Page 88 of Chasing Honor

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“You’re sure?”

“Ethan, go to work. It’s been three days. I’m fine. And your mom is here to help me. You’re driving me batty,” Honor complained.

I didn’t want to go to work. This was my first shift since I’d arrived at the accident scene. The vision still haunted me, not that I’d tell Honor that. She had enough on her plate, and I didn’t feel one bit of remorse for not piling more on.

Sam was still in jail, having been denied bail, even after his over-priced lawyer had argued for his release. The judge had deemed him a flight risk and hadn’t taken kindly to Sam’s entitled attitude. It was worth noting the congressman had not shown up for his son’s bail hearing. As a matter of fact, he hadn’t been seen since Lorenz and Detective Wild had interviewed him. He seemed to be lying low until the media shit storm passed. It had me worried that my dad and uncles hadn’t been able to track him down. That meant he was purposefully hiding, and innocent men didn’t hide, not even politicians.

“I won’t be home until late. My dad said he and Carson would be done fishing in time to bring you and mom lunch when he drops her off.”

“Okay. We’ll be fine. Between you and your mom the house is fully stocked. I am capable of making dinner.”

“No way. You need to rest.”

“Handsome, you and Carson have waited on me hand and foot. I’m not saying I don’t love the attention, but I’m fine. Please stop worrying and go catch some bad guys. The sooner you leave the sooner you’ll be home.”

She was right. The faster I got this shift over with, the faster I could crawl in bed next to her and hold her. Carson and I had taken up residence in her room. I didn’t want her climbing the stairs to my room, and Carson didn’t want to be left out. So the three of us had squished into her queen-sized bed. As soon as Honor was completely healed, we’d be having a discussion about her moving her belongings up to my room. She could use the downstairs bedroom as an office. But I wanted her in my bed every night.

Carson hadn’t blinked at the change in our family dynamic. I no longer tried to hide my displays of affection and openly kissed Honor and held her hand. Child friendly of course, but I wasn’t looking over my shoulder before I pecked Honor’s cheek or forehead. Another thing that had changed, and had come quite naturally, was that Carson often told Honor she loved her, and Honor didn’t hide the sentiment either. It wasn’t discussed, and no one made a big deal out it. Things were simply moving in the right direction.

We’d quietly talked late into the night—about nothing and everything. Honor had been forthcoming telling me how much my silence had hurt her, and I vowed never to shut her out again. To say I’d learned my lesson was an understatement. I’d never do anything to jeopardize what we had. I’d fight to keep her. And as soon as she was up for it, I was going to ask her to marry me. I wanted my ring on her finger and a date set.

“All right, I can take a hint. I’m leaving.”

“It wasn’t as much of a hint as it was an ‘in your face’ request. You need to stop. You’re stressing yourself out. I don’t want you thinking about me when you need to be concentrating on staying safe.”

“Sorry, but it’s impossible for me to stop thinking about you. But, I will be safe. I love you.”

“I love you, too, handsome. Now go.”

* * *

“Anything new on the Sam Harris case?” I asked Lorenz when he walked into the locker room at the station.

“The DA seems to think she has an open and shut case. But something’s bothering me.”

“What does Detective Wild think?”

I knew my partner, he always spoke his mind. If he thought there was an issue, he would’ve shared it with the detective investigating the case.

“He agrees with me. The DA is jumping the gun. She thinks she has a straightforward case because the car is registered to Sam, the paint transfer matches Honor’s Honda, and he has personal ties to her. With your statement corroborating hers about the altercation at the restaurant. She thinks she has it in the bag. But we both know a good defense attorney is going to poke so many holes in her case it’s going to leak like a sieve. However, she won’t listen. But we need more.”

“Can I look over the evidence?”

“No go. You need to keep your nose out of it.”

He was right, but I still wanted to see the case file. Conflict of interest was a bitch. If Sam’s attorney caught wind I’d even glanced at the evidence he’d scream foul. I wouldn’t jeopardize the prosecution’s case, but I would offer Lorenz my opinion.

“How’s Honor?” He changed the subject.

“Apparently, I hover. Other than me annoying her, she’s fine. The bruising has faded, and her stitches come out in a few days.”

“That’s good. When she’s ready, Maria would like to have you guys over for dinner.” I tried to stifle a groan, but Lorenz caught the most inaudible grumble. “You’re not going to get away with hiding her for much longer. Maria’s already pissed as hell I’d kept Honor a secret from her this long. She wants to see for herself that you and Carson are happy.”

“I know. I’ll talk to Honor.”

Maria had been trying to get me to date for several years. She’d even tried to set me up with several of her friends, telling me I needed a Latina woman. She was of the opinion that Latina women knew how to take care of their men, and if the way she pampered Lorenz was anything to go by, she was right. Though, Lorenz spoiled the hell out of her and their kids as well. It was the perfect balance of give and take.