16

Will

The days following the rescue flew by. I was in and out of the police station, meeting with Homeland Security officials and going over what I'd seen and heard with our surveillance tapes. I didn't think any of it was admissible, but the investigators were still eager to see it.

I'd seen Christina every day since then. She had been busy at work building her case against Simon, as well as balancing her other cases. However, we'd managed to fit in some alone time whenever we'd had the chance. Whether it was in an elevator, a bathroom, or even a damn broom closet in the courthouse. It had been one hell of a week. And I wouldn't change a second of it.

Tonight, I had something special planned for her. Christina mentioned she loved Japanese food, so I hired one of New York's most famous Japanese chefs to cook for us at my apartment. I asked Nikole for some help in getting Christina a gift and she came shopping with me earlier and helped me pick out a few items.

"I've never seen you like this," said Nikole when I walked her back to her apartment. "You've always been so reserved. It's almost like all the emotions you had bottled up inside of you before are coming out all at once."

I laughed. "It feels that way, too."

Her eyes softened. "I'm happy for you, Will. Christina's got a tough shell, but I've always known she has a lot of love to give."

"Yeah. It took some time, but she is worth the wait."

Nikole wrapped her arms around me and squeezed. "Be good to her. She deserves it."

"You know I will."

She patted my back. "I do."

Looking down at my watch, I realized I didn't have much time to get ready. "I've got to run. Tell Jake I may be a little late coming into work tomorrow morning." I winked, and she chuckled.

My penthouse was only down the hall from Jake and Nikole. Once inside, I sniffed the aroma of sauteed ginger and garlic. "Mmm, it smells good, Haruto."

"I'm only just getting started," said the chef with a grin. His white apron was perfectly ironed and his long jet-black hair was neatly tied back into a ponytail.

"I'll get out of your way then," I said and carried the shopping bags from today into the bedroom. I hadn't decided how I would give them to Christina yet. All at once? Or one after every course? There was still time to figure that out.

My phone rang, and it was Gabby. My finger hesitated at the green button. Whenever Gabby called, it wasn't good news, and it usually required me to be away for several hours. I didn't want anything to mess up my date with Christina tonight. But, while my heart wanted me to ignore the call, my head wouldn't let me.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Will. It's me. I need your help. Are you free?"

I went back and forth in my head on how to answer that question. "I have a couple of hours. What do you need?"

"Can you pick up Ingrid Spencer and bring her to the safe house? I'll text you her address."

Gabby never called me unless it was urgent and dangerous. She also hadn't reached out all week and I knew I wouldn't be able to get through the night without worrying about this woman named Ingrid. "Sure. Send me the address. I'll go now."

"Thanks, Will."

The address came through as soon as I hung up the phone. It wasn't too far from the safe house and I knew I could make it with enough time to get back to my apartment before six o'clock tonight. The car service would drop Christina off at seven and I wanted to give myself enough time to shower and shave beforehand.

Tucking my phone into my back pocket, I walked back into the kitchen. "I'm heading out, but there are no changes to the time we discussed. I'll see you later, Haruto."

He didn't look up from chopping his onion. "See you later."

***

Ingrid's neighborhood was one I'd been to before and the last time I was here, the experience was one I'd rather not repeat. A group of young guys watched me as I stepped out of my car. No one approached, but I kept an eye on them, not turning away until I reached Ingrid's apartment building. I pressed the buzzer to her apartment.

"Hello?"

"This is Will Nash. Gabby sent me."

"Hi," she said, tentatively. "I'll be right down."

I shoved my hands in my pockets and waited. I kept my eyes on the group of young men, but they'd already lost interest in me.

A few minutes later, Ingrid's voice came through the telecom. "Um, Will. This is not a good time. Could you come back later?"

"What's going on?"

She didn't respond. I pressed the buzzer again, but she didn't answer. Crossing my arms, I wondered how I would get in when the door suddenly unlocked. Without hesitation, I slid inside.

The air was stale in the lobby, and there was a small crowd waiting for the elevator. I opted for the stairs as she was only on the second floor. When I reached her apartment, I knocked on the door, but she didn't open up. I couldn't hear any voices when I pressed my ear to the door, but that didn't make me feel any better.

"Ingrid," I called, banging on the door.

Nothing.

"Ingrid, I'm going to kick in this door. Stand back."

I was just about to raise my leg when I heard her shout, "Wait!"

"What is it?" I shouted.

Metal clinked on the other end as Ingrid unlocked the door. A tall, curvy woman stood on the other side. Her hair was a mess and her eyes were red and swollen. "I've made a mistake. I'm sorry I made you come down here."

I looked over her shoulder and saw no one there.

"Is your boyfriend home?"

"No," she said, holding my gaze.

Then, I pulled out my phone and texted a message to her in case he told her to lie. "Is he in the apartment?"

She shook her head. "No, he's not here. I'm just feeling like maybe I'm overreacting. He says he's going to change. And I believe him."

I knew I wasn't going to change her mind. But still, I tried.

"He can still change, even if you're not here to watch over him. If he wants to change, he needs to want to do it for himself. Otherwise, it'll never work. I promise you that."

Her bottom lip trembled, and she bit down on it. "But what if I leave and he blames me for everything?"

"It's not your fault, Ingrid." I knew she needed to hear these words. She probably needed to hear them a hundred more times before she would believe them. I wish I could have said them a thousand times to my mother.

"I can always try it one more time. If he doesn't change, then I'll leave. I'll give him one last chance."

I'd heard this before. I knew my words would be cruel, but I had to say them anyway. The reality wasn't any less hurtful. "The next time, you might not make it."

Her eyes widened, and she stared at me. "He would never do that."

"Then why are you afraid?"

She looked down at her trembling hand and clenched it. Closing her eyes, she whispered. "I'm afraid to leave. I'll have nothing."

And that was the part that broke my heart.

My mother had stayed for the wrong reasons as well. She had no job, no education, and no way of supporting herself and her young son. So, she stayed. For me. And it cost her everything.

"If you want to leave, I'll take care of your living expenses for a year."

She narrowed her eyes. "Why should I believe you?"

"Call Gabby and ask her. I've done this before. I'll do it for you. But you need to come with me now."

Ingrid rocked back and forth and finally nodded. "Ok. Let me grab my bag."

***

I dropped Ingrid off at the safe house with instructions on her new living arrangements. She wouldn't be in the same building as Faye. I had several apartments in the city, some I rented, others I kept for cases like this one.

It was nearly five o'clock, and I was about to head back home when my phone rang. Blinking, I stared at the screen. I didn't recognize the number, but I knew the name. It was the bar. Tina was the only one there who had my number. I told her to call me if she ever needed me. This was the first time she'd ever taken me up on my offer.

"Tina, hey, is everything all right?"

She blew out her breath. "I'm sorry to bother you, but can you come down here? He's drunk again and he won't leave."

Checking the time again, I hesitated, but figured I'd still make it in time for seven. "Yes. I'll be right there."

"Thank you."

Pulling a U-turn, I headed toward the bar. When I hit traffic in midtown, I ran my fingers through my hair and narrowed my eyes at the clock on my dashboard. "Come on," I growled when the cars barely moved.

I finally reached the bar nearly an hour later, and I was out of patience. I stalked over to Tina's boyfriend who was slouched in his chair and screaming profanities at another server. The owner was arguing with Tina, but I had no time to speak to either of them.

"If he does this again, Tina, you're both out of here. Do you hear me?" her boss shouted. The threat only fueled my annoyance, and I grabbed the asshole by his legs. His ass hit the ground first and then his head smacked the wooden floor. "Ow!" he screamed and tried to kick himself free. "What the fuck are you doing?"

"I'm taking care of this once and for all."

Tina rushed over. "Just take him back to my place. He'll sleep it off."

"It's six o'clock, Tina. He's not sleeping this off," I said, frustrated. I would be late for dinner with Christina, and this asshole would get Tina fired. I was done being patient with him.

He scrambled out of my grasp and struggled to get up on his feet. "I'm not leaving."

"You're a piece of shit," I said, stepping right up to his face.

"Will," Tina warned, placing her hand on my chest, trying to back me up. But I didn't budge.

Her boyfriend stared at her hand, and his face turned red.

"Are you fucking him? Is that what this is? You fucking slut!"

His last word triggered a memory I'd pushed back deep into my subconscious, and the man who stood before me wasn't Tina's boyfriend anymore. It was my father's face I saw.

I had his eyes and his mouth, but I swore never to be like him. Hell, I promised myself I would be the complete opposite of him. My chest tightened and my fist clenched at my side. "Get out of my way," he said to me, his feral eyes focused on Tina. He shoved my chest and when that didn't work, he pulled back his fist. I knew enough to move out of the way. Even someone untrained would be fast enough to move out of a drunk man's punch, but I wasn't trying to avoid it. I had counted on it.

When his fist struck me on the jaw, he cradled his fingers and grimaced. "Fuck," he swore and shook out his hand.

I smiled. "You shouldn't have done that," I said. "Because now I can do this."

I made a fist, inhaled a deep breath, and with all my anger and frustration balled up, I pulled my arm back and let my fist fly.

It landed square on his cheek.

Crack!

"Ow!" he screamed and fell back, slamming into the table behind him.

"That's it. Everybody out!" shouted Tina's boss.

I picked up the piece of shit and dragged him outside. He squirmed, but I didn't let go, not until he was outside. "I'm pressing charges," he said.

"Go ahead. Then I'll sue you for hitting me first."

His eyes bugged out. "What the fuck, man? You're the one fucking my girl."

"I'm not sleeping with Tina, you idiot. I'm trying to get her to leave you. You're no good for her."

His face fell, and he stared at Tina, who stood next to me.

"You want to leave me?" he asked, quietly.

She tapped her toe next to me. "I've been thinking about it. Especially when you act like this."

"Babe, babe, you can't leave. I love you. I won't do it again. I promise."

"Don't listen to him, Tina. He will do it again."

"I won't," he shouted. "Believe me. I've learned my lesson."

Tina's brow furrowed, and she looked down at her boyfriend and then at me. "You shouldn't have hit him so hard," she said.

My jaw ticked. "Am I taking him to the police station or not, Tina?"

"Police? For getting drunk?" she asked, her eyebrow raised.

"It's not just that. You know you can press charges for what he's done in the past."

"I'm not going to press charges."

"Then what am I doing here?" I snapped.

"I called you to get him out. I never wanted it to get this far."

Frustrated, I ran my hands through my hair. "Fine. He's out and so am I."

She stared at me as I walked away.

I'd lost my cool. I hadn't done it since joining the army. But for the first time since I started helping these women, I felt like I was getting nowhere. That I was just wasting my time. And now Christina would be waiting for me.

It was almost seven o'clock.

I started my car and pulled away from the curb without looking back.

I was pissed. I couldn't deny it. My fists clenched over the steering wheel as I thought back to the situation. How could I have handled it differently? How could I have made her see that she needed to get away from him?

I received a message on my phone, and a bead of sweat trickled down my neck. Picking up my phone, I called Nikole.

"Hey, Will."

"Nikole, I need to ask you for a favor."

"What is it?"

"A car is waiting outside of our building. Christina is inside. I was supposed to bring her up to my apartment but can she stay with you until I get there? I should be home in about thirty minutes."

"Yeah, sure, Will. It's no problem."

"Thanks."

Traffic was no better coming home as it was getting to the bar. My heart was still racing as I hopped off the elevator and marched toward Jake and Nikole's apartment. Inhaling deeply to calm my nervous energy, I waited a few heartbeats before knocking on the door.

I expected Nikole to answer it, but instead, Christina stood there wearing a tight black dress and nude high heels. She had curled her dark hair and put eyeliner on. She had taken extra care to get herself ready, and I'd fucked it up by not being here for her.

"I'm sorry, I'm late," I breathed. "You look beautiful."

Her frown tilted upwards slightly, but she narrowed her eyes.

"Why are you late?"

The explanation was so long and frustrating. I didn't want to talk about it. I only wanted to focus on us and the rest of our night together.

"I had to help a friend," was all that I said.

She nodded in understanding. I sighed and I couldn't believe how much that little motion of her head had meant to me. "Next time, you should call when you're going to be late."

"Absolutely."

The way her chest heaved, I lost all memory of what had happened earlier. All I could think about was her.

"You look amazing."

This time she smiled. "All right. You're forgiven. You can stop with all the compliments."

I leaned down and kissed her lips. "I missed you."

She pushed her fingers into my hair and sighed. "I missed you, too."

Grabbing her hand, I pulled her out into the hallway. "Thanks, Nikole. I owe you one," I called from the hallway.

"I'll hold you to it," she hollered from inside.

Chuckling, Christina closed the door behind her.

"So, where are we going for dinner?"

"Down the hall."

"What?"

I placed my thumb on the scanner and waited for the door to unlock. "I've got a special surprise for you. A few actually…"

I opened the door and smiled. It was perfect.

The event planner lit candles throughout the apartment and set the dining room table with black and gold accessories, including gold-painted roses. A violinist played in the corner, the music hitting a crescendo just as we entered the room.

Christina's eyes were as wide as the gold plate chargers and she covered her mouth with one hand. "Who? When? How?" she sputtered.

"You forgot the most important one." I kissed her again. "Why?"

She blinked, and I smiled. "I did it for you. Because you deserve it."

She shook her head and looked around again, as though she thought it had all been an illusion. My face heated from the pleasure of seeing her surprise. I wanted to make her feel special and appreciated.

"Do you like it?"

"I don't know. I'd never thought anyone would do anything like this. I couldn't even imagine if I would like something like this. But—"

"But…"

She walked around, touching the gold tablecloth that shone under the candles. There were 24-karat flakes embedded inside of it. She spotted a movement in the kitchen and walked toward it.

"This is Haruto," I said when the chef waited with his arms crossed behind his back.

"You're the chef at Sake City," she said.

He smiled and stuck out his hand. "Glad you've heard of it."

"Everyone's heard of it. It's the most-talked-about restaurant in town and for New York City that says a lot."

"Thank you."

"Did you cook dinner? Here? For us?"

"Yes."

She turned to me. "Are you serious right now?"

I grinned. "Yes. Are you surprised?"

"You could say that."

"What would you say?"

She shook her head and rolled her eyes. "That this is the most ostentatious thing anyone could ever do."

My heart sank. "You hate it."

She pursed her lips. "I didn't say that." She turned and tried to hide her smile, but she lost that fight. Grinning, I picked her up and twirled her in the kitchen. "You nearly had me."

She tilted her head. "Be careful, Will. I'm not the sentimental type."

"Yeah. But you like this. Admit it."

"Fine. It's pretty badass, yes."

I set her down. "Well, there's more."

"More?"

"Yes. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Haruto prepared a fine dinner and he won't be happy if it gets cold." I turned to the chef, who hadn't moved since we entered the room. "Will you, chef?"

Without any smile or frown, he simply answered, "No."