His low grunts got louder. My fingertips dug into his arms as he stretched back, roaring with a release. He straightened and stared down at me again, bringing his hands between us so he could touch me. The combination of his thumb swirling around my swollen and sensitive clit plus the pulsing of his cock still deep within me, sent me crashing over the edge and I gasped consumed by the power of my climax.
Our bodies cooled down in the stillness of our cuddles that felt like a little glimpse of heaven. Warm and cozy. His arms folded tightly around me, bringing me a peace I’d never known before. A calming of the tempests in my heart. Hope for the future. In his embrace, I believed there was nothing out there to fear. He was the antidote to the roaring rage of the world. Ezra might not have healed me of my demons but his love changed me.
“Tell me what happened,” I asked softly, pushing closer to him.
He cleared his throat. “Things went to shit. Chichi wasn’t at the warehouse and neither was Rowan. Luckily for her, she was sick that morning so when the police broke into the warehouse, they found the drugs and everything else, except for Chichi. She and Rowan quickly figured out what I’d done and they found us. Trying to escape, I crashed the car and they were able to capture me. Nunes tracked me through the phone and they got Chichi, but Rowan disappeared.”
“What do we do now?”
“Now we stay under the radar. Nunes thinks we might still be in danger because of Rowan, but I don’t think without Chichi he’ll be able to do much.”
“Everything has been so crazy.”
He kissed the back of my head. “I know but it’s over now.”
“Can I call my mother?”
“Not yet, but soon you’ll be able to reach out and even visit them.”
“What about your family?”
“I wasn’t able to see them. They were already gone.”
“Witness protection?”
“Yes,” he breathed out in defeat.
“Why? You said we aren’t in danger?”
“Nunes wouldn’t tell me why. But he promised me it was for the best.” He pressed me down on the mattress and straddled my naked body. Eyes bright. All his burdens had disappeared. “For now, we have to enjoy our vacation and spend all the money we have.”
My chest fluttered hearing the word we and the implication of it. I laughed. “I thought we were giving it away to charity?”
“Yes, but not all of it. I want to take you to all the places you’ve dreamed of and give you all of your heart’s desires.”
“I have you. That’s all I need.” I was secure with what I was saying. Ezra was everything I needed. “For now,” I teased.
We were both flawed and together our imperfections were made perfect.
Epilogue
Vinnie
Nothing made sense as we waited impatiently in a room surrounded by metal and glass. There were two armed officers by the door, and we weren’t allowed to leave. We were whisked from our home this morning—not even given time to pack anything. Nunes didn’t offer much by way of explanation, and all we knew was that we’d be placed in some sort of witness protection because we could be in danger.
“Dad,” Alexa, my daughter yelled, tears pooling her eyes. “I was going to be a doctor. I’m top of my class at STANFORD. Do you have any idea how hard I worked to get where I am? And now my life is ruined because of Ezra?”
“Lexi, please let’s be patient.” Claire tried to reason with her. “For all we know Ezra could be in danger too.”
“I’m your daughter,” the screams turned to my wife. “You’ve always protected Ezra all your life. He always came first and look at where he put us.”
I didn’t know what to say because she had every right to be upset. Our lives were turned upside down and all our plans shattered. I couldn’t even think straight.
“Dad. Say something!”
My burdened gaze found my daughter’s distressed eyes. The frown set between her brows was deep and tears rolled down the side of her face. I couldn’t make it better. I couldn’t fix this, and my daughter’s agony always felt like it was my own. I loved Alexa and Ezra more than life itself and their pain would always be my pain.
“Honey, let’s wait until Detective Nunes returns and then we’ll have all the answers.”
Roaring, she stomped her feet and plunked onto the couch. She covered her face with a pillow and wept. Her mother tried to comfort her but she refused her touch.
Claire glanced at me, her eyes speaking the words her mouth refused to utter. She was scared. Worried. And a sense of helplessness took over me.
Through the glass window, separating us from the rest of the precinct, I saw Nunes walk in. His shoulders were high, his stride was determined and triumphal. A group of armed men came in behind him, all dressed in black and amongst them was Pamela or as she called herself now, Chichi, in handcuffs.
My hands trembled with anger, and my heart palpitated to a point I had to breathe through my mouth. I looked from Claire to Pamela, and then back to Claire. Her face paled. I had a hunch that whatever was going on had to do with Chichi. Guilt, regret, shame took me down an old familiar path.
I bolted to my feet and banged on the window to hopefully snatch Nunes’ attention. Either he ignored me or didn’t notice my attempt because I went unacknowledged.
“Hey, somebody,” I continued to call. “I need to speak to someone in charge.”
“Calm down,” Claire said, grasping my arm. “Don’t let your blood pressure rise. You don’t have your meds with you.”
Alexa removed the pillow from her face. “If you have a stroke, I won’t be able to help you, do you know why? Because I didn’t finish medical school.” She brought the pillow back up to cover her face.
I took back my seat to steady my uneasy heart. My mind wandered to Ezra. All I hoped was that he was safe and well. My boy.
After what seemed an eternity, Nunes walked in. His features were impassive.
“I need to talk to Pamela.” Was the first thing I said. “Please, I need to see that woman. She’s the one that ruined my family.”
“I’m sorry but that’s out of the question.” Nunes shook his head. “Impossible. She’s in confinement, waiting to be transferred by the feds and you’re not even supposed to be here.”
I grimaced. “What do you mean? No one has told us anything?”
“I know and I’m sorry. You and your family were supposed to be at a safe house by now but one of the officers spotted somethin’ odd. We agreed it would be best to keep you here while we had it looked into. I promised Ezra I’d keep you safe.”
“That just confuses me even more.”
“I thought Ezra would have talked to you but I guess he hasn’t.”
Nunes proceeded to give a brief explanation of what was going on. I couldn’t believe that Ezra fell into Chichi’s claws. He was smarter than that.
“Nunes,” I pleaded, “that woman came into our lives and destroyed everything we had. All I need is one minute to tell her how much I despise her.”
“I understand the connection between all of you, but my hands are tied.”