Conrad
Maya had sent me away from her apartment to get some air and calm myself down. I didn’t want to leave, but it was for the best. I was losing it with the officers. I didn’t mean to, but I am so angry and frustrated with everything happening. It has been happening for too long. I am sick and tired of watching Maya cry or become scared. It isn’t right, and it shouldn’t be happening. I don’t understand why they haven’t caught him yet! It isn’t like he is some mastermind criminal. He is a pathetic, cowardly excuse of a human being. Yes, they are doing what they can, but it isn’t enough. I meant when I said if they don’t fix it soon, I will hire privately.
I had stopped in at a café close by for a coffee. I won’t be away long because I don’t want Maya to be alone once the officers leave. We have no idea when Callum was there and if he was still close by.
I sit at a table close to the window to keep my eye on outside in case he passes by. I order a black coffee and a cookie. I sigh, resting back on the seat. I wish Maya would just let me take her away from all of this. We could move away to another state or even another part of the world and start over. I will leave everything behind if it means she will be safe and happy, but I know she won’t allow me to do that.
It doesn’t take long for my order to arrive. I thank the staff member. As I drink my coffee, I receive a text from a number that isn’t saved in my contacts. I open it, and the second I read it, I know who it is, and anger stirs in me again.
It doesn’t matter what you do to protect her, I will always get to her one way or another. Should you really have left her alone? The officers could leave at any minute, and she would be all alone.
The fucking bastard must still be close to the apartment. How the hell can he be in plain sight with three officers and still not be seen? How can they miss that? How did I miss that? I need to get back. I toss a twenty on the table and rush out, heading straight for Maya’s apartment building.
I look around before heading inside to see if I can see him or if there are any cars with someone in, but there is nothing. I can’t see him. The police car is still outside, so at least I know she isn’t alone. I need to get her out of her and back home right away.
I run up to her floor and barge in.
“He has been here the entire time, watching.” I snap, showing my cell to one of the officers.
“When did he send that?” Maya whimpers.
“Five minutes ago,” I say.
I watch a familiar fear take over her face. I pull her to me and hug her tightly to my chest.
“We will go and take a look outside.” One officer says.
Two of them head out, and the other stays with me. Maya sobs into my chest. I stroke her hair and hug her tighter. I don’t know what else to do. I wish I could tell her it was all going to be okay, but I can’t because I don’t know if I will.
“Can we leave? I want to get Maya home, somewhere safe, somewhere Callum can’t access.” I ask.
“We have everything we need. Once the other officers come back, you can, and we will escort you home. I am sorry this is still happening.” She says softly.
“I just wish he could be found. It isn’t like he is trying to hide all of the time.” I sigh.
“I know, Sir. I promise we won’t stop until he is arrested. We will talk to the landlord and explain what happened. He should have insurance to fix the place.” She says.
“Thank you. If he doesn’t, please let me know. I will pay for the damages. Will you be able to hand him the keys in?”
She nods, “Yes, we will deal with it. If they need to talk to Maya, we will let you know.”
“Thank you.”
The officers came back in twenty minutes later, “There is no sign of him.”
“Okay. We are going home now.”
I am not staying here any longer. I want Maya to be safe, and home is the best place for that. Two of the officers remain at the apartment, and the other follows behind us in our car. Maya stares out of the window, not speaking a word. She is closing herself off again.
The officers makes sure we get inside before he leaves.
“Can you make sure the doors are locked and the security system is on?” Maya whimpers.
I nod, “I will, angel.”
I make sure everything is locked, and the security system is connected. It is always connected, but I wanted to make sure for her sake. When I arrive back through Maya is nowhere in sight. I search for her and find her curled up in our bed, crying.
I slip my hoodie and shoes off, climb onto the bed behind her and hug her.
“You are safe here with me, sweetheart,” I whisper.
She turns around to face me, “I know. I am terrified of what he plans on doing next. What more is there? There can’t be anything worse than he has already done.” She whimpers.
“I wish I knew his next move; I really do. Maya, maybe it is time for us to go somewhere else for a while. Somewhere, you won’t be on edge constantly, or we won’t be watching over our shoulders.” I suggest.
She shakes her, “No, I refuse to run away, Conrad.”
I reach in and caress her face, “Okay. We can only hope they catch up with him soon.”
“I hope so.” She whispers and snuggles into my chest.
I wrap my arms around her, holding her to me.
“Your heartbeat always makes me relax.” She says softly.
“Try and get some rest, beautiful.”
I know she is exhausted and emotionally drained.
“Will you stay here with me?”
“Always, Maya. Now rest. I love you.”
“I love you too, Conrad.”
It doesn’t take her long to fall asleep in my arms. I am not tired. I am just lying here with her because I know she feels safe when I am. Her being alone right now is not something she can handle. It is not something I want either. I play with her as she sleeps because it is something she likes and something that helps relax her.
She could sleep for half an hour or three hours. It doesn’t matter how long; I won’t move until she wakes up. Maya would panic if she woke and I was gone. She has had enough stress for today; she doesn’t need any more.
I think tonight I need to find a way to take her mind off things. A romantic night in with a warm bubble bath and all her favourite things. I will do whatever it takes to make her forget about it all, even for a few hours.