Read Online Vow to Protect by Ann Voss Peterson - Free Book Online Page B

interior is finished. Construction dust can ruin a lake view, you know.”
    The elevator opened into a cavernous space that smelled of chalky white drywall. On the far side of the room, black windows stared out at the lake. “You weren’t kidding when you said they were empty shells. What about that security system?”
    He stepped to a keypad next to the elevator and punched in a series of numbers. “Now the elevator is locked. It won’t open on this floor. And if we want to see what’s going on in the lobby, we just hit this.” He hit a button, and the monitor above the keypad came alive with images of the main entrance.
    â€œWhy would they have a system like this if the condos aren’t even finished?”
    â€œVandalism. And there’s still work going on in the lower units. Construction equipment is valuable.” Cord glanced from her to Ethan and back.“If you want that privacy, you can try the area to the right of the great room. Eventually it will be the master bedroom.”
    She nodded, but somehow her feet wouldn’t move. As uncomfortable as she felt being near Cord again, the thought of being alone terrified her.
    â€œI’ll stay out here. No one will get near you.”
    Heat tinged her cheeks. Dryden Kane might still be loose in the city, but he wasn’t here. He couldn’t hurt her, couldn’t hurt Ethan.
    Thanks to Cord.
    She handed Ethan two of the sleeping bags and picked up two cots. As her son started in the direction Cord had indicated, she met Cord’s eyes. “Thank you.”
    His lips twitched into a frown. He waved off her gratitude.
    â€œReally. Thank you for doing this. And for tonight. For saving Ethan.”
    â€œYou don’t have to thank me, Mel.”
    â€œYes, I do.” She couldn’t even think about what would have happened had Cord not shown up. He might have devastated her in the past. He might have let her down, let himself down. She could never truly trust him again. But he’d come through for her tonight. He’d come through for Ethan. And that was worth all the thanks she could give. “I really appreciate it. More than you can know.”
    His lips twitched again. “It’s the least I can do. Don’t you think?”
    â€œMom?”
    Shaken, she turned away from Cord, the possible meaning behind his words buzzing in her mind. “I’m coming, Ethan.” She hurried to catch up to her son.
    The bedroom area was an empty shell of bedroom and bath and closet space waiting to be allocated by walls. One end of the room opened into a solarium, the glass walls and ceiling filled with the swaying shapes of treetops rustling against a lighter sky.
    She spread out the cots in the area farthest from the solarium’s black glass and unrolled one of the sleeping bags for Ethan.
    â€œMom?” Ethan opened his mouth wide in a yawn.
    â€œYes, honey?”
    â€œIs it okay if I just go to sleep? I don’t have to brush my teeth or anything, do I?”
    She was sure Ethan was tired. It had been a long day, and with all that had gone on, it was already past midnight. She also knew that he probably just needed to shut out the stress of the day. At least for a few hours. “I think you can get away with not brushing this once.”
    She unzipped the sleeping bag a few inches and turned it back, trying to keep her mind occupiedwith making Ethan’s bed and not with Cord’s comment. She pulled out one of the pillows from the bag of supplies and dropped it on the cot.
    Ethan climbed in. Pulling the sleeping bag to his chin, he closed his eyes. “Will you stay with me? At least until I fall asleep?”
    â€œOf course. I’ll be here all night.” She sank onto her cot. Ever since Ethan was born, she had loved watching him sleep. But tonight she needed it. “Do you want me to rub your back?”
    â€œNo, that’s okay.”
    She wanted to touch him. To