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She raised her brows. “I’m not going to bring any guys here.”
“Good.”
She grinned. “Jealous, Marcus?”
“I’ve got my shot, and I’m gonna hold it as long as I can.” A pause and then he said hoarsely, “You shouldn’t have done that.”
“Done what?”
“Seriously? You can’t send me pictures like that.”
“You told me to.”
“God, I can see everything. Fuck. I’ll come home when I can.”
She did a long, fake yawn. “Promises, promises.”
“I gotta go. I’ll talk to you soon.”
She grinned as she tossed the phone on the ledge and sank back into the water. “You gotta keep up, Fletcher.”
She soaked until the water turned cold and then reluctantly hauled herself out. She wrapped herself in a silk robe and checked on Honey. The food on the floor and in the bowl was gone, and there was a pool of water under her mouth to show she drank water. Carmen clapped her hands together excitedly and instantly regretted it when Honey went rigid.
“Fuck, Honey, I’m sorry. Mommy’s just so happy. You’re such a good girl.” She slowly approached, but Honey’s wide, terrified eyes stopped her in her tracks. She pressed her hands against her aching chest. “It’s going to get better. I promise. You’re safe here.”
She cracked open the sliding door, so Honey could go outside and padded toward the velvet sofa and mound of pillows. She flopped on the couch and turned on the TV. She put onPsych, which Maddie had gotten her addicted to and settled down with a contented sigh.
* * *
An earsplitting howl jerked her out of sound sleep. She lurched upright as a light flipped on to reveal Marcus coming through the door that led into the garage. She looked around wildly for the source of the noise and saw Honey on her feet, emitting that awful sound.
“It’s okay, Honey,” she said as she rushed toward her. “He’s a friend.”
Honey stopped immediately and backed into a corner. Carmen stopped a few feet away with her hands out, unsure what to do.
“You were protecting Mommy. You’re such a good girl. Thank you,” she said.
Honey curled into a ball and tucked her face away. She turned to find Marcus surveying the living room in silence. He touched the head of a gold and white elephant near the front door before he examined an oil painting of a woman covered in flower petals of every color.
“You weren’t kidding when you said you decorated,” he said.
She rubbed her eyes. “I told you. What time is it?”
“Just after three.”
She dropped her hand. “In the morning? Oh my gosh. What are you doing here?”
He came up the steps and glanced at the marble top dining table, which had a cheery arrangement on it before he focused on her. She realized her robe had come undone. She was too tired to care about her nudity. He took a step toward her, then stopped when Honey let out a warning growl. When he looked at the dog, she immediately averted her face.
“She okay?”
“Yes. She’s just on edge.” That was an understatement, but she wasn’t going to lose hope.
Marcus went to the fridge and pulled out a slice of turkey and went on his haunches near the dog. Honey sniffed the air but didn’t turn her head in his direction.
“You’re fine,” he said and dropped the turkey near her nose. “I’m one of the good guys.”
Carmen’s heart warmed. She smiled as he rose and came toward her. He picked her up, and she wrapped her arms and legs around him and dropped her head on his shoulder.
