AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I feel so bad for Annette,” she whispered.
“Why?”
“Because he’ll be out of jail by Monday.I wish we had better laws.”
He did too.“Wait, how do you know he’ll be out by Monday?”
“The DA won’t want to prosecute, he’ll be let go with a warning, not that it will do much good.”
Logan frowned.“You seem to know a lot about this type of situation.”Who had hurt her?Her ex?He wanted to punch something at the thought of violence touching her.
“I told you I was married.My ex was a bit of an ass.I had to get a restraining order.”
“And he didn’t obey it, did he?”Logan knew the answer.It wouldn’t take much to search the database and get information on her ex and have a little man-to-scum chat with him.
She shook her head.“He thought he was clever and confronted me as I came out of a college class.Thankfully, other students thought he was acting strange and waited around.The second he hit me, they were on him.The cops were called, not that they did much.”
“Ellie.”His breath rushed out of him.Some man dared hit her.He cupped her cheeks with his palms.“I’m sorry that happened.”Was that why she didn’t care for cops?He knew some of his cop brothers didn’t take domestic abuse as seriously as they should, and it made him angry.But he couldn’t show that to Ellie.She deserved tenderness not rage.
“I never should have married him.Anyway, he was charged with assault and battery due to all the witnesses.”She sighed.“He served only a year in jail.I wanted a longer term in jail, but the DA told me it was the best they could do.I was glad he left the state after his release.Last I heard, he’s serving time somewhere in Colorado.He’s out of my life.”
“I’m so proud of you for staying calm.”He looked around.“There’s no one else with you here in the shop?”
“No.I’m used to working alone.”
“It’s not safe.”He hated this.He’d ask central to have a patrol car come around every hour to make sure she was safe.Hell, he’d do it himself.
“I’ll admit this isn’t the first time I’ve dealt with an outraged ex-husband or wife, disgruntled mothers, fathers, or heck, even bridezillas.It’s part of the business.”
He really hadn’t expected this from a benign business like hers.Logically, Logan knew she was right about being safe, but his gut saidprotect.He opened his mouth, and she placed her now steady fingers against his lips.
“I do everything to protect myself.My office is reinforced.The door has steel in it.You can’t kick it in.
“You can if the hinges give out.”
Ellie shook her head.“Reinforced hinges and door jamb.It’s darn near a panic room.Also I have no money on the premises.”She sighed.“Irritated clients are part of the job, but I’m a realist and prepared.”
“This guy wasn’t a client.”
“Yeah.”She blew out a breath.“Logan, really, it’s okay.”She stepped out of his embrace.
“I don’t like it.”He crossed his arms over his chest.
“You don’t have to.Now go back to work.Please.I’ll finish cleaning up here and then close early for the day.”
Logan was about to argue when his radio went off.Damn.“Officer Wolfe, I’m on it.”A disturbance in the park.“Be safe.”He stared at her.“I did give you my phone number, didn’t I?”
"Yes.”
“Call me if you get scared, need help, or just to talk.”
“I will.”
His radio went off again.
“Go.”She shooed him with her hands.
He turned and left her, but as soon as this call was done, he’d circle back to check on her.
