Page 112 of Safe With Me

Mike kicked the knife to the side when Amber tried to grab it back and held her down as Jude cuffed her wrists.

She didn’t resist but gave me one last hateful scowl before Jude got her outside.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ve got you. It’s all over.” Mike rushed over to me, pressing a kiss to my lips.

“She broke a mug over my head. I think it’s bleeding.”

Mike gingerly grazed his hand over the back of my head.

“You have a bump too. I’ll get you to the hospital so they can check you out. I always knew my girl was a badass.”

A sob escaped me at the curve of his lips.

“I was hoping you’d come.”

He smiled down at me, his eyes wet as he swiped my cheek with his thumb. “I told you. No one is taking this.” He lifted me onto his lap. “Not now. Not ever.”

26

MIKE

I’d spentthe entire day with Lila in the emergency room as she underwent what felt like a million tests to assess her head. Amber’s blow had left a large bruise and cut, but no lasting damage.

But damage was relative. I was relieved that I’d gotten to Lila in time and that she was able to kick Amber with enough force for us to subdue her, saving me the additional trauma of shooting someone I’d once thought of as a close friend, but my head was going to be messed up for a long time to come.

I was grateful that the video Mrs. Scarpullo had brought into the station had helped us catch Amber in the nick of time, but I wished I’d had the intelligence to know the kind of person Amber was and stop her before she started any of this.

When I thought back to all the years I’d known her, I tried to remember a moment when the lines of friendship might have blurred between us, but I couldn’t think of a single one.

I thought of her the same way I thought of Aaron, a close, platonic friend. There had been no moments of sexual tension between Amber and me, at least not from my side, and we’d both laughed when anyone would ask if we were finally a couple.

Maybe those moments had hurt her enough over the years to set this whole thing in motion, but that was no excuse for what she’d done. It was hard not to dwell on what would have happened to Lila if we hadn’t seen the video in time or if I’d gotten to Lila’s apartment just a few minutes later.

“Hey, Mike,” Keith said, slapping my back as he met me at the station door. “How’s Lila?”

“No big damage. Just a nasty bump and a lingering headache for a while. Inside her head and mine, not so great,” I said with a chuckle. “The doctor gave her a number for a therapist who’s in town and specializes in PTSD. I think it would be good for her, not just because of what happened today, but all the crap she dealt with from Ted.”

“What about you?” Keith asked. “I’ve seen the police psychiatrist enough over the years. It’s hard to be human and a cop at the same time. And as you have a personal stake in this?—”

“I’m going. You don’t have to worry about that. It will probably take a while to shake off the guilt, if I ever do.”

“You will. Some people are better actors than others and only show you what they want you to see. You believed the best of a friend you’ve known since preschool. That makes you a decent guy.”

“But a shitty cop.”

“No, it doesn’t. In fact, despite being in the middle of it all, you shone on this case. See the doctor and give yourself a break. Chief’s orders.”

“I’ll try, Chief.” I smiled at him before I headed down the hall and toward the holding cell.

Amber had been charged with stalking, harassment, and attempted murder, but she was being transferred today to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. I didn’t think I’d get any real answers or closure, but I needed to talk to her one last time.

I waited in one of the interrogation rooms as another officer brought Amber in.

Her eyes were cold as she stumbled in, her ankles in shackles.

“She leaves in ten minutes,” the officer said, “so you have to make it quick.”

I nodded as she shut the door.

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