“I’m gonna hop in the shower,” I say, then wink at her and hear her groan as I walk away. Chuckling to myself, I close the bathroom door and start the shower water. While I’m waiting for it to warm up, I look at myself in the mirror.
A Killer.
I know that’s not what she sees when she looks at me, but when I look at myself that’s all I can think.
I’ve killed someone. A month ago, I beat someone so badly they died from their injuries… and that person was my fiancé’s mom.
There’s so much messed up shit about that, but I can’t talk to Gabby about it without a fight and I don’t really think I should tell Dr. Travers because he’s liable to turn me in. I mean, it’s not like they don’t know who did it, but no one’s come after me yet. Maybe it’s because Adam is the most powerful man in the city of Chicago and he’s had his hands in this, orchestrating it all, but I haven’t heard a thing from the police or anything. It’s strange, really, knowing that I was the cause of someone’s death, but I’m not being penalized for it at all.
Shaking off the imminent feeling of dread that follows me around, I hop in the shower to quickly clean off before getting dressed for the day. We have a new potential client today at the agency, and Adam is putting me in charge of it.
By the time I get to the kitchen, Gabby’s already dancing with Hannah on her hip while she makes us breakfast. I take a moment to snap another picture of them before she notices that I’m here and grin when Hannah starts wiggling with Gabby to part of the song. Good God, this sight… I still can’t believe how sexy it is watching Gabby interact with Hannah. I really want her to adopt Hannah as her own, and I’m sure, once we’re married, she won’t freak out when I ask her… but I hate fucking waiting.
“Hey you,” I say, kissing the side of her head and taking Hannah from her arms to get some snuggles in before work. “So, I was thinking tonight we could take Hannah to my dad’s. Maybe bring some cards and let her play there for a bit while we visit?” I haven’t fully told my dad everything that happened, and I’m not sure if I will, but it’s time we visit him again.
“Sounds good, babe.” She sets an omelet in front of me and grins as she takes a bite for herself. I can’t even act upset because she’s so damn cute sipping her coffee like she didn’t do anything. “We’re heading out to run some errands today, you need anything?”
“Yeah actually, Can you-” I’m cut off by a knocking at the door.
Strange. It’s eight in the morning… who would be here at this time?
“I got it,” she says as she walks towards the door, shaking her ass for me as she leaves the room. I grunt and shake my head. Damn vixen is gonna keep me hard all damn day for her.
I hear the door open, and think nothing of the silence or time it’s taking her until she walks back into the room. Pale.
“What is it?” I ask, shooting up from my chair.
Then, I notice the men following her. Fuck.
“Mr. James.” The dark haired man nods at Gabby and me. “Officer Jones from the Chicago PD. We’re going to need you to come with us,” he says, calmly watching me. Probably because he knows of my anger. Probably because he’s ready to protect himself.
Or maybe because he can tell my heart is about to beat out of my motherfucking chest and land right here at the damn table.
Fuck. This is it.
“What? Why?!” Gabby demands from behind them. It’s funny, really, seeing how small and feisty she is even next to these two grown men.
“Mr. James is wanted for murder, Ms. Rosdale. We’re going to need to take him in to discuss some things.” He points his glare at her, and her eyes go wide.
“Fuck,” she mutters, picking up Hannah. I see the panic in her face and I pray to God she’s up on her meds, because I’m about to leave my daughter with her in a very tense situation. Fuck, this sucks.
I want to vomit. I knew this was coming. Just as I start to think I have a perfect life set up here with Gabby and Hannah, it all gets ripped out from under me.
“Okay,” I sigh, standing up and kissing Hannah and Gabby goodbye.
Fuck, this sucks.
“I’m calling Adam,” Gabby says as the men walk me out the door and straight for the elevator. They don’t fuck around… which I guess is a good thing to say about our fine city’s law enforcement, but it still sucks that they are pushing me through and not letting me really say anything to Gabby.
Shit!
By the time we make it to the station, I’m boiling with rage. I need to contain it because I’ve seen what it can do… but I just need to get out of this damned car. I need fresh air. Fuck, are they going to lock me up in a cell?! Oh shit, I can’t have that! I’m in my fucking suit… I have a motherfucking meeting this morning!
“Come on,” the short, pudgy one says, pulling me out of the back of the cop car. They handcuffed me right before we got out of the elevator and haven’t taken them off since. I growl as they make sure to be extra rough with me, for what reason I don’t know since I’ve given them no reason to think I’m dangerous.
Oh, right… I’m a murderer.
“In there,” the tall one nods to the right where I see a closed door. I raise my eyebrows at him and cock my head. My mother fucking hands are behind my back, dimwit.
He chuckles and instead of opening the door for me, he unlocks my hands and sets me free to open it myself.
What the hell? I didn’t think they were supposed to do that.
“Go on in. The DA is waiting for you.” He chuckles and watches me walk to the room before walking away.
Slowly, unsure of what lies on the other side of the door, I slowly open it and am greeted with a very smug, laughing face of the one and only Mr. Chicago. Letting out a breath, I smile and chuckle at him then notice the man he’s sitting next to.
“Holy shit,” I mutter, staring at someone I thought I’d never see again. “What the fuck?”
“So, you remember Colton?” Adam beams from across the table.
Colton Crawford: the most ruthless man, aside from Adam, that I’ve ever met. I went to college with him. He tried taking Carly away from me at one point… tried breaking us up. I haven’t liked him since. What the fuck is he doing here?
“Yeah,” I say, dumbfounded.
“Nice to see you, Benton,” he says, smiling. “I wish it were under different circumstances.” He chuckles, and I notice Adam shake his head.
“We’ve got a meeting, Colton… Can we get on with this?” Adam clears his throat and adjusts his suit, sitting up a little straighter and glaring at Colton.
What the fuck is going on!?
“Right… so Benton,” he starts. “You beat up Mrs. Rosdale in defense of your fiancé… Is this correct?” He pins me with his glare and I feel my palms getting sweaty.
“Yes,” I say.
“And you were defending her why?” He readies his pen, and watches me as I narrow my eyes at him.
“She had a gun in my home. She had already shot my fiancé once and was ready to shoot again. My child was in the room and, at the time, I wasn’t aware who had been shot… I was defending the people I love from a crazy-“
“That’s good. Adam, we have all we need. Benton,” he says, standing. “Your defense of Gabby and Hannah is all I needed to hear. Homicide in defense of someone in the state of Illinois is termed ‘justifiable homicide’ and is not illegal. You did what you had to do to save lives. I truly believe you didn’t beat her with the thought of killing her.” He pauses and narrows his eyes at me. “So, for those reasons, we’re clearing your papers and you’re good to go to work. Oh… and I really am sorry about everything it seems you’ve been through lately, Benton.” He smiles and holds his hand out to shake mine as I fumble with words to respond. Instead of speaking, I shake his hand and thank him, watching in confusion as he walks out of the room.