Page 47 of Until Presley

By the time we get back to the hotel, I can’t wait to strip my woman bare and have my way with her. I make love to her over and over throughout the night, and we barely make it to the wedding on time.

My girl watches with stars in her eyes as Maverick finds out Lydia has been hiding that she’s pregnant. It’s a good thing that I’ve already got her ring ordered, because it’s going on her finger as soon as I get it. She can finish her studies while we are engaged. We can even get married before she gets her doctorate. I don’t care, as long as she’s mine.

CHAPTER

NINETEEN

PRESLEY

It’s been four weeks since my trip to Chattanooga. I’m frustrated, but we are making the best of it. My parents got here last week, and so far, they haven’t tried to contact me. They are dealing with Clara. Before my father arrived, he told me he wouldn’t speak to me until I withdrew the charges against my stepsister. I tried to explain to him that it’s no longer in my hands but in the prosecutors. It’s only a misdemeanor, but it’s time Clara faced the repercussions of her actions. My dad doesn’t understand that.

My advisor has asked me to finish out the term since there have been no further issues with Clara, as far as he’s concerned. I’m upset but know that I have to do this. There are only a few more weeks left of the semester.

On last night’s news, they reported another body was found near campus and is related to the other killings. It freaks me out that they still haven’t caught the killer, and the FBI hasn’t talked to me in a while. The worst part is I’m fairly certain the latest victim is one of my students because she’s missed class all week. I’m hoping I’m wrong. Authorities won’t identify the victim untilthe next of kin has been notified. If it’s my student, she’s from out of state.

“Baby, I’m done with my gear and getting ready to jump into my Jeep. I’ll be there in a few hours.” Ham’s voice breaks across the phone line.

He called me as soon as I walked out of Victoria’s Secret, where I bought something special for this weekend. He’s still supporting me by coming up every chance he can, but it’s been two weeks since I’ve seen him. He was busy with several dives and trainings. I’ve also been sick, and I told him I didn’t want him to catch it, but he said he was coming this weekend no matter what, even if it’s to take care of me.

I wanted to make him feel special, so I decided to get myself out of the condo and go shopping. I picked up some lingerie and another bikini for the beach when Morgan comes to visit in June. I’m excited that my best friend will be here. She said she needed to approve Ham in person, even though they’ve talked on the phone. Since she’s in dive rescue with FDNY, she had a lot to talk to Ham about.

“I can’t wait for you to get here. I bought something special for this weekend,” I say.

“Oh yeah, what’s that?” He chuckles.

“Well, how about I just say baby doll?” I laugh as I enter the parking garage and move toward my car.

“Fuck, you can’t tell me that. I’m going to have a hard-on for the whole fucking drive, sprite,” he growls into the phone, and I feel my core spasm with desire.

“I can’t wait—” I stop when Clara steps out of the shadows. “What are you doing here? I have a restraining order. You can’t be close to me.” I remove the phone from my ear as Ham starts shouting, trying to figure out what’s going on.

“You need to stop what you’re doing. I can’t go to prison.” Clara is frantic as she grips my arm tight and starts shaking me.

My bags fall, and it takes everything in me to hold onto the phone. I know Ham can hear me and will get me help. He can also track my phone.

“Clara, I can’t stop it. You attacked me. You can’t do that. It’s not right.”

“I’m tired of you winning everything, even my mother. I had to stop you. I hate you.”

“I don’t have your mother, and I’m sorry you hate me. You need to let me go. Right now.” I stand up to her. I straighten my back and try to pull my arm from her grip.

“Don’t tell me what to do,” she screams and starts shaking me. My stomach revolts and my vision blurs. My heart is pounding in my chest, and my eyes start to roll back.

“Stop, please,” I beg, but I can hear the weakness in my small voice.

I feel myself falling and hear Clara yelling at me before I don’t hear anything else.

Ham

As soon as I heard Presley say restraining order, I knew it was Clara. I hit record on my phone and rushed back into the dive school. I can hear my girl as she stands up for herself, but I know with her not feeling well, she’s weak. She’s been sick to her stomach so much lately, and I’m worried about her.

“I need to get to Miami, now,” I bark at the guys, and they both turn to look at me.

“I have a friend with a helicopter,” Otto offers. “What’s going on?”

“Clara is attacking Presley.” I hold up my phone and press the speaker button so they can hear.

“Don’t tell me what to do,” Clara screams, and we can hear movement on the other end of the line.

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