Page 52 of Last Chance Christmas
“You think if you push others away, you’re protecting them. But it’s not true. Isolating yourself makes you more vulnerable because you have to face whatever it is alone. Together, we’ll have a better chance of protecting others and capturing Vaynes. So let those of us who care help.” He gave her a teasing smirk. “All right?”
She rolled her eyes but chuckled. “You don’t have to be so nice.”
Anthony sighed. “If I had done my job night before last, we might not even be in this situation. I have a lot to make up for.”
“You mean Sosa?”
“Yeah. It’s the second time that guy’s gotten the upper hand on me. He hurt people I care about.” He looked at her, his gaze earnest and sincere. “I’m not gonna let it happen again.”
Della nodded and tucked those words around her heart as they drove back to the firehouse. The words wandered around her head as she went through her nightly routine and washed her face.
He hurt people I care about. I’m not gonna let it happen again.
Did that mean he cared about her?
For a fleeting second, she was tempted. Tempted to lean on someone else for a change. Tempted to relax her guard. Tempted to see if there was anything more to Anthony Thomas than a handsome face and gallant words.
What-ifs rolled through her mind as she brushed her teeth and her hair. She lay in bed and stared at the tiny green light shining on the smoke detector on the ceiling.
Okay, yeah, she could see Anthony might be someone she could care about too.
But if he knew what she had done, he might not feel so inclined to help her. He upheld the law, tracked down criminals.
He should take her in and lock her up too.
She sat up and punched her pillow into shape. If only she could fix her life as easily. Being locked up and behind bars might even be an improvement with the way fear had a chokehold on her. Maybe if she could unload the burden, tell the truth, she’d finally find some peace in the quiet of the night.
She’d told herself she’d lied for Lily’s sake. That any price to pay was worth it. But she hadn’t known back then the heavy burden and inner turmoil she’d shackled herself to. Now, if the truth came out, she could kiss the opportunity of doing foster care goodbye. She needed to take this secret to the grave.
But she couldn’t get Anthony out of her head as she lay back down.
He hurt people I care about. I’m not gonna let it happen again.
She pictured Amelia helping her wrap presents.
I mean it, Nixon. We’re here for you. If you’re having a problem, I want to help.
Penny and Bryce were tenacious. She hadn’t known them long, but she had no doubt they weren’t going to let this matter with Vaynes drop, no matter what.
So maybe the whole world didn’t need to know her secret. But maybe she could trust a very select few. People who would understand why she’d lied. People who would keep the truth to themselves.
They’d have to, or she could lose her job, her chance at being a foster parent. But if they could be trusted, maybe sharing the burden would release the building pressure inside enough that she could sleep again.
Nine
Anthony stayed at the firehouse despite Della’s protest, but there was no way he could sleep just yet. Not that he was fishing for compliments or gratitude, but the more he insisted on helping Della, the more he could feel her pushing him away.
Finding Penny and Bryce sitting alone at a table in the break room, he asked them about her. “I tried to apologize for not taking the missing items seriously and everything but”—he crossed his arms and leaned against the counter—“I get the impression she’s pushing me away. Like I offended her or something. What gives?”
Bryce looked at Penny and shrugged. “Don’t ask me to explain women. This is all you.”
Penny chuckled as she poured two mugs of coffee and offered one to Bryce. “Not everything is about you, Tony. She has a demanding job, both physically and mentally. And being a woman, she’s got a lot to prove. She probably doesn’t want everyone looking at her like she’s the weak link. She might be trying to save face. Not look like a victim.”
“I suppose that makes sense. I just thought…” Anthony stared down at his Dolce & Gabbana black sneakers. He felt a little more put together in his own clothes. His straight-leg blackwashed jeans and Stone Island sweater were the right mix of casual comfort and style. But he still didn’t have the words.
“What? Surprised she’s not falling at your feet and flirting back with you?” Penny gave him a pointed look.
Bryce laughed.
