Chapter 37
Fin
Vee leaned into me. “What the fuck happened?”
She looked up. “You haven’t seen the news?”
“I turned off the television.” Patting my pockets, I looked around. “My phone… I’m not sure where it is. Did something happen at tonight’s event?”
“I’ll show you the headline but just know it’s not true.”
She slipped off her coat and reached into her leather bag for her phone. After entering the passcode, Vee handed the phone to me. Simply reading the headline made me see red.
“The fuck?”
‘Police are investigating shots fired at tonight’s Coopers rally.’
The brief article included a photo of Vee being pushed down on the stage. I met her gaze. “What the fuck happened?”
She inhaled. “Let’s go into the living room.” She took a seat on the couch and exhaled. “You’re wearing the sling.”
I nodded. “You know, help healing, yada yada.”
Vee grinned. “I thought Lacy Reynolds was sneaky, putting the part about you wearing that at night in the injury report.”
“Tell me about tonight.”
“My speech was done, essentially. And then out of nowhere there were loud pops, multiple clicks and booms. It sounded like gunfire.” Vee met my concerned stare and reached for my hand.
“It wasn’t gunfire. It would be impossible for anyone to get a firearm into Crystal Light.
It wasn’t a bomb planted. There had been a canine sweep earlier in the day.
That doesn’t mean that for a split second I didn’t think it was one or the other.
I looked down, trying to assess if I was shot.
You’d think you would know, but the adrenaline rush made things a blur. ”
“If it wasn’t gunfire or a bomb, what was it?”
“Firecrackers.” Vee scoffed. “Firecrackers, can you believe that?”
I couldn’t.
“Someone lit a pack of firecrackers,” she said, “and tossed them under the stage which was surrounded by security.”
“Who would do that?”
“We’re going to find out. The person made a serious mistake. There were multiple cameras on us. It wasn’t only Aunt Rachel and me on the stage; Janine Watson was there too.”
“Lexington’s mayor?”
Vee nodded. “Crystal Light security and the Lexington Police Department are working together to find the culprit.”
Sitting at her side, I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. “Did that stop your event?”
Vee shook her head. “I didn’t even consider it. The event is for the fans. We weren’t going to put a stop to it because of some prank.”
“You think it was a prank?”
She sighed. “Or another warning.”
“You left.” I wasn’t asking. I knew the concert was supposed to go on until ten.
“I did. But before I did, I got back up on the stage and tried to calm the attendees.”
Tilting my head, I laid my cheek on the top of Vee’s head. “You went back up?”
“Yep. I won’t let a silly stunt bring down our celebration. It could have been a Texans’ fan or…”
“Have I ever told you how badass you are?”
“I didn’t exactly feel badass. I just couldn’t let our night be ruined.
I stayed for a bit and talked with Aunt Rachel and Uncle Darin.
Grant was in attendance and he immediately got a new press release out, one contradicting the one I showed you.
” She turned toward me. “I tried calling you on the way home. I didn’t want you to be worried. ”
“If I would have seen the news flash, I would have been worried. I probably would have driven over to Crystal Light.”
“You’re grounded, remember.”
“I think even Coach Tilson would have understood. How about a glass of wine?” I asked.
Vee fluttered her eyelids. “I’m tired. I think I’d like to get ready for bed and lie in your arms.” She looked at the sling. “One arm is still okay.”
I kissed her forehead. “Go on. I’ll turn everything off out here and check the door.” Standing, I offered Vee my hand to stand. My fingers enclosed hers. Once she was on her feet, I tugged her close and held her. She rested her cheek against my chest. “I don’t like to think of anyone hurting you.”
“Well, Virginia basically tackled me. Her colleague from Stephens Security rushed Aunt Rachel off the stage. Janine’s security grabbed her.” She shook her head. “I think it was all positioning. They know what to do.”
“I’m surprised you had security with you. Glad,” I qualified, “but surprised.”
Vee’s shoulders slumped. “I haven’t had a chance to tell you.” She looked up, bringing her emerald eyes into view. “Someone sent truckloads of amber-colored roses to the event. My director didn’t want to waste them, so she decorated the small stage with them.”
Clenching my jaw, I felt my nostrils flare. “Truckloads.”
She nodded. “And know what Mayor Watson said when she saw them?”
“That’s a lot of roses.”
“Close. She said it reminded her of the Derby.”
“Run for the Roses,” I said. “They’re red.”
“Yeah. It just hit me as weird. You don’t think the roses could be from Preston or someone connected to Meadow Farms, do you?”
Letting the thought linger for a moment, I replied, “I honestly don’t believe Preston Clark would do that. He’s been worried about you.”
“He was worried because he was afraid he accidentally framed me for Dad’s death.”
“Yeah, you said he gave your pillbox to Grant due to allergies.”
“I’ll admit,” she said, “the roses freaked me out. I called Virginia. She and the two men came right away. I absolutely hate the idea of regular security, but I was relieved when she got to Crystal Light. She rode home with me and one of the others picked her up.” Vee yawned.
“Go get ready for bed,” I said. “I’ll be right there.”
The front door was locked. I programmed the new security system.
Before joining Vee, I stepped into her office and pulled the original news story up on my phone.
Social media had multiple recordings taken from the audience.
The sound of the pops was deafening. A link for a video on Threads was of Vee back on the stage after the incident.
My lips curled as I listened and the crowd cheered.
A few moments later, I found Vee in the en suite bathroom, wearing one of my t-shirts. “You’re amazing.”
She turned and raised an eyebrow. “Thank you. I’ve been brushing my own teeth since I was little. It’s really not that amazing.”
Slipping my left arm out of the sling, I tossed it to the tile floor.
“Fin, you’re supposed to wear that—”
My lips crashed down on Vee’s; her sweet perfume mixed with the minty freshness of her breath.
Cupping the back of her neck, I pulled her toward me.
A multitude of emotions ran through me. Gratitude that she was safe.
Rage that anyone would scare her and threaten her hard work.
Pride at her instant reaction—the decision to face the fans and keep the rally going.
Breathless, we gasped for air.
“If that’s the kind of kiss I get for oral hygiene,” Vee said, “you should know I brush at least three times a day.”
I smoothed her silky hair. “I searched online for more about what happened tonight. There’s a viral video taken by someone in the crowd.
It’s of your speech after the firecrackers.
You’re so fucking amazing. The fans love you, Vee.
I love you. The team loves you. I’ll do anything I can to get you a Super Bowl win. ”
Her cheeks rose as she smiled. “I’m tired, exhausted. This week has been at least three.” She tilted her head. “Maybe we could be in our bubble for tonight? No Super Bowl ambitions, no talking about roses or firecrackers. Only us.”
I wrapped her with both arms, holding her against me. “That’s why I’m not wearing the sling.” Releasing her, I winked. “I don’t think you need that t-shirt. I promise to keep you warm.”
Her gorgeous green eyes gleamed as she reached for the hem and pulled the shirt over her head, exposing undeniable proof that she was unharmed.
Vee’s porcelain skin contrasted the darkening areolas surrounding her hardening nipples.
“You’re stunning.” I reached for her hand and led her to the bedroom.
Throwing back the blankets, Vee climbed in on my side.
It didn’t take me long to match her on the clothing front.
I wasn’t going for a power play. My goal was making love.
Connecting with the woman I loved and cared for, in a gentler way.
I could spend all night worshipping her sexy curves, delving into her perfect pussy, and listening to her sweet mews.
Beneath the sheets, I ran my hand down her side, feeling the dip of her waist and the rise of her hips.
Each inch of exploration caused my circulation to reroute.
Each time her lips met mine, my erection grew.
With my lips as my guide, I began on Vee’s neck, down to her collarbone, lower yet to her breasts, careful to give each one the attention it deserved.
I continued over her flat stomach and between her hips.
Curling a finger under the waistband of her panties, I pulled them down, over her thighs, calves, and feet. The sensational scent of her arousal drew me closer to her core. Her thighs came together like a vise to my head as I licked and nipped. Vee’s body tensed as I wound her tighter.
She called out my name as her fingers wove through my hair.
By the time I climbed up her sensational body, I was painfully hard. Vee lifted her arms over her head, arching her back. With her wrists in my grasp, I found heaven as I eased my way into her pussy. Like trying on a glove that’s too tight, I savored every whimper and moan coming from her lips.