“No more bottles for you, buddy.”Jude scratched the cat beneath its chin.
“What’s your plan for today?”she asked, reaching out to stroke Milo’s orange creamsicle coat.
“I’m going to go into the office to read the interview notes.I got a text from Agent Levine this morning that Jon is stable, but only family is allowed to visit for now.I’ll meet up with Cameron and Ross sometime this morning and we’re going to interview the woman who deposited the 2.5-million-dollar payment in the bank account that funded the sniper.”He reached across the table and squeezed her hand.
“I hate to ask you this, but it would ease my mind if you stayed in the apartment.I can grab anything you want.There’s the bookstore right down the street if you’d like to write down some titles you’re interested in, or you can use one of my laptops.I’ll be back as soon as possible.Just know this isn’t forever.If we weren’t close to solving this case, there wouldn’t have been as much desperation to silence the man who was brought in yesterday.”His thumb smoothed over the back of her hand.
“It’s really okay.I don’t mind staying.I’ll take a bath, relax, maybe watch some television, and then I’ll get dinner going for when you come home.”
“I like when you say that.”
“What?”she said tilting her head to the side.
“When you call my apartment home.”
Her heart grew warm as Jude continued to hold her gaze.“I’ll give Ash a call and make sure he and Jess are all right.He texted me yesterday that the grocery store let him take the week off.It’s been a very long time since he’s taken a vacation and his work seemed happy to let him have the time off.”
“That’s good, baby.”He moved his hand, lacing his fingers with hers.“I love you,” he said staring into her eyes.“I know last night was intense, but I wanted to let you know my feelings haven’t changed from what I told you last night.I’m not gonna lie, when we were at the hospital, I had already decided things weren’t going to work between us.That I didn’t want you exposed to all the violence and crime in my life, but fuck if I can let you go.The guys gave me some tough love.Reminded me that letting you go would be the biggest mistake of my life and I don’t disagree.”
“I could feel the moment you pulled away, and I knew you were grappling with what to do about us.Your SEAL friends’ women also told me their stories of meeting their men.By all accounts, you seem like a difficult brood.”She laughed.“But I’m more than up for the challenge.I know there will be times you’ll try to withdraw.Just know I’m strong enough to withstand it.”
“I know you are.”The full weight of Jude’s gaze was on her as he gave her all of his attention.“That’s what makes me have hope.I want this to work between us, Ivy.I want you to be my partner in all things.I want to fall asleep with you every night and snuggle with you and the cat every morning.I want normalcy.Family dinners.I want to get to know Ash and Jess, and I want to meet your parents.”
“I want all those things, too.”Ivy grinned up at him.
Jude stood up and cleared their empty plates.
She watched him as he came around the center island and hovered over her.His hand slid to the back of her neck, and he kissed her deeply, then he growled and lifted her with ease, stalking toward the bedroom.She laughed as he tossed her on the bed and crawled up over her.They spent the next hour delaying his trip to the office.
Chapter Eighteen
By the timeJude was finally allowed into the gated, luxury condo building in San Diego’s Marina District, his patience was wearing thin.Around-the-clock security and a full-time front desk staff and concierge made it nearly impossible to retain the element of surprise, but they were eventually allowed to take the private elevator up to the penthouse suite to speak to the homeowner.
“What do you think the price tag was on this penthouse?”Cameron asked as the glass elevator slowly ascended to the top floor.
“A hell of a lot more than two million that’s for sure.”
“She’s been listed as the resident for the past ten years,” Ross added as they quickly recapped their intel.
The woman in question was Layla McGovern.CEO of a prominent tech start-up.She was forty-five years old and married for the past eleven years to a stock market guru with his own line of get-rich-quick books.Layla McGovern had deposited 2.5 million dollars into the same account that funded contract killing of Leonard Henson.When they reached the penthouse, an older man wearing a sweater vest over black dress pants greeted them.In his hands was a cup of tea, but otherwise he looked ready to set out for a day of work.
“Can I help you gentlemen?”
“We’d like to speak with Layla McGovern.”
“I’m her husband,” the man said with a frown.
“We’re from the Department of Homeland Security, and we have some questions regarding a recent transaction from her bank account.”
“Yes.”The man’s silver eyebrows furrowed.“The concierge told me where you were from.I think there must be some mistake.”
“If it is, we’ll get this taken care of quickly.”Ross smiled, visibly putting the man at ease.He stepped back letting them inside the parlor.
“Layla,” he called.“The gentlemen from the Department of Homeland Security are here to speak with you.If you’ll excuse me,” he said leveling his gaze at the men, “I’ll just call our lawyer.”
“Of course,” Jude said with a nod.
The sound of heels clicking against the marble floor was audible, moments before a blonde woman in a power suit entered the sitting area.
