AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Narrowing his eyes in suspicion, he tilted his head.“Why not?”
“Because I’m going to kill them.I’m going to take the knife or scissors or whatever they used to shred everything I owned and I’m going to slice their fucking throats.That’s why!”
Tony’s eyes widened for a fraction of a second before he eased toward me.“You can’t do that, Leagh.You’d spend the rest of your life in jail.George wouldn’t want that.”
“I don’t care.Don’t you get it?”I sobbed.“I don’t care about anything anymore.”
My shoulders slumped, and every cell in my body succumbed to the piercing shards of grief.Wilted and sobbing, I gazed into Tony’s chocolate eyes, feeling more alone than I ever had in my life.
“But I do, angel,” Tony whispered in a soft plea as he pulled me to his chest.I clung to him as if he were a lifeline, one I wasn’t sure I deserved but was grateful for, nonetheless.“I’m taking you home with me.We’ll figure out the rest later.”
I wanted to fight him…kick and scream until he left me to wallow in my misery.But most of all, I wanted to howl at George for leaving me alone, scared, and unprotected.Yet, I couldn’t find the strength.I was exhausted and suffocating beneath the injustice of it all.Without challenge, Tony plucked me off the ground, cradled me in his arms, and carried me back to his car.
Easing me onto the soft leather seat, Tony clicked the safety belt at my hip.Hayden’s wretched letter sat on the dashboard next to my purse and keys.My stomach swirled as her threats gnawed at me.Tony glanced at the envelope with a sour expression, and I was certain he’d read its contents.The fact that he’d meddled in my private business would have normally stung my pride, but at the moment, I didn’t have the energy to give a damn.
He opened up the glove box and handed me a package of wet towelettes.Wiping my hands as he pulled away from the house, I didn’t look back…I couldn’t.Tony was right; there was nothing left for me there.All tangible reminders of my life with George were gone.Destroyed.Those vile bitches had taken everything but my memories.I worried even those wouldn’t be enough to soothe this unrelenting pain.
Hayden’s frightening threats spooled in my head; no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t push them away.If a whisper of George’s association with Genesis got out, I’d be the one she and Sloane would come after.I needed to ask Mika to talk to the members and ask them not to breathe a word.Both he and Julianna had extended their home and hearts over the past four days, and I hated asking them for more favors.Needing help from others made me feel inadequate and incapable of taking care of myself.Hell, it took me months before I relied on George.
Squeezing my eyes tight, memories of the horrific night he died flooded my brain.
George and I had spent a lovely Sunday snuggled by the fire.I remember thinking how much I treasured our weekends when he was more relaxed and playful and not distracted by his busy docket schedule.We’d talked about taking a vacation to Taos, New Mexico in the spring.George loved the desert, but his passion was perusing the numerous art galleries.He had an amazing eye for contemporary art.
In hindsight, I should have known something more sinister than heartburn was at play when a pained expression settled over his face and he rubbed his chest.
“Are you all right?”I’d asked him.
“Yes, girl.I’m fine.Just a bit of indigestion is all.Come; let’s go to bed.I’ll take some antacid after I’m done teasing and tormenting you.But right now, I want to hear you moan and scream my name.”A wolfish grin had spread across George’s lips as he’d stood and offered me his hand.I took it, marveling at the soft velvet skin of his fingers.
I remember staring at the salt and pepper scruff shading his chin as he tied me to the bed and placed the quick release line in my palm.Every time George tied me up, he insisted I had an escape, in case of an emergency.Not often did I fixate on our forty-three-year age difference—except during bondage play.George’s zest for life had always made him seem younger than his sixty-nine years.And with my fist squeezed around the safety loop, I sent up a silent prayer that I wouldn’t have to use it.
I should have prayed harder.
Guilt washed over me, filling my veins with icy regret.Sitting in Tony’s car, my life tattered and torn, I’d have given anything to hear George’s voice…just once more.Swallowed up by a surge of anguish, I had no idea how I was going to survive without him.He’d been the center of my whole world.
From day one, the distinguished judge had made me—a below minimum wage waitress at a popular café near the courthouse—feel special.Each morning he walked through the door, I found myself pausing to admire the aura of command that rolled off him.George had been impressed that by my third day on the job, I’d met him at his regular booth with his usual order of coffee and danish.By the fifth day, Friday, he thanked me for his breakfast and invited me to sit with him for a few minutes.
Conversations with George were never brief; the man loved to talk.A bittersweet smile tugged the corner of my mouth.More than once, my boss threatened to fire me for neglecting my other customers, but I didn’t care.Every second I spent with George was like Christmas morning.I found myself going to bed, looking forward to the next day and his visit.
He was sweet and kind and larger than life.His quick wit and carefree mien only intensified his intelligence and compassion.Sometimes, he’d stay after the breakfast crowd had thinned.He’d ask me questions with such genuine concern that I’d spilled my shameful secrets and lofty dreams… things I’d never told another living soul.
George never judged or condemned the choices I’d made, the ones that caused me to flee Atlanta in the middle of the night.He simply listened with a benevolent heart, lending sage advice on ways for me to live a happy life and remain safe.
From the very start, he’d wrapped me in his protection, even filing a restraining order on my behalf.It was his nature.He was forever asking if I had enough money to pay my bills or buy groceries.Even when I assured him I was managing just fine, he would fold a generous tip into my palm with explicit instructions.
“Go buy yourself something lacy and naughty.And when I come in tomorrow, you’re going to tell me if you’re wearing it under your uniform.”His words teemed with innuendo, and he’d flash me a wolfish grin that always set me ablaze.His command was intoxicating and arousing, and like a drug, I was hooked.
Before long, George asked me to jot down my weekly schedule for him.Popping by on the nights I worked the late shift, when the café was quiet, we’d sit and chat over a piece of pie or an ice cream sundae.He made me laugh, and for the first time in a long time, the darkness gave way and light filtered through my life.He’d given me a priceless gift.
Although George could never be termed drop dead gorgeous, his charismatic soul stole my breath.He was my knight in shining armor and before I knew it, I’d fallen head over heels for the man.
As if on auto-pilot, my thoughts circled back to the fateful night he’d tied me to our bed.The pleasure he induced was euphoric, but even when the wave crested, I was hauntingly aware something was terribly wrong.
Fear, white and hot, sliced through my bliss.I raised my head and peered down between my legs.George’s head lolled onto the mattress; his body deathly still.
“Master?”I shrieked.
He didn’t answer.
