9. Lars
CHAPTER 9
Lars
T his past week has been a shit show of interviews, compiling evidence, filling out paperwork, and more I’ve not wanted to do. With everything going on, I haven’t had the chance to reach out to Ellie to explain what happened with Damon’s mom and why I had to let her go that day.
I’ve barely slept and have neglected so many duties because I want to get things wrapped up with her father’s case so I can claim her without any interference from the department.
“He wants to speak with you,” Reed Burkhart, one of my more senior detectives, pops in to tell me. “In fact, he’s demanding it before he speaks to the DA again.”
“Why me?”
Powering down my computer and putting away the file I was re-reading in a locked drawer, I follow Reed out.
“Probably because you’re the arresting officer on the reports,” Reed replies as we reach the interview room. “I’ll watch from the observation.” He goes through the other door, disappearing from view.
Turning the knob, I enter, dismissing the officer on guard as I take a seat at the table across from Kevin Dawson–the man who took care of my future wife for so many years. The man who killed her mother.
Crossing my arms, I sit back, giving the appearance of indifference as I wait for him to speak. He looks older now. Prison tends to do that to a person.
“I want to see her,” he says.
“See who?” I already know.
“Ellie, my daughter.” His frustration is evident.
“Why?” I won’t let it happen if I can avoid it.
He snorts. “Because she’s my child. Despite the things I did to her, she’s still mine.”
Everything inside me freezes. “What did you do to her?” Keeping a casual tone is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
Kevin’s eyes roll as he scoffs. “She screams so beautifully, you know. More than her mother ever did.”
“Is that a confession?” What the fuck did he do to her?
“No, but it could be.” He pauses. “If I get to see her.”
Getting to my feet, I don’t say another word as I leave the interrogation room, ignoring Kevin’s demands to see Ellie. As a man, it goes against everything within me to even contemplate allowing her anywhere near the deranged killer. On the flip side, however, is my duty to the women murdered and the families that will suffer through a long-drawn-out trial.
“Are you going to talk to her?” Reed asks as he leans against the wall opposite me in the hallway.
“I’ll have to if I want him to confess.” I fucking hate this man.
* * *
Standing outside the two-story home where Ellie lives, I hesitate to knock on the door. I shouldn’t. I’m here to do my job, but I’m also the man who hurt her. Even if unintentional, it still happened. If I don’t find a way to apologize before it’s too late, I can kiss any future I want with her goodbye.
The pink and purple hues of the setting sun are oddly beautiful in this out-of-place moment as I walk up the sidewalk leading to the front door. Lights glow in several rooms upstairs, as well as what I assume is the living room.
Ringing the bell and then knocking loudly, I take a step back and wait. It nearly kills me. I’ve never been an overly patient man, but for Ellie, I’ll do anything.
The door opens, and Connor Hillard stands there with a smile that falters when he sees the badge and gun on my hip. “Can I help you?” He’s visibly confused.
“Mr. Hillard, my name is Captain Wolfe with the Jacksonville PD. I’m here to speak with Ellie.” His brows furrow as he considers my request.
“Ellie? Sure, she’s upstairs doing some homework.” Opening the door wider, he invites me in.
As I step into the entryway, Clara Hillard emerges from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “Who’s this?” While she offers a smile, I notice the concern in her intelligent gaze.
“Ma’am, I’m Captain Wolfe with JPD, and I’m here to speak with Ellie.”
They seem like friendly people, and if they are caring for my Ellie, I won’t fuck things up for her by giving attitude.
“About what?” She crosses her arms, slightly defensive now.
“She’s done nothing wrong. It’s about her father’s case,” I explain as Connor goes to get her.
“Should she have her advocate present?” Ellie deserves this family if they’re like this after only a month.
“Like I said, she’s not in any trouble. There is no possible way for her to do or say something to get into trouble, either. Not with me.” Never with me, but I leave that last part out.
“You’re certain?” I nod, and she relaxes marginally.
“Captain Wolfe?” Ellie’s timid voice turns my world on its axis, and I force myself to maintain control. “What are you doing here?”
Facing the woman I want to drag home and bury myself inside of for the next year, I hate how tired she looks, how sullen and defeated.
Clearing my throat, I maintain neutrality as I ask her, “Could we go for a walk and talk?” Her eyes flit to her foster parents before she nods.
“I don’t know about this. I think she needs someone present,” Connor hesitates.
“I’ll be fine. Captain Wolfe has always been kind towards me.” Ellie speaks up, confident in her tone. I’m damn glad she knows that, at least.
The Hillards reluctantly allow Ellie to leave with me after she grabs a light sweater. We walk in silence for a few minutes before reaching a small path that leads to a park with benches along the pathway.
As we sit, I grab her hand and pull it into both of mine. “I’m sorry about last weekend. Kyla coming over caught me off guard.”
“Because you have feelings for her?” Startled at her question, I shake my head vehemently.
“Not even close. I cannot stand the woman, but she’s Damon’s mom, so I have to be civil around her. It was a promise I made to him when he was too young to remember how terrible we were together.” Our eyes meet briefly, and I see hope there, so I forge on. “Everything I said to you was genuine and true, sweetheart. I’ll never say anything I don’t mean or make promises I can’t keep.”
“It’s okay. Damon explained what happened and how much you’ve been beating yourself up about it. He said you wanted to come see me, but you’ve barely been home to sleep all week. Is everything okay?” She holds my gaze now.
“Yeah, just a little more work than usual.” Blowing out a deep breath, I sit back on the bench and pull her closer, playing with the wispy loose curls from her ponytail before divulging the reason I’m here. “Your father requested to see me today.” She sucks in a sharp breath, and tension fills her body. “He wants to speak with you in exchange for confessing to killing the women he’s charged with.” Fuck , I hate dropping this last bomb on her. “And your mother.”
“My mother.” She exhales wearily.
Slipping her hand from mine, Ellie sits back. Closing her eyes, she lifts her face to the sky in silence. I give her as long as she needs because I think she’s conversing with the woman.
“Clara told me what happened. How everyone tried to protect me from the truth because the authorities knew there wasn’t enough evidence and that, eventually, he’d likely have custody of me.” Tears streak down her cheeks unheeded. “They didn’t want me to do or say anything that would anger him.”
“I’m sorry you heard it from anyone but me.” I hate that she found out, and I wasn’t there to comfort her.
“Clara is so much like my mom. I feel loved and safe with her.” I stroke her jaw with the pad of my thumb and allow her to continue. “It feels like a real home when I’m there. Cory ignores me. Carly thinks she’s tormenting me with her rumors and rude comments, but I don’t care what she says. She has no idea how lucky she is, and that one day, it could all be taken away from her.”
“They’re so lucky to have you,” I whisper in her ear, kissing just below it on her neck, inhaling deeply. “ I’m lucky to have you.” Another kiss as I pull her closer. “I’ve missed you so damn much this week. Not seeing you has been killing me slowly.” I nip her skin this time, leaving a love bite.
“How can this work, Lars? Surely, you’ll be in trouble for being involved with me.” Her pleading eyes break my heart.
“Sweetheart, there’s nothing in the world that will stop me from claiming you. My job is secure, and I won’t keep us a secret. If you need that, then I’ll try to be okay with it until you’re ready to show me off as your man, but know, I’m ready now.”
Cupping her cheeks in my hands, I lower my face to hers until our lips meet. I keep it light and sweet until she lets out a needy moan, and then I’m lost in the feel of her soft lips against mine.
Dragging her into my lap so she straddles me, my dick jumps with joy when it feels the heat between her legs. Gripping her ass in both hands, I ride her body along my length until she squirms and moans uncontrollably.
When I hear the magic words, “Please, Daddy,” I slip a hand between our bodies, down her leggings, and two fingers dive into her soaked heat, massaging furiously until she comes apart for me. Screaming into my mouth as she explodes in my arms is the best thing I’ve felt all week, and it was worth the wait.