Chapter Twelve
Othella is asleep,curled up on the couch in my lap. My legs fell asleep about thirty minutes ago, but I don’t have the heart to move her. I enjoy the feeling of her in my arms, and I refuse to let her go. When I listened to everything that’s happened, my mind settled into a plan. I could have raged and went after Clyde immediately, but I didn’t. Instead, I let the calming effect of having set my mind to something wash over me.
First, I’m going to need to get my hands on that tape. Criminals hardly ever get rid of the evidence of something that juicy. It’s like a souvenir for them. Second, and this one is the hard part, getting a confession. I won’t be able to link her mother to the crime if she isn’t on the tape. But if I can get a hardcore confession, maybe, just maybe, I can take them down.
Othella stirs and I realize I’m holding on to her too tight. I loosen my grip on her body. She squirms, “Noah?”
The tone in her voice breaks me. She’s still doubting that I would be here. That I want her with me. “Yes, ladybug?”
“Are you alright?” That soft question, God, she doesn’t know how much she wrecks me.
“I’m good. Sorry if I squeezed you too tight.” I chuckle as she moves to straddle my lap. I know she can feel my hard-on.
That blush is back on her face, and I love it. Kissing the redness, she giggles for me. “It’s alright. I’ve never been held like this before.” I’m positive that it took a lot of courage for her to tell me that. My woman is feisty as hell and it’s intriguing to see her in a different light.
“Well, you should get used to it. I want to make sure you are always held with passion.”
She cracks up and pulls me toward her, pushing her tongue down my throat. I can say for certain; my ladybug knows how to kiss me and make my pulse run wild. As her hands run up my stomach, I moan with pleasure, letting her know I love her touch on me.Yeah, I could get used to this.
Four hours later,I step out of the shower and Othella stands before me. She’s so damn beautiful it hurts to look at her.
“Do you not want my help? I know Mother’s office.” Of course, ladybug wants to help me, but I can’t let her be anywhere near what I’m about to do. If her mother wanted her gone, it’s best she stay in the shadows.
“No ladybug, I want to get in and get out without too much of a scene. I have a feeling if you show up with me, it will cause all kinds of hell.” Pulling her to me, I kiss her passionately and hold her for a moment. “You are going to be good, right? I don’t have to handcuff your ass, do I?”
That little smirk she throws my way tells me all I need to know. Giggling, Othella takes off toward the front door. I catch her before she makes it past the couch, and I tackle her. We land on the cushions, laughing, and it’s the happiest I’ve seen my ladybug.
“I want to go with you.” She pouts as I push her hair out of her face.
“Ladybug, I have to get going. I know you want to go, but trust me, it’ll be easier this way.”
Sighing, Othella nods. “Alright. Fine. I’ll be good. Do you mind if I cook?” I look at her, smiling.
“Not at all, love. Be good and lock this door for me after I’ve gone.”
We kiss one more time at the door and she locks it before I step off the porch. Revving my motorcycle, I head toward town, wondering how the hell I’m going to get the judge to sign off on a warrant.
As I get to the first red light, I’m so focused on getting to the courthouse before they close, I nearly run over an elderly lady. She cusses me up one side, down the other.Oops.
Walking into the office, I see the mayor. Something tells me to turn on my phone to record. I discreetly play with it and as she comes up to me, Glynna is all smiles. “Well, I have to thank you for taking care of my little issue for me.” Her haughty tone just kills me.
“What issue?” Playing dumb is not my strong suit, but this is for Othella.
“Oh, come now, you know what I’m talking about. You have taken Othella off my hands. I’m sure she didn’t give you any trouble, now did she?” She touches my arm, and I almost jerk back.Yuck.
“Yup, she made it to the airport safely.” Another lie. Damn, I’m racking them up today.
“Perfect. Finally, the trash is out of our town.” If she keeps this up, I’m likely to punch the shit out of her. I’m not normally violent toward women, but this is Othella’s mother. The woman should be nurturing and loving toward her daughter. Not trying to hurt her.
“Yeah, she said something about going to her brother’s.”
Glynna laughs, but she looks at me. “That girl never learned her lesson. Even after I made sure Clyde taught her who the hell was boss. She never stopped being a rebel. I can’t stand it when she tries to make me be a mother to her.”
Bingo. I got exactly what I wanted. A confession of sorts. I don’t want the details again. “I understand, Mayor. If you’ll excuse me, I need to see the judge before he leaves town next week.”
“Oh, he’s already gone. He left yesterday. Maybe I can help you with something?” Her hand keeps running up my arm, and I step back. How can this woman think I’d want her to be near me? God, she’s got some nerve being like this. Trying not to throw up, I nod at her.
“Ah, I hope he enjoys his vacation. There was nothing pressing, just wanted to ask him about a fishing spot he told me about. Thanks for your time, Mayor.”
