Chapter 30
Chapter
Lennon
“You’re sure you have all three of the men? You got the first one, but this took so long, I wasn’t sure you really caught the other three.” I looked at Detective Ahmed again, just as I had two other times I’d asked since we’d arrived at the precinct early this morning. I was in shock; I hadn’t expected the men to be arrested.
Vivian and I had caught a red eye out to Detroit after the game last night. I’d insisted on upgrading our seats so we could sleep more comfortably, and Vivian had reluctantly agreed.
We were both sleep-rumpled and tired now, but we wanted this identification—this period of our life—behind us. The best, and really only, way to do that was to ensure the men responsible for the attack received justice.
The bald, thin detective gave a sharp nod. “Yes, we’re sure. They match your description, Ms. Lee’s description—” He nodded at Vivian. “—and the images we took from nearby closed-circuit cameras. These are the men who attacked you, Lennon. They’re in custody. And after their most current armed assault, they will be spending a long, long time in prison.”
“You’re sure ?” My head seemed filled with cotton, my thoughts sluggish. I struggled to process that it was over. My terrified need to protect Vivi was done. Gone in a blink. “Vivian’s safe?” I hadn’t realized how much I was still holding on to those feelings.
“She is. I promise, Lennon. These guys won’t be able to wiggle out of these charges. There were witnesses. It seems they became more and more brazen. Maybe because they weren’t caught when they assaulted you and Ms. Lee or maybe they just wanted to escalate the violence. In some ways, the reasons don’t matter; they were caught, and there are multiple witnesses plus the video evidence. They’re not going to be able to hurt and terrorize innocent citizens again.”
“Thank you,” I said. I blew out a long breath.
“You’re welcome. I wish it could have been sooner, but these are the reasons I continue to do my job.”
I smiled, already planning to send Detective Ahmed a huge thank-you basket and tickets to the next game we played in Detroit. It would be a couple-hours’ drive for him, but I had no doubt he’d make it. “Thank you for continuing to work on the case. I can’t tell you how relieved I am.”
“I figured you would be. I know that was a terrifying experience. For the record, you handled it better than most.” He raised his eyebrows and looked at each of us. “You ready to see the lineup?”
Vivian
I clutched Lennon’s hand and hugged his thick forearm to my chest as we stared at the six men standing on the other side of the glass. My breathing stuttered, but I kept it together. Lennon’s muscles clenched tighter and tighter. I rubbed my thumb along his palm and slowly, his tension receded.
“Anyone look familiar?” Detective Ahmed asked.
“Yes,” I said as strongly as I could. I needed to take the lead on this one. Lennon was capable and alpha most of the time, but in this case the traumatic brain injury and hallucination were more real to him than the actual event itself. And I never wanted him to feel less than—especially for something outside his control.
“That one,” I said. My finger remained steady. “And that one.”
“Lennon?” Detective Ahmed asked after he’d noted my response.
Lennon blew out a breath. “Those two for sure, but can you have them speak?”
“Sure,” Detective Ahmed said. He pressed the intercom and asked each man in the lineup to come forward and repeat a nursery rhyme.
When the third man in line spoke, Lennon’s body went rigid. “Him. He was the one who cut me.”
“You’re sure?” Detective Ahmed asked.
“Positive.”
A few more spoke, and then Lennon shuddered. “And he’s the spokesman. The one…”
I leaned tighter against his side. He steadied, and his breathing returned to normal.
“Can I talk to him?” Lennon asked. His muscles were so tight, I worried he’d pop.
“Through the glass or in a detainment room?” Detective Ahmed asked.
“Here. Like this.”
Pride swelled in my chest as he took charge of his fear.
“Go ahead,” the detective said.
“Number Six, did you speak to Lennon Cruz after your companion cut him with the knife?”
The man’s eyes darted back and forth. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Before the police arrived. Did you speak to the man you assaulted when he was on the ground?”
“No way. I didn’t do nothing.” He was sullen, his eyes dark and empty.
“You’re sure you didn’t threaten his girlfriend?” Lennon pressed.
“Nuh-uh. I didn’t do nothing like that. I…I…it was an easy score, see? We just needed the money. I didn’t threaten the woman. That was Anthony. He did that!” He pointed to the first man I’d recognized.
“But neither of you threatened the woman once you incapacitated the man?” Lennon asked.
Both men shook their heads wildly.
Lennon stepped back. “That’s all.”
“Thanks for getting that confession,” Detective Ahmed said. “That’ll make the rest of the process easier—and faster.”
Lennon and I walked out of the police precinct, and the moment we stepped into the sunlight, I tipped my head back and soaked in the sun.
“That feels so good,” I murmured. “Like we can fully turn the page.”
Lennon stood next to me, his expression stoic.
“Lennon?”
“This may be ridiculous, but I feel like this massive weight has lifted off of me. I can breathe fully, Vivi. I’m not scared of what’s going to happen to you anymore.” He wrapped an arm around me, and I shifted close. His heart pattered against the hand I laid on his chest. With each breath, it slowed. “I know bad things can happen. I know we’re not promised tomorrow, but thinking there were men watching me, waiting to take you—hurt you—it was making me crazy.”
“I wish I hadn’t let my fears hold me back from simply asking you.” I kissed his neck. “We could have resolved our split before it happened, that day in the hospital.”
“And I wish I’d been brave enough to be honest. But now we have today and all the days you’ll put up with me.”
I chuckled. “Like that’ll ever be a challenge.” I rose up on my tiptoes and wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my nose in the crook of his shoulder. “That’s over. It’s been over. I need you to hold me now, Lennon.”
His arms were around me before I finished the request.
“You know what my mom said is the hardest part of a relationship?” I asked.
“No.”
“Communication. She said it’s hard to be honest with another person, especially when you don’t want to be honest with yourself.” I pulled back to meet his eyes. My calves burned, but I kept myself on my toes, needing to be as close to him as possible. “We talk, especially about the hard stuff. The attraction and liking clicked immediately, and yes, I would have rather have not gone through those months of sadness and blaming myself, but it brought us to a much, much better place in our relationship. We’re honest with each other and ourselves. We admit when we need help. We’ve become a partnership. And that’s because of what we went through—in spite of the odds against us.”
“Ah, Vivi. You’re so smart. I love you. I don’t tell you enough. I love you with all my heart.”
I smiled. “I’m not going to say no to hearing that more often.”
He chuckled but sobered quickly. “I didn’t like the way I felt in there. How those men made me feel. I’ve never been as scared as I was when I was sure they’d hurt you because of me.”
I hugged him tighter. “Ah, Lennon. We all wobble from time to time. I’m shocked that I could be the reason you, Lennon Cruz, star starter for the Wildcatters, fell to your knees. Part of me gets off on that power, but…”
My legs began to shake, and Lennon shifted so his forearm was just below my butt. He lifted me off my feet. Swoon . This man was strong. So capable. Yet, with me he remained gentle, careful…
“But?” he asked.
“But I love you the way you are, and that’s in control. You control your emotions, your reactions, your strength. I find that so sexy.” I nipped at his earlobe. “Well, not all the time.”Sometimes I do get a high from making you lose control.”
He shuddered as he lowered his forehead to mine. “Ah, Vivi, you have no idea the power you hold over me. And you’re the only one who breaks my control—or gets to control me.” He kissed me, and I felt the thrill to my soul. I reveled in it.