Kelly, missing my moment of recognition, continues her story. “Things improved for a few months, but then I got pregnant.” My eyes grow wide at her admission trying to do the math. I know Kelly is married to Brooks, and I know they have a daughter who’s only five years old, so she’s not talking about Mia.
“He was happy to begin with. Things were looking up. But one night a few weeks later, he came around drunk. He was a mean drunk and I was pissed off at him for going against what he promised me. We argued. He said some terrible things. Then he punched me in my stomach.” Her eyes shine with unshed tears and I fight my need to comfort her. “I lost the baby two days later.”
“I’m so sorry, Kelly.” I place my fork on my plate, my appetite now lost.
“I’m not telling you this so you feel sorry for me, or so we can bond on some sisterhood level. I’m telling you because I want you to know I understand your reservations about seeking help. I was lucky I had a close family who had my back, but sometimes, even with all the support, I still felt alone. Sometimes I wanted to just pretend it never happened. But the problem with that is it doesn’t always go away.”
“Kelly—” I know what she’s saying without really saying it, and I want to put a stop to it. “Did Beau ask you to talk to me?”
“No, I just overheard them talking about you not giving a statement. I want you to know that I get why you don’t want to, and I respect that. But unlike me, you don’t have the support I did. So I’m here if you want to talk. Whenever, you know? ” She reaches across the table and places her hand over my forearm.
“Did you press charges?” I don’t know why it matters but I ask anyway.
“No, like you I didn’t want to draw it out. I was scared. He came from a wealthy family and it was his word against mine.” I’m almost relieved at her answer. That someone around here understands me.
“I know how that feels.”
“You’re brave, Mackenzie. Doing this on your own shows just how strong you truly are. Just promise me if you need to talk, you’ll reach out. Okay?” I nod and take onboard her advice. The last eighteen months I’ve kept to myself, holding everything in. Maybe a friend wouldn’t hurt. Maybe opening up wouldn’t be so hard, knowing she went through the same thing.
“Thanks, Kelly. I think you’re brave and strong, too.” I place my free hand over hers. I watch a smile spread across her lips briefly and I can’t help but return it.
“Well, that’s enough deep stuff for the night. I better get to bed.” She drops her hand from mine and stands.
“See you in the morning.” She places her cup in the sink and leaves me sitting alone thinking about her words.
I know why I don’t want to involve the police, and I know why I should.
Neither decision is going to help me. All I know is, right now I’m safe. No one is coming for me. No one is asking questions, and after having my world come down around me, I’m not going to go looking for trouble.
If trouble comes knocking, then I will be ready.
“You have to be shitting me,” I curse while trying to flip the damn omelet for the fifth time.
“You okay there?” A voice startles me, causing me to jump back in a scream. “Shit, I’m sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.” I turn around at the voice and come face-to-face with someone I’ve met before. Almost black hair, green eyes, legs molded into dark jeans.
“Detective Carter, what are you doing here?” I back up, knocking the handle of the pan, watching it and the omelet I’ve been trying to perfect, fall to the floor.
Oh, God, is he here for me?
“Didn’t Beau tell you I was coming?” He steps forward, tears a napkin from the roll and starts to pick up the mess on the floor.
“Umm, no?” I calm my breathing and force myself to relax.
“Well, that explains the jumpy reception.” He chuckles as he comes to stand in front of me. “Sorry about the omelet.”
“No problem, it was already ruined.” I watch him place the pan back on the stovetop and step back. My hands flex in front of me. My initial instinct is to run for it, but I push the feeling away. In the past, I learned the hard way the police can’t be trusted. Not when they were under the influence of Chad’s father, Mayor Morre.
“I can see your head running a mile a minute there, sweetheart. I’m not here to bring you any harm. I’m just here to take your statement.” A slight grin pulls at the side of his face, only relaxing me a little.
“Statement for what?” I blurt, forcing another breath into my lungs. Beau and Nix both discussed with me the possibility of going to the police last week. But I said no.
Apparently, he didn’t agree.
“To press charges against your ex.”
“I-I…” My voice of caution whispers softly not to react, but it doesn’t break through my body’s need to retreat. I shake my head from side to side. “I’m not interested. I told Beau I didn’t want to press charges.” I go to step around him, but he stops my escape.
“I understand your apprehension with talking to me, Mackenzie, but I’m on your side.” I nearly scoff at him. My side? The man works in the same sheriff’s department as men who have ties to the Mayor, why would I want to talk to him?
“There are no sides for me, Detective Carter. I’m sorry you wasted your time coming here, but I have nothing to say.” I try to keep my breathing steady as I attempt to stay calm.
Cops are a no go. I found out the hard way last time.
“He put his hands on you. You should make a statement.” I stop the eye roll from forming, but can’t help the scoff this time.
“Like that’s helped in the past.” I casually take another step back. If he’s not going to let me out of the kitchen, I at least want to put some distance between us.
“I know you had a hard run, Mackenzie. I’m not excusing anyone in our department, but not all cops are crooked.” I hold his stare for a beat, and try not to read too much into his conviction. I know he personally didn’t mess me around, but the department he works in did.
“Yeah,” is all I manage to say, wishing I could be anywhere but here. The last thing I want to do today is reminisce about the time I reached out to the police for help and it was brushed under the rug.
“So, Chad hasn’t tried to contact you since you’ve been back?” Detective Carter presses on.
“No. And I’d like to keep it that way.” I take another step back, this time less casually. His eyes follow my retreat, picking up on my unease.
“No one knows I’m here.”
“And it will stay that way. As far as we’re concerned, you being here is a on a need to know basis.”
“Yeah, and what about the Mayor?” Anyone in the Mayor’s pockets can easily tell him I’m here.
“The Mayor is more concerned with trying to find his son. Seems he’s gone underground. No doubt in hiding after what he did to you.”
My heart twists as a white light almost blinds me.
“Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you?” His jaw ticks and his eyes flash with something I’ve never seen before. It’s almost crazed. Feral.
“You okay, Mackenzie? You look pale.” Jackson’s voice chases the memory away.
“Of course.” I hold his stare. In any other circumstance, I would have pulled off my lie with a smile and a quick change of the subject, but not today. Today, I tug at my shirt, and wonder if he can see right through me. With each tug, my unease grows, and I can practically see his mind racing with unasked questions.