“Ashley brings up a valid point. The safety of everyone in this school needs to be of utmost importance,” her father said.
Nick said, “It will be. My team is trained to handle these types of ops.”
“What will the undercover detectives be doing, and how will it not raise suspicion?” her father asked.
“The detective who is posing as a student will try and get in with the popular kids. Find out who likes to party and go from there,” Nick said.
“How about the person posing as staff?” Ashley asked.
“He’ll look to gain trust among the teachers and even the students,” Nick said.
“Who would know about this?” her father said.
“Us, my partner, plus the two operatives,” Nick said.
“I’d like to bring my director of programs in on this. She’s overseeing the entire Teen Life program and coordinating with all the speakers,” her father said.
“Fine,” Nick said.
Ashley understood, in theory, how this would work, but it didn’t make her any more comfortable. The realization Sean may go to school with a kid who sold drugs gave her chills.
“My partner and I will debrief with both detectives at the end of each day. Based on what they share, we’ll discuss the plan for the next day and adjust as needed.”
“Can I be updated after those meetings?” her father said.
“Sure thing.”
“I would like to be involved, too,” Ashley spoke up.
“Since you don’t work for the school, I’ll have to get it cleared, but it should be fine,” Nick said.
Assuming he could, she’d have daily contact with Nick. She wasn’t sure if that excited her or made her more nervous.
Her father glanced at his watch. “Is tomorrow early enough to get you the staff list? I have a date.”
No weirder words had ever been spoken by her father.
“Tomorrow is fine. Thanks for your help,” Nick said.
Her father rose, came around the desk, and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll be home later, sweetheart.”
“Have fun,” she said.
When her father left, Nick wandered the room, moving to the bookcase where she had several framed photos of her, Sean, and her father. He shoved his hands in his back pockets, which drew her gaze down to his very fine ass.
She shouldn’t be thinking about how the faded denim cupped those sweet cheeks, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. He was magnificent. And his backside wasn’t even the best part of him.
“Problem?”
Snapping back to reality, her gaze swept upward to encounter warm brown eyes that were crinkled in the corner with amusement.
“No, I’m fine.” Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment for having been caught ogling him.
“I don’t think you are.”
“I’m not following you.”
Nick moved to the desk and sat on the corner, in front of her. “Regardless of what we agreed to, you’re not happy with the undercover operation.”
“I don’t like knowing there could be a dealer in the school, especially if there’s the possibility it’s a student. I’m worried for Sean’s safety, and I’d think you’d be worried for Gina’s as well.”
“I am. I’ll take every precaution to make sure this op goes down smoothly.”
“As much as you try, you can’t guarantee everything will be fine.”
“I will do my damnedest to make sure no one gets hurt.” He stood and pulled her to her feet. “It’s dangerous to all the kids if this person isn’t caught.”
Ashley closed her eyes because he was way too close…and he had a valid point. “It doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
She snapped her eyes open when his warm fingers touched her chin.
“We’ll be careful, Ashley. I have a vested stake in this case and won’t take any risks with anyone, especially with Sean and Gina.”
She believed him, but it still didn’t relieve the feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach. “I believe you’ll do your best.”
“Do you trust me?”
She may not have known him long, but it was long enough to know Nick was a man of integrity.
“Yes, I trust you.”
It was subtle, but his eyes softened and his gaze dropped to her lips. Self-consciously, she parted them. And was it her imagination or had they always been standing this close? Close enough where she could almost kiss the deep cleft in his chin—and remember how it tasted when she ran her tongue along it.
Their bodies were positioned so the swell of his sweet part perfectly aligned between her thighs, yet again reminding her of the explosive chemistry between them—which she ached for more and more each time she saw him.
“Hey, Mom. What’s for dinner?” Sean asked from the doorway.
Ashley jumped and wanted to pull away but couldn’t due to Nick’s firm grasp on her shoulder.
“We had dinner earlier,” Ashley said.
“Then can I have lunch?” Sean said.
Nick laughed. “You weren’t kidding about the constant eating.”
“He’s a bottomless pit. How about I warm up tomato soup?” Ashley said.
“Okay. Can you stay, Dad?”
It would be rude to not invite Nick and besides, she enjoyed his company.
“Are you willing to risk another gourmet meal á la O’Neil?”
“You have stuff to make salad?” Nick asked.
“I think so.”
“Deal.”
“Sounds like you’re a bottomless pit, too,” Ashley teased.
Nick rubbed his taut stomach. “Just a growing boy.”
“Awesome. I’ll set the table,” Sean said.
“We’re going to have work on your culinary skills,” Nick said after Sean dashed out.
Ashley shrugged. “I’ve taken cooking classes, watched YouTube videos and cooking shows. I’m hopeless.”
“I don’t believe that.” He rested his hands on his hips. “I have an idea.”
Why didn’t she like the devilish smile on his face?
“What?”
“Dinner. One night during the week,” Nick said.
She furrowed her brow. “Oh, you’re taking us out?”
He shook his head. “I’m taking you out.”
As in a date?
Her cheeks heated. “Just the two of us?”
“You have a problem with that?”
The part of her that was throbbing with desire had no problem. “It’s surprising. I thought you wanted to spend time with Sean.”
“I want to get to know you.”
Her mouth got dry…very dry. “Why?”
“You’re Sean’s mother. Plus we have a history.” He pulled her closer until their centers touched. The man was bigger than she remembered—and she remembered a lot.
“We need to know more about each other than what created our son. Are you up for being alone with me?”
His point was valid. They created Sean based on physical attraction…plus an over-indulgence of alcohol. Truth be told, their chemistry had simmered before either of them had sipped champagne. And based on the way her body was reacting now, and the spark of electricity that jumped between them when they touched, the power of their connection hadn’t lessened over fifteen years.
What choice did she have but to agree with his suggestion?
“I suppose,” Ashley said.
“How is tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow isn’t good. How about Tuesday?”
“Unless something comes up with the case, it should be fine. I’ll stop by around five-thirty and visit with Sean before we go out.”
Hell’s bells. Was she really going to do this?
“That works,” she said.
He gave her a half-crooked sexy smile and reached for her hand. “Come on, you warm up the soup, and I’ll make the salads.”
As if it wasn’t bad enough she was giving Sean soup for dinner, now she had to be worried about warming it up with
out setting off the fire alarm.
Chapter Fourteen
Ashley picked up a large box and carried it into New Beginnings. “We can bring everything downstairs,” she called behind her to Patty and Sylvia who were helping unload the donations from Patty’s house.
“Where’s my husband when we need him?” Sylvia grumbled.
“It would have been cruel to deprive him of his card game night. Not when he deals with pregnant girls seven days a week. Besides, we got this,” Ashley said.
“And we already loaded my car, so we’re doing double duty,” Patty added.
“You can have an extra of the brownies I made,” Sylvia deadpanned. “This is one helluva load you have here.”
“We received more donations than we expected,” Patty said. “Rich people have a lot of stuff they don’t use. Some of the clothes still have tags.”
“Their generosity is greatly appreciated,” Ashley replied.
“How is Amber feeling?” Patty asked about the twenty-year-old who was ready to deliver any day.
“She’s uncomfortable and anxious. Two centimeters dilated at her appointment yesterday. I expect she’ll deliver by the weekend,” Sylvia said.
“The two weeks I waited for Sean to arrive after my due date were the longest weeks of my life,” Ashley said.
“We keep telling her to rest now because once she delivers, she won’t get a full night’s sleep for a while,” Sylvia replied.
“Call me when she goes into labor. I can help out here or visit at the hospital,” Patty said.
“Appreciate it. It’s extra crazy with a new mom and baby in the house,” Ashley said.
Having been an unwed mother herself, Ashley could relate to their situation, although many of them had been in abusive relationships and even had mild alcohol or drug addictions. It made Ashley appreciate the security of a home and the support of her father, but it didn’t change the emotional turmoil and insecurity she had felt during her own pregnancy.
The trio made two more trips to Patty’s SUV and had grabbed the last few bags when a car door slammed down the street followed by yelling.
Ashley squinted. “That sounds like Tanya. Didn’t she have a doctor’s appointment this afternoon?”
“Walter brought her. After, she was supposed to be at the coffee shop across the street studying for her GED and then was going to take a bus back here.” Sylvia set the box on the ground and took a few steps toward the commotion. “Tanya, is that you, girl?”
The girl turned in their direction and hurried toward them. A tall black boy charged after her.
Ashley and Patty exchanged looks, and Ashley could tell by the widening of her friend’s eyes she also sensed trouble.
“Don’t you walk away from me, Tanny,” the boy called.
Sylvia had taken something small out of her pocket as she moved quickly down the sidewalk. She put her hands on Tanya’s shoulders as she spoke to her. After a quick nod, Sylvia put herself between Tanya and the boy. “We don’t want any trouble, Randy. It’s late and Tanya is past curfew.”
“Fuck you. She don’t need no keeper. Bitch is carrying my baby,” Randy said.
“Maybe, but you can’t talk to her now,” Sylvia said in a voice calmer than Ashley would have been able to manage.
Ashley had been trained to handle this type of situation and a little in self-defense but using it in a classroom setting was miles different than on a city street in the near dark. Drawing on that training, she inched closer to the left side of Tanya. Patty moved to the right until they had her sheltered.
“The fuck I can’t,” he snapped and flicked open a pocket-knife.
Ashley tensed and saw Sylvia raise something in the air. Mace or pepper spray, Ashley hoped. Ashley’s canister was in her purse, which she’d left inside the house when she first arrived.
Not a smart move, Ashley.
It was a good thing Sylvia had the foresight to be prepared.
Ashley caught Patty’s eye and nodded toward the house. With Tanya’s hand in hers, Patty took small steps back toward the house. If she and Sylvia kept Randy focused on them, Patty could get Tanya to safety and call for help.
Only what did they do about Randy until help arrived?
Ashley thought about what she had on her that could be used as a weapon. She gripped the bag she carried tighter, remembering there were large cans of baby formula inside. It may not be the most elegant weapon, but it was better than nothing.
“I understand you want to talk to Tanya about your baby. How about you come back in the morning? You and Tanya can talk over breakfast,” Sylvia continued.
His knife hand shook, and Ashley suspected Randy needed his next fix of drugs or alcohol. Whichever the case, it was a bad combination and made predicting his next move a challenge.
Randy lurched forward to swipe at Sylvia.
“Go now,” Sylvia yelled, and raised the canister, and pressed.
The first stream hit Randy on the side of the face, and he jerked back. Sylvia straightened her aim toward his eyes.
Yelling and cursing, he held up his hands to protect his face, deflecting some of it.
Ashley heard the shuffle of feet, and she presumed Patty and Tanya were running toward the house.
“Get out of here, Randy. The police have been called and will be here any minute,” Sylvia said.
Things happened quickly and before Ashley knew it, Randy lunged and grabbed her. His fingers dug into her arm, and she winced at the strength of his hold through her fleece.
Even though the sudden motion caught her by surprise, Ashley brought her right arm back and swung the bag forward as hard as she could.
Right into Randy’s crotch.
He let go of her arm and fell to one knee, grabbing his groin. “You fucking bitch.”
Ashley pivoted and used her foot to kick the knife out of his hand.
Thank you, kickboxing class.
Sylvia picked it up by the blade and tossed it into the bushes. Then she pulled back her arm and decked him, knocking him to the ground.
Breathless, Ashley looked down at the unconscious form of Randy. “Nice hit.”
“Where’d you learn to kick like that, girl?” Sylvia asked.
“I’ve had a little training.”
“And how ’bout that arm? What’s in the bag?” Sylvia continued.
“Cans of formula.”
Sylvia let out a hoot of laughter. “Call the cops while I restrain his sorry ass.”
****
Nick screeched to a halt down the street from New Beginnings. After taking Ashley’s call, Nick radioed for back-up and hauled ass. Now, two squad cars plus an ambulance were parked outside the house.
Even with Damon along, the car ride had given him too much time to worry about what could have happened to Ashley. As a result, Nick’s temper was hot, and he couldn’t decide if he wanted to throttle or hug her.
He had his seat belt off and door ajar before he had the car in park. A hand on his shoulder caused him to pause.
“Ease up, champ. I see her standing, so she must be fine or she’d be in the ambulance,” Damon said.
Nick wanted to tell his partner to fuck off, but he was right. It didn’t stop Nick from being frustrated they hadn’t foreseen this situation. Even though a squad car drove by the house a few times at night, it wasn’t enough. He should have taken better precautions.
He took a deep breath and scanned the sidewalk for Ashley. With a blanket around her shoulders, she appeared to be fine; however, looks could be deceiving. His pounding heart wouldn’t settle until he knew for certain.
Nick nodded. “Let’s go find out what happened.”
He maneuvered through the small crowd, holding up his badge to pass through. When Ashley saw him, she started forward. “You came.”
All thoughts of throttling her vanished when he saw relief fill her eyes. “Of course I came. Are you okay?”
Her lips trembled, but she nodded. “I am. Just a little col
d.”
He ran his hands down her arms, noticing she flinched on the left side.
“You’re hurt.” He pushed aside the blanket to examine her arm and reached for the zipper to unzip her fleece. “Let me see.”
She pulled away. “It’s too dark out. It’s a bruise from when he grabbed me. The paramedics examined it and gave me ice.” She pulled an ice pack out of the pocket of her fleece. “It’s too cold to keep it on.”
“If you don’t get ice on it right away, it will take longer to heal.” He took the ice pack from her hands and gently pressed it against the area. “Try five minutes on and five off until we’re inside, okay?”
“I’ll try.”
“What happened?”
“Sylvia, Patty, and I were outside unloading boxes of donations. That’s when we saw Tanya and heard yelling. It was Randy. He followed her bus here. When Sylvia tried to convince him to come by tomorrow, he pulled out a knife. Patty was moving Tanya to safety, when he lunged at Sylvia. She hit him in the face with Mace, but her aim was off. Then he grabbed me.”
Damon walked over with Patty and Sylvia.
“How’d you get away?” Nick asked.
Ashley darted her eyes to the two women before responding. “I hit him between the legs with the bag I was carrying.”
“What was in the bag?” Damon asked.
“Cans of baby formula. He let me go and fell to the ground screaming.”
Nick saw the slightest smile tilt up one side of his partner’s mouth. If it wasn’t for the fact she could have been seriously hurt, Nick would have smiled, too.
Sylvia gave a pointed glance at Ashley. “Then girlfriend here did some fancy karate move and kicked the knife out of his hand.”
Nick raised an eyebrow at Ashley.
“Kickboxing class and a little self-defense training,” she said.
“Then Sylvia decked him to make sure he wouldn’t get up. Laid him out cold,” Patty said.
Sylvia flexed her right hand. “Jammed my finger and broke two of my nails, but it was worth it.”
“Well, I’d say you gals know how to handle yourself. The punk was holding the family jewels and moaning like a baby when he came ’round,” Damon said.
“That’s the least of what he deserved,” Sylvia said. “He found out the name of Tanya’s doctor and was waiting for her when she came out. She says he’s demanding parental rights. Even wants to be in the delivery room with her.”
Awaken My Heart Page 17