Chapter 8 – Leo
Intercepting off the Pitch
Leo
IT’S THE SECOND day in a row I’ve spent hours at Maddie’s apartment complex while the police investigate a crime.
Only this time, I’m a part of it. Directly.
When they separate Maddie and me so they can take our statements independently of each other, I nearly go out of my mind. In fact, the only reason I don’t completely lose my shit is because I can see her sitting safely behind her desk through the now-open blinds of her office window.
“So you pulled up to bring Ms. Ashford lunch and saw Mr. Ashford attempting to make forcible entry into her office.” The cop tasked with recording my side of the story recounts what I’ve already told him. “Then what happened?”
I grit my teeth together at him tying Maddie to that piece of shit. She’s worked so hard to get away from that fucker, and I can’t stand anyone trying to drag her back.
Even if it’s only in name.
But the sooner I get through this, the sooner I can pack her shit up and take her to my house where Drake the dick won’t be able to find her.
“Then I saw him take a few steps back, like he was trying to get a running start. I was worried the doors wouldn’t hold if he hit them with his full weight, so I… intercepted him.” I keep my explanation simple. To the point.
The cop nods as he continues writing in his notebook. “Were you aware Ms. Ashford had a protective order against her husband?”
This time I can’t hold back. “Ex-husband.” I fight for air and calm. “She’s divorcing him.”
The cop’s eyes lift to my face before going back to the notebook. “Were you aware Ms. Ashford had a protective order against her ex-husband?”
His willingness to adjust soothes some of my irritation. “Yes. I knew he’d assaulted her previously.”
“So, knowing Mr. Ashford had previously assaulted Ms. Ash—” His eyes jump to me again. “—Maddie, you were concerned for her well-being if he was able to get into the building.”
“That’s a fair statement.” Again, I keep my response simple.
“Which is why you intercepted him.” The cop finishes and raises his brows. “Does that all sound correct?”
“It does.” I shift on my feet when Maddie stands from her chair, ready to go to her if she needs me. “Is that all?”
“For now.” The cop flips his notebook closed. “But we might ask you to come down to the station to make an official statement.”
Good. Fine. Whatever it takes to make sure that ass can’t get near her again. “Can I go?”
The cop thumbs over his shoulder in the direction of Maddie’s office. “Yeah. Make sure she’s doing okay.”
That’s all I plan to do.
I stride along the sidewalk leading to the glass door I almost put Drake through, smirking a little at the smudge clouding the glass.
Slamming his face into it felt fucking good.
So good it was hard to stop. Part of me is grateful the detective investigating last night’s fire showed up when he did.
Otherwise, there’s no telling what I might have done.
Another—baser—part of me, wishes he’d given me just a few more minutes to slam Drake around.
Pulling the door open, I check it over, making sure it’s not damaged from the assault it withstood. It seems to be intact, but something’s going to have to be done to increase the security of this place.
Speaking of increased security…
One of the old ladies who was inside with Maddie when Drake showed up meets me in the vestibule, her voice low as she asks, “You okay, handsome?”
“I’m fine.” I look up as the other two women join us. “You ladies all good?”
The smallest waves my concern off. “We’re fine. Takes way more than a needle-dick butt trumpet to bother us.”
I blink.
Butt trumpet?
I’m not even sure what that means, but somehow it fits.
The old woman moves closer, glancing over one shoulder like she’s ensuring Maddie can’t hear. “We’re going to make sure she’s safe when she’s here.”
My brows lift. “How do you plan to do that?”
It’s one of many things that’s been running through my brain.
I can keep Maddie safe when she’s with me.
And for at least a little while, I can come here with her to keep her safe at work.
But I’m going to start training and practice soon—not to mention the traveling I’ll have to do once matches begin—making it impossible for me to stay at her side indefinitely.
And unfortunately, while these old women did a great job of locking the door to keep Drake out, I’m not sure they’re cut out for the task of protecting Maddie from…
The butt trumpet.
A slow smile spreads across the smallest woman’s face, and she reaches out to pat my arm. “You let us worry about that.” Her chin lifts. “Just know, that warthog-faced shart dragon won’t get near her while she’s here working.”
I was impressed with butt trumpet, but I think warthog-faced shart dragon might have topped it.
I’m still not convinced these women are remotely capable of handling Drake, but that’s a problem for future me. Right now, my main concern is getting Maddie home.
To my home.
After thanking the three women again, and watching as they pile into a golf cart and peel out, I wait patiently for Maddie to finish talking to the detective and the uniformed officer sitting across the desk from her.
I’m sure she has lots of questions, and even more concerns, and I don’t want her to feel rushed.
Eventually, the two cops come out, tipping their heads at me before leaving.
And then it’s just me and Maddie.
I turn to her, unsure how she feels about me now. If she thinks I took shit too far. Maybe she would have wanted me to simply restrain Drake instead of turning him into a bug on a windshield.
Taking a deep breath, preparing for whatever’s coming my way, I ask, “You okay, Miss Miller?”
Maddie stares at me a second, sniffing in a way that makes me worry she’s about to cry.
Then she runs right at me, launching herself into my arms. She latches onto my neck, burying her face in my chest. “I was so scared, Leo.”
I hold her close, the tightness in my chest easing now that she’s in my arms. “I know.” So was I.
My dad is an ass, and not a great husband, but he’s never hurt my mom. Physically or emotionally. I knew there were men out there who did hurt women, but the reality of it didn’t hit me until I saw it with my own eyes. Witnessed firsthand just how far a small man will go to feel like he has power.
“Get your keys.” It’s hard, but I manage to ease my hold on her. “We need to go pack whatever you’re going to need.”
Maddie’s head tips back, eyes wide as she blinks up at me. “You seriously want to take me to your house?”
I hold her gaze, hoping she listens when I tell her, “I mean everything I say to you, Maddie.” I lift one hand, bringing it to rest against the side of her face. “And I’m very serious about all of it.”