Stronger With Us (The Strength Series Book 3) (19 page)

31

Six months later

I’ve been working on this for a while and it seems like my efforts are about to pay off. I don’t know how Christin will react when she finds out, but I couldn’t just let it go.

With my brother and his team’s help, I tracked down the piece of shit that gave birth to the most amazing woman in the world. She wasn’t easy to find. Several name changes made background checks difficult. Kevin is a master with the computer, though, and he was able to track her down to a shitty trailer park just outside of Tallahassee. I’ve driven past her address a few times over the last few weeks, but I haven’t decided how I want to handle this. Of course there is some suspicious activity going on, but I’m no longer law enforcement, so I don’t have any authority to bust down the door.

Today I’ve finally parked my truck across the street and I’m planning my approach, trying to figure out what exactly I want to say to this woman who stole my girl’s innocence. Yes, I said my girl. She’s the most important part of my life, and I know I will do everything in my power to see her happy.

My phone rings, bringing me out of my head. The display shows that it’s Colin.

“Where are you?”

“Damn, bro. Nice greeting.”

“I’m serious, Jude. Where the fuck are you right now?”

“Okay, geesh, I’m in Tallahassee. Why? What’s wrong?”

“Please tell me you’re not where I think you are.”

“I don’t know where you think I am, but I’m sitting outside Carol’s trailer. I’m going to confront that bitch today.”

“No, you’re not. Get the fuck out of there right now.”

“Why? What’s going on?”

“The DEA is going to serve a warrant in about an hour. Kevin found enough evidence of drug trafficking to get a federal judge to sign off. I’m not leading the team, but some of your old buddies will be on site. I want you to stay out of trouble.”

“Why would I be in trouble for sitting here? What else are you not telling me?”

“Let’s just say that there are a couple of guys who wouldn’t mind yanking your chain as payback for shit you pulled in the past. You’d probably be arrested and held for questioning. Do you want to try and explain that to Christin? Are you ready to tell her that you’ve been searching for her mother in order to get revenge? I’m pretty sure she’ll be pissed as hell that you told me about what happened since Becca doesn’t even know.”

He’s right; I don’t want her to know what I’ve been up to. She wants to forget it all happened. The statute of limitations had run out, so legally there wasn’t anything we could do, and I knew she wouldn’t testify anyway. I just want justice for her.

“All right, I’ll go,” I say into the phone. “At least she’ll get a little of what’s coming to her. You’ll let me know what happens, right?”

“Yes, I promise to keep you informed as long as you leave right the fuck now.”

“Okay, I’m going,” I say as I start the truck and pull away. “Are you happy now? I’m on the next street and heading out of the trailer park.”

“Thank you. I’ll call you later and update you.”

“I’ll look forward to it,” I say as I end the call.

There is one other thing I had planned to do today. I point my car toward the interstate and figure out how I’m going to pull this one off.

Several hours later I’ve gathered all the supplies I need and I’m putting the finishing touches on my plan. The beef tenderloin is marinating in the refrigerator and the potatoes are mashed and ready to be twice baked. I made béarnaise sauce and it’s keeping warm on the stove. I don’t cook very often, mostly because Christin loves to do it, but tonight is all about her.

Colin called about an hour ago and said that Christin’s mom was arrested and charged with twelve counts of manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine as well as prostitution and child endangerment. Turns out she had taken in some kids who had run away from home and was charging people to have sex with them. I have a feeling there will be more charges as they continue to dig into her background. I don’t plan to mention a word of it to Christin, but it does take a load off my mind knowing that cunt is behind bars.

I hear the garage door open, and I spring into action. I fill a glass with ice and make the perfect 7 and 7; just the way my girl likes it. She walks into the kitchen and her face breaks out into the smile she reserves for me.

“What’s going on, babe?”

I hand her the glass and take her purse. “Nothing, I just wanted to pamper you a little tonight. Is that okay?”

She takes a sip of her drink and moans. “Yes, it’s more than okay. This is perfect.”

“I’m glad you like it. Now, follow me upstairs. I have a bubble bath waiting for you.”

“Oh, my, you really are spoiling me. But aren’t you going to kiss me?”

“Not yet. If I do that we’ll never get to what I have planned,” I say as I walk out of the kitchen. I know she suspects something because I always greet her with a deep-throat kiss. I hide my smile as I take the stairs two at a time to get to the bathroom first.

By the time Christin joins me, I have the water warmed and the jets going. I take her drink and set it on the edge of the tub. Then I pull her toward me and wrap my arms around her.

“Do you know how important you are to me?” I ask looking into her eyes. I can feel the nerves kick up, and I do everything I can to keep them in check.

“Probably as important as you are to me,” she answers with a sly smile. I lean down and place a chaste kiss on her lips, pulling back quickly. She sticks her bottom lip out in a pout, and it makes me laugh.

“Don’t worry, there’s more. Go ahead and get in the bath.” I reach for her scrub top and pull it over her head. I remove the rest of her clothes quickly and then scoop her up in my arms before placing her gently in the tub.

“Aren’t you going to join me?” she asks, still pouting.

“Not this time. I have a couple things I need to do downstairs to get dinner ready. I want you to sit here and relax. When I come back, I’ll get you dried off, and then I’ll feed you.”

“Have you been reading my romance novels?” she asks suspiciously.

“Uh, no. Why would I waste time on that? It’s nothing but fairy tales that put too much pressure on men to live up to.”

“Ah, okay. Well, whatever has possessed you to act like this needs to come back often. Now, go and do what you need to do because I want you inside me soon.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I say with a salute before leaving the bathroom.

Instead of going downstairs, I concentrate on getting the bed the way I want it. I fluff the pillows and pull the blankets down. I thought about scattering rose petals, but I know Christin would just make a comment about having flowers stuck in her butt crack. So, I light candles all around the room and make it as romantic as possible, just like in the books she likes to read.

When I’m satisfied that I’ve done everything I can, I go back into the bathroom to get her. She’s still in the tub, with her head back on the pillow, eyes closed, and a soft purring noise coming from her lips. She has never looked more beautiful than she does completely relaxed and covered in bubbles. I turn the jets off, and she opens her eyes slowly.

“Come on, beautiful, let’s get you out of there before you start to prune,” I whisper as I bend down to lift her from the water. I put her feet down and wrap her in the towel I had set on the edge of the tub. She doesn’t say a word while she lets me dry her off. I’m thrilled she’s letting me take care of her for once.

“You’re too good to me,” she mumbles.

“Not even close. I’m just glad you’re letting me do this for you without fighting me.”

“Hmmm, you can do this whenever you feel like it.”

I pick her up and carry her naked to the bed. My clothes hit the floor in record time, and I crawl up her body and cover it with mine.

Brushing a few strands of hair from her face, I look into her eyes and see trust reflected back. I lean down and kiss her like she wanted me to when she got home. I take my time, exploring her mouth and nibbling on her lips. She wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me even closer.

I kiss my way down her neck, taking my time to hit the places under her ears that make her squirm. Then I get to her amazing breasts and suck one nipple into my mouth while I cover the other with my hand, pinching and rolling it. I’m rewarded with moans and her nails digging into my shoulders, which only makes me harder.

When I get down to her gloriously bare pussy, I dive in like a man starved. Using my thumbs to part her lips, I lick and suck on her clit. She reaches down and pulls my hair as I drive her over the edge.

“Need you, now. Please. Jude, please fuck me.”

“Soon, sweetheart. I’m not done here,” I say as I go back to fucking her with my tongue and teasing her clit. I work her until she’s screaming through another orgasm before I move back up her body.

“You are spectacular,” I say looking into her eyes. “I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you.”

“I’d like to get all of you right now,” she says as she wraps her legs around my waist, pulling my cock into her slickness. I slide into her pussy and moan as I fill her until I'm balls deep. She calls my name at the same time, holding me to her.

“God, I love you,” I say as I feel her walls clamp down on me.

“I love you, too. I never thought I would have this, but I’m so glad I do,” she says as tears fill her eyes. I kiss her lips and her cheeks where the tears are leaving marks.

She loosens her grip on my hips, and I start to move. I know how much she likes my piercing, and I angle myself so that it hits her G-spot. She has me so worked up I know I’m not going to last long, but I don’t care. I love this woman, and I will always give her what she wants.

“More, babe. I need you to fuck me harder,” she says as her back arches up and her head tilts back. I get on my knees for leverage and pick up her hips, pulling her onto me. I can feel my orgasm building, the fire settling at the base of my spine.

“Give it to me, sweetheart. I need one more,” I say as I use my thumb to flick her clit. That’s all it takes and she’s screaming unintelligible words as her orgasm washes over her. I’m pulled under with her and I shout my release, coming harder than I ever have.

I roll us over and wrap her up in my arms, rubbing circles on her back.

“You’re amazing, you know? I think I might have passed out for a second,” she says.

“I aim to please,” I smile down at her.

“Mmm, you do that quite well,” she says placing a kiss on my chest.

“I have a couple other things planned for us. Do you think you can sit up?”

“Yeah, if I have to.”

“Let me go get a washcloth and get you cleaned up.” I roll away from her and move into the bathroom, where I have a washcloth covering my next surprise. I run the hot water until it’s at the perfect temperature before wetting the cloth. When I walk back into the bedroom, Christin is curled up on her side facing me. She’s completely relaxed and still glowing. I walk quickly to the bed, kneeling on the floor to push her legs open, cleaning myself from her skin. She opens her eyes and smiles at me.

“You’re incredible, you know that? Never in my wildest dreams did I think someone would open up my heart the way you have.”

I set the washcloth on the floor and pick up the box I have. I open the lid and stare at the diamond and sapphire ring that I bought. It’s not a traditional engagement ring, but Christin isn’t a traditional woman. I take a deep breath and meet her eyes.