by Green, Vicki
“No. You’re not,” Tanner replies still looking directly at Barrett.
“Yes. I am,” I say squaring my shoulders.
Tanner finally looks down at me, releases my hand, and puts his hands on my shoulders. “Jolie. Let me do this. If you want to help, stay away, safe, at home. You can testify against them once we have them behind bars.” I think about this but the fear knotted in my stomach takes hold of me. He knows me too well. I open my mouth to rebut when he stops me. “I can’t do my job if I’m worrying about your safety.” Shit. He’s got me there. Guess that’s his point. His hands squeeze my shoulders and the look that sweeps over his face is so tender, caring. Worry. “Let me take you home. Have Hailey come over to stay with you. I’ll keep you updated as much as I possibly can.” My eyes begin to fill with tears. Damn tears. Apparently one escapes and he brushes his thumb across my cheek, his lips turning up into a sad smile. “C’mon.” He releases me but reaches down and takes my hand. I follow as we walk past Barrett. “I’ll meet you at my house.”
I watch Barrett nod from over my shoulder and then turn back around as we walk up the steps. It doesn’t take us long to pack the one bag but it takes a little longer to pack the cooler and all the groceries. Well, at least I won’t need to go to the grocery store while he’s gone.
Gone.
He’s leaving me.
He’ll be in danger.
We’re silent as we finish then load the truck. The ride back is equally quiet. He holds my hand the entire way. Once we get home, we unload the truck and put everything away from the cooler and sacks. We walk to the bedroom and unpack the bag, and then I sit on the bed as I watch him repack it with only his things. My heart is heavy, my stomach still tied up in knots. Not knowing where Stephen was, what he was doing, how he was changing, about killed me. Knowing where Tanner is going and what he’ll be doing, what he’ll face, might do me in. I know those people. Even though it’s been several years, I still remember how they treated me. I watch him bring the shoeboxes of photos from the closet and set them down on the mattress. He picks one up and smiles. It’s the one of me, from when I was younger. He looks at me and winks then takes out his wallet and tucks it inside, returning it to his back pocket. Wetness fills my eyes again, but I shake it off. I need to be strong for him. He doesn’t need me to be weak right now. I give him a smile back, even though it’s small, it’s the best I can do. He zips up the bag, and I stand. We both start walking out of the room, and he takes my hand as we make our way to the front door. I follow him out to the driveway just as Hailey shows up and parks at the curb in front of our house. We stop and face each other. He drops the bag to the ground and cups my face. From the corner of my eye, I see Barrett pull into the driveway in his truck, and my insides crumble.
“Don’t look at him,” Tanner whispers. My eyes move back to his. He bends a little so we’re eye to eye, and I can feel my chin quiver. I refuse to cry. No way do I want him to see me cry and remember that the whole time he’s gone. I purse my lips and take a deep breath. “That’s my girl.” He leans in and kisses me hard. My hands move up his chest and over his shoulders, my fingers move into his soft hair. His arms wrap around me, pulling me closer. Tighter. Squeezing. Almost to the point that I can’t breathe. He doesn’t want to leave me. I hear a cough and Tanner pulls back, pressing his forehead against mine. “Remember. I love you. I was a shell of a man before I found you. I was so afraid I’d lose you, and if I didn’t have you, there’d be nothing left of me.” His hands are cupping my face again. The threat of tears hit me hard. “I’m doing this for you. For Stephen. He would have done it himself so I have to finish for him.” My chin starts quivering again, and I can’t stop the tears. His words are too much.
I pull my arms back and cup his face with my hands. The growth from not shaving the last two days, his goatee longer, is soft to my touch. “I love you too. So much. You’re my happiness, something I never thought I would ever find. Until you. But don’t do it for me or for Stephen. Do it for those kids who those monsters have and any other kids who might have fallen into their clutches in the future. Do it for them.” I take a deep breath then let it out. “Just promise me one thing.”
His eyes search mine, and I squeeze them shut and reopen them quickly to I can see him clearly. “Anything,” he whispers.
I swallow hard, trying not to release the sob that is bubbling up my throat. “Just come back to me safely.”
His mouth is on mine quickly. We hold each other tight as we kiss for the last time for who knows how long. That damn sob escapes into his mouth, and he kisses me harder. I fist his shirt in my hands, not wanting to let go. Ever. Another coughing sound and he tears his mouth from mine. He takes my hand, and I walk with him towards Barrett’s truck. He throws his bag into the bed of the truck, and we walk over to the passenger door. I watch him open the door, and then he turns, kissing me once more. Fast, but full of passion. He cups my face with one hand. His thumb rubs over my cheek. “You behave while I’m gone, and maybe I’ll bring you a present.” I smile, and he winks.
I take a step back as he climbs in the truck. His sexy grin slowly appears and my stomach, still full of those knots, does a flip. Taking another step back, I turn and walk to the garage door then turn around and cross my waist with my arms, trying not to fall apart in front of him. He turns his head, and my eyes follow. Hailey’s walking up the driveway and walks straight to Barrett. He smiles at her and opens his mouth to speak when she covers it with hers. Oh, my God! It’s quick. In the blink of an eye, she pulls back and whispers something to him then walks over to me, putting her arm around my shoulder. I look at Tanner with wide eyes, but I think he’s just as shocked as I am. Hailey and I stand there and watch Barrett climb into his truck, a smile on his face as he turns it on. He looks over his shoulder, and we watch the truck move down the driveway then out into the street. I raise my hand, Tanner giving me a wink. By the time we watch the truck move up the street and turn the corner, no longer visible, my tears unleash. Hailey’s arm tightens around me as she leads me to the front door.
I thought the toughest thing I’d ever endured was those horrible people. The hardest thing was when Stephen left. But this – this is the worst thing I’ve ever gone through. Not knowing if he’ll be okay, or if he’ll come back to me.
We go inside. Hailey releases me as I walk straight to the bedroom. I close the door, needing some time, and lie down on the bed. I turn over onto his side, grasp his pillow, and breathe in his scent. A tear slides down my face as I close my eyes. I’m not sure I can leave this bed, breathing him in, until he returns to me. I start saying prayers.
Chapter 19
“What the hell, Barrett?”
We’ve been on the road for an hour, neither of us speaking. I’ve been sitting here watching the scenery move by at a fast pace, trying to keep from crying like a sissy. Leaving her was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done, but I have to finish what I started. I couldn’t live with myself, or be the man she deserves, if I didn’t go and get those people behind bars. Those kids they have don’t deserve to endure any more from them. No child does. My thoughts go back to the moments before we left. How she felt in my arms, her warm lips against mine. Then my thoughts takes a one eighty, and I remember Hailey walking up to Barrett and kissing him. Wait! What? I look over at him and give him a smirk.
He shrugs his shoulders but a smile plays on his mouth. “What did she say?” Hailey’s a good person but I know she has a past with an abusive relationship. That’s why it surprised me so much for her to walk up and kiss him. So out of character.
He looks at me quickly then moves his eyes back on the road. “She told me to be careful.”
Silence.
I burst out laughing. Wiping tears, belly aching, laughter. I don’t know why this is striking me so funny. Maybe because it’s Hailey. Maybe because I’m nervous about what we�
�re headed to do. I dunno but I can’t seem to stop.
“What? She could have really meant for me to be careful.” Now he has a pouty look going, and it makes me laugh harder. He looks out the front window, and I watch his brows lower. “Someone could care about me,” he mumbles. Suddenly, I feel bad. I really don’t even know him that well. I have no idea where he’s from, what his story is. Hell, I don’t even know if he has a family. I stop laughing and reach over, putting my hand on his shoulder.
“Hey, man. I’m sorry. Of course there’s someone who cares about you.” He moves his eyes to me and then back at the road, giving me a nod. I pull my hand back and clear my throat. “So. You know some about me. What’s your story?” I settle back into my seat. “We still have a long way to go so tell me some about yourself, whatever you’re willing to share.”
He shifts in his seat, looking at me and the road as he talks. “Well, there’s not much to tell. I don’t have any sad stories, anything bad that’s happened. I’ve always had a good life. Happy. My parents are alive and well. I have three brothers and a sister.”
“Large family,” I state the obvious.
He smiles. “Yes and very close.”
Wow! So much I don’t know. I’ve been so busy with my own life and making sure that Jolie would be mine that I feel totally selfish for not asking him about his life. “So, why are you working uncover?” This seems so weird for someone who has a happy life, has a close family. I take out a bottled water from the cooler behind me and offer it to him. He takes it then I get myself one.
He screws off the cap and takes a drink and starts talking as he puts it back on. “After college, I still didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to do something that meant something, ya know?” I nod. “I joined the police force in California where I lived and one day, I overhead someone talking about a job to go undercover to weed out abusive foster parents.”
“Blake Fairchild,” I say out loud. He nods.
“Yep. Your guy. He was saying he moves around a lot, going wherever there’s a need. So, I walked right up to him and told him I wanted to join up. He didn’t hesitate to take me with him.” He lets out a breath. “He’s a good guy and I’ve learned a lot from him over time. I just want to help those kids out there, help them get into a good home and have a chance at a happy life.”
I look out the front window and take a drink. “You’re okay, you know that?” He lets out a laugh. “So what about your family. What do they think about you doing this?” I take another drink and lay my head back on the seat.
“Yeah, well. They aren’t really happy about it. They get why and think it’s admirable but they’d rather I become a doctor or lawyer.” He chuckles. “Dad tried to talk me into going to law school. Said I’d help them out by becoming a lawyer.” He looks over at me and smiles. “I actually thought about it. But I would open up my own office and feel guilty about charging for my services and not make any money that way either.” I let out a laugh. He’s got a good heart and smart.
“Anyway. They don’t like the danger and they hate that I travel around and am not back in California with them. Now my brothers? Sam is the oldest and he loves what I do, even wanted to join but he’s so busy he never has time. He’s the oldest and he’s an architect and a pretty damn good one. Burt, the middle child, is a doctor and has his own practice. When I helped rescue a child in California, he was pretty beaten up and Burt took care of him at no charge. He’s a pretty cool guy. Brett is a general contractor. Owns his own business. He can do anything and everything inside and outside of a house.” He takes another drink. “Now there’s … Stacey. She is the youngest and the biggest handful. My parents always hoped for a “Miss Pristine” but instead got a tomboy. Being raised with three brothers – there was no hope for her.”
I laugh and take another drink. “What about your parents? Sure sounds like they had a handful.”
He laughs along with me. “Well, they’re rich. Self-made. Dad has a good head for business and the stock market. They both hoped for their kids to grow up and be in the elite. Sam and Burt made it. Brett kinda did, but Stacey and me?” He laughs again.
“What does she do,” I ask really interested.
He looks at me, the smile never leaving him. “She’s still in college. I guess there’s hope for her yet.” He looks back at the road and rubs his shaven chin. He reminds me of a preppy with his clean shaven face and no tatts. I chuckle internally. “She kinda reminds me of Hailey. Always getting her hands dirty, tough, tomboy.” He laughs.
I turn a bit in my seat. “So – what about Hailey?”
He looks at me. “What about Hailey?”
I smile. “Like her?”
He looks back at the road. “She’s pretty hot. Don’t think she likes me though. Not really.”
“Nah. She’s like that to all guys. Came out of a really bad relationship, from what I hear. She’s pretty okay in my book. I think she just needs a guy to show her how a woman should be treated. Gonna take some work though.” I turn back and rest against the seat. “You’re right though. She is pretty hot.” I shift my eyes his way and can tell he’s thinking really hard. I’m starting to think my girl is right about them. I think they would be good together. I just don’t know how hard Hailey’s head is and if Barrett could get through, show her there are some good guys out there.
We ride the rest of the way in silence, both of us lost in our thoughts. We arrive at the site around five thirty, the guys still in place. Once parked down the street, I send off a text to Blake, letting him know we’re all here awaiting instructions. I get a reply immediately to wait until he gets here with backup. “Guess we’re stuck waiting a while longer. Blake’s on his way with backup,” I tell Barrett. He gives me a nod and settles in his seat. Fuck! I hate waiting.
Three hours later, we’re still waiting. The guys are getting restless. I get another text and Blake says he had to stop for a major pile up on the highway. He’ll be here soon. I let out a sigh. I look up when I feel Barrett’s hand on my arm. He lifts his chin towards the front window. A boy is running from the suspect’s house. He’s limping. I reach down, keeping my eyes on the boy, and open my bag, taking out my gun. I lean up and reach around my back, sliding it into the waistband of my jeans.
“Could be a trap,” Barrett says quietly.
I keep an eye on the boy as he runs across the street. “Could be he’s escaping.” I open the truck door and get out, still watching the boy until he disappears between two houses. I look at Barrett. “I’m going after him. Stay put. Keep an eye on the house. Tell the guys to be ready to move.” He gives me a nod, and I quietly shut the door. I run across the street, looking around as I go. I cut between two houses, having to jump a fence in the process. I keep low, even though it’s almost completely dark now, only the various lights from the surrounding houses giving a little light. I creep alongside the last house, looking around the side. The boy’s not very fast, obviously injured. I make my way around the house, keeping low by the bushes and front porches of every house until it dawns on me where he’s going. I run across the street and have to jump two more fences until I reach the next street. It takes me longer than I hoped but when I get there, I walk inside the adobe structure, and Jolie’s face immediately flashes in my mind.
I keep my back against the side of the building, the roughness of the adobe hard. My breathing is labored from my exertion but I try to be as quiet as I can. The sound of thunder roars in the distance, a crack of lightning follows. Great, just what we need. Closing my eyes, I rest my head against the building. My mind plays back to the night, not so long ago, on that dark and stormy night when I came here for Jolie. I hoped against all odds that she’d forgive me, want to be with me again, and let me try to give her the happiness she deserves.
A snap of rubble alerts me. I lift my head and open my eyes. Waiting. The sounds get
closer. I’m ready. The small body cautiously enters the building, and I’m quick to grab him, covering his mouth with my hand. He may be injured but he puts up a good fight, kicking me hard on my shin, struggling in my arms. “Shhhh. I’m not gonna hurt you.” He kicks some more, his hands on my arms, trying to get free. One swift kick and I yell. “Ow!” I put my mouth to his ear. “Stop. I’m here to help you.” He stills in my arms. “If I let you down, will you be quiet?” He nods, my arm and hand moving with the motion. I lower him to the ground, removing my hand. He turns and backs up, hobbling.
“Who are you,” he whispers.
“My name is Tanner.” I talk softly, gently, as I squat down to his level. My hands are raised, trying to convey that I mean him no harm. “I’m here with some other guys to get you both out of that house and arrest your foster parents.”
His eyes widen. “You are?” Tears fill his eyes quickly, and his body begins to shake. “My sister! She’s in there!” He limps over to me and grabs my arms. “Please! We need to go get her. I was going to rest for a few minutes and then go get help. Please! We need to get her.” He turns and starts to hobble towards the entrance of the building, but I jog there and squat in front of him, putting my hands on his shoulders.
“Okay. Hold up, buddy. We’re gonna get her, don’t you worry. First thing, let’s get you back to my guys, keep you safe. You let us take care of getting your sister, okay?”
His chin quivers. “But she needs me. I’m all she has.” He cries and my heart breaks. I can’t stop myself as I bring him into my arms, cradling his head with my hand. He can’t be more than five or six years old. I have no idea how old his sister is but with him acting like the big brother, I’m afraid she’s a lot younger. “We’ve got this, little man. C’mon. Let’s go get you to safety then we’ll go get your sister.” He nods, still crying into my chest. I stand, putting my arm around him, and lift him. I start walking out of the building. “How about you rest and I’ll carry you there.” He nods into my shoulder. I couldn’t see him very well in the dark and am afraid of what all injuries he might have. I start walking back to the guys, taking it slow so I don’t hurt him. “What’s your name, big guy?”
