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Red fills my vision. I’m about to rip this girl to pieces. Her cute nose, those sensual curves, her intoxicating eyes. She knows exactly what she’s doing. Trying to throw herself on Rob’s mercy.
Over my dead fucking body.
“Sorry, sweetheart. You’re not my type.” Rob leans back and shakes his head. “Besides, breaking and entering isn’t exactly a romantic way to meet someone.”
“Your loss, honey.”
I can’t take any more of this bitch. I’m going to do something drastic if I don’t get some air. I shoot to my feet and stomp to the bathroom. Inside, I splash some water on the unbandaged side of my face and dab it with a towel. My whole face pulses with a bone-deep ache.
The bruises are starting to appear beneath the skin. It’ll take heavy concealer to hide this shit from my clients, but I’ll manage. Big sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat does wonders for curious onlookers too. Hell, if it works for celebs, it’ll work for me.
After using the toilet, I stop in my bedroom and lean out the open window. Yup, the fire escape ladder has been lowered. Bitch must be a damned spider monkey. I retreat into the room and close the window, ensuring I lock it. It’s too hot to sleep with the windows closed. Guess I’ll have to figure out another way to keep cool this summer...or splurge on an AC unit.
A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts. I dash into the living room and wave to Rob. “I got it.”
Peering through the peephole, I see a tall, somber man with a day’s worth of scruff on his jaw and a scowl deep in his brow. I unlock the door and open it.
“Ma’am.” He nods in respect, but I note his long perusal of my face. My hand covers the bandage protectively. “I’m looking for Dr. Thompson.”
“He’s in here. Please, come in.” I step aside and allow him entry.
“Thanks for coming.” Rob rises to his feet and extends his hand.
“This better be worth dragging my ass out of bed, Thompson.” He glowers at Rob. “What the hell is going on?”
Rob gestures to me, encouraging me to tell him what happened.
“Well, I woke up and found this burglar in my bedroom looking through my things.” I point to the woman seated on the couch.
My nerves are exposed, frayed, sparking like live wires of electricity. It feels like one more thing heaped on top of everything else. I’m about to scream into the sun.
“Did she do this?” He massages his own cheek with a fingertip, referring to my injury.
“No. Different incident.” I fold my arms across my chest.
“Okay.” His gaze narrows before shifting to the intruder. “And why didn’t you just call the department?”
“I don’t want a whole bunch of questions and paperwork right now,” Rob says, his voice low. “I’m sure you can talk some sense into our...guest here.”
A grin splits the detective’s lips. He’s handsome in that rough and tumble, brash, hard-boiled detective way. Dark hair, dark eyes, an even darker soul. This man has seen some shit. I shiver at the thought, even though my skin is overheated from the stale air in the room.
“I’ll take care of her.” The detective reaches down and grabs her arm, pulling her from the couch.
“Wait, don’t let him take me! Call the cops. But don’t let him take me. Please.” Panic fills her eyes. “Please,” she begs as he drags her toward the door.
“It’s too late, kid. You’re my problem now.”
He pauses at the door and murmurs something in her ear. She stills immediately, her mouth pressed in a thin line.
“Thanks, Richards.” Rob waves. “See you next week.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He nods to me. “Good night, ma’am.”
“Night.”
I lock the door behind them. Relief fills me at their absence.
Rob returns the frying pan and knife to the kitchen. “Good thing you told me to stay.” He grins. “You might have killed someone tonight.”
