Chapter 6 #2
At least I could laugh. “Maybe that’s why I came to you. You made me feel safe before, as if nothing and no one could hurt me.”
The moment was captured in wishful thinking that had no place. He was so handsome, so kind and yet I’d felt something lurking deep inside of him that transcended anything having to do with the law. He would do what it took to keep those he cared about protected.
He glanced down at my hands then back up to my face in an entirely different way than he’d done all those months ago. Heated from anger.
And from desire.
The crackling sensations were almost overwhelming. I could just sit here and be perfectly content. Yet the longing from before had returned. I sensed it with him as well.
My skin tingled from thoughts of the way he’d touched me, his roughness turning into sheer rapture.
“I’ll need to see your phone. Maybe the number of the person who called you can be traced.”
“Okay. My guess is he’s too smart for that. Criminals have far better methods of keeping their privacy highly secure than typical civilians.”
Every time he laughed, even halfheartedly, another series of tingles created heat between my legs. “Again, you don’t know me very well. I have tricks up my sleeve. It sounds like you know what you’re talking about.”
“I bet you do and I read books.” I took a sip of the drink, grateful to have something to do with my hands. He was so close I feared reaching out and touching him in a way that would change everything.
“You’ll be surprised. Your suggestion of security prompts me to ask you. How did you find me? I don’t have my address listed anywhere for obvious reasons.”
He had a way of making me crazy with desire and nervous at the same time.
“I’m full of surprises as well.” When he looked at me quizzically, I was finally able to laugh.
“There’s a program a friend of mine introduced me to after what happened.
If you have a phone number and it’s attached to an address whether on a bill or your house loan, the address can be found.
Unless you use a program called Delete Me, which wipes out your footprint. At least it’s supposed to.”
“Meaning you used the program on yourself.”
I nodded; finding the right words around him was difficult. “I thought I was safe.”
“Sadly, you’re right in that there are people who specialized in locating individuals. If they want to find you, they will.”
Another shiver tickled every aching muscle.
I’d yet to tell him I’d also enrolled in several self-defense classes. I’d never wanted to find myself in another position where I couldn’t defend myself. But would it matter when a monster had been freed from his cage?
“However,” he gritted out. “I might need to explore the program you used to wipe out my existence. At least petty criminals have no access to specialized equipment or programs.”
“I hope you don’t just disappear. I’d like to have you around.” When I was nervous, I spouted off at the mouth. Often with very inappropriate sentences.
His smile slowly grew wider. “You would, huh?”
When Bella moaned, our attention was drawn away. “I should get her home. I’m sure he’s long gone.” I knew I was making light of the horrific situation, but I also couldn’t live my life in sheer panic. That wasn’t living.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
“What do you mean?” I looked into his eyes.
“I mean you’re going to stay right here. I have plenty of room in the house.”
“I can’t impose on you that way. My mama did raise me right.”
“You’re not imposing. I insist, even if it’s just for tonight. We need to sort this out. Plus, it’s raining.” With a dark chuckle that sent another heated vibration through me, he nodded toward the window where the rain was coming down in sheets.
Another horrible reminder. God, I hated rain. I stared out the window until he gently touched me on the leg.
“You don’t want to take Bella out in the storm again. Do you?”
His question and his kind offer surprised me. “I’m a stranger. That wouldn’t be fair.”
“You’re hardly a stranger, Valentina. You’re staying. That’s the end of discussion.”
Ordinarily, I would hate a man commanding me to do anything.
My ex had been like that, always demanding.
Never allowing me to make decisions for myself.
I’d stopped bothering trying to date men because they’d all acted like they knew better for and about me than I did.
But there was something very endearing about the way Hudson was doing so.
Not out of spite or some crazy need to control me, but to protect me.
“You’re sure?”
This time when he laughed, there was less tension. “Why don’t we take Bella into a guest room where she’ll be more comfortable. That way you can relax. Between the news and the threat, you’ve been through a lot.”
“If you’re certain about this.”
After placing his drink on the coffee table, he stood, peering down at me with even darker eyes than before. “You’ll learn that I never do anything I don’t want to do.”
My friends would call me crazy for coming here and potentially putting his life in danger. Yet I’d known instinctively this was where I should come. If anyone could help me, he could.
He was certainly highlighting he wasn’t the kind of man to take no for an answer when he scooped up my little girl in his huge arms, cradling her tightly against him.
While I could carry her, I had to admit that with every month, doing so was becoming more and more difficult. She was growing like a weed.
She was still fast asleep, which continued to surprise me, but since the day she was born, I’d been blessed with her being able to sleep through the night. She didn’t have the horrible nightmares her mother did.
I grabbed my bag from the foyer, now thankful I’d brought a few things with me, including her favorite bear that she had to sleep with. I had to admit, feeling completely safe for one night was exactly what I needed.
As Hudson carried her up the stairs, I finally realized just how gorgeous his house truly was.
Modern with a beachy flair, the Miami Beach home was located on the water.
When I’d found his address, I’d also looked in Zillow, surprised how beautiful the exterior was.
But the photographs hadn’t done it justice.
It was gorgeous through and through, every detail exquisite.
After the dead phone calls and the first sighting of what my gut had told me was Jacob, I’d searched for the judge. I’d been hoping he was still in town. I’d debated calling his number but hadn’t figured he’d take my call.
From what I’d learned about the judge, he was highly respected and considered a decent human being instead of a pariah like I’d sensed so many were in the justice system.
Maybe that wasn’t fair, but in dealing with the horrific crime and the way I’d been treated by a few officers, I’d learned just how corrupt people in law enforcement could be.
Using his elbow, Hudson flicked on the light.
The bedroom was just as gorgeous as the rest of the house and the huge king-sized bed would dwarf my baby girl, but she’d love it.
I pulled down the covers and doing so felt normal, as if this was just another night staying over with a friend. Once she was nestled in, her little eyes opened and she smiled.
I’d done everything in my power to keep her from realizing Mommy was scared. That had been difficult. Even being three and a half, she was a smart little girl and fed off my emotions like an empath.
Hudson backed away, giving me some space.
I sat down, brushing hair from her eyes.
She was my entire world right now and the reason I worked two jobs while doing my best to spend as much time with her as possible.
She was worth every exhausted night. I grabbed Mr. Bear, nuzzling it against her before tucking the covers under her chin.
She closed her eyes again and almost instantly rolled over. My child could sleep anywhere.
With the nightlight still on, I half expected when I turned to find him standing there waiting for me. He wasn’t.
Being in his house under these circumstances was surreal.
A part of me, the conscientious woman who knew I was tempting some crazy moment of fate was screaming at me internally that I should leave town, and move back to where I grew up.
My parents’ house was still there. Their things were still inside.
I’d yet to determine what to do with the house. But I owned it.
Why I hadn’t left, I wasn’t certain.
Maybe I was still in shock the monster had gone free. Maybe I was fearful if I left town, I’d be admitting defeat.
Or maybe I just liked Miami better.
I headed downstairs, surprised I didn’t discover him in the living room. I grabbed my glass, uncertain whether he wanted me to search for him. The awkwardness returned, but so did the need to see him.
When I finally found him, I stood in the doorway still trying to figure out what to say to say or how to act.
I was eternally grateful he’d taken me in with few questions asked, but I knew more were coming.
I was no one to him, just a lost girl he’d shown kindness to months before.
Even if there was something he could do to help me, why should he?
With my pulse racing, I took a deep breath and finally noticed the surroundings, able to embrace a slight smile.
The oversized room smelled like cigar smoke and the appearance was so very much like a man cave I was impressed.
With a huge poker table on one side of the room, a pool table on the other, and a bar smack in the middle complete with a shelf full of liquor and comfy looking barstools, I could just see him with a bunch of buddies enjoying a game.
There was a dartboard and what looked like a Pac Man game attached to the wall. At the back was a glorious set of all glass doors that allowed for sweeping views of the Atlantic. He stood with his legs crossed, leaning against the doorjamb, as if completely relaxed.