Nine months of pure bliss.
We returned here from the church, and to my knowledge, Aspen has never looked back. Her parents were not forgiven, nor even heard. They cease to exist in her life because that is what she wants.
Aspen Costello blended into the shadows and hasn’t been seen again in society. It’s how we live at The Rubicon. Protected inside our bubble of family, away from humanity.
We married shortly afterward, and even though she escaped society, she didn’t escape testifying against her former husband on the witness stand.
My muscles flex as I attempt to ease the tension because it appears that snakes are slippery little fuckers and when you’re the head serpent, it’s inevitable you can slither out of anything.
I flick the set and settle down on the couch, our workout apparently over for today. Well, not all of them.
I love lifting weights, and Aspen has become the most pleasurable one of all, and we work out most days, as I lift her high above me, nature increasing the load month by month.
She’s due next month.
We already know it’s a boy. No twins this time; it appears that Bonnie and Snake have the edge on that one.
Their two little miracles are thriving well, and I have never seen their parents as happy as they are when they dote on their kids.
When Aspen became my old lady, the Reapers commissioned our new home, and we spend most of our time locked away in here together. I can’t get enough of my wife, and luckily, she shares my obsession.
“Blade.” She pouts as she drops beside me.
“I could really use some fried chicken right now.”
I slide my hand around her shoulders and pull her head down onto mine. “Your wish is my command, darlin’. Just need to check the headlines.”
She stiffens as the news channel cuts to the courthouse, and she sits up straight.
“What’s happening?”
Gideon’s arrogant face fills the screen as the newsreader delivers the verdict.
Breaking news. Gideon Fox has walked free from the trial lasting nine months to the day. The jury was unanimous and found him not guilty on the charges of rape, false imprisonment and attempted murder.
The camera cuts to his lawyer, who addresses the cameras.
“Justice has prevailed today on the false charges against my client. He has always professed his innocence, and we remained confident of the outcome. He would like to thank the upstanding members of the jury who saw through the lies and is looking forward to rebuilding his life and reputation out of the glare of the spotlight.”
The lawyer holds up his hand for no further questions, and someone in the crowd yells,“Justice for women! This is a fucking joke.”
The cops hold back a wall of protestors who are incensed at the outcome of the trial.
Aspen shakes her head.
“As we expected.”
She sighs, her gaze troubled.
“We knew this was coming, but I’m not gonna lie, it’s a bitter taste.”
My fingers tangle in her hair, and I pull the tie from her messy ponytail, loving how it filters through my fingers like silken strands.
“Loopholes.”
I shrug, pulling her to straddle me, and I roll up her top and suck one of those tempting nipples into my mouth. They are swollen already, and I am delirious with lust for my wife. It’s a feeling that never diminishes, no matter how many times I slide inside her, salivate over her body, or hear her sweet voice.
“Blade.”
