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“He didn’t see me,” I assured him. “I picked her up from behind the supermarket, and no one followed me.”
“Bring her home, Andy,” Bobby said. “Or you know what? I’ll pick her up myself.”
“Okay, slow down, cowboy,” I said.
“Andy, for fuck’s sake!
“Hey, shut up and listen to me!” I yelled. “He doesn’t know she’s here. But he knows where you live. Do you want her to be there when he comes knocking on your door?”
“I hope he comes knocking,” Bobby said. “I’ll fucking kill him!”
“Yeah, that’s the smart thing to do,” I said, shaking my head in frustration. “Just keep your cool, and if he does show up, don’t open the door. Just call the police and let them deal with him.”
“I want her here, Andy!” Bobby shouted. “How am I supposed to protect her when she’s over there?”
“You let her leave in the first place,” I shot back.
“Don’t you fucking dare!”
I sighed and stopped myself from saying something I would later regret. “Listen, just calm down,” I said. “She’s safe here. I’m here. And tomorrow we’ll see what we’re going to do about this mess. For now, just sit tight and try not to do anything stupid.”
Bobby was silent for a few seconds before he said, “Fine. Just be careful.”
“We’ll be fine,” I assured him. “Hey, and I’m sorry for what I said yesterday. I know you care about her.”
“We’re not doing this now,” Bobby replied. “First Dennis, then I’ll punch you again, and then we can work our shit out.”
I smiled. “Get some sleep,” I said and hung up.
***
Andrea was curled up in my bed, the sheets pulled over her shoulders, her face buried in a pillow. When I walked in, she sniffed and looked up at me. Her eyes were red from the crying, and she was still shaking like a leaf.
“You want me to get you anything?” I asked. “Water, coffee? Something stronger?”
She shook her head and sat up, pulling her knees to her chest and running a hand through her hair. She hugged her knees and began to rock in bed, staring off into space. I walked in, sitting down on the bed beside her and placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
“I called Bobby,” I said.
“I heard you,” she whispered.
“You’re going to stay with me until we figure out what Dennis wants and how we’re going to get rid of him.”
“I know what he wants,” she said, a tear running down one cheek. She wiped it away quickly.
“He’s not going to come anywhere near you,” I said. “I promise you that.”
She looked at me, searched my eyes as if trying to make sure I wasn’t just saying things. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to me, her head resting on my chest.
“I actually thought I had gotten away,” she said after a few seconds of silence. “I didn’t fully believe it, but I hoped. I actually thought it was over.”
“It will be,” I said. “We’ll figure it out. Bobby says he’ll get you that restraining order tomorrow.”
“It’s not going to be enough,” she replied. “He’s going to keep coming for me.”
“Then we’ll make damn sure he regrets it,” I said.
She sighed and relaxed in my arms. I kissed her head and held her tighter, rubbing her arm. I had almost freaked out when Jane had called me, and on the drive back here, I was adamant on making sure I kept taking different roads until we got home. I was sure no one was following us, but Andrea didn’t feel better until she was inside the apartment with the door bolted closed.
