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Blade looks up at me a moment then continues buttoning his shirt.
“Uhhh, yeah.” He smiles. “Why not?”
I nod and wipe my forehead, letting my head fall back. “I’ll wear a dress then.”
“Something sexy.”
He rakes his eyes over me like he could go another round, but we both know he can’t. He’s already spent enough time on me today. Duty calls.
“You got it, boss,” I say in a sarcastic tone.
He laughs and finishes with his tie. Before heading for the door, he kisses my forehead. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
He looks back at me, and I give him an encouraging smile. It falls as soon as he’s gone.
I sigh. “See you tomorrow.”
18
Emily
Blade explaining to me how to spot an unmarked car was useless.
For one, I already have a pretty good handle on spotting a cop. They stick out like a pumpkin in a bowl of grapes. The way their eyes dart up and down, apparently never focused on the magazine, book, phone, whatever always seems to be in their hand. The tension in their muscles that makes them look like they're expecting someone to strike. Their interest in their surroundings. It’s not exactly difficult to pick one of them out from a crowd if you’re looking.
For two, this guy isn’t trying to hide. At all. He’s creeped behind me for the last block or so, and I’d be surprised if he wasn’t expecting me to spin around and stomp toward him, asking what the hell he wants. Or her. I haven’t focused on the tan Impala long enough to make the person or persons out.
I’m almost to my house, one more block or so, when I pick up the pace. I’m anxious to see Ellison. All my stuff would’ve been thrown out by now, so there isn’t anything to bring back to Blade’s apartment, but at least I can see my best friend whilehopefullysatisfying the Las Vegas police department on my identity
My nerves rattle when I step onto the porch and knock on the door, forcing myself not to look behind me. The door opens and Nathaniel appears, his face flushing when he spots me.
“Polly.” He looks behind me and spots the vehicle, then he snaps back to me. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Good to see you too.”
He holds the edge of the door with his palm and blocks the small gap with his five eleven frame. His eyes dart over my shoulder again. “You need to leave. Now.”
My lips sag into a frown. I understand the fear and had been expecting some hesitancy but had hoped he’d be a little more sentimental for the woman he’s lived with for years.
He goes to shut the door, and I grab the frame. “I just want to see Ellison.”
Nathaniel halts shutting the door. “So call him and have him meet with you. Then let him know he isn’t welcome here again.”
He slams the door in my face and turns the deadbolt. I narrow my eyes at the closed door, trying not to let the sentiment hurt too much. I do get it.
“No one is going to come after you,” I say to the closed door, hoping he’s waiting on the other side. “I’m in the clear.”
No response.
I give it about thirty seconds before I turn and step off the porch. I pause at the sound of the deadbolt moving and turn around in time to see the door open, revealing Ellison. He looks as worried as Nathaniel.
I hold up my hands and walk toward him. “Before you freak out—”
Ellison comes at me and wraps his arms around my back. He squeezes, startling me for a moment, but I return the hug.
He pulls away, still holding my shoulders, and studies my face. I do the same, and my stomach drops when I make out the nearly healed bruises on his jaw and eye.
“Are you okay?” he asks, his eyes scanning behind me. The car is down the street now, parked along the curb a few houses away, but Ellison easily finds it.
