Page 40 of Don't Leave Me

“Get out of the car,” the man growls. “I'm going to kill your cousin, then I'm taking you to my hotel. After you’re tied up, I’ll go after the sheriff for touching what’s mine.”

A soft whimper falls from Sophia’s lips and it pushes me to move faster. I swore I’d protect her. I won't let him touch a single hair on her head as long as I'm breathing.

“You get to Sophia’s side and have your gun ready. I'm sneaking up behind this asshole and taking him out,” Colt growls.

I nod my head, trying to make as little noise as possible. Any sound could tip him off we’re coming and make this situation turn deadly in seconds.

“You’re not touching her. If you want me, fine, but you can't do anything to her,” Leslie hisses.

“And why would I agree to that? Your family has worked hard to keep you hidden. I’ve spent years looking for you.”

I just get into position on Sophia’s side of the car when Colt slams his body into Jimmy’s. He pushes him against the glass and I witness the anger and darkness in Jimmy’s gaze. If he gets the opportunity, he’s going to make all of us pay for this.

My gun is in my hands and I'm ready to take a shot if I need to. I just need to hope I can take him down before he can injure any of the people I care about.

I knock softly on the window and scare Sophia. Her hand is over her heart and I'm sure it’s beating wildly. I motion for her to lower her window. I need to be able to hear clearly and see what’s going on, but the windows are fogged.

“Don’t move a fucking muscle, asshole,” Colt growls. “Thanks for saying you’d go after me, that will really help me put you away. Oh, plus the plan to murder an innocent woman and tie up another. I think you’ll be put away for a long time.”

“You’ve got nothing on me,” Jimmy hisses.

“Nah, Jimmy. I’ve been tracking you for years. I have so many things on you. I was willing to leave you alone, as long as you didn’t go near Zoey again,” Mason’s voice is loud enough for Jimmy to hear it even with the window only cracked open. His eyes widen before narrowing into slits. “You made a big mistake by going after her. You’ll never see the outside of a prison again if I have it my way.”

“Put your hands behind your back,” Colt commands as he grabs one wrist and secures it in a handcuff. He gets the other one attached, then grabs the back of Jimmy’s jacket and tears him away from the car.

My co-worker, Jared, pulls my squad car up next to Leslie’s and they lock him in the backseat. I’m so glad I thought about calling dispatch and having them get a hold of him. He’s the other deputy in Maple Springs and I knew he’d be happy to come in on his day off to help us lock up Jimmy. I’ll happily cover ashift for him in the future as a thank you and I think Colt would too.

As soon as I know Jimmy is no longer a threat, I holster my gun and reach my hand inside the window. I unlock Sophia’s door and she leaps into my body. Her arms are wrapped around my neck and her legs are around my waist. I’m fairly certain if I wasn’t holding onto her, she still wouldn’t move an inch with how tightly she’s holding onto me.

“I’ve got you, beautiful. I told you I wouldn’t let anything happen to you,” I murmur in her ear.

Chapter 17

Sophia

When Jared, the other deputy, came to pick up Jimmy and take him to county jail, Colt told Pecker to take the rest of the night off. Unless there’s a call that desperately needs their attention, they’re both staying home with Leslie and I.

“How are you doing, baby?” Pecker ducks his head to meet my gaze.

As soon as he brought me back to his house, he curled up with me on the couch. Sydney was a sweetheart and brought us some hot tea and hot chocolate with a few cookies. She said she wasn’t sure what type of drink I’d prefer, but it would warm me up and the cookies would help me feel better.

I’m going to have to thank her later. I think I was still in shock and exhausted now that my adrenaline spike is gone.

“I'm ok. How are you doing?”

“Well, I was scared shitless something would happen to you. All I kept thinking is how I promised to protect you and what if I couldn’t?”

“It wouldn’t have been your fault.” I lift my shoulder in a shrug. I wouldn’t blame him if something had gone wrong, only Jimmy.

“It doesn’t matter. I’d never stop feeling guilty for it. You’re all that matters to me, Soph.” He’s quiet for a few seconds before he says anything else. “What did Mason mean when he said you might have to use your training?”

“My dad, Uncle Mason, and Maddox taught me some self-defense things before I came here. They wanted me prepared in case anything happened. They made me practice for so long and made sure I took it seriously. Aunt Kelsey, Uncle Mason’s wife and my dad’s sister, was kidnapped by sex-traffickers. She was almost raped and killed. They wanted to make sure nothing like that happened to me.”

“I don’t like you thinking you need to protect yourself, but I'm glad you were taught how to. You know I’d do anything in my power to keep you safe though. I'm not joking, Soph. You mean the world to me.”

I lift my chin and meet his blue eyes. They’re so light and captivating. I could look into them forever. The way he’s looking at me makes me feel so loved. Like I'm the only woman in the world to him.

“I love you, Peck,” I whisper.

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