I lifted her and headed to our room and the bed. I looked around the room not seeing a damn thing, that’s how pissed I am. I laid back with her in my arms, shoes and all and let her cry it out. All the while apologizing for not being here for her.
I’ve had strong dislike and even minor hate for someone before, nothing came close to what I felt now. I’m not the pontificating type, the whole world doesn’t need to hear what I want to do to a motherfucker that cross the line, all that shit gets played out in my head. This asshole was soon going to be a chalk outline.
She cried herself to sleep in ten minutes. I hated to leave her, but I had shit to take care of. With one last kiss to her forehead I pulled the covers up over her and snuck out of the room.
The other three were in the kitchen, I heard their voices as I made my way down the hall to the door. I didn’t have to look when I heard running feet behind me. “Get off!”
“No!”
Asshole Tony jumped ahead of me and put his hand against the door blocking my exit. “Move that shit before I break it off and beat you with it.” It didn’t take long for the other two to join us.
I finally got a look at Travis and was satisfied that there were no bruises on him. “Did he hit you?” The kid shook his head and it was obvious he was still angry. “Where are you going Max?”
“To the station.” I didn’t look at him when I answered.
“Nah see, now that’s not gonna work. I called Jackson and he took him in. Which means you can’t touch him.” Jackson is another one of our childhood friends who joined the force after years of breaking the damn law.
I knew what Tony was trying to say. That because it was Jackson shit was gonna get done and I didn’t need to worry. But nothing the law does to this asshole is ever gonna be good enough.
“Besides, you really want to leave her now?” I glared at him because the asshole knew that was the only thing that would stop me. Since I wasn’t exactly thinking clearly, I figured I could make a run and be back before she woke up.
“What do you plan to do down at the station Max? You gonna put hands on him, that make sense to you?”
“Did you see her face, her neck?”
“I saw, and he’ll be taken care of. You going down there now isn’t gonna do a damn thing. First of all they’re not gonna let you see him….”
“Jackson would.”
“Yeah, and lose his damn job.” Who the fuck has time to think about that shit?
“He’s right boss, just go take care of your girl. Tony and I’ll head back to the club and make sure shit’s square there and we’ll come back.” I gave him a look that had him taking a few steps back.
“How the fuck did you not know he was back in the city Marcus?”
“Don’t blame him bruh, that’s a dick move. Now calm the hell down and go be with your woman. You’re not getting through the door.”
“Max?” Her tinny voice rang out in the following silence.
“Fuck!” I went back down the hall to her. She was sitting up in bed with fresh tears running down her face. “Hey baby I’m here.” The swelling in her face had gotten worst and so had the ugly red marks on her neck.
I swallowed my anger as common sense kicked in. Tony was right, it was more important to take care of her now. I bit back the guilt and moved over to the bed.
“Come on baby.” I lifted her and took her into the bathroom, sitting her on the counter between the his and her sinks. I wet a cloth with cold water and cleaned up her neck before rubbing some cream into the scratches.
“I have to get some ice for your cheek.” What the fuck had I been thinking? “Do you need to go to the hospital? Are you hurt anywhere else?” She shook her head no, but it was when she held out her arms to me like a baby that I really lost my shit.
I lifted her in my arms as my eyes filled. As a man I can’t tell you the last time I cried, unless it was from laughing too hard, but this shit had me on the brink. I took her back to bed and headed to the kitchen for a bag of ice.
The three musketeers were still standing around in front the door like they thought I was gonna make a run for it. “You two head back to the club. Tony make sure my office is locked up, I don’t remember doing it. Marcus you stay there.”