by Bella Juarez
“Yes, pretty much. David is the only one I’m missing. He’s hard to shop for,” Amy said.
Gavin introduced Amy to Jimmy and his wife. “Jimmy, Katrina. This is Amy Livingston, my girl.”
“Dr. Livingston? Our librarian?” Katrina asked.
“Yes, have we met?” Amy asked.
“Not formally. I’m the librarian at the one of the elementary schools,” Katrina said.
“Oh! Now I remember. Aren’t you also a special ed teacher? You’re the one that asked us to develop a program for special needs kids,” Amy said.
“Yes! That’s right. You did an awesome job, Dr. Livingston. My kids are really…” Katrina started.
The ladies continued talking and the men talked business. Jimmy was happy with the progress Kaiser was making. After the New Year, Kaiser would get his police badge.
The tables were soon ready and the couples went their separate ways.
Gavin sat listening to Amy’s day. He was happy just to be with her. Amy went on about her shopping as they ate, and several times she hinted at Gavin’s present. He refused to take the bait. They discussed the plan for Christmas and how David still wasn’t happy about their dating. David would have had Gavin strung up if he found out about them sleeping together and the way they were doing it. The meal was finished and they got up to leave. As soon as they were at the door, she realized she had forgotten her coat.
“Okay, honey. I’ll go get it. Wait here,” Gavin said as he turned around.
* * * *
Amy waited, looking around at all the decorations, when a voice froze her where she stood.
“So? This is why you couldn’t be with me?” he sneered.
Amy turned and her blood ran cold. She knew the tone and she knew what was coming. Tim was angry.
“Who the fuck is the meathead?” Tim demanded. People were starting to turn and look. “Answer me, fat slut! Who the fuck is he? Does he know you have a husband?” Tim slurred.
“Tim, you’re not my husband and you need to go away and leave me alone,” Amy said, finally finding her voice.
“I own you, bitch! And no piece of paper will ever change that.” Tim charged as he grabbed Amy’s arm.
“What’s the problem?” Gavin asked behind Amy.
“Get lost, meathead, she’s with me,” Tim snapped
Amy turned slightly and saw that everyone in the restaurant seemed to have heard the ruckus at the front. Jimmy had come up behind Gavin, as well as another man in uniform.
“Okay, get your hands off the girl. Right now,” Gavin said.
“Or what? You’ll beat the shit out of me? That’s assault, asshole,” Tim scoffed.
Amy jerked away at Tim’s distraction. Tim turned and lunged for her when Gavin seemed to come out of nowhere, slamming Tim to the ground face first.
“Get your ass down! And don’t you dare move!” Gavin snarled as Tim started to fight.
An officer who had been in the restaurant picking up dinner heard the commotion and decided Gavin needed backup. He cuffed Tim. Gavin picked Tim up like he was a lifeless doll and threw him at the officer.
“Get him outta here,” Gavin ordered.
Gavin wrapped Amy’s coat around her shoulders and led her from the restaurant. He put her in his truck and noticed she was pale and shaking violently. He cupped her face and turned her to face him.
“Amy, honey. You’re okay. You’re safe,” Gavin reassured her.
Amy’s breath caught in her throat. Gavin pulled her close. Jimmy came up to Gavin and in the distance she heard him and Gavin talking.
“Your lady okay?” Jimmy asked.
“She’ll be okay,” Gavin confirmed.
“Jesus! What an asshole! Garcia is taking him down to the station. Good thing he was picking up dinner,” Jimmy said.
* * * *
Gavin and Jimmy watched as Amy’s hand rose to brush the hair from her eyes. They noticed how badly she was shaking and exchanged knowing, worried looks. Amy had been seriously traumatized by this man.
“You’re a better man than me, boss. If he’d have done that to my lady, I would’ve killed the bastard,” Jimmy said lowly.
Gavin shook his head. “Don’t go there. We’re law enforcement, Jimmy. Even the animals have rights.”
“That’s why I like dogs, they have better manners.”
“I think we’re going home. Thanks for the backup.”
“Anytime, boss! See you tomorrow,” Jimmy said, walking away.
Gavin turned Amy around and fastened her seat belt. She had a vacant stare. He was really getting worried about her. He sent up a silent prayer of thanks that the house wasn’t very far from the restaurant. As soon as she opened the door and stepped out of the truck, she threw up. Gavin knew the symptoms. He had been there himself. He helped her into the house and got her to the bathroom where she threw up again.
This asshole has really fucked her up, Gavin thought with disgust. When Amy was finished, she was really pale this time. He was concerned that she would pass out. He had to try and calm her down somehow, so he sat her down and knelt in front of her.
“Amy, honey, I want you to get in the shower. Okay?” Gavin stroked her checks with his thumbs. Amy started to cry. “Baby? Listen to me. You need to calm down. You’re okay. You’re safe,” he said, reassuring her.
“Gavin! Oh God! Please help me!” Amy cried as she clung to him in desperation.
Gavin pulled Amy close and stroked her hair gently, reassuring her.
“I’m here, Amy. No one’s going to hurt you.”
Gavin remembered Amy telling him that she had been in therapy for all of the trauma she had been through with her ex-husband. As he held her, he pulled out his cell phone and called David.
“What’s up, badass!” David quipped
“It’s Amy, David,” Gavin said as calmly as he could.
“What happened?” David’s tone turned serious. He could probably hear Amy crying in the background.
“She ran into Tim and it got ugly. We’re at her house,” Gavin informed him.
“Shit! Irene!” David yelled from the phone. “It’s Amy! We need to get to her house. We’ll be there in five minutes. Where is that asshole?” he demanded.
“Sam Garcia arrested him and took him to the station.”
“Stay with her. I’ll talk to you when I get there,” David said, cutting off the call.
Irene and David arrived in what seemed like seconds. Gavin let them into the house and Irene immediately took charge of Amy. David pulled Gavin aside and demanded an explanation.
“What happened?” David demanded.
Gavin told David in detail what he had seen and heard.
“I missed part of it because I went to get her coat,” Gavin said.
“Motherfucker!” David swore.
David paced the living room and finally turned to Gavin. “I told Amy to get a damn restraining order! Let’s get down to the station. I want to make sure this little fucker gets booked. Irene!” David said, turning his back to Gavin, instructing his wife on his plans.
“Come on, Gavin. I’m leaving the car in case she has to use it. Drive me to the station. Where’s Amy’s car?” David asked.
“It’s still at the restaurant. We can bring it here when we’re done. Her bag is still in my truck. The keys should be in there,” Gavin said.
“Come on, I may need you, badass,” David said, turning to walk out.
Gavin shook his head. He was in a very dark mood. This little prick of an ex could end up dead if he didn’t watch himself.
They arrived at the station and David had Sam Garcia brought into his office. Sam was still at the station processing the paperwork on Tim.
“Jeez! Chief, it got bad. I thought the guy was about to hurt Amy. I even had my weapon ready. I was sure glad Lieutenant Walsh was there. That guy was acting unpredictable as hell,” Officer Garcia said after completing his version of the story.
“Where is he?” David demanded.
“In the lockup, Chief.”
“Did you get statements?”
“I got a few. The place was full of people. Max Struff came to back me up. He was the one that took the statements. I’ll have them in the morning.”
“Okay. Did he lawyer up?”
“Na, that guy is three sheets to the wind. He’ll wind up sleeping it off. Is Amy okay, Lieutenant?” Officer Garcia asked with a touch of concern.
“She’ll be all right,” Gavin said.
Gavin’s jaw was aching because he had been grinding his teeth in angry frustration. David looked at him and looked at Sam Garcia.
“Thanks, Sam. Keep me posted. Walk in here anytime,” David said.
Officer Garcia left and the office seemed unnaturally quiet. Both men were fighting to get a grip on their anger. David finally looked at Gavin.
“You know, Walsh, it’s no secret the way I feel about you and Amy seeing each other. And I blame Irene for that bullshit,” David started.
Gavin looked away and shook his head. This was no time for a lecture. “David, do you really think this is the time?”
David held up his hand. “But, I’m sure glad you were there. That little bastard is unpredictable. Maybe now he’ll get the message.”
“In all honesty, Chief, I think Amy needs to press charges and file a restraining order. If he’s as unpredictable as you say, he’s not done. A restraining order will give me an excuse to slam his ass every chance I get.”
“If you can convince Amy, do it.”
David stood to leave as Gavin continued sitting. He was deep in thought. The chief turned to him. Gavin knew he wanted to leave. He didn’t move. He continued to sit and stare at the floor in front of him.
“What’s up?” David asked.
“Chief, Amy’s ex, Livingston…” Gavin started.
“Yes? What about him?”
“What does he do for a living again?”
“He’s an accountant, financial planner, why?”
Gavin knew when he saw Tim that he looked familiar. Tim was the person in the picture he snapped the day he tailed Rivera from Beaumont to Corpus Christi. He turned the pictures over to Mac and hadn’t received an answer on exactly who was in that picture. What the hell? What does Livingston have to do with Rivera? Why would Rivera need an accountant? Financial planner…Oh shit! Gavin stopped David.
“He’s living in Corpus Christi?” Gavin asked.
“Did Amy tell you that?” David asked, taking his seat.
“No,” Gavin answered. David looked at Gavin, puzzled. “Livingston’s involved with Rivera. Livingston was the one Rivera went to see the day he got out of prison.”
“How do you know that?” David asked, narrowing his eyes.
“I followed Rivera from prison, but he didn’t go home right away. He went to see Livingston.”
“What exactly do you know and why the hell didn’t you tell me this to begin with?” David demanded.
“I didn’t know what exactly I had, until now.”
* * * *
“She’s been asking for you,” Irene informed Gavin when they returned.
David’s look was menacing as he pulled Gavin aside.
“You keep your dick in your pants and you sleep on the couch. You understand? She doesn’t need anyone fucking up her head any worse right now,” David said.
“Yes, sir, Chief.” He had to keep from rolling his eyes and spilling the fact that he hadn’t kept his dick to himself for weeks now.
“I mean it. I find out it went any different and I’m making your life a living hell,” David warned.
Gavin went out to Amy’s car and took all of the bags she had in the back. He locked the door behind him and looked at the clock on the stove. It was one in the morning. He walked into the bedroom and, fully dressed, lay down and took Amy in his arms. He couldn’t sleep. Instead, Gavin watched Amy sleep. He cuddled Amy. He watched her sleep off the effects of the sedative Irene had given her.
Gavin had to keep reminding himself that murder, while it was the most merciful thing to do with an animal like Tim, wasn’t legal. Then he weighed his options. He had after all been diagnosed with PTSD. Maybe he could plead insanity. He looked down at Amy.
Nah, all they’d have to do is parade Amy in front of me and it would all be over. Everyone would be able to see just how crazy I am—about her.
Gavin finally managed to doze about 4:00 a.m. and promptly woke at five. Amy was moving. He allowed her to get comfortable. Whatever Irene had given her had been effective because it knocked her out. He got up and went to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. He wanted to go out for a run to relax, but he didn’t want her to wake up alone.
Gavin made a call to the office and told Jimmy he would not be in today. He switched on the TV and dozed once more on the couch but woke when he heard the water shutting off in the bathroom. He slowly got up to investigate. He opened the door partially and peeked inside to see Amy towel drying her hair.
“Amy, honey,” Gavin called.
“I’m here, Gavin,” Amy said quietly.
“How long have you been up?”
“I just got up.”
Gavin walked inside the bathroom and found Amy dressed in her pajamas.
“I woke up once and you were there, and when I woke up again you were gone. I heard the TV and saw you were asleep on the couch. I didn’t want to bother you.”
“You’re not bothering me, honey,” Gavin said, taking her in his arms.
Amy started to cry. Gavin moved away and lifted her chin so she could look at him. There was so much he wanted to say to reassure her that Tim would never hurt her again. He couldn’t seem to find the words.
“Amy, don’t let him into your head. Believe me when I say you’re safe. As long as I am breathing, you’re safe.” Gavin wiped away her tears.
“Gavin you have no idea…” Amy cried.
Gavin took a deep breath. “Yes, baby, I do. I know exactly what you’re going through. Except in my case, it’s a horror movie I can’t switch off sometimes,” he said in a distant voice.
“What do you mean?”
Gavin pulled her close to him. He was on shaky ground. He had never opened up to anyone this way, or told anyone about his constant nightmares. It was true it made him crazy at times that he couldn’t stop seeing all those horrible images. He couldn’t stop the smells and sounds. He was unsure how to broach this subject in the current state she was in and assure her she was not alone because he could relate to her nightmare. He had planned on telling her about his PTSD, just not yet. He decided to tell her without telling her much. He wanted to give her the comfort of knowing she was not alone. Gavin took a deep breath and looked at her.
“I was in the military. I was in a special operations unit. I saw a lot of bad things during my time there. Sometimes, it really bothers me and makes me feel like you do right now.”
Amy broke away and took his face in her hands. Gavin could see his pain mirrored in her eyes.
“I’ve been where you were last night. I know what I’m telling you. Don’t let that bastard into your head. He’ll never leave. Fight him, Amy. You’re a survivor. You can do it. I’ll be right beside you, we’ll do it together,” he urged.
Gavin wrapped his arms around her protectively and kissed her forehead. He heard the doorbell and let her go.
“Finish getting dressed, honey. I’ll see who it is.” Gavin walked away.
When Gavin opened the door he was unpleasantly surprised. “Really?” Gavin asked, exasperated.
“I want to see Amy,” Tim said.
“Yeah, well, she doesn’t want to see you,” Gavin snapped.
“You can’t keep her from me. Amy!” Tim screamed.
Amy came rushing from out of the bedroom.
“Gavin? Did you call me?” Amy asked, concerned.
“Amy! Tell this asshole you’ll talk to me,” Tim demanded.
Gavin looked at Amy. Amy’s face blanched slightl
y. Gavin’s and Amy’s eyes locked. Fight him, Gavin willed her. Understanding passed between them without a word. She realized she was not alone and she could do this with his positive support. Gavin opened the door wider. As much as he wanted to slay all of her dragons, this one she needed to slay on her own. Gavin watched as she transformed. Amy’s expression changed, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes sparked.
“Amy, someone’s at the door for you. Do you want to talk to him? If you don’t, I will make him go away,” Gavin said, turning a deadly stare to Tim.
Amy walked purposefully to the entryway and looked at Tim sternly.
“I do not want to see you anymore,” Amy said firmly.
“Listen here, you uppity, fat—”
“Tim! I am done!” Amy snapped, raising her voice.
The harsh tone of Amy’s voice surprised both men. Tim was clearly taken aback. Gavin suspected Amy had never raised her voice to him before.
“We are divorced! I have no room for a toxic, abusive relationship in my life. I have moved on and I do not want to see you anymore. Get out and stay out!” Amy turned and walked back into the bedroom.
Tim was stunned. Gavin remained calm, waiting for Tim to vacate the space he was occupying. Tim started to move forward to follow Amy. Gavin stopped him cold.
“You heard the girl. Now go!” Gavin snarled.
“Fuck you!” Tim shouted as he continued to press forward.
Gavin held him firm and shoved, knocking Tim slightly backward. Gavin caught him before he could fall. Tim started to protest and was stopped dead when he looked into Gavin’s eyes.
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way. The easy way is you get lost and stay that way and understand that Amy has moved on, with me. The hard way means I keep throwing your ass in jail until you get a clue or someone makes you his new bitch,” Gavin said.
“Yeah, she won’t press charges. She’s too chickenshit. Amy!” Tim screamed once more.
Gavin rolled his eyes. This guy’s a fucking moron! “She’s not coming back. Now move on before you really piss me off.”
“You and that fat whore haven’t heard the last of me,” Tim said, turning on his heels.
