“SoSo, I’m a grown woman. No, I will not go home tonight. I agree it’s too dangerous.”
Her shoulders fell two inches and a sigh of relief escaped her perfectly painted red lips.
I glanced back at Jonah. “Though I’m sure Agent Fontaine and his perfectly capable crew of hundreds can tell me when it’s safe to return. I will need to go there tomorrow to pick up some things at least for the next week or so depending on what they say. I’ll just stay with Mama Kerri in our old room until all this is worked out. No muss, no fuss.”
“Damn, you’re one helluva strong woman, Simone.” Jonah ran his thumb over the top of my hand, and I felt the caress careen straight through to my heart.
“Thank you.” I smiled. I’d never been called strong a day in my life. Resilient, yes. Strong, no. Most often people saw me as the people pleaser. The sister always willing to help out with anyone’s desires or dreams but never having any of her own. I’d been pegged as reliable but not responsible. Late but always in attendance. Hardworking but never driven. I was good at a lot of things but master of none. Unfortunately, it was all true. Except hearing this man call me strong gave me a huge sense of pride when I very rarely felt that emotion.
“Simone, you can stay with me. The guest room can easily be transitioned into your room. You know I’d love to have you. And I’m rarely home anyway…”
I stood up and hugged my sister, wrapping my arms around her much taller and far more fit frame. Men considered me voluptuous and on the curvy side. My sister was elegance in motion. An athletic build she worked hard to keep. Said working out cleared her mind. I found my workouts by being on my feet slinging drinks and carrying dinner trays over my head, though I enjoyed eating and drinking far more than my sister. Hence the curves.
“You know I love you more than my own life…”
“And I you, that’s why I think you should stay with me, in my guarded and secure apartment.” She tried again.
“That’s not a bad idea, Simone. There’s a serial killer on the loose. And you don’t get much more guarded than an elected official, unless of course you’re the President or a celebrity,” Jonah added.
I shook my head. “Sorry. I’d be more comfortable back at Kerrighan House. Plenty of room. Mom’s there to feed and baby me. You know how it is. When something bad happens…”
“You just want to go home,” Sonia said the phrase that meant so much to the both of us. We’d always been one another’s safe place, but it was a bit different for me. I was only six when we arrived at Kerrighan House. She’d been twelve. It was the only home I really remembered or knew. To her, I was home. Not that she didn’t love our foster mother to pieces.
“Besides, if I didn’t go to her house, you know Mama’d end up at yours.”
Sonia smiled wide breaking up the tension that had built in the room. “That is true. You’re likely not going to get away from her for a while.”
I shrugged. “Why would I want to?” My foster mother was the coolest mom ever. Everyone that met her agreed. She was one of those people you just adored being around.
Sonia nodded. “Okay then. I’m going to talk to the men about perhaps seeing if we could secure a couple officers doing some rounds of the house during their patrols. It would make me feel safer knowing they have an eye on you and Mama Kerri.”
“Sure,” I relented. The woman would not settle if I didn’t give her something.
Sonia nodded. “I’ll leave you two to visit.” She turned and left.
When I focused back on Jonah, he was opening and closing his eyes as though he were fighting a battle to stay awake.
“I’ll take you to your house tomorrow afternoon. I don’t want you, your sister, or mother going there alone.”
“You really have done enough already…”
He pursed his lips and adjusted his position with a wince. “Promise me you’ll give him your information and wait for our call?”
I patted his hand. “I promise. It’s the least I can do. What’s your favorite cookie?”
He frowned and shook his head. Sleep trying to take over. “Chocolate chip. Why?”
“Because I’m going to make you and the other officers that helped us