Page 22 of Sofa King Safe

"They've done enough,” she deadpans, and I bite the inside of my cheek so that I don’t let another giggle slip out.

The door to the one and only room, which has become the interview room, swings open, and I spring to my feet.What Rhodes did wasn’t true self-defense, and if there’s any kind of fallout against him, it would shatter my entire world.

That's what Rhodes is to me now.I know our time together has been brief, but I can't imagine my life without him.He was trying to keep me safe, not only for today, but for every day that follows.

When Rhodes steps out of the room, I can't contain myself.I rush into his arms, and he easily catches me before lifting me off the ground.

"I'm so sorry.I love you."The words tumble out of my mouth, and then I lift my head to see Rhodes's unreadable expression.

"There’s nothing to be sorry about."He puts me on my feet when the detective steps out of the room behind him.

"Here is my card if you think of anything else," he says, and Rhodes takes it from him.He turns his attention to me, and his look is solemn."You're one of the lucky ones."

I nod in agreement because I know better than most exactly how lucky I am.I made it out alive, all thanks to Rhodes.

"I'll give you guys a ride back to your place," Georgia offers since she was the one that brought us to the station.

We follow her out to the parking lot where the sun is now rising.Rhodes opens the back door for me and motions for me to slide over so he can get in too.The ride home is quiet, and I wonder what Rhodes is thinking.When I told him I loved him, it was because the words spilled out.It doesn’t make them any less true, but he didn’t return them.

“That’s freaky about you firing the gun and it not working.That’s some scary movie shit,” Georgia says from the front seat.“I’d know, I love scary movies.”

“I’ll teach her how to shoot.”Rhodes places his hand on my thigh, and I relax a little.

“Oh, can you teach me too?”Georgia perks up, glancing into the rearview mirror at us.

“Watch the road!”Rhodes snaps at her.

Georgia slams on the brake, almost blowing right through a stop sign.Not that there is anyone out here, but still.How many times will I almost die today?

“Sorry.”She turns, giving us an apologetic smile.“But I would really appreciate you teaching me.”

“You don’t know how to shoot, and you have a gun on you at this very moment,” Rhodes says dryly, making it clear he’s not happy about this news.

“This?”Georgia pulls out the gun, holding it up.

“Jesus, Georgia!”Rhodes barks at her.

“It’s fake.”She pulls the trigger, and bubbles come out.“Looks real, right?”Georgia smirks.“I stole it from the prop bin when I was over at the high school.”

“From the theater kids?”Rhodes asks.

“They don’t need it.It’s time Mrs.Walkey let go of that same old Western play she puts on every year.I’m doing them a favor.”

"Fair point."Rhodes lets out a loud breath."How about you drive and watch the road?"

"Fine."Georgia holsters her gun."But I'm the one that’s supposed to be giving the orders, you know."

"I'll teach you to shoot," Rhodes agrees, as I knew he would.He's a good man, and that's what a good man would do.

"Thanks for the ride," I tell Georgia when we step out of her cruiser.

"Here."Georgia starts searching her pockets, and after a second, she comes up with a business card."I got these when I was elected.Fancy, right?”she says and hands it over to me."Text me later."

Georgia takes off in the cruiser, and I guess I made a new friend.A strange one, but she does make me laugh, I'll give her that.

Rhodes takes my hand, leading me toward the house."Wait."I stop when he opens the door."Isn't it a crime scene?"

I hadn't thought about it until now, but I don’t want to see blood everywhere or possibly brains.

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