Page 48 of Hidden Rocco
Rocco had the intruder on his knees. “Cardona. What do you have for me?”
“You can tell Rocco Hellsworth he’s free and clear,” Cardona said. “His record has been expunged."
Just in time. The assailant kicked Rocco back and took a good swing.
Then Rocco used his elbow and knocked the man down.
How strong was his elbow? She’d never seen one used as a crowbar but all she said to her lawyer was, “Good.”
She hung up and paced her office, her eyes on the screen.
In the distance she heard sirens and picked her son up from his crib to keep him close.
Rocco took a swing and knocked the man’s face back as if payback for an earlier hit.
Her son laughed as he shook a rattle.
The sound seemed shocking, given her high adrenaline, and she went to her knees, kissed his forehead and said, “Jacob, you’re why I’m staying here and not running after Rocco.”
She stood and returned her attention to the TV just as the invader pulled out his weapon and aimed the gun at Rocco. She covered her face. “Oh no.”
Rocco jumped on him without hesitation. Her entire body couldn’t move until she saw the gun hit the ground. “Oh. Yes.”
But then the intruder knocked Rocco on his backside and she jumped. “No.”
Rocco bounced back and used his legs to knock the other man down too and she clutched her waist like that might help her keep herself together. “Yeah.”
And then the police swarmed into her hotel lobby and kitchen and surrounded the men.
For one second she couldn’t breathe, but her son banged the rattle and it rattled her nerves. Rocco was okay. She trembled and clutched her hands together. “Jacob, it’s all over. The police are here. We’ll just wait a few minutes.”
The police then handcuffed both men and she lowered her hands as she asked her baby, “What are they doing?”
Her heart was in her throat. Rocco’s record was now clear but he had no idea. She scooped her son up, confident she could handle this calmly.
When she spoke, people listened. But holding Jacob softened her--yet she couldn't put him down. She squared her shoulders and descended the stairs like she was a queen.
Mica strode into the kitchen with the strut of the CEO in full control, despite her baby, and she lifted her chin, met the brown-eyed officer’s gaze head on and asked to be polite, “Hello?”
“Ma’am?” He nodded.a
Seriously? Rocco and now this officer. The word grated against her skin as she asked, “What’s going on?”
The officer gestured to the open front door. “We just arrested the intruders.”
She glanced outside and saw Rocco being put in the back of the police car. Her heart dropped in her chest, but she turned toward the officer and said, “You’ve got my bodyguard.”
“Which one?” The officer took out a white sheet of paper.
Notes would be more efficient on modern tablets all connected seamlessly but that day had not arrived here in Taylor Pass. Mica let out a small sigh and pointed, “The one in the black jeans, blue t-shirt.”
He fixed his hat, nodded like he understood, and said, “We’ll take that into consideration at the station.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Why are you taking him to the station? He was doing his job for me, putting his life on the line. He should get a reward.”
The officer said, “If he’s innocent, we’ll let him go.”
Insane. He’d done nothing wrong. She’d call her lawyers and ensure everything went according to her demands. Mica was absolutely done arguing. She checked that she had her car keys in her back pocket. “I’m following.”
