45. I will find you
I will find you
Wade
When Libby and Sophia come to the table without Elena, it sets me on edge.
“She spilled some soap on her costume, she said she’d be right behind us.” Libby sits carefully, supporting her belly.
“Why are you here?” Sophia asks her with a wild wave of her hand. “You look like you’re gonna pop.”
“I wouldn’t miss Blue playing if I was on fire.” Libby sticks her tongue out at Sophia with a smile.
“It’s his fault you can barely walk.” Sophia points at Libby’s belly, wagging her brows.
Libby purses her lips, nodding. “Yea, mine too. Don’t worry, one of these days you’ll find a dick you’ll get addicted to.”
“Nah.” Sophia’s nose wrinkles. “Book boyfriends and a toy are fine for me.”
Fuck, I’d rather have toothpicks shoved under my fingernails than to be privy to this conversation.
“How far behind you is Elena? Did y’all fight in the bathroom?” I’m starting to get antsy that she’s taking so long.
“What? No. She’s actually pretty cool.” Libby’s eyes widen. “I know, I’m just as surprised as you.”
“Yea, I think she fits in. Anyone who tries to save their family scores a point in my book.” Sophia pushes up. “I’ll go check on her.”
“No, stay here with Libby. I’ll go.” I can’t stand not having Elena within touching range.
Not with so many men here who I know can get grabby after a few drinks.
It’s hard not to think about Halloween six years ago and just how far a group of drunk bastards can go.
I’m halfway to the hall when Sawyer rushes up and latches on to my arm.
Where did his shirt go?
“I just saw someone grab your girl and drag her out back.” Fear tinges his expression.
Some invisible force slams me in the gut with a sledgehammer.
No!
Images from that night run through my head as I bulldoze my way through the crowd.
Blood.
That’s what I remember the most.
I’ve seen a lot of it through the years, but that scene still haunts my dreams.
Just the idea of that happening to Elena has me shoving bodies out of my path.
When I bust out into the frigid night, rage tints my vision red.
The sound of a scuffle and a woman’s cry calls me to charge in that direction.
Then Elena collides with me.
She’s alive!
“He’s here!” she screams. “He’s in the Phantom mask!”
“Go inside, find Val.” I have to stop this now.
Knowing Elena is behind me, I run as fast as I can, my boots thumping against the pavement.
A glimpse of movement in the darkness spurs me.
I’m going to kill this mother fucker.
Like a bird, white angel wings appear in the night over Sawyer’s bare torso as he rockets through the air to collide with a black form ahead of me.
“Get the—” The mystery figure crumples under Sawyer’s attack, sending both of them rolling.
By the time I catch up, they’ve stalled, but the dark elbow comes down hard, jabbing Sawyer in the ribs.
The kid grunts, yet holds on.
Grabbing a handful of the twisted cape, I drop my knee behind the neck of the struggling man.
Instinct has me reaching behind me for my cuffs.
Fuck. I don’t have my belt. Or my gun.
If this is who I think it is, he’s lucky.
Blue comes jogging up. “I saw the commotion. Elena’s okay, she’s sitting with Libby.”
“Thank you.” I feel like I can breathe again. “Call the station. Tell Billy to get his ass up here.”
Blue nods and digs out his phone.
“Oh, here.” I toss him my keys. “Grab my real cuffs, huh?” I let my leg drift up the pinned man’s neck, knowing it’s mashing his cheek against the asphalt.
If it was just me and Blue, we’d load this guy in the truck and he’d never be seen from again.
But Sawyer’s here. He’s too damn young to be putting those kinds of skeletons in his closet.
I’m sure he’ll learn how to solve his own problems one day.
Time for the big moment.
Reaching down, I rip the mask off the mystery cloaked man. “Well, well, well. Max Simmons. What the fuck are you doing here? Didn’t you know I was looking for you?”
“Bite me, sheriff,” he grumbles into the dirt.
I lean close enough he can hear me, but no one else can. “Tell me why you were taking her and I’ll consider letting you survive to make it to jail.”
“You can’t threaten me.” But panic widens the whites of his eyes when I shift more weight onto the knee against his neck.
“I knew you’d be here,” he chokes. “Everyone does. I just needed to wait for my chance at your whore.”
I glance up in time to see Sawyer watching me intently, his angel wings hanging limply from his back.
My fingers tighten in the clothing and I pry Max’s arm a little higher, making him wince.
He’s so damn lucky that kid is here.
Sirens wail in the distance signally my deputy’s approach.
“Got your bracelets.” Blue dangles my cuffs in front of me.
Within seconds, Max is locked down and sitting with his legs in front of him.
“My mom’s gonna have me out tomorrow.” He turns to spit in my direction.
Shit, his face is gnarly.
Ford really did a number on him.
“Pretty boy like you? Everyone will love you in prison.” I squat so he has no choice to see me. “Maybe I’ll make a phone call too? Know my buddy, Ford?”
Max freezes and his face pales to the same color as the discarded mask on the ground.
“Let’s hope there’s enough of your DNA left after he’s done with you to match to that rape kit from a few years ago.” I stand, pulling out my cell.
“No! Don’t you fucking dare!” Max contorts his body so he’s bouncing on his ass across the pavement.
“Then you get a choice.” I glance up at the lights blazing into the parking lot. “You can tell the truth, or I tell him when you’re being released.”
He sticks out his scarred lip and sets his jaw.
Billy climbs out of his truck and walks over to me.
It doesn’t take long to fill him in.
“Read him his rights, book him in. I’ll be in tomorrow, first thing. Get help before you unload him. Pull Dan or Slade out of the field to meet you.” I would go, but I need to make sure Elena is taken care of first.
“You got it.” He loops his arm through Max’s and hauls the cuffed man to his feet.
It’s only after they’re safely loaded do I go to Sawyer.
He’s been as still as a statue watching the whole thing.
“You okay?” I pat his shoulder. “That was a hell of a thing you did. You coulda been hurt, but it was mighty brave.”
“Thanks,” he says half-heartedly. “Was that the one who made Elena hurt the cows? What was that about Ford?” His blue eyes catch the lights from the bar as he blinks at me.
“He’s hurt a lot of people, kiddo. You’re a hero.” I glance down and notice the scuffs and scratches on his bare chest. “Do I want to ask about the wings?”
His mouth shifts to chew on his cheek. “I forgot to bring a costume.” He looks down and wipes one of the bleeding marks.
Shit. He almost acts like he’s in shock.
“Come on, let’s head in.” Turning him by his arm, I lead him back to the music.
As soon as I step inside I spot her standing nervously by the table.
Her arms wrap the bare skin of her belly until she sees me and a broad smile of relief splits her cheeks before she runs through the thinning crowd to fall against my chest. “I was worried, daddy.”
“I’m fine, little one. Let’s go home.”