He glanced around his basic, furnished-apartment living room with its plain brown sofa and chair and almost no decorations.
“All right, your place. Like I said, it’s just for a day or two.” Bending his head, he very softly kissed her. “Thanks, baby.”
Her insides melted the way they always did when he said the word. “It’s no big deal.” She turned away before he could see the mist that sprang into her eyes. “I’m sure Hannah won’t be any trouble at all.”
He nodded. “I’ll call Frank Gibbs right now. He’s my lawyer. He can make sure we do everything nice and legal.”
While Ethan made the call, Val filled a box with some of the toys and clothes he kept in his apartment for Hannah. The clothes were probably a size too small—Allison hadn’t let the child visit her father in weeks.
By the time they got back to the duplex, the little girl was asleep in her car seat.
“Wait for me. I’ll be right back.”
Val watched the gentle way Ethan carried the child into the house, her head snuggled against his shoulder, and emotions rose Val usually kept locked away.
For years after Bobby, she had closed herself off, kept herself apart from all but the most superficial relationships. Not even the men she’d dated over the years had ever gotten close. Only Mom and Pops had been able to break through the barrier she had created.
In the past few years, that had begun to change. She’d made friends with a couple of girls in college. She’d met Samantha and they had become close friends. Through La Belle, she’d met Meg. Isabel and Carmen were friends, too.
After what had happened in that bathroom in Atlanta, Val and Amarika had been e-mailing back and forth.
Now there was Ethan and his little girl, touching her even more deeply.
It was the wrong time. The wrong man.
Then why did it feel so right?
Ethan checked the duplex, settled Hannah on the sofa, still fast asleep, then returned to the Jeep for Val.
“Come on, let’s get you inside.”
She slid out of the vehicle, all long legs and grace, and he felt the same tightening in his groin he’d felt when he’d seen her in the sapphire dress that morning. He wanted her with the same deep hunger, but again he would have to wait.
A faint smile touched his lips. Being a father had its drawbacks. He thought of the sleeping child who had nestled against his chest. There were drawbacks, but there were far more perks.
The sky remained overcast, but a few holes appeared in the dense layer of clouds. Sun was predicted for that afternoon. Ethan urged Val along beside him as they climbed the front porch steps. He’d go back and get Hannah’s toys and clothes, but he wanted to get everyone safely inside the house first.
They had almost reached the porch when something in the distance moved at the corner of his vision, glinted for an instant when the clouds opened up.
“Get down!” Ethan shouted as the sound of a muffled rifle shot split the air and a wood chip flew off the column holding up the overhanging roof. Val screamed as he shoved her down behind the three-foot partition enclosing the porch, pinning her beneath him, jerked his weapon, came up, and fired off two quick rounds. A second whizzing shot ricocheted off the top of the railing.
His jaw hardened.Sniper rifle with a sound suppressor.This guy wasn’t playing games.
Val crouched behind the half wall around the porch while Ethan changed position and popped off two more shots in the direction the bullets had come from.
“We need to get inside.” Grabbing Val around the waist, he positioned her in front of him and they raced, bent double, through the open front door.
Hannah was sitting up on the sofa, her eyes wide, her lips parted in a silent scream of terror. Ethan grabbed her and dragged her down on the floor.
“Stay down. Both of you.” His gaze shot to Val. “Call nine-one-one. Tell them we’ve got a shooter. Tell them I’m a private detective and I’m armed.” Moving at a crouch, he made his way back to the window.
Glass shattered above his head and Hannah started crying. “Daddy!”
“She’s okay,” Val said to him. “I’ve got her.”
Ethan fired off two rounds, then ducked as a bullet shattered another pane in the window. Glock in both hands, he popped up and fired again.
Quiet fell. His blood pumped, adrenaline roared through his veins. He itched to go after the shooter, make this end once and for all. “I want this guy,” he said through clenched teeth. “But I can’t leave you and Hannah.”
