Page 29 of In The Trenches (Owens Protective Services)

The man stood, ready to charge, and she quickly turned the gun back on him, the look on her face deadly serious now.

“I would rethink your next move. If you thought the last two shots hurt, I can guarantee this next one will end your life.”

This time, he seemed to finally get the message that she wasn’t screwing around. He slowly raised his arms and shuffled for the door. I moved out of the way, skittering to the far side of the kitchen while she kept her gun trained on him as he exited the apartment. Once he was out, she shoved the door closed and locked it, not that it would keep anyone out.

“Pack your shit. We’re leaving.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. You’re not staying here,” she said, shoving her gun into the back of her pants. She looked around the apartment, shaking her head. “The boss will flip if he sees this place,” she muttered to herself.

“I’m not leaving. This is the only place I have.”

“And now you’re coming to stay with me.”

I immediately started to panic. “No,” I shook my head wildly, backing up as my heart thudded in my chest. She may be a great shot, but there was no way she could fight off the men after me. She would be killed, and I would not repay her kindness in that way.

“Beth, whoever you’re running from, I can protect you.”

“Protect me?” I laughed, tears spilling down my cheeks. “Are you insane?”

“Beth—”

“Get out,” I demanded.

“Beth—”

“No, you don’t get to come in here, insult me for where I live, and then force me out of my place.”

“A man was in your apartment,” she argued. “He would have killed you, or done some other not so nice things that I don’t think you even want to think about.”

She had no idea how much I already knew about the bad things men could do. I’d grown up with evil. It was ingrained in my brain. I would never forget what could happen. But I also wouldn’t put others in danger.

“Leave now. I didn’t ask you to come here.”

“You also didn’t ask me to get rid of the asshole, but I did that.”

“Who do you think you are?” I yelled. It was so out of character for me. But I think I knew deep down that she wouldn’t hurt me, and that gave me the confidence I needed to stand up for myself. “You shoved your way into my life when I didn’t ask for it. I don’t need to be saved.”

“It sure doesn’t look that way to me,” she retorted. “How would you have taken that asshole down with one working arm?”

I didn’t have an answer for that, so I kept my mouth shut.

“Look, my boss wanted me to look out for you—”

“Your boss? The guy that hurt my arm?” I scoffed.

“He didn’t do that, and we both know it.”

I did know it, but that didn’t mean I trusted him. I didn’t trust anyone, not anymore. I was hanging on by a thread, and as nice as it would be to just let someone swoop in and take care of me, I knew that would only end badly. So, against everything inside me begging for help, I made her leave.

“You’re trespassing, and if you don’t leave, I’ll call the police.”

Sighing, she finally turned for the door, but not before setting a card on the counter. “When you finally decide you need some help, give me a call. Not everyone is evil, Beth.”

She unlocked the door and walked out, closing the door with a soft snick. I stared at the card on the counter, wanting to take it and run toward someone that might be able to help. But I refused to watch another person die because of me. I snatched the card and tore it into pieces, tossing it in the garbage.

13

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