Chasing Air (18 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY

Petra arrived, acting as cavalier as ever. “Surprised to get your call, darling. What changed your mind, and where’s the wife?”

“No games, Petra. You know she’s not my wife.”

“She did better than I did, at least she got the ring.” Her snicker was a little too contrite for his taste.

“Babe, she got the ring because she demanded it to stay around. I didn’t know if you were coming back from Europe. You know how I am, I need a girl on the side.” He was playing it good, she melted in his hands.

“Baby, I’m back, so you don’t need her.” She pulled him into a kiss, and Ryler responded in a way that was too convincing. If Makenzie hadn’t help plan the scheme, things could’ve really been ugly later. “Let’s get out of here and go back to my place.”

“It’s tempting, but I can’t leave that damn puppy. But I’ve got to know, how did you just show up all of a sudden a few weeks ago? Where’ve you been?” He was leading her closer to his slippery questions.

“Well, I heard on the radio about the shooting at your place. I was scared it might’ve been you. I arrived behind the crew at your house but I stayed in the background. I’m still surprised you didn’t see me, but you were all over her.”

“It was an ordeal, for sure. Wait, it wasn’t on the radio. You said radio, right?”

“Not the car radio, the police radio. Your old police radio.” She stopped talking when she realized what she’d just said.

“Petra, you were the one who broke in to my car and stole my laptop and my police radio? YOU did that?”

“They gave you another one and took care of your car, but I would’ve paid for it.”

“That explains everything. The night that Cyndi lost the baby, you were at my house weren’t you?”

Petra moved back from him. His voice was like a thundering explosion.

“I swear I didn’t know until later that she was pregnant, it just looked like she had gained a little weight. She fell, it was an accident! I swear I didn’t touch her!” She cried uncontrollably.

“You didn’t have to touch her, you tormented her with words, didn’t you? She was running away from you when she fell, wasn’t she?” He paused and took a couple of steps towards her. “You told her things that weren’t true, didn’t you? You caused her to lose the baby. You tormented her about a fake affair until she lost her mind. How could you do that?” He held Petra’s shoulders, shaking her.

“I didn’t mean for all of that to happen the way it did! I saw the way you looked at me, I knew we could be together if she would just leave. You weren’t happy with her, you said so more than once. I never meant for her to fall, she lost her footing when she chased me out.” As she sat down in the chair, her body gave way to the despair that she had been carrying around for so long. The tidal wave of emotion took over her, leaving her sobbing violently.

“Did you even think to call an ambulance? You didn’t even get her help. Do you understand what you did? You. Killed. My. Son.”

Ryler dialed a number and put the cell phone to his ear. “I need a cruiser at my house, right now. Don’t run code, stay off scanner.” He turned to Petra, “You’re going to be placed under arrest when the guys get here. While you don’t deserve any privacy whatsoever, I do, and so do Cyndi and Makenzie. I expect you to make sure that your confession also includes a full letter addressed to Cyndi. You took the life of our son from us and you robbed Cyndi of a life of her own. I really wouldn’t spit on you if you were on fire right now.”

Makenzie ran to Ryler and the surprised look on Petra’s face said everything. Petra knew she’d been played as Ryler stared her down.

“Nowhere in the universe is there a capacity to punish you for what you’ve done.”

When Petra realized everything was falling apart, she had nothing to lose. She pulled out a Walther P90 380 automatic pistol from her purse and pointed it straight at Makenzie.

“Ryler, if you take one step, the bitch dies. Are we clear?” Petra watched them intently.

“Petra, you don’t want to do this. You’re already in enough trouble. Put the gun down,” Ryler demanded.

Makenzie had learned from her classes that she needed to sidetrack the assailant, so she pushed away from Ryler. “Ryler, Petra told me of how close you both have been. Is it true that I’m just a replacement for Cyndi?”

Not knowing where her question was coming from, Ryler played along. “I loved Cyndi and our little boy. I wanted our family.”

He put his hands over his face. The movement was just enough to get Petra’s complete attention. Makenzie made her move. With a defensive front kick, she knocked the gun from Petra’s hand. But that wasn’t enough. She’d been taught to finish her assailant and followed the kick by grabbing both of Petra’s shoulders and landing a perfect roundhouse knee strike, temporarily crippling her.

Ryler cuffed Petra and showed no mercy by leaving her lying face down on the floor.

“You’re nobody’s replacement. You’re everything to me,” he said, pulling Makenzie to his chest.

“Ditto. Hey, the position of superhero has officially been filled.” She snickered. “And I see that my training has officially paid off.”

“Just promise me you won’t change jobs anytime soon?”

“Hmmm.”

The uniformed officers showed up just as Brody and Rachel pulled up. Makenzie took Rachel to the patio, but not before seeing them haul Petra off to the squad car. Makenzie got a bit of satisfaction in seeing her wearing the official metal bracelets behind her back. When the tow truck took her car away, they were finally able to sit down with Rachel and Brody and dissect the events over the last four years.

Chris called Ryler’s cell phone and gave him the scoop, since he was still at the station when they brought Petra in.

“Chris got the whole story. The captain was on his way in to meet with the District Attorney. She’s facing numerous charges of stalking, terroristic threatening, burglary of a vehicle, attempted murder and failing to render aid.”

“That should keep her out of our lives for a long time,” Makenzie said.

“Hey man, don’t you think you should call Cyndi or her family and let them know what’s going on before they hear about it?” Brody said while he patted Ryler on the shoulder.

“She won’t talk to me. She won’t take my call.”

“You won’t know that until you try.”

Ryler sought privacy upstairs for quite some time. While he was gone, the three of them had a chance to chat
, even with little Daisy trying to steal the show. Brody took Daisy out back to play fetch with her tiny little ball. She loved to play with anyone who would throw the ball for her.

“How are you holding up living with a cop?” Mak teased Rachel.

“Oh, you know, they’re easy on the eyes and they know how to cook.” She gave Makenzie a light-hearted smile. “It’s not half bad, but the other stuff has been a struggle. I’m not sure how the judicial system could let the jackass make bail.” She picked up a glass of water and Mak noticed the glass trembling.

“Rachel, it’s only bail. His hearing is in a couple of months and he serve time for what he did to you. Until then, Brody will keep you safe. You know that, right?

“Nothing’s a guarantee,” Rachel said with exasperation.

Makenzie didn’t want to pry, so she chose to expose herself emotionally to see if Rachel would open up. “My mom accidentally called me Judith today. I was hoping that name would die with Drew, but the memories it brought up sent me into a tailspin. She didn’t mean to. It’s amazing to me the slightest thing just creates havoc with my sanity. I’m going to double up on my counseling so that I keep the PTSD in check. You know, my counselor would see both of us if you ever want to go with me.”

Rachel was silent for a while, just spinning the glass of water, while staring into space. “It wouldn’t bother you for me to hear your private stuff?”

“No, not at all.”

Brody came back in with Daisy. Rachel quickly whispered, “I’d really like that, please call me.”

Ryler came back downstairs and joined them. He was actually smiling. He pulled Makenzie over into his lap and held on to her tightly. It was the unspoken message of trust and courage that she got, loud and clear.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Makenzie and Ryler had a couple of busy days getting the house ready for company, which left them passing each other in the hallways. Makenzie’s family was coming on Wednesday to spend the Thanksgiving holiday weekend with them, even though she was working a twelve-hour shift at the hospital on Thanksgiving Day. Ryler’s family had embraced hers, welcoming them to their holiday table. For the last two years, holidays had been sad days for both Mackenzie and Ryler. He spent his past holidays with his family, but longed for the family he’d lost. Makenzie spent hers in hiding, unable to see or speak to the family she gave up so that they could all stay alive.

On Mak’s day off, she had a couple of appointments with the wedding planner, caterer, and bridal shop to finalize the wedding details. The owner of the bridal shop just couldn’t get over her choice for a dress. She thought Makenzie should reconsider the long, copper silk bridal gown. It was body hugging and very low in the back. The way the thin straps crisscrossed very low meant that she wouldn’t be able to wear a bra with it. Makenzie thought it was sensually elegant, but she picked it because it was something that Ryler would like. She was going to wear several strands of pearls that would hang down her back and she wanted her hair partially pinned up.

She didn’t want the wedding to be traditional in a way that would trigger any memories of their previous ceremonies. She desired something more like a holiday celebration. If it were up to her, they would’ve eloped, but they sought to make their families happy.

Cessa, Veronica, and Rachel were delighted to be bridesmaids. Their dresses were identical to hers, but in black. Veronica had fussed that she had too much booty to pull off the dress, but when she modeled it at work even David commented on how gorgeous she looked. With the guys and girls all wearing black and Makenzie wearing copper, the contrasting colors would photograph richly.
Everyone thought she was nuts with that color scheme, but she shrugged them off. It was the holidays, after all.

Makenzie leaned over in the kitchen, emptying the dishwasher while Daisy flitted around. She felt large hands on her hips, the fullness of the man’s package behind her, grinding her in delicate places.

“Hm, perfect, don’t move,” he teased.

“I didn’t hear you come in.”

She wiggled in front of him wearing nothing but a t-shirt and panties.

“Just my t-shirt, so sweet.”

“Well, almost,” she said as she turned into him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He lifted her onto the bar and spread her legs to make room for his hips. “How about we start working on that baby we’ve been talking about.” He traced her lips and jaw with his tongue, playing irresistibly.

“Yeah, about that. Hmm.”

He moved to meet her eyes with a conflicted look. “Have you changed your mind?”

She shook her head, “Oh no, not at all. I wanted to talk about it again before stopping my pills.”

He kissed her hard, passionately. He moved against her and she returned the favor. When he pulled away, they were both breathless.

“I want a family with you. I want more. I want everything. I love you,” he confessed, pulling her head to his chest. He held her there for a long time without saying anything. She could feel his heart beating under his skin, vibrating under her cheek. It was what he didn’t say that she heard more.

He took a step back and swooped her up in his arms, taking her to their bedroom. He needed to show her his commitment to them and that he wasn’t using her as a crutch to heal his pain. He was ready for a life with her and the family that they both wanted. He hovered over her on the bed, his eyes embracing hers, when she saw in him the desire that set her body on fire.

He ripped the t-shirt off her then took one nipple in his mouth and teased it, causing her back to arch in response. He cupped her breasts with his hand before gently massaging both of them at the same time. As he tormented her nipples with his teeth, she rocked against his advances. He backed away from her and removed his clothes and her panties. Both naked, she could see that he was more than ready for her and she desired him as well. He kissed his way down to her naval, tempting her with his lips, leaving a trail of little bites with his teeth. She kept her hands in his curly blonde hair, pulling him closer to her.

He nibbled the inside of her thigh and she let out a groan. As he applied pressure to her sensitive spot with his thumb, he could see her skin glisten with dewy moisture and felt her sex swell in response to the pleasure he was giving her.

She moaned out his name as he took her to the cliff of delight. She wanted more. “More, please don’t make me beg.” She knew one nibble, one lick of his tongue would be all that it would take to give her the release only he knew how to bring.

He chuckled in a sexy, hard-bodied way. “More, huh, well let’s see about that.” He sucked her with his lips and she rocked in ecstasy. Her breaths came in gasps as she moaned and kept his head close with her hands. He didn’t stop his erotic assault on her, but rather held on tightly to her hips with his hands and continued to massage her with gentle licks of his tongue. She was drenched in passion and moisture from her sweet orgasm, her nerves overly sensitive. As he continued to touch her, stimulating her every nerve, she screamed out again as he gave her yet another beautiful climax.

He slid up her body to rest beside her. “Was that more enough?” His eyes twinkled in response to her delight.

“It should be, but no. I want all of you.”

He flipped her over on
her stomach, helping her rest on her hands and knees, and took her from behind. With each thrust into her, she responded with a deep, soulful moan. She rocked back against him, fulfilling her own measure of need. She was a greedy lover and took everything he had to give. He leaned over close to her body and roughly bit at her shoulder, making her howl in response. He rode her harder and more forcefully until she moaned with her own climax, just before he grunted with his own pleasured orgasm, pulsing inside her.

They slowly sank to the mattress, panting in unison, their bodies stilling. Neither of them moved nor spoke for several minutes. Finally, Ryler rolled them to lie on their sides, cuddled together. He brushed the hair back from the side of her face and applied sweet kisses to her temple and cheek. When his breathing returned to normal, he rolled to his back and tucked her close to his side.

“You undo me.”

She could feel his heart beating on the surface of her skin next to him. His breaths began to slow against the side of her face. “I love you more,” she mumbled, before she drifted off to sleep.

Ryler rested there, holding her as close to his body as he possibly could. He knew he made her happy intimately, but every time he had brought up the suggestion of starting their family, she always found a way to change the subject. He couldn’t imagine what was holding her back. Sure, they had been seeing each other for only a short time, but at their age and stage, with second marriages for each of them, it shouldn’t take as long to make decisions. Should it? Was he rushing her?

Petra was behind bars, Drew was dead, what could be the problem that was causing her concern and more importantly, why hadn’t she talked with him about it?

The night seemed to drag on forever. Ryler, unable to sleep, spent the night hours catching up on paperwork in his new home office. He couldn’t remove the detective hat, he had to over analyze every detail to the breaking point. Finally, he made the decision just to ask her.

It was just before dawn when he decided to wake her up. She was lying on her side, facing his pillow. He climbed back in bed and pulled her close to him. She groaned and stretched before curling back up to him. He stroked her beautiful curls away from her face except for one strand that he used to tickle her cheeks and nose. She muttered for him to quit, so he replaced his lips where the curl had been and continued to seduce her into consciousness.

“Good morning, my beautiful girl,” he whispered in between sweet kisses.

Makenzie tried to roll away from him to go back to sleep, but he kept his arms taut around her. “What time is it?”

“Almost four-thirty.”

“Well, that’s a straight answer,” she moaned as she tried to stretch again. “You going to the gym?”

“No, I’m going to get my workout right here with you.” He mumbled against her neck. “But first, I want to ask you something.” He reached for the bedside lamp, turning it on so that he could see her eyes. They wouldn’t lie to him, no matter what she said.

She blinked a few times, adjusting to the light, unsure of what had him up so early in the morning. “Alright, I’m completely awake. Ask away.”

“Do you love me, heart and soul?” he asked.

She stared at him, searching his eyes for a clue as to why he was questioning her.

“Yes, I do. You don’t know that by now?” Her answer was gutted with pain. Tears began to fill her eyes. “I don’t understand. What happened to make you question my love for you, our love?”

“I don’t. I guess I just needed to hear you say it. I’ve been up all night wondering why you change the subject every time I mention starting a family. I needed to know that you are with me heart and soul, for the rest of our lives.”

Although subconsciously she must’ve been dodging the conversation, she didn’t realize it until that very moment.” I love you beyond measure. I want a family with you.”

The room was quiet, the air thick around them. He waited on her to continue, he needed to hear the “but” that was coming, his heart clenched in defense.

“I want a family with you, but I’ve been waiting until things are settled with the holidays, the wedding, and we’re back to normal.”

“You think I’m rushing things, pushing you?”

“Not rushing. I want a family too, and we aren’t getting any younger.” She laughed. He could see the twinkle in her eyes.

“Want to start right now?” He was persistent.

“Fine, tomorrow was my last pill for the month anyway. You’re sure you’re ready for Daisy to have a sister?”

“Yep.” He had her under him in one swift move.

He forgot all about arguing with her that Daisy could get a brother instead.