by Peyton Banks
There was going to have to be a conversation had with Miss Jones. Just letting anyone into someone’s apartment without asking was downright foolish. The older woman was a sucker for a good romance story. She had recognized Anya’s name when she’d signed the lease. She was a voracious reader and apparently had read all of Anya’s books.
Holding back an eye roll, Anya turned her focus back on Glenn.
Her skin crawled from being so close to him again. She’d left Atlanta to get away from him. Las Vegas put quite enough distance between them.
At least she thought it had.
He reached up and ran a hand along her face. His nostrils flared as he glared at her. “You haven’t been answering my calls.”
“I’ve been a little busy.” She sent up a prayer that the cavalry would be arriving soon.
“Too busy for me?”
“I thought when I left Atlanta, we were done.”
“Well, now, that’s what happens when you do the thinking. I never said I was done with you, Anya.”
Worry snaked its way through her.
What the hell did that mean?
“Glenn, you’re free of me. Go live your life—”
“Don’t tell me what to do, Anya. I make the decisions, and what I say goes,” he snapped. His eyes blazed with the rage that was consuming him.
What had she ever done for him to treat her the way he had, she didn’t know, and at the moment she didn’t care.
She knew ultimately she hadn’t done anything.
These were his own demons he was fighting.
But at the moment, with his narrowed gaze and tightening grip on her arm, she was worried.
She held back the tears that threatened to fall.
She had to be strong.
They had been through this game before, and she was done with it.
“What do you want, Glenn?”
Banging ensued at the door, and she wanted to scream her excitement.
“Who the hell is that?” he growled.
“I don’t know.” She glanced behind her at the door, trying to keep an innocent expression.
Glenn stomped his way to the door, dragging Anya behind her.
“Who is it?” he called out. He leaned forward and used the peephole.
“Las Vegas Police Department. There were complaints of shouting,” the voice on the other side of the door responded.
Glenn glanced over his shoulder at her with a scowl. He rotated back to the door. “Everything’s fine here.”
“Open the door,” the voice commanded.
Anya swallowed hard. She hoped the cops didn’t give up and go away.
“I assure you, we’re good,” Glenn responded. His hand squeezed her wrist, and she bit back a cry.
“If you don’t open the door, we will be forced to break it down.”
Glenn ran a hand along his face. He spun back to her and released her hand. He put a finger to his lips, signaling for her not to say a word.
He unlocked the door and opened it.
“Good evening, Officers,” he said. Even behind him, she knew he’d turn on his infamous act.
Anya took the time to glance down at her phone and exited the silent call. She slid it into her back jean pocket and folded her arms in front of her chest.
“I’m Officer Cain, and this is Officer Jenkins. Can you step out into the hallway, please, sir?”
The two cops were dressed in their uniforms and were tall and fit. There would be no intimidation from Glenn should he get nasty with them.
“I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m just visiting my girlfriend—”
“Please, sir. Hallway,” Officer Jenkins commanded, motioning with his hand. The tired, weathered look on his face gave away that he wasn’t up for anyone’s shit today.
Glenn proceeded outside the apartment. “What can I help you with, Officer?”
The one named Officer Cain entered the apartment with kind eyes and a gentle smile. “Ma’am, is everything okay?”
“Of course everything is okay,” Glenn answered.
“I just need to speak with her for a moment.” Cain gently closed the door in Glenn’s face. He turned back to Anya. “We’re going to chat in here while my partner speaks with him. Are you okay?”
“I am. Thank you for coming so quick.” She rubbed her wrist, trying to soothe the pain.
“Can I get your name, please?” he asked, pulling out a note pad. He glanced down at her arm.
She immediately stopped what she was doing and released herself.
“Anya Graham.”
“Ms. Graham, why did you call the police?” he asked.
She leaned against the wall, too tired to even be embarrassed.
“Glenn is my ex-boyfriend. I just moved back to Las Vegas to get away from him.” Her lower lip trembled. She snagged it with her teeth to stop the motion.
Be strong, Anya.
“Where is he from?”
“Atlanta.”
Cain’s eyebrows rose high. “Were you aware of him coming to your home?”
“No, I wasn’t, and I didn’t give him permission to come inside my apartment either.”
“So he broke in?”
“No. According to Glenn, he concocted some story that apparently the building manager bought and let him in.” She shivered, rubbing her hands along her arms.
Thoughts of finding somewhere else to live crossed her mind.
“Do you want him removed from the premises?”
Anya nodded. “Please. I don’t want to press any charges or anything. I just want him gone.”
“Are you sure, ma’am?” Officer Cain asked with a look of disbelief on his face.
“Yes, I just want him to leave me alone.”
“I would suggest you at least go file for an order of restraint on him. That will prevent him from coming within so many feet of you.”
Anya’s gaze flew to Cain’s eyes.
She had divulged more than the fact she was getting away from Glenn, but the expression in his eyes gave away that he’d given this advice before.
“Think about it. I’m not sure what went on back in Atlanta, but from the looks of it, you should log this in with the courts as a form of protection for you.”
Anya let loose a sigh and knew he was right.
But seriously, what did a piece of paper do?
“I know that face.” He folded his notebook shut and slid it into his pocket. His eyebrows furrowed. “If he breaks that order, then it can get him in a world of trouble.”
“Okay.” Anya ran a trembling hand through her hair.
“Do you feel safe?” Officer Cain asked.
She shook her head. “Not with him here.”
“We’ll remove him, and then I would still suggest you get that order. Next time, you may not be as lucky.”
Anya got his message loud and clear.
“Yes, sir,” she murmured.
“You have a good night, ma’am.” He gave her a nod and exited her apartment.
She locked the door, pausing near it.
A strangled breath left her as Glenn’s voice grew colder and louder.
Great, he’s arguing with the cops.
Closing her eyes, she slid to the floor. Warm tears escaped, rushing down her cheeks. She rested her head against her knees, unsure of what to do.
All she wanted was to be free from him, to live her life as she saw fit.
Anya wiped the wetness from her face, angry at herself for letting him get her down.
She was strong.
She’d left him.
That was the hardest thing any woman could do when dealing with an abuser.
She knew that.
But knowing that still didn’t make her feel any better.
The voices grew faint. Anya strained to hear what was going on, but the cops must have persuaded Glenn to leave.
She knew this wouldn’t be the last she’d hear from him.
First thing tomorrow, she would go
file that restraining order.
Anya pushed herself off the floor and stood. She double-checked the door was locked.
She walked toward her bedroom, needing a shower. After being so close to Glenn again, she just felt dirty.
She flipped the light on in the en suite and turned the water on. Steam filled the room while she slipped her clothes off. She snagged her shower cap and tucked her hair underneath it.
The water was hot and stung her skin. Anya bit back a sob and stood beneath the flow of water. She ignored the pain and let it pour over her as if it would completely wipe away the feel of Glenn touching her.
She lost track of time in the shower. With her loofah, she scrubbed her skin until it was practically raw. The water was starting to cool, signaling it was time for her to get out.
A few minutes later, she went into her room with her towel wrapped around her. She picked up her cell, unsure who she should call.
Her father?
Amina?
She slid her finger along the screen and found the number. She put her ear to the phone and waited, sitting on the edge of her bed.
“Hello?”
The deep, familiar voice brought a smile to her face, instantly calming her.
“Daddy?”
“Pumpkin, what’s wrong?”
He must have detected something in her voice. She had never divulged to her parents the real reason she had moved home or had broken up with Glenn. Her father hadn’t liked him but had tolerated him only because of Anya.
If she were to tell her father the truth about her relationship with Glenn…
“Nothing. Feeling more homesick than I thought. Can I come to stay with you and Mom for a few days?”
“Of course, baby. You are always welcome home. You should have just moved in with your mom and me. We have plenty of room.” He chuckled.
A small smile crossed her face. “Yeah, I know. But I wanted to make sure you and Mom had privacy,” she joked.
“That’s fine. Need me to come to get you?”
“Yes, the car couldn’t be saved anymore.” She pouted. She pushed off the bed so she could start grabbing clothes to put on.
The mechanic had called her and informed her that her car wasn’t worth the price it would cost to fix it.
“Okay, baby. Let me put my shoes on, and I’ll be there shortly.”
She paused in front of her dresser, her eyes closing, feeling relief that she could count on her father. There was no way she could let on to him that she was close to crying.
“Thanks, Daddy,” she breathed and hung up. She flew around her room. She was dressed and packed within ten minutes. She walked into the living room and dropped her overnight bags down on the couch.
A knock sounded at the door.
Her heart raced.
Not again.
Anya wiped her hands on her jeans and slowly made her way to the front door.
“Who is it?” she called out.
“It’s Officer Cain, ma’am.”
Anya stood on her tiptoes and peered through the peephole, and indeed Officer Cain was outside her door again.
“Can I help you?” she asked, opening the door.
“Hope I’m not bothering you, ma’am.” He ran a hand along his face. He looked dead on his feet. “After we escorted Mr. Willis from the property, I decided to wait around to make sure he left as directed.”
Anya swallowed hard, not liking the way this story was going. “Okay.”
“I’ve been doing this a long time, ma’am, and I can tell there are some things you are holding back. Well, anyway, just as I expected, he came back.”
“Oh my God.” Anya gripped the door handle tight for fear that she’d fall.
“Don’t worry, ma’am. We’ve arrested him for trespassing. Will you be able to stop by the station some time tomorrow to sign some papers? It will be my formal report, and we just need your witness statement and signature.”
“Yes, of course. I can come.” She was in shock. Any other cop would have probably continued on his way and not thought twice about her.
Officer Cain indeed went above and beyond.
“Well, you go have a good night, ma’am. If you need anything, here’s my card.”
“Goodnight, and thank you.” She closed the door and stared down at the card.
Someone up above was looking out for her.
6
Dalton stepped through the smoldering rubble of the home that was completely destroyed. The family had lost everything, but at least they had survived.
Turning around, he stood in what was once the small living room.
Charred furniture and blackened walls were all that was left.
“At least they had working smoke detectors,” Max spoke up from behind him.
Dalton nodded. “They wouldn’t have made it out alive had they not.”
He moved around, his keen eyes taking in all of the damage. His men had done a stand-up job putting the fire out.
“We were able to talk them into going to the hospital to get checked out.”
The couple had two young children, and it was a good idea to make sure everyone was doing well. With children, one couldn’t be too careful when it came to smoke inhalation.
“Good.” Dalton walked out of the living room and brushed past Max. He couldn’t help but think of his brother’s family.
What if this would happen to them?
Danny was an infant and was fragile. Smoke could definitely take him from this world.
“The inspector is here.”
“Let’s get out of their way. Something doesn’t feel right about this,” Dalton replied grimly.
The fire investigators would need to comb through all of the debris to determine if this was arson or accident. From the looks of it, the family had all of the safety equipment in the home they needed.
When Dalton and his team had arrived at the home, it had already been engulfed in flames.
The house wasn’t that far from the station.
They would have been able to contain it.
Dalton’s mind got to racing.
An accelerant would cause the fire to spread rapidly.
“You’re telling me.” Max followed behind Dalton out of the house.
“Inspector Bland, how are you?” Dalton called out, walking across the yard.
The sun was beaming brightly in the Nevada sky. Perspiration covered his head and slid down the back of his neck, disappearing beneath his shirt. He couldn’t wait to get back to the station for a nice hot shower. The fireman’s suit was not meant to be a ventilated uniform. The heavy jacket was made out of flame-resistant material, his sturdy boots protected his feet, and his helmet protected his head. The additional weight of the gear added about forty-five pounds for him to carry when adding on oxygen tanks. Firemen had to be in great shape to do their jobs.
While their squad was fighting the fire, Dalton was supervising everything outside the home to ensure his team was functioning to full capacity.
Inspector Bland was an older man with pure-white hair, a protuberant belly, and a personality that was larger than life. He shut the door to his pickup truck that had the words Arson Investigator splashed along the side.
“Lieutenant. Sad we have to keep seeing each other like this,” Bland joked.
Dalton took the inspector’s hand in a firm grip. “I know. One day you’re going to have to take me up on that offer for a drink.”
Bland threw his head back with a boisterous laugh. “One day. It’s been a while since I went drinking with young folks like yourself, but I’m sure I can drink every one of you under the table.”
“I’m sure you would. You have a few years’ experience on me.” Dalton grinned.
“What do we have?” Bland switched the conversation, his smile fading. He glanced at the home, and immediately their discussion turned serious.
Dalton began sharing the details as they walked toward the house. They entered and paused in the small
foyer.
Bland let out a low whistle. “This was no accident.”
Dalton released a grunt. His gut had been right. It didn’t take a brain surgeon to figure this one out.
“That’s what I thought. We’ve done a quick walkthrough, and everything should be sound.” One thing about houses after they succumbed to a massive fire, the structure could be damaged. The house should be secured for the inspector and his crew to go through the rubble.
“It shouldn’t take us too long to gather some evidence and photos.”
Dalton patted Bland on the back. “Call us if you need anything.”
He spun and left the house. He made his way over to the fire truck, where his men stood knowing Bland would get down to the bottom of this fire. Over the years, Dalton had witnessed too many house fires that had been started so the homeowners could collect the insurance payouts. If arson was ruled in this case, then the authorities would be brought in.
He studied his team and found each was covered in sweat, soot, and looked haggard. The fire had been a beast, but they’d worked together as a unit and were successful in putting it out.
“I’m sure they’ll find something,” Casey remarked. He shrugged his tanks off his back and stored them away on the truck.
“No doubt,” Dylan muttered. He removed his jacket; his t-shirt was soaked underneath it.
“I wouldn’t be surprised. This was a stand-up job today, men. Let’s head back to the station.”
“Yes, sir.” Knox gave him a salute.
He and Anton headed toward the fire engine.
“What did Bland have to say?” Max asked, falling in step with him.
They walked toward Dalton’s red LVFD truck. They removed their gear and stored it in the back.
“He’s going to do what he does best and get down to the bottom of it.” Dalton moved around to the driver’s side of the vehicle and got in. Max slid into the passenger side. “If they suspect foul play like we all think, then he’ll take action.”
Dalton slid the key into the ignition and turned it. The engine roared to life. He cranked the air on high, pulled out behind the fire engine, and followed his men.
“You want to go for a quick drink once we get off?” Max asked.
“Can’t today. I have to stop over at my parents’ house this evening.” That wasn’t all he had planned for tonight. A certain gorgeous woman would be getting a call from him. She had promised she’d come over to check out his bike and go with him to Dallas and Candi’s this weekend.