Page 52 of You Saw the Best In Me

“I got it after I saw that fucker near your car. After I told you about him, I set the camera up the next day. I’m sorry. I completely forgot to mention it. I haven’t checked it once, I swear,” he’s panicked, but I’m not sure why.

I pull him by the neckline of his shirt, kissing him softly. It surprises him but it’s brief since we are in a public parking lot.

“I will never get tired of that, Karina,” he breathes, his eyes still closed.

“Me either, baby. Let’s go inside,” I say, checking myself in the mirror before leaving.

He helps me down and closes the door behind me, locking his truck.

I stay a few steps behind him as he instructed but decide to be bold, and act on what I’m feeling.

“Thank you, seriously. You are fucking incredible,” I take his hand in mine and walk tall with him into the police station.

When we walk in, Maverick drops my hand, pulling out his wallet and taking a small card out.

He hands it to the officer at the desk, then places his weapon inside a basket.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Carter?” the officer asks, and Maverick requests that we speak to a detective.

“Ma’am, do you have anything on you?” he turns to me, and I blink in confusion.

“I don’t think so?” I say, truly not understanding his question.

“Drugs, weapons? Anything that can harm anyone in this building?” he reiterates, looking at me as if I’m dumb.

“Oh, no, Officer. Sorry, this is my first time in a police station,” I smile, but he doesn’t give a fuck.

He types on his computer and then tells us where we can wait.

Maverick laughs at me as we sit, asking me what is wrong with me.

“Personally, I think you have too much experience with this shit. I am an average woman who's never been in trouble with the law, so excuse me for not knowing what that meant,” I say, laughing at myself, too.

“Mr. Carter, Detective Benton is ready for you two,” a different cop calls out to us, and we follow him to the detective's desk.

He shakes both our hands and tells us to take a seat.

“So, what can I do for you? I heard you have some evidence for us and would like to file a report?” he says, shifting his eyes between Maverick and me while he speaks.

“Yes, sir. My girlfriend, Karina, is being stalked by her ex-boyfriend, and this has spanned across multiple towns, counties, and years,” Maverick tells the detective, and I’m more floored that he referred to me as his girlfriend.

I’m sure it was to sound less confusing. I’m sure that cop wouldn’t take us seriously if he explained our history, calling me, “the loud woman next door I used to hate until I fucked her, then discovered how fucked in the head she is, like me. We want a restraining order, please.” As much as it caught me off guard, I did love the sound of it.

“Miss Collins, can I see your piece of evidence?” the detective asks, breaking me out of my head.

“Of course, here it is,” I hand him Asher’s letter, and he takes it to make a copy.

Maverick reaches for my hand under the desk, squeezing it three times as if he’s letting me know I’m doing alright.

“Mr. Carter, can I ask why you have your concealed carry permit?” the detective returns, looking strangely at Maverick.

“No, you may not. It is my second amendment right as an American citizen,” he says, and my eyes widen with each word that comes out of his mouth.

Dear God, we are going to get arrested or detained — whatever word they use on TV.

“You’re right, sir. I apologize,” the detective says, then turns his attention to me.

“Miss Collins, a female detective will take you aside and take the rest of your statement while we speak privately with your boyfriend,” he’s looking at Maverick strangely again, and I don’t know how I feel about this.