Page 88 of Becoming

Lou looked over at Rebecca and Cass. “Sound like someone you know?”

Cass lowered her head. Fuck. She knew she was right, but confirmation still sucked. “Yeah, that’s Miranda.”

Lou nodded to his officer. “Let her cool off a bit in the back of your cruiser.” He turned his attention back to Rebecca who was gently rubbing Cass’s back. Lou knew what guilt looked like. He saw it in the mirror every day since finding Rebecca close to death. Cass was feeling it right now. “Rebecca? Do you want to press charges?”

Rebecca faltered. She was torn because this was Cassidy’s best friend, regardless of what the younger woman said before. Miranda needed help with whatever it was she was going through now. Rebecca just didn’t know if jail time was the right kind of help.

“Yes.” Whatever Rebecca’s hesitation was, Cass was having none of it. “We’re pressing charges.”

“Cassidy.”

“No, baby. I will not allow this to happen to you again. No one will hurt you.”

“She needs help,” Rebecca tried again. She didn’t know why she was opposing what she knew was the right thing to do. Perhaps it all came back to the fact that she wanted to protect Cassidy from the hurt Rebecca knew would come once the anger wore off.

“Not your responsibility, babe. Nor is it mine. My responsibility is keeping you happy and safe. If help is what Rand needs, she can get it in jail. Or wherever they put her.” Cass looked up at Lou. “We’re pressing charges.”

Lou nodded and felt the weight of a fifteen-year-old burden lift from his shoulders. He no longer had to keep an eye on Rebecca. She was safe now.

“What will happen now?” Rebecca asked.

“She’ll spend the night in jail before we take her to arraignment in the morning.” He flipped his notebook shut. “I’ll keep you updated on all of the proceedings.”

Cass and Rebecca stood, both taking their turn shaking Lou’s hand.

“Would it be okay if we visited Connor and told him about what’s happening?” Cass asked. “I just have a feeling that he’s going to be totally blindsided by this.”

“That was actually my next stop. I wanted to be sure the allegations against him aren’t valid.” He caught Rebecca’s pleading look and relented. He hoped to hell he wasn’t making another huge mistake. “However, it is pretty late. I’ll have one of my officers visit him in the morning to take his statement. You need any help getting that window fixed?” he asked lifting his chin towards the large opening.

“Nah, we can take care of it. Thanks.”

Lou smiled. He definitely liked Cass for Rebecca. “Great. Whatever you do tonight, please be careful. Don’t take any unnecessary chances, yeah?”

“We won’t,” Rebecca assured. “It was nice seeing you again, Lou.”

“You, too, Rebecca. Cass, the circumstances suck, but it’s been a pleasure meeting you.”

Rebecca waited until Cassidy ushered everyone out, receiving assurances that they would do drive-bys until the window was fixed. Once the door was closed, she took Cassidy’s hands in hers.

“I’m sorry. I know it upset you to find out about your mom’s visit like that.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because she asked me not to, baby.” Rebecca sighed. Beverly knew Rebecca wouldn’t lie to Cassidy. Since it’s out there now, she needed to tell Cassidy everything. “She came here to try to convince me to leave you.”

“She what?!”

Rebecca held on tightly when Cassidy tried pulling away. “Hear me out before you get all growly.”

“I’m not growly,” Cass growled.

“Mmhmm. Come here.” She pushed Cassidy down on the couch and sat on her lap. Not only did she like it there, Rebecca knew it was an effective way to keep Cassidy’s attention. “She was worried about you, baby. It’s a mother’s job to make sure their child is making the best decisions for themselves. Even if it was a little misdirected, she had good intentions.”

“Making you break up with me isn’t good intentions, babe.”

“Are you going to listen?”

Ooo, that was Mistress! Cass momentarily entertained the idea of being bad. Then she remembered that there was a fucking broken window, glass all over the damn place, and they still needed to break the news to Connor. Damn it.

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