“Where’s her husband now?”
Derek’s gut churned at the wordhusband.That bastard didn’t deserve the title.
“Don’t know. I saw him takin’ off from the hotel as I was pullin’ up.”
“I’m assuming you’re going to look into him?”
“As soon as I hang up with you.”
Eric sighed. “All right. Give Charlie a hug for me. Let me know if you find anything on Porter.”
“Roger that. Be careful, brother.”
“You, too.”
Derek ended the call. Over the next few hours, he looked up anything and everything he could find on Caleb Porter. Family, financials, employment history, the works.
On paper, the guy was a fucking prince. Not even so much as a parking ticket. Working for the top law firm in New York City no doubt aided in keeping Porter’s nose clean.
He thought of the woman in the other room. No, Porter’s nose was far from fucking clean. The dickwad simply knew how to cover his tracks.
After a few more hours, when his eyes began to cross, Derek decided to call it a night and hit the hay. He considered going in and lying down next to Charlie but decided against it.
He had no idea what state she’d wake up in, and he sure as hell didn’t want her thinking he’d tried taking advantage of her. He’d just as soon cut off his own nut sack before ever stooping so low.
Thankfully, the bed in the spare room already had sheets and a blanket on it, so all he had to do was strip down to his boxers and climb in.
Emotionally spent, it didn’t take long before Derek found himself in his own deep sleep. Unfortunately, it didn’t last long.
About an hour later, he woke to a soft, whimpering sound. When he realized where it was coming from, Derek threw off his covers and rushed from the room. His chest tightened when he saw her.
Charlie’s legs were kicking beneath the covers as she attempted to fight against an invisible monster. Derek’s heart damn near broke at the moans and whispers of denial she made.
Fuck this.
Unwilling to let her remain in whatever hell she was trapped in, Derek made his way to her side of the bed and knelt down beside her.
“Shh,” he crooned as he reached up, running his hand over the top of her head.
Charlie’s breathing picked up. “No,” she mumbled softly.
“Charlie,” he whispered back.
“Please don’t,” she begged, pushing his hand away in the process.
Derek spoke a little louder. “Come on, Charlie. Time to wake up.” He gave her a gentle nudge.
Her entire body jolted and Charlie screamed. Her wild eyes flew open as she attempted to scramble away from him.
Derek raised his hands, palms up, to show her he meant no harm. “Easy, darlin’. It’s just me.”
She froze. “Derek?” Clearly confused, Charlie looked around the room, then back to him.
“You were having a bad dream,” he explained.
She blinked a few times, running a hand through her tangled hair. “I-I’m sorry I woke you.”
“Nothin’ to be sorry for.” He lowered his hands, resting his forearms on the edge of the mattress.
