by Ancelli
“I think you need to check again. They’re working on his release papers as we speak. If you’ll excuse us, I need a word with my client.”
The two cops practically ran out of the room with their tails between their legs.
“Andrew Johnston.” He extended his arm and Perry shook his hand. The name sounded familiar. He sat in front of him. “You are family, I heard.”
“Family?”
“My mother-in-law, Joy, woke me up, demanding I drive three hours to help her sister’s ex, soon-to-be-again son-in-law.” Andrew chuckled. “Noreen is just as sweet and bossy as Mrs. Joy.”
“She is.” He owed that family so much already.
“How’s the hand?”
“I’ve been through worse.” The impact to the brick was starting to show. His knuckles were black and blue, and double their normal size.
Andrew placed his hand on the table and laced his fingers. “Why didn’t you report her before?”
“They have witnesses and videos against Lorie, and they are still treating me like I’m guilty. If I had come in here and reported her, I would’ve received the same treatment I’m receiving tonight. I’m guilty just because I’m a man. The first thing they would ask is, what did I do to make a woman like her hit me?” Perry combed his hair with his fingers. “Her blows didn’t faze me. She couldn’t hurt me. I know my strength, man. If I would’ve hit her back, I would’ve severely injured her like I did tonight, and I just slammed her.”
“She threatened to kill you,” Andrew said.
“Lorie has threatened to kill me so many times. It was normal until she actually tried to run me over with my car.” Perry was uncomfortable speaking to someone other than Marco about what had been happening in his house. “At first, I just thought she was moody, until I met her parents. She learned that behavior from her father, and after he found out I wanted to help the woman, it got worse. Now that I’ve chosen to walk away from it all, she can’t seem to let me go.”
“She has no other choice now. I read your file,” he said. “You come from a violent background, too. Did you ever strike back?”
“I was a street fighter and I did what I did to survive. I won’t apologize for my past because the training gave me discipline, believe it or not. I would never inflict pain on a woman, but tonight I snapped.”
“I saw the video. I would’ve snapped, too, if someone punched me in the face like that and then held a weapon to my neck,” Andrew added. “You didn’t actually hit her. You slammed her against the wall, defending yourself. You’ll be out of here before morning. Now, my only concern is the guy you assaulted.”
“He had it coming.” Perry reared back in the metal chair. “I’ll suffer the consequences of my action on that one.”
“I understand. I’ve lost my control more than once when it came to my wife.” Andrew rubbed his neck. “Did your wife threaten Alicia’s life before tonight?”
“She started threatening her when I’d had enough. I guess it was her last try in getting me to stay.” Perry sighed. “If she ever hurt Alicia because of me, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. I can’t fucking help who I love.”
Andrew chuckled. “One day I’ll tell you my history with my wife Sherry. She’s one of a kind.”
Perry was thankful that Andrew had driven down three hours to help him. “Where’s Alicia and my daughter?”
“Alicia was released, but she says she’s not leaving the police station until your release, and your daughter’s with your mom.”
“You mean my aunt?”
“Yes, the woman with the tattoo on her wrist,” Andrew said.
“Yes.” Thank God his baby girl was safe from Lorie. “I don’t want my daughter near her mother right now.”
“Because this is a domestic case, CPS will get involved,” Andrew mentioned. “They allowed your aunt to watch her until the investigation is over. Your aunt must know people in high places.”
“Why do you say that?” Perry asked, confused.
“She made a couple of calls after they told her she couldn’t have your daughter, and in less than ten minutes they changed their minds, and she said she had your bail money, no matter the price.” Andrew smiled. “Your therapist is here, too.”
“Who?”
“Marco Peterson.”
Perry smiled. The people who cared for him had showed up and represented.
The cop walked in the room. “You’ve been released on bail. Do not leave the area. This investigation isn’t over. We don’t take domestic violence and child endangerment lightly at this precinct,” the African American female said.
Perry stood. “I have zero tolerance for any child being endangered by someone that’s supposed to love and protect them. I stayed in the fucking house because of my child. I left that said house because of my child. I’m not a weak man,” he looked at her badge, “Mrs. Grams, as you can tell by my record. I know my strength but I also know my limits. She is deranged and dangerous and I don’t want her anywhere near my daughter. I would also like to press charges and request a protective order against Lorie Valentin.”
“For?”
Andrew smirked. “Domestic abuse. Let’s go, Perry.”
As soon as Alicia saw Perry, she jumped in his arms. “Oh God!” She cupped his face and showered his lips with kisses and then turned to Andrew. “Thank you!”
“You’re welcome.” Andrew pulled out his car keys. “Go get that hand checked. I’ll take care of everything here. I’ll update you when I find anything out.”
“Let’s go to the hospital.” She took his good hand in hers. “I’ll call you guys later.” As they walked out of the precinct, Perry stopped her.
He gazed into her brown eyes. “What would I do without you?”
“You will never have to find out.” Alicia smiled. “We wasted so many years already. I don’t want to waste any more time. Come on, that hand looks really bad.”
***
Perry leaned the passenger seat all the way back. “Where it Hurts” by Tamar Braxton softly played through Alicia’s speakers. She often conveyed what she was feeling through music. He covered his eyes with his splinted, bandaged hand. He’d fractured three knuckles. “I’m sorry this mess ruined your birthday,” he mumbled.
Alicia pulled over to the emergency lane and placed the car in park, making him uncover his eyes.
“Why did you stop?” he asked.
“This isn’t your fault. None of this situation is on you.” She twisted to the side, gazing into his hazel eyes. “I hope you know that this evening doesn’t change how I feel about you.”
“It should.” He looked away from her and swallowed. “I should’ve walked away.”
“I know the real you.” Alicia placed her fingers under his chin, making him look at her. “You have kept everything that was happening in your house bottled up for so long. If it wasn’t for Mia, I wouldn’t have known. Perry, no man or woman should be treated the way she did you. Putting her hands on you, and you never once fought back. She was verbally and emotionally abusive and when her attempts to put you down didn’t work, she turned physically abusive. This is on her, not you.”
“You warned me,” he whispered. “I was about to walk away and then she held that busted bottle to my neck. When I felt it pierce my skin, I lost it. I could’ve severely hurt her.”
“But you didn’t.”
“Because you were there.” He sighed. “I blanked out.”
Alicia caressed his bruised jaw. “I’m so sorry this is happening to you.”
“I brought this on myself. I shouldn’t have married a woman I didn’t love out of obligation.” He chuckled softly. “You must think I’m a wuss for allowing a woman to hit me.”
She pulled her hand away from him. “No, Perry, I thought that made you commendable. I know your past, but I also know you don’t have it in you to hit a woman. But when a woman hits you as though she was a man, then the consequences are on her, too.”
“I
was raised never to hit a woman. My aunt has to be ashamed of me.” Perry sighed. “She’d been so proud of me and my accomplishments lately. I remember when I got in trouble as a teen, the look of disappointment in her eyes, and now years later, I put her in the same predicament.” He shook his head. “Where did she get the money for the bond? Please tell me she didn’t put up her house.”
“Your aunt has always been proud of you, no matter what. She wasn’t there when you were released because she had to pick up Tiffany from my neighbors’. That woman worships the ground you walk on. Nothing you do will change that.” She changed the gear to drive and pulled away. “I was about to get the bail money but she beat me to it. Lola stopped me from filling out the paperwork. She said someone owed her a favor, and then she made a call and within minutes you were bailed out.”
He clenched his jaw. “Alicia—”
She raised her hand, stopping him. She knew what he was going to say. “Just like your aunt, I would do anything for you. Your relationship with that bitch is partially my fault.”
“Marrying her was my choice, not yours.” He closed his eyes. “Can you drop me off at my apartment? I’ll pick up my car tomorrow. I need some time to myself.”
“Nope, you’re coming home with me.” Alicia glanced at him as he stared back at her. “We’re not arguing about this. I want your strong arms wrapped around me tonight.”
He stared out the window. “You shouldn’t be around me. I don’t want to put you in harm’s way.”
“Is that why you stayed with Lorie?” Her grip on the steering wheel became tighter when he didn’t answer.
“No.” He opened and closed his fist, and then wiggled his fingers.
“You’re lying to me!” She banged the steering wheel with her fist. “She threatened you, me, and to keep Tiffany away from you.” Her eyes stung with unshed tears. Lorie had used his love for Alicia and his daughters to get what she wanted. “Thank you.”
“For?” he whispered.
“For loving me.” She took his left hand and brought it up to her lips and kissed it. “You’ve always used your hands to love me, never to do any harm.” And then she entwined their fingers. “I made you a promise years ago and I’ve never turned my back on you, and I’m not going to start now. I love you.” She glanced his way, and then back at the road.
Perry squeezed her fingers, but didn’t say anything else.
Chapter Fourteen
Alicia stared at her reflection in the mirror as she took off her makeup and removed the clip extension pieces from her hair. She combed her natural hair out and then wrapped it up in a pink scarf before entering her shower. Alicia’s heart ached for Perry; he was beating himself up over what had happened that night, even though it wasn’t his fault. She let the warm water splash over her aching body. Her right fist hurt from hitting Byron and Lorie earlier. She opened and closed her palm. The hand wasn’t broken, just a little sore—nothing some ice couldn’t cure. She grabbed her washcloth and scrubbed her skin. Perry had been the only man that loved her for who she was, loved even her faults. He embraced her imperfections, the things she found wrong in her, yet he demanded she was perfect. Was she willing to give all herself to him again, body and soul?
“Yes,” she said on a sigh. Alicia closed her eyes, thanking God that Perry was safe and sound in the other bathroom. She also thanked Him for the man she knew Perry was, and finally, she was grateful to be given another chance to collect one of her biggest blessings: her Perry. Sometimes you had to go through trials and tribulations to find that what you already had right in front of you was your destiny from the start. She stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her body. It had been one hell of a night. Alicia needed a good night’s sleep. Her eyelids were heavy as she walked out to her bedroom. She was going to check on Perry one last time before turning in for the night.
Someone rang the doorbell. By the clock on her nightstand, it was past one a.m. Who the hell would be knocking on her door at this time? Maybe it was Lola. She grabbed her robe, slipping it on, and walked out to the living room. She could hear the water running in the other shower as she continued to the front door. “Who is it?”
“Byron.”
Alicia’s heart began to race. What the hell was he thinking, coming to her house? “We have nothing more to say to each other,” she said from behind the barrier. “You’re a freaking liar! Did you stop and think about the consequences of your actions, when you lied on Perry?” It was Lorie and Byron’s fault Perry had been arrested.
“Come on, babe.”
“You’re trespassing!” She raised her voice. “Get off my property before I call the cops.”
“Alicia, I’m sorry.”
“Sorry won’t cut it, this time or any other time. I don’t ever want to see you again.” Alicia’s nose flared as she stared at the wooden door. “Now leave.”
“You’re choosing your ex over me?” He sounded very angry.
“Yes!” She sighed. “Yes, Perry is who I want.”
“Fuck you!” Byron shouted and banged on the door before walking away.
Alicia tied the belt of her robe tighter and went back to her bedroom.
***
Perry wrapped a plastic bag around his bandaged hand, and stepped into the shower. He tried to let the hot, steamy water wash away the night’s events. He placed his head under the stream as he hit the wall with his good fist. Why did he always let Lorie push his buttons? When she’d punched him, all he could hear was his little girl’s cries, and he knew he was at a point of no return. The pain in Tiffany’s gaze had angered him, and then Lorie had cut his flipping neck. Perry touched the spot with his fingertips, feeling the stitches sticking out. He shook his head. How the fuck had he ended up here? His mission in life was to be a good father. Perry treaded out of the shower, dried himself, and slipped on a pair of shorts he’d left in Mia’s room. He grabbed his cell phone. His aunt was calling again, but he couldn’t bear to listen to the disappointment in her voice, so he let it go to voicemail. He stared at his reflection in the mirror. His face and neck were bruised and his arms had surprisingly deep cuts made by Lorie’s nails. He took a deep breath, and strolled out of the bathroom. He pressed his forehead to Alicia’s door. His one desire that night was to hold her in his arms. Against his will, he headed to the living room. He turned on the lights, trying to make sense of everything that had happened.
Perry laid on her couch with only a pair of shorts on, staring up at the ceiling and letting his feet dangle over the armrest. He closed his eyes for a few seconds. Lorie had gotten what she’d wanted after all. He wasn’t going to put Alicia and his daughters in harm’s way. He finally got it: she was crazy. She wouldn’t have a problem hurting Alicia to get to him. Lorie had made that obvious through her actions.
He opened his eyes when he heard “Nobody” by Keith Sweat playing through the tiny speakers Alicia had in the corners of her living room. Perry glanced over to the entrance and Alicia was standing at the room’s threshold, wearing a white cotton robe and a pink scarf. She gazed back at him through seductive, brown eyes. Looking at Alicia, Perry swallowed. She was naturally beautiful; she didn’t need any makeup. It was moments like these that he found her the most stunning. He couldn’t stop staring at her. Was this goodbye?
“Don’t you dare change your mind about us,” she said, tilting her head. “Lorie won the fight, but she will not win the battle. I won’t let you push me away because you think she’ll come after me. Let her!” Alicia said with conviction. “Now, you owe me a birthday dance.” She took a few strides and extended her arm. “I remember this song playing the night you popped my cherry.” She chuckled.
Perry could never deny Alicia. He took her hand in his and he stood. She wrapped her arms around his neck and placed her head against his chest. He circled his hands around her waist and kissed the top of her head. “At this moment, you are the sexiest.”
She smiled. “Stop talking. I’m listening to your m
usic.”
He raised his eyebrow. “Huh?”
“Your heartbeat,” she whispered. “I remember laying my head on your chest while you slept. I would stop breathing for a few seconds, trying to get my heartbeat in sync with yours.”
He held her tighter. Perry had never known this little fact. “Did it work?”
“Every time.” Alicia leaned back and traced a heart on his chest with her fingertip, and then she looked up, into his eyes. “Those were the nights I lived for.” Her lips curled up. “I miss having you sleeping beside me. I’ve missed us.” She caressed his five-o-clock shadow. “I didn’t mean it when I told you to make a family with her.” Tears swam in her eyes. “I’m sorry…”
Perry tipped her chin up and softly kissed her lips. “This is on me, beautiful,” he said against her full lips. “I figured since I couldn’t have the woman I loved and my firstborn by my side, I would at least try to give my other daughter the family I never had growing up.” He wiped her falling tear with his thumb. “Not a day went by that I didn’t think about you, and she could see that. And then you moved back home, and Lorie got possessive of me. She got angrier, because she could tell there wasn’t a future between me and her, and anytime I voiced it she would threaten to keep Tiffany away from me. I couldn’t live a lie, and eventually I moved out of the bedroom.” He sighed. “I tried to be a good guy, but I couldn’t give up on you and what I know we could still have.”
She bit her bottom lip. “You don’t know how many times I wished I could change back the hands of time…”
“We can’t.” Perry teased the side of her mouth. “And I can’t keep hurting you.” He caressed the side of her neck. “Muñeca, if anything happens to you or anybody I love because of me I won’t be able to live with myself. If I have to leave to keep you and my kids safe, I will.”
“You can’t leave me again.” She now cupped his face. “If you leave, Mia and I will be leaving with you.”