104

104
RAINA

My thighs had never been this sore. Alex was an animal last night. I smiled at the memory. It was ironic because he was still gentle with me. He scared off easy because of the baby but thankfully he grew out of that fear.

He had his arm draped over my belly protectively. I turned my head to the side to face him. His lips were shut, his lips parted in a soft snore. They were a tad bit swollen and red from how hard I bit into them. I just could get enough of him.

My thumbs grazed them over, it must have been painful. I grimaced at the thought of hurting him just for my pleasure. 

Maybe I was the animal here.

He stirred but didn't wake. I thought about staying longer in bed with him but I had things to do. While everyone wanted to protect me, it was my responsibility to protect them as well. And I had thought long and hard for this. I would take Nathan down if it was the last thing I did.

What I was about to do was something we should have done sooner had they not insisted on getting more evidence. Trying to do that proved chaotic because the bastard got away with too much. But not anymore. Never again.

I slid out of bed and drew the covers over Alex before grabbing my phone to make a call.

Two things were at war in my mind. What if this backfired? And what if I didn’t do anything but it turned out to be the very thing that could save us all? 

“They'll hate me for sure but I need to do this. I have to try…” I said to myself. But only to convince myself that this was the right thing to do.

I headed for the bathroom and scrolled through my contacts before finding his name.

Detective Carter. 

I dialed the number and placed the phone over my ear and waited.

“What a surprise, Miss Graham. Or should I say, Mrs Sullivan now? That's what I should call you right?”

I scowled at myself for forgetting that this man was an arrogant piece of ass. How did he even know about this?

Sure, people in the company knew but I was sure the media had picked up on it yet. Else, the tabloids would have had a story plastered around.

“Whichever is fine, Detective…” I sighed as though he were right in front of me.

“Well then, what is it I can do for you ma'am…” 

“I want to file a report on someone. And I think you'd be interested in this case…” I kept my voice as low as possible. I had no intentions of letting Alex find out about my plans before it even begun. He wouldn't help but rat me out to Dom. I didn't need that right now.

“That would depend on what you have…”

The arrogant ass spoke. I didn't need to see his face to tell what expressions plastered on his stupid face.

“You and I both know you know what's happening with the Grahams right now. So I'll give you a name, tell me then if you'd be interested in knowing more. Nathan Price…”

I paused after the name and I heard him take a sharp breath. A man like detective Carter would feed on inside information if it allowed him uncover the truth. And while I thought he was an asshole, he was the only person I knew was a cop and clean enough to tell Nathan to fuck off if he ever tried to buy him out.

“Miss Graham, you officially have my attention…” he cleared his throat and said to me. I sighed in relief, except this conversation was taking too long and Alex could be up any minute. And to make sure that he wasn't already awake, I unlocked the door with the phone still attached to my ear and found my husband still in bed and in the same position I left him. 

Thank goodness. 

“Maybe we should meet, you and I. I feel we have a lot to talk about and personally, I would love to ask you some questions…”

“That won't be possible. Dominic will have my head if he ever finds out I even spoke to you. And Alex is watching me like a hawk. Whatever we'll discuss has to be via texts and a few calls when I can…”

It should be simple enough. That was as long as I didn't give it away, both men wouldn't smell a thing at all.

There was another pause on the other end of the line. A long one but he spoke. “That works just fine I guess…”

And just like that, I made a deal with him. A deal with the uncorrupt devil that was.

“Babe, you in there?” Shit. That was Alex. Did he just wake up? My heart jumped to my throat and I quickly pressed my back against the door as if that was meant to block him out. I was sure he could use one hand to push the door and me attached to it.

“I'll text you. I have to go now…” I whispered to the phone, praying to God that I wasn't heard. I ended the call and unlocked the door only to come face to face with my husband. 

Gosh he looked even good in the morning. And did I mention that he was naked? In his full glory and that big, bad cock. 

My eyes caressed his body, working their way down from his face until it landed on the curves of his waist, his V-line protruding. Then finally his manhood. The deliciousness that made me almost break the rules last night. Which was no sex before the doctor's appointment, to make sure our baby was safe.

“Morning beautiful….” 

Goodness fuck. 

A massive morning wood, a messy hair and a deep voice. Was he trying to kill me this early?

“Morning…” I squeaked. More so because of the way he was eating me up with his eyes than the secret I was hiding.

He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me in for a hug. “I didn't hurt you last night did?” 

I shook my head. What I felt last night was far from pain. He cupped my face but didn't kiss me, although his eyes were clearly on my lips.

“Give me a second to freshen up baby….” 

I needed that too. So I followed suit closely behind him.

We freshened up and got dressed. My phone buzzed from time to time and every time it did, I would glance up at him.

After breakfast, Dom pulled him to the side and I was allowed some moments alone with my phone and I swear detective Carter was the worst. 

I had fifteen text messages from him asking questions that he wouldn't have needed to ask if only he had been patient enough to wait for my response. 

I headed back to him and grabbed my laptop in search of the video Alex found on Nathan months ago.

Its time. I told myself. And once I hit the send button, there was no going back on it.

Once forwarded to Detective Carter, I left him with one message. 

“Will this be enough to have him arrested?” And for greater measure, I made sure to include my statement about his kidnapping on Faith and myself. 

A knock on the door startled me. I turned to face the door, rushing to turn off the laptop. I wasn't sure who it was and I didn't want to risk them finding out.

“Raina, you in there?” It was Faith. 

I sighed a sigh of relief and went to get the door. She smiled at me, but there was something else about her. Alex must have told her to keep an eye on me. “So, I was thinking, why don't we bake some cupcakes and cookies…I'm bored out of my mind right now.” 

Yup, two married women forced to stay home by their husbands because, safety. Cool.

“Alright, let's do it. Where's Caleb?”

“Knocked out, thankfully…”

It had been too long since us girls had some time together. We got started on baking, pulling out the ingredients and what not. Well, mostly Faith because I was distracted. 

Detective Carter was on the move, a little too soon for my liking. 

I stared at my phone a little too long, not realizing that Faith had called out for me numerous times. “Earth to Raina! What's gotten into you? What are you looking at?”

She yelled, although that first scream already snapped my attention back to her. Faith gave me a stern look, then her eyes travelled to my phone. I clutched it tightly, before stuffing it into my pocket.

“It's nothing…” Lies. It was clearly something a lot. I stared at my hands, allowing myself a few heartbeats to calm my racing heart before turning back to her.

“Is it Alex? Did he do something? I'll fucking kill him if he so much as…” And I knew she would do it. She was that girl.

I laughed at her theatrics and shook my head. “If anything, he's been nothing but sweet. I just don't feel married…”

I spoke honestly. It still felt new to me. He had been around our residence for some times now that he felt more like a roommate than a husband if you counted last night out.

My face heated at the memory for the millionth time today. Last night was something indeed.

“Okay, I have a feeling if you weren't already pregnant, you'd be. You have that look…” She wiggled her brows teasingly, a sly smile stretching her lips.

“Faith!” I gasped and covered my cheeks with my somewhat powdered hands. 

“You know it's true…” She's right. “But it's a good thing. I'm happy for you Raina. Have you told the kids yet?” About being married or the baby?

My brows furrowed, one lifting up in question. “About both, girl. The baby and you know, daddy and mummy getting back together. They deserve to know…”

Right, again. 

A heartbeat passed, then another. Her words sank in deep and I realized I hadn't talked to my kids in a while. I pulled out my phone, but spun around to get her permission. I hated not being a part of the baking. She smiled and nodded at the same time, telling me it was okay.

I had just dialed grandma's phone when the front door burst open. Dominic and Alexander stormed into the living room with expressions that glued me to my spot. 

Something was wrong. Was it Nathan? Or Detective Carter? The realization hit like a ton of bricks a second later. It was me. More me than it was the detective.

“What the hell happened to you two?” Faith yelled from the kitchen. It took a minute for an answer to come. 

“Nathan has been arrested. Someone gave the police proof of his crimes. Some of it, but yeah…”

The news was as expected. I bit my lip. This happened quicker than I thought. Sweat coated my palms, and my forehead and on the other end of the line, Grandma spoke. 

“Raina? Are you going to say anything dear? The kids would like to speak to you…” My lips opened agape but no words came out. A knot had formed in my throat. This should have been good news. They should have been thrilled. We all should have been celebrating by now but the look in Alex's eyes told me that I may have fucked things up. 

Different thoughts circled my mind. What if Detective Carter had spilled everything to them?

Does he know it's me?

Alex stalked over to me, his expression so dark he looked murderous. 

Breathe, Raina. My mind screamed at me. I hadn't even felt the tightness in my chest. I spun on my heels not wanting Alex to see me choke on air. He couldn't suspect me.

But I felt him behind me. His hands were on either side of my arm. I saw his shadow before he touched me. And I heaved a breath when he did, not that his touch burned. “You don't look too good Raina. Did something happen?”

He turned me to face him but I couldn't look him the eye. What if I exposed myself? “You don't seem too shocked about Nathan's arrest.” His eyes were searching my face and I had to force my eyes up to meet him. 

“He was bound to be arrested sooner or later. Maybe Karma caught up with him…” Even I didn't believe in what I had said. Not because it wasn't true, but because of the way my voice sounded.