She left us with a smile as she walked out of the office. Alayah buried her head in her hands and sighed heavily.
“Jesus be a fence,” she muttered.
I pulled her to her feet and wrapped my arms around her in a warm embrace. For the longest time, we stood there with me rocking her from side to side in a soothing manner. Silence stood between us, but the surrounding emotion was so loud. She expelled a deep breath.
“I’m sorry for just popping up like this. I didn’t know who else to turn to for something like this.”
“It’s not a problem. I can see how much strife this is causing you.”
She peered up at me. “It’s more depressing than being in prison. I couldn’t do anything behind bars, and now it feels like I can’t do anything on the outside. I feel like I’ve failed them all over again.”
I cupped her face. “You didn’t fail them, baby. You did the most selfless thing you could have done. You sacrificed your freedom. If that ain’t an act of love, I don’t know what is. Things will work out the way they’re supposed to.”
“I really hope so, Killian.”
“Believe that.” I kissed her forehead and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Dry your eyes. You’re getting these freckers all wet,” I said, mimicking Ellie.
A faint smile appeared on her lips. For a moment, we stared into each other’s eyes. Her piercing brown orbs were filled with a mixture of pain and hope. Then she did something I wasn’t expecting. She stood on her toes and pressed her lips to mine. For a second, I pulled back, searching her face. There was no sign that she regretted the brief action.
Again, she stood on her toes and kissed me softly. The gentle pecks soon turned to her sucking on my bottom lip before migrating into her tongue caressing mine. She wrapped her arms around my neck and deepened the kiss. My arms enclosed her, holding her as close to my body as I possibly could. Moments passed, and we were still caught up in the intense lip lock.
Kissing her was everything I imagined it would be. Her lips were soft and juicy. Her breath was minty fresh, and the feeling of her body against me filled my core with every ounce of attraction I’d tried to suppress. The moment she pulled away, I instantly missed her.
“I have to get back to work,” she said faintly.
I nodded. “Do you need a ride?”
“No. Londyn is waiting downstairs.”
“Okay. Call me later?”
“I will.”
She grabbed her things before leaving my office. I stared after her long after she was gone. One of these days, when this was all over, she was going to be mine.
Chapter 19
Alayah
I sat across from my parole officer who had a slight frown on her face. When I called a few days ago to notify her of the pending court date for the restraining order, she was already well aware. She was out of town at the time, but as soon as she got back, she had me come in.
“What is this, Alayah? A restraining order?”
“My mother doesn’t want me to see my sisters.”
“And you went over there anyway?”
I gave her a quick rundown of the events that transpired, and she listened attentively while also shaking her head.
“They came to surprise me at my aunt and uncle’s. I couldn’t turn them away, Ms. Vera. Do you know what it feels like to be separated from the people you love most?”
“No, I don’t.” She sighed. “I’ve been in this business a long time, Alayah. One thing I can tell you is that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. People want to do the right thing but end up going about it the wrong way. I know you love your sisters. I know you miss them, but sweetheart, you are creating more problems for yourself.”
“I will take the consequences of that. You don’t know Kennedy Chambers. You don’t know the things she’s said, done, and let happen. She’s not a good mother.”
“She has to be somewhat decent to still have custody of those kids.”
“They are afraid of her! Miyah doesn’t want to upset her, and Adrienne knows how far to push it before the backlash. She did something to them. I know it…I feel it. Call it intuition or whatever, but I know she did. I won’t stop until I know they’re safe. That’s why I had my lawyer do a wellness check.”
