CHAPTER 23 - CHANCE

The gunshot fired, and I tried to hold Dream close knowing it was coming. I knew once I told Austin that he’d not only threatened to keep coming back but that he’d threatened my niece, too, he would take care of it.

A moment after the shot sounded, he came back into the house with a somber expression. “He tried to get away. I had no choice.” Dream sank to the couch, and she cupped her face as I went into the kitchen and came out with a pair of wire cutters.

Austin, who’d already called authorities, took the cutters and went to untie Nick’s hands.

“You should have let me handle it.”

“I don’t know what you mean, man. He really tried to get away, and I had to shoot. Honest.”

“Right.” He wasn’t ever going to change his story, and I couldn’t blame him, but I knew he’d taken care of my problem as any brother would. I walked out to see Nick lying on the ground next to the car, and Austin took the cutters and undid the ties from his hands.

The man had mouthed off until the very end, and his smug expression was a fitting death mask.

I stayed outside with Austin until the paramedics had come with the police and taken Nick away.

After they drove away with the body, the local sheriff came over to talk to me and Dream. “You said your husband was a member of the Chicago PD?”

“Yes, sir. For nearly fifteen years now.” She let out a long sigh.

“Well, apparently your husband was fired from the force months ago. It seemed he had a lot of trouble with anger management and had been suspended several times before they made it official.”

Dream placed her hand on her chest. “I didn’t know. I’ve been on the run from him for some time.”

“From the look at his record, I can see why. Seems him and his first wife had issues as well.”

“First wife? I had no idea he was married before me.”

“Oh yes, she passed away in a freak home accident. Fell down the basement stairs while doing laundry.” He held out his hand to Chance. “I owe you and your friend an apology, I’m afraid. I should have been more vigilant with his requests. Maybe this would have turned out different for the man.” He turned and spat on the ground. “Then again, maybe it all worked out for the best.” He tipped his hat and turned to head for his car. He stopped when he got to the driver’s side door and turned around. “We got the guy who was sitting in front of your friend’s house too. Once he heard that Nick was in trouble, he pretty much gave everything up to save himself.”

Dream stood there wide-eyed. “He had me so fooled. He said he’d had a long-term girlfriend and she’d run off and left him. I actually use to hope that one day he’d move on and I’d get away from him as she had.”

“You did.” I pinched her chin and looked down into her eyes. “You’re free. He can’t hurt you, and he can’t come for you ever again. You can live in peace now and try to move on with your life.” I pulled her close. “We all can.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you. I should have stayed in the basement and then you could have taken him out. That’s what you planned all along, wasn’t it?” She looked up at me with her big, beautiful green eyes and I shook my head.

“Not all along. I thought for a moment he could be persuaded, but when he threatened that he’d never stop, that he could come after Star, too, he sealed his fate. If you had walked away, I was going to put a bullet in him.”

“I’m glad you weren’t the one to do it.”

“I hate that I wasn’t. But you don’t have to be sorry. I don’t want you to ever be sorry again or feel you did anything wrong. This was his fault, and it’s over now. We’re not going to dwell on it, Dream, we’re going to move forward and hope for the best for our future.” She fell against me, and I stroked her back. “You should go lie down a bit. I’m going to call Star and Cynthia and then send Austin off to get them. I’ll come in a little while to check on you. You can call Liza and tell her about it.”

“Okay, she’ll be relieved. I know she’s been concerned for her and Brady as well.”

“You put on those warm clothes, and we’ll all go out when the others get back.”

“That would be wonderful, thanks.” I watched her walk into the bedroom with her phone and then I walked out front to see Austin with a shovel covering up the blood splatter that had hit the ground.

“Can you believe that nut wasn’t even a cop anymore. I could have sure used that information, but at least I don’t have to feel bad about killing one of our men in blue.”

“I hear you, man. How are you holding up?”

“I’m great. I’ll head back Cali and Lola and finish planning the wedding. Then I’ll do a little island therapy and soak in some sun and suds.” The man was scary calm about the whole thing, and I hated that he had to deal with it.

“I wish I could have been the one to deal with this shit. Thanks for coming up.”

“No problem. I’m just glad I get to fly back out of here today. Lola is freaking out. I have to help her rent some things for the reception.”

“I mean it, brother. I hate you have to carry that shit back with you.”

He gave me a somber look. “I’ve carried far worse home, and if I had to do that for anyone, I’m glad it was you. You deserve happiness, man. You’ve already fought a tough battle to get that woman, so I recommend you keep her. Grab ahold and hang on tight, if you know what I mean.” He flashed me a wink and then passed me the shovel. I looked down and covered the last patch of blood as Austin got into his car.

He was going to get Cynthia and Star, and I needed to make sure there wasn’t a speck of Nick left on the ground when they got back.

I finished my job, then went inside and found Dream soaking in the large, clawfoot tub.

I tapped on the door and pushed it open. “Need any help?”

“I hope you don’t mind I took a bath instead of a shower.” She seemed so small in the tub, but her skin was pink and radiant, and she had a special glow about her like an angel.

“You know I don’t mind, but it’s a bit chilly in here for a soak, don’t you think.”

“I guess I’m numb.” She wrung out a rag and then scrubbed her face until it was nice and pink.

“Rightly so. I know none of this was easy on you.”

“I guess even though I hated him, and many times I wanted him dead, I just don’t know how to feel about it now.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

She looked up and gave me a quizzical look. “Thanks. You know, all I could think about when that cop was telling me about Nick not being on the force was that he’d probably lost his life insurance and how long it would take me to sell the house. I’m a terrible person, I suppose.”

“All sorts of things go through one’s head at times like these. Not that this sort of thing really happens every day.” I let loose a breath. “So what are you going to do? I suppose you have other property to go back to in Chicago? I could go down and help you pack up some things, sell the house, whatever you need.”

“I’m not sure I’m ready for that yet. I tried so hard to run away from that place; I guess I need time. I know I’ll want to go back sometime. I mean, my whole life is there. Maybe we could drive over, and you could secure the place until I figure out what to do.”

“I could do that. You let me know when you’re ready.” I hated to think that she might someday want to go back home and stay there. I couldn’t let that happen. I’d have to show her how much I wanted and needed her.

I took the washcloth and dipped it in the water before rubbing it across her back. I scrubbed her skin and massaged her muscles as she rolled her neck and shoulders.

“That feels good.”

“Good. I always want to make you feel good, Dream. If I’m not, then I’m not doing my job.” I gave her a wink, and she put her arm around my neck and weaved her fingers through my hair as she pulled me close to kiss me.

Our lips mingled, and I dipped the washcloth into the water between her legs, where I let my hand fall against her sex. I rubbed her tender spot, and she let out a little purring sound and whispered against my flesh. “That feels so good too.”

“Lay back and let me make you feel good, then baby.” I eased her back, and she spread her legs as I sat on the step beside the tub that I kept there for Star.

I let my fingers slide along her slit until I felt her wet channel pulsing for attention. I leaned over and kissed her mouth as I slipped two fingers inside of her and stroked her tender walls. She moaned and opened her eyes to watch as I worked her through her release, which had her humping and grinding my hand.

“Better?” I whispered against her mouth.

“I feel a bit less tense, yes.” She looked at her fingers, which were pruning. “I think I should get out of here. We could go use what little alone time we have to continue this adventure”

I took her hand and pulled her. The water dripped down her body as I grabbed her a towel.

We went up to the bedroom where we killed the rest of the time until Star and Cynthia showed up and had even finished up and gotten dressed before they walked in the door.

“Uncle Chance!” Star ran into the house and hugged my good leg. “I got to swim in a pool. The water was so warm it was like a huge bathtub, and Cynthia even bought me a swimsuit.”

“That’s awesome.” I looked up to Cynthia, who had a smile on her face.

“I take it everything’s all right here?”

“Perfect. And it’s going to stay that way.”