Page 90 of The Quiet Witness

With a sigh Richard cut in. “Lead the way Georgia, so we can all go home soon. Forget this traumatic event soon as we can.”

“One more thing.” Lucien looked around the circle, met the gazes of the women head on. There wasn’t an ounce of his usual swagger left. “I’ve made a call for increased security. They will be in place within half an hour, until that time Richard and his… assistant will remain on the premises. I’m truly sorry for what has happened here today, knowing what I know now. I would have been present myself, had handled things differently. Although I am sure.” Lucien glanced at her, respect glinting in his eyes. “That Kate has done everything in her power to defend all of you. I hope all of you are willing to see it too, and that even in fear… there is a chance for strength.”

The grip on her lower back tightened. Richard was right. Every single woman in the shelter would be left feeling unsafe. The laughter wouldn’t be as free as it had once been. And she could only hope that with time, the wounds that had been ripped open, would heal.

They all nodded, the crowd broke up with the women speaking among themselves in hushed whispers. Walking back to the doors of what had been their sanctuary.

She bet that in Lucien’s mind it would also be far from over. Even if the shelter had started as a way for him to make what he did for work okay. He had come to care for the women here. At least in that, Georgia had been right. As for what he had said about the fight in her. She doubted she would ever feel the same way about it. Isabel was in a hospital, where people fought to save her life.

She had failed. Period.

Richard and his young colleague veered toward their black-and-white patrol car. The doors were thrown shut behind them with a harsh clang. Making her wonder what an interesting conversation they’d be having.

Kate felt steady fingers take hold of her chin, gently turning her head from side to side. Lucien lingered on a blackening bruise over her eye. Anger swirling in him when she winced.

She shrank away from the intensity in his eyes, he looked just about ready to kill someone.

“It’ll be okay, sweetheart.”

Was it to convince her? Or himself? Kate didn’t want to worry about that, not now.

“Let’s go home.” Lucien guided her over to the car. The power of her legs was yet to return, leaving her stumbling along painfully slow. Lucien reached over, whispering invitingly into her ear. “I could carry you to the car you know?”

“Not in a million years.”

“Hmmm, a shame, yes would have been so much easier.” Without warning, his hand moved higher up her back, sweeping her up in his arms.

Kate didn’t even attempt to fight him on it. The adrenaline was finally, wholly gone, leaving her with the broken pieces of the day.

Footsteps slapped on the pavement. Running footsteps. Her throat constricted, chest heavy at once. Lucien had felt her tense. “Don’t worry, it’s just the cop, I’ll take care of it.” With that he helped her in the car and shut the door with a resolute push of his hand. Turning to face the young police man speeding up to them.

***

Lucien

He came to a halt in front of Lucien, a stern look on his face. “I need to talk to—” Lucien held up a hand, stopping him mid sentence. “What’s your name?”

Normally he would admire the young man’s tenacity. But not today.

Face a flushed red at the interruption, he stated his name. “Luke, now if you would let me continue.”

Lucien wouldn’t, instead reaching out his hand for the man to shake. Luke took one brief glance, before shaking his outstretched hand shortly.

“Lucien Alexander Evans. I’d wager you’re new in town?”

With a curt nod Luke answered.

“I see, welcome to the fold. But let me inform you, there is a certain way of doing things here.”

It wasn’t his preferred method of dealing with this. But with the rage coursing through his veins after seeing the state Kate was in. It took all of his considerate patience to keep his calm.

Wiping his hand off his trousers, Luke asked. “So I figured. What would that entail in your mind?”

Tilting his head at the movement, Lucien answered easily. “Well, for one it’s heeding the word of your superiors.”

Luke shifted, dancing on his toes. Lucien felt what he was about to do, and stepped into Luke’s path the second the cop’s hand fished for Kate’s door handle.

Stopping mid-gesture, he looked Lucien in the eyes. “You’re too close Mr Lucien.”