Derek (Hunter PI & Security #1)

by Sharon Cummin

  “He'd already warned me that the guy was out of jail,” Bridget said. “They were watching him, but he'd paid cash for everything along the way. As soon as the guy walked in, Derek was on his way. I was scared, but not for me. He was the one I was worried about. He saved my life. He kept me safe. He always does.”

  Then she turned to me and her mouth landed on mine.

  “You two are together?” the guy asked.

  “Are you all oblivious?” Taylor asked with a laugh. “They've been screwing for months.”

  “Taylor,” Bridget snapped.

  “Have you not?” he asked.

  “Not the way you're making it sound,” she answered. “We've had a couple of moments, but you're making it sound like we were doing it every day or something.”

  “We will be now,” I blurted out without thinking.

  “Shut up,” she said, as she turned and narrowed her eyes at me.

  “What?” I asked innocently. “You're my woman now. I plan to be buried deep every chance I get.”

  “Derek,” she snapped.

  “I love you,” I said. “If I want my woman, I'll have her.”

  Her eyes were open wide, but she didn't respond. She turned toward Stephanie and that damn guy. Then she turned toward Taylor. Finally, she turned back to me, and I realized what had shocked her. I'd said it in front of them. I wrapped my hand around the back of her neck, not caring how damn bad it hurt to move, and I looked into her eyes.

  “I love you,” I said again. “You better get used to hearing it.”

  Then I kissed her.

  “You never have to worry about her being safe again,” I said, as I looked up at the guy. “That's my job, and I will be doing it every second of every day.”

  “I'm glad you're okay,” he said. “How's Jenny?”

  Just like that, we were all okay. They stayed a bit longer. Then he walked Stephanie out to her car.

  “You do know you're both grown adults, right?” Taylor asked.

  “You are too,” Bridget said, as she looked up at him.

  “You've got a point there,” he said, and all three of us started laughing.

  The second Taylor left, I looked over at her.

  “I thought you were going to get some good sleep tonight,” I said.

  “I put Gabe in bed for the night,” she said. “I couldn't do it. I needed to be with you.”

  “As much as I want you with him, I'm so damn glad you came back,” I said, as I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. “Get your ass over here so I can get some rest.”

  She got in my bed next to me, leaned her head on my shoulder, and put her arm over me. It didn't take long at all, and I was asleep. All I needed was her next to me, and everything was perfect.

  The next day, when Drake came to relieve Bridget so she could go pick Gabe up and spend the evening with him, he had a huge smile on his face.

  “You get lucky on the way over?” Bridget asked, and I burst into laughter.

  He gave her a rough look and shook his head.

  “I figured it out,” he said. “When Gabby's ex got out of jail, he stayed with a female friend he knew from the bar. She was the same one that had told him about her brother dying. I guess the two were a couple, and he went right back to her. She was the one that gave him money. It was her car he was driving too. They'd made a deal that she'd get half of whatever he could get from Gabby. I can't believe she honestly thought he'd give her money. You know as well as I do that the punk would have taken it and been gone. She wouldn't have gotten a dime. Now she's out a man and a car.”

  “Drake,” Bridget said.

  “Sorry,” he said. “That man put his hands on Gabby. Not to mention the fact that he pointed a gun at you. Oh wait, he also shot my brother. I hope you don't expect me to feel bad after all of that.”

  “I don't know what to think,” she said. “Seeing that gun pointing right at me scared me. Seeing Derek on the ground right next to my desk was even worse. But the image of that guy, on the ground, lifeless, with blood running from him is one I haven't been able to get out of my head. I don't know if it's because I know he was dead, but it has definitely stayed with me, and as much as I hate the man, in a strange way, I also feel bad for him. Then I feel bad for feeling bad. It doesn't make any sense.”

  “It makes perfect sense,” I said, as I pulled her in closer to me. “I totally get it.”

  “Has that ever happened to you?” she asked.

  “All the time,” I answered honestly.

  “Is that one of those things you don't talk about?” she asked.

  “It is,” I answered.

  The next two weeks crawled by, and it was driving me crazy.

  Drake and Bridget had it all figured out. He was able to work before coming to see me, and she was able to spend time with Gabe for a few hours before coming back for the night. Between the two of them, one of them was always with me. It didn't matter who else was there, one of them was there too. They'd never know how much I loved them and how much I appreciated that they'd both given up their own lives to be there for me.

  I wanted out of that hospital so damn badly. Jean had brought Jenny to see me each day, but they never stayed long. Jenny thought it was boring, and I couldn't agree with her more. I was so bored that I was even watching Bridget's reality shows. What I really wanted was to be home where I belonged. I did everything the doctors told me. Being with my little girl an hour a day wasn't working. I wanted to be home, tucking her into her bed at night. She was just as bummed as I was each night when I wasn't there. I talked to her on the phone, but it just wasn't the same as kissing her forehead and reading her stories.

  Bridget brought her laptop with her each day, and we'd sit next to each other looking at houses. She wanted to wait until I was home, but I wasn't willing. I wanted her next to me every night, and I wasn't waiting any longer than I had to. When she got to one house, I didn't say anything, but I loved it. She went through every picture. Then she moved on. Three houses later, I watched her open a new window and go right back to that same house.

  “You like it,” I said.

  “What about you?” she asked.

  “As soon as you opened the page, I knew it was the one,” I said.

  “Why didn't you say anything?” she asked.

  “I was waiting to see if you said anything. I want you to be happy,” I said. “It's not what you're used to though.”

  “I want you to be happy too, Derek,” she said. “Just because I lived in Gabby's house didn't mean I was comfortable. I want a home. When someone walks into our house, I want them to know two kids live there. When you piss me off, I want you to see my face the whole time. I don't want you to be able to go to another room on the other side of the house and hide. This house is perfect.”

  “Go see it,” I said.

  “No,” she said. “We'll go when you get out.”

  “It will be gone,” I said. “Go see it. You can call me through video and show me everything.”

  “Really?” she asked.

  “Yes,” I said. “I'm telling you, that house won't be there long.”

  I watched her happily dial the number and make an appointment to tour the house, and I knew my face had a huge smile on it. Anything that made Bridget happy made me happy too. She'd have to wait until the next day to see it, but I knew it was the one. There was no doubt in my mind.

  Just as I thought, it was our house. She was so giddy the entire time she walked through it. She'd point the phone at something and tell me how wonderful it was. I swear, my chest hurt from laughing the whole time. Before she left, we put an offer in. By the time she got back to hospital, it had been accepted. We were really doing it. We were starting our life together. There was only one catch, we wouldn't have the keys for two months, and she refused to live with me until we did. She claimed that she didn't want to confuse Gabe by moving him only to move him again not long after. I got it, but I didn't like it.

  By the time they
let me out of the hospital, I wasn't sure which one of us was more excited. Bridget was exhausted. Even though she never said it, I could see it. It could have been from the few times I'd had her riding my cock, but I couldn't say for sure. Not once did we get caught, so it was perfect. It was wrong, but I couldn't help it. She was my woman, and I had to have her. Those few times didn't do a damn thing to tame my dick though. I needed inside of my woman just as badly as I needed to breathe. She'd won on the whole waiting to live together thing, but only because she promised to come over every day and take care of me.

  Two months, I told myself, as she walked out that door after taking me home. I could make it that long. I was sure I could.

  Chapter 50

  Bridget

  He was finally home. I don't know why, but no matter what they told me, I was scared to death that something could still go wrong. The moment we drove together out of the hospital parking lot, my entire body relaxed. I didn't want to leave him. I wanted to stay, but I couldn't. I needed to be home with my boy, and Jenny needed time with her daddy. As soon as he was in his room resting, she was right there. I knew that precious little girl wasn't going to leave his side until she absolutely had to.

  It was time for me to go back to work, and I already knew he was going to fight me on it. He'd said so many times that he didn't want me to go. He said he wanted to take care of me, but I couldn't let him. I needed to work. I needed to be able to take care of myself. I was giving him the night. In the morning, I was going to drop Gabe off and then go over to talk to Derek about it. I wasn't looking forward to sitting in that lobby each day, but I knew it was what I needed to do. I'd been doing it since the company had moved into that building. It was my job.

  When I walked into his room the next morning, I had to stop and take in the sight in front of me. He was asleep, and Jenny was snuggled in against his side. He had his arm behind her back, and her arm was over his chest. She looked so tiny compared to him. When he opened his eyes, I smiled wide.

  “You two are so adorable,” I said.

  “Adorable,” he replied. “Really?”

  “Yes,” I said, as I walked over and sat down at his other side.

  “Bridget,” I heard Jenny's tiny voice.

  “Good morning, sweetheart,” I said. “Did you have a good night?”

  “Daddy's home,” she said.

  “I know it. I bet you're so excited. I know he couldn't wait to get home to you.”

  “You took care of him,” she said. “He said you did a great job and got him everything he needed.”

  “I did my best,” I said.

  “Why don't you go out and let grandma know you're up,” Derek said, as he hugged Jenny.

  “Okay,” she said. “I love you.”

  “I love you too,” he replied.

  Not two seconds after she walked out the door, his eyes narrowed at me.

  “What's going on?” he asked.

  “What do you mean?” I asked him.

  “Don't give me that,” he said. “Be straight with me. I can see your wheels turning.”

  I bit the inside of my cheek.

  “Bridget,” he said, as he sat up with a slight wince and pulled me closer. “Talk to me.”

  “So, I was thinking,” I started, but then stopped again for a moment. “I'm going back to work.”

  “What?” he snapped, as he turned, with a much bigger wince, toward me.

  “It's time,” I said. “I need to be working.”

  “We're moving in together, Bridget,” he said. “I'm taking care of everything. There's no reason for you to work. You can be home with Gabe all day. Is it Jenny? She can stay with Jean while I'm at work.”

  “No,” I said, as I quickly grabbed his arm. “It's not Jenny. I love her. Please don't think that. It's me. I need to work. That is all it is. I need to do my part. I need to contribute.”

  “Bridget,” he said.

  “Don't,” I said. “I need to do this, Derek.”

  He let out a loud puff of air.

  “Fine,” he snapped. “I'm walking into that lobby the first time with you. I'll just go back now too.”

  “No you won't,” I snapped back. “Your doctor said no work for a couple more weeks, Derek. You will not work yet. If you want, we can go in today, but I will go to work in the morning by myself.”

  “Woman,” he said. “You are trying my patience. You did hear the doctor also say no stress.”

  “Then stop stressing,” I said sarcastically.

  “Let's go,” he said.

  “We can go later,” I replied.

  “We're going now,” he said sternly.

  “Why are you so bossy?” I asked. “Jean said you were never like that before.”

  “I guess your smart mouth brings it out of me,” he answered.

  He moved over to the edge of the bed and pushed himself up.

  “Shit!” he snapped. “I can't wait for this damn pain to go away. I need to get back to work myself.”

  “I can't say that I mind you being home,” I said. “I worried enough the last couple of weeks. I could use the break.”

  “What?” he asked, as he stopped walking and turned back to me.

  “I get nervous,” I said. “I can't help it. You do some scary shit. Even though you don't talk about it, I know you do. You work with the police. That's super scary.”

  He walked over and wrapped his arms around me.

  “You don't need to worry about me,” he said.

  “I do,” I replied.

  “I love you,” he said. “I'll be here to irritate you for a long time. You're not getting rid of me.”

  Once he was dressed, which he wouldn't let me help him with, we got in my car and headed toward work. He opened the door and motioned for me to walk in ahead of him. As soon as I was through the door, I stopped and he ran into my back.

  “It's okay,” he whispered, as his hands landed on my shoulders. “I'm right here.”

  Even though he didn't want me to go back to work, he still supported me. He could have said things that would bother me or encourage me not to go, but he didn't. Instead, he was there every single second, telling me that everything was okay. I took a few more steps before my eyes landed on the spot where I'd found him on the floor, and I turned and wrapped my arms around him.

  “I'm right here,” he said. “I'm fine.”

  Sarah was standing behind my desk. She was watching me, but she didn't interrupt the moment. When I looked down, I realized I was standing where Gabby's ex had been and jumped. Tears slid down my cheeks, but Derek wiped them away.

  “He's not here,” He said. “He can't hurt you or Gabby.”

  I nodded and took another step forward. Derek would never know how glad I was that he was there when I walked through that door. I looked up at Sarah finally and smiled through my tears. She came around the desk and wrapped her arms around me.

  “I'm so glad you're back,” she said.

  “Tired of my job?” I asked jokingly.

  “I'm just glad you two are okay,” she said. “I heard you're taking good care of him.”

  “She is,” he said. “I didn't want her to come back though.”

  “She had to,” Sarah said. “We need her.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” he said.

  The elevator door opened, and Doug and Gabby came out.

  “Derek,” Doug said. “It's great to finally see you out of bed.”

  “Ha ha,” Derek replied. “My woman seems to think she needs to come back to work. I wanted to be here the first time she walked back in here.”

  “I wanted to talk to you about that,” he said, as he walked over with Gabby. “I want to redecorate the lobby.”

  “Really?” I asked. “Won't that be expensive?”

  “Yes,” Gabby said. “We've argued so many times already, but he's being so stubborn about it.”

  “I want it to feel different in here,” Doug said. “It needs to be different. I see her tense every si
ngle time we come through that door. I can't stand the way I feel either. Now that I see Bridget's face, I know for sure it has to be done. She'll be down here all day.”

  “I couldn't agree with you more,” Derek said. “I don't want her here, but if she has to be, it has to change. She won't wait for me to come back, and I don't like that. I won't be able to walk through that door with her every day. The thought is driving me crazy.”

  “I'll walk in with her,” Gabby said. “I need her here. If you're letting her be here, I'll be right here with her.”

  “Letting me,” I snapped out, as I turned quickly to Gabby. “Did you seriously just say that?”

  Derek laughed from behind me, so I turned to him.

  “Do not laugh about that,” I snapped.

  “I love you, Woman,” he said. “It's never a dull moment with you.”

  I shook my head and turned back to everyone else.

  “I'm glad your back,” Sarah said. “The only thing I'll miss about being down here is the eye candy.”

  “What eye candy?” Derek asked, a little louder than he should have.

  “Your guys,” she answered, with her cheeks turning pink.

  “Mine?” Derek asked, and she nodded shyly.

  “Oh no you don't,” Gabby said. “Your ass needs to be back upstairs. One of those tough punks already took my girl. I'm not losing you to another one of them.”

  “Then watch out for Taylor,” Derek whispered in my ear.

  I turned to him with wide eyes and he nodded with a smile.

  “I told him to stay away from her,” he whispered. “You know how he is though.”

  I laughed and turned back to them.

  “What?” Gabby asked.

  “Nothing,” I said innocently. “Nothing at all.”

  “I'll help in any way you need with the lobby,” Derek told Doug.

  “You will not,” I snapped. “He will not. He will come back in a couple of weeks, but I will not have him lifting and doing crazy shit until he is supposed to. Maybe it's a good thing that I'll be down here after all, so I can watch his ass.”

  “Yes, boss,” Derek said with a laugh.

  “Don't be laughing,” I said. “You're not the only one that can make the rules. I'm right there with you, and I will not watch you do something that could hurt you.”