Page 15 of Mac's Vow

“According to them, they’ve only scratched the surface. When they have more, they’ll let us know.”

“Good. Also, I was thinking about The Judge’s reach. I think Detective Mason LaFayette is going to be our guy when we’re ready to approach the police. He’s a straight shooter.”

They’d gone to school with Mason and he was as honest as they came. He would never take a bribe. Nor would he ever want a shitball like Judge Mitchell getting away with abusing women and girls.

“I was thinking the same and I agree. He’ll get the job done once we’ve collected enough evidence.”

Mac thought of the pictures he’d taken earlier. “Speaking of evidence. I’ve got photos of the bruises and marks Cameron left on Alyssa.”

Silence met him for a good minute. Finally, he asked, “How bad was it, Mac? Don’t lie to me either.”

He thought about sugar-coating it, but if Alyssa had been his sister he’d want to know all of it. “He whipped her.” He paused, before adding, “and bit her.”

Jimmy let loose a string of curses loud enough to have Mac pulling the phone away until he was finished. “Is she…is she okay? Really?” he asked, his voice hoarse from his rage-filled shouts.

Mac thought back over the intense loving he’d just shared with Alyssa and his heart filled with warmth. “She’s strong, Jimmy. She’s determined to see it through. She said she doesn’t want Cameron hurting another woman.”

“You love her, don’t you?”

“Yeah. I do,” he admitted, as he took the hot cup of coffee from the one-cup brewer and brought it to his mouth and blew. He took a sip after a few seconds, but it was still too hot and he burned his tongue.

“Good,” he stated, calmer now. “Keep her safe, Mac. We’ll get these bastards. And Lissy will be free of this nightmare.”

Mac set the cup aside. “From your mouth to God’s ear, brother,” he grumbled. After another few minutes of talking strategy they hung up. Mac glanced around the kitchen and realized it was a mess thanks to the nachos earlier. No way did he want Alyssa waking up to that. He opened the dishwasher and went to work. She’d cooked so the least Mac could do was clean.

Twenty minutes later, Mac undressed and slid in bed beside Alyssa. He pulled her in close. A feeling of contentment settled over him. His thoughts went back over the conversation he’d had with Jimmy. Thinking of the Mitchells and their perversions. He knew Alyssa’s ordeal could’ve been so much worse had she not tried to fight back. Had she not locked herself in. He was grateful for that much at least. And she was safe now. Mac aimed to keep her that way.

Chapter Four

Alyssa woke to voices. More than one. She scooted to the edge of the bed, then stood. Her muscles were sore, but not all of them were because of Cameron. A few were because of the amazing night she’d shared with Mac. She smiled at that. He’d woken her sometime in the night and had her take two more pain pills. He’d also made love to her again. This time slower, gentler. He’d been so worried about hurting her or causing her more pain. Just one more thing they could lay at Cameron’s feet. She hated the fact that Mac was being so careful with her. She wanted him to let loose. Go wild. Treat her to the full brunt of his passion. Not that she was complaining. Damn, he’d loved her so thoroughly and she wanted a repeat. Maybe she could talk him back into bed. The thought of spending a decadent afternoon with Mac was definitely on the top of her bucket list.

She got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. She showered quickly. Brushing her teeth and pulling her hair into a ponytail took precious seconds away from her goal. She halted as she caught sight of her black eye. It was turning ugly shades of yellow now. She hated the sight of it. Like Cameron was there, taunting her. Soon, she reminded herself, it would be gone and so would he.

Alyssa walked out and flipped off the light, then headed toward the dresser. She chose a pair of black leggings. She remembered what Mac had said about how they’d turned him on when he’d seen her wearing them in the past. So, of course she chose a pair that accentuated her bottom to the fullest. She slipped them on, then put on a bra and V-neck heather-grey short sleeve t-shirt.

When Alyssa headed into the living room she found Jimmy, Mac, and the Reece brothers sitting around going over a pile of papers on her coffee table. Everyone stopped talking and glanced her way. Mac’s gaze roamed over her, then a crooked grin appeared as he stood and came toward her. He took her into his arms and kissed her briefly. Right there in front of everyone, as if he were making it clear they were together. Her heart swelled as Alyssa recalled Mac’s declaration of love the night before. She wrapped her arms around his neck and went up on tiptoe to whisper into his ear, “I missed you when I woke.”

His silvery eyes turned to a deeper shade of molten steel. “You needed your rest.”

She winked as she pulled back, then let her gaze roam the length of his body. “You did keep me awake until the wee hours.”

He chuckled. “Be good, damn it.”

“Yes, be good,” Jimmy grumbled from behind them.

Mac released her. “I’ll get you some coffee and another pain pill,” he offered, as he glared at her brother before heading into the kitchen.

Alyssa caught Brad and Cole staring at her, both sporting concerned expressions as they looked her over. They were big, muscular men. Well over six feet tall. Both had close-cropped black hair and dark brown eyes that appeared nearly black. They intimidated most people, not just because of their size, but the piercings and tattoos. Brad had gauges in both ears and both arms had full sleeve tattoos. Cole sported piercings in one eyebrow and tattoos down one arm and across his back. They could’ve belonged to a biker gang with the leather jackets and shit-kicker boots. No one would guess they were total nerds. Most days they sat behind a computer rather than astride a Harley. They were always kind to her. She suspected that had a lot to do with Jimmy. They respected him and their close friendship went as far back as high school.

She crossed the room and both men stood. She opened her arms and Brad was the first to pull her into a gentle hug. “I’m okay, really,” she said as he released her.

He lifted his shoulder in a half shrug. “You don’t look okay, darlin’.”

Cole stepped up next and took her into his arms. “We’ll nail him, sweetheart. You have our word.”

She smiled at the pair. “With your mad computer skills I’m sure we will.”

They both smiled and sat back down. Mac came back into the room then and handed her a cup of water and two pills. She swallowed them down, then put the cup on the coffee table so she could get her hands on what she really wanted. Coffee. Usually it was the only reason she got out of bed in the morning. Addicted didn’t even begin to describe her bond with the black brew.

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