12
Chapter Twelve Chapter Twelve
“Shadow,” I call from behind his retreating form.
“Yeah,” he says as he turns toward me.
“What did you find out about what Harrison allegedly has on me?”
Shadow and Tucker exchange glances and the corner of Shadow’s mouth quirks up. “Tucker will invite himself into Harrison’s house and have a look. Harrison hasn’t been back home since the night he assaulted Sophia, so it really shouldn’t be a problem.”
“I don’t really want to know,” I say, shaking my head. “Just call me if you need bail money.” They both laugh as they turn and walk away.
Iworkedfrom home today and actually get a lot more accomplished when I’m not constantly interrupted in the office. After work, I took Sophia into the bedroom and we had a rousing repeat of her punishment session, but this time with only her pleasure as the focus. It’s a much different experience to withhold an orgasm to further enhance her pleasure than it is to punish. It’s much more intimate and much sweeter when she receives her reward. After I lost count of how many times she screamed my name, we both fell on the bed in exhaustion.
“You really need to quit taking advantage of me before I’ve had a chance to eat dinner,” I playfully chide her. “You just zap all of my energy.”
She laughs and playfully swats my arm. “It’s about time for you to feed me, isn’t it?”
“Yes, love, I’ll gladly feed you,” I reply suggestively.
“You are insatiable! And I love it–but right now, we need real food,” she says lovingly.
“Your wish is my command, my love.” I help her dress and wrap my arm around her as we walk to the kitchen.
Hours later, we’ve had dinner and Sophia says she’s going to soak in a hot bath. I’m tempted to join her, but I head back downstairs instead. I’m caught up in my own thoughts of how my life has simultaneously become so fucked up but also became so right. After Carol Ann’s death rattled me, I questioned my ability to be a Dom. Sophia’s association with Harrison shook me at first, but my resolve to show them what kind of man I am is strong. Now, after learning the truth, Sophia is back in my arms and we have a baby on the way.
These thoughts swirl in my mind mixed with memories of everything else that’s happened, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t see the complete picture. Recounting each incident, turning them over and over in my mind, it takes me a moment for the beeping noise to register.
The alarm at my office has been tripped.
Tucker is already on the phone with the building security, giving them directions as he rushes toward the door to the garage. “Lock down the buildingnow. Stop the elevators and lock the stairwell doors. Post guards at every exit and coordinate with the police when they arrive. No one gets in or out until we get there.”
Shadow and Tucker stop their urgent movements to glance at each other and then at me. I know what they’re thinking.Who gets to stay behind and babysit Sophia and me?
“Go ahead, Tucker. I’ll stay here,” Shadow says. “You’ll be able to recognize if the intruder is an employee or not.”
Turning to me, Shadow says, “I know you’re capable to taking care of yourself. But, this may be a diversion to get us away from you so someone else can sweep in. I’d rather err on the side of caution until all of my questions are answered.”
I nod in response and pace the expansive den back and forth. “I’m going to visit Sophia’s family while we’re in Austin for her dinner meeting this weekend. Even if it really is with her brother, even if he really does just want to be a part of her life again, I’m still going to talk to them,” I decide, more to myself than to Shadow but I see him nod his head in agreement.
“I told you I’ve done some digging around on them. Seems Shawn has some pretty serious charges against him and he’s only free because the evidence has been ‘misplaced’ somehow. The only way that can happen is if Harrison has some low friends in high places within the Austin Sheriff’s Department,” Shadow relays.
“What kind of charges?”
“Driving under the influence, negligent homicide, and drinking underage,” Shadow replies solemnly. “He was driving drunk and high, with friends in the car. He lost control at high speed, hit an embankment, and flipped the car. He walked away with minor bruises, scrapes, and cuts. But his girlfriend, who was in the seat beside him, died at the scene.”
“What evidence is missing?”
“The blood sample that proved his alcohol level and the drugs that were in his system at the time of the wreck. If it doesn’t turn up soon, his lawyer will file a motion to have the evidence suppressed since they didn’t preserve it properly and the chain of custody is in question,” Shadow explains. “If it does turn up, the judge can deny the motion and allow it to be admissible in court.”
“So, he’s either looking at a long time in prison or getting off scot-free?” I ask incredulously. “How is he out of jail if he’s awaiting trial for negligent homicide?
“The judge set his bail at half a million dollars and his family posted the money for the bond,” Shadow replies as he cocks one eyebrow up in suspicion. “That’s fifty-thousand dollars cash someone had to put up to get him out. That’s a lot of money for them.”
“They had to get help fromsomeone,” I agree.
“Follow the money. That’s where the bad guys are,” Shadow muses. But we both know it’s the truth. Follow the money trail and it’ll lead us right back to the person behind it all.
