Chapter Sixty-Four
Jake
From Cedar Ridge Street, I watch Chad walking down the front steps with his hand around the back of Mackenzie’s neck as he steers her toward his car.
God, he’s a dumbass. I’ve already driven by and confirmed that the Cutlass remains with expired plates, and yet again, he’s going to get in and drive somewhere.
Only this time, he’s got his sister in tow.
They’re wearing nicer clothes than usual.
Chad’s shirt and jeans are free of holes and Mackenzie is wearing a dress.
When Mackenzie steps into the streetlight, his grip tightens on her neck, hauling her to a stop.
It looks like they’re arguing as they gesture animatedly toward each other with tight expressions on their faces.
When Mackenzie frowns at her brother, he shoves her toward the car. I grip the steering wheel to keep from jumping out of the cruiser and pummeling the asshole’s face. Thank God Grace isn’t subjected to Chad’s aggressive bullying because there’s no doubt his abuse wouldn’t into the next generation.
Mackenzie’s only hope is that she gets away from him. And soon.
Chad glances down the street, sees my cruiser parked and spins his stepsister to the left. Her face is livid as she lurches forward, righting herself before faceplanting on the sidewalk.
I guess he’s not as dumb as I thought. I shift the car into drive and ease forward. Chad drops his arm to his side while leaning down to say something to Mackenzie.
When I approach them, I roll down the window. “Nice day for a drive.”
“What’re you doing here? I’m about one second away from calling you out for stalking.” Chad’s hands ball into fists as Mackenzie rubs the back of her neck with a wince.
“I’m doing my civic duty by checking on the citizens of Brookhaven.” I shift my attention to Mackenzie. One word from her and I’ll take her away from him, charge his ass for abuse of a minor, and take him out of everyone’s misery. “How’re you today?”
“Fine.” Mackenzie keeps her eyes trained into the distance as if she fears the repercussions of meeting my eyes.
“Where’re you two headed off to?”
“We’re–”
“It’s none of his fuckface’s business. He has no right to ask us where we’re going.
” Chad grabs Mackenzie’s upper arm and shoves her behind him.
The wince on her face intensifies as his fingertips dig into her flesh.
Up and down her arms are bruises in various shades of red, purple, and faded yellow brown.
Fucking son of a bitch. My stomach heaves.
“Mackenzie, are you sure you’re alright?” I’m practically begging her now to say something. Anything. Her mouth remains shut.
“If you don’t have a warrant for my arrest, you need to get out of here.” Chad’s face is red as he spits the words in my direction.
There’s nothing I can do. There’s no reason to pull her in. Or him. She’s never breathed a word of him hurting her to anyone. And if she’s not willing to say anything, there’s no proof the injuries were from his hand.
“Sorry to bother you. I’m only out here making community connections.
Improving relationships between the citizens of Brookhaven and the police.
” Acid burns in my stomach while I keep my face impartial.
“You all have a good day. But if either of you ever need anything, you know where to find us. We’re always here to help. ”
“Thank you.” Mackenzie nods her head toward me. “Have a good day, Officer.”
“Get the fuck in the pickup.” Chad shoves Mackenzie in the other direction. “Dad’s waiting, and he hates it when we’re late.”
Visiting day at the prison. That explains the clean clothes and the lack of grease on Chad’s hands and under his fingernails.
Rather than sticking around to ensure he gets into the licensed vehicle, I drive to the next house where Laura is watering her plants.
Just a concerned officer doing his civic duty.
The less heat Chad feels, the better off we are.
Even though I fully intend on watching every move that asshole makes.
Twenty minutes later, I’m parked at the corner of Main and First Street when Kaleb strides to my cruiser and taps the back of his knuckles on the window. He rocks back onto his heels and crosses his arms over his chest.
After I roll down the window, I arch an eyebrow and force down a groan as the bright morning sun shines between the buildings. “Yes?”
“Fine cop you make.” He rolls his eyes. “You didn’t even see me coming up on you.”
“You drove up on Main Street ten minutes ago. You went inside Brookhaven Market. Stayed there for seven minutes, came out with two bags of groceries, and dropped them off in your pickup, two vehicles behind that white one.”
Dominic eases to a stop at the four way and lifts his index finger in greeting. We both respond to him with a nod.
“Fine.” He glares at me and waves his hand dismissively. “You’re keeping tabs on me.”
“I’m keeping tabs on everyone.” I smirk as I lean back into the seat. “What’s up?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” His thick arms return to a crossed position over his chest. “You’ve been hooking up with my sister, and you said you’d stay away from her.”
“I’m not hooking up with your sister.” I peel my fingers off the steering wheel, so I don’t jerk it off the steering column.
“So, you’re going to deny you’re sleeping with Em?” His eyes flash with rage. Not that I blame him. What I said makes it sound like I’m ashamed of her. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
“I’m not in the mood for your crap. We aren’t twelve years old. Emily is an adult woman who can make her own decisions, and I’m not some dumb punk that’ll treat her like shit.”
“So….” Kaleb rakes a hand through his hair. “You aren’t denying that you’ve been with her?” The frown on his face is almost comical but the bullshit with Chad earlier has me on edge.
“No.” I swipe my palms on my pants. Another vehicle stops at the single red light in the middle of town, the driver grins at us, and waves like a dumbass, knowing full well he’s trying to push both our buttons.
Kaleb flips Xavier off, who only grins wider as he drives past.
“I care about her. And I have no intention of stopping seeing her, so don’t bother asking or demanding that I leave her alone.
I also don’t want to hear some bullshit that I’m not good enough for her.
” My attention never stops surveying the traffic on the street and sidewalks as I attempt to explain how much Emily means to me while remaining focused on my job.
“I know she’s too good for me, but I don’t care. ”
Rosemarie stands behind the window display inside Blossom & Bloom, like she’s never seen anything as fascinating as a hanging basket. Which is a joke since she was the one that designed it.
“Fine.” His shoulders lower an inch as some of the stiffness eases from his body. “If you’re serious about her, then I don’t know anyone else who’d be better for her than you.”
“I’m dead serious. I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.” I shift my attention to him. “She’s it for me, and I’ve known it for years. I’m not going to pretend any longer. I need her.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?” And just like that, he’s fine with us being together? I gape at him. “I don’t get it. You’ve been on my ass for years to stay away from her, and now, you’re fine?”
“I wanted to make sure you were serious about her before you made a move. I may give my sister a hard time, but I love her and want the best for her. And that has always been you. I’ve just been waiting for you to tell me to shove it up my ass and go for what you wanted.
” The corners of his mouth inch upward. “So, how’s daddy duty? ”
Heat climbs up my neck as our earlier conversation takes front and center in my brain.
“Gross.” Kaleb makes a disgusted face. “Forget I asked.”
“Sorry, man, she accidently called me that the other day, and–”
“Please, don’t say anything more.” He shoves his hand palm first toward me, and steps back. “I don’t want to hear it.”