Chapter 19 #2
My answer was stark and just as annoyed as she seemed to be. She pulled her credentials away, clearly more aggravated than before. When she adjusted the bags in her arms, I realized they were from different clothing stores.
“I know you don’t know me, Valentina, but Hudson should have called to let you know I was coming. He asked me for a huge favor. Huge. Can I come in?”
“Where is the other officer?”
She was taken aback by my question, the camera highlighting her smirk. “He’s here.” But where?
“I need to confirm your visit with Hudson. Stay right there. If you don’t, I’ll call the police.
” I was aware she was saying something when I walked away, jogging into the living room to grab my phone.
Shit. He’d tried to call twice. I was surprised he hadn’t sent a black and white instead, bursting into the house to look for the bad guy.
Thankfully, he’d also texted, although he was certainly frustrated with me.
Where the hell are you? I had to call the officer to ensure you were safe. Anyway, I wanted you to know I sent a detective I’ve worked with over the years to see you. She’s doing me a favor. You can trust her. Her name is Camille Morgan.
As I returned to his office, I did a quick little text in return.
Sorry. Phone in the other room. She’s here.
I didn’t bother asking why in the hell she’d been sent. Wasn’t Tim enough security? I did a check out the window. Tim’s car was still parked on the street, but there was no sign of him.
Even though the name on her badge was the same, I had no intention of opening the door unarmed. That’s why I grabbed the first thing that I thought would protect me and my little girl.
A bronze statue.
When I opened the door, I sensed she was about ready to walk away.
She spun around, her eyes opening wide after noticing what I had in my hand. As if by her own instinct, she shifted her jacket toward her hip, revealing her weapon in a shoulder holster.
“Not to be rude, but if this is a game of rock, paper, scissors, I’ll win.”
I wasn’t certain whether to scratch the woman’s eyes out or feel as if she and I could be best buddies. At least her caustic words were some that could have come from my own mouth. “I’m sorry but I don’t trust anyone.” Tim suddenly appeared, waving as if saying goodbye.
“I can tell.” She looked me up and down before glancing past my shoulder. “Can I come in now or should we both just wait until Hudson gets home?” There was a distinct air of familiarity about how she knew Hudson.
Why was it that I had an instant twinge of jealousy?
Maybe because I was in the same skirt that I’d worn to work.
I had a barbeque sauce stain on the front.
I was also wearing one of his tee shirts, which was woefully too big, enough that it could be a dress on me.
While I’d had a shower, I knew my hair was wild given the lack of mousse and hair spray.
And forget about makeup.
She was perfect in every way, not a hair out of place even in the horrific humidity. As she adjusted the bags in her arms again, I realized I’d been staring at her.
The onceover she gave me did nothing for my self-esteem.
“Sure. Come in.”
As soon as she stepped inside, I had two seconds to return the statue to the foyer table before she dumped the bags in my arms.
“What’s this?”
“Hudson asked me to purchase a few things for you. I’m sorry. I’d thought he’d let you know I was coming.”
“I left my phone in another room. I don’t understand. I’m not destitute.” I glanced at the bags, more confused than anything.
She shrugged. “You’ll need to ask him. He called in a favor. He had one left in his bag of tricks.”
There was more between them than just familiarity or a working relationship. Who was I to ask or care? I certainly didn’t have a hold on Hudson.
“Well, he’s a very generous man. Hopefully this wasn’t too much trouble. I certainly didn’t ask him to purchase anything for me. I can take of myself.”
Her features softened as if she knew she was being a bitch to a stranger. “I’m sorry. That was very rude of me. Hudson and I go way back and it’s not always been… pleasurable. Let’s start this over. I’m Detective Camille Morgan.”
Now I was the one juggling the clothes, but I managed to put my hand out, the handshake as firm as I could make it given the continued level of tension.
“So you said. Valentina Sciascia, waitress and office manager, witness to a heinous crime now threatened by the man who was allowed to walk the streets again by someone in law enforcement who fucked up.”
She certainly hadn’t expected my sharp and to the point introduction.
As soon as the words settled in, her face, which I thought would never show any other expression but disdain, cracked into a smile.
“You’re right. Some corporate creep let a monster slip into the darkness.
At least in my opinion. I can see why Hudson likes you. ”
“I don’t know about that.” Was I fishing? You bet I was.
“Let’s just say he’s not known for taking in…”
“Strays?”
Sighing, she nodded as if convincing herself of something. “I guess I deserved that.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Okay, you did.” We both laughed. Softening, I shook my head.
“You didn’t need to do this. We’re going by my apartment later to get my things.
After that, I don’t know what to expect any longer.
” I lowered the bags to the floor, shocked at the stores she’d selected.
They certainly weren’t the ones I could shop in.
This girl was down with TJ Maxx. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d purchased anything new.
“While he might believe I’d say otherwise, he will do everything in his power to protect you. Which is why you won’t be going alone or with your daughter. He’s very concerned about your welfare.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I’m your babysitter for the evening.” She rolled her eyes.
“Don’t look so shocked. I raised my younger sister all by myself.
Then she had a daughter and we were a happy family for a little while.
” The laughter in her eyes faded and the inflection in her voice indicated there was a story there.
Right now, I just didn’t care. “However, that was a very long time ago. Anyway, believe it or not, I’m very good with children.
I even bought a book I thought she might like me to read.
Hudson mentioned how old your daughter was.
I had a book saved from a long time ago. A favorite.”
Whatever the memory, I could tell it was painful. We all had them. Maybe my experience had hardened me. Or maybe I was tired of playing the victim. Still, I heard my mother’s voice in my head telling me to be nice.
“Well, I very much appreciate you going out of your way. I’m not used to anyone being in my corner.”
“If you ask me, I think he might be taking you out on a date. Thankfully, he seemed to know your size. I bought a little of everything.”
The news was so unexpected I burst into laughter. “Well, that’s unexpected. I will pay you back. It might take me a little while, but I promise I will.”
When she flipped out a black credit card, I gasped. “It’s his. No, I don’t regularly go around stealing a man’s black credit cards. I stopped by his office and when he said the sky was the limit, I might have taken him up on that.” She placed it on the entrance table.
She was as uncomfortable around me as I was with her.
“You’re kidding me.”
“I might be considered a bitch to just about everyone who knows me, but I can tell you this. I never kid about men or money.”
“Sound like an excellent mantra. On that note, why don’t we grab some wine? Right now, I could really use some.”
“You know what? I’d love some.” Her entire face had brightened.
“Bella will need to meet you. Don’t worry. In contrast to her mother, she loves everyone.”
“She’ll soon learn. Won’t she?” Before I headed toward the kitchen, she snagged my arm.
“I know this isn’t my place and you’re in a tough position.
I have no idea what I’d do if I had some twisted fuck eager to come after me.
I also can’t believe I’m saying this after what happened other than I could be softening in my old age, but you can trust Hudson.
” She shook her head as some memory plagued her.
“Are you saying you don’t?”
“I’m saying… He’s a Marine. He knows what he’s doing.”
The story between them was becoming more interesting.
“He told me he was former military. I think he believed I was doubting his ability to keep me alive.”
Camille gave me another scrutinizing look, but for an entirely different reason than before.
“Let me give you a word of advice. Again, not my place, but rules and boundaries never stopped me before. I’m not saying anything against Hudson.
He’s an incredible judge. Very honest. Very fair.
Sometimes too fair, allowing the letter of the law to interfere with what’s right and just. What you see is truly what you get, but don’t allow yourself to get too close to him. ”
“Is that so?”
She nodded. “He has a very thick plate of armor surrounding himself and there are no tools that you can use to pry the protective gear away from him.”
“Does that mean you’ve tried?”
Her smile also represented a memory. “We have history, but not like what you think. I’ve simply seen his aloof behavior in action and it’s highly annoying. Hudson isn’t the forever kind.”
“Then what kind is he?”
“He’s the kind that will draw you in then fail to deliver. In doing so he’ll break your heart.”