Page 53 of Forbidden Kisses

“Jeremy’s dad?” She dropped her head back against the seat. “Oh my God, I’m sorry you had to see all that.”

I smiled softly. “No problem.”

“Uhh… I don’t live far from here.”

"Don't you want to come to my place?" Riley asked.

Paula shook her head. "No. I love your roommates, but I can never relax around them. I feel like they always look weird at me when I’m there, like I'm encroaching on their space."

Riley jerked her head back. "What? You never told me that. I'm sure they’d understand the situation."

"Don't insist. I just want to go home and sleep."

"All right, I'm your driver for the evening," I said, trying to lighten the mood. "What's your address?"

The second she told me what it was, I understood why Riley wasn't so thrilled. It wasn't exactly a dump, but it wasn’t safe.

Five minutes later, we arrived in front of a small building that looked to house about five or six apartments. Riley and I walked Paula to the door. I kept looking around, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious.

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay with you?" Riley asked.

Paula turned around and sighed. "Duncan, please help me."

I cleared my throat. "Actually, I don't think that's a bad idea."

Riley looked over her shoulder at me with a very grateful expression.

Paula glared at me. "Yeah, no. Damn it, you're not helping at all.” She turned to face her sister. “Riley, I just want to process this on my own, okay?" Paula put her hands on Riley's shoulders. "And you know I do that best when I'm alone."

"You're even more stubborn than me," Riley said, kissing her sister's cheek.

After Paula closed the door, Riley sniffled. "Can we go?" she whispered. "I don't want her to hear me."

"Sure."

I put an arm around her shoulders and led her out of the building. I surveyed the street, but it was completely deserted, and I couldn't see any headlights. She got into the car quickly, and I hurried into the driver's seat.

Riley was dabbing at her eyes when I started the engine.

"Damn it, I was so scared," she said.

I took her hand, kissing it. "I'm sorry."

"And I tried to hold it together for Paula, but it's just… He could have hurt her, you know?"

"But nothing happened," I said.

I had unbelievable respect for her. Watching her back at the station and even at Paula’s apartment, I couldn't even tell she'd been scared or that she'd been holding in tears. Clearly, she had practice at being strong for her sister.

“I can take care of that moron, make sure he won’t bother her again,” I said.

Riley swallowed hard. “That’s really nice of you, but I don’t think it’s necessary. I can’t wait to finally start as a lawyer. She’ll never take a job that puts her in danger again.” She yawned and sank lower in her seat. “I don’t want to go home. The house is empty. Julia and Christine went clubbing again.”

"You're coming with me," I said.

"What?" She jerked her head up. "No, that’s not what I was implying. I’ll be fine."

"Riley, you're in no state to be on your own."