She nods, but keeps her head down, so I can't see her face."I didn't mean to interrupt or cause a fuss," she says, but her voice is slightly muffled.
There's something about it that spikes my interest.I haven't been a cop as long as I have without taking note of what's going on around me."Hey, what's going on?"I ask, following her with my gaze.She walks around and behind me, giving me her back.
"Something happened tonight, and I didn't want to go home by myself."
My stomach drops.There are a few things that may have happened, but she's a woman, and I'm used to seeing the worst that people have to offer.Doesn't mean that it doesn't affect me when those things happen to the people I care about.However, with my training, I know I have to wait for her to be ready to tell me what's going on.So, although I want to grab her by the arm, turn her around, and fire questions at her, I don't."You don't have to be home by yourself," I say softly."You're welcome to stay here.I just need to know you're okay."
She makes a noise in the back of her throat."Okay?Are any of us really okay?"
"No," I answer honestly, rocking back on my heels."We're all just doing the best we can with what we have."
"You're right about that."She turns, but she doesn't look at me.Her gaze stays on the floor.
"Macie.Show me your face, please?"I ask as carefully as I can.It won't do any good to try and force her.She's already been through a lot tonight.
When she looks up at me, and I see the blood, along with the bruise, I see red."Who did this?"
"A patient's partner or husband.I'm not sure.I just don't want to be alone."
I wrap her in my arms, whispering."You don't have to be alone.I've got you."
But in my mind I'm promising myself.I'm going to find who this motherfucker is, and I'll make sure he never hurts another woman again.
Especially my woman.
Chapter3
Macie
"Who do you want me to call?"Darren asks as he keeps me wrapped in his arms."You have to report this."
I know he's right, but a part of me is rebelling.I don't want to make a big deal out of it, have always been taught not to make a fuss, but this?My face and my stomach is killing me.If I let this go, then he's liable to do it to the next person who doesn't do exactly what he wants them to do."Who is an option for me to talk to?"I whisper, before closing my eyes and inhaling his scent.
"If it were up to me, you could talk to me, but I'm officially at Laurel Springs Fish & Wildlife first, SWAT only when they need me.I'd recommend either my dad, or my grandfather.My grandfather on my mom's side is Chief of Laurel Springs Police.I'm not sure if you knew that or not."He curls his fingers around the back of my neck, holding me close."My grandfather on my dad's side is well respected too.You just let me know who you feel comfortable with."
This is just a decision I just don't want to make."I don't know, Darren."
He makes a noise when he hears the distress in my voice."Let me call my dad and my grandfather.If they think we need to involve the Chief, then we'll call him.Is that okay with you?"
"Yeah that's fine with me."I walk over and take a seat on the couch, wrapping my arms around my middle.As he puts his phone to his ear, I block out what he's saying, trying to forget the way I felt on the ground, trying to keep my body from getting hit.
“They’re on the way,” he says, coming over to sit next to me.
I don’t have the strength to ask him who has said yes, so I sit on the couch, and pull my knees up to my chest.“I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything.I’m just going to be right here with you.”
Tucking his arm around my neck, he pulls me in, and I allow myself to rest against his chest.We’ve been this close before, but it’s never felt this serious.I’ve tucked my fingers into his t-shirt, and I’m holding on for dear life.My body is shuddering, and although I know that’s the adrenaline, it still makes my teeth chatter.
Darren makes a move to stand, and I grip his t-shirt harder.
“Just gotta get the door, honey.”
That’s when I realize someone is knocking softly.“Okay,” I mumble.
He goes quickly across his living room, and looks out, before opening the front door.My eyes watch as three people walk inside, more than I thought would be here.There’s two men and a woman.Darren comes back over to where I’m sitting, and reaches down to pull me up.“Macie, this is my dad, Nick Kepler, my grandfather Ryan Kepler, and for some reason my mom showed up.”He raises his eyebrows at her.
“Kels,” she says, smiling softly.
