Within the Shadows by J.D MCG (knowledgeable books to read .txt) 📕

I'm so glad you did, otherwise, they'd have no mum or dad,' she released a few tears.

Barnes held her in his arms, still staring at the girls, not wanting to move from this moment. He hoped one day they'd be a family again, living under the same roof, happy and content.

Vanessa glanced up at Barnes as his grip loosened. Her feet lifted on their tip-toes and she placed her lips on his, shocking Barnes, but that didn't stop him from carrying on. He finally felt like he belonged again. Vanessa started to become more intense and passionate, placing her hands on his cheeks, then around his neck while not losing the connection from his lips. Barnes pulled away, unsure if this was what she truly wanted.

'What's wrong? Vanessa asked.

'I just don't want you thinking I'm taking advantage,' he said.

'This is what I want, Joe. That's if you want it too?'

It didn't take more than a minute for Barnes to make up his mind and launched back fiercely into another intense kiss, tearing off Vanessa's clothes.

'Ouch,' she cried out, still trying to kiss him.

'What is it?' he queried.

'Still sore from the gunshot wound,' she told him.

'I'm sorry.'

'Just shut up and kiss me,' she demanded, locking lips with him again.

They both stumbled to the bedroom and tumbled onto the bed. Vanessa lay on her back as Barnes removed her trousers. His eyes caught sight of her pink, laced underwear as she lay waiting for him. He lay on top of her, pulling her down her pink underwear and thrust himself inside her. She felt a rush of emotions and pleasure. They both felt a sudden release of all their pain and troubles as they kissed the night away. Barnes was finally back where he belonged, in the arms of his wife.

Sarah sat on the rooftop terrace bar on Frederick Street with her date opposite her. Drinks between them, laughs and jokes flowing, it was safe to say Sarah Taylor had let her hair down. She was having a great time for a change. Her date was a dark-haired girl called Claire, who she'd found through a dating app a few months ago and they clicked straight away.

'I can't believe the number of times we've been out and I still don't know what you do for work?' said Claire.

'If I told you, I'd have to kill you,' joked Sarah.

Claire laughed along. 'No, but seriously, what do you do? You know all about me and I hardly know anything about you.'

'If you really wanna know, I'm a Detective Sergeant within the police force,' she informed her.

'You're pulling my leg.'

'I can assure you, I'm not.'

'What sort of things do you investigate?' Claire asked intrigued.

'Murders,' Sarah announced. 'Do you remember the murders of young women last year?'

'Yes. Did you investigate that case?'

'With my team, yes.'

'I heard something about it being ritual cult killings?' Claire fished for more information.

'I can't say much more about it,' Sarah shut her down.

'Wow, such an interesting career. I don't think I'd have had the balls to join the police.'

'It's a hard job but even in the darkest of times, I enjoy it,' she smiled.

'Well you only get one life, you might as well live it,' Claire returned the smile.

'I've really enjoyed tonight. I'd love to do this again next week if you're up for it?'

Claire nodded. 'I've had a good time too. Call me when you're free from your busy schedule,' Claire laughed. 'Do you wanna get out of here?'

Sarah was cautious, not wanting to miss her chance at happiness, but her past relationships crumbled too fast. Her heart was telling her to jump but her head kept her back. Not knowing which to pick she sat quietly.

'If you don't want to, then that's fine. I don't want to push you into anything,' Claire continued after noticing Sarah's silence.

'It's not that I don't want to, I do, but I want to take it slow.'

Claire smiled while placing her hand on Sarah's. 'That's fine with me. Whatever you want, babe.'

Ethan returned home, hung his coat on the hook in the hallway before swinging the living room door open. His girlfriend sat firmly on the sofa, grasping a mug of tea in her hands.

'You're home early for a change.'

'Busy day tomorrow. The boss wanted us to get some rest,' he said, flopping on the sofa beside her.

'Wanna talk about it?' Ruby asked.

'Not really,' he answered, tucking himself between her arms for a hug.

Ruby was a pretty girl with dark hair and a dyed red tint. Ethan fell for Ruby as soon as he saw her at a friend’s party and connected straight away. Ethan had asked her to help him dig into his family's history to try and find his biological parents. He was adopted as a baby and suddenly decided it was the right time to find his birth parents. When he was younger it hadn't bothered him, but as he got older, he felt he should know his heritage.

'I've got something to tell you,' she spoke up.

Ethan sat up, looked at her and asked, 'What is it?'

'I think I've found your birth parents,' she announced.

Ethan was shocked, even though it was what he wanted and asked her to help. His stomach flooded with a sick feeling from nerves and anxiety. He stayed quiet for a couple of seconds.

'Are you okay?' Ruby asked with concern.

'Yeah, I just didn't think you'd find them that fast, that's all,' he answered, still shocked at the news. 'What are their names?'

'Anna and Dean Turner,' she informed him.

'So, my name would be Ethan Turner,' he pondered.

Ruby laughed. 'I prefer Detective Constable Ethan Robinson.'

Ethan gleamed a huge grin before hugging his girlfriend tightly. She