Page 83 of Fire in My Heart

“You’re talking about a protective order. In this situation, you could have filed a petition for a peace order. Would you have gotten one if you’d known?” I had to know what she was thinking.

“Honestly? I’m not sure. I felt helpless in the situation. I wasn’t sure what my options were, and I guess I hoped he’d leave me alone eventually.”

An ambulance pulled up, and paramedics got out. Officer Perez backed away as the paramedics assessed Charlotte.

I joined him at his cruiser. “You’re going to charge him?”

“You know how these situations are. She doesn’t seem like she’s going to follow through. It’s going to get a lot worse than this before she takes the next step. If she ever does. You know the statistics.”

I nodded.

“She said you two were dating. Did you know about this guy?”

I chuckled without any humor. “Absolutely not.”

“Yeah, well. She was hurt. Maybe you could talk some sense into her. Get her to obtain a peace order. He hasn’t made any verbal threats, but he’s physically assaulted her. A judge should grant it.”

Judges preferred to grant them, so if things went sideways, they could say they did all they could. But a piece of paper never stopped anyone.

“I’ve gotta write the report. I already took pictures when you were apprehending the guy.” Officer Perez got into his cruiser. “Good luck.”

I nodded wearily. These cases were the hardest. Nothing seemed to stop guys like this, especially when women weren’t willing to pursue every legal avenue at their disposal.

He backed out, and I returned to Charlotte’s side where the paramedic was saying something about a trip to the emergency room, but Charlotte merely shook her head. “It’s just bruises. I’m okay.”

I felt rage that a man had laid his hands on her. That I was sitting at dinner just down the lane, completely unaware that Charlotte was in any danger. I couldn’t protect her if I didn’t know what was going on.

When the paramedics packed up and left, we were alone on the porch. “Let’s get you inside.”

She sat on the couch, shivering despite my coat on her shoulders, so I started a fire in the hearth. “You going to be okay here?”

Charlotte said, her shoulders hunched, “I don’t feel safe.” When I remained silent, she said, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I hoped he’d leave me alone.”

“These guys don’t usually do that.” My voice was harsher than I intended.

Charlotte blinked up at me, looking so small. But I couldn’t cross the room. Not yet. I needed answers.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I hoped he’d go away, and I was ashamed.” Charlotte hung her head.

“Ashamed of what?” I asked incredulously.

“I let a man hit me.” Charlotte wrapped her hands around herself. “I was in a relationship with a man capable of violence.”

I sat next to her but a few inches away. I felt like there was a divide between us. One I didn’t want to breach. Not yet. “It wasn’t your fault.” I easily fell into cop mode. I knew what to say in these situations.

“It doesn’t feel like that.”

“Is there somewhere you can go?” The implication was clear; I wouldn’t be inviting her to stay with me. I needed to soothe the rage that boiled inside of me, and I couldn’t do that around her.

Her eyes widened. “I can call Fiona or Daphne.”

I got up, intending to leave when she started to talk, “He probably found me because I went out today.”

“You were staying here because you were scared of him and didn’t tell me?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“I felt safe here.” Charlotte pulled the blanket more tightly around her.

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