deep breath, inhaling the scent of her perfume. “Sorry I was an asshole in the car.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. This has nothing to do with you, I just needed to get angry at someone, I guess.”
“I understand. We’ve all done it.”
“I should have let Mack take you home. I’m not much fun tonight.”
“I don’t care.” She stroked my hair, kissed my temple. “I’m not just here for fun, Noah. I care about you. And if you need to vent some anger at me, it’s okay. I can take it.”
“You don’t deserve it.” Still, I wasn’t about to let her go. It felt too good to hold her this way, to let her hold me, to let some of the tension from this shitty day drain out of my body and take solace in her warmth and familiarity. I was a lucky fucking bastard.
I looked at her, really seeing her for the first time tonight. The hair, the tight jeans, the red lips, her bare feet with red-painted toes. “Holy shit. You’re gorgeous.”
She smiled. “Thanks. Told you your sister was magic.”
“It’s not just your hair, Sawyer. But I do like it.” I took a fistful of newly golden-streaked strands and tugged gently. “A lot.”
A laugh escaped her, loosening the knots in my gut even more. “I’m glad. And I’m so glad you called me back.”
“I almost didn’t. I was afraid I’d end up being a dick to you. But I wanted to be with you.”
“I wanted to be with you too. And you’re entitled to a bad day.”
She continued stroking my hair, my neck, my shoulders, and pressing soft kisses on my forehead. It was soothing and sweet, and it made me want to tell her things.
“I had to go to the hospital today to interview a suspect.”
“Was he injured or something?”
“No. He’d brought his six-year-old daughter in.”
Meg’s hands stopped. “Why?”
“She was screaming in pain and wouldn’t stop. I think it was the noise that bothered him more than her suffering. Turns out she had a kidney infection.”
“Poor baby.”
“We were called because of all the bruises on her body. New and old. And burn marks.”
Meg’s arms tightened around me. “No.”
“This fucker hurts her,” I seethed, the fury making my blood boil all over again. “I know he does. But I have to interview him with respect, and be polite, and try to get him to think he can trust me so he’ll admit to all the fucked up shit he does to his own kids. The girl isn’t the only child in the house.”
“Oh, Noah. That’s heartbreaking. No wonder you were so upset.”
“And the entire time, all I want to do is beat the living fuck out of this guy so he knows what it feels like.”
“I wish you could have.”
“Me too. That fucker deserves worse than jail time for hurting a child.”
“Do you think he—” she stopped, unable to even voice the thought.
“I don’t know for sure. But I suspect it.” My stomach turned over. “I kept thinking about my niece, Violet. She’s exactly that age. If anybody ever—”
“Oh honey, no. Don’t even think it.”
“I swear to God, Meg, I’ve seen a lot of things you wouldn’t believe. Violence. Tragic accidents. War. I’ve watched men die right in front of my eyes.” I forced the tremble out of my voice. “But nothing fucks me up like someone hurting a child.”
“I know.” Meg rubbed my shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
“It just reminds me how fucked up the world is. I don’t even know how people can bring kids into it. My sister is crazy.”
“Come on, it’s not all bad. And we’ve got heroes like you to protect us. Did you arrest the guy?”
“No. A detective was brought in. She’ll get more detailed photos, a sexual assault exam, and bring the suspect to the PD for a more thorough interview. But I don’t need any of that. I knew in my gut that guy was guilty, and there was nothing I could do about it.”
“That has to be so frustrating. You must have wanted to put your fist through a wall.”
“I nearly did, I was so wound up. And I was a total asshole to everyone the rest of the day. After my run, I went out for a beer, and I kept hoping someone would throw a punch so I could get in a fight.”
“Well, I’m glad they didn’t. I like your face. And you like your job. Both of those things probably would have been in jeopardy if you’d hit someone.”