TOTAL ECLIPSE: The Evolution (Sin City Heat Series Book 7) (36 page)

“I’m gonna need to talk to Justin again to satisfy myself that everything is being done to keep you safe on the company’s end. If it is, I can work with that.”

Her lips parted and her eyes widened in shock. “You mean…”

“If you feel like this is something you need to do, then yes. You got my support…but it comes with a stipulation. A condition. You won’t like it but it’s nonnegotiable.”

The smile that had unfolded and blossomed over her face wilted like dried out petals on a flower. “I knew you gave in too easy. What kind of stipulation?”

“If you insist on trying this case, I’m hiring someone to make sure you’re safe until it’s over.”

Jerra’s mouth dropped open.
That
she had not been expecting. “You mean like a bodyguard?”

Darrell nodded.

“But the firm is already–”

“I’m not leavin’ your safety up to a couple of security guards walkin’ you to and from your car every day.” Darrell cut in, dismissing her argument “That’s ridiculous.”

“Of course it’s going to be more than that. Metal detectors and closed-circuit monitoring devices are being installed to observe everyone coming in and going out of all the entrances to the building. Crisis communication among key personnel and security is being developed as well, and photos for security badges are in the process of being updated if they’re older than three years.”

Darrell listened patiently as she continued to expand on the security enhancements Sullivan, Baker & Lewis were currently in the middle of implementing. He nodded and grunted in the appropriate places whenever she paused to wait for his feedback on a particular point on her checklist. Apparently, it was enough to satisfy her because after he did, she confidently launched into the next phase of her argument. Darrell didn’t have the heart to tell her yet that there was absolutely nothing she could say to make him change his mind. He was already mentally going through his list of contacts to decide who would be the most qualified to handle this, but he decided to let Jerra complete her spiel before breaking that bit of news to her.

Instead of rushing what was sure to be an argument between them, Darrell let her finish and went back to his favorite pastime that he never got tired of indulging in: gazing at her beauty. His baby had always been a gorgeous woman, but pregnancy only enhanced her looks. His eyes skimmed over her face, taking note of how her cheekbones had filled out in the last couple of months. The dark shadows under her eyes had long since vanished, and her smooth skin boasted an even, healthy glow.

Unable to stop himself, he reached up and gently caressed the side of her face with his fingertips. Yeah, pregnancy definitely agreed with her. Especially her body. Her curves were back, thank God. The sweet mounds of her breasts were plump and lush, and her ass…damn! If he were a sculptor, Jerra’s ass would’ve been his most perfect creation. It was round and shapely with a nice curvature to it. Like an apple. Darrell frowned. No, not an apple. Maybe a sweet, ripe peach because it was soft, pliable, and juicy. Again, he thought about how good the loving had been this morning. He should’ve made time for a second round because–

“So what do you think? Darrell?”

He blinked when he heard her call his name. Seeing her waiting expectantly, he nodded since that had been working so well.

Studying him closely, Jerra squinted. “You haven’t heard a word I’ve said, have you?”

CHAPTER 42

Darrell laughed as she eyed him with suspicion. “Of course I have.”

Jerra wrinkled her nose as if she smelled his bullshit.

Unable to help himself, Darrell laughed. She was so damn cute. “Baby, look, I told you from the beginning that my terms are nonnegotiable and that’s exactly what I meant. You of all people should know I won’t change my mind. Not about this.” After bending down to gently kiss her forehead, he pulled her behind him to the conference table, ignoring her grumbling. “If you’re not comfortable with that, I sure as hell ain’t comfortable with you staying on this case. That’s just the way it is.”

He sat down in one of the low backed leather chairs and pulled her between his spread legs. Darrell smiled at the pout on sexy lips. This woman was the most precious thing to him in the world. No way was he taking a chance on letting anything happen to her.

“The judge won’t allow anyone, even a bodyguard, to come into the courtroom armed.”

Darrell shook his head. “Forever the lawyer negotiating a better deal, huh?”

“No, just stating a fact.”

“Okay,” Darrell conceded. “I assume the judge is aware of the threats you received. I want you or Justin to insure he’s allowed inside the courtroom every day. At least he can keep an eye out for any suspicious behavior. But he goes with you everywhere else, Jerra. Brings you to work, picks you up, drives you around during the day.”

Jerra blew in annoyance. “Darrell, really?”

“Really. I’ll make sure he’s as unobtrusive as possible. After a while you won’t even know he’s there.”

“I doubt that, but alright,” Jerra agreed grudgingly.

His eyebrows shot up, shocked that she hadn’t put up more of a fuss. “That’s it?”

“Don’t look so surprised,” she admonished. “What else is there for me to say? I’d only be wasting my time arguing with you.”

Darrell’s body slowly relaxed in the face of her capitulation. His hands left her waist and crawled around to her backside to urge her closer. “That’s my baby. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Plus…” Jerra glanced over her shoulder at the food. “I’m hungry.”

“So am I,” Darrell replied, the edge in his voice making it clear he wasn’t talking about food.

Keeping one hand on her ass, he brought the other one up to curl around her neck and pull her down to meet his waiting lips. His tongue slipped inside her mouth, zigzagging its way around hers, slow and searching. Darrell kissed her with a thoroughness that left her weak and unable to catch her breath. Moaning softly, Jerra placed her hands on his shoulders to steady herself, her nails digging through the material of his shirt. She strained to get closer, wordlessly indicating that she wanted more.

Darrell’s hand left her ass and inched under her skirt. Gliding between her legs, he continued his journey up her inner thigh until his fingers came in contact with the silk material of her panties, warm and damp from her arousal. Jerra reached down and slipped them to the side so that he had unobstructed access to her moist flesh.

Darrell’s voice was thick and raspy as he caressed her slick folds. “Wet and ready for me.”

“Yes,” Jerra croaked, her body quivering at his touch. “Always.”

“I want you, Jerra. Right now.” He sucked on her bottom lip before licking the inside of her mouth.

“I want you too. We shouldn’t, though,” she panted, feasting on his mouth. “I’m at work. Middle of the day,”

“You want me to stop?”

“Fuck no!” she said vehemently, as if the very thought of doing so was out of the question.

Darrell’s dick lay heavily in his pants. It pulsated at her passionate response. “Can I have some?”

“God, yes!”
Jerra uttered in a rush.

Darrell made a harsh sound of pleasure. He all but ripped her skirt and panties off before impatiently unbuckling his belt and yanking at the zipper of his pants. “Go lock the door. And take your shirt off so I can see you.”

His eyes latched on to the fullness of her bare ass while she hurried to the door. Darrell swore her pregnancy was like an aphrodisiac for him. The changes in her body turned him on, made him want her even more. To see her stomach swollen with his seed stirred an emotion inside him that he couldn’t explain.

Darrell licked his lips in anticipation. Jerra’s already healthy sexual appetite had become damned near insatiable. He couldn’t get enough of her, either. It still blew his mind to think that every sexy inch of her belonged to him. Darrell pushed his pants down past his knees, impatient and eager. By the time Jerra got back to him, he was ready. He held his shaft steady for her. All she had to do was climb on top and ride.

Straddling his thighs, she did just that. Their eyes locked as she slid down his delicious, thick length. Jerra gasped when his hips surged upward and met her halfway. Darrell crushed his mouth over hers just in time to mute her piercing scream. She squirmed with pleasure, her hips moving in frantic circular motions, grinding her clit against his pelvis on the down stroke as she screwed his brains out.

Tearing her mouth free, Jerra opened her eyes and stared down at him, her gaze fierce. Hot. Wanton. Darrell groaned when she licked her lips like a predator on the hunt. It was obvious her main objective was to appease her sexual hunger. He didn’t have a problem with that. He loved watching her like this, wild and uninhibited. She was every fantasy come true he’d ever had in his life.

“What are you smiling at?” she asked. “If this is funny to you, I must not be doing it right.”

Darrell chuckled, leaning forward to flick his tongue over the hard bead of her sensitive nipple, while his length throbbed inside of her. “Does it feel like I find this funny?”

Jerra threw her head back, her pussy tightening with greed. “Oh, shit. Yes. Right there.”

“That’s it, baby. Dance on this dick. Show me how much you want it.”

A strangled growl rumbled from his throat as she proceeded to do just that. Knowing they were both close, Darrell stood and carefully lowered her on her back to the table. He never broke the rhythm of his thrusts, fucking her with smooth, deep strokes, his eyes fixed on her face when she climaxed.

“Beautiful,” Darrell uttered in a low whisper.

Jerra’s back arched off the table, her keening moan of pleasure surely heard outside by Heather this time. “Oh my God, yes,” she moaned, quivering around him as Darrell plunged into her again and again.

“Is it good, sweetheart?” he whispered.

“Yes!” she answered breathlessly, her breathing loud and ragged.

Gritting his teeth, Darrell fought for control. “Want you to cum again, baby. Don’t hold back. I want you to cum with me this time,” he crooned, changing the angle of his thrusts. He knew her body as if it were his own, and knew how to fuck her to get her off. “You feel so good, Jerra. I’m almost there. You ready for me?”

Jerra nodded, rocking upwards in time with his gliding strokes, biting her lip as his hips gained momentum. Her eyes widened when his dick found more depth, even when she thought he was already impossibly deep. With his pelvis continuously rolling against her clit, Jerra tightened around him as she exploded again.

Darrell closed his eyes tight, his large body shuddering in reaction. The intensity of his climax magnified ten times as strong, as she vibrated around his shaft.
“Jerra!”

He held her firmly in place, pumping frantically, making sure he touched every inch of her good pussy. With a hoarse cry, he released his seed, groaning as she milked his dick, massaging him with her inner muscles until he was empty and spent.

Barely able to catch his breath, Darrell leaned over her, his hands slapping flat on the cool surface of the table, bracketing her head. He gazed down at her through lazy, grey eyes, tilting his head to the side while he studied her.

Sighing heavily, Jerra ran her hands up under his shirt and caressed his hard, muscular back.  “Baby?”

“Mmm?” Darrell grunted.

“I’m hungry.”

It took a moment for her words to penetrate his brain because that wasn’t what he’d been expecting her to say. Darrell dropped his head, tucking his chin to his chest while his shoulders shook with laughter. “Damn, woman!”

“What?” Jerra asked, blinking up at him. “Well, I am.”

He lifted his head to look down at her. “I can’t feed one of your appetites before the other one demands I satisfy it next.” Still smiling, he gave her a brief kiss before helping her off the table.

Heading to the small attached bathroom to freshen up, she glanced behind her with a teasing grin. “All I can tell you is that you’d better keep your strength up because you’ll be busy satisfying
all
of my appetites for the next fifty or sixty years.”

Fixing his clothes, Darrell’s eyes darkened as he watched her go. “Gimme a lifetime, and you got a deal.”

Jerra paused in the doorway of the bathroom and turned to look at him, her expression soft and full of love. “Deal.”

CHAPTER 43

“I absolutely love that dress, Jerra,” Aleesha said, admiring the gold patterned strapless sheath that clung lovingly to Jerra’s stomach and stopped at her knees. “It’s beautiful.”

“Thanks, Leesh.” Jerra turned to get a back view of the dress in the mirror. The short cocktail dress was sexy, but classically elegant. She rested a hand over her stomach and turned sideways. “Are the sequins too much?”

“Not at all. Why couldn’t I find anything like this when I was pregnant? It fits you like a dream.”

“You don’t think it makes me look too big, do you? Especially my butt.”

“Girl, please, you know we have men who like meat on their women’s bones,” Aleesha laughed. “You’re gorgeous.”

Still looking in the mirror, Jerra’s eyes went to Aleesha’s dress. “I love yours too. Look at your figure. No one would ever know you’re a mother of four,” Jerra teased. Of course Aleesha had only given birth to Addy, but she loved Baby Marcus, Olivia, and Dillon as if they were biologically hers.

“Bless you. It’s good to know that I don’t look as tired as I feel. At least the babies are starting to sleep through the night.”

“I don’t know how you do it with two little ones at one time.”

“It’s not bad. Marcus helps out a lot. And I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have Mrs. Bailey.”

“I feel the same way about Mrs. Henderson. I’m so glad she stayed on when we decided to move back to the house.”

“We’re all so happy for you guys. I mean, look at you, you’re practically glowing.”

“Is it too presumptuous to say this is the happiest I’ve ever been in my entire life? I mean I have a husband who I absolutely adore, a gorgeous son, a baby on the way, and my career. Pinch me.” She held her arm out laughingly, screaming when Aleesha did just that. “Wench!”

“Speaking of work, when are going to trial for the guy who killed his girlfriend?”

“Next week.”

Aleesha shivered and rubbed her arms briskly as if chilled to the bone. “There’s no way I could get up there and defend some of these deviants you represent. I still can’t believe you got his psycho ass out on bond.”

“Your girl’s just good like that,” Jerra said with a toss of her head and jokingly popped an imaginary collar. Smiling, she turned back to the mirror again and smoothed a hand over her stomach. “Come on, we’d better go. What do you want to bet our husbands have pulled off their jackets, loosened their ties, and are now deep into the game on television?”

“I know they are. That’s why they haven’t made a stink about us taking so long upstairs.”

“The fact that it’s Bryan’s daughter is the only reason they haven’t backed out of going,” Jerra laughed.

Aleesha eyed her curiously as they headed out of the bedroom. “I know we’ve talked about it already, but you’re dealing with seeing Roni tonight so well. I think I’d be a nervous wreck.”

“Believe me, I may look calm and collected on the outside, but my stomach is turning flips. Of course I’m nervous, but…I don’t know, Aleesha, after that news program the other night, things made a little bit more sense. Darrell had already told me about that day, and of course I’ve viewed a lot of photos of crime scenes, but it hit home when I saw the actual footage after Roni got shot.”

Aleesha shuddered. “Yes. I didn’t realize how bad it was.”

“It was horrific. She must have been terrified. And seeing Darrell’s face that day…I can’t get it out of my mind. It gives me a little bit more understanding about the entire ordeal, if that makes sense.”

“It does,” Aleesha said softly as they descended the stairs. “Marcus saw her when they brought her into the hospital. He said he honestly hadn’t expected her to make it.”

“Darrell’s kept all of that inside for all these years, including what happened afterwards. I’m not excusing some of the things he’s done, but as I said, I have a better understanding of why. He and I have talked a great deal these last couple of months. Really talked. He’s opened up so much since seeing Dr. Williams. I think we’re going to be okay now.” She placed a hand on her stomach and looked at Aleesha. “In fact, I know we are.”

The two women smiled at each other and hugged. With their arms around each other’s waists, they made their way downstairs to the family room. They stopped in their tracks when they saw Darrell and Marcus exactly the way they’d predicted: suit coats off, ties askew, and attention fixed on the game. Jerra cleared her throat.

Darrell turned his head in her direction, but his eyes remained on the television screen. “Hey, sweetheart, you ready?”

Jerra and Aleesha looked at each other and shook their heads. Jerra took a step towards Darrell with the intention of taking the remote from him, but stopped when the phone rang. 

Sighing, she grabbed the cordless receiver from the base to answer it. “Hello?”

“Mrs. Monroe, this is Garrick, the security guard stationed at the gate entrance.”

“Oh, hi Garrick.”

When Darrell heard the security guard’s name, he glanced at her curiously.

“Ma’am, I apologize for bothering you this evening, but there are two detectives here who are requesting to see your husband.”

Jerra’s eyes went to Darrell’s. Seeing her expression, Darrell frowned. “What is it?” he asked.

“Garrick, hold on please.” Lowering the phone, she told Darrell. “Two detectives are at the gate. They want to see you.”

His frown deepening, Darrell stood up and reached for the phone. He brought it to his ear to question the guard. “Garrick, this is Darrell Monroe. Did you check their badges?”

Marcus got up from the couch and kept his eyes on Darrell.

“Yes, sir, I did.”

“Okay, send them through.”

After he hung up, Jerra asked, “What’s all of that about?”

At a loss, Darrell shook his head. “I have no idea. Guess we’ll find out.”

In less than five minutes, the doorbell rang. Darrell went to answer it, and after asking to see the detectives’ badges himself, he let them in. They followed Darrell as he led them back to the family room, glancing around the spacious area with raised eyebrows.

Darrell went to stand by an anxious Jerra and made the introductions. “Detectives Lowe and Thomas, this is my wife, Jerra Monroe, and our friends Marcus and Aleesha Bennett.”

After the detectives nodded a greeting, Darrell wasted no time getting to the cause of their visit. “What’s this all about, Detectives?”

Detective Lowe was the first to speak. “Mr. Monroe, is your mother’s name Tina Gibson?” he asked, using Tina’s married name.

Darrell felt a sense of dread squeezing tight from the inside out. “Yes. Why?”

“Sir, I’m sorry to have to inform you of this, but…Tina Gibson is dead.”

Jerra let out a scream and covered her mouth with trembling hands. She turned eyes full of sorrow and disbelief to Darrell before pulling him to her and hugging him tight.

Darrell’s heartbeat accelerated as if he’d just finished running a 200 meter sprint, but his expression remained unchanged. His eyes clear, he hugged Jerra back, whispering to her softly and trying to calm her grief stricken cries. Although Jerra’s intention had been to console him, Darrell was the one who ended up giving solace.

He directed his attention back to the detectives. “Are you sure it’s…” The slight crack in his voice was the only indication that he was affected. Darrell cleared his throat then tried again. “Are you sure it’s her?”

“Yes, sir, we are. Management found her yesterday morning in her hotel room.”

“Her
hotel
?” Darrell cut in. “Where?
Here
? In Vegas?”

“Yes,” Detective Thomas answered slowly. When he named the hotel, Darrell realized it was the same one he’d confronted Tina at last time. Detective Lowe kept his eyes closely peeled to Darrell’s face as he addressed Darrell’s shock at finding out that piece of information. “Are you saying you weren’t aware that your mother was in town?”

“No, I…I wasn’t.” Darrell knew how it had to look, a son not knowing that his mother was in town visiting from another city, but he and Tina had nowhere near the typical mother/son relationship.

“When is the last time you spoke with her?”

Darrell shook his head slowly, his confusion clearly visible. “I…I don’t know. Two or three months ago.”

“I see. From what we learned, she checked in for a three-day stay and was scheduled to check out yesterday. There’s been a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign hanging on the doorknob for the last two days, so housekeeping hadn’t been in to clean. Her checkout time came and went. When the manager was unable to get her on the phone or get her to answer the door, he let himself in.”

“How did it happen?” Darrell braced himself. His first thought was that the pacemaker had given out and she’d had a heart attack.

“The manager found her in the bedroom.” The detective gave a slight pause before continuing. “She died by strangulation.”

“Oh my God,” Aleesha whispered, turning into Marcus’ arms.

Darrel flinched. His chest rose and fell as he took several deep breaths. “Wait, wait, wait. Are you sayin’…are you sayin’ my mother was
murdered
?” he asked in a hoarse whisper.