Karen looked at Ally in frustration. They had patroled the entire grounds of the Crane estate, but they had had no luck in finding TC Russell. The arrogant man had eluded them, and she was furious with herself for it happening.

"Ally, this is unbelievable, and what's more, unacceptable for the two of us! We cannot let that insane man anywhere near Mr. Crane or Dr. Johnson!

"Then we'll just keep looking for him--if he is so hell-bent on getting his hands on them, he's bound to show up."

"Sounds like the perfect plan--NOT," Karen huffed, her hands on her hips as she faced her friend and partner. "I refuse to let this idiot pose any kind of threat to Julian."

Ally cocked her head, a knowing smile on her face.

"Julian again, hm? Are you sure you aren't taking more than a professional interest in this case, with your past history with Mr. Crane and all?" Receiving a withering glance from Karen, she smiled even more widely. " I see that you are."

"Ally, you know I would never want anything to happen to him--and if something would happen to Dr. Johnson, he'd never forgive me. " Karen sighed. "I don't think I could live with that."

"Then, we'd better get cracking, shall we?" Ally patted her holster. Karen nodded, as she drew her taser gun.

"He won't get far."Ally turned her head so Karen wouldn't see her smiling again.

"What is it about Julian Crane that has her such in a tizzy? Is he that good a lover, or is it his loads of money? I wish I knew."

      ******************************

Ivy Winthrop was growing more and more incensed by the minute. That TC Russell was still stalking about the Crane grounds, and that was the last thing she had wanted him to do.

"I told that buffoon to wait for me, and he is running around just trying to get caught. Doesn't he realize that Julian will fly Eve and Whitney away from where his working class funds could follow?" She exhaled angrily. "If he screws up my getting my alimony from Julian, I'll kill him myself. I need that money so that Sam and I can live the live we deserve." Conveniently forgetting that Sam Bennett was still very much in love with his wife, Grace, Ivy continued to plot gleefully.

"Sam, and my well deserved 25 milllion dollars...what more could a woman ask for."

      *********************************

TC knew that he would have to remain hidden for a while; those two guards were still on the prowl for him. He was pleased that he had eluded them so far, but he did not want to give them a chance to catch him, eithier. He had turned Kathy's cell phone ring to vibrate, so he wouldn't be heard and therefore give him away.

"It was so nice of Crane's assistant to 'lend' me her cell," he laughed to himself. " Crane and that smutty wife of mine won't know what hit--" Suddenly, the phone vibrated in his pocket, and he pulled it out to see who was calling. It was actually a text message, and he smirked when he saw who it was from.

"Speak of the SOB himself." TC looked at the message that popped up: ARRIVING AT THE MANSION SHORTLY WITH DR. JOHNSON AND OUR DAUGHTER.

"HIS DAUGHTER??" TC's veins bulged out of his neck, and his breathing became ragged with his rage. " So he's the SOB who fathered Whitney!" For a moment, his rage subsided, and he closed his eyes with the renewed pain of of his loss. Then his eyes opened again, and a cold fury filled them.

" I will kill that bastard before he ever considers Whitney his daughter! And Eve will be reminded on just what happens when she crosses me...what happened before will be just a walk in the park, when I get through with her!"

He settled back against the wall of the shed, closing his eyes. A menacing smile crossed his face as he envisioned Eve under him, begging for mercy, while Julian Crane lay dead and bleeding nearby. He could almost hear Eve's screams as he ripped off her clothing, intent on getting his final revenge for her deceit. Oh yes, Eve would pay...and pay....and pay.

      ***********************************

Julian and Eve were sitting in one of the many bedrooms in the mansion, happy to have finally arrived earlier. After showing Whitney to her room, they had laughed when she had immediately decided that she wanted to go swimming. Julian was a bit peturbed that he had not heard from Kathy Lyons, but he knew how thorough she was. She would call or respond to his text soon.

"Our daughter is so beautiful, Eve....thank you."

"Thank you?"

"For not only being the most enchanting woman on the face of the earth, but giving me a daughter who is equally as lovely makes me the happiest man alive," Julian smiled, as he played with Eve's hair. "I don't know what I did to deserve such happiness, but I am grateful to God for showing mercy to me, a fool." Eve snuggled up against him, and he sighed contentedly. "I don't believe I have been this happy in ever so long, my love."

Eve's gentle laughter warmed Julian like summer sunshine. Tracing her lips with his index finger, he leaned closer to worship them with his own.

"Julian" she moaned softly, as his questing lips moved down her neck. "We can't...Whitney could come in at any moment." Her half-hearted protests fell on deaf ears, as his large hand rested on her shoulder, fingers gliding slowly towards the golden curves of her cleavage. "Please, Julian," she breathed, as his fingertips seared into her tender skin.

"Please, what, my love," Julian whispered, his deep voice sending delicious shivers down her spine. "Please continue? Your wish is my command, my darling,"he murmured, as he brushed his hand across her breast. "Please make love to you? Why certainly," He knelt down, and began to kiss the swelling tops of her breasts. Eve threaded her fingers in his graying hair, and held him fast to her.

"Julian, I just can't seem to say no to you," Eve whispered, as he deftly unbuttoned her blouse, eager to view the delights that awaited him under it. Burying his head in between her breasts, Julian released a sigh of contentment before fingering the edge of her lacy black bra.

"Please remove this? Of course, my darling," he said, unsnapping the front opening of the delicate article and then took possesion of the golden globes that had been restrained by it. His fingers seductively danced over them, before replacing his fingers with his heated lips, setting Eve aflame with desire for him. Her hips bucked, and she felt Julian's powerful arousal against her stomach, which caused her to cry out her need for him.

"Music to my ears." Julian, with his usual speed, removed his own clothing, and then quickly set about helping Eve out of hers, his own need for her becoming almost unbearable. When she lay ready for him, a smile of invitation on her lips, Julian needed no further urging. Covering her body with his own, the two lovers once more began to taste of passion's sweet delights.