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My heart’s thumping in my chest because I think that’s what Tess would prefer. Hell, that’s whatanywoman would prefer because who really wants a video of them being gangbanged getting into the wrong hands? But my beautiful brunette takes another deep breath, and turns to me with a measured look.
“I trust you, Roland. If you think the warden and the DA can be trusted, then let’s give them the tape, and see if it helps with your bid for an early release.”
I’m overwhelmed with this woman’s generosity and unbidden, tears spring to my eyes again.
“Thank you, sweetheart,” I growl before leaning to kiss her as she lies in the hospital bed. “You have no idea what this means to me because ever since I was convicted, it feels like I have no one on my side. But now, I know that you’re here with me, and I appreciate it, Tess. I appreciateyou. I love you, honey, and I swear I’ll live clean when I get out of this place. Hell, even before that. I’ve already changed my ways, and I intend to do right by you, sweetheart, if you’ll let me.”
Tess shoots me a wobbly smile then, clasping my huge hand in her small one.
“I know, Roland, and I love you too. There was never a question about what to do in my head. If releasing the tape to the appropriate parties is going to help you, then I want to do it. And I’m always on your side because we’re a team, right? We stick together.”
With that declaration, our lips meet in a passionate kiss because those words warm my heart until it’s practically vibrating. After all, I felt abandoned after my sentence was handed down. All my friends, cronies, and even enemies seemed to melt into the woodwork, as if I was no longer worth knowing.
But it doesn’t matter anymore because with Tess Stanfield at my side, I know I can handle anything. The curvy girl completes me, and as she stated, we’re a team now. We’re going to figure this out together, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings.
EPILOGUE
Tess
Three months later.
I lead Roland into the small apartment, a bit embarrassed by how shabby it is.
“Well, it’s no Versailles, but this is home,” I say in a cheery voice while gesturing to the second-hand couch and peeling kitchen cabinets. “The good part is that the landlord seems understanding. I told him that I could only put down half of the deposit he wanted, and he was okay with it.”
But my handsome man doesn’t care. He merely pulls me into his arms before dropping a soft kiss on my mouth.
“You know our surroundings don’t matter, sweetheart,” he growls against my lips. “What matters is that we’re together. I’m out of Fishkill, and I appreciate everything you’ve done, Tess. After all it’s a lot for a young woman, but you’ve more than risen to the challenge.”
I nod because it’s true. After we gave the tape to the warden, Roland was fast-tracked for early release. I was a little nervous at first, but the DA seemed open to cutting a deal, and was grateful to have hard evidence when pressing a corruption case against the staff. As a result, after some legal wrangling, my lover was put on the list for release this week.
But it also meant that I had to spring into action because I needed to find a place for both of us, and Roland’s penthouse had been seized by the sheriff. As a result, I began to apartment-hunt like a fiend and was lucky to find this small one-bedroom in the Bronx. The neighborhood isn’t wonderful, and neither is the apartment itself, but what’s important is that my man and I have a place to call our own.
But again, my lover doesn’t care. Roland merely kisses me before pulling back to tuck a curl gently behind my ear.
“You know that I still have quite a few resources at my disposal, right Tess?” he asks in a low voice. “I have plenty in the bank. I just couldn’t get to it while I was in prison, but now that I’m back, we’ll be able to move into new digs soon enough. Plus, I appreciate that you’ve put yourself out like this, sweetheart, by signing a lease and cobbling together the deposit. I’ll re-pay you as soon as we get a chance to talk with my financial adviser. This is just temporary and it’s going to be fine.”
Tears fill my eyes as I wrap my arms around his broad shoulders. My lover is so handsome and my heart beats with pleasure as I gaze into those blue eyes.
“I know,” is my soft voice. “I’m okay with things. Besides, Rolly helped me,” I state. “Your son came up with part of the deposit, and actually, he and his girlfriend are going to be here in an hour or so to welcome you back.”
My boyfriend looks stunned.
“His girlfriend? That’s new.”
I nod, giggling a little.
“I know because actually, Rolly’s now in a relationship with the middle-aged MILF I caught him with. Crazy, right? Not only that, but he says that Teresa’s pregnant, so you’re going to be a granddad soon, Roland. Surprise, surprise! Isn’t getting out of jail just lovely?”
My man looks utterly stunned. So much has happened that you’d think nothing could get under Roland’s skin, but clearly, this piece of news has thrown him for a loop.
“I’m going to be a grandfather,” the handsome man whispers, his mouth agog. “Holy shit.”
I giggle again.
“Yep, we’ll be calling you Grandpappy Rol pretty soon.”
But then, my lover wraps his arms around my waist before burrowing his nose in my hair, breathing deeply.
