44. Chapter 44
Chapter 44
Roxie
Thank God for Willow and Ainsley. I put in a call to them as soon as we got in the car to go to the station. They decided to head to Rosedale after they picked up Ivy for some ice cream and whatever else they find. It’ll keep Ivy out of town and with people I trust, so half my worry is already gone, thanks to them.
The drive is over too fast, and before I know it, we’re sitting in a parking space as I come to terms with facing Greg and Pam in a cell. Does Arlo have a cell in his office? I have no clue, and it doesn’t really matter, honestly.
What matters is letting them know what they did to me and how it affected both Ivy and me. Will they give a shit? Doubtful, but it isn’t for them. It’s for me. For the child who just lost her last surviving parent and was looking for support and love. For the woman who grew up and made something for herself in spite of them.
“Ready for this?” Lennox asks.
“No. But it’s long past due.” Climbing out of Lennox’s truck, I meet him on the sidewalk where he clasps my hand in his. He’s my support, standing by my side and letting me do what I need to without stepping in.
One deep breath .
Six steps.
A squeeze of my hand from Lennox, and I’m face to face with Pam and Greg.
They’re handcuffed and sitting at a small table in the reception area. I’ve never been here before, but there’s no real room for anything except the reception area and an office in the back.
“What the fuck is she doing here?” Greg sneers as he clambers to his feet. Arlo shoves him back down faster than Greg can realize what’s happened.
“ She came down here to give a statement,” Arlo counters with a look that says Greg better shut the hell up.
“You don’t need a fucking statement from her. All she’ll do is lie anyway,” Greg keeps going.
I drop Lennox’s hand and step up to the man who’s made me more miserable than any man has a right to. Placing both of my palms on the table, I lean forward so there’s no mistaking who I’m talking to.
“Like you lie? How much debt are you in? Is it just casinos?” I ask with a calm tone.
His eyes widen comically before they narrow on me. “You think you’re so much better than everyone else. I don’t know where you got your information, but you don’t know shit, just like always.” He’s trying hard to put on his tough-guy act.
My eyes shift to Pam to see her cowering in her chair, refusing to make eye contact.
“Whose idea was it to break into the cabin? I know Pam didn’t plan that on her own. How’d you manage that anyway? I wouldn’t expect you to do something so well thought out,” I ask instead of addressing his words. I’m desperately trying not to let his words bother me .
“How dare you talk about her that way. She fucking raised your sorry ass. You have her to thank for even being here. If it were up to me, I’d have dropped you off in an alley and never looked back. The only reason we kept you was because of the money. Your fucking mom promised me a part of that trust, to look out for you, and we haven’t seen a goddamned dime!” His hateful words match the look on his face, and it makes me snap.
I stand up straight and walk right up to him, cock my arm back, and punch him square in the face. Hard.
He explodes, stands up as best as he can while handcuffed, and screams at me, “You want to punch me, then let it be a fair fight!”
I subtly shake out my hand because that fucking hurt. I’ve never punched anyone before, and I never will again with how bad my hand feels. Arlo slams him back down in the chair and gives him a deadly look.
“It was never a fair fight with you.” I chuckle sadly, trying desperately to keep the tears at bay. “You kept so much from me. Resented me every second of the day. I never knew what I did wrong. What I did to deserve being treated like that. It’s taken many, many years to see it was never about me. It was about your insecurities and your fuck-ups. Your greed, come to find out. Now, you finally have to pay for it all.”
I glance up at Arlo, silently asking if I need to stay by shifting my eyes to the door. He readily agrees with a nod, and I waste no time. Lennox is right behind me, and once we’re outside and out of their view, I cup my hand to my chest with a whimper as the tears start to fall.
Lennox spins me around, gently taking my hand in his before bringing it to his mouth. Placing the softest kiss on each knuckle, he holds it as he looks down at me. “That was the most badass thing I’ve ever seen in my life. But I also want to spank your ass so bad for hurting yourself.”
Laughter burst from me. “That was not what I was expecting.”
“How does your hand feel?” He ignores my reaction, brushing his thumb over my bruised knuckles.
“It hurts far worse than I thought it would. I don’t know why I did that,” I whisper.
“You let out a lot of frustration and pain, and he was a fucking asshole. If you didn’t punch him, I would have.” He shrugs.
“I still need to give Arlo my statement.” I sigh, wiping the remaining tears off my face.
“Don’t worry about Arlo. I’ll have him come by the cabin, and we can have it all figured out. He told me when he picked up Pam that a couple of Rosedale officers were on the way over to take custody of them both. Since Pam broke in, they’ll both have heavy charges that stick. I can’t see Pam holding strong under interrogation, especially if they offer her a reduced sentence for the breaking and entering. I think she’ll give up Greg, putting them both in prison for a long time. Add in what they did with your trust, and I think it’s finally over.” My hand is still cradled in his as he presses a kiss to my forehead.
“Just like that?” I feel like I’m in a daze. It feels both easy and incredibly difficult at the same time.
“Arlo will make things happen. We shouldn’t have come down here in the first place. He wouldn’t have cared either way.” He shakes his head. He’s beating himself up over something that’s not his fault.
“I’m glad we came.” And I am, busted-up hand included. I was able to tell Greg everything I’ve wanted to for so long, and that’s more valuable than anything to me. The closure is what I needed.
“Alright, killer, let’s take you home so I can really look at your hand and get some ice on it.”
“What, no Boss Lady anymore?” I smirk at him.
“I don’t know. That right jab was pretty damn good.” The side of his mouth tips up in a smile, but I can see the worry below the surface.
“I’m fine, Lennox, I promise.” It’s purely to reassure him because my hand is already swelling and I’m starting to worry I broke it. Definitely not “killer”. I’ll stick to Boss Lady-ing from now on. The adrenaline is starting to wear off, and it’s taking its toll on my body quickly.
“Let’s get you home, and I’ll decide that, okay?” He leads me to his truck, picking me up and putting me in the passenger seat before buckling me in. He treats me like I’ll break, and for once, it doesn’t irritate me. It makes me feel loved and cherished. Something I want to feel for the rest of my life with this man.
The drive home flies by. I’m trying to hold back the tears, but my will power is no match for the emotional release. By the time we pull into the driveway, I’m a blubbering mess. Lennox unbuckles me and picks me up, cradling me in his arms, and I fight the sobs to talk.
“I’m-I’m s-s-s-so mad”—gasp—“that I’m c-c-c-crying.” I can’t articulate that I’m crying out of relief more than sadness. I’m crying for the weight I no longer feel on my shoulders.
“Shh, you’re okay, Rox. Let it all out. I’ve got you.”
I believe his words with all my heart. This man, who has been through so much in his life, is my rock. Just like I’m there for him through everything, he does the same for me. I admire the shit out of him for letting me handle Greg on my own. Many men would have stepped in and taken control of the situation, but not Lennox. He knew how important it was to me.
He carries me into the bathroom, setting me down on the counter before digging around for the first-aid kit .
Holding my bad hand close, I stop his movements with my other and wait until he looks at me. “I love you. Thank you for letting me handle everything.”
His eyes well up with tears, and I watch his throat bob as he clears it. “Never thank me for that. I love you, and I want to be here to help you live life the way you want. I’m along for the ride, Boss Lady.”