Chapter 31

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Anna Peterson stood in the living room in front of the hallway entrance. Ingrid wrapped her arms around her mom, supporting her need to keep the commotion happening inside and outside the house out of the bedroom where her father slept, oblivious to the panic sweeping through his wife and daughter.

"Are you sure you didn't see Evan?" whispered Ingrid.

Her mom shook her head. "I didn't even know he drove by until Mr. Hanley knocked on the bedroom door and said he was calling 911."

Ingrid looked at the man who Notus Motorcycle Club had hired to guard the house during the day when the members were at work. The only reason she was comfortable with the arrangement was because Wayne had informed her that Mr. Hanley was ex-military who had lost his niece to domestic violence.

"Sir, we can't stop someone from driving on the street." Officer Whitley hooked his thumbs behind his belt and widened his stance. "This is a residential area with a sidewalk—a right of way to the public—bordering the yard and without a fence, we can only trespass a person if they enter the home. That doesn't mean we won't respond if you call 911. It only means that we can't enforce a charge. We're more than happy to address any concerns and make sure you feel safe inside your home."

Mr. Hanley turned to Ingrid. "Kingsley won't set foot on the property while I'm here. That, I can promise you."

She was afraid this would happen. Holding her mom tighter, she nodding accepting Mr. Hanley's help. No amount of men or laws would stop Evan if he was determined to get to her or someone she loves but what could she do? She'd selfishly came back after Evan forced her hand after tracking her down, wanting to end her hardships, and in return, she'd put everyone's life in danger.

The front door swung open, hitting the wall, and Glen entered the living room. His wild gaze scanned the room and settled on her, growing more intense as he looked over her body and locked with her eyes. The tension she'd held, protecting her mom and dad, eased.

Glen crooked his finger. "Come here, Blue."

She stepped forward. Halfway to him, she lunged. He caught her against his chest. His solid, strong arms wrapped her in safety. Nothing else existed.

"Hanley informed me about what happened over the phone." Glen's voice vibrated his chest, soothing her. "The other Notus members are looking for Kingsley. I'm taking you home with me."

She lifted her chin. "I can't. My mom and—"

"Hanley's going to stay in the house. I'm going to protect you, and the others are going to make sure Kingsley's whereabouts are known through the night. We'll have others take over when we have to go to work." He rubbed her back. "Kingsley is going to fuck up and go too far, but we're going to make sure nothing happens to you or your parents."

Officer Whitley cleared his throat. "I'll pretend I didn't hear any of that."

"We'll call if he returns," said Mr. Hanley.

The front door opened. Ingrid waited until Mr. Hanley escorted Officer Whitley outside and turned to her mom. "I won't leave if you want me to stay with you and dad."

Her mom glanced at Glen and back to Ingrid. "We'll be okay with Mr. Hanley. I'm worried about you, though. Don't take any chances, and maybe you shouldn't go to work until this is all over."

"Pauly can protect her. He's aware of the situation." Glen leaned down and whispered in Ingrid's ear. "Pack a bag, Blue."

She stepped away from him, grabbed her mom's hand, and led her mother to her bedroom. Away from Mr. Hanley and Glen, Ingrid removed clothes from her dresser and stacked outfits on the bed.

"Are you sure you'll be comfortable with Mr. Hanley in the house?" She picked up her old backpack that'd seen her through two years of living on the street.

Her mom sat on the bed. "Honestly, I'll feel better knowing you're not here. Tonight, when Mr. Hanley told me Evan drove by three times, looking at the house, it finally hit me how dangerous he could be. I'd like to hide you away until he stops."

Ingrid paused folding a shirt. "You didn't believe me about Evan?"

"No, no..." Her mom rubbed her lips together. "I believed you. There was never any doubt, but seeing your face when you ran in the house worried about us, it became too real."

She inhaled deeply. "I'm sorry."

Her mom grabbed her hand and shook her arm. "Don't say that. It is not your fault. There's only one man who is to blame, and he will pay for what he's done."

Ingrid tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

"Glen promised me he'd make it safe for you to live a normal life again without hiding away and being scared. I believe him." Her mom let go of her. "Now, pack your stuff."

Stunned over her mom's vehemence, Ingrid finished packing. Legally, there was nothing Glen or Notus could do for her, except protect her in case Evan showed up wanting to harm her. But, she couldn't ask them to do that forever. It wasn't fair to them. They had jobs and missing person searches to work on. She had a job, and if she wanted her parents not to worry about her, something had to change.

"Okay, I think I have everything I need." She grabbed her grandma's afghan, stuffing the blanket into the bag.

"I don't know what it is about you and that old afghan," said her mom.

Ingrid sighed. "It's like having a piece of home with me. Daisy used to sleep on it at the end of my bed, remember?"

Her mom smiled sadly and nodded. "I miss that cat."

"Me, too." Ingrid looked around the room. "I'll go tell Dad goodbye and let him know I'll only be gone a couple of days and I'll call often.  You can put me on speaker so he can hear."

She hefted the bag onto her shoulder, her knees buckling under the weight. How quickly she got out of shape not having to lug the bag around twenty-four/seven.

"He'd like that, and I would, too." Her mom stood. "I better go grab clean sheets and make your bed. Mr. Hanley will need to rest, too. With you gone, he can sleep in here. The old couch can't be comfortable."

Ingrid walked down the hall, dropping her backpack outside her parents' room and paused at hearing Glen's voice in the bedroom with her dad.

"...take care of her." Glen paused. "I doubt if Ingrid told you, but I met her when she tried to steal my wallet."

Ingrid's face warmed, wondering what her dad must think of her. Glen wasn't exactly telling the truth. She was keeping his wallet safe during the fight.

"I don't know what the fuck was going through my head at that moment, man. I took off running after her. I eventually caught her, and she looked at me and even though I knew nothing added up and what she was telling me was a bunch of garbage, I couldn't stay away from her." Glen blew out his breath. "What I'm trying to say is, out of respect for you, Gunnar, I want you to know I'm taking Ingrid home with me. I'm going to keep her safe, and I'm going to put an end to Evan Kingsley ever getting another chance to put a mark on your daughter. I can promise you that."

Ingrid leaned her back against the wall and let her chin fall to her chest. All Glen's bolstering and arguing that they had no future together was for show. He cared. A lot.

Straightening, she pushed off the wall and walked into the bedroom. Glen turned at her entrance, and she stopped next to him at the side of the bed. Her dad was awake.

The steady rhythm of his oxygen set the mood. She perched on the edge of the bed and held his hand. He had no recognition of touch or pain in his extremities, but holding her dad's hand was a habit she refused to break.

"Things went a little crazy here tonight. Mom's okay." She glanced up at Glen. "The Notus Motorcycle Club hired a man named Mr. Hanley to stay here. Evan drove by the house a few times, and Mr. Hanley called the cops. I know he'll protect you both."

Her dad's gaze remained steady, not even a blink while she talked.

"I'm going to stay with Glen at his house." She lowered her voice. "It'll make it easier to get to work. I'll be safe at his house with him, and Pauly sticks right by me at work. I'll make sure I call you and mom tomorrow."

Her dad closed his eyes an extra beat and opened them again. She leaned over and kissed his forehead. "I'll be careful, and I'll come back as soon as I can. I love you."

She stood, putting his hand back at his side and turned to Glen. Her eyes burned. She needed to get out of the room before Glen questioned how she knew what her father would say. She had no idea, but if he was able-bodied, she imagined he'd tell her to be careful and to come back home when it was safe.

She swallowed. "I'm ready."

"Let's get you to my place." He palmed the back of her neck and led her out of the room, picking up her pack without stopping.

She hugged her mom goodbye and accepted Glen's hand as he took her outside to his motorcycle. Within minutes of leaving her home, he pulled into his driveway. She walked into Glen's house. Everything looked the same. He still had an extra pair of boots in his living room. She yawned. Today seemed to never end.

Glen pointed upstairs. "Go ahead and hit the bed. You're tired."

She stepped around him and stopped. "Which bedroom?"

"Mine." Glen walked into the kitchen and out of view and said, "Go ahead and do what you gotta do, and I'll be up in a bit."

The thought of sleeping with Glen filled her with a boost of energy. She carried her backpack upstairs to his room. Stripping out of her clothes, she walked to the bathroom and slipped under the warm water of the shower. She closed her eyes and willed the tension out of her body and the guilt from leaving her parents safety in someone else's hands.

Nothing would settle the anticipation of being with Glen all night and being held in his arms.