Breaking the Violence (Hard Drive Series Book 3)

by Tricia Andersen

  “I’ll leave after brunch and get on the road so I can take you to work. And I’ll pick you up in the morning too so you can get a rental.”

  “You’d have to take time off work in the morning to do that.”

  “So? My co-workers will deal with it. I’m the head of the department anyway. I can decide when I need to be off and I need to be tomorrow.”

  Mark exhaled slowly. He was so grateful for his best friend. He didn’t know what he’d do without Dan. “Thanks. I really appreciate it.”

  “Don’t mention it.”

  “Speaking of not mentioning things, can you not tell Mom and Dad about the truck? They’ll freak.”

  “Sure thing. See you later.”

  “Yep, see you tonight.”

  Mark ended the call and slumped against the bumper of the truck. He looked up in time to see Rico’s Jeep speed into the lot. Rico slowed to a stop behind Mark’s truck, his mouth gaping at the damage. He slowly slid out of the vehicle as Avery popped out of the passenger side.

  “What the hell?” Rico demanded.

  “Lexi’s ex, I’m guessing,” Mark admitted.

  Mark glanced over to Avery to see her fingers fly as she read the etching in the truck’s paint. Avery usually used her voice instead of sign language and then read people’s lips for a response. She only fell back to instinctively signing when she was caught off guard. You’re dead? That’s a little scary.

  Mark shook his head in objection. “He’s a bully. I’m not worried, Ave.”

  “Maybe you should be, Mark. I didn’t realize you and Lexi were even together,” Rico interjected.

  Mark looked up at Rico. Normally his friend had a half-cocked, devious smile on his lips. Mark had never seen Rico this serious, not even before a fight. He noticed Rico translating his words for Avery. “I don’t even know if we are. I went to her book signing then waited for her in the alley. I scared her when she came out and she pepper sprayed me. Then she took me to the hospital to get treated and I took her for a burger. I was supposed to take her and her son for breakfast this morning but when she saw this, she turned as white as a ghost and took off.”

  “She pepper sprayed you?” Avery questioned. “Are you sure this is a good relationship to get into? She sounds unstable.”

  Before Mark could say a word, Rico signed to Avery. Let it be, baby. Please.

  Mark watched the silent conversation between husband and wife. He didn’t have to ask why they were having it. Avery knew full well what it was like living with a victim of abuse. Rico had spent years being abused by his uncle after his parents died. Even this long after, there were days he struggled living with the memories. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

  “Rico, is my truck salvageable?” Mark interrupted.

  Rico slowly walked around the vehicle to survey the damage. He heaved a heavy sigh. “Sorry, man. I know quite a bit so I can tell you that the hood and panels are expensive to replace. They can’t fix them. It’s most likely totaled. Have you called the police?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Call them. Let’s get this towed to the body shop. Then Avery and I will take you to get something to eat.”

  Mark smiled at his friends. “Thank you.” He slipped his cell from his pocket to call the police. The three of them chatted as they waited the few minutes it took for the officers to arrive. Once a statement and photos were taken, a tow truck was called. Mark felt like an idiot when the police officer asked if he knew of anyone who would have done it. He had no idea what the name of Lexi’s ex-husband was.

  Whoever this guy was, he was a psychopath. How could someone as smart and beautiful as Lexi end up with someone like that? The idea baffled Mark.

  Once the flatbed tow truck drove away with Mark’s battered vehicle, Rico waved him over to the Jeep. Avery hopped in the backseat, giving Mark the extra room in the front. She silently watched the scenery around her and began to hum a melody. Mark couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. “Does she know what she’s humming? She can’t hear herself.”

  Rico glanced at the rearview mirror and smiled warmly. “It’s a lullaby from her childhood. She remembers the tune. She sings it when she’s by herself. I love it when she does.” Rico cracked a grin at Mark. “So what are you going to get next for a car?”

  “Another truck. They haven’t even totaled mine yet and I miss it.”

  Rico motioned around him. “Can’t put the top down on a truck.”

  “You can keep your Jeep, superstar. I like the room. I’m way bigger than you are.”

  “Very true.” Rico got suddenly serious. “Mark, seriously. Be careful. This ex of Lexi’s has a screw loose. I know you could kick his ass. But the fact you choked out your last three opponents won’t matter to a bullet. You’re my brother. I care about you. Don’t get hurt. All right?”

  Mark stared at Rico as he kept his eyes on the road. MMA bad boy Rico Choate just admitted his feelings? Mark smiled back at him. “Of course I will.”

  “Trust me. No amount of telling you ‘she’s not worth it’ will matter. I fell so hard I took on an Army Ranger. If you’re in love, no one’s going to stop you.”

  “Yeah. But the fact I don’t have her phone number or address might.”

  Rico shot a glance out of the corner of his eye. “Ouch. Sorry, man.”

  Mark sighed as he stared out the windshield at the road ahead. He could feel his heart sink in his chest. “No worries. Just not meant to be, I guess.”

  »»•««

  The park was filled with children playing on the equipment. Parents perched on the benches surrounding the jungle gyms, slides, and swings. Lexi sat alone, her eyes trained on Logan as he laughed and chased two other boys. She lowered her head. Mark had to hate her for running from him when he needed her. Of all the guys she had dared to date, he was the last that she wanted Derek to get his hands on. She should have known being with Mark would be too good to be true.

  She glanced at the green trees and luscious grass around the park. Going home was not an option. Her parents wouldn’t understand, would just remind her of what a mistake being with Derek was. A small smile graced her lips as Logan stopped and waved to her. It wasn’t a total mistake. Without Derek she wouldn’t have Logan.

  “Did you think I was kidding?”

  Lexi’s spine straightened at the voice behind her. Electricity burned through her veins and she trembled. “Leave me alone, Derek. I got a restraining order, remember? I’ll call the police.”

  Derek slipped around the bench and settled beside her. His deep green eyes glared with a hatred reserved just for her. “How’s that working for you, sweetheart? I told you I will hurt anyone who comes near you. Did you think I was kidding?”

  “I know you weren’t.”

  “You are mine.”

  “I haven’t belonged to you since our divorce.”

  “I didn’t file for divorce. You did. The second I got thrown in jail you ran to a lawyer to cut me loose.”

  Lexi swallowed back a sob. “You almost killed me.”

  Derek grabbed her arm in a vice grip, burying his fingers deep into her flesh. Lexi gasped in pain. “Keep it up. Keep running to other men. Be the slut you are. I’ll kill them then I’ll take Logan from you. That I promise.” He let her go violently and stood. After one last stare he stormed off.

  Lexi hopped to her feet and moved quickly across the playground to Logan, wincing as her arm throbbed. She took her son’s hand in hers.

  “What did Daddy want?” Logan asked softly.

  “Nothing, sweetheart. But we need to go.”

  Logan nodded and obediently followed. Lexi sighed heavily. Any other child would kick and scream to be pulled away from their play. Not Logan. From the moment he was born he was witness to Derek’s violence. Even being so little, all he wanted to do was keep his Mommy safe.

  Lexi strapped Logan in his car seat then hopped into the driver’s seat of the SUV. Locking all the doors, she dialed the police before she thr
ew the vehicle into reverse and backed from the parking spot. Before she shifted into drive, she caught sight of her already bruising arm.

  Lexi screamed as a sharp, loud bang echoed through the SUV. Logan started to cry. Her eyes shot out the windshield to find the source of the noise. Derek’s scowl met her, his fists braced on the hood of the vehicle. He repeatedly pounded on the hood Each time he did, Logan’s sobs grew louder. A voice popped on the phone. “9-1-1. What’s your emergency?”

  “My ex-husband is trying to hurt me. I have a restraining order on him.”

  “Where are you, miss?”

  As Derek reached for the driver’s side door, Lexi threw the SUV in reverse again and maneuvered backward through the lot. Her heart raced out of control. She popped it back into drive as she reached the exit and sped away. She spoke into the phone. “Heading toward I-35 West. I was able to get away.”

  “I can send some officers to have a talk with him.”

  “He won’t be at the park we just left, but I can give you his address.” Lexi recited Derek’s information to the dispatcher. She knew it wouldn’t help. Ever since he had been released from prison, Derek had an uncanny way of eluding authorities. His family helped hide him. She called every time he showed up but they never found him.

  Driving aimlessly around Minneapolis, Lexi couldn’t settle her nerves. Logan’s tears turned to whimpers. No place was safe, not even home. They needed someplace safe. They needed someone who cared about them. She looked at the scenery around her. It was Mark’s neighborhood. She shook her head. Putting him in danger would be selfish. She couldn’t involve him in this mess with Derek.

  But at the moment she needed his calming, gentle presence more than anything. She needed to feel normal for just a little bit.

  Lexi pulled up to the curb outside Mark’s townhouse and turned off the SUV. Thoughts swirled in her head, most of them the worst case scenarios of her actions. She rushed from the driver’s seat, scooped Logan from his car seat, and then rushed up the steps. The knock on the door was met with barking.

  Mark tugged open the door. He didn’t say a word as he stared at her. Tears filled her eyes. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I’m sorry I ran. I’m sorry about your truck. I’m sorry about everything.”

  His blue eyes wandered down to her arm and softened. “He hurt you again, didn’t he?”

  Lexi couldn’t answer. She choked on her sob. Logan wrapped his little arms around her to comfort her. Moments later a pair of large strong arms embraced her also. “It’s all right. I won’t let him do it again.”

  Mark nudged them inside and took Logan from her. He set the little boy down on the floor to play with Kinnick. Logan squealed in delight as the dog licked his face affectionately. Tugging her onto the couch with him, Mark hugged her tight and gently smoothed her hair from her face. Lexi snuggled against him as she cried. In his arms, for the first time in a long time she felt safe.

  “Mark, I am sorry about your truck,” Lexi whispered.

  “It’s just a truck, Lexi. It can be replaced. You and Logan can’t.” Mark sighed. “I can’t say I wasn’t disappointed you took off. It wasn’t because you left me there without a way home. I had no way to get in touch with you. I didn’t know if you were all right. I don’t want to find out the next time you end up in my ER.”

  Lexi looked up at him skeptically. He really cared that much about her? She trembled as he gently wiped the tears from her cheeks. He was so gentle, so strong and so hot. Was he really that attracted to her?

  All doubt was wiped from Lexi’s mind as Mark cupped her cheek and drew her to him, parting her lips with his. She sunk into his kiss as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. His sweet, soft embrace grew deeper as his tongue knotted with hers. She moaned as they parted.

  “Sorry. I’ve been dying to do that since I saw you,” Mark apologized.

  Lexi let go a laugh. “It’s all right. I liked it. A lot.”

  “Me too.” His face grew serious. “Have you talked to anyone about what your ex has done to you?’

  Lexi sighed. “Not really. Every time I’ve tried, I’ve been told to stop. My parents are the only ones who have listened and tried to help. My friends, other members of my family. No one else wants to hear about it. So I’ve kept it to myself.”

  “For how long? Ever since he started hurting you?”

  Lexi nodded. “Yes.”

  “That’s not right. You need to talk to someone. I will listen to anything you want to tell me but I’m not trained in domestic violence. I’m only trained to detect it. If I can find someone, would you go?”

  “I don’t know. Derek has family in the Cities. They report back to him. I don’t know what he’ll do if he sees me at a therapist.”

  “What if I find someone out of the Cities?”

  Lexi’s heart raced as she studied him for several moments. He was so incredible and his kiss was heavenly. “Why would you do this for me?”

  “Because I care about you. I don’t want to see anything else happen to you.”

  Her breath caught in her throat. She couldn’t find her voice. Finally she spoke. “Sure. I will. It’s very sweet of you. But this isn’t good. We need to stop hanging around together. Derek threatened to hurt you again.”

  “Derek Mills? Is that the name of your ex?”

  “Derek Falts. I changed back to my maiden name after the divorce.”

  “Good to know. Don’t worry about it. I’ll keep an eye out for him. I promise. And I have some pretty good friends who will back me up.”

  “He’s dangerous, Mark. I don’t want you hurt.”

  “I promise you I will be careful.” He smiled gently at her. “So if I find someone for you to talk to, how am I going to let you know?”

  Lexi frowned at him. “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t have your phone number, your address. I can’t even send you an email.”

  Lexi smiled and glanced at the coffee table. His cell phone sat in the middle of it on top of a stack of MMA magazines. Snatching it in her hand, she tapped his contacts app and typed her information in. Once all her information was secure, she handed the phone to him. “My phone number, my address and my email. Now you’ll have to text me yours now that we’re sort of dating.”

  Mark winked at her. “Sort of, huh? Maybe I better wait until we are actually dating.”

  Lexi paused. “Do you want to date me? I have an ex-husband that won’t let me be. And I also have a child. I’m not an easy woman to be with.”

  Mark took her hands in his. “Yes, I do want to be with you. I will deal with your ex if he bothers us. I adore Logan. I want you both in my life. I want to take care of you both.”

  Lexi’s heart fluttered at his words. She felt her cheeks grow hot. By the smirk on Mark’s face they had to be pink. “Okay, then. We’re dating.”

  “That’s good to know. By the way, I gave you my number on my business card the night you were in the ER.” He motioned around himself and winked at her. “And you know where I live. I could have told you that, but you wouldn’t have admitted to being my girlfriend if I had.”

  Lexi gaped at him and slugged him in the arm. “You’re a brat!”

  Mark laughed. “Yes. But I’m a lovable brat.”

  Lexi giggled then hugged him. “That you are.”

  Mark cuddled her to him as he turned his attention to the program on the television. Lexi watched Logan and Kinnick play together. It had been years since she had felt truly happy. For the first time in a long time she felt love and peace. It wouldn’t last long. She was going to revel in it as long as she could.

  »»•««

  Lexi tried to avoid the handsome doctor. She really did. But during the day he would send her texts that would make her smile. She knew he worked nights so he had to be waking himself up just to send it. It touched her and set the butterflies off in her stomach.

  That Friday morning, she got a call instead of a text. “Hello?” she answered.
r />   “Hey, beautiful,” Mark responded.

  “Shouldn’t you be sleeping?” she chided.

  “I have a rare Friday night off. Want to go to the movies with me?”

  Lexi paused. “It’s not a good idea.”

  “Okay. Why not?”

  “Derek will hurt you.”

  “I’m not going to live in fear of Derek.”

  “But I do.”

  “Okay. I understand. I won’t push you.”

  There was a long pause. “I’m sorry, Mark.”

  “It’s all right. You’ve been hurt. I understand. I just wish you’d give us a chance.”

  “I know.” She stopped for a moment. “All right. Let’s go. I’ll ask my parents to watch Logan.”

  “Great! Pick you up at six thirty?”

  “Sure.”

  “See you then.” The call ended. Lexi set the phone down and sighed. She was so excited to see Mark again. But the thought that Derek could hurt him was tearing her apart.

  The day dragged on. It felt like an eternity for six-thirty to arrive. When then moment arrived, there was a knock at the door. Before Meg could get there, her father and Logan did. She braced herself for the response. After Derek, her father was extremely judgmental of the guys she dated. None of them ever measured up to his standard.

  She cringed at the sound of the door opening and her father’s stern voice. “May I help you?”

  “Hi, Mark!” Logan greeted.

  “Hello, sir. Hi, Logan. My name is Mark Jacobsen. How are you this evening?”

  There was a pause. “I’m fine. Thank you. And you?”

  “Fantastic. I was wondering if Lexi was ready?”

  “You’re that doctor she’s been talking about, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, sir. I am.”

  “And she says you fight competitively.”

  “Yes, sir. MMA. But you can ask anyone who knows me. I’m a teddy bear outside the cage. They actually call me teddy bear.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Lexi hurried to the door. “Dad, please stop interrogating Mark.”

  Mark smiled. “Lexi, it’s all right. If I have a daughter, I would want to know the guy she was with would treat her right.”