His head jerks up. “What’re you doing?”
“Nothing.” I stand completely still as Mackenzie shifts on her knees.
That’s when I realize his attention is fixed on her and not Grace and me. Thank God.
“I’m getting up.”
“You know the drill.” He marches toward her. His heavy boots thudding on the floor with each stomp of his feet. “You don’t get up until I tell you to.” He kicks her in the face, sending her head flying backward. “Or did you forget?”
“No.” Tears fill her eyes as she lands on her backside, skidding across the floor. “I didn’t forget.” She says the words through clenched teeth and tilts her finger toward the doorway. Again. “I was going to get you a phone from the closet.”
He braces his hands on his hips and studies her as if he’s trying to determine if she’s honest with him or stringing him along. He flips his hand over, palm facing upward, and sweeps it toward the hallway. “What’s taking you so long?”
“Right.” She scrambles to her feet. Her hair falling over her face, hiding the dark red splotch where the sole of his boot hid her cheek. “I’ll get it. Sorry, Chad.”
“Always the obedient little dog, aren’t you?” he scoffs. “You kick it, and it still wants to please you.” His jeer turns intoa deranged laugh like he thinks he’s funny. He’s the only one in the room who does. That, I can guarantee.
As Chad stalks toward her, she straightens her spine, tosses her hair over her shoulder, and meets my gaze. ‘Go!’
I don’t have to hear the word from her lips. I can see it plainly in her eyes. She’s provoking Chad to provide me the distraction I need to get Grace and me out of the house and away from this dangerous person.
With their backs toward us, I slide sideways two more paces until the side of my shoe touches the flaked, fake gold piece that holds the dingy carpet in place. This is it. I square my shoulders and inhale. I can do this. I must do this.
If I can get away, I can get someone here to protect Mackenzie. To get her away from Chad once and for all, because there’s no way she can pretend that this isn’t what it is. He controls her. He beats her. He berates everything she does. And she needs to get away from him before he snaps and doesn’t stop.
Mackenzie hobbles into the darkened hallway as Chad hovers at the edge. It’s sick the way he watches her every move.
I’m going to be sick. Tears sting my eyes. Please don’t let Chad be Grace’s father. I swallow down the first taste of acidic bile that’s trying to coat not only my throat but also my mouth.
I turn on my heel and survey the Formica table with the three mismatched, lopsided chairs. The cushions are cracked with dirty gray stuffing pocking out from the blemishes. He’s a drug dealer, used to raking in large sums of money, yet he can’t be bothered to buy three matching chairs? With the stuffing still inside?
That’s the hill you’re going to stand on? Get your head out of your ass and get out of here before Mackenzie is beaten so bad she’s unrecognizable.
Chapter Seventy-Nine
Jake
As I pass through the intersection of Main and Second Street, I flip on the cruiser lights and siren. Ramirez is on the other side of town and should descend on the Whitlock house at the same time Chief and I do.
But all of that is in the background as the fear of Emily or Grace being hurt because of me makes me want to tear my hair out and scream. My boss taps his shoe on the floorboard as if he’s also pushing on the gas pedal while typing on his phone screen.
My entire life, I’ve wanted to project and help people. And this is what it led to…. The woman I love and our daughter being in danger. It’s not worth it.
I choke the steering wheel as Louise pulls her white sedan over to the curb to let us pass by.
Cedar Ridge Street. The Whitlock house is two blocks away. Emily’s car is parked in front of the house. Laura’s is in her driveway.
A small boy darts into the street, causing me to slam on my brakes to avoid him. Fuck. My tires scream as they burn rubber on the pavement as the ass end of the cruiser fishtails from side to side.
The kid grabs a red ball and runs back to the sidewalk. Son of a bitch. My jaw aches from the near collision. Jesus, that was close. My heart pounds so hard it feels like my shirt is moving.
“Calm down, Jake.”
“Fuck you,” I bite out through clenched teeth and jam my foot back onto the gas pedal. At this point, I don’t care that I’m yelling at my boss. All I care about is Emily. And Grace.
As I pace down the street, I notice Xavier’s black pickup barreling from the opposite direction, also descending on the Whitlock house. One street over, Ramirez’s patrol car speeds toward our location with lights flashing. Behind him is Dominic’s pickup.
Chief Carter’s face is hard as he lays the cell phone on the console. “I messaged your friend group. I wasn’t sure how many of them are in town today, but the closest highway patrolman was ten minutes out. I know you’re pissed enough to take down Chad on your own, but I’d prefer we had a backup plan in place in case something–”
