯t called. Why? Chapter 32 Work Hazzard ¡°Hey, have you found my phone? I really need to call ir.¡± Ian slowly got up, it has been a couple of days since he had been couped up in his house. He had cursed himself for not memorizing her number and stupidly not writing it down in case anything happened. He was still on bed rest and Garcia was kind enough to take care of him and take matters into her own hand. He was out most of the time from the pain meds. But when he was not, he kept asking her if they had found his phone. Garcia was taking a wild leap and tried to have him back. She felt that they had some chemistry in the past, and she knows she was much better than the husband killer. She still didn¡¯t know why he was attracted to her. But she hates that he seemed to like the woman better than her. ¡°I¡¯m still asking around, but you know how these things happened. You probably forget where you put it since you¡¯re carrying two phones with you.¡± He was not convinced with her exnation, he always put his personal phone in his office drawer, and took his business phone whenever he was on duty, but she should be able to find his phone easily. Yet he brushes it off and lets it slide. There was something off about her, but his pain meds would make him sleepy then it was hours past his initial time that he¡¯d like to call ir. He kept on racking his brains trying to find out a way to contact ir until he remembered about Luka. He cursed when he reminds himself that he didn¡¯t have his number, up until he remembered about his email address that he can log in via hisptop. He sighed and finally rx as he had found a way to contact ir, but his eyes were so heavy and he finally drifted off to sleep until he woke up to his mother by his side. ¡°Ian? honey¡­ why didn¡¯t you tell me that you got hurt on duty? and who¡¯s the woman saying that she¡¯s your partner from work, and where¡¯s ir?¡± ¡°Water¡­¡± he smiled at her mother and seated himself on the headboard. He was feeling extremely parched and was d to see his mother and she dly help him with a ss of water. ¡°Is she still here?¡± he asked, knowing she had probably left for work already. ¡°No, I told her that you will be taken care of by a family. I don¡¯t like her Ian, what if ir saw her?¡± ¡°She¡¯s still at her mom¡¯s, I need to call her. I lost my phone, can you help me get myptop? it¡¯s in the living room. I can find out her number from someone, I just need to ess my email.¡± He slowly got up and winced when he felt the stitches on his abdomen. His mom looked worried but he assured her that he was fine and he just needs to go to the bathroom. She lets him do his thing while she goes to the living room to find hisptop. Then told Rose to prepare his lunch, and pack more food on his fridge for the next couple of days. He finally gets her number from Luka, then took out a spare burner phone that he bought weeks ago after he gave one to ir. He waited until his mom get back hometer in the afternoon when she had to make sure that he was all set for the rest of the night. ¡°ir?¡± his voice still sounded weak, but he tried to sound casual. He didn¡¯t want to make her worry. ¡°Ian? I¡¯ve been waiting for you. I thought¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry I lost my phone. Garcia still¡­¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± the mention of the woman¡¯s name made her burn with jealousy. Though she didn¡¯t know if she should be feeling it, maybe things had changed in thest couple of days. She was not sure. ¡°What do you mean oh? I missed you. How are you? How¡¯s your mom?¡± ¡°She passed away three days ago, the same day you got shot. I tried to reach you¡­¡± ¡°ir¡­ baby,¡± Ian was shocked to hear about her mom. But all she heard was that he sounded worried as if he was truly sorry for her and it was hurting her more to the point that she was teary. ¡°You should rest, Garcia said¡­¡± ¡°Wait, you talk to her?¡± ¡°Yeah, I went to your ce after¡­¡± ¡°Why didn¡¯t you?¡­¡± ¡°I thought, look Ian you don¡¯t have to¡­¡± ¡°Damn it, ir I love you, I should be with you right now. I just got to¡­ oh fuck!¡± He was so emotional that he could feel his stitches throbbed when he got up abruptly from the bed. She could hear that he was irritated and probably in pain from his wound, but she was reminded that Garcia sounded sure of herself. She didn¡¯t know what to do in this situation. Not after she found out that Benjamin had fucked other women without her even noticing. The experience made her more insecure with herself. She was feeling that if her husband could cheat on her then her boyfriend could too. ¡°You should rest Ian, we will talk again.¡± She abruptly ended the call because she couldn¡¯t hold off on her tears any longer. Her heart breaks for him, knowing that the situation had just gotten so much worse and she that was losing him. While on the other end Ian was thinking that he needed to clear the situation soonest, but he needs to try if his body could take the long journey to the suburbs. But then Ian finally lost it when Garcia was back to his house to check in on him, knowing his mother had left already. ¡°Give me back my phone Garcia.¡± ¡°What? what are you talking about?¡± ¡°I know you talked to ir, why didn¡¯t you tell me she was here? her mom had just passed away, and she was taking her grieving time to check up on me and you fucking send her away!¡± Garcia was startled by his words, but she was quick to think that it might just be her words, she might be lying just like she did. ¡°And you believe in her over me? the husband killer over a police officer?¡± ¡°Damn it, Gracia, I don¡¯t have time for this. Just give me back my phone!¡± ¡°Here, I just found it. And yeah you don¡¯t have to thank me for it. It was my pleasure. Now you can go back to your girlfriend! I fucking love you, Ian! men! every fucking time!¡± She was hurt by Ian, she hates herself for falling so easily to the man while she knows from the start that they had agreed on a casual sex rtionship. But she was wanting him, wanting the big picture, the rtionship, someone she could go home to after a long hard day¡¯s work. And she really thought it would be him.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Ian cursed as Garcia mmed his door and walked out on him. He quickly checked his phone. Dozens of miscalls and texts from ir. Then he cursed some more before he quickly packed his bag for his overnight stay at ir¡¯s. He just hoped that he wasn¡¯t toote. Chapter 33 His Jealousy ir was sighing back to the couch. The room living room was dark and cold, as the curtain was still drawn. Celia had called minutes earlier inviting her for their dinner barbeque gathering. But ir was not in the mood, she was still grieving for her mom. Theirst trip to the city was her way of cementing back their friendship. But that day she needed to be alone, to mourn for the loss of her mother. Thatte afternoon she curled up in her mother¡¯s bed hugging her pillow and pulled up her mother¡¯s nket and basked in her scent. But the nap didn¡¯tst very long. She was woken up by another dreadful dream. where she saw Graciaughing and having a meal with a man. She couldn¡¯t see who it was because he was facing the other way. But her eyes were glued to his back knowing that she recognized the man. She woke up abruptly from her sleep seeing that it was Ian who was sitting with Garcia. She didn¡¯t fall back to sleep again. It has been like that for the past couple of days, and she was actually tired from theck of sleep. She was making a cup of coffee when Ian called. ¡°Hey, baby,¡± ¡°Hey¡­¡± her voice was small, she was feeling feverish. ¡°I¡¯m on my way there. Still stuck in the afternoon traffic. You don¡¯t sound so good. Are you sure you¡¯re okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m just tired, I didn¡¯t get much sleep.¡± She was back to the couch aftering back from her mom¡¯s room with a big fluffy nket. ¡°Well¡­ try and get some rest, I¡¯ll be there in a couple more hours. I miss you, ir.¡± ¡°I miss you too.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry about Garcia.¡± ¡°Ian¡­¡± ¡°No, seriously hear me out. She took my phone away and I was asleep most of the time from the pain meds. Up until my mom came to check on me.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay Ian¡­ I was just, I needed you. And it wasn¡¯t your fault that you got shot that same day.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so sorry baby, I wish I could be there right now and not leave you alone.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not alone¡­ got my neighbors, my childhood friends.¡± ¡°Yeah? are they taking care of you right now?¡± ¡°No, I wanted to be alone. I was with them yesterday and now I was nning to stay back and mourn for my mom. But now I don¡¯t feel so good¡­¡± They talk for another minute until Ian ended the call as the traffic started to move. Then she was back to hiding herself under the nket until there was a knock and Danny¡¯s voice was heard. She groaned when she lost the warmth of the nket and opened the door for him. ¡°Wow¡­ you look sick, wait¡­ damn ir you¡¯re burning up,¡± Danny said as he touched the back of his hand to her forehead. ¡°Celia wanted to make sure that you have food, but I¡¯m guessing you haven¡¯t even eaten your lunch haven¡¯t you?¡± ir shook her head and get under the nket again. ¡°I just need to rest.¡± ¡°ir, you need to eat. Sit, I¡¯m setting you a te.¡± Danny grumbled to himself while he sets up the te in front of her, he didn¡¯t want to bother with getting her to the dining table. She didn¡¯t look so good, he just wants her to eat and get better quickly. She didn¡¯t eat much, but he managed to make her finish more than half of the portion. Then he made her drink an off the counter anti-fever drug from her medicine cab She was sleepy while he was telling her stories about their teens¡¯ mishaps and adventures. Her back rests on his shoulder while the nket covered her body snuggly. And that was when Ian found them an hourter, sleeping together on the couch after finding her front door unlocked and he lets himself in.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. He was full of rage in an instant, jealousy was filling every nook of his heart until he was seeing red. ¡°Who are you?¡­ ir?¡± Ian dropped his overnight bag with a loud thud and it waking both of them. He asked with too much emotion, he was trying to keep his rage down but failing miserably. ¡°Ian? you¡¯re here already.¡± She sounded sleepy as she slowly sits up, while Danny quickly got up and cover her again with the nket and told her to go back to sleep. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to him, you need to rest.¡± Danny put a pillow under her head telling her to go back to sleep. ¡°You,e with me,¡± Danny whispered harshly as he passes Ian on his way out the front door. Ian followed him only to punch Danny in the face as soon as they both reached the front porch. ¡°What the fuck dude!¡± Danny said punching him back in the face. ¡°She¡¯s my woman! why is she sleeping with you?! who the fuck are you!¡± ¡°I¡¯m her freaking neighbor, the one who has been there for her. Unlike her man! who didn¡¯t even show up to her mom¡¯s funeral!¡± Danny punched Ian on his stomach, just inches away from where he got shot making Ian fall with a very loud growl. ¡°Danny!!! what did you do?!¡± She was to Ian¡¯s side in an instant, she could see blood was seeping from his wound already when she lifts his shirt. ¡°Wait, I didn¡¯t hit him that hard,¡± Danny replied as he tried to defend himself in front of his childhood friend. ¡°Help me get him inside, call a doctor! Quickly, Danny! he was shot! and you just punch him there! It¡¯s bleeding, Danny!!!¡± ¡°Damn it!¡± Danny cursed as he helped Ian back inside the house. ¡°ir, go back in and put your damn jacket on!¡± Danny cursed when ir was holding on to his wound as Ian was squirming in pain and looking at Danny with full of rage. ¡°Don¡¯t talk to her like that!¡± ¡°She has a freaking high fever you dumbass, and it¡¯s cold outside! ir, inside now! I got him!¡± ir put on her jacket and waited for Danny to sit Ian on the couch. Then Danny pulls out his phone and calls the family doctor. ir introduced the two men while they waited for the doctor. And then it was not long until the doctor came and treated Ian¡¯s wound. ¡°Doc, please can you check on her too?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine Danny¡­¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re not. She has a very high fever doc. I gave her medication but if you could prescribe her with the good ones that¡¯ll be better.¡± Danny was very persistent. But ir finally backed down when Ian told her to get checked. Ian just look at the man, he seemed sincere enough and their interaction with each other looked more like siblings bickering rather than lovers. And with ir having his back and actually taking care of him in front of Danny it made his jealousy simmer down quickly. The doctor was checking on her after Ian said that she felt warm. Danny scoffed when he saw ir relent to Ian instead of him and agreed to get herself checked. It was an hourter when the doctor was gone and leave medications for Ian and ir. ¡°I¡¯m going to head on back now and give you two some privacy. But remember, I live next door. If you hurt her in any way I¡¯m going to rip that wound and make your life a living hell.¡± ¡°Ditto. And remember that I am thew, I can make your life a living hell.¡± Ian smirked, he was actually liking the guy but obviously not showing it. He was still marking his territory and showing Danny that he was there for the long run. Both men stare at each other for the longest until ir sighed and pushed Danny out the door. Chapter 34 Back in his arms She wanted to let him rest alone, she was about to move to her mother¡¯s room when Ian was pulling ir back to the bed. ¡°ir, you¡¯re sick. Just stay, I¡¯m okay.¡± She resisted but gave up when Ian showered her with his sweet kisses. ¡°Ian¡­¡± she was moaning his name when he trailed his kisses to the crook of her neck while whispering his words, telling her that he loves her. His hand slipped under her t-shirt feeling her naked back, pulling her t to his body. She tried to back away, she was afraid to hurt his wound but he was not letting her. ¡°I missed you, baby, justy with me¡­¡± ir sumbed to his words and had the best sleep as he holds her close to his body. She didn¡¯t have her nightmares, she was asleep until the morning sunlight was shining through her windows and Ian was looking at her solemnly. ¡°Oh my God, did I drool?¡± The horror on her face made himugh and he pulled her body closer to his. Her fever had gone, she was looking better and beautiful as always. ¡°You¡¯ve changed your cast, why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± He asked while giving her a steaming hot coffee and letting her sit up as she drinks it. ¡°It was the day after my mother¡¯s funeral Danny and Celia were here when Reba texted me.¡± ¡°You mean the day after you went to see me?¡± he looked at her and put her loose strands behind her ear. ¡°Well¡­ yeah¡­¡± she answered nervously, while he kept on looking at her lovingly. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, I didn¡¯t know.¡± He scoots in closer to her and takes her cup away and continues to kiss her. She was putting her hand to his naked chest and tilted her head back letting him trail his kisses to her neck. His hands grabbed her waist and pulled her to straddle him. She refused, saying that the doctor had just treated his wound. But he was faster as he took off her shirt showing her already pink perky nipples. She moaned louder and started grinding him when he pulled her in, he squeezes her tits and started licking her nipples one by one until she arched her back closer to his sexy lips and let himtch to her supple and sexy breasts. ¡°I missed you so much, baby.¡± She started kissing him back smiling when she felt that she could touch him with both hands. The splint was making her maneuver better and he was liking her touches as he was moaning back her name. He was hard under her, she could feel him and she was wanting him badly. He groaned when she was stripping his boxers and started licking his tip. With him wing the sheets, she was feeling the heat even more. She was feeling sexy, more adventurous as she took him deeper into her throat. ¡°Oh fuck! ir baby, you feel so fucking good¡­¡± she was stroking him with her other hand and he abruptly got up saying he was going to blow if she didn¡¯t stop. She looked disappointed, but it onlysted seconds when he pushed her down, stripped off her pants, and start devouring her. It wasn¡¯t long until she climaxes and he pushes it further by putting his bare dick in her. ¡°Ian, condom¡­¡± she breathed out her voice while feeling deliciously stretched as her insides were still pulsating for him. ¡°I¡¯m here for you baby, forever. There won¡¯t be anyone else.¡± He said it with such certainty making her pull back instinctively. ¡°Don¡¯t say such a thing.¡± Her desire vanished as she remembered that Benjamin was all about promises and she had grown to hate it. ¡°ir? don¡¯t back away baby.¡± He wiped her tears and didn¡¯t let her get away from him. He was caging her under him, pushed her down, and started kissing her again. Telling her repeatedly that he loves her, and that he was not lying to her about his feelings towards her. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Really baby¡­ I love you, so fucking much. I¡¯d never lie to you.¡± He was kissing her back and started spreading her thighs again and let his dick slide in her wetness. She was lost in her lust for him, he was dazed from all his loving feelings towards her. His great desire to protect her, to love her, to cherish her for the rest of her life was taking him to one goal. He wanted, and he needed her to be in his life forever. He knew at that exact moment that he was going to ask her to marry him. ¡°Ian, I need you¡­ more baby, please¡­¡± she was looking at him and begging him. He was looking back at her and kissing her deeply while he was thrusting deeper and harder. ¡°Be mine, ir¡­ I want you, I need you, baby. Please¡­¡± he cupped her face and suddenly stop his thrusts, she looked back at him and nodded. She pulled him down to kiss her and he finally resumed their session. He took her thigh to his shoulder and thrusts from the side. She was feeling him deeper, making her moan louder. He was making itst when he pulled out and started kissing her back, she whined but he silences her with his deep sensual kisses.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. That was until he flipped and let her front touch the cool sheets. She was pleading him in seconds when he teased her wetness from behind while he trails his kisses to her spine. ¡°Open your legs baby, and let me have you¡­ damn you¡¯re so tight.¡± She moaned his name when he started moving inside her, he groaned when she clenched her walls surrounding his thick pulsating dick. And he took it further as he closed her legs, and positioned her straight under him while he thrust inside her, deeper and harder. She was submitting to his wants and it was making him even more aroused. ¡°Ian, please¡­¡± her voice was throaty and sexy, she was wanting more of him. His kisses were harsh, and she was liking it. The small little love bites were making her moan louder. His hands were all over her body, caressing her, ying her, taking her higher until they both climax and he pulled out seconds before and smeared her back with his cum. Ian cleaned her and pulled her to his side as they were both climbing down from their high. He kissed her hair and told her that he loves her. ¡°Let¡¯s get married, ir.¡± He stated while looking at the ceiling, it was a strange proposal. But he blurted out knowing he was wanting to, knowing that she was the one for him. While she didn¡¯t even think he asked her properly, it was like he wanted to take her to dinner statement. ¡°Huh?¡± she asked him not sure what exactly is going on at that moment. ¡°You and me, married. I love you, I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I hope you what that too?¡± ¡°Ian, we just knew each other.¡± ¡°So? look, baby¡­ just think about it. Don¡¯t give your answer right now. But know this, I want to marry you, I want to cherish you and be that one person who treats you right.¡± She looked at him and hisst words were making her teary instantly. Because she knows that he would never hurt her, he had shown her exactly that since the first time they¡¯ve met. ¡°¡­ yes, I¡¯ll marry you.¡± He kissed her tears away, and she was sobbing in his arms and holding him tight. She was remembering all that she had gone through and actually hugging her future in her arms. ¡°I got you, baby. I love you, ir.¡± Chapter 35 For Life ¡°So, you¡¯re not going back to the city?¡± ¡°Not today, I still have my sick leave. Why? do you want to spend the day with your friend Danny?¡± Ian looked annoyed that she questioned him about his ns as if she wanted him gone already. ¡°You¡¯re jealous? you¡¯re actually jealous of Danny? he¡¯s way less harmless than your ex casual sex partner Garcia.¡± She retorted as she was already thinking ahead about his partner, how they would work side by side when he gets back to the city.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Hey, I thought we have cleared that topic?¡± ¡°Yeah? put yourself in my shoes. You seriously think you¡¯d be okay with me workingte at night, side by side with my ex casual sex partner?¡± ¡°Right, I¡¯m sorry baby. I¡¯ll get her reinstated with someone else.¡± His words onlyfort half part of her mind, while her other half was thinking about him getting hurt on the job. That worry was bigger than Garcia. ¡°Hey, is there something else?¡± he asked when he saw that there she was still looking troubled. But she didn¡¯t get a chance to answer him when her front door was knocked. ¡°Okay you two, I got Celia bringing lunch for both of you.¡± ir lights up instantly to the mention of Celia¡¯s name, while Ian pouted obviously thinking that she was excited about Danny at the front door. She grabbed Ian¡¯s hand pulling him up from the couch that they had been lounging on all morning. ¡°Celia!¡± ir pulled her childhood bestie into her bear hug and she giggled in her arms. ¡°See Danny, she¡¯s not mad at you punching her boyfriend. Well, at least not at me¡­¡± she moved back to see the man behind ir, her cop boyfriend. ¡°You know we have to vet you right?¡± Celia circled Ian, while he looks at ir with a raised eyebrow. ¡°Celia, this is Ian. My boyfriend.¡± ¡°Her fiance.¡± Ian corrected her. ¡°Wait whattt?¡± both Celia and Danny raised the question. ¡°Yep, future Mrs. Taylor.¡± Ian pulled her closer for a chaste kiss, ir blushed but stay by his side. ¡°Damn, you move fast man.¡± Danny pped his shoulder and gave him a brotherly hug to congratte him. Then Celia hugged both ir and Ian at the same time, smothering them with her warmness. ¡°We should celebrate, Danny put their lunch. We¡¯re going back and gather all the boys, oh boy¡­ Jack is going to flip when he finds out. He hadn¡¯t even met you yet since you get back. He¡¯s so freaking busy with his life, he¡¯s not even fun anymore!¡± Celia was babbling while Ian was looking at ir questioning her about Jack. ¡°Both of you areing to dinner, I¡¯m going to cook a feast for tonight. Ian, we didn¡¯t get to vet her previous fiance. But trust me after Benjamin, we won¡¯t be making the same mistake.¡± ¡°I hope so too.¡± That was all Ian said and it made Celia smile so wide that ir thought it might leave a dent on her cheeks. ¡°Wait, I thought we¡¯re going to have our lunch here. I¡¯m hungry. You¡¯ve fed Sam already, but I was hoping to eat here.¡± Danny was whiny just like in the old days. He was making irugh, and Ian finally sees their friendly childhood bonds. ¡°You¡¯re always hungry! It¡¯s only been three hours since yourst meal.¡± ¡°Exactly! I¡¯m a growing boy! I need my nutrients.¡± Danny said taking a sit on the dining table crossing his arms not wanting to leave as he was told. ¡°You are going with me, I¡¯ve got so many things to prepare until dinner time. Let¡¯s go!¡± But Danny was not budging, not even one bit. ir was resting her back on Ian both were enjoying their bickering. ¡°Danny, one¡­ two¡­ that¡¯s it, I¡¯m telling Sam you tried to kiss me! Let¡¯s see how you like his punches.¡± ¡°The F! yuck! why would I want to kiss your ugly face?¡± Danny retorted but finally got up from his chair. ¡°Who¡¯s Sam? how many guys exactly do you grow up with? why didn¡¯t any of them have your back?¡± ¡°Hey, I heard you, man! are you seriously doubting our¡­¡± ¡°Ian, please. It was me, not them.¡± ir calmly put her hand on his chest and silently told Ian to back down from ming the guys for Benjamin¡¯s issue. Celia was silencing Danny by putting arge slice of garlic bread that they brought with them into his open mouth. And Danny finally calmed down as he enjoyed the fine taste of homemade garlic bread that Celia made. ¡°You know you¡¯re getting better than Emilie, this tastes more buttery and crunchy at the same time. But don¡¯t tell her, okay?¡± Danny gives Celia his biggest grin while he kept on munching on the bread and forgot about the earlier discussion that had him so worked up. ¡°That¡¯s his kryptonite, works every time,¡± Celia said proudly at Ian, making him shake his head but join Danny as he patted the seat next to him and gave Ian a te. They finally eat and relent to Danny¡¯s wishes, then they both get back two hourster after enjoying their meal and discussing some random stuff. ¡°They seemed to like you.¡± ¡°Yeah? What¡¯s not to love about me?¡± he asked ir cockily. She pped his chest yfully but then he grabbed her hand and pulled her close to him. She was kissing him back when he was putting her on the kitchen counter and feeding her the leftover dessert. ¡°Celia can really cook. The food is delicious.¡± ¡°She¡¯s dating Sam and he¡¯s even worse than Danny, she¡¯s learning from her sister Emilie. She¡¯s the real cook.¡± ¡°Right, Max¡¯s wife?¡± She giggled as he huskily said his words while trailing his kisses along her neck. Ian couldn¡¯t stop himself from touching her, she was so beautiful and all he wanted to do was give her sweet little kisses and stay in bed with her all day. ¡°Ian¡­¡± she moaned as he slipped his hand through the waistband of the jeans. ¡°ir, you¡¯re so addicting, baby. I can¡¯t seem to stop myself from loving you¡­¡± he groaned as she was getting wet from all his kisses and finger y. She was parting her thighs wider and letting him y with her body, she was wanting him badly though she just had him hours ago. Her moans were loud, her nipples were hard. She was dripping for him, she was wanting him to lick her. And as if he was reading her mind he lowers down her jeans and her soaking wet panties and started licking her as if she was hisst dessert. Her hands were grabbing his strands trying to keep him where she wanted him. He groaned and lick harder until she finally squeezed him with her inner thighs as she climaxes hard on the kitchen counter. ¡°You are still my favorite meal,¡± Ian said, giving her a hard long lick making her thighs tremble from the sheer intensity of ecstasy. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to have you every day for the rest of my life.¡± He whispered kissing the crook of her neck while he holds her as she wasing down from her climax. ir had never felt so much love that she was dazed by it, and there was nothing that she could do but take all of his love and bask in it. Chapter 36 Suburban life ¡°We should really get going.¡± ¡°Do we have to? We could always cuddle?¡± Ian pulled her body t to him several times already. He was not letting her go, and it was making irugh at him and his childish attitude. ¡°They¡¯re going to send someone here toe and get us. We might as well go now so we cane back sooner and get back to cuddling? up to you, because I¡¯m aiming for something for sexy.¡± She giggled when Ian was on top of her and started kissing her behind the ear. He knows she¡¯s ticklish and he knows it would arouse her in seconds. ¡°You know¡­ I think I¡¯ve just created a little vixen. You are so naughtily beautiful¡­¡± he reached between her legs and sneakily slipped his fingers. She grabbed his arm feeling his sexy y only to be pulled out when she was feeling the heat. ¡°You¡¯re right, we should get going. And no baby, don¡¯t change your panties. I want to know that you¡¯re still wet under there.¡± He licked his fingers clean from her arousal and walk to the bathroom and leave her squirming in the middle of the bed. ¡°You are a mean man.¡± She said when they reached the Dubois family ranch. ¡°Yeah? but I¡¯m your mean man. And I love you.¡± He pecked her cheek quickly and squeezed her sexy covered jeans ass making her gasp. ¡°Ian!¡± she warned him by smacking his hand away. ¡°Yes, my love?¡± They were looking like a couple in love, flirting and giggling when they entered the spacious back yard where they would all gather for any special asion. ¡°Oh my God! There they are! JACK! SAM! they¡¯re here!¡± Celia was waving from the grand outdoor kitchen at ir and Ian, while her other hand was pping Danny¡¯s that was trying to steal a taste of her cooking. ¡°Danny! go get their drinks! you will eat with the rest of us.¡± ¡°You are one mean chef. I was simply tasting it, see if it needed me more spices.¡± Danny grumbled but walk to the fridge and get beers for their guests. ¡°Henry. How are you?¡± ir let go of Ian¡¯s hold and hugged Celia¡¯s dad. He had always been a father figure for her growing up. And she knows he was disappointed in her for not inviting him to her wedding. ¡°ir, ma ch¨¦rie. Please no tears, let the past sorts itself okay? now, Celia said you have good news to share with the rest of us?¡± The old man was looking straight at Ian, then back at ir. He was not liking the view of ir with another man so soon, but he didn¡¯t say anything in front of her. ¡°Henry, this is Ian. Ian¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m her fiance, just asked her to marry me this morning.¡± Ian looked into his eyes and shook his hand in one firm grip. Henry may be old but taking care of horses on his farm made him a force to be reckoned with. ¡°You know when you marry her, you are going to be married to this whole family? we¡¯re not letting it happen again.¡± Henry said to Ian with a straight face and Ian nodded in return. ¡°ir, your mother is gone now, and it¡¯s my duty to look after you and so will the boys. I¡¯m not letting you down, not again.¡± Henry hugged her again, up until two shirtless men showing serious abs in their low-rise jeans and cowboy hats were whistling to Henry. ¡°Stop hogging her old man, it¡¯s our turn to welco¡­¡± ¡°Not a step further.¡± Ian was in front of ir in seconds. He was not letting two half-naked men hug her, didn¡¯t care if they grew up together. Still not happening. ¡°What the fuck dude!¡± Jack, the tall temperamental cowboy was the first one to lose his cool. ¡°Is this him?¡± Sam asked Celia, who was smiling as she was liking to see the protective side of Ian. She remembered when she saw Benjamin years ago when they met for the first andst time. Benjamin was mad at ir for letting Danny hug him. But seeing Ian, he was not mad at ir. He was actually mad at the boys and was ready to punch some cowboys. ¡°Okay, boys enough! Jack, Sam this is Ian ir¡¯s fiance. The person who I¡¯m cooking for tonight. He¡¯s here for an introduction, so y nice or you can skip dinner.¡± Celia was acting like thedy of the house, while her dad was looking proudly at his youngest. He was liking how all the boys were backing down to her words, while years ago this image was far from his imagination, Celia hade a long way. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you grew up with them. Now I need to piss all over the ce just to mark my territory with these guys. Damn, I haven¡¯t even bought you a ring.¡± ¡°Ian, you¡­ I just need you. Please don¡¯t screw this up. I love you. Okay?¡± ¡°I guess so. Maybe, you should kiss me so they know that you¡¯re really in love with me.¡± He smiled wickedly at her. ¡°Okay, now you¡¯re just asking for it.¡± She yfully pped his chest but tipped her toes and reached up to kiss him. He smiled at her kiss and pulled her closer while Danny and Celia were whistling in the background. ¡°Okay! we got it! you¡¯re a couple. I¡¯m going to shower now, see you in a bit.¡± Samughed at Jack who was not liking the situation but follow him inside after kissing Celia and telling her that he was going to freshen up before dinner. Jack the oldest of the guys had been very temperamentaltely and everyone knew that it was because of his woman, Hannah. Dinner went great, and the men headed to the lounge area as they questioned Ian further. While ir was getting her woman talk with Celia. ¡°So, how are you holding up? he¡¯s not rushing you right?¡± ¡°No, he¡¯s busy with work. He just wants me to be his forever. And I don¡¯t want him to rush me into his life. I think I want to spend a couple of months here, I need to be with people that I know.¡± ¡°Oh ir, I¡¯m here for you buddy.¡± Celia hugged her, and they were still talking about their ns when Ian came up to them. ¡°Are you ready to go back?¡± ¡°Eh¡­ yeah I guess, we could talk more tomorrow.¡± She was surprised when Ian asked her since Benjamin never did that, he usually told her that it was time to go. They both leave after promising Celia that she¡¯d be there tomorrow for lunch. Henry hugged her and patted Ian¡¯s back.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. ¡°You¡¯re wee here anytime ir, as for Ian bring me some fine whiskey from the city next time.¡± Celia rolled her eyes, knowing that her dad has a certain liking for Ian to even ask him toe again, and bring him the one drink that he seems couldn¡¯t live without. ¡°Sir, it would be my pleasure. I actually know a guy who imports the good ones.¡± Both menughed and shook hands, then Ian took ir¡¯s hand in his and they walked back to her mother¡¯s. ¡°So, that went well.¡± He whispered as he kissed her cheek and draped his arm to her shoulder. While she smiled at him and snaked her hand to his waist. Along the way she kept on thinking how would she tell Ian that she was noting back to live with him. Not yet. Chapter 37 Needy Love ¡°What do you mean you¡¯re staying here?¡± Ian asked when morning came and they were having coffee in bed. He had asked her to pack for the city. ir was nervous that he would be upset with her, he looked and studied her and know her expression instantly. ¡°Hey baby, please¡­ I¡¯m not mad at you. I just need an exnation. I thought you agree to marry me?¡± He sighed and pulled her in for a hug, she rxes in his arms in moments, wrapping her arms around his waist she turned to face him andy her face on his chest. ¡°I want to stay here Ian, just for a couple of months. I want to find the real me, Benjamin had taken it all away from me. And now I¡¯m marrying you and will live far from my friends again.¡± He hugged her tightly knowing that he would be sleeping alone tonight. He wished it would be that easy, but being apart from her was hard. ¡°You will be living in this house all alone? it¡¯s a pretty big house baby. With your arm¡­¡± ¡°I will be fine, I have my friends. I missed Celia and¡­ well also the guys. But in a friendly manner, you know that right?¡± ¡°I trust you, baby, I just don¡¯t trust myself¡­ I don¡¯t know how long I could stay away from you.¡± ¡°You could always visit, call me? text, even video call.¡± ¡°I guess then we could do some sexy video chats, okay¡­ I¡¯m liking where this is going. Convince me some more¡­¡±This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. He lied, he hated the idea but he needs to give her the space she needed. He wasing in too strong and he wants her to want him as much as he wants her. And if he needs to act like a big boy and leave his fiance behind, he would do it if it¡¯d make her happy. ¡°I love you, Ian.¡± She pushed him to the bed and went under the sheets. ¡°Oh baby¡­ more convincing, please¡­ fuck! you feel so good.¡± He groaned when he uncovers her under the sheets and looks at his beautiful fiance going down on him. She stroked the rest of his length until she decided to take him deeper. He grasped the sheets feeling himself about to burst. ¡°ir baby, fuck me, ride me¡­¡± his voice was deep and sexy and she was straddling him in seconds. She moves her hips sensually and he was twitching under her. ¡°ir, I¡¯m so close¡­ more, faster. Oh my godddd¡­¡± he was moaning until he told her to stop. ¡°Enough¡­¡± ir backed away and started stroking him faster knowing he was about to burst. Ian bucked when he burst into her hand. ¡°God¡­ I can¡¯t wait to be on top again. Remind me not to get shot in the stomach next time.¡± He sighed and rx back to his pillow while ir excuses herself to the bathroom. Next time¡­ Shot¡­ He might get shot¡­ She took a deep breath and try to calm herself down, but her feelings were all over the ce. It suffocates her up until Ian walked into the bathroom. ¡°ir?¡± Ian turned her to face him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll be right out¡­¡± ¡°Hey, talk to me, baby.¡± He stroked her face and wait for her answer. ¡°I hate seeing you get hurt. It worries me, and with your job¡­ you could get hurt again.¡± She hugged him tightly, didn¡¯t care if he thinks that she was exaggerating but she truly didn¡¯t want him to get hurt again. ¡°ir, it¡¯s my job. It¡¯s a risk that I have to take¡­¡± ¡°I know, and your job helps people. It¡¯s just that I don¡¯t want to lose you. You didn¡¯t know how I felt when Dave told me that you got shot.¡± She finally breaks and sheds tears for him, she hated herself for being so emotional about his job. There are lots of police officers out there having families, risking their daily life to protect others. ¡°Oh baby, I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m sorry for making you worried about me. I¡¯ll be more careful.¡± He hugged her back tighter, he had never felt so much emotion from his partners and he truly believes that she loves him to the deepest extent. ¡°How can I make it up to you?¡± he whispered still not letting her go. She was taking in his scent, his warmth, and his affection. She had never been this much in love that it pained her to think that one day he might get hurt. ¡°Stay with me? Just for a couple more days, just until your sick days are over.¡± ¡°Anything for you baby, I¡¯ll talk to Daveter.¡± He cupped her face and wiped her tears away and started giving her sweet little kisses on her cheeks and ended up on her lips. She parted them and let him love her with his deep passionate kisses, while his hand roamed her naked body and his fingers finally find her wetness. ¡°Ian¡­ more¡­¡± her plea was needy and he was giving in to her wants when he pushed her to the bathroom counter. He trailed down his kisses to her perky nipples and made her moan instantly. His fingers were wet from her arousal, ying her expertly while she parted her legs wider wanting more of him. Until he lifts her to the counter and started kissing and licking her wetness until she climaxes and her thighs trembled. But he didn¡¯t let her down as he pushed his erect dick into her slowly. ¡°Ian, your wound¡­¡± ir tried to back away afraid that she might nudge his gunshot wound. ¡°Ssh¡­ it¡¯s okay baby, I¡¯ll do it slowly. I need you.¡± Ian thrusts slowly into ir, deep down feeling that he needs her to know that he was better, and would love her forever. ¡°I love you, ir.¡± He holds her face and looked directly into her eyes while moving deeper inside her. She was moaning his name, her legs wrapped his waist loosely. They were both engulfed in their slow lovemaking and felt the sensual intimacy until they both erupt and climaxes simultaneously. She could feel him pumping himself inside her and she didn¡¯t even back down. She was wanting him, all of him. ¡°I love you, Ian, so much¡­¡± she kissed his chest and rest her face on it. He stayed inside her, let her walls milked him dry while pulling her closer and embracing her in his arms. Chapter 38 Psycho Ex It was the third day, thest day that Ian was scheduled toe to the office. He was leaving for work directly from ir¡¯s ce since he still couldn¡¯t get enough of her.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. He arrived at the precinct and went directly to Dave¡¯s office, he was d that Garcia was not around. ¡°There you are,e Taylor. I got cases which need fresh pair of eyes¡­¡± Dave, his captain told him to take a seat and he started piling him with a couple of thick folders on the desk. ¡°Garcia, I need her to be partner up with someone else,¡± Ian stated as he took his seat. ¡°You¡¯re sure? she seemed to speak highly of you, I thought you¡¯re good with her for another couple of months until I could find her another mentor.¡± ¡°You know I work best alone.¡± ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll see what I can do. Meanwhile, just stick with her, I¡¯ll arrange someone to take over.¡± ¡°Thanks, Captain,¡± Ian said as he rxed back to his seat. ¡°Anytime, so¡­ how¡¯s ir doing?¡± Ian had the talk with his captain and the paperwork done up until it was lunchtime and Garcia showed up saying she had just attended a mandatory psych evaluation. Ian didn¡¯t assume anything else, since internal affairs would call officers after any gun shooting-rted situation. ¡°Hey, so you¡¯re back? look I¡¯m sorry about everything. I should have told her to stay with you and not let her go away.¡± Ian was still agitated hearing her excuses, he knew exactly that she had sent ir away from his home and hide his phone. But he was done with her and didn¡¯t even want to bother with her words. At least he could rest easy knowing that ir is back at her house and didn¡¯t have to handle any future situation with Garcia, at least until she gets a new mentor and they are done working together. ¡°I am, I¡¯ll see youter. I¡¯m out to lunch.¡± That was all he said when he decided to leave her and have a nice peaceful lunch alone. ¡°I¡¯m hungry too, I¡¯ll go with you.¡± She smiled at him and was about to go with him. ¡°I¡¯m meeting someone.¡± He lied, and she knows it. Both had been seeing each other long enough to know the signs. She was boiling when she realized that he had lied to her face. She had been called by internal affairs regarding her emotional rampage, turns out she had been reported by her ex-lover for being a stalker. She was livid and apparently that didn¡¯t go well with them. Garcia was having a very bad day, so when the office hour ended she was following Ian back to his house. Her mind had gone crazy on her and she was breaking into his ce. Ian cursed at her when she was there holding a knife to herself, standing in the middle of his dining area. ¡°Why won¡¯t you love me?¡± she was crying, sobbing while her hand was tightly holding onto one of his kitchen knives. ¡°No one would fucking love me!¡± She was hysterically crying, her hand was trembling and she was warning Ian not to go near her. ¡°I¡¯ve given you everything! I¡¯ve given you the space you needed! and now you¡¯re fucking her?!¡± she whimpered when she sliced her inner arm until it trickled with blood. ¡°Kimmy! please don¡¯t do this to yourself! you will find someone else!¡± ¡°You don¡¯t think I¡¯ve tried?! everyone left me! nobody fucking wants me!¡± she slit her other arm making her sobbed harder. ¡°I thought you were the one Ian. I¡¯ve waited for you.¡± She rests herself back to the dining table as she was starting to stagger in her stance. ¡°Don¡¯t, don¡¯t you daree any closer. I don¡¯t want to kill you. I should kill myself, I¡¯m the fucking failure here.¡± She wiped her face with her hand, making her face now smeared with her blood. Ian didn¡¯t know what to do, he had never seen her like this. Never in his wildest thoughts that he thinks she would act this way, should he know about the instability he would not get involved with her in the first ce. ¡°What? why are you studying me? do you think I¡¯m a cuckoo? maybe I am! and you can congratte yourself for it.¡± She smiled wickedly at him as she pressed the knife to the delicate skin of her slender neck. He knows she had lost it when he saw her hand grip the knife tighter as if she was really going to slit her own throat, and that was when he pulled out his gun swiftly and shot her shoulder just at a point where she would feel the hurt and drop the knife. ¡°What the fuck!!¡± she yelled at him when he shot her. She falls to her knees and Ian quickly grabs the knife away from her and handcuffed her to the foot of the dining table. Ian quickly called his precinct to report the incident. He asked for an ambnce to his residence and get his colleague from internal affairs to his house to take his statement. He understands at that exact moment why she had been called for a psych evaluation. He could already see it his career was going down the drain in the next couple of hours. He would be questioned for having an affair with a co-worker, then he would be subjected for not going forward with the affair knowing that he would evaluate her performance as he was her mentor. But Ian was keeping those thoughts behind him when he was bandaging her gunshot wounds and knife cuts trying not to make her lose more blood. Less than fifteen minutester an ambnce and a police car arrived. Ian was straight to being questioned, thankfully Dave heard about the call and decided to tag along. He was surprised with what he saw but remain calm in front of internal affairs as he was trying to save Ian, one of his best detectives so that he won¡¯t get sucked into internal investigation. It was not until three hourster that he was finally left alone in his house. He was bloody, tired, and hungry. But the first thing he reaches was a cold bottle of beer which he drinks down in less than a minute. His hands were shaking, and his heart was beating so fast when the mask that he wore was gone the moment he was left alone. And just as if ir could feel his anxiety, her name appears on his phone. ¡°Hey¡­ baby,¡± his voice was a bit shaky and throaty and she was sensing immediately that there was something wrong with him. ¡°Ian? are you okay?¡± ¡°No baby, I missed you. I need you¡­¡± He had never needed to be with anyone, he has always been independent since he had learned to walk. But knowing that he could rely on ir, that was when he started feeling the need to be close to her. ¡°Ian, what happened?¡± He took another bottle from the fridge and start telling her about Garcia. Chapter 39 Being Needed She was at his ce the next morning, he looked like he hadn¡¯t slept at all. ¡°Ian, oh my¡­¡± she greeted him the moment he opened the door for her. She was driven to his house by Danny who was giving him the same worried look as ir. ¡°Dude are you okay? ir, maybe I should stay around? he¡¯s not looking good at all.¡± ¡°ir¡­¡± he hugged her as if his life depends on her. ¡°I got him, Danny. Thank you for the ride.¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± her childhood best friend asked still concerned looking at Ian. But ir gave him another firm answer and Danny finally nodded and get back into his truck and leave her with Ian after he told her that he would call and check in on her in a couple of hours before he gets back to the suburbs. ir guided Ian to the couch and told him that she was going to prepare breakfast for him, but he stopped and kissed her deeply. ¡°Now that you¡¯re here would you justy with me? I¡¯m not hungry. I¡¯m just tired.¡± Ian had been tossing and turning all night and he couldn¡¯t get any sleep. All he could see was Garcia¡¯s hand that was about to slit her neck and her words echoing in his mind over and over again, telling him that he was the reason. He knows he was not to me it was a textbook case, but all words get blurry once it was Kimmy who was holding the knife to her neck. He had known her as a very tough independent woman. And ording to her, Ian had made her stoop to that level. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault you know that right?¡± Last night Ian had told her everything and she had convinced him that he was not at fault. ¡°I think so, but I¡¯m not sure anymore. You don¡¯t know her.¡± It hurt ir when he said that, but she tried to be patient thinking that he hadn¡¯t slept all night and his mind was not thinking straight. ¡°But baby, for the shortest time that I know you, you¡¯re far from the person that she said you were. You didn¡¯t hurt me, I¡¯m stronger because of you.¡± She took his hand and walked with him to his bedroom thinking maybe he¡¯d think better after getting a good rest. ¡°But what if I change you years toe?¡± She didn¡¯t even try to reply to him when she pushed him down to the bed and started kissing him. He groaned and that was when she saw him break when he flipped her and was on top of her in seconds. ¡°I¡¯m not sure I¡¯m good for you ir.¡± ¡°Show me¡­ I trust you with my life, Ian.¡± She could feel the heat of his gaze, both of his hands rest on her waist and roughly strip her top off. Her nudecy bra was perfectly disying the pale skin of her supple breasts. His rough sexy lipstched onto her pink nipples as he lowered down her bra, his short stubble graze her sensitive perk nipples. ¡°Tell me to stop baby.¡± ¡°Show me¡­¡± she moaned to his roughness. He has always treated her delicately and she has always wondered if he had another side and if he did, could she handle him. He grunted when she was giving him the green light. He got out of the bed and stripped his clothes off, she was feasting herself on his glorious chiseled naked body. But his eyes were wild with desire when he took off the rest of her clothing and she was naked with patches of pink marks from his rough kisses. Then her needs were shown when he spread her thighs roughly and saw the evident wetness from her desire. ¡°You deserved to be treated delicately, my love.¡± He whispered on top of her, kissing and sucking on her neck while he holds her body down possessively. She was moaning to his rough sexy y and begging him for more. ¡°More¡­ let me feel your anxiety, show me what you¡¯re capable of.¡± Her hand reached down to stroke his hard dick. He groaned and crashed his lips to her and thrust hard inside her, taking both of her legs to his chest pushing her down, and forcing him to go deeper. He was fucking her hard and fast then kissing her roughly. His needs for her were evident and she was amodating him and letting him use her body to his wants. He was fucking her sideways when she climaxes hard and he hugged her tightly in his arms saying that he loves her. ¡°More Ian!¡± she didn¡¯t hesitate knowing that he was still hard inside her and she was wanting to show him that she could be strong for him and that she would not break so easily. ¡°Fuck baby, you¡­ got to tell me to stop¡­¡± his deep sexy voice trailed to ir¡¯s ear while he was kissing her back andying her t to her front while he slides back inside her. She moaned when he put a pillow under her waist and push himself deeper inside her. His teeth sink into the crook of her neck while he thrust himself inside her sensually slow making ir plead for more. He couldn¡¯t take it anymore when he squeezes her ass and hold her still while he picks up the pace and pounded her faster and relentlessly, then within minutes, Ian felt that he was about to burst. She could feel him twitched inside her and she was telling him to give her more. He cursed and gave in to her wants, he could see her ass cheeks were getting pink from his hold on her and she was moaning his name louder. The rough y was surprisingly making her clench him tighter, her wetness was leaking and making him harder than ever before. They were both taken higher to ecstasy until they both climax seconds apart. He slumped on top of her back for seconds while he was pumping himself inside her. She was weing his weight and liked how he possessively hugged her with his body and fill her with his cum. She could feel it trail to the inside of her thighs. His forearms hold his weight as he pumped himselfzily for a couple of more times until he slowly pulled out. ¡°I love you, thank you, baby.¡± He rests on his pillow and pulled her into his arms and dozed off secondster. She smiled and kissed his chest. She was satisfied looking at his smaller size bandage that was still intact from their vigorous activity. Then she scooted out of his bed minutester. She decided to clean herself up, She was smiling when she saw his love bites all over her back. She never knew that she would be happy seeing her body marked by anyone after Benjamin. She continues getting dressed and make him a meal for when he wakes up. Then quickly text Danny telling him that everything is good, that she had made Ian go to sleep and he was resting. ir never thought that he would need her as much as she just witnessed. She thought that he exaggerated his word when they talked on the phonest night. But he was telling her the truth, and she hated Garcia for making him doubt himself.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 40 Life lessons ¡°Ian? what¡¯s this?¡± ir asked as she wakes up with him caressing her hair. She had gotten used to opening her eyes and finds him looking at her, and she was liking his little quirks which she thought was kind of weird at first. ¡°I got it while I was at my lunch break yesterday.¡± Ian had ced a small navy velvet box on her palm while she was still sleeping, and he had patiently waited for her to wake up. He always enjoys watching her sleeping, her beautiful face had been carved to his deepest memory yet he couldn¡¯t seem to get enough of her. She slowly sits up and smiles nervously at him, while Ian masked his nervousness by sipping his cup of coffee. He had been very anxious when he bought her the ring. He was afraid that she would not like his choice and she would lie to him just because she has always been such a nice person. But he was still not ready when her face lit up with her sweet smile as she opens the little box and took the simple yet expensive-looking diamond ring from the small box. ¡°Oh Ian, it¡¯s beautiful¡­¡± her eyes were ssy in an instant. She had never been wooed by anyone before, obviously not by her abusive ex-husband. And with Ian she was falling deeper, it felt like an abyss where she was loving him and couldn¡¯t stop falling for him. He took the ring and put it on her finger, she sheds her tears and he kissed it all away. ¡°It looks good on you baby, I was nning on giving it to you when I got a day off from work¡­¡± She hugged him tightly and he smiled widely, feeling extremely happy with her in his arms. ¡°We should celebrate, let¡¯s go to my parents and give them the big news. I think they¡¯re still home if we leave before nine, but I think it¡¯s better if we call them first. I¡¯m sure mom¡­¡± He was talking while giving her a cup of coffee that he had made earlier, but she was silent and just look at him after drinking her coffee. ¡°What?¡± he asked as she was setting her cup aside. ¡°I think we need to celebrate properly, but don¡¯t worry¡­ I¡¯ll make it quick.¡± She smiled wickedly at him as she was getting braver and started to get on top of him. She could already feel herself was getting wet from the anticipation, and he groaned when he feels her wetness as she straddles him and moves her hips waking his erection. ¡°Mm¡­ I¡¯m liking this side of you.¡± Ian moved back to rest his back to the headboard and she finally took his length and let it slide into her tight walls. They both finally left for his parents an hourter. Ian was locking the house when his phone buzzed with an iing call from his mom. ¡°Ian honey, it¡¯s your dad. I already called our doctor. Oh, God! I hope he¡¯s going to just fine¡­¡± ¡°What? mom slow down, I¡¯m actually going to yours right now,¡± They were both in the car when Ian told ir about his dad. She holds his hand sympathizing with what was happening to his dad. Twenty minutester they were greeted by Rose who looked like she could use a very strong drink at that exact moment. ¡°Rose, thank you. Where are they?¡± He went straight to their bedroom as Rose pointed out hurrying back to the kitchen, where she was doing her other chores. ir followed him awkwardly not knowing should she invade their privacy or not. ¡°Mom, what happened?¡± Ian asked as her mother was pacing by the bed while his dad was being examined by their family doctor. ¡°Heart attack, I don¡¯t know¡­ oh, Ian!¡± he had never seen his mom in such distraught. He understands that they love each other and could imagine how he would feel if he was in her shoes. With that thought he looked at ir who was standing behind him, he wrapped his arms to her shoulder knowing that she must¡¯ve felt out of ce. ¡°ir, oh my God¡­ thank you foring.¡± His mom hugged her and she hugged her back, slowly rubbing her back with her healthy arm. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I interrupted you, maybe I should wait downstairs¡­¡± She was about to say more when his father coughs and his doctor let out a small chuckle as both men conversed quietly. ¡°ir¡­¡± his father called out to her. His mom smiled widely and quickly dragged ir with her to his bedside. Ian stayed back and waited to talk outside with the doctor and try to find out what happened. ¡°Rodney, how are you feeling?¡± she looked at him worriedly. Carol was to her side and kissed his forehead while caressing his hand. ¡°I¡¯m better, it¡¯s been embarrassing but the doctor said I¡¯ll be better.¡± He chuckled and kissed his wife chastely, ir smiled at the older couple. She had met them on several asions before, and she could see where Ian had gotten his loving side from. ¡°But I¡¯m seeing some bling,e here ir let me congratte you and tell us all about it.¡±This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Carol quickly backed away from him and looked at ir¡¯s ring finger, then she shrieked and quickly hugged her before ir even reached his side. ¡°Thank you, Carol, he just gave me this morning. That was why we were on our way here when you called.¡± ir was teary with her happy emotion, she had never felt so much love from one family before. ¡°Okay kids, where is it? the doctor said you¡¯re banned from using it again.¡± Ian walked into the room and looked at his parents usingly. His mother blushed when she heard Ian had talked to the doctor, while ir was still looking confused but waited for his exnation. And that was when Rodney reach his bedside drawer and give him the little blue pills. Viagra, she knows about it since she saw it on Benjamin¡¯s pants pocket when he wasing home from work. ¡°Son, we were bored. I¡¯m sorry to have made you worried, but I¡¯ve talked to the doctor and he said he¡¯s giving me a better one.¡± He smiled wickedly at his mom, making her blush deeper knowing they have ir in the room. ¡°What? there¡¯s no need to be shy, Carol. She¡¯s family now. ir¡¯s officially our daughter. Come here Ian, let me congratte you.¡± Ian put the Viagra in his pocket and hugged his parents. Then his mom told them that she was going downstairs to prepare a celebratory breakfast and taking ir with her. Ian stayed behind talking to his dad, she heard Rodney talking about the importance of keeping the sparks alive at all times. And that made ir shake her head but keep her straight face and follow Carol to the kitchen. Chapter 41 Keeping the Sparks They stayed the whole day with his parents, his mom was ecstatic with the news and she wouldn¡¯t let them leave sooner. She had waited years for Ian to settle down and loves seeing that he ended up with ir. Both women talk about the upper ss and surprisingly both have amon dislike towards them. But then ir mentioned her Idea that one day she wants to make her charity event for a homeless shelter knowing the despair she felt living the street life, though only for a few days but it was hard. She wouldn¡¯t know how people managed to live like that for weeks, months, and even years. Carol hugged her when ir told her about her dreams, saying someday they would alle true. She was getting to know her future daughter-inw, and she was d that Ian had fallen for her and didn¡¯t agree with all the women that she had chosen for him. ¡°So you really like the ring?¡± ¡°I do. Why? do you want me to convince you?¡± It was nighttime. They were lying in bed, cozying up to one another talking the day away. ¡°Well dad and I had the man-to-man talk, and he said I should keep the sparks alive¡­¡± He smirked as he trails his hand down to her waist then slipped his fingers between her legs. She was wearing nothing but his t-shirt, while he was just wearing his boxer briefs. ¡°Yeah? and by keeping these sparks did you take his little helper?¡± ¡°Well¡­ would you think less of me if I took the little blue pill?¡± his words were low and deep while his body was t to her side. She could feel his erection on her waist when he pulls off the oversize t-shirt that she was wearing. ¡°Actually, I¡¯d like to try but I want you to be safe.¡± She pulled his face down and give him a deep sensual kiss. Both moan in their kisses, their body gyrating to one another as they start to feel the heat building between them. ¡°Well, you¡¯re lucky I also talked with the doctor when discussing dad. And he said it¡¯s okay as long as it¡¯s not for frequent use.¡± She let out a soft sexyugh at his words, he groaned when it was making him hard in seconds. ¡°Careful Ian, I know your wound is getting better. But I don¡¯t want you to rip your stitches, do you want me on top?¡± she looked at him biting her lip sexily, he couldn¡¯t take it anymore and crushed his lips to hers and ignited their steamy kissing session. He was feeling her hard nipples on his chest, she moaned when he lowered his briefs and throw them on the bedroom floor joining his t-shirt that she just wore. She could never get enough of his lean muscr body. Ian was liking the hungry look in her eyes when she scanned his naked body and linger on his very erect and hard dick. There was no prolonged forey when he thrust hard and she arched her back feeling the instant high. ¡°Ian, oh God, baby¡­ please¡­¡± He groaned to her plea and keep his pace and thrust harder and deeper while holding her body still. She moaned in his grasps, she could feel his hard length filling her, stretching her, taking her higher and closer to her climax. ¡°Baby¡­ I¡¯m going to¡­¡± Ian backed away the moment she said her words. She whined but then he lowered his kisses and ced her legs to his shoulder and started licking her wetness over and over again until she finally screams out his name when she climaxes, while Ian kept on holding her legs parted and sucking her dry. ir was still sated when Ian pull her to the end of the bed and positioned her front to the sheets and let her feet drop down to the floor. She moaned when he grabbed her waist and pull her ass t to his groin. He did not take a pause, he was still hard and she was getting wet again. He was pacing himself and fuck her deeper, she was whimpering when he started going a little bit rougher on her. His sexy grunts were making her clench him tighter, he moaned and keep on fucking her harder. Over and over again, up until she climaxed for the second time. ¡°Ian baby that was¡­¡± ¡°Wait I¡¯m still, fuck baby¡­¡± Ian faced her to his front and started kissing her, then down to her tits as he was giving her time to recuperate. Then he slowly took her feet from the floor and rest them on the bed, exposing her arousalpletely to him. She was leaking from her climax and he easily pushed himself inside her pulsating wetness and fucked her again. Slowly and sensually. Her walls were suffocating his dick tighter making both of them moan in unison. They were holding on to each other tighter while Ian was slowly picking up the pace, building her again to another climax. ¡°Fuck! I¡¯m so fucking hard baby!¡± She giggled and pulled him down for a deep sexy kiss. And whispered her sexy affirmation then suck his tongue and nibble on his lips. Her hands roamed his back and reach for his ass then she squeezes them while smiling into their hot scorching kisses. He groaned and took her ankles in one hand and hold them while he trails his kisses to her slender and pale beautiful calves, she moaned louder when he suck and lick her behind the knees. Then finally screamed his name when he thrust inside her while keeping her legs together and resting them to his shoulder. He was stroking her inside with his still hard length, and she was biting her lip and arching her back. He was liking the view of her pink perked nipples and her aroused sexy face, while her fingers were grasping the sheets. He was feeling her pulsates and clenches his length, he was groaning and pacing himself fast and deep until she was chanting his name again, telling him that she was close. He was smirking at her and feeling the high as she moaned louder when he licked, then bit her calf and suck them one by one. She finally lost it when he pulls back slowly then thrust hard, and he sexily paused within thrust making her go crazy with anticipation. Over and over again, until she climax and he was still hard inside her. ¡°I¡¯m still so fucking hard, shit¡­ ir,¡± he chuckled and drop to her side. He needed to give her time to rest, and she was lowlyughing on his chest and let out her satisfied sigh. ¡°Rest, let me take care of you¡­¡± she whispered sexily in his ear and started stroking his erection. He moaned her name in seconds, then louder when she started licking his tip. And then started cursing when she was deep throating him. Her beautiful face was still flush from the several orgasms and she was looking very sexy fucking his dick with her mouth. He shuddered and burst after more attention was given by apparently her talented hand and tongue. She was licking him dry and he was still semi-erect even after climaxing hard, and it was making bothughs at theirte-night sexy y. ¡°I¡¯m going to walk very funnily tomorrow.¡±Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. ¡°My glutes muscles are definitely shaping up.¡± Ian retorted as he pulled her into his arms and exhale in content. ¡°But I love you¡­¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m pretty sure I love you more.¡± It was dawn when they finally ended their viagra-induced sex session. They have exhausted their bodies and apparently done it in every part of the house. Chapter 42 Epilogue Two Years Later ¡°Are you going to the shelter again?¡± Ian greeted his beautiful wife as she passed him the pancake. ¡°How do you know?¡± she kissed her husband who was looking handsome in his navy suit. ¡°Your jewelry, the engagement ring. You never wear them when you go there aside from the little amulet Shani gave you years ago.¡± Sheughed at her husband¡¯s simple deduction and sit her jeans-covered ass on hisp. ¡°I don¡¯t have a lot of time.¡± He said looking at her while caressing her cheek lovingly. ¡°I know, I¡¯m putting an image in your already dirty mind. I¡¯m enticing you toe back earlier from the court.¡± Ian was taking the stand that day for one of the country¡¯s most highlighted serial kidnapping and murder cases. It was taking his career and elerating it after he was almost demoted to detective sergeant by internal affairs since his case with Garcia. She on the other hand wasmitted to a mental hospital by her family. She was apparently under a lot of pressure and had been a victim of child abuse for almost a decade. He had visited her once and was told not toe back since she was embarrassed with herself. She looked terrible, very pale, and underweight. He couldn¡¯t help but feel sorry for her, and that was exactly why she had told him to go. ¡°ir baby, you don¡¯t have to do anything. I always spent my mornings looking at your naked body while you¡¯re sleeping.¡± He kissed the side of her neck and she sighed. She was still cozying up in his arms when her phone buzzed. ¡°It¡¯s mom, she¡¯s almost here.¡± ir hurriedly got up and gave Ian a chaste kiss, he smiled at her andmented how quickly she was gone just with just a phone call from his mom. That morning was spent by him going to the court and ir going to the shelter with his mom. They had been going to shelter and helping out as much as they can, they even funded a couple of new shelters for abused women with the help of Carol¡¯s acquaintances. She has been very pleased with her life. She married Ian married a year ago at Taylor¡¯s residence. Everyone was there, the Dubois and their cowboys, also Emilie and Max, and even Reba. Everything has been perfect up until that dreadful afternoon. She was about to go home and was waiting for a taxi since Carol had another appointment and taking the driver back with her. That was when the assant pushes her down to the alley and told her to give him the purse. She did just that and then he took her amulet with him thinking that it was valuable. Obviously, he was in a hurry and leave her shocked and trembling in the alleyway. A few minutester one of the homeless recognized her and helped her back into the shelter where she calls Ian and he picked her up half an hourter. ¡°Hey, how are you doing?¡± ir was silent and was not teary at all and that fact was making him worry more. They had stopped at Max¡¯s clinic to have her checked out by Reba and she was making her take a blood test and all theplete works for just a couple of bruises and scrapes from the fall. Ian even called Shani the witch who summons and gets rid of Benjamin¡¯s entity years ago. Shani told Ian that ir was actually good without an amulet. She said that her husband¡¯s evil spirit had been ced back to his dimension months after theirst meet. She apologized for not letting them know.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. ¡°Mom?¡± ¡°Oh my God, Ian! I¡¯m sorry, I should take her back before I leave and not let her take a taxi in that area.¡± Carol hugged him and said that she wanted to see ir. But then both of them were called into the examination room by Reba, where Ian could see his wife was still lying down on the examination bed. His heart beats faster truly scared of what was happening to the love of his life. ¡°Ian, Mrs. Taylor please follow me.¡± Ian was to her side taking her very cold hand in his and he kissed her forehead. He whispered and told her that he loves her. Carol was by the foot of the bed anxiously waiting for what the doctor was about to say. ¡°So, it turns out that our ir here is pregnant. And she¡¯s afraid that she was going to lose the baby because of the fall earlier. But I have checked and had referred ir to a gynecologist she has an appointment with her tomorrow. But if you¡¯d like to sit down, we could hear the heartbeats. She¡¯s eight weeks into her pregnancy by the way.¡± Ian smiled widely at her then hold her hand tighter, and that was when her tears fall. They had been trying for a year, though it doesn¡¯t seem long she was doomed by several gynecologists saying that she would have difficulties in conceiving since the baby incident she had with Benjamin. That was also why she had been concealing the fact from Ian for thest couple of weeks, and when the mugging happened she was even more afraid because of the fall. ¡°Wait, you said heartbeats?¡± Carol chirped from the end of the bed looking like a very happy grandmother to be. And in seconds she got her answer when Reba raised the volume and they all listened to two strong steady heartbeats when she does an ultrasound on ir¡¯s lower abdomen. Ian looked at the monitor and then looked at ir with his ssy eyes, then he kissed her and told her that he loves her. She could feel his tears trailing down her cheek and she smiled at him. ¡°I love you more.¡± She said wiping his tears and pulling him down for a chaste kiss. Carol was busy conversing with Reba asking about her condition until they were all getting back to his parents at Carol¡¯s request who was feeling guilty for the mugging incident. And ir being the nicest person wasplying with Carol¡¯s request while Ian asked her if she wanted to go home and rest instead. ¡°We could stay the night there Ian, it¡¯s been a while and I don¡¯t want her to feel guilty.¡± ¡°¡­ you are the best wife, thank you baby¡­ and we will go through this together. I¡¯ll be there throughout the pregnancy.¡± Ian had never felt happier in his entire life. He has his beautiful loving wife, and he was going to be a dad to not one but two babies. His career was back on track, ir hade to love him for being someone who helps others. And she understands that his job was a means for him to achieve that. ir was thankful that she was given a second chance. She was d that Ian had found her. She never knew that someone could love her as much as Ian and she was loving him more because of that. That day was the happiest day of her life, though at first, she was speechless because of it. She couldn¡¯t believe that she finally has the chance to have children with him and grow old together. She was going to have the one thing she wanted the most, her own loving family. And she knows that with Ian¡¯s past this would be his retribution to his biological parents. They finish dinner and retreated to Ian¡¯s room. He was wrapping her in his arm and pulling her close while caressing her still a non-existent baby bump. ¡°I love you.¡± He kissed her lips sweetly. ¡°I love you more¡­¡± she sighed feeling her whole future hugging her and two more growing inside her. That night they made the sweetest love, that night both cherish one another equally sensually, both love each other in their beautiful way. Until both climaxed seconds apart while professing their love for each other. Eternally. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!