Page 102 of Safe and Sound

“It’s your expertise that I’m interested in.”

“I’m intrigued.” Motioning to the chair in front of my desk, I said, “Have a seat.”

Nodding, Ava eased down onto the plush leather seat. “I guess I should start at the beginning.”

“And would that be right after you left me?” I inquired.

After inhaling a ragged breath, she shook her head. “Six months ago I started seeing someone–”

“Surely you didn’t come for my blessing?”

Ignoring my sarcasm, she continued on. “About two months into our relationship, we started arguing a lot. And then during one fight, he slapped me.”

At my sharp intake of breath, Ava’s eyes widened in surprise. I’m sure she was surprised I gave two shits that she’d been hurt. But I did. I wanted to make whoever hurt her bleed.

“Go on,” I gritted out.

“You know me well enough that I would never be with someone abusive. But when I tried breaking it off…” A shudder ran through her body.

“What did he do?” I demanded.

“He…um…” Ava appeared to be fighting not to cry. “Basically, what happened is I ended up in the ER with bruised ribs and multiple body lacerations.”

A growl rumbled from deep within my chest. “He hurt youthatbadly.”

“Yes,” she murmured.

“Tell me they locked the bastard up.”Because if he’s not in jail, I’m going to hunt him down and skin him alive. If you were afraid of the torture you witness four years ago, you can’t possibly fathom what I’m going to do this bastard.

“No,” she replied in a haunted whisper.

“Why the fuck not?”

With a shrug, she replied, “In the hospital, I filed a police report and got a restraining order. But like with so many abusers, it’s been just a piece of paper to him.”

Leaning forward in my chair, I demanded, “Tell me he hasn’t put his hands on you again.”

She flinched. “He’s resorted to other things.”

“Like what?”

“At first, it was just phone calls and texts. Even after changing my number countless times, he always manages to find it.”

“How the fuck does he keep managing to get your number?”

“I’m sure his background in cybersecurity doesn’t hurt.”

“Does he work for the police department?”

“No. He’s in private security.” With a ragged sigh, she added, “ But he has a lot of friends in the department, which is why I think he’s been getting away with so much.”

“So he’s been sending you harassing calls?”

She nodded. “This past month he started stalking me to and from work. The nights I’m at the restaurant he’s always lurking around. He’s even driven by my parents house when I’m visiting.”

“What did his buddies at the precinct say about that?”

An exasperated sigh rattled through her. “That there’s nothing they can do unless he becomes physical.”

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