Page 17 of Absolute Valor

Wordlessly, Chase stood from his seated position. With his back to me, the tip of another tattoo on his neck was uncovered by the tilting of his head toward the floor. I could spend years appreciating his body, imagining how his muscles would feel beneath my fingers. An inferno raged across my skin, as his breath traveled across the room, taking hold of my senses and causing me to lose what little control I had.

Standing like an angry mother about to correct a child, the thumb of his left hand was the only digit I could see from my position. A dull black watch band cut the monotony of tan skin on his arm. “Momma, I’d like Audrey to stay in my old room, at least until we can figure this out.”

I opened my mouth to interrupt, but the icy chill from the look Priscilla shot me pushed back any words of disagreement.

“Daddy, if you could call whomever you know in office and have them put a bug in the ear of all the judges in this state about the character of Virginia Greyson, even send over the long list of crimes she has committed. Although, something tells me you’ll have more to share than I’m willing to see right now.”

It’s the first time I’ve heard him say her real name without an ounce of emotion and my heart breaks for him. Such a strong and trusting man, giving his heart to someone who used it to steal from him. I know how he feels, having someone you trust with your soul take away something so precious, as if it was nothing more than a discarded candy wrapper.

“As soon as Dylan gets off the phone, we can coordinate getting Virginia behind bars.”

Turning around to face me, I expected to see the fire of rage in his eyes. Instead, I see the statue of a man who will step up and do what is right, not taking the easy path so many others would chose. His inner strength, contained deep in his core, was forged during his youth, and amplified as he grew and experienced the trials of life. Something passed between us, an understanding perhaps or maybe a truce. Whatever it is, I won’t argue. Tonight, I’ll allow him to fulfill his need to protect me, as he did the children who begged for chocolate.

The thump of Dylan’s boots against the tile floor made the air heavy, as he took on the same stance as his brother. Being the oldest, he conformed to the role of leader and protector, Dylan was used to taking over. Standing toe to toe, the once ready-made leader assumed care of this situation and came to the rescue of his youngest brother. “Major is sending over a unit to take her to county. I’ve requested Kennedy to be one of the officers; she’s familiar with…” Dylan nodded his head in Virginia’s direction.

“…Virginia.” Chase finished for him, nodding his head once in finality. “Career criminal and resident con-artist. I’ve got Dad working on his contacts. The last thing I want is some green skinned graduate trying to make a name for themselves. I want her staying in jail, no possibility of bonding her ass out.” With both hands firmly on his hips, Chase tips his head in my direction. “Audrey is going home with Momma, at least for tonight. I’ll figure out what to do with her after we get back on Sunday.” My presence in the room, or opinion, meant nothing. Chase had taken control, showing his brother he had a handle on this situation. “Lucas is still a wild card and I’m not willing to take a chance on him lurking in the shadows in search of her. With what I know now, the urgency to deal with him has risen.”

Rigid muscles flexed in Dylans arms, his jaw clenched as his eyes darted back and forth over Chase’s face. “Bonding out will be next to impossible for a wanted felon.” Dylan glanced away briefly, taking in the attendance in the room before continuing, “Among other things.”

Hot water rained down on me, an incredible feeling I’d lost when the hot water heater in the trailer, which was electric, lacked the necessary power to work. Where my shower was a tiny cubicle, the one Priscilla insisted was for my use as long as I stayed here, was like comparing apples to competition size pumpkins. Breathing the soft scent of the shampoo into my lungs, I allowed the floral undertones to chase away the stench of the day. Dylan’s inability to provide any further explanation of Virginia’s crimes gave me a chill I still couldn’t shake, even with the added benefit of heated wall tiles. My limited understanding of the law left me in the dark as to what she could have done to deserve the label of ‘felon’. As far as I knew, prostitution and drug possession were misdemeanors. I would let the heaviness of what happened die down a little before I asked Dylan what he meant by ‘other things’. I would listen as much as I could to the conversations held behind closed doors, where the truth is usually hidden.

Removing myself from the luxury of the shower was more difficult than I planned. The various angled jets tempted me to stay in until the water ran cold. I couldn’t afford to be a burden, not when I could smell freedom in the air. The glass enclosure sealed tight and I had to give it a good push in order to open the door. Cooler air rushed in, as I reach to the left for the towel I tucked away before climbing in. Thick, soft cotton—so different from the dollar store finds I had to leave behind in the trailer. Acting more like a flannel blanket than any towel I’ve ever worked with, the moisture was whisked away in minimal time. I loved the way my skin felt after a long hot bath or shower, my muscles were relaxed and my mind was well on its way to sleepy.

Chase had taken charge at the shop, but Priscilla ignored his request for me to sleep in his old room, instead placing me in, what I considered a hotel suite. Beige walls, pinstriped with lighter shades and edged in gold, a crystal chandelier hung over a four post bed, the light reflecting tiny rainbows around the room. Dozens of fluffy pillows sat upright against the wooden headboard. A crisp white comforter and matching sheets welcomed me with their silky softness. The edge of the bed so tall it hit near my belly button, a quick look around revealed a matching step stool, which I giddily used to leap into bed, my body bouncing in the center as a result.

An antique clock on a far desk let me know it was one in the morning, and a vase of fresh flowers took stage on the fireplace mantel across from the end of the bed. How cozy a fire would be on a cold Charleston night, hunkered down in the fluffiness of this bed, warm and toasty I am certain. Thinking of a fire shifted to hot chocolate, but the warmth of the season dictated a glass of tea or water.

Slipping out of bed, the way down much easier than the journey up, I opened the door and listened to the sounds of the house, finding it as silent as a tomb. Priscilla had assured me I was welcome to anything in the kitchen, nothing in there was off limits. She was a smart woman, knowing I would have placed restrictions on what I used, not wanting to wear out the welcome before the sun came up.

Walking back up the long hall, I saw photos of the boys as they grew up on either side. Dylan in his football gear, his helmet tucked under his arm. Austin standing beside a trophy, the top of it taller than he was. Chase in his uniform, his face blank with eyes full of pride. At the top of the steps, was a family portrait. Priscilla sitting in an ornate chair surrounded by five men, all of them familiar, except one. The older gentleman, had dark hair slicked back against his head, big bright blue eyes and an aristocratic smile, his bow tie exuding class. The Morgans held his memory high, finding little fault in their beloved grandfather. I couldn’t avoid wondering what he would think about me?

As quietly as possible, I took each step in anticipation of a loose board. Silly, I know, Priscilla was too proud of a woman to have anything in disrepair in her home. As I stepped on the final step, I looked both directions and questioned which way the kitchen could possibly be. My left was completely black, no open doors to give the impression of anything other than an office or two. To my right, a tiny sliver of light came from a room at the end of yet another long hallway.

Approaching cautiously, a habit I’d picked up living the way I have, I heard male voices carrying down the hall, bits and pieces of their conversation making it to my ears. “How long before they confirm the fingerprints match?” Austin questioned, the sound of what I assumed was his keyboard clicking away.

“Since the feds are involved, not long. They have a way bigger budget than Charleston County.” Dylan replied, sarcasm lacing his voice.

I moved closer to the voices, a small alcove providing me prime concealment. If I listened long enough, maybe I wouldn’t have to talk with Dylan after all. “I know I said this before, but I am sorry for letting her come between us. Neither one of you would have ever let this happen.” Pushing my shoulder into the edge of the wall, I’m able to see into the room with all three brothers standing around a large island, Dean leaning against the counter.

“Forget about it, let’s focus on putting all our efforts into her conviction. If this is reading the way I think it is, we have a situation bigger than Lighthouse.” Austin’s old company? Forrester and his new wife had been detained trying to leave the country. Last thing I’d read on them, they were having a difficult time getting a private attorney, with all their assets frozen they were as broke as I am.

“Austin is right, Virginia appears to have a long list of crimes. If the fingerprints from the crime scene are a match for hers, she won’t see the light of day for a long time.” This had to be what Dylan meant; she’d obviously done something before getting with Lucas.

“Chase, your Momma wanted you to see this, something she did all on her own.” Dean pulled a thick manila envelope from behind him and slid it across the bar to Chase’s waiting hands. He opened it carefully, pulling what looked to be photos from the envelope. Chase laid them on the counter, staring for several minutes. “Hard to believe it’s the same girl, isn’t it?” Chase looks up to his father and brothers, as Austin pulled the photos in his direction. “Your momma spoke with the wife of the dentist, the one Harmony, or rather Virginia, said she worked for. At least she did, until his wife found her having sex with him in his office.” Chase leaned back in the highback chair, his hands clasped behind his head.

“Don’t get all bent out of shape, bro. Even if we’d showed you these pictures when momma first got them, you wouldn’t have believed her.”

Chase lowered his hands, “How do you figure? Those are pretty damning.”

Dylan shakes his head, reaching forward for a cup of, what I can only assume is coffee. “Because Virginia was giving you the one thing which makes every man blind.” Austin nodded his head as Chase looked to his father.

“Well apparently she was giving her pussy to every man except me.”

Dylan choked on his coffee. Austin laughed as he made sure Dylan was all right, slapping him hard on his back.

“Virginia was too twisted for color television. Hell, Dylan, she would have scared you straight into church on a Thursday afternoon.” I’d heard rumors of how Dylan was before he met Claire, subscribing to a particular form of intimacy that quite a fair share of Charleston woman were willing to give him.

“And on that note, I’m headed to bed. We have a good amount of driving tomorrow and some precious cargo to take care of.”

Not wanting to get caught eavesdropping, I slipped back up the steps as quietly as possible.

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