Page 17 of Beaten

He’d hold him there while we removed all the boxes, then wait with Craig in the apartment until I came back.

Craig tried to turn his head like he wanted to say something, but changed his mind when Jack applied more pressure.

I went back inside and checked on Emily. She was shaken up and begging to leave so we grabbed the last few boxes and carried them to my SUV. When we were done, Emily said she was worried about upsetting her parents and wanted some time to settle down before going home, then asked if we could stop for food on our way home.

Her heart is so big. Despite what she’d just gone through, her biggest concern was for her parents.

Chris said it was typical of her to be more worried about them than about herself. “She’s too kind for her own good.”

I couldn’t disagree, knowing Craig had taken advantage of her kind heart.

Emily suggested a restaurant just outside Houston, saying it was her favorite place to stop when she drove back home.I asked Emily to text me the address after we made plans to meet there.

“Thanks Jamie, I don’t know what I would’ve done without you and Jack there to help.”

“Let’s not think about it.”

I waited until Chris pulled away before going back inside.

Jack was standing in the doorway, his right hand resting on the grip of his gun, watching Craig who was now standing in front of the couch, his hands still zip-tied behind his back.

Craig took what he probably thought was a menacing step forward when I came in. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Jack sounded calm, but our of the corner of my eye I saw his hand tighten on his gun. Craig saw it too and stepped back.

“Whatever.” He shrugged his shoulders.

“We’re the guys you’ll have to deal with if you so much as think about violating your restraining order ever again.”

He opened his mouth to reply, but thought better of it when I glared at him. Then he turned his shoulders and lifted his wrists. “You gonna untie me?”

I looked at Jack, silently telling him to cover me. He nodded.

“Turn around and face the kitchen.” I made sure Jack had a clear shot if Craig got violent, then cut the ties with my pocket knife and stepped back out of reach.

“Hands where I can see them.” Jack commanded.

Craig put his hands out in front of him in the classic surrender position and sat down.

“Whatever.” He put his hands on his thighs and leaned back in an attempt to look relaxed. The vein popping in his forehead, told a different story. Jack and I waited for ten, long tense minutes.

“We’re leaving. Sit your ass right there and count to one thousand. Slowly. If you follow-”

“Yeah yeah, you’ll call the cops. You sound like a broken record.” He pointed at the door. “Get out of my fucking house.”

“Gladly. Just so you know, we’re returning Ms. Taylor’s keys to the landlord, and giving him a court order to remove her from the lease.”

“Whatever.”

Jack covered me as I walked out, then shut the door behind us. A few seconds later we heard a thump against the door.

“That guy is a piece of fucking work.” Jack said after we got in my SUV.

“Christ.” I ran my hand through my hair. “I’m glad that’s over and she never has to see him again.” Except maybe for the court date, but I’d be there with her, keeping her safe.

“Yeah, me too. Let’s get out of here. I’m starving, and I’m sure Emily could use some extra support.”

Chapter 10

---