Page 23 of Thirteen Years
Monica looked at me, then back at Becks who still had her face hidden in her hands, “I’m going to go check on the girls,” she stood, looking at me imploringly before leaving the room.
I walked over and dropped to my knees in front of Becks, my hands grabbing her wrists gently and pulling them away from her face. Fuck. She was crying. The sight killed me.
“Baby. You know you could’ve called me,” I said softly. “I’m a cop and you are kind of dating me after last night,”
She laughed, although tearfully, “I’m surprised you still want to date me with all this drama. First the asshole at the bar, and now some perverted prank caller?” She was going to try to brush this off, and I wasn’t going to let that happen.
I stared into her eyes, “Listen to me. Shit happens. No matter what’s happening, I want a call. You shouldn’t have had to lay here all goddamned night, wide awake, scared out of your fucking mind.”
“It was just a few prank calls,” she whispered and it sounded like she was trying to reassure herself, more than anything.
“Some man was getting off calling you, Rebecca,” I returned, clenching my jaw. “I think you need to start telling me a little bit about your story, sweetheart. Is there anyone? Any history of someone that would want to harm you in any way? Whoever Monica was talking about?”
She shook her head, acting like she could wake herself up from a horrible dream. “I have an ex. Nat’s father,” she whispered.
My entire body tightened.
“He wasn’t a good guy,” she looked towards the hall wearily, blinking like she was in a daze, she shook her head, eyes swinging back to mine.
“He didn’t want to divorce me. He doesn’t know about Nat, but he finally signed the papers. He used to find me where I lived. He hadn’t in the last place we were, I thought. So we moved one more time to be sure. I thought it was okay and we were safe. He can’t know about Nat!” she started crying again. “I promised Nat we wouldn’t leave another home,” she started shaking again.
“Hey,” I said softly, panicking slightly at the thought of her packing up and running. “You’re safe. Even if he did find you or has found you. You’ve got a friend who’s husband is a cop and you’re seeing a cop. You’re safe. Please, Becks. Please promise me you won’t run. Please promise me you’ll stay here? Let me help you? Both of you.”
She was looking at me like she didn’t believe me, tears still streaming down her face. It was breaking my heart in two. “I promise. I’ll keep you safe. Nothing will happen. I’ll start an investigation and check into your ex’s whereabouts right fucking now. Let me protect you,” I pleaded, still on my knees before her.
She hesitated, seeming to weigh things in her mind before she nodded, “I promised Nat we would stay here. This was going to be our home,” she drew in a shaky breath, seeming to steel herself. “Ok. Maybe it’s time I let someone help,” she sighed. “Nat would be devastated if we moved again.”
“Mom?” a voice squeaked from the hallway, “What do you mean we're moving again?”
Chapter 15
Ijerked my eyes away from Lucas’ serious ones and met the tearful ones of my daughter standing at the living room entryway. Monica stood behind her mouthing an apology. I knew Nat wouldn’t be able to stay away for long. She’d taken one look at me when they’d arrived and known something had happened. I was typically really good at hiding my emotions from her and staying strong. Apparently this wasn’t the day for something like that. Maybe thirteen years of staying strong and handling everything myself was too much?
I’d been lulled into a false sense of security with Lucas last night, when we were on our date. Most women probably expected extravagance, but a simple walk in the park with a coffee had been more than I’d ever dreamed would happen. When he’d reached over and grabbed my hand with his calloused one, I’d almost gone into shock. I’d always looked at couples walking hand-in-hand with jealousy.
Would we be able to stay? Had I made mistakes letting Nat start to set roots down and making these promises? Did I need to shut my heart and emotions off again?
“Nat, honey...” I began.
“Who are you anyway?” she suddenly snapped, stepping closer to Lucas, her blue eyes flashing.
“Natasha! Tone.” I scolded. I’d never seen her like this.
“I want to know what’s going on, you promised we’d stay! Who is he? What did he do?!” she started crying now in earnest, the fight leaving her.
“Baby, come here,” I said, almost near tears again myself. I held my arms open and she walked over sitting on the couch and leaned against me. Lucas stood and backed away, heading towards the kitchen to make himself scarce. I appreciated him being able to read the room, and giving us some distance.
“We’re not moving, Nat. I promise. Lucas is a friend. He is actually a cop, like Paul, Monica’s husband. He's also Monica and Paul’s friend,” I whispered softly, running my hands over her hair soothingly, like I had since she was an infant.
“Lucas is trying to help. I just got some stupid prank calls last night and thought someone was messing around outside my window. I got startled and didn’t sleep very well. Paul and Lucas just want to help. I didn’t mean to scare you, sweet girl.”
Nat went limp with relief at my side, and I hugged her tighter. Maybe I’d made a mistake running all this time, if she was this emotional at the mere thought of moving again.
Sitting up my daughter watched the cop moving around the kitchen thoughtfully. Watching her I grew amused as her eyes met mine, filled with mischief.
“He’s just a friend?” Nat asked, starting to get an ornery smirk on her face.
“Yes. A friend,” I reaffirmed, my cheeks heated.
