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“They’ve got him in jail. We assume he’s okay. Our company lawyer and CO should arrive soon.”

“What the hell is going on?”

“They’re trying to pin a murder on him.”

“What? Who?”

“Trish.”

“Is she dead? Did they find her?”

“Naw, she’s safe. Some other poor girl isn’t, but it’s too late for us to help her. We’ll be taking these assholes down one way or another after tonight.”

“What’s going on? Tell me.”

“Let’s get you home safe, then we’ll explain.” He helps me out of the hold and secures it.

We exit the helo and then cross into the field next to the airport pads. He leads me to where he’s hidden the van. Boots practically flies out when he opens the side door. Immediately she hugs me. “He’ll be okay. The guys will get to him, I promise.”

We stop in front of an older home that’s all lit up. Inside are a lot of people I don’t know. Boots keeps her hand in mine. “Trust me. It’s all going to be okay. There is one face I do recognize. The governor. He’s talking to a woman in a suit and a very distinguished looking man. Boots leans closer. “The man and woman talking to the Gov are Jed, the boss of HARDCORE, and his wife, Reggie. She is one hell of a lawyer.”

As if sensing my presence the woman turns, looks at me and holds out her hand. “Melia, it’s so good to meet you. I’m Reggie and I’ll be handling your case. I’ve already explained what we’ve found to the Governor, and he’s contacted outside sources for the case since the corruption within the state is so extensive.”

“Governor,” I shake his extended hand.

“Miss Rome, I’m sorry you became embroiled in this. However, your involvement is exactly what the state needed to finally be able to go after the ones involve. I have been aware there were issues, but without knowing who I could trust within the state offices and the local police, it’s been difficult.

“Thanks to your friends, we are building a case to clean house both in the local government and statewide. I apologize. I know that your own father subjected you to an untenable situation. If you saw pictures of the location, would you recognize it?”

“The outside no, but the inside yes. I was told it was a mansion, but the windows were blocked.” Reggie leads me to the TV and starts clicking, pulling up a series of pictures. “Stop. That’s the main room, the meet and greet room. There are a few others on the same floor where they were having sex.”

I’m able to confirm four rooms on the main floor. The loft rooms are unfamiliar.

“It’s a warehouse that yo—Dick Phelps and Enzo Bay own together. There is another one on the other side of town. A little less swanky, a lot more…intense. We believe it may be the kill sight for some of the women we’ve found.”

There’s a noise on the porch and the door bursts open. Silk crosses the threshold and I run to him, throwing myself into his arms. There’s a slight grunt and I notice the bruises on his cheek and the brace on his arm.

“You’re hurt. Oh my god, we need to get you to the doctor.”

“I’m fine, sweetness. Give me some sugar and I’ll be all better.” Leaning forward he takes my lips with his, cupping the back of my head with his other hand. I lose all sense of place and time. When we slip apart, I hear a gruff voice say, “’Bout time he found the one.”

EPILOGUE

Silk

It’s our one year anniversary, and there were so many things I need to do once I’m relieved from security duty where we’re protecting the Governor during the ongoing criminal trial. Dax is on tonight then Pax and I’m back on tomorrow.

Sweetness refused to go on our honeymoon and truly celebrate until SD and Neil Book are in prison. Enzo Bay already paid with his life. Some say it was a father getting revenge for the loss of his little girl—with a little help from friends. They may be right.

Parking my jeep behind the house, I go in the back door. Sweetness and Momma are in the front planting flowers. Momma mostly does the work now that she’s finished all her surgeries and rehab. A lot of daisies and baby’s breath that she sells to Boots. Next year she plans on expanding into tulips, snapdragons and maybe roses. She’s still deciding if she wants to take her cosmetology classes. Forty-four is plenty young to start over.

This house was perfect for us when we bought it. Three bedrooms on one side with a mother-in-law suite on the opposite side.

Next year Melia is starting her own classes to become a therapist and still plans to work parttime with Boots.

I double check as I place my items on the table.

Flowers, times two. Check.

Non-alcoholic wine. Check.

Steaks. Check

Three prepared potatoes for baking. Check and straight into the oven.

Spinach au gratin. Check.

Apple pie and vanilla ice cream. Check.

And the very special gift I got just for me and sweetness. A new red and black Shibari rope. The classes have been amazing. Melia loves them and always feels so relaxed afterward. Tonight, we get to celebrate our love, our way.