Defending Sophie Read online

  "What about Chet?"

  Hawk finished his plate of food. "I have Josh working on Chet's death to find out how he died. Once we know that, we'll figure out how to prove you weren't there and didn’t murder him."

  Gigi spoke for the first time in a long time. "Well now, you all have quite a bit of work to do, so you should go on and get cracking at it. Dig into your food, then I'll clean up and make myself scarce. The leftovers will be in the fridge, and if you get hungry, please help yourself."

  Chapter 26

  They moved into the living room while Gigi cleaned up after dinner. She hummed as she cleaned and generally seemed happy to have people around. It was nice, hearing a happy person putter around her kitchen, reasonably carefree and it was nice to be cared for again.

  Gaige opened his laptop, grabbed his duffle bag from the bedroom and brought it into the living room. He pulled a baggy from his duffle bag and then a gadget that looked like a handheld recorder. Pushing a button on the gadget, a vial popped out from the end. Opening the baggy and using a pair of tweezers taken from inside a zippered case, he pulled a hair from the plastic bag and dropped it into the vial. Tapping a few buttons, he set it on the desk next to his computer then began typing.

  "Soph, I'll have test results in a few minutes on Tommy's hair. But, that's just for our use. I have more samples that GHOST’s contact will send to an appropriate lab so we’ll have the official test results needed to prove that Tommy didn't rape Kate and the chain of custody verified. I've collected the hairs properly and will get them to GHOST’s contact."

  "That little machine can give you drug analysis on hair?"

  "Yeah, among other things."

  "You have a lot of cool tools."

  "We do.”

  She still stood, watching him, unsure what she should be doing. "I'd like to help, Gaige; I'm not used to sitting on the sidelines and doing nothing." It was driving her crazy. She was finally starting to feel like herself again and it felt good.

  Gaige turned, his green eyes locked on hers and she felt the flush rush up from her toes. It came so fast and furious she caught a chill and shivered. Seriously, she could stare at him all day, this man about whom she'd lay awake at night thinking, wondering what it was about her he didn't find appealing. Just today he'd dispelled those thoughts admitting he'd been thinking about her, too. If their situation wasn't so serious, her clothes would already be off. Hopefully his would be, too. When he finally spoke to her, his voice was raspy, the deep tenor slid over her like a warm sweater fresh from the dryer.

  "I'm glad to hear you're ready to help out, Soph. Based on what we have to do, tell me how your computer skills are."

  She smiled then, almost laughed. "I'm an expert on the computer, Gaige. Tell me what you need me to do."

  "I've logged into the military database. GHOST has high level clearance so we can't abuse it, promise me that."

  She held her right hand up, "Scouts honor."

  He laughed and it was the most fantastic sound. The fine lines next to his eyes crinkled and gave him that sexy mature man vibe. His full lips formed the perfect smile and his teeth were enviable, straight, and white. There wasn't anything she didn't enjoy looking at.

  "I didn't know you were a scout."

  Giggling, "I wasn't." She shrugged and his grin said so much.

  "Okay, then you sit here." He stood next to the chair he'd just vacated. She sat down, the seat still warm and she got another whiff of him. He still smelled simply fantastic.

  "Okay, from here you can access Kate's record. Pull it up and see if you can find her autopsy report. If it isn't uploaded yet, see if you can at least find the name of the medical examiner who did the autopsy."

  The device sitting next to the computer beeped and Gaige lifted it from the desk. He looked at the readout, then pulled his phone from his pocket. Hawk walked out of the bedroom he was sharing with Gaige and waited for Gaige to tell them the analysis details.

  "He was drugged approximately two months ago with a drug named Versed. It’s a drug that's usually used for colonoscopies and other surgeries for pre-anesthesia sedation, but they also use it for some outpatient procedures. Usually given via IV it can be taken orally in some circumstances."

  She stopped typing and searching and looked up at Gaige. Tommy didn't rape Kate, they were likely both drugged. His eyes dropped to hers and held.

  "This is good news, Soph. Tommy didn't do it, which makes me so fucking happy. I've been a bit freaked out that he'd resort to doing something like this, and he'll feel so much better knowing he's innocent now, too. Our biggest hurdle will be figuring out how Killian had access to them at the restaurant and how he drugged them."

  "It is good news. It just feels as if we're starting all over again." The news almost felt heavy and suffocating. Starting over again was the last thing she wanted to do. “Also, why is Tommy just now beginning to remember things?”

  “I don’t know for sure. But, my best guess is that either he was given more Versed than Kate, provided Kate was given Versed. Or, he metabolized it differently. He’s also never been as mentally tough as Uncle Jeff. It’s why he didn’t go into the military. On top of that, he hasn’t been eating well, or sleeping properly. Uncle Jeff won’t let him talk about it, and he hasn’t gotten proper medical help. All of this could hamper the progression of the drug leaving his system and his memory still being foggy.”

  He kneeled down beside her. "We're not starting over. We have a lead, we know who didn't do it and we have access to some pretty amazing tools, so we'll get this all sorted in no time."

  Hawk broke his silence. "Josh just got back to me. Chet was found lying in the Medical Examiner’s Office. It looked at first like he'd had a heart attack. But since he was only 28 years old, that seemed suspicious, so an autopsy found that he had Fentanyl in his system. His heart couldn't take it, which is what killed him."

  She wrapped her arms around her waist, "Oh my God, that's so horrible."

  Gaige stood next to her, his warm, strong hand pressing against her neck and nape. Supporting her. He squeezed a couple of times to let her know he was there, but said nothing.

  After a few moments she stood and inhaled deeply. Then she looked at Hawk as a memory ran through her head. "Hawk, there are records of who enters and exits the Medical Examiner’s Office and of the morgue itself where the bodies are stored until the autopsy is complete and any necessary examination of the bodies by the authorities are conducted. You have to sign in and out and there are security cameras everywhere. It would be impossible for someone to erase all of the footage."

  He smiled at her and it struck her what a handsome man he was. So different than Gaige. Gaige was all, sandy blond hair, green eyes, and fair skin while Hawk was dark. Dark hair, green eyes, even his skin was olive toned. And, the presence he emitted when he walked into a room was impressive. All badass and gnarly.

  "I'm on it." He disappeared into the bedroom and came back out in a minute, a laptop in his hand.

  He sat in the armchair across from the desk and began typing away. She resumed her seat at the desk and began scouring Kate's record for the autopsy report, the medical examiner’s name and anything else she could find. It made her sad digging through personal stuff about her friend, but it also made her happy that she'd avenge Kate's death because she had the power to do it with GHOST.

  The next thing she knew, she was floating on air. She felt as though she was being carried on a cloud. The aroma of Gaige enveloped her and a heat warmed her body. It was delicious.

  "Here you go, Soph, rest now."

  Her eyes flew open and she realized she was in her bedroom at Gigi's and Gaige had laid her on her bed. Her arms encircled his neck and she pulled him down, her lips capturing his. Her heart raced when he kissed her back, his hand sliding up her abdomen to find her breast and gently squeeze.

  Chapter 27

  The kiss grew heated, his body enflamed. He tried pulling back and giving her some space, but also
to make sure she was actually awake, as she'd just been sleeping. As soon as he pulled back, her arms pulled him forward with a strength that both surprised and impressed the hell out of him.

  His tongue delved into her mouth, the warmth felt amazing. Her tongue slid along his and circled his mouth. Both soft and firm at the same time if that was possible; he wanted to be consumed by her. Or perhaps that was he who wanted to consume her. His cock throbbed and it thickened and he could feel the dampness on his skin as he fought the natural urges a man would feel in the arms of a beautiful woman. But, he didn't want this to be a mistake. Something they'd both regret tomorrow. That was the last thing he ever wanted to feel about Sophie. Regret.

  "Soph." He managed to pull away just far enough to whisper her name.

  Her eyes opened and glistened in the moonlight streaming in through the window. "What?"

  "You know where this is leading don't you?"

  He stared into her eyes, looking for any sign that she didn't understand what he meant. That maybe she'd been caught up in the moment and she would realize that she didn't want to be with him now.

  She raised up onto her elbows, which God help him, thrust her breasts forward. He looked, he had to. The thin fabric of the t-shirt she wore did little to hide her nipples, which were erect and brilliantly calling to him. "Of course, I do. I've thought of being with you for what seems like forever."

  His heart raced and he could feel the pulsing in his neck and lower in his cock as his mind grappled with what she'd just said.

  "We can't take it back once it's done."

  She tilted her head to the side, "I'm aware." Her brows furrowed and she bit her bottom lip. "Gaige, if you don't want to be with me, let's call this..."

  "I didn't say that, Soph. I wanted to make sure you were awake and clearheaded."

  "I'm as clearheaded as I've ever been. I've never been more certain of anything in my entire life."

  He stood and in one swift motion he reached behind his neck and pulled the t-shirt he wore over his head. Turning quickly, he walked to the door and slid it closed, engaging the lock. Moving to the bathroom door which lead into his room with Hawk, he repeated the motions then turned to Sophie. His mouth instantly dried and his heart picked up its rhythm when he saw her topless and shimmying her jeans and panties down her sexy legs. The moonlight caressed her skin like a lover. The silvery glow it shone on her added a mysterious element to her enchanting features; and if he didn't know better he'd think she was a mythical creature here to lure him. Fine with him, at this moment, nothing would stop him from finally making her his.

  He stalked toward her, unzipping his fly as he neared her. His cock damn near sighed as he freed it from inside. He tugged his pants and briefs down his legs and stepped out of them, his eyes roaming over her body, capturing her eyes then floating down her body once again. The flowery scent from the soap she'd used earlier wafted to him and it was like a siren song.

  The instant his legs touched the bed, his hand reached out and roamed over the warm skin of hers. From thigh to ankle he marveled in her body. Then slid his hand back up the inside of her leg till he touched her pussy. A soft moan escaped her lips and the dampness and warmth he felt called to his fingers. Softly he parted her lips and slid his fingers up and down smearing her wetness and enjoying the textures his fingers met.

  She spread her legs apart and it was honest to God, the most sensual experience he'd ever had. How sad was that? He could see the shimmer of wetness as he smeared it over her skin. Her breathing grew raspy and uneven. But, he couldn't look away from his fingers. Dipping his forefinger inside of her she moaned as he pulled out and pushed back in a few times. The feeling so unusual and yet so fucking erotic that he felt like he was living in a dream or watching a sexy show on television. Slowly pulling his finger out, he slid it up to her clit and circled it marveling at her quivering legs. When he rolled over her most sensitive spot he added a bit of pressure and focused on that area.

  "Gaige," She whispered his name and he added a bit more pressure.

  Her hips thrust up into his hand and he increased his speed and pressure, on and on watching her body fight for the orgasm he knew was coming soon. Her skin glistened as her body heated and the floral scent from before mingled with the musky scent of her own juices and his cock pulsed. He wrapped his free hand around his cock, as much to keep it in check as to offer himself a bit of pleasure. He glanced at her face and locked eyes with her. Her soft lips parted in a smile and he pressed firmly on her clit and watched her explode. Her lips now formed a perfect "o", her eyes closed, her hands fisted the comforter on the bed, and her legs quivered. Fucking perfect. He'd never forget this moment in time.

  Slowly he climbed on the bed at her feet and kissed his way up her body, beginning at her pussy, offering a few kisses and a few laps with his tongue which had her gasping in pleasure. His lips dusted kisses up her abdomen, to her breasts where he then pulled a nipple into his mouth and suckled a few times before giving the other nipple the same treatment. Her hands framed his head as his kissed her neck, her jaw, and then her lips.

  His cock lay at her opening and her legs wrapped around his waist and without letting their lips part, he slid his cock into her.

  Fireworks exploded behind his eyelids as her heat enveloped him. Her tight channel wrapped itself around him and sucked him into her depths. Un-fucking believable.

  His hips worked in time with hers, their breathing raspy and ragged, their bodies perspiring and working in time with the oldest dance in the world. When their lips parted, her soft moans filled his ears and sounded like the sweetest music. She whispered unintelligible words but they sounded like words he'd want to hear forever. Her hands roamed his back, then grabbed at his ass, then up his back again as if she wanted to touch him everywhere she could and it was like heaven.

  "Gaige," Her hushed voice whispered in his ear. "Oh my God, Gaige," she whispered once more before her legs tightened and her body stiffened. She turned her face into the crook of his shoulder and moaned.

  He increased his speed, needing to cum now more than ever. The quivering of her pussy damned near sent him over the edge alone. But the feel of her warm body under him, and her soft words in his ear. "Cum in me." Shot him right. Over. The. Cliff.

  He stiffened as his balls drew up painfully tight and finally he released himself. The white hot pulsing of his cock as he emptied his load almost blinded him. He groaned loudly into her hair on the pillow and he heard her giggle softly and her hands held him against her.

  He paused a few moments, letting his heart and his breathing mellow, enjoying the feel of her hands on his back, rubbing softly up and down.

  Then she whispered. "We didn't use protection."

  Chapter 28

  She didn't care. Not really. Though getting pregnant wasn't something she wanted or needed right now, with this man, she didn't care. She also didn't have the time to concentrate on what that would mean for her or them.

  Gaige had never been a whore hound. Not according to Tate. That didn't mean he didn't have women at the snap of a finger, but he didn't do the ugly bar scene or the sluts that hung around looking for the military men they so loved to climb into bed with. He'd been focused on his career, and frankly, himself at an early age. Tate once said that Gaige was impressive in that he wasn't putting himself in a position to ever get a disease from one of the skanks that constantly made themselves available or get roped into a pregnancy that so many of their military brothers found themselves in. Something about his mannerisms now told her he was still that man.

  Laying here with him now, his abdomen pressed firmly into her back as he spooned her in a warm cocoon, his scent mingled with hers, his deep even breathing in her ear, she couldn't imagine how she'd gotten through life without him in it.

  A muffled phone rang and she opened her eyes. The window she faced reflected the pink sky from the sunrise just outside. Never having been a morning person, it took her brain a few moments to rea
lize that they'd slept for a few hours, which was more than she'd slept in the past week combined. And that she was in love with Gaige Vickers. She’d been whispering her declaration of love as he'd made love to her last night, though he didn't hear her.

  He kissed her temple and gently slid his arm from under her head. She felt the bed move as he got up so she turned to watch him. His fine naked ass was available for her admiration as he walked to his pants laying on the floor and fished into his pockets. Pulling his phone out, he answered, "Vickers." Then turned toward her and walked back to their bed.

  Though his cock was not erect, it was still impressive, thick and perfectly shaped. A finger under her chin brought her eyes up to his and the smirk on his face caused her cheeks to burn. She'd been caught admiring him.

  "Okay, that's fantastic, can we get her back here or do we have to go to her?"

  He climbed back in bed with her, laying on his side facing her, his phone pressed to his other ear. She perused his magnificent body, first with her eyes, but her fingers decided to take a trip through the ridges and planes of his physique. His nipples puckered as her fingers circled them softly, enamored at the response of them to her touch. Scooting down a bit she licked his nipple and giggled when he flinched stopping his conversation mid-sentence for a fraction of a second before continuing.

  Softly her fingers explored his abs, tracing the lines between his finely formed muscles watching in fascination as the goose flesh formed on his body.

  Moving down lower she was slightly stalled at the full erection that presented itself to her, the slit in the head glistening with pre-cum. Using her forefinger, she swirled the sticky substance over the tip of his cock, amused when it jumped and moved under her fingers. Running her wet fingers along his shaft until the slipperiness halted, she looked up at him to see him watching her. Dipping her finger into his pre-cum once more she repeated her previous motions once again. Never looking away from the intense green gaze that captured her attention, she smiled softly, lifted her leg slightly and gathered moisture from between her legs, then slid it onto his cock. His nostrils flared and his pupils dilated at the same moment he said to his caller, "Gotta go. Call you in a bit."