Atonement (The Protectors 6)

Talked was an understatement, but I remained silent.

“She was asking me to testify that you wouldn’t let her see Matthew or Jenna…that you threatened her. Said it would help her get custody.”

I managed to keep my anger in check, but only because Dante’s fingers squeezed mine tighter.

“She doesn’t want that boy,” Colton murmured. “She’s just doing it to get back at you. Keeps saying you ruined her life.”

I wanted to laugh out loud at that. Even though I’d never regretted getting Jenna, and ultimately Matty, out of the deal, my feelings in regards to the rest of my relationship with Mel pretty much ran along the same lines. I’d met Mel at a college party and had been drawn to her wild, party-girl personality, a quality that had been so different from my own tireless need for self-discipline and control. A broken condom had bound us together for a lifetime.

“So, what is this?” I asked, holding up the folder.

“I went and saw a lawyer…showed him those,” he said as he pointed at the folder. “Said because it was so much money, it’d be a felony.”

I nodded. “Larceny.”

“Yeah, larceny,” he murmured. “Anyhow, I told Mel that if she didn’t leave you and yours alone, I’d press charges. Told her I knew she was paying a guy who works for a clinic over near Flat Rock to forge prescriptions for her…doubt he’d be willing to go to jail for her. Even she ain’t that good of a fuck.”

I wasn’t sure what to say because I couldn’t find it in myself to thank him.

Colton shifted back and forth on his feet. “I should be going…I’m heading to Dallas. Bess’s dad’s taken a turn for the worse.” He hesitated and said, “When things settle down a bit for her, I’ll be telling her everything.”

I nodded, though I wasn’t sure why he was telling me that. I couldn’t actually take his word for it that he’d follow through on anything. And I took no pleasure in knowing what Bess was going to end up going through if and when he told her. Unlike mine and Mel’s marriage, Colton and Bess’s had been based on love…at least, I’d always thought so.

He turned to go. I glanced at Dante and he smiled at me. His thumb stroked over my skin where he was still holding onto my hand.

“Colton,” I called just before Colton reached his truck. He looked over his shoulder at me. “Drive safe,” I said. It wasn’t much, but it was all I had.

Colton nodded. “Take care, Magnus.” His eyes shifted to Dante before coming back to me. “Looks like things are finally starting to look up for you.”

“Yes, they are,” I murmured to myself. I turned and led Dante up the porch stairs. A fresh wave of excitement and nerves went through me and I said, “Now what were you saying? Something about putting up or shutting up?”

* * *

“Relax,” Dante murmured just before he ran his tongue down the length of my spine. He’d rolled me onto my stomach on the bed after nearly taking me over the edge with an epic blowjob that had left me shaking and needy. I’d been so sure I’d been ready for him to fuck me after that, but when his finger had brushed over my hole, my erection had waned and my whole body had gone stiff.

“Fuck you,” I muttered even though there was no real anger behind my words.

“Maybe later,” Dante said and I didn’t need to look at him to know he was smiling. I could feel it against my skin, hear it in his voice.

“Maybe you should just get it over with,” I said only half-jokingly. I knew the anticipation was making things worse.

“No way,” Dante responded and then he leaned over me and kissed my cheek until I turned to give him my mouth. “You know how long I’ve been waiting to tap this virgin ass?” he whispered.

I couldn’t help but smile. “You’re such a romantic.”

Dante chuckled and then dropped a kiss to the top of my head. His tone grew serious as he dropped his mouth to my ear and said, “You know I’ll stop whenever you want. You don’t have to do this.”

“I know. I’ve never been good at handling the unknown, Dante.” I turned my head so I could see him. “But I’ve never trusted anyone the way I trust you. If this turns out to be something that can’t be a permanent part of our relationship, it’s not going to be because I was too scared to even try.”

Dante nuzzled my neck. “Fuck, Magnus, you’re killing me.” His lips sought out mine and he kissed me long and deep. The words made me think he was frustrated, but the way he kissed me had me wondering if there wasn’t some other meaning behind them. I sighed as he began kissing his way down my back and his hands skimmed every part of my body he could reach. By the time his palms settled on my ass, my cock had started to come back to life and I willed myself to relax so I wouldn’t be putting another pause on the whole thing. Yeah, I was nervous, but I still wanted him. He’d played with my hole several times before and I’d loved it, so I had to believe I’d love this too.