CHAPTER 19
Valerie sat in Alex’s truck, feeling terrible. Alex replaced the tire. He’d also called the police and was now outside as they finished taking the report. Alex was convinced this was Bruce’s doing, and he wanted everything from here on documented. He said when, not if Bruce went down, he wanted him put away for a very long time if not for good.
According to prosecutor Moreno, each one of these incidents would add to the severity of the penalty. Alex wouldn’t let her deal with this on her own. Not by a long shot. He was beyond concerned, and Valerie knew he wouldn’t let up, especially now.
His eyebrow had been up and stayed up at attention the entire time he spoke with the police. Valerie held her breath as he climbed in the truck. They’d already had a pretty long night and it was about to get longer.
Valerie knew Alex would go into full-blown warden mode now. But she wasn’t about to let him take over every aspect of her life. She had her pepper spray and though she hadn’t had time to tell Alex, she’d already started looking into purchasing a gun. It was a trivial detail she knew she should’ve mentioned sooner, but her gut told her he’d overreact.
“I already talked to Sal.” Alex turned the ignition on and began pulling out of the parking space. “He was coming down anyway for the rehearsal dinner this weekend, so, he’s cool with coming in a day early. He’ll cover for me at the restaurant all day. We’ll go see about that restraining order first thing in the morning.”
“Alex, I can go by myself. You don’t have to take the day off just for that. The rehearsal dinner is on Saturday. Don’t you have a million things to do at the restaurant for that?”
This was exactly what she didn’t want. Alex had enough on his plate already. The last thing he needed was to add to it.
Alex didn’t even flinch. “Sal can handle the restaurant. Listen, I was thinking maybe you can start going to your apartment after work especially when I’m working late. Then when I get off, I can swing by and follow you back to my place.”
“What?” Valerie shook her head. “Alex, no. There’s no need for all that. You can’t…”
“You said this guy showed up at one of the properties you were showing right?” Alex stared straight ahead, his brows furrowed in deep thought. “When and where is the next property you’ll be showing?”
“I’m not sure. I was supposed to tomorrow, but…”
He turned to look at her. “What time?”
“In the afternoon.” Valerie felt the frustration building. He was doing exactly what she’d thought he’d do. Taking over her life and forgetting about his own.
Alex’s eyes were back on the road again. “We should be done by the afternoon. I can go with you.”
“Wait Alex, you’re not listening to me. I show properties all the time. You can’t be there every time. It’s not even necessary.”
“I’ll think of something.”
“No you won’t.”
Alex turned to look at her. His forehead fully pinched. “This guy’s dangerous, Val. I’ll be damned if—”
“You can’t possibly think that you are going to guard me 24/7. You have your own life. I won’t have you putting it aside for me. Besides…” She glanced out the window, not wanting to see his expression when she made her next statement, “I’m getting a gun.”
They were only blocks away from his place, but Alex pulled over abruptly anyway. “What?”
Valerie turned back to him. Alarm and intensity clearly filled his eyes.
Determined to not let him intimidate her, she lifted her chin a bit. “I’m getting a gun.”
“Do you even know how to use one?”
Valerie shrugged. “What’s there to know? Point and shoot, right?”
She didn’t think the intensity in his eyes could get anymore piercing, but it did.
“Are you crazy? A gun in the hands of someone completely inexperienced is more dangerous than a gun in the hands of some psycho.”
Valerie wasn’t sure what irritated her more. The tone he was taking, or his complete lack of faith in her. “I can learn, Alex. Isabel said Romero is taking her to a shooting range soon. I’ll ask to tag along.”
Alex shook his head. “You don’t know the first thing about guns, babe. Do you even have a permit to carry one?”
Valerie bit her lip. He had her there. “No, but I can get one.”
He pulled back onto the road and continued to shake his head. To her surprise, she heard him chuckle. “Point and shoot, geez.”
Valerie resented him thinking she was so helpless. “Well, it’s not like I’m looking to become some gun slinging badass. All I need to know is the basics.”
“Yeah and how to make sure it doesn’t go off in your purse, or that you don’t accidentally shoot someone or yourself when you’re just pointing.” He glanced at her then back to the road. “But you will need some kind of protection. I’ll take care of it.”
Valerie glared at him as they pulled into his driveway. For the first time since she’d been staying with Alex she actually wished she could be back in her own apartment. At least for the night, she was in no mood for anymore of his alpha male tirades.
She got out of the truck and closed the door a little harder than she had intended. “I’m going back to my place tonight.”
Alex came around the truck. “What? Why?”
“Because I want to. I just need to get my briefcase.”
He caught up to her just as she made it to his porch and tugged at her hand.
“Hey, what do you mean you want to?”
She tried to look away then to her surprise felt the hot tears overwhelm her eyes. Alex searched her eyes. The stern expression now softened. “What’s wrong?”
Valerie stared at him for a moment then leaned against his chest. He hugged her, rubbing her back, and kissed her head. He lifted her chin and wiped her tears with his fingers. “Talk to me, baby. What is it?”
“I didn’t want you involved in this, Alex. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you because of me. I already feel terrible about your tire.”
She’d felt the anxiety building from the moment Bruce had brought up Alex on the phone earlier. She hated Alex being involved in this at all. When she realized his tire had been slashed, her stomach had nearly bottomed out. Then listening to him talk about wanting to be there when she showed property and knowing this was already going to begin affecting his time at the restaurant really did it.
His comments about her not being able to handle a gun had only sharpened her already ragged emotions.
Alex hugged her tight. “Silly girl. Nothing’s going to happen to me. And don’t worry about the tire. I planned on getting new ones anyway.”
Valerie looked up again. Alex started to open the door. “But you said it yourself,” she sniffed. “He’s dangerous. Now he’s included you in this madness.”
“But that’s good, Val.” They walked into the house. Alex took her by the hand to the sofa. “He’s stupid. The more he does the deeper he digs himself. Once we get the restraining order, he’ll be hanging himself the second he decides to do anything else.”
He sat down pulled Valerie onto his lap. Valerie couldn’t help feeling safe in his arms. But she didn’t want him feeling obligated to look after her every minute of the day, especially if it meant putting himself in harms way. She had no doubt he wouldn’t think twice about doing that, and that scared her the most.
Alex could more than hold his own in a fair fight. She wasn’t worried about that. But Bruce didn’t fight fair. She wouldn’t allow it. Couldn’t. “Alex, I was serious when I said you’re not going to be babysitting me. I don’t want you tying up all your time trying to watch me. I’ll be fine.”
She watched his expression grow hard again. It took some effort, but she could see he took a moment before responding. “We’ll talk more about that tomorrow. Right now what I want to know is, what’s this nonsense about going back to your…Isabel’s apartment.”
Valerie lifted a shoulder then leaned her forehead against his. “I knew I was getting upset, and I didn’t want you to see me break.”
Alex smiled, deepening his dimples further. She still couldn’t completely wrap her brain around the idea that this amazing man was actually in love with her.
“Do me a favor,” he said.
She pulled her face back to look at him.
“Don’t do that again.”
Valerie tilted her head, not fully understanding.
He pulled a strand of her hair behind her ear, his expression suddenly going serious again. “Don’t think just because you’re upset, no matter what the reason is, that the answer is to bail. That’s not how I want things to be with us.”
He leaned over and kissed her softly before speaking again. “We can work anything out. You’re here with me now. To stay.” He kissed her again. “I don’t know about you, but I have no plans on spending another night of life away from you. Not if it can be helped.”
Valerie smiled. From the moment she first met Alex, he’d always had a way of making her melt. She understood now more than ever she never got over him. Nothing felt as perfect as being right there in his arms. “Alright. Never again. I’m sorry.”
Alex scooted her off his lap and onto the sofa laying over her gently. “I don’t want you to be sorry. I want you to be happy…” He ran his hand up the side of her leg making her tremble as only he could. “…and safe…” His hand made its way up the inside of her skirt. Valerie felt how hard he was already as he pressed against her thigh. “…and mine. Always mine, Val.”
His hand continued up the inside of her legs and she spread for him. “Always,” she whispered.
“I love you, baby.”
His finger suddenly inside her, Valerie barely managed a breathless, “I love you too, Alex.”
***
Things didn’t go exactly as planned the next day. Alex was under the assumption that they could just walk in and ask for the restraining order, but there was a lot more to it. They’d be filing paperwork, lots of it. After that, there would be a hearing the next available day. That wasn’t until the following Wednesday.
With Alex’s patience as short as his fuse, he was not too happy about it. Valerie wanted to just take the paperwork home and bring it back next week, but Alex wasn’t having it. It was bad enough they already had to wait. The sooner they filed the paperwork, the sooner they’d get the hearing. Even then, it wasn’t a sure thing. The judge could rule that it wasn’t necessary. Although Alex couldn’t see that happening, not given the man’s history.
They were out by noon, and Valerie insisted he go back to the restaurant while she prepared herself for the properties she would show later. Alex just didn’t feel comfortable about leaving her side knowing the maniac was out there somewhere watching her. But Valerie was so damn stubborn. She forced him to give in.
“I’ll drop you off at the office, Val. Then pick you up in a few hours.” Alex gripped the steering wheel, still not believing how mulish Valerie was about this. She knew it was dangerous. “But I’m going with you to show the property. I’ll stay out of your way, just keep an eye out.”
Valerie stared out the passenger window, frowning. “Only because I don’t want you wasting any more time driving all the way back to your place to pick up my car. But you’re not going to do this every day. It’s ridiculous. You have a restaurant to run.” She reached over and put her hand in his hand. “Can you please give me a little credit? I am capable of looking out for myself, you know.”
Why the hell were women always like this? There was no reasoning with them. “Our place,” he said through his teeth.
“What?”
“You said your place. It’s ours now, remember?”
He glanced at her and saw her smirk. “We’re taking things slow, don’t you remember?”
“You have your reservations. Not me. I don’t do slow.” He squeezed her hand, and she squeezed back.
They reached her office and Alex watched her until she was safely inside. He glanced around the parking lot. There was no way he’d be comfortable having her drive around alone. The psycho was following her. He’d told her that, damn it.
For a moment, he considered staying put. Being a lookout until she was ready to go. Then he had a thought. He picked up his phone and dialed.
“Hey, Romero, you busy?”
“No, what’s up?”
“I need a favor.”
***
Showing properties that afternoon had gone smoothly. As usual, Alex was thoroughly impressed with Valerie’s wit and elegance when interacting with her clients. He kept his distance as promised, but even from afar, she was amazing. There was no way Luke wasn’t still feeling for her. He saw it in his eyes the night before. The reason why he planned to talk to her a bit more about him, then the whole tire thing happened.
Tonight was different. There were new things he needed to get straight with Valerie. Alex wasn’t wasting any time either. He’d get right to the point. But there was one thing he needed to do first. He was waiting on a phone call and he didn’t want to be in the middle of the conversation with Valerie and get interrupted.
She was busy finishing some work on her laptop in the kitchen. Alex stepped outside with the excuse of checking some things on the truck. He really had planned to get new tires for his truck. He was having it lifted as well, so, he was outside rounding the truck pretending to examine his tires when his phone rang.
It was the call he was waiting on.
“What happened?”
“Well, it’s gonna take a few days to run a background check on this guy. As extensive as you want it anyway.” Romero said. “But I did get someone that can keep an eye on Valerie. It’s not gonna be cheap, I mean, I’ll cut my share out, but I’m paying this guy by the hour, so, if you want him on her at all times it’s gonna get pricey.”
“I don’t care. I just need your word he’s good. The guy following Valerie has a history of violence. I can’t take any chances.” He glanced back to make sure Valerie was still inside. “Whatever you do, do NOT mention a word about this to Isabel. Valerie will flip.”
Romero assured him the guy was reliable and that his lips were sealed. They discussed it for a few more minutes until he heard his back door open and cut the call.
Valerie was still in her work suit and high heels. She looked good enough to eat. She leaned against the doorway. “You hungry?”
“Funny you should ask.”
She seemed puzzled. Alex chuckled. He’d explain later. “Yeah, actually I’m starving. You wanna order a pizza?”
Her excited expression made him laugh. He couldn’t help kissing her as soon as he reached her. “Go ahead. Just make sure you order enough. You eat as much as I do.”
***
They ate in his front room on the floor in front of the television. Valerie had changed into shorts and one of his T-shirts. Alex loved seeing her in his shirts. He especially loved the smell of her in his shirts later.
After a few slices and going over their plans for the next day, Alex was ready to get down to the business of Luke. The box of pizza sat on the coffee table and Valerie reached for another slice and then sat back down facing Alex, legs crossed in front of her.
“Tell me about this seminar you’re going to.”
Valerie glanced at him and took a swig of her beer. “The weekend after the wedding at that fancy resort on the marina.”
Alex always noticed Valerie would avoid eye contact whenever the conversation made her nervous. She was doing it now. Though she did her best to try to hide her unease, he could see it and it bothered him.
“And you’re going together? You and Luke?” Alex braced himself. He didn’t want to turn this into an argument, but this was her ex-boyfriend they were talking about. One she worked with on a daily basis. Based solely on the way he’d looked at Valerie at the wine tasting, the guy was far from over her.
“No.” Again with the glancing at anything but his eyes. “Well, originally that was the plan. But once I broke things off with him, I offered to give him the ticket back. He said he wanted me to have it.” She looked at him for a second then took another swig of her beer. “He did buy two tickets, and they weren’t cheap. So, we’re both still going, just not together.”
“What about the meet and greet? Luke said you’re both invited. Are you sure he doesn’t still think you guys are going together?”
Valerie shook her head. “No, I’m sure he means once there, we’ll meet up.”
Alex didn’t like the sound of that either. “Is this an all day thing?”
“All weekend.”
“What? You’re staying overnight?” That was definitely out of the question.
Valerie stood up and grabbed their empty beer bottles from the coffee table. Alex sensed she was getting irritated. That made two of them.
“Nope. He is. I’m not.”
“He told you he was staying the night?” Alex kept his eyes on her as she walked into the kitchen. He wouldn’t put it past Luke to casually mention something like that.
Valerie dropped the bottles in the trash. They crashed loudly as they hit the bottom. She opened the refrigerator. “He reserved a room when he bought the tickets.”
Alex straightened out literally feeling the rise in his temper. “I thought you said you never slept with him?”
“I didn’t.” There was no hiding her irritation now, but Alex didn’t care.
He stood up, no longer comfortable sitting. “Then why the room, Z?”
Valerie stared into the refrigerator without saying a word. Alex stalked toward her, his temper pushing with every step. “Why would he get a room if you two weren’t sleeping together?”
Rationally, he knew it shouldn’t matter. This was in her past. But he wanted it straight. What was the point in lying about it, unless she had reason to.
She finally turned and glared at him. “I don’t ask you about the girls you slept with while we were apart.”
He knew it. He fucking knew it. “So, you did sleep with him?”
“No. I didn’t.”
“Then why the room?” He wanted to believe her more than ever. It was hard enough to accept how much time she spent around Luke now. If she’d slept with him, it changed everything.
She finally closed the refrigerator doors and turned to him. “I don’t know, Alex. I guess he assumed we might be sleeping together by then. But I knew things were over between us the same night he gave those tickets to me. I broke things off the very next time I saw him.”
She didn’t avoid his eyes this time, instead looked straight at him. Every muscle in his body tensed up now.
“Sweetheart,” she said, reaching for his hand. “I’d tell you the truth if I had. But things were never that serious between us. I never felt anything for him.” She took his other hand and kissed his knuckles then stared in his eyes again. “I wanted to feel something for him. I really did.”
Alex didn’t want to hear that.
“But I couldn’t. Isabel kept assuring me I would eventually. It just never happened.” She slipped her arms around his waist and leaned her cheek against his chest. Alex couldn’t hold back hugging her as much as he was still feeling on edge. “All I could think about was you, Alex. The entire time I was with him, every embrace, every kiss.”
Alex pulled back. She’d killed it. “Stop, Z. I can barely handle the thought of you going out with that asshole, much less the visual of him touching you.”
Valerie smiled at him, lopsided. “How ‘bout we never talk about this again?”
Alex wasn’t sure about that, but for now he’d had about as much talk of Luke as he could stand. He hugged Valerie, thinking of everything she’d just told him. He still wasn’t too sure she was telling him everything. One thing he was sure of, he definitely had to come up with a way to get her out of that office.