Page 46 of Searching for Love

Avery followed, ignoring the ache in her ankle and elbow where she’d landed awkwardly seconds before.

Sophia was fighting the man as he tried to pull her towards the front door.

Lucas rushed towards them, screaming for Sophia to duck. His sister jerked her body to the side just as Lucas body-tackled Diego. The pair of them flew out the front door, crashing through the wood door and sending splinters flying all over Sophia, who had fallen just inside it.

Seeing Lucas and Diego disappear out the door was the scariest thing she’d ever witnessed. She’d seen moves like it in action movies, but never in real life, and especially not with a man she’d just spent the night with. A man she hoped to spend a lot more time with in her future.

Her screams echoed in the house as she rushed forward to see if she could help Lucas in any way.

She saw three armed men in black heading towards them and running up the sidewalk, and it took her a few seconds to register that they were the police.

They pulled Lucas off Diego as they screamed for everyone to get their hand up, and she froze in place.

Then she too was shoved from the side and pushed back into the house.

“I called,” she cried out to the officer moving towards her. “He’s my boyfriend. Diego is the one you want.” She pointed to Lucas’s father.

Her cries didn’t stop the officers from securing both men in handcuffs, face down on the sidewalk and front yard.

Lucas went still, complying with the officer’s demands and talking in soft tones while Diego fought and kicked out, still trying to get away.

“That’s my son,” Emily shouted from the doorway. “He was protecting us from him.” She pointed to Diego. “He broke in earlier this morning and held my daughter and me hostage until my son came.”

Avery rushed over when the woman leaned heavily against the doorjamb. Carefully, she held onto her so she wouldn’t fall again.

“Ma’am.” An officer turned towards them. His eyes moved up and down Lucas’s mother. “I’ll call a female officer to come take your statement.”

“My daughter is hurt,” Emily said with a sigh. “We both are.”

“Do you require an ambulance?” the officer asked while the other two officers hauled the still-fighting Diego up off the ground. Lucas was still handcuffed and lying still while they fought to control his father.

“Yes, please,” Emily answered the man.

“I’m taking her inside to sit down until it comes,” Avery said and then helped Lucas’s mother inside. She caught Lucas’s eyes as she did so and could see his worry disappear as he smiled at her and whispered, “Thanks.”