Chapter 17

Chapter 17: You can't blame gravity for falling in love.

-Albert Einstein

Micah

I feel exhilaration and fear at once as I drive away from the building. I know that I have a great deal to do, but all I can think about is going back home and making love to Sophia until neither of us can walk. My phone rings a moment later. Looking at the screen, I answer. "Priest. I was just on my way over there." Priest responds quickly. "We have a problem, Savage." I sigh in frustration feeling the relaxed mood from earlier dissipate. "What is it?" He grunts. "Who is Detective Colin Vane?"

I stiffen in my seat with alarm. "Did you say, Detective Colin Vane?" He snorts with derision. "Yes, I fucking did! Now, are you going to answer me?" My head pounds as I utter through clenched teeth. "Yeah, I met him a couple of days ago after I came back from Scarsdale with Sophia. Some assholes held up the gas station we were in. One of the gunmen shot the clerk and was about to hurt Sophia when I interfered. I stabbed one in the chest and shot another one. The detective was the one in charge of the investigation. Why are you asking me who he is, Priest?"

Priest exhales angrily. "Because the detective is doing some pretty extensive research on you. Our system tagged him when he sent out a request for an investigation into your military background. Why the fuck is this guy so interested in you?" I turn the steering wheel roughly as I make my way to the police station. "I don't know, man. At first, I thought he had a thing for Sophia, but now, I don't know. He came into the shop the other day to speak to Sophia. And when I confronted him, he became serious. I'm going to go over there right now and settle this once and for all. Do you have any information on him?" Priest replies. "Let's see. Detective Colin Vane, age thirty-four. Has been with the New York police force for fourteen years. He's highly decorated with a very impressive record. His father was a police officer until he got caught in the middle of a neighborhood shootout about twenty years ago. He's unmarried with no children and is an only child. Here is an interesting fact. He was one of the officers who arrested Willem's men after you and Gideon had that showdown with Kazik at the docks. He and his team also recovered the kidnapped women and the massive drug crates. That might have something to do with his interest in you."

I think through the information as I continue to drive. "Fuck me! This is not a good time for me to deal with this asshole. Are there any red flags in his file?" Priest responds in the negative. "No. Nothing. Detective Vane is a respectable member of society. He'd definitely make a good Confradia Assassin. So I suggest you stay on his good side. I get the feeling that the detective is trying to dig up some information on Willem. Unfortunately, he's barking up the wrong tree, and it's going to get him killed. The Confradia doesn't take it Well when people start nosing around their Assassin's business."

My fist slams down on the steering wheel as I consider the implications of the detective getting involved in the Confradia's business. "Fine, I'll talk to him," I say before I hang up the phone.

It doesn't take me long to get to the police station. Parking my car in the police lot, I adjust my black Versace suit, slip on my ray bans and slide out of the car before slamming the door behind me. To my surprise, the station is busy at this time. However, it doesn't take me long to find the detective. He's standing near an old coffee maker talking to what I assume are two other detectives. I can't help the rage that surges through me at the thought of this bastard ruining my investigation because he has some kind of problem with me. Walking past the reception area, I stop in front of him and clear my throat. "Detective Vane, we need to talk."

The detective raises an arrogant brow. "Mr. St. Clair. Did we have an appointment?" I grit my teeth, trying to contain my anger. Which is a very hard thing to do when I want to punch him. "No, we don't, detective. However, since you have taken it upon yourself to investigate me, I thought you might want to talk directly to me instead," I say with a direct glower. The detective's face tightens with surprise. Looking at the men next to him, he mutters calmly. "Would you two please excuse us?" Both men nod their heads and give me a suspicious glare before they walk away.

I ignore their glares and keep my gaze directed on the detective who swallows deeply and gestures to an open office nearby. Stepping into the room, I observe as he closes the door and turns to face me. We both stand there, taking each other's measure. Then he steps around the large wooden desk and asks, "How did you know I was investigating you?" I shrug my shoulders and pull a chair out to slump on it comfortably. I can tell that he's bothered by my casual attitude. "Listen, detective, I don't know if you heard me the last time we spoke, but I'm going to make things a little clearer. You need to stay the hell out of my business and stop with this charade. Because if you don't, the next time I come in, it will be with a lawyer. I don't know what your beef is with me, but I don't have the time to deal with you. So back off!"

The detective's face becomes grim as he steps around the desk and gives me a defiant glare. "Who are you, Mr. St. Clair?" I shake my head in disbelief at the man's persistence. The dick is not going to let things go. I should have known that he wouldn't. He just doesn't look like the kind to give up easily. "I'm going, to be honest with you, detective. I appreciate what you do and can relate to your need to follow through on something. But trust me when I say that I'm not the right person to do this with. Let's just say it would end badly for you." His face hardens further as he steps closer to me with a challenging glare. "Are you threatening me, Mr. St. Clair?" I shake my head bemused. "No, I'm not threatening you, detective. I'm actually warning you for your own good. I work for a very important branch of the government, and they don't like it when agencies go snooping around their business."

The detective's nostrils flare as he crosses his arms over his chest. "Who is Willem Kazik?" A small growl escapes my lips as rage courses through my body. However, I keep a blank face and don't reveal my anger. Instead, I back away and move towards the door. "Heed my warning, detective." He doesn't let it go at that. My anger surmounts when he asks the following question. "What about Sophia? What will happen to her if she crosses your agency's path?" Chest heaving with anger, I approach the detective and meet him toe-to-toe. "Sophia is also none of your business, detective. But let me put you at rest when I say that no one would ever dare hurt Sophia. And if they so much as thought about it, I would make them regret it."

The detective's mouth quirks with bemusement as he gazes into my eyes. I can tell that he's happy that he got a reaction. Which I'm sure is what he wanted. "You're not just Sophia's stepbrother, are you? I was going to ask her out, but I get the feeling that she would turn me down."

I snort in response. "You're absolutely right. Sophia would turn you down." He nods in response and leans back on the desk. "It's because she's yours, isn't she? You're in love with her. And if you do what I suspect you do for a living, that love would be very dangerous for her. Tell me, Mr. St. Clair, how do you reconcile what you do and put her in harm's way?"

His words rush through me like a bullet. It's not easy to hear my doubts spoken out loud by a mere stranger. The fact is— I've worried about it every moment since I met her. And now that we're together, the worry is tenfold. However, I don't think I can let her go now that I know what it's like to be in the comfort of her arms. I don't let the detective see it, though. Instead, I scoff unconcerned. "You know, detective, you would be a good acquisition for my agency. I'm sure that your thirst for justice would be quenched easily. I wouldn't be surprised if you received a call from them. As for Sophia— all I can tell you is that sometimes you need to feel something other than hate and despair. You need something to anchor you to the good things in life. Sophia is my anchor. As someone who has to deal with death and violence every day of your life, you should understand that need better than anyone detective."

The detective's gloating smile turns into one of solidarity as he considers my words. "You're right, Mr. St. Clair. Sometimes I step outside my door and wonder when it stops. When does the pain and the suffering end? Knowing that I can stop someone, but being powerless to do it chips away at my soul. Unfortunately, I don't have a Sophia in my life to make the pain go away. I envy you that." He extends his hand and clasps mine in his. "Take care of her." He utters solemnly, then lifts his other hand and offers me his card. "If you ever need anything, call me." I shake his hand and take the card with a respectful nod. "Thank you, detective."

The detective continues to stand where he is and watches as I step out of the office. Giving him one final wave, I step out of sight and head to Priest's shop. However, I don't feel that anything has been resolved between the detective and me. I get the feeling that he and I are going to meet again. Looking out the windshield, I take a deep breath and turn the car around. Before I know it, I'm standing in front of Sweet Perfect. I just need to see her and touch her if only for a moment.

Stepping through the door, I watch as Sophia serves a little girl and her mother. Maleah's head snaps up from behind the counter at the sound of the bell. She smiles widely as she steps around the counter. "Hey, lover boy. What's going on?" Taking a deep breath, I wave at her and look at an approaching Sophia. Her eyes widen with pleasure, and she bites her lip shyly. "What are you doing here, Micah? I thought you were going to work." I shake my head and place my hand on her waist. "I just wanted to speak to you for a moment. Is there somewhere we can talk privately?" She nods her head and takes my forearm, and leads me to an office.

The office is small and tidy with a small white desk holding a laptop, and a file cabinet hanging on the wall. There's a little floral couch against one of the exposed brick walls and a small coffee table in the center of the room. Two small windows with sheer curtains and a copy of a Monet adorning the other sidewall. Sophia closes the door behind her and turns to me with a worried frown. "What's wrong, Micah?"

I don't respond at first. Instead, I pull her into my arms and kiss her. Sophia sighs with pleasure and melts into my body as she wraps her arms around my shoulders. The kiss deepens into a more passionate melding. Sliding my hand down the curve of her ass, I pull her closer and knead the soft skin. She nips at my lips and sucks my tongue hard into her mouth as her breathing quickens. We're both desperate at this point. Her hands slip into my jacket and slide it off while my hands draw her short dress up to her waist until it tangles around the strap of her panties. I lift her into my arms and wrap her legs around my waist. Sophia whimpers contentedly and clings to my shoulders when I settle her on the table, slide her panties down her legs, and toss them onto the floor. Keeping my lips on hers, I unzip her cap-sleeved dress until it falls to her waist. Her bare breasts bounce temptingly as the crown of her nipples become rigid from being exposed. I release her mouth and look at her hazy eyes before lowering my mouth and swirling my tongue around one of the rigid buds.

Sophia cries out ecstatically and throws her head back, her hair creating a golden curtain down her back. Her skin is so soft and sweet. I want to devour her. Taking her other firm breast in my hand, I pinch her nipple and mold it into my palm. Sophia's hands travel down my dress shirt, unbuttons it, and removes my tie. Her beautiful hands glide down my chest and abdomen as if mapping out the contours of my body. Sliding a hand between her legs, I can feel the warm moist heat of her folds as I slide a finger to play with her swollen bud. She sighs and whimpers as she sucks the skin of my shoulder and bites down gently with every plunge of my finger inside her warm cavern. Raising my head from her sweet nipples, I lay my lips on her chin and nip it gently before I move up and plunge my tongue into her mouth. My stomach contracts when her hands move down to my waist to unbuckle my belt and slide my zipper down. I grit my teeth when her soft, warm hand wraps around the base of my shaft. Her grip tightens and loosens as she slides up and down my length, making it throb with pleasure. My balls tighten with every glide of her velvety hand on my cock. "Shit, baby, that's so good," I whisper as I grind my chest against hers. Sophia smiles as she slides a condom over my hard cock. I have no clue where she got it from, and I'm too distracted by her body to care. Feeling the tight buds of her nipples, I scrape them sensually against the firmness of my stomach. All you can hear in the room is the sound of our heavy breathing and soft cries as we strive to get closer.

Unable to bear another moment of her sweet torturous hand, I open her legs wider and slip into her warm, tight pussy. Sophia cries out as I penetrate her walls and knock on her womb. Not to be arrogant, but I'm not a small man. My girth and length are of a hefty proportion, and I can feel Sophia's folds wrap snuggly around my staff as she shifts to accommodate my width. "Fuck, you're right!" I utter through clenched teeth. Sophia mewls lightly as she tightens her legs around me and begins riding my shaft hard to satiate her need.

I thrust in and out, feeling a pleasurable spark in my balls as my tip pierces her pulsing center. Our tongues dart in and out of our mouths as they entwine and lave pleasurably. My hips gyrate inside of her tight sheath. I can feel a tingling awareness with every lance in her womb. Sophia cries out with every plunge as she slams her body hard towards mine to convey her need. My hands grip her butt tightly so that I can drive harder into her contracting walls. A surge of heat begins to permeate my senses as sparks of pleasure turn into waves of rocketing sensation. Sophia cries out her release as her nails bite into my shoulder, and her lips open in a silent scream. I can feel her walls tighten and loosen around me before my own burgeoning climax takes me over the edge. I close my eyes in ecstasy. My teeth clenched as a desperate groan escapes my lips. I feel like I'm floating in a tranquil stream as I ride out my peak. The fresh scent of vanilla and sex permeates the air, and our guttural breaths become less erratic.

Sophia rests her hands on my jaw to raise my head to hers. Her luminous, caramel-colored eyes look languid as she places a few soft kisses on my lips and whispers. "I'm glad you came by to see me." Giving her a satisfied smile, I lay a gentle kiss on her lips and move my face down her neck to inhale her sweet scent. After a moment, I remove her legs from my waist, slip off the condom, and dump it before I adjust my clothes. "That actually was not why I came by," I say as I button up my shirt. She raises a brow as she slides her sleeves back up and zips up her dress. "Then, why?"

Taking my jacket in hand, I make sure I buckle my belt and sigh. "Because I wanted to warn you about Detective Colin Vane's inquiries about me. I had to go to the police station this morning because he's been trying to dig up information about my past and my job. I warned him to back off, but I get the feeling that he won't listen. If that does happen, I don't want you involved. That's why I want you to call me or just tell him to go away if he tries to talk to you again." She nods her head with a worried frown. "What's going on, Micah? Why is he so interested in you all of a sudden?"

Standing before her, I pull her into my arms and rest my forehead against hers. Her hands settle on my neck as she looks at me through her solemn eyes. "To be honest, I thought he was interested in you. But then he starts asking me these questions about things and people he shouldn't be asking about, and it concerns me. The people with whom I deal with don't like it when people dig into our business. And he's going into very dangerous territory. So stay away from him, okay?" She nods her head and rubs her hand down my neck with a gentling caress. "Be careful, Micah. I don't want to lose you now that I have you." She sounds so sweet it makes my cock throb to be inside her again. But I know my duty. So I reluctantly release her.

"I'll be careful. Right now, I have to go before Priest calls screaming at me for being late." She nods her head and holds my hand until I disappear out of the office door. Maleah's eyes narrow, then turn into humor when I give her a two-finger salute as I make my way towards the door. I have to chuckle when she calls out with a sickly sweet tone. "Hey, gorgeous, maybe you'd like to run a comb through your hair. It looks like it became tousled during a hot make-out session with my best friend." I give her my best smirk before I step out the door. If she only knew that it was more than a make-out session.