“I mean it, you have me baby, and once this is sorted, we tackle Jake together, okay?”
I notice the slight movement in her eyes as I grab all my clothes that are scattered on the floor.
“I know this is scaring you, but Levi won’t be long. I wish you’d come to the station. I hate leaving you alone right now, but I have to get to the firehouse,” I admit as I stand in my naked glory with all my clothes bunched in my hands and watch her intently.
“It’s okay, Aiden, this is my problem…” she mumbles as she avoids my questioning gaze.
“No, it was your problem Blaire, but now it’s our problem, okay?” I guide my legs into my pants and start to do up the buckle before I slide my t-shirt over my head.
“Okay,” she whispers with a slight nod.
“Right, come on baby, lock me out and then climb back into bed for a few hours and dream of me…” I wink and give her soft lips a long slow kiss, lightening the mood which is now very tense.
I watch her climb out of the bed and cover her body in a dressing gown that hangs by the door. I wish I could just slide it off and run my tongue over every inch of her body, but I know I have to head out the door and wait to hear all the locks click into place. I don’t look back because I won’t go to work if I do, and then I’ll have a lot more explaining to do. I just can't seem to shift the worry in the pit of my stomach about her safety though. I’ve let the guys in the shop know an old friend of Blaire’s, called Levi, is on the way. I may have also told a white lie that she’s got a migraine starting. It means I have more people watching out. Rich will have a job on to deal with all of us.
* * *
“I’m here,” I shout as I take my jacket off and hang it up. “It’s been one of those days.”
“Cutting it fine,” Jake cautions, while Liam pins me to the spot, making a love heart symbol behind his back. “You seem distracted?”
“Just had something to deal with,” I snap back forcefully with wide eyes. “You know I don’t swap shifts normally.”
“I know Aide, but there’s something going on with you. I’m your best mate, I can see it’s something big. I’ve always got your back,” Jake declares with a slap to my shoulder.
“I know and I appreciate it more that you’ll ever know, but it’s not my story to tell. Right now, I can’t say a thing Jake, I swore I wouldn’t say a word. I don’t like it and seriously, you’re not gonna like it either, but I hope you’ll understand eventually,” I bite back, telling him everything I can. I walk toward the door and stop, rest my palm on the framework and take a long sigh.
“I get it, but don’t leave it too long,” Jake utters back. “Let Liam go, he needs to get home.”
“Thanks Liam, for helping out,” I reply in earnest before giving a curt nod. “Speak later, yeah.”
“Yeah, will do.”
“Huntington, Mitchell, come on,” Chief Clark shouts up the stairs. “Things won’t get done with you standing around talking.”
“Yes, sir,” we reply in unison as we head out the door and to our stations.
The last thing I want to do is spend the day here but what choice have I got? I can't exactly spill my concerns to Chief Mike, because then he will ask why haven’t I spoken to Jake. I just can't win. The worse thing is I did debate calling Greg, the police deputy from the Armstrong Police Department, but what would I say? I think my girl’s previous partner may be stalking her but I've no evidence? Greg would just laugh at me for wasting precious resources and he knows how much that's a bane of my life. I’m stuck at a crossroads and don’t know what direction to turn.
I glance at the clock on the wall and realize it’s only been two hours. Why is time passing so slow? I just hope that Levi arrives soon, and the ease in my gut can settle knowing we can plan how to tackle whatever is spooking Blaire. I know that she hopes it’s coincidental, but I know deep down it’s not. This fucker is messing with the wrong person.
9
BLAIRE
If I have to stay put inside these four walls for now just to keep my heart rate in check and my promise to Aiden. Then, I'm not just going to sit here and twiddle my thumbs. Fuck that shit. Yes, something out there is happening beyond my control but in this apartment, with all my locks and barriers, I'm safe.
I get up and dress myself in a loose, floating dress. The heat overcomes my senses, not just from the weather but from the hot fireman-slash-EMT that has crept into my life. I don't know how he's suddenly become a firm fixture in my life, but now he's here, he's not going anywhere. Jake will have to deal with it, whether he likes it or not. It's my life and my choice. Even though some of my previous ones have been less than healthy, they are mine, and mine alone to make.
I decide to start the tedious task of unpacking more of my belongings around the place. These boxes are causing a hazard to my clumsy feet that tend to trip over things at the first opportunity. I’ve gone through half a pile of paperwork in one box, when a knock disturbs me. I balance the paperwork on top of the box, so as not to mess up my hard work, grab my cell in one hand and head to answer the door.
“You've made great time,” I admit with an air of confidence in my voice. I check the time on my cell and unlock the security measures on the door. “Thanks for coming, it really does mean a lot.”
“No problem, princess,” Rich's dark calculating voice replies, slamming his forearm into the gap in the door. I shriek into the air a high pitch squeal as I try to wedge it shut, and close the distance between us. My whole weight slams against the frame as my heart races and my head begins to swarm in panic. “I think we've got some catching up to do.”
The door flies open, knocking me backwards and my cell skids across the floor. I scramble to grab it, and press the green button to call for help but Rich’s large hand hovers over me and grabs it out of my grasp. I try to calm my breathing, not let my fear show but it’s pointless when my lungs bang against my ribcage with each breath as my heart beats faster, uncertain of what he’s got planned. Rich knows me, knows that I didn’t run for no reason and now my one item that could’ve helped me is across the room. I get up and attempt to push against the large brute, to wrestle for my cell, my lifeline but his sneer takes hold.
“You won’t be needing that,” he snarls as he throws it against the wall. I watch in horror as it smashes into pieces. He slowly moves to the sofa, lowers himself into the seat I favour and makes himself comfortable. My stomach flips and I start to plan my escape route. “Now, why don’t you be a good girl and come and take a seat next to me over here and we can talk?”