It Goes On - Book l

Vulnerable

Author's Note: I have blessed you all with a nice smut-filled chapter, so feast your eyes and enjoy. Also, I'd like to say that with all of the shit swirling around with threats from this terror organization, regardless of if this is just a threat or something actually happening, please take it seriously and protect yourselves. Of course I don't want to have to live in paranoia/fear like I have been these last couple of years, but with what I've been seeing and hearing, I'm not about to take any chances. All I'm saying is that if you have a way to stay strapped, I'd rather you have it and not use it than need it and not have it. Montana doesn't put up with shit as well as most western states and especially he Appalachias... I know quite a few rednecks who are *waiting* for something to happen. Lol I promise I'm not ranting, but a part of me is kinda scared because my second job involves working in a highly populated area, so I'm definitely not taking any chances myself. I love y'all! Stay safe!

*

"Riley? You got a copy?" A voice sounded on his radio, knocking him out of focus with the heap of paperwork on his desk.

"Go ahead."

"Sheriff Richards is on his way to see you. Said it's urgent."

Great, he huffed. "Send him in."

"Yes, sir."

Impatiently, Simon began to tap his foot against the floor, wondering why Sheriff Richards would want to speak to him in the first place, especially after he hasn't talked to him directly in several months.

"Simon," He sighed, quickly shutting the door to his office behind him. "You're a difficult man to get a hold of."

"Well, out of all people, you know where to find me," He shrugged. "What can I do for you?"

"Are you in business with Ben Carbonell now?" He said, his tone urgent and worrying.

"Yeah, they're putting slot machines along the driveway to the house." He scoffed sarcastically.

Richards sighed before taking a seat in the chair in front of Simon's desk, "This isn't a joke, Riley."

"Tell me why this entire thing isn't a waste of my time?" He arched his brow. "You have twenty minutes because I have an important date to go to after everyone clears out of here."

"Your wife and I can have our differences and frankly, I don't blame her. I was always on her dad's ass about things and she's just as stubborn—"

"Tell me something I don't know. I've got this entire situation taken care of."

"Was that before or after she and your daughter almost got killed a week back?" He retorted, watching Simon's face fall and his eyes darken. "Look, all I'm saying is that once he gets those screws in you, he won't get 'em out. Your entire family is on his radar and for the love of God, you two need to figure out a way to get off of it."

Simon sighed, "How'd he get the screws in you?"

He watched as Richards bowed his head in shame, "I got in deep at one of their casinos. Couldn't cover the debt."

"Now he owns you."

"Yeah. He came up with ways that I could," He frowned. "Look, I know you and I don't know each other, but I'm giving you advice like a friend should. I owed Bud that much at least. I don't want to see you or your wife get hurt any more than you two have already—"

"You stopped being his, he never stopped being yours. You and I both know that," Simon arched his brow. "The walls are closing in on all sides now. I don't want Kiera to have to feel like she should handle this on her own."