“Be careful, Judge Armstrong. We have little ears in the room.” Valentina’s voice was lightly chastising me, but I could tell by the look in her eyes she knew exactly what I was thinking.
That I wanted nothing more than to peel away her dress right here. Exhaling, I forced myself to look away, but not before I’d caught Camille’s smug look as well.
“Yes, I’m sorry. I was angry,” I managed. “You didn’t answer my calls.”
“I’m sorry. I won’t let that happen again.”
The moment was much more awkward than it should be. Clearing my throat, I tried to think of something to say. “How is the little princess doing?” I asked Bella, realizing that Camille was watching me intently.
In a shocking moment, Bella ran toward me, throwing her little arms around my legs. “Mama said we could go outside when you came home. Like before.”
I crouched down to her level, tweaking her nose until I realized what she’d said. “You went out before?”
Valentina’s sigh was heavy. “She escaped. Your officer helped me find her.”
Instead of feeling angry, it felt as if I was reliving the night Camille had lost her entire world all over again.
“Well, maybe tomorrow. If it’s okay with you. I’m going to steal your mommy for a little while.”
Bella looked up at Valentina in such a loving way that it affected Camille, who turned her face away.
“Don’t worry, baby girl. We’ll do something fun tomorrow. What are we doing?” Valentina asked, although she noticed Camille’s sudden change in demeanor.
“Okay, Mommy.” Bella’s disappointment was obvious.
“I thought we might grab a slice of pizza or something on the way to your apartment. If that’s alright with you.” I stood, taking a single step closer.
Valentina gave what appeared to be her new friend a knowing look. What in God’s name had Camille been telling her? “That’s fine. Bella already had her dinner. Let me grab my purse and keys. Unless of course, you’d prefer to break in just to show me how it’s done.”
“Very funny.”
She winked as she passed by me, but when she squeezed my arm, the shot of electricity was almost alarmingly strong. As soon as Valentina had left the room, Camille said something to Bella that I didn’t pay any attention to before walking closer. “You know. You really shouldn’t get involved.”
“Who said I’m involved?”
“Your body language. It’s easy to tell the way you two feel about each other. Don’t forget what happened the last time.”
“What happened the last time had nothing to do with trying to protect someone from a heinous killer.”
Her expression was smug. “Maybe not, but the end product could be the same. You just aren’t the type of man to allowanyone past your defenses. It’s entirely possible Valentina will be confused by your incessant need to right the wrongs of the past with something more along the lines of you caring about her when we both know you’re incapable of doing so.”
“Why don’t you cut through the bullshit, Camille. We both know why you obviously warned her about me. You know what happened with Jenny was out of my control.”
“Was it?” The hatred in her eyes returned, but only for a split second. She closed her eyes. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Hudson, but just don’t confuse your need to right to what happened with the way you’re feeling with Valentina. She’s a very nice woman.”
“Yes, she is.” I didn’t have a chance to retort or defend myself any further before Valentina returned. There was no doubt she’d caught part of the conversation. Fantastic. “I’ll take that under advisement. I’ll be ready when you are,” I told the beautiful woman who was staring at us quizzically.
“I’m ready. Bella, baby. Be good for Camille.” She kissed her daughter on the forehead and by that point, I was already heading to the kitchen door. Taking advice from Camille at this point wasn’t on my bucket list.
Even if she was right.
I sucked at anything but my job and right now, I was even beginning to question that.
Once I had Valentina safely inside the car, I took a few seconds before I slipped into the driver’s seat. Instantly, I felt a tension that hadn’t been there before.
I was out of the neighborhood and on the interstate before Valentina said anything.
“Camille is very…”
