Gerald
I clenched the paper in my hand as tears fell onto the words. I pinched my lips shut to keep in the bile that was crawling up my throat.
An arm wrapped around my shoulders and I flinched back before noticing it belonged to Flynn. My head was spinning.
I threw myself in his arms, and he wrapped them around me. “Thank God you came!”
“I’ll always be here when you need me.” His hand stroked my hair.
Sheriff Sanders cleared his throat, and I pulled away from Flynn but kept a grip on his arm for comfort.
“Did you read it?” I asked him.
“Yes. I need to keep it for evidence since he confessed to everything.” He nodded at Flynn. “If you want him to read it, it’s best he does it now.”
I nodded, handing the letter to Flynn. “So, what happens now?”
“He’ll have a warrant out for his arrest. He’s showing dangerous behavior. I’d feel better if you had someone stay with you. Whether it be Flynn or your parents. We know he’s going against the restraining order now and participating in illegal behavior.”
“Of course.” I nodded.
Flynn’s jaw was clenched as he handed the letter to Sheriff Sanders. “Better hope you all catch him before I do.”
His eyes narrowed. “I understand the high emotions, so I’ll ignore that threat, Rockwell.”
Flynn gave a curt nod in reply.
I glanced over at my building. “What about my salon?”
“I have a police report ready to go. I need you to sign a few things, then you need to call your insurance and they should give you the money to replace it all.”
My shoulders deflated. I’d have to close for at least a week or two and let my staff and customers know. I signed a few papers before we headed back to mine. He followed close behind me.
I was on edge, knowing Gerald was out there somewhere. How had I not known he was watching me? He’d violated me and my privacy for the last time.
When we got to my place it was already five in the morning, and I was exhausted. We checked all the doors and windows before collapsing in my bed.
Our arms and legs were entangled as I rested my head on his chest. “Thanks for being here.”
He kissed the top of my head. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“What are we?” The question left my lips before I could even think.
His body went rigid. “I don’t know. What should we be? Can you handle my PTSD? I’m difficult to be around.”
My brows furrowed. No, he wasn’t. I hadn’t noticed anything out of normal behavior from him. Sure, he was different than when we were teenagers, more cold. But he was still Flynn. “I can handle everything about you.”
“That’s what Millie told Oliver,” he mumbled.
“Hey, I’m not Millie.”
He sighed. “I know you’re not. But you haven’t seen the anger I carry. I’m not sure you’d want anything to do with me after that. You’ve read the letters, you know what I’m capable of. But you haven’t seen it first hand.”
“Let me decide for myself, Flynn.” I picked my head up and peered at him. “Why don’t you go see Oliver? You seem worried about him.”
“I am worried about him, but I can’t leave you here. Not until they catch Gerald.”
I nodded. “Yeah, but when they do…”
