Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 97337 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97337 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Someone inside saw the ruckus and opened the door to say they’d called the cops before hurrying back inside. “How’re you doing over there?” I turned my head and called out to her. She was now sitting up against her car tire and I could tell from here that her blouse was torn.
I had my knee in the asshole’s back with his arm locked off behind him. I wanted to beat his head into the ground until the shit split down the middle but she was here. I had to remind myself not to scare her any further.
She hadn’t said anything since I called out to her and I was seconds away from freaking out.
“Hey, how’re we doing over there? The cops should be here soon with an ambulance. I know you’re scared but don’t be. He can’t get to you any more.”
I hoped my words offered her some comfort and felt like shit because I couldn’t go to her. I kept reassuring her, not quite knowing what to say. Adrenaline pumped through my blood and it was hard not to act, not to do more than I already was.
I looked down at her attacker and didn’t recognize the guy but that was no big surprise. I don’t usually frequent this side of town. I wanted to ask her if she knew him but she didn’t seem in any condition to talk, so I figured we’d wait until the cops get here.
I kept calling out to her every few seconds though, in the hopes that my voice was helping her hang on and not give into the fear that I was sure she was suffering right now.
It was hell not being able to go to her, to see for myself that she was really okay. I watched through the dark as she tried getting to her feet, and when she fell back against the car again I pressed my knee harder into her attacker’s back and willed myself not to choke him out.
I made all kinds of promises in my head while we waited for the cops. Like the promise to find this asshole once this was done and beat the shit out him for putting his hands on her.
Although people had their faces pressed against the glass of the store no one stepped foot outside to help, something I’ll never understand, but now was not the time to dwell too deeply on that mess. I didn’t even want to think about what might have happened to her if I hadn’t come looking for her. The thought left me cold.
I was glad when the cops finally came so I could go to her. It felt like forever since I drove up but in actuality only a few minutes had passed. At least the cops weren’t dumb enough not to know who the criminal was in the situation and it was an easy handoff.
Drake
I knelt down beside her and turned her by her shoulders to face me. Her body felt limp like she had no life. “Hey, hey…” Shit, I’d left it too long, she’s in shock.
I lifted her without thinking and walked over to the cops who were just finishing up putting him in the back of the squad car. She made a sound of distress at the sight of him and I stepped back and turned. “It’s okay I’m here.”
I waited for the sound of the door closing before turning back to the cops. “She was attacked, where’s the ambulance?”
“It’s on its way son.”
“I don’t need…” She started to decline the offer of an ambulance but the shakes set in and the words were cut off.
“Miss do you want to tell us what happened here tonight?” He addressed her as I put her back on her feet. She just shook her head still too afraid to speak.
They turned to me next and I answered their questions about what I saw and when they were done with me, stood off to the side waiting while they focused on her again. I overheard them tell her she needed to follow them to the precinct before walking away.
“I’ll follow you there.” I stepped up beside her because she just stood there looking lost.
“You don’t have to…”
“Don’t be silly, of course I do.” She had no one else here, no family and no real friends to speak of. I felt that squeezing in my heart again.
I walked her over to my truck and she looked up at me questioningly. “We’ll get your car later, I don’t think you should drive, hop up.” I helped her in and pulled the seat belt around her before moving around to the driver’s side.
I sat still for a few seconds giving us both time to calm down. I didn’t question her, didn’t force her to talk, just reached over and took her trembling hand in mine. She never stopped shaking all the way there and I had no idea what to do for her at this moment.