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He wrapped his arm around her waist again, and she allowed herself to lean against him. Once in the kitchen, he locked the door without letting her go, flicked off the light, then led her to the living room.
Easing her down on the couch, he sat beside her, close enough that she could feel his warmth. She needed him close tonight, and she suspected he needed to be close, too.
She turned to look at him. “Do you think the police will be able to figure out which car ran through the red light?” Julia asked, tucking her hands beneath her thighs so Nico wouldn’t see them shaking. “You only caught a glimpse of that license plate.”
“I know what the first three letters were,” he said. “That’s part of the tactical driving course I took -- learning to scan a plate quickly. And with the surveillance cameras most cities have, the police should be able to find his car.
He sighed. “I’ll check Dawson in the license plate registry and see if he drives a black car. Won’t prove anything, though, because if he’s as smart as he thinks he is, he’d rent a car for a stunt like this. Or steal one. In fact, I’d be shocked if that car was registered to him. But I have to check.”
“What would be the point of trying to kill me? I don’t even know Kent Dawson,” she reminded him.
“I don’t want to speculate.” He shot her a quick look. “You sure he’s not an old boyfriend you had a nasty break-up with?”
Julia snorted. “I only have a few exes. No nasty break-ups with any of them. And none of them are Kent Dawson.”
“He might have changed his name,” Nico said, his voice even.
Julia shook her head. “I don’t know him. I know I said he looked a little familiar in one of those photos Spence took, but maybe he ate at Madeline’s once.” She sucked in a breath. “Maybe that’s how he met Carole.”
“Possible,” Nico said with a nod.
They sat in silence for a few moments, and Julia’s muscles were tightening. She rolled her shoulders, and Nico noticed, because he said, “Why don’t you get ready for bed? A hot shower would probably feel good right now. I’m going to take care of a few chores.”
“Chores? This time of night?”
“For starters, I can call your insurance company, if you’d like, and report the accident. Get the name of their body shop. Find out about a rental car. Arrange to get it in the morning. Then I have to clean my guns.” He glanced at her and must have seen the shock on her face. “I fired one last night, and I need to make sure they’re ready to go.”
“You think you’ll need guns?” she asked, horrified.
“Julia, carrying guns is part of my job. When I’m protecting someone, it’s because they’ve been threatened. I always have at least one with me when I’m on a job, usually two. Cleaning them regularly is part of the job.” He cupped her cheek and ran his hand down her arm. “If you give me your insurance info, I’ll take care of those chores for you.”
“Okay.” She nodded slowly, her already-aching head feeling like a bobble-head doll. “Thank you for dealing with all that. I’m… I’m still shaken up.”
“Why wouldn’t you be?” he asked. “Someone ran a red light and hit your car. You’re gonna be sore in the morning.”
“Yeah. I know.” He stared at her for a long moment, then drew her into his arms. “I know we promised each other we’d back off. But tonight was a tough night. I need to hold you for a moment, and I’m guessing you need it, too.”
“I do,” she said, her face buried in his neck. She tightened her arms around him and held on. His fresh scent enveloped her, and she wondered why he didn’t smell like the restaurant.
His heart beat against hers, and she wanted to stay wrapped up in him forever. But she knew she couldn’t.
So instead of clinging to him, she tightened her arms for a long moment, then let him go and stepped away. “I won’t be long in the bathroom. Then it’s all yours.”
“Take your time,” he said. He lifted his hand, as if to touch her, then let it drop. “I’ll be busy in the living room.”
Julia watched him as he walked away, wishing he’d be joining her in her bed. She yearned for his warmth. His comfort.
But she knew he wouldn’t. And it would be cruel of her to ask, knowing that he wanted her as much as she wanted him.
Rolling her shoulders, reminding herself to take some ibuprofen, she trudged into the bathroom and stepped into the shower. When she finally pulled back the covers on her bed, Nico was still in the living room.
She suspected he’d stay there until he was sure she was asleep.
* * *
“Everything under control, Delia?” Julia spoke into her phone as she watched Zoe carry three dresses out of her walk-in closet. She rolled her shoulders, still a little sore from the unsolved accident the previous week.
The police officer had called the next morning. The black car had been reported stolen several hours before the incident. And there were no fingerprints.
