Page 41 of Protecting Christina

I shook my head. “I didn’t see anyone else when I went there, but his twin brother is never far from him.”

“What’s his name?”

“Gerry.”

“How would you describe Simon’s temperament?”

“Volatile, unpredictable, mean, vulgar, selfish—”

He raised his hand. “I get the picture.”

“Was he violent?”

My hands fisted. “Yes.”

He stopped texting in his notes and looked up at me. “Was he ever violent with you?”

My jaw tightened, and I barely got the words out. “Next question.”

He blinked. “Christina?”

My heart beat like a charging horse in my chest. “Next. Question.”

He swallowed and rubbed both hands over his face. “All right. I’ll put together a plan and get back to you when I’m done.”

“What do you need me to do in the meantime?”

“Stay away from Simon.”

I understood why he asked that of me, but I hated direct orders. I always ignored them when someone told me not to do something. But I would not do it this time. “I’ll stay away from Simon, but you’ve got to keep me in the loop at every turn. I hired you and I expect regular updates. Understood?”

He smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”

Then, reaching across the table, he placed his hand over mine. “Come to my place tonight.”

My skin tingled where he touched it, and I yanked my hand away. “I’m preparing for a trial, plus I’m working on Faye’s case. I don’t have time for a personal life right now.”

He nodded but held my eyes. “Dinner?”

“I just said—”

“I know what you said. But you’ve got to eat. I’ll bring it to you. Home or office?”

My leg bounced under the table. I didn’t know what I wanted to say. I didn’t even know which word would come out of my mouth until I said it. “Home.”

“I’ll be there at seven.”

I inhaled sharply as I gathered my things. “Fine. See you then.”

I rushed out of the coffee shop, but he called out my name.

I looked over my shoulder. He held up my coffee cup with a smile. Begrudgingly, I went back to get it.

It was good coffee.

The tightening in my chest had nothing to do with the fact that his dimple made my stomach drop.

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