TREY PUNCHED THE intercom when Hans braked the limo to a stop in front of Kelly’s brick apartment building.
“Wait here until we hear from Scott,” he told his driver.
“Yes, sir.”
Trey gazed at the building, noting the lack of media frenzy. Joe’s press release had worked.
He’d tried to stay away, knew that he should for Jason. He’d convinced himself a clean break was best, and not only because of his son’s mental health.
They needed to stay away from each other for her sake, too.
Maybe she’d made him better, but thanks to the Wentworth name her existence had become a living hell. She was well rid of his disruptive presence in her life and career.
But God forgive him, he couldn’t ignore Jason’s pleas. Or his own emptiness.
He wanted to see her. One last time. Was there anything left unsaid between them? A lot, in his opinion, but maybe it was better to leave it that way.
Ballard had informed him that the Bureau had ceased surveillance of Kelly’s home, but the Protection Alliance had thoroughly vetted the premises and surrounding area. Scott was clearing Kelly’s floor before he and Jason went up.
Kelly thought it was risky to bring Jason here, but Adam Chandler didn’t want to harm his son. Why would he? He’d only wanted money. It was Kelly, the woman who could identify him, who remained in danger.
Once again because of him.
“Is this where Kelly lives, Daddy?”
Trey nodded. “Inside that building on the third floor.”
“Why don’t we go see her?”
“Scott will call me when Kelly is ready.”
“Okay.” Jason got up on his knees and peered out the window.
Trey tried to make sense of his thoughts as he waited for the all-clear. They shouldn’t be here, and it wasn’t because of any danger. He’d brought a small army with him. No one would get to Kelly or Jason this afternoon.
But what was this stunning sense of urgency he had to see her? She hadn’t sounded pleased to hear from him. So why was he here?
Because he couldn’t stay away.
His cell buzzed, making Jason turn from the window. Trey smiled at his son, and then read a text from Scott giving the go-ahead.
“You ready to go see Kelly?” he asked Jason, reaching for his hand.
Jason nodded and grasped his fingers.
The limo door opened, and four armed PA operatives surrounded them as Trey lifted his son and hurried to the entrance. They rode up the elevator in silence, Jason’s foot softly kicking his thigh during the ride.
Scott waited in the hall when the doors opened. He motioned with his head to the right. Trey glanced that direction and found Kelly standing in a doorway. Looking even more beautiful than he remembered.
Her gaze locked onto his, and he moved toward her.
“Kelly,” Jason shrieked.
She shook her head, but a smile softened her lips.
“I see you brought your own military force,” she said as he approached.
Her skin was damp, and she smelled of citrus. Trey wanted to pull her into his arms and breathe in her fragrance.
“Hi!” Jason reached out his arms.
“The building is surrounded by my private security,” Trey told her as she took Jason from his arms and stepped into her apartment. “You and Jason will be safe.”
She hugged Jason, closing her eyes. “Hey, Jase. I missed you, sweetie.”
Jason wrapped his arms around her neck and said, “Me, too.”
“I swear you’ve grown an inch,” she said.
“No, I didn’t.”
Kelly pulled back and poked a finger into Jason’s belly, making him squirm. “And I think you gained ten pounds since I saw you.”
Jason giggled and clutched at Kelly’s finger.
“Have you turned into a fish yet?” she asked.
“I swim every day, Kelly,” Jason said, still holding on to her finger.
Trey turned to Scott who waited in the hallway. “Stay by the door.”
“Yes, sir,” Scott said.
“Stay in touch with everyone in the field and keep me informed of anything suspicious.”
“Of course, sir.”
Trey shut the door, flipped the deadbolt and turned to face Kelly, noticing she wore faded jeans and a tank top, looking casual and nothing like a woman who policed the dangerous streets of Miami.
She smiled at him and lowered Jason to the floor. His son immediately looked around as if assessing the room. Her home was small, a one-bedroom apartment. The rooms were neat, efficiently furnished, the furniture appearing new. He saw no homey touches, indications that the woman he’d come to admire lived here. But exactly what would those signs be? Framed guns hung on the wall? FBI wanted posters?
A photograph of her late mother?
He knew next to nothing about Kelly’s private life.
“This is where you live?” Jason asked.
“Yes, it is.”
“You don’t have a pool?”
“Actually, yes, I do. Down on the first floor. Everyone who lives here can use it, but it’s much smaller than yours.”
“Oh,” Jase said, and scampered into the kitchen, obviously intent on a thorough exploration.
She focused on Trey and said, “So small it’s hard to do laps.”
“How are you?” he asked.
She hesitated, but said, “I’m fine. How are you?”
“Lonely. The house is empty without you.”
He watched her chest rise as she sucked in a breath. He’d surprised her with that answer. Hell, he’d surprised himself.
“How is Jason?” she asked.
“He’s doing well.”
Was this how it was going to go? Polite conversation? Would they discuss the weather next?
She shook her head, as if having similar thoughts, and rubbed her palms on her jeans. Was she nervous to have him here? He’d never considered that idea.
“Can I get you something to drink?” she asked. “I wasn’t really prepared for guests, but I can make some iced tea.”
“I’m fine,” Trey said. “If you like, I can have Scott bring up some wine from the limo.”
Jason reappeared. “Do you have any potato chips, Kelly?”
“Jason,” Trey said warningly. “What did we talk about?”
His son stuck out his lower lip. “Kelly doesn’t mind.”
“How do you know?”
Jason gave Kelly his most winning smile and said, “Daddy says I have to be good or we can’t visit you anymore.”
Kelly shot him a questioning look.
“That’s not what I said, Jason.”
His son merely shrugged.
“I’m trying to set boundaries,” Trey told her. “Someone told me he might be spoiled.”
She laughed, a full-on belly laugh, which somehow broke the tension in his gut. Had he ever heard her really laugh before?
“I don’t have any chips,” she told Jason. “How about a cracker?”
“That’s okay,” Jase said. “Where is your bed?”
She colored, shot Trey another look, but pointed toward a doorway. “In my bedroom.”
Jason hurried into the room, and Trey followed. Of course he wanted to see where she slept every night.
Trey waited at the doorway while Jason leaped onto the yellow comforter and placed his head on her pillow, giggling again. This was all a big game to him.
When Kelly moved to Trey’s side, he wanted to reach out and touch her.
“He seems happy,” she said.
Trey glanced at her, but she remained focused on Jase. He’d found a remote control device and punched buttons in an attempt to turn on the small television that sat on a dresser.
“He’s getting better,” Trey said.
“Does he like the new therapist?”
“He seems to.”
“So he doesn’t miss me.”
Was that a touch of sadness in her tone? Longing even?
“He misses you,” Trey said. “So do I.”
She lifted her gaze to his. “Do you?”
“More than you can imagine.”
Her eyes widened as she stared at him. What was she thinking?
“I’m surprised you came here.”
“It’s safe. No one will breach my security. The Protection Alliance even cleared rooftops for snipers before we got out of the limo.”
She shook her head. “That’s not what I meant.”
“What did you mean?”
The television blared to life, and Kelly broke their connection, glancing back to Jason.
“Turn it down, son,” Trey said.
“Do you have any cartoons, Kelly?” Jason asked.
“I don’t know,” she said. “Maybe.”
“Are you sure you want to watch TV?” Trey asked. “I thought you wanted to talk to Kelly.”
“But this is Kelly’s TV,” Jason said in an aggrieved tone indicating such ownership made a huge difference.
Kelly stepped into the room, away from Trey’s pull. She needed to escape the emotions that welled up when he looked at her. When he said he missed her, for God’s sake.
How could he miss her? Trey had denied to the world there was anything between them. He’d only come for a visit because Jason wanted to see her. And she’d been glad to see the little dude. Too glad. She’d had to hide unexpected tears when Jason had reached for her, but now apparently even the kid preferred to watch TV.
She took the remote from Jason and surfed until she found a channel with children’s programming.
“How’s that?” she asked.
“Okay,” Jason said. He clutched her hand and pulled her down close to his mouth. “Go talk to Daddy,” he whispered.