Val stands coiled behind him, ready to snap.
“If you ever,” Brandon spits the words like bullets, “come near Kate again, it’ll be the last thing you do.”
Tanner’s eyes pull wide as he takes in the two massive men, and he jerks a nod.
“Fine,” he rasps. “Fine.”
Brandon gives one last forearm shove against Tanner’s sternum before stepping back. Val and Daniel close in. Val wrenches Tanner’s body around, pinning him as Daniel snaps on a pair of cuffs. The security guard mutters something into his radio about dispatch, and I don’t miss Tanner’s flash of fear.
Amantha withdraws her comforting arms as Brandon returns with furious strides. He gently retrieves me from my best friend, tucking me against him. I can hear his heartbeat thundering through his tuxedo jacket from here.
Daniel prods Tanner forward, years of law enforcement experience evident in Daniel’s strides toward the stairwell.Hopefully Yourshas no choice but to oblige.
I don’t look at him as they pass.
A shudder courses through me, and Brandon responds by tightening his hold.
Val trails after them, stopping to clap a hand on Brandon’s shoulder.
“Daniel told me there’s enough evidence from Kate’s phone and your testimony to lock him up for the night. He’ll have a bail hearing in the morning, but if this is his first offense, he’ll likely walk right back out.” Val all but growls, and his chestnut eyes soften as they land on me. “Daniel said he’ll have an officer reach out to you tomorrow about a restraining order.”
I nod, feeling numb from my tongue to my toes.
The rest of the men follow the procession, but Amantha lingers.
“You sure you’re okay?” She wrings her hands, tears coursing down her cheeks.
A trembling breath escapes me, but I burrow closer to Brandon.
“I’m safe now,” I say aloud, trying to convince myself. As if it will erase the terror I’ll likely relive in my nightmares.
“She’s safe,” Brandon declares.
“Call me if you need anything.Anything.” Amantha gives us both a gentle hug, then follows her fiancé up the stairwell.
The shadows seem deeper here in the basement. Lines I’ve never noticed before crease Brandon’s face. I watch the adrenaline ebb, watch his movements toward me become more cautious.
“Turn around, Kate,” he whispers. “Let me see.”
I oblige, stepping around and sweeping my long hair over my shoulder to expose my aching shoulder blades. They might as well have been pummeled with a baseball bat.
Brandon sucks in a sharp breath before exhaling a curse.
“How bad is it?” I mumble.
“Like you’ve been branded across your back,” Brandon growls. “I’m going to kill him.”
“No, you’re not,” I say firmly. “He…”
Any defense for Tanner dies a morbid death on my tongue.
A tremble takes up residence in my lip, and Brandon presses a light finger against it.
“Don’t relive it, Kate,” he pleads, voice raw. “Stay with me.”
I burrow my nose against his lapel.
“You saved me,” I whisper.
