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“It’s more than a piece of paper. If he violates it, you have the law on your side, and he will be arrested.”
She’s shaking her head as I speak, waiting until I’m done, “He’s no stranger to violating things without recourse. He’s got money and influence.” Then, she whispers to herself, “I knew this was a stupid idea.”
Closing her eyes, she gets up, an apology spilling from her lips, “I’m sorry to have wasted your time. Thank you,” she says, tears gathering in her eyes and the little bit of light she had left in them snuffing out.
Spinning on her heel, she practically runs away from my desk and out of the bullpen. The cop in me knows there’s nothing I can do. If she doesn’t want to file an order of protection, I can’t make her, not that I’d make her do anything. But the man in me struggles to let her go, knowing she’s going back to a husband that will likely kill her.
On instinct, I give into my crazy, spur-of-the-moment desire and go after her.
Pushing back from my desk, I grab my coat and rush after her. For being a petite thing, she sure is fast. In the minute it took me to come to my decision, she’s gone from my view.
Looks like I’m going to have to track her down. I’m going to help get her out.
3 Nerves and Men
Heroes by Gang of Youths Heather 3 Weeks Later
Butterflieszoomaroundinmy stomach as the sensation of centipedes crawling across my skin from my nerves keeps me on edge. I watch Zander chase after another kid on the public playground.
Jaz, my best friend and the only person in my life that I’ve been able to count on, reaches over and takes my hand in hers. Well, until meeting Gemini.
“It’s going to be okay. They’re going to love each other,” she says softly in an attempt to ease my nerves. It’s not every day you introduce your child to a potential romantic interest. She’s here for moral support and because I trust her judgment. If she doesn’t like any of them, I’ll cut them off.
I chose a park because I can use the excuse that Gemini, his brother, and their friend are there by coincidence. Veiling the real reason.
Even though it hasn’t been long since I met Gemini, we’ve grown close and, dare I say, attached to each other. Of course, talking every day and spilling your deepest, darkest secrets will have that effect. I think I remember reading that it’s a thing between victims and their “savior.”
Zander’s peel of laughter hits my ears, and a happy smile crosses my face. Beyond the kids running around, I see Gemini and two other men trailing him.Holy hot men!My eyes trail over each man, admiring their exceptional physic. They pick their way through the childhood chaos, stopping next to us.
“That’s something I don’t see very often,” Gemini’s deep timber comes from the opposite side of me, where Zander is playing with his newest friend. He never seems to have trouble finding one wherever we go.
Gemini looks like a dark version of the perfect high school quarterback. I just wish I didn’t fall for that quarterback in real life. It’s been nothing like you read about in the books or see in the movies. Steven was the star of the team. The golden boy. The one every guy wanted to be, and every girl wanted to be with. But he picked me. Made me feel precious, loved, and cared for. What a façade that turned out to be.
Looking over Gemini’s shoulder, my eyes land on an almost exact replica of him. I blink, thinking I’m seeing him wrong, but nope. He’s nearly a spitting image of Gemini. His hair is a bit lighter, and his eyes are definitely a different color. Gray, like the walls of my shop. But their masculine facial structure is the same. The third man couldn’t be more different.
Before I can get a really good look at the blonde-haired man emulating the best impression of Apollo I’ve ever seen, Gemini gives me a side hug. We try to keep physical contact to a minimum when anyone else, including Zander, is around. That’s all I need, for him to say something about Mommy’s friend hugging her in front of Steven. I know he wouldn’t know what he was doing, but it would be catastrophic.
Still, I savor his warmth while I have it and inhale his masculine scent, letting it calm me.
“Hey, baby,” he says softly in my ear.
“Hey,” I return, smiling up at him, truly happy he’s here. He makes introductions, and I do the same with Jaz.
Gem has met Zander before, so he goes up to him on the playground and talks with him. I watch in awe as they begin playing tag with the other kids. Then, Jaz gets up and joins them.
I know what that means. She approves. There’s no way she’d go play and not say something if she didn’t like any of them. She’s also giving me time alone with them. Butterflies flutter about in my stomach. This almost seems like a first date.
“What do you do for work?” I ask Jonas.
“Construction. Orin and I build houses,” he says, jerking his thumb toward Orin sitting beside him, opposite of me.
“What about you, mama?” Jonas asks. The nickname rolls off his tongue, and I instantly love it. It’s simple, but sweet.
“I own and run a small shop. I sell all kinds of knickknacks. There’s a little something for everyone,” I say, my cheeks flaming. It’s still unnatural for me to talk about that accomplishment with pride to anyone but Jaz.
“Ah, a fellow business owner,” Orin says, a smile spreading over his handsome face.
“Congratulations,” Jonas adds.
