Page 22 of Fight for Me

“We’re here.”

I straighten up from my hunched position and look out the windshield at a withered and gloomy-looking building on a rough-looking street, illuminated by the streetlight.

My expression must’ve shown my doubt because Brody says, “I know it doesn’t look great, but you’ll be safe here and one of the women is a relative of mine. She promised to keep an eye on you. I want you to stay here until we find another solution so you can go back home.”

“Okay,” I mumble.

“Hey,” Brody puts his hand on my arm. “I know you probably don’t believe me. And why should you? I should’ve dealt with your father a long time ago, instead, I let him throw me off the loop one too many times, and you got hurt.”

“Not your fault, Handsome. Honestly, you’ve been on my case a lot about reporting him. I have to admit you are a persistent fucker because there were times when I seriously considered it.” I smile at him sadly.

“Should’ve been even more persistent than,” he grunts with a frown as he removes his hand from my shoulder and threads it through his hair in frustration. “Each week I told myself that on the next one, I will get that fucker, and you’ll be free of him. Weeks turned into months, and then it’s been two years of me chasing my tail. Your father was always one step ahead of me somehow.”

“Yeah, he knows how to play the psycho game. He probably has many friends in higher places and plenty of people in his pocket. Don’t be so hard on yourself, Brody. It’s hard to go against someone who’s always playing dirty. Also, I meant to tell you before we part, he had a file on you on his desk, I saw it before I ran away. That’s where I got your address from.”

“What was in the file?”

“Not much. Things like date of birth, address, and annotation about your time in the Marines. Whatever he was looking for, he probably didn’t find there, but it doesn’t mean that he’s not watching you or something.”

Brody harrumphs with a frown and deliberates on what I’ve just told him for a minute, then asks, “Now that we are sharing, is there anything else you know about your father that could help me bring him down? It could be anything, Jen.”

“There might be something. I don’t know if it’s related to your case, but you told me about this Robert guy before...” I start hesitantly.

“Yeah, Robert Barnett. What about him?”

“Well...” My mother’s face comes into my mind as she tells me the story, and I change my mind. “You know what? It’s not related. Forget I said anything.”

“Are you sure?” Brody asks suspiciously.

“Just... unrelated family drama. It’s nothing,” I mutter evasively.

He hums in his throat, eyeing me some more, then shrugs.

I stare at the old building, as Brody seems to still mull over something. He drums his fingers on his thigh, and thenreaches into his jacket. “Here.” He takes a few hundred out of his wallet and extends it toward me.

“What’s that for?”

“You’ll need money. I doubt you have everything you need in that small bag of yours. This will allow you to get some necessities.” He tries to hand me the money again, but I move back.

“Brody, that won’t be necessary. I have money. A thief, remember?” I gesture toward myself with a thumb.

“Wait. So, you really robbed your father?” Brody asks in astonishment.

“Um. Of course. How was I supposed to run away without any cash? I had to think fast. Are you going to give me shit about that, Officer?” I ask irritably.

“Depends. How much did you steal?”

“Three thousand dollars,” I state proudly and lift my chin, daring Brody to comment.

However, he surprises me when suddenly a bright smile stretches on his face. “That’s my girl.”

“What? You’re not going to lecture me or something?”

He shakes his head and takes the keys out of the ignition after putting his money back in his pocket. “You were in a dangerous situation, and you were able to hightail out of there and got everything you needed before finding your way to safety. I’m not going to lecture you. I’m impressed, Jen.”

I look away to hide my own smile, not wanting to show how much his praise pleases me. “Whatever.”

“So, are you ready?”

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