Page 47 of Concealed

“You had evidence all over your body, and at least you would have had a paper trail. Why not try to talk to the police again?”

My laugh rings out hollow without a trace of humor. “Because Mattisthe police.”

Chapter 11

Wyatt

Well,nothingputsthebrakes on a very awkward hookup faster than finding out she’s been beaten up by one of my fellow boys in blue.

“Jesus,” I reply, all of the blood rushing back to the head on my shoulders. “I’m so sorry, Rebecca. Cops are supposed to be there to protect you, and it’s inexcusable that they didn’t do their jobs when you went to them for help. What happened, exactly, the first time you went?”

“The first and only time. Believe me, I paid the price for going. Matt convinced them I was lying.”

“I’m assuming you had bruises?”

“He said I hurt myself to make him look bad. That I was mentally unstable.”

It’s not unheard of to frame someone for abuse, but it’s also pretty easy to tell the difference if you have a trained eye. And we do. So, that means Matt’s brothers knew he was laying hands on his domestic partner and didn’t do anything about it.

Cops have each other’s backs. That’s without question. But good cops don’t look the other way when a man, whether he has a badge or not, treats his girlfriend like a punching bag. I can’t help but wonder what more there is to the story, but now isn’t the time to push Rebecca.

“I don’t know what to say other than there’s good and bad in every profession. We’re not all the same.”

“So, you would have arrested Matt?” Rebecca challenges.

“If there were grounds to arrest him, then yes.”

“I get the whole ‘good and bad in every profession’ thing,” Rebecca says. “But it’s a bit more problematic when a person of power sucks at their job versus someone ringing through your groceries. Bad cops are a matter of life and death.”

“I agree. And if you want me to get involved–”

Rebecca holds up her hands to stop me from continuing. “No. I just want to put Matt and everything about the past behind me. I know how domestic cases go in court, let alone when the offender is a cop. Though, someone would have to believe me before it even got that far.”

“I believe you.”

Tears fill her eyes, and she rests her hand on my thigh. “Thank you. That means more to me than you know.”

“Does Matt have any idea where you are?”

“No. The only people who know are Gabe and you. That’s why I’m here with someone I had never met before and have no traceable connection to.”

“And you didn’t tell anyone?” I press. “No one at all?”

Sometimes, people think telling just one trusted friend is okay when it isn’t – not in a situation like this one. We need to implement a plan to keep Rebecca safe and protected for the long-term that doesn’t involve indefinitely locking her in the house.

“No. My best friend reached out, but I haven’t responded. I know she’s worried about me–”

“So, let’s not give her a real reason to be worried,” I interject.

Rebecca nods. “Okay. I’m going a bit stir crazy, and I’m not sure when I’ll be able to start living instead of hiding, but I’ll wait until we figure things out.”

We.

It’s a small thing, but every time Rebecca shows that she trusts me, something deep inside me aches. She’s so much stronger than she knows, but she doesn’t have to fight her battles alone – not anymore.

“Then you’re safe.”

For now.

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