Truth or Lies? by A. Gomez (book club recommendations txt) 📗

“let’s get you with a doctor so we can take you home and get cleaned up.”

I wondered if she meant home to my brownstone or back home to Dallas. “Mom, I really want to make sure that all the girls are well taken care of. I can’t just selfishly leave and forget about them. Also… Caroline! I found Caroline Fitzsimmons!”

“I knew you would say that and yes, we know about Caro.” She was stroking my hair and rubbing my arms. “She’s in surgery and her parents are here now. She’s going to be fine, sweetheart.” Her eyes flashed to my father. “We know about David too, honey, but no one will tell us anything.”

“I heard they were able to jumpstart him, Cat. Last I heard he was in good hands.”

I spun, eyeing Josh, “’Jumpstart him?’ Someone’s been spending a lot of time with my father.” I grinned at him. “That is a car analogy if I ever heard one.” Everyone laughed.

“So, we got two suites at the Waldorf Astoria in the city. Josh, too, had a feeling you wouldn’t leave the girls so he reassured us that he would not leave your side and he would take care of you.” My mother smiled at Josh. He no longer had his bulletproof vest on but only wore a jacket with the letters FBI on the back. I had forgotten that I had his shirt on.

“Okay, sweetheart, we’ll leave you in good hands. Just make sure you call me once you’re on your way home… or you can come stay with us at the Waldorf.”

“Thanks, Mom. I’ll call y’all once I’m done here.”

Josh wouldn’t let me check on any girls until I was checked out by a doctor first. He kept saying he wanted to make sure I really was just drunk and didn’t have other substances in my system. I told him how I was the one who drugged and taped up Chang so there was no reason for concern. He stared at me, speechless.

Once I was seen by a doctor and my blood work came back clear, I was free to leave. By then, all the girls had been picked up by their parents, were still being seen by a doctor or Pam had relocated them to a safe place.

“Baby, there’s nothing for you to do here. Let me take you home. I promise you’ll be able to see all the girls again and make sure they’re all fine.” He took my hand and pulled me toward him. He lifted my chin up with his finger, planting a gentle kiss on my lips. “You look beat. Come on… let’s go.”

Josh didn’t let go of my hand. In fact, he gripped it a little tighter, leading me through the exit and out to his truck. He was scanning the parking lot and taking in all the people around us. He was in FBI mode, it seemed like. Must be an occupational hazard. He helped me in his truck then scanned his surroundings once again before walking to the driver’s side.

We were both quiet on the ride to my house. Josh held my hand and would occasionally bring it up to his lips and kiss the back of my hand. I just sat in the passenger seat gazing at him, smiling sleepily at him, feeling sluggish. He looked so different, yet he still looked like the same Greek god that was once asleep on my sofa. His hair was over his ears and bushy. It was wavy and it kind of reminded me of beach-blown hair. I liked it. His beard was short yet full and not as blond as his hair. When I had touched it, it didn’t feel like sandpaper anymore. It was soft and plush like an expensive rug. I couldn’t decide if I liked it. I glanced at the clock. It was two in the morning. No wonder I was feeling so sluggish.

“Hey,” Josh said, glancing over at me, “what are you thinking?”

“I can’t decide if I like your beard or not.” I paused for a moment. “I think I do like it. I like your long, wavy hair too. It’s almost as long as mine now.” I smirked.

“Ha ha.” He kissed my hand again. “I suppose it is, since your hair is just above your shoulders now.”

He stopped the truck and put it in park. I looked around and saw that we weren’t at my house. “I thought you were taking me home?”

“Yes, my home,” he answered. “Something I should’ve done from the beginning.”

I looked at the building we were in front of. “You live in a high-rise?” My eyes flashed at the people walking in and out of the building. There was a doorman in a uniform coat suitable for Chicago winters and nice gloves to match. He was at the revolving door, helping some of the people with the door and talking to others. I looked at our surroundings and noticed we were in the heart of the city, very close to my office.

Josh was gazing at me, still holding my hand. “It’ll be better here. I have no back door, no basement and a lot less square footage… plus I have a doorman that can help me keep an eye on things and people that are coming and going. It’ll be easier to secure.”

“Oh. You’re talking like I still need protecting. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“No, baby, not at all. I’m just feeling overprotective that’s all. Just humor me for now, okay?”

I nodded, gazing up at the high-rise. “This looks like a pretty high-end building. Don’t they have a garage for your car?”

“They do and I do have my own spot but I’d like you to meet the doorman. His name is Billy. He hasn’t seen me in six weeks. He must think I’m dead, given the line of