“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.
