Chapter Twenty-One #2
We drove back to Oxford quietly. I’d given Jeremy all the cash I had in my purse, fifty quid, before we’d said goodbye. He promised he’d pay me back, but I told him not to worry about it. People had been kind to me when I’d made my escape, and he had the added burden of studying.
We were connected again. The past would have to be discussed at some point, but it was exactly that…the past.
Life was better looking forward.
Mitch parked up outside the apartment block. “You okay? You’ve hardly said anything.”
“I’m perfect.” I smiled and touched his cheek. “I feel like a circle has just been completed, like I’m me again. Having Jeremy in my life will fill a hole that’s been gaping.”
“Good, I’m glad you feel that way.” He kissed my knuckles, his lips lingering and his breath warm. “Come on, let’s go in, it’s been an eventful day.”
We went into the apartment, and I kicked off my shoes. As I went into the bedroom, the shower flicked on. Mitch changing from his uniform and freshening up.
My phone beeped.
It was a message from Jeremy
I’ve had three Red Letter days since leaving the commune.
Meeting Jake and Ben—my two best friends—getting onto my political science course, and now seeing you again.
Let’s make a pact to catch up regularly.
I want to know you in the real world. Get to know Mitch—big and scary, sure, but I know you’ll always be safe with him around.
And make new memories for us—a lifetime of normal memories that we deserve away from fucked-up people with fucked-up agendas. Love you, sis.
My eyes filled up and I reread the message.
Imagine if I hadn’t been brave enough to go and find my brother.
Hadn’t been able to put my fears, my anger, my hate for Nigel to one side.
It didn’t bear thinking about, because without Jeremy my life would have always had a gap in it. An empty seat at the table.
I set down my phone and stripped off my clothes. Threw them over the back of the chair.
The bathroom was full of pine-scented steam, and in it, beneath the water, Mitch stood with his face lifted.
Rivers ran over him, flattening his dark hair, catching in the lashes of his closed eyes and soaking over his broad tan shoulders.
I paused and indulged in the sight of him.
Taking in his strength and the shape of his muscles beneath this flesh.
His black body hair clung to his chest and tapered down his abdomen to his thick cock.
To the left of his navel was a raised red scar, evidence of his close shave with a bullet.
As I studied him a thrill went through me, a sense of ownership. Yes, I was his, but he was also very much mine. That was a truth I was sure of, and that warmed me from the inside out.
I slipped into the shower and circled my arms around his torso. I pressed my cheek to the center of his back, loving how our bodies molded together and the feel of his wet skin on my breasts.
“Hey, you,” he said over the patter of the shower. “Come to help me soap up?”
“If that’s what you need.”
“Always.” He turned and smoothed his hands over my head, brushing my hair back. He studied my face. “You make me happy.”
“Good.”
“I never thought I would be again.” He frowned slightly. “And there are still things that hurt.”
“Not seeing the boys?”
“Yes. But I know you understand me, my past, and that makes it easier to deal with.”
“As you understand my past.”
“We all have a past.”
“Mine is more fucked up than most.”
“Which just proves how bloody amazing you are that you’re so grounded now.” He smiled.
“I try, it’s taken time.” I slid my hands over his wet shoulders and enjoyed tracing their shape and the balls of strength that led to his biceps. “I just want a normal life.”
“I’ll give you that. You can trust me to always care for you.” He dragged me closer, his wide hands spread on my ass cheeks now. “But you know I’ll always be part of…”
“Galahad.”
“Yes.”
“And they’re not normal, is that what you’re saying?”
His left eyebrow lifted. “What do you think?”
“I know what they are, I understand.” I paused and stared deep into his eyes. The water had shaped his eyelashes into tiny triangles. “Or at least I want to. I want to understand more.”
He pulled in a breath. “I’ve found a group of likeminded men, intelligent, talented men, and between us we have ways and means of protecting the vulnerable and balancing the scales of justice.” He paused. “Some people belong in Hell. I’m proud that I play a part in putting them there.”
I thought about it, wondering just what else he’d done. How much did it bother me if he had shot someone dead? “Nigel Strand belonged in Hell,” I said slowly and thinking if he’d never existed my life would have been very different. “I’m sure he’s there now, burning.”
He nodded. “He will be, for eternity.” His lips flattened into a thin line.
“What?” I sensed there was more.
“You should know that Galahad might mean I’m never more than a beat cop, a low rank. Pushing boundaries, breaking rules, it doesn’t go down well with the force.”
“That doesn’t matter to me. Your rank. Why would it?”
“It mattered to Sarah.”
“Did she know about Galahad?” Now I was curious.
“No. She wouldn’t have understood. I kept that part of me hidden. Always.”
“I don’t want you to hide anything from me.” I ran my hands to his chest and placed my palms over his small, tight nipples. “Ever. Promise.”
Something swirled in his eyes, a deep, smoky darkness. Impenetrable. Unreadable.
I’d asked for a promise that couldn’t be made so he wouldn’t make it to me.
In that moment I knew there would always be things he kept hidden to protect me. To shield me from matters that served me no purpose.
“If it’s something you need to know, I will always tell you,” he said then kissed me and dragged me closer. “I can promise that.”
His cock was hardening between us, and I reached for the soap, filled my hands with suds.
He gave me a look full of hunger and cupped my breasts, his thumbs flicking over my nipples. “I’m feeling really dirty, baby girl.”
“Then I know just what to do to make Daddy feel better.” I giggled and slipped my soapy hands through his pubic hair to his cock.
When I wrapped my hands around his length and squeezed, he tipped his head back and groaned—a delicious long rumble that echoed around the cubicle and made my pussy clench.
“Fuck yeah,” he said. “More like that.”
I did as he’d asked and cupped his balls as I soaped his thick erection.
He tugged and twisted and tweaked my nipples, turning me on, creating a heaviness in my breasts that quickly became longing for more.
But I took my time and indulged in him; the shape and heat of him, the thickness of his shaft and how it felt like I was in control.
“Ah, baby.” He , captured my mouth in a kiss.
I moaned and leaned into him, lost to the moment. Only we existed, surrounded by the warm water and the scented steam.
“You’re too good at that,” he murmured. “And I’ve got plans before we both come.”
“I like the sound of that.” I ran my thumb through his slit and around the flared head of his glans.
He trembled then caught my wrist. “We’re taking this to bed.”