“They’re not prosecuting? Kenny’s office isn’t involved?”
“Yes, but he isn’t working on it personally. It basically comes down to this girl’s word against the defendant’s. Her hymen was broken, but she’s sixteen, so it’s likely the defense will try to smear her and say she’d had sex with a bevy of boys. Kenneth thinks they’ll drag her through the mud badly enough that she might never recover. Ugh, it’s a mess. The dude is fairly successful, so the judge slapped a gag order on everyone involved in the case, and the files are sealed. That bastard’s rights matter more than the victim’s. I hate how the system works. It makes me sick.”
“Is her mother on her side?”
Angel nodded. “That’s the blessing. She took her child out of the situation immediately, so at least this man can’t abuse her again. I only hope I can do enough to get him behind bars.”
“What does Kenny say?”
“It will depend on her credibility as a witness and what I can document. The problem is, I have to put down what the tests show. That’s the curse of being a clinical psychologist and not a therapist. It’s not about my opinion. It’s about what I can prove.”
“I know you’ll do your best, Angel.”
“I have a deposition on Tuesday morning, so I have to examine the transcripts. The lawyer is a viper, and the guy himself is pretty scary. That’s why I don’t need Alex Avery consuming so much grey matter. I can’t afford this right now.”
“So? Move him out of your head and into your bed, babes. The solution is a four letter word. F. U. C. K.”
“Yeah, I get the picture, Becca. I think you’re delusional, but thanks.” There was no way in hell a night in his bed would banish thoughts of him, would it? More likely, she’d be even more consumed… unless the sex sucked. “Humph!” Angel huffed. Like that was even a possibility.
Jillian toddled up and put her gooey hand on Angel’s knee. “Anja, dance!”
“Yeah, Anja,” Becca deadpanned with a grin. “Dance!”
Angel’s face lit up and she giggled, scooping up a squealing Jillian and hurrying over to the stereo. “Dance? Okay, let’s dance! What should we dance to, honeybun?”
“Boogee Jooze!” Jillian said happily, and Becca burst out laughing.
“Boogie Shoes, it is!” Angel flipped on Jillian’s favorite music and immediately the little girl began bouncing in her arms, giggling in delight. Angel sailed her around like an airplane during the horn bridge and the two of them fell into fits of laughter.
Becca settled back and watched her baby giggle in the arms of her best friend as they bounced to the music. Angel and Jillian adored each other to the point that Jillian almost forgot about her mother when Angel was in the room.
The doorbell rang and Becca jumped up to answer it while Angel started the music over again at Jillian’s insistence. When she opened it, she was faced with a big bouquet of deep purple Canna lilies topped off by a Yankee’s baseball cap, which was all that was visible of the deliveryman behind them.
“Delivery for Dr. Hemming,” the boy said.
“Uh, just a second. Angel!” she called. “ANGEL!” she shouted again over the music and then took the square crystal vase from the boy. “She’ll give you a tip. Hold on.”
Angel hurried to the door with the baby attached at her hip. “Pretty!” Jillian exclaimed and reached toward the flowers. Angel gasped at the beautiful bouquet of at least 3 dozen of the gorgeous blooms. “Hi. Who are these from?” Angel asked, already knowing the answer.
“Alexander Avery, ma’am.”
Angel inhaled deeply. “Of course. Just a second, I’ll get my purse.”
The boy shook his head and put up a hand to keep her from walking away. “That’s not necessary, Dr. Hemming. Mr. Avery was very generous. But, there is this, too.” He reached out with a small box wrapped in silver paper with a dark purple organza ribbon that matched the flowers.
“Thank you. Is there a card?” Angel asked. Becca came and took Jillian out of Angel’s arms.
“No, Anja!” The little girl protested. “Anja!” She started to wail, big tears rolling down her cheeks as she reached out for Angel.
“With the flowers, ma’am. Have a nice afternoon.”
“You, also.” Angel closed the door and walked back into the kitchen where Becca had set the bouquet on her marble-topped, kitchen island. Her hands trembled as she pulled the white card free. Her name was handwritten on the envelope, but that would be from the florist, no doubt. Angel glanced up at Becca, who looked amused. Jillian still struggled in her mother’s arms.
“Anja! Anja!” she cried.
“Just a minute, sweets. Angel will take you soon,” she soothed the little girl and then opened the card.
These reminded me of you… So unique and distinctive, beautiful on the outside, but deeper shades, even more brilliant, inside. I can’t wait to discover more about you.
Looking forward to tonight,
Alex
Angel was speechless as her hand reached out to touch a delicate bloom. Chocolate Canna lilies were very expensive—deep purple in the center fading to deep lavender around the edges. He doesn’t do anything half-assed, that’s for sure.
She picked up the box then pulled the purple ribbon and ripped the paper away. Inside was the newest version of iPhone. A fucking iPhone?
Angel laughed even as the phone rang and Alex’s name appeared on the screen. She held it up and showed it to Becca.
“The man’s a genius and he’s gorge. Now if his peen measures up, I’ll have to kill myself.”
“Quiet, Becca,” Angel said shortly, rolling her eyes, and answered the phone. “Thank you for the flowers. They’re lovely.”
“It’s my pleasure. I hope you don’t think the phone is too over the top, but I didn’t have your number, and I wanted to hear your voice.” Amusement laced every one of his words. Angel could picture the smug expression on his handsome face. “Plus… I couldn’t have you helpless if you needed to get in touch with me.”
Angel laughed. “Alex, one thing I never am is helpless. Don’t you know that yet?”
Alex chuckled on the other end of the line, his voice low and velvety. Angel’s heart hammered in her chest when he ignored her comment. “I’ve planned a very special evening, so don’t go getting cold feet.”
“I assure you, there is nothing cold about me.” She smiled secretly as she thought of her dress, her preparations for the evening, and his audible intake of breath. Her words were meant to seduce and tease. “So a cocktail dress, then?”
“Mmmm… please. I can’t wait to see you. Eight o’clock, remember?”
“Yes.” Angel wasn’t sure what else to say. Her pulse was hammering and her palms were sweating. The man affected her like no one ever had.
“We’re going to have a nice time, Angel. I’ll be good.”
“Is that a promise?” she teased softly. Alex was laughing when she turned off the phone before giving him a chance to answer.
Becca was leaning up against the counter with a now-sleeping child curled into her shoulder and neck.
“What did he say?”
“That he’ll be good.” Angel’s eyes flashed with laughter.
“Wow, that bastard is smooth, I’ll give him that. You better get your big girl panties on.”
“Or off, you mean,” Angel said with a confidence she didn’t feel. Alex Avery wasn’t someone to tangle with unless you expected to get burned. But in what way? That was the delicious question that Angel needed answered. “Not sure if he’s playing hardball or softball.”