Derek (Hunter PI & Security #1)

by Sharon Cummin

  “Where's my boy?” I heard Taylor come in, but I didn't take my eyes from hers.

  Then he was there, and I couldn't ignore him.

  “Not your boy,” I said.

  “You scared the shit out of us,” Taylor said. “If you ever pull that shit again, I'll kill you myself. My brother is pissed. He said there's no way you should have gotten shot. You weren't on your game, Derek. What the fuck?”

  “Your mouth,” Bridget snapped at him. “Watch it.”

  Taylor looked down at Jenny and shook his head.

  “Sorry,” he said. “I'm so glad you're okay. You have no idea how worried we all were. We looked like a bunch of crazies out in that waiting room. Gabby went off on Bridget, but I stepped in.”

  “What?” Derek asked roughly, right before wincing.

  “It was nothing,” Bridget said, as she stepped forward. “We were all worried and stressed.”

  Why had Taylor stepped in? I should have been there. I should have been the one to stand in front of Gabby. It should have been me. Bridget was mine.

  Her eyes came back to mine, and I shook my head slightly.

  “Can we get back to where he's moving,” Doug said. “You're not leaving that building. I won't let you.”

  “Moving?” Taylor asked.

  The look on Bridget's face was priceless, and I wanted to kiss her so damn bad. She was shitting bricks. I could see it. I'm not sure I'd ever seen her look as freaked as she did right then.

  “He said “I'll move”,” Doug said.

  “Seriously?” Taylor asked, as he looked down at me.

  I looked at Doug and Gabby. Then I looked at Taylor, Jenny, Drake, and finally Bridget. I thought about what she'd said. I'd thought she was embarrassed of me. She could have been. If she was, I would look like a fool, but I was done. Gabe had never once told her how he felt, and then he was gone. It wasn't until months later that everyone found out. He hid her. I'd asked her what she needed, and she'd said I couldn't give it to her. Then I thought about my own words. I'd said she needed a man that wasn't afraid to stand up and claim her as his in front of everyone. I said she needed a man that was going to show her every single day how he felt about her. She'd walked away from me. She was gone.

  I stared into her eyes and knew I had a decision to make. Would I put the shit away and wait until they left? Would we talk about it after that, or would I punk out because I was afraid she'd turn me away? I didn't have a choice. There was only one option. There was a huge chance she was going to be so pissed and walk out of that room, but it was a chance I was willing to take. I had to take a stand. I had to let her know. I couldn't go one more day without doing it.

  “What does it mean?” Doug asked impatiently.

  Our eyes were locked, and I wasn't looking away.

  “It means I love her,” I said.

  “What?” Doug asked.

  “Who?” Gabby asked.

  “Shit!” Taylor let out.

  “Derek,” Bridget warned.

  “Bridget,” I said. “I love her. I love you.”

  “Wait a second,” Gabby said. “I thought Taylor liked her.”

  “I'll fucking kill him,” I snapped, looking over Taylor.

  “Calm down,” Bridget said. “You have to calm down, Derek.”

  She stepped around Taylor and leaned down.

  “You can't get stressed,” she said, as she rubbed my arm.

  “I told you,” Taylor said. “I said you were looking at the wrong guy. It wasn't me. It was my boy all along.”

  I moved my arm and grabbed Bridget's hand even though I felt like someone was stabbing me.

  “Stop!” I said. “When my phone rang and I heard him, I knew I had to do whatever it took to keep you safe. The second I saw that gun pointed at you, I knew I couldn't lose you. If it takes me moving, I'll do it to be with you. I'm sure Gabby and Doug aren't that bad. So, I'll do it. I'm not spending one more day without you by my side. I can't do it. You walked away from me, and I let you, but you're all I've thought about. I thought it was safer to push you away, but it didn't matter. You were still right there every second. I wanted you there. I almost lost you. I will never let that happen again.”

  Taylor reached between us and scooped Jenny up into his arms.

  “Bridget,” Gabby said in almost a whisper, but Bridget kept her eyes on mine. “Do you love him?”

  I thought she was going to pull away from me. I thought she was going to turn to Gabby. I thought I was going to lose her anyway. Without taking her eyes away from mine, and without a second thought, she answered.

  “I do,” she said. “I love him so damn much.”

  When she leaned down, she took my face in her hands and her mouth landed on mine. My hand went to the back of her head, and I kissed her hard. When she pulled away, she slid her hand into mine and looked toward Gabby.

  “I'm sorry,” she said. “When he stood behind me for days without saying a word, I couldn't help but wonder who he was. The day of my shower, he changed my life. He was the one that invited me to that meeting. When I was there, I could say things I couldn't say to you. You were grieving too, and I couldn't tell you how pissed I was at your brother for leaving us. I just couldn't do it. After the meetings, I went with Derek for coffee. He was a friend when I needed to be able to pour my heart out without judgment. I'm sorry that I didn't talk to you more, but I couldn't. You had your own thing going on, and I didn't want to add to your stress. There was nothing going on though, we were just friends for a very long time. He didn't want a relationship, and neither did I. When things did get a bit deeper, we both fought it. We both walked away. I tried to tell myself I felt the way I did because he'd been through hell too and that I'd be just fine without him, but I wasn't. When I heard that shot, I knew I had to get back to him. When I saw him on the ground, I knew that I'd made the biggest mistake of my life, even bigger than not telling Gabe how I felt. I knew I shouldn't have called him. I should have been the one on the ground.”

  “Fuck no,” I snapped.

  “Calm down,” she said, before turning back to Gabby. “I knew in that moment that I'd again waited too long to tell him how I felt, and I promised myself that if he woke up, I would tell him. I knew I loved him before that day. Please don't think it's just because he saved me. It's not. I knew the first time he touched me that I'd honestly never felt anything like it in my life. I loved your brother, I did, but it was different. He felt bad for me and what I'd been through, and we were together out of convenience. I believe he loved me too. We were best friends. With Derek it's different. He is the only one that knows what really happened between me and my ex.”

  I couldn't believe what she was saying, and I wanted her in my arms. When I pulled her hand, she sat down and leaned in next to me, telling me that she needed me too.

  “He's the only one I've told. Doug had no idea exactly what he did for me that day, and neither did Gabe. I know he's not your brother, and I hope you can forgive me, but I love him with every single piece of my heart.”

  She held tight to my arm.

  “I know the two of you might not be happy, but I love her and her son,” I said. “I will take care of them, and I will protect them. My daughter loves them both just as much as I do. I know you're not fond of me, but I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to love them forever, so you two better get used to it. She's mine, and I will be the one taking care of her now.”

  “I don't,” Bridget began, but I cut her off.

  “Not a word, Woman,” I said. “You heard the doctor. Do not stress me out.”

  “Do you remember the day we went into the office for me to get something?” Gabby asked Bridget, cutting us both off.

  “Yes,” Bridget answered.

  “The whole time Derek was standing there, you were fine,” Gabby said. “The second those elevator doors opened and you saw his guys, you froze. I didn't miss that, and neither did he. You were never afraid of him, but not for one second did I ever think you'd
fall for the quiet, big man.”

  “He's not quiet,” Bridget said. “His ass drives me crazy, and he keeps me on my toes.”

  “I know my brother loved you,” Gabby said. “I know he did. You're right, I would have been defensive of him. I get why you didn't talk to me. I still hope you let Gabe know about his dad.”

  “Of course,” I said immediately. “He will know his dad just like Jenny knows her mom. I would never have it any different.”

  “I have to say, when I saw Taylor hug you at the birthday, I thought you two had a thing,” Gabby said.

  “Hug you at the birthday,” I said roughly.

  “Calm down,” Taylor said. “She was worried that your ass wasn't showing up.”

  “When I said something in the lobby and Taylor stepped between us, I couldn't believe it,” Gabby said. “I thought for sure they were together. He said they weren't, but I didn't believe him. I can't tell you the relief I feel knowing it's you and not him. No offense, Taylor. It's just that I've seen her around you, Derek, and I know you make her feel safe. She's never been nervous around you, and that says a lot. I just hope that you tell her every single day how you feel, and that you don't let her walk away again. She's an amazing woman, and she deserves to know how loved she is.”

  “I promise you, she will know,” I said. “I'm glad you don't mind us being together.”

  “Oh yeah,” Gabby said.

  “I'm moving in,” I said.

  “What?” Gabby snapped out.

  “I'm not going one day without her with me,” I said. “She said she'd never move, so that means I'll be living with you.”

  “No,” Bridget said. “You're not moving into Gabby's house.”

  “Our house,” Gabby said.

  “Your house,” Bridget corrected her. “Gabe built that house for you. He wanted you there. It was your dream home. It was never mine.”

  “He had a ring,” Gabby said. “He was going to have you there with him.”

  “That's your house,” Bridget said again. “When we decide to live together, I'll move out. You and Doug need to start your own life together.”

  “I like you living there,” Gabby said.

  “What do you mean when we decide to live together,” I said, as I looked over at Bridget. “We will be living together the moment I get out of here.”

  “I like living with you too, Gabby,” Bridget said. “You'll still see us all the time, and you'll also be able to walk around naked and make all the noise you want.”

  “Bridget,” Gabby warned.

  Bridget laughed and then turned to me.

  “I didn't say I was living with you the moment you walked out of here,” she said.

  “You are,” I said. “I already told you, I'm not living without you.”

  “What if I say no?” she asked.

  I could tell from her smirk that she was messing with me.

  “It doesn't matter,” I said. “I'll be wherever you are.”

  “Bossy,” she said.

  “You're my woman,” I said. “You'll be with me.”

  She shook her head and rolled her eyes.

  “Should I move in before you get home then?” she asked with a laugh.

  “I have a better idea,” Jean said, and we all turned to her. “Why don't you look for a place to start your life together. I know that Jennifer picked that house for you. You agreed because she wanted it. I know you wouldn't have picked it, Derek. I think the two of you should start fresh. I think you both should move.”

  “Is this your way of getting rid of me?” Bridget asked.

  “Not for one second,” Jean answered. “I'm glad the two of you have finally gotten your shit together. You were made for each other. I love you, Bridget. You're one of mine now. I won't be far. I just think you should both have a fresh start.”

  “What about the house?” Bridget asked.

  “Derek can sell it,” Jean answered.

  “No way,” both Bridget and I said at the same time. Then I continued. “That was the house Jennifer picked. I want you and Joe to have it. Jenny could keep her room just like it is there. I agree that we should have a fresh start, but I don't want anyone else in that house but you.”

  “So you want to get a house together?” Bridget asked.

  “Under one condition,” I answered. “It's me that will be taking care of you from now on. I will be the one to buy or build our home. You can do whatever you want with the money Gabe left you, but I have to be the one taking care of things for you and the baby from now on. He has the money Gabby and Doug gave him, and he can do whatever the two of you agree on with it, but I will be taking care of the day to day. I need to take care of my family.”

  “I work,” Bridget said.

  “I don't want you to,” I said.

  “But I do,” Bridget said. “That is money for me to live. You will let me put that into our home and family.”

  “Fine,” I said. “I'll compromise on that one, but you need to get a laptop in here.”

  “For what?” Bridget asked.

  “To look for a house,” I said. “I was pretty clear when I said I'm not living without you when I get out of here. It wasn't a joke.”

  Jenny woke up and looked up at Taylor.

  “TJ,” she said. “Is he here?”

  “I'm going to get him,” Taylor said. “Would you like to come over and play?”

  “Yes,” she said with a huge smile on her face. “Can I?”

  Taylor leaned forward so she could hug me. Then she moved over to hug Bridget.

  “I'll bring her back before bed,” Taylor told Jean.

  “You want dinner?” she asked.

  “No,” he said. “I'll feed her. Have that man of yours take you to dinner.”

  “Hey,” I said, as Taylor was turning to leave. “You watch your boy around her.”

  Taylor let out a laugh and smiled.

  “Hurry up and get your ass better,” he said.

  Doug and Gabby got up to leave to go and get Gabe. They both leaned down to hug me.

  “You're not going to throw my company out on its ass are you?” I asked in a serious tone.

  “No way,” Gabby said. “I will owe you forever, Derek. You gave me my life back. I feel horrible that he's gone, but I've not felt this free in so long. I'm just glad you're okay. I don't know what I would have done if we'd lost you. You better be good to my girl.”

  “I will be,” I said.

  “We need you and your company,” Doug said. “I'm not sure how I feel about the two of you yet, but if you hurt her?”

  “Never gonna happen,” I said, cutting him off. “I'm so thankful that you were there for her years ago. You will never know how much, but she's mine now, so you need to back off. I'll be the one looking out for her.”

  Doug shook his head. Then he grabbed Gabby's hand, and they walked out the door. Both Drake and Jean stood up.

  “I'm going to get back to the office,” Drake said. “Someone has to do some work. I'll be back later.”

  Then he turned and walked out the door.

  “I'm going to head home,” Jean said. “You look like you're barely hanging on.”

  “You'll stay, right?” I asked. “Jenny needs you, and so do I.”

  “We do too,” Bridget added. “You can't leave. Who's going to help me when this guy gets on my nerves? I need you in my corner.”

  “We'll stay,” she said. “I love you four. I couldn't leave you. I'll be waiting for my third grandchild, so you two better get on that.”

  I felt Bridget squeeze me tight when Jean said it. She was calling Gabe her grandchild, and I knew Bridget hadn't missed it.

  “No more babies for me,” I said, and her hold on me instantly loosened.

  “I'm going to walk Jean out,” Bridget said, as she quickly stood.

  I saw every single bit of happiness leave her face, as she turned away and walked out the door.

  Shit! That was something we hadn't talked about. Was
that going to change everything? I couldn't do it. I couldn't risk her life too. There was no way.

  I did everything I could to keep my eyes open while I waited for her to come back. We needed to talk. The harder I fought, the faster they closed. I couldn't do it. I couldn't fight them any longer.

  Chapter 48

  Bridget

  “No more babies for me,” he said.

  I had to get out of there, and walking Jean out was the perfect way. There was no way I wanted to leave him, but I needed a minute to breathe. I needed to think.

  She was right there next to me as we walked quietly to her car.

  “Hey,” she said, as she turned to face me once we'd gotten there. “He'll be okay. Don't push him away for what he just said. He lost his wife while she was giving birth to Jenny. It really messed him up. Shit! It messed us all up. It took Derek a very long time to do anything after that.”

  “I know,” I said. “I guess I never thought that he wouldn't want another child. It makes sense, it really does. It just never entered my mind. If he means it, I have to think about what I want. Am I willing to give up ever having another child for him? I always thought I'd find my Mr. Right and we'd have little ones all around us. I've had feelings for Derek for a long time, but it wasn't until yesterday that I knew I couldn't fight them anymore. He said he loved me. That was something I thought I would never hear, especially from him. It felt better than anything ever has in my life. In less than an hour, I felt like he took it all away. It's not that he doesn't want kids that bothers me the most. It's the way he just put his foot down, not even taking my feelings into consideration. I felt like what I want doesn't even matter.”

  “He's just scared,” Jean said, as she put her hands on my shoulders and looked into my eyes. “I have a feeling losing you would be so much harder than losing her.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.