Page 82 of Beaten

“She did, she is; she was sleeping when I left. Chris is with her.”

“Good. Good.” She patted my arm.

“How is Mr. Taylor? Emily mentioned he has a minor concussion, but is he okay other than that?” That was a stupid question, a concussion in a fifty-eight year old man was serious, no matter how “minor” it was.

“A few bruises and seven stitches in his forehead. It could have been a lot worse.” She brought her hand to her mouth and exhaled sharply. I could see her fighting back her tears. “I thought the damn fool was going to get himself shot.”

I pulled her into a hug. She might not have any physical injuries but she’d been held hostage, had her life threatened, and watched her husband and daughter get beat up—that’d leave an emotional scar. She’d need just as much time to heal from her emotional wounds as they’d need for their physical ones.If not more.

She pulled away. “Your dad was just telling me SSI is going to replace our doors as soon as the police are done collecting evidence. Can you please tell him that’s not necessary?”

“No ma’am.” I was going to suggest the same thing.

She gave me a scolding look. “You don’t need to do that. You’ve already done so much for us.”

The former cop in me wanted to say something like ‘just doing our job ma’am’ but I couldn’t. This had always been more than just a job for me.A lot more.

“Mrs. Tay-Anne,” I corrected myself when she gave me the mom look. “I’m sorry I couldn’t prevent what happened tonight. I feel like I let all of you down.”

“This isn’t on you.” My dad used his no-nonsense tone. Great, it wasn’t enough that I was getting the mom-voice treatment from Mrs. Taylor, but I could sense an incominglecture from my dad.Please don’t embarrass me in front of Emily’s mom.

“I know you feel responsible because of your feelings for Emily, but this isn’t on you. We work as a team, and we did everything we could given the circumstances. And while I don’t feel good about what happened tonight, none of us are to blame.”

“Yes, sir.” The logical part of my brain knew he was right. We’d suggested things that might have prevented what happened tonight, but Emily had declined them all with a hard no. Not that we blamed her, or her parents, for not wanting to feel like they were living under a microscope.I’m sure Chris is blaming himself too. But the only person to blame was Craig Hopper.And he’s gone now.

“Are you sure I can’t get you anything Mrs-Anne?”

“I’m good. I’m going to rest here a bit with Chris. I don’t want him to be alone when he wakes up.” Before I could respond, I was overcome with the visceral need to be at Emily’s side, to be there when she woke up.

She saw me look at the door and said, “go back to Emily,” as she sat beside her husband and held his hand.

I leaned down and gave her a peck on the cheek. “Thank you.”

I asked, “Any trouble with WPD?” As Dad walked me to the door.

“Nothing I can’t handle, son.” I nodded, comforted with the knowledge we’d be able to repair any damage we’d done to our relationship with them. “And before you suggest it, I’ve already asked Meg to schedule a crime scene clean upcompany for tomorrow. And Dean and Eric are watching the house, front and back.”

There might not be a threat to the Taylors anymore but crime scenes could attract all sorts of curious, and sometimes destructive, people.And thanks to us, the Taylors no longer have functioning doors.

“Thanks, Dad.” He knew me too well. Not that it was hard, I was just like him.

And damn proud of it.

Dad had also convinced the nurses to allow me and Mrs. Taylor to stay the night.

Emily and I spent it talking a little and sleeping a lot.

I never thought I would feel this way about anyone ever again, but as I watched Emily drift off to sleep in the early morning hours I realized maybe I could.

Chapter 41

Jamie

WPD released the house the next morning, and workers were onsite within the hour to install new doors while the clean up crew cleaned the kitchen. The new doors were steel-core, with dead bolts, which was an upgrade from the wood doors with handle locks they’d had forever. My dad didn’t mess around. He also stayed there the entire time, making sure everything was done up to spec.

Mom cooked a huge casserole for Emily and her parents, and one for Chris and his family, saying they shouldn’t have to worry about things like cooking for the next few days. I was blessed to be surrounded by so many loving, caring people.

I took the day off so I could drive Emily and her parents to Chris’s house. When I told Chris it was the least I could do for them, I neglected to mention that I needed to be withEmily, for my sanity. The plan was to hang out there until the house was ready, then I’d drive them all home.

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