I don't want to step back.Every part of me wants to keep this bastard pinned right here until every ounce of fear he's put Macie through gets paid back somehow, but I hear the warning underneath my dad's calm tone, the reminder that doing this the wrong way could cost us everything we need to actually put Gerald away for good.
"Darren."Macie's voice again, softer this time, pleading."Please."
I ease back, releasing my hold on Gerald, though every muscle in my body stays coiled tight, ready to move again the second he does anything stupid.
"Gerald Simmons, you're under arrest for violation of a protective order, and I'd bet money we're gonna find a few more charges once we sort through everything else."Dad already has his cuffs out, moving with the same efficiency I've watched him use for as long as I can remember, spinning Gerald around and pressing him face-first against the truck before he can even process what's happening."You have the right to remain silent."
"This is bullshit."Gerald struggles for half a second before Dad's grip tightens, cuffs clicking into place.
"Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."Dad continues through the Miranda warning, steady and unbothered by Gerald's protests, years of doing exactly this making every word count.
"I just wanted to talk to you, tell you how much it hurt me when you told me that I couldn’t see my child."Gerald twists his head, trying to catch her eyes, and I step in front of her again, blocking his line of sight completely.
"You don't get to talk to her.Not now, not ever again."I keep my voice level, though there's nothing level about what's churning underneath it."You're done."
Dad pulls out his radio, calling for a unit to come collect Gerald and transport him to the station, and within a few minutes another cruiser pulls into the lot, lights flashing, two officers climbing out to help walk him toward the back seat.
"Bitch."Gerald calls out one more time as they're loading him in, voice desperate now instead of cocky."This isn't over."
"Yes, it is."I say it loud enough for him to hear clearly, standing there with my arm wrapped around Macie's shoulders as the cruiser door slams shut behind him."It's over."
We stand there in the parking lot, watching the cruiser pull away, taillights disappearing around the corner of the building, and I feel Macie's whole body sag against mine the second he's actually gone, adrenaline finally draining out of her all at once.
"Oh my God."Her voice comes out shaky, tears finally spilling over now that the immediate danger's passed."He's actually gone.They actually got him."
"They got him."I pull her fully into my arms, holding her tight while she shakes against my chest, months of fear finally breaking loose now that the threat's actually contained."It's over, Mace.He can't hurt you anymore."
Dad walks back over to us, radio still crackling at his hip, expression softening now that the immediate danger's handled."You alright, son?"
"Yeah."I run a hand down my face, adrenaline still working its way out of my system."Thank you for showing up when you did."
"Good thing I was heading in to get your mother."He claps a hand on my shoulder, then looks at Macie, voice gentling considerably."You doing okay?"
"I think so."She wipes at her face, laughing a little through the tears."I think I actually am, now."
"We'll get him processed tonight, and given the restraining order violation plus whatever else turns up once we search his truck and residence, I don't expect he's walking free again anytime soon."Dad's voice carries the same reassurance he's given me my whole life, the kind that makes you believe things are actually going to be okay."You did good not letting my son here do something he'd regret, by the way."
"Barely."Macie laughs again, leaning into my side.
"I'm gonna go find your mother, let her know what happened out here, and then we'll head up together to check on Nicole."Dad squeezes my shoulder once more before heading toward the entrance, leaving Macie and me alone in the parking lot.
"I really thought that was gonna go a different way," Macie admits quietly, still tucked against my side.
"I know.I'm sorry I let it get that far before backing off."I press a kiss to the top of her head, finally feeling my own heart rate settle back toward normal."I just saw him near you, and everything else went out the window."
"I get it.I really do."She tips her head back to look at me, eyes still glassy but her voice steadier now."But it's over.He's actually gone, Darren.I can breathe again."
"You can breathe again," I confirm, pulling her in for a proper kiss, slow and grounding, both of us needing the reassurance of it after everything the last hour just put us through."Let's go get your bag, and then let's get back up to our girl."
"Yeah."She wipes at her face one more time, steadier now, the fear that's been living in her eyes for weeks finally starting to loosen its grip."Let's go see Nicole."
We grab her bag from the trunk, and this time when we walk back across the parking lot toward the hospital entrance, her steps come easier, lighter, like something that's been anchoring her down for weeks just got cut loose.I keep my arm around her the whole way, watching the entrance doors get closer, ready to get back upstairs to our daughter, ready to finally start building the life we talked about in the rain without Gerald Simmons hanging over every single day of it.
For the first time since this whole thing started, I actually believe we're going to be okay.
Chapter23
Macie
