Page 74 of Falling for Her

“Thanks for driving me home,” I say when we stop in his driveway and get out of the truck.

“Why is your door open?” Asa asks. I look over to the apartment to see the door swinging in the wind.

“When you left, was my door open?” I ask Lincoln, about to take a step toward it. He grabs my hand and pulls me behind him.

“Let me go in first,” he orders.

I put Asa behind me. My heart is hammering as he pushes open the door the rest of the way. I gasp and put my hand to my mouth. Even from the driveway, I can see that the place is trashed. “Stay here,” I tell Asa as I move inside. The couch looks like someone came in with a knife and sliced right down the middle. The small kitchen is unharmed.

“Stay outside,” Lincoln snaps at us, and I realize Asa is right behind me. “Don’t touch anything.”

“It’s fine,” I assure him. “It was probably some kids from the neighborhood.” I know exactly who the fuck is behind this. I feel so guilty for not telling him, but I don’t want to drag him into my personal mess. I especially don’t want him to think I did anything to put Asa in danger. And I didn’t. I know Davis is only interested in messing with me. Not because I think he has any moral standards, I just know he cares too much about his reputation to risk it.

His phone is to his ear. “This is Burke. Send a squad over. Someone broke into my house.” He disconnects. “Finley, go stand on the sidewalk with Asa while I check the house.”

I’m about to argue with him when I see the scared look on Asa’s face. “Come on, buddy, let’s do what your dad said.” I hold his hand and walk to the sidewalk. We watch Lincoln go to his truck and come out with his gun. I don’t know why I gasp since I see him leave with it every single morning.

He walks up the steps to the front door and tries the handle before unlocking it. He moves through the doorway, his gun drawn.

“It’s okay,” Asa comforts. “Dad’s the best cop on the force.”

“You bet he is.” I wrap my arm around his chest and pull him to me.

Lincoln comes out and motions us to him as a squad car pulls up.

“Let’s go.” I pull Asa with me up the stairs.

“Stay inside,” Lincoln tells me, “and close the door.” I nod and walk into the house.

“Go upstairs and get in the shower,” I tell Asa, and for once, he doesn’t argue with me. I wait until he’s in his bathroom, then check that the squad car is still there. I rush into the kitchen and take out my phone, unblocking Davis’s number and putting the phone to my ear.

Through the kitchen window, I see an older gentleman arrive. He walks into the little apartment with Lincoln.

“Hello, darling,” Davis answers, his arrogant voice making me cringe. Once I would get butterflies from it, but now I feel like I’m going to be sick.

“Don’t fucking ‘Hello, darling’ me,” I hiss. “Are you out of your mind messing with someone else’s stuff? Like, what the fuck are you even doing?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, my darling wife.”

“Why?” I watch out the window, making sure Lincoln won’t catch me on the phone. “Why are you even doing this?”

“Come back home and let’s talk about things.” I close my eyes.

“Davis, there are not enough years in a lifetime for me to get to the point of forgiving you,” I tell him softly. “It’s over. We both need to move on. Sign the papers.” I take a deep breath. “You’re just prolonging the inevitable. If you keep dragging this out, I’ll make sure everyone at the country club knows you are begging me to stay married to you. And we’ll still get divorced. Is that what you want?”

“You fucking cunt.” I knew the minute I mentioned the club he clings to, he’d be pissed. “Get your fucking ass home where you fucking belong.”

Lincoln is coming to the back door. I disconnect the phone. It immediately rings in my hand. It’s Davis again. I don’t have time to block him, so I just shut down the phone, then unlock the door for Lincoln.

“You need to come and pack your things. You aren’t staying in there.”

“I’m sure the person is long gone.” I avoid looking at him, worried the guilt will show in my face.

“Get your things,” he orders, his voice feral.

“Fine.” I throw up my hands. “But I’m sleeping on the couch.” He just stares down at me. “That look doesn’t scare me, by the way,” I lie.

I swear I hear him growl as I put my head down and go to pack my things.