"I will. But I don't think that's going to happen."
He stands and gestures to the officers. "We're going to finish searching the premises. It's part of the warrant. Just sit tight for a few more minutes."
My father comes to sit next to me while the cops continue searching, of all places, the kitchen cupboards and under the Christmas tree. When they find the ruined laptop in the office, Detective Hargrove asks about it.
"Coffee spill," Rafe says smoothly. "Happened this morning…" He stands with his chest puffed out, but he's relaxed. I'm barely able to concentrate on the way my dad dotes over me, asking if I'm alright and telling me how desperately my mother misses me. These cops have no reason to search all of Rafe's things, but I fully respect why he made me move all of his stash now. He knew this would happen.
After an hour of searching, all three of them walk back into the living room and stand over me.
"Everything checks out," one of the officers says to Detective Hargrove. "Looks like a couple staying here for the holidays."
Detective Hargrove nods and turns back to me. "Miss Maddox, you'll need to go to the station tomorrow to give a formal statement like the detective said. And we'll need to verify the information you've provided."
"I understand. I'll be there."
"Good." He looks at my father. "Mr. Maddox, you can take your daughter home now."
My father stands and reaches for my hand. "Come on, sweetheart. Your mother is waiting."
"I'm not going home today, Daddy… I want to stay with Rafe. We're planning to be there tomorrow, okay?"
"No, Riley, I forbid it." He pulls my hand harder, walking toward the door as the cops head toward the exit and file out. But I plant my feet and resist him.
When I moved here, he begged me not to come. When I called home for help, he offered to let me move home but ended up sending me money. And now when I want to be independent, he insists I should be under his roof.
I understand that he's scared, but I am a different woman now. And I have a man I love with me to protect me.
"Dad, no." I square my shoulders as he turns back around, and I feel Rafe standing behind me.
"I am staying here tonight. But I'll be home tomorrow for Christmas. Okay?" I reach up and hug him, and he squeezes me so tight I almost can't breathe. His face burrows into my hair and he lets out a choked sob.
"I thought I lost you, Rye."
"I know, Dad. I'm okay…" I let him hold me for a few seconds and then sigh. "Let me call Mom."
"What?" he asks, pulling away.
"Your phone. I don't even know where mine's at. Let me use it to call Mom and let her know I'm okay. But I swear I'll be home tomorrow."
Dad fumbles for a second, searching every pocket he has until he finds his cellphone. Then he hands it to me before wiping his face clean with his sleeve.
When I feel a hand in the small of my back, I know Rafe is there. He watches over my shoulder as I find Mom's contact and press the call button, and in under fifteen seconds the call is connected and her worried voice blasts across the line.
"Tom, oh my God, tell me it's her."
"Mom?" I say, and I hear her gasp first, then a sob or two. "Mom, I'm okay. It's me, Riley. I'm safe. Dad's here."
All I hear is sobbing. She can't put together any words at all, and that's when the real guilt hits. I can't believe I put them through this, and though it wasn't my fault, I'm the one who’s going to carry that weight for the rest of my life.
"Momma, are you okay?"
"Oh, baby… come home. Please come home…"
"I am, Mom. Tomorrow."
In the background I hear Lila and a male voice, maybe her fiancé, asking if it's me, which only heaps on more guilt. But they all know I'm safe now and I know I can go home safely.
We stand and talk a few more minutes before Rafe clears his throat and I feel him nudge me from behind. He's ready to send my father home and put this part behind us. It's been nerve racking and honestly, I'm ready for that too.
