Derek
It’s been a long week since I ran into Emily. She hasn’t contacted Amelia again, so I hope she ditched her attempt to get money from her. I’ve been doing my best during my patrols to check on Tracy and Amelia. I didn’t want Emily to try and hurt them for money. Truthfully, I’d make an excuse to see Tracy. Although most of the time, she doesn’t see me.
Like the stalker I am, I follow her home just a minute behind. Every day I want to knock on her door and pull her into my arms, kissing her like she needs. She’s got her keys in her hands, holding them like a weapon with a key between the knuckles. Smart girl. I watch her slip the key into the lock and turn it. I don't always get to do this because I’m at work, but I need to know if she's safe.
Her door slams awkwardly, and through the window I see shadows. I hear her scream and that’s when I see what’s going on. Two guys are shuffling around her apartment. Immediately, I call for backup. “I need backup 22 N. Central. Two guys—looks like a B & E.”
“On the way.” I rush with my gun out, up the stairs and slam straight into her apartment. I fire off a shot at the one holding my woman, hitting him in the arm. He lets go, then both of the assholes take off running before the next shots are in their heads. They dash out the rear exit of the apartment and down a flight of stairs. “I'm in pursuit,” I say into my walkie, running after them.
I see them hop into a waiting car. I try to position myself before firing since there are children in this area, but they speed off with a third person in the driver's seat. Instantly, I radio my men to give them all the details I can. Since it’s dark out, I can’t make the exact color of the vehicle, but I know it’s a Chevy Tahoe about ten years old. I call out the BOLO on it. Then I step back inside. Tracy is shaking and rocking herself in the corner of the living room. I lock the front and back doors, holstering my weapon. I know it’s more than a robbery gone wrong.
Walking up to her, I grab her hand and lift her to her feet, then I wrap her up in my arms where she belongs. “I'm so sorry, baby. I'm not going to let them hurt you, ever,” I promise her with a burning need to protect my woman.
“Derek,” she sobs, pressing her head against my chest. With every tear she sheds, my heart breaks. I'm going to hunt these fuckers down myself. The thing is, they were lying in wait for her. I didn’t see anything and neither did she when we both first pulled up. Burglars would have been moving around and bolted like they did when I arrived. I made a mental note that they don't fit the description of the burglars in the area. Something's going on, and I'm going to get to the bottom of it. I rub her back; my heart racing out of control. This is the moment I've been waiting for forever just to hold her. Unfortunately, it took me this long to welcome it and I almost lost her. I let her hold on tighter, releasing a sigh. And I hear my walkie go off.
“Sheriff, we are outside.” I forgot that our silhouettes can be seen from where we’re standing. That’s how I could tell someone had broken in, so they could make us out. Honestly, I no longer cared.
“Sweetheart, I need to get you out of here.” There’s a lot of work to do, but she doesn’t need to be here for it. I can question her later about he guys in the place, and if she happened to know them at all.
“I don't have anywhere to go,” she mutters, looking up at me with those round eyes that captivate me every time.
“Tonight, you're staying with me,” I tell her. She doesn't fight me, thankfully. “Sweetheart, you want to go get some things that you'll need?”
“Okay.” She reluctantly leaves my arms. Then as equally reluctant, I open the door and let the other officers in.
“Start looking at the scene. There were two guys waiting for her and a third in a car outside. We need to see if there are surveillance around this area.”
“I highly doubt it, sir. There's no need for cameras around here. The burglaries are isolated to the other side of town.”
“I want you to double-check anyway,” I bite out. “I need to go check on Ms. Hope.”
I walk back to her room and accidentally catch her changing.
“Shit.” I step out and close the door. I'm horny and pissed at the same time. She left her bedroom door unlocked. Any of my men could have walked in there. Right now is not the time to curse her ass out. I'll have to fix that for later though. I stand guard at the door because fuck if I catch one of my men looking at her. She comes out a moment later with a double bag packed.
“I noticed your apartment doesn't have much in it. You’ve lived here for a few months?” I ask.
“Yeah not a clutter lover kind of person,” she admits. It’s more than that the place looks empty. There’s no reason for the robbers to come here unless they weren’t here for a robbery.