Page 123 of Our Broken Pieces
“Gigi Holt?” he says, his voice steady but urgent.
I blink, trying to make sense of it all. Slowly, I nod.
“Everything’s going to be okay. I’m Officer McBride. I’m here to help you.”
I clutch the towel tighter, still trembling. “Okay,” I manage to say, my voice small and shaky.
“I’ll step outside. Get dressed. I’ll be right here if you need me.” He closes the door behind him, leaving me alone.
My whole body is shaking as I drop the towel and hastily put my clothes back on. I catch my reflection in the mirror—a bruise darkens my cheek, a painful reminder of this morning’s slap. But none of that matters now. They’ve found me. The police are here. I’m safe.
Tears spill from my eyes as the weight of the last twenty-four hours hits me. I’m getting out of here. Grace and her men will be arrested. I’m safe.
I wipe my face and take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. After a moment, I open the door. Officer McBride is waiting, giving me a reassuring smile.
“Are they gone?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Mrs. Murphy and the others?”
I nod.
“Yes,” he says. “They’re being taken to the precinct.”
Relief washes over me. It’s over. I’m safe.
“Can I call my husband, please?”
Chapter Eighty-Eight
Marcus
My father turns onto the street of the address we were given. I see a swarm of police cruisers at the base of the building ahead of us.
“Just pull over, Dad.” I need to get out of this car.
He finds an empty spot and pulls over. I barely wait for the car to fully stop before I’m on the sidewalk. As I begin to walk, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I answer. “This is Marcus.”
“Prince Charming.” I hear her shaky voice.
I stop in my tracks, my hand in my hair, tears in my eyes. “Baby, fuck, it’s so good to hear your voice.” My eyes search the sidewalk ahead of me. “Where are you?”
“I’m about to come downstairs. Please tell me you’re here. I need you right now.”
“I’m here. Fuck, Gigi, come to me, please.”
I hear the line crackle, like she’s holding it against her clothes. “We’re on our way.”
“Stay on the phone with me, please.” I’ve never felt so desperate to hear someone’s voice.
“Okay.”
I hear doors open and the sound of an elevator ding. “Ethel slept on me last night.”
“That man-stealing hussy.” Her laugh breaks with tears.
“I love you so much.”
“I love you, too.”
