Chapter Six #2
“You mean letting your friend’s killer get away?
That’s all right with you?” Rick’s words twisted the knife in her chest, creating a painful throb, and it took everything in her not to punch him in the dick.
That moment would live forever in her brain.
The leather upholstery against her bare legs as her skirt rode up.
The stale scent of fast food and perfume permeated the car’s air.
Elasia, on her knees one minute, then falling to her side the next.
She swallowed past the lump in her throat, hardening her heart.
“I’m not looking to join her,” Kaylee snapped.
“If you trust me—”
“How am I supposed to trust any of you?” Rage burned in her, memories of Wyatt’s betrayal pouring gasoline on the fire. “Elasia wouldn’t be dead if she’d never gotten involved with one of you. He should have known better and protected her.”
“I agree, but I can’t speak for him,” Rick said softly. “Only for me and what I’m willing to do to keep you safe.”
“You can’t. If you take me back there, he will find a way to get to me. You can’t be with me twenty-four seven, and you aren’t bulletproof.”
“Maybe not, but I’m the safer choice than you hiding in this place, alone and unprotected.”
Her voice was barely audible as she pleaded, “Let me go.”
“I can’t.” Rick lifted Kaylee to her feet with his free hand and held out her jacket when she was steady.
She slipped it on, but before Kaylee could make a decision to run again, Rick took hold of her arm and led her out of the alleyway.
The icy breeze needled her face as they stepped out into the street, the buildings no longer blocking the wind.
Rick stopped, his eyes flaring wide, and Kaylee followed his gaze to a white sedan sporting a bright yellow boot. Karma was real.
“Should have made sure it wasn’t a tow-away zone,” she said, her voice laced with amusement, overriding her fear.
She watched him scan the area, locking on to whatever he was searching for. He tugged her wrist. “Come on.”
Kaylee had no choice but to follow along. It was either that or make a scene, and if she did, there was a good chance she’d be recorded and uploaded to social media. She could see it now.
Woman seen trying to escape man who turns out to be a federal agent.
Ansel and his gang would find her for sure.
Kaylee realized that Rick had spotted Officer Paulette Banks and her white ATV Razor, the police-issue lights flashing on top. As they approached, he adjusted his hand so that it was holding hers as if they were a loving, happy couple.
What a crock of shit.
Still, his warm palm against hers chased away the cold, reminding her of the night she’d taken off. A moment passed between the two of them, just before she launched her plan of action. They were so close, his mouth so lush as he’d wiped a tear from her cheek.
“I’d never let anyone hurt you.”
Despite the voice in her head screaming to trust him, Kaylee knew it would never work. She’d never get involved with anyone in law enforcement after what happened to Elasia.
Besides, look at him now, trying to bully her into risking her life. What a swell guy.
“Hello, Officer—” He paused, reading her badge. “Banks. I saw you placed a boot on my car, and I wanted to apologize. I’m new in town and didn’t see the signs. Can I pay you directly for the ticket?”
Paulette was a nearly six-foot-tall Black woman with brown hair and eyes, and those dark orbs were staring blankly at Rick. Only her mouth, twisted in a disapproving frown, gave away her irritation.
“The sign is three feet in front of your car.”
Kaylee covered her mouth with her free hand, hiding her snicker. Rick turned around, looking back to where his car was parked, and whistled. “So it is.”
Paulette snorted, ripping a ticket from her pad and placing it on the windshield of the Tesla in front of her. “And all tickets must be paid at the courthouse, which opens Monday at eight.”
“I can’t do that,” Rick said, his voice oozing with sincerity. “We need to be on the road soon.” He held up their connected hands, beaming at her. “There are a lot of people waiting on us.”
Paulette’s shrewd gaze swung Kaylee’s way. “How do you know him?”
“I—”
“We went to college together,” Rick butted in.
Paulette’s eyes narrowed, her voice ice-cold. “I didn’t ask you. I asked her. Kaylee?”
“This is Rick.” He squeezed her hand warningly, and she smiled wickedly. “He’s trying to take me against my will. He’s completely obsessed. Been stalking me for over two years.”
“Whoa, now, that’s not—”
Paulette unclipped her taser and pointed it at Rick. “Let me see your hands!”
“Not again!” Rick lifted his hands, releasing Kaylee, who took several steps back and noticed curious faces pressed against some of the businesses’ windows. She pulled up the hood of her jacket, obscuring her face in case any of them decided to whip out their cells.
Paulette still had Rick on the defensive, scowling at the officer. “I’m a federal agent.”
“Prove it.”
“Fine,” he said, keeping his hands in place while pointing down. “I’m going to reach into my pocket and pull out my badge.”
“Slowly.” Paulette’s gaze flicked to Kaylee briefly. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” Kaylee said, thankful Paulette was the one who’d booted him. Harvey, the other patrol officer, might have believed his bullshit about being college sweethearts.
“Tell her the truth, Kaylee,” Rick growled, digging into his pockets to produce his badge. He held it out to Paulette, who took it cautiously. After studying it for several moments, she handed it back.
“Kaylee?” Paulette prodded, giving her a stern look.
Kaylee swallowed. “He is a fed, but I don’t want to go with him.”
Paulette’s sharp stare passed between them again before she nodded. “We’re going to need to head to the station to verify all this. Just because you’re a fed doesn’t mean you aren’t up to no good.” Paulette reached out and moved Kaylee over to her side. “What do you want with Kaylee, anyway?”
Rick scowled. “She’s a material witness to a crime.”
“Seems like she isn’t too keen on being a witness if you have to force her.” Paulette put her arm around Kaylee’s shoulders, leading her toward the Razor. “Come on. We’ll go to the station and get this sorted out.”
“She isn’t leaving my sight,” Rick said, following behind them.
“Then you can ride along with us, and after I verify your business here and what legal rights you have to Kaylee, I’ll un-boot your car. I’m here to protect and serve, and she is one of my people.”
Static and a voice came over the radio before Rick could protest.
“Officer Banks, we need you. Over.”
She pressed on the radio at her shoulder and answered, “This is Officer Banks. Over.”
“We got a situation at the Calvary Chapel on Juneteenth Street. Mr. McNally’s goats got out again, and they’re eating the nativity scene.” Suddenly, the voice shouted, making them all flinch, “No! Not the baby Jesus! We need all hands on deck wrangling them back in. Over.”
Paulette eyed the two of them before she responded, “We’re on our way. Over.”