Page 169 of The Dixon Rule

I really hope you’re okay.

GIGI:

I’ll have my phone on me at all times, literally glued to my hand, waiting for you to text back. Love you.

“Are you pissed?” Shane asks nervously.

“No, it’s fine. I would’ve had to tell her anyway now that I’ve pressed charges.”

My dad’s pickup truck stops in front of us.

“See you at home?” Shane says. “I can come over.”

“Maybe later?”

He nods. “Shoot me a text if you want me.”

After a beat of hesitation, I step forward and give him a hug.

He hugs me back, and there’s something almost desperate in the way he clings to me.

“Thanks for bringing me here,” I say quietly.

Shane tucks my hair behind my ear, his voice thickening. “I hope you don’t feel like I pushed you into it.”

“No, you were right. Deep down I always knew it was the right thing to do. It needed to be done.”

There’s a reason I kept all that evidence. I think I knew I’d eventually be here, at this police station. My only regret is not doing it sooner. I hope to God that Percy’s lawyer doesn’t try to paint me as some scorned girlfriend who tried to score payback after the fact.

“And one more thing,” Shane says, tugging on my hand before I can leave. “You are unstoppable. Don’t let what this one asshole did convince you that you’re anything other than unstoppable. You’re Diana Dixon, for chrissake.”

I crack a smile. “Damn right I am.”

And yet in the truck, I don’t feel very strong. My dad doesn’t say much on the drive to Meadow Hill other than to ask how I’m doing at least four times. The fifth time he asks, we’re walking down the path toward Red Birch, and I stop to sigh in exasperation.

“Dad, it’s not like this happened last night. It happened months ago.”

His jaw tightens. “Right. And I still don’t understand why you wouldn’t report it.”

“I already explained why.” I start walking again.

He chases after me. “Diana, you know what I do for a living. I protect people. If you told me, I could have protected you.”

“It was already over and done with. The bruise healed.”

“It wasn’t done. This fucker moved into your apartment building!”

“I know, but I had Shane.”

“And thank God that you had Shane!” Dad’s face turns red, but I know he’s not angry with me. He’s upset. “What if Percy cornered you in the apartment? Did you see the layout we just walked through? That goddamn Sycamore building and now this winding path like we’re in the goddamn Caribbean? What was your aunt thinking buying a unit here? What kind of security nightmare is this?”

“There are cameras everywhere,” I remind him. “And you can’t step foot on the property without going through the Sycamore building first.”

“He was in the building, Diana. Do you not get that?”

Desperation clogs my throat. “No, I get it. I’m sorry. You’re right.”

“No. Don’t apologize. I’m not blaming you for anything,” he says as we enter Red Birch and climb to the second floor. “I’m just worried. You’re my daughter. I don’t want anything like this happening to you again.”

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