AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What are you doing?”
“I’m calling the cops. I want them to do a sweep of your house. I’d do it myself, but if something happened to me, there’d be no one to protect you.”
“Joshua, don’t you think you’re…”
“Hello, yes. I’d like to report a possible break-in.” Pausing for a moment, he arched his brows. “What’s your address?”
I rattled it off, then cast a wary glance back at the house. It no longer felt like the safe haven I’d once loved. The massive structure now seemed to hold a malignant, tainted aura. Anger spiked. Davis Walker had stolen my power, like a thief in the night. Pacing, I tried to keep the fury from consuming me. As if sensing my struggle, Joshua kept his distance but watched me like a hawk.
Four minutes later, the street was lined with patrol cars. Joshua stood by my side as several officers walked the perimeter of the house, while several more drew their weapons and stormed inside.
A man in a dark, tailored suit approached wearing a tight smile. “Ms. Carson?”
“Yes?”
“Hi. I’m Detective Pruett. We talked on the phone yesterday.”
“Oh yes. It’s nice to meet you.” I forced a polite smile.
“I think the ballsy bastard came back. Well, someone did. He cut your electricity along the wall of the foundation in the back. The power company is on their way to fix it.”
“Great.” I sighed in disgust.
“Look, I’m not telling you how to live your life, but until we get this son of a bitch locked up, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to stay here.” The detective raised his gaze to Joshua. “I’m not implying you can’t protect her, sir, but Ms. Carson has a full-blown, very brazen stalker on her tail.”
“I’m glad we’re on the same page,” Joshua interjected.
Turning toward me, the detective continued, “I’m worried. The fact you’re with another man might set this fuck-knuckle on an even more unpredictable path.”
The foundation of my independence and self-reliance cracked, crumbling like dust beneath my feet. Not since losing my parents had I felt so helpless and angry. I may have been powerless over my mom and dad being from ripped from my life, but I sure as hell wasn’t about to roll over and let Davis Walker strip my pride a second time.
“That prick hasn’t seen rage yet,” I hissed.
“Mellie,” Joshua warned. “Think with your head and not your heart for a minute. Detective Pruett has had a lot more experience dealing with this kind of thing than we do. I think it would be wise to take his advice.”
“I know that. But what am I supposed to do? Just walk away from my house, my life, my freedom because some dipshi—”
“Dipshitiot,” Joshua smirked.
“Thank you. Some dipshitiot thinks he owns me again?”
“No, ma’am,” Pruett chuckled. “I’m simply suggesting you two take a vacation. Go someplace tropical, sit on the beach, sip drinks with little umbrellas in them, and get the hell out of Phoenix until we arrest this joker.”
“I have a business to run out of there,” I railed, pointing toward my house.
“We’ll be glad to escort you back inside so you can gather up whatever you need.”
“How the hell am I supposed to fit my whole house into a couple of suitcases?” I hissed.
Strung out and on the verge of hysterics, I wanted to snag Joshua’s gun and hunt Davis Walker down. Put a bullet in his head to end this surreal nightmare.
“I know it’s not ideal,” the detective commiserated.
“Fine. I’ll do it,” I snipped.
“Thank you, sweetheart,” Joshua whispered. Pulling out a business card, he handed it to Pruett. “Here’s my number if you need to reach us. As soon as she gets her things, we’ll be heading back to Chicago tonight.”
“Davis Walker’s from Chicago. I don’t think it’s wise to take—”
