Page 22 of The Ruckup
It’s me.
Leo’s gaze is intense as it scans me from head to toe. Like he needs to see that I’m okay.
That I’m safe.
Unfortunately, I’m learning safety is relative. And fleeting.
A marked car pulls up, lights flashing and sirens wailing. The officer behind the wheel rushes from his cruiser to the vestibule, feet stalling when he sees Leo. Recognition flashes across his face and he aims for Drake instead, slapping his cuffs on my ex while the detective speaks to Leo. After a few seconds, their eyes come my way.
I swallow hard.
Because I have no idea what comes now. Now that Drake knows where to find me. Now that Leo has seen what my life is really like.
Now that I have to face what my life will never be.
As Leo and the detective begin to walk toward my office, Sharon unlocks the deadbolt that proved to be way sturdier than I expected, and opens the door.
I try to pull in air, but my inhale comes out shaky, giving away how close I am to tears. To breaking.
Again.
But before the first tear falls, Leo’s reaching for me. Pulling me into his arms. His embrace is warm and tight. Strong and grounding. He holds me close.
Holds me together.
“Just breathe.” Leo’s voice is soft as he strokes my hair. “We’re going to figure all of this out.”
I wish I could believe him. I want to believe him. But I’ve been trying to figure Drake out for years, and just when I think I understand him, he does something I don’t expect.
Like try to kill me.
Leo tips his head forward, practically curling his big body around mine. He’s like a cocoon of safety, and I manage to pull in a full breath. Then he says something that steals it right back out of my lungs.
“But while we figure this out, you’re going to be staying with me.”
8
Intercepting off the Pitch
Leo
IT’S THE SECOND day in a row I’ve spent hours at Maddie’s apartment complex while the police investigate a crime.
Only this time, I’m a part of it. Directly.
When they separate Maddie and me so they can take our statements independently of each other, I nearly go out of my mind. In fact, the only reason I don’t completely lose my shit is because I can see her sitting safely behind her desk through the now-open blinds of her office window.
“So you pulled up to bring Ms. Ashford lunch and saw Mr. Ashford attempting to make forcible entry into her office.” The cop tasked with recording my side of the story recounts what I’ve already told him. “Then what happened?”
I grit my teeth together at him tying Maddie to that piece of shit. She’s worked so hard to get away from that fucker, and I can’t stand anyone trying to drag her back.
Even if it’s only in name.
But the sooner I get through this, the sooner I can pack her shit up and take her to my house where Drake the dick won’t be able to find her.
“Then I saw him take a few steps back, like he was trying to get a running start. I was worried the doors wouldn’t hold if he hit them with his full weight, so I… intercepted him.” I keep my explanation simple. To the point.
The cop nods as he continues writing in his notebook. “Were you aware Ms. Ashford had a protective order against her husband?”
