“We want to make sure you have plenty of energy,” she added with a wink before leading the way into the kitchen. As they walked the short distance, she said, “I know you were here already, but you didn’t get a good look. My rowhouse is smaller than yours, but it’s plenty for me.” Looking over her shoulder, she laughed. “Although, I’m incredibly envious of your bonus room and deck! And the view… oh, my goodness!”
She plated the desserts, placing strawberries in the middle and on top of the shortcake, then added whipped cream piled high. As soon as he took a bite, he closed his eyes and groaned. The sound shot through her, reminding her of the sound of his coming when they were in the shower earlier that morning. Trying to force those thoughts from her mind, she asked, “Did everything go okay today?”
Shrugging, he said, “It went. Not my favorite thing to visit someone in prison, and I can’t say we got anything useful so it may have been a waste of time.”
A forkful of strawberries and whipped cream were on their way to her mouth, but she halted. “Prison? Oh, Kyle, I’m so sorry you have to do that.”
Shaking his head, he said, “Don’t worry about it.”
“Yeah, but it’s got to be one of the more unpleasant parts of your job.”
“It’s not pretty, but you know what is? Coming home to you.”
Dessert finished, she walked over to the counter and grabbed the bowl of homemade whipped cream. Glancing to the side, she said, “I hope that snack built up your stamina. I’m going upstairs to bed… with the whipped cream.” With that, she ran out of the kitchen and made it halfway up the stairs before he caught up to her. He swooped her into his arms, careful to keep the bowl of cream upright. She was glad… after all, she had plans for the whipped cream. And from the grin on his face, he was on board with her plans.
18
“I can’t believe you talked me into this fuckin’ trip.”
Kimberly glanced to the side as Kyle’s comment reverberated through the cab of his truck. Seeing the scowl on his face, she bit back her retort. Instead, she said, “I promised I would bring some fruit. These women have had enough promises broken to last them a lifetime. I don’t want to be just one more person who does that.”
Kyle’s lips thinned into a straight line and then he blew out his breath in a loud huff. Reaching across the front of his old truck, he squeezed her hand “Babe, you’re a good person, but I cannot be firm enough in my warning that this place is dangerous. Do not under any circumstances ever come here by yourself again.”
“I know, and that’s why I asked you to come with me. I understand it was foolish the last time, and I’m not going to do that again.”
They pulled off the road and began the bumpy trip toward the underpass. Just like before, the dark recesses appeared scary, but near the edge, less so. The children were playing ball in the dirt again, and she said, “You can just park back here, and I’ll—”
“No way, babe. I’m going to be close by.”
“I don’t want you to scare them—”
Her words halted as he jerked his head to the side, his glare so scorching she was surprised her eyebrows were not singed. “Okay, okay!”
“Let’s get one thing straight, Kimberly. I respect you and what you’re doing, but I will not go through what I went through before, seeing someone hold a gun to a loved one’s head.”
She had never asked him about that situation but knew they needed to have that conversation. For now, she simply nodded.
“I’m going to be nearby, and my fuckin’ badge will be showing.”
They parked close to the children, and she saw Margo and Aleeta come forward, suspicion in their gazes. Kyle took the bags of fruit and other items she had brought and handed them to her. Then he moved slightly away and smiled at the kids playing.
She walked straight up to the women and said, “I brought some fruit and a couple of things I thought you might could use.”
“Who’s he?” Margo asked, her eyes pinned on Kyle as though she were afraid he would take off with her children.
Before she could answer, Aleeta said in a hard voice, “Looks like you brought the cops.”
“He’s my boyfriend,” she began, and Aleeta’s bark of laughter stopped