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CHAPTER FIVE
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My meeting with Linda and her husband, Ron, was emotional but overall went very well.
They signed the paperwork to give their animals over to us and I found an immediate placement for the abundance of farm animals they had.
Over a dozen pigs, the donkeys, four horses and ten hens will all be safely placed at a farm close to me before the end of the day where Linda and her husband can still visit them daily if they want to.
One of my friends, Sumiko, owns the farm they’ll get settled into.
She doesn’t have a lot of rules and lives off grid but she tends to the animals in her care better than anyone I know.
I arrive to the police station and speak with the front desk about speaking with Detective Holt. She immediately places me into a soft interrogation room and asks me to wait a few minutes for him.
I pick my thumbs and juggle my feet, knowing that I’m being watched. That awareness makes me uneasy despite being in what should be a safe environment. The door cracks and in walks a middle aged, handsome man in a dark grey suit.
“Miss Brooks, I’m sorry to keep you waiting but thank you for meeting me on such short notice,” I stand as he extends his hand and give him a firm shake.
“Not a problem at all, Detective. I appreciate you taking care of my case.”
“Please, sit. Tell me about Ben,” Holt jumps straight to business.
I shift, “Yes. Of course. I met Ben online around three years ago. I went through our message history and the first message I received was March 22nd, 2022.”
“And why did you come into contact, what was the reason for his message?”
“I use to organize protests, with permits- very legal, to encourage Congress to examine various animal testing facilities in our community and various others. He said he had interest in participating. We grew a friendship from there that eventually moved from Chatter to personal phone calls and text messages. I’ve never really had a bad vibe from him.
He was overbearing sometimes when I had other plans and couldn’t talk, even stopped calling me for almost a year, but we reconnected again about six months ago. ”
The detective leans forward on his knees, “We’re quite familiar with Benton Carter. Now, you say he became overbearing at times. Please, explain? I just want to make sure that I have all of the details correct.”
I gulp, suddenly feeling like the most naive woman in the world.
“Look, detective. I’ve been single for a while.
Haven’t had a serious relationship in six years.
But I’ve had a few dates, met a few men just to see if there was chemistry.
Every time I’ve gone on a date, he gets upset with me.
I was seeing someone last year that stuck around for a few months and Ben sent me a lengthy email cutting me out of his life.
He’s expressed romantic feelings a few times but I always explain that we’ve never even met.
I enjoyed speaking with him, hell he got me through some scary and difficult days, but we were friends in my mind.
We live so far apart, you know?” Tears form in my eyes and I try to blink them away before Holt notices but he’s already passing me a tissue box from a side table.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting this to be so emotional.
I feel like I’m tattling on one of my closest friends. ”
Holt rubs his chin, his salt and pepper beard sounds rough in the silence of the small room. “Why so emotional?”
“Because.. Because I feel like it isn’t right. He knew where I lived but I never mentioned it. I thought for a bit that I had feelings for him, in a romantic way, but all of his behavior proved me wrong.”
He shifts in front of me, “Your instincts to pull away were accurate, Miss Brooks. We have an extensive file on Mr. Carter. I can’t go into specifics. But we will be treating this very seriously and increasing patrols around your neighborhood.”
I gulp, wondering if I’ve ever really known this man. “I appreciate you taking the time to focus on my case, Detective. Thank you for your help and for taking it seriously. What happens now?”
He gives a curt nod, “From here, we’ll be getting warrants and working with his local police department. I’ll keep you updated on any progress we make.” Holt rises and extends a hand.
I thank him once more and get into my truck to leave the station.
What a shit show. Before I start the truck, I check my notifications.
I’m floored by the amount of missed calls on my screen.
Almost forty calls from an unknown number and several text messages with multimedia attachments. I call Tyson immediately.
“Hey, I know you didn’t sign up for this but I’m really freaked out. Can you come back to my place, please? I’m done working for the day and I have so many messages that I’m scared to open”.
“I’m walking your neighborhood with Java already. I’ll be here when you get back. And don’t you go worrying about what I’m signing up for. I’ve liked you for a long time, Cass. We’ll get through this, together.”
I feel a sense of ease wash over me as I start my truck and go home. Sure enough, Tyson is standing in front of my building with a gorgeous Malinois on a leash beside him. She looks so excited about life and I can’t wait to meet her.
I pull into the underground lot and lock my vehicle, ensuring that none of my belongings are left behind. Tyson meets me at the entry with a cheesy half smile and lusty eyes.
“Hey there, handsome. Thanks for being here,” I smile and feel that same lust washing over me.
“Hey gorgeous, I’m glad you called. Ready to meet my fur missile?”
I nod and he lets her off her leash to check me out. She sniffs me and wags her tail, pushing against my hands with her snout and licking me aggressively. I giggle, “Aren’t you just the perfect ball of chaos? It’s nice to meet you, Java.”
I meet Tyson’s eyes and can’t make out his expression. He’s happy, that much I can tell, but there’s also concern.
“Let’s get you upstairs. We have to talk about some things,” Tyson’s tone is serious as I pick up Javelin’s leash and walk to the front door.
Tyson takes my keys and unlocks the door, sending Java in first to detect any danger. I hear Beeze hiss at her but she doesn’t pay any attention to him, she’s a woman on a mission. She trots back over to us and paws Tyson’s leg, which is apparently her sign for “all clear”.
I set my stuff down and grab a couple of beers from the fridge for us plus ingredients to cook dinner. It feels like a roasted vegetable fajita night so I start prepping right away, drowning my anxieties with mundane tasks.
Tyson clears his throat, “Don’t be mad..”
I flare a look at him, “Whenever a sentence begins with a phrase telling someone not to be mad, it will usually make them mad. But, please, go on.”
He smiles, “Fair. I had a friend look into Benton. I can’t say who, it would land my buddy in a lot of trouble, but… Cass it’s not good.”
I keep chopping peppers and mushrooms but my interest is piqued. “Holt hinted at something regarding him having a record. What did you find?”
He takes a deep breath, “He’s served time for sexual assault, stalking, harassment and uttering death threats. He’s only been out of jail for about six months.”
I drop the knife and sip my drink, “Six months? We reconnected six months ago, he cut me out. He’s done it a couple of times, said that he didn’t see the point in our friendship and went silent.”
“Makes sense. He cut ties because he was incarcerated for assaulting a woman. This guy has a type and you’re it. He assumes you’re vulnerable, alone, ripe for the taking. We’re going to show him just how wrong he is.”
“I’m not weak.” Rage burns within my chest. This guy has no idea who I am, what I’m willing to do.
“You’re about the furthest thing from weak, babe. We’ll handle it and get back to life, together hopefully. I’m already hooked.”
I blush, “The feeling is mutual. I’ve been attracted to you for months. Getting to know you lately has made that attraction even stronger.”
Tyson grips me around my waist and pulls me in for a kiss.
I have to be on my tip toes to reach his lips but I manage and mash my mouth to his.
It’s gentle at first, there’s exploration and curiosity.
Once we feel comfortable with our bodies touching, neither of us holds back.
Our tongues meet, thrashing and fighting for control.
He nips my bottom lip with his teeth and sends an instant reaction coursing through my core.
I feel him pushing me towards the counter top until my tailbone touches the edge.
He lifts me by my ass until I’m seated with him between my legs.
We continue kissing until he breaks off to trail bites and kisses down my neck.
I moan, wanting so much more of him but not wanting to rush into this.
I feel his hands gently wrap into my hair as his lips crash into mine.
Everything else falls away. It’s just Tyson, me and the scent of pine and ash from his body wash.
The rest of the world ceases to exist until he pills away from me and stares into my eyes breathlessly.
“We should slow things down, hard as that feels right now.”
I wipe my lips and agree even though I never wanted that to stop.
He helps me from the counter and starts chopping vegetables, looking like he’s distracting himself from wanting me.
I’ll crave this man for the rest of my life.
No one has ever kissed me that way before, no one has ever looked at me like he does.
I just hope that the current insanity in my life doesn’t scare him away.