Page 15 of The Book of Wrath

I open the door, flicking the lock behind me, and gently close the door so I don’t disturb her. I looked over at her neighbor who was outside gawking at my car in the driveway. I guess I did kind of park like an asshole last night, but it’s not like it’s blocking his driveway or anything.

“This your car?” He called out as I got closer to him. He was an older gentleman, maybe in his late fifties. He watched me with cautious eyes as I got closer to him.

“Yes sir,” I said with a smile on my face as he backed up a bit as if he sensed evil seeping out of my pores. I kind of enjoyed that feeling when people realized how dangerous I really am. It’s a shame he probably didn’t sense the evil out of Ryan fucking Paxley.

“She’s been through enough. She doesn’t need a troublemaker running a hole through her heart,” he warned me. Well, I wasn’t expecting that from the old man. The look on his face promised death if I even tried to hurt her. “Ryan is lucky I wasn’t home when he pulled his shit, or he would be in the ground, not sitting at his uncle’s place living it up.” He grunted out and stared me down. Okay, respect.

“My names Max Carter. I’m the officer that found her in the parking lot of the precinct and the one who got hit by his truck that night out here. I don’t plan on hurting her, sir. I want her safe, just like you. I live the next street over and stopped in for drinks last night and she didn’t want me driving the short distance home,” I lied a little to the old man, but I didn’t want her getting a reputation.

“That’s just like her. Always looking out for others despite having her world turned upside down. Thank you for finding her. I’m also not sorry for what I said. Cop or not, I won’t have her heart broken again,” he replied as he turned from me and walked to his truck. At least she has someone looking out for her around here besides me.

“I appreciate the threat. Can you do me one favor though?” I called out, he stopped and looked back at me. “Keep an eye out on her house today. There was a suspicious figure that was banging on her door late last night. I was able to chase whoever it was off, but I have a feeling they will be back.”

“I’m adding a camera to look at her house today, I already told her that yesterday. I’ll keep an eye on her, so will my wife and son. She is like family, you have nothing worry about,” he said before turning again and heading off. I got in my car, headed home to grab my bag and headed off to work. It’s going to be a long ass day.

Chapter 14

Max

I knew today was going to be a long bullshit filled day. Sandra’s break-in to my house has been the talk of the day here and I want to throat punch several people. Tony has been smart and kept his mouth shut, not wanting to incite my rage as he put it. He was smart, I’d give him that. Today was not the day and I am not the one right now.

“You good? You’ve been looking like you are about to puke all day,” Tony points out as we pull into a drive thru to grab some lunch.

“I drank too much last night at Megans and kind of passed out there,” I admitted. My head still pounding from the booze. I usually can hold my liquor a lot better than this, but she is intoxicating. Her vanilla scented lotion had me in a haze before the whiskey even took over. I debated on kissing her the moment she opened the door for me.

“Well damn dude! Details!” He demanded like a fucking teenager who has never had sex before. I rolled my eyes.

“We drank and made out. That’s it. How long has it been since you got laid dude?” I said as I leaned my head back against the seat. Cruisers weren’t the most comfortable places to be for a twelve-hour shift, but it beats sitting at the precinct waiting to talk to HR about last night’s bullshit.

“It’s been a minute, but seriously, you two didn’t do it?” Tony said as he rolled up to the window to pay for the food he ordered. No clue what was ordered, but at this point I’ll eat just about anything.

“No, I don’t want to take advantage of her in the state she’s in. I was only overt here last night because there was a random person banging on her door and blocking her view on the camera. I wouldn’t put it past that Paxley dick to find a way to get to her,” I said, clutching my hands into fists. She seemed so positive that the ankle monitor, and the restraining order would mean nothing to him.

“Were you able to get the person?” Tony nodded at the worker who handed him the drinks and food through the window. I’m going to need to go to the gym after shift if I keep eating this crap.

“No, I chased them from the house through the alley behind our places. They hopped in a car and took off. I couldn’t make out the make or model,” I sighed as I shoved the straws in the drink and sucked down the sweet tea that he got me. Nothing like the sugar bomb that Megan makes. I laughed to myself.

“Have you talked to Cap yet? I hear there is a full-blown investigation into Sandra and that she made bail this morning. I can’t believe she just showed up in your house like that. Roark filled me in this morning, and he’s worried about you to man. She’s fucking crazy,” Tony pulled up at our normal lunch spot as I dug through the bag looking for whatever he ordered for me.

“Yeah, I have a meeting tomorrow with a department lawyer. They’re talking to everyone who filed a complaint about her yesterday. My dad’s currently at my place switching the locks for me. He called me a dumbass for not changing them the moment she got kicked out,” I grabbed the cheeseburger from the bottom of the bag and chowed down. I didn’t realize how much I needed the food to get rid of the hangover.

“I got a meeting too, I made my complaint a few days ago when she came into the locker room and tried to remove my damn pants. I don’t know what you ever saw in her. Was her pussy that good?” he shoved his burger in his mouth, waiting for me to respond.

“She wasn’t like this when we were together. At least, I never saw this side of her. My family told me she was crazy but never told me why they thought that, just that I needed to run. Am I glad shit ended? Hell yes. Do I wish it ended differently? Yes and no. I wish it didn’t hurt so bad. As for Megan, it’s effortless with her. We fell into this friendship, or at least that’s how I feel,” I sighed. I need to apologize for running out on her this morning.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and saw three missed messages. One from my dad and two from Megan. My heart plummeted into my stomach like a lead ball. Fuck. I should’ve messaged her sooner. I opened the message from my dad first to try to regain some composure before texting Megan back.

Your locks are changed, and some girl stopped by and dropped off your watch. She said you forgot it at her place last night. Do I need to be concerned?

Of course, my dad would assume the worst about me. I tap out a quick thank you and told him not to worry. I’ll have to explain who she is later. Now they dreaded texts, I can’t imagine how disappointed she is with me for just leaving. I should’ve sent her a text when I left.

Hey! You left your watch at my place; I took it over to your house and I met your dad. I kind of grilled him a bit before giving him your watch. I didn’t know if he was trying to rob you or not. Lol

Well, I wasn’t expecting that, no wonder my dad was asking if he should be concerned. I chuckled a little which caught the attention of the bloodhound next to me. Tony raised an eyebrow, and I just shook my head, reading the next message.

Sorry about last night. I usually don’t drink; I don’t know what came over me. I’m sorry if I overstepped some boundary line. I hope you can forgive me.

Well fuck, there was the lead ball dropping right back into my stomach. This was a clear indication of someone who was gaslit to believe they were always the problem. I hope she didn’t think I was ignoring her and hopefully my dad told her I was working!

---