The fucking doctor. How did I not see this coming? I knew Lilly said he was a creeper who likes to flirt with the staff, but until now, I thought he was harmless.
What I can’t figure out is why he trashed her kitchen. I’m no detective, but maybe he was after a trinket of some kind. Something of hers to take for safe keeping.
Acid rises in my throat, thinking of what he could have taken. I need evidence before I can get a warrant, and that’s not gonna be likely, which is why I’m taking matters into my own hands.
For years, I’ve always done things by the book. But I can’t wait for protocol where Lilly’s concerned. I won’t have her worried about being attacked in her own home, even if that’s her kink. There’s only me that gets to give her that. And I’ll strangle anyone else who tries to take that from us.
My spine bristles as the doctor steps out of the double doors of the hospital’s side entrance next to the ward where Lilly works. I don’t know what I planned to do here, seeing as the car park is riddled with cameras, so I decide to follow him home.
I turn on the headlights now dusk has descended, then start the engine as I exit the hospital car park. I keep a safe distance as he approaches the roundabout, but he doesn’t take the by-pass. Instead, he heads for town.
Fuck.
I’ll be damned if I’ve waited all this time to miss an opportunity to threaten this motherfucker. Gripping the steering wheel, I slow the car down as we travel through the high street and park a few spaces away from him at the back of a building.
He throws the keys in the air, practically skipping around the side of the restaurant. Luckily for me, there are no streetlights between the two buildings where he’s headed.
The smell of Italian food reminds me of Lilly’s favourite carbonara, fuelling the adrenaline spiking in my veins. I double up on my steps as he approaches the dark alleyway between the restaurant and a shop that’s now closed for the day.
He turns around and gives me a nod, as if he’s glad I’m behind him, as if keeping him safe. I may still be in my police uniform, but he’s not safe from me.
Before he reaches the front of the restaurant building, I grab a hold of his jacket and yank him backwards, throwing him against the brick wall.
“What the fuck?” The whites of his eyes and his teeth are the only features I can make out in the dark passageway. “Do you know who I am?”
Fisting his jacket, I pin him to the brick with one hand while the other wraps around his throat. “The fuck I do. That’s why I’m here. You think you can break in on my turf and there won’t be consequences?”
His pulse beats erratically under my thumb, his eyes narrow to thin slits. “What?” He chokes out as I tighten my grip on his neck. “Who?”
“You broke into Lilly’s house. I know it was you. We have you on CCTV and it’s only a matter of time before we bring you to the station.” I ease off on his neck before he passes out. “I just wanted to pay you a little informal visit first.”
He gasps for air, scratching at my hand. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I work with her, that’s all.”
“See now, I know you’re lying. We both know you do more than work with her.” Acid coats my tongue at thoughts of him watching my girl. “I have a record of all your online activity.”
“So I like to watch porn. Who doesn’t?”
I resist the urge to bust his nose. The last thing I want is his blood on my uniform. “The next time you go near Lilly, look at her the wrong way, touch her or even speak to her. It won’t be the cops you need to fear.”
“I have to speak to her. I work with her. You don’t scare me. I’ll report you for this.”
I remove my hands from his neck and jacket. “For what?” I look up and down the alley. “I don’t see any witnesses, do you?”
He huffs. “It was you, wasn’t it?” He straightens his collar under his jacket. “You stopped her from doing the lives.”
I stare at him in silence with a clenched jaw, not wanting to give anything away.
“Can’t say I blame you. I’d keep her for myself, too. I miss those big bouncing tits tho?—”
Before he can finish his sentence, my fist collides with his face. His head bounces against the brick as a shrill scream pierces my ears.
A handbag hits my shoulder. “What the hell are you doing, Shane?”
It takes me a moment to recognise her in the dark, but there’s no mistaking the yells of my ex-wife.
“Just teaching this scumbag a lesson. What are you doing here?” I furrow my brow. Annoyed that she thinks it’s okay to walk down dark alleys alone at night.
“Meeting my date for a drink.” She fusses over the doctor. “I’m so sorry, Ant. He’s my ex. Are you all right? Do you need the hospital?”
