Page 27 of Roughing
I waited until she was out of earshot but kept my voice down anyway. “Are you sure taking her in is a good idea? Can you trust her?”
“She’s good friends with Aspen. They’ve known each other forever.”
“Yet Aspen didn’t offer her a place,” I pointed out. My cynical side reared its ugly head, seeing the worst in everyone. It was a trait I’d be wise to shed.
“She would’ve if I hadn’t volunteered.”
I wasn’t convinced and made a mental note to ask Grady for details at practice tomorrow. “She’s a working girl, right? She’s not going to do business out of this apartment, is she?”
“I’m not prostituting myself anymore if that’s what you’re worried about.”
I whipped around to face a very angry Heidi. Instead of being a shy little mouse, there was a lion hiding in there somewhere.
“I’m sorry. I—”
“I get it. Once a hooker, always a hooker.” She narrowed her gaze and didn’t disguise her contempt, though I wasn’t sure if it was for me or all men in general.
“I didn’t—” I fumbled for an acceptable apology, but I’d messed this up enough, so I wisely snapped my big mouth shut.
“Let me show you around. Briggs isn’t known for his tact. I’m sure he didn’t mean any harm.” Michella interrupted our standoff. She smiled apologetically at Heidi. She glanced over her shoulder. “Thanks, Briggs. See you later.”
I jerked my head. I knew a dismissal when I heard one, yet I stood there for a few moments as if expecting a goodbye kiss or something. I was actually recovering from Michella’s defense of me. I hadn’t expected her to be my champion. Usually, I fought my battles on my own without help from anyone.
“Thank you,” Heidi almost whispered.
I nodded and, not knowing what else to do, let myself out the door.
After leaving Michella’s, I returned to my truck. If I didn’t move it, it’d be towed. I drove across the street to the parking garage. After which, I returned to the building and used my key card to reenter the building. Hal, the security guy, saluted me, and I saluted back.
There’d been several reasons I’d wanted Michella in the same building, other than the obvious one, booty calls, which hadn’t worked out the way I’d originally planned. One of them had been relatively good security for an older building like this, and being close allowed me to keep an eye on her and make sure her stalker, Gordon, didn’t come near her. The security staff had his picture, a generous tip from yours truly. He wouldn’t get inside this building by any conventional means. If Michella knew any of this, she’d be furious.
As I walked toward the elevator, I did a double take. Remi was curled up on the couch with a blanket over her. Frowning, I turned back to Hal.
“What’s up with this girl always being down here?” I pointed toward the little girl.
“Oh, her mom works a lot of nights, and I don’t mind keeping an eye on her. She’s not a problem. Don’t worry. I have things under control.”
I narrowed my gaze and studied the sleeping child before looking back at him.
“Her mother is my niece. She’s a good mother, but she’s struggling to make ends meet, and she does the best she can. She makes sure Remi has what she needs. Please don’t report her.”
Personally, I’d dispute how well Remi was taken care of, considering her constant begging for money whenever she saw me. Then again, perhaps I was an easy mark for a clever little girl.
I held up my hands, palms out. “I’m not interfering.”
“Thanks.” He sounded overly grateful.
I shrugged, telling myself one more time that whatever was going on was none of my business. Still, it didn’t sit right with me. This kid was in the lobby more than she wasn’t. At times I wondered if she had a mother. I was relieved to find out that Hal was her uncle. He’d take care of her. I was certain of that.
I didn’t like kids, and I saw no reason to involve myself with whatever was going on.
I’d bet if I pointed Remi out to Michella, she’d do some digging, but did I want her to? I’d been warning myself to stay out of this situation, and I’d be wise to follow my own advice.
Dredging up another reason to spend time with Michella wasn’t in my best interests, even though I wanted it to be. I’d be wise to distance myself and respect the boundaries she’d put up.
But, damn, doing so was harder than I’d ever imagined.
ChapterTen
