Breaking The Silence (Fatally Flawed Book 3) (18 page)

Chapter 45

Gunner

              Clarisse, my boss, walks into the interrogation. A look of disappointment shining through her vivid blue eyes. Walking to the table, she places a yellow folder down, never breaking eye contact with me. Stretching my arm across, the newly cleaned, wooden surface I retrieve the folder. Looking through the paper work, my heart now pounding in my chest, I start to process exactly what’s going on.

              “Tell me you don’t believe this, Clarisse.” I state, my voice laced with the shock I am feeling. When she doesn’t immediately answer. I start to get even more anxious. “That’s not right. That can’t be right.” I rush out, trying to convince her of my innocence.

              “That is your bank account correct?” She questions, pointing her finger at the seven-digit number at the top of the page.

              “Well yeah, but I didn’t add those funds.” I state, now resting my face in my hands. When my boss and two agents first showed up at my house last night. I had thought they were there to reprimand me over Izzy again. Then Clarisse asked me to come into the office and talk, and I knew something was wrong.

              “I want to believe you, Gunner.” Clarisse starts off saying. “But, as you know, in our line of duty the evidence doesn’t lie.”

              “What motive would I have to take a bribe from Lorenzo?”

              With a tone full of anger, she outlines everything the prosecution has against me. “Izzy obviously meant a lot to you. Seventy-five million dollars is enough to run away with and keep you both off the streets. Wouldn’t you say?”

              Standing from my chair, my anger now getting the best of me, I slam my fist down on the table. “I would never take blood money for any reason. Especially from a thug like Lorenzo Alvarez.” My outburst has no effect on Clarisse, she merely continues on with her wild story.

              “Mr. Johnathan was obviously a hurtle in your relationship, so you went to Lorenzo knowing he was having his own problems with his hitman. Lorenzo knew K.J. would be distracted with Izzy’s disappearance and he could use that to his advantage. You promised to ruin all evidence against his organization in exchange for the money.”

              “If that were true all the files on his case would be gone.” I state, once again interrupting her.

              “They are.” She says, pinning me with a look of irritation. Knowing there is nothing I could say to convince her of my innocence, I sit back down. “I would like my phone call now, please.” I declare, my voice laced with defeat. I will need to call my parents and tell them to call our family lawyer.

              “As you wish.” She says, sliding her phone across the table to me. Grabbing it before she can change her mind, I dial the number I’ve had memorized since I was a child. It rings twice, before a voice that belongs to neither my mom or dad can be heard.

              “You should have taken my warning serious and stayed away from Izzy.” Kade says into the phone. Stunned, I don’t immediately place the phone down when he hangs up. Something tells me he has went to drastic links to make sure these charges stick. I should have never tried to take on the devil himself. Evil always wins.

Chapter 46

Izzy

              I’ve been in this cabin, by myself, for a week now. K.J. brought me here the morning after he retrieved me from Jasper’s house. The seclusion was nice at first, when he was here, but now I’m starting to get worried. I didn’t ask questions when he left. There was a look in his eyes that said it was not up for discussion. Not wanting to argue, especially since my ass and body were still sore from the punishments I received once we arrived, I kept my mouth shut as he left. I was understanding of the first two, but after that I think he was making up my indiscretions. Wouldn’t running from him and staying gone be the same thing?

              With my hair tied on the top of my head. I tie rubber bands around the white curtains before dipping them into the buckets of dye I’ve made. K.J. told me I could redecorate the guest rooms, so I am doing something I’m sure he’ll hate. After this he will probably never allow me to decorate anything else.

              “Are you having fun?” I hear his voice say behind me. Turning around, my hands dyed different colors, I give him my megawatt smile. Seeing him without any new cuts or bruises instantly dissolves my worries.

              “This was supposed to be a surprise” I say, letting my voice fill with fake frustration. “How do you do that?” I ask.

              “Do what?” He questions, taking me into his arms.

              “Every time I try to surprise you, you ruin it.” I whine, wrapping my colorful hands around the collar of his leather jacket, still getting used to being able to touch him whenever I want.

              “I could leave and come back.” He states, knowing that I would never agree to that. Shaking my head, I give him a shy smile, knowing there is still something I can surprise him with. It took a lot of self-control on my part, but I was able to keep it a secret. A very juicy secret that is driving me insane.

              “Tell me, Elizabeth” He states, having figured out something is up.

              A sudden rush of nervousness hits me, causing me to spew out my famous word vomit. “You remember on the way up here, I made you stop for tampons. Well it wasn’t tampons I was buying. After I ran away, which I really regret, I realized I haven’t had my period. I am like never late. Which is weird considering I’m never on time. Anyway, I thought it was because we’ve been having sex. That maybe my hormones…” I’m suddenly cut off when K.J. brings his finger to my lips, silently telling me to be quiet.

              “Are you trying to tell me your pregnant?” He asks. Looking into his eyes, searching for any sign of emotion, I met with nothing but a blank stare. With his finger still over my lips, I nod my head up and down as way of answering.

              “This is something you want?”

              Again I nod my head. My anxiety rising from not knowing what he’s thinking. I start to get a sinking feeling in my stomach, and unwanted tears are starting to pool in my eyes. K.J. wraps both his arms around me, lifting my feet off the floor, “then this is what I want too.” He whispers into me ear. I let out a squeal of laughter, squeezing him tighter, “I’m so happy you said that. I’ve been worried about this for days.” I say.

              With me still in his arms. He starts walking toward the master bedroom with purpose. Carrying me through the open door. He gently places my feet on the floor, near the bed, before removing his jacket. Grabbing the hem of my shirt, slowly raising it up my mid drift, he pauses long enough to whisper in my ear. “I love you, Izzy.” He states before sliding the fabric over my head. Stunned by the declaration, I can only watch as he finishes undressing me, trying to keep from becoming a blubbering mess. I had just become accustomed to the idea that K.J. was not going to act like a standard boyfriend. There would be no flowers, no valentine chocolates, and most likely no big romantic gestures. At first I thought those were something I wanted, then I realized as long as I had K.J. I wouldn’t need anything else.    

Chapter 47

K.J.

              Izzy’s is tucked into my side, her head resting on my chest, both of us trying to catch our breath. When she started doing her usual nervous rambling, earlier, I thought maybe she had done something she knew was going to get her a punishment. Then the story started to come together, and my entire world changed. Obviously I knew the repercussions of not using a condom, I’m not an idiot, and I also knew Izzy would forever be mine if she were to get pregnant. Does that make me selfish? Probably, but I’ve never cared what people think of me.

              “You’re not scared to have a little K.J. running around?” She asks, tilting her face up at me. Smoothing the loose hair away from her face, staring into her golden brown eyes, I answer honestly. “Having the childhood I did, is what made me who I am. Having you as a mother means any kid we have could never turn out like me.”  

              She tries to hide the look of sorrow, that flashes in her eyes, however I notice it. Izzy moves to lower her gaze, but I grab her chin, stopping her. “What is it, Elizabeth?” I ask.

              “Tell me about your childhood.” She states, giving me a pleading look. I can tell she is more familiar with it then she is letting on, but now is my chance to speak up. She is giving me a chance to show that I trust her.

              “What do you want to know?” I ask, loosening my grip, allowing her to once again rest on my chest comfortably.

              “Everything.” She whispers, bringing her arm around my waist. “I want to know everything.”

              I start with telling her about my mother and how her predicament ultimately led to me being enslaved. I left a lot of the violence out, only telling her the important moments that really define me. When I am finished talking, having told her more than I’ve told anyone, she continues to hold me tight.

              “You don’t have to battle alone anymore.” She says, “you have me now.”

              “You are not to fight anyone on my behalf. Consider that your warning.” I state, rolling her over, biting her bottom lip. Just the thought of Izzy getting hurt, while trying to protect me, is enough to send my blood boiling. Now resting between her legs, she places a hand on my cheek, before giving me a bright smile.

              “You need to take a chill pill. All I meant was you have me to talk to now. I have no intention of strapping on some armor and going to war” She clarifies with laughter in her voice.

              “Are you laughing at me, Elizabeth?”

              Tilting her head to the side, glaring into my eyes, she lowers her voice trying to mimic mine. “Are you making me laugh, Kade?” She asks.

              Shaking my head at her antics, leaning down, I whisper in her ear. “That’s one.” Her body goes stiff under me, not from fear but anger. “For what, asshole.” She shouts out, trying to shove me off of her. “You can’t always get butt hurt when I pick on you. We already have a baby on the way, I’m not prepared to take care of two.”

              The argument could be made that while she is pregnant there should be no punishments, but I’m more than capable of coming up with something that wouldn’t harm our unborn child. “You really should learn to control your emotions.” I declare, pinning her hands above her head. “It’s almost too easy to get the reaction out of you I want.”

              “You have no right…” Her words are cut off when I bring my lips down on hers. Soon Izzy will have to learn that I answer to no one. Just because I cleverly declared my love for her doesn’t mean she has put me on the same leash Candice has Jasper on. What I feel for Izzy could never be categorized as love or affection. She is a burning need spreading like a virus in my bloodstream. An obsession that overwhelms me. Love is something normal people say and want to hear. My life now consists of keeping Izzy safely by my side. Sometimes saying what she needs to hear is just another way to insure that.         

Epilogue

7 months later…

Izzy

              Standing in front of the full length mirror, studying my hair, I’m starting to regret not listening to K.J. Why did I insist on having a small wedding? I must not have been thinking about the long trip down the aisle. With as big as I am it will be a waddle rather than a graceful walk. K.J. wanted to go to the court house before the baby was born, but I talked him into having a private ceremony.

              Checking to make sure the ribbon on my dress is tied correctly. I turn around to see K.J. entering through the door. He hasn’t seen the dress I’ve been working on for months, so I’ve been anxious to see his reaction. Since he’s no fan of white, and I’m no virgin, I thought it would be fitting to go with a pastel purple. The top layers are sheer fabric, draping down to the tip of my toes, with a silky fabric laying against my skin. Tied around the top of my stomach is a light pink ribbon, making my huge baby bump more prominent.

              “Your beauty never seizes to amaze me.” He says while enfolding me into his arms. I snuggle into his chest thankful, no matter how big I get, I can still fit.

              “I look like an overstuffed baked potato with legs.” I state, my insecurities finally getting the best of me. With a small smirk on his face, K.J. puts some space between us, “you’re thirty-six weeks pregnant, Izzy.”

              “I know; I just wish I had…” I’m stopped mid-sentence when I feel a strong pain in my lower abdomen. They have been coming and going all morning, but just recently got worse. I was hoping they were just Braxton Hicks, but I’m starting to think this may be real labor. Looking into K.J.’s concerned face, I plaster on a fake smile, determined to get married before this baby is born.

              “What’s going on, Elizabeth?” He asks, helping me take a seat on the edge of the bed.

              “It’s just false labor pains, nothing to worry about.” I reassure him, trying to keep my voice level. Before he can reply he is interrupted by Candice walking into the room.

              “What’s wrong?” She asks, looking back and forth between K.J. and me. When I see his eyes narrow, I know I’m not going to like what he’s about to say.

              “Tell everyone to go home. Izzy needs to rest.” He commands, looking at Candice.

              “Don’t you dare do that.” I say, getting to my feet. Staring at my soon to be husband, I poke him in the center of his chest. “I said I was fine and I meant it.”

              “Alright, Elizabeth.” He says in a calm voice, giving me a kiss on the lips before walking out of the room. Once the door is shut, I look to Candice, taken back by his reaction. Never before has K.J. listened to me. I’m the one usually doing the compromising.

              “Did that really just happen?” I ask.

              “Ummm. Yeah.” Candice says, “I think it did.”

              Walking to the mirror once again, giving myself one last check over, I’m startled when Dalton comes barreling into the room. He is going to be the one to walk me down the aisle and give me away. I thought it would be better to have someone I love do it, considering my parents gave me ultimatum. Them or K.J. Jasper is, of course, the best man and Candice is my maid of honor. I was hoping Bethany would be able to be a bridesmaid but she is still in rehab, fighting her pill addiction.

              “Time to go, pretty girl.” Dalton states with a smile on his face. He’s wearing a tie that matches Candice’s pink dress. It drove everyone crazy, but I insisted we all match. Jasper is wearing the same tie and black suit as Dalton and K.J. The things I had to do to get K.J. in a suit were mostly fun, but I still think he is a sadistic bastard.

              “What?” Candice questions, “it’s not supposed to start for another twenty minutes.”

              “Hey don’t shoot the messenger, baby.” He jokes. “K.J. said it is starting now. He also wanted me to tell you. He would come in here to get you himself, if you weren’t there in three minutes.”

              “That asshole.” I say under my breath. “No wonder he let me win.”

              “I think you should listen to Dalton, Izzy.” Candice states, “you know K.J. doesn’t make empty threats.”

              Picking my bouquet up from the bed, I stomp toward the doorway, grabbing onto Dalton’s waiting arm. He looks down at me with a stupid grin on his face, “you would be the only bride to frown on her wedding day.” He laughs out.

              “Can it, Dalton.” I declare, pulling him out of the room. “There is somewhere I need to be.”