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“No.”
“No?”
“No. I’ve been telling you both that area is fucking trouble. Maybe now you’ll listen to me.”
I sit up straighter, getting mad. “No, you said the bar was sketchy.”
“It’s all the same.”
Fay cuts in. “Mindy, this should be an eye-opener. I’ve never judged you for what you do. I love you no matter what. But when it becomes a safety issue, I have to speak up. I worry about you. You should never be out wandering the streets in the middle of the night. Russell should have someone walking you to your car.”
I want to tell her our lives are not the same. I don’t have a rich, hot-as-sin man to rescue me. I don’t get to say no to the obligations in my life. My survival depends on it. “I know. And I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get you involved.” I wouldn’t have if the stupid hospital hadn’t called my emergency contact.
Her shoulders slump, and I feel like an asshole. “They called ‘cause I’m your person. Why would you ever think I wouldn’t be here for you?”
“Fay, it’s not that. It’s just…” We live completely different lives. She wouldn’t understand my struggles. I open my arms, and she comes back to snuggle in the bed with me. “I know you’re trying to help, and I appreciate you both. But I promise, I’m fine. I don’t need a bodyguard. I’ll buy myself some mace like other normal people and have someone walk me to my car. Okay?”
Fay doesn’t look convinced, Theo even less so. Thankfully, she gives in. “Fine. But if anything happens, someone even looks at you the wrong way, you’re coming to stay with me.”
“Deal. Your little boy toy can make us food while we binge all his fancy streaming channels.”
Theo groans, and Fay sparks a smile. “Deal.”
“Excuse me, folks.”
We turn our attention toward the doorway where a man sporting a shiny badge stands. “I’m Detective Garrett Rochel. Miss Parks, I was hoping to get your statement and have you answer a few questions.”
I nod, and Fay moves off the bed. “Why don’t you two—?”
“We’re not going anywhere.”
Ugh, I hate possessive Theo sometimes. “Fine. What do you want to know?” I ask the detective.
“Can you walk me through your evening?”
Chapter two
Mindy
A loud noise blares from my nightstand, startling me awake. I slap my hand around to find my phone and shut off the alarm. I sit up, cringing at the stiffness in my neck and the bright ass sun blazing through my blinds. I flop back down, dozing. I’m almost back to sleep when the snooze wears off. “Fuck me.” I snag my phone and immediately regret the movement. Lifting it above my head, I crack open an eye to look at the time and groan. I have to report to Theo’s office at three o’clock. That’s in forty-five minutes.
I hated relaying everything to the detective in front of them. By the time I was done, Fay was a mess, and Theo looked ready to explode. The detective didn’t sound very confident they would find the guy who assaulted me because of the area it happened in and all that but said they’d keep me updated. Fay and Theo waited for me to be released and drove me home, arguing that I should stay with them for the time being. Spending a few days in a fancy penthouse condo would be no hardship, but I needed my own bed and space to come to terms with what happened.
Or what thankfully didn’t.
Now, I have to meet with Theo because he doesn’t know when to butt out. I love him, and he’s perfect for my bestie, but I don’t need a keeper. If I blow off this “meeting,” though, I have no doubt he’ll show up at my door. Bossy asshole.
I get up and fight through the pain while I shower before dressing in a chic top with a high neckline, jeans, and black spiked heels. My forehead and neck may look like a mess, but that’s no reason not to dress cute. Grabbing my keys and phone, I call an Uber since my car’s still by the studio and head to Theo’s fancy office in the city.
“Good afternoon. How can I help you?” the receptionist addresses me, her smile straining as she takes in my jacked-up forehead. I know, so not sexy—nor does it go with my outfit.
“I’m here to see the big dog.”
She looks at me, her head tilting to the side. “Excuse me?”
“The big dog. The guy in charge. Yourboss.”
“I’m sorry. Do you have an appointment?”
