“It’s for the chief,” I say. “Charlie left one of her T-shirts at my house, and I know that he will see her before I do. I’m just bringing him her T-shirt, and this coffee as a ‘Thanks for being my delivery boy’.” I smile and laugh knowing it is not a comparison that he will appreciate.
“Oh, well that is very nice of you,” she says while looking at the university T-shirt in my hand. “I do miss that girl,” she says referring to Charlie.
“I do too. Charlie is my best friend,” I respond.
“I remember how close the two of you were during your childhood,” she says, her voice taking a distant tone.
“Yes!” I say smiling at her. “We spent our summers in her pool.” The swimming pool; I find myself thinking of so many fond memories, and Chief Travis nearby keeping a watchful eye. Who knew that one day I would grow up and fall head over heels for him!
“Well then!” she says suddenly, interrupting my thoughts. “Girl, you go ahead and run on back there,” she says, waving an arm toward his office
“Thank you,” I say with my most darling of smiles.
Now onto Kenton. I wonder if he’s missed me too. Walking to the back of the room, focusing on the door, I remind myself I need to be as innocent as possible. No one can know about us. We both agreed it’s for the best, and while I miss him, I need to be sure I don’t ruin this for everyone.
I knock on the office door, my heart beating quickly.
“Lucy?” he asks in surprise.
“Hi, I have something of Charlies. I know you will see her before I do, and I was wondering if you could give it to her for me,” I say brightly and innocently, batting my long lashes at him in a way that I know drives him crazy.
“Erm. Yes, come on in. I just spoke with her this morning, Miss Knight,” he says gesturing to the office room for me to walk in. He looks around nervously. It’s so cute to see him nervous like this. I should have thought of doing this sooner.
Walking toward the back of the office, the door closes with a snap as he turns slowly to face me. With his voice low and sexy he says, “Lucy, what are you doing here? I thought we agreed…”
“I know, I know,” I say quickly before he can get mad at me. I remember his angry voice from childhood, and I don’t feel like a lecture right now.
“I just wanted to see you, and I found an excellent excuse,” I say with my voice bright. “I do have one of Charlie’s shirts, and now I have an opportunity to see you alone today. I wanted to see you jumping out,” I continue as his face remains in hard lines.
“Lucy, I’m afraid you don’t understand how serious the situation is. Did you understand that if we get caught, then your father will be very angry? Your father has powerful friends and I find it best not to upset powerful people.”
I can’t help but laugh that he is scared of my father. I’m surprised at how anyone could be scared of my father. Sure, he has a hard exterior, but he has a reputation to uphold. Men don’t become notorious, drug lords without having a reputation for violence. However, as far as I know, my father hasn’t hurt anyone. If he has, I would be really surprised.
“Well,” I say smiling up at him, “I’d like to think that a little risk and dangerous things are all the more exciting.”
“Not in my line of work,” he says raising his hand and pinching the bridge of his nose.
I know I shouldn’t be enjoying it, but he’s so sexy when he gets riled up.
“Would it help you if I told you that none of my other boyfriends have gone missing or were discovered shanked in a ditch?”
“No, but I’m glad I don’t have to go searching ditches now,” he says sarcastically.
“See I sense sarcasm, so we have nothing to worry about.”
“Lucy,” he says as he steps forward and places his hands on my shoulders. “I just want to keep everyone safe. I also have my own enemies, remember? I have taken down a lot of bad people. If they find out that I have another weakness, I don’t know what could happen to you.”
“Other than Charlie?” I asked sincerely.
“Yes, other than Charlie. There’s a reason why Charlie went to a school so far away,” he says.
“I would hardly call the university far away,” I counter.
“Well, she could’ve gone closer, and I would’ve loved it,” he argues. “People don’t know my name there, and no one would look for Charlie,” he says looking down and swallowing hard. He must really be concerned about this whole thing.
“Everything is going to be okay,” I say, reaching out and touching his face.
“I just don’t want anything to happen to you,” he says, moving forward and kissing my forehead.