Caleb grinned. “No, sir.”
The officer then looked at Bella. “If you are aiding and abetting a criminal, you could go to prison. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.” Bella nodded.
The officer stared at Helen. “Are you happy now, ma’am?”
She growled, turned on her heel, and stormed off into her room, slamming the door behind her.
One of the cops smirked. “I think that means yes, so we’ll get going, but we’ll be in touch if we have questions.”
“Sounds good. Thanks, guys.”
“Why would she do something so despicable?” Bella asked no one in particular.
One of the officers turned. “She wants to hurt Mr. Simmons, ma’am. Plain and simple, and maybe you. Sometimes you’ll never know the why, but that’s okay. It just means you can’t imagine how she could do something or what she was thinking. That makes you a better person.”
“Thank you.”
After the elevator door closed, tears slid down her cheeks. Caleb pulled her into his arms. “It’s going to be okay.”
She shook her head against his chest. “No, she’s trying to hurt you. You have to go.”
He snorted. “Baby, I’m not going anywhere. Do you remember the day we met, and I told you that I’d never leave you?”
“Yes.”
“I meant it.”
She squeezed him tightly. “Thank you.”
“Baby, you don’t have to thank me.”
She glanced up at him. “You don’t understand. I feel like my life really began the day you came into my life.”
Caleb groaned and then tipped her head up. He stared at her for a moment and then lowered his head. His lips pressed against hers, and when she gasped, he slid his tongue in, making them both groan.
When they both started panting for breath, he raised his head.
“No more tonight,” he said softly against her lips.
“When?” she asked breathlessly.
“When this assignment is done, and we get home, I promise you I’ll have you under me. All right?”
“Yes. I can’t wait.”
“Me either. Come on, let’s get you to bed. I’m going to sleep on your floor again. I don’t trust your mother.”
“I don’t either. Thank you. I’d feel safer with you there.” She looked up at him and bit down on her lip. “You could sleep…”
Caleb grunted. “Don’t even think it. Nope, I’m not sleeping with you. Too much temptation.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.”
An hour later, Caleb lay on the hard, cold floor beside Bella’s bed and stared up at the ceiling, slowly going insane, smelling her sweet scent, and listening to her soft breathing.
His gaze jerked toward the door when the knob rattled. He knew the bitch would try to get to Bella, but no way was he going to let her. Just a few more days until everything was out in the open.
His security firm was gathering all the information they could to take Helen down. They were also in contact with the District Attorney of Los Angeles and a detective helping with the case.
Caleb was making sure every i was dotted before they took her in and charged her.
That woman was going down hard, and she deserved everything she got.
The only thing he’d hate was that Bella would know how horrible her mom really was. But he’d make up for it. Somehow.