The UN Series Complete Box Set (134 page)

“Come here.” He pulls me over into the bedroom and sits me down on the bed as he kneels down in front of me. He runs a hand nervously through his messy hair. “I did defend those who had such cases. I have even defended people charged with murder,” he says slowly to gauge my reaction, “but when I first started out I felt I had to prove something to…well everyone. Even myself.” He pauses. “There was a case where a man was acquitted of murdering his ex-wife.”

I sit motionless, just listening to him finally open up about his job. The one he quit, the life he just gave up like that, for me and our baby.

“She had remarried just months before she was found…” He clears his throat. “The ex-husband came to my dad wanting him to represent him. My dad then asked me to help out on the case. He swore he was innocent.” He shakes his head. “Said he had done some digging on her new husband and had found that he had several domestic disputes against him. One lady had even went as far as a restraining order.” He sighs. “So I started doing some research as well and found where the wife had been to the hospital for a broken arm a month after her wedding. On paper it all looked like a solid case. The current husband was in fact guilty.” He shakes his head.

“What happened?” I ask rubbing the tears off of my face. How can someone kill the one person they vow to protect and love?

He looks up to me and searches my eyes. “It was just an illusion. He was guilty. I found messages where she was still seeing him.”

“How did the new husband not see all the bruises?” I ask shocked.

“He was a pilot for a major airline. Always out of town,” he shrugs guessing. “Maybe that’s why she kept seeking out the ex.”

“So what did you do? Did you turn him in?”

His answer is cold and sends a shiver up my body. “No,” he says simply.

“No?” I ask frowning. “But you knew…”

“But knowing wasn’t my job, Angel. My job was to defend him no matter what the situation was,” he explains flatly.

“So you let a man walk who killed his ex-wife?” I ask in horror.

He continues to kneel down in front of me and stares into my eyes. “That right there is why I will never look back and regret quitting my job,” he says slowly. “I don’t want you to look at me that way.”

“What…? No…”

“Don’t try to deny it. You’re looking at me like I’m evil.” He sighs. “And I was.” He places a hand one either side of my belly. “I did this for you and our baby. But I…” He pauses and closes his eyes tightly. When he opens them they are filled with tears. “I needed to do it for me. For what I want to be.” He blinks and a tear runs down his cheek.

I swallow the lump in my throat and reach out to wrap my arms around him. “I would never see you as anything evil, Slade. I love you,” I whisper.

He runs his hand down my back slowly. “I love you too, baby.”

I pull back and sigh. “But Micah and your dad. They are still going to defend the guilty,” I say softly. “You can’t keep our child from them. They will grow up around that.”

He nods. “And that’s okay. If our child decides to take that path, I will support them one hundred percent. I will love them no matter what they decide to do with their life. But that life is no longer for me.”

I smile, and he smiles back at me. Then I ask the question that bothers me. He hasn’t been to work in two weeks. “When did you quit?”

“The day you came home from the hospital,” he says as he intently watches me.

I frown and my shoulders slump as I ask. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

He sighs. “I didn’t want you to see me as a failure or a quitter.”

I take his face in my hands. “Slade,” I breathe, and he smiles. “You want to better your life for our family. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

*****

SLADE

I lie awake in bed next to Angel as she sleeps later on that night. I place my hands behind my head and look up at the ceiling thinking over everything I told her earlier this morning. That murder case was really the only case that ever bothered me, and I wasn’t even the main attorney on it. My father was.

What I didn’t tell her about was the breakdown the current husband had in the courtroom. He screamed, cried, and started throwing stuff when his wife’s murderer was pronounced innocent. He was arrested at the time, bailed out by his sister, and then weeks later he went to prison for life for shooting my father’s client.

Back then, I didn’t quite understand. I mean, I’ve always known love can make you do crazy things. I had witnessed it with friends plenty of times. But he killed a man who also had a family. He was by no means innocent, but he had loved ones as well. Wouldn’t the current husband know what it’s like for that guy’s family to find out he had been killed as well? Why would he throw his life away? Why was he willing to kill someone who was just on trial for the same thing?

Now? Now, I know what he felt like. I know how much madness he must have felt. Now I know how much you can love someone so much that you don’t see anything but revenge. To make things right when the justice system fails.

And that’s why I can no longer do my job. I have to leave that behind and start fresh. Angel deserves that, our baby deserves that, and I deserve that.

*****

“You’re joking, right?” Parker asks as he sits in his and Tate’s living room holding that fat black and white cat of his.

I shake my head. “I quit,” I say for the third time. “How many times do I need to repeat myself?” I ask sitting back in the couch. I haven’t felt this relaxed in months. It’s been four weeks since Angel was involved in the accident. I quit my job right after that but am just now telling the guys. Angel is doing much better and told me to get out today. Go see the boys, she had said.

“Until my mind processes it,” Parker retorts.

“So what are you going to do now?” Tate finally speaks. He’s just been watching me, and he did not seem surprised when I sat down to tell them I had quit the firm.

I smile. “I want to start my own security company,” I say with a smile. I told Angel this this morning and she cried, which isn’t unusual, but the smile on her face and the way she said she was proud of me had me pulling her into me.

Tate arches an eyebrow.

“You know,” I say rubbing my hands together. “I think I am going to need an assistant,” I say arching mine as well.

“Oh,” Parker says with excitement. “I know this girl, Tiffany. She would be perfect. She would wear those low cut shirts with little short skirts.” He then throws his hand up. “I mean, she would be for me when I come up to visit, because obviously you’re married,” he finishes.

I can’t help but smile as I continue to stare at Tate. “I might know of someone,” he finally says before he runs a hand over his unshaven face.

“Well, I guarantee she’s not hotter than Tiffany.” Parker shakes his head looking from Tate then to me.

“I’m talking about me you dip shit.” Tate rolls his eyes.

Parker frowns and quits petting his cat. “You want to play the doting assistant who does all the bitch work?” he asks frowning.

I place up my hand to stop him from talking before I end up throwing my beer at him. “I want him to be my partner,” I shrug trying to make it sound less than what it really is.

“Is this like a favor because I’m your wife’s brother?” Tate asks skeptically.

I smile. “No, it’s because you don’t mind to get a little dirty. We’re gonna need that.”

He nods his head with a smile. “I’m in. Just let me know what I need to do to help get it on its feet.”

“Wait?” Parker says with a frown. “Why didn’t you want me as an assistant?”

“Because you would be trying to hump every damsel in distress,” Tate adds laughing.

“You are just as bad as I am.” Parker points the tip of his beer at him.

“Oh, no.” Tate laughs. “I’m much more discreet than you.”

“You were not discreet last night when you pulled up with that redhead who was practically already naked.”

Tate rolls his eyes. “She was not,” he argues.

“She was topless and her pants were already undone by the time she got out of truck in the driveway.” He looks at me. “She had a nice set of implants on her.”

I stand up. “Stop,” I say placing my hands up. “Parker do you want in as well?”

“Of course,” he says before he crosses one leg over the other as if he’s a little fucking diva getting his way.

I sigh. “Okay. Then I will start getting things put into place.”

I throw what’s left of my beer away before I say my goodbyes and walk out of the house.

“Slade?” I stop and turn to face Parker as he calls my name.

“What’s up?” I ask pulling my cell out of my pocket to text Angel.

He sighs and looks down the ground. “I just want you to know that I’m still looking for White.” Then he looks up at me. “I will find him. I promise you.”

I nod my head. “I know you will, Parker.” And with that, I turn around and get into my car.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

SAMANTHA

Mark and Vivian have been so gracious to allow us to stay here. One of the best things about living with them is their kitchen. It’s so freaking huge, and I love it.

We have been here going on six weeks now and to be honest, I’m going to hate the day we have to say goodbye and move out.

“How are things coming along with the bakery?” Vivian asks handing me some flour as I start to make a chocolate cake.

“It’s coming along.” Since everything has happened, Missy stepped up and helped me out a lot. She’s actually been around a lot more than usual and when I ask her about school, she either dodges my question or comes up with some excuse to why she’s not going that day. I still think she feels bad about the time she missed out on. “Everything should be ready in the next couple of weeks,” I say.

“When is the grand opening?”

“Next month,” Courtney answers from the kitchen table. She is eating the brownies I had baked only an hour ago.

I start to mix the batter as I speak. “I’ve been thinking about my mom, and I want to do something for her,” I say with a smile as I continue to mix. Sitting in a hospital bed for ten days and then pretty much being on bed rest for weeks after that gets your mind to wandering. I wish she was here to see that Slade turned our dream into a reality.

When I notice the room is silent I look up and turn around. “What?” I ask when I see them both staring at me.

“What were you thinking?” Courtney asks through a mouthful of brownie.

“I want to start a foundation in her name and give fifteen percent of the profits of opening month. Plus I’ll match whatever it makes,” I say with a smile on my face.

Courtney sniffs. She places what’s left of her brownie on the kitchen table and then walks over to me, throwing her arms around me. “That is a great idea,” she cries.

I can’t help but laugh as I hug her back.

*****

“Give me two minutes,” I yell to Missy as I stand in the kitchen of the bakery.

Angel’s Dream
officially opened today. I let Slade decide on the name of the bakery. I rolled my eyes when the first words came out of his mouth were Angel’s Dream. But then he explained why he chose that.
You’re my Angel. Your mother is also an angel watching over you. And this was both of your dreams, it just makes sense.

Let’s just say with my emotions the way they are now, I cried to the point where he felt bad. But I kept that name because he was right. My mother is an angel watching over me, and I know today she is smiling as she witnesses our dream come true.

“Two minutes is too long. There’s a line,” she says peeking her head through the door.

“Well, then start serving them,” I say with a smile.

Missy sighs.

“I won’t keep her long,” Slade says as he stands in front of me.

Missy closes the door as she mumbles about us having sex back here. “I like how her mind works,” Slade says pulling me into him.

I look up and smile. “Thank you for everything.” I run my hands up his muscular arms feeling the muscles tighten as he pulls his arms around me tightly.

“You deserve it, Angel.” His voice comes out as a whisper, and I take in a deep breath.

Saying I have been horny is an understatement. I want sex all the time. They say most women don’t feel sexy or have sexual wants when they are pregnant. I have not had those problems yet. I love my growing belly. I love the way Slade looks at it and caresses it. He always has his hands on it. I usually wake up to him talking to it, and it’s the most precious thing I have ever seen. And since my car wreck put our sex life on pause for a while, I’m ready to get back on the saddle.

His hands glide down my back, and he cups my butt. “You’re gonna make me horny,” I whine knowing we don’t have time for this.

He smirks. “You’re already horny,” he says knowingly.

The door flings open to the kitchen and Parker walks in smiling at us. “No time for that.” He grabs my arm and pulls me away from Slade.

“What are you doing?” I question with a smile.

He spins me around and starts patting down my hair.

“Whoa,” I jump back from him. “Why are you touching me?” I laugh.

He gives me a big cocky smile as his light brown eyes look me over. “Don’t worry. Once I tell you what I did, you will be begging me to fix it.”

Slade comes up from behind me wrapping his arms around me from behind. “She will not be begging
you
,” he says matter-of-fact.

“Well, then you’ll be thanking me.” He places his hands on his hip.

“Why? What did you do?” I narrow my eyes at him. If Parker thinks I’ll be thanking him, I’ll probably be screaming at him.

Just then then door opens again and in walks a man dressed in a black suit with a red tie. His hair is longer on top and he has it combed back. His light brown eyes shine as she gives me a friendly smile.

“Mayor O’Hare,” I say in surprise. Parker and Braxton’s father.

He reaches out this hand to mine. “Please. Call me Richard.”

Parker snorts. “He really prefers Dick,” he quips before giving his dad a fake smile.

I gasp as I shake the Mayor’s hand.

Richard looks over to his son. “Now that is no way to speak in front of a lady.” He frowns then turns to face Slade. “Slade.” He holds out his hand to him. “It’s good to see you, Son.”

“You too, Sir,” he responds shaking his hand.

“I hear you quit the firm?” he asks adjusting his tie.

Slade nods. “I did, Sir,” Slade places his hands back on my belly. “It was time for me to move on.”

Richard looks down to my growing stomach and smile. “Yes, I heard that. Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” we say in unison.

He claps his hands together once and then looks me in the eyes. “So, my Son has told me all about your bakery and the foundation you have started. I’m sorry to hear about your mother,” he adds softly, and I murmur a thank you. What are you supposed to say? “I arranged for a couple of news stations to be present and the newspaper to do a spread on the Grand Opening,” he says excitedly.

My mouth falls open. “No?” I ask looking from him to Parker.

“Yes,” Parker says proudly. “So get out there and smile real big.”

I spin around and look up to see Slade smiling down at me. “They are waiting for you,” he says before he spins me around and pats my ass.

*****

SLADE

I wake in the darkness to an annoying noise. Once I realize it’s my phone vibrating, I reach over to the night stand to answer it.

“Hello?” My voice sounds rough from sleep. I try to clear my throat.

“Slade. It’s Parker,” he whispers. “Were you up?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose and blink a couple of times noticing how dark it is in my old bedroom at my parent’s house. “No. What time is it?” I say softly not wanting to wake Angel. We were up late last night due to the opening of her bakery yesterday. And she has problems trying to sleep as it is. She’s always tossing and turning and waking up with half her body numb from the baby.

“It’s four ten.” He pauses. “In the morning.”

“Why would I be up at four ten in the morning?” I growl getting out of bed and making my way to the bathroom. “What do you want, Parker?”

He takes in a deep breath. “I found him. I found Officer White,” he says, and I can tell by his voice that’s he’s proud of this fact

I look up at myself in the mirror and watch my jaw tighten. “Are you sure?” He better not be playing with me.

“I’m positive. He’s got himself holed up in a farm house about an hour out of town.”

“How do you know it’s him?” I wanna be a hundred percent sure before I allow myself to be excited about this news.

“Because I’m staring right at him through my binoculars,” he growls. “I wouldn’t have called you unless I was a hundred percent sure, Slade,” he says softly.

I swallow. “What is your plan?”

I hear rustling around in his car. “Well, I haven’t called it in yet. I thought I would give you a few minutes with him.”

“You would do that for me?” Parker has already done more for me and Angel than I could have ever asked for.

“Of course I would. He deserves to know what pain feels like.”

I allow myself to smile in the mirror. “Send me the address. I’m on my way.”

I walk out of the bathroom after hanging up with Parker and walk over to Angel sleeping on her side. I smile when I see her holding onto that life-size pillow that my mother had bought her. It has totally taken over my spooning opportunity. I frown when I see Peaches has already made herself comfortable in my spot. That dog never leaves her side for long.

Leaning down I give her a soft kiss on her cheek before I throw on some clothes and am out the door.

*****

“Now just do one thing for me.” Parker asks as he eyes me up and down as we stand by the side of an old farm house in the middle of fucking nowhere.

“What?” I ask impatiently.

He sighs. “Just don’t kill him. I can explain a lot of things but death—” He shakes his head.

“I can’t promise you anything,” I say truthfully.

“That’s about what I figured you’d say. But I had to try.” He nods his head and walks toward his truck as I turn and walk to the front of the house.

I go right up to the door and try to turn the knob. Locked. I know he’s sitting in the front living room so I make my way to the back of the house. I reach down picking up a rock and break the back window hoping he doesn’t hear it. Even if he does, Parker will stop him if he runs out the front door.

Making my way into the house I frown when I smell cigarettes and cheap liquor. I quietly make it down the hallway toward the front of the house. I come up to the living room and just stand there as I stare at the back of his balding head. He sits in a recliner and laughs as he watches reruns of Family Feud.

“It was nice of you to invite me over,” I speak looking around to make sure there’s nothing he can use to kill me with.

He jumps out of his seat and spins around. He stares at me wide-eyed for a few seconds and then bursts out laughing. My fists tighten down by my side.

“Slade. What an unpleasant surprise. I wasn’t expecting company,” he says now wearing a straight face.

“What a coincidence,” I say placing my arms over my chest. “I wasn’t expecting you to try and kill my wife,” I growl.

He smiles. The motherfucker actually smiles. “It was nothing against her.” He licks his lips. “She really is something special. But you don’t need me to tell you that do you?”

“Shut the fuck up,” I warn.

He takes a few steps away from the recliner and toward the kitchen. My guess he is going to try and get near a knife or gun.

“It would have happened to any woman you fell in love with,” he says coolly trying to take my attention off of his movements.

“Why?” I demand getting ready to snap. “You piece of shit,” I snap.

His face hardens, and he sucks in a breath. “Because you’re a punk ass kid who didn’t deserve all the praise you fucking got,” he shouts losing his temper as well. “Do you know how long I worked my ass off to put dirty bastards like Jeremy and Jax behind bars? Twenty years. And you show up and blow every case I fucking had. I should have been the Chief of Police.” He points a finger at me. “But that’s kind of hard when I can’t keep the criminals behind bars.” He sighs trying to regain his temper. “My wife got tired of me trying to get a job that you kept me from achieving. She took my children. I lost everything because of you. So I joined the other side. I realized it’s much easier to work the system from the inside.” He smiles. “Lo and behold, Jax came to me with a debt he owed. Guess how excited I was when he mentioned Samantha was his ex-girlfriend. I offered him her in exchange for you.”

I shake my head. “What are you talking about?” I snap.

“That night of the meeting. The one you never showed up at? Jeremy called you and scheduled that meeting. I was going to kill you and then Jax was going to keep her.”

“He fucking had her drugged,” I shout.

He shrugs carelessly. “Would she have stayed with him any other way?”

I take in a shaky breath. How long would he have kept her that way if I wouldn’t have found her? How long would she have survived?

“And Jeremy?” I ask as my voice shakes from anger.

“Ah, Jeremy.” He sighs. “He was an idiot. First he broke into her truck to place a tracking device on it when he could have just placed it under the truck.” He shakes his head as if he’s taking about a son who let him down. “He deserved to die in that accident. It was supposed to just be a hit and run. You know? And your
Angel
was supposed to die. Funny how things work out,” he says with a smirk on his face.