The Reborn

Chapter Seventeen

Seventeen

Justin

The soft click of a door made me glance up. The hall was empty except for Kade, still standing watch in front of Camden’s hospital door, his hands clasped in front of him, within easy reach of his concealed weapon.

“Justin?”

I refocused on Tricia, trying to remember the reason for her call. Oh, right. The “friend” who had stabbed me in the back and taken my wife had cheated again and was leaving her. Something about her gaining weight and giving too much attention to their baby, which was such bullshit if you asked me. Karma really was a bitch, but even I didn’t think Tricia deserved that, and their son definitely didn’t.

“I heard you, Tricia,” I said. “And, again, I’m sorry. I still don’t know what it is you want from me. I’m not your husband anymore.”

“I was just...” Now the tears came, making me cringe. I always hated it when she cried, and she knew it. “I don’t have many friends anymore, and I was hoping...”

From behind the closed door, I could hear Camden’s baby start to cry, reminding me of all she’d ripped from my life. I wasn’t about to let her dangle that in front of me again just because she was in pain. “Sorry. You hoped wrong.”

I boxed up all feelings and ended the call, then turned to checking my messages. I had one from the car alarm installer, confirming for later that afternoon, and one from my detective friend letting me know he had finished up with all of the interviews at the dance studio and had emailed me a file with all the corresponding documents.

I replied with a quick thanks and asked him for his initial gut instincts.

Contreras:Nice women. The brunette is spicy, I liked her. The young one was nervous. Receptionist a bit cranky. They all seem very loyal to Ms. Creed. Nothing jumped out at me as suspect. I’ll let you know if I find anything else.

Me:Thank you.

Contreras:Of course. Tell Camden Creed he owes me Spartans tickets for this one :)

I swallowed back a laugh and tucked away my phone.

As I turned to head back to the room, Kade shifted to face me. “She heard you, man.”

“She... who heard?” I glanced around the empty hallway. “What are you talking about?”

He gave me the same look my division commander gave me the second day of boot camp when I made the mistake of questioning him.

Then it dawned on me. There was only one she worth talking about. My eyes flew to the door, my mind rewinding through the conversation I’d just had and... wait. I schooled my features and folded my arms across my chest. “Okay,” I said slowly. “So what?”

One dark brow winged up. “I’m not fucking blind, Ashford. I can see something’s going on between you two.”

“Kade—”

He lifted a hand, silencing my protest. “Save it. We both know this line of work doesn’t keep things black and white. I also don’t care what two consenting adults decide to do, as long as it doesn’t fuck with my business.” His index finger turned my way, drilling home his point. “Are we clear?”

“Listen—”

He shook his head. “Are we clear?”

I sighed. “Crystal.”

“Good.” He resumed his businesslike stance. “Now, as I was saying, Romeo, she was just out here and heard all that bullshit with your ex. Didn’t look like she took it too good.” He rolled his thick shoulders as if his holster was getting heavy. “So, you might want to make nice with my best client’s sister.”

Message received. “Understood.”

He nodded and I pushed back into the room. I was content to keep myself invisible in the corner and allow the family their time, suck up the painful longing that was swirling around in my chest and threatening to spill out of my mouth by begging Olivia to leave with me now, hear me out, and... I didn’t know what. Apologize?

That would probably be a good start if the way she wouldn’t look me in the eye was any indication, keeping her gaze and forced smile firmly planted on Vanessa and the baby.

Camden shot me a questioning look, obviously sensing something had changed since Olivia had stepped out of the room.

I gave him a quick shake of my head, letting him know it didn’t have anything to do with the reason I was there.

He strode over and lowered his voice. “Everything okay, man?”

“Yeah. But we do need to be going soon. I’ve got a guy coming to install an alarm in her car.”

“Sounds good.”

I gave her a couple more minutes to chat with Vanessa and coo over the new baby before I stepped in to break up the party. “Olivia.”

She snapped around at my voice like she’d been electrocuted.

“Sorry, but we need to head out. I can bring you back later after the car alarm is in if you’d like.”

“That’s fine,” she bit out, sounding like it was anything but fine as she turned back to Vanessa to hug her goodbye. “I’ll come see you when you get home. You let me know when you’re ready, okay?”

“Of course. Thank you for coming by.”

“Please. We’re family.” She moved to hug her brother again. “Congratulations. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

As she unlocked the stroller with a still sleeping Elizabeth, he shot me one more look. “Take care of them,” he said quietly.

I nodded and followed her out the door, somehow feeling doomed.

Her shoes tapped loudly on the linoleum of the hospital hallways as she walked in front of me at a fast clip, her back ramrod straight.

I let her keep her distance, but not too much, as I followed her to the elevator, then down to the car. I couldn’t fathom what she would be upset about. I’d stepped out to take a call from my ex-wife, but it’s not like I’d professed my undying love or anything. I racked my brain for what I’d even said that could’ve been taken out of context, but I came up short. There was no context, and this was all getting too damn confusing.

After she got Elizabeth buckled into her car seat and we got on the road, I faced her profile, taking heed of Kade’s words. “Did I do something to upset you?”

She took her eyes off the road long enough to shoot me a surprised look. “What? Why?”

“How about because you’ve barely looked at me since we got to the hospital.”

I knew I’d hit my mark when her hand flexed, gripping the steering wheel. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Right.” Make nice with my best client’s sister. “Is this because my ex called?”

She didn’t respond, but her cheeks bloomed a deep pink, giving me my answer.

“We’re divorced. It’s over between us, so—”

“Justin, stop.” She shook her head and lifted a hand to silence me. “It’s not my business whether you talk to her or not, or if you want to patch things up. We...” She waved a hand between us. “Work together or whatever you call it. So don’t worry about it, okay?”

I’d worked with plenty of people and didn’t know the taste of their lips, didn’t crave their flavor like fine wine. Yeah, there was something between us that was a bit more than working together, I just didn’t know what to do with it. “That’s bullshit, Olivia, and we both know it. When it’s just the two of us, you can at least be honest.”

I saw her brows furrow from the side as she absorbed my words. “I don’t know what you want me to say,” she finally said, her voice soft. “You’ve been the one pushing the whole professional boundaries thing. At least until you laid that kiss on me at church today.” She added that last part under her breath, but I caught it.

“Fair enough. You’re right.” I rubbed a hand over my head to the back of my neck as tension suddenly bloomed there. “I have absolutely obliterated all professional boundaries with you, and if I have crossed any lines that you didn’t want me to, please tell me now and I’ll find a way to make it right.”

She seemed to wilt as stress melted from her shoulders. “No.”

“No?”

“You’re fine. It’s me.”

“What do you mean?”

That adorable pink flamed her cheeks again. “I mean my brain understands why you’re here and that kiss meant nothing. My body? My heart? They’re having a hard time catching up, I guess. Especially hearing you on the phone with your ex, talking about being sorry about the divorce. I’m being... It’s silly.” She glanced over. “I’m sorry.”

I was shocked into silence for several moments. Seriously, what the fuck had she heard? I was sorry about the divorce?

Oh.

Hold the phones.

“Olivia.”

She waved me off. “Don’t. I’m embarrassed enough as it is. It’s fine.”

“But it’s not fine.” I knew I was treading on thin ice here, mixing my professional and personal lives. Wires were getting crossed that had no business getting crossed. But I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I didn’t at least clear this up. “Pull over here.”

“What?”

We weren’t near her house yet, but we were at the exit for a rest stop near the national forest. “Pull. Over.”

She must’ve sensed the seriousness in my voice because she turned on her signal and moved over to the exit, making her way to the rest stop and parking in the farthest spot.

I unbuckled my seat belt and shoved out the door without a word. In a few long strides, I was around to her door, which I threw open and met her stare with one of my own. I flashed a look to the back seat to make sure Lizzie was still sleeping, then offered her my hand.

Silently, she took it and stepped out with me into the brisk fall breeze.

I closed her door quietly, then bracketed my arms on either side of her shoulders, boxing her in between the car and my body. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

Her amber eyes widened at my gritty words, fear racing across her features before she relaxed as she got my meaning. “Okay.”

“But I probably will.”

Her face crumpled in confusion as her hands curled into the shirt at my waist, probably without her being aware of it. “I don’t understand.”

I sucked in a breath as her fingers inched just a bit under my t-shirt to brush against the bare skin of my flanks. “What I’m trying to say... what I’ve been trying to tell you, is that Tricia and I are done. She keeps calling because—surprise—she got cheated on and is getting another divorce, and she’s looking for...”

“What?”

I met her earnest eyes that held a thousand questions in them. What did Tricia want? What was I willing to give? What did I want? “It doesn’t matter,” I finally bit out. “She’s barking up the wrong tree.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Oh.” I let myself brush a hand through her hair, the silky strands wrapping around my fingertips.

“So... what you’re saying is I misunderstood what I heard and made a big deal out of nothing just because you’d given me the best kiss of my life?”

I bit back a smirk. “Best kiss of your life, huh?”

“Eh. I could’ve been mistaken.” She grinned at me, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “There was this one time in ninth grade—” Her words were choked off with a giggling squeal when I tickled her ribs.

“Mistaken, my ass. Just admit it.” I tickled her harder.

She snorted and tried to squirm away, refusing to call uncle.

It hit me in that moment that I didn’t recognize myself. Who was this fun-loving man, playing and teasing and tickling this woman until she admitted he was the best kisser? It had certainly never been me before, and never on the job.

“Fine, fine,” she wheezed between laughing breaths. “I give up. You’re the best kisser in the whole universe!”

I was grinning triumphantly when I let her go. “Kissed that many men, have you?”

She shrugged. “One or two.”

I barked out a laugh. “Okay.”

I opened her door for her so she could slide back in the car, feeling the air between us had lightened.

Later, back at the house, she was quiet as she puttered around and I took care of the car alarm. Once that was done and the installer had left, I went looking for the girls and found them out in the backyard.

Olivia glanced up from one of the patio chairs where she was watching Elizabeth play with some toys in the grass. “All done?”

“Yes.”

She nodded, then indicated the chair next to hers. “Sit with me?”

I took a seat and caught a big hit of her sweet wildflower scent, which slammed me hard in the solar plexus.

Elizabeth looked up from where she was digging around with a plastic shovel and gave me the sweetest smile. “Man Jusin. You done work?”

“Yes, sweetheart. I’m done working now.”

She nodded and pounded the ground harder. “I work.”

“I see that. Good job.”

I felt Olivia’s stare on my profile so I turned to face her.

“Can I ask you something?” she asked softly.

“Sure.”

“Why did you go to church with us today if it’s clearly not your thing?”

Not what I was expecting. I anticipated more questions about Tricia and our marriage or maybe even my time in the Navy. But my faith? That was no man’s land. Had been ever since God left my prayers on unread during the darkest days of my life.

“I told you.” I ran my hands down my thighs, not meeting her gaze. “I go where you go.”

“And it not being your thing?”

“That’s two questions.”

“Sore spot.” I felt her thoughtful gaze still on me. “Got it.”

We were quiet for a while, both watching Elizabeth play. After a while, Olivia let her hand drift to the arm of her chair, near where mine rested, so our pinkies brushed. She hooked hers over mine lightly in the gentlest of connections.

I glanced down at our joined fingers, then over at her face, but she had her eyes closed, basking in the last of the sun’s rays.

“I ordered us pizza for dinner,” she said softly. “Hope that’s okay.”

“Sure, that’s great.” I didn’t pull my hand away from hers, even as something thick and emotional threatened to clog my throat. What the hell was happening here? Tickling and hand-holding on the patio and pizza and I was suddenly full of... feelings?

I glanced up at the cotton candy clouds in the sky, pondering. I’d prayed and cried out to God until I was hoarse, begging him to save my marriage.

Nothing.

Not a damn peep. Not even a go fuck yourself.

I might as well have been talking to a big fat brick wall for all the good it did me. And hit my head on it for good measure.

My opinions on the matter of faith had been complicated ever since.

Still, something was stirring in my chest now, wondering. Just wondering...

The doorbell rang, effectively killing that thought.

Elizabeth scrambled to run and help Olivia answer the door while I ambled behind.

We sat to eat our pizza on paper plates with some kind of earthy jazz music playing in the background. I’d come to learn that you could tell what kind of mood Olivia was in by her music selections, and tonight she was feeling good.

I cleaned up while she bathed Elizabeth and put her to bed.

When things were quiet, I grabbed a bottle of water and settled in at the dining table with my laptop. The first thing I did was start an initial search on this Christoph Donato asshole. Not much came up, but international searches always took longer, so I knew patience would be key to get any goods on him, particularly his whereabouts.

Next up, I started going over everything Detective Contreras had sent over. It was pretty much as he said, but I read over every word in his interview transcripts, just in case. Nothing incriminating jumped out, not that I thought it would. And just as Olivia had said, the only people who had keys to the studio were her, Whitney, and the leasing company.

I had to smile reading Whitney’s interview.

Det. Contreras: Do you know of anyone who’d want to harm or threaten Ms. Creed?

Ms. Blackmon: If I did, I’d harm them first before they could get to her. That’s what best friends are for. Don’t you have a ride or die, Detective?

Det. Contreras: So, that’s a no?

Ms. Blackmon: That’s a no.

Det. Contreras: Did you see anything out of the ordinary in the days leading up to the vandalism of the studio?

Ms. Blackmon: Also a no.

Det. Contreras: Just another question or two.

Ms. Blackmon: I’ve got all night.

Det. Contreras: You have a key to the studio, is that correct?

Ms. Blackmon: Yes.

Det. Contreras: Who else?

Ms. Blackmon: As far as I know, just me and Olivia. I’m not sure about the cleaning crew, you’ll have to ask Liv.

Det. Contreras: Okay. And do you live with anyone? Or would anyone have had access to your key?

Ms. Blackmon: I don’t live with anyone, so nobody would have access.

Det. Contreras: You’re sure?

Ms. Blackmon: I’m sure. I loaned it to another teacher one Saturday so she could get in to teach, but she gave it right back. Other than that, it’s been in my possession, and I don’t have people over other than Liv. Sadly.

Det. Contreras: And which teacher borrowed it?

Ms. Blackmon: Sofia.

Det. Contreras: Got it. Thank you very much for your time. If you think of anything else that may help, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Ms. Blackmon: Will do.

I could just picture Whitney bantering with the good detective, but he could handle it. If anything, he probably liked it.

I already knew the cleaning crew wasn’t anything, so I scrolled to Sofia’s interview. She answered all of his questions, including about her ex-boyfriend. She also verified that she had borrowed the key to the studio one weekend to help with classes, then returned it the following Monday. So, all in all, not much to go on there. I made a mental note to look deeper into all the employees at the leasing company.

“You’re looking very studious.”

I snapped up at Olivia’s voice to find her leaning against the doorway with a soft smile on her freshly washed face, her wet hair curling around her shoulders and dripping on her t-shirt in dark spots. Tight workout shorts accentuated her toned thighs and shiny red polish highlighted her tiny bare feet.

“Just catching up on some reading.”

“Anything exciting?”

“The interviews from your staff at Colomba.”

“Oh.” Her wide eyes ran over my face as if searching for a clue. “And?”

“Not much we didn’t already know.”

She nodded and moved to get her own water bottle. “So what now?”

“Now I keep doing what I’ve been doing.”

“Which is?”

“Looking into all leads and keeping you and Elizabeth safe.”

She nodded, her eyes drifting to my computer, then back up.

“What?”

“It’s nothing.”

The troubled expression on her face called her a liar. “Clearly, it’s something. What is it?”

“Are we safe?” She sucked in a breath and shook her head. “I mean... nothing’s happened in a while. Do you think, maybe, things might be getting back to normal?”

Was she seriously in that much of a hurry to get rid of me? I slowly closed the lid of my laptop, my gaze laser focused on her. “Nothing’s happened in a while?”

“Yes.”

“So, what do you call what happened to my truck in your driveway? Or at your studio just a few days ago? Redecoration?”

“Redeco... no! That was... that could’ve been...” She took in my lifted brows. “Fine. You’re right. I’m just so sick of all of this!” She sank down into a chair across from me. “I hate having my life turned upside down like this, and I’m sure being here is no picnic for you either.”

“I—”

“Yeah, I know,” she said before I could reply, “you’re getting paid to be here. Pretty good, too, I’m sure, knowing my brother. But still.”

I sat back with my arms folded across my chest. “I am, but that’s not what I was going to say.”

“Sorry. What were you going to say?”

“I was actually going to say that I enjoy being here with you, job or no job.” God, what this woman brought out in me. She looked so pleasantly surprised, as if nobody had ever said that to her before, so I forced myself to push on. “Yes, I’ll admit, when I was first given this assignment, I wasn’t too happy. I had a good gig, I was comfortable. Then my boss calls and tells me he needs me to work exclusively for his best client for double the pay, and I would be a fool to turn that down. But what this job lacks in glamour, it more than makes up for in other things.”

Her entire body looked like it was turning into soft goo at my words as she leaned toward me, her hands gripping her water bottle. “What kind of things?”

“Like...” Her breath hitched and I had to bite back a growl. “Pizza. And church with your parents. And being called Man Jusin.” I let my gaze drop to her mouth. “Like being able to protect someone as sweet and kind and talented as you.” I didn’t dare say what I wanted to say, which was how often I let myself think about the taste of those sweet lips and the feel of her silky skin.

“Oh.” Now she sounded breathless.

“Yeah, oh. Now can we drop this nonsense about things being back to normal? Until we catch whoever has been fucking with you, you’re stuck with me.”

Her eyes flashed up to mine.

Something hot and electric flashed between us but she didn’t say a word. Instead, she nodded once, as if resigned—to the chemistry we shared or my presence, I couldn’t tell—then stood, cutting off the moment. “I’m gonna go prep some lessons for when the studio reopens.”

I watched her walk away, once again reminded of how strong she was. Wondering at the secrets she kept. Kicking myself for caring. I’d been burned before and I had no intention of walking through those flames again.

Yet, like a glutton for punishment, an hour later, I found myself leaning against the living room threshold, watching her like a voyeur. Headphones on, eyes closed, she was so lost in whatever she was listening to, her notepad and pencil were nearly falling off her lap as she sat with her legs folded beneath her on the couch.

When was the last time I’d been so overcome with something I’d let myself relax like that? I couldn’t recall. Maybe never.

Her eyelids slowly fluttered open and eyes the color of honey met mine, dreamy and content. With no particular hurry, she reached up and pulled off her headphones, the sounds of muffled music drifting into the air—something eloquent with strings and percussion. Something I could picture her dancing to on a stage somewhere.

“Everything okay?” she asked, her voice soft.

“Yeah.”

Those dreamy eyes caressed my face, then moved down my chest and legs before slowly drifting back up. “Sit with me?”

Bad idea.

Terrible. Idea.

“Sure.” I strode over and sank down beside her, wondering what she wanted to talk about.

But she didn’t want to talk. Instead, she surprised me by lifting her headphones and placing them on my head, letting her music fill my senses.

I closed my eyes and let it take me away, somehow not surprised as all thought left me, the melody taking its place and all tension leaving me. Whatever this piece was, it was clearly meant to captivate the soul.

My head snapped up and my eyes flew open when I felt her head and hand, warm on my chest. But she wasn’t looking at me as she curled into my side, cuddling into me like she’d been doing it her whole life.

I let my arm drape around her shoulders, pulling her closer, giving her whatever comfort she was seeking, and she snuggled in even more, her leg hooking over my thigh.

I had no idea what she was thinking, but my body was thrumming along with the music’s crescendo.

Her fingers curled into my shirt, making my heart thunder like mad as déjà vu tickled my brain. Then, like a lightning bolt, a memory flashed through my psyche.

Tricia, curled up in my arms, fresh from the shower, dressed only in her panties and one of my shirts.

“I think I’m pregnant,” she whispered, her fingers clutching and unclutching my t-shirt like she was nervous, even though we’d been trying for what felt like forever since the miscarriage.

“What?” I pulled back and took in her face. “Are you sure?”

“Not yet.” Her smile was timid, which wasn’t like her. “I’m only like two weeks late.”

Yeah, well, she wasn’t pregnant. At least not yet. When she did finally carry a baby to term, it wouldn’t be mine.

I was such a fucking idiot.

In retrospect, her nerves made a lot of sense, since she knew she was going to have to come clean about screwing my friend, and she knew I wanted nothing more than a child. In the end, losing her wasn’t the worst pain she inflicted. It was taking away my chance to be a father.

As the song came to its soft, almost heartbreaking end, I reached up and slowly pulled off the headphones and laid them to the side. I knew I was treading dangerous territory with Olivia, and no matter how different it felt than with Tricia, I’d be a fool to let my guard down.

This was a job. Feelings could not factor in. I had to rein this shit in.

With as much care as I could muster, I extricated myself from underneath her and uncoiled to stand.

“Did you like it?” she asked, her expression the epitome of vulnerable.

I nodded. “I loved it.”

Her smile seemed to say she understood, which was good, because I wasn’t sure I could take breaking her heart.

Then don’t, the last shred of rational mind I had left screamed at me. Get the fuck out of here the minute you can!

Getting out and away from the ultimate temptation was the answer. Of course it was. Not just this room, but this house. Her.

I had to make a plan, like yesterday, before I sank any further into something I couldn’t get out of.

I muttered a quick good night, then spun away and dashed to my room. After checking in with Kade by text, I called the security guys on the studio setup again to see if they had any updates on the parts coming in. I needed to make a solid exit plan ASAP.

Once she was safe in her home, vehicle, and place of business, there would be no reason for me to stay on her twenty-four seven. I could find a place close by to be readily available should she need me until we caught whoever was doing this, but...

I dropped back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. “Jesus, Ashford. You’re running scared from one little woman? Get it together, man.”

But as I lay there for a little bit longer, the muffled sounds of Elizabeth’s sleepy cries followed by Olivia quietly soothing her were a direct shot—past my pain-hardened armor and into my soft underbelly, where I was most vulnerable.

I wasn’t running scared from one little woman, but two.