Chapter Ten
Jeremy
One innocent phone call to get some advice on the cult situation, and Justus and Landon speed down here like their asses are on fire. They showed up this morning, and I had no intention of telling them about Melissa and my son, but Justus just ran up and entered her house behind me. It wasn’t like I could hide it after that.
“I’m into the first account,” Landon says, from his shadowy corner. Landon has a genetic disorder that prevents him from being exposed to sunlight. He has a jumpsuit he wears if he’s forced to go out, but even that isn’t infallible, so when he’s here, all the blinds and curtains have to be drawn until the sun goes down. “And our account is set up. How much are we taking?”
“Everything we can. It’s split into at least five accounts. There may be more I haven’t located yet.”
Nodding, Landon focuses on the screen. Justus sits on the couch, his scrutinizing eyes focused on me. “So, you want to explain what the hell we missed, Jer?”
With a sigh, I pace the floor. “I told you, they’ve been taking all their follower’s money, so they have no way to escape. I want to redirect the funds back into private accounts which we can hand over to the victims after we take out the leaders.”
Justus snorts. “Yeah, I got all that. I mean, do you want to explain the girl who is cursed with your demon seed next door?”
Landon’s fingers cease on the keyboard, and his head jerks up. “What?”
“Yep. He impregnated his neighbor, and she seems like a sweet little thing.”
“You haven’t seen her when she’s pissed off,” I scoff, and Justus grins.
“Oh my god. You’re into her.” He waves at his cheeks with his hands. “Our little boy is growing up. I think I might cry.”
Ignoring him, Landon stares at me. “You’re having a baby?”
“Yes, a son.”
“Are you two together?”
“Yes, it’s pretty new, but—”
“At least five months old by the look of her,” Justus interjects.
“You should know. You brought her over here.” I come around and sit on the arm of the couch, too fidgety to sit still for long.
“No. Nohoooo. You aren’t blaming me for this. I wasn’t responsible for covering your stump before you hump. You know my motto. Say it with me, now. If you’re not going to sack it, go home and whack it.”
“She doesn’t know about ISH yet. I want to tell her, but I wanted to run it by you guys. Same as we did for Zoe, Ayda, and Sadie.”
Landon leans back. “She’s having your kid. She needs to know. Are you worried about how she’ll take it?”
It’s all I’ve been able to think about for days. In Safe Hands is a great organization, and I’m proud to be a part of it, but we haven’t always done things the legal way. In the beginning, we had no patience for the repeat child molesters and child rapists who kept beating the system and getting out. We took them out ourselves, permanently, and disposed of the bodies.
As the guys found their wives and started raising families, the risk was just too great, and we swore off that part of the job. We still have a backup plan if we ever absolutely had to do away with someone, but it’s only for an emergency situation.
“A little. I’m still feeling her out, but I’ll tell her soon. She has some secrets of her own as well.” I run my hands through my hair. “We’ll work it out.”
Landon grins at me. “Congratulations, man. I’m happy for you.”
Justus slaps me on the shoulder. “Me too. Having a kid is great.”
“Does that mean you plan to stay here permanently?” Landon asks.
My mind has been so overwhelmed with the cult, Mel, and the baby, I hadn’t even thought about that. “I don’t know. I guess it’ll depend on what she wants to do. It’s early days. She’s on bed rest for complications, so right now we’re just trying to get her through the pregnancy.”
“Do you want me to call Zoe? Or Leah would be glad to come and help out, I’m sure. They could stay with her while we’re dealing with these assholes.”
“I’ve been balancing things okay, but I may take you up on that if she has another setback.” I look back and forth between them. “I don’t want to pull any law enforcement in on this yet. I want to deal with the leaders.”
“Deal with as in I need to find a crematorium worker who will take a bribe?” Justus asks.
“Wouldn’t hurt.”
The look they share worries me. This is why I didn’t want them to come here. “They killed Frannie. I’m calling the shots on this one.”
Neither of them argues, but they don’t agree either.
“You don’t need me for this part. I’m going to stay at Mel’s. You know where I am if you need something.”
I make it as far as the door before Landon calls my name. His face is impassive. “Tell her. This isn’t like when we told the other girls. She’s carrying your child. She deserves to know what you really do.”
The only response he gets is me cursing under my breath.
Because he’s right.
#
The smile on Mel’s face when she sees me melts away as she takes in the expression on my face. I didn’t plan on diving right into this terrifying conversation, but I’m not going to be able to act like everything is normal while I worry about her reaction.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, but we need to talk.”
She sighs, and leans against her pillow. “Those words are never followed by good news. If you’ve changed your mind—”
“Never,” I assure her, sitting next to her. “But there are some things about me you should know.”
“Okay.” She stares at me expectantly.
Damn, this is hard. How did the other guys do it? It does give me some comfort knowing they ended up married to those women.
“Landon and Justus aren’t just here to visit. We work together, along with Tucker, and another friend of mine, Dare.”
“What kind of work?”
“We formed an organization to protect children from child molesters and online predators. We keep track of them, monitor chat sites and the dark web, then send our reports to police.”
A soft smile blooms on her face. “That’s amazing. Why would you be afraid to tell me that?”
“Because some of what we do is illegal. We hack into wherever we need to get our information, bait people online, pretend to be offenders ourselves, and a lot of other things that could get us locked up.”
Her brow furrows. “But you send reports to the cops?”
“Yes, anonymously. They need the help, so they don’t try too hard to figure out who we are. And we’ve partnered with another group called Striking Back. They run a domestic violence shelter for women and children. The leader, Mason, has ties to a lot of criminal justice agencies, including the FBI. If we get in over our heads, or need help, he finds a judge or agents willing to overlook our crimes for the greater good. It happens more often than you think. Those who fight crime for a living don’t want to see these guys get away. The system often fails and puts predators back on the street.”
She’s quiet for a few moments before peeking up at me. “Do you hurt people?”
The question I dreaded most. “To protect a kid who can’t protect himself, yes, we have. And we may need to again. This is my life, Mel, and it’s not something I’m willing to give up. We do too much good. Most of the time, I’m just on the computer, luring people and recording responses to send to law enforcement, but if a situation arises where that’s not enough, I can’t promise we won’t take care of the guy on our own terms.”
Her voice is small as she asks, “Kill him?”
“We have. We made an agreement not to take things to that level anymore, but not because of any regrets. They were predators, repeat offenders who were raping children or involved in sex trafficking of children. Putting them on a list doesn’t solve the problem.”
Her silence drags on, and I feel like I’m watching it all fall apart in front of me. All the hope for the family I want to have with her. All the nights snuggled together watching television, the days playing with our kids, all hang in the balance.
“Mel,” I whisper, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Please don’t be afraid of me. I’m not violent. I’d never do anything to hurt you or an innocent person. I’m not a killer. I’ve never personally taken a life, but I’ve participated when I knew it was best. I couldn’t just watch a man go back to raping a six-year-old girl because her mother won’t kick him out, or watch a twelve-year-old be auctioned off online because they can’t gather enough evidence to convict the seller.”
Her eyes latch onto mine. “I’m not afraid of you. I’ve known monsters, and you aren’t one of them. There was a time I would’ve done anything to have someone like you and your friends swoop in to save the day. But.”
I want to question her about her monsters, but I have to let it pass for now. That but hangs in the air for too long.
“I have to protect my son. I have to know that I’m not putting him in any danger. These people you hunt, have they ever found you?”
“No, we know what we’re doing. Our names can’t be traced back to us. Not even the cops and judges who help us know who we really are or where we live. I know it sounds scary, but our everyday lives are normal. Landon, Dare, Justus, and Tucker are married, and Dare has a son. We’d never chance getting our families hurt.”
Relief seeps into me when she curls against my side. “How much do their wives know?”
“Everything. We’re one big family.” I grin down at her. “Their wives, Zoe, Ayda, Sadie, and Leah will love you and our son. They’re amazing.”
Her fingers absently play with my shirt sleeve. “Do you think I could talk to them? I’d just like to know what it’s like from their point of view, you know. What I’d have to do differently.”
“Absolutely. I think that’s a great idea. I’m sure Zoe and Leah would come. Maybe Sadie too. Ayda is pretty busy with her son.”
Her usual smart, confident, demeanor falters, and she chews on her lip. “Do you think they’ll like me?”
I press my lips to her temple. “They’ll love you, just like I do.”
Her lips part, and her eyes widen as she stares up at me. “You love me?”
“Yes. I’ve never said those words before, Mel. I didn’t know it, but I must’ve been saving them for you. I love you.”
Her leg swings over me, and she straddles my lap. “I love you too.” She looks me in the eye. “Is there anything else I need to know?”
“Just that there will be times when I can’t tell you everything when it comes to my work. For everyone’s safety.”
She nods, mulling it over.
“And that I eat pussy like a damned champion.”
#
Mel has dealt with the whole confined to the house thing really well, but knowing she has to miss her art show at the gallery tomorrow has put a damper on her spirits. I hate to see her this way. After attempting conversation a few times and only getting shrugs and one word answers, I pick up her phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Calling your doctor. I have a few questions.”
She clambers over me on the couch, reaching for her phone as I effortlessly keep it out of her reach while scrolling through her contacts. “Jeremy, no! I told you what he told me.”
With one arm, I easily shift her off me. “Don’t get all worked up. The baby, you know?”
“Then don’t be a dick!”
I’m pretty sure the receptionist who answers hears her comment, but she agrees to put me on with the nurse anyway. Melissa sits back, her arms crossed, glaring at me. I forgot how adorable she is when she’s mad. While I’m on hold, she stalks to the bathroom.
The nurse listens as I explain the situation and ask a few questions. “So, as long as she’s seated and not walking around, two hours would be acceptable?”
“Yes, her doctor will approve that.”
I just have one more question, and I peek back to make sure Mel can’t hear me. “I know she can’t have sex, but does that include all sex?”
The nurse chuckles and explains it means penetration. As long as she’s not active, orgasms are okay. “Thank you very much.”
My next call is to a home health care service who agrees to deliver a wheelchair in the morning. My girl is going to her art show. But first, I’m going to relieve some of her stress and watch her come for me.
Mel returns to the spot on the couch I know she’s so sick of, and ignores me, staring at the TV. She continues blocking me out like a stubborn brat when I cuddle up next to her.
Angry or not, I can feel her relax when I kiss her neck. “You are so fucking sexy when you’re pissed.”
If looks could kill, I’d be splattered on the wall behind us. “You have a wonderful skill for saying the exact wrong thing,” she says.
Brushing her hair from her neck so I can get to it better, I drag my lips up to her ear. “You can go to your art show. Your doctor agrees. I’ve arranged everything. Is that a better thing to say?”
Now she’s listening.
“What? But he said…all that walking around.”
“No walking around. I rented a wheelchair. You’ll sit, and I’ll push. Then we’ll go out for dinner afterward if you’re up to it. You won’t have to move around any more than you would at home.”
Her eyes tear up. It’s the first time I’ve seen her get emotional. “I can actually get out of this house?”
“Yes.” A smile spreads across her face as I grin down at her. “Am I still a dick?”
She throws her arms around me. “At the moment, no, but ask me again later.”
My hands slide under her back, and I lift her, carrying her to her room. She stares up at me as I place her on the bed and straddle her body, kneeling over her.
“Thank you,” she says, her voice a bit watery. “Not just for this, but everything.”
“You’re welcome, babe, but save the thank yous until I’m done. Your doctor also informed me of another little fact.” Her eyes widen as my hands grip her waistband and yank down her sweat pants. “No sex doesn’t mean I can’t make you come.”
“Jeremy.” Her voice holds a warning when I slide down and lie on my stomach, my face between her legs. Her breath catches as I run a finger over the silk of her panties, which are growing wetter by the second.
“Hmm?” A shiver runs through her when my lips follow the path of my finger.
Deep blue eyes catch mine. “Don’t stop,” she whispers, her cheeks flaming.
The panties are flung to the ground. My cock is like a stone, and it’s everything I can do not to come in my pants like a teenager when I get my first taste of her. The way she wriggles under my tongue and moans when I lick her clit doesn’t help me maintain my self-control, but it sure as hell fires me up.
These weeks have been such a tease for both of us. I’ve thought about this every damned day, dreamed of it at night. “Moan and squirm and scream all you want, Mel, but I’m going to eat the fuck out of this pussy.”
It’s clear my words turn her on even more, and I’m thrilled she loves the dirty talk. Because that’s something I couldn’t control if I wanted to.
Her hands tighten in my hair as I work her over, licking and sucking until she’s right on the edge. “Please,” she murmurs.
I peek up at her. “Please what, Melissa? Tell me what you want.”
Closing her eyes, she tilts her head back and clenches her thighs, shoving herself in my face. “Please make me come.”
I’m dying to slip my finger in her, and feel her from the inside, but I keep the no penetration rule in mind. Instead, I latch onto her clit, sucking soft and steady. I have to hold down her hips, so she won’t buck around or be too active, but it doesn’t take long for her to let out a loud cry that damn near shoves me over the edge as well.
Her whole body trembles before she goes limp with a satisfied moan.
Letting her recover, I plant soft kisses on her thighs, working my way up to kiss her growing belly, and swollen tits. God, they’ve grown at least a whole size since I met her. Her hands thread through my hair and wander over my back as I lick one nipple, then the other. Gently. I’m not trying to work her up again, just losing myself in her body.
Her hand slides down between my legs, and I lay my forehead on her chest as she squeezes. “Fuck, Mel, that feels good.” She strokes me a few times, until I brush her hand away. “You can’t. No activity.”
Her lips pooch out, and I swear I’ll never forget seeing this woman pout because she can’t touch my cock.
“I want to see it,” she insists, trying to shove my pants down.
And fuck do I want to show it to her.
My pants and underwear get tossed behind me, and you’d think my cock could feel her stare the way it’s acting. I’ve never been so hard in my life.
Mel reaches down to caress it, tracing the vein, and I have to bite my cheek. “Babe, unless you want me to bust all over your chest, you’d better stop.”
Her eyes brighten, and she pulls her shirt the rest of the way off. She scoots down a bit, then presses her plump tits together in a very clear invitation. “Pretty sure this doesn’t count as active,” she teases.
Maybe a stronger man could have said no. The words were in my head, sounding something like no, I want to be inside you the first time, or I can wait for you. What came out was a gravelly “Fuck, yes,” as I slid my cock between them.
It only takes a few strokes for me to come, my eyes clenched shut. When I look down at her, she wears a very self-satisfied smile.
We take a quick shower, since that’s all she’s allowed, and I crawl into bed with her. “You’re staying the night?” she asks, cuddling against me.
“Are you trying to kick me out?”
“No, but you have company at home.”
I drape my arm around her. “They can tuck each other in.”
Her giggle brings a smile to my face. I hated to see her so miserable.