Chapter 7
HUNTER
Getting released tooklonger than expected, so Lexi Maddox took Charley back home, and Martin stayed two more hours to take me back. It was one o’clock in the morning before they released me.
Officer Maddox came in and removed the cuffs. Fury was radiating from his eyes, but it wasn’t directed at me.
“I’d have done worse,” the cop muttered to me as he shook my hand and led me out of the interrogation room.
They found Gate’s stash of stolen panties that belonged to women in the complex and his video and picture files. It wasn’t just Charley he’d been watching over the years, and I suddenly wished I had gotten more than just a punch to his paunchy gut in.
“The Assistant District attorney got your charges down from assault to disorderly conduct, considering the circumstances. You’re free to go. Here’s the ticket for your court date. Between you and me, your lawyer can get the disorderly conduct dropped too.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
Martin stood up when he saw me coming. I rubbed the irritated skin around my wrists as I walked toward him. He didn’t look angry, but his eyes spoke volumes about the talk we needed to have. I didn’t plan on feeling anything for my friend’s sister, but the moment I saw her, I knew she was mine.
“You good?” I nodded. Martin was a few years older than me.
“Thanks. I never would have thought to call Savage.”
Martin nodded. “He’s the best person to call in a sticky situation because he knows everybody.”
We walked out of the station in silence toward his truck, that was still packed down with the bulkier items from Charley’s apartment. I thought of her and cursed that I had put her through so much tonight. She never should have been at that station tonight, but when she’d told me what that asshole did... rage filled me.
“You going to say anything?” I stiffly waited for his reply.
He slid me a sidelong glance. “I’ve known you over a year through Deviance. You’re a good Dom. The Littles in the club feel safe with you, and you’ve never made a move on one of them.”
“No.”
He nodded. “If she’s the one for you then, I won’t stand in your way. Just make sure she’s the one.”
“She is.” I took a deep breath. “I can’t fucking explain it, but I know she’s supposed to be mine.”
He nodded. “Then I’ll leave her punishment up to you for taking so many fucking risks and not speaking out sooner.”
“She’ll be safe with me.”
“I wouldn’t give you my blessing if I thought she wouldn’t be. I’ll drop you at her place and bring her stuff over tomorrow.”
“Thanks for getting me out of there tonight.”
“I owe you for taking care of the asshole and making sure he will pay.” His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel. “I wish like hell she would have told me. She was living there for two fucking years.” He banged on the steering wheel.
“I know.” I shared in the rage he was feeling. I hit the guy, but it wasn’t nearly enough to dissipate the anger I felt toward the creep.
***
Lights were still onin Charley’s apartment, so I knocked firmly on the door instead of just calling her.