Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

F our weeks later

Evangeline

Information was powerful, more than an army holding weapons or money even. If you were in control of the correct details, damning information, you could rule the world.

My father wasn’t a stupid man. He’d collected crucifying evidence against every male member that went back years. The FBI was thrilled. The volume of what he had outweighed my limited data tenfold. Somehow, they’d threatened him and his family to a point he’d simply recoiled back into being a good cult member. For that, he’d lost his family.

Four weeks had seemed like a lifetime given all we’d been through in such a short period of time. It was funny how life could be, fate stepping in when you least expected it.

We were back in San Diego, in the stunning house I adored. Gage had wanted to sell it after what had happened here, but there was no sign of trauma and in truth, I refused to allow the cult to control my life any longer.

I was getting near the end of Damien’s favorite story for the second time and finally, his little eyes were closed. He had a new dream room, one even bigger than the one I’d been able to provide. He was constantly showered with toys and books, Jeff, Ron, and a couple of others now his new family. Plus Gage’s two brothers and their girls.

Right now, he was the only child, although there was another on the way. They doted on him while Gage had doted on me.

I continued reading because somehow, Damien knew if I didn’t get to the end. The kid had radar ears and it was so amusing.

As I lowered my voice, the sight of the man, my man standing in the doorway brought a smile to my face. He was leaning against the door, his hands in his jeans pockets and his ankles crossed. He’d become determined to make good on his promise from weeks before, becoming more of a homebody in a way.

While he continued to do business mostly from the house, it was booming more than before given the news couldn’t resist saying the Royal brothers had a hand in bringing down a pretty notorious syndicate of an entirely different kind.

I closed the book, taking my time easing off the bed. As I tucked the covers around Damien’s neck, he turned slightly, cuddling his favorite giraffe. We’d managed to save a few things, which I was grateful for. That included a few of his favorite tee shirts and some of my clothes and photographs that hadn’t been destroyed.

But it wasn’t my home any longer. Not by a long shot. I wanted nothing to do with the state where I grew up. Nothing.

My father had been arrested along with about three hundred other people. Illegal weapons had been found, DNA from several missing people in about a dozen freezers. There was speculation a body or two was buried in the community forest, but I doubted it. They were much smarter than that.

With the additional information collected from various hard drives, we’d found pretty damning details on some powerful people; those highlighted should be more grateful than anyone that the cult had been destroyed.

What had been collected had taken the community elders years. Years. No wonder they’d gained control of so many people and organizations.

It was truly unfathomable.

I turned on Damien’s favorite lamp, the racecars already floating on the ceiling. Kissing his little forehead was one of the best things in my world right now.

As I headed to the door, I realized how lucky I was, more so than I’d allowed myself to think about over the last few weeks.

Between the FBI grilling me and the press who’d hounded all of the Royal family, it had been tough. But that had died down to some degree, not that we were watching the news any longer. There was no need. One day I’d return to my business. I’d glanced at the comments, most of them positive. But there would always be some who were unkind, even blaming me for model citizens being cut down in the prime of their lives.

The love of my life had reminded me that I didn’t need to work. I had money saved, and the sexy guy I was dating had just a little bit as well.

I grinned as I reached Gage, placing my hand on his chest.

“Are you stalking me?”

“Why yes, yes, I am.” He kissed my forehead and growled. “How is he doing?” The larger-than-life man had learned to keep his deep voice down.

“Much better than a week ago. The nightmares have all but ended.”

He nodded, sighing in relief. “I’m glad to hear that. I was worried.”

“You were, huh? You just might make father material after all.” I’d be damned if he wasn’t blushing. “By the way, all that money you and your brothers absconded with that the FBI has no knowledge of, I assume you didn’t add it to your bank accounts.” I gave him a hard look, even lifting an eyebrow.

“Of course not. We could never spend the money we have in ten lifetimes. I did as you suggested, my brothers agreeing. It’s been distributed across several extremely worthy causes including pet rescue locations.”

I smirked then gave him a kiss. “I want a dog one day.”

“I thought you wanted a pup for your darling boy.”

Shrugging, I looked away. “Perhaps.”

God, I loved his laugh, the deep tone that sent thrills right through me.

“You can have any pup you want. Come on. Let’s let him sleep.”

He wrapped his arm around me, easing me into the hallway. The room was equipped with a monitor, companion pieces in the living room, the kitchen, his office, and outside by the pool. I wasn’t taking any chances that a single person who might have escaped justice wanted revenge.

The security system was even tighter, a guard following us anywhere we went. It wouldn’t last forever but for now, until the court cases began and some prison sentences were handed down, we just couldn’t put it past the bastards to try to hire someone to hurt us, even from behind bars.

As he led me downstairs, I was floored by how incredible he smelled. His scent seemed muskier than normal, rich in testosterone and exotic spices, some kind of amazing timber and even tinged with citrus and the ocean. The combination made me ravenous and it had nothing to do with food.

There was such a difference from being here before, the staff so good to me that it was insane. And while it had taken me a couple of weeks, I was finally starting to relax.

Maybe that’s what good love did for you.

While we were together, there was no talk about marriage or anything at this point. It was just too soon, too many emotions and that was fine. I wasn’t certain if I could speak to my mother again, but she was getting detox help from professionals who could help her eventually break the cult’s hold on her emotions and her mind. That could take a little while and since their funds had been frozen, Gage had insisted on paying for it, the in-care residency expensive but the best in the country.

He’d reminded me that this was my mother, a woman who’d been used like I’d been. I knew that of course, I just had continued anger for everything that had occurred.

One thing that I’d found both fascinating as well as terribly sad was the way my ex-besties had acted after learning about my involvement. I’d gotten over it, but I certainly wasn’t going to trust anyone easily again for a long time.

“Now, are you prepared for a little adventure?” Gage asked. His tone of voice was coy.

“Maybe. What did you have in mind, big boy?”

“Close your eyes. If you’re good, you’ll find out.”

“You are incorrigible.” I did as I was commanded, his surprises usually incredible ones. What I adored was that he’d been serious about preferring the simpler things. Walks on the beach. Watching Damien play in the sand. A night out getting pizza, and he’d been right. It was damn good.

I was led down the hallway and heard music within a few seconds. Simple, quiet jazz.

I could feel more warmth as I was led into a room. I expected he’d lit the fireplace, which I adored.

“Okay, you can open your eyes now.”

I gasped as soon as I did. The bar had been transformed into a wine tasting, complete with eight different bottles.

“I found this vineyard through a buddy of mine but never tried it. I figured now was as good a time as any.” Gage was excited, his entire face lit up.

He’d dimmed the lights, placed a huge fluffy blanket on the thick rug in front of the fire, and even had snacks on the hearth. The man was much more romantic than I believed he could be.

“This is amazing.”

“Come on. Let’s try a few.”

The beautiful bottles were already open and were works of art in themselves. I was in heaven, more so than he knew. It was the first time I felt as if I could relax.

“This is a fine sauvignon blanc,” he offered, pouring a little for each in a tasting glass.

As soon as I took a sip, I was shocked. White wine usually wasn’t what I enjoyed. But this one was amazing. “Yum.” We took our time drinking the rest before he poured a bit of the rosé. The color was rich and beautiful, a deeper blush than I’d seen on my face.

We progressed from there over the next twenty minutes or so, laughing and talking as if nothing had ever been wrong.

When he got to my favorite type of wine, merlot, he brought down two different glasses, filling them for both of us.

“Big boy. What did you have in mind?” I cooed.

“Come sit by the fire.”

We did and he immediately pulled the blanket up around us both. As he lifted his glass, I tipped my head.

“What are we toasting to?”

“The future,” he said in his husky voice.

We took a few sips and he took the glass from my hand, placing both on the hearth. As he cupped both sides of my face in his massive hands, I felt even more protected than I had before. He had a way of making me feel so amazing, so special.

He captured my mouth, taking his time to sliding his tongue past my pursed lips, tasting me almost as if for the first time. There was something incredible about feeling this close, knowing that no one was going to stop us.

Unless my baby couldn’t sleep. Then nothing would stop me from going to him.

Even a hunky man.

I was lightheaded, stars floating in front of my eyes. His kiss could make a girl swoon. When he broke the moment of intimacy, we both sighed.

“Just so you know, I’m taking more of a back seat with business.”

“How can you do that?” I asked.

“My brothers liked my idea of developing a second tier of executives. They figured it was time for them to step back up to the plate so I can have some time building a new life.”

“A new life, huh? Are you kicking me out?”

His response was exactly what I should have expected. He ripped off my sweater, tossing it aside as if it was nothing. There was such a carnal look in his eyes, the color of his irises darkening.

The man had a way of mesmerizing me more than anyone I’d ever known.

He cupped both breasts, rolling his thumbs back and forth across my already aching nipples. When he lowered his head, growling like a true predator, I fought with his shirt, struggling to release it from the waistband of his tight jeans. I managed, finally able to slide my hand underneath. It was impossible not to shiver when I touched his sculpted muscles. No man should be built like this.

He growled again, reaching around to unfasten my bra. I knew him well enough that I didn’t fight the gesture. If I had, he would have ripped yet another lace bra. And I liked this one!

As soon as the bra was disposed of, he returned his attention to my breasts, lowering his head and sucking on first one hardened bud and then the other.

The sensations rolling through me were incredible, my mind blown by how something so simple could reek of such passion. When he bit down on one, twisting the other with his fingers, I bit back a cry. I loved the pain and he knew it. The truth was I hungered to spend more time at the resort for the club alone.

Maybe I was a glutton for punishment.

The thought made me exhale deeply as he continued teasing me. I tried my best to do it to him as well, but he was in full control.

However, within seconds, he pulled me onto my knees and we fought frantically to get the remainder of each other’s clothes off. I’d never known hunger like I had with him, not in my entire life.

I felt free and unbridled and when we were completely naked, he pulled me down onto the rug, immediately burying his face in my pussy.

“Oh, God.” I clenched the rug, trying to control my emotions and the pleasure already rolling through me.

As soon as he sucked on my clit, I was brought close to an orgasm.

“Yes. Yes. Yes.” I tossed my head back and forth as he continued issuing primal sounds, the predator in him coming out in full force. God, I adored that about him.

As well as everything else.

He teased my clit by flicking his tongue back and forth before sucking all over again. When he dragged his tongue all the way down my pussy, I was certain I was going to climax on the spot. I didn’t because he was masterful in what he did. But when he thrust his tongue and all four fingers inside my tight channel, I lost it.

Stars in various colors floated in front of my eyes, my mind blown by how incredible this felt. He continued sucking and licking until I finally came down from the rafters, lifting his head slowly after he lowered my legs.

There was something very carnal about the way he licked his lips, his eyes glassy and gorgeous.

As he lowered his body down over mine, easing my legs apart, he hesitated before sliding his cock inside. As soon as he did, he pulled my arms over my head, clasping our hands together.

Everything about this was amazing, bringing us closer together. We stared into each other’s eyes as the pleasure rolled through me, becoming rapture within seconds.

I purposely clenched my pussy muscles, watching his eyes roll into the back of his head. Every sound he made was incredible, making me feel as if I almost had control.

Almost.

He would never allow it. I knew that. He knew that.

But to watch him struggling to hold onto his control was fabulous.

Gage started fucking me in earnest, the hard pressure more intense than before. I dug my nails into his skin as I held on, taking gasping breaths as he brought me close to an orgasm and, as he had when feasting on me, pulled back.

The moments were incredible, the most sensual and full of passion I’d ever experienced.

We rocked together for at least five minutes, but I could tell he was losing his control.

So the naughty girl I was, I squeezed my muscles all over again.

We both exploded into the most incredible, powerful orgasms I think we’d had. Of course I was saying that now when I had a feeling the night was young and he was… virile.

I licked my dry lips as the orgasm continued for both of us, the feel of him filling me with his seed incredible.

When he was finished, he collapsed on top of me and the weight of his body was more amazing than before.

We remained exactly like we were for what seemed like forever. When he rose onto his elbow, the grin on his face was far too coy.

“What?” I asked.

“How many kids?”

“Six, maybe more.”

“Then we’re just getting started. I’ll keep you happy and pregnant.” The man could make me laugh like no other.

Although having more children with him had certainly been another little fantasy of mine. Perhaps it could come true. With a doctor’s permission.

I had a feeling he’d make certain I had the best medical care in the industry.

Seconds later, he finally pulled away and I instantly felt a loss, remaining where I was to study him in the firelight.

He took a gulp of his wine, which wasn’t the plan for wine tastings.

And within two split seconds, he was sitting on his butt, pulling me over his lap.

“What are you doing?” I slightly screeched, knowing exactly what the man was doing.

“Well, I’ve been lenient over the past few weeks but you have disobeyed me so many times I lost count.”

“That is not true!”

All he needed to do was to list ten in a row and I blushed to my core. Yep. I’d been a very bad girl. Oh, well, he would take care of it.

As he brought his hand down, he continued reciting all the horrible things I’d done, which weren’t that bad other than not following his orders when we’d gone deep into the tunnel. That I understood.

He’d risked his life and given up a significant portion of his business so we could be together. As a family. A real family. I no longer had to worry about fearing what he would do tomorrow or the next day.

He brought his hand down a few more times in rapid succession.

“Ouch!” I moaned.

While he caressed my bottom, he exhaled as if exasperated. “I’ve already told you rounds of discipline are supposed to hurt or you won’t stop misbehaving.”

The truth was I doubted I ever would.

In accepting his domination, his life as mine, I’d altered everything about my future. But if there was one thing I’d learned during the course of the horrors I’d been through, it was to always keep an open mind through thick or thin.

And to never stop loving.

Love?

Dear God, I loved the man more than almost anything.

Life was good.

Love was amazing.

And I would fight to keep my little slice of heaven.

Always.

The End