Embracing Today, a firefighter romance: (The Trading Yesterday Series, #3), Kahlen Aymes [essential reading txt] 📗

where you are until the officers arrive. Do you know what side of the food court you’re on?”

“By Sears. That’s where Carter’s mother is shopping. I think they said it was the Northeast side.”

“What’s your name, ma’am?”

“Marin Landry. I’m from Jackson, Wyoming.”

“The officers are on their way. Please stay on the line with me.”

“Thank you.”

“A female officer will come into the bathroom to get you.”

“Will it take long? I’ve been in here too long. Someone might come in to get me.”

“Are you locked inside a stall?”

“Yes.”

“Just hold on. There are officers on the property.”

As I sat there shaking on the toilet, the seconds felt like minutes, but was I startled when I heard Apollo bellow my name.

“Marin! Do I have to come in there? What’s taking so fucking long! You better not be playing me!” Apollo’s voice echoed off of the tiled walls. Clearly, he was either hovering in the doorway or had already come into the restroom.

I didn’t answer, and in under thirty seconds I could hear the deep voice of a police officer demanding he move away from the door and put his hands behind his back.

“Oh, thank God,” I said, pressing a hand to my chest. Relieved tears rushed to my eyes and rolled down my cheeks.

“Marin?” A strong female voice rang out. “I’m Officer Mills with the MPD. You can come out now, ma’am. You’re safe.”

I sniffed and used the back of my hand to wipe at my tears. “Thank you,” I said, unlocking the door to the stall I had been hiding in. The door opened slowly, and I peeked outside into the main part of the bathroom. A woman, maybe ten years older than me, wearing a blue police uniform was standing there.

Relief flooded through me, manifesting as a torrent of tears. I should never have come. I should have stayed safe in Jackson on my ranch.

The police officer put her arm around me. “Can you come outside so we can take your statement? It will be okay, now. You’re safe.”

“Do I have to see him?” I asked, hesitating to leave the room.

“We ran his name and pulled his rap sheet. We have mug shots, so we knew exactly who we were looking for, but we need an ID. Also, on the others.

A new wave of terror flooded through me at the thought of identifying them. Surely, they’d come after me.

In the food court, a crowd was starting to gather around another policeman who had Apollo up against a wall and was putting handcuffs on him.

“The rest of you, move along. There’s nothing for you to see.” The command was delivered in a clam, but direct voice. “Go about your business.”

He read Apollo his Miranda rights, then pulled him around and off of the wall to start walking him out of the area.

Sheer hatred radiated from Apollo’s eyes. I was surprised he wasn’t resisting arrest. His expression looked so evil; his eyes locked on my face. “Come on, honey. Is this really necessary?” Apollo crooned, then pursed his lips in a mock kiss. “What did she tell you? Officers, this is just a family issue.” His tone was level and steady. “We’re all on edge. My little brother just got killed. Her boyfriend. She agreed to come with us.”

“Is that true?” The woman officer said unnecessarily.

“He his brother did die, and I’m here for the funerals. Yes, technically, I came with them, but I felt threatened. There were so many of them.” I felt like it was all getting turned around on me and fear clutched at my insides. I found it difficult to breathe.

“Take him downtown,” she instructed.

“Let’s go,” her partner said, beginning to move Apollo out of the area, and then toward the outer doors that would lead to a parking lot or garage. “I didn’t find any credit cards or the purse.”

“His mother has my purse, and her daughters have a hundred-dollar bill. It was all the cash I had with me.”

“I’ll have someone pick up the woman. We’ll take your statement at the precinct.”

***

Later that night, I was sitting alone in a hotel room unsure what to do with myself. It wasn’t the Holiday Inn that Gina reserved because I’d told Apollo which one that was.

I’d texted Ben to let him know he shouldn’t drive all this way, explaining that the officers were able to recover my purse, so I had my credit card. I’d be able to take a cab to the airport and catch a flight home tomorrow. Except, he didn’t answer, so I wasn’t sure what to do.

It was strange being rescued from several strangers by a man I hardly knew. I mean, Ben was almost a stranger, at least he should feel like one, but somehow, he didn’t. I’d only known him four days, but instinctively, I trusted him completely. Even though it didn’t make sense for him to drive this far, I was happy about it. Ten minutes later, I typed in the name and address of the hotel and hit send. I already knew it wouldn’t work to argue with him.

I was thankful to have my purse back. The police found Carter’s mother in the checkout line at Sears and got to her before she was able to charge her purchase. They kept me separate from Carter’s brother and mother, taking us to the police station in different squad cars.

My suitcase was still in Carter’s car and I considered it a loss.

I had been taken to the police station to give my accounting of what happened. Apparently, it was their word against mine. The women, children and the other man were released because they came in a separate vehicle and weren’t directly involved, and they all backed up Apollo’s story. I felt sick at the thought. These people were professional thugs, and they knew how to work the system.

Ben was still ten hours away and when he arrived, he’d be exhausted. Still, I could not believe that a man I barely knew had become