Page 35 of Needing Your Love
Acall from a number I didn’t recognize rang my cell while I was on my office phone. I had to let it go to voicemail, and seconds later, a text came through.
Unknown:Gram’s son is drunk off his ass and just took off in his truck.
Jimmy—it had to be.
“Mayor, there’s an emergency, and I have to go.” I interrupted the voice droning in my ear, hanging up before he could say goodbye. Grabbing my keys, I sped from my office and rushed past Babs’s desk.
“Everything okay?” she called after me.
“I’ll let you know!” I hollered while shoving the rear door open and sprinting across the parking lot for my cruiser.
A second later, I turned onto Main Street, and Kurt Wallace’s truck roared past me, heading east for Route 16. Radioing Jamie, who was out patrolling, I flicked on my lights and made a U-turn, adrenaline racing but my hands steady on the wheel.
Kurt swerved into The Outdoor Store’s parking lot and managed to get his stumbling ass inside before I pulled in behind his truck, angling my car so he wouldn’t be able to drive off.
I hopped out and headed toward the entrance, giving Jamie another quick update through the two-way.
“Be there in a few,” my son replied.
Raised voices reached me before I stepped into the building, and I braced myself for whatever drama was about to unfold. The sound of flesh hitting flesh promised a drunken brawl and the need to get physical before I even saw the situation.
Kurt grappled with Stefen Kaufman, the shop’s owner, fists swinging, contact being made on both bodies.
Sarah, Stefen’s wife, cowered behind the counter, eyes wide and hands over her mouth.
“Hey!” I hollered, rushing forward to grab Kurt’s shoulder so he couldn’t throw another punch. “Enough!” I wrenched him back, and he stumbled, falling to the floor, which allowed me to easily slap handcuffs on his wrists to keep him somewhat under control.
“You have no fucking right!” Kurt slurred, but at least he didn’t attempt to resist my hold.
I stood, yanking him to his feet. He smelled like a brewery and could barely stay upright. “The hell is going on?” My tone was set low and with authority.
“Found out he’s been texting my wife, sending her dick pics and shit.” Stefen spat, rage mottling his face red. “Told him if he didn’t stop sniffing around her skirt I was going to skin him alive!”
“I saw what you did to her!” Kurt yelled, trying to pull free from me. “You fucking hurt her!”
“Liar!” Stefen bellowed, hands fisted at his sides and rage distorting his features.
The two tossed profanities back a few times while I quickly checked out Sarah.
She huddled in on herself, arms wrapped tightly around her core, but there was no visible evidence of bruising from what Icould see. But she also wore a long-sleeved shirt as Jimmy had often done.
It was no secret around town that Stefen and Sarah’s marriage had been on the rocks since the beginning of the summer, but this was the first I’d heard anyone mention an affair or physical abuse.
“Enough!” I barked out again, and both men went silent.
Jamie walked in behind me, shoulders back and gaze assessing, but kept quiet, seeing as I had things under control.
I handed Kurt over to his care before approaching Sarah.
“Chief—”
I raised a hand, cutting off Stefen, who shifted nervously on his feet as I examined his wife. No hint of marks marred her pale face, but clothing covered her from the neck to her ankles. “Is Kurt speaking the truth? Has your husband hurt you?” I asked quietly.
Twin tears slid down her cheeks, and she glanced at Stefen before dropping her gaze to the floor. The silence was heavy and telling as hell, rousing my protective instincts to take care of my people—especially the vulnerable and more easily intimidated.
“Sarah,” I pushed with a gentle voice, but she shook her head.
Fucking hell.
