“Maybe it should be. I can’t think of a more just, fair person than you. You’re not a hothead. I’d let you clean up the streets of my town any day.”
“If I get down on their level, I’m a thug just like them.”
“You didn’t feel that way about defending your country.”
“It’s totally different.”
“Is it?”
I’m prepared to argue it out with him, when my attention is cut off by the beautiful woman standing in the doorway.
Blake’s dressed in jeans and a light sweater, and her silky brown hair is tied back in a loose bun. Her eyes are focused on me, and despite my frustration, I can’t stay angry. She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
“Hutch.” She walks straight into the office like she owns the place. “Did I hear you say you’re going to New York? I need to go with you.”
“Good.” Hugh leans back in his chair. “It’s all settled, then. You can take my private jet.”
“No…” I shake my head, looking from her to her uncle. “It’s not settled. Why do you need to go to New York?”
More importantly, I want to ask where she went this morning, but not in front of Hugh.
“Well, for starters, all my clothes are in New York… and Hana’s.” She turns to the side, looking down at her clasped hands. “We came here thinking it was for a week-long visit, and it’s turning into something longer. I think?”
Her chin lifts, and when she looks at me, a question is in her eyes. Does she need me to confirm what I said last night?
It’s funny, I spent the morning thinking she’d run out because I’d come on too strong. It didn’t occur to me she might be worried I spoke in the heat of the moment, and I didn’t mean what I said. The idea that I could have it backwards relaxes the fist in my stomach.
“It’s definitely turning into something a lot longer.” My voice is low, and I take her hand. “I’m glad to take you, and I’ll help move your things.”
She blinks away with a little smile on her lips, pink touching her cheeks. I want to cup her face in my hands and kiss her. Instead, I think about logistics and not wanting to make return trips.
“Does Hana want to join us? I can get Scar or Dirk to come as well.”
“I hadn’t thought about it, but yes. Hana needs to come so she can decide what she wants to have here.”
“How soon do you want to leave?”
“The sooner the better.” Her silvery eyes meet mine, and it’s decided.
Hugh chuckles quietly as if to remind us of his presence. “I’ll arrange the flight now. My pilot will be ready when you are.”
Blake leaves the room, and the old man gives me a smug grin. “I knew you’d make a great team.”
“You’ve been pushing for it long enough.”
All the humor leaves his face, and he grows serious. “And what will you do when they go after her?”
Unreasonable anger hits in my stomach like a punch, and I know he’s right. These assholes are circling closer, from theft to blackmail, and now we’re headed right back to the city.
I might not be a thug, and I’m not a vigilante, but the thought of someone hurting Blake changes me into a man I don’t recognize. She once called me the Dark Knight, but from my internal response, it’s possible I’m more like the Hulk.
Hugh reads the change in my expression, and nods as if he’s satisfied. “That’s all I needed to know.”
“But you’ll miss my game.” Pepper’s arm is around my neck, and she’s giving me her best pout. “You’ve already missed seeing me off to school twice this week. It’s like I don’t even know you anymore.”
“That’s laying it on a little thick, even for you.” My brow arches, and I give her waist a little tug. “Your game isn’t until Thursday. I’ll be home by Wednesday at the latest.”
“Hana’s going with you? What am I gonna do while you’re all gone?”
I want to point out that Hana has only been in Hamiltown a few weeks, but I don’t. “Uncle Dirk has promised to have dinner with you every night. He’ll take you to get cupcakes, and we’ll be back before you have a chance to miss us.”
She slides off my knee, standing between my legs to face me and putting both hands on the tops of my shoulders. “I know! I’ll go with you to New York.” Her eyes flash. “It’ll be educational–like a field trip. I can visit the MoMa and the Statue of Liberty. And Alexander Hamilton’s grave!”
My hands are on her little waist, and I guess this is what parental guilt feels like. “It’s not that kind of trip, Pep. I’m working on a case. I won’t have time to take you to those places.”
Her lips flap as she blows air forcefully through them. “It’s never been like this before. I think you like Blake better than me.”
It hits me all at once–I am not prepared for her to get older. “It’s different with Blake. Mr. Hugh hired me to keep her safe, and part of the reason I have to go is some bad men are trying to… do some bad things.”
Pepper’s eyes go wide. “They want to kill her?” Just as fast her bottom lip trembles, and her voice gets thick. “Do they want to kill you? If that happened, would I live with Uncle Dirk?”
“No!” Jesus! Exhaling slowly, I pull her to my chest in a hug. “Nobody’s trying to kill anybody. It’s more like special adult-style theft. It’s called embezzlement. Nobody is getting killed, okay? I don’t even want you to think that. I’ll be back Wednesday, and I’ll go to your game, and that’s all you need to worry about, okay?”
“Hana, too?” Her little voice is muffled against my neck, and I slide my hand up and down her back.
“Hana, too, and Blake. The whole reason they’re going with me is to pack their things so they can move back here and live with Mr. Hugh.” She sniffs a few more times, and I nudge her back to meet her eyes. “Everybody’s going to be okay, you hear me? Now no crying. Give me a smile?”
Her lips press into a little pucker, but she blinks hard and nods, forcing a smile.
“That’s my girl. Hardest working shortstop in softball.” I pull her in for another squeeze, holding her close until I feel her relax. “I’m going to need a big, goodnight hug to last the next few days, okay?”
Her arms tighten around my neck, and I’m relieved and sad when she does a little grunt. I do the same, hugging her and pretending to strain.
Lifting her head, she whispers in my ear. “I love you, Uncle Hutch.”
It hits me straight in the heart, but I have to go. “I love you, too, peanut.” I pull her back, giving her little fanny a swat. “Now get to the kitchen. Lurlene has your dinner, and Uncle Dirk is on his way.”
She nods and takes off running through the house. Rubbing my hand over my forehead, I think about my promise, about Hugh’s line of questioning.
No one is getting killed.
We’ll be back in three days, this shit is going to be settled, and we’re all going to a softball game. Together.
On my way out the door, I slip my Beretta into my duffel.