Page 80 of Guarding Over You
“She’s not here,” she confessed.
“Where is she? Not with Billy, I hope.”
The steel edge to his voice said everything she needed to hear. That the man holding her wasn’t just guarding her but her daughter as well.
“No. My parents have her. It was planned for over a week and I didn’t want to cancel. They’d ask why.”
“They don’t know what is going on?”
“No. Only you and Billy besides our attorneys.”
He moved her to the couch and pulled her next to him. “Why?”
“Because I don’t need advice. I don’t need lectures. I got enough of them during my marriage. Then after. They never agreed with my actions and, looking back, I should have listened. But I’m doing what is right for Gracie now and don’t need the judgment.”
He hesitated, watched his words, then said, “I don’t know if anyone is judging you.”
She laughed, not a funny sound in the least. Nothing about this night had one ounce of humor in it. “Trust me, they are. Lots of people. Billy included.”
His arm tightened on her shoulder. “How did it go today?”
“What I expected. He put on a mask like always around Julie. Even Gracie. I know he’s trying not to scare her and I can appreciate that.”
“Arden,” he warned.
“I’m not defending him. Not in the least. I’m just saying he’s trying to keep her out of this. He insists it’s not him or Tina, but then who could it be?”
“We’re working on that,” he said.
“Who is we?” she asked, moving out of his arms to look closer into his eyes.
“Clay. Ash was there too. I went to see my brother last night. He’s got a way of getting information others can’t, or at least he can do it without anyone watching.”
“How?”
“I don’t ask and he doesn’t volunteer. It doesn’t matter either. But Clay was part of recon and other military operations and has connections.”
She waited a second, then asked, “Did he find out anything on Billy or Tina?”
“No,” he said. “I wish he had. Doesn’t mean it’s still not them. But he brought up an idea I foolishly overlooked. Your job. Your past job and this one. Is there anyone you can think of that has a vendetta out for you?”
She frowned, her eyebrows drawing together, her mind going blank. “I can’t think of anyone. It’s possible. I’ll try to remember.”
“Hey,” he said, his head lowering, his mouth landing on hers for a quick reassuring kiss. “Not tonight. Both times it’s been at work, not here. The dolls had been explained away easily enough. They admitted it. I can stay on the couch if you want so you can get some sleep, but don’t force it now.”
She heard his words. Felt more than him wanting to watch over her.
What she wanted was him not on the couch but in her bed. In her arms.
Making this night just vanish from her nightmares if only for a short time.
“I’d like you to stay,” she said, her hand reaching for his and standing. “But not on the couch. Upstairs with me. In my bed, next to me, holding me tonight.”
“Arden,” he said, his voice almost pained. “You’re not thinking straight.”
“I’m thinking more clearly now than I have in days. Maybe weeks. Today, after I dropped my daughter off all I could remember was two weeks ago when we sat for two hours in the restaurant talking, laughing, our first kiss and the restraint both of us had and wished we hadn’t.”
He laughed. “I’m giving you space.”
