Derek (Hunter PI & Security #1)

by Sharon Cummin

  Maybe a little part of me was bothered that it wasn't me he was actually there for.

  “Has nothing to do with Gabe,” he said. “Text me.”

  Before I could say another thing, he shut my door and stepped back from my car.

  I couldn't stop thinking on the drive home. When I asked about his wife, I never thought he'd actually answer me. I was doing it to get out of my own answer, but it didn't work. His wife died while having their baby. That was so damn sad. She never got to love her little girl. He'd been left to raise her alone from the moment she was born. I couldn't imagine what he'd gone through. Part of me could, since I was taking care of Gabe without his father, but I'd lost him before I'd even known I was pregnant. I don't know what I would have done if I'd lost him just after having the baby. Derek hadn't just become a new father, he'd also lost his love at the same time. I could tell how much he loved her when he spoke. I could hear it in his words. He'd had to bring his little girl home alone.

  When I pulled into the driveway and shut my car off, I realized I'd been crying again, only it wasn't for me. It was for him. I looked up into the mirror and dried my tears. My face was red and puffy. I could only imagine what I'd looked like to him. He was probably so happy to get out of there and away from me.

  I walked toward the front door, not looking forward to what I knew was coming. Gabby was going to be standing there, and she was going to be filled with questions. I took a deep breath, turned the knob, and pushed the door open.

  “How was your,” I heard before I heard her gasp. “Are you okay? What happened?”

  “I'm fine,” I said. “Nothing happened.”

  “Maybe you shouldn't be going to those meetings,” she said. “I thought they were supposed to help you.”

  I'd realized that night that maybe I wasn't so different from them and would definitely be going back.

  “They are,” I said. “Believe it or not, they are.”

  “I thought you got together to talk about baby stuff,” she said. “I don't like that they made you cry.”

  Doug walked up from behind her with Gabe in his arms.

  “It isn't exactly that kind of meeting,” I said, as I took Gabe from him and held him close. “It's more of a group for single parents who have lost their significant other.”

  “Why would you need that?” Gabby asked. “Gabe was my brother. I'm here for you. You don't need anyone else.”

  “He was your brother,” I said. “I'm glad you're here for me. You have no idea just how glad I am, but the group is different. They've lost the parent of their child or children. They talk about their feelings and other things. They've all suffered the same kind of loss, and they talk about it.”

  “I can talk about it,” Gabby said.

  “I know you can,” I said. “It's just not the same.”

  The second I said the words, I saw the look that moved across her face and wanted so badly to take them back.

  “I don't mean it the way you're taking it,” I said, as I reached my free hand out to her. “You're busy trying to run his business, and you have your own grief to deal with. Some days I want to cry so hard because I miss him so much, but I don't. I don't want to make you sad. I don't want to add more to what you're already dealing with. I love you, Gabby. You're my sister now, and you always will be. I just don't want to put my grief on you when you already have your own.”

  Gabby nodded but didn't say anything.

  “I'm going to get Gabe ready for bed,” I said.

  Doug gave me a sympathetic look.

  “I think it's good for you,” he said.

  I turned to walk up the stairs and heard Gabby whisper.

  “I don't like that they made you cry,” she said.

  “It wasn't them,” I said from over my shoulder as I kept walking. “It was me, and it really helped. I feel like a brick has been lifted from my shoulders. I just need to get rid of the rest of them.”

  I walked into the baby's room and put him in his crib. His little eyes were fighting so hard to stay open, but it wasn't working. I reached in to cover him up and couldn't help but think about what Derek said. He really was what mattered. Little Gabe was the one I was living for, and I was going to give him the best life I could. It was all about him. I looked up and said a quiet thank you to Gabe for sending him to me. I turned on the monitor, walked over to my room, and got ready for bed. I was exhausted and was hoping that for the first time in so long, I would actually be able to sleep.

  My phone was next to me on the nightstand. I thought about Derek and his demand for me to text him. Then I thought about control. I held it. If I sent him that text, it was going to be because I wanted to, not because he told me to. Was he feeling obligated? Was that why he stood outside with me until I stopped crying? I didn't want that. I didn't want anyone to ever feel obligated to help me. That wasn't who I wanted to be. I wasn't a pity case, and I wasn't Gabe's woman. If I was, he would have wanted to take me out. He would have wanted me on his arm no matter where he was. Was he embarrassed of me? Shit! Then the ring popped into my mind. Was he really going to ask me to marry him? Ugh! I fell back onto the bed. Then I heard Derek's words in my head. “Has nothing to do with Gabe.” I wasn't going to text him. He wouldn't do anything, would he? After the discussion I'd had with Gabby, I wasn't about to find out. There was no way I wanted her thinking anything else. Damn! I grabbed the phone and typed out a quick message, but I was doing it because I wanted to. It had nothing to do with him.

  Me: I'm home.

  I got a reply seconds later.

  Derek: Was that so difficult?

  Me: A little.

  Derek: Such a smart ass.

  I couldn't tell you what it was, but he brought out the smart ass in me. I never talked to Gabe or Doug that way. Even Gabby didn't bring it out of me like that, and she took the lead in making smart ass comments.

  Me: You don't have to hear it anymore. I'd say your obligation is done. You've gotten me to the meetings, and I do plan to continue going. Thank you!

  Derek: I'm telling you, I'm damn glad you're not my woman. That mouth of yours is something else. I think you've been around Gabby far too long.

  Me: It has nothing to do with Gabby. I'm my own person. I'm damn glad you're not my man. I'd never let a man control me, not ever again. I make my own decisions, and I always will.

  Derek: Not ever again?

  Shit! I totally hadn't realized I'd put it like that.

  Me: You're so damn bossy.

  Derek: What the fuck do you mean not ever again?

  Me: I didn't mean to type that. I should have read it first. I just meant your demanding, and I wouldn't put up with that shit.

  Derek: You would if you were my woman. That's why you're lucky. Did Gabe ever hurt you?

  Fuck!

  Me: No!!!! He would never have hurt me.

  Derek: Then who did?

  Me: Nobody. I told you I typed that wrong. I'll see you next Monday.

  Derek: You said you've known Doug since college. Maybe I'll ask him.

  Me: You absolutely will not.

  Derek: Why not? I'm guessing he has the answer then.

  Me: Do not do it.

  Derek: You embarrassed of me?

  Me: Why would I be embarrassed of you? That makes no sense. I was saying that for your sake. Do you really want Gabby to find out you're going to those meetings too? You don't, I'm telling you. I told her tonight that it wasn't just moms talking about baby poop, and she was not happy. Don't think she won't be all up in your shit if she knows you're going too. If you want that, go ahead and ask Doug. Don't say I didn't warn you. Thank you for meeting me for coffee. I'm sure you learned your lesson there. Sorry about soaking your shirt. You're off the hook. We're even on the coffee, and you're even with Gabe. See you Monday. I think I'll sit next to you after all. It's fun to watch Stephanie checking you out.

  Derek: I'm not afraid of Gabby.

  Me: You should be. Goodnight!

  I p
ut my phone down, wishing I could go back and erase my words. If I'd learned anything about Derek in such a short time, it was that he didn't give up easily. It wasn't the last I was going to hear on that subject, and I knew it. When my phone dinged again, I thought about ignoring it, but I couldn't do it.

  Derek: Those few words didn't tell me something I didn't already know. See you next Monday. I'll be sure to save you the seat right next to mine. Goodnight!

  What did he mean by that, I wondered? Was he talking about what I thought or was it something else? I went back to read our messages over and over. That had to be what he meant. How would he know? There was no way he knew. He was messing with me, and I wasn't about to let him know he was getting to me.

  Me: No thank you. I'll sit someplace else.

  Derek: I don't think so.

  Me: I guess we'll see.

  I put my phone back down. There was no way I was picking it back up again. I was going to show him that I meant what I said. I was in control. Nobody was going to change that, not even the big man.

  Chapter 22

  Derek

  I walked into work the next morning, realizing yet again that she wasn't there. It wasn't the same walking through without seeing her smiling face. We'll fucking see alright, I thought, as I pushed the button on the elevator harder than I should have.

  I jumped into my work. I'd be the only one working the case I had, and I needed to move as quickly as possible. It wasn't going to be that difficult, and I was sure the department could have done it if they had the manpower. Budget cuts had taken them back, and they needed their men and women on the roads, not chasing information. I totally got it, and I was more than happy to help. It made me feel needed, and getting a bad guy put behind bars would make the community a bit safer. I was all for that. That was what I was born to do.

  My mind kept going back to Bridget and her text. I knew Gabe didn't hurt her, but someone did. From her reaction, I knew positively that Doug knew who it was. He was right there. She'd be pissed if she found out I asked him. I knew it was the wrong thing to do. By noon I couldn't take it a moment longer. My work wasn't getting done, and my mind was going crazy. There was no way anyone deserved to be put in fear. That shit was wrong. I had to know.

  I walked into in his office without even knocking on the door. His head snapped up, and he smiled.

  “What's up?” he asked with a laugh. “You seem like you're on a mission. It's a good thing my wife is at a meeting. I suggest knocking next time.”

  I shook my head without even cracking a smile.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “What's Bridget's story?” I asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Who hurt her?” I asked.

  “Oh,” was his reply.

  What the fuck was oh, I wondered? So he did know.

  “That tells me something right there,” I said.

  He shook his head before he spoke.

  “That's not my story to tell, Derek,” he said. “You have to ask her.”

  I felt the rumble in my chest, and he narrowed his eyes at me.

  “Would you want me to tell your story?” he asked. “If she came in here and asked what I knew about you, how would you feel if I told her?”

  “She already knows,” I snapped.

  “What?” he asked, as his expression turned serious.

  “She knows everything you know,” I answered.

  “It is your meeting that she went to,” he said more to himself than to me.

  “So you're not going to tell me,” I said without responding to his comment.

  “Derek,” he said, as he stood and rounded his desk. “You know that's fucked up. Don't make me do that. I have so much respect for you, but I've known her since college. If you want that story, she has to give it to you.”

  “Fine,” I snapped, as I turned toward the door. “Her sassy mouth won't give that shit up.”

  “Sassy mouth?” he asked from behind me. “Is something going on between you two?”

  “No! I'd do anything to have my love back. I'm not interested in Bridget or anyone else. Why would you even ask that?” I asked roughly. “That woman is so damn cocky. I don't know how Gabe did it.”

  “I don't know,” he answered. “You seem pretty aggravated. I'm not sure that you'll ever move on.”

  “Like you did after high school,” I snapped, as I pulled his door open, walked out, and slammed it shut behind me.

  “I was just trying to help by giving her that damn card,” I mumbled, as I walked down the hall.

  When I turned the corner, I walked right into someone and reached out to steady them.

  “Shit!” I heard the yelp and knew who it was.

  “I'm sorry, Gabby,” I said. “I didn't see you.”

  “It's okay,” she said.

  “You okay?” I asked.

  “Yes,” she answered. “You okay, big man? You looked like you're about to rip someone's head off.”

  “I'm good,” I said roughly.

  Then I turned and kept walking. I got into the elevator and felt my hands balled tight into fists. What the fuck was his problem, I wondered? How was he going to act like that? He respected me, but he was her friend. Fuck that. He could be her friend then. How was he going to stand there acting all protective like I was doing something wrong? That was bullshit. He had the information I wanted, but he was holding out on me.

  I walked into my office and fell into my chair. I had work to do, and thinking about her wasn't part of that work.

  “Get your shit together,” I told myself, as I pulled my chair up to my desk. “Not your problem.”

  My phone dinged. There was no way it was her after that cocky shit she pulled just before bed. I knew I had to check it just in case Jean needed something for Jenny. When I picked it up, I was a bit shocked to see it was from Doug.

  Doug: Did something happen at the meeting last night?

  Me: What do you mean?

  I had no clue what he was talking about.

  Doug: Bridget came home with her face wet from crying. I was pretty sure she'd been crying on the way home. Was she okay when she left?

  Came home, I thought. So her dad was checking in with me. I really wanted to reply with her story to tell, but I didn't. What made him think I'd know anyway, I wondered? What did he mean wet with tears? She had been crying, but her tears were dry when she drove away. Had she started crying again? She blamed herself for Gabe's death. Maybe she'd broken down again on the way home. That wasn't safe if she had been driving though. Since she obviously hadn't told him about coffee after, I wasn't sure what to say. As pissed as I was, I wasn't about to start trouble with her dad, I mean Doug.

  Me: I don't know. I think she was fine when she left.

  Doug: She told Gabby last night what the meetings really are. It didn't go over well. I think it's good for her. I'm just hoping it does more good than bad. I thought maybe you knew what happened.

  Me: Maybe you should just ask her.

  Doug: Derek

  Me: I've got work to do. I'll talk to you later.

  “She obviously has her friend Doug watching out for her,” I mumbled to myself. “I've got shit to do. I have a whole police force to impress. Get your head out of your ass, Hunter.”

  As the week went on, I worked my ass off. I had my brother doing the computer research, and I drove around following leads he'd send me. I was really damn close to having everything ready.

  Doug was in the back of my mind most of the week. I wasn't happy about his obvious view of me. I'd never done shit to him. There was no way I was going to mess with Bridget. He needed to take a step back. I liked what I did for his company, and I liked having my company in the same building. I didn't want bad feelings between us, but I wasn't going to bow down to his ass either. If he wasn't giving me anything, then he wasn't getting anything from me either. Fuck him and his shitty opinion, I thought. I didn't need any extra stress in my life, not from him or anyone else.


  I spent the weekend with Jenny. We went to a pool close by that had slides and a lazy river. She had a blast and fell asleep by the time we got home. I loved my little girl, and I wanted her to be proud of her daddy when she grew up. That was what I needed to be thinking about, making her proud.

  I walked into the meeting Monday night and couldn't fucking believe my eyes. When I'd driven into the parking lot, I hadn't even looked for Bridget's car. She hadn't gotten there before me the other weeks, and I was pretty early. When I saw her sitting across the room, just as she'd said she would be, I wanted to throw her over my shoulder and show her who was boss. She looked up from her phone with a big smile on her face. Yep, she'd done it on purpose. She'd gotten there early just to fuck with me. What was it with her? I pulled my phone from my pocket and pulled up a new text.

  Me: Really!

  When she looked down, I watched her suck her bottom lip between her teeth with a smile. She was proud of herself.

  Bridget: What do you mean?

  Me: You know your ass got here early just so you could sit over there before I got here.

  Bridget: I did no such thing. Doug came home early, so I left to make sure I got here on time.

  I heard the growl come from deep in my chest, and I knew she'd heard it too.

  Bridget: You okay over there, big man?

  Me: I'm fine. What am I supposed to do with the seat next to me?

  I saw her smile leave as she read it.

  Bridget: Maybe Stephanie wants it.

  Me: Maybe she does, but maybe I don't want to sit with her.

  Bridget: Like you want me there. I doubt that. Gabe can't see if I sit there or not. You're off the hook.

  I stood up from my chair and walked out of the room.

  Me: I already told you, it has nothing to do with Gabe.

  I was standing outside when Taylor pulled up on a bike. He took his helmet off as he walked toward me.

  “Like my new ride?” he asked.

  “What the hell is that?” I snapped. “Your ass better not have your son on that.”

  “I don't plan on it,” he snapped back. “I know what I'm doing. He'll be on it, but not yet. What's your problem. Come on.”