Page 7 of Ruthless Love

I search for the advice I know he's looking for. "Then maybe you should tell her that. I think the situation with Marissa and I got overblown because we didn't talk about things. We kept things bottled up. At least I know I did. If you're honest with her,then there's no margin for her not to think your intentions are different from what they are. Don't end up in the situation I am. Be smarter."

He's quiet for a few minutes, lifting and then bringing it down toward his chest in a controlled descent. "I've never been honest with any of the relationships I've had. I didn't think they were interested in who I really am."

"Then why would you want to be in a relationship with them, Wyatt? If they don't like you for who you are, why give them a chance?" I don't want to hurt his feelings, but I would say this to anyone who told me what he has. "You're a good guy. Don't settle for less and don't make yourself seem worse than you are to try to get the attention you crave. We've both seen the repercussions of that."

"Thanks Cain, you're a good friend."

While I appreciate what he says, I'd rather be a good husband to the woman who's had my heart since high school. Things are going to have to change. I'm just not sure how to go about doing it.

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Six hours later, I'm halfway through my shift, and starting to get tired. Popping open an energy drink, I take a huge gulp and wait for it to work. I hate these overnights. We have to do a certain amount of them every month. They always fuck with my sleep schedule and they're either boring as hell or busy as a full moon night. There is no in-between.

Tonight, it's been dead, which is why I'm so tired. Nothing to keep me alert. I'd rather do a double beginning early in the morning, going into early evening, than this. I'm struggling when a call comes over the radio.

"Available units, an alarm is going off at Enchanted Chapters, and the owner states she saw someone running when she came down to inspect what was happening."

What the fuck is she doing? How many times have I told her not to go inspect a damn thing? My heart is pounding and my hands are shaking as I key the radio. "That's my wife. Show 2938 as responding."

Flipping on the lights and sirens, I punch the gas, squealing tires as I head toward the bookstore. There are at least twenty scenarios forming and playing in my head. By the time I come to a screeching halt in front of the store, and waste no time getting out, drawing my side arm. Slowly, I step toward the building, watching the corners where there are shadows.

"Cain, is that you?"

The first time my wife talks to me in six months, her voice is full of fear. "Yeah, get upstairs and lock that door. I'll come and let you know when I've cleared the place."

She hesitates, but turns to head back upstairs. "Be careful."

Although those words are thrown out like an afterthought, I'll take it. Closing my eyes for a brief second, I inhale deeply, willing my heart to slow down. Adrenaline is a weird thing. It can speed you up, but at the same time slow you down. It makes your hearing super human, so you can almost hear a pin drop. "Willow County Sheriff, make yourself known if you're inside." I repeat the phrase three more times as I continue clearing the building.

"Cain, I'm here," Wyatt says.

When we're overnight, we ride separately, instead of together. It's to help with keeping as few cars on the road at night as possible. Knowing he's there with me makes all the difference in the world. "I've cleared the left side."

"I'll go to work on the right."

When I'm done with my side, I head over to him. "Behind you." It's imperative that we constantly be in contact and let each other know where we are.

It takes us a few more minutes, but we clear the building and find no one. I key my radio. "Building is clear. Show me as 10-96."

"Are you going to go check on her?" Wyatt asks, holstering his gun.

I run a hand through my hair, hoping to bring my agitation down slightly. "Yeah, as soon as I got here, I told her to get her ass upstairs."

"Did she talk to you?"

"Yeah, she did. It was only a few words, but we spoke. That's why I'm heading up there to check in."

He smiles over at me. "Good luck. I'll file the report so you don't have to."

"Appreciate it." Squaring my shoulders and letting out a breath, I trudge up the stairs, not sure what I'm going to find with the woman who no longer wants to be my wife.

SEVEN

MARISSA

You never realizehow small an apartment is until all you want to do is pace. I'm getting dizzy going back and forth in such a little space, but it's either this or worry about what's happening downstairs. Although Cain and I are separated, I still worry about him. It's not as if I can turn those feelings off.

Seeing him squealing tires because he's rushing toward where I needed help was eye-opening. I assumed he wouldn't answer a call that I made. How wrong was I?

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