by Sadie King
He looks at me as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking, and I feel myself going red. Damn, he must be a good cop.
He gets me a spare helmet, and I climb onto the bike behind him.
“Hold onto me,” he instructs.
I put my hands on his waist, and he starts the engine.
We ride slowly through the residential streets and stop at a set of traffic lights on the edge of town.
He turns around and says something, but I can’t hear him over the roar of the bike. I think it’s, “Are you ready?”
The lights turn red, and we cross the road heading out of town. The bike speeds up, and the world rushes past in a blur. The wind whips my hair out behind the back of the helmet.
I grip him tighter and lean in so my body’s pressed against his and close my eyes. The engine throbs between my legs, and the smell of his leather jacket and the warmth of him is a heady mix. I open my eyes again and watch the trees pass in a blur of greens and browns.
We turn off onto a side road, and he pulls into a picnic area surrounded by tall trees. As I climb off the bike, I can’t hide the smile on my face.
“How was it?” he asks.
“That was incredible.”
I feel exhilarated and light and happy, things I’ve not felt in a long time. The grin on his face matches mine, and I suddenly understand why people ride motorcycles.
He strides over to the picnic table, and I almost skip after him. I go to sit down, and my jacket catches on the side of the table and I almost trip. His arm shoots out to grab me, but I’m laughing at my own clumsiness.
We sit down opposite each other, and he stares at me intently.
“You know, that’s the first time I’ve seen you really laugh.”
“It’s probably the first time I’ve laughed in weeks. It feels good.”
“Good,” he says. “You’re beautiful when you laugh.”
I look down at my hands resting on the picnic table. It’s been a long time since a man gave me a compliment, and it brings the sting of tears to my eyes. Damn. I blink quickly, hoping he won’t notice, but no chance of that.
“Hey, what’s the matter? You’re supposed to smile when a man calls you beautiful, not cry.”
I smile thinly at his joke and wipe my eyes.
“It’s just been a long time since I was called beautiful. I’m not sure why it upset me.”
“I promise not to call you beautiful ever again,” he says solemnly, and this time I laugh.
“I’m just not used to someone being so nice to me.”
His meaty hand rests on mine. It’s warm and comforting. “You want to tell me about it?”
I look up at his face full of concern and realize yeah, I do.
“I left my ex recently. Things turned bad, and I left in a hurry.”
“I figured that much,” he says gently.
“We got together when I was seventeen, and I was pregnant by eighteen.”
“This is Jason’s father?”
“Yeah.” I nod. “We tried to make a go of it. He was a good father at first and sweet to me. But he couldn’t hold down a job, and after a while we were really struggling to make ends meet.”
I look away to the line of trees wondering how much I should tell him.
“Let me guess,” says Flynn. “He looked for other ways to make money?”
I turn back sharply. “You must be a good cop.”
“It’s not as uncommon as you think, turning to crime out of desperation.”
I nod. “You’ve got to understand. Jayden wasn’t a bad man. He did love me, and he adored Jason, would do anything for him. I just didn’t realize how far he’d go. I’m not sure when it started. I only found out about most of what he’d been up to at the trial.”
“He was put away?”
“Two years for burglary. You might have heard about the case. Him and another guy broke into Tyler Winston’s place.”
“The basketball player?”
“Yeah, it was all over the news. Tyler disturbed them and wrestled Jayden to the floor.”
“They chose the wrong celebrity mansion to hit. When did he get out?”
“A few months ago on parole.”
“You waited for him?”
“When he was convicted, he was really repentant. He broke down in front of me, said how sorry he was and how he didn’t want to lose me and Jason. He swore he’d change, get his life back on track, and be a different person when he got out. So I waited for him. And he was a different person. He was mean and hard and distrustful.”
I shake my head and look away.
“I’m sure he went straight back into it. He wouldn’t tell me where he was going, but got angry whenever I left the house. He became suspicious over everything I did. Wouldn’t believe I didn’t have a boyfriend when he was inside. I couldn’t take it anymore. Told him I was leaving him, that I didn’t want Jason growing up in this environment. That was when he hit me.”
Flynn’s hand squeezes mine too hard, and I can tell he’s angry.
“I was terrified, but I pretended to forgive him. I knew it was the only chance I had. When he went out a few nights later, I packed a couple of bags and fled with Jason.”
Flynn’s been watching me intently as I tell him my story, one hand over mine, the other clenched into a fist.
“Did you go to the police?”
I shake my head. “I didn’t want to drag Jason through a court case. I thought it was best to get away. Start a new life.”
“He should be put away for doing that to you. It’s not too late to file a report.”
“No thanks. I’d rather move on with my life.”
Flynn nods, but I can tell he’s not happy. I try to smile. “I’d better be getting back; I’ll need to pick Jason up soon.”
“Sure.”
We get on the bike and head back into town. When we pull up outside Flynn’s place, he seems preoccupied. I thank him for helping out with the garden. He gives me a quick nod and heads inside, leaving me wondering if opening up to him was a mistake.
4
Flynn
As soon as we get back from the ride, I say a quick goodbye to Lucy and go inside. I’m so angry I can’t stop clenching my fists. What kind of coward hits a woman? Especially someone as beautiful and sweet as Lucy.
I grab my laptop and open an internet browser. It’s easy to find the old news story about the break-in that she was talking about, and then easy to find the name I’m looking for. I sit back and smile.
“Let’s see what you’ve been up to Jayden Smith.”
The next day I’m back on shift, and I head into the station early. Once at my desk, I open the database and run a search on Jayden Smith.
The file comes up as Lucy described, charged with burglary, sentenced to two years, and paroled after eighteen months. His address is listed as a small town on the county border. I frown, wondering why Lucy didn’t go further away. Maybe she wanted to stay close to friends and family. It makes me feel uneasy. He’s too close for comfort.
I’m scrolling through his file notes when something catches my eye.
“Shit.” I lean in and read the note again.
I push my desk chair back and head to the Sergeant’s office.
“I’ve got a lead I need to follow, Sarge I’m gonna head out.”
“You need anyone to go with you?”
I shake my head, and he looks at me severely. “I don’t want any solo heroics.”
“I’ll call it in if I need any back-up.”
I head back home as fast as I can, my blood racing. Lucy’s outside watering some plants. Relief washes over me when I see her. She gives me a friendly wave.
“Don’t you ever work?” she asks.
“I’m on a special case,” I tell her. “It’s odd hours.”
I decide against telling her what I found on Jayden’s file. She’s in a good mood and happier than I’ve seen her. I don’t want to worry her, especially as my hunch might be
wrong.
“I’ve got a bunch of paperwork I need to do inside,” I lie. “You make sure you keep that door locked.”
She frowns at me. “There’ve been some burglaries in the area,” I add hastily, cringing inwardly because I’ve just told her another lie. But her face brightens.
“I doubt we have anything worth stealing,” she says. “But I’ll lock the door. I always do.”
I go inside and watch from the kitchen window until she goes into her house. Then I get my binoculars from out of the cupboard and head upstairs. I try all my upstairs windows until I find the best vantage point. From my spare room, I can see her front door and also into the back yard.
I take up my position and wait.
There’s no suspicious movement throughout the day, and I feel like a stalker watching her hang out washing and sweep the front drive. She’s a woman who likes to keep a clean house, and I feel a pang in my heart as I watch her go about her daily tasks. I push my feelings aside; I need to keep this strictly professional.
Just before three Lucy heads out in the car, presumably to get Jason, and I head downstairs for a break. I make myself a quick sandwich and take it upstairs with me.
I’m back in position by the time she gets back. I watch her and Jason go inside the house.
A few minutes later the front door opens, and Jason comes bursting outside with his bike. Lucy follows calling something to him. She’s holding something in her hands, and I watch her walk across the drive. Oh shit, she’s heading this way.
I jump out of my chair as there’s a knock on the door. I throw the binoculars down and race downstairs.
By the time I open the door, I’m smiling calmly.
“I made you a pie,” she says holding it out in front of her. “To say thanks for helping with the garden.”
“What flavor?” I ask
“Apple.”
“My favorite kind of pie,” I say grinning. “You wanna come in?”
She comes into the kitchen and sets the pie down on the counter. “I’m not disturbing your work, am I?” she asks looking around.
“Nothing I can’t take a break from,” I say, closing the open laptop on the table where I was going over Jayden’s file.
“Is it top secret?”
“Absolutely,” I say with a smile. “Do you want some pie? I won’t be able to eat it all on my own.”
“Sure. Let me cut it for you.”
She cuts up the pie as I put the coffee on. I’m reluctant to move out of the kitchen with Jason playing just outside, so I pull out the stools from the kitchen bar and I make sure I’ve got the one that looks out the window so I can keep an eye on him.
She’s looking past me, and I turn to see what she’s looking at.
“How may brothers do you have?” she asks, peering at the family photos I’ve got on my wall. “They must be your brothers; you all look so much alike.”
I chuckle. “There are six of us.”
Her eyes go wide. “Six boys. Your poor mother.”
I laugh again.
“Who’s the one in uniform?”
“That’s Owen. He’s on tour at the moment. We all try to get together whenever he comes back. You like a man in uniform, do you?”
She shakes her head, embarrassed. “Oh no, that’s not what I meant. He’s not the one I like.”
She stops talking abruptly, and a red flush creeps up her neck.
I lean across the breakfast bar. “Which one do you like?” My voice comes out husky. My face is inches from hers, and I can smell the warm pastry still on her mixed with scented soap.
Her lips part as if to say something, but no sound comes out. I close the gap between us, claiming her mouth with mine. She tastes of apples and I slip my tongue between her soft lips, pressing into the crevices of her mouth.
I slide off the stool and move around to stand before her, our mouths locked together. Her body pushes into mine and I slide my arm around her waist, pulling her toward me.
My body presses against her soft curves, and my dick hardens against her. She moans into my mouth and tilts her head back. My lips slide down her neck, brushing the delicate skin there.
“Mommy, Mommy!”
We jump apart, and I race to the door. I pull it open to find Jason on the ground, tangled in his bike.
“Mommy, I fell over.”
I breathe a sigh of relief as Lucy pushes past me. My blood is pumping, and I silently kick myself for dropping my vigil, and for kissing Lucy and making it personal. But it’s always been personal, my heart whispers.
As I watch her pick up Jason and tend to his scratches, I have a jolt of realization. This is the woman I want to be with, to protect forever, to be the mother of my children.
She gives me a wave over her shoulder as she takes Jason into the house. I head back upstairs and pick up the binoculars, hoping like hell my hunch is wrong.
It’s 3:00 a.m., and I’m on my third pot of coffee. I rub my tired eyes and slap my face, trying to keep myself awake. I’ve switched the binoculars to infrared so I can see movement in the dark.
It’s been three days since Jayden missed his scheduled check-in with his parole office. Enough time for him to track down Lucy and turn up here.
I stand up and stretch, putting the binoculars down for a moment but never taking my eyes off the house. That’s when I see the movement.
I squint at the shape creeping up the driveway. It could be a person hunched over, or it could be another dog. There’ve been a few wandering around throughout the night.
The shape goes around the side of the house, and I lose it in a blind spot.
“Shit.”
I swing the binoculars around, scanning the back yard. After a few moments, I pick out the shape sneaking around the corner of the house.
The shape straightens up, and it’s definitely a person, someone wearing a hoodie over their head. But I don’t need to identify them to know that’s Jayden.
I grab my phone and call for back-up as I run downstairs. Then I slip quietly out of the house and follow him next door.
5
Lucy
Something wakes me, a noise like glass breaking. My heart’s thumping in my chest as I reach under the bed for the baseball bat I keep there. My fingers find the smooth handle, and I pull it into bed with me.
There’s a knot of fear in my stomach as I listen to the sounds of the house.
All is quiet, and I’m beginning to think I imagined it when I hear a creak on the stair. I get out of bed quietly, bat in hand, and creep to the door. I silently pull the door open and have to stifle a scream.
There’s a figure on the landing standing in the doorway to Jason’s room. I can tell from the back that it’s Jayden.
I raise my bat and creep forward. If he hurts Jason, I won’t hesitate to swing.
The floorboard below me creaks, and Jayden spins around. I freeze, suddenly terrified.
His mouth opens in a wild grin. “Not the reception I was hoping for, Lucy.”
He lunges forward, and I swing the bat. He dodges the hit easily and grabs me by the arm. I’m no match for his strength, and he wrestles the bat out of my hand at the same time as he pushes me backwards into my room.
“Did you think I wouldn’t find you?” His breath stinks of stale beer and cigarettes. “You can’t run from me, Lucy.”
He pushes me onto the bed. I struggle, but he’s a big guy and he pins me down easily. I call out, but he thrusts a meaty hand over my mouth.
“Don’t want to wake the baby, do we?”
My heart’s hammering, and I think I’m about to be sick. Then suddenly he’s being lifted off me.
I roll off the bed and collapse on the floor, gasping for breath.
“What the fuck?” says Jayden.
I look up to see Flynn pinning Jayden to the wall with thick arms.
“What the fuck you doing, man...?” says Jayden.
“I’m arresting you, asshole. For breaking and entering an
d assault. But first,” he pulls his fist back, “this is for hurting my girl.”
He lets the punch go, and it lands squarely in Jayden’s face. Jayden slumps forward, unconscious, as blood spurts out of his nose. Flynn turns him around and roughly cuffs his hands behind his back, leaving him slumped against the wall.
Then he crouches in front of me, concern etched across his face.
“You okay?”
I nod.
“Are you hurt?”
I shake my head. “I’m shaken, but he didn’t hurt me.”
I struggle to get to my feet.
“You should sit for a few minutes. There’s another officer coming. They’ll want to take a statement.”
“I need to get Jason out of here. I don’t want him to see his dad.”
“Mommy?” Jason is standing in the doorway. Flynn stands and turns quickly to block his view of Jayden.
“What’s happening, Mommy?”
“Mommy had a fright, and Flynn came over to check that I was okay.” I scramble to my feet and lead him out to the landing. “Did the noise wake you?”
He nods. “Can I sleep with you tonight?”
“Mommy needs to stay up and speak to the police. Why don’t you come downstairs with me, and I’ll make you a hot chocolate?”
I get a blanket from his room and lead him downstairs just as a police car turns up.
Flynn comes down to explain what happened, giving me time to get Jason a hot chocolate. He drinks it down and is soon fast asleep on the couch, so he doesn’t see Jayden being led downstairs and put in the back of a police car.
After they take Jayden away, Flynn joins me in the living room and holds my hand as I give my statement.
They find a broken pane of glass on the back door where he got in.
By the time the police are gone, it’s 5:00 a.m. and I’m exhausted. I look over to where Jason is sleeping peacefully on the couch.
“I guess I’m not getting back to bed tonight.”
Flynn squeezes my hand. “I’m not going anywhere, so you may as well lie down next to him and get some sleep.”