“You mean like the night we shared months ago?”
The way she bit her lower lip and the fresh hint of peach crossing her cheeks brought another wave of desire. “That one too. We can’t… I mean I’m no fool, Hudson. We’re adults.”
“Understood, Valentina. What we shared won’t happen again. Now, I’m completely aware you have a life and responsibilities, but you came to me terrified with justifiable reasons. Jacob Jones was released and I won’t be able to rest until I learn the next steps and that you’re safe. Indulge me for today.”
She chewed on her lower lip, obviously fretting over the decision. “Fine. One day. But I don’t want to be a burden.”
It was obvious to me she wasn’t used to anyone being in her corner, which was why she continued to apologize. The genuine goodness in her personality was a welcome change to what I dealt with on a daily basis.
“You’re not a burden. I’ll need your phone so I can program in my private number. I’ll show you the security system and what to anticipate should there be a break. If so, the system itself will automatically contact the police.”
“What if he finds me?” The vulnerable, scared girl had returned, the one I wanted to scoop into my arms and promise everything would be alright. Even if I doubted it would. Nothing good would come out of his release.
“He won’t. You’ll need to place your trust in me.”
“That’s why I’m here,” she whispered. “You’re the only person I can trust.”
CHAPTER 10
Hudson
“I’m sorry, Judge Armstrong, but the case is out of my hands and has been.” Jasmine Guthrie was a highly respected prosecutor, her win percentage respectable. Although at the time of the trial, I’d been surprised the state attorney hadn’t put a more seasoned attorney on the case.
My concerns had made me question whether her placement had been to provide the defense a higher chance of beating the charges. That might have occurred had it not been for Valentina’s strong testimony. Even those with promised security and identity protection often caved in such heinous cases.
Especially since Luis Delgado had gone on television and issued a threat to anyone who dared try to prosecute his employees. Employees, my ass. His statement had been broadcast on every station and captured on social media before a gag order could be issued. Valentina had seen his violent outbursts and to her credit hadn’t crumbled.
Maybe that’s why I was being forced to curtail my anger and with every passing second, it was becoming more and more difficult.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?”
Jasmine was doing her best to avoid eye contact as she shoved files into her briefcase. “The case is out of my hands. I have no clue whether or not the DA is going to file a new case himself, but the ball is in his court. Not mine.”
If she thought she was going to shove me aside, she was dead wrong.
“I heard the issue with the first case was tampering of evidence. How was that possible? You assured me more than once you had every ‘t’ crossed.”
“Someone made a mistake and tainted the evidence.”
She was visibly nervous, her hands shaking. “What aren’t you telling me, Miss Guthrie?”
Perhaps she hadn’t been prepared for me to confront her. When she darted a quick look toward her open door, I took a deep breath.
“Who’s threatening you?”
“No one.” Said much too quickly. “I was told he was being released and why. I can’t tell you anything else. It’s completely out of my hands.”
“You do realize that places you as well as everyone who worked on the case in harm’s way.”
“I seriously doubt Mr. Jones would risk returning to a federal prison.”
She was doing her best to pretend the situation wasn’t dangerous.
“Except Mr. Jones issued an open and direct threat in court.”
“I’ll be fine. He was spouting off like every criminal does when angry.” Who in the hell did she think she was going to convince? Certainly not me.
When I crowded her space, her voice and breath hitched at the same time, her eyes opening wide with almost the same fear that I’d seen in Valentina’s eyes. “Let me tell you something, Jasmine. Do you remember the witness, Jane Smith?” I purposely wasn’t using her real name since I could count on one hand the number of people who were supposed to know it.
