Page 31 of Dark Memories
“I know I said this already, but thank you. You and the Dark Falls Police Department rescued Kali from under her kidnappers’ noses. For that I’m forever grateful.”
“We were only doing our jobs.”
“It wasn’t just a job to me or my daughter, Delaney.”
“Believe me, I get that.”
“And that’s why I’m going to ask my favor.” He glanced toward the stairs. “Let’s have our drinks in my office. I’ll be close by there if Kali has a nightmare.”
She followed him up the stairs. After tonight she’d walk away from him, and she’d do it without a backward glance. That was the plan anyway. The lump in her throat that made it impossible to swallow and the burning in her eyes would go away. Eventually.
At the door to his office, he handed her his glass. “Go on in. I want to check on Kali.”
The love he had for his daughter wasn’t a surprise. The Zach she’d known had a heart as soft as a marshmallow. If he cared about you, you had his undying love and loyalty. She’d had that once, until he’d had to choose between her and a baby he’d never met. Now that she understood why he’d made that choice, she was finding it hard to hold on to her resentment.
She flipped on the switch to the gas fireplace, took a seat in one of the chairs cozied up to it, and sipped her wine. It was impossible to deny that there was still chemistry between them, and she’d never denied to herself that she would always love him. His name was stamped on her heart, and that had never washed away, no matter how many tears she’d shed. But even though she now knew why he’d married Cinda, the hurt was still there. Maybe if he’d explained things to her back then, she wouldn’t have spent the last eight years feeling as if she’d been betrayed.
And now? Was it even possible to consider a relationship with Zach? She glanced around the room, comparing it to her tiny, barely furnished apartment. They were so far apart in lifestyles now that she couldn’t see it. She wouldn’t know how to live like this. Then there was his daughter. Harry didn’t have a clue how to talk to children. It was impossible to imagine herself in the role of mother.
But that kiss. It had rocked her world. After her disaster when she’d given the dating scene a try, she’d washed her hands of men and put all her time and attention into her job. Being a cop, making detective, that was her life now, and she’d been perfectly happy. Then Zach had to go and kiss her. She wanted more, and she was mad at him for that.
“Sorry,” Zach said, slipping into the chair next to her.
“No problem. She seemed to be sleeping okay?”
“She had the covers pulled over her and the dog. She’s never slept like that before. I think she’s hiding the two of them.”
“You need to find a good therapist for her to talk to. She won’t want to upset you, so she’ll try to hide her fears. At least that was how it was with Abbie. Thank God Kali didn’t go through what Abbie did, but she’ll still have a problem feeling safe.”
“I’m taking the rest of the week off to be with her, but yeah, I want someone who knows how to deal with children and this kind of thing to help her.” He toed off his shoes and put his feet on the ottoman, then picked up his drink. “I’m not sure how I’ll let her out of my sight now.”
“Give both of you some time to get back to a normal life.”
He leaned his head back on the chair and tilted his face toward her. “That brings me to my favor. I’d like you to spend some time with her. I think having a police detective hanging around will help her feel safe. When you can, of course. Maybe a few dinners with us, even going out once in a while so she gets used to being out of the house.”
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Zach.”
“Tell me why.”
Because I want more kisses… and other stuff.“I’m not trained to work with children.”
“I’m not asking you to be her therapist.”
Her phone rang, and she pulled it out of her pocket, welcoming the interruption. “It’s Eve.” The information her boss had to tell her wasn’t good, and when she disconnected, she glanced at Zach, wondering how he was going to take the news.
“From your side of the conversation, I take it something happened?”
“There were two people in the house when SWAT went in. A man and a woman. Apparently they were a couple because they were in bed together. The man grabbed a gun from the nightstand and ignored orders to drop it. When he pointed it at one of the officers, SWAT had no choice but to shoot him. When they did, the woman snatched up the gun and managed to pull the trigger, but missed hitting any of the officers. She also ignored orders to drop the gun, and now she’s dead, too.”
“There were two men who took Kali. Where’s the second one?”
“Not in the house, so we don’t know.”
“Shit.”
“Where are you going?” she asked when he was halfway out of the room.
He stopped and glanced over his shoulder. “To watch over my daughter. Until the police find the second man, she doesn’t leave my side.”
