Crime and Punishment 4: Burning Submission (29 page)

The teachers at the school knew about the kids’ talents but made sure to treat them just like any other child. The older kids mentored the younger ones and helped the newcomers adjust. Nathan had been instrumental in that respect. He counseled the teens.

Because of his empathic ability, the kids saw Nathan as one of them and opened up to him a little easier. They also knew getting away with anything was never going to happen. Nathan knew when they were lying, when they were hiding, and more importantly, when they were feeding him a line of bull.

So far, the government had kept true to its word and, for the most part, let her do as she pleased. They checked in periodically but never interfered. There had never been any contact from the corporation that had been responsible for her captivity, but there had been a small blurb in the news about the CEO being arrested for kidnapping and fraud. The lawyers had been careful to keep her name out of it, a fact she’d been hugely grateful for.

On the ground, one of the boys tried to tackle Josh, but Josh dodged him. Jennifer giggled as the boy tripped and slapped the ground with his hand in frustration, making everyone laugh. Josh was good with the kids. Firm but fair and always there to listen.

The small group had become a regular family of sorts. Nathan and his brother’s company, Delfy, sponsored quarterly trips for the kids. Two skiing adventures, a beach trip, and one amusement park a year. She and Josh had movie nights with them that included popcorn and sodas. Meals were eaten together, and everyone was expected to be present. She loved these kids.

And she most definitely loved Josh.

He took care of her. In the beginning, she’d been worried that he’d regret leaving the FBI. But he enjoyed his job and the kids. They made him laugh and kept him young, or so he said.

Josh also knew when to quit, which was something she struggled with. He was always there, making sure she took time off to relax. Jennifer tended to overwork more often than not. She would get lost in a test or a case study and completely lose track of time. Josh let it go occasionally, but now that the baby was on the way, he let it go less and less.

She rubbed her hand over her expanded belly and smiled. Their little boy would make his entrance in less than two months. She didn’t know who was more excited: her, Josh, or the teens. She smiled as she thought about just how loved this child would be.

After six years of being held captive, she never imagined her life would turn out so perfect. Perhaps she should stop work for a while and go join everyone. Her smile widened as she turned off the equipment and headed out to the backyard to watch the game with the girls.

Loose Id Titles by Trista Ann Michaels

Darkness Falls

Dead Reckoning

Leave Me Breathless

Their One and Only

Shutter

* * * *

The CRIME AND PUNISHMENT Series

Master Delacroix

Theirs to Share

Burning Submission

* * * *

The ENTWINED FATES Series

Captive

Destined for Two

Mercenary

Remember Me

Slaves

Her Pirate Master

Up in Flames

Dominating Miya

* * * *

The SPARK OF MAGIC Series

Blood Rite

Deadly Crimson

To Die For

Lost Without Them

Nature of the Beasts

Trista Ann Michaels

I live in the land of dreams, where alpha men are tender, heroines are strong and sassy, and villains are brutal and conniving. When not deep in the mind of my next serial killer, ghost, or futuristic space pilot, I can be found in the mountains of Tennessee, spending time with family and friends. At least until the next story calls.