“No. No, please. Grey. Please. No.”
I smooth my thumbs along his cheek and kiss his forehead. “Do you trust me?”
I pull back to look at him. The war in his eyes breaks my heart. How can I blame him? We only met months ago. He’s had a decade of mistrust and abuse to compare it to.
“I—”
“It’s okay. I got you.” I kiss him. “I won’t let anythinghappen to you. Not while I’m around. Got it? I swear, Felix. He is not taking you anywhere. You’re free.” He swallows, nodding. “This is your home now, okay?” My phone goes off again.
I get up, slipping on a pair of sweats, and limp to my door. We iced my knee after I blew him and I’m not feeling so bad today. I don’t know if it’s that I’m just getting used to it after accepting it, the PT, or that I’m taking it easy.
I make it to my door just as another round of rings sounds. This fucking guy doesn’t give up. Which is why I’ll let him in. If he can come in and see no one else is here, maybe he’ll fuck off. I whip open the door, startling him. “What?”
He straightens, trying to make himself seem taller. It’s pathetic. “Uh, sorry to wake you.”
“Yeah, you seem real torn up about it. I told you I don’t know who the hell you’re looking for, but why would they be all the way up here?” I look at his badge. “Officer Cartright? Seems like you’re a long way from your jurisdiction.”
“We’re working with the local police to locate this missing person. It’s been a few months, and the only lead we have has led us to this town. We’re checking to see if anyone has any updates.”
“Didn’t you leave a number?” He nods. “Don’t you think people would call if they saw something?”
“You see, we have witnesses saying that someone who matches the missing man’s description was seen with you down at CHS hospital.” What the hell is he talking about?
My appointments. Felix wore a hat while we were outside. How closely is this dumbass following us? “I go to PT downtown. They’re probably talking about my caregiver.”
“Caregiver?”
“Yes.” This is insane.
“And what’s his name?”
“Tucker.” I make up on the fly.
“Tucker.” He tastes the name like it’s bad. “Would you mind if I come in? Just a few more questions, then I’ll be on my way.”
Whatever, if it gets him off my back. “For a minute.” I let him in, noticing the surprise that slips onto his face. He’s a few inches shorter than I am. I try my best not to limp as I sit on the couch.
“Do you live alone?” he asks.
“That’s not your business.”
He looks around the living room. “What about your caregiver? He live here?”
“Again, not your business.”
“Can I take a look around?”
“No.” I glare right through him.
“You’re being uncooperative.”
“I was woken up too damn early to answer questions about some random missing person I know nothing about. Unless you want to get a warrant, you will sit your happy ass right there.” I wink and smile at him.
I see it rolling under his skin. This man doesn’t like to be told no. I think back to last night and how Felix flinched when I grabbed his ass.
Okay, if I think about that right now, I might snap his neck.
“Is there anything else I can help you with?”
