Page 93 of A First Sight

“You can’t fire me.” Dale’s face turned beet red, and his hands curled into fists. “I’ll press charges. Look at what that bitch did to me!” Dale gestured to the scratches that were still oozing blood.

“That’s quite enough of that,” Irene said sharply. “In fact, I think you’d be wise not to speak at all.”

“What did you just say to me?” Dale took a step toward her.

“Apparently, I overestimated your intelligence,” she glared up at him. “I’ll put it more simply then. Sit down and shut the fuck up.”

The room was dead silent for several seconds, the shock of Irene’s words echoing. Then, finally, Dale sat down.

My jaw hanging open, I turned to Irene. When her eyes met mine, a hint of a smile twisted her lips.

I stepped outside the office, trusting that our security guard would make sure Dale didn’t go anywhere. A pair of uniformed officers looked at me.

“I’m Officer Horner, and this is Officer Billingsley.” The woman introduced herself and her partner.

Irene came up to me and addressed the officers. “I want that man arrested for assault on this young woman,” she stated bluntly.

“We’re going to need to get everyone’s statements,” Officer Billingsley said.

“Arrest her!” Dale’s voice was thick as he struggled to his feet. “That bitch did this to me!”

“He is overly fond of that word,” Irene said. “We witnessed this man attack her.”

Less than ten minutes later, Officer Horner was putting cuffs on Dale. Finally, these charges might stick, now that he had proven to everybody just how crazy he was.

SIXTY-EIGHT

DRAKE

I was buried deepin work when my cell phone rang, Maggie’s number showing up on the screen.

I answered right away.

“Can you pick me up?” Her voice wavered, and all my senses went on high alert.

“Where?”

“Northwell Health.”

Fear gripped me tightly. “Are you all right?”

“I am,” she said, her tone even. “I’ll explain everything when you get here.”

“I’m on my way.”

From the moment I hung up and got into my car, only Maggie was on my mind. I had a thousand scenarios, none of them good. Every minute that passed increased my tension, and by the time I reached the hospital, my nerves were stretched tight.

Maggie was waiting outside by the doors. I pulled to the curb and let her get in. I saw her left cheek was bruised, and she held herself as if her torso hurt.

“I’m going to kill that fucker,” I said as I reached for her.

She leaned into me, her body relaxing the moment my arms went around her. I kissed the top of her head and waited for her to talk.

“Can we go to your place?” she asked when she pulled away.

“Aye.”

As I drove, she filled me in on what had happened. I was grateful Dale was in police custody because I was fucking sick of him. If he got out again soon, I would be tempted to go after him and finish things with my own hands.

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