She wipes her face with the back of her hand. “I’m doing all of this for her. So I didn’t uproot her and take her away from everyone and everything she knew.”
I stand up, making notes in my head about this fresh new face out there, thinking we need to pay Bentley another visit. It’ll be the fourth time this week.
“Thank you for calling us with this update.”
I walk out the door with Mick following right behind me. He’s barely in the hallway before the door is shut right behind him, almost bouncing against his head.
“What the fuck was that bullshit in there? Since when did you become such a judgmental asshole? Spewing bullshit like that to a victim’s mother, what the fuck, man?”
He doesn’t even answer, just walks away.
He makes his way to the car without saying anything. The door isn’t even closed before he peels off from the curb and slaps his hand down on the steering wheel twice.
“FUCCCKKKK!” He pulls over one block down. He whips the door open and jumps out, slamming it shut before he kicks it.
“I’m going to go out on a limb here and say your head isn’t in the fucking game today.”
“That was fucked up. I’m on edge about Sandie, and I totally let that poor woman have it. Jesus, I’m surprised she didn’t try to have me killed by the time I got to the car.”
“We have a whole night ahead of us. Why don’t we head over to see Bentley? Let’s hear what he has to say about this new player in town. But you pull that shit again”—I point back in the direction we came from—“I’ll fucking kill you for her.”
He doesn’t say anything and just nods as he gets into the car. I follow him. The rest of the night is a blur of us chasing a fucking ghost. From one side of town to the other, all empty leads, all leading back to this fucking new guy.
By the time I make it home, it’s almost four a.m. I’m ready to face plant into my bed. Making my way up to my room, I manage to shed my clothes in record time before falling into bed. I’m asleep before my head hits the pillow, dreaming about running around town searching for a faceless guy.
Except every time I think I’ve got him in my reach, it’s Bella and Lilah I see, and they disappear before I can grab them.
Chapter Twelve
Bella
It’s almost noon, and we have already baked muffins and cookies, and we’re now working on banana bread. This is what happens when your nightmares just play on a constant loop in your mind, even in sleep.
The whole night I was being chased by some faceless guy. I knew when I saw Jackson, I was safe, but before I could get to him, he’d just disappear. After waking twice from the same dream, I decided to get up and start my day.
By the time Lilah screamed my name in fear because I wasn’t in my bedroom, it was almost eight a.m.
The minute she saw the mixing bowl, though, she got super excited. When Brenda knocked on the door ten minutes ago, I had already made up my mind I would bring over some muffins and cookies to Jackson as an apology and a thank you.
While I made a fresh cup of coffee, I told Brenda I was going to be right back.
Walking across the street, I’m a nervous wreck. My hands shaking, almost spilling coffee on myself, I finally ring the doorbell. When he doesn’t answer after one ring, I ring again. I’m not ready for what I see when the door opens.
He answers the door in a pair of loose, athletic shorts hanging low on his hips. As if that wasn’t enough, he’s also shirtless. I cannot stop myself from taking in his broad shoulders and his wide, smooth chest. His abs are cut and defined. But it’s the tattoo on one side of his chest, under his collarbone, that draws my attention. He also has some trailing down his shoulders with a red rose that is red. So vibrant, I want to grab them so I can get a better look at the artwork and maybe trace the images with my finger.
His hair is sticking up all over the place, and he has only one eye open. The other one must be sensitive to the sun since he is keeping it shut.
“I’m so sorry, were you sleeping?”
He grunts at me, not really answering.
“It’s noon.”
“I was working till four a.m. Is that coffee for me?” He points to the coffee cup in my hand.
“Yes,” I say, handing it to him. “We also made muffins and cookies.” I try to hand him the basket, but he just turns and heads for the kitchen.
“Come in, Bella,” he shouts from inside. Turning to watch the house, I see Lilah is still at the counter mixing with Brenda.
“I really should go.” I make my way to his kitchen, leaving the door open, in case I need to run out of here.
His kitchen is newly renovated with all stainless steel appliances. The chestnut color of the cabinets stands out against the light caramel slate countertops.