Page 55 of Mommy

It doesn’t matter now. Right now, there is something way more important than my past. And it’s happening in plain sight.

“The one with the dog? Right over there.” I nod in the general direction.

I saw him when we entered the park, or rather, I spotted his dog.

Derek follows my gaze.

A shadowy figure with a dog stands near a tree.

Before I can stop him, Derek has lifted me off the wall, loops his arm through mine and is pulling me towards the stranger.

My heart leaps into my throat the closer we get and it almost, almost stops beating entirely when we reach the guy. Derek’s voice cuts through the silence like a knife, sharp and cold.

“Ohh no, I hope you’re not doing what I think you are.”

The man winces, but straightens upon seeing us both.

“Fuck off, this is non of your business,” he grunts.

This time my heart does stop beating, at least for a second that feels entirely too long.

Derek flashes the man a grin that is all teeth.

“Except it really is. Didn’t you know that it’s against the law to leave an animal without care, tied to a tree?” His voice is still somewhat friendly, but I can hear the lethal undertone it has now. Apparently, I’m the only one though.

“Get lost, fucker.”

I’m not sure what exactly it is that tips the scale, the insult or the step the guy takes in our direction, but in the matter of a second, Derek has produced a gun out of thin air and is holding it pressed into the guy’s ribs.

“Ahh…” Derek sighs deeply, like a father disappointed by a child. “That was dumb of you. Now, get your wallet and let me see your ID.”

The demand has the stranger narrow his eyes.

“Are you a cop?” he asks, suspicion thick in his voice.

Another grin.

“Sure am.”

With a quick flip, Derek shows the man his badge, and chuckles. The sound sends a chill down my spine, but I keep very still next to Derek. My eyes stray to the dog that is cowering on the ground a few feet behind the man.

I can’t tell for sure, but I think it’s a type of pitbull. The snout and ears would suggest as much. Plus they are the most abused breed in the states so… chances are good this is one.

Movement draws my attention back to the two men before me. Derek is studying the guy’s ID before giving it back to him.

“Alright, Gavin,” he accentuates the name as if they’re old buddies, handing back the card. “I’m feeling generous tonight, and —let’s face it, I’m not in the mood to go back to work and let this cute piece of ass get away just to report you for animal abuse—” His arm wraps around me tighter, and I let him. I don’t know exactly where he is going with this, but something tells me that there is a reason. So I keep still.

“I’ll let you get away with a warning. But make sure, this doesn’t happen again.”

The gun is tucked back in its holster. Derek smirks.

The man goes to grab the leash, but Derek’s smile cracks and Gavin’s hand freezes mid air.

“The dog⁠—”

“Leave it.”

Not an ounce of room to discuss this in Derek’s tone.