“Oh. Ah, is Hayden there?” she asked, keeping her voice soft and making me think the worst.
That was one thing about being a cop they didn’t tell you about before you signed on the dotted line. Once you’d seen things, you could never unsee them. You might tell yourself you’ve pushed past them, but you never really do. Now here I was, picturing the worst.
I couldn’t breathe.
If something happened to Skye because I’d been a prick, then I’d never forgive myself. It was bad enough that I couldn’t save Cassidy, I refused to let Skye become a victim too. If someone wanted to hurt her, then they were going to have to get through me first.
“I’m here,” I gritted out.
“I… I… I need your help,” she repeated and I hated the fear in her words. But mostly, I hated that she thought I’d hesitate.
“Whatever you need,” I promised, looking over at Dickson who nodded in agreement.
“I’m in Ohio—”
“Why the fuck are you in Ohio?” Dickson interrupted, looking shocked.
“I’m with Kellie. Cassidy’s sister.”
“Isn’t she in Texas?”
“No, she’s here. And, Hayden, she’s not in a good way.”
“What happened?”
“I’m not entirely sure. She won’t tell me the full story.”
“Well what do you know?”
“She had complications with the baby and—”
“She’s pregnant?”
“Hayden! Focus.”
Without hesitation, I asked, “Sorry. What do you need?”
22
SKYE
I’d avoided gettingin touch with Hayden as long as I could, but two days ago, Kellie had her baby girl and while not everything went to plan, Cassandra Jane was here and she was healthy so nothing else mattered.
Trying to get information out of Kellie, even if it was information that could help her, was harder than getting blood out of a stone. She was stubborn and determined to go it alone. Even lying in her hospital bed after having a cesarean, she was more worried about the hospital bills than recovering. And that was wrong. So fucking wrong.
Cassidy hadn’t been the richest woman on earth, not even close, but she had enough that this shouldn’t be an issue. And I’d known her and loved her for a long time and I know, even if it was the last hundred bucks in her purse, she would’ve handed it over to make sure her niece got the start in life she deserved.
And that’s why I finally gave in and texted Hayden.
Kellie was still in hospital, coming home tomorrow and I was back at her place. I’d spent the afternoon scrubbing the place from top to bottom, throwing out anything that was moldy or smelt like mildew. I wished I had more time and money to make it better, but by the time I finished changing the sheets on Kellie’s bed and making up the crib in the corner I knew it was as good as it was going to get.
I’d stared at my phone for what felt like forever. It was almost midnight before I dialed his number and part of me, a big part of me, was hoping he didn’t pick up. If he didn’t answer, I didn’t have to go through with it and ask, but I had to try. For Kellie.
When Dickson answered, I almost dropped my phone. Hayden was at work. I shouldn’t have called him while he was at work. Someone might need him.
Somehow I managed to splutter, “I… I… I need your help”
In true Hayden style, he agreed but only after he’d put me through the ringer. Asshole. Didn’t he know how hard it was to come to him with this, especially since the last time I’d spoken to him I’d been begging him to slap my ass and make me scream.
