Loving My Neighbor (11 page)

Christmas day is a quiet one. We all spend the day together cooking, eating, watching the requisite Christmas movies—
It’s a Wonderful Life
and
Scrooged.
We tease Trent saying that he’s Scrooge, but he just laughs us off.

              “Yep, and I didn’t need the Christmas Spirits to change my ways; I just needed my bunny.” I melt at his words because as corny as they sound, I know that he truly means them. I can’t wait to marry him. He says he wants to marry on New Year’s Eve. I like the idea, but I don’t know how we’re going to pull it off. There’s so much to do and businesses are working on holiday hours. Of course, he reassures me that it is going to happen, giving me that hard, stern look of determination, but I still have doubts.

I don’t tell him that I ran into my evil stepmother on Christmas Eve. She was cruel as usual, but I dismissed her. Finding Trent has made me stronger than I’ve ever been. Our meeting was brief, but she left me with a veiled threat. I didn’t care what she had to say so I walked away like I had something to threaten her with myself— because now I have. I’m glad I found out about my mother’s murder after I saw her because I might have beaten that scandalous, evil whore to death.

I want revenge for my mother. She didn’t do anything but fall in love with the wrong man. He destroyed her to marry his pregnant mistress. I knock on the study door, knowing he’s talking with Duke and I want them to tell me what’s going on. He walks to the door and instead of letting me in, he holds the door partially open.

“Bunny, can’t this wait?” he asks anxiously.

“No, it can’t,” I respond, pushing my way into the room. I look back and forth between the two. “Listen, I overheard you on Christmas Eve. I know about my mother’s death. What I want to know is what you’re going to do about it?”

“At the moment, we’re working on nailing them on the explosion.”

“So you know it wasn’t an accident then?” I take a deep breath and absorb what I have been silently thinking. His threats about Trent had been serious. If I wasn’t going to be useful for him, I was a waste of space.

“Yes. I contacted the gas company and they had been out the week prior. It wasn’t the day you knocked on my door.”

“But I saw the guy and his credentials!” I’m dumbfounded. They planned it all out. I was destined to be their next victim.

“They hired that man to come in and supposedly inspect the line and the gas hookups in the kitchen. He was fired from the gas company six months ago, but he stole the credentials of another employee. With the help of Mason, his wife, and some acquaintances they pulled off the explosion.”

“I want him to pay. Can I kill him myself?

“No, you can’t. I won’t lose you to prison for that scum.”

“I hate him.”

There’s a knock at the door. Trent opens it to Duke’s lady friend, Miranda. “What’s the matter, doll?”

“I told you not to call me that,” she hisses at Duke. I love the tension between them. It’s so obvious they’re attracted to each other. Hell, she came here with him. They make such a cute couple.

“I heard ya, but I don’t care.”

“Whatever. I came in here to tell you that the DA just called me.” She looks at Trent asking for permission to say what she has learned. He gives her a nod. I’m feeling real fucking jealous at the simple but familiar gesture they share.

I snarl which Trent notices and gives me a cocky grin. He slides his hands around my waist and moves us to the sofa, refusing to let me sit beside him. Instead, I’m on his lap. He gives my tummy a rub then whispers in my ear, “I don’t want anyone else. Your jealousy is cute but unnecessary. I’m never going to mess with another person again. You’re mine and I’m yours.” He seals his words with a kiss. I moan, forgetting that we aren’t alone.

“Are you two done?” Duke asks with a chuckle. Flushed with embarrassment I nod, but I still wiggle on Trent’s stiff bulge.

“The DA told me that your father will be arrested tomorrow morning along with his wife. They are being charged with the murder of your mother and conspiracy to commit murder.”

“They found a way to get the evidence?” Duke asks.

“Yes. Kroll wants his deal, so he called Ted and Dora Mason. He told them that a private detective knows all about the fake employment and hit. He gave up all the evidence they needed to open his books and incriminate all of them.”

“What will happen to my brothers?” I ask out of curiosity. I don’t want anyone interrupting my happiness and as much as I care for my brothers, I don’t want to raise my mother’s reason for being killed. It sounds selfish, but I don’t give a shit.

“They’ll be put in foster care until a family member takes them in.”

“Oh, okay.”

Trent gives me a squeeze, then asks, “Why babe? Do you want us to take them in?”

“No, they love their parents. Once they find out how this all went down, they’re going to hate me. We got along, but their mother would always blame me for her drinking so we had a strained relationship.”

“Okay, Bunny. If that’s what you want, I’m more than fine with it.” I know he is. He’s just opening up to acquaintances; I know he doesn’t want kids who have a reason to hate us being here. He’d be panicking for my safety.

~~~~

I get a call the next morning after the arrest is made and I do a happy dance. Now it’s time to tell my lovely Lily the news. I run into our bedroom and she’s not in our bed. Then I hear a sound of vomiting. Shit. No. Panic sets in and I’m afraid she’s going to die. I rush to the door, throw it open and see her washing her face. The look of fear is so strong that she knows what I’m thinking and rushes up to me, hugging me tight.

“Trent, I’m okay. I told you I would be. The reasons for me vomiting and your mother are two different things. I’m having your baby. She was using drugs. I’m sorry it scares you, but it’s going to be over soon.”

“Not soon enough,” I snarl, hugging her back tightly. “Promise me you’re going to be alright.”

“Trent, love of my life, father of my baby and keeper of my soul, I’m going to be alright.” We stay like this for a few minutes because I need to feel my heartbeat go back into place and calm the fuck down.

“Trent…” she mutters. I pull back and look down at her. “Are you alright? You came rushing up here. Did something happen or was I that loud?”

“Oh, I came up here before I left for the office because they’ve arrested them.”

She jumps out of my arms practically dancing. “Yay!! Oops. I shouldn’t say that. It’s not nice.” She covers her mouth in embarrassment.

“Bunny, are you nuts? It’s perfectly fine to dance around the house and shout out in happiness about it.”             

“Well, now that we got those pieces of shit, what about that bitch you worked with.”

“I don’t know yet. Duke got the information and we can nail her about the spying, but we want to get her on more. I want to stay with you, but I have to go into the office to work today. Are you okay to stick around here?”

“Yeah, we have a houseful of guests.”

“Don’t do too much. Just focus on feeling better and taking care of my baby.” I grab my woman in my arms.

“I’ll be good. Trust me. I’m planning on being lazy and letting everyone cater to me…” she sighs.

I laugh, but I’m going to check with the guests before I leave because I know she’s going to try and be the perfect hostess she’s been since our first guests arrived.

~~~~

When I arrive at my office, Bobby Cole’s waiting for me along with Sheriff Tanner. “Hello, gentlemen. Come into the conference room. My security liaison is examining my office for any listening or video devices.”

With a tilt of his head, the sheriff asks, “Do you think that someone planted them in there?”

“I don’t know, Sheriff, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.” I walk them into the conference room. Thankfully, one of my other female employees came and made coffee. I’m glad Sharon stepped up. She’s a married mother of two, and like good mothers, she knows how to get shit done.

“Thanks for your help, Sharon,” I say before she walks out the door.

Turning she gives me a genuine smile. “No problem. I make coffee in the lunchroom every day. I added some treats. Happy holidays!” She leaves the room and closes the door for us.

“So, what’s the reason you called us over?” Sheriff Tanner asks.

“Bobby, you remember why Lily ran from me?”

“Yeah, because your old assistant told her you two were having an affair.”

“Yep. Lily didn’t believe her until she mentioned a birthmark I have near my cock. I didn’t know how she knew about it because I’ve never done anything with her, and I don’t change in my office so it’s not like she could’ve walked in on me. Well, my former maid told me that she used the bathroom by my study when she came to pick up a file I needed. We checked out the bathroom and found a camera. We didn’t remove it because I don’t want her to find out and remove it from her computer. According to my security liaison, she’s still viewing the feed.”

The Sheriff’s thinking about what I revealed. Then he mentions, “But if no one’s using it then she may stop viewing it before we nail her for it.”

I chuckle. “Oh, Duke’s used it. He made sure to hide his dick from the camera’s view and all she got was a view of his abs, but he worked it so well she will continue to watch.”

Both give a silent nod of approval. “Good. Since the camera’s in your home, we can access the feed with your permission. We’ll get her.”

“Thanks. I don’t want that crazy bitch anywhere near my fiancée.”

“Is your security guy the same one who got her parents?” Tanner asks.

“Yep. He’s great at what he does.” Duke is a beast. He’s an integral part of MDM Secure and leaving me tomorrow to get back to Seattle.

“Seriously, he solved two cases in the same week. We need someone like that working for us.”

I shake my head because there’s no way they could use evidence the way Duke gets it. “No, you’re limited to your resources and official restrictions.”

“I think I might have to change careers,” Bobby replies, Tanner giving him a raised brow and glare. I laugh because he’s going to get in trouble when he leaves. I can’t wait to finish my day so I can go home and worship my Lily and whisper my love to our baby.

Life is good. I can’t believe how fast a year’s gone by. It’s almost Christmas and my wife is holding our son in her arms while I add the final touches to the tree. This year’s celebration is going to be much bigger than last years because several of our friends had babies. I’m about to have a cousin after all these years. It seems Ernestine wasn’t as infertile as she thought and my uncle couldn’t be more ecstatic. They’re getting a late start on a family, but we’re all happy about it. Although, little Trent will be older than my cousin. I climb down from the ladder in time for my snow bunny in all white to hand me my little man and rush from the room.

“I’ll be right back.” I hear her go into the bathroom down the hall and then the tell-tale signs of vomiting. I hurry over to her because my fear of losing her will always be with me, but I’ve calmed down. It took until she was almost done with the morning sickness for me to learn to handle it. I walk back to the living room and set my son in his bouncer, strap him in, and head over to help my wife.

“Bunny, are you okay?”

“I think I ate something that wasn’t right. It could’ve been the mozzarella cheese sticks. They didn’t taste good to me.”

“I thought they tasted freaking delicious. Maybe, I managed to fuck another baby into you?”

Her eyes open wide. “I haven’t gotten my period yet, but since I’m breastfeeding, I thought it was possible.”

“Wow, if we are, it’s awfully soon. Maybe I should have taken some precautions.”

“If you put a condom on again, I’ll throat punch your ass. I hate the smell of the latex. I told you that.”

“Well then, it’s your fault if you’re knocked up again.”

“It’s your fault, anyway.”

“Do you care to explain your rationale, wife?”

“Yes, well…if you hadn’t been so sexy and refused to let me leave the house during all this bad weather, I wouldn’t have been aching for your return home every day. I wouldn’t have been ready to strip you bare the moment you walked in the door. You’ve turned me into a lust-crazed woman.”

“I don’t see that as being a problem. I love keeping you trapped inside, lust-crazed and ready to assault me when I get home. So, no need to make any changes on that front. Besides, I love watching you grow with my baby. My baby. Damn. I hope you are.”

“You can’t stop smiling, can you?”

“Of course not. I have my wife by my side, and a handsome son, and hopefully, another one on the way. Life’s perfect. Well, almost perfect.”

“What would make it perfect?”

“If Trent takes a nap so I can seduce you into riding my cock until we both can’t stand.”

“I think he’s due for a nap.” She winks and leaves the bathroom to check on our son.

The little man is passed out in his bouncer. I chuckle, which startles him a little in his sleep. “Shit,” I groan. I thought he was going to wake up, but he doesn’t. So I grab my wife’s hand and drag her into my study.

“Wait, where’s the monitor?” I’m usually the paranoid one, but right now, I couldn’t give a shit. I know he’s safe.

Pulling her to my chest, I press my dick against her heat. “No need for a monitor. We can hear him from here. Now let’s get you naked and celebrate.”

The End…for now…