Page 62 of Moonlight Feels Right
"I don't know."
As they reached the door, he heard a man say, "You bitch!"
The door was slightly ajar. He pushed it open, shocked to see Jeremy standing across from Emmalyn, blood dripping down his face, the same blood that was on a large ceramic apple-shaped vase in Em's hand.
Emmalyn was breathing heavily, but there was a determined glint in her eyes, and she was clearly positioned to attack again.
"Get away from her," he told Jeremy as he moved to Emmalyn's side.
Ben blocked Jeremy as he tried to leave. "Not so fast," Ben said.
"Get out of my way," Jeremy snapped as he suddenly reached around his back and under his shirt.
"Gun," Hunter said quickly, jumping in front of Emmalyn as Ben grabbed Jeremy, shoving him face up against the wall and removing the gun from his waistband. "I'm a police officer," Ben told him. "And you're under arrest."
Jeremy froze at Ben's words.
Ben looked back at Emmalyn. "I assume this is Jeremy Warren?"
"Yes," she said.
"I ran a check on you, Mr. Warren, or should I say Daniels? It doesn't matter. You have outstanding warrants in both names."
"Does that mean you can take him to jail?" Emmalyn asked.
"I can, and I will," Ben replied.
"I didn't touch her. She hit me. I'm going to sue your ass," Jeremy said.
"I'm sure you'll try," Ben said in a cool voice. "Hunter, there are zip ties in my kitchen, first drawer under the microwave. Door is open."
He nodded and quickly left the apartment to get the ties. When he returned, he handed him the ties and watched as Ben fastened Jeremy's hands behind his back. Then Ben read him his rights and marched him out of the apartment.
When they'd left, he turned to Emmalyn, who was still clutching the apple vase. "I don't think you need that anymore," he said gently, taking it out of her hands.
"It was the closest thing to me," she said.
"What exactly happened?"
"Jeremy was waiting for me when I got home from the market. I was fumbling for my key, and I didn't see him. He came out of nowhere. I opened my door and stepped inside, and he was right behind me. I didn't have time to yell or call anyone."
He felt a wave of rage and guilt, seeing the fear in her eyes and realizing how badly she could have been hurt. He should have checked on her earlier. He should have made sure she wasn't alone. "I'm sorry you had to deal with this on your own."
"I let down my guard for a minute. I was stupid."
"No. You were brave."
"I couldn't tell him where my mother was. And I wasn't going with him. Whatever was going to happen was going to happen here." She paused to take a breath, then blew it out. "I think he was surprised I didn't cower in front of him. That's what he's used to. But I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing fear in my face. He's a bully, and I needed to stand up to him."
He was more than a little impressed by her courage and her willingness to act. She hadn’t panicked when Jeremy had pushed his way into her apartment. She'd stood up for herself. And for her mother.
The first time he'd seen her, he'd thought she was a sweet, soft, innocent person who probably hadn't had to endure one cloudy day in her life. He had been very wrong about that. He had also underestimated how strong and fiery she could be. And he had to admit that this side of her made him like her even more.
"You did good, Em."
"Thanks for coming to my rescue."
"I heard you yell."
