Carnal Desires

Carnal Desires

Joanne

The Sisters, Part 6

Chapter 1

Joanne looked around the airport. There were so many people, she wasn’t sure if she would ever find Jules and Janine.

“Dammit Jules.” She heard her sister yell as she heard something thud on the tiled floor.

“Sorry, Jannie. I didn’t mean to drop the bag.” She stared wide-eyed at her once quiet and reserved twin sister. “I wish you’d soon have that baby. You’re becoming a freaking shrew.”

Joanne began to laugh and ran toward the women with the bulging bellies. Jules was about to have her second child and Janine her first.

“Must you two always do things together? Wasn’t being born together enough?”

The girls wrapped their arms around their younger sister. “Oh, my God, Joanne. Look at you.” Jules held her at arm’s length. “You’re stunning.”

Joanne blushed and lowered her eyes.

Janine fluffed her hair and laughed. “It’s black. Jules, do you see it? It’s black.”

“Yeah, I see it and I love it!”

Joanne ran her fingers through her short black hair and grinned. “I thought dad was going to shit a brick when he saw it. Mom just kind of stared for a bit and then said she liked it.”

They walked through the airport with their arms looped together.

“How long are you staying Jo?”

“I’m here to stay.” She giggled. “Mom and Dad will be home next month. I decided to come a little early.”

“You’ll have to talk to Billie. She just took her real estate exam and can help you find a house for Mom and Dad. Hell, she can help you find an apartment too if you don’t want to stay with either of us.”

“I’ve got a place to stay.”

Jules and Janine stopped in their tracks, pulling Joanne to an abrupt stop.

“What?” She stared at them.

“Where are you staying?”

Joanne began walking again. “With my new boyfriend.”

“Like hell you are.” Both girls chorused.

“Excuse Me?”

“We said,” Jules spoke up. “Like hell you are.”

“We are older than you and we will not allow it.”

“I’m twenty-four, Mothers. I can make my own choices now.”

Janine grabbed her arm. “You’re serious.”

“As a fucking heart attack.” Joanne smiled and grabbed her bag off the baggage track. “So…I need to wash up before my date tonight. Would you please take me somewhere I can rest for a while?”

“Oh, we’ll take you all right.” Janine grumbled.

“But you won’t be going out tonight.” Jules mumbled under her breath.

They walked in silence from the airport to the parking area. Jules walked around the car and squeezed in behind the steering wheel. Joanne shoved her bag into the back and hopped into the back seat.

“We’ll go to my house.” Jules stated. “Janine is staying with Vince and I until Matthew gets home.”

Janine smiled; pride pouring out of every pore. “He’ll be home in a couple of days. He went down south, where the wild fires are, to help out.”

“Don’t you always go with…?” Joanne questioned.

Janine patted her belly. “He didn’t think it was safe this time.”

“Oh.” Joanne stated, a hint of boredom in her voice.

“So…who’s the boy friend?” Jules asked.

“You don’t know him.”

“Have you known him long?”

“Long enough.” Joanne rolled her eyes.

“Aren’t you going to give us any information?” Jules voice raised a notch.

“No.”

“I think we deserve some answers.” Janine started to get aggravated.

“I think I deserve my privacy.”

“Humph!”

The remainder of the ride was quiet. None of the girls said a word as they drove the forty-five miles to Jules home.

Joanne looked around as they pulled up in front of the house. “Nice…” She muttered as she crawled out from the back seat. “Didn’t you guys ever hear of four door sedans?”

“Quit bitching.” Jules yelled at her.

Joanne held her hands up in supplication and laughed as she went to the back of the car and pulled out an overnight bag.

She followed Janine up the front steps with Jules close behind.

The door opened before they got there. Vince reached out and handed the crying VJ to Jules and sighed. “He’s been screaming since you left.”

“You’re his dad. Can’t you handle him?”

Vince raised an eyebrow. “Having a bad day, my love?”

Jules pushed past him and walked into the bedroom, with Vince close behind.

“Okay. I’ll bite.” He smiled and leaned his hip against the desk as Jules started to change Micah from his dirty chocolate coated shirt to a clean shirt.

“I’m tired. It’s already been a long day and then I come home to be handed a filthy, crying child.” She put VJ on the floor and walked over, pressing her forehead to Vince’s chest. “Maybe I’m the one who’s going to bite.”

“Well, if it’s me…?” He smiled his sexiest smile and made her laugh.

“Don’t get smart.” She playfully slapped his arm.

“I know what you need.” Vince pulled her close and kissed her. “A long hot shower and to let me get your sister settled in.”

“I need a long hot shower, but Janine can handle that b---->” She looked down at VJ who was looking up at her. “Let Janine handle her.”

Janine led Joanne to a small bedroom next to the one she was using until Matthew got back. “You need to share the bathroom with me, but other than that, it’s private.”

“Thanks.” Joanne said as she pushed past her and started to close the door.

Janine pushed the door open before it could totally close and walked into the bedroom.

Joanne was taking off her blouse and ignored her.

“Don’t you think we should talk?”

Unhooking her bra, she threw it on the floor, then removed her pants. Janine turned her back when she realized her sister was naked.

Joanne laughed. “Married. Pregnant. Still a prude. Wouldn’t you know it.”

“I’m not a prude.”

“Really? We’re both women and you just turned your back. For Christ’s sake Janine. We used to take baths together.”

“That doesn’t mean I want to see your breasts or your nether region.”

Joanne was right behind her. “You mean my ‘tits’ and ‘pussy’?”

“You’re crude.”

“And I’ll bet you tell your husband, ‘touch my nether region’. “

Joanne was tall like her mother and Sam and when Janine turned around, she was face to face with the tops of Joanne’s breasts. Backing up she looked up. “You can be as crude and crass as you like, but I don’t need to be. I’ve got a real husband and you just keep getting men that want nothing from you but sex.” She walked to the door.

“It’s none of your business. Now get out.” She held the door wide and stood just inside till Janine exited, then slammed it shut.

Vince came into the hallway. “Everything ok here?”

“Just fucking peachy.”

Joanne pulled out her phone and called the number she had been given by her current boyfriend. “Hey Micah. It’s me.”

“Hey sexy. What are you doing? I hope you’re getting yourself ready for me.”

“Now how did you guess?”

“I guessed because I can’t wait. I’ve been fantasizing about you all week.” He laughed. “Where and when do I get you?”

“I’d like to say now, but the where is the problem. I don’t know where the hell I am and the sisters aren’t talking.”

“Are you?”

“No…” She got quiet. “It’s none of their business.”

“Call me when you got the answers. I’ll talk to you then.”

“Micah…” The phone went dead, but she was sure she heard a female laughing in the background.

Chapter 2

Joanne stood at the window that gave her a view of the backyard and pool. It was so quiet and peaceful here, even if there were three other adults and a two-year-old.

The clouds were getting darker and the storm getting louder as the wind blew and lightning illuminated the early evening sky.

Joanne looked out her window. Wrapping her arms around herself, she shivered. She felt like a prisoner, not being able to go where she wanted without needing to beg for a ride.

She moved from the window when a vivid flash of light lit up the pool area that was beyond the wall. She thought she saw a person walking around. ‘Probably Vince.’

She opened her bag and pulled out her piercing bars. She put them in her nose, upper lip, lower lip, brow, and tongue, then smiled at the reflection.

Yeah, mom liked the hair, but the piercings were another thing. They weren’t discussed but she could see the shiver of repulsion go up her mother’s spine and more than once her father commented on how they made her face look dirty.

“It’s my face. I’ll do with it what I want.” She stuck her tongue out at her reflection.

She headed for the back door and opened it, getting knocked backward by the force of the wind and pounding rain.

Her shirt was already drenched and she took a ragged breath. “Guess I’m not going to hitch a ride.”

She walked back into her room and peeled off her wet shirt. The large tattoo, that covered her back, was a pair of large haunting eyes surrounded with carefully applied make-up complete with sweeping eyelashes and groomed brows. Underneath it, the words, I’ll always have your back, were done in script and bright red in color, and it gave the tattoo a prophetic edge.

The door opened and Jules stood in the doorway staring at her back. “Oh…”

“Something else. Isn’t it? Designed it myself.”

“Yeah something else.” Jules inspected it closer. “But, I like it. Not for me, but really cool.”

Joanna’s composure slipped a little as she glanced up at her sister. “You like it?”

“Yeah! I like it.”

“Wow! She can be civil.”

“Come off it Jo. I’ve never been against you. You do your own thing, same as all of us. It’s how…”

“we’re raised.” Joanne finished. “That’s what I always heard. Until I decided not to conform to the blonde hair, blue eyed, look at me, I’m pretty, mold. Now I’m a freak.”

Jules pulled her around and gasped when she saw all the piercings.

Joanne looked disgusted. “Same look I got from dad. He was horrified.”

“I’m not…”

“Yes, you are.” She got in her face. “Admit it. I’m the sister you wish you could send back.” Her voice started to raise and lowered by an octave. “If I didn’t look like you guys, you would have thought I was adopted. I didn’t think like you. I didn’t act like you. I didn’t go to church a hundred times a week, or act prim and proper.”

Jules turned around and walked out, slamming the door behind her.

Joanne sat down and began to cry. “But, I always thought maybe you’d be the one to understand me.” She whispered to the door.

Jules stood outside the door, leaning against the wall. Her breasts were heaving as her breath came out in gasps. She bent over and slid down the door, hunching into a ball. Her back began to ache and she went to sink to make tea.

Vince walked over to where Jules stood. Her head was lowered and the water was pouring into the sink instead of the kettle she held in her hands. He turned her around and pulled her close, waiting for her to talk. “I walked out on her. She reached out to me and I walked out. If I can do that to my own sister, what the hell will I do to our children when they do something I don’t agree with?”

He held her as she began sobbing, letting her tears wet his t-shirt.

“Please talk to her.” Jules looked up at him and he knew he would do whatever it was she asked. He couldn’t deny this woman anything.

He walked her to the bedroom and laid a blanket over her; kissing her forehead as he told her to rest.

He was walking through the kitchen when he heard a commotion coming from the vicinity of the spare room. “I don’t know who the fuck you are, but I want you out of this room right this moment.”

He heard a laugh and recognized his brothers voice.

“Trust me, honey, I don’t want to be here anymore than you want me here, but this is my room when I’m here, and my clothes are here.”

Vince chuckled and left before he was noticed.

Joanne stood her ground. “In case you didn’t notice, I was changing my clothes.”

“In case you didn’t notice, I need to change mine.”

Joanne glared at the hulk of a man in front of her. “Fine.” She turned around and started to undress.

“You aren’t really going to change in front of me, are you?”

“You can bet your sweet ass I am.” She stood in front of him and finished removing her shirt and then her pants.

Paul raised an eye in question; as if daring her to continue.

Joanne shrugged, unhooked her bra and carelessly tossed it on the bed. She hooked her fingers into the band of her panties and stared at him as she slid them down over her bottom and kicked them up into her hand.

She turned from him and grabbed up her dirty clothes and walked into the bathroom. “Now you’ve seen the show, you can leave the tip on the bed.”

She walked into the bathroom and closed the door.

Paul started to laugh as he stripped and changed his clothes. He had no idea who she was, but she was gutsy, and he liked that.

Before he left, he rapped on the door. “I’m leaving now, you can come out.”

“I’ll be out when I’m finished playing with myself.”

Paul burst out laughing and when she heard it, she had to smile. She turned on the shower head and let the hot water relax her aching muscle.

Paul heard the shower turn on and laughed again. He pushed the door open an inch. “I like the tattoo by the way.”

She really didn’t think he had taken that much notice of anything but her breasts.

“I like the eyes. Quite nice. But that one on your butt that says kiss this? If you hadn’t left, I may have heeded the call.”

He heard something crash against the door as he closed it.

Chapter 3

Vince sat by the fireplace when Paul came through. “You met another sister.”

“Is that what that was? I thought maybe it was a firecracker wanting to go off in my face.”

“From the sounds coming from the room, she may have.”

Paul blushed. “She’s something else, all right, but I thought it was the sister I met at your wedding that was coming.”

Vince nodded, pursed his lips, and raised an eyebrow.

Paul whistled. “Quite a 180 she took.”

He looked toward the room he had just exited. “Who pissed her off enough to rebel that way?”

“None of my business, and trust me, she has made it clear to everyone that there isn’t anything about her that is our business.”

Paul looked perplexed and challenged as he nodded, put his feet up on the table that already held Vince’s feet, crossed his arms over his muscular stomach and stared at the fire.

He finally looked over at Vince and stood. “Sounds like the rain is slowing up. I think I’ll take a walk.”

Vince smiled. “You do that, Paul.”

Joanne picked up her phone and pressed the numbers for Micah. “Hey Babe. I really need to get out of here. These people are driving me nuts. And…I miss you.”

“I hear you, Jo, but without knowing where, I can’t get you. Besides, in case you haven’t noticed, it’s pouring out there and the wind is blowing like a mother.”

“Tell me something to make me feel better.”

Micah sighed. “I miss you too. You’re my baby. I want to hold you and fuck you till you scream with pleasure and beg me to stop.”

Joanne was smiling. “What else?”

“I want to stare into those beautiful eyes as I pound your ass from behind.”

Micah stopped and Joanne thought she heard him moan. “Yeah, baby. That feels so good. Then maybe I’ll put you over my knee and spank you; turning that beautiful ass of yours red, then kiss that tattoo and make it all feel better.”

Joanne gasped. She could picture what he was telling her and knew he would do it. She was getting turned on. “This wasn’t supposed to be phone sex.” She laughed into the phone.

“It could be. It’s better than nothing when I can’t be with you. And…it’s not like it’s the first time we’ve been a little naughty on the phone.”

“Naughty?”

He chuckled. “Ok. It isn’t the first time we’ve been fucking nasty on the phone.”

“That’s the man I’m in love with.”

“Now take that phone with you, lock the door, and lay down.”

Joanne did as she was told.

“That’s my girl. Do everything I tell you to, and I want to hear it and you.” Micah was quiet as he heard her walk. “Are you naked?”

“No.”

“Why not? You know I want you naked as soon as I see you. You should never have clothes on when you’re with me. I’ve told you that. Now you need to be punished.”

“Yes, Micah, punish me.” Joanne stripped as she sat on the bed. As Micah told her what he wanted her to do, she did. She gathered everything he told her to and had her vibrator ready.

“Do you have everything?” He demanded. “Take a picture with your phone. I want to know you have it and that you’re naked and shaved.”

Joanne giggled then took the picture and sent it to him.

“Do you have video on that phone?”

Joanne looked at the phone. This was something new. “Video?”

“I want you to record this for me so that until I can see you in person, I can still have you with me, Babe.”

Joanne suddenly became hesitant.

“Are you still there?”

“I’m here, but I’m not comfortable with the video.”

Micah shrugged, but she couldn’t see him. “If that’s the way you want it. I got things to do.”

“Wait Micah.”

He smiled. “What?”

“Please don’t hang up. I’ll do it.”

She turned on the video chat. “Can you see me?”

“Beautiful. Just beautiful. Now make sure it’s wide view, because I want to see every part of you, and if you stop, I’ll hang up.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

“Hanging up will be your punishment, and I won’t talk to you for at least a week. Got it?”

“Yes, Micah.”

“Good girl.”

Inside, Joanne was feeling sick. She had never let him watch like this. It was different when they were in the same bed, but on a phone. Their games suddenly seemed dirty.

“OK, Babe. Spread those sweet legs so I can see what you’re offering.”

Joanne felt herself slipping away. Her actions were mechanical as she followed his every command. She knew he expected her to have an orgasm on demand, but she felt nothing.

Micah didn’t even realize how she was feeling because he was too into what he was saying.

She heard a beep on her phone and groaned. He must have thought she was enjoying herself because excitement was coming through in his breathless words and then she heard him. He was moaning loudly and knew it was her signal to do the same.

For the first time in their relationship or any relationship, she faked it. Her phone connection went blank because she had forgotten to charge it and instead of being anxious, she breathed a sigh of relief.

She curled up into a ball on the bed and cried. Her sobs wet the pillow.

Ten minutes later, Joanne was berating herself as she looked in the steam fogged bathroom mirror. “It’s your own fault.” She told her reflection. “You wanted to be different. You’re the one who wanted a life that no one else would approve of.”

She leaned her forehead against the cool glass of the mirror. “So why do I feel so bad about it?”

Chapter 3

She woke up to the sounds of birds. The rain had passed and the sun shone through the window. It swathed her face in warmth and put her night into the very recesses of her mind.

She stretched her arms high above her head and yawned loudly; releasing the tension of the night before.

After putting on her bathing suit, she began making her way to the pool. She could smell bacon frying and heard coffee brewing and realized she hadn’t eaten for nearly forty-eight hours.

She turned away from the pool and headed to the kitchen, wrapping her towel around her in a sarong.

Jules looked over her shoulder when she heard her. “Good morning Jo.”

Joanne looked at her as she turned back to the stove. “Good morning.”

“I’m sorry Jo. I guess I was being a bitch last night.”

“It’s all right.” Joanne mumbled.

“No. I need to apologize.”

“Because hubby told you to?” She was sitting on a stool at the breakfast counter that faced the stove. Her mouth was watering.

“Honestly?”

Joanne nodded.

“Yes, but before you say anything, hear me out.”

Joanne snorted with derision but continued to sit and watch her cook.

“Vince may have said I should apologize, but I already knew I had to. I guess you could say it’s pregnancy hormones or maybe you’re right and al-though I look like mom, I have a lot of dad in me.”

Joanne rolled her eyes. “You can say that again.”

“I have a lot of dad in me.” Jules smiled as she leaned her elbows on the counter so she could look into her sister’s eyes. I really do love the tattoo. I don’t hate the piercings, not my cup of tea, but I don’t hate them. I was just shocked. Had I known about them it wouldn’t have been so bad.” She took a deep breath and turned so she could flip the bacon and pour the egg and vegetable mixture into the pan.

“You look just like mom when you do that.”

Jules turned when she heard her. “Cook?”

“Yeah. You could be her sister, but you’re too short and fat.”

Jules picked up the towel and threw it at her. Joanne ducked and nearly fell off the stool. “That’s mean. I can’t throw it back at a fat lady.”

“I’m not fat you brat. I’m pregnant.”

“Prove it. I think you’re fat.” Joanne laughed.

“Give me a couple of weeks and if you’re still here, I’ll prove it to you.”

Joanne quit smiling and her eyes became shielded.

Jules smile faded. “Did I say something wrong again?”

Joanne. “Did you really mean I could stay here? It won’t be for long.”

“Unless you want me to take you to your boyfriend’s house…”

“He’s not home and I don’t have a key yet.”

“Great. Then we’ll invite Sam and Billie. We’ll get Uncle Chuck and Aunt Janie and the boys to come over. Hopefully Matthew will be home by the weekend. And we’ll have an old-fashioned cook out.” She was ticking things off on her fingers as she spoke.

“What do you say?”

“Sounds boring and …”

“Boring?” Joanne and Jules turned around. “It sounds…” Janine smiled and winked at Jules. “fucking amazing.” Her grin said she was proud of herself.

“Miss Prude is human.” Joanne said in awe.

Janine waddled over to her and embraced Joanne in a big hug. “I was surprised, but not put off. I think you’re beautiful no matter what you do to yourself. You’re eyes still tell it all.”

Joanne shuddered. “I hope not all, or I’m in trouble.” Her smile was forced and she suddenly looked sad. Both of her sisters were staring at her.

“Hey. I’m hungry. That plane food wasn’t that great. And I haven’t eaten since before I left Italy. I need nourishment.” She got up from the stool.

“Where are you going?” Jules asked.

“To get dressed.”

“Sit your ass back down on that stool.” Janine ordered. “We don’t dress up for breakfast.” She pointed to her flowing night gown that made her look even bigger.

“Good thing she wasn’t in the shower then.” Jules muttered.

“Hmmm.” Vince grimaced as he looked at Joanne. “That’ll take some getting used to.”

“You don’t like it?” Joanne stared at him.

“Frankly, I really don’t give a rat’s ass what you do with your body, but I’d prefer if my son doesn’t see his Aunty sitting across from him with a bar going across the center of her nostrils like she was some kind of Amazonian head huntress.”

“Would you like me to remove anything else?” She questioned as she removed the nose bar.

“I wouldn’t contest too loudly if you removed the lower lip bar, but that’s ok, I guess.”

Joanne removed the bar and dropped it in his coffee cup. “Have it. It’s yours.”

She walked away from the bar and went to the pool.

Paul was outside the door when he saw what she had done. As she walked past him, he grabbed her arm. “What the hell was that all about?”

“Is it any of your business?”

“You just treated my brother like shit. Yes. It’s my business.”

Joanne looked at her arm where he still had hold of it. “Do you mind?”

“Like I said. It’s my business. And little lady, you owe that man an apology. That and a cup of coffee.”

“Fuck you.”

“You only wish little girl. Get your sweet little ass in there and apologize.” He started to pull her with him when he felt a hard kick to his knee cap. “What the…?”

Unfortunately, it didn’t do what Joanne had expected and he only held onto her arm tighter.

“I told you to let go of me.”

“No. You asked if I mind. I don’t and I won’t. You’ll go in there and apologize and then I don’t care if you come out here and drown yourself or sit until you dry up like a raisin, but you will go in there.”

“I’ll go when I’m fucking ready. Got it Bozo?” She glared at him. Her jaw was tight and rigid.

“What is your problem? You come here to his house with a chip on your shoulder. You sit at his table for his food. You verbally abuse not just his wife, but his sister-in-law also. You then disrespect his request in the name of his son, and top it off with the insult of putting that thing in his cup.”

He took a breath. “And what the fuck has he asked of you sister? Nothing. That’s what he’s asked. He hasn’t ogled you even though you make it quite accessible to ogle. He hasn’t talked mean to you, and you don’t know what civil is.”

He stopped and looked at her tight jaw, the glistening of tears in the corners of her eyes and the tightness of her muscles, then shoved her away. “You know what sister? You aren’t worth fighting with. You don’t give a damn about anyone or anything but you. You’re a spoiled, selfish, immature little girl who wants to be grown up but hasn’t reached the maturity yet to accomplish it.”

Paul was heading to the back door when she yelled. “Fuck you, Mr. I don’t need you to like me. You or anyone else. I like what I am.”

“But do you like who you are?”

She ran at him and knocked him to the ground as she landed on top of him, punching.

Paul grabbed her arms and put them behind her back, then rolled her over onto her back, pinning her body beneath his.

“I fought in the war in Iraq and have gone back several times, but sister, I would rather be there and face the civility of the enemy than you.”

“Get off me.”

“You really don’t want me to do that.”

“I said get off me or I’ll yell rape.”

He looked up and saw Jules, Janine, and Vince standing in the doorway. “Try it.” He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “But before you’re done, I’ll have you off this ground and over my knee and I’ll paddle your ass like you need it to be done. Not like you like it.”

Joanne bit down on Paul’s shoulder. Her teeth sunk in and he felt it break the skin. “You…”

She wouldn’t have believed that a six foot five inch, two hundred twenty-pound man could have moved so quickly. Her teeth jarred together as he grabbed her on his way to his feet. Every stomping step jarred her bones, and she swore she could feel her teeth cracking.

She found herself lying face down across his lap and then felt his hand making contact with her nearly bare ass.

“If you like, you can count them out like with your lover boy, but I guarantee you won’t be getting off on this one.”

Joanne started to kick as she felt the first slap to her ass. She stiffened when she felt the second. By the time he reached the fifth, she was begging Paul to stop. The sixth slap brought tears to her eyes.

“Have you had enough and are you ready to act like an adult person?”

Joanne spit in his face only to find herself upheaved from his lap and thrown into the cold water. “When you’re ready to behave respectfully you can come in, until then, I’ll treat you like you treat everyone else. Like shit!”

He turned his back to her and walked away.

Joanne stared at his back. The cold water was soothing her sore butt and she wasn’t going to be ready to get out any time soon. She saw them all watching as he beat her and no one stopped him. They were probably all laughing at her, and she was leaving the minute she found her way out.

Chapter 4

“I’m telling you, Jules. She hasn’t eaten in three days. She needs to come out of there and eat.”

“We can’t force her. She’ll eat when she gets hungry enough.” Jules stated flatly.

“You’re as pig-headed as she is.”

“Look who’s talking!” She shouted as Janine left the room.

“God I wish you would have that baby. You’re driving me nuts.” Jules mumbled to no one since she was alone in the kitchen.

“I heard that.” The voice came from the doorway and got faint as Janine went up the steps.

Jules heard the outside door open and looked into the breezeway. “When did you get here?”

“Just in time to hear you yell at my wife.” Matthew hugged Jules. “Is she really being that bad?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “A little baby blues. A lot little sister. A little just getting frustrated.”

“Little sister? Which one?”

“Joanne.”

They heard a squeal and Jules saw a flash go by her as Janine ran into Matthew’s arms. “I missed you.”

Jules would have been jealous if she didn’t understand how they felt.

Joanne stood outside the house and peered in at her sister as she ran to Matthew. Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes. “I want that.”

“Is that real emotion I hear?”

Joanne jumped. “Don’t you do anything but skulk around this house all day.”

“Independently wealthy. Don’t need to work.” Paul smiled.

Joanne was taken aback by the smile. “Really?”

“No.” He winked. “But I own huge amounts of shares in the company and get to set my own hours.”

“Got any job openings?” She muttered, still staring into the house.

“Maybe. What can you do?”

“I know how to give a really good…” She trailed off as he cringed. “You pig. I was going to say massage.”

Paul blushed. “Sorry. I guess my mind went in another direction.”

Joanne started to walk away and wobbled. Paul grabbed her. “Are you ok?”

“A little dizzy.”

“When did you last eat?” Paul picked her up.

Matthew saw him carrying her in. “What’s wrong?”

“She nearly passed out. The stupid kid hasn’t eaten in almost a week.”

“I’m not a kid!”

“Sorry!” Paul spit out. “The stupid woman hasn’t eaten in almost a week.”

“I wasn’t hungry.”

“Bull shit.” He plopped her down on a chair at the table and walked to the stove.

Paul was chopping vegetables and beating eggs before she got her full bearings back.

She sat quietly and listened to the chatter going on around her. The smell of the food had her mouthwatering. “What?” She heard her name being called.

“I asked if you like spinach?”

“If it isn’t mushy. Dad said it was the grass the dog peed on.” She smiled at the memory.

“OOH. I remember that.” Jules laughed.

Paul marveled at how quickly they could forget how badly Joanne had treated them and return to just being a family. “Do you remember how he would get in the tent with us?”

“He would pull me close and let me shine the flash light.” Joanne laughed.

“And those stories?” Jules began to giggle. “For ghost stories, they were really funny.”

“Yeah well, who ever heard of a ghost giraffe on an iceberg?” Janine waddled over to sit with them.

“I remember that story. Wasn’t there something about a lion and a walrus?” Joanne asked.

“No, that was a different story. This was about sticking a zebra in a tree.” Janine was waving her hands like she was putting something up in the air.

“You’re both wrong. It wasn’t a ghost giraffe. It was a lost giraffe and the ghost was his mother leading him home.” Jules smiled smugly.

Janine and Joanne threw their napkins at her. “You were always such a smarty pants.” Janine was laughing.

“You still say smarty pants?” Joanne started to laugh. “I think Smart Ass would fit better.”

Jules began laughing with them and they sat at the bar trading remembrances as the three men now stood at the stove listening, and vying for the right to claim the best omelet.

The sound of a cell phone blasting out Three Coins in a Fountain stopped the banter. Joanne looked at her phone.

“Sorry. Gotta take this.” She walked into the bedroom, shut the door, and locked it securely before answering.

“Micah!” She nearly squealed into the phone.

She could almost hear him cringing. “You know that hurts my ears!” He bellowed at her.

Her contrition was instant. “I was just excited to hear from you.”

“I told you I wouldn’t call for a while.”

“I miss you Micah.”

“Me too. Why don’t you tell me how much?”

“Now?” Joanne hesitated. “Micah. It’s not like I’m alone in the house. Everyone is in the kitchen and can hear me.”

“Oooh…Makes it all the more interesting, don’t you think?” His voice got low and seductive.

“I don’t think.” She stared at the phone in disgust. “We need to talk, not have phone sex.”

“Can’t we do both?” Micah pleaded with her. “I loved the other night when you touched yourself and let me watch you on the phone.”

“It felt wrong. I was embarrassed and ashamed of myself.”

“Is my little whore getting a conscience?”

“I’m not a whore.” Tears sprang to her eyes as she suddenly realized what she really was to Micah. “Do you love me Micah?”

“Of course, I do.”

“Then marry me.”

“Wait a minute there. We haven’t seen each other in weeks.”

“Eight to be exact.” Joanne snarled.

“We can’t just jump….”

“Didn’t you ask me to move here with you? Didn’t you tell me you wanted me to live with you?”

“Yes, and yes. But, I didn’t say it was a commitment.”

Joanne took a deep breath. “Then how about I tell you it’s a commitment, Micah. How about if I tell you I’m pregnant.”

“Then I would want to know who the little bastard belongs to, because believe me, no whore is going to saddle me with some other guys fucking little bastard. Do you hear me?”

“I hear you loud and clear. Good bye Micah.”

Joanne quickly snapped the phone shut and she hit the switch to turn it off. Tears sprang to her eyes and she laid down on the bed, curled into a fetal position, the pillow pulled tightly to her belly, and sobbed.

The pounding on the door and the worried shouts coming from outside penetrated the sound of her tears. “Go away. Please.”

“Joanne Smith. Open this door now.” She recognized her sister’s voice, then heard a gentler one.

“Come on kid. Let one of us in. It can’t be that bad.”

Joanne was staring at the phone she had thought she had turned off. The message light blinked and she opened it up. Staring up at her was the video she had sent to Micah. It had been sent to every one of his contacts. Joanne screamed and fainted.

She didn’t hear the door being broken through, or the commotion of the people on the other side.

The shock Joanne felt when she saw the video, rocked her to her core. Micah, the man she had freely given herself to and the man she thought had loved her, had just betrayed her and treated her like a common whore.

Paul was sitting next to her on the bed. He had a cold cloth on her forehead. Matthew was checking her pulse. Jules and Janine looked worried and Vince was pacing. She didn’t deserve all of this caring, so why were they doing it. What had she done for them to still want to be near her.

Instead of voicing her thoughts, she said, “You all look like hell.” She whispered.

“You scared the hell out of me, I mean us, kid.” Paul couldn’t seem to stop looking at her and touching her face and hair.

Joanne looked up at him. Her brows were knitted in puzzlement. “Why?”

“Why?” She heard five voices all at once.

“For one, you’re our sister, sister-in-law, and friend.” Janine stated.

“And even though you may be a royal jackass and a miserable bitch at times, we still love you.” Jules put in.

“What’s going on?” Vince asked quietly.

“I can’t tell you.” Joanne averted her eyes so Vince couldn’t see her eyes.

Paul pulled her face to look at him. She flinched under his scrutinizing gaze and glanced away. “Everyone out. She needs rest.” Paul stated quietly, not taking his eyes off her.

They all looked at each other and then quietly took their leave. “I’ll bring you something to eat in about ten minutes.” Jules told her.

Joanne nodded.

The door closed with a gentle whoosh. Paul handed her the phone that had fallen on the floor when she fainted.

“Did you look at it?” She asked him.

“It’s not mine to look at.” Joanne glanced at the phone in her hand and then up at him. There was a slight hunch of supplication to her right shoulder.

Paul stared at her. “If you want me to, I will.” She hesitantly handed him the phone, looking away so he couldn’t see the look on his face. “I promise not to judge you, kid.”

As he watched the video his comments consisted of a whistle and a groan. “Not the most flattering angle.” He smiled weakly. “The good thing is that unless someone knows you well, they won’t know it’s you. The bad thing is that anyone who has seen that tattoo will know it’s you.”

Paul smiled and then grinned. “Of course, as shy as you are, I doubt that if you’ve shown it to very many people.”

Joanne once again burst into a fit of sobs and wails. Her chest hurt and she clutched at it as she cried heavy tears that made tracks down her cheeks. “I hate him. I hate him. I hate him!” She snarled as she continued to look at the phone screen.

Paul stood back, unable to think and find a way to comfort her. He walked over and sat on the chair across from her.

Thoughts of who the louse could be, were running through his brain. How could anyone do something like this to someone they professed to love? It doesn’t matter how shitty a personality they have. Still, maybe she is so bitchy and rude because of him and how he treats her?

Joanne sat staring at him and wondering what thoughts he was having. She waited to hear the words

“It could be worse.” He gave her a grimacing smile.

Joanne’s crying was becoming a sniffling. “How?”

“He could have sent it to your dad?” He scrunched up his face like he was tasting something really bad.

“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!”

“You Smith girls really like that word.”

Joanne threw a pillow at him. “Can you think of a better expletive to suit this situation, Mr. Jackass Idiot?”

“No…Fuck probably sums it all up.” He smiled at her.

“Seriously, Paul. What am I to do?”

All thought flew from his mind. “You called me Paul.”

“That is your name? Right?” She looked strangely confused.

“Yeah, but…That’s the first time you even remotely thought of something to call me other than…”

“All right. So, I’ve been an ignorant, smart-mouthed,” Paul looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “OK…trash-mouthed, selfish kid. But look where it got me? Nowhere but into deep shit trouble.”

The door opened at the same time they realized someone had been beating on it. “Joanne? Are you ok, Sweetie?”

Janine sat next to her in the space Paul had just vacated. “Honey, I know there’s something going on and if you want to, I’m here to talk to. Not as anything other than a sounding board. If that’s what you want?”

Joanne reached over and wrapped her arms around her sister. “I love you Janney. Thanks! But I don’t think anyone but me can get me out of this mess.”

“Well, I’m here. Matthew has training in psychiatry if you need some help that way.”

Joanne’s chest shook with her laughter. “It’s not a psychiatrist I need. But, I could use a good hit man if you know one.”

“I’m going to believe you don’t mean that.” Janine grinned, then turned serious. “Anything. I mean it! Anything.” She headed to the door and turned around. “Except a hit man. But Jules will have your omelet here in a minute.”

Janine stepped out and Jules stepped in with a heaping plate full of golden scrambled eggs, glistening with orange cheese sauce. A large pile of hash browns with peppers and onions, was on the one side, and a pile of toast that could have fed the whole house on the other. A second tray held crispy browned bacon, just like she liked it, a pitcher of orange juice and a carafe of café-au-let.

“You’d think I was eating for two.” Joanne sniffled.

“Just feeding two, Jo.” She nodded to Paul who appeared deeply interested in the book he was holding. “He hasn’t eaten either.”

She laid the platters on the small table, hugged Joanne and headed to the door. On the way, she kicked Paul’s foot. “Is the book good?”

“Yeah, not bad, but I think I’ve already read it.”

“Good thing. It’s upside down.” Jules turned and winked at Joanne, and then silently closed the door behind her.

Chapter 5

Paul stayed in his chair and watched Joanne until she had finished everything on the platter. “You could say something.” Joanne muttered.

“You can’t eat and talk at the same time. Not polite.” He stretched out the kinks forming in his shoulders.

“Paul…” Joanne hesitated. “I need to ask…” She hesitated again and then shrugged. “Never mind.”

“That’s not gonna fly sister. You can’t start something and then quit. You’ve got my curiosity piqued.”

Joanne shook her head as tears began to once again run down her cheeks. “I can’t.”

“Can’t what?” He got up and sat down next to her on the bed.

Her eyes were red rimmed and her nose was stuffy from crying. “I can’t go out there and act like nothing is wrong.”

“Then don’t act. Be honest.”

She stared at him, her mouth hanging open and her eyes bugging out. “What??”

“Be honest, Jo. For once, just try being honest. You may be surprised at how much they really understand.”

“Sure…” She rolled her eyes. “I go out there and announce to my perfect sister and her side kick, that I, unbeknownst to me, made a porn video and am now being threatened and blackmailed?”

Janine and Jules stood on the outside of the door, listening to see if they could find out what was going on. Jules had her ear pressed to the door and Janine had her head pressed up to Jules like she could hear through her sister’s ear.

“Oh, my God!!!!” Joanne heard the squeal as the door flew open. “We’ve got to tell Daddy, Jo. He’s a detective. He can help.”

Joanne turned her head away and yelled at Paul. “You stupid lunkhead. Why didn’t you lock the door when she left?”

“Leave him alone you little twit.” Jules pulled her head over to look at her. “This is a family matter.”

“It’s none of your business, and it’s definitely none of his.”

“You little ass.” She hissed. “You come into my home and act like you own the joint. You treat us all like shit, then have the nerve to tell me to fuck off when I find out what it is that is bothering you?” Jules stood to her full five foot three, and waving her finger in front of Jo’s nose, she put on her best mother voice. “No! I will not fuck off and let you alone. You need me. You need him. You need all of us, and like it or not you’re going to get that help. And if you don’t like it, well then…” She looked like she was deflating. “well then…you can…you can…well, you can just hole up in here until you starve to death, because you’ll be locked in until you let me help.”

Joanne was looking at her. Her head was cocked to the side, and suddenly she started to gurgle. The gurgle turned into a giggle, and then it turned into a full out laugh. “You look like a short mom.”

Jules put a pillow over Joanne’s head and pretended to try to smother her. “This is what happens to all demon children.” She flipped over, sat heavily on the bed and slapped Joanne, leaving a hand print on her face.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

Jo was rubbing her cheek and neither realized Paul had left the room only to be replaced by Janine who was sitting on the opposite side of the bed. Before she thought, Joanne reached out and pulled her sisters to her. “We need a family meeting.”

An hour later, Samantha was sitting in the room, along with Aunt Janie and Uncle Chuck. Joanne was hiding her face, her embarrassment bringing a bright red hue to her entire body.

“It was fun at first. It was dangerous and exciting and I never thought anyone would find out. I thought he loved me.”

Chuck sat in the corner of the room listening, while Janie talked to her. “You really need to talk to your mother and father, Hon.”

“I can’t tell Daddy and Mommy, Aunt Janie. They would be so disappointed.”

“You’d be surprised how understanding they can be.” Samantha spoke up for the first time. “When any of us have been in trouble, they were always there. This time won’t be any different.”

Chuck rose and walked out of the room. “He’s mad at me.” Joanne’s voice hitched.

“He’s not mad. A little disappointed, but not mad.” Aunt Janie put in.

“He hates me.” Joanne began to sob again.

“Nonsense.” Aunt Janie held Jo’s hand. “He’s been there for all of us. He would never hate you.”

“Then why did he leave.”

The door opened and Chuck came back in. “You’re an artist.” He handed Joanne a pad and pencil. “I want you to draw a picture of him.”

“You mean an artist’s sketch like with the police?”

“As precisely as possible.” He opened a small tablet. “I want eye color, hair color, tattoos, full name, addresses that you know, phone numbers…anything you can think of, no matter how inconsequential it may seem to you, and I want it soon.”

“Yes sir.” Joanne lowered her head.

Chuck started to walk back out then turned around. He walked over and grabbed Joanne’s hand. “Joey, I’ll get this guy.” Pushing her hair back from her brow, he placed a kiss on her forehead.

Joanne looked around the room as one by one the others left. She reached out and grabbed Jules hand. “Where’s Paul?”

“He left quite a while ago.” She sat back down. “Should I tell him you want him?”

“No.” Jo rolled over onto her side and curled up into a ball. She soon fell into a fitful sleep as the tears dried in streaks down her cheeks.

Janie put a blanket over Joanne’s thin form and smoothed her brow. She kissed her softly and tiptoed out of the room, vowing that she would see the man that hurt her niece, in hell.

Paul sat outside of her window. He kept his head cocked to the side so he could hear if she was still crying or if she needed him. “What the fuck!” He roared as he stubbed out his tenth cigarette in as many minutes.

He looked at the barely smoked stems that were quickly piling up in an empty can he had grabbed from the trash when leaving.

He ran his hand through his hair then laid his head in his hands. He was shaking his head, eyes closed and mumbling to himself, never realizing he was about to have company.

“Paul?” The male voice startled him.

He looked up at the well-groomed, well-muscled man and grimaced. “Yes sir?”

The man reached out his hand. “Name’s Chuck. I’m Joie’s uncle.” He stared at Paul for a moment. “I work with Joie’s dad. I run the local office.”

He had known this family for years now, but this was the first time he actually got to talk with him. A quick, ’Nice to meet you, sir.” At a wedding or a christening, wasn’t actually talking. “Is there something I can help you with?” He pointed to an empty chair in a silent invitation to join him.

Paul almost stood in reverence as he waited for the man to sit down. He knew of his reputation as a famous football player, and as a kid, he wanted to emulate him and be like him. He had to shake himself out of his reverie.

“What do you know about this Micah?”

“He’s scum.” Paul stated absently.

“That’s obvious.” He smiled. He liked this guy. “but I need to know if Joie said anything that we can use?”

“To be honest, we didn’t do a lot of talking. A lot of fighting. A lot of name calling.” He shrugged. “And boy do those girls like the word fuck. She told me to do that to myself more than once.”

Chuck was laughing. “Sounds like you know her pretty well. And their choice of words isn’t one of their better habits. But they more than make up for the bad habits they have with their good habits.”

They were silent for a moment as the men assessed each other. “What do you feel for my niece?”

“Sir, I’ve only known her for about a week, which is enough to say she is not what I’m looking for as a wife, but she’d be a hell of a lot of fun as a side kick.”

Chuck frowned. “Your sidekick?”

“Not like that. I think we could be really good friends if she would come down to earth long enough for us to talk.”

“What did you talk about? You and Joie? Did you talk about this guy and what was going on?” Chuck wanted to bring the conversation back to Micah. “Did you hear his voice on the video?”

“I don’t remember.”

“She offered her phone to you?”

“Yes sir.”

“Interesting.” Chuck muttered. He got up from his chair and walked away.

Paul watched him leave without even saying thanks. He sat and thought about what he had asked him. “His sidekick?” What the hell did that mean?

Paul heard a whimper from the open window. He stood and tried to look in but the curtain was drawn.

“This is stupid. I’m going home.” His hand was going through his hair again as he walked around the pool and was heading to the gate that separated his house from Vince’s.

He stood looking at the gate as he reached for the lock. Something snapped inside and he turned and ran back into the house and into Joanne’s room.

Chapter 6

“Does he know where you are?”

Joanne looked up at him. It seemed she was dreaming. Only ten minutes ago, she was wishing he were here.

“I didn’t know where I was. How could I tell him?” She snapped.

“Does your phone have GPS? He may have tracked you.”

“He made a fucking video. He didn’t try to kidnap me.” Her voice was rising.

Paul sat heavily on the chair. “Any man who would do that, will do other things. What aren’t you telling me Jo?” He got up and sat on the bed next to her. “You’ve left something out with this story.”

Joanne looked away. She didn’t want him to see her shame.

He lifted his hands and placed them on her upper arms. “Look at me!”

Joanne ignored him and he gently shook her. “Look at me, dammit! You’ve shared everything with me and everyone else. Now tell me all of it.”

“It’s not the first video he made.” She pulled away. “Alright? Is that what you want to hear?” She turned her back and grabbed a tissue, noisily blowing her nose, then turned back. “He wanted a threesome. Himself, me, and another man.” She shuddered. “I didn’t know it was being taped.” She looked up at him. “It was fun and exciting. He loved me and I wanted to please him. Then it got dirty. I wanted to get away.”

“Is that why you came after him? Because you wanted to get away?” He shook his head with disgust. “Trash…”

“Right. I’m nothing but trash. You aren’t the first to say that.” She pushed him off the bed. “Go away!”

“No. I didn’t say you were trash. I was saying he was trash.” Wasn’t he? He thought he was.

“He was going to send them to my dad. I was bringing money to him. I thought he loved me. He said he wanted to marry me. Then he said he needed money and he knew my family was rich. He had them researched. He wanted fifty thousand dollars to keep quiet. I gave it to him from my account. He said he loved me again.”

“He’s threatening you?” Paul’s face was red with anger.

Joanne had shut down. She wasn’t talking anymore but was sitting on the bed, her arms wrapped around her knees, and rocking back and forth. “He said he loved me.”

Paul shook his head and backed toward the door. “I’ll be back. Don’t go anywhere unless I am with you. Not even to the pool.” Paul walked over and grabbed her shoulders. “I said, do you hear me?”

“I hear you. How could I not hear you? You’re fucking screaming at me.”

He backed off and tried to smile, but he couldn’t. “I’ll be back.” He ran out of the room.

Paul found Janine and Jules sitting in the living room, playing with VJ. “She needs you two.” Paul turned to leave. “Where’s Chuck?”

Both girls pointed to the den.

Paul blasted into the den. “He’s blackmailing her. That filthy piece of shit is blackmailing her. Threatening to show the tapes to her dad.” He sat. Tears were glistening in his eyes.

“How can a man do that to a woman?”

Vince and Chuck shook their heads. The same question circling in their minds.

Chuck’s head popped up. “Videos? With an S?”

Paul nodded.

“Fuck a duck!” Vince blurted.

“I’ll second that.” Chuck mumbled as he pulled out his cell phone. “We’ve got a real problem here and I need the utmost of discretion in handling it.” Chuck walked out of the room as he continued his conversation.

Vince looked at Paul. The look on his face asked all the questions and weren’t needed to be voiced.

“I don’t know Vince. I only know she needs our help, and for some unexplainable reason, I think I need to be the one who protects her till it’s over.”

Vince nodded and smiled weakly as he handed Paul a snifter of brandy. They saluted and drank quickly, tipping the bottle to refill the empty glass.

As her sisters came into the room, Joanne looked up. “Where’s Paul?”

“He’s in the den.”

“I need to have Paul here. I’ve got to tell him. Joanne bellowed at her sisters who were getting ready to sit down. “I want Paul.”

Janine waddled from the room in search of Paul.

Five minutes later he was back, and he shooed the girls away.

Joanne held up her hand for him to stay quiet. She was ready to talk and she wanted to tell him everything before she lost the nerve. “I met him in Paris two years ago,” She swallowed hard. “He was handsome and someone Mom and Dad wouldn’t approve of. Dark hair that hung in his eyes. Muscles on muscles. He had the cutest tattoo on his eyelids. ‘Quiet! Sleeping!’”

Joanne closed her eyes. “It was fun at first. He showed me it was okay to not be inhibited. It was okay to be yourself. Until I realized what was going on, I wasn’t me anymore, but the puppet he was creating. He said jump, I jumped. He said kiss, I kissed. Anyone he told me to.”

Joanne began to turn red from embarrassment. “I guess, in a way, we were in a master and sub relationship. He would spank me and make me beg him to make love to me. I had to always be and do what he wanted and it was easy. Then he changed. He started wanting more and more from me. He wanted me to bare myself in public for him. He wanted me to…”

She hesitated and Paul sat down beside her. “You don’t have to say this. I don’t need to know.”

“I need to tell someone. I trust you.” She smiled weakly. “Even if you are a lunk head.”

“I’m outta here.” He teased her and she grabbed his hand to stop him.

“He wanted me to wear a collar and act like a dog when we went to ‘meetings’ as he called it. I had to be naked.” She took a deep breath. “The men would pat my back or my ass and comment on what a pretty little pet he had. Others got bolder and touched my breasts or other parts. I got upset and tried to tell him I was through and he showed me a video of a man being led around the same as I and how everyone laughed when the woman leading him ordered her pet to hump me. I was humiliated. But, I guess that’s what they wanted.”

“Do you hate me, Paul? Am I just trash? Like they said?”

Paul pulled her head to his chest and felt her tears wetting his shirt. “The bastard better hope I don’t see him first. He’ll be dead.” He whispered into her hair.

Joanne looked up into his eyes and saw only sadness. She tentatively put her lips to his and kissed him softly. “I wish I had met you first.”

“You weren’t ready for me, Jo. I don’t even know if you are now. Hell, I don’t know if I’m ready.” He dropped backward on the bed and put his arm over his eyes.

“It’s okay, Paul.” Joanne curled around him and put her head on his shoulder. “Just please be my friend. I can really use one. I’ve never had one.”

Paul looked at her in shock. “Never?”

She slowly shook her head, her hair tickling his neck. His arm tucked around her and he pulled her close in a protective embrace. “You do now, Jo. You have a friend in me.”

He heard her mumble something about Toy Story and a song, she didn’t say anything else. He realized she had fallen asleep. Her face was relaxed and he saw the beautiful woman she was. He also realized he may just be falling in love with her. Trying to extricate his arm without disturbing her, she sighed and snuggled closer. He gave up his struggle and pulled the blankets around both of them.

Chapter 7

Joanne awoke to the pounding on her door. She felt the heaviness across her breasts before she realized it was Paul’s arm. Sometime in their slumber, he had rolled over and tucked her in and almost under him. She kissed his cheek.

“Come in.” She said as softly as she could, trying not to disturb Paul.

Chuck walked in, his keen eyes taking in the situation. “You all right?”

“Yeah. I’m fine now, Uncle Chuck.”

“Good.” He tousled her hair. “I like it, by the way. Makes you look a little like me.” He pointed to his own coal black hair, and Joanne smiled.

Joanne smiled. “But mine does haven’t all those little gray curls.”

“You’re a wise ass child. You’re one of those that helped me earn those white curls.”

He sat down and his voice changed. “I think we’ve found some clues.” He finally stated.

Joanne wasn’t able to respond as her breath suddenly left her, and she sat up quickly, which awakened Paul.

Paul jumped up. “We’ll be out in a minute.”

Chuck understood, and with just a nod, he backed out of the room.

“You’ve got to be honest with me, Jo. When we were talking last night…Was it all true?”

She looked skeptically at him. “Would I make it up?” The fire was in her eyes again.

There was the Jo he was starting to know. She was full of fire. “As you drifted off, you said about a baby.”

She nodded and looked away.

“Don’t hate me for this next question.” He put his hands on her shoulders and leaned down to look her in the eyes. “Do you know who it belongs to?”

She started to struggle with him then stopped. “I know who it might belong to. He didn’t believe in condoms.” She started to cry. “I only did it for him!”

Paul couldn’t stand to hear her cry anymore. He grabbed her arms and hauled her against his chest. His kiss was meant to soothe but it took a wrong turn. He kissed her hard and passionately. He felt her respond and tremble as he pulled her close.

Joanne could feel his erection pressing into her belly. His kiss was making her dizzy. When he pulled away, she wanted to pull him back.

What was he saying? Joanne couldn’t make out the words.

“Do you understand? It’s mine, if anyone asks. I met you at the wedding. Remember?”

She nodded numbly.

“I travel a lot. Maybe we could say I met you again in Rome.”

“I can’t and I won’t do that to you.”

“I’m doing it for you.”

“No.” She yelled. “I have always been honest, up until now that is, and I plan on staying that way.”

He reached his hand out to her and she grasped it with all her strength. “Have it your way, but if you need anything, I’m here.”

He walked her to the door and, still holding her hand, they walked up to the door to the den and strode in without knocking.

Uncle Chuck sat in the large leather chair watching them as they entered. He nodded to the sofa and they sat.

The words flowed fast and furious. She told the same story to Chuck that she had told Paul.

Finished with her story, she then leaned back against the cushions. She expected to see censure in Uncle Chuck’s eyes. She was waiting for Paul to walk out again.

Chuck picked up his phone without saying a word. He spoke a few words then placed his hand over the mouthpiece, “Do you have that drawing ready?”

She nodded. He gave her the thumbs up and smiled.

“OK Joie girl. This is what happens next. We know who the guy is. Unfortunately, you aren’t the first woman to be mistreated and duped by this creep. Fortunately, you’ve got a family that will protect you.’

He moved his chair close to her. “We need to include your father.”

“No.” She was vehemently shaking her head. Her eyes were wide with fear.

“That wasn’t a question.” He stared into her terrified eyes. “We won’t tell him any more than he needs to know. We don’t want emotions getting tangled up in this.”

She wavered then lowered her head in acquiescence. “I don’t know if I can face he and mom. Their disappointment. Their censure.”

Chuck ignored her self-condemnation.

“We’ve got other things to worry about right now. You played the game, and now we need it to end.’

Chuck was in his business mode and he had a mystery to solve. “We can use his past against him, but he’s going to try to turn it around. You’ll be the perpetrator not the victim.”

“I understand.” Joanne barely whispered the words.

“Do you, Joie?”

She reached over and pulled Paul’s hand into her lap, which did not go unnoticed by Chuck. “I know that no matter what happens, my family will always be my family and my friends will still be my friends.”

She looked at Paul who sat stoically, but holding onto her hand like he was her lifeline.

Chapter 8

Joanne looked around the room, and squirmed. She was five foot nine and yet she felt like a munchkin next to these three men. All of them were well over six feet and built like football linebackers. Where did these women find them?

She glanced at Paul, who sat next to her, an identical look of concern on his face that was on Vince’s and Uncle Chuck’s faces. A smile played across her lips but then what started out as a giggle became full-blown laughter..

Uncle Chuck turned to her and saw the look on her face as she looked at the three men, and he must have realized what it looked like because he began to laugh. “Like the lamb amongst the lions.” He looked at her as he spoke.

“Not quite what I was thinking but, it’ll work.” She looked contrite. “I’m sorry. I guess the laughter is bad timing.”

Vince smiled. “I don’t know. Jules always laughs when it looks like everything is crumbling around us. She says laughter is…”

“good for the soul.” Matthew had walked into the room and finished the sentence. “Sorry. It got quiet. I was afraid the she-devil had murdered all of you, and I didn’t want any blood anywhere that your wives would have to clean up.”

“Funny Matthew. Not well timed, but funny.” Paul rolled his eyes.

“As a doctor, I reserve the right to be funny. My timing only counts when it comes to surgery.” He got serious. “Speaking of timing. Unless I am mistaken, you’ll be hearing the bellow…”

“Vince!!!!!!!”

Vince got up and ran through the house. Jules sat on the stool at the counter with a watch in her hand. “They’re about fifteen minutes apart. I think we’re going to have our little girl tonight.” She looked calm.

Vince felt his legs begin to shake. It was just like when VJ was born. She was calm and composed and he was a nervous wreck.

His legs gave out as he slowly sank onto the stool across from her. His hands were shaking and he was running them through his hair and causing tiny spikes to stand up. “How long?”

“Are you all right?” She came around and hugged him.

“I’m fine. We’re having a baby, but I’m fine. I should be asking about you. Do you…Are you…I mean…Hell, I don’t know what I’m asking.”

Jules laughed, then bent over as another pain, and a bout of nausea hit. “I’m packed. I’ve called the doctor, who is calling the hospital. He said he will meet us there in a couple of hours, unless the pains get closer.” She looked concerned as she doubled over for the second time in less than two minutes. Her stomach heaved and she threw up all over the counter and the floor.

Vince looked shocked and he yelled for Matthew. Six pairs of eyes looked through the door, after hearing the desperation in his yell.

Jules was covered in sweat and breathing heavily. Matthew grabbed her hand and held on. “How often.”

“Two minutes…maybe less.” She looked at the mess on the floor. “I’m sorry.”

Her stomach began to roil again and she started vomiting again. The pain was so intense, she yelled out.

Matthew grabbed her again and, with Paul’s help, they took her into Joanne’s room.

Vince didn’t move. Someone had glued his feet to the floor, and he was gaping like a fish out of water.

Joanne pushed him away from the counter and sent him into the bedroom with Jules. She and Janine got to work cleaning up the mess.

“I’ll call an ambulance.” Paul began to move from the kitchen as Janie and Chuck came in.

“There’s no time for that.” Janie looked at the mess the two girls were cleaning up. “From the looks of that, the baby will be here before they are.”

Jules writhed in pain, as Vince looked on helplessly. The pains were nonstop and she couldn’t stop throwing up.

His eyes pleaded with Matthew.

“She’s okay Vince. Get me lots of towels and a white sheet.”

“Hot water. You need lots of hot water.”

“Okay.” Matthew didn’t look up, but he saw Jules smile and the ‘thank you’ she mouthed to him.

As Vince walked out, he told her, “He needed something to do.”

She started to smile as another pain ripped through her abdomen. “It’s coming, Matthew. I’m sorry.”

Matthew saw the head crowning, and he called to Janine. She, Janie, and Joanne came into the room. Joanne about fainted, but the other two sat on either side of Jules and held her hands. Joanne came over and wiped a cool towel over her face.

Matthew looked up and told her to push.

As Vince came back into the room with the towels and the sheet, Matthew looked up at him and smiled. He took the sheet and wrapped up the squirming little girl. “She’s perfect, Vince, but we need another sheet.”

*

The ambulance pulled away with its four passengers and dad following closely behind.

“Why didn’t she tell us, it was multiples?” Janine asked.

“She said she didn’t know.” Joanne sat next to her sister and hugged her tight. “I wonder if I’ll know when the time comes.”

“I’m sure you will. But you’ve got a long time for that.”

Joanne looked at Paul. “Not that much time, I’m afraid, but a lot more than you.”

She got up and walked away. Paul excused himself, and Matthew looked after her. Janie was the first to catch the inference and she ran up and grabbed Joanne’s arm. Swinging her around, she crushed her to her breast and smoothed her hair as the tears began to run down her cheeks. “I love you, Joie. And I’m here when you need me.”

“Wait!” Janine jumped up as quickly as a pregnant woman could. “You mean that you’re pregnant? And you didn’t tell us? Why?”

“Haven’t I put you through enough already?”

“You stupid ass!” Janine smiled. You’re here. We’re here. This is what family is for.”

Joanne began to cry as Paul’s arm went around her shoulders. He kissed her temple. “I told you so.” He whispered against her ear. “We’re all here.”

Chapter 9

How odd it felt to finally have all the secrets out. She remembered the adage she had heard at one time. ‘The truth shall set you free.’ Well she felt freer, but she was afraid it was going to be a long time before she would actually be free again.

That evening, Samantha showed up. She and Billie had been away for almost three months and they were finally home.

Joanne gave her sister and Billie a big hug.

Samantha took one look at the black hair, and smiled. She took a small ringlet in her finger and pushed it out of Jo’s eye. “You look good.” She cocked her head and looked into her eyes. “You’re different.”

Joanne flinched under her scrutiny. “You’re too much like mom.”

“Thank you.” Samantha laughed and hugged her again. “We missed you. Now we’re all together again.”

Paul joined the quickly gathering crowd and Vince was close behind. “Your mom and dad will be here tomorrow.”

The smile faded from Joanne’s face and a shudder went down her spine. “Where is Uncle Chuck?”

“He had to go home with Aunt Janie and the boys. He said to give you a hug and tell you he would be back tomorrow. Before your dad gets here.”

Joanne took a deep breath and nodded. Samantha was looking at the two men and then back at Joanne. She looked at Billie. Perplexity was written on her face.

Billie rolled her eyes. She had seen this face before, and it wasn’t good. Samantha was about to find out what was going on whether they wanted her to know or not.

Samantha was now working for her father, and she was one of the best investigators they had on their team. She did a lot of undercover work, and she was damn good at it. Billie was always there with her, and they made a hell of a team.

“I gotta go, Sam. I’ve got the Bridgeport closings at 8AM tomorrow.” Sam took her hand and kissed Joanne again.

“I’ll be back. Maybe I’ll come back as soon as I put Billie to bed.” She grinned at Billie and walked out the door.

“They are so in love. Even after…what is it? Ten years?” Janine was teary eyed, and Joanne just laughed and walked away.

Paul followed Joanne to the bedroom, and closed the door behind them. “Joanne…”

“I’m not in the mood tonight, Paul. I’m scared and I don’t want to rehash all of this with you.”

Her cell phone suddenly rang, and she stared at it.

“Pick it up. It may be him.”

She looked at the number that had come up on the scream, and she shivered. “I can’t.”

Paul opened the phone, and mouthed to her. “Talk to him. It’s on speaker.”

“Hi, Sweetheart. What’s my baby doing? Are you alone? You wanna play?”

“I’m not alone Micah. My sister is here. I can’t…”

“You’re a fucking liar.” His laugh was ominous. “You’ve got a guy there.”

“No. Micah. It’s not a guy. Just my sister. I can’t say much. I gotta go.”

“Turn the phone around and let me see her.” He waited a second. “I knew it. There’s no one there.

“Listen, my little whore. I expect you to call me back in ten minutes. You know that little video that I made. It has gone viral. I have another one for tonight.” He laughed again. “It goes viral in eleven minutes, if I don’t get a call back.”

The phone went dead. Joanne’s face was ashen. Her insides had gone as cold as if the hand of death had just reached inside. Her heart was hurting, and she felt the pounding in her chest. She could feel her blood pulsing through her veins and see the clouds form over her eyes. She slowly slid to the floor and she gave out a grief-stricken wail.

Paul pulled her up and held her closely. “Ten minutes. I have nine minutes now. I have to call or another video goes viral.”

“How many Joie? How many videos and pictures does he have.”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. A lot.”

Paul carried her into the bathroom and turned the shower on to warm. He stood in the shower with her and let the water calm her down. “Listen Joie. You need to call him back, and we need to record everything he says. We need to track this call and find out where he is. Do what he says. I’ll be here.”

“Paul…”

He looked deep into her eyes, and raised an eyebrow in question.

“You said you half owned the company. What do you do?”

“Now…let’s just say that I help people.”

“Before that?”

“I was CIA for eight years.”

She looked at him and kissed him tenderly. “I wish I were ten years older and I had met you before I met Micah.”

She walked into the bedroom and plopped her wet body down. Looking at the clock on her bed stand, she realized she only had two minutes left.

She removed her wet clothes and crawled under the covers, totally naked. She shrugged when Paul frowned. “I have to be naked when we talk. He’ll want to see. If I’m not, he’ll hang up and punish me by not talking to me for two weeks, but I can almost guarantee, he’ll be sending out more pictures.”

Joanne dialed the number and laid back on the bed. “Okay Micah, I’m alone.”

She had the phone on speaker. Tears were streaming down her cheeks, and yet she was so calm that Micah didn’t hear the slight hitch in her voice.

“Okay whore! You’re still my little whore. Aren’t you?”

“Yes Micah.” Paul walked into the bathroom and leaned against the door. He wanted to reach into the phone and kill the bastard on the other end. Instead he was going to stand here like a voyeur, and listen to her being raped, and claim that it was to protect her. Tears rolled down his cheeks.

Joanne gave Micah a panoramic view of her naked body. “You’re not smiling. Smile for me Baby. You know I love you.”

“I love you too, Micah.” She smiled and even with all the grief and heartache, she could feel a small amount of excitement beginning to build.

“Did you get my package?”

Joanne saw the small package on her desk, and realized that she hadn’t even looked at it when Janine had given it to her this morning. “It’s here.”

“Now open it.”

She ripped the wrapping from the package, and almost laughed. “It’s me, Baby. Your own personal Micah cock.”

Joanne bit her lower lip.

“Show me baby. Give me a blow job. Right down the throat. All the way in, like I like it.”

Joanne looked at the bathroom door, hoping it would fly open. She hesitantly placed the tip of the penis between her lips.

“Smile baby. Look up into my eyes. I want to see the pleasure you get from sucking my yummy cock. Do you remember, my little whore? You said it was yummy.”

She nodded at him and looked at the phone like she was looking up at him. “Yeah Baby. You know what I like.”

She saw him begin to move and caught a glimpse of a shadow off to the side. He slowly moved the phone screen, so she could see that there was another woman with him, and as he watched her, he was getting his very own blowjob.

“You, pig!” She hissed at him. “You make me whore myself, and you are with some bleached blonde bitch.” She threw the fake penis against the wall. “You disgust me.”

Micah began to laugh. He slapped the woman and push her away from him. “Do you really think I would sit around here and wait for you to quit playing the baby sister scene? I got needs. She’s willing to take care of them.”

He smiled sweetly. “You know you’re the only one I love. You’re my whore. No one can do what you do.”

She was suddenly seeing herself on the screen. He had another video, and it was of her face, looking up at him, and he was buried deep in her throat. “I love that mustache.” He chuckled and hung up the phone.

Paul heard something hit the wall and he pulled his hands from his ears. He couldn’t stand it anymore. He heard her voice raise, and he listened a little closer. Two minutes later, the phone came flying through the space beneath the door.

“Get your fucking ass out here. Do you hear me?”

“I think the whole house heard you. Are you…”

“Don’t you dare ask me if I am fucking all right. Do I look like I am fucking all right? I just had another video posted all over the internet. He has me watching him as I blow him.” She started to shake. “Do you think I’m all right? Answer me big man.”

Joanne punched him in the chest. “Did you see what you wanted to see?” She punched him again and he took a step back.

“Did you hear me give him a blow job?” She took a deep breath, and her eyes glowed with the fire of hatred. “Maybe you were in there getting off on it. Is that it? Did you have your hand on your…”?

Paul grabbed her hand before she could hit him again. “Do you really believe that Joanne?” She clenched her jaw, and he shook her lightly. “Do you?”

She started to turn away and he swung her naked body up against his. “If you really believe that…”

“What? That you enjoyed it? That it wasn’t a turn on for you? Because it sure as hell was for me, Paul. It made me feel alive. It made me feel like…like…” She took a ragged breath and pulled away from him.

Wrapping her arms around her middle, she whispered. “Go away, Paul. You’re a good guy. You don’t need a whore like me. I’m only good to be paraded around like the good dog that Micah wants.”

Paul flung her around and when he saw the pain and self-hatred that was written on her face, he backed away. Slowly he backed out of the room, and he never said a word.

He could hear her sobs as he headed through the kitchen and into the living room. He ran into Janine. “Go to her. She needs someone.”

“…” Janine couldn’t say anything. She was confused.

“It can’t be me. Not right now. Please Janine.”

Chapter 10

Paul walked into the den and grabbed the brandy decanter. His third glass in, Vince joined him. He was now tipping the bottle and drinking directly from it.

“A little thirsty?” Vince grabbed the bottle and took a long draught.

Paul grabbed it back. “Get the fuck out.”

“Don’t think so.” Vince shrugged and sat down. “My house. Remember?”

“Then I’ll go.”

“I don’t think so little brother. You not only can’t drive in this state, but I don’t think you should be walking either. Now talk.”

Paul told Vince the whole sordid truth, and Vince stoically listened.

“I wanted to hold her and let her cry. Even when she punched me, I only wanted to kiss away the tears, and hold her till she calmed down.”

He looked up through his alcohol hazed eyes, and focused on Vince. “How’s the baby…babies.”

“They’re good. Matthew is on the way home. Babies are all good. Just a bit little. They’ll be home soon.”

Paul was nodding and rocking on the chair. “I think I’m falling for her.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “She’s a fucking kid. I’m thirty-five years old. I’ve killed a man with my bare hands. I’ve been shot at and I’ve shot at people. I almost died when I got shot the last time. That’s when I retired.”

“Thanks for the recitation of your past ten years.”

“Don’t be a bastard. I need help.”

“You want my help?”

Paul nodded and put his head in his hands.

“Listen, Paul. You may be older, but I think you have both been through hell and back. That woman needs someone to trust, and for some reason, that I really don’t understand, she thinks you are the one.” He took a breath.

“You, old man, can’t do her any good right now, while you’re in a drunken stupor.”

He pointed to the door. “Go for a walk. Take a long swim. But fucking sober up. She needs a man. Not a whimpering self-pitying shell of a man.”

Paul focused on the second Vince and wobbled as he stood. “Thanks for nothing, Asshole.”

Vince laughed as Paul stumbled over nothing and cursed at the rug for tripping him. Five minutes later, he was looking out the window as Paul did a belly flop into the pool. He made sure he wasn’t drowning, and when he saw Joanne come out of the side door to the pool, he closed the curtain and went to call his wife.

The cold water helped to sober him, and Paul slowly pulled his wet and naked body from the cold water. Yanking his pants up over his wet legs, he sat on the bench that looked over the garden and felt the goose bumps raise up on his skin from the chilling air.

He felt the softness of a towel being wrapped around his shoulders, and the warmth of hands as they gently rubbed his shoulders.

“I didn’t mean it. I know you weren’t enjoying that.”

He heard the words, but he still couldn’t focus.

“Paul. I don’t blame you if you never talk to me again, but I needed to apologize.”

Joanne started back toward the house.

“Stop.” The word was barely a whisper, but Joanne stopped. Her back was still to him. “I know you didn’t mean it. It’s just…well…I’ve never had to face anything like that before…”

He washed his hand over his eyes. “I felt helpless. That’s not me. I mean, I…I’ve never been at a loss for words or actions.” He turned around and looked into the eyes that were looking at him.

Even her back seemed to have sadness in its eyes. “Joanne. I’ve never felt like I should protect a woman. I mean I’ve protected many people, even women, but not a woman that hadn’t asked me to protect them without paying for the service…”

He stopped and his hand was stretching out to her.

Joanne turned and ran into his arms. “Please…” Her eyes were pleading with him. She didn’t know what she wanted him to do. Joanne only knew that the only time she felt safe was when he was close by. “Don’t make me sleep in there, alone, tonight.”

She took his hand and led him back into the room. She laid down on the bed and pulled the covers back for him and he laid down next to her. Her head rested in the crook of his shoulder, like it was made to fit, and she sighed.

He felt a tear touch his skin and pulled her tighter against him. He kissed her forehead and she wrapped the fingers of her left hand with his right. “I just want to be held.”

Paul smiled and kissed the top of her head. “Sleep pretty lady. I’ll be here when you awake.”

Joanne stiffened with the endearment, and when he didn’t say anything else, her insides filled with a quiet warmth. Paul called her a pretty lady. Not his whore, or his bitch, but pretty lady. Her gentle snore reached Paul’s ears, and he slept.

Sometimes in the middle of the night, Joanne had snuggled in next to him and he could still smell the shampoo in her hair. It tickled his nose as he went from sleep to consciousness.

He looked down at the softness of her face, and he could make out the faint line of blond that was showing through the black on her scalp. He smiled as he saw the small imperfection.

She would hate it if she knew that he was looking so closely and he could see the chinks in her armor. But he had seen more than chinks over the last two weeks. That armor was crumbling and beginning to flake away.

Two weeks. Is that all it had been? Paul looked back over that time, and he couldn’t believe how he had changed. He wasn’t looking for a relationship. Hell, he didn’t even know if this was a relationship, or if it was just a case of being at the right place at the right time.

All he knew was that he wanted to protect this woman child. He wanted to hurt the person who represented danger to her, and to make sure she never felt pain again.

The covers had been thrown off, and he could see the lithe body beside him, even though it was just three in the morning. The moon was high in the sky and it illuminated the room.

He could feel her toes mingled with his and the way her hair tickled his nose, and he marveled at how he could feel so protective of her.

Paul smiled, and then he gently traced the outline of her hip bone with his eyes, not touching, because he didn’t want to disturb her sleep. He tried to picture her belly, swollen with child, and he almost laughed out loud.

A flash of lightning lit up the room, and he started to roll over so he could let the storm lull him back to sleep.

A lightbulb turned on in his head, and he woke up fully. It couldn’t have been lightning. He was just admiring Joanna in the light of the moon.

He jumped out of the bed, and ran out the door. He caught a glimpse of shaggy hair as the person jumped over the back fence. “Bastard.” He muttered. “You fucking bastard.” He screamed at the retreating figure.

He ran into the room and pulled on his shirt, and went in search of Vince.

Paul knew that Vince wouldn’t be sleeping well because he was excited to get Jules and babies back home, soon. He knocked on the bedroom door, and waited for the footsteps. Instead, he got a tap on the arm. “I’m not in there.”

“Sorry, Vin. I didn’t mean…” Paul turned around and his jaw was set. “What the hell?”

“I heard you creep up the steps. I was in the office talking to Jules dad.”

“Right.” Paul got deathly quiet.

“Right!” Vince headed toward the stairs and to his office. “Coming? Apparently, you need to talk about something.”

They no sooner closed the door, and sat down, “The bastard was outside the window taking pictures.”

“What????” Vince looked like he was ready to strangle someone. “How the fuck did he get onto my property. We’re gated. No one can get here unless they’ve been let in…”

“Barking up the wrong tree, Buddy.”

Vince’s eyebrow arched in question.

“Nothing going on. She just needed company.”

Vince took in the partially opened, and hastily buttoned shirt. Paul’s pants looked like they had been slept in. He nodded.

“I woke up and I saw a flash of light. I thought it was lightning until my sleep drugged mind…”

“Alcohol drugged maybe.” Vince put in.

“Maybe…” Paul shook his head in disgust. “Anyway… do you want to know or not.”

Vince steepled his fingers in front of his face.

“It suddenly dawned on me that it couldn’t be lightning because the moon was so bright, it’s almost like daylight out there.”

“Think it was him?”

“I know it was. The black shaggy hair, and that physique. He looked like he was strong enough, he could break her in half.”

“Guess he got quite a show.” Vince was staring at Paul.

Paul’s jaw was set, and Vince was sure he could hear his teeth grinding. “He didn’t get any show. I was laying there innocently. Just keeping watch over her.”

“Lying next to her?”

“Yeah, dammit. What the fuck’s wrong with you? Is this the inquisition of Paul?” He clenched and unclenched his hands.

“He’s shrewd, little brother. You’ve seen what he can do. He can probably turn any little picture into a scandal. She doesn’t need that, and neither does this family.”

“Always thinking about yourself. Aren’t you?” Paul jumped up and knocked his chair over and Vince just sat there. “Who the hell cares what happens to her as long as your precious family isn’t scandalized. That’s how it is?”

Paul walked over and slammed his hands on the desk as the door opened.

Matthew strolled in. “Can anyone join in or is it just for full blooded brothers.”

“Please join us.” Vince smiled.

“Get the hell out.” Paul yelled.

“I guess I have a choice.” Matthew sat down in the chair Paul had vacated. They all jumped when the phone rang, and all three looked at the clock. Had it really only been ten minutes since Paul left the bedroom.

The three men stared at each other as the phone rang again. “Want me to get it?” Matthew quipped.

Vince picked up the phone, listened for a few seconds, and hung it right back up. He turned to the computer and switched the monitor on. It took all of twenty seconds to pull up the site that Chuck had given him. “Chuck got an anonymous call. He said to check out this site.”

Paul was laying on the bed with his hand hovering over Joanne’s naked body. Joanne was licking her fingers and her face was masked.

“But…it didn’t…I swear…nothing…Hell, she’s got a freaking t-shirt on. Go check if you don’t believe me.”

Paul sat and his head fell into his hands.

“We need to get her out of here before that bastard can get closer. He’s smarter than we thought.”

Chuck called back two minutes later. “I’ll be right there. She’s going to stay with Sam and Billie.”

“I’m going with her.”

Vince shoved him down on the chair. “You aren’t going anywhere.”

“She needs me.”

“She needs to be safe, and you, my fatheaded brother, are too close to the situation to do what you were trained to do.”

Paul was about to argue when Vince stood up and looked him in the eye. Matthew stood next to him, and both put up an impenetrable force field.

“I’ll wake her up.” Paul went to move again.

“You’ll stay here with Vince.” Matthew put in. “I’ll get Janine up and she can get her up and help her pack.”

Chapter 11

Matthew gently awoke Janine and explained the situation to her. He told her the plan and exactly what to do.

Janine crept into the room and slowly pulled the curtains closed, as Matthew had told her to do. No one saw her, and she saw no one.

Quietly she roused Joanne, and wordlessly told her to get dressed and follow her.

She walked into the bathroom, turned on the fan and the shower, and closed the door, once Joanne had entered.

“What the…”

“Shhh”

Janine leaned in and whispered in her ear. “I’m going to flush the toilet and then I’ll tiptoe out. When I get to the door I’m to yell and tell you I need your help.”

“But…”

“Quiet. Just do as I say.”

Janine flushed the toilet and walked to the door. “Joanne. Hurry please. I need your help. I think the baby is coming.”

Joanne ran across the room and even though she thought Janine was crazy, she did what she said.

“Matthew isn’t home from the hospital. He had an emergency and I think the baby is coming.”

“I don’t know what to do.” Joanne pleaded with her.

“Stay with me until Matthew and the ambulance get here.”

Joanne followed Janine to the office, and both women sat down. Vince nodded as they walked in. “Listen up Joanne. This room is cleaned, but someone has made it possible for that jerk of a boyfriend of yours to get on my property.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

“I don’t care who the hell he is, but someone or something has tripped the alarm and it didn’t go off.”

The ambulance pulled into the circular driveway. Its lights were throwing their color show throughout the entryway and the siren would have awakened the dead. Joanne, dressed in a flowing nightgown, with pillows tucked beneath, was wheeled out of the house and into the ambulance.

The ambulance pulled away from the curb, and Janine gave a deep sigh. Joanne was going to be safe, and she was going to bed.

Paul had pulled the surveillance tapes and was going through them, frame by frame. Vince was standing behind him.

Sometime over the past hour, Chuck, Janie and the boys had come into the house. The boys were safely tucked in the upstairs room next to Janine, and Janie was hanging around in the den with the guys.

“Here!” Chuck pointed to a face that looked out of place.

“Nope. Just the gardener.” Vince put in. “Keep going through the frames.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.” Vince whistled as he did a close-up of the man on the screen.

“That’s the Dude who was jumping over the fence.” Paul was excited.

“Are you sure?” Chuck was skeptical.

“I’d know that scraggly hair anywhere.” He looked at Vince. “Who is he and how did he get in here?”

Vince looked defeated. “He’s the replacement security guy. I let him in.”

Chapter 12

Sam called Billie at work and filled her in on the circumstances. After listening to everything, Billie had an uneasiness in the pit of her stomach, that wouldn’t go away. She needed to get home and make sure Sam and Joanne were safe.

Pictures of Sam, broken and bruised, after her debacle with the brothers, were flitting through her mind.

She was blaming Joanne for bringing these thoughts to the forefront, but she couldn’t have known this was going to happen.

A strange car sat in the driveway when she started to pull in. She bypassed the house and went around back, parking in the alley next to the house. Quietly, she came in through the patio and the spare bedroom.

Hiding behind the curtains, she could see the scene unfolding in front of her, and she heard the sharp intake of breath that came from Joanne.

She had heard the sharpness in Sam’s voice, as she tried to talk to the other person, and she knew there was trouble. She peeked out into the living room, and she watched as the man violently shoved Sam into a chair, and he began to brutally kiss Joanne.

“Come on Baby. Show me how much you love me.” He pointed a gun at Sam’s head as he continued the brutal onslaught.

“You know how you like to perform for an audience.” She watched as he crudely grabbed Joanne’s nipple and then ripped her shirt down the front, to exposed her bare breasts. Let’s give little sister here a good performance.”

Micah turned and looked at Sam with an evil leer. “After all, it could be the last thing she sees.” He began to snicker.

He pulled Joanne’s hands behind her back and handcuffed her. He reached over and he started to squeeze Sam’s breast as Joanne kicked him between the legs.

Joanne fell backward as he hit her in the head with the handle of the gun. “It looks like little sister wants to join us.” He was speaking to Sam. “Maybe you like it when there is variety?”

He picked up the picture of Sam and Billie on their wedding day. “Yes. You do like it in more ways than one, don’t you?”

Billie was ready to kill when he got in Sam’s face. “Such a waste. A gorgeous woman who prefers women. Maybe you just never had a real man to teach you the joys of love.”

He ignored the crumpled Joanne as she lay on the floor, bleeding heavily from the gash in her head.

Through hazy eyes, Joanne could see Billie’s feet underneath the curtain, and she closed her eyes, hoping that Billie could get help before Micah could do anymore harm.

Billie was ten steps ahead of her. She quickly and quietly made her way to the kitchen, where she hit the speaker button and speed dialed Chuck. She was silently praying that he would pick up and just listen. On the third ring, she heard him pick up just as she felt someone behind her.

“What have we got here? An Amazon? Gorgeous.”

He grabbed her long hair and pulled her head back, positioning his mouth onto hers. Billie spit in his face, and slammed her foot into his instep, but he had a tighter hold than she realized.

Before she knew what was happening, he leaned down and kissed her even harder. Her lips were bleeding from the force of his mouth on hers. She spit in his face again. This time her saliva was full of blood.

“Bitch!” He slapped her along the side of her head and the gun’s butt grazed her eyelid.

“Bastard!” She roared. The pain in her head and eye nearly blinded her, but she wasn’t going to quit fighting. She knew the longer she fought, the better Sam and Joanne would be, and it would give Uncle Chuck time to get there.

Samantha had risen from the couch and taken the gun from the side bar. She pulled back the hammer and stood behind Micah. “Let her go or I shoot.”

He spun around, his hand still clenched in Billie’s hair. The gun was now pointing at her temple. “You want to risk your girlfriend’s life? I can shoot faster than you can think to pull the trigger.”

Samantha didn’t falter. She saw the phone laying open, and was hoping that someone was listening. “I said let her go.” The gun was lowered and it was pointing directly at Micah’s already erect cock.

His hand went down and he rubbed himself. “Here, I thought the whore was fun.” He whispered. “I’ll bet you really know how to please a man. You’re all woman.”

He clenched Billie’s hair tighter and he watched the revulsion on Sam’s face as he kissed her again. “Gonna shoot me? Or are you enjoying this?”

“Maybe I should make her writhe with her want for me, would that turn you on?” He flicked her nipple with the gun. “Or maybe you’re already turned on?”

“Let them go, Micah. I’m the one you came for.”

Joanne’s face was swollen, and she was staggering from loss of blood, but her voice was deadly quiet, and it was laced with acid. She came up behind Micah and held a small gun at the base of his neck. “Move a muscle and I’ll shoot.”

“Either way, I die. Right?”

Samantha nodded and stared him down.

“Then I guess I’m not going to go alone.”

Three shots rang out simultaneously. Frantic voices were shouting on the other end of the phone. The girls were screaming, and Micah laid dead on the floor. Billie looked up and realized there was blood gushing from Samantha, and she screamed.

She reached for towels to staunch the flow of blood coming from her neck, while tears rolled down her cheek.

Joanne was wavering, not taking her eyes off Billie and Samantha, but not willing to take the gun off Micah.

As Chuck came through the door, Billie threw herself at him. “She’s dead, Uncle Chuck. I think she’s dead!”

Chuck held her while he let Vince and Paul squeeze through. The house was in mayhem. Police, ambulance and family, all crowded into the living room.

Janine grabbed hold of Joanne and checked her head, making sure the wound was only superficial. They held each other tightly as they watched Samantha being loaded onto a stretcher. There were tubes hanging all over, and the paramedics had pulled out the portable defibrillator.

Janie held tightly to Billie as, in her attempt to get to Sam, she was getting in the way of the paramedics.

“Billie.” Janie talked gently, but Billie wasn’t listening.

Joanne walked over to her. “Look. That’s my sister lying there. Don’t you think we’re all hurting, too?”

Joanne began to sway. “Now calm down, because it’s not helping Sam. She’s going to need you tomorrow, when she wakes up.”

Billie looked at her and shook her head. Her tears stopped. “What if she doesn’t wake up?”, and abruptly passed out.

Joanne chose that moment to also pass out, as Paul reached her and caught her before she fell onto the floor.

Billie was put into the ambulance with Samantha while Paul climbed into the back of the second ambulance that was taking Joanne to the hospital.

Julie walked into the hospital, her husband following closely behind. “How is she?”

Janie shook her head and shrugged. “We don’t know.”

Billie sat in the corner. Her legs were tucked up under her and she stared at the floor. Julie walked over and sat down. “I know how much you love her Billie.” Her voice hitched with emotion. “It wasn’t all that long ago that Janie sat in this same waiting room waiting for Uncle Chuck to come out of his coma.”

Billie looked over at Janie. “What happened?”

“We prayed. We cried. We prayed some more. We even gave up a couple of times.”

Julie wrapped her arms around Billie. “But Janie never gave up. She was always sure of the outcome.”

“She will be all right.” Billie’s jaw quivered. “She will be all right.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Maybe if I offer to take her place, God will let her live.”

“Damn it Billie. Who made you into a martyr.”

Billie turned around at the voice she hadn’t heard in years. She recognized the woman, but she couldn’t remember who she was. “You know me, Girl.”

She sat next to Billie. “I didn’t teach you to be a weakling. I brought you up to be strong. You had it all against you, but you made it.”

“Mama? But you’re…”

“I haven’t left you. I am here for you, and that girl in there, needs the strong woman that you are, to stay strong for her.”

Billie looked at the space where her mother sat. Janie and Julie frowned as they looked at each other.

“Don’t give up on her. I promise you that she’ll be okay. Keep your faith, Girl. I have always loved you, and admired your guts. You are a beautiful woman, inside and out.”

Billie reached out to hug her, but she was gone. She stood and walked to the door.

“Billie, you can’t go in there.”

Billie ignored Julie and Janie as they tried to grab her hand. They felt themselves pulled back by their husbands. “Let her go.” Chuck said quietly.

Two weeks later, Billie was sitting on the chair next to the bed. “Hey, Beautiful. It’s time to wake up. Your sister is here. Mom and Dad, Aunt Janie and Uncle Chuck. You have a trio of babies to meet.”

“I just found out something, too. You’ve got to come out of this, if you want to hear this one.” She lifted Sam’s fingers and kissed them softly. “Maybe I’ll tell you now, so I don’t have to hear that squeal of yours.”

Billie glanced back at Joanne, who had just walked into the room, and then went back to Sam. “You know all those times we tried to have a baby? Guess what? The last time took.”

Billie took Sam’s hand and kissed her fingertips. “We’re going to be parents.”

She laid her head on the bed as Sam tightened her fingers around Billie’s hand.

Billie jumped up and let out a yell that brought the whole family into the room. Sam’s eyes slowly opened and she took in her whole family standing around the bed. “You just can’t get any sleep in a hospital.” She went back to sleep.

Conclusion:

Matthew crowed. “Unc is coming in to do the baptisms. He’s also offered to marry Paul and Joanne while he’s here.”

Joanne bristled. “I will make my own wedding plans when I am ready. I’ll not let my pushy family make them for me.”

Paul swatted her backside. “Does that mean you’re going to say yes? Or am I meant to be nothing more than a kept man to you?”

He lowered his head, and pretended he was upset. “I’ll only ever be a kept man. I’m just a toy to you. Use me and push me away”

Joanne rolled her eyes and walked away from him. “Whine, whine, whine. That’s all you ever do. I’m the one who’s going without the beer, and you’re the one who’s crying in it.”

She turned and jumped into his arms, as laughter burst out around them. “Make me an honest woman, Paul.” She looked into his eyes. “But…are you sure? I mean with the baby?”

“As long as it’s a little girl, just like her aunts and not her mother, I’ll be fine, because you, Honey, are more than enough for two men let alone one.”

“There is one thing, however, that we need to get straight before this wedding happens.” Joanne teased him.

He looked perplexed.

She crooked her finger and walked toward the bedroom. “How do I know that we’ll be good together?”

Paul laughed and picked her up, carrying her through the bedroom door. “If that’s all that’s bothering you…”

Their laughter echoed through the house.

As the bedroom door closed, so did the saga that is ‘The Sisters’.