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His guard went down and his eyes warmed. He’d looked at me with warm eyes before, but never like this. They came complete with a look so tender it made my breath catch.
“Everyone’s got their hands out waitin’ for you to take one.Cariño, you gotta learn when to take someone’s handbeforeyou fall.”
I couldn’t help it, I couldn’t take anymore. I put my forehead to his chest, slid my arms around his middle and relaxed into him. Then, I felt the tears roll down my cheeks.
He stood there, holding me and stroking my back for a while. I had to admit, it felt good. Super good.
We both heard the doorbell go and Eddie said quietly, “That’ll be Jimmy.” He pulled a little away and looked down on me. “You gonna be okay?”
I wiped the tears away and nodded. He kissed my forehead and that felt good too.
We walked into the living room and Eddie let in Detective Marker. He greeted me, his eyes soft with concern. A handsome black man and a young-looking white guy, both in uniform, came in with Detective Marker. Eddie introduced them as Sergeant Willie Moses and Officer Brian Bond.
“Sorry, we have to ask you a few questions while it’s fresh. It won’t take long,” Detective Marker explained.
I sat down on the couch and answered questions. Eddie stood by the couch for a while, then I saw him motion with his chin to Willie, the black officer, and they both disappeared into the kitchen.
I kept answering questions, but glanced into the kitchen every once in a while.
Eddie and Willie were out of sight, but once Eddie paced into the doorway, his cell to his ear, his other hand at his hip, then he went out of sight again.
“I think we’re done,” Detective Marker said. “You still got my card from last time?”
I nodded and so did he.
“Call me if you remember anything or something else happens,” he went on and I nodded again. “Chavez! I’m done,” Detective Marker called.
Eddie and Willie came in. I stood and Eddie saw them out the door. I watched out the window as Detective Marker drove off and Eddie, Willie and Brian stood on the sidewalk next to the squad car. Eddie was talking, Willie and Brian listening. Willie looked up to the house and said something to Eddie and Eddie looked too. I stayed at the window and kept watching. He disengaged from them with a low wave. I remained where I was as he came back in.
His eyes locked on mine after he closed and secured the door.
“Let’s find you a T-shirt,” he said quietly.
I didn’t move.
“What was that all about?” I jerked my head to the window. I had my arms crossed and I was trying not to look as exhausted as I felt.
Eddie came up to me, flung an arm around my neck and took me into the bedroom. He let me go, opened a drawer and handed me a white T-shirt.
I took it and stared at him.
“What was that about?” I repeated.
He turned square to me, but didn’t touch me.
“You’ve been branded.”
I blinked.
That didn’t sound good.
“Pardon?” I asked.
“Told Willie, called Lee and Darius. Word goes out tonight that you belong to me. Anyone fucks with you, they fuck with me, the DPD, all the boys at Nightingale Investigations and Darius Tucker. I’m callin’ in all my markers. I’m not takin’ any more chances with this shit. Now you got an army of protection, whether you want it or not.”
I kept staring at him as that strange sensation took hold of my belly in a vice-like grip.
“But…” I whispered. “Why?”
