“I don’t blame you. Just don’t forget someone will be by soon with your things.”
Cera wanted to ask what kinds of things but let it go. Whatever he’d gotten for her would be here soon enough, and it was starting to get late. And from what Ivan had said, he still had more work to do before he could call it a night, himself.
“Okay.” She offered him a small smile.
After a moment’s hesitation, he parted those tempting lips and said, “I do have one more question for you.”
“Yes?”
That stare of his intensified. “Is there anything you haven’t told me?”
More than you’ll ever know.
“Like what?”
“Anything that might be pertinent to this case. A name you’ve forgotten to mention, a location or detail about anything that’s happened in the past. Something you think could possibly be related to the asshole bothering you…”
“I’ve told you everything there is to tell.”
Everything that had anything to do with this case, that is. As for the other…
If he’s as good as he claims, he’ll find all that out soon enough.
And then where would she be?
Back out on the streets to fight her battle alone, most likely. That’s what happened when the cops looked into her background. No reason to think this man would react any differently.
But that was tomorrow’s problem. For tonight, she had a nice, clean, safe place to rest her head.
“Call if you need me, yeah?”
“I will.” A quick nod. When he started to walk away, she hollered after him, “Oh and Ivan?”
“Yeah?” Ivan stopped and looked her way.
Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Do not freaking cry.
“You’re the first…” A giant knot of emotion formed at the base of her throat. It took two hard swallows to get past it, but eventually Cera managed to choke out the rest. “You’re the first person since all this started to really take me seriously. The first person who’s really listened and is willing to actuallyhelp.I know it’s not much, but for what it’s worth…thank you.”
Something flashed behind his eyes, but it was gone before she could put a name to it. “Get some rest, Cera. I’ll see you first thing in the morning.”
And with that, Ivan turned and walked away.
6
Ivan stoodin front of his refrigerator contemplating his choices. For a quick and easy meal, he had his choice of leftover Chinese from his favorite take-out place down the street, deli-sliced ham or turkey for a sandwich, a jar of pickle spears, or a bag of cotton candy grapes.
He reached inside and grabbed a bottle of beer and shut the door.
Normally his appetite was stellar, but not today. Not after seeing the fear staring back at him from Cera’s eyes.
You’re the first person since all this started to really take me seriously. The first person who’s really listened and is willing to actually help.
If everything she’d told him was true, that meant she’d been dealing with this asshole for over a year. A fuckingyear.
It made him sick to think of anyone being forced to live the way she’d described. Especially her.
Why especially her? You don’t know this woman. For all you know, she could be lying through her perfectly straight teeth.