“Fucking idiots. Don’t even know not to walk into a situation where they don’t know all of the players.” I shook my head. “I’m Joshua Townsend and you two dickheads fucked with what’s mine.”
“Townsend, as in—”
“Don’t interrupt me while I’m speaking. Like I said, you fucked with someone very near and dear to me. My woman. My future wife. Theonlyreason you two are still breathing is because I won’t have any of my actions come down on her head. But trust me, when I say that doesn’t mean you won’t pay for what you’ve done.”
“We didn’t do shit!”
“Shut the fuck up! My patience only runs but so long. I told you once not to interrupt while I’m speaking. And I’m only willing to give either of you fucks a few more minutes of my time. So here’s what’s going to happen. You’re both going to turn in your resignation letters to the Portland PD, stating exactly why you’re unfit for duty. You will specifically detail how you coerced victims of Michael Stephens not to come forward. How you threatened and manipulated them. When you’re arrested for your confessions, you will plead guilty. Chances are you’ll get minimal if any time behind bars. I’ll let the judicial system run its course on that matter, but you will never work in law enforcement again. You’ll be lucky to get a job as a security guard at the fucking mall. And that’s just for starters.” I had more plans for these two. Plans that included running them out of Portland for good.
“You can eat shit! I’m not doing a goddamn thing!”
I chuckled and looked over at Connor and Brutus who both wore amused expressions as well.
“Fucking tough guy,” Connor mumbled.
“You will. You know why?” I held my hand out and Brutus tossed me my cell phone. I scrolled through until the pictures I wanted were up, then turned my phone toward the two shitheads.
“That’s my fiancée!” Ramirez yelled.
I turned the phone back to me. “So it is. Oh, and who is this?” I scrolled to the next picture, turning it to face Waltz.
He didn’t say anything but his eyes widened. It was a picture of his parents as they slept in their own bed.
“You don’t want to know how I got these images. But let’s just say, pictures are the last thing you need to be fearful of when it comes to me. You messed with mine, I will mess with yours. Ask about me, gentlemen. I don’t make idle threats. Your friend, Stephens, is going down, and you two are going with him. And anyone else who helped that motherfucker get away with the shit he’s been doing.”
I stood, cracking my neck, and stared down at the two now silent officers.
“Not so cocky anymore? I figured. It’s late, and I’ve got a big day ahead of me tomorrow and so do you. It’s time to go. Don’t worry about your vehicle, Ramirez, my security will escort you back to your homes and help you type up your letters of resignation and confessions. They’re helpful that way.” I tossed both men a wink before turning and exiting the ring. I still wasn’t completely satisfied but it was a start. It was time I got back to my woman, anyway.
Thirty minutes later, I entered the private apartment that I’d rented for Kay’s and my stay while in Portland. I nodded at the security I’d had stationed outside of the door before slipping in and discreetly heading in the opposite direction of the master bedroom. I opted to shower in one of the guest bathrooms so I wouldn’t wake Kay.
Fifteen minutes after I arrived, I eased my way into the master bedroom, a sense of ease enveloping me when I saw her sleeping form in the bed. I stared down at her, again, mesmerized by the way her auburn hair rested wildly across her face and pillow. I lifted the comforter and eased into bed, letting her body heat warm my naked frame.
She moaned a little when I wrapped an arm around her waist as I scooted closer to her. Her body instinctively melded to mine, allowing me to spoon her comfortably.
“Work ran late?” she mumbled, half-sleep.
I’d told her I had a few work meetings that I needed to get in that evening.
“Yeah.”
“Everything okay?”
I lifted my head and planted a kiss to her temple. “Everything’s fine. Go back to sleep.” I inched in impossibly closer, not allowing for any space in between our bodies, and held her until her breathing steadied again. Soon after I fell asleep knowing that she was safe as long as she was in my arms.
****
Kayla
I hated the feeling of nervous anticipation that coursed through my entire body as I paced back and forth in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows in the high profile attorney’s office. We were waiting for a journalist from Portland’s number one news station to show up. Joshua and I arrived early at my insistence.
“Hey,” Joshua called as he grabbed my hand, halting my pacing. “You can do this, all right?”
I inhaled, letting his assurances fill be up and replace my self-doubt. “I know. I just want to get it over with. I hate that this feels like so long in the making. And I hate even more the thought that every second we wait is another second he is out there, on the street, possibly …” I couldn’t finish the thought.
“He’s not.”
I lifted my gaze to meet Joshua’s. His eyes were darkened with anger.
