LUKE
My brother ran me through the ringer when I called him. He was pissed I didn’t call him first. I don’t really blame him, I can imagine it doesn’t look good that I am calling in an assault this long after it happened. It might even cause problems for him at work. I hope not. I just really wanted Jessica to get some sleep. I knew he would have needed to interview her as soon as possible, so I waited until she woke up.
Well, he didn’t exactly run me through the ringer at first. His girlfriend was sitting next to him. So he waited until he was in his car when he called me back to chew me out.
“What the hell were you thinking? Assault really?”
I sigh. “It was for a good reason. He was slapping this woman around. He was trying to force her to leave the gym with him.”
“You should have called me when it happened, this was over twelve hours ago and you aren’t even in the same location the assault happened. Is the woman at least with you?”
“Yes. She is here. She’s scared. This guy has been following her for a while. She says she just keeps running and no one is helping her. I told her that you would. Don’t make me out to be a liar.”
He groans. “I don’t even know the situation. You don’t know the situation. Maybe she is a thief and he is just trying to get his money back. You don’t know.”
“I know that he slapped her around and then called her his wife and demanded that she come home with him. That is what I saw him do. She claims that they were never married and he just calls her that. I figured it was easy enough for you to run. It’s a matter of public record. You can check her story. I am just trying to keep her safe while you do that.”
He groaned. “It will take me a little to get there. Stay put. Don’t break any more laws in the meantime.”
“I solemnly swear that I will not break any more laws, is that good enough for you officer?”
“Don’t be a smart ass.”
“Wow, I didn’t know you thought I was smart. I feel honored.”
“I swear, Luke, you are going to be the death of half this family. Just keep it together please.”
“Just do your job and help her. I can’t do what you can.”
William hangs up on me. Great, now I am even more of a fuck up then he already thought I was. I guess it won’t matter as long as he helps out Jessica. She needs someone on her side. It appears she is alone and has been for a while.
Picking up around the cabin because the last thing I need is William busting my nuts because his cabin is a mess. Anything to be a problem. I swear it is like they try to find reasons that I am a screw up. I could do everything right and someone will find a dirty fork from 1999 and they will blame it on me.
I just about have everything done when I see a car moving up the drive. I can’t see very well from here because of the small windows. Jessica looks over at me from the couch. “Is that your brother?”
“I’m not sure. If it is him, he drove super fast. I think you should go to the back room just to be safe. I’ll get you if it is my brother.”
She nods and quickly rushes down the hall with Reeko behind her. I don’t even open the front door until I hear her close and lock the back bedroom door.
When I step out, I know I made the right choice. It isn’t my brother. This isn’t his service vehicle or his civilian car. It’s a black truck. Big and something that my dad would love, but nothing that any of my brothers would drive. Ok, maybe Justin, but that’s just because he likes to show off. This thing is new and flashy. I stand on the porch ready to defend this cabin with everything I have.
The asshole from last night steps out of his truck like he owns the world. Only he isn’t alone, some other guy who admittedly is twice my size, gets out too. He gets a cocky grin on his face. “Figures she would rope you into this. Look, all I want is my wife. You can go back to your little life and pretend you never saw either of us.”
I shake my head. “Not a chance. Besides, she isn’t here.” There is no way that he would know for sure that she is here or not. I don’t even know how he tracked her here. I was really careful. But one thing I know for sure, my brother is on his way, I just have to stall.
He puts his hands out from his sides in a manner that suggests that we are friends. The black eye that he is sporting is evidence that we are not. “Let’s just work this out. My wife likes to play a little hard to get. She always comes home though. So let’s not waste our time.”
I shrug. “Like I said, she isn’t here. I think you may want to address that with her when you find her. I’m not even sure how you found me at this cabin, it’s not even mine.”
He shakes his head. “I know she is here. Stop fucking around and send out my wife. And if I find out that you touched her, I’ll kill you. This is a plain and simple fact. Don’t mess with me. You don’t scare me. You only managed to over power me last night because you caught me off guard. It won’t happen again.”
I laugh. “Really that’s why you had to bring Tyson with you.” I point to the big burly guy. I am pretty sure he would decimate me in a one on one fight. I’m not an idiot.
He shrugs. “Insurance. Now, hand over my wife.”
I shake my head. “She isn’t here.”
All mirth has left his tone. “Stop fucking around, I want my wife now. I know she is here.” He nods his head towards the big guy. Apparently this is his cue to come at me.
I know I am not winning against this guy in a fair fight. I don’t really have a weapon out here either. Bracing myself on the railing I jump over the railing. As soon as I am down on the ground I charge towards my truck. I have a bat in there that I sometimes use at the bar when things get out of control. I doubt it will affect this guy all that much, but it’s what I got. I followed me to my truck and was about to plow into me. I raise the bat and take a swing, missing the first couple of times, but slowly driving him back. When I do connect it is his arm. He then grabs the bat and yangs it out of my arms. I swear this guy is huge. Where the hell do you find a guy this big?
The bat goes sailing through the air and lands way out of my range, towards the trees on the outer edge of the property. I know I need to get something else, but that isn’t happening anytime soon. He reaches for me, thankfully I am quick. I manage to dodge his grasp and spin away from him. Running for it seems like a good option, like a messed up game of keep away. Thank God I have those football skills or I would be really screwed right now.
I feel my breath catch in my chest when I hear her scream. He has gotten to her. Or at least inside the cabin. I can’t do anything from here. At least there aren’t any guns. I think that might make things worse. I can hear Reeko barking and growling so I know she has some defense. Still it would be better to get her away from these two. Unfortunately I am sure I am no match against them.
I dodge around the truck and do my best to keep away from this giant of a man. When he does manage to catch me, he grabs me behind the back of the neck and hauls me up off the ground.
I am suddenly the happiest I have ever been in my life to see my brother. His siren blares to life and I feel the guy behind me tense. I can tell he is debating on if he should drop me and run or try to make a stand. My brother quickly opens his door and takes cover behind it with his gun pulled.
“Drop the man and step away.” He yells out to the man holding me up.
I call out to him because I don’t want him caught off guard. “There is another one inside.”
The guy holding me, drops me and puts his hands behind his head. I am sure he was hired for muscle, not to face off against the cops. He surprises me further by dropping to his knees. Williams is pretty satisfied with this and comes closer with his cuffs. As he is restraining the big man he talks to him. “Where is she?”
“She is locked in the back room, but that man went in there. I should go help her.” Turning I want to rush in there and help, but William stops me.
“No, we have to do this right. You wait here.” He pulls his gun again and charges into the cabin. I left outside with the giant from the Princess Bride and nothing else to do but twiddle my thumbs.