The onceover she gave me did nothing for my self-esteem.
“Sure. Come in.”
As soon as she stepped inside, I had two seconds to return the statue to the foyer table before she dumped the bags in my arms.
“What’s this?”
“Hudson asked me to purchase a few things for you. I’m sorry. I’d thought he’d let you know I was coming.”
“I left my phone in another room. I don’t understand. I’m not destitute.” I glanced at the bags, more confused than anything.
She shrugged. “You’ll need to ask him. He called in a favor. He had one left in his bag of tricks.”
There was more between them than just familiarity or a working relationship. Who was I to ask or care? I certainly didn’t have a hold on Hudson.
“Well, he’s a very generous man. Hopefully this wasn’t too much trouble. I certainly didn’t ask him to purchase anything for me. I can take of myself.”
Her features softened as if she knew she was being a bitch to a stranger. “I’m sorry. That was very rude of me. Hudson and I go way back and it’s not always been… pleasurable. Let’s start this over. I’m Detective Camille Morgan.”
Now I was the one juggling the clothes, but I managed to put my hand out, the handshake as firm as I could make it given the continued level of tension. “So you said. Valentina Sciascia,waitress and office manager, witness to a heinous crime now threatened by the man who was allowed to walk the streets again by someone in law enforcement who fucked up.”
She certainly hadn’t expected my sharp and to the point introduction. As soon as the words settled in, her face, which I thought would never show any other expression but disdain, cracked into a smile. “You’re right. Some corporate creep let a monster slip into the darkness. At least in my opinion. I can see why Hudson likes you.”
“I don’t know about that.” Was I fishing? You bet I was.
“Let’s just say he’s not known for taking in…”
“Strays?”
Sighing, she nodded as if convincing herself of something. “I guess I deserved that.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Okay, you did.” We both laughed. Softening, I shook my head. “You didn’t need to do this. We’re going by my apartment later to get my things. After that, I don’t know what to expect any longer.” I lowered the bags to the floor, shocked at the stores she’d selected. They certainly weren’t the ones I could shop in. This girl was down with TJ Maxx. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d purchased anything new.
“While he might believe I’d say otherwise, he will do everything in his power to protect you. Which is why you won’t be going alone or with your daughter. He’s very concerned about your welfare.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I’m your babysitter for the evening.” She rolled her eyes. “Don’t look so shocked. I raised my younger sister all by myself. Then she had a daughter and we were a happy family for a little while.” The laughter in her eyes faded and the inflection in her voice indicated there was a story there. Right now, I just didn’t care. “However, that was a very long time ago. Anyway, believe it or not, I’m very good with children. I even bought a book I thought she might like me to read. Hudson mentioned how old your daughter was. I had a book saved from a long time ago. A favorite.”
Whatever the memory, I could tell it was painful. We all had them. Maybe my experience had hardened me. Or maybe I was tired of playing the victim. Still, I heard my mother’s voice in my head telling me to be nice.
“Well, I very much appreciate you going out of your way. I’m not used to anyone being in my corner.”
“If you ask me, I think he might be taking you out on a date. Thankfully, he seemed to know your size. I bought a little of everything.”
The news was so unexpected I burst into laughter. “Well, that’s unexpected. I will pay you back. It might take me a little while, but I promise I will.”
When she flipped out a black credit card, I gasped. “It’s his. No, I don’t regularly go around stealing a man’s black credit cards. I stopped by his office and when he said the sky was the limit, I might have taken him up on that.” She placed it on the entrance table.
She was as uncomfortable around me as I was with her.
“You’re kidding me.”
“I might be considered a bitch to just about everyone who knows me, but I can tell you this. I never kid about men or money.”
