Protecting Love: Chapter 26
Chapter 26:
Sheridan looked around the Youth Center gym, it felt
like forever since she had been here last. At least
it felt like forever to her. It had been six months
since Roger and Pierre were captured. ‘Six months was
forever, right?’ She thoughtfully asked herself. So
much had changed during that six months, so many
things. Where to begin?
It hadn’t taken long for Roger and Pierre to go to
trial, the wheels of justice moved quickly for the two
druglords. Sitting in the courtroom beside Luis,
Sheridan was more than surprised when the District
Attorney began announcing the charges. She was
horrified to find out that Roger and Pierre were
charged with almost 73 murders and attempted murders,
the DA made it clear that they were suspected of more
than the 73 charges brought against them. On top of
the attempted murder and murder charges they were
charged with drug trafficking and oh so many more
colorful and horrendous charges. She testified as a
witness for the prosecution. The trial lasted a month
and when it ended Roger and Pierre were condemned to
death.
The death sentence was overturned a week later to life
in prison without parole, the French were strongly
against the death penalty. Somewhere in the back of
her mind she knew the French government would
intervene, in France and most of Europe the death
penalty was cruel and unusual punishment; inhumane.
The French government had made such a fuss over the
death penalty case, they did eventually get what they
wanted but it may as well of been a waste of time.
As the two druglords were being transported a father
of one of their victims shot them in the head. Roger
and Pierre did have on bulletproof vests but they
didn’t do anything for the two men. Roger was
pronounced dead on the scene while Pierre was rushed
to the hospital. He was immediately wheeled into
surgery, his heartbeat had been weak going into the
operation. During the operation Pierre flatlined, the
doctors did all they could. Pierre was pronounced
dead at 2:47 p.m. Of course the U.S. Marshall’s took
a little heat from the government, who were getting
heat from the French government.
Alan C. Jackson, the shooter was an ex-FBI agent who
had been diagnosed with some mental disorder after his
son had been murdered, the drug cartel had put out a
hit on his son who was a Drug Enforcement Agent
undercover within the cartel. Jackson was examined
and declared unfit to stand trial, his defense claimed
insanity. Doctors for the prosecution and defense
backed the claim, for the next 15 years Alan C.
Jackson’s residence would be a mental institution, of
course his stay could be longer but that would come up
for review later on down the road, way down the road.
The departure time and route for the transport of
Roger and Pierre was unknown, the only ones who knew
were the four U. S. Marshall’s. The government though
that information was leaked to Jackson but they could
never prove anything.
At the time Sheridan didn’t know what to feel about
Roger and Pierre’s deaths. On one hand she felt
robbed, the fear she had experienced was something no
one should have to go trough. Luis’ life had always
been in jeopardy as her bodyguard, as well as hers and
anyone who just happened to be in the vicinity of her.
She had wanted them to rot in a maximum-security
prison for all the pain they had dealt out to her and
their victims. On the other hand she had seen enough
tv, read enough books and newspapers to know that
Roger and Pierre could run their drug empire from
prison. They could order peoples deaths and peddle
their drugs. Lord knows what kind of contacts and
connections they would make in prison. The two men
had a customer base in large areas of Europe, North
America, Canada as well as some countries in South
America. For these reasons Sheridan was satisfied
with the outcome of the whole situation.
Of course
she wasn’t naïve enough to believe that the deaths of
Roger and Pierre would cause the collapse of their
drug empire, someone else would rise as the new
leader. That was something for Interpol, the FBI and
the DEA to deal with. She wouldn’t worry about them
anymore.
As soon as the whole drug cartel fiasco was over
Julian threatened Luis with jail if he didn’t stay
away from Sheridan. Ivy quickly put Julian in his
place, Sheridan loved to think about the situation.
~Flashback~
“The weather sure is acting up, here it is winter but
it feels like summer.” Ivy commented. She sipped her
tea as she and Sheridan sat outside.
“I have an idea, how about we go change into our
swimsuits and go for a swim?” Sheridan asked. The
idea appealed more and more to her as the sun beat
down on her.
“I like your idea Sheridan, you go change and I’ll go
change. We’ll meet up at the main pool in about 15
minutes.” The women separated and went to change into
their swimsuits.
Sheridan and Ivy were swimming laps when they were
interrupted.
“I was wondering what you were doing.” Luis said in a
joking manner.
“Luis!” Sheridan squealed happily. He had been
working some crazy hours lately and she felt like she
hardly saw him. She swam over to the side of the pool
where he was standing. She held out her hand to be
helped out. He pulled her out of the pool
effortlessly, as if she didn’t weigh anything.
He pulled her up against his body, he didn’t care that
she would wet up his uniform. He hadn’t touched her
in so long. He wrapped his arms tightly around her
and lifted her up a little and took her mouth in a hot
and passionate kiss. Sheridan wrapped her arms around
his neck and fell to pieces in his arms. She moaned
loudly.
“You think they forgot about us?” Ivy asked as she
toweled off.
“I would say so.” Sam answered as he watched Ivy
towel off. Ivy was as gorgeous as she’d ever been,
her two-piece black bikini was sexy and conservative
at the same time. Ivy had taken very good care of
herself over the years.
Sam turned back to Luis and Sheridan, who were still
locked in a passionate lip lock and showed no signs of
stopping, at least that’s what they thought when he
saw Luis’ hands had wondered down to Sheridan’s rear.
Sam cleared his throat, trying to get Luis’ attention
but it didn’t work. He cleared his throat louder. He
watched as Sheridan and Luis slowly broke apart.
“Hey baby.” Luis said softly as he planted a chaste
kiss on her lips.
“Hey.” Sheridan said as she continued to try and
catch her breath.
“I see you and Ivy are having fun.” Luis commented.
“Yeah, we’re enjoying this weird weather. It’s hot
when it’s suppose to be cold, but it’s a beautiful
day.” Sheridan said as she put on a pair of Dolce &
Gabbana sunshades. “So, Luis I bet you’ll be sleeping
for awhile, especially after the long shifts you’ve
been pulling.” Sheridan guessed.
“Sleeping? I feel wide awake, I was hoping you and I
could go out.”
“I would love too.”
“I bet you would but I don’t recommend it if you want
Luis here to be a free man.”
“Julian, what do you want?” Sheridan asked, her
brother was beyond annoying.
“Yes Julian, what do you want? What hole did you
crawl out of?” Ivy venomously asked.
“You hurt my feelings Ivy.” Julian said a little too
dramatically.
“Really? I wasn’t aware that cold-blooded snakes had
feelings.” Ivy said in a smartass tone. Julian gave
her a hard look. “What’s the matter Julian, no witty
comeback?”
“I don’t have time for your bitchy routine dear Ivy.”
Julian retorted. “I came to tell Luis to hold up his
end of the deal and stay away from Sheridan or he’ll
go to jail.” He then turned to Luis. “Get off my
property and stay away from my sister or I’ll have the
kidnapping charges reinstated.”
Luis stepped forward towards Julian, ready to knock
Julian on his ass. Sheridan grabbed his hand.
“Luis don’t, he’s not worth it.” Sheridan cautioned.
She knew her brother would file charges against Luis.
“Yes Luis, don’t,” Julian said mimicking Sheridan’s
voice as best as he could, “by all means control your
boy toy Sheridan.” He remarked snidely. Sheridan’s
grip on Luis’ arm tightened.
“He’s trying to provoke you Luis.” Sheridan again
cautioned.
“Really Sheridan you must tell me what you see in a
man who is beneath you.” Julian sneered. “You’re a
Crane, a Crane woman and so you have a duty to marry
someone who can bring more money and power to the
family. But you don’t do that, instead you find
someone who should be washing your cars instead of
sharing your bed.” Julian grumped out.
Luis was about to rip Julian’s head off when Ivy made
herself known.
“ENOUGH!” Ivy yelled. All heads snapped in Ivy
direction. She was enraged, that much was clear.
“This is none of your business Ivy.” Julian stupidly
said, unaware of Ivy’s demeanor. Sheridan, Luis and
Sam exchanged looks, Julian was dumber that they all
thought. They all recoiled when Ivy smacked Julian
extremely hard across the face. She hit him so hard
he stumbled back a couple of steps.
“How dare you presume to tell me this is none of my
business?!” She screeched. “I’ll be damned if I let
you push Sheridan into a loveless marriage. Luis is a
good man, something you could never hope to be.
You’re going to leave them alone, because if you don’t
I’ll start telling some of the family secrets.” Ivy
threatened.
“You wouldn’t.” Julian said. Ivy cut him off.
“Try me Julian, you push me and you’ll see that I can
and do push back.” She shoved him hard, he barely
kept himself from falling into the pool. “Oh and
furthermore Julian just in case you try and go around
my back and threaten Luis with jail you should know
that the charges are no longer there for you to
reinstate. Your leverage over Luis is no longer.”
“How in the…” Julian asked looking very much like a
fish out of water who couldn’t breathe.
“I’ve got as much clout as you do Julian. Why do you
think I went to Boston last month? It doesn’t matter
how, you just need to leave Sheridan and Luis alone or
I’ll blow you out of the water Julian.”
Julian felt humiliated, Ivy had played him for a fool
in front of his little sister, Luis and Sam, who he
called the locals. The look of stupidity disappeared
from his face to be replaced with one of rage.
“You bitch.” Julian glowered out. Ivy simply smiled.
She chuckled after a moment.
“You feel like a fool, don’t you?” Ivy asked with a
smile. She knew he felt like one. “After all I’d
feel like one if I was in your position, but I would
never be in your position because I’m not as dumb as
you.” Ivy taunted. The look on his face changed into
one of intimidation. “And don’t think for one moment
that you scare me Julian, you’re a pathetic excuse for
a man.”
Julian snapped at that moment and raised his hand to
hit Ivy. Sam and Luis advanced on Julian but stopped
when Sheridan grabbed their arms.
“Ivy can take care of herself.” Sheridan simply said.
Sam and Luis gave Sheridan a strange look. To say
that they were shocked when Julian made a loud splash
in the clear water. Ivy had blocked Julian’s hand and
delivered a punch and kick combo that knocked Julian
off his feet and into the pool. Julian came up
sputtering for breath. He too was shocked at Ivy’s
actions.
“I guess those kickboxing lessons paid off.” Ivy said
with a cheeky smile. “What do you think Julian?” She
asked rhetorically. “Like I said Julian you never
have and never will scare me.” She then gave him one
last look, one she might give if a cockroach were to
crawl over her dainty foot.
~End of Flashback~
Sheridan broke into a fit of laughter, she laughed
everytime about how Ivy put Julian in his place. He
had a black eye for the next week. The incident would
always be funny, even when she was old and gray,
especially since she had taken a picture of him with
the black eye. It was timeless.
She turned around when she heard the gym doors open.
It was Luis and he was late. He was almost an hour
late, they were supposed to be meeting for lunch. She
folded her arms and gave him a hard look.
“So Detective, where have you been?” Sheridan asked
with a slight smile. Even if she was a little mad at
him she was still proud of him. She had been
extremely happy for him when he was promoted a month
ago. Not only was he promoted but he now held the
title of ‘Chief of Detectives.’ Not to mention that
the FBI wanted him in a bad way, the bureau wanted him
to come to Quantico, VA to train with them. Luis
hadn’t said yes or no so he was still thinking about
it. If he went she would follow, no matter where he
went.
“I’m sorry Sheridan but I had to do something.” Luis
answered lamely.
“Something? What is this ‘something?’ What is it
that you had to do?” She asked calmly.
“I can’t tell you.”
“What do you mean you can’t tell me? Luis you better
tell me something. You’re almost an hour late.”
“Would you calm down if I told you what I was doing
was for you?” Luis asked in a sweet tone. Sheridan’s
anger dissipated at his question. Her eyes lit up
like a child. Luis mentally groaned, no doubt she
would want to know.
“What were you doing for me?” Sheridan eagerly asked.
“It’s a surprise Sheridan.” She opened her mouth to
protest. “You’ll find out soon enough Sheridan. So
am I forgiven?” Luis asked smiling at her from across
the gym.
‘Damn him.’ Sheridan thought. He knew what that
smile did to her and he did it on purpose. Not to
mention that he looked in gorgeous in the tailored
suit that she had made for him. When she found out he
had been promoted she had dragged him to New York.
He
had been measured for dozens of expensive suits, she
had to promise him a lot of sex to get him to stand
still for the woman who was doing the measuring. It
was an uphill battle to get him to accept the Armani,
Boss and Calvin Klein suits but he eventually did.
How could she not forgive him? He looked so
delicious.
“You’re forgiven.” She sauntered past him and out of
the gym. Luis watched her walk out and groaned aloud,
Sheridan was so damn beautiful. He followed her to
his office where he was disappointed to see that she
was gathering her things.
“Where are you going?” He inquired.
“I have to meet up with Gwen to finalize the wedding
plans.” She explained. She knew he was hoping for an
‘afternoon delight, but she didn’t have time.
“But Sheridan, I…”
“’But Sheridan’ nothing Luis. I have to meet up with
Gwen so get your overactive hormones under control.”
She said sternly but with a smile. As soon she was
ready to go she went to him. “Tonight Luis, I’m all
yours.” She kissed him softly on the lips.
“I’ll hold you to that.” Luis said in a husky tone
before he pulled Sheridan into a more demanding kiss
than a moment ago. The temperature went up as Luis
continued to beat up the heat. He pulled away a
moment later and smirked. Sheridan had wound herself
around him, he could have her he wanted. She was
clearly in need but of course he wouldn’t. He walked
her out and to her car and kissed her goodbye, which
left the both of them wanting more. He waved as she
drove away. He went back in to began the huge stack
of paperwork he had put off long enough, the Youth
Center needed more money.
Luis walked into Sheridan’s new home. She had grown
tired of Julian sticking his nose in her business. By
the time she moved off Crane property she was ready to
kill Julian, literally.
On the last day of packing Julian had come down to the
cottage and said something to piss Sheridan off.
Before anyone could blink Sheridan jumped on Julian,
knocking him down and wrapped her hands around his
throat. When he finally pulled Sheridan off Julian he
had been gasping for breath.
He had to practically
hold Sheridan, especially when Julian mentioned to
Sheridan that he would be pressing assault charges
against her and that he had witnesses. One by one
everyone, which included himself, Ivy, Pilar, Ethan,
Gwen and Sam, said that they hadn’t seen anything.
Julian stormed out in a fit.
She had stayed with Gwen during the time she looked
for a place, it didn’t take long. She found a
beautiful home, one she fell in love with when she
first saw it. Plus, the Victorian style house was not
far from Luis’ house, so she was within walking
distance of him. The house was barely a year old, it
was absolutely beautiful and had to have it.
She had the papers drawn up the next day, within an
hour it was hers. Although she could have used Crane
money to buy the house she didn’t, instead she used a
very small portion of her inheritance from the money
her mother left her.
The house itself was done in a Victorian style. The
house itself had four bedrooms and three bathrooms.
It had a spacious kitchen, dining room, living room
and backyard. She wasted no time in decorating and
painting the downstairs. She then did the same to the
upstairs, of course with some help from the usual
bunch. She was very comfortable in her new home and
most of the neighbors loved her.
Most of the time he stayed with her. He had some
suits in her walk-in closet and he had all the drawer
space he wanted. She had insisted he move some of his
things in and he had happily done so. Everything was
great for once in their lives and they were very
happy.
Luis rubbed his eyes, they hurt from the stacks of
papers he had to read through and signed. He could
barely keep his eyes open as he headed up to
Sheridan’s bedroom. It seemed like it took forever to
get to Sheridan’s bedroom. All he wanted to do was
shower and get into bed. He hadn’t been getting
enough sleep for a long time. When he opened the door
he realized that he wasn’t going to get much sleep
that night, maybe he wasn’t that sleepy.
The room was aglow in soft candlelight, dozens of
candles were spread throughout the room. Rose petals
were scattered on the floor and the bed. The best
sight in the room was Sheridan herself. She was lying
in the middle of her big four-poster bed propped up
against the feather stuffed pillows with her arms
stretched out.
“Hi Luis.” Sheridan said in a sultry voice. She
smiled as she noticed that Luis’ eyes were drawn to
her scantily clad body. She knew she had the right
idea when she bought the lacy two-piece bustier and
skirt set from Fredericks of Hollywood. The bustier
stopped above her navel and accentuated her breasts
while the little flare skirt skimmed half way down her
butt.
She gave Luis a moment longer, she could tell that he
was enjoying the view.
“Are you going to just stand over there all night or
are you going to come to me?” Sheridan asked with a
sassy tone.
“Huh?” Luis asked. Sheridan laughed softly and then
crawled towards the bottom of the bed towards Luis.
“I said, ‘are you going to just stand over there all
night or are you going to come to me?’” Sheridan
repeated as she rose up on her knees and pushed Luis’
jacket off his shoulders. She then undid his tie and
threw it across the room. “No need for that now since
I’ve come to you.” She said as she unbuttoned his
shirt and slid it off his shoulders. “I can see
you’re ready for tonight’s activities.” She said as
she ran her hand up and down his thigh. “I’m all
yours tonight handsome, I love you.”
“I love you too.” Luis honestly said as he looked
into her eyes. She was so precious to him. He
caressed her face as he pulled her into a kiss.
“You’re mine tonight and everyone after.” Luis said
before he pulled her to him and kissed her.
To Be Continued...
