Page 71 of Phoenix

He must feel how tense I am. “Mmm hmm. I’m okay.”

“You sure?”

“Yes. I’m sure.”

He kisses the top of my head then returns to a normal, standing position.

I focus my attention back on the guide as he finishes his speech. “This area is known for activity being caught on camera, so please, feel free to take a few moments to take pictures and see if you catch any spooks.” He steps back as the small group disperses, taking photos with their phones.

My nerves force me to look back over where the man was standing, and he’s nowhere to be found. Thank God. Maybe he got bored and just moved on.

I know you’re not supposed to judge books by their covers, but the way he was staring at us just wasn’t okay. It was predatory.

I release a breath, suddenly feeling silly for being so worried when a voice breaks through the night, sending a chill up my spine.

“If it isn’t The Officer Carmichael.”

Case and I both turn around and spot the man in the wifebeater, who is now on the other side of us.

“Can I help you?” Case asks, stepping slightly in front of me.

“Is this what you do when you’re not being a fucking dirty pig? Taking sexy as fuck blondes out on the town?” He puffs away at his cigarette, blowing the smoke right in my face.

“Watch what the fuck you say, man. I don’t know who you are, or what the hell you want, but you’re going to walk away. Now.” Case steps up and closer to him.

I grip his arm and tug back. “Case, stop. Just don’t engage. Please.”

“Most pigs don’t remember the innocent men they toss in jail for no reason.” He flips the cigarette toward us and it bounces off my chest before hitting the ground.

I jump back a little and rapidly wipe my chest. It didn’t even burn me, but Case reacts all the same.

It all happens in slow motion.

Case bursts toward the man and grabs him by the shirt, shoving him back against the brick wall.

“Don’t you ever disrespect her like that again, do you hear me, you piece of shit? Never. I’ll end you where you stand,” he growls.

“Case! Stop!” I rush forward and grab his arm, pulling him back. “Let go. Stop it!”

The other people in our group have obviously taken notice of the issue and are forming a circle around us.

Two men, the guide and another guy, try to pull Case away from the man.

“You see that! Everyone look and pay attention! Police brutality at its finest. This man attacks me in the street and wears a badge,” the crazy man shouts into the air.

“Case! There are children here. Please…let him go and leave with me,” I beg when he finally looks at me.

He pauses a beat before giving the man a final slam before releasing him.

As soon as the situation appears to be under control, my anger sets in and I turn on my heel, stalking away from the area and down the street, leaving the tour behind.

“Nora!” I hear him call after me, but I keep walking, tears forming in my eyes. “Nora!”

I wipe the tears from my cheeks and finally stop when I hear his steps approaching me from behind.

I whip around to face him, shoving him back with both hands. “Why would you do something so stupid?” I shove him again. “He could have had a knife! Or a gun! Or anything, Case! Stop putting yourself in situations you don’t need to be in!”

“What did you want me to do? The things he was saying and what he did to you, I should have pummeled him into the ground.”

---