Page 37 of Hers

Slater was fuming. How could Brock have put their mate in danger like this? Sammy was trembling as she clung to his back. Brock didn’t deserve Sammy as a mate.

One of the older men from internal affairs came over to him. “Mrs. Gardener, thank you for your cooperation.”

Slater growled at the man. He knew Sammy had been involved in this. She’d had no idea what was going to happen tonight.

Sammy slowly came out from behind him, and he wrapped his arms around her waist as she mumbled. “I didn’t do anything. I haven’t said anything.”

“Yes, you did. Thank you for agreeing to come tonight. We have been working this case for months now and not getting anywhere. Your willingness to help tonight by coming to this party has showed us where to start. I will call you early this coming week as I need statements from you.” Slater wasn’t sure if the shifter before them, was saying all this for the stunned humans that were around or because they actual meant it.

A sob escaped Sammy, and her body shock against him. She nodded to the investigator. “Yes, I’m sure you can get my number.” Sammy turned her back on the man and looked up at him. “I want to leave now.” With that she wiggled out of his arms and fled out of the back yard.

That was it. He couldn’t hold his anger in any longer. Slater stomped to Brock and punched him; felling satisfied as a loud crunch was heard as his nose broke. “You’re a fucking idiot. You couldn’t let it go, and you just lost her. You’re just like your mother, a cold hearted son of a bitch.” He turned to glare at Brock’s captain. “That was low. You have no idea what you’ve just done. That girl is not only my mate, but she’s Susie’s and Sandy’s best friend. She also looked pretty cozy with your wife and daughter. I can tell you now those Bear men won’t take yours or Brock’s side in this, because they care what their mates think.”

Slater punched Brock again and ran after Sammy, only to stop and turn back to get his car as he saw Sammy in the distance down the street. Getting in his car he drove to Sammy, stopped and got out. As soon as Sammy saw him, she came at him attacking him.

“I hate you. How could you do this to me? I trusted you. I hate you.”

Grabbing her hands, he held them in hers and pulled her to him for a hug. “I didn’t know Brock was going to do that. I only found out a short time ago, and I left work leaving a junior chef in charge, so I got here. I was hoping we could leave before anything happened.” He stroked her hair. “I’m so sorry, beautiful. If I’d know I would have put a stop to it or told you. Brock knew that. Otherwise, he would have told me.” He leaned down and kissed her head. “Let’s get you home. I will leave or stay. It’s your choice. I’ll call Susie, Jane, Sandy, and Gwen.”

Slater opened the passenger car door and helped her in before he went around and got in his own seat, did up his seat belt, and drove away.

The drive to the house was quiet, and Slater hoped Brock hadn’t stuffed it up for him, too. Slater couldn’t believe what Brock had done.

****

Sammy couldn’t believe what Brock had done. How could he have put her in that situation? He and Slater both knew how she felt about what happened with Greg. Sammy wondered why Brock had done that to her. He should have known how she would react.

Slater pulled up to their house, and she got out of the car ignoring Slater as he asked, “Sammy, beautiful, talk to me.” He opened the front door, and she pushed by him and went to their bedroom.

Sammy could feel herself holding on by a thread. She was about to slip into her safe place, and the only person who seemed to be able to talk her out of it was the one who had caused her to start to slip into it.

She got on the bed and curled up. Sammy wanted to be as tiny as possible. It was safer when she became small and invisible. She could feel her body shaking, and her brain went through everything that had just happened. She knew the men who had whispered that she should have been killed. That they thought Greg had killed her the last time he beat her.

The tears ran down her cheek, and Sammy didn’t do anything to wipe them away. Did she deserve to have the slut, as Greg called it, beaten out of her? Were her clothes inviting men to attack her? Was she too friendly? She hadn’t spilled their secrets to anyone. Things that Greg had said to her as his fist and feet hit into her rebounded around her brain.

“Fuck. I swear I’m going to kill him.”

Sammy could vaguely hear Slater, and she didn’t know which “him” Slater was referring to, Brock or Greg. She felt herself be placed on his lap as he sat on the bed.

“Sammy Gardner, you have to stop. Don’t worry. I will make sure you don’t see any of them again.” Slater stroked her back. “Come back now.”

Slater’s hands ran up and down her back in a soothing motion.

“Samantha, you are at home and away from anyone who would hurt you. Come back.”

The use of her full name and knowing she was in Slater’s safe arms brought Sammy back from her hiding place. The door opened, and she let go with big gut wrenching sobs into Slater’s chest.

“Did I do something wrong? Why would Brock put me through that?” Sammy gripped Slater’s shirt. “They wanted me dead. I didn’t tell anyone. I haven’t told anyone anything. I’ve haven’t even told you and Brock. It’s been months and months. Did they think Greg had killed me and that’s why I hadn’t reported anything?”

Her heart felt like it was breaking. She’d opened herself up again to people and a relationship, and Brock had crushed her. “Did you know what he was up to?” Sammy stared up at Slater with blurry eyes.

Slater brushed hair that had fallen over her face off. “I promise I had no idea that was what he’d been planning. I knew something was up with him, but I swear I didn’t think it would be something this big and wrong.” Slater leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. “Please don’t hold what Brock did against me. I would never hurt you like that. I love you.”

Wiping the tears from her face she reached up and caressed Slater’s face as he gazed down at her. “I love you, too. I’ve loved you for a while now. I love you both, and it hurts so bad that Brock would betray me like this.” Sammy wanted to feel better. She hated how she felt right now. “Make me forget. Make love to me.”

Slater groaned. “Beautiful, I don’t think that’s such a good idea while you’re in this state and feeling vulnerable.”

Wrapping her arms around Slater’s neck she pulled him closer to her and plastered her mouth to his. Sammy wanted to forget. She wanted to feel good. She let her tongue trace his lips before slipping in and tangling with his own.

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