Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 140604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 703(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 703(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
She knew it all too well. “Yes. When it’s boys, the judges don’t want to ruin their futures. When it’s girls, they’re viewed as older and more manipulative than their years. A trial would have been hard on her, too.”
“Worse, it could have cost her custody if they decided it was consensual no matter her age. It was a brave thing for her to come back. She did it because she found out I was in jail. It was such a random thing. She happened to see news of the trial on the Internet and how it ended up. She hadn’t looked back for years, but when she found out, she stood up for me.”
How close had he come to losing everything? Some people would say he already had, but she knew better. She knew wounds could heal. Love could heal. It would take time, but he had a future with her and Garrett, and she would fight for it. “I’m glad she did. How did it all work out? Is she okay?”
His hand came up to cup the nape of her neck. He seemed to be letting go of the horrible tension of moments before. “She’s good. The DA came up with a deal that got me out, let Bob off, and gave Heather protected custody of her daughter. I took what’s called an Alford Plea. It’s what they offer when they know they got it wrong but don’t want to admit it. I was released, and they didn’t have to worry about a lawsuit. And now I’m here again.”
“You’re not,” she promised. “I’m going to deal with this. I know you didn’t do it.”
“Of course I didn’t do it. I would never put you in danger like that.” His cheek rubbed against her head. “Anything we do is just play and consensual. Olivia…” He went quiet.
“You don’t have to say it.” The words would be hard for him. It was enough that he showed his love through his actions. He took care of her. He was thoughtful and always took her needs into account. She didn’t need words.
“I love you, Olivia,” he whispered. “I don’t think I’ve said those words since I was a kid.”
“Not even to Garrett?” Actually hearing the words was such a revelation.
“Never to Garrett,” he replied.
She tilted her head so she could look up at him. “That should change, Master. Both your subs need the words. And everything that comes with them.”
He held her, and the night didn’t seem so cold.
Chapter Sixteen
Garrett watched as the door to the holding room opened, and there was a brief hitch in his chest. What if she hadn’t been able to get through to Keane? He could be stubborn. What if she was crying and Keane was cold as ice because he decided he couldn’t risk having hope again?
How could he go on without the two of them? He knew he hadn’t been with Olivia for long, but she’d become an integral part of who they were.
A big hand settled on his shoulder. “It’s going to be all right, son.”
Jack had changed his tune. Maybe it had been the way Garrett laid out all the dangers he thought were surrounding Olivia and what he was doing to investigate and protect her. Maybe it was the long, screaming phone call from his brother. Lucas hadn’t cared that it was Keane’s story to tell. He’d simply told his brother what happened and how he might have wrecked a good man. Garrett was pretty sure Lexi had gotten in on that phone call, too.
No matter what it had been, Jack Barnes was now on the team, and it felt good.
Abby and Sam were sitting out in the lobby. Gabe had taken Miranda and Gigi back to the ranch once they realized Jack was taking over and it would all be okay. The sheriff had agreed to let Keane go without charges, and Deputy Morgan was planning on bringing Jessica Fellows back in for an interview. The bartender was coming in the morning, and hopefully he could clear things up. He’d updated Ruby, who was doing a deeper dive into both Jessica and Scott.
He’d done everything he needed to and it was time to head home, but he was hesitating.
“I know it’s hard to keep the faith when for so long the universe seemed to take everything from you, but this seems to be your place, Garrett,” Jack said quietly. “It’s important you figure out what part of the relationship you hold up.”
“Are you talking about in our threesome? Because I worry I might end up being the weakest link.”
“Bullshit,” Jack shot back. “You’re strong, Garrett. Strong enough to handle both of them, but you have to start saying what you need. Your Dom worries that if he starts something physical with you, he’ll lose you, and that is the worst tragedy he can think of.”