by C. M. Steele
I growled, getting looks from all three of them. I ignored them.
“Can we speak to her yet?” McManus asked.
“Yes, please follow us.” They let us into the temporary room in the ER that they moved her into which included its own private bathroom.
Her eyes widened because McManus entered first, but then they softened when she saw me. I received a pitiful smile, but it was something. Both of us stepped closer to the bed, and I made the introductions. "Ms. Garcia, this is Undersheriff John McManus. He wants to ask you a few questions about the incident tonight.”
"Are you leaving?" she asked with a nervous hitch in her voice, giving me a worried look.
"Not unless you ask,” I informed her.
"Please stay,” she begged unapologetically.
Nodding, I promised, "Absolutely." The undersheriff looked between us as a smile crept up on his face.
"Ms. Garcia, please tell me what happened,” he stated.
She took a deep breath and looked to me for strength. I gave her a nod, so she began. "I was running late to work, so I was doing seventy-four in a seventy.” She blushed and shrugged. “I’d only been a few miles from my home when I saw the lights behind me. I pulled over even though I thought it wasn't smart because I was in a wooded area with no lights around, but I also didn't want to make him think I was going to flee. I took out my driver’s license and did as he requested.”
She huffed and shook her head, realizing she had done that with me. I gave her an understanding smile, allowing her to continue, “He came out of a police SUV in full uniform."
"Did you see the type of logo on the side of the SUV? Or his name on his badge?"
"I didn’t see any logo on the side, but the lights were on the roof. His name, strangely, was Cavanaugh. Like yours," she said, looking at my chest.
"I'm the only Cavanaugh on the force."
"Are you sure your memory isn’t fuzzy from all that’s happened?" McManus asked.
"Yes, I'm sure. I was confused at first, but as I sat on the edge of the squad car, I pictured the man and his uniform, which wasn't the same color as yours. The nameplate shined briefly in the moonlight."
"Damn. We're probably not looking for a Will County deputy at all. Maybe it’s one of the neighboring police departments or someone impersonating an officer,” I exclaimed with a million possibilities going through my head.
"That should be a good thing, right?"
"Yes and no. It’s good that it’s not someone in the sheriff’s department, but see, it widens the list of suspects and doesn’t eliminate any other blues. Can you give us a description of the man?" McManus questioned, rubbing his smooth jaw with the pen in his hand. It was the first time I noticed how weak he looked.
“He was about your height,” she said, looking at McManus who was about six foot. “He had dark hair. His build was medium, and he was in his thirties, I guess. I’m sorry. It was really dark, and he shined the flashlight in my eyes.”
“That’s okay, Macy,” I reassured, clasping her hand in mine. She squeezed it, making my heart swell that she trusted me so much. “We know you’ve been through a lot tonight.”
“Yes, Ms. Garcia. Just give us what you can.” McManus’s irritation showed as he made notes.
“He tried to drag me into the woods and tore my clothes. I fought him off and pulled my knife from my pocket, plunging it into his junk, then I ran to my car as fast as I could.” She broke down in tears.
I squeezed her hand, knelt down at her side, and whispered, “You are safe, Macy. We’ll make sure you stay that way.” She clung to me for a couple of minutes before getting herself together. In my arms was right where she belonged.
“Thank you, Ms. Garcia. Please let us know what we can do for you. I may have more questions, but for the time being, please take care,” McManus said.
“Um…how am I supposed to get home? My car…” Her voice faded out, and she looked sheepishly at me.
“It’s being towed.” She closed her eyes, and I could see that it wasn’t something she could afford. I didn’t tell her I had it towed to my place, but I did. Protecting and caring for her had been all I could think about since I saw her beautiful face. “We can drop you off at home.”
“I don’t want to go home,” she blurted out with her eyes widening dramatically. McManus and I shared a knowing look. All things at home weren’t good. Having seen her address on her ID, it was clear she lived in the shittiest trailer park in the county. I wouldn’t want to go there either.
“Why?” McManus asked pointedly.
She hesitated a little too long to be believable. “I just don’t want to face them tonight. Can you take me to my job? If I still have one.”
“Whatever you want,” I stated. I didn’t mean that shit, though. I’d been in that diner once or twice, but I never saw her there. I did notice the manager, who looked like a dick, and the jackasses that flirted with the waitresses there. It wasn’t safe.
McManus lingered at the edge of the doorway, then said, “Sean, can I have a word with you?”
We stepped out into the hallway, and he led me away from the room and a little further out of hearing. “Something is going on at home. That look—I’ve seen it before. She didn’t want to be there. Maybe this didn’t start with lights on the road.”
I had to disagree. “No, sir. I agree something in the home life seems odd, but the way she was scared of me after she finally crashed and still tried to get away. She was scared of a cop. She told me to please not kill her. Fuck, that hit me hard.”
“Well, tonight is your last night. Go take this girl wherever she’s going and then come back and sign out,” he told me.
“Okay, sir.”
“By the way, use your head, not your dick. That girl doesn’t need another man hitting on her,” he lectured me.
Although I didn’t appreciate it, I understood he had a point. “I’m way ahead of you on that, sir.” I wouldn’t do anything to have her fear me.
I stepped back in the room, forgetting to let her know I was coming in, and she was slipping a scrub top over her head with her back to me. I could see the hint of her boob from the side, and I immediately looked away. Now wasn’t the time to get a hard-on. Macy deserved more from me.
I turned my back to her and said, “Hey, sorry. I was wondering if you’re ready to get out of here.”
“Yes, please.”
Chapter Eight
Macy
We were in the squad car on the way to my job—or former job. I was sure I was fired. Truthfully, I just wanted to get out of town and forget that I ever lived here.
Most of my things were packed in my trunk and back seat. I’d been slowly packing away some things in my car. Now I was homeless, without my car, and with just the hospital clothes on my back. Damn. I wondered if the towing company would steal my things.
“Can we just go to where my car is?” I asked. At least I had my purse and everything in it so I could go to Weston and get a hotel room.
“I can take you there. Are you not going to work?”
“I’m more than likely fired. I was given a warning the other day. It’s why I got the fast car.”
“Speaking of, I saw your information. How do you have a brand-new ride like that and are living in a broken-down trailer park?”
I tried not to be offended; it was a valid question, given my living situation and job. My stepfather accused me of getting my sugar daddy to buy it for me. I didn’t have one of them, but he was a sick fuck, and everything was about sex for trade.
“I don’t mean to come off as offensive. It’s just…”
“No, I understand. I don’t have a car note for it. It’s paid in full, and not because I saved all my earnings for the past two years. My father left a trust for me. It wasn’t a great deal of money, but when he died it was set up for me,” I informed him. I didn’t add that there was more money coming in good time, but that wasn’t important at the moment.
“P
lease tell me you didn’t spend it all. You’re working as a waitress at a truck stop.”
“I get that I’m young and not using the money quite the same way you would, but I need a great car to get a better job,” I said defensively. I got that he was a mature adult, but damn, I didn’t want to be lectured right now.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off like a prick. It’s just…well, there are better ways to spend your money.”
“Yes, I get that, and I have some money left. I was looking for new work in the next town over.”
“Oh, that’s where I live. So, I’ll get to see you again. Maybe I can help you invest the rest of your money.”
“I don’t think so.” I looked at him like he was crazy because he was a cop on his last day. I arched my brow, waiting for the smirk on his face to stop being so attractive to no avail.
“I’m really good at investments,” he said, pulling into the police station.
Immediately, terror washed over me. “Wait! What are we doing here?” I asked, frantically looking around for my attacker.
“Since I’m not taking you to your job, I’m going to switch vehicles. Then go inside to change and sign out. After that, I’ll take you somewhere else.”
“But I don’t want to go in there,” I stammered, shaking as the words left my lips. My heart pounded out of control, an intense fear taking hold. He grabbed my hand and looked me directly in the eyes. I stared back, immediately calming down.
With a gentle tone, he said, “You don’t have to. Let me take you to my car, and you can sit inside. If it makes you feel better, I’ll leave you with the keys and the car running.”
“You’re going to trust me with your car?” I asked, giving him a side eye. I get that we were in the lot next to the station, but there were no gates. I could ride that bad boy out of here.
“Yes, I am. I want to make sure you feel as safe as possible.” Fucking hell, if this man said one more sweet thing to me, I was going to melt into a puddle. I’d never met someone who actually gave two fucks about me or my safety other than my father. This man didn’t owe me a thing and had no reason to be this generous with his trust and time.
“Thank you, Mr. Cavanaugh.”
“Call me Sean.” He smiled, then parked the car in the lot next to a large SUV. He stepped out, then he helped me out and walked me to the giant ride next to us. “This is my truck. Here, hop in.” He opened the door and handed me the keys. “Press the brake and the push start at the same time.”
“It’s the same as mine,” I told him with a twist of my lips.
“I think many of the new cars are being made this way.”
“This isn’t a car. This is a beast,” I reminded him. It was huge.
“Well, I suppose you’re right. Hold tight, lock the doors, and I’ll be back in five minutes.” He walked away, but he turned around and took several looks back before heading inside. I couldn’t stop the smile on my face, but now that he was gone, I was nervous all over again. Immediately, I wanted him to return. I had no idea how long it would take.
Nervously, I started searching the back seat, like the dirty cop or creeper was back there. It was empty. The truck was pretty clean except for the pair of panties in an opened gift box sitting on the front seat. There was a note sticking out, and I couldn’t stop my nosy self.
Since we’re no longer colleagues, I wanted you to know my offer still stands—Ellen. I tried not to be jealous because I didn’t even know this guy and there was no reason for it, but my heart was thumping and my hands were itching to pull her hair out.
I put the note back and waited for him as patiently as possible with the engine running. The clock said ten forty-two when he went in, and now it was ten forty-eight. I was getting a bit apprehensive even though it was only a little bit longer than he said.
I was starting to get extremely anxious when I saw him hop down the stairs in a hurry. He’d changed into a pair of dark jeans and a thin gray sweater. Damn, he was handsome.
He smiled at me, and I hit the unlock button as he walked to the driver’s side. He opened it up and helped me out. “Mr. GQ, is that why you’re leaving your job?” He chuckled as he looked down at me, and the sound was sexier than the look.
What was going on with me? I’d nearly been raped and possibly killed earlier, and here I was ogling and melting over my handsome protector. I was more attracted to him than I had the right to be. The man was just being a good samaritan and police officer, and here I was fantasizing about how our baby would look in those strong arms.
“No, it’s not, but thanks for the compliment, sweetheart. Let’s get you in your seat so we can be on our way.” The box with the bitch’s panties was sitting in the seat. I went to reach for it, but he beat me to it. He grabbed it and tossed it into the garbage bin a few feet away. He walked back over, and I was frozen to the spot as I watched his movements.
“Sorry about that. Some women won’t take no for an answer.”
“Do you usually let women into your truck to leave gifts?” Wow, that sounded ten times more possessive and like a psycho, jealous girlfriend.
“She gave that to me when I was about to go on patrol today. I didn’t want to dump it in the trash in front of her, but I don’t want to give you the wrong impression either.”
Why would he worry about giving me the wrong impression? “No need to explain, really. It was rude of me to even bring it up.”
“No, I want to make you feel as safe and comfortable as possible. I know that this night has been fucking insane and terrible for you.” He smiled, then backed out of the spot. Holy hell, the man was stunning. From head to toe, he had sexy written all over him without even trying. It made no sense how I could trust and want to be around him after all that had happened, but at this point, who else did I have?
“Okay,” I muttered. I clutched onto my seatbelt as he sped off into the night. My night of terror had irrevocably changed my life.
Sensing the tension ripping through me, he swore. “Shit, I forgot you were in a car accident today. Well, I’ll slow down if it makes you feel better.”
“It’s not the speed. I’m just thinking about things.” The scenery suddenly became more intriguing or at least it was better than explaining my emotions.
“About what?” he asked after a mile or two, curiosity getting the better of him.
“Like what I’m going to do about my life. I suppose I could get a place and hope I land a job ASAP,” I threw out with my focus trained to the outside. I didn’t want to see the pity he’d have in his perfect whiskey-colored eyes.
“You can stay with me until then,” he offered.
I whipped my head around, then shook it. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“I do.” This time he had an uncompromising tone.
“And you’re the king of good judgment?” I questioned, crossing my arms.
He nodded and shrugged. “Most of the time, yes. But like I said, I want to make sure you’re safe, and what better way than you living with me?”
I didn’t have a lot of reasons to argue with him. I had no other options. I sure as fuck couldn’t go back to the trailer. And I wouldn’t burden any of the girls at the diner for a place to crash. Who better to be with than a man bent on protecting you?
“I suppose you have a point.” We were just on the outer city limits of Weston when we pulled up to the old Cotswold Mansion. It was built before the civil war. I heard it sold a couple of years ago, but the owner had never been mentioned. The newly modified gates opened up, and Sean drove through them.
“What are we doing here?” Just as I asked, I saw my car parked near the large garage to my right.
“Wait…this is…” My comprehension lapsed for a second. The place was more than any officer could afford. Even a guy with forty years on the force couldn’t buy the old mansion. Well, they could, but they couldn’t afford anything else afterward.
“My new home,” he answered.
“Oh
shit, are you one of those crooked, drug-dealing cops?” I asked, gripping the door handle, ready to make a run for it.
He laughed. “No. I told you earlier about investing. I told you I could help you.”
“So you had your money invested, and this is what you got from it?” I exclaimed, finding that absolutely unbelievable
“Actually, that’s partly true. I worked hard as a teen, then I dabbled in online investing, and I found out I was really good at it. It wasn’t what I had in mind, so even though I made a fortune, I still set out to be a cop. A detective, actually.” He turned off the engine and got out of the truck. I unbuckled my seatbelt as he opened my door.
“So why are you quitting?” I asked, quickly adding another question before he could answer me. “Or do you have another job?”
He chuckled, making himself look even more amazingly sexy if that was even possible. “I don’t have another job lined up. I really wanted to be a detective, but I picked the wrong place to try. The budget is bone dry, and the politics are old school.”
“But you’re wealthy; that sure as hell would grease the right elbows,” I teased, twisting my lips. I felt a little less broken with him here.
“I want it on merit,” he admitted. Something about that confession just made him irresistible. A man who could have it all but only wanted it if he earned it.
“Sean, you’re a real freaking pleasant surprise.”
“You’re more than a pleasant surprise for me,” he said, smiling before catching himself. My mouth widened as the implication was as visible as a neon sign in the middle of the night. He wasn’t just doing this out of the kindness of his heart. He didn’t normally pick up strays. He was interested in me. I didn’t know what to say or how to handle it, but he managed to take care of that for me.
“Come on. Let’s get you inside before the rain heads back around,” he remarked, hopping out of the driver’s side. I opened my door just as he approached it.
Being only five three, I didn’t realize how high it was off the ground, and I nearly fell on my face when Sean reached me and helped me stand up. His hands lingered on my waist as my hands pressed to his firm, broad chest, holding me close to his body. I felt the heat run through me, causing a soft gasp to escape my lips.
