One to Save (One to Hold 6)

Star’s doe eyes are round with worry. “What do we do?” She blinks and a tear falls. “I can’t have this asshole threating Cammie. She’s too little. She wouldn’t understand. She’d be so scared...”

Her voice goes high, and I reach across the table to grasp her hand. “Look at me.” When I’ve got her attention, I put as much meaning behind my words as possible. “I won’t let anything happen to you or your daughter. I promise.”

She blinks a few times, eyes glistening with unshed tears, but I can see her body start to relax. “I believe you. I do. I just wish...”

Her voice trails off, and Patrick jumps in. “Has your daughter ever lived with you or has she always been with your sister?”

“She’s always been with my sister.” Star’s voice drops a few decibels. “I’m no kind of mother for a little girl.”

He sits back with a deep exhale. “Well, that fucks my plan.”

“What are you thinking?” Patrick might color outside the lines, but he’s smart. He’s good at our job, and I’ve learned to trust him.

“Your condo’s sitting empty in Princeton, right?” I nod, and he continues. “I was going to say Toni and Cammie can hide out there until we solve this. Stuart’s across the hall, and Walt won’t let anybody suspicious past him. The parking garage is secured... Unless it’s too stressful for the baby.”

“It’s a good thing you’re so fucking smart, partner. Otherwise your screw-ups might be more noticeable.”

Star looks from Patrick to me. “I don’t understand.”

Patrick leans forward and smiles that ridiculous smile of his that makes women act like idiots. “How would you like to live like a queen with your little girl completely safe while we figure this shit out?”

Her brow lines, and I almost laugh. She’s unaffected by his charm—probably because she’s already been there. “Can you be a little more specific?”

He gestures to me. “This guy has a huge, two-bedroom penthouse condo in Princeton with a doorman, secure parking, and my Marine older brother right across the hall. I think you and Cammie should stay there until we’ve nailed this fucker. He’ll never know where you are, and if by some chance he figures it out, he’ll have three layers of security to get through.”

Star’s eyes flicker to me again, and a note of relief is in her voice. “You’d let me stay at your place?”

“Of course. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it myself. You’re in this situation because of me. This idiot wants me. It only makes sense.”

“Okay, then!” She actually smiles, and relief shines in her eyes. “I’ll call Nan and see if I can get the baby tomorrow...? Is that too soon?”

“Not at all.” I give her a reassuring smile. “Go home and pack. I’m sure you’re worried about your daughter.”

Her eyes flood again, and she jumps out of her seat, rounding the table and giving me a tight, unexpected hug. I lightly touch her waist as the scent of honeysuckle drifts around us.

“Thank you so much.” Her voice cracks.

Star might be a tough girl, but her Achilles is Cammie. Having Dex has shown me the power of children. They can bring even the hardest characters to their knees.

“I gave you my word. I’m going to fix this.”

* * *

On the drive back to Wilmington, my thoughts are preoccupied with what this asshole wants from me, and how I can find him so I can rip his dick off and shove it up his ass. Patrick’s preoccupied with his smartphone, and it reminds me of my text chat with Melissa.

“That was a smart move with Star,” I say, catching his attention. “I’m glad you thought of it.”

“It just came to me as we were sitting there.” He exhales a laugh. “I’m glad you’re not pissed I volunteered your place without asking.”

“Nah, it was good.” Pausing a beat, I continue to our “other business.” “You had a chance to talk to Nikki?”

He nods, looking back at his phone. “Seems Captain Asshat is also Captain Hypocrite. He fucked her.”

That makes me wince. “Shit. When?”

“The night before he pulled out last time.”

Fuck. My grip tightens on the steering wheel. “I can’t believe he’d screw up like that.”