Smitten

  The police department was getting antsy that nothing new had turned up on Manny and was getting ready to go ahead and charge Ripper and his boys with Grand Theft Auto. Roberta would be granted immunity for her help and testimony against them. I was happy to know things would be ending soon. I wanted to get back to our regular lives.

  “You ready to go in,” Hunter asked, giving me a wink.

  I reached over and grabbed his hand. “Have I told you how amazing you are? Thank you so much for doing this.”

  “I’d do anything to keep that beautiful smile plastered to your face like it is right now.” He leaned toward me, and I met him halfway, kissing him on the lips. He slid his fingers around to the back of my head and held me there, his tongue dipping deliciously inside my mouth.

  I couldn’t help the sigh that escaped, and he chuckled.

  “You have no idea how good it feels to be able to do this out in the open and not worry about who’s watching,” I said.

  He leaned his forehead against mine. “I have every idea. You’ve been so close, but so far away. I want this whole thing to be finished too. But let’s not worry about that right now. I want you to enjoy some time with your parents.”

  He hopped out of the car, came around to my side, and helped me out, the same gentleman as always. I loved his impeccable manners. He held my hand as we walked up the sidewalk together. I tried the handle, but it was locked.

  “I left my keys at the dorm.” I rang the doorbell and giggled. “If they look out the window, they won’t recognize the car. They’ll have no idea who’s here this early.”

  I heard a squeal from behind the door, and it was flung open. “Cami!” my mom practically shouted, dragging me into her arms. “What a surprise! I’m so happy to see you!” She suddenly held me back at arm’s length. “Is everything okay?” A worried look crossed her face as she stared at me.

  I laughed. “Everything is fine, Mom. Hunter . . . uh, Dylan, thought it would be nice to take a day trip and come for a surprise visit.”

  She grabbed Hunter and hugged him too. “You have no idea how much this means to us, Dylan. We’ve been missing our girl something fierce.”

  He grinned and hugged her back. “It’s my pleasure, ma’am.”

  She released him. “None of that ma’am crap now. It makes me feel too old. Call me Cecily. Get in here you two. Let me go get your dad. We’ll all have breakfast together. It’ll be perfect!”

  We went into the living room while she scurried off down the hall.

  “I think she’s a little excited,” Hunter said, still smiling.

  I nodded. “She is. So am I! Thank you again for doing this. I needed the break.”

  He pulled me into his arms. “Anything for the girl I love.” He glanced over to the sofa. “I have some pretty fond memories of this place too.”

  I blushed. “We did have some really hot make out sessions here, didn’t we?”

  “We did—all stuff I hope to repeat very soon.”

  “I’m game for that.”

  He kissed me again, holding me tightly as he tenderly explored my mouth. I wrapped my arms around him, feeling the electricity shoot between us, and I wished I could spend the rest of eternity like this—in his embrace.

  A throat cleared behind us. “I see things haven’t changed,” my dad’s voice interrupted and, we broke apart laughing.

  “Hi, Daddy!” I launched myself into his arms, giving him a big hug, and he squeezed me back tightly.

  “How’s my girl?” he asked. “This is the best surprise to wake up to.”

  I released him. “It was Hunter’s idea.”

  My dad chuckled and turned to him. “Dylan, thank you.”

  “It’s my pleasure, sir,” Hunter said, shaking his hand warmly.

  “I see Cami still hasn’t converted to using your real name. I thought for sure she would’ve by now.”

  Hunter smiled and glanced at me with a shrug. “Circumstances have made it a little difficult for her to make the switch.”

  “What do you mean?” my mom asked as she gestured for us to follow her into the kitchen.

  “I’m working undercover and using the same alias again. I thought perhaps she’d told you about it.” He glanced at me with a raised eyebrow.

  I shook my head. “I didn’t know if I was allowed to.”

  “So you’ve been all this time with no one to talk to?” He suddenly seemed upset.

  “Russ has always been there if I needed anyone,” I reminded him.

  “Is Cami in danger?” my mom asked with a worried expression.

  Hunter sighed heavily. “Unfortunately, yes. I’ve placed her in an extremely awkward situation. That’s partly the reason we’re here today. We needed to escape the intensity for a while.”

  I immediately noticed the alarmed look in my parent’s eyes. Memories of what we’d been through with Clay were still too close to the surface.

  “It’s not all your fault.” I rushed to defend him. “I’m as guilty as you are. I knew there was a risk of exposure if I met you. I could’ve said no, but I didn’t.” I went to the fridge and pulled out some eggs. “Why don’t you and dad sit at the table while Mom and I make breakfast. You can fill them in on things.” I looked at my mom. “If that’s okay with you.”

  “Sure,” she replied. “I miss being in the kitchen with my girl.”

  I let Hunter give them all the details while I helped prepare the food, only interjecting my opinion here and there when I felt the need to defend him. I didn’t want my parents to be angry.

  “Well, I can’t say I like the idea of my daughter being in the middle of this, but it does make me feel better to know she has Chris, Russ, and you watching out for her,” my dad spoke when Hunter was finished. “I’m glad to hear the department wants to wrap things up soon.”

  “Me too,” Hunter replied. “I’m ready to get back to my normal life. I apologize again for allowing Cami to get dragged into this.”

  “We trust you, Dylan,” my mom interjected. “You’ve already proven how devoted you are to keeping Cami safe. The bullet hole in your chest tells us all we needed to know about your character.”

  The room fell silent for several moments at the reference to what happened with Clay.

  “Do you see his parents much?” I asked Mom. She knew exactly what I meant.

  “I’ve run into them here and there around town. They’re pretty withdrawn from society still. You know how small-town gossip is.”

  “It’s not their fault. I don’t want them being ostracized because of something Clay did.”

  “Personally, I think they blame themselves for not knowing he was . . . sick. They honestly thought the two of you were an item. They didn’t see the warning signs, and now their son’s dead because of it.” She got some plates out of the cupboard and began setting the table while I started carrying the food over.

  “Maybe I should go see them today. Do you think it would help?”

  Hunter remained silent, but I didn’t miss the pursed lips as he glanced out the sliding glass doors toward the pool. He wasn’t happy with that suggestion.

  “I don’t know if it would be a good idea or not,” my dad said. “I think they’d be uncomfortable if Dylan came with you, due to his role in the situation. He was here hunting their son.”

  “You’re the victim, Cami,” Hunter finally said. “You’re not obligated to make anyone feel better. None of this mess was your doing. It’s not your fault Clay was living in a make believe world, and it’s not your fault his parents didn’t notice what was happening with their own kid.”

  I sighed, wishing I could make him understand. “I realize that, but Clay was my best friend since I was five years old. He wasn’t crazy the whole time, and I have lots of good memories of him. Despite how things ended, I still love him, and I miss having him in my life. Yes, it’s been hard to forgive him for what he tried to do to me, but his family shouldn’t have to suffer for his mistakes. Besides, I love them too. Th
ey were like second parents to me for most of my life.”

  I slid into the seat next to Hunter, dished my food, and started eating. The room was uncomfortably quiet.

  “If you want to go see them, you should,” Hunter finally said softly. “I just don’t want to see you suffer through painful memories again.”

  I paused, staring at my plate, unable to make eye contact with anyone. “I still think of Clay every day,” I confessed. “And I still have nightmares about that night. But I’m as guilty as his parents. I refused to see the changes in him until it was too late. He’s dead because of me.”

  “He’s dead because he tried to rape you, and he shot an officer of the law with the intent to kill.” Hunter’s voice quickly raised, a scowl crossing his face, and I had no doubt he was angry. “You’re in no way responsible for his actions. You told him repeatedly he was only a friend to you. He refused to listen. He made the plan to kidnap you. Don’t you try to take the blame for this!”

  “Maybe we should talk about something else,” my mom suggested. “Let’s not ruin the day arguing about a past that can’t be changed. It won’t help anyone.”

  Silence ensued again, and I pushed the eggs around my plate with the fork, suddenly not feeling very hungry.

  “Honey,” my dad said softly. “Would you be willing to go to some grief counseling? It might help you deal with things better.”

  “I’m not a head case, Dad,” I spouted back.

  “I’m not saying you are. I’m merely concerned you’re still having nightmares, and you obviously miss Clay even though you’re angry with him. Talking to someone might be beneficial. It can help you work through your feelings.”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t want people to think I’m crazy.”

  “No one will think that, sweetie,” my mom added. “They all know you went through a very traumatic event.”

  “This current situation hasn’t been easy for us either,” Hunter added. “Talking about it would probably help.”

  “Would you go with me?” I asked, looking over at him.

  “Of course I would. It would help me too.” He placed a hand over mine. “The department has counselors who deal specifically with post-traumatic stress. We can arrange something through them if you’d like. They have access to all the case details, and we could talk freely about things with them.”

  “I think that sounds like a good idea,” my dad said.

  I put my fork down and looked at Hunter. “Can I talk to you privately outside for a moment.”

  He seemed surprised, but he put his fork down and stood. “Of course.”

  “Sorry, Mom and Dad. Go ahead and eat. I need to get something off my chest with Hun . . . Dylan.” I really needed to put better effort into using his proper name. My brain didn’t want to make the adjustment, though.

  Hunter followed me out the sliding glass door, shutting it behind him. I walked to the far side of the pool and stood staring at the morning light reflecting off the water. He came up behind me and rubbed his hands against the upper part of my arms.

  “What’s the matter, Goody?”

  It was time to face the music. I needed to tell him the truth, but I was terrified to do it at the same time. I was worried it would destroy everything between us, but I didn’t know how I could go on like this anymore.

  I trembled as I turned to stare him in the face. “I hate your job,” I spoke boldly. “I want to be supportive of you and everything you love, but I honestly don’t know how much more I can take.” The floodgates were open now—I couldn’t stop everything I’d been holding back. “It would be bad enough if you were a regular cop, sending you out to keep the peace, write traffic tickets—or whatever it is regular cops do—but I have to suffer in agony every moment you’re undercover. I never know if someone is going to blow your alias, and I’m going to get a phone call saying you’ve been killed. I’ve been involved in your last two cases, and it’s driving me insane. I have a hard time trusting anyone these days, and I’m constantly looking over my shoulder wondering if someone is trying to sneak up on me. Add trying to stay on top of my class schedule and having some sicko pawing me with his hands and lips all the time, and I’m seriously about to lose it! I mean it. I’m done.”

  Hunter’s eyes were full of concern. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”

  I gave a hard laugh. “Why? Because I know how much you love being a cop, and I don’t want you to feel like you have to choose between your job and me. I don’t want to lose you because I’m insecure.”

  He shook his head and ran a hand against my hair before bringing his palm to my cheek and stroking his thumb across my lips. My eyes watered at the affectionate gesture.

  “Cami, baby, there’s no choice. I’d always choose you, hands down, every time.”

  “Really?” I asked, unable to believe he’d quit his job for me.

  He lifted his other hand so he was cupping my face. “I love you more than anything else. Don’t you get it? I want to be with you forever.” He gave a wry chuckle. “I planned on asking you to marry me, but this stupid job got in the way and messed everything up.”

  “You want to marry me?” I asked, swallowing hard.

  He gave a small chuckle. “Is it so hard to believe? I know you’re young. We don’t have to rush into anything. We can take all the time you need. I want you to live your life and fulfill your dreams like you want. I simply want to be part of it—if you’ll have me.”

  “Hunter, I want you to be able to live your life and dreams too. I know how much you love being a cop.” I didn’t want him sacrificing things just to be with me.

  “Honestly, I’d be happy flipping burgers if it meant I got to be with you.”

  I snorted. “Sure you would. I’ve seen the lifestyle you come from. You’re used to having money.”

  He laughed and dropped his hand from my face to grab both of mine. “You know cops don’t make that much, right? It’s sad, but true. They’re at the bottom of the job chain. Besides, I have plenty of money either way.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “My parents are loaded. My sister and I received our trust funds when we turned twenty-one. It’ll continue to pay large lump sums to us every five years until we’re like sixty years old or something.”

  I was shocked. He’d never told me anything about his financial situation before. “Wow. That’s nice of them.”

  “Yes, they wanted to be sure we were taken care of. The only stipulation on mine was that I keep a full-time job unless I’m incapacitated for some reason. My parents didn’t want me sitting around being lazy. I’ve invested some of it, and I have a couple business ventures I’ve been mulling over in my head. I may be a police officer, but it doesn’t mean I don’t have other plans in mind for my future.”

  “Really?” I said again, shocked by everything he was revealing. “Like what?”

  “Well, I could use my police skills to be a bounty hunter.”

  My eyes widened. “Isn’t that still dangerous?”

  He shrugged. “It could be, but most of the time people aren’t expecting a bounty hunter to show up. Things go down relatively peacefully.”

  I sighed. “Danger appeals to you, doesn’t it?”

  “Seeing people who break the law brought to justice appeals to me, Cami. I like getting my man, figuratively speaking.”

  “Hmm. Still seems dangerous.”

  “I like cars too. How would you feel about being with a greasy mechanic? I’m good at it.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t want you to change your life to suit me. That’s not fair.”

  “What wouldn’t be fair is losing you because of a job. I’d be crushed. Don’t you remember Sheridan told you I was smitten with you? Well, it’s true. I’d do anything to keep you by my side.” He squeezed my hands tighter.

  “It still doesn’t seem fair,” I grumbled.

  “Then how about a compromise?”

  “Like what?”


  “I’ll keep my job on the force, but as soon as this case is done, I’ll ask to be assigned to patrol the school systems or something. I’ll tell them I don’t want to be involved in undercover work anymore.”

  “That sounds kind of boring for you.”

  “Are you kidding? What’s better than working with kids? Besides, I really don’t want to do the undercover thing anymore. It may have led me to you initially, but it’s been pure hell staying away from you this go around. I’ll finish this case and tell them I’m through. Deal?”

  I studied him closely, noting the light shining in his eyes. He seemed truly sincere in what he was saying. “Deal,” I replied, and he let out a breath I hadn’t realize he’d been holding.

  He pulled me into his embrace. “Don’t ever leave me, Cami. You have no idea how much I need you.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Cami-

  “Thanks for breakfast, Mom,” I said, giving her a hug before I helped to clear the table. “Sorry for all the drama. Things have been a little crazy lately.”

  “No need to apologize. I understand completely. We just want you both to be happy and safe.”

  “Well, I’m very happy—regardless of everything that’s gone on, and Hunter is doing his best to look out for me. I do think I need to take care of some other things while I’m here, though.”

  “Like what?”

  I sighed. “I think it’s time for me to face some of the demons I have hiding in my closet.”

  “Take your time. You don’t need to push anything,” Hunter spoke up.

  “No, I want to. I’m ready. I need to put some closure behind me. I think it will be healing for me.”

  “So what’s your plan?” my dad asked, giving me a concerned look.

  “I’m going to see Clay’s parents and ask them if I can lay flowers on his grave.”

  “Would you like us to come with you?” my mom asked.

  I shook my head. “No. Hunter can take me. I’ll have him wait in the car while I go in.” I looked at him apologetically. “I’m not ashamed to have you with me, but I don’t want to make them feel any more uncomfortable.”