Page 71 of Compelled Obedience

“Yes, I am.” I thrust the last remaining couple of inches inside, marveling at how tight and hot she was, taking a few seconds to catch my breath. Electricity soared from one to the other, so much so I was certain I’d burned her lovely skin. I lowered my head, nipping her shoulder before I began to pump in long, even strokes. Before long, she was meeting every thrust, bucking against me.

She had no idea what she was doing to me, taking me to the point of no return. I closed my eyes, fisting her long hair, holding on as I pumped in brutal strokes. She wiggled underneath me, squeezing her muscles as only the naughty vixen could do. I lost control, unable to shove aside my need any longer.

As I erupted, my heart thudded in my chest and I threw my head back and roared.

In the next few minutes as I filled her with my seed, I made a silent promise that I would become the kind of father and protector that Casey needed.

And so fucking help me God, if anyone dared to try to interfere, the darkness that I’d hidden would come rushing to the surface once again.

For good.

CHAPTER 18

Kerri

“You’re certain that’s what you were told,” Grant asked from across the table. The restaurant was lively, the noise from laughter and happy conversations reminding me that there was such a thing as living a life without fear. Was that possible with the information we’d learned?

“I’m positive.” I wasn’t certain whether to be relieved or just ecstatic that my stepfather had died in prison two years before.

Exhaling, he drummed his fingers on the table, his brow furrowed as he thought about what I’d told him. Given Casey was with us, I’d kept what I’d said to a minimum for now, but I knew he’d pepper me with questions later.

Grant had held me the night before, keeping me cuddled next to him. I’d known he was keeping watch, sleeping very little during the night. He’d left more than once, tension remaining. I’d made the phone call to the prison earlier in the afternoon, finally getting to someone who’d told me nothing more than the basics that Drago Santiago was deceased.

Then I’d placed a call to the detective who’d handled the case all those years ago. He was now a sergeant, currently enjoying a few days off. No one seemed to want to be forthcoming, as if a criminal case from years before was still being handled with kid gloves. Meanwhile, I needed the details, unable to breathe easily until every scrap of information about how and when was divulged. Something didn’t feel right. A huge part of me wanted to ensure the man had suffered. What did that make me?

Human.

“I will confirm that,” he said under his breath, hissing afterward.

“Grant. You don’t need to. There’s no reason for them not to tell me the truth.” I threw Casey a quick glance, thankful he wasn’t paying any attention to our conversation.

“Yeah, well. I’ll feel better getting the same information from my sources.”

There was no stopping the man. He’d taken it upon himself to be my hero, my protector. With any other situation, I’d be angry about Grant’s heightened control, but I was worn out, more uncertain than ever about what was going on.

“I know.”

“We can talk about this later,” he said. “Let’s finish up here and get you to my place a few miles from here.”

“Wait a minute. You have a place near the beach? I thought you lived in LA.”

He grinned. “I have a penthouse there as well, although I wouldn’t call it a home, more like a place I sleep and keep clothes.”

“Of course you have several homes,” I teased. He’d insisted we stop for a treat, the incredible setting filled with beautiful people enjoying the sunny day.

Omnipotent.

The word suited Grant more than I thought before.

There was something special about the way he commanded a room, or in this case an outdoor patio. Every man and woman in the crowded facility had studied the three of us as we were led from the front door to the private space overlooking a gorgeous section of Santa Monica. It had been years since I’d driven through the stunning area, mostly because it was a location that I’d longed to live in since I was a little kid.

Once we’d walked into the festive location, at least ten people greeted him by name, giving us a onceover and making note that he was with a woman and child. If it bothered Grant, he certainly didn’t show it, the man comfortable in his own skin and the environment. Now he sat in the chair as if he owned the place, the spot allowing him a perfect view of almost the entire facility as well as the street below. I sensed he was detailing everything that happened behind his dark shades, always keeping his guard up. Yet he was able to laugh and joke with Casey, even entertaining my sweet brother with antics.

The light breeze was warm, the sun bright in the sky and for once, Casey was thoroughly enjoying himself, content with making a fabulous mess with his bowl of ice cream. I’d finally stopped insisting that I was perfectly fine, capable of taking care of my little family without help. Somewhere over a cup of coffee in the stifling morning air, the open windows no longer providing anything but the stench of garbage coming from the dumpsters, he’d managed to convince me that coming with him was my best option.

Maybe my only one.

I’d packed a couple of bags and grabbed my violin case, leaving a message for Rebecca and using one of my remaining sick days at school to allow all three of us a day to get used to living together.

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