Page 77 of Day Break

“What are you doing?” I asked, suddenly feeling better as the shock wore off.

“Calling the police,” he said, glancing around. “Which one is he?”

“He…” I looked, but he was gone. “He’s gone,” I said, relaxing back.

Lane set his phone down. “Want me to go after him?”

“No!” I practically shouted it. “No,” I said again, taking his hand.

I knew what I’d seen. Knew it had been Elliott. He’d been dressed in a business suit, much like he’d always worn. He was heavier, older looking. And he’d been with a woman half his age.

I knew what he could do to women. Knew how he liked to use his fists, his words, his control to get what he wanted. No doubt he was living a good life with all the money he’d stolen.

I didn’t want any part of my past to ruin what I had with Lane. To spoil our night. To spoil any part of us.

“No,” I said again with a sigh. “I… I could have been mistaken,” I said, even though I knew I wasn’t.

The thought of ending our dinner to talk to the police didn’t sit well with me.

At that moment, the waiter showed up with our dinner.

We ate, but the conversation had dried up. I felt awkward and unsure what to say to Lane. Did he think I was trying to cover for Elliott? Keep him hidden so he wouldn’t pay for his crimes?

I felt like I owed him an explanation, only I couldn’t decide what to say. The fact was, Elliott had ruined something else of mine.

“Are you okay?” Lane asked as we left the restaurant.

“Yes. I’m sorry about tonight,” I said as we waited for the car.

Lane pulled me into his arms and kissed me. “You have nothing to be sorry for,” he said softly. “I’ll call in a favor with someone I know at the police department and have them check the security cameras and pull the receipts from tonight. If he was here, the police will know about it.”

“Thanks,” I said, not fully understanding if this would affect me but wanting more than anything for Elliott to pay for what he’d done. Not only to me, but to everyone else he’d destroyed.

I sat in silence as Lane called in his favor. He put the phone on speaker. It surprised me to hear the woman he’d called answer, “Lane, baby, I knew you’d come crawling back to me. What’s it been? Five years?”

Lane chuckled. “Malory, you know you’re the only woman for me.” He glanced over and winked at me. “How are the husband, kids, and grandkids?”

“Doing great,” Malory answered. “The youngest, Levi, is going to be one next week. But I know you didn’t call at this time of night to check up on my family. What’s up?” Malory said, suddenly sounding serious.

“I might have some information for you,” Lane told her.

By the time we parked at his townhouse, Lane had filled the woman in on how we had seen Elliott at the restaurant. Malory agreed to have her people look into the matter and update Lane on what they found when possible.

“Feel better?” he asked me. I nodded, finally relaxed for the first time since seeing Elliott.

“Much,” I answered. “Thank you for tonight. I hope I didn’t spoil it too much.”

He took my hand in his. “You didn’t spoil anything.” He tugged me until he could wrap his arms around me.

“He does that. Sucks all the good out of the air,” I said into Lane’s chest.

“Not any longer.” He kissed my forehead. “Come, I think I might still have some ice cream in the freezer.” He pulled back, smiling down at me.

While I let Byron out in the small back area to relieve himself, Lane hunted down some ice cream and cookies. We sat in the kitchen area, eating our dessert and going over a bunch of what-if scenarios.

“They can’t come after me again for not telling the police where he is. I mean, where he was tonight. Can they?” I asked, a new worry flooding my mind.

“No,” Lane said quickly. “Besides, I told Malory I was with you and that you’re the one who spotted your ex. Technically, you assisted in helping find him.