Page 6 of Fight for Me

I have no idea how long I stay in there, but when I step out of the bathroom, the house is already dark and silent. Without turning the lights on, I move through the hallway in a desperate need of water, but draw to a halt when the sound of a doorbell resonates through the walls.

I see the light switching on in my parents’ bedroom and in a panic, I dive into the closest room, which is the kitchen, to take cover. My father marches to the door grumbling threats under his nose, but as soon as the doors open I can hear his tone changing to a politely surprised one.

“Officer Owens? What do I owe the pleasure? It’s quite late. Is everything all right at the station?”

I hear a man clearing his throat before an uncertain voice replies. “Sheriff Wallace, I thought this was your address. I’m sorry to bother you so late, sir, but we got a call from a concerned neighbor about some disturbing noises coming out of your house.”

I’m so surprised that someone called the police that I chance a peek into the hallway to see what’s going on. My father stands in a relaxed pose in front of two police officers. I get a clear view of the one standing closer, but the other one stays in the shadow, a large silhouette towering over the two other men. And my father is not a short guy by any means.

My dad scratches his cheek in puzzlement. “After I came back from the Sturgis’ farm with my daughter, we went to sleep. I honestly haven’t heard anything happening in the neighborhood. Who placed the call?”

“We don’t know, they didn’t leave any kind of information. Probably a stupid prank or something. I’m sorry we disturbed you, sir. We’ll be on our way.”

“It’s good that you checked the call, Owens. Better safe than sorry. Now, if that’s all, gentlemen.”

My father makes a move to close the door, but before he gets the chance, the other person steps into the light and asks in a deep masculine voice, looking straight at me. “Miss, are you all right?”

I jump in surprise that I’m being called out, and then my jaw immediately drops because right there at my front door stands the biggest and most handsome man I’ve ever seen. He looks like a combination of the Terminator and a GQ model. Hot damn. I don’t know if I should be scared or awed.

The deceivingly sweet voice of my father snaps me out of my daze, reminding me of the seriousness of my predicament.

“Jennifer, honey, why aren’t you sleeping?” My father’s eyes are like lasers in the half-lit corridor, completely at odds with his nice smile.

Shit. Not only was I eavesdropping, but I also showed my busted face to someone. Police officers at that. And here I am staring at some stranger like a complete idiot as my father is probably just plotting the easiest way to bury my body in the backyard. How hard did my head hit the table? Maybe I have a concussion.

“I’m sorry, Dad, I was just getting some water before bed,” I say meekly and start to back away.

The big man stops me from leaving when he presses with concern. “Miss, what happened to your face?”

“Oh. This? I’m clumsy. It’s nothing,” I respond immediately, waving my hand in a dismissive gesture as if it’s a small inconvenience happening to all of us daily. But the man’s gaze drills into me, straight through my eyes and right into my soul. His expression tells me that he’s not fooled.

“Yeah, that’s my daughter, all right. Always gets into some messy situations and hurts herself in the process,” my father chirps with a jovial smile, but I can tell he doesn’t like the man questioning him and paying attention to me.

“Now, I didn’t catch your name, officer...?”

“Brody, sir. I’m new in town.” The big guy tears his eyes away, and I can finally take a deep breath.

“Oh, yeah, our newest asset. The ex-Marine, right?” my father questions.

“Yes, sir,” he responds and then tries again. “May I have a word with your daughter, sheriff? Just to make sure everything is fine.”

This time, my father doesn’t hide his sneer behind a smile. “You definitely may not.” When both officers lift their eyebrows at the sudden change in their boss’s demeanor, he schools his features and changes his tone to a more professional one. “Look, Officer Brody. I appreciate your concern and wanting to do everything by the book, but I will not be undermined by some newbie trying to prove himself at my own damn house. You will soon learn how things work around here, but until then, keep in line and stay out of my way. Do you understand me?”

I can say that Brody wants to snap back at my father by the way he stares at him, breathing through his nose harshly, but after the one named Owens jabs him with an elbow, he steps back, and I know it’s my cue to get the fuck out of here.

I turn aroundand hear him rumble, “I’m sorry, sir. I was just trying to do my job. We will be on our way now. Good night.”

I don’t wait to hear what else is being said as I run back into my room and lock it. My ass hits the floor when my shaking legs stop working. What the fuck was that? No one has ever called the police on my father. Ever. He’s the goddamn sheriff.

“Did they arrest him?” A quiet voice reaches me from somewhere in my room, and I muffle a scream with my hand before it alerts my father.

Jumping up to my feet, I go to switch on my bedside lamp and then gawk at my best friend sitting on the bed, still dressed in the outfit she had on at the party.

“Claire?! What the fuck! I almost fucking peed myself!” I whisper-yell at my unwanted guest.

“So that’s what you’re hiding? It’s so much worse than I thought, Jenny. I came here to talk and slipped through the window. And then I heard... I called the police for you. Did they arrest him?” Claire asks with tears in her eyes, her face full of innocent hope.

Oh my God. It was Claire. Of course, it was. I tug my hair in frustration and sit down on the bed next to her.

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