On Broken Wings (The Witness Series Book 7)

by Heather D'Agostino

  I turned towards my brother as tears began to cascade down my cheeks. “Can you take me home?” I sobbed. He nodded and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to his chest. “I don’t want to see him anymore.” I cried. “Tell him I want him to stay away if he comes over.” I buried my face in Mason’s chest so I wouldn’t have to see Evan when we went outside, but I could hear him.

  “Jenni, wait!” he yelled. I could hear the slapping of his shoes on the pavement. “Talk to me.”

  “You’re a liar,” I screamed as I spun to stare him down. “You’ve lied to me about everything!”

  “I was protecting you.” He started to step towards me.

  “No! I don’t want anything from you. Stay away from me. You’re just like the others!” I turned and let Mason walk me to his car, leaving Evan standing there on the sidewalk staring at my back.

  Chapter 23

  Evan

  “I just wanted to talk to her,” the guy in the back of the cruiser grumbled.

  “Shut up!” I snapped as I maneuvered the car down the street. I was off duty tonight, but this was my collar.

  “She with you now, or something?” He chuckled like it was the funniest thing on the planet. “She wasn’t very good from what I remember.” He sighed as he flopped back against the seat. “She’s got a few more curves now though.” He grinned.

  “If you don’t shut up, I’m going to go back to the bar and let Mason have a few private minutes with you.” I glared at him through the rearview mirror.

  He rolled his eyes as he snapped his mouth shut. Smart guy. It didn’t take long until we were pulling into my station. I parked the cruiser, tossed the keys to the officer I borrowed it from and grabbed the douche bag from the back seat. “Let’s go.” I grabbed his upper arm and walked him into the district. “Thanks, man. I’ll get someone to take me back for my car.” I waved before disappearing inside.

  After tossing Nate into the holding cell, I grabbed the paperwork to file my drunk and disorderly. Paperwork was the last thing I wanted to do, but I knew Jenni needed to process what happened. She wasn’t going to talk to me right now and Mason was going to make sure I didn’t get within fifty feet of her. I had no idea what I was going to do to make it better, but I knew arresting Nate was a start.

  ooooooooo

  Jenni

  It didn’t take long to get home. When we reached the apartment door, Mason sighed. “I’ll be fine. I just want to be alone,” I mumbled as I tossed my purse on the couch.

  “I’ll be here if you need me. I’m not going anywhere tonight, Jen.” He patted my shoulder and then shuffled into the kitchen. I heard the hiss of a beer can opening as I disappeared into the bathroom.

  I peeled my clothes off and tossed them onto the floor as I reached into the shower and turned the water on. I stared at my reflection in the mirror as I waited for the water to heat. My eyes were red and puffy from crying. My skin was blotchy and my hair was a mess.

  I could still smell Evan’s cologne on my skin from when we were dancing. It made me feel sick. How could I have been so blind? I let him sleep with me, touch me, tell me he loved me. My stomach rolled at the thought. He’d spent months pursuing me and why? He was lying the whole time. What kind of sick, twisted person does that?

  When steam started flowing out of the shower, I stepped in under the spray. As the hot water cascaded over me, I let the tears come once again. My body shook as my sobs turned into wailing cries. I let my body slide to the floor and rock gently as the water beat down on me.

  When the hot water began to turn cool, I twisted the knob and climbed out. I was pruny from staying in so long. I grabbed a fluffy towel, wrapped it around myself and shuffled across the hall and into my bedroom. I stood there staring at my bed in disgust. I hadn’t changed the sheets yet.

  I let the towel fall as I growled under my breath. Anger was replacing the sadness and I took that anger out on my bed. I yanked at the sheets, throwing them in a pile as they slipped off. I grabbed clean ones from my closet and remade my bed as I angrily wiped wet strands of my hair from my eyes.

  When I finished, I jerked a t-shirt on, flipped the lights off and then crawled into bed. Darkness would be my friend tonight. As I tugged the blankets up to my chin, I started to cry again. Why had he done this? Why did he lie to me? After everything I told him, he knew that lying was the way to break me. Why did he do it?

  The questions swirled in my head as sleep finally took over. It had to be late, but my brain wouldn’t turn off. It wanted answers, answers that I didn’t have.

  ooooooooo

  “Jen?” Mason knocked on my door. “Do you plan to go to work today, or am I telling Dev that you quit?” He sighed as a soft thump sounded from where his head landed against my door.

  “Go away,” I grumbled as I rolled over and tugged the covers over my head. I’d been locked in my room for a week now. Evan hadn’t even attempted to come see me, which was way worse than if he had. This meant he really didn’t care. I was just another girl to him and meant nothing.

  “I’m not going away,” he grumbled as the door squeaked open. “I’m coming in.” I pulled the covers away from my eyes just enough to see him. My brother was standing in the doorway dressed in his work attire with one hand over his eyes. “You need to get out of this room, Jen.” He kept his hand in place. “Don’t let him determine your future. You’ve worked way too hard to move on, and live. So LIVE!” His fingers spread apart slightly so he could see.

  “I’m dressed,” I muttered as I rolled onto my side.

  “You’re wearing the same shirt I saw you in three days ago.” Mason shook his head. “We’re getting pizza tonight,” he declared. “I’m getting you out of this apartment.”

  “I don’t want pizza. I hate it.” I frowned.

  “Since when?” Mason sat down on the edge of my bed.

  I slowly sat up, my lip quivering as the tears came back. I’d been crying pretty much nonstop unless I was asleep. “Since he brought it for our last date night.”

  “We’ll go somewhere else then. Come here.” He opened his arms and I climbed into them like I used to when we were kids. “We can go wherever you want to, Jen, but we need to go. You can’t do this to yourself. You’re scaring me.”

  “I’ll be ok.” I sniffed as I wiped my eyes. “It’s not like before. This is a different kind of hurt and it hurts so bad.”

  “I know. We’ll get take out and go to Dani’s. He won’t look there and we can get whatever you want to eat.” Mason smiled as I nodded.

  “Ok. I don’t want to go to work today. I’ll call Dev and tell him that I won’t be in until Monday. That’ll give me the weekend to convince myself I can do this.”

  “I have to go in for the lunch shift. They’re short bussers today. I’ll be home around four. Think about what you want for food and I’ll pick it up on my way home.” He hugged me one last time before standing and leaving.

  ooooooooo

  It took some convincing of myself, but I did get out of bed. I needed to wash my clothes and the sheets I’d ripped off the bed. The building was usually pretty empty during the day, so I wanted to go claim a washer while I had the chance.

  I climbed out of bed, pulled on a pair of cotton shorts and a t-shirt, and twisted my hair on top of my head. I grabbed my laundry basket and began stuffing all the clothes I’d thrown on the floor over the last week and my sheets into it. When my yellow sundress landed with a flop in the basket, the smell of Evan’s cologne wafted up, tickling my nose. I fought the urge to cry again as I began carrying everything out to the living room.

  With the basket on my hip, I swung open the door. If I wasn’t paying attention, I would have tripped over it. There, sitting on the ground right in front of the door, was a paper coffee cup. As I set the basket down, I reached for it. It wasn’t hot anymore, but I could clearly see where the barista had labeled it as a caramel latte. In messy penmanship that I already recognized were the words ‘I’m sorry’ with E
van’s phone number. My throat tightened as I glanced each way down the hallway. Evan was nowhere in sight, but I wondered if he was hiding somewhere watching me.

  I stepped back into the apartment, placed the cup on the counter and then grabbed the basket to continue my task. I ignored his coffee attempts in the beginning, I could ignore them again. He’d give up soon enough and leave me alone.

  ooooooooo

  Evan

  I was an idiot, that much I knew. I should have never pursued her while I was on the job. I should have kept my distance, stayed away from the classes she was in, and waited. Instead, I took classes that weren’t part of my cover, pursued her like a crazy stalker and then proceeded to date her. I was an idiot then and I’m being an idiot now.

  It’s been a week. I’ve resisted calling her for a week. I’ve driven by her apartment every day hoping to catch a glimpse of her. Her curtains have been drawn and she hasn’t come outside once. I know this because I’ve been going by Ford Stevenson Security every day too.

  “Your captain know you been surveilling your girlfriend?” Dev shouted across the street as he came out of the office and over to my window with a bottled water. It was hot out today and I’ve been sitting in my car across the street all morning.

  “I’m off duty.” I rolled my eyes.

  “Un huh.” Dev chuckled as he nodded. “You look real off duty here staring at my business and scaring people away.”

  “Is she in there?” I took the top off the water and swallowed a huge gulp.

  “No.” He shook his head. “She’s stayed at home all week. I know you don’t want to hear this, but you need to back off.”

  “I love her,” I muttered as I took another gulp of water.

  “Which is why you need to back off.” Dev took a few steps back. “Come with me.” He waved his arm and against everything I thought I should be doing at the moment, I got out and followed him.

  “Where are we going?” I rubbed my face as we briskly walked up the sidewalk, away from the office.

  “Somewhere where my colleagues won’t be listening.” He laughed. “Mark is a nosy ass.”

  I kept pace with Dev until we came to a small picnic area. It was one of the places that the city was using to encourage more foot traffic. “Here works.” Dev sat down. “I know I was hard on you, but I used to be you. I fell in love with a girl in witness protection.” He paused as my mouth dropped open. I’d heard things about his relationship with Sam, but I didn’t know everything.

  “Should you be telling me this?” I twisted my mouth in confusion.

  “Old news, bro.” Dev laughed. “You see, when I met her, she was lying about who she was. Before I knew it, the Marshalls moved her. It took years and a freak assignment for me to find her again. When I did, I was lying about who I was. I knew it was her, but she didn’t know it was me. My cover was supposed to be hunting her. I was falling in love with the woman I was supposed to murder. Let that sink in. You talk about protection. She was right in the mix.” He shook his head.

  “That sucks,” I mumbled. I didn’t know what to say. They were together now, so things had to have worked out.

  “Yeah, it did suck, but after everything came out and she found out who I was, she came back to me. We both knew that our bond was stronger than any of the lies we’d told one another and that’s my point. Stop being the creepy guy and let her come to you. You can’t force her to forgive you. Just be there and when she’s ready she’ll find you.” He slapped his hand on my shoulder before standing and walking back the way we came.

  Dev’s words tumbled around in my head for the rest of the afternoon. It was eye opening, but heart breaking at the same time. How was I supposed to let her go? How could I stand back and wait for her to come to me? What if she never came to me? What if I broke her too bad to be fixed? What if she finally learned to fly and it wasn’t with me? What if I’ve lost her for good, then what? What was next?

  Chapter 24

  Jenni

  When I woke up this morning, something felt different. My heart didn’t feel shattered. Only an ache filled my chest and I pushed it aside as I got ready for the day. It’s been a month and I’m slowly getting better. Mason hasn’t pushed me to talk to Evan and work has helped keep me occupied. I’d like to say that I wasn’t angry anymore, but that’s still debatable. Against my better judgement, I lashed out at Dev shortly after I went back to the office. He knew Evan was a cop and he helped him hide it from me. They all knew, and Mark’s reactions during my short affair proved it. I’ve forgiven them, but it still stings and every time they’re whispering about something, I wonder if it’s about me.

  School starts back in a few days. I’ve bought my books and gotten my schedule for classes. I told Dev I’d still work part time, but I don’t know how well that’s going to work out. The office is closed at night and on weekends and that’s the main time that I’m free. With only a year left, I still don’t know what I want to do when I graduate. I’ve thought about leaving Chicago. I could go somewhere totally new and make a fresh start. No one would know me and I could be anyone.

  “Don’t forget about meeting Dani today!” Mason called from the living room.

  “I won’t.” I laughed. “You’re going to be late again if you don’t leave.” I was supposed to meet Dani at a dress shop downtown. She and Mason had actually been planning their wedding. She’d asked me to be a bridesmaid and invited me to help pick the dresses. It was helping keep my mind on something else, so I agreed.

  “I’m going. I’m going.” He laughed as I heard the door click.

  Ooooooooo

  I spent the morning in the office and then left in the early afternoon to meet Dani. It was a cool day, fall was just around the corner and you could feel the slight chill in the air. Leaves would soon start changing and all the things I loved would be coming back. Pumpkin spiced everything, sweaters, the crunch of leaves under your feet, all things Halloween and best of all… snuggling under a blanket on a cold night.

  The dress shop was just a few blocks from work, so I opted to walk. I pretty much walked everywhere unless the weather was bad and then I took the L. When I reached the shop, Dani was waiting by the door.

  “I’m so glad you could make it today. I’ve got a few for you to try.” Dani clapped excitedly as she opened the door for us.

  “I’m glad you finally got my brother to pick a date.” I rolled my eyes as I laughed. It was a foreign feeling and I guess my reaction showed on my face because Dani threw her arms around me in a giant hug.

  “Since the wedding’s in November, I want to go with fall colors.” She tapped her chin. “Maybe a burnt orange or brown with a red or orange accent.”

  “I like this one.” I pulled at the skirt of a navy dress that was in her pile.

  “I do too, but I’m not sure about the color.” Dani’s lips twisted in thought.

  “I think it’ll be easier for most people to wear over brown,” I mused as I grabbed the dress and began walking toward the dressing room.

  “Maybe.” Dani followed in my wake.

  We spent several hours trying on dresses. Two of Dani’s friends showed up later and we convinced her that the navy dress was the best choice. Amber was quite vocal and pretty much told Dani that she would not be wearing brown. I laughed at the two of them. They reminded me of the way Kenzie and I used to be. I missed having a close friend and I hoped that Dani could be that for me since we’d soon be sisters. Only time would tell, but I had a good feeling about it.

  ooooooooo

  Today was it. The first day of classes. I had four business classes and my final French class. As I packed my backpack, I felt a little twinge in my heart. I wouldn’t have Evan to study with this go round. I’d have to find someone new. So far, I’d been successful in avoiding places he might be, but I also wondered if he’d be on campus. What if he really was a student?

  After grabbing my coffee tumbler and swinging my backpack up on my shoulder, I locked up the
apartment and started my trek to the L. My first class was early this semester and while I enjoyed the cool breeze in the air now, I knew I’d soon be cursing myself when the snow came.

  When I reached campus I glanced around, looking for signs of Evan. I hadn’t seen him in weeks, so I don’t know why I was so paranoid. Seeing the coast was clear, I began the trek to my first class. I wasn’t far away from Booker Hall. This was where all the business classes usually were. I’d be in here until lunch time, only changing rooms.

  I found my first class and settled into a seat near the front. I recognized a few of my classmates, but not everyone. When the professor came in, I grabbed a notebook and pen to begin taking notes. Most of the class was about expectations and the goals for the semester. The professor handed out a few sheets of paper with our syllabus and a few projects before dismissing us.

  My next three classes went much the same way, and by time the last one let out I was starving. I stuffed my notebook in my backpack and headed for the front of the building. There was a small dining area right across the quad where I could grab something to go. I wasn’t paying attention as I rushed down the steps and that’s when I crashed into him.

  As if it was a scene right out of a movie, my bent head went right into a hard chest. My backpack slipped off my shoulder, crashing to the ground in the process and I jolted back in surprise as an expletive flew out of his mouth.

  “Shit!” He steadied me with one hand as coffee slopped over on his other.

  “I’m sorry. I should have been watching where I was going.” The rest of my thoughts left my brain as my eyes connected with Evan’s. “I need to go.” I started to step around him.

  “Jenni. Wait.” He reached for my arm, but I recoiled much like I did the first few times we hung out.

  “I deserve that,” he muttered as he shook his head. “I thought you might want to study.” He held out the cup for me to take. It had his name on it with his phone number again. We were back to the same banter that we shared when we first met, only this time I wasn’t buying it.