Chapter 14 #3
“But that’s not all,” she half whispered as I moved closer until I was only a few inches away.
“A part of me rallied behind whatever retaliation you selected. I envisioned different scenarios in my mind. Tell me something. What kind of person does that make me when I hope, even wish for some unfounded hero to solve a situation vigilante style using whatever methods necessary? I love Miami. The electric vibes, the incredible views of the ocean. South Beach is incredible and the food… Oh, the food is amazing, let alone the vibrant music and eclectic people, but I don’t recognize it any longer.
What happened to morals and values? What happened to right versus wrong? ”
She peered up at me with so many questions, truly believing I had the answers. If only that were the truth. When I lifted my hand toward her face, I was certain she would find both me and the situation reprehensible. She was somehow even stronger than I’d originally believed.
Even though the moment between us was more awkward than ever before, the closeness was undeniable. She’d already placed her full trust in me. The cross of her conviction was a heavy weight to bear.
Especially since I was wading through murky and toxic waters.
“That makes you very human, Valentina. Perfectly human and completely beautiful.”
“Somehow, I don’t feel beautiful. I’m tired of fighting every day of my life. I’m exhausted from just getting up in the morning, working two jobs. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining about my life. I’m lucky I have my daughter and good friends. And now you.”
Without hesitation, I cupped the side of her face, shaking my head very slowly.
There was some tension between us, mostly caused by the difficult situation, but the chemistry outweighed both the horror of what she’d been through before and the concern about what the future would bring.
At least it seemed she knew she was safe in my presence.
“I intend on doing everything I can to protect you and your daughter. She’s special to you, which means she’s special to me.”
“Why?”
Chase’s question from before loomed in the back of my mind. “No woman or child should ever stop enjoying their lives because of monsters. Like I said. While I’m around, I will do what it takes to protect you.”
She gently brushed her fingertips down my chest as if fearful I would stop her. The wall of keeping a distance between us out of decency and necessity was crumbling, falling fast to the burning desire that had fueled my recent actions.
“I know you will,” she said, her upper lip curling. “Are you going to tell me what you did with those goons?”
“It’s not necessary for you to know.” In fact, I didn’t want her to discover any details. She was the victim and I would also do everything in my power to ensure the media and all those involved with the case remembered there was more than one victim from the horrific crime.
She was right in that everything about Miami had changed over the years.
When I’d started out as an attorney, there had been rules on both sides of the law.
While cartels existed, they handled business in the shadows, typically reserving their reprehensible acts of violence for those already corrupted by greed and hunger for power.
There were lines even they wouldn’t cross, including the murder of innocent women and children.
Now, any concept of ethics or morality seemed like a lifetime ago.
They had no limitations, but in my mind, those taking an oath to uphold the law and being lured by corruption had been part of the reason for the change.
Brutal crimes without any respect or remorse had risen ten-fold.
“That means you won’t tell me.” There was a glint of defiance in her eyes, a challenge that I hadn’t expected.
She’d just found my bloodied clothes and had rightfully assumed I’d used violence as my method of protection.
She should fear me as much as she did those who’d altered her life, but instead of distrust I saw gratitude.
I brushed my fingers down her cheek, marveling in the softness of her skin. “There are some things you simply don’t need to know.”
She shuddered visibly, closing her eyes and leaning into my hand.
“Sadly, I don’t know if the blood will wash from your clothes.
Maybe it will and you’ll have a perfectly white shirt again.
But even if you don’t, you can always purchase another or wear the tarnished one as a badge of honor.
However, you will never be able to remove the blood from your soul.
It will linger, lurking in the dark places of your mind, altering the course of your life forever. ”
“How very profound.” Her words were haunting. They were also very true. I’d opened the door to a level of darkness I’d once despised. But what she didn’t understand was that I would do it again happily.
For her.
“I hope that’s something you’ll remember. Maybe before it’s too late.”
“Maybe it already is.”
Her eyes opened wide and as she’d done before, she was searching my soul, curious as to what and how everything had changed.
I hoped that one day when she did it again, she wouldn’t find emptiness.
“Tell me something, Hudson. What do you care about?” When I didn’t answer right away, her soft lips pursed and her eyes closed.
When she finally opened them again, they were more imploring than I’d seen since meeting her.
She needed answers I wasn’t certain I could provide. But standing this close to her, inhaling her perfume and feeling the heated wave of vibrations we’d shared twice before prevented me from lying.
Dear fucking God. The woman was temptation wrapped up neatly in a taste of the forbidden. One more taste and I knew in my gut that we’d both be corrupted and unable to turn back the hands of time.
“I care about you.”
Maybe there was some sense of decency left in me after all.