Chapter 5
"Do we need to talk?" Jessop said the moment he stepped into the house. He set down the supplies in the kitchen, took my hand, and led me to the bedroom. He looked serious, and I could tell this conversation was important. "Sit on the bed, Pen," he said.
I searched his face, trying to figure out what was going on with him. He was closed off, and that worried me as I sat on the edge of the bed.
Jessop searched my face, sighed, and removed his jacket. Then, he dropped to his knees and moved between my legs. His hands moved up my thighs and settled on my hips.
His eyes stayed down, and I just knew. "How?"
"Is it true?"
"I wanted to tell you," I said quietly, tears prickling my eyes. I reached out and cupped Jessop's face. "I didn't want you to hear it from someone else." I frowned. "The only other person who knows is Tallulah."
A guilty expression crossed his face. "She didn't tell me." He sighed. "I overheard her talking to Levi."
"Wait? What? She told him. She promised she wouldn't tell anyone.
" I blinked away my tears, or at least tried to.
Jessop's eyes softened as he reached out to wipe away my tears.
My heart ached as I realized that my relationship with Jessop had been built on misunderstandings. "I should have told you last night."
"We're good here, Pen. I promise." He paused and kissed me on the forehead. "Something weird is going on between Riley and Talla." Jessop frowned.
"Oh!" I muttered, remembering that they could communicate without speaking. I was still jealous about that. I mean, if anyone should be able to do that, it should be best friends. ”Ask Tallulah about it.
Even though I'm not happy that she told Levi about me, I won't break a confidence.
" I briefly wondered if that was how Levi knew—he’d picked it out of her head.
Jessop winced. "Just remember she's your best friend."
"I know," I sighed. "I'm upset you didn't hear the words out of my mouth."
He got to his feet and pulled me up with him, pulling me into his arms. "Part of me is relieved you hadn't told me."
I pulled back and looked at him, confused.
"Now you know that I love you,” he said. “It's you, Penelope, and not because of a child we created."
What was a girl to do after hearing those words? I burst into tears and pressed myself against Jessop, not wanting to let go. He held me tightly and whispered sweet nothings into my ear. When I sniffled, he lifted me into his arms, and I wrapped my legs around him.
He carried me to an armchair and sat down, rocking me gently. "I love you, babe. We've got this, okay?"
"Aiden needs to be locked up before we can have anything. I can't spend my days looking over my shoulder because of that asshole."
"He won't be free for long. I promise you. We'll make sure he pays for everything he’s done.”
He squeezed my hand and said, "Talla sent some food. We should eat it while it's still warm."
Dodge read something on his phone at the end of the table while Rosie sat beside me.
Talla sent us some excellent warm chicken sandwiches, which were exactly what I needed today.
Now that I'm feeling better, I'm also relieved that Jessop knows the truth.
It was as if a burden had been lifted from my chest. The man seems ecstatic about becoming a father.
I still have a hard time accepting that I'm going to be a mom.
But I was thrilled. I suppose I have Aiden to thank, as Jessop wouldn't have returned to my life if he hadn't fled and threatened to pursue me. Then again, maybe he would have.
I looked at Dodge once more and saw that he was frowning at his phone. Rosie watched him, too, and then shrugged when I caught her eye. "How's Rhodes doing?" Rhodes, Jessop's younger brother, played ice hockey with the Boston Bay Vikings and had a hectic schedule most of the year.
Rosie gave me a small smile as her face brightened. "This year, he's performing at his best. He doesn't really care about accumulating points. He simply enjoys being on the ice."
"I occasionally watch his games. It was a shocker when he got hit in the face with the puck," I said.
"Yes, that infuriated him. Three stitches. It could have been worse." She shrugged. "He's not happy with me being here." She spoke more softly. "This will be my final assignment. We hope to start a family within the next year or two." She edged closer. "Don't mention anything to his brothers.”
"My lips are sealed."
"What are you two gossiping about?" I hadn't realized that Dodge had focused all his attention our way. I think he heard that he was going to lose his partner, because he narrowed his eyes at Rosie.
Rosie grinned and cleared her throat. "I was telling her about the very hot Dover Hilton and how all the women throw themselves at him.
" She laughed. "Condoms were thrown onto the ice during the most recent home game I attended.
The poor man was flushed with embarrassment.
According to Rhodes, the guys teased him a lot. They gossip worse than women."
Dodge's gaze gradually tightened on Rosie during her outburst. I saw his ears turn red. "What's going on here?" I waved a finger between them.
After giving Rosie one last look, Dodge complained, "Nothing," and walked away from the table.
I furrowed my brow as Rosie shook her head. "He likes Dover. For him, age is a major concern." She shrugged. "Dover likes him, too."
I chuckled. "Dodge and Dover. Perfect."
"Levi is his first name," Rosie informed me.
“It's the same name as the investigator working on Aiden's case. Tallulah is friends with him.”
"I heard.” Rosie pushed the plate away after finishing her meal.
“Carlisle is jealous. It bothers me some because Talla and Riley have this strange connection. Talla doesn’t know why.” I shrugged. "Aiden escaped, and then Jessop whisked me away before Talla and I had a chance to talk about it."
"Aiden has caused a lot of problems. His freedom won't last long." She winked.
I squinted. "What do you know?"
"I know he's been seen. Two detectives and the sheriff are involved. Riley is clinging to Tallulah like glue."
I laughed. "How is Carlisle handling that?"
"From what I heard, Jessop told him to suck it up, considering how much his silence had hurt Talla," Rosie informed me. "Men, huh!"
Dodge cleared his throat.
Rosie smiled. "Present company is the exception."
Dodge stretched and laughed. Rosie and I watched him, noting how his cheeks heated as he realized where we were looking.
With his broad shoulders, slender waist, and playful sparkle in his eyes, he could make anyone's heart skip a beat.
His brown hair was precisely cropped, and he was clean-shaven.
A slight scar on his chin gave him a tough, enigmatic appearance. It's no surprise that Dover wanted him.
Dodge said, "I'm going to walk around outside." He added as Rosie opened her mouth to speak, "I'll put the vest on.” Paused. “Where’d Jessop go?”
Rosie rolled her eyes. "He's in the office." She paused. "I'll go get him. I'd like to join you."
Dodge shook his head. "I've got this."
As he pushed the vest over his head, Rosie let out a frustrated moan. "He's stubborn."
"I got that."
Rosie turned and raised an eyebrow. "So, what is really going on between you and Jessop?"
I began to deny everything but ultimately chose to be truthful. "I've loved him for a very long time. Naturally, I denied it," I said, blushing a little. "He loves me." I gave a quiet smile. "I'm unsure about anything else right now, but I'm sure about those things."
"I'm partial to the Hallen guys." She laughed and huffed. "After all, I am married to one. When they fall, they fall hard."
Unexpectedly, I had to suppress my tears.
My feelings were all over the place. Rosie extended her hand, but a booming rifle shot rang out, momentarily freezing us.
Then another. Rosie grabbed me and pulled me to the floor.
One of the windows was blown out, so we lay flat.
I got shivers when I heard the gunfire reverberating around the room.
In a desperate voice, Rosie said, "Stay down. " My heart thumped in my chest.
"Dodge?" I hissed.
Rosie nodded and let out a noticeable sigh as Jessop slid toward us on his stomach.
"I'm going for Dodge,” Rosie said.
Jessop attempted to grab her, but he was unable. He swore.
"We have to go help her." As I tried to stand, Jessop pulled me down.
"I want you to stay here with your head down," he said, implying that he would do whatever it took to keep me safe. My heart pounding, I obeyed and watched Jessop vanish through the front door. I was uncertain about everything.
Dodge had ventured outside. Was he all right? Was Rosie? I was paralyzed by nerves and felt sick. Jessop had asked me not to move, but I couldn't. I was terrified.