Dangerous to Her (5 page)

“No.”

“Did he say anything about the judge? Or Mathilda Nolan?”

“Who’s Mathilda?” Realization sparked in his eyes. “Oh. The brown-haired babe?” Flicking his tongue obscenely, Dusty murmured, “You got something going with her?”

Dom was sure he didn’t react by so much as a flicker, but Dusty latched onto the idea and wouldn’t let go. “You do, don’t you? Isn’t that some kind of, I don’t know, conflict or something?”

“Stay focused here. So for a hit of meth, you put your freedom on the line? With no further instruction than that? Without asking for any kind of motive?”

A shadow darkened Dusty’s eyes before he narrowed them and snorted. “Freedom? I ain’t been free for over twenty years, man. You ever been addicted? You ever needed something so bad, you were willing to do anything to get it?”

An image of Mattie’s doe eyes and full lips flashed in Dom’s mind before he ruthlessly shoved it away. He’d fought that particular craving for days, and just as he’d expected, it was Mattie and not sheer boredom that was making this assignment so tough.

“What do you know about Johnson?” Dom would get the man’s file himself and talk to Pete after he debriefed Johnson. But it was always helpful to hear what the other inmates knew about one another.

Dusty snorted. “He ain’t exactly forthcoming about himself, if you get my point.”

Sighing, Dom shook his head. “Dusty, Dusty, Dusty. My willingness to help you with the D.A. is growing smaller as we speak. I know you’ve got ears. And I know you wouldn’t pull something like this unless more than meth was involved. He threaten you?”

“No.”

“Dusty.”

Dusty’s expression hardened. “He didn’t threaten me, man. He just…he’s got money. Pull. Resources, if you get my drift. How often does a Richie Rich land in the jail, willing to make my time a little easier in exchange for something so easy. I’m telling you, that’s it. And I’m not saying anything else until my attorney gets here.”

“Oh, that’s fine.” Dom leaned down close so that Dusty was forced to look at him. The other man’s eyes flickered with fear, which is exactly what Dom intended. “While you wait for your attorney, be sure to think about me. Because if you hurt that woman you attacked, if you ever come near her again, no one, not your attorney, not Mr. Richie Rich, not even your mother, will keep you safe.”

Chapter 6

A
n hour later, Mattie thanked the sheriff’s deputy who took her statement and the paramedic who’d come to examine her. When she’d asked who’d called the paramedics, the deputy had told her Dom. Talk about overkill. Although the paramedic had offered to take her to the hospital, she’d refused, just barely able to stop herself from rolling her eyes. Take her to the hospital for what? A few marks on her arm? With the courtroom packed with impatient attorneys and their clients, she knocked on Judge Butler’s door.

“Come in,” he called from inside.

Mattie opened the door and stepped into the judge’s large, airy office. Judge Patrick Butler had graying hair and was of average height, but his lean frame could have belonged to someone fifteen years younger. He rose from behind his desk and waved her in. Mattie stepped inside but froze when she saw the much larger form rising from one of the plush chairs situated in front of the judge.

Dominic.

A slight frown furrowed his brows when he saw her. The nerves that had just started to calm within her tingled with awareness.

Focusing on the judge, Mattie said, “I’m done giving my statement, your honor. We can start court whenever you’re ready.”

“You told me you weren’t hurt, Mattie, but Deputy Jeffries thinks you should be going to the hospital.”

Refusing to look at the man whose gaze she could feel lasering into her, Mattie shook her head. “Deputy Jeffries is being overly cautious.”

“Take off your sweater,” the man in question ordered.

Mattie glared at him and clutched the black sweater she’d donned minutes before as if he meant to rip it off her.

He turned back to the judge. “Her right arm is scratched. With Dusty Monroe’s background, I wouldn’t take that lightly.”

“I’m not asking you to take anything lightly,” Mattie retorted. “I’m not asking you for anything at all. I’m fine. I washed the scratches and the paramedics checked me out. I’d really just like to get back to work now. The courtroom is packed and people are getting restless.”

Mattie paused, fully aware she was babbling. Embarrassment and frustration made her snap, “Shouldn’t you be out there doing your job instead of playing amateur doctor? You’re only here for another few weeks, right?”

His frown deepened, then relaxed. His eyes took on a calculating air that made her automatically take a step back. One he noticed. “She’s right, your honor. I’ll relieve the deputy inside—”

Mattie flushed when she realized someone else had been watching the courtroom while he’d been talking to the judge.

“—and Pete can talk to you as soon as he’s done at the station.”

“Very well. Thank you, Deputy.”

Dominic walked toward the door but paused by Mattie’s side. “Who told you I was only here for a few weeks?”

Feigning a sudden interest in the judge’s cream and blue striped curtains, Mattie shrugged and tried to sound unconcerned. “Our regular bailiff comes back from paternity leave at the end of the month.” When he didn’t answer immediately, she couldn’t stop herself from looking up at him.

“That may be true, but I stay for as long as I’m needed.”

Her jaw dropped at his words, stated so calmly but with an undeniable air of challenge. She knew for a fact he was lying. Tilting her chin up, she met his gaze squarely. “I don’t need anything from you, Deputy Jeffries.” Not anymore.

It was there again, that strange glimpse of amusement when his expression was entirely passive. He lowered his head to hers, his warm breath tickling her ear as he whispered, “Now, that hasn’t always been true, has it, Mattie-mine?”

She reared back, staring at him as realization grabbed her by the throat and shook her like a rag doll. He did remember her. Any vindication or salve to her ego was overshadowed by suspicion, and the express confirmation that he’d been playing her for a fool and obviously felt no remorse.

She wasn’t aware that her mouth had fallen open until he nudged it closed with one finger.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t remember you the instant I saw you?” he said softly. “Or did you just pretend that’s what you believed because it was the safest course?”

With that final question, he strode from the room, quietly shutting the door behind him.

She was still staring at the door when Judge Butler chuckled. “Something you want to tell me, Mattie?”

Startled, she shook her head. “What? Of course not, your honor. Deputy Jeffries is just being overly—”

“—cautious. Yes, so you said. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.” Now there was a whopper of a lie. Dominic’s challenge—and that’s certainly what it had been—had her knees knocking together under her skirt. “Thank you, your honor.”

Mattie walked to the door and pulled it open just as the judge called to her. She turned with her hand on the doorknob.

“Yes?”

“I’m glad you weren’t hurt today, Mattie.” He rose, placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and squeezed. Uncomfortable with the intensity of his gaze, she stepped away when his touch lingered. He noted her movement, but smiled anyway. “How is Tony doing? You know I’m always here if either of you need me, but I haven’t heard from him in awhile.”

With a smile that hopefully reflected her appreciation, Mattie responded, “Tony’s fine. Thank you for asking.”

Raising his arm, Judge Butler showed her the small shopping bag in his hand. He smiled sheepishly. “You know what good friends your parents were to me. Margaret and I wanted to give you a few things. I know times are tough for you now.” He raised his hand to forestall Mattie’s protest. “Nothing lavish. Just a few small gifts for you and Jordan. Tony, too. Would you give it to him?”

“Of course.” Mattie took the bag he offered. “Thank you again.” Stepping outside, she shut the door, then leaned back against it. She felt strange about the gifts and sincerely hoped they weren’t anything expensive. If they were, she’d give them back. She’d always enjoyed and cherished her relationship with Judge Butler, but lately, something about his interest in her personal life made her uncomfortable. Closing her eyes, she took several slow, deep breaths. Weariness made her limbs heavy. Maybe Dominic had been right. Maybe she should have gone to the hospital, then home.

“Tough times, Mattie? That wasn’t what I wanted for you at all.”

Mattie’s eyes popped open. Dominic was leaning against the opposite wall, his arms, muscular biceps bulging, crossed over his chest. Mattie straightened and cleared her throat, her composure quickly eluding her now that she knew he remembered her. Her body. The things they’d done and said to one another. The dreams she’d foolishly harbored.

Pasting a look of resigned boredom on her face, she replied, “No, what you wanted was for me to date other people. Of course, that was only so you could date other people. Penny Miller, wasn’t that her name?”

His eyes narrowed. “You were the only girl I wanted, Mattie.”

She stared at him, then burst out laughing as she shook her head. When her laughter bordered on the hysterical, she tried walking past him.

He blocked her, his face as impassive as ever. “There’s something funny about that?”

Tilting her head, she studied him. He’d always been good at hiding his feelings. Even when they’d been as intimate as two people could be, she’d had a hard time reading him. She’d known it was because he hadn’t wanted to be read. Still, when Dusty had attacked her in court, Dom hadn’t been able to hide his reaction. He’d been pumped and angry, but he’d also been scared for her. He’d been worried when he’d found her in the break room, too. Without her wanting it to, that realization softened her anger. “I’m just thinking what a really odd day this is, and not,” she added, “because I was almost assaulted by an inmate. And not because an old boyfriend has suddenly remembered who I am.”

Referring to him as her boyfriend must have stunned him, because she was able to walk around him. She’d only gone a few feet before he caught her elbow, stopping her. “Not almost assaulted. You were assaulted.”

Eyes narrowed, she pulled away from him. Despite the scare Dusty had given them, Dom had no say in how she chose to describe the incident or what she did about it. “I’m fine.”

“Right. And I told you, Mattie, I knew who you were instantly. I just pretended I didn’t because I was trying to make things easier for you.”

She had a fairly even temperament, she truly did, but Dominic was making her emotions bounce from one extreme to the other. He’d made it quite clear what he thought of her ten years ago. Granted, she’d probably speeded his rejection along, but she’d been scared. She’d wanted him safe, even if that meant giving up his dream job. After all, she’d thought she was his dream, too. Obviously not, since he’d certainly dropped her quick enough when things had started to get complicated. “You shouldn’t have bothered. Seeing you again means absolutely nothing to me, Dominic. Less than nothing.”

Even as the last words tripped off her tongue, she wondered how wise it was to challenge him. The way he clenched his jaw told her that a change of subject would probably be a good idea.

Eyes narrowing, he placed his hands on his hips, and looked her up and down. “Tell me something, Mattie, were you afraid of Dusty?”

Automatically, she stiffened. “So what if I was? Does that make me a coward?”

“No, but fear can be distracting. It can make you tune out everything but your own survival. Did he say anything to you?”

“In the three seconds before you caught him? Of course not. And why would he say anything to me?”

“Anything he said could be useful. It might tell us if he was going for a hostage, or if his goal was to break out or to break in.”

“Break in?” She shook her head, confused. Why would an inmate break into the very courtroom he was already scheduled to appear in? This day was going from weird to weirder, and all she wanted was to go back to ignoring Dom—and have him to do the same. She still might fantasize, but fantasies, unlike her riotous emotions, could be hidden and contained. “Look, you’re wasting my time. Can I go?”

“Sure.” But he didn’t move. Instead, he crossed his arms over his chest again and continued to block her path. A hint of a smile curved his lips. “You know, I guess one good thing came from Dusty’s sudden appearance this morning.” When she flexed her brows, he explained, “You’re not afraid of me anymore.”

The man’s gall was so unbelievable. “I was never afraid of you.” Afraid of the feelings he inspired, sure, but not of him.

The barely-there smile suddenly radiated pure arrogance. “Prove it. Have dinner with me.”

“Dinner?” she sputtered. He’d gone from ignoring her to challenging her to questioning her, and now he was moving on to flirting with her? She reacted the way she always did when she felt threatened—on the offensive. “Are you crazy? I can’t even stand the sight of you.”

He didn’t so much as lift an eyebrow, but his look turned reproachful. “You never used to lie.”

“Too bad I can’t say the same for you,” she shot back.

“I never lied to you, Mattie.”

She flushed, twisted her hands together, and wished she’d kept her mouth shut. It was true. He hadn’t lied to her, but now that she’d given herself the freedom to speak her mind, she couldn’t seem to stop. “Not by express words, no. But you know what they say—actions speak louder than words.” And he’d acted plenty ten years ago. Boy, had he acted. Every touch, every kiss, had made her acutely aware of what she’d been missing before they’d made love. Not only the physical sensations of sexual desire, but the feeling of being cherished. Of being made to feel she was special to him. She’d grieved that loss for a long time, even after she’d met and married John.

“Then let’s act,” he insisted. “Have dinner with me. We can catch up. Put the past behind us.”

Inside, she was stunned. Shattered. He was offering her the closure she’d never really gotten before. It was tempting, the idea of being able to forgive and forget. It’s what would be healthy, wouldn’t it? Outwardly, she called upon ten years of learning to live without him in order to appear unaffected. Hands on her hips, she tipped her head to the side, studying him. “I’m fine with keeping the past where it is. And why all this sudden interest? You haven’t said one word to me that didn’t have to do with my job.” Well, besides the talk about naked pictures, of course, but she wasn’t about to bring that up.

“You know more than anyone that I’m not overly talkative.”

She smiled tightly. “No, unless it comes to making false promises.” She held up her hand to forestall him speaking. “I know, I know. You never made false promises. The talk of driving cross-country and wraparound porches and baby quilts was all in my head. But at least you got what you wanted most. You became a cop.”

His eyes darkened with some emotion she couldn’t name. “I became a cop, yes. But you didn’t imagine all the other stuff, Mattie. It was something I dreamed of, too. I was just realistic enough to know I couldn’t have it.” He stepped closer until she had to tilt her chin to look up at him. “Will you have dinner with me?” To her dismay, she was considering it. Desperately, she glanced around, trying to focus on her surroundings instead of the man in front of her. Unfortunately, the sparsely decorated hallway, with only a framed copy of the Declaration of Independence hanging off-kilter on one wall, couldn’t compete with the man in front of her. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, she thought. Such simply stated goals. She had her happiness. She had Jordan. Her brother, Tony. They had each other. She didn’t need more. Or anyone else.

Her body shouted in protest, forcing her to recall the pleasure he’d always brought her. Not just physical, but emotional. A kind of sweet joy that she felt only one other time—when she looked at their daughter.

The daughter he could never know about. She might want closure and Jordan might need a father, but the stakes were too high. Instinctively, she knew Dominic wasn’t a man who would take kindly to his own child being taken from him, even if he had abandoned her mother. What would stop him from trying to punish her by taking Jordan from her completely? Besides, her concerns about his profession were still valid—why let Jordan open her heart to someone who might end up leaving her, willingly or not?