Chapter 18 – Josie
Chapter Eighteen
JOSIE
“ H e saved me.” I repeat those words for the millionth time. They ring true now more than ever. He has really saved me in so many ways. I’d been on a cloud until those three jerks went and ruined it. Now I’m sitting in a metal chair that is killing my ass.
I have never been more scared in my life. Which is laughable now after seeing Mick take on those three men like they were nothing more than annoying mosquitoes. If I hadn’t been so freaked out, I would have been turned on.
“It’s different when one of those individuals is a professionally trained fighter.” I stare at the cop across the worn, scuffed-up table between us. It’s probably been here since before I was born. The old sheriff's station needs an update. That includes the sheriff I’m staring at, a bit dumbstruck.
“What?” Did I hear him right? “Are you saying because Mick is a trained fighter, he’s not allowed to defend himself? Us?” This can’t be happening.
I shouldn’t be shocked. My interactions with the police have never been great. I’d gone to them about the stalking and harassment before, and they passed it along, but nothing ever came from it. It had only made me feel more helpless and truly alone. Now I have someone that does want to protect me, and they are trying to what? Take him away from me?
“He is a weapon. Intent to cause grievous bodily harm.” Oh, hell no. There is no way I’m going to stand by and allow them to try to pin this on Mick. He’s worked too hard to get to where he is.
“That’s bullshit.” I slam my hand down on the table hard.
“The fuck?” I hear a boom through the police station. They have Mick in another room. “Josie?”
Finlay, the officer across from me, starts to stand. “I’m fine!” I shout loudly before Mick ends up fighting one of them. I had finally gotten him to calm down earlier. I don’t want to do anything that will give these people an excuse to try to make his life harder.
“And that’s another thing.” Finlay gestures toward what I assume to be Mick's room. “Are you with him of your own free will?”
“This can’t be happening.” I put my face in my hands.
“He’s rather aggressive.”
I drop my hands, snorting a laugh because this is becoming ridiculous. Mick is like a sweet puppy to me. He just turns into a beast when provoked. He would risk his life to defend me.
“I think maybe it’s time for a lawyer.”
Finlay’s eyes widen. Is he seriously freaking surprised? “You’re not under arrest.”
Like that matters. That’s how these cops get you. They make you think you’re here of your own free will, while they try to pin their narrative on you. I’m not falling for it. I’ve watched enough crime shows to know better.
“Yeah, but I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”
“Only trying to help.” He sounds pouty as he says it.
I roll my eyes so hard it almost hurts. “You’re fucking bored. That’s the only reason that I can think of as to why you are trying to make this into something it’s not. This is probably the most action you’ve seen in forever,” I guess.
“No, we’re doing our job.” He sits up straighter, but a flush fills his cheeks, having been caught. “But you’re all clear. You’ve checked out. No warrants or anything.”
His response is a rush of ice-cold water through my veins. “You ran my name.” Of course he did. I’d given him my ID. Finlay responds, but my brain is now rushing with a million outcomes of what that could mean. It’s not till the door to the room I’m in flies open that I’m yanked back to reality.
“We’re leaving.” I glance at Finlay, then turn my attention to the officer standing behind Mick. I think his name is Ford. They aren’t stopping Mick, so I’m guessing we can leave.
“So everything is fine?” It’s not, but I’m asking about his situation. I know how his trainer Pedro can be when it comes to stuff like this. I mean, that man has a set of rules that are set in stone. Mick can’t even have a girlfriend. Pedro is beyond strict. I’m sure he’s going to get wind of this, if he hasn’t already, and the uncertainty of what that means for Mick makes my stomach uneasy. He told me all about Pedro, and I know this man can take him the distance. I’ve been with Mick a few days, and I might have already ruined that for him.
“We’re good to go.” Mick holds his hand out to me. I take it.
“We’ll take you back to your car,” Officer Ford offers. Mick nods in agreement, but I see his jaw tick. There isn’t much of an option, really. I'm sure it would take an eternity to find a ride out of here. It’s the least they can do at this point.
“Mick.” I place my hand on his chest, and he relaxes a touch but not much.
The ride back to the diner where the car still is feels like an eternity. The tension inside the patrol car is thick. Mick keeps a possessive hand on my thigh the whole way.
“We might have more questions, so—” Ford begins to speak as we exit the car, but Mick cuts him off.
“You have the lawyer's number. You call her to get to us.” He speaks with a finality that precludes agreement.
“Have a wonderful night.” Ford's response is clearly pissed, but whatever. Why the hell is he pissed?
“Come on.” Mick keeps a hold on me the whole way back to the car, opening the door for me when we get there.
“Are you okay?” I ask, not getting in, standing in the open door.
“Yeah.” I lift up to kiss him, but his hand grips my hip, preventing me from going up on my tiptoes to try and press my mouth to his. “Not right now.” I swear it feels as though I took a punch to the damn gut. I try to mask my hurt, but it must show. “Josie, it’s not you, it's me.”
“You did not just say that.” I shake my head with a huff of a laugh. Mick’s face remains serious and intense. He looks every inch of a man right now.
“I’m not in control. If I kiss you right now—” He glances towards the diner, where I can see people inside.
“All right.” I turn to get in, but he pulls me back, his mouth crushing down onto mine. The kiss is hard and possessive, revealing the raw side of himself that he tries to conceal from me. It takes my breath away. “Now, in.” He gives my ass a squeeze. I just nod and slip into the passenger seat.
With how on edge Mick is, I think I’ll wait to tell him my worries over the police running my name in their system. What might pop up for the psycho who is sending me creepy messages? Some of these online weirdos are quite adept at tracking things down.
Mick hops into the driver's seat, taking off back toward Vegas. His hand once again returns to my thigh. I’m starting to wonder if I should be more worried for the internet creep's safety than my own. If he shows up, who the hell knows what Mick might do.