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“I think you’re the one who’ll be paying,” one of the firefighters says. He’s wearing a white helmet, which means he’s the Fire Chief.
He nods at his colleague, and they release Fletcher, who comes flying over to me.
“Fuck, Grace. Are you okay? When I saw that fucker hit you—”
“I’m okay. I think,” I cut across him with a grimace. “Help me up.”
Fletcher helps me to stand, keeping an arm around me as I test my weight on my leg. I wince as my thigh throbs. “I don’t think it’s broken.”
“I saw everything as I was coming across the field. You assaulted this young lady with zero provocation,” the Fire Chief continues, looking at my father. “And it’s not the first time, is it?”
My father’s eyes narrow to slits as he glowers at the Fire Chief. “What the fuck do you know about that?”
“A lot. Word gets around about pieces of shit like you. You may have wangled yourself a transfer because of your service record after you put your hands on a female PC at Whitchurch, but not this time.”
The Fire Chief turns to me. “Officer Janes will be placed under arrest. If you need a witness statement when you press charges, I’ll be only too happy to oblige.”
As he finishes speaking, the wail of a siren reaches us. A minute later, another police car pulls up, blue lights flashing, along with a third ambulance.
Seems like we’ve created quite the drama tonight.
The next half an hour unfolds in a dream-like haze as my father is read his rights and placed in the back of the police car. I give my statement to the other police officers while Daniel and Oliver, Fletcher’s new partner, get the second burn victim loaded into the ambulance. They take off for the hospital while the other crew transport the second teenager. Which leaves Fletcher and me in the third ambulance.
Fletcher insists I get checked out at the hospital, his jaw tense and his knuckles white on the steering wheel as he guides the ambulance through the early evening traffic. Even though my thigh throbs like crazy, I know it’s not broken. But I also know Fletcher won’t be happy until I’ve been X-rayed.
ChapterThirteen
Fletcher
SeeingGrace’s father strike her as we pulled up in the ambulance is something I’ll never forget. Nor is hearing her scream. I wanted to rip the motherfucker apart for putting his hands on her again. But much as I wanted to throttle the man with my bare hands, my priority was Grace.
After getting her checked out at the hospital, we returned to my place. The doc confirmed that her leg was badly bruised but should heal without issues. She’ll be uncomfortable for a week or so, and the doc prescribed strong painkillers and rest. I intend to make sure she does just that, which is why she’s currently immersed in the hot bath I drew for her.
“How are you feeling?” I ask as I perch on the side of the bath.
Grace smiles. “Sore and sleepy.”
I shake my head. “That’s not what I meant.” Grace is a tough cookie; I know she can cope with the physical pain. It’s the emotional pain that worries me.
Her brow creases, and she pauses before answering. “Believe it or not, I’m fine. Don’t get me wrong, all sorts of demons raised their heads when I saw him marching towards me. But he didn’t break me when I was a kid, and he won’t break me now because I’m not his victim anymore. I’ve given him far too much power over my past and my future, but I’m not giving him any more.”
I dip the flannel in the water, helping her to sit forward so I can wash her back. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. If I hadn’t agreed to Craig’s suggestion to change partners—”
“No.” Grace shakes her head. “Enough, Fletch. You don’t get to blame yourself for this. Everything you said about me needing to work with different people still stands. My father is the only person responsible for what happened tonight, and he’ll pay for what he’s done. Maybe the PC over at Whitchurch will come forward now that she knows she’s not alone.”
I nod. “One thing is certain. His career in law enforcement is over. If all else fails, I still have contacts within the Army. I’m sure his Commanding Officer will be interested to know what he’s been up to since he retired. One phone call and his military pension could go up in smoke.”
Grace squeezes my hand. “Let’s keep that on a back burner, my sexy criminal mastermind.”
I reach down and cup her chin, tilting her face so our eyes connect. “I love you, Grace. I love your blabbing and the sound of your laugh. You’ve healed me with your gentleness, positivity, and strength. You’ve given me something I thought I’d lost—hope. Hope that I can live a full and fulfilling life. We make a great team, you and me. How about we make an amazing team as husband and wife?”
Her eyes widen, and she sucks in a breath. “Wow. You certainly choose your moments, Sergeant. Nothing like a declaration of love when a girl’s in the bath with a fucked up leg and can’t do anything about it.”
Grace squeals with laughter as I stand and lower myself into the large bathtub, fully clothed. I’m mindful not to jostle her injured leg and dangle my prosthetic over the edge to keep it dry.
“Tell me you love me. I know you do. I see it in your eyes every time I’m inside you, but I want to hear the words.”
Grace huffs out a breath. “Cocky much?”
