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“You handled that well, Ellison. Al is a hard luck story, but he’s no threat. Good job knowing the difference.”
“Thanks. He been out here long?”
Dion nodded. “Since I was a rookie. I was worried after my last undercover sting he might be gone. But he’ll probably outlast us all.” Back in the patrol car, Jenkins shifted into gear with a smile.
The rest of the day passed without any real excitement, mostly drunk tourists, a few stolen purses on the major walkways in the area and a bar fight. Dion Jenkins was a good and fair cop, and I felt lucky to have him as my training officer.
“How did my first day go?” It was a bold question but I needed to know the truth. I had to be better than the other officers because of who my family was, which meant I needed all the feedback I could get. Good or bad.
“It was good, rookie. I’ll let you know when you need to step it up and be tougher. Guys like us have to prove we’re not soft on crime while everyone else gets the benefit of the doubt. Just remember that moving forward, and you’ll be fine, Ellison.”
I nodded and went to change out of my uniform before texting Madison. I hadn’t heard from her since she tore out of my parents’ house after the news broke of Bonnie’s murder. She didn’t answer. Again.
One more day, and then I would show up at the Ashby place, whether she liked it or not.
Chapter Five
Madison
It was time for me to stand on my own two feet. I had relied on the Ashby family for a lot, too much actually. Thanks to the kindness of Sadie and Kat, I had a good paying job that would allow me to pay rent on an apartment. Definitely something nicer than our crappy single-wide back at the 215.
I didn’t care if I had a tiny studio that charged rent by the week or a fancy place with a doorman and an elevator. I didn’t need much. What mattered was that Bonnie’s death had highlighted how little I actually knew about the Ashby’s, and how foolish I was to trust them so implicitly. Hell, her death circled it with a red pen, highlighted it in bright yellow, and then lit it up in neon lights.
Over the past week I’d walked in on hushed conversations, secretive looks, and a lot of sudden quiet when someone—usually me or Cal—entered a room. Something was going on behind my back, too much deception, and I knew if I wanted any answers, I’d have to find them myself.
“Where are you off to?” Cal stood in the doorway of the living room, stretching his long limbs and smiling at Ava’s sleeping form in the bassinet where she napped during the day. I’d been keeping watch over her since noon.
I blinked up at him. “Who said I was going anywhere?”
“Really?” He arched a playful brow at me and gave my body a long look. “You’re dressed in real clothes, not just jeans and a t-shirt but actual clothes. You look like you’re headed to a job interview.”
I looked down at the black pants and pink top I wore, shrugging to concede the point. “Don’t worry, I have no plans to jump ship.” Not yet anyway, and not if I didn’t have to.
“So you are going somewhere?”
“Yeah, I have a few things I need to take care of, so your break is actually pretty perfect timing.” It’s why I’d gotten dressed before he stopped for lunch, to give myself enough time to take of my shit and get back before he went back to his computer cave.
“I’m not trying to check up on you, Madison. I’m just curious.”
“I know, but this is—I don’t know, Cal. I’m not ready to talk about it yet, that’s all.”
“All right. Just know that if and when you’re ready, I’ve been told I’m a good listener.” He flashed a crooked smile, and I instantly felt bad that I put Calvin in the same box as the rest of his family. As far as I knew, he’d been nothing but honest with me. “I also want you to know how much I appreciate you helping out with Ava. She loves you.”
I smiled down at the sleeping little girl and gave her back a gentle rub. “I love her too and looking after her is no hardship. I used to babysit when I was a kid.” It was crap money, but it was my money, which meant I could always eat or buy a pair of jeans when I needed them.
“You should probably get going, right? I’ll take a long lunch so you don’t have to rush back.”
“Really? Thanks, Cal. You’re the best.” I dropped a soft kiss on Ava Rose and made a quick stop to get my purse and keys, and jumped in my car, putting Ashby Manor in my rearview mirror, at least for now.
