Chapter 6
Valentina
There’s nowhere you can run, nowhere you can hide. I will find you.
They were the words written in blood I’d imagined in my mind so often that I’d barely slept a full night in several months. While they’d never been said to me, I’d continued to harbor the terror evoked by the horrific crime and the pictures of the man in the news.
I’d seen immorality and rage in my ex when he’d been high on drugs, but Jacob Jones was the epitome of pure evil. You could see it with a single glance into his cold, dark eyes. They were the eyes of someone devoid of a soul.
While up until a couple of nights before there hadn’t been any indication the Undertaker had learned my identity, somewhere in the back of my mind I’d known better.
Two days before, I’d realized that all my nightmares were real.
The monster was on the prowl and I was his next intended victim.
I’d run out of options.
The four little words painted in dust and grime on the hood of my car had changed everything. So had the sight of a lone figure standing outside my window staring without moving for several minutes. The sight of him had been the last straw.
I was terrified. While I had friends, I was fearful of putting them in harm’s way. I knew he’d kill them to get to me.
The monster.
The man who’d haunted my dreams.
The bastard who’d interrupted my tightly woven world and fading sense of protection.
I’d thought I was safe, the Undertaker behind bars for the rest of his life. I’d been wrong. So very wrong.
“Valentina,” the judge said in such a quiet voice that with the rain pelting against me, I almost didn’t hear him.
My voice felt lost, stripped from me so all I could do was nod.
The incredible night we’d shared rushed to the forefront of my mind, the passion a breathless moment of sheer joy.
He was still as handsome as I’d remembered; sometimes the good dreams, the ones where he was my savior, had outweighed the bad.
Perhaps he was even more gorgeous standing in stone-washed jeans and an untucked polo shirt.
With his jaw clenched, he also held the same air of concern that he’d given me on the day I’d broken down in his courtroom.
I was completely taken aback, uncertain if I’d done the right thing, even fearful he wouldn’t remember me.
The heated gaze falling from my face to my feet and back up again negated my fears. The spark was still there, warm and wanton.
Forbidden and completely inappropriate.
He was taller than I’d envisioned in my fantasies, his six-and-a-half-foot frame dwarfing me.
With his broad chest rising and falling, I was completely aware he filled the doorway.
Somehow, just the memory of wriggling under him as his cock filled me so deeply that I was driven into pure ecstasy left me unable to explain why I’d found myself on his doorstep.
Tonight he was even more handsome.
When my daughter murmured in her sleep, the hypnotizing trance was shattered.
“Jesus Christ,” he said as he glanced over my shoulder, immediately pulling me into his house. He took the bag I’d brought with me from my arm, putting it down in the foyer.
I backed away, rubbing Bella on the back. Thank God, she’d remained asleep the entire drive.
“Are you alright?” he asked after closing the door.
“I’m… frightened. I had nowhere else to go. I just… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude.”
He half laughed. “Come on. Let’s get you a towel. You’re shivering.”
I was. It didn’t matter that the rain was warm or the air was humid. My shivers were from terror, not a chill. Yet being close to him again had already made me feel better. Safer.
He led me into a beautiful living room, motioning toward the couch and group of chairs.
As soon as I gently eased her down, taking the rain slicker off her, he volunteered to help by tossing a throw over her.
Without questioning me, he walked from the room, coming back seconds later with a thick, fluffy towel. “Take this.”
“Thank you.” I wiped rain from my face and arms, trying to find the right words.
“Would you like a drink? It’ll help you calm down.”
The moment was certainly more awkward than I’d intended it to be. Obviously, I hadn’t thought about my decision to flee my house and drive all the way to his very carefully. I’d shoved a few things in the duffle and barely remembered climbing in the car and heading away from my neighborhood.
“If you don’t mind. I think I need one.” Very gingerly I placed the towel on the coffee table, even taking the time to fold it.
“What would you like?” He narrowed his eyes, his heated gaze fading into concern.
I had no idea at this point. “Whatever you’re having is fine. Like I said, I’m sorry. I just found myself on your doorstep.”
As he headed to a small bar in the corner, I sat down in one of the chairs. This was a crazy idea. What the hell was wrong with me?
He returned less than a minute later with two glasses in his hands.
When he handed me one, our fingers touched, and just like I’d experienced inside his chambers, heat rose on my face, my entire body tingling from exhausting electricity.
The connection I’d dreamt about was real, perhaps stronger than before.
“Thank you again.”
“There’s no need to continue thanking me, Valentina.”
He sat down, tenderly glancing at Bella.
“Who is she?”
“My daughter, Bella.”
“She looks like her mother.” He was as uncertain of what to say as I was.
“Jacob Jones was released from prison.” I did my best to keep emotion from my voice.
“I know.” While his voice was low and husky, the edge of anger was evident. Even his jaw was clenched.
“He threatened me.” The moment I blurted out the reason I’d arrived on his doorstep, the judge’s facial expression changed to anger.
“What?” The snarl in his voice echoed in my ears. “Your identity was supposed to be protected.”
“He didn’t do so directly, at least that I can prove, but I know he was outside my apartment. That was after I had a mysterious phone call from an unknown number. You know the type. When you know someone is on the other end of the line, but they don’t say anything?”
His chest rose and fell. “Fuck.”
“Did you know he was being released?”
“Hell, no. If I’d had any idea, I would have fought to keep it from happening. Who told you?”
“Ms. Guthrie called. She tried to be calm, telling me I would be fine and my name was highly secured, but I sensed in her voice how upset she was.” Her call had been fraught with fear even though she’d tried to hide it.
“You’re certain it was him standing outside your building?”
My nerves were starting to get the best of me. “I didn’t see his face so I can’t be certain, but I felt it. A creepy-crawly feeling when you know something is real, but you can’t place the exact reason why. I’m certain that sounds paranoid.”
“No, it doesn’t. Not at all. Jacob is a very bad man.” He rolled his eyes as if the description of him wasn’t strong enough.
“Maybe I should go, Judge.”
“First of all, there’s no need to go anywhere. Second, I’m no longer a judge on the case but I am your friend. Call me Hudson.”
I sensed he wanted to avoid being reminded of our night of passion. I couldn’t blame him. I’d worried he could face certain consequences if anyone had discovered we’d spent the night together. That’s why I hadn’t said a word to anyone.
“Hudson,” I repeated. “That suits you.” I sensed neither of us knew what to say.
“Do you feel comfortable telling me everything you know?”
“I think so. Everything is a bit muddled. After he disappeared, I waited for a few minutes then fled. I was careful, checking the rearview mirror. Thankfully, I didn’t see anyone following me. I don’t know what to do. Will he come after me?”
I could tell by the array of emotions on his face he was debating telling me the truth.
“Contrary to what you witnessed in the courtroom… Hudson, I’m not as fragile as you think.
I was very disturbed about what I saw in that dark alley, but I didn’t need convincing that testifying was the right thing to do.
I’m scared, but I won’t allow that monster to ruin my life.
I didn’t allow it then and I refuse to now.
So if you don’t mind, please answer me.”
His features softened, but his eyes burned into mine just like they’d done eight months before. “I think if there’s any chance of a new trial, he will try and silence you.”
“But there’s more. Isn’t there?”
“Maybe. From what I know about Mr. Jones, the man is vindictive. He doesn’t mind erasing his enemies from this earth.”
At least he’d told me the truth. I sat back, holding the glass so tightly my fingers were numb.
“Thank you for not sugarcoating it. I might need advice on how to establish a contract for guardianship of Bella. You know. In case something happens to me.” The thought brought a choking sound.
I couldn’t believe I’d just made the statement out loud.
I could tell he was shocked by my frankness. “I don’t think you need to worry about that.” Reaching over, he gripped my hand and the same blast of heat and fire roared through both. Very slowly he removed his hand, the moment surprisingly awkward.
“But I do need to worry. I don’t have anyone.
My parents died in a car accident a few months ago and I don’t have any brothers or sisters, aunts or uncles.
I have a friend I plan on talking to. She’s a good lady and would take care of Bella if anything should happen to me.
Then I have my two bosses at the diner I work at.
They love Bella like their own.” Another cracking sound left my throat.
As I brought the drink to my lips, I hated how much my entire body was shaking. I was usually so much stronger.
“Nothing is going to happen to you, Valentina. I won’t allow it.”
“Not to argue a handsome man trying to be my knight in shining armor, but you can’t be everywhere all the time. You have your own life.”
“Maybe you’ve underestimated me.”