Into the Fury (BOSS, Inc. #1)(84)

“I’ll do that right away.”

Mosher led them into an office to wait, then returned a few minutes later carrying a clipboard. Ethan signed the paperwork, took the copy Mosher handed him, and they headed for the door.

“We need to get her car seat,” Ethan said. “I keep one at my apartment. It’s not that far away.”

“I’ll sit in back with Hannah,” Val said as they climbed into the Jeep.

“You’re daddy’s friend,” Hannah said, looking at Val.

“That’s right. My name is Val.”

“That’s for Valentine. I remember you from the hospital. I wish my name was Valentine.”

Val laughed. “Hannah is a beautiful name, sweetie. My real name is Valerie. That’s not nearly as pretty as your name. And it fits you because you’re pretty, too.”

Hannah’s eyes shot to Val’s face. Her hair was pulled into a messy ponytail on top of her head. “You think I’m pretty?”

Val smiled. “Yes, I do. Very pretty.”

“I hope I grow up to be beautiful like you.”

As the Jeep rolled along, Val reached over and hugged her. “You’re beautiful right now, sweetheart.”





Chapter Thirty-Two



While Hannah sat in the living room of Ethan’s modestly furnished Belltown apartment, playing with some of the toys he kept there for her, Ethan pulled Val aside.

“We’ve got a problem.”

“Ya think?” she teased, mentally going over the long list of problems they faced. His mouth edged up in that sexy way it did when he was amused.

“The thing is, you’re working for Klein, and the job might be involving you in something illegal—even deadly. Stern is a big philanthropist here in town, which means that isn’t something the cops want to hear so they won’t be much help.”

“What are you saying?”

“That’s the situation behind door number one. Behind door number two, there could be a psycho out there, a crazy still lying in wait to kill you or one of the other models. Either way, until we figure things out, you could be in trouble.”

“I know that.”

“Now Hannah’s in the picture. I’ve got to figure a way out of the quagmire Allison has dropped us all into and still make sure you’re safe. I’ll have Ian put a man on your apartment. That’s what Dirk did for Meg. In the meantime, I’ll stay here till I can find someone to take Hannah. She can’t stay with me—not yet. I’ve still got a murder to solve. I can’t quit until this is over.” He touched her cheek. “Will that work for you?”

He was moving out. It had to happen sometime. Every day he stayed just made it harder. She still had a job, Internet classes to study for, and the first of the month she’d be starting her part-time job at the animal clinic.

She looked into Ethan’s dark eyes and emotion tightened her chest. Tell him that’s a good idea, her smart self said.

“I won’t feel safe with anyone but you,” her heart said. “Let’s take Hannah back to my place. Surely with you there she’ll be safe. She can stay until you can find someone you trust to take care of her.”

“You aren’t used to kids.”

She smiled. “I’m used to animals. Some of them can be pretty hard to handle. I can manage a three-year-old girl.”

His mouth faintly curved. “Whatever happens, she can’t go back to her mother until Allison gets herself straightened out. Even then, there’s no way Ally can keep me away from her after her DUI. I just need a day or two, time to figure things out.”

Val rested a hand on his arm, felt the hard muscles tighten. “I want you to stay. I want both of you to stay.” Her heart squeezed just saying the words. Dear God, was it already too late? Was she already in love with him? Already falling in love with his sweet little girl?

“You sure?”

No. I’ve completely lost my mind. “I’m sure.”

She could still read the worry in his face. “We could stay here,” he said. “I can make my calls, get things rolling.”

“Have you got anything in the house to eat?”

“No, but—”

“We’ve stocked the fridge at my place. My clothes are there. I’ve got a yard Hannah can play in. Snoozie’s there. And I have to say it’s a little cozier than this place.”

He glanced around his basic, furnished-apartment living room with its plain brown sofa and chair and almost no decorations.

“All right, your place. Like I said, it’s just for a day or two.” Bending his head, he very softly kissed her. “Thanks, baby.”

Her insides melted the way they always did when he said the word. “It’s no big deal.” She turned away before he could see the mist that sprang into her eyes. “I’m sure Hannah won’t be any trouble at all.”

He nodded. “I’ll call Frank Gibbs right now. He’s my lawyer. He can make sure we do everything nice and legal.”

While Ethan made the call, Val filled a box with some of the toys and clothes he kept in his apartment for Hannah. The clothes were probably a size too small—Allison hadn’t let the child visit her father in weeks.

By the time they got back to the duplex, the little girl was asleep in her car seat.