Chapter 19
I’m impressed with the size and scope of your work here at St. Vincent’s, Sister Eloise. I mistakenly thought that you merely provided sleeping rooms for the girls. I didn’t know that you had this beautiful kitchen and that the girls help prepare their meals. I also was surprised to see your library and other pleasant areas where the girls can congregate.”
Sister Eloise flushed with obvious pleasure at Viviana’s praise. “Thank you, Sergeant Moreau. Yes, we are adding new facilities every month. In addition to the chapel, which we encourage the girls to visit every day, we now have an exercise room and are bringing in yoga and Pilates teachers three days a week. They work with the girls on relaxation and focus. This fall, we are hoping to institute an on-site GED program in cooperation with the San Jose public education system. We are very close to raising the funds to make the innovative project possible.”
Taking advantage of the nun’s description of their programs, Viviana pressed her on her reference to fundraising. “I’m curious, Sister. Where do your funds come from? I guess I always assumed that the church provided your financial support.”
“The church provides basic support, but we could never offer all the things that we do and serve as many girls as we do without the generous support of foundations and wealthy individuals. I don’t know if you are aware, but Annabelle Simpson, Mayor Simpson’s wife, chairs our board of directors. She has been a true godsend to us and the work we do. Why, in this last year alone, Mrs. Simpson has recruited no fewer than five new board members, all of whom have made significant pledges to our foundation. It is their generosity and leadership that will make our GED initiative possible.”
The tingling sensations chasing up the back of Viviana’s neck confirmed that she was closing in on an important clue. She struggled for nonchalance. “I know both Mayor Simpson and Annabelle Simpson. You are fortunate to have them as supporters. I’m curious who else is on the board of directors? If I know them, I want to be sure to tell them how much I appreciate their good work.”
“That would be wonderful, Sergeant. Please come into the conference room. I have a board roster that you can have that gives the background of all the members of the board.”
Seeing the group of smiling, clearly prominent men and women in the mural-like photograph decorating one wall, Viviana sucked in a deep breath. She held it, trying to quiet the rush of emotion storming her. It was impossible to breathe normally, knowing that in this benign-looking group of prosperous men and women were the hideous individuals who had raped and abused Ariel . . . and God knows how many more young girls. Seeing Sister Eloise’s quizzical expression, she forced herself to speak as casually as she could. It wasn’t easy, given that her heart was beating so hard. She was surprised that the unassuming nun couldn’t hear it.
“Thank you, Sister Eloise, of course I recognize the Simpsons and several other board members.” Pointing to the picture of the woman who’d been as horrified by her outrageous dress as Annabelle Simpson had been, she said, “I believe I met that woman at the mayor’s party the other night.”
“Oh yes, that is Penelope Williams, and standing beside her is her husband Rodney Williams. We were thrilled when they joined the board. They are well-known donors to causes like ours.” Pointing to a white-haired man standing next to the Williamses, Sister Eloise intoned, “And this gentleman is none other than Peter Stratford, a prosperous financier who joined the board specifically because of our education initiatives and the fact that we focus on abused young women.”
Viviana clutched the printed roster the smiling nun handed her and did her best to appear nonchalant. It wasn’t easy, given that, according to Ariel, several individuals in the photograph were serial rapists and child pornographers.
***
Viviana stretched out on her chaise lounge, nursing her third Maker’s Mark, trying to deal with her stunning discoveries. Not only had she learned of Ariel’s abuse but she was inches away from determining who’d systematically raped and abused her young informant as well as countless others. Struggling to deal with the hideousness of Ariel’s abuse, she tried to focus on the fact that she was damned close to identifying the perpetrators. At that moment, her phone vibrated, confirming a call from Jax. As agitated as she was, she knew how hard it would be to keep him from sensing her angst. But she knew she couldn’t blow him off. It would only make him more suspicious. Planting a false grin on her face and hoping that it somehow informed her voice, she reluctantly answered his call.
“I’m glad I caught you, sweetheart. Where have you been all day? Mick was clueless, which isn’t a surprise, and of course Bannon was as clueless as Mick.”
Needing to keep him at bay, Viviana went on the offensive. “Checking up on me, Jax? Needing to know what I was doing every minute of the day? Just so we’re clear, I don’t have a clue what you were doing today either. But I presume it was important work and that you’ll tell me about it when you can.”
“As I will, my prickly princess, when we are together. Now if only I could be sure that when I have you in my arms again you will be as forthcoming.” Viviana didn’t respond to his on-target assertion. She knew that as prescient as he was, if she gave even a hint of the horrendous crimes she’d unearthed and the possible identity of the perpetrators, Jax would be all over her. She also knew he wouldn’t stop until he’d pried every horrific detail from her. Only somewhat embarrassed at her deceit, she played on the certainty that he had missed her as much as she’d missed him. “Jax, let’s not argue. I . . . I miss you. I wish you were here. I can’t stop thinking about what we did on the trail. I still can’t believe what I allowed you to do to me . . . ”
Jax was silent for a moment, as if considering her not-so-skillful change of the subject. Confirming that he knew her as well as he did, he didn’t hide the irony in his knowing response. “I’m confident that you couldn’t miss me any more than I miss you, princess. I’m also confident that you know I’m aware that you are changing the subject. However, I’m pleased to accommodate your not-so-subtle attempted deflection. Know that our outrageous escapade off the Thunder Hill trail has not been far from my mind.” When Viviana didn’t respond, Jax took the initiative. “By the way, while you were vacillating between outraged tears and shrieks of excitement when I was administering the well-deserved spanking I gave you, I took the opportunity to snap a picture of your rosy red ass. I’ve been studying it every chance I get these last two days. Check your messages, I’m sending the picture now to remind you what will happen if you continue to misbehave.”
Viviana gasped in shock at the sight of his handprints on her admittedly curvy ass. To say it was lewd didn’t begin to capture the outrageous photo. Seeing her bare backside splayed helplessly across his lap, her ass in the air, five hundred feet from a busy hiking trail, sent a flood of sensations across her groin. God, how could she have let him do such a dishonorable thing? And why, even now, did the memory send erotic shockwaves through her body?
As if to torment her, Jax changed the subject. “While you are contemplating what is likely to happen whenever you are disobedient, against my better judgment, I’ve agreed to attend an office party of sorts. Mac McElroy specifically invited Greg and me, which made it hard for me to decline. He said he hoped that you would come with me. He wants to introduce you to his wife, Sheryl.”
Forcing herself to sound as nonchalant as possible, Viviana said, “It sounds interesting. Commissioner McElroy has always supported me, even when a lot of the higher-ups did not.”
When she hesitated, Jax interjected, “In answer to your unasked question, yes, George and Annabelle Simpson and several other dignitaries will be there.”
Viviana sniffed. “Humph. Why would I care if they are there or not?”
“Hmm, given your newfound interest in society women, I assumed that you would very much care.” Ignoring her slight gasp, he added, “Don’t bother to deny it, Viviana, or create some new fabrication. You’ve already tipped your hand. But we’ll deal will that issue later. Right now, before you hang up, I want you to do a couple things for me. Knowing that the most you’re wearing are booty shorts and a tank top, I want you to take off the top, sweetheart, then slip off those racy pants.”
“Jax, for God’s sake . . . ”
“Uh-uh, baby. For the next several moments I’m in charge. All you have to do is exactly what I tell you to do.” When she couldn’t hide her soft moan, he said, “The halter, baby, and then the shorts.” He waited for a moment, then said softly, “Now that you are stark-naked, my sweet, sexy lover, lay back and spread your legs, then put your phone on video. Now focus the camera on your bodacious breasts, then travel slowly down over that taut stomach of yours. That’s the way. Now, go a little lower.” He heaved an audible sigh. “Aah, yes. Stop right there for a long moment, sexy woman. I want to feast on your swollen pussy lips that are gleaming with what I’m confident is musky-smelling dew.”
Viviana drew in a sharp breath, horrified at his outrageous requests. Make that his outrageous commands. Fighting against the waves of sensation flooding her, she fought to maintain her composure, not react to his outrageous orders. As if he could see her attempt to stifle her response, he chuckled. “Uh-uh, darlin’. You know you want to do this as much as I want you to. Just to confirm, darlin’, position your phone so that I can see all the salacious things I tell you to do to yourself.” At her agonized whimper, his voice dropped dangerously low. “Now, baby, just so we are on the same page, insert two fingers into your luscious cunt. Mm-hmm. Like that. Hold them up for me so that I can see the juices coating them. That’s the way. Now, Viviana, suck on your fingers, and let me hear your passionate whimper.”
After he’d dragged at least three orgasms from her and Viviana was lying naked and exhausted on her chaise lounge, Jax brought her back to reality. His voice was low, sexy, but there was no way that she could miss the command underlying it.
“One more thing, my darling woman. Know that when I do have you in my arms again, we most definitely will make mad, passionate love. But you also will give me a detailed report on what has you desperate to keep your partner, your commander, and your lover—who happens to be your police chief—in the dark. Understand Viviana, it ain’t gonna work. I’m not Mick O’Reilly, Greg Bannon, or Francis Fleming. I’m Jaxton Hughes, the man who is wildly in love with you. I’m also the man who can see through your subterfuges, your layered deceptions—as skillful as they are. To confirm: when I get back, you and I are going to have a comprehensive discussion about the case you are working. You are going to tell me how it involves the mayor’s wife and God knows who and what else. You got that, baby?” At her soft groan, he said, “Good. Now for good measure, one more orgasm . . . ”