Page 24 of Untouchable
“I know. I know. And I will. After we find Anastasia. If Kaidence was in on this, then she has to be, too.” I remember the other sister well. She spewed just as much hate towards their siblings as their father had.
Entering the house, I’m surprised by how sparse the interior is. I figured they’d have had more. A couch, TV, dining room table, and a couple of smaller tables are the only pieces of furniture in the front rooms. The two bedrooms are no better—two twin beds and a shared dresser in one room, a double bed and another dresser in the other. It’s clear these women were living frugally, but it doesn’t make sense to me.
I ask Porter, “Your father had a court-appointed lawyer, didn’t he,” as I come out of the bedroom and find him digging through a cabinet over the sink in the bathroom.
“Yeah, said he didn’t have money to pay for his own.” He scoffs. “The man is loaded; he just doesn’t waste it on things he deems unworthy.” Standing to his full height, he hands me a couple of pill bottles. “Orfamily.” That’s what I figured.
Staring down at the prescription labels, both are for bipolar disorder and in Anastasia’s name. “She’s coming back,” I mutter as I count out the pills and match them to the date of the prescription.
“Yeah, I think so. Seems she’s been pretty responsible with those. Should we wait inside or out?”
Before I can answer, the front door opens, and we hear, “Mama, I’m home. Kaidence didn’t check in, so I’m not sure what’s happening.” That confirms our suspicions.
Porter steps forward. A loud gasp followed by a thump lures me out to find the woman has dropped her groceries and stares in shock at her brother. “What are you doing here?”
“Mother and Kaidence are behind bars. Kaid shot Trusen. You know she was going to do that?” Tears well in Anastasia’s eyes as she shakes her head.
“Is he okay?”
“Don’t know, Ana; bullet did some damage. He could die.” The ruthless tone makes me proud. This kid is going to make one hell of a fierce protector.
Her tears fall, but he doesn’t give her an inch. “You knew Alma and Kaidence were plotting Jossilyn’s death? Stalking her? Broke into her hotel?
“The things that were said to her, Ana…god.” Porter’s emotions burst to the surface quickly.
“I didn’t know all of that. I knew they wanted her to suffer. She found success when we live like this! All off a book exposing our entire lives!” There’s the missing bitterness I was waiting for.
“She did what she had to do to heal. Do you know the things Father did to her? How he made her and Sage suffer just because they dared ask questions?” His voice cracks, and she shakes her head. “Did you read her book?” Another shake. “You should have. She put so much of herself and her suffering in there for people like us who lived within that life. The compassion she’s felt for you and Kaidence because she knew you were both built into the monsters you’ve become. It wasn’t your choice. Not at first, but now, you’re as bad as Gideon.” Storming out of the house, Porter allows the door to slam shut behind him.
Stepping forward, I hand the pill bottles over to the shell-shocked woman with a warning, “Keep taking these. Stay away from Joss and Sage. Build a life without hate for yourself, Anastasia. I ever hear of you being within a hundred miles of my woman, and I will end you. I don’t have the same compassion for you that your brother does.” She stares up at me, wide-eyed, before nodding.
Walking away, I stop on the bottom step of the porch when I hear, “Wait!” and she comes running out of the house. I raise a brow at her. “I was sick, that’s no excuse”—she glances down at the bottles still in her hand—“I’ll never be better, but these, they help. I want to apologize to my sisters. Even if they still never want to see me again. Wou-, would that be okay? If it’s something they want, too? And Porter and Trusen?”
I scrutinize her sincerity before nodding. “I’ll speak to all of them, let them know about your diagnosis, and you’ll hear from me in a few weeks.” A relieved smile overtakes her. “Don’t hold out a lot of hope for your sisters, Anastasia. They’ve suffered more than they should at the hands of your parents. Whatever they decide, you need to be understanding about it, got it?”
“Yes, yes, of course. I’ve wanted to for a while. I bought Joss’ memoir, but Mama found out and threw it away before I could open it. I want to leave my past where it belongs, and I can’t do that until I know they’re safe and happy.”
Nodding, I head towards where Porter is standing by the car. I can tell he’s in no mood to talk, so we drive to the airport in silence, trusting that the police can handle Alma’s arrest.
CHAPTER17
Jossilyn
Gasping awake, I feel gruff hands holding onto my hips as a warm mouth moves its way up my bare thighs. When I went to bed, I had a shirt and panties on; now, I’m completely naked. Staring down my body, I find Braxton working his way up it. The light glow from the moonlight highlights the need in his eyes.
Brushing my fingers through his silky hair, I hold him closer as I widen my legs to make more room for him. “I missed you,” I whisper. He doesn’t stop to respond. His kissing becomes more aggressive with love bites, and his fingers tighten.
“You didn’t sleep last night,” he accuses as he sits up, dragging me closer to him. It’s then I see he’s every bit as naked as I am. My eyes drag across his body, loving the dips and hollows of his musculature, the scars hidden within his tattoos.
“I missed you holding me.” Even tonight, I had difficulty falling asleep and forced myself to simply imagine our future together.
“I’ll never miss another night again,” he swears before flipping me over and swatting my ass. My body lights up at the slow burn of the sting. He gives me another, harder, in a different spot. Rubbing the tingling skin with his warm palm makes me crave it more.
“Please, Braxton, more.” I whisper the plea as I glance at him over my shoulder. The shadows hide the intensity of his face, but the straining muscles of his shoulders and arms give him away. I know he wants to, but he’s worried he’ll hurt me. Wiggling my ass, I wait, breathing deeply as I press my head into the pillow beneath me.
“Do you have any fucking clue just how roughly I want to ravage you right now, pup? I’d fucking hurt you, but it’s all I can think about.” The feral tone sends a shiver rippling through me.
“I’m ready,” I respond, my voice strong. I need him to know I’ll take all of him. Every beastly compulsion he feels and all the tenderness he treats me with.