Page 16 of Ruthless Protector

I shook my head. “And you want to spend it with me?”

Van smirked. “Sure.”

I knew why he was here. Van was checking up on me. Making sure I was still solid after the kidnapping case. Everyone at the agency knew if a woman or kid was in danger, I got involved in that case in a way that bordered on obsessive. That I’d risk anything to make sure they were safe.

What I did, jumping out of that window and rappelling to the ground, wasn’t anything special. Hunter, Ruby, Zeke, anyone at the agency could have, and would have, done it. But it wasn’t them, it was me, and like Ruby said earlier, I wouldn’t have let anyone else take point on that job, I couldn’t.

And that’s why Van was here.

I opened the door wider. “You better come in then.”

Van walked in, put the beer on the kitchen counter, and turned to me. “Who’s playing?”

“That’s not why you’re here, let’s get this over with.”

Van’s expression turned serious. “How you doing?”

“I’m fine.” I shoved my fingers through my hair. “I won’t let anything affect my job at the agency.”

Van grabbed a beer and opened it. “I know you’d never do anything to jeopardize a case. But you’re family, Jude. I know these kinds of cases get to you.” He shrugged. “I’m just here as a friend.”

I appreciated that, I did. I also knew that I wasn’t handling it as well as I said I was. The dreams, memories, had gotten more intense, and then there was Willa. Was I making her my next crusade, using her situation to make myself feel better, to appease my guilt, even if it was only for a little while? I didn’t want to think about that, or the fiery woman living in my house.

“You better sit down then,” I said, grabbed myself a beer, and planted my ass back on the couch.

I’d do the security upgrade, then I’d back off, before I got too involved.

Whatever Willa Hartley had going on was none of my business.

4

Willa

I stared down at the pile of overdue bills in front of me, my phone still clutched in my hand, Alf’s, “Sorry, girl,” still ringing in my ear, and did my best not to break down. When I saw Alf yesterday and pleaded my case, he’d been sympathetic; well, as much as Alf could, but he hadn’t budged. I’d put my pride aside one more time—who was I kidding, my pride had left the building long ago—and called him again. The answer was still no. I was too unreliable.

I dropped my phone and covered my face with my hands.

I’d kept an upbeat front for Tilly when she got home from school yesterday, while we’d baked her cake, then again, this morning, walking her to the bus and waving her off like I had the day before; like everything was fine, like nothing had changed. Having no job, worrying myself ill about money, her father’s sudden contact—that was my concern, not hers. That little girl was mine now, my responsibility. I was the only adult in her life that she could depend on. I’d do anything, anything, not to let her down. To keep her safe.

She’d had more than enough sadness and fear in her life.

I just had to figure a way out of this. My job hunting yesterday had been unsuccessful. I’d tried a few salons, but since my old boss had refused to give me a reference when I’d left in a hurry, leaving her in the lurch, it was pointless. I didn’t even have anything I could sell. My mother, Rebecca, they certainly hadn’t had anything of value, that’s for damn sure. We were on our own and I had to figure out what came next, and fast.

There was a knock at the door, and I jolted.

I wanted to ignore it, but it was probably Fay. I’d seen her yesterday and told her I’d be home; she’d worry if I didn’t answer. I hadn’t showered yet, still in my sleep shorts and a tank. That was usual for me at ten in the morning, but we’d been running late for the bus, so I’d just thrown on a jacket, then I’d gotten sidetracked by Alf and my growing pile of bills, and the morning had gotten away on me.

I pulled the door open, a smile that I knew must look forced on my face.

The smile froze and I jolted, jerking back. Trent.

Oh God.

I tried to shove the door shut, but he stepped forward, forcing me back inside and followed, shutting the door behind him.

“Get the hell out. Now. You can’t just come into my house like this…”

He kept coming, a smarmy grin on his face. “I got sick of waiting.”