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“Yes. Are you okay?” he asks, his brow furrowed with concern.
“Are you sure?”
“Caleb was called to identify the body. Cameron had no next of kin, and when they called Caleb to get your number, he went down instead. He didn’t want you to be the one to go through that.”
“Caleb’s a good man.”
“One of the best.”
I take a minute to let it sink in. Cameron’s gone. I mean, dead kind of gone. WhatdoI feel? Nothing. Should I feel something? Is this normal?
“I’m fine. I mean, I guess I’m fine.”
“Not sure what that means, baby. Talk to me.” He brushes his fingers across the apple of my cheek.
“I don’t feel anything. Emptiness. Nothing. Is that wrong?” I ask. “Am I a bad person? I don’t care that he’s dead. I’m more relieved and feel like there’s a weight being lifted off my chest.”
“Hey.” Alex tilts my chin up to meet his eyes. “There’s nothing wrong with you. Relief is normal. The man tormented you and made your life a living hell.I’mglad he’s gone. You have no idea how much I wanted to do it myself for what he put you through. As far as I’m concerned, he got what he deserved.”
“I guess, but I still wish things could have gone differently.” What makes a man want to hurt a woman? Helen, my counselor, reminds me often that I’m only in control of me and can’t take responsibility for Cameron’s actions.
“We’ll have a quiet night, buttercup. Hang out on the couch and stuff our faces with pizza. Sound good?” Alex says, being very watchful and treating me with care.
“Sounds perfect.”
* * *
Alex
I keepa close eye on Sabrina for the rest of the day. She seems to be dealing with Cameron’s death just fine, but it’s been an emotional weekend.
Sabrina was nervous going home. The minute she saw her parents and they showered her with love, the fear dissipated. And watching her with her brother was a flashback to my time with Damian and me horsing around as kids. When she saw her father and me begin to build a bond, that carefree girl burst through. In that moment, I decided that I’d do anything to keep her light shining bright.
She’s fallen asleep with her head in my lap. I stroke her hair, smoothing it down her back. She looks peaceful. A huge change from the first night I stayed with her. She was curled into a tight ball, and even in her sleep, she was tense.
Damian’s still away with Chloe. They’re due back tomorrow, but I want to drop Sabrina off at work before heading into the station. I call Caleb to let him know my plan.
“What?” Caleb sounds pissed off.
“Hey, man. Sorry to bother you.”
“Nah. Sorry. You caught me off guard,” he responds. “You guys good?”
“All good. Wanted to see if you were okay with me coming in after I drop off Sabrina. It’s been a great weekend, and I’m just not ready for it to end.”
“Go for it. Zeke will be at the station, and we don’t have anything pressing going on.” He lets out a heavy sigh. “I gotta go take care of something. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He disconnects before I can ask anything more.
Tomorrow will come soon enough. I’ll enjoy tonight with my angel in my arms, knowing I get to come home to this every night for the rest of my life.
TWENTY-FOUR
Shots Fired
ZEKE
“Alex called and is on his way in,” Caleb tells me, and hands me the extra cup of coffee he brought in with him.
“Java, huh? You must really need your coffee this morning,” I joke, which earns me a wry smirk.
