AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Mommy!” he shouted, throwing his arms around her neck.
Kelly gave Jason a hug, meeting Wentworth’s cold dark stare over his son’s head.
* * *
“JUST A FEW more days, Officer Jenkins.”
“And I said no.”
Trey paced the dining room as he glared at Kelly. Carico had taken Jason to his playroom so he could talk privately with the officer. He needed to find a way to convince her to stay. What could he offer? He was usually good at persuading people, but this woman was adamant.
“All I’m asking is a little more time to give Dr. Carico a chance to treat Jason, to get his head on straight again.”
“What you’re asking will jeopardize my career.” Kelly shook her head. “I’ve worked too long and hard for that.”
“You can commute from here. I’ll put my staff at your disposal to make sure you don’t miss any work.”
“Great. So I show up at my station every day in your limo?”
“We can bring your car here. Or you can use one of mine.”
“Which will take twice as long because of that stupid ferry.”
“So we’ll use the Wentworth Industries helicopter.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, that’s an awesome plan. I can hear my sergeant now.”
“I’ll talk to your sergeant, explain the situation.”
She looked away. “How can it be healthy for your son to continue to believe I’m his dead mother? He’ll have to face the truth eventually. Why put it off?”
“Dr. Carico believes we should ease him into the truth gradually or risk damaging him further.”
“That sounds like quack talk to me.”
“Because you’re such an expert in child psychology?”
Her jaw tightened. Great. Trey stopped moving and placed his hands on the back of a chair to get control of his own temper. He needed her on his side. No, on Jason’s side. What could he say to convince her?
Hard to believe this was the same woman he’d spoken to at the pool last night. She’d seemed softer somehow, but maybe it had been her lack of clothing and the killer body. He’d been sorry when she covered up. Kelly Jenkins was a beautiful woman, one who never played up that beauty. She even tried to hide it.
But how could she be so unfeeling? She’d spent time with Jason. She knew how desperate he became whenever she left him.
Not meeting his gaze, she lifted her coffee and took a quick swallow.
“Look, I don’t want to insult you by offering you cash again, but—”
“Then don’t.” Her cup clattered to the saucer.
“So I’ll donate money to your favorite cause or charity, help out your mom or your great aunt. Give to the Police Benevolent Association. Pay off your student loans.”
Kelly stared into her empty cup. “Contrary to your obvious belief, Wentworth, money cannot solve all problems.”
Trey sucked in a breath. This woman had no idea how well he understood that painful truth.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to persuade you to stay.”
She raised her startling blue gaze to his wordlessly.
“He’s just a mixed-up little boy who misses his mother,” Trey said. “Can’t you find it in your heart to help him a little longer?” Maybe she didn’t have a heart.
She closed those eyes.
“I’ll make certain you don’t miss any more work,” he added.
“All right,” she said. “You win.”
Trey exhaled forcefully, relief making him want to hug her. He could just imagine the reaction that would get. “Thank you.”
“I’ll give you another day, maybe two. But nothing you do or say can make me blow off another shift. In fact, I need to leave right now or risk being late.”
“Greta,” Trey called out.
Greta materialized at the door, having obviously listened to every word of his exchange with Kelly.
“Hans is waiting in the limo out front,” she reported.
“Go,” Trey said to Kelly. “I’ll explain to Jason that you had to work.”
Kelly rose and moved toward the front door.
“But I can tell him you’re coming back tonight, right?” Trey asked.
She whirled on him. “I said I would, didn’t I?”
