Chapter 13

Justin’s heart shattered, he moved from his chair onto the floor and brought her down with him, “I know, babe.”

She curled up into him, and they sat there holding onto each other for what seemed like an eternity when Cierra walked into the kitchen.

“Justin, Ben says he’s on his way,” she froze when she saw them holding onto each other.

He glanced down at his darlin’ and saw she was asleep, he sighed a little, and slowly stood up, careful with his darlin’. He headed back to Marnie’s light purple room and laid her down on the bed gently. He kissed her forehead softly, “Get some rest, darlin’, you’re safe now.” He left the room, pulling the door shut soundlessly.

He headed back to the kitchen, he looked at Cierra, “The funeral was her mom’s.” He explained that he hated seeing his darlin’ in so much pain, and it seemed to worsen.

“Oh no, we might have to observe her, after the trauma she’s been through, and if she starts to feel like she has no one, she might try to harm herself.”

He huffed, running a hand over his mouth, then yanked the hat off his head, “Well, she has me now.”

“For how long, Justin?”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh come on, every one of us knows how you are, the only thing you are committed to is your job and family.”

“What if I make her family?” Justin challenged.

“I don’t think that is such a good idea, she’s very vulnerable right now, she’ll latch onto the first one she can, can you handle that?” Cierra frowned at him.

“I’ve handled it so far, haven’t I?”

“Justin, I’m serious.”

“So am I.”

Cierra let out a sigh, “Thank God Ben is coming, maybe he’ll talk some sense into you, have you heard from Holly?”

“Not since I brought the girl here from the station.”

Cierra nodded, “We need some ground rules, we need to start calling her Bree, no more hun, babe, or darlin’.”

“Why?”

“Seriously, Justin? She can’t be getting attached to you.”

“What if I want her attached?”

“Justin, don’t make me separate you from her.”

“You can’t, I already promised her I wasn’t leaving her.”

“What’s wrong with you? I’ve never seen you like this with a woman before.”

“I don’t know, okay? There’s just something about her, I can’t explain it, when she fell into my arms out in the woods, something besides her hit me.”

Cierra threw up her hands, showing her frustration with him, and walked away.

His phone began to ring, “Mathers.” He answered in a short clip tone.

“Chief Michaels, we need the woman back at the station, we need a few more questions answered.”

“Sorry, Michaels, she’s finally resting, it’ll be a bit, she needs the sleep.”

“Oh come on, Mathers, this is important.”

“I know that, but she just fell asleep, let her sleep for a little bit, and then we’ll-” he froze when he heard the scream. He cut the call and rushed to the bedroom, his gun drawn and ready.

His eyes flew around the room, but no one but his girl was in the room. He went to the bed and sat beside her, “Babe, wake up,” he soothed as he reached out for her. He was caught off guard when she flew to a sitting position and struck out at him. Her hand landed into his cheek, but it felt more like a bug flew into him. He gripped her wrists gently, “Hey, easy, babe, it’s okay.”

She began to relax against him as her body trembled.

He stroked her back gently, “It’s okay, you’re still safe.”

She shivered as she moved closer to him, wrapping her arms around him, her palms flat against his back.

He kissed her temple softly, what was it about her that made him want to lose himself in her? He’d only known her for less than twenty-four hours, he didn’t know what was going on with him. He cleared his throat a bit, “Babe, they want you to come down to the station, the chief called me right before you let out the scream, he said he had some more questions for you.”

Her palms tightened into firsts in his t-shirt before she gave in and agreed to go, “As long as you don’t leave my side.” She whispered.

“I’ll be there right beside you.” How could he not give in to that request?