Retribution

Prologue

It always started the same on days like this. She woke up covered in bruises and sore as hell and her husband would kiss her and leave for work. She would take a long hot bath then clean up the already pristine home before putting supper on the table. But this day was different from the rest. After he finished dressing and left for work, she waited about half an hour then took her suitcase out from under her bed and laid it on the bed. She had found out the day before that she was pregnant and she was not about to risk the life of her unborn child on her husband's beatings. She grabbed the phone and dialed her best friend's number, tears flowing freely down her face. "Aiden?" she asked softly into the receiver.

"Cassie? What is it?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

"Can...can you come get me...Its...It’s really really important that you do. And I need you to hurry before Andy gets back," she said softly. "Please Aiden please," she begged him gently as if she were being watched. Aiden didn't hesitate.

"I'm on my way," he promised then she heard the dial tone. She hung up and finished packing her suitcase then brushed her hair, readjusting the sweater over her bruised arms then putting on makeup to cover the bruises on her neck and cheek then took a deep breath and took off her wedding ring, leaving it on the counter. You can do this, she whispered quietly to herself as she clipped up her hair and moved the bangs from her face. You can do this.

Her eyes closed as she fought the memories that assailed her. Everything had been perfect when they were dating. Utterly perfect. And she had been a virgin and he had wanted to wait till after they had married. Her nightmare had begun that night when he'd taken her before she was ready. He had been drunk and he'd raped her, taking her innocence cruelly. He had apologized, blaming the alcohol but had demanded sex. And she hadn't given it to him and he'd only done it again and again. Then the beating and the abuse had begun. She had been isolated from her family for so long that she doubted they wanted her part of their life. Four years in a loveless and abusive marriage and now she was pregnant by him. She closed her eyes and took a few calming breaths before going back into the bedroom. She heard the rumble of a truck pulling up front and she grabbed her suitcase, ignoring her screaming muscles so she could escape downstairs.

Glancing out the window, she saw Aiden walking quickly up the steps, still in his work gear. He was the county's top contractor and bachelor of the year. He had a charming handsomeness about him that had women fawn over him and had a trail of broken hearts a mile wide. When he entered the house and saw her, near tears he immediately embraced her then took her suitcase without question and led her out the house. He seemed to understand her situation completely.

After securing her in the passenger seat, he climbed in the driver's side and slammed the door shut, cranking up and backing out without a word. Cassie glanced over at him and sniffed. "I'm pregnant," she whispered softly, tears running in rivulets down her cheeks. He took one arm and drew her close to his frame, kissing the top of her head. "I've got you now...we're safe," he promised and she nodded curling into his warmth. And she believed him whole heartedly.

Chapter One: The Wedding

Five Years Later...

Aiden glanced over at his bride and smiled. Five years ago she had been a broken woman, pregnant and alone in the world. In that five years, he had been with her to every sonogram, the man that helped bring her son into the world and been her crying shoulder when she had been threatened by her ex-husband Joseph Tomlinson when she had filed for divorce and full custody of their child. Joseph had went after her and had ended up going to prison for assault and battery for six years. That had been three years beforehand. Now here he was wedding her. The love of his life. The woman he wanted to share the remainder of his life with. With her red hair and sweet curves that had only gotten more voluptious when she had given birth to Jaimie. She had tried getting down to her once slender self and she had nearly succeeded but what had once been muscle was now softly rounded. Not fat or chubby but perfect. He stood in front of the mirror, readjusting his tie and the jacket of his tux then looked at the door as his best man and Cassie's brother walked in grinning like the goof that he was.

Aiden chuckled. "Jack," he greeted turning and fixing the cuffs around his wrists. Jack grinned. "Ah...the groom I truly approve of. I have to tell you that Cassie is a nervous wreck."

"I know," Aiden sighed. "But I'm not going to hurt her. I've given her enough foreplay over the past year to last a lifetime. And I haven't gotten shit in return. I plan on giving her a perfect wedding night though. After what Joseph did to her for all those years, she deserves one."

"So….besides the foreplay...no sex?" Jack chuckled. "Your blue balls must be killing you," he teased him.

Aiden snorted and shook his head. "I'm making your sister happy. That's all that counts. Normally the brother would want to kick the boyfriend's ass. Especially if it was their best friend."

Jack sank down opening a bottle of wine and taking a healthy swig from the bottle. "True," he agreed. "But then again I trust you. I did not, however, trust the bastard she was with before. And as can be seen, my judgment was correct." He smiled then heard the door open and four and half year old Jaimie ran in and clung to Aiden's leg. He had the look of his mother with the chocolate brown hair and green eyes. Aiden chuckled and lifted him up.

"Now there's the little ring bearer. You ready for momma and I to get this over with little man?" he asked. Jaimie nodded. "Yep!" he agreed whole heartedly.

"Alright then..." Aiden smiled, setting him down on his feet. "Lets get this over with huh," he smirked. He snatched the bottle from Jack's hand and set it down on the table. Jack gave a half glare but stood, readjusting his jacket. Onto the wedding they went.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cassie took her final look in the mirror. This wedding day was going to be different. She knew it. She readjusted the sleeves of her white gown then turned and took her father's arm as he led her out. The music introducing the bridesmaids and the little flower girl ended and the famous "Here Comes the Bride" began spouting from the piano and violins at the back of the church. She took a deep breath, feeling her hand squeeze the crook of her father's arm. He chuckled and patted her hand and led her down the aisle. After Joseph, she didn't think anyone could make her feel beautiful or loved.

But Aiden had. He had made her feel like she was the strongest, loveliest, most loving individual and had shown her pleasure where Joseph hadn't. And all without having true sex with her. She knew that he wanted to have it but he'd refrained and she could only be thankful for that. Tonight she would make love to her husband. But that was if she could get through the wedding first.

She smiled brightly as Aiden glanced at her, with a smile of his own. His blonde brown hair was slicked back and he looked so utterly irresistible that her tummy gave a little flip-flop. Her son was at his side. The first joy of her life. His little face was lit up and he tugged on Aiden's jacket and whispered something that Aiden nodded in agreement with. Finally she reached him and he took her hand leading her up the steps.

Even though he was supposed to wait, he captured her mouth in a searing kiss that left her utterly breathless.

Cassie doubted she could ever stop loving his kisses and his touch. The pastor began the sermon for the marriage ceremony. Cassie held Aiden's hand, deciding this moment could not possibly get better. The vows were spoken, rings exchanged and then once more he kissed her so passionately she was left dazed.

"Do it 'gin!" her son exclaimed and her new husband was happy to oblige. She laughed as his mouth captured hers and she kissed him back fervently. The church filed out and they followed shortly after to get into the limo to take them to the reception area. She made sure Jaimie was with his grandfather then slid into the limo. Aiden following suit.

She smiled through her tears. "You're the best thing that has ever happened to me..." she breathed. "How did I get so lucky," she whispered then kissed him slowly. His tongue entered her mouth, tasting the sweet cavern as he drew her close to him before pulling his head back to speak.

"Are you happy love?" he asked gently. She nodded biting her bottom lip.

"This moment surpasses everything but Jaimie's birth," she breathed then kissed him again. It was like that the entire ride to the reception area. The hotel lobby was decked in white lilies and lace. Screaming of the luxury that she would never grow accustomed too. In the past five years, his contracting business had grown more than triple its former size and he'd began to profit highly from being the top contractor with the top building and landscape design in the entire state of South Carolina. After she managed to escape Joseph, he had taken time off every time she had a doctor's visit or a nightmare and had let her live with him.

After Jaimie’s birth he had helped her at his home, had even set up a nursery for Jaimie when he grew old enough to sleep in a separate room. When she was to tired, he would change the baby and feed him. Taking on the fatherly role. A girl was lucky to have a guy like him.

When the divorce was finalized, he asked her out on their first date. By their fifth she knew that this love was different and it was whole and complete. He had decided since her first husband had ruined her wedding night that he would right that wrong and she knew that he would tonight.

She smiled and watched him pull her out of the limo and carry her into the hotel once they arrived and let him lead her into the hall that was already full. The people were dancing and when they appeared, everyone clapped and laughed and both were embraced in hugs and kisses at their joyous union. She decided that life couldn’t get much better than this.