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“I don’t know.” Aston’s phone rang and he looked down at the number. “It’s Ayden. I need to get this.”
Julie sat down on the couch, tears coming to her eyes. She was overwhelmed and scared. This man killed a person, a woman police officer, because of her. Did this woman have kids? A husband? What about kind and loving parents who were going to miss her? It was too much. Julie walked over to the freezer and took out the bottle. She poured a small glass and downed it.
“You got it. Okay, keep me updated.” Aston hung up the phone and realization dawned on Julie.
“You never told me why you were here. You have a bag. Am I missing something?”
Aston sighed. “Ayden informed me that since Taylor wasn’t staying that someone needed to. He’s ordered me to watch over you for a few days.”
An argument was on the tip of her tongue, but Julie wasn’t stupid. “Of course. I’m glad you’re here.” And truthfully she was. There was something about this man that she liked and it wasn’t just his good looks. It was the way he made her feel. Aston represented caring, safety, and security. She liked that.
“Good. I thought you were going to fight me.” Aston walked over to the door and opened it. “Ayden’s coming to get the envelope. I’m sure it won’t take them long. They’ll just have to take some pictures and stuff, but it should be a quick process.”
“I’m just going to get dressed.” Julie turned and headed to her room. She pulled out a simple pair of undergarments, a pair of jeans, and a long sleeve black shirt. As she caught her reflection in the mirror, she groaned. The damn rollers were still in her hair.
Julie put everything on but the shirt and went into the restroom. One by one, she took the rollers out and threw them in the sink. She’d worry about putting them back in their appropriate place later.
Big, brown curls bounced everywhere as she ran her fingers through her dark hair. Julie didn’t even bother wondering how she looked as she slid on her house shoes. Time was precious and she didn’t want to miss a minute of what they were saying. Plus, she needed to catch Ayden before he left.
Julie burst out of the door and caught the eye of every uniformed officer in her living room. Why were there so many people? And why were they huddled together, whispering?
“All right, everyone.” Ayden pointed to the door and the room quickly cleared out. “Julie, can you describe this man that came to your door posing as an officer.”
“Sure.” Julie tried to push back the frizzy curls, but they kept getting in her face. She looked at Aston and Ayden. Both of them were a good few inches over six feet. “I’d say maybe five nine, five ten. Um, blondish-colored hair.” Julie raised her hand. “Balding on the top. “Maybe slightly overweight.” She closed her eyes. “I hate that I can’t think of anything really distinguishing about him. He looked average joe, Ayden. Like someone you wouldn’t look twice at.”
“No, that’s a great start, Jules. You did good.” He opened the door. “Do you think if I got you together with a sketch artist you might be able to work with him?”
“Absolutely.” Julie walked closer. “Ayden…Officer Steel. Did she have…kids, a husband?”
The look Ayden gave her said everything. “Yes. A husband and two kids. A teenager, and the youngest was eight, I believe.”
“Shit.” A tear slid down Julie’s cheek.
“It’s not your fault. Patricia knew the dangers of this job.”
A hiccup came from her mouth as she cried harder. “Doesn’t matter. It was me she was protecting. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do for her family. Anything.”
“I will.” Ayden gave Aston a look and walked out of the door.
Tears kept streaming down Julie’s face and there was nothing she could do about them. They just kept flowing like a river. Aston reached over to the end table and grabbed a tissue.
“Thank you.” Julie wiped her face and noticed the tissue paper was covered with black streaks from her mascara. “Shit. I’m sorry. I am such a mess right now.”
“No, it’s totally understandable. Don’t apologize.” Aston took a deep breath and Julie’s eyes fixated on his chest. Really, Jules! Can you think of anything besides men? God! You’re ridiculous.
“Julie, are you okay? You look really dazed out.”
She tore her eyes from his pecs and looked up guiltily. “No, I’m fine. Well, actually I’m not. Ugh, sorry. I can’t even think right now. I could make a mountain of the mess I’m in.”
Aston put his hands in his pockets and Julie immediately caught herself checking out his package. What in the world? Fine, she just wouldn’t look at him at all.
“Would you like to talk about what’s on your mind? You know, I’m not just a cop. I’m a great listener too. And I’m going to be here for a while. We might as well get to know each other.”
Julie glanced up at his face. There, she’d keep it from the neck up, and she’d be fine. “If you only knew. Gosh, I’d hate to think of the person you’d believe me to be.” Julie paused. “The person I am. I don’t even know what I’m saying.”
A laugh came out of Aston’s mouth. “I don’t judge. We all have our problems. I’m sure you’re not a horrible person. Maybe it’s not as bad as you think.”
It was Julie’s turn to burst out in laughter. “I assure you. It’s worse than you can imagine.”
